Apartment Therapy Archive: Jul 2014

Some of you love it. Some of you hate it. But one thing is for sure: everyone has a pretty strong opinion about this 50s bathroom design staple. A few years ago, when Katie posted pictures of her super-retro pink and black tiled bathroom, opinion was divided between EW GROSS and THIS IS FABULOUS. So you’ll all be either delighted or horrified to learn that pink tile in the bathroom is making a comeback. Read on for some modern examples.

Blessed with only enough room for a twin bed? Trying to make a double work for two while you save up for that California king? Buying a bed that’s properly in proportion to your space (or your budget) means you’re usually left wishing there was a little more room to spread out at night. Not all of these strategies will work for your life, and some of them only give you extra space visually.

Name: Deidre Location: Riverfront in the Berkshires This is my newly built home, transformed from a dilapidated, very sad house to a modified Whidbey Tumbleweed “tiny house” set at the river on a very quiet street in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. It includes two bedrooms and a wonderful contemporary wood stove. Everything is crisp and clean; I used a warm Benjamin Moore Barren Plain gray paint throughout.

When Erin moved into her home, the kitchen looked like this: fluorescent lighting, dark wood cabinetry, beat up laminate countertop, and a fake brick backsplash. Not cute. So she got rid of the bad (laminate!) and kept the good (that cute rug) and made some major DIY upgrades that gave her kitchen both the look and functionality she needed. From Erin: With its galley layout and wall-to-wall upper cabinetry, work space was virtually nonexistent.

We regularly ask readers to share how much they spent on a given item, service, project, or upgrade in the home. We hope this information proves helpful to anyone needing to get a basic sense of how much something costs, and how much you can expect to pay. How Much Did it Cost to Pave Your Driveway? Since prices vary considerably, let us know how long your driveway is, and what material you chose (concrete? asphalt?). Your region of the country is always helpful too!

From Apartment Therapy → 7 Small, Stylish Eating Spots Still need inspiration on how to fit a spot for eating into your small space? We found seven solutions that not only work in small homes, but they’re actually quite simple, stylish ideas that anyone could use.

(Image credit: Leela Cyd) From The Kitchn → How To Make Creamy Ice Cream with Just One Ingredient!

It’s time for strawberries, in more ways than one. If you have a party to plan for August, or just want an easy and leisurely activity this summer, take a look at these ten great ideas and projects. Each one is cuter and sweeter than the last. FIRST ROW: 1. A festive accordian party decoration from The House That Lars Built. 2. Purl Bee gives a pattern for sewing these oversized strawberry pillows. 3. More adorable pom poms from Mr. Printables. 4.

Sandy grew tired of her painted birch tree entryway, and needed to switch it up. A quick trip to the hardware store and $28 later, she created a completely new look. Check out what she did and see what you think… Sandy bought four packs of shims and covered the wall from floor to ceiling with cedar. Here’s Sandy with the details on how she did it: Start at the top left hand corner of your wall.

IKEA’s KURA bed is a budget staple in children’s rooms, but most parents configure it in a lofted position to free up more floor space. I’ve often wondered why anyone wouldn’t do that? One reason is if your child is too young, you can start them in this and then flip it into a loft. An even better answer, perhaps, is that the frame of the Kura lends itself so easily to creative interpretation and decorating.

(Image credit: Gina Eykemans) From The Kitchn → 8 Essential Tips for Avoiding Food Waste

Name: Viv Location: South East London, UK We live in a 2 bed apartment in South East London, in a converted mews development (used to be a dairy mews in 1880’s). We love it for the interesting layout, tall ceilings in the bedrooms and quirky features like a weird column in the middle of the lounge! We painted everything Farrow and Ball (Cornforth white in the lounge, Downpipe in the hallway, Plummet in the master bedroom and Theresa’s Green in the baby nursery).

Mid-century modernists love clean lines, informal living, and a love of the past. Think your home could pass as mid-century modern? Here are ten signs to tell for sure… 1. The producers of Mad Men visit every year to see what’s fresh and new. 2. If a chair isn’t shaped like an egg, pod, bubble, or womb, you don’t know quite what to do with it. 3. 99% of your furniture happened before you were even born. 4. You stalk elderly neighbors (and their furnishings). 5.

We regularly ask readers to share how much they spent on a given item, service, project, or upgrade in the home. We hope this information proves helpful to anyone needing to get a basic sense of how much something costs, and how much you can expect to pay. How Much Did it Cost to Waterproof Your Basement? Since prices vary considerably, let us know what the main source of water was, and what was required to get your basement water tight. Did it mean sealing cracks, or any excavation?

If your couch is sagging under the weight of too many surfers this summer, you may need a refresh on the basics of guest/host protocol. Read on for our take on when to welcome guests into your home and how to just say no. Disclaimer: It’s your home, so you’re free to invite (or not invite) anyone, regardless of what we think. But, if you’re looking for a few suggested guidelines, here you go.

