Summer - We’re Lovin’ It!

(Image courtesy of Daniel Baquerio)

Now that the weather is warmer, we can’t wait to see all the exciting events that are going to be happening around our dynamic community! After moving in we’re sure you’re going to want to meet the neighbors and explore the area- and with all the exciting things going on we’re sure there will be plenty to do! These quick tips courtesy of apartmentguide.com remind us of all the perks living in an apartment has to offer. Keep reading to get ready for a happy summer!

Enjoy the scents of summer

One of the fastest ways to summer up your apartment is to incorporate a little aromatherapy into your daily routine. Give your bath a tropical twist by switching to coconut or sea-mist-scented bath gels, lotions and soaps. Candles are another scent-sational way to up the happiness factor of your home.

Serve it up, island-style

Stocking your healthy kitchen with summertime foods is a smart way to lighten your mood and your diet. Look for island-inspired recipes from Jamaica, Cuba, Hawaii and other tropical locales. At the very least, try some new fish dishes and eat more fruit. You can also go local and shop the farmer’s market for fresh tomatoes, peppers, corn and berries to make amazing summer salads. To get the full effect, serve up your summer beverages in kitschy tiki glasses!

Lighten your linens

Being happy at home this summer also means sleeping late and enjoying lazy afternoon naps. To make the most of the season, change out your bed linens to lighter fabrics. Choose all-cotton sheets and coverlets. Lay out summer-inspired floral patterns or surf-themed bed sets. Now’s also a good time to swap heavy winter drapes for gauzy summer curtains. Bright colors will bring a smile to your face as you relax on the couch after a day in the sun.

Surf the TV

Speaking of chilling out on the sofa, summertime is the perfect time to stay at home and catch up on your TV watching. Log in to Hulu or Netflix to watch reruns of shows you’ve missed so you’ll be ready for fall premieres. Or you can go the old-fashioned route and catch them on TV when repeats rule the airwaves. You can also surf the TV listings to DVR movies with titles that contain words like surf, beach or summer. Then create your own queue of summer blockbusters!

Plan for pool parties

A list of summer tips wouldn’t be complete without mentioning not just one pool party, but a summer’s worth. Just designate one night of the week to be Pool Party Night. That way you have something to look forward to every week. And you can create a standard menu that makes meals a no-brainer. Grilling burgers, chicken or hot dogs by the pool once a week is an easy way to start a summer tradition and really get to know your neighbors.

Being happy at home in your apartment this summer can be a breeze if you follow a few (or all) of these tips. Enjoy the warm weather, cool air conditioning and the lazy pace of the hot season.

The Moving Dimension

(Image courtesy of Dee Speed)

As soon as you move into one of our one-of-a-kind apartments, we’re sure you’re going to want to create a decor that’s all you! Regardless of the pieces that you choose to define your space, there’s one element to decorating that many of the uninitiated seem to take for granted-the spacing between pieces.

We know what you’re thinking: How can the distance between my furniture alter how my apartment feels? We know it sounds crazy, but this one small detail can make ALL the difference. If you find yourself puzzling over how to get your apartment decor ‘just right,’ never fear! This guide, courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com has all the information you need to

Dining Room:

• Distance between the walls and the dining room table: Ideally, provide at least 36" between the dining table and any walls or other furniture on all sides to allow seats to slide out easily.

• Distance between a dining table and an entrance: Provide around 48" between the table and an entrance to allow people to enter and exit the room with ease.

• Vertical space between a dining chair and dining table: Chairs and chair arms should be able to slide under the table with ease. Leave about 7" between the chair arm and apron of the table.

• Distance between chandelier and dining table: This is one of the more flexible topics. Low hanging lighting sets a more modern tone, but even so, it should never interfere with the ability to make conversation— no need to duck your face down to the table just to see your dinner guests. However, a light hung too high will detract from the cohesive feel of a room as well. A good rule is to hang lighting between 24"-32" from the table.

• Area rug and dining table: A rug should span about 36" wider on all sides of a dining table to allow chairs to pull out easily without catching.

• Space between dining chairs: Ideally provide about 24" between chairs to prevent hitting elbows and to allow people to slide chairs in and out without any collisions or bruised knuckles.

Living Room:

• Distance between a sofa and coffee table: Allow around 18" between the table and sofa edge to give enough leg room but to be able to set down drinks or reach appetizers without straining. Coffee table heights vary greatly, but a good rule is to keep the table height and seat height within 4 inches of each other.

• Distance between seating furniture: Aim to provide between 3.5' and 10' between seating options to help conversation flow without crowding a room.

• Side table and sofa height: In general, an end table should be approximately the same height as the arm of your sofa or chair. This allows guests to set down or reach for drinks without straining, and it also lends a more cohesive feel to the room.

• Distance between tv and sofa: There should be about 7' between the tv and seating options.

• Area rugs and furniture: Too often area rugs end up feeling like bath mats. To keep your area rug from feeling random, at least the front two legs of a sofa or chair should rest on the rug.

• Distance between room-size rugs to walls: Allow about 24" between the wall and room-size rug in a large room, and between 12"- 18" in a smaller room.

Search and Find

(Image courtesy of Adrien Mogenet)

Summer is the perfect time to get out and explore your surroundings! Whether you're new to the San Francisco area or just looking for something to occupy a weekend afternoon, there are plenty of things to do and see! Living at The Wilson SF comes with the added benefit of being centered in the middle of an area rich with history - you'll never run out of things to see!

