Sandy Beauty

Cover the bottom of one or multiple glass bowls or mason jars with sand. Layer different sized seashells on top of the sand. Scatter some silver and blue ball ornaments inside the bowls. Go one step further and wrap burlap ribbon around the bowls and tie in a bow. Display the bowls together on the mantle or use it as a centerpiece.

Beach Inspired Wreath 

Welcome guests with a wreath dressed for the beach. Paint a grapevine wreath or pine wreath white and adorn it with faux starfish, wood anchors, silver ornaments and a beautiful bow. Instead of a wreath, create a door hanging out of driftwood that is glued together in the shape of a starfish for a simplistic nod to the shore.

Seaside Chic Christmas Tree

Adorn a pine tree with chic, earthy seaside style. Decorate the tree with raffia ornaments, grapevine ornaments, burlap bows, and other natural accents. Wrap a rope garland and twinkly white lights around the entire tree. Top the tree with an oversized star. Wrap presents in brown paper and white bows for an additional natural touch.

Mantle Magic

Design a magical holiday at the beach mantle seascape. Display a large framed photo of your family on the beach in the center (or other beach-inspired artwork), and on each side, display multiple white and blue candles in white candle holders, ocean blue and silver ribbon, snow-tipped garland, mini white lights and silver ball ornaments throughout. 

Light The Way

Simply decorate everything in your home with white string lights. Hang from doorways, wrap around stairway banisters and throughout window treatments for a minimalist look.

Are you looking for an apartment with spectacular canyon views? River Oaks Apartments in Oceanside, CA will make your dreams come true. Contact us today!

The post Beach-Inspired Holiday Decor Ideas Apartment appeared first on River Oaks Blog.

1. Shut the Door

When the bathroom is not in use, shut the door. This will prevent energy from escaping. Also, place a mirror on the door that will reflect the energy back into your apartment. This is simple, yet quite effective, and also allows you to hide an otherwise necessary, but not particularly beautiful, room in your apartment.

2. Close the Lid

When you are done using the commode, close the lid. This is the fastest place for energy to leave from your home, so keep the lid closed at all times.

3. Add Some Plants

Plants are likely not what you consider for bathroom decor, but they are a great option to keep positive energy in the space. Houseplants activate positive energy and purify the air, both of which are helpful in the bathroom. They also have a drying effect on the water element, which is quite heavy in the bathroom. Bamboo is particularly helpful in the bathroom space.

4. Keep Air Moving

Chances are an apartment bathroom will not have a window, but if it does, feel free to open it regularly. If it does not, use the ventilating fan to keep the air flowing through the space. This will prevent the buildup of stagnant energy.

Practicing feng shui throughout your apartment will make it more comfortable, with positive energy that supports your own wellness. Though the bathroom is challenging, it is possible to keep that positive energy, even in this space.

Are you looking for apartments in Oceanside, CA with beautiful, spacious bathrooms? Schedule a tour of River Oaks today!

The post Feng Shui Tips for Apartment Bathrooms appeared first on River Oaks Blog.

Wash It in Color

Colorful beach cottages dot coastal communities from sea to shining sea. But there's no need to paint your walls to recreate that sensation. White is the perfect backdrop for a nautical theme, so splash in some sky blue, coral pink and seafoam green with accent pillows, throw blankets, curtains and tablecloths.

Textiles and Fiber

Nothing tops earthy materials when it comes to coastal decorating. Think bamboo placemats, jute or sisal rugs, and seagrass side tables. They have the added advantage of being durable and eco-friendly. 

Driftwood and Beach Combing

Apartments in Oceanside place the beach's natural treasures at your fingertips. Shells, sea glass and driftwood are perfect accents for your coastal vibe. Use driftwood to create planters, bird feeders or hanging photo frames strung with jute or fishhooks. Drape fishnet behind a bookshelf, and fill clear bowls with multihued shells.

It's generally okay to pick up shells on public California beaches. Check for posted signs about driftwood, and avoid tidepools and sanctuaries such as Buena Vista Creek Ecological Reserve.

Coastal Greenery

Unique greenery thrives in coastal environments, so pick up some sea-friendly plants from a local garden shop. Palm fronds and banana leaves give instant tropical flair, and you can purchase them inexpensively while they are still youngsters. Fill the planter with crushed shells to help retain water. 

Rock the Coast

Nothing says coastal living like a weathered wooden rocking chair. Pick one up at a thrift store and “distress” it a bit. You don’t need a pricey paint kit — just give it a once-over paint job in sky blue or aqua green, add a few streaks of white paint, and then rough it up with sandpaper. 

It's easy to replicate the swaying rhythm of a windswept beach. Just picture all the things you love about the rocky and sandy coastline, and then create your own little piece of tropical paradise.

Our Oceanside, CA apartments put you in the heart of casual California culture. Stop by today for a tour and to hear about move-in specials.

The post Bring the Beach Inside – Coastal Themed Decorating on a Budget appeared first on River Oaks Blog.

Tabletop Medal Holder

One of the most popular awards given to competitors is a medal affixed to a neck ribbon. These look great when hanging around your neck, but those ribbons can get all tangled when thrown into a drawer. One of the best ways to display this type of award is with a carousel style holder that has arms from which you can dangle your medals. The carousel feature allows you to spin this holder around so that all medals can be easily viewed. 

T-shirt Quilt

Do you own a stack of event t-shirts and sweatshirts that you no longer wear, but just can't bear to part with? If so, why not have them converted into a memory quilt? This is an excellent way to make those old t-shirts useful again, while also freeing up room in your closet or drawers. 

Shadow Box

Your most important awards deserve a place of honor. A shadow box allows you artfully showcase those medals, ribbons, and pins that mean the most to you. 

