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Apartment Therapy Archive
2013
February

Apartment Therapy Archive: Feb 2013

Got (Too Much) Milk? Freeze It For Later
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) We rarely use milk at our house, and whenever we do buy it for a recipe, half the bottle inevitably goes to waste. That is, until we realized we could freeze it for later! Here are some tips for freezing it. • Freeze Milk for Later The Kitchn
Cambria Bold
Feb 28, 2013
Sam & Anne’s Cozy Modern Blend
Name: Sam, Anne, new baby Tesla and Pup Indiana Location: South Austin, Texas Size: 2200 square feet Years lived in: Owned 8 months Sam and Anne never intended to make this house in South Austin their home. They had been living in a gorgeous modern home we featured on Apartment Therapy last year, and purchased this 1927 bungalow with the intention of flipping it.
Adrienne Breaux
Feb 28, 2013
Before & After: Kim’s Closet to Craft Room
The closet in my guest bedroom never hosted much clothing, and I decided it’d be a perfect tucked away spot for sewing and crafting.My workspace in my last apartment was a craft cabinet, so a closet was a step up. I painted the bottom portion of the wall with leftover paint and built a desk with wood and metal braces from Home Depot. I hung acrylic shelves on the left wall and added a custom corkboard, task lamp, filing cabinet, and calendar.
Kim R. McCormick
Feb 28, 2013
Before & After: Staffan and Rebecca’s Garden Kitchen
Rebecca and Staffan have been hard at work building an extraordinary terraced garden in Sweden since 2007. In such a short time they have carved out six terraces and built an unimaginable series of walls to hold it all in place. And then there is this one (comparatively) small piece — an outdoor kitchen with an extraordinary view.And then the glorious after – if I had this kitchen I think I would want to brave the Swedish winters to cook out all year long.
Rochelle Greayer
Feb 28, 2013
French Etiquette: Take the Salt off the Table
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) Two years ago I took a cooking class in Paris with Paule Caillat, a charming and knowledgeable cooking teacher. As our delicious lunch drew to a close, Paule hopped up from her seat and said something that surprised me then but that I often think of now… • Take the Salt
Cambria Bold
Feb 28, 2013
4 Tips for Low-Sodium Cooking
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) Think cooking with less salt has to be bland? Think again! Yesterday we took a peek at Sodium Girl’s Limitless Low-Sodium Cookbook, and today we are sharing her most tried-and-true tips for taking low-sodium meals to the next level. • Low-Sodium Cooking The Kitchn
Cambria Bold
Feb 27, 2013
Mark’s Methods for Confidently Choosing Paint Colors
Mark’s home is fantastic with his (very) successful use of color. He very generously offered to take a trip to the paint store to share his knowledge and give some tips on how to choose colors that are right for you. • How to Choose Paint Colors Apartment Therapy
Sarah Dobbins
Feb 27, 2013
Before & After: Creative Uses for Horse Stall Doors
Lucianna collects and refurbishes unique stall doors for projects around the house. Below are pictures of a liquor cabinet and a kitchen pantry that she created by hanging the doors on modern sliding rails. • Creative Uses for Old Doors Apartment Therapy
Sarah Dobbins
Feb 27, 2013
1980s Kitchen Makeover
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) Sue and her husband saved and planned for nine years before they were able to makeover their 1980’s kitchen. Check out the story and ‘After’ photos below: • Kitchen Before & After The Kitchn
Cambria Bold
Feb 27, 2013
Tile Inspiration: 15 Beautifully Tiled Spaces
When used well, tile has the ability to warm up a space like no other material. Here are just a few inspiring ways tile can be used to create dramatic, engaging and delightful spaces: • Beautiful Tile Gallery Apartment Therapy
Sarah Dobbins
Feb 26, 2013
How to Make Easy Homemade Lemon Curd
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) Lemon curd is one of those things that I always like to have in my refrigerator. It has saved me more than once when I’ve had to rustle up a last minute dessert or had an unexpected guest stop by at tea time. • How To Make Lemon Curd The
Cambria Bold
Feb 26, 2013
Before & After: An Organized Mudroom
I love before and after projects that involve a good afternoon of organization — no paintbrush, no tools… just some motivation, a vision, and some hard work.I recently came across this mudroom makeover and thought it was a great example of how a before and after doesn’t have to be a super-expensive or super-involved affair. It’s encouraging to see how little changes can have a big impact!
