Apartments for Me

Staub Is Having a Massive Cookware Sale (Up to 65% Off!)—These Are the 5 Deals You Can’t Afford to Miss

Published at Tue, 30 Jun 2020 13:15:00 +0000

Pure Collected Living

I have always loved finding gorgeous homes to share with you. Someone’s home tour, ie how others are actually living, is always one of the best ways to find inspiration for your own space. However, I’ve come to realize that I have done a terrible job taking conscious action to share work by BIPOC designers, makers and artists. This stops today.

As I’ve been listening and learning these past few weeks, I’ve discovered a bevy of designers whose work is speaking to me – and I think they’d speak to you too. For the next week I’m going to sharing some of my favorite finds. Today, I am thrilled to introduce you to Kelly-Ann Baptiste of Pure Collected Living. Her vibe; calm, restrained and elevated is so soothing and exactly what I’m gravitating to at the moment.

Fun fact about Kelly, she’s a four-time Olympic athlete for her native country of Tobago! While she now resides in Florida, you can see how her global travels competing all around the world influenced her style, creating an appreciate for the perfect balance of modern and vintage. In fact, Kelly has sourced a vast majority of the pieces in her own home from thrift stores!

Kelly uses one of my favorite juxtaposition techniques, combing a classic Saarinen-style table and chairs with a traditional hutch. The effect is warm but minimal at the same time.

I spy more foraging! You really can never go wrong with a lovely branch in an equally striking vessel. I’m also obsessed with Kelly’s pleated lampshade. I’ve been searching for options for our bedroom, but I strongly suspect this one was thrifted along with that amazing lamp.

Kelly’s consistent color palette brings cohesiveness to her whole house. It’s her mix of natural materials, wools, ceramics, linen, glass, wood and metal that keep everything from feeling too monotone.

Styling tip: do you notice how Kelly’s art is off-center above her console table? This asymmetrical design allows her to create balance with the vase of branches. I also love how the round side of the folding table mimics the round shape of the rings that sit atop it.

You know I’m obsessed with different ways to make a bed. I love the Euro look Kelly used here. The duvet folded back and the simple crisp sheet is so inviting. But what I really love about Kelly is her insightful advice she’s sharing on her site Pure Collected Home. Her posts include great tips, inspiration images and round ups of her go-to products. She regularly champions the mix of high and low, traditional and modern, vintage and new. I think she’s created the perfect combo of all of the above in her own space. I highly recommend you give her a follow!

Published at Thu, 11 Jun 2020 19:00:34 +0000

Home Tour: Old Hollywood Glamour Made New

I remember bookmarking Brigette Romanek’s house after I spied the climbing wall she built in her daughters’ room in Arch Digest. Thankfully, I never showed it to my son because I know that’s all he’d beg for till the end of time. While Brigette’s home is actually a piece of major Hollywood rock n’ roll history (apparently it was a recording studio at one point and every musician you could possibly name has once partied here), it’s the first place Romanek put her unique design perspective to work and it launched her business, Romanek Design Studio.

That’s why it doesn’t surprise me that this self-taught designer’s business is flourishing. In less than two years, Romanek has been name to the AD100 List and is currently juggling more than a dozen projects across residential, commercial and hospitality. She designed the first LA boutique for clothing brand The Great and Chef Ludo’s restaurant Petit Trois and even a home for Queen Bey and JayZ, among many other projects.

But I’m particularly enamored with Brigette’s own abode. It’s another amazing example of how you don’t have to let your space’s architecture limit your style. You might think a house this grand has to be traditional, formal and stuffy. Instead, Romanek has created a perfect mix of vintage and contemporary design pieces – think Jean Royère, Apparatus Studio, Pierre Jeannert, Knoll, Faye Toogoode and more all mashed together with modern art and functional pieces that can really be lived in.

The sunroom is a beautiful bright space to enjoy breakfast.

A relaxed sectional, vintage rug and Apparatus table lamp are a great mix of casual and elevated styles.

