Sherry & Dana’s “The New Modern” Home
Name: Sherry Joniff-Solomon and Dana Solomon — Owners of 22 Bond St.Location: West Hollywood, CaliforniaSize: 1,300 square feet (main house) + 300 square feet (pool house)Years lived in: 10 Months My favorite interior design inspirations are homes that have creative solutions for limited space. With under 1,500 square feet and a baby on the way, Sherry and Dana were on the fast track to renovate their new home.
Feb 28, 2011
Before & After: Den Makeover On an Extreme Budget
When I posted How To Make a Block Print Rug Using a Welcome Mat, I promised a full reveal of my den’s before and after, and while ideally there are a few tweaks I’d still like to make, here it is. Since our budget was virtually non-existent — as in free— everything in it was borrowed from another room, salvaged, handmade, or secondhand.Ideally, we’d like to redo the addition where this room is housed.
Feb 28, 2011
How To Flatten a Curling Cowhide
Craigslist finds are what I live for. And this cowhide was one heck of a bargain. Except that the smaller ends keep curling up and I trip over them. I tried taping them down to the floor, I tried rearranging the cowhide so that the curling bits were under the sofa. Until I found out the easiest way to tame a curling cowhide.What You NeedMaterials:Cowhide2 rags (for absorbing water)pile of heavy booksspray bottlewater Instructions1. Lightly spray the top and underneath of the cowhide with water.
Feb 28, 2011
Before & After: An Ottoman Overhaul for under $25
Do you tend to bring home project pieces from the thrift shop simply because you can’t pass up a good deal? We must be related. I adopt pieces of furniture even if I don’t have space for them. When I saw this unloved little ottoman, I knew I had to bring it home. See how this ottoman went from sad to glad after the jump!A close-up of the ottoman before it’s overhaul.Supplies:1 Old Ottoman-$151 Can of Spray Primer-$2.991 Can of Sunburst Yellow Spray Paint -$3.
Feb 28, 2011
Before & After: Chicago Bungalow Kitchen
Jarret and Catherine of Bungalow Bungahigh had a classic renovation story play out when rehabbing the kitchen in their Chicago home. What could go wrong, did, and the job took much longer than initially expected. But, I’m sure you’ll agree the results are worth it — just check out the after:Here’s the story from Jarrett and Catherine: We bought our 1931 Chicago bungalow knowing that we’d have to do one major renovation project: the kitchen!
Feb 28, 2011
Best Pantry Organizers: Space Savers & Food Storage
As we head into spring cleaning and organizing season, a pantry organization project might be on your to-do list. If you number among those planning to clean out the pantry and get it into working order, here are some of our favorite sources for simple, streamlined food storage.
Feb 28, 2011
Wood Coasters: A Textural Element for Your Tabletop!
Add a textural element to your décor and protect your furniture at the same time. These organic shapes look beautiful when stacked together. They come from the branches of trees like birch, pine, olive wood, dogwood and English yew. As a nice bonus, children love playing with them. They will entertain your littlest guests for
Feb 25, 2011
Before & After: IKEA Gets a Wallpaper Treatment
In cities that have an IKEA, their furniture is found in many homes. While there’s nothing wrong with this affordable option, that doesn’t mean your pieces have to look like those everywhere else in your city. Check out what these BESTA cabinets after Kris was through with them! Kristina Klarin isn’t one for plain and boring. She is all about making a splash with color and these cabinets were slightly lack luster before she got a hold of them.
Feb 24, 2011
Sebastian’s White Nursery
Name: SebastianAge: 19 monthsLocation: Brooklyn, NYRoom size: approximately 150 sq. ft. With a boutique baby planner and concierge service behind its conception, this minimalist, white nursery was born out of a love for great design and a desire to blend seamlessly kids’ and adult decor.
