The Latest
2017
November

The Latest: Nov 2017

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.
Design Lovers Mix Their Style & Stuff in Brooklyn
Name: Zachary Ioannucci Location: Greenpoint — Brooklyn, NY Size: 1000 square feet Years lived in: 2 years, renting I live with my boyfriend Travis. We’re both into interior design and I’m sure we both wish we could start over again and do that. The furniture is a mix of his and mine. Nothing was really planned. We just went forward with what we already had/found and built around that. Also, fun fact — we had seen twenty six apartments before seeing this one.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Nov 30, 2017
Diane Keaton’s New Home is Very Diane Keaton
How many times a day do you stop what you’re doing in order to wonder where in the world Diane Keaton hangs her many hats? What kind of furniture is she sitting on when she sips either the red or white varietals of her wine, The Keaton? Well, thanks to a feature in Wine Spectator, our Diane-design related questions have been answered. A serial house flipper and Pinterest enthusiast, it’s no surprise that her home is a stunner.
Nora Taylor
Nov 29, 2017
Everyone On Pinterest Is Obsessed With This (Slightly Ridiculous) Holiday Decor Idea (& We Don’t Hate It)
In a day and age when social media and inspiration-heavy sites like Pinterest make you feel like everything you create for your home or how you decorate for the holidays has to be (literally) picture perfect and super chic, there are rays of hope that sometimes the internet is up for something slightly ridiculous. Case in point: the recent obsession with not-the-least-bit-elegant-but-maybe-pretty-great giant balloon Christmas lights.
Arlyn Hernandez
Nov 29, 2017
The Small Appliances We’d Bring to a Deserted Island
The “stranded island test” is a good way to think about the products you use that you really, truly love. I asked the Apartment Therapy editors what one small appliance they’d bring along if we were all whisked away to an island in the middle of nowhere (where electric outlets may or may not exist, but that part isn’t supposed to matter).
Edith Zimmerman
Nov 29, 2017
An Author & Artist’s “Modern Adult Meets Fun Child” Brooklyn Reno
Name: Rajiv Fernandez Location: Brooklyn, New York Size: 540 square feet Years lived in: 3 years I am a freelance architect, artist and children’s author. I founded my company Lil’ Icon in 2017 that does design to make you think and wink. The premise for my design company is evident in the apartment — sophisticated in base palette with pops of fun in the accessories. I originally hail from Iowa and moved to NYC for grad school 10 years ago.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Nov 29, 2017
Before & After: A 100-Year-Old House Gets a New Life
This small-town Texas home was lovingly and painstakingly restored.
Nancy Mitchell
Nov 29, 2017
Study Proves Renters Can be Wealthier than Buyers (Really!)
How many times have you heard that renters are “just throwing their money away”? Well that’s not true, for a few reasons. First, owning a home is expensive. There’s a mortgage — which, in the early years, is more taxes and interest than actual equity (i.e. the first few years of owning a home is also throwing a lot of money away; I broke down my actual mortgage payment in this post, if you’re interested in reading more about that).
Taryn Williford
Nov 29, 2017
10 Essential IKEA Pieces for Small Living Rooms
These get our vote for stylish space savers.
Nancy Mitchell
Nov 29, 2017
Before & After: A Galley Kitchen Gets a Bright, Modern Update
The galley kitchen of this Brooklyn apartment wasn’t in terrible shape, especially compared to some kitchens we’ve seen. But the builder-blah ’90s color scheme made the space seem dark and dated, and the wide-set floor tiles left lots of room for grout, which means lots of room for collecting dirt.
Nancy Mitchell
Nov 29, 2017
Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Christmas Tree
For anyone who’s ever excitedly bought a tree that turned out to be a serious needle dropper/too heavy to carry up the stairs/completely devoid of any festive scents — this buying guide is for you. Aesthetics are one thing, but there is so, so much more to consider. You know the deal: you walk onto a Christmas tree lot, find a tree that seems like it’ll fit in your home for the right price and boom, you’re done.
Arlyn Hernandez
Nov 29, 2017
Partner
Restock Your Bathroom with Minimalist Products — At Minimal Cost
Call it the drugstore tax: When you stock up on anything from toothpaste to shampoo, you’re not just paying for what’s inside — you’re also paying for the packaging, the brand names that are on it, and the store you’re buying it from. The more steps in the chain, the steeper the price. Public Goods delivers quality bathroom products made of healthy ingredients in just two steps: their factories, then you.
Creative Studio
Nov 29, 2017
Recent Study Finds Millennials Are Bad Neighbors But I’m Not Buying It
Millennials get a bad rap. We killed chain restaurants, doorbells and, if you take this recent study at face value, we’re killing neighborly love. But not according to me. The team at Safe Home surveyed 1,000 Americans to discover how close we are to the people that live near us.
