{"id":19289,"date":"2013-08-05T18:46:01","date_gmt":"2013-08-05T23:46:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/?p=19289"},"modified":"2013-08-06T07:30:14","modified_gmt":"2013-08-06T12:30:14","slug":"decorating-tips-for-rental-spaces-and-dorms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/?p=19289","title":{"rendered":"Decorating Tips for Rental Spaces and Dorms"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3>Mom and I learned some great decorating tips at the Haven conference last week, and we are excited to share them with our readers. \u00a0Today we will pass along the hints we learned to do when you are living in a rental space. \u00a0With college about to start, we know there are lots of people out there who want their surroundings to be perfect, but their budgets are far from perfect.<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><em><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN DO<br \/>\n<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-18876\" alt=\"IMG_4399\" src=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/IMG_4399.jpg\" width=\"667\" height=\"444\" srcset=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/IMG_4399.jpg 3088w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/IMG_4399-430x286.jpg 430w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/IMG_4399-1024x681.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>\u00a0If your landlord allows you to paint, this is an easy place to start.\u00a0 Maybe a room is too bright for you.\u00a0 Let&#8217;s say it&#8217;s yellow, and you are more comfortable with a neutral or white.\u00a0 Tone it down.\u00a0 Or it could be just the opposite.\u00a0 Maybe it&#8217;s white, and you crave loud colors.\u00a0 Punch it up with just a gallon of paint.\u00a0 Just remember that your landlord will probably ask you to return it to its original color before you move out.<\/h3>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<h3><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><em>USE PLATES AS ART<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-19299\" alt=\"Plates on wall\" src=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/IMG_6228-430x286.jpg\" width=\"430\" height=\"286\" srcset=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/IMG_6228-430x286.jpg 430w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/IMG_6228-1024x681.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 430px) 100vw, 430px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Art can be pricey, but it can also be reasonable.\u00a0 For instance, plates can add color to a room.\u00a0 You can easily pick them up for a few dollars at a thrift store, a garage sale, or even your mother&#8217;s kitchen, but you might want to ask her first.\u00a0 You might want to paint some old plates with chalkboard paint and then write messages on them.\u00a0 I did this, and I change the message all the time.\u00a0 My husband never knows what he is going to see.<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><em><strong>USE NATURE<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-19291\" alt=\"IMG_0570\" src=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/IMG_0570-430x286.jpg\" width=\"430\" height=\"286\" srcset=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/IMG_0570-430x286.jpg 430w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/IMG_0570-1024x681.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 430px) 100vw, 430px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/h3>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">If you took a stroll in the country or on a nature trail right now, you will find several interesting plants that would look good framed.\u00a0 All you need to do is cut them, dry them, and then frame them.\u00a0 A good way to dry them is to put the flowers between paper towels, and then put some books on them.\u00a0 In a week or two, they will be pressed and dried.\u00a0 Then you can put them in some used frames that you bought.\u00a0 If you decide to change the color of the frames, be sure to paint them before you add the dried plant material.\u00a0 An added touch would be to write the plants&#8217; scientific names on the background paper.\u00a0 You can also add mats for another layer.<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><em><strong>FRAME SOME INTERESTING MAGAZINE COVERS<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-19290\" alt=\"IMG_0559\" src=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/IMG_0559-430x286.jpg\" width=\"430\" height=\"286\" srcset=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/IMG_0559-430x286.jpg 430w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/IMG_0559-1024x681.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 430px) 100vw, 430px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Framing a magazine cover is a great way to add your interests and personality to a space.\u00a0 For instance, if you are a sports nut, frame some sports magazine covers.\u00a0 If you are into fashion, frame some vintage Vogue covers.\u00a0 If you want to go the vintage route, they are available on ebay and\/or etsy. \u00a0My mom made <a href=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/2013\/02\/13\/young-house-love-week-day-4\/\">this great work of ar<\/a>t with magazines, also. \u00a0She simply cut out a gazillion pieces and then glued them to a foam board. \u00a0Next she used Mod Podge to seal them in. \u00a0Since she had everything on hand, including the frame, it was free.