HomeLife The
Inspiring Life In, Out, And Around The Home SHADES OF GREY A New Design Color Blooms 9
THE CURSE OF CARPET
CALLING ALL MOMS
Hardwood Flooring Is King 18
Eliminate Morning Madness 29
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CONTENTS | features
22 13 12
ADMIRE + ACQUIRE
d d
e
it
You see it. You love it. We tell you where to get it. Our monthly feature helping you discover fresh finds for the home. 13
TAKING BACK THE BEDROOM
If your bedroom is more of a catastrophe than an oasis, it may be time to take on the chaos.
32 22
BEYOND THE BASICS
Four fast, fabulous and fashionable fixes anyone can do to one of the most important rooms in the house. 31
ORGANICALLY SPEAKING
As home gardening continues to rise in popularity, we provide a few tips to keeping your garden truly organic.
12 thehomelifemag.com | 5
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ONLINE | going digital
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Incorporating luxurious fixtures
Monthly Pinspiration
KIN’ res ’S COO in board featu T A H W , p ls ’s a h e ont er m This m nights nd und
work ute a side. 20-min or those late f n your k-meals o t c ’t e f n r is ic t pe u s /q ju g a time ehomelifem when /th
Organizing customized for you
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This Month Online...
High-design, high-tech ideas for making your home more luxurious. Getting organized: Learn your style and find solutions that work for you. www.thehomelifemag.com www.facebook.com/thehomelifemag www.pinterest.com/thehomelifemag
Recently Tweeted Found the story on easy kitchen updates very informative and helpful. Looking forward to starting our own process soon w/ tips in hand. @nitneyrae10
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Where the life at home begins
Entry
the
FIFTY SHADES OF GREY When it comes time for a style upgrade in the home, the choice for many designers is a simple shade of grey.
It should come as no surprise, many homeowners are opting to makeover their homes instead of upgrading to a new one. In a recent survey by Better Homes & Gardens magazine, consumers placed easy “style upgrades� at the top of their list. Consumers also said their top style upgrades include flooring, countertops, and fixtures.
thehomelifemag.com | 9
ENTRY | first words
Area designers suggest beginning a style upgrade project by installing neutral-colored flooring because they create the perfect canvas to help tie all of a room’s design elements together. Grey-toned floors provide the ideal backdrop to let your style and favorite colors shine through, and they also transition well as interior design styles and trends change. “Grey is the new brown,” says Erinn Valencich, L.A.-based interior designer and blogger for HGTV’s Design Happens. “I used a grey-based floor in my new design studio because it goes well under a myriad of other wood tones. You don’t have to use grey-based furniture on top of it - grey looks great with all wood tones.” Another benefit to grey-based flooring, Valencich adds, is that it’s very forgiving. Valencich suggests one of these color palettes to make a room shine when designing a room with a grey-based floor: Waves of blue - Grey looks beautiful with any shade of blue, from soft powder blue to vibrant turquoise to charming daisy blue. Bananas Foster - A favorite color trio of Valencich’s is yellow, chocolate and cream on top of a grey-based floor. The subtle flooring highlights the rich colors for a bold, decadent look.
10 | thehomelifemag.com
Lovely with lavender - Lavender is one of this year’s hottest colors and a long-time partner for grey. Valencich suggests adding any color of purple to a grey floor for standout results. When beginning a room makeover project, the first step is choosing a clear color palette. Wall color is a great place to begin. Think of the design process in layers - the trick is to coordinate and contrast. “If your paint, accessories, furniture and flooring are all the same color, the room will feel flat,” Valencich advises. “So create drama by using a pop of color or by layering varying shades of the same color for a refined tone-on-tone look.”
ENTRY | eye candy
WANT M O
RE? Find exc lu pictures sive on our app!
Rooms we love: a classic white kitchen
There’s nothing like the crisp, clean look of a white kitchen.
Accent colors just POP.
Dark wood floors look amazing against white. Find more Pinworthy white kitchens @ pinterest.com/thehomelifemag/white-kitchens
ENTRY | admire + acquire
a splash of
color Colorful goodies that add spice and life to any kitchen!
