Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Designing Your Dream Closet

Your bedroom closet is a valuable space where you can store clothing, accessories, and shoes. However, a disorganized closet can feel overwhelming and greatly increase the time it takes for you to get ready in the morning. Designing and implementing your dream closet is easier than you think—check out the tips below to find out how you can transform your apartment’s closets into organized and appealing spaces.

Assess Your Needs
The key to developing your personalized dream closet is to first assess your needs. Your closet should fit your wardrobe preferences, rather than forcing you to make your wardrobe fit into a space that isn’t right. Do you prefer to hang or fold your clothes? Are your shoes a significant portion of your wardrobe, or do you only have a few pairs you wear regularly? Once you’ve determined the type of space you need most—shelving, closet rods, or shoe and accessory organization—you can begin building the closet of your dreams. If you prefer to hang your clothes, closet doublers provide a second rod to accommodate more hangers. Wall-mounted hooks can also create a place for you to put together outfits ahead of time to make getting dressed easier and more convenient. If you need extra shelving, hanging organizers and baskets can create the space you need to store clothes in your preferred method. Shoe storage options are available in a variety of styles, including floor-based, hanging, and over-the-door solutions. Alternatively, you can use a few tension rods to create your own perfectly-sized shoe rack.

Opt for Convenience
With a full-size washer and dryer right in your apartment, laundry day is already convenient. You can further improve your laundry experience by purchasing a rolling laundry organizer to separate lights, darks, and delicate items as you wear them, rather than all at once before you wash each load. Having your laundry on wheels makes getting dirty clothes to your washer faster and easier—you might even start looking forward to laundry day! Other ways to make your closet more convenient include placing bookshelves or a small table just inside the door. This provides a place where you can organize and lay out accessories, keeping them close to your clothes so everything is in one space. Hanging a mirror either in or near your closet lets you evaluate your wardrobe choices immediately, rather than going back and forth to another area of your apartment. If you use baskets, bins, or drawers in your closet, create fresh, fun labels for them—not only will your closet look more appealing, you also won’t have to spend time searching for socks, undergarments, camisoles, and other loose items.


If you’re looking for modern comfort and convenience in an apartment space you’ll love, look no farther than BLVD63. Our one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments feature amazing amenities and a San Diego location near SDSU that can’t be beat. Click through our website or stop by for a tour in person to discover what our luxury apartment community has to offer.

Monday, September 29, 2014

Check Out These Broomfield-Area Restaurants!

The Broomfield-area dining scene features a wide variety of unique and fresh restaurant concepts serving up cuisine from around the globe. Whether you’re looking for an upscale dining experience or want to spend a laid-back night at the pub, Broomfield has the perfect venue for you.

Azitra
Azitra offers “Indian Culinary Nirvana” where you can sample traditional Indian cuisine that has been reinvented for the modern palate. This unique restaurant prides itself on melding old and new tastes to create a new form of Indian cuisine that you’ve never experienced before. Dining at Azitra places you right in the middle of this upscale restaurant’s rich, colorful ambiance; you can choose to enjoy your lunch, dinner, or dessert in the sleek, modern dining room, outdoor patio, bar, or book the private lounge for your next event. At the bar, you’ll discover an endless variety of offerings that include sparkling wines and champagnes, juicy and spicy reds, aromatic whites, and unique handcrafted cocktails such as the Lychee Princess and Spice Chai on the Ocean. Azitra is also the recipient of Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence for the past three years.

Wildflowers Tea Room
You can enjoy the rich tradition of English afternoon tea right at home in Broomfield when you visit Wildflowers Tea Room, part of The Hilltop Inn located on Metro Airport Avenue. From the moment you step into Wildflowers, you’ll be transported back in time and across the pond into a beautiful and relaxing setting where you can savor a true English tea experience. Wildflowers Tea Room service includes loose leaf teas imported from the UK, homemade scones, traditional Devonshire cream, and a wide selection of sandwiches and desserts to round out the menu. Tea is served between 11am-2pm Wednesday through Saturday with 24-hour advance reservations required. If you’re a fan of British media, you’ll also want to check out Wildflowers’ special monthly themed tea events.

