The Latest: 2016

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Vanessa’s Fabulous and Thrifty (Under $150) Guest Bedroom

Name & Location: Vanessa in Lynchburg, Virginia My Favorite Room: Guest Bedroom Specs: 120 square feet We live in a ranch home in central Virginia and have made it our own in the last year and a half of marriage. The guest room was a huge priority to us but we did not have much in the way of a budget. That was no problem. If there is one thing I can do, it is to use my imagination to create things that I cannot afford. I eagerly took on the project for the guest room.

Nora Taylor

Feb 20, 2016

A Nature-Filled New Orleans Home

Name: Ida Floreak and partner, cats Chuck and Bruce, and Harry the dog Location: Uptown — New Orleans, LA Size: 2,000 square feet Years lived in: 4 years; Rented Ida’s sunny house in Uptown New Orleans has a lot of great features: a mix of vintage and new furnishings, plenty of art and plants, DIY projects, and happy pets.

Samara Vise

Feb 20, 2016

Sonia & Jason’s Home Where “Every Nook has its Purpose”

Name: Sonia & Jason Location: Asbury Park, New Jersey We are Jason and Sonia. Jason is a graphic designer and writer, Sonia is a bartender at the local German biergarten and together we are the owners of Nomad, a travel inspired company that rents out vintage travel trailers and European style canvas tents for parties, weddings, etc. We also having a clothing line that we sell at Market at Fifth Avenue, a collective of local and national makers on the boardwalk.

Nora Taylor

Feb 19, 2016

Save Money, Save Space: 8 Things to Borrow Instead of Buy

When you’re trying something new, often your first instinct is to rush out and buy all the things you need for whatever activity you’ve taken on, be it camping or traveling or hosting overnight guests. But often these things, bought with the best of intentions, end up getting used only very infrequently — and taking up a lot space in your home in the meantime.

Nancy Mitchell

Feb 19, 2016

Before & After: A B&A Enthusiast’s Budget Kitchen Makeover

I am a sucker for Before and Afters. Whether it be home remodels or weight losses or What Not to Wear, I get all giddy about transformations. And SO, why NOT buy a really ugly house?? Where’s the fun in buying an already-beautiful home? Nowhere. A couple of years ago, my husband and I bought a fixer-upper. About 11 months later, we (and by we, I mean my dad. Thanks Pops.) finally got enough done to show some of the progress we’ve made so far. Only took a year ..

Nora Taylor

Feb 19, 2016

Take a Dream-Home Drool Break: Inside 7 Charming Victorian Homes

It was about 90 seconds into an episode of Full House when I first knew it. I was in love with Victorian-era architecture. The sunny bay windows! The elaborate cornices! I may never be able to move into one of the famous painted ladies, but I do hope to one day own the Victorian home of my dreams. Until then, I live vicariously through these beautiful home tours. Portland, Oregon New Orleans Washington, D.C.

Taryn Williford

Feb 19, 2016

Sally’s Colorful & Inviting D.C. Home

Name: Sally Location: Dupont Circle — Washington, D.C. My boyfriend, John, and I have called our apartment in Dupont Circle ‘home’ for three years now. This quaint little one-bedroom is tucked inside a turn-of-the-century apartment building, located on a bustling street in Washington, D.C. Despite the busyness of our locale, inside we’ve created a cozy, peaceful retreat.

Nora Taylor

Feb 18, 2016

Space-Maximizing Secrets: Making the Most of Dressers & Credenzas

We do a lot of talking about how to organize the big storage spots in the home — from your closet to your kitchen counters to the pantry and more. But what about those smaller but still vital storage spaces in your home? The stand-alone furniture pieces like dressers, credenzas, storage cabinets and more? If you’re anything like me, these vital storage spots can sometimes get overlooked and become messes.

Adrienne Breaux

Feb 18, 2016

Before & After: A Basic Buffet Gets an Elegant Upgrade

When I first walked into Thomas’ home, I was struck by the amazing number of creative and personal touches that filled every room. As I got to know Thomas, I quickly learned that most, if not all, of my very favorite parts were designed and/or handmade by him! Against the living room wall, on the far end of a long room, sat an elegant buffet.

Emma Fiala

Feb 18, 2016

Tom & Allison’s Amazing DIY House of Reclaimed & Unusual Objects

Name: Tom and Allison, their son, Gordon, and their dogs and tortoise Location: Culver City, California Size: 2,000 square feet Years lived in: 8 years; Owned One look inside the home of Tom and Allison of California Rediscovered and you quickly realize that you are in the presence of DIY masters.

