When it comes to decorating a child’s room, bunk beds and beanbag chairs just don’t cut it anymore.
If giving Junior his own space wasn’t enough, it now must be furnished with the latest and greatest designs. Who’s behind this bedroom bedlam? An army of tiny Braticus Finches demanding better living conditions?
Try parents and grandparents who insist they deserve it and manufacturers happy to accommodate them. (more…)
Many of us have visited a home that exudes so much warmth and coziness that we curl up on the sofa and find ourselves falling asleep. But what is it that makes guests feel comfortable and want to linger? Is it the inviting colors, the clutter-free surfaces or the lively conversations around the kitchen table? And how can you get that feeling in your home?
You’ve painted the walls, purchased decent furniture, hung art and bought accents from Ikea and Pier 1 Imports, but you silently wonder, ‘‘Why doesn’t my place feel like that?’’
Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, author of ‘‘Apartment Therapy: The Eight-Step Home Cure’’ (Bantam Dell, $14), says making your apartment or house feel more homey doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. The solution could be as simple as rearranging your furniture for better air flow or adding small touches such as fresh-cut flowers and burning candles. (more…)
8 quick tips
Even if you don’t go through Maxell Gillingham-Ryan’s entire eight-week process, which includes deep-cleaning your home, adding lighting, decluttering, painting, adding décor and finally throwing a party, he offers these suggestions to make your house or apartment feel more inviting:
1. Light it up: Get more lamps; don’t rely on the overhead light in the center of the ceiling. Have three points of light at eye level when you’re sitting down in each room and tie them into points in a triangle. This will create the warmth you’re seeking.
2. Create a landing strip: So much of what clutters a house comes through the front door. Create a place near the front door to toss or sort through mail, slot things and manage correspondence such as junk mail, magazines, letters and bills. Also, leave sunglasses, wallet, keys and other items that create clutter elsewhere in this spot.
3. Don’t let your television control the room: Avoid furnishing your living room like a movie theater. Instead of placing the sofa across from the TV, create a more social space with at least three points of seating facing one another. Consider hiding the TV in an armoire. (more…)
