New Marquee for the Benedum Theater

Destination Pittsburgh, Gratitude, Pittsburgh Theater

Benedum Center’s famous marquees are getting an upgrade in the Pittsburgh Cultural District downtown.

Crews are upgrading the marquee on 7th Street and the Stanley Photoplay board on Penn Avenue.

The goal is to increase functionality and reduce energy consumption.

Both signs will maintain a “classic” look because the Benedum Center is on the National Register of Historic Places.

“The challenge is to address the deterioration on the marquee,” architect Alan Hohlfelder said. “And make sure it can be restored in an identical way to how you see it now. It involves a lot of custom metalwork and integrating updated displays. We’re going to match the style and colors in the original sign.” 

The project is being funded by a $1 million pledge from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation. 

The restoration is expected to be completed in the fall, in time for the 35th anniversary of the reopening of the Stanley Theater as the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts.

You are right across the Penn Av from the Benedum when you home is at http://www.starloftspgh.com

To Kill a Mockingbird

Destination Pittsburgh, Fun On Downtown Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Theater, , ,

See Atticus Finch, Scout and Boo Radley like never before when one of “the most successful American plays in Broadway history” comes to town for a special eight-show run. Adapted from Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece by renowned playwright and director, Aaron Sorkin, the gripping drama stars Richard Thomas as Alabama lawyer Atticus Finch.

Tuesday, April 19: To Kill A Mockingbird at the Benedum Center
7:30 p.m.

Who needs a television when you have a live theater right next door to your home at the http://www.StarLoftPgh.com

How to make the newly clean apartment ‘your clean’ when you move in!

Comfort,

So you’re getting ready to move into your new apartment and want to make sure you get everything cleaned before the big day. Where do you start? There’s a lot to do, and with just a little preparation, you can get your apartment cleaned like a pro. Keep reading to learn how to get your apartment squeaky clean before you move in!

Dust before anything else

The first step in getting your new apartment clean is to dust your fans, lights, ledges, and door frames. Dusting high surfaces tends to get dust on the ground, so doing it first will keep you from having to come back to the same task twice.

If you want to dust off fans and lights without knocking too much dust on the ground, try flipping an old pillowcase inside out and using it to wipe down your surfaces. You can push the dust straight into the pillowcase and then dump it outside or in a trash can to clean up without making too much of a mess.

Clean the bathrooms

After you finish dusting, you’ll definitely want to deep clean the bathrooms. You can start by washing the mirrors and then scrubbing the sink, toilet, and bathtub. Spray these down with a solution of two parts vinegar, one part water, and then wipe everything down with a microfiber cloth or paper towels. 

Be sure to clean out the bathroom drawers as you go along. Consider putting down drawer liners or organization trays so your toothbrush and other hygiene items don’t have to touch potentially dirty surfaces.

Move on to the kitchen

One of the most important places to cover in cleaning your new apartment is the kitchen. You’ll most likely want to deep clean your oven, q and can be tricky to clean. If your oven has a self-clean function, use that to your advantage, but know that it won’t do all the work for you. You’ll need a strong oven cleaner to finish the job, so make sure you wear gloves and let the cleaner sit for 15 minutes or so before wiping it down.

The kitchen is one of the best places to use homemade cleaners, such as an all-purpose cleaner to clean the counters and a simple drain cleaner to flush any food waste out of the garbage disposal. While you’re at it, be sure to clean out the cabinets and put down cabinet liners to make everything look nice and keep your food clean.

Clean your floors

Be sure to clean the floors last, as any dirt, dust, or crumbs from other surfaces could get on the floor during your cleaning process. Vacuum or sweep all your floors while paying special attention to anywhere you’ll be putting furniture, as these spots will be harder to clean later. 

Now is also a great time to polish any wood floors in your apartment, which you can do with a microfiber cloth or mop and a bottle of hardwood floor polish from any home improvement store. and then, your apartment will look good as new

The http://www.starloftspgh.com apartments are always professionally cleaned and repainted after move out, so you do not need to do any or all of this, but to make it your personal clean, these are great cleaning tips

Charlie

Www.starloftspgh.com

Moving Out of your Apartment

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Whether you’re moving to another apartment or to a house, there are probably loads of tasks on your plate right now! Tackling it all can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve never attempted a move of this scale before.

Moving out of an apartment isn’t usually a straightforward matter. The logistics can be overwhelming, but this list can help lower the stress.

1. Make Sure to Give Enough Notice

Giving enough notice before a move-out is just basic common courtesy.

Even if you don’t get in legal trouble or suffer any financial loss through a too-short notice, there’s no need to sour your relationships with anyone. Keep it courteous and ethical; you don’t want to surprise anyone with the arrival of a moving company!

How Much Notice Should You Give?

