Latest news with #Gatsby-esque
Irish Examiner
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
See the home of vintage treasure hunter Katrina Carroll
By the time Katrina Carroll had gut-renovated a three-bed semi-detached house in Walkinstown in Dublin, there were limited funds for decoration. Lucky then, the Instagram content creator was a bona fide treasure hunter and had been since finding a second-hand Mousetrap game at her first jumble sale in 1991. Nothing in Katrina's house is 'just stuff' — and everything has a story. Whether those stories are true or not is still to be determined… Walking up to this 1962 house, the eye is immediately drawn to the original stained-glass windows in the door. In the hallway hangs an early 20th-century telephone she picked up from Buenos Aires that may or may not have belonged to the kingpin of a drugs empire; he who shall not be named. Or the 1950s cigar box from a 'gentleman's club' in Amsterdam. The hallway, left, and top right, the antique telephone, and below, the 1950s cigar box. Oh, the stories they could tell. 'Can you only imagine what that box has seen?' says Katrina. It's one of many times my imagination runs wild in this weird and wonderful abode. When Katrina and her husband moved into their home, there was a lot of work that needed to be done. 'We had to gut the whole place. "It hadn't been lived in for a few years. We were lucky upstairs. We were able to keep the original floorboards,' says Katrina. Bar the floors in these two rooms, the couple essentially had to start from scratch. 'The rest of the house had to be replastered, rewired. The sitting room. "We put in new windows and new doors, and by the time you do that, the guts of 40 or 50 grand is gone,' she says. Proprietor of a vintage clothing shop (Preloved by Shay & Jo), Katrina pours her personality into her home decor and she's perfected a formula for flair. Adding some Gatsby-esque luxe is a beautifully worn bronze bar cart, its marble top populated with a cornucopia of coloured glasses and captivating decanters, including a grape-shaped azure blue jug. 'Do you remember Dublin Flea? I miss that something terrible. "We don't drink that much, but when I saw this drinks trolley, I had to have it. It was only €25 and all my glasses are from charity shops or vintage shops on eBay,' says Katrina. Every interior design aficionado worth her salt appreciates the value of mid-century design. The sleek, streamlined design of a 1950s tallboy meshes beautifully with the arresting design of the room: 'My next-door neighbour contacted me and said her great aunt was getting rid of this tallboy from the 50s and would I like it? I just think it has so much character.' Kat's hallway and top, a cigar box, and below, Kat's vintage cameras. Switches in Katrina's hallway. If you don't follow @vintageirishkat on Instagram, are you even an interior design fan? A flair for the dramatic is evident in Katrina's reels, taking her followers on MTV Cribs-style tours of the space, doing DIY tutorials and calling out her haters. Tap dancing into the kitchen, she reads or posts comments from trolls and then frolics around the room to Lily Allen's 'F*ck You'. Sometimes her dad gets involved, too. Detail in Katrina's kitchen. Katrina's effervescent nature is underpinned by a curiosity for the world around her. She lives her life through a lens, documenting her renovating and decorating hacks on social media so it was no surprise to see cameras and phones popping up as a motif through the house tour, some dating as far back as the early 1900s. Forget spending hundreds on mass-produced prints, a simple hack to create an eye-catching gallery wall is to frame vinyl covers. 'I find all of these in charity shops,' says Katrina. 'I don't think people realise they make great art for the walls. They make a great statement wall on a budget, you know. I guess the frames are €8 in Flying Tiger.' Katrina's bedroom. Leaning into the golden era of the 80s, Katrina is not averse to a two-piece power skirt suit, taffeta prom dress or retro overalls paired with a jaunty Peter Pan collar. I lock eyes with some true icons of the 80s. My hips feel looser; I'm in Footloose, Flashdance, I'm Mick Jagger for a minute. This is the Vintage Irish Kat effect. A cheeky Rod Stewart raises a toast with a champagne saucer. Tesla Girls, Diana Ross, Blondie, and Nancy Sinatra album covers are framed, too. Is it a sitting room? Is it a dancehall? Is it a club? No, it's super room. A cabinet/TV stand in the sitting room. As wallflowers recoil in horror from wallpaper, vintage aficionados like Katrina run towards it — in sparkly Mary Janes, of course. Her living room has palm tree wallpaper to complement the dark forest-green paint from Nordic brand Tikkurila which she bought in Carlow Paint Hub. Katrina's antique Singer sewing machine. The downstairs bathroom's pink patterned paper is offset by an overhead disco ball. C'est chic, le freak. 