Karla’s Dream Home
Name: Karla Location: Menasha, Wisconsin My husband and I live in a 1400 sq. ft home of our dreams. Often, the running joke from friends is, “have you left your house this weekend?”. The reality is we love our home and it is hard to leave. We were fortunate enough to find an architect who listened to “we-are-on-a-very-tight-budget-can-you-really-make-this-happen?” and he did (thanks Matt!).
Sep 17, 2015
6 Tips for Organizing Your Refrigerator
Sep 17, 2015
4 Highly Effective Ways to Make Your Home Look More Expensive
You’re getting older, and your secondhand furniture is, too. While you may feel like you’re outgrowing your taste, don’t make a knee-jerk reaction and drop major bucks to redecorate your whole house with more grown-up gear (you know, the kind you don’t have to assemble yourself). There’s a secret to looking expensive on the cheap: Restraint. Don’t replace everything. Just replace one thing.
Sep 17, 2015
Turn Up the Awesome: A Weekend’s Worth of Easy, Effective Closet Upgrades
As we turn the corner into the second (and final) weekend of the Closet Cure, I’m hoping you are feeling proud of yourself. You should be! It’s not easy to sort through and pare down your stuff; and you’ve done plenty of that this past week. Now its time to double down on the hard work you’ve already done and make the most of the physical space of your closets and drawers. We have a weekend ahead, so lets make the most of it!
Sep 17, 2015
9 Ways to Be a Well-Mannered Coffee Shop Customer
(Image credit: Linh Nguyen) cc by-nd 2.0 From The Kitchn → 9 Ways to Practice Good Manners at the Coffee Shop
Sep 17, 2015
Maria and Tristan’s Colorful, Art Filled Home
Name: Maria and Tristan Location: Chicago, Illinois My husband Tristan and I have shared this classic Chicago graystone apartment together for a little over 3 years. It is roughly 1,200 sq. ft. with 3 bedrooms and 1 bath, featuring a giant kitchen, and separate dining room. We moved here from a very small garden apartment with low ceilings and little light, so we instantly fell in love with the 12’ ceilings, giant windows, and nearly double the floor space.
Sep 16, 2015
11 Essential Items (Under $25) for Your Home
Sep 16, 2015
The Final Sort: Socks and Tights and Bras, Oh My
We’re more than halfway through the Cure (Assignment #6, so only 4 more to go, woo) and today is your final day of sorting (can I get an amen?). You’ve already done the heavy lifting when it comes to paring down, and I tried to save the fastest, easiest-to-sort stuff for last; the things that are often easiest to let go of and to replace: lingerie/underwear, workout wear, pjs, socks and tights. Be ruthless!
Sep 16, 2015
Faking an Entryway in a Small Space: 6 Strategies That Really Work
Don’t have an actual entryway? You’re not alone. Small space dwellers and those with modern homes that didn’t build an entryway into the floor plan all suffer from being dumped right into a living room and not having a proper introduction to a home (not to mention a spot to store day-to-day items you need easy access to).
Sep 16, 2015
Shelly & Curt’s Modern Tastes Meet Family Practicality
Name: Shelly Klein, Curt Wozniak, twins Marty and Nora, dog Sugar and cat Ben Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan Size: 3,000 square feet Years lived in: 11 years; owned I arrive at Shelly and Curt’s house on a Sunday morning. Shelly greets me at the door and explains that Curt took the kids out for breakfast. She tours me through the house and I feel a calm, quiet easiness in each room. Perhaps it’s the white paint, white furniture and abundant natural light.
Sep 16, 2015
20 Bacon-Centric Recipes You Need in Your Life
(Image credit: Emma Christensen) From The Kitchn → 20 Important Recipes Starring Bacon
Sep 16, 2015
Stay Strong: Sorting Shoes & Bags
I love shoes. You love shoes. Everyone loves shoes. Which is why maybe we just might own too many pairs. (Shocking, I know.) And, I’m pretty sure that some of you might be in the same boat when it comes to bags. These are the fun, fashionable yet practical items that are so easy to add to your wardrobe, they seem to magically multiply on their own. Well, it’s time to channel your inner sorting superhero and stay strong: today is the day to tackle the hard-to-let-go-of shoes and bags.
Sep 15, 2015
Eric’s Converted Bath House
Name: Eric Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania My place is a converted Bath House – Built at the end of the 19th century, It was part of the Philadelphia Baths Association until it’s closing in 1947. It was then a Glass manufacturing building until it was used for “local transient activities.” We are its first-ever tenants.
