The Latest
2015
January

The Latest: Jan 2015

Welcome to the hub for accessing all our latest posts! Easily sort through content by date to quickly find what you’re looking for — you’ll never miss out on the latest updates here.
7 Times Painted Wood Looked Good
We know that some of you have very…err…strong opinions about painting wood furniture, but the owners of these dramatic before and after projects might disagree with all you naysayers. Especially on damaged or cheap wood, a coat or two of paint is an easy, cost-effective and super-cute strategy to refresh tired pieces. Watch me prove it seven times. Claire’s campaign nightstands got a new blue and a new purpose in another room.
Jennifer Hunter
Jan 31, 2015
Amy’s 900 Square Foot Cottage Packed With Character
Name: Amy Location: Atlantic Beach, Florida This mid-fifties, concrete-block cottage is located in a walkable, beachside neighborhood of eclectic homes in Northeast Florida. Its 900-square feet pack in lots of character: beamed ceilings, a painted brick fireplace, and plenty of built-in shelving.
Adrienne Breaux
Jan 31, 2015
Beautifully Organized: Collections
What’s the difference between collecting and clutter? I ask myself that question often as I’m guilty of buying multiples of (too) many things. You can avoid clutter status by putting your beautiful collections on display. Here are 16 examples of great collections—including my own tea cup collection!
Melissa DiRenzo
Jan 31, 2015
How to Hang a Large, Heavy Rug on The Wall
Malcolm and his parents have been all over the world, collecting souvenirs like this Brazilian rug. When he moved away from home, Malcolm took it with him and initially hung it behind his bed as a pseudo headboard, then decided to find a more permanent home on the wall as art. The rug is pretty big, and somewhat heavy. Which raises the question: how does one hang it?
Dabney Frake
Jan 31, 2015
Brigitte’s Real Deal Apartment in Brooklyn
Name: Brigitte Location: Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, NY I moved into this space in 2008, so I’ve had a solid 6 years to settle in and make it my own. The look was initially far more minimal, but over time became increasingly dense and layered. I attribute this less to my design sensibility and more to my lack of self-control. Whenever I come across a unique piece of art or an interesting object I think, “I can find a spot for that!”.
Janel Laban
Jan 30, 2015
14 Ways Coconut Oil Can Be Used Around the Home
Of course cooking with coconut oil is great, but there are so many other ways you use it around the house — just think of it as an all-purpose product!
The Kitchn Editors
Jan 30, 2015
Before & After: Kids Rocker Rocks the Color Blocking
This children’s rocker had definitely seen better days… like during the bygone decades when marbled vinyl was a thing. Charlotte plans to reupholster a lot this year, and thought she’d literally start small and tackle this kids chair. See how she did: From Charlotte: I’ve had this yellow vinyl rocking chair in the basement for… a while. But 2015 is going to be the year of upholstery for me so I decided to start out on this little piece.
Tara Bellucci
Jan 30, 2015
Jessica & Milo’s 400 Square Foot Studio (Filled with Interesting Stuff!)
Name: Jessica & Milo Location: Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, NY My boyfriend and I moved into this space less than a year ago from two separate (much larger) apartments. We knew it was going to be time to downsize when our existing sofa couldn’t even fit through the door! Our new space is around 400 square feet and is technically a studio, though we’ve designed a curtain divider that splits up the space nicely.
Janel Laban
Jan 29, 2015
5 New Yorkers Who Made the Most of Seriously Small Apartments
I never fail to be impressed by the ingenuity of city dwellers living in itty bitty teeny tiny spaces. Especially now that I’m shopping for apartments in New York, and all I can think is… where do you put the furniture? Here are five apartments belonging to real New Yorkers who have solved that problem in creative ways, and managed to squeeze a lot of living out of a little space. I really like what Linsey’s done with a fairly typical New York studio layout.
