Category: Eclectic Homes

Living simply at home does not have to mean giving up your Eames chairs, annual Ikea pilgrimage, or moving off-the-grid into a cabin in the woods. To the contrary, simple living means becoming clear about what you love so that your own time, energy and money are spent on that which matters to you. By clearing clutter, creating new customs and minding your priorities, you can simplify your own life no matter where you are. Read on for 10 ways to begin.

Alice Lane Home Collection

1. Get heated up. Take a little time to explore what you really want to gain from bettering your life at home. Envision, as vividly as possible, how your home and daily routines are different as soon as you have simplified.

Can it be a sense of space or cleanliness? Is it more time which you crave? Less frustration? Make a few notes in your journal about your own thoughts and feelings, along with any ideas sparked in this procedure.

Clutter-Clearing 101

Landing Design

2. Display cherished belongings (and get rid of the rest). Begin with a small step. Have you got a box of old photos that give you warm fuzzies every time you watch them? Select your favorites and have them framed. Start spending 10 minutes clearing clutter each Saturday morning, and earn a visit to Goodwill when you’ve got a complete box. Little by little, you can create a home that better reflects what’s important to you.

Madison Modern Home

3. Use the rule. Preventing clutter from entering your residence is equally as significant as getting rid of the surplus possessions you presently have. The $100 rule is straightforward: Whenever you’re considering making a purchase, first ask yourself whether you’d still purchase it if it cost $100. The idea is that no price, however small, should be taken for granted. The dollar amount you use does not really matter — it should only be a number that feels expensive to you. For me, $100 is a fantastic benchmark, but your number might be higher or lower.

Alice Lane Home Collection

4. Keep things visually straightforward. Opening a cabinet or closet filled with objects of several distinct colors, sizes and shapes often seems cluttered, even if the contents are well organized.

Matched sets of glassware and dishes generally look splendid lined up on a shelf, but not everything could (or should) come at a matched set. If that’s the case, look to containers to make that cohesive feel — boxes, baskets, trays and magazine files are superb and simple to label. Just remember, if it looks simple, it likely is.

Lovejoy Designs

5. Use easy-access storage containers. Don’t make things more difficult than they have to be! Open baskets and bins make it rather straightforward to remain organized and grab what you need quickly and efficiently. Save the boxes with lids for deep storage (cellar, attic, etc.) where keeping dust outside is more important in relation to availability.

CapeRace Cultural Adventures

6. Reconsider your space requirements. We are inclined to accumulate belongings to fill whatever area we live in, regardless of the size. Keep things simple by choosing to reside in a home that fits you: large enough that every member of the family feels comfortable, but not so large that whole rooms often go unused.

Regan Baker Design Inc..

7. Go digital — using several copies. Going paperless is a worthy goal, lessening our effect on the environment and reducing clutter at home at precisely the same time. Just be sure to back up stuff correctly — there is nothing simple about needing to locate replacements for lost information. Use an online “cloud” storage service, for example, but also back up having an external hard drive.

Alice Lane Home Collection

8. Create simple systems and stick together. Routines are key to simplicity at home. You don’t need to remind yourself to brush your teeth or your own hair every day, right? In case you’ve got an area of frustration at home (e.g. laundry or weeknight dinners), consider what might make things work more easily (do one load of laundry every day, prep veggies Sunday, etc.) and commit to following through to the next fourteen days. Following a month, you will have instilled a new habit.

9. Make a record of your favorite straightforward pleasures and indulge one every day. Too many times we try and push through to the weekend, like that’s the only time we must unwind. No longer! Start by making a list of little things and moments you like, and keep it in your pocket to refer to (and add to) often. The items on your list should be small and easily attainable or doable: a bouquet of flowers from the current market, a distinctive bar of soap, and a new publication, a stroll after work.

A+B KASHA Designs

10. Design your home around the way you live. If you have pets or children, select easy-care fabrics and finishes, and hardy rather than ultra-fragile decoration. If you like to cook, then take the time to arrange your cookware in an intelligent way. The purpose is to make things as easy on yourself as you can.

When your home is organized around your lifestyle rather than the other way round, you will spend less time battling your belongings, and also have more time for what’s really important to you: the people, pets and adventures you adore.

Inform us Just how do you simplified your life at home?

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If you are planning to merge two households, you might want to tackle everything from duplicate items and treasured family heirlooms to furnishings of questionable taste (and tons of clutter). Moving in together, while exciting, can also possibly be the cause of some heated arguments and hurt feelings if preferences and housekeeping styles struggle. Be proactive and pave the way for a smooth transition with these helpful suggestions.

Madison Modern Home

1. Dedicate to open and clear communication. Be respectful of each other and acknowledge directly from the beginning that sharing distance (and making decisions about what stays and what moves) can be an emotional procedure. Whenever you have something to say that could be perceived as criticism, try framing it in a positive statement. For example, “I really do love how comfortable that seat is, but it’s been through a lot. I bet we could prolong its own life — and make it go better with all the rest of our things — if we had it re-covered. What do you think?”

