David’s House of Curiosities
Name: David Location: Echo Park/Angelino Heights; Los Angeles, California Size: 1,000 square feet Years lived in: 3 years; Rented On a street filled with beautiful old homes, David has filled one unit of a beautiful old fourplex with every trinket, memento, and piece of quirky art that can fit under one roof.
Sep 18, 2015
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Before & After: See Which Paint Color Lauren Picked
I can’t believe we’re here at last – we’ve finally (after nine years–eek!) finished renovating and decorating the last room in our little Cape Cod home! We saved our own room for last, of course. The kids’ rooms have been beautiful for years, the first floor is completely redone, but our own space has been plain-Jane for as long as I can remember.
Sep 18, 2015
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Yigit Pura’s Modern Condo In The City
Name: Yigit Pura Location: Nob Hill — San Francisco, CA Size: 570 square feet Years lived in: 8 months — own When Yigit decided to take the leap and buy an apartment in the city, he wanted a home that intrigued him every time he walked through the door. Clocking in at just 570 square feet, this one bedroom has a small kitchen, a cool modern bathroom, and a nice view of downtown San Francisco.
Sep 4, 2015
Having These 5 Things in Your Entryway Will Save You Time Every Day
If you’ve been reading Apartment Therapy and participating in the Cure, you know all about the power of a well-organized entryway to help catch clutter and keep your home looking beautiful. But did you know the things you decide to keep by your front door can also save you time every day?
Sep 3, 2015
Michelle’s Warm and Elegant Houston Home
Name: Michelle and Stephen Taussig Location: Garden Oaks; Houston, Texas Size: 2,632 square feet Years lived in: 1 year; Owned Michelle’s home is big, warm, and very beautiful, but it also tells a story — or rather, several. With its mixture of heirlooms, thrifted items, impressive art, and smart design, Michelle’s home is elegant, cozy, and endlessly interesting.
Sep 3, 2015
5 Different Ways to Keep Your Glass Shower Door Clean for Good
There are two types of people in the world: Shower curtain people and glass door people. No matter which you prefer (which do you prefer?), we can all agree that glass shower doors are kind of a pain to keep clean. Here are 5 tips, products and solutions that make it a cinch to keep your shower door spotless around the clock. Without a doubt, this is the most effective way to keep a clean glass shower, but it’s also the most demanding.
Sep 1, 2015
Fact or Fiction: You Can Revive an Overripe Banana With a Hairdryer
(Image credit: Kelli Foster) From The Kitchn → Can You Really Revive an Overripe Banana with a Hair Dryer?
Sep 1, 2015
A Dreamy, Rustic, Eclectic 1729 Yorkshire Farmhouse
Aug 31, 2015
3 Ways to Save Your Memories (So You Can Let Go of the Actual Things)
One of the our biggest emotional blocks against reducing clutter is nostalgia! We want to keep remembering the great things that happened to us while wearing that sweater or the time in our lives when we loved those plates, so we hang on to stuff that we no longer need. But guess what? You don’t need the actual items to keep those great memories at the front of your mind. Try these ideas.
Aug 30, 2015
10 Things in Your Home You Should Toss by the End of Summer
Spring cleaning is overrated, y’all. The best time to purge around the house is right now. The end of carefree summer offers the perfect framework to really re-assess your needs and determine exactly what products, items and pantry staples you want to bring with you into fall. If you need a jump start on the Autumn Ablution (we’re trying to make it happen), here are 10 things around the house you should throw away by the end of summer.
Aug 30, 2015
Our Best Tips & Inspiration for Dealing with Low Ceilings
A lot of the spaces that we feature on Apartment Therapy have gorgeous, soaring ceilings. “Sure,” I hear you say, “it’s easy to make a space look good when your ceiling are 14 feet tall.” But what if your living space is a little humbler, with ceilings no higher than the standard eight feet? There are still things you can do to make your home look fantastic — and spacious to boot. Here are four ideas, with plenty of (low-ceilinged) examples to inspire. 1.
Aug 30, 2015
Joyce’s “Bohemian Wonderland”
Name: Joyce Location: Los Angeles, CA My little house is my ultimate happy place! I work in the interior design field so the aesthetic of my home and the state of my surroundings are very important to me. Before finding this little gem I was living in an apartment building and yearned for an entertainment space- somewhere that looked out into lush greenery. I couldn’t have gotten more lucky! It’s a bohemian wonderland with a porch that wraps around to reveal a romantic hammock.
Aug 30, 2015