Homes Website – Winnipeg Free Press

Marc LaBossiere / Free Press
All exposed framing was sheathed with drywall, taped and mudded before being primed and painted.

Where there’s a wall, there’s a way

Marc LaBossiere 5 minute read 2:00 AM CST

When finalizing plans to upgrade existing flooring in homes, other smaller yet imperative tasks often tend to present themselves as well.

At a recent job site, the entire main floor of the house was to receive new vinyl-plank flooring. Once the existing floors were fully prepped, priority shifted towards the wall dividing the kitchen and dining room areas — a wall that would be removed before the new vinyl was installed.

The square footage of this dwelling was not originally large, likely the reason for an addition to the backside of the house that serves as a main seating area.

To alleviate the confinement within the kitchen, the dividing wall adjacent the dining room had been fitted with an opening at some point. While this added to an open-concept feel, the homeowners decided the wall could be removed entirely, to better suit them.

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A Milo moment

Marc LaBossiere 9 minute read Preview

A Milo moment

Marc LaBossiere 9 minute read Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026

Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, unfolded as the perfect autumn day — the temperature remained above-seasonal average, with only the hint of a mild breeze. After a long workday at a boat-access-only cottage job site, my return home included the anticipated ritual of letting out my doggo, Milo, for his late afternoon frolic in the yard.

As my wife pulled up the driveway, both Milo and I were still lying in the grass, enjoying the warmth of the evening sunshine. We then made a bonfire, and watched the sun set — just a loving dog and his humans. Little did we know this would be our last Friday together. Less than a week later, our beloved Milo crossed over the rainbow bridge.

I never had pets growing up. As such, my first puppy, Molly, revealed how novice I was as a fur-parent. No matter, after a few months it became apparent having a fur-baby is all about routine(s): when to feed the dog, how often to let the dog out, not to mention the multiple vet visits and grooming, as well as everything else that is required and expected.

Milo was an impulse buy — his bigger sisters seemed to be squishing him along the glass at one corner of his pen when I first noticed him (at a pet store, when dogs were still being offered for purchase). After a meet-and-greet, I elected to bring Milo home under the pretence that Molly’s approval was imperative. Within two weeks, Molly had clearly accepted Milo as part of the family, and Milo officially became her younger fur-brother. For nine years or so, this duo was the beating heart of the house, affectionately referred to as “M&M.”

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Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026

photos by Marc LaBossiere / Free Press
The last beautiful Friday evening with Milo by the bonfire.

Move-in-ready townhome great for budget-minded buyers

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Preview

Move-in-ready townhome great for budget-minded buyers

Todd Lewys 6 minute read 2:00 AM CST

To say the least, the phrase, “affordable starter home” has become an oxymoron, of late.

And it’s something many young families searching for such a dwelling know from first-hand experience, as many such prospective buyers have a limited budget of $350,000 or less.

Consequently, if a home is affordable — say the price tag is somewhere around $275,000-$300,000 — chances are it will come with a lengthy list of upgrades and renovations that need to be addressed.

Those projects can involve much more than cosmetic fixes, with costly repairs to foundations and roofs redlining already-stretched budgets. In many instances, young families find themselves living in homes they can’t afford to repair — a horrible fix to be in.

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2:00 AM CST

Wilkens model wows with imaginative, functional design

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Preview

Wilkens model wows with imaginative, functional design

Todd Lewys 6 minute read 2:00 AM CST

Designing an attached two-storey residence is never a straightforward task for a home builder.

That’s because they must deal with one key element that doesn’t arise when planning a single-detached home: lot size.

This is an important factor, as lot sizes have been shrinking due to the steady increase in property costs.

Whereas a two-storey attached home may have been built on a 30-foot-wide allotment a few years ago, sizes have now shrunk to as narrow as 22-24 feet.

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2:00 AM CST

The Wilkens — an imaginative two-storey attached design by Hilton Homes — is packed with style, livability and utility.

