Working from home can be a better experience for you with the right office setup. Setting up your in-home office correctly can help you stay productive and make completing essential work tasks easier.

Adding some plants to your interior setting can give your home a greener feel while promoting greater tranquility throughout your living space. Certain types of plants are especially good for homes, and many of the best houseplants are easy to take care of and are safe for people and pets.

The owners of this handsome 120-year-old home used to live in a custom-designed, ultra-modern house on the waterfront near the Chinese Cemetery on Gonzales Bay. But Dan Sharp and Pamela Russell grew tired of that chilly, windy location. When Sharp saw one day that a classic Rockland home was up for sale, his interest was piqued.

Gallery walls, also called moment walls, are one of todays hottest home decor trends. Gallery walls enable homeowners to create visually appealing groupings of photos, frames, wall art and more to dress up any room. Gallery walls can make a statement in the living room, add finesse to an entryway or showcase special items along a staircase. One need only do a quick Internet search or browse through lifestyle magazines to see examples of gallery walls for inspiration.

With a huge range of colours, patterns and finishes, modern wall coverings are as diverse as design itself

Dear Debbie: I was debating with a friend what was an “extra” piece of furniture she couldn’t do without. We agreed that a bed, a table and a light were givens. As I have an entire room lined with bookshelves, that was my choice. What would you choose? Anna

Dont go pushin Fido off that cushion

Whether you’re vacationing on the other side of the world or simply at the beach down the road, leaving your home for an extended period of time can mean an increased risk of your home becoming a target for thieves.

In her 15 years with the AdventureSmart program, B.C. executive director Sandra Riches said the severity of waterfall-related incidents last summer was extreme. Its part of the reason why shes highlighting tips on how to visit a waterfall safely this season.

I’ve been on several hiking and camping trips with dogs over the years and they have never detracted from those experiences, only added to them. Dogs notice things in a way that humans can’t. I find that by merely watching them and noticing what draws their interest another layer is added to my experience in wild places. They hear sounds that I can’t and respond to scents that are too weak for my nose to detect. A hike with a dog can be a reminder to listen to our other senses and not focus too much on only what our eyes can see, but also on what we can smell, hear and touch. Which is why I can completely understand the upset caused by the recent dog ban at Joffre Lakes Provincial Park. A decision I imagine was not made lightly but was made to keep the interests of the majority of visitors and wildlife that calls this location home at the forefront.