Top 10 Most Common Household Dangers to Pets

Pets of any age can be nosy, often getting into household items. However, puppies and kittens generally get into these mischievous situations most frequently, as they are young and prone to explore. Because pets often investigate the unknown by tasting or smelling, they may be putting themselves at risk, especially if they are licking or sniffing toxic products.

Unfortunately, your home contains many items that are detrimental to your furry friend’s health. To ensure your pet stays safe, you must first identify these harmful products. Here are the top 10 household dangers that could make your pet sick.

1. Over-the-Counter Medications

Over-the-counter, human-grade drugs are safe for human consumption only. Some people believe these products are safe for pets, but many are extremely dangerous. If your pet ingests anti-inflammatories, cold medicine, or vitamins, it may suffer from any of the following: diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, reduced appetite, increased urination, stomach ulcers, or kidney failure.

Additionally, most people store over-the-counter medications in purses or tote bags, as they often need them on the go. To ensure your pet can’t get into these toxins, you should be vigilant about where you put your bag when you get home. For example, instead of tossing it on the couch, you could hang it in a closet.

2. Prescription Drugs

To ensure you remember to take your prescription medications, you might store them in a weekly pill organizer and set them on your nightstand. While this scenario may work well for you, it could be hazardous for your pet. If your furry friend can jump, it can grab your pills and ingest them before you even know they’re missing.

Make sure you keep all medications in a drawer, cupboard, or medicine cabinet. If you’re afraid you’ll forget to take your prescription drug, try setting an alarm or leaving yourself a reminder note.

3. Household Cleaners

While pet-friendly cleaning products are relatively safe, other cleaning items can be detrimental to your pet’s health if you’re not careful when using them. Even if your pet doesn’t lick up a cleaning product, it may get remnants on its paws and ingest the product when cleaning itself. Therefore, it is best to put your pet in another room while mopping the floor, scrubbing a rug, or using any other harsh cleaner.

Instead of storing bleach, toilet bowl cleaner, and detergent in low cabinets, you should keep them in higher locations. Your four-legged friend (especially a dog) may pull one out and chew on the container, ultimately causing it to break. Ingestion symptoms range from drooling and vomiting to difficulty breathing and death. Prevention is the best solution to keep your pet safe.

4. Laundry Detergent Pods

Unfortunately, laundry detergent pods look appetizing to pets. If your pet bites a hole in the pod but you intervene directly, your furry friend should be fine. Simply flush its oral cavity and wash the soap off its fur.

If the chemical goes into your pet’s eye, the matter becomes more serious, as it can burn your pet’s cornea and cause an eye infection. You must flush its eye out with clean water and contact your vet immediately.

Lastly, if your pet eats the entire pod, you should seek help directly, as there is no cure. Your vet will treat the symptoms and keep your pet safe and comfortable with IV fluids and respiratory care while this toxicity passes out of its system.

5. Xylitol

Many human products contain xylitol, a sugar substitute. These include sugar-free gum, breath mints, and some baked goods. Although xylitol doesn’t seem to have the same dangerous effects on cats as it does on dogs, it’s good practice to keep it away from all pets.

When a dog ingests something that contains xylitol, the xylitol gets absorbed into its bloodstream quickly, rapidly releasing insulin. This process results in low blood sugar. A dog suffering from xylitol poisoning may become weak, have seizures, or stagger around. Depending on how much xylitol a dog has consumed, it can even become comatose in as little as 15 minutes.

6. Plants

Image URL: https://unsplash.com/photos/8ZELrodSvTc

Before buying plants for your home or yard, make sure you do your research, as many are toxic to cats and dogs. For instance, some lilies cause tremors or gastrointestinal issues. Sago palm and oleander are a little more dangerous, as they can trigger heart or liver failure in cats and dogs.

7. Chocolate

It turns out that chocolate isn’t only enticing to humans. Pets, especially dogs, also like it! Chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical similar to caffeine, as well as caffeine, both of which are toxic to dogs. While ingestion is rarely fatal, it can cause indigestion, vomiting, diarrhea, and a fast heart rate. More severe cases may result in heart failure or seizures.

8. Garden and Grass Treatment

Be careful when using products on your lawn, especially if your pet goes outside. Fertilizers and herbicides contain hazardous compounds that, when ingested, can cause mouth burns and gastrointestinal ailments.

Make sure you follow each product's guidelines and keep your pet off the lawn for the recommended amount of time. Consider putting up a dog barrier fence to keep your pet away from the affected area.

9. Electrical Wires

Unfortunately, wires resemble toys. So when your pet sees a cord, it may be tempted to play with it or chew on it, potentially leading to a dangerous outcome. Pets who get shocked may suffer from oral burns, a fast heart rate, muscle tremors, shortness of breath, or seizures.

The best course of action is to keep cables out of a pet’s reach. However, if you cannot move a cord, try to hide it behind furniture or block your pet’s ability to get to it. You can also try a deterrent spray, as it will make the cable much less appealing.

10. Coins

Finding loose change between the couch cushions or your pockets isn’t unusual. However, if you have a pet, you may want to gather this change and put it in a piggy bank, as some coins contain zinc, which is toxic to dogs, cats, and birds, and it can be lethal when ingested in large quantities. Zinc poisoning may cause a lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, liver damage, heart failure, or severe anemia. Additionally, loose coins present a choking hazard.

As a pet parent, it’s your responsibility to ensure your home is safe for your fur baby by putting everything away that’s hazardous to your pet’s health. Knowing your four-legged friend is always protected will give you peace of mind and allow your pet to have a long, healthy life.

