The Latest: Mar 2014

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How To Be a Great Host: 13 Tips

Between high school and college I went to school in England and stayed often with a family in London. The parents, Tim and Caroline Gladstone, were the kindest and best hosts I’ve ever encountered. Whenever I rang their doorbell, Caroline would greet me, welcome me right in the door with my dirty backpack from the train station or airport, and ask me whether I wanted to eat first or wash up.

Maxwell Ryan

Mar 31, 2014

Before & After: Kata’s Out of Control Couch Redo

We’ve all been there: you start a project when it suddenly spirals into much more work than expected. Kata knows this pain first-hand. This Neo-Baroque couch seemed to be in good shape — she just wanted to change the fabric — but as she took it apart, she saw she was in for a bigger job. Wowee. That looks like so much work, but boy was it worth it.

Jennifer Hunter

Mar 31, 2014

Natural Oven Cleaners: Baking Soda & Vinegar

(Image credit: Gina Eykemans) From The Kitchn → How To Clean an Oven With Baking Soda & Vinegar

Jennifer Hunter

Mar 31, 2014

Bianca’s Classic Capitol Hill Home

Name: Bianca Location: Capitol Hill Neighborhood, Seattle, Washington I moved into this lovely classic building back in October. It’s the smallest place I’ve lived in, at 520 square feet. But I love it. The size forces me to edit and be conscious of how much stuff I own. I’m really enjoying the simplicity. My bedroom doesn’t receive much light.

Adrienne Breaux

Mar 30, 2014

Before & After: Dana’s Darling DIY Cottage Bathroom Update

Dana and her husband had a pretty standard bathroom with some pretty dated wallpaper. Together, they tackled a series of DIY projects that transformed an old and tired bathroom into a new bright space with a seriously darling DIY cottage feel. From Dana: We chose a cool white and aqua palette for our cottage style bathroom. My husband updated the floor with white ceramic hex tile. To complement, he installed beadboard around the room.

Adrienne Breaux

Mar 30, 2014

Maureen’s Classic & Comfy Austin Abode

Name: Designer and interiors stylist Maureen Stevens and husband Jason (plus a tenant) Location: Old West Austin Neighborhood; Austin, Texas Size: 2,200 square feet Years lived in: 2 years; Rented To say Maureen’s home exudes a comfortable style would be an understatement. You immediately feel at ease as soon as you enter her Austin home. Some people just naturally “get” how to make a home look great and inviting.

Adrienne Breaux

Mar 30, 2014

A Polished Philadelphia Living Room

This resident dreamed of trading in her 90s era furniture for a look that felt like it came out of the pages of magazines like Veranda and House Beautiful. She finally reached out to a professional designer who was able to see that the client was looking for rooms that looked polished but felt cozy, in a transitional style with a heavy dose of navy and white. Steal some of these ideas for your own magazine-worthy home!

Adrienne Breaux

Mar 29, 2014

Maggie’s Colorful & Cute Rental Home

Name: Maggie Location: Heilsbronn, Germany When my husband made the Army his career thirteen years ago I knew there would be moves involved but I didn’t expect nine moves in fourteen years. Although all this moving can be hard, I have to say, I love having a new house every few years to put my stamp on. I have a degree in architecture and a husband who lets me do as please with the house.

Adrienne Breaux

Mar 29, 2014

Before & After: From the 1960s to Today!

The retro look might be back in, but this kitchen that hadn’t been touched since the 1960s was a little too retro for the owners of this beach house on the Sunshine Coast in Australia. The kitchen needed a total upgrade (and a small bathroom in the house also needed renovating) but there was a small budget. With the help of a designer, clean lines, IKEA products and a neutral color palette turned this dated kitchen to a modern breath of fresh air.