60 Day minimum notice is a common courtesy.

Risks of Not Giving Due Notice

Failing to give notice in the required time can result in a loss of your deposit. At times, you might even have to give up several months of rent payments.

Cardboard Boxes at new apartment

The moving company and relocation costs will already be a burden on your pocket. So, make sure to follow this step to save face and money.

Check the Delivery Method

Finally, check the lease to see the required delivery method of your notice. Property management may require written notice, while others may accept emails, a phone call, or even a text message. It is best to mail a written notice as well as follow up with an email to the management.

2. Stay Aware of Your Payments

The usual agreement upon renting an apartment today is a security deposit, along with first and last month’s rent.

Be aware that the deposit is for covering any damage in the apartment during your stay. You will get a refund on this if the apartment is cleaned, and cleared of your items.

Don’t Confuse the Security Deposit and Last Month’s Rent

The last month’s rent, on the other hand, is to eliminate your final payment when the lease term ends. The amount of your security deposit and last month’s rent may be similar, or even identical, but keep in mind that they are not interchangeable.

3. Contact All Utility Providers

If the utilities services are in your name and property management, you are responsible for calling up the providers before the move. Make the call at least a fortnight beforehand and schedule the dates for turning the services on or off.

Ideally, you want the company to turn off the utilities the day after you move out. In the new apartment, you can schedule a turn-on time for the utilities one day before moving in.

Adapting this proactive approach will save you from getting into any hassle later on.

It is courtesy to pass along the turn of dates to the management, so they can continue the utilities in their name to prevent property or equipment damage due to shut off utilities.

4. Do a Deep Clean

Want that security deposit back? Of course, you do! You also want to leave a good impression. So, it’s time to take out all the cleaning supplies and do a deep clean of the place. The management can refer a service to you that you can pay for as well.

Make it your goal to have the apartment looking as it was when you moved in.

Hire Someone Else to Clean

If you don’t feel like putting in so much effort, especially when a new apartment or house is waiting, you should consider hiring a cleaning service. The security deposit will probably be more than what you pay them, so it’s a win all around.

Get Out the Camera and Take Pictures

Once you have the apartment all spic and span, take some pictures. The memories will be nice to have, but you also want to have proof of the apartment’s condition before your move-out.

Hold up that day’s newspaper or some other evidence to show if your landlord does find some damage or mess.

Have a Walk Through Inspection

After the cleaning, you can also ask your the property manager to have a walk through before the move-out.

A walk-through inspection will enable both parties to see the apartment’s condition for themselves. They can then discuss any problems, decide on necessary repairs, and generally iron out everything before the final inspection.

Be Prepared for the Final Inspection

Finally, you should try to be present when the landlord does their last inspection, also called the move-out inspection. You might have to work with some checklists and forms, but it will mean getting your security deposit back in the end.

If you’re confused about where to start, here are some tips on how to make your apartment feel like new.

5. Fix Whatever is Fixable

Yet another way to ensure that security deposit refund is to fix up any issues beforehand.

If you’ve hammered any nails into the walls, take care of those holes as soon as possible. If you have painted any walls, ask the management if you need to change it back to the original. The same goes for any changes in blinds, cabinet hardware, light fixtures, and so on.

Ensure Extra Checks for an Apartment with Pets or Kids

Pets and children often cause a lot of scratches, dings, and other minor damage that one may not notice in their everyday routine. A thorough walk-through will probably reveal many of those. Therefore, you must see what you can fix before the management takes it out of your security deposit.

6. Book the Moving Company

If your old apartment is on the ground or first floor, you may not require this. However, those living on higher floors might need to book time the moving company.

carrying box out
Book ahead of time and you’ll probably save some money by cutting down on the workers’ hours from the moving company as well.

7. Give Your New Address Everywhere

The U.S. Postal Service will need your new address if you still require its services.

A lot of people still send U.S. mail; you also don’t want to miss out on those holiday packages from your relatives! Any nearby post office will change your address. You might also be able to do this yourself online.

Also, make sure to give the new address to people and organizations that might send some mail at times. These include relatives, friends, educational institutions, banks, and your employer. Don’t forget to pass this address to the property management to mail your security deposit to your new address.

The Takeaway

Whether you’re downsizing to live in a smaller apartment or moving to a whole new state, the tips above are sure to help out in many ways.

These precautions are necessary for saving a load of money and also ensuring that you’re comfortable while moving. Here’s hoping the move goes smoothly and safely!

Best, Janet & Charlie

http://www.StarLoftsPgh.com

Simply Devine: A Retrospective of Danny Devine – Opens in March!

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Simply Devine: A Retrospective of Danny Devine (1982-2021) showcases thought-provoking, uplifting, joyful, and playful works created by the late Pittsburgh native. Danny was a respected graffiti writer, muralist, photographer, printmaker, painter, mentor, and friend to many. The immersive exhibition embodies Danny’s dedication to creativity and his prolific artistic output—taking viewers on a visual journey exploring his complexity as an artist.
Simply Devine: A Retrospective of Danny Devine

820 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pa 15222
March 2 – June 12

5 tips for decorating your apartment.

