apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


Sara and Michael's Bohemian Salvage
House Tour

Name: Sara Stanton and Michael Antonacci
Location: Silver Lake, California
Size: About 550 square feet
Years lived in: Sara 4 years, Mike 1.5 years

Today's house tour is of special note because it is of a small space belonging to our friends and neighbors, Michael and Sara, a couple whose layout and limitations are similar to our own apartment just next door. We've watched as our friends have invested countless hours over the years putting together a home overflowing with personality, yet curated within the constraints of a very limited budget (much of their home is furnished with hand-me-downs and garage sale finds). Their cozy 1917-built apartment is a shining example of "making do with what you have", valuing the important things in life and sharing (and organizing) a small space with the ones you love…

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  • Los Angeles
  • Gregory Han
  • March 10, 2010 11:00PM
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Hollister & Porter's Williamsburg Safari
House Tour

HollisterPorterHovey

Name: Hollister Hovey & Porter Hovey
Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Size: 1,400 square feet
Years lived in: rented, 4½: years

A few misconceptions about the Hoveys. They are not big-game hunters from the 1930's. They are sisters from Kansas City with the given names Hollister and Porter. They are not taxidermists. Hollister works in PR and Porter for a management consulting firm. They are not hoarders. They are collectors of awesomeness.

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  • New York
  • Geoff Bentz
  • March 10, 2010 10:45PM
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Cottage Living's Best Kitchen Redo Ever
And Some Tips We Can Take From It

It's been well over a year since Cottage Living closed up shop, but that's only solidified my obsession with enthusiasm for one of my favorite features of all times: Anne Turner Carroll's gorgeous Birmingham kitchen remodel. Brimming with beauty and function, it's full of practical elements that you can emulate too— no sledge hammer required!
  • DC
  • Leah Moss
  • March 10, 2010 10:30PM
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Affordable Art for the Bathroom
Roundup

Hanging expensive artwork in a steamy bathroom is never a good idea, but artwork is also a crucial part of bathroom décor; it helps a purely functional space feel warm and inviting. Luckily, there are so many great sources for affordable art online. We picked some favorites for the bathroom.
  • San Francisco
  • Susie Nadler
  • March 10, 2010 10:00PM
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Converting a Queen Anne Chair Into a Stool

Apartment Therapy reader Hilary Hahn is back with a new DIY project she sent over via email this morning, documenting the process of stripping down a Queen Anne chair into something she describes as a "funky stool" and now has a new life as an entryway stool (great for putting on or taking off shoes).

  • Los Angeles
  • Gregory Han
  • March 10, 2010 09:45PM
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5 Things To Check Before Bidding on Auction Furniture

031010-auction1.jpgWe have a small confession to make. We're complete and total suckers for a good auction. With warmer months ahead, they'll be in full swing and there's a treasure trove of furniture waiting to be refinished, repurposed and given new life. Although there might be bargains, do you really know what to look for to make sure you're bringing home a quality piece?

Read the full post at Re-Nest

  • San Francisco
  • Cambria Bold
  • March 10, 2010 09:15PM
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Kitchen Utensil Sculptures by Sayaka Kajita Ganz

We always get a thrill from seeing artwork made from everyday objects, and even more so when those objects would probably be headed for the trash were they not creatively reused. These wonderful sculptures by Sayaka Kajita Ganz made from ordinary kitchen utensils and other discarded objects inspire us to think twice about a number of items we'd normally toss in the bin.

  • Boston
  • Sarah Rainwater
  • March 10, 2010 09:00PM
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Lawyer's Bookcases, Five Ways

Barrister's bookcases are a common thrift store find, and they're surprisingly flexible pieces. Once used to store legal volumes, their stacked, glass-front design works really well for storage in a kitchen, bathroom, or home office.

  • Chicago
  • Sarah Coffey
  • March 10, 2010 08:30PM
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Make a Rolling Office Cart for Your Peripherals

There are very few people who have room on their desk to hold all their peripherals. From external hard drives to printers, you need a lot of real estate to build a proper home office. We modded a rolling tea cart a few years ago (republished as a Home Hack) to hold and hide our modem, router, and printer. Jared did the same to a metal cart for his gaming systems. Looks like good ol' Martha took our cues and made it a good thing.

Read the full post at Unplggd

  • Chicago
  • Gregory Han
  • March 10, 2010 07:45PM
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Flickr Find: Ben and Sam's Bathroom Remodel

Here's an inspirational bathroom project that focused on removing non-functional elements, yet managed to gracefully incorporate 40 year old pink tiles- in a bathroom designed for two young boys no less! This bathroom remodel was sparked by a broken pipe- faced with the need to make repairs, these homeowners decided the time was right to exchange the old pink tiled floor and pink toilet for more neutral, modern fixtures. They removed a pony wall, added a sink, changed the lighting, and retiled the floor in their quest for a more functional space for their growing boys.

  • DC
  • Colleen Quinn
  • March 10, 2010 07:30PM
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From Sthlm: Independent Swedish Design
Store Profile

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031110fromsthlmlogo.jpg Thanks to Victoria over at sfgirlbybay, we discovered this delightful online resource for lovely designs from independent Swedish designers. Featuring a new designer each month, items are sold in limited editions (at really reasonable prices) for that month. One must act fast though as designs frequently sell out. We cannot wait to get some of their products into our home.

  • San Francisco
  • Jess Watson
  • March 10, 2010 07:15PM
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Simple Square Bedside Clock Suggestions?
Good Questions

clocksm031010.jpgQ: I've been looking for a small and simple black clock such as the one pictured here (larger photo below) for my side table. I've found a similar one from IKEA, but it's circular. I'm more partial to the square shape. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Sent by Gordon

  • Chicago
  • Janel Laban
  • March 10, 2010 07:00PM
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12 Quirky, Alternative Toothbrush Holders

03102010toothbrush-01.jpg Where does your toothbrush live? We’ve rounded up 12 items that, though not entirely intended for this purpose, would make fabulous toothbrush holders. We admit: some of these are a bit outlandish/luxurious for just a toothbrush holder, but who couldn’t stand a little more design to wake up to in the morning?

  • Los Angeles
  • Adrienne Breaux
  • March 10, 2010 06:45PM
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Hearth House with Herringbone Fireplace
Dezeen

The renovation of an Edwardian semi-detached house in Golders Green, London by AOC Architects is named after the homes new focal point — a marvelous poured-concrete hearth with a subtle herringbone pattern.

  • New York
  • Aaron Able
  • March 10, 2010 06:30PM
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What Is This Shelf/Cabinet Thing?
Good Questions

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Q: I recently bought this piece of furniture at a Housing Works thrift store, where it was labeled "Pantry Shelf." That doesn't make sense to me — but I have no idea what it is! Inside the cabinet there is one shelf. I use the area on the right for a pile of books but that obviously wasn't what the maker had in mind. Thanks!

Sent by Jessica

  • Boston
  • Aaron Able
  • March 10, 2010 06:15PM
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