4 1
3
Win This Owl! 2
1. Tag us on Facebook 2. Use #admireandacquire 3. We’ll pick a winner
5
1. Waves of blue and green effortlessly add character to any room. Crate & Barrel, $25 2. A kitchen staple as far as prep tools go, gleaming like a green apple. Macy’s, $225. 3. This cute, colorful cookie jar is a real hoot. Anthropologie, $68. 4. A teapot that is equally piece of art as kitchen tool. aplusstore.com, $92. 5. Add a blast of color to any countertop with these storage containers. Target, $10 each.
12 | thehomelifemag.com
Ideas, insight, and inspiration for where life happens
Home
the
Taking
Back The
Bedroom
If your bedroom is more like a catastrophe than an oasis, it may be time to wake up and take on the chaos. Designers and sleep experts agree that the room should be a peaceful refuge; a restful retreat that creates an atmosphere of restfulness and relaxation.
HOME | bedroom
A
“tired” kitchen or bathroom may be an unsightly inconvenience and a challenge if you’re selling your house, but a “tired” bedroom can actually impact your mental and physical well being. Here are five steps to turn your den of chaos into an oasis of bliss:
Cut the clutter When you walk into your bedroom are you visually overwhelmed? Whether you have too much decoration on the walls and nick knacks on top of the dresser, or mounds of dirty laundry on the floor, the visual impact can be the same. The more stuff you have in the room, the smaller and more confining the room will appear.
14 | thehomelifemag.com
Do whatever you have to do to organize and store items out of sight. Provided, feng shui experts warn, that you don’t stuff the debris under the bed. It’s thought that items stored under the bed can disrupt the natural energy flow and ultimately affect your rest.
Adults only, please That’s right; it’s time the baby moved into her own room. Also, eliminate from the room all the reminders that you have children. No, not pictures of the kids, but any toys the kids have left in your room need to go into their rooms. Their laundry should be folded and put away in their rooms – never left sitting in a basket in yours. Remember, your bedroom is about you and your partner. It’s where you decompress after a long day and share moments that are exclusively yours as a couple.
Keep the room purposeful Our homes have become as crowded as our lives and often our bedrooms pull double duty as our home offices. But design and sleep experts agree that you should get the
office and computer out of the bedroom if at all possible. A desk and computer detract from the room’s ultimate purpose – to serve as a refuge from the days cares. If you simply have nowhere else to put you computer, try to position it so that it’s not the last thing you see before you close your eyes or the first thing you see in the morning.
Decor should be simple, but dear to your heart The bedroom is no place to try out the latest edgy design trend. Stick with colors, textures and images that are meaningful and relaxing to you. A dramatic centerpiece is OK as long as it inspires a sense of peace. Your focal point could be a massive, four-poster king sized bed or a wall mural of a sensual tropical scene or restful garden. You can even personalize your mural by having a favorite photograph – a romantic scene from your honeymoon, the towering oak tree that grew in the backyard of your childhood home – turned into an easy-to-install wallpaper mural. To learn more
about wallpaper murals and customizing your own mural, visit www.muralsyourway.com.
When it comes to bed linens, splurge away Your skin will be in contact with your linens for six to eight hours every night. You’ll see your bedspread or comforter every time you pass by the bedroom door. Your linens should appeal to your sense of touch as well as vision. You should fall in love with how the lines feel against you skin, as well as how they look on your bed. Good linens can make even the most simple bedroom décor feel stunning.
thehomelifemag.com | 15
HOME | bedroom 1
2
blissful
bedroom A few calming essentials to help create that bedroom oasis you deserve!
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1. Peaceful, abstract artwork is a must. art.com, $38 2. Pillows that add comfort while adding style. Target, $25. 3. Bulbs should not exceed 60W. Crate & Barrel, $98. 4. Lavender is a common calmer, perfect for nighttime. henribendel.com, $68. 5. 600 thread count and above. You’d be surprised at the difference! Williams Sonoma, $80. 6. Slatted bamboo baskets help keep the bedroom organized. Container Store, $25-40.
