closets Archives - Page 6 of 34

Apache is functioning normally

August 9, 2023 by Brett Tams

Step into a world where sleek lines, open spaces, and a harmonious marriage of form and function reign supreme.

Mid-century may be a classic style from the mid-1900s, but homes built in this style have a timeless appeal. With their distinct architectural features — which often include flat roofs, horizontal planes, and geometric shapes — they embrace simplicity, functionality, and a seamless integration with the surrounding environment.

Nature and lifestyle were key when designing mid-century houses, so many of them were built with floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the yard, sliding glass doors, and many access points to the outdoors.

Incorporating clean lines and basic shapes, simple furnishings, a practical Scandinavian approach with muted color palette, and warm inviting earth tones, simplicity is a notable characteristic of mid-century design. Mid-century modern homes also used spaces efficiently with their split-level design, which makes it easy to see why the this architectural style continues to fascinate with both its practicality and its aesthetic appeal.

Our favorite midcentury modern houses

For those who want to immerse themselves in the world of midcentury beauties, we’ve rounded up our favorites. Carefully restored by their owners while preserving their original character and incorporating modern amenities and technologies, we believe the examples below have done a great job at striking a balance between maintaining the historical integrity of the house and making it functional for contemporary living.

Without further ado, here are 13 stylishly refreshed-yet-classic mid-century modern houses that we’ve covered in the past, many of which had some quite famous owners (or architects).

#1 A secluded mid-century modern home with unique features and views of lush surroundings

There is so much to love about this Santa Clarita property — which was home to ‘Dallas’ Star Linda Gray for almost FIVE decades. Named Oak Tree Ranch after the stunning oak trees that grow on the property, the private California compound has many unique features.

^{Photo credit: Marc Angeles courtesy of The Agency}

Designed by acclaimed architect A. Quincy Jones, the mid-century house is unquestionably elegant and captivating. True to the principle of bringing the outside in, the floor is made of heart pine, (meaning the heart of the pine tree), sourced from a New Orleans schoolhouse.

The freestanding fireplace is another unique feature of this property. The kitchen was designed by renowned architect Josh Schweitzer who added beautiful racks to hang pots and pans out in the open, pro-style appliances, and a pizza oven.

^{Photo credit: Marc Angeles, inset DFree / Shutterstock.com}

^{Photo credit: Marc Angeles courtesy of The Agency}

Sitting on 2.7 acres of lush land, the property has stables for four horses, a tack room/barn, a north-south tennis court, a large swimmer’s pool with spa, organic gardens, koi pond, chicken coop, and an endless lawn to enjoy the outdoors.

#2 This mid-century modern home built by Steele & Van Dyk resembles a semi-secluded paradise

The 8.86-acre property located in the Sonoma County town of Sebastopol is one of the most spectacular (and most lovingly preserved) mid-century homes you’ll find.

It was once owned by Charles M. Schulz, the creator of the beloved comic strip Peanuts and his children have fond memories of the property, which was used by their father as a creative studio.

^{Photo credit: Jim Nevill Productions courtesy of Coldwell Banker Realty}

There were several lots on the original 27-acre property such as Schulz’ main house, his grandmother’s house, a large pond, a baseball field, a miniature golf course, a large swimming pool, an enclosed entertainment pavilion, and his studio, all surrounded by vineyards and apple orchards.

The family who bought the property after Charles Schulz’ ownership made a few changes to the studio but made sure not to alter the nature of the design.

They renovated the studio and turned it into an inviting one-bedroom home which operated as a licensed vacation rental for a few years.

True to the architecture of mid-century modern houses, the former art studio has clean lines, minimal decoration, and large, flat panes of glass windows and doors which allow a connection with nature.

^{Photo credit: Jim Nevill Productions courtesy of Coldwell Banker Realty}

With the home surrounded by natural beauty, you’ll find a four-hole golf course, Redwoods groves, and walking trails lined with numerous rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, dogwoods, several varieties of ferns, fruit trees, and plenty of flowers.

^{Photo credit: Jim Nevill Productions courtesy of Coldwell Banker Realty}

#3 One of legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s last projects, a mid-century masterpiece

Sitting on 14 acres of protected land in New Canaan, Conn., we find one of legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s final projects, built in 1955, just a few years before his death in 1959.

^{Photo credit: Udor Photography courtesy of Coldwell Banker Realty}

Known as Tirranna — a moniker inspired by an Australian Aboriginal word meaning “running waters”, as the home is cantilevered over a pond and overlooks a waterfall on the Noroton River — the property is one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s largest residential properties.

The architect also lived here while building the Guggenheim Museum and even used some of the scalloped glass windows from the Guggenheim Museum project to complete the home’s south-facing greenhouse.

Clocking in at a generous 7,000 square feet, the 7-bedroom, 8.5-bath home blends geometric complexity with nature’s flowing curves, in typical Frank Lloyd Wright style.

^{Photo credit: Udor Photography courtesy of Coldwell Banker Realty}

Throughout the home, the architect combined and contrasted soaring ceilings and open living spaces with cozy and cocoon-like mahogany-paneled bedrooms.

^{Photo credit: Udor Photography courtesy of Coldwell Banker Realty}

The home’s functional wood-paneled and stainless-steel kitchen epitomizes the mid-century modern aesthetic, while each of the bathrooms are spa-like and adorned with spectacular wood panels and unique features.

#4 A Mid-century home in Palo Alto that has maintained the integrity of its original design

This mid-century modern home is so simple that it reads as sophisticated.

It bears the signature of internationally recognized architect and Frank Lloyd Wright protégé Aaron Green. The 3-bed, 2-bath home features extensive use of mahogany, slab floors with radiant heat, built-in beds, desks and dressers, and Formica counters.

^{Photo credit: David Eichler}

With flat roofs, both the exterior and interior have a clean and functional design. Inside the home, there is minimal decoration and the various cabinetry adds depth and variation in elevation.

The large windows give magnetic views of the yard. All in all, a gorgeous home updated for modern living while still retaining its mid-century authenticity.

^{Photo credit: David Eichler}

#5 One of the most spectacular mid-century modern houses with a Moroccan theme and great views of the Coachella Valley

This stylish home is located in a compound in Rancho Mirage’s Thunderbird Heights — a prestigious gated hillside community adjacent to Thunderbird Country Club.

^{Photo credit: Kris Magenheim, inset CBS Radio, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons}

The mid-century home was custom-built for famous entertainer Bing Crosby and his second wife, Kathryn Grant, and was an absolutely perfect fit for its celebrity owner who loved to live large.

Among its most striking features, Bing Crosby’s former home lists a large living room with a stone fireplace and bar, a chef’s kitchen, a movie theater, and a beautiful and spacious 1,400-sq. foot master suite with a stunner of a walk-in closet and a fireplace, as well as four additional en-suite bedrooms.

Spread over 1.36 acres of land, the phenomenal home has approximately 6,700 square feet of living space that extend into the outdoor areas.

^{Photo credit: Kris Magenheim courtesy of The Agency}

The home’s most famous guests, though, were definitely Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy. In honor of their stay there, the two-bedroom attached casita has been named the JFK Wing.

#6 An architectural gem with mesmerizing views of its lush surroundings and direct entrance to Rustic Canyon Park

Set in Los Angeles, this mid-century home designed by notable architect David Hyun has formerly been the residence of prominent entertainment lawyer Gary Concoff and his wife Jean.

The house dubbed ‘the Modern Tree House’ has large floor-to-ceiling windows which provide scenic views of the century-old trees that surround it and encourage a sense of harmony with the outdoor spaces it’s built around. The combination of the large windows and open floor plans let in a lot of beautiful natural light into the two-story home.

