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Home Renovations

Luxury Home Renovations Keep Kids Safe at Home

Would you invest in an at-home DJ mixing studio for your kids?

Would you invest in an at-home DJ mixing studio for your kids? As the Wall Street Journal recently reported, parents are increasingly pouring thousands of dollars into home renovations that include special features for teens and tweens. The goal is to encourage kids to spend less time on electronic gadgets and more time at home where there is some supervision — thus keeping them out of trouble, parents say.

For instance, design and construction advisor Chris Pollack recently completed a $750,000 renovation on a Manhattan townhouse that included a 1,000-square-foot teen suite with ping-pong and billiards tables, a recording studio, a kitchen, and a theater for movies and video games. He has also designed several security camera-equipped homework rooms, "so parents can keep an eye on computer usage.” Similarly, Linda and John O'Hara have equipped the 1,000-square-foot guest wing of their St. Louis home with 16 beds to accommodate teen sleepovers.

Although these renovations may sound extravagant, the parents who are springing for them argue that the features are a sound investment. Not only do they provide peace of mind, they are often easily converted back into an adult space once the child leaves the nest.

"[Teens and tweens] just needed their place to hang out and be kids," says Lee Lovely, who built a comic book-inspired lounge for his two sons. "And the adults probably need the space and tranquility as much as they do."

Source: Wall Street Journal

Eco

Quick DIY: How to Make an Orange-Peel Air Freshener

When you've got a damp and musty-smelling space in your home, this quick and eco-friendly DIY is the perfect thing for freshening your house.

When you've got a damp and musty-smelling space in your home, this quick and eco-friendly DIY is the perfect thing for freshening your house. This air freshener costs hardly anything to put together and can be tucked in a cabinet or corner, and you get a sweet snack in the process. And this smell-buster does its job without the help of harsh chemicals or fake-smelling scents, which makes this eco DIY even better. Here's how to make one:

  1. Slice a large orange in half, and use a spoon to scoop out the pulp. You can enjoy eating the orange while working or reserve for use later to make orange juice.
  2. Fill the inside of the orange with rock salt, which you can find at your local grocery store. The salt absorbs moisture from the air, whisking away damp and musty smells, while the orange peel releases a delightfully fresh scent.
  3. Position the orange-peel smell-buster on a plastic lid or small plate, and then place it where it's needed. Enjoy the freshness for several weeks, and then replace with a new orange peel filled with salt.
budget tips

10 Useful Things You Can Always Find at Goodwill

Your local Goodwill is always a great place to find discount clothing and gently used furniture, but you might be surprised at the other items you can always pick up.

Your local Goodwill is always a great place to find discount clothing and gently used furniture, but you might be surprised at the other items you can always pick up. Along with being budget-friendly, shopping at Goodwill provides a selection of unique items that you can't find at big-box stores. With a bit of patience (and savvy sense), you can find just about everything you're shopping for. Click through for a collection items we found at our local Goodwill.

Work-Life Balance

Super Savvy: Homemade Stain Remover

It always seems to happen; the minute you put on a new shirt, you end up with some sort of stain.

It always seems to happen; the minute you put on a new shirt, you end up with some sort of stain. Instead of tossing soiled clothes into the wash and hoping for the best, mix together a homemade stain remover that will whisk away challenging stains. And what's extrawonderful is that this concoction is made with three ingredients you probably already have in your home — and costs pennies to make! Keep reading for the directions and to see how the stain remover worked on this oily and muddy mark.

Click here for the ingredients.

DIY

DIY Fun: Homemade Air Fresheners

Instead of spending several dollars on fancy air fresheners that are filled with unnatural additives and don't have staying power, invest in ingredients that will allow you to make several personalized air fresheners with natural ingredients.

Instead of spending several dollars on fancy air fresheners that are filled with unnatural additives and don't have staying power, invest in ingredients that will allow you to make several personalized air fresheners with natural ingredients. Vodka is the base ingredient, so your girlfriends will love coming over to make this easy DIY! Invite each friend to bring a small spray bottle and an essential oil of her choice, and you're ready for creating really fragrant sprays.

