Tag Archives: rugs

Carpet Cleaning Tips

Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to keeping carpets clean. The first tip may be inconvenient for some families, but it will guarantee a longer life for your carpet; don’t eat in rooms with carpet. While adults can generally keep from being too messy, children aren’t always as careful. Besides, adults can have accidents too. However, if your family has become accustomed to eating in the family room on movie night or on other special occasions, there is no reason you have to eliminate the routine completely. You can cover the carpet. A flannel backed vinyl tablecloth works … Continue reading →

Decorating Rut?

If you have the urge to make changes in your décor but can’t seem to get motivated, maybe it’s just a matter of not knowing where to start. A little inspiration can go a long way, so try to find something to get you going. Inspiration and Designer Influence Get Decorating is a cool site for home decorating inspiration, offering tens of thousands of photos of professionally decorated homes. Even if you don’t love the entire room or home, you will likely to come across something that you find attractive. The way these spaces are designed may also help you … Continue reading →

Cleaning Rugs and Carpets

Recently, I agreed to watch my friend’s three children for a few days while she and her husband flew to a convention in Las Vegas. Since she lives in a different city and two of her children are enrolled in school we figured it would be best if I stayed at their home. The days flew by and I thought that we had made it through the week just fine, until I felt my sock sticking to the kitchen floor. I turned, looked down and was able to follow my tracks back to the scene of the crime: grape jelly … Continue reading →

Cutting Corners in the Right Places

Nobody wants a home that looks “cheap,” but most of us don’t have a ton of extra money to spend on home decor or home improvement. This is especially true when you’re raising a family, so it’s important to save money where you can. It helps if you can cut corners in the right places, which will allow you to spend more in other areas. For example, purchasing quality pieces of sturdy furniture generally requires a bit of an investment. It’s worth the cost because high quality pieces will last and they can stand up better to the demands of … Continue reading →

Making Checkers

As mentioned previously, one simple way to make checkers for a checkerboard blanket or checkerboard rug is to cut circles from felt or glue felt to plastic lids from coffee cans. Whichever style you choose, you will need twelve of each color. Here are some other ideas: Fabric Checkers You can use plastic lids for this project or simply cut circles from heavy cardboard (a sturdy box works great). Glue some batting to the circles and cover them with the fabric of your choice. You can use leftover fleece from the original black and red pattern, or fabric that coordinates … Continue reading →

Playful Artwork: Checkerboard Rug

Instead of a checkerboard blanket, perhaps you’d like to make a checkerboard rug. They are simple to make and they make a great addition to the playroom, family room, game room, or your child’s bedroom. Checkerboard from Carpet At your local carpet store, check for remnants in the traditional black and red, or in the colors of your choice. You can make one as large or as small as you like. Cut squares from each remnant using a utility knife and a straight edge. Arrange the pieces in a checkerboard pattern then turn them upside down. Attach them in rows … Continue reading →

Protecting Home Furnishings II

While it makes sense to purchase quality furnishings, instead of wasting money on “disposable” pieces, it is still a good idea to protect these furnishings. While children are small and adventurous, and when pets are young and just as energetic, furniture can quickly begin to feel used and abused. These tips will help: Use a Duvet Cover To protect a special quilt, a down comforter, or other bed coverings that shouldn’t be laundered too frequently, make a duvet cover. This is a simple, inexpensive way to cover and protect your special items during everyday use. The simplest most cost effective … Continue reading →