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  • 6 Ideas for a Sensational Easter Table Setting

    What do food, fancy plates and flowers have in common? They’re all sensational for an Easter table setting!

    If you’re coming up short on ideas for your Easter table, or need inspiration for that final touch, there are many ways to set a showstopper.

    Create a design that will make loved ones feel welcomed and delighted. Feel free to incorporate appetizers or desserts into your design. Pull out your spring-colored china or hit the vintage shop for new treasures. Display a complete set or pieces that are mismatched and marvelous. Bring some of the season’s best blossoms into the setting as well.

     

     

    1. Design your own garden centerpiece

    Gather a medium-sized wood or metal tray, some wheatgrass (available at many nurseries), a handful of your favorite cut blooms and floral selections filled with water. Trim the wheatgrass with gardening tools or scissors so it fits perfectly on your tray. Place the flower stems inside of the floral selections and then press the picks down into the grass. Arrange a monochromatic garden centerpiece or one that bursts with color.

     

     

    2. Fill perfume bottles with flowers

    Raid your bathroom or your nearest flea market to come up with statement perfume bottles for an Easter table flower display. These vessels, while always beautiful, take on new life when paired with spring’s botanical bounty.

     

  • St. Patrick’s Day Desserts with a Little Luck of the Irish

    St. Patrick’s Day is fast approaching, and there’s no more festive way to celebrate the holiday than with a crowd-pleasing, Irish-themed treat. To help you get into the spirit, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite St. Patrick’s Day desserts. There’s something here to satisfy every palate. Many of the recipes can be customized, depending on your audience or the amount of time you have.

     

    Craveable Cakes, Cookies and Brownies

    From light and airy cupcakes to fudgy brownies (as well as options for folks with a little less of a sweet tooth), these baked desserts are sure to delight your friends and family come March 17th.

    • Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies: Who doesn’t enjoy a perfectly prepared sugar cookie? This recipe takes it up a notch by incorporating cream cheese to create an incredibly chewy concoction. Roll out the dough and cut it into shamrock shapes, or keep it simple and scoop it into small balls. However, be sure to let it chill in the fridge beforehand so it’s easier to handle. Coat the cookies with a green-tinted powdered sugar glaze, then watch them get devoured.
    •  Luck o’ the Irish Brownies: Chocolate and mint tops many people’s list of favorite flavor combinations. These supremely rich, triple-layer brownies offer both in abundance. They involve a little mid-prep refrigeration to ensure that the center peppermint layer sets properly. Be sure to factor that into your timing.
    • Irish Coffee Cupcakes: If you like Irish coffee, you’ll love this tasty cupcake version of the popular beverage. The delicate texture of the frosting provides the perfect counterbalance to the bolder flavor of the cupcake. This recipe is best suited to adults, given its ingredients, although you can use caffeine-free espresso powder and omit the whiskey to make it a little more family-friendly.
    • Pot of Gold Rainbow Cake: Want to create a real show-stopper? This stunning cake looks like it should take hours to create but is relatively simple. It involves baking four separate cake layers using a boxed mix (hello, time-saver!), and then cutting a circle in the two inner layers and filling the resulting “well” with candy-coated chocolate balls. Perhaps the most complicated aspect of this recipe is the multi-colored frosting, but dividing the different colors into plastic bags and then piping them onto the cake one by one simplifies the process. (And if you want, you could always skip the rainbow and simply frost the entire cake green.)
    • Irish Soda Bread Cookies: Not everyone is a fan of super-sweet desserts. For those who prefer a something slightly subtler this St. Patrick’s Day, these Irish soda bread cookies fit the bill. After all, what could be more authentically Irish than soda bread? The unique flavor of these cookies comes from the addition of dried currant – as well as caraway seed, which lends just a hint of anise to the overall taste. If you don’t like licorice, you can easily omit this ingredient.

  • Tips for Moving with a Baby

    Moving can be incredibly stressful. Add a baby and there might be more than one tantrum in your near future. The best way to handle the change in location is to be prepared before, during and after with these tips.

     

    Before

    Find a pediatrician

    Now is the time to start researching a new doctor so you have one waiting once you’ve moved. Make sure the office takes your insurance and that they are close to your new home to avoid too much back and forth. Ask about their office hours and their availability after hours to provide peace of mind. Your current pediatrician may be able to provide a recommendation – just ask.

    Firm up childcare

    The decision between daycare and in home care is a big one. Whichever you choose, know that the process to find the right fit isn’t quick, even if you started well before your move.  Get advice from family and friends, and once you’ve narrowed down the list, make sure you perform background checks. Visit at least three daycares and spend enough time in the infant room to see if it’s the right fit for your little one. One question that should always be asked during the decision making process is the ratio of infants to caretakers.

