Living in a “safe” community is good for you in more ways than you may think. Of course a lower crime rate may lead to a reduced possibility of physical harm coming to you or your loved ones. But beyond that, there’s the idea of peace of mind. That’s the underlying notion of a recent […]
Design your Dream House
So you’re expecting. Now suddenly you are more concerned about school districts and proximity to emergency rooms than being in that hip nabe, a stroll home from the hotspots.So why not design your way into a home that can grow with your new little family! Preparing for your first child is always overwhelming. The easiest […]
Eco-Friendly Laundry Products
Want to get your clothes clean while staying green? Try these eco-friendly products to save energy (and time!). deFUNKit This odor neutralizing kit might take several steps to treat (for the lifetime of the clothes), but keeping workout and athletic clothes fresh for a week at a time thanks to the permanent odor control, saves […]
The Ultimate Backyard
Drought-Friendly and Kid-Friendly! Given that we must decrease our water use and that 30 percent of our residential water supply is expended outdoors, cutting back on yard irrigation is crucial. But it’s also important to encourage our children to play outside. We can balance those two needs with help from an expert. Hartscape Company’s Gary […]
Ask the Experts: House Hunting Help
Q: [All Ages] We are looking into buying our first family home in Orange County. Schools are important, but so is quality of life and security. How can we determine the best neighborhoods/cities for a young family to consider for what would be a long-term commitment? A: The process of purchasing your dream home can […]
Readers’ Choice 2013: House & Home
Readers’ Choice 2013 House & Home BEST HOUSECLEANING SERVICE: MOLLY MAID Between being a wife, mother, worker bee and general “do everything-er,” sometimes housework falls to the wayside. Don’t worry, Molly Maid, our readers’ choice for best cleaning service (again!) has you covered. All the staff has been professionally trained, so you can be sure […]
Chic Children’s Rooms: Tips From a Trend Spotter
Hillary Nichols, owner of Hillary Nichols Interiors in Irvine helps kick start your children’s room renovations with a selection of her favorite products this year. Nursery Mason crib in weathered gray by Franklin and Ben “The Mason Four-in-One Convertible Crib is stylish and multi-functional. It transforms with your baby as they grow, converting into toddler […]
Chic Children’s Rooms: Tweens’ Room
Teens and pre-teens are now more savvy and design-forward than ever, making themed rooms within their age group also a thing of the past. As this age group matures, it’s important that they have a space of their own. “Teens have migrated towards rooms that are designed around a desired vibe or feeling,” said Crane. […]
Chic Children’s Rooms: Kids’ Rooms
The design forecast has also shifted when it comes to kids’ rooms. “When it comes to choosing a color palette, we like to think about going beyond the traditional gender colors and selecting something a little more unexpected,” said Crane. “Think high-voltage secondary colors rather than the primaries that we see in a lot of […]
Chic Children’s Rooms: Nurseries
“Long gone are the days of having a matching crib, dresser and changing table,” said Megan Crane, owner of Megan Crane Designs, Inc., in Rancho Santa Margarita. “Nurseries are now being designed with an elevated sense of sophistication much like we would design any other room in the home.” This means less saturated colors and […]