Feb 24, 2011
Before & After: Dated Kitchen Transformation
Mirrored backsplashes, a dingy drop-ceiling, handcut trailing grape borders, sponge-painted wallpaper, and pickled cabinets? A cringe-worthy combination that Matt was dying to change. Check out how a little elbow grease, a lot of paint, and some handy friends transformed this 1990s traditional kitchen into a transitional space ready for 2011. • Read the full post
Feb 24, 2011
Marie & Nick’s Festive East Bay Ranch
Name: Marie Muscardini & Nick Silberman + Siena & Rocco Location: El Cerrito, CaliforniaSize: 1,300 square feetYears lived in: 2 — owned Who said that lightning can’t strike twice? Welcome back to El Cerrito, California! Nestled in the hills of the East Bay, El Cerrito sits northwest of Berkeley and is an increasingly favored destination for young families. Marie and Nick were no exception, moving into this 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch to make space for their growing brood.
Feb 23, 2011
Before & After: A Beautiful Bathroom for $439
Making over an area like the bathroom can seem like a small project. At first it feels as though only a few things will need refreshing or changing out — but often once things get started it seems as though everything must go. In this bathroom highlighted on This Old House, everything received a makeover from hardware and fixtures to lighting and paint — all for $439!
Feb 23, 2011
Before & After: Studio to One-Bedroom
Peter and Molly’s light-flooded West Village studio was perfect for the two of them plus Hugo, their dog. But when they were preparing for a new baby, they successfully reorganized the space and added a sliding door, creating a comfortable and calm one-bedroom. Initially, Peter and Molly used the larger area for their bed, a comfy chair and storage.
Feb 23, 2011
Before & After: Budget Galvanized Shower Surround
Jarrett and Catherine of Bungalow Bungahigh have tackled DIY projects that make mere mortals shy away, like rehabbing an outdated basement bathroom on a super tight budget. They got creative with their choice of materials and were able to get a whole new look for under $200 – $158 to be exact……and the After!Here is what Jarrett and Catherine tell us about the project: We recently rehabbed our tired basement bathroom.
Feb 22, 2011
Before & After: Guest Room Paint Job
This is the tiny guest room at the end of the hallway in my house. It started off as an ugly room with paneling and a paint job that was old and worn. It sorely needed a new coat of paint, and since I didn’t love the room to begin with, I felt brave enough to do something bold:The room is seriously small – it really only fits a full size bed. Remembering that small rooms really can go dark, I took the plunge.
Feb 22, 2011
Before & After: A Quick and Easy Kitchen Update
Last spring, when my husband and I bought our first house, we hadn’t painted a full wall between the two of us. That changed within about two days of us getting our keys. We soon learned that the greenest (and most budget-friendly) trick in the book is to work with what you’ve got—so click through to see how our kitchen has progressed from dark and dated to light and lovely on a dime.
Feb 22, 2011
Before & After: A Pretty, Organized Hallway Closet
This hallway closet needs some serious assistance! Being the only closet in our apartment other than our bedroom closet, I need to utilize every inch of space here. And, as you can see in this before photo, there is all sorts of wasted space that can be reclaimed with a little reorganization.When we moved into this apartment, the hallway closet was set up as seen in the “before” photo above — a few high shelves positioned over the clothes bar with wasted space underneath.
Feb 21, 2011
Before & After: Reducing the Visual Noise of a DVD Cabinet
When I was growing up, this glass door bookcase lived in the home of an elderly neighbor housing a collection of beautiful hardcover books. My sister and I always considered Miss Matthews a surrogate grandmother, and I was delighted to inherit this and some other furniture pieces when she passed away a few years ago. Though this bookcase wouldn’t work in my library, I knew it would be perfect to house my DVD collection.
Feb 18, 2011
John’s Artful Wicker Park Duplex
Name: John WorsekLocation: Wicker Park — Chicago, IllinoisSize: 1500 square feetYears lived in: 10 — Owned I photographed John’s house a few days after the blizzard, when side streets were still impassable and beat-up chairs sat in what few parking spaces were available. Five seconds after walking in his Wicker Park duplex, I’d completely forgotten about the weather.
