When something appears in three’s it is a trend, or so they say. What does it mean when something pops up everywhere you freakin’ look? I call it a damn good idea. And right now that’s what I’m saying about daybeds!
What was once your grandmother’s decorating idea has gotten the cool girl stamp of approval and personally, I’m into the modern update on this old school idea. Just look at how much you can do with it.
Sure, couches serve their purpose. They’re a requirement for TV watching and the like, but a daybed feels so luxurious. It’s a place to lounge, relax, cozy up. Work from home? Doing so from a day bed suddenly makes the day’s to-do list feel less tedious.
I’m also smitten by the variety of style directions you can take with a daybed. There’s one for virtually every aesthetic out there. You can go modern, clean and crisp (like this one), totally boho (this one is good), or a try a mid century modern vibe (like this). And of course I’m in support of any excuse to add more pillows and throw blankets into the mix. Mudcloth heaven, here I come.
There’s also something overtly feminine about daybeds, don’t you think? Can you envision a guy ever sitting in one? I’m struggling. So go ahead, let him take over the couch and claim this space as your very own.
As we ready ourselves to move into the new house I’m plotting where a daybed could possibly fit. Perhaps the living room? Maybe the guest room? Maybe the nursery?? You’ll have to stay tuned to find out where I put one. Because this is a design idea bandwagon I’m jumping on with both feet!
Need more inspiration. Check out all of our IDEAS TO STEAL.
image 1, 3 by tessa neustadt / 2 by laure joliet / 4 by line klein / 5 / 6 / 7
More than 30% of the food supply in the United States ends up as waste, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The value of that wasted food was around $161 billion in 2010 and has surely risen since then.
Did your grocery budget just curl up and scream? Mine did. It pains me to think of the loss of all that food, not to mention the resources needed to produce it: tractor fuel, fertilizer, pesticide, packaging, gasoline for transport.
Time to think outside the box — or, rather, outside the garbage can — and get creative about food so we waste less of it.
At least some of the following ideas should work for almost everyone. You’ll offset your carbon footprint and stretch food dollars to boot.
1. Boil down leavings
My partner and I keep a bag in the freezer for vegetable and fruit scraps — such as carrot and radish tops, pea pods, onion skins, apple cores, sweet-potato peelings — plus chicken and pork chop bones.
Next to it is a container that holds the liquid used to boil potatoes or other vegetables.
When the bag is full, we throw its contents plus the veggie cooking water and some salt into the slow cooker and leave it on low overnight. The next morning we strain the liquid and use it as a soup base.
The stock tastes different every time because what went into it varies so widely. But it always makes a great pot of soup.
2. Cook up some garbage soup
Do tonight’s leftovers consist of just a spoonful or two of mashed potatoes, a quarter-cup of gravy and a few shreds of chicken or roast beef?
Don’t send it down the garbage disposal! Instead, store it in a bag or container in the freezer. Once the bag is full, you have the makings of a fast dinner.
Put some stock — from your own boiling bag or from a can or carton — into a big pan with seasonings plus a can of tomatoes, if you like. Simmer for at least 20 minutes, then add the contents of the freezer bag.
Stir now and then as it thaws and adjust the seasoning if necessary. You can add more vegetables if you like, or rice or pasta, or maybe nothing at all — maybe your potage de garbage will taste perfect the first time.
3. Get free tops at the farmers market
Look at all those lovely fresh turnips and beets for sale at your local farmers market. If you don’t see the tops elsewhere on the table, politely ask the farmer what happened to them. Could be they were lopped off five minutes ago.
If so, you can walk away with a nice batch of healthy, delicious greens for free. Try sauteing them in olive oil with garlic or adding them to a stir-fry. If they’re really young and tender, make them part of a salad. Freeze or dehydrate what you can’t use right away for soups or quiche later on.
Return to the market 15 minutes before closing and check to see if the vendors are packing up most of their wares but setting aside nearly overripe tomatoes, misshapen root vegetables or slightly wilted spinach. Ask politely if you can have them.
