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Curious just how far your dollar goes in Portland?

We've rounded up the latest places for rent via rental sites Zumper and Apartment Guide to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to finding apartment rentals in Portland if you've got up to $2,600/month earmarked for your rent.

Take a look at the listings, below. (Note: Prices and availability are subject to change.)

Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions.

Listed at $2,539/month, this 1,230-square-foot two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment is located at 685 S.E. Belmont St.

The unit offers a walk-in closet and hardwood floors. The building boasts a gym and garage parking. For those with furry friends in tow, this property is pet-friendly.

Per Walk Score ratings, the surrounding area is a "walker's paradise," is a "biker's paradise" and has excellent transit.

(Take a look at the complete listing here.)

Next, there's this two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment located at 1818 S.W. Fourth Ave. It's listed for $2,543/month for its 875 square feet.

The building features a swimming pool and an elevator. In the apartment, the listing promises air conditioning. Cats and dogs are not allowed.

According to Walk Score's assessment, the area around this address is a "walker's paradise," is quite bikeable and has excellent transit.

(Take a gander at the complete listing here.)

Then there's a 1,009-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at 1411 N.W. Raleigh St. that's going for $2,550/month.

You can expect a dishwasher and a balcony in the apartment. When it comes to building amenities, expect a swimming pool. Good news for animal lovers: This property is both dog-friendly and cat-friendly.

According to Walk Score's assessment, the surrounding area is extremely walkable, is easy to get around on a bicycle and offers many nearby public transportation options.

(Take a look at the full listing here.)

Located at 8845 S.E. 13th Ave., here's a 1,775-square-foot three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom spot that's listed for $2,595/month.

In the residence, expect to find hardwood floors, granite countertops and a walk-in closet. The building offers garage parking. Cats and dogs are not permitted. There isn't a leasing fee associated with this rental.

Walk Score indicates that this location is quite walkable, is easy to get around on a bicycle and has a few nearby public transportation options.

(Check out the complete listing here.)

Lastly, listed at $2,600/month, this 1,600-square-foot three-bedroom, two-bathroom unit is located at 5321 N.E. Everett St.

The building features outdoor space. You can also expect a dishwasher, granite countertops and a fireplace in the residence. Pet owners, take heed: This rental is both dog-friendly and cat-friendly. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee.

According to Walk Score, this location is friendly for those on foot, is great for biking and is a haven for transit riders.

(Check out the complete listing here.)

Working with a tight budget? Here are the cheapest rentals recently listed in Portland.

This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Additionally, read on for five marketing tips for real estate agents to showcase local market expertise.

Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.

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Apartments for rent in Portland: What will $2600 get you? - Hoodline

GAINESVILLE, Tex. (KXII) - At least two North Texas COVID-19 cases this week involve health care workers in Cooke County.

On Thursday an employee at Gainesville Nursing and Rehab tested positive in Dallas County. The company says the man immediately self-isolated when he began showing symptoms Monday, and that none of their residents or other staff have shown symptoms of infection.

Gainesville Nursing and Rehab said in a news release:

Gainesville Nursing & Rehab has been exercising the highest degrees of diligence in daily screenings of all our staff personnel as they enter our building to reduce the risk of communication of the COVID 19 corona virus. We have been using special cleaning equipment on all surfaces- focusing on points of frequent contact inside and outside, for example door handles, countertops, handrails. We curtailed meal service in the dining room and other communal activities - which are provided in the residents' rooms personally. As you know, the significant challenge with containment of the virus is that symptoms lag days or weeks after exposure. Further, we are only allowed to request testing for the virus after the onset of symptoms. There simply are not enough test kits available to us or even in the county and state for testing of non-symptomatic individuals. Yesterday, one of our employees notified us that he had just been tested positive for COVID-19 by the Dallas County Health Department. Pursuant to our policy and practices, the employee had been screened for symptoms of the virus when he reported for work on Friday, March 20, 2020 and did not exhibit any symptoms at the time. Based on clearing our screening procedures, he then worked the shift from Friday night to early Saturday morning and then went home. Based on a number of reported positive cases in Denton, and as he was beginning to experience symptoms of fever and cough on Monday, he wisely pursued getting screened and that returned positive for COVID-19 corona virus. He has not been in our facility since his shift on Friday. The employee is under the care of his physician and is isolated from others. After learning the diagnosis, we immediately contacted the Cooke County Emergency Manager and the Cooke County Health Department to determine any additional protocols to help ensure the safety of our residents and employees. We continue to follow guidance from the Department of Health.