Feb 17, 2011
Before & After: A Desk Transformation
I have always dreamt of having a “couple’s desk”. However, every apartment we’ve had hasn’t given us the proper space for this to happen. Luckily, for Valentine’s Day my guy surprised me with a rearranged space and enough room for my dream double desk to finally happen!In the before photo above, you can see our original desk. It housed his cluttered workstation and was large — but not large enough for two people.
Feb 17, 2011
Cooper & Campbell’s Cool and Eclectic Shared Room
Boys’ Names: Cooper and Campbell Ages: 7 and 3.5Location: Atlanta, GARoom Size: 155 sq. ft. Danielle started with a very small room so she knew she was going to have to be efficient with the space. She also knew that she didn’t want a typical boys’ room with tacky transportation themes or cartoon characters. Instead, she wanted something whimsical and colorful for her boys that they could really love and enjoy.
Feb 17, 2011
Wood Epoxy Fixes Around the House
Last month I wrote about how my dog’s New Year’s resolution was to ditch the dog food and start on the ‘woodchip’ diet. After she chewed through all of our windowsills, the AT community was wonderful in helping me figure out the best way to fix it! My husband took a reader’s advice and used wood epoxy, in this case J-B Weld KwikWood Epoxy Putty. See the step-by-step results below. First, he removed any splinters and lightly sanded the damaged and surrounding area.
Feb 17, 2011
Before & After: Built-In Shelves
You know the pair of built-in dresser drawers in my master bedroom? Well, there’s a smaller second bedroom that has just one set of drawers on the left side of a similar dormer window. On the opposite side of the dormer, there used to be just a blank wall. It was a blank slate, an opportunity to install a partner to the dresser:My husband and I came up with a shelf design as a complement to the dresser.
Feb 16, 2011
Before & After: A Serene Guest Room on a Budget
With some white paint, elbow grease, and a few affordable accessories, Noreen and David turned a barely-used storage area in their 180-year-old Florida home into a peaceful and comfortable guest room.When I was visiting my parents Florida home earlier this month, I was so thrilled to see that they were transforming an old storage area at the back of the house into a guest room – and they didn’t even know it was Home Project month here at Apartment Therapy!
Feb 16, 2011
Edyta’s Modern with a Dab of Drama Home
Name: Edyta Czajkowska + fiancé + 2 adopted lovable pit bullsLocation: Des Plaines, IllinoisSize: 1,100 square feetYears lived in: 5 — owned It’s always fun to see the homes of interior designers. I had been checking out Edyta’s professional projects on her website and flickr photostream for a while and I’ve always been impressed by her amazing style.
Feb 15, 2011
Shannon & Aaron’s East Coast Yuppie Bungalow
Name: Aaron and Shannon Hase, owners of Yuppie Decor, and their spoiled Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, PepperLocation: Arlington, Virginia (Douglas Park)Size: 1450 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Years lived in: owned 2 years Part preppy coastal, part old boys club, and part fresh traditional, Shannon and Aaron’s home is a lighthearted interpretation of yuppie East Coast style.
Feb 15, 2011
Beepods: Urban Beekeeping Kits
With bee population plummeting and new laws being introduced around the country that permit beekeeping, there’s been a growing interest in personal beekeeping. The bees aren’t just for the ‘burbs and rural areas; they can also be raised in cities and dense urban areas. This neat inexpensive beekeeping kit, Beepod, is a great and easy
Feb 15, 2011
How to Shop for Kitchen Cabinets on the Cheap
Cabinetry usually adds up to about half of kitchen renovation expenses, so if you have a small budget, you’ve got to find ways to cut costs. Shop sales, check second-hand and salvage stores, try a demolition auction, or find ways to get a custom look from big box sources.
Feb 14, 2011
Kathleen & Maurizio’s Imported Italian Home
Name: Kathleen White-Almanza – former set decorator, designer, and co-owner of Eccola and Maurizio Almanza – co-owner of Eccola Location: Miracle Mile — Los Angeles, California Size: 2,000 square feet Years lived in: 2½ Kathleen and Maurizio’s home is my absolute dream house. When you enter through the front door into a courtyard with an outdoor fireplace and even a scooter in the driveway, how can you not feel like you are in a rural town in Italy?
