When you think of high-design interior design, you might automatically associate it with a certain type of home - one made with sleek glass, concrete and metal details. But truthfully, the world of home decor design is far more diverse than that. You don't need an ultra-minimalist home to incorporate design classics. You can choose from a wide variety of styles, or simply make your own creative interpretation of a time-honored design.
(ARA) - Did you ever watch a home improvement show team transform a drab room into something spectacular using a shoestring budget and less time than it takes you to clean out your closet? Ever wonder how they did it? Here's the secret: they cheat. And you can too.
(ARA) - Back to school means back to homework for most kids. For many parents it also means asking, pleading, nagging and demanding that their kids get to it. But getting your kids to hit the books when they get home could be as easy as reorganizing their study space, or providing a special spot for studying in the first place.
(ARA) - Thirty years ago, life in a college residence hall was appreciated by students for what it didn't have: parents.
(ARA) - Thirty years ago, life in a college residence hall was appreciated by students for what it didn't have: parents.
Ceramic tile is a popular flooring choice for homeowners, but there are a few things to be aware of before you settle on ceramic tile for your home. While ceramic tile is a sophisticated flooring option, it is not always functional. It can be hard to install, hard to clean, even hard on your feet.
"The most wonderful time of the year" is just around the corner. Soon the sights and sounds of the holiday season will fill your home and heart.
(ARA) - This November and December, Americans are expected to spend approximately $7.5 million every minute on holiday-related items, including gifts and festive decorations, according to the National Retail Federation. Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a leading independent safety organization, is urging families to dedicate just a fraction of the time and attention spent shopping for gifts and decor on making sure their purchases are being used safely.
Every year the glossy pages of Christmas magazines brim with new ideas, as well as variations of the classics. Retail stores are keeping pace, buoyed by the National Retail Federation's prediction that holiday retail sales will increase by 2.3 percent this year. This is a dramatic increase over 2009, when sales rose a paltry 0.4 percent, and is just shy of the 10-year average of a 2.5 percent increase.
Decorating your child's room with a theme she'll love is a great way to nourish her creativity and imagination. But with so many decorating possibilities out there, how do you choose a theme that she will love as much in two years as she does the day the room is done?
The latest generations of kids are rapidly growing up in a modern world full of wonders and challenges that couldn't have been imagined in decades past. They're often referred to as "natives" in regard to technology - and to watch a young child maneuver their way around a smartphone or iPad, it's amazing just how intuitively children can operate technologies that mom and dad had to make an effort to learn. For kids today, learning to live sustainably from the start is as much a part of growing up as surfing the Internet, but by making it fun and easy to comprehend, parents can ensure that the lessons of today will last a lifetime.
(ARA) - With back-to-school season back again, now is a great time to instill a simple message your child will benefit from in the years to come: green is good.
Summer is finally hitting its stride in Texas, but that doesn't mean your wallet has to suffer because of it. Instead of having to choose between staying cool or staying within budget, here are a few energy saving tips from www.texaselectricityproviders.com that will help make your energy bill a little bit lower during the dog days of summer.
Summer is finally hitting its stride in Texas, but that doesn't mean your wallet has to suffer because of it. Instead of having to choose between staying cool or staying within budget, here are a few energy saving tips from www.texaselectricityproviders.com that will help make your energy bill a little bit lower during the dog days of summer.
The sun's shining, the birds are singing, and the temperatures are rising - summer's all about feeling good. And while it can be easy to feel like you don't have a care in the world throughout the warm months, you should keep some things front of mind in order to enjoy the season even more.
The sun's shining, the birds are singing, and the temperatures are rising - summer's all about feeling good. And while it can be easy to feel like you don't have a care in the world throughout the warm months, you should keep some things front of mind in order to enjoy the season even more.
(ARA) - Sunshine, green grass, and buds popping out on trees and flowers everywhere - all those signs of spring may have you thinking about getting your hands on the season's newest beauty products. But think beyond sheer foundation and floral hues; this year the hottest trend in beauty and fashion is "eco-chic."
Gas prices are heading for all-time highs, just as warm weather arrives and many of us will be spending more time on the road. You may not be ready to give up your summer vacation, but saving money on gas is going to be a priority for many motorists this summer.
(ARA) - Nature offers many beautiful gifts and wonders to explore, and parents can help get kids outside to discover them when they step away from the television or computer screen. Here are a few fun ways to encourage your children to explore nature.
(ARA) - For modern families, being eco-friendly can be a big priority. That's why it's important to plant the recycling seeds in children early so their love for the environment grows as they do. However, because students spend significant hours in the classroom, teachers must partner with parents to develop habits that are relevant at home as well as at school.
(ARA) - Does the bitter cold weather have you dreaming of warm days spending time with friends and family in your backyard? The cold may keep us indoors, but professionals in the landscape and remodeling industry are still thinking about the outdoors and use the winter months to plan spring projects, and so should you.
