Category Archives: Professional Advice

Decorate Your Bedroom Like a Pro

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Let’s face it – you spend half of your life sleeping, so the bedroom really is one of the most important spaces in your apartment. Creating a comfortable atmosphere in your bedroom is key, but it’s also an opportunity to make unique, highly personal style choices. If you don’t have a lot of space in your room and aren’t sure if you can fit in a massive headboard for your bed, never fear – you can still achieve maximum visual impact (without spending the $$$ associated with traditional headboards). Style and space can both be yours with these unique headboard ideas.

Tip 1 – Get crafty with a stenciled canvas or folding screen. Overstock.com has DIY folding screens that are quite inexpensive (in the $100 range). Paint a folding screen instead of a wall to go bold and bring color into the space with zero commitment (no need to give up your renter’s deposit!). Get creative with your own design, or create a bold, graphic pattern by using a pre-cut stencil. The result is a perfectly unique headboard that can move when you do. Or, pick up an inexpensive painter’s canvas from Michael’s and create your own instant artwork to hang over your bed in place of a headboard. All you’ll need is a yard of your favorite fabric and a staple gun. Both of these décor options are instantaneous and create a huge impact.

Tip 2 – Play with texture and pattern with framed wallpaper. I am a wallpaper fanatic, so I especially love this tip. If you are a commitment-phobe, you can apply wallpaper to a large-scale painter’s canvas, or just frame it like art. No muss, no fuss, and none of the headache of applying wallpaper throughout the entire room. You can even create large panels of wallpaper by using tall sheets of Masonite (roughly 8-by-4 foot sheets) as your base. This is also a great opportunity to splurge, without breaking the bank. Buy that gorgeous (but really expensive) wallpaper you love, because you only need one roll with this method! No huge financial investment here, meaning you’ll get to satisfy your champagne taste on a beer budget!

Tip 3 – Add DIY excitement with a reclaimed mantle. Mix up the purpose of items in a space to make décor exciting. An upcycled or recycled piece like a mantle has unexpected character when used as a headboard- it will bring your space to life and keep your décor interesting. You’ll also have the added benefit of reducing your footprint by using a recycled piece. You can find great, gently used pieces at your local thrift shops, antiques store or flea markets. Go one step further and line the mantle with tea lights or hang photos above to create depth and add layers of interest.

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Turn Your Home Office Into a Functional Storage Space

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Whether you live in an apartment with lots of space or in a 1930s house like mine with little space, you should never ignore your home office. We all know your home office’s function is to keep your life organized, as well as allow you to have a place to get your work done, but this can also serve as extra storage for your apartment. With a few simple steps, you’ll have your place organized in no time. If you’re wondering how to make the most of your space without sacrificing your work area, check out these storage solutions every renter needs to know.

1. Have dedicated shelving from the ceiling down. If you have it, use it. Sometimes your home doesn’t come with a lot of storage. Take advantage of all the vertical space that you can for storage. An easy way to do this is to add floating shelving from above the desk all the way to the ceiling. Find inexpensive shelving units, such as Elfa shelving from the Container Store, which has limited wall damage – a plus for renters! With the shelves, create an organization system so your things don’t look cluttered. Invest in matched boxes for a cohesive look, but remember that not everything has to be in a box.

2. Invest in storage furniture. Storage furniture is functional, as it serves two purposes. This is a must, especially for small spaces. When I pick out furniture for a space, I ask myself, “Is this piece working hard for the right to be here?” For your home office, pick furniture that packs a one-two punch, like coffee tables, ottomans or benches.

3. Oz-Style Storage. Create an illusion in your home office while keeping your items stored – behind a curtain just like the Wizard of Oz! Pick a wall in your office and hang a curtain rod from the ceiling, approximately a foot away from the wall. Choose any pattern or color that you want for the curtain. This creates an amazing space solution, as it becomes a “soft” or faux wall that hides an extra foot of space. The possibilities of what you can store behind this curtain are endless; you can store your bike, cleaning supplies and miscellaneous office supplies behind it, and no one will ever have to see it. Not only is this useful for storage, but it’s a great opportunity to get color in your white box of a space.

