As you may have already noticed, there is a huge surge in “mini me” clothing popping up all over. What exactly is this “mini me”? This “mini me” couture effect is basically a term used for parents wanting their children to look and dress like they do. With the vast amount of information on the Internet and the constant celebrity exposure, our children are growing up with a lot more options than we ever had. Designers are churning out pint size renditions of clothes that are on runways every season. However, not every parent is jumping on this band wagon. In our family outings, I still see children dressed in p.j.’s or t-shirts that are witty yet sloppy.

Does how you dress your child reflect on your personality and lifestyle?

I always look to the parents to see how they are dressed. It’s usually the same. Most of the style stems from the parents. Children in more ways than one are a direct reflection of their mommy and daddy.

With this being said, I don’t think the “mini me” idea is so bad. We all know families that always look put together. Why not create that culture with your own children? I am not saying that appearance is the most important issue in a kid’s life. But appearance speaks for itself. What’s wrong with dressing the part? Your child will grow and learn to take pride in how they look and will in turn pass this to their children.

What Should be your Child’s Look – Classic or Trendy?

When you think of the look you want your child to convey, do you think classy or trendy? I came up with the following conclusions:

1) Trendy clothes are super adorable on children as long as they are tasteful.

2) Classic styles and brands of clothes are nice to have for those formal times such as weddings, portraits, graduations, etc…

3) Trendy clothes in classic colors make for a great clean, modern look.

Whatever style or look you choose for your child, let it be a tasteful expression of who your child is!

Finally, How to Praise Your Child?

The following are 7 definitive ways on how to praise your child:

1. Look your child in the eye.

2. Move close to your child and down to their eye level.

3. Smile. Smile is a curve that keeps everything straight.

4. Praise a specific behavior. “You did such a great job cleaning up your bedroom.”

5. Speak with feeling and sincerity. Do not hurt your child’s sentiments.

6. Touch your child affectionately, maybe a pat on the back or stroke of an arm.

7. Praise immediately, as soon as you notice commendable behavior.

"Your praise should be honest and specific. Don’t dilute the effectiveness of praise by overdoing it or being insincere. Older children especially will pick up on your exaggeration."

What is it about the whole “retro” style that’s so appealing today? Some say that it’s a comforting feeling of days gone by, when times were simpler and seemed to move at a slower pace than they do today. Others claim that it’s a generational lashing-out against the mass marketing of today. Still others just think that it looks cool. Whatever your particular view is, you’ll be pleased to know that the retro-style is alive and well, as everything that’s old is new again, due in part to the shopping ease of the World Wide Web.

The classic designs and styles of the 1930’s through the 1980’s are brought to life all over again with this decorating trend, adding nicely to already popular home décor styles of country, early American, contemporary, classic, antique, art deco, as well as the many combinations among them. Retro furniture and accessories can complement any just about any style that you currently have, or add a splash of excitement to a somewhat dull and dreary room.

For example, say that your home décor is primarily country with a few antiques added in for good measure. What if in the middle of the country quilts and braided rugs, a black and chrome, pay-phone-style, vintage-looking telephone is hung on the wall in your kitchen? You’re sure to hear “I haven’t see one of these in years”, by at least one your houseguests, and of course, the words will always be accompanied by a smile. Not only will it be quite the conversation piece, it will add a bit of nostalgia, fun and atmosphere to any style of home.

If you could only pick one room to add some trendy, retro-flair, which would you choose? Kitchens across the country are bringing in some extra charm with the 1950’s diner-styled dinette sets. Both booth and chair styles, plus a wide variety of bar and counter-height stools can make even the most boring center of a home pop with excitement!

Retro bathroom fixtures make any lavatory a place you’d love to hang your hat. Likewise, vintage bedroom sets can set the stage for quite a tale with grand bedposts and stunning details and workmanship on the bureaus, nightstands and headboard. Add an authentic, antique lamp, or a reproduction of one—you’ll be amazed at what you can find online!

Every little detail is important when you’re creating a retro style room, home, or just want to add a bit of fun and nostalgia to your abode. Don’t forget about clocks, knick-knacks and wall mirrors to reflect the days of yesteryear. Vintage style jukeboxes, record players and radios, with or without the added luxury of a CD player, will always have a story to tell, to those who want to listen.

