Apartment Therapy Archive: Mar 2015

One sure-fire way to make your home memorable? Take advantage of every opportunity to layer in a little personal style to your space. Adding (or replacing) a door knocker is a great example of exactly this type of decor-enhancing opportunity; they set the tone for a personality-packed interior, are usually VERY affordable and the install process is a quick, easy DIY project for a half hour on the weekend. Why have a same-old, same-old conservative – or even worse!

We’ve all seen the reality shows where stylists ambush poor unsuspecting souls, insult their fashion sense, and then give them a brand new look by the end of the program. Usually the process involved taming frizzy hair, peeling off layers and layers of heavy makeup, and toning down wardrobe choices. Think of this bedroom “before” shot as the willing participant, and this next “after” photo as the new and improved, more sophisticated, version of its former self.

When I wrote about 16 Oh-So-Pretty Cleaning Supplies, a commenter after my own heart asked, “Does anyone have an idea of gorgeous spray bottles to use for homemade counter cleaners? That would really brighten up chore time for me, instead of using the same old battered plastic bottle I’ve been using for years…” I’m on it!

Name: National Forest // Co-Founded by Seven Harrington and Justin Krietemeyer Location: Atwater Village; Los Angeles, California Size: 2,400 square feet Years lived in: We’ve been in this building for seven years. We were down the road before that and a home-loft in the very beginning. National Forest is a design firm and creative consultancy located in Atwater Village.

One of the many things you can do to transform your kitchen is to change your countertops. If completely replacing them isn’t an option for you right now, updating your existing laminate with countertop coating is a great way to achieve a new, fresh look without breaking the bank. Countertop paint is great for homeowners and renters alike.

Sometimes, chairs come into our lives. It’s all very casual: we don’t really love them, but we kind of like them, and they were just there at the yard sale, and they were cheap and we could kind of see potential… So we bring them home with us only to realize that we will never actually pay the price to have them reupholstered—they get stashed away in the basement or the garage. But if they are vinyl, it doesn’t have to end there!

Whatever you think of the manufactured mysticism of the book and movie franchise The Secret, the power of positive thinking has always served me well at home. Here’s what I do that you can do, too. As I understand it, the main point of The Secret is the law of attraction: whatever energy you put out into the world, you will receive the same positivity or negativity in return. (there’s probably more to it than that, but let’s just simplify). So what does that mean for my decor?

Dear Alice, Thanks, Stuck between a friend and a large space Dear Stuck, I think you already know what to do. You’re clearly not looking for a roommate, even your best friend. Your concerns about privacy and her lifestyle are valid, but whatever your reasons, you don’t need to justify why you don’t want to let a grown woman and her baby share your space.

(Image credit: Leela Cyd) From The Kitchn → 10 Snacks that Celebrate the 80s & The Breakfast Club’s 30th Birthday

IKEA. Its affordable, the designs are modern and the selection is pretty varied. Still, there’s a certain satisfaction that comes from taking a cookie cutter item and putting your own stamp on it. Fortunately, a number of businesses have popped up that IKEA hacks accessible to even the DIY-challenged. • O’verlays If you want to take that RAST to the next level, O’verlays may be for you.

Whether you’re buying something new or updating the old, pairing a new shade with a lamp can be tricky. We’ve got a few tips for you to keep in mind while you shop for that perfect shade. Measuring tape Lamp Remember these five things: The bottom edge of the lampshade should fall midway on the neck of the lamp. You don’t want the socket or the switch to be visible. When shade shopping, the shade size refers to the width across the bottom of the shade.

From Apartment Therapy → What I Learned From Refinishing My Kitchen Table Myself (Twice!

Windowless bathrooms have the potential to be very dark and dreary places. Without natural light pouring in, they can turn into caves you don’t want to spend a lot of time in. But they don’t have to be unpleasant. There are some things you can do — design-wise — to make your bathroom lovely despite the lack of a view. Here are nine windowless bathrooms doing it right — inspiration for your own home!

You made the switch and are now diligently bringing your reusable bags along on every shopping trip. Could that habit alone really be affecting what you put in your cart? You might be surprised at what this research reveals. Even I scoffed at this idea at first, but then sheepishly realized I totally do this! Here’s what researchers Uma Karmarkar and Bryan Bollinger found: People who brought their own shopping bags were more likely to buy organic AND more likely to buy junk food.

Sarah wanted this cedar-lined chest to serve as extra seating in her music room. Instead of simply upholstering the top, though, she was inspired by a White Stripes song to try something a little more advanced. From Sarah: During my recent music room makeover, I found myself looking for ways to incorporate some extra seating. My sights settled on an old cedar-lined storage chest, which was the right height for seating but didn’t present the most inviting surface.

