Apartment Therapy Archive: Apr 2013

Name: Little Pilot, 2 Location: Toronto, Canada Our two year-old, Little Pilot, loves his lawn mower. It goes on walks with us and he even pushes it around in the winter. When we asked him what type of birthday party he wanted, he naturally responded with “leikkuri” (Finnish for lawn mower). So we threw him a lawn mower party! Thanks, Anu! There are more photos and details on Anu’s blog.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) • I’m Sorry For What I Said When I Was Hungry The Kitchn

Which lighting would YOU choose for this kitchen? Just for fun we photoshopped out what the owners actually chose, so you can pick your ceiling light, and vote for your selection after the jump. • What Light Would You Choose Apartment Therapy

For everyone who’s been following along with Seth and Allison’s kitchen renovation, last week was an exciting week, as we unveiled their beautiful, spacious new kitchen. This week, we’re digging a little deeper into the project’s budget, comparing  the final numbers with Seth and Allison’s projections. What cost less than they thought it would? What cost more? Find out below.

There’s a baby coming! Quick—decorate! I have always loved the re-stickable stickers for walls, because they won’t harm your paint, are removable and can take up as little or as much space as you would like. What You’ll Need: • Removable wall decals. We used the “Strange New World” set from What is Blik, $55. • Scissors• Mild painter’s tape• A sturdy plastic card or some tough fingers• A level (optional)Instructions: 1.

Gallery Wall InspirationWith $200 to spend upfront and a large space to fill, I knew my vision of a gallery wall was not immediately attainable. I would be hard pressed to find just frames for this price, let alone mats and art. I took a different approach in order to spread the cost out over time and avoid rushing into buying pieces I didn’t love.

Thinking about making a window box garden this year? Here are some of our best ideas and tips to get you started:Looking for inspiration? Here are some beautiful boxes:The Urban Gardener: Window Boxes10 Inspiring Window Box GardensSpring Flowers: Creative Window Box InspirationNot sure what to plant in your box:Getting Started with Windowbox Gardening10 Colorful Low Maintenance Window Box PlantsShallow-Rooted Veggies for Growing in Window BoxesNeed a new window box?

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)There’s really no point in cleaning your place top to bottom right before guests arrive. If they’re any fun at all, they’re going to make a bit of a mess, right? But you want them tothinkyour house is clean.• 8 Quick Clean-Up TricksThe Kitchn

If you are planning to garden this year, you probably have supplies that need organizing. Here are some creative storage ideas for a variety of spaces using things you might already have at home. • Organizing Garden Supplies Apartment Therapy

Whether you have a large plot or a tiny indoor garden here are a few tablet apps for the iPad, Android, and Windows 8 tablets focusing on plotting, planting, and nurturing a garden. • Apps To Help Your Garden Apartment Therapy

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)There is always that awkward moment at the beginning of a dinner party. Eventually, someone will clear their throat and break the ice. Then, the conversation is off and running! What’s your very best ice breaker? •Your Very Best Ice Breaker The Kitchn

Fortune smiled on me recently. I was on the hunt to upgrade my task chair and I happened upon a used Herman Miller Aeron chair for around $300 on Craigslist. Since Herman Miller dealers provide new replacement parts, I set out to refurbish the old Aeron chair to nearly new condition.

Those beloved-but-worn salad bowls? The slightly scratched teak table you scored at an antique fair? Your 90-year-old wood floors? Make them shiny and new with one of these simple wood cleaning recipes (chances are you can make one with ingredients you already own.) Two common salad dressing ingredients make up the basis of this easy wood polish from Planet Forward. Toymaker Amber Dusick shares the beeswax wood polish recipe she uses on her handmade toys.

Name: Kirsten Coplans & Pearl Location: Uptown, Denver, Colorado Size: 900 square feet Years lived in: 11 years Kirsten Coplans is not just a collector, nor is her house just a house. Artwork, family memorabilia and rescued taxidermy grace the walls, shelves and floors of her tiny dollhouse of a home, all displayed lovingly and with purpose. Strongly connected to deer, birds and rabbits, Kirsten finds comfort in sharing her home with figurines and artwork of animals.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) • A Visit To a Za’atar Farm The Kitchn

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)Sometimes good ideas strike at the oddest of times. This early morning craving for chocolate and bread inspired my most recent party idea: a gathering where everyone builds their own dessert! • Dessert Bar Crostini The Kitchn

Not in love with a dated, brown dresser? Why not make it more brown? That’s the tack Ama Ryllis took to liven up this piece for her daughter’s bedroom. Ama Ryllis picked up this piece for $50 at a garage sale and gave it two coats of paint (and one of primer). She kept the original handles, but spiced them up with neon pink spray paint. These few small changes really make it fresh and chic, don’t you agree?You can see a few more photos on Ohoh Blog.Thanks Ama Ryllis!