Our Best Mess-Free Design Tips for Homes With Kids

Toys all over the floor, stains on your couch and a refrigerator covered in artwork — ah, the signs of a home with kids. You love your children, but you probably don’t enjoy the mess.

 Parents know decorating your home can be a challenge. You need a kid-friendly design that cleans up easily and will last for years to come, but you don’t want to sacrifice on style.

Luckily, you don’t have to. We’ve gathered some tried-and-true tips other parents have used to create design-savvy spaces that will make keeping a clean home a reality.

1.   Create Storage Everywhere

The most significant change you can make to clear the clutter in your house is to create as much storage as you can. Built-ins look beautiful, hold lots of stuff and can boost your home’s value.

 You could use functional and beautiful furniture if you don’t have the space or money to add permanent storage fixtures. Console tables are a great decor piece — add baskets underneath to round up kids’ toys when not in use.

 Ottomans are an untapped resource for storage. Get a large round one with a hidden lid, so no one needs to know you tossed the changing pad, some crayons and your daughter’s Cheerios in there when the doorbell rang.

2.   Be Willing to Spend on Quality Furniture

Many moms fall into the trap of buying budget furniture because they figure it will get broken anyway, so why bother spending extra money?

 However, it’s cheap for a reason — manufacturers cut corners on quality, meaning you’ll likely need to replace it multiple times or live with shoddy-looking items. This is especially risky if the pieces are easily damaged by everyday use.

 Instead, invest in quality furniture that’s made to last and designed to stand up to spills, daily wear and accidents. You can always protect vulnerable materials with furniture covers, inexpensive throw blankets and regular cleaning.

You deserve to have a home that looks beautiful right now — you don’t need to wait until your kids are grown and out of the house.

1.   Choose Pre-Loved Pieces

Of course, quality doesn’t always mean new and pricey. Raising a family is expensive, after all! Buy secondhand if you don’t want to or can’t splurge on new pieces of furniture. Thrift shops, Facebook marketplaces and estate sales are great ways to find hidden gems that can last decades.

 The great thing about buying preowned items is they’ve already proven to be durable, and any new scratches or dings will blend in with the rest. This type of piece tells a story and is an aesthetic of its own.

2.   Be Picky About Carpets and Rugs

Carpets can make or break a home when it comes to looking clean. Nylon or frieze rugs wear well over time and come clean quite easily. You’ll want to choose an earthy tone or gray, which will hide dirt the best.

 Area rugs are even more family-friendly than carpeting since they’re easier to launder or replace. You can’t go wrong with a wool rug, which naturally repels moisture, or you could choose other natural materials like seagrass or jute.

 Another option for high-traffic areas like your entryway is an outdoor rug, which is made to get wet and muddy and wipes up easily.

3.   Get a Sofa With Attached Cushions

Building blanket forts is a great way to make memories, but those imaginary clubhouses may be diminishing the life of your couch. Cushions aren’t meant to be removed and used as a play toy. Even high-quality ones aren’t built to withstand that type of wear and tear.
Some parents avoid this situation by looking for a couch with attached cushions. That way, they won’t be an option during your little architect’s next project.

 Of course, there are other workarounds, too. If you find a model you like, couches with removable and washable seat covers can be the real holy grail — you won’t be doomed to a lasting stain if you can quickly throw the cushion cover in the wash.

4.   Establish Kid Zones

Your grandmother’s design advice may have involved having a room full of precious things children weren’t allowed to touch, but let’s be honest, nobody ever used those rooms anyway. Instead of focusing on off-limits spaces, take the opposite approach — create kid-friendly zones that invite children to be children.

These are locations specially designed with your little ones in mind, where the function of the area is for them. It might be a dedicated playroom or a simple craft table in your kitchen.

 Wherever it is and whatever it looks like, the important part is its function is just for kids. It gives them a place to put their things and try out activities where you won’t have to worry about your most delicate treasures getting in the way. Plus, they’re more likely to take better care of their space because they feel ownership.

5.   Frame Kids’ Artwork

A cluttered fridge seems to be an unspoken mark of parenthood. However, you can show your kids how proud you are of their work without compromising your kitchen’s aesthetic.

 Give each child one frame where they can display their latest work or a favorite piece. You could even create a whole gallery wall if you have the space.

Shift Your Mindset For a Kid-Friendly Home

The most important thing you can do is change your way of thinking when creating a beautiful home for your family. Keep these two things in mind:

 Furniture and decor are replaceable — your family isn’t.

1. Messes happen, no matter how hard you work to prevent them.

 These mess-free design tips will help you create spaces you love without sacrificing your kids’ needs. However, even if you incorporate every item on this list, you’ll still end up with messes from time to time. You’ll just have to learn to see the memories made when looking at damaged furniture or an untidy house.

Author

 Evelyn Long is a Baltimore-based writer and the editor-in-chief of Renovated. She publishes home decor advice and product roundups for readers in spaces both big and small.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas for Home Decor Enthusiasts

Mother's Day is the perfect time to celebrate and show your appreciation for everything your mom has done for you. Maybe it was all the fun birthday parties she threw, the late-night snuggles or impromptu girls-only shopping sprees. While we can and should celebrate our mothers year-round, this one day is devoted especially to them.

 According to the Society of American Florists, about 26% of flower sales occur on Mother's Day annually, making it the third-ranking holiday to buy blooms. Flowers are always thoughtful and well-received. However, you may want to complement your mom's home with some new decor this year.

 You know your mom's style and decorative tastes best, so consider one of these excellent gift ideas.

