Personalize your Home: Accessories

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8013641_SAre you ready for a change in your home to match the changes in your taste and preferences over time? Accessories provide an opportunity to make a dramatic change in your home with minimal effort and expense.

To start, pull all of the accessories out of the room you want to modify. Then set down only those rugs, pillows or other accessories you want to keep in the space. Do you see a trend in terms of color, texture or style? That gives you your first clue to the new look you want. Let’s take a look at two examples.

The selection in the photo to the left demonstrates a liking for shiny fabrics, vivid color and contemporary patterns. The photo below, on the other hand, leans toward earth tones and natural elements and patterns. Both can make for a wonderful room, but the personalities will be very different.

7604375_SNow, place those wanted pieces back in the room and take a look for any holes in the space or functions that are no longer provided. Wander through the other rooms in your home to see if you want to move anything around. Then make a shopping list for those items you want to replace.

Remember, you don’t need to buy everything at once. Instead, keep a list of ideas, colors and looks you want, shopping sales and looking for just the right accessory.4754254_S

Above all, don’t rush or settle for something that’s almost there but not quite perfect – look for just the right choice, even if it takes a while. Sometimes the hunt is a big part of the fun.

Finally, look for opportunities to add finishing touches that appeal to you. For example, look at the gold tie-back and tassel on the curtain in this last photo. It brings out the gold in the curtain fabric and adds a splash of opulence as well as an additional texture. For a minimal cost, an element such as this can help your space make the statement you want.

Personalize your Home: Art

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21188321_SThis photo portrays how most people add art to their homes. However, by using the dark wall as a foil, choosing four pieces in the same style and tone, and hanging them at the same level the result goes far beyond the impact of the art itself. When you add art to your home, do you just think that you want something on that bare wall, or do you consider taking the next design step as these people did?

This photo shows more than art – it is an art installation, with as much thought to hanging the art as was taken in selecting it. As a result, we learn something about the personality, style and taste of the people who live here. What do you want your art to say about you?

15285255_SThe next photo, right shows how art can take over a space, defining it and expanding the drama. It starts with a large-scale modern piece which is used to define the colors and style of the entire room. The result is exciting and contemporary. Notice how the brown, black and light green add depth and keep the space from being too expected. Would you create a space like this one in your home?

11754859croppedFinally, don’t limit your thinking of art to two dimensions. The three African carvings below, when positioned together, add a strong focal point against the white backdrop. Separating these three pieces or not providing the strong-contrast background would diminish their effect.

Look for opportunities to showcase your culture or your travels with art. Instead of standard souvenirs, how about selecting something special that represents the best of the folk art of the area?

When you select art for your home, look for pieces that reflect your interests, taste and personality. Also, whether it’s an antique quilt from your family or your second cousin’s block print, make your art stand out by your choice of position and backdrop. That way your art reflects more than something on the wall, it reflects you.

Personalize your Home: Color

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15825954_SDo you find yourself always choosing “safe” neutrals when you make a purchase for your home? Well, maybe it’s time to add some of your favorite colors!

If you’re not sure where to begin, take a look at these ideas to kick-start color in your décor.

It’s just paint: This seems like a daring place to add color, but it’s actually one of the easiest and least expensive ways to change a space. Here’s a suggestion. When you’re looking at paint samples, move down the color cards to the rich darker tones at the bottom. Then get sample pots of several of your lighter choices and a few of the brightest hues.

Now, challenge yourself to paint at least one wall with the vivid shade. Use the sample pots to see which wall and which color works best for you. Be sure to live with those sample colors for at least a week. You may find that a color that was startling at first grows on you over time.

20700581_SPlant a pocket of color: Whether it’s bookshelves, a guest room or some simple storage in the kitchen, consider adding a splash of various colors in combination. Take a look at how appealing the vivid mix of tones appears on the right. Simple lines pop when you add color to the mix.

Take a chance: Instead of a brown leather sofa, how about choosing one of the colors shown below? The rich blue, warm olive green, or even one of the daring reds could turn your safe living or family room into something dramatic and inviting.

Does a sofa seem just too much? Why don’t you start with a chair; then add some color in a rug. You never know, you may end up with a home as bright and colorful as you are!19877392_S

Cooking with your Kids Lesson Three: Cookies

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12974804_SAre you prepared for the challenge of lesson three in cooking for kids? Cookies provide a great way to get your children comfortable with measuring, mixing, and combining ingredients in the right order. However, you should probably prepare to deal with a very messy kitchen at the completion.

One approach that will help minimize the mess and confusion is a common chef approach – creating a Mise en place – which involves pre-measuring and preparing all of the ingredients. Using small bowls or cups, have your children measure every ingredient and line them up in order. In the case of cookies where the dry ingredients need to be mixed together then added to the mix of wet ingredients, you can sort the smaller containers into wet and dry sections so that it is easier to follow the directions to make the cookie dough.

