The Latest: Mar 2018

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Cozy cabin with large windows in snowy landscape, mountains in the background under a purple sky.

Catch Unobstructed Views of the Aurora Borealis in This Icelandic Glass Hotel

Apparently, catching a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis isn’t the easiest exploratory feat to check off your travel bucket list. But one surefire way of increasing the odds of witnessing the shimmery cosmic phenomenon up close and in person is to spend a few nights in the Panorama Glass Lodge, a family-owned seaside retreat in Iceland that grants guests full access to remote relaxation and plenty of aurora-viewing opportunities throughout the duration of their stay.

Kenya Foy

Mar 31, 2018

We Asked Kate Walsh About Her Candle Line & How She Relaxes At Home

You might know Kate Walsh from her roles on Shondaland series staples Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice, but did you know she has her own fragrance line? Called Boyfriend, the scent has recently expanded to candles, and we chatted with the star about her home projects, embracing coziness, and how she prefers to relax. This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

Tara Bellucci

Mar 31, 2018

Count Your Blessings, This Converted Dutch Church is on the Market

Judging by some of the most creatively upcycled properties on the market, the prospect of going to church and staying there has become increasingly popular. Following in the footsteps of several former houses of worship that are now stylish homes, this converted church on the outskirts of Amsterdam is up for sale, and much like its similarly renovated counterparts, the residence is absolutely fabulous. The two-story Dutch dwelling is located at Singelstraat 26 in Muiden.

Kenya Foy

Mar 30, 2018

This Double Shipping Container Home Is A Stargazer’s Dream

Sitting on twelve acres of pristine Western prairie, this upcycled tiny house is really two salvaged shipping containers — combining one Montana architect’s wanderlust, sustainable vision, and homesickness into a modern Western retreat that he calls a “stargazer’s dream.

Melissa Massello

Mar 30, 2018

Half of Americans Would at Least Consider a Tiny House, New Study Reports

Like Honeycomb cereal, America’s big, yeah yeah yeah. (It’s not small, no no no.) But a new survey shows that maybe we’re finally ready to embrace smaller living — or at least the idea of it. More than half of Americans (53%) polled by the National Association of Home Builders said they were at least willing to consider living in a tiny home, defined as less than 600 square feet.

Jon Gorey

Mar 30, 2018

Questions We All Have: Why Are Candles So Expensive?

Whether you’re unwinding after a long day at work or gearing up for a romantic night in, very few things can set the mood like lighting some candles. “It’s an easy and cost-effective way to transform your environment into something special,” says David Seth Moltz, co-founder of fragrance and candle company D.S. & Durga. In 2015, the U.S. retail sales of candles—not including accessories like hurricanes, matchboxes, and wick trimmers—were an estimated $3.

Kelsey Mulvey

Mar 30, 2018

Partner

How to Make One Small Room Perform Double Duty

Forget interior design pros and forget interior design shows, because nothing can help you prepare for living in a small space like playing Tetris. If you spent your formative years trying to organize an increasingly frantic number of squares, rectangles and…whatever that Z-shaped thing was, then you’re ready to figure out how to arrange your life within the walls of a small home.

Creative Studio

Mar 30, 2018

A Bright, Art-Filled NYC Apartment Boasts Wild Wallpaper

Name: Cory Everett, Dina Sankari Everett, and son Julian Location: Gramercy — New York City Size: 800 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years, owned After living for 10 years in a 375-square-foot studio on the Lower East Side, we finally decided it was time to move to a bigger space (which was any space with more than one room).

Apartment Therapy Submissions

Mar 30, 2018

Marc Maron’s Los Angeles Home (and Famous Podcasting Garage) Hit the Market for $749K

If you consider yourself a fan of comedy, no doubt the garage turned recording studio of this cozy Spanish-style bungalow tucked into the hills of Highland Park will be as familiar to you as the back of your hand. And WTF, it could actually now be yours.

Melissa Massello

Mar 29, 2018

Real Estate Rom Com: Maine Edition

Earlier this month I saw a property for sale that was so swoon-worthy I wrote a rom com about it. Not to be outdone, Sotheby’s International Realty posted this gorgeous Maine estate and once again I’ve found myself with a property muse of the highest caliber. Morning- EXT. Islesboro, Maine. RECENTLY DIVORCED WOMAN IN HER EARLY FIFTIES is sipping a cup of coffee on the porch of her new property.

Nora Taylor

Mar 29, 2018

This Tiny House Has a Bedroom You’d Actually Want to Wake Up In

Tiny houses are charming, and a great way to simplify and streamline your life—but the tradeoff, for many tiny house designs, is having to struggle up a ladder at night to reach your tiny peaked loft bedroom. Forget where you are in the morning, and you may just whack your head on the tiny adorable roof of your tiny adorable home. But the Escher, a creation of New Frontier Tiny Homes, takes a different approach: it has a bedroom you’d actually want to wake up in.

Nancy Mitchell

Mar 29, 2018

6 Super Stylish People on How They Set a Modern Passover Seder Table

The Passover Seder is one of the most important meals that Jewish people eat all year, and there is no arguing that the symbolism and ritual associated with the dinner is far more meaningful than the décor. That said, given that family and friends use the first two nights of the eight-day holiday to gather around the table, it would be nice if that table looked beautiful.

