apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

There's a few interesting ideas going on in this kitchen: Camouflaging the refrigerator with matching wallpaper; using pink as the accent color...These little things add an element of surprise to this kitchen. Another surprise? The fact that this Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson song isn't THAT bad. It's catchy and cute, although I do find myself wondering how Zooey Deschanel would sound if she had sung it instead...

Craving even more pink? How about baking a Hot Pink Raspberry Cake?

Here's a nice example of mixing different styles and colors fearlessly....and yet, it all seems to work. This eclectic kitchen gets a jolt of personality by combining a few rustic elements with modern pieces. We love how vibrant the orange and red pop out from the calm blue backsplash and muted silver cabinets. (Also, does the lamp look like a tea strainer, or is that just us?) For this kitchen, we're going with an oldie but goodie for both the song AND the recipe:

And from the Kitchn: Kevin's Spicy Orange Teriyaki Chicken and Shrimp

This kitchen uses a mostly neutral color palette with a hint of pale pink, taking cues from the simple, natural finish of wood thanks to the butcher block countertop. With that in mind, we chose a simple, wistful song to go with it:

Since we're working with simple, natural themes, the most logical choice is a simple, easy recipe that focuses on the basics: Beginner Sourdough Loaf

How fun is this kitchen? We're loving the casual feel of it: the eating area feels like a hodge-podge of vintage diner chairs and a hand-me-down dining table; while the sleek cabinets and stainless steel appliances create a nice juxtaposition with the worn hardwood floor. In the same vein, here's one of our favorite songs to dance to...

Inspired by that brilliant red wall, not to mention that fall is right around the corner (if not banging on the door), we picked this seasonal favorite: Spiced apple cider....Need something a little stronger? Check out a few fresh apple cider cocktails.

It's been said that the kitchen is the most "lived-in" room in the home...and judging from this photo, it definitely looks it. From the cabinets proudly displaying children's drawings to the mismatched oversized knobs, we love the cozy and inviting look of this kitchen. Also, that hanging mobile is a pretty cool idea. This kitchen reminds me of my parents' kitchen growing up, which is why I picked this song and recipe. Whenever I hear this Neil Young tune, I get a bit nostalgic...

Oh man. Talk about comfort food: Baked Apple Streusel Pancake Bars.

If you've got a small kitchen, you can attest to how handy carts are: added counter space...extra storage...not to mention it's mobile. This small kitchen manages to squeeze in not only a sink and a refrigerator under the counter, but also a washer/dryer combo as well. And it's got style! With storage being so limited, everything is on display from the coffee cups to spices. The track we picked for this one is a nod to Abby who loves this duo:

Based on the resourcefulness of this kitchen, we picked this 30-minute meal hack: Trader Joe's Butternut Squash Soup with Ginger, Soba, and Fried Pork Crumbles.

We're so used to seeing kitchens and dining rooms being divided by a large counter, allowing for a seamless flow between the two areas. So, when we saw just a little window cut from the kitchen to peek at the dining area, we were intrigued. Visually, it's pretty interesting--it sort of reminded us of a drive-through window (but in a good way). As for the song we picked...well, it was difficult. We settled on this song mainly because that window only looks like it's big enough for one person to sit at:

Speaking of parties of one, it can be difficult to cook for one. I'll be honest: sometimes, I just reach for the cereal and call it a night. But here's a pretty good (and quick!) dinner in case you're sick of the Honey Bunches of Oats: Sesame-Garlic Soba Noodles with Fried Egg

If that industrial, stainless steel look is more your jam, here's a pretty slick kitchen: Clean lines, muted silver, slate floors...Even the spice rack is a perfect grid. We're having serious envy for the oversized square wall clock, and we could certainly find a liquor dispenser useful in our own kitchen, heh.

When we first looked at this kitchen in terms of "what would I eat or drink here?," the first thing that came to mind was a fancy coffee or espresso. So, we did some digging over at the Kitchn and found Kathryn's DIY recipe for Pumpkin Spice Lattes.

Our final pick for today's playlist is probably our favorite overall: The unexpected color combination of deep peach with blue and white tiles as a backsplash is gorgeous. While this room feels more like a fancy utility room with the raised sink and cleaning supplies, we had to include it in our list just for the color and pattern combo alone. And to accompany this photo, here's one of our favorite feel-good tunes to wrap it up:

Our final recipe was easy as, well, pie: Peach and blueberry cobbler.

Thanks for visiting these kitchens and tuning in with us!

Want even more music? Check out our archive of Musical Playlists here. Plus, more recipes and cooking ideas can be found over at The Kitchn.

(Images: Living Etc.)