'I only watched 'Mad Men' last year, and it really inspired me,' says Katrina. 'I started changing my house because the interiors [in the show] were to die for. I wanted a 70s cabin feel for the living room. I get all my wallpaper from Wallpaper from the 70s. They do amazing replicas of retro patterns.' The hallway in Katrina's home. That being said, Katrina doesn't want her home to feel like a relic of times past but more of a love letter to her favourite decades: 'I want people to come in and go: 'Well, she loves vintage' — but it's a vibe, you know? 'The window shutters are one of my favourite modern pieces. I've sash windows on the front, and then the shutters are on the inside.' Another item Katrina adores is a TV unit she bought second-hand in the UK. 'This had so many makeovers, this little TV unit but I bought this when I lived in London on eBay,' she says. 'My husband and his friend went to collect it from this really rich lady in Chelsea. She was living in this little apartment place, and she was downsizing. "She had bought it in a flea market in San Francisco and had to shift it over to London. And then she was like: 'Actually, I have no space for this.'' Katrina's five favourite haunts 1. Pete's Antiques 2. Jamestown Market, Inchicore 3. Wild Vintage 4. Bohemian Flea 5. Mother Jones Flea Market Katrina loved the story but she wanted to make it her own. 'I got it wrapped by a new Irish company called Cover Story. They wrap furniture for you,' she says. Coated with gold adhesive film, the wrappings are suitable for different surfaces including walls, doors, and furniture. Her favourite item in the living room is the tall 1970s vintage ashtray which she picked up from Wilde Vintage in Fairview. It's home to box upon box of colourful matches. 'I won a lot of vintage matches on eBay,' she says. 'This person had travelled all around the States with work, and he collected all these matches from every hotel and motel that he stayed in. I'd love to know more about the guy who got them because it seems like you had a really interesting life.' While it's commonplace in North America to fish through other people's skips, it's less of a thing here but Katrina never misses the opportunity to find vintage gems. 'I found my chairs in a skip. I'd wanted them for so long,' says Katrina. The downstairs bathroom. A couple of years back, the kitchen was a sage green colour but a commercial partnership saw Katrina change it up to baby pink. Everyone always asks about what her husband's opinion of it is. 'Does he not mind having a pink kitchen? I got a lot of hate for that but he loved it,' she says. As with any three-bed semi with a family of four, space isn't abundant so Katrina and Adam opted for built-in wardrobes in the master bedroom. Katrina Carroll's daughter's bedroom. The accents of pink continue in the bedroom with a soft blush bed frame and scalloped headboard from Bed World and accessories from Dear Trudy. 'I always start with a mood board on Pinterest. I keep it to a theme 70s or Mad Men or something like that,' says Katrina. Eiffel Tower scissors, hallway detail, centre, and antique telephone. A non-negotiable for Katrina in her main bathroom upstairs was a high cistern for the toilet and a freestanding roll-down bath. The sophistication is offset by brightly coloured accessories and accents: 'One way to create a colourful bathroom is to add a brightly coloured tub and pair it with a similarly bold shower curtain. This one is from Ikea but I change them all the time.' Creating a softer effect, the master bedroom is probably the most muted of all the rooms in the house with a softer colour palette and art deco fan-style sconces. A cabinet/TV stand Katrina's sitting room. The backyard cabin is Katrina's equivalent of a man cave. It's where she can drink her milky tea without anyone telling her it's too weak and it's also the storage place for the clothes she sells on her e-commerce vintage clothing store. 'Eighty per cent of my home is second-hand,' says Katrina. The only new things are the couch from Harvey Norman and my tiles from Laura Ashley,' says Katrina. 'The thing I'm most proud of in my home is that it represents all of us as a family, you can see all the different personalities in my home through my decor and treasures that I have found over the years. Buying second-hand gives a home character and helps you to express yourself and I hope I inspire people to do this to their own homes.' Katrina's three top tips for sourcing vintage homeware Take your time — very often these flea markets are overwhelming so don't rush, and check in every corner for gems. Follow the traders on social media — very often they share what they are bringing at the weekend flea. You can request an item and collect it when you attend. Make sure you eat beforehand — sometimes it can take hours to rummage and if you are feeling hungry and tired you won't be on top form to find treasures.
