INTERIOR DESIGN AND FURNITURE GUIDE

BABY FURNITURE IDEAS

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October 30th, 2009

Standard Meadow Gardens Twin over Twin Bunk Bed In Summer White 

They can’t be together for more than five minutes without some major argument breaking out. So, you wonder, how on earth can they share a room? But you can successfully plan and design a space for siblings to share that is fun, stylish and conducive to keeping the peace. 

Design the room around each child’s likes and dislikes. When planning a room that is to be shared by two (or more) children, get input from them both, but ask them separately. 

Do this for all of the separate elements of the room’s design, especially when it comes to picking what kind of bed they want or choosing the main decorating theme. If one child wants the room painted purple but the other one wants their bedroom to be green, then sit them down for a consultation and have them help you come to a compromise. 

Tradewins Echo Falls Twin over Twin L-shaped Loft Bed

The easiest way to make the most of the available floor space in a children’s bedroom, is to choose a bunk bed or a loft bed. The loft bed is a variation on the bunk bed and is essentially the top bunk only, providing free space beneath the bed for a study or activity area. Loft beds are available in a variety of configurations and materials. Loft beds with desks are ideal for older children. Other kinds of loft beds have built-in or free standing beds. The more elements you can include in the design plan, the more visually interesting the room will be. 

Lea Spring Garden Kids Metal Bed with Optional Storage Unit

You can also define personal space for each child by using twin size beds and then accessorizing them with a toy chest for each child and their own nightstands and Dressing the beds with complementary bedding that blends with the décor but still maintains your children’s individuality is another way of defining their personal space and (hopefully) makes sharing a room as amiable as possible. 

Early Childhood Resources Double Wide Kids Mobile Organizer with 12 Plastic Drawer and 1 Metal Shelf

Trying to encourage them to clean their room can sometimes be a thankless task, particularly when siblings share the same space, since it might be tempting for them to say the mess belongs to the other one. When planning a children’s room for two, don’t forget to include an easy-to-use storage system. Customize storage solutions to meet their individual requirements. Whatever combination of storage cubes, plastic bins or shelves you decide upon, make sure they are age appropriate and user-friendly.

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Homework Hassles – Mom to Mom Advice

October 29th, 2009

Teamson Design Safari Hand Painted Wild Animal Themed Kids Table

Mid October is when homework hassles seem to start. September, the school year is still new enough that there is not enough homework for kids to whine about and it is still a unique enough experience that it’s fun (for younger children). But now the whining and excuses have begun.
My son is in kindergarten, so homework is fun. We snuggle each evening on the couch with the TV off and “read’ a book together. Once in a while, he brings home pictures or stories that he has made and needs to explain to me. This is also when we go through his backpack so that I get all of the newsletters and important papers from him.  I make a pile of anything that needs to be filled out. This is my homework. (He thinks it’s funny that I call it that.)

Office Star Kool Kolor Green Computer Desk

My daughter has started grade six. Now that she’s attending middle school, all of a sudden homework has become a major issue. We have a deal that when she comes home she empties her backpack and gives me all notes, newsletters and forms. (More homework for me.) I make sure to put them in my pile right away. She goes to her room and practices her band instrument for 15 – 30 minutes and then she does some homework that does not include the computer. Our family computer desk is in the living room, so while my son and I do his homework, she does her computer homework.

When everything is done, I do my homework. All of the forms and permission slips are filled out. All of the checks are written and everything is put in the correct backpack for the next morning. Doesn’t this sound wonderful and idyllic? This is my plan. I think it works properly about once a month.

Or it did until we had a family meeting. When I asked my daughter why she didn’t like doing homework in her room, she complained that she had outgrown her desk. Then she pointed out that I was just as bad at not filling out forms, etc.  She was right (makes me remember how nice it was before she talked). It was time for some changes.

4D Concepts Girl's Student Desk

We bought her the desk of her choosing, brought it home and assembled it. Then I went to the office supply store and the local bargain store. In the colors of her choosing, I bought desk organizers for her room. Then I bought some of my own for the living room desk. I also made sure to buy labels, fun colored folders, stickers, envelopes and everything else I could find.

The result is she decorated and organized her desk how she liked it. Half girly/half goth – she is caught between styles right now, but black and pink go together nicely. Then I organized the computer/living room desk .Now forms go into a folder right away and I can fill them out easily with everything I need right there.

