Crafts for Toddlers
If you have a toddler, you know how tricky some of those afternoon hours can be. I don’t know how or why it happens, but around 4:30 in the afternoon my sweet little girl turns into a completely different person and making it to dinner suddenly becomes the hardest couple of hours of the day. That’s why having a few crafts for toddlers is a lifesaver! With just a little preparation, you’ll be able to pass those tricky times with your toddler while letting them create at the same time. Check out some ideas below.
Crafts for Toddlers
Create a zoo using paper plates to make your very own animals!
Make a little music by putting together your own rainsticks.
via House of Burke
For a younger toddler, use a fly swatter and some paint to create their very own masterpiece.
Spend these nice summer days outside collecting treasures and displaying them in this easy craft.
via Parenting Chaos
Clean up and create at the same time with these homemade bath paints.
Make painting a little more fun by letting your toddler paint on foil instead of plain old paper. They'll love it!
What fun craft ideas do you have for toddlers?
Family Room Ideas
Your family room is the place where your kids should feel comfortable bringing their friends and playing, your family should feel comfortable gathering for a movie night, and you should feel at ease kicking your feet up and reading a book. It can be easy to let your family room sink into chaos, though. Unorganized toys, mismatched furniture, or stained fabrics may end up ruling the day, but you shouldn’t let them! Just because your family room is one of the rooms that get the most use doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be beautiful. If you’re interested in updating your family room, check out some of these ideas below.
Family Room Ideas
via Citrineliving
If you have a family with young kids, keep that in mind when deciding what furniture to bring into your family room. Dark colors hide stains easier than lighter colors, so keep that in mind when picking fabrics. The furniture you choose should be durable.
Keeping things organized is important. Not only will you know where everything is, you’ll actually want to spend time in the room. Use bookshelves with baskets and dedicate the lower shelves to toys and children’s books.
via HGTV
When it comes to painting your walls, remember the importance of color and think through the feel you want your room to have. Warm colors make a cozy, comfortable room while cooler colors will make the room feel larger and more open.
via HGTV
Mix a variety of different types of lighting. In addition to overhead lighting, make sure you have different floor and table lamps to make your room even more inviting.
via Christina Mullins Interiors
Family rooms often are the main room for watching movies and TV, so think through where your television will be located. Over the fireplace is often the first place people think to hang their TVs, but there are lots of different options as well!
Make your seating options as comfortable as possible! Sectionals give a lot of seating options and are generally loved by all! Check out some different options here.
via Trendecor
One fun thing about family rooms is how personal you can make them. Hang family pictures and favorite pieces of art as a gallery wall.
How have you decorated your family room?
5 Ways to Create a Gorgeous Laundry Room
The laundry room is one of those rooms we spend a TON of time in, but sadly, is often one of the last spaces in a home to get a lot of design love. Maybe it's because we hate doing laundry? Or maybe it's last on the project list since it's not a room guests typically frequent? In any case, I say enough is enough! You owe it to yourself to create a wonderful, functional laundry room that you will actually enjoy (if it's possible to really enjoy doing laundry) being in! Here are 5 ways you can transform your laundry room from boring, to beautiful!
1. Fun Tile
Gone are the days of boring, ugly, blah tile. Today tile comes in all different shapes, sizes, and patterns! I am LOVING all of the different ceramic tile options that are out there- I mean, who wouldn't want to spend time on these floors?? Fun, patterened tile is beautiful, and it packs a whole lot of personality into a small laundry space.
via buy lime green decor
via becki owens
2. An Awesome Chandelier
One light fixture can literally change the entire look and feel of a room! If you don't have high enough ceillings for a full blown chandelier, don't fret! There are so many awesome flush mount or semi-flush mount light options out there that can bring color, fun, and lots of light to an otherwise drab room.
3. Organization
You can do everything in the world to make a laundry room aesthetically pleasing, but if it's not functional, it's worthless! Function and organization are the key ingredient to an awesome laundry room. I love the idea of having bins like the ones below to hold everyone's laundry once it's all folded and ready to go up to rooms. There are so many ideas out there (pinterest, houzz, etc) that can help you organize even the tiniest laundry closet into a well oiled laundry cranking machine!