If you want to avoid clothes draped over chairs and piles of spare linen and pillows cramping your style, you need to think ahead. As with kitchen planning, it’s worth listing what you need to store and working out how much hanging and drawer space is required. Don’t forget shoes, bags and luggage, plus books, magazines, photograph albums and even CDs if you want your bedroom to be a bolt hole where you can escape to read or listen to music. If you are starting from scratch, you can opt for fitted furniture or freestanding designs, or a combination of the two. If there are already cupboards in place, a new paint finish and updated interior fittings will help improve the look.

Additional items – a bed-end chest or a multi-drawer cabinet, for example – can also provide crucial extra storage. Think laterally – you don’t have to restrict yourself to furniture specifically designed for bedrooms. If space is at a premium in your main living areas, the bedroom may be able to accommodate discreet bookshelves, or even a small desk area. This approach particularly suits guest bedrooms, which can double up as a study or home office.

Fully fitted and walk in wardrobes

Most bedrooms will benefit from fitted furniture – a good designer will be able to solve the problems of awkward angles, uneven alcoves and out-of-proportion walls to present a sleek, uniform appearance. Even if the fitted section is restricted to one wall, it will still provide generous hanging and shelf space. L-shaped bedrooms lend themselves to being split into sleeping and wardrobe areas: depending on the layout, you can either have a door leading to a walk-in wardrobe with open shelves and rails beyond, or just a separate space with a traditional wardrobe.

Whatever your layout, don’t stint on the interior fittings – try to include pull-down rails (look for those that work on a hydraulic system) to maximise hanging space, drawers for small items, rails for trousers and racks for shoes. Sliding or bi-folding doors intrude less upon floor space, and the combination of glass panels and interior lighting can create interesting effects.

If you like the look of fitted wardrobes but don’t have the budget required, there are several large freestanding versions that look like fitted designs (try Bo Concept or IKEA), which offer as much interior space but are less costly and can be taken with you if you move house.

Underbed storage

Never underestimate the value of the space beneath your bed. Even if your room has ample cupboards, shoes and bags seem to gravitate to that forgotten area, so it makes sense to use it properly. Standard bedsteads can be teamed with sturdy under-bed baskets, or even large drawers on castors. Habitat have Kalana under-bed drawers in a beautiful oak or wenge finish. They are intended for use with the matching bed, but would also look good with similar or contrasting materials. There’s always a place for a classic divan base with drawers, but choose one with a plain fabric cover so you don’t need to use a valance sheet and can reach the drawers easily. The latest idea is the lift-up bed, where the entire slatted base is raised, usually via a hydraulic system, to reveal a storage area the size of the bed. It’s more disruptive than drawers, but an excellent place to stow out-of-season quilts and blankets.

Guest rooms can be put to greater use if the beds incorporate storage ideas – consider high-level beds with integral drawers or even a single bed with another mattress stored underneath: this is a good way to extend a single bedroom occasionally to make a double.

Freestanding drawers and wardrobes

There’s currently a trend for low, horizontal chests of drawers, good news if you want to store bulky items such as blankets or big jumpers. Low, wide drawers could even be used for shoes and handbags. But if floor space is limited, consider tall, narrow chests with lots of drawers – perfect for smaller items such as T-shirts and lingerie. Freestanding wardrobes are less popular then they used to be, but they are still a good choice, especially in a period home with alcoves either side of a chimney breast. Here, a wardrobe positioned in each alcove with the bed opposite and a sturdy set of bedside drawers will cover most storage needs.

 

We all know the statistics of how much of our lives we spend asleep, but the curious fact can be taken one step further. If we dress and prepare for our day — as well as end our day there — what percentage of our lives is spent in the bedroom? You would have to guess somewhere close to 40% overall, so it’s obvious that setting up a bedroom right is an essential part of your interior design. Whether big or small, hard wood-floored or carpeted, the bedroom must be handled with care. Here are the five big things to do in order to set up a perfect bedroom.

1. Get the bed right. Obviously, without the proper bed any planning you make in the bedroom will be nullified. Make sure it is up-to-date and allows you to sleep like royalty. Not only will your energy be affected by a poor sleep cycle: your entire demeanor can be damaged if you’re not sleeping soundly. Spend the majority of your budget on the mattress, with a balance between firmness and softness. The box spring, or foundation, is the place where the impact will be absorbed. Don’t undermine a great bed without the right foundation. As for placement, give access to sunlight but don’t drown yourself in it, unless you can block it out with blinds or curtains.

