Apartment Therapy Archive: Oct 2016

Name: Brittany Location: Leysin, Switzerland Our cozy apartment is roughly 700 square feet and located on the 3rd floor of an older building. It’s in a great location in the middle of our village and only a three minute walk to the grocery store! Our favorite part: The balcony and THAT view! The mountain range located directly across from us (Dents du Midi) is stunning and we never tire of it!

Your sofa is the centerpiece of your living room, and maybe your whole home, so you want it to look nice. Unfortunately, a sofa is also one of the most expensive furniture purchases you can make, and sometimes buying a new one just isn’t in the cards. Whether your sofa is saggy and sad, or just plain ugly, we’ve got some suggestions for budget-friendly ways to give it new life — and a new look.

(Image credit: Courtesy of Jess Pelphrey) From Kitchn → 10 Feel-Good Food Gifts That Give Back

Name: Brooks, Matt and Reed Location: East Nashville — Nashville, TN Size: With basement den, 1800 sq. ft. Years lived in: Owned 5 Years Brooks and Matt bought their first house five years ago and have since transformed it into a beautiful, bright and modern living space. They have done most of the work themselves in stages, with the basement being the last big project. When they first moved in, they lived out of one room while renovating the kitchen and the living room.

Bride & Groom: Carin Bagguley & Martin Hopkins Wedding Date: October 16th, 2015 (ceremony), April 23, 2016 (reception) Venue: Anodyne Coffee, Walker’s Point, Milwaukee Number of guests: 14 at the ceremony, 150 at the reception The stuff on your to-do list when you’re planning a wedding—choosing a color palette, booking a dining hall and deciding on which flowers should go in the centerpieces—that’s all extra.

Bright, cheerful, full of patterns and textures—Becca and Doug’s California home is a visual stunner. With items sourced from secondhand shops, the internet, and new things, too, Becca’s style isn’t tough to duplicate. Check out her resource lists for some bright mid-century, bohemian inspiration to bring some joy to your home!

Tara Bellucci, our News & Culture Editor, just moved into a new apartment in Boston’s South End this fall. The space definitely needed updating but, since Tara’s renting, a full on, rip-it-all-out reno just isn’t in the cards. She got permission from her landlord to make a few changes — simple inexpensive updates to make it more livable and inviting. And yes, a whole lot less ugly.

The words “bullet journaling” usually elicit one of three reactions from people: One: “What’s that?,” Two: “How does anyone have time for that?,” or Three: whatever the dialogue version of the heart-eyes emoji is. A bullet journal, if you’re unfamiliar, is an organizational system that combines your diary, sketchbook, to-do list and more all into one.

Remember when “Trading Spaces” shone a light on your budding love for interior design? If you’re like me, you found your teenage self confused by your strong desire to stay home on the weekends and peep TLC’s most riveting home design programming. From Doug’s jungle room to the Jessica Biel episode, we’ve unearthed some of Trading Spaces’ most memorable makeovers, that you probably (some for the best) forgot about.

Liz’s bedroom was already a cozy and serene space with a sloped ceiling and white plan walls, but she wanted to add a little something special. From Liz: To get this project started, I adapted a few ideas from one of my favorite bloggers, Jenna Sue. This girl has added amazing faux wood beams in her home and recently did a bathroom makeover with lace curtains around a clawfoot tub that seriously left my jaw on the floor. It was to die for, you guys!

Some people order their last-minute Halloween costumes using Amazon Prime, but Caron Arnold had a better idea. She collected her coworkers’ discarded boxes and snagged the top spot in the office costume contest in the process. Arnold uploaded a photo of herself to Reddit on Friday, dressed as Amazon Prime, aka the Transformers’ Optimus Prime constructed from the online retailer’s ubiquitous boxes. The packing tape is a nice touch.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From Kitchn → What’s Your Perfect Date Night In?

From pumpkin carving and spooky day trips to mixtape making and costumed pub crawls, there's something creepy-but-cute for every couple.

Do you have someone in your life who you’d love to celebrate by surprising them with a gift this holiday season? Someone who might not expect a present from you but who would, of course, be so happy to know you care? Is there a neighbor, or an old teacher, or someone you love but haven’t talked to in a long time – that you want to honor with a present?

Project by: Courtney Springer Interiors Location: San Francisco, California Renters can sometimes get boxed into the prefabricated design of their temporary dwelling. White walls, cheap commercial-grade flooring and a set floorplan leaves little to the imagination for curating a home that is respectively you, even if it just for the time-being. That’s the dilemma a growing young family faced as they viewed their bland San Francisco abode.

