How to: Modern Home Decor

Posted on March 29, 2012 by leaseanapartment

There are a few key factors when it comes to decorating in the modern style correctly.  If you’re looking for a sleek new look for your apartment, check out a few of these tips to help make it modern.

Overall, simplicity rules.  Modern spaces, especially, are all about keeping things clean and fairly minimal.  Reducing clutter has also been shown to help reduce stress, so the more streamlining you can do, the better.

When it comes to furniture pieces, lighting, and artwork try sticking to items that are geometric.  Clean lines and angular shapes are the hallmarks of modern design.  This goes for artwork, as well.  When choosing pieces to display on your wall, go for the ones with strong shapes and bold colors.

As for the color aspect, artwork and other accent pieces should serve as bright bursts of color, while the overall palette remains relatively neutral.  White or black is always a safe choice for long-lasting pieces, as is a light beige or gray.

Lastly, modern design revolves around functionality.  This means that the items in your apartment should all serve a purpose.  Try substituting static knick-knacks for things you’ll actually use, like an iPod and speakers or a small stack of books.

With the modern design style comes the saying “less is more.”  Keep your apartment looking clean, and choose items with sleek, geometric looks.  Select bright, bold accents to scatter throughout a neutral palette and really try to give items in your home something to do.  Do all of this, and you’re sure to have a fabulous modern-looking space.

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More Crafts with Corks

Posted on March 26, 2012 by leaseanapartment

Okay, so maybe you’ve already tried a corkboard or have an amazing cork bathmat in your bathroom.  Now what?  If you’re feeling a bit crafty and want to add some corky accents to your apartment, check out a few of these new DIY projects:

If you’re starting from scratch with no corks at all, consider creating your very own cork journal.  Use a Sharpie to write the date and who you’re with/ a special occasion on the side of corks from bottles of wine you share.  Display them in a nice, decorative bowl.  You and your guests will love being able to pick up a cork and enjoy each tiny memory.

If you have a small collection of corks, turn them into a 12” x 12” trivet.  Using a block of wood covered with a thin backing (felt works well), glue the corks in place.  For a prettier version, use a small frame with a backing and glue the corks on directly.

Want something a little larger?  Make Something shares a fantastic tutorial on using painted corks to make a unique wreath.  All you need for this one is paint, a couple of paper plates, a hot glue gun, some string, and lots of corks!  Use your collection to make a
colorful wreath with a cool, layered look that everyone will love.

Lastly, you can always get really creative and put your corks together to form beautiful, awe-inspiring wall art.  Artists like Scott Gundersen are doing this on a huge scale.  Check out some of his work, here.

If none of the above fit your crafting style, consider donating any spare corks to places like Recycle Cork U.S.A.  They run programs including Korks 4 Kids which raise money for children’s charities by recycling cork.

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Up-cycle Old Books – Design Ideas

Posted on March 19, 2012 by leaseanapartment

Some people discourage the up-cycling of old books into new decorative pieces, but it may be better to give a book new life rather than to let it sit and collect dust on the shelf.  If you’ve got any old, unwanted books that you can’t seem to find a new home for, consider the following:

Turn them into a box for safekeeping.  Cut out the center of an old hardback book and use it to store money, keys, and anything else you want hidden.

Give a coffee table or chair a new look using the pages of an old book.  Apply them with decoupage from your local craft store, and finish with a layer of clear sealant on top.

Create your own book cover headboard.  Use a piece of wood (about ¼” thick) as a backing, and glue hardback covers (free of pages) flat.  Create layers using books of different colors and sizes, overlapping the covers.  Once you’ve got the design glued down, flip the wood over and add weight to ensure that your book covers will be nice and flat.  Finish it off with a few coats of clear sealant.

Check out this tutorial on making your very own storybook paper roses.  Perfect for making beautiful bouquets, these roses look good on any occasion.

If you have nice hardback books that will look great on display, consider turning them into shelves.  Use two brackets below and one above to hold the books in place on the wall.  You can make single book shelves, or group multiple books together.  Make sure you only place lightweight objects on them, however.

Looking for more cool design tips? Check out Real Simple’s website for tons of ideas regarding  new uses for old things and get inspired!

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Explore the Outdoors in Joliet

Posted on March 15, 2012 by leaseanapartment

When you live in one of our residential communities, you’re just minutes away from beautiful parks, relaxing golf resorts, and much more.  Joliet is the perfect place for anyone who loves the outdoors to live, work, and play.

Spend some time outside in the organic community garden.  In its inaugural year, this garden is focused on bringing community members together to share in a common interest.  Fill out an application and spend a little time in the sun growing your very own natural fruits and vegetables.

The Pilcher Park Nature Center is another wonderful place to enjoy the outdoors.  With a wide variety of scenic trails, it’s the perfect place for hikers, joggers, equestrians, and more to enjoy.  You can even rent the nature center for a night for large field trips or parties.

If you’re looking to get out and play, consider taking a trip over to Nowell Park.  This site offers 20 acres of fields, pavilions, tennis courts, picnic areas and more.  Get a game of whiffle ball going with some friends on one of the diamonds, or take the kids over to the open playground.  It’s a beautiful place to enjoy some outside time.

