If you don’t know how to translate the gorgeous rooms you see on Instagram and Pinterest to real life, design help is on the way. These nursery design services let you create a picture-perfect room for your little one, often for a fraction of the cost of a traditional design team. They’ll take your style and budget into consideration so you’ll come out with a ready-to-buy nursery.
Havenly
Havenly is a great first stop on your path to decorating a blank slate. Start with the site’s cost calculator, where you can select items to get an idea of the cost of a completed space. For each category, choose if you want the item to be a budget, moderate, or spendy purchase. These estimates are averages, so don’t be alarmed if you choose a budget crib and see a whopping price tag of $400. Havenly works with a number of reasonably priced retailers, like Wayfair and Target, meaning you can ask your designer to choose a crib that’s under $300. Next, choose between the online or in-person design experience. Both include 1:1 collaboration with an expert. Find out more at havenly.com.
Your Favorite Furniture Store
If you need some hand-holding but don’t have the budget to invest in a 3D rendering, check out the in-house design services offered by the mall-staple furniture companies (think West Elm, Pottery Barn Kids, Ballard Design and Restoration Hardware). Most of these services are free and are offered online as well as in-store. Restoration Hardware provides this service free for members (membership costs $100 but includes perks like 25% on full-priced items and 20% off sale items). These companies employ certified designers who will incorporate your existing furniture into a plan that features your brand of choice, so you don’t need to utilize a company that specializes in nurseries. If you’ve picked out the crib, they can do the rest—rugs, curtains, wall color, and more!
Make sure to capture all the sweetest moments of baby in their gorgeous new room—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.
With road trips on everybody’s minds, we’re all searching for those quirky roadside stops full of a little weird and a lot of fun. These unique destinations are the perfect excuse to get off the beaten path and stretch out your road-weary legs. Just in case post-pandemic life wasn’t odd enough for you already, we’re rounding up the top roadside oddities in the DMV.
Like a little Scandinavian forest tucked inside a distant DC burb, the Martin L. Snook Memorial Park, better known as the Marty Snook Magical Woods, featured expertly carved gnomes and trolls alongside wooden play structures like a wavy bridge and a treehouse. This Hagerstown park opened just last year and has become an influencer favorite for capturing magical memories. These are the kind of trolls you want on your feed!
In under an hour, take a trip across the pond to Johnny Monarch's, a busaurant (not a food truck!) in pastoral Loudoun Co. This fully operational double decker bus was built in the 1960s and once traveling the route from Yorkshire to Manchester. As a nod to the era it was created in, the upper deck (which seats 20) features photographs from the '60s. Many of the dishes are served TV dinner style, like meatloaf and roast beef. You'll also find lots of vegetarian options and a few kid-friendly picks, like PB & J and grilled cheese sandwiches.
Once an ad for a big furniture store, this chair sculpture located at the intersection of Martin Luther King Ave. and V. St. SE is a fun, oversized photo op for your family. The chair, which stands 19 ½ feet high and is made of aluminum. It weighs in at over two tons. Built in 1959 by a Virginia-based furniture maker, the ginormous chair stood to draw in customers. It drew notoriety when a local artist lived on the chair for 42 days without coming down. Now, it still stands to draw locals for a fun roadside stop.
Martin Luther King Ave. and V St. SE Historic Anacostia
Modeled after a similar milestone in Rome, the Zero Milestone symbolizes the United States' road system's effectiveness. It's an inscribed granite block, set inside a big brass compass on the sidewalk, about four feet high. It serves as the exact spot from which all roads in the country would be measured. That idea was an epic fail, but it still stands as a symbol of the cross-country road system that connects us all.
Do you have a Barbie-lover in your house? Then, you need to stop at this quirky doll hangout. With every new holiday, those in-the-know flock to get a look at this ever-changing display of dolls in front of a local building. The setup makes it look like the figures are growing up out of the dirt. Neighbors have strong opinions on the display, but it is still a fun stop for your next local road trip.
Blast off with this roadside attraction. The "Rocket Garden" located right behind the visitor center and features a large green space filled with decommissioned rockets and educational plaques. Among the rockets on display is an Apollo capsule used for training astronauts before missions and a huge Thor Delta-B rocket weighing in at just under 115,000 pounds.
Don't miss the oldest continuously operating fish market in the country! You'll probably smell and hear this stop before you see it. In operation since 1805, the majority of the seafood sellers here have been hawking the bounty of the sea for decades, possibly generations. Your little foodie will love the fantastic selection at this market. Chinese octopus and Chilean seas bass are ready to be wrapped and taken home for a family dinner. Want a break from cooking dinner? That's OK! This is a full-service market where vendors will cook the seafood to order.