Fortunately, none of our residents or other staff, have shown symptoms of infection from the COVID-19 virus. We continue to maintain the highest measures of safety and vigilance. Gainesville Nursing & Rehab has been, and continues to be, extremely cautious in all regards in performing daily screenings, use of recommended personnel protective equipment and closure of the facility to all visitors -following all recommended guidelines, including guidance from the Department of Health, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Our screening protocol requires that Employees are screened before they begin their shift and again six hours into their shift. In addition, staff are screening residents twice daily for corona symptoms- in addition to usual health monitoring.

Protecting the health and well-being of our residents and employees remains our top priority. We continue to be on high alert and will take every precautionary measure possible.

Please, for your personal safety and the safety of your family and your community, please encourage all members of your family and relatives and friends, to wash their hands regularly with soap for 20 seconds, avoid touching your face and practice social distancing of 6' or more. Avoid unnecessary travel and avoid contact with other people or surfaces. This pandemic is growing, and will not pass quickly, regardless of any voices suggesting otherwise. Listen to the guidance from the medical personnel.

Neither our residents nor employees are showing any symptoms, we our following our State, County, and local Health Department guidelines and will continue to do so. We will update you as additional information is available.

Gainesville Nursing & Rehab"

And a healthcare provider at Cooke County Medical Center tested positive for the virus Tuesday in Collin County after initially testing negative last Monday. The clinic was closed and cleaned immediately Wednesday and resumed normal hours Thursday.

North Texas Medical Center, which owns and operates Cooke County Medical Center, addressed the case Thursday on its Facebook page:

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2 Cooke Co. healthcare workers test positive for COVID-19 - KXII-TV

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - COVID-19 is taking its toll on many area businesses, grocery stores being no exception despite being an essential service. At first, the rush to stock up provided a boom in sales, but new shelter-in-place rules have seen those numbers swing the other way.

Mark Monnette, owner of the popular Monnette's Market, has never seen such highs and lows in the industry in such a short period of time. "I might sell 10-15 cases of potatoes over the weekend... the first weekend this hit, we sold over 100 cases in a matter of two days. It's been a crazy couple of weeks for us... when they put the order in place, business literally folded in half. I think a lot of people aren't even sure if we're open."

Fresh produce seems especially hard-hit, and part of that swing may come from uncertainty about catching COVID-19 from food sources.

Let's be clear: According to the FDA, there is currently no evidence showing that COVID-19 could be a foodborne illness, though research suggests an average life of up to 4 hours on copper, a full day on cardboard, and up to 3 days on plastic or stainless steel. (For comparison, it's thought the virus can stay airborne for up to 3 hours.)

While those shopping carts require some extra sanitizer and elbow grease, washing your apples under the tap as usual should do the trick -- no soap or wipes required.

You may be tired of hearing the words "social distancing" at this point, but that combined with hand washing are still your best bets in warding off sickness in general -- and Monnette's is certainly doing their part.

"The countertops, we've lengthened those and doubled the space," Monnette points out, "so the cashiers can be at a safe distance as well as our deli employees."

Plenty of extra sanitizing supplies placed throughout the store add to the abundance of caution. Wiping down every surface of the market is time-consuming, of course, but worth it for the safety of customers and employees alike.

"We appreciate everybody abiding by these rules and regulations," says Monnette, "and the faster we can follow these rules, the faster we can see the other side."

In case you were wondering: Monnette's Market, like many other grocers in the state, has set aside the first hour of operation each day exclusively for seniors who may be at greatest risk for contracting the virus. For further information, visit their Facebook pages for the Glendale Avenue, Secor Road or locations.