Feb 11, 2011
A Cool South Austin Bachelor Bungalow
Name: A project by Sally Breer Interior Design Location: Austin, Texas Size: 1700 square feet Designer Sally Breer was tasked with taking an older South Austin bungalow and turning it into a hip, inviting and cool home for a young bachelor. The house, like a lot of older homes, had great bones (namely beautiful wood floors and a neat layout) but lacked a lot (okay any) style. Full of vintage details and lots of bright light, we love the cool, accessible look of this home she’s created.
Feb 11, 2011
A Builder’s One Bedroom Workshop
Name: Chris ZeppieriLocation: Boston, MA   Size: 550 square foot apartment + 140 square foot bedroom/workshop We’ve often lamented, “If we only had the space for a workroom” while imagining an ideal space to work on DIY projects for both personal and professional reasons. Space (or there lackof) has always a consideration, but no longer an excuse, after seeing Chris’ workshop inside his one bedroom Boston apartment.
Feb 11, 2011
Help! My Wall Outlet Moves When I Plug Things In
On the list of Things You Don’t Want to Mess With, we’d put “bears” and “electrical currents” right at the top. So a squeamish electrical outlet—one that wiggles as you plug something into it—seems like a problem that’s going to need a professional, right? Probably not. If you’ve got a loose outlet—or an outlet that needs to be raised or lowered to match the thickness of your wall—there’s an easy $3 fix.
Feb 11, 2011
How To Make Your Own Indoor Compost Bin
There are a lot of options out there for apartment dwellers who want to compost, and like most things it’s not as simple as one style fits all. It’s about finding what works best for you. Try something! And if it doesn’t work for you… try something else! This is an easy indoor compost option for people who need something cheap, customizable and space friendly.
Feb 11, 2011
Ingrid & Sjaak’s Colorful Dutch Abode
Name: Ingrid & SjaakLocation: Driewegen , The NetherlandsSize: 2,421 square feetYears lived in: 2½ — owned An incredibly crafty and creative gal, Ingrid has filled her historic eclectic home with lovingly-made blankets, edited furniture, and textile art. What could easily have become a visually chaotic space is actually a soothing environment with just the right amount of color, texture, and vintage details.
Feb 10, 2011
Addison’s Attic Playroom and Dreamy Bedroom
Name: Addison Location: Madison, WI When Addison’s fantasy-filled attic playroom was featured as part of a Green Tour on Re-Nest, it won the hearts of readers. Parents Lynn and Steve transformed the attic space–along with Addison’s bedroom and bath–when they renovated their 1860’s carriage house in Madison, WI.
Feb 10, 2011
James & Briony’s Tokyo Home
Name: James & Briony Location: Azabu Juban — Tokyo, JapanSize: 550 square feet — 1 bedroomYears lived in: 1 I met Briony at the check-out counter of IKEA in Tokyo last August, I spotted her effortless style from a distance and she had that ‘lust for life’ twinkle in her eye.
Feb 9, 2011
Before & After: The Bedroom Desk Gets Organized
A small desk in the dormer window of my bedroom has never really been used properly. The desktop has always been a catch-all for books, clothes, and papers at the end of the day. And the drawer, well, the drawer was even worse. I finally set aside some time to give the area some attention, and it paid off:Now, instead of sitting on the floor at the coffee table, I have an inviting and functional nook to use for work.
Feb 9, 2011
How To Make Sprouts from Lentils
I’m doing my best to grow as much food as possible from my apartment, and sprouts are such an easy start! I usually have a jar of these growing, and add them to salads, or eat them on their own. You can sprout anything from beans to lentils to garbanzo beans. They generally take about
Feb 9, 2011
Chris’ Crafty Home Office Makeover
Name: Chris Gardner Editor in Chief of CurblyLocation: Columbus, OhioSize: 12 x 10′ home office and craft roomYears: 2 Even though Chris is the editor-in-chief of Curbly and also the man behind the crafting for guys site, ManMade, he found himself falling under the stereotype of the typical guy, working within a space that focused on function, but skimped on the aesthetic.