Nancy Mitchell
Jan 29, 2015
Before & After: IKEA Bed Frame Turned Chaise
A $20 IKEA “as-is” bed frame had served its purpose, but Kerry decided to give it a new use. By adding cushions and wrapping the mattress, she now has a sweet reading spot: From Kerry: I’ve had this ultra bland Lillehammer IKEA twin bed frame for several years. I’d gotten it in the ‘As Is’ section for only $20 to help stage our home when we sold it.
Tara Bellucci
Jan 29, 2015
Theresa & Marjo’s “Nice & Squishy” West Coast Home
Name: Theresa & Marjo Location: Atwater Village, CA The house was built in 1928 and there are so many parts that we want to gently tear down and rebuild. We did, however, decided to renovate the kitchen and that was a 6 week journey partly due to our committing to the idea of an all-white kitchen. It’s the first room in our house that we renovated and has become our proudest home project.
Janel Laban
Jan 28, 2015
Duffy’s Vibrant East Austin Home
Name: Duffy Stone, owner and designer at Studio Duffy + Cat, Gummo Location: East Austin; Austin, Texas Years lived in: 1.5 years; Rented After seeing her House Call from a few months back, I knew this home needed a full tour. Known for her work around town, Duffy Stone has a knack for creating eye-catching environments. Her home was certainly no exception. Filled with color and intriguing objects, my eyes were drawn to every inch of every room.
Selena Kirchhoff
Jan 28, 2015
Karie & Rob’s Sweet Shelter in Asheville
Name: Karie & Rob of Shelter Collective Location: West Asheville, NC My husband and I moved into our home about three years ago. We love the location because we are only 2 blocks from a bustling street with coffee shops, restaurants and music venues, 4 blocks from our design studio, Shelter Collective, but it still has a quiet, rural feel because there is a large field and community garden behind our house.
Janel Laban
Jan 27, 2015
Kelley & Matt’s Harmoniously Thrifted Downtown Loft
Name: Kelley Bozarth, an environmental graphic designer, + Matthew Deal, a digital marketer Location: Downtown Salisbury, North Carolina Size: 1250 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years; rented Living with a significant other for the first time, Kelley and Matt were pleasantly surprised to see how well their thrifted finds and hand-me-downs blended together. With their wedding on the horizon, Kelley and Matt have made this downtown rental into a home.
Hayley Lawrence
Jan 27, 2015
7 Helpful Tips for Moving Everything You Own Without Losing Your Mind
Moving is maddening. Not only is it painful physically, it’s a mental exercise in mindfulness trying to keep everything organized as you completely uproot your whole life. If home is the peaceful place you can retreat to when the world gets hard, having to dismantle it can leave you free-floating in a sea of stress. There’s really only one way through a move (do it) but these eight tips might help you from losing your mind in the process. Like, seriously write it down.
Adrienne Breaux
Jan 27, 2015
How To Repair Small Cracks In Your Butcher Block
(Image credit: Coco Morante) From The Kitchn → How To Repair Small Cracks In Your Butcher Block
Tara Bellucci
Jan 27, 2015
Before & After: Family Heirloom Finds New Life
After facing decades of moves and time in storage, Sheila decided to restore this chair her husband’s parents bought in the 60s. It’s now ready to take on another 50 years: From Sheila: My husband’s parents bought this chair around 1960 shortly after they were married. It eventually landed in my husband’s childhood room and then followed him as he grew up. During most of our life together the chair was stored away.
Tara Bellucci
Jan 27, 2015
Which Chicken Broth Wins the Taste Test?
