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The Latest: Jul 2016

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.
Small bedroom with teal walls, white bedding, oval mirror, and bedside table with lamp and photo frame.
Before & After: A Dark Master Bedroom Brightens Up
Amanda writes: “When we first bought the house, I painted our bedroom this deep, dark teal. I had rented so long, I just wanted to cover every surface with paint and wallpaper! While a pretty color, it made our room very depressing, dark, and cave-like.” When our contractor was taking out the walls and ceilings, we realized we had an awesome pitch to the ceiling. We decided to keep it lofty, and add a faux beam. This room is now so light and airy.
Marisa Vitale
Jul 16, 2016
Before & After: A Sticker-Covered Cabinet Gets Sophisticated
If a cabinet can survive years of kid style wear and tear, you know you’ve got a sturdy piece of furniture on your hands. After removing any trace of Brontosauruses and sharks, Rosa set to work giving this old cabinet new life. From Rosa: This cabinet was purchased about 25 years ago in a thrift store to use in a child’s room. It was covered with stickers of animals, surfboards and all kinds of kid stuff.
Nora Taylor
Jul 16, 2016
Secrets to Effortless Style from Stunning Spanish Homes
Colorful patterned tile floors, tons of plants and gorgeous natural light—I have been in awe of the stunning Spanish homes we’ve featured on Apartment Therapy. They aren’t just inspiring to look at (and feel envious of), they hold secrets of decorating effortlessly—things you can incorporate into your own home (even if you don’t live in Spain). Some Spanish homes have jaw-dropping tiled floors in every room of the house.
Adrienne Breaux
Jul 15, 2016
16 Kitchens that Skipped the Reno and Embraced Vintage Vibes
The vintage kitchen features that came with your house or rental—old appliances, dated fixtures, interesting floor materials—aren’t always the choices you would have made if you had designed from scratch. But if you don’t have the money to renovate (or you rent and can’t) or don’t want to renovate, choose to work with your vintage features, not fight against them! These sixteen kitchens get it right.
Adrienne Breaux
Jul 15, 2016
A Colorful and Charming Montreal Craftsman
Name: Vanessa Location: Montréal-West — Québec, Canada Our home is a Craftsman style semi-detached brownstone built in 1926. The character and charm of the house’s architectural details are what sold us when we purchased it three years ago. The previous owners made us PROMISE that we would never paint over the woodwork or coffered ceilings as they were original features of the home.
Nora Taylor
Jul 15, 2016
Cooke = Biscuit and Other Words & Phrases to Know Before You Watch The Great British Baking Show
(Image credit: Courtesy of The Great British Bake Off) From The Kitchn → 20 Words and Phrases to Know Before You Watch The Great British Baking Show
Apartment Therapy
Jul 15, 2016
The Minimalist’s Approach to Maximum Color: 10 Unexpected Spots to Add a Touch of Paint
There are two ways to work dramatic color into your home: Go for the whole wall, or use little splashes of color for a big effect. The latter takes much less time to achieve and is considerably cheaper (many of the ideas ahead call for just a sample pot of paint), yet it can still create an eye-catching display. The best part of painting a smaller area? It’s much easier to paint over if you change your mind or when it’s time to move out.
Katie Holdefehr
Jul 15, 2016
Partner
10 Off-Campus Apartment Essentials — And a Giveaway!
Prize: Dining table and four matching chairs, sleeper sofa/futon, bed frame and mattress, side table, coffee table Value: $1,500 From: DHP With the school year just around the corner, many bright-eyed undergraduates are about to get a crash course in living off-campus and on their own. (Lesson 1: Pizza boxes cannot double as coffee tables.) Moving from the dorm to the apartment complex can be scary — meal plan, we hardly knew ye! — but a few versatile essentials will go a long way.
Sponsored Post
Jul 15, 2016
5 GIFs That Might Help You Figure Out What to Do With That Blank Wall
A blank wall can be an inspiring canvas waiting to painted with your style—or it can be a stop-you-in-your-tracks source of indecision. Let’s push past the wondering and see how various ideas work. Inside this post: the same empty wall filled with a variety of design elements, from paint to pattern to art and more. See how different decor choices affect the look and feel of a room.
