Home sweet rental home: Make it yours and keep the landlord happy

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press • April 9, 2016

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Colorful adhesive tiles from Mirth for an entry, bathroom or kitchen.  Photo  Courtesy of Mirth.

Renting. It's a lot like moving into a home that you own. Almost.

You want to repaint the walls. Replace the carpeting.  Hang some artwork.  Update the kitchen. Get new window treatments. Toss out the grungy switch plates. And a lot more.

In other words: you want and need to make the space your own.

But there is the landlord to think about.

Changing drawer and cabinet pulls to personalize your rental decor. Photo courtesy of Anthropologie.

Maybe you have sold a home and have temporarily moved into a rental space until you decide what to do with the rest of your home-owning life.  Perhaps you are a boomer and plan to free yourself of the responsibility, throw caution to the wind and travel for the rest of your life and keep a rental apartment as a place to come home to. As a Southwest Florida interior decorator,  I've had clients in both rental situations. And many more.

Eventually, we all seem to end up in a rental home for the long or short term.  And the fine line between making it your own and crossing over to where the landlord decides not to give you the deposit back when you leave...well the lines can be a bit blurry.

Before you paint that red accent wall in the entry, you may want to consider a few rental-friendly tips that will have you saying "home sweet home" in no time. And even if you never plan to rent, these tips will serve you well if you are in a temporary situation or just don't have the budget to do everything right now.

It's only paint

It an accent wall or a bathroom with color on the walls will make you happy, do it. Just be prepared to paint it back in a neutral tone when you leave. This alone, can make all the difference in how you feel about your rental space.

Accents

Drawer and cabinet pulls will change your kitchen and bathrooms. Replace them with something that you like and take them with you when you leave. And while you are at it, dump the old switch plates and replace them with new ones. Favorite: the colorful Nannette pull from Anthropologie. 

Change the flooring (some of it).

Peel and stick floor tiles have been around for a while but today, you can find a selection that is colorful and fun. And easy to apply. Sources: Mirth Studio and Home Depot. Try this in an entry, bathroom or kitchen to completely change the look.

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Pottery Barn's Lucianna Medallion pole pocket drape  is a great "fix" to add your own look to windows or sliders. Photo courtesy of Pottery Barn.

Window treatments

These are often the worst part of what a landlord leaves for tenants. At best, you may have not so attractive blinds. But this is where you can put some fabric and color into your decor. Invest in some drapes. Or at least drapery panels to give your rooms a little love. One of my favorite, inexpensive go to sources:  the Moorish tiles drapes at Pier One. Or the Lucianna medallion-pole-pocket-drape from Pottery Barn. They come in a variety of colors and great for a temporary fix.

Kitchen backsplash

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For a tile look, Tic Tac adhesive tiles. Photo courtesy of Tic Tac Tiles.

This is one of my favorite fixes. Since I always spec a neutral backsplash for my clients when redoing their kitchen, I love the fact that you can do the same thing with Tic Tac adhesive tiles or the Smart Tiles from Home Depot. Completely change the look of your kitchen and remove them when you leave.

You won't believe it's removable wallpaper

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ReUsable wallpaper tiles by Hygge and West are removable so you can take them when you leave your rental or enjoy them for a long time. Photo courtesy of Hygge  and West.

You would be surprised to know how many of my clients use this in part-time homes or if they just aren't sure about using wallpaper. And the result: spectacular. You can find these in Target, Bed, Bath and Beyond and other big box home stores. They vary in quantity and in price depending upon how much you want to invest.  My favorite is Hygge and West.  These removable wallpaper tiles can go with you and are reusable. And you will want to reuse them. Beautiful colors and designs that are ideal for renters and temporary installations. A game- changer for a rental property.