(Image credit: Christine Gallary) The Kitchn tried 5 brands of low-sodium chicken broth. Check out which one won the taste test: From The Kitchn → We Tried 5 Brands of Chicken Broth, and Here Is the Winner
Tara Bellucci
Jan 27, 2015
5 Ways to Tame Your Linen Collection
The Kitchn Editors
Jan 27, 2015
Your Blizzard Prep Shopping List
(Image credit: Cambria Bold) The Northeast is getting an estimated 2 feet of snow. Are you ready? From The Kitchn → Here’s What You Really Need to Stock up on for the Blizzard
Tara Bellucci
Jan 26, 2015
Before & After: Cabinet Gets “Cabin Fever”
A simple shoe cabinet was becoming a dumping ground for recycling— and not much style. Jeremy decided to use temporary wallpaper to transform this little corner into something more rustic mid-century: From Jeremy: I bought the shoe cabinet from Wayfair to, obviously, reign in our (fab) shoe collection. While it’s been great and done its job admirably, it’s not very attractive (and it ends being a place to dump our recycling!).
Tara Bellucci
Jan 26, 2015
Jessica & Zak’s Bright & Bold Brooklyn Apartment
Name: Jessica & Zak Location: Brooklyn, New York My husband Zak and I have a 1200 square foot home in Brooklyn, New York. We are both creative people (I am a designer and art director, he is a cinematographer). We love industrial, modern and traditional styles and our home is an eclectic mix of these things. Thanks, Jessica & Zak! • Interested in sharing your home with Apartment Therapy? Contact the editors through our House Tour & House Call Submission Form.
Janel Laban
Jan 25, 2015
Before & After: Vintage Sofa Gets a Girly Glam Makeover
Many might have passed over this sad vintage sofa, but not Janet. She had glam plans for this junk shop find, including a BIG seat refresh: That oversized seat cushion makes it all the more glamorous, don’t you think? From Janet: I found a fabulous, battered, worn out vintage French Louis XV-style sofa at a local junk shop. So I stripped it down, sanded and painted the woodwork and reupholstered, with a little help from YouTube and my Dad.
Tara Bellucci
Jan 25, 2015
5 No-Fail Tips for Uncluttered Counters All Year Long
Countertop space is precious, and clutter stands in the way of glorious, wide-open spaces that help you function in the kitchen. When stuff is everywhere, you have to move it every time you wipe the counters. You sacrifice precious prep space. And that same stuff subtly clouds your thinking and saps attention from the task at hand. When you banish clutter from the kitchen, you’re more likely to use the room as intended, make dinner, and eat at home.
Dabney Frake
Jan 25, 2015
Ajenda’s Polished Second-Hand Chic Style
Name: Ajenda Location: Houston, Texas My husband and I moved into our 700 square foot apartment 6 months ago. We both were used to having space, in the home and out, but we were determined to have a wonderful experience. We love our little apartment and always refer to it as our home not apartment. I strongly believe in thrifting and haven’t paid over $100 for almost anything in our apartment, there is just one exception.
Janel Laban
Jan 24, 2015
Try This the Next Time You Get a Compliment on Your Home
You know that confidence is key when you’re getting dressed in the morning or giving a work presentation, so why do so many people lack confidence in the choices they’ve made in their homes? The next time someone admires your decor, try this. I’ve recently noticed that almost every time I give someone a compliment, they immediately start telling me what’s wrong with their space and what they plan to change. Whyyyyy?
Jennifer Hunter
Jan 23, 2015
Your Friday Cocktail: Lemongrass, Lime & Thai Basil Mojito
(Image credit: Michelle Peters-Jones) From The Kitchn → Recipe: Lemongrass, Lime & Thai Basil Mojito
Tara Bellucci
Jan 23, 2015
Emily’s Small & Cozy Space
Name: Emily Location: Kettering, Ohio I live in a one bedroom in building with four apartments, an older building on the outskirts of an expensive area in the Dayton, Ohio area. It’s a quiet and nice area, within walking distance of Dorothy Lane Market, a classy 24/7 grocery, a Starbucks and other small shops. Its close proximity to my work, church and friends enticed me, and the affordable rent sold me.