Sep 15, 2015
Design Dictionary: Do You Know These 25 Obscure Architecture Terms?
Hobbies come with their own lingo. And around here–while we’re huge into design and life at home–we still find that some terms escape us. Architecture pros will know what an “oriel” is, but the rest of us? Time to brush up. Along with definitions and photos from Wikipedia, here are 25 obscure design and architecture terms you might not know. The dado is the lower part of a wall, below the dado rail and above the skirting board.
Sep 15, 2015
11 Inspiring Bohemian Bedrooms
If your decorating style veers toward the eclectic, and your idea of ‘cozy’ includes layers upon layers of textiles and patterns, you’ll love these 11 sleeping spaces with a distinctly bohemian vibe. This bedroom, from an Australian home spotted on HomeLife, is simultaneously eclectic and relaxing. A beamed ceiling and tile floor add texture to a space from World of Interiors via Introducing New Worlds with a Shrug. A textured space with black accents from Design Milk.
Sep 15, 2015
Rachael & Joe’s Sleepy Minimalism with Monumental Views
Name: Joe & Rachael Ringenberg, daughters Lux & Joan Location: Beacon Hill; Boston, MA Size: 950 square feet Years lived in: 2 years; Rented Rachael, of Erstwhile Dear, and Joe Ringenberg, a product designer for Wistia, live in this intimate Beacon Hill apartment with their daughters, Lux and Joan. The couple has honed in on a sleepy-minimalist scheme that reflects the abundance of natural light, transforming the attic space into an airy, lived-in nest.
Sep 15, 2015
Fuel Your Workout With These Healthy Snacks
(Image credit: Megan Gordon) From The Kitchn → The 5 Most Satisfying Snacks That Fuel My Workouts
Sep 15, 2015
Calling All Closet Curers: A Chance to Catch Up and Drop Off the Dry Cleaning
Happy Monday! After a very ambitious and busy start to the Closet Cure (and with plenty more to come), today is a well earned day away from all the sorting and decision-making – and a chance for anyone who is feeling behind to get caught up with the assignments.
Sep 14, 2015
Peach & Craig’s Peaceful Australia Abode
Name: Rachel (Peach) & Craig Woods and their three children Location: Dunsborough, Western Australia Size: 300 square metres (3230 square feet) Years lived in: 3 years; Owned When Peach and Craig first bought this house in the coastal town of Dunsborough, south of Perth, it had been seemingly untouched since the 1970s.
Sep 14, 2015
Cat’s Light Filled Downtown Loft
Name: Cat Location: Downtown Los Angeles, California My fiancé Alex and I live in the heart of DTLA’s historic core, a step away from all our favorite bars and restaurants. We love the excitement and bustling energy of this reviving community, but it’s nice being able to escape into our calm, monochromatic oasis. Our loft is less than 800 square feet in size but the high ceilings and large private outdoor terrace make the space feel airy and spacious.
Sep 14, 2015
Advice For An Oven-Free But Otherwise Perfect Apartment?
Q: After two months of apartment hunting, I finally saw an apartment today that I absolutely loved. It’s in one of my favorite neighborhoods for a very affordable price (all utilities included, and central heat/AC to boot!). It’s 1,000 square feet and has modern finishes, gorgeous hardwood floors, and in-unit laundry.
Sep 14, 2015
A Guide to Your Chewiest Brownies Yet
(Image credit: Kelli Foster) From The Kitchn → How To Make Chewy Brownies
Sep 14, 2015
James’ Handmade Highland Park Home
Name: James Burial and his adorable dog, Penny Location: Highland Park; Los Angeles, California Size: 600 square feet Years lived in: 9 months; Rented I met James a couple years ago at SHOPCLASS, where he runs the show in all things vintage. I figured he had a fond appreciation and awe for mid-century furnishings and details from decades past, and once I heard that he’d handmade his own dining table and chairs, I knew I had to invite myself over for a tour. I’m so happy he said yes.
Sep 13, 2015
Amazing Architecture: London’s 2015 Serpentine Pavillion
My parents were in town the other week, so on a particularly beautiful September Sunday, my mum and I headed to Hyde Park to visit this year’s Serpentine Pavilion. The yearly structure is an event in the architecture world, as well as in the London cultural scene. (I previously wrote about London’s 2013 Serpentine Gallery Pavilion and, I must say, it’s still my favorite one.