Feb 8, 2011
A Baby Bachelor Pad With A Bit Of Blue
Name: IkeAge: 18 monthsLocation: Austin, TXRoom Size: 180 sq ft. We’re lucky to have very spacious bedrooms for a house built in the 60s. Too bad I can’t say the same about our closets… A name like Ike commands a certain amount of presence. You picture a young man with sophisticated tastes ready to conquer the world. This room put together by his mother Erin is just that, a regal and elegant space to be a kid.
Feb 8, 2011
Before & After: Multi-purpose Loft Space
We moved into our home four years ago in a flurry of MA thesis writing and job changes. When we had time, we worked on decorating the bedrooms, living room, and dining area — but we pretty much ignored the loft space at the top of the stairs. We eventually bought a rug and our friend Karen kindly built us pine shelves while staying as a houseguest. Sadly, that was about it until last year, when our home office moved there to make way for a nursery.
Feb 8, 2011
Jennifer & Nello’s Hunter/Gatherer Home
Name: Jennifer + Nello Santillana, and their greyhound LolaLocation: Belmont Heights — Long Beach, CASize:1,000 square feet — 2 bedroom + 1 bathroomYears lived in: 2 — rent Jennifer and her husband Nello have an incredible 2 bedroom flat in a lovely Spanish building in Belmont Heights, a residential area of Long Beach. They recently adopted Lola, the 3 year old Greyhound, who will kiss and lick you instead of sit, and is about 3/4 of Jennifer’s size.
Feb 7, 2011
Chad Rogers’ Modern, Pet-Friendly Condo
Name: Chad Rogers and Starla the Chihuahua Location: Beverly Hills, California Size: 1,694 square feet — 2 Beds 2 1/2 Baths Years lived in: 1 Who watched Bravo’s “Million Dollar Listing?” I watch the show religiously and couldn’t wait to see what property Chad Rogers listed next. Now that Chad has sold millions of dollars of luxury real estate and has seen some of the best designs, he wants to share his own perspective on design and what makes a home.
Feb 7, 2011
Before & After: Adding Style to an IKEA Karlstad Sofa
Whit and Rachael Gardner of Our Mid Century are savvy stylists, whether we are about talking vintage or contemporary furnishings— the post that they shared with us for Home Project month proves it. When the search for an affordable mid century sofa kept coming up dry, they did a complete makeover of an affordable IKEA basic to help it fit in smoothly with their vintage style home. The “after” looks like a totally different sofa!…and the After!
Feb 7, 2011
Before & After: A Demo-Free Bathroom Renovation
I know there are those among you for whom the classic pink-tiled bathroom is a national treasure worth saving at any cost. And while I admire your commitment to preservation and in theory agree with you, in practice I know better — six years ago I bought a pre-War apartment with two pink tiled bathrooms and that turned out to be two too many for me.
Feb 7, 2011
Before & After: The $70 Bedroom Makeover
Many of us have often stared at the pages of magazines, wishing we could have a designer look on a dime. Those that actually make that dream come true are usually willing to roll up their sleeves and do things themselves. When it comes to this bedroom that couldn’t be more true — the new look includes an amazing handmade ruffled duvet cover, headboard and more!Over at Kiki Creates, there’s been some action in the bedroom (hubba hubba!
Feb 7, 2011
Best Budget Kitchen Renovation Resources
According to a recent Harvard study, remodeling expenditures are expected to increase significantly in 2011 and into the next decade. Research suggests that “homeowners who deferred maintenance and improvements during the recession may soon start to spend more freely.
Feb 7, 2011
Gorgeous Eco-Friendly Cutting Boards by Geoffrey Lilge
Cutting boards are a must-have tool for cooking, and having a good-looking one also makes it a great piece for entertaining and decor. Designer Geoffrey Lilge’s amazing cutting boards satisfy all of these requirements and more with his FSC-certified boards. They are a beautiful piece of art: smooth, curved corners, with minimal adornment to showcase
Feb 7, 2011