The Latest: Jun 2012

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Small Home Changes For A Big Impact

While remodeling certainly changes your life, it’s not always an option. But there are small changes you can make that will have a big difference in how you feel about your home. • Small Home Changes Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 29, 2012

Playlist For the Fourth of July

Growing up, my family hosted annual (and epic) 4th of July BBQs. This year I’ve decided to share some of my favorite music for the 4th which can add a bit of pep to any shindig. • Playlist for the 4th of July Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 29, 2012

4th of July Style: Red, White & Blue BBQ

If you’re thinking about having a cookout this Independence Day, don’t let your good taste end with the food and drinks. There are tons of great outdoor wares to make your BBQ patriotic and stylish. • Red, White & Blue BBQ Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 28, 2012

Ten Things You Can Clean In A Minute

Usually the dirtiest things in my home are the ones I forget about completely and, thus, never clean. Luckily, that’s easy to fix; if you have ten minutes, you can get these ten chores done today. • 10 Things To Clean Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 28, 2012

Before & After: Restoring a Dilapidated Deck

When Elizabeth and her husband bought their house six years ago, the inspector told them the deck stairs should be replaced within the year. Every year they would add the deck stairs to their to-do list, and every year they somehow failed to get to that project. Until this year that is- after watching the deck stairs shudder when the family pet ran down them, Elizabeth decided the time had come to reclaim their outside space.

Colleen Quinn

Jun 27, 2012

Lynne’s Outdoor Kitchen

Lynne wrote in to share her outdoor kitchen with us, made from stone from an old barn foundation she discovered on her property. Read on to learn more about her creative re-use of found materials. • Lynne’s Outdoor Kitchen Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 27, 2012

Three Surfaces You May Need To Seal

I’m a sporadically responsible homeowner, but things like using sealant never occur to me. To keep your home looking good, here’s a mini-list of surfaces you just might want to seal. • 3 Surfaces to Seal Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 26, 2012

Design “Allergies” You Can’t Digest

When I walk into a room, there are certain things that trigger great discomfort on a visceral level. What are the things you find in people’s homes that you simply can’t digest, no matter how hard you try? • Design “Allergies” Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 26, 2012

Photographing People: Part 2

Here is my second wave of tips and hints for photographing people. Portraiture is a unique challenge, but it sure provides some of the most fabulous, silly, intense interactions. • Photographing People Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 25, 2012

Faster, Easier Salads: 5 Tools To Help

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) Want to eat more salad? Then learn how to prepare all the ingredients faster! The following tools are our go-to kitchen essentials for quick salad making. They’ll help you clean lettuce, chop veggies, and whiz salad dressing in no time. • 5 Salad Tools The Kitchn

Cambria Bold

Jun 25, 2012

Cristina’s Architect’s Flat in Hong Kong

Cristina is an adventurous soul. She’s traveled to countries across the globe and lived in more than a few of them. For the last couple of years, she’s ‘settled down’ in Hong Kong, in an industrial district transitioning into a very hip neighborhood. • Cristina’s Hong Kong Flat Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 22, 2012

Share Your Design Pet Peeve

I’m a tolerant person; I’m open to new ideas, new styles. But there’s one design trend I just can’t accept: the karate chop pillow, that silly business of “chopping” an indentation into the top of a throw pillow. What design trend gets on your nerves? • Design Pet Peeves Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 22, 2012

Concrete Floor Inspiration Rooms

We have seen beautiful concrete floors everywhere, from bars to restaurants to clubs to warehouses, and over the last decade they have become increasingly popular in modern home interiors as well. • Concrete Floors Inspiration Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 21, 2012

Resisting the Feeling of Should

The tendency to over-own is often attributed to overbuying or to a deep-seated reluctance to get rid of things. I think that an equally important factor is the more subtle feeling that we “should” own these things. • The Feeling of Should Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 21, 2012

5 Outdoor Party Ideas on a Budget

I love decorating for a party, but I don’t love spending a ton of money on something I’ll only use once. Here are some creative ideas for making your party unique without breaking the bank. • Budget Party Ideas Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 20, 2012

Before & After: Outdated Entry Gets a Hotel Inspired Makeover

Jill’s entry from the garage had been a thorn in her side for months. Though the checkerboard floor was a great feature, the paneled walls were dark and dated; certainly not the warm welcome home she craved. In addition to a brighter color, Jill knew she wanted to add what she calls a “landing pad” for shoes, coats, bags, etc — a spot other than her kitchen table!