16 | thehomelifemag.com
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THE CURSE OF CARPET Alternative flooring options, like hardwood, add lasting value and beauty to your home. While many homeowners like the warmth and comfort of carpet, they are often hit with the harsh reality that carpet comes with a host of problems. Besides being very difficult to clean, carpet can also be a health concern. Bacteria, dust, dirt and odors can easily become imbedded in carpeting and beyond the reach of vacuuming or steam cleaning. 18 | thehomelifemag.com
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FREE removal of your old, dirty carpet, pad and tack strip. Offer good with purchase
Whether it’s an elegant solid hardwood floor, a durable engineered, some money-saving laminate, or simply refinishing and refreshing existing floors, the value adds up fast when using these preferred natural materials during the home upgrade process. And with Torten Hardwood Floors doing the work, you’ll save time and money. With our limited-time 25% discount on installation or refinishing, you’re guaranteed to get a lower rate than any other flooring company. Just think, with hardwood floors flowing through your house, there are no more pesky stains, no more allergy causing dust buildups, no more hidden odors. And more importantly, no more having to rent one of those bulky carpet cleaning machines before the holidays every year. It couldn’t get easier. And the time couldn’t be better. Call now for a free estimate and to take advantage of this special offer.
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What’s more, homeowners with carpet could also run into problems when trying to sell their home; many new homebuyers prefer the more modern look of hardwood flooring. Replacing carpet with another type of flooring doesn’t have to be an investment - or time-consuming. There are hundreds of flooring options for all homeowners, project parameters and budgets. “Recent technological advancements have greatly increased the number of attractive and affordable options for flooring,” says Tom Sullivan, founder of Lumber Liquidators. Among the most popular alternatives to carpet are hardwood, laminate, engineered wood, bamboo and cork, and each has its own distinct advantages.
20 | thehomelifemag.com
“Regardless of which type of flooring you choose, you’ll be impressed by how the hardwood flooring look and beauty improves your home.”
- Tom Sullivan, founder of Lumber Liquidators
HARDWOOD FLOORING Solid hardwood has become the gold standard for flooring in homes. Besides adding elegance and beauty to a home, properly cared for hardwoods have been known to resist the microscopic allergens that carpet can trap, including pet dander, pollen, mites and mold, as well as odors. They are also a more eco-friendly option than carpet. Carpet typically lasts only eight to 10 years and then gets tossed or recycled. But hardwood floors can last nearly a lifetime, if maintained properly.
LAMINATE FLOORING An inexpensive and versatile substitute for carpet, the construction of laminate flooring makes it well suited for any home. In addition to being budget-friendly, it’s relatively dent- and scratch-resistant, and is easy to install. The lifespan of laminate flooring varies, but it is common to find 12-millimeter laminates that feature a 30-year warranty.
ENGINEERED FLOORING A misconception is that engineered hardwood
flooring is not “real.” Virtually indistinguishable from solid hardwood, engineered flooring is constructed by adhering a solid hardwood layer to multiple cross-grain plies. This construction makes it more moisture-resistant than solid hardwood, enables a variety of installation options, and makes it a perfect choice for just about any home. Unlike laminate, engineered flooring can be sanded and refinished to even further extend its lifespan.
BAMBOO & CORK Bamboo and cork are two newer additions to the flooring family. Both great alternatives to carpet, bamboo and cork are also ecologically sound choices. Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth. It is actually a grass with an extensive root system that creates new bamboo shoots and requires no replanting. Cork flooring, which is durable, acoustical and insulating, comes from harvesting the outer bark of the cork oak tree. It’s considered a green product because the same tree can be harvested numerous times. “With so many flooring options, selecting the one that’s best for you really comes down to personal preferences and budget,” Sullivan says.
thehomelifemag.com | 21
BEYO N
Sle C I b S ona i A h s E Bulous & fae can do
ND THast, fab anyon rf xes Fou m fi roo bath
HOME | bathroom
W
hen it comes to home improvement, you don’t have to be a professional to get professional-looking results. Many simple projects can dramatically update your home and are easy enough for even the novice do-it-yourselfer. Start by choosing one of the smallest rooms in your home that you use every day - the bathroom. With these four fast fixes, you’ll achieve fabulous results that are shockingly easy.