I also love how Romanek uses color in subtle, yet striking ways. Her book collection is the means to add vibrancy to this otherwise neutral library. The pops of blue and pink mimic the colors you see in the artwork dotted throughout the rest of the house.

Like the colorful vintage abstract painting serving as the focal point in her formal dining room.

There’s an art to Romanek’s mixing that could end up jumbled and too disconnected in the wrong hands, but she does an amazing job connecting tones, lines and textures that pull disparate pieces together.

But what I really love about Romanek is that she’s self-taught. Less than 7% of all interior design degrees are going to Black Americans, but Romanek did not let that stop her. Instead, she pursued a passion and champions constant learning and self-improvement. Too often women use a lack of experience or formal education hold them back from starting their own businesses – a concern that doesn’t seem to hinder men nearly as much. Brigette is a wonderful example of simply jumping in and trying – obviously to great success. This is a great article about her journey.

I’m certainly getting a ton of inspiration from this house – from wanting to add a more eclectic mix of art to This Old Victorian, coveting an impressive indoor tree and considering starting my own jumbo crystal collection!

I’m excited to watch where Romanek Design Studio goes from here.

For out entire Home Tour archive, CLICK HERE.

images by nicki sebastian for jenni kayne

Published at Tue, 16 Jun 2020 15:50:13 +0000

10 Desk Lamps That are Perfect for Your Home Office (Or Reading Nook)

Published at Tue, 09 Jun 2020 17:00:00 +0000

Daydream Destinations – Villa Kuro

For years, our Gotta Getaway series has been a staple on this blog. Travel is one of my main forms of therapy. I use it to clear my head, get perspective and be re-inspired. Even during the times when I didn’t travel much, like when I’d just had a baby, I was constantly thinking about travel, planning it, wishing for it. While we might all watch our 2020 travel plans slip away and wonder when we might get to enjoy safe travel again, I do think it’s important to continue to dream, wish and plan – even if it’s for an unknown future.

So at the risk of torturing you (and myself!) I’m starting a new series – Daydream Destinations, basically as a way to bank a list of all the places that will be atop my travel wishlist once the world comes out the other side of this pandemic.

And I’m starting with a relatively attainable option – a stunning Airbnb tucked away in Joshua Tree – Villa Kuro.

Set in the beautifully remote hills of Joshua Tree National Park, Villa Kuro is a much needed reprieve from your typical Palm Springs vacation rental. No swinging 60’s decor, no bright colors, no manicured lawns. Instead, this space is subdued. It is serene. It feels like you’ve been completely transported. Oh what I wouldn’t give to be transported right about now.

This stunning, tranquil space was actually on my radar before this all started. I’m kicking myself for not getting there when I had the opportunity last fall.

I love the white appliances in this kitchen – I think they’re making a comeback! The built-in niches also offer a laid-back, yet architectural storage solution. Wood beams in the ceiling warm up all of the hard surfaces.

Renovated with a nod to wabi-sabi, what was a 60’s ranch style house now features natural materials and textures, highlighted by oodles of natural light flooding through the oversized doors that connect you directly the desert landscape beyond.

I spy foraged branches! You see – the trend really does work no matter where you are.

A perfect mix of both custom, collected and vintage furniture add to the highly curated vibe of the home (the TV also comes pre-packaged with all your Netflix binging needs – but we may have watched everything that’s ever existed by the time we get here).

But the piece de resistance of this vacation rental has to be the tea room – seen in the first image in this post. The designers realized the original garage had the property’s best views so they converted it into a tea room / meditation space, complete with a low slung table, woven mats for sitting and a desert zen garden. What I wouldn’t give for a little more zen right now.

I love the mix of woven elements  used throughout this house – lampshades, baskets, rugs – they juxtapose with the smooth plaster walls so beautifully. Also is anyone else noticing that backlight mirror in this bathroom? Genius move.

Being home is showing us how little we truly need to survive – food, family, a comforting environment – but I do think stepping outside the confines of our world offers points of view you really can’t acquire from your couch.

