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Affordable Ways to Update Your Apartment (In a Big Way!)

September 15, 2016 by

You may think you need to spend big bucks to revamp your apartment's decor, but that's not always the case. Lucky for budget-conscious renters, there are a number of ways to make a big impact on your apartment's decor without overspending. Here are just a few affordable updates that will breathe new life into your living space.

  1. Add a new rug. To change the whole feel of your living room or bedroom, switch out your rug with something completely different. Simply choose something in a different color or more elaborate pattern — just make sure that it still coordinates with the rest of your furniture.
  2. Brighten things up. Let in natural light by switching out all of the window treatments in your home. Instead of using blackout curtains or heavy drapes, add light, sheer curtains that maximize the sunlight.
  3. Throw around some pops of color. If your bedroom or living room is looking a bit drab, try adding mix-and-matched throw pillows to make things feel more exciting. You can also toss a bright throw blanket over the arm of a chair or the back of a sofa to tie it all together.
  4. Hang some low-priced artwork. Search local thrift stores for new-to-you pieces or create your own DIY artwork to transform your rental into a home. Whether you arrange them into a gallery wall or hang simple statement pieces, wall art makes a big impact.

30 Ways To Upgrade Your Rental Apartment [Style Caster]

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New to Feng Shui? Here’s How to Get Started

August 18, 2016 by

Feng shui may be an ancient Chinese practice, but its ideas for creating a clean, comfortable and inspiring home are still very useful today. If you’re new to feng shui, these simple tips will show you how to get started creating positive energy and great flow throughout your home.

  • Clear out the clutter. The first thing you’ll want to do is get rid of all of the clutter in your home. Feng shui focuses on minimalism and flow, and clutter will only get in the way of your end goal.
  • Rearrange your furniture. Next, rearrange your furniture so that you can easily move from room to room. Don’t block doorways or windows, and be sure to place important items like your desk and your bed across from the door. This promotes the flow of energy.
  • Promote clean air. Refresh the air in your space by adding lots of air-cleaning houseplants throughout. You’ll also want to frequently change any air filters and open windows to allow in fresh air whenever possible.
  • Choose different colors in different rooms. Colors represent emotions in feng shui. Consider using soft, soothing blues and greys in the bedroom, powerful reds in the office, and sunny yellows in the kitchen or den.
  • Create a map. For more help, create what’s called a “Bagua” map of your home with each zone corresponding to a different aspect of feng shui.

Feng Shui 101 for Your Living Space [Wonder How To]
Feng Shui Decorating Tips [Real Simple]
Feng Shui 101: Getting Started With the Basics [Inhabitat]
Balance & Prosperity: Feng Shui 101 [Ask Men]

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Three Awesome Ways to Decorate With Maps

July 21, 2016 by

These days, mobile maps can definitely be more useful for traveling than a paper map. However, paper maps are beautiful to look at! So why not use them in your home decor? Here are three creative ways you can decorate with a map.

  • Use a map to revamp your lampshade and give it a warm, vintage feel. All you need to do is find an atlas with pictures of beautiful maps inside, a lamp with a shade, and a few craft items. Make a template for your shade and test it out to make sure it fits perfectly. Then, just lay out your template on top of your map pages and make the pages match the size of the template. Finally, use some rubber cement to glue your map on and you're finished!
  • Cover the drawers of your plain-looking dresser with a map. You're pretty much going to use the same process you did for the lamp. Make sure to measure everything out perfectly and remember to cut out tiny circles for the knobs.
  • Give your living room a unique, vintage feel by covering the top of your glass coffee table with a map. If you have a large enough coffee table, you may even be able to see the whole map.

Vintage Map Lampshade [Pretty Handy Girl]
10 Ways to Decorate Your Home with Maps [Babble]
7 Ways to Decorate with Maps and Globes [Conde Nast]

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Clean Up Your Home at Nalle Woods Naturally With These DIY Household Cleaners

June 16, 2016 by

Looking for a way to save a bit of cash while also removing chemicals from your home? Make your own cleaning products! It’s easy to duplicate of the most common household cleaners using all-natural ingredients, and they’ll even help to turn your home at Nalle Woods into a green household.