24 | thehomelifemag.com
Vamp up your vanity Just by its name, the bathroom vanity should exude beauty to make a style statement in your bath. However, if your current vanity features chipped paint or a dated color - it’s time for an update. Rather than buying new, you can easily make your current vanity look clean and fresh with a coat of paint. To prep for your project, remove the doors and drawers, tape off any areas that you don’t want painted and wipe down everything with soap and water. For the transformation, spray a primer over the cabinet surface and apply several light coats of an indoor/outdoor spray paint in your favorite color. Once everything is dry, install the doors and drawers for a brand new look. Time: two to three hours
Don’t fear your faucet While anything that has to do with plumbing seems overwhelming - don’t fear. Updating your bathroom faucet is a fairly simple project that can dramatically update the look of your updated vanity. To start, determine whether your sink or countertop requires a center set (one-piece) or widespread (handles and spout are separate) faucet. Once you know the type of facuet you need, manufacturers,
such as Moen, offer a wide selection of style and finish options to meet your design desires. The Banbury Collection, available at the Home Depot, offers a traditional design in both low- or higharc versions and in stylish finishes, such as Chrome, Brushed Nickel and Mediterranean Bronze. To install your faucet, be sure you have the proper tools. Then, just follow the manufacturer’s directions to remove the old faucet and install the new. For extra help, websites, such as moen.com, offer step-by-step bathroom design videos to walk you through the simple process. Time: one and a half hours
Swap out your showerhead Once you’ve mastered swapping out the faucet, changing your showerhead will be a breeze. In fact, the most difficult part may be choosing your new showerhead. At retailers, such as The Home Depot, you’ll find a variety of luxurious, yet inexpensive, options. Moen’s Banbury line features seven new options for any showering preference, including a five-setting wall mount showerhead, a five-setting hand
thehomelifemag.com | 25
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HOME | bathroom
held showerhead and a five-setting combination that includes both hand held and wall mount showerheads that can be used separately or together. Once you’ve chosen the showerhead to meet your needs, use a wrench to loosen the current showerhead, remove and attach the new showerhead. Time: less than 30 minutes
All about the accessories One of the easiest ways to add a decorative touch and functionality to the bath is with accessories, such as towel bars, towel rings, robe hooks, tank levers, shelves, soap and toothbrush holders and even curved shower rods. Luckily accessories are simple to install and there are many lines available to perfectly match or complement your new faucet style and finish.
The key to proper stallation of accessories is ensuring a secure grip to the wall. This is achieved by attaching the accessory’s mounting plate with at least one mounting screw into a stud - and support the other by using a hollow-wall fastener, such as a molly bolt. Once you have the mounting plates in place, simply attach the accessory and tighten the set screws. Time: one and a half to two hours (depending on number of accessories installed) While you may not currently feel like you’re a handyman or ma’am - these four fast, fabulous fixes really are simple enough for a novice. And, by doing it yourself, not only will you save time and money, but you will also gain a sense of pride that will encourage you to accomplish other projects around your home.
thehomelifemag.com | 27
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Healthy life strategies for you and your family
Life
my
CALLING ALL MOMS:
5 Steps To Eliminating Morning Madness
Every mom knows that the only thing to expect in the morning is the unexpected. Between finding time for a shower, getting the kids’ teeth brushed and keeping the dog from drinking out of the toilet, morning madness begins in the bathroom for many busy moms. thehomelifemag.com | 29
LIFE | morning madness
1 | Prepare in advance Make the extra effort to prepare lunches the night before for the kids to grab on their way out the door to school. You can also use the time to start prepping something easy for breakfast, like pancake or muffin batter. 2 | Turn morning hassles into nighttime fun Picking out outfits is another night-before activity that can cut down on chaos in the morning. Try making it into a ritual after homework and before bed. If your kids are budding fashionistas, let them help choose what you’ll wear, too.
30 | thehomelifemag.com
3 | Choose cleaning solutions that work overtime Avoid looking around your house and adding cleaning to your worries by finding products that work harder for you. For example, new Scrubbing Bubbles Extend-AClean Power Sprayer has active cleaners that keep your bathroom surfaces clean for days. So, there’s one less thing on your to-do list for the day.