Lighting

Overhead lighting may not be the best in your rental home. So invest in a few floor lamps that warm up your rooms. And they will go with you to your next home. If the builder's grade lighting in the bathroom is not working for you, try a lamp on the counter to tone down the glare. Or invest in inexpensive lighting over your mirror.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and certified gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. Home Inspirations appears the first Saturday of each month. Visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

He said, she said...solutions for creating home sweet home when conflicts arise

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press • March 5, 2016

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Classic and timeless, this elegant bedroom appeals to both sexes. Photo Courtesy of the Henredon Interior Showroom, Hickory Chair Collection.

It was a Saturday morning. One of my favorite, longtime clients called and asked me (begged me) to please head for a local furniture showroom. She and her husband had squared off in opposite corners and could not agree on a piece of furniture to go in a room that had been recently remodeled.

This final selection was one they thought they could do on their own without my help. But they could not agree.

When I arrived, they were not happy. I gathered them both together and the husband said the final decision was mine because they could not possibly agree and he was tired of fighting. So, we worked it out and there was a compromise. Life went on and I am certain they are still married.

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Deep tones with rich textures are an ideal compromise between traditional and contemporary tastes. Photo credit: Courtesy of the Henredon Interior Showroom, Hickory Chair Collection.

These challenges are not uncommon. And sometimes in this profession, we are psychologists, marriage counselors and someone to just listen.

Whether it's between spouses, roommates, a parent and child who has moved back home, in-laws in the home or many other configurations of the way we live, conflicts about space are normal.

Maybe two separate households are merging. The conflicts can range from who takes the trash out to how the animal heads on the wall are to blend with the Lilly Pulitzer print drapes.

The bottom line: communication.

I can work with a couple on paint color and tell you exactly how they communicate.

My suggestion when bringing any two people together to decorate a home: diplomacy, humor and some basic respect.

Interior designer, Diane Torrisi, presented a lively "He said, She said" seminar with the Henredon showroom this past week at Miromar Design Center. Along with designer Dirk Anderson, she emphasized the importance of compromise in making home interiors functional for all members of the residence. 

"Compromise is a way of giving up something, most often in order to gain something else." Diane Torrisi of Diane Torrisi Designs

As a Southwest Florida interior decorator, I have strategies that I use to help create a "home sweet home" when there are disagreements. Some of these might help if decorating conflicts happen in your home!

Soft hues as a backdrop with beautiful gender neutral furnishings and accessories. Photo Courtesy of the Henredon Interior Showroom, Hickory Chair Collection.

Do your work before the designer arrives.

Together, look through magazines, set up Pinterest boards, shop (together). Get an idea of where you agree, disagree and where there may be room for compromise.

He likes contemporary, she likes traditional

One of my go-to-sources for seeking examples of compromise is Restoration Hardware. Great examples of a rather utilitarian, minimalist look that allows for pretty accessories to smooth out the look. This helps to define what you can and can't live with.

Color conflict

I encounter this daily. And it's also important to remember that people see color differently. It's very complicated. If one wants tropical colors and the other wants neutral, I usually suggest whites or grays for walls and color in accessories and fabric.

Gender-neutral

Color is no longer quite so gender specific. Many rooms done in reds, blues, greens and earthy tones satisfy both sexes.

No way am I having a recliner

These are not your parent's Barcaloungers. Now they are streamlined and you can't tell they are recliners. Pick out a pretty one and upholster it in a gorgeous fabric. Compromise!

His space/her space

Man caves and she sheds have helped to solve some of these issues. But let's face it, most homes do not allow space for these luxuries. So create a his and her space in the home. A nook or area where each may have their own "stuff." A yoga area for her. A TV area for him.

Merging lives, merging space

This can be tricky. He has his stuff. She has hers. Honestly, it seems to work best when the two start off with a new space that can be "theirs." then go through what might work and what should go. And now, it's time to make new purchases together.

Pick your battles

Some disagreements are not that important. Figure out what you can live with, compromise and go from there. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you have a happy home to call your own and that you are sharing it with someone that you care about.  And when all else fails, call a decorator or designer. We are really good at providing creative solutions to decorating conflicts!