Adrienne Breaux
Jul 14, 2016
European Style Meets Bohemian Chic in a London Apartment
While I love minimal, white-walled interiors with occasional bursts of color just as much as the next person, every once in a while it’s nice to spot something different — like this Little Venice apartment by Sera of London. It’s a little bit Bohemian, a little bit Miss Havisham, a little bit crumbly European chic, wholly different, and wholly refreshing.
Nancy Mitchell
Jul 14, 2016
5 Healthy Home Strategies Learned from French Women
The Kitchn Editors
Jul 14, 2016
5 Steps for Making the Most of Eggplant
(Image credit: raifu/shutterstock) From The Kitchn → 5 Ways to Fall in Love with Eggplant
Apartment Therapy
Jul 14, 2016
A 2-Hour After-Work Clean Routine to Maximize Your Summer Fridays
Abbreviated summer hours are a great perk in any workplace; they offer you the chance to get out of the cubicle and kick off your weekend early to enjoy some of the great weather. Or—hear me out on this—you could take advantage of the extra free time on summer fridays to get a head start on housework.
Taryn Williford
Jul 13, 2016
Where We Create: A Look Inside Real Life Craft Rooms & Art Studios
You have to consider organization, tools, storage and work surfaces when designing your art studio, creative home office, or craft corner. But beyond just the practical are ineffable qualities that make rooms conducive for creativity. In this post: Gorgeous spaces with great ideas for sparking creativity and creating a space that functions for your craft. Fresh white walls, a big work surface in the center of the room and everything in its place (and place for everything).
Adrienne Breaux
Jul 13, 2016
Declutter (In a Big Way!) by Asking Yourself One Simple Question
I recently moved to a new place, and most of my things came with me. The moving process gave me a much-needed opportunity to survey the things I own and decide if I wanted to keep them and bring them to the new place, or find a new home for them (which, yeah, includes the trash can in a few instances). It was tough to decide what would stay and what would go, but one question helped me along the way: Imagine you’re in a store, holding the object in your hand.
Taryn Williford
Jul 13, 2016
A Homey Williamsburg “Sanctuary”
Name: Sunny Location: Williamsburg — Brooklyn, New York I moved into this apartment in 2009 with a roommate when I was 26, needless to say it has gone through MANY changes, from bad vintage furniture to a lace teepee in the middle of the living room, to finally, my little sanctuary that I call home. My husband and I share this modest 700 square foot, two bedroom apartment and I love coming home to it.
Nora Taylor
Jul 13, 2016
Before & After: Populating a Patio
First, let’s just take a moment to admire that view. Alright now we can talk about the patio. Silvia’s patio was the perfect blank canvas for some truly dramatic design, and she was totally up to the challenge. Check it out! From Silvia: A gorgeous new face for a old and slipshod terrace. It was totally refurbished with wall paint, wood decking, two dark gray panels (Pircher) and a modern Gandia Blasco outdoor set. Thank you, Silvia!
Nora Taylor
Jul 13, 2016
Yes, Concrete in the Kitchen Can Be Gorgeous (and Pink!)
Concrete might seem like an unusual choice for your kitchen, but given the right setting, its rustic, textured look can set just the right tone. Or it can be pink. Alex McCabe, co-founder of beloved Aussie brand Kip&Co, has a kitchen in her Melbourne home that’s as fun as her company’s bedding. Not only does it have glamorous brass cabinets and a standout quartzite backsplash, the island is pink concrete!
Nancy Mitchell
Jul 12, 2016
25 Dinner- Worthy Salads
(Image credit: Michaela Cisney) From The Kitchn → 25 Ways to Eat Salad for Dinner Tonight
Apartment Therapy
Jul 12, 2016
An Empty Balcony Turned “Calm and Peaceful Corner”
Name: Sidra Location: Drogheda — County Louth, Ireland My balcony was the absolute emptiest space of my apartment. Since it is uncovered it was used for basically nothing. When I decided to turn it into a garden, I wanted to create a calm and peaceful corner for myself where I could enjoy a book in the afternoon or a cup of tea in the evening. I wanted my garden to have an organic, relaxed vibe. So I naturally gravitated towards the Zen style of garden.