And I love Villa Kuro’s point of view.

While I’m certainly no medical expert, I’m beginning to consider staying in a vacation rental sometime over the summer. Vacation rentals in California are starting to become available again now. Maybe we won’t have to leave Villa Kuro in the day-dream category for too long.

images courtesy of villa kuro

Published at Wed, 27 May 2020 05:44:43 +0000

LOOKING FOR HAPPINESS DURING COVID-19

07 May LOOKING FOR HAPPINESS DURING COVID-19

Is there a bright side to the global Covid-19 pandemic? Should we even think about looking for a bright side? The answer is absolutely “yes”. The downside of this situation can feel overwhelming and desperately sad. There is no shortage of bad news, but there are many reasons and benefits to remaining hopeful now and moving forward.

All over the world people found ways to connect during social distancing. From the Italians who sang arias from their balconies to neighborhoods in the US who met on their streets for dance offs.  We learned to use new technology such as Zoom or Facetime for virtual happy hours and dinners. From a safe 6 feet apart, you can go for walks with friends and family.  Have balcony fun and get to know your neighbors that live in your apartment building. My daughter has befriended a senior lady on the second floor of her apartment building. This daily interaction reduces isolation especially for her and creates smiles.

Do you feel the silence?  During snowstorms when plane traffic is halted, silence feels like a warm blanket. Now the birds are in their element with less cars and planes in the air. With more time in our lives to explore new interests, bird watching as a hobby is on the increase. They are much easier to hear and spot when we do not need to filter through all the man-made noise. We can rediscover nature.

We can see clearly now and breath better in many cities all over the world. The media shows us photography of blue skies in Los Angeles. NASA says that the atmosphere is significantly cleaner. With the reduction of non-essential travel, the drop in pollution has been significant worldwide.  Cleaner air promotes better health for people suffering from asthma and other respiratory related illnesses. This year with the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day, we are seeing many places with the best air quality in decades.

Did you catch up on all the projects that you thought that you never had time to do before?  I have cleaned and organized everything from my attic to the linen closets and the food pantry. I thought that I had plenty of canned goods only to find that a can of green beans expired in 2018. My hurricane provisions from 2019 had expired too. Knowing exactly where I stood with non-perishables will help me be ready for hurricane season 2020. Catching up on my “to do list” had given me a feeling of accomplishment and control during a time when we have no control over a global pandemic. It was a more positive way to spend my time than binge watching news and obsessing about the pandemic. Trust me I spent too much time going from streaming news to local news providers. (Source: Bright Side)

To find the bright side of the any bad situation, it is best to try to have a positive attitude. It will not be an easy thing to do. Even if it is only for a few minutes a day, looking for the bright side can help you not to go down into a rabbit hole of despair. There are so many health benefits with a positive outlook. Can you chat with a senior shut in? Could you donate to a non-profit or support local shops and restaurants? Can we find ways to sustain clean air and continue to commit to a healthier global environment? That remains to be seen. I know that some good will result from Covid-19 pandemic. But it will be up to each of us as we find the new norm to be positive. I’m betting on us to win!

Published at Thu, 07 May 2020 12:21:47 +0000

5 Bedroom Hacks for a Good Night’s Sleep

How well you sleep directly affects your quality of life. And, truth be told, we could all use a good night’s rest right about now. Incidentally, your lifestyle and living environment also play an important role in how well you sleep, with stress being a well-known disruptive factor.

The internet is full of advice about how to get a good night’s rest, including avoiding electronics an hour before going to sleep, meditating and even incorporating feng shui principles that are conducive to sleep. But, one thing is certain: sleeping well starts with the bedroom itself.

Because we spend almost one-third of our life in bed, we might as well make it comfortable. So, if dozing off has become a challenge and sleep-tracking apps have lost their mojo, here are some bedroom hacks that can help you create the perfect environment for a well-deserved snooze.

