The Latest: Apr 2012

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A “Work With What You Got” Balcony

One of our favorite recent tours is the home of Jenny & Collin. We weren’t at all surprised to learn that their miniscule outdoor area was given equally thoughtful design treatment. • Jenny & Collin’s Balcony Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 30, 2012

Parks & Recreation’s “Girl Heaven”

Declared “girl heaven”, Tom’s place on Parks and Recreation is stocked with cheese plates, chocolate fountains, and “just amenities everywhere!” Here’s what else you’ll find… • “Girl Heaven” Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 30, 2012

Kelly and Michael’s Light and Bright Abode

Name: Kelly and MichaelLocation: Hyde Park, Chicago, ILSize: 1,480 square feetYears lived in: 3 years; rented The last word that one probably wants to use in reference to one’s home is “clinical,” but according to Kelly, that’s what the space felt like when she and her husband Michael moved into their university-provided housing three years ago.

Carolyn Purnell

Apr 27, 2012

8 Ways to Turn Your Tablet Into a Bedside Clock

When we travel we use our iPad as the bedside clock. It’s large, and thanks to the Internet it always has the correct time. Of course there are an astounding array of apps out there to transform your tablet into a bedside clock, so we’ve curated the best of them in this week’s handy dandy tablet app feature.

Joelle Alcaidinho

Apr 27, 2012

A Visit to the Stone Distributor

Have you ever visited a local stone supplier? Not to be confused with fabricators, who cut the stone to your kitchen’s specifications, these are repositories of raw material and slabs to choose from… • Visiting the Stone Distributor Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 27, 2012

Pairing Old Tables & New Chairs

We’ve all seen the look of rustic farmhouse tables with modern chairs. But what about more polished and formal dining tables? • Pairing Old & New Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 27, 2012

Window Box Gardening Basics

Window boxes are a tried and true way to refresh your home’s exterior, invite some lovely aromas into your home, or boost your culinary supplies (fresh herbs and veggies, yum!). Here’s what you need to know to get started in window box gardening: • Window Box Basics Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 26, 2012

Before & After: Bare Patio Turned Luxurious Cabana

Concrete slabs. Many an outdoor space has them, installed by a previous owner whose original intentions for the space are lost to time. It is easy to view them with disdain, a harsh element forced into a natural setting. Many people get rid of them, to be replaced by bluestone, brick pavers, or maybe even a water feature.

Richard Popovic

Apr 26, 2012

Before & After: Two Tone Coffee Table Makeover

Catherine’s husband Danny owned this rather orange coffee table when they first met, and she freely admits to having spent the last few years moving it around the house in an attempt to hide its rather bright hue. The flaking finish plus some penmanship practice in one corner made this piece ripe for a makeover once Catherine found her inspiration in a post by a fellow blogger.

Colleen Quinn

Apr 26, 2012

Orla Kiely’s Garden Line

I love Orla Kiely’s fashion and designs for the home. So I was super excited to see that she has a small line of garden accessories. With her trademark petal patterns, it was bound to happen. • Orla Kiely Garden Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 26, 2012

Highlights from the Kitchen & Bath Show

I spent yesterday at the annual Kitchen & Bath show in Chicago looking for the newest and best products and trends. It was more compact than usual, with a very strong focus on the bathroom. Here are the highlights from my day: • Highlights from KBIS 2012 Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 25, 2012

A Small, Stylish Paris Kitchen

We have known our fair share of kitchens that feel like an appendage or squeezed in for necessity’s sake. But it can actually make for a very interesting interior design challenge… • Small Paris Kitchen Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 25, 2012

An Evening with Pilar Guzmán

We were thrilled to welcome Pilar Guzmán, Editor-in-Chief of Martha Stewart Living magazine at our latest Design Evening. See the video or read the transcript: • Pilar Guzmán Interview Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 24, 2012

5 Ideas for Using Glass Jars in the Kitchen

A whole cabinet in my kitchen is devoted to jars of all shapes and sizes. While I love my empty jar collection, I’m swayed by some of these creative uses for recycled glass jars as more permanent fixtures in the kitchen. • Glass Jars in the Kitchen Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 24, 2012

Lighting Designer Marjorie Skouras’ Home

A few weeks ago I was driving and I literally had to pull over when I saw Marjorie’s place. It was a very interesting looking house with a life-sized taxidermy figure staring back at me through the window! • Marjorie Skouras’ home Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 23, 2012

A Country Kitchen Goes Classic

Brooke has turned her very generic and all too common country kitchen into a classic, clean space which will no doubt increase the value of their home. See how it looks now… • Country to Classic Kitchen Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 23, 2012

5 Fragrant Plants Perfect for Small Spaces

In a small space like a balcony or small deck, using plants that give off a scent can make the space that much richer and enjoyable. Here are 5 fragrant plants perfect for a small space… • Plants for Small Spaces Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 20, 2012

Before & After: Drab Basement to Airy Playroom

There’s a reason basements often become cluttered dumping grounds, they’re usually dark, uninviting and an excuse to hide your mess away. If you have an underused or unappealing basement, take some cues from designer Frances Herrera who transformed this one into a bright, welcoming playroom.What was your goal for this space – what did your clients ask for?My clients needed an inspiring place for their 5-year-old daughter to play, craft, and entertain her friends.