The tomatoes will make fine salsa or spaghetti sauce, the oddball veggies just need a little persistence in peeling and cutting, and the greens can go into soup (or the boiling bag).
Some of the vendors would rather give this stuff away than dispose of it. Even if they ask for some money, it could be less than you’d pay in the supermarket.
4. When dairy goes bad
Milk a few days past its sell-by date isn’t automatically bad. And even if it is, don’t throw it out! Sour milk makes great pancakes and waffles and can also be used in cake, cookie or quick bread recipes that call for milk. Or do a search for “sour milk recipes,” and you’ll get an eyeful.
I make my own yogurt, saving a cup of each batch as starter for the next one. Every few months, those active cultures will be colonized by wild yeasts, and the yogurt starts to smell a little beer-y. Time for a new starter. Meanwhile, I use the weird yogurt in two ways:
Smoothies. All the fruit that I add drowns out the weird yogurt flavor.
Baked goods. I freeze any weird yogurt until I want to bake my mom’s famous Sour Cream Chocolate Cake. (Well, it was famous in our family, anyway.) Remember, back in the day, “sour cream” was cream that had gone bad rather than the cultured sour cream variety we buy now. The effect is the same though.
5. Grab leftovers after the potluck
If your workplace pitch-ins are anything like the ones I used to attend, there’s always uneaten food at the end. Often the folks who brought it don’t want to take it home.
Leverage those leftovers! First, offer to help clean up. Then, state matter-of-factly that it bugs you to see food being thrown out so you plan to take some of it home.
Remember to share. If you take what’s left of the turkey, leave the ham bone. Don’t hog all the freshly cut pineapple or the best cakes and pies.
When you get home, cut any remaining meat off the turkey for a second-day dinner. Chop up odd bits for turkey salad, turkey tetrazzini, turkey a la king or any other dish that stretches small amounts of meat. Finally, boil the bones for soup stock.
Ditto with a ham bone: Dice up any remaining meat for a Western omelet or make a cream gravy and some biscuits for a hammy version of “‘stuff’ on a shingle.” The bone makes a great pot of bean soup.
Freeze leftover rolls and cookies. Load up on fruits and veggies if no one else wants them.
6. Liquid assets
Our fridge and freezer are full of odds and ends of liquids that still have some work to do. For example, once we finish a jar of pickles, we save the brine until we have a nearly empty bottle of mustard. Shaken together, the two become a tangy condiment that’s delicious on cooked lentils or in any soup that needs a bit of zing.
The liquid from pickled jalapenos is a great marinade for sliced carrots or fresh green beans. An “empty” salsa jar or ketchup bottle gets shaken with a bit of water, then poured into the veggie cooking water mentioned in the “Boil down leavings” tip.
No doubt you can find your own ways to avoid throwing out these frugal liquid assets.
7. Look for ‘manager’s specials’
Supermarkets regularly discount meats, breads, fruits, dairy and deli items with short shelf lives. If they aren’t sold quickly, they’ll turn into garbage. But not if you get there first! You can save 50% or more by buying from the “manager’s special” sections or other clearance-food areas of your store.
Obviously, these items should be used promptly or put into the freezer. Half-price ground beef is not a bargain if it makes you sick because you neglected to cook it quickly enough.
Nearly overripe fruit is good for smoothies and quick breads; just freeze it for later use. Cook up ground beef or turkey and freeze it for quick meals later on. Milk approaching its use-by date can be frozen or used right away to make frugal puddings or homemade yogurt.
8. Make friends with the butcher
If your grocery store or meat market sells boneless chicken breasts, where did the bones and skin go? Ask if you can have them, then turn them into soup stock.
A blogger named Penny collects these chicken bits in order to render her own chicken fat for cooking. If the butcher isn’t sure that’s OK, Penny suggests asking the store manager. “Doing that afforded me an easy, ‘Sure, no problem,’” she writes.