Adrienne Breaux

Mar 29, 2014

No More Entertaining Excuses! Answers to the Biggest Entertaining Roadblocks

Are you a pro at trotting out a long-winded list of excuses when others ask why you haven’t hosted in your home in awhile? Sorry, but that list is about to be annihilated. We found the best entertaining excuse-busters we’ve ever published, and we’ve put them all right here in one spot. Take a moment to close your eyes, look deep into your soul, and ask yourself which excuse is really keeping you from sharing your home with others more often.

Adrienne Breaux

Mar 29, 2014

Before & After: Rachael’s Simple and Sweet Found Free Chair Makeover

Is there anything more delightful than coming across a piece of furniture with good bones and a “free” sign? It’s not everyday that a simple DIY project sparks career inspiration, but this free chair Rachael stumbled on and brought home to fix up did. Though simple, it’s a sweet little makeover, and proof even the most unloved of furniture pieces can look nice with a little cleaning up.

Adrienne Breaux

Mar 29, 2014

Real Room Inspiration: Wall Hangings

If you aren’t allowed to paint your walls or you simply don’t want to commit, and if the though of hanging even removable wallpaper gives you hives, we should be friends. Also, you should consider brightening up your standard-issue walls with a lovely wall hanging. A few tiny tacks is all it takes.. TOP ROW: Jesse & Lucas’ Simply Stylish Home + Studio: A vintage Egyptian tapestry livens up the white walls in their son’s room.

Tess Wilson

Mar 28, 2014

Real Room Inspiration: Decals, Removable Wallpaper, Washi Tape & Contact Paper

Whether you’re a renter, a non-committal type of person, or have growing kids that like to change their minds often, there are plenty of reasons to explore the option of temporary wall decor. It can also be very affordable, depending on which route you go and how creative you get. Here are ten examples of how you can use decals, removable wallpaper, washi tape, or contact paper in your space.

Melissa DiRenzo

Mar 28, 2014

Finishing Touches for an Unfinished Room: Tips from the Pros

I don’t remember where I read it or exactly when I read it, but it had to be well over five years ago. Nevertheless, that one little sentence of advice is still stuck in my head to this day. It went something like, “if your room doesn’t feel finished, add a touch of black”. It’s such a simple suggestion, easy for any novice to try out, and it got me thinking. What other tricks do the pros have up their sleeves?

Kimber Watson

Mar 27, 2014

Pomona’s Boutique-Style Space

Name: Pomona Singh Location: Toronto, Canada Size: 1100 square feet Years lived in: 5 years, Owned There’s something so fascinating about getting a peek into another person’s home — I love to see how other people live and the design and details they choose to surround themselves with. Pomona’s thoughtfully decorated space is filled with both old and new treasures, with everything in the perfect place and every detail thought out.

Melissa DiRenzo

Mar 27, 2014

Before & After: A Mini Kitchen Makeover on the Cheap

Here’s proof that a dated kitchen doesn’t always need a total overhaul, sometimes a light refresh will do just fine (and save major renovating bucks). Alex and Jon spent just $2,500 to redo their 1928 DC row house kitchen and it looks like a million bucks. They told us that, “Someday we would like to clear everything out and reconfigure the entire kitchen, but for now we decided a little make-over would work.

Jennifer Hunter

Mar 27, 2014

Healthy Fruits & Vegetable Pet Treats

(Image credit: Anjali Prasertong) From The Kitchn → 11 Healthy Fruit & Vegetable Treats for Your Dog or Cat

Jennifer Hunter

Mar 27, 2014

Before & After: A Craigslist Piano With A Surprise Inside

We sure didn’t see this one coming. Lanae calls her boyfriend Brandon a “crafty DIY person.” You’re not wrong, Lanae, you’re not at all wrong. Turns out, Brandon is a pretty awesome boyfriend, too. Lanae tells us how this totally inventive piano bar came into being: For Christmas last year I mentioned to my boyfriend that I’d like a bar cart for our house. Brandon did not want to go to IKEA for the standard bar cart set-up.

