Pillows And Flowers And Armchairs, Oh My!

(Image courtesy of BISSON)

If you’re like us, you can never get enough of exotic design ideas. Often when you’re creating an idea for a space it can be easy to be drawn into the comfortable - and usually playing it safe comes at the price of a visually stunning room.

If you’re a bit timid when it comes to the idea of “letting it all hang out,” with your interior design, there are still options to create an elegant, yet eye catching room. These easy principles, courtesy of renters.apartments.com, are inspired by French decor and will leave you saying oui. Don’t believe us? Keep reading to find out more.

Snow White.

The most common theme you’ll find in French design starts with white. This means a fresh and clean palette where you can artfully add in soft pastels to bring color. Walls are often white with white wainscoted detailing and crown molding. Plush white sofas are also a must. Don’t overwhelm a room with color, keep white the clear theme – the ultimate goal is a clean palette. To keep things from going too white and mod, the toiles and florals come in….

It’s a Toile World After All.

Nothing says French faster than a toile print. For anyone who loves whimsy, these are your dream fabrics. Fairy-tale-esque scenes are printed in repeat and can be used as curtains, throw blankets, pillows and more. If the farm scene isn’t your thing, try the Chinoiserie toile.

Pillows and Flowers and Armchairs - oh my!

French design is nothing short of sophisticated yet it simultaneously should invite you to step in and have a seat, a comfy seat that is! Why? Because they understand the power of decorative pillows. Pillows invite but also make statements. If white is your overarching palette, you need pillows to provide your pops of color and break up the monotony. The French are known for choosing quality fabrics so don’t cheat yourself here, a cheap pillow will look cheap. Williams Sonoma has top notch options.

Perusing Paris you’ll remark upon how many flower shops there are, this is because the French love to bring life into their homes and what better way to do so with flowers? Try it out for a month and I’m sure you’ll soon get addicted to this little indulgence, this joie de vivre.

Finally, the French armchair is a staple in any French home. Often called the Louis XV chair, these delicate but sturdy chairs anchor a room and add the final touch. These chairs come at a price however so shop around. You can easily find a great option at Restoration Hardware but you may save yourself some money by scouring antique shops first. Consider having the chair reupholstered to suit your taste. The chair seen here was refinished and reupholstered by Time Treasures Antiques & Restoration.

Bon, you have a great starting point for French-ifying your home, bonne chance! And s’il vous plaÎt, share your favorite French design tips as well!

Organize Your Digital Side

(Image courtesy of Mercy Castro)

Let’s face it - us and technology are inseparable. No matter where we go, we all typically are carrying phones, ipads, smart watches and, no matter what, most of us are always within five minutes of a computer. With all this tech floating around, it’s easy to start hoarding digital documents.

Though they don’t take up physical space, digital files can quickly bog down your gadgets and slow down your systems. And if you don’t have an adequate system for organizing your files, your productivity can suffer! If you need help decluttering your tech-side check out these easy tips, courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com, will have you clearing megabytes in no time! Keep reading to learn more.

1. Delete Unused Apps: It's ridiculously easy to figure out what applications you're not using on your computer. On a Mac, simply organize Applications by date last opened and whatever is on the bottom is used the least. On a PC, simply check the application info to see when you last used the application, if at all.

2. Outlook's Email Sweep: It's easy to get lost in a pile of old emails. Between social networking alerts and daily newsletters, your inbox is probably cluttered. For Outlook users, Sweep makes it possible to delete these emails automatically by setting timers. For example, you can set a rule to delete all Groupon emails after they haven't been opened for 10 days. You'll also notice you can choose to delete ALL emails from a sender when you delete one.

3. Use Finder to Delete Drafts: If you're on a Mac, Finder's search feature is handy for finding files across your hard drive quickly and simply. Every few months, I search for the word "DRAFT" and delete any drafts that are older than a year. Ultimately, I've decided the final version of a file is what I will need to reference in the long term. Try to come up with a timeline that makes sense for you.

How do you keep your digital life decluttered?

Pin To Win

(Image courtesy of Brent Schmidt)

It can be tough deciding on new decor for your living space. If you're like us, when in need of some creative ideas for decorating you wander over to Pinterest to see what other fantastic creations other users have put together. By designing boards with specific areas of interest, finding your new couch or coffee table is easier than ever.

Though Pinterest is pretty intuitive, there are still a few strategies you can use to make the platform even more manageable. If you're wondering how to use Pinterest to your advantage, take a look at these easy tips from apartmenttherapy.com. You'll be a Pinterest decorating all-star in no time!