The Old Man
If you’re craving down-to-Earth pub cuisine paired with a wide selection of draft beers, The Old Man is your Broomfield destination. This self-proclaimed road house features old-school classics like pulled pork, cheeseburgers, buffalo chicken, and rib tips in the company of a fun and lively local crowd. After your meal, you can play pool, volleyball, or keep tabs on the game on one of the nearby television sets. The Old Man’s draw is cheap food, good beer, and a fun-loving atmosphere that can’t be beat. You can also enjoy daily menu specials and a late night happy hour that runs from 9pm to close, featuring $2 beer and $3 wine.


Alta Harvest Station features luxury apartment living in the middle of it all, conveniently located just off the Boulder Turnpike in Broomfield, CO. You can enjoy easy access to Broomfield, Denver, Boulder, and the surrounding areas from a community that features every amenity you could imagine—and more! Visit our website to find out more about our luxury one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments or stop by in person to experience what life in Alta Harvest Station is like for yourself.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Choosing the Perfect Los Angeles Apartment

What does the perfect apartment mean to you? Is it a place where you can enjoy amazing amenities and stylish décor? Are you looking for a home in a central location with easy access to the activities you love? Each individual’s idea of a perfect apartment may differ, but there are a few key factors you should consider when looking for your ideal Los Angeles apartment home.

Location
The largest factor affecting apartment choice is often location. Your time is valuable, so why should you spend it traveling to and from the destinations you visit the most? In fact, studies have shown that a shorter daily commute is associated with improved mood and better overall health. Your apartment’s location should be close to both the leisure activities you love and daily destinations such as work or school. Additionally, your apartment should be in an area that is desirable for you—each neighborhood has its own unique personality, which can also play a role in determining where you want to rent. Choosing an apartment in an area that appeals to you while offering access to a large number of your typical destinations provides a more convenient and comfortable place for you to live.

Size
Size is another important factor when choosing a rental space that is ideal for you. Studio apartments feature a single large living space with no divisions; these spaces can be ideal for individuals who don’t need private spaces or a large amount of room. Although studio apartments tend to offer less square footage, they often feature an open and inviting feel because of their open floor plan. One-bedroom apartments can be perfect for individuals or couples who don’t need a lot of private space. Two-bedroom apartments offer additional private areas for two or more people, making them a better option for roommates who want separate spaces or small families. However, individuals may also choose a two-bedroom apartment to use the second bedroom as a storage, hobby, or office space.

Price
Regardless of the other features you love, you should choose an apartment with rent that is in a comfortable price range for you. There are many different ways to determine what price you are comfortable paying for your living space. In general, you should plan to pay approximately 30% of your total income in rent. Using 30% of your income for rent should still leave you with a comfortable income that allows you to buy necessities, enjoy leisure activities, and accrue some savings. However, the ultimate amount you end up spending in apartment rent will depend upon your personal situation. Whether you are planning on receiving a promotion or would like to start saving more for a future necessity, adjust your comfort zone accordingly to find a price range that fits your current and future needs.


Vida Hollywood features the perfect combination of location, space, and comfort in Los Angeles. Our studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments are located just off Interstate 101, with access to local parks, dining, entertainment, and more. If you’d like to find out more about our amazing apartment community and the amenities we offer, click through our website or contact us online today!

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Decorating With Natural Elements

One of the most popular current home décor trends focuses on the use of organic and natural elements in the home. Bringing the outdoors inside provides your Oahu apartment with a fresh look that embraces the natural beauty of your island surroundings. Keep reading to find inspiration for your own apartment’s décor, and don’t be afraid to get creative when selecting the natural elements that speak most to your personality and unique sense of home decorating style.

Plants
Bringing plants into your apartment is one of the easiest ways to include natural elements in your home décor. Depending on your preferences, you can use indoor plants as focal points that take center stage or as a subtler element that blends into the background and complements your other décor. Because Hawaii is a tropical environment, you can choose from among colorful blossoms and large, leafy plants to provide the perfect complement for your existing color palette. Hanging planters are an excellent way to draw the eye upward, making your apartment seem larger and full of life. Plants can also be used to bring beauty and tranquility into lesser-used spaces, such as the bathroom and bedroom. Even if you have a fairly monochromatic color scheme in your apartment, colorful blossoms or brilliant greens can add pops of color without overdoing it.

Fabrics
Even if you don’t want to bring physical elements from nature into your apartment, you can still cultivate an organic environment indoors through the use of fabrics. Blankets and pillows with natural motifs, such as flowers, butterflies, or birds, bring subtle touches of nature into your home décor. Earth-toned rugs, throws, and bedspreads made from soft, organic fibers add color, texture, and comfort throughout your home. Using fabrics to include natural elements in your décor offers you a variety of options so you can choose the colors, patterns, and textures that work best for you.

