Your home is a never-ending source of possibilities with rooms and spaces waiting to be decorated, outfitted, and rearranged. Personalizing your living area to your tastes and passions is one of the many joys that comes from owning a home.
Getting started doesn't necessarily mean more work- You can achieve the lifestyle you've envisioned for your household in as little or as much time as you wish to devote. All it takes to get the creative juices flowing is a helpful hint or a clever idea. Soon your natural inclinations take over and before you know it, your beautiful home has captured your distinct personality.
In the mean time, here's a little help from our friends to get the ball rolling:
Natural Holiday Garland
Take a break from the plastic lights and snythetic decorations for the holidays. Natural Home offers an excellent how-to on using natural pieces, some found in your very own backyard, to uplift and decorate your home. Add some beautifully colored fruits, veggies, and nuts, and a natural holiday garland can be a great family activity.
A Long Winter Nap
Sometimes hibernation doesn't sound like such a bad idea during the cold months. Well, it turns out that there may in fact be some benefits from additional sleep through the winter season. As Natural Home reports, human cycles can be affected in this time period and our bodies need more rest. Now this is a finding we can get behind!
Simple Holiday Decor
For those looking to take a little stress and expense out of the holidays, Natural Home may have just the tips to help. Decorations such as Tibetan hanging prayer flags or a unique angel shaped centerpiece made from old literary works can offer just this relief. Even old issues of your favorite magazine (hint-hint) can become an incredible ornament on your tree.
~An Environmentally Inspired Home~
Dreaming of a Green Christmas
Tis the season to give and you can give the environment a gift as well. By making a few easy adjustments during the holidays, Natural Home demonstrates how celebration and conservation go hand in hand. Doing things like utilizing an artificial tree or using LED lights are among ways to save considerable energy without diminishing the festive spirit.
Green Toy Tips
We all know what kids want for Christmas- Toys! Natural Home has some great ideas for granting the wishes of your beloved little ones while taking into account the environmental impact. Factors such as shelf life and material composition will change the way you shop for good.
Wrap It Right
There's nothing like beautifully-wrapped presents sitting under the tree ready to be uncovered on Christmas morning. But what happens to the long-forgotten wrapping paper once the joy of gift-giving is over? To cut down on the annual tons of holiday trash created, Natural Home presents wonderful ways to responsibly cover your gifts and save money in the process.
~Inspired Recipes~
Eat Locally This Holiday Season
From the pages of Natural Home comes three delicious recipes that encourage eating locally and decreasing carbon in the atmosphere. Start your meal with delicious chicken roasted with thyme, serve au gratin potatoes as a scrumptious side dish and complete with mushroom bread pudding- a surefire crowd-pleasing feast!
Dark Chocolate Truffles
Looking for a unique gift idea that is sure to please the tastebuds as well as warm the heart? Try this tasty recipe from Natural Home: dark chocolate-dipped date-nut truffles with coconut. The holidays are all about good food and shared memories. Share your love this season with a delectable treat that everyone will enjoy.
~Taniya Nayak Presents~
Getting Ready For A Sale
Preparing to put your home on the market? If so, it would be highly advisable to take a look at Taniya Nayak's helpful column addressing just that. In a Mohawk web exclusive, Taniya tackles budgeting, organization, open house- all the important factors you can't afford to overlook when trying to make a sale.
Tips For Adding Value
Even in these tight financial times, you can substantially increase the value in your home with affordable renovations that perhaps you've never considered before. Here, Taniya offers thoughtful, money-saving methods to add a significant uplift to your home's appraisal. See how even a little fixing-up can go a long way in earning a higher bottom line.
~More Home Inspirations~
Naturally Beautiful Holiday
You can use the holidays as a perfect opportunity to add natural elements in your household for added, inexpensive beauty. Utilizing natural accessories such as ice, branches, and pinecones are only a few of the thoughtful tips mentioned here. Also, find out how to reuse and reinvent items you already own in adorning the house for the holidays.
Photo by Karin Lidbeck-Brent
Simply Halloween
This Halloween season, you can liven up the house with easy yet beautiful solutions to decorating your pumpkins. Good Housekeeping offers activities that are not only fun and festive, but safe enough that the entire family can participate. From creating frieghtening features to illuminating the night, there are no scares in these instructions- just smiles and spooky spirit!
Decorate with Nature
Perhaps nothing brings more life to your living space than the addition of plants. Whether you are looking to boost your Feng Shui or bring a unified appearance to a room, Natural Home provides some excellent suggestions in the form of vegetation. See how nature can help your home look, feel, and be a healthier, happier environment.