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Don't fear your fruit: COVID-19 and fresh produce - 13abc Action News

BEAUMONT, Texas The Beaumont Public Health Department has confirmed that a eighth Beaumont resident has tested positive for COVID-19.

BPHD says that an epidemiological investigation is underway and they are working to quickly identify close contacts of the individual.

For the first time, BPHD has said that the ages of confirmed cases in Beaumont range from 23 to 70. Six of the individuals who have tested positive are recuperating at home and two are hospitalized.

"For confidentiality purposes, BPHD is not releasing any additional information to identify the individual," a news release said. "Community spread is a realistic possibility and citizens must make all efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19."

12News has requested basic information including age and sex.

On Thursday, BPHD provided a broad range of ages of those who have tested positive. However, other cities around Texas and in other parts of the country have released more information about individuals who test positive including age and sex.

In cities such as Houston, Angleton, Galveston, Lake Jackson, Manvel, Angleton as well as Harris and Chambers County, age range and sex of the individual is provided to the media.

Many of those same cities include more case details such as where the individual possibly contracted the virus.

BPHD says they are not releasing additional information for confidentiality purposes.

"12News believes this is critical information residents need to better understand who this virus is impacting," 12News news director Daniel Brown said. "We believe it will show that this is not only impacting the elderly or those with immune issues. It is information that could help slow the spread, and we will continue to push for this information to be made public."

RELATED: VERIFY: CDC, WHO do not recommend homemade masks

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RELATED: Texas unemployment rate headed toward double digits, comptroller warns

RELATED: Gov. Abbott firm in decision not to issue state-wide 'stay at home' order, Southeast Texas judges meet to discuss next steps

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Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, the CDC says.

These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure:

If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.

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Cases of coronavirus on the rise in Beaumont. There are now 8 confirmed cases. - 12newsnow.com KBMT-KJAC

Weve rounded up the latest places for rent via rental sitesZumperandApartment Guideto get a sense of what to expect when it comes to scoring affordable apartments in Miami if youve got a budget of up to $1,400/month.

Take a peek at what rentals the city has to offer, below. (Note: Prices and availability are subject to change.)

Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions.

Listed at $1,350/month, this one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo is located at 953 S.W. 10th St.

The condo has air conditioning and granite countertops. Animals are not welcome. Be prepared for a $75 application fee.

According to Walk Scores assessment,the area around this addressis friendly for those on foot, is quite bikeable and offers many nearby public transportation options.

(Check out the complete listinghere.)

Next, theres this two-bedroom, one-bathroom condo over at 2727 N.W. 17th Terrace. Its also listed for $1,350/month.

The building boasts secured entry. In the unit, you can expect granite countertops, a balcony and stainless steel appliances. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: This spot doesnt allow cats or dogs.

Walk Score indicates thatthe surrounding areais moderately walkable, is fairly bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options.

(Take a gander at the complete listinghere.)

Located at 2734 Bird Ave., heres a one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo thats listed for $1,350/month.

The condo includes a walk-in closet and a balcony. The building features garage parking. Neither cats nor dogs are welcome. Future tenants neednt worry about a leasing fee.

Walk Score indicates thatthe area around this addressis quite walkable, is great for biking and has good transit options.

(See the complete listinghere.)

Listed at $1,350/month, this 600-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment is located at 87 N.W. 36th Court.

In the apartment, you can anticipate central heating and a ceiling fan. Pets are not permitted. There isnt a leasing fee associated with this rental.

Walk Score indicates thatthe area around this addressis quite walkable, is fairly bikeable and has good transit options.

(Take a look at the complete listinghere.)

Lastly, heres a two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at 5537 N.W. Fifth Ave. thats going for $1,350/month.

Look for a ceiling fan and air conditioning in the unit. Pets are not permitted. Future tenants neednt worry about a leasing fee.

According to Walk Scores assessment,this locationis very walkable, is bikeable and has good transit options.

(Check out the complete listinghere.)

