Apartment Therapy Archive: Aug 2016

We’re all about small space living here at Apartment Therapy, but even we admit that it can be difficult to find privacy in a tiny home. But whether it’s from the other people in your household, occasional guests, your neighbors or even just your own work, separation can be achieved. Read on for some ideas on how to carve a bit of “me space” in your place.

Is your living space lacking a little design flair? No matter what your style is, a decorative pillow is the simplest way to add a certain “je ne sais quoi” to your home; and if you’ve got a white pillowcase hanging around, then you’re already halfway there. Here are a few easy DIYs to give your white pillow case a little more style. The girls over at Honestly WTF are geniuses by taking the hassle out of water marbling!

Name: Robyn Kleffman, John Morley and their dog Daisy Location: Seabright — Santa Cruz, California Size: 350 square feet Years lived in: Rented 6 months If John could have it his way, he’d fill his home with comfy La-Z-Boy furniture, but Robyn has completely different tastes, citing Consort, Coup D-Etat, DWR, and Anna Karlin as some of her dream sources.

How many times have you bought something because it was such a good deal, only to end up with something you really didn’t need to spend money on at all? Me too. Planning your purchases ahead of time—and having the ability and stamina to wait for what you want and need—goes a long way in keeping you from getting suckered in by sales. Even better, planning ahead often allows you to get significantly better deals than merely what’s blazoned on ads.

Whether you're dealing with pesky pets or stubborn stains, here's how to solve all those common (but gross) household problems.

The area under your kitchen or bathroom sink can sometimes feel like an island of lost products. And it will never get any better, until you actually take the steps to sort it out and install some (potentially temporary) organization solutions. Here, a dozen ideas to get your cabinets in order. Put one or more of these into place, and you’ll be rewarded with a storage area that looks better (good for your heart) and works better (good for your mind).

Name: Inga Location: Gahanna, Ohio I live in a 746 square foot one bedroom apartment on the first floor, in a newly built apartment community in Gahanna, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus. Since I was the first tenant to occupy this particular unit, it really feels like MY home. It’s located in a great area, surrounded by premiere shopping centers, as well as a 10-minute drive to work, which is a major plus. I would label my aesthetic as transitional and ever-changing (literally.

Name: Ashley Mary Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota Size: 650 square feet Years lived in: Renting 1 year It’s no surprise that abstract artist Ashley Mary‘s home is a blend of textures, styles and materials. Her art features soft color palettes melding with gentle shapes with the occasional pop of black drama…just like her Minneapolis rental apartment.

Danica’s new house came with an old kitchen, and she knew it had to go. With a nice layout and some Craigslist luck on her side she was able to DIY her way to a gorgeous updated kitchen. From Danica: We moved into our home last year and the first project we tackled was the horribly boring builder grade kitchen. The layout was great but the oak cabinets, white laminate and checker backsplash needed some serious updating.

The warm weather is winding down and the leaves will soon start to turn, but that’s not the only change in the air. If it feels like people are settling down everywhere you turn, don’t worry, it’s not just you—cuffing season is upon us. Not everyone feels relationship-ready come the end of summer, but if you find yourself wishing for someone to come home to, it might be time to overhaul your dating apps. With a few tweaks, you can reach profile perfection.

September means that fall is in full swing and energy levels get ratcheted up a notch. Summer Fridays are a thing of the past and work and school are in full swing. But the good news is that the scorching days are behind us, and cooler ones aren’t far behind! This month, put the summer heat behind you, and get ready to spend more time indoors. Devote a little time this month to do some projects that will make your home more cozy.

(Image credit: Jeff Roffman) From Kitchn → 7 Times That Are More Magical on the Front Porch

Tavia has successfully furnished her Minneapolis home with numerous secondhand and thrifty finds. In the process she has filled her space with furniture and decor from numerous styles and eras, keeping a hard to come by cohesive look. Take a peek at her resource list to shop her style and blend together your favorite finds!

Name: Graeme & Rebekah Molloy Type of Project: Kitchen Remodel Location: Chautauqua Park, Des Moines, Iowa Type of building: 1920 Tudor The Renovation Diaries are a collaboration with our community in which we feature your step by step renovation progress and provide monetary support towards getting it done in style. See all of our Reno Diaries here. Graeme and Rebekah crossed the finish line!

