Moving into a new apartment can be an adventure, but it can also feel limiting, as most leases bar any big design changes. Even though you don't own the property and can’t make drastic renovations, that doesn’t mean you can’t make it feel like home -- and you don't need drills, bits and hammers in order to make it happen.
Category: Sample Work
When Grown Kids Return to the Nest …
After your children leave home, it’s likely that you’ve packed up the trophies and posters on the wall and converted their bedrooms into an office, sewing room or even a guest bedroom. When an adult child returns to live with you, a struggle for space and comfort might show up, too. A few space-saving techniques that won’t involve an emotional battle or pricey home remodel can help smooth the transition for all.
The Christmas Balancing Act
Even though Christmas cards and family portraits portray an image of a season of joy, the holidays often lead many on an emotional roller coaster ride that can easily run off course. From the hustle and bustle of shopping to preparations for family get-togethers, the spirit of the season can dwindle without the opportunity to recoup.
Classy Christmas Dining Decor
When it comes to Christmas gatherings, the tree may be the focus of the room, but the food is the center of the action. The table is where friends and families come together to celebrate the festivities of the season.
Homemade Christmas Decorations: A Family Affair
People who purchase Christmas décor each year can add quite a bit of expense to an already expensive tradition. Rather than buying yet another string of lights -- possibly pushing the electric bill higher -- or paying for pricey, mass-produced decorations that you are likely to encounter in as many homes as you visit during the holidays, this year make your own. You may or may not save money, but you will certainly provide a project that the family can share.
Picking a Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree is, quite literally, the centerpiece of Christmas for many who celebrate the holiday. But choosing the tree that best fits your family’s logistical and personal tastes can be a challenge, given the seemingly unlimited options filling store windows.
Put a Stop to Bedtime Tantrums
You know the scenario. It's time to go to sleep, but your toddler wants you to read just one more book or sing yet another lullaby. And once you're done with that, she needs a drink of water, but then still refuses to settle down. Before you know it, she's overtired and unhappy, which results in a bedtime tantrum -- and one exhausted parent.
Bountiful Thanksgiving on a Budget
Thanksgiving is about giving thanks. It’s about family and friends. But it’s equally, if not mostly, about food. Besides, thankfulness and loved ones tend to be free. Food isn’t. From birds the size of small children to complicated side dishes, the grocery bill for such a meal can become too much to bear. And as soon as you try to cut corners with cost, you probably worry that you’re cutting corners on quality, as well.
Elegance on a Budget
Times are tough -- but just because your budget is a little tight, it doesn’t mean your feast has to suffer. “Thanksgiving is about abundance, so an abundance of holiday items makes a simple but beautiful accent,” said Jeanette Chasworth, certified interior designer and owner of Chasworth Place.
Fool-Proof Holiday Entertaining
Whether you are a rookie or a veteran at hosting Thanksgiving, making the most of space and seating while doting over décor can send even the most organized planner into a frenzy.
Shannon Philpott-Sanders 