Don’t want to do it? Try this instead: When you cook chicken or turkey, don’t skim off the fat and throw it into the garbage can. Freeze it and use it later to saute vegetables.
9. Check the Freecycle Network/Buy Nothing Facebook groups
But aren’t those groups for things like bikes and couches? Sure, but I’ve seen food products on there as well, including canned goods, frozen dinners, garden surplus, and tree fruit. If no one takes it, what do you want to bet it gets thrown into the garbage?
And as I noted in “Need Something? Buy Nothing,” we’ve gotten lots of food from our local Buy Nothing Facebook group. Some of it was unopened, but not all; for example, we scored a nearly full 50-pound bag of Costco bread flour.
Other things we’ve gotten include baking powder, dough enhancer, powdered milk, salt, dried beans, yeast, canned soup, lentils, pasta, split peas, Spam, canned vegetables, fruits, fish and an institutional-sized box of parchment paper for baking.
10. Glean from gardens and nature
Gardeners and homeowners who find themselves with too much of a good thing usually love to give some of it away. Help them out! A handful of websites maintain databases of free produce. Read more about this in “Stop Paying for Your Food!”
Keep your eyes peeled, too. Frugality blogger and writer Erin Huffstetler regularly harvests weeds that are edible and healthy, including dandelions, red clover, purslane and cattails. She and her family also collect wild-growing pecans, chestnuts, blackberries, mulberries and black walnuts.
11. Try some dumpster diving
You just knew I’d bring that up, didn’t you? “Freeganism” is potentially illegal, depending on where you live and maybe even dangerous. Do it right, however, and you may wind up with food that’s perfectly safe to consume.
When I managed an apartment building in Seattle, I noticed that a departing tenant had placed a box of canned goods in the recycle bin. I pulled the box out because unopened cans can’t be recycled — and, yes, I kept them, because they were undented and nowhere close to their sell-by dates.
So while I can’t in good conscience recommend that everyone run to the nearest dumpster with a shopping bag, I suggest being alert to your surroundings.
Chicago is a busy urban center, with Lake Michigan to one side and tree-lined suburbia to the other. It’s a great place to live but can feel busy, so busy that you may find yourself in need of a tranquil spot to relax.
There’s no need to take a special trip to find your perfect chill spot. Many Chicago apartments come complete with plush and quiet places where you can collect your thoughts.
So, where are the Chicago apartments that are better than spas? Right here.
Source: Rent. / Regents Park
For perfect tranquility in an outdoor space, check out Regents Park. In this community, you can walk under entwined tree branches or sit on a bench to enjoy the greenery and flowers. There’s also a community garden on the roof to give you more opportunities to relax with nature.
Among the suburban, shady streets of Kenwood, Regents Park has a great amenities package with a pool and hot tub, fitness center, recreation room and media center.
Source: Rent. / Echelon Chicago
Serenity at Echelon Chicago comes in the form of plush couches that seem to go on and on, overlooking watery views. Sit in this great lounge and socialize with friends, or grab a book and enjoy the natural light streaming in through the extra-large windows.
Sharing space with the largest park in Chicago, in West Side, Echelon Chicago provides plenty of on-site services like maintenance and a notary. There’s also an outdoor grilling patio with a fire pit, resort-style pool and fitness and cardio center.
Source: Rent. / Beachside
What’s more restful than living next to the beach? Even if you’re hanging beside Lake Michigan rather than the ocean, Beachside offers up a perfect deck with swinging lounge chairs and cozy patio furniture under a shaded covering.
Contemplate the sand and water as you take a moment for yourself in this Edgewater Beach community that’s also not too far from the city center. Beachside is also close to the Robert A. Black Golf Course, the Red Line on the ‘L’ and Loyola University.
Source: Rent. / The Pavilion
Where’s a better spot to relax and spend some time pampering yourself than an on-site salon and spa? The Pavilion offers up this bit of luxury within the O’Hare neighborhood of Chicago. Located in the northwest corner of the city, The Pavilion also has a massive sauna with big windows to give the space a unique amount of light.
