<p class="financial-disclaimer"><i>When you buy through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. <a href="https://www.insider-inc.com/commerce-on-insider-inc/">Learn more.</a></i></p><p><a href="https://tempaper.com/mocha-brown-leopard-print-removable-wallpaper" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored"></a></p><ul class="summary-list"><li>I love bold walls, but not everyone does — so I decided to transform my <keyword id="6363870" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="home">home</keyword> office with completely removable wallpaper from <a href="https://tempaper.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Tempaper</a>.</li><li>Putting the paper up was harder than I thought and it took about four hours. </li><li>Removable wallpaper can be expensive, so it's great for a smaller space. I spent about $150 to cover an accent wall. </li><li>I'm recommending <a href="https://tempaper.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Tempaper wallpaper</a> to all my friends who rent since it peels off easily without damaging your walls.</li></ul><p>My boyfriend and I bought our house several years ago, but one room has been more or less forgotten since we moved in – our small third bedroom. The idea was that I'd use it as an office since I work from home, but it mostly became a catchall room for everything from my boyfriend's guitar gear to out-of-season jackets and boxes of books and movies. </p><p>But when my boyfriend also started working from home, I decided it'd be good to take another crack at making it into a comfortable place to work. I like bold colors, but I know that future buyers of our house may not. So I decided to try stick-on, removable wallpaper from <a href="https://tempaper.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tempaper</a>. The wallpaper comes in rolls with peel-off backing that sticks directly to the walls and doesn't require paste or messy glue. Because it doesn't permanently change the walls, it's ideal for renters.</p><p>The process wasn't quite as easy as putting a decal on the wall, but I think anyone could put it up with a little patience and a few basic tools. Here's what you should know about choosing and applying removable wallpaper, along with advice and tips from a first-time buyer. </p><h2>Overmeasure (and consider starting with a simple pattern)</h2><p>I spent a lot of time researching wallpaper designs and colors because the market is huge. I had no idea so many designs were available, and because I wasn't sure what theme I wanted for my office, it took a while to make a decision. Eventually, I ordered a <a href="https://tempaper.com/mocha-brown-leopard-print-removable-wallpaper" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">vintage-inspired jungle print</a> from <a href="https://tempaper.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored nofollow sponsored">Tempaper.com</a>. While the site's selection of patterns isn't as extensive as Etsy's or Wayfair's, Tempaper's prices were the most affordable overall. And because they offer extra-large rolls, I only needed to buy two. </p><p>To buy the correct amount, you'll need to know the square footage of your walls. Keep in mind that you'll need to buy <em>more</em> than you'll actually need, especially if you choose a pattern that needs to match up between pieces (like mine). The pattern on my wallpaper repeats vertically every two feet, so I had to trim the excess off the top of each strip to ensure the pattern matched up. The wall I covered is 8 feet tall by 11.5 feet wide, meaning I needed 92 square feet of wallpaper to cover it. I bought two double rolls of wallpaper (120 square feet total) and probably have about 16 square feet left. Even if your pattern doesn't require the strips to match up, order a little extra in case you make a mistake or rip a panel (though I found the Tempaper wallpaper nearly impossible to tear).</p><iframe src="https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5eda996a2618b90bfa47fe12&amp;type=small&amp;live=true" width="100%" height="150%" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute; top:0; left: 0"></iframe><h2>Use a cutting mat and a right-angle measuring tool</h2><p><a href="https://tempaper.com/mocha-brown-leopard-print-removable-wallpaper" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored"><strong><div type="image" title="Tempaper Removable Wallpaper" height="900" width="1200" msid="76820062" hostid="261"></div></strong></a></p><p>Covering my wall required us to cut five strips from the two rolls I purchased, each two feet wide. As Tempaper recommends, we lined up, measured, and trimmed the strips on the floor before beginning the application process. Though they weren't on the list of recommended tools, we found a grid-patterned cutting mat and a <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6415797/type/dlg/https://www.staples.com/Ludwig-Precision-Aluminum-T-Square-1-1-2-In-X-18-In-Standard-82018/product_2168371?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored nofollow sponsored">right-angle measuring tool</a> to be extremely helpful. It's essential to make sure you're cutting perfectly straight when you cut the strips from each roll, or your pattern may begin to get slightly crooked. You'll want to trim each strip to be a few inches longer than your wall is tall and use a straight-edge knife to cut the excess at the bottom when you finish.</p><iframe src="https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5eda9a931918240b66523114&amp;type=small&amp;live=true" width="100%" height="150%" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute; top:0; left: 0"></iframe><h2>Painter's tape can help you align your pattern</h2><p>It took us around four hours to cover the wall because of two ongoing challenges. We found that the wallpaper stretched lengthwise when we applied and flattened it against the wall, making it nearly impossible to ensure the strips lined up from top to bottom between strips. The second issue was that air bubbles seemed to appear no matter how thoroughly we ran a squeegee over the paper.