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Free activities in Wisconsin

Christine Bartsch — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 04:22:00 -0700

When family finances get tight, the first thing to go from the budget is usually entertainment. After all, admission fees can put a major dent in your wallet when you have to pay for the entire family. Thankfully Wisconsin has plenty of exciting and enriching activities that’ll cost you no more than the price of a picnic lunch and the gas it takes to drive there.

Best family museums in Wisconsin

Christine Bartsch — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 05:08:00 -0700

Does the thought of a day at the museum get your family yawning? Wake them up by taking them to one of Wisconsin’s best museums that provides family entertainment along with education. Take your pick from top children’s museums, or visit one of the state’s specialty museums, like the one that celebrates the railroad -- or even the circus!

Wisconsin campgrounds for the family

Christine Bartsch — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 05:02:00 -0700

Rolling hills, picturesque lakes, towering forests, teeming rivers, captivating wildlife -- the natural beauty of Wisconsin is meant to be enjoyed, and there’s no better way than by camping. Whether you prefer primitive tent camping, relaxing in cabins or you’re an avid RV-er, Wisconsin has a campground with activities and amenities to please any family.

Festivals and family events in Wisconsin

Christine Bartsch — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 01:01:00 -0700

As the home of Milwaukee, the “City of Festivals,” it’s no wonder that Wisconsin has some incredible festivals and events perfect for families of any age. Whether you’re a fan of music, carnivals, food, world culture or even pirates, the Dairy State has an event celebrating your kind of family fun.

Travel-inspired interior design ideas

Christine Bartsch — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 08:00:00 -0800

Maybe you're a world traveler, a wanna-be wanderer or simply interested in paying homage to your own heritage or favorite vacation spot. Whatever the reason for your desire to add international flavor to your interior design, here are a few tips to help you steer clear of kitsch and put your home decor on the road to a global look.

Lamp construction 101

Christine Bartsch — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 07:00:00 -0800

As an absolutely essential interior design accessory, lamps not only provide alternative lighting options, the best make a statement. But finding a statement-piece lamp that suits your personal decor style isn’t that easy among manufactured lighting options; on the other hand, custom-made lamps can get expensive. Save some cash and add a personal touch by crafting or restoring a lamp on your own.

Movie-inspired interior design ideas

Christine Bartsch — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 07:15:00 -0800

No matter how good the acting, directing and cinematography, a shoddy set can ruin the believability and credibility of even the best film. Yet when cinema’s art directors and set decorators do their jobs well, their hard work goes largely unnoticed by the movie-going public. Pay homage to these unsung artists with an interior design inspired by the sets of your favorite film -- designed by the best in show business.

Homemade Christmas ornament ideas

Christine Bartsch — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 07:00:00 -0800

Retailers are selling practically every conceivable Christmas ornament you can think of, from the sweetly sacred to the oddly amusing, but chances are you won’t remember where or when you got each one in a year or two. But if you make your tree ornaments yourself, you can create memories as you craft personalized ornaments by hand. Whether you're looking for a craft to do with your kids or simply want to create some themed tree decorations without breaking the bank, here are some ideas for Christmas ornaments you can make at home.

Inexpensive stocking stuffer ideas

Christine Bartsch — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 07:00:00 -0800

Stockings stuffed with little gifts have long been the icing on the Christmas cake that made kids feel like they received an abundance of gifts each year. But with so much financial belt-tightening going on these days, many are abandoning the tradition to save cash. Before you axe stockings from your holiday, consider stuffing them with some of these inexpensive gift ideas.

An old-fashioned Christmas

Christine Bartsch — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:09:00 -0800

The holiday season isn’t just starting earlier each year, it’s getting bigger, flashier and more commercialized. If you’re with Charlie Brown in thinking you’ve lost the true meaning of the season amid all the hustle and bustle, it might be time to "unplug" this holiday with some old-fashioned Christmas traditions.