This amenity-filled community has a state-of-the-art fitness center, racquetball and tennis courts, a party room and pool, hot tub and picnic and grilling grounds.
Source: Rent. / Pinnacle Furnished Studios
A massive resident lounge, with simple, modern seating is just one of the amenities at Pinnacle Furnished Studios. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto the city, and an extremely cool hanging light installation gives this space a soothing vibe. Other amenities that extend this tone include a library, large windows in individual units, a recreation room with billiards and a pool, hot tub and sundeck.
Located in Fulton Market, this is a highly walkable area with excellent nightlife and plenty of restaurants.
Source: Rent. / Somerset Place Apartments
There are a few spots to grab a quiet moment at Somerset Place Apartments. You can make an appointment at the on-site hair salon or listen to some soothing music alongside the grand piano in the lobby as you look out at Lake Michigan. This historic building is smoke-free and has a fitness center, clubhouse and more.
The laidback, international Uptown is where you’ll find Somerset Place Apartments. This Chicago neighborhood is close to the city, but not too close. The area, known for its entertainment and its jazz, also has great restaurants and beach access.
Source: Rent. / The Shoreland
Deep rich hues of gray, red and purple colorize the soft suede chairs in the cozy lounge at The Shoreland. This area oozes soothing vibes as it looks down onto the main lobby with its eating and gathering areas. Soft lighting is the icing on the cake in this quiet spot.
A LEED-certified building with a 24-hour front desk, The Shoreland also ensures its canine residents have a place to chill with its own pet spa.
Situated in East Hyde Park, you’re only 15 minutes from the city center and get to call a peaceful and walkable community home.
Source: Rent. / SKY55
A bathroom might not be your idea of luxury, but when an apartment goes above and beyond, like at SKY55, you’ll notice the difference. Bathrooms in these units have hotel-style details and so much space. Counters are nice, there’s actual storage and soft wood tones and lighting really invite tranquility.
With easy access to the rest of Chicago, you’ll find SKY55 in the Near South Side neighborhood. This is home to the historic Mercy Hospital, making it a popular area for medical professionals. Alongside the healthcare workers, you’ll also find an artistic crowd drawn here thanks to the area’s industrial chic vibes.
Source: Rent. / The Clark
For another Near North Side spot, check out the refined elegance of The Clark. The covered outdoor deck in this community is a great spot to grab a moment to yourself. Swinging seat pods and lounging beds stretch along this space. Wide-reaching views of the city complete the spot.
The Clark is close to the scenic and soothing Lakefront Trail and contains a private dog run, clubhouse and barbecue and picnic area.
Source: Rent. / Sentral Michigan Avenue
With a hydrotherapy spa on site and rainfall showers in the individual units, living in Sentral Michigan Avenue means you can have a spa day every day. To top it off, there’s a four-story indoor garden that invites nothing but zen. Windows that reach all the way up illuminate the bright whites and rich greens of this perfect area.
Within the city’s central business district, in The Loop, this little slice of tranquility couldn’t be better placed. Did you have a hectic day at work? Come back here for a few moments in the garden, a spa-like shower and then time to enjoy some of the other amenities that fill out the community’s nice, long list.
Grab a Chicago apartment that’s better than going to the spa
What makes a Chicago apartment perfect for you? Among excellent parking, awesome fitness centers and great pools, there’s the need to have access to a peaceful spot. From a nice lounge to actual spa services, apartment communities are out there that cater to the quieter side of life. What does the perfect place to live look like for you?
Sometimes the best color for a couch is more than one. A visually-busy patterned couch can add a burst of fun personality to your living room. Whether you opt for a bold floral print or a classic houndstooth or pinstripe pattern, a patterned couch can bring energy and excitement to your space. Mixed-color couches are certainly a statement piece.
In terms of specific pattern options, floral prints can add a feminine, romantic touch to your living room. They can be especially effective in a space with lots of natural light, as the flowers can create a beautiful interplay of light and shadow. Houndstooth and pinstripes are classic and tailored options that work well in more formal spaces. Houndstooth in particular can add a touch of sophistication and elegance to your room, while pinstripes can create a sense of structure and order.