Sep 12, 2015
Pamela’s Sunny California Beach House
Name: Pamela Salzman Location: Manhattan Beach, California Size: 3,850 square feet Years lived in: 9 years; Custom built, designed and own When I was invited to shoot Pamela Salzman’s gorgeous home in Manhattan Beach, I jumped at the opportunity. She and her family love living in this incredible two-story home equipped with a kitchen to die for! Pamela is an established food blogger who offers incredible recipes through cooking classes and custom-designed menus for one-on-one clients.
Sep 12, 2015
6 Ways To Unclog A Toilet Without A Plunger
Don't let a bathroom flood happen on your watch.
Sep 12, 2015
Divide & Conquer: The Big Bad Clothes Sorting Weekend
Welcome to the first full weekend of the Closet Cure! The next assignment won’t be sent out until Monday, so you’ve got three days to get lots of good curing in. If you haven’t gotten started yet, no worries – this is your chance to get on board and catch up with the group. Now that you’ve walked through the sorting process with your sweaters, it’s time to work your clothing assessment magic on some other key sections of your wardrobe.
Sep 11, 2015
Here Are 10 Things You Could Get Rid of Today (and Never Miss)
After a while, you get so accustomed to seeing the things in your home that you tend to gloss over cluttered spaces because they seem normal. So we’re getting really, really specific. Are you guilty of storing any of these things that you don’t want or need? The groceries are long gone; their day is done. Is your linen closet keeping up with your furniture? Why are you still storing that frizz-inducing shampoo?
Sep 11, 2015
A Super Simple Trick for Keeping Your Take Out Food Warm Until You’re Ready to Eat
(Image credit: Zoeytoja) shutterstock From The Kitchn → The Best Way to Keep Takeout Food Warm Until You’re Ready to Eat
Sep 11, 2015
Why Does Getting Rid of Stuff Feel So Good?
Many of us strive for a more simplified life, in which what surrounds us are things we either truly love or truly need, preferably both. To arrive at — and to maintain — such a lifestyle, we have to get rid of things, whether it’s in one fell swoop or in small doses. While it feels like a big mountain to climb, getting rid of things ultimately feels sooo good. Here’s why. Physical space and mental space go hand-in-hand.
Sep 10, 2015
10 Everyday Items Under $25 Everyone Needs At Home
There are a handful of products I use at home every single day. I don’t always think to sing their praises, and often forget they are there. But they are essentials nonetheless, without which I’d be decidedly unhappier. Here’s a list of ten non-flashy, basic things I can’t live without. My friend Michelle introduced me to Salux, a brand of Japanese wash cloths, and I am addicted.
Sep 10, 2015
Tips for Cleaning Grout
Sep 10, 2015
Slimming Down Your Sweater Collection
I live in Chicago so layers are a lovely fact of life here. Sweaters are both a fashion opportunity and a warmth necessity and while there’s no reason to fight it, that doesn’t mean all knitwear is good knitwear. It can get pilly, shrunken, holey and plain old worn out. Today, we’re going to start the Closet Cure off in a relatively small and manageable way and sort through just your sweaters. Let’s go.
Sep 10, 2015
IKEA + Contact Paper = DIY Magic
There are so many ways to customize your IKEA furniture, but here’s one that’s really, really easy: contact paper. And lest you were convinced that contact paper is weird and tacky and always looks terrible, these ten projects are here to prove you wrong. Above: Blogger Jonathan Lo, of Happy Mundane, bought his IKEA desk in a birch finish, but wanted something a little darker that would match his vintage midcentury furniture.
Sep 10, 2015
Tips for Being Polite & Honest When Talking to Someone About Their Cooking
(Image credit: Gabriela Herman) From The Kitchn → 4 Things to Say When You Don’t Know What to Say About Someone’s Cooking
Sep 10, 2015
The 5 Unexpected Benefits of Rearranging a Room
If your furniture is in the same spot it’s been since you moved in, it might be time to shake things up a bit. Rearranging your room’s layout has a way of freshening up a space and giving you new life at home. There’s also a handful of benefits to a layout shake-up that you might not have ever expected… That sofa that hasn’t moved in millennia?
Sep 9, 2015
Bags, Boxes & Big Plans: Getting Ready to Get Organized
Today is the day to get ready for the big closet and wardrobe cleanout that you know you are going to be so happy to be on the other side of. And you know that anything worth doing is worth doing well. And you know that the best way to do something well is to have a plan in place, prepare what you need to follow that plan and then just do it (and don’t give up; but of course, you aren’t going to do that, especially if you are prepared!).
