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First Editions Shrubs & Trees
New for 2026, early-to-bloom First Editions Spring Sizzle Panicle Hydrangea will look smashing in garden beds or patio containers.

New, improved hydrangeas perfect pick for space-saving pots

Colleen Zacharias 7 minute read 2:01 AM CDT

Container gardening is more popular than ever.

Gardeners are looking to expand their opportunities for growing unique plants without taking up lots of space. More gardeners are discovering that growing perennials and shrubs in containers opens the door to a longer season of continuous colour, and the chance to grow a wider range of exciting new varieties.

One of the top plant choices for container gardens in 2026 will be hydrangea. “Hydrangeas continue to be one of the best-selling shrubs across North America,” says Ryan McEnaney, marketing and communications manager for Bailey Nurseries, a fifth-generation, family-owned wholesale nursery headquartered in St. Paul, Minn.

“The home gardener’s excitement for hydrangeas is palpable for those of us who work behind the scenes to bring new hydrangeas to market,” says McEnaney. “Growing hydrangeas in decorative pots provides the perfect opportunity for enhancing patios, porches and decks — spaces where maybe gardeners didn’t think they could grow a hydrangea.”

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Westwood infill condo project all about livability and location

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Westwood infill condo project all about livability and location

Todd Lewys 5 minute read 2:01 AM CDT

When Karma Developments’ Myles Kraut saw the plot of land he’d purchased at 130 Allard Ave. in Westwood (formerly the site of Allard School) he had an immediate vision.

“I knew the condo market across Canada was very slow,“ he recalls. “Apartment-style condos weren’t moving well, so I visualized putting up a combination of bungalow- and townhome-style condos to buck the trend.“

He says there were three reasons why he decided to go the bungalow and townhome condo route.

“First, people — in this case down-sizers — need a home that’s livable and that offers plenty of storage. Apartment-style condos often lack the livability and storage space of a single-family home. Second, people can age comfortably in place in bungalows.”

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2:01 AM CDT

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Townhomes will feature elegant exteriors and beautiful landscaping, front and back.

Fully updated La Salle two-storey luxurious and livable

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Fully updated La Salle two-storey luxurious and livable

Todd Lewys 5 minute read 2:01 AM CDT

One of the drawbacks of homes with open-concept floor plans is — for better or worse — everything is right in front of you when you walk into the main living area.

And while flow between spaces is seamless, you can’t help but feel all the areas — family room, dining area and kitchen — aren’t as distinct as you’d like them to be.

Thankfully, some homes were designed to provide a happy medium between traditional (segmented) and modern (open-concept) design.

A sharp looking two-storey home located on an expansive lot at 27 McQueen Dr. in La Salle is one of those homes, says David Phillips of Century 21 Carrie Realty.

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2:01 AM CDT

Supplied
The 2,575-sq.-ft., two-storey home is exceptionally livable and has been tastefully remodelled throughout.

Outdoor reno rejuvenates more than just an old porch

Marc LaBossiere 4 minute read Preview

Outdoor reno rejuvenates more than just an old porch

Marc LaBossiere 4 minute read 2:01 AM CDT

As summer begins to slip away every year, lingering outdoor jobs become a race against time.

While keeping a close eye on impending forecasts, a day was chosen to replace the top deck boards along the lower tier of the front porch at my clients’ boat-access-only cottage location. Although the early morning seemed rather frigid, the day evolved into a gloriously calm and mild autumn afternoon — perfect outdoor building weather.

Much like the upper tier that had been addressed a few years prior and several other projects later, the process of removing the old two-by-six tops would be done systematically. As boards were removed, new two-by-six top-decking was installed.

Typically, I prefer to complete all demolition and prep before initiating installation. However, it was much easier here to demo and install as I went along, primarily because the old deck surface gave me easy access to lay out and secure the new boards.

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2:01 AM CDT

MARC LABOSSIERE / FREE PRESS
A short repose lakeside helped rejuvenate the soul at the job site.

Snug as a bug

Colleen Zacharias 7 minute read Preview

Snug as a bug

Colleen Zacharias 7 minute read Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025

One of the first rules for ensuring winter survival of plants, especially newly planted trees and perennials, is to water them deeply so they are well-hydrated prior to the first hard frost.

Recent rains have taken care of that task (and then some) for many gardeners in Winnipeg and surrounding areas.

The big question now is, what will winter bring? The 2026 edition of The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts this winter will be warmer than normal across the southern Prairies with above-normal precipitation and below-normal snowfall.

Winter, though, can be harsh, regardless of predictions for mild temperatures. The impact of even brief but bitterly cold spells combined with frequent freeze-thaw cycles so characteristic of our Zone 3B climate, can wreak havoc on the root systems of plants, especially if there is below-average snow cover.

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Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025

Myra Froc photo
Gene Froc in his peony garden in the Qu’Appelle Valley. Tender plants will be covered with an insulated construction tarp for the winter.

Updating style can fit just about any budget

Marc LaBossiere 4 minute read Preview

Updating style can fit just about any budget

Marc LaBossiere 4 minute read Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025

Every once in a while, a project with rather foreign parameters crosses my path.

At a recent property, a minor kitchen facelift (part of a much larger renovation to ready a rental property) was heavily bound by budget constraints. Nonetheless, the look of the kitchen needed somewhat of an update without the high costs and hassles of a gut-and-remodel job.

Upon seeing this kitchen for the first time, it felt like walking into the past. The Arborite countertops, mismatched in colour, suggested an additional array of cabinets had been introduced at some point, without a countertop upgrade. Although new quartz counters would have clearly made a huge difference, it was not to be during this round of renovations. As such, it was necessary to address the main aesthetic issue which was indeed the backsplash.

Prior to addressing the kitchen, the old backsplash (if you can call it that) was tantamount to an Arborite continuation, vertically up the back wall below the upper cabinets. And because the main L-shaped countertop is an odd aqua-blue colour, this darker hue serving as a backsplash did not well serve the kitchen’s look. Fortunately, the vertical Arborite had been installed using an adhesive that, over time, had become brittle, allowing the sheets of flat Arborite to be peeled off with just a little encouragement.

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Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025

Marc LaBossiere / Free Press
A new peel-and-stick backsplash greatly improves a rental-property kitchen while adhering to a strict budget.

Tastefully updated River Park South bungalow ideal for a young family

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Tastefully updated River Park South bungalow ideal for a young family

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025

These days, when growing families look to buy a move-up home, they have two options.

Option A is a brand-new detached two-storey home in one of the city’s newer neighbourhoods such as Prairie Pointe, Sage Creek or Summerlea (to name a few).

In most instances, the price tag for such a home — which would be anywhere from 1,350 to 1,500 sq. ft. in size — would range from $500,000 to $560,000 depending on chosen options.

As exciting as the prospect of moving into a brand-new home is, it isn’t a total cakewalk. Which is to say such homes can often be far from complete.

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Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025

TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS
The 1,279-sq.-ft. bungalow is full of upgrades, and is in a family-friendly spot near amenities.

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Luxurious bungalow condo project set for prime land on Wellington Crescent

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Luxurious bungalow condo project set for prime land on Wellington Crescent

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025

Back in the day, a large tract of land on the 600-block of Wellington Crescent was home to the Khartum Shriners Hospital.

Opened in June 1949, the hospital — which specialized in the treatment of children with physical disabilities or serious illnesses — operated under the Shriners moniker until it was turned over to the provincial government in 1977 and renamed the Rehabilitation Centre for Children.

The centre finally closed in 2016, and the buildings stood vacant until October 2022, when the structures were demolished.

As it turns out, someone was watching the goings-on at the choice plot of land — developer Marc Kipnes of Crystal Ionics.

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Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025

SUPPLIED
Each detached bungalow condo will come with an elegant exterior and a double attached garage.

Stately Crescentwood two-and-a-half storey abode truly one-of-a-kind

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Stately Crescentwood two-and-a-half storey abode truly one-of-a-kind

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025

A home just doesn’t happen — it’s created.

