Bold Color Choices: Coral and Rose for Your Doylestown Apartment Decor

Vibrancy, warmth, energy…all words that can be associated with the bold color choices or coral and rose for your Doylestown apartment decor.  It takes and confident soul to dive into this decorating scheme, but the intensity it will bring to your apartment will make you place a true living experience, not to mention a conversation subject to anyone who enters as in this deliciously artful room from Lorraine G. Vale. Coral also brings to mind the season of Autumn, the setting sun and the various shades of citrus fruits.

The passionate and vibrant coral color need not dominate your Doylestown apartment space but can simply stand out in the background, offering a subtle, yet intense color to your furnishings. The color coral is less aggressive and softer than true orange.  Photo via Country Living.com.

While coral is more sun-filled and energetic, the color rose suggests a more soothing energy.  Rose pink, as in these chairs, suggests the feminine, delicate nature, and can bring a playfulness to your Doylestown apartment. Photo via Country Living.

Going all out with a brighter rose pink suggests passion. This shade of pink is the universal color of love according to Feng Shui principles, and with it comes a playfulness and a tenderness one can only associate with feminine love. The color will give a magnetic feel to your Doylestown apartment when paired with a dark bold color.  Photo via Atticmag.com 

I love these creative color ideas found at JuBella. These give a hint at what the bold colors of coral or rose and do with your Doylestown apartment decor.

If you have an available Doylestown apartment for check out Apartments i Like for free listing information.

New Rental Available

New three bedroom apartment is now available in Souderton, Pa., not far from Doylestown.  This unit features new carpeting, new painting throughout, two floors of a three floor unit, two full baths and some utilities included.

Great rental price and the unit is available beginning of September.

Click here for more information this great apartment.

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Sharing an Apartment: Roommate Agreements

One of the best ways to share your apartment peacefully is for you and your new roommate to put together a Roommate Agreement. This agreement can be as formal or informal as you want, as long as you both agree to the terms presented. Both parties (or more if you share your space with 2 or more people) should sign the agreement, promising to uphold the issues presented. You and your roommate should sit down and take some time to address the issues that below and write up your agreement according to the specifications of your living space, as well as your personal preferences.

In the long run having this agreement as a reminder of each of your responsibilities will ease tension when disagreements happen. All childishness and drama will be set aside, and you and your roommate will live together peacefully…and have fun too!

The following are some things to consider when forming your Roommate Agreement:

• Expenses.  This for many is the hardest issue, but once things are made clear as to who is responsible to pay for what life together will be easier. With respect for each other decide on the rent payment division, food and grocery expenses, and any subsequent utility expenses such as electricity, garbage pick up, or parking.

• Storage Spaces.  If your apartment, like many, is limited to closet and cabinet space, thoughtful division for personal items will be helpful. Examine all the storage areas together and agree to who will use what space. Keep the space division as equal as possible. This includes kitchen cabinets, refrigerator shelf space, bathroom cabinets, closets, and the entertainment center if you have one, and any built-in shelving.

• Space of Apartment in General. Consider what areas of the apartment are shared, like kitchen, living room, and bathroom, and what areas are considered private space, such as your bedroom. Agree to how each of you will approach the others’ private space and adhere to this agreement.

• Personal Items. It is most important to consider what items are to be shared and what items are to be kept for individual personal use. Decide how all food items will be shared and be respectful. If one of you has dietary issues this could be very important. Also make agreements on other personal items like shampoos, towel usage, and other grooming essentials like blow dryer use. Apply labels to items that are personal so there is no confusion.

• Cleanliness. If both of you are neat freaks I see no problems! But, as with normal living, not all of us are neat 100% of the time. Make an agreement to keep the place looking neat by not leaving unnecessary items around the shared spaces, like clothing, used dishes, ashtrays, magazines, etc. Also, and most importantly, make a chore list for each of your weekly responsibilities to keep the apartment clean. These chores can be rotated weekly or to your own preferences. In this way each of you will be clear on who is responsible for what and held accountable. Post the list in the kitchen area, or somewhere visible as a reminder to get things done.