^{Photo credit: Marc Angeles courtesy of The Agency}

Notable features on the lower level of the house include an eat-in Eggersman kitchen, a full-service bar, a formal powder room, and three bedrooms. The distinctive spiral staircase leads to the primary suite upstairs fitted with generously sized closets as well as two separate offices and a large den/media room.

^{Photo credit: Marc Angeles courtesy of The Agency}

The massive backyard of the nearly quarter-acre property features a large swimming pool, a unique area for dining set amongst the trees, and a gate directly into Rustic Canyon Park, said to be one of the best parks in Los Angeles.

#7 The lovely mid-century modern house Richard Neutra designed for his secretary

One of the most impressive celebrity homes on our list, Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea’s house is made out of two architecturally significant structures: The first is a modern heptagon-shaped house designed by AD100 architect Michael Maltzan and the other is a lovely midcentury-style house built by famed architect Richard Neutra in the early 1950s.

^{Photo credit: Cameron Carothers courtesy of Compass}

Clocking in at 1,350 sq ft, the midcentury-style home has 2 bedrooms, and one bath, and is surrounded by walls of glass.

The home was built by Richard Neutra for his secretary, Dorothy Serulnic and her husband, George, back in 1953. Neutra, one of the most influential architects of the twentieth century, made sure that his secretary’s home is as livable and comfortable as it is visually appealing.

He designed several built-ins including a sofa system with a record player and concealed speakers, multiple desks, shelving systems, a dining room table, and a sliding breakfast nook, which are still present in the house today (or, rather, were still there when Flea tried offloading his La Crescenda compound a while back).

^{Photo credit: Cameron Carothers courtesy of Compass}

Architect Michael Maltzan then built a dramatic, seven-sided house on the property half a century later. The spaceship-like house is surrounded by seven exterior walls (some made out of glass) and is anchored by an open-air courtyard that sits right at the center.

A small cabin built by artist and craftsman Peter Staley provides a little extra space for guests and an eye-grabbing feature.

#8 Master architect Richard Dorman’s award-winning home, the Seidenbaum Residence

Tucked away down a long private driveway into a quiet, secluded compound we find architect Richard Dorman’s Seidenbaum Residence.

With its timeless appeal and unique design, the home is nestled in the Hollywood Hills on Mulholland Drive, overlooking outstanding views of the San Fernando Valley and the Hollywood sign.

^{Image credit: The Agency}

Spanning 3,198 square feet, the five-bedroom, three-bathroom home has two peaked roofs and clerestory windows that capture the California sunshine inside the main living area.

Boasting an open-concept layout, the home blends mid-century and modern designs. From the dining and main living areas to the kitchen, the fluid design captures a sense of tranquility amid the walls of glass that draw in the natural light.

Providing warmth and intimacy, the see-through, double-sided fireplace is a show-stopper in the great room.

^{Image credit: The Agency}

#9 This elegant home with a zen factor beautifully remodeled for modern-day living

Originally built in 1955, this home offers a fresh, contemporary take on the timeless midcentury style. Esteemed architectural firm OWIU (which stands for the only way is up) updated the property, building on its mid-century modern legacy.

^{Photo credit: Justin Chung courtesy of The Agency}

The 1,516-square-foot home is in Mount Washington, a historic neighborhood in the San Rafael Hills of Northeast Los Angeles. It has bright, warm interiors, and is filled with the natural finish of attractive light oak wood.

The house — which has retained its original charm — is all about comfort, timeless design, and an approachable elegance. Kane Lim from the popular reality show Bling Empire was once the owner of this beautiful property.

^{Photo credit: Justin Chung courtesy of The Agency}

It has all the standard features of a mid-century home and then some, with floor-to-ceiling windows, clean lines, breathtaking views, and a deck in the primary suite that leads to a Japanese-style garden with bonsai and maple trees.

^{Photo credit: Justin Chung courtesy of The Agency}

The house’s exterior has fresh pathways and gardening beds, a gate that leads to the lower portion of the property, and a large open space that has a sculptural staircase and custom wood bench surrounding a fire pit.

#10 A charming, thoughtfully updated former celebrity home on a quiet hilltop

On a quiet hilltop right above the famed Mulholland Drive sits a 4-bedroom hilltop hideaway once owned by power couple Emily Blunt and John Krasinski.

^{Photo credit: One Shot Productions / Compass, insert Tinseltown / Shutterstock}

The secluded, single-level mid-century home has a large open plan design and walls of glass that allow light to enter rooms from multiple angles.

With soaring, beamed ceilings, wide plank hardwoods, and original stonework, the living room is as eye-catching as it is inviting and features a gas fireplace.

The primary bedroom suite is one of the main highlights of this home and it looks and feels like a retreat in itself. With its vaulted, beamed ceilings, and massive windows inviting the outdoors in, a sitting area, custom built-ins, a walk-in closet, and a marble-clad ensuite bath with a soaking tub and steam shower, it truly is a stylish and elegant space.

^{Photo credit: One Shot Productions courtesy of Compass}

The flagstone patio is surrounded by mature oak and olive trees and features a bubbling fountain, making it a great place to relax and soak in the picturesque views of mountains, the canyon, and the slivers of the city skyline.

^{Photo credit: One Shot Productions courtesy of Compass}

#11 A spectacular stilt house with jaw-dropping views and a unique taste of Los Angeles history

Nestled in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, this is one of 17 unique homes propped up over the side of the Beverly Glen Canyon. The mid-century house was tastefully modernized by its previous owner, acclaimed architect Donald M. Goldstein. It’s undoubtedly a part of architecture history in Los Angeles.

^{Photo credit: Andrew Orozco courtesy of The Agency}

Known as Neutra’s Platform Houses because they were originally designed by legendary architect Richard Neutra, these gravity-defying homes are incredible. Also known as the Stone-Fisher Speculative Houses (as they were built for the Stone-Fisher development company), the unique abodes were later completed by architect William S. Beckett.

The one-story home creates the illusion of a floating vessel in the sky. The unique structure has a rectangular form, horizontal emphasis, long balconies stretching the full width of the house, and large windows to display magnificent views of the San Fernando Valley.

^{Photo credit: Andrew Orozco courtesy of The Agency}

Some of the notable features of the 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom home include pyramid skylights, raised ceiling and roof lines, a 300+ bottle wine cellar, a Roman soaking tub, and its black metal exterior is coated with a 24-gauge Kynar finish.

#12 A classic mid-century house in a prime location with a long list of past celebrity owners

The star-studded Los Angeles Tree House — carefully tucked away from prying eyes in the famous Mulholland Drive — has attracted names like Ellen DeGeneres, Heath Ledger, and Hunger Games star Josh Hutcherson as its owners.

^{Image credit: The Agency}

The charming home with its lush surroundings is as serene as it is private. Inside, the clean mid-century modern style is warmed by a blend of natural textures, with walls of glass opening the home to the beautifully landscaped outdoors.

^{Image credit: The Agency}

The home’s most extraordinary feature is its expansive 2,500-square-foot outdoor deck which is pretty phenomenal.

^{Image credit: The Agency}

It overlooks the leafy treetops illuminated with ethereal lights at night and is furnished with an outdoor grill, lots of seating areas, and an open-air screening room with a retractable projection screen.

#13 A two-story mid-century gem in Bel Air with artsy appeal

Set in a quiet cul-de-sac, the 5,134-square-foot mid-century modern home features 5 bedrooms and 4 baths and has been fitted with everything from stone counters to auto window shades, radiant limestone floors, and high-end SS Thermador appliances.

