Apartment Therapy Archive: Mar 2013

This post is all about gasp-inducing details – elements that stop you in your tracks, take your breath away and, in one fell swoop, transform an ordinary space into an extraordinary one.Some of the details are architectural, and some are the result of dramatic furnishing choices, but each provides an undeniable “wow” in the experience of the room.TOP ROW:1.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) • Love Your Appliances? Tell Us the Maker & Model! The Kitchn

Are you itching for some spring greenery, despite this late snow? With the holiday weekend ahead, forget spring greens outside and create them inside instead. • Spring Table Top Garden Apartment Therapy

image:247b565c87179c766d8a1b1be046f1942135e7a4 w:540 s:"fit" class_name:"mt-image-center" show_pin_button:"true" show_image_credits:"true" Many renters (and equally, non-renters) face the all-too-common problem of having to cram a whole lot of living into, well, not a whole lot of space. We have dual and sometimes multi-purpose rooms: living, eating, working, and maybe even sleeping within one open-plan space.

Name: Joan Hiller and Matt LeMay Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York Size: 550 square feet Years lived in: 1 for Joan, 2 for Matt; Rented We first met Joan when she was living in this stylish studio in Portland, so we already knew about her phenomenal sense of individuality and style. Knowing this, it’s not surprising that upon moving to New York, she would meet and fall in love with someone whose creative energy parallels her own.

Things have changed since we last gave a how-to on installing a new programmable thermostat. Namely, a little thermostat called Nest hit the market. A smart, self-learning thermostat that you can control via a smartphone. The elegant and clean design of the Nest even trickles down to the installation and setup process. We give you the full step-by-step for installing your own in this how-to. What You NeedNest ThermostatInstructions1.

Design Love FestEmily Henderson Color and light were important elements of this makeover, and it couldn’t be cheerier. Bri and Emily went with a mix of vintage, eclectic, mid-century and new pieces to create this lively and delicious space. The turquoise, fuchsia, gold and natural palette melds beautifully. The ample foliage brings the room together, softens the palette and creates such a calm and peaceful environment.To see more of the makeover, check out Design Love Fest.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)Panna cotta can always be the right dessert — whether you’re throwing a fancy party or a small one, have lots of time or no time, are gluten-free, dairy-free, allergy-prone, vegan, or simply craving a delicious and creamy sweet. • Panna Cotta The Kitchn

It’s almost time for outdoor entertaining, and Maxwell’s getting a jump on the game. Today he shares his favorite string lights for the backyard, balcony or patio. • The Best Outdoor Lights Apartment Therapy

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)Architect Arjenlives with his family in a little corner of Amsterdam. Their kitchen is typical Dutch style, with two walls of parallel kitchen units, divided by a narrow passage, which opens into a wider dining and social area… • Arjen’s Dutch Kitchen The Kitchn

One of the most frequent problems in a kitchen is a lack of storage, an issue compounded by a rental kitchen. When you can’t renovate, refer to this round up of ideas instead. • Storage for Kitchens Apartment Therapy

Aesthetically, Jane’s kitchen wasn’t her cup of tea, but it wasn’t in bad shape. The real issue was the lack of functional storage — and the lack of a vent hood, which meant that every time Jane cooked anything it would set off the smoke alarm. Yikes. Enter Brooklyn-based Famurat Builders, who Jane met through The Sweeten, an online resource that connects New York-area homeowners with architects, interior designers and contractors.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)For a treat you could have strawberries, or you could have strawberriesdipped in chocolate. Have a macaron, or a macarondipped in chocolate.You see where I’m going. • Chocolate-Dipped Desserts The Kitchn

We all have harmless little household tasks that infuriate us for no reason. Nobody likes messy jobs like unclogging drains, but what about simple ones like changing light bulbs? • What Tasks Do You Hate? Apartment Therapy

An arc lamp is a perfect solution when you need to add some light over a table or sofa but don’t want to suspend a light from the ceiling. From modern to more classic, we’ve rounded up 10 arc lamps to help you get the look in your home. Big Dipper Arc Floor Lamp from CB2 — This is the lamp hanging over Johanna and Mike’s dining table. $199 George Kovacs Polished Chrome Arc Floor Lamp from Lamps Plus $360.

Heaven knows as the Tech Editor I see more iPhone cases than anyone should be exposed to throughout the year. Cases have become so common, it’s all too easy to get jaded about these popular accessories. So count me happily surprised after doing a double-take upon laying my eyes upon these DIY iPhone cases using real flowers…how appropriate with the arrival of spring time!

