Apartment Therapy Archive: Jan 2013

The humble rolling cart is the workhorse of furniture. It can be used in just about every room — kitchen, bath, laundry, office — and, since it’s mobile, it can also travel. • Rolling Carts Apartment Therapy

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) Yesterday Emma told us that to cook like a pro, you should keep your salt in a covered container or salt pig. Here are 10 options to get your salt out of the shaker once and for all: • 10 Salt Containers The Kitchn

The humble rolling cart is the workhorse of furniture. It can be used in just about every room — kitchen, bath, laundry, office — and, since it’s mobile, it can also travel. I rounded up nine carts that would be practical for myriad uses. Check out the details after the jump…• Wrapping Cart from Crate & Barrel — Although marketed for use as a wrapping center, I think this cart could handy for storing crafts and office supplies as well. $149.

As we approach the final days of the January Cure, the celebratory get-together is looming larger in my mind. I enjoy hosting, but there are still usually stressors and worries involved, even when I’m hosting my dearest friends. As I prepare for the big night, I’m going to keep a few things in mind to eliminate that worry and to help me make the most of it.• Your guests will be as relaxed as you are.

Name: Sara and Mads Location: Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany Size: 75 square meters/807 square feet Years lived in: Two years; rented When they moved into their current ground floor apartment in Berlin’s busy Kreuzberg district after six long months of furnished, temporary rentals, Sara and her husband Mads were eager to put down their roots and make the apartment their own. They initially arrived with a truck of their belongings at 4 a.m.

This chair has been in Stephanie’s family for generations — she was rocked to sleep in it as a baby, and so was her granddad! She wanted to keep it around as a treasured piece of family history, but she also wanted to give it a little update — the result? A lovely chair with a fabulous new look, ready to rock the next generation… Stephanie’s new baby!

There’s so much more to a film experience than just plot and dialogue; costumes, props and especially set décor are so important to the authenticity of a story. Here are ten movies from the past year with awesome interiors. • Movie Awards: Best Decor Apartment Therapy

We all have well-loved, chipped-up, and slightly shabby tools in our kitchens — the old wooden spoon, the bowl with a hairline crack that still holds fruit and looks beautiful. But there are times when it is right and good to let a tool go. • Getting Rid of Kitchen Tools The Kitchn

I want to preface this post by saying this: Yes, I am aware that followers of feng shui say that storing anything under your bed is a bad idea. But let’s face it, folks. If you’re trying to fit everything into a small space, it would be a shame to waste all that area under the bed. With that in mind, I’ve rounded up a handful of underbed storage options, along with some tips, tricks and DIY projects.Resources: Long Underbed Box with Wheels from Container Store $22.

There’s nothing better after a hard day than coming home to a place where you can begin to wash off some of the day’s struggles. You may not live in your perfect dream home now, but there are always ways to create happiness no matter where you live. • Happiness at Home Apartment Therapy

My birthday party planning is a bit delayed this year, as two of my dearest friends have been out of town, but it’s given me time to think about why I like to have birthday parties in the first place. • Grown-Up Birthday Parties Apartment Therapy

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) There are a million and one ways to make chili. Whether you like your chili with ground meat or chuck roast, pinto beans or no beans at all, the basic method for making it is the same. Want to make a very good pot of chili? Here’s how. • How To

We’ve been blogging lots of small space solutions lately, but the prettiest ones are usually high-design options, unfortunately out of reach for most of us. Here’s a more down-to-earth list of smart modern furniture resources that even a first-time apartment renter can afford. Umbra On-line Store Umbra makes a few different wall-mounted space savers, including the Conceal Shelf, a powder-coated steel rack that becomes invisible under a stack of books.

As the January Cure taught me, bedrooms are hard to keep organized. Here are 10 pulled-together examples from our house tours. • Beautifully Organized Bedrooms Apartment Therapy

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) Over the past week I’ve been talking about my brother’s wedding and how some friends and I cooked and catered a homey winter dinner for about 120 people. Well, today’s the final post — I’m going to show you how it all turned out! • Budget Wedding: The Dinner The

When Jane and her husband bought their new house, they were less than thrilled with the outdated and sad bedroom that would be their son’s nursery. The wallpaper was old, the walls were in bad shape and, to cap it off, there was a very, very skeevy bed that lived in there. Eight months pregnant, Jane got to the tedious work of stripping the wallpaper, repairing walls and then building the room back up from scratch.Today, the nursery is a far cry from its humble beginnings.