^{Image courtesy of Compass}

The two-story Bel-Air home features dramatic vaulted ceilings that soar over the living, dining, and family rooms.

With its seamless indoor/outdoor living, scenic surroundings and the floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that are popular in mid-century modern houses, the house is flooded with natural light.

The home’s interior is stylishly refreshed with inviting warm-toned furnishings providing a relaxing and enriching experience, with art and pops of color accenting its midcentury aesthetic.

^{Image courtesy of Compass}

Midcentury modern houses continue to captivate and inspire with their timeless charm and architectural elegance. From their clean lines and expansive windows to their innovative use of materials, these houses represent a design movement that has left an indelible mark on the world of architecture, one that will continue to attract homeowners and renovators for years to come.

Especially since, as we’ve seen with the examples listed above, updating these midcentury gems creates true masterpieces.

Which one did you like the most?

Source: fancypantshomes.com

Apache is functioning normally

August 6, 2023 by Brett Tams

When shopping for apartments, listings feature numerous dimensions stating how small or large the space is. Obviously, a 1,000-square-foot apartment will be larger than an 800-square-foot apartment. But if both apartments have two bedrooms, it’s hard to distinguish how much larger the 1,000-square-foot apartment is.

So, how big is 1,000 square feet? Learning how to measure for yourself and looking at some comparisons can go a long way in putting 1,000 square feet into perspective.

How to measure 1,000 square feet

To provide guidelines on standardized measurements, the American National Standards Institute oversees standards and conformity assessment activities to keep everyone on the same page. However, not everyone adheres to these standards, so it’s imperative to take your own measurements to confirm an apartment is an advertised size.

To adequately measure an apartment, condo, townhome, rental house, tiny home or other property, start by listing all the different rooms in the unit on a piece of paper. This includes all closets, hallways, utility spaces and so on.

Next, measure each room with a tape measure. Measure both the length and width of the room and then, multiply those two numbers. That’s the square footage of the room, which is noted by the correct space on the list.

If you have a room with an offset that’s not flush with the rest of the room, measure that section separately. For instance, if the kitchen has an eating nook, measure the straight lines of the kitchen, and then measure the straight lines of the eating nook to get each section’s square area.

To keep the math simple, round all measurements to the nearest half foot. For example, if the master bedroom is 12 feet by 8 feet, 7 inches, multiply 12 by 8.5 to get the square footage: 102 square feet.

After measuring all spaces in the unit, add them together for the unit’s total square footage.

Source: Rent. / Buckhead Town Homes and Gardens

What does 1,000 square feet look like?

It’s not easy to picture how much space 1,000 square feet actually is, so consider some comparisons. One example is a regulation tennis court for singles matches. This court measures 2,106 square feet, so a 1,000-square-foot apartment would sit on about one-half of the tennis court. Here are some other comparisons:

The average two-car garage is 400 square feet, so imagine two and a half two-car garages sitting side by side
On an NBA basketball court, the foul line is 19 feet from the baseline behind the basket. The court is 50 feet wide. If you measure the court size from the baseline to the foul line, it is 950 square feet.
The average size of a rectangular in-ground swimming pool is 200 square feet, so imagine five swimming pools side by side

How much can I fit into a 1,000-square-foot apartment?

Although actual layouts may vary, many 1,000-square-foot apartments often have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living area, a dining area and a kitchen. Within those layouts, the rooms may vary, such as a larger living and dining area and smaller bedrooms.

In some cases, the living and dining rooms could be about the same size as the bedrooms. Or, the bedrooms could be larger, with small main living spaces.

It’s likely a king bed will fit comfortably in at least one of the bedrooms. The living area likely will accommodate a sofa, a couple of chairs and two or three side tables. The dining area usually is large enough for a kitchen table and four chairs.

Given these are basic items, a 1,000-square-foot apartment also usually will accommodate accessories, such as bookshelves, TV consoles, dressers and other furnishings.

A 1,000-square-foot apartment generally accommodates a family of four or less.

The benefits of living in 1,000 square feet

When considering a 1,000-square-foot apartment, there are many benefits to choosing an apartment of this size.

You’ll have extra space for storage

In a 1,000-square-foot apartment, you could find yourself with plenty of storage space. For instance, if you plan to use the second bedroom as an office or guest room, you can use that bedroom’s closet for storage.

Plus, you can put furniture in there to use as storage, such as bookcases, chest of drawers and armoires.

You could save on utility costs

Choosing a 1,000-square-foot apartment could help keep utility costs in check. Having a smaller floor area means less work keeping it warm or cool enough, which reduces the cost of your electric bill. Fewer windows could help, as well, since you can keep curtains closed in the winter to keep warm air in and help prevent cold air from escaping during summer.

Use effective interior design to maximize space

Once you start moving into a 1,000-square-foot apartment, the rooms may start to feel smaller. But you can take steps to prevent that from happening with the right home designs.

For instance, decorating with lighter colors can reflect light and make the rooms feel bigger. If the walls are already white or a light color, just add pops of color through accessories like area rugs, throw pillows and artwork.

While you want to maximize the storage space in your apartment, don’t try to cram too many furnishings into the rooms. For example, choose a large sofa, chair and coffee table instead of several chairs, a loveseat and side tables.

Adding baskets also can help keep your apartment decluttered, so you don’t feel like your stuff is overtaking the place. Baskets are great catch-alls for books, magazines, papers and other items in the living room.

They also serve as a good storage spot for towels if you don’t have a lot of cabinets in the bathroom. Throwing toys in your child’s bedroom also can make clean-up quick and easy.

Turn 1,000 square feet into your perfect living space

For many people, 1,000 square feet may seem like a small apartment while, for others, it may seem like more than enough square footage. Regardless of your circumstances, you can make 1,000 square feet your perfect-sized property with the right furnishings and home designs in each of the rooms.

Source: rent.com

Apache is functioning normally

August 6, 2023 by Brett Tams

When shopping for apartments, listings feature numerous dimensions stating how small or large the space is. Obviously, a 1,000-square-foot apartment will be larger than an 800-square-foot apartment. But if both apartments have two bedrooms, it’s hard to distinguish how much larger the 1,000-square-foot apartment is.

So, how big is 1,000 square feet? Learning how to measure for yourself and looking at some comparisons can go a long way in putting 1,000 square feet into perspective.

How to measure 1,000 square feet

To provide guidelines on standardized measurements, the American National Standards Institute oversees standards and conformity assessment activities to keep everyone on the same page. However, not everyone adheres to these standards, so it’s imperative to take your own measurements to confirm an apartment is an advertised size.

To adequately measure an apartment, condo, townhome, rental house, tiny home or other property, start by listing all the different rooms in the unit on a piece of paper. This includes all closets, hallways, utility spaces and so on.

Next, measure each room with a tape measure. Measure both the length and width of the room and then, multiply those two numbers. That’s the square footage of the room, which is noted by the correct space on the list.

If you have a room with an offset that’s not flush with the rest of the room, measure that section separately. For instance, if the kitchen has an eating nook, measure the straight lines of the kitchen, and then measure the straight lines of the eating nook to get each section’s square area.

To keep the math simple, round all measurements to the nearest half foot. For example, if the master bedroom is 12 feet by 8 feet, 7 inches, multiply 12 by 8.5 to get the square footage: 102 square feet.

After measuring all spaces in the unit, add them together for the unit’s total square footage.

Source: Rent. / Buckhead Town Homes and Gardens

What does 1,000 square feet look like?

