Common Kid Messes and How to Clean Them

New parents are always asking, "Why does my toddler make such a mess?" A better question might be, "How soon can we open a bottle of wine after the kid goes to bed?" Kids are going to make a mess. That's their mission in life at this stage of development. 

You can fight it or embrace the mess. Thankfully, there are plenty of tried-and-true methods for cleaning up the most common of kid messes. This is one blog post you'll definitely want to bookmark!

Crayons

The hope of every parent is that children find a way to express themselves. This usually starts with a handful of crayons and a coloring book. Good luck with getting the crayons to actually show up on the book. Instead, once a kid learns crayons are for drawing, you can expect those drawings to show up on just about any surface of your home. That includes walls, countertops, floors, televisions and furniture.

Thankfully, crayon makers have heard the cries and answered the call by coming up with washable crayons. At least, that is the theory. Often those crayons will end up on a fabric sofa or carpet. If they aren't wiping up, then blast them with a hair dryer. That will soften the wax for more efficient removal. It's always best to attack the crayon stains as soon as they happen. Of course, snap a picture of the art first.

Spilled Milk

This is nothing to cry over. Actually, spilled milk is only a problem when it gets on fabric. If left to dry, that old milk can create a sour smell. Blot the spill on a carpet. For extra absorption, try lemon juice on the stain but test a small area first to make sure it won’t discolor anything.

Permanent Marker

Permanent marker isn’t so permanent when you know these few tricks. For marker on wood, use toothpaste to get it out. If your child (or you, because we know that’s happened) gets permanent marker on upholstery use rubbing alcohol or non-oily hairspray.

Juice Spills

Just because it comes in a box doesn't mean it won't end up on your rug. As with most messy fabric stains, it is best to blot as opposed to rub. Once the blotting is complete, whatever is left behind can be treated with one quart water, a tablespoon of white vinegar and a teaspoon of laundry detergent. Let the mixture sit on the juice stain for several minutes then rinse with water.

Chewing Gum

Once your child has mastered the concept of chewing gum without swallowing it, they will begin to find other ways to dispose of the confection. That will usually involving putting it in a sibling's hair, on a car seat or in the carpet. When that happens, it's time to break out the ice pack. Freeze the gum and it will be easier to pull up. If there is some residue, then freeze again and use an old toothbrush to scrap it off.

Stickers

As soon as your kid discovers the simple joy of stickers, you can count on them showing up everywhere. To get them off the things they shouldn't be on, try rubbing them with baby oil or WD-40. That should help with the gluey residue.

A rapid response to these common kid messes is vital. However, sometimes those stains can go unnoticed or you don't have the time to tackle them right away. For a stubborn stain on the carpet you might need to bring in the heavy guns. Professional carpet cleaning extractors will certainly get the job done. They're also easy to rent on an as-needed basis.

Once you tackle those stains and get the kids to bed, you can finally relax with that bottle of wine. Just be sure not to spill any on that clean carpet …

BIO: James works in construction and blogs in his free time at Homey Improvements. He also enjoys hiking, photography, and buying new gadgets. Follow him on Twitter @DIYfolks.

Easy Tips to Decorate Apartments

by Amelie William 

Other than noisy neighbors and almost zero outdoor space, you are dealing with relatively tight indoor space when you opt to live in an apartment. Inspite of crammed living spaces, you can create a pleasing space with a few practical tips. 

1.     Transform With Drapes

When used in the right way, drapes can transform the size of your room. Even if your windows are small, consider using long drapes to create an illusion of spaciousness. Using extended drapes for smaller windows will only give the window an airy feeling.

Photo credit: jlogandesign.com

2.     Accentuate With Mirrors

Mirrors work wonders in a small space since mirrors reflect light when placed in a well-lit room. Consider adding glamorous mirrors in your living room and bedroom to make it look airy and spacious.  Mirrors when placed near a room window can reflect an abundance of natural light into your home.

3.     Invest In Lighting

Other than the ceiling light fixtures that come with your apartment, consider these extra lightings;

1.       Lamps to use on side tables, side tables and nightstands.

2.       Pendant lights on dining tables

3.       Floor lamps to illuminate the dark corners of your home.

4.       Plug-in wall sconces for hallways, living rooms and bedrooms.

5.       Cabinet and under-cabinet lighting to illuminate the dark areas of your kitchen.

4.     Alter With Rugs

Runners, area rugs, rectangular rugs, oval rugs and round rugs; divulge a great deal of charisma by adding rugs to your home. Since rugs suit every nook and corner of your home, you would love to check out beautiful hand-woven rugs. When you buy straight from the manufacturer, you are sure to find the best collection of genuine wholesale rugs; to suit your home and taste.