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Decorating your first apartment can be a new and sometimes overwhelming experience. However, it can also be a time to explore your creativity while having fun turning your new apartment into a home. Here are five helpful tips for decorating your first apartment.

Don’t Buy Everything at Once

Be focused on other financial aspects, so spending excess money purchasing all your decor at once isn’t ideal. You can start to add more and more décor pieces to your apartment gradually as time progresses and you’ve settled into your new place decorating and putting the ambiance of your apartment living space together. Gradually buying your apartment décor allows you to discover what you will really need and enjoy while saving you money, time, and space, preventing you from purchasing unnecessary items.

Wall Décor

Wall décor can be a key component of apartment decorating. Adding wall décor to your apartment allows you to show off your personality and style by creating a theme in your apartment without damaging or painting your walls. Wall décor consists of mirrors, pictures, paintings, clocks, tapestries, shelving, and other art forms that can enhance your apartment’s appeal and space.

Rugs

Rugs are a great décor piece for your apartment! They help enhance the appeal of rooms in your apartment, making them cozier and inviting. Rugs are also functional, keeping your floor warm, reducing the noise coming from your apartment, and making sitting on the floor more comfortable. You can even place a rug over the existing carpet in your apartment to separate areas and add a splash of color or texture to the rooms in your apartment.

Focus on Comfort

Along with enhancing your apartment’s appeal, you want your décor to provide comfort. Adding blankets, throw pillows, rugs, and lamps to your apartment goes a long way in creating a cozy, relaxing, and serene atmosphere. It’s ideal for helping you relax and enjoy the comfort of your apartment after enduring a long day of work or school. You also want to consider adding items that make your apartment inviting to accommodate those guests that are “just visiting.”

Make It Personal

Adding creative décor to your apartment helps display your personality reflecting your tastes and interests. Personalizing your apartment can be done by including pictures of loved ones, souvenirs, creative paintings, different color rugs, unique furniture pieces, and much more. As your tastes and interests change, you can redecorate, providing new visuals.

The Apartments of Wildewood have a friendly community that’s waiting to welcome you!

 The StarloftsPgh.com are located in beautiful downtown Pittsburgh.

To set up an appointment to check out an apartment, call Janet at 412-943-7660

How to make your StarLoftPgh look like an art gallery.

Decor, Downtown Pittsburgh Apartments, interior design,

Turning your apartment into a fabulous art gallery is one of the best ways to style your place. You can fashion your space into a show-stopper with genuine, gallery-quality pieces or by creatively framing and positioning affordable reproductions, prints, and posters. While you get the artwork, remember that galleries are often minimalist settings, so decluttering your home will be part of your efforts.

When conversation starters drape your walls, there’ll be no more awkward dinner parties with icy interactions. With the decor tips we will share in this article, every room in your apartment will deliver color and pizzaz. Switch out the gloom and dreariness for daily immersion in art.

Transforming your starloftpgh into a never-ending exhibition implies that you focus less on furniture and more on your art pieces. The process will challenge your eye for detail and your ability to put together cohesive designs. Here is some ideas, so let’s get into it.

Opt for White or Neutral-Colored Walls

The appearance of your home is mainly determined by the walls. With simple white or neutral walls, your rooms appear larger, broader and have a more minimalistic ambiance. You’ll be able to experiment with a wide range of artwork as a result of this. Compared to crowded patterns or harsh tones, the colors and designs on the walls shine out better against a plain background.

You should think about the statement that a particular shade of white sends before choosing a can of paint. A white with somewhat warm undertones is fantastic for home decor. Too bright a white makes a place appear unwelcoming as if you’re entering into a grocery store or a hospital.

The starloftspgh uses the neutral oyster bar as the wall colors, and is very clean and appealing to almost everyone.

Set Your Space Apart With Sculptural Art

Sculptural pieces elevate the space above knick-knacks. Install large, stand-alone works on a pedestal to grab attention when anyone walks into the room. If you prefer, you can display smaller sculptures in groups of three or five. Lighting also has a role to play as illumination can highlight the details of your pieces. With a wall mirror behind the sculptures, you can also add depth and dimension.

Remember to keep delicate sculptures away from areas with high foot traffic to avoid accidents.

Drape the Walls With Art

Unless you’re an art curator, artist, or gallery owner, buying art isn’t something that comes easily to everyone. However, following a few straightforward criteria can make you realize that selecting art for the house is far more natural than one may expect. Though certain principles, such as investing in neutral sofas or carpeting, may be followed, utilize your wall art to make more eclectic selections. Express yourself through colors, content, and texture that speak to you.

