My Hunt for a Lovely, Historic Apartment

If you've been following The Lovely Side on Facebook and Twitter, you're probably in the loop about the ups and downs of my Cedar Rapids apartment search. It's been a rollercoaster rental hunt - far more difficult than finding living arrangements in my former college town of Ames, where there were really no complexes or communities deemed 'that bad' in the grand scheme of things.

Apartment #1 | Cute late Victorian with water pressure, pilot light, and nearby neighborhood problems.

The first place I saw (above) was a unit on the second floor of a late Victorian. While it was cute, spacious, and in a decent neighborhood, the cons outweighed the pros. There were problems with the water pressure and stove's pilot light. There were not-so-lovely neighborhoods nearby. Traffic was a nightmare. And overall, I just got questionable vibes from the place. I had high hopes for the apartment - and it fit my price range - so it was disappointing to not feel impressed or even comfortable at the showing. I had a good cry about it and then hopped back on the apartment hunt.

Apartment #2 | Tiny studio in a historic building with huge windows and high ceilings, but with an outdated kitchen

The second place I saw (above) was an 'on a whim' showing. It was the max time/distance I was willing to commute, but the studio was located in a historic brick building that was once a school. So the historical element kept calling to me. The room I checked out had once been a classroom and still retained the original wood trim, built-in bookcase, high ceilings, and amazing windows. The kitchen was outdated and the efficiency quite small itself, but I loved its rich history, character, and tranquility. Unfortunately, another application was approved before mine and I missed out on the space. I made the mistake of getting a little too excited again - even brainstorming some space saving diy projects. So I shed a few tears and mourned the loss of my dream studio.

I was starting to lose hope that I could find a decent, historic apartment rich with character in a quiet, safe neighborhood within a twenty-minute drive to work... that I could also afford. I started thinking it was about time to go see some of the many "cookie-cutter" apartments I'd come across. But then I decided to go see one more place before reluctantly resorting to the normal, typical, contemporary apartments.

Apartment #3 | Located at the rear of the 2nd story of this Queen Anne house.  Since someone
is still residing in this apartment, I don't have any photos besides this view from the street.

The third place (in the house pictured above) was a second-floor unit in another Victorian house. A good, residential part of town just close enough to downtown without being too close for comfort and quiet. Small on space - a bedroom, large bathroom, and combined kitchen/living area. But amazing details like the original hardwood floors, trim, woodwork, doors, and clawfoot bathtub. The woodwork had me at hello. Since I'd gotten used to disappointment and rejection, I tried reeeeally hard to not get too attached. But the day after turning in my application, the landlord called to let me know I'd been approved and could set up a time to sign the lease!

Just to make sure everything was set in stone, I didn't want to reveal my apartment finding until I had actually signed the lease. But I signed it on Monday morning. :) On June 1, I'll be moving into the lovely little Queen Anne apartment and taking pictures to post on The Lovely Side right away. (I can't right now because the current tenant is still living there/moving out.) But seriously, I swear that I'll be posting them asap - before I even get furniture in the place so that you can see some Before's and After's.

I'm very excited to move in and decorate the place! I will have some limitations. The house is historic and the landlord has lots of restrictions on what can be done, but I'm confidant that I can craftily work around the rules and that I'll enjoy calling the cozy space my home sweet apartment for the next year or more. The neighborhood is full of other gorgeous Victorian houses - and several huge brick mansions. It's very residential and quiet. Driving down one of the brick roads, I saw lots of people out running and walking their dogs. I can't wait to stroll through the area myself, camera in tote snapping away at the historic homes.

Taking this job, leaving my lovely attic apartment and wonderful Ames friends behind, and relocating to a brand new city has been quite the leap of faith. It has had its ups and downs, tearful disappointments, and happy announcements. I'm feeling so blessed that everything has fallen together like it has - and thankful for my awesome bf who has let me crash with him until finding my own place. (...Much longer and I'd surely be turning his bachelor pad into a flowery, feminine mess. Haha.)

Two weeks, lovelies. Two weeks til I get to bathe in a vintage beauty of a clawfoot tub. Two weeks til you get to see my pretty little abode. Bear with me for two more weeks and I assure you that this blog will be bursting at the seems with decorating and diy projects. Yippee!

My 9 Favorite Small Space Solutions from Small Cool 2013's Teeny Tiny and Tiny Entries

Artful gallery wall. Kacey's DIY Decor

My favorite time of year in the blogosphere is Apartment Therapy's Small Cool Contest.  I was really hoping to be moved into a place in time enough time to enter this year, but I supposed there's always next year... My favorite entries are the Teeny Tiny and Tiny spaces because the dwellers have to get uber creative.  I've rounded up my 9 favorite small space solutions from Small Cool 2013.  (In no particular order.)

Above, Kacey makes a big, bold statement by jam-packing a wall with art, maps, and more framed in an eclectic mix of dark frames.  I love having something interesting to look at!

Angled furniture arrangement. Emily's Brownstone Studio

Furniture doesn't have to shoved up flush against the wall in tiny space.  I love how Emily played with angles in positioning much of the furniture in her studio.

Behind-the-curtains bookcase headboard. Caitlin's Treetop Daydreams

If I didn't have a phobia about things falling from shelves onto my head while sleeping, I would totally recreate this curtained, bookcase headboard.  Instead, I'll just admire from a safe distance. ;)

Ghost coffee table. Alexander's Small Space, Big Challenges

Aaahhh, ghost furniture.  The sleek transparency gives the illusion that the coffee table doesn't take up any floor space at all.  

Fireplace turned bookcase.  Jennifer's Exposed Brick Studio

I adore the idea of turning a non-usable fireplace into book storage.

Creative dining space. Joy's Less is Definitely More

Not all floorplans allow for a standalone table and chairs.  This tiny dining space is out of the way, but doesn't feel cramped or isolated. 

Above cabinet storage space. Luz's Lucky Location

That space above the cabinets?  Oh yea!  It's oft-forgotten, or even more often... used to store unsightly blender, toaster, and mixer boxes.  (C'mon, I know I'm not the only guilty one.)  From henceforth, I shall only store pretty things up there - and in an organized manner, too.

Mirrored doors and furniture. Leslie's Enchanting Sunlight

Here's a great example displaying how mirrors really do enlarge and open up a small space.

Vertical utensil storage on the wall. Xsusha's Creative Small Thinking

And lastly, I love the pots, pans, and utensils hung on rods across the kitchen walls.  It saves on space and keeps 'em within easy reach.

Vote for your favorite Small Cool 2013 spaces now!  (All photos in this post are from Apartment Therapy.)

Storm & Tornado Safety for Apartment Dwellers

Living in the Midwest, the threat of severe storms and tornadoes is all too real. Being an Iowa girl, I'm no stranger to the summertime storm sirens. Damaging winds, pummeling hail, flash floods, twisters, and fearsome lightning likely summer occurrences. Tragedies such as the recent devastation in Moore, Oklahoma hit close to home. My thoughts and prayers are with all of those who lost their lives, loved ones, and homes.

Since the season for severe weather is upon us, I thought I'd round up a few safety tips for renters.  Tornadoes often come swiftly and without much warning, so take weather warnings and conditions seriously. Having a plan in place will better protect you in the event of a tornado.

If you live on the upper floor of an apartment building, get to the lowest level you can as fast as you can: an underground parking garage, basement room, or neighbor's lower level unit.  If you live in a high-rise building, there may not be enough time for you to get to the lowest level... or even a lower level. Try to get to a hallway in the center of the building. Closets, bathrooms, and interior hallways are the safest spots in your apartment. Always pick a place without or as far away from windows as possible.

In the event of a tornado, put on a pair of shoes if you have time. In your safe spot, cover yourself with blankets and pillows. Get underneath a mattress, heavy piece of furniture, or large table for extra protection from falling objects and flying debris. Wear a bike, baseball, or similar helmet if you have one available - it will help to protect your head from any falling objects or flying debris.

It's never a bad idea to have a survival kit in your apartment, too. Fill a plastic toolbox with a flashlight, extra batteries, first aid items, a bottle of water, and anything else you might need handy in the event of an emergency.