From Apartment Therapy → 10 Tips When You Need to Squeeze Out a Little More Space If you feel like you’ve maxed out all your storage but you still have things that need a home, this post is for you. Here are ten often-overlooked spots where you can squeeze a little extra storage out of a small space.

Removable wallpaper is one of the best things to happen to renters. The only problem is the cost of covering a whole room with it can be prohibitive. But removable wallpaper can be a budget-friendly rental hero when used in small quantities to deliver a punch of color and pattern. Faux Window: These parents took a few temporary wallpaper tiles (Daydream in Sunshine by Hygge & West) and created the illusion of a window on the wall of their daughter’s nursery.

Sara loves to reuse furniture so when she got this damaged dresser from her mom, she knew it had the potential for a gorgeous redo. Wow! That is one handsome dresser. The darker color and sleek new pulls really elevate the look and feel of its basic shape. Sara even tells us that the mirror in the picture used to belong to her great grandmother. Way to keep it in the family and use what you have, Sara. See more at Architecture and a little bit more. Thank you Sara!

Q: I HATE textured walls. However, after two professionals told me that it is impossible to get my plaster walls to look smooth and perfect, I know I have to live with it. We did skim coating on one wall and showed it to one professional painter (hoping he would do a better job than our DIY), and he responded it would be better for me to “accept” textures, implying it would never be perfect unless I add drywall on top of plaster walls.

Name: Micha Thomas and Jaime Lawson of The Made In America Project Location: Laurel Canyon- Los Angeles, California Size: Converted sunroom into a home office 400 Square Feet Years lived in: barely a year, rented Merging their backgrounds in public relations and the fashion industry, Micha and Jaime have created The Made In America Project, which offers a badge of certification to 100% American-made products.

Who doesn’t like a good Before & After story, especially when the before might just be the WORST before ever? (Okay, okay, this before might give it a run for its gloriously disgusting money.) This here is a photo of the inside of a trash-filled cave home that an enterprising French couple decided to turn into a modern masterpiece.

If you’re the type who loves to be coordinated from head to toe, you might start to wish that every little detail of your home reflected your personal style—right down to the playing cards. And why shouldn’t it? Treating yourself to a beautiful deck of cards is a cheap thrill you can enjoy for years to come (they also make great gifts and stocking stuffers!), whether as a playable set or just something pretty to set out on the coffee table.

(Image credit: Erika Tracy) From The Kitchn → How To Clean Butcher Block Countertops

These are pretty clever.

Are you a color-lover adrift on an ocean of white? Living in a rental where you’re not allowed to paint doesn’t mean you can’t surround yourself with brilliant hues. Here are ten easy ways to add color without ever picking up a paintbrush. 1. Go for big, colorful art. An oversized piece (like the one in the bedroom above, from Okologi, or the living room pictured up top, from Sköna Hem, via Design Milk) instantly brightens a room. 2. Hang a colorful tapestry on the wall.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From The Kitchn → Kitchen Before & After: A Kitchen Goes Back to Its Mid-Century Roots

Because of costly finishes and appliances, kitchens are one of the most “suck-it-up-and-live-with-it” areas in a rental apartment. But even if you’re shy on space, or if the fixtures are quite what you’d prefer, there are some smart ways to make your average rental kitchen work. Top Row: 1. Sibylle’s Flea Market Style in Berlin: Keep your most-used items handy, add an island (which can also add seating), and use graphic art in small spaces to make a visual impact.

If you’re considering adopting a dog or a puppy, there are a few must-have items that will come in handy for keeping your home intact. All dogs need a little time to adjust, whether it’s a frightened rescue or a romping pup! Consider the following to help make the transition as smooth as possible for you and your new furry friend, while keeping your space damage-free. 1. A crate or kennel.

Name: Chris and Amber Earl Location: North Hollywood, CA Size: 1,190 square feet Years lived in: 2 years Amber met Chris at a mutual friend’s BBQ and she admits it took her forever to notice him but once she did she was done for. Chris grew up in Papua New Guinea and is a talented woodworker and chef and Amber is a fashion rep who grew up in SoCal.

Leslie says,”When I saw this dull brown cabinet in the thrift store, it begged for glam.” Well, glam it up she did. Good eye, Leslie! Those mirrored panels really show off those door details. From Leslie: After primer and paint, I used a couple of packages of mirrored tiles from the big box hardware store. The top was a fake slate formica that totally dated the piece. I used a mitre saw, moldings and pewter appliance pulls to fabricate a new top that resembles a gallery tray.

Name: Eliza Location: Charleston, South Carolina I was so excited when I found out I was having a little girl, but I have to admit the design junkie in me was equally as excited at the prospect of decorating her nursery. So we took to the task of cleaning out our 10’ x 10’ office-slash-junk room and making way for baby girl. My immediate thought was that I didn’t want a room that screams “kids room!” Something more whimsical than precious.

