This magical Utah home has a Narnia closet and more incredible yet doable DIYS {issue 59}

Plus, the one gift I wish I had gotten has a new parent.

November 18, 2021 No. 59 Have you ever had a family staycation? We recently went to a local hotel where we swam in the pool, tried new restaurants, stayed up late, and got out of our usual routine — without going more than few miles away! It felt like the easiest vacation ever, and an ideal way to relax before the holiday rush. — Thao      This Utah Family's Home Is Full of Magical (and Totally Doable) DIYs — Including a Narnia Closet! If magic comes up once when you're talking with Laurel Harry, it comes up a dozen times. The thrifter, crafter, and born designer, along with her super-handy husband, have conjured up a colorful, happy home their three kids (and menagerie of pets) must find nothing short of magical. Which is precisely what she hopes for.   The family's 1999 builder-grade home in Utah was certainly not awful to begin with. But with a monochromatic green color scheme on everything, from laminate countertops to carpet to the fireplace surround, as well as a dark and cramped feeling kitchen, it wasn't exactly the joyful kind of place Laurel wanted for the family.   So, she and her husband rolled up their sleeves and she let her imagination run wild. read more > cubby gift guide 🎁 Here are our picks for the top arts and crafts gifts for your mini-Picassos. Get your dose of inspiration with these cool new toys.     play     The One Gift I Wished I Had Gotten as a Brand-New Parent It makes the mornings SO much better — and gives that much-needed jolt of energy for parenting a newborn. read more >     15 of the Best Target Holiday Items to Shop for the Merriest Season Ever Pom-pom wreaths, holiday crafts, and even matching PJs — our favorite retailer in red has it all this season. read more > live     Two Pro Playroom Designers Spill Their Secrets for Creating Awesome Kids' Spaces These genius tips will totally transform empty spaces into play areas full of delight and functionality. read more >     4 Expert-Approved Tips on Setting Up a Sensory-Safe Room for Kids From optimal lighting down to the best accessories and organization tactics, we tapped the pros for their best design ideas. read more > eat     The Showstopping French Alternative to Sweet Potato Casserole These crispy, savory-sweet stacks will delight everyone this Thanksgiving. read more >     How Wild Rice Brings My Indigenous Food Traditions Home When it comes to the holidays, our family relies on this ingredient to connect us to our past, as well as each other. read more > cubby finds: sleeping bags galaxy flannel lined Big Agnes shark ask maxwell My son and I are having an argument over which way the toilet paper roll is supposed to go in the bathroom. He insists there's a right way, his way. I've never heard of this. Please help me clear up this issue with my 13 year-old in-house "legal counsel." — Carl  Dear Carl, This is a subject of which I know a great deal about due to a tiff I had with my ex-wife years ago in our own bathroom. I maintained that there was no "correct" position to the toilet paper, and she argued that there absolutely was. In response I took my argument to my website and asked readers to be a neutral panel and tell me what they believed to be the TRUTH in this simple, domestic matter.  read more > Maxwell Ryan is a father and was an elementary school teacher in NYC before founding Apartment Therapy. He'd love to answer your question: askmaxwell@cubbyathome.com ( trust us ) Brinner, basically Unsubscribe or Manage Your Preferences  View this email in your browser  Apartment Therapy is full of ideas for creating a warm, beautiful, healthy home. If we've inspired you, we may receive a share of purchases made through this email. Apartment Therapy Media 270 Lafayette Street, Suite 1300 New York, NY 10013 ABOUT | CONTACT US | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE