The Latest: Apr 2014

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Before & After: Janice’s Longer Than Expected But Totally Worth It New Fireplace

Anyone who’s attempted to tackle a DIY project is probably familiar with the phenomenon of it taking way longer to complete than originally imagined. In the case of Janice’s fireplace, it was seven months longer! But the finished result — a modern update from a bland, outdated fireplace — was well worth the wait! From Janice: My husband and I live in a century-old Victorian rowhouse in Toronto and when we moved in we thought we’d never touch a thing in it.

Adrienne Breaux

Apr 6, 2014

Sandra’s Sweet, Renovated Seattle Home

Name: Sandra Location: Seattle, Washington Last June, my husband Ezra and I purchased a fixer upper in the Queen Anne neighborhood in Seattle. Although the home was pretty outdated and in need of some major help, we saw potential in the home. So, we purchased it and gut renovated the place from top to bottom on a limited budget, finding inexpensive materials without sacrificing on our desired aesthetic and doing all of the design work on our own to save on costs.

Adrienne Breaux

Apr 5, 2014

Before & After: A Plain Glass Patio Table Goes Bold!

We don’t want to say these standard metal and glass outdoor furniture tables found on plenty of patios, decks and more are ugly (they might suit you just fine!), but we don’t think anyone would call them particularly pretty. That is until you see what Rea did to transform this plain patio furniture into something eye-catching and unique! From Rea: It all started one sunny Saturday morning when I finally let my kids loose in the backyard.

Adrienne Breaux

Apr 5, 2014

Mark’s Makeover: Faux Marble Floors

Here’s the situation: I’m a decorative painter, I live in a rental, and I largely wouldn’t change a thing — except for these dreadful floors. They’re 30 year old contractor-grade linoleum, and as dry as cardboard. I first noticed how sad and sullen they were when I shot my studio for these pages a year ago, and it’s been bothering me ever since. It was the one element in this place from toe top to crown that I haven’t had my hands on.

Mark Chamberlain

Apr 4, 2014

Before & After: A Painted Dresser Gets A Nursery-Worthy Upgrade

Megan’s clients asked her to create a changing table for their little girl’s room so she set about giving this perfectly-sized dresser a cute, nursery-worthy upgrade. To create the ombre design, she used CitriStrip to remove the teal paint and cleaned the piece with After Wash (Megan recommends using After Wash in a well-ventilated space. It’s pretty potent and can cause dizziness and nausea). She removed the floral decals and prepped the wood with a good sanding.

Jennifer Hunter

Apr 4, 2014

Come As You Are: How To Throw a Successful Last Minute Get-Together

I’m realizing as my friends and I get older that last-minute get-togethers are becoming not only a regular occurrence, but a staple in our lives. Gone are the years where we made a big to-do about birthdays and holidays; rather we relish the days when both good weather and free time align and we can come together to share delicious food, drinks, and conversation.

Stephanie Strickland

Apr 3, 2014

How To Deal When Your Closet Isn’t in Your Room (or Maybe Isn’t Even a Closet)

Small space dwellers have a whole set of issues that folks who live in more spacious homes could never understand. Take this one, for instance: in a perfect world, your (incredibly spacious) closet is conveniently attached to the bedroom or even the bathroom. But what do you do when your closet is in a weird place? Or you have a tiny closet? Or no closet at all? Well, you start getting creative.

Taryn Williford

Apr 3, 2014

Dan’s Kitchen Renovation: The Big Reveal!

From Apartment Therapy → Dan’s Kitchen Renovation: The Big Reveal!

The Kitchn Editors

Apr 3, 2014

Before & After: A Classic Chair Gets a Dose of La Dolce Vita

Reupholstery newbie Annalisa in Italy recently found two of these chairs in her garage — her uncle had bought them in 1962. The structure was still in great shape so she decided to give these vintage cuties an outfit change. So cute! We love how the kicky, contrasting fabric choice updates the classic shape. From Annalisa: The makeover was quite satisfying . My boyfriend and I changed the old filling (straw and iuta) with foam rubber and new fabric.

Jennifer Hunter

Apr 2, 2014

10 Great Wooden Spoons

From Apartment Therapy → 10 Great Wooden Spoons

The Kitchn

Apr 2, 2014

Before & After: This Busted Bed Gets Beautiful

Sheila was feeling rather unromantic in her bedroom lately. All the elements were there, but something just felt…off. So she did one simple thing that made all the difference. Ooh la la. Someone’s getting lucky tonight. Lucky to sleep in such a cute, new bed, that is. Sheila already had everything she needed for this makeover right in her own home — she just needed to put it all together.

Jennifer Hunter

Apr 1, 2014

5 Reasons You Should Be Using Plastic Furniture Covers Right Now

Chances are good you’ve dismissed clear plastic furniture covers as tacky, uncomfortable, and best left in the past. But we’re here to tell you to take a second look. Here’s why: 1. Protection: Just as you use a cover to protect your mattress, you should do the same for other furniture as well. Furniture can be a large investment, so why not extend its life as long as possible? That large blue ink stain will otherwise bother you for years…. 2.

Dabney Frake

Apr 1, 2014

Before & After: Unfinished Dresser Gets Colorful New Look

Sometimes it’s the small changes you make that make a difference in a room. When Diane’s knitting class let out early one day, she decided to put her extra hour to good use and finally tackle that IKEA dresser in her garage. See what a difference a little bit of paint makes…. Diane removed each of the knobs, sanded them with a medium grit paper, then applied purple chalk paint as a final touch.

Dabney Frake

Apr 1, 2014

The Best Way to Eat Popcorn at Your Desk

(Image credit: Anjali Prasertong) From the Kitchn —> Yes, This Is Best Way to Eat Popcorn at Your Desk

Dabney Frake

Apr 1, 2014