Unexpected Items to Look for When Thrift Shopping (& Things to Avoid!)
From Apartment Therapy → Unexpected Items to Look for When Thrift Shopping (& Things to Avoid!
Sep 26, 2017
New Wardrobe, New You: What to Ask Yourself While Cleaning Out (& Revamping) Your Closet
I’m a stress cleaner—as in, I tend to clean and organize things when I’m overwhelmed or feeling down. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned from my emotional clean-out sessions, it’s that the sometimes the most satisfying thing on the planet is cleaning out your closet—even if it’s hard for you to part with some of your old favorite clothes.
Sep 26, 2017
Before & After: An Old Chair Gets a Chic New Seat & Whole New Vibe
"Multiple layers of paint were evident on the chipped and scarred wood and the vinyl cushion was crunchy, mildewed - and smelled really, really bad."
Sep 26, 2017
The Inside Scoop on The Inside, The New Company That Delivers Custom Furniture In Under Two Weeks
When Amazon can deliver almost anything in under an hour, waiting up to four months for a sofa (because god forbid you want something that isn’t the one in stock upholstery option) can be absolute torture—and cost you a fortune to boot. The Inside is a new furniture company that delivers fun, playful patterns and styles at affordable price points—in as little as six days.
Sep 26, 2017
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Thinking Through Double-Duty Furniture in Small Spaces
When you start living in a small space, you quickly realize the value of furniture that does double duty. Whether it’s just a desk by day/dining table by night or a stuff-storing ottoman, finding just a few multifunctional pieces opens up so much cherished storage and living space. However — and this is important — creating a space that fulfills multiple functions doesn’t mean sacrificing style.
Sep 26, 2017
The Best Cabinet Paint Colors for a Happier Kitchen, According to Interior Designers
(Image credit: Jennifer Hughes for Elizabeth Lawson Design) From Kitchn → The Best Cabinet Paint Colors for a Happier Kitchen, According to Interior Designers null
Sep 26, 2017
Inside James Franco’s $949K Silver Lake Pad For Sale
The Deuce star James Franco is getting rid of his duo of Silver Lake apartments. The properties were just listed this week for $949,000. Variety was the first to report the listing today, also mentioning that the 127 Hours star bought the place back in 2012 for $775,000. Though it seems it’s been used to house a production company, at least according to a neighbor complaint reported on Curbed. They’re probably excited to see that for sale sign go up.
Sep 25, 2017
A Couple Blends Their Tastes to Create a Polished Home
Name: Diana, James and their chichuahua Herman Location: Edmonton — Alberta, Canada The basics: 1 year, owned — 1,800 square feet Diana and her partner James blended their somewhat divergent tastes to create an awesomely chic home. With one minimalist and one maximalist it wasn’t always easy, but their first shared home is a stylish labor of love.
Sep 25, 2017
Here’s How To Get a Tour of NYC from Sarah Jessica Parker
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to traipse New York City and see its streets through the eyes — and stiletto-clad heels — of Carrie Bradshaw, then now is your chance. Sarah Jessica Parker has partnered up with Airbnb Experiences to offer four lucky fans the chance to shop and tour Manhattan for a day — not just alongside a legendary New Yorker, but with the actual actress who played Carrie Bradshaw (for six seasons and two movies) as your tour guide.
Sep 25, 2017
We Tried These Bathroom Drain Snakes To Unclog a Sink & OMG The Hair
Snaking the drain is one of those nasty jobs that we put off, and just deal with a clogged or slow draining sink or tub because we don’t want to bother with calling the landlord, or figuring out how to do it ourselves. Like so many things, after we actually do it, we realize it’s just not a big deal and wish we’d done it sooner. It’s also satisfying —and gross.
Sep 25, 2017
The Real Deal: Am I Ready to Buy a House?