These are only a handful of outdoor facilities that Joliet has to offer.  Don’t forget to check out the local golf courses, events at Bicentennial Park, and more.  Check out the rest of our website, too, for information on available apartments.

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DIY Duct Tape Crafts

Posted on March 12, 2012 by leaseanapartment

Duct tape these days comes in all different patterns and colors.  You can even purchase it in sheets rather than buying a roll.  You can stick with the traditional grey, or branch out and try a bold new color.  Whichever you choose, there are tons of creative ways to put it to use.

Empty out that old, faded wallet and try making a new one out of duct tape.  Start out by tearing off four pieces of tape (about 9 inch. Long) and put them sticky-side up on a cutting board.  Overlap them by about ½ inch.  Then, tear another four pieces and stick them onto the first four pieces one strip at a time, starting about ½ inch from the top.  When you’re finished, fold over the top and bottom edges.  Want to keep going? For the rest of the instructions, check out this fabulous tutorial at Craftynest.

For parties and upcoming events, consider using uniquely patterned duct tape for fun water bottle labels.  Give each person their own so there are no mix-ups, or find a roll that matches your theme.  They’re great additions to your party’s décor and they won’t fall off or bleed in an ice bucket.

If you’ve got a favorite pair of flats that are falling apart from too much wear, consider using some duct tape to bring them back to life.  Choose a bold new color or pattern for your shoes, and apply the duct tape to them in a collage-like manner, overlapping pieces whenever necessary. Once the shoes are completely covered, coat them with a layer of mod
podge and let dry.  Finish up by spraying your shoes with an acrylic sealer for a fun new look that is sure to last.

Duct tape has so many new uses that can turn a drab piece of furniture or clothing into a fabulous new accessory.  Use it to create unique headboards, purses, flowers and more.  Have any other creative uses for duct tape?  Share them here!

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Home Citrus Solutions

Posted on March 6, 2012 by leaseanapartment

Citrus fruits of all kinds can have multiple places in the kitchen.  Adding an orange or a lime to a beer can give it an even more refreshing taste, and adding lemon zest to a cookie or cake can give it just the right amount of kick.  However, there are some lesser known uses for citrus fruits that reach beyond the kitchen.  Here are just a few…

Cut a lemon in half and use it to rub out any unwanted clothing stains.  Whether it’s yellowed underarm stains, blotches of ink, or even grass, scrub them with a little lemon
and rinse clean in cold water.  Want to brighten those whites with your next load of laundry?  Forget the bleach.  Instead, add ½ cup of lemon juice to the wash cycle and watch those whites shine.

If you’re an avid coffee or tea drinker, your mugs might have a few stains after they’ve been used for a while.  Don’t waste your time scrubbing spotted dishes over the sink.  As an alternative, add a pinch of salt to a citrus peel and rub over the stain and watch it vanish before your eyes.  Citrus peels are also great deodorizers.  If your garbage disposal starts to stink, throw a few peels down and flip the switch.  They’ll grind their way into a delicious, fresh scent.

Lemons can also make great all-purpose cleaners.  For your own home-made mix, combine lemon juice, vinegar and water and pour into a spray bottle.  To give countertops and sinks an added shine, cut a lemon in half and put baking soda on the cut side.  Scrub onto any dirty dishes or countertops for a fresh smelling clean.

Orange zest in a bowl can help keep unwanted flies away from food.  If you’re having a picnic or outdoor party, put the bowl on the table and enjoy your meal in peace.  A mixture of lemon and water can be used to deter other pests like ants.  Put into a spray bottle and spray in any cracks or under doorways and windows to keep them from getting inside.

Have any other home uses for citrus fruits?  Share them here!

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Music in March & Other Events

Posted on February 29, 2012 by leaseanapartment

Well, we’ve had our fun with February, but it’s almost over and March is coming in strong.  With a wide variety of events to choose from, it’s time to flip the page on your calendar and start making plans to see some of Joliet’s finest.

Rialto Square Theatre has some pretty amazing shows planned for the month.  The Australian Bee Gees kick things off on March 3rd with a multi-media concert event for the ages.  They’ve got great lighting, sound, graphics and video clips to help them capture the essence of one of the most successful acts in music history.

On the fifth, Joliet pays homage to the rich history of blues with the Official Blues Brothers Revue.  Featuring original Blues Bros. band members, this live show combines comedy and the soulful music from the original movie.

Then, on March 16th, Gary Mullen and The Works recreate the music of Freddie Mercury and Queen for a night of some of the UK’s hottest rock.  Come out and celebrate the incredible success of Queen and relive the magic with this spectacular live show.

On the 17th, spend St. Patrick’s weekend in style and head out to the Hollywood Casino.  Every hour, ten lucky winners will receive $150 free slot play and one lucky person will walk away with $10,500 from this Sharin’ of the Green themed party.

The following day you might want to take a drive out to Lemont to the Cog Hill Golf Course for the Annual Irish Fling.  With complimentary green beer and a range of traditional Irish foods, you’ll have a blast watching the World Qualified Irish Dancers and other performers.  The party starts at 12:30PM on the 18th.