</p><p>But thanks to trial and error, I learned a few solutions to make the application process much easier for next time. </p><p>There are two ways to ensure the pattern lines up between strips of wallpaper. You can either buy a paper that doesn't require any alignment between strips (<a href="https://tempaper.com/distressed-gold-leaf-removable-wallpaper" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">like this one</a>,) or do what we did: use painter's tape to lightly tape the panel to the wall before you begin to stick it on. This ensures that the weight of the strip doesn't cause stretching or pattern distortion and frees your hands to fix alignment issues and air bubbles as you go. The "painters tape" application method will eliminate many of the bubbles, but we found using our hands to smooth the paper (instead of a squeegee) also made a difference. I still have some bubbles and a few misalignments on my wall, but because the pattern is busy, they're difficult to notice. </p><h2><strong>Application is a little tricky, but worth the effort</strong><a href="https://tempaper.com/mocha-brown-leopard-print-removable-wallpaper" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored"><div type="image" title="Tempaper Removable Wallpaper 2" height="900" width="1200" msid="76820067" hostid="261"></div></a></h2><p>Though our application wasn't perfect, the room looks like it got a serious upgrade for under $200. Aside from painting the other walls white and rearranging some furniture, we didn't do much else to the room. The wall makes a statement that doesn't require any more significant additions, aside from maybe hanging a simple piece of art over my desk.</p><p>A month after applying <a href="https://tempaper.com/mocha-brown-leopard-print-removable-wallpaper" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">the Tempaper wallpaper</a>, it hasn't peeled or curled up in the corners, and I'm considering using a different pattern in our master bathroom. Next time, I might start with a more straightforward pattern that doesn't require the strips to be so precisely aligned. I'm sure the process will move a lot quicker that way. </p><h2>The removal process is the easiest part </h2><p>Though I haven't taken down my finished wall, I did a small test to gauge how easy the wallpaper was to peel off once it had been on the wall for several hours. Tempaper's claim checks out – the peel-and-stick wallpaper was extremely easy to remove. My test square peeled off in one piece and left no residue or marks on the wall; you could absolutely not tell it was ever put up. I tried to re-stick it after peeling it off and found that it lacked a bit of adhesiveness, so it's probably not reusable. It may work for a craft project, like covering a mirror frame or desk drawer, but it would probably not work again on a wall.</p><h2><strong>Temporary wallpaper is definitely pricier than a gallon of paint </strong></h2><p>Tempaper ended up being one of the most affordable options for me considering the square footage I needed to cover due to their generously sized rolls. But even though I bought it during a very steep sale, it still costs more than $150 to cover the wall, which is more than a gallon of paint would cost. Sites that price by the square foot will be even more expensive for large spaces.</p><p>I found more affordable options at <a href="https://tempaper.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Tempaper.com</a>, <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6415797/type/dlg/https://www.allmodern.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">AllModern.com</a>, and <a href="https://goto.target.com/c/196318/81938/2092?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.target.com%2F" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Target</a>. <a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=6220&amp;awinaffid=257137&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dwallpaperallpaper" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Etsy</a> has thousands of beautiful patterns, but most start around $4 a square foot; mine cost around $1.10 per square foot. If cost isn't a concern, consider a pattern from <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=35871X943606&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.anthropologie.com%2Fm%2F" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Anthropologie.com</a> or spring for a <a href="https://www.eazywallz.com/apps/customizer?id=4499922845745" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">trendy ombre design from EazyWallz</a> (though the latter would have been close to $700 to cover my same wall).</p><iframe src="https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5eda9be4f0f4197dff1956c4&amp;type=small&amp;live=true" width="100%" height="150%" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute; top:0; left: 0"></iframe><iframe src="https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5eda9ca7f34d050742058bd5&amp;type=small&amp;live=true" width="100%" height="150%" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute; top:0; left: 0"></iframe><p>One of the best features of <a href="https://tempaper.com/mocha-brown-leopard-print-removable-wallpaper" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">the Tempaper wallpaper</a> is that it's temporary — it is called <em>temp-paper,</em> after all. However, hanging it takes some time and patience, and because of the cost, you're not likely to pull it down on a whim. I don't plan to pull mine down until it's time to show the house whenever we decide to sell.