1.   Gifts for Entertaining

Moms are masterful entertainers, always going out of their way to make friends, family and neighbors feel welcome and comfortable. Since May marks the start of warmer weather, perhaps new cushions for her outdoor patio set are in the cards.

 Of course, you wouldn't want to forget the essentials for outdoor entertainment — food and drinks. Purchase some colored glassware or a unique, wood-crafted charcuterie board for your mom to arrange her delectable creations.

 Does she enjoy baking? Maybe purchase a pretty cake or cupcake stand, tea set or serving dishes for her next backyard party.

Colorful Outdoor Shatterproof Wine Glasses

2.   DIY Gifts

Remember when you were in elementary school and used to make your mom handmade Mother's Day cards? Give her the ultimate throwback with a DIY present this year.

 Decoupage a tray with a photo collage of her favorite people. You might also decide to work with an artist to create a poster of her family tree or have a heritage recipe printed on a dishtowel.

Personalize flowerpots by painting them in her favorite color or pattern and write home-related or maternal quotes on the side. She'll love using them for indoor plants where everyone will stop to look.

 You could also refurbish an old piece of furniture that she loves and give it a fresh stain or coat of paint. Add a beautiful pattern or colorful drawer liner to really make the piece sparkle.

Personalize Flower Pots

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Personalize Flower Pots 〰️

3.   Artwork Gifts

Artwork is always a nice gift for Mother's Day. Does your mom have a favorite local artist? If so, see if you can commission a unique piece for her.

 Otherwise, does she have a living room bookcase you can spruce up with unique novelty items or pictures? Is there a particular wall you think a beautiful canvas or photo collage would fit perfectly?

 Maybe an artistic mirror or metal art piece would look great in the foyer when people first walk in. Buying artwork for Mother's Day will give her something to show off to friends.

4.   Gifts for the at-Home Chef

Many people think back on their childhood and remember a dish only their moms could perfect. This Mother's Day, give your mom a meaningful gift that won't become clutter later on.

 Has your mom often been referred to as an at-home gourmet chef? If she enjoys spending time in the kitchen, consider the following gift ideas:

●        Sharpened knife set

●        New blender

●        Bread maker

●        Espresso maker

●        Recipe book stand

●        Variety of cookbooks

●        Stone cookware, such as Le Creuset

●        Countertop garden to grow her own herbs in the kitchen

 Whatever kitchen gift you decide to give her, she's bound to love using it to whip up her favorite recipes.

Williams Sonoma Home

5.   Bathroom Gifts

According to the 2021 U.S. Houzz and Home Study report, guest and master suite bathrooms accounted for 24% and 20% of home projects, respectively. Whether you gift your mom with a brand new bathroom renovation or deliver a whole new look with decorative items, you can help create a breathtaking spa-like atmosphere for your mom to relax in.

 Consider a new towel set, throw rugs or bathroom accessories for her vanity countertops. Better yet, maybe she needs a new chair to sit on while getting ready in the morning.

 Does your mom enjoy baths? Nothing says "retreat" more than a gift set with bubble bath soap, a caddy, a spa candle and an exfoliating dry brush.

6.   Gifts for the Gardener

Let's not forget about the outdoors. Many moms have a green thumb, so why not purchase a gift for her to decorate her garden with? There are many options to choose from, including:

●        Hummingbird feeder

●        Modern planters

●        Outdoor fire pit

●        Garden kneeler and seat

●        Colorful wind spinner

●        Storage caddy with wheels to transport her gardening tools 

●        Personalized garden stones

 Your mom will appreciate sitting back to watch the hummingbirds, getting warm next to a fire during cooler evenings or admiring her colorful new spinner.

Garden Set Sold By Amazon

More Tips for Mother’s Day Gift Shopping

Mother’s Day calls for personalization, so we hope the ideas we shared have helped you think through options for your decor-loving parent and come up with a creative, thoughtful gift. If you’re still stewing, consider the following tips for finding the right item, too.

 ●        Use online shopping best practices. You can find so many unique, fun home decor gifts online — but if a price seems too-good-to-be-true or you’re questioning an item’s quality, do your due diligence. Many online sellers are competing for your attention, but customer reviews, listed store policies and social media can all help you find a trustworthy seller.

Scope out your mom’s home. Haven’t visited your parent in a while? When looking for a home decor gift, it’s most helpful if you’re able to determine a) your mom’s current style and b) whether she already has the item you have in mind. Do●        Doing a little reconnaissance can make all the difference in picking a memorable gift.

●        For the mom who has everything, consider an experience instead. Home-decor loving parents can be inspired by more than material goods. If your mom is full-up on trinkets, consider online or in-person classes and experiences instead. Painting, candle-making and other crafting events are special gifts that let your loved one decorate their home with something truly treasured.

Home Decor Gifts Your Mom Will Love

Show your mom some extra love this Mother's Day with these special home decor gift ideas. Whether she's looking for something to add to the space or needs your help redecorating a room, there are many ways to spruce up your mom's home and turn it into something spectacular.

Author

 Evelyn Long is a Baltimore-based writer and the editor-in-chief of Renovated. She publishes home decor advice and product roundups for readers in spaces both big and small.

The Best Nursery Design Trends for 2022

One of the most enjoyable parts of your pregnancy is decorating the nursery. It’s like all those times you played house as a child, only on a grownup scale. What will you create?

 There are endless ideas, but what’s in style these days? Here are eight of the best nursery design trends for 2022.

1. The Theme’s the Thing

Some things never go out of style – like selecting a unifying theme for your baby’s room. Gender-neutral designs are currently on-trend for parents who want to break away from the classic pink or blue, which opens up some fun options. You can coordinate your nursery colors and decor with the rest of your home’s decor while adding a touch of whimsy. The choice is yours.

