Creating a family fitness room makes it easier than ever to stick to your workout -- and it's a great place for the kids to hang, too
For most families, the key to fitness can be summed up in one word: convenience. Few things are more convenient than having all the essentials of a fitness club right in your basement.
But when Better Homes and Gardens set about developing the ideal family fitness room, convenience was only one of our considerations. The room had to work as part of a home and as a part of the lives of the family using it.
"If you're going to commit a space in your home to fitness and exercise, you have to make it inviting and motivating," says Eric Rothman of HammerSmith, the Atlanta design/build renovation firm we chose to help bring this family fitness room to life. "You can't just set up a weight bench and your old treadmill down in a dark corner of the basement and call it good. Like any other room in your home, it should be warm and welcoming. You should want to spend time there. And you have to make it so there's something for everyone: yourself, your spouse, and even the youngest children."
Rothman's plan has a distinct family-room feel: Half the room is furnished with a cushioned bench, sofa, coffee table, and shelving for books or a home theater. The other half is an open space with a corner for free weights and bench, and floor room for a treadmill or stair climber.
The design called for recessed lighting and cherry trim to add a note of warmth throughout. Durable, self-adhesive carpet squares help cushion floor exercises. Blinds offer privacy while one person is working out and others are watching TV. Conversely, keeping the blinds up allows exercisers to watch TV or even incorporate exercise videos into the workout. Putting mirrored panels on the back wall not only reflects light and gives the room a more open feel, but also has a practical function.
"Being able to see yourself when performing strength-training exercises helps you check your posture as you work out for better results and less risk of injury," says Jeff Bell, certified strength and conditioning specialist and co-owner of Spectrum Wellness fitness center in Manhattan, who contributed numerous ideas to our room's fitness scheme.
And for the kids, the centerpiece of the room is a wild, wavy climbing wall.
"Not only do climbing walls create an interesting design element, but the kids love them," says Rothman. "These walls are better than a jungle gym. And the holds are movable so, as the kids grow or get bored with one layout, you can mix it around and make it more challenging." That kind of flexible design is essential to ensuring kids make exercise a lifelong habit. Variation keeps families committed to exercise and improves fitness because it encourages working out different muscle groups in different ways, adds Bell.
There are other practical considerations to the family fitness room. Safety aside, exercisers should be able to secure or stow gear that little ones could hurt themselves on. When everyone is done using the room, there should be a place to put everything. That's why our room has plenty of storage possibilities and space for everyone to exercise.
In addition to a closet with ample shelving and drawers for each person's towel and exercise clothes, the bench on the room's opposite side is open at the back with slanted shelves for dumbbells or other equipment. The space behind the climbing wall could also serve to store equipment when you need more floor space for aerobics or the next time the kids want to roll out the mats to do a little tumbling
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Decorating Home Tip: Where to Start on All Major Decorating Projects
Recently I was asked, from an overwhelmed homeowner, "in what order should I begin my decorating and remodeling project?" The answer? Do what the professionals do!
When a house is built, they begin with the foundation, build the walls, add a roof, get the inside protected by windows, doors, roofing and siding. Then they come inside and do all the stuff under the protective coating (the drywall, sheetrock, plaster). They wire for electric, put in plumbing, HVAC, security systems, and audio and visual systems. Then they hang the drywall, sheetrock or plaster. After that they usually do trim work like your moldings and door and window facings. At the same time or within some succession they work on built-ins. Then they paint, usually with a sprayer, then they add the bathrooms, kitchens, floors, and finish the trim and light fixtures, etc.
In a home decorating or remodel project if you are starting over from top to bottom you can take the same steps as a professional builder does.
1. First begin with any new construction, room dividers, holes in walls, new window openings, new windows, etc.
2. Next do any electrical work like adding outlets, adding overhead lights, downlights, switches, surround sound, security systems, etc.
3. Now start on your crown molding and trim around windows and doors. Any built ins that are going to be added would be built at this point by your finish carpenter. Once this is complete"…"
4. Paint the walls and trim, get the floors put down (assuming you are adding new prefinished hard wood floors or carpeting).
Once the basics of construction are done, the same rules apply to decorating the space and making it homey, that is adding the colors, the patterns and the fluffy stuff that makes a house feel like a home.
