Lifestyle
Sometimes ideas are the most valuable things of all, and this is where you’ll find inspiration and ideas on living well
Review the entire Archive of Lifestyle Articles here, or do a more in-depth search to find what you’re looking for.
How Canada-Proof is Your House?
Canada dishes out some of the most extreme climate conditions on the planet, and whether or not you actually live…
PODCAST: Turning a Lawn into a Vegetable Garden
It’s not as easy as it looks turning an area of lawn into a successful garden. The tough and tenacious…
Masonry Matters: Four Reasons the World Needs More Brick, Stone & Concrete
If you ever go to Europe, be sure to knock on some interior walls. Every one that I’ve checked out has…
SMALL COUNTRY BUILDINGS: How to Create Good Ones That Last
Q: How should I build the first small building on my 15 acre country property? I don’t have a lot…
Four Tactics for Better Backyard Projects
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, gives four of his top tips for outdoor woodworking projects.
VIDEO COURSE: Quickly Hone Tools So They’re Sharper Than a Razor
Struggling to make your tools sharp? Let me fix that for you. Sharpening chisels, planes, knives, carving gouges and other…
Free Plan Download: Build this Backyard Chicken Coop
There’s nothing quite like fresh eggs from your own hens, and this backyard chicken coop lets you make that happen. I created this modular…
CASE STUDY: Earning a Homestead Living
See how Steve and friends raise boutique beef on Manitoulin Island for people who want more than just ordinary food.
PODCAST: The Beauty of a Manitoulin Blizzard
Steve shares his thoughts and experiences living at the end of a dead end rural road during a harsh Canadian…
Q&A: Tiny Home Bylaw Issues
Did you ever have trouble with zoning bylaws when you built the tiny house you’ve written about? I want to…
PODCAST: Three Keys to Proper Basement Finishing
Listen as Steve Maxwell talks about the problems with conventional basement finishing, and how you can finish your basement in…
Podcast Q&A: Choosing Cordless Tools
BRUSHLESS DRILL TOUR A reader named Vern asked about what type of cordless tools he might need for a remote…
VIDEO: Five Reasons to Love Insulation
Insulation doesn’t feel like a thrilling home renovation topic for most people. But the fact is, you should be thrilled…
Why Kids Need to Start Home Maintenance Businesses
Sometimes a real challenge is just what people need. That’s why Steve thinks kids need a little less stuff in…
Sane & Sustainable Rural Living Part 3
Note to a Discouraged Homesteader
Sane & Sustainable Rural Living Part 2
Back in my previous blog I talked about the reasons I see would-be homesteaders change their minds and give up…
The Ten Most Essential DIY Tools
Nothing much happens without tools. But which ones will really serve you? Let Steve get specific and tell you all…
Working From Home on Your Own Terms
Hendrik Varju is a man who’s spent most of his working life doing two things most people just dream of…
Q&A Podcast: Condensation & Mold
List to Steve responds to a homeowner question about eliminating window condensation and mold growth this winter.
The Hidden Truth About Insulation
Home insulation isn’t flashy or fun. And unless you’re weird, it’s hard to get as emotionally excited about insulation as,…
Q&A Podcast: Choosing a Generator
Listen as Steve explains the basics of choosing a backup generator for a reader who has a lot of “essentials”…
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Sometimes ideas are the most valuable things of all, and this is where you’ll find inspiration and ideas on living well.