 Part of the reason gender-neutral themes are so appealing? You don’t need to wait for your 20-week scan to start planning your nursery space. For instance, it helps to decide before you register for your shower gifts. That way, you can request furnishings and decor that align with your vision and stay a little more organized with the decorating process.

 You can get detail-oriented, too – let your attendees know that your theme is aligned with a fun color scheme or literary inspiration. That way, even those guests who can only afford something small like a sippy cup and bib set can still unify your vision.

2. Rich, Colorful Hues

Peel & Stick Wallpaper: Etsy

2022 should be the year you bid adieu to lightweight pastels and bring on the bold hues. You don’t necessarily need to go with primary colors. Green is one of the most popular colors of the season, so think evergreen and deep forest moss.

 You don’t have to do your baby’s entire nursery in a striking shade, however. It can feel overwhelming in a space meant for sleeping and cuddles. Plus, too much of a darker color can make the space look smaller, and you might already have situated your wee one in the tiniest room of the house.

 Instead, consider creating an accent wall that you can use to create a mural or hang beloved photographs. Another idea? Get geometric with your accents. A wall of green-and-white squares or mismatched triangles can make a stunning focal point, and you don’t need much artistic talent. The trick? Use painter’s tape to create straight lines.

3. Think Vintage

If you’ve checked the prices of things lately, you noticed that it’s more expensive to get the necessities than ever. However, you don’t have to buy new to rock the latest nursery design trend. Since old is new again, think vintage and take full advantage of all those offered hand-me-downs.

 Of course, you want to make sure your crib and changing station meet modern safety standards — a Victorian crib isn’t going to cut it. But rocking chairs, bookcases and other furnishings with vintage touches can be an excellent way to add character to your nursery.

 You can also save considerable cash by antiquing and visiting yard sales. Your best bet at getting a killer deal is to learn to haggle. It might feel uncomfortable asking, “Is that your best offer?” at first, but you’ll soon overcome your fear the first time you score a vintage dresser for less than the sticker price.

4. Soft, Textured Fabrics

Blanket: Mark & Graham

Mindfulness is all the rage, and part of it entails tuning in to your senses. When you feed and bond with your baby, surround yourself with sumptuous, soft fabrics that swaddle you and your infant.

 Look for blankets and throws lined with soft fleece to keep you both toasty during 3 a.m. feedings without making you adjust your thermostat. Natural, breathable fabrics like bamboo are ideal for summer months, as they release warmth and don’t get too stuffy from your body heat.

5. Creative Lighting

You need to see your baby – especially if you’re using cloth diapers with pins. However, a glaring overhead fluorescent or bright white incandescent can leave you with a headache. Worse, it can keep your infant from the restful night’s sleep you so desperately desire.

 Instead, direct lighting where you need it. Overhead track lighting looks better than a bare hanging bulb and shines illumination right where you need it most – like the changing table. You can also use floor and table lamps with gentle amber-tinted bulbs to prevent the light from further interrupting your sleep cycle when you get up to feed.

6. Bringing the Outdoors In

Nature has the power to heal adults. It can provide similar benefits for your baby. Bring as many houseplants as you care for into your nursery. When winter weather or new responsibilities keep you indoors, bring some nature inside with you.

 Why? There are two reasons. One, plants help clean your indoor air, allowing you and your baby to breathe more comfortably. For some people, they also have a calming effect, particularly if you feel a little stir-crazy in those first few months at home with your baby.

7. Going Wild

West Elm Kids

Speaking of nature, one popular nursery design trend is going a bit wild. Animals and nature are fun themes that appeal to children, open up creative design options, and help your growing collection of stuffed animals feel right at home. What’s not to love?

 There are a few directions to go from there. Rainforests are a colorful inspiration for any nursery. Why not paint a rainforest mural on your accent wall if you’re artistic? You can include colorful toucans and stately giraffes.

 Of course, if you’re interested in this theme, make it personal. If you have a favorite animal, unite your theme around it. A nursery full of lively monkeys or cuddly bears can appeal to your inner child while also providing a sweet, fun environment for your baby to grow up in.

Nursery Design Trends for 2022

One of the most exciting aspects of new parenthood is decorating the nursery. Here’s your chance to let your creativity shine! Of course, you want to remain in fashion – so try out one of these eight nursery design trends for 2022.

Author

Evelyn Long is a Baltimore-based writer and the editor-in-chief of Renovated. She publishes home decor advice and product roundups for readers in spaces both big and small

Bring Nature Inside Your Home with an Indoor Plant Wall

Whether you live in an area surrounded by nature or you’re in the midst of a major city, it’s important to connect with nature as much as possible to boost your mood and lower stress levels. Even if you don’t have access to a lush botanical landscape, you can still enjoy everything nature has to offer in your own home. An indoor plant wall gives you the opportunity to connect with the natural world without ever having to set foot outside the home. This fun project will not only add beauty to your space, but will also cultivate a love and appreciation for caring for plants, and for the environment.

Why we should connect to nature

It’s not just important to connect to nature because we live in it. Spending time in nature has a positive impact on our mental and physical health. Here are some reasons why it’s so vital to stay connected with the outside world

Better health. Nature has positive impacts on health in many different ways. Connecting to the natural world can actually have healing effects on the mind, body, and spirit. When you spend time in a natural environment, it may lower your blood pressure and heart rate, creating a calming effect on both the body and the mind. Going outdoors promotes healthy exercise, which can increase muscle mass and lower body weight over time. It may also help to boost your immune system by providing your body with a natural source of vitamin D.