This article was written by TV host and design expert Kim Myles, who partnered with Apartment Guide for the 2012 “Your Picks. Your Place.” sweepstakes. Kim Myles won the HGTV reality series “Design Star 2” and hosts HGTV’s “Myles of Style.”

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Create a Double-Duty Dining Room

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In the age of on-the-go meals, TV dinners and takeout, the dining room can be an under-appreciated space. Show a little love to this often underutilized room by making it pull double duty. By adding simple elements to glam up your space, you can easily transition this room from daily dining to sophisticated dinner party. Here are a few dining room decor ideas to get your space into tip-top shape in no time.

1. For lighting, dial up the drama by creating a grand cluster of humble lanterns. The key to transitioning from everyday to glam is making the most of your ambiance. Use existing lighting and add 10-12 Chinese paper lanterns to create a conversation piece that diffuses the light and makes a grand statement. The lanterns come in three sizes and are around $10, while you can find packs of 10 lanterns from retailers such as Oriental Trading. Hang each lantern from a brightly colored ribbon attached to your existing chandelier. Cluster the lanterns loosely – it doesn’t have to be perfect to make a bold statement of visual art and give an element of the unexpected. Have some fun with it, and play with color palettes to match your theme, like bright pinks if you’re planning for a spring fling party. Just be sure that the lanterns do not come into contact with a bare light bulb.

2. Turn wine bottles, cake stands and candles into stunning centerpieces. By using everyday items, you don’t have to break the bank to create a homemade candelabra with major visual impact. Oftentimes in decorating, the most humble of things can transcend the sum of its parts when you gather and cluster. If you’re anything like me, you might have a few empty bottles of wine lying around the house. So instead of tossing them out, soak 15-20 empty bottles of wine in soapy water so you can easily remove the labels. Keep the bottles all green hues or all white, or get creative and mix and match. Use tapered candles in each bottle and cluster the bottles together in the middle of the table. For an unexpected candelabra that tricks the eye, use one tall and two shorter cake stands, and cluster votive candles on top, playing with different heights and levels. You don’t have to do anything else to make an impact; it’s that simple.

3. Freshen things up with flower arrangements. Use greenery and other elements of nature to create something that is more special than the everyday. It’s important to be mindful of the freedom of conversation, so keep floral arrangements low so guests feel comfortable conversing with table mates. Carnations are often the redheaded stepchildren of the floral world, but they are an inexpensive, accessible option that can make a big impact when clustered tightly in teacups or low bowls – just make sure to show the fluffy heads of the flowers, no leaves. Use your own backyard for inspiration, picking up branches, fallen leaves and flowers to create the power of presentation.

This article was written by TV host and design expert Kim Myles, who partnered with Apartment Guide for the 2012 “Your Picks. Your Place.” sweepstakes. Kim Myles won the HGTV reality series “Design Star 2” and hosts HGTV’s “Myles of Style.”

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Steps to Making a DIY Bird’s Nest Lampshade

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One of the easiest ways to inject a little personality into your space is to mix up the styles. Modern meets organic when you combine an urban, silver arc lamp base with a funky, rustic DIY bird’s nest lampshade. Get started on this DIY decor project with these simple steps:

Supplies: (1) Drum-shaped lampshade, (1) roll of paper raffia, scissors, (1) lamp base or pendant light

Step 1: Use the point of your scissors to poke a small hole along the top seam of the lampshade. Cut a one-yard length of raffia. Thread one end of the raffia through the hole and tie a knot to keep the raffia in place.

Step 2: Begin wrapping the raffia around the lampshade. To achieve a bird’s nest look, it’s important to be random in your wrapping – overlapping, weaving over and under, and leaving slack to achieve a “messy” appearance. When you reach the end of your first piece of raffia, poke another small hole in the lampshade (preferably at the top or bottom seam), thread raffia through, and tie a knot to secure.

Step 3: Continue securing with small knots, then wrapping and weaving raffia until you achieve your desired look. Note: Avoid using glue, as it may show up as a dark spot when the lampshade is lit.

Step 4: Attach to the lamp base or pendant light as you would a typical lampshade.