Fresh Fruit
Fruit displays are a great way to bring nature into the kitchen. If you’re a fan of fresh fruit, choose a large bowl, basket, or other decorative container where you can show off this week’s produce. Grouping several small containers together is an alternative method for storing fruits and vegetables in a way that makes them accessible and contributes to the overall atmosphere in your kitchen. Creating a display out of faux fruits can provide the same look without the need to constantly replace this element of your décor as it is consumed.

Wood and Stone
Wooden furniture and other decorative items are an excellent way to cultivate an organic and natural atmosphere inside your apartment. Untreated, recycled, or distressed woods are popular choices, but don’t be afraid to use treated or polished woods if they speak to your preferences and decorative style. Stone planters, containers, statues, and other items can also be used to bring the beauty of the outdoors inside. If your apartment’s décor tends toward more modern style, consider marrying organic and inorganic materials together, such as displaying stones in a glass jar or bowl. Juxtaposing manmade and organic objects creates a new and unique look that will really make your apartment shine.


Palms of Kilani invites you to enjoy all the natural beauty and benefits life on Oahu has to offer in our two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments located in Wahiawa. Our community features a variety of outdoor amenities, while you’ll also enjoy apartment features that include spacious floor plans, extra storage, and ceiling fans. Visit us online to find out more about our current rates, availability, and move-in specials.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Making Bold Design Statements

Are you looking for a way to make your apartment really stand out? Making bold design statements doesn’t need to be an intimidating concept—there are many ways to add a little daring to your apartment’s décor. Check out the ideas below to get you started, and don’t be afraid to let your imagination run wild when it comes to making big, bold, and eye-catching statements of your own.

Large Art
Large pieces of art can be an excellent first step toward making a bold design statement in your apartment space. Wall-sized vinyl murals or oversized canvases are just a few of your off-the-shelf options. Large tapestries and flags can also be used to make a textured statement that softens the look of your room. If you don’t have the money or the desire to purchase a single piece of large art, consider using a series of smaller pieces to build up a larger whole. Gallery walls and artistic progressions using multiple images can make just as significant a statement as a single large piece of art.

Ceiling Displays
The upper third of any room’s height is often the least-utilized space. Ceiling displays, such as hanging models, string lights, chandeliers, and lanterns, can make use of this space while also making a design statement sure to catch the eye. You don’t even need to think about electrical wiring to install many of today’s battery-powered light options, which add brightness as well as a decorative element to a room. Other ceiling-mounted options include hanging greenery, festive tissue-paper pom-poms, model planes, and modern or handmade mobiles.

Vintage Elements
Do you have a fondness for vintage items? Hanging oversized vintage elements on the wall is a popular way to make an unforgettable design statement. Whether you collect oars, compasses, model trains, or teacups, choosing a single wall to highlight your collection makes a great visual vignette that brings a touch of history into your modern apartment home. If your chosen items can’t be hung on their own, floating shelves or a large curio cabinet or bookshelf can serve as a platform to show off your vintage display.

Tabletop Displays
Do you have a side table that isn’t serving much of a functional purpose? Consider repurposing your tabletop to serve as the stage for an oversized display. Large vases, planters, jugs, or other items can be piled atop a single table for a small yet striking statement. You can add elevation by raising various items on risers, cake platters, or books for a comfortably cluttered and multi-tiered look. If you’d like your tabletop vignette to maintain some functionality, center your display around a unique, artistic, or eye-catching lamp.


Carmel The Village invites you to create a stunning, bold, and personalized space in your studio, one-, or two-bedroom apartment. You’ll love highlighting your wood-style flooring, expansive windows, quartz countertops, and distinct color palette with decorative elements that bring light and life into your space. Visit our website to find more information about our neighborhood, floor plans, and availability.

Adding Color, Texture, and Life in the Bedroom

The bedroom should be a serene place where you can relax and achieve a good night’s sleep. However, there is no reason your bedroom can’t be a vibrant, personalized room as well. Finding ways to add color, texture, and life to your bedroom can turn this space into a warm, welcoming, and relaxing room that will lull you to sleep while leaving you feeling refreshed, energized, and positive each morning.

