The Number I Still Have Saved as “Maintenance (Do Not Delete)”
I still have my last landlord’s number in my phone, saved as “Maintenance (do not delete).” I kept it the way some people keep a childhood toy. The day I got the keys to my first house, after eleven years and five rentals, I realized I finally had a deed and nobody left to call. A dripping tap, a sagging shelf, a wall I wanted to cover and could not decide how, all of it was mine now.
My name is Elsa Remaley, and I write every post on Rosie Decor. I started publishing in late 2025, and every category on this site is really a list of calls I used to make to that number and now have to answer myself.
Who I call now
| What I used to text my landlord | Where it lives now | What is inside |
|---|---|---|
| “The shelf is sagging.” “The wall is bare.” | Living Room | Keeping floating shelves from sagging, wallpapering a corner or a textured wall, decorating a large wall, a gallery wall behind the sofa, entryway ideas, a homemade shoe rack, DIY picture frame matting, and how electronic picture frames work. |
| “There is no room in the closet.” “The bedroom is too dark.” | Bedroom | Organizing a small bedroom, storing lots of clothes in a small space, estimating paint cans, lighting a room with no overhead light, hanging a tapestry, comparing closet systems, and idea galleries for couples, workspaces, false ceilings with a fan and classic luxury looks. |
| “There is nowhere to put anything.” | Bathroom | More counter space, decorating a small bathroom wall, and ways to maximize space, plus idea galleries for IKEA setups, double vanities, off-center sinks, wood walls, colorful and sage green tile and guest bathroom walls. |
| “Nothing grows here.” “The yard slopes.” | Outdoor | Starting a small garden in an apartment, building raised beds on a slope, comparing raised bed materials and metal beds, layout planners, irrigation systems, garden netting, and organizing tools so you can find them. |
What “tested in real rentals” actually means
It is not a slogan. Most of the how-tos here grew out of my rental years: wallpaper on textured walls, shelves that sagged, a tapestry hung without making a mess of the wall. The garden posts came from the house, where the slope is real and nobody was going to fix it for me. I am writing for renters, first-time owners and anyone tired of guessing, because for a long time I was all three.
No license, five leases
I am not a contractor, an interior designer, a plumber, an electrician or a professional gardener. What I have is eleven years of renting, two of owning, and a habit of learning each fix the first time I need it. When I have not done a job myself, I say so and tell you where the information came from. I would rather tell you to ask a professional than pretend a wall or a wire is a weekend project.
If a fact or a measurement in one of my posts is wrong, please write to me. I will check it and fix the post.
Small things about me
I keep every warranty card in a shoebox labeled “Someday.” I have been known to stand in a stranger’s hallway and quietly work out where the studs are.
Before you drill, paper or plant
Everything on this site is general information from my own experience. It is not professional advice, and I am not a builder, electrician, plumber or gardener by trade. Please treat these points as the minimum.
- Leases: if you rent, read your lease before you drill, paint or wallpaper, and get the landlord’s permission in writing.
- Walls and shelves: before hanging shelves, mirrors, a tapestry or a gallery wall, check for studs, wiring and pipes, and use anchors rated for the weight. Use a stable ladder and have someone spot you.
- Wallpaper and old paint: in a house built before 1978, assume paint may contain lead until a test says otherwise, and do not sand or scrape it. Ventilate while pasting and painting.
- Electrical work: ceiling fans, false ceiling lights, bedroom lighting and any new outlet or fixture should be installed by a licensed electrician. Keep cords out of walkways, away from heat and never under rugs, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for electronic frames and lamps.
- Bathrooms: vanity and sink layouts involve plumbing and waterproofing, so hire a licensed plumber and follow local code. Moisture is hard on wood, so use materials that are made for damp rooms and ventilate well.
- Raised beds and soil: materials, coatings and treated wood vary, so check the manufacturer’s information before growing food in a bed, and test your soil. Growing conditions vary by region, so check your local extension service.
- Slopes, irrigation and digging: raised beds on a slope need support against erosion and good drainage. Follow local water-use and backflow rules for irrigation, and call 811 before you dig.
- Garden netting: loose or fine netting can trap birds, snakes and other wildlife. Use taut, visible netting and check it often.
- Tools: store sharp tools and power tools out of reach of children, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Affiliate disclosure. Rosie Decor is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through one of my links I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It does not change what I write or what I tell you to skip.
About Elsa Remaley:
- Full name: Elsa Remaley
- Role: Founder and writer, Rosie Decor
- Based in: Richmond, Virginia
- Email: [email protected]
- Pinterest: pinterest.com/rosielovedecor
- Contact page: rosiedecor.com/contact
- Background: Eleven years of renting across five homes and two years as a first-time owner. No formal design or trade credentials.
- Focus: Wall and living room decor, small bedrooms and bathrooms, and garden fixes for renters and first-time owners
- Writing since: 2025
The old number is still in my phone. Last week I almost called it about a dripping tap that I own.
