The Beauty of Lofts

Loft in Philadelphia via Philadelphia Condo Loft.com

Unique loft with a bibliophile in mind…  via AzCentral.com  Apartmentstolike.com

My fave of the three… Artist loft  from Bradvisors.com

Great blog post about a historic building in Wilkes-Barre Pa.

Photo Montage of Scranton, PA

As a renter in search of a new apartment, you will find many beautiful apartments for rent in Scranton, Pa. and the city itself is a gem, filled with elegant turn of the century architecture as well as new designs. Scranton features a fine culture at it’s heart, with education with local universities and the arts right outside the door of your Scranton Pa. apartment. After all, Scranton is called The Electric City. The up-rise in popularity of this former coal industry Pennsylvania town can be attributed to the popular and funny TV show, The Office, which fictitiously has it’s location in Scranton.  The following are some more lovely shots of the city. Click the image for links to the great photographers featured here.

If you are looking for a Scranton Pa. apartment for rent, visit Apartmentstolike.com  for listing of available spaces.  Landlords with available Scranton Pa. apartments for rent can list for free.  Check it out.

Big Boy 4012 at the Steamtown National Historic Site and  Train Museum in Scranton, Pa. One of the largest collection of antique trains on the east coast.

So cute!

University of Scranton.

Scranton Pa. at night.

Wilkes Barre Pa. Apartments for Rent

If you are looking for Wilkes Barre Pa. apartments for rent you will have many options and lovely apartments to choose from. Your style of living should come into play when making your choices in this beautiful region of Northeastern Pa.

Do you need a large or a small living space? What amenities should your new apartment include, like number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and size of rooms? Is off-street parking a must? What are your budget requirements and price range when considering Wilkes Barre Pa. apartments for rent? Will your apartment or rental home need a yard or allow pets? Consider these questions when looking at listings of Wilkes Barre Pa. apartments for rent.

One of your first considerations as you search for Wilkes Barre Pa. apartments for rent is they type of neighborhood you would like to live in.  Apartment complexes such as Wilkeswood Apartments and East Mountain Apartments, located in Wilkes Barre township, provide apartment community type settings, with courts instead of streets, parking lots close to your front door, landscaping and maintenance. Complexes are usually well-lighted and include other amenities like laundry facilities, on site fitness centers and recreation areas like pools or tennis courts. Often you will find available Wilkes Barre Pa. apartments for rent in one of these communities.

Perhaps you would like a home that is more private or residential? Is living in town or near the city more for you? You can find lovely and unique Wilkes Barre Pa. apartments for rent in large homes or smaller apartment buildings in quieter neighborhoods of Wilkes Barre.  First or second floor luxury duplexes are available as well as town houses. For a more home-like feel, consider renting a half of a double home that may be available. These often offer front and back door access, porches or patios, decks, and back yards that can be used or recreation and entertaining.The home will often feature first and second floors, and sometimes a third floor also.

For a more classic home feel consider one of the many beautiful Wilkes Barre Pa. apartments for rent in the historic district of the city. Here some of the well-maintained and elegant mansions, built in the turn-of-the-century, offer available spaces for rent that feature fireplaces, unique woodwork or tile, hardwood floors or stained- glass windows among other features. The neighborhood is quiet and residential with tree lined streets, and easy access to downtown restaurants, stores, theaters, and art galleries, as well as living close to the local colleges, Wilkes University and King’s college. Houpt House, above, offers a one bedroom apartment. (Click image for link)

Remember to consider your life style and apartment or home needs and neighborhood preferences when choosing one of the many Wilkes Barre Pa. apartments for rent.

Check out ApartmentsToLike.com for an extensive list of Wilkes Barre Pa. apartments for rent.

Wilkes-Barre Apartments – The Arts in Wilkes-Barre

Choosing one of the lovely Wilkes-Barre apartments to live in give you numerous life-style amenities, including easy access to the arts of down-town Wilkes-Barre Pa. High on the art’s list is the F. M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts. This majestic theater was originally opened in 1938 as the Comerford Movie Theater. It was one of the grandest art deco movies theaters of the time, with a capacity of over 2,000 patrons. It soon became the most popular theaters of the city.

Located on the square in downtown Wilkes-Barre, this beautifully renovated theater is a quick walk or drive from most Wilkes-Barre apartments. The beauty of it has since changed from its original day, but the grandeur has remained, and has even improved, mainly due to the community’s support and donations from local business people. In 1986, the theater experienced a major renovation and went from an abandoned movie house to become a premier concert theater, the F. M. Kirby Center. In 2006, it underwent maintenance renovations to upgrade the worn carpets and seats, etc. from the 1986 restoration. The theater now boasts of the restored art deco look of the original 1938 theater.

The F. M. Kirby Center is home to the performing arts of the region and beyond. Living in Wilkes-Barre apartments will give you easy access to the great entertainment features of this theater including concerts by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic orchestra, which presents a regular Fall/Winter schedule, and the Wilkes-Barre Ballet Theater. Artists from around the world perform here including rock bands, musicians, comedians, opera performances, and Broadway plays. The theater also features Free movies.