Janel Laban
Jan 22, 2015
Before & After: A 1930s Kitchen Gets a DIY Renovation
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From The Kitchn → Before & After: A 1930s Kitchen Gets a DIY Remodel
Tara Bellucci
Jan 22, 2015
Before & After: 1940s Family Chair Gets Rescued
When Rachel found this chair in her parents’ garage, she just had to save it. Once belonging to her great uncle in the 1940s, this former home for mice had such stunning arms, it needed a new lease on life. From Rachel: I found this chair in my parents’ outdoor garage a couple of years ago. I was immediately drawn to it because, just look at those gorgeous arms! It looked like it had been a house for mice for a while.
Tara Bellucci
Jan 22, 2015
Tegan & Dan’s Renewed East Vancouver Gem
Name: Dan, resident engineer at Vancouver’s The Space Studios; Tegan, co-creator of Treasures and Travels Location: Mount Pleasant; Vancouver, British Columbia Size: 800 square feet Years lived in: 2 years; Rented Located in the heart of Mount Pleasant, Tegan and Dan stumbled upon this tucked away corner unit in one of Vancouver’s finest heritage buildings.
Elissa Crowe
Jan 22, 2015
Jeremy & David’s Design Lovers’ Den
Name: Jeremy & David Location: San Rafael, CA David and I (Jeremy) are a couple who recently purchased a 954 square foot, two bed – two bath condo in beautiful Marin County (twenty minutes North of “quirky” San Francisco) to be closer to our families.
Janel Laban
Jan 21, 2015
5 Expert Tips for Perfect Ramen
(Image credit: Christine Gallary) From The Kitchn → 5 Expert Tips for Making the Perfect Bowl of Ramen
Tara Bellucci
Jan 21, 2015
Henriette’s Artistic European Abode
Name: Henriette van der Does Location: Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom Size: 1,200 square feet Years lived in: 3 years 9 months; owned This bright, inviting house, filled with sculpture, paintings and books, is home to Henriette, a painter, sculptress and art psychotherapist, her two teenage children and their two (extremely fluffy) cats. Having left her native Holland for London, Colombia and then Brazil twenty years ago, she now calls southern England home.
Cathy Pyle
Jan 21, 2015
IKEA SEKTION New Kitchen Cabinet Guide: Photos, Prices, Sizes and More!
IKEA’s new kitchen cabinet system hits the stores on February 2nd. To help you plan your dream kitchen, as promised in our earlier inside scoop post, we’ve got need-to-know details ahead of time. Here’s inside info on everything from price to measurements, features to finishes, along with plenty of photos. Let the new kitchen designing and dreaming begin!
Janel Laban
Jan 21, 2015
Before & After: Skirted Sofa Gets a Graphic Twist
Although her boyfriend was not convinced that this was the sofa for their apartment, Miranda had big plans. First to go, that dated skirt: With a black slipcover, a graphic black and white fabric, and an ottoman to match, the sofa feels fresh and modern with more room to stretch out. From Miranda: We looked for a couch for what felt like forever!
Tara Bellucci
Jan 21, 2015
A Reminder That Kitchen Pegboards Rock
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From The Kitchn → In Case You Forgot, Kitchen Pegboards Are Pretty Awesome
Tara Bellucci
Jan 20, 2015
Before & After: IKEA Shoe Rack Turned Slat Table
Janet was looking to replace her IKEA LACK coffee table with something with a little more style. She saw some potential in an unlikely find — the BABORD shoe rack. From Janet: I had just moved into a new place, and I was dying to replace my ever-ubiquitous Ikea “Lack” coffee table with something more unique. Seeing as how I didn’t have any funds to purchase the slat bench of my dreams, I used my old, beaten up (also Ikea) shoe rack to make this!
Tara Bellucci
Jan 20, 2015
A Foreclosed Home Kitchen’s Makeover
From Apartment Therapy → The “Foreclosure No More” Kitchen Makeover Renovating this neglected Kansas City kitchen meant rehauling almost every part of it into a classic look to fit this Dutch colonial home.