If you are planning to plant a garden this year, you probably have some garden supplies that need organizing. Here are some creative storage ideas for a variety of spaces using things you might already have at home.  1. Use an old rolling cart and store your tools on wheels.2 – 5. Hang your gardening supplies up against the wall: build a pegboard, a wall organizer, or hang them on a trellis or pegs rails.  6 – 8.

Everybody has at least one piece of old furniture in their attic, but how often do you actually do something with it? Lacker was rooting around in his and found this vintage chair from the 1970s. It was in decent shape, with a metal base and plywood seat. See how he gave it a second life, after the jump.Lacker says: I was on vacation and looking for something to do. When I saw this chair, I immediately thought of creating a new seat and chair back with pieces of veneer.

Last week we posted the impressive results of Claire & Jeffreys kitchen reno. This week, we’re going behind the scenes to answer the big question: how much did it all cost? • Kitchen Reno Budget Apartment Therapy

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) Plastic wrap is just so convenient and there aren’t any good substitutes on the market. Until now. Bee’s Wrap is a fantastic new, organic, reusable product that will replace many of plastic wrap’s uses… • Bee’s Wrap: An Alternative to Plastic Wrap The Kitchn

I’m fortunate to have a house in the city with a backyard that receives lots of morning sunlight and a front yard that basks in the strong afternoon sun.  I get to experience the best of both worlds, but many of my friends aren’t as lucky, and their gardens and yards often show it.

There are a lot of great options for outdoor tables in a range of modern styles. There are a couple of repeats here from previous years but all the others are brand new for 2013. •Outdoor Dining Tables Apartment Therapy

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)It’s high time to start a garden, but what if you have almost no outdoor space or, as in the case of this reader, Jean, clumsy roommates? Sew a hanging herb garden, that’s what. • A Smart, Cheap Garden for Small Spaces The Kitchn

Back in 2009, FLOR launched this Lincoln Park location as their first foray into brick and mortar retail. Since then, FLOR has launched stores in a number of other cities across the country. Now they’re turning their attention back to home base and giving their Chicago store a new look. The new layout feels more modern while also giving the store a homier vibe.  Gone are the old white concrete floors and walls lined with tiny samples.

Name: James Franco and Mark Goldrick Location: Newport, Rhode Island Size: 1200 square feet (includes an outdoor deck) Years lived in: 8 years; rented When James and Mark first laid eyes on their third floor apartment, they saw past the hideous wall mural in the stairwell, dingy cabinets and linoleum in the kitchen, holes in the walls, and ratty stained carpeting. The dumpy place that scared every other potential renter away filled them with a sense of excitement and possibility.

First impressions are important, and the front door is the first first impression that your home gives. It sets the tone and style of your home. This roundup of doors is an eclectic mix of the various ways that cottage style can be defined by the front door.Top Row:1. A classic English cottage door in celestial blue. Little Greene Paint Company2. Avocado green turns a traditional door into a more modern one. Better Homes and Gardens3.

Name: Ralph Martin and Julie von Kessel, their children Lulu (7) and James (3), and Tony the cat Location: Berlin-Kreuzberg, Germany Size: 175 square meters/1,884 square feet Years lived in: 2 years; rented The story of how novelist, journalist and ex-New Yorker Ralph acquired such a spacious, classic apartment in Berlin’s Kreuzberg neighborhood, with a rent that hasn’t been raised in over 20 years, is the stuff myths (and dreams) are made of.

Bring tech outside for your gatherings so you can all share the joyous sounds of music. Let’s talk about your options for bringing audio outdoors. • A Guide to Outdoor Audio Apartment Therapy

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)No matter how tricky these tortellini look right now, I guarantee you will feel like a serious pasta-making pro once you step up to the pasta roller and turn out your first tray. • How To Make Homemade Tortellini The Kitchn

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) • Kitchen Before & After The Kitchn

House & HomeMandy used the Ace Hotel in New York as inspiration, and chose vintage-style fixtures and finishes, with warm brass accents and black trim. The result is classic and dramatic and befitting the home’s history.Traditional sconces, and the weathered wood vanity, add to the old-school vibe.See more photos, and the rest of the step-by-step house renovation over at Canadian House & Home.

Did you know that Chicago has the third highest population in America only behind New York and Los Angeles? The Windy City is certainly a whirlwind of activity for vacationers looking for culture, history, and a slice of big city life (including their famous deep dish pizza, no doubt). The Museum of Science and Industry, the Museum of Contemporary Art, a vibrant dining and bar scene, and even the home of our current President await your next (or first) visit!