Imagine my surprise, within a week she was doing her homework in her room. The living room looks nice, instead of a disaster area, and we have had no calls or notes from the school about late assignments or paperwork. It has worked out so well that I am thinking that maybe I will get the rest of her room organized, or maybe her dad’s area. Nah! That’s too much to imagine even for me.

Lisa, mom of a son (5) and a daughter (11)

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Primary Colors for Designing Your Boy’s Bedroom

October 27th, 2009

bf1Lea Deer Run Captain's Bed in Cherry 4 Piece Bedroom Set

Decorating a boy’s bedroom can sometimes be a guessing game. How do you choose a theme when one day he wants want to be a fireman and the next week a racing car driver or one day he likes a particular super hero and then he doesn’t? To design a bedroom for your son that will have some shelf life, create a space that is multi-functional and not necessarily theme-related. One way to accomplish this is by using primary colors to their best advantage. Add furniture that looks cool and is “boy” friendly, and your son will have a room that he will want to hang out in, especially with his friends.

Start with a Plan

Consult with your son as much as possible. While we like getting new stuff, both adults and children alike often have difficulty processing change. By having your child help you pick the room’s color or what type of bed will be a part of the furnishings, it might make the transition from old to new bedroom easier.

If you don’t want to have to repaint as you reach each significant developmental stage, design the room with growth in mind, making allowances that they will change their minds, tastes and preferences continually. Perhaps, instead of a theme he might soon outgrow, choose a primary color for the walls and a neutral color for the furniture or vice versa.

Lea iRoom Drawer Nightstand

Take measurements. You don’t want to purchase a bedroom set that just won’t fit.

Aside from the most obvious pieces of furniture that you will want to include like a bed, a nightstand and dresser, make a list of any other pieces you would like to include such as a computer desk, storage cubes or a bookcase.

Keep in mind, that a thrifty way to decorate a boy’s room is to purchase a bedroom set, which will include a certain number of basic pieces, already matched in style and color. This will save you time and money in the long run.

Draw up a budget based on your list – assigning a monetary figure to each item is a good way keeping to the plan whenever you’re tempted to overspend.

Especially if your son’s bedroom will include an entertainment center or computer desk (with a computer), plan on putting it next to a power outlet.

Pick a Bed, Any Bed!

bf3Powell Shiver Me Timbers Twin Youth Size Bunk Bed

Today, many children’s furniture manufacturers are definitely designing bedroom that are bold and primary. Above all, in addition to being well-made and durable, bedroom furniture collections for kids are cool, trendy and cutting edge.

There’s something about bunk beds that really appealing to children. Bunks beds are an economical way to decorate a boy’s room, especially when the room will be shared by a sibling. Purchasing a bunk bed for a boy’s rooms is also a great decorating solution for a small-sized or awkwardly shaped room.

The loft bed is a variation on the bunk bed and is essentially the top bunk only, providing free space beneath the bed for a study area, another bed or whatever else you and your child can dream up.

Another popular type of bed for a boy’s room is a captain’s bed. Because captain’s bed includes drawers, you can increase the room’s functionality. A captain’s bed, essentially a kind of platform bed, but for kids, is also very economical since it won’t need a box spring; just the mattress.

Color Color Everywhere

Jofran Dining Set in Braeburn Rough Hewn Cherry

Whatever type of bed you choose be sure to dress it in bed linens that pop with primary or vibrant colors.

While you want the room to be colorful and as appealing as possible, don’t make your child dizzy. You want all of the colors in the room to work together, One way of accomplishing this is balancing the main elements in the room with complementary window treatments and a matching rug.

Select accessories like a bedside lamp or a set of pictures that incorporate some of the existing primary colors in the room to help you pull it all together.

Whether you’ve chosen a loft bed for your boy’s room or not, reserve some open space that’s an invitation to build a fort, race cars or do science stuff (hopefully nothing that involves baking soda and vinegar).

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Primary colors to use for a Girl’s Bedroom

October 26th, 2009

Decorating a child’s room can be challenging. When designing a bedroom for your child, the first thing to keep in mind that it’s not just a place to sleep. A child’s bedroom should also be a safe and fun environment where they can play, grow and be creative. But above all, the bedroom should be a place where your child will want to be.

South Shore Captain Storage 3 Piece Bedroom Set

Because children are attracted to primary colors, to plan a child’s room that she will not only want to spend time in, but also want to share with their friends, design a space that is bright and bold.

