Living room with pink loveseat, patterned rug, glass coffee table, and blue armchair, leading to dining area with plants.
Allison’s Silver Lake Charmer With a View
Name: Allison Pierce, Musician. (Shared w/ her roommate, Lizzy Sanford) Location: Silver Lake; Los Angeles, California Size: 2 Bedroom + 1 Bath Years lived in: 2 years; Rented When a few snapshots of Allison’s apartment landed in my inbox, I knew it was an incredible space. Overlooking Silver Lake, this two bedroom home has a wonderful, dreamy quality, and ample space to living comfortably.
May 21, 2014
The Natural Order of Things: How To Design Your Home, One Step at a Time
The other day, I was speaking to a friend who laid a design quandary at my feet. She needed a few new items for her apartment and, since every choice she made would affect the others, she was feeling stuck on where to start — the design version of “the chicken or the egg”. Anyone who’s decorated a home, or even a room, knows that the choices you make early on can influence those further down the line.
May 20, 2014
Do These 4 Things to Get Ready for Grilling Season
(Image credit: Nick Evans) From The Kitchn → 4 Things You Should Do to Prepare Your Grill for Grilling Season
May 20, 2014
Before & After: A Cute Chest Gets a Major Dose of Class
Reeves snagged this Drexel campaign chest from a thrift store store last year. Its laminate top and damaged drawers needed some work, but after avoiding the project for a year, she finally got around to addressing this little chest. We give it an A+ color choice. That deep, bold black really makes the original hardware shine. Great job. From Reeves: I removed the hardware, sanded the piece (and the drawers so they fit), and then primed the top with an oil based primer meant for laminate.
May 20, 2014
Kitchen Improvement: We Love This Kind of Paint for Kitchen Cabinets
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From The Kitchn → The Best Kind of Paint for Painting Kitchen Cabinets
May 20, 2014
Before & After: Second Time’s The Charm Coffee Table Makeover
Ellen’s had this coffee table for 12 years. It was her first piece of “grown up” furniture so it’s quite sentimental. In fact, she fondly referred to it as “the giant coaster,” because of the custom glass covering the inlaid detail on top. But recently, the orange-toned finish was starting to annoy her, so she tried re-staining it with a black varnish and did “an atrociously bad job of it.
May 19, 2014
Farmers Market Shopping & Etiquette Tips
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From The Kitchn → 10 Etiquette & Shopping Tips to Help You Enjoy the Farmers Market
May 19, 2014
9 Cheap, Chic IKEA Classics
May 19, 2014
Charlie’s Former Factory Loft
Name: Charlie Man Location: Toronto, Ontario My home is a one bedroom, 775 square foot loft that was converted from an old scientific instrument factory, originally built in the 1920s. I’ve always loved converted lofts because of the charm and character inherent in older buildings. The original wood ceiling is definitely my favorite thing about my apartment.
May 18, 2014
Before & After: From Plain to Simple & Scandinavian-Inspired Tripod Side Table
What do you do when you find a sad little tripod table with potential for free by a garbage can? If you’re Amanda, you take it home with you, give its top a sweet makeover and sit back to enjoy your transformed handiwork. From Amanda: I came home the other day to find this rather sad little table sitting by my garbage can. She wasn’t much to look at while she was sitting forlornly by my garbage cans.
May 18, 2014
Before & After: Jolie’s Bland to Glam Bathroom Makeover
Do you suffer from a bland bathroom? You might find some inspiration in the ideas that Jolie added to her standard-looking, not-very-interesting bathroom. She made this boring room turn glam with some DIY projects and vision. From Jolie: I wanted to feel like I was stepping into a high end hotel bathroom in the morning so I decided I would decorate it with glam wallpaper and gold accents.
May 17, 2014
Before & After: A 1950s Kitchen Gets a Modern DIY Makeover
When Kelly and her husband moved into a 1950s fixer-upper in late 2012, they knew their kitchen — with original (in Kelly’s words, grime-encrusted) pine cabinets, aluminum-wrapped laminate counters and linoleum floors mixed with asbestos — would need some aesthetic upgrading. They even started working on this room two hours after closing on the house! From Kelly: To say that it was a labor of love is an understatement.
