The Latest
2012

The Latest: 2012

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A Minimalist DIY Cork Trivet
We’ve seen many DIY projects featuring corks, but the effect is often shabby chic or country kitchen. This DIY cork trivet is simple, easy and would fit in with a more minimalist look. • DIY Cork Trivet Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 16, 2012
The Benefits of Painting Citrus Tree Trunks
Of all the wonders I saw last week in Tuscany, perhaps the strangest was a courtyard full of blue-painted citrus trees. It is truly the mark of a beautiful landscape that something that might look tacky in the city seemed just-right… • Painting Citrus Trees Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 16, 2012
Why You Should Switch Your Cell Phone to Military Time
Thinking of “fourteen hundred hours” as 2 o’clock will take some getting used to, but there’s one really good reason to switch your cell phone to military time: You’ll never make an afternoon alarm mistake ever again.Have you ever woken up late one morning to find your 6 a.m. cell phone alarm was actually set to go off at 6 p.m. that night? It’s an easy (and far too common) mistake to make.
Taryn Williford
May 15, 2012
Dated Kitchen Goes All White
Here’s a great example of how paint and new cabinet hardware can easily and inexpensively upgrade a kitchen. Now the room looks bright and brand new — with a budget of only $1000. • Dated Kitchen Goes White Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 15, 2012
10 Handmade Cutting Boards
You can find many useful cooking gadgets and doodads, but a handmade wood cutting board makes for a beautiful and purposeful kitchen accessory. • Handmade Cutting Boards Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 14, 2012
Tile Trends: Two Ends of the Spectrum
Recently I found myself discussing tile trends with a salesperson at my favorite tile showroom. There’s big news in the tile world. Well, big and little. • Tile Trends Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 14, 2012
Inspiration: Wallpapered Kitchens
Looking to add some pattern or color to your kitchen? Wallpaper as an accent wall, backsplash, or even a kitchen island can make a real statement. Here are 10 kitchens to inspire you: • Wallpapered Kitchens Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 11, 2012
Advice for a Clutter-Free Kitchen
With the rise in open space floorplans, having a neat and tidy kitchen has become increasingly important. Here are our best tips for keeping your kitchen clutter-free and ready for meal prep. • Clutter Free Kitchen Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 11, 2012
Before & After: A Kitchen Opens Up
This 80’s kitchen was in need of updated appliances, cabinetry, and an overall space adjustment. By taking extra space from rooms adjacent to the kitchen, the kitchen was opened up for a light and bright gourmet chef’s kitchen. • A Kitchen Opens Up Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 10, 2012
Room By Room I’m Turning Into My Mom
Abby recently wrote about “grownup houses” and it made me realize that I do live in a grownup house – one an awful lot like the house where I was raised. And it hit me: for better and for worse, I am turning into my mom one room at a time. • Turning Into My
Carrie McBride
May 10, 2012
10 Brands of US Made Kitchen Cabinetry
At High Point Market last month I was pleasantly surprised to discover how much furniture is still made in the US including kitchen cabinetry. Here are 10 made in the USA companies: • Made in the USA Cabinetry Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 9, 2012
A Roundup of Kitchens with Black Accents
Shiny or matte, black can make a big impact on a room. Here are ten examples of black fixtures, walls, and cabinets to inspire, whether you’re looking to add a little or a lot of black to your kitchen. • Black Kitchen Accents Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 9, 2012
Granite Alternative: Elements by Durcon
In the past ten years it seems that every single kitchen rehab saw the installation of granite countertops. Not only is granite getting a bit tired, it’s also not a very eco-conscious option. Enter Elements to save the day. • Granite Alternative Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 8, 2012
Kitchen-Themed Artwork
Themed art can easily be cheesy, but when done right it’s pretty charming. Here are 10 examples of the latter for the kitchen – a few include conversions and recipes so they’re useful too! • Kitchen-Themed Artwork Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 7, 2012
Trend Watch: Bi-Color Kitchen Cabinets
Are two colors on your cabinets better than one? It’s a growing trend that has strong design pluses going for it and worth considering for anyone planning a reno or cabinet makeover. • Trend: Bi-Color Cabinets Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 7, 2012
Inside The Lovely Studio Of Adore Vintage
Name: Rodellee Bas- owner of Adore Vintage Location: Fashion District – Downtown Los Angeles, CASize: 300 square feetYears worked in: 2 months Rodellee moved into her downtown workspace just a couple months ago, as she’s expanded the audience of her online vintage shop. She needed to have an official space to get all her e-commerce shoots done, and a place to have shoppers actually come in to try things on.
Bethany Nauert
May 4, 2012
Backyard Chicken Keeping in LA
The trend toward keeping backyard livestock in urban areas seems only to be growing. We’ve featured plenty of chicken coop designs in the past, but we loved this homemade coop in a small backyard in LA so much that we wanted to share the story. • Backyard Chicken Keeping Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 4, 2012
Before & After: From IKEA Basic to a Vintage-Look Card Catalog
Vintage card catalogs can be found for a pretty penny, but Kristen from The Painted Hive devised an amazing, inexpensive DIY using — you guessed it — an IKEA product.Kristine wanted an old card catalog, but didn’t want to fork over the large amount of cash that they often sell for. So she got creative, and used IKEA’s MOPPE mini chest of drawers (which replaced the ‘FIRA‘ and for some reason can only currently be found at the UK site).
Rachel Wray Thompson
May 4, 2012
Installing Cabinet Door Inserts for a Fresh Look
When faced with builder-grade or dated cabinets, the first impulse of many new homeowners is to rip them out and start fresh or paint them. Another option for an inexpensive cabinet face lift is replacing the cabinet door inserts. • Cabinet Door Inserts Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 4, 2012
DIY Ideas for Adding Pops of Neon
Are you sick of the neon color trend yet? We’re not either! Here are ten projects we’ve recently spied that have great potential for adding some hip pops of neon to your space, that you can make yourself. • Add Pops of Neon Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 3, 2012
10 Snapshots You Should Keep in Your Phone’s Photo Album
You might already use your email or notes apps on your smartphone to keep track of little everyday reminders. But your camera app and photo album can be just as useful as a memory aid. Here are a few things that can easily be remembered with a quick snap of your camera phone’s shutter button: • A reminder of where you parked. Parking in the city is no joke. • Your printer cartridges. Make sure you can see the refill numbers. • Your family members’ clothing sizes.
Taryn Williford
May 2, 2012
A Window Box Made from Wood Shims
Window boxes are great for adding plant life in small spaces. But what if your planter is DOA (dull on arrival)? Here’s a project to create one in under 2 hours. • DIY Window Box Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 2, 2012
Dollhouse Sized Waffle Furniture
Who says you can’t play with your food? From the partnership of Ryosuke Fukusada and Rui Pereira, this waffle iron creates a complete set of dollhouse sized furniture. In waffle form. • Furniture Waffle Iron Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 2, 2012
Viewing Instagram on the Web
“I wish I could look at Instagram online,” is a statement I hear quite often among my friends. Designers have taken matters into their own hands and created web-based Instagram sites: here are our two favorites. • View Instagram on the Web Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 1, 2012
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