2. Identify and maximize storage space. If you have been blessed with many large closets, the majority of your bedroom furniture can serve a decorative purpose. However, if you need to store clothing, you’ll have to find the right pieces for space and design. A chest of draws with a mirror above it can serve as an ideal place for getting ready. An armoire will afford the luxury of hanging clothes where space in the closet ran out. Coordinating your pieces is essential.

3. Make sure your desk is usable. There is nothing like getting work done on a desk in the privacy of your own bedroom. Whether talking on the phone, sending an email, or just thinking things through, the desk is one of the most intimate places when it comes to self-reflection. If your windows overlook a busy street, move the desk back to keep that solid frame of mind.

4. Keep a chair and table space. No matter how small your bedroom may be the presence of a table and chair makes a huge difference. These pieces might have to be small, but it’s not something to overlook. Within the bedroom, there is going to be a desk and a bed to do your reading and thinking. They represent two extremes, one too rigid in some situations, the other too relaxed. With a cozy chair and side table, you will make your bedroom the ultimate comfort zone.

5. Get the lighting right. Don’t forget about lighting. It’s a room in which a dimmer switch is a must. Also, make sure turning off the lights at the end of the night is not a chore. You don’t have to clap your hands; just put the switch within reach of your bed.

The tween and teen years are a time when young girls are always looking for interesting ways to express themselves. While it’s important to support their budding individuality, the thought of a complete bedroom makeover can be daunting, as well as costly. 

Here is a teen bedroom makeover plan that is really budget friendly. Your daughter will love the idea of creating a hang out place for her friends right in your home. Give her room a theme of its own by starting with a great looking photo mural of her choice. Have her choose the bedroom theme based on her unique interests. You won’t have to encourage her to be creative!

The theme can be anything she thinks is cool, and this can range from cows to castles! For simplicity sake, this article will use Hawaii as the theme. First, help her find the perfect photo mural, complete with palm trees, sandy beach, and tropical sea. Prepare the designated wall and install the photo wall mural on a lazy Saturday afternoon. All the photo murals at www.ArtisticHomeowner.com hang easily, just like traditional wallpaper. Don’t forget to enlist the help of your daughter and her friends. You’re sure to have a memorable experience, and the girls will start to know right away that your home is a cool place to hang out!

Use the Hawaii photo mural as the bedroom’s focal point. Now, use smaller accent pieces to develop the theme and accessorize. You can head straight to your own basement or attic for props. Don’t forget to check out yard sales and even the Salvation Army for funky junk. Dollar stores are also a treasure trove for accessories.

Great old furniture pieces can be revamped for the cause. Wicker chairs and end tables are traditionally “beachy”. Spray paint the furniture white to freshen it up. You could also use actual beach chairs.

Accessorize an old mirror by hot gluing shells around the edges. Do the same to customize a hand mirror. Add shimmery bead curtains in place of regular curtains for a funky look. Hang flower leis from the corners of a headboard or drape from a lampshade. Use grass hula skirts in place of a traditional bed skirt.

If you don’t already have a rug, you might try an inexpensive indoor/outdoor carpet. This kind of carpet is easy to clean up if soda or snacks get spilled. Large floor cushions or bean bag chairs are great for hanging out in. Add brightly colored, stackable milk crates for storing CDs, videos, and books. Drape fisherman’s netting from the ceiling for a fun, nautical feel. Throw a few inflatable beach balls and a plastic shovel and pail in the net!

With just a few easy touches like those suggested here, you can give your daughter a room she will think is awesome. She will love her room’s new look. She will want to hang at home with her friends–mission accomplished! Now it’s time to celebrate. Invite a few of her friends for a beach party sleepover.

Great job, Mom and Dad; give yourselves a pat on the back! This project was done well and easily within your decorating budget. What to do with the leftover cash? Well, Little Brother would love an outer space-themed bedroom…

Does your household include young children with piles of toys or teenagers who always seem to be complaining about having no room for their clothes? Save yourself a lot of aggravation, as well as time and money, by arranging rooms and furniture in ways that create a family-friendly living space.

