Favorite Things From Urban Outfitters

(telephone)

(spotlight)

(isometric urbanism pt 1)

(edie velvet chaise)

(daydreamer settee)

Urban Outfitters home section has a a lot of great pieces and now I see they've teamed up with Society6, selling prints in various sizes from artists from all over the world. Above are a few of my favorites...

Reader's Questions: Window Treatments

Katie asks: "My rental apt has pull-down shades. The problem is it's either privacy OR light, can't have both. I would love to install blinds but cannot afford to do whole new window treatments. Any suggestions?"

Katie, window film, aka privacy film, gives you privacy while still allowing light to come in. It's fairly easy to install and inexpensive. It comes in various sizes so measure your windows and get the size that will give you least amount of waste. It also comes in different styles though I prefer the 'frosted' kind, as pictured above, for it's simplicity.

It's also good for shower stalls with clear glass doors so two people can comfortably use the bathroom at the same time.

Favorite Shoe Storage

1. Upper kitchen cabinets come in varying widths and heights, and with adjustable inner shelves they're especially good for booties and platforms that don't fit in normal shoe shelves.

2. Bookshelves, like the one pictured are a great looking way to store shoes and bags.

3. Cubbies seem to be many people's favorite.

4. Shoe drawers keep shoes from getting dusty quickly, though still should be vacuumed out regularly.

Diary of a Move, 3 Weeks In...

The new entry dresser holds gloves, scarves, hats, umbrellas, keys, tissue packs, mints, etc... The new sofa and side chairs all convert to beds so her kids and grandkids can easily + comfortably spend the night.

The main things left to do: sell the small original sofa, order a headboard, rugs and coffee table and add decorative elements like pillows. The plan for this space is crisp white with bursts of intense colors, contrary to the subdued palette of her previous apartment.

Diary of a Move, Cable Management

(before)

(back of console pulled away from wall)

(hole after cutting out damaged area)

(small cable clips keeping cords up off floor)

(after, almost...)

Since this space is so much larger than her last apartment, there isn't such a desperate need for storage so we've sacrificed half of the lower shelf (on the right side) of the console for the modem, power strip, and all cords. The back panel was damaged during the move so we cut that part out to pass everything through.

The only plug on this length of wall is directly behind the left hamper, pushing the hamper away from the wall a few inches, so we're using the plug around the right corner located in the entry. The cord in the last pic to the right will be gone once I replace it with a white extension cord that I can tack along the baseboard to make it less noticeable.

Diary of a Move, Bathroom Progress...

(entrance from bedroom, clothes closets on either side with bathroom at end)

BATHROOM

- installed lucite shelves

- hung art

- installed single hook near shower

- installed ceiling track for curtain

- need to buy and hang opaque curtain

The bathroom is 2 small rooms; the first with the sink on one side, linen closet on the other, then the second with the shower and toilet. There's a door to the first room, but not the second and since she has family staying with her often, we installed the ceiling track for a curtain. Also, I hung the shelves pretty high because her family are quite tall.

Diary of a Move, Continued...

Day 6 update:

ENTRY

- installed 4 double hooks on wall and closet doors

- switched out overhead light for glass chandelier

- need to buy dresser (out of stock) for scarves, gloves, etc currently hanging on kitchen door

- impulse purchase of orange rug to be returned, too small

DINING AREA

- need to assemble other 2 chairs

- ordered plug-in chandelier

LIVING AREA

- researching sofa beds

- need to purchase 2 chair-beds

BEDROOM

- installed ceiling track with 4 curtains

- want to add 2-4 more curtains

- installed 2 single hooks near bed (you can see them in last pic)

- will order headboard after we get sofa

- need to install sconce

- want new bedding

We're moving right along with the progress of the apartment because:

- we did major edit and organizing before moving

- new space is much bigger than last apt with plenty of storage (4 closets) that don't need major changes

- client made great suggestions; need and placement of dresser + bedroom curtains

- client quick to approve new furniture, lighting, etc

Diary of a Move, Continued...

(closet #1)

(closet #2)

This apt has two great clothes closets and I wanted to show the progress we've made with them. Closet #1 has boxed and hanging off-season clothes, special occasion clothes (hanging on the right) with jewelry organizer in the middle. We added the mesh drawer unit after we completely filled the new dresser.

Closet #2 also has boxed off-season clothes on the top shelf, with current season folded and hanging clothes and shoes lining the floor. I'm hoping to make room to use a hanging shoe organizer or store the shoes somewhere a bit more accessible as this client has arthritis and it's not so easy to bend down to see the shoes.

My installer is coming tomorrow to hang art, mirrors, etc. Stay tuned!!