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…)
The human home is now just as much the dog’s. Homeowners who are building or remodeling have taken to considering their pets’ needs as much as they do those of their biped family members, turning “pet-friendly decorating” into industry buzzwords.
This is about more than stylish dog beds that cost upward of $350; this is about stain-resistant fabrics, scratch-resistant flooring, colors that match a pooch’s coat, or out-and-out design and architectural elements.
In Chris Rudolph’s case, the Chicago architect put in “dog overlooks” and a “Doggy Detox,” a large porcelain-tiled shower with hand-held showerhead, when building his Michigan home. (more…)