</p><p>But if you tend to like to redecorate often, removable wallpaper may not be for you; it's much easier to hang a new piece of art than it is to apply new wallpaper. If you think oversized art may fit your needs better than wallpaper, try one of the nine-frame wood panel hangings from independent artists on <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=35871X943606&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fsociety6.com%2Fm%2F" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Society6.com</a>.</p><iframe src="https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5eda9d42f0f4197ef624c083&amp;type=small&amp;live=true" width="100%" height="150%" frameborder="0" style="position:absolute; top:0; left: 0"></iframe><h2><strong>I'm thrilled I took a chance on removable wallpaper</strong></h2><p><a href="https://tempaper.com/mocha-brown-leopard-print-removable-wallpaper" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored"><strong><div type="image" title="Tempaper Removable Wallpaper 3" height="900" width="1200" msid="76820070" hostid="261"></div></strong></a></p><p>I absolutely love the way my home office looks. It's now a much more pleasant space to work in and motivates me to be productive – which is more than I can say for when it was just four bare, butter-yellow walls. And because the wallpaper is the focal point of the space, I don't need to spend much extra money on decor or art. I recommend it to everyone who wants a serious home upgrade without any permanent changes.</p>

I transformed my home office with removable wallpaper from Tempaper — installing it was harder than I thought, but worth the effort in the end

<p><em><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/insiderpicks" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.businessinsider.com/insiderpicks&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1553001499350000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGjI1rIyk-u8rDsSRRb_LkxsoTyEQ">Insider Picks</a> writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.</em></p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GSOMVRG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biipgf_031819_best-vinyl-cutters-you-can-buy-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B01GSOMVRG&amp;linkId=28062af6301fd1abb387c76b93616e4f" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5c9bd6efdc676710d45527b3-1200/best vinyl cutter.jpg" border="0" alt="best vinyl cutter" data-mce-source="Cricut / Business Insider" /></a><p class="source"><span>Cricut / Business Insider</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul class="summary-list"><li>Vinyl cutters are incredibly versatile, invaluable machines for creating custom stickers, decals, labels, magnets, signs, stencils, and more.</li><li>Vinyl cutters can not only cut but also etch, emboss, scan, draw, and more.</li><li>The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GSOMVRG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biipgf_031819_best-vinyl-cutters-you-can-buy-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B01GSOMVRG&amp;linkId=28062af6301fd1abb387c76b93616e4f" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cricut Explore Air 2</a> vinyl cutter is the best all-around model because it's dependable, precise, and versatile - in materials as well as in functions.</li></ul><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Although I enjoy crafting, I've never used a vinyl cutter and had no idea what one was until my hardcore crafting friends enlightened me. This tool is essential for designing and producing stickers, decals, labels, magnets, cards, signs, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">wall decor</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">, banners, stencils, T-Shirt heat-transfer prints, bulletin board decorations, and more. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can personalize anything or, as one friend said, "make something ordinary something special" with customized designs. Another friend commented that a vinyl cutter helps with upcycling because you can "breathe new life into anything old" by sprucing it up with new embellishments.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A vinyl cutter does more than just cut vinyl. It can also carve through different materials (e.g., card stock, foam, foil, fabric, balsa wood, etc.); some models can draw, emboss, etch, and/or scan. You can use a vinyl cutter to create small items (as gifts or for sale) and logos for business. My </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">vinyl-cutter friends </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">confess</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to rarely using scissors anymore. When slicing shapes precisely - sometimes repetitively for multiple copies - they use their vinyl cutters.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Think of a vinyl cutter as a </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">digitally controlled scissor, shaped like a </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">printer with a computer's brain. Instead of printing images, a vinyl cutter carves letters and shapes from sheets of vinyl or other materials. You first upload an image - either premade or your own </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">design - and</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> adjust font, sizing, etc. Then, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">load the machine with a sheet of vinyl from which your design will be cut. Adjust the cutter's settings (e.g., speed, knife depth, cutting pressure) if your cutter model doesn't do this automatically. Push start: The machine carves the image before ejecting the sheet with your design cut out.