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2015
August

The Latest: Aug 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.
The Kitchn’s Ultimate Guide to Grilling
(Image credit: Kristin Teig) From The Kitchn → The Kitchn’s Ultimate Guide to Grilling Like a Pro
Apartment Therapy
Aug 14, 2015
Partner
Before & After: A Chicago Student’s Studio Gets Colorful
We were recently challenged by Walmart to completely redesign a student’s studio apartment in Chicago’s Presidential Towers. Since we’re never one to say no to a design challenge, we jumped right in! We talk all the time about small budgets, small spaces and working within rental constraints (wall-to-wall carpet anyone?), so we agreed to give it the old college try. See how we took this bland studio to another level. Every rental comes with unique issues.
Sponsored Post
Aug 14, 2015
The Best Way To Freeze Zucchini
(Image credit: Emma Christensen) From The Kitchn → How To Freeze Zucchini
Apartment Therapy
Aug 13, 2015
Back-of-the-Box Recipes We Love
(Image credit: Christine Gallary) These recipes are found in the most convenient of places: right on the back of the box or package! No need to copy the recipe down or try to remember where you saw it — just pick up the package and start cooking. Here are some of our favorite back-of-the-box recipes
Apartment Therapy
Aug 13, 2015
5 Ways to Create Defined Zones in an Open Plan Space
So you have a huge open space on your hands? Great! Not so great is the feeling that it’s just one big, undefined area. Never fear. You can strategically use the things you already have to create separate zones and get your space organized. Try these tricks. Want something to look different than everything around it? Paint it a different color! It’s one of the easiest and fastest ways to create definition. Furniture doesn’t have to stick to the walls!
Jennifer Hunter
Aug 12, 2015
How Many Seats Should Your Living Room Have? Here’s One Rule of Thumb
How many people can you host at once? Two? 10? You’re probably counting sofa cushions right now in your head. The reality is, the “right” number of living room seats is different for everyone, and largely dependent on the amount of space you have available.
Taryn Williford
Aug 12, 2015
The Best Way to Preserve Cilantro
(Image credit: Jayme Henderson) From The Kitchn → Why Freezing Is the Best Way to Preserve Cilantro
Apartment Therapy
Aug 12, 2015
Should You Buy for the House or the Neighborhood?
Q: Hi! So, my partner and I live in the Cleveland area and are running into a few problems as first-time home buyers. We currently rent in an area that has tons of cute neighborhoods and we can walk and bike to our favorite restaurants, coffee shops, and record stores. However, when we look at homes on the high end of our price range to buy, they are shabby, on the outskirts, or would cost quite a bit to fix up.
Tess Wilson
Aug 12, 2015
Before & After: Blank Wall to Besta Bar
With a blank wall and no storage, Jane decided her living room needed a long credenza on a budget. Perennial favorite, IKEA’s BESTA, to the rescue. From Jane: For $290 of IKEA material cost, 6 hours of labor, and some problem solving, we’ve installed a 5 unit IKEA Besta cabinet that doubles as a wine and coffee bar! See step-by-step instructions over on A Taste of Koko. Thank you Jane!
Tara Bellucci
Aug 12, 2015
Hindsight is 20/20: What’s The Worst Decorating Trend from the Past That You Played Along With?
Do you ever look back at old photos and regret everything? Like the bad hair, and the terrible clothes? What about your decor? We want to hear about your past decorating mistakes. The interior moments you might like to burn if you knew they were caught on camera. Maybe it was during your high school years or in the college dorms, or maybe you were a card-carrying adult just going along with the times.
Taryn Williford
Aug 12, 2015
Tonia & Gregory’s Warm Coastal Home
Name: Tonia & Gregory Home and their two sons Location: Prevelly; Margaret River, Western Australia Size: approx. 1,000 square metres (10,764 square feet) Years lived in: 20 years for Gregory, 10 years with Tonia; Owned Upon walking into this home, you immediately feel its warm embrace.
Hayley Kessner
Aug 11, 2015
Isabelle’s West Hollywood Studio
Name: Isabelle E. Location: West Hollywood; Los Angeles, CA Size: 375 square feet Years lived in: 10 months; Rented Until late 2014, Isabelle and her roommate had lived two buildings up from me for years. While I was disappointed to learn that they planned to move into their own places, that sentiment didn’t last long—Isabelle soon found an apartment only a block further up our street.
