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Make Your Home Office Appealing

• Tailored Living will maximize your home office space by designing workspaces that are ergonomically friendly, taking into account user height, work area needs and accessibility to computers, printers and other office equipment.
• Capturing vertical space, custom cabinets and shelves will provide practical space for books, supplies and other work-related items, with space for décor pieces so the office space will reflect your personality.
• Hanging files, slide out trash bins, ergonomic keyboards, glass-inset doors and decorative crown moldings are just some of the options to customize your home office design.
• You can include an entertainment or media center in the home office storage cabinets that can serve to make daily breaks more interesting with videos, games or music.

Tailored Living has a range of home office cabinet styles and finishes so your home office design can complement your home’s distinctive style. Decorative hardware and accessories in your favorite colors are the finishing touches to make your home office a comfortable, inviting and efficient place to work.

How to Design the Perfect Home Office

Home office designs take many forms, from one shelf in the kitchen for a computer, to a full room of corporate boardroom grandeur. Those disparities in design can often spark online debate about what is or is not “officially” a home office:

• Where are the file cabinets?
• Without a computer or printer is it really an office?
• Is the desk large enough to actually accomplish any work?
• Where is all the work paraphernalia—paper, pens, supplies?
• No self-respecting home office has a day bed!

And on it goes. It is true–what is one man’s (or woman’s) home office may only be another man’s cubby. It’s also true that home office ideas you see online are just that…ideas. Ideas to help jump-start your creative juices since nothing you see online could just plop right into your home and work perfectly. Learn more.

Home-grown Gift Ideas That Will Make the Holidays Sweeter

It’s that time of year when even people who don’t make lists are making lists–lists for holiday shopping so that no one is disappointed when the presents are handed out. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Santa Claus, giving gifts to loved ones and friends is a big part of the holidays, and we can all use a little help when it comes to finding just the right gift for everyone.

But finding that perfect gift may be easier than you think! Tailored Living®can help with home organization and storage solutions that keep on giving all year long, making life easier and more enjoyable for the whole family. Consider custom closets for him and her, a built-in media center, a total garage makeover to free up room for a man cave or home gym, and customized pantry and laundry storage. You may be surprised at the gift potential right in your own home!

Did you know?

Every year more than 400 million people celebrate Xmas around the world — that makes Xmas one of the world’s biggest religious and commercial festivities. In approximately year 300 A.D., the birthday of Jesus was determined to be on December 25, the day that has been celebrated from then till this very day. The celebration on the 25th of December starts with Christmas Eve, the evening of December 24.

The religious festival is originally a blend of pagan customs. The Romans held a festival on December 25 called Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, i.e. “the birthday of the unconquered sun.”. Pagan Scandinavia celebrated a winter festival called Yule, held in late December to early January. However, it is uncertain exactly why December 25 became associated with the birth of Jesus since the Old Testament doesn’t mention a specific date of the event.

Favorite Sugar Cookies Recipe

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 30 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling
MAKES: 84 servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 egg
• 1-1/2 teaspoons almond extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt

FROSTING:

• 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 to 4 tablespoons 2% milk
• Food coloring of your choice, optional
• Colored sugar, edible glitter, nonpareils or frosting of your choice, optional

Directions
In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and extracts. Combine flour and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Chill 1-2 hours.
Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with floured 2-1/2-in. cookie cutters. Place on greased baking sheets. Bake 7-9 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
For frosting, in a small bowl, combine butter, sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve a spreading consistency. If desired, tint with food coloring. Frost cookies; decorate as desired. Yield: 6-7 dozen.

Your Checklist For Less Stressful Mornings

How do you keep from feeling dizzy and exhausted before breakfast? Start by making a checklist. Lists can’t solve all of life’s challenges (it pains me to admit this), but they certainly work for some. And I happen to have one that can transform your mornings:

The Night Before


Make lunch: I know, I know, you’ve finished dinner and washed the dishes and the last thing you want to do is prepare more food and clean up again. Do it anyway. You won’t feel like making lunches tomorrow morning either! But at least they’ll be packed, ready, and waiting in your lunch bag.

Think ahead: What’s on tomorrow’s schedule? Is there anything out of the ordinary that requires special attention or gear (such as soccer practice)? If so, load the trunk of your car now. Check in with your kids—they often forget to tell you about almost everything.

Top 5 Ways to Get Organized

You’ve gotten motivated to organize an area that’s driving you crazy, but you need a strategy to get started. That involves making decisions—something you avoid whenever possible. Well, help has arrived: Scroll through this list of organizing methods and select the one that best fits your situation. You’re halfway done!

Organizing Method: Alphabetical order.

Best For: Your spice rack.

How It’s Done: Sort the spice jars; toss the ones past their prime; make a list (yea!) of the ones you need to replace; and then alphabetize them.