If you toured Jen’s vintage Oakland home, you know that she’s inspired by the warm, natural style of the ’70s. She creates an inviting, cozy home with mainly items she found at estate sales and flea markets, and her wardrobe is just as much driven by her affection for thrift shopping. Read about the things that inspire her fashion sense and some of her best flea market finds below. Does your personal style influence your home style? Yes. Definitely.

While we’re most certainly living in The Future, we still don’t have that one Jetsons-like marker: flying cars. Will Uber be the company to finally make it happen? On Friday, the ride sharing service announced Uber Elevate, an on-demand service for “urban air transportation” that they plan to have up and running within the next ten years.

There’s a subtle shift in the mood of every Sunday that signals the end of kicking back and the beginning of gearing up for the week ahead. Paying attention to this shift can mean the difference between a manic Monday and one that sets the tone for a smooth week ahead. Here are five ways to set yourself up to be on top of it as the week starts.

Ask any kid what the best part of Halloween is, and they’ll most definitely say it’s trick-or-treating. Even though you might still don a clever costume each year, you probably grew out of the whole going around and collecting candy from strangers thing by the time you became a teenager, right? You may be old enough to buy your own treats, but that doesn’t mean you can’t put the “trick” back into the equation.

As a mortician, Caitlin Doughty is dedicating her life to creating a more open conversation about death and dying.

Bridges are usually a direct way to cross from one place to another. The Lucky Knot bridge in China, however, gives you more than one option to get from Point A to Point B. Designed by NEXT Architects, the red undulating pedestrian bridge is located in Changsha, the capital of Hunan province in central China. Not just something pretty to look at, the bridge connects the road, the river banks, and the neighboring park at different heights, and serves as the crossroads between each.

When I could not find jewelry I wanted to wear, I started a company called Naughty Secretary Club and made my own. When the art I envisioned hanging on my walls was not available to purchase anywhere, I picked up a paint brush and got busy creating. I may not be crafty enough to build furniture or sew a pillow, but I know just where to go home decor hunting: I have to get dirt under my nails at a flea market, spend time sifting through the thrift store bins and cruise Craigslist religiously.

We love the idea of keeping the tile in a vintage bathroom, but unfortunately, sometimes that’s just not possible. The lavender tile in the bathroom of Laura and Matthew’s Brooklyn co-op was cracking in several places and needed to be replaced, and storage in the small, cramped room was almost non-existent. They envisioned a new bathroom that would be clean, modern and bright — while still maintaining a bit of the quirky character of the original.

Are you looking to update your kitchen on a budget? This round up will provide you with the motivation and inspiration to make your dream a reality, without breaking the bank. These $1000 (or less) makeovers prove that a little can go a long way to make a space feel new.

Oh, witches. Be they feared, misunderstood, immortal or teenagers, they’re almost always the most stylish people in the room. If you need a little Halloween inspiration or just want to add more spell-binding looks to your everyday wardrobe, these ladies are here to help you out. Please note that this is not a competition, just a celebration, seeing as witches have been pitted against each other for far too long.

Name: Marni Epstein-Mervis and Laine Mervis (and Fitz the corgi) Location: Highland Park — Los Angeles, California Size: 570 square feet Years lived in: Rented, 1 year Marni and Laine’s mini one-bedroom apartment is the physical manifestation of their perfectly complementary marriage. Marni is eclectic and Laine is minimal. Marni runs a creative agency (STRUKTR), while Laine practices law in the city. Marni tends to collect, while Laine is really good at, well, not collecting.

If you’re one of the 45 percent of Americans who actively try to include organic food in your diet, you know that while organics might be the best fuel we can put into our bodies, it can be quite a drain on a household budget. All it takes is a quick stroll down the organic produce aisle at the grocery store to give you a serious case of sticker shock. For something that is so good for you and good for the globe, it can definitely be bad for your wallet.

From Apartment Therapy → Best Bedside Water Carafes: Esque, Crate & Barrel, Canvas Home & 11 More

Do you want to invite friends over — maybe even have a dinner party — but you’ve been hesitating because you live in a studio apartment and your living room is also your dining room, kitchen, office and bedroom? Though it might feel a bit strange to have guests (good friends or acquaintances) milling about in your sleep space, I don’t think having a small home should be a road block for entertaining.

Even though your brain knows the clock is about to turn back, your body doesn’t always get the memo. Some of us will sail through the time change seamlessly, and others will feel out of sorts for days. Start this week so that, before you go to sleep next Monday night — and set your clock an hour earlier — you’re already caught up.