• Noise issues.  Make rules to acceptable noise levels for certain times of day. If you or your roommate is a musician, make agreements to when and where you will each practice your instrument and at what times of day so as not to inconvenience the other. Other things to consider are music playing and TV watching and the volume used for each.

• Parties and Overnight guests.  Another thing to consider is when and how often each of you will have overnight guests or parties.  Set agreeable limits.  Decide on how much notice needs to be given to your roommate when planning a party or having someone stay over. It’s no fun to wake up and make your way half naked to the kitchen for coffee, only to find some strange guy sitting there. Be sure to inform your roommate beforehand when having someone over. This way no surprises or problems will arise. Planning to have a party together will be tons of fun and with each of you informed properly, with enough time to make arrangements for it or otherwise, this will keep the occasion from getting ruined with a disagreement.

Hope you found some of these suggestions interesting and useful. If you are already sharing an apartment, there is no reason not to incorporate a Roommate Agreement into your present arrangement. This will inevitably help to remove potential conflicts.  Thanks for reading.

Visit Apartments To Like.com for more useful renters information.

Sharing an Apartment: Drawbacks of Having a Roommate

In continuation with my series of thoughts on having a roommate I’ve given the readers the Roommate Questionnaire, which covered how to interview a potential roommate, and most recently answered the question of why have a roommate to begin with.

The hardest things to consider when deciding to share or not to share your living space are the drawbacks of having a roommate. Unfortunately there are a few of these to consider before taking the plunge into a shared apartment.

The main problem I’ve discovered is personality clashes. Even with friends as roommates, the inevitable argument will surface, and sometimes it can go so deep as to not be solvable. In this case, a good conversation/argument idea should be set in place so that you can talk out your problems and not allow them to fester and become a disruption to your friendship and your apartment living. Often you will meet someone and become instant friends. This perfect friend then becomes your roommate, and months down the line you discover that your roommate isn’t quite the person he or she seemed to be.  This is perhaps the biggest disadvantage to having a roommate.  If you or the other person decide that living together just isn’t working out, another set of problems will set in.

If you break your arrangement, you have to consider if you can continue to pay the rent on your own. Before this happens, a strategic Roommate Agreement should be signed and a lease should be signed by both parties. This way, if your roommate leaves, he or she will still be obligated to pay, which will be a financial relief at least. A Roommate Agreement will hold each roommate accountable for bills, rent, household duties, entertainment schedules and privacy issues, as well as the possible moving out problem that may arise. In another post I’ll address the ways to approach a Roommate Agreement.

Another disadvantage to have a roommate is lack of privacy. If you love to have people around all the time, this will not be so much of a problem, but there will be moments when you wish to be alone, and coming home to a roommate and her possible friends that she’s entertaining will not be a welcome factor. There will be times when you need your own space, so setting boundaries in advance can help to alleviate possible arguments. You each should be entitled to your own private space, such as your bedrooms, that must be acknowledged by both of you and maintained with the utmost honor.

Having a roommate can be a wonderful experience. You can develop a friendship that will last a lifetime. Consider all the drawbacks that sharing your apartment will entail before making the final commitment and be sure to sign a Roommate Agreement and a rental lease with your potential roommate. As I said, a post will follow on this idea. Thanks for reading.

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Image: Apartment Therapy

For Spring: Lavender Color Decor for Your Apartment

This spring the soft touches of lavender or violet are everywhere: in clothing, cosmetics, and apartment and house decor as well. Love the quiet feeling of this whisper lavender bedroom found at Hooked on Houses.

Lavender romance in this living room space, easy to achieve in your Doylestown apartment.

Lavender bedroom chair would look great anywhere in your Doylestown apartment. Image from Eclectic Revisited.

Adding some lavender color to your kitchen makes quite a statement. Image from Attic Mag.

Lavender Bathroom from 50 Favorite Bathrooms at My Home Ideas.

Oh, to open your window and smell this…and what a view as well!

Lastly…couldn’t resist this one on the dark side of lavender…

…a Chesterfield tufted velvet sofa in purple….quite a statement in glamour and design…from Eclectic Revisited.

If you are looking for a Doylestown apartment to rent, or would like to list one that is available please visit Apartments I Like for FREE ADVERTISING information.

