Apartment Therapy Archive: Nov 2016

Name: Szilvia Location: Budapest, Hungary I would like to show you my very first “project”. I designed every inch of the interior of this flat without professional assistance. I usually read blogs, interior design magazines and search for ideas on Pinterest. As a Hungarian lawyer and not an interior designer I am very proud of it! The apartment is located in a classical building in downtown Budapest, 7th district.

The thought of making paper snowflakes may remind you of childhood memories of cutting out wonky, misshapen snowflakes only a mother could love. While the concept remains the same, this time around, the look is much more sophisticated— and your improved motor skills will come in handy. Armed with a quick tutorial, some project inspiration and a pair of scissors, you’re ready to snip your way to a winter wonderland.

(Image credit: Susanna Hopler) From Kitchn → 10 of Our Favorite Storage Containers for Your Leftovers

In advance of holiday travel, Netflix has finally launched a feature subscribers have been wanting from the very beginning: the option to download movies and shows to watch offline. Netflix deployed the feature for its iOS and Android apps today, meaning that once you update your phone or tablet, you can start downloading episodes of The Crown and Narcos to get you through your next flight or trip anywhere with spotty wifi.

Your toothpaste can do more than just clean and whiten your teeth--it can also help you clean and fix up tons of stuff around your home.

Frances’ San Francisco Victorian apartment is filled with treasures, inspiration and art from her travels in Russia, Hungary, Poland, France and England—but you can shop the style without leaving your home. charset="utf-8" src="https://d30bopbxapq94k.cloudfront.net/js/curalate-widget-client-all.prod.min.

My Facebook feed is a battleground right now, overtaken with competing analyses of the world today, the state of politics in America, and what’s going to happen to us all now. Which is why, when a friend liked this unassuming little anecdote about a late night run-in with a Roomba and some poop, I clicked over for a little respite. Fifteen minutes later I was still laughing. Here’s how Jesse tells it: So, last week, something pretty tragic happened in our household.

Update 12/2: Anthro’s now giving you 40% off sale items. Sale prices are reflected in your shopping cart. If you still have some shopping to do (for others or for yourself), Anthropologie is making way for new merch by giving you an additional 30% off all sale items. We browsed the markdowns for our picks for home (above) and apparel (below). They won’t stick around long, so snag your fave pieces before they sell out.

Personal and fashion stylist Elim Chu is the cool, nice friend you hope to have because not only is she smart and hip and has amazing style—she will happily share her knowledge and secrets to help everyone around her look and feel great. She’s genuine and warm and approaches styling with the belief that everyone can build a simple and beautiful less-is-more wardrobe.

I love a roll of cheap-and-chic craft paper as much as the next budget-conscious gift giver, but sometimes, you just have to pull out the good stuff. When you’re in the market for paper so pretty (or punny) it risks out-shining the gift (or out-laughing the gag gift), these seven sources have you covered. This family-run print shop in Wyckoff, New Jersey, has been producing beautifully patterned gift wrap and stationery since 1974.

In the 50s, General Electric made the fabulous Wonder Kitchen—an entire wall unit with all the appliances built right in. The units came in amazing colors: Canary Yellow, Turquoise Green, Petal Pink, Cadet Blue and Woodbine Brown, all under one stainless steel counter surface. Letitia acquired one of these units, along with other matching cabinets, which were salvaged from another kitchen, and she renovated her dark and gloomy kitchen around this gleaming, wondrous wall unit.

If you live in New York, you don’t need another reminder of how outrageously expensive this city is. But while rent, down payments on a house and living costs are undeniably high, Manhattan and its boroughs attempt to make it up to us by being rich in plenty of 100% free-to-enjoy art, culture and design. From art museums, to craft fairs, to gallery openings, this is how starving artists (and designers!) save in the city.

Tavia’s inviting home doesn’t sport any one specific style, and yet it perfectly shows off her personality. It’s full of well-made furniture and quirky accessories. It’s the kind of space you’d instantly be comfortable in. Her home is impressive for all the reasons listed above, but it’s also admirable because Tavia didn’t spend a ton of money. She crafted this warm, lived-in home thanks to the frugal powers of thrifting.

(Image credit: 20th Century Fox) From Kitchn → Why I’m Never Traveling for the Holidays Again

Looking to buy a home in the near future? If you don’t have massive savings lying around just waiting to be used on a down payment, the home-buying process can be a huge challenge. The good news is, you’ve got options—between special low down payment mortgages and down payment assistance programs (and other resources, if necessary) you can make your home ownership dreams a reality, even without a huge sum saved up.

Because sometimes you're overbooked or just don't want to go.

Name: Ashley Beaumier Location: Lakeview East — Chicago, Illinois Size: 600 square feet Years lived in: Rented 1 Year Ashley Beaumier has hit the sweet spot of home design, that moment when all those one-of-kind finds that took you months of searching to find finally all come together and fit perfectly into your home. You know it’s right because there is nothing to add, and nothing to take away.

The house on this 400 acre estate was built before the Civil War, and now it’s looking for a buyer to fix it up. Built in 1856, Spring Grove is a two-story Italianate mansion totaling 12,000 square feet and 26 rooms (eight of which are bedrooms). The house has been in the same family since it was built, and the current owners have worked on restoring the exterior, including the cupola, the porticos, the roof, the windows and shutters.