Michael Kelley Photography

2. Take ample photos and measurements of your location. Even if it means creating an extra appointment to return, take action! Having the measurements and graphics to refer to while you are planning will be invaluable and save lots of headaches (and arguments) on going day, assisting you to avoid situations such as the couch failing to fit through a door.

Julie Holloway

3. Just take the easy road. Pick and choose favorites from every individual’s belongings first, setting aside what you both love or want. It feels good to start off on a pleasant note. And when you come to a point of contention (“How could you possibly like that seat?”) Simply agree to disagree (for the time being) and revisit the matter at a later date.

Annie McElwain Photography

4. Get rid of duplicates. Size up every last item and decide on the best illustration: the sharpest, highest-quality knives, the very best mixer etc.. It can be tempting to keep multiples simply since they are high quality, however bear in mind the quantity of cupboard and closet space on your abode before burdening yourselves with surplus material. Decide on a date to give away or sell the duplicates you will not be maintaining, and adhere with it.

Adrienne Chinn Design

5. Restrain yourself from criticizing family heirlooms. A great deal of emotion could be attached to pieces that have been handed down in a family. Not to mention they are normally high quality and worth maintaining. If a piece of furniture is not your style or feels a little fusty and outdated, try mixing it up with fresh cushions or drawer pulls.

Ryland Peters & Small | CICO Books

6. Handle gaps gently. Does your spouse love something you can’t stand? Trying to force him or her to eliminate something near and dear will be likely to backfire, resulting in resentment and hurt feelings. Start the conversation by empathizing with your spouse about the love to the piece in question, and then state your case in a straightforward, nonjudgmental manner. Before committing in (or inducing a significant row) see if he or she would not mind having the piece repainted, refinished or re-covered with fresh material to upgrade it and help it fit in better with your other decor. Or suggest placing the item in question in a room that’s more out of the way. Remind your partner that you are also inclined to undermine something important to you.

Emily McCall

7. Take some time prior to the move to plan room strategies. This doesn’t need to get complicated. Just talk through every room in the new location and talk where you will put what. It might be beneficial to make some rough sketches or take notes in order to remember what you decide on. Refer to the photos and measurements you took throughout your home tour or open house.

California Closets Twin Cities

8. Edit your closets beforehand. Be honest with each other about how much square footage you are used to having to your accessories and clothes. If there are too many clothes to match everything in the bedroom cupboard simultaneously, try sorting your clothes and accessories based on the seasons and store out-of-season stuff in a less accessible place. You might also go bulky, heavy items such as coats and shoes into a secondary cupboard beyond the bedroom. If you do not have an obvious spot for extra clothing storage, then try installing large shelves over doors or keep slim boxes under the bed.

Niche Interiors

9. Discuss working customs and prerequisites for a home office. Can you or your spouse work best in peace, or would you welcome a small firm? Avoid potential conflicts by addressing this issue now, particularly if one or both of you operate at home.

Adrienne Chinn Design

10. Rotate little decorative pieces for fairness and keep things fresh. Like rotating clothes on a seasonal basis, think about swapping out decor every few months, including pieces from every one of your collections. Keep what is not now being used in storage bins with lids, tucked in an out-of-the-way cupboard or in the basement.

11. Keep an open mind. Sometimes context makes all the difference. That fuzzy signal that seems tacky on your partner’s present apartment could read as cool and ironic on your new home together, when paired with a subtle color palette along with the glossy, midcentury finds you want to search for together on weekends. If your significant other is dead set on keeping something that is not your style, agree to try it in the new location — with the knowledge that you do have veto power if it doesn’t workout. Of course, you’ll need to be inclined to do the exact same to your spouse.

VisuaLingual

12. Mix it up with an art wall that’s a joint work. Split the ice in the new location by blending your posters, prints and other artwork in a collaborative gallery wall that mixes and matches both of your preferences.

Tell us Share your very best story about merging two sets of things into a single in the Comments section!

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Educating my customers about the audience they’ll be advertising to is among the most important items a home stager can do. When you set your house on the market to market, you should be aware that another owner will probably be younger than you are. That is why you need to stop thinking about what you want or want in a house and begin thinking about what your most likely buyer will need.

Found Design

1. Stick with warm, neutral walls. If your target demographic is “young professional” or “young household,” try having a warm grey as a neutral wall color. The gold or pinky-beige wall color you chose 10 years ago will seem outdated to this new group of buyers. On-trend neutrals like grays allow prospective homeowners to picture bringing in complementary colors and clean-lined furnishings to make it their own.

Carolina Design Associates

2. Put money into white cabinetry. Many home buyers younger than 40 prefer white or off-white kitchen cabinetry. They don’t want to see their momma’s dark kitchen chimney in their new house! Consider a kitchen facelift if you have dark kitchen cabinetry with crimson or red undertones. Benjamin Moore’s Advance is a fantastic paint to take into account. It is a hybrid of latex and oil, and it requires very little prep work.