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)The first get-together of spring needs a special dessert to mark the occasion, don’t you think? A fluffy cake or a parfait with billowy whipped cream, some crunch and a drizzle of honey. Here are 15 recipes that we think will do the job admirably. • 15 Desserts for Spring The

We’re all about rental solutions this month, and here’s a round up of our best tips for making your temporary house a home. • Our Best Rental Tips Apartment Therapy

As I chatted with a group of parents at a 4-year-old’s birthday party recently, the talk over frosting-smudged paper plates inevitably turned to schools, mortgages, and condos. As I tried to slip another cupcake onto my plate, one of the moms turned to me and asked if we were going to sell our place any time soon. Not thinking anything of it, I said that we rent, and man did the needle come flying off the record player.

Name: Amy Yvonne Yu Location: Downtown, San Francisco, California Size: 400 square feet Years lived in: 4 years; Rented Amy lives downtown in the bustling hub of the city, and her innate energy and enthusiasm are a perfect match for her surroundings. As an art buyer, producer and creative consultant (she works with the Selby), her artistic eye and ability to edit carefully shines through in her space. The things that do make the final cut?

For the last month my washer/dryer combo hasn’t had the dryer functionality, and I’ve had to come up with some creative solutions for drying my clothes. I thought about only wearing quick-dry athletic wear, but that’s proved to be unfashionable. So, in the end, an over-the-door drying rack is the best solution for me and my apartment.Here are five options for drying without electricity: Antonius Drying Rack for over the door from IKEA; $7.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)What’s the incentive to undergo a kitchen renovation? For Kitchn reader Leigh, it was a desire to make the most of the view outside. “Our goal from the beginning was to open up the views by having as many windows as possible and no upper cabinets…” • Leigh’s Kitchen Renovation The

Over on Apartment Therapy, Seth & Allison’s construction crew is hanging drywall in their new kitchen. Three weeks left on the renovation; think they’ll make the deadline? • Seth’s Kitchen Renovation Apartment Therapy

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) • New Recipes from The Kitchn The Kitchn

I see a lot of interior transformations, but I’m a little obsessed with this one cottage renovation going on in Finland. So far it’s comprised a series of teaser photos over the past couple of months, and I am just waiting for the final reveal. And waiting. And waiting. But now I can’t stand it anymore, so I’m going to let you in on my exquisite pain. Suki and her family are currently restoring a little cottage, transforming it into a simple and stylish retreat.

Are you lazy about doing dishes, and recoil in abject horror at the thought of cleaning them by hand? Here are a few tips for tackling life without a dishwasher. • Life Without a Dishwasher Apartment Therapy

The dresser is the workhorse of bedroom furniture. Use it to store clothes and extra bedding, set one up beside the bed for a convenient bedside table or even push one into the bathroom for a little extra storage. There are a million and one options out there but these are twelve of my favorite modern design dressers.

Name: Jean Lee & Dylan Davis of Ladies & Gentlemen Studio Location: Ballard, Seattle, Washington Size: About 900 square feet Years lived in: 5 years; owned (co-owned) Remember Chika and Jared from the Duplex Part 1? Jean and Dylan make up the other half! Owners of Ladies & Gentlemen Studio, Jean Lee and Dylan Davis live in the right side of the duplex (the studio connects to each home), where they work side by side on their line of textile accessories: R&L Goods.

Uh-oh. Has that baby of mine really worked out how to get in the refrigerator? Already? And the cabinets? Time to baby proof our rental. But how, when there is so little we can change? Here are a few of the challenges we renters face when baby-proofing, and the simple steps we can take to overcome them. If you can, start at the very beginning. When looking at a property, speak to the landlord about any safety concerns you have about the space.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)I have a little ritual when I bring fresh ginger home from the market:peel, grate, freeze. Not only is this a great way to keep ginger fresh longer, but it becomes incredibly easy topunch up a sauce, stir fry, or smoothie any time you want some gingery spice. • Grated Ginger in

Plant veggies in window boxes willy-nilly and most of those poor plants just won’t flourish. Check these out first for some ideas of which plants do best in shallow soils. • Veggies for Window Boxes Apartment Therapy

(Image credit: Dana Velden)I actually don’t care for shiny copper, but occasionally the few pieces I have need a little cleaning up, so I was fascinated to read an article on the Kaufmann Mercantile website that recommends two very unexpected ingredients to clean copper… • Clean Your Copper The Kitchn

Composting and recycling seem straightforward, but as with most processes, there are shades of gray. Here’s a nice refresher for those of us who wonder if we were helping the process or muddling it up. • What Not to Compost Apartment Therapy

I love a good porch. Maybe that’s because I don’t have one (and am dreaming of the day), but this one really caught my eye! At first, not terrible, but definitely not dazzling. And now for the after: check out that gorgeous, bright yellow door! The simplest touches, like the paint colors, brand new bench and pretty flower planter, jazz this space up and gave it a whole new outlook. Click on over to The Rooster and the Hen for more details on this before and after!