Bridget Pizzo

Feb 18, 2016

Before & After: The Magic of Wallpaper & Elbow Grease

Kris’ impressive powder room makeover is a master class in the art of the well chosen splurge. Impressive DIY updates compliment some truly spectacular wallpaper. Check it out! From Kris: We moved into a new house last summer, and have recently started tackling some small-ish DIY projects. My most recent project was updating our first floor powder room.

Nora Taylor

Feb 18, 2016

Out-of-the-Box Ideas to Jump Start Your Bedroom Style

In a bit of a rut in the bedroom? I mean, design-wise? (We can’t help with the other thing.) Good news: We’ve collected eight creative, unconventional ideas that will surely refresh your space and give you something to really get excited over when you pop into bed each night. Above: We see a lot of rug layering in living rooms, but it’s fresh for the boudoir.

Taryn Williford

Feb 17, 2016

Sometimes You Really Do Get What You Pay For: Nine Times More is More

Sometimes, saving means spending money. Most of the time, this is because buying a quality product will greatly reduce or even eliminate the need for replacement. Other times, we spend money but save on other valuable assets, such as our health or sanity. Here are nine items or categories that you should splurge on, not because you’re reckless with money, but because you’re wise, purchases that underscore that beloved aphorism: you get what you pay for.

Shifrah Combiths

Feb 17, 2016

11 Beautiful Wall Murals That Will Make You Want to Break Up with Paint

Why settle for an oversized piece of art when you could have a piece of art that covers the whole wall? These 11 murals will have a big, big impact—hang one on the wall and your decorating job is pretty much done. A quick note to start: a wall mural differentiates from wallpaper in that it does not repeat. It’s an entire scene stretch across a determined width, while wallpaper matches up and repeats indefinitely.

Nancy Mitchell

Feb 17, 2016

How To Love the Home You Have Just a Little Bit More

Valentine’s Day has come and gone for another year, leaving everyone thinking about love and relationships. But what about the relationship you have with your home? Here are five (free!) things you can do to love your home just a little bit more. Get rid of some stuff. Lots of advice about how to make your home better revolves around bringing in something new.

Nancy Mitchell

Feb 17, 2016

Adrienne & Benjamin’s Renovated Printing Factory Home in Paris

Name: Adrienne and Benjamin and their children, Jeanne, Sacha and Rose Location: Belleville — Paris, France Size: 200 square meters (2,153 square feet) Years lived in: 12 years; Owned When they’re not playing electro-Balkan music with their band, Djam Orkestar, Adrienne, a passionate socio-anthropologist, and Benjamin, a fashion-loving lawyer, keep the magic and fanfare going in the old printing factory they revamped into a multifaceted duplex.

Fabienne Ayina

Feb 17, 2016

Before & After: Updating a Childhood Home

A year ago my husband, our two sons and I bought the house I grew up in and my parents had owned for over 30 years. Not only did the house need quite a few renovations but, for us, it also needed to not look like the house I grew up in. Because the house is small and we don’t have a playroom the open concept living room is the busiest room in our home. It is where our kids play, where we read and watch TV and dance.

Nora Taylor

Feb 17, 2016

Easy & Affordable Ways to Add More Visual Joy to Your Home

How much joy does your home bring you? Do you have a lot of design moments that make you smile? Do the rooms in your home showcase things that make you happy? Filling your home with visual joy doesn’t need to be a complicated task; we spotted seven easy (and affordable) ways to celebrate happiness using your home in one of our recent tours. (Pictured above) Pick a corner, any corner! Can be a guest room that you don’t go into every day. Can be a cramped bathroom. The laundry room.

Adrienne Breaux

Feb 16, 2016

Nick’s All-in-One Home & Studio

Name: Nick McPhail Location: Silver Lake — Los Angeles, California Size: 650 square feet Years lived in: 3 years; Rented With the price of rent quickly increasing every year in Los Angeles, artist Nick McPhail was lucky to grab this perfect little home all for himself. Complete with a backyard that houses an organic garden and a ceramics studio, this home embodies the ideal of a live/work space.

Bethany Nauert

Feb 16, 2016

Tips for Handling Hosting Hiccups

(Image credit: Leela Cyd) From The Kitchn → Tips for Coping with a Potluck Gone Wrong

Apartment Therapy

Feb 16, 2016

Melissa’s “Eclectic-Modern” Family Home in a Former Warehouse

Name: Melissa Location: Central Business District — New Orleans, Louisiana My husband and I sold our 2,300 square foot house and downsized to a 1,000 square foot apartment in the heart of the Central Business District. I love all of the home tours Apartment Therapy has done in New Orleans, but haven’t found any in our neighborhood. The CBD is a booming neighborhood where empty parking lots are becoming trendy apartments, retail and restaurants.