Day 20: Tuesday, January 29Assignment: Hang the artwork you chose and had framed earlier this month All the way back on Day 6 (we were so young and hopeful then!) your assignment was to choose a piece of artwork that you’d love to display in your home and start the process of getting it framed and ready to hang by TODAY. Well, here we are – time flies when you are on a wild month long binge of cleaning and organizing, doesn’t it?

image:6766cb10824d9c4aa91ed2e04ba92b1314891a1d w:540 s:"fit" class_name:"mt-image-center" show_pin_button:"true" show_image_credits:"true" We recently featured twenty stylish living spaces that make room for the little ones, but what about the kids’ rooms? Seeing as a baby isn’t yet able to appreciate their nursery’s decor, should the space be decorated for the adults in the house to enjoy? Here are ten sophisticated nurseries where the parents have done just that.1.

Scrolling around through Pinterest the other day, I stumbled upon a blog post that should be bookmarked by any mid century modern lover who may be planning a new sofa purchase — a resource guide with 28 sources for affordable mid-century modern style sofas…The folks over at Retro Renovation set out in search of sofas with mid century styling that fall under $2,000.

image:c2825991f525aeca346ee8e1057fee59531b764e w:540 s:"fit" class_name:"mt-image-center" show_pin_button:"true" show_image_credits:"true" When you’re short on space, shoes and bags are some of the hardest items to give a proper home. It seems like they’re always hanging around in the wrong rooms, getting crushed together in a too-small bin, getting tangled together on a top shelf, or gathering dust at the back of a closet.

image:2987d4fc0edfccdf2f942aed373490e5c7c91323 w:540 s:"fit" class_name:"mt-image-center" show_pin_button:"true" show_image_credits:"true" I dream of a day when I can fill my bathroom with plants. Mine is currently windowless and lacks any natural sunlight, so for now admiring other people’s sunny bathrooms will have to do. Here are some I am currently coveting, and here is a list of the best plants for the bathroom if you want to buy some of your own.TOP ROW:1. Apartment Therapy2.

The number for the handyman and dry cleaner, menus for favorite delivery services and a few places in strolling distance. These are among the items that can be found in my home journal. • Creating a Home Journal Apartment Therapy

If you live in an older home, you’re familiar with Adrienne’s struggle with storage — namely, that there isn’t any! Her 1930’s home is lacking in the closet department, so it was up to her to come up with some creative storage solutions for her four-year-old’s room.She found this old slightly warped and musty armoire at an antique store, and for less than $100 (including the armoire!) she created this fun, playful piece.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) Last weekend I took on the challenge of feeding dinner to 120 family and guests. I told you about the menu, and the plan, and today I’m going to describe just what it took to cook all that food. • Budget Wedding Meal: The Cooking The Kitchn

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) Yesterday I shared the menu for the family wedding I’m catering this weekend. Now — how to get it all done? How do you safely cook, transport, warm up, and serve a meal to 120 people without going crazy? • Budget Wedding Meal: The Plan The Kitchn

Decor trends come and go, and some even have real staying power. We have seen our fair share of chevron, herringbone, MCM, chalkboard paint, gray paint, decals, and birds, to name a few. • Trend Predictions Apartment Therapy

Beige paint might as well be a toxic poison, because around here, it elicits just as many negative reactions as a typo. I get it. Who wants their walls to look like a giant bandaid? But, like most things in life, the right beige, in the right place with the right friends, has a chance at happiness.Before we get down to paint colors, let’s start with basics.

It’s one of those things that nobody wants, but everybody needs in their home office. A utilitarian fireproof file cabinet is a must to keep your important documents safe and in order. But you don’t have to settle for the metallic beige eyesores of your parents’ den circa 1970.You can take an old cabinet (or a new-to-you one from a flea market or thrift store) and tailor it to suit your home office with a fresh coat of paint, wallpaper or patterned vinyl.

We’ve always preached the pros of going wireless here at Apartment Therapy (check out Joel’s wireless audio setup), and there have always been pros and cons. This is the year to finally take your video and audio wireless and stop stressing about running unsightly wiring all over your home.Wireless VideoWireless video has been around for quite some time now, but many of us have struggled with the drawbacks that it brings.

Name: Rosa Beltran, Interior DesignerLocation: Silver Lake — Los Angeles, CASize: 1 room office/ converted from a garageYears lived in: 3 years Once in a while I’ll shoot a space and become so enamored of it that I want to just hang out. Like, forever. This happened when I recently shot Rosa Beltran’s office. She’s a super talented Interior Designer/Decorator so she’s got a one up on most of us.

Rachel of VanHook & Co. is sharing a project that features paint in an unexpected way: refinishing a worn out wooden floor in her kids’ room.A painted floor may not be a DIY for the faint of heart, but the floor in Rachel’s kids’ room turned out beautifully. After experimenting with paint on their hallway floors, Rachel and her husband decided to apply a distressed version to their children’s room.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) San Francisco-based interior designer Cristin Priest thought her breakfast nook could use some sprucing up, so she decided to give it a fresh, springy makeover… • Kitchen Nook Makeover The Kitchn

I don’t know about you, but the sight of a Smeg refrigerator in a kitchen just makes me happy. I love how much personality they add to a room. They’re so streamlined, so retro, so cheerful! • Smeg Refrigerators Apartment Therapy

Are you pinching your pennies this season and holding off for a little reno project in the new year? We have plenty of budget-friendly sources in our Marketplace for home re-do’s. Who needs new earrings when you could have these cost-efficient sinks and overheads as stocking stuffers? Sears Outlet A leading name in appliances, Sears is known for its affordable prices, deep selection, and its online and brick-and-mortar outlets, where you can find good deals on mark-downs.