Jennifer Hunter

Mar 26, 2014

Eileen’s Elegant & Airy Townhouse

Name: Eileen McGrath Location: Georgetown; Washington, DC Size: 2,700 square feet Years lived in: 13 years; Owned It’s no surprise that Eileen McGrath’s place is so inviting. As a real estate agent for Washington Fine Properties, the top residential firm in DC, she’s a pro at making beautiful houses look like great homes. “I do this for my clients all the time,” she says, straightening a stack of magazines here, moving flowers there, plumping a pillow on the sofa.

Natalie Grasso

Mar 26, 2014

Kitchen Cleaning Tip: Use Your Bathtub to Clean Oven Racks

(Image credit: Gina Eykemans) From The Kitchn → How to Clean Oven Racks in the Bathtub

Jennifer Hunter

Mar 26, 2014

Cheap, Yet Chic: Low Cost Living Room Design Ideas

We live hard in living rooms. It’s where we entertain, relax in the evenings, watch TV, and do countless other activities each day. Yet when we get sick of our surroundings and need something different, it’s tough to make big changes in the context of our busy lives and small budgets. That’s when small, cheap tweaks come in handy… Here are eight small ways to switch it up at home, on a budget: 1.

Dabney Frake

Mar 25, 2014

Reader Intelligence Report: How To Get Rid of Diaper Smells at Home

Last year we ran an article on how to avoid the dreaded dirty diaper smell, one of the most odorous odors a new Mom or Dad must face. And you couldn’t resist! The rest of you joined in, with your incredible tips on how you’ve defeated the dastardly diaper. Read on for all you need to know about how to conquer the stink! 1. First up, flush it away! Dumping solid waste out of any kind of diaper—cloth or disposable—will help a great deal with the smell.

Alison Gerber

Mar 25, 2014

Before & After: A 60-Year-Old Chair Gets a Facelift

Landon paid good money for this chair — a whole five bucks! A stamp on the bottom said it was manufactured in 1954, and from the look of things, it’s been sitting outside since shortly thereafter. Who knew that old chair had so much life left? We’re loving how the patterned fabric livens up the simple silhouette. Landon says: The fabric was more like parchment paper that turned into powder at the slightest touch. Let’s just say the dust mites had done a thorough job.

Jennifer Hunter

Mar 25, 2014

Before & After: Hardwood Floors Reach a New Plane

Patrick is an avid DIY’er, but you’re about to see the toughest job he’s ever taken on. It wasn’t for the faint of heart, and he should’ve asked friends to help, but after a week of hard work, he transformed his hardwood into the floors he always wanted… Can you believe he planed his entire hardwood floor BY HAND? No, neither could I. But plane it he did, and therefore Patrick wins the award for DIY endurance. Hands down.

Dabney Frake

Mar 24, 2014

Erin and Nathan’s Boho Backyard Dream Office in a Yurt

Name: Erin Tavin, Nathan Stein, and Charlie the cat Location: Echo Park, Los Angeles Size: 320 square feet Years lived in: 24 years (Nathan), 9 years (Erin); Owned A few months ago, we took a peek inside the eclectic, bohemian Los Angeles home of Erin and Nathan. If you loved their colorful home, their dreamy backyard yurt, which doubles as an office, will definitely make you swoon!

Bridget Pizzo

Mar 24, 2014

Before & After: Patience’s Fairy Tale Fireplace Makeover

This fireplace lived in Patience’s little house by the sea, but it was old and dated so she waved her magic wand and presto! She tells us, “I wanted wow!” We’d say she got it. Her contractor demolished the top of the hearth and replaced it with a thick slab of bluestone. The rest of the brick was covered with stone veneer. The mantle is made from an old beam from a demolished barn. She kept the original screen but cleaned it up and painted it with a high-heat spray paint.

