Apartment Therapy Archive: Jul 2012

I’m super visual, so when someone draws something for me, I process it ten times faster. Take, for instance, this illustration on how to set a dinner table. • Design Infographics Apartment Therapy

Name: S. Rohde HillLocation: St Louis, MOSize: 1,100 square feetYears lived in: 1 year; rented Rohde (pronounced road-ee) Hill’s home is visually stimulating — punctuated by pops of bright color and loaded with interesting things. The result is modern and dramatic. He’s a family man, a recent transplant to the suburbs of Saint Louis with his wife and two children.

Trends in appliance colors come and go. Remember those avocado green appliances of yesteryear? Since stainless steel has been the trend in modern kitchens for the past few years, we’re wondering what’s next. Maybe Whirlpool’s new white ice?When I got the press release from Whirlpool about their new white ice collection of appliances, I have to admit it was refreshing to see someone trying to interrupt stainless steel’s long reign as the leading finish in the kitchen.

It started with a splinter. We’d long neglected the worn, ugly deck off our master bedroom. It contained two chaise lounges, a plant, and a sand table for our toddler, but was still bare and underutilized. Then I got a nasty splinter from it — my third in as many days — and I realized we couldn’t ignore it any longer.It wasn’t a rash decision, so much as an acknowledgment that the deck needed repair.

Food makes the best subject, especially for beginners. Why? It doesn’t move, it doesn’t talk back or give you attitude, it arrives on time and when you are done making art out of it, you can feast! • Photographing Food Apartment Therapy

Doors can be so much more. If you’ve ever lived with a hollow core door (like most of us) you know what I’m talking about. Even if you can’t have something like this secret library door, by Peter Pennoyer Architects, there are other ways to do it up. Here is some inspiration:1. Cover Them: With starch and water, you can “wallpaper” fabric to any surface. When you’re sick of it, simply pull it off. That’s your cue to get giddy from all the possibilities.

Approached with a request to create a custom bar cart, Nancy decided to use their shared love of DIY pipe shelving as her inspiration. • DIY Bar Cart from Pipe Apartment Therapy

With streaming media, there’s never been more options for watching your favorite shows without paying for cable or satellite. Making the transition can be easy… • Ready to Cut Cable? Apartment Therapy

We all fight a crusade with clutter. But is this constant crusade actually a healthy way of approaching one’s home? Or is it better to make peace with a little bit of mess? • Battling Clutter (Or Not) Apartment Therapy

At last night’s Apartment Therapy design meetup, we heard from Frank Potash (aka Mid-C Frank), whose quick — and very dramatic — kitchen remodel was featured on the Kitchn a few years ago. Before, the kitchen was clean and cozy, but a bit generic. Jump below to see the after, and a floor plan of the changes.Check out the full tour at The Kitchn to see how Frank re-did his whole kitchen with Ikea cabinets — in just five weeks.

Life where I’m house sitting is fully automated with kitchen appliances I don’t have. But I’ve noticed there’s a connection to process that gets lost when everything is automated or made ultra-convenient. • Lost Connection to Progress Apartment Therapy

Midsummer may seem late to buy outdoor furniture but it’s actually kind of perfect because retailers are starting to discount it. We’ve rounded up 12 of the best outdoor dining table options — 6 for small spaces and 6 for spreading out. • Best Outdoor Dining Tables Apartment Therapy

The crusade against clutter is one of the most frequently waged battles in the modern household. It’s true that nothing feels quite like a good clutter-purge, and somehow it seems that no matter how little I buy or how often I prune my belongings, there are always plenty of items that I could part ways with. But is this constant crusade actually a healthier way of approaching one’s home? And to what extent is it okay to make peace with a little bit of mess?

I’ve lived in my apartment for seven years now, and getting my neighbors to say “hi” back to me is still like pulling teeth. I’m clean, I’m upstanding, I tiptoe around like a ballerina, I’m genuinely (not fakey over-the-top) friendly, and I recently went 2-for-8 in Returned Friendly Greetings. What is going on?Do you say “hi” back to your neighbors? If not, I’m intrigued and would love to hear why.

Whether you’ve just moved into a new space, are settling into a summer rental, or are just frustrated with your kitchen, here are some ideas to help you arrange your kitchen for maximum cooking and cleaning efficiency. • A Well Organized Kitchen Apartment Therapy

Buying a new sofa is always a little bit stressful and we we sometimes forget to look at these important features: how well it’s made, how long it will last and if the cost reflects its quality. • Sofa Buying Tips Apartment Therapy

Summer is a time for vacations, and also for projects. Maybe you’re thinking about painting, but want to do something a little out of the ordinary. We’ve got a few ideas. TOP ROW: 1. You may have heard of painting the ceiling, but here, painting the ceiling and a single wall elevates the walls and ceiling into floating panes of color. Hus & Hem via Plenty of Colour. 2.

Whether you’ve just moved into a new space, are settling into a summer rental, or are just frustrated with your kitchen, here are some ideas to help you arrange your kitchen for maximum cooking and cleaning efficiency that will making mucking about in the space a lot more fun.Start with what you have: You may love them, you may hate them, but unless you’ve got the money for a full scale renovation, your sink, stove and refrigerator aren’t going anywhere.

A client recently asked if I could paint over furniture — he was sick of the look, but the piece was functional and he didn’t want to throw it out. Why not?You could take your furniture to a shop and have it sanded and sprayed and spritzed in a dust-free environment and perhaps it would last for all time, but that sounds a lot like expensive restoration to me. Or for Plan B, try this:Give your sideboard a light sanding (220 grit), dust it off and paint over it in an oil-based paint.

It is clear from the photo above that Lesli has the kind of yard sale luck that most of us can only dream about, even on our best day. When she arrived at a local yard sale, she immediately saw the perfect bed for her daughter, a bed that had somehow been overlooked by antique hunters earlier in the day. When she saw the price tag, a whopping $25, she paid immediately and accepted the help of the seller to load up her car.

I’ve been sick for less than 24 hours, and already my apartment is trashed. What will this place look like by the time I’m well? I have a few tricks for how to cope, but really I’d love to hear your advice • Housework When You’re Sick Apartment Therapy

The sleeper sofa is a workhorse of apartment living—a tried and true way to accommodate overnight guests in even the tiniest home. They’re complex pieces and the market is full of good and bad options. Here’s our guide to shopping for a well-designed sofa bed to fit your space and your budget. Measure your area based on the size of the sofa bed when open. You want to make sure there’s enough room to comfortably unpack the bed without rearranging your whole apartment.

Names: Henry (almost 3) and Adela (2 months)Location: Brooklyn, New YorkRoom size: Approximately 100 square feetAmanda de Beaufort who pens the always delightful children’s style blog, Coos and Ahhs, has completed her tour de force. After years of squeezing into a bedroom with her husband and young son, her second pregnancy finally forced the space issue.

It’s amazing how a few tweaks to our daily habits can become a catalyst for meaningful, positive change. Here are a few simple things you can do every day to feel happier at home.

Just like suitcases with wheels, recessed power outlets are one of those “I can’t believe it wasn’t around ’til now” inventions. But even if you know they exist, you might not know how to use them. Here are five places around any home, apartment or loft where you should install this space-saving electrical hardware.Recessed outlet hardware has a faceplate that is set deeper into the wall than a regular outlet.

I’ve been sick for less than 24 hours, and already my apartment is trashed. My little living room currently has two empty juice bottles, a bottle of sparkling water refilled with tap water (for the 100th time), a tea mug, many blankets, a robe, my post-shower towel, and a copious amount of Thai takeout paraphernalia — all artfully arranged around my pulled-out pullout couch… and my bedroom is no better. What will this place look like by the time I’m well?

A few months ago, I took my youngest to an amusement park with a large group of friends and their moms. As we all gathered at the front entrance with a gaggle of 5 – 7 year olds, I noticed one mom writing her cell number on her child’s arm. Brilliant idea! For kids who aren’t ready to remember a phone number, it’s a simple way to keep an emergency number visible in case she gets lost.

One of my very favorite looks in the kitchen is white walls and wood open shelving. This timeless combination is clean and modern but still warm and natural. • White Walls & Wood Shelving Apartment Therapy

I lived in Australia for several years and attended many a picnic or BBQ. At every outdoor meal, food was covered with mesh domes or tents to keep the pesky flies away. • Food Tent Roundup Apartment Therapy

Name: Tracy Metro, TV host and designer and Marty Metro, Owner of UsedCardboardBoxes.comLocation: Belmont Shore – Long Beach, CaliforniaSize: 1975 40′ Harbor Master Houseboat Years lived in: Owned 5 years Who would pass up an opportunity to photograph a house boat (and not just any house boat)? Tracy and Marty’s home away from home is such a nice break from the stress of keeping up in the big city.Tracy and Marty have really fallen in love with the local bay community.

Name: Andy DuCettLocation: Minneapolis, MNSize: Studio 20′ x 26′ (house: 1,100 sq. ft.)Years Lived In: 6 years “The best fake airline you’ll ever fly!” That was the headline that caught my eye over on my Facebook feed, leading me to Andy DuCett’s plans to convert a 12,000 sq. ft.