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sound too simple to be true? It isn't, especially if you choose the right model for your needs. Consider size (to accommodate your projects); speed (especially when producing multiple copies); output quality (precision in cutting), versatility (in materials it can handle and in its functions), and software (user friendliness and library of designs); and connectivity (wired vs. wireless, online vs. offline functionality). </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It may seem like a lot to think about, but don't worry - plenty of crafters recommend watching YouTube tutorials on vinyl cutter use and searching project ideas online. Just be sure not to </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">use copyright images on items you plan to sell. After </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">reading crafter reviews and interviewing users</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">, w</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">e </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">compiled this list of top vinyl cutters for different needs. </span></p><h2>Here are the best vinyl cutters you can buy:</h2><ul class="summary-list"><li><strong>Best vinyl cutter overall: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GSOMVRG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biipgf_031819_best-vinyl-cutters-you-can-buy-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B01GSOMVRG&amp;linkId=28062af6301fd1abb387c76b93616e4f" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cricut Explore Air 2</a></strong></li><li><strong>Best budget vinyl cutter: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01I51ME1S/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biipgf_031819_best-vinyl-cutters-you-can-buy-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B01I51ME1S&amp;linkId=1339804b1888d05441e22f36f05b941c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Silhouette Camio 3</a></strong></li><li><strong>Best vinyl cutter with scanner: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014T1CI1E/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biipgf_031819_best-vinyl-cutters-you-can-buy-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B014T1CI1E&amp;linkId=495908086d08fe2394d84d9aaac21146" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brother CM350 ScanNCut2 Electronic Cutting Machine</a></strong></li><li><strong>Best portable vinyl cutter: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009GZUPFA/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biipgf_031819_best-vinyl-cutters-you-can-buy-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B009GZUPFA&amp;linkId=6527c37087f2320eb8f57d7e9eedb5eb" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Silhouette Portrait 2</a></strong></li><li><strong>Best vinyl cutter for big projects: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CDQGCTW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biipgf_031819_best-vinyl-cutters-you-can-buy-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B00CDQGCTW&amp;linkId=d26db157c6295b4abf86f1c2ff707574" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USCutter Vinyl Cutter MH 34in</a></strong></li></ul><h3>Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.</h3><p class="tagline"><a href="http://e.businessinsider.com/join/ci/insider-picks">Subscribe to our newsletter.</a><br><br>Find all the best offers at our <a href="https://coupons.businessinsider.com/">Coupons page</a>.<br><br>Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/insiderpicks">Insider Picks</a> team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.</br></br></br></br></p>

The best vinyl cutters you can buy

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Denise Davies is an interior <keyword id="170" type="POSITION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Designer">designer</keyword> based in Weston, Connecticut and cofounder of Smart D2 <keyword id="3226209" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="playroom">Playroom</keyword>s, a luxury playroom design firm.</li><li>With cofounder Karri Bowen-Poole, Davies designs and decorates dream playrooms will a focus on creating colorful, open-ended spaces that will inspire <keyword id="1862" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="kids">kids</keyword>' self-espression and development of fine and gross motor skills.</li><li>She's designed playrooms for wealthy clients everywhere from Dubai to New York, including Nicky Hilton, with the average playroom costing $100,000.</li><li>She and her business partner even created their own line of products like monkey bars, climbing ropes, and floor mats — and business is 'insane' because of the pandemic.</li><li>Here's her story, as told to freelance writer Gia Miller.</li></ul><p>During the last 10 years, I've decorated glamorous kitchens, welcoming family rooms, sophisticated bedrooms, and brightly-colored playrooms. But I'd never purchased a single toy until Karri Bowen-Poole messaged me on Instagram in January 2019. She'd founded Smart Playrooms over 10 years prior and had a very successful business, but she needed an interior designer for her next project — a residential building in New York City called Manhattan House. She loved my work, so she took a chance.</p><p>The moment we met in real life, something just clicked. Since then, we've designed extraordinary playrooms for wealthy executives and celebrities, such as Nicky Hilton. </p><h2><strong>I didn't start out as an interior designer</strong></h2><p><strong><div type="image" title="Denise Davies" height="1334" width="1779" msid="78934385" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><p>I grew up in an art deco home on Miami Beach watching my father buy and flip houses and my artist mother create beautiful paintings and pottery. I chose to major in fashion and was lucky enough to get in on the ground floor of a denim fashion company as their salesperson. Within five years, I had worked my way up to vice president, and I helped them build a $100 million business during the 11 years I worked for them.