Another advantage of a patterned couch is its versatility. While solid-colored couches can be limiting in terms of coordinating with other pieces in the room, a patterned sofa can be easier to work with. Because patterns often incorporate multiple colors, it’s easier to find complementary pieces like accent chairs, rugs, and throw pillows. Plus, a patterned couch can be more forgiving than a solid-colored one, since it can hide stains and wear and tear more effectively.
Need an easy place to get away in Los Angeles? We get it.
To say Los Angeles is a busy place is an understatement. The bustle of this West Coast city and the crazy traffic are just two things everyone from LA knows are going to cause some stress. Even though you can’t avoid them, you can give yourself the gift of tranquility by finding a Los Angeles apartment that provides a spot where you can get some peace.
It may not be the easiest amenity to track down, but as you figure out which LA neighborhood is perfect for you, keep an eye out.
We’ll get you started with these great apartments that offer all the best spa-like features you crave.
SOURCE: RENT. / THE PALAZZO AT PARK LA BREA
Picture this, you’ve had a long day and use the last of your energy for a workout in the Olympic-level fitness center at The Palazzo at Park La Brea. All you want to do now is soak in a peaceful and bubbly hot tub. Well, you can, thanks to the decadent on-site spa this property offers. Get ready to relax a little or a lot.
Located in Mid-Wilshire, this decadent community also has a saltwater swimming pool, garden and rooftop lounge.
SOURCE: RENT. / RANCHO LOS FELIZ
Give yourself a spa day right from home that starts in the roomy sauna at Rancho Los Feliz. From there you can take some time to sit and reflect among the mature trees and stone fireplace in the outdoor lounge before heading over to the pool for a cooling dip.
In Atwater Village, next door to the Los Feliz Golf Course, this area is a haven for hipsters thanks to its assortment of boutiques, coffee shops, bars and theaters. It’s a highly walkable area that’s closer to the 4,000 acres of open space that make up Griffith Park as well.
Source: Rent. / Museum Tower
There’s nothing like a good lounge for relaxing, and the one in Museum Tower has a massive light fixture that echos a starry sky. Multiple couches in soothing earth tones and a simplistic decor of stone vases make this space feel zen. It’s the perfect spot to wind down with friends or crack open a good book.
Situated in Downtown Los Angeles, Museum Tower offers plenty of amenities. You can take a dip in the heated outdoor pool before grilling out and enjoying the view on the rooftop lounge. There’s also a social room and fitness center.
Source: Rent. / Boulevard on Wilshire
Take tranquility to the rooftops with this cozy and comfortable deck. The grilling and outdoor lounge space at Boulevard on Wilshire provides comfortable seating under the sun and a covered spot with couches and a dining table. It’s the place to go for a peaceful meditative moment.
Surrounded by art deco buildings, along the Miracle Mile in Mid-Wilshire, this community sits right on top of a Starbucks. It comes complete with a fitness center and spin room, dog wash and run, pool and hot tub.
Source: Rent. / Sunset Barrington Gardens
There’s nothing like a green oasis to create a serene moment, especially when you spend so much time stuck in Los Angeles traffic. The outdoor space at Sunset Barrington Gardens features mature trees and a nicely landscaped area for decompressing. Sit on the lounge chairs or under the umbrella and soak in some nature. The lush landscape continues throughout the community, where you’ll also find fountains and a koi pond.
Moving at a slower pace than some other LA neighborhoods, living here in Brentwood gets you closer to Santa Monica, UCLA and the Getty Center.
Source: Rent. / Villa Carlotta
Everything about the Villa Carlotta feels like it got lifted from a Parisian pied-à-terre. Relaxing vibes and a classic style flow throughout the building, even touching the bathroom — your own private spa-like getaway. The white pedestal sink and proper bathtub under the two-pane window ooze elegance and tranquility.
