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Nik Friesen-Hughes photo Looking for an echinacea you count on? Magnus coneflower keeps coming back if you plant it in lean soil.

Pragmatic plots

Colleen Zacharias 8 minute read 2:01 AM CDT

Our climate is changing rapidly, and our garden plans need to adapt accordingly.

“We need a planting design that functions as a resilient, self-sustaining ecosystem suited to our climate,” says Nik Friesen-Hughes, landscape designer and owner of Dogwood Landscape Design Build. “We’re already seeing warmer temperatures overall in winter and summer and a longer growing season. In a climate such as Winnipeg’s, plants must handle extreme cold, heavy spring moisture and drought. So, we want to design a garden that’s resilient to all these things.”

Managing landscape water efficiently is a good starting point.

“Resilient landscapes don’t just use less water, they manage the water where it is,” says Friesen-Hughes. What if you could charge up your soil profile in spring with the extra moisture in the snow to help plants withstand hot, dry conditions that occur later on?

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Marc LaBossiere / Free Press

The three-tonne heat pump is installed in an area that avoids snow drifting in the winter.
Marc LaBossiere / Free Press The three-tonne heat pump is installed in an area that avoids snow drifting in the winter.

Get emergency heat with one simple wiring change

Marc LaBossiere 7 minute read Preview

Get emergency heat with one simple wiring change

Marc LaBossiere 7 minute read 2:01 AM CDT

From this past autumn into the dead of winter, our household dealt with an unfortunate bout of HVAC issues.

In the fall, the heat pump’s blower fan failed, resulting in sole reliance on the air handler (furnace) to heat the house. Moreover, the blower fan caused a surge on the heat pump’s circuit board. As such, both the blower fan’s motor and the control board needed to be replaced.

At some point during the coldest spell of winter, the air handler’s control board also suffered a catastrophic failure. Luckily, this issue was rectified within a week, and the house once again had heat. It wasn’t until recently that I received an ETA on the heat pump’s control board, even though the blower-fan motor had arrived several weeks prior. No matter, the heat pump “fix” was scheduled with my HVAC guy. However, there was a lingering programming issue that had always presented complications, dependent solely upon the outdoor temperature when the heat pump was not operational — the temperature lockout.

For those who aren’t familiar with electric heat pumps, the units are essentially air conditioners with a dual purpose — they provide heating in the cold months, and cooling during the warmer times of they year. Our Canadian climate, however, usually necessitates a “backup” heating system for times when the heat pump cannot efficiently or effectively heat the house properly. For instance, in Manitoba, my heat pump can effectively warm the house when the outside temperature remains above -15 C. Below this temperature, the heat pump struggles, even though the system will begin to call upon the heating coils in the air handler (the electric furnace). And even though this is the proper function, the heat pump’s efficiency begins to drop off greatly as the outdoor temperature dips below -15 C.

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2:01 AM CDT

TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS

The 2.945-sq.-ft. home’s striking exterior serves as a preview for its fabulously fashionable and functional interior.
TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS The 2.945-sq.-ft. home’s striking exterior serves as a preview for its fabulously fashionable and functional interior.

Move-in-ready marvel

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Move-in-ready marvel

Todd Lewys 5 minute read 2:01 AM CDT

Over the years, many neighbourhoods emerged with great fanfare, creating real anticipation among prospective homebuyers.

Those neighbourhoods include (in no particular order) the Bridgwater, Sage Creek and Ridgewood West — among others.

Then, there are some neighbourhoods that — for some reason — fly under the radar. One of those neighbourhoods is Van Hull Estates, located just west of another popular area, River Park South in South St. Vital.

Tucked away off St. Mary’s Road just north of the Perimeter Highway, it’s a quiet, well-treed enclave that runs back toward some of the most picturesque stretches of the Red River.

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2:01 AM CDT

TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS

Only two units are left in Esprit Condominiums, with both coming in at under $400,000.
TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS Only two units are left in Esprit Condominiums, with both coming in at under $400,000.

Esprit de vie

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Esprit de vie

Todd Lewys 5 minute read 2:01 AM CDT

If there’s one thing families prize above all else when they’re looking to buy a new home, it’s affordability.

It’s easy to see why.

With the cost of a new entry-level home running between $500,000 and $600,000, home-buying budgets, suffice it to say, are being stretched to their outermost limits.

If possible, families desperately want to find a new residence that costs significantly less, as they need the extra money to put food on the table and clothe their kids.