Name: Emily Quinton and Stef Location: East Dulwich; London, United Kingdom Size: 1,500 square feet Years lived in: 6 months; Rented “Create something every day,” reads the brightly-colored motto that adorns the living room wall of the vibrant, inspiring family home of writer, photographer and maker Emily Quinton, her technologist and artist husband Stef Lewandowski, and their four young children.

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 Do You Pay for Dry Cleaning? If you take clothes to be dry cleaned, how much does it cost to launder a basic button down shirt, a dress, pants, or sweater? Did the price include any particular services, like stain removal?

Despite the fact that I worked as a floral designer for four years, I currently own one vase. Someday I’ll have the perfect vessel arsenal so I’ll always be prepared, no matter what flowers are showered upon me (or that I cut myself from the yard). If you’re looking to expand your collection, here are some ideal shapes and colors to pair with different types of blooms. Curvaceous Vase (CB2, $29.

(Image credit: Leanne Bertram) From The Kitchn → 5 Small Ways to Feel More at Home in Your New Kitchen

Think you can’t accomplish all that much in ten minutes? You’re wrong. In fact, taking just ten minutes before you dash out the house to head to work can allow you to tackle a whole set of tasks that might make coming back home a pleasant treat at the end of a long, hard day. Tomorrow, take ten minutes to cross off these ten easy items of your morning to-do list! Do you like to make a bit of a mess when you fix breakfast?

In last week’s video roundup we wrote about spring cleaning, but we may have put the cart before the horse a bit: after all, it’s hard to clean effectively when your house is full of clutter. So this week we’re focusing on something we’re calling a ‘spring cleanout’ — getting rid of some of the unnecessary stuff that’s been burdening you so you (and your home) can feel light and free in the coming season.

Spring is here! After all those months spent cooped up inside, the weather is finally nice enough to enjoy the outdoors. Because we know that a lavish roof garden (or even a backyard) isn’t a reality for a lot of apartment dwellers, we’ve compiled this gallery of inspiring small outdoor spaces. Even if your balcony is one of those tiny ones with barely enough space to step outside, there’s something here for you.

If you’re stuck with lower-than-you’d-like ceilings and can’t renovate, you’re not necessarily stuck with the look or feel of low ceilings; there are some ideas you can try. We’ve gathered the most effective tricks for making your ceilings feel higher than they are. Creating a faux crown molding area that matches the color of your ceiling will make it feel like your ceiling is taller than it actually is.

Get more mileage out of your well-loved basics.

Name: Roger and Chris Stout-Hazard and dog Buck Location: Sharon Springs, New York Size: 1800 square feet Years lived in: Owned 2.5 years Roger and Chris’ style is the kind of laid-back, eclectic look that would look great anywhere. But combine it with the great architectural bones of an 160-year-old Italianate Victorian in the overwhelmingly charming small town of Sharon Springs, New York, and you’ve got a bold and modern mix that makes for one seriously enviable home.

Lana’s home was built in the 1930s, and the separate rooms made it tough to entertain. She was also lacking counter space on either side of the stove. See how she opened up the space while keeping the same layout: From Lana: Our old kitchen was a great size and decent layout, but was difficult to entertain in— I always felt like I had my back to the conversation and only had 12 inches of counter on either side of the stove.

There are things you need at home (like a bed) and then there are things that can wait. What if you didn’t have to? We thought of three things that you may just be able to afford after all. Take a look. Since the price of a rug increases exponentially as it gets larger, you can save big bucks by skipping the expensive room-size rug and picking up a smaller statement rug instead. How to make up the coverage? Layer your statement over a super-cheap sisal.

Step 1: Flip over a storage basket. Step 2: Place round disc on top. Step 3: Secure top to the base. In three easy moves, you’ve got yourself a quick and budget piece of furniture. (It doesn’t get much easier than that.) Powder-coated wire makes them modern and light. All the negative space keeps things looking easy and airy. 1. Above, white wire pairs nicely with a small round wooden top, made by Oleander & Palm. 2.

It’s the best feeling in the world when you finally pinpoint a feeling or wish that has been knocking around, undefined, in your head forever. Such was the case when I recently stumbled upon a little suggestion that put into words a concept I heartily embrace: the ten-minutes-to-clean home. What is it? It means that you keep your home in a state that’s only ten minutes away from being ready for company to drop by.

After years of looking at decor sites, blogs, books, and magazines, I’ve noticed that it can be hard to determine what my own style really is. New things come, old things go, and when you’re faced with an ever-revolving set of choices, it’s easy to lose sight of the things that really speak to you. Here are some suggestions for holding on to your own taste when you’re (often unconsciously) guided by a sea of inspiration. 1.

The line between work hours and home time is starting to blur with the constant access that smartphones provide—and when your office is your home, it can be nearly impossible to make the distinction. I’ve worked from home at least part time for years and here are a few of the ways that I make the transition work.