The Kitchn Editors
Jan 20, 2015
10 Things to Look For On Your Next Apartment Hunt (That You Haven’t Thought Of Yet)
Of the many things you might be on the lookout for when searching for your next apartment to live in — hardwood floors, big windows, a lot of space — don’t neglect the odd but useful items on this list. They might save you a lot of future pain and make sure you enjoy your next home! We spotted these ideas from a thread on Reddit asking for what to look out for and what to asking when looking for an apartment.
Adrienne Breaux
Jan 20, 2015
21 Soups From All Over the Globe
(Image credit: Faith Durand) From The Kitchn → 21 Soups From All Over the Globe
Tara Bellucci
Jan 20, 2015
Kelly, Al & Ava’s Art-Filled Bow House
Name: Kelly, Al and Ava Milukas Location: Tiverton, Rhode Island Size: 2,600 + square feet Years lived in: 15 years; Owned Early in their courtship, Al asked Kelly to share her philosophy on life. Without hesitation she said, “live the live!” He cocked his head to the side, and with a puzzled expression, asked, “live the life?” “No,” Kelly explained, “Live the live is much simpler and more authentic.
Jacqueline Marque
Jan 19, 2015
A Peek Inside Jaimie & James’ “Fairy Cottage” Sears Kit Home
Name: Jaimie & James Location: Evanston, IL Our house is a Sears kit home called The Fairy in the old Sears “Modern Homes” catalog. It started out as a two bedroom, however we made the living room into a large dining room, and made the bedroom in the front a small sitting room. We are located in Evanston, IL the first suburb north of Chicago. It is less than 600 Sq. feet, which is perfect for my husband and myself.
Janel Laban
Jan 19, 2015
Archana’s Around the World Bold Move
Name: Archana Location: San Diego, CA I’ve lived in this one-bedroom, 600 square foot Hillcrest apartment with my boyfriend and our golden retriever, Teddy, for the last two years. In 2011, my boyfriend and I quit our NYC jobs — he in finance, me in magazine writing — to backpack around the world for 13 months. We kept our final destination open but chose San Diego for its weather, quality of life, and smaller city size.
Janel Laban
Jan 18, 2015
Jove’s Bright Home with Inventive Features
Name: Jove Meyer, Owner of Jove Meyer Events and creator of “Totes Getting Married!” tote bags Location: Crown Heights; Brooklyn, New York Size: 1,200 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years; owned Jove is a creator without boundaries. He lives for carrying out a vision—both in his life and in his work as an event planner—and his resourcefulness helps him achieve the result he’s after regardless of limitations.
Tamara Gavin
Jan 18, 2015
Before & After: An East London Kitchen Gets a Vibrant Makeover
The kitchen in Sam’s new house couldn’t have been much worse. There were mice everywhere, the units were filthy, the cooker was condemned by the gasman, the back door could only be opened with a crowbar and worst of all, there was a mysterious smell, which they eventually tracked down to an open waste pipe running straight into the kitchen.
Rebecca Bond
Jan 18, 2015
Jessica’s Downtown Boston Apartment
Name: Jessica Location: Boston, MA My husband, dog, and I live in a 850 square foot apartment in downtown Boston. We relocated about a year ago from San Diego and wanted to find a space in the city so we could walk or take the subway. The apartment faces the Charles River and has beautiful light that comes in during the day — we also get to see some gorgeous sunsets.
Janel Laban
Jan 17, 2015
Taylor & Alana’s Carefully Crafted Hoboken Apartment
Name: Alana Biagioli & Taylor Gulbins Location: Hoboken, New Jersey Size: 900 square feet Years lived in: 6 months; Rented You may recall Taylor’s house call post a couple months ago, and the apartment in Hoboken that lured him and his girlfriend, Alana, out of Manhattan. The square footage and daylight in their home definitely seems worth the move. They have created a fresh and modern space that has plenty of character and craft. Decorating this apartment was clearly a labor of love.
Anita Jeerage
Jan 16, 2015