Bright and bold doesn’t just have to mean color you paint the walls of your child’s room. In today’s ever-evolving children’s furniture market, manufacturers offer kids’ furnishings in beautiful reds, greens and blues, in addition to traditional white and the standard wood finishes such as cherry, maple and oak. It shouldn’t just be functional or colorful or look good; your child’s bedroom should also be a place where she can dream and imagine.

Start with a Plan

Streamline Kids Twin Bed and Bookcase

Involve your child in the decision making process as much as possible. A simple place to start is to ask your child to help you decide on the room’s theme or focus. A child will be more inclined to accept and like a room they helped decorate.

Since your child is continually growing, you will want to design a room that will change and adapt with your child through each developmental stage.

Measure the room so that you will know exactly how much space you have to work with. You might like the idea of a wall unit that includes a computer desk and bookshelves, but if it’s going to block the window or fit only against the wall that doesn’t have any power outlets, you’ll get stuck with a piece of furniture you can’t use.

As part of the planning stage, list all the furnishings you would like to include. Make a budget. Knowing how much you intend to spend on each item will help keep your project on track.

In addition to a bed, nightstand, dresser and mirror, it is also important to consider other pieces you may want to include in your child’s bedroom. If your child likes to watch movies, consider purchasing a TV armoire as part of the room’s furnishings or if she is an avid reader, don’t forget to add a couple of bookcases.

The child’s age will automatically govern many of the planning choices you will need to make. In the interest of safety, select furniture with rounded corners, the correct height for the child’s developmental stage, and easy-to-open drawers, doors and lids.

Color Color Everywhere

Young America Cottage Bed Set

Yes, you want your girl’s room to be bright and colorful, but too much color can overload the senses.

Decide where the color will go. If you choose a primary color for the walls, select a neutral color for the furniture.

On the other hand, if the rich, bold colors of the myHaven Collection by Young America appeals to you and your child, paint the walls in a neutral shade or a soft, complementary color.

Color the Room with Accessories

Lea Elation Metal Bed Complete 5 Piece Bedroom Set

As many different studies have pointed, color has an effect on all of us, but it can really alter the mood of a child. While you want the bedroom to be colorful and cheerful, you also want it to be restful, comfortable and inviting.

Don’t clash. You will want all of the colors in the room to work together. Coordinate the room’s color by choosing bedding and a window treatment that matches or complements the walls.

If the walls and furniture are neutral, choose bright and bold accessories, like a patchwork rug, bed linens in primary colors or lampshades with a vibrant theme or pattern.

Decorating your girl’s bedroom can be an overwhelming task. But designing a space that incorporates primary colors in a whimsical or refreshing manner will help make decorating your child’s room a simple and fun experience.

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Planning a Halloween Birthday Sleepover

October 23rd, 2009

I must admit, I felt a bit intimidated and very overwhelmed when I asked my daughter what she wanted to do for her birthday. Up until she turned five, I planned birthday parties for her using her current craze or interest as the theme for party.

Berg Furniture Utica Full Size Loft with Storage Drawers and Study Desk Set

But when she turned six, she became quite vocal and it was clear themes were out and activities were in. This year, to celebrate turning eleven, she would like to have a birthday supper, then go Trick or Treating with her friends and have them stay for a sleepover. She would like to invite three friends from her class, two from band and a girl who doesn’t go to school with her but lives in the neighborhood. In a lapse of temporary insanity, I said yes.

The main course will be vampire spaghetti with cheese eyeballs. Because my daughter likes to do crafts, she is making pumpkin place cards for the dining table to let everyone know where they’ll be sitting.

To make the place cards or name tags you will need: one orange foam sheet; a pair of (safety) scissors; and a permanent marker. If you’re not the freehand type (my daughter is) use a pumpkin stencil or a pre-made pumpkin cut-out form for tracing.

  • Draw a pumpkin onto the foam sheet. Repeat for however many you will need. Make sure that they will fit on one sheet. Depending on the number of place cards or name tags you are making, you might need a second sheet.
  • Cut the pumpkins out.
  • Write the names of your guests on each pumpkin in scary writing or printing.
  • Now you have Halloween name tags or place cards.