Arab News
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Isabel Mayfair' Restaurant in Riyadh
In its first opening outside the UK, Isabel Mayfair has made its way to the Kingdom's capital with a bang. The art deco, Gatsby-esque mansion is located in Riyadh's bustling Al-Sulaimaniya district. It offers terrace seating if you're looking for a romantic spot or a girls' night out-style cozy dinner. We started with the tomato salad, which is a medley of seasonal tomatoes with labneh tahini dressing and red pickled onion — a fresh and simple way to kick off the meal. We then opted for the lamb croquettes, made with slow-cooked lamb and served with aioli. The cheesy bites come in a crispy pastry with creamy filling and Parmesan snow. Although the appetizers were satisfactory, they were nothing out of the ordinary. The risotto zafferano — a concoction of carnaroli rice, bone marrow and a saffron emulsion — was creamy and the saffron was not too overpowering. It's perfect for those who want a taste of the local spice without too much of its complexity. We ordered it alongside a 350 gram dry-aged rib eye steak, served with sweet potato puree and peppercorn sauce, which also pairs well with their smokey, roasted and grilled sweet potato and the broccolini with a spicy dressing and hazelnut. The steak was a definite highlight of the evening. For desert don't miss out on the tiramisu, which comes with an Instagram-worthy reveal. The sticky toffee pudding with warm toffee sauce and saffron ice cream is also a crowd-pleaser for a sweet ending. Try not to miss their complementary cherry mocktail and sweet 'n' spicy appetizer if you visit on a Wednesday.
Buzz Feed
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
30 Things From Wayfair That'll Make Your Rental Feel Much More Like Home
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. Just because your landlord has forbidden you to paint the walls or light candles doesn't mean you can't make your space into your very own cozy little retreat. 1. An eye-catching area rug with an abstract, geometric design that'll dress up even the most scuffed of rental floors. Combining a bold look with easy care, it'll pull together your space in all kinds of ways — even if the space isn't exactly "yours," technically speaking. Promising review: 'The color of this rug really is vibrant. Not too bright of a white, but turns the whole area into an elegant spot. Really love the feel of this rug. Can vacuum it easily without worrying about destroying it. Really fast delivery especially nice since I needed it quickly. Goes with everything and I'm very pleased.' — Lisa 2. A triptych of pretty botanical wall art, because finally doing something about those bare, white walls can go a long way towards making a rental feel like home. These three soothing pieces work beautifully in concert together — or you can split 'em up if you want to cover more ground (well, walls, but you know what I mean). Empty expanses, begone! Promising review: 'These look so good over my bed. They really brought my vision for the redecorating project of my bedroom to life. I didn't use the hardware that came with it to hang them; Command hooks work just fine. I have no complaints.' — Khaleelah 3. An art deco-inspired bar cart to add a splash of glamour to your space — whether you're using it for actual drinks and cocktails, or as a plant stand or console table. (Love a good multifunctional piece!) With three shelves, an elegant, arched design, wheels, and even a bottle rack, this gorgeous little cart will have your rental living its best Gatsby-esque life in no time. Wayfair Promising review: 'It's lovely in my dining room! Perfect size and color. I was worried the gold would be too shiny, but it's not. It has plenty of room to display my beautiful glassware and crystal that I used to keep in a cabinet and a wine rack for several of my most special bottles of wine. I like that the top has a little bar around it to keep items from accidentally falling off. Wish I would have gotten it years ago!' — Laura Renee 4. Some marble-look contact paper, because it's the ultimate renter-friendly way to redo your countertops. Cut it. Peel it. Stick it. Bam. No more ancient Formica for you! Promising review: 'I loved this. I rent but I still want my place to feel like mine so I ordered some peel and stick backsplash and put this on my kitchen counters and it looks like a whole new kitchen! ' — Jessica 5. Or a chic yet practical kitchen island, in the event that your rental's kitchen is, uh, lacking in the counterspace department to begin with. Between the