The first step is finding room for the stuff. Kids come with a lot of gear, from the time they’re babies until they’re out the door and into their own place. In the meantime, you have to find ways to accommodate everything from strollers and building blocks to hockey sticks and Barbie collections. When there’s a place for everything, there’s a better chance that the stuff will get put away. Don’t waste closet space. Add a shelving unit and storage bins, and put up hooks on the back of the closet door wherever possible. The small dresser that served your young child can be put into the closet at a later age.

Children’s beds often come with storage compartments underneath, and nightstands can have either drawers or shelves. When children share a room, bunk beds and sleeping lofts are obvious choices for saving space. Teenagers, especially those 6-footers, may very well need a full size bed rather than the standard twin. Again, think storage space underneath or headboards that incorporate storage space.

Even if your school-age child has a computer desk, he or she may still not have enough room for spreading out books and binders at homework time. Consider a large desk if there’s room, or maintain an open policy about using the kitchen or dining room table for homework. But remember that a young child’s feet should touch the floor to prevent restlessness, so if the dining room chair is too tall, use a box or stool under their feet.

Toys and sports equipment can be kept under control by using storage chests, large plastic cubes, or shelving units with bins. Hall trees often come with a storage bench, and are a great solution for coats and boots and skates.

Save yourself a lot of trouble by painting children’s rooms rather than using wallpaper. Children quickly grow out of cute prints, and new paint is a simple solution for changing tastes.

Keep living room and family room furniture looking good by choosing fabrics with a high thread count and tight weave that clean easily and hold up to hard use. Flat weaves are better than textured fabrics for durability. The new microfibers are a good choice for surviving kids and pets, and nothing is easier than slipcovers that can be removed and washed. By the way, sectional sofas are very versatile, able to adapt to any room and comfortable for everyone in the family. Add a set of nesting tables that can be handily moved from room to room for games and projects.

Don’t trip over the stuff of family life. There’s a way to make everyone happy . . . especially Mom.

Decorating a nursery is a mother’s prerogative. The colors, theme and styles of furniture are all at her whim to choose and decide upon. But when children get a little older, their room should be a reflection of who they are – not their parents. Creating a child’s bedroom to reflect the child can be a fun and rewarding process, too. And while the theme, if any, will be key, the furniture will make or break the deal.

When it’s time to take down the fluffy bunnies or A, B, C blocks from the wall and transform a baby’s room into a growing child’s abode, seek advice from the child. Find out what he or she is interested in. Perhaps your little princess wants a royal room? Or, maybe your little quarterback wants to go with a football theme? It’s even possible no theme will be desired. Remember to ask them though … it’s their room now. Don’t try to impose your whims and wishes on the little things like border paper or colors (within reason).

If a theme is chosen, this can open the door for a whole lot of fun. Decorating, let’s say, a princess room doesn’t have to cost a bundle either. Plan together what you’d like the room to look like and start shopping for accessories. An old floor length mirror, for example, can be picked up at a junk shop or yard sale and painted high-gloss white to fit in just perfectly. Small implements and accessories such as pillows, a faux canopy and so on can go a long way, too, without breaking the bank.

And while looking for the accessories is really a blast, the real meat of the room lies in the furniture. This is where your opinion can and should count, too. Furniture for a growing child should be comfortable and functional. It should also be of quality construction.

If a theme is chosen, look for pieces to fit into it, but keep in mind if the construction isn’t quality, it’s not likely to last. A $1,000 princess bed that’s put together with staples may look cool at the start, but once the little royal does some jumping and normal wear and tear takes place, it may look like a crusade came through the room.

Try to find pieces that will fit the theme and grow with the child as well. Your seven-year-old may want a football room, but when he’s 15 that could change. Buy for now, but keep your eyes on the future.

When creating a room for a growing child keep in mind the extras that will eventually need to go into a room. A desk for school; perhaps a computer stand as well will be needed most likely. If you buy furniture that will work for the seven-year-old only, you’ll find yourself buying again a few years down the road. But if you choose items that blend into the room and will work with different design themes and good quality pieces are chosen, a single purchase should suffice over the many different stages your child will go through as he or she grows.

