Two months later and Occupy Wall Street’s still chugging along in NYC. The mass demonstration’s message has gained momentum, spurring copycat protests in cities worldwide, as disgruntled citizens strive to highlight the growing disparity of wealth and economic inequality.

One cheeky poster at a time.

Fellow New Yorkers are more than honest about the alternative movement’s impact on their daily lives. But I’ve never really known anything different. “The 99%” began inhabiting the Financial District right after I moved to the city, the ongoing protest feeling more like a permanent fixture than a brief civic disturbance.

“Oh, you’re trying to find Century 21? Turn right at the third row of tents at Zuccotti Park and then a left, by the police barricade, onto Maiden Lane. Walk until you can barely make out the drum circle, but if you can’t hear incessant chanting or see Jay Z passing out t-shirts, you’ve gone too far.”

With largely tolerant political attitudes, I don’t mind if people choose to air their societal concerns via witty and profane signage or in a demonstrative fashion. As long as it doesn’t affect my commute to work and weekend plans, nor the general welfare of lower Manhattan, OWS is not a problem.

Still there, don’t care.

Plus- it’s proven pretty difficult to keep up with their constant updates and ever-evolving demands of the government…you know…when I’m maintaining responsibilities at my two jobs and all. 

Whether or not OWS’ prevailing concept resonates with our personal beliefs, Jackson and I may be relocating to their protest site in the upcoming weeks.

That is, if we happen to get evicted after attempting to rectify a few wall-related problems of our own.

Our apartment is bright, light, beige-y white. An Angelina Jolie pre-2000, it’s positively begging for some attention to highlight its potential.

Every decorating source known to man touts paint to be the easiest and most cost effective transformative tool. Yet, we are not permitted to paint. Even an accent wall. Or a lone stripe. A MONOCHROMATIC STRIPE IN SATIN GLOSS?  Never. Regardless if we promise to paint the walls before moving. And not even if I get the exact paint color straight from the landlord and match it precisely, I can’t splash on a cozy color.

This ordinance obviously rules out the application of a fun, printed wallpaper that would make a stylish statement in the small space. Even a non-permanent, decorative treatment that does not directly adhere to the walls and would be removable at a later date is not permissable.

If, for some reason, I suffered temporary memory loss and deemed a sticky wall-decal appropriate for our home, I cannot attach that to our wall without risking the loss of our hefty security deposit.

Often channeling my favorite ”rebel without a cause” demeanor, I regularly dream of disregarding the stipulations of our lease.

I tell Jackson “I don’t particularly care if the landlord (and his entire family in Russia) find out about my renegade wall DIY, I’m going to pick up gallon upon gallon of sharp, pretty colors and a few rolls of graphic wallpaper to liven up this apartment, so help me God. And I’m bringing home a puppy too!” 

But I never follow through.

Sneaky measures, constant complaining, nor sign making will change our building’s policy. And I’m pretty lucky that “a lack of wall dressing” nears the top of my list of life concerns when there are actual, real pressing issues happening in today’s world.

Plus- who even needs a whole wall when I can pack a colorful punch with these creative, non-lease violating, wallpaper accents. 

Wallpaper creates a gigantic impact, but can also make a pretty huge dent in your wallet (especially designer prints). For a budget concious redecoration, think about using just a roll or two for a statement wall. Focusing on a singular area also keeps the look modern and fresh (and less Inception-like) than your grandma’s 3D chintz on chintz on chintz.