Sibylle from Funkytime is at it again, this time with a little vintage summer twist. She scored a suitcase at a thrift shop, and although she wasn’t sure what she would do with it, she knew it would be getting new life soon…With some fabric, ribbon, velcro, a staple gun, paint, and primer, she was on her way to transforming her new find into a different kind of traveling buddy.

Name: “Bebe Pelanne”Location: Manhattan, NY When we found out we were pregnant the search for a larger one bedroom or upgrade to a two bedroom began. However, if anyone has opened up the NY real estate section lately you will find the rent prices have soared. We decided to stay in our one bedroom, and divide the room. The actual space is 6′ x10.5′, which was surprisingly enough space for a nice nursery.

We totally had one of these old console TVs when I was growing up. Ours wasn’t quite as ornate as this one, but it sat like a monstrosity in our family room and we thought it was like an IMAX theater. The ladies over at Sugar Tot Designs didn’t save this TV from their childhood. They got it from the free section on Craigslist, and then they turned it into an amazing all-purpose play space for kids.Sarah, the upcycler of the duo, took apart the TV and left the shell.

If you’re new to home exchanges, this summer might be the perfect time to give it a shot. Here are some tips to help get you started. • Tips for House Swaps Apartment Therapy

It took me a long time to realize that routines are freeing. When you know what has to be done and in what order, your mind performs the tasks automatically, freeing you to mull over more important things. • Make Routines Work Apartment Therapy

I’m constantly seeing decor darlings that are now routinely dissed. Why? Because they’re “everywhere” or because we’re “so sick of seeing them.” • When Designs Are Popular Apartment Therapy

Before you ditch those beat-up dining chairs with the broken seats, consider turning them into a bench! Here are four great examples… • Turn Old Chairs Into A Bench Apartment Therapy

Name: Carol LeFlufy, Photographer’s Agent – Eye Forward AgencyLocation: Silverlake – Los Angeles, California Size: 1400 square feet Years lived in: Owned for 4 1/2 years I was referred to Carol through a friend, and couldn’t wait to see her home in person. Can you believe that her home was built by a young architect in his 20s?

Christopher always wanted to own a home in the mountains but never realized how near the possibility was until he started reading about the “Tiny House Movement”. • A 127 sq. foot “Tiny House” Apartment Therapy

Summer is in full swing. It’ll be gone before you know it, so don’t let it pass you by without taking full advantage of all of its little treasures. Here are 20 posts to help you make the most of it. • Make the Most of Summer Apartment Therapy

I lived with buttery yellow living room walls for several years and loved them; somehow they took the edge off even the chilliest Chicago morning. If you are considering adding this bit of subtle sunshiney warmth to your home, look no further – here is a palette of perfect pale yellows and creams. One is sure to suit your personal taste; some a bit brighter, some warmer, some more neutral, all pretty.1. Farrow & Ball: Pale Hound 712. Benjamin Moore: Little Dipper Classic Colors 3243.

Of all the responsibilities that come with taking care of your home, paying special attention to your wood furniture is sometimes overlooked. I recently inherited a beautiful wood rocking chair that had been stored away for a few years and was in need of some TLC. If it’s time to restore the surface of your wood furniture, this step by step guide shows you everything you need to know and how to lengthen the time before your next polish as much as possible.

What type of DIY planner are you? I’ve seen some people go to extremes, while others just “throw something together” — beautifully I might add. Here are some of the design types I’ve encountered. • What’s Your DIY Personality? Apartment Therapy

Designers and retailers are embracing blogging — some are jumping on the DIY bandwagon while others use their blog as a venue for showing off new designs and providing design inspiration. Here are some of our favorite retail blogs this year… • Stores with Great Blogs Apartment Therapy

Name: Christopher Smith & Merete Mueller Location: Hartsel, Colorado Size: 127 square feet Years lived in: 3 months; Own Christopher and Merete own a tiny house on some of the most beautiful land in Colorado. One hundred miles southwest of Denver, fifteen minutes down a gravel road just outside Hartsel, sits a 127 square foot home. It’s cozy, efficient and costs hardly anything to power, but most importantly: it’s theirs.

Names: Alexandra Grenham, her husband, John, and their two daughtersLocation: North End — Boston, MassachusettsSize: 1,336 square feetYears lived in: 1 year; owned When I saw Alexandra’s House Call last month, I was excited to get the job of shooting the full tour. Like you, I couldn’t wait to see more of the beautiful brick and beam loft peppered with bursts of color.

Love that Wall Street Journal stipple-style illustration? The results are not exactly as beautiful as Kevin Sprouls fine illustrations, but the SnapDot app does a decent facsimile using stippling algorithm to convert any photo into a stipple drawing, even color! SnapDot gives your iPhone the ability to draw professionally with the ideal fine art format: dots!