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and certified gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. Home Inspirations appears the first Saturday of each month. Visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

Mini makeover tips for a big change

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press • February 6, 2016

Is your home feeling, well, a little boring?

It happens the first couple of months of every new year. The sparkle has all gone and here we are, back to the same old house.  And a few cloudy, rainy days that we have had lately are enough to make us spoiled Southwest Florida residents screaming for something to brighten things up a bit.

Your home needs, well, a new vibe. Some color. Some wow.

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Claire Scarf print bedding from Pottery Barn makes a colorful splash in this bedroom along with Lara chandelier made of handblown glass on an iron frame. The Zimmer trunk is a nice accent piece with a mahogany frame accented with hand-hammered aluminum edging and leather handles. Photo: Pottery Barn.

Some of my favorite makeover tricks that I use for my clients might be exactly what you need to take it from the same old house to a happy, refreshed home. Here are a few changes that result in a big impact:

New color palette

Many of my clients are painting their interiors in whites and neutrals. So, reimagine a new color palette in your home. A splash here and there to give it a little wow factor. New sofa pillows in a springy color. And this is a great time to replace your master bedroom linens. Vibrant new comforter or duvet, sheets, rugs. It changes everything. Maybe even how you sleep!

Rearrange a room

Is a living room or a den bothering you? Take everything out of the room. Seriously. Give it a deep cleaning. Put everything back with a few changes. Declutter. Maybe you arrange the furniture so that the flow and conversation area works better. Add a green tree or plant in a forgotten corner and string some white, twinkly lights (you know you are missing these from the holidays).

Add some contrast

Pick a new color palette! Bold and beautiful patterns have been used to create bedding, pillows and more from Pottery Barn for this first collection of it's kind. Photo: Pottery Barn.

If wow is what you are looking for, this is my favorite, inexpensive trick. Paint the baseboards and trim a contrasting color. It will make your walls pop and it gives the room a completely new look.

Shed some light on your rooms

Evaluate lighting.  It's amazing but 80% of the homes I visit do not have enough light. Two lamps in each room. That's not enough!  Most rooms need six sources of light. This one is really easy. And while you are at it, increase the bulb strength.

Need some drama?

When was the last time you purchased new lamp shades? I thought so. And try something different. Like black. Seriously, they are beautiful. And dramatic.

Rotate your artwork

Instead of putting it all out at once and creating visual overload, rotate it seasonally. Think about different ways to rearrange it. For example, on a fireplace mantle, leanpieces against the wall instead of hanging.

Style a bookcase

Paint or wallpaper the back wall of the bookcase. Rearrange books in combination with pottery, favorite collectibles to add visual interest.

Just try one small makeover for your home and see what a difference it makes!   

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Welcome Home

And speaking of makeovers, it was time for me to practice what I tell my clients and do my own. As a Fort Myers interior designer, my mantra is to let  go of what no longer works to make space for something better and more beautiful.  It takes courage to embark on a makeover. We all want an amazing, blissful and beautiful space. It means that you have to be fearless. Whether designing a room in your home or a new website. And that's what I did. You be the judge. Visit spectacularspaces.com and tell me what you think of my site makeover.

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Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator. Home Inspirations appears the first Saturday of each month. Visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

Time for my own makeover

It was time. Past time. I needed to practice what I tell my clients and do a complete makeover.

So, I collaborated once again with Squarespace web designer and someone who has become my good friend, Melody Watson.

Melody does for me what I try to do for my Southwest Florida clients every day. She inspires me to think outside the box. Encourages me to let let go of what no longer works for me and to make space for something better and more beautiful.  As a Fort Myers-based interior decorator and News-Press writer of all things design-oriented, this is my mantra.

It takes courage to embark on a makeover. We all want an amazing, blissful and beautiful space. It takes a lot of trust in your designer and you have to be fearless. Whether designing a room in your home or a new website.