Sep 9, 2015
Shelley’s Slice of France in Melbourne
Name: Shelley Collins, Mali, Emile, and Barkley the Wonder-Dog Location: Clifton Hill; Melbourne, Australia Size: 90 square meters (968.7 square feet) Years lived in: 13 years; Owned Before we start a home tour inside Shelley’s light-filled home, we need to go back to a restaurant in San Francisco in 1996. It was here that Shelley and her then-partner Stephan first saw the large-scale, vintage French posters which have driven her decorating style and led her into a life of collecting.
Sep 9, 2015
Lara’s Tucked-Away Creative Haven
Name: Lara Linn Location: Newport, Rhode Island Size: 320 square feet Years lived in: 4 months; Rented Lara knew it was time to find a space outside of her Warm, Welcoming Newport Apartment to tackle her many creative projects when she found herself surrounded by over 300 marshmallows in her small one-bedroom home. She was using them to construct a whimsical curtain for a winter white event, and they took over the counters, floors, and even her bed for two weeks.
Sep 9, 2015
How to Deal With Greywater Toilet?
Q: The apartment complex I live in gets kudos for recycling water- water used for bathing, cooking, washing, and cleaning flows down the drain, gets treated, and is then stored in a separate tank used exclusively for flushing toilets. While I applaud the initiative, the water is not completely treated (hence not reused for any other purpose than flushing) and is greyish black in appearance and leaves severe streaks on the toilet.
Sep 9, 2015
Mark Maček’s Modern, Warm & Woodsy
Name: Woodworker and craftsman Mark Maček, his lovely wife Pamela Peltz and three adorable cats Location: Gullet Gardens — East Austin, Texas Size: 1500 square feet Years lived in: 7 1/2 years — owned Mark Maček’s first impression upon seeing a tiny photo of the exterior of this house in the MLS listing was that this looked like a “house.” An archetypal structure, with a gable roof and a homey feeling. Like what you think of when you think of “home.
Sep 8, 2015
Liz & Adam’s Eclectic Home With a Modern Sensibility (and a Treehouse!)
Name: Adam Dunetz, Liz Karney, daughter Frida, and dogs Franks and Louie Location: Northampton, MA Size: 2,000 square feet Years lived in: 3.5; Owned When I first walked into Sticks and Bricks of Northampton Massachusetts, I immediately wondered what the owner’s home must look like. The shop was a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind-furniture made from old, under-used, and reclaimed materials.
Sep 8, 2015
The Ten Minute Bathroom Clutter Cleanout
Storage space in the bathroom is always at a premium, and if you’re like most people, your bathroom is probably full of things you don’t really use. The good news is that cleaning all that stuff out doesn’t have to be time-consuming or involve a lot of agonizing decisions. Just take ten minutes and follow this handy guide. Here are a few things that have no place in your bathroom: 1. Towels that have seen better days.
Sep 8, 2015
It’s Not Too Late! Make This Pitcher Cocktail for Your Labor Day Party Today
(Image credit: Maureen Petrosky) From The Kitchn → Pitcher Cocktail for Your Labor Day Party: Sparkling Cojit
Sep 7, 2015
Danielle & Mark’s Modern & Laid-Back West End Loft
Name: Danielle Suppa & Mark James Location: Toronto; Ontario, Canada Size: 1,200 square feet Years lived in: 3 years; Owned This loft is home to Danielle and Mark, a creative and sporty duo, and is located in Toronto’s emerging West End. The building was originally the manufacturing portion of an early 19th century train factory and was converted into a residential space in 2008.
Sep 6, 2015
Ann’s East Village Aerie
Name: Ann Mack Designer: Christina Love Location: East Village — New York, New York Size: 500 square feet Years lived in: 7 — rented Call it the six-ish year itch. After as many years in one place, Ann wanted a clean slate, to banish the shadows and let in the light.
Sep 5, 2015
7 Big-Impact Things You Can Do for Your Home Today That Won’t Cost a Darn Thing
While huge chunks of cash and time spent on your home can certainly alter the look and feel of it for the better, such an investment doesn’t have to be made every time your home needs an aesthetic boost. These seven great things you can do for your house today will make it look and feel better — and it won’t cost you a penny. Homes can get stuffy.
Sep 5, 2015
Jenia & Sergey’s Victorian Row House
Name: Jenia and Sergey Location: Bloomingdale; Washington, D.C. Size: 1,600 square feet Years lived in: 5 years; Owned Jenia and Sergey bought this Victorian row house in D.C.’s Bloomingdale neighborhood five years ago. They’ve spent the intervening years giving it love: tearing up carpet, painting the walls, gutting the kitchen and bathrooms, and documenting it all on their home renovation blog, Victorian in Bloom.
Sep 5, 2015