The entryway is your – and your guests’ – first impression of your home. And you know what they say – you only get one chance to make a first impression. We’ve rounded up hooks, racks, landing strips and other essentials to help turn your entry into a space that is welcoming and, just as importantly, convenient.• Entryway Essential: Landing Strip Hooks Unlock the door, walk into your home, hang the keys on a hook.

One of my four jobs is dog-sitting, which I love and take very seriously. However, after a stint of back-to-back dog-sitting gigs, I noted to a friend, “If I had a dog of my own in the city, I’d give it about two weeks before I’m taking her on walks in my underwear.”When I wrote How Hot Do You Look At Home?

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) You, your gang of best friends, and a snowy hillside near your house. Sledding and snacks come first, followed by a lazy dinner while coats and boots dry out next to the radiator. Here’s a menu for the day: • Menu For a Mid-Winter Sledding Party The Kitchn

This townhouse only had two bedrooms, and desperately needed a dedicated workspace and playspace. Angie was struck with inspiration when she thought about all the unused space in their 2-story foyer — why not build a loft? Join Us on Pinterest: Apartment Therapy She had her husband and father-in-law build this clever, creative loft and made it into a little nook for working and playing.

The salt and pepper grinders in my house are disposable plastic eyesores. Not a beautiful tabletop display, to say the least; so I gathered my personal favorites for salt and pepper mills that are guaranteed to be as striking as they are functional. • Striking Salt & Pepper Mills Apartment Therapy

These days I live in mild San Francisco, but I spent the first 23 years of my life in Chicago, a city where a windchill of -20ºF (that’s -29ºC) turns waiting for the bus into an extreme sport. I’ve learned a few things over the years… I like to keep my apartment as cold as possible while I’m sleeping, but even if you don’t, the transition from under-the-covers to real world can be a brutal one.

I don’t know about you, but the sight of a Smeg refrigerator in a kitchen just makes me happy. I love how much personality they add to a room. They’re so streamlined, so retro, so cheerful!And there are so many colors to choose from! Whether you go neutral with white, silver or black, bold with orange or chartreuse, or graphic with stripes or a red cross, you simply can’t go wrong. Me?

No space for a home office? No problem — use your door! Over-the-door pockets and baskets provide much needed space for documents, mail and office supplies. Combining two over-the-door organizers work even better for versatility and more storage.The over-the-door office in my home is composed of two Fabric Wall-Mount Magazine Organizers (Photo 1) hung side by side. Rather than using nails, try using small over-the-door hooks to prevent damaging the door.1.

An organized pantry is a great benefit, whether it’s shelving, a cabinet, a closet, or an entire room. It makes cooking easier, helps keep track of foods on hand, and well, it just looks nice. • Pantry Inspiration Apartment Therapy

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) In the winter I often reach for a cup of cocoa in the evening. But those packets of store-bought hot chocolate are filled with sugar and hydrogenated oils and making your own is so very simple. Making your own healthier version? Just as easy. • Healthier Hot Chocolate The Kitchn

Shopping for a bed for your little one? Consider one of these modern options from our Marketplace. From beds on a budget to more high-end designs, check out this roundup of the latest sleeper frames for kids. Crate and Barrel This may not be an actual bed frame, but if you are short on space or trying to stick to a budget, these nifty Wrought Iron Headboard Decals make creative solutions for kids rooms. $40 Target This Delta Toddler Bed combines style and functionality at an affordable cost.

My goal is to greatly reduce the amount of new items I bring into my home and hopefully save money. I feel wasteful constantly cleaning out and sorting through stuff, much of which I never needed in the first place. • Spend Less, Reduce Clutter Apartment Therapy

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) We love the sweet-sour taste of pineapple. You can buy pre-cut pineapple from the store, but it’s fresher and more economical to buy a whole one and cut it yourself. Here’s the way we do it. • How To Cut Up a Whole Pineapple The Kitchn

I moved three years ago with every intention of buying a new TV when I arrived. But after months of procrastination, it became less of a priority. I started watching the shows I liked online (Parks & Rec, Mad Men, 30 Rock) when I had the time and with limited commercials. I also enjoyed the money I was saving without a cable bill. I struggled too with the idea of bringing a giant black box into my small space, which I had spent months carefully designing into a serene and cozy place.