Villa Carlotta feels like an escape from the norm with its music and wine nights every Friday and continental breakfast every morning. This Hollywood Hills community is in a historic building, offering up clear views of the stars and the Hollywood sign from the roof, a saltwater pool and a palm garden.
Source: Rent. / Piccadilly
A tiny urban oasis, the small potted garden in Piccadilly puts some Old World charm into your serene moment. Sit on the stone bench, surrounded by potted greenery and a decorative fountain, and take a break from the daily grind without having to leave home. Just one of two courtyards in this classic building, you’ll have plenty of space to space out.
Located in Koreatown, this popular apartment complex is centrally located and surrounded by an eclectic assortment of dining and nightlife destinations.
Source: Rent. / AVA Hollywood at La Pietra Place
Take a break in one of the coolest lobbies in Los Angeles. At AVA Hollywood at Pietra Place, you’ll find bamboo on the walls, a small rock garden and soft-edged furniture whose patterns seem to melt into the floor. Although the space has industrial touches and modern lighting, overall the openness and small pockets of furniture to lounge in make it a great spot to unwind.
Close to Melrose Avenue, that famous street full of cafes, coffee shops and boutiques, this Central LA community has a 5,000-square-foot fitness center with outdoor yoga space. It’s a LEED Gold-certified building that also boasts a media room and stunning pool.
Source: Rent. / G12
Sit in the fresh air and just pause. Isn’t that nice? Now imagine doing that at G12, in front of a sleek and modern fireplace, on plush patio furniture. It’s possible when you decide to make this cool, Downtown Los Angeles community home.
Chock-full of amenities, G12 also has a 24-hour fitness center with a yoga/spin studio, two sky terraces and a Woof Deck. There’s an entertainment kitchen with community dining space as well as an outdoor lounge with grills, too.
Source: Rent. / The Medici
It’s all about the fountains at The Medici. They offer up the tranquil sound of trickling water at every turn on the grounds of this cool community. You can find them in lush green spaces with places to sit and meditate. They’re also in the courtyards, surrounded by stonework and potted plants, alongside stairs leading inside and just about everywhere else. It’s a calming element that’s always right around the corner.
Within the diverse area of Westlake South, living here you’re close to Echo Park and Silver Lake. Should you prefer to stay home in the serene and tranquil setting of The Medici, you can take advantage of amenities like a jogging track, private one-acre park, putting green, two tennis courts and more.
Find your spa-like Los Angeles apartment today
Apartments in Los Angeles are full of amazing amenities, including some of the best spas in the city. From covered parking to well-stocked fitness centers to shimmering pools, make sure you get exactly what you want out of where you live. If that includes a quiet corner to collect your thoughts and reflect on life, you’ll find it in LA.
Given that I’m currently on an exhaustive couch hunt searching for the perfect pieces for the Victorian, I have sofas on the brain. While I’ve yet to commit to a style (though sectionals are on the list), I’m also loving the vibe of a low-slung sofa look. I’m definitely thinking of stealing this idea.
The look feels modern, cool and design-forward, but also relaxed, easy and comfortable. It’s kind of the perfect storm. It’s definitely the feeling I’d love to evoke in our house. You can so easily curl up and read a book in one of these babies, take a nap, watch a movie. The more structured options still feel tailored and formal. They can also feel really casual. A vintage leather version would just be badass. There are current options like the classic 1970’s Togo Sofa from Ligne Roset, similar idea from BB Italia or this much more affordable style at Article. If you wanted to really go big, head to 1stdibs.
I’m not 100% committed to this sofa idea yet, but I think the low-slung style would be a great juxtaposition with our house’s historic details like the ornate crown molding and wide-plank hardwood floors. They’re also incredibly kid friendly. Bonus.
What say you? Anyone out there have this style of sofa? I’d be really intrigued to hear you experience with them. For now, the hunt continues!
Need more theft-worthy design ideas? Check out the Idea to Steal archive RIGHT HERE.