No matter what’s chosen, make sure the furniture is comfortable, fits in the room well and is well designed enough to handle the wear and tear a child can dish out. Children are tough on their furniture, so their furniture should be tough enough to handle it.

A popular misconception about bedroom furniture is that all the pieces of furniture have to be identical in order for them to match. This is true in some respects but the reverse is also true. You can have a set of bedroom furniture that does not match exactly and they still fit together nicely for a bedroom set.

Many furniture stores and high street shops sell bedroom furniture sets as completely matching items of furniture. The material they are made out of are exactly the same, the texture, the colour, the style, the furnishings, everything is the same. This is great because you can go to one shop and buy all your bedroom furniture pieces for a good price and you know that they go perfectly with each other, probably why they are so popular.

But we have another option as well. You can shop around for furniture and buy different pieces of furniture from different shops that have your own uniqueness and make your own set. You can be as whacky with this as you would like depending on your sense of taste and your preferences, or you can be more subdued and go for subtle differences. This adhoc method of furnishing your bedroom creates a great sense of individuality and distinctiveness. Due to shops like Ikea and other huge chains making furniture so affordable it is thought that many people’s living rooms and bedrooms are all looking the same. Everyone is buying the same sets of bedroom furniture. Shopping around for these great items of furniture and putting them together as your own set will make you stand out from the rest and will be completely personal to you.

What are the rules when putting together your own bedroom set? A good rule of thumb is to go for items made out of the same material. Every other aspect can be optional but the material is quite important to be similar. You can mix and match but having an oak bed, a metal nigh stand, and a pine set of wardrobes would look too mix and match. The colour of the material doesn’t have to match but the material does, generally speaking. This gives you a lot to go on as there are many different variations of styles and colours of furniture in a particular type of material. Shop around and see what the stores have to offer, you can even buy in the same shop from different ranges, or check out your local charity shops and second hand stores, you can pick up some great bargains this way.

Don’t be afraid to buy something which is a little out there, you can always play it down by buying a plainer mirror for example, if you see something you like and it fits with your theme, go for it.

Styles go in and out of fashion. The contemporary style, also known as the modern style, emphasises minimalism and simplicity. We provide tips on how to achieve this affect.

Over the last thirty years, I’ve moved house a few times, and each time I’ve decorated my house in exactly the same way – the simple way. People in many professions find it necessary to relocate to new cities or new states on a regular basis (the military, for one), and many of these individual have a tendency to cut down on their possessions, because that makes it a lot easier to move house. Alternatively, they keep their possessions in storage for decades, so that when they finally retire they can unpack everything they’ve accumulated over the years, and finally enjoy it all!

Most people, however, only move once or twice in their lifetimes.

Which is not to say that, just because you’ve been in the same house or apartment for several years, you can’t regularly redecorate your home to give it and yourself a new look. Indeed, if you’ve ever decided you need a complete change to start on a new path, there’s no need to move house, just redesign the one you’re in.

If you’re in quest of a new look, there are many resources for you to use in order to find exactly what you need. Surf the web for thousands of photos of various design styles, from the classic styles such as Colonial and Federal, to the current day styles, and in particular the Contemporary style.

The Contemporary style, also known as the Modern style, is characterized by an emphasis on minimalism, on a lack of ornamentation in the furniture, in a subdued palette of colors for walls and carpeting , and accessories kept to a minimum.

Decorating Your Bedroom in the Contemporary Style

The rule of thumb in decorating a room is to build everything around a central focal point. In the bedroom, of course, the central focal point is the bed. In traditional designs, the bed is usually cluttered with throw pillows and made to look like anything other than a bed until bedtime. In the contemporary style, the bed is just a bed, an ornament in itself, with a sleek design, in metal, or dark wood. Bedspreads of white, beige or other subdued color make the room seem larger and more airy.

Bedroom furniture

The key is to have just as much furniture as you need, and no more. Don’t have a chair in a corner if you never sit in it, and especially don’t have it flanked with a couple of occasional tables with lamps if you never use them! If you have a walk-in closet that can obviate the need for dressers and armoires against the walls…get used to the feeling of space created by not having these items intruding into the space of the room itself.

Accessories

Accessories should be kept to a minimum. If you like flowers, by all means have a vase of flowers on the bedside table. If you like teddy bears or fluffy animals or sculpture, have a couple of these. The key is to not overdo it and end up having a cluttered look. It’s not as restful as a neat, clean look.