 Sitting Bull Round S Bean Bag Chair in Orange

To get ready for the actual sleepover, I located my children’s sleeping mats and put them in the family room where the girls would be sleeping…well, you know what I mean. I also gathered together extra pillows. Even though I know that once back from Trick or Treating, they will spend most of the time sitting on the floor or in their sleeping bags, but on the day of the actual party, I’ll make sure that they will be extra seating, like the bean bag chair from my son’s room and the large ottoman from the living room. My daughter assures me that she will be choosing the scary movies she and her friends will watch. That’s fine by me! But I’m happy to make lots of popcorn.

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Toddler Beds – Mom to Mom Advice

October 22nd, 2009

One of my friends has three children but has never bought a toddler bed for any of them. A couple of moms in the neighborhood I talk to from time to time swear by toddler beds, attesting to how much easier it made the transition from crib to “big child’s” bed for their children. At 18 months, my son was constantly trying to climb out of his crib. So he slept with us until we decided to just go ahead and buy a captain’s bed. Since it was somewhat low to the ground, we weren’t too concerned because we bought a guard rail for the bed. And indeed, there have never been any mishaps.

KidKraft Boat Toddler Bed Cot

Next month, my little girl will be two. While she’s not currently to climb up and out, it’s obvious that she will outgrow her crib fairly soon. My son wants a bunk bed for his room but it’s not recommended until a child is at least six. Since toddlers beds are often cheaper than twin beds, I decided to buy one for my daughter. Then by the time she’s ready for a twin bed, we’ll be able to buy the bunk bed my son wants and pass along his “old” bed to his sister.
 
KidKraft Nantucket Toddler Bed

Toddler beds are roughly the size of a standard crib and use a crib mattress, not a twin mattress (as I found out). A toddler bed sits almost on the floor, it is that low to the ground. Even so, many types of toddler beds include some kind of railing to prevent a child from falling out of bed. I wanted a toddler bed with some kind of rail system, just to give my daughter assurance and me peace of mind.

Dream On Me Sleigh Wooden Toddler Bed in White

I planned my daughter’s nursery with as little re-decorating as possible in mind. In other words, I chose not to use a theme she soon might get tired of and, excluding the crib, I selected bedroom furniture that would grow with her. (I did the same for my son’s room). I skipped the cute castle or princess themed beds and chose something that was economical and in keeping with the room’s current décor. 

BeBe Chic Fantasia 3-Piece Baby Crib Bedding Set

Even though space-saving furniture is always a plus in a child’s room, I also opted not to include any special features like under-bed storage; since she won’t be using the bed that long, I wanted to keep costs down. However, although I could have technically continued to use her crib sheets, I did splurge on three new sets of crib bedding. I thought new bed linens would be the perfect way to mark the occasion and to celebrate the fact that my daughter was getting a new bed that didn’t have “safety bars”! 

Angie (mom to a 5 year old boy and 23-month baby girl)

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Designing a Unisex Nursery

October 21st, 2009

Whether you don’t want to know your baby’s gender ahead of time or you just want to get started on decorating the nursery, you can design a unisex room for baby that will be as charming and adorable as one with a gender-specific theme. Instead of gender, the emphasis will be on combining elements of fun, color and shape to create a nursery that will be a safe and welcoming place for your little boy or girl.

Westwood Design Jonesport Convertible Crib Set

Don’t Pink or Blue.

South Shore Furniture Sweet Morning

The first thing to do in designing and decorating your unisex nursery is to pick any color but pink or blue. While blue is fast becoming a fashionable color for a female teen’s room, in a baby’s room old habits die hard. It’s best to skip blue altogether. Yellows and greens are popular color choices for the unisex nursery. However, there aren’t your only options. Go bright or bold with oranges, reds and purples. If you like the idea of bolder colors but they feel too intense to you, paint only one or two walls in the bright color as an accent in the room, and choose a complementary color for the other walls. For a more traditional nursery décor, pick a neutral palette such as beige, black and white, taupe or navy.

Choosing Nursery Furniture

Although some manufacturers offer crib sets in a particular gender specific theme, most don’t. Nevertheless, when choosing furniture for your baby’s unisex nursery, here are some things to avoid. 

  • Again, associations come into play: white furniture is mostly associated with baby girls while black is a popular color for cribs in baby boys’ rooms.
  • You don’t have to stick to contemporary or modern styles, but choose a crib, changing table or dresser that has decorative detail that can’t be construed as “girlie.”

Nursery furniture in light to medium wood finishes is the best choice.
 
