CasaSugar

Ask Casa: Help With My New Living Room

CasaSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:00:00 -0800

Hi Casa,

I recently rented my first apartment and now I have to furnish and make it my own space. Eeek! I feel like I need some serious help. The apartment is not very big and I'm not allowed to paint the walls so they must remain white. Right now I'm focused on the living area. As of right now I have a couch, chair, and an accent table. I'm need of a coffee table, but I was thinking instead of going the table route, of doing a cocktail ottoman. I found one at Target, the Kerry Rectangle Ottoman, I thought might work well. If you could give me some pointers I would be truly grateful. I've included a picture so you can get some idea of what I'm working with. Thanks, xnieves

To hear my suggestions for xnieves, read more.

Hi xnieves,

Thanks for writing in! How fun? Your first apartment! The space looks great. Your parquet floors are gorgeous, and that fireplace nook is great.

It's too bad you can't paint the walls, but you do have some alternatives. If you're allowed to, hang large-scale artwork to instantly bring color to the space. The wall above that fireplace is just begging for a big, bright painting. You can also hang textiles, tapestries, or curtains to bring in color. Another great trick is to wallpaper boards of plywood and just lean them against your walls - see what I mean here.

While I do like the idea of using an ottoman instead of a coffee table, I'm afraid it will be too hefty for this small space, especially in that dark brown color of the Kerry ottoman. If you really want one, I'd recommend getting two small ottoman cubes instead - something more like this. But honestly, I think the space would really benefit from a coffee table that's much lighter visually, such as a glass or Lucite one. For instance, the CB2 Smart Coffee Table ($199) would look great (and let those parquet floors peek through).

The biggest problem I see already here though is that you're headed in a very beige and brown direction, which is not very inspiring or intriguing. You need color in this space. I recommend adding colorful throw pillows to the couch, and maybe a small one to the chair as well. Since you can't paint the walls, your furnishings should take the lead on adding color and personality. You should also dress up that fireplace nook; read my post on Decorating a Nonworking Fireplace for ideas. Bring in color with accessories, too, such a candlesticks, books, vases, etc.

Hope that helps!

Cheers,
Casa

Before and After: A Change in Chelsea

CasaSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:00:21 -0700

Camila of High-Heeled Foot in the Door is at it again! This time the DIY expert and interior designer conquered her young sister's apartment in Chelsea, NYC, which is shared with two roommates. Communal living spaces often pose a problem, as each roommate has her own tastes, and recent grads often can't afford to be spending their hard-earned mula on décor. So with a budget of only $350, Camila made over her sister's living/kitchen/dining area. As you can see, this wall with cupboards was a bit of wreck before. She says, "I swear the busted chair was just like that. I did not stage it!" Want to see the after photo? Then read more.

A few punches of color face off with plain vanilla walls - and win. She painted the cabinets with chalkboard paint, which is ideal for notes between roomies. And the stools flanking the cabinets were a curbside find, which she upholstered in chic gray stripes. Accessories and some cute embroideries add girlish flair. This project is an inspiring one; it's not complicated, but it's certainly happy! See more before and after photos of the apartment at High-Heeled Foot in the Door!

House Tour: Black White Yellow's Cheerful New Orleans Apartment

CasaSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:00:43 -0700

While reading the design blog Black White Yellow, I was really impressed by the author's cheerful and stylish home, so I asked if she'd be willing to give us a photographic tour of her home. She lives in New Orleans, where she works as an architect, so it's no surprise that she has a keen eye for design. But what's truly inspiring about her happy, chic home is that she's created it on small budget. "My goal was to create a space on a shoestring budget that screams happy," she says. "It is a work in progress, of course, but I am happy with how much I have gotten done so far." Not surprisingly, the base of her coveted crib is black and white, with a lot of playful yellow accents and patterned textiles. Ready for the tour?

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How-To: Snag Yourself an Apartment

CasaSugar — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 11:00:17 -0800

Now that you know how to find an apartment on Craigslist, I'd like to give you some tips on how to snag the apartment you want. If you found a listing you like in the newspaper or on a sign, no need to put on the earmuffs: these tips apply to you, too.