</p><p>After my son was born, I took some time off, and later moved out of New York to Connecticut with my second husband and our sons. </p><h2><strong>In Connecticut, </strong><strong>I decided to go back to school, choosing <keyword id="495275" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="interior-design">interior design</keyword></strong></h2><p>I went to school for about three semesters, but because I'd already renovated several homes and had extensive business experience, this program wasn't the right fit. The director of the program actually approached me and said, 'This isn't for you, but I know an interior designer who's looking for somebody.' He got me my first interior design job, and I learned the ins and outs pretty quickly.</p><p>I began <a href="http://www.d2interieurs.com/">D2 Interieurs</a>, my interior design business, six months later, in early 2011. My first project was a mudroom, and my next was an entire house with an $80,000 budget.</p><div type="image" title="D2 Interieurs Denise Davies" height="601" width="1637" msid="78934388" hostid="261"></div><p>It took off from there, and now my minimum budget to design a home is $200,000. Sometimes I have $2 million budgets, and even clients with no budget.</p><div type="image" title="D2 Interieurs Mid Century Living Room" height="2640" width="3520" msid="78934390" hostid="261"></div><p>To decorate a home, design fee ranges from $35,000 to $100,000 depending upon the size of the home and the extent of my firm's involvement in the project. For example, if the client would like me to serve as the project manager/owners' representative, then the fee is higher versus only providing interior design services.</p><p><em><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/day-in-life-magician-hired-by-billionaires-2020-7">A day in the life of a 'billionaire's magician,' who's hired to fly around the world and entertain the elite</a></em></p><h2><strong>Every project I do is completely</strong> <strong>different</strong></h2><p>No one can say, 'Oh, she's the designer that does gray, or she's the designer that does modern.' Instead, I design for my clients. I have a very simple, foolproof process that helps me learn about my clients so I can give them exactly what they want.</p><div type="image" title="Smart D2 Playrooms 90 Furman Brooklyn NY (1)" height="960" width="1280" msid="78934394" hostid="261"></div><p>I always say that being a designer is the easy part. Running a business, hiring the right people, executing projects, keeping your clients happy, <em>and</em> staying on budget — that's the hard part. But I'm very good at that. I have a business mind. </p><h2><strong>My typical day starts at 5 a.m. and ends by 9 p.m.</strong></h2><p>I wake up early and meditate for an hour and 15 minutes. I began this practice two years ago, and I've become more grounded, focused, and grateful. It's also helped me be more forgiving and loving to myself. People think self-love is selfish, but it's really one of the most selfless things you can do — it frees you up to be present for other people. </p><p>Around 6:30 a.m., I have a huge cup of coffee, check my emails, post on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/d2interieurs/">Instagram</a>, and exercise. Then I have my second breakfast and get to work. Some days I'm driving from one client to the next, and others I'm in my <a href="http://www.d2interieurs.com/interior-design-projects#/interior-design-projects/d2hq-1/">studio</a>, which is located in a two-story converted barn on my property in Winston. My three dogs are always in the studio with us. They're hilarious and people get such a kick out of them. </p><div type="image" title="Denise Davies D2 Interieurs design studio" height="1536" width="2054" msid="78934396" hostid="261"></div><p>I always buy lunch for my staff — I have five full-time employees and one part-time employee – and we eat together at noon on my patio, enjoying my gardens and discussing work projects or catching up on each other's lives. We get together again at 3 p.m. for coffee/snack time, and end the day around 6:30 p.m. Then I have dinner, check emails once more, and relax with my dogs. I meditate again before bed, and I'm asleep by 9 p.m. </p><h2><strong>I love designing playrooms</strong></h2><p>Playrooms are one of my favorite things to design because you can really go bananas. It's where I get to express myself.</p><div type="image" title="D2 Interieurs, Denise Davies Photo Credit: Jane Beiles Irvington, NY" height="1536" width="2053" msid="78934399" hostid="261"></div><p>As an interior designer, I was no stranger to playrooms, but designing the Manhattan House with Karri was an incredible experience. She believes children learn through play, and so she approaches projects with a focus on creative, open-ended spaces that can grow with the child. Karri shared her vision for the play stations, and I used the building's mid-century modern look as inspiration.</p><p>I selected the colors, created custom furniture, and commissioned well-known muralist, Billy the Artist, to hand-paint a wall mural with the New York Cityspace. It was amazing; it was almost like being in a cartoon. </p><div type="image" title="Smart D2 Playrooms Manhattan House Playroom" height="1155" width="1536" msid="78934402" hostid="261"></div><p>We design every playroom with the aim to promote self-expression, body awareness, and development of fine and gross motor skills. In the playroom, we also built a custom horizontal rock climbing wall with colorful holds, ropes, mats, and foam pit.