Author: Barbara Green

The days of selecting a room theme and living with it for a long time are gone.

In decorating, the ceiling is called "The 5th Wall." It is a substantial area of the room, so why not give it some attention?

Holidays are a great time for families to gather, but do you struggle with where everyone will sleep? If you've got an attic or an extra bedroom you might consider turning it into a bunk room. Bunk rooms have become…

There is a lot of debate on the safety of bed sharing with your infant. According to the New York Times, there has been a 400% increase in the number of infant strangulations and suffocations over the last 20 years…

Every good lighting plan needs three kinds of light: ambient, task, and accent lighting. While recessed lights and ceiling fixtures may be practical, they certainly don't add any style to the design. Lighting for kids' rooms can accomplish several of…

Chalkboard paint just might be a mother's best friend. Back in the day, the only place you saw a chalkboard was in a classroom or restaurant. Now it is easily found at any home store and can be put to…

Once upon a time, cribs were as over the top as some of the weddings that preceded the pregnancy. However, this new generation of parents are embracing a simpler life and a simpler style of crib.

The relaxing days of summer are waning and we are all preparing for our schedules to gear up into overdrive. With a little pre-planning and preparation, our homes and our lives could run much more effificiently. Here are 3 Easy…

Did you know that indoor air can be up to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air? That's pretty scary considering the precious loved ones we share our homes with! One reason air quality indoors is so poor is because…

It is really tough raising kids these days, but you parents of young children have way cooler stuff than I did when my kids were little. Here are three things that I WISH I had:1. Branch Bookcase - It is…

Do you want to do something interesting on the walls of your child's room but don't have an artistic bone in your body? Wall murals are a great way to add a special look to a room and no creativity…

Is keeping your kids' playroom organized a never-ending battle? If you are hungry for some storage solutions, simply head over to your kitchen. I've got 5 easy organizers that you've already got in your home (or recycling bin). Aluminum cans…

Did you know that we are in the midst of the biggest baby boom in 40 years? Do you know that Christian Grey is credited with creating it? Now that the book has produced an onslaught of surprise pregnancies there…

Does this sound familiar: You want to create a collage of pictures on the wall, but by the time everything is hanging and lined up properly the wall resembles swiss cheese? If you want to hang pictures with abandon, and…

Regular readers of my blog might remember a post I did last February about the battle of the bumper pads that erupted since the American Academy of Pediatrics' announcement that they were dangerous and should not be used in baby's…

My family lived in the same house for my first 21 years, and there was a closet door marked with the height of each child through the years. Today's families are much more transient and leave behind the precious memories…

Would you like your kids to sleep later in the morning? Sometimes something as simple as changing the window treatments can help. Here are some things to consider.1. Is the room too light? Daylight could be responsible for waking your…

Does this photo strike fear in the depths of your soul? Would the light-colored sofa and chair keep you awake at night with visions of juice boxes, dirty paws, and wine spills dancing in your head? You don't have to…

Interior Design does not have to be expensive. Shocking to hear that coming from an interior designer, right? You may recall my post from March 14, 2013 "Is Your Child Worth $47,000?" It showed extravagant children's beds that cost more…

Children spend a lot of time in their bedroom. Did you know that studies show some health problems such as allergies and autism can be attributed to dangerous compounds that are found in some home products? If you want to…

The months leading up to becoming a parent are like cramming for finals in college. You try to learn everything you can to do the best job with the knowledge available at the time. There is no baby needing feeding and…

Studies show kids who dine with their families at home four to five times a week do better in school and have a lower incidence of smoking, drinking, and drug use. The meals can be simple, the important part is…

Newsflash! Children are a lot more grown up today than when I was a kid. If your child's discerning taste has progressed beyond the bean bag chair, you're in luck! You now have a wide selection of sophisticated furniture sized…

Paint is the easiest and most affordable way to change the look of a room. You can add even more interest to the space with a little painter's tape and some imagination. The favorite nursery on my "AskTheDesignDiva.com" blog has…

Our children are priceless. They deserve everything in the world and more. But as parents, we are failing if we give it to them. The only thing we should be giving abundantly is our love. I speak from experience, as…

When I was a baby I shared a bedroom with my older sister. That came to an abrupt halt when she and some friends thought it would be funny to teach me curse words when I started to learn to…

Every parent can look back and see things they did incredibly well and then also see areas where they might have needed some improvement. One of the best things that my ex-husband and I did was instill in our children…

Start by organizing the toys.

Who is the first to know about a woman's pregnancy after her? These days it is probably her computer browser as expectant moms are heading to sites such as The Bump, HGTV, and Pinterest for inspiration pertaining to the all-important…

Letters in all shapes, sizes, and forms are hugely popular in decorating right now. Not only do they look great, but by surrounding your kids with letters, words, and phrases you are helping them learn and develop language skills. You…

Every now and then parents need some time away from the kids to restore their piece of mind. It doesn't mean your kids are bad, or that you're a bad parent, it simply means that you are human. Parenting is…

Just imagine...your child could be the next Michaelangelo or Monet or maybe Kahlo or Kandinsky. If the creative juices are flowing freely in your home you are probably wondering what to do with all of your child's artwork. Those creations…

Do you get frustrated every time you walk past your unused formal living room? Do you wish you weren't wasting so much valuable space in your home? Do you want to go in there to do more than just clean?…

Do you keep putting off decorating because the kids are too young? Do you long for the days when you can finally have nice things? You don’t have to wait any longer. You can have it all, kids, pets, and…

Are you thinking of redecorating your kid's room this year? Color is an important feature of any room design and a major aspect to consider. Here are some things to think about: Blues and greens are calming and restful, which…