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From Kitchn → 6 Ways to Prep Your Kitchen for Back-to-School Time

Color doesn’t have to be permanent…or even on the walls. It also doesn’t have to be super saturated or loud, either. These five renters added soft, subtle color to their homes—in ways that won’t prevent them from getting their security deposit back! From Katie, of Katie’s Shabby Chic St. Paul Apartment: “I am quite proud of my dining room table and chairs.

Doing laundry may be a basic household chore, but if you live in a small apartment in a major city, having an in-unit washer and dryer is a huge luxury. You might be lucky enough to have a laundry room in your building or complex, but it’s more likely that you’re on your own with your dirty clothes. Fortunately, you don’t have to lug your things to the nearest laundromat if you don’t want to.

With a new kitchen renovation in the early stages of planning, I’m spending my fair share of time browsing the web for kitchen inspiration (hello, Pinterest). With a relatively small home, I’ve opted to skip the upper cabinets in favor of open shelving to help maximize our space. But rather than go the traditional route, I’ve been seeking inspiration in less conventional styles that make a stylish statement. 1.

Oh, the weird and wonderful business of buying and selling secondhand goods online. A market once cornered by Ebay and Craigslist, virtual resale sites and apps are a booming business, some as virtual garage sales and others as niche marketplaces. Here’s the lowdown on five popular sites and apps and please jump in with your favorites (and not-so-favorites) in the comments! The lowdown: The cPro+ Craigslist Mobile Client is a well-reviewed app that lets you take Craigslist on the road.

Project by: Tyler Karu of Landing Design Location: Portland, Maine Tyler was able to create a 70s-inspired space that hits all the design high notes of the decade without veering into parody or camp. With some smartly shopped pieces and warm colors, this home is as eye-catching as it is welcoming. From Tyler: When my clients brought me on board, immediately after purchasing the property, they informed me that their inspiration was “seventies conversation pit.” I was elated.

We featured Josef’s stylish Prague apartment a few weeks ago. Now we get to see how Daniele worked his magic on this tiny and outdated space. From Daniele: Josef gave me full creative freedom when renovating his apartment’s bathroom. The bathroom was old and dark. He wanted to fit in a bathtub, possibly his only request for this project. Given the small size of the bathroom I thought it was a bad idea, but he insisted so we did it.

Paying off your student loans is no easy feat. It takes years to knock out student debt, and with high minimum payments and interest rates that go through the roof, it can feel near impossible. Unfortunately, unless you suddenly get a huge raise (or win the lottery!) it still won’t be easy—but with these simple tips and tricks, you might just be able to pay off your student loans a little quicker, reducing how much interest you pay overall.

If a charming mountain view is on your wish list, then plant your peepers on this New Mexico adobe home. The three bedroom and its surrounding land are listed for $398,000. Located on 11.5 acres in Truchas (halfway between Santa Fe and Taos), the home was built in 1910. It’s home to Lisa Law, the writer and photographer of Flashing on the Sixties about the decade’s counterculture; photos of the home property are featured in the book.

Name: Sydney Krause and Fabrice Bouty Location: Plateau — Montreal, Canada Size: 1,147 square feet Years lived in: Owned 4 years Sydney and Fabrice are a perfect example of how two people with very distinct personal styles can cultivate a harmonized and well-designed home. Fabrice is originally from France and gravitates towards more classic design while Sydney enjoys color, unique lighting and a good vintage find! When Sydney moved in a few years ago, the place was entirely different.

Shopping off-registry is sometimes a result of preference—you want to give the newlyweds something a little more personal and reflective of your wishes for their future than a roasting pan. But sometimes it’s a decision made of desperation: When every item’s been fulfilled, or your friends’ registries are way out of your “I already spent a mint on a bridesmaids dress and airfare”-budget, turn to one of these always-appreciated options.

Glass vases, votive holders, and jars are beautiful finishing touches to any shelf, table, desk or mantel. With so many empty florist vases, mason jars, and basic candle holders in this world, it helps to know how to transform them into a statement piece —no matter what your style. Here’s how to take basic glass and either make it look like an old world collectible, or the newest trend. It’s all possible.