Greater spirituality. In addition to the physical benefits, connecting to nature also promotes spiritual enhancement. Just taking a walk amongst plants and animals can remind you how we all play a vital role in the world, and how we connect together as one. When you’re outdoors, take a moment to soak in the sights, smells, and sounds of nature. This is a wonderful way to appreciate nature’s many meditative properties and give yourself a spiritual cleanse. You’ll also gain a new appreciation for the world and all that it has to offer.

Higher sense of wellbeing. Spending just a few minutes each day outdoors or around nature can help you “reset,” giving you a fresh and new sense of optimism to take on your day. Taking in the environment around you will improve your psychological well-being and help you to de-stress. Studies have shown that connecting with nature can help with conditions like depression and improve cognition. You’ll start to develop a positive outlook and feel calmer as you make and strengthen your connection to nature.

The Human-Nature Connection Relationship


In many ways, the modern world has altered the human-nature connection. However, by developing a deep appreciation for nature, humans can restore the respect that the environment deserves. By fostering a healthy relationship with nature, you’ll also develop a better understanding of how plants and animals live, and how they depend on humans to protect their safety and well-being. From humans’ evolutionary biology and psychology to the economy, everything is directly connected to the natural world. Developing a strong bond with nature will give you an opportunity to appreciate just how deeply everything is connected together.

Benefits of a living wall

Ornamental plant decoration for vertical garden

There are many benefits to designing a living wall or vertical garden in your home

• Living walls can make you happier. When you see greenery or flowers inside your home, it will instantly boost serotonin levels, making you feel happier within just a few minutes.

• Plants absorb carbon dioxide, which can help to clean and purify the air inside your home. Add a lush green wall indoors and you’ll get better air quality and cleaner, safer indoor air.

• A plant wall can reduce the temperature in your home, creating a cooler climate that may even lower your energy bill. Since plants absorb sunlight, it can make the room feel cooler while reducing the need for your air conditioner to run constantly.

• Place your living wall where you need a little more peace and quiet. Your houseplants can absorb the noise, giving you a much quieter, calmer place to relax.

• Just looking at your plants can reduce stress. Fill your plant wall with your favorites so you’ll feel calm and happy every single day.

• Since plants have a positive psychological impact, they can also boost your productivity. Add a living wall to your home office and watch your productivity levels increase.

• A lush plant wall adds value to your home. Consider adding one to the inside and outside to improve curb appeal, reduce energy costs, and make your home more visually appealing.

How to create a green wall

Here are the steps needed to create your very own living plant wall at home.

Plant selection. Start by choosing a variety of plants for your living wall. The type of plants you choose may vary depending on your local climate, how much sunlight they’ll get, and how difficult they are to care for. Research a variety of indoor plants to help you find the right ones for your indoor vertical garden. You may go through some trial and error until you find the right combination of plants for you.

Location. Choosing the right location for your green wall is key to a healthy and lush indoor vertical garden. Place your living wall in a part of the home that will get ample natural light. If your home doesn’t have a lot of sunlight, you may need to supplement with grow lights to keep your plants happy and healthy.

Maintenance. Make sure you understand how to care for all of the plants in your green wall. Ideally, they should all have the same or similar amount of sunlight and watering requirements. If the plant’s needs vary too much, some plants may not be healthy, while others will thrive based on how much light they get and other factors. Look into the care of your plants to make sure that the living wall is something you can easily maintain.

Display options. Think about how you want to display your living wall, whether it’s a tall shelf with a lot of pots or a sturdy tall frame that holds several containers of dirt. Some green walls become permanent fixtures, while others can be moved around as needed. Explore a few options before you decide which one will work for you so that it’s easy to care for and cultivate your plants while adding an attractive aesthetic to the room.

Lighting. Some plants require full sun, while others only need partial or dappled sunlight. Check where the light comes into your home, and place the green wall in a part of the room that will get enough of it throughout the day. Low-light plants (like pothos or snake plants) can thrive without a ton of sunlight, so these may be best if you live in an apartment or a place without a lot of windows.

Irrigation. Your plants need water to stay healthy, so make sure you have a good irrigation system in place. Self-watering planters can be helpful, but you may also need to soak your plants from time to time. Just be sure that your irrigation system won’t create a mess of water and soil all over your floors. A watering can make it easy to do some quick watering of the topsoil, while a small tube irrigation system can help you water all of the plants’ root systems at once.

These are pretty easy tasks you can do yourself and even make it a fun family activity, remember you can always choose the have the professional service of a handyman to help you install hanging shelves or lighting to build your perfect plant wall.

 Reasons to add a plant wall to your home

Whether you want to lower stress levels or just add a striking new feature to your decor, here are some important reasons to add a beautiful plant wall to your indoor space

Increase curb appeal. An outdoor plant wall is an attractive feature for buyers if you’re planning to sell your home. It can also create interest indoors by boosting your home’s resale value and curb appeal.

Break up a white wall. Beautiful greenery and colorful flowers add texture and visual interest to a bland and boring white wall. Use your green wall to enhance a living room or den so it helps to visually “break up” the space.

Create living art. Having a variety of plants is a wonderful way to create your very own living work of art. As the plants grow and change, your art will change to create a unique accent piece in your home.

Add a garden without losing floor space. Designing a vertical garden gives you the opportunity to enjoy gardening without taking up too much floor space. This can be especially beneficial if you live in a small home, condo, or apartment and want to reap the benefits of gardening without taking up too much precious room.