If you’ve had enough of your roommate eating your leftover take-out, your absentee landlord hiking the rent year after year even though the heat barely works, or your mom asking what time you — a full-grown adult the last time you checked — will be home, you might be dreaming about buying your own place, and doing it sooner rather than later. But how do you know if you’re ready to buy a home, and whether it’s a good idea? There are various rent vs.
Sep 25, 2017
Watch Your Step: This Viral Optical Illusion Carpet Is Driving Twitter Crazy
How uncomfortable does the above floor make you? If you’re like some on Twitter, the answer is very. Have no fear, though—the floor is flat and the carpet is causing an optical illusion. Australian YouTuber Muselk posted about the visual trickery last week calling it evil, and the tweet has over 150,000 likes and 77,000 retweets. Whoever designed this floor is evil. THATS A FLAT CARPET. pic.twitter.
Sep 25, 2017
Is Hygge Still A Thing? We Investigate.
Hygge was one of Oxford Dictionary’s Words of the Year in 2016, when the concept of conscious coziness was everywhere. Apartment Therapy featured What Does Hygge Mean?, How To Add More Hygge, Hygge Can Be A Recipe For A Happy Life, Hooked On A (Hygge) Feeling…and a handful of other hygge-theme posts. (We also ran Hygge and Hot Chocolate way back in 2007.) But as we head into fall 2017, does the Danish philosophy still have a hold on us?
Sep 25, 2017
Before & After: A Slow Burn Dining Room Revamp Pays Off in the End
Naomi’s dining room was cramped, carpeted and questionably colored. After removing the most unsightly elements when she first moved in, she let the room stay as it was while updating other parts of the home. Upon returning to it a few years later, Naomi created a layered and charming space, making the most of some of the elements she initially disliked. From Naomi: When we first bought this house, the dining room was cramped and dark.
Sep 25, 2017
One Big Reason Millennials Want Smaller Homes—And It Could Change the Housing Market
Ok, so maybe millennials aren’t settling in cities en masse like we thought they were. However, they’re still changing the housing market in small but important ways. We know today’s young adults are getting married much later in life than past generations, for instance, and they’re buying homes later, too.
Sep 25, 2017
6 Things Professional Organizers Can’t Live Without
(Image credit: Image: Brother/ Design: Susanna Hopler) From Kitchn → 6 Things Professional Organizers Can’t Live Without null
Sep 25, 2017
A Cozy Retreat in Seattle for a Family of Four
Name: Rose, her husband, their two daughters and a puppy Location: Seattle, Washington The basics: 12 years, owned —2,200 square feet Rose’s Seattle home is light, airy and warm, perfectly designed to combat the city’s famous gloom. Blending iconic mid-century shapes with personal touches, the home looks of the moment yet lived in and personal.
Sep 24, 2017
IKEA Tried to Make Inflatable Furniture Happen—Twice
IKEA is known for being a pioneering company. The retailer effectively invented flat pack furniture and made it mainstream. There have been tons of design forward products over the years, with several becoming long-lived staples like BILLY bookcases and the POANG chair. However, even IKEA gets it wrong on occasion, and sometimes, they mess up twice. In an excerpt from IKEA’s forthcoming book, Democratic Design (coming in 2018), copywriter Stina Holmberg describes the tale of IKEA a.i.r.
Sep 24, 2017
Decor Match Maker: 10 Coffee & Side Table Pairings That Just Plain Work
If your sofa is the protagonist of your living room, your coffee and side tables are the necessary supporting cast — pivotal details to making the whole space gel. But pairing these elements can sometimes feel a little tricky. Do the wood tones have to match? Do the metal finishes have to be the same? Do I have to buy a pre-selected set at my local furniture depot (or picks from the same collection) just to get something that coordinates? No!
Sep 24, 2017
Rent or Buy In This Historic Scottish Castle
Do you entertain fantasies of castle living, but aren’t exactly ready for the sort of upkeep that comes with a centuries old stone building steeped in history? Well, we have some good news: this castle in Scotland has been converted into townhomes, and there are two currently on the market—one for rent, and one for sale.