Going out on Halloween night is always a good time, but if you live in a neighborhood or apartment complex where kids go trick-or-treating on Halloween, sometimes it’s fun to stay home and pass out candy instead. And if you have kids or want to have some fun with your nieces and nephews, taking them around to go trick-or-treating can be a good time too, if you really get into the spirit.

(Image credit: Rachel Joy Barehl) From Kitchn → These 10 Last-Minute Halloween Costumes Are Super Punny

Inside an old box factory in Baltimore, in a loft apartment with minimalist decor and structured industrial features, lies a studio bursting with color, erratic splatters of paint, and a kaleidoscope of paper scraps. This is artist Nicole Mueller‘s think space, a celebration of paradox. After an inspiring house tour with Nicole and Dave, I wanted to learn more about Nicole’s artwork and her relationship with the apartment as a living space, a working space, and a revolving gallery.

A living room closet is a godsend, a convenient place to cram all your belongings so your living room can be clutter-free for relaxing and entertaining. But if yours doesn’t have a closet, storing things in the living room can be tricky. You don’t want all your belongings strewn randomly across the most aesthetically important room in your home. Luckily, with a little creativity, you can make a lot of space in your living room without sacrificing any elegance or organization.

Not only is this sustainable home in the Philippines an architectural marvel on the inside and out—it is styled beautifully in every single room. Modern design with clean lines and surfaces melds seamlessly with a flea market/industrial vibe influenced by the owners’ travels. Shop their style below to achieve some modern and clean serenity in your space.

New co-op owner Kate Moskowitz recently acquired a New York rarity: an apartment with stairs. Her triplex space has great bones but needs an update to become the simple and contemporary space she wants. Kate has $12,000 to bring the space — particularly the kitchen — up to grade. In this series, expert Alex Bandon answers your specific renovation questions.

If you’re like me, you want to decorate for the holidays, but you don’t always have the time. With Halloween fast approaching, spending an entire afternoon (or even a few hours) decorating may be out the question, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add a few festive touches. Here are 13 little projects and ideas that will have your home feeling particularly boo-tiful, while hardly taking up any time at all.

Name: Kevin Barrett Kane and Emma Christine Hall Location: Volker Neighborhood — Kansas City, Missouri Size: 1200 square feet Years lived in: Renting 1 year Kevin and Emma, book designers behind the company The Frontispiece, share a warm, comfy home in Kansas City. “Literarian Treehouse Nouveau” is how they describe their style, and they’re also self-proclaimed collectors. You’ll find furniture, desks, vinyl, cats and of course, books.

Much of IKEA’s success lies in that it offers well-designed furniture at affordable prices. But have you noticed how those prices often change over time, mostly getting lower but sometimes higher? FiveThirtyEight gives us a peek into the weird world of IKEA’s economics. The price roller coaster is especially noticeable when looking at the ubiquitous POÄNG chair, which celebrated its 40th birthday this year.

Bar carts are a home trend that shows no sign of flagging, and for good reason: they’re pretty (a great way to impress your friends with your sophistication) and practical (a great way to keep your liquor collection from taking over your kitchen). Here, we’ve rounded up 10 of our favorites—all at prices guaranteed not to break the bank. Mid-century magic. Small enough to fit into tight corners, this bar cart is perfect for a petite living room.

In search of the secrets behind the je ne sais quoi of all things French, we turned to Céline of Frenchy Fancy, a blog whose beautiful images often land on our inspiration posts. After chatting with her about her home decor style, favorite shops, and morning routine, we’re feeling tempted to buy a one-way ticket to the City of Light.

Taylor Murphy and his wife Alisha gave us a look into their gorgeous Austin rental home (that they share with one cute cat) with their house tour. Taylor’s an interior designer, and he calls his style “lived-in contemporary;” it’s casual and dramatic and bold and relaxing, all at once. Alisha is a first grade teacher by day and a marriage and family therapist masters student by night, and not too shabby in the style department as well.

Project by: Whitney Jones of Whitney J Decor Homeowner: Coletha Kennedy Location: New Orleans, Louisiana Coletha Kennedy’s dining room in her New Orleans home was in desperate need of reinvention. Dated wallpaper and dingy wall-to-wall carpeting just wouldn’t do for the mother of two, who owns a fashion boutique in town. Designer Whitney Jones of Whitney J Decor stepped in to help her bring her maximalist, glamorous dream to life.