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Apartments For Rent In Miami: What Will $1,400 Get You? - CBS Miami

In the 1950s when the city of Wickliffe was pastoral and much less populated Jack Schneider knew that changes were ahead.

The late Schneider realized that much of Clevelands population was moving to the suburbs and that people would be looking for carpeting to install in their new homes.

Thus, in 1953 the insightful man established Location Carpet at 29334 Euclid Ave.

Location Carpet was founded in Wickliffe in 1953. Pictured is its second location at 171 Chestnut St. in Painesville.

Today the business continues to operate at the same site and in 2001 an additional retail store opened in Painesville.

Eventually, Jacks son John became the companys president and four of his five children along with other family members are currently part of the staff.

Ben Schneider, who is Johns son and general manager, said his on-the-job training took place early on.

In our house if you could pick up the toolbox you went to work with dad in the summer, he recalled.

Location Carpet is a longtime Lake County family business with stores in Wickliffe and Painesville. Pictured are John Schneider, center, and members of the Schneider family, most of whom work in some aspect of the business.

Other early memories include working in Wickliffe homes. In an email sent to The News-Herald, Ben stated that we did a lot of workthroughoutWickliffe which was heavily populated with Italian families. When we would show up in the morning they would be out in the garden picking fresh vegetables and they would prepare the most amazing lunchtime feast.

We would have to halt our work and sit down with them to eat lunch, talk and of course some homemade vino they would send home with us! Maybe this partly shaped how we are today with our customers, minus the heavy lunches that make you sleepy!

John said his best memory from years heading up the business was getting involved with Project Hope for the Homeless based in Painesville.

The facility was in dire need of floor covering, and Location Carpet stepped up by donating all necessary materials for the job. Upon seeing the needs of many families firsthand, all labor was done without cost as well.

I believe in my heart that we made a big difference, John said.

Location Carpet staffers participated in the Barstool Open in February. The annual event which raises funds for University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Childrens took place in Willoughby. Pictured are Jessica Schneider, left, Ben Schneider, Laura Schneider and Rachel Schneider Mullis.

The business continues to contribute to the community by supporting such events and efforts as Painesville Party in the Park, Keep Wickliffe Beautiful and the Wickliffe Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

Along with its strong community spirit, the company adheres to a solid business philosophy focusing on value.

Value is not just dollars and cents. I spend the time with each customer to explore what value is to them, John said.

To help determine the best value he not only asks customers about their flooring preferences but how long they plan to stay in their home. He noted that sometimes he even walks away telling customers that their best value is not doing a new floor.

I never want to lose a sale but I don't want people to spend their money for something thats not a value either,John said.

Ben added that the company strives to be easy to work with and for customers to enjoy working with them, while at the same time trying to be extremely thorough so that important details don't slip through the cracks.

Although the companys longevity speaks to its success, Location Carpet is no different than many other businesses which face challenges at various times.

One such challenge occurred during the stock market crash of 2008.

Rachel Schneider Mullis, Johns daughter and manager of the Painesville store, explained how the business survived the economic downturn.

We tightened our belts and powered forward," she said. "We adjusted the way we did business, putting more focus back on the retail and commercial side of thebusiness and reinvented Location Carpet.

A residual effect of the crash that still presents a challenge is the lack of available installers. Many left the trade during that time and no new installers entered.

So fast forward a decade plus later and we are still challenged and often held back by the need for skilled installers, Schneider Mullis said.

The pressing trial currently faced by Location Carpet as well as hundreds of thousands of businesses is tied to the effects stemming from the novel coronavirus.

The company is keeping limited hours and stores are equipped with Ring video doorbells so customers can drop off or pick up samples which are sanitized. Staff is willing to conduct virtual showroom visits, order samples to homes and provide ballpark estimates for potential jobs.

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Location Carpet's longevity speaks to its success in Wickliffe, Painesville - News-Herald.com

John Buckenroth assists in folding a section of turf as it is glued in place on Tuesday in West Liberty.

Gloves and scissors are the main tools for installing this new-fangled turf in West Liberty.

Workers from LeVans Excavating and Keepers Turf use turf glue to secure seams of turf to the dirt below during the process on Tuesday.