Walls should be painted in a subdued pallette – white, beige, tan – so that they can set off other splashes of color in the room, from a bright red vase to a colorful painting on the wall. Here again, let the wall space breathe. Don’t cover every square inch with a decoration of some kind.

In the contemporary style (and in contemporary housing design), ceiling light fixtures are a thing of the past. (Or, considering how tastes change, the future.) An occasional lamp on your bedside table, or recessed lighting in the headboard of the bed, give the room a classy look.

Regardless of how you decorate your bedroom, of course, the idea is that you must feel comfortable in it.

It is unfortunate fact of many people’s lives that infertility strikes where and when it wants. The desire to have a child is a natural, normal progression in a couple’s relationship. While there are certainly individuals and couples who choose to not become parents, an overwhelming majority are happier with the idea of starting and raising a family. The reasons for infertility are wide and numerous. Some are focused on health issues for the potential mother, while others strike the would-be dad. Despite all of the amazing strides made by the medical community to battle infertility, many couples give up after long, expensive treatments make their lives miserable. It doesn’t have to be that way any longer. In addition to medical treatments, many couples are turning to Feng Shui and fertility suggestions to increase their odds of having a baby of their own.

The uninformed know that Feng Shui is related to decorating and arranging their homes. In actuality, this ancient practice is far more than that. It is a time honored Chinese philosophy that helps practitioners create an environment rich in harmony and balance in all areas of their lives. Modifying your home in this tradition may help you and your partner achieve your goal of becoming pregnant. Using Feng Shui and fertility friendly practices are less stressful ways improve your chances of having a baby.

As we have already mentioned, Feng Shui is intended to completely balance and regulate every aspect of existence. In terms of conception, this harmony is nothing short of a miracle. Doctors and other medical professionals will be the first to tell you that it is essential to be at peace and relaxed during the conception phase of creating life. Both potential parents will experience the positive influences of good chi if their environment is conducive to the Feng Shui philosophy. For this reason, if none other, Feng Shui and fertility are a powerful combination.

To begin using Feng Shui and fertility to improve your chances of having a child, start outside. Take a look at your front entrance. Is there anything blocking good energy from moving into your home? One couple struggled with infertility for years. When a Feng Shui consultant recommended removing the tree that blocked their front door, the couple finally experienced success and became parents. Make sure that the main entrance to your home is clear and open to the flow of positive energies.

With Feng Shui and fertility, the focus is a little different than what most of us are accustomed to. The focus is primarily on the man. All of you ladies out there can take a relaxing breath now. Feng Shui is guided by the Descendant’s Luck principle. This luck determines the success of a husband or partner will have starting a family with his significant other. Learning the best ways to stimulate this luck is a beneficial practice for the man in the relationship to aid in the conception process.

This won’t come as any surprise, but the bedroom is instrumental in combining the forces of Feng Shui and fertility. The first step in the master bedroom is to make sure it is free from unwanted and unneeded clutter. Clutter stands in the way of good energy and makes it difficult to achieve a harmonious flow. This means to throw away the receipts on the dresser, pick the clothes up off of the floor, and arrange things neatly. Don’t forget about the closet either. It should be clear of any unused items.

Now that the bedroom is ready for Feng Shui and fertility, it’s time to add some decorations and furniture placement that is perfect for encouraging the production of children. When you think about it, it makes sense. Elephants symbolize pregnancy in the Feng Shui tradition. A couple trying to conceive should consider displaying elephant figurines in their sleeping space. Another animal reference that will help with fertility is fish. The symbol of two fish represents marital unity. As a matter of fact, any decoration you use in this room should involve the number two. Throwing the color red around is helpful as well. Place two red paper lanterns on either side of the bed. These represent the positive yang influence and will help increase fertility. A single piece of hollow bamboo is useful as well. Once again focusing on the potential father put a dragon on his side of the bed to flame his passion and add potency to the union. These well placed items are a good way to encourage the flow of energy through the room.

With the correct use of Feng Shui and fertility energies, a couple struggling with infertility can give themselves an edge in the conception process. The creation of a relaxing, loving home environment will improve the couple’s chance at starting a family of their own.