Most people are aware of the benefits of plants for the outdoors. They help to improve air quality, provide shade, and can even allow you to cool your home. But did you know that there are also many benefits to having plants indoors?
They can help boost your mood and create a more calming environment. Many plants can even help improve the air quality in your home, but some are more effective than others. Here are a few of the best options.
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Before choosing a competent home builder, there are a few things you need to know. First, these homes are prewired, which is an excellent way to future-proof your home. You can choose hardware after closing. Finally, you will need to budget for installing innovative technology in your home.
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Changing and improving your bedroom can be a fun and rewarding way to feel more positive and get more done. We love our bedrooms and think of them as places to relax, so we want to show them off in the best way possible, based on your style and comfort.
Do you want to make your bedroom look better in a short amount of time? Read on for some easy ways to make your bedroom look better that will make you feel great too.
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Pests are, as the name suggests, a pest. They invade homes, gardens, and commercial properties alike. They can be destructive, unhygienic, and unsightly. For example, if you’re trying to help your garden grow, then getting rid of any pests is one of the first things you need to do.
The good news is that, while pests might be attracted to your property, there are things that you can do to discourage them or get rid of them. Here are some tips to help you to deal with any pests invading your property.
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Renovating your bathroom can be expensive. It can involve hiring plumbers and electricians, changing the floor plan, and changing the fixtures. Here are some tips to help you save money on your renovation.
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Your home is your sanctuary – a place where you can relax and be yourself. It should reflect your personality, and one of the best ways to do that is by adding unique home décor items.
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Spring cleaning might be what comes to mind when you think about tidying up your home, but fall cleaning is just as important – perhaps more so. Fall cleaning entails more than just airing out your house on the first cool day of the year. It involves more than just going through and cleaning up. A thorough fall clean includes maintenance and repair, which is why it’s so important.
Here is a complete repair checklist to undertake during your big fall clean, from your roof to your air conditioning.
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Homeowners who are interested in having new roofs installed might have some priorities in mind. Some people might need to make sure that their roofs are installed as quickly as possible. If that is the case, it might affect everything from their choice of roofing material to the way they schedule the roofing installation.
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The “oops I peed in mommy & daddy’s bed” potty training years are over! There are no more midnight feedings. No more spare diapers, wipes, and Butt Paste on the nightstand. No more rolling over in bed and popping open a Sippy cup lid filled with day old milk. No more stray Cheerios lingering between the sheets. No more co-sleeping, except for the occasional “I had a bad dream” or “scary thunderstorm” visitors in the middle of the night. And, truth-be-told, as a mom I actually found myself longing for a “scary thunderstorms” and/or a bad dream because in those moments I was able to reclaim a small morsel of the past. I thought I was suffering from a serve case of Post-Preschooler Depression. But what was actually happening was I didn’t reclaim my/our space as a couple, what is mommy & daddy’s room without the infant, toddler, preschooler necessities sprawled about? It was time to reclaim our space as a couple. Thus, when my husband went on a business trip for a week I seized the opportunity to take back our space and redecorated our bedroom as an early Anniversary gift for us. And it has been the BEST gift we have ever given ourselves! We now like to go to bed when the kids do, our bedroom has become our own little couple’s retreat, our little oasis. I highly recommend every couple do the same! Don’t know where to start? No worries, I got ya covered, love.
1. Inspiration– Don’t just hit up Home Goods and purchase the first comforter, drapes, etc. you see! Do a bit of research. This is often the step that takes the longest but most definitely should not be skipped! Determine what color, design style, and, possibly even designer, that inspires. My inspiration color was blue. I am literally obsessed with all things blue lately. To help you decide on a color I recommend you read up on the psychological effects of color (http://www.color-wheel-pro.com/color-meaning.html ).
“Blue is the color of the sky and sea. It is often associated with depth and stability. It symbolizes trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven. Blue is considered beneficial to the mind and body. It slows human metabolism and produces a calming effect” thus making it a great selection for a bedroom. Now that you know your color/colors it’s time to decide on a design style. Here is a site that does a great job defining the different styles, http://www.dwellcandy.com/interior-design-styles-2/. The design style I favor is Mid-Century Modern and I find myself really drawn to the designer, Johnathan Adler’s work. Here are a couple examples of his projects. 
Once you have determined your colors and style it is time to move onto the next step.
2. List– This one is super simple but is the step most people forget, make a list of all the things that drive you insane about the current status of your bedroom. Then indicate how you can rectify said irritation.
My list included:
3. Shop– I like to peruse all my options first. Thus, I hit up Home Goods, Hobby Lobby, Kirkland’s, & JCPenney (all are within a 5 mile radius of one another in Toledo, score!) and each is within my budget constraints. What to look for: Look for items that not only represent the design style and color you wish to implement but also keep in mind the elements & principles of design. Elements of Design: point, line, shape, form, space, color, and texture. Design Principles: balance, proportion, perspective, emphasis, movement, pattern, repetition, rhythm, variety, harmony, and unity. 