Carrie McBride

Apr 20, 2012

A Conversation with Designer Jeff Andrews

Perhaps best known for his work with the Kardashians, Jeff Andrews turns out to be modest and unassuming. Jeff shares his design philosophy, his thoughts on what rooms need, and how he made the transition from choreographer to designer… • Jeff Andrews Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 19, 2012

Before & After: Rescuing a Battered Buffet

When Susan first saw this battered buffet, it was anything but love at first sight. Water stains, peeling veneer, and missing drawer pulls — this buffet had them all. Thankfully, it also had wonderful lines, solid construction, and some beautiful carved legs peeping through the grime and abuse. With a gritty determination, Susan set out to restore this buffet to reflect its proud past.

Colleen Quinn

Apr 19, 2012

Small Kitchen Space Saving Strategies

What are your options in a small kitchen? Rethink your space. A three-pronged approach will make you happier with your itsy bitsy cooking space. • Solutions for Small Kitchens Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 19, 2012

Katharina’s Dad Joins the Food Revolution

I once left my parents in charge of my garden and it died. Now I am inspired by my parents’ yard. My dad has joined the food revolution. • Dad Joins Food Revolution Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 18, 2012

Hosting Guests Without a Guestroom

While we love to host family and friends, it can pose a challenge in a small home. Here’s some advice to to ease the impact of crowding lots of people into a small space. • Hosting Without a Guestroom Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 18, 2012

Real Life Advice: Hosting Guests Without a Guestroom

Looking through all the Small Cool entries this month has me pining for the small space I used to inhabit — I loved it so much, but I don’t miss the challenge of hosting overnight guests in such a small house. We had one bathroom and one bedroom, and frequent houseguests that would often stay for two or three nights — sometimes more. While we love to host family and friends and put them up when they visit, it can pose a real challenge to keep everyone happy, healthy, and sane.

Sarah Dobbins

Apr 17, 2012

7 Must-Haves for the Canner’s Garden

If you’re a canner looking to expand your homesteading skills to the garden, or are a gardener who wants to apply your green thumb to goods that are best for canning, here are 7 must-haves for the canner’s garden. • Must-Haves for Canners Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 17, 2012

Gardening Finds on Etsy

Etsy is home to all things handmade, extending even into the garden. DIY kits, seeds and starter plants and a range of ready-made options can be found under the plants and edibles section. Check out a few standout selections… • Gardening Finds on Etsy Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 17, 2012

Seed Markers You Can Make

I come bearing exciting seed markers for Spring ’12! That’s right, let’s make this the year that we do-it-up seed marker style with these 10 tutorials. • Seed Markers You Can Make Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 16, 2012

Make a Kids’ Play Grill

This toy grill can be knocked out in a day for under $20. You only need to know how to cut a dowel with a handsaw and drill a hole. And if you’ve never tried before, now is the perfect time! • Make a Kids’ Play Grill Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 16, 2012

Roger’s Carefully Curated London Home

Name: Roger BeckettLocation: Kensington, London, United KingdomSize: 755 square feetYears lived in: 10 years, owned Roger’s home is located on a picturesque London street a stone’s throw from Kensington Palace. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve wandered onto a film set, or perhaps stepped into the pages of a favorite Victorian novel.

Eleanor Büsing

Apr 13, 2012

Surya & Dave’s Fun and Friendly Studio

Names: Surya & Dave Pinto of WeeGalleryLocation: St. Petersburg, FloridaYears worked in: 1 year Wee Gallery is no stranger to Apartment Therapy; their colorful wall decals, prints and mobiles have been spotted in homes numerous times over the years. So it was a pleasure to check out their new work digs in St. Petersburg, Florida and to see where are the fun begins.Wee Gallery is run by Surya and Dave Pinto, the creative and business forces behind the company, respectively.

Dabney Frake

Apr 13, 2012

Before & After: A Side Table Lightens Up

Ashley picked this table up at a thrift store for only $10, a great deal for a piece with this much hidden storage. Despite the obvious benefits of such a table for a growing family, the look of the piece is dated and too dark for Ashley’s plan to brighten up her living room. Though this project required a lot of time and attention to detail, the end result is a great addition to Ashley’s evolving living room.

