Buenos Aires Street Art with Graffiti Mundo Street Tour

Love it or hate it, graffiti has been around as long as there have been public spaces. From the interiors of ancient caves to the walls of Pompeii to subway cars in Brooklyn, humans have always made their presence known using this subversive art form. Graffiti is about making one's mark, creating a legend and a constantly evolving conversational history.

If you frequent any other decor blogs, you'll know that there's been a widespread fascination with all things pink, blush, gold, glittery, soft, and generally "feminine." Even here on Apartment Therapy, we've talked about how pleased we are to see this delicate side emerge in home decor. But whence comes this penchant for prettiness?
More

How To Successfully Circulate a Neighborhood Petition

There is a major development being proposed right across the street from my house. Needless to say, I'm no happy camper. After going through stages of disbelief, anger, and sadness, I decided to get busy: More

The "Other White House": A Roundup of Presidential Retreats

Even leaders of the free world deserve some down time. Celebrate the holiday with a glimpse of our Presidents' other "White Houses" - private spots where they went with their families to rest, recuperate, and regroup, all away from the public eye. They range from glamorous to comfortably simple to downright austere. More

Check Out Obama's Spotify Playlist

We all already know President Obama likes Al Green. But No Doubt, Arcade Fire, Wilco, REO Speedwagon, and Bruce Springsteen? His official 2012 Campaign Playlist on Spotify was released this morning via his Twitter feed... More

Well Designed Travel: El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Buenos Aires

Part of the well-known El Ateneo chain of shops, El Ateneo Grand Splendid is on the list of most visited bookstores in the world. Housed in a historic theater, this bookstore attracts just as many photographers as it does readers, and inspires a few thoughts about the reuse of architecture in a city...

"Kickstarter. Zipcar. Shareable. Etsy. Kiva. Prosper. Airbnb. These and other 'collective consumption' companies are part of the new economy arising out of necessity, as traditional businesses and government are increasingly unable to meet Americans' needs and provide basic supports. This sharing economy is based on people coming together to create their own markets (Airbnb), their own products, (Etsy), and their own currency (TimeBanks). It relies on shared needs, trust, and the belief that the group is stronger than the individual..."

MUST READ: Occupy Big Business: The Sharing Economy's Quiet Revolution | The Atlantic

Room for Debate: If You Ban Fur, Should You Ban Leather?

Last Tuesday the City Council of West Hollywood, California, unanimously approved an ordinance to ban the sale of fur apparel. It's the first such ban in the nation, and a final vote will take place in October to determine if the measure becomes law. In response, The New York Times opened up a debate around the issue, questioning whether or not it's hypocritical to ban sales of fur, but not sales of leather and hides... More

Examining Cheap Chic Fabrics
The Etsy Blog

Cotton may be advertised as "the fabric of our lives," but maybe that's only because Plastic and Cellulose Fibers - the Fabric of Our Lives! didn't have the same ring. The truth is, unsurprisingly, that natural fibers like cotton, linen, and wool make up a significantly smaller part of the textile market than their manmade counterparts. So what are we really bringing into our home and putting next to our skin? What processes go into making these synthetic textiles? The Etsy Blog has a good article on this: More