These are just a handful of some of the city’s upcoming events.  Check out the local website for event listings and other interesting information on what’s happening near you.

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New Projects for Old T-Shirts

Posted on February 27, 2012 by leaseanapartment

Have a bunch of old t-shirts lying around?  Maybe you got them for free, outgrew them, or are just looking for new and creative ways to put them to use.  These fun and unique projects will have you up-cycling those old clothes in no time flat.

T-shirt scrap rug: What better accessory for your laundry room or bathroom than a rug made out of old t-shirts?  To start out, grab a large shirt to use as the base.  Cut it into a rectangle (or sew multiples together) until you have your desired rug size.  For your scraps, cut up old t-shirts into 5-6” long and 1” wide strips.  Next, poke small holes into the rug base in horizontal/ vertical rows about ½” apart.  Then, starting at one corner, thread a strip through the first hole and back through the second hole.  Grab a new strip and thread it through the second hole (where the first strip came up) and back up through the third.  Continue this process until all of the holes are filled!

Produce bag:  Turn an old t-shirt inside out.  Trace and cut a shape you like for your bag.  Sew straight-stitch or zig zag around the edge leaving the top of your bag open.  Next, draw lines horizontally across your bag.  Using an X-Acto knife or scissors, cut slits along each line, leaving a small space in between each cut.  Leave about four inches at the top of your bag for the handle.  Cut a slit for the handle and shape them to your liking.  When finished, stretch your bag out and head to the market!

No sew throw pillow:  Trace a rectangle (desired pillow size) on your t-shirt.  Trace another rectangle three inches out from the first.  Cut out the larger of the two rectangles.  Now, cut 1” wide slits around the perimeter, making sure not to cut vertically past the inner rectangle.  Take the front and back of each slit and tie together in a knot.  Stuff your pillow and finish by tying together the remaining slits.

Pet toys:  You may not like that old t-shirt any more, but your pet might!  Tie an old t-shirt into multiple knots for a fun tug-of-war toy for your dog, or cut, sew and stuff fun shapes for your cat to play with.  You may even find a way to turn multiple shirts into a comfortable bed for your fluffy friend – perfect for after playtime!

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DIY Apartment Art

Posted on February 21, 2012 by leaseanapartment

Apartment living can sometimes be frustrating when the itch to paint or redecorate comes along.  While white may not be your color of choice, it is most often used in rental properties.  Here are a few DIY projects to keep you busy and to help you bring just the right amount of color to your home.

Grab a piece of string and two push pins.  Secure the string in a straight line using the pins, and hang your favorite pictures, postcards, and any other notes with clothespins.  Repeat to create as many rows as you decide.

Sites like TipJunkie.com and Pinterest often offer free subway art printables.  Find one that fits your home and/or personality and put it in a cool frame.  They’re especially great for bringing a small color pop to any room.

Upload some of your favorite pictures onto a site like Photobucket and use there unique editing effects to create a cartoon, sketch, or vintage look.  Print them out and glue them onto cut pieces of thick posterboard, or put them in a frame, and hang them around your home for a new and interesting display.

Never underestimate the power of a scrap of fabric.  If you find a neat pattern that you like, put it in a frame!  You can do the same with poster-sized frames and wallpaper or regular wrapping paper for a more modern looking piece of art.

Don’t let budget, space, or a lease agreement get you down.  When it comes to creating the home you’ve always dreamed of, anything is possible.  You just might have to get creative!

 

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New Uses for Used Dryer Sheets

Posted on February 16, 2012 by leaseanapartment

Don’t throw away those used dryer sheets just yet!  There’s actually a lot more that they can be used for.  Whether it’s dusting, scrubbing, or just a fresh scent that you need handled, grab your dryer sheets and read on for a few ways they can help.

Keep your stainless steel pots and pans clean with a dryer sheet. Let the dirty dishes soak in water with a sheet present, and the softening/anti-static agents will team up to loosen grit stuck to your pan for an easy scrub clean.

Trouble getting all the dust off your TV screen or computer monitor?  Grab a dryer sheet.  These great multi-purpose cleaners are perfect for trapping dust and can even be helpful when trying to remove lint or pet hair from furniture, clothes, and other surfaces.

In the warmer months when bugs come back around, use a dryer sheet to help repel nasty pests like mosquitos. Rub a sheet on your skin for some extra protection.  If you have a lot of bug stains on your car windshield, simply wet the surface and use a dryer sheet to easily remove all the gross guts.

Baseboards tend to collect tons of hair, dust, and other allergens and are often neglected when it comes to cleaning house.  Wipe them down with a dryer sheet to get rid of the dirt.  This will not only clean them but coat them with a little anti-static to keep them dust-free for even longer.

Want to keep your home smelling fresh?  Stick a dryer sheet in clothing drawers, under couch cushions, and in closets for a clean scent all around.  Roll one up and stick it in the toilet paper roll for a fresh burst of clean with every use.  You might even want to get rid of that old Pine air freshener hanging from your rearview mirror, and use a dryer sheet instead.

Who knew that a dryer sheet could accomplish so much?  Feel free to let us know if you discover any further uses for these little life-savers.

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