No matter how modern the field, theres still no place like home.

WEST LIBERTY It might not seem like it now, but the sun will eventually come out again. Even if its still a little damp outside, the ballplayers in West Liberty will be saying batter up a bit sooner than they would be on plain old grass and mud.

The West Liberty Ball Association is installing the first turf baseball infield in the tri-county area at Dodge Park, which is owned by the village. WLBA was able to secure the installation through a generous private donation. The value of the field is roughly $80,000.

Workers spent much of Tuesday laying down the new field surface before a deluge of rain stopped the action on Wednesday.

Having the turf will allow WLBA to host additional tournaments, play shortly after inclement weather and bring more people into the community. The new turf can be played on in as little as 10 minutes after a downpour. WLBA aspires to add lights to at least one field in the park. It doesnt currently have lights on any field.

The village of West Liberty has previously stated that it is committed to lighting one field this year.

The WLBA season has been delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic but says it is committed to forging on and providing the best possible facilities for youth.

The WLBA is a 501c3 non-profit organization run by nine board members who maintain Dodge Park through in-kind and monetary donations. Almost all labor for improvements is provided by the board.

LeVan Excavating of Logan County is placing turf on the field. The company is donating this upgrade.

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On March 23, ground will be broken at Lions Park for the splashpad, scheduled to have a grand opening on May 23. This project is being accomplished through donations and grants.

John Buckenroth assists in folding a section of turf as it is glued in place on Tuesday in West Liberty.

Gloves and scissors are the main tools for installing this new-fangled turf in West Liberty.

Workers from LeVans Excavating and Keepers Turf use turf glue to secure seams of turf to the dirt below during the process on Tuesday.

No matter how modern the field, theres still no place like home.

West Liberty installs synthetic turf field

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Roll out the green carpet - Urbana Daily Citizen

Whether you're looking to put your home on the market this spring or sell further down the road, there are many home improvements you can do on your own to add value to your home. A well-informed homeowner will keep track of all remodels and updates over the years, and will also be aware of the projects that can provide the best return on investment.

Even if your plans to put your home on the market are derailed by the coronavirus pandemic, the added time you're spending at home means you can take on some updates as do-it-yourself projects.

The average return at resale for home improvement projects is 63.7% of a project's cost if the home is sold within a year, according to Remodeling Magazine's 2020 annual Cost vs. Value Report. Here are a few relatively easy do-it-yourself projects that you can check off your list for cheap and add value to your home:

-- Deep clean and declutter.

-- Paint the interior.

-- Spruce up your yard.

-- Add lighting.

-- Refresh your bathroom.

-- Overhaul your closet.

-- Refinish or paint your cabinets.

-- Replace your floors.

-- Update kitchen appliances.

-- Remove popcorn ceilings.

[See: 10 Home Renovations Under $5,000.]

Deep Clean and Declutter

First impressions count when selling your home. Make the interior of your home shine from floor to ceiling by taking the time to spruce up your space. Pick up personal items and store them away. Wipe down counters, baseboards and all areas inside and outside of the house. Remove smudge marks on all windows, doors and mirrors. Deep cleaning and decluttering your home is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to keep your home looking its best while getting ready to sell. More importantly, it helps make life easier. Dan DiClerico, smart home strategist and home expert for HomeAdvisor, based in Brooklyn, New York, explains that decluttering and getting your home in order room by room will help decrease your stress level, especially if you're battling anxiety as you spend more time at home.

Paint the Interior

A fresh coat of paint can go a long way when it come to buyer impressions. Painting your home's interior is one of the most cost-effective improvements you can do, as newly painted rooms will add value by providing a clean and updated look. "It is more time-consuming if you really want to do the job right," DiClerico says. Make sure to properly clean and prep surfaces, tape edges and doorways and apply a couple coats to make the new paint look consistent. Stick to neutral colors when choosing your paint so it will appeal to a large number of people.