This article was written by TV host and design expert Kim Myles, who partnered with Apartment Guide for the 2012 “Your Picks. Your Place.” sweepstakes. Kim Myles won the HGTV reality series “Design Star 2” and hosts HGTV’s “Myles of Style.”

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How to Make a Stenciled Folding Screen

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One of the biggest challenges for most renters is storage – What do you do with all your stuff if you have limited space?  Make your storage work for you. Use a folding screen – specifically one that you can personalize or accessorize, so you hide almost anything behind the screen – a bike, unpacked boxes – and create instant artwork by adding color and pattern to your space. Go wild with your own design, or create a bold, graphic pattern using a stencil like the African Kuba design from my new Global Glam line of wall-sized stencils, available exclusively through Cutting Edge Stencils.

Supplies:  (1) paintable folding screen (made of canvas or wood), (1) large stencil design, (2) shades of interior latex wall paint, (2) paint rollers, (1) can of non-permanent spray adhesive

Step 1: Prepare your folding screen by painting two layers of your first paint color, completely covering each panel of the screen. Let the paint dry completely before moving to Step 2. {Note: See inset below to help visualize how each of your two paint colors will work in the stencil design}

Step 2: Lay the folding screen flat on the floor, with all panels fully extended. Spray a thin layer of adhesive onto the stencil, and place it in the top left corner of the first screen (this step helps prevent paint bleed at the stencil’s edges). To create a seamless design, you may want to allow part of the stencil to extend over the edge of the first panel – this will allow the stencil design to reach the edge of the panel, and avoid extra work or touch-ups later on.

Step 3: Roll your second color of paint over the stencil. I also like to keep some folded paper towels at hand so I can roll off a bit of the excess paint before applying it to the stencil. You’ll need to apply firm pressure as you paint, because if the roller is overloaded, you’ll end up having lots of bleeds.

Step 4: Carefully lift off the stencil and position onto the next section to paint. Use built-in guides to line up the design. Reapply spray adhesive as necessary to secure the stencil.

Step 5: Let the screen dry fully and then place it in any space to help disguise storage.

I hope you find this tutorial helpful! Happy Decorating!

This article was written by TV host and design expert Kim Myles, who partnered with Apartment Guide for the 2012 “Your Picks. Your Place.” sweepstakes. Kim Myles won the HGTV reality series “Design Star 2” and hosts HGTV’s “Myles of Style.”

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Choose Foundation Pieces That Work With Any Space

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Keep furniture neutral but use accent pieces to give your room a pop of color and character.

The kitchen may be the heart of the home, but your living room is where you spend the most time chilling out with your family and friends. This room is going to get some heavy wear, so the choices you make about its decor should withstand the test of time. I’m a big fan of designs that are fun, as well as functional (if a room isn’t comfy, it’s not successful). If you want to update your look, or if you’re starting fresh, here are a few tips to get your living room looking fabulous, well designed and useful.

Tip #1 – Expensive items should be kept neutral. If your living room (or your hairstyle for that matter!) looks exactly the same as it did 10 years ago, it’s probably time for a change. We can all stand to refresh every few years, but it doesn’t need to break the bank. Start by focusing on your main pieces, which includes your sofa, large-scale storage items and other substantial furniture. By keeping these items a neutral color, you’ll reduce the amount you spend when redecorating your space, and it gives you more freedom to change it up. Remember, neutral goes beyond beige, taupe and tan. Consider the gray color scheme – from dove to charcoal – which is a more modern option. These foundation pieces will work with any style or space.

Tip #2 – Take a risk with colors and patterns in your accent pieces. Choosing big, neutral furniture items allows you the freedom to take risks when adding accent pieces. Pair a neutral couch with two funky-patterned occasional chairs. Or, use bold-colored side tables and place on either side of the sofa. Mixing it up with layers of color and pattern is the key to creating a dynamic space. Don’t be afraid to take creative leaps with accent pieces – they’re the items that really bring a space to life.