</p><div type="image" title="Manhattan House Smart D2 Playroom on the upper east side, NY." height="1375" width="1833" msid="78934403" hostid="261"></div><p>We had such great chemistry that in 2019 we launched a business together, <a href="https://smartd2playrooms.com/">Smart D2 Playrooms</a>, and began doing more residential and commercial projects together. </p><p>Although we each continued to run our own businesses, the news about Smart D2 Playrooms spread quickly. In just under two years, we've designed custom playrooms throughout the country, starting at $75,000, with the average playroom costing $100,000. One of the largest budgets we've had was nearly $300,000. What we do is so unique we've even had people contact us from Israel and Dubai. </p><h2><strong>One of my favorite playrooms was the one we did for Nicky Hilton's daughters</strong></h2><p><strong><div type="image" title="(L-R) Denise Davies, Nicki Hilton, Karri Bowen Poole in Hilton's playroom for her two daughters in New York City." height="719" width="959" msid="78934406" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><p>They live in a residential building in New York, but she's the only resident with kids. Nicky was so sweet and actively involved in the process. She's a big fan of Damien Hirst's art, so I reached out to photographer Allison Munson to create a custom mural for the room.</p><p>The room was pretty small, and Nicky was in awe of what we accomplished in that space: a dress-up station, arts and crafts area, a play house, climbing bars and even storage bins. Her girls were so excited — they began climbing the ladder immediately.</p><p><em><strong>Read more</strong>: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/job-diary-professional-namer-paid-brand-companies-products">How a 'professional namer' broke into the field of branding major companies and products, and his tips for choosing a name that sells</a></em></p><h2><strong>COVID-19 was the catalyst for our product launch</strong></h2><p>We started creating our own line of <a href="https://smartd2playrooms.com/collections">playroom products </a>because we weren't excited with what was available from stores like Crate&amp;Kids or Swing Set Mall. We started with monkey bars because we use them in every single project. The only ones available were in primary colors and always chipped and scratched — the quality sucked. Originally, it was just for us, but we started getting requests. </p><p>People saw pictures of our playrooms on Instagram and asked us where they could get our rock walls, climbing ropes, floor mats, foam pits, etc. It was clear there was a need, but we were too busy to design the products. When COVID-19 hit and families were quarantined at home, the need and demand intensified, so we moved up our timeline.</p><div type="image" title="90 Furman Smart 90 Furman Smart D2 Playroom, Brooklyn, NY" height="1155" width="1537" msid="78934409" hostid="261"></div><p>We designed the majority of the products, worked with well-known artists and photographers to create our decals, built a separate website and launched our products <a href="https://smartd2playrooms.com/">Smart D2 Playrooms</a> in July. We're constantly adding new products; people can customize their own with high-quality, long-lasting products.</p><h2><strong>Right now, because of the pandemic, my business is insane</strong></h2><p>I never would have predicted this back in March when I couldn't even go to my client's houses to finish projects, but now D2 Interieurs gets anywhere from six to eight new client calls a week. Many people are fleeing the city and moving to Connecticut, so I have more clients near home. Between my D2 Interieurs clients, the playrooms I do with Karri, and launching a product line, I'm so busy that I've actually had to turn people away. </p><p>Despite going nonstop all day because there's just so much to do, I love my job, and seeing the happiness on kids' and families' faces once they get their dream home or playroom makes it all worth it.</p><p><em>Gia Miller is a New York-based freelance journalist. Her work has been featured in Well+Good, DAME, Parents, Healthline, SheKnows, and more. Connect with her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/GiaMiller79">@GiaMiller79</a>. </em></p>

I design $100,000 luxury playrooms for the children of wealthy execs and celebrities. Business is insane right now — here's what my job is like.

The best back-to-school deals to shop on Prime Day 2019 - for all ages

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/53b1ae4f69beddb86b27e970-1024-768/tesla-model-s-prototype.jpg" border="0" alt="Tesla Model S prototype" /><p class="source"><span>Wikimedia Commons</span></p></div><p></p></div></div>A disgruntled Tesla owner took delivery of his brand new Model S last week and promptly smashed its windshield with a wrench, <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2014/06/27/disgruntled-chinese-customer-gets-new-tesla-smashes-it/" target="_blank">reports the Wall Street Journal</a>.</p>
<p>The owner, Yu Xin Quan, a Chinese e-commerce entrepreneur, reportedly destroyed his $170,000 car's windshield to protest what he called "Tesla's arrogance." </p>
<p>For the past few months, Mr. Yu has been the outspoken leader of a group of Chinese Tesla customers who had their orders delayed due to a series of production, logistical, and legal issues. While most were placated by a meeting with the company's CEO, Elon Musk, in April, Mr. Yu continued his voice his dissatisfaction.</p>
<p>The disgruntled owner expected to be one of the first in China to take delivery of the Model S when he placed his order last October. He became furious at Tesla earlier this year when he discovered that his car had not even been built when others in the country had already received their cars.</p>