1. Decide what the room is going to be used for and make a plan.
2. Select the furniture that makes sense for your family and your budget.
3. Pick out colors and patterns that work for the room, the style you want and for your family and pets.
4. Select window treatments or curtains to protect your new digs and soften the edges.
5. Hang artwork or wall décor to begin warming up the room and making it your own.
6. And lastly get some accessories and lamps to top it all off!
Guess what? YOU ARE DONE DECORATING!
The most important question for any decorating or home remodeling project is this: what do you want? When you can figure out what you want at the beginning and set yourself up on a plan, each step will fall in line (because you are organized and know exactly what you want), you will be able to make your budget (you can cut costs here and there and look for sales) and the whole project will come together effortlessly.
When a house is built, they begin with the foundation, build the walls, add a roof, get the inside protected by windows, doors, roofing and siding. Then they come inside and do all the stuff under the protective coating (the drywall, sheetrock, plaster). They wire for electric, put in plumbing, HVAC, security systems, and audio and visual systems. Then they hang the drywall, sheetrock or plaster. After that they usually do trim work like your moldings and door and window facings. At the same time or within some succession they work on built-ins. Then they paint, usually with a sprayer, then they add the bathrooms, kitchens, floors, and finish the trim and light fixtures, etc.
In a home decorating or remodel project if you are starting over from top to bottom you can take the same steps as a professional builder does.
1. First begin with any new construction, room dividers, holes in walls, new window openings, new windows, etc.
2. Next do any electrical work like adding outlets, adding overhead lights, downlights, switches, surround sound, security systems, etc.
3. Now start on your crown molding and trim around windows and doors. Any built ins that are going to be added would be built at this point by your finish carpenter. Once this is complete"…"
4. Paint the walls and trim, get the floors put down (assuming you are adding new prefinished hard wood floors or carpeting).
Once the basics of construction are done, the same rules apply to decorating the space and making it homey, that is adding the colors, the patterns and the fluffy stuff that makes a house feel like a home.
1. Decide what the room is going to be used for and make a plan.
2. Select the furniture that makes sense for your family and your budget.
3. Pick out colors and patterns that work for the room, the style you want and for your family and pets.
4. Select window treatments or curtains to protect your new digs and soften the edges.
5. Hang artwork or wall décor to begin warming up the room and making it your own.
6. And lastly get some accessories and lamps to top it all off!
Guess what? YOU ARE DONE DECORATING!
The most important question for any decorating or home remodeling project is this: what do you want? When you can figure out what you want at the beginning and set yourself up on a plan, each step will fall in line (because you are organized and know exactly what you want), you will be able to make your budget (you can cut costs here and there and look for sales) and the whole project will come together effortlessly.
Dress Up Your Table With Fresh Spring Flowers
Dress Up Your Table With Fresh Spring Flowers
From Coral Nafie,
Celebrate Special Occasions With Beautiful BloomsEaster, Mother's Day, graduations, and bridal events seem to all come in the spring. Whether you'll be entertaining for a special event this season, having guests over for an intimate meal, or enjoying the warmer weather, you'll love the fresh and cheery look that wonderful spring flowers can bring to your home.
Use our fresh, springy ideas and inspiration to bring the fresh look of the new season to your table and home. Most of our ideas are very reasonably priced and quick and easy to do. You and your guest will enjoy the fresh look.
Fresh flowers are a must!
Get lots of ideas for spring tables in this placesetting slide show with floral centerpieces, china, napkins, and table decorations for Easter and spring.
The fresh colors and wonderful scents of tulips, hydrangea, daffodils and narcisus just invite spring into your home. What a relief after a long, chilly winter! Use your favorite colors for beautiful centerpieces. Put together combinations of yellow, blue, white, and pink. View an assortment of floral table decorations to welcome spring into your home.
Make or buy a pretty spring flower centerpiece for your table. Get out floral and pastel table linens or placemats. Purple mats with yellow napkins or pink placemats with white napkins and pastel china is a fresh elegant look for warmer weather.
