High-maintenance fabrics—like silk, velvet, or suede—should be avoided at all costs if you want less to worry about. Also, consider getting a furniture color that matches (or comes close) to your pet’s hair color. If you get a couch fabric that has patterns, it can help hide any scratches. Here are five pet-friendly fabrics that can keep your furniture looking clean, even when the family dog loves to perch on the couch....
Great interior design doesn’t happen in an instant, though. It takes time, persistence, and a willingness to live with the imperfect while you search for just the right pieces. Therefore, even though it may be tempting to schedule that weekend trip to IKEA, don’t jump the gun—otherwise, you could end up with an apartment full of regrets. Mistake #1: Buying All Furniture at Once In an apartment that lacks really basic stuff, you will need anything that didn’t come to you as a hand-me-down....
Statistics from 2022 show that the average cost spent on a tiny home is about $45,000, but bare-bones kits for DIYers are available for as little as $4,000 to $10,000, but can easily exceed $100,000. Information from the mortgage industry shows that the average per-square-foot cost of a tiny home is about $300 per square foot (about double that of the average full-size home. Thus, a small 200-square-foot cottage can easily cost $60,000 to have built by professionals....
Fortunately, Instagram has become a stellar source of inspiration for anyone looking for simple ways to revive and refresh their space. There are stylish, pared-back designs for the simplicity-loving minimalist; comfortable, cozy spaces for Hygge enthusiasts; and creative designs that will motivate you to hit the nearest plant nursery. The point is, no matter your aesthetic leanings, there are decorative guideposts all over Instagram, and we pulled the very best of the best so you can stop looking for inspiration and start applying it....
That is why this IKEA hack from the Dutch décor site, Song Bird Blog is so innovative. The inexpensive project uses planks, paint, and an electric stapler to transforms a 10-year-old Lack TV stand into a living room showpiece. The new hatch doors on the front keep devices and cords out of sight. The wooden wine crate on the center shelf is a home for remote controls. For other budget-friendly ideas, check out the 21 best IKEA IVAR storage hacks....
Remember to put yourself in the shoes of a potential buyer before your house is listed for sale. Look critically at your space to see what might be updated, cleared out, or spruced up. Many times, there are simple fixes that will make all the difference. Start with these six tips. Put Clutter in Storage If you have a minimalist decorating style and pared-down possessions, then skip this tip and go on to number 2....
A front area can be ho-hum or happening; it’s up to you. Beautifying the entrance to your home does have an effect, however. “A well-cared-for front yard says a lot about the people who live there,” says landscape designer Melanie Rekola of Melanie Rekola Landscape Design. “If the front entry has feel-good décor, inviting furnishings and lush plantings, you just know the inside will follow suit. I think it makes one want to get to know these types of homeowners....
Gifts and Symbols for the 60th Anniversary The tradition of celebrating a 60th anniversary came into popularity after Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee. Prior to this event, the diamond was associated with the 75th anniversary. The word diamond comes from the Greek word adamas which means unconquerable and enduring. Many also believe that the fire in the diamond symbolizes the constant flame of love. Truly, this is a good symbol for this significant anniversary....
There are benefits to shopping for plants online rather than at a nearby garden center. By shopping online you have access to more variety. Plus, some of these online stores have subscription boxes which means a brand new plant every single month! That sounds pretty perfect to us. And if you’re like us and love a good pot but want something unique, then finding something handmade that has been expertly crafted is a great option....
After three years of living and renting in London—where restrictions for renters are a bit stricter than those in America—I’ve learned some tricks on how to make our apartment look and feel even more like me. Here are seven ways to personalize your rented home. First, ask for permission. This seems pretty simple, right? Well, many people forget to even ask their landlords if they can do anything to their space....
Depending on how old your kids are, how they act, what they are into, and how they interact with the world around them says a lot about how you create your space. So, whether you’re a new parent or seasoned veteran, here are seven home design tips based on your child’s personality. Yep, you’re the parent who is often freaking out over your child’s safety because you know he/she is going to be non-stop in every game, activity, or even school day....
But once the obvious things are cleaned away, do you forget about the rest of the room? Take a look at seven places you’re forgetting to clean during your cleaning routine. Use your vacuum or a dusting wand to get rid of spider webs and eggs, dust and grime at least two times per year. Start at the top of the wall and work down using a duster that traps particles....
Embracing ’70s home decor trends can be as simple as sprinkling a few accessories here and there, such as a Turkish-style pouf or using baskets as wall decor. If you’re looking for inspiration, here are a handful of ’70s decor trends that are officially back in style. If you don’t want to commit to a fully retro palette, consider a few mustard yellow velvet throw pillows or a deep green lampshade to mix this trend into your living room....
Fortunately, it isn’t necessary to have a cottage in the Hamptons or a house in Malibu to achieve the same sense of calm and tranquility that the coast offers. There are ways to bring the beach home with you other than with sand in your shoes. 5 Elements of Coastal Decor First, there are five elements that make up the backbone of a coastal-style room. Think Blue: It’s practically impossible to imagine a coastal space without at least a little blue in it....
This tropical perennial plant (hardy in zones 8 to 10) likes moist, warm conditions but needs to be kept sheltered from high winds. They can also be grown indoors in bright, indirect, or filtered light. Design tip: Grow colocasias in very large pots. Plant a medium-height plant around them, such as fuchsias, coral bells, or coleus. Plant draping plants around the edges of your pot, such as creeping Jenny, ivy, or sweet potato vine....
Follow the ants’ trail to identify the path they follow, even if you can’t find out where the ants are coming in.Place ant bait stations along the trail you identified, following all label directions. The workers will find the bait, carry it back to the nest, and feed the queen, eliminating her and future populations. If the ant trail leads you to an outdoor, below-ground nest, drenching the nest with an approved insecticide spray (following all label directions) can be effective....
Swans: A Symbol of Love Swans mate for life and are viewed as loyal birds. The image of two swans coming together to form a heart shape is so recognizable and storied that it has made them a symbol of romance. You will see swans displayed in wedding decor and used on Valentine’s Day and anniversary cards. And while true romantics believe that the monogamous love between swans runs deep, mating for life is more of a survival tactic....
An Introduction to Begonias According to the American Begonia Society, the Begonia genus of plants includes about 1,500 named species and several thousand hybrids. From a cultivation point of view, begonias have all the ingredients for successful hybridization—they cross readily, they have striking variability in the genus, and their ranks include everything from durable landscape plants to delicate specimens. Botanically speaking, begonias are terrestrial understory herbs native to tropical regions around the world, including Central and South America, Asia, and Africa....
When it comes to recliners, there’s a lot of variety in style, features, and price. Some come decked out with cup holders and electronic controls. Others are more traditional-looking, like Andover Mills’ Leonie Manual Recliner, a wingback-style chair that can fold down almost horizontally when you want to recline. We tested it out in our own home to see how its design and comfort stacked up to the competition. Read on for all the relaxing details....