That’s exactly what the longtime owners did with a stately two-and-a-half storey home situated on a 108-by-135-foot lot at 134 Harrow St. in Crescentwood — create a quietly spectacular home, over the span of three decades.

Built in 1914, the sprawling home is a throwback to a time when craftsmanship was king with its commanding silhouette speaking to its one-of-a-kind, early 20th-century design.

That time period is underscored inside courtesy of high baseboards, hand-hewn red-oak hardwoods, ornate crown mouldings and a delightful collection of special spaces.

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Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025

Todd Lewys / Free Press
The stately 4,290-square-foot home, which has been thoughtfully updated throughout, combines timeless charm with modern convenience.

Never the same bathroom project twice

Marc LaBossiere / Free Press The bathroom was nearly gutted before the remodel could begin. 6 minute read Preview

Never the same bathroom project twice

Marc LaBossiere / Free Press The bathroom was nearly gutted before the remodel could begin. 6 minute read Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025

The old adage, “if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all,” definitely does not apply to bathroom renovations.

Although the finished results from one project to the next may appear similar, the paths to get there often require a variety of dissimilar steps. A bathroom job completed a short while ago is a perfect example.

Generally, a bathroom remodel requires a few typical enhancements: a tub and shower stall facelift, a new sink vanity and mirror, tub and toilet replacements, new lighting fixtures and possibly new flooring. To achieve these outcomes in the simplest manner requires the removal of the “old” to make way for the “new.” The process becomes more complex when the existing sub-surfaces are no longer viable. For instance, after removing the existing tile along the tub and shower wall reveals a mouldy backer, the existing drywall is replaced with new aqua-board.

At a recent bathroom upgrade (part of a much larger project at an impending rental property), the existing space was in terrible shape. The ceiling and wall paint had begun to flake, discoloured from years of moisture. The tub, sink and toilet were badly stained from the hard water in the area. The electrical outlet was not GFCI. The old vanity was not centred during installation, and was offset from both the partially inset medicine cabinet and the vanity light fixture above it. The linoleum flooring was lifting along all seams and revealed a gap along the base of the tub. Every single water feed and drain revealed a minor leak of some sort, likely overlooked due to the bigger issue of water in the domicile’s basement, which was recently rectified by introducing a much needed sump pump to manage the elevation of the water table.

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Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025

The new light fixture was moved to align with the mirror and vanity.

Bungalow seamlessly melds style, function

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Bungalow seamlessly melds style, function

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025

When a builder is given licence to build a luxury home on a huge, countrified lot, it can be difficult for them to contain their excitement.

Little wonder.

With all that space to work with — in this case, a 77-by-165-foot lot — it’s all too easy to design a home that’s visually exciting but lacking in functionality.

Artista Homes’ design team didn’t make that mistake with their new bungalow show home at 19 Ash Cove in Headingley, says the home’s sales representative, Phil Amero of Royal LePage Prime Real Estate.

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Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025

The 1,916-sq.-ft. bungalow is filled with light, understated style and functionality.

Light, airy and just like new: Make this luxury home your own

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Light, airy and just like new: Make this luxury home your own

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025

Thanks to U.S. tariffs and ever-rising construction material prices, it’s never been more costly to build a luxury home.

Add to that the possibility — due to those and other factors — that a home’s price could increase during the building process and you have a scenario that can be as stress-filled as it is exciting.

That financial pressure can prompt some buyers to forego desirable options and design features in an attempt to keep costs under control, which can leach some of the joy out of a time that should be filled with anticipation and optimism.

But every now and again, a gem of a luxury home comes up on the resale market.

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Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025

Just one year old, this 2,101 sq. ft. two-storey home features luxurious finishes throughout.

New book has a cornucopia of ideas for entertaining

Colleen Zacharias 6 minute read Preview

New book has a cornucopia of ideas for entertaining

Colleen Zacharias 6 minute read Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025

Robyn Chubey’s creative ideas for decorating homes and gardens in every season, and her garden-to-table recipes to delight family and guests, are about to reach a new audience.