Choosing a Nursery Theme

You don’t have to pick a specific theme for your unisex nursery if you don’t want to, but a theme will pull the different elements of the room together while adding your own unique stamp to the place where you baby will sleep and grow. Here are a small handful of unisex themes to get you started.

  • Ocean / Seashore / Sea creatures
  • Stars / Moon / Sun
  • Farm animals / Jungle animals / Pets (skip cats as they tend to be linked to girl-themed rooms)
  • Nursery rhymes
  • Teddy bears
  • Cartoon characters
  • Characters from children’s books like Winnie the Pooh and The Wind in the Willows

 
Pulling it All Together

Sorelle City Lights 4 in 1 Commuter Crib 2 Tone

Purchase crib bedding to match the unisex theme you have chosen.

Because babies will be looking up for much of the first few months, hang a mobile above the crib or buy one that attaches to the crib’s side rails.
 
Layering decorative elements will give your unisex nursery visual interest. For example, you’ve painted the walls – now add a colorful border; it will introduce an element of fun into the décor.

Hang art poster or pictures to warm up the walls. Don’t forget to avoid gender-specific images.

Choose nursery accessories like a lamp, rug, pillows and blankets in a unisex theme.

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Getting Kids up in the Morning

October 20th, 2009

Home Styles Solid Wood Kitchen IslandIt’s a constant battle that no one is winning. You don’t want to have to nag your kids to get them out of bed to get ready for school and they don’t want to be nagged – but they don’t want to get up either. Is there a solution to ending the war and if the answer is “yes,” what is this magic formula? Well, there might not be any magic formula to get them up and at ‘em, but there are some simple ways to make rising and shining around your house a little easier.

Plan Ahead

The secret to a smooth morning routine is the night before. Preparing as much as possible for the morning the previous evening will take some of the pressure off your A.M. routine. Here are a few things you can do before they go to bed to make getting them up less frantic.

Plan what they want for breakfast and lunch. Whenever possible, make your children’s lunches at night rather than the next day.

Have your child or children decide what they will wear. Getting their wardrobes together will also reveal anything not readily available like clean socks or the specific t-shirt they had in mind. Laundry crises are easier to deal with the night before when time isn’t as much of a factor as it is in the morning. Make a “no-changing-your-mind” rule unless there are extenuating circumstances, such as an extreme change in the weather or an unforeseeable breakfast spill.

Pack the backpack or school bag. Have them double check that they will have everything they will need for the following day – homework assignments, gym shoes, books, etc.

Establish a Routine

Prepac Monterey White Hall TreeSometimes mornings can appear chaotic and hectic because they are. Establishing a routine helps everyone know what will happen ahead of time (if all goes according to plan). Particularly if you have two or more children, institute different wake up times (10 to 15 minutes apart); it will be easier on you and the high traffic areas of your home, like the bathroom and kitchen.

Set wake-up-call boundaries. For example, after the alarm clock rings, tell them you will only call them once – if they don’t respond the first time and you have to call them again, make it clear that there will be some sort of consequence, such as 15 minutes less TV or video game time for each additional time they need coaxing out of bed.

Set priorities and limit what is expected of them in morning before they have to leave. A list of chores or duties that must be done before school might pile on unnecessary pressure.

Make a place for everything and put everything in its place. Once the backpack is ready to go, put it in a pre-established place like the back door. Do the same for keys, your cell phone, etc. Whatever is needed, including coats, boots and mitts, to get you and your family out of the door on time in the morning, ensure that it is close to hand and easily accessible.

Planning ahead and establishing a routine for both the children and the adults in your family takes the guesswork out of sending them off to school in the mornings. It also makes dealing with the unexpected a little less chaotic.

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Cowboy Theme for Baby Boy’s Nursery

October 19th, 2009

Expecting a child, especially if it is your first one, is both exciting and intimidating. But designing a nursery for your baby boy is a great way to get rid of “the shakes” because it focuses your attention on making room for the newest member of your family and gives you confidence knowing that you are well prepared.

Choosing a theme when designing a nursery is an easy way to coordinate the room and let it tell a story. Since your child isn’t quite ready yet for consultation, pick something that you like and find amusing. Themes for a boy’s nursery are as limitless as your imagination. Don’t quite know where to begin? A popular theme for a baby boy’s room is the southwest, cowboys and horses.