Decide on a budget: This is my first step when I'm using my Pinterest to save a little cash. Yup, an item may be beautiful but if I don't choose to pay over five hundred dollars for a swing arm bedside lamp, there's no point in pinning it to this board (though it may go on the dream bedroom board).

Let your gut be your guide: Though you may have decided you want a beige sofa, if you find yourself drawn to that red couch, pin it. After a few days of pinning, when you take a look at your board, you may find that you've pinned a dozen red couches. Maybe it's time to rethink your decor around that red couch you really want instead of the beige one you think you should be buying.

Consider using a secret board: If you have a number of followers who are likely to repin the items you're coveting, especially if they're things that are one of a kind or limited stock, you might want to make this particular board secret. True, there are only a limited number of secret boards but, if you're actually using this board to pin items you are about to purchase, this board will soon be deleted.

Use one board per item you are actually ready to buy: This board is less inspiration and more perspiration: ie, it's a board that you're putting to work to help you make a decision on something you're prepared to plunk down cold hard cash on. ideally, the lifespan of this board will only be a few months.

Overpin before looking at your board and making a decision: Give yourself at least a few days of pinning before you look at your board. That way you'll have enough choices to compare and contrast before picking the one that best matches your needs in terms of price and style (and discovering that you really want a red couch!)

Shy away from repinning: I learned this one the hard way. I'd repinned a rug from someone else's board and when I went to purchase it, I discovered it was out of stock (and had been out of stock for a few months!). If you do repin something, take a few moments to click through to the actual site and make sure it's something that is in stock and purchasable (not just an inspiration photo from someone's blog).

Give yourself a time frame: In that same vein, if you're using Pinterest to find actual items to purchase, give yourself a timeline within which to do it, since items do get sold out or become discontinued.

You Don't Need A Yard To Garden

(Image courtesy of Robina Wheeler)

Spring is here and we’re all given the great pleasure of watching flowers bloom! Though we boast gorgeous open apartments, it can be a little difficult to stretch your green thumb in the middle of Dogpatch.

If you have your heart set on cultivating your own mini-garden we have a few ideas to help you reach your goals. This list, courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com, contains links to plenty of DIY home-gardening projects that will be sure to give you the green fix that you’re looking for. Keep reading to learn more.

1. How to Plant a Super Easy Tomato Container Garden - If you want to grow tomatoes this summer, now's the time to plant them. Rachel Wray at Re-Nest gives a super simple guide.

2. How to Plant a Terrarium in a Jar - Terrariums are hot right now. Here's how to make your own for pennies.

3. How to Grow a Salad Greens Windowbox Garden - Guest blogger Maria Finn wrote this how-to for an edible indoor garden.

4. How to Re-Pot Your House Plants - Helpful tips on how to move your plants into a bigger pot from Tanya in Boston.

5. How to Make Can Planters - Laure in Los Angeles made these beautiful tins from old tomato cans.

6. How to Make a One-Pot Indoor Herb Garden - This post went up on the Kitchn three years ago and it still keeps resurfacing. A great guide for cooks who want to grow their own herbs.

7. How to Start a Container Garden - Tips for growing lettuce, arugula, tomatoes, and herbs.

Easy Tips To A Clean Bathroom

(Image courtesy of Kim)

Even in the biggest bathrooms, space can be an issue. There always seems to be a wealth of half-empty shampoo bottles, toothbrushes, hair care products and other essentials hanging around-if you’re not careful things can get tight very quickly.

Though we each have our own particular essentials in every commode, that doesn’t mean that the space can’t be stylish, controlled and organized. These tips courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com will be sure to have your bathroom looking more spacious in no time!

1. Keep only the products you use daily in a small bathroom

What hair and makeup products do you actually need to get ready each morning? Which do you actually use when you shower? If you're lacking in lots of bathroom storage, remove everything you only use occasionally — special hair products, medicine, first aid — and consider finding another spot in your home to keep it. (Yes, if you have a small bathroom you probably have a small home, but maybe there's a titch more storage somewhere else!)

2. Create and disguise new storage

If you absolutely can't get rid of all of the items, assess your storage situation and see where additional or hidden storage can be installed. If you've got under counter storage, maximize it. These under sink storage ideas can easily be applied for bathroom storage. Over the door solutions work, but use sparingly since they don't really hide the clutter well. Install small or narrow cabinets with doors in tight spots for a custom, hidden storage look.