When you're ready to venture out of your new apartment, make sure you haven't forgotten the items on the following list (courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com).

1. Good Attitude
Boy things go wrong when you're exploring sometimes. You wake up ready and raring to go only to hear thunder. Or you get a flat traveling the back roads to a small town destination. Like life, keeping a good attitude — and being able to laugh even when things go terribly wrong — is the perfect companion to adventures (and a good summer).

2. A small journal or camera
It can just be the camera on your phone, but having something to grab shots of things that capture your attention isn't just about keeping memories; it's about encouraging yourself to find the beauty in the ordinary. You can go technology-free if you'd like, but be sure and bring a small journal instead to jot down any ideas, thoughts (or even poems) that your exploring might inspire.

3. Map or GPS
Though getting lost is sometimes an amazing ingredient to adventure, it's good to have the ability to find your way back again when you need it.

4. Healthy snacks, lots of water
You're encouraged to try the local food whenever you explore, but depending on your dietary needs and your destinations, there might not be something you can eat, so bring something healthy to nibble on just in case. And staying hydrated is important, especially if your exploring involves a lot of walking.

5. Small first aid kit
You don't need to bring a rattlesnake bite kit or anything, but don't let a small cut or allergy attack make you have to turn back.

6. Hat or sunblock (preferably both)
Not only will a hat look stylish, it'll protect your body from sun exposure if you plan on doing some afternoon exploring. And sunblock is your friend.

7. A good bag
I like a medium-sized, cross-body shoulder bag that fits a bottle of water, my camera and the few other essentials on this list comfortably, but without being so big that it feels bulky. You might consider a water-resistant material depending on your exploring needs.

8. Comfortable, versatile shoes
A good pair of shoes or boots is vital. You want them broken in enough that they won't give you blisters, but you want them to fit whatever exploring you'll be doing the most. City walking in your plans? Get some comfortable tennis shoes you can walk miles in. Want to tromp through some woods or fields? Get a comfortable pair of lightweight boots that will protect you in long grass and other rougher terrains.

9. Curiosity and mindfulness
The point of exploring in my opinion — especially in a place like your neighborhood that you've probably walked or driven through on auto pilot a million times before — is to see things in a new light. To see things you've never spotted before. To be mindful in experiencing your surroundings to firmly ground yourself in the present. No place is ever boring if you bring your sense of curiosity and adventure with you.

Bonus items (not necessary but nice):

• A bug, bird, animal or plant guide book (if you'll be somewhere you might spot such wildlife).
• Binoculars for getting up -close looks at birds and animals

Puppy Proofing 101

(Image courtesy of Molly Marshall)

They grow to be our best friends, walking buddies and guardians, but until our puppies are trained, they aren’t always as friendly with our belongings as they are to us. Apartment Guide’s Christina Cheatwoodhas some tips on how to puppy proof your apartment.

1. Keep your pup confined to one area. At first, I kept Roxie in my bathroom while I was away at work, but I quickly realized that space was too small for her. Try keeping your dog in an area where it’s easier to clean up messes, preferably where there’s tile or vinyl flooring. I used a baby gate to keep Roxie in the kitchen so she had more room to play.

2. Keep cords, chargers, and other potentially harmful items out of reach. Look around your apartment through your dog’s eyes. Is there anything the dog can easily reach? Pick up any small objects off the floor that your dog might chew or possibly choke on. There’s a long list of plants that are toxic to your pet, so make sure you keep these plants out of reach, too.

3. Leave plenty of toys and chews while you’re away. Some puppies are very mischievous. Give them plenty of chews and toys to help keep them occupied and prevent them from chewing on other things, like your furniture.

4. Spray furniture with no chew spray. Roxie was a serial chewer. Even if I left toys and chews for her, she preferred my furniture. I sprayed all the places she chewed (and other areas she hadn’t gotten to yet) with a natural bitter no-chew spray. This spray was so extremely helpful to keeping her from chewing the rest of my furniture.

5. Put away ALL food. Even if you think your pet can’t get to it, don’t take any chances. Especially during the holidays, make sure all candy, nuts and chocolate are put away and out of reach.

Host Your Own Happy Hour

Summer is the season for relaxing and releasing stress, so why not host a cocktail party in your home? Whether it’s the pre-cursor to a larger dinner party or an intimate gathering after work, here are some tips from House Beautiful for hosting your own happy hour.

Photo courtesy of Tara Guerard

1. Location is first and foremost. Consider your guest count—if you’re expecting over 12 people, make sure that the spot you choose for the bar is not right in the front door or in any high traffic area. I often set up the bar at the furthest spot in the room—it pulls guests in and creates a better flow.

2. Don’t forget an ice scoop or tongs. You do not want guests using their hands or a glass to scoop ice.

3. Pre-cut lemons and limes are a must!

4. Provide great glassware and pretty linen napkins. Don’t skimp here, hostesses!

5. Have our bar checklist handy to ensure you're well stocked!

6. You don’t have to have a “bar” or bar cart,  I often set up my kitchen counter as as a bar. Try a garden table—or a potting station from your yard. I have even turned a cabinet into a bar.

Photo courtesy of Tara Guerard

7. Do not provide straws because it is not actually proper to drink from straws. Instead, offer a drink stirrer.

8. Make sure white wine, beer, and champagne is chilled appropriately. Semi-chilled anything just doesn’t hit the spot!

9. I always say,"a drink in hand makes a happy guest!"