two-door cabinet, three drawers, towel bar, and collapsible leaf, this pick is definitely poised to become the MVP of your food prep space and your hosting setup. Promising review: 'I had removed a base cabinet in the kitchen and needed a small island for some storage. It works for my situation, and it looks good! I changed the casters because the others were too small and didn't roll well. Other than that, we really love it!!' — Harold 6. A pegboard set built specifically for hanging pot storage, so you can organize your kitchen exactly how you like — even if you're not planning to live in it forever. With something like this on your wall, all your fave cooking gear will always be right where you need it — and you can free up a bunch of cabinet space for other things (ingredients! Spices! Pantry items! You name it!) in the process. Promising review: 'This was great purchase. Our kitchen is small and placing items vertically on the walls freed up a lot of cabinet space. Very well-made, heavy-duty material. We separated the boards instead of hanging together to expand our ability to hang items closer to the edges. We added a basket to hold smaller items. This is a great way to gain more space in a small kitchen.' — Christine 7. A programmable coffee maker, because nothing beats waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and the knowledge that a warm cup is ready and waiting for you right in your own kitchen. This highly rated, 12-cup pick from Cuisinart boasts programmable start times, adjustable temperature options, and more than 2,000 5-star reviews. Your mornings at home just got a whole lot better. Promising review: 'SOOOO HAPPY we switched from the K-cup to this! The programmable feature is wonderful that we have coffee waiting for us in the morning. Yes I know, you're supposed to make the coffee with cold fresh water, but I will compromise a tiny bit of taste for the convenience to have it already ready for us on bustling busy mornings!!! We save the leftover each day in mason jars for ice coffee later in the day! Haven't been back to Starbucks in over a month!!!' — Alexis 8. A subtle yet eye-catching table runner to bring a little somethin' somethin' to your dining situation. Are table runners truly necessary? Nope — but they're an easy way to make your space look a little more lived-in. This particular woven piece packs tons of texture to liven up your dinner table, whether you're actively dining or just gazing adoringly at it between meals. Paula/Wayfair Promising review: 'I love the Eisenman Woven Cotten 120" Table Runner. It perfectly fits my dining room aesthetic; color and texture are rich and well-described, blending nicely with my tabletop and fabric chairs. The length of the runner was exactly what I needed for my oversized table. Thanks for selling such a nice accessory!' — Gail 9. A pair of throw pillow covers with fun little pompoms all around the edges that'll instantly boost your rental's whimsy quotient. Never underestimate the punch a couple of decorative pillows can pack when it comes to making a space feel like it's just so very you. Note that these covers don't come with the actual pillow inserts, but you can grab them here if you need them. Promising review: 'Gorgeous and very well-made. I love the little pom-poms on these, and the fabric is so luxurious. These are a wonderful purchase that adds a huge spark to my brighter color scheme.' — Valerie Price: $11.99+ for a set of two (originally $19.99+; available in six sizes and 24 colors) 10. And a brightly colored faux-fur throw blanket that's also ludicrously soft, so you can give yourself something fun to look at and something delightful to cuddle up in, all in one go. What better way to make your house feel like a home than giving yourself the gift of a cozy snuggle spot perfect for kicking your feet up in at the end of a long day? Promising review: 'I LOVE this blanket/throw and I'm a faux fur aficionado. I ordered the larger size, and it's heavyweight, like something you would expect in a European castle. If you're a fan of royal colors (ruby, emerald, cobalt, gold, etc.), this will elegantly add a luxurious texture and touch to any room. ' — Courtney 11. AND a curtain of fairy lights so magical, you'll swear you've gone to Narnia every time you turn it on. Whether you hang it in a window or use it for something a little less conventional — for instance, as a playful yet elegant solution to the ever-present 'should I get a headboard for my bed or not?' conundrum — this 150-light curtain adds a splash of sparkle to any home, rental or not. Promising