Nora Taylor
Jul 12, 2016
7 French Fridge Essentials
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From The Kitchn → 7 Things Nearly Every French Cook Has in Her Fridge
Apartment Therapy
Jul 12, 2016
A Bright & Beautiful Forever Home
Name: Tracey and Ruben Location: Loganville, Georgia Our 1,600 square foot apartment was featured as a House Call two years ago. In May of this year we purchased a 2,900 square foot home, our forever home, and we didn’t buy a thing! Not one piece of furniture. The only thing we’ve had to purchase are window treatments. Our new home has a ton of windows and a lot of natural light and we love it!
Nora Taylor
Jul 11, 2016
Partner
Shades of Change: 3 Color Palettes for Setting Up a Living Room
There’s nothing like the rush of finding your first-love home — the one where you can be yourself, make your own rules, and pick your own paint colors. Or maybe you’re lucky enough to have found your forever home — the one where all those pinboards can finally go from inspiration to installation.
Sponsored Post
Jul 11, 2016
A Warm & Personal Apartment on a Man-Made Island
Name: Farida Location: IJburg — Amsterdam, Netherlands I live on the man-made island of IJburg, developed on reclaimed land in the former lake IJmeer. There is one bridge connecting IJburg to the rest of Amsterdam. The first residents moved to the neighborhood in 2002. I moved here in 2005, to a newly built apartment (900 square feet). I love living here because of the modern architecture, proximity to the lake and back in 2005 it was affordable to buy an apartment.
Nora Taylor
Jul 9, 2016
Before & After: A Thrifty & Whimsical Bookshelf Makeover
When bookshelves are in OK shape, it can be so tempting to leave them as is. After all, you’re just going to cover them with with books and tchotchkes, right? Sahana had to go and overachieve by putting curtains AND wallpaper on her total steal of a bookshelf duo. From Sahana: We recently moved from New York to North Carolina. While we were hunting for some furniture, we got an awesome deal of two bookshelves for $20.
Nora Taylor
Jul 9, 2016
Calling All Renters: Easy & Reversible Ways to Add Style to Your Bathroom (This Weekend!)
Rental bathrooms are notoriously plagued by ugly (or just plain dated) design decisions. The good news is, there are some simple, reversible ways to cover up what you hate most about this room and add your own style to the space. Introducing color and pattern where you can, and choosing attractive storage lets you put your own touch on a temporary home. It may sound obvious, but in a small rental bathroom, the shower curtain is the first thing you should switch out.
Katie Holdefehr
Jul 8, 2016
Before & After: A Truly Amazing Tile Turnaround
It’s kind of hard to believe that this is the same bathroom and even harder to believe that this was a DIY project without any major renovating. Lauren’s paint game is truly next level. From Lauren: I am so excited to share this DIY labor of love. We moved into our house in upstate New York seven months ago. After spending all our money on the bones, we had pocket change left for changes and renovations. Luckily, I was happy with almost everything, except the first floor bath.
Nora Taylor
Jul 8, 2016
An Abundance of Art in an Italian Apartment
Name: Veronica Location: Vicenza, Italy Hi! I’m Veronica! I’ve lived with my husband Giuseppe and our cat Spulcy in our rented apartment for almost ten years. Our home is located in the heart of Vicenza, a city in Palladio in the north of Italy. I’m a designer in an artisanal leather factory and a visual artist. Giuseppe is a teacher of graphic design and an artist as well. Our style is eclectic, a little boho, and we love to customize our furniture and walls.
Nora Taylor
Jul 8, 2016
25 Creatives Share Their Go-To Pints of Ice Cream
(Image credit: Samantha Bolton) From The Kitchn → 25 Creative People Share Their Favorite Pints of Ice Cream
Apartment Therapy
Jul 8, 2016
Partner
5 Ways to Bring Home the Beach: City-Meets-Sea Bedroom Blues
You know that pair of jeans you pack on every beach trip that are so well worn it’s like they were custom-made for your fit? Or that tissue-thin T-shirt that’s so soft it’s the only thing you can wear when you’re sunburned? What you want from your most comfortable clothes isn’t so different from what you want in a bed. For a room that feels so relaxed it’s like you’re on vacation 365 days a year, try these 5 tips.
