Why Families Will Love the Louisville Zoo

 Family Fun, Local, travel  No Responses »
Sep 252016
 

Growing up in Maine we didn’t have any local zoos.  We really didn’t even have any non-local zoos.  I had visited one in Canada and one in Florida while on vacation, but that was it.  So when I moved to Kentucky I was excited to find that it was just a quick trip to the Louisville Zoo.

Riding the carousel horses at the Louisville Zoo

Since then we have been to the Louisville Zoo on a number of occasions.  We have a list of “must do” items, like a ride on the carousel which only costs $2 to ride (it’s $3 for unlimited rides all day).  We then fill in the rest of the time with whatever animals are out that day, any shows that might be taking place, or new displays that are being rotated through like the LEGO creations we recently saw. Continue reading »

Family-Friendly Decorating Ideas

 For the Home, Make This House a Home  9 Responses »
Mar 172013
 

Decorating Ideas for Families

More than putting those little clips on your cabinet doors, and making sure sharp objects are kept at a safe distance, there are other ways to make sure your home is family-friendly, as you can see from my tips and ideas below.

Family-friendly Decorating Ideas - via viewsfromtheville.com

  • Use an outdoor rug indoors.  Choose a rug that is durable and easy-to-clean.  Heavily-patterned rugs are also a good idea, so that stains and crumbs are less visible.  Rugs on hardwood floors are a good idea, so that there is something soft for children to sit on, near the sofa.
  • Choose durable materials for upholstery, solid furniture and wall finishes.
  • Have non-upholstered chairs in the dining room.  Spills and scratches are inevitable, a rustic wooden table will make it look intentional.
  • Make spaces easily transitional.  This is especially important in the bedroom.  While it may be fun to deck-out a child’s bedroom in pink or blue, having a too-young bedroom when your children start to get older may make them feel out of place.  Instead, try to use elements that can be easily updated or re-purposed for when your children get older or change their favourite colour.
  • Create a space where people of all ages can be comfortable.  In the picture below, you’ll notice a white pouf.  I recommend using things like poufs and ottomans, and rocking chairs for people to be able to be able to sit comfortably.  It can be difficult for small children to climb up on a higher sofa, so having a variety of pieces to sit on is key.  You’ll notice that the kid-friendly furniture doesn’t look like it is just for children. Continue reading »