  • Glass Cleaner: Combine 1 cup of white vinegar with 1 cup of water and 1/4 cup of fresh-squeezed lemon juice to create a DIY window and glass cleaner. You can even add in your favorite essential oil for a fresh scent.
  • Laundry Detergent: While many store-bought laundry detergents are filled with chemicals, this homemade version is made using only natural ingredients. Combine a box of Borax with a box of baking soda and 1 bar of organic bar soap (such as Dr. Bronner’s). Then, blend it all together in a food processor until it reaches a powder form.
  • Bathroom Tile Cleaner: Remove grime from tubs and sinks using this all-natural bathroom cleaner. Simply mix baking soda with liquid castile soap and use it as a scrub.
  • All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar, 1 tablespoon of Borax, 1 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide, and 2 cups of hot water to create an all-purpose cleaner that you can use anywhere in the home.

Make These 69 DIY Cleaning Products For Pennies [Popsugar]
The Original Homemade Laundry Detergent DIY Natural]
27 Chemical-Free Recipes for DIY Spring Cleaning [Greatist]

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Wallet-Friendly Ways to Revamp and Rejuvenate Your Rental’s Decor

May 19, 2016 by

Regardless of how on-trend your decor was when you initially adorned your apartment, it's only a matter of time before you feel like your surroundings are outdated. But when a home makeover isn't really in the budget, you might feel stuck with the interior design you've got. You aren't, though. There are tons of budget-friendly approaches to decorating that can spruce up your apartment. Here are just three of them to get the creative juices flowing.

  1. Upcycle existing embellishments. If your home-decorating instincts take you to Amazon, let your money-saving instincts lead you to Pinterest instead this time. Look for DIY ways that you can revamp that old coffee table or update worn throw pillows. It might be as easy as picking up a can of spray paint or some ribbon and fabric glue.
  2. Frame free pieces of "artwork." You don't have to break the bank on a piece of art in order for it to add something to your room. Prints or photos from magazines and books can have just as great an impact on the aesthetic of your bedroom or living room as expensive artwork. Just find a cheap frame at Target or the thrift store to complement your makeshift work of art.
  3. Break out the sewing machine. If you're handy with a needle and thread, there's a lot you can do in your apartment without spending much money. For example, you can easily create new curtains or pillowcases. These are both simple ways to spiff up your apartment that conserve both time and money.

Budget Decorator: 15 No-Cost Ways to Invigorate Your Space [Houzz]
15 Budget Decorating Secrets [HGTV]
The 10 Most Important Tips For Decorating On A Tight Budget [freshome]

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Allergic to Eggs? These 3 Webpages Provide Info About Egg Substitutions

April 21, 2016 by

Vegans and those with egg allergies may think that certain foods are off limits, but thanks to egg substitutes, you can still enjoy things like cakes, breads, and other baked goods. These helpful websites are full of tips for using egg substitutes to help you create egg-free dishes that taste just as good as the originals.

PETA
Though this website is tailored toward vegans, its tips are helpful for anyone who wants to remove eggs from their diet. The Egg Replacements page features information about all of the different types of egg substitutes, including silken tofu, potato starch, ground flax seed, and canned pumpkin. There’s also a list full of tips about egg substitutions.

The Kitchn
The Kitchn’s Vegan Egg Substitutes page helps you to choose the perfect egg substitute for any dish. It offers full descriptions of everything from tofu to applesauce, and it also provides information about the best brands of commercial egg replacers.

About.com
The vegetarian section of About.com is a wonderful resource to learn more about egg substitutes. It answers readers’ most pressing questions about cooking without eggs, and it also describes which egg substitutes work best in different types of recipes.

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Bring Some Green Inside With These 5 Unique Ideas for Displaying Houseplants

March 17, 2016 by

Instead of displaying all of your favorite herbs, flowers and succulents in simple terra cotta pots, create more artistic plant displays with these fun DIY projects. From the kitchen to the living room, these plant hangers and pots will show off your greenery in any room in the home.

