Redwood Launches Resident Appreciation Month

It goes without saying that there would be no Redwood without our residents.

But why not say it anyway?

February 2016 was deemed the first annual Resident Appreciation Month, to recognize those who call the single-story lifestyle their own. A month full of prizes and surprises, contests, and special treats on Fridays (or Thursdays in certain communities), the month culminates in Resident Appreciation Parties being thrown at communities on the last Friday of the month. Prizes awarded throughout the month include the elusive 'Mystery Box', flat screen TVs, and more.

Halfway through the month, Redwood is pleased to announce that we are nearing completion on a special project. This endeavor, a collaboration of Redwood Corporate and our Community Managers, has been in the works for some time, and came about from the desire to go above and beyond for our residents.

Please subscribe/join us on YouTube for the unveiling of the project, which is coming soon.

Happy Resident Appreciation Month!

3 Cures For A Messy Apartment

The easiest way to clean a home is to not let it get out of control in the first place. However, if you're like me, your natural surroundings tend to look like something out of Mad Max and Thunderdome, so you may need to trick yourself into good habits. Though we've covered specific examples of how far proper organization can go before, below are some tips we've devised to promote a tidy space to call home:

1. Wrangle That Mail

Perhaps the number one smuggler of clutter in my apartment is mail: junk mail, coupons I'm not sure that I'll use, and sensitive mail that I can't discard before making a run to the paper shredder (which is four feet away, but still...)

There should be some type of container to sort mail into as close to the front door as possible. In order to sort the mail, this container must have some arrangement of compartments, or perhaps several separate containers in which to sort the various categories of mail. I already mentioned that my primary categories are 'junk', 'sensitive/destined for the shredder', and 'coupons'. Separating mail as you go allows you to do some of the work you'll have to do later, which can entice you to actually go through it later and dispose, shred, or file as needed.

2. Drawers, Drawers, Drawers

An entryway table is a staple in front hallways, as a handy place to drop keys, check a mirror, and...collect junk. The struggle to keep that surface space clear is being fought worthily by pieces of furniture with drawers. Note again, that 'drawers' is plural, to further allow sorting similar to the mail organization strategy in the first tip. My entryway features a sideboard. Though sideboards are made for holding dishes in the dining room, there is no rule that its use must be restricted (and even if there is, who cares!) The multitude of drawers allows me to separate pens and simple craft supplies like tape from, in my case, other heavy-duty crafting items, hats and scarves during the winter, and anything else I would like to keep accessible.

3. Bookshelves With A Purpose

If you live in a small space, you probably don't have the luxury of purchasing decorative items, as all of your space is taken up by pieces that serve a function. However, you would be surprised at how many people purchase pretty, functional items-dishware, keepsakes, etc., and then store them in a drawer. Not only does this mean you're losing out on the opportunity to display visually-stimulating items, but this also takes up storage space that could be used to organize more unsightly things like your random nail collection or that grocery bag of more grocery bags hanging off your pantry door knob (yes, the one with the bags that are falling out right now because your dog isn't using them at the pace you expected). If its pretty, display it, and put those dark hiding spaces to more efficient use.

3 Ways To De-Ugly Your Pet Stuff

You don't know the struggle until you've finally finished decorating your home, only to have 'that corner' full of your pet's bright yellow toys and leashes taunting your design sensibilities. Big bags of dog food, litter boxes, and squeaky toys aren't traditional tools for home decor, but they all come with pet ownership.

The following are some solutions for common issues that arise from being a pet owner:

1. Where do I put the food?

The first thing to learn about pet food packaging is that there are often very logical reasons for the material and fashion used in food containment. For example, the layered lining featured in dog and cat food packaging is meant not only to keep outside contaminants away from the food, but also to keep key nutrients from escaping. For this reason, I recommend allowing food to remain in original packaging whenever possible, and simply inserting both food and packaging into a vessel more pleasing to the eye.

While more and more pet stores are stocking more fashionable food container alternatives, feel free to get creative with the one that you choose. Cat and dog food can be stored in lidded baskets and storage ottomans. Larger dog food may be accommodated by larger laundry baskets, which come in various materials and sizes, so that you can keep the food accessible, yet hide it in plain sight.

2.What About The Toys?

Simply having a place to put everything can make a world of difference in home decor. You could be amazed at just how far proper storage can go. With this in mind, baskets are a pet-owner's best friend. Out of sight, out of mind, your clutter becomes a subtle design element once it is tucked away in a basket that complements your decor. If you would like your rainbow of well-loved stuffed toys, squeaky bones, and fuzzy things attached to strings to remain accessible to your pet, choose a basket or container short enough for them to reach.