1. Reduce daytime activities in the bedroom

Bedrooms often serve multiple purposes, even if you live in a one-bedroom apartment. For instance, they can double as nursery, playroom, all-around entertainment room and, especially nowadays, home office. But, it’s important to remember that the ultimate purpose of the room is to disconnect and rest comfortably at the end of the day. Consequently, thinking of the bedroom as a sleep sanctuary and making bedtime a special time of the day can help your body and mind get in the right mood to press pause. To do so, avoid spending a large portion of your day in the bedroom. As tempting as it is to have a quick snack there, work on your laptop in bed or watch the kids in there at all times, try to separate daytime activities from nighttime activities. This might be difficult if you live in a studio apartment, but it’s nothing a separator can’t fix.

2. Choose a good mattress

The bed you sleep in can make or break a good night’s rest. One key way to make sure you’re comfortable while sleeping is to invest in a quality mattress that keeps your spine aligned. Even if sleep comes easy for you, it’s a good idea to replace your mattress if it has several years under its belt or you tend to wake up with aches.

The good people at Avocado Mattresses also remind us that you can’t put a price on comfort. So, before you make your choice, do some extensive research because, although it’s certainly justifiable, a new mattress is also a big investment. Look for hypoallergenic materials for your mattress, as well as your bedding, and try different types of mattresses, such as memory foam or pillow-tops. It might just change your life! And, while you’re at it, throw in some good adjustable pillows, too. Your neck muscles will thank you every morning!

3. Use blackout blinds

Nothing says bedtime more than a comfortable, dark bedroom. Light can be the greatest distraction when trying to fall asleep, and it’s also the easiest way to interrupt your REM cycle in the morning.  For some, feeling the morning sun as we wake up is a healing experience, but for others, it’s one of the harshest ways to greet a new day. Regardless of the category of sleepers you fall under, blackout blinds like those from Select Blinds are a great way to block out any disruptive light — be it natural or artificial — such as headlights, streetlamps or anything that city nightlife throws at you. Or, if total blackout is not an option in your home, try heavier, floor-to-ceiling curtains or a trusty eye mask.

4. Avoid electronics in the bedroom

One of the hardest things to do is get off your devices before calling it a day. Before you know it, scrolling through feeds and thinking “one more episode” turn into your sleep schedule’s worst enemy. That’s because exposure to artificial light can suppress melatonin, the hormone that relaxes your body and tells it that it’s time to sleep. And, because blinds can’t eliminate artificial light coming from inside the bedroom, it’s up to you to avoid any electronic devices with LEDs or lit displays of any kind. This includes your phone, although placing it screen-down works well enough.

Meanwhile, if you’re someone who can’t sleep without background noise and depend on the TV to provide it, consider alternatives. For example, check out white noise machines like those from Sound of Sleep, or use a fan that can offer you the comforting humming sound your brain needs to enter the right mindspace.

5. Invest in dimmable lights

Now that you’re ready for bed, the last hurdle is actually falling asleep. Low-wattage lighting is your best friend if you’re trying to get sleepy. But, you still need something more powerful to start your day bright and early, which is why dimmable lights are the best way to go. Installing dimmer switches on your bedside lamps and overhead lights allows you to control the brightness. Depending on what you choose, you may even be able to do so via remote control, Bluetooth or an app. For a sunset experience, you can also schedule a gradual dimming down until it’s time to hit the sack. If dimmable lights don’t work for you, there’s always room for a classy lampshade.

Try these quick tips to help you create the best sleep environment as the importance of a good night’s sleep seems more important than ever. Not only does it help relieve stress, but it can also boost your immune system and give you the energy you need to keep going and stay focused.

Published at Tue, 26 May 2020 07:00:38 +0000

Life Insurance and Health Insurance: What You Need to Know

As you get older, you learn that monthly expenses can start to add up once you start including costs of insurance. Having adequate insurance provides peace of mind in knowing that if something were to unexpectedly occur, you and your family are financially protected.

