The Latest
2016

The Latest: 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.
A Colorful Studio in San Francisco
Name: Adrianne Location: Lower Pacific Heights — San Francisco, California I was drawn to the apartment’s natural light and vintage touches, such as the 1926 ironing board that’s in the kitchen wall, or the onion shaped cutouts in the doorways and pass-through window. I was apprehensive to downsize at first – but once I started, I found myself surrounded by my most meaningful things and suddenly it became personal rather than visual.
Apartment Therapy
Nov 25, 2016
Design Evolution: Two Rounds of Reno for a Coronado Cottage
Karyn and Jessica’s beach bungalow is an ever-evolving small space. This is what Karyn had to say in 2013: I had just moved to the island of Coronado and had the perfect bungalow apartment in mind. I envisioned something small but homey with a comfortable outdoor area. The universe must have been on my side because not two minutes after making my wish list I found the perfect studio apartment. Being a designer has its perks, especially after walking into this place.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Nov 25, 2016
11 Understated (But Still Gorgeous) Holiday Decorating Ideas
"Decorating for the holidays" often feels like an expensive and time-consuming undertaking, but there's another way to do Christmas.
Eleanor Büsing
Nov 25, 2016
5 Unexpected Things You Should Buy on Black Friday
The Kitchn Editors
Nov 25, 2016
Partner
Creature Comforts: 4 Tips for Pet-Friendly Decorating
Any pet owner will tell you that there’s nothing like having a furry friend around the house. But even the best-trained animal can be hard on your home, so it’s important to make smart but stylish decorating choices that meet your needs and theirs. Here are four easy tips you can apply to make sure that your décor is pet purrfect. 1. Pick a material you can trust. Not all upholstery is created equal.
Sponsored Post
Nov 25, 2016
The Best Ways to Store The Dishes You (Almost) Never Use
‘Tis the season to be merry—and host dinner parties, of course. It’s time to break out a couple of bottles (or boxes, no judgment here) of wine, about a metric ton of food and, well, the dishes to help you serve said culinary delights. Since most of us don’t host large dinner parties every day, this means some of the extra dinnerware used during the holidays isn’t in regular rotation.
Julie Sprankles
Nov 24, 2016
How I Hosted My Small Space Thanksgiving
(Image credit: Morgan Childs) From Kitchn → How I Hosted Thanksgiving in My 195-Square-Foot Apartment
Apartment Therapy
Nov 24, 2016
7 Tips for Meeting The Parents This Holiday Season
The holidays can be a truly lovely time of year, with parties, delicious dinners, and family and friend reunions—but they can also be super stressful (travel and fundamental differences among family members can all lead to disaster). The dynamics change even more when you’re in a brand new relationship, especially if it happens to be the first time you’re meeting your partner’s family. Of course, you want to make a stellar first impression and have a great time.
Brittney Morgan
Nov 24, 2016
7 Tips for Cutting Your Post-Thanksgiving Cleanup in Half
The Kitchn Editors
Nov 24, 2016
A Cozy Little Studio in a Dream Neighborhood
Name: Emily Location: German Village — Columbus, Ohio When I was first moving to Columbus, people would ask me where I wanted to live. The first place I would say was German Village… followed by a little laugh, because it was silly of me to think I would be able to find/afford a place there. It felt like a long shot, but it was also my dream. The quaint brick streets, historical homes, coffee shops, restaurants, a great park, all within walking distance.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Nov 23, 2016
6 Tips for a Beautiful Thanksgiving Buffet
(Image credit: Leela Cyd) From Kitchn → 6 Tips for Setting Up a Thanksgiving Buffet
Apartment Therapy
Nov 23, 2016
Get the Look: Vintage, Eclectic & Colorful Style
Bold, colorful, and vintage — if that’s your goal, take a peek at Allison’s resource lists from her unforgettable Austin apartment to shop her style and instantly fill your space with colorful kitschy decor! charset="utf-8" src="https://d30bopbxapq94k.cloudfront.net/js/curalate-widget-client-all.prod.min.
Emma Fiala
Nov 23, 2016
Bless Their Heart: Responses to Prying Questions From Nosy People
Oh, bless the nosy relatives and awkward acquaintances that we see this time of year. They mean well, right? They don’t want to hurt our feelings. They don’t mean to pry. And yet, oooof— navigating the holiday table can feel like House of the Flying Daggers, but instead of daggers it’s questions about jobs and housing and love interests and income and life goals and babies, all zinged at us over mashed potatoes and Nana’s famous dinner rolls.