Photo credit: tiffanyleighinteriordesign.blogspot.com

5.    Use Lightweight Furniture

Colorful garden stools and garden coffee tables are not just for outdoors. Add colour and interest by adding lightweight garden furniture to your apartment. These kinds of furniture are not only trendy, but they are easy to carry and move around the house when compared to massive furniture.

Photo credit: smartfurniture.com

6.     Change What You Can

What if you did not get a chance to choose the massive articles of your apartment? You can always change minute aspects to make an enormous impact;

1. Change bathroom fixtures like showerheads, faucets and toilet seats.
2. Give your kitchen a makeover with a trendy backsplash and by replacing cabinet handles.
3. Consider changing the look of your bathroom & kitchen tiles by using tile tattoos of your choice.
4. When you cannot paint your walls, paint inexpensive furniture white or a surprising colour. 
5. Give your sink a new look by covering clumsy plumbing work with an elegant screen.

Photo credit: pinterest.com

7.     Create A Statement Wall

Adorning walls is a convenient option to decorate your space. An accent wall can serve as a perfect decorative focal point. From removable wall decals and paintings to wallpapers, there are various ways to create a statement wall without harming your rental agreement.

Photo credit: apartmenttherapy.com

8.     Personalize Your Space

Rented or leased, your apartment is a place in which you are going to live for quite some time. So why not personalize your space? Personalizing your space could involve adding any detail that belongs to your;

1.       Framed or bannered, consider setting-up a family pictures gallery on your wall.

2.       Create layers by adding two or more fabrics on your floor and furniture.

3.       Flaunt your green thumb by opting for indoor plants.

4.       Use vertical or floating racks to put-up your collection for a display.

5.       Show-off your DIY skills by displaying your handicrafts.

Photo credit: fengshuidana.com

A Talk About the Kitchen Countertop Design

By Anna Aamone

The perfect kitchen should look good but it should be also easy to clean and big enough for you to feel comfortable. The countertop is an important element in the design of this room of your home and also essential one, especially when it comes to cooking and cleaning. You need to have enough space to place some of your appliances and different kitchen supplies, as well as designate a certain area which will be big enough for cooking. Keep in mind that the insufficient space will turn the cooking into a tedious task and will also make you feel very uncomfortable in the room. This is the part of your kitchen which you will have to clean every day, so before you choose a certain design for your countertop, make sure that you will be able to wipe it and maintain it always perfectly clean.

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There are a lot of things that could influence your opinion when choosing a particular countertop design. In order to pick just the right model for your kitchen, you have to consider some specific elements and more importantly make sure that the design of your countertop is suitable for your kitchen. When we talk about this specific part of the room in which you will spend a lot of time every day, we have to mention some of the main rules which is good to follow when picking a specific design. Whether you are renovating the old countertop in your kitchen or installing one for the first time, here are some tips you can use: 

• Look at the counter space as most valuable – Undoubtedly, you will use the countertop in your kitchen more than any other part of the room. Therefore, you have to be sure that it will be big enough for cooking but also not too big, so that it takes up all the space in your kitchen. Even if you like a specific model, you have to be certain that it will fit into the current design of your kitchen. It also has to be made of good material that will be easy to maintain. You can consult with professionals on the matter.
• Consider different styles – There are a lot of options out there and it will certainly take a lot of time to research each one of them before you pick a certain countertop design. That's why it's better to focus on the most popular styles which will definitely make your kitchen look good. You can try a classic countertop which looks great in any kind of room. An elegant marble style or an eco-friendly model will be certainly good choices. Like we've already mentioned, you have many options but don't forget to make a research first.
• Focus on the materials – When it comes to the material, you have to be sure that you will pick a solid countertop that you will be able to use for many years. The granite and marble are the absolute favourite materials which most people prefer. If you pick them for your countertop, you can be sure that it will be a good investment. The stainless steel is another great option because it is very easy to clean and it is resistant to the heat. If you like stone but you can't afford a granite countertop, you can pick the engineered quartz model which not only offers a variety of colours but it is also more affordable.

When you finally choose the perfect countertop style for your kitchen and you install it, you have to remember that regular cleaning and proper maintenance will preserve its good looks far longer, Shiny London Southfields remind. Also, try to keep the space always organised. This way you won't have to lose time looking for the thing you need and you will have more free space when you cook.

