Wow! My little three year old daughter would just love this. Right now she has a tunnel that collapses that she loves going through. She loves the idea of going under the table so this would make a great place for her to go in and play.
Unfortunately, I do not have the directions to make this – it is more an idea that I just wanted to pass along. If anyone has instructions or where this originally came from to give credit please let me know.
This wreath is so easy to make. Use a dry cleaners coat hanger and bend into a circle leaving the top part that goes over the rod as is. Untwist the area of neck. Push undried leaves through and fill the circle. Twist back together and you can now use the the part that goes over the rod as a hanger. It is suggested that a few light coats of polyurethane be added – this will keep the leaves from crumbling. To change up the look – cover with a thick coat of spray paint.
Valentines Day – red
Halloween – black
St. Patrick’s Day – green
Memorial Day/Fourth Of July – red, white, blue
Easter – pink, white, light blue, light green
Top your design with a coordinating bow tied to the top of your wreath!
These are so much fun to make with the little one. All you need is a few markers, construction paper, glue, ‘eyes’, and scissors. These are all just basically different hearts cut from construction paper and decorated. Your child will love helping you and the end designs can be hung on a wall or given to family or friends for Valentines Day.
Start with the bodies – use a pencil and lightly draw it. Keep adding the pieces using the designs above and don’t forget to embellish.
Let’s face it, there are few things in life that can beat a refreshing morning swim, cooling off on a scorching summer’s day or a wild weekend pool party with friends and family. However, swimming pools have come a long way from simple holes in the ground. So much so, that nowadays swimming pool fads change every year. Still, some of them stick and can last for decades. If you’re considering starting 2017 with a splash, then allow one of these trendy swimming pool designs to inspire your choice.
Natural Pools
Chlorine and other chemicals associated with pools have a damaging effect on the environment. Luckily, 2016 has seen natural pools enter the market, which is set to become this year’s biggest trend. Instead of chemicals, natural pools use an ecosystem of aquatic plants to help clean the water, making them as eco-friendly and green as it gets. Best of all, they can take any shape and size, and with less maintenance costs they are cheaper than any traditional pool available.
Infinity Edge Pools
If you are looking to splash around with style and make a statement, you should consider a swimming pool with an infinity edge. Usually found in luxury resorts, vanishing edge or negative edge pools, as they are also known, are now available for private use, as well. Still, an infinity edge remains an expensive setup, and is really ineffective unless you have a view worth exploiting. However, if you meet the criteria, you simply can’t beat this swimming pool design with any other alternative.
Spools
Spools might have entered the arena last year, but now they are becoming cheaper to install and maintain. Essentially, spools combine all the benefits of a swimming pool with the relaxing features of a spa hot tub. Their biggest draw is their compact size, which is ideal for smaller gardens and yards. Spools might not be a swimmers dream, but they are ideal for a mom and dad looking to play with their kids, or a romantic ending to a date.
Plunge Pools
Typically used as a refreshing end to a sauna, the latest plunge pool designs are now deeper and better than ever before. These deep swimming pools can generally take any shape or size, making them ideal for backyards. The only issue might be how deep you are willing to make your plunge pool, as that is mostly determined by the underground soil and pipes. Still, if you’re fond of diving, you can increase the basic depth of your plunge pool by extending its edge above ground level.
Beach Entry Pools
In case you want to have a beach side experience every day of the week, without traveling to distant tropical destinations, consider a beach entry swimming pool. The zero depth entry is especially great for families with small children, yet to learn how to swim. The shallow entry point allows for a smooth transition into the deeper area of the pool, and can even be lined with sand or pebbles, ideal for relaxing after a swim.
Baja Shelves
Another innovation in pool design which is going to hit boiling point in swimming pool design this year are the Baja shelves. Also known as tanning ledges, Baja shelves allows you to soak up the sun without getting fully submerged in the water, with the help of the built-in sunbeds. It also separates the pool into two halves – a deep end, and a shallow area, making it both trendy and stylish, but also family-friendly.