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2:01 AM CDT

SUPPLIED

The 1,610-sq.-ft. Oceanview lives much larger than its listed square footage and offers families a wonderful blend of style and functionality.
SUPPLIED The 1,610-sq.-ft. Oceanview lives much larger than its listed square footage and offers families a wonderful blend of style and functionality.

Revamped floor plan boosts Transcona two-storey’s livability

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Revamped floor plan boosts Transcona two-storey’s livability

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, Apr. 4, 2026

One of the most important aspects of new-home design is very subtle, yet extremely important.

That aspect? Never being satisfied that a tried-and-true design is too good to be modified. In other words, there’s no room for complacency in designing new homes.

That’s because, as a builder, you can be assured other builders won’t be resting on their laurels in the pursuit of becoming the best in the industry. With that in mind, Kensington Homes’ design team took a hard look at one of their most popular designs, the Oceanview.

It didn’t take long to figure out how it could be improved, says Lilita Klavins, new-home sales representative for Kensington’s new show home at 408 Desrosiers Dr. in Transcona’s Canterbury Crossing.

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Saturday, Apr. 4, 2026

Photos by Michelle Austin

Michelle Austin photo Escape to the English countryside with this beautiful wallpaper design from an original hand-painted watercolour by Michelle Austin.
Photos by Michelle Austin Michelle Austin photo Escape to the English countryside with this beautiful wallpaper design from an original hand-painted watercolour by Michelle Austin.

Regina watercolour artist brings nature-inspired designs to home décor

Colleen Zacharias 6 minute read Preview

Regina watercolour artist brings nature-inspired designs to home décor

Colleen Zacharias 6 minute read Saturday, Apr. 4, 2026

Inspired by her garden and the textures, patterns and colours found in nature, Michelle Austin’s designs bring the outdoors inside your home.

Austin is a Regina watercolour artist and surface pattern designer. She creates original hand-painted works of art for wallpaper, fabric and home textiles.

Her exclusive watercolour designs for wallpaper are available through West Coast Walls, based in British Columbia and Australia. Now, Austin’s garden-themed art has led to an exciting new partnership with a New York-based textile company which manufactures and distributes fabric across North America.

From walls to cushions, bedding, curtains, quilts, table decorations and other décor accents, Austin’s subdued colour palettes enhance home interiors with botanical elegance.

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Saturday, Apr. 4, 2026

SUPPLIED

The stately, like-new 2,500-sq.-ft., two-storey home sits on a well-treed 60-by-120-foot lot in a prime location in East Fort Garry.
SUPPLIED The stately, like-new 2,500-sq.-ft., two-storey home sits on a well-treed 60-by-120-foot lot in a prime location in East Fort Garry.

Stately East Fort Garry two-storey still stuns a decade on

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Stately East Fort Garry two-storey still stuns a decade on

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, Apr. 4, 2026

Entertaining the idea of building a new luxury home in one of Winnipeg’s newer neighbourhoods is a romantic pursuit. After all, you’re getting a brand-new home from top to bottom.

That being the case, it’s unlikely you’d get hit by any major repair bills for anywhere from five to 10 years (cross your fingers!).

Not only that, but the home delivered to you will be custom-tailored to your needs and tastes.

Unfortunately, there are some downsides associated with building new.

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Saturday, Apr. 4, 2026

MARC LABOSSIERE / FREE PRESS

A new bar fridge facing the dining room is incorporated into the island design.
MARC LABOSSIERE / FREE PRESS A new bar fridge facing the dining room is incorporated into the island design.

A kitchen island unto itself

Marc LaBossiere 5 minute read Preview

A kitchen island unto itself

Marc LaBossiere 5 minute read Saturday, Apr. 4, 2026

While working at a job site for weeks at a time, it has been my experience that conversations with homeowners eventually lead to the prospect of other impending projects.

In this case, fortunately, this led to early preparations for a secondary revamp, hastening the installation process. While prepping a feature-wall fireplace location with the necessary electrical circuits, a new kitchen circuit was also introduced for an upcoming island upgrade. Once the cabinets arrived weeks later, the new circuit was ready to be implemented.

A kitchen island is nothing more than a layout of specified lower cabinets, with decorative panels to conceal the reverse sides of functioning cupboards. As such, the general depth of an island can range anywhere from 26 inches to considerably deeper, provided the kitchen offers the required space.

At a recent kitchen island upgrade, the space boasted more than enough usable area for a larger island. The existing island set-up seemed puny in comparison to the proposed design, which entails a longer island by the standard depth of cabinets with a countertop overhang of an additional 12 inches, rendering the rectangular top at 74-by-39 inches.

