Merrium-Webster defines Family as 1. A group of individuals living under one roof, 2. A group of persons of common ancestry, 3. A group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation, or 4. A group of things related by common characteristics.

When we choose to welcome our family into our homes (whether they are of the "ancestral variety" or the "chosen family") the point of these gatherings is to improve our lives and build lasting, treasured memories. That is kind of hard if you are stressing over your furnishings. With that in mind, here are three  areas to consider when decorating so you can have a beautiful home and your family, too:

DESIGN
All the time I hear parents say they are waiting to decorate until their children grow up. I feel it is better to raise them in a beautiful home with an appreciation and respect for nice things and invite them to participate in the process and take ownership of the decor. The key to making this work is making the design comfortable and informal. Don't try for the museum look. You are only setting yourself up for a lot of frustration. Instead, choose an eclectic selection of furnishings. All furniture pieces should blend, rather than match, so that if something needs to be replaced, the new item will fit it without a problem. The room below features a comfy kid-friendly chenille sofa, slipcovered chairs, a patterned area rug (great for hiding mishaps) and a distressed wood table that will only get more beautiful with wear.
 

DURABILITY
This is probably the most important consideration when making EVERY selection for your interior. Walls should be painted with an eggshell or satin finish  to allow for easy cleaning when the fingerprints get the best of it. Floors should be  wood, laminate, bamboo, tile, or vinyl so you can clean easily with a broom and a mop. If wall to wall carpeting is your preference, select a medium to dark tone, preferably with a pattern to camouflage any stains. Buy the finest upholstered seating  you can afford, and make sure it is constructed from kiln-dried  hardwood which has been glued, screwed, corner blocked and 8-way hand-tied. Cheap furniture will end up in the landfill in a few years, costing you more in the long term both financially and environmentally. Tables should have a surface that is stone, tile, or distressed wood, so the daily wear and tear will only enhance its beauty, as in the bench  servings as a coffee table, below.


STORAGE
People today have a lot of stuff. Homes can get taken over by books, magazines, CDs, DVDs,  iPods, video games, computer supplies, toys, games, pets, children, clothing, shoes, boots, (not necessarily in order of importance...)  The key to taming this beast is to incorporate plenty of storage options throughout your home. Decorative boxes and baskets can help corral the smaller items into manageable collections which can be stored on shelves, on top of armoires, or in cabinets. Put coat hooks near the door at both adult and child height to keep outerwear and backpacks from landing on the floor or furniture. Customize closets and garages with storage systems designed specifically for what you need to store. Avoiding clutter will allow you and your guests to relax and have a good time. The room below optimizes storage by using large stacked picnic baskets as end tables, a storage ottoman as a coffee table, and a wall of shelves with boxes and baskets for smaller items along with books and other decorative objects.

"Going Green" should be a family affair. Everyone can contribute to reduce, reuse, and recycle to painlessly make our environment and our families healthier. Here are some easy ways to increase your family's green factor:

Most people say there are only two things guaranteed in life: death and taxes. Well I would like to submit to you a third guarantee: No matter how bad your life is, there is always someone worse off than you. I believe that it is more important to give than to receive. Additionally, it has been my personal experience that when I give generously, whether it be of time or money, the rewards I get are exponentially greater than anything I might have given. In this spirit, I am going to share with you each month opportunities available for us all to give back, for we are all greatly blessed, even in these times of struggle.

Charlotte Rescue Mission
Imagine what it would be like to be homeless and hungry on Thanksgiving Day, a holiday associated with gratitude and abundance. Did you know that if you and a friend skipped going to the movies one night and instead donated that money to the Charlotte Rescue Mission you could feed ten people on Thanksgiving? If you usually get popcorn and soda you could increase the number of people your feed to 20! It is astounding how much good a meager sacrifice on our part can do. Please go to charlotterescuemission.org or call 704.333.HOPE and give generously so that everyone can have a Happy Thanksgiving, no matter what their circumstances are.

Make your home family friendly for the holiday season ahead.
Save 15% on any family friendly furnishings.