Kelly’s Darling Dutch Colonial
Name: Kelly Millspaugh Thompson Location: Falls Church, Virginia (right outside of Washington DC) Our dutch colonial is located in Falls Church Virginia which is about 10 miles outside of Washington DC. We are located in a little area called Sleepy Hollow, an older mature neighborhood with big lots and lots of trees. When we bought our home it was the ugly duckling on the block but my husband and I saw the potential.
Jul 19, 2014
Before & After: A Dark Eat-in Kitchen Gets Brightened!
While dark wood walls certainly have their place in the homes of certain styles, in this dutch colonial Kelly’s renovating, it wasn’t quite the desired look. Though cozy, the eat-in corner of this kitchen did have ample natural light and opened out onto the deck, so it had a lot of potential. From Kelly: I wanted to refresh our eat in kitchen which opens out onto our deck. The goal was to brighten it up without spending a ton of money.
Jul 19, 2014
John’s Third Floor Flat in Ft. Greene
Name: John of Coil & Drift Location: Fort Greene, Brooklyn, NY My partner and I moved into this one bedroom with a separate den in the heart of Fort Greene, Brooklyn three years ago. We fell in love with Fort Greene because of the diversity and green spaces it offered and with our apartment because of it’s simple, clean layout and pre-war character and charm.
Jul 18, 2014
Paul & Katie’s Bright Vintage Modern Loft
Name: Katie Hackworth, principal designer and owner of H2 Design + Build, her husband Paul, their two daughters & three rescue mutts Location: Bellevue, Washington (a stone’s throw away from Seattle) Size: Approximately 1600 square feet Years lived in: 8 months; Rented Early last summer, Katie and her family decided to sell their modern farmhouse, which they built from 2010 to 2011. When the house sold, the new owners purchased about 75% of the furnishings.
Jul 18, 2014
Before & After: Big Box Store No More
Zandra wanted to give her outdoor space a little spruce up this summer. She couldn’t afford a super fancy patio set, but still managed to add some major personality to her budget, big-box store purchases. So. Much. Better. Here are Zandra’s tips for this fun, colorful look: Just switching out the pillows that came with the furniture set makes it feel less like it all just came out of a box. Hanging plants give height to your space as well as a sense of privacy.
Jul 18, 2014
Graylin’s Craftsman Influenced Bungalow
Name: Graylin Location: Corydon, IN We are about to move out of this adorable 900 sq. ft bungalow and into our dream house which is right across the street! My dad, Steve Porter, is a professional woodworker and took this house on as a side project. He gutted it and put his touch on every inch. Craftsman style cabinets and built-ins throughout, which is perfect for our style. We consider our style to be an eclectic form of modern with craftsman influences.
Jul 17, 2014
Scott’s Sea & Surf Inspired Silver Lake Rental
Name: Scott Diorio and his dog, Scrappy Location: Silver Lake- Los Angeles, California Size: 595 square feet Years lived in: 6 years; Rented As a native of Southern California, Scott grew up on a “steady diet” of skate and surf culture, with the beach, native elements and Latin culture in the mix. These are the aesthetics that play a huge role in the evolution of his apartment.
Jul 17, 2014
Before & After: A Pair of Tulip Chairs Get a Better Bloom
Maggie started with a pair of Mid-Century tulip swivel chairs that she picked up at a flea market for only $42. Even though they almost had a “so ugly they’re cool” vibe, they were stained and smelled of musty old cigarette smoke, so these babies needed an outfit change. Maggie’s lucky husband got himself a new desk chair.
Jul 17, 2014
Our Best Tips for Life Without a Dishwasher
Not having a dishwasher certainly isn’t the worst problem you can have. But if you’re used to having one, switching to only hand-washing can seem like a major inconvenience. Following are some ways to make life without a dishwasher as painless as possible. Soak. To make hand-washing less of a scrub-fest, make every effort to keep food from drying on dishes and pots and pans. If you can’t wash something right away, at least submerge it in or fill it with warm soapy water.
