Cooking Up Some Kitchen Decor

(Image courtesy of Chalon Handmade)

Every kitchen has mostly the same features like a refrigerator, a stove, a microwave, a table and chairs, but what makes your kitchen unique? We’re all individuals and our traits should be reflected in the room we spend the most time in!

From the furniture and silverware that we choose down to the color of the walls, your kitchen provides ample opportunity to express yourself. This article from renters.apartments.com has a few great ideas to insert a little more personality into your kitchen. Keep reading to learn more!

Change up your walls: Instead of choosing rich, deep colors for your first project, you will likely feel more comfortable with a neutral like beige or gray. These colors won’t date the room and will prevent you from possibly getting quickly tired of a more drastic color palette.

Brighten up the kitchen: Use mirrors to capture the sunlight and bounce it around. Try putting a mirror across from a window or on a wall that corners against the window wall for the most light distribution.

Make seasonal changes: Moving the kitchen furniture into a 'summer arrangement' can optimize your space and give it a more airy feel. Make it light and breezy - think about removing some of the furniture and decorations for a lighter feel. Open those curtains and let the sun shine in!

Use slipcovers: Slipcovers over your chairs can soften the room and add to your decor. For the holidays, try using special covers in holiday patters or colors. For a nice summer change, use white cotton or canvas slipcovers on the chairs.

Get ideas from the pros: Look in magazines, books, television or the internet to get a flavor of the accessories and designs you would like to see in your kitchen. If you see a kitchen decorated in a way that you like, think about how you can duplicate the same decor in your home.

Decorate with cookbooks: You can make a nice display with your cookbooks. Try grouping them in interesting configurations with some lying down and some standing. Don't put small books next to tall books but align them in graduating sizes.

Warm it up with rugs: Area rugs can add a splash of color or cover up an old or unmatched floor. When buying rugs, measure your space so you can be sure to get the right rug size. Rugs used under a table should be large enough to also accommodate the chairs when fully pulled out.

Bring the outdoors inside: Don't be afraid to hang plants from any bare ceiling corner to give a lived in feeling to a plain kitchen. Plants provide interest and soften up the room. For above the cabinets or hard to reach places, silk plants work just as well as real ones, however, if you do buy silk, go with a good quality arrangement that looks realistic.

Change your look with accessories: A few strategically placed accessories can change your kitchen from dull to dramatic! Choose a theme and you could give your kitchen a whole new look just by replacing some key accessories like toaster covers, dish towels, canister sets, salt and pepper shakers and pot holders.

Change your cabinet pulls: There are so many different styles of cabinet pulls these days - figural, wooden, ceramic, glass - you should be able to find a design that matches your new decor easily. They are easy to install yourself and your friends will think you got new cabinets!

Add a border: Wallpaper borders are easy to put up and can add color and interest. You can use them at the top of the wall or go with a less traditional use underneath the cabinets. Use them at chair rail height to break up long walls. An even less expensive (but more labor intensive) alternative is to use stencils and paint.

Get Creative

(Image courtesy of Linus Bohman)

Our apartments are the spaces where we let our thoughts out. After a long day, we can come home and unwind and work on whatever project suits our fancy; but is your apartment well-suited to allow you the creative freedom you need to get the job done?

Using these quick tips from renters.apartments.com will get the creative juices flowing in your home before you know it. Keep reading to see a few of our favorites:

1. Add some surround sound. Research has shown that a moderate amount of ambient noise—just enough to stir up the air, but not so much that you’re distracted—can help your think more creatively.

Try queuing up a productivity playlist with coffee shop sounds on Coffitivity, the sounds of Stonehenge and exotic locales around the world on SoundTransit, or hear what I assume it sounds like inside a lava lamp with Brian Eno’s Music for Airports.

2. Change your colors. When tasked with answering questions requiring creative thinking, people reading the questions against a blue background performed markedly better than people who saw the same questions against a red background. Red, often associated with danger, caused people to be more alert, but blue triggered them to be more creative. Accent wall, anyone?

3. Make “tidy” the status quo. The “need” to clean up a messy apartment is the number one way to talk yourself out of doing creative work at home. Or at least it was, before everything we owned connected to the internet. Rid yourself of the excuse by cleaning for 10 minutes every day so your place stays tidy and you can’t procrasti-clean.

4. Get a French press. Or something fancier, like an espresso machine. Or something less fancy, like a thrift store coffeemaker. It doesn’t matter. What matters is drinking coffee can help you be more creative and productive. Ain’t science the greatest?

5. Track your progress. Jerry Seinfeld is famous for his productivity chain (also Seinfeld). According to Lifehacker, it goes a little something like this: First, get a big wall calendar that shows the full year on it. Next, get a red marker. Then, set yourself a goal—say, to write every day—and every day you do it, you get to X that day off the calendar with your marker. Get a couple weeks of X’s under your belt and your task is no longer “write every day,” but more simply, “don’t break the chain.”