(ARA) - As temperatures begin to cool, it's time to turn up the dial on protecting your home from pests that seek out warm places as refuge from the winter weather. By taking proactive pest management steps, homeowners can prevent infestation, structural and aesthetic damages and disease from negatively affecting their home and families.
Barbecues, family gatherings and quiet mornings with a cup of coffee - your deck probably served you well this summer. You owe it some TLC before winter's rigors arrive. Besides, prepping your outdoor environment for cold weather will also give you a warm feeling come spring, when your deck is in good condition and ready to be enjoyed again.
(ARA) - As the leaves start to change color, you may find yourself reminiscing about the hours of enjoyment spent outside on your deck. While warm weather gatherings and summer barbecues are a favorite pastime of the season, the combination of foot traffic, food spills and weather can take its toll on any deck.
(ARA) - Kids are heading back to school, tomato harvests have begun to dwindle and the leaves are starting to change color once again. Another hot summer is drawing to a close. This does not have to mean though, that thriving gardens must to fade into blissful memories. Even as temperatures start to drop, cold-weather crops can extend the harvest well into the fall months.
(ARA) - What project can instantly update your home's appeal and make it the shining star on the block? Landscaping can add value and curb appeal. Good landscaping doesn't have to be time consuming or expensive. With the right plan and some creativity, you can easily be the envy of all your neighbors.
Tulips are still planted pretty much as they have always been, in blocks of single colors. There is nothing wrong with that approach, but today there is a new and much more interesting alternative: tulip blends. For the same price you would pay for 100 red or yellow tulips, you can get a blend of two or even three varieties that is guaranteed to change the way you think about one of the world's most iconic flowers.
(ARA) - Insects are the worst kind of unwanted guests. Nearly all of us have experienced the horror of finding roaches in the kitchen or fleas on the family pet. Learning more about these common critters, and how to prevent them from invading the yard and home, will help bring peace of mind to the entire family.
(ARA) - Warm weather is perfect for entertaining outdoors. Creating a space that's comfortable and stylish makes guests feel welcome for friendly gatherings.
Not everyone can live on the water, but with a little creativity and the right tools you can create your own backyard oasis. Many folks have turned to backyard water gardens as a way to bring nature closer to home, complete with fish and aquatic plants.
(ARA) - New Year's is a time when many people commit to starting fresh or developing some positive changes in their lives. As you consider what you will change in 2012, think about where you spend the majority of your time. Your surroundings can greatly influence your mood and actions, and a refreshed interior can help you step forward into a new and improved lifestyle. Enjoying life more in 2012 could start with just a few simple updates to your home.
(ARA) - Ready to give your bathroom a facelift, but can't decide what changes to make? From tubs to toilets to tile, the sky is the limit when it comes to bathroom renovations, even if budget is not.
(ARA) - From the runway to the living room, hot trends in home fashion can take the style of a room from simple to stunning. Incorporating trendy furniture into home decor is an easy way to add style without having to make costly renovations.
(ARA) - From warm woods and creative colors to memorable murals and tailored textures, interior designers and industry experts predict 2012 will offer a multitude of options for those interested in giving their homes a fresh look. Even better for today's cost-conscious consumers is that many of the trends are easy and inexpensive.
(ARA) - From an invigorating spray that kick-starts the morning to an enveloping waterfall that washes away a long day, today's showers offer luxurious experiences to meet every desire. With a little planning and the right products, you can create a personal oasis. Even small choices, like showerheads and accessories, can instantly upgrade any bathroom.
(ARA) - When it comes to home decorating, texturing can do for your walls what a good coat of wax can do for your car's finish - hide a host of flaws. Poorly patched holes, uneven sheetrock, ugly wallpaper and even multiple layers of peeling paint can all be hidden beneath a beautiful layer of texture.
(ARA) - Just as matching food with the right wine can elevate a simple meal to the level of a culinary experience, artfully pairing design elements in your kitchen can turn a utilitarian room into a chef's paradise.
(ARA) - There's nothing better than digging your toes in the warm sand, breathing crisp, salty air and hearing the sound of waves crashing on the shoreline. But whether the beach is close to home, or thousands of miles away, you don't have to leave the memories behind at the summer's end. There are many creative ways to bring the beach into your home all year long.
(ARA) - For some of us, the shower is a personal sanctuary - the only place and time of the day to unwind and not be bothered by anything from the outside world. So why not make an exceptional shower the centerpiece of your next bathroom remodel? Utilize the latest in style - and even technology - to create the ultimate retreat.
(ARA) - A home is meant to be a calm retreat from chaos. Drawing from 8th century design inspiration, shoji screens are sliding wood panels that incorporate rice paper stretched over the frame. Letting in soft light, the rice paper remains opaque and adds a calming effect with the rhythmic designs of the wood. Many homeowners today include shoji screens in their spaces to harness functional design with inspired style.