The box office if open daily. Step out of your Wilkes-Barre apartments where you can view upcoming events including: the opera La Boheme, The Pink Floyd Experience, Free movie: Sleepless in Seattle, Comedian John Pinette, and latest Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic concert, coming this month.

Looking for Wilkes-Barre apartments? Visit Apartmentstolike.com for listings of available spaces.

Reclaimed Wood Tables

I find these natural wood tables so inspiring. Why not add a piece to your unique apartment to add a homey cottage-like feel. This wood table is made of 1800s wood beams and can be found at Unite Two Designs.

At some cabin fever to your environment. This piece is precious. Reclaimed wood coffee table available at  The Carolina Cabin Store.

This sideboard table is classic and elegant, as well as rustic in its appeal. Look for it at Woodland Creed Furniture.

Dare to go this edgy? I mean literally, this solid 5 ft. pine sofa table is made of reclaimed wood from a barn and the edges sport the results of its long life being chewed by horses!! Such a cool story. Refinished in a deep cognac color, and can be found at Cottage Home Furniture.

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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.

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.

Celebrity Homes: Keri Russell’s Brooklyn Brownstone

Actress Keri Russell, best known for the series from a few years back called Felicity, (I was an heart-stopping fan!), and her husband Shane Deary purchased this 1860s brownstone that needed a ton of work.  Luckily, Deary is the son of a most respected contractor in Martha’s Vineyard, and an avid carpenter himself. The two, who live here with their young son, renovated the Brooklyn find themselves with lovely results.

Above, the living room features linen upholstered chairs by designers Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams. The rug is from Shaw. Tufted ottoman, which I love, is from John Derian Dry Goods.  Chandelier, from Ochre.

The kitchen cabinets are stained in dark expresso and hand built from wood beams. Russell and Deary go American with the best appliances around; Sub-Zero frige and Viking range. Note the cool drop light fixture by Rejuvenation.

Dining area has original pine floors. The wire chairs around the pine table are fro ABC Carpet & Home.

Gorgeous bath room area features a claw foot tub by Victoria+Albert.

Love the simplicity and uniqueness of the master bedroom. Matteo bedding and fabric headboard.  Ikea sheepskin rug. Benjamin Moore paint in Stone Hearth on walls adds a soft touch to bring out the trim. And of course I love the antique chandelier.

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Article via: Elle Decor Magazine

Sharing an Apartment: Why have a Roommate?

You’ve found the perfect  apartment in Easton Pa. It has large rooms, hardwood floors throughout, an island kitchen with relatively new appliances, and two nice sized bedrooms with walk-in closets….The location is great, and you can park off-street with easy access to your door. It’s a renter’s dream come true. You’ve searched for so long…

But the rent of this dynamic Easton apartment is way more than you can afford. In fact, it’s almost double, and you have to tag on some utility expenses. While you nurse your broken heart you realize that the apartment has enough room for two people.  So maybe you won’t be able to make that smaller bedroom a workout/office space. If you really want the space, a roommate would make it within reach.

Help with paying the rent is one of the main reasons renters share their apartments, but there are other benefits too. Of those I talked with, the main reason may have been help with the living expenses, but most found the duel living situation satisfying, as long as they were compatible with their roommate. Sharing a living space with a friend is always the first option. Since you already know the person and have things in common, a living together situation can be an easy transition, and can help grow the friendship. Some renters noted some great advantages to having a roommate that I didn’t think of.  Sharing the chores what one. They made a list of what they wanted done, and each roommate checked off their duty each week.

Sharing in the food expenses was another benefit many found. One girl had a roommate who was studying to be chef. This was a luxury in disguise, for her friend was constantly trying new recipes and cooking some creative things up, which relieved her of the cooking duty most of the time. She, in turn, cleaned up the kitchen.

One roommate traveled a lot with her job. This gave the roommate her own private space regularly, with the luxury of having someone to share the rent. The traveling roommate could count on her roommate to water her plants for her while she was away, and since she had a pet cat, her roommate, of course, took care of the feeding and litter box duties.

Another key benefit to rooming with someone in your Easton apartment is the fact of companionship.  Many people do not like to live alone. Having a roommate will almost guarantee a lack of loneliness. Sharing your apartment with a relative or trusted friend that you get along with well assures you of potential for great conversations, help with problems, and a partner in crime when having a party or  some other endeavor.  Having a roommate, though a challenge at times (we’ll cover some of the challenges in a future post), basically has more benefits than drawbacks. The expenses alone, in this time of financial wows and cutbacks, is reason enough to consider sharing your space.

If you are a renter or are considering a move, visit the Renters Corner at the top of this blog for useful information on making your move easy and stress free.

Renters looking to Share can advertise their apartment or home for FREE!! Check out the FREE LISTING available at Apartments To Like.