4. Wallpaper!
Because as you already know, in my opinion, wallpaper makes everything better! If your laundry room is smallish space, don't be afraid to go with a bold wallpaper pattern- you'd think it would make the room feel smaller, but it actually does the opposite! I also think you should go for it and do all 4 walls- don't just do one wall because it might look like you were too scared to commit fully to the whole room!
5. A Unique Door
A cool door is the icing on the cake. The finishing touch! The sky is the limit, but be creative and think outside the boring laundry room box. I'm always a sucker for a modern looking sliding barn door, or a fun antique door with beveled glass.
And BONUS..... THERE IS A NUMBER 6!!
6. AMAZING APPLIANCES
the BEST part about a laundry room is having incredible appliances! Am I right, or what?? Because there is nothing better than getting truly clean clothes, and having a bad boy machine that can handle all of the chocolate, dirt, ketchup, watermelon juice, and popsicle stains on your clothes (speaking from experience, here! Clearly I have kids!) . Check out RC Willey's HUGE selection of gorgeous, amazing working washers and dryers that will make you LOVE doing laundry!!
I mean, true love right here.
How have you made your laundry room a place you enjoy spending time in?
The Quickest Way To Clean Your Microwave
Cleaning the microwave used to be the chore I dreaded most in the kitchen. With little kids in my house, on any given day you can find ketchup, beans, spaghetti sauce, etc splattered on the walls of my microwave. I used to think the only way to get it really clean was to scrub for hours with soapy water and a thick sponge, but a few years ago I discovered a better way, and have never looked back. Here's the easiest, most pain-free way to clean your microwave- no scubbing involved!
Supplies you'll need:
1 cup vinegar
1 cup water
microwave safe bowl
paper towels
Instructions:
1. Mix vinegar and water in a glass, microwave safe bowl.
2. Set inside the microwave. Turn it on and let it run for 5-10 minutes.
3. Carefully remove bowl with hot pads.
4. Wipe down microwave with paper towels. (It's literally AMAZING how everything will just come off the sides and ceiling of the microwave with one swipe of a paper towel. It's mind blowing!)
Voila! You're done! Your microwave will have never been cleaner, and it took about 15 seconds of effort!
Awesome Decks
Is there anything better than summer nights spent hanging out on the patio with family, friends, good food, and fabulous weather? I think not! If you haven't been taking advantage of throwing your own outdoor parties and BBQ's, you better start now! If you're like me and your patio could use a little sprucing, check out these photos below for inspiration! In my book, you can't go wrong with a fire pit, cute outdoor cushions and rugs, plenty of awesome patio furniture, lots and lots of greenery and flowers, an outdoor kitchen, a swing or two, and a hot tub or pool if you can swing it!
Southern Living via Ballard Designs
What is the most important element of an awesome patio in your opinion??
Trend Alert: Kitchen Backsplashes
When it comes to kitchen design, one of the best ways to add style and personality to your kitchen is with the backsplash! While white subway tiles have been a major staple in kitchens for about ten years now (and still are, quite frankly), there is definitely a shift taking place that is putting colorful, patterned, bold kitchen backsplash tiles in the lime light! If white subway tile is your thing, that's great! But, if you want to create a show stopper backsplash, here are 6 ways to do it...
1. Take tile all the way to the ceiling
Don't stop at the cupboards- go all the way! It looks nice, put together, and wonderful!
2. Supersize Your Subway Tiles
If subway tiles are your thing, but you want to change things up a bit, go big! Larger subway tiles (not just the 3 x 6) are beautiful, and here to stay!
via Elizabethcrossbeard instagram
3. Say yes to PATTERN!!!!
via lonny
Hexagons!
Herringbone!
Cement tile!
via pinterest
4. Go for Mirrored and Metallic Finishes
I love this look because it's glamorous & elegant.