Keep reading for the directions.

Home

Inside Karlie Kloss's $2 Million New York Apartment

Karlie Kloss is officially a New Yorker.
Karlie Kloss New York Apartment Pictures

Karlie Kloss is officially a New Yorker. The 20-year-old closed the deal on her first Big Apple apartment — a $1.975 million two-bedroom pad in the West Village — earlier this month.

The multilevel home has a private front garden that leads into a sunken living room. There's a den down a short flight of stairs, and the eat-in kitchen, filled with marble counters and a French door refrigerator, is a few steps above the living room.

Upstairs, there are two bedrooms — one of which boasts a 20-foot stretch of custom closet space and a balcony overlooking the garden — and a glass-tiled bathroom.

Kloss told Page Six she was buying the home in September. "It's beautiful," she said. "I can't wait to have a home in the city, and finally feel at home. It's not easy to do. I've been back and forth between St. Louis and New York for the past five years."

We can't wait to see what she does with the place. A look at the listing photos here in the gallery.

Holiday

Gifts For the Hostess — All Super Stylish and All Under $50

>> This season, show gratitude — and guarantee an invite back — by giving the gift of chic.
Shop Stylish Budget Hostess Gifts 2011

>> This season, show gratitude — and guarantee an invite back — by giving the gift of chic. From an understated Kate Spade vase to a quirky Jonathan Adler salt-and-pepper set, these gifts are not only thoughtful and gorgeous — they're also all under $50. Click through to shop now.

Spring

Spring Cleaning May Give You More Than a Pristine House

You're well on your way to giving your life a healthy Spring cleaning, but what about your house?

spring cleaning You're well on your way to giving your life a healthy Spring cleaning, but what about your house? Have you dusted everything thoroughly, cleaned your window treatments, and taken that pile of items in the basement to Goodwill? Don't worry, I haven't either. But it's never too late to start chipping away at your Spring cleaning chores.

Once you do take out the rags and rubber gloves, make sure to exercise extra caution and safety, because according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2010 alone, more than 35,500 people injured themselves on a stepladder, and more than 41,000 suffered injuries while gardening or using gardening equipment. Wow — those are some serious Spring-cleaning injury stats!

Here are some reasons we tend to hurt ourselves around this time of the year.

Furniture

Pixelate Your Life: Design Ideas For the Home

Pixelated furniture and accessories aren't just for the geek at heart anymore.

Pixelated furniture and accessories aren't just for the geek at heart anymore. These days, pixel-inspired home goods are chic, cool, and totally sophisticated. Just look at the examples from Cristian Zuzunaga — not only did he craft that beautiful couch (that I'm still lusting over), but the pixel bag and scarf could jazz up any ole outfit. Now that I mention it, that rug is his, too. He must be the king of pixels, no? Though The Pixel cabinet would look quite chic in my living room, the $23,000 price tag would not. Want something you can buy now to start your pixel trend? The CB2 Pixel Pillow is just $50. Happy shopping!

healthy living

Simple Solutions From The Healthy Home

A new book called The Healthy Home ($14) by father-son duo Dr. Myron Wentz and Dave Wentz is an insightful read that takes you on a tour of the standard home while exposing the health risks prevalent in most homes and in typical family behavior.
Simple Solutions From The Healthy Home by Dr. Myron Wentz and Dave Wentz

A new book called The Healthy Home ($14) by father-son duo Dr. Myron Wentz and Dave Wentz is an insightful read that takes you on a tour of the standard home while exposing the health risks prevalent in most homes and in typical family behavior. This book doesn't preach eco-living, but it does advise you with the knowledge and tools you need to lessen the health risks posed by common living conditions. I feel that The Healthy Home is an invaluable reference book that every homeowner should read for their own health and for their family's well-being.

For more information on reducing your exposure to chemicals in the home, check out Everyday Exposures, an interactive website that helps you discover potential hazards room by room.