These are just some of the hottest pool design trends for 2017, but the list goes on and on. Keep in mind, there have never been so many options to choose from than right now. Make you choice, and enjoy a year-long pool party right from the comfort of your own backyard.
Bringing the nature indoors has been a centuries’ long desire for so many people. They strived to inject calmness and serenity into their living spaces, and achieve that homey, welcoming feel. Moreover, the growing environmental awareness and dire environmental problems have nurtured a fertile ground for a natural approach to take hold. A modern natural-born style summons sheer beauty, it echoes the comforting vibe of the natural world, but also adapts to fit the interior landscape.
Image source: hometone.com
The real deal
Mother Nature is not easy to emulate and duplicate. It is best to not even try; and embrace natural materials that are the bedrock of an organic style. Wood, stone, and metal infuse the living environment with texture and more depth, which is to say that one has to let them take central stage. This is a distinctive type of glamour, which is bling- and glitter-intolerant. It encourages you to expose rather than conceal the flawed, pristine beauty of materials like wood.
While digital information flies across great distances, interiors are undergoing a Stone Age revolution. Namely, materials like marble are gaining traction as they bring texture, tone, and subtle patterns. Some homeowners have rugged, natural rock walls, but even if you are devoid of such resource, you can make the magic happen. After all, granite can be utilized for countertops and backsplashes in the kitchen.
Image source: hometipsworld.com
Plant the organic seeds
I have also seen extraordinary examples of roof beams and railroad ties being used in décor. A reclaimed pair of oak beams can provide material for shelving, while dark mahogany brings a unique flavor to the living room. Those who possess a burning stove or open fire are blessed with a fiery focal point, and a good excuse to store firewood in a decorative fashion.
Wood has a place all around us, but nowhere is it so obvious than in a farmhouse kitchen style, which is deeply rooted in organic charm. The traditional farm life is brimming with modesty, but it also features amazing solutions like rustic wood floors. In any event, choose materials and solutions that resonate with your sense of style and allow you to personalize the space.
Image source: pinterest.com
Driftwood, for example, can be dried out and whitewashed in order to create unusual centerpieces. Likewise, one may employ window coverings like plantation shutters that act not only as light controllers, but also sound buffers and privacy wardens.Get into the art of recycling and upcycling, which suits the organic theme perfectly: Countertops can be made from scaffolding planks and wine crates used to assemble DIY wall storage.
Furthermore, do not neglect flowers and plants: They are an inexpensive and stylish way to refresh your interior design and enjoy the bits of rejuvenating nature inside. Note that you can amplify the effect by matching the color of the blooms with décor and design elements. And if you do not want to put your green fingers to use, opt for botanical-print fabrics and wallpapers.
Image source: pinterest.com
Visual symphony
Always be inventive and think outside the box. A wooden backdrop is just what you need, but once you have set the stage, it is time to introduce some contrast. Sleek, metallic items are a safe bet, as they compliment the soothing natural savor. Bear that in mind when picking furniture, fittings, and décor items, and think in terms of copper, natural brass, and gold finishes. Pull together a shimmering spectacle with plenty of natural light and reflective surfaces.
Finally, take advantage of artisanal textiles and form a symphony of colors and patterns. Handcrafted fabrics spark visual interest, and throws, pillows, and rugs emanate a natural feel and soften the space. That way, you do not have to worry about materials like steel disrupting the natural sensation. Even an exposed brick wall loses some of its edginess in the presence of a soft sheep wool throw placed over an antique armchair.
Image source: decoist.com
Born to be wild
Done right, a natural look can be sophisticated and enthralling. It makes you feel at peace and content in your living environment. Wood is still the king of the natural realm, but it needs loyal minions in the form of fabrics, metals, stone, and plant life. So, reveal craftsmanship and natural charm at their finest. Enjoy the natural embrace of your environment and immerse in the allure of organic solutions. Invite the nature into every room of your home and do not miss a chance to take the warmth and coziness to the next level.
Country & Victorian Times 