Sarah Dobbins
Feb 26, 2013
Before & After: Michelle’s Industrial Jewelry Chest
When Michelle found these old tool chests at a fairground in Norman, Oklahoma, she immediately envisioned a way to restore them to their former glory and put them to good use. With a great deal of work and some serious elbow grease, they became what she calls her “keeper of treasures.”For some interiors the rustic industrial look might have worked, but the edges were sharp, the piece was covered in grime, and rust had overtaken the original finish.
Carolyn Purnell
Feb 26, 2013
Before & After: Rusty Flea Market Stool Makeover
You might walk by this unassuming stool at a thrift shop, but Charlotte saw potential. See how she gave this flea market find a fresh facelift. • Rusty Stool Redo Apartment Therapy
Sarah Dobbins
Feb 26, 2013
Renovation Guide: 10 Quality Tile Sources
In kitchen renovations, you can use tile to bring a lot of style to a little space. So where should you get started when looking for tile for your own project? Start with our list of 10 quality tile resources! • 10 Quality Tile Sources Apartment Therapy
Sarah Dobbins
Feb 25, 2013
Before & After: Charlotte’s Flea Market Find Makeover
You might walk by this unassuming stool at a thrift shop, but Charlotte saw potential. See how she gave this flea market find a fresh facelift. From Charlotte: Back when birds were chirping and grass wasn’t buried by 24″ of snow, I grabbed this wheelie stool at the Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market in New Milford, CT. The seller clearly thought he was getting the good end of the deal charging me $10. But a simple coat of spray paint later, and it has a new lease on life.
Tara Bellucci
Feb 25, 2013
Understanding the Differences Between HDMI, Optical, Coaxial & RCA Cables
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your home theater or are perhaps putting together your first surround sound setup. You’ve probably spent more than a few moments looking through the options for audio and speaker cables. In this short 101 course we’ll break down each speaker cable type and let you know which one is likely your best bet.You spent hours researching the perfect audio receiver that will be the workhorse for your new home theater.
Chris Perez
Feb 25, 2013
Before & After: Closet Under the Stairs Gets a Dramatic Makeover
Harry Potter isn’t the only one with a cramped cupboard under the stairs. KariAnne Wood had a similarly awkward closet off the living room in her farmhouse. Previously it was just wasted, forgotten storage for random things, so she decided to make it a more useful and special spot in the house. See more of this project on KariAnne’s blog, Thistlewood Farms Thanks for sharing KariAnne!
Dabney Frake
Feb 25, 2013
Renter-Friendly Solution: Install a Removable Tile Backsplash
Kitchens are one of the spaces that could use the most help when renting. While changing out the faucet and fixtures is the usual fix, imagine if you could add a tiled backsplash with just a few screw holes! • Removable Backsplash DIY Apartment Therapy
Sarah Dobbins
Feb 25, 2013
Before & After: An Ocean View in the East Village
I was a teenager once, and I’m sure my mother would have been beside herself with joy if my room were ever as neat as this before photo. But while uncluttered, this teen bedroom lacked a certain je ne sais quoi. A teen’s room is the one place where they can express a style that is truly their own, and this room wasn’t cutting it.
Nancy Mitchell
Feb 25, 2013
The One Kitchen Item Worth Splurging On
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) Last week we asked you, our readers, to share the one kitchen item you’d recommend splurging on. If you’ve ever wondered what’s worth the money in the kitchen, read on… • The One Kitchen Item Worth Splurging On The Kitchn
Cambria Bold
Feb 25, 2013
8 Small Cooking Habits To Pick Up
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) Being a good cook is also about the small habits you practice daily, the ones that transform cooking into a more effortless and joyful part of your day. These 8 simple habits are easy to pick up, yet make a major difference in your cooking. • Small Cooking Habits The
Cambria Bold
Feb 22, 2013
Before & After: A Blank Wall Gets Shelved
Joy and Corey loved their downtown Los Angeles loft, but its small footprint made finding storage space pretty challenging. So they figured out a way to take advantage of their 13′ ceilings by going vertical.From Joy: The whole project was inspired by the need to get stuff up and off the floor; with limited square footage, every inch counts. Also, I really wanted a way to consolidate all our media elements.
Jennifer Hunter
Feb 22, 2013
Katharine & James’ Glamorous Family Home in London
Name: Katharine & James Howard (and daughter Amelie, 1 year) Location: South London, United Kingdom Size: 1600 square feet Years lived in: Owned; 2 years Before I ever set foot in Katharine and James’ south London home, I knew that it would be beautifully designed to the last detail.