    Have movers ready to go

    You’ve done the hard part of packing up while taking care of your baby. To simplify the process, hire professional movers to unpack and set up your new home.  This will save you time, money and sanity so you can be the best parent to your child during this stressful time.

    Keep essentials handy

    Babies need a lot of stuff on a daily basis. Bibs, bottles, formula, diapers and wipes go in the diaper bag, but make sure you also have a few changes of clothes, favored toys and bath products on hand to make the transition easier.

  • Top 5 Pet Travel Trends for 2018

    As we all know, people think differently about their pets these days.  They’re not just pets, they’re cherished and adored members of the family.  This translates into pet parents wanting to spend more quality time with their pets and to include them in activities whenever they can. As a result, an increasing number of pet parents are packing up their furry sidekicks and hitting the road.

    The desire to bond and share life experiences with pets has led pet parents to plan their trips differently. Further, businesses have responded by offering expanded services due to the rise in people traveling with their pets.  We’ve done some digging to find out exactly what’s trending when it comes to pet travel in 2018.

    1. Pet-centric Trip Planning
    Pet parents are seeking out trips that they can enjoy with their pets. When making travel plans, pets are a key factor in making decisions about where to go, where to stay, and what to do. No matter what type of experience travelers are looking for, they can find the perfect destination to suit themselves and their pets. For instance, pets and their people who like adventures in the great outdoors can find their perfect getaway in a trip to the mountains or lake, where they can stay at a cabin, vacation rental, or campground.  Exploring trails, waterfalls, bird watching (and chasing) and taking in some good “sniffs” may be the perfect pet-centric trip!

    Pet parents with water dogs know that their pup enjoys nothing more than….well, water!   These folks are planning trips to beach destinations as well as lakeside getaways.  While there, they not only can enjoy playing in the surf and relaxing on the beach with their dog, but there’s plenty of other water activities that both pooch and person can enjoy.  Kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing, and even pontoon boating are among some of the other water dog favorites.

    Extroverted pets that enjoy nothing more than being social and going out and about are taking trips with their people to more urban destinations.  There, they can dine with their pet parents at pet friendly restaurants, as well as do a little shopping and partake in some sightseeing and attractions.

    For pets that really like to “chill”, take things slow, and just be with their people, pet parents are planning trips where they can do just that.  They can select from secluded cabins and vacation rentals where pets can snuggle up in front of the fire, to resorts and hotels that roll out the red carpet to both pets and their people by offering spa packages, concierge services, and room services for BOTH people and their pets.

    2. Concierge Services and Amenities for Pets
    Many pet friendly accommodations are expanding their offerings to include those that cater to four-legged travelers.  They understand that providing extra services and amenities for pet guests helps to win the business (and loyalty) of pet parents.

    A growing number of hotels are offering concierge services for pets. Services vary greatly — from booking pet grooming appointments and arranging dog walking to providing lists of nearby pet friendly activities.

    Providing additional pet amenities is also on the rise at pet friendly lodging.  Dog potty areas, welcome baskets, pet room service, pet massages and spa packages, custom pet beds, and dog play areas are just a sampling of some of the amenities now being offered.

    3. More Pet Friendly Things to Do
    An increasing number of businesses are opening their hearts and doors to four-legged customers.   From pooch welcoming breweries and restaurants to pet friendly tours and excursions, there are many more options for pet travelers!  Pets are able to join their people in a whole host of activities such as ghost tours, whale watching, antiquing, gem mining, winery tours, 5Ks, and the list goes on!

    4. Adventure Pet Travel
    Millennials can take a big part of the credit for this increasing pet travel trend.  In 2018, there will be more pet parents planning adventure trips with their pets.  Adventure travel can range from trips that inspire and  invigorate to those that involve high activity and exploration.

    Some of the more active pet friendly adventures include kayaking, rafting, hiking, and paddle boarding.  Vail, Colorado boasts pooch friendly Colorado River Runs where people and their pups can experience rafting together on the Colorado River.  Then there’s the Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina, which allows dogs to join their pet parents to explore this natural wonder. High adventure trips may include a visit to Olympic Valley, California where pet parents and their pooches can hike and swim at the Squaw Valley Aerial Tram.

    There is also a wide assortment of adventure trips for the less active travelers.  Ghost Tours stack right up there as one of the more popular pet friendly adventure trips in this category.  Spokane, Washington’s Two Dog City Ghost Tours welcomes pups and their people to get spooked together.  Walking tours in some of the most historic and interesting cities in the country are another favorite!  DC by Foot tours lets visitors explore the Nation’s capital with their pups right alongside.