Turan Designs, Inc..

3. Update your appliances. Many younger home buyers can’t fathom buying a house without stainless steel appliances. You’ll need to upgrade your almond ones with stainless replacements prior to putting it on the market.

Global Granite & Marble

Impala Black

4. Look for easy stone countertops. Granite and stone countertops are a must-have for most young house buyers — it will make the distinction between whether they choose your house or your neighbor’s house. But don’t make the mistake of installing active or taste-specific granite that may not appeal to everybody. If you’re planning to maintain your house for quite a while, go for it — but not if you plan to sell within the next few years.

Rather, choose a granite that is practically black or something with a minimum of colors and veining. Anything more might be a turnoff to all those picky younger buyers.

Peter A. Sellar – Architectural Photographer

5. Open your shower space. Young professionals enjoy big, open glass showers. The garden-variety bathtub isn’t where it’s at no cost.

Matarozzi Pelsinger Builders

6. Keep it easy for families with kids. People with young children are less likely to need a fixer-upper. If your target demographic is “young family with little kids,” it’s important your property be prepared for them to move right in. Be certain the house has no unfinished jobs or red flags for families.

7. Consider selling your house as a fixer-upper. If your area is becoming a mecca for young professionals, then there may be some appeal to the fixer-upper if the price is correct. These younger adults without children could have the time, energy and creativity for making over an older home. Even so, the price is going to have to be lower than if it had been picture perfect.

Inform us What have you learned about demographics out of your house selling and staging experiences?

Next: The Difference Between Staging and Decorating

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I admit there are lots of times that I cringe when visiting a newly constructed or renovated house. I know it’s because I’m an architect, and we architects could be so very fussy. But actually, with just a small bit of thought we could all make our homes so much better. It’s just a matter of thinking through a few of the detail issues.

So here are a few solutions to poorly executed ubiquitous details that irritate the hell out of me (and lots of architects and artists). These options are often easily implemented, and by doing this, it is possible to easily change a home out of cookie cutter to special.

Stephen Fuller Designs

1. Two-dimensional and badly sized shutters. So often the shutters are screwed into the walls so they lay flat. And it is clear that the shutters won’t come near covering the entire window.

Solution (shown): Install the dividers with a few authentic hardware in order that they lie “proud” (in front of) the window along with the wall. And dimension them so they look as if they would actually cover the window once closed.

Tim Cuppett Architects

2. Skinny trim. Please do not settle for 3-inch baseboards and two1/4-inch casings. Trim has a lot to offer and will really make a room special.

Solution (shown): Think about various profiles and proceed for the larger sizes. Doing this will add a richness to your own rooms which you didn’t think was possible.

Motionspace Architecture + Design

3. Dark hallways. Why is it the space you traveling in a lot of is often gloomy and dark? And what’s with linen closets at the end of hallways? (More on this in number seven.)

Solution (shown): Get some light into the hallway with glass doors to the bedrooms. And if you have privacy issues, just use a translucent instead of transparent glass.

Mark pinkerton – vi360 photography

Or add a skylight or two.

Schnarr Craftsmen Inc

And when a big rectangular skylight is not possible, try out a tubular skylight. This is often an inexpensive way to dramatically boost the quantity of natural lighting a dark hallway receives.

Bosworth Hoedemaker

4. The 80-inch-tall door. As much as there is a rationale supporting the 80-inch-tall door, it makes very little sense in a room having an 8-foot ceiling, and even less feeling in a room with a ceiling that is taller. It’s just that the proportions are wrong, and there’s simply too much wall space above the door.

Solution (shown): when you intend to use an 80-inch tall door, consider the space above the door as a chance for, say, a transom such as this allows light and air to filter between chambers.

Hull Ancient

Or think about using that wall space.

Crisp Architects

Even better, for a very open, bright and tasteful room, choose the windows nearer to the ceiling, as in this area.

ASID, Christopher A Rose AIA

5. The Palladian window. Surely, Palladio could weep when he saw just how ubiquitous and badly scaled his namesake window is now. It’s not that these are not terrific windows, it is just that they’ve turned into a cliché.

Solution (shown): Look at utilizing a Palladian window in circumstance. Properly detailed and scaled, this window can be quite elegant and right, as in this example.

Bud Dietrich

6. Window that is removable grilles. I get it. I do. Every time I wash the windows I mutter to myself “Just snap out the window grilles, wash the window and snap the grilles back in.” But heck, windows with detachable grilles seem so flat, therefore two-dimensional, not authentic in any way.

Solution (shown): Though windows with genuine divided lites (ADLs) and insulating glass may be prohibitively expensive, windows which use simulated divided lights (SDLs), like in this example, have exactly the same look in a portion of the price tag. Really, there’s no reason to not possess an authentic-looking, if not precisely authentically built window.

Vanguard Studio Inc..

7. Linen cupboard focal points. Yes, near the bedrooms we need a place for towels and sheets and blankets and all of the stuff. But why should the linen cupboard be in the end of the hallway and visible from the primary living area of the home?