Create a space for calm. Your green wall will give you a peaceful vibe that promotes feelings of calm. Use your green wall to enjoy the benefits of plants and nature inside and make this part of your home a space for calmness, meditation, and reflection.

Add an accent wall A feature wall or accent wall can give any room a fun touch. Use your green wall to create a cool accent wall that’s sure to be a conversation starter whenever you have guests over.

Add life to your home Plants will add vibrancy and life to your home that standard wall art simply can’t replicate. If you live in a place where you can’t have pets, a living wall is a wonderful way to care for another living thing as you watch it flourish and grow.

 As you can see, building a plant wall has a wide range of benefits not just for your home, but also for your health and well-being. Plants clean the air, add beauty, and promote feelings of rest and calm in the home. With a living green wall, you can cultivate your connection with nature while enjoying a new and beneficial hobby that will enhance your life.

Guest Blog Post By: Rocio Espinoza with Porch | Find the Best Rated Local Home Improvement Professionals

Top Five Luxurious Ways to Decorate Your Home

Whether you’ve just recently moved in or you’ve called the same house a home for decades, occasionally a change of pace is needed to liven up a space, or more importantly, your own frame of mind. The environments in which we live and work have a profound effect on our mood, energy, and creativity. Adding intentional, luxurious decorative touches can help elevate and modernize your space and breathe new life into your home.

 Plus, there’s no need to plan a massive remodel—read on to discover our top 5 decorating tips to help create a luxurious interior aesthetic for your home.

1.  Pare Down

The first, most important way to make a space feel more luxurious is to pare down excess belongings. Interior rooms have a tendency to become cluttered and chaotic over time, especially in high-traffic areas of the home. Clearing away unnecessary items not only creates psychological space to breathe but also exposes the aesthetic potential of a room and the relative value and importance of the objects that you do keep. The first rule of luxury isn’t expensive at all—start with a clean slate by paring down and keeping only the best décor items that you already have.

2.  Rugs, Textiles & Textures

 Truly high-end residential interiors beg for the inclusion of luxurious rugs. Rugs can serve as a focal point for a room, defining its function and tying all the design elements together. Additionally, in the case of either antique or new Persian and Oriental rugs, they can also serve as an investment-worthy collectible. In addition to rugs, beautiful pillows, window treatments, and textiles can all bring compelling elements of pattern, texture, and comfort to a room. 

 Bedrooms, in particular, can be great places to add decorative interest through rugs and textiles. Fit your bed with luxury microfiber bed sheets for a subtle but impactful final touch. 

 1.  Color

One of the most immediate ways to provide a sophisticated update to an interior is by painting. But keep one caveat in mind: stick with neutral and near-neutral colors. This doesn’t mean that every wall in your home must be a shade of cream. Neutral colors are essentially muted shades that include an undertone of white, cream, beige, taupe, black, or brown. Furthermore, you can also opt for near-neutrals that add a primary color (red, green, and blue) to a pure neutral color. The end result can be quite unique and arresting. At the same time, both neutrals and near-neutrals will provide a luxurious canvas upon which to add more intense color interest by way of furniture, artwork, rugs, lamps, and textiles of all sorts. 

Most of the room’s color should come from items you place in the space rather than the walls themselves. That way, you can update the space more readily by swapping out artwork, lighting, fabrics, textiles, and personal effects to refresh the look of a room over time.

1.  Lighting

As all cinematographers know, a great filmmaker simultaneously sculpts and tells stories with light. Interior designers are also aware of this dynamic and can use these principles to the same effect. Use light to carve space and direct the attention of those who live in or merely visit your home through the artful use of general, task, and accent lighting. Interior lighting is also an ideal way to add luxurious decorative elements that also have a lot of utility and don’t add unnecessary clutter to your space.

 2.  Bring Nature In

In certain climates, bringing nature inside can mean the creation of hybrid inside/outside living spaces that can provide a spa-like feel to a home for much of the year.

 For those who aren’t lucky enough to live in a climate where the boundaries between inside and outside living spaces can be easily blurred, there are plenty of other options that simply place an emphasis on including botanical aesthetics into the design of a room.

You don’t need to create a year-round, majestic, interior courtyard to use plant life to stunning effect. Warm your space with climate-appropriate and well-kept trees and plants in your home. No green thumb? Opt for botanical prints or watercolors, or even bouquets of dried flowers. These small design touches can still bring an elevated yet minimalist appeal to any space.

In addition, there’s no need to stop with plants. Aquariums that feature exotic plant and fish life can stand alone or be integrated into walls, creating a visually dynamic and supremely relaxing effect to rival the best fireplace or woodstove.

For Design Inspirations & Ideas Go To Beasley & Henley.com!

A Complete Guide to Preparing Your Home for Your Wedding ~It's Wedding Season~

 While wedding venues are an extremely popular location to get married, many people are choosing to use their home for at least some of the festivities. Whether you decide to use your home for the wedding ceremony itself, as the reception location, or even simply as a place for out-of-town guests to stay, some preparation work is needed.

 Luckily, there are many low-cost ways you can prepare your home for your wedding day that take minimal planning and effort. Beasley & Henley Interior Design outlines a few below.

Don’t Forget Your Yard

  Even if you plan on having most of the events take place inside your home, decorating the outside of your house can really set the mood before guests even walk in the door. Country Living points out that outside decorations don’t have to be gigantic or cost lots of money. Just like inside your home, simple is usually better.

 You might want to look into building a trellis or pergola for the occasion. A well-constructed trellis and beautiful landscaping can make your special day even more unforgettable.

 Cleaning

 Before you can even think about putting up decorations, you need to clean your home. No matter how clean you usually keep your house, having wedding guests calls for some serious deep cleaning. Air vents should be vacuumed out, carpets should be cleaned, and curtains should be washed.

