apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

We regularly see mug "trees," but here's a much more realistic version. Forged out of metal, these branches bear mismatched coffee cups at SE Portland's beloved J&M Cafe.

Growing up, we always dreamed of a basement filled with items the previous owners had left behind. Not junk, mind you, but old clothes, books and letters...clues as to who came before and what kind of life they led. Our childhood home never had a basement, attic or any such history, but we're still fascinated by the thought of finding a little bit of the past in the present; precisely why this three-part series nearly brings us to tears.

While California has Eichlers, Oregon has Rummers. Built during the 60's and 70's, Robert Rummer's homes pop up everywhere from Beaverton to Gresham and are recognizable for their open floor plans, central atriums, flat roofs and radiant heating. Another commonality in the Rummers we've seen? Lots of 80's-style updates that stray far from the character of the house.

There's nothing like cracking open the pages of a new magazine...except when you don't have pages to crack. Or subscription fees to pay. For the last few months, Style Century Magazine has been popping up in our e-mail, a digital "glossy" that shows off a room and suggests links that help readers create a similar look of their own.

This weekend, Portland experienced the dreaded sunny day...repeatedly. As the unfamiliar rays touched down, we considered pulling back the living room curtains and letting a little Vitamin D venture in. But we didn't.

When buying our home, we did a very careful assessment of Portland's neighborhoods, growth and development. And just five years ago, we knew that SE Division -- even above 39th -- was well on its way to being a hot spot. These days, the street is known for putting forth great breakfast (think Detour, Petite Provence and Genie's) and top-notch shopping for home and beyond.

Throw pillows -- the cheapest way to bring a new look to your room. But new doesn't always mean stylish, chic or pretty...take a look at this list of 25 unusual pillows that run the gamut from clever to downright creepy.

We're big fans of pop culture and sharing the stories behind the items we use to decorate the home. So imagine our excitement when we stumbled across these stunning metal tiles from K & K Forgeworks, inspired by favorites like Joy Division and Blade Runner. You can see the influences, right?

"Don't rush and, when in doubt, don't cut." Sage words of advice when it comes to pruning a Japanese maple. While experts might prune in late summer, beginners have it easier when trees are leafless and dormant, which makes now a great time to get started. Here's a quick guide to keeping your maple looking its best.

So the little wire hooks fell off of all your Christmas ornaments and you're wondering how to make them useful again. Here's a thought -- create some colorful and contemporary lighting. Spotted in the bathrooms of The Observatory in SE Portland, this idea makes it easy to find a use for holiday decor all year long.

December was a blustery month here in the Northwest, and record snowfall meant days trapped indoors and lots of canceled plans. Among our winter casualties? Regular workouts with a personal trainer. Though she offered "alternative" exercise (i.e. trudging through deep snow and climbing the basement stairs), nothing quite took the place of actual equipment. Which got us thinking...what does it take to create a home gym?

After yesterday's Ork Posters post, we got to thinking about other ways to share our love of city (and state!) with locals and transplants alike. And while we may call Portland home, these suggestions work for gift-giving no matter where you spend your holidays.

Judging by the number of reminder e-mails sent, we've been very impatiently waiting for Ork Posters to complete their Portland neighborhood print. And now, from St. Johns to Sellwood, it's finally here...just in time for gift giving.

With its majestic "wings," this washbasin is a stunner. Sure, it's entirely impractical for resting your toothbrush, but, if the price were right, would you give the Lavabo a try in your bathroom?