The Best Interior for You

by Brian Wilson

            When taking on DIY and home improvement projects, you may expect the labor of constructing and installing your renovations to be the most difficult part of the job. However, any seasoned home improvement guru will most likely tell you that it’s not so much the effort of a project that creates the challenge—fully realizing your vision for a room or space is going to come down almost entirely to critical thinking and creative experimentation. Believe it or not, hammering the nails will be the easy part!

Perfecting the Look

                When selecting an interior, you may feel that you’re not entirely sure where to start. Beginners will feel tempted to look over or review a variety of interior models and archetypes and attempt to emulate the one they like the best. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing—going off of examples of strong interiors can be a great way to begin forming an idea of how you’d like your own ideal interior to look.

However, you may discover throughout your renovation process that realizing your own artistic vision holds vastly more potential than attempting to create a second-rate version of someone else’s. The model interior featured in your favorite home décor magazine may look pristine and other-worldly, but it’s important to remember that a real home requires that a fully decorated room also succeed at being lived in.

How will an all-white living room adorned in antique pillars and glass chairs function when regularly used throughout the week by a household of three or more? The way that your dream room accommodates you should be a higher priority than the way it accommodates a certain aesthetic.

Accounting for Space

            A fact of life when it comes to interior design is that differently-sized spaces benefit significantly from different choices in theme and approach. A naturally spacious room will most likely enjoy the perks of additional end tables and larger storage furniture, but attempting a couch and coffee table combo in a bedroom may end up causing your space to be too cramped for comfort.

                It’s important to factor the architecture of a room into your choices of furniture and décor as much as you can. A common beginner’s mistake is to cram as much functioning furniture into a room as possible, but this can create a cluttered feel that makes it more difficult to enjoy a room. Minimalism is your friend when finding the balance between form and function!

Personal Taste Reigns Supreme

            Arguably the most common of beginner’s mistakes in honing an interior is to do what you believe you are supposed to do. Being in your 40s no more means that you’re supposed to have a preference towards antique-style oak, than being 25 meaning that IKEA shelves are a requirement. If you cave to the expectation of how you think your house should look, it won’t end up looking much like your house at all!

                From reviewing interior design blogs and magazines, to browsing a hardware store’s selection of furniture sets, you should make it your goal to take note of the things you like, as well as the things you don’t like. Perfecting your interior can only happen if you realize what you truly want.

Brian Wilson is a contributing writer and media specialist for the North American Moving Blog. He regularly produces content for a variety of lifestyle blogs, based around the transitional challenges that come with migrating and traveling long-distance.

7 Easy Ways to Add Character to a Bland Apartment

The upside of renting is that you’re not responsible if anything goes wrong.  Dishwasher breaks? Call the landlord.  AC not working?  Call the landlord.  It’s a great feeling, isn’t it?

The downside, however, is that you’re pretty limited when it comes to making aesthetic improvements that make the place feel like it embodies your design style.  You don’t own it, so you can’t change it.

But that doesn’t mean your hands are tied.  There are several easy and affordable ways to upgrade a bland apartment without breaking the terms of your lease or risking your security deposit. 

1.       Faux Molding

One of the best things about older buildings is that they come ready-made with all kinds of character – built-in hutches, beautiful mantle pieces and old wooden floors.  Newer construction, while less temperamental, usually lacks these unique touches. 

Fortunately, it doesn’t take too much time or money to add beautiful architectural details like a chair rail, crown molding or even wainscoting.  You can now buy ready-made versions of all of these, which can be installed with just a hammer and nails.  These small details will add instant character and interest to any lackluster room.

2.       Accent Painting 

If you’re allowed to paint anything in your apartment at all, chances are you also have to agree to paint it back to the original egg shell or dove grey color when you move out. Let’s face it, the idea of painting a room once can be daunting, let alone twice.  But how about just one wall?  Or a door? 

Sometimes accent painting like this can have an even greater impact than painting the entire room because it really stands out against the more neutral walls. Plus, when you’re ready to move on, it won’t be quite as big of a chore to return the area to its former color. 

3.       Decal Wall Paper

If your landlord won’t let you paint, well then you certainly won’t be able to put up wallpaper either.  Enter the miracle of modern decal wall paper.  You can buy sheets of the stuff to hang on walls, and then just peel it off when you move out.