Start Here

DaVinci Parker Wood Baby Changer

After deciding on a paint color for the walls and painting the room, you will need furniture. The most basic pieces you will need are a crib and a crib mattress. A dresser or a chest of drawers is a must-have for storing baby clothes, booties and blankies. A change table will make both you and your baby comfortable when you have to change his diaper. A rocker gives you a cozy place to bond with your child while you’re feeding him.

Da Vinci Crib

Smart and stylish with a casual southwestern feel, the Da Vinci Reagan 4-in-1 Convertible Crib in Oak has the added benefit of growing with your baby. It starts off as a crib but can be converted into a toddler bed and then into a standard bed when needed.

Beddie Buys

bebe chic bronco

You will need to transform the crib and mattress into a nice soft and comfortable sleeping space for your child with a crib bedding set. The natural oak color of the crib’s wood finish will be a perfect complement to the BeBe Chic Bronco Billy 4 Piece Set with Mobile.

bebe chic bronco billy

Complete the nursery décor by matching the window treatment to the crib’s bedding with the BeBe Chic Bronco Billy Nursery Room Curtain Valance.

Finish it Off

woolrich cisco kid table lamp

The Woolrich Cisco Kid Table Lamp is a fun way to bring some light into the room while keeping to the cowboy theme you have chosen.

lee jackson creek bunching bookcase

A popular baby shower gift is a book. Whether it’s a traditional picture book, a cloth book or a brightly colored board book, you’re going to need someplace to put them. The Lea Jackson Creek Bunching Bookcase, with its oak veneers and rugged “cowboy” appearance will be the perfect addition to a cowboy themed nursery.

fun rugs supreme

A rug seems to automatically make a room a warm and inviting. The Fun Rugs Supreme Collection Denim Dreams Rug will give our cowboy nursery an extra special charm.

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Easy to make Halloween Costumes

October 16th, 2009

Do you think that you have to buy Halloween costumes for your kids just because you’re not a seamstress or a “crafty” person? It just isn’t so! You can design and create fun and fabulous children’s costumes from items found in your closet or at your local thrift store.

nancy drew and school busWith mom’s permission, I’m featuring my friend Lisa’s children in last year’s Halloween costumes. Her daughter Louisa wanted to go as Nancy Drew. It was incredibly simple to make. The entire costume was comprised from a coat from her closet, a magnifying glass she had and her mother’s attaché case.

Bobby wanted to go as a school bus. The bus was a cardboard box painted yellow and decorated with poster board for the wheels, tart tins for headlights and bungee cords for straps.

The year before, Louisa went as a woodlands nymph. Lisa took an old white dress that she found at a nearby thrift shop and bought a few plastic flowers at a dollar store. She took apart the flowers and glued them onto the dress. For the crowning touch, Lisa bought a vine (again, from the dollar store) and wrapped it around her head, pinning it in place with bobby pins. The costume cost just under $6.00 to make.

This year Louisa is going as Abby, the forensics lab technician from NCIS. While it might seem a little unusual for an 11 year-old to dress up as a Goth lab tech, Louisa loves this character from her mother’s favorite TV show. Lisa is going to assemble the costume from black lace gloves she has from the 80s, one of her white blouses and a black skirt. Add black nail polish, black lipstick and black hair spray (which will wash out) and voilá! Mission accomplished. Oh wait! Can’t forget Abby’s signature studded choker necklace – a trip to the dollar store for a black studded dog collar will be the perfect solution.

This year Bobby is going to be an airplane. Here are the instructions for making Lisa’s airplane costume.

  • Find a long or rectangular (not square) cardboard box
  • Cut off all of the flaps – save the pieces
  • Cut on of the end panels off of the box – save it as well
  • Tape the two side panels together so that they form a point
  • Cut the leftover front flaps into long strips for the propeller
  • Cross them. Use lots of tape, securely attaching one on top of the other. Attach the propellers to the front
  • Cut the back panel so that it has a curve on one side
  • Cut a slit in the back of the ‘plane’ body
  • Slide your curved piece of cardboard into the slit on the smooth side
  • Using the leftover side panels draw and cut the wings, leaving an inch to fold up and tape into place on your body
  • Once everything is in place, cover the entire body, excluding the propeller with paper or paint
  • Let the glue or paint dry for 24 hours!
  • Paint the propeller
  • Decorate the plane with stickers, markers, leftover bits, etc.
  • Attach bungee cords for straps. One cord for each strap – longer ones for older children

The possibilities are endless – just open up your closet and let your imagination run free – with a little help from your kids. Thanks Lisa for sharing your tips and insights.

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