Plants
Flowers, ferns, and other greenery bring color and life into any room. Plants can be particularly ideal for the bedroom, as they help to create an organic and relaxing atmosphere. Ferns and palms in particular are great for adding visual texture to your room; they are also easy to care for and are available in all shapes and sizes to suit your exact space needs. Flowers such as orchids and lilies are also popular choices for the bedroom; these unobtrusive yet beautiful flowers add smaller punches of color that will really stand out against a monochromatic bedroom palette.

Bed Linens
Why not let the bed take center stage in the bedroom? A colorful or textured bedspread can be the ideal way to inject life into your bedroom by drawing and holding the eye. Bedspreads are available in all types of colors, textures, and fabrics, so choose one that complements your existing color scheme while packing a punch that can’t be ignored. You can take this concept a step further by piling on more than one blanket or cover, building up a layered look that makes your bed appear even softer and more inviting. Combining colors and patterns of all types can create a “patchwork” look that adds personality to your bedroom as well.

Headboards
A headboard can lend additional depth and dimension to your bedroom. Whether you choose a wooden, metal, plastic, or fabric headboard, this design element is a great way to add texture and life to your space. A plush headboard looks great in a contemporary or classical bedroom; you can add even more color and texture by choosing one that features textured or patterned fabric. A sturdy wooden headboard completes the look of a traditional or rustic room; if your preferences lean toward the classical or the elegant, intricately-carved wood is another way to add texture to your space. A more modern bedroom can benefit from the clean lines and smooth surface of a metallic or even plastic headboard; these materials may not show texture, but they’ll reflect light and brighten your bedroom.


Carmel The Village is a luxury apartment community featuring studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments for rent in Mountain View. You’ll love our inviting floor plans, hardwood flooring, private outdoor living space, and catering kitchens with moveable kitchen islands. Check us out online or stop by in person for a tour of your future apartment home at 555 San Antonio Road.

Monday, September 8, 2014

Bathroom Decorating Basics

How much thought do you give your bathroom on a daily basis? While you may keep your bathroom clean and spotless, it’s likely lacking in personality and décor. Bathrooms are typically the most-ignored room in the home in terms of decoration and finishing. However, decorating your bathroom creates a more cohesive and comfortable atmosphere throughout your entire apartment. Check out the tips below for some inspiration to get you started on your bathroom decorating project.

Create the Illusion of Space
Bathrooms are typically the smallest rooms in your apartment, but even a little bit of square footage can feel like a lot with the right decorating tricks. The key to making your bathroom feel larger and more inviting is to trick the eyes and brain into perceiving even more space. Use light colors while decorating, which can help to reflect any incident light and open up the room so it feels larger. Mirrors are a wonderful way to create the illusion of even more space—consider hanging a small mirror in a spot where it will reflect light or the view from outside your bathroom’s door to make the room seem bigger. Avoid cluttering your bathroom with too many items, decorative or functional. Keep your décor sparse, using this opportunity to make sure each item you do place in your bathroom really packs a punch. Consider adding shelves or hooks if you need additional storage to keep items off the floor or the counter to maintain a clean, open look.

Add Greenery
Flowers and other greenery can be ideal decorative elements for a bathroom, making the space feel more natural and luxurious. You can use either real or faux plants in this room, depending upon your preferences. If you’d like to use real plants, make sure they’re well-suited for the amount of light you do receive in your bathroom. Plants that thrive in lower-light environments include aloe vera, orchids, peace lilies, spider plants, and bamboo. If your bathroom receives significant light, consider azaleas, Kimberly ferns, or gardenias.

Soften with Linens
Softening your bathroom’s look with linens is a great way to bring color and texture into this essential room. Plenty of plush, comfortable towels lend your bathroom a luxury look and provide you with a high-class bathing experience you’ll look forward to each day. Rugs and bath mats provide color, traction and additional comfort underfoot. If you use a shower curtain, choose one in colors that complement the rest of your décor. Don’t be afraid to select a bold pattern or textured fabric that will turn your shower curtain into the center of attention. If you have a robe, storing it on a hook or folded up in your bathroom can add additional softness and personality to this space.


BLVD63 is now leasing for Summer 2014! We invite you to join our amazing community, where you’ll enjoy high-speed Wi-Fi, a modern clubhouse, and our spa and two pools. You can take a look at our apartment floor plans and gallery on the web to better visualize your life with us, or contact us online to discuss renting an apartment with us today!