Because life and health insurance are technically optional, many question whether or not they actually need to pay for these policies each month. We will discuss the basics of both life insurance and health insurance to help you determine which coverage works best for your individual situation. 

Life Insurance 

Life insurance is important to have, especially once you obtain assets or start a family. The main purpose of life insurance is to pay out a death benefit to your chosen beneficiary or beneficiaries to replace lost income, medical expenses, and outstanding debts in an unexpected passing. You may be offered life insurance through your employer, but in the case that this coverage is not sufficient enough to supplement your income, you may choose to look into private life insurance policies. 

There are various types of life insurance to consider and because the different types can serve different purposes, it is best to take into account your financial status, lifestyle and reason for purchasing life insurance to determine which policy works best for you. The two main types of life insurance are term life and whole life policies.  

Term Life Insurance 

Term life insurance policies are set for a certain number of years (anywhere from 10 to 30 years) and expire once the term ends. If you were to pass away before the end of the term you selected, your beneficiary would receive the death benefit payout that you chose when you selected the policy. However, if you do not pass away during the term of the policy, your coverage expires. You will pay for this policy with either an annual or monthly premium that has been determined based on your coverage amount, term and other factors such as your lifestyle and health status.  

To obtain a term life policy, you must take a medical exam where underwriters will look at various health risk factors, which will weigh into the cost of your premium. Term life insurance policies are usually less expensive than whole life policies because there is no cash value to the policy. Remember that since term life insurance policies take your age and health into account, younger individuals can lock in a much lower rate by purchasing life insurance earlier in life. 

Whole Life Insurance 

A whole life insurance policy, which can be referred to as a permanent life insurance policy or cash value policy, has three main types of policies to choose from — whole, universal and variable. Whole life insurance policies essentially serve two purposes: to provide a death benefit to your beneficiaries to cover your lost income, final expenses and outstanding debts. This type of policy can also be used as an investment because part of the premium you pay will go into a tax-deferred savings account that you can borrow upon at a later date if you choose to do so.  

Remember that if you borrow against the policy, that will reduce the death benefit amount. Because whole life insurance is also used for investment purposes, the premium will be much higher than a term life insurance policy. However, if you choose to cancel the policy after you have paid for it, you are entitled to some of the cash value.  

Determining the Type of Policy to Choose 

While there is no right answer to this, it’s important to consider the personal reasons for purchasing life insurance. If you are looking for an investment and are financially stable enough to fund a whole life insurance policy, this may be the right choice for you. However, if you are looking to provide support for those that depend on you financially at a lower rate, a term life insurance policy might prove to be a better option. 

Certain individuals could benefit from purchasing a term life insurance policy, such as new parents looking to provide protection to their minor children for a given period of time. Newly married or engaged couples who might be combining assets or obtaining property together and depend on the other’s income to pay for these assets are also good candidates for life insurance. Another group of individuals who could benefit from a term life insurance policy specifically are aging parents who are looking to subsidize care that their adult children may have provided or to leave a legacy through their life insurance once they pass.  

Lastly, a group that is often overlooked for obtaining life insurance is college students or young adults whose parents may have cosigned on a private student loan with them. This is because if a student unexpectedly passes before the debt is paid, the parents could be left responsible to pay the remaining balance. 

Health Insurance 

Health insurance subsidizes medical expenses such as prescriptions, doctor visits, surgeries and hospital stays by contributing to some or all of these expenses that you may incur. The types of health insurance available can vary greatly. Still, it is important to consider the costs associated with purchasing a policy and the costs associated with not having a policy. 

Health insurance can be obtained privately, through the government, or through an employer, so it’s important to check the regulations in your state to determine the best option for your coverage. Many states offer financial assistance to help pay for premiums if you make below a certain amount of money. If you are under 26, you can stay on your parents’ health insurance even if you are no longer considered financially dependent or don’t live with them. 

If this is not an option or you are over 26, most employers will offer some form of health insurance that you can opt into once you start working for the company or after a waiting period ends. This is usually less expensive than purchasing a private plan, and sometimes employers have different levels of coverage that would best suit your needs. Consider your personal health needs when looking into a plan and carefully read the terms of each option that is available to you. 

