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How to Design a Sensory-Friendly Playroom on a Budget

Marisa S. Crouse
Photo credit: Flashpop - Getty Images
Photo credit: Flashpop – Getty Images

From House Beautiful

When building a playroom for a child with special needs, such as autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, developmental delays, or sensory processing disorder, each design choice should accommodate learning, therapy, comfort, and play. Often, a family raising a child with special needs also needs their home to act as a therapy center, as they have a host of professionals coming in to provide specialty services.

Karri Bowen-Poole is a mom, educator, and interior designer who specializes in creating specialized playrooms through her company Smart Playrooms. She also recently launchedSmart D2, a new business that she co-founded with award-winning interior designer Denise Davies of D2 Interieurs. Karri designs these educational playrooms for clients by selecting furnishings, materials, and equipment that are developmentally appropriate, functional, and beautiful.

“About a year ago, I gut-renovated my garage and turned it into a

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The New 2021 Bentley Bentayga Takes Design Cues From Her Popular Sibling

Marisa S. Crouse

Click here to read the full article.

When Bentley first introduced the Bentayga for 2016, the luxury brand set a new benchmark for how opulent a production SUV could be. As the category of vehicle remains as popular as an open bar at a wedding reception, introducing a new model to such a thirsty market is pretty much a recipe for success, even if that SUV often commands more than $200,000.

Since its introduction, the Bentayga has seen more than 20,000 examples sold, but oddly enough, according to last year’s sales figures, the Bentayga was not the brand’s most popular model. That title went to the Continental GT, which was completely redesigned just a couple of years ago. One reason why the Bentayga isn’t more popular could be because of its polarizing design. But that’s all about to change.

More from Robb Report

Behold the updated 2021 Bentley Bentayga.

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Bentley Bentayga gets its first big update with new design and improved tech

Marisa S. Crouse


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The 2021 Bentley Bentayga is subject to the model’s first significant refresh since the ultra-luxe SUV was introduced for the 2016 model year. In the meantime, Bentley has rolled through a few variants, but now we’re getting design changes, tech enhancements and new equipment.

For starters, the V8 is now the standard car (and will be the only one available initially), with the W12 engine reserved for an upcoming Bentayga Speed coming in 2021 — a model the brand expects to continue to be in high demand in America. Bentley also says there will be an updated plug-in hybrid model to follow later this year, but it won’t be available right away like the V8 is. The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 will make the same power as before, sitting at 542 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque — that’s good for a 0-60 mph

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Save or Splurge? Interior Designers Weigh In

Marisa S. Crouse

Decorating a home can be lots of fun — until you see the price tags.

But while some home decor can be ridiculously expensive, there’s a secret in interior design circles: Not every item is worth splurging on.

In fact, some interior designers swear by Ikea for certain items. It’s all about knowing when to spend and when to save.

When to Save

Accent Seating

For furniture that you use daily – like your sofa – buy the best and most comfortable that you can afford. Your butt and back will thank you.

“But the upholstered armchair in your guest room that gets sat on just a couple of times per year?” asked Lesley Myrick, an interior designer based in Atlanta. “That’s where you can go with the cheap and cheerful option.”

World Market has plenty of cheap, cheerful options in this category. You might also check out one

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