I always ask my clients to tell me how they want their home to feel l when they walk in the front door. And then I work with them create that feeling. And it was that way with this new website.  I told Melody the feeling I wanted to convey and she helped me get there.

Having always been rather fearless, it took trusting my designer to help me create a new, refreshed Spectacular Spaces.  You be the judge!

Simply white: How to get it right in your home

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press • November 14, 2015

When Benjamin Moore recently announced its 2016 Color of the Year – Simply White OC-117, there was a lot of surprise among designers and homeowners. Many wondered why Benjamin Moore had selected a color that was lacking in color. Others love it for its versatile, crisp, cleanliness.

 All white family room walls are done in Simply White )C-117, matte finish. Trim is Simply White semi gloss. Photo: Benjamin Moore.

At the same time, the company also unveiled Color Trends 2016, a corresponding palette of 23 colors to illustrate how white works within the color spectrum. The selections include a variety of yummy hues like Lemonade, Patriot Blue, French Press, Creme Puff, Ravishing Redand Gentle Violet. And this is where white really shines.

Where do these trends come from?

The Benjamin Moore Color Studio forecasts color trends after a year of research attending major industry shows around the world, while also taking cues from standouts in architecture, fashion, textiles, home furnishings and the arts. White transcends style, and is seen in traditional, transitional and modern interiors.

White with a pop of cheerful yellow. Accent wall in Banana Yellow 2022-40, eggshell finish.  Wall and ceiling in Paper White OC-55, eggshell finish. Ceiling in Waterborne Ceiling Paint, ultra-flat finish. Photo: Benjamin Moore.

As a Fort Myers interior decorator who spends every waking moment thinking about color and creating color palettes for my clients, I can tell you two things about white:

·       It's not boring. That would be beige but not white. It's like an artist's canvas. Start with white and you can go anywhere without a commitment that will come back to haunt you. And there is no color that doesn't work with white. The right white.

Create a beautiful color palette for your home using white and Benjamin Moore's Color Trends for 2016. Photo: Benjamin Moore.

·       Depending upon the room, the light, the furnishings, the artwork, white can be bit tricky to pull off.  Done well, it's spectacular. Done poorly, it leaves a lot to be desired. I like to start with white as a backdrop and build the room from there with lots of texture, accents and accessories.

My favorite white rooms

·       Master bathrooms. No color gives a master bath a cleaner, more spa-like feel that white. Combine it with white tile, towels, rugs, accessories and beautiful white sconces and you have a total makeover.

·       Kitchens. Dark flooring, white cabinets and countertops, stainless pendant lighting, white or stainless appliances. Perhaps a yellow or blue accent wall. Beautiful.

Try either of these options and you will have friends asking for the name of your interior decorator.

Add drama to a white room with a wall done in Mascarpone AF-20, eggshell finish. Entry is in Royal Flush 2076-20 in eggshell finish. Trim (semi gloss) and door (satin finish) in Ballet White OC-9. Photo: Benjamin Moore.

If you are thinking about a white room in your home

·       White can be very dramatic by itself or with accent walls or just the right furnishings.

·       White gives you a chance to start with a clean palette. To experiment with other colors, accent walls. All without the commitment of an expensive wallpaper.

·       Yes, white is a color.  There are 200 whites at Benjamin Moore. Five of the top ten selling paints in their collection are whites.

·       Beware of undertones. Yes, those pesky shades of green, pink, blue, gray...depending upon the color and the lighting. Get around making a mistake by painting a portion of a wall as a test and check it out as the light changes during the day. This is something that I tell my clients to do with any color but with white it's especially important.

·       White is forgiving. It can make flaws in your walls fade away where a bright color calls attention to every detail.

·       If white frightens you, start with white sofas, chairs. Then see if you want to go further. White can be in your accessories and furnishings. It does not have to be on your walls.