Nora Taylor

Feb 15, 2016

Genevieve & Ashley’s Lush Shared Sanctuary

Name: Genevieve Bandrowski and Ashley Campbell Location: Cleveland Heights — Oakland, California Size: 1,000 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years; Rented When Genevieve moved back to Oakland nearly two years ago, she wanted her now-roommate Ashley to see the creative spirit that Oakland has to offer. Since then, they have created a lush sanctuary inspired by the many Bay Area makers they admire.

Esteban Cortez

Feb 15, 2016

Three Friends Share a Sun-Kissed Apartment in Marrakech

Name: Silvia Michielotto, Jean-Pierre Mongard and Valeria Concari Location: Old Medina — Marrakech, Morocco Size: 110 square meters (1,184 square feet) Years lived in: 2 years; Rented Crises can sometimes turn out to be good; you can make new decisions, reboot the hard drive, explore new possibilities and do things you could not do before. Friends Silvia, Jean-Pierre, and Valeria did just that.

Fabienne Ayina

Feb 15, 2016

The Rise and Fall of the Heart-Shaped Hot Tub

It’s Valentine’s Day, which means that the two-lobed shape that we somehow recognize as representing a human heart is suddenly everywhere. There are heart-shaped candies, cards, chocolates, even heart-shaped pizzas. And many years ago, one man had the idea of building a heart-shaped hot tub… and a movement was born.

Nancy Mitchell

Feb 14, 2016

Phillip’s Boldly Colorful Denver Apartment

Name: Phillip Location: Highlands — Denver, Colorado My place is about 800 square feet (I think). It’s in the LoHi section of Denver, just outside of downtown. When I moved in 3.5 years ago, mine was the only big new apartment building in the area now there are at least a dozen. It’s definitely become a pretty popular area with a ton of great restaurants. I think it’s apparent from the pictures that I like a lot of color in my space.

Nora Taylor

Feb 13, 2016

Design Ideas for Doubling Down: Rooms with Two Twin Beds

Although it’s not as common as a single bed per room, doing double (when it comes to beds) could be a solution for your guest room, your kid’s room or maybe even your own room. Check out this visual evidence that two beds might be better (or at the very least as stylish) as one. An upstairs guest room gets a Wes Anderson-vibe thanks to a cool color palette and two twin beds. A kid’s room is made sophisticated and stylish with black and white contrast and monograms.

Adrienne Breaux

Feb 13, 2016

A Bolder Bathroom: Wild Wall Art Ideas

Tired of looking at your bathroom’s blank or beige walls? You might need some art! And there have been some spectacular ideas to borrow for your own home from the homes we’ve toured here on Apartment Therapy. Above: A DIY mosaic mural on a wall adds whimsy, color and excitement to a bathroom. Art all over: Elizabeth’s bathroom features a black-and-white faux-finish on the floor, writing on the wall (literally) and cut-out, pasted-on clouds on the ceiling.

Adrienne Breaux

Feb 13, 2016

Before & After: Mr. Heckles, The Love of Reed’s Life

I’m in love. I’m talking about my new (super old) refrigerator. This fridge, whom we lovingly call Mr. Heckles, was made in 1949 by General Electric. I’d always wanted an old fridge, just like the one Monica had on Friends. Gender aside, I am Monica. Really. A month ago, we finally signed a new lease at an apartment complex that did not provide a fridge. I seized this opportunity to find my dream fridge. I scoured eBay, Craigslist, Etsy, antiqueappliance.com. You name it.

Nora Taylor

Feb 13, 2016

Nicholas’ Black & White Handpainted Muraled Minneapolis Home

Name: Nicholas Location: North Loop — Minneapolis, Minnesota We’ve taken a relatively small square footage plan (740 square feet) and used every inch to its advantage. We took the blank white open space and customized each end to create several unique spaces within one. Our living space, where the sofa is moved just slightly from the wall to create a cozy office area was a must have for our work from home lifestyle.

Nora Taylor

Feb 12, 2016

Before & After: An “Odd Space” Opens Up

Our 1925 Craftsman had a number of unique features, some of which we preserved, and some which had to go. The Master Bathroom was one that had to be completely renovated, down to the studs. It was such an odd space before. It was essentially a Jack-and-Jill bathroom, but the pass-through from one side to the other was the shower! I’ve never seen anything like it, nor had our contractor.