Making Your Move Easier

Are you excited about starting your life in a new apartment, but concerned that moving is going to be a painful experience? Moving into a new San Diego apartment doesn’t need to be a stressful process. Regardless of your experience with moving in the past, keeping a few key tips in mind can help make your next move a smooth one.

Make Daily To-Dos
Moving is often associated with an endless list of tasks to complete and boxes to pack. Getting everything done before moving day can feel overwhelming. List out everything you need to do—big or small—and then divide your master to-do list up into a series of daily tasks. Splitting all your “to-dos” into more manageable daily lists will help you feel more accomplished while spreading out all your tasks so you won’t feel stressed or rushed. Completing a few small tasks each day will add up over time so you will be ready to go by moving day. If you aren’t sure what needs to get done, printing out a moving checklist is a great way to get started.

Complete All Your Calls at Once
There are numerous phone calls associated with moving. You’ll need to make calls to your current service providers, as well as those who will be providing service in your new apartment. Electricity, water, cable, and internet are the most common services that need to be transferred during a move. If you plan to hire movers, you’ll also need to get quotes and book your service. You may also need to change your address with your physician, bank, credit cards, school, and other services. Schedule a single morning or afternoon to make all your calls at once. Accomplishing all these important phone calls in a single sitting will lower the chances that something is forgotten and get this significant task out of the way in one fell swoop.

Organize Your Boxes
Even though your boxes may be organized in each room of your old apartment before you leave, they will become shuffled during your move. Avoid relying on simply recognizing certain boxes to find important items in your new home. Taking the time as you pack to label your boxes might require a few extra minutes now, but it will save you hours or more after your move. Consider using color-coded labels to sort your boxes by room, or simply write the box’s final destination on the top and sides in permanent marker. Making a short list of the items in each box, either in a notebook or in marker on the box, can also make finding items much easier once you’ve settled into your new apartment. You may also want to keep a master list with the total number of boxes you’ve packed so you can make sure nothing is left behind or misplaced.


Are you ready to move into a beautiful luxury apartment with convenient access to SDSU and more? BLVD63 features furnished and unfurnished apartments for rent in our upscale San Diego apartment community.  You’ll love our community amenities, apartment finishes, and roommate matching service to ensure you enjoy every minute of your BLVD63 experience. Visit our website for more information about our floor plans, pricing, and availability.

Friday, September 5, 2014

Creating the Perfect Furniture Layout

Creating a room layout is like creating a functional work of art—the placement of each piece of furniture determines how you use the room, as well as the aesthetics of your apartment. While you don’t need to hem and haw over every single inch of your floor plan, following a few simple rules when placing furniture can help to cultivate a more inviting atmosphere in your Hopkinton apartment home.

Have a Focal Point
Creating a focal point in each room provides a major element around which all the other décor in your room is focused. In some cases, the focal point can be an inherent design feature, such as a fireplace or window. Alternatively, you can create a focal point with a piece of furniture, art, lamp, or mirror. The focal point should draw attention, creating a landing spot for the eye when you first step into the room. If possible, place your focal point in an area that is easily visible from the entryway into the space. Design and decorate your focal point first, using colors and other elements that you want to spread to the rest of the room. Once your focal point is complete, continue this theme throughout your room to tie all its décor together.

Utilize a Central Point
In addition to the focal point in each room, you should also create a central point. A central point doesn’t need to be in the exact center of the room—instead, a central point is any area around which the activity in the room takes place. For example, a coffee table, dining room table, bed, or entertainment center can all serve as the central point in a given room. Group seating and side tables around this central point to provide comfort and convenience. In an apartment with a larger, more open floor plan, you can even create more than one separate central point in the same room. This will divide the space visually to create the feeling of multiple rooms all within the same space.

Consider Traffic Patterns
When determining the layout of your furnishings, it’s important to consider the natural flow of foot traffic through your room. While it’s perfectly fine to have furniture facing inward, make sure you and others can easily gain access to seating and other areas. Leaving footpaths open will make your apartment more navigable and help it to feel more open and inviting. Avoid placing furniture in a way that overlaps with doorways or blocks the flow of traffic—this will only make your apartment feel more cramped and could even pose a tripping hazard.