Infuse Classic Designs

Pick an odd number of pieces with which you can arrange uniquely and artistically. Regardless of the total number on display, odd numbers often look better than their even counterparts. For a cohesive atmosphere, follow a color scheme, e.g., black, gold, and violet prints or paintings. Envision a layout and place your pieces on the floor before you hang them up.

Lit Up the Space

You can add a whole new way of looking at your space with smart lighting. The tricks of lighting are endless, whether it’s using light to accentuate your wall hangings or frames, choosing the appropriate lights source for an antique table, or installing faint yellow lights in a fake ceiling. The starloftspgh have enough controllable lighting to make this possible for you. You can also use lights to concentrate attention on certain places. You may also use fairy lights to create a relaxing atmosphere in a room.

Where to Get Art Pieces for Your Apartment

Pittsburghers like their art, particularly in the Culural district where local artists display, and sell their artworks. Empty walls can leave you feeling quite gloomy staring at those lifeless walls, particularly in the winter months. 

You can avoid this by using your some of your budget to make smart purchases to transform your house into an art gallery. You can get great works at pocket-friendly prices from the following locations:

Artsy

If you seek fine art from New York or international galleries, then you should check out Artsy. Some curators may chide you for buying art you did not appreciate in person, but it’s 2021, and e-commerce is the norm. Artsy sells works in all styles, showcasing artists like Jean Dubuffet, Damien Hirst, and much more. Though these do not qualify as cheap art, they host live auctions, display sales from international fairs, and give emerging artists a platform. 

Society6

Society6 carries artworks from hundreds of thousands of artists all over the globe. Their inventory displays creative works from international artists and designers who supply their original works to the company. Society6 then reprints them with high-quality materials, which makes them more affordable for you.

From wall art to tapestries, you can get them delivered right to your door. The artists are fairly compensated for their works by receiving the majority of the sale proceeds. 

Art School Exhibitions

Though you may wish for a Picasso or Basquiat, those may be unrealistic at the moment. In the meantime, why not stop by a college exhibition to support new acts? College students are taught the techniques of these masters and infuse their ingenuity in creating pieces that may one day be renowned. While their works may have not yet graced the walls of a top museum or gallery, this just translates to you having a genuine original.

Local Pittsburgh Artists

Dinner tonight, at your starloftpgh home: Peperonata (bell pepper stew) With Cuttlefish and Oregano

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Simple, yet tasty!

A southern Italian summertime regular, saucy peperonata (stewed peppers, onions and tomatoes) with tender cuttlefish and oregano is extremely delicious. Have plenty of bread on the ready to mop up the silky juices.

LIST OF INGREDIENTS

  • 2 LBS. of cuttlefish, Wholeys fish market
  • 1 1/2 LBS. of bell peppers, Pennsylvania Macaroni
  • 2 of vine tomatoes, Pennsylvania Macaroni
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • fresh oregano, or dry
  • Bertolli extra-virgin olive oil
  • sea salt

METHOD

1

Clean cuttlefish and cut into strips. Trim bell peppers and cut into strips similar in size to the cuttlefish. Chop the tomatoes. 2

Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a pan with a crushed unpeeled garlic clove. Add bell peppers and sauté for 2 minutes, then add chopped tomatoes. Remove garlic and cook for 5-6 minutes, then cover and cook for another 6-7 minutes.3

Remove everything from the pan and add the cuttlefish. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Add bell peppers and tomatoes back into the pan and mix allowing flavors to meld for 1 minute. Top with a bit of chopped fresh oregano and serve.

Cuttlefish with bell pepper an oregano.

Have a great dinner.

Janet, owner of www.starloftspgh.com

Gallery Crawl at your home.

Destination Pittsburgh, Fun On Downtown Pittsburgh,
Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District, 28 January | Event in Pittsburgh | AllEvents.in

Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District

Fri Jan 28 2022 at 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm
(Eastern Standard Time)

It’s the first Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District of 2022 — packed with more than a dozen Crawl Stops including new gallery exhibitions, two live music showcases, and one-of-a-kind events in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh.

Since 2004, the Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District, a production of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, has been a free, one-night-only, multi-venue showcase of Pittsburgh’s dynamic art and entertainment scene. Tens of thousands of visitors have explored this quarterly “open house,” featuring local and international artists in exhibitions, performances, and screenings inside of galleries, storefronts, and restaurants throughout your doorstep below at the http://www.starloftspgh.com.

Joke of the day!

Fun On Downtown Pittsburgh, Jokes

Three drunks hailed a taxi. The taxi driver seeing that they were so wasted when they got in, he just switched on the engine and switched it off, and said we are here. The 1st guy gave him money, 2nd guy said thanks, but the 3rd guy slapped him. The taxi driver was stunned because he was hoping that none of them would have realized the car didn’t move an inch. So what was that for, he asked. Control your speed next time, you almost killed us.