Sponsored Post
Jul 8, 2016
7 Great Grilling Tips
(Image credit: Wanchai/Shutterstock) From The Kitchn → 7 Tips That Will Help You Grill Like a Pro
Apartment Therapy
Jul 8, 2016
This Tiny Swedish Studio is Everything You Could Want in an Apartment
Even though I now have the tiny, perfect apartment of my dreams, I haven’t stopped being fascinated with other people’s tiny, perfect apartments. And I’m particularly drawn to this apartment in Stockholm, which despite measuring only 193 square feet manages to be everything you want an apartment to be: airy, stylish, cozy, comfortable.
Nancy Mitchell
Jul 7, 2016
A Charming Maryland Home (With an Enviable Chair Collection)
Name: Annie & Rush Location: Riverdale Park, Maryland I’m in public relations and Rush is an artist. We live in Riverdale Park, Maryland in a 1904 rambler with our cat, Osmond. Our neighborhood is in Prince George’s County, an inner-Beltway suburb of D.C. where we were both born and raised, so when we decided to buy a house it naturally felt like home. We bought our house in 2015 after months of hunting for an affordable apartment. Rents in the D.C.
Nora Taylor
Jul 7, 2016
Before & After: Annikki’s Living Room Brightener
I know Annikki personally, so I was particularly excited when I found out that she and her husband were not only expecting a baby, they were also figuring out ways to get their new home ready despite their old furniture. Of big concern was the living room, where their “gloomy” seal brown leather wanted an upgrade. With one stroke, they needed to transform this room.
Maxwell Ryan
Jul 7, 2016
Partner
A Dog’s Eye View of Aspen’s Comfy, Sunny Brooklyn Abode
Name: Aspen, Huskie/Collie Roommates: Ariel and Andrew Pietrobono Location: Park Slope, Brooklyn Size: 600 square feet Years lived together: 2 years Aspen has lived with siblings Ariel and Andrew ever since Andrew fell in love with the pup at a shelter. The three roommates’ Park Slope apartment is cheerful and warm, with plenty of features that Aspen loves — including a long fetch court/hallway — and some touches to keep his humans happy, too. (Hello, natural light!
Sponsored Post
Jul 7, 2016
Before & After: A Dark Brooklyn Kitchen Gets a Lighter Touch
After living with the dark, dated kitchen in his Ditmas Park apartment for a while (and spending countless hours watching HGTV), Blane decided it was time for a change. On his wish list: lighter cabinets, to brighten up the space, and an island with a worktop, to turn the kitchen’s less-than-ideal L shape into something more user-friendly.
Nancy Mitchell
Jul 7, 2016
A Crisp & Classic Canadian Apartment
Name: Ana Maria Location: Ottawa — Ontario, Canada I own an 800 square foot condo in the heart of downtown Ottawa. I have lived in the unit for exactly three years as of today. I purchased the unit for its open concept style and spacious rooms which makes it feel larger than it actually is. I was also attracted to the condo’s classic and high quality finishes that don’t go out of style. My decor style is classic rather than trendy.
Nora Taylor
Jul 6, 2016
Partner
Morty the Bulldog’s Remarkable Riverside Retreat
Name: Mortimer (Morty), Australian Bulldog Roommate: Danielle Berger Location: Upper West Side, New York, by way of Sydney, Australia Size: 640 square feet Years lived together: Since he was a tiny chubby puppy. Now he’s a rotund 8-year-old! Morty might be Australian by birth, but he’s a New Yorker at heart. His subtly chic Upper West Side digs are the perfect match to his personality: clean, comfortable, and just a bit quirky.
