Homes

With First Nations carvings, floor-to ceiling windows, Mondrian-style carpets and shimmering labradorite, the owners of this open-concept home have made a dramatic artistic statement.

Dear Reena: I hired professional painters for a not too large room in my home. They arrived with a stack of drop cloths but I think they were not careful in using them.

Almost every Saturday morning, I visit favourite stalls at my local farmers’ market to see what’s on offer, ask questions, and exchange thoughts on the season and abut what’s growing well or not.

Jim Kungle was probably an Italian in a past life. He loves terracotta roofs, the patina of old buildings, the way craftsmen in Tuscany mix stonework with bricks, “and how there is a cement mixer in every backyard.

Dear Debbie:We have just moved into a new loft space. We love the design, but somehow the white walls and wood floors feel cold. Could you give us some ideas that would make it feel more like home to us? Thanks, we always follow your advice.

Dear Reena: Our dog’s favourite place to sit was on our leather sofa. Now that she is gone, we cannot seem to get the odour off the leather. We have tried leather cleaners, but to no avail.

Dear Helen: As I was picking prune plums recently I noticed a few twigs encircled by dark, corky swellings. What are they, and what should I do about them? M.H.

Dear Tony: Our strata corporation had a vote at a special general meeting to approve a $100,000 levy to redecorate our two lobbies. Our strata is two buildings and 167 units in total.

Dear Helen: Some of my pumpkins turned orange almost alarmingly early this summer — about mid-July. Will they be all right? Should they be harvested early? L.P. My Small Sugar pumpkins were fully coloured at about the same time. They’ll be fine.

Dear Reena: My exterior front door requires re-painting. Before painting, I must choose paint, but I don’t know if the paint currently on the door is latex or oil.