Quickly Convert a Closet to a Home Office Nook

When I got my first computer and launched a consulting career more than a few years ago, I was desperate to create some type of office space in my tiny apartment. I couldn’t imagine where I was going to find that necessary nook until I found some inspiration in Martha Stewart and set about converting a closet into a functional and space saving home office nook - what a terrific concept!

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Don’t look now, but those retro designs so popular in the 1970’s are back! Perhaps it’s because kids leaving their parents’ homes and establishing their own are raiding family attics and basements and hauling out all that stuff their parents started out with 30 years ago. Or maybe it’s that a modular sofa from the 1970’s is easier to find and less expensive to purchase than, say, a Queen Ann desk actually made during Queen Ann’s day.

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When it comes to designing décor that works for you and your kids remember these two words: Washable and safe: Washable to keep your home looking its best, and safe from the standpoints of your kids and your possessions both.

Washable is easy enough to understand. After all, kids-especially the toddler to junior high variety-are little dirt magnets. They pick up dirt from everywhere (including places that don’t appear to have any) and redeposit it to every surface they touch.

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There is nothing more satisfying that infusing your home with unique décor and one of a kind accessories; the kind that you could never find at your local department store or home decorating shop. It is even that much more satisfying when you can create that look with items that are already in your attic or found for a few dollars at a local flea market.

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Easy No-Sew Window Treatments for a Little Girl’s Room Complete with Bows

In a little girl’s bedroom, window coverings are essentially ‘bling’ for the room. It is a sure way to give the room a unique look and a feminine quality. However, in any child’s room safety should be a priority and hanging drapes and curtain panels are not ideal. On the other hand, often the only other option is a boring roller shade or drab mini blinds.

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Your front entryway is like your house’s face. It’s the first thing people see when they come to your home. So ask yourself, is your house smiling and welcoming guests or is it frowning and turning them away? Consider these ten front entry decorating tips to add appeal and an inviting atmosphere.

The biggest improvement you can make is to paint the front door with a fresh coat of paint. Doors take a beating from the sun and weather, so paint your front door every five years for an instant boost.

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Shelves are the simplest, least expensive, and most versatile type of storage you can buy. Your choice should depend on practical considerations, such as strength and adaptability, as well as on good looks.

It’s tempting to imagine that tile first item a caveman invented was a shelf. At the very least, he would certainly have utilized any fiat ledge in the cave to store his tools and cooking pots. Finding somewhere to keep all your possessions, and leave space for your future belongings, is still an ongoing challenge in any home. To solve any shortage of storage and space, a combination of functional and decorative shelving is an attractive solution.

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It never fails, every time you need to wrap a gift you find yourself sprawled out on the kitchen floor with gift wrap, bows, tape, and scissors spread out all over the place. Your legs start to cramp, the tape sticks to the gift wrap, and the scissors keep disappearing under a pile of bows. What to do?! Why not turn that unused guest room into a gift wrapping center that will make wrapping gifts both fun and functional?

Making your own gift wrapping center is easy and doesn’t have to take up a whole lot of space. If you don’t want to dedicate an entire room to your gift wrapping center, try placing some of these organizational elements inside the closet or hide them behind a curtain that you can pull shut when you’re not wrapping gifts.

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If you have pets, you’ve already learned that paws can leave dirty tracks that are more difficult to remove from your carpet and furniture than those made by human feet. For one thing, the number of dogs capable of learning how to wipe their feet before entering the house is far greater than the number of people who know this and are willing to teach their dogs to do it. If you happen to be a household with a few cats, you already know which of the fabrics covering your furniture your kitty finds most suitable for sharpening their destructive little claws.

The point here is that fabrics, carpets included, can be difficult to keep looking good when some of your family members have four legs. If you’re presently living in rooms that show all too ample evidence that your last carpet and fabric choices weren’t the best, don’t despair—more pet-suitable choices are available today than you may suspect. Just keep the following facts in mind when you choose your next pet friendly decor:

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Apartment Dwellers – Colors Can Actually Make a Space Seem Larger

If you are an apartment dweller in small quarters, consider that the colors you use on your walls can actually make a small space appear larger. A great way to make a room feel bigger and draw the eye down to create a sense of space is to create one awesome accent wall.

What is an Accent Wall?

An accent wall is exactly what the name implies – a wall painted a different color than the rest of the walls to accent the room. You can choose from a rainbow of cool colors to create your own unique accent wall.

Isn’t it True that Dark Colors Make a Room Look Smaller?

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