<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><em>USE GIFT WRAP AS WALLPAPER<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-19293\" alt=\"mudroom-gift-wrapping-wallpaper\" src=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/mudroom-gift-wrapping-wallpaper-216x323.jpg\" width=\"216\" height=\"323\" srcset=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/mudroom-gift-wrapping-wallpaper-216x323.jpg 216w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/mudroom-gift-wrapping-wallpaper.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 216px) 100vw, 216px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u00a0(<a href=\"http:\/\/www.tipjunkie.com\/price\/under-20\/mudroom-gift-wrapping-wallpaper\/\">source<\/a>)<\/p>\n<h3>One of the decorators who conducted this workshop shared this photo of her rental, and said she uses wrapping paper to cover rough walls.\u00a0 You can hang it with double-sided tape or poster putty.\u00a0 We thought that was a great idea for a college rental and very cheapo. \u00a0You can even frame gift wrap and create a gallery wall with different patterns that coordinate.<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><em>DON&#8217;T FORGET THE WINDOWS<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-19232\" alt=\"DIY Painted Curtains\" src=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/Curtain-text.jpg\" width=\"534\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/Curtain-text.jpg 534w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/Curtain-text-215x323.jpg 215w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 534px) 100vw, 534px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><\/h3>\n<h3>Don&#8217;t overlook the windows.\u00a0 Lots of rentals have those less than attractive plastic louvered shades.\u00a0 You can hide them or at least distract your main focus from them by adding curtains.\u00a0 And the good thing is, you can take those curtains with you when you move.\u00a0 You can buy plain white curtains at almost any big box store, and then make them your own by adding a stripe (like the <a title=\"How To Customize Standard Curtains\" href=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/2013\/07\/29\/how-to-customize-standard-curtains\/\">ones I did above<\/a>) or adding a stencil (<a href=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/?s=stenciled+curtains\">like these<\/a>). \u00a0Other ways to dress those windows is by draping place mats, napkins, dish towels, or table cloths over a tension rod, or you can use rings that have clips on them. \u00a0I even saw a photo where someone hung mason jars from hooks that were above the windows.<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><em><strong>INVEST IN WHAT YOU CAN TAKE WITH YOU<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-19312\" alt=\"Daybed\" src=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/IMG_5111.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"569\" srcset=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/IMG_5111.jpg 800w, http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/IMG_5111-363x323.jpg 363w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/h3>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">If you need a bed or a new sofa, invest in one because after all, you will be taking it with you.\u00a0 A day bed that converts to a king bed can add a space for overnight guests to sleep.\u00a0 A day bed with added storage is even better yet. \u00a0If you are stuck with a sofa with a pattern you can&#8217;t stand, throw a king or queen sheet, a guilt, or some discount fabric over it, and tuck it in as much as possible. \u00a0Then you can wash it when needed. \u00a0And remember that rugs can make a major statement in a room, and they will go with you when you move, also.\u00a0 We did some great tricks with rugs <a href=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/2013\/04\/23\/my-rugs-metamorphosis\/\">here<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/2013\/02\/05\/how-we-made-the-rug\/\">here<\/a>.<\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">*****<\/p>\n<h3>The ladies who write <a href=\"http:\/\/www.notjustahousewife.net\/\">Not Just a Housewife <\/a>and <a href=\"http:\/\/shabbynest.blogspot.com\/\">The Shabby Nest<\/a> were in charge of the session on decorating challenges.\u00a0 They passed along a lot more information that we will be passing along to you very soon.\u00a0 Keep coming back for more.<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Cheers!!!<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mom and I learned some great decorating tips at the Haven conference last week, and we are excited to share them with our readers. \u00a0Today we will pass along the hints we learned to do when you are living in a rental space. \u00a0With college about to start, we know there are lots of people [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19289"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=19289"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19289\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19318,"href":"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19289\/revisions\/19318"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=19289"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=19289"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/the2seasons.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=19289"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}