May 17, 2014
Open-Plan Kitchen Organization Inspiration
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From The Kitchn → How Julia Organizes Her Open-Plan Kitchen
May 16, 2014
Matilde & Gustavo’s Art-Filled Warehouse District Apartment
Name: Matilde Alberny and Gustavo Duque Location: Warehouse District — New Orleans, Louisiana Size: 710 square feet Years lived in: 4 years; owned Apartment living is the key to happiness for Matilde Alberny and Gustavo Duque. These New Orleans artists never imagined they would end up renting their beloved home in the Lower Garden District to move into their 710 square foot investment property.
May 16, 2014
Before & After: A Cute and Colorful Lack Hack
Noelle had been curious about chalk paint for a while so she decided to tackle her own project using her old white IKEA Lack coffee table. She says, “I figured the worst that could happen is that I’d have to head out to IKEA and buy another table if it was a total bust.” But it wasn’t a bust at all. She chose Cece Caldwell’s chalk and clay paint in Destin Gulf Green.
May 16, 2014
20 Before & After Kitchen Projects For Every Budget
From Apartment Therapy → 20 Before & After Kitchen Projects For Every Budget
May 16, 2014
Yana’s Globetrotter Home
Name: Yana of NoMad Luxuries Location: Chicago, Illinois The great thing about this city is that each and every neighborhood has its own style and energy. We live in the Uptown/Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago and really enjoy the proximity to the lake. We especially fell in-love with the charming details of our condo. When we started looking, we knew we wanted a space that had good bones and vintage character, but didn’t necessarily want to pay for someone else’s style.
May 15, 2014
Chris & Damian’s Updated 1898 Echo Park Home
Name: Christopher Rodriguez, Entertainment Attorney, and Damian Pelliccione, Host/Producer/Event Coordinator, New Media Vault & Boys in Tech Location: Echo Park; Los Angeles, California Size: 1,350 square feet Years lived in: 1 1/2 years Chris and Damian had been living in a loft and wanted to move into a house, so they purchased this small home as a fixer-upper.
May 15, 2014
Before & After: An Old IKEA Dresser Gets Dressed Up
Krizia had had this perfectly functional IKEA dresser for some time, but she was so busy remaking other people’s treasures that she hadn’t given it any love. Finally, she made time to add some extra flair and we’re loving how it turned out. Wow! She gave her dresser a coat of paint and used O’verlays fretwork to add some major architectural interest. And, not for nothing, but that’s some pretty spiffy styling, Krizia.
May 15, 2014
10 Budget Kitchen Before & Afters
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From The Kitchn → 10 Before & After Kitchen Renovations For Under $7,000 (Some Way Under!)
May 15, 2014
10 Style Tips for Pulling Off a Mix & Match Dining Set
The mix and match dining set is a great look. It can be seen across many different interior styles — Scandinavian, modern, bohemian, eclectic, etc. It does, however, take a bit of thought and planning to pull it off, because you can’t just order one up from the store. In many cases it’s also a very budget friendly option, because you can use either dated, thrifted or random chairs you have around to create a look.
May 14, 2014
Before & After: An Ancient Dresser Goes Greek
This dresser was in need of some major love — it boasted a broken drawer, huge nail holes, stickers and scratches. But Cassie isn’t one to let such a unique piece slip through her fingers. Cassie says: I had planned to refinish it, but the holes that needed filling were just too big. So instead, I painted it a bold color. A friend suggested overlays for the drawer fronts, which my carpenter neighbor cut out for me.
May 14, 2014
How This IKEA Bekvam Stool Solved a Kitchen Problem
From Apartment Therapy → How This IKEA Bekvam Stool Solved a Kitchen Problem “Kylie shares a hack that I have never seen before. With a few modifications (and nice new coat of paint), see what Kylie now uses the stool for in her kitchen these days, and the problem it solves…”
May 13, 2014
WORK Lab’s Vintage Eclectic Workspace
Location: Richmond, VA Size: Front office space is 1,600 square feet, back space is 600 square feet Years lived in: 20 years Cabell Harris, the founder and owner of WORK Labs has created an environment that is bursting with creativity and fun. WORK Labs is a creative brand agency in Richmond, VA that promises you that they are always thinking.