    5. More Pets Buckling Up
    Last but certainly not least, more pet parents are waking up and realizing how important it is to secure their precious four-legged family members in their vehicles. For far too long, pet passenger safety has been overlooked.  More parents are now properly securing their pets by way of pet seat belts, travel kennels, pet car seats and vehicle pet barriers.  Fewer “free range” pets that are allowed to roam in cars not only means fewer pets injured, but also less distracted drivers.

    Article Provided by TripsWithPets.com:

    TripsWithPets.com is the premier online pet friendly travel guide and was named Best Pet Travel Site by Consumer Reports. TripsWithPets.com provides online reservations at over 30,000 pet friendly hotels & accommodations across the U.S. and Canada.  When planning a trip, pet parents go to TripsWithPets.com for detailed, up-to-date information on hotel pet policies and pet amenities.  TripsWithPets.com also features airline & car rental pet policies, pet friendly activities, a user-friendly search-by-route option, as well as pet travel tips. For more information, please visit http://www.tripswithpets.com.

  • Ask A Pro Q&A: Updating Different Rooms in your Home

    A new year can mean a fresh start for your home’s style. How can you achieve this? Interior design expert and Dream Team member Jennifer Adams has the answers to go for dramatic touches, textures and colors in the latest edition of Ask a Pro!

    Q: How do I update different rooms of my house…specifically my family room, bedroom, and kitchen.

    — Amanda M

    A: This is a great question, one that I hear a lot! And it’s not hard to make a few simple changes to completely update the look of any room in your house, particularly the family room, kitchen and bedroom.

    A quick declutter makes any room look fresh, airy and new. Pull out all the accessories off your shelves and other surfaces, and put back only about half of them, or, even less! Just a few of your favorites deserve a spot. If you can’t make up your mind about an item, save it to rotate back in later.

    Color is a quick way to update a room. Or, actually, these days it’s a lack of color that is making news. My whole house is basically white, wood tones and different grays from light to charcoal to dark iron. New decorative pillows, throw blankets, area rugs and accessories, even books, candles and art on the walls are great opportunities to change any room’s tone without even opening a can of paint.

    A new bedding set with fresh sheets, and a bold comforter or duvet will completely change the look of your bedroom. Contrast your wall colors for a little bit of drama, or keep things quiet with off whites, grays and lots of texture, such as a throw blanket with big tassels or fringe, or soft stripes.

    Emphasize the natural. I love natural curiosities such as interesting pieces of wood, fossils or shells, crystals and stones, because the color is subtle but warm, and the textures are so fascinating.

    Large plants! For a rich pop of color and dramatic touch, add some big architectural plants with interesting leaves. If you can’t spring for something as big as you want, buy smaller ones in multiples, and use a pedestal or plant stand to vary the heights. I generally use odd numbers for any accessory grouping, 3 is a magic number for this!

    — Jennifer Adams

  • 4 Ways to Create the Effect of a Luxurious Bathroom Makeover

    You always know a luxurious bathroom when you see one. It sparkles, shines and looks like something straight out of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. However, a luxurious bathroom makeover doesn’t have to be expensive. You can increase the value of your home and achieve the effects of a luxury makeover by implementing these unique, budget-savvy renovation tips.

    1. Pay Attention to the Decorative Details
    The details in your bathroom make a powerful statement. Ignoring them can make the space look mediocre and plain. To achieve the effect of a luxurious bathroom on a budget, place importance on the small things instead of large, costly items.

    Ornamental items, such as artwork, statues, candles and other décor can change the appeal of the entire space. Think about the tones that are often associated with luxury, such as gold, silver, chrome and sparkling, shiny elements. Focusing your decorative details on fancy materials and colors will add a spark of luxury.

    Additionally, the color of your bathroom holds great power, as it can create an astonishing visual effect that impacts the ambiance. Keep this in mind when choosing decorative elements.

    2. Add Character with an Accent Wall
    If you’re not looking to do a complete renovation, focus your luxury design aspirations on an accent wall. Pick one wall and add crucial details that will take your bathroom to the next level of luxury.

    Finishes and textures can be expensive if you’re adding them to the entire room. They’ll also blend in rather than making the powerful statement you want to achieve. An accent wall is an affordable way to add impact.

    Add textured wallpaper that has the appearance of luxury materials, such as stone or marble. It’ll instantly add dimension and elegance into the space.

    Match luxury finishes to your accent wall to create the effect of a luxurious bathroom makeover. Add large decorative details such as mirrors with a gold frame, or large art pieces that will turn a plain wall into a masterpiece.