Is your bathroom feeling a bit…overwhelmed with stuff? It may be that you’ve filled it with things that you thought you needed. We all have ideas of the sort items a bathroom should have. But we think you only really need these ten things. So peruse this list and see if you can streamline your space today. Or use this list as inspiration to make your own list to cut down on the clutter in your own customized way.

Name: Lisa Price Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan Size: 936 square feet Years lived in: 10 years; owned Imagine a house where the best of the best vintage and thrift store finds are arranged by color. Imagine really cool vintage furniture in really good condition. Imagine that almost every accessory and piece of furniture comes with a story (from a family member, a stranger at a flea market or a previous owner at a yard sale).

Meghan inherited a hand-me-down dining set for her new home. While the table got a classic twist, the chairs now bring the wow factor: From Meghan: Having bought a new house, money was on the tighter side when it came to buying brand new furniture. My mother-in-law was nice enough to give my husband and I her old kitchen table. When I saw it, I knew I wanted to paint the chairs and redo the table. To start my makeover, I sanded and stained the top of the table in a walnut finish.

Oriented Strand Board (OSB) is a man-made product created from wood bits, which are pressed and bound together by adhesive resin and glue. It’s like the turkey loaf of building materials. This humble stuff is mostly used as a substrate during construction projects, leaving other materials to bask in the spotlight. Some prefer prettier plywood, but others have managed to use it as a visible, finish material that is modern and beautiful. Is it for you? Read on….

Name: Myriam Granger & Sebastien Burns Location: Villeray; Montreal, Canada Size: 650 square feet Years lived in: 3 years; Rented I’ve known Myriam & Sebastien, owners of the Boutique Archive, since the opening of their store in Villeray three years ago. The space is truly amazing and the products are of great quality.

While glad for the extra space, the addition made on Amanda and Dustin’s Sears Kit home felt out of place. So, when they started an update on its bathroom, making it fit in with the rest of the home was a priority. From Amanda: My boyfriend and I bought a 1925 Sears kit home in December of 2014. The entire house needed improvement, but the worst part was the way the addition they added on in the 70s felt too much like an addition.

Handed down from Bryce’s grandmother, this headboard’s mid-century stylings are hard to ignore. With a little modernization, it has a happy new home in the family. From Bryce: My gran recently down scaled and passed this headboard down to me. She couldn’t believe my interest in such an old piece of her furniture. I immediately saw its retro mid-century potential and spent the weekend giving it a fresh look.

It was just a few days before Thanksgiving weekend. I was splitting the Thanksgiving meal preparation with a best friend and we were also co-hosting another family who was going to join us from out of town for the holiday. I’d just settled into my blue armchair with my morning coffee when ding! the IM sounded and I clicked over on my phone to read dreaded news: our best friends had lice!!! Oh, I can’t tell you how I shuddered. I was ready to cancel Thanksgiving altogether.

Is there anything more magically pagan-feeling than running around on one of the first days of spring, searching for treasures amongst the just-warm soil, fresh green grass, and newly-budding trees? These 9 fresh twists on an old tradition just might make the day even more magical and memorable… 1. Easter Egg Balloons by Studio DIY for Balloontime Let kids decorate air- or helium-filled balloons, hide them, and let the hunt begin.

No one can be happy every single day. But if you’ve been finding yourself feeling like you’re more in a puddle of discontent than a lake of joy, you might want to look around your home first. Home informs your spirit and affects your mood more than any other place. Examining these eight areas of your home life a little more closely (and seeing if there’s room for improvement) may let you dive more deeply into joy. Do you slink past your roommate like a zombie every day?

No matter how conscientious of a decorator you are, there’s one thing you may be forgetting. It’s really a very simple concept, but one that often gets overlooked in the rush to get a space just perfect. It’s easy to get caught up in finding just the right furniture and accessories and paint colors and whatnot and forget to… leave a little space. That’s right: the number one thing missing from a lot of interiors is nothing at all.

Repurposing an old dresser is a great way to save some money, recycle and create a totally unique piece. Sometimes all a piece needs is a fresh coat of paint and some new hardware and there’s no shortage of dresser makeover inspiration in our archives. However, if you want to take it a step further and think more outside the box (or dresser) and flex your DIY skills, here’s some great smart and stylish ways you can transform your piece into something totally different.

(Image credit: Faith Durand) From The Kitchn → Cocktail Recipe: The Hint of Spring, with Rum, Blackberries & Sage

Applying fabric to a wall with liquid starch is a great solution for renters and commitment-phobes alike. A bit time-intensive, yes, but the results are just about as good as it gets. And unlike some wallpapers, you can take it with you when you move! This kitchenette turned walk-in closet (old house, used to be multiple apartments..) had great light and was begging for some inspired design.