Nurseryman’s Grunthal-area property a testament to passion for trees

Colleen Zacharias 8 minute read Preview

Nurseryman’s Grunthal-area property a testament to passion for trees

Colleen Zacharias 8 minute read Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026

Visitors to Falk Nurseries located in New Bothwell, a short drive southeast of Winnipeg, can tell at first glance that trees are a central focus at this busy family-owned nursery. Diverse tree specimens have been planted and labelled throughout the attractive landscape so customers can readily identify individual species and assess their characteristics at maturity.

Sheldon Falk, owner of Falk Nurseries, is invested in growing and studying trees as well as shrubs. Early in his career he had a wish list of trees that could grow in our cold climate. Over the years, Falk has made it his mission to visit numerous arboretums and research stations across Canada and in the northern United States. His passion for reading, coupled with friendships with notable tree breeders, has fuelled his research knowledge. Today, Falk’s collection of trees comprises over 200 varieties or species — 600-800 trees in all.

But the testing ground for this vast collection of trees is not at Falk Nurseries, but rather on his private property near Grunthal which he shares with his wife, Cynthia. It’s a stunning 15-acre property with a creek running through it. A long driveway, flanked on either side by majestic trees, at first conceals the house from view but then opens onto a broad and leafy vista over a gently rolling terrain.

A tree and shrub bed in front of Falk’s house was my first introduction last fall to the intriguing diversity of plant material Falk enjoys experimenting with. My eyes were immediately drawn to a beautiful specimen of Tea’s Weeping Mulberry with deeply lobed, dark-green foliage on cascading stems.

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Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026

PHOTOS BY Colleen Zacharias / Free Press
Sheldon Falk shows off a Siberian Fir, a hardy evergreen featuring glossy, bright-green needles that are soft to the touch.

Headingley haven: Resplendent riverside residence offers custom-built comfort with a view

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Headingley haven: Resplendent riverside residence offers custom-built comfort with a view

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026

It’s something everyone dreams about at one time or another: possessing an unlimited budget with which to build your dream home.

That would entail several things. First, there’s the lot — and, of course, its location.

For most people, the lot would be large enough to provide good separation from potentially noisy neighbours.

It would also possess irrefutable beauty, surrounded by mature trees. If possible, water — whether it be a river, lake or pond — would also be present.

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Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026

Situated on a gorgeous one-acre riverside lot in Headingley, the three-year-old home offers over 7,000 sq. ft. of total livable space.

Drought-resistant plants provide perfect accents for distinctive décor

Colleen Zacharias 8 minute read Preview

Drought-resistant plants provide perfect accents for distinctive décor

Colleen Zacharias 8 minute read 2:00 AM CST

Gwen Beam finds the shapes, colours and textures of succulents irresistible.

She has been growing, designing and teaching others how to get creative with succulents for over 20 years. Her gorgeous succulent designs decorate her garden in summer everywhere the eye looks — mounted on the outer walls and entrance-ways of the house where she lives in Brandon, spilling over fences and adorning luxurious and imaginative planter displays on patios, pedestals and walls that divide her garden into intimate outdoor “rooms.”

Her taste for the unique and unusual extends not only to the diverse succulent varieties she seeks out, but also to the eclectic stone representations of heads used as planters to display her elaborate creations.

An avid gardener and active member of the Brandon Garden Club, Beam needed to make some adjustments in her approach to gardening after experiencing heart issues in 2008. Succulents are among the lowest-maintenance plants, so they were an ideal choice.

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2:00 AM CST

Gwen Beam photo
Trailing Calico Kitten Crassula forms the ‘hair’ on this stunning sculptural stone planter decorated with tender succulents which must be overwintered indoors.

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Dwelling’s adept design, logical layout complemented by fashionable finishes

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Preview

Dwelling’s adept design, logical layout complemented by fashionable finishes

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026

As any home builder knows, first impressions matter, big time.

First, a prospective buyer must like the look of a home; that’s what prompts them to enter it to see what it looks like inside.