Colleen Quinn

Jun 20, 2012

What People Really Pay for Upholstery

You want to get upholstery work done but are new to this and have no clue what such a project would cost. Well, read on! • Real Upholstery Costs Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 20, 2012

Dirt: Better to Deal With It or Disguise It?

The quotable Sir Terence Conran commented, “I’ve never understood why some people say that complex patterns are sensible because they hide dirt. Personally, I prefer to see dirt so I know when to get rid of it.” Which camp are you in? • Dirt: Deal or Disguise? Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 19, 2012

20 “Happy Modern” Lights for the Home

With some table lamps, pendant lights, and sconces there’s something about the way they look, on or off, that cheers up a modern space instantly. We’ve gathered 20 that are doing that for us. • “Happy Modern” Lights Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 19, 2012

Alexandra’s North End Creativity

Name: AlexandraLocation: North End – Boston, Massachusetts Our condo, located in the historic North End, is not only our first home, but our dream home as well. We wanted an open space with light and charm (and an elevator) in the heart of the city to raise our kids. When we finally found our home, it was love at first “light:” the sun shining in from the vast windows was almost overwhelming.

Janel Laban

Jun 18, 2012

Before & After: Bedroom Dresser is Painted No More

Karen scored this dresser when it was left behind in a friend of a friend’s garage. She took that dresser with its one green painted drawer home and painted it white and cream to match her bedroom, and there it has lived for the last seven years. She and her husband are working to update their master bedroom, and Karen decided this dresser was just asking for a makeover.

Colleen Quinn

Jun 18, 2012

Inspiration from the Farmer’s Market

One of my favorite things to do at this time of year is visit the farmers markets in New England. I’ve rounded up some fresh products and ideas inspired by local farmers markets: • Farmer’s Market Inspiration Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 18, 2012

Tips for Not Being a Hoarder

I haven’t actually seen the A&E series Hoarders. But having lived with a recovering one, I understand the tendency. Here, some habits I’ve picked up as an anti-hoarder: • Tips for Not Being a Hoarder Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 15, 2012

A Dark, Dated Kitchen Goes Light & Glamorous

Denise and Brad’s dated kitchen was always a sore spot. With a budget of $20,000, Denise designed the new space and acted as her own contractor over several months. • Kitchen Before & After Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 15, 2012

The Porthole Infuser Flask

Grant Achatz’s cocktail lounge, The Aviary, is like the Cirque du Soleil of bars, and its custom glassware makes every drink look at least 20% cooler. Now the rest of us will be able to get our hands on some… • Porthole Infuser Flask Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 14, 2012

A Visit to Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market

One of the first things I do when I arrive in a new city is head straight to the market. So when I touched down in Toronto, I headed straight to the market named by National Geographic as the world’s best. • St. Lawrence Market Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 13, 2012

New Floor Tiles from Chilewich

Chilewich just launched these easily installed, easily repositioned flooring tiles. Because they aren’t traditional carpet, I think they would work well in kitchens, baths and entryways. • Chilewich Floor Tiles Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 13, 2012

Max’s Eclectic LA Pad & Painted Chalkboard Cabinets

Max Gough lives in a wonderful West Hollywood apartment. It’s eclectically decorated with rich colors and tons of artwork – including his changeable painted chalkboard kitchen cabinets. • Chalkboard Kitchen Cabinets Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 12, 2012

Options for Light & Durable Countertops

I recently wrote about my kitchen renovation and have been thinking I should try grey or white countertops rather than black. Here are several options for light colored but rugged countertops. • Light & Durable Countertops Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 12, 2012

Jane & Justin’s Backyard Makeover

Our backyard was a mess of tangled weeds, a steep hill upwards, broken red concrete patio chunks everywhere, and fence holes so big our 90 lb. dog sailed right through them. See it now… • Backyard Makeover Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 11, 2012

5 Secretary Desks for Narrow Spaces

I’m on the hunt for a secretary desk that folds up to hide records, office supplies and a laptop. Must be tall, thin and handsome, with plenty of storage space. Modern, clean design preferred.It will be such a relief to move office work out of the kitchen and into its own space. Here are the secretary desk contenders so far:1. Campton Smart Technology Office Armoire from Pottery Barn2. Tall Blond Secretary by Thomas Wold3. Hallings Secretary by Thomas O’Brien from Hickory Chair4.

