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Perfect Pet Presents

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Whether you have pets yourself or friends and family have pets, the holiday season is a great time to remember to shower your furry buddies with gifts. As you contemplate the right options for the kitten or puppy in your life, here are some ideas and safety factors to consider.

Toys: If you want to give something such as a stuffed toy, stick to those made for animals. That little Santa at a discount store may be tempting, but the fabric, stuffing or trim may not be pet-friendly. You would also miss out on that all-important squeaky factor, disappointing some dogs that actively look for the squeaker when given a new toy.

Treats: A nice box or stocking filled with treats is almost always a welcome gift. Be sure to check with the owner to avoid food allergy issues. If you’re feeling adventurous, how about making homemade dog biscuits or cat crackers? There are numerous recipes available on the Internet, and people and pets appreciate something you bake yourself.

Unlike cookies for people, dogs and cats are not fussy about how their treats look. If they smell like peanut butter, bacon, or tuna and salmon for a cat, they will be thrilled with your gift.

Wrapping for pet gifts is also casual. Most pets don’t care about ribbon or tags, with the possible exception of kittens that see them as a fun extension of the gift. The best option is plain tissue paper with a minimum of tape. This enables even the least adventurous to open their own presents.

One last tip: Don’t put pet presents under the tree until just before it’s time to unwrap. Animals are not at all good about waiting and may dive into the celebration a bit early.

Pick and Decorate a Designer Tree

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Have you always wanted your holiday tree to look as beautiful as the ones you see in stores or designer spaces? Like anything professional, choosing and decorating a tree well is a matter of following certain steps. Here are a few tips to make your tree as lovely as you want.

Tree choice: Choose a tree which has the proportions and branches to stand up to a wealth of decorations. In Arizona, the most common live holiday trees are Douglas and Noble. Douglas firs have many branches, but they can only support the lightest of ornaments. Also, they are dense, which means that all of your lights and decorations need to be on the surface. If you want to create drama, choose a Noble fir, like the second tree on the left with the pink tag on it in the photo above. This variety of tree can support heavier ornaments and allows you to see into the tree itself, providing the opportunity to layer decorations.

Lights: There are two common errors with lights: not enough and the wrong placement. To really make a tree shine, figure on about 100 lights per foot. That’s three to four times more lights than most people use, but the difference is dramatic. Next, place the lights toward the middle of the tree, not at the ends of the branches. Don’t run them in a line. Instead, place the light strings in random patterns on and between the insides of each branch. With lights set up like this, they will appear and disappear as people walk around the tree, and the brilliance will showcase the rest of the decorations.

Garlands: These are optional, but be generous with your choices. Often today, you will see designers use large pieces of artificial foliage or feathers instead of garlands. Notice how this choice works well with the tree on the right.

Ornaments: Think in terms of balance. Put larger ornaments toward the bottom and smaller ones at the top. Distribute colors and types of ornaments evenly.

Tree skirt: Instead of a standard round tree skirt, consider a length of fabric such as a white to resemble snow or dark velvet such as the one used on this tree. Just tuck the raw edges underneath and drape the fabric gracefully.

Throughout your decorating efforts, step back regularly to check the full effect. This may take more time than a standard approach, but the extra effort is worth it in the end.

Edible Holiday Gifts

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One of the nicest gifts for friends and family is something you make yourself. This year, how about baking some holiday treats?

Cakeballs – a new baking craze, make lovely gifts.  These are made to look like holiday ornaments. Whether on a stick or just piled in a bowl, these provide a different kind of treat; one tasty, sweet bite.  For extra fun, set these upright in a cup filled with holiday candies.

To make your gift extra special, how about giving it on a plate made of holiday candy? This little tray was created by setting peppermint hard candies together on a piece of parchment paper set on a baking dish, and baking for a short time in a low oven just until the pieces melt into each other. Let cool and then gently peel off. This also works with candy canes and peppermint sticks. Just be sure to use with hard surface treats. Moist ones will melt your dish!

Even if you’re not a skilled baker, treats such as chocolate-dipped pretzels can make a great gift. You can find baskets and other suitable containers at dollar stores and cake specialty shops. Whatever you decide to make, gifts like these are as much fun to assemble as they are to give!

Holiday Safety Tips

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Happy holidays can quickly disappear when safety is not given priority. Just a few precautions can keep your holiday celebrations merry. Here are a few basics.