review: 'My daughter has these strung behind her bed, and they create the perfect glow at night. Just what she was looking for!' — Colleen 12. A gorgeous boho duvet cover, because sometimes, just changing up your bedding can transform your entire space — ideal for those times when your lease limits what you can actually do to the place. This tufted, geometric cover packs tons of texture for visual interest, along with a neutral shade that'll work with almost any color palette. Wayfair For the curious, the duvet cover is made of microfiber. Depending on the duvet size, it also comes with one or two pillowcases. Promising review: 'Arrived super prompt — easy to wash and insert duvet! It's super cozy, and the design is minimal but nice. My only complaint is it's so cozy I've been having a hard time getting out of bed in the morning! ' — Dani Price: $33.99+ (available in sizes twin–king and 21 colors and patterns) 13. A candle warmer that'll fill the place up with your favorite scent and offer a homey glow — even if live flames are a no-no in your rental. These neat-o little devices allow you to reap the olfactory benefits of scented candles without needing to actually, y'know, light anything on fire; the lamp warms up the wax juuuuust enough to release the scent in a flame-free manner. And gosh, they're just the cutest little things, too, aren't they? Chelsea/Wayfair Promising review: 'I'm in love…works great!!!! Holds both large and small candles well. I got one gold and one black — I'm gonna give the gold one to my friend for Christmas.' — Anonymous 14. A cute little tabletop octopus sculpture that — bonus! — doubles as a phone stand, because what's a home without a few little knickknacks and objets d'art? Heads up that reviewers say that he works best with phones that aren't inside cases — but even if you just leave him as is, this lil' guy is 100% going to be the thing about your home your friends just cannot stop talking about. I mean, just look at him. He's adorable. Lindsey/Wayfair, Wayfair Promising review: ' I named my octopus Dave. He is super handy! Especially when I have a recipe to follow. I love Dave!!' — Lindsey 15. A super cool wall hook to help create an entryway drop zone, because renting doesn't mean you have to resign yourself to just piling things on the floor next to your front door. This five-hook rack mounts easily with concealed hardware — and y'all? It is so neat-looking. It's basically modern art. Just, y'know, modern art that you can also hang your coat on. P romising review: 'Works exactly like we hoped. So many people are surprised when I pop the hooks out. It's great in our main guest bathroom where we don't always have towels hanging but need the option.' — Jill 16. And a bench with some built-in storage, so you've got somewhere to sit for shoe-tying purposes before you run out the door, and somewhere to stash those kicks once you get home again. This solid mango wood option might be a little pricier than some other shoe benches — but its cute little tapered legs and MCM-inspired silhouette are absolutely worth the investment. Wayfair Promising review: 'This bench is a keeper! It is elegant, well-fitted for the space. It is versatile in wood color against any other wood backdrop. I like to sit on it in the corner of the stairwell and the entrance to the foyer to relax, chat with family, and to put on my shoes. Every day it looks better and better! We aim to keep it nice and with minimal markings. It took five minutes to assemble the legs and the leg pads. I recommend using the leg pads on wood floors. This was a good buy!' — Maxxia 17. Plus, three organizer baskets to complete your handy little drop zone. Stash your gloves, hats, scarves, and other outdoor paraphernalia in them! Give yourself somewhere to put your outgoing mail so you don't forget to send your Great Aunt Mildred a birthday card this year! Put whatever you want in 'em! You will never, ever regret having more nice-looking storage solutions around! I promise! Wayfair Promising review: 'Beautiful wicker boxes. They are sturdy and they fit with several decors. I was pleasantly surprised it's a set of three, so it can be used in several rooms. I used the largest one for cozy throws in my guest room and the smaller one for the bottom of an entry table. I'm still trying to find the perfect place for the medium-size one. Although a little pricey, they are worth the money, so if you are looking for baskets, you won't regret purchasing these!' — Sylvia 18. A soothing, botanical-patterned shower curtain that'll freshen up your bathroom, no matter how blah it