Sep 24, 2017
This $5 Million NOLA Mansion For Sale Was Once Owned By Anne Rice
Laissez les bon temps of the rich and famous in this nearly $5 million Victorian mansion that just hit the market in Mardi Gras country, once owned by the infamous Mother of Vampire Fiction Anne Rice. The 8,747-square-foot estate just off the street car line down St.
Sep 24, 2017
Before & After: A Dated, Rhinestone Covered Dresser Gets a DIY Makeunder
Meghan needed a new dresser but couldn’t bring herself to buy one, when her gut was telling her there was a used one to be had floating out in the universe. She found one, and it seems like it had one hell of a previous life, since it was covered in rhinestones and wallpaper. She decided that with just a little love and attention she could spiff the dresser into a piece that was more to her tastes. From Meghan: I found this chest of drawers at the Salvation Army for £10 ($13).
Sep 24, 2017
Before & After: An IKEA Hemnes Dresser Glams Up
Courtney found herself in a bit of a design lurch when she ordered a new dresser for her daughter, but a month later got word that it had been cancelled. Instead of shaking her fists at the heavens and cursing the retail gods, she hopped in her car, drove to IKEA and snatched up a Hemnes dresser. With a little DIY know-how she transformed the dresser into a totally glam, Old Hollywood-inspired piece. From Courtney: If you are not familiar with it, this is the Hemnes dresser from IKEA.
Sep 23, 2017
Meet My Two Favorite Lunch Buddies: Prepd and Monbento
Lunch monotony is real and we know it all too well. You were excited to have prepped a lunch the night before, but those leftovers look kind of sad and boring now that noon is rolling around and your stomach is grumbling. Today I’ve got two bento boxes that are total lunch gamechangers: Prepd Pack and Monbento. They’re super functional (compact, wash easily, no leaks) and super cute.
Sep 23, 2017
On the Market: Old Houses Under $200K with Woodwork to Die For
Real estate daydreaming is one of the most enjoyable pastimes: you can envision all the lives you’d lead, all the outfits you’d wear, and all the updates and improvements you’d make without being confined by budget, building codes, or reality. Here are a dozen homes currently on the market for under $200,000, all of them fixer-uppers of varying degrees, all of them featuring ridiculously beautiful, ornate, and irreplaceable original woodwork.
Sep 23, 2017
UNIQLO Channels Charles & Ray Eames for Latest Collection
Fast fashion goes mid-century modern: Uniqlo is paying homage to the most famous furniture designers of the era—the Eames. The Japanese retailer known for affordable of-the-moment basics and artsy graphic tees is channeling Charles and Ray Eames for its latest line — with prices ranging from just $14.99 to $19.99.
Sep 23, 2017
One Man’s Junk Is Another Woman’s Cute Hanging Bathroom Storage
Not all bathroom projects have to be major upgrades, sometimes a simple change can add a little bit of extra functionality and a lot of charm. Claire needed more storage but wasn’t particularly keen on running out to the store for a quick fix. After fate threw this vintage drawer into her path, it became clear that she was about to find her storage solution. From Claire: This was an old drawer that I had picked out of a dumpster on my daily dog walk.
Sep 23, 2017
Show Off Your Storage With Stylish Baskets You Can DIY
Don't let your storage bore.
Sep 23, 2017
Here’s What We’re Loving From West Elm’s Friends & Family Sale
You know what’s great about friends and family? They give you discounts on discounts. Well, that’s at least what’s going on over at West Elm right now, where even the markdowns get an extra 20 percent off. Whether you’re smitten with something new or are eyeing something already on sale, now would be the time to add to cart, since code FRIENDS will give you an additional 20 percent off.