It’s not easy to picture how much space 1,000 square feet actually is, so consider some comparisons. One example is a regulation tennis court for singles matches. This court measures 2,106 square feet, so a 1,000-square-foot apartment would sit on about one-half of the tennis court. Here are some other comparisons:

The average two-car garage is 400 square feet, so imagine two and a half two-car garages sitting side by side
On an NBA basketball court, the foul line is 19 feet from the baseline behind the basket. The court is 50 feet wide. If you measure the court size from the baseline to the foul line, it is 950 square feet.
The average size of a rectangular in-ground swimming pool is 200 square feet, so imagine five swimming pools side by side

How much can I fit into a 1,000-square-foot apartment?

Although actual layouts may vary, many 1,000-square-foot apartments often have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living area, a dining area and a kitchen. Within those layouts, the rooms may vary, such as a larger living and dining area and smaller bedrooms.

In some cases, the living and dining rooms could be about the same size as the bedrooms. Or, the bedrooms could be larger, with small main living spaces.

It’s likely a king bed will fit comfortably in at least one of the bedrooms. The living area likely will accommodate a sofa, a couple of chairs and two or three side tables. The dining area usually is large enough for a kitchen table and four chairs.

Given these are basic items, a 1,000-square-foot apartment also usually will accommodate accessories, such as bookshelves, TV consoles, dressers and other furnishings.

A 1,000-square-foot apartment generally accommodates a family of four or less.

The benefits of living in 1,000 square feet

When considering a 1,000-square-foot apartment, there are many benefits to choosing an apartment of this size.

You’ll have extra space for storage

In a 1,000-square-foot apartment, you could find yourself with plenty of storage space. For instance, if you plan to use the second bedroom as an office or guest room, you can use that bedroom’s closet for storage.

Plus, you can put furniture in there to use as storage, such as bookcases, chest of drawers and armoires.

You could save on utility costs

Choosing a 1,000-square-foot apartment could help keep utility costs in check. Having a smaller floor area means less work keeping it warm or cool enough, which reduces the cost of your electric bill. Fewer windows could help, as well, since you can keep curtains closed in the winter to keep warm air in and help prevent cold air from escaping during summer.

Use effective interior design to maximize space

Once you start moving into a 1,000-square-foot apartment, the rooms may start to feel smaller. But you can take steps to prevent that from happening with the right home designs.

For instance, decorating with lighter colors can reflect light and make the rooms feel bigger. If the walls are already white or a light color, just add pops of color through accessories like area rugs, throw pillows and artwork.

While you want to maximize the storage space in your apartment, don’t try to cram too many furnishings into the rooms. For example, choose a large sofa, chair and coffee table instead of several chairs, a loveseat and side tables.

Adding baskets also can help keep your apartment decluttered, so you don’t feel like your stuff is overtaking the place. Baskets are great catch-alls for books, magazines, papers and other items in the living room.

They also serve as a good storage spot for towels if you don’t have a lot of cabinets in the bathroom. Throwing toys in your child’s bedroom also can make clean-up quick and easy.

Turn 1,000 square feet into your perfect living space

For many people, 1,000 square feet may seem like a small apartment while, for others, it may seem like more than enough square footage. Regardless of your circumstances, you can make 1,000 square feet your perfect-sized property with the right furnishings and home designs in each of the rooms.

Source: rent.com

Apache is functioning normally

August 6, 2023 by Brett Tams

Do you ever wish you knew the secrets to attract wealth because your 9 to 5 isn’t paying the bills very well? You’re not alone! Today, we’ll talk about the 11 secret life hacks that rich people are doing to make gaining wealth easier.

We’ve compiled the best answers from Reddit, so you don’t have to do it yourself. Read this blog and shift your mindset with these lessons from the wealthy.

1. Organize Everything

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

If you’re familiar with Marie Kondo, she specifically emphasizes that organizing and decluttering will have a huge impact our lives. It turns out that’s one of the life hacks of truly rich people.

One person said, “Allow me to ramble passionately about a hack of small consequence. Something I noticed about all the rich people’s houses is they have storage containers everywhere. The pantry isn’t piles of groceries shoved inside, it’s all in tidy bins, often matching, sometimes labeled. Their closets have shelves and drawers, not a single pole to hang items. Under their sinks are multiple bins and containers, sometimes on a pullout shelf/drawer. Their spices are ALL on racks, not just the few that fit in a singular rack with the rest piled on top or haphazardly in an adjacent cabinet.

“Their jewelry is organized like a utensil drawer and not shoved in a single box. There are trays or giant bowls by every entry door to toss your mail and keys instead of cluttering every flat surface. Imagine how much calmer your brain would be if you didn’t have to hunt through what feels like a disorganized garage sale everywhere you turn. You don’t have to bend over to rife through objects, you can bring a bin to you.

“I’m just a povvo, but I started ramping up my organizational game and it’s made a subtle but impactful difference in my daily life. Started with matching-sized Amazon boxes in the pantry and Dollar Tree fabric collapsible boxes for toiletries under the sinks and the closet floors, and built up from there. I’ve been slowly converting all my bathroom and kitchen shelves to pull-out drawers (this one is expensive).”

2. Buying in Bulk

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

This life hack may not be applicable to every body because, in order to save a lot of money on purchases, particularly groceries, you must have the money to shell out first.

One user shared, “Rich people can afford to save money on purchases if they want. I guess if you are rich and don’t care about saving $ it doesn’t apply to you, but it’s definitely a big benefit if you’re a frugal rich person. If that makes sense. A small tiny example. Most would categorize me as wealthy. I buy high-end groceries but aim to do it for as cheap as possible. When our Whole Foods has a sale on our favorite frozen pizzas, normally $12.99 and on sale for $7.99, I buy 10 of them and load up my deep freezer. The fact that I was able to save $50 is only possible because 1) I have enough money to shell out $80 for the upfront cost on the pizzas, and 2) I have a deep freezer to store it in. Neither of those things would be possible without money.”

3. Semi-Permanent Cosmetics

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Beauty, in whatever form, is expensive—and only the rich don’t think twice about spending such a huge amount on beautifying themselves or their surroundings.

“…I think a lot of beauty at that level is faked, just like the lawns are faked. Spray tans, teeth caps, really expensive hair extensions and plugs, professional makeup, tailoring, even surgery, etc. etc. I was shocked when I learned about caps for teeth. I didn’t even know that was a thing. Feels like a total cheat code. Can even avoid the expense and discomfort of braces. There are a lot of beauty ‘hacks’ that are not accessible unless you have $$$,” someone shared.

4. Hacking Expensive Purchases

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One person commented, “I’ve worked for a rich family and learned a couple hacks. Everyone else is correct. They just hire things out. If you’re genuinely curious, then I’ll share two things I learned in my job that are specific to the wealthy lifestyle. First, moths love real cashmere so you have to keep cedar in your closets to keep them away from eating your sweaters. Second, if you are flying private and only medium-wealthy not truly a fan of throwing money down the drain unnecessarily, it is actually more affordable to ship your luggage via UPS than pay for the additional fuel it will take to carry it in the plane with you.”

Another one shared, “I knew a lady who was, let’s just say she was in a different tax bracket. She and her late husband never took a road trip. They flew everywhere. He was a pilot, and they owned their own plane. They would fly somewhere, and if she ran out of clean clothes, she would just buy more. She’d ship her dirty clothes back home, and the maid would have everything dry-cleaned by the time the lady got back. I can’t imagine how many clothes this lady had. Or maybe she donated them on a regular basis?”

5. Networking

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

We’re familiar with networking, but it really is one of the life hacks that truly rich people are doing. They leverage the people they know who are also rich and powerful, and that’s what makes them too.