Race Bib Album

One of the best ways to keep track of your progress as a runner is by organizing your race bibs in an album specifically designed for this purpose. These types of albums typically have a sleeve for you to place your bib in along with a writable surface so that you can record pertinent information, such as the date of the competition and your running time. 

Are you into competitive fitness events and also searching for a new apartment? Then come check out our pet-friendly apartments in Oceanside, California. Our community boasts a fitness center and two pools where you can train and stay in shape. Plus, we're sure that you'll fall in love with our newly renovated apartments that boast beautiful canyon views. 

The post 4 Ideas for Displaying Your Awards and Memorabilia appeared first on River Oaks Blog.

How to Arrange Artwork on Walls

Smaller pieces can be arranged in groups, either in a row or in a vertical in a horizontal orientation. The eye is drawn to shapes it recognizes. That's why placing four pieces about the same size in a square works so well. For larger groupings of photos or small art pieces of similar size, form a square or rectangular outline by offsetting the pieces in a pleasing way. 

Correct Placement 

If you're decorating a narrow wall, use smaller artwork to make the wall look wider. Larger pieces look fantastic on larger walls without too many smaller pieces nearby, which can make an area look cluttered. Hang artwork with the center at eye level for the average person.

To select a piece of art to place over your furniture, remember that the artwork should not be as wide as the furniture it's meant to complement. The eye-level rule applies here too, with exceptions. Leaving too much space between the top of your furniture and the bottom of the artwork can make a room appear smaller. It's fine to place multiple pieces on the same wall if they aligned at the same height for continuity.

For artwork placed near corners, the piece on both sides of the corner should be at the same height as well. Further, you want to keep an equal distance from each piece to the corner itself for a polished look.

In general, vases, sculptures and other floor art should be placed at least six inches from the furniture to avoid a cluttered look. 

Following these simple rules helps you maximize the impact of your artwork and furniture, creating a balanced, well-decorated Oceanside apartment. If you are looking for a new apartment, check out the latest floorplans at River Oaks.

The post Artwork That Helps You Differentiate Task and Play Areas appeared first on River Oaks Blog.

Chunky, loose weaves

Loosely woven wools and synthetic fibers add a tactile element to area rugs and blankets. These pieces keep your feet and body warm in cooler weather, and the loose weave allows more texture that feels great underfoot and against your skin.  Super-chunky couch throws drape beautifully when rendered in unbleached natural fabrics. In corner play areas, rugs with various levels of tight and loose knits, dyed in bright colors, captivate your kids' imaginations.

Make waves with wrinkled textures

Wrinkled textures are on-trend and celebrate a range of creased and crinkled textiles. Puckered fabric incorporates both synthetic and natural fibers — such as crepe yarns and cotton blends. Along a similar tangent, pleats evoke the rippling surface of water, which brings an elemental effect and fluidity to furnishings.

Watermark prints on natural fabric pillows are created with unconventional weft techniques and tie-dye washes. Meanwhile, metallic yarns underscore the unique characteristics of textiles themselves. 

Natural imperfections

This movement is about simplicity. Natural imperfections in fabrics made from vegetal fibers, such as hemp, evoke an eco-friendly and cosmopolitan flair. Try undyed and raw denim fringes on pillows and pulls for window treatments to add interest in your living area. Using these fabrics promotes sustainability and satisfies a desire for simple yet elegant surroundings.

Organic materials with natural imperfections guarantee a one-of-a-kind product that's perfect for focal points — such as soft linen pillows that pop against patterned or darker couches and chairs. The linen-look is already an established movement in clothing and bedding, so forward-thinking apartment dwellers are incorporating it in their home decor with assured confidence. 

Natural imperfections have even become a design element. From jacquard weaves to the quirks of micro dobbies (speckles of color), designers have enough choices to feed all their ideas.

If you're looking for a new space to reinvent, give us a call regarding Oceanside, California, apartments to find out what floor plans are still available and awaiting your unique finishing touches.

The post What Are the Hottest Materials for Apartment Accents in 2019? appeared first on River Oaks Blog.

Focus on Seating

Comfortable seating should be your key focus when decorating a balcony. Fit a small sofa if possible or a bench seat with pillows piled on top. Foldable furniture offers another seating option for compact balconies. Another option is to use wing chairs as a fun and whimsical way to decorate your balcony. Although patio tables and stools may fit on a balcony, this type of seating arrangement won’t make the most out of the space.

Go Green

Add planters throughout your balcony overflowing with lush greenery. The plants not only create a natural beautiful atmosphere but will also fill the air with a clean, fresh scent. Have fun with the planters you choose for the space. Select pieces such as painted pottery galvanized metal planters and freestanding aluminum planters. Hang planters on the walls, set planters on furniture or the floor, and secure planters to railings. Tall plants will give you more privacy when enjoying your balcony.

Personalize the Space

Choose a mixture of textiles to give your balcony a style that reflects your own. Add pillows with geometric designs, a plush throw rug, oversized floor pillows, or decorative blankets. These items help you create a relaxing space you will be in no hurry to leave. Another way to leave your mark is to set candles and decorative bowls on any outdoor tabletops. 

Lighting the Way

Lighting is often overlooked when choosing balcony décor. However, lighting adds instant fun and festivity when entertaining guests outdoors during the evening hours. String lights are a low-cost way to add extra light to your balcony and come in a range of shapes and colors. Standing outdoor lamps are another decorating option that can add style and function to the balcony.

River Oaks offers the perfect outdoor space for residents. With private balconies and patios, Oceanside, CA apartment residents can entertain and relax while enjoying the perfect weather. Contact us today to learn more about our community.

The post How to Decorate a Balcony appeared first on River Oaks Blog.