3. Food And Water Bowl 911

As the owner of a Cocker Spaniel, meal time usually goes like this:
1. Dip face and ears in bowl
2. Drink/Eat
3. Lightly coat floor with dinner drippings.

Never underestimate the power of a pet mat. For light dribbling, a standard yet stylish mat will do. If your situation is dire, you may go the route I take and use a bathmat, which gives me the uncommon super power of the ability to place pet bowls on carpet without forfeiting my security deposit.

And, wa-la!  Go forth and show off your new pet-chic decor!

Here Is What Makes A Great Bedroom

Are you one of the millions of apartment-dwellers who thinks the living room is the star of the show? Stop neglecting your bedroom by addressing these key elements of a well-designed bedroom:

Bedding

The bed is your room's centerpiece, so make sure that baby sparkles!

Before you dress your bed, you need to figure out where to put it. Often designers will position the bed against the wall opposite the entry door, so that it is the first things you may feast your eyes upon when entering the room.

Often the key to designing a bed is correct layering. Don't feel as if you need to run out and purchase a bedroom set; sheets and comforters need not look as if they were purchased together, only that they compliment each other with color, pattern, or theme. Layer a quilt or blanket at the end of the bed, not only as a visually pleasing end cap, but also as a functional element within reach for those chilly nights when you need that extra layer of warmth.

Last but not least, headboards are a wonderful thing. They frame your place of rest, and if your bed is placed against the wall opposite the door, your headboard will control a significant amount of space on the first wall that you see. Don't have the money yet for a headboard? Check out these alternatives.

Symmetry

Though there is no absolute rule for design, it has been scientifically proven that human beings enjoy symmetry. A pair of matching nightstands not only provides the function of having a place to set your nightly glass of H2O, but creates a sense of calming order. If your nightstands aren't from a set, try to choose two pieces of similar visual weight. Extra credit: add matching/complimentary lamps on top!

Lighting

In an ideal world, every apartment would have tons of windows, and all those windows would face South. However, we must obey the laws of physics, so knowing how to maximize light that you have (particularly for North-facing rooms) is a must.

The most obvious way to maximize the light entering your room is to have as few objects blocking your windows as possible. Heavy curtains and furniture reduce the light available to you; if you must have thick curtains, think about adding a second curtain rod upon which to hang lighter-weighted curtains that may remain permanently shut, leaving the heavy layer of curtains to only be used when necessary. 

Now, go forth and count your sheep in style!

Your Pantry Organization Is Killing You

Its just doing it slowly. Here are 5 organization rules every pantry should follow:

Keep Drippy Things on Bottom Shelves

It happens to the best of us: things get knocked over. Contain a future mess by identifying the prime culprits for a particularly sticky, staining disaster (frequently-used olive oil, I'm looking at you) and removing them from the top shelf, where their mess-making potential is maximized.

Most Frequently-Used Items At The Front

Frequent trips to the back of the pantry open you up to more possibilities of knocking things over, and are just an unnecessary additional hassle. Keep your favorite items close at hand by moving them to the front of the line.

Separate Cleaning Supplies

OK, this one actually could kill you. Large pantries such as the ones featured in Redwood Apartments frequently become a catch-all for items that either don't quite fit in their intended space elsewhere, or don't have a place at all. Brooms and mops may find their way into this space, closely followed by cleaning supplies that are certainly not safe for human consumption. While there is no large issue with these items occupying the same space, keep them as separate as possible by giving the cleaning supplies their own corner.

Headboard Alternatives

As we've mentioned in a previous post, headboards are the frame around the focal point of your bedroom. However, they're not necessarily cheap. Here are some headboard alternatives that will round out your look without breaking the bank:

Curtains As A Headboard

This suggestion is most useful if your bed is actually placed under a window, but works without one nonetheless. It can seem counterintuitive to place you bed against a window for fear of blocking the light, however if you are a headboard-less dweller, many beds will sit below a window at standard height. Let your curtains pull double duty, and get an even more dramatic effect behind your bed, as curtains can extend all the way to the ceiling.

 

Large Pillows

Pillows come in all shapes and sizes. Why not get a few big, flatter ones to prop up against the wall behind your bed? Depending on how mobile you are when you sleep, you may not even have to take them down before you get into bed. And you can't get much softer than this idea.

Tabletop

Many things look like a headboard. There was a time when rolled an old table top behind my bed for storage, and decided that I liked the look. For apartments less gifted with storage space, this could be a convenient location to keep that fold-out table you only use for Thanksgiving. Don't like the finish of the table? Wrap a coordinating bed sheet around it to pull it into your design!

 

As an additional note, don't forget the impact of placing items such as pictures and mirrors above your headboard. The general rule of thumb is that the object or grouping of objects above the bed look best when they take up 2/3s of the available space. Correct proportions make all the difference!