One person shared, “Networking. Powerful people have a large network of connections to get what they want. If you aren’t going out of your way to build ties with people who have things you want like wealth or power, the alternative is working very hard and hoping you get noticed—which doesn’t work most of the time because, unfortunately, the meritocracy is a lie. Learn to meet people and maintain professional connections, not just friendships. And no modesty, that’s a killer.”

The second person replied, “The best network—Politicians, Thieves, Police, Money Laundering—Mafia. Exist all around.”

6. Know What’s Worth Your Time

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

“When you are good at what you do to make money, you hire pros to do things that you need and get them properly done. That’s classic economics of the division of labor. You focus on what you do well and make more money. That’s the opposite of downward spiral. The concrete example is that I unblock my toilets and fix leaks. I also change my engine oil. Because it’s cheaper for me to do it. If my pay rate is higher than the pros, if course I’ll hire someone. That saves me money,” one person said.

“Sure… but I kind of hate how many people try to apply this to a typical salary worker. No one is gonna pay me to work overtime on a Saturday at my hourly rate (and I don’t want to), and it’s easier to work on a house project for a few hours than find a 2nd job. Many people point to your example, but they either don’t have time for projects cause they work 60 hours a week or prefer to use their disposable income and do something else with their free time. They are not financial wizards, they just make other choices based on circumstances, and that is fine,” argued another commenter.

Another user added, “Yeah, not every minute of my day is monetize-able. Someone once said Bill Gates is so rich that he loses money if he stops to pick up a penny in the street. No, he doesn’t. He didn’t cease to earn money for doing it. Rich people hire others to change their oil because it gives them back time for leisure.”

7. Buy Quality the First Time

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One person said, “I was taught to always buy the best of anything I can the first time so I don’t waste my time, money, or efforts on junk. That bled over into everything. Relationships. Experiences. It becomes a mindset and lifestyle. I think that’s what you’re seeing when you look at that neighborhood.”

Another one replied, “This right here. If you want to buy a new piece of furniture, TV, car, etc… Buy nice things and buy quality. It’ll last for years and years. Also, pay cash. Don’t bother financing it. That’s just more wasted money.”

Another user quipped, “Buy once, cry once.”

8. Weigh your Options

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

“Not really a hack but spending dollars so they count. If there’s a gym that’s $50 a month but is 20 mins away and they’ll only go once a week, and there’s one 2 mins away that’s $200 but they’ll go every day, spend the extra money. The $50 option is a waste. This can be applied in many circumstances,” one person shared.

9. Elegant Appearance

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One person shared their experience while working with truly rich people, “A few things I’ve noticed when working for wealthy people. They look rich even in casual clothes because they get everything tailored, even simple white shirts and jeans so they look expensive even when they aren’t.

“A lot of accessories like shoes, bags and jewelry are custom made which can be a better option if you’re going to spend a lot on designer brands anyway, and they will be unique. They don’t just go to the gym, they have a personal trainer who focuses on that toned without being too muscular look, so they look naturally hot without trying.

“Getting blow dry right before an event makes you look polished. I worked for a woman who never washed her own hair, and she always looked amazing. I saw people spend a lot of money on wardrobe staples like jackets and classics, but they would only buy high street seasonal pieces to keep them in style.

“They sell designer pieces to concession stores after wearing them a few times and basically get 50-80% of the cost back depending on the designer. Having lunch at a Michelin-star restaraunt can be slightly more affordable than dinner but you still get the experience. Having drinks at the restaurant bar so you can be ‘seen’ and mingle but don’t have to buy dinner. Going to clubs and events on weekdays means you are more likely to get in, get a table/ticket and it can be less expensive.”

10. Excellent “Talkers”

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One person shared, “When I was doing my first startup I saw ‘new money’ people. In school I saw ‘old money’ people. There are all types of rich people and these types have their own ways. They do live in the same areas though. They recognize each other by their watch, type of clothes and behavior. And you can see if they are new rich, old rich, dem or rep by these things too. Their kids go to an endless amount of extracurricular activities. Here it is hockey and tennis, sometimes baseball. The parents do it so their kids build their network (I mean 5year olds).

“Rich people have some skills, but the main skill is talking. They are great at talking. It used to put me off. So and so became the director of yadayada. Why? The only thing he can do is talk. And that is precisely the point. They don’t get so stressed. They just talk for a living. Everything comes from their network. People like listening to their stories. But they cannot do anything of value other than talking. They hire people for that. Duh. Don’t be apologetic. Don’t do stuff worth 10$ an hour if you can make more. Do lots of self-care. And be a professional talker. Listen to people, look at their behavior and clothing, and copy that in your own way.”

Someone added, “I agree with this comment but will extend it further. You call it ‘just talking’ to anyone that will listen, but what they really are doing is ‘selling.’ They are selling their latest ideas, pitches, schemes, problems, solutions, whatever, etc. And their audience (other rich people) love to talk too, so the audience then adds on to those ideas, sometimes with money or introductions to other people with money. And it snowballs because of the network effect.”

11. Etiquette and Mannerisms

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

“You have a lot of time for personal maintenance and improvement if you don’t have to worry about cooking dinner or doing laundry. Some things, like good etiquette, are made very important from a very young age (hence the napkin folding, knowing what course to use which fork, how to properly address folks in a formal setting, etc) it’s a social code that helps identify who is and who isn’t,” one person stated.

Another one added in agreement, “Exactly. It’s very subtle and says a great deal.”

Source: Reddit.

Image Credit: Shutterstock – Denis Makarenko

Who is one actress you can never stand watching, no matter their role? After polling the internet, these were the top-voted actresses that people couldn’t stand watching.

10 Actresses People Despise Watching Regardless of Their Role

These 7 Celebrities are Genuinely Good People

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

We’ve all heard the famous adage that “no publicity is bad publicity,” and while it tends to be accurate, there are certainly exceptions. But what about those few stars who stay out of the limelight and get along without a hint of trouble?

These 7 Celebrities are Genuinely Good People

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Have you ever known someone and thought you liked them—until you learned about their hobbies? Then you get to know them and then you’re like, “Wow, red flag.” Well, you’re not alone.

These 10 Activities Are an Immediate Red Flag

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Some celebrities definitely seem to enjoy the limelight and keep working to stay in the public eye. While others quickly move out of the spotlight. Many of these actors and actresses stepped out of the spotlight to live a more private life without constant media pressures.

10 Celebrities That Made the Big Times Then Disappeared Off The Face of the Earth

Image Credit: Troma Entertainment

We’ve all been there – sitting through a movie that we can’t help but cringe at, but somehow it still manages to hold a special place in our hearts.

These 10 Terrible Movies Are Still People’s Favorites

About the Author

Source: financequickfix.com

Apache is functioning normally

August 2, 2023 by Brett Tams

In the family-friendly neighborhood of Encino, in the San Fernando Valley region of L.A., a former NBA All-Star’s house is looking for new owners.

Listed for $4,999,000 (Michelle Schwartz and Mauricio Umansky of The Agency hold the listing), the gated mid-century estate is currently home to former NBA player Kiki VanDeWeghe and his wife, acclaimed interior designer and structural engineer Peggy VanDeWeghe.

Kiki, whose full name is Ernest Maurice “Kiki” VanDeWeghe III, and Peggy bought the house back in 2010, per public records, and have revamped the entire residence — giving the mid-century home a refreshed, stylish look that combines bold, sophisticated design elements with wellness amenities and an overall emphasis on wellbeing and relaxation.

^{NBA All-Star Kiki VanDeWeghe’s house in Encino. Photo courtesy of The Agency}

The single-level, 5-bedroom home has a harmonious, Feng Shui-inspired layout, accented by dramatic design elements.