Julia Brenner
Nov 23, 2016
“Can This Go in the Dishwasher?” Your Guide to Post-Thanksgiving Dinner Cleanup
As hard-working as that holiest of appliances is, it can't do it all. Or, rather, it shouldn't.
Julie Sprankles
Nov 23, 2016
Advice for Real Life: Entertaining Tips from a Small Space Studio Dweller
When Amelia, who runs the design business Urban Cottage NYC, moved into her 490 square foot Hell’s Kitchen studio apartment, she was ready to live small. What she wasn’t willing to do was give up the feeling of having different rooms. “I still wanted to feel like I had a real dining room, where friends could hang out, or where I could write or sew or do projects while watching TV,” she writes. As you can see from her house tour, she totally aced the furniture placement.
Adrienne Breaux
Nov 23, 2016
A Dark & Dreamy Victorian
Name: Ruth Location: Manchester, England I bought my first home a year ago, where I now live with my partner Adam. This came after 16 years of house-sharing so I couldn’t wait to unleash my creativity on it after living so long with magnolia walls! My house is a Victorian two bed terrace just outside the centre of Manchester, England.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Nov 22, 2016
Before & After: This Dorm Room Keeps the Fun in Functional
Sarah’s dorm room is fun, bright and youthful. By mixing bright colorful DIY projects with bright white minimalism, she made her space look larger — all without sacrificing personality. From Sarah: As a junior in college, I had the opportunity to live in a single dorm room, and I couldn’t wait to start decorating. The goal was to make the dark 12′ X 8.5′ room more colorful and fun, but also feel open and inviting.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Nov 22, 2016
10 Ways to Be on Your Best Thanksgiving Guest Behavior
(Image credit: Leela Cyd) From Kitchn → 10 Ways to Be the Best Thanksgiving Guest
Apartment Therapy
Nov 22, 2016
The Definitive List of Euphemisms for the Bathroom, Ranked
Like anything associated with bodily functions, the bathroom has garnered more than its fair share of nicknames, some euphemistic, some far more colorful. (The word ‘bathroom,’ when used to refer to the place where you use the toilet, is in itself a euphemism, implying that something far more delicate than eliminating is going on.) But not all of them are created equal.
Nancy Mitchell
Nov 21, 2016
A Last-Minute Cleaning Checklist for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is in three days. And you’re hosting. If you started planning weeks ago, you’re in great shape to pick up and get to the real work of having guests and preparing a very special feast. If you’re only getting around to preparations now, don’t despair! Here’s a list of practical things to take care of so your mind and heart are free to enjoy what matters most. Do a quick clean of the guest room (dust and vacuum).
Shifrah Combiths
Nov 21, 2016
Before & After: A Guest Bathroom Gets a New “Warm Industrial” Look
Courtney and John’s guest bathroom was outdated and had a funky layout, so they set out to open up and update the space. From Courtney & John: To complement our recently renovated guest room, we decided to tackle the attached guest bath as well. Overall, the bathroom was functional with a stock vanity and prefabricated shower/tub combo. But the space lacked style and was not utilizing the square footage to its maximum capacity.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Nov 21, 2016
Your Guide to a Stranger Things Themed Thanksgiving
(Image credit: Lauren Volo ) From Kitchn → A Stranger Things Thanksgiving from the Upside Down
Apartment Therapy
Nov 21, 2016
10 New Traditions to Try Out This Thanksgiving
We’re all familiar with Say What You’re Thankful For, Break The Wishbone, and Eat Way Too Much Pie, but these 10 new traditions might lively up your annual family feast—for many years to come. Encourage your guests to bring canned/boxed goods to donate to a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. For every item they bring, they get one ticket for a raffle.
Tess Wilson
Nov 20, 2016
Inglenooks: The Beautiful Unicorn House Feature of My Dreams
This morning, I woke up to the charming banging and burbling of my radiator coming back to life. Cold weather is here! Or, as I like to think about it, inglenook season. This is not because anyone I know actually has an inglenook, or I have ever experienced one in real life. Inglenooks, like unicorns, are a beautiful thing that I have only ever seen in pictures and in my dreams. But that’s no reason to limit myself from sharing these photos with you.