In spring of 2013, I decided to bust out and build a tree house for my daughter Ursula, which I’d never done before. I remember having one as a kid and loving it. I wanted one that I could build in a day, wouldn’t be too high up so as to worry me or other parents, and which was SIMPLE in design to maximize playtime and allow for adding on later. It’s light, open and can go up and down easily.

Since this month is focused on renting and all that comes with it, I thought I would compile a list of our best rental tips in one bookmarkable place for you to keep at close reach. There are so many benefits to renting over buying. Not being strapped down, making a phone call when something goes wrong (and getting it fixed on someone else’s dime!), and not sinking all of your money into continuous fixes and repairs, to name a few.

My current flat has a dishwasher, which, after 5+ years of living in London without one, felt like a huge luxury when I moved in a year ago. In my naivety, I thought I’d become so used to and efficient at washing my own dishes that I’d barely use the thing. Yeah, you can guess how long that attitude lasted. The following statement pretty much sums up how my flatmate and I view doing the dishes: if something fits into the dishwasher, it’s going into the dishwasher.

Getting countertops cleared is easy, right? But what aboutkeepingthem that way for more than a day? Now,that’sthe tricky part! Here are five habits that can help keep your countertops clear and make for more enjoyable cooking • Clear Countertops The Kitchn

Easter is coming, and it’s time to have fun with eggs! There are tons of different ways to experiment — here are a few basic ones for all age groups. • Easter Egg Experiments Apartment Therapy

Following up on last weekend’s post, 7 Ways to Rescue a Rental Kitchen, this week I’m looking at temporary solutions for the bathroom. From floor covering to shower heads, here are 8 ways to make the best of even the most vintage bathroom. Organize the Vanity Most standard bathroom vanities are just one big open space. Make the most of it by installing one or more pull out organizers, like this White 2-Drawer Mesh Organizer from The Container Store. $24.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)It was ‘polenta party‘ time at Faith’s house last week, and she served it with a delicious dish of beef braised in red wine. So, the big question we pondered was, what wine or rather what wines to serve alongside this robust, meaty, yet creamy dish? • 10 Budget Wine Picks

I found this list on Mother Nature Network and thought it was a nice refresher for those of us who’ve ever stood over a recycling bin with an item and wondered if we were helping the process or muddling it up, since not all paper, glass, and plastic can be recycled equally. Here are a few non-compostable/non-recyclable items to be aware of. Head on over to Mother Nature Network for the full list. Non-Compostable Items: Bread products, as they will attract pests.

This post is dedicated to small versions of big things that make life more convenient and enjoyable, starting with this compact portable dishwasher. It not only fits, but it also frees up counter space! • Mini Versions of Big Things Apartment Therapy

Name: Johanna Lane & Mike Harvkey Location: Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn, New York Size: 440 square feet Years lived in: 5 years; Own Having previously lived in an apartment about the same size as the home that writers Johanna and Mike share, I am acutely aware of how challenging it is to make a space that lacks in square footage feel spacious. That’s why I was so impressed by how comfortable and roomy their home feels.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)This week I’ve beensharing one of the most fun dinner partiesI’ve ever hosted — we invited six friends over and threw an Italian polenta party anchored by a four-foot-long board in the middle of the table! Here’s how it all came together: • Polenta Supper Party The Kitchn

Real Simple has a collection of other, possibly-new-to-you uses for aluminum foil. The best little tips and tricks are the ones you can use in a pinch and on the fly, and these definitely apply. • Ways to Use Aluminum Foil Apartment Therapy

In honor of National Splurge Day, might we suggest some dreamy bedding?

Name: Baby GLocation: United States When I began planning our baby’s nursery, I knew I wanted a clean, elegant look. My husband and I decided not to find out the gender of our baby before he was born, so we tried to keep everything gender-neutral. The theme of this nursery was inspired by the handmade linen cloud mobile I discovered from an Etsy shop. I wanted a cloud themed nursery, but not to the extent of painting them on the walls.