The elegant dining room and wine bar are ideal for hosting large and small gatherings alike, while the zen den — featuring walnut floors and a stone fireplace with a fossil stone hearth — provides a peaceful space to unwind.

Arguably the most attractive part of the house, the family room boasts high ceilings, oak floors, and a 23-foot stone alcove wet bar that seamlessly transitions into the chef’s kitchen.

^{Photo courtesy of The Agency}

Kiki and Peggy’s primary bedroom suite is actually a fully-fledged retreat.

It features a loft, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, dual bathroom vanities, a steam shower, and a massive walk-in closet.

^{Photo courtesy of The Agency}

The are 4 additional private suites, each with its own custom finishes, en-suite bathrooms and walk-in closets, and a walkout to the luxe outdoor space.

Speaking of the outdoor areas, the couple’s home features an oversized saltwater pool, an outdoor kitchen, a fire pit, a putting green, a veggie garden, and even a rooftop deck.

^{Photo courtesy of The Agency}

The long-retired hoopster, who played for the Denver Nuggets (1980-1984), the Portland Trail Blazers (1984-1989), the New York Knicks (1989-1992), and the Los Angeles Clippers (1992-1993), moved on to become the general manager of the Denver Nuggets and the New Jersey Nets, and a head coach of the Nets.

He also served as the NBA’s executive vice president of basketball operations for 8 years, playing a significant part in modernizing the league’s basketball operations during his tenure. VanDeWeghe stepped down from his position in 2021 but retained a league advisory role.

More stories

Michael Jordan’s house is still on the market, 10 years after it was first listed for sale

Where does LeBron James Live Now? A Look at the NBA Superstar’s Impressive Homes

Shaquille O’Neal’s house in Orlando — with the Superman Bed

Source: fancypantshomes.com

Apache is functioning normally

July 31, 2023 by Brett Tams

Virtual is an option for just about everything these days, from doctor’s appointments to school. Many apartment communities have hopped on board this trend with great gusto and are only too happy to show an apartment virtually when needed for prospective residents.

Before the days of Skype, Facetime and such, prospective tenants were left with few options for apartment tours. Either haul over to the apartment community for an in-person tour or sign on the dotted line, sight unseen. Since pictures of units are often misleading, the latter is definitely not an ideal option. Sure, not all tenants wound up disappointed in their rental space, but it’s a safe bet that some weren’t happy come move-in day.

What is a virtual tour of an apartment?

A virtual tour is just that — an apartment tour done virtually by landlords or others in charge. Unlike a live tour or in-person tour, this type uses apps or services like Facetime, Skype, Google Hangouts or Zoom.

A typical rental property also offers a canned video for a prospective tenant to watch online, however, those don’t involve specific units, and instead, focus on the community as a whole. Think of that as more of a “highlight reel,” which shows common areas like the laundry facilities, other amenities and a sample unit. Landlords curate those to show the very best of the community.

Why choose a virtual apartment tour?

The purpose of a virtual apartment tour is to help a prospective tenant lay eyes on the unit and community without actually being there. A video call like this is extra helpful for people who can’t travel to do an in-person showing, but who want to have a good sense of what the community is like before signing a lease. A lot of renters have specific ideas about what they want from a new apartment or rental house, and a virtual tour can help them refine a lengthy list of a few top apartments.

How do you set up a virtual apartment tour?

A few years ago, setting up virtual apartment tours might have been something of a headache, but now it’s ultra easy to view a property. Simply do a Rent. search for the type of apartment that fits your needs. Most apartments have a handy “Schedule Tour” button on their Rent. listing, which serves as a step-by-step guide to getting the appointment set. The blue button is under the property phone number at the top right of the screen when viewing on a computer, or it’s within a white button at the bottom of a phone screen, when looking at it that way.

Common ways to tour apartments

Once you’ve clicked the “Schedule Tour” button, several options will pop up. These can include “Live Video Tour,” “Self-Guided Tour” and “In-Person Tour.” Apartment communities offer some, all or none of these options. Spoiler alert — a self-guided tour, while not terrible, is not the best option for potential renters with lots of questions about the house or apartment. This is why many people choose to take a virtual apartment tour that’s guided by landlords.

Scheduling a virtual tour

If “Live Video Tour” is available, click that option. A calendar should pop up showing the dates and times that virtual tours are available. Select the one that works best for you, fill in your contact information and add the event to your calendar.

How do I prepare for a virtual tour?

Like any other important life decision, it’s important to go into the apartment hunting experience prepared and with both eyes wide open. Once you make the virtual open house appointment, it’s important to prep accordingly. Here are some handy tips to make sure you cover everything.

Develop a list of general areas to “see”

The apartment unit and its floor plan aren’t the only part of the community you’ll want to see. Everything is fair game! Here’s a general list of areas you’ll want to see while on the virtual apartment tour:

Parking situation (deck, lot or street?)
All the amenities (pool, fitness, athletic courts, laundry, doggie run, etc.)
The rental office
Hallways leading to and from the unit in question
Exterior landscaping
Mail pickup and drop-off locations
Garbage disposal areas
The entire floor your prospective unit is on

If any of those are in disrepair it’s a sure bet that the unit itself isn’t properly maintained.

Put together a list of questions for landlords

This one-on-one time with the leasing agent is the ideal opportunity to ask questions, albeit in a virtual environment. Here are some sample questions to work from during virtual tours. A few things might not apply to your situation, but most will.

Tips for virtual tour questions

What are the lease terms?
What fees are you responsible for upon move-in? Are there any monthly fees in addition to rent, like parking costs?
How are rent and other fees paid and when?
Which ones are refundable upon move-out? How do you ensure that this happens?
How much notice must a person give when terminating a lease?
Is any work being done to the unit before move-in, such as carpet cleaning/replacement, painting, appliance repair/replacement, etc.?
What are the pet policies and related fees at the property?
How do tenants request maintenance/repairs for their apartments or building?
How do renters file complaints?
Does the community observe “quiet hours?” How do the landlords enforce them?
What are the policies about painting, nails on the walls and other improvements?
What’s the neighborhood like? How is access to public transportation, and are any businesses within walking distance?
Will the building be repainted or have a new roof installed anytime soon?
Is renters insurance necessary? If so, how much?

Take detailed notes during the tour, as all of this information will start to bleed together if you do multiple virtual tours.

How does a virtual tour work?

At this point, the typical leasing agent has done a lot of these types of tours, so they’ll probably have a process in place. Follow their lead, but don’t hang up from the call without seeing everything or asking all of your questions.

How to do a virtual apartment tour in the unit

At some point, you should explore the entire floor plan of the unit you’re interested in. Start at the base of the building. Move through the hallways and stairwells until you reach the correct floor. You’ll want to know ahead of time if your next-door neighbor plans to leave trash bags or 32 garden gnomes outside their door.

Tour each room

Once at the front door (note the unit number), it’s time to enjoy a full view of the potential new home. Visit all rooms, including bedrooms, kitchen, bathrooms, etc. Note how many windows there are, if the windows are in good repair and how much natural light is coming in at that time of day.

Examine the flooring

Take a close look at the flooring. If it’s carpeted, are there any stains, rips or tears? If so, how will they fix it? Note the other types of floor found in the unit, including laminate hardwoods, tile, etc. They require different cleaning methods.

Look closely at the paint

Next, note the paint in each room. Is it dingy and covered in dings and scuffs? If so, ask if they will repaint. Can you choose the new room color?

Make sure everything’s in working order

In the bathroom and kitchen area, ask the leasing agent to run water from all faucets, so you can gauge how good or bad the water pressure is. Also, make sure all appliances are in working order.

Check out the storage potential

Have the tour guide open up all cabinets and closets in each room, so that you see the storage space. Inquire about additional storage, if needed.