If you keep these in mind when shopping and purchasing items for your bedroom you will have a cohesive design. Note the textures in this image of our bedroom, the shag rug, plastic & woodgrain on the chair, reflective mirror, distressed/weather appearance on the frame of the mirror, each assist in providing a unified aesthetic appearance.
Also, note the patterns on the quilt and comforter, shapes and line of all the pillows, and the use of positive and negative space provides a visually appealing design. 
Also, I totally hit the jackpot, when I walked into JCPenney’s guess whose bedding line was there and on sale? Johnathan Adler’s!!! Lastly, note the undertone of the circle shape and the added texture found on the trim of the drapes and the lamp. 
The key is to remember the elements and principles of design when shopping, don’t allow one to dominate your space, balance is key.
4. Assemble– Most items you purchase for a bedroom are straightforward. You know how to place sheets, comforter, pillow shams, etc. on a bed and how to assemble a light fixture (don’t forget the light bulbs), place a mirror, etc. But the HUGEST mistake people make is hanging drapery. Most people hang it too tight to the window frame and not high enough. Please, please take the time to hang drapery correctly; it is a matter of good vs bad design. Here is a great illustration of what to and not to do when hanging drapery. 
5. Maintenance– Take a few moments to soak in the beauty, post a few pics to Instagram, etc. but don’t get too comfortable yet. The last step is just as important, and again, this step is one that individuals totally bypass while basking in the glory that is their new space. Maintenance is vital. How are you going to maintain this new, fresh, gorgeous space? And yes, dusting, vacuuming, and laundering are going to be important but in order to truly preserve the space rules and boundaries must be implemented.
Our rules for Mom & Dad’s Bedroom Retreat include:
Disclaimer: There is a chance that you will adore your new kid-free oasis, couple retreat bedroom so much that you might find your family expanding by two tiny feet. Lol!
It has taken me a few weeks to admit this but I have fallen into a rut. I have become a bad influence on my children. I have become that mom I never wanted to become, the “I got it” mom, the mom who does it all…the laundry, vacuuming, cleaning the kitchen, bathroom, making beds, emptying trash, tidying, dusting, etc. Why? Well, quit honestly, because it is easier. It is far easier for me to do it all then to have to deal with bickering, complaining, redirecting, etc. Then it dawned on me the other day that I might be making things easier on myself and perhaps even my children in the short term but what about long term, what would the future hold? I suddenly foresaw college roommates who despised me, future son-in-laws who detested me, a future ex-daughter-in-law, and don’t even get me started on the repercussions my actions would have on my grand babies!! It’s time to MOM UP and delegate chores!!
First things first, I ditched the word chore, I can’t stand it! Just saying it out loud leaves me bitter. You add the word chore to any task, even getting a massage and it sounds like torture.
Second I removed any type of chart or time consuming device that helped keep track of children’s responsibilities, I know myself well enough to know what will work and what will not. I have been there and done the charts, graphs, magnets, etc. and sure they worked for a month or two but nothing worked for the long haul. Until now….welcome to the future of chore charts……
Mission Partition
(It rhymes, added bonus! I love rhyming words more than my preschooler, lol!)
I know it looks like an ordinary gallery wall displaying all that is near & dear to me, right!? But it also doubles as a location to place each child’s responsibilities for that week a.k.a. missions for the week. Kiddos preferred the term missions because it sounds cool…I believe the exact words my 10 year old stated were, “missions sound epic, I can say I have to go home and complete my missions before I can play!”.
Missions for the week are assigned on Monday mornings & should they choose to accept their daily missions in return they can have screen time. They are each also offered a challenge for the day and/or week. Should they choose to accept that challenge they have the potential to earn some money that week….up to $5 in one week if they complete ALL challenges everyday!
Missions include:
Set Dinner Table
Clear Dinner Table
Feed Dog
Clean up Dog Poop
Take out Recycling
Organize Shoe Rack
Match Socks
Take out Trash
Place dishes in Dishwasher
Dust Living Room
Clean Personal Space/Room
Clean Bathroom
Vacuum
Fold Laundry
Put Laundry Away
Need help determining what is an age appropriate mission? CLICK HERE
Challenges for the week are tasks specific to the season/event going on that week, etc. such as, help clear snow, rake leaves, weed garden, clean family room etc. Best Part about the Mission Partition, it saves me so much time, all I have to do is add the missions for the week with a dry erase marker and update challenges as need be, now that is my kinda “chore chart”!
Tips for creating a Gallery Wall:
