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.

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Inspiring and Modern….Desks!

You may that one of the first steps you take in your new Reading apartment is deciding where you’re going to put your computer, and finding a unique desk to highlight the space makes a welcome addition.  Consider something modern and sleek to enhance your Reading apartment.  Here are a few more samples we’ve found inspiring.

Add a feminine touch to your Reading apartment with a colorful desk like this pink ultra modern number….or on a more romantic side consider this….

mirror topped desk with an antique yet deco-modern appeal.

Tones of gray and white, always fresh and neat in your Reading apartment.

Ah, and splashes of blue enhance this dorm-like space. Consider a simple stool for the desk, easy to put away, multi-functional, and always looks neat.

Iroonie has some great home office space ideas with a focus on the modern.

If you are moving into a new apartment and would like information on making your transition worry-free and easy, check out Apartments i Like for more information.  We have great renters guides that are easy to follow, or check out the Renters Corner at the top of this blog.

Celebrity Living Rooms

My fascination with living space of famous people continues.  Taking hints from popular interior designers of celebrities homes can enhance your Doylestown apartment.

“The making of the house was as significant to me as the living in it,” says Jennifer Anistan of her Beverly Hills retreat designed by Stephen Shadley.  This sleek living room full of warmth opens out to a koi pond.  Table is from Todd Merrill Antiques. Glant linen on sofa. Velvet chair is by Manuel Canovas.  (March, 2010).  Maybe we can’t go so far as to putting a koi pond in our Doylestown apartment, but the rich tones of this room would be easy to duplicate.

For a totally different look to your Doylestown apartment take a look at this stunning 70s-like room of Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish.  This Boogie Nights inspired living room was designed by Martin Lawrence-Bullard.  The scenery is L.A., but the minimalist clean lines and color can be inspiring in your Doylestown apartment.  Onyx and chrome low tables by Lawrence-Bullar. Carpet by The Rug Company.  (Dec. 2009)

Ah, love the comfy look of this space.  “We just wanted to feel like you’re in the country,” says Dennis Quaid of his Los Angeles home he shares with wife Kimberly.  This relaxed, comfortable interior is both artistic and welcoming. I would add those rust-colored ottomans and table to my Doylestown apartment in a second if I could. Designers John and Krista Everage incorporated the rough-hewn ceiling beams from a Pennsylvania barn.  Now there’s something close to home.  (Nov. 2008)

Patrica Heaton and David Hunt’s L.A. home is a romantic delight.  This Hancock Park home was designed by Bebe Johnson and Ellen Greer.  “Despite its large size, there’s a hominess to it,” says the actress.  We find this space on the formal side, yet quite inviting.  Painting the walls of your Doylestown apartment can change the appearance completely. Consider a soft yellow such as this to bring a bit of warmth to your room.  Carpet shown here is by Monsour.  Sofa and ottoman (love that orange!) by A. Rudin.  (Dec. 2009)

Saved the best for last.  Cheryl and Rob Lowe hired architect Don Nulty and designer David Phoenix to design their dream house. Arranging your furniture in the more central area of the large living room in your Doylestown apartment is a great idea.  Again here, the soft tones of ivory, tan, and gray meld together. consider gold frames for artwork, mirrors, and of course, the wondrous chandelier if possible in your apartment.  In this living room, the photo above the Dutch secretary is by Lyndie Benson.  The Sisal rug is by Stark. (Nov. 2010)

Via: Architectural Digest

If you would like to rent an apartment in Doylestown Pa or if you are a landlord and would like to list an available apartment in Doylestown please visit Apartments i Like for more information.

Romantic Room Design

With Valentine’s Day approaching, I’ve got the bug to find romance in decor…and some ideas can easily be incorporated into your Doylestown apartment.  Finding an antique mirror like this one for the bedroom adds instant romance…

Taking some romance ideas from this living room and adding them to your Doylestown apartment space can be easily done. A soft white sofa with changeable cover and toss pillows and candlesticks on the coffee table add romance. Another mirror, over fireplace, adds interest.

Instant romance: A canopy bed, soft shades of rose, creative patterns, a crystal chandelier, and gilded frames.  Consider some of these ideas when decorating your Doylestown apartment.

We cannot forget dining in your Doylestown apartment. Soft throws over chairs and double table cloths add instant grace and flow. The peachy tones we think are, well…just peachy.

We can’t forget kitchens!  Is there such a thing as a romantic kitchen? Well, this one suits me.  Adding warm tones to your Doylestown apartment kitchen can bring some romance to an otherwise utility area. Adding warm-colored vases or canisters are a nice touch to counters.

If you are looking for an apartment in Doylestown, or are a landlord who would like to list an available apartment please check out Apartments i Like for more information on renting, moving or listing.

The Arts in Allentown, Pa

Well, at this time of year boredom can set in as you live in your Allentown apartment, but we have artistic news for you…The Allentown Art Museum, located on 5th Street offers a refreshing change of view, especially if you are into art.  The museum was founded in 1934 by noted Pennsylvania painter and illustrator, Walter Emerson Baum.  Here you can see collections of European art, American art, and textiles.  Escape from your Allentown apartment and view the museum’s recent expansion, where classrooms and more gallery space was added, as well as a cafe, expanded gift shop, and an all new glass facade on the 5th Street side. This attraction boasts of visitors from many areas of Pennsylvania, including Doylestown, Reading, and Bethlehem.