5. Color, Color, Color!
Literally, any color can go in your kitchen! You don't need to stay with neutrals- if you love bright green, do it!
via lonny
6. Go With a Slab of Stone
One of the hottest kitchen trends of 2018 is foregoing tile backsplashes alltogether, and opting to put in a single piece of stone (typically the same stone used on your countertop) instead. This look is bold, and new, and quite lovely. If you want a modern, streamlined elegant kitchen, this is a great way to get it.
What is your favorite kitchen backsplash shown above?
10 Things To Take With You On Your Summer Vacation
My family loves to travel. It doesn't matter if we are flying across the country, staying in a condo a couple hours away, or camping at the closest State campground- it's always a good time! It seems there are always things that you forget to pack that you wish you would have thought to bring, though. Here are 10 essentials to take with you on your family summer vacation that will help keep you sane, and ensure that the trip goes smoothly!
1. Packing Cubes
Want to make packing your family for your summer vacation so much easier? Pick up a set of these awesome Travel Wise packing cubes! Not only do they help keep clothing and other items separated for each family member, but it keeps it nice, tight, and organized. And they just stack on top of each other in your suitcase! Easy Breezy!
2. Digital Luggage Scale
Speaking of luggage... have you ever gotten to the airport to realize that you've overpacked? Story of my life. Nothing is more inconvenient than trying to re-pack your suitcase and shove things in your carry like a crazy person when you're in a hurry to catch a flight! Solution- snag yourself a digital luggage scale! Weigh your bags before you get to the airport (going, and especially coming home after you've bought lots of souvineers!), and your travel experience will go so much smoother.
3. Sunscreen
This might sound like a no-brainer, but how many times do you buy a new bottle of sunscreen and then forget to pack it in your beach bag or luggage? I am a huge believer in using sunscreen year round, and there are no exceptions in the summer! Make sure you pack it! Check out my sunscreen guide I posted last summer- Blue Lizard is my very favorite family friendly sunscreen.
via amazon
4. Travel dumbells and resistance bands
Not sure whether your vacation accomodations boast a workout facility or gym? Don't want to quit your exercise regimen completely just because you're going on a trip? These Water filled travel dumbbells and resistance bands are perfect travel companions! They are easy to pack in your suitcase (don't take up a lot of space OR weight), and they can help you stay on track when it comes to your fitness goals.
5. Mini Steamer
I am always amazed how many airbnb's don't have irons! Maybe I'm a grandma, but nothing bothers me more than wrinkled clothes right out of the suitcase that I have to wear without ironing out! Pack your own mini steamer and your clothes will look great!
6. Mifold Grab-and-Go Booster Seats
I have three kids that are 6 and under, and they are literally all in some form of car seat contraption (and probably will be until they are 10 years old. Short people probs!) Flying with kids, and shlepping car seats all over the place is the WORST. It's such a hassle. If you have children old enough for booster seats, these compact travel boosters are a game changer! You can throw them in your purse!
7. Travel Blender
If you aren't giving up your workouts on vacation, don't feel like you need to give up your morning protein shake or healthy fruit smoothie! Grab a small & inexpensive travel blender like this one that you can easily fit in your suitcase, and you'll be good to go!
8. Kid Bunks
Hae you seen these kid bunks before? These puppies are amazing! They fold up real nice and compact, and turn into bunk beds for kids! Perfect for a camping trip, or even to take to a hotel if you need a little extra sleeping space for little ones. Each cot holds 200 lbs, so they work great for lots of adults as well!
9. Mini First Aid Kit
You never know when a first aid will come in handy. Don't rely on being able to find a drugstore at any given moment- just bring your own mini first aid kit for safe measure! If nothing else, you can give your kids bandaids to play with when they're bored in the car.
10. A Notebook
This one might be the most important! I like to take detailed notes and keep an agenda of what I do on my travels and adventures. What did we see every day? What did we eat? What was the name of that ice cream shop that served the best chocolate milkshakes you've ever had? Write things down, and it will be a great memory keeper! Plus, it's always nice to steer a friend in the right direction if you've visited a city before!