Chubey’s five-acre farm on the outskirts of Winnipeg — Prairie Glow Acres — is the showcase for her skills as a talented photographer, gardener, florist and decorator. Her social media followers (@life_of_glow on Instagram) are drawn by her innovative ideas and easy DIY projects for creating showstopping spaces, and she uses photography to tell engaging stories about life at home and in the garden.

Next March, she’ll launch her first book, Gather Together: Delightful Décor and Simple Recipes for Every Occasion.

“I was contacted by Quarto Publishing in spring 2024, and was asked if I had ever wanted to write a book,” says Chubey. “I’ve wanted to write a book for about 20 years. I said I would love to.”

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Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025

Robyn Chubey photos
Robyn Chubey uses pumpkins to create a welcoming entrance to her greenhouse.

A toilet fail was caught in the nick of time

Marc LaBossiere 5 minute read Preview

A toilet fail was caught in the nick of time

Marc LaBossiere 5 minute read Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025

Just reliving this experience sends a cold chill down my spine.

If my wife hadn’t spotted a minor issue with the handle of our main-floor toilet, there’s a good chance we would’ve endured a disastrous water breach in our house. And had that happened, the water would have flowed unrestricted for hours, likely damaging a good portion of our main floor — completely destroying our recently finished basement.

A few nights ago, my wife discovered that the main-floor toilet was no longer flushing when you pressed the handle. The two-piece had worked for two decades without faltering — part of the bathroom renovation I completed shortly after we moved to this property. As a matter of fact, in December 2016, I wrote a Reno Boss column about this bathroom, dubbed the “Coca-Cola Bathroom,” since it is adorned from top to bottom with Coke paraphernalia collected throughout the years.

After a brief inspection of the toilet, I found that the inner plastic lever had a non-reparable crack and could no longer lift the flush mechanism. It would need to be replaced.

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Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025

Marc LaBossiere photos / Free Press
The “Coca-Cola Bathroom,” as first showcased in a December 2016 Reno Boss column.

Show homes still open for visitors after the parade

Lanny McInnes 3 minute read Preview

Show homes still open for visitors after the parade

Lanny McInnes 3 minute read Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025

While the Manitoba Home Builders’ Association’s 2025 Fall Parade of Homes comes to an official close on Sunday, Oct. 12, that doesn’t mean your chance to visit Manitoba’s newest and finest show homes will end.

Almost all the show homes that have been part of this fall’s event will remain open for viewing well after the Parade of Homes ends.

MHBA builders have continued to see outstanding crowds at the 135 new homes in this year’s parade. The homes certainly don’t disappoint, offering an amazing array of design, style, quality, craftsmanship and choice for viewers.

Our Fall and Spring Parades of Homes are showcase events hosted by the MHBA that demonstrate the best that the new home building industry has to offer. Whether you’re in the market for a new home, considering a change or just looking for ideas for your current home, no other Parade of Homes in Canada provides the opportunity for people to experience such an extensive collection of new home concepts, features and decor.

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Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025

Supplied
Visiting a Manitoba-built show home is a great way to get ideas for the dream home you’d love to have.

Homegrown solution

Colleen Zacharias 7 minute read Preview

Homegrown solution

Colleen Zacharias 7 minute read Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025

For the last two years, Dave Hanson, owner of Sage Garden Greenhouses, has been using Typha for mulching plants and improving soil quality. A sustainable product made from harvested cattail stalks, Typha holds significant potential for gardeners, says Hanson.

“The story behind Typha is incredible in so many ways,” says Hanson. “It is a Manitoba-made solution with ecosystem benefits to our lakes, but it’s not limited in its scope. As more gardeners discover Typha’s benefits as a mulch and soil amendment, it has the potential to impact the horticulture industry across Canada.”

Typha is an aquatic plant that functions as a bio accumulator. Typha plants naturally filter nutrient runoff before it makes its way downstream to freshwater lakes. Harvesting Typha plants at a critical time of its life stage has proven very effective at removing phosphorus, which is the key culprit behind excessive algae blooms in Lake Winnipeg.

Alec Massé, CEO and co-founder of Typha Co., is keen to spread the word about the many ways that Typha simplifies gardening.

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Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025

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