Jennifer Hunter

Mar 24, 2014

Dark Walls May Solve Your Honey Oak Rental Kitchen Blues

(Image credit: Alexis Buryk) From The Kitchn → This Is How to Deal with Honey Oak Cabinets: Paint the Walls Midnight Blue

Jennifer Hunter

Mar 24, 2014

How To Remove and Install a Kitchen Sink

Cambria Bold

Mar 24, 2014

Penelope & Zack’s Minimal, Moody & Modern in Brooklyn

Name: Penelope, Zack and pup Milli Location: Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York When my boyfriend and I decided to take the plunge last summer and apartment hunt together, our only absolutes were that we find a two bedroom (Zack is a photographer, and needed the extra room to use as his studio) with subway proximity. After a week of searching, our dream apartment — two bedroom, spacious, rooftop access, modern, airy — popped up on Craigslist. The only catch?

Adrienne Breaux

Mar 23, 2014

Before & After: Maura’s Smart Studio Sleeping Solution

After moving into her 480 square foot apartment, Maura looked for a creative solution to solve two separate studio space challenges: how to create a space that a 70lb dog and two cats can all enjoy in peace and how to create a somewhat separate sleeping space so it didn’t feel like she was throwing cocktail parties in her bedroom when she entertained. Her DIY solution is smart and sweet.

Adrienne Breaux

Mar 23, 2014

When a Room Feels “Off”: 4 Possible Culprits and How to Fix Them

Sometimes, a room just doesn’t quite feel right, but it’s hard to put your finger on the exact reason why. The most beautiful rooms are often perfectly balanced compositions of a number of different elements, and you probably wouldn’t be surprised to know that when one of those elements isn’t quite right, a room might feel a bit “off.

Adrienne Breaux

Mar 23, 2014

Jennie’s Wes Anderson-Inspired Wild Home

Name: Jennie Cain Location: Athens, Georgia My home is in Athens, Georgia and is 900 square feet. It is a small brick house on one level with an attic. I chose to live here because it is a home built in the 1930s and is in the Athens “Normaltown” neighborhood. It is also very close to a park. My inspiration are Wes Anderson films, vintage decor books and bright, poppy colors. Bright colors rock my world!

Adrienne Breaux

Mar 22, 2014

Before & After: A Refreshed and Revamped Kitchen For $1000

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to dramatically improve the look of a space, as proven by the kitchen Julia and her boyfriend share in Montreal. Some budget ideas, affordable products and a lot of DIY labor made this kitchen brighter and more pleasant. From Julia: My boyfriend and I bought a duplex house in Montreal less than a year ago. We were able to buy in the city, but we didn’t have much money for renovations after.

Adrienne Breaux

Mar 22, 2014

The Ultimate Casual Gathering: Slumber Party For Grown-Ups

A party can be equally intimidating to guests (wear the right outfit, provide sparkling conversation, know somebody beyond the host) as it is for the host (play the right music, serve the right food/drinks, invite the right mix of people), but nothing says “come as you are” like an invitation to a sleepover party! Why should you host a slumber party immediately, and why should you accept an invitation to a slumber party immediately? Let’s count the ways.

Tess Wilson

Mar 21, 2014

Before & After: IKEA Hemnes Nightstand Gets an Inventive Upgrade

Joy recently replaced her black IKEA Hemnes dresser set with something vintage but kept the matching nightstands beside the bed. She liked their shape and function but knew she’d have to tweak them a bit to fit into her new decor. Amazing. We’d never have guessed that these white and wood wonders came from the big blue box. From Joy: Since the nightstands are solid pine, I was able to sand off the black finish and stain the drawer fronts in a warm walnut shade.

Jennifer Hunter

Mar 21, 2014

Matthew’s Magical Woodland Wonderland

Name: Matthew Eikelberger Location: Silver Lake, Los Angeles, California Size: 1,000 square feet Years lived in: 7 Years You may recognize this home from a prior Apartment Therapy post a few years back. It is always fun to see how a space has evolved over time, and Matthew’s loft is no exception. He has created a home all his own and let his imagination run wild.

Monica Wang

Mar 21, 2014

What Should I Make for Dinner Tonight?