Examine the exterior

Visit the deck or balcony area and note any wood rot, beams that need replacing/painting, the view and so on. Smaller details really make or break an apartment!

Log your concerns

If anything needs repair or replacement in any room, take photos via screenshots and note your concerns. Send them in an email to the leasing agent and find out if they plan to rectify the issues. Once the landlord fixes the issues, ask them to take more photos and keep them on file, if you intend to move forward. A new place doesn’t need perfection but look for clean, fully functional and well maintained.

Virtual tour of the community

Once the prospective apartment has met expectations, it’s time to check out the rest of the rental property. Check off each spot on your list as you “go” there, so that you can see them all. A good property manager is only too happy to walk a wannabe tenant around.

Questions to ask about the community

This is a great time to ask general questions about the community. When does the pool open and close for the season? What hours are the fitness center and laundry facilities operational? When is trash day? That sort of thing.

Make note of anything that looks broken or dingy. Find out when the landlord scheduled any needed repairs. Don’t be afraid to ask property managers to zoom in on certain areas. Many apartments will have some areas that need work, but too much disarray is a warning sign.

Virtual tours are a great starting point

If at all possible, schedule in-person showings once you’ve landed on a few top rental properties. It’s always better to lay eyes directly on an apartment before renting than to rely on the camera work of a person you don’t really know. If you’re not local to the area, ask a trusted friend who is to tour on your behalf, then ask their honest opinion about the listing. It might seem like a lot of effort, but renters who do their due diligence are likely far happier in their new homes.

A freelance writer based out of the Atlanta area, Alia has penned articles during her decade+ career for such sites as HowStuffWorks, TLC, Animal Planet, Zillow and many more. Her favorite things to write about include fitness, nutrition, travel, healthcare and general lifestyle topics. A graduate of the University of Georgia, Alia’s an avid Dawg, but she also loves reading, sewing, eating all things chocolate and playing sports with her husband, three boys and beloved border collie, Flash.

Source: rent.com

Apache is functioning normally

July 31, 2023 by Brett Tams

This is a guest post from Amanda, a Colorado tech writer and an activist for children with congenital heart disease.

My conversion to frugality began about a year ago, but it’s only been recently that I’ve become good at it. We’ve been saving money by being aggressive with a cash-only purchase plan. If we can’t afford it, we don’t buy it. This only works if you know ahead of time what you need and how much you’re willing to spend on it.

One of my recent accomplishments was purchasing fall clothing for my children. I knew that they needed new clothes, and that the cost would exceed our discretionary spending. In our budget, we set aside savings for clothing. I had a budget of $125 for each of my two kids. Though they didn’t need new clothes in August, I knew that was when I’d be able to find good sales and the best selection, so I planned ahead.

I researched online and found some things I liked. Then, I pulled everything out of my kids’ closets. I figured out what fit and what didn’t. I kept only items that worked with what they already had. Turns out my daughter needed lots of clothes but my son did not. Using some good coupons, I ordered everything I needed from Old Navy and The Children’s Place online. Although this meant that I spent $10 of my budget on shipping, I know that:

It prevented impulse shopping at the stores.
I stuck with my plan because I could get everything that I needed without trying to find substitutes if they didn’t have a color or item I needed in the stores.
By Googling Children’s Place, I found a 25% off coupon I could only use online, which was better than the 15% coupon they sent me.

I had plenty of my budget left over, so I got pajamas at the Carter’s Outlet with a coupon they sent me, and got each kid four pair of warm PJs — all of which were necessary for the upcoming fall and winter. I got my daughter two pairs of shoes and three skirts at Target. I was planning on one skirt, but they cost less than one-third of what I had budgeted and I bought her lots of tights, so I knew we would use them (and we already have in the warm weather). At Target, the same Carters PJs were way more expensive than I had paid for them. My husband was impressed!

Of my $250 budget, I spent $230 including tax and shipping. My kids will be well-dressed until it gets hot again. I won’t spend the other $20 — it just never came out of savings. The keys to my success were:

Forming a plan and sticking to it
Using time wisely
Avoiding impulse spending
Using good timing

It took me about six hours to look online, go through their closets, and order the clothes. It took another hour to go shopping. Those seven hours were well spent. I could have easily put $500 on my credit card in less than two hours if I hadn’t thought things through. Essentially, I saved myself $35/hour by being diligent. By using the coupons I had (and finding better ones), I saved between 20%-25% on all of my purchases (except at Target).

My Target purchases were planned around back-to-school sales and end-of-season clearance. My daughter’s skirts are actually summer clothes, but they’re very simple and go well with the heavy tights I bought her and recycled from last year. Even though the two extra skirts I bought were semi-impulse, the shoes I bought on the same trip were $2 less than planned and the skirt was $6 less. That allowed me to spend exactly what I planned, and to get two items she could use. Now, if she couldn’t have used them, then that would be wasteful.

This could have all backfired if I had gone shopping with my coupons not knowing what I was going to buy. I would have bought more and more just to save — same concept with clearance and back-to-school sales. The trick was to start with what I liked, and filter that through what we needed.

Also, I had to recognize that my daughter “needed” clothes; she’s grown more than my son has, and boys’ clothes are baggier and have longer wear-life for size if they don’t get worn out. Had I spent only $125 on each, my son would have had lots of clothes he didn’t need and my daughter would not have had enough. They’re 3 and 4, so they don’t know that I spent more on one than the other, and in the end it doesn’t matter, because we were meeting needs.

Sales and coupons can either be a dangerous weapon of savings sabotage or a useful tool to maximize your money — the solution is to have a plan.

Amanda’s previous articles at Get Rich Slowly include Use It or Lose It: Getting Value from the Things You Own and Baby Boom: The Shockwaves of a Lifestyle Change. Look for more from her in the future.

Source: getrichslowly.org

Apache is functioning normally

July 29, 2023 by Brett Tams

Sound the alarm. Alert the people! Apartment 34 dove head first into the realm of DIY this week!! This is a big deal for a self professed DI-buy girl. I’ve tended to take the “lazy” way out, convinced that my creations could never be as good as anything in a store. But with help from my team, I broke out of my comfort zone and I hate to toot the ol’ horn but…, we DIY’d something that turned out so many different forms of amazing, I can hardly believe it!

I must first start with a little confession: things haven’t been as organized around here as we may have led you to believe. From hopping on a plane every week to juggling meetings and projects, let’s just say it’s a miracle I’ve even remembered to eat. Things have been shoved behind closed bathroom doors, crammed into cabinets and buried at the bottom of closets – anything to hide the growing mess.

The office closet has suffered the most. You may remember seeing it here and here, always with the doors tightly closed!! I decided it was time to practice what I preach and get back to basics with a good ol’ clean out and DIY upgrade. Here’s how it went down:

We began with the purge. Everything was cleared out and laid aside to be sorted. Hours of shredding and trips to Goodwill over the weekend and it’s like a breath of fresh air!. We went so far as to take out the closet shelves in order to give it a fresh coat of white paint, immediately making her look a million times better. However, that was just the beginning. Your closet is actually a great place to have a little fun with design. We wanted to really bring some fun personality by adding pattern so we set out on Pinterest looking for inspiration.

We came across this and loved the bold statement a stripe makes. We just decided to take it a step or two further. We sketched out our plan of doing one big 4” stripe surrounded by asymmetrical smaller ones, one 2” and 1”, on either side for a little riff on a sporty look!

Once we had our supplies in hand: ScotchBlue Painter’s Tape, paint, a handful of brushes and measuring tools, we were set! We wanted a subtle color palette so we chose Chalkboard White as our base and Benjamin Moore’s Sail Cloth as our accent with a little gold craft paint thrown in for a glam touch!