Also now part of the Museum is the Baum School of Art, a non-profit community art school where you can spend some evenings out of your Allentown apartment and take a class. They offer over 200 for children, teens and adults.  Come and join this wonderful community.

Your musical intuition that tells you to get out of your Allentown apartment and listen to some classical live music will lead you to the Allentown Symphony Hall.  This Lehigh Valley performing arts center hosts the Allentown Symphony Orchestra where it performs its seasonal concert productions.  You can find many shows and events, including family and musical education events here that will give you something to do outside your Allentown apartment.  Check out the Allentown Symphony for more information.

If you have an Allentown apartment to list, or are seeking renting help in finding and Allentown apartment, check out the listing on Apartments i Like.com.

 

In and around Reading, PA

It is easy to step out of your Reading apartment and see the sights, and the Reading area has quite a few sights to behold.  This picture, taken by Stinkfoot, shows a view of the downtown from a tourist attraction called the Fire Tower.  I think I can see my Reading apartment from here….(just kidding!).  But a short distance away I find the coolest attraction in the area: The Pagoda.

Love this picture by Ethan Carl.  The Pagoda was built near the turn of the century by William Abbott Witman.  He hired his friend Charles C. Matz to build this wonderous structure on 10 acres of the southern tip of Mt. Penn.

The Pagoda, when built, was intended to be a luxury hotel.  Mr. Witman was inspired by a post-card sent by Matz, and the magestic red brick and tile structure was built in the style of a Shogun Dynasty battle castle.  There is nothing else like it in the United States.  But Mr. Witman was not granted a license to serve liquor by the state, so the hotel plans never materialized.  Instead this feat of architecture stood empty, and eventually fell into the hands of a local bank.  The Pagoda then became owned by the City of Reading shortly afterward.  It was used as a signaling tower before radio became commonplace. Now it is one of Reading, Pennsylvania’s biggest attractions.  Come out of your Reading apartment for a while and drive up to see this one-of-a-kind castle.

There is so much to enjoy living in the Reading community…

Lovely waterways and recreations areas for taking a picnic.
Images by Janet Sobczak.

And in the evening, why not take a short drive north and visit The Christmas Village in Bernville.  Leaving your Reading apartment will be a treat any time of the year as this little shopping town boasts of everything with a Christmas theme.  Christmas year around – who could want more?!

Enjoy living in your Reading apartment or house and enjoy the wonderful sights in and around Reading, Pa.

For information on rentals available or for listing a rental check out link here.

Modern Iron Beds

One of my favorite furniture ideas for the bedroom is a iron bed.  This wonderful addition adds romance to any bedroom lacking it, and a bit of artistic whimsy, depending on choice of design. I tend to like spirals or swirls in the iron like above.

Here, the Indus Bed by Wesley Allen adds a breath-taking view.  Bed can be found at Humble Abode.

This Waterford Bed with canopy features a  more bronze tone to the iron.  The bed can be found Antique Iron Beds.com.

This room fascinates me. Great ideas here…and the spirals….did I mention my love for spirals??

Add fantasy to any room with this design.  This may not be iron, but I couldn’t resist.  Found it on TrendsZine.

 

The Arts in Reading, PA

The lovely industrial town of Reading, Pennsylvania is perhaps most famous for its history in all of Berks County, but the local apartment dweller can find stimulation in the arts as well with the local organizations, businesses, and museums in or near down town.

When living in your Reading apartment you will find so many artistic things to check into and do, right outside your door.  Take a walk down Penn Avenue and spend an hour or two  exploring the Art Plus Gallery.  This non-profit gallery regularly features local artists who exhibit and sell their work.  The gallery encourages musicians, art students, and senior citizens “to explore the world of art.”  We think they do a great job supporting local arts in the Reading community.

And, while you visit the gallery, why not purchase a nice piece of original art to adorn one of those blank walls in your Reading apartment.  Not only will you own a one-of-a-kind conversation piece, you will also help support the arts in your community.

If you are an artist, perhaps you would like to be an art contributor.  Is that little corner in you Reading apartment you own studio?  Check out the Art Plus Gallery’s news page for info on how to join the artist community and submit your own work to the gallery.

Those long winter nights in your Reading apartment can get boring without something to do, and if you are so gifted perhaps you’ve been working on a fine piece of needlework. If so, this store is for you.  Stitch N’ Stuff is a unique shop only a short drive to on Pottsville Pike.  The store features all you counted cross-stitch needs: books, fabrics, threads in every imaginable color, and custom framing is available too.  They also carry a complete line of Vera Bradley purses and accessories.

If you would like to step out of your Reading apartment and stitch with others, the store offers a “Stitch-In” sessions where you can spend part of the day with other artists, share your work, have great discussions, and get to know fellow artists of needlepoint in your area.

Another stop: the Reading Public Museum is a state-of-the-art museum where you can fuel your mind and stimulate your imagination. Step out of your Reading apartment and get a taste of the many venues this museum has to offer in art, science, history, culture, and the world of outer space (planetarium). This prestigious museum is the best in the area and features painting and sculpture galleries that include works by Degas, Rodin, and other European masters of art, enough to grow new brain cells and get your creative juices going.  Visit the museum website for more details.