apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

They couldn't afford to sink thousands of dollars into the face lift nor did they want to suffer through weeks and weeks of construct-oids encroaching upon their space. Jump down to see the dramatic transformation these self-proclaimed "weekend warriors" accomplished with minor materials and little bit of paint...

We don't have a patio (with space for a full outdoor dining area) but that doesn't mean we can't dream. After seeing these explosive umbrellas by WW & Co., we're dreaming in Technicolor.

Of course, they do provide the standards of khaki and navy but why not spice things up and stand out. Jump down to see more of their festive shades...

Cinco de Mayo may commemorate an important day in Mexican history but the spirit of celebration has been firmly adopted by America. If you're thinking of hosting your own impromptu festivities, it's not too late. We've put together a brief list of the essentials:

• Festive stemware. Mix and match anything you've got with color or a funky shape. Don't make it fussy because what really matters is...

The end of the Cure is so close we can taste it and, really, the only part left is the fun stuff. We know that this rewarding process has taken a lot out of you but, you must admit, it was worth it.

Throughout this intense eight-week project, you all bravely delved into the dark corners of your homes, the long-forgotten and secretive voids that seem to suck the air (as well as towels, golf clubs, old pants and crayons) right out of the room. Yes, we're talking about...our closets.

But there's no need to shudder at the thought of these useful spaces anymore! You've conquered them with deftness and precision. You may have a few battle wounds but we also know you have some great stories. So, Curers, pat yourself on the back and tell us...

Geek chic for the table. We're big fans of the Hex collection available on plates and mugs at Vitamin. According to our calculations, an all-over pattern would have been too busy but the hint of hex is just right.

Jump down to see all four patterns (and for links and prices too)...

We just stumbled upon Liquid Stereo and the photos he's been taking of his loft-in-progress. He's made lots of great design decisions but the one that jumped out to us, as both gutsy and glamorous, was the white epoxy floor. Talk about WOW!

We were a little nervous for him (gouges? discoloration?) but it turns out the floor has been finished for awhile and he's had some time to break it in. Jump down to hear how it's holding up...

Really small is really cool. One of the most adorable displays we've ever seen was a doll house bathtub nestled in a flower box. The effect was magical and we felt like the tiny garden gnome might return at any moment for his bath.

Our re-creation here, with a washing machine (and some sad photo manipulation), doesn't feel quite so childlike but the small scale still makes us laugh.

Want some ideas on how to actually use (and not just display) miniatures at home...?

All used items come with a story to tell. We only need to lean in and listen.

I was hella' excited when they brought me home from that thrift dump. I didn't match nothin' but they picked me up solo-style so I was psyched.

So, yeah, there I was at season opener, blue but popular with the ladies, if you know what I'm sayin'...

Get ready to spend ample time on the internet. Once you start browsing around Vintage Looks, it's hard to stop. Lots more items and one groovy incentive-to-buy after the jump...

Country Living just released their second annual list of the 379 Top Green Cities in America. They ranked the locations based on green fundamentals, such as "energy policies, green power, green buildings, and the availability of fresh, locally grown food."

Chicago made an amazing leap from last year's slot! We hopped the lily pads up from #192 to a very decent #93. That's pretty good but we know we can do better.

Jump down to see where the other AT cities landed and to find out which one deserves a big pat on the back...

We are now officially thinking spring. We're busy scanning the web for any item that'll get us outdoors and, if we can feed our feathered friends at the same time, even better.

We'd definitely choose the Orb Bird Feeder to dole out the yum on our back porch. We love the smooshed donut shape and the shininess of the glazed ceramic.

The pale sage green is our favorite shade but there are more colors and a bargain price quote after the jump...

Julie, veteran blogger and home-renovator, came up with the best idea for alleviating pre-demolition jitters. As her family geared up for a complete kitchen renovation, the week prior to start date was historically dubbed "Open Canvas Week," a chance for friends and family to show off their artistic sides...all over the old cabinets.

Jump down to see the Kitchen - AFTER!