Sep 22, 2017
Before & After: A Drab Lanai Gets a Colorful Update
Project by: Becky Daly of Daly Digs Location: Tampa, Florida Becky’s client wanted to add some oomph to her outdoor space, so she designed a lanai that reflected her passions, style and personality. The space went from standard to stunning with bold and bright furniture, plenty of greenery and surprising accents sprinkled throughout. From Becky: My client friend Jessica wanted to transform her drab lanai into a tropical, West Indies-inspired oasis.
Sep 22, 2017
Bloggers’ Secrets for Avoiding Shipping Fees, Snagging Amazing Deals & Becoming a Pro at Online Shopping
Online shopping can sometimes be a science when it comes to saving money. With all the coupon codes, social media campaigns, free shipping hacks, and surprise sales, a person needs to be savvy in order to tap into all of the available resources. In order to help you get the cheapest possible price the next time you go shopping, here are online shopping tips from real thrifty and money-minded people. Buy more for less from now on!
Sep 22, 2017
Check Out Beyoncé and Jay Z’s $26 Million House in the Hamptons
Seems like Bey and Jay are crazy in love with a new house. The mega stars closed on a property last month in Bel Air, but they’ve got their East coast pad on lock now, too. The music moguls also spent $25.925 million in July for this sprawling East Hampton manse, as spotted on 6sqft. Dubbed Pond House, the 12,000 square foot home is located on over two acres by Georgica Pond and next to a 17 acre meadow preserve (read: tons of privacy).
Sep 22, 2017
Next-Level Tips for Serious Buyers to Get the Most Out of Open Houses
Open houses are kind of fun, aren’t they? There’s something interesting about walking through a home and trying to picture yourself living there. However, when you’re serious about getting into the real estate market, it’s time to take this experience to the next level. Here are our tips for buyers on getting the most out of open houses. Keep these in mind the next time you’re in the mood to take a tour and you’ll be an open house pro before you know it.
Sep 22, 2017
IKEA Wants You To Taste Test Its Hydroponic Salad at London Design Week
We’ve seen purveyors of art and clothing successfully attract customers to temporary storefronts, and now farmers are set to enter the pop-up shop arena, courtesy of IKEA’s SPACE10Lab which houses a pop-up vertical farm in Shoreditch, London. Launched during the London Design Festival this week, the LOKAL pop up allows visitors to sample fresh food where it’s being harvested.
Sep 22, 2017
This Retailer Wants to Deliver Your Groceries Directly To Your Fridge
It’s pretty easy to outsource your grocery shopping these days, with everyone from Instacart to AmazonFresh to plenty of supermarket chains offering delivery of your pantry staples and perishables. Though one major retailer wants to take it a step further. Several steps, actually—directly to your kitchen where they’ll put everything away for you.
Sep 22, 2017
This Real Life Weasley Clock Will Tell You Where Your Family Is
You’re not a true Potterhead until you’ve purchased at least one home décor item that reflects your obsession with the fantasy world of wizardry. Here to help you take your interior design tastes from meh to magical is this delightfully odd Weasley-inspired family clock, which is thisclose to hanging on your living room wall thanks to a Kickstarter campaign that seeks to recreate the wonky timepieces for the masses.
Sep 22, 2017
Before & After: Turning a Basic IKEA Headboard into a Chic, West Elm-Inspired DIY Masterpiece
Robin found herself dreaming West Elm dreams while on an IKEA budget. Luckily, she’s an intrepid DIYer so she set out to turn her standard headboard into an upholstered leather masterpiece. All it took was one weekend and a little inspiration to create a chic new look for her bedroom without breaking the bank. From Robin: I started with the IKEA Hemnes bed frame. While it was a great inexpensive bed frame, it needed some sprucing up.
Sep 22, 2017
How We Can Help Those Affected By Hurricane Maria
Puerto Rico, Domenica, and other islands in the Caribbean took a hit from another big hurricane this week. On Wednesday, Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico as the most powerful hurricane (a category 4) to rock the US territory since 1932. And this comes just two weeks after Hurricane Irma ripped through the area. We’ve compiled a list of organizations on the front lines helping the victims of this severe storm.