Organize Your Child’s Room in 8 Steps

How many times have you spent hours decluttering your kid’s room, only to have the mess reappear two days later? It’s enough to drive any parent crazy!

Step 1: Take inventory of what stays and goes, Sitomer says. Your child has more mini Legos, dollhouse pieces, and arts and crafts supplies than she’ll ever use. Make three piles: Keep, donate, and recycle. Schedule a donation pick-up by phone or email, and recycle items the next available day (or they could find their way back in with the keepers!).

Step 2: Sort the “keep” pile by type. For example, place cars in one pile and dress-up clothes in another.

Step 3: Store each “keep” pile in separate bins and boxes with lids, so they’re easier to stack. Clear designs allow kids to see what’s inside (before dumping everything out). To make the contents crystal clear, complete Step 4.

Step 4: Label your containers. Doing so will come in handy during playtime, clean-up, and if you plan to move. Sitomer swears by using a label gun. These adorable, reusable, chalkboard labels are also fun.

Step 5: Purge the mounds of paper (because kids hoard papers!). Place awards, photos, reminders, and calendars on peg boards, Sitomer suggests. For an extra visual punch, choose one with a printed background.

Step 6: Stash away writing utensils. Store crayons, markers, pens, and pencils in easy-to-open containers.

Step 7: Dive into this Bermuda Triangle to see what actually fits. Your goal is to emerge with “keep” and “donate” piles.

Step 8: Choose versatile storage items, Sitomer says. For example, a hanging shelf creates vertical storage for seasonal items like flip-flops and swimsuits, or accessories such as belts and scarves. Foldable storage boxes and slim hangers with detachable clips maximize closet space even more.

One last step: Celebrate!

Use Overhead Space Wisely

The garage ceiling is a great spot for hanging long, flat stuff you don't use every day, such as ladders and seasonal sports gear. Make sure that any shelves you hang from the ceiling don't interfere with your garage door's operation and that there is enough clearance to avoid scraping the roof of your car.

Clearing The Toy Clutter

It's easy to control clutter if you remember that the four walls of your garage are actually four more floors. With the right shelves and hooks, you can actually quadruple your storage space.

Sterilite makes a collection of some of the sturdiest plastic storage products available. One of them is a shelving unit that can be assembled in about 30 seconds; each shelf will hold 50 pounds. It only costs about $30.

Storage totes are great because they hold everything and they keep it all dry. If you have kids or pets, though, drill a hole in the tote. If the kids are goofing around and get stuck inside, that hole will be a very good thing.

Tips for Organizing a Garage

If your car is out on the street because there's no room for it in the garage, it's time to get organized. Here are some tips and tools to make it happen. Safety First: Learn the best ways to store that hazardous stuff we all keep in the garage: the chemicals, the paint cans and pesticides.

Chemicals are the No. 1 danger. A lot of people keep pesticides, paints and auto fluids, often in old food containers, which can leak and cause fumes, burns, respiratory problems and fire hazards. Always store such substances in their original containers and out of reach of children, on a high shelf or in a locked cabinet. Chemicals that are poisonous to pets are a huge problem. Road salt and ice-melt mixtures can get on the paws of cats and dogs and cause diarrhea and vomiting. Antifreeze, in particular, is highly dangerous and can be fatal. It has a sweet smell that attracts pets; as little as 1 tablespoon can kill a cat; half a cup can kill a dog. Be sure to wipe up any spills immediately, and keep antifreeze out of reach for children, too.

Everyone experiences gloomy Sunday afternoon feelings from time to time. But if your home feels like it's been in a constant state of the blues, it's time to banish those negative, sad and downright depressing vibes that can have a dramatic effect on your mood once and for all. Trust us, you do want to try these techniques at home.​ Read here 15 Ways to Get Rid of Negative Energy in Your Home.

Top 4 Ways to Organize and Enhance Your Garage:

1. Determine the best garage layout. You can utilize a combination of cabinets, shelving, activity organizers and overhead storage racks. The goal is to have a versatile garage organization and storage system that can change with your needs. Remember to keep your kids’ items within their easy reach. Make sure to use cabinets specifically built for the garage with extra strength features like 1-inch thick shelves, fully adjustable shelves and mounted off the floor which eliminates pest filtration as well as potential for water and mold damage. Make sure to incorporate all your needs with the storage system such as shoe storage, wardrobe cabinet for jackets & coats, soft goods storage such as paper towels & toilet paper, sodas/water, etc. 
   