<p>To ameliorate the situation, Tesla offered to put special edition decals on the car and install charging equipment at his home free of charge. The company even offered Mr. Yu the use of one of its showroom display vehicles for a month while he awaited the arrival of his bespoke Model S.</p>
<p>But Yu rejected the proposal, telling the WSJ that the showroom car just wouldn't be the same has own. "I feel like I just married a woman who has been married," said Yu. </p>
<p>Though most will view such behavior with utter incredulity, the purposeful destruction of expensive toys is not so uncommon in China. It can be attributed to variety of causes, from the growing demand of Chinese consumers on customer service to the entitled mindset of China's elite, to the inadequacy of the country's civil litigation process.</p>
<p>Whatever the reason, here are a couple of the more famous examples where Chinese owners of expensive cars have destroyed them in protest:</p>
<p><strong>Maserati Quattroporte: May 2013</strong></p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/519274046bb3f79c2f00000e-1200-800/rtxzlie.jpg" border="0" alt="china men smash maserati quattroporte" /><p class="source"><span>REUTERS/Stringer China</span></p></div><p></p></div></div><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Last year,<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/man-destroys-his-423000-maserati-in-china-2013-5#comments" target="_blank"> a Maserati owner in northeastern China hired a group of men with sledgehammers </a>to pummel his $423,000 Quattroporte sedan in front the exhibition hall at the Qingdao auto show. The man was reportedly upset over a botched repair at the company's dealership. The owner accused the shop of overcharging him while using second-hand parts.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Lamborghini Gallardo: March 2011</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/53b1bb9decad04d72886766e-1200-800/rtr2jy83.jpg" border="0" alt="Lamborghini Gallardo Destroyed China" /><p class="source"><span>REUTERS</span></p></div><p></p></div></div><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/a-chinese-man-paid-men-to-bash-sledgehammers-into-his-lamborghini-2011-3" target="_blank">Two year before the Maserati incident,</a> a new Lamborghini Gallardo met a similar fate after the cars disgruntled owner hired a group of sledgehammer wielding men to demolish the malfunctioning supercar. According to GT Spirit, the Gallardo, which retailed in China at the time for $529,000 to $757,000, failed to start on delivery and suffered damage to its bodywork and suspension during delivery. The owner was unsuccessful in his attempts to resolve the issue by contacting Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann. </span></p>

A Chinese Man Smashed His Brand New Model S To Protest 'Tesla's Arrogance'

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<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/536955daecad04d64f45c44b-814-611/removable-wallpaper.jpg" border="0" alt="removable wallpaper" /><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.chasingpaper.com/products/fancy-four-side">Chasing Paper</a></span></p><p class="caption">Removable wallpaper is a great option for renters.</p></div><p></p></div></div><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Moving into a new apartment can be stressful.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">After splurging on essentials like couches and tables, it's daunting to think about how to make a new place feel more like home.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">But decorating doesn't have to be expensive. </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">Here are 11 brilliant ways to decorate your apartment on the cheap.</span></p>
<h3><strong>1. Buy removable wallpaper or decals.</strong></h3>
<p>Permanent wallpaper is intimidating because it's so difficult to remove from walls. For renters or home owners who are design commitment-phobes, removable wallpaper is the perfect solution for adding color and personal style to a room.</p>
<p>It sticks easily to walls and is simple to apply and remove. <a href="http://tempaperdesigns.com/" target="_blank">Tempaper</a> and <a href="http://www.chasingpaper.com/" target="_blank">Chasing Paper</a> are great brands to browse, and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/market/removable_wallpaper" target="_blank">Etsy also has a multitude of designs</a> to choose from.</p>
<h3><strong>2. Build a DIY bar cart.</strong></h3>
<p>A bar cart is a fun design element, but carts from stores like Restoration Hardware and Crate &amp; Barrel can be extremely expensive.</p>
<p>A better option is to find a cheap cart at your local flea market or hardware store (<a href="http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=service+cart" target="_blank">Harbor Freight</a><span> and </span><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/search/?query=+Utility+cart" target="_blank">Ikea</a><span> both have affordable utility carts, too)</span>. Spray paint the hardware or the entire cart to suit your tastes, and then add your own decorative elements, like tumbler glasses, cocktail recipe books, and bar tools. Use the bar cart to show off your favorite prints, tableware, and expensive bottles of liquor, too.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.curbly.com/users/faith-towers/posts/14715-10-inspiring-bar-cart-makeover-projects#!KeSiV" target="_blank">See this selection of DIY bar carts for inspiration</a>.</p>
<h3><strong>3. Paint your old furniture.</strong></h3>
<p>When you get sick of your bed or other pieces of large furniture, consider painting over the existing finish instead of dumping your stuff. A new coat of paint on an old dresser can drastically change a piece without costing very much.</p>
