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    8 Gifts for a Grad's Grown-Up Apartment

    By | Work + Money – Thu, May 13, 2010 6:44 PM EDT

    No more cafeteria food, milk-carton "shelves," or duct-taped furniture. These housewares help new grads decorate their first apartment with fun, grown-up style.

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    1. Parlour Sofa     This bright yellow sofa is much more stylish than a futon and more comfortable, too. $999. CB2: 800-606-6252; cb2.com. Related: Check Out 15 More Modern Sofas

    2. Grobal Self-Watering Planter A houseplant makes the perfect housewarming gift. This smart pot - a water reservoir ensures accurate moisture levels - makes sure it's still alive the next time rent is due. $25. Karim Rashid for A + R: aplusrstore.com. Related: Get 101 Quick and Easy Home Decorating Ideas


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    3. Salad Server Set With Mom not there to encourage recent graduates to eat their vegetables, these colorful salad spoons might do the trick. $15. French Bull: frenchbull.com. Related: Discover Creative New Ways to Set Your Table

    4. Small Smoked Kiri Wood Trivet     Countertops will stay in move-in condition with a trivet, like this Kiri wood one. From Japan, it's light in color and weight - just a few ounces - yet it's also sturdy. Approximately 4" diameter, $12. Portland Japanese Garden Gift Store: 503-223-5055; shop.japanesegarden.com. Related: Check Out 30 Gadgets for the Modern Kitchen


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    5. Cable IDs     Cord-management could be a college major, but stock up on these cable IDs and you'll pass with flying colors. $7 for set of 8. The Container Store: containerstore.com. Related: Brilliant Decorating Ideas for the Living Room

    6. Starstruck Sheet Set Requisite extra-long dorm sheets are no longer necessary, so celebrate with a painterly set that's sure to inspire sweet dreams. From $50. Delia's: 800-335-4269; delias.com. Related: Photos of Inspiring Bedrooms


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    7. Case Piece     Perfect for small apartments now and a larger house later, Jonathan Adler's new Claude Modular collection makes it easy to create the ideal dresser. Stack two-drawer sections vertically or side by side, on a large or small base - $800; large base, $395; small base, $195. Jonathan Adler: 877-287-1910; jonathanadler.com. Related: Spruce Up Your Bedroom with a Unique Headboard Design

    8. Ribbon Coat Rack Even if they're going from book bags to briefcases, recent grads still need a place to hang their things. From $90. Headsprung: headsprung.co.uk. Related: Moving Your Grad? Learn How to Avoid Moving Company Scams

    What are your decorating tips for a grad's first apartment?

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