Perfect for lounging, reading, and napping.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From Kitchn → This Is the Most Extravagant Gingerbread House You’ve Ever Seen

Bullet journals (or BuJos for short) are definitely having a moment right now. Everywhere you look—Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest—there’s bullet journal fever. If the cult-favorite organizational system has piqued your curiosity but you are not quite sure if it’s for you, we’re walking you through a few key things you need to know before you decide to BuJo or not to BuJo. First off, don’t let the word journal fool you.

Jan-Nicolas and Vincent’s Montreal home is beautiful and modern, yet functional and happy at the same time (just take a look at the bright yellow stairs leading to their third floor flat). You can find some of the custom pieces and unique art that fill their home using the sources below.

I’m a life-long Dolly Parton fan and recently went to her concert here in St Louis. As always, she charmed me with her humor and humility, and her unapologetic “what you see is what you get” attitude, combined with love and acceptance for others. She’s brassy in the best possible way, and the queen of one-liners. Here are some of my favorite Dolly quotes from over the years, peppered with a bunch of Christmas trees that would make her proud.

‘Tis the season to give back. It’s the fifth year of #GivingTuesday, it’s the official unofficial start of the charitable season. Started by the 92nd Street Y in 2012, the campaign harnesses the power of social media to connect people and causes and inspire those to give. While we’re all for monthly donations, volunteering your time, and being of service all year long, we compiled five easy and free ways to give back today.

Name: Vicky and Ross Smith, and daughters Olivia & Florence Location: Guildford, UK Size: 1,200 square feet Years lived in: 3 1/2 years With its pared-back yet warm feel, understated color palette and abundant natural light, this family home in the Southern-English county of Surrey is inspired by many elements of contemporary Scandinavian style.

Project by: Nadya Location: Brisbane, Australia Our small home was built in 1959, and when my husband and I bought it, I really thought I could deal with the “charming” old galley kitchen.

Bonnie Rasmussen‘s profession and passion as a life coach is all about increasing her clients’ “well-being, performance, resilience and resourcefulness.” It’s not surprising in the slightest, then that her UK home is a stunning space that increases the well-being of all that live in and visit it. Having grown up in Denmark (and an obvious expert at crafting soothing, stylish spaces), I asked Bonnie to share what the Danish word “hygge” means to her.

(Image credit: Susanna Hopler) From Kitchn → The Best Dish Soap Bottle & 4 More Fun Finds for Your Sink

What better way to dive headfirst into that cozy feeling of being a kid again than picking up one of your old-school, all-time favorite books? Turning through the pages of one of these tales is like stepping through time in the best way possible—which is why this list of stories ranging from children’s classics to young adult fiction should definitely make your TBR list. And the best part?

Cyber Monday is here and some major home retailers are rolling out all new deals, just for the day. Anthropologie is doing a discount on all their regular priced merch, so if there is something (anything!) you’ve had your eye on or that has been hanging out in your cart there, today is as good a time as any to pull the trigger.

Name: Teri Location: Arlington, Virginia Our condo building was built in the 1930s and has beautiful architecture and detail. It was actually marked a historical building this year! I was very attracted to the charm throughout the whole space. The working wood fireplace wasn’t so bad either! When re-designing our home, my inspiration was mostly my relationship. Before my boyfriend Patrick moved in, my apartment was very youthful and feminine.

…and for our small-biz shoppers, a roundup of great gift ideas you can feel good about from Etsy!

Try this over the weekend.

(Image credit: Susanna Hopler) From Kitchn → 10 Gifts for the Coffee-Obsessed

Cyber Monday is here and some major home retailers are rolling out all new deals, just for the day. We’re seeing some price drops since Friday, which we’ve updated here, with Wayfair adding big deals on specific categories like rugs, bar stools, and cat trees.

Bert is a history buff and graphic designer, and actively supports artists by collecting their wares. He shares his cool condo with pups Biscuit and Ms. Millie Nelson.

Cyber Monday is here and some major home retailers are rolling out all new deals, just for the day. We’re seeing some price drops since Friday, which we’ve updated here – and – West Elm is featuring not only their own sales on their site, but Cyber Monday deals from across all of their associated brands such as Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma and Rejuvenation.

Chris and Amber had a problem common to a lot of New York City homeowners: a family that kept growing, and an apartment that stubbornly remained the same size. After the birth of their first son they decided to look for a two-bedroom apartment, but were unable to find anything acceptable in their price range. When the impending arrival of a second baby really raised the stakes, they decided that maybe the solution was to renovate the apartment they already had.

Name: Neffi Walker and her children (Adonis 23, Kawhyii 22, Jhette 17, Nile 5) Location: Northern New Jersey Size: 5,000 square feet Years lived in: Owned 5 years Some know her as the proprietor of Jersey City interior design destination, Le Noir Home. Others know her for her uplifting and unapologetic attitude on her blog and its related Instagram page. But all who know Neffi Walker know that her family is the center of her being.

Their loves are many and they have it all. They have a strong sense of style and as a result, they’re unbelievably hard to shop for. The Person Who Has Everythingappreciates quality just as much as quantity, as long as they get a taste of everything. And while it may seem like there’s nothing in the world left to gift them, they’re constantly waiting for the “next best thing” in technology, fashion, beauty, design, and . . . (well, you get the picture).

Name: Nadia Location: London, United Kingdom A few weeks ago I decided to participate in a six week makeover challenge. I chose to do my bedroom and closet, but the funny thing is that I had no idea what I would do when I started. No real plan, I was just obsessed with a gorgeous dark floral wallpaper so I wanted create something dark and moody. Unfortunately, I couldn’t afford to buy that beautiful and pricey wallpaper.