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Renovation Diary

Michigan couple builds heirloom home for family gatherings

by Fernanda Perez

The homeowners—a retired couple with 13 grandchildren—collaborated closely on the project. A new home in Ada, Michigan, just outside Grand Rapids, blends old-world charm with modern family living. Oxbow Manor, a 3,000-square-foot residence, sits in a neighborhood designed to echo historic architecture. The setting inspired interior designer Ella Baker to craft a space that feels established yet personal, avoiding any trace of forced antiquity. A home built for generations The…

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Their Adore Your Floor Guarantee ensures customers will love their floor, or it will be replaced. The store offers a wide array of both residential and commercial flooring, encompassing carpet, laminate, hardwood, luxury vinyl, and tile—all tailored to meet local needs. Their Adore Your Floor Guarantee ensures customers will love their floor, or it will be replaced. With expert measurement, worry-free professional installation, and surprisingly affordable prices, they work every…

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Homeowners Urged to Seal Attic Leaks Before Insulating

by Maite Ramirez

ENERGY STAR's guidance on attic upgrades emphasizes the importance of hatch treatment and highlights equipment and combustion-safety considerations. When considering the installation of attic insulation, homeowners typically focus on the type of material and its thickness. However, a more effective strategy is to view the attic as an integrated system that encompasses various factors, including air leaks, accessibility, moisture, and safety considerations. The specified depth or product name is merely…

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Muskoka cottage restored with modern touch

Muskoka cottage restored with modern touch, blending rustic charm with contemporary design...

Rina Sari • Nov 10, 2026 • Builder Spotlight

Muskoka cottage restored with modern touch

T he clients are empty nesters who spend their summers and falls in Canada, and they wanted to remodel their Muskoka cottage to better suit their expanding extended family. Originally built in the 1950s as a Pan-Abode, this Muskoka...

retreat has undergone careful restoration and enlargement, preserving the character of its original architecture while introducing a contemporary sensibility. The design blends rustic charm with a refined interpretation of the Canadian cottage vernacular, seamlessly merging natural materials with modern design....

Rebuilding a home with personal touch

Rebuilding a home with personal touch is about understanding the life you...

Maite Ramirez • Nov 6, 2026 • Floor Plans

Rebuilding a home with personal touch

A digital copy is also available on PressReader. Photo: D Goug/Pexels A writer who lost their home in the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, is currently rebuilding. The experience has taught them the importance of understanding the meaning...

of home. While deciding on the layout of their new house, their builder made a comment that resonated with them: "The best design happens when you think about the life you want to live here." This idea is reflected in...

Toronto Penthouse Gets Bold, Colorful Redesign

Penthouse redesign in Toronto's Casa Loma transforms a 1,500-sq ft 1984 condo...

Rina Sari • Nov 3, 2026 • Contractor Corner

Toronto Penthouse Gets Bold, Colorful Redesign

T he 1,500-sq ft Toronto penthouse in Casa Loma, built in 1984, includes two bedrooms and two bathrooms. April, a client of Dart Studio, was entering a new phase of her life and wanted her Toronto penthouse condo to...

feel truly her own. Located in the Casa Loma neighborhood, the 1,500-square-foot space features two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Originally built in 1984, the condo was ready for a complete transformation. The Dart Studio team, led by Olivia Botrie, was...

Weighing repair vs. replacement for old windows

Weighing repair vs. replacement for old windows: experts analyze sash, glass, and...

Rina Sari • Oct 31, 2026 • Contractor Corner

Weighing repair vs. replacement for old windows

I n homes with older wood windows, a common feature in the Lehigh Valley, the decision involves both practical and aesthetic factors. A drafty window often prompts homeowners to consider full replacement, yet older windows frequently contain repairable components...

worth saving. Experts advise breaking down the issue by examining the sash, glass, weatherstripping, and surrounding wall sections to pinpoint what needs fixing. A whole-house replacement may fail to resolve the problem if the root cause lies in installation errors...