Jul 17, 2014
We’re Super Jealous Of These Glorious Backyard Pizza Ovens
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From The Kitchn → 5 Backyard Pizza Ovens Making Us Super Jealous Right Now
Jul 17, 2014
Try This On the Grill: Citrus
(Image credit: Christine Gallary) From The Kitchn → Citrus Is the Weirdest But Best Thing You Haven’t Grilled Yet
Jul 16, 2014
The Neighbors are Noisy as S#*!: How to Cope When You Love Your Home But Hate Your Neighbors
I’m having a love affair with my neighborhood. The industrial Westside of Atlanta has been experiencing a total resurgence lately, something my boyfriend and I have been lucky to witness for the four years we’ve lived in our 1100-square-foot 2-bedroom apartment — the one with the tiny kitchen but a great view of the city skyline.
Jul 16, 2014
A “Collected Treasures” Budget-Friendly Loft
Name: Bridget and Robert Park Location: Ballpark District, Denver, Colorado Size: 800 square feet Years lived in: 2 years; rented Hailing from Seattle, these two newlyweds recently made the trek to Denver for a new adventure and grad school. After one year of living in the ballpark district of downtown Denver, a friend told them about an affordable housing program in the city that gave lower income households access to some of the city’s most beautiful historic lofts.
Jul 16, 2014
Before & After: An Auction Gem Gets Glam
When Anika got her hands on a gorgeous Bassett dresser at a local auction for only $75, she just knew that this was a hidden gem waiting for someone like her to come along and make it shine. White + wood wins again! Anika says: After painting it with spray paint and dark wood stain a gorgeous two toned mid-century modern dresser was born. We absolutely love our new and stylish dresser in the master bedroom. See more at A Place of My Taste. Thank you Anika!
Jul 16, 2014
How to Replace a Microwave (Without Buying a New One)
(Image credit: Anne Wolfe Postic) From The Kitchn → How I Replaced My Microwave Without Buying a New One
Jul 16, 2014
The 10 Worst Things About Renting (And How to Deal with Them)
I just got the chance to see a friend’s new house, and the conversation during the visit turned to owning vs. renting. True to the “grass is greener” maxim, we each had bad things to say about our current situation.
Jul 15, 2014
Ice Cream vs Gelato: What’s the Difference?
(Image credit: Lisovskaya Natalia) From The Kitchn → What’s the Difference Between Ice Cream and Gelato?
Jul 15, 2014
5 Problems You Only Face While Living Alone (and How to Deal with Them)
Remember that roommate you had that walked around naked? Or the one who clipped his toenails in the living room while watching TV? There’s a reason you now live alone and love it. At some point you decided it was time, could afford it, and today you certainly don’t look back. But, while great in some respects, there are parts of living on your own that are, at the very least, different, and at the most, a pain in the ass. Here are five major ones, and strategies for dealing.
Jul 15, 2014
Before & After: A Hand-Me-Down Desk Is Reborn
We always love it when a project surprises us, and Kate managed to do just that. She started with this hand-me-down desk from her sister and turned it into a whole new type of happy item. What a great reminder to think outside the…err desk! Kate says: I am expecting my first baby and I wanted some sort of changing table for my living room so I wouldn’t have to run upstairs every time I had to change a diaper.
Jul 15, 2014
Look! Wallpaper Inspired by Vegetables
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From The Kitchn → 5 Vegetable-Inspired Wallpapers
Jul 15, 2014
Before & After: IKEA Pine Table Turned Stylish Cart
From Apartment Therapy → Before & After: IKEA Pine Table Turned Stylish Cart
Jul 15, 2014
5 Things Not to Say (or Do) at the Flea Market
Flea markets are filled with curiosities, and I’m not just talking about the stuff for sale. Over the years I’ve witnessed a lot of strange behaviors as people navigate booths looking for bargains. There’s something about flea market culture (cash-based transactions? secondhand goods? informal setting?
