Nova Scotians are cautioned to be wary of rising home improvement scams
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Nova Scotians are cautioned to be wary of rising home improvement scams

BBB Atlantic says one of the reasons home improvement scams have been on the rise is due to demand for home improvement services in the Nova Scotia market

Nova Scotians are being warned about a rising number of home improvement scams.

Last week, the Better Business Bureau released its annual Scam Tracker Risk Report, which showed home improvement frauds now top the list of Canada’s riskiest scams.

According to the report, home improvement scams reported by Canadians in 2022, moved up to the top ranking from the fourth spot in 2021.

As marketing manager for BBB Atlantic, Kristin Matthews, tells

Mellie the Mermaid Is NOT Scared of ANYTHING by Anna Finch – picture book review
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Mellie the Mermaid Is NOT Scared of ANYTHING by Anna Finch – picture book review

March 31, 2023

Hands up who loves mermaids? We do too! When Little Button was really, really little, we used to gaze out to sea and watch for them… bobbing up and down in the surf. Light glinting off their long magical hair, and sparkly tails playfully causing a splash. *They may have been (most definitely were) seals shhhhh!!! ha ha.

Millie's Beach Huts

But the point is, mermaids have a way of making you feel like anything is possible. Just like this picture book – Mellie the Mermaid Is NOT Scared of ANYTHING by Anna Finch. Here’s what we thought.

Mellie the

5 Lovely Rooms with Wallpapers: Sunday Strolls & Scrolls
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5 Lovely Rooms with Wallpapers: Sunday Strolls & Scrolls

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5 Lovely Rooms with Wallpapers: Sunday Strolls & Scrolls
@wildflowerhomeblog
5 Lovely Rooms with Wallpapers: Sunday Strolls & Scrolls

I love the unique way the wallpaper adds warmth and personality to a room. We currently have one wallpapered room (our powder bath with the navy and white whale wallpaper seen over in this post, which I think adds so much character!). I definitely can picture a pretty patterned paper on what will be our guest room and/or bath (the rooms we’ll reclaim when my parents move into their new space). Maybe even a grasscloth paper in our upstairs hallway!

Once the remodel is complete and our

How protected are BC homeowners when home renovation projects go sideways?  – BC
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How protected are BC homeowners when home renovation projects go sideways? – BC

Months after he hired a contractor to renovate his home, Scott Leathem says he’s still dealing with numerous deficiencies. “You’re getting screwed by the people that you hired for lack of a better term,” Leathem said.

How protected are BC homeowners when home renovation projects go sideways?  – BC

Back in May 2020, the Pitt Meadows resident says he’s hired a contractor to renovate his home. He said he was quoted about $100,000 and told it would take seven weeks to complete. Leathem says he put down $50,000 upfront and the demolition started immediately but eventually came to a standstill.

“It was supply chain issues, we couldn’t find anything, everybody was short-staffed. Everything

9 ways to transform a single kitchen wall |
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9 ways to transform a single kitchen wall |

A one-wall kitchen or single-line kitchen aligns every piece of the kitchen cabinetry, appliances, and often workspace along one single wall to create a cohesive streamlined kitchen.

This type of kitchen layout follows a clear and clean design script to ensure the arrangement of a working kitchen across one wall in a room is both efficient and chic.

We explore the clarity of design used to create this contemporary kitchen design. Not just for studios, apartments, or smaller homes, the one-wall kitchen is often used by designers for much larger spaces and as a fresh new way to lay out

The secret to saving on home improvements?  Deduct HELOC interest
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The secret to saving on home improvements? Deduct HELOC interest

Home improvements can be costly. In fact, the typical homeowner spends around $6,000 annually just on repairs and maintenance, according to home insurance company Hippo. That’s not even including any updates or renovations you might want to make.

Fortunately, you may be able to offset those costs — at least a little — by using a home equity line of credit (HELOC) to pay for them.

Are you planning some home improvements this year? Here’s what to know about the HELOC tax deduction and how to take advantage of it.

Is HELOC interest tax deductible?

The interest you pay on

15 Inspired Easter Tables & Entertaining Ideas
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15 Inspired Easter Tables & Entertaining Ideas

15 Inspired Easter Tables & Entertaining Ideas

It is hard to believe that Easter is just around the corner. It seems like just yesterday I was taking down Christmas and here we are talking rabbits and chocolate eggs and all kinds of Easter whimsy and fun.

Even if your Easter celebrations are on the small side, you can set a pretty table, add a touch of whimsy and charm and enjoy a lovely home celebration. And today for Friday Favorites- it’s all about a round up of on the table ideas- from flowers to place setting touches to a few tried and true nibbles that are always

With a match from free cash secured, Pittsfield officials plan to jump-start ‘phase two’ of renovations to Springside House |  Central Berkshires
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With a match from free cash secured, Pittsfield officials plan to jump-start ‘phase two’ of renovations to Springside House | Central Berkshires

PITTSFIELD — City leaders will match a $500,000 federal grant with an infusion of money from Pittsfield’s free cash — locking down a portion of the money needed to start phase two of the renovations to the Springside House.

Officials think that this phase of the renovation project will cost close to $3 million but are counting as a win the $1 million they’ve secured through the federal grant and city match.

An 8-2 vote in favor of using free cash for the project wipes away officials’ concerns that the city would have to pass on the Save America’s Treasures