·       A white room requires lots of textures and accessories. My favorite: white walls, dark flooring, area rugs,  white comfy sofas, lots of colorful pillows, green plants, colorful art on walls,  white shutters. This is a room that if pulled together correctly, screams "come in and make yourself at home."

And that's what it's all about.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator. Her column, Home Inspirations appears the first Saturday of each month. Visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

Trends from High Point Market: Bold, fearless and flirty with a touch of Bohemian

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press • November 14, 2015

Once again I was at High Point Furniture Market in North Carolina. That glorious Disneyland for interior designers.

Trying to cover 11.5 million square feet of show space and tens of thousands of new product introductions. I was there along with 75,000 other designers and buyers in 180 buildings that provide dazzling displays of thousands of everything beautiful for your home.

If you can't find it here, it likely doesn't exist. Despite the miles that I put on my new, sensible walking shoes, I couldn't possibly cover all of the showrooms filled with gorgeous, pretty things. But I tried.

Upholstered seating with clean lines, bright color tones and bold patterns feature geometric and abstract designs. Sleek and comfortable sectional seating is iconic to mid-century styling and is functional for entertaining. From Lexington Home Brand's Take Five Collection. Photo: Courtesy of Lexington Home Brands.

Market, as it is called, takes place for one week each fall and spring. There are opportunities to take courses from experts and chances to meet favorite designers and television personalities. As a Fort Myers interior decorator, this is where I go for design inspiration. To look for new ways of creating beautiful rooms and to shop for my clients who are looking for something new and fresh. Whether it is an eclectic piece to be used as a focal point in a room or for to shop for furnishings and accessories for an entire home.

So take a trip with me as I offer a peek at a few of the amazing, edgy, stunning new trends that I saw at Market. You will soon be seeing these in your favorite retail spots and magazines.

The day before Market, I had a chance to visit Furnitureland South and had a little sneak preview of what the coming trends would be. Ron Bristow, Lexington Home Brands showroom manager, summed it up: "a touch of mid-century modern, clean lines and scale, animal prints, geometrics."

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A chic ottoman with a brass-plated stainless steel base and polished acrylic legs, upholstered in Australian sheepskin. From Lexington Home Brand's Take Five Collection.  Photo: Courtesy of Lexington Home Brands.

And this set the tone for what was to come.

My Favorite Trends:

• Singing the blues: from the most muted shades to the most vibrant sapphires and indigo tones.
• Less is more: a minimalist approach to upholstered chairs with open backs and arms. Sexy!
• Fashion forward: Home interiors are following fashion more than ever. If it's on the runway, plan on seeing it in your favorite shop or showroom very soon.
• Gold rush: It's back and there's lots of it. Furniture, lighting and accessories.
• Color, color, color: fearless color.
• Mirror, mirror on the wall: and mirrored furniture.
• Go natural: quartz, agate, natural materials in lighting and furnishings.
• Practical, streamlined and sexy: Comfort with a flirty flair. Redefined mid-century modern.
• In the pink: Variations in tones with hues from the 1980's.
• Go wild: Animal prints and faux fur on everything!
• Organic: Textures and patterns that reflect the outdoors and landscape. Tranquil colors that make us feel calm.
• Decadence: Lots of luxury and vintage glamour with nods to European tradition.

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A nod to decadent luxury and vintage glamour with a deep sense of nostalgia. ReflectingEuropean tradition, the trend is feminine and indulgent. Photo courtesy of Surya.

• Art walls: for photos or a collection.
• Forget plain and boring: Patterned lampshades for indoors and outdoors.

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Inspired by the colors and artisanal designs of African tribal textures, this Kuba collection from Surya is expressive and free spirited with a sense of cultural heritage passed down through generations. Photo courtesy of Surya.

You don't want to change your entire home because of trends. But a few touches here and there will give it a fresh look. And who doesn't want that?

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator. Her column, Home Inspirations appears the first Saturday of each month. Visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

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Want to come home to a spectacular space? Call me!
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