Jul 14, 2014
Scott & Kristan’s Inspiring Arts District Loft
Name: Scott Jarrell and Kristan Cunningham, owners of Hammer + Spear Location: Downtown Arts District; Los Angeles, California Size: 3,500 square feet Years lived in: 4 years; Rented Kristan and Scott’s showroom Hammer + Spear has been a fixture of the DTLA Artist District for the past year. Their store is perfectly edited and styled with unpretentious perfection, so it’s no surprise that their home is a wonderful mixture of smart DIY solutions and collected vintage charms.
Jul 14, 2014
3 Tips for Refreshing Old Carpet
Carpet is a bit like upholstered furniture: it tends to hold on to dust, stains, and other marks of wear and tear. (Even after a professional cleaning, undesirables tend to resurface.) And those signs of other tenants’ lives are something you probably prefer to live without. Following are some tips for refreshing carpet that’s seen better days. Fluff Dents with an Ice Cube.
Jul 14, 2014
Before & After: An Eichler Master Gets a Meticulous Makeover
The master bedroom of Andy and Karen’s Eichler was a blank canvas of cheap beige carpeting and off-white walls and ceiling. No more! They gave their master a makeover worthy of the architectural history of their house. Simple perfection! From Andy & Karen: We restored a wall of original wood paneling, repainted the other walls, ceiling and beams, and laid VCT flooring.
Jul 14, 2014
Lauren’s Dark & Dramatic Design
Name: Lauren Diane Svenstrup Location: Andersonville, Chicago, Illinois This apartment is in a vintage courtyard building and is around 700 square feet. I have lived here almost two years. As an interior designer, my space is an ever-changing canvas. Just when I think I am done, I find another project. Deep down at the core, I have an affinity for vintage finds. I love the hunt, I love the history. Up until this past year, I would say about 90% of my furniture was either inherited or found.
Jul 13, 2014
Before & After: Rebecca’s Awesome Affordable Airstream Makeover
Attention all day-dreamers, travel-lovers and small space dwellers! You’ll love this makeover of an Airstream — bought and designed on a tight budget. It’s inspiring to those who love color in compact spaces, too! From Rebecca: Last Fall, I was offered a new job with an RV travel website: the catch? I had to buy an RV on a barista’s budget.
Jul 13, 2014
Before & After: A Plain Pine IKEA Table Turns into a Bold Bar Cart
Kata started her project with the very simple IKEA NORNÄS side table. Her handful of DIY additions to this plain pine table turned it into a cute and functional bar cart. Not near an IKEA? No problem. These DIY additions could be borrowed to turn any vintage or affordable table into your own bar cart. From Kata: NORNASblog Thank you, Kata! SEE MORE BEFORE & AFTER PROJECTS SUBMIT YOUR OWN BEFORE & AFTER PROJECT – Re-edited from a post originally published 7.14.
Jul 13, 2014
Rachel’s Mountain View Studio
Name: Rachel Rose Location: Downtown Prescott, Arizona Our tiny coolest home is a studio rental in the heart of historic downtown Prescott, Arizona. It is only 530 square feet yet feels just perfect for me and my husband. The property owners/management (who are friends of ours) took a year to completely renovate and restore this precious space.
Jul 12, 2014
Darren’s Castro Casa
Name: Darren Location: Castro/Dolores Park Heights, San Francisco My partner and I are Los Angeles natives who moved to San Francisco about a year ago. We found a beautiful, one-bedroom apartment with amazing views of downtown and even the Bay Bridge and Oakland on a clear day. Given the competitive renter’s market up here, we consider ourselves very fortunate to find such a great home.
Jul 11, 2014
Take a Visual Tour of IKEA Through the Decades
From Apartment Therapy → Take a Visual Tour of IKEA Through the Decades In June, I traveled to Sweden with IKEA for their Democratic Design Days.
Jul 11, 2014
Don’t Say (or Do) These Things at the Farmers Market
(Image credit: Steve Pepple) shutterstock From The Kitchn → 5 Things Not to Say (or Do) at the Farmers Market
Jul 11, 2014
Positive Ways To Deal with Other People’s Negative Opinions (About Your Home)
There are a lot of opinions flying around in the world, and if you’re not careful, a well-aimed one can smack you upside the head. Family members think they know best, friends always pipe up, and today’s media provides ample opportunity for even strangers to give feedback on photos you post online. In the face of all that, how to do you deal with other peoples’ opinions about your purchases, decor, or home choices?