• What: Exterior of 1009 Davis St
• Where: Downtown Evanston, IL
• When: Photo taken on Friday, April 11th at 3:45 pm

• Why: We had to stop and take a photo of this sweet retro exterior. The building, which we'd date back to the late '70s, is a good example of a pattern that was in - went out - and is now back in style. The four-color tiles are teeny, about half inch square, but the effect is mesmerizing. In fact, it reminds us of TV static, with a hipster slant. If this were a new construction, however, it might lack some of the vintage charm. The rainwater stains only add to the throw-back appeal.

Jump down for a close-up of the somewhat shocking color combo...

"You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table..." Hopefully, by now, you've finished up your taxes and can sit down to count your money. If you have to pay up, we're sorry and wish you better luck next year. But, if you're expecting a refund, we're curious if you'll sink any of that fat check into your home.

Surely you could cash it out into singles which you then use to decorate the wall that displays your Kenny Rogers portrait or...

While browsing at Borders (and hoping to get a peek at the new AT book), we came across this colorful display of photo frames. All the fun patterns (florals and stripes and damask - oh my!) really liven up these often-overlooked accessories.

We're especially fond of the kitschy ornateness at play here so jump down for a closer-up of our favorite...

Right now we're helping a friend scour the depths of Ebay for a decent Nelson-esque slat bench. Personally, we've never been that big on buying big on Ebay. Relying solely on photos and an unknown vendor makes us hesitant about plunking down a great big wad of virtual cash. But, after hearing all kinds of large-scale success stories, we're starting to change our tune.

Jump down to tell us about your most indulgent Ebay win and to see our one crazy splurge...

If, like us, you're holding strong to the antler trend but sometimes (always?) get creeped out by a real skull fragment on your wall, you should check out Dear Deer by Bernhard Grafl. The traditional plaque comes ready to fit your very own "antlers" of branches, flowers, or funky-shaped sticks. In non-violent terms...

On a recent trip to IKEA, we almost walked right by this ingenious product because we didn't see it. What we did notice, however, was the floating chairs. KROKVIK chair hangers are brackets which mount to the underside of your table to make floor cleaning easier. They're practical for anyone with lightweight chairs and a dirty floor but they're a particularly big idea for small spaces.

Jump down for prices, links, and IKEA's table/chair recommendation.

We are in awe of these floors! Farmhouse chic thrives at Carlisle but we've also never seen wide-planked flooring look so modern and fresh. Yet in green terms, this flooring is the furthest thing from new...

With most of us living on top of each other in apartments and condos, we're bound to hear our neighbors before we actually meet them. We've already blogged about how to soundproof your home because most neighborly noises are not good ones (screaming matches, death metal, clogging rehearsal, etc). Now we want to know if you've ever heard something pleasant on the other side of the wall.

Our favorite "noise" comes from our neighbor's boyfriend who sometimes has a bit too much to drink and ends up...

We were inspired by Danielle's post a few days ago about a newly painted landing strip. Although the reviews were mixed about that piece, it got us thinking about (and subsequently googling) ideas for painting furniture.

Try to ignore the pink and brown explosion in the photo above (much too much!) and focus on the smart lines painted on the simple bureau. What a fun (and cheap) way to jazz up a so-so piece. Should we try it out on our own ...?

We lost a brutal bet over the weekend which means a big change for our kitchen. Winning would've earned us a free massage but we lost and this means we have to design our kitchen using a color palette from...Miami Vice. (What have we done?!) At least the wager winner is allowing us to choose between the original TV show (left) or the less-pastel movie re-make (right).

Like we said - brutal. Jump down to see our color options (ack!) and to lend your advice as to how to make this work...

We thought we'd end bathroom month with a couple of beautiful shapes. We love the graceful cradle of the Flair basin and the petal quality of the faucet. Yet designer Edwin Wong adds a hint of fun to this elegant combination with the one connecting element, the black rubber ball...

Name: Pam
Occupation: Rug Designer
Location: Albany Park in Chicago, IL
Type: 2 bedroom in a rehabbed 1920’s building
Size: 650 sq/ft
Years lived in: Owned for 5

>>Enter Tour Slideshow

The first thing we noticed about Pam's place was all the birdcages. When asked of their significance, she said, "I like they way they define space without blocking it up and the Chinese ones make me think of deserted environments - the birds got out and left everything behind..."