Colleen Quinn

Apr 13, 2012

Make Your Own Drum Shade

Renting doesn’t mean you have to live with boring ceiling light fixtures. Isabelle LaRue of Engineer Your Space explains how to make a custom drum shade to spiff up a less-than-exciting ceiling fixture. • Make Your Own Drum Shade Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 13, 2012

Make A Farmhouse Table

Perfect for Spring, or anytime, this wooden table and bench designed by Marjan Verboeket can be yours. That’s because the designer turned this piece into an easy DIY and shared the instructions. • Make a Farmhouse Table Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 13, 2012

An Urban Homestead in LA

Kelly & Erik didn’t set out to become backyard farmers. But once this LA couple discovered the pleasures of making things by hand and living close to the natural world, one thing led to another and today their ever-evolving urban homestead is a true inspiration. • An Urban Homestead in LA Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 12, 2012

Before & After: Ottoman Transformation

When I saw the photo of this ottoman, I had to look twice because it’s just like one I picked up at the local thrift store several months ago! Just like the one above, mine isn’t in terrible shape, but the upholstery is certainly outdated and could do with a bit of sprucing up.Jill Browning is certainly more proactive than I am and she did just that, gave her ottoman a fabulous makeover. And where, pray tell, do you think she got that lovely fabric from?

Michelle Chin

Apr 12, 2012

What NOT To Do When Decluttering

We asked organizing and de-cluttering guru Nicole Anzia of Neatnik for her best strategies on what NOT to do when trying to harness chaos in our homes. • Decluttering: What Not To Do Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 12, 2012

An Oven Built Into the Stairs

When Dalibor Hlavacek was asked to convert a tiny attic space into a livable apartment, he designed nearly every inch of the home to serve a dual purpose including an oven tucked into the stairs! • An Oven Built Into the Stairs Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 11, 2012

Before & After: Vintage Veneered Dresser Goes Back to Basics

Sarah got herself a great deal on this painted dresser — or so she thought until she started sanding off the paint on the top and found not solid wood but veneer. Battered veneer patched with wood filler. Veneer she knew she would have to chip off bit by bit. Veneer that ultimately required a chisel and a heat gun to remove completely. Despite her hatred of the process, the end result was certainly worth the effort.

Colleen Quinn

Apr 11, 2012

Using Doors for Storage

In small spaces, a lot of things go on behind closed doors, but how often do we really think about the doors themselves? Using the door can give you that extra little bit of room and functionality. • Using Doors for Storage Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 11, 2012

Beautiful Outdoor Party Decorating

This pretty image is from an outdoor wedding, but it got us thinking that it would be a simple and beautiful idea for decorating your next backyard party. • Outdoor Party Decorating Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 10, 2012

Using Small Sinks in Small Kitchens

Tiny kitchens present a few challenges, especially when it comes to counter space. After all, it’s hard to make dinner on a counter the size of a cutting board. One solution? Utilize a compact sink to make the most of your space. • Small Sinks in Small Kitchens Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 10, 2012

Tips for First Time Gardeners

Do you feel like no matter what you try to grow, it dies? Too much water, not enough water, too much sun, too much shade. Here are ten things I learned the past two summers… • Tips for First Time Gardeners Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 9, 2012

15 Creatively Repurposed Planters

These 15 repurposed planters remind us that you don’t need a lot of space and new materials to start growing your own garden; all you need is a little bit of ingenuity and resolve. • Repurposed Planters Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 9, 2012

A Roundup of 20 Small, Stylish Kitchens

Given how much gear goes into the kitchen, it’s one of the trickiest rooms to keep compact, functional, and stylish. Here’s some inspiration to help you infuse your tiny kitchen with character and convenience. • Small, Stylish Kitchens Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 6, 2012

Before & After: Roadside Dresser Transformed for Teen Boy

When Ms. Bliss found this lemon yellow dresser by the side of the road, she was certain it still had some life left in it. She was already working on redoing her 13-year-old son’s bedroom, and knew the added storage would be a great addition to that space. With only minimal damage to be fixed, this dresser was an excellent candidate for a more masculine makeover.Ms.

Colleen Quinn

Apr 6, 2012

Retrospect: The Frankfurt Kitchen

Let’s take a look back at the celebrated Frankfurt Kitchen which was key to the kitchen’s transformation into a rationalized modern domestic laboratory. • Frankfurt Kitchen Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Apr 6, 2012

Before & After: Plain Curtains Gone Girly

There was nothing wrong with the plain silk curtains in Maegan’s ultra-feminine home office (which we profiled as a Tech Tour last year). But, when she spotted the luxe tassled curtains in Carrie’s apartment while watching old episodes of Sex and the City, she knew she could recreate the look for less.All it took was a few yards of elegant black tassel trim — as well as a few hours of patient pinning and hand-stitching — to really upgrade this window treatment.

AnnaMaria Stephens

Apr 5, 2012

20 Small Kitchens with Style

Small spaces are often tricky, and given how much gear goes into the kitchen, it’s undoubtedly one of the most difficult areas to keep compact, functional, and stylish. Here’s some inspiration to help you infuse your tiny kitchen with character and convenience.Obviously the aesthetic possibilities of the kitchen can range just as widely as that of other rooms.

Carolyn Purnell

Apr 5, 2012