(NC)Do you rely on central air conditioning to make the summer's heat and humidity more bearable If so, now is the time to ensure that your equipment is in tip-top shape. If you fail to maintain it, your cooling system will suffer a steady decline in performance while your energy use and ...

(NC)The Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada advises consumers to follow these six considerations when hiring an air conditioning contractor: 1. Finding Reputable Contractors Contact neighbours, friends, relatives and co-workers for opinions on work done recen ...

(NC)Canadians' ongoing love affair with renovating their homes is alive and well, with more than $20 billion being spent every year since the new Millennium. But how do you know what improves your home's value, and what might make it harder to sell Here are some tips that might make the ...

(NC)For many Canadians who have only dreamt of buying a home, it can now become a reality. While the actual dream may differa house with a big back yard for gardening, or a condo in the sky with a great view of the citybuying any home can be an important step for couples building a life ...

When hot, sticky days hit, try to use all your senses to keep cool. Sight and sound have amazing psychological effects, even when the thermometer soars. One of the most cooling and relaxing sounds I know is that of a trickling spring. It relaxes my mind and helps my body unwind. In the ...

Whether you live in a tiny city apartment or on a large country estate, gardening in containers is a way to add colour and the beauty of nature to your surroundings. The three main elements of creating successful containers gardens are: Choosing the pots Getting the right planting med ...

Noted English clergyman Sydney Smith (1771-1845) is quoted as saying, "Economy in the estimation of common minds means the absence of all taste and comfort." But finding thrifty ways to decorate your outdoor living space doesnt mean you have to sacrifice either of those things. Here are ...

Maybe youve faced it before a new house with an empty room or two. This room is just crying out for some furniture. So off you go to purchase a sofa you admire - then a chair. Or perhaps you purchase a full living room set complete with tables and rugs. With delivery a few weeks off yo ...

When the days start to get shorter, the darkness may drive us inside from our porches, patios or decks. Dont despair outdoor lighting can lengthen the day and dramatically extend the potential of our outdoor living spaces. The first step, as with any project, is to plan. How do you wa ...

In some areas right now, the weather is ideal for sitting outside in the evening -- the bugs have gone and the sky is clear -- but the nights are chilly. Don't let the cool evenings send you inside -- extend your outdoor living season by heating your deck or patio. Different heaters ar ...

In many parts of North America, the end of "porch season" has arrived. Whether you're clearing out for some oncoming bad weather, closing up the cottage for the season, beating the vandals on devil's night, or just retreating to your nest for the winter, you'll want to store away all of ...

Hawaii is a first choice travel destination with millions of people - and for good reason. Bring a little of that island feeling into your home, either indoors or in your outdoor living space. You can apply this theme to an elegant dinner party, a fun and funky luau, or anything in betwe ...

It's that time of year where rats and mice are apt to enter our homes. Lets talk a bit about their abilities and senses first. Rats and mice cannot see very good beyond 3 or 4 feet but have a very good sense of motion up to 30 to 50 feet away and for the most part they are color blind. ...

Kitsch is defined by several dictionaries as relating to poor quality or gaudy art objects that appeal to low-brow taste. But in the garden, kitsch categorizes folksy or commercial art thats viewed condescendingly by some, and with irony by others. Its this irony (this stuff is so bad it ...

1) Red Oak is not the only choice If you want your home to look like everyone elses, this is a great choice. If you want your home to be unique try hickory, cherry, walnut, white oak, maple or many others. Go to flooring retailers or search the Internet and see what is available. If y ...

Hand-scraped and Distressed hardwood floors are becoming a popular choice in todays upscale homes and commercial buildings. These floors are a newer trend but are rooted in history. Before todays modern sanding methods, floors were hand scraped on site to make the floors flat. Todays ...

You may find it difficult to believe that the days will start getting longer in the Northern Hemisphere in just four short weeks. You can find yourself this time of year coming home on dreary days, or welcoming evening visitors in the dark. It's neither safe nor inviting. But good lighti ...

Lighting "Light has illuminated the path of humanity" While Einstein was probably referring to one of his mind-blowing theories, lighting has also revolutionized the home. Before incandescent and fluorescent lighting, most activities stopped after dusk. Only royalty and the aristocrats ...

If you just love that rustic look, and are finally ready to finally buy log furniture for your home, there are a number of rules of thumb that can help you in making good choices. Begin by considering the overall style of your home. Do you have a log home that is overwhelmingly rustic ...

1. Shoe Magic - Buy gleaming fuchsia (stylish) or red (festive) colored high heeled glass bottom stilettos and fill one of it with flowers of appropriate size for a trendy table top which will set off a trendy, modern theme. You can get a pair at Bobbi's Gift & Leather website.