We regularly ask readers to share how much they spent on a given item, service, project, or upgrade in the home. We hope this information proves helpful to anyone needing to get a basic sense of how much something costs, and how much you can expect to pay. How Much Did it Cost to Remove a Tree From Your Yard? Since prices vary considerably, let us know how big the tree was, whether you also removed the stump, and if that included removal and/or chipping.

(Image credit: Akanit Hengsawat) shutterstock From The Kitchn → How Long Can You Keep Eggs?

Name: Rachel Location: San Francisco, California It’s my first home! I turned 30 last year and decided to pull the trigger and buy my first place – a one bedroom apartment in San Francisco. With the help of my sister (she’s an architect), I completely renovated the kitchen. The original kitchen was literally from the 1940s – it still had an icebox for a refrigerator! While rustic, it wasn’t functional.

Name: Beth & Mr. King Location: Lincoln Square; Chicago, Illinois Size: 1,500 square feet Years lived in: 7 years (3 as a couple); rented When you live in a place where the foyer looks like it could have been transported directly from a castle, there’s a certain degree of solemnity that might be expected of you. Beth and Mr.

In all my years of apartment renting, moving-in was a rushed, desperate attempt to get out of whatever storage unit/friend’s basement/truck I was stranded in—though I did always manage to scrub down each apartment first. Now that we’re renovating a house, the move-in-ready question is trickier… When we first began work on the house, it was put forward that we didn’t necessarily need to have the walls painted before we moved our stuff in.

Hitting the local farmers market in your town has plenty of advantages over your local grocery store. By buying direct, you are getting the freshest possible produce at the best prices, plus you can better understand where your food is actually coming from. That being said, they can be a little overwhelming to navigate. Here is our field guide to get you started. 1. Come prepared. Bring bags, small bills, sunscreen, comfortable shoes and a list.

An open space in a loft or studio can be both a blessing or a curse. The openness allows you to take liberties with the layout and make decisions that work best for your lifestyle, but it can be a challenge figuring out how to maximize space and distinguish between different living areas. Here are some tips from our tours that show real life examples of how people take on this challenge! 1. Alexandra and Christine made great use of their open space by using curtains to divide up the area.

Waking up on Christmas morning as a kid was like, well… waking up on Christmas morning. Presents. Presents everywhere! But now as an adult, I know the old maxim to be true: It really is better to give than to receive. Nothing feels better than presenting a much-adored gift to a nephew, sister or friend that you love. Finding the right gift is all about knowing where to look. The number one strategy for giving great gifts is simply to know your giftee.

Several years ago, Rita found this unfortunate looking, 40-year-old nightstand in her mother’s basement and adopted it. She tells us it wasn’t much to look at to begin with and it’s certainly taken a beating since, so she decided it was finally time to give this neglected piece of furniture a facelift. Didn’t see that one coming! We’re loving the punch of personality Rita gave this little table.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From The Kitchn → 5 Tips for Better Grilled Pizza

One of the biggest challenges of small space living is… where does all the stuff go? If you feel like you’ve maxed out all your storage but you still have things that need a home, this post is for you. Here are ten often-overlooked spots where you can squeeze a little extra storage out of a small space. Above: Hang a set of wall-mounted shelves above a radiator. Spotted on VT Wonen.

In today’s video, Carly Cylinder shares her secret for creating full, robust vases full of evenly spaced flowers. Happy summer arranging! In today’s video, Floral Designer Carly Cylinder shares her secret for creating full, robust vases full of evenly spaced flowers. Happy summer arranging! • The Star: Carly Cylinder is a celebrity florist, avid writer, and entrepreneur.

Living a little over 350 miles north of my home town Los Angeles, in San Francisco, I find myself making the 7+ hour drive on a pretty regular basis. While I love a good road trip, I’m not going to lie, the commute can get pretty tiring. Here are a few tips that make it a little easier: 1. Take a few minutes to plan ahead. Check for roadwork, freeway closures (happening almost every weekend in LA now) and try to schedule things so you can avoid rush hour in any urban areas.

Ashley had a very faded striped pastel umbrella that she could have easily jettisoned. Instead, she took a little inspiration from this Urban Outfitters umbrella, budgeted about $20 for her version, and gave it a little makeover… Ashley used a paint sprayer with thinned down latex paint to give it about three coats of bright white paint. Then, she and her husband laboriously hand-painted a design on each panel. The final step was attaching pom-pom trim around the edge.

Q: Hi! I love having plants in the house, particularly succulents, since they are gorgeous and easy to take care of. However, my cats have picked up the habit of eating them! They aren’t toxic plants, thank goodness, but it’s not good for them and now my cacti are chewed little stubs. Any suggestions on places to put the plants out of their extremely athletic and acrobatic reach or other ways to make them stop chewing? Thanks!