Apartment Therapy Archive: 2012

Whether siblings need to bunk together due to space constraints or because they want to, sharing a bedroom is often a convenient solution. Not only does it save space, it teaches them to share space. One of the biggest challenges to designing a space that most likely is shared by children of different ages is creating a restful and inspiring bedroom that fits all their varying needs.

We write about families in all sizes of homes, but our heart will always be in small homes and helping to make them the most livable, happy, organized spaces. Which means we’re constantly on the hunt for smart ideas and solutions for stylish small space family living.

FIRST ROW:1. Tommy & Todd’s Bohemian Chic Collection2. Caitlin’s Small, Stylish San Francisco Home3. Maria’s Glamorous Fashion-Inspired Flat4. Adir & Marcello’s Worldly Retreat5. Alexandra & Eliot’s 1890’s Farmhouse SECOND ROW:6. Nick’s Grad School Digs7. & 8. Wendy & Gavin’s Bright Beach Cottage9. Dean’s Stylish & Social Greystone10. Blythe’s Bohemian West Hollywood Cottage THIRD ROW:11. Marina Replicates Her Boston Home12.

Balancing your plate on your lap and eating over the kitchen sink may work for awhile but at some point you’ll feel better about life if you eat at a proper table. While it may seem like a waste of space, especially in a small apartment, a dining table can become an essential piece of furniture, used for meals, crafts and even serving as a work station. Check out this roundup of dining tables big and small to see if there’s one that will fit in your home.

What are the biggest pieces of furniture in your home? Likely your beds. And your kids’ beds too. Especially if you live in a small home, you are acutely aware how much space beds can take up. Throughout the past year we’ve had interesting discussions about kids’ beds and shared creative ways for bunking up.

When I first moved into my apartment back in March, I was excited by the prospect of actually having enough space to fit a desk in the living room. After moving in the coffee table, the couch, an oversized chair, and a couple of lamps, only a small corner was left to possibly fit a desk. Since then I’ve been making do with the couch, dining table and kitchen bar.

Gift wrapping is not just paper bags and adhesive bows. It can be a real art, from the Japanese craft of furoshiki to the homespun embellishments of fabric bows and washi tape. This season, LA-based paper and ribbon company Midori Ribbon shows a few techniques (with videos!) for wrapping commonly shaped items.Learn how to shape pleats for a round present, make a stylish floppy bow out of leftover gift wrap, create Japanese seamless wrapping and more, all on the LA Times’ site.

Whether you’re short on space, away from home for the holidays or just looking to decorate in a more innovative fashion this year, there are times when the standard tree just won’t do…Enter the alternative Christmas tree — 15 creative ideas for adding cool to your yule this year. Some of these trees are 3-dimensional, and some are flat. Some are quick and easy, while others may require a few tools to assemble.

There is no substitute for a lovely, real Christmas tree: the lovely pine aroma, the glittering feel of having a living, beautiful thing in your home. Despite their loveliness, trees require a lot of care, even after they are chopped down. Besides the obvious shedding of needles, they also leave another little gift of their own: sticky tree sap. Here are a few tips for cleaning tree sap off of carpet and household items.Sap is sort of like removing gum. There are a few ways to handle it.

As a toy designer and a parent, this time of year is fraught with not only finding the usual Christmas gifts, but finding gifts that I admire both as a designer and a mom. It can be a tall order. I have high expectations! Until recently I felt like I had most of the control over what my daughter would play with. These days, as she approaches the ripe old age of 4, I’m realizing my hold on our curated collection of toys is slipping fast.

Name: Sue Huey & Graeme FraserLocation: Brighton, East Sussex, UK Years lived in: 4 years; Owned Located in the very heart of central Brighton, Sue and Graeme’s Victorian townhouse is a refuge of tranquility, just yards from the city’s main shopping street. Sue, a trend forecaster and mother to Iris and Harper, has amassed a varied collection of antiques and curios, which are grouped decoratively throughout the house.