Sponsored Post
Jul 6, 2016
A Baltimore Loft Full of Art & Light
Name: Nicole & Dave Location: Baltimore, Maryland Nicole and Dave are an artist and designer couple who discovered this hidden 900 square foot gem nestled in South Baltimore. Previously a box factory, the industrial-chic apartment boasts one bedroom, one bathroom and a studio with high ceilings and plenty of natural light. The space was furnished with modern pieces and a growing art collection that play off of the bold window lines and brick work.
Nora Taylor
Jul 5, 2016
8 Ways to Clear the Clutter and Create Counter Space in a Tiny Kitchen
(Image credit: Lauren Kolyn) From The Kitchn → 8 Ways to Create Extra Counter Space in a Tiny Kitchen
Apartment Therapy
Jul 5, 2016
No Guest Room? 5 Tricks to Make Visitors Feel at Home
The summer is prime hosting season, but the reality is, many of us don’t have the luxury of owning a guest room to offer to friends and family when they pass through town. Yet even in a small space, there are simple ways to make overnight guests feel more comfortable and welcome in your home—even if they’re just crashing on the couch.
Katie Holdefehr
Jul 5, 2016
Partner
Pimm the Pup’s Quirky Upper East Side Duplex
Name: Pimm, Mutt and “Ladypup” Roommates: Stacie and Sean Location: Upper East Side, New York Apartment size: 500 square feet Years lived together: Just over a year It’s easy to see why Pimm loves her eclectic Yorkville duplex shared with her humans, Stacie and Sean, so much. With an open circular layout and no doors, she has the freedom to run around as she pleases. And she does. A lot.
Sponsored Post
Jul 5, 2016
Everyday Savings: Simple Tips to Extend the Life of Your Kitchen Sponge
Nobody likes to throw away money. Even though kitchen sponges are, like, 50¢ a piece, there are still some small, simple habits you can do to squeeze more mileage out of your most hardworking kitchen tool. Ta da! Instantly, your tools last twice as long. Chances are, a smaller sponge can still tackle all your normal use with finesse. In fact, it might make it easier to get into tight nooks. Get yourself a sponge holder that will keep your sponge upright and let air flow all around.
Taryn Williford
Jul 5, 2016
“Thrift-Find Maximalism” In a London Flat
Name: Anmarie Location: Wimbeldon — London, UK My husband John and I have been renting our south London flat for one year. It’s a two bedroom, one bath, ground floor flat in a purpose-built block of 32 similar flats. In our eight years of marriage we’ve lived in five rental flats and it seems creative decorating has occasionally left us high and not-so dry.
Nora Taylor
Jul 4, 2016
Go Ahead…Chill Your Red Wine
(Image credit: Sergey Ksen) shutterstock From The Kitchn → A Guide to Chilling Your Red Wine
Apartment Therapy
Jul 4, 2016
How To Make Your Outdoor Space Feel Like Another Room In Your Home (for Less than $100)
As soon as summer hits, you may feel the urge to move everything you own outside so you can live under the sun and stars. Utilizing whatever outdoor area you have is especially important when you call a small space home, because it can give you the dining room, living room, or reading nook your place typically lacks. Whether you have a balcony, a rooftop, or an entire backyard to work with, these $100-or-less details will make it feel like an extension of your home. Give your space a glow up.
Katie Holdefehr
Jul 4, 2016
Made in America: 9 Brands That You’ll Be Surprised Are Still Manufacturing in the USA
Not everything is imported nowadays. There are plenty of companies out there – even some really, really massive ones – who are still making their products domestically, right here in the U. S. of A. In fact, these nine American-made brands might surprise you. But first, a caveat. There’s a difference between something that’s made and manufactured in the USA, and something that’s made in the USA with foreign parts.
Taryn Williford
Jul 4, 2016
Partner
What’s Your Furniture Personality Type?
What if furniture could be categorized by personality type? You know, so you could just swipe right when you came across a sexy leather chaise that matched your temperament. We looked at a few of our favorite pieces from American Signature Furniture to decide what their personality types would be — and whom they’re most compatible with. The Mentor Mentors are natural-born leaders and organizers who bring people together, value sociability, and champion education.
Sponsored Post
Jul 4, 2016