Decorating With The American Flag
One of the things I love about living in the South in July, is the fact that literally every single house in my neighborhood has an American flag hanging from their front porch. It's so festive! I can't help but feel a little bursting of love for our country every time I drive down the street. It feels pretty magical.
I know we tend to associate the summer months with patriotism and displaying our flags, but you can decorate with the flag in your home all year round! And it doesn't matter what your style is. I used to think it only really worked in a very countryish house, but I've since embraced the idea that American flag goes with anything. I personally love it hanging in a frame on a crisp white wall, or simply draped over a long staircase. Check out the beautiful rooms below for some inspiration!
Do you display an American flag in your home?
And if so, where is it?
Black and White Rooms
There is something so classy about black and white rooms. I love the neutral colors and how just adding a pop of color makes such a big difference! I also love how clean a black and white room can feel. If you are looking for a cool, unique room consider making black and white your primary colors. Go big and even paint an entire wall black! Check out some of these ideas for your black and white inspiration.
Black and White Rooms
via Home Bunch
via Beauty Decors
Are you having trouble knowing where to start designing in your room or home? Did you recently move to a new place and your old decor just isn't working with the new space? Are you recently living with a new person and running into a design disaster? RC Willey's trained design consultants are here to help. We have an amazing staff of interior design consultants who will help you with anything from furniture layout, color therapy, accessories, or even a whole home makeover! You're only five simple steps away from having a home that reflects your personal style and incorporates those things you love the most. Click here to get started!
5 Hot Appliance Trends
We are in the middle of a huge kitchen renovation, which means a ton of big decisions! One of the hardest choices for me was what kind of appliances to get--- which brands do we go with? What kinds of features are must-have? How do we know what the best bang for our buck is? For my own personal research, I decided to turn to the experts- Brett Hiatt (RC Willey's Corporate Appliance/Electronics Merchandise Manager), and Jennifer Udy (our cooking/dishwasher buyer) to help me understand some of the latest trends when it comes to kitchen appliances. It was so informative, and really helped us make what I feel was a great decision. Here are 5 of the hottest appliance trends right now....
1. New Finish Options
When it comes to appliances, new finish options are all the rage! GE has Stainless, Black Stainless, Slate and Black Slate. LG has Stainless, Black Stainless and Matt Black Stainless. Whirlpool has Stainless, Black Stainless and a new Sunset Bronze finish that will begin shipping soon. Samsung, Bosh and Kitchenaid all have stainless and Black Stainless options available. Many people are choosing to replace their appliances before they break down or need repair because they love the new color options!
LG 4 Piece Black Stainless Steel Gas Appliance Package
2. Built in Options
More and more people are opting for the look of custom, built-in appliances. What exactly does this look like, you might ask? Think counter-depth refrigerators that don't stick out into the middle of the kitchen. Hooray! Front-control or slide-in ranges that don't have a back-guard are also growing rapidly, as are wall ovens and cooktops, all of which give the kitchen an elevated, refined look.
3. New Cooking Methods
New technology doesn't just affect your electronics and TV's, it has a huge impact on cooking! We have definitely seen a major shift to gas ranges and cooktops over electric in the last few years, as price points on gas have come down and cooks like the precision it offers.
We have also seen a strong trend towards dishwashers with a pocket handle as opposed to a bar handle that matches other kitchen appliances. This has given brands like Bosch, KitchenAid and now LG and Samsung the ability to sell stand alone dishwashers easily with other kitchen packages, since many also do not have a badge on the front. Price points have also encouraged consumers to step up to features like 3-racks and improved drying performance, in this space!
You guys, this one is pretty unreal! WiFi connectivity is also something that all major brands except for Frigidaire are putting their money on right now. There are many bundle offers with Alexa, Google, Etc. that allow consumers to get deals on their connected home hubs with their appliance purchase. With WiFi consumers can monitor their appliances, diagnose service issues, and manage their food storage, with the use of apps on their phone. Although not everyone has adopted the tech in appliances, it feels that with the growth of Smart Home technologies in general, the connected capability will become the standard in the near future as opposed to an upgrade.
