March 2009

Question:
I was wondering if you know of any places where I could buy a chart for my three year old — one of those sticker charts that keeps track of her stickers. I thought you may have some ideas. Thanks! — Brooke

Answer:
Is there anything that motivates a toddler like a sticker chart? They’re brilliant! We’ve used several varieties and loved them all. The simplest thing to do is make your own. I like this hand drawn example featured at kidhaus — easy to mimic and customize to your needs. I also noticed personalized charts at Purple Hug’s etsy shop. Very nice.

Dear Readers, do you use sticker/chore/responsibility charts? If yes, what do they look like or what is your source?

What’s Ask-Design-Mom-Week? See here. Win big.

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Question:
I have been searching high and low for an antiqued mirror (I don’t care if it’s framed or not) to hang above my mantel. I’m having a really hard time finding just the right one. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks! — Debbie

Answer:
Ooooh. Sounds so pretty, Debbie! Whenever I’m looking for anything antique, I like to start with ebay. Sometimes I find the perfect thing. Sometimes I just get a sense for what’s out there. I don’t know what style you have in mind, but I did a quick ebay search and can see that there are a ton of different options available. Two picks: this round mirror looks like it has potential — and is a great deal. And this golden tulip mirror is amazing.

Kind Readers, have you spotted the perfect antique mirror lately?

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Question:
I’m a 23-year old graduate student who is being confronted with some items from her past…mainly some branches from the cottonwood trees planted by Laura Ingalls Wilder’s father way back in the day (the Little House on the Prairie books). Do you have any ideas on how to display these in a non-cheesy way that somehow references that they mean something special? My copies of the books were well-loved and dog-eared, and I’d like to have some sort of memento for my future daughter that goes beyond some sticks in a vase. Any ideas? Thanks so much – love the site! — Bridget

Answer:
Bridget, what a great idea to preserve those branches! The first idea that comes to mind is to use a framed, shallow shadow box to display the branches and include some text about the history — similar to the family history displays that use real branches (like the one pictured above). I’d also look for inspiration in the work of Janet Beck Clark. She does an amazing job framing pressed bits of nature. Her work is gorgeous.

What about you, Dear Readers? How would you preserve branches from a cottonwood tree?

What’s Ask-Design-Mom-Week? See here. Win big.

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Fun thing: Watch the Martha Stewart Show today.

Martha’s gigantic Encyclopedia of Crafts hits stores today and the show is all about crafts, crafts, crafts. Plus I think Rosie is coming. I get to be an audience member and I’m super excited. In fact, I’m heading to the show in a few minutes. Wave at the TV for me! I’ll be back with more blogs later today.

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Question:
I have recently moved to Rochester, New York from Texas, and my husband and I bought a home built in 1928. It is a great house with tons of character, and much of it has been renovated. However, there is a small nook going into the basement that still has what I consider “bad” wallpaper, and I think it could look great with some new paper. Could you direct me to any great ideas, options, or websites for wallpaper? Thanks — Laurie.

Answer:
What a perfect time to be searching out wallpaper, Laurie! There’s a full on wallpaper renaissance going on right this minute. There are easily 50 different sites that have great options. But that can be overwhelming, so I’ll start you out at super-current Design Public and in the easy-to-peel-off section at Sherwin Williams (my fave easy peel patterns here). For more of my top wallpaper sources, click here.

Design Mom Readers, where do you buy your wallpaper?

Wallpaper pictured is from Graham & Brown. What’s Ask-Design-Mom-Week? See here. Win big.

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Question:
We have too much stuff and a small ranch with closet space that doesn’t meet our (hanging) clothing needs. I have no ideas for storage solutions and no budget to buy anything. Do you have any suggestions? — Kymberlie

Answer:
I’ve been there, Kymberlie. Ready to tackle a project, but without the ideas, or the funds, to make it happen. If I were you, I would head straight to your local freecycle site. Let the group know you’re looking for closet organization help — hanging rods and hardware, or stacking bins. I’ll bet you’ll get a positive response right away. As I’ve been preparing for my move, I’ve been freecycling like crazy. Clearing out closets. And asking for spare boxes. It’s the handiest thing ever.

What about you, Dear Readers? Do any of you have some solid MacGuyver skills? Can you recommend a budget closet hanging solution made from simple household materials?

image from Container Store

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Question:
I am finishing our attic to make a play-room for my two daughters (ages 6 and 7), and I love the idea of writing a phrase or quote on the wall, possibly from a children’s book. I have some favorites, but I am having some difficulty finding exactly what I want and need some ideas. I could think of no better source for ideas that you and/or your readers. Would it be possible to pass along my question? Thanks much — Laurie

Answer:
I love this idea, Laurie. Now I want to dig into my children’s library and find the perfect one. It’s probably too lengthy, but I love the comfort at the end of Where the Wild Things Are:

Max stepped into his private boat and waved good-bye
and sailed back over a year
and in and out of weeks
and through a day
and into the night of his very own room
where he found his supper waiting for him
and it was still hot.

Dear Readers, if you could put up a quote or phrase in your playroom, what would it be?

Wall quote image from Marta Writes. What’s Ask-Design-Mom-Week? See here. Win big.

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Question:
I’m looking into new kitchen cabinets (good construction, good looks, and good price!) and want some input. {Especially on Ikea cabinets. What do people think about them?} What have people chosen to use in remodeling while they were dancing between price, function, and style… Thanks much — Allysha

Answer:
Such a great question, Allysha. Dear Readers, have you bought cabinets lately? Do you have any advice for Allysha?

image from Ikea

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Giveaway! $300 shopping spree at Peek…Aren’t You Curious. Leave a comment on this post with the name of your favorite item of Peek Clothing and you’re entered to win. Yay! (Why the change/edit? I’ve been getting emails from readers who don’t have blogs or aren’t on twitter, but they want to win this awesome prize. So I’m reposting the contest with this 3rd way to enter.) The winner will be announced Monday.

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There’s nothing like blogging to help me stay positive. And distracted. : ) So I’m hosting another Ask-Design-Mom-Week starting today. Whenever the seasons change, I get a slew of emails from readers looking for all sorts of advice on all sorts of topics. Instead of answering the questions bit by bit, I like to get a whole bunch of them answered at once.

This is how it works. I’ll post several questions each day of this week in separate posts. I’ll answer some and leave others for your brilliant responses. And hopefully, we’ll all learn a little something new. Lovely.

But this time, I have one fun twist. Help me get the word out about Ask-Design-Mom-Week and you could win a $300 shopping spree to Peek, Aren’t You Curious. That’s correct. $300!!! You’ll be able to outfit your kids for Easter. For Spring and Summer. Or even stock up on sale items and be ready for next Fall and Winter.

My kids love wearing anything I’ve ever picked up from Peek. Great style. Great quality. It’s hard to beat their offerings.

How to enter? Just link to this post on your blog or on twitter and you’re eligible to win. You can let me know you helped spread the word by leaving a comment here on this post. Or, I’ll look for your link on twitter/technorati. Extra-bonus: to up your odds, you can enter a second time by helping answer any of the questions that get posted this week. [New way to enter — leave a comment with the name of your favorite Peek item of clothing!!] The winner will be announced next Monday.

Ask-Design-Mom-Week is always so much fun!

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