Once inside, it generally takes someone around 10 seconds to decide if the home’s interior measures up to its exterior, in their estimation. If the impression is positive and curiosity is aroused, they will venture in further to take a longer look.

Should the impression be unfavourable, they may come in to take a cursory look — or they may just turn around and leave. It can be that cut-and-dried.

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Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026

Todd Lewys / Free Press
The 1,433-sq.-ft., two-storey home offers families a wonderful blend of efficiency and elegance.

Solid and stylish, Sage Creek home crafted with young families in mind

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Preview

Solid and stylish, Sage Creek home crafted with young families in mind

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025

Building a new home properly involves far more than endowing it with a“wow” factor, both outside and inside.

Simply put, quality must be the main theme from start to finish.

That’s the approach the design team at Paradigm Custom Homes takes with every home they build, says Ryan Jones of Re/Max One Group.

“The first thing we do is start with elevated building specifications,” says Jones, who’s co-marketing their new 2,226-sq.-ft., two-storey show home at 3 Jontz Cove in Sage Creek with colleague Sean Kirady. “That’s the only way to ensure the home is built right. We start with the exterior and carry that standard through the rest of the home.”

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Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025

The home was crafted to provide young, growing families with versatility and style.

River Heights two-storey smartly melds contemporary and classic

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

River Heights two-storey smartly melds contemporary and classic

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025

Once upon a time, a one-and-a-half storey home was built in 1927 on a choice 50-by-120-foot lot at 1493 Wellington Cres.

Then, some 85 years later, in 2012, its owner decided to give the home a dramatic facelift both outside and in.

“Its unique Arts and Crafts-inspired design begins with a gorgeous wood and stone exterior that catches your attention the instant you see it — it doesn’t look like it’s 85 years old,” says Scott Moore of Century 21 Bachman & Associates (the Moore Group). “That’s just the start. When you step inside you can hardly believe what you see.”

What you see, it turns out, is a stunning entryway.

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Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025

The remodelled Arts and Crafts-inspired home catches your eye the instant you see it.

Extra steps ensure great stairs

Marc LaBossiere 6 minute read Preview

Extra steps ensure great stairs

Marc LaBossiere 6 minute read Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025

When tasked with a project that involves the introduction of vinyl-plank flooring with underpad throughout the main level of a home, the endeavour usually includes a few stairs.

At a recent job site, the stairway leading to the basement had already been addressed during a previous renovation. As such, only the three stairs leading to the step-down addition required the flooring upgrade. No matter, just these three stairs still presented a few hurdles.

Most deluxe vinyl-flooring manufacturers offer “matching stair nosing” for the majority of their inventory. Instead of roaming the aisles of the big-box stores in hope of finding a close match in either PVC or aluminum, a nosing that is fabricated using the same vinyl style and colour is always the better choice. However, it’s best to inquire as to what type of nosing is available.

Although top-mount nosing can be satisfactory in some applications, the sleekest “look” derives from flush-mount nosing, as this type is simply an extension of the vinyl plank at the same elevation. However, there are a few things to consider before attempting the latter style of nosing.

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Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025

The rise of each stair is built to ensure the vinyl plank rise is installed plumb and level.

Get inspired, informed at the renovation show

Lanny McInnes 4 minute read Preview

Get inspired, informed at the renovation show

Lanny McInnes 4 minute read Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025

The 2026 Winnipeg Renovation Show is only a few weeks away. The show traditionally kicks off the new year for home renovations.

Manitoba Home Builders’ Association renovator members are excited to once again be part of the Renovation Show, which is set to take place from Jan. 16-18 at the RBC Convention Centre.

Home renovations are a big part of our lifestyle in Manitoba. We historically spend more on home renovations per capita than residents of any other province, and Manitobans consistently spend more on renovations than on new-home construction. For those who are thinking of taking on a home renovation project in 2026, this is the show for you.

The Winnipeg Renovation Show provides consumers with the chance to visit hundreds of renovation product suppliers and contractors, all under one roof. It provides a one-stop venue for consumers to get a sense of the renovation market and see, touch and feel what’s new and exciting in home renovation technology and style.