5 Chic Christmas tree decor themes

Christine Bartsch — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 09:19:00 -0800

With new designs coming out each holiday season, chances are your stash of Christmas decorations is overflowing with random ornaments. Hanging all those treasured keepsakes on the tree at once may feel heartwarming and homey, but it probably looks a little hodgepodge. For tree decor that’s less quaint and more chic, streamlining your ornament stash to fit a theme is key -- or leave your current collection tucked away this year and start fresh with one of these chic-themed Christmas trees.

Host an all-day, open-house Thanksgiving party

Christine Bartsch — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 07:00:00 -0800

Getting an extended family and close friends together to celebrate Thanksgiving can be tricky. It becomes even more difficult as kids grow up and get married, adding even more family members to the bunch. Rather than wrangle with in-laws, aunts and cousins over who’s hosting this year, throw an all-day, open-house Thanksgiving celebration flexible enough for all friends and family members to fit into their holiday rounds. Here are three ways to organize your all-day Thanksgiving event!

Thanksgiving hostess gift ideas for under $20

Christine Bartsch — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:56:00 -0800

Anyone who’s prepared a Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings knows how labor-intensive and exhausting the day can be. If you’re lucky enough to be the guest instead of the hostess this Thanksgiving, show your appreciation with an inexpensive hostess gift. But skip the generic grocery-store flowers or gift cards and opt instead for a special treat the hostess can enjoy long after the party’s over.

Creative ways to redecorate your home with paint

Christine Bartsch — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:08:00 -0700

Redecorating may seem like a budget-busting project, but a little creativity can get you a chic, new look for little more than the cost of a few gallons of paint. Check out these tips on how to spruce up your space with paint.

Hip interior design trends: Innovative wallpaper

Christine Bartsch — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:39:00 -0700

If the thought of wallpaper brings to mind the fussy floral patterns on grandma’s walls -- think again. The world of modern wallpaper is infused with innovations that have designers clamoring to incorporate the chic wall treatments into their sleek interiors.

4 Tips for mixing traditional and modern décor

Christine Bartsch — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:10:00 -0700

Perhaps you’ve got a significant other who wants to stick their Eames lounge chair in your traditional living room. Or maybe you need to incorporate your grandmother’s Louis XIV chair into your mostly mid-century modern home. Whatever the reason behind your need to combine distinctly different design styles in the same space, here are a four tips to help you achieve a successful transitional style interior.

Color theory 101 for home decorators

Christine Bartsch — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:15:00 -0700

Nothing turns a house into a home like giving it a fresh coat of paint -- but for many homeowners, picking wall colors can be an intimidating process. Some worry about coordinating their favorite furniture and accessories with bold wall colors, so they simply stick to neutral color palettes. Instead of resorting to some boring shade of white, study up on the basics of color theory to help you find your perfect color palette.

3 Simple autumn candle crafts

Christine Bartsch — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 11:19:00 -0700

With autumn in the air, candles are the perfect way to bring warmth and comfort into a room’s décor. Discount stores carry inexpensive pillars, tapers and tea candles in an assortment of colors -- but these simple versions can look cheaper than they cost. Instead of spending big bucks on designer candles, try your hand at one of these crafts to give your inexpensive candles a personalized fall look.

3 Décor styles that blend clashing textiles

Christine Bartsch — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:47:00 -0700

There's no place like home for displaying your favorite interior design items, but what do you do when the textiles you love have a tendency to clash? Former Bachelorette Jillian Harris -- now guest designer for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition -- loves glamorous marble, ethnic Navajo prints and ikat-dyed fabrics, but these textiles tend to create a conflicting design aesthetic. Here are three design styles that incorporate these contrasting textiles into a harmonious home décor.

4 Tips for glamorous camouflage décor

Christine Bartsch — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:03:00 -0700

Since military camouflage debuted during World War I, the abstract pattern has been inspiring designers. From the black-and-white "dazzle" camouflage popularized in 1920s England to modern prints in quirky fashion colors, designers have given the tough, edgy textile a glamorous touch. Add a touch of camo to your chic décor by following these four “glamouflage” tips.