   
2. Now that you're organized, and because it is more than "just a garage," PremierGarage can install a Premier NX state-of-the-art flooring system that is easy to clean, durable and provides lasting beauty to the largest room in your house. When considering a floor coating system for your garage, look for systems that utilize polyurethane as the finish coat. Traditional epoxies wear faster, and do not maintain the long-lasting shine and durability of the latest polyurethane finishes.   
3. Keeping the garage neat and orderly is easy when it starts out organized. With your items categorized and stored away in cabinetry, it becomes much easier to determine annually what you need (because you have had it in and out of the cabinet several times), and what can be purged. Being able to find your items easily saves time and money, as you won't be purchasing things you already have, but can't find.
4. The right garage storage system should allow for easy washing of the floor that will keep it clean and prevent tracking mud and dirt into your home. Please don’t hesitate to contact our offices should you have any questions or would like assistance in developing your plan.

Keep Your Garage Clean & Safe

• Make sure there is good lighting in your garage.  Add more light fixtures if needed.
• All items should be kept in their designated area.
• Keep floors clear and immediately clean any grease or spills.
• Store paints, toxic chemicals and pesticides in their original containers clearly labeled and safely out of reach of children.
• Keep flammable items away from heat sources and work areas.
• You should not use any power tools with frayed or tattered cords.  Unplug tools when they are not in use.
• Never exceed specified weight recommendations for cabinets and shelving units. Make sure weight is evenly distributed and store heaviest items closest to the ground.
• Make sure you have a small ladder or step stool within easy reach to help you when reaching for items stored up high.
• Keep a fire extinguisher in your garage

5 Secrets to Making a Bed Like a Hotel Housekeeper

If you asked me before I spent a day shadowing the Director of Housekeeping (Linda Ajdari) at New York City's The Marlton Hotel how to make a bed, I would have told you a rather sad tale about fluffed pillows and fitted sheets which would have made Ajdari cringe. Now, I know better. Lucky for you, I'm sharing my new-found wisdom so you can use it, too.

1. Forget the fitted bottom sheet.

The reason hotel beds make you feel like the rice and beans in a tightly-wrapped Chipotle burrito is because instead of using a fitted sheet around the mattress, they use two identical top sheets. First, lay both down flat on the mattress, then you tuck the sheets into the sides and the end of the bed, leaving the corners hanging out.

Then, comes the "hospital corner fold." To do this, lift the edge of the sheet to form a 45-degree angle with your mattress, then pull and tuck the hanging fabric under the mattress.

 

2. Use your duvet cover corners.

Next is the comforter, which actually takes the prize as the most-hated chore — thanks to the tricky duvet. To conquer this cover solo, use both hands to grab the top corners of the comforter from the outside, then reach through and pull the fluffy comforter up with you until it's engulfed in the duvet. Harder than it looks.

3. Relax wrinkles with misted water.

No, you don't need an iron or steamer to smooth out crinkled sheets. The secret is a spray bottle full of plain old tap water. First, spritz the liquid evenly across your duvet cover on your almost-made bed (the corners should still be sticking out). Then shake the top layer until you can see the creases start to settle.

4. Karate chop your comforter.

To make sure the amount of comforter you fold inwards (allowing space up top for the pillows to sit) is even on both sides, use your arms as a guide. When you karate chop about two feet into the fabric, you can fold both ends down from one side of the bed.

5. Flatten pillows so they stand tall.

Put your hands in the middle, then slowly push both them out in opposite directions repeatedly to make your pillow about half as thick as before you started. Then, grab the top two corners of your pillowcase and stand the pillow up next to the headboard. Next, stack your other pillows against this base pillow (as opposed to simply leaning all your pillows against the headboard, which many of us do at home). If you've successfully made a "happy" pillow it should stand tall and proud on its own.

And that's it! After tossing on an accent throw, the bed is complete and ready for guests to curl up inside — or for you to take a nap on at home. See original here.

Make the Best Use of Your Garage

Garage storage and organizational solutions from Tailored Living will make it easier for your family to stay organized and make the best use of personal and shared space.

Simplify Doing Laundry

Laundry can be a frustrating task, but by implementing a Tailored Living custom-designed laundry solution, you may find it’s not so bad after all!

The Anatomy of a Perfect Pantry

The term “pantry” still conjures up visions of grand old homes with butlers and maids in frilly aprons bustling about, cooking and serving. A Butler’s Pantry is the ultimate: “a service room between a kitchen and dining room typically equipped with counters, a sink and storage space for china and silver.” Probably not what you find in the average home today, but if you want a full Butler’s Pantry, Tailored Living can certainly build you one.

If you don’t have a formal pantry, space in the kitchen, laundry room, garage, or basement can be turned into a pantry with custom cabinets and pantry storage solutions. A closet close to the kitchen is also a good candidate for pantry conversion.

Utilizing Unusual Space: the Entryway

Your home's entryway. It can be anything from crossing the threshold directly into the living room to a cavernous, echoing foyer with a spiral staircase going up and up…

Wherever you fall on the scale (threshold–1; echoing foyer–10), you want your entryway to be inviting. It’s where you welcome guests into your home, as well as the portal for all the family comings and goings. Whatever its size, you want it to serve in grand style, learn more.