Living Monogram Wreath [BHG.com]
Create unique wall art and a fun planter in one with this monogram frame. Simply line a plywood back with 2-inch cedar boards in the shape of your initial, then fill the inside with peat moss and cover with chicken wire. Plant succulents inside, and then hang the whole thing on your wall.

Copper Hanging Rod [morganours.com/]
Looking for a way to hang plants over the kitchen sink? Simply balance a copper rod across the tops of your kitchen cabinets (or any other type of cabinet). Hang lightweight plants or herbs from the rod using your favorite hangers.

DIY Rope Pot [nostalgiecat.blogspot.sg]
With this rustic DIY project, you can add colorful rope to your cheap terra cotta pots. Simply wrap a simple cotton rope with colorful thread in your choice of colors, and then wrap the whole thing tightly around various sized pots.

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Handy Home Decorating Tips for Beginners

February 18, 2016 by

Whether you just moved into your rental at Nalle Woods, or you simply haven’t gotten around to decorating yet, it helps to have a bit of a plan in place before you begin decorating. Here are a few basic interior decorating rules that all renters should memorize to create a beautiful and inspiring space!

  1. Make changes slowly. Instead of heading out to a big box store and purchasing all of your furniture in one day, start with the bare essentials and work slowly from there. That way, you can be sure that you’ll end up with high quality investment pieces that will last for years to come.
  2. Incorporate different shapes. While most furniture features squared edges, such as sofas and tables, it’s important to incorporate circular and rounded pieces to balance things out. Try adding a circular dining table in an eat-in kitchen or a round rug in the living room.
  3. Add accent colors to neutrals. Instead of overdoing it with one color, furnish your room in soft neutrals and add pops of color throughout.
  4. Work with the architecture. If your home has a unique feature, such as a bay window or non-functioning fireplace, appreciate it for its charm. Play up this feature instead of fighting against it to add personality to your space.

Interior Design 101: 5 Rookie Mistakes You'll Never Make Again [Apartment Therapy]
The 7 Rules of Interior Design [Zillow]
The 3 Principles of Interior Design [HGTV]
6 Basic Interior Design Rules [Suite.io]

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Want to Decorate Your Apartment Without Emptying Your Wallet? Here’s Where to Shop!

January 21, 2016 by

Want your apartment at Nalle Woods to look like something out a home design blog? If know the right places to shop, you can transform your rental into the home of your dreams — without emptying your bank account! Here are three great stores where you can buy stylish home decorations for less.

Pier 1 Imports
Pier 1 Imports isn’t exactly a budget store, but with its frequent sales and affordable versions of designer pieces, it can save you a great deal anyway. Shop here if you’re looking for a gold metallic side table, plush faux fur pillows, or luxurious frames for dressing up your walls. Don't miss the clearance section for even deeper discounts!

H&M Home
That’s right: the trendy clothing store now offers an equally affordable selection of home decor items, and they’re just as stylish as you might expect. From bedding sets for less than $50 to funky shower curtains and even marble print kitchenware, this is the perfect place to find all of the hottest decorating trends.

Z Gallerie
If your style is a bit more luxe, you’ll love the upscale touches without the upscale price tags that Z Gallerie has to offer. This popular home goods store is well known for its ornate wall mirrors and elegant tableware, but you’ll even find sofas, sectionals, and other affordable furniture pieces.

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Make Your Own Molten Lava Cake with These Two Recipes

December 17, 2015 by

"Sinful" may be the only way to describe the dessert known as molten lava cake. This decadent treat combines chocolate cake with a warm liquid chocolate center melts in your mouth. There are many ways this cake can be made, some healthier than others. Try one of these two recipes for molten lava cake.

  1. Healthier Molten Lava Cakes for Two [Texanerian]
    This dairy-free, whole-grain lava cake recipe is a healthier attempt at the usual dessert. It uses half the amount of butter and sugar that most recipes call for, yet loses nothing in taste and texture.
  2. Molten Lava Cakes [Food Network]
    Here is the classic molten lava cake recipe you’ve been looking for. Indulge in the full flavor of chocolate, butter, and sugar baked to perfection.

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