Nancy Mitchell
Nov 20, 2016
A Bright & Brand New Brooklyn Apartment
Name: Alicia Location: Prospect Lefferts Gardens — Brooklyn, New York My husband, two month old baby boy and I live in a bright two bedroom corner unit in Brooklyn. The apartment is modern and brand new (we moved in April 2016 and were the first ones to live in it) and has great amenities (washer/dryer, dishwasher and bathtub), which is hard to find in New York. We moved here because we were looking for these amenities with a baby on the way.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Nov 18, 2016
10 Best Electric Kettles for Every Budget
From Apartment Therapy → Tea Time: 10 Best Electric Kettles
The Kitchn
Nov 18, 2016
40 Crafts for a Festive Thanksgiving Feast
The Kitchn Editors
Nov 18, 2016
A Refreshingly Realistic, “Good Enough” Plan for Cleaning Before Hosting Houseguests
As we’re heading into the season of potlucks, cookie exchanges, and cocktail parties, let’s remember that our friends and family are coming over to spend this special time with us, not to judge our homes. Even if we’d like everything to be “perfect,” we only need to tackle a few issues to make our homes welcoming and inviting.
Julia Brenner
Nov 17, 2016
Social Butterflies Tell Us Their Secrets on How to Gracefully Exit Any Conversation
Navigating a party doesn’t require a map—just a little bit of charm. And know this: If you’re not born with social finesse, it’s certainly something you can borrow. The next time you find yourself in a conversation that you need to dip out of—for a drink, a bathroom break, or just to take a breath—use one of these lines. We tapped a panel of entertaining experts in order to lend you some of their secrets for making a graceful exit from a tight circle.
Taryn Williford
Nov 17, 2016
Before & After: Some Smart, Scandi Kitchen Storage
Heidi’s kitchen got a sleek and storage-minded upgrade. Taking cues from her building’s style —and her own personal aesthetic — she created a space that added a lot of functionality, without sacrificing affordability. From Heidi: The design was conceived around cues from my 1959 building’s clean aesthetic combined with a Scandinavian modern/folk influence.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Nov 17, 2016
For Any Budget: 19 Super Sources for Knobs & Pulls
When it comes to kitchen cabinets, hardware is a little thing that can make a big difference. We’ve rounded up ten of the best online sources for knobs, pulls, and everything in between, helpfully sorted into ‘High,’ ‘Mid’ and ‘Low’ categories so you can find the best store for your budget. My Knobs: A huge, almost overwhelming, selection of cabinet hardware at very reasonable prices. Cabinet Parts: Low prices and a large selection.
Nancy Mitchell
Nov 17, 2016
17 Ridiculous Design-Related Pick Up Lines to Use at Holiday Parties
It’s holiday party season, which means ample opportunities for awkward exchanges with your office crush, your neighbor crush, or your longtime friend crush (huzzah?). Ok, more like blergh. So just for fun, since we’re all design fans, let’s imagine a world where, instead of stilted small talk about craft beers or Netflix shows, we exchanged design-related pick up lines…a world like this: *Okay, no one said these were any good, but please do report back if you try one!
Julia Brenner
Nov 17, 2016
A Stylish, Ever Changing Apartment
Name: Rebecca Location: Mercer Island, Washington I live in a quant 1950s brick apartment building in one of Seattle’s premier suburbs, Mercer Island. I’m a commercial interior designer specializing in office space design. My work is busy making great space for clients but my own home was left to random pieces from collage. This last year I finally made time to work on my own place realizing how important it is to love your home.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Nov 17, 2016
5 Kitchen Sponge Truths
(Image credit: Lauren Volo) From Kitchn → 5 Things You Should Know About Sponges
Apartment Therapy
Nov 17, 2016
Partner
Win: The Best Bed Ever from Floyd and Tuft & Needle
Prize: One queen-sized platform bed frame from Floyd, and one queen-sized mattress from Tuft & Needle From: Floyd and Tuft & Needle Value: $1,189 “New bed” falls just below “new car” on the list of items I hate shopping for the most. Who can really feel out a mattress in the store? Why can’t I find a well made bed frame that isn’t a headache to assemble? OMG, what kind of sleeper am I? It’s a big purchase with a ton of options and just as many questions.