Nora Taylor

Feb 12, 2016

Charlotte Painted, Crafted & Thrifted Her Way to This Adorable & Affordable Nursery

Name: Louisa (2 years old) Location: Southport, Connecticut We just moved into a historic house last spring and I was scrambling to pull together the kids’ rooms without too much expense and too much effort! This little room came together with nothing more than paint, a simple craft project and some thrifted decor! The hanging tapestry over her crib is made from two IKEA throw rugs and a homemade freezer paper stencil.

Nora Taylor

Feb 11, 2016

It Can Be Done: 8 Spaces that Make Track Shelving Look Good

Track shelving might be the most common in a pantry, office or garage, but if you know how to style it right, it can be beautiful enough to sit front and center right in the living room. Just check out these eight rooms, which each put their own spin on the track shelf thing. Above: Mounting art to the wall between the shelf standards gives this wall unit from Old Brand New a more upscale look.

Taryn Williford

Feb 11, 2016

Surefire Ways to Make Your Home a Happy (And Functional!) Place

Home. It’s the supposed harbor of our hearts, and yours is probably affecting your overall well-being more than you think. Gary and Chelsey’s home gave us that good, old fashioned “happy home” feeling, and we were determined to figure out why. If you’re feeling stuck in your pursuit of a happy home, we’ve compiled a simple list of practices most of the happiest homes on Apartment Therapy—such as this one—share.

Jessica Isaac

Feb 11, 2016

Bradley’s Post-Katrina Resurrected Shotgun

Name: Bradley Sabin and his dogs, Cooper and Romeo Location: Mid-City — New Orleans, Louisiana Size: 720 square feet Years lived in: 8 years; Owned Artist Bradley Sabin may live alone, but he is always in the company of friends. His 720-square-foot shotgun home, located in Mid-City New Orleans, is filled with artwork. “The art is very personal,” he explains. “I’m surrounded by things people I know made, so I feel like I’m with my friends.

Jacqueline Marque

Feb 11, 2016

DIY Chipotle Rice

(Image credit: Sheela Prakash) From The Kitchn → Recipe: Chipotle Copycat Rice

Apartment Therapy

Feb 11, 2016

Brandon & Kate’s “Minimal – but Cozy- as Possible” Apartment

Name: Brandon & Kate Location: Humboldt Park — Chicago, Illinois Our home is the top floor of a quaint little two-flat from 1891 in Humboldt Park Chicago. We fell in love with all the beautiful natural light that floods the apartment during the daytime and the simple white walls that were just begging for some artwork. We used to sell vintage furniture so we have a large collection of furniture and home decor to pull from.

Nora Taylor

Feb 10, 2016

Before & After: Overcoming the Quirks of ’70s Fireplace

About six years ago, my boyfriend and I bought a severely neglected 1970s ranch house. It was basically a grimy, character-free tract home with critters living in the garage and AC return duct. We had a lot of issues to deal with after we bought the house, so the limestone fireplace was pretty far from the top of the list, and we ended up ignoring it for years while we worked on other parts of the house. Eventually, it became harder to ignore.

Nora Taylor

Feb 10, 2016

Sarah & Lindsay Share a Simple, Southwestern-Inspired Space in Chicago

Name: Sarah & Lindsay Location: Humboldt Park — Chicago, Illinois Size: 1,000 square feet Years lived in: 5 months; Rented Sarah and Lindsay haven’t even lived together for half a year, but their styles have already merged seamlessly. Sarah brought the cozy Southwestern elements while Lindsay brought the Mid-century modern, and all the colors and patterns work with the nature-inspired elements to create a space that is warm and inviting.

Kristan Lieb

Feb 10, 2016

This Customizable DIY Dresser Drawer Bookshelf Is Just What Your Wall Needs

Reuse old dresser drawers to create a bookshelf installation like Mike and Kate’s! The couple found free dressers on Craigslist and used the drawers to transform an empty wall in their Chicago home. dresser drawers (preferably dovetailed) paint wall mounting hardware measuring tape hammer drill From Kate: I turned to Craigslist and found free dressers, took the drawers, and trashed the dressers themselves (don’t worry—they were really ugly).

Brittany Purlee

Feb 10, 2016

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Know Your Leather: A Detailed Guide To Spotting The Real Stuff

Thinking leather might be better? Keep in mind it’s not all created equal. The difference in quality between genuine, bonded, and flat-out fake leather is huge, and there are some easy tricks to spotting the good stuff. We looked at Value City Furniture’s new line of genuine leather furniture to learn what to look for. OK, duh. But the label is going to say more than just “real” or “fake!