From Coral Nafie,
Celebrate Special Occasions With Beautiful BloomsEaster, Mother's Day, graduations, and bridal events seem to all come in the spring. Whether you'll be entertaining for a special event this season, having guests over for an intimate meal, or enjoying the warmer weather, you'll love the fresh and cheery look that wonderful spring flowers can bring to your home.
Use our fresh, springy ideas and inspiration to bring the fresh look of the new season to your table and home. Most of our ideas are very reasonably priced and quick and easy to do. You and your guest will enjoy the fresh look.
Fresh flowers are a must!
Get lots of ideas for spring tables in this placesetting slide show with floral centerpieces, china, napkins, and table decorations for Easter and spring.
The fresh colors and wonderful scents of tulips, hydrangea, daffodils and narcisus just invite spring into your home. What a relief after a long, chilly winter! Use your favorite colors for beautiful centerpieces. Put together combinations of yellow, blue, white, and pink. View an assortment of floral table decorations to welcome spring into your home.
Make or buy a pretty spring flower centerpiece for your table. Get out floral and pastel table linens or placemats. Purple mats with yellow napkins or pink placemats with white napkins and pastel china is a fresh elegant look for warmer weather.
Make a Quick Change for Summer
Make a Quick Change for Summer
From Coral Nafie,
What Could Be Easier Than Adding Simple Accessories?There's no way easier to make a quick change in your home than to change the accessories. Add flowers and plants, hang pictures, and pull out interesting collections to set the mood for summer.
Here are some things you can do to update accessories for summer.
If you have an hour,
Drape sheer cloths or summer floral fabric on a side table
Place a faux plant or water fountain into the fireplace pit
Put a bed of sand with shells on a tray for the coffee table
Cut fresh long branches to fill tall vases set on each end of the mantle
Buy an orchid plant for every bathroom. Keep them fresh with twice-weekly watering
If you have an afternoon,
Make simple new covers for throw pillows.
Choose lightweight, floral fabric and slide on a fresh summery look. Or purchase inexpensive colorful pillows
Place a lightweight sisal rug where a heavy wool rug once lay
Freshen up the wreath on your front door wreath with colorful artificial flowers and greens
Choose a pretty floral fabric and make a runner for the dining room table
If you have a weekend,
Plan a shopping trip to garage sales and flea markets to look for seasonal accessories and artwork
Starting with the area that shows the most, clear out all the clutter from your room
Mount and hang floral plates on the wall
Mat prints or postcards to hang on the walls. Cluster them for the greatest effect.
Collect like items such as wood, metal, or glass. Create a display or grouping of your collection and display them on a bookshelf or table
From Coral Nafie,
What Could Be Easier Than Adding Simple Accessories?There's no way easier to make a quick change in your home than to change the accessories. Add flowers and plants, hang pictures, and pull out interesting collections to set the mood for summer.
Here are some things you can do to update accessories for summer.
If you have an hour,
Drape sheer cloths or summer floral fabric on a side table
Place a faux plant or water fountain into the fireplace pit
Put a bed of sand with shells on a tray for the coffee table
Cut fresh long branches to fill tall vases set on each end of the mantle
Buy an orchid plant for every bathroom. Keep them fresh with twice-weekly watering
If you have an afternoon,
Make simple new covers for throw pillows.
Choose lightweight, floral fabric and slide on a fresh summery look. Or purchase inexpensive colorful pillows
Place a lightweight sisal rug where a heavy wool rug once lay
Freshen up the wreath on your front door wreath with colorful artificial flowers and greens
Choose a pretty floral fabric and make a runner for the dining room table
If you have a weekend,
Plan a shopping trip to garage sales and flea markets to look for seasonal accessories and artwork
Starting with the area that shows the most, clear out all the clutter from your room
Mount and hang floral plates on the wall
Mat prints or postcards to hang on the walls. Cluster them for the greatest effect.
Collect like items such as wood, metal, or glass. Create a display or grouping of your collection and display them on a bookshelf or table
Decorating for Summer Outdoor Living
Decorating for Summer Outdoor Living
From Coral Nafie,
Your Guide to Interior Decorating.
It's Time to Get Outside
Summer is here in the United States, and everyone is thinking about getting outdoors. The season may be short if you live in the east or Midwest or mountain states, or it may extend almost year round if you're in southern states or California. But wherever you may find yourself, it's time to get outside and enjoy the wonderful weather and beauty of nature.
