By
Michaela Strathman
Are you ready for the summer? I sure am, but I wasn't quite ready for all of the wonderful "stuff" my kids would bring home from school on the last day. And let's face it, the package that comes home on the last day of the school year is the good stuff. It's not the day to day worksheets that "accidentally" end up in the recycle bin throughout the year (oops!). These are the keepers (at least for another year).
Start by hanging new artwork on the walls of their room. Think of the art that kids bring home as free room decor. Choose the biggest, bold-colored pieces for them to enjoy. Next, weed out any books, whether they are decodable readers (recycle?), books made by the student, or portfolios. These should go on a bookcase in their room. And lastly, any unfinished workbooks or sheets tossed in there by the teacher should be kept where they normally do their homework. (But ONLY if you actually think they will do those sheets during the summer. Otherwise, do yourself a big favor and recycle them now.)
When looking for a storage vessel for your kids masterpieces, think big. For artwork, 8 1/2 x 11 is probably not going to work. This oversized Wicker Night Stand Basket does the trick at over 22" x 15". And it's pretty, perfect for leaving out in plain view.
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By
Matt Matasci
Although the summer is definitely my favorite season of the year, there are some downsides to this sweltering season. While the warm weather, long nights and carefree vibe make everything feel a little easier, utility costs seem to rise with the heat. With cost-savings in mind there are several ways to turn this weakness into a benefit. Perhaps the easiest way of all is air-drying your freshly-washed laundry.
While the hot weather forces you to turn on the AC and is an energy-suck, it also is a great substitute for machine-drying clothes! In many locations, the summertime means no fear of rain or precipitation, and you can leave those clothes out to dry for hours without worry.
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By
Michaela Strathman
This week's featured product helps you achieve the balance between office and guest room elegantly. When setting up a home office, you want it to be sophisticated, fresh, neat, tidy and stylish. So what do you do when your home office doubles as a guest room for out-of-towners? Futons and daybeds offer a simple fix for this dilemma. Instead of placing a whole bed in the office (when it will only be used sporadically), start with a sofa-like sleeper to give you a sitting area during the day, and a sleeping area at night.
The Brenton Daybed with Trundle fits the bill perfectly.
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By
Michaela Strathman
Let the summer entertaining season begin! With Memorial Day behind us, we are taking stock of all that we have and all that we are lacking for the many months of outdoor parties to come. Outdoor lighting sets the mood for a great celebration (or everyday relaxation) and keeps it going well into the night. Here are some great finds in outdoor lighting to kick off the season:
Light up your fence posts in the front and backyard with Solar Classy Caps-Fencepost Cap Lights. They are easy to use and solar powered, perfect for warm, sunny summer months!
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By
Michaela Strathman
With summer activities in full swing, it's time for many of us to rethink the mudroom. The entryway should act as a sort of filter for the rest of the home, catching shoes, clutter and even debris before they enter the main living areas of the home. This will save you valuable time when cleaning and when getting ready to head out the door in the morning. Here are some great entryway organizers to get you on your way to a more peaceful entry to your home:
The Naples Hall Tree is great for a large, unused wall. It has a bench for sitting on while getting ready and a lift top that allows for extra hidden storage - great for shoes, beach bags, towels and sporting equipment.
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By
Michaela Strathman
This week's featured product will bring a smile to the face of all gardeners, beginners and pros alike! The LGarden Elevated Gardening System is literally a garden on wheels. This handy cart is great for apartment dwellers on their patios, or for enhancing an already busy garden area outside the home. With a powder coated steel frame and wooden accents to soften the look, this rolling planter looks great and boasts a 500 weight capacity rating (anyone who has ever tried to pick up a large bag of dirt will know why.)
Here, the top reasons why this handy garden helper shines:
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By
Michaela Strathman
Whether you are attending a high school or college graduation ceremony, the same old standard graduation gifts still apply in today's world. Just be sure to check out these finds to make sure your gift is still relevant in the modern world:
Briefcases are still a great gift for grads, just make sure it is designed to safely transport a laptop, which is an essential part of any student or professional's world. This one has a feminine design and looks just like a handbag!
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By
Michaela Strathman
It's almost beach season! Whether you live on the coast or in the middle of the country, adding a touch of the beach to your home design can be fun and refreshing. As always when changing up your home decor, start small and work your way up to a fully redecorated room.
Here are some great beachy-decor finds for every area of the home:
What a beautiful alternative to a traditional towel hook! These Coast Hooks are made of natural sea stones which are then replaced for sustainability. Use them in the bathroom, kitchen or entryway to hang coats, towels and more.
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By
Michaela Strathman
Sure, we've all heard of Over the Door Shoe Racks and Coat Hooks. But there's simply more to closet storage than just that! When space is at a premium in your home, look to the backs of your doors for extra hanging and storage space. Whether it is the hall closet, bedroom or back of the bathroom door, there is an over the door organizer out there to solve almost any storage dilemma.
Here are some of the more unique forms of Over the Door Racks you will find:
Video Game Storage on the back of the door? So smart. Anyone with kids knows how quickly video games and their related equipment can take over your life. This one is perfect for the kids' bedroom door, pantry or wherever else they like to hang out.
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By
Michaela Strathman
We all could use a little more time. Maybe a little more time to exercise, play with the kids, or simply read that dusty book that's been sitting on the nightstand for months. Home product manufacturers have responded to this need by creating products that save you a little time here and there while at home, to allow you to enjoy more of the things that truly make you happy.
Here, our best picks, all under $50:
Motels have had it right for years! A wall mounted hair dryer makes this must-have hair tool easy to grab and easy to stash.
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By
Michaela Strathman
Why hasn't anyone thought of this before? We ladies love our boots, and so does this week's featured product! The Adjustable Boot-Shoe Tree can hold up to 6 pairs of boots, or a combination of boots and shoes (3 pairs of boots plus 12 pairs of shoes). With a customizable design, this shoe and boot rack is the ultimate in versatile apparel organizers, taking you through the fall and winter months with ample space for your tall boots, and then allowing you to swap some of that boot storage out for shoes when the weather heats up and the flats and sandals come out.
The makers of this shoe rack have thought of everything:
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By
Michaela Strathman
Whether you are are a student of meditation or simply like an Asian-inspired space to relax, there are ways to make any outdoor living space more "Zen". You don't have to say "om" or even incorporate Buddha into your design. Simple swaps for items you already have in the yard can be made for a more calming, spa-like feel.
Here are the Best in Asian-style Garden Accents for the Home:
Rock Cairns guide your way through the garden with peace and ease. Purchase or make your own!
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