For more detailed advice about your specific apartment, ask your property manager or landlord if there are any storm shelters in the building or designated safe spots in the complex. 

Stay safe out there, lovelies!

Book Giveaway! | Win a Copy of Suzanne Young's The Program

Happy Tuesday, lovelies!  I'm pleased to announce that The Lovely Side has teamed up with Simon Teen  for another book giveaway... and just in time for summer! Whether you're looking for a beach read or something to devour while jet-setting, The Program by Suzanne Young should shoot right to the top of your list. We're giving away two copies! 

About The Program

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

About the Author

Suzanne Young currently lives in Tempe, Arizona, where she teaches high school English. When not writing obsessively, Suzanne can be found searching her own tragic memories for inspiration. She is the author of several books for teens, including The Program, A Need So Beautiful, and A Want So Wicked. 

Read a teaser excerpt from The Program below!

Simon Teen is generously giving 2 lucky readers of The Lovely Side a copy of The Program by Suzanne Young!

How to Enter:

1. Leave a comment on this blog post with your name and a valid email address.  Plus, tell me where you'll be doing most of your reading this summer.  Pool side?  On a plane on your way to Paris?  In the backyard?  Between summer classes? (Email address is required.  Without an email address, I won't be able to reach you.  If you're worried about spam, please use (at) or [dotcom] tactics instead of @ and .com.  Entries without an email address will not be entered.)  Enter via the Facebook comment form and I'll double your comment entry so that you're twice as likely to win! ;)

2.  You can also enter by tweeting about this giveaway.  Be sure to mention @TheLovelySide and tag #TheProgram so that I see your tweet.  (Be sure that private messages are allowed on your Twitter privacy settings so that I can reach you if you're selected as a winner.) 

3.  Two winners will be chosen: one comment and one tweet.  Feel free to both comment and tweet.  (But you can only comment once and tweet once.) 

4.  All comments and tweets must be posted by NOON on Friday, May 31st.  The 2 winners will be notified that afternoon.  Check your private messages on Twitter and your email inbox as I'll be getting in touch that afternoon.  :)

5.  Giveaway limited to residents of the United States.

6.  This isn't required, but if you win... I'd love to hear what you think of the book after you read it!

Good luck, bookworms!  While you anxiously await the winner announcement, 

Like Simon Teen on Facebook | Follow Simon Teen on Twitter

Visit Suzanne Young's Blog | Follow Suzanne Young on Twitter

Check Out the Official Site of The Program Series

Be Still My Heart: Clawfoot Bathtubs

 

Clawfoot bathtubs. Those two words summon such lovely images to mind. These vintage beauties stem from my deep-rooted love of all things Victorian. And it is with great pleasure that I can say my new apartment has one in its bathroom. You can bet that one of first things I do after moving in will be filling that clawfoot tub with bubble bath and sinking in with a good book and perhaps a glass of mead. I am so excited. 

I don't have photos of my new place yet. (Someone is still living there through the end of the month.) So I rounded up ten gorgeous clawfoot tubs to inspire my decorating ideas and to whet your appetite until the day I get to share mine. :) Enjoy!

I love the rustic cottage feel of this one.  The shelves keep essentials like towels, candles, and bubble bath within easy reach.  And the primitive little stool is an adorable offset to the tub's lovely curves. 

This is very similar to what my tub looks like—black base, white interior.  Mine also has a metal fixture that includes a shower head.  I love the fresh, floral, femininity in this bathroom.  

And here's another tub like mine, but in a more rustic setting. The hardwood floors and white painted brick in this space makes me swoon—especially with details like rustic shelving and the exposed pipes. It's cozy and industrial at the same time. 

Oh, oh, oh. I LOVE the mural in this bathroom. It is reminiscent of ancient murals found in the buried villas of Pompeii. So pretty. The shade of faded emerald is gorgeous, too. It couldn't get more perfect. 

I love everything about this bathroom. The handsome hardwood floors, the radiator, and the natural light pouring in through the window catching the metallic gleam on the sink, bathtub, and shelves. Understated and absolutely lovely.