For a first batch of homemade cookies, choose a simple drop cookie recipe and one that can take a beating such as oatmeal cookies. You may want to use parchment paper under the ingredients during the measuring and assembly process to limit the waste. Parchment paper also keeps cookies from sticking to a cookie sheet and makes clean-up afterwards much easier.

If you’re introducing more than one child to baking, you may want to have each child take turns with measuring and mixing. Think about making cookies that involve simple stirring rather than beating. You may want to assign the oldest to read the recipe so that everyone knows all of the steps.

You may end up finishing the baking once the first batch or two come out of the oven, but it’s worth the time and effort to watch your next generation of bakers in action.

Cooking with your Kids Lesson Two: Pizza

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14452519_SOnce your children are comfortable assembling tacos, salads or other simple meals, the next step is combining ingredients to create a finished product such as pizza.

No, you don’t want your children to imitate the boy in this photo, but they can spread the dough in a pan and put on tomato sauce and toppings.

Many stores carry fresh pizza dough ready to bake. Look for one with few or no preservatives, and possibly a whole wheat crust. Once the toppings are on, most kids won’t notice the difference.

To discourage debates on toppings, have each child select one or two favorites, and make mini-pizzas so everyone gets to make his or her own round dough foundation and top it as they each choose.

As the parent, you are in charge of quality control. Pizza dough can be spread with the fingers, but keep an eye out for unintentional holes or extremely uneven surfaces. This can make one part burn before another section is done. You may also want to monitor the level of toppings, particularly the cheese.

While you want to keep an eye on the things, this is also an opportunity to let your child make a few mistakes and learn from them. Too many toppings may create a pizza that is goopier than preferred. An uneven pizza crust may not be as tasty as expected. Don’t try to make everyone’s pizza perfect; the real goal is to encourage them to have fun and appreciate the process. They can also benefit by learning from any mistakes.

Wrap up the lesson by showing them how to tell when their pizzas are properly baked. Use the light in your oven to show them how to look for bubbling in the middle and browning of the crust on the edges. Individual pizzas provide a great second phase of your cooking lessons.

Cooking with your Kids Lesson One: Assembling Tacos

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15916341_SMany parents want their children to eat healthfully as well as learn the basics of making a meal. But it’s hard to figure out how or even when to start. In the midst of getting dinner ready, dealing with homework and other responsibilities, teaching your child to cook can go by the wayside. Here are a few suggestions to get started easily.

Choose simple foods your children already like. Do your kids like hot dogs or hamburgers? Perhaps they love Mexican or Italian foods. They’re much more likely to want to help make meals that they enjoy.

Focus on assembly rather than more complex tasks. Your six-year-old probably shouldn’t be handling a sharp knife, but he or she could work with already-chopped vegetables. Children can also stir bowls – though not hot pots – and add ingredients.

Start with one meal. Tacos provide a good choice for a meal that is easy to assemble and are often a general favorite. Put the various ingredients into smaller bowls with spoons or forks so that it is easy to select each item. You may want to use hard shells because they are easier to coordinate while filling.

In addition to various favorites, over time you might want to include some healthful additions such as the raw peppers shown here. Select several colors to make them more inviting.

You may find that initially your children will pile on the cheese and sneer at the vegies, but consider asking them to take at least one piece of everything available. Creating meals that involve some interaction before eating is a great way to introduce your children to the pleasures or preparing food, not just eating it.

Celebrate Spirit of Valentine’s Day Year Round

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23032783_SYes, Valentine’s Day is over for another year, but don’t let that stop you from letting the people you care about know how you value and appreciate them. Here are a few small ways to spread the spirit of Valentine’s Day all year long.

Little notes: In a lunchbox for your kids, in a suitcase for a traveling family member, or even snuck into a jacket pocket, send a little note of appreciation along with your loved ones.

It can be specific such as “I really appreciated you clearing the table last night without being asked. I can see that you’re growing up.” Or you could just generally say, “I’m happy to be in your life,” or simply “I love you.” If you feel shy about doing this, how about just drawing a heart?

Say it: If you’re happy to see someone who’s been gone, say so. If you’re going to miss someone, say so. If you appreciate someone taking out the garbage, say so. So many times we let those chances go by without remark, but there’s power and kindness in showing your appreciation and caring.

Do it: Maybe you know your spouse is going to be really tired after a long day at work, so you have dinner waiting along with a favorite dessert. There might be a tough test hitting today, so you make pancakes for breakfast to start your kid off feeling good. Saying you appreciate someone is wonderful, but showing it can be even better.