Spruce Up Your Yard

Any yardwork that improves the curb appeal of your home will benefit you in the long term, and you'll be more inclined to spend time in the space if you give it more love. Now is a great time to plant a vegetable garden or replace old, dead plants with new plants that will thrive, says Abeer Sweis, an architect and design partner for architecture firm SweisKloss in Santa Monica, California. If you're looking to make landscaping changes that appeal to more homebuyers, choose low-maintenance landscaping, such as beds of mulch or drought-tolerant plants.

Add Lighting

Brighten up your home without breaking the bank by simply opening windows, cleaning skylights and removing outdated curtains that may be blocking natural light. Have old lighting fixtures hanging from your ceiling? Get rid of any eyesores by updating your lighting with an eye-catching chandelier or a modern ceiling fan.

Refresh Your Bathroom

Outdated and boring bathroom fixtures can really take away from the room's style and feel. Giving your bathroom a quick refresh is a great DIY project to prep for selling your home. Upgrade fixtures, such as knobs and pulls, and check for leaky faucets or poor drainage. "You just need a screwdriver to be able to replace (knobs or pulls) with a similar type of hardware," Sweis says.

Overhaul Your Closet

If your version of decluttering quickly turned into piling items inside your closet, you might want to consider a new closet organizer system. Brands like EasyClosets and ELFA allow you to custom design your new closet based on the measurements and what you want to store there. All the materials and instructions can be shipped directly to your home for a DIY project. "It's a project that will take you more than a day but helps you do some of those things you've wanted to do (in your house) but never touched," Sweis says.

Story continues

[See: The Best Time of Year for Every Home Improvement Project]

Refinish or Paint Your Cabinets

If you're looking to employ more skill than painting interior walls requires, consider taking on the project of sanding and either staining or painting your kitchen cabinets. "This is a fantastic way to completely transform the look and feel of a kitchen, but it's very time-consuming," DiClerico says. The project is best done by removing your cabinets from the wall, then patiently sanding away the existing finish before going through the process of applying a new stain or paint.

Replace Your Floors

Homebuyers prefer hard flooring options over wall-to-wall carpeting. While the idea of removing carpeting and refinishing wood floors on your own can seem like a daunting task, this DIY project can be done on a budget with the proper tools. Be ready to take the time to remove the existing carpet or other floor material, as well as prepare the space and install new flooring. But new wood floors, or even high-quality vinyl or tile floors, can deliver a significant return on investment and help your home sell faster. "I might say think twice about (a project this size) in normal circumstances, but longer-term projects like this can be done while you're home now," DiClerico says.

Update Kitchen Appliances

The kitchen is the part of the home that gets the greatest return when updated. While this is a more expensive option, upgrading your kitchen appliances like the dishwasher, microwave and stove can increase the value of your home. Consider choosing stainless steel when updating your kitchen, as this style is popular among buyers.

[Read: 5 Tips for Tackling Home Renovations With YouTube]

Remove Popcorn Ceilings

Popcorn ceilings may not make or break a deal, but they tend to date and devalue a house, causing potential buyers to look the other way. You can remove your popcorn ceiling yourself with the proper equipment, but if you have an older home, check if it contains asbestos. If your popcorn ceiling does have asbestos, you'll want to wait until it's easier to be away from the house while a professional carefully removes it.

More From US News & World Report

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10 DIY Projects That Add Value to Your Home - Yahoo Finance

From the outside, Justin and Charlie Salisburys Fifties terrace home in west London doesnt stand out.

But as soon as you step inside their front door, into a tiny but brightly painted kitchen, along a wood-clad hallway and into a light-filled lounge packed with art and colourful prints, it is obvious that this is a home stuffed withpersonality.

The Salisburys have experience of doing up places. They are the hoteliers behind the hip boutique hotel chain, Artist Residence, which is known for its stand-out style and as an antidote to bland hotel rooms.

The couple started their chain, which will soon number five hotels, in 2008, by accident rather than design. When they were both students at Leeds University, Justins mother, who ran a guesthouse in Brighton, was badly injured in an accident.