This bathroom is cute! The authentic black and white vintage tiling caught my attention from the get-go.  I love the long, skinny shelves lined with candles and what look to be glass jars filled with seashells. The splashes of color in here are lovely, too: hot pink, mustard, pale turquoise, orange. 

Simple can go a long way in letting the vintage character of a place speak for itself. The radiator, vintage subway tiling, and clawfoot tub take center stage here. I love how the ruffled shower curtain softens the space with a feminine touch. The little round stool is perfect. And the pop of green wallpaper at the top right is such a pretty little surprise of pattern. 

Ooooh, I'm loving the vintage vibes surrounding this green clawfoot tub.  The stool, glass bottles, and diagram artwork feel apothecary chic.  

I saved this one for last because it contains some of the same hues I'll be putting to use in my bathroom decor: white, gray, and yellow.  

When I created the above Olioboard as an inspiration board for decorating my future apartment bathroom using the shower curtain and accessories I already have... throwing in the clawfoot tub was really just wishful thinking. I can hardly believe that I'm actually going to have a clawfoot tub! 

So spill. Which of you lovely readers have lived with and enjoyed a clawfoot tub? :) I'm in for a treat, right?

Apartment Hunting: Reality Check

Hello from eastern Iowa!  I know I've been missing from the blogosphere for, well... too long.  So I figured I'd drop in and give you an update as to why.  To make a long story short: I landed a web content writing job two hours away from where I was living in Ames.  So in a mere two weeks I had to wrap things up at my social media job, pack up my attic apartment, and move all my stuff back home to my parents' place where it would stay until I found a place of my own.  

Last week was my first week on the new job.  It was a whirlwind week of training, navigating rush hour traffic, and a major apartment disappointment.  

Let's zero in on the apartment disappointment.  I'd been "virtually" apartment hunting in the two weeks leading up to my new job, but it hadn't yielded many results.  And being unfamiliar with the new city, I wasn't actually sure what the good, quiet, safe neighborhoods were vs. the questionable areas.  I found one place that seemed really promising.  A one-bedroom apartment on the second floor of a big old Victorian house in Cedar Rapids. I corresponded with the landlord back and forth, filled out the application, and really had my hopes up about the apartment.  After my first day of work, I went and checked it out.

I snapped some pictures while I was there.  

I liked that the kitchen was all white, included a newer fridge, and had a little window... but I wasn't crazy about the fact that the stove's pilot light kept needing re-lighting.  Plus, I can do without a dishwasher... but not without counter space.

The bedroom was a good size and had lots of natural lighting.
(Excuse the mess... the current tenants were moving out.)

The window in the bedroom was large, but it looked out onto a unkempt back alley behind
the houses in the neighborhood.   Also, the closet was reeeeally quite too small for me.

I did love the large, spacious living room with its huge windows.
But the windows once again overlooked an unkempt back yard. 

The bathroom was huge.  It included several things I'd
need to turn into projects---like the peeling blue/white wallpaper.   

But the windows inside the shower was a huge issue.  The paint was cracking and peeling and the windows
just didn't look like they were in very good condition due to all the moisture from the shower all the time.

It wasn't an all out nightmare, but it was a pretty big disappointment and reality check.  It did have some perks:

• Victorian Charm.  Similar to my attic space but in better condition.  No cracked walls or ceilings.  Freshly painted.  Decent carpeting.  High ceilings.  Big windows.  Lots of character.
  
  
• Tenants My Age.  It's easier to make friends in a new place when you have something like age in common with your neighbors.
  
  
• Pretty Neighborhood.  Other lovely Victorians houses all around.  A playground across the street.
   
• Near Downtown.  Proximity to lots of dining and shopping options.
  
  
• Good Price.  Not inexpensive by any means, but not unreasonable either.  It was priced well and included most utilities.  

But that's where the similarities stopped and the drawbacks started piling up.

• Lack of Parking.  There was hardly a spot big enough for my bulky SUV... let alone space for the vehicle of the visiting bf, friend, or family member.  Additionally, there was no street parking or additional parking lots nearby either.
  
