The Latest
2012

The Latest: 2012

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White dresser with missing drawers and a drill on top, labeled "before."
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
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
Before & After: Lucite Bathroom Stool
Most bathrooms are small, wet places, so choosing appropriate furniture is often a challenge. Learn from Jenny, who took a flea market lucite stool and fixed it up to work in her bathroom.Jenny from Little Green Notebook spotted this scratched up stool at a flea market and decided to use it as a seat for when she’s bathing her kids.For wet or messy locales, laminated fabric is a great alternative.
Tara Bellucci
May 31, 2012
Veronica & Keith’s DIY Kitchen
Chicagoans Veronica & Keith love design and they love DIY. Both are evident in their home including their dark-walled kitchen with handpainted rugs and vintage shutters. • Veronica & Keith’s Home Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 31, 2012
Design Evening with Tina Roth Eisenberg aka SwissMiss
If you missed our Design Evening in NYC with Tina Roth Eisenberg, you can read the full transcript to learn about how she got started and the 8 things she really believes in.. • An Evening with SwissMiss Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 30, 2012
A Marital Mashup Dream Kitchen
This month our contributors have been fantasizing about their dream kitchens. This one represents a mashup of Regina and her husband who started in very different places. • Marital Mashup Kitchen Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 30, 2012
Celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
Americans kicked off summer this weekend, but the Brits are preparing to kick it off during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebration. Here’s a round up of essentials for celebrating stateside. • Diamond Jubilee Essentials Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 29, 2012
How To Make a Book Cover Disguise For Your Wireless Router
My philosophy about technology in the home is akin to a strict private school headmaster’s opinion about children: technology should neither be seen nor heard until required/requested. Even though Apple’s Airport router is fairly benign aesthetically, I prefer to keep the wireless router tucked inside a floating shelf, next to other blinking light culprits like the cable modem and home security system, a trio of otherwise mismatched clutter if left out all together.
Gregory Han
May 29, 2012
Matt & Leah’s Modern Menagerie
Name: Matt and Leah (and eight furry cat children)Location: Austin, TexasSize: 2055 square feetYears lived in: Owned 2 years Let’s just get this out of the way: Matt and Leah have eight cats. They also have a gorgeous modern Austin home and enviable tastes, but you’re about to experience a lot of adorable photos of cats perched on modern furniture.
Adrienne Breaux
May 28, 2012
Where To Skimp In a Kitchen Renovation
Renovating any room can be costly and especially the kitchen. I have a few ideas for where you can find a bargain when you’re building something better. • Where To Skimp in the Kitchen Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 25, 2012
A Kitchen Redo Two Years in the Making
Over the past two years I have been working on my kitchen. It’s the most expensive room to remodel in the house, so I’ve been doing it piece by piece as I can afford it. • Two Year Kitchen Redo Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 25, 2012
Inspiration from British Kitchens
Despite the not-always-glowing reviews that British cooking sometimes evokes (or at least used to evoke), British kitchens are something to take inspiration from. Here’s a gallery of them to peruse… • British Kitchens Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 24, 2012
“Eat” Art for the Kitchen
Art in the kitchen can be fun to play around with. If you’re looking for something a little tongue-in-cheek and literal to add to the place where you make food, you might be searching for a clear directive to hang on your wall: Eat. • “Eat” Art for the Kitchen Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 24, 2012
Before & After: Upgrading a Builder’s Grade Kitchen
When Kalie and Travis moved into their house a year ago, they knew they had a lot of things to change to make it feel like home. Thrilled to finally have an outlet for their passion for decorating, they have been gradually implementing their big plans in their self-defined little house.They changed out the light wood floors for dark, and installed new custom cabinets built by a friend.
Colleen Quinn
May 23, 2012
Modern Luxe at ICFF
One of the design trends we noticed at ICFF this year: rich materials, like gold and marble, used in new, unexpected ways, for a look that’s clean but luxurious like this glass mortar and pestle. • Modern Luxe at ICFF Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 23, 2012
Kitchen Inspiration from Restaurants
Restaurants know that an enjoyable meal starts with the atmosphere. If you’re looking to bring a bit of that philosophy into your kitchen, check out some inspiring ideas from restaurants… • Inspiration from Restaurants Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 23, 2012
Pendant Lights in the Kitchen
Bold looks for kitchen lights are having a moment. More and more, we are seeing bright colors and large industrial-style looks that previously would have been relegated to other rooms. • Pendant Lights in the Kitchen Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 22, 2012
One Couple’s All White Kitchen Remodel
When Ashley and Greg purchased their home they knew a kitchen remodel was in their future. They designed and built a beautiful, modern, and functional space that makes you wonder – is this even the same house?! • All White Kitchen Remodel Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 22, 2012
Keeping Books in the Kitchen
The kitchen is not just for cooking anymore. For most people, it’s where the majority of their time is spent, sharing meals, doing family projects, and entertaining. And, as it turns out, it’s the place where some are storing their book collections. • Keeping Books in the Kitchen Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 21, 2012
A Gallery of Pegboard Inspiration
Years later, we are still fans of Julia Child’s pegboard full of pots and pans: it’s practical for small spaces, and keeps your cooking tools at an arm’s reach. For those of you who are thinking of building your own, check out these great examples… • Pegboard Inspiration Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 18, 2012
“The World’s Ugliest Condo” Reno Reveal
Dabney has been documenting the renovation of what she dubs “the world’s ugliest condo”. Today she reveals the fresh, renovated kitchen… • Kitchen Renovation Reveal Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 18, 2012
10 Vibrant & Colorful Kitchens to Inspire
Tired of white, gray, and steel kitchens? If you just want to take a visual vacation and walk on the wild side of kitchen design, we’ve pulled together ten tantalizing kitchens that will brighten your day. • 10 Vibrant Kitchens Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 17, 2012
Before & After: Red Paint to Mahogany Dresser
When Sarah picked up this painted dresser for $25, she knew the bright red paint and mismatched knobs had to go. Since the red paint wasn’t quite her thing, she immediately covered the dresser with a coat of citri-strip. Once that round of stripper revealed the mahogany beneath the paint, she knew her makeover would be both more complicated and more satisfying.After stripping the entire dresser down to the underlying wood, Sarah pretreated the base and then stained with Minwax Dark Walnut.
Colleen Quinn
May 17, 2012
Change Up Your Kitchen Storage
Could a new kitchen look be as easy as changing your kitchen storage style? If the way you’ve organized your kitchen’s wares was instinctual — you just started with what you know — then it might be time to reevaluate. • Change Up Your Storage Apartment Therapy
Carrie McBride
May 17, 2012
Ruthie’s Really Fantastic Fixer Upper
Name: RuthieLocation: Nashville, Tennessee My boy and I bought our 100 yr old Victorian fixer upper home 8 yearrs ago, 2 months before we were married, in a neighborhood called East Nashville in Nashville, Tennessee.We were totally broke, but I have always been one that has had to be in a aesthetically pleasing and feel good environment, so I immediately got busy scouring flea markets, garage sales and antique malls.
Janel Laban
May 16, 2012