Name: Vivienne Location: Singapore, Malaysia My profession is trading but I have always dreamt of being an interior stylist. I’ve lived in Singapore for ten years, and this is the first apartment I’ve owned by myself and I’ve decided to treat it as a project to turn the plain condominium into my dream space. I’m a world traveller and have visited more than 40 countries. My home is therefore a mix of styles – a little bit of everything.

(Image credit: Marisa McClellan) From Kitchn → A Short History of the Mason Jar

Lauren has filled her Chicago home—and her shop, Maven Collection—with handmade textiles and treasures from around the world, especially Morocco. Now you can shop the style, no plane ticket required!

Name: Emma and Matt Location: Silkstone, Ipswich, Queensland, Australia Size: 1012sqm Block Years lived in: Owned for two years I first came across Emma on Instagram, sharing a mutual appreciation for old architecture in South-East Queensland.

Here at Apartment Therapy, we’re huge proponents of the landing strip—having a dedicated “clutter filter” in the entryway can make your whole home more organized. What’s more, no home is too small for this crucial bit of design know-how. Read on for my recipe for an organized foyer at any size.

From Apartment Therapy → 7 Ways to Eat Your Sunscreen: Can You Help Prevent Sunburn from the Inside Out?

(Image credit: Kimberley Hasselbrink) From Kitchn → 25 Make-Ahead Summer Breakfasts

Struggling to shut off Netflix and put on your sneakers? You aren’t alone. Motivation—or lack thereof—is one of the biggest barriers to keeping you on a regular workout routine. It doesn’t have to be, though. A recent study from researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that there are two things that can keep your motivation flowing: your peers and good, old-fashioned money.

Name: Ursula Location: Logan Square — Chicago, Illinois I moved to Chicago from Los Angeles earlier this year and found a teensy apartment in my favorite neighborhood, a block from the center. I’m a baker professionally and use my home kitchen for recipe testing, so it took me a while to figure out how to utilize the narrow, poorly lit space.

Q: One month ago we hired professional upholstery cleaners to clean our living room furniture, as we did not want to risk damaging our sofa and chair ourselves. We selected a national brand with a good reputation locally. The cleaner damaged the material on the first pass, turning the original color of creamy white into a dirty blotched yellow. The general manager quickly responded, sending his “top technician” to fix the problem.

Does anyone else feel like printer design is stuck in the 90s (and not in a cool crop-top-with-mom-jeans way)? While we’re still holding out for a designer edition hoverboard/printer all-in-one to use at our standing desk, here are a few tips and tricks to keep your overbearing hunk of plastic from being the focal point of your workspace.

You know the early bird gets the worm, but if you’re a night owl, becoming that early bird may seem totally impossible. The key is becoming a better sleeper, and that means creating and following a bedtime routine. These simple steps will help you wind down at night and thoroughly prepare for the next day. No more restless nights and rushed, stressful mornings—you’re free to go catch that worm (or bagel, in case worms aren’t exactly your thing).

(Image credit: Kelli Foster) From Kitchn → A Back-to-School Survival Guide for Grownups

Name: Graeme & Rebekah Molloy Type of Project: Kitchen Remodel Location: Chautauqua Park, Des Moines, Iowa Type of building: 1920 Tudor The Renovation Diaries are a collaboration with our community in which we feature your step by step renovation progress and provide monetary support towards getting it done in style. See all of our Reno Diaries here.

You’ve done it again. You go to pull something out of your purse and change goes flying—and you don’t want to crawl around on the ground to find it. Now that you think about it, you found some change in the bottom of the dryer this morning, too. And you might have seen some gleaming on the floorboard of your car earlier. Frankly, change is a nuisance and often goes to waste. So why not take that change, and a few extra bucks, and throw it in a piggy bank?

When done for pleasure, travel is almost always fun and exciting. After all, you get to see brand new places, try out new cuisines and maybe even relax a little. Business travel, however, feels a lot more like, well… work. Traveling for business purposes is fairly common in the U.S.: The Bureau of Transportation Statistics says that Americans rack up more than 405 million long-distance trips for business each year.

Jil and Jeff’s home showcases many rustic, nautical and Scandinavian-inspired pieces, like the vintage wood crate at the sofa’s side or the coffee table made from a slab of wood. If you had your eye on some of the items in their expansive Toronto loft, you can get some of the items—or something similar—using the sources below.