(Image credit: Faith Durand) From The Kitchn → What Should You Have for Dinner Tonight? Take This Old-School Quiz

Jennifer Hunter

Mar 21, 2014

Beautiful Balcony, Rooftop & Patio Gardens

Cambria Bold

Mar 21, 2014

Before & After: Out With the Mice, In With the Nice

Kristen calls herself a, “habitual renovator.” This particular 1920’s house was falling apart and she gave its kitchen some major love, much to the chagrin of the previous rodent residents. Says Kristen, “The mice were angry when we forced them out of the dishwasher and claimed back our kitchen!” The heart of this kitchen is the five burner Capital stove which Kristen tells us, “makes entertaining fun.

Jennifer Hunter

Mar 20, 2014

8 New Ways to Freshen Up Budget Staple Beans and Rice

(Image credit: Anjali Prasertong) From The Kitchn → Budget, But Not Boring: 8 Fresh Ways to Eat Beans and Rice for Dinner

Jennifer Hunter

Mar 20, 2014

5 Hard-to-Kill House Plants

Cambria Bold

Mar 20, 2014

Vahan’s “California Confused” Small Home

Name: Vahan Petrossian Location: Melrose District; Los Angeles, California Size: 700 square feet Years lived in: 8 months Vahan is like many Angelenos who prefer to live in a small home or bungalow instead of a typical apartment building. He found his place by mistake, but all it took was walking through the living room and Vahan was sold. An added bonus was all the windows and the greenery seen through the windows. I don’t know that you can really put a name on Vahan’s style.

Marcia Prentice

Mar 19, 2014

Before & After: A 70s Era Bar Becomes Something Surprising

Lauren recently moved into her first place, a two bedroom condo. The original owners bought it new in ’79 and it had been virtually untouched so 26-year-old Lauren had her work cut out for her. Fortunately, her dad is a recently retired carpenter. She says, “He has plenty of projects to keep him busy now.” See what they did with this side bar. Lauren drew up the plans to convert the unused bar into a built in bookshelf and they got to work.

Jennifer Hunter

Mar 19, 2014

Before & After: A Dilapidated Dresser Cleans Up Its Act

True story: we thought Jen might be pulling a fast one with this submission. We almost couldn’t believe that this beast of a dresser could turn out like it did. Want to see what we mean? Check it out. After inheriting it from her aunt, this dresser sat in the garage for months. Jen began experimenting with paint color, but nothing looked right. She even dismantled it, only to discover particle board. Yuck! Then, as Jen puts it, “this project got a little more interesting.

Jennifer Hunter

Mar 18, 2014

Before & After: St Patrick Himself Would Be Proud of This Sideboard

Who’s wearing green today? Cindy won’t be getting a pinch. She came across this free cherry wood sideboard, took it home and gave it a St. Paddy’s worthy makeover you won’t soon forget. She sanded and primed this sideboard and rolled on two coats of high gloss green. Then she polished up the original hardware to give it a glamorous shine. Cindy says: I was dying for a pop of color in my entryway/kitchen area and Kelly Green was just the color I wanted.

Jennifer Hunter

Mar 17, 2014

Basics of a Household Budget that Works

Getting a handle on your finances is extremely satisfying. I’d even say it’s downright freeing. No more anxiety about where the money is going and can I afford this and how much should we be paying for that. Here are a few overarching principles and practical points from my own household budget, considerations that I think apply to any budget. 1. Pay off debt.

Shifrah Combiths

Mar 17, 2014

How To Make an IKEA “Fauxdenza”

Faith Durand

Mar 17, 2014

Noelle’s Labor of Love

Name: Noelle Shumer Location: Toledo, Ohio Our home is a one story, 824 square foot, built in the mid 1950s, total labor of L-O-V-E. We purchased it nine years ago (and it’s currently for sale) and have spent that time updating and making it ours. I don’t think I have a specific “style” when it comes to decor, but I tend to find myself drawn towards modern + clean lined furnishings yet eclectic, vintage accessories.

Adrienne Breaux

Mar 16, 2014