It’s not unusual to see salvaged railroad ties being offered up for little to nothing on Craigslist. They’re an extremely common landscaping material, but that doesn’t mean they have to be used in common ways. Here are some ideas for using them in your landscape with a contemporary twist: This idea for stepping “stones” from Nicolock (via Houzz) is a great use for old ties.

While there has been some debate over the idea of bringing the television outdoors, we’re sure that this guide to bringing tech outside will be met with more joyous sounds – the sounds of music, that is. Today we’ll talk about options to bring audio outdoors.Outdoor SpeakersWhether you go with wired or wireless models, there are a variety of options for weatherproof outdoor speakers.

Name: Emily and Jonathan Power, with Ramona (almost 2) and Ottoman, the Wheaten Terrier (there are also four goats, three chickens, and two ducks who live out back). Location: Lower Highland (LoHi) Neighborhood, Denver, Colorado Size: 564 square feet Years lived in: 3 years; rented / owned Almost three and a half years ago, the Power family decided to put down roots in a 1910s charmer located in the (now ever so popular) Lower Highland neighborhood of Denver.

We’ve been following along withSeth and Allison’s Ventura, California renovationfor some time, and now that the work is over and the dust has settled, it’s time for the big reveal. • Seth Allison’s Reno Reveal Apartment Therapy

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)We’ve finally reached the tipping point between yearning for the arrival of fresh green things and actually seeing them start to show up in stores. It’s time to satisfy our cravings for all things crisp, fresh, and green… • Pasta Dishes for Spring The Kitchn

We’ve been focused on getting our yards, patios and decks ready for warmer weather, but that’s only half of the equation. How about enjoying the fruits of your labor by throwing an outdoor party? • Outdoor Spring Fling Apartment Therapy

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)Despite having a relatively small space to work with, Sam and Judy have been entertaining and cranking out effortlessly delicious meals from this kitchen for years… • Sam and Judy’s Cozy, Welcoming Kitchen The Kitchn

Most people think that having a green thumb is just something you’re born with. Little do they know all it takes to keep your household foliage alive is a little 411. Are you chronically killing your leafy friends? Here are a few reasons why another one might be biting the dust.  Watering: Most folks tend to water their plants when they remember. The watering schedule you should stick to depends on your lighting and your humidity level.

Nancy was recently faced with the challenge of completing a quick and affordable bedroom makeover for a couple who is adopting three siblings. She transformed a guest room into a bright and airy girl’s room in only five days, and while there are plenty of lovely touches in the space, it’s her simple and cheap solution for a wall treatment that really stopped me in my tracks.

An amazing thing happened in June 2008 — an IKEA opened two miles from my home. Oh, and my son was born. Before this a trip to IKEA meant descending into the bowels of Port Authority in Manhattan, boarding a standing room only shuttle bus to a New Jersey IKEA and then deciding whether to spend more money than you spent on purchases to arrange home delivery of your items or to limit yourself to what you could wrangle home on the bus and subway. It was a dark time.

Name: Alexis Finc and Brook Heintzelman Location: West Hollywood; Los Angeles, CA Size: 1,000 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years; Rented Alexis and Brooks​ met in school in Wilmington, NC while pursuing graduate degrees in creative writing (him: fiction, her: poetry). But after graduating, a job brought them to the West coast — sunny LA to be exact — somewhere they never thought they would ever live.

As warmer weather emerges, the backyard becomes the destination where many of us go to enjoy entertaining, grilling, and even escape to enjoy music. Some homeowners are bringing the full home entertainment experience outside, with television sets situated in backyard “living rooms”. But weather is no friend of your standard television set…we’ll show you how to set yourself up with a TV outdoors safely!

Eating outdoors adds an extra dimension to your meals. Enjoy the smells and the breeze while you nibble on lunch. There’s always time for a lawn game or two as well. • Alfresco Dining Finds Apartment Therapy

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)Is it 5:00 yet? Because the drinks and snacky bites from this past week are lookingmightytempting. Go full-on springtime with a strawberry gin smash and a plate of risotto studded with asparagus spears. Bring on cocktail hour! • New Recipes from The Kitchn The Kitchn

When it comes to making use of a small outdoor space, it’s best to start with the basics. A bistro set, with a small table and a couple of chairs, is perfect for an alfresco wine and dine. As an added bonus, most bistro sets fold for quick storage. Chatham Folding Bistro Set from Pottery Barn Table + four chairs $898 Bird Bistro Furniture Table + two chairs, available in 5 colors. $399 Fermob Bistro Set from Horne Table + two chairs, available in 20+ colors.