If you are younger and relatively healthy, you might be able to get away with carrying a catastrophic policy with a high deductible either through your employer or state’s marketplace. A catastrophic policy has lower monthly premiums but has a higher deductible that must be met before you have any coverage. For example, if you go to the doctor once or twice a year, you would most likely pay for the price of the visit in full but would have saved each month on paying higher premiums. However, if you have a major health issue occur, you will only owe up to the deductible, which could save you thousands, considering you wouldn’t be responsible for the full price of the medical issue. 

Furthermore, if you have a spouse or children, you are eligible for a family plan or a spousal plan that also covers their medical costs. Remember to compare your company’s health insurance offerings to your spouse’s to make sure your family is obtaining coverage that makes the most sense. Look into the different tiers of plans offered and consider how much you go to the doctor’s in a given year to make sure that you are not over-insured and paying more than you need to have the highest level of coverage. 

Once you hit certain milestones in your life, it is important to be adequately insured to protect your future financial stability, your family and your assets. Life and health insurance both serve this purpose by protecting your income and your health while also giving you added peace of mind. Remember that with careful consideration and research, you can ensure that you are adequately covered without paying extra for this coverage, giving you peace of mind for your future. 

Published at Thu, 21 May 2020 10:11:35 +0000

EVERYDAY PEOPLE WITH SUPERPOWERS!

14 May EVERYDAY PEOPLE WITH SUPERPOWERS!

Have you ever met a real live hero? When we were children, our heroes were larger than life. Take Superman for instance a fictional character created in 1938 with Action Comics. He had the following powers: superhuman strength, agility, heat vision, X-ray vision, superhuman breath that could freeze things or blow like the wind. Best of all he was “the man of steel” who could fly! We have been idolizing heroes in movies, books and folklore for centuries. We could sure use one now to swoop in and solve all our problems.

But now due to Covid-19, we are seeing a new brand of hero. Or are we seeing everyday people doing random acts of heroism? We have been studying heroism for years. What happens during a dangerous event that causes that one person to risk his own life for someone he has never met? In a crowd the “herd mentality” where most people do not want to get involved as it none of their business, makes anyone who steps up to help a hero. Mr. Rodgers said “Always look for the helpers” when in trouble.

Cardinal Property Management carefully navigated through the uncharted waters of the pandemic by creating transparency between their corporate office and their on-site management teams. Through discussion and surveying their employees about concerns and fears, Cardinal Group created a benevolence fund called “Cardinal Heroes”. Their people can nominate a coworker that they believe has acted as a hero. These are leasing and maintenance teams on the front lines in apartment communities without any superpowers doing extraordinary acts of heroism. This has given their teams a sense of pride and a feeling of community in a time when it is too easy to go down the rabbit hole into despair.

Nurses, doctors and emergency first responders unlike Superman did not even have enough personal protective equipment to handle the onslaught of sick overwhelming their hospitals. Then heroes from all over the country began to sew masks and create makeshift PPE out of what seemed like thin air. People trained in any related medical industry went to help on the front lines at great personal risk. First responders were working double shifts even with the very real fear of their own health and safety. But like Superman they had the power of their convictions and the courage to see them through.

From the people who are employed by grocery and pharmacy stores, to our on-site property management teams helping to keep our apartment communities open, these people are unsung heroes. Seemingly normal people who under the most extraordinary of times provide vital services so we may have a roof over our heads and food on our bellies. Churches and food banks and their parishioners are providing food to their communities. Celebrities and young children are donating time, PPE and funds to help the close to 15% of unemployed workers due to social distancing mandates and business closers. So, you see we all have the superpowers of love, creativity, compassion, bravery, strength of conviction and valor. Superman would be proud of us! He knows that there is a little bit of him in all of us. Will you be  a superhero to someone?

Published at Thu, 14 May 2020 12:30:48 +0000