Trees: If you want a live tree, choose one that is very fresh and free of mold. Before you buy your choice, shake the tree gently. If green needles fall, the tree is too old already. Also check the trunk for signs of mold and check for a musty smell. Sometimes storing them for too long or in less-than-optimal conditions leads to trees that are dry enough to be fire hazards. If you find more than one or two trees with these problems, find another lot. To keep your tree fresh for the rest of the season, cut at least one inch from the bottom of the trunk, and make sure your tree holder can handle at least a gallon of water. Check and fill the water daily.

Lights: Never put electric lights on a metallic tree. Never string more than three sets of lights together. Throw away any light sets or extension cords that are damaged or worn. Consider LED lights because they are cool to the touch. Make sure cords don’t become tripping hazards.

Decorations: If your household has children or pets, pay attention to the ornament and decoration choices. Small glass balls look tempting and can draw the attention of children. Tinsel can also prove a real risk to pets that will eat anything that looks interesting.

Take a few minutes to factor safety into your holiday plans and you and your family can have a holly jolly time!

Holidays and your Pets

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Most of us want our pets to be part of the upcoming holidays, but it’s important to treat them appropriately so that they have fun, too. Here are some suggestions to make everyone’s holiday brighter.

Don’t give a puppy or kitten as a holiday gift. While it seems like a great present, this is not the best time to introduce a new pet to your household. It can be particularly traumatic for a baby animal to be placed in a box, or even badly wrapped like in this case. It’s clear that this poor new pet is concerned about what kind of household he has come into. Instead, give a stuffed pet with the promise of a real one in the next few weeks. That way you can ensure that your new family member has a quieter and more successful transition to your home.

Holiday costumes are a matter of personal pet preference. As you can see in the photo to the right, the Pekinese is pleased with her holiday jacket while the miniature boxer is embarrassed and unhappy. He seems particularly horrified that someone took a picture of him dressed this way. Remember that pets have their dignity. Also, keep any costumes safe and simple. Your pet may chew and swallow elements of the costume that are particularly disturbing, such as buttons, so keep an eye out for unsafe behavior.

Finally, never put your dog in the position of the poor pooch to the left. Not only is he forced to wear a very mortifying headdress, the cat is totally free of embarrassing holiday garb, leaving her free to laugh at the dog. Even if you are a cat lover, you have to know that this isn’t right.

So with just a little consideration, both your family and your pets can have a safe and happy holiday.

Casual Dining Room

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A casual dining room is not about table shape or size or whether chairs are padded or not. It’s the style of table and chairs, lighting and accessories that define a dining room as casual or more formal.

Take a look at the two dining rooms to the left. Both circular tables seat six comfortably. The dining chairs are padded and both have a chandelier hanging overhead. Let’s compare the two rooms to define casual dining spaces.

Table style: The formal table has a wood top and legs, with a top that needs to be protected from heat and water. The casual table allows both warm foods and wet glasses on it without damage. Notice that the chairs are also wipe-off in the casual room.

Lighting: Both of these rooms have plenty of natural light. The formal dining room has its chandelier hanging lower, making for a more intimate dining experience. The sconces on the back wall provide additional lighting if needed when you use the buffet. The style is also dressy, with a graceful and involved shape and candle-shaped light bulbs. Take a look at the casual chandelier. It is set higher to brighten the entire room rather than just the table and the little shades create a more casual feeling. Its lines are also much simpler.

Accessories: The large mirror, floor-to-ceiling curtains and the items on the windowsill all add to the formality and style of the dining room. In the casual room, accessories are much more limited. This may be because of the position of the room as part of the traffic pattern of the home, and a casual dining space may be used in many ways such as a place to pay bills or do homework. This makes it inconvenient to deal with too many accessories.

When deciding whether to have a formal or casual dining space, make plans based on the type and amount of use it will have, and then decorate it to suit your functional requirements. And remember, with a few candles and fresh flowers, you can make even the most casual dining room something special.

Classic Dining Room

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Well, most of us do not have a dining room that will support a dinner party with 14 guests the way this one does, but the things that make this room work can be used in a dining room serving eight or even four people. Let’s look at the consistent features that every classic dining room should contain.

Space: Make sure every guest has two to two-and-a-half feet of linear space at the table. This oval table provides an additional advantage – it gives the people at either end extra leg space. Also plan on at least two feet of area rug beyond the edges of the table so that people don’t end up bumping off the edge every time they push their chairs back. Did you notice the padded chairs? Just like our contemporary dining room in Monday’s blog, the comfort of your guests is important if you want people to linger to chat after meals during your dinner parties.