might have been when you moved in. Do you need a decorative shower curtain? Not really. Does having one make your bathroom a significantly nicer place to be? Absolutely. Go ahead. Get yourself a pretty shower curtain. It's an easy way to make a rented space feel much more comfortable. Wayfair Promising review: ' Pretty, vibrant colors helped lighten up a dark bathroom. Goes well with beige white or seafoam green.' — Anonymous 19. And a soft bath rug for your toesies that'll make for the easiest rental bathroom improvement ever. This fun, nubbly rug is super absorbent and backed with a nonslip treatment, too — exactly what you'd want for something that's going to be hanging out in a wet environment. And trust me, it is so much nicer to step out of the shower onto a pile of plush warmth than onto cooooooold tiles. Promising review: 'OK, imagine stepping out of the shower/tub and your feet sinking into a very plush, soft rug…wait…you don't need to imagine it. This is the rug that wants to come home with you. The rug that your feet have been dreaming of. It's a match made in heaven, but only if you buy it…' — Laura 20. A bamboo bath tray to help you feel luxurious on self-care nights. Go ahead — draw yourself a bath. Use your favorite bath bombs or essential oils. Pour yourself a glass of something, slide it into the cupholder, light a candle or two, and prop your current read up on the handy book holder. Who says a rental bathroom can't also be the home spa of your dreams? Promising review: 'I don't know why I waited so long to buy one of these!!! It was inexpensive and highly functional! I had to find a wineglass with a thin base that would fit, and I was successful. There is room for your phone, tablet, and book, or whatever you prefer. It is collapsible for different-width tubs. I made sure to measure before I purchased. This is a must-have!!' — Christina 21. Aaaaaand a compact yet effective towel warmer, so you can wrap yourself up in a nice, warm towel when you're all squeaky clean and relaxed. Just pop your favorite, plushest bath towel in, hit the one-touch button, wait up to 60 minutes, and voilà: The best finish to your at-home spa night ever. Even in a rental. Heck, yes. Wayfair Promising review: 'I am truly impressed how this towel warmer turned my bath routine into a pampering spa experience. The warm towel feels amazing after a long bath. It was super easy to use with just a touch of a button. It's safe to use and shuts off automatically. Even my kids use it and put their clothes in to warm them up with their towels. It's worth every penny and the best purchase ever.' — Mother of Dragons 22. Some incredibly cool-looking switch plate covers, because swapping out the plain, white, standard-issue switch plates that came with your place is the ultimate low-cost, low-effort way to inject a ton more personality into a rented home. These ones don't just look like wood, by the way; they are wood (with metal reinforcements on the back for safety. Because, y'know, electricity). So if you're into the rough-hewn, rustic, cabin-type aesthetic? They're perfect. Perfect, I tell you. Jen/Wayfair Promising review: 'I purchased several different sizes and styles, I'd guess you'd say, of the switch plates. They've worked out just great. Love the rustic look and there's definitely nothing disappointing about any of them. Great quality for the price and just what we were wanting.' — Wayfair Reviewer Price: $12.30+ (available in three styles) 23. A unique, bubble-like floor lamp, in the event that your rental's basic overhead lighting just isn't cutting it in the illumination department. Luckily, the two pretty globes on this bronze, MCM-style lamp are more than up to the challenge of lighting up your life both literally and figuratively. Gregory/Wayfair Promising review: 'Love the design and the size. Nice, warm glow, yet bright enough for nighttime. Design is fresh and clean and fits nicely with mid-century modern contemporary vibes.' — Rowena Price: $133.99 (originally $270) 24. Or some plug-in wall sconces, so you can plus up your bedside lighting situation without having to faff about with hardwired electrical nonsense (generally not something you're allowed to do when renting!). Just mount these gorgeous curved lights near some outlets, plug 'em in, and you're good to go — no electrician or special permissions required. Ayesha/Wayfair, Daquawn/Wayfair Promising review: 'Love these lights! I was looking for something that could function as a bedside lamp without taking up real estate on my nightstands. Though we have an overhead light in our room, we