Natalie Weinstein is President of Natalie Weinstein Design Associates, The Natalie Weinstein Home Decorating Club and Uniquely Natalie, a quality consignment boutique. For inquiries call: 
631-862-6198.

Home & How It Helps Getting Your Kids Ready for a Good School Year

    The waning summer vacation can not only be used for family fun but for projects that help kids look forward to success in the coming school year. As a designer for over four decades, I have often seen the positive results of creating a home environment that promotes good habits and focus. When I create kids rooms, for example, I always include them. I want them to feel a part of the selection process and take ownership of their space. After all, their room is their home within your home. It should fulfill their needs, make them happy and comfortable in their own space; helping them to learn, think and create. That’s why I often encourage families moving into a new home to “do” kids’ rooms first, to help them transition well. 
    A Spoonful of Sugar is not only a great Mary Poppins song, but my philosophy for getting kids to want to keep their rooms clean, neat and orderly. Late summer is a perfect time to get ready for a happy productive school year – before the homework and overscheduled days that make kids lives today as hectic as adults. It’s the time they can stay up late to go to a movie or sports event. It’s the time for a family fun night, pizza party, or summer related activity. These can all be great rewards for a “getting ready” job well done.
    So, Mom and Dad, your skin in the game is to realize the importance of preparation in your child’s success. Your participation in the process and your desire to make it fun for everyone is key. Permit me to share a story of my visit to my family in California, when my grandchildren were young.  I’d barely touched down and unpacked when Katrina and Neil literally dragged me to their rooms, fighting over who would go first – first to do their closets, organize their games and set up their desks for school. No – these kids were not brainwashed – well, maybe they were – a little, because Grammy started playing this “game” with them from the time they were three. They actually thought we were playing, not working and after “playing”, there was always a special treat. As I am writing this article, Katrina and her Mom are heading to the University of Oregon for freshman orientation where she’ll get her room assignment. Those early lessons in making the most of her personal space, I know will help her smoothly transition to dorm life. (She’s already told me that if her roommate is a slob, she’s putting a “do not cross” line down the middle of the room!)
    What about your kids? Have you helped them to value and maintain their personal space? It’s not too late to start. Of course, if the rest of your home doesn’t reflect this philosophy, how do you expect your kids to respond? The famous four words – “clea­­­­n up your room” never works. “Do what I do, not what I say” is generally the response to expect. So, dear reader, the less hectic summer time can be the best time to get your house in order. You may want to relax and blow it all off, but September is here and school has begun; carpools, sports activities and the holidays are all around the corner. Why not think of giving up a little down time now, as a way to reward yourself with a little less stress this fall? The benefits of a clean, organized home for your peace of mind and pride of place, are truly extraordinary. It’s a great feeling everyone deserves, and it costs no money – only time and a willingness to make it happen. Do it with humor and a willingness to give a better life to your family. Everyone will surely benefit.

Remodeling your home can be one of the most exciting projects to undertake. Whether you're thinking about a bathroom update, kitchen overhaul or a new room addition, planning and setting realistic expectations are critical in ensuring your project goes as smoothly as possible.

Consider these steps from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) before you get started:

1. Determine your goals and needs.
Understand why you are undertaking the project, whether it's for resale value or so you can enjoy your home more. If looking to increase resale value, consider the neighborhood and potential upgrades that can have the highest impact when going to market. If remodeling can make for a more comfortable space, create a list of "must-haves" and "nice-to-haves" then evaluate what's feasible. Being realistic about needs and wants can help you create a budget.

2. Get inspired.
Whether watching home improvement shows or browsing the internet, finding photos of styles and looks you admire can be beneficial when sharing your vision with a remodeling contractor. 

3. Understand your budget.
Setting a budget and staying within it is critical to the project's success. Be sure to build in a contingency fund for unforeseen expenses. Project expenses should factor in the cost of products, labor and project management. There are also possible additional costs such as long-term maintenance, repairs, energy use and a dining out budget if undergoing a full kitchen remodel or hotel costs sometimes necessary with large-scale projects. To avoid any unpleasant surprises, be sure to get a written estimate and scope of work once you've selected a contractor.

4. Determine timing.
If there is a specific event driving your remodel, work backward through the various project stages to determine a realistic timeline. Build in additional time as a buffer for unexpected delays and recognize remodeling contractors typically have long lead times and may require flexibility to deliver optimal results.

5. Find a contractor you trust.
Home remodeling can be stressful no matter how well you plan, but a dependable partner can make the process go smoother. While some of the best references may come from neighbors, friends or family members, a trade association like NARI can help with its online "Find a Remodeler" tool. Make sure any contractor you're considering has several years of relevant experience, as well as liability insurance.

6. Check references.
When it comes to remodeling your home, you can never be too careful when choosing who to work with. Be sure to follow up on references, read reviews online and even check out the work of any remodelers you're considering hiring, if possible. 

7. Prepare for the process.
Regardless of the size of the project, there will almost surely be inconvenience, noise, dust and potential delays. Your daily routine will most likely be disrupted. Because it can be especially stressful when redoing the kitchen or an essential bathroom, you'll probably need to consider a backup plan or other arrangements throughout the duration of the project. Remember to also declutter the work area and protect or pack away any belongings that might be in the way during the renovation.