Elizabeth Backup
Aug 10, 2015
Design Time Capsule: The ’90s in Music Videos
Ah, the ’90s. If you find yourself longing for inflatable furniture, Jnco jeans and the Delia*s catalog (which is back!), might we suggest a little journey down memory lane with these 10 music videos from the 1990’s–one for every year. From grunge to hip-hop to boy band pop hit machines, here are the music videos that totally capture the style of the ’90s. We can shut the list down right now.
Taryn Williford
Aug 10, 2015
Your Best Decor Bets for Battling Beige Walls
Living in a home with beige walls that have to stay beige, for whatever reason? Beige walls do not have to mean boring. In fact, beige can look downright delightful when complemented by the right furnishings. If you’re struggling with a beige wall you don’t love, here are some decor ideas you can try to help make your space go from beige to bold. But before you start: know your beige. Really study your beige in many lights to determine what its undertone is.
Adrienne Breaux
Aug 10, 2015
Don’t Feel Like Cooking Tonight? Here’s Why
(Image credit: Adrienne Breaux) From The Kitchn → Why You Don’t Feel Like Cooking Tonight, and How to Fix It
Apartment Therapy
Aug 10, 2015
Hip, Patterned, Industrial Style in a Montreal Loft
Name: Eloïse and Jose Location: Verdun; Montreal, Canada Size: 1,400 square feet Years lived in: 1 year; Rented It’s always impressive to enter a big, open, high-ceilinged living space, filled with huge windows, abundant natural light, and a massive brick wall. Despite these delightful architectural features, it could be quite challenging to make this type of room feel cozy, balanced, and comfortable, but Jose and Eloïse achieved it by simply using a few helpful tricks.
Marie-Lyne Quirion
Aug 9, 2015
10 DIY Ideas to Decorate, Accessorize & Identify Keys
There are plenty of reasons to decorate your house key. Like if you need to tell it apart from other keys. Or maybe it’s just because you just love a little something extra. Either way, I wouldn’t say these DIY projects are for everyone, but if you’re so inclined, here are 10 easy ways you can jazz up a boring house key. Grab some nail polish and lets get started.
Taryn Williford
Aug 7, 2015
Before & After: Old Radio Sings a New Tune
Though this old radio is showing its age, it was a bargain at $25, especially given its quality (and that it still worked!). Now, to make it beautiful again… From Anna: The speakers were covered in an old and stained fabric which was really an eye sore. We tore those out and decided to replace them with custom laser cut wood panels, which I designed and cut using the awesome laser cutter at my office.
Tara Bellucci
Aug 7, 2015
25 Pantry Staples You Should Buy Generic
(Image credit: Michaela Cisney) From The Kitchn → You Should Buy the Cheap Generic Versions of These 25 Foods
Apartment Therapy
Aug 7, 2015
Natalie and Nick’s Colorful, Playful Melbourne Hideaway
Name: Natalie Jeffcott, Nick Fitzgerald, and Arthur Location: Inner north; Melbourne, Australia Size: 500 square metres (5,382 square feet) Years lived in: 1 year; Owned Natalie, Nick, and their 10-year-old son Arthur are seasoned renovators, re-cyclers, and collectors.
Natalie Jeffcott
Aug 6, 2015
Before & After: Closet Steps Up To Hideaway Playroom
Have you ever seen a closet with steps? This weird feature made it less useful as a storage space, but Aimee’s toddlers were enthralled. So she decided to turn it into playroom, for just a little over $100: From Aimee: Plastic rain gutters on the back wall serve as book shelves. Homemade cushions soften the giant steps. Cheap Ikea frames with free printables were an affordable wall art solution.
Tara Bellucci
Aug 6, 2015
How To Be Roommates With a Best Friend & Survive (With Friendship Intact)
Though it’s universally considered a bad idea from many who have tried it before, moving in with a best friend can sometimes seem like just the thing you need in your life. All the fun you have with your best friend could be 24/7, you think! You’ll be different, you tell yourself. If you’re bound and determined to dive into a living situation with a best friend, consider these tips before you sign the lease. Of course, living with a best friend CAN be a ton of fun.
Adrienne Breaux
Aug 5, 2015
My Most Embarrassing School Lunch
(Image credit: Africa Studio) shutterstock When we had field trips, bringing your own lunch was required. My mom had to figure out what to pack for me, thus resulting in one of my earliest memories: finding the absolute worst thing ever in my lunch bag. From The Kitchn → The Most Embarrassing Thing I Ever
Apartment Therapy
Aug 5, 2015
Rental Red Flags: Watch Out For These 5 Bad Landlord Warning Signs
Even a great rental will be hell if you’re stuck with a bad landlord. Don’t be blindsided by a dud. Heed these warning signs before you commit to a lease and it’s too late. Even if the apartment you tour looks immaculate, be wary if the rest of the building seems surprisingly run down in comparison. What about the landscaping outside, the lounge or the laundry room?