May 13, 2014
Before & After: A Shabby Dresser Gets Chic
When they moved in together, Jamielynn’s boyfriend Jason insisted they keep this old dresser. She agreed on one condion: that they spruce it up. Well, spruce they did. Jamielynn says: The first thing I discovered was a plaque inside the top draw that read ‘F. S. Harmon Manufacturing Co. Tacoma, Washington’ which coincidentally is my hometown. That warmed me up to this rather time consuming project.
May 13, 2014
Before & After: Say Goodbye To This Boring Brown Kitchen
From Apartment Therapy → Before & After: Say Goodbye To This Boring Brown Kitchen
May 13, 2014
New Kitchen Organization Idea: Diagonal Drawers
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From The Kitchn → Make the Most of Kitchen Drawers By Organizing Diagonally
May 12, 2014
Before & After: A Basic Table Goes Two-Tone
Rae started with a kitchen table and chairs that, though lovely, were not exactly her style. With a little love, she turned them into something brand new and perfect for her kitchen. She fell in love with a delicate blue and white fabric and that was the catalyst for her bold blue paint choice. We love the addition of white to break up the darker blue with some chic colorblocking. Great job! Rae says, “I love paint because it’s such a fun and cheap change.
May 12, 2014
How to Deal With Guests Who Won’t Put Down Their Phones
(Image credit: Emma Christensen) From The Kitchn → 5 Ways to Deal With Dinner Party Guests Who Won’t Put Down Their Phones
May 12, 2014
Katie’s Adobe-Style Arizona Home
Name: Katie Runyan Location: Phoenix Homesteads Neighborhood, Phoenix, Arizona Our home is an adobe style built in 1937. The original thick concrete walls with rounded corners and high ceilings keep things cooler in the summer. We’re both from back east so the combination of history and greenery of the neighborhood instantly won us over. When we were house hunting this was the first house we saw and we knew instantly that we should make an offer.
May 11, 2014
Before & After: A Brown & Tiny Kitchen Gets Brightened!
This cramped and outdated kitchen almost prevented Christina from buying the house! But it was a charming 100-year-old Craftsman-style house that won her over, and she made the goal of brightening up the kitchen and maximizing space a priority! From Christina: When we toured this house, the kitchen was the reason why we almost didn’t buy the 100-year-old Craftsman-style house. It was so small, so brown, and so ugly!
May 11, 2014
Alison’s Sophisticated and Posh London Home
Name: Alison A. Location: Marylebone, London, United Kingdom Size: 1,400 square feet Years lived in: Rented 1 year After leaving Amsterdam where she lived for the past seven years, Alison wanted to start her new adventure in London by first creating the perfect home. Alison’s London flat is influenced by many things — her love of travel, entertaining, her desire to bring a little bit of Dutch design and creating a space that is “inviting and relaxing”.
May 11, 2014
Before & After: A Heavy, Outdated Dining Table Turns Sleek and Modern
Have you ever spotted an absolute steal on Craigslist — except for it being the complete opposite of your style? Nichol saw this table for $50, but before even leaving the house she took the legs off and left them with the original owner (along with the chunky chairs). There were other plans! From Nichol: Thank you Nichol!
May 11, 2014
Carolyn’s Notting Hill Victorian Flat
Name: Carolyn’s Notting Hill Victorian Flat Location: Notting Hill, London, United Kingdom This is a first floor Victorian flat in the heart of Notting Hill — blessed with very high ceilings. It is, however, under 550 square feet. As a foreigner I wanted to live in a “postcard” home.
May 10, 2014
The Quirky Office Skews Cool
Name: Ben Kaufman, Founder of Quirky Location: West Chelsea, New York, New York Size: 45,000 square feet Years worked in: 2 years; Rented Quirky’s offices occupy the top floor of a great old industrial building in west Chelsea — a former self-storage site that once housed the famed 1980’s nightclub The Tunnel.