Taryn Williford
Nov 29, 2017
Before & After: A Subtle Yet Significant Bathroom Upgrade
About $100 can make a huge difference.
Dabney Frake
Nov 28, 2017
Did Keith Urban Buy This $39M NYC Townhouse for Nicole Kidman?
Update 12/6/17: the house is still on the market. Earlier this month, we reported that an Upper East Side townhouse where Michael Jackson once lived had hit the market for a pop royalty sized price tag of $39 million. If the rumors are true, this pedigreed pad has some new owners—Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman. Australian gossip magazine Woman’s Day reports that a source close to the Tennessee-based A-listers says Keith bought the property because Nicole wants to do theater.
Tara Bellucci
Nov 27, 2017
This Tiny Denver Home Makes Downsizing Look Good
Name: Austin Klapesky Location: Denver, Colorado “This tiny house was one of the biggest challenges of my life. Going from a 1,500-square-foot house to 400 is a challenge to say the least,” writes Austin Klapesky. “When I purchased it, it was a disaster. Great bones, but every surface needed rebuilding. We went down to the brick walls and dirt floors. As I was designing it, I had to really challenge myself to think small scale yet smart and efficient.
Adrienne Breaux
Nov 27, 2017
5 Life-Changing Home Habits You Should Start in Your New Apartment
Sometimes moving into a new apartment is just the push you need to start over. It’s a clean slate—your new home is clean and empty, and as you move in, you have the power to decide where everything goes and what you want your home to be like.
Brittney Morgan
Nov 27, 2017
Before and After: An Incredible DIY Makeover for Rental Kitchen Cabinets
When Puno Puno (yes, you read that right, her name is Puno Lauren Puno!) and Daniel Chin Yee moved into their Downtown Los Angeles loft earlier this year, they knew they’d found their dream home. First, because of all the added space (their previous apartment was a modest 600 square feet to this loft’s 1,500). And secondly, because of the huge amount of light pouring in from the wall-to wall, industrial-height windows that line their corner unit.
Marisa Vitale
Nov 27, 2017
The Best and Most Beautiful Jewelry on Etsy
Did you know that you can find incredibly stylish, modern jewelry on Etsy? You can, if you just know where to look. We’ve rounded up a few of the best pieces, to save you the trouble of hunting. Any one of these would make an excellent gift for a friend or loved one, or even for yourself — we’re not telling. It’s always nice to have a few statement necklaces to reach for to add a little something else to an outfit, and this geometric piece fits the bill perfectly.
Nancy Mitchell
Nov 25, 2017
These New Designer Collaborations Will Have You Craving a New Kitchen
Los Angeles-based designer Sarah Sherman Samuel— famous for her airy, California-cool style—has announced two brand new exciting collaborations for the kitchen. Add these to Joy Cho’s recent collaborative creation of playful pastel cement tiles with clé and you’ll want to renovate your kitchen… well, basically yesterday. First up, Samuel has teamed with popular cabinet door maker Semihandmade.
Marni Epstein-Mervis
Nov 25, 2017
Twitter Has A Lot of Feelings About This New Holiday Trend
If 2017 left you feeling like your life got flipped turned upside down, then you wouldn’t be the only one. And there’s a new (whimsical?) holiday trend to support the state of affairs, and we have Karl Lagerfeld to thank/blame. On Wednesday, Claridge’s unveiled their annual Christmas tree, a tradition which hospitality site The Caterer calls “one of the highlights of the London hotel festive season”, and this year, it’s… upside down.
Tara Bellucci
Nov 25, 2017
This Waste-Free, Self-Cleaning Lint Remover Might Just Change Your Life
It's no-waste AND self-cleaning.
Brittney Morgan
Nov 24, 2017
14 Dogs Whose Thanksgiving Posts Are Better Than Your Holiday Card
At a time of year when family tensions run high, and travel stress and politics can make you lose your faith in humanity, we’re grateful for these Instagram dogs whose Thanksgiving posts are just too pure for this world. Yes, I am one of those “dog moms” who created an entire Instagram account for her pups and their rescue (@KeepAustinWhippet, if you’re so inclined).
Melissa Massello
Nov 23, 2017
Where to Stack Coats and Bags When You’re Having a Big Party in a Small Space
Nothing is more fun during the holiday season than hosting friends and family for a gathering. But what happens when you love to entertain but don’t actually have a ton of room or even a proper coat closet to store everyone’s stuff? Fret not, friends—a cramped living space doesn’t have to be a problem. Here are five options to consider when deciding where to stow your guests’ things during your holiday festivities this season.