1100 Maine Ave. SW District Warf, Under the I-395 overpass Online: wharfdc.com
Cape Charles is a beautiful family-friendly beach town perfect for any getaway with your crew. While you're there, check out the fleet of ghost ships in the Chesapeake Bay. The eerie-looking vessels consist of 9 of the 24 concrete ships made during World War II. The sunken ships serve as a breakwater to protect the pier and beach and a home for tons of local sea life. If you want an up-close look at this super cool site, rent a kayak, and you'll be all set to paddle out for a better view.
Check the website for special events at this location. It is on private property, and you'll need a ticket for this one. What once was a ten-acre sculpture park and museum is now a vast field of 18-to-20-foot-high busts of Presidents of the United States, many in disrepair but so cool to see. In 2017, National Geographic featured a video of the current owner discussing this historic exhibit's future. He'd like to restore the statues to their former glory.
8212 Croaker Rd Williamsburg, VA Online: thepresidentialexperiece.com
Oh, IKEA. My 13-year-old anxiously awaited her chance to wander the aisles of the furniture store after her younger sister, some weeks back, took approximately 547 photos of items she wanted to add to their future she-shed. We arrived early, eager to check in the 5 and 6-year-olds we brought along (given no other option), to the amazing kid zone so we could go through IKEA as quickly as humanly possible before having to retrieve the younger siblings. After the disappointing realization that the kid zone was not open, we reluctantly took the youngest kids with us on the maze of adorable room inspirations and wallet shrinking adventure.
We passed through the seven layers of the wood furniture forest and into the farthest reach of the store when the 6-year-old gives me the look of desperation and says ” I have to poop!” I exclaim, “Can you wait a few more minutes?” She assures me she cannot absolutely wait at all, not even one more tiny second. I give instructions to the teenager to stay in the adorable modern living room design #24 and wait for me while I retrace the many miles back to a bathroom. IKEA, why are there no bathrooms in the showroom??? I’ve never played football, but I imagine I am a linebacker pushing through crowds of people as I run the opposite way of those IKEA arrows with my 6-year-old whining in tow.
If you know me, directions are really not a strong suit for me. It is sort of like a foreign language. In fact, my husband has threatened multiple times to revoke my passenger seat privileges or send me to “map school” if I cannot be of more help to him while he is driving. So inevitably, I get lost. I pass every single layer of IKEA; from odd children toy department to plastic plant paradise to furniture that functions as a bed, desk, and closet all in one before finally finding the registers. I shove my way through crowds and discover the line that has formed outside of the bathroom. Oh wait, I think to myself there are more restrooms by the entrance. I can see the entrance now, but how do you get over there? You have to follow the yellow brick road of torture all the way around the store again to get to it.
My child is sweating and near tears. I do not help the situation as I yell-whisper that this is her fault as she didn’t give me decent notice of her predicament. I channel my inner husband and his direction skills and make it in record time through the arrow maze and reach the oasis of a bathroom. My child feels instant relief and smiles up at me wondering what the big deal was and why her mom reacted like a crazy person.
I have time to calm down, feel that familiar pang of parent guilt about the yelling and vow to do better the next time. Thankfully kid zone is now open. I beg the lady to save me two spots while I rush back through the maze to find my teen angel and 5-year-old still waiting patiently for me. We drop the children off, plan our 45 minutes of bliss and begin the trek through the store again!
It feels like I’ve run a marathon both physically and mentally, but we survived. The teen found many suitable items for her she-shed all nicely packed in tiny boxes. “Why is everything in boxes?” she innocently asks. It’s IKEA, dear, so yes, everything is packed in nice little boxes with impossible directions, one tiny wrench and a promise to never you’ll never fall victim to this again.
But I know I will do it again. The lure of tiny rooms will bring me back once again with hope the trip will go smoothly and be filled with memories. Memories that make me smile, laugh, give us stories for years to come. Until next time, IKEA.
I am a part-time teacher, CHP wife, mom to 5 kids biological and adopted, ranging in ages from 14-5. I love friends, trailering, fun dinner parties, booze, exercising ( because booze) and being with my family. In my spare time....ha ha ha ha!
Swedish meatballs, lingonberry sauce, those teeny tiny hex wrenches and—hide and seek? IKEA’s Glasgow store was recently the site of a would-be mass hide and seek game.