 All you have to do is measure the wall or walls you want covered and order the right-sized panels for your needs – no glue, no damage to the walls, just instant style for your walls.  There are several online stores and Etsy shops that offer a huge range of patterns, styles and colors, so you’re sure to find one that’s a good fit for your place.

4.       Framed Art

Let’s assume that you know you need décor up on your walls – this is a given, right?  What might not be a given is that any artwork or photos you put up needs to be properly framed.  Posters that are taped to the wall scream “college dorm room” no matter how lovely the posters are.  But custom-frames immediately elevate the look of whatever they surround.  It’s best to spend a small amount on an art print and then invest a bit more in good quality matting and framing. 

5.       Eclectic Furniture

There’s nothing quite as boring as a blah apartment filled with cookie cutter IKEA furniture in neutral colors.  If the unit itself doesn’t have any character to speak of, well then you had better make up for it in the furnishings. 

Instead of buying everything in one place, look at the furnishing process as a treasure hunt.  If you buy pieces in different styles from several different stores, you’ll end up with a much more natural and beautiful overall look. 

6.       Window Treatments

I don’t know about you, but I find cheap aluminum blinds to be pretty sad and very boring.  Add a little luxury and flair by outfitting your windows with window treatments that match your style.  Custom window treatments can easily get expensive, but you can also go the much more affordable route and just pick up drapes in a unique pattern or vibrant color.  If you don’t want to mess with the existing blinds, just add a curtain rod and put the drapes up over them for a much softer and inviting appearance.

7.       Pulls, Knobs & Light Switch Covers

You’re obviously not going to put custom cabinetry into a rental apartment.  But you can quickly transform the look of built-in cabinets, drawers, doors and light switches by changing out the hardware.  There’s a huge variety of unique and affordable drawer and cabinet pulls available from any hardware store. 

Or if you prefer a vintage vibe, check out the selection at local antique stores – for a funky and artistic look, get a few different styles to combine together.  Once you pick your favorite, all you need is a screwdriver to easily and quickly personalize the look of your kitchen and bathroom. 

Doing all of these small projects at once may seem overwhelming, but just pick one or two to start with and you can gradually personalize your place to make it reflect your tastes.

Author Bio:  Noah Tennant is the CEO of the Chicago Apartment Leasing Group, a top agency that helps renters find the most desirable and luxurious apartments in the city.  In addition to the work he does for his clients, Noah contributes to several online publications about real estate, design and stylish living.  To find out more, click here and connect on Google+.

Creating an Alfresco Living Space for Your Family

www.1stimpressionsohio.com

People usually try to leave town and enjoy the great outdoors during the summer season. It is always nice to spend time amidst nature’s harmonious surroundings, and by designating a portion of your backyard into an outdoor living space, you can have the same pleasure. The good news is, designing an alfresco space for your family and for yourself does not have to be a complicated undertaking. If you want to enjoy fresh air and the freedom that the outdoors bring without leaving home or spending a fortune, consider these simple tips.
Identify an area that you can transform into your outdoor living space.
There are certain things you need to keep in mind when you choose the location of your new outdoor living space. First of all, you need to think about how you want to use the space; this will determine the size and to a certain extent, the materials of your little (or not-so-little) hideaway. Next you need to take note of how accessible this new space will be. If you intend to do a lot of eating and entertaining, then it would be wise to make sure the kitchen is within a convenient distance. Lastly, think about how private you want to the place to be. Once all these things are settled, you will have a clearer idea about how you will set up your new outdoor living space.
Create borders to set your alfresco space apart.
Without borders to define it, the area you want to designate for socializing can appear impersonal and uninviting. Worse, people may keep walking through it and past it without stopping to enjoy the special place you intended to create. With the careful placement of a few bushes or a trellis, you can keep this area protected from prying eyes and create a cozy haven away from the busy world. Some of the plants that can provide you with a dense, bushy shield are Arbovitae, evergreens, or flowering shrubs such as the Bluebeard. Visit your local nursery and check which specimens will work best for you.