Vacations are a wonderful time to get outdoors, enjoy hiking, do some outdoor cooking, or just lie around reading a good book. But you don't have to reserve those wonderful activities for those too-short times. Read here for information on some wonderful new products and suggestions on how to make the most of your outdoor time.
One of the wonderful things about summer weather is that it lets you expand your living space without a costly home renovation or addition.
In many cases, you don't have to do much decorating at all. All you really have to do is sweep off the front porch and move a comfortable chair outside. Others of you may want to create a room outside, and the newest products for outdoor living can help you do that at a minimal cost.
Comfortable outdoor furniture is a must, but doesn't have to be expensive. Two lounging chairs and a table with four chairs for eating will really make your outdoor space comfortable.
Many products are available in a wide range of prices and come ready-to-assemble. You can go to your local discount store and find very inexpensive pieces that will last a year or two and give you good wear. Or you can make a modest investment in cast aluminum or wrought iron pieces that will last longer. Any of these needs to be brought inside in the winter to give you the longest life, but they're made to stay outside for the summer months.
More substantial furniture pieces made of teak, redwood, or the new, less-expensive eucalyptus will give you many years of service if treated properly.
If you're looking to save on the pocketbook but not the quality, you can put some models together yourself with glue and a dowel system.
No matter what kind of wood you select, you should have a place indoors to store it through the winter.
Wicker furniture looks wonderful and classic outdoors, but does not wear well in the elements. Cushions must be brought in from the rain and the wicker will deteriorate in the hot sun and humidity if not cared for properly. New all-weather wicker furniture may be the answer and is made by a number of companies.
A glass- or porcelain-topped table will hold up well throughout the season.
Top it with an umbrella to keep the sun off. You may want to look at a fade-proof umbrella. Some new umbrellas are enhanced with solar-powered LED lights strung up the inside on the spine. They give a wonderful light for 8 hours after dark and are easy to maintain.
From Coral Nafie,
Your Guide to Interior Decorating.
It's Time to Get Outside
Summer is here in the United States, and everyone is thinking about getting outdoors. The season may be short if you live in the east or Midwest or mountain states, or it may extend almost year round if you're in southern states or California. But wherever you may find yourself, it's time to get outside and enjoy the wonderful weather and beauty of nature.
Vacations are a wonderful time to get outdoors, enjoy hiking, do some outdoor cooking, or just lie around reading a good book. But you don't have to reserve those wonderful activities for those too-short times. Read here for information on some wonderful new products and suggestions on how to make the most of your outdoor time.
One of the wonderful things about summer weather is that it lets you expand your living space without a costly home renovation or addition.
In many cases, you don't have to do much decorating at all. All you really have to do is sweep off the front porch and move a comfortable chair outside. Others of you may want to create a room outside, and the newest products for outdoor living can help you do that at a minimal cost.
Comfortable outdoor furniture is a must, but doesn't have to be expensive. Two lounging chairs and a table with four chairs for eating will really make your outdoor space comfortable.
Many products are available in a wide range of prices and come ready-to-assemble. You can go to your local discount store and find very inexpensive pieces that will last a year or two and give you good wear. Or you can make a modest investment in cast aluminum or wrought iron pieces that will last longer. Any of these needs to be brought inside in the winter to give you the longest life, but they're made to stay outside for the summer months.
More substantial furniture pieces made of teak, redwood, or the new, less-expensive eucalyptus will give you many years of service if treated properly.
If you're looking to save on the pocketbook but not the quality, you can put some models together yourself with glue and a dowel system.
No matter what kind of wood you select, you should have a place indoors to store it through the winter.
Wicker furniture looks wonderful and classic outdoors, but does not wear well in the elements. Cushions must be brought in from the rain and the wicker will deteriorate in the hot sun and humidity if not cared for properly. New all-weather wicker furniture may be the answer and is made by a number of companies.
A glass- or porcelain-topped table will hold up well throughout the season.
Top it with an umbrella to keep the sun off. You may want to look at a fade-proof umbrella. Some new umbrellas are enhanced with solar-powered LED lights strung up the inside on the spine. They give a wonderful light for 8 hours after dark and are easy to maintain.
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