Solution (shown): Definitely a little market displaying something artful and beautiful will give more joy to your life than any linen cupboard ever will.

Koch Architects, Inc.. Joanne Koch

8. Underused hallways. Definitely a hall may be utilized as more than just a room to stroll through.

Solution (shown): The easy addition of a built-in shelving will transform a hall from a passageway to a destination in its own right.

HP Rovinelli Architects

9. Cookie-cutter garage doors. Why is it that regardless of the style of home, the garage door invariably is your double-wide, raised-panel?

Solution (shown): With all these options to choose from, garage doors which match with the home’s architecture, as in this example, are definitely possible.

Allen Patterson Residential

10. Weak eaves. where the roof and outdoor wall satisfy should show craft and detail. It’s, after all, in which the two major outside structural elements intersect.

Solution (shown): instead of using a standard 8-inch soffit with a perforated vinyl skin along with also a K-style gutter, look for ways to extend the roofline and introduce rafter tails, as in this example.

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The holidays may be over, but it doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. Help beat those winter blues by hosting a Game Night. We’ve put together a fantastic group of entertaining and games essentials to kick off the new season with a little friendly rivalry. — Heather and Vanessa from At the Picket Fence

Restoration Hardware

Town Hall Bingo – $129

Bingo isn’t just for those of us who are a little longer in the tooth. Enjoy the timeless game in style with this portable collection, complete with a metal cage prepared for a quick twist to pop out the winning number. There is nothing quite like the feeling when you shout out that magical word:”Bingo!”

Z Gallerie

Bullseye Party Picks – $9.95

Your taste buds would be the target with those brilliant Bullseye Party Picks. We would utilize them for our drinks, and we find them to be the ideal way to skewer some cheese and deli meat to get an appetizer using a fun twist.

Dart Boards

Arachnid Cricket Pro 800 Electronic Dart Board with Heckler Feature and Cabinet – $469.98

We might just wait to serve our cocktails before after a rousing game of darts. But we are pretty sure that using this electronic dartboard mounted at a stunning cherry cupboard, we will have no trouble hitting our mark.

Barnes & Noble

Gourmet Game Night by Cynthia Nims – $14.98

Everyone’s a winner when you start off your Game Night with great food. We love that this cookbook is full of recipes for delectable finger foods which will keep those hands free for dealing cards or rolling dice.

Crate&Barrel

Cuisinart Electric Fondue Set – $69.95

Do you fondue? We do! We love the idea of inviting your visitors to get to know each other better within this timeless fondue pot. And we are pretty sure just about anything tastes good coated in chocolate.

Pottery Barn

Chancellor Large Condiment Tray – $49

You’ll need a location for those Game Night munchies. Why don’t you serve them in this simple and elegant silver tray? The clean lines and subtle styling will emphasize your snacks without distracting guests from the goal at hand: winning.

Goal

Cosco Folding Table, Mahogany Finish – $74.99

Folding tables don’t need to seem, well, like folding tables. This is a gorgeous way to generate space for more guests without compromising on style.

Z Gallerie

Lexington Mirrored Butler Tray – $259.95

This portable bar with a detachable mirrored tray is the best way to keep your food and drinks near the action. With places for storing your glasses and bottles, we adore knowing our guests will not need to go far to get a little break.

Brookstone

Night Hawk 55″ Round Poker Table – $849.99

For the poker player, this stunning dining table has space for 8 and comes complete with cup holders and a claw-foot base base. We don’t believe our husbands would mind if we occasionally threw a tablecloth on it with some flowers in the middle, do you?

Brookstone

Leather Professional Poker Sets – $105

Proceed over Ocean’s 11. We believe this velvet-lined and leather-bound poker collection would have us feeling like we had been holding our own one of the professionals.

Ballard Designs

Place of 12 Numbered Barware Glasses – $69

We would like our Game Night guests to remain focused, therefore these numbered eyeglasses are the ideal way for them to keep an eye on the drinks and keep their minds in the game.

Ballard Designs

Place of 100 Personalized Shatterproof Cups – $120

But for those who may get a little rowdy through your Game Night, these monogrammed, shatterproof cups are just the thing. In addition to customized napkins and coasters, you won’t need to worry about cleaning up after a sore loser.

Fitz and Floyd

Game Night Coasters And Holder – $28

Protect your surfaces at authentic Game Night type with those high-rollin’ coasters. We believe even Frank, Dean and Sammy Davis Jr. would approve of these.

Cost Plus World Market

Gray/Yellow Herringbone Floor Cushion – $34.99

When you’re prepared for those games which need a bit more elbow space, these floor cushions will provide a cushy spot for your visitors to sit.

Goal

Poker & Blackjack Table Top with Case – $49.99

Everyone will be”all in” with this Poker & Blackjack Table Top. And you’ll be happy to”fold” this up and store it until the following Game Night.