Decide on the structure of your outdoor refuge.
Once you know how you will use your outdoor refuge, you can make your building plans. Your desire to enjoy the outdoors throughout the year can be addressed by a patio, a porch, a deck, or just a wide area paved with flagstones. Your structure will also be determined by your budget, the amount of work you are willing to undertake, and how long you intend the structure to last.
Decide on a theme. Patios, decks, and porches can accommodate a wide range of themes.
As long as your garden haven does not become a discordant note in relation to your house and grounds, you have considerable latitude in choosing the decor you will use for your alfresco area. For example, for a rustic, shabby chic area where everyone can relax, all you need is some crockery, some barn red paint, a table and chairs made in distressed wood finish, and a sliding door with barn door hardware.
Think about temperature control.
If you want maximum use of your patio (or deck or porch), make provisions for fans in summer and heaters when the cold weather comes. Fans don’t have to be permanent structures; there are plenty of portable fans you can use to make warm days more comfortable. There are also portable patio and deck heaters fueled by gas so that even when the nights become cold, you can spend time outdoors in comfort. You might want to install a flagstone fire pit or a fireplace that you can gather around. The idea is to provide warmth so that even when it’s cold, people can still congregate in the outdoor living space you have created.


Include a Roof.
A roof will allow you to use your outdoor area for longer periods during the day, and there are many ways that you can put up a roof or its equivalent. You can put in a permanent roof, or you can install a retractable awning, set up a parasol or two, or grow a vine such as bougainvillea to provide shelter. You can even make it possible to enclose the area with mosquito netting to prevent pesky insects from ruining your outdoor fun.



Your private living space can function as an extra living room, a spare dining area, or a place for entertaining. Best of all, this space can allow you to start your days serenely with a steaming cup of coffee and the birds for company.



Seamlessly Adding Distressed Furniture to Interior Decor

Henley

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Not quite fitting any single category, distressed furniture is a form of decor that identifies with the old and the new, conveying a little of both along with heaps of character. Nicked and worn panels tell tales of when the item was moved around a home and lovingly handled over the course of several generations. Achieving the look doesn't require visiting antique stores and seeking out vintage pieces with charming character gained through decades, especially when those items often cost enough money to distress your wallet more than the item you're looking for.




The Origins of Distressed Furniture

The rise of this trend takes us to London, to modern lands with high concepts for design and art but low budgets requiring just that little bit of inventive genius to realize a particular look. This is where distressed furniture comes to the fore, favoring cheaper antiques and affordable modern pieces of decor that can easily be made over into something unique and artistic.

What was old can be renewed with a touch of colorful paint and what's new can be aged with sandpaper and a bit of steel wool. The trend blurs the lines between what's modern and what's vintage, adding a colorful spin by attaching eccentric extras such as wood-paneled drawers made from old barn doors, bronzed handles once attached to entirely different pieces of furniture, altering the finish of a table or a desk with paint and sandpaper, imitating art and age with savvy design.




Blurring the Boundaries of Modern Furniture

It's the oxymoron of contemporary design, distressed furniture, taking the modern and the vintage, the old and the new, combining these influences in creative ways, but illustrating exactly what attracts buyers to this aged and eccentric design takes a little explaining.
People desire antiques but don't have the resources to make these pieces their own.

Buying purposefully distressed furnishings answer this need without breaking the bank, adding a flourish of aged appeal that highlights wear-and-tear as an art form. The distress isn't a random addition to the articles but rather a sensitively applied design meant to show where previous generations handled the furniture, showing the scrape on the leg of a chair that exposes a previous color beneath the current tones, or adding bleached colors and faux paint crackles to imitate an antique piece that has spent a decade exposed to the sun while placed in front of a large picture window.




A Wonder to the Touch and the Eye

The moderately used tables and chairs, lamps and wardrobes fit seamlessly into the interior of a home, tying the old and the new together in a way that antique pieces could never achieve, but the rustic appeal also extends to the sense of touch. Stroke an end table splashed with paint and aged by unidentifiable stains and there's an intimate sensation of essential oils having been rubbed into the grain. Intelligence pairs with this creative input to place the wear around areas where natural age would appear if these were actual antiques.

A worn patch is more discernible around handles and on larger patches where mugs would've been left to cool on writing tables. Vanities are organically aged to reflect a time long past when a lady sat and attended to her makeup needs. It's an art, creating faded lines and partially identifiable stains for the owner to discover and fall in love with.




Adding a Story

A true steward of all types of interior design can appreciate the projection of rustic appeal and the retro eccentricities of this form of furniture. The art is inherently tied to aging the furniture, but an expression of individuality and character goes hand-in-hand with this expression. Mismatched drawers and grungy splashes of paint identify some pieces as lovingly designed for the unconventional homeowner.

Paisley Hansen is a freelance writer and expert in wellness, DIY, and interior design. When she isn’t writing she can usually be found reading a good book or hitting the gym.