Sep 22, 2017
Aldi’s Wine Advent Calendar Is Everything You Need This Holiday Season
(Image credit: Aldi) From Kitchn → Aldi’s Wine Advent Calendar Is Everything You Need This Holiday Season null
Sep 22, 2017
Be Inspired By This Magical, Mystical RV for Sale Emblazoned with Mr. T Riding a Unicorn
Today in things that really exist that you can buy, allow us to present this 1973 GMC motor home. It’s like your average motor home in a lot of ways, except that this one comes with some inspirational art, in the form of Mr. T riding a unicorn. For those who missed out on the ’80s, Mr. T is an American actor and retired wrestler who most notably starred as B.A. Baracus on the hit show The A-Team, and opposite Sly Stallone as boxer Clubber Lang in 1982’s Rocky III.
Sep 21, 2017
A Young Design Enthusiast’s Carefully Crafted Home
Name: Zane Location: Woodley Park — Washington, DC The basics: 5 weeks, rented — 1,170 square feet As popular CBS sitcom wisdom dictates, a building occupied by three brothers of a certain age should be a mess full of recliners and light-up beer signs. Zane’s crisp and well thought out apartment stands in direct opposition to that particular stereotype, with its muted color scheme and purposeful blend of textures.
Sep 21, 2017
Anthropologie Finds Itself in #Couchgate After Selling Free Sofas, Then Cancelling Orders
For a brief period an almost $8,000 sofa was “free” online at Anthropologie. Here’s how the boho retailer landed itself in what the Twitter-verse has dubbed #Couchgate. On Thursday morning, Anthropologie had listed the Edlyn chaise sectional for zero dollars, plus $150 delivery fee. The sofa actually retails for $3,298 to $7,798, but for a brief window, it was relatively free.
Sep 21, 2017
Organizational Upgrades That Will Make You Feel Like a Totally New Person
Raise your hand if you’re still using storage products that you’ve had since college… or at least, ones that look like they should be in a dorm room. (Don’t worry—I’m right there with you). They’ve done a great job at serving their purpose, but you don’t need to hold onto them forever.
Sep 21, 2017
Here’s What To Snag From World Market’s Multiple Sales
If you’re into the global curated look, then you’re probably quite familiar with (and have spent some money at) World Market. Fortunately, the retailer is having a few sales right now, and we’ve rounded up our favorite finds from each of them. Check them out below: First up, you can get 20 percent off regular priced items with code SEPTSAVE at checkout, and it’s also good for free shipping of orders $150 and above.
Sep 21, 2017
11 Clever Ways to Hack & Repurpose the $15 IKEA FROSTA Stool
Construct - or deconstruct - the perfect home accents from a stool.
Sep 21, 2017
My Mom’s Secret Decorating Weapon (That I Now Kind of Love)
I grew up in a home with a mom who liked to experiment with decor (for better or for worse). Whether it was the lime green and silver vertical-striped accent wall in our living room (that my teenage self thought was pretty rad) or the antique garden bistro set (which she found and spray painted a bright aqua) that lived in a corner of the family room, decor changed faster than hair styles around the Hernandez residence. One thing that was always steadfast?
Sep 21, 2017
Here’s How to Help The Victims of Mexico’s Earthquakes
It’s been a terrifying couple weeks for Mexico, where two earthquakes have rattled the nation, causing deaths and damage. The most recent, a 7.1 magnitude quake on Tuesday, came on the anniversary of the country’s largest earthquake in 1985. We’ve compiled a partial list of organizations helping the victims of these tragedies. Topos, a rescue organization founded during the 1985 quake, is working to extract people from the rubble.
Sep 21, 2017
This Incredibly Easy Kitchen Transformation Involved Some Paint, Sticky Tiles, and Little Else
(Image credit: Maria Jordan) From Kitchn → This Incredibly Easy Kitchen Transformation Involved Some Paint, Sticky Tiles, and Little Else null
Sep 21, 2017