Z Gallerie

Round Dice Set of 6 – $23.70

Add some interest to a celebration by rolling these around dice. Worried about the friend who would fudge their numbers? Well don’t be! These come complete with a mini-weight that ensures you’ll know the specific number of dots.

Restoration Hardware

Vintage Edition Monopoly – $149

How about some fun for those of us who can not appear to keep a poker face? This beautiful Monopoly collection has a decidedly vintage sense, and we love being able to escape to a world where real estate continues to be a hot commodity.

Walmart

Circus Vintage Cart Movie Popcorn Maker – $159

Keep the fun and the food going all night with this traditional electrical popcorn cart. It’s ideal for Game Night or Movie Night, and friends and family will always want to come hang out at your house. That is a good thing, we guarantee!

Cost Plus World Market

Popcorn Bowls – $9.99

You have to have someplace for that popcorn to go before it hits your mouth. This fun metal set includes a large serving bowl and 4 smaller dishes ideal for individual parts.

Oriental Trading Co..

Mini Striped Popcorn Boxes, Set of 24 – $4

At the end of the nighttime, send your visitors on their way with some popcorn from those darling red and white striped boxes. Everyone will feel like a winner.

Next: Prepare the House for Snow-Day Activities

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Part of the enjoyment of being in the kitchen is getting to play with around with food. My kids have difficulty waiting till they are older to be a part of the fun — they love pretending to cook, as well as actually assisting with food prep. This set of gifts was created with something in your mind for kids of all skill levels in kitchen. I know kids like these toys, but I buy them for myself as I do for them. I enjoy play cooking much more than real cooking because there’ll never be some dishes to wash!

— Mariko from The Tiny Foodie

Little Partners

Little Partners Learning Tower – $199.99

As opposed to dragging your chairs throughout the kitchen so that your kid can stand at the counter with you, try out this learning tower. It’s sturdy and adjustable based on height, and it’s safe rails on either side. I love it.

Melissa & Doug

Sushi Slicing Play Set – $19.99

That is my daughter’s favourite toy food ever. When we play with this, it’s like we are in a real restaurant. You can even slice aside the sushi rolls and practice your chopstick skills.

Play Kitchens

KidKraft Primary Colors Baking Set – $44.99

My cooking tools are really only toys in disguise, and I feel the standing mixer is in the center of each (toy) kitchen.

Etsy

Lil Chef Dress Up Costume by My Heart – $35

This sweet chef ensemble is all about playing with the big kids. I believe that you may have a great sous chef in the making.

Play Kitchens

KidKraft White Vintage Kitchen – $199.99

This play kitchen may be better stocked than my actual kitchen. It has the gas-style stove. Sigh, I wish I had one myself.

BabyAge

Little Tikes Backyard Barbeque™ Get Out ‘N Grill – $40.48

If you do not have room in the home for a play kitchen, why not an outdoor backyard barbecue? Pretty please, Mom? You simply can’t say no to this.

BJ’s Wholesale Club

Little Tikes Makin’ Mud Pies Outdoor Kitchen Set – $39.99

Actual water, actual dirt and real mud. What kid could resist this outdoor drama set, which can be practically real-live cooking?
OK, so perhaps you’ll have to scrub a little after this meal.

Pottery Barn Kids

Porcelain Tea Set – $59

Foodies are usually entertainers in your mind. Kids love to have friends over for parties, just like adults.

Pottery Barn Kids

Cupcake Set – $24

This is the cutest felt food ever. I want to be served this at our next tea party.

Sears

Casdon Toy Delonghi Microwave – $27.99

I have done a double take when I saw this microwave, and I’m sure most kids would think that this was the real deal. It comes complete with play food, and the microwave sizzles and beeps too.

Hasbro

Easy-Bake Oven and Snack Center – $29.99

I’m not sure what the allure of the Easy Bake Oven is, but my 8-year-old self couldn’t envision the more perfect toy. It’s redundant for certain, however, it was still special because it was particularly for me.

Amazon

Handstand Kids Eat Your Fruits & Veggies Oven Mitt – $8

Adult-size oven mitts can be cumbersome for smaller hands and actually make spills or burns more risky. Get the right size mitt for those small ones if you are going to let them cook.

Amazon

Sassafras Little Cook Kid’s Kitchen Tool Kit – $20

This cooking collection is serious business. Meaning, small hands really can use these tools in the kitchen. I enjoy using measuring cups and spoons to teach my daughter about numbers.

Williams-Sonoma

Star Wars™ Heroes & Villains Cookie Cutters – $19.95

I’ve been ogling them for a while now, just waiting for an opportunity to introduce my kids to the magical universe of Star Wars. Additionally, sugar cookies are necessary around Christmas, right?

Kuhn Rikon

Decorating Bottles – $5

My daughter always wants to help decorate cupcakes, however, the pastry bag and tip are tough to control for small hands. Kuhn Rikon’s decorating bottles make that a non-issue, and also you are able to alter the tips as possible please.

