Lifestyle

Decorating a bedroom together can be a great experience for both parent and child. While many young children aren't able to appreciate high design, most kids do know what they like in terms of color and shape. Allowing children to participate in designing their own room helps them express their individuality and experience the creative process.

Realtors know that fireplaces are one of the most popular amenities buyers look for in a home, whether that fireplace is wood-burning or gas powered. They add a homey touch and are a perfect place to display family photos and holiday decorations. But adding a fireplace can be expensive.

Redecorating your child's room is more than a way to bring their space up to date. It can also be a great way for you to spend some time with your child, to see how their personal tastes have developed and to teach them some valuable lessons about negotiation as well.

The nursery at bedtime: Few battlegrounds have hosted more hard-fought wars. Few victories are as sweet as the sight of a sleeping infant. All parents know that getting baby to sleep - so you can sleep too - can be one of the most frustrating trials of parenthood.

Who doesn't love the romantic look of a log home perched on a prairie or lake? But no one probably enjoys the work involved in maintaining a log home; caulking, chinking, sanding, sealing, staining, cleaning and battling bugs are never-ending chores. It makes you wonder how old Abe Lincoln ever found the time to leave his log home and run for president.

In the days leading up to your wedding, you can pretty much count on complications.  The caterer calls you up and says he doesn't think he'll be able to find enough lobster tails to fill your order; or all of a sudden your uncle and his family will be coming after all and the priest just got called out of town on a family emergency.

This time of year, angels are everywhere - kids make snow angels when they play outside, you may have angel ornaments on your tree and you might even be baking angel shaped cookies. But angels aren't just a holiday phenomenon.

The days are getting longer, temperatures are warming up and soon there will be leaves on the trees again.  You know what that means - time to redecorate.  Every change of season serves as inspiration to make what's old new again.

If you're looking for the latest trend in home design, take a look around the men's department next time you're at the mall. "Menswear trends are making the transition to home styles this year," says Chris Tennyson, director of visual merchandising for Bombay.

When you go home at the end of the day, your apartment, condo or house should be your sanctuary; but be honest, is it a place that really feels comfortable and welcomes you?  If not, it's time to do something about it.