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Saturday, Apr. 4, 2026

The spotless 1,100-sq.-ft. attached two-storey home has much to offer a young family and has undergone a host of key updates.
The spotless 1,100-sq.-ft. attached two-storey home has much to offer a young family and has undergone a host of key updates.

Well cared-for, updated Crestview two-storey great fit for young family

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Preview

Well cared-for, updated Crestview two-storey great fit for young family

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Saturday, Mar. 28, 2026

These days, a starter home can range in price from $300,000 to $400,000, depending on its condition and location.

And as many a young family has discovered, starter dwellings run the gamut from those needing a ton of work to those requiring little to no updating — and everything in between.

In most cases, houses listing for around $300,000 may need many upgrades, inflating the actual cost of the home to somewhere between $325,000 and $350,000 depending on what needs to be done.

If you’re handy, this may not be a daunting task. However, if you’re not so adept at home repair and refurbishment, the cost of required work — and possibly taking out a purchase-plus-improvements mortgage to cover up to $50,000 in renovation costs — may be untenable for many young couples looking to buy.

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Saturday, Mar. 28, 2026

Offering over 2,700 sq. ft. of deftly designed living space, Casa Mia Living’s show home oozes style and quality.
Offering over 2,700 sq. ft. of deftly designed living space, Casa Mia Living’s show home oozes style and quality.

Infill home’s exceptional livability comes down to deft design details

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Infill home’s exceptional livability comes down to deft design details

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, Mar. 28, 2026

There are two types of infill home builds.

The first is one done quickly to maximize profit. That being the case, its build quality, floor plan and finishing standards often leave much to desire. Then there’s the second type: a home built with care and commitment to quality throughout.

Two new infill homes on Lindsay Street in River Heights North fall decidedly into the second category, says Val Miller of Royal LePage Dynamic Real Estate.

“This home is a step above everything else,” she says of the 1,668-sq.-ft., two-storey show home, which stands next door to its mirror image at 182 Lindsay St., which is also now for sale. “That’s because a lot of effort was put in to getting every detail right. Everything about this home is well thought out. The builder was very meticulous and detail-oriented.”

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Saturday, Mar. 28, 2026

Marc LaBossiere / Winnipeg Free Press

Old dilapidated stairs to the home’s back-door entry (left) evolved into a four-season covered porch fit for entertaining guests (right).
Marc LaBossiere / Winnipeg Free Press Old dilapidated stairs to the home’s back-door entry (left) evolved into a four-season covered porch fit for entertaining guests (right).

‘Before’ and ‘after’ images highlight true transformation

Marc LaBossiere 5 minute read Preview

‘Before’ and ‘after’ images highlight true transformation

Marc LaBossiere 5 minute read Saturday, Mar. 28, 2026

On occasion, while rifling through my photo catalogue on my iPhone, I stumble across a forgotten “before” image taken at a job site. And when that photo underscores how spectacularly a transformative reno project has improved the homeowners’ abode, I can’t help but write a before-and-after column to showcase the upgrade.

Looking back on the project, it was a series of complementary decisions that led to the vast improvement.

During my first visit to the job site, it was clear the old wooden stairs that lead to the back door of the house had become dilapidated, and even unsafe in certain areas. As such, the homeowners wanted my impressions on how best to revitalize the rear access structure.

Thoughts had been entertained regarding the viability of transforming the back stairs into a covered porch area, primarily to ease the process of entering the house during the winter months.

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Saturday, Mar. 28, 2026

The Skye design manages to pack in tons of style and livability.
The Skye design manages to pack in tons of style and livability.

Family-friendly two-storey has small footprint, loads of functionality

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Family-friendly two-storey has small footprint, loads of functionality

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, Mar. 21, 2026

Over the past few years, builders have been constructing two-storey homes on smaller lots to make dwellings more affordable for prospective buyers.

It goes without saying that building a residence on a narrower lot is a challenging task.

That’s because the utmost precision is required to come up with a home that feels spacious and welcoming. Every detail of its design must be considered to maximize functionality and livability.

Broadview Homes’ 2026 Spring Parade of Homes show home at 168 Ruth Crossing is a shining example of a well-considered house design, says Lisa Castro of Coldwell Banker Preferred Real Estate.

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Saturday, Mar. 21, 2026

TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS

Families will love the West End home’s wonderful blend of modern functionality and timeless styling.
TODD LEWYS / FREE PRESS Families will love the West End home’s wonderful blend of modern functionality and timeless styling.

