The Latest: Feb 2017

Name & Location: Nicola in Leeds, United Kingdom My Favorite Room: Living Room Specs: 215 square feet, owned Nicola’s living room if full of deep, dark colors, funky textures and the sort of textiles and fabrics you just want to snuggle up and get cozy. With a fun mix of thrifted and new purchases, the space has a ton of personality that complements the Victorian architecture of the home. All of the elements work together to make a perfectly welcoming family living room.

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to personal style, and lighting is no exception. For every design preference, we have your pendant light counterpart: are you bohemian and all-natural? Industrial and hard-edged? Just thrifty and know how to grab a good deal when you see it? With the huge selection available, there’s no wrong answer (only many, many great options). Have your ideal vision in mind?

Teeny tiny bedroom got you down? Fear not. We're here to help.

Sometime a few decades back, it seems that designers cottoned onto the fact that mirrors are (er, make that can be) fantastic for interiors. They reflect light, thus making a space look brighter and larger. There’s also a certain shiny-glam factor to them, owing to the fact that traditionally, glass is an expensive finish to splash about. That all being said, there can definitely be too much of a good thing, especially when mirrors are concerned.

It’s up for debate for sure but I think for many, the living room—especially for apartment or condo dwellers—is the most used space in their home. It’s where you relax, entertain, get some work done and maybe even have a bite in front of the T.V. Having a small space doesn’t mean you can’t do all that and still have a stylish and functional living room.

Design by: Veronica Koltuniak of Verokolt Architect: Ben May Design Home Builder: Bryer Construction and Installation, LLC Location: Austin, Texas Scratch-n-sniff wallpaper isn’t usually the first jumping off point in a design plan, but when Veronica Koltuniak of Verokolt lucked out with such a cool client—a self-confirmed bachelor who prefers a home filled with friends, music and late night jam sessions—requesting such rarities, she couldn’t believe her luck.

It’s a funny thing what happens when you move into a new home. All of a sudden, the furniture pieces that worked so well for you in your previous abode just don’t feel…right anymore. Sure, some things transition seamlessly, but others end up feeling too small or too basic in the new space. Vijay Nathan—Apartment Therapy Media’s Product Manager—and his wife Anita would certainly agree. If you’ve been following along with the couple’s rental loft 2.

As a close watcher of trends in the design world, I will say that there’s a lot out there that is very beautiful, but few things that feel really new. There are always exceptions, though, like these iridescent homewares (and accessories). They feel different and futuristic and maybe even a little bit magical, the perfect thing for taking your home, and your style, to the next level. Above: Definitely a bit pricey, but watch for sales.

Here’s a sneak peek of the one, the only Ms. Chesterfield. I’ve been sitting on another secret for WAY too long. I’m thrilled that I can FINALLY share our newest collaboration with Interior Define with all of you. Ready for 2017, here’s my interpretation of the iconic Chesterfield sofa: a sleeker, sexier and more modern version, and she’s called Ms. Chesterfield.

Cat lovers, you have to check this out right meow. This new design show in Singapore is totally devoted to furniture that’s exclusively for felines. Aptly named 9 Lives, the show includes practical and aesthetically pleasing furniture exclusively for our feline friends. The show features nine designers (one for each of the lives) who “express their take on furniture design for cats for urban, compact living spaces.

Want to save over $800? Ok, I’m getting ahead of myself. This isn’t the first time I’ve sung the praises of Milo Baughman and his impressive body of work. His long term collaboration with Thayer Coggin produced some hugely popular modern designs, many of which are still hunted down and coveted to this day. And even while surrounded by it’s fellow sleek, chrome counterparts, the 1188 dining chair definitely still stands out.

I’ve been on a quest for the perfect pillow for years. My mattress game is on point, but the same cannot be said about my pillows. I’ve tried memory foam, contoured memory foam, down varieties (not for me…too much fluffing), down-alternative, gel-fiber, polyester fluff—you name it, I’ve slept on it.

I love gadgets, but not usually in the kitchen. Kitchen gadgets are often fads that come and go. Everything I find, however, comes with a good recommendation and this one came from a friend in LA, who emailed me with this crazy happy recommendation: “Maxwell! This thing is so exciting to use and it makes chopping so fun. I use mine almost every day.” Was she being paid to tell me this? Turns out, no — she genuinely loves this thing. So I got one and checked it out.

West Elm’s Peggy sofa has been the source of much controversy this week. Here’s how the affordable mid-century style option went from popular pick to discontinued in just about six days. It all started when Anna Hezel’s piece, Why Does This One Couch From West Elm Suck So Much?, was published on The Awl last Thursday. In it, she details how she and her partner bought the Peggy after moving in together.

Back when I made the coveted transition from dorm to first college apartment, my living room consisted of a Walmart futon, curbside coffee table, and my roommate’s gigantic, cheetah print shoe chair lovingly transported from Long Island. And even though I’m well into early adulthood, I’m still slowly but surely building up to having a fully furnished, grown up apartment.

Moving into a new place can be a fun adventure. It can also be a little daunting when you realize a hefty amount of the furniture you had in your previous home just doesn’t work anymore and you aren’t sure where to start the refresh process. Such was the case for one of Apartment Therapy’s Product Managers, Vijay Nathan and his wife Anita.

Room & Board’s new catalog is here and we’ve just pored through its pages to find all of the treasures. With a modern spin put on classic mid-century and arts and crafts designs, the catalog shows off how the brand makes it possible for a broad array of different design tastes to be satisfied with their collections, making it easy to find something you love for every room of your house.

If spending so much time inside this season has you feeling like your home could use refresh, look no further. When opening the windows is out of the question, treating your space to a little something new can offset the winter blahs like nothing else. Here are eleven things we’re loving right now, that just happen to also be on sale for under $50.