CasaSugar

Cool Idea: Disguise an Ugly Rental Wall

CasaSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 06:15:36 -0700

When you live in a rental, you often have to deal with some less-than-ideal features, such as ugly linoleum and mirrored closet doors. Canadian House and Home magazine recently offered a reader advice on hiding an ugly mirrored wall, and the tip is perfect for renters dealing with an ugly wall or closet door in their own home. Simply use inexpensive fabric curtain panels and a pretty curtain rod to improve that less-than-ideal feature in your rental. Want all of the details on how to do it? Head over to Canadian House and Home.

Cool Idea: A Bright and Fantastic DIY Wall

CasaSugar — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:00:54 -0700

Alexa, the creative presence behind the blog The Swell Life, recently transformed a wall in her apartment from a boring off-white shade to this eye-catching grid of color. The project is renter-friendly, and it cost her less than $20. Plus, most importantly, it looks utterly fantastic.

Alexa explains, "Like a lot of people, I live in an apartment. The type of apartment complex that doesn't allow painting of any kind. I really try to jazz up the blah eggshell walls with color, whether it be colorful artwork or colored lampshades that cast a hue on the wall. Well, I wanted to step it up a notch with my décor beyond that and do something totally different with my bedroom wall that would make visitors come in and say, 'Wow! You did that?'"

Wow indeed! To find out what she made this wall from, read more.

Alexa achieved this look through multicolored scrapbook pages, Zot adhesive glue dots, and a tape measure. Yes, scrapbook paper. I was surprised, too! Want the full DIY directions to get the same look? Read all about it on her site!

10 Tips For Short-Term Rental and Sublet Agreements

CasaSugar — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 07:00:23 -0800

Did you know that Washington DC residents are renting out their homes for the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration? Residents can stand to earn a pretty penny: the pictured home is renting for $550 a day! The practice is becoming so popular that there's even a website dedicated to the cause. Whether you're a DC resident looking to rent out your house for inauguration weekend, or a homeowner or renter who'd like to do a short-term sublet for an upcoming vacation, it's better to be safe than sorry when offering your home to a stranger. Douglas Culkin, president of the National Apartment Association, notes that, "By taking some basic precautions, people can leave their homes feeling like they have done their due diligence to ensure a smooth renting experience.”

To see tips from the National Apartment Association, read more.

Draw up a basic, legally binding agreement to secure payment that includes a damaged property clause. Get 50 percent deposit in advance.
Give strong consideration to doing a background check of the resident. It costs about $30 to $40 and can be done in minutes. Search for “resident screening” to find a vendor. Incorporate the cost of the screening into what you are charging for “rent.”
Make sure you're protected with insurance - if someone injures themselves in your home you may be liable. Check your policy.
If you currently rent your home and are thinking of sub-letting it for the week, check with your landlord to make sure you are legally allowed to do so before you post your advertisement.
Make a duplicate set of keys. Send them via an insured carrier service but do not include your home address anywhere in the package, in case it gets lost or stolen before reaching its intended recipient.
Change the locks after they leave. Incorporate this cost into what you charge for rent.
What about pets? If your lease agreement allows them, you'll have to decide if you want to let a renter bring their pet for the week, but be clear if no pets are allowed so there are no surprises upon your return.
As a courtesy, alert your neighbors, who will see strangers entering and exiting your home during their stay, so they don't call the police.
You'll exchange emergency numbers with your renters, but in case you are not immediately reachable, leave a second local emergency contact number, especially if you plan to leave the area.
Clean out the fridge, make some closet space, etc. Schedule to have a cleaning company come before the renters arrive and after they leave. No one wants to see the other's leftovers.

Source

DIY: Fabric Wall Appliques

CasaSugar — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 06:00:05 -0700

Renters, I know it's hard for you to Dress Your Walls because many landlords prohibit wallpapering, painting, nailing things, and doing pretty much anything that makes your crib look cool. So, you'll be interested to learn this do-it-yourself technique for making spectacular fabric wall appliqués that can be removed easily when your lease is up.

To learn the steps, read more

Here's what you need:

a fabric of your choice
liquid starch (i.e. Niagra)
a brayer

Here's how you do it:

Cut whatever motifs you like in various sizes and shapes from the fabric that you chose.
Dip each piece into liquid starch and wring out excess liquid.
Smooth fabric onto wall and roll on with the brayer.

Continue until you are happy with the pattern.
Voilà!

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