Jennifer Hunter
Aug 5, 2015
What’s the Difference Between Heirloom & Commercial Tomatoes?
(Image credit: keren-seg) shutterstock From The Kitchn → What Does Heirloom Actually Mean?
Apartment Therapy
Aug 5, 2015
Give Up the Guest Room: 5 Other Ideas to Squeeze the Most Use Out of An Extra Bedroom
If you’re lucky enough to have an extra bedroom in your home, you might be getting some familial pressure to have a guest room always at the ready for out-of-towners. An extra bed is never a bad idea, but letting an empty room go to waste the other 51 weeks of the year seems like a shame. Maximize your space by turning that room into one of these things that you can appreciate all the time. Your guests will understand!
Jennifer Hunter
Aug 4, 2015
Partner
Excuse Me While I Take a Nap on This Comfy Couch
Picture it: you’re in your living room with your besties, piled on the sofa for a Friday night movie. You’ve got your sweets, you’ve got your treats, now all you need to do is settle in and watch the original “Ghostbusters” for the twenty millionth time. How exactly are you going to get comfy?
Sponsored Post
Aug 4, 2015
How To Make Homemade Lemonade
(Image credit: Dana Velden) From The Kitchn → How To Make Lemonade from Scratch
Apartment Therapy
Aug 4, 2015
A Small, Sophisticated 468 Square Foot Urban Arizona Studio
Name: Matthew Herbert Location: Downtown Phoenix, AZ Size: 468 square feet Years lived in: 6 Months; Rented When Matt first toured White Stone Studios, he was immediately drawn to the aesthetic; he knew it would highlight his personal style and design choices. His previous apartment was about twice the size of the studio, and downsizing his possessions, he says, has been a refreshing experience.
Lindsey Kay Averill
Aug 3, 2015
Important Questions to Ask Your Wedding Caterer
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From The Kitchn → 15 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Caterer
Apartment Therapy
Aug 3, 2015
Vin’s Very Hands-On Chicago Home
Name: Vin Location: Chicago, Illinois I have always thought of my home as my safe space, and so no matter what the physical space I hope to create something comfortable and something to love. When I bought this condo three years ago, it was nothing like it is now—it was mostly a boring box and the lower level felt outright dingy. With a lot of patience, thought and care it is now a place that is both mine to take care of and takes care of me.
Adrienne Breaux
Aug 2, 2015
5 Small Space Strategies Everyone Should Use (Even If You Have Plenty of Space)
Lots of small space strategies are about so much more than just making it work in an itty bitty box; they’re smart ideas that everyone can use in any space. Try these on for size. Roll your eyes all you want, but remember, clutter can take over and make you crazy. Although we often hear this advice in reference to small spaces where every inch counts, no one in a home of any size should be hanging on to too many things they don’t need.
Jennifer Hunter
Aug 2, 2015
Before & After: Poolhouse Makes a Splash
If my freshman year dorm is any indication, at 18, I probably would’ve decorated this poolhouse in Beatles posters. But Kevin, an Atlanta student, went for a more sophisticated look. From Kevin: For more about this project, check out Thou Swell. Thank you Kevin!
Tara Bellucci
Aug 2, 2015
An Eclectic, Happy Apartment in Paris
Siire and Jean Francois have lived and travelled all over the world, and they recently settled down to raise their young sonin a Haussman-style building in Paris.
Katy Cartland
Aug 2, 2015
Stephanie’s San Francisco Home That Hugs
Name: Stephanie Location: San Francisco, California Size: 850 square feet I once heard someone say your home should feel like a hug at the end of a long day. That simple statement has been the inspiration for my decorating style. It is not easy making a temporary place feel rooted, but I have found it to be the personal details that have turned this apartment into home. I have infused my personality into every nook and cranny.
Adrienne Breaux
Aug 1, 2015
Before & After: Curio Adds Color to a Dining Room
This half-moon curio cabinet was missing veneer and generally showing wear and tear. Lisa saw something in it, and decided it would be perfect to add some color to her dining room. From Lisa: The parts where the veneer was missing were very rough and needed sanding down. The detail across the top was removed because of significant damage — and I liked the clean line better.
Tara Bellucci
Aug 1, 2015