    3. Natural Materials are Timeless and Luxurious
    If you look at any luxury bathroom, you’ll see one common element – almost all of them incorporate natural materials into the space. Whether it’s on the walls, floors or in the small details, fancy spaces take advantage of natural aesthetics. They’re timeless, elegant and can instantly increase the value and style of your bathroom.

    Marble and onyx are certainly among the top natural materials used in luxury bathrooms. However, they’re also among the most expensive options. The good news is that any natural material will work wonders when trying to achieve a fancy ambiance.

    New wood flooring, wooden vines and green plants can add a spark of nature, ambiance and luxury into the space for a fraction of the cost. You receive all the benefits of luxury without the big price tag.

    4. Lighting is Everything
    If there’s one thing you’ll continuously hear associated with flawless interior design, it’s lighting. Lighting holds the power within any space. It can make a small room appear larger, a dark room appear livelier and a boring room appear more luxurious. Lighting affects the ambiance and design of your home, which is why it’s so important when creating the effect of a luxurious bathroom makeover.

    There are two options available. You can go grand and extravagant with large, statement light fixtures, or you can go with a subtler approach and use strategically placed accent lights. Both will have a similar affect when used properly.

    Large light fixtures such as a gold-toned chandelier will achieve a powerful statement of luxury, while spotlights throughout the space offer a sweet, softer glow.

    Since the bathroom is one of the most important rooms in your home, it’s time to give yours a little TLC. Bathrooms are a huge selling point when you decide to list your home. Create the effect of a luxurious bathroom with these home decorating tips, and increase the value, aesthetics and enjoyment of your home.

     

  • Top 4 Pantries to Model Your Own After

    Without a pantry, kitchens can quickly become a space full of cluttered countertops and minimal cooking space. Pantries are perfect for storing everything from bulk ingredients to small appliances, as well as any extra items you come home with after finding a great deal at the grocery store. If you’re ready for a little home improvement that will enhance the aesthetics and increase functionality while also adding value to your home, here are some pantries to inspire.

     

    Use organizers

    Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need an abundance of extra space to reap the benefits of a pantry. Just add shelves to the back of your cupboard doors to store everything from spices to condiments. You’ll make space on countertops, cupboard shelves and drawers, which can be used to store other items.

     

     

     

    Think barn doors

    If you’re looking for a pantry that will receive compliments from your guests, hide it behind barn doors. This rustic, humble aesthetic is certain to increase the value of your home.

     

  • Kitchen remodel: 8 must-know tips before you get started

    There are a number of reasons why a kitchen remodel is trickier than most other rooms in a house: furniture arrangement is less flexible, high expenditures are required on appliances, and a number of functions have to be accommodated by the layout. However, remodeling a kitchen is also a solid investment as it can drastically increase the value of your property. So, before you get started, check out a few tips that will help you make the process more time- and cost-efficient.

    1. Identify the purpose
    Before you select a color scheme or even get a contractor, make a list of the different functions of this space. Is the kitchen going to be used solely for cooking or will it also serve as a dining area? Do you have children who will hang out in this area with their friends after school? There are numerous ways in which you will use the space outside of the primary purpose of making meals, so think through each and every one of them and evaluate whether they all can be incorporated in the design or if you have to prioritize.

    2. Prioritize your investment

    There are items that are worth investing and those that you can try to save on. Of course, if you have your dream budget then there is no reason not to go with top-of-the-line products for everything. However, for the most part it is a puzzle game as we try to put together more expensive pieces with more affordable ones in a nice cohesive image.

    Here are a few things that are worth the investment:

    • Countertops: quality materials, such as marble, will both last you a very long time as well as increase the value of your home should you decide to sell at one point.
    • Proper drainage: there is a lot of waste that we dispose of in the kitchen, often times using a sink – cooking oil, for example. Make sure that you invest in a proper disposal system as well as install quality pipes.
    • Energy efficient and smart appliances: if you have to pay more for an energy-efficient appliance – be it a refrigerator or a microwave – do it. You will get this money back in reduced energy bills and, once again, if you ever decide to sell your house together with the appliances, you will be happy that you invested in energy efficiency. When it comes to smart technology, we are not talking about a fancy coffee maker, but rather a smart fire alarm system.

    There are also a few items where you can cut corners:

    • Hardware finishes: knobs and handles are not worth the investment. When selecting kitchen cabinets, pay attention to the quality of the cabinets, not the design of the knobs on them. You can purchase a different knob or a handle for as little as $4-$5 and it is easy to replace these elements.
    • Tiles: porcelain tiles are often recommended for kitchen floors as they resist chipping and cracking, while also being affordable.