Justin left his accountancy degree to look after the business and, realising that the rooms needed refurbishing, put out an advert asking local artists to decorate the rooms in return for board. It was the start of a brilliant hotel proposition, and one that set the tone for future properties, as well as their own home.

They bought their current house five years ago and called in builders for a four-month renovation. They soon realised Charlie was pregnant; when she came back from hospital with baby Blake, now four, the builders were still there for a couple more weeks. I was pretty desperate for them to leave, says Charlie.

The inside hasnt been knocked around too much. The largest job was moving the kitchen from the back of the property, in the conservatory, to the front of the house in what was an office-cum-spare bedroom. It really bothered me where it was, Charlie says. It was very cold in winter and it made the living room quite dark. Moving it to the front of the house has enabled us to open up the space.

They painted the cabinets which Justin designed and got built at a fraction of the cost of a designer kitchen a dark bluey-green, and the walls were cream. But I decided we needed more colour, Justin says. So I came home one day and painted the walls pink.

In an ideal world they would have upgraded the PVC conservatory installed by the previous owners with glass, but budget and time constraints forced them to be resourceful. We had loads of wood cladding in storage, so I just decided to use that, Justin says. (Charlie notes archly that her husband is a hoarder.) The effect is warm and rustic, with houseplants hung at different levels. Its much more characterful than a modern renovation.

Unearthing the character in their hotels is usually easy in the period properties they find and do up their latest, which is due to open this year in Bristol, is a converted boot factory and Georgian townhouse.

We strip things back and let the features shine, Charlie says. But in our home, it was different. There werent many features here to start with, apart from a rather modern brick wall in the dining room that we did expose and paint.

To add personality to the house, they had to layer it up with accessories, textiles, and most importantly for the couple, art. There is a Connor Brothers print in the living room, fox and rabbit prints above the sofa by Dave White, a piece by Pure Evil in their bedroom, and work by Stephen Anthony Davids that Charlie says looks like our cat, as well as a neon sign by Andy Doig which is a feature in every one of their hotels. We couldnt have a neon sign and it not be by Andy, Charlie adds.

Buying art, they say, is about finding a personal connection. But even more simply than that, start with what you like. It doesnt need to be expensive along with the prints and original pieces that they have built up in their personal collection are also eBay finds that fill the walls, such as a large American flag that Justin says he just fancied.

The layered approach extends to the floors, too. While the downstairs has hardwood flooring that they inherited with the house, they have added colourful, textured rugs, layering them in places. Rugs are so important for making your home feel comfortable because youre often barefoot a lot of the time, Charlie says.

On the stairs, landing and bedrooms they have opted for carpets for warmth and sound prevention, choosing bold patterns from spots to check.

Their home is full of decoration, such as in the living room, where jazzy cushions sit on a zig-zag white couch from Anthropologie. It doesnt matter if the patterns clash, Charlie says, but I think you have to be careful with the colours. So, the sofa and the cushions both have white undertones, and thats why it works. Otherwise, it might be too overpowering.

Another way theyve added texture to their modern house is by changing the internal doors to reclaimed ones. The living room didnt actually have a door to begin with, and as much as I like the open-plan look, I do think its nice to have zones, Charlie says. They added a door and frame from the reclamation company English Salvage. Meanwhile, their en suite has a sliding door, which as well as being a design staple in some of their hotels, helps to maximise the small available space.

Their son Blake has added his own touch. Weve accumulated so many toys, Justin says, despairingly. Its not something we had to consider before. Compromises to personal style have had to be made as hes grown. We had a beautiful mini bar cabinet in the conservatory before, which we loved, but now weve had to turn it into a toy cupboard, Charlie says. Meanwhile Justin added a fabric skirt to an open-fronted sideboard in the dining room to hide yet more playthings.

Nothing is ever permanent for them: pieces of art are moved, and furniture might end up in a hotel or vice versa. We were trying to find a table for our Cornwall hotel, looked at our own dining room table and realised that it would make a good fit, Charlie says. The luxe red mohair sofa in their conservatory used to be in their London hotel lounge until they decided it was too big.