We started by finding the middle of the cabinet and marked off every six inches from top to bottom, setting where our big stripe was going to be. Starting from the top, we followed our marks, taping off the middle section. We found it easiest to just use one big piece of ScotchBlue Painters Tape. Trust your eye, if you see your line going a little crooked, double check your measuring and just lift up the tape and rework it. It’s so easy! Then simply paint inside your ScotchBlue Painter’s Tape column.

When the paint is dry to the touch about 30 mins for a single coat, lift up the tape. You’ll have a perfect stripe!

A key to making asymmetrical patterns work is to make sure you’re working with the same spacing on both sides of the middle stripe for balance. So we taped off our most outward stripe of the pattern and worked our way back in towards the middle.

During the creative process we felt like challenging ourselves even more. DIY is all about improvisation, right? So, we strayed from our original sketch a little. Thinking another gold painted stripe would be too heavy, we called an audible and used gold striped Washi tape instead!

We also decided to paint the face of each shelf to give an often overlooked detail a touch of shine and glam! We used Martha Stewart’s Metallics line in gold and really liked the reflective quality it has.

Et voila! There you have it. The perfect backdrop for a beautiful cabinet, closet, wall, dresser…the possibilities of where this look can work are endless.

Here’s a little sneak peek of the finished office supply closet! We’re so excited how the entire project turned out. You’ll just have to stay tuned for the full reveal – we promise it’s coming soon!!

organizational items from The Container Store, Dwell Studio and Muji

And of course we had to do a little happy dance when we were done!!

This post is a collaboration with ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape. To join the creative community, visit www.facebook.com/ScotchBlue. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting posts that keep Apartment 34 doors open!

original photography for apartment 34 by aubrie pick // styling and art direction by erin hiemstra

%%youtubomatic_0_0%%

Source: apartment34.com

Apache is functioning normally

July 24, 2023 by Brett Tams

The house where actress Debbie Reynolds grew up is available to lease for $5,600 per month.

Built in 1940 on a leafy street, the 1,246-square-foot bungalow in Burbank, CA, has three bedrooms and two baths.

While the cute house has quite the Hollywood provenance, the timing of the rental listing might be less than ideal.

One of the home’s greatest assets was once its close proximity to some of the world’s biggest studios, including Warner Bros., Disney, and Universal. A few months ago, that would have made it the perfect place for a budding actor or TV writer with a nice sitcom contract.

But these days, with writers and actors on strike and most of Hollywood shut down, the market is a bit more challenging than it was a few months ago.

Debbie Reynolds’ childhood home hasn’t changed much on the outside.

(Realtor.com)

Home with Hollywood history

Reynolds’ family probably moved into the home when she was in her early teens. There’s even a photo of her, looking young and beautiful, in a car in front of the house.

Her family would have been astonished to see how high the rental price is today.

We covered this very place in 2016, when it was on the market for $749,000. It was sold later in the year for $770,000.

Updated abode

It appears some improvements have been made, particularly in the kitchen, where white cabinets, stainless-steel appliances, and a teal backsplash were added.

The cheery, updated kitchen

(Realtor.com)

There are wood floors throughout the house, most of which appear original and refinished.

Original wood flooring

(Realtor.com)

The cozy bedrooms have built-in drawers beneath the closets and cupboards above.

Bedroom with built-ins

(Realtor.com)

French doors lead to the backyard, which boasts an original brick barbecue, a pool, and an intimate patio with a sail shade.

Patio and pool

(Realtor.com)

There’s also a bonus office, separate garage, and carport.

The home is within walking distance of the Magnolia Park area’s charming shops and restaurants. As far as Los Angeles-adjacent locations go, you can’t beat this one if you’re in the entertainment industry.

Of course, not everyone in the area is a Hollywood insider. But it’s likely that anyone who lives in this home will appreciate its connection to the beloved film star.

Another property tied to Reynolds was recently up for grabs. Her family retreat on 44 acres in Creston, CA, was finally sold in 2022 for $2,850,000. The place had been on and off the market for years.

Reynolds was offered a contract with Warner Bros., after winning the Miss Burbank beauty contest. She was known for her singing and dancing in classics such as “Tammy and the Bachelor,” “The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” “The Singing Nun,” and perhaps her most famous role of all—Kathy Selden in “Singin’ in the Rain” with Gene Kelly.

She also had a Broadway career, hosted her own TV show, and owned a Las Vegas hotel. She died in 2016 at the age of 84—just one day after the death of her daughter, Carrie Fisher.

Reynolds led a remarkable life and spent several years of it in this darling home.

Source: realtor.com

Apache is functioning normally

July 24, 2023 by Brett Tams

Our shoes reveal a lot about who we are, and there are many situations in which we need a wide selection of different shoe styles and colors; for work, for socializing, or just a casual pair to feel comfortable in.

If you have a small closet and a growing footwear collection, fear not. It’s totally possible to organize shoes in small spaces, you just need some space-saving shoe organizing methods and a few products to help.

small closet to allow for further purchases.

Try these organization methods at home to free up shoe space in your closet

After organizing your clothes in a small closet, the next task is always your shoes. The last thing you want to do is to dirty, damage, or even lose your most-loved shoes.

These tips will save you space and time searching for your favorite pair.

(Image credit: Go Modern Furniture)

1. Declutter and prioritize

The first step is to start decluttering your shoe collection, you need to know exactly where all of your shoes are, their condition, and how many you have and need.

Take out all your shoes and assess which ones you truly need and wear regularly. If you notice that there are some damaged shoes or pairs that no longer serve you, put them in separate piles for donating or discarding.

Once you have been through all of your footwear, you will have freed up space in your closet which will make organizing the space easier.

2. Utilize vertical space

Often because we have a small closet we automatically assume that there is no room in it, but that is not always the case. Vertical potential is often overlooked and instead, it should be used to our advantage.

Vertical space is especially useful when it comes to organizing shoes, not only does it allow us to see our shoe collection easily, but it also helps us take up space that would otherwise be unused.

A shoe riser is an effective and simple way to use up your vertical space in the closet and essentially increases the amount of shoe storage space you have on your shelves.

Professional organizer Caroline Guntur says that she relies on shoe risers, available at Amazon, and uses them in all small closets for her clients: ‘It allows both pumps and flats to be stacked instead of just side by side, this automatically increases the amount of shelf space available for your shoe collection.’

Caroline Guntur

Camilla Frederico, one space that is often overlooked is the closet door itself.

‘If the back of your closet door is bare, an over-the-door shoe organizer can make the most of this space,’ she says. ‘They also happen to store several pairs of shoes at once. Additionally, they can also double as storage for accessories!’

Over-the-door organizers, at Wayfair, will help take the clutter away from inside the closet, conjuring up space from nowhere and making it much easier to see everything.

Camilla Frederico

Relaxing Space. ‘It will maximize your storage and you can easily see which shoes you have.’

Stackable clear shoe boxes, at Amazon, not only save space but also protect your shoes from dust. Furthermore, the clear view allows you to simply locate the shoes you want at any time.

Aleesha Dane

Inspire Clean. ‘Store out-of-season shoes in a separate location, such as under-bed storage or a different closet, and swap them out as the seasons change.’

Rotating your shoes seasonally allows you to align your footwear to the clothes in your closet. For example, you are more likely to wear your summer sandals versus winter boots during the warmer months.

Consider how often you are going to be wearing each type of shoe and create space by removing the pairs not needed for now.

Nathaly Viera

washing machine; however, those made with leather, suede, rubber, or vinyl should not be placed in the washer.