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Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025

MHBA photo
Manitoba Home Builders’ Association RenoMark renovators will once again be on hand at the 2026 Winnipeg Renovation Show with their Ask a Renovator booth.

Solid affordability

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Preview

Solid affordability

Todd Lewys 5 minute read Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025

Young families with a modest home-buying budget have never struggled so hard to find a solid, affordable starter house.

It’s easy to see why. These days, starter homes in the $250,000-$300,000 price range — whether they need work or not — tend to sell fast, with bidding wars the norm in sought-after neighbourhoods.

That being the case, it’s all too easy for young couples to experience multiple bidding battles without a sniff of success.

In many instances, missing out on a dwelling might turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Why?

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Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025

The solid, well-loved bungalow offers exceptional value and livability throughout.

Creative touches set mood

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Preview

Creative touches set mood

Todd Lewys 6 minute read Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025

It can take a deft touch to balance creativity and practicality when it comes to home design.

That’s why it’s so important for a home builder to think critically about how to infuse a residence with creative design touches without impeding livability.

That’s exactly the approach the design team at Hearth Homes took with their Astoria II model, focusing first on the dwelling’s livability then implementing creative design touches in a logical yet imaginative way, says Hearth’s design and marketing co-ordinator, Ryan Miller.

“People really liked the previous (Astoria) model,” he says. “But we had some ideas on what we wanted to do to make it better. The first thing we did was tweak the layout to make it more user-friendly.”

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Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025

A serene, inviting feel pervades the kitchen and dining area thanks to a mellow colour palette.

Baffling basement biffies

Marc LaBossiere 5 minute read Preview

Baffling basement biffies

Marc LaBossiere 5 minute read Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025

I’m not often surprised anymore by what I’ll encounter when asked to update a basement bathroom. However, a recent flooring upgrade did catch me off-guard slightly.

Basement bathrooms present hurdles because their layouts are usually predetermined by the rough plumbing set within the concrete floor at the time the house was originally built. And short of spending a fortune to rearrange the sub-concrete services, adapting an upgrade to the existing layout quickly minimizes options.

This particular bathroom had been upgraded prior to the current homeowners’ purchase of the house. And although it remained functional, there were a few aspects leaving much to be desired, primarily the carpeted flooring. Although I understand the intention to keep a basement bathroom floor warm to the feet, wall-to-wall carpet does not belong in a bathroom, for what seem to me obvious reasons. No matter, the carpet was now coming out and new vinyl-plank flooring was to be installed.

Beyond the carpet, the bathroom floor in its entirety had been built up, with a sort of platform throughout for one reason or another. I suspect this could have also been to buffer the coldness of the concrete below from the space above, or maybe there were a few water leaks along the floor that are concealed by the framework. The homeowners decided to keep the platform and simply re-sheathe it with vinyl once the carpet and underlayment were removed.

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Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025

Photos by Marc LaBossiere / Free Press
A long, narrow stretch toward the toilet feels like walking down a bowling lane.

Open the door on a new look

Marc LaBossiere 4 minute read Preview

Open the door on a new look

Marc LaBossiere 4 minute read Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025

Sometimes a main-floor update can be as simple as a fresh coat of paint on the walls. Other times, it may take a little more effort to create the desired look. An interior door upgrade can often change an entire esthetic — without hitting the wallet so hard.

However, swapping out old interior doors for new can be tricky, unless you go a little further, and replace the door jambs as well.

Homeowners often make the mistake of assuming installing new doors will be as simple as removing the old from their hinges and fastening on the new. Unfortunately, not all doors are tooled in the same locations. As such, this can affect hinge placement and striker locations — and if these don’t line up with the new doors, things can get ugly in a hurry.

Although it is possible to source new doors that happen to meet the location specifications of the existing hinges on the jamb, the hinges themselves may be of a different size and shape. As such, it may be best to then purchase doors slabs, un-tooled interior doors that can be fitted on site.

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Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025

January 10, 2026

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