Eleanor Büsing
Feb 22, 2013
Smart & Simple Housekeeping: 5 Ways to Use Old Candles
The simplest helpful household tips are the ones that I value the most. I love finding new uses for humble objects, and it’s exciting to share these tips and learn some in exchange. • Put Old Candles to Work Apartment Therapy
Sarah Dobbins
Feb 22, 2013
Faith’s Renovation: Buying an IKEA Kitchen
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) The bones of a kitchen are the cabinets and their layout, and we knew from the get-go that we wanted to use IKEA’s cabinet system. Here are some things we learned along the way. • On Buying an IKEA Kitchen The Kitchn
Cambria Bold
Feb 22, 2013
Before & After: From Discarded Spool to Amazing Dining Room Table
When Cheltz’s husband, Woo, found this discarded industrial spool, he imagined a new dining room table… for free. Check out how the transformation went! • Spool to Table Transformation Apartment Therapy
Sarah Dobbins
Feb 22, 2013
Before & After: A Beautiful Vintage Dresser Gets a New Look
It’s not often that we see a before that looks so much like, well, an after. Natty admits that the dresser was in great shape when she got it, but she was looking for something more modern and personalized. After all, a dark stained wood isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and sometimes even beautiful pieces can stand to be a new kind of beautiful.
Lauren Pavao
Feb 22, 2013
10 (More) Recipes To Know By Heart
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) What are your recipe essentials? Here are ten more of the recipes we love so much we have them memorized. Do you? Or are there others you choose to know by heart? • 10 Recipes To Know By Heart The Kitchn
Cambria Bold
Feb 22, 2013
Quick Guide: Spices for Common Dishes
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) While there is really no “One Right Way” to season or spice your favorite foods, here’s a quick guide to some of the most common — and dependably tasty! — ways to do it. • Common Spices for Common Dishes The Kitchn
Cambria Bold
Feb 21, 2013
Make It: An Easy, No-Sew Window Seat Cushion
If you read the January Cure diaries, you probably saw my window seats, both bare and then with cushions. If you’re interested, here’s how I made the cushions in about an hour. • How to Make a Cushion Apartment Therapy
Sarah Dobbins
Feb 21, 2013
Before & After: Samna Transforms a Studio in 5 Days
Samna flew out to New York from her home in Seattle to help her sister set up her studio apartment. With only five days and $500, here’s how she transformed the rental into a chic hangout.From Samna: Here’s what I had to work with: My sister’s apartment in a post-war building, 248 square feet of bedroom/living area and kitchen, $500 budget and five days to get it all done. This project is for all of the people who claim “I don’t have time.
Tara Bellucci
Feb 21, 2013
Before & After: Laura’s Family Room Finds a New Purpose
Laura spent seven years using this room, with its high ceilings and statement fireplace, as a family room. But considering its pass-through and access to the kitchen, she found a new purpose for the space that felt more natural. The process of transforming a living space into a dining space may not have been without challenges, but the results are stunning!
Tara Bellucci
Feb 21, 2013
Before & After: Cheltz & Woo’s Discarded Spool to Dining Table
When Cheltz’s husband, Woo, found this discarded industrial spool, he imagined a new dining room table… for free. Check out how the transformation went: From Cheltz: My husband found this giant wooden spool for free and wanted to make a dining table out of it. I was more than willing to have him try. The spool is 65″ in diameter, which is huge, but it was also over 40″ high (which is way too high for a dining table).
Tara Bellucci
Feb 21, 2013
Before & After: Gallery Wall of Kids’ Art in the Dining Room
Lauren Liess had clients with a bland dining room looking for a stylish and personal upgrade. The family had a bold, cheerful style (and some budding Picassos!), so she came up with the perfect solution: a kids’ art wall! • Kids’ Art in the Dining Room Apartment Therapy
Sarah Dobbins
Feb 21, 2013
Lola’s Homemade Orange Kitchen
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) Lola Milholland is an avid home cook with an amazing range of culinary abilities. She cooks with tenacity and confidence! Join us for a tour of this giant, personality-filled kitchen. • Lola’s Homemade Orange Kitchen The Kitchn
Cambria Bold
Feb 21, 2013
Caroline & Jose’s Remarkable Austin Nest
Name: Caroline and Jose Vasquez-Corbalan of Paloma’s Nest Location: Austin Texas Size: 1,000 square feet plus 600 square feet of studio/office space in the back. Years lived in: 10 years Caroline and Jose embody the true spirit of creativity. They spent their first date drawing furniture design ideas on the back of their dinner napkins — after realizing they both shared the same dream of wanting to make things for a living.