Give it: Does someone in your life love licorice? How about picking up a surprise box? Is red your daughter’s favorite color – would she like some hair ribbons or a red t-shirt? Does your son go through socks like crazy? How about buying 10 pair and dropping them on top of his chest of drawers? You don’t have to spend a fortune – just the fact that you’re thinking of someone can make them feel special.

If you take this approach year round – no one will be upset if you don’t go overboard on Valentine’s Day next year – although fresh flowers are always a crowd-pleaser!

 

Valentine’s Day Solo

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12632055_SIf you find yourself without a significant other this Valentine’s Day, there are better ways to spend it than by feeling sorry for yourself. You can have a lovely day celebrating the person who should mean the most to you – yourself. Try these ideas to make your day special.

Splurge: You don’t need someone else to buy you your favorite chocolates, perfume or other favorite purchase. Let go – within reason – and buy yourself a favorite indulgence.

Share: Do you have other friends who also have no one to spend Valentine’s Day with? Why not plan a party with them? You could splurge on a happy hour or dinner at a favorite restaurant and follow up with chocolates and popcorn at home with a movie like Sleepless in Seattle and plenty of tissues.

Think of others: Are there people you know who may be having a tough time? Maybe it’s the lonely elderly couple next door or the single mom who never has a minute to herself. What can you do to brighten their Valentine’s Day? A batch of heart-shaped cookies and an understanding ear may be just the thing to make them feel special, and you may find yourself feeling better too.

Change the rules: The best way to meet someone is through your friends. You could throw a get-together party. Have every one of your single friends bring a guest of the opposite sex. Plan plenty of fun and silly games and events to get everyone comfortable. It’s a fun way to spend the evening, and you never know; someone at that party may connect with someone else. You may even find the person you will end up spending Valentine’s Day with next year!

Planning a Valentine’s Day for Two

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18493048_SYou can always go to a nice restaurant for dinner, pick up a Hallmark card, and look forward to your favorite chocolates and maybe some roses.

This is such a common approach to Valentine’s Day that restaurants will be crowded, roses cost a fortune, and even chocolates are so much pricier than they should be when they come in a heart-shaped box. How about a celebration for the two of you that is as individual as you are instead? The simple ideas below can help you plan a great evening.

Set the stage: Candlelight is never out of place. If you have a fireplace, be sure to light a small fire for the ambience. Fresh flowers are always nice, but pick something unusual rather than roses. How about orchids or daffodils?

Make it unique: Do you always eat at the kitchen counter? Then how about setting the dining room table for two? You could always plan to sit on the floor on pillows at the coffee table or throw a blanket on the floor in front of your fireplace or a window with a view. How about dining outside with just candlelight to make the space feel like yours alone?

Plan for two: Make a meal of small bites of finger food, with a variety of favorites for both of you. Add a bottle of sparkling wine if you drink, or some sparkling fruit juice or water if you don’t. Be sure to include a favorite dessert. Include foods that bring back memories of previous events in your shared lives.

Remember: This is a special time to share memories of your life together. Tell each other stories, and take the time to remind each other why you fell in love in the first place. You may find yourself creating the best Valentine’s Day ever.

Bring a Taste of Spring to your Winter Home

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801743_SIn Arizona, winter means beautiful cool weather, sunny days and time to take long walks or eat al fresco. In the rest of the country, however, winter holds on to moods and weather with a vengeance and back there they’re far from the spring we’re already experiencing.

If you or friends or families are in the middle of this very difficult winter, here are a few ideas to remind you that spring is coming – eventually!

Bring branches inside: Forsythia and pussy willows can be forced to bloom if you bring them inside and place them in water. Pound on the woody stems with a hammer to help them soak up water, and watch the yellow forsythia flowers and fuzzy willow buds open up.

Take a look at how inviting these branches are in this winter room. The small yellow blossoms say just wait – spring is on its way.

23771815_SForce bulbs: Paperwhites, tulips, amaryllis and hyacinth respond well to early forcing. You can buy bulbs already planted, order them online or set them up yourself. Check online or on Pinterest to get the instructions. They are all beautiful, but nothing smells as wonderful as hyacinths in bloom. With one plant, the entire room will sing of spring.

18586921_SPlant herbs: A little inside kitchen garden looks charming, smells lovely, and adds freshness to your meal prep. Consider a mix of basil and Italian parsley to add to salads and pasta sauces. Add mint in its own pot – it spreads too much to share – and perk up desserts with a couple of leaves on top. Rosemary has a great smell and just a small amount turns chicken into something special.

You can bring spring into your home, or into the homes of others, by adding these simple fresh plants and flowers to a room or two. And if you live in the Midwest or New England, remember that winter will leave eventually, bringing lovely weather for you while we swelter. So we don’t gloat.