 Merry Maids notes that you should not forget to clean the inside of your cabinets and the top of your refrigerator. While these places are often overlooked, cleaning them is necessary to ensure a clean eating space for you and your guests. While completely cleaning your home might seem like a lot if your wedding day is fast approaching, it is possible to do it in as little as seven days. If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, look into hiring a cleaning service to take some of the responsibilities off of your shoulders.

 Also get busy decluttering. This entails not just discarding, storing or donating items you don’t use or need – it means dealing with all the paperwork and receipts that’s been piling up in drawers and on your desk. One way to do this is digitizing your documents and using Adobe Acrobat to combine PDFs into one file. This easy-to-use PDF merger tool helps you organize your files and group categories together, a real godsend when it comes to retrieving files later as needed.

Keep the Decorations Simple

 When it comes to inside your home, remember to keep your decorations simple. Large and elaborate decorations can take away valuable floor space and might look out of place against your laid-back furnishings. Plus, keeping decorations simple also means that you will not be able to spend very long decorating your home, which frees up valuable space for you to relax and get other things done.

 If you’re out of ideas, A Practical Wedding has a number of cheap decorating tips for weddings. On top of keeping your decorations simple, it is important to focus on lighting as well. Getting a few extra lights for the inside of your home can brighten the whole space up and make it look more inviting. There is no need to buy whole new floor lamps or anything of that sort, however. Well-placed tea lights and string lights can go a long way.

Check for Repairs

 If you have been putting off making those small repairs to your home, now is the time to do it. While that broken bathroom door knob might not seem like a big deal now, it can easily throw off your whole theme and cause difficulties for your guests.

 You should also make sure that all your appliances and furnishings are functioning at 100 percent. That wobbly table leg might just break under the pressure of a large wedding gathering, and your refrigerator might not be able to make as much ice as you think.

 Weddings can be stressful, so don’t allow the added responsibility of decorating your home cause you even more frustration. Keep things simple and don’t forget that the small things, such as lighting and cleaning, can really go a long way.

Have you visited Beasley & Henley Interior Design’s website? It’s a great way to be inspired by home and commercial designs!

5 Mother's Day Gifts From A Distance

The modern internet is incredible for all sorts of different reasons. And one is that it opens up all sorts of new avenues for gift-giving. When a holiday like Mother’s Day rolls around, and you want to do something special for the woman who’s done more for you than anyone else in this world, these avenues can offer much-needed convenience. Ideally, of course, we’d all be with our mothers on this special day to eat a meal together, give a gift or two, or simply enjoy some quality time. This isn’t always possible, however, and if you need to send a gift from a distance to show you’re thinking of your mom, we have some fun ideas that exist entirely online, such that you don’t even need to worry about the timing (for instance, being concerned about whether or not flowers will be delivered on time).

We hope one of these will be just right for your mother!

1. Masterclass

Masterclass is a budding phenomenon, and when you look at the range of classes the program now offers, you’ll see why it’s a perfect gift for mom (or really for just about anyone in your life!). If you’re unfamiliar with the idea, it’s basically an online video course in which an expert teaches his or her craft - say, Helen Mirren on acting, or Gordon Ramsay on cooking. A subscription costs $180/year, but you can also look into different options for gifting a specific course or two. Ultimately it’s a terrific gift that doesn’t require anything physical or shipping-related whatsoever, and it may just give your mother the lasting joy of a thorough course and a new skill or hobby to enjoy.

2. Journalism Subscriptions

This is not a single gift, as Masterclass is, but it’s still a good idea to keep in mind if you need a gift from a distance and your mom happens to be a current events or news junkie. It seems that now more than ever news is in part a form of entertainment, with some education mixed in, and there are all sorts of different outlets for enjoying it all. You know best what to get for mom, but a package of subscriptions you design on your own - say, six months each of the New Yorker, the Athletic, and the Washington Post, to cover several bases - can be a very thoughtful gift. And as with Masterclass it basically requires nothing but an online payment.

3. Audible

Audiobooks seem to be getting trendier and trendier, perhaps because people still love to read, but don’t have time to do it the old-fashioned way. Nowadays, many consume books while driving around town, or while out walking their dogs, for instance. There are actually various ways to give the gift of audiobooks, through Amazon, Audible, and other programs. Whatever the case, you can typically pay a subscription fee and give someone access to a given number of books over a given period of time, which can be a lovely Mother’s Day surprise.

4. Gaming Deposit

It’s a bit of an unfair stereotype that online gaming and casinos are designated primarily for men. But various statistics show women are plenty interested in the same activities, and if your mom is one of those interested women - or even if you think she might be - this is another clever gift you can give from a distance. A dizzying variety of sites exists online presenting all sorts of different casino-related arcade games, and while they can be played for free in some cases, you can also open an account and provide a deposit such that your mother has a base to start playing with. It may be slightly unorthodox, but you’re basically giving the gift of entertainment.

5. Design Pickle

Design Pickle is a fairly serious gift, as it’s a very pricey graphic design program. But it’s still a good model for an idea, and you can definitely find more affordable programs if your mother happens to be interested in digital art or graphic design. These programs tend to offer stripped down free options, but with a subscription they can provide an individual with all the tools needed to make gorgeous computer-based art, whether for personal use or even, potentially, business application. It’s another very thoughtful gift that requires minimal effort and will pay lasting dividends for anyone whose mother harbors artistic interests or would like to explore some creative pursuits.Hopefully, one of these ideas seems just right for your mother, and if not, we hope they at least got you thinking. Giving a gift from a distance on Mother’s Day requires a bit of additional thought, but these wholly digital ideas can make it easier and keep things interesting. That said, we’ll also add one more thing though: You should still send flowers! Guest Blogger-Lyn DavisFreelance writer  

Hottest Home Décor Trends! What Designers Are Excited About In 2019!