3. Collect, corral & beautify

Trays are an old organizing trick that's always in style; use them to turn a pile of unsightly hair and make-up products into something resembling decent. Baskets and boxes work great on open shelves and tucked uniformly on ledges and in corners. In fact you could make your own today! Want to take it up a notch? Transfer beauty products into new or DIY (and labeled) bottles and containers that are all uniform and nicer to look at so your bathroom counter doesn't look like a drug store.

4. One in, two out rule

For every new lipstick you bring into your bathroom, toss or give to a friend two shades that don't work and you'll never wear. Same applies to shampoo, conditioner or whatever products are causing clutter piles in your bathroom.

5. Pick up and put away daily

This is more chore reminder than actual organizing tip, but some people still need to hear it! You can't let even one bottle stay where it's not supposed to be in a small bathroom — it'll look cluttered instantly. Figure out the decluttering and storage methods that work for you, and then stick with it daily until you create a habit.

Find Comfort In Your Apartment

(Image courtesy of Jamie Davies)

After the rigours of running around to jobs, dinners and activities it’s nice to be able to come back home to a nice quiet relaxing apartment. Taking time to appreciate your home and what it is about it that makes you feel safe there can help you amplify those feelings.

This article from apartmenttherapy.com breaks down the most calming components of your home and teaches you how to maximize the relaxing feelings you get from them. Keep reading to learn how to enjoy even more comfort from your apartment!

1. Diversify lighting. I'm a proponent of having three points of light in a room. Make your home work for you by being able to switch between brighter, more concentrated light when you need to focus and something softer when you want to relax. Build in that kind of flexibility by installing a dimmer switch for an overhead light or table lamp — both doable DIY projects.

2. Invest in comforting textures. What's cozier than soft pillows, throws, and blankets? The bonus is they're inexpensive and portable. I'm a fan of other small splurges too (for me, it's good-smelling hand soap).

3. Don't kill yourself getting clean; accept the never-ending cycle of household chores. I feel better in my home when it doesn't look dirty or really disorganized, but I also don't want to feel as if I'm constantly cleaning. While many people like keeping a cleaning schedule, I like incorporating chores into my daily routine. I'd also point you to The Lazy Person's Guide to a Happy Home: Tips for People Who (Really) Hate Cleaning.

4. Carve out a space for what you care about. Even when you're short on space, there's always a way to prioritize what's meaningful for you. Whether it'sturning a closet into a craft zone, designating a cozy reading nook or a place for your bike, or making your kitchen more functional with pegboard, follow your bliss.

5. Make space by paring down. Right now I feel like I have a lot of stuff that I no longer want to give room in my home. A combination of donating and throwing things out will lighten the load in terms of your home's need for storage and your (perceived) need to organize.

Won't You Be My Neighbor

(Image courtesy of Johnny Ainsworth)

Moving into a new apartment can be tough. And we don’t just mean moving all your stuff, trying to get settled, and the unpacking and organizing process that seems to never end. If you’re moving into a new area, it can be lonely for the first few weeks while you get used to your surroundings!

One of the best parts about living in Sandia Village is the great community that we have to offer - and getting to know your neighbors will be a great way to stave off loneliness while you get more acclimated to your new surroundings! This article from renters.apartments.com offers a few great ideas to make friends with your neighbors in no time flat! Keep reading to learn more:

There are many reasons why you should get to know your neighbors. If they've been living there for a while, they can be a great resource for information like what day the garbage is picked up, what the landlord is like, parking tips, and where to find the best neighborhood restaurants. They may also be able to lend a helping hand if, for example, you’re locked out and need to use a phone, or you need someone to feed your cats and water your plants while you’re away.

Although everyone should try to be a good neighbor by keeping the noise down, keeping common areas clean and following other common courtesies, inevitably, something will happen that may inconvenience your neighbors (a barking dog, a loud party, a spill in the hallway). But if your neighbors know you, they will be less annoyed by these unintentional annoyances, and will try to work out any problems with you directly rather than going straight to the landlord.

So how do you go about getting to know these people? Although it may seem cliché, knocking on their door with a plate of cookies or brownies really works. It’s an unexpected and very appreciated gesture, especially if you live in a large city where the norm is to keep to yourself. Take the opportunity to introduce yourself, let them know who lives with you (four-legged companions included), what you do for a living, and if you’re new to the area.

If they are not overly friendly in return, don’t take it personally. The important thing is you made the effort, and you can say hello in the elevator rather than awkwardly trying to avoid eye contact. On the flipside, if they are nice in return, you may even make a new friend.

Getting to know your neighbors is a win-win no matter the outcome. So don’t be shy – and start baking!