First of all, if you see a listing that's even of vague interest to you, email or call the contact with all of your information, and do it fast. Some digs will go within a couple hours or a day.
You should have all of your credentials and references ready to show a potential landlord in case something pops up.

To hear the rest of my tips, read more.

When you've made an appointment to see an apartment, get there early! If you're first, the landlord will show it to you first, and if you like the place (assuming you have good credit), it's yours. If you come after it's been shown, you may lose out.
People can be flaky, and there are a lot of scams on Craigslist, so don't hold out for anything thinking you've found "the one." Keep sending out emails and visiting apartments until you've signed a lease.
On that note, don't be a flake yourself. If you've said you're going to visit an apartment, go! And, come prepared with anything the landlord has asked for, in addition to extra credentials and references. Also very important, bring a checkbook when you visit an apartment. Be prepared to put a deposit down, or even the first/last months' rent (if you want it) when you visit the place: it's pretty standard to ask for either of them.
Also, take photos. You'll be looking at a lot of apartments, and you'll want something to look back at if you end up deciding between places.
Finally, keep at it. Don't get bummed or frustrated. Don't panic if you need to leave work early. Apartment hunting is practically a rite of passage, and your bosses will understand.

Source

Guess Who Lived Here in 1983?

CasaSugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:00:44 -0800

A prestigious German fashion designer lived in this apartment in Rome in 1983. Can you tell me who? Hint: He recently purchased new digs in Vermont.

Coveted Crib: Deco in London

CasaSugar — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 07:45:00 -0800

This sleek London apartment stretched out over two stories. Featuring a mix of classical and modern pieces and an updated, gigantic bathroom, this apartment certainly gives you room to move. With a large wooden-decked roof terrace for hosting after-dark parties, you'll never be at a loss for entertaining space. Check out the slideshow for the entire tour. Source

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Coveted Crib: Victoria's Deco Dream Apartment (Part Two)

CasaSugar — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 09:15:28 -0800

Yesterday, we toured Victoria's fabulous entry, living room, and studio space. Victoria, a jeweler living by "the jewel of Oakland," Lake Merritt, is the lucky inhabitant of a Deco-era apartment that features much of the original detailing, including several stunning chandeliers (such as the one shown here). To continue the tour with a turn around her study, check out the slideshow.

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Would You Want to Live in This Apartment?

CasaSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:45:51 -0800

San Francisco artist Megan Wilson has spent five years turning her Nob Hill apartment from a white-walled boring rental into a psychedelic fantasia of color and pattern. Unfortunately, her very cool home art project has been suspended, as her landlord is kicking her out. Under the Ellis Act, he has evicted all of the occupants of the building so he can change its use. While this is a tragedy for Wilson as well as her artistic apartment (you can read the whole story here), my question remains: would you like to live in an apartment painted this way? Source

Su Casa: Whittle03's New Apartment

CasaSugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 05:30:34 -0800

Su Casa member Whittle03 and her boyfriend just moved to a new apartment near downtown Boston, and although her interior design work is not complete, things are looking great! A successful cohabitation is always a difficult balance when it comes to design, but Whittle03 sounds like she has it under control. She says, "Love is all about compromise. I hate leather, but my boyfriend loves it. So, I tried to find something more streamlined." Clearly, in this living room she's balanced a leather sofa, chair, and storage ottoman with other textiles on her cushions, throw, and silk lamps shades. I think her living room manages not to look overly feminine or masculine. And, although it certainly looks like a cozy lounging spot, it is also quite polished and neat. To see more of her home, read more.

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Source

Have You Ever Been Fooled Into Renting a Bad Apartment?

CasaSugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:00:47 -0700

Last night, in the first episode of this season's Ugly Betty, Betty moves into an apartment of her own in Manhattan. Unfortunately, she gives in to the realtor's pressure and signs a lease for the apartment sight unseen. When the Realtor assures her that the other apartment is just as charming as the one Betty doesn't get, Betty innocently believes her.

And as you can plainly see, Betty was duped. While I've never had anything this extreme happen, I've had my share of bad rental experiences. Before I bought my house, I did have to deal with everything from dirty apartments to bizarre landlords (one actually stole some of my furniture while I was living in the house). Have you had any bad rental experiences?