  
• Rear View Woes.  The apartment was located at the back of the second floor rather than the front.  this isn't a major tragedy, but I didn't find it aesthetically pleasing or particularly inspiring to have a scenic view of the junky back alley behind the house.
  
  
• Pilot Lights. Apparently, the pilot light kept going out on the stove top.  I don't think that's a good thing.  And I have a super paranoia about things blowing up.
  
  
• Troubled Waters.  During the showing, there was no water.  I guess it'd been turned off to fix some water pressure issues.  Water pressure and working faucets is always something I check when looking at a prospective new place.
  
  
• Scary Cellar.  The washer and dryer was located in the basement, which was fine at my old place.  (The basement at my old place was finished and really not creepy considering it was a 100+ year old house.)  The basement in this place was totally unfinished, totally exposed, and totally creepy.  Looking at some of the wiring made me a little uneasy as well.
  
  
• Worries in the 'Hood.  As quiet and charming as the block was, not-so-charming blocks were sprinkled throughout the neighborhoods.  The place was just a little too close to sketchy areas and downtown for my comfort.  This new city is two times the size of my cozy, familiar college town.  
  
  
• Traffic Nightmare.  Getting to this place was an absolute nightmare.  Granted, it was rush hour, too... but one-way streets and road construction made getting around quite a hassle.  
  
  
• Student Tenants.  The apartment was near a college, so full of student tenants.  While I don't object to living near people close to me in age, I do feel like I've outgrown the "college scene."  I just moved out of an apartment on the party/bar street of my college town.  I want to be surrounded by young professionals as opposed to partying students.
  
  
• Gut Feeling.  The biggest drawback to this place was my gut feeling.  I just had a bad feeling about the place and about the neighborhood.

The apartment showing threw me for a loop.  I really thought this place was it.  I guess I'd jumped the gun on thinking I'd found a place so easily, so quickly, and for a reasonable price.  I felt overwhelmed, discouraged, and most of all frightened that I'd never find a place here that feels like home as much as my attic apartment in Ames did.  In Ames, I guess I was spoiled with an older home that had been very well taken care of with a finished basement, updated appliances, and a renovated kitchen.  That wasn't the case with this other place.

I had a good cry about it and then let it go.  And so I'm back to the apartment hunt.

Luckily, my bf lives forty minutes from my new workplace and is so gracious as to put up with me for a few weeks until I find the right place. Some friends who are familiar with the area have given me suggestions.  And some really nice people at the new job are pointing me to good apartment complexes as well.  I have a brand new list full of apartments to check out this week.  

I'm in such a hurry to find my own place, settle in, and start making it into my first apartment home that's completely mine and roommate free.  I can't wait to start posting about a new apartment and new decorating and new projects!  But I have to be patience and I have to be picky to make sure I end up in a place I'll really love for the next year.

I'll keep you updated on the hunt and the (hopefully soon) apartment find!

Adorable Rolling Book Truck | Furniture Fetish

I stumbled upon this adorable piece of furniture on Pinterest today.  It's perfectly retro and I just have to gush about it.  The Flat Shelf Book Truck, available via School Outfitters, is a modern piece of furniture reminiscent of vintage school libraries.

What I love about it (besides the sixteen delightful colors it comes in) is its versatility.  You could use this darling as a bookshelf, nightstand, side table, entertainment center if you have a small flat screen, mobile desk space, vanity, bathroom storage, dry bar, kitchen cart, etc.

I had a little bit of fun styling my four favorite colors of the book truck on Olioboard.

 Left: Old School Library, Right: Vintage Feminine

Left: Working It in Bold, Right: Neutral Chic

The piece normally runs for $444, which is a little pricey for a college/young professional budget... yet not bad considering the use you could get out of it.  But right now it's on sale for just under $296.99!  If I had the extra $300 laying around right now, you can bet I'd be jumping on that deal and buying one of these darlings shelves for my new place.  *sigh*  I'll just hope the sale lasts a couple months.  ;)  In the meantime, you should let me know which color is your favorite!  (...And let me know if you buy one!  Though I'll be mighty jealous!)