    READ: HIGH VALUE ROOMS: IMPROVING YOUR KITCHEN TO BOOST HOME VALUE

    3. Design based on your habits
    How often do you cook? What is your cooking routine? For example, do you tend to cook 3-4 meals at the same time or in portions? How much counter space do you need? How often do you bake? How much food do you freeze? Do you usually cook alone or with another person? These are all the questions you should ask yourself before you remodel your space. No detail is too small. For example, does it make sense for you to create a sub-cooking space where other family members can microwave their food or wash dishes without interfering with your cooking process? How many items do you need to be easily accessible – from pots and pans to a spice rack? Do you purchase in bulks? That will determine the design of your storage space.

    4. Pay for the design
    Once you have identified what you want and what you want it for, allocate some of your budget for a professional design. Even if you think that you have thought through every possible detail, you will be surprised by how many items you couldn’t even envision that come up when you consult a professional. You may be able to create a pleasant color scheme. A designer will create a stunning one. You may be able to create a detailed storage plane. A designer will figure out how to use dead spaces in the kitchen for storage. You may be able to select quality materials. A designer will explain which materials work best for your maintenance needs. A designer will be able to take your idea and perfect it. This is something worth investing in. The best part is that it can be affordable as well. For example, you can use Arcbazar to crowdsource a dozen of designs from the network of thousands of architects for a fraction of the cost.

  • How to Create a Perfect Reading Nook in 5 Easy Steps

    If you are a book lover, you know that there are very few pleasures in life that compare to curling up with a book and a glass of wine or hot chocolate (whatever your preference is) and spending some quality time with your true love – a good book. There are two types of book lovers: those who have switched to reading books on a Kindle and the “traditionalists” – these people love the smell of books, love the feeling of turning actual pages, can’t walk past a bookstore without walking in and spend countless hours online searching and ordering books by favorite authors. If you belong to the second category, you can probably skip a couple of steps outlined below. In either case, read up! Our today’s priority is to create the perfect space for you and your books.

    Step 1: Allocate the space
    There is nothing better than reading a book by the window on a rainy day or a sunny lazy Sunday morning. Therefore, we recommend selecting a spot closer to the window. Plus, it gives you the advantage of natural light. If you have space to take over the entire area, even better. If not, a corner will do.

    Step 2: Create a home for your books
    A book nook will not feel right if you are not surrounded by books when you’re in it! Luckily, there are plenty of ways to go. Here are a few fun options if you can afford to or prefer to buy bookshelves or can build a more elaborate set of shelves yourself:

    However, if you can’t invest (or don’t want to) in a major transformation or want to create something yourself but don’t happen to be too handy, don’t worry because there are numerous options for incredibly easy DIY bookshelves. Here are a few tutorials:

    Here’s one made entirely out of IKEA boxes and binder clips (instructions here)

  • 10 Easy Low-Cost Upgrades for Your Home

    You don’t need to remodel your entire house to make it look fresh. A few upgrades here and there, completed on your own schedule and budget, can do wonders for your space. Check out some of the easiest and cost-efficient upgrades.

    Whether you don’t have the budget or the time to go through a complete home renovation process, there are still plenty of smaller things you can that are budget-friendly and are not as time-consuming. Some of them will further increase the value of your home. All of them give a fresh new look to your space.

    Repaint the walls

    Repainting is one of the easiest ways to completely reinvent your space. It is an opportunity to shine a new light on old furniture and items of decor. You can re-program the mood of a room by understanding the psychology of colors and picking accordingly. Even if you decide to stick to the same color, a fresh coat of paint will make your home look more polished. Before getting started, check out the 6 things you should know before repainting.

    Upgrade kitchen cabinets

    Start by repainting your old kitchen cabinets. A fresh coat of paint has the potential of making your kitchen unrecognizable! The next step is to replace old handles with something more elegant and trendy. Et voilà! A small kitchen upgrade like this one can also significantly improve the value of your home by making it look more expensive.

    Add crown molding

    Crown moldings visually unify a room, add more elegance and a smoother transition between dimensions. From classic to colonial, you have a range of choices in terms of style and budget. You also don’t need “the guy” to install crown moldings. Check out this guide and you can do it yourself.

    Swap out the faucets

    Replace the old faucets in your kitchen and bathroom with new ones. This is something that will uplift the style of the space surrounding the sinks. An easy home upgrade like this one may seem insignificant, but you will be surprised by how much small things can transform the overall feel of a room.

    Replace the backsplash

    Your options of tile materials are diverse and can accommodate any budget. Ceramic is the cheapest. Other options include glass, stainless steel and stone. Select something that’s easy to clean and adds personality to your kitchen.