Lighting: A chandelier’s height should be about 30 inches above the dining table’s surface, but you may hang it higher to make sure it lights the whole table. With a table this long, two chandeliers would also work, but the wall sconces and mirrors will help keep the room well-lit. Notice the medallion on the ceiling. This makes the light hold a stronger place in the room and works well with the rich display of crown molding on the edges. A medallion is a simple, inexpensive and effective way to emphasize your chandelier or any light fixture.

Tablescape: The crystal in the center of this table echoes the items in the cabinets along the wall as well as the mirrors and windows, keeping everything integrated. Be sure to keep anything in the center area of your table low enough for people to talk across.

Your dining room may not have the size and majesty of this one, but following the same rules for good dining allow you to make dinner parties at your home just as enjoyable.

Contemporary Dining Room

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Contemporary doesn’t mean cold, as this image shows. The colors, furnishings and accessories all combine to create an inviting space for dinner parties and family meals. Let’s take a look at what makes this room work so well.

Color: The dark brown tones, combined with cream and grey, transition well with the stainless steel appliances from the kitchen while creating a warm space for eating. These colors are neutral enough to allow the homeowners to set the table to suit their mood or the season.

Furnishings: The box-like table says contemporary very well, and the wall-mounted buffet and shelf support the clean lines while staying low maintenance. Large rectangular tiles also suit the modern feel. Notice the chairs, however. Although contemporary in style, the padded seats and backs make for comfortable seating, encouraging people to linger after meals for conversation. When choosing dining room chairs, always factor in comfort before style.

Accessories: The choices made are all modern and some are almost sculptural. The bell artwork makes best connecting piece with the bells echoing stainless tones and the background connecting with the dining room tones.

Altogether, this dining room features the best in contemporary design while still remaining warm and welcoming.

Special Bedroom: Glamorous

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Would you like your bedroom to echo the glamour of old Hollywood? You can create a space to make you feel like a star by using certain techniques. Here are a few suggestions.

Use silver: The cool shiny metallic look provides a mood that resembles Hollywood in its heyday. Look for furniture in silver gilt or something mirrored for a similar effect. Wallpaper like the one shown behind the bed in this image also pull silver into the room. It’s a sophisticated look.

Bring some bling: Notice the sparkly chandelier-type lighting fixtures on either side of the bed. The crystals provide the feel of diamonds in the space. The mirrors on either side of the bed reflect the lighting, doubling the light and the bling. Adding a crystal-laden light or two to your space – either as chandeliers or wall sconces – recalls a past era of glamour and poise.

Take advantage of texture: The soft white rug in this room contrasts well with the silver-coated leather covering the bed’s feet and the headboard. The shimmer of the headboard is emphasized by the old-style tufting provided by the buttons in a diamond pattern. The draperies are ceiling-high and drape gracefully on the floor. The floor itself is polished to a brilliant sheen to add another layer of texture and shine to the space.

Keep colors subtle. Silver, lavender, white and gray carry out the sophisticated theme. The subtleties of the color scheme express the feeling that this room is special and unique. It’s easy to imagine this room as the set in an old black-and-white movie. Make your bedroom a glamorous space and you can feel like a star every day.

Special Bedroom: Luxurious

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In home decorating, often our bedrooms get short shrift. Since they’re only for family or personal use, your focus may be on comfort rather than looks.

With the arrival of chilly nights, this is a good time to snuggle into our bedrooms and make them special spaces just for us. This week, we’re looking at three rooms and ideas you can use to take your bedroom an extra step forward.

It’s the combination of browns and creams that help make this bedroom feel luxurious. Think of it as milk, dark and white chocolate and you’ll understand the appeal. The maroon tones of the floor add just the right richness.

Notice the position of the rug. It’s far enough up to provide a soft place for your feet to land, but by putting it under the bed it doesn’t take over the room. The table and chairs would work nicely for morning coffee and reading the paper. The bench at the foot of the bed would be handy for dressing.

Want to make your bedroom feel more luxurious? Look for opportunities to layer color and texture. The cream rectangle behind the bed up against the dark brown wall, for example, and the brown and cream art over the bed, as well as the ceiling contrasts and the drapes, all provide layers of light and dark.

Layers of textures include the throw tossed on the bench, the rug on the wood floor, and the tray on the bed. Add softness with layers of draperies and throw pillows. With a minor investment in linens and accessories, you can make your bedroom a more inviting and luxurious place to spend your nights.