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When buying a toy for a one-year old, Dr. Natasha Burgert, a pediatrician in South Overland Park, Kansas, encourages parents to consider “toys that hit all the developmental dimensions.” This could mean wooden blocks that can help with both fine motor skills and the concept of cause and effect or a ride-on toy that works those growing gross and fine motor skills. Colleen Mason, a preschool teacher with a Masters degree in early childhood recommends, “simple cause and effect toys, pop up toys, instruments, pull toys, etc....

From wall paint to wallpaper, furniture to lighting, and decor and accessories like rugs and art, there are endless ways to style your dining room to suit your home, mood, or lifestyle. Check out these stylish and functional dining rooms that are designed for sharing memorable meals with family, hosting dinner guests, or serving as an bonus space for reading, studying, or working from home during off hours.

A fireplace can be a luxurious addition to a primary suite or make a guest room feel extra welcoming, whether you live in a historic farmhouse, a rustic mountain cabin, a modern home, or a city apartment. An existing fireplace in a kids’ room can be treated as a decorative feature, painted in a fun color or used to display favorite sentimental objects. The firebox of a non-working fireplace in an older home or a faux fireplace that’s purely decorative can be filled with flame or LED pillar candles, and the mantel can be styled with art or seasonal decor....

Use multiple hooks to secure the garland, placing one on each end as well as several mid-points throughout the length of the garland. Floral wire is inexpensive and is usually green, which means it’ll blend in seamlessly with the garland. Make sure to use wire cutters to cut your floral wire to size, as you could easily damage your scissors if you tried to use them. Using the wire, tie loops around the garland branches and use those to hang the garland off the hooks on the wall....

1. Host a Plant Swap Party This is a great party to host during the dreariest days of winter, when everyone could use a little cheer in the form of a green friend or two. Encourage each guest to bring over or purchase a small plant that could use a new home. Line all of them up on a spare table, and then allow guests to draw numbers and take turns picking which plant they’d like to adopt....

Here are 40 ideas for seven-year anniversary gifts, traditional and modern, to get you started. 7th Anniversary Symbols Traditional: Copper, wool Contemporary: Desk sets/organizers Gemstone: Onyx, yellow sapphire, golden beryl Color: Yellow, off-white Flower: Freesia, Jack-in-the-pulpit There was no traditional gift for seven years of marriage in the United States until 1937. In that year, the American National Retail Jeweler Association published a list of traditional anniversary gifts by year through the 20th wedding anniversary and then for each fifth year thereafter....

You’ll find all different styles of DIY ornaments here, from modern to traditional. Don’t be afraid to change up the ornament with colors and designs to make it a better fit for your holiday home. With all these choices, you may just need to make several from the list! Wooden Tassel Ornaments from The Merrythought Leather Christmas Ornaments from Delia Creates String Art Ornaments from A Beautiful Mess Glitter Confetti Ornaments from The Sweetest Occasion Macrame Christmas Tree Ornament from Lovely Indeed Winter Village & Red Car Christmas Tree Ornaments from A Piece of Rainbow Gumball Machine Ornaments from Aww Sam No Sew Donut Christmas Ornaments from A Piece of Rainbow Birdseed Ornaments from The Spruce Gold Marble Christmas Ornaments from Lovely Indeed Decoupaged Christmas Ornaments from Mod Podge Rocks!...

We spoke with four interior experts to learn how to make your home feel warmer, even if the weather outside is frightful and your heater isn’t quite keeping up. Read on for tips to create a warm feeling in your home. Pick the Right Fabrics Obviously, cozy throws and blankets are a must, but as Nicole Fisher of BNR Interiors reminds us, your choice of fabric is key, too. “Velvets, Chenilles, and textured wovens always bring me an element of warmth and create a cozy atmosphere,” she says....