The game, which would have included a reported 3,000 participants, was sadly thwarted by police. After getting wind of the plans, the police were dispatched and the game was called off.
photo: Courtesy of IKEA
So how does a 3,000-person game of hide and seek happen at IKEA? By way of Facebook, of course. A call to hide (and seek) went out in a Facebook group, and IKEA fans in the Scotland area agreed to join in the furniture store fun. Police were stationed at the store, ready to turn away anyone who looked like they were only there to play the game.
This isn’t the first time a mass hide and seek game among the Malm’s and Pax’s. The first event dates back to a Belgian store in 2014. Following the first game, organizers in Eindhoven, Amsterdam and Utrecht planned super-sized seeking games.
In 2015 IKEA put a firm end to the games (which were never sanctioned by the retailer). IKEA Glasgow Store Manager, Rob Cooper, told The Scotsman, “The safety of our customers and co-workers is always our highest priority. We were aware of an unofficial Hide and Seek Facebook event being organised to take place at our store today and have been working with the local police for support.”
Cooper continued, “While we appreciate playing games in one of our stores may be appealing to some, we do not allow this kind of activity to take place to ensure we are offering a safe environment and relaxed shopping experience for our customers.”
It’s very possible Chip and Joanna Gaines are about to take over the world. Not only is the couple launching a multi-platform media mini-empire (including their own TV network), but now they’re adding a major expansion to their Waco, Texas Magnolia Market space.
According to recent reports, the Magnolia Market expansion will add several blocks to the existing area at the Silos development in downtown Waco. It will also include a Magnolia Home Furniture store and a coffee shop.
The $10.4 million expansion will include moving an empty historic church (the Second Presbyterian Church) to Gaines’ property. The church will hold additional shops and an event space. And for the sporty/outdoorsy types, it will have an adjoining garden area and whiffle ball field.
Waco-based architect Sterling Thompson, who previously owned the church, told the Waco Tribune-Herald, “Whether they have to dissect the building or not, it’s a big job.” Thompson also added, “But moving a structure that big can be done.”
So when will this major expansion happen? John Marsicano, a spokesman for Magnolia, told the Dallas Morning News, “We’re still in the final stages of solidifying our master plan for the area, but we expect the entire project to be complete by the end of the year.” Marsicano went on to add, “Additional construction details and site plan information will be available in the coming weeks, but our hope with this project is to create an active and beautiful community space for Wacoans and visitors alike.”
IKEA’s Swedish meatballs are a staple of the retailer’s in-store menu, but if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, forget about indulging in the tasty treat—at least until 2020. The build-it-yourself-with-a-hex-wrench fab furniture store recently announced it’s developing a plant-based protein alternative option.
Even though IKEA already serves up veggie balls as a meat-free option, the in-development version will look and taste like meat. Think Impossible Burger in a Swedish meatball form.
Not only are the new in-the-works meatless meatballs perfect for vegetarians, but the plant-based protein is also a sustainable food choice that’s good for the planet too! Michael La Cour Managing Director at IKEA Food Services AB, said in a press statement, “We see a growing demand from our customers to have access to more sustainable food options and we want to meet that need. Our ambition is to make healthier and more sustainable eating easy, desirable and affordable, without compromising on taste and texture.”
So when will IKEA make the plant-based protein meatballs available to the public? According to the retailer, the company will start testing the product early next year. But if you’re all in for a Swedish meal, and need something to dip into your lingonberry sauce, you can always try the veggie balls and dogs.
Whether you are looking for some insta-cred on your feed or want to start planning ahead for some uber cute holiday cards, L.A. has the perfect backdrop for you and your kids. Scroll through to see where you can find some of our favorite street murals that will add a dose of fun to your family photos.
Love Wall
Andie Huber
Love is in the air and on the wall with this graphic cursive lettering on a bright red background. The feel-good nature of this street art by Curtis Kulig may just inspire your little ones to hug it out.
Located on the exterior wall of the furniture store Cisco Home, this popular spot usually has a line on the weekends so take advantage of early waking kids and head over there first thing in the morning.
Cisco Home 8025 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles Online: ciscohome.net
What Lifts You Angel Wings
Andie Huber
Catch this pair of wings by Kelsey Montague the next time you head up to Universal. Located in Universal Citywalk next to the Hard Rock Cafe, it'll make your little ones look like perfect little angels.