Book Lovers, Unique Shelf Ideas for Your Apartment

As an avid book lover I once had my apartment covered in shelves, walls of shelves to store all my literary finds. (I still visit the local library’s book sale each year!) After a few years I had quite a collection and my shelves filled up. Perhaps you face the same dilemma with your own collection in your Doylestown apartment. If so, I’ve found some great creative options that I wish I’d tried in my own space, like this very unique rotating Helical Shelf unit from City Joinery.  It’s an expensive buy, but what a creative way to divide a room, or situate a shelf in a corner if you have limited space. The unit rotates so you have access to all sides and levels. It can also be adjusted to any ceiling height. Great in an office too! Custom options. Starting at $4300.  Image from City Joinery website.

Another bright idea: enclosed bookshelves in white finish. Doors keep books from getting too dusty. Found at Apartment Therapy.

Bookshelves that attach directly to the wall seem to float in space. Be sure to check with your Doylestown apartment landlord for the okay to screw these shelves into the walls.  They make quite a design statement. Creative bookends will add a nice touch. These shelves, found at Design to Inspire, have built in ends to hold books in space. Placing a shelf above the doorway to store lesser used books is a wonderful way to display them as art.

Finally….one can dream…

This amazing spiral staircase with integrated bookshelves I just had to share. Of course I realize this is hardly a design option for your Doylestown apartment, but I simply had to share.  The staircase was built into the former home of Portuguese philosopher and poet Antero de Quental. The building is now used as a literary center, with this incredible architecture as its centerpiece. More info at Dezeen.

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Sharing an Apartment: Roommate Questionnaire

Finding a roommate to share your Allentown apartment can be a difficult task, but one of the key strategies on your search is to meet the potential roommate in person and interview them. They in turn may do the same. I discovered through experience some interesting questions that you should include on your questionnaire and thought I’d share.

image: Cafe by Stockholm Syndrome

As protocol for the meet up, make sure you decide on a public place to have the interview, especially if this is a stranger responding to your ad for a roommate. Make it a comfortable place, where you can have a coffee or tea and get to know each other. Avoid bars and liquor. You want to have a clear head and a clear atmosphere. Also, I suggest you meet during the day if possible, on a weekend perhaps if you both work full time, or during a lunch hour.

Open your meeting with a nice greeting, and a handshake. First impressions? Take notes in your mind when you can. Your first impression will take you far. Trust them. An immediate bad feeling can be telling you something. When you sit down, don’t be afraid to bring out your list and take notes. This is your place you want to share after all. You will want to find someone truly compatible to make life easier, not more stressful. With that said, here are the questions:

• Have you shared an apartment with someone before?
• Was the person you roomed with a relative, girlfriend or boyfriend, co-worker, or friend?
• Why did you decide to move out?
• Was there any problem with your previous roommate?
• Do you have a full time job?
• What are you work hours?
• Do you do any work at home? How often?
• Do you smoke?
• Do you use recreational drugs or alcohol?
• Are you in a serious relationship? Will your boyfriend or girlfriend be staying over and how often?
• Do you have a special diet that you follow, vegetarian, diabetic, vegan, or any other?
• Are you religious? Does your religious principles effect you daily living and how so?
• Do you consider yourself a neat person or carefree and sloppy?
• Will you be will to do a share of the chores to maintain a neat and clean apartment?
• Will you share the cost of cleaning products for the apartment?
• Are you willing to work out and divide the cost of a grocery list each week?
• Do you have any pets? If so, what kind?
• Friends? How many?
• Will your friends visit a lot, and do you like to throw parties for your friends? (This isn’t a bad thing, as long as the two of you are in agreement!)
• Do you watch much television? What do you watch? How often?
• What time do you usually go to bed, and what time do you get up?
• Are you a musician? What instrument do you play? How often do you practice?
• Are you willing to co-sign a lease?
• Are you willing to sign a roommate agreement?
• Are you able to supply references from previous roommates, employer, or previous landlord?

Asking any of these questions will open a dialogue with your new acquaintance and will help you get a feel of what the person is like. Keep in mind that this list is designed for an interview with someone you’ve never met before.  If the person you’re meeting is an acquaintance, adjust the questioning accordingly….or perhaps not! It’s up to you, but do take the time to get to know a person before jumping in to sharing your Allentown apartment.