<p>First, remove all of the hardware and wipe down the piece with a cloth to get rid of any dust. Use sandpaper to lightly buff away the glossy finish, and then either spray paint or add two regular coats of paint. After it dries, add a coat of water-based lacquer, polyurethane, or a thin coat of clear paste wax to make the new finish last.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-refurbish-furniture-2013-1">See how we refurbished a boring Ikea desk here.</a></p>
<h3><strong><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_left"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/53695866eab8ea292c1b93e2-1105-828/restoration-hardware-scene-apartment.png" border="0" alt="restoration hardware scene apartment" /><p class="source"><span><a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod2140612&amp;categoryId=cat1990150">Restoration Hardware</a></span></p><p class="caption">The two mirrors on either side of this book case extend the room and make it appear larger than it really is.</p></div><p></p></div></div>4. Make your room seem bigger with a large mirror (or two).</strong></h3>
<p>A floor length mirror can make a room appear larger and more open, especially in tiny apartments. Position the mirror so it reflects a window and catches the most light, adding dimension to the room.</p>
<p>Browse local flea markets or Craigslist to find huge mirrors at affordable prices.</p>
<h3><strong>5. Hide storage creatively.</strong></h3>
<p>Clutter will make your home seem smaller than it is. Get rid of unnecessary room accessories, magazines, and books, and invest in furniture that does double-duty like storage ottomans, chests, or <a href="http://www.houzz.com/vintage-suitcase" target="_blank">vintage suitcases stacked to look like a table</a>.</p>
<p>Another fine option is placing certain furniture - such as chairs, tables, or cabinets - at an angle in the corner of the room to create a built-in hidden spot for hiding extra stuff.</p>
<h3><strong>6. Update lamp shades.</strong><span> </span></h3>
<p><span>To keep lighting from looking dated, switch out old lamp shades for new, clean ones. Certain older styles can date a room, and over time, lamp shades attract dust and grime that makes them look dingy. Keep the original lamp base, and buy a new shade that adds a pop of color or a graphic pattern to liven up your space.</span></p>
<h3><strong>7. Change hardware on door handles and furniture.</strong></h3>
<p>New drawer handles or door knobs can transform old furniture (plus, it's cheaper than buying something brand-new). Quality stores like <a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/category/products.jsp?categoryId=cat1512023" target="_blank">Restoration Hardware</a>, <a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/shop/accessories-decor/hardware/?cm_type=gnav" target="_blank">Pottery Barn</a>, and <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/category/hardware/home-hardware.jsp" target="_blank">Anthropologie</a> all sell fancy and attractive hardware to help even a Wal-Mart dresser look high-end.</p>
<h3><strong>8. Swap out existing ceiling fixtures.</strong></h3>
<p>Chances are your current ceiling lamp or fan hasn't been updated for over 20 years. Instead of letting these eyesores ruin your décor, switch them out for more modern lighting options. The effect this minor change will have on your space is amazing. (Just make sure that if you rent, you keep the original fan or light fixture to reinstall before moving out.)</p>
<h3><strong><strong><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/536a4da869bedd582ed1b085-600-450/tile-tattoos-2jane.jpg" border="0" alt="tile tattoos 2jane" /><p class="source"><span><a href="http://2jane.com/collections/tile-tattoos/products/mibo-tile-tattoos-black-windmill-on-white-or-clear">2Jane.com</a></span></p><p class="caption">Tile stickers fit onto existing tile and quickly update a bathroom or kitchen.</p></div><p></p></div></div>9. Mask grungy counter tops or tile with stickers.</strong></strong></h3>
<p>Just like removable wallpaper, there are <a href="http://2jane.com/collections/tile-tattoos" target="_blank">tile stickers</a> designed to add patterns to existing kitchen and bath tiling, as well as removable granite film or "<a href="http://www.applianceart.com/Instant_Granite_Film_s/104.htm" target="_blank">instant granite</a>" that uses adhesive to stick onto existing counter tops. Both are removed easily, and are relatively affordable, especially if you plan to stay in your place longer than a year.</p>
<h3><strong>10. Create your own artwork.</strong></h3>
<p>You could buy an expensive painting, or troll flea markets and vintage stores until you find something you admire. But an easy way to get art you love is to simply create it.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&amp;node=12896311" target="_blank">Amazon sells large pre-stretched canvases for around $20</a>, and you can buy paint and brushes from a local craft store. Search around for works of art online for inspiration, and then make it your own. You may want to opt for a modern-art look, so that your talent (or lack thereof) can be skewed as creative and not child-like.</p>
<p>For those unsure of how to create a certain effect or where to start, head over to a local craft store and ask for advice about recreating a specific painting or design.</p>
<h3><strong>11. If all else fails, get a plant.</strong></h3>
<p>Plants immediately add life to any room. The easiest options, of course, are self-sufficient plants such as cacti or succulents like aloe vera that not only look nice, but don't require a lot of maintenance. Find an interesting pot or bowl and go to a local farmer's market to see what flora options are available.</p>

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