Universal Citywalk 100 Universal City Plaza Universal City, CA
Hello Wall at Carrera Cafe
Andie Huber
Serving an interesting and ever-changing wall along with European-style cafe goodies, this pretty floral wall is located outside Carerra Cafe (and conveniently across the street from the Paul Smith pink wall). Feed your kids a chocolate croissant and then get them to happily pose among the flowers. The mid-morning sun can be especially harsh so try and hit this one earlier in the day or later in the afternoon.
This dose of pink has its own hashtag (#pinkwall) and makes everything that stands in front of it look good thanks to its saturated color. Go early because lines form the later it gets (seriously). Once you've grabbed your shot, head across the street to Carrera Cafe to grab a bite and watch everyone else get their 'gram game going. You may even spot some Insta-famous Influencers.
Paul Smith
8221 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles
Online: paulsmith.com
Fairfax Wall
Andie Huber
When we were searching out cool locations, we approached this one thinking it was a black and white wall with really cool graphic designs but, as is the nature of these living art pieces, we found this colorful incarnation had recently been painted over the other one. Lesson learned: If you really want a photo in front of one of these special murals, don't waste any time or totally go with the flow and be surprised by the new art you've found on your journey!
Corner of 555 S Fairfax Ave. and Lindenhurst Ave.
Los Angeles
Have any favorite wall murals you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments below!
D.C. is famous for its grand statues and huge memorials, which create the signature landscape of downtown. But there are also hundreds of lesser-known statues, sculptures, and outdoor artworks dotted around parks, public buildings, traffic circles and intersections throughout the DMV. Here are a few that are worth scoping out with your kids.
A Memorial with a View Looking for President Buchanan? He’s been hanging out amidst the 12-acre sprawl that is Meridian Hill Park (also known as Malcolm X Park). This park has become revitalized along with the rest of the U Street area and is absolutely gorgeous, offering one of the most spectacular views of the D.C. landscape. It is set on one of the highest hills just north of the White House and runs along 16th Street in an area lined by immense 20th century mansions. In addition to the former president, you’ll find a finely “dressed” statue of Joan of Arc—all armored up and on a horse—which is the only equestrian statue in the city with a woman rider. The park also features an immense memorial to famous Italian philosopher Dante. One of the park’s central architectural features is an amazing stepped waterfall.
Good to know: Plan a visit on a Sunday between 3 pm and 9 pm to experience the popular neighborhood Drum Circle that convenes then. Après-park head towards bustling U Street, where you can check out some shops or grab a slice with your brood at Matchbox 14th Street or &Pizza.
An Epic Adventure Around Chinatown and Gallery Place, there are treasures galore; it’s easy to make a half- or even full-day adventure out of this super fun neighborhood. A good starting point is the colorful Friendship Arch, a Chinese gate built over H Street at 7th Street that celebrates the historic Chinatown area of Washington. From there, take a stroll down a block or two and step into the Portrait Gallery’s interior Kogod Courtyard, where regardless of weather outside the little ones can wear their rain boots and splash up a good time with the floor’s artsy water feature. Afterwards, just a short trek out and around the block to the corner of 9th and G Streets will land you right in front of a very tall and brightly painted, wild looking metal sculpture titledEpoche.
Good to know: Afterwards enjoy a snack at Zaytinya (which is just next to where Epoche is displayed); the falafel and walnut ice cream are YUM.
Art Along the Avenue One of the biggest sculptures in D.C. is nestled in the historic neighborhood of Anacostia. It’s a massive and exact replica of a wooden Duncan Phyfe antique chair. Your little ones won’t believe their eyes! Originally installed there in 1959 as an advertisement for a local furniture store, the Chair sculpture today sits 19.5 feet tall, is over 4,000 pounds, and is made entirely of painted brown aluminum with a white and brown striped seat. After your kiddos get over their amazement, continue on and check out some other cool art and museum sites nearby. A sculpture installation that was just installed along New Hope Rd. in 2013 is titled JourneyAnacostia, intended to reflect the “diverse history and heritage of the Anacostia community.” Also, don’t miss the Anacostia Community Museum lawn sculpture titled Real Justice, which is dedicated to the late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.
Good to know: If you need to take a break after seeing all these sights, drop into one of the nearby family-friendly places that are getting rave reviews: the Big Chair Coffee & Grill (right across street from the sculpture), Mama’s or Nürish Food & Drink, which is in the Arts Center. If your lil’ team still have some steam left in them, take them over to run around on the eight acres of beautiful grounds surrounding the historic home of Frederic Douglass at Cedar Hill.
Do you know of any other public artworks or statues that we should check out? Let us know in the comments section below.