Rachael Grad

Jun 11, 2012

Kitchen Renos: Where To Splurge or Save

Thinking about a kitchen renovation, but not sure where to splurge or save? Consumer Reports breaks down the high end choices, as well as their money saving counterparts. • Where To Splurge or Save Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 11, 2012

California’s Ubiquitous Succulents

My recent trip to Southern California was pure heaven for the succulent enthusiast. From homes and businesses and restaurants, gardening with succulents is just a way of life out here. • California’s Succulents Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 8, 2012

Jane and Justin’s Backyard Before & After

Name: Jane and JustinLocation: Oakland, California – Oakmore Neighborhood When we bought our house in 2006, it wasn’t because of the back garden. Picture a mess of tangled weeds, a steep hill upwards, broken red concrete patio chunks everywhere, and fence holes so big our 90 lb. dog sailed right through them.We were no strangers to DIY garden remodels and took the project on enthusiastically, but this — this was nothing we’d seen before.

Nancy Mitchell

Jun 8, 2012

Peter’s 1892 Brooklyn Brownstone

Name: Peter Hassler: web producer by day, designer by night Location: Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New YorkSize: Whole house roughly 4,000 square feet, owner living area roughly 2,000 square feet Years lived in: 9 years What I love most about the East Coast is the really old architecture, especially brownstones! Peter lives in my dream home, with tall ceilings, original moulding, and stunning woodwork everywhere. His mix of old and new and how it plays off each other really works in his home.

Marcia Prentice

Jun 8, 2012

Summer Storage Solutions

Inevitably each summer I find myself on wild goose chases for my hats, sandals, and other warm-weather accessories. I’ve decided to foil this tendency with some simple organizational techniques. • Summer Storage Solutions Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 8, 2012

12 Things You Have Too Many Of

Do I really need 20 t-shirts, a dozen towels, 3 teapots? I need multiples of some things, but at some point, a few turns into too many. Check your mulitiplication on the following items that seem to accumulate. Things You Have Too Many OfApartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 7, 2012

Unexpectedly Pleasing Pastels in the Home

I can’t believe I’m actually saying this, but I’ve been sort of feeling pastel lately. Normally it’s a set of hues I stay far away from, but lately I’ve been craving their soft selection of colors to help cool off on a hot day. • Pleasing Pastels Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 7, 2012

RJ & Francis’ LA Loft

Modern, masculine and classical are a few words to describe RJ & Francis’ loft in the heart of downtown LA’s art district. They are also frequent hosts – holding a gathering about once a week. • RJ & Francis’ LA Loft Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 6, 2012

Wine Box Container Gardening

If you are lucky enough to have an outdoor space, but don’t have access to land, this DIY wooden wine box planter might just provide the perfect solution. • Wine Box Gardening Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 6, 2012

Modern Pastels in the Home

In recent months, pastel hues have been taking the design world by storm. If, like me, you’re partial to beautiful, barely-there shades, here’s a little inspiration to get your design motor running. • Modern Pastels Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 5, 2012

Julie & Jesper’s Musical Scandi-Canadian Nest

Name: Julie Chamberlain and Jesper Kaalund Location: Haut Marais, Paris, France Size: 710 square feet (66 square meters) Years lived in: 2 years, rented At 37 weeks pregnant, Julie Chamberlain doesn’t do much dancing these days, but that doesn’t stop her from listening to her favorite tunes. One morning last month, independent Canadian music streamed from her laptop, providing a restful soundtrack just right for readying her beautiful one-bedroom apartment in Paris for a new baby.

Celeste Sunderland

Jun 5, 2012

5 Ideas for Peony Arrangements

At the flower shop where I work, every arrangement is made-to-order. Still, there are times when my own preferences influence the designs – it’s peony season, y’all. • 5 Peony Arrangements Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 5, 2012

Evelyn’s Sustainable Starter

Evelyn Lee’s apartment was her 1st project out of Parson’s Interior Design program; and where she was able, she used sustainable materials to create a relaxing haven she calls home. • Evelyn’s Sustainable Starter Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 4, 2012

Tiffanie’s San Francisco Gutter Garden

Just because you don’t have space for a true garden doesn’t mean you can’t be a gardener. Tiffanie built a gutter garden on her fence, for example… • Tiffanie’s Gutter Garden Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 1, 2012

DrawerDecor: Clever, Colorful Organizer

One of the challenges of kitchen drawers is keeping all the utensils in place. This combination non-slip mat and movable dividers helps solve the problem and adds a kick of color. • DrawerDecor Apartment Therapy

Carrie McBride

Jun 1, 2012