Hello 2019 you’ve finally made your appearance and we’re glad you are here. We are excited to see what you have in store for us in home décor this year. I’ve spent some time evaluating and exploring the design trends you will so graciously lay upon us. I’m ever so passionate about design and I cannot wait to tell everyone about the hottest trends in home décor for 2019. We are not going to replace all our family room furniture every year, but there are still ways we can work these trends into your abode. Your home is your sanctuary, and its décor should reflect your taste and style. I understand the importance of making a home feel fresh and by introducing only one or two of these trending pieces you can. Below are 5 noteworthy emerging trends I thought I would share with you today! Enjoy!Velvet Old Fashion? NO!! We are welcoming this trend with arms wide open in 2019 and I’m happy they are. There is nothing priggish or outdated about velvet! This tactile fabric has continued to pull at my creative design strings. Gaining a lot of attention this multi-dimensional fabric started to pique the interest of home décor enthusiasts last year. Velvet décor will be one of 2019’s most sought after trends. Simple and effective you can add a few velvet throw pillows doused in the colors of the moment. For a larger impact a velvet sofa can play the hero of the room making a real statement.  Canopy Beds Worth Dreaming About. We’ve seen a nice steady rise in the awakening of the canopy bed. Though they haven’t been in vogue in 20 plus years, they seem to be an attention getter of the bedroom. They instantly make a dramatic impact, whether they are traditionally styled or more modern. It’s important to consider the silhouette of the bed compared to the size of your room. A slim silhouette will work beautifully, leaning an enviable sense of elegance in a smaller room without overbearing the space.   Cocktails Anyone? If you enjoy mixing a specialty cocktail and entertaining, you’re going to be excited about this next trend. Nothing says mid-century glamour like a bar cart. While they can be quite glitzy, they’re actually available in a range of styles and finishes so there’s one to fit any décor type. Bar carts are an engaging essential that that can be really fun to accessorize with books, artwork, plants and of course liquor, citrus, mixers and fabulous glasses.All About The Curves. 2019 will be all about the curves and soft angles, giving sofas, arm chairs and tables a more fluid shape. The hard lines of the past are being traded in for soft curves. Crescent silhouettes and graceful curved corners will be taking over both furniture and accessories in the homes this year. Go ahead and get rid of the ridged lines and welcome soft corners, round edges and billowing lines.Reconnecting Our Home With Earth. Known for their many health benefits, houseplants reconnect our homes with the greater outdoors. I’m loving this trend for our tech-driven lives. For it allows us to branch out and become closer to nature while indoors.  .  

Tips On Selecting The Perfect Dining Room Chandelier

Good lighting gives your dining room a sense of interest, warmth, light, enhances color and enables great conversation. Adding the right light fixture can alter the mood in the most sophisticated way. Your chandelier can act as eye candy to the most discerning guest bringing a bit of fashion and merriment. A few key points in selecting the perfect light fixture to your dining room is to think of comfort and flexibility. You want the space to give you an opulent pleasure that compliments any meal relished. The dining room is a fantastic place to play with an unexpected chandelier design. If you are looking for a great conversation starter go ahead and be a little daring with your piece.One of the first things you should consider when selecting a fixture is the size. Choosing the wrong sized light fixture can seriously disrupt the design of the space. We recommend a happy medium between too small and too big. The chandelier should be harmonious with the scale of the space without overpowering it. Make sure the chandelier is one-half to three-quarters the width of your table. If you table is 40" wide and 60" long we recommend a 24" - 36" diameter  chandelier. For the right hanging height the bottom of the chandelier should be around 30" above the table. If your ceilings are taller than 8', than an additional 3" for every foot taller. This will ensure that you have the clearance to hang your chandelier, and that it won't either get lost in the room by being too small, or overwhelm the space.  Small dining tables are beautifully complemented by similarly delicate chandeliers. As a general rule avoid pairing round and square with rectangular fixtures. Rectangular tables can handle slightly wider fixtures as well.   The amount of light is very important. Consider the size of the room and how much natural light is coming in. When you walk into the room and gaze at the scintillating halo of unparalleled perfection, you want the chandelier to have the right amount of light. Keep in mind that lighting from a chandelier that beams directly onto a person from above is neither flattering or comfortable. Avoid high wattage bulbs and try adding shades to candelabra bulbs if you like. For most interiors, 2700K warm light LED bulbs should be sufficient. If you have a space with lots of crisp whites, blues and grays then consider 3000K.  A wall dimmer will also help you control the light and set a more flattering mood. Now the fun part begins!! It's time to start selecting your chandelier! Think about a light fixture that will complement the color palette and materials of the space. Because your chandelier should feel like an extension of the style of the particular room, think about the hues and materials that are in the room already. Do you lean towards a more neutral color palette, or are you a little more daring with colors. Are you comfortable mixing metals, which I am a big fan of? Do you want a crystal, metal or beaded chandelier? When it comes to style, are you a little more eclectic? You can choose to display a retro chandelier in a modern dining room if you are looking for a little more contrast and attention. Ultimately, be sure that the chandelier you pick is something you love and is a representative of your style while creating a beautiful balance in the space.Today's contemporary, modern and transitional styles offer an ever expanding array of fixture designs and here are a few of our favorites I would like to share with you.

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