Caroline Biggs
Nov 22, 2017
7 Reasons You Should Hang On To Those Paper Grocery Bags
Here are some fun ways to reuse them.
Amelia Lawrence
Nov 22, 2017
Here’s How to Give Your Christmas Tree a Modern Twist
Say goodbye to the tree skirt and hello to this unexpected accessory.
Nancy Mitchell
Nov 22, 2017
The Paint Trick You Didn’t Realize Your Art Needs
While most people feel finished after hanging a piece of art — others go one step farther. And it’s a step that you might want to add to your home if you have art that needs enhancing or enlarging. It involves a little paint and time, but the end result is a one-of-a-kind look that will add a ton of personality to your home!
Adrienne Breaux
Nov 22, 2017
Why You Should Keep a Cutting Board in Your Small Bathroom
You think New York City real estate is bad? You should see my bathroom counter. The door to the bathroom opens up right into the only natural place to put the vanity, which means there’s only one shallow, narrow space for the vanity to go — and one shallow, narrow space to work with when I’m getting ready in the morning. I used to drop my makeup bag and hair straightener right into the sink, but that got old fast every time I needed to rinse extra cheek tint off my hand.
Taryn Williford
Nov 21, 2017
Do You Really Know What’s In Your Sheets? Here’s How To Spot Fake Labels
A lot of attention has been paid lately to the increasingly competitive mattress industry, and the growing lack of transparency for consumers, but it turns out that we should be just as concerned about what covers our mattresses. Two recent studies show that an overwhelming majority of fabric labels on our sheet sets have been faked.
Melissa Massello
Nov 21, 2017
This Paint Trick Makes Rooms Look Much More Expensive
A small investment that will make a big impact.
Nancy Mitchell
Nov 21, 2017
5 Tiny (Yet Inspiring) Bedrooms With Plenty of Lessons to Share
One of the challenges of living in a small apartment is trying to figure out how to fit everything you need into a small bedroom. Fitting everything in, plus the bed (which is pretty essential) can feel nearly impossible, so we’ve rounded up five small bedrooms that make very efficient use of their small footprints—plus ideas you can steal from each one. The bedroom above, from Hemnet via Apartment Therapy, is a perfect example of small-space efficiency.
Nancy Mitchell
Nov 21, 2017
The $1 Storage Solution You Won’t Know How You Lived Without
I’ve picked up the odd Dollar Tree clear plastic bin here and there for, well, I can’t remember what for now that I use them for everything. Seriously, since discovering and drooling over The Home Edit‘s Instagram feed (I even rainbowtized my apps, but that’s a story for another day), I’m clear-binning all the things. Here’s why I wish I’d started organizing with them years ago.
Shifrah Combiths
Nov 21, 2017
Here’s How Much People Really Pay In Rent
Did you know that most studies of average rents pull their data from apartment listings? That can provide a pretty accurate snapshot of the prices a newcomer can expect to encounter on their apartment search—but it’s not always reflective of real-life rental situations. Asking rents generally skew higher, since there are plenty of listings for brand-new luxury units, but you’re not likely to find a rent-controlled apartment or a word-of-mouth hand-me-down deal listed online.
Jon Gorey
Nov 20, 2017
Could Italian Modernism Be the New Look of Now?
Is this the look that's destined to be all over design blogs in two to five years? Or just a flash in the pan?
Nancy Mitchell
Nov 20, 2017
Partner
Win: $4,500 to Splurge on Your Home
Prize: A gift card for $4,500 to spend on HauteLook From: HauteLook Value: $4,500 What are you doing most mornings at 8 a.m.? If it’s not exactly the woodland-creatures-dressing-you routine you’d like, allow us to present a happier alternative. Every morning at 8 a.m. Pacific, HauteLook launches a new round of flash sales that will save you up to 75 percent on top fashion brands, beauty products, and home goods.
Creative Studio
Nov 20, 2017
Real People, Real Advice: Hosting Overnight Guests in a Small Home
Last week I asked a number of stylish, smart people who happen to live in teeny tiny homes to share their advice for hosting holiday dinners and gatherings. Their tip and lessons were enormously helpful! In this post, I asked them to tackle the subject of overnight guests — something I struggle to deal with in my small-ish one-bedroom apartment.
Adrienne Breaux
Nov 20, 2017
Here Are the Before Photos of Property Brother Drew Scott’s New House
The new Property Brothers spinoff, Drew’s Honeymoon House, premieres this week on HGTV, and while the network has shared a couple before photos, we just found them all. Take a look at what the brothers are working with. Variety picked up that Drew and fiancée Linda Phan bought this house for $2.3 million in the Windsor Square area of Los Angeles, and as is the Bros’ penchant, it’s a fixer upper.