Follow the Rule of Three
The “rule of three” states that the brain finds groupings of three (and other odd numbers) appealing. You can use this rule to help you lay out a room by placing furnishings and decorative items in groups of three to create triangles. Placing two chairs on opposite ends of a table or a large plant between two ottomans lends your furniture layout an appealing visual quality. You can use the rule of three as many times as you’d like throughout your apartment space.


At Alta Legacy Farms, we invite you to turn your luxury one- or two-bedroom apartment into an appealing space with your own unique style. Our apartments include a wide variety of upscale finishes and amazing features you’ll love—including private balconies, expansive kitchens, and double windows in every bedroom. Visit us online to check our availability or learn more about our Hopkinton apartment community.

Tips and Tricks to Brighten Your Apartment

A bright, airy apartment feels inviting and full of life. There are a variety of tricks you can use to maximize natural light and make your apartment feel brighter and livelier. From letting the sun shine in to taking advantage of reflective materials in your décor, creating a bright apartment space will lift your spirits and provide the perfect setting for energetic and memorable get-togethers.

Use Reflective Décor
Utilizing reflective surfaces in your décor is a great way to brighten any apartment space. One easy solution is to hang mirrors in key locations to reflect incident light and make your space seem larger. Mirrors can be used to mimic windows or to give the illusion of another room beyond your wall, depending on their placement. Alternatively, using reflective surfaces in your décor, such as mirrored or glass vases and other items, will also catch and bounce the light throughout your room. Glass and chrome will also pick up and reflect light, making a space feel larger. A glass-topped coffee table or furniture with chrome legs or detailing will contribute light and life to your rooms.

Decorate With Bright Colors
Bright colors can automatically lift your mood and brighten a room. Even if you don’t want to use bright colors as the basis for your apartment’s color palette, adding pops of color with bright rugs, throw pillows, flowers, or small decorative items will still make a space feel lighter and larger. Choose colors in the same color family as your existing décor to tie the entire room together. Big, bold patterns can also help to make your space feel brighter, so don’t be afraid to choose a patterned rug, curtains, or upholstery if they appeal to you.

Light Abundantly
Abundant artificial light can help your apartment feel larger and brighter after the sun goes down. Placing lamps near light-colored walls or reflective surfaces will ensure every bit of light they give off is reflected back into your room. Choose the maximum wattage you feel comfortable using (or that your light fixture can take) and consider using unfrosted light bulbs for added effect. Because artificial lighting can sometimes feel harsh, you can achieve a warmer glow by using full-spectrum light bulbs designed to simulate natural sunlight.

Keep It Clean
Keeping your apartment clean will go a long way toward helping it to feel brighter and more appealing. In addition to minimizing clutter, dust your shelves, windowsills, counters, lampshades, and light bulbs regularly. Wash your windows to keep them looking spotless and ensure that they admit the maximum amount of natural light. In the bathroom, keep your tile clean for a spotless, reflective look that will really open up the room, inviting you to relax in your large shower or soaking tub.


Alta Legacy Farms invites you to enjoy luxury apartment living in Hopkinton, MA, where you can enjoy the life amidst the beauty of nature just a short distance from downtown Boston and Cambridge. Click through our website to learn more about our floor plans, amenities, and features, or stop by to take a tour of our community today and see for yourself what life could be like at Alta Legacy Farms!

Creating a Beautiful Bathroom

Your Alta At The Estate apartment features a luxury living experience that includes ceramic tile shower surrounds and vinyl plank flooring. While these features are the building blocks of a beautiful bathroom, they also leave you with plenty of space to personalize your bathroom and create the perfect relaxing retreat. Whether you prefer a bathroom that is warm and cozy or cool and contemporary, there are a variety of ways to build a beautiful apartment bathroom from bottom to top.

Add Artwork
Bathrooms are often ignored in terms of artwork. However, your bathroom walls can benefit from color and texture just as much as any other area in your home. One of the most popular bathroom artwork options is hanging one well-chosen piece in a central location to draw the eye. However, don’t be afraid to create a collage, series, or even random grouping of art to lend your bathroom even more color and personality. Whether your preference is for small, framed prints or large, eye-catching posters, bring your art preferences into the bathroom to enhance the look of this space.

Go White
While color is certainly welcome in the bathroom, white remains a classical—and classy—look. A white bathroom can feel bright, spacious, and inviting, all while creating a relaxing spa atmosphere you’re sure to enjoy. If you do decide to “go white,” keep in mind that you’ll need to wash or replace your linens regularly to prevent them from becoming drab and faded. Crisp and clean should be your goals, so choose textiles that can be washed and bleached easily to keep them looking their best. Wood, glass, and metal accents work well in a white bathroom, so add visual texture to your immaculate space using wooden benches, metal baskets, and glass jars.