May 9, 2014
Before & After: A Rusty Old Bed Gets Beautifully Restored
Becky shelled out exactly $0 for this old, iron bed. She was able to barter with a crystal light fixture that didn’t work in her space. Wowee, what a smart trade that turned out to be.
May 9, 2014
Inspired By: Succulent & Cactus Gardens
May 9, 2014
Gift Guide: Mother’s Day Presents For Your Favorite Cook
(Image credit: The Kitchn) From The Kitchn → 15 Mother’s Day Gifts For Moms Who Love To Cook
May 8, 2014
Naomi & Anthony’s Collected Craftsman Home
Name: Gallerist Anthony Cran and fashion stylist Naomi Wilding, owners of Wilding Cran Gallery Location: West Adams; Los Angeles, California Size: 1,400 square feet Years lived in: 5 years It’s no surprise that Naomi Wilding and Anthony Cran have so much style, considering that Naomi’s grandmother is Elizabeth Taylor and Anthony’s father is a prolific painter. Anthony’s father, Chris Cran, has his work represented at the Wilding Cran Gallery.
May 8, 2014
Eating Well When You’re On a Tight Budget
From Apartment Therapy → Eating Well When You’re On a Tight Budget “If you’re low on cash and want to eat well what are your options?
May 8, 2014
John & Erin’s Mid-Century Modern Ranch Home
Name: John Conneely, general contractor/owner of California Modern, and Erin Sheehan Location: Eagle Rock; Los Angeles, California Size: 1,100 square feet Years lived in: 3 1/2 years John immediately fell in love with this Eagle Rock Mid-Century house, and during its remodel he found a letter in the wall saying that the house was built with lots of love. He felt that good energy when he first walked into the house. Erin knew John for over a year before she saw his home.
May 8, 2014
Before & After: A “Wreck” Gets Beautifully Redone
Haley says, “I will admit that I made some mistakes along the way. I accidentally sanded down one of my favorite details- the chevron patterned wood that ran along the bottom and middle of the dresser, boo.” Every project has a little trial and error, but especailly for a first-effort, we think you did a beautiful job, Haley. Congratulations. Here’s how the material costs came out: Sandpaper- $5.50 Wood Glue- $7.50 Wood Stain- Already had Pulls- $50.00 Total- $63.
May 8, 2014
Cleaning Lessons: Restore a Rusty Skillet
(Image credit: Erika Tracy) From The Kitchn → How to Restore a Rusty Cast Iron Skillet
May 7, 2014
5 Small, Easy Vegetable Garden Setups
From Apartment Therapy → 5 Small, Easy Vegetable Garden Setups “If you’re thinking about starting a small vegetable garden but feel like a total newbie, here are some simple ideas to get you moving towards growing some vegetables on a small and manageable scale!
May 7, 2014
Jeff’s Texture and Tone Abode
Location: Jersey City, New Jersey Size: 902 square feet Years lived in: 5 years; owned Jeff has lived in the NYC area for over twenty years. Five years ago he purchased this Jersey City loft, which he has thoroughly made his own. His home is brimming with antique curiosities that he’s collected along the way. His loft, in a building that used to house the American Can company, has soaring 14 foot ceilings.
May 7, 2014
Kathie’s Eclectic Rhode Island Live/Work Space
Name: Kathie Narcizo Location: Newport, Rhode Island Size: 1,100 square feet Years lived in: 13 years; rented When Kathie moved back to her hometown of Newport 13 years ago, her brother Dave knew he had found the perfect spot for his artistic sister to thrive.
May 6, 2014
5 Natural DIY Wood Cleaning Recipes
From Apartment Therapy → Natural DIY Recipes for Cleaning, Restoring, and Polishing Wood “Those beloved-but-worn salad bowls? The slightly scratched teak table you scored at an antique fair?Make them shiny and new with one of these simple wood cleaning recipes.
May 6, 2014