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Homes

Back at the shop: A revealing look at meticulous cabinet-making

A lot of the work that has gone into our renovation didn’t take place on site. It happened 20 kilometres away in a 3,000-square-foot shop in Langord.

Case of the missing desk, the sow's ear and the silk purse

A dizzying traffic jam of workers and materials hurtles around a renovation site. Just when I think I’ve figured out who belongs to which vehicle parked out front, I arrive to find another tradesman’s van that I don’t recognize.

Comparison shopping: Finding the same look for less

There’s a popular feature in homes magazines that reproduces a room full of expensive furniture and accessories for a fraction of the cost. You can also see it on television since HGTV Canada recently started running a U.S.

Bedevilled by the details

Who would have thought that a small detail like baseboards would require so much deliberation? Baseboards – also called skirting boards or floor mouldings – are used to cover the uneven edge of flooring material alongside the wall.

While-we're-at-it-itis

My friend Debbie has many more renovations under her belt than I do.

A real winner

We knew our contractor was a winner when we hired him, but now everyone knows it. Congratulations to Rannala Construction for winning a 2011 Georgie Award.

The Dirty Truth

In a renovation as extensive as ours, it's a good idea to divide some duties. My husband and I decided we didn't each have to be involved in the minute details of every decision. Luckily, Brad was willing to take on some of the dirtiest jobs.

Notebook: Stories worth sharing

When undertaking a project as significant -- and, at times, overwhelming -- as our renovation, you soon appreciate that the images you likely will cherish most are those that easily become short anecdotes you want to share with others.

The Renovation Divorce

Before we began our project, several friends who had done major renovations to their homes warned us that the process would be stressful. "Our reno took a bit of a toll on our relationship," one friend confided.

The teenager's turn

A few years ago, our daughter Caitlin decided that she wanted to move to the bedroom downstairs.