Add Floating Shelves
Floating shelves provide you with additional storage as well as a place to set decorative items that bring color and personality into your bathroom. You can choose to add just one shelf or a series of floating shelves to create an eye-catching design feature in and of itself. To keep the space in your bathroom feeling open, consider narrow or glass shelves, which will maintain the look and feel of a spacious room. Use your shelves to store jars with toiletries, a vase with flowers, one or two choice knickknacks, or even framed photos or artwork that bring added light and life into your bathroom space. If you’re looking for an additional storage option, shelves that also incorporate hooks can be used to hang towels, robes, clothing, and even corded appliances to keep your bathroom neat and clutter-free.


Are you ready to enjoy a beautiful bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, and balcony? Alta At The Estate features high-end apartment living in beautiful Watertown, MA, just minutes from Boston and Cambridge. You’ll love our spacious floor plans, community amenities, and idyllic New England location. Click through our website or stop by in person for more information about our floor plans, availability, and local neighborhood features.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Boston-Area Museums to Check Out

In an area already rich with the history surrounding the birth of the U.S., Boston also features a wide variety of museums and galleries highlighting art, history, architecture, science, and more. Check out this brief list of just a few of the Boston area’s finest museums to find an educational and inspirational day trip destination just beyond your apartment’s front door:

Museum of Fine Arts
Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, or MFA, is one of the most comprehensive art museums in the world; it is home to nearly 450,000 works of art. Easily accessible via public transportation, the MFA contains a variety of permanent collections that include both ancient and modern art, jewelry, and coins. The MFA is currently hosting a number of special limited-time exhibits in addition to its many permanent galleries. “Magna Carta: Cornerstone of Liberty” features not only a rare copy of England’s Magna Carta, but also the Sons of Liberty Bowl and early drafts of the Declaration of Independence. “Gold and the Gods: Jewels of Ancient Nubia” highlights more than 100 pieces from the MFA’s famous collection of Nubian jewelry, which dates as far back as 1700 BC. “Over There! Posters from World War I” places 50 American and European World War I-era posters on display, highlighting the use of poster propaganda during this era.

Harvard Museum of Natural History
The Harvard Museum of Natural History, located near the well-known Harvard Yard, is home to a variety of exhibits, lectures, classes, family programs, and other special events. Some of the museum’s newest exhibits include “Sea Creatures in Glass,” featuring glass models of sea and terrestrial animals, and “Thoreau’s Maine Woods,” a photographic exhibition highlighting the natural beauty of Maine as part of the 150th anniversary celebration of the publication of Henry David Thoreau’s “The Maine Woods.” Other popular exhibits include Evolution, the Earth & Planetary Sciences Gallery, the Great Mammal Hall, and the Zoological Galleries.

Museum of Science
Scientific innovation and exploration is at the heart of every exhibit you’ll find at the Boston Museum of Science, located on the Charles River between the Longfellow and Zakim Bunker Hill Bridges. Also home to an IMAX theater and planetarium, the Museum of Science includes fossil collections, a butterfly garden, a live animal care center, and a staggering number of engaging and interactive exhibits for young and old alike. Current special exhibits include “2theXtreme: MathAlive!” and “GROSSOLOGY: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body,” both interactive experiences designed to inspire curiosity and spark scientific interest.

Waterworks Museum
The Waterworks Museum provides a fusion of history and engineering with exhibits that explore Boston’s water system and architectural history. Once the site of the Chestnut Hill Reservoir and pumping station, today the Waterworks Museum hosts exhibits explaining how fresh water has been brought into the city of Boston to sustain its growth through the years. As you make your way among the exhibits, you’ll have the chance to explore the machinery and technology responsible for the city’s water supply and sanitation systems. In addition to featuring science and technology, the Waterworks Museum’s exhibits also highlight subjects such as public health, agriculture and landscapes, and social history.


When you choose Alta At The Estate, you’ll enjoy luxury apartment living just around the corner from some of the United States’ best museums and galleries. Located just nine miles from Boston in Watertown, MA, our apartment community offers a tranquil home with easy access to the big city. Visit us on the web for more details about our one- and two-bedroom luxury apartments!