Character-filled starter home checks all the boxes for families

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Character-filled starter home checks all the boxes for families

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, Mar. 21, 2026

When it comes to ranking oxymorons, the term, “move-in-ready starter home” has to be close to the top of the list, or at least in the top five.

That’s because it’s very rare to find a starter abode that’s truly in move-in-ready condition.

However, there are exceptions.

A character-filled one-and-three-quarter-storey home found at 635 Ashburn St., in the city’s West End is as close to turn-key as you’ll find, says Eric Neumann of Real Brokers.

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Saturday, Mar. 21, 2026

MARC LABOSSIERE / FREE PRESS

These PVC profile tiles were difficult to cut, as certain cut locations required a custom tab to prevent the tile from falling through the grid.
MARC LABOSSIERE / FREE PRESS These PVC profile tiles were difficult to cut, as certain cut locations required a custom tab to prevent the tile from falling through the grid.

Be smart with basement ceilings

Marc LaBossiere 6 minute read Preview

Be smart with basement ceilings

Marc LaBossiere 6 minute read Saturday, Mar. 21, 2026

Of all the lower-level and basement full-gut and remodels achieved throughout the years, only a handful have been finished with drywalled ceilings — and there’s a good reason for that.

In most homes, services mapped throughout the structure originate from the basement. And due to this, many of the joist cavities throughout the lower-level ceiling contain controls or supply lines for ventilation and water and often even electrical junction boxes, all stemming from a variety of scenarios and for specific reasons. Permanently covering these features is a big mistake.

At one job site in the Sage Creek area, the dwelling was considered a new build, only a few years old and the lower level had not been addressed at all. The bare-lumber staircase led to an entirely empty space with concrete walls along the perimeter.

Eventually, the interior wall configuration was designed, and the project began to take shape. Unlike most basements that showcase shorter wall heights, this new home’s lower level boasts nine-foot ceilings. And for the most part, the services were confined to the utility and furnace rooms, thereby allowing with ease the installation of drywall along the ceilings.

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Saturday, Mar. 21, 2026

Aubin Nurseries photo

Expect high demand for Always Together Rose, new for 2026. Sale royalties help support the Never Alone Cancer Foundation.
Aubin Nurseries photo Expect high demand for Always Together Rose, new for 2026. Sale royalties help support the Never Alone Cancer Foundation.

Woody plants make bold, distinctive statements

Colleen Zacharias 7 minute read Preview

Woody plants make bold, distinctive statements

Colleen Zacharias 7 minute read Saturday, Mar. 21, 2026

We’re on the cusp of a new season in the garden. As the snow begins to retreat over the coming weeks, gradually revealing your garden, it’s an opportunity to study the woody framework.

Will your garden be a blank slate until perennial plants start emerging from the ground? Or are there enough sculptural elements to make the spring garden look interesting even without perennials? Shrubs, with their distinct shapes — round, spiky, columnar, pyramidal, weeping, vase-shaped or ground-hugging — add structure, nuance and character to the garden.

If you’re shopping for shrubs this spring, there are endless options to choose from that will do the job beautifully. But there are also some unusual newcomers to look for this spring.

Quirky, but elegant

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Saturday, Mar. 21, 2026

R. Kato photo

The annual orchid show and sale is always an exceptional opportunity for stunning photography.
R. Kato photo The annual orchid show and sale is always an exceptional opportunity for stunning photography.

Take in rare species and incredible hybrids at annual orchids show and sale

Colleen Zacharias 6 minute read Preview

Take in rare species and incredible hybrids at annual orchids show and sale

Colleen Zacharias 6 minute read Saturday, Mar. 14, 2026

It will be a blooming paradise today and tomorrow as the Manitoba Orchid Society hosts its annual orchid show and sale at Breezy Bend Golf and Country Club in Headingley from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

With hundreds of orchids for sale, including rare species and hybrids from expert orchid growers from across the country, this event is the place to be for orchid lovers and anyone who wants to learn more about how to grow and care for unique plants.

“Our members have many methods for successfully nurturing orchids from around the world and adapting them to growing conditions in our Prairie homes,” says Denise Fortier, longtime member of the MOS and one of the event’s organizers. “We can provide reliable growing tips and tricks that work here in Manitoba. If you grow an African violet, you can grow an orchid.

“The educational talks held daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., are really popular,” says Fortier. The talks are free with show admission ($10).

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Saturday, Mar. 14, 2026

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