The #1 Decorating Solution For Renters and Other Transients

I have a small spot in my heart for renters. It’s not as big as the spot for Schnapps bears, but one look at that link and it’s obvious why. But I really do sympathize with the plights of renters these days.

First of all, they have to constantly fear that a developer will come in to their building, then convert it in to $500,000+ condos, forcing them in to a seedier part of town. Until the forces of gentrification invade that neighborhood, and so on, until those who can’t afford to buy will be relegated to the Delaware River.

But some renters also have to put up with landlords who won’t allow one speck of color on the walls, producing depressing off-white rooms that marginalize your existence even further. One minute, you feel like a sassy grown-up, the next, you’re looking at the lone pathetic art reproduction poster illuminated by a torchier lamp and wondering what went wrong.

So I was excited when I saw the wall clings, discussed in the previous entry. But once I saw the gentrification-like price of those scraps of vinyl, I got angry. And while I may not be able to fight market forces, I can offer you a solution for your bare walls.

Look at the above left photo (of my office, as indicated by the coffee table books and rotary phone). You’re thinking “Well that sure is a busy wallpaper pattern. Did she steal that from the set of the Mary Tyler Moore show?”

But you're wrong. It's not wallpaper; it's $12 worth of fabric from the local crafts store, with a short length of pom-pom fringe. Underneath all of that color, is roughly 3-4 rolls of double-stick heavy-duty wall mounting tape. Put these items together, rope off about 3 hours of your evening, and your wall can also be enhanced by a little no-damage very cheap faux upholstery. (exhale)

I recommend applying the tape in three foot squares. Place the short end of the fabric length on the horizontal axis of the wall, pressing hard to make sure you get it nice and stuck to the tape. Proceed across the wall. Cover up any unsightly seams with fringe, or ribbon (this is why I advocate working horizontally). Try to use a fabric with a slight stretch to it- here I used a sort of lightweight flannel. The whole project set me back maybe $30. That price won't even get you a packet of wall clings.

NOTE: Obviously...applying zingy fabrics to the wall makes your entire room 10 times more flammable. Be careful with your novelty candles.

Dorm Residents: This is the perfect way to tone down the industrial, soviet bloc-style room you live in. It's also easily removable with a strong tug, in case the pesky RA enters.

Temporary Wall Decor

Available exclusively online through the Philadelphia-based company Urban Outfitters, the Blick Wall Sticks are temporary decals that you can apply to your walls for a small dose of movable cheer. Finally, a retailer extends the décor offerings for college students beyond butterfly chairs, scratchy x-long sheets and $20 milk crate containers.

These also are great for renters with particularly restrictive landlords (sidenote: forcing your inhabitants to live in rooms devoid of any color should be regarded as tenant abuse, in my opinion).

Do I think the wall graphics are a great idea? Yes. But I do have my reservations. First of all, the price point, at $38, is a bit high for essentially a piece of vinyl (this isn’t the highest price either- Target offers a similar package, but for $58). Fancy, but still cut vinyl. They also don’t offer you enough for your money—in order to make an effective design statement with these, you’d have to buy multiple packs.

I do have a much better solution, specifically for renters. The tips will be posted tonight at 10:30 p.m. (EST).

Make Your Furniture Work Harder, Even When You're Not

Behold the official Leisure Table. Okay, that is not its real name. This is actually the Usame side table by Kartell from minima (118 N. 3rd).

I call it the Leisure Table because it would be perfect for coffee-and-magazine time, which officially occurs between 7 and 10 p.m. just in case you didn't know. Adjust your schedule accordingly.

Meant to be used as a side table, bed tray or accent piece, Usame resists stains while adding much needed color or subtle femininity (Art Deco inspired flowers are etched in to its surface). Magazines fit in to a cut out compartment, and coffee...well that can go anywhere. No coasters necessary.

Modular Wallcovering.

One of the biggest trends last year was the InterfaceFlor Modular Carpet Tile System- with good reason, since it eliminated the circle of hell that is measuring for area carpeting. The customizable tiles made perfect sense for renters who wanted to add cheer to their apartments without incurring the wrath of a landlord, pet owners (each tile could be replaced easily) and those of us who can't commit to just one color of carpet.


Philadelphia-based MIO takes the modular concept one step further with their 3D wallcovering system. Each 12"x12" tile, made from recycled materials, is cut to produce a 3D effect. Mix and match the tiles (available in two styles: V2, left; and Flow) to create your own pattern.

Most use the tiles on just one area of a wall, but try tiling an entire room in one color. An entryway/foyer is an excellent place to start- just eliminate extraneous decorative accents. Juxtapose a traditional dining room set with walls covered in white V2 tiles. Keep the lighting low to soften the geometric effect.