4 | De-clutter as you go Don’t let a mess pile up in the kitchen sink after every meal. Be proactive leave the dishwasher open and empty, directing everyone to put their dishes in when they’re done eating. 5 | Teamwork, teamwork, teamwork Team up with your family members to make sure that everyone has what they need as they go out the door, from completed homework and lunch bags to gym clothes and cell phones.
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AMBER MARTENS HOME CLEANING AND ORGANIZING PHONE: 661.864.8590
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LIFE | growing organic
ORGANICALLY SPEAKING As home gardening continues to rise in popularity, we provide a few tips for keeping it truly organic.
T
he trend for gardening at home continues to grow - and people are taking a particular interest in raising their flowers and vegetables organically. With such prominent figures as Michelle Obama taking public initiatives in organic gardening, more and more products that cater to the trend are appearing. Unfortunately, the increased interest in
32 | thehomelifemag.com
organic gardening has led to some confusion - and some deception - about what it means for a product to be “organic.” The labeling of products has become a minefield for consumers who are interested in eco-friendly agriculture. It can be difficult to know exactly what is meant by products labeled “natural,” “plant-based” or “organic.”
GOOD TO KNOW
Official organic labeling comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Their seal comes in a few forms, denoting whether a product is “100 percent organic,” “organic,” or “made with organic” ingredients. Unfortunately, anecdotal evidence suggests this multi-tiered labeling system is also contributing to consumer confusion. For example, for a product to be labeled 100 percent organic, everything in it must be certified organic. If it says just “organic,” that means that it must contain 95 percent certified organic ingredients. If a product contains 70 percent organic ingredients, it can be labeled as being “made with organic [ingredients].” Any product with less than 70 percent organic ingredients cannot carry the USDA seal. Another thing to keep in mind is that a product labeled “natural” is not organic. While there might be some naturally occurring ingredients in the product, it doesn’t mean that it’s safe or earth-friendly - not to mention organic. Perhaps in an effort to simplify the consumer’s “organic” label options, the USDA also directs consumers to other organizations that can help them determine whether or not the products they’re buying are 100 percent organic. One of those, the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) is a non-profit, independent organization that gives reviews of products and how they stand up to the National Organic Standards from the USDA. For concerned consumers, they provide a comprehensive list (available online) of products that pass the test. “OMRI’s list is an invaluable tool for gardeners who want to keep their plots organic,” says Claude
Would you rather buy organic than grow it? Check out those pesky stickers on your fruits and veggies to tell whether its been sprayed with pesticides, genetically modified, or organically grown. Here’s how: A 4 digit number means it was grown conventionally and was sprayed with pesticides. Five digits that starts with 8 means it was genetically modified Organic produce gets a five digit number that starts with 9; you can be sure this produce wasn’t treated with chemicals.
thehomelifemag.com | 33
Boisvert, president of Tree World Plant Care Products. “It makes it easier than ever to find gardening supplements that are not harmful to the environment.” One of the biggest challenges to organic gardening is keeping pests away in a way that is humane and safe. For smaller pests, it is increasingly easy to find organic insecticidal soaps that are safe unlike some traditional pesticides. Larger garden plant browsers can really wreak havoc unless you use a rabbit or deer repellent. An OMRI listed solution, developed in eco-conscious Sweden and now made in the United States, is Plantskydd. Its effectiveness and environ-
mental soundness as an organic repellent have made it popular for farming and among gardeners, professional landscapers, nurseries, foresters and state conservation agencies. It’s important to remember that you have the power to influence the products that are available to you. If keeping your organic garden truly organic is important to you, discuss your concerns with local retailers. By asking them to stock products that have been subject to rigorous standards, like those of OMRI, you’ll make it easier for everyone in your community to have access to verified organic materials.
PLOT TWIST
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One of the most important tools an avid gardener can have is a durable pair of gloves. $28
Label Conscious These blackboard labels help you easily keep track of the plants in your garden. $14
Frog Bowling
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