Chris Perez
Feb 20, 2013
Kathryn & Perry’s “Have Less Do More” Apartment
Name: Kathryn and Perry Bacalis — Wedding and portrait photography team in Denver. Location: Capitol Hill, Denver, Colorado Size: 650 square feet Years lived in: 4 months; rent Kathryn and Perry are the kind of people that make friends with just about everyone they meet. They are warm and welcoming, creative and stylish, just like their home. They recently left behind 1300 square feet of loft living and moved into a 650 square foot apartment in the heart of Denver’s Capitol Hill.
Ashley Poskin
Feb 20, 2013
Three (Free!) Things You Need for Your Home Office
Working from home and being productive can be both rewarding and a challenge at the same time. Here are 3 free tools so easy to integrate into your workflow that you’ll be wondering what you did without them. • 3 Things for Your Home Office Apartment Therapy
Sarah Dobbins
Feb 20, 2013
Before & After: Colorful Kids’ Art in the Dining Room
Interior designer Lauren Liess had clients with a brand-new dining room looking for a stylish and personal upgrade. The family had a bold, cheerful style (and some budding Picassos!), so she came up with the perfect solution: a kids’ art wall!She added some new curtains, a new overhead fixture, and some sconces in the middle of the gallery wall — but the focus is the kids’ art, which adds a lot of color and fun to the room!
Sarah Dobbins
Feb 20, 2013
Before & After: Vintage Dollhouse Gets a Colorful Facelift
For Christmas one year, the very stylish Suki gave her daughter a renovated vintage dollhouse. First off, the dollhouse itself is amazing, with what looks like real plaster walls and a brick chimney. Suki tore out some of the old materials, repainted, wallpapered and re-filled the house with tiny furniture and fixtures.The after is so charming, colorful and full of fun details. I would move in tomorrow if I could.  So amazing Suki!
Dabney Frake
Feb 20, 2013
Before & After: Boring IKEA Billy Bookshelf to Rad Reading Bench
The great thing about Ikea’s Billy bookshelf is that it’s an inexpensive, versatile storage unit for any age — the downside is when you’d like it to be a bookshelf for kids but the height and reach is too much for little arms.Leave it to Lisa Campbell to fix that! She just turned it on its side, so that it not only holds books safely, it doubles as a bench! She added some decorative trim, secured the shelves, and sewed a cushion for the top.
Sarah Dobbins
Feb 20, 2013
Battling Throwawayism: A Low-Carb Furniture Diet
You are what you sit on. At Apartment Therapy we are always working hard developing our philosophy and working out the talking points that underpin the healthy, beautiful, organized home. • A Low-Carb Furniture Diet Apartment Therapy
Sarah Dobbins
Feb 20, 2013
Classic Kitchen Style: A Vintage Look in a New Build
We’re fans of a good before & after, but sometimes it’s nice to see a new-build with all the charms of an older home. This new kitchen, with the skillful addition of old and reclaimed elements, precisely fits that bill. • New Vintage-Inspired Kitchen Apartment Therapy
Sarah Dobbins
Feb 19, 2013
Before & After: Charlotte’s Colorful Connecticut Living Room
When Charlotte and her family moved from New York to Connecticut, they fell in love with this 100 year-old house and its bay window. With so much white everywhere, it was a blank canvas. Check out how she transformed this living room with color:From Charlotte: We moved to the Connecticut suburbs from NYC into this sweet 100 year-old house. The previous owner had a love affair with all things off-white (carpet, walls, trim, window treatments).
Tara Bellucci
Feb 19, 2013
Making it Work: Working From Home With Kids
I love the way our world is changing. Gone are the days where you were either a work-outside-the-home mom or a stay-at-home mom, when rare was the woman who didn’t fit into one of those categories exclusively. With the integration of technology and innovation into our work and home lives, there are so many possible combinations of working environments for moms (and dads!).
Sarah Dobbins
Feb 19, 2013
Before & After: Side Table Gets a Herringbone Top On a Budget
Is this “before” image intriguing, or what? Yes, you can see the top of the old crusty side table, but what’s the point of showing it with all those paint sticks on top? This is truly a DIY project I would never have thought of on my own, and I love it!Truly, the folks over at Thistlewood Farms gave this little table an amazing facelift — with paint sticks. They cut them all down to uniform size, applied some stain, and laid them in a herringbone pattern, and the result?
Sarah Dobbins
Feb 19, 2013
Before & After: From Boring Bedroom to Chic Shared Space
Yeah, okay, this bedroom is fine. It’s got some beds, so it’s functional. It’s got walls, you know, because you need those. But it lacked pretty much everything else. Until now…What a transition! Out of nothing, Kelly created this super stylish playroom/studio for her to share with son Aston.
Dabney Frake
Feb 19, 2013