Half the battle is following through every day and the other half is keeping that calendar where you can see it.

6. Use or make your walls. Hippy-dippy though it sounds, there’s a lot to be said for carving out what’s called a “sacred space” in your home. Do it well, and in time your brain will learn “I’m in my closet/office where I do fun creative stuff. It’s time to start thinking like that!” and get warmed up faster.

A sacred space can be anywhere, but it helps if it has a door—or a room divider, or curtain, or anything that helps you find the space you need to let your brain go on a daily fun run.

Any other creativity-boosting ideas to add? Share them in the comments below!

Quick Tips For Foodies On The Run

(Image courtesy of Nick Wheeler)

We know the routine. Between work, socializing, chores and sleep there are hardly enough hours in the day sometimes, especially when it comes to taking the time to prepare a meal. Simply because you have alot on your plate, (no pun intended) doesn't mean that you should be relegated to quick bites and snacking to fill you up. There is a balance to be found if you enjoy cooking on your own. Learn how to optimize your time, here, or just keep reading.

1. Buy Meat in Bulk

Doesn’t matter if you’re shopping for hamburger, chicken breasts, or fish, the best deals in the meat department come in the largest packages. At home, immediately divide those big packs into individual servings and put each one in a Ziploc bag. Add your favorite spices or marinade and then freeze ’em so you have instant entrées that just need to be grilled or baked. To save money, check out hangar steaks. They’re tasty, high in protein, and very inexpensive, says chef Josh Eden, of NYC’s Ten Ten restaurant. “Just cut them across the grain to keep them tender,” he says.

2. Keep Produce Fresh Longer

Don’t just chuck everything you buy into the fridge. Tomatoes, avocados, squash, and citrus are better off sitting on a cool countertop for a few days instead of being blasted with cold temperatures. Never wash veggies before storing either; just keep them in a loosely rolled plastic bag. You can also hit ’em with a dash of olive oil first. “The oil keeps them from going bad as quickly,” says Guillermo Tellez, executive chef at Square 1682 in Philadelphia.

3. Embrace Cubism

Instead of drinking the red wine leftover from that marinara sauce you made, pour some into an ice cube tray and freeze until you need it. You can do the same thing with fresh juice, pasta sauce, pesto, gravy, even broths and vegetable stock.

4. Rescue Leftovers

Got rice that came with your Chinese take-out? Nuke it with a little water and butter to bring it back to life. Leftover veggies? Add a couple tablespoons of water before reheating them. Stale bread or crackers? Scatter them on a baking sheet, sprinkle with a little water and reheat in the oven at 350º until warm and crispy.

5. Shop Like a Chef

Stock up on pantry staples like spices, olives, canned beans, and tomatoes, says Matthew Accarrino, the executive chef at San Francisco’s acclaimed SPQR. “They have a long shelf life and will broaden your ability to be creative, spur of the moment.” Always have on hand: whole oats (use in place of bread crumbs in meatloaf and meatballs for extra fiber and vitamins); whole- grain tortilla shells (to make quesadillas, bake them for crispy taco shells, or cut them in pieces for “homemade” pita chips); and light sour cream

The Apartment Space Crunch

(Image courtesy of B.)

Regardless of the size of your apartment we've all run into that age-old issue of having too many things and just not enough space to put them in. But what to do when you love multiple pieces of your furniture and can't bear to part with them?

Though they're not as prevalent as you may think, there are still a few design options available to you that don't involve moving, tearing down walls or filling up the thrift store donation box. This article, courtesy of renters.apartments.com offers a few creative solutions to combat the space issue all apartment-dwellers face from time to time. Keep reading to learn how to design your home in a way you'll love while still optimizing your available space.

Create storage on your walls

When you run out of square feet in your apartment, the only way is up. In other words, you can utilize the walls to keep your home free of claustrophobia-inducing clutter in fun and creative ways. For example, you can hang crown molding on your walls as tiny shelves for shoes and install a pot rack on your ceiling for your cooking ware. Regular shelves can be as close as 21 inches to the ceiling, so don’t hesitate to install them above your furniture. Last but not least, you can hang a repurposed item, such as a window shutter, on your wall to avoid letting the mail pile up on your kitchen counter.

Get multi-purpose furniture

First off, avoid large pieces of furniture as they take up way too much space in a small apartment. Instead, choose pieces that are compact and serve more than one purpose, like a fold-out couch or ottoman with storage capacity inside for blankets or knick knacks. Other great examples of multi-purpose furniture are storage benches, mirror frames with hidden compartments, floor lamps with shelves, book cases that can serve as room dividers and armoires that can be used as home office.

Group items together

The best way to de-clutter your apartment and create a comfy vibe is to group similar items together and store them in containers (which you can then put on your shelves). There is no need to buy pricey tupperware for this as you can easily repurpose stuff you already have. Cups and bowls, for example, are great for organizing your jewelry or pens. Plastic food containers can be used for nails, pins, coins, or any other small items. Organize everything in a way that makes sense to you and put unused things away immediately to avoid wasting space.