They find it hard to pin down their style, because, they say, nothing is too over-thought. If we like it, we just get it or do it, Charlie says. A lot of that comes from having learned about design as we went along we tried things out and if they didnt work, wetried again. We dont tend to overthink things.

artistresidence.co.uk

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How to turn a very normal home into an arty hangout with bags of personality - Telegraph.co.uk

A street so dark its an accident waiting to happen may soon be lit up thanks to Tiverton Town Council.

The Council has agreed to support resident Audrey Joyners campaign to install two new streetlights where she lives on Hillcrest. The Town Council will ask Devon County Council Highways whose responsibility it is to look after the roads to install the lights.

Concerns over the nearby Tiverton Ambulance Station were also raised, due to emergency vehicles using the road.

A motion put forward by Councillor Irene Hill, which was subsequently passed, means the Council has agreed to contribute 2,500 towards the costs of installing additional lighting.

Speaking at a Tiverton Town Council meeting on Monday, March 9, Ms Joyner, who has lived on the street for seven years, said: The entry road has no lights at all, and there are up to 15 parked cars there most days. Cars are swinging around from Belmont Road, and ambulances are coming in the opposite direction.

With no streetlights, the road is completely dark. People have to get out of their cars and across the road to the pavement as there is none on the car parking side. If youre coming from town, walking or cycling, you have to cross the road in darkness to get into Hillcrest.

Ms Joyner added that she became aware of the hazards in the road soon after moving due to falling on the uneven pavement. She said her son also tripped on the curb and banged his head badly.

For five years, I moaned to myself every time I walked along the road, she said. I thought that perhaps the new Perriman Square development might give some light, but it doesnt at all.

Of all the roads in Tiverton which need the lights, this one does, and I tried to do something about it.

Ms Joyner added that two years ago, a petition was signed, and Devon County Council (DCC) had agreed to install lights via councillors locality budget. However, DCC, Colin Slade, explained that there was never an application put forward to and therefore money could not have been paid.

Ms Joyner said that at the time, Wester Power Distribution had quoted that the total cost would be 6,000 to bring the road up to an acceptable standard.

Cllr Hill, who put forward the motion added: Im aware that lighting is a responsibility of DCC, but there are two good reasons why we should consider a contribution towards this.

First of all, its quite clear that there is a need to improve the lighting in Hillcrest. I have been told there was a project set up to put in two extra lights as the lighting was not up to standard and they were going to bring it up to the same level that it should be.

Also, if you look at Perriman Square next door, there are eight lights in the space of about 400m, which is amazing. Hillcrest has virtually none.

There is an accident waiting to happen there, the ambulance station is at the end, and there is one light at the end of the road, but it doesnt highlight anything and give a lot of aurae. Ambulances, however careful they are, can, and do, go down that road quickly. I think its a real danger for children and for elderly people who live there.

The other reason is that Audrey Joyner got in contact with me last year, and I found out that this had come through and come to the Town Council in May 2018, when we asked if DCC was intending to install street lighting at Hillcrest following a petition with 2100 emails calling for it.

We were told funding would be provided, but that there would be a shortfall which would need to come from another source, possibly Tiverton Town Council.

Councillor Wally Burke explained that previously Belmont Hospital had a big light on the end of the building illuminating the road.

Once it was altered that light went and there was no light left there whatsoever, he said.

Councillor Tom Lindus said the Town Council needed to be hounding DCC to get this sorted.

He said: They should be doing this, its something that they should have done years ago. If anything, I think we should be writing, or communicating with DCC and find out exactly where they stand on this and what theyre going to do. This might have been something they have forgotten about and pushed under the carpet.

Although its been going on for a while, were still talking about 2,300, and we dont know where its going.

If it is just the fact they need that little extra in their budget, then maybe that can be discussed again. Its not our responsibility, and lots of other people could now say the same. If we give 2,300 for this one, can we not spend 5k to go up Bakers Hill where I live, so I dont fall over when Im drunk in the middle of the dark? It is a different scenario, but I do feel that DCC should take on their responsibilities.

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Street so dark it's "an accident waiting to happen" may soon see the light - Devon Live