Tara Bellucci
Nov 19, 2017
These IKEA Hacks Will Inspire You to Re-Imagine Your Step Stool
Step. Up. Your. Step. Stool. Game.
Amelia Lawrence
Nov 19, 2017
Rent Kelly Osbourne’s West Hollywood Condo for $19.5K a Month
Reality TV star Kelly Osbourne, daughter of metal icon Ozzy Osbourne and talk show host Sharon Osbourne, is renting out her luxe condo in West Hollywood, California’s famed Sierra Towers building. This isn’t your mama’s Airbnb rental; Osbourne’s unit in this trendy tower means neighbors that include the likes of Courteney Cox and Sandra Bullock, as well as a rent payment of $19,500 per month.
Marni Epstein-Mervis
Nov 19, 2017
5 Creative Holiday Cards that Won’t End Up in the Landfill
Do you cringe at the thought of how many holiday cards are tossed in the recycling (or worse, the trash bin) come January 1st? If you’re trying to be more waste-conscious, or have friends and family who are, you might want to consider alternatives to traditional greeting cards. After all, you’re not a grinch. But the struggle to maintain your waste-conscious lifestyle during the holidays and still join in the generous spirit of the season is real.
Tabitha Abercrombie
Nov 18, 2017
Before & After: A Family Home Goes from Cavernous to Cozy
It’s not a problem that many people have in New York, but this Tribeca apartment was almost too big. Sans furniture, the side-by-side living rooms seemed intimidating and cavernous. Plus, the unusual proportions of the space, with windows sitting almost on the floor, made furnishing it tricky. So the homeowners called in Homepolish designer Alec Holland, who transformed the space into a cozy family home, using tricks that anybody can utilitze in a room that feels just a little too large.
Nancy Mitchell
Nov 18, 2017
Hey Cowboy, This Wild West Tiny Home Is For Sale
The stars have aligned for those in search of putting down roots tiny house that’s situated in an equally tiny town. As long as you’re cool with having tumbleweeds as your nearest neighbor, this Old West-inspired tiny home located in Pioneertown, California will make for a suitable desert escape. The secluded 150-square-foot home on Saddle Lane is on the market for $120,000, and it’s absolutely charming.
Kenya Foy
Nov 17, 2017
Here are the 10 Worst Airports and Airlines for Holiday Delays
Next week marks the beginning of every traveler’s least favorite time to fly: the holiday season. Between busy airports where human beings are on their absolute worst behavior to flight cancellations and delays, it’s a stressful time to be on the move.
Melissa Massello
Nov 17, 2017
Partner
3 DIYs to Personalize Your Travel Coffee Mug
You and your travel mug spend every commute together, so it’s very appropriate you two complement each other’s styles. These three DIY projects give a ho-hum mug a little sophistication. We’ll be marbleizing, monogramming, and leather-stitching our way to a much cuter morning. Oh, and did we mention these make great gifts, especially alongside a bag of delicious ground coffee?
Creative Studio
Nov 17, 2017
This Earthy, Ethereal Echo Park Cabin Is What Dreams Are Made Of
Name: Shawn Location: Echo Park — Los Angeles, California The basics: 4 months, owned — 1,111 square feet Shawn’s funky cabin is full of warm wood, natural light and a ton of texture. From the wood floors to the planked ceiling the home has tons of laid-back California cool that makes you want to take off your shoes and relax.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Nov 17, 2017
10 Things to Clean Before the Holiday Season Gets Going
(Image credit: Rachel Joy Barehl) From Kitchn → 10 Things to Clean Now Before the Holiday Season Gets Going null
Apartment Therapy
Nov 16, 2017
Competitive Tablescaping is Real, and it is a Delight to Behold
Humans have competitions for all kinds of strange things: holding beer steins, racing lawn mowers, chasing a wheel of cheese down a hill. But these all seem positively mainstream compared to a competition that is held annually at the L.A. County Fair, where participants attempt to outdo each other in setting the table. But these aren’t just any tables. These are the most elaborate (and occasionally absurd) tablescapes you have ever seen.
Nancy Mitchell
Nov 16, 2017
Two Tiny Homes Are Better Than One For This Portland Family of Four
No matter how much they gain in popularity, the majority of Americans still seem to feel that living in a tiny home just would not be enough space. But what about two tiny homes, combined?
Melissa Massello
Nov 16, 2017
Michael Jackson’s Former NYC Townhouse Is On the Market for $39M
Here’s a thriller of a real estate listing—this Upper East Side mansion is the former home of the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson. Currently owned by billionaire Marc Lasry, the hedge fund manager bought the E 74th Street property back in 2001 for $11 million, according to the New York Post. Before modern billionaires, though, the manse has served as home for quite the illustrious list of residents.
Tara Bellucci
Nov 16, 2017