Contrary to popular belief, having a certain amount of square feet in your apartment really does not guarantee a sense of comfort. You can make even a small apartment feel very spacious and comfortable if you organize your stuff effectively.

Throwing An Unforgettable Get Together

(Image courtesy of Lachlan Donald)

Once you move into your brand new apartment what could be better than throwing a party to celebrate? Inviting a few friends over to break in your new place will make it feel more like home faster than ever. This article courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com contains all the advice you need to pull off an apartment warming party that your friends will never forget. Keep reading to learn more.

1. Think mismatched, not matchy-match.
Who says everyone's dessert plates need to be the same? From water glasses and dinner plates to napkins and place mats, a lively mix of colors and patterns make for a uniquely eye-catching table.

2. Ditch the tablecloth.
On the right occasion, they look sophisticated; on the wrong one, totally stuffy. Update your table with bright and modern runners instead — especially if you're entertaining al fresco or have a beautiful tabletop to show off.

3. Put the "happy" back in happy hour.
Martini glasses, rocks glasses, highball glasses, red and white wine glasses — for tonight, loosen up the bar with colorful glasses and whimsical finishing touches like paper straws.

4. Let guests get cozy.
Go with us on this one: Rethink the need for chairs. Have a tricked-out back yard? Pull those outdoor loveseats up to the table. Love a low table? Have everyone sit on cushions, picnic-style. Comfy guests are happy guests.

Home Sweet Home

(Image courtesy of Clyde Robinson)

Loving your apartment isn't just about the things that you put into it. To transform your new abode at the Wilson from an apartment to a home you enjoy spending time in you need to add a few things. These tips courtesy of Apartment Therapy will help you learn to love your space even more than you already do!

Letting Go: It's possible to focus so much on decor, design, and picking the perfect furniture to reflect your personality and interests that can turn your house into a place of stress. How about taking a quick breather and switching gears for a sec and not allowing that stress to enter your home? Trust it will all eventually come together and just let it all happen when it does. Try cherishing your home in all its different quirky stages. Your mind and wallet will thank you for it in the end.

Make It a Refuge: Do you have a place you go to in your mind that's a no-stress zone? A place that you sneak away to that just calms you down and clears your mind? For me it's when I step into a yoga studio — the outside world just seems to melt away. Now wouldn't it be incredible if that place was your home? How can you make that happen for you? Maybe try taking a few deep breaths before you open the door, or leaving all the negativity outside on the front steps. What can you do to eliminate stress and worry from your house and make it a peaceful, happy place?

Spend Time There: This seems like a no-brainer, right? But it's not all that easy. How much time do you just spend in your home enjoying it? Do you hang out there and get to know it better? Or do you run out every chance you get? The more time you actually spend in your house, the more you may grow to love it. Even if it's not your ideal space, you can start to appreciate it and make it work for you.

Share It: Do you share your home with others you love? Do you have friends over often for dinner or a movie? Or do you very rarely invite guests over because your house isn't perfect? The more happiness and laughter that enters your house, the more it is going to feel like a home.

Make Memories: This is a direct result of the previous tip. If you fill your home with people and laughter, you will be making memories all along the way. Filling your house with memories will quickly turn it from a mere dwelling into a home. You may not look back and remember this house for its amazing picture windows, or french doors, or balcony to the pool, but you will remember the birthday party where your best friend baked their first three layer cake and then the dog promptly knocked it off the table resulting in impromptu ice cream cookie sandwiches with candles stuck in them.

The Moving Juggle

It’s almost time to start moving in! Though we’re excited to welcome to your beautiful new home at This Wilson, we know that it will be a slightly stressful time for you as well. Between the struggles of moving in, day-to-day obligations and the desire to get out enjoy the beautiful summer sunshine time can get a little tight!

Writer Kim Lucian from apartmenttherapy.com shares in your dismay. Thankfully she’s created the perfect step-by-step guide to getting through hectic times without wanting to rip your hair out. Keep reading to learn more:

1. Get up, get dressed, get to the task at hand. One way to end up walking around with perma-bedhead is to grab the laptop and dig in right away. Pull yourself together before you get started or it probably won't happen.

2. Take a time out to create a clean, organized workspace for yourself. You'll actually save yourself time later when you are looking for a particular top for that job and it's not still shoved in a suitcase. Just don't go overboard — if you're a procrastinator it can be tempting to throw yourself into a deep cleaning session.

3. Make a list, divide it up, and then prioritize. Start out by writing down absolutely everything that comes to mind, then create categories or a timeline and organize your list. Once that is complete, rank your tasks from priority level 1-3: needs to happen, should happen, you would like it to happen.

4. Take a deep breath and start working your way through that list.