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The Arts in Doylestown PA

If you leave your Doylestown apartments and drive around you cannot miss this building because, well, it’s a castle!  The Mercer Museum and the Fonthill Museum are creations of Henry C. Mercer (1856-1930) and his creative vision is kept intact by The Bucks County Historical Society.  At the museum you can view collections from American daily life preserved with great care, ranging from hand tools to horse-drawn carriages.  The six-story concrete castle was erected by Mercer in 1916. Each level of rooms houses its own unique perspective of exhibits, with small alcoves for small exhibits all arranged according to Mercer’s illuminating classifications such as: healing arts, tinsmithing, dairying, illumination, etc.  Visitors will view objects in a new way. Before heading back to your Doylestown apartment, be sure to check out the Fonthill, Henry C. Mercer’s home that was built in 1910 which houses Mercer’s famed Moravian tiles produced during the American Arts & Crafts Movement.  The Mercer Museum is located at 84 Pine Street in Doylestown, Pa. The Michener Art Museum has been called the Art and Soul of Bucks County, Pa.  When venturing out of your Doylestown apartment to view some art be sure to visit this museum located on South Pine Street.  This museum offers exhibits, events and programs for all ages, as well as creative art classes for families and children.  A museum shop is featured and volunteer opportunities are available.  Check out their website for more information. Present exhibits include an American Icons photography collection, artist Si Lewen, and abstract painting exhibits.  Artwork above: William Schwartz, oil on canvas, “Come to Me All Ye That Are Heavy Laden.”

If you’re not the big museum type, when you head out of your Doylestown apartment you have many other options and The Chapman Gallery on East State Street is perfect.  Founded in 1989, the gallery specializes in original artwork and fine prints by Bucks County area artists. The galley exhibits oil paintings, watercolors, acrylics, and pottery.  They also buy and sell past Pennsylvania Impressionist and New Hope Impressionist paintings.

print by Daniel Garber

The Gallery offers custom framing and restoration of oil paintings, watercolors, and antique picture frames.

The highly informed staff will help you when you venture out of your Doylestown apartment and visit the Chapman Gallery.

For more information check out their website.

If you are a renter in Doylestown Pa, or looking to move to the Bucks County area, visit Apartments I Like for renting and moving information to make your move as easy and stress free as possible.  Landlords with available apartments check out the website and list for free!

A Unique Place to Shop

You can find so many unique places online to make decorating you new Doylestown apartment a breeze, and Pacific Connections is one of the most original.  Founded in 1994, this company offers modern and exclusive lacquer finished accessories and furniture to make your Doylestown apartment stand out.  Explore some of the finds below and visit for more colors and styles in each presented here.  Enjoy…

Mondrian Coffee Table

Paris Pink and Brown Lacquer Box Collection

Color "Birds" Design Bath Accessory Set by Robert Schneider

White Cube Flower Vase

Jade Lamp with Black Lacquer Base

Tray in Black Lacquer with Purple Tulipwood Inlay

If you are moving to an apartment in Doylestown PA visit Apartment I Like for more information on making your move easy and stress free.  Or visit our Renters Corner at the top of this blog for direct links.

Rust Revelation

Consider the color rust when designing the interior of your Doylestown apartment….it is quite different, adds warmth, and subtle inspiration.

…my favorite piece, the  Rusty Scroll ottoman from Spacify….inspiration for this post…

….adding a throw or some pillows in rust can really highlight a bland room….

…..love the color combination here…almost anything is possible…

…rust objects d’art….from Colour Lovers….

….soft and pretty…rust, gold and taupe together…

….a combo of red, orange, and yellow pillows spill into rust…

Just adding a touch of rust color to any room in your Doylestown apartment is worth trying.  Rust goes with white, sage, beige and brown tones, and can add a hot reflection on black furniture.  Hope you find some of these images inspiring for your apartment in Doylestown.

If you would like to rent and apartment in Doylestown Pa, or are a landlord with available apartments in Doylestown Pa please visit Apartments i Like for info on renting and listing.