often use the lamps for softer lighting, especially in the evening. Love the mid-century look!' — Jennifer Price: $139 per sconce (originally $169; available in two colors) 25. Some lush peel-and-stick wallpaper, if you hate your walls but have been forbidden by your landlord to paint them. The beauty of peel-and-stick wallpaper is that it's fully removable — meaning you can enjoy a fantastically beautiful peacock garden-patterned accent wall like this one for as long as you call your rental home, and then just…pull it off when you're getting ready to move out. Wayfair Promising review: 'I absolutely love this wallpaper! Pretty easy to match up the pattern. I did my small bathroom by myself. Took a couple of days — I took my time and had the next piece cut and ready before hanging. Make sure to draw straight lines with a level to start. I had to peel off the paper several times to line up the pattern, but by the end I had it down pretty good. It is stunning. Can't to get my fixture and mirror up!! ' — Melody Price: $1.32 per square foot (originally $1.56; available in four colors) 26. A couple of thermal blackout curtain panels, because you deserve better than whatever weird vertical blinds nonsense your rental came with. Not only will these modern-looking, grommet-hung panels darken your room properly so you can finally sleep the sleep of the unbothered, they'll also help regulate the temperature. And who doesn't love saving on their climate control bills? Michelle/Wayfair, Becky/Wayfair Promising review: 'I love these drapes I picked for our living room! I have to admit I was hesitant to buy online. I looked and looked. As soon as they arrived, I opened them to be able to feel them, and they were very nice. The instructions to make them fresh looking I just put in my new dryer, which has a steam refresh cycle, put them in for 20 minutes, and boom! Beautiful!' — VMD Price: $22.99 for a pair of two panels (available in eight sizes and 35 colors) 27. Plus some creative curtain tiebacks to hold those panels back to let in the light during the day, right? These pretty, leaf-shaped pulls are magnetic, too, so you won't even have to worry about installing any hardware to use them (always good news for your lease) — they just fasten right around the curtain panels and hold them back on their own. Snazzy! Wayfair Promising review: 'I had no idea there was such a thing as magnetic tiebacks. These little leaves are beautiful and a great help. They stay where you put them. No more slipping, sliding, and adjusting. Plus, they make a great decorative statement as well. Will be getting more for my other rooms!' — Paula Price: $13.99 per tieback (originally $21.47; available in two colors) 28. A pack or two of interlocking teak deck tiles that'll help you fix up any rental balcony or patio that leaves a little something to be desired. (I mean, hey, if you're lucky enough to have a rental with some sort of outdoor space of its own in the first place, you deserve to be able to enjoy it to the fullest degree!) Just lay 'em out wherever you want them, snap 'em together, and bam — beautiful wood-paved outdoor space. Easy. Stunning. And — most importantly — reversible. Matthew Sahn/Wayfair, Kristen/Wayfair Promising review: 'The teak tiles transformed my drab concrete slab of a balcony into a beautiful and comfortable wood deck that I enjoy very much.' — Robert Price: $8.44 per square foot 29. Plus a colorful lil' bistro set, because being able to enjoy your morning coffee outside on your newly-resurfaced balcony is one of the great joys in life. Bonus: Bistro sets like this one make for terrific additional seating inside, too, in the event that you have big plans to ~entertain~ at your artfully-redone rental. Saadia/Wayfair Promising review: 'Love this set. Perfect while sitting out on my deck early in the morning or late afternoon. When it snows, I can fold it up and take it inside. Love it!' — Sue Price: $94.99+ (originally $132.99+; available in nine colors) 30. Lastly, an indoor/outdoor rug that'll pull your little outdoor rental oasis together. The bold tropical print on this option — which is built to survive the great outdoors! — will make it feel like a delightful little staycation every time you venture outside. Lovely! Earnest/Wayfair Promising review: 'This rug is perfect for my outdoor patio! The colors are beautiful and it blends great with my blue pottery and gray pavers. Adds a lot of class to the space.' — Dolores Price: $21.99+ (originally $65+; available in seven sizes and four colors) Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