Sponsored Post
Nov 17, 2016
Breaking Down One Bouquet into Multiple Arrangements
(Image credit: Lauren Volo) From Kitchn → Turn One Bouquet into a Bunch of Arrangements
Apartment Therapy
Nov 16, 2016
13 Easy-to-Mix Drinks That Should Be Your New Signature Cocktail
A “signature cocktail” sounds like the stuff of a fussy wedding reception, not a simple Sunday dinner party. But as a host at home, having a signature drink just means that you have a delicious and easy-to-mix recipe at the ready to whip up a tasty, boozy sip for anyone who needs it. So what will your signature drink be? It should be something that, first of all, you like to drink.
Taryn Williford
Nov 16, 2016
The Store-Bought Staples That Help Make Entertaining Easier
The Kitchn Editors
Nov 16, 2016
Before & After: Saying Ta-Ta to a Tile Floor
When her sister-in-law was ready to update her kitchen, Cathy knew she could make an impact while keeping most of the kitchen intact by painting the cabinets and making the biggest update to the floor. From Cathy: “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.” I am a firm believer in trying to make the most of the existing elements in a space before considering replacing or changing them.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Nov 16, 2016
Clash Course 101: How To Set a Mix-and-Match Table
I don’t know about you, but I’m constantly committing to hosting the holidays or big events, while completely ignoring the fact that, when it comes to dinnerware, I’m extremely underprepared. Something just happens to me in that moment where I get swept away with the anticipation of a great evening surrounded by family and friends and I subconsciously fail to recognize that in no way, shape or form do I have twenty-plus matching settings of any kind of dinner, stem or flatware.
Cara Gibbs
Nov 16, 2016
The Complete Guide to Ordering in Your Thanksgiving Meal
The Kitchn Editors
Nov 16, 2016
Partner
How to Make a Modernist Mantel
No fireplace? No problem. Hang your stockings under a modernist “mantel.” It takes 10 minutes to make, and it’s a great way to step up your style this holiday season. (We checked with Santa, and he confirms this won’t impact his deliveries.) Our toolkit: Command™ Picture Ledges and Hooks. They’re easy to hang and even easier to take down when the holidays are over (although we think we’ll keep the ledges a little while longer).
Sponsored Post
Nov 16, 2016
5 Things to Keep Close When You’re Cooking
(Image credit: Leela Cyd) From Kitchn → 5 Things You Should Always Keep Within Arm’s Reach of the Stove
Apartment Therapy
Nov 15, 2016
Crowd-Tested Appetizers and Snacks That Will Be a Hit At Your Next Party
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, a small pre-bar-hopping cocktail hour or even ordering in some take out for a lazy sunday with friends, there’s a simple secret to making the most of the day: Have a snack on the table as soon as the first guest arrives. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate—even just a small bowl of chips or nuts will get the job done.
Taryn Williford
Nov 15, 2016
Color Palettes to Make “Shadow” (Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year) Work in Your Home
In case you missed it, Benjamin Moore announced its Color of the Year for 2017. Shadow 2117-30, a deep purple that can lean more toward a smokey charcoal or a lighter violet depending on the light, came out on top for the paint brand. In honor of the celebrated hue, we’ve put together four different palettes that work with a deep, rich purple so that, no matter your taste, you’ll be tempted to incorporate the in-style shade somewhere in your home.
Allie M. Harper
Nov 15, 2016
Smart Ways to Hack IKEA Furniture into a Bar Cart
The Kitchn Editors
Nov 15, 2016
A Sleek, Urban Loft in An Old Cheesecake Factory
Name: Carlos Location: Williamsburg — Brooklyn, New York We were looking for something with character that felt like New York – we didn’t have a big renovation budget but were willing to find the right space and do our best to personalize it. Since we’re both expats we wanted a home that felt relevant to its geography and it doesn’t get much more New York than a former cheesecake factory!
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Nov 14, 2016
Your New Winter Hobby: Custom Candle & Container Combos
It’s that time of year where we prepare to hibernate. That means cozy socks, piles of blankets, and lots and lots of candles. Thankfully making all those candles on your own is easier than you think. The best part about it is that you can make candles that are completely custom for you — which means your favorite scents in containers that match your style or space. Here are nine great DIY candle and container combos to help keep you busy (and cozy) this season.
Melissa DiRenzo
Nov 14, 2016