Jul 10, 2014
Before & After: An Army Green Vintage Broyhill Goes AWOL
Tracy had been obsessively hunting for ANYTHING from the Mid-Century Brasilia line by Broyhill for years, so when she finally came across this piece for only $80, she knew she had to have it. The only problem was that it was covered in disgusting (what she calls) “government issue” green paint. It took her a year, but Tracy finally mustered up the courage (and space) to begin the project. Worth the wait!
Jul 10, 2014
Overnight Oats Make for Better Mornings
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From The Kitchn → A Big Bowl of Overnight Oats for Your Morning Struggle
Jul 10, 2014
Favorite Products at Trader Joe’s
(Image credit: Faith Durand) From The Kitchn → 17 Favorite Trader Joe’s Products That Our Readers Love
Jul 9, 2014
Before & After: A Bold New Island
From Apartment Therapy → Before & After: A Bold New Island Kendra loves saving furniture that has seen better days. She mixes old with new, rusty and shiny and this $10 table turned butcher block island is a perfect example!
Jul 9, 2014
Before & After: A Dark Side Table Gets A Dose of Whimsy
Lynn was attracted to the interesting lines and whimsical claw feet of this dark, dingy night table so decided to change the look of this piece to highlight the good and hide the bad. She gave the table a light sanding and plenty of primer to keep the stain from bleeding through the paint, and chose a soft grey —Edgecomb by Benjamin Moore — to highlight the shape and details that were previously lost in the dark wood.
Jul 9, 2014
Maxwell’s Swedish Midsummer’s Eve Party
Jul 9, 2014
How To Pick a Perfect Peach
(Image credit: Christine Gallary) From The Kitchn → The Best Way to Pick a Perfect Peach
Jul 8, 2014
Singular Style: Inspirational House Tours from Men Living on Their Own
We have a lot of really phenomenal house tours, and love revisiting them through various lenses. Last week I almost incited a riot when featuring spaces from women who live alone (here’s that post and its very controversial title). Today’s post shines the spotlight on ten guys from last year, and their approach to decorating homes that are unequivocally theirs. Here are ten favorites from the past year: 1.
Jul 8, 2014
Before & After: Backyard Shed to “Small Piece of Heaven” Playhouse
When Soffia’s family moved into this house in Alftanes, Iceland six years ago she dreamed of transforming this small shed into a playhouse for her daughter and son. The shed, and her plans, lay fallow for years until recently when she harnessed her creative energies and unleashed them onto what she calls a “small slice of heaven” for her kids. Soffia tells us: Most items are hand me downs or thrifted, so this was made on a shoestring budget.
Jul 8, 2014
Before & After: DIY Coat Closet Makeover
Mallory from Classy Clutter had been itching to make over her coat closet since she the day she moved in. She found that no one in her house, including herself, wanted to hang up their coats when they had to untangle hangers and fiddle for a spot to hang their coat. She decided it was time to remove the hangers and closet bar, and replace them with hooks and bins.
Jul 8, 2014
Want Better Iced Coffee? Start Here
(Image credit: Chris Perez) From The Kitchn → 5 Tips for Better Iced Coffee
Jul 8, 2014
A Roundup of Reader Kitchen Organizing Tips
(Image credit: Leela Cyd) From The Kitchn → Why Didn’t We Think Of That? 18 Genius Kitchen Organizing Tips From Our Readers
Jul 7, 2014
Abby’s Fabled South End Townhouse
Location: South End; Boston, Massachusetts Size: 1,975 square feet Years lived in: 1 year Abby Ruettgers has seen a lot of change in recent months. A year ago, she was simultaneously renovating her new home and creating a new business. But if you think that’s tough, just try wrangling her Bernese Mountain dogs, Cooper and Keegan. Abby’s store Farm & Fable, specializing in vintage cookbooks and cookwares, opened in November a mere 46 steps from her front door.
Jul 7, 2014