Tip #3 – Mirrors should be in every renter’s “foundation” tool kit. Mirrors are a designer’s silver bullet, and should be in everyone’s tool kit, not just renters. They bounce light around even the smallest room and instantly create a feeling of space. Mirrors also add that glam factor – glimmer, shimmer and a touch of luxury. Mirrors are a perfect solution for the giant blank wall in your living room; hang three medium matched mirrors side by side, or create a grid by hanging six to nine small mirrors on the wall. I love mirrors because they do all of the heavy lifting for you, and are available at every price point.

This article was written by TV host and design expert Kim Myles, who partnered with Apartment Guide for the 2012 “Your Picks. Your Place.” sweepstakes. Kim Myles won the HGTV reality series “Design Star 2” and hosts HGTV’s “Myles of Style.”

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Top Five Apartment-Decorating Blogs

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Well decorated living room

Five home decor bloggers feature the best ways to create your space.

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/EricVega

Apartments can be difficult spaces to decorate. Someone else owns the space, so certain décor basics may not be allowed, such as painting, and some units may be on the small side. And what fills the space must be balanced or delicate; no one wants to worry about how to lug an expensive, heavy piece of furniture up three flights of stairs.

Fortunately, a select group of bloggers exist who continually find creative, even genius ways to transform four white apartment walls into one extraordinary living area. With tastes ranging from the modern to the vintage to the eclectic, these bloggers focus specifically on what makes small spaces shine. Plus, some offer tips for green living, sharing your home with pets, decorating on a budget and more.

If you’ve ever moved into an apartment only to discover you don’t know how to make it your own, worry no more: We have chosen the top five apartment-decorating blogs. We guarantee you’ll find interior design inspiration on at least one – if not all – of these extremely useful sites:

Rental Decorating Digest

What It Is: Rental Decorating Digest, an online rental decorating magazine, began in January 2000 and provides extensive information on decorating an apartment, home, studio or dorm, sometimes with input from professional celebrity decorators.

Why We Love It: If you don’t know where to begin with decorating your new space, this site can easily help you get started. Divided into categories such as decorating by room, budget, furniture piece and color, Rental Decorating Digest keeps decorating tips simple and organized.

My Little Apartment

What It Is: My Little Apartment is a blog with eclectic decorating ideas (an entire post dedicated to antlers, anyone?), whimsical photographs and links to the blog creator’s vintage items for sale.

Why We Love It: The writer’s positive attitude is contagious, and her style is unique, with a tendency toward the 1970s decade. Plus, she has creative appreciation for items that others have thrown away, such as Moroccan birdcages, beat-up metal pieces and 1960s German dinnerware.

The Thrift Shop Romantic

What it is: The writer behind the Thrift Shop Romantic is self-professed “packrat descendant” Jenn Thorson, who advises how to find vintage, Victorian and romantic decor on the cheap. For those in Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio, the site suggests thrift shop, antique store and flea market resources.

Why We Love It: Jenn is an excellent do-it-yourselfer, but her oft-humorous accounts of the process are unabashedly human, which is inspirational to those hesitant to tackle a project themselves. And some of her thrift store finds are hilarious, such as Better Homes and Garden’s 1971 book on decorating ideas under $100. Three words: Victorian robot bathroom.

Making It Lovely

What It Is: New mom and stationary creator Nichole Balch has decorating tips for transforming older spaces into vintage-modern havens on Making It Lovely. She also suggests storage and fashion solutions, and encourages readers to appreciate all shades of pink.

Why We Love It: The Making It Yours category of the site is genius. Balch photographs a single piece of furniture and shows readers through mood boards – which include purchasing information – how to work the piece into five different rooms of the house.

Young House Love

What It Is: Young married couple Sherry and John Petersik blog through Young House Love about their home improvement projects that they tackle themselves. While most postings require major home renovations, which wouldn’t be allowed in apartments, the blog offers tips on transforming furniture pieces and discovering new art ideas.

Why We Love It: After nationally recognized interviews and appearances on HGTV and CNN, you might think these two don’t need any more exposure. Oh, but they do. Even the smallest, most drab spaces would benefit from the how-to’s found on the site, such as how to transform an ugly mirror, paint any piece of furniture, decorate in stages and upholster a headboard.

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