Key Characteristics While all-white kitchens have become popular in the United States in recent decades, Mexican style kitchens are characterized by their use of bright colors. What hues make an appearance in particular? Talavera tiles, blues, greens, and yellows, explains designer Carolina Gentry of Pulp Design Studios, whose mother grew up in Mexico. While one may associate an abundance of color with a bold, vibrant design style, note that Mexican style kitchens definitely do not have to be maximalist in appearance....

Voltage vs. Amperage Voltage and amperage do not mean the same thing, though they both are measures of electrical current or flow of electrons. Voltage is a measure of the pressure that allows electrons to flow. Amperage is a measure of the volume of electrons. An electrical current at 1,000 volts is no more deadly than a current at 100 volts. But tiny changes in a current’s amperage can mean the difference between life and death when a person receives an electrical shock....

Choose a bathroom vanity that isn’t too big or too small for your bathroom; it should match the room’s size but still accommodate your needs for getting ready. Even if you want to impress buyers, don’t cram a huge vanity into a tiny bathroom. The size of the room is more important than the size of the vanity. When installing the feature, pick a spot that won’t interfere with your bathroom’s flow....

Most people would like a generously spaced bathroom with tons of room to place the key services such as the toilet and sink without restrictions. This is possible in spec bathrooms or bathrooms found on home shows. But most real-world bathrooms, even those considered large, must account for every square and linear inch in order to make everything properly work together. Moving the toilet a few inches in one direction might mean that you can’t put in that double-basin sink and 48-inch vanity you’ve been dreaming about....

A House for Every Beach Lover Architectural styles for beach homes vary, often dictated by local materials, weather events (hurricanes), and the population and history of a coastal community. Many beach towns began as destinations near cities (think Los Angeles and New York), where people could own a second or vacation home. As cities spread, they caught up to the beach towns, making it possible to live in a coastal community and commute to work....

Need a little inspiration? Whether your style is rustic and vintage, modern and playful, or eclectic and glam, you’re certain to find something you’ll love among these beautiful black and white nursery rooms. By limiting dark and weighty accents, such as the paint treatment and patterned rug, to the lower half of the room, the design maintains a bright and open feel, making the space feel larger. Natural woods and layers of texture give this beautifully boho style nursery from Instagram a bright and airy feel....

Another great thing is that bedroom remodels can be a positive return on your investment. Expanding upward or outward to build a new addition or bedroom often represents a low net return because your initial investment is so high. But rehabbing and redecorating an existing space is vastly cheaper and faster to accomplish. After all, there’s a reason why house stagers focus so much attention on making bedrooms look just right: Along with the kitchen, the bedroom has a personal, intimate appeal with most buyers....

Here are seven shoe storage ideas to help you put your best foot forward. The Ladder Shoe Shelf from Collective Gen From Shoe Box to Glam Storage from My Dear Irene Crown Molding as Shoe Rack from Home Stories A to Z DIY Shoe Storage Cabinet from Shanty 2 Chic DIY Shoe Display from Jenna McArthur Over-the-Door Shoe Organizer from IHeart Organizing Glass-Sided Cabinet from The Gathered Home

The best home décor subscription boxes offer on-trend items that look great and often serve a purpose—such as conquering clutter, welcoming guests, or enhancing your table or mantle. Some companies also provide a helping hand with design guidance to style your new pieces. Refreshing your home’s look with new décor items every month is an easy way to keep your space looking fresh, and these home décor subscription boxes are the simplest way to achieve your design dreams....

Those field marks are invaluable for this adaptable bird, though females can be much harder to distinguish from other female hummingbirds. Fortunately, these facts can help you feel more confident in identifying, attracting, and enjoying black-chinned hummingbirds. Fast Facts Scientific Name: Archilochus alexandriCommon Name: Black-Chinned HummingbirdLifespan: 8-11 yearsSize: 3.5 inchesWeight: 0.1-0.12 ouncesWingspan: 4-5 inchesConservation Status: Least concern Black-Chinned Hummingbird Identification The black chin can be difficult to see on this tiny bird, but knowing the rest of its field marks is a great way to always identify black-chinned hummingbirds properly....