Williams-Sonoma

OXO Vegetable Chopper – $20

This may not be intended for kids, but I think that it’s ideal for assisting. Kids can do the chopping without you worrying about palms. This is very good for onions, garlic, nuts and herbs. The best part is that you put your kids to operate, and they think that it’s all part of the fun!

Barnes & Noble

DK Children’s Cookbook by Katharine Ibbs – $17.99

As a general rule, I prefer cookbooks with pictures — lots of images. This cookbook has step-by-step images of basic recipes for kids, and it’s truly easy enough to follow for almost any kid (or kid at heart).

The Spoon Sisters

Nylon Cooking Knife Place for Kids – $9.95

Whenever you decide to let your child begin cutting some cucumber for your dinner salad, I feel these knives are ideal. Enormous, easy-to-grip handles and curved tips make this very affordable knife collection very appealing. I will probably wait a few years for my own daughter, but I’m storing it to a future want list.

For Smaller Hands

Private Pizza Pan Set – $16.95

Personal pizzas are most likely one of the greatest things about being a kid. Kids are experts at assembling their own, even at an early age.

For Smaller Hands

Mini-Spatula – $3.75

This mini-spatula is great for Saturday morning pancakes, which is probably your kid’s very favorite meal in which to participate. The silicone base implies you won’t have to worry about melting.

Amazon

Presto 11-Inch Electric Skillet – $22.22

This may not be made for kids, but if my kid does begin doing some actual sauteing (with supervision, of course), it’s going to be in an electric fry pan. It’s not a cooking vessel of choice for me personally, but it’s sturdy legs, therefore is less likely to tilt or scoot around off a stove top when she is stirring.

Next: A Kid-Friendly Christmas

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Glass-front cabinets, often used in areas of a kitchen, can result in a point that is pretty and functional. These clear cabinets could be illuminated for ambience, screen precious possessions, shop practical kitchen things and facilitate transitions from room to room.

Can glass-front closets become the focal point for your kitchen? Have a look at the examples below to determine whether at least one one of these fashions will work in your home.

Jill Wolff Interior Design

1. Glass-front peninsula cabinets. Some kitchens have a peninsula that divides the cooking space and another adjacent space (often the dining area). Peninsulas are available on either side.

Though peninsula storage is sensible, many homeowners believe it can shut the kitchen off. Adding upper glass-front cabinets into the peninsula allows for light and generates a more open feeling.

Jones Design Build

2. Frameless glass-front cabinets. Traditional glass-front closets have a wood frame with a glass center panel. Frameless glass-front cabinets have only one sheet of glass for the whole cabinet front. More modern in style, they produce a sleek appearance with their ornamental hinges and shortage of hardware.

You might have to hunt for this style — many cupboard lines do not offer it.

Stuart Cohen & Julie Hacker Architects LLC

3. Picture-window cabinets. What can you do when you’ve got a kitchen which has more windows than wall space? Consider putting your wall cabinets right like in this photo.

Picture-window cabinets are equipped without a rear panel, so sunlight can flow through.

4. Sliding glass. Once well known in the ’70s, sliding cupboard doors have made a comeback in kitchens now. They slide onto a recessed track (at the top and bottom) that lets two sheets of glass to journey back and forth as doorways.

Sliding glass doors occasionally have hardware that’s drilled directly into the glass, but a lot of them simply have a finger pull cut through the glass.

5. Decorative glass. Glass fronts, whether framed or frameless, come in many distinct finishes and patterns. Shown here is a popular decorative glass called seeded glass, which has small air pockets inside to create a textured appearance. You can have your cabinet manufacturer provide the glass on buy, or you can get the door prepped for the glass. This means that the door frame will arrive with glass and you can have another firm supply the glass.

Frosted glass, etched glass, stained glass and colored glass are only a few other kinds of decorative glass for kitchen cabinetry.

Danenberg Design

6. Glass-front base closets. Many kitchens have glass just on upper chimney, but it can look just as good below, also. Glass doors on base cabinets can deliver an extra visual punch and spice cabinetry up which faces other chambers.

Remember that when you’re sitting at a counter, knees and feet can accidentally hit and bang the glass so it might not be the best layout for families with active children.

7. Tall glass-front closets. Tall cabinets are used to home extra-tall pieces, such as brooms, mops, cleaning supplies and certain food items. Having a glass face, these cabinets can be decorative, also, exhibiting decorative dishes and personal items.

DKOR Interiors Inc.- Interior Designers Miami, FL

8. Painted glass-front cabinets. These cupboard doors are frameless, and the glass was painted on the rear side to keep up an excellent glossy finish.

This particular program is referred to as a mill finish. Heavy-duty sandpaper paint is applied to the opposite side of this glass at a controlled environment to prevent imperfections. The final result is an ideal finish, seen throughout the opposite side of this glass.

More: guides on choosing kitchen cabinets

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The contractor-homeowner connection can be challenging, but it is not hopeless — comprehending the process can help you to get the most from your remodeling job. Take a look at the tips and suggestions I’ve picked up from my years of working as a builder and set into 10 remodeling manuals. Here are links to them all, compiled all in one place.

A number of these topics generated great discussions, also, so I encourage you to read the comments on each — they are a testament to the wealth of professional and homeowner comprehension on .

1. Top 10 Remodeling Don’ts. Here I focused on things which make remodeling projects a disaster. Everything comes down to planning: Plan your work and work your plan. And do not change your brain too much.

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2. How to Shop for Your Remodel. This was all about the fairly stuff — the substances. Be certain that the things that you put into your remodel are still fairly and performing their job for years to find understanding about possible pitfalls and much more.

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3. Things to Look for in a Contractor’s Contract. You didn’t buy your house by registering one sheet of paper or shaking a stranger’s hand. This ideabook informs you what ought to be on the contract until you pay someone to change your home.

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4. What Your Contractor Truly Means. This ideabook discusses a big source of frustration for homeowners working with contractors: communication. Discover how to read between the lines, and you and your builder will both get more from the connection.

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5. Ten Home Places That Probably Need a Guru. Even if you’re a die-hard DIYer, you will find instances when it is safer, smarter and less expensive to hire a pro compared to tackle the job yourself. This report lets you know when to say when.

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6. Ten Hats Your General Contractor Wears. “Contractor” is a fairly general term. From plumbers to the men and women who manage security details once the country is in war, we now call all of them contractors. And what is more general than a general contractor? Part 6 shows you the functions a GC plays on work.

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Buckminster Green LLC

7. Ten Ways to Get the Remodel You Need for Less. Remodeling always costs more than you think. Part 7 provides approaches to get more bang for bread.

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8. Ten Remodel Surprises to Watch Out For. Just when you thought you had everything planned and budgeted for, an unanticipated problem pops up. Put aside a contingency fund and also examine this ideabook to find out common sources of unexpected cost increases.

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9. Ten Ways to Remodel Greener. I got into this business because I love homes, but I strive to construct green because I’ve seen what a wasteful process building can be. In this setup you’ll be able to learn some tried and true tactics to construct green.

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10. Ten Things Your Contractor Might Not Tell You. I’ll be honest — following writing about 90 things I’ve discovered, I was tapped out. I needed to begin telling you the things we’re not supposed to tell you. This ideabook will allow you to know what your builder is really thinking.

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Inform us What did you learn from your remodel?

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In case your decorating is nearly there but still lacking a final touch or two, you may need some of the top props on . These popular items are the cherries on top of beautifully appointed rooms. Don’t get them twisted; these items are not only decorative or used solely by professional stagers. They’re things you will read, clean, prop your feet drink, munch on, brew tea in … and the list goes on. Have a peek at the way the pros are using these items in spaces around .

Monogram Appliances

Trough Sink

Pellegrino bottles. This is definitely the most common consumable product for a serious pantry, cupboard, fridge or kitchen counter tops staging. Running a close second are classic Campbell’s soup cans.

Clarkson Potter

Firewood. We’ve had the conversation about the damage firewood can perform many times, but we can’t help but be attracted to the familiar texture of split logs. Just be sure they’re bug free and truly dry before you bring them inside.

Have a look at stylish log storage for modern homes and for conventional homes.

Garrison Hullinger Interior Design Inc..

TV displays lit up with a classic. Stagers and inside photographers are paying close attention to what is on displays these days, while it is a Star Wars scene that goes with a space or a classic that can draw you into.

The Marion House Book

Sheepskin throws. Whether chucked over another carpet, a couch or dining seats, these soft shouts cozy up a space.

See more sheepskin cries in action

Bruce D. Nagel Architect

The Tom Ford publication. This fashion tome, published in 2008, is an archive of this amazing manner Ford chose a fusty old Italian firm and made it relevant again. Weighing in at over 10 pounds and giving off a strong black and white graphic, it is a go-to staging publication. If you want to provide your guests a jolt, leave it open to one of those sexy photographs.

Kelley & Company Home

Mrs. Meyers cleansing supplies. These products’ clever graphic layout is the very best thing to happen to laundry space staging because those Borax boxes worshipped by Warhol.

Normandy Remodeling

An Alessi teapot. This bag with pop art sensibility, designed by architect Michael Graves, is the number-one thing employed in kitchen staging. Running a close second is an eclectic conventional one by MacKenzie-Childs.

Sellars Lathrop Architects, llc

A KitchenAid standing mixer. While white and stainless are very popular, these frequently add one of those only pops of color to today’s white kitchens. Running a close second is a Le Creuset pot, as seen with this stovetop.

Suzie Parkinson SÜZA DESIGN

Dogs. Does anything make you more attracted to a space than an adorable pooch smizing at you? Of course, if you’re a cat person, replace puppy with cat.

Sharon Portnoy Design

Lemons. Fruit consistently packs a colorful punch. Don’t feel like these fruits are limited to the kitchen; you could point the dining table, console table or coffee table with a beautiful bowl of lemons, limes, oranges or apples too.

John Lum Architecture, Inc.. AIA

A Vilac car. This stylish toy car in France is 1 toy you will stand out in the open when you’re neatening up the home.

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CONTENT Architecture

Orchids. Entryway consoles, coffee tables, dining tables and bathroom countertops can be enriched by these exotic blossoms. Second place goes to sunflowers.

Thom Filicia Inc..

Big leaves. If you are not into blossoms, consider using only one or two announcement leaves in lieu of a bouquet. Try to elephant’s ear or palm leaves for a coastal modern look.

Tara Seawright Interior Design

Leather creatures. These enchanting props add texture and are unexpected sculptures at a room. They also double as ottomans.

Debora carl landscape layout

A blazing fire pit. These not only look great but create wonderful outdoor spaces where you could warm up with your pals while toasting marshmallows.

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Modeled after the surrounding 19th-century barns, this house takes old-fashioned rural style style to the 21st century. The owners craved the nation life to pack up their city house, buy this farm in rural Wisconsin and employ Alchemy Architects and Empire Development and Construction to help them build a new house to fit the traditional landscape. Salvaged materials, eco friendly features and advanced design alternatives helped the few cut down costs while creating their dream house.

at a Glance
Who lives here: A former city couple, now small-town farmers
Location: Blair, Wisconsin
Size: 1,780 square feet, including basement; 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths

Empire Development & Construction

The house’s simple form and its locally chosen white oak rain display permit the house to match with the barns around the house. The far wall is built out at a slight angle — it goes from 0 to 4 feet outside at the very top, making a slightly angled facade.

Empire Development & Construction

This covered outdoor living area opens just beyond the inside great room. Designed as a cool, shaded place for hanging out in the summer, the distance was built like a post-frame building by by Tony Szak of Empire Development. Slatted siding lets in natural light, but the final roof keeps out the rain.

Empire Development & Construction

The owners wanted their house to fit seamlessly into the rural community, where many families have lived in the same homes for generations. Salvaged and worn wood reflects the subtle appearance that the clients were going for.

Outdoor chairs: Sawyer, CB2 (no longer accessible ); cushions: Goal

Empire Development & Construction

Project architect Geoffrey Warner relied upon his experience with light design — and his Eagle Scout rope abilities — to create the light in the excellent room. The low-tech chandelier could be brought down to a lower elevation or raised for loftier functions. The light itself is made from insect screening, which reduces the bulb’s warmth.

Empire Development & Construction

The team attempted to keep materials cheap and durable, translating the layout in a manner that encouraged the farm-based appearance. The owners selected, planed and sanded the white oak boards for the ceiling and walls in the home living area.

The easy, spacious kitchen has Richlite counters made of ecofriendly paper-based composites, Ikea cabinetry and one splurge: a Carrara marble tile counter tops.

Empire Development & Construction

The house’s eco-friendly attributes include geothermal heating, an incorporated rain gutter and cistern, passive solar shading and concrete thermal mass floors. While the environment was certainly a concern, many of these options came about because of budget. “There has been much attention on making the layout look large while being flexible as effective as you can, which served both the ecological and financial demands,” says Warner.

Empire Development & Construction

A steel-plated attic above the living space creates a cozy nook for viewing TV. Ikea cabinetry provides plenty of storage.

Empire Development & Construction

A modern bench sits in the stairwell just outside the kitchen. The wood comes from an 8-by-10 beam in the barn on the property. The wife designed the seat, working with the exact same artisan who designed their custom steel handrails.

The few immediately learned how to become useful with all kinds of materials and tools, and fell in love with this low-tech side of their farm lifestyle, bringing inventiveness and enthusiasm to their new residence. “We’d suggest things that they either got right away and embraced for its practical quirkiness, or might kind of grip off before returning almost apologetically with a much better solution,” Warner says.

Empire Development & Construction

A reading nook sits above the house’s main living area.

Empire Development & Construction

The homeowners had a big hand in designing the master bathroom, to the purpose of making their bathroom surround and vanity. Slate floor walnut and tile mosaic wall tiles contribute to your home’s contemporary ambiance. The tub, similar to a Japanese soaking tub, takes up minimum space.

Bathtub: Americh Beverly 4040; wall tile: Sonterra Opalized Glass in Mint and Oyster White

Empire Development & Construction

The fir wood liner this hallway had a previous life as hardwood flooring in the wife’s childhood home. After sanding the pieces down, she utilized a watered-down latex paint to provide them glow.

Empire Development & Construction

The property has several other constructions on it, including a smaller farmhouse the few lived in at first, a granary, a workshop and a large red barn (hardly visible to the right). Initially they considered building a house within the shell of this barn. Now the barn houses sheep, goats, and other creatures as well as their mushroom crop. The few are vegetarians; they grow most of their food on site and sell milk in the goats and sheep into local cheesemakers.

Empire Development & Construction

At night the light filters through the display on the outdoor seating area, creating a comforting glow in the nation darkness.

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