Samantha Zabell

Mar 29, 2018

Partner

5 Ways Pet Owners Can Keep Their Spaces Looking Stylish

If you own a pet, you know the issue: How can I have all the cuddles in the world without my home feeling like a kennel? Pets add a lot of little challenges to good housekeeping, but they’re undeniably worth it, fur balls and all. Fortunately, we have some smart solutions to help you keep your space clean and your design fresh. Because no one should sacrifice snuggles for style. Not every aspect of pet ownership is ready for Instagram (we’re looking at you, gross chew toys).

Creative Studio

Mar 29, 2018

Dusting Isn’t Futile, You’re Just Not Doing It Right—Here are Some Dos and Don’ts

Dust, as we somewhat euphemistically know it, is a pretty disturbing amalgamation of pet dander, dirt, soot, hair, pollen, dust mite feces, and other tiny particles that get in our breathing zones and relentlessly coat every surface in our homes. Probably because dust is so pervasive, dusting is one of our most dreaded—and, therefore, often most neglected—chores. Here are some dos and don’ts that should take some sting out of the task.

Shifrah Combiths

Mar 29, 2018

9 Big Mistakes People Make When Painting Furniture

Don't let these happen on your watch.

Autumn Hachey

Mar 28, 2018

The Charming L.A. Home of ‘This Is Us’ Star Susan Kelechi Watson

You might know Susan Kelechi Watson from her role as Beth from the constant-sob-inducing show This Is Us, or recognize her as Janet, the ex-wife from Louie. But there’s more to Susan than her impeccable acting skills—she also has an amazing Los Angeles apartment that’s chock-full of personality. Her home feels welcoming, airy, and full of color and fun.

Marlen Komar

Mar 28, 2018

Before and After: An Elegant Powder Room for an Unbelievable $1K Price Tag

It seems like we’ve seen a thousand iterations of this powder room (minus the grand mirror): taupe linoleum counter, bulky vanity, dated wallpaper, standard fixtures. What can be done to make it less predictable and more special? A paint job, perhaps, or a countertop upgrade?

Tess Wilson

Mar 28, 2018

Why Did Anyone Think Carpet in the Bathroom Was a Good Idea?

A look into the history of a particularly weird old trend.

Nancy Mitchell

Mar 28, 2018

A St. Louis Rental House Is a Modern (but Bohemian) Cozy Cottage

Name: Madison Kimball, her girlfriend Tori, and three adorable dachshunds: Ginger, Basil, and Fennel Location: St. Louis Size: 880 square feet Years lived in: 5 months, renting Originally from Virginia, my girlfriend and I moved to St. Louis almost two years ago so she could continue her education in nutrition. Since then, she has graduated, we’ve moved once already, and she has been named the executive chef of a new restaurant that is set to open in a few short weeks!

Apartment Therapy Submissions

Mar 28, 2018

Why You Should Leave a Cup of Rice in Your Closet

Rice is a staple on dinner tables around the globe, but has many other great uses that go beyond the kitchen. Most of us have used it to save our cell phones from unfortunate run-ins with water because it’s hygroscopic and can trap the water molecules, but have you ever used it to trap odors? A cup of rice in a stinky space can make a world of difference. Making a deodorizing rice jar is one of the easiest, and best smelling things you can do for your home.

Ashley Poskin

Mar 28, 2018

7 Resume Mistakes that Might be Hurting Your Job Hunt

A good resume should be clear and concise. As a rule of thumb, hiring managers typically take fewer than 10 seconds to scan an entire resume, so it’s important that yours conveys only the most relevant information to your audience. And since it’s crucial that your resume be quick and easy to read through, it’s important to know what information should be omitted.

Caroline Biggs

Mar 27, 2018

The One Thing We Never Buy at IKEA These Days

It’s no secret that we love IKEA here at Apartment Therapy, and regularly write about hacks and beloved products we can’t live without. I’m a huge fan of their everyday basics, and my own home is filled with their wine glasses, dishes, and napkins. I even have a what-is-now-vintage credenza that I’ve owned for almost twenty years and can’t seem to get rid of, even after a couple of moves. But there is one thing that I never buy from IKEA these days.

Dabney Frake

Mar 27, 2018

This Bathroom Went from Boring Builder Grade to “Wow”

While there isn’t anything inherently wrong with this “before” (it’s clean, it’s white, it’s rocking some fun cabinet hardware and additional storage), we’re saying it: it’s boring. This bathroom could be in just about any house in any part of America. The “after” though…well, we’re smitten (it features one of the most stunning floors seen in all our Before & Afters).

Tess Wilson

Mar 27, 2018

Before and After: This Renovation Bucks the All-White Kitchen Trend

If you’re tempted to skip this post because you assume the wood cabinetry—and everything else—will be painted white, please trust me when I say you’re going to want to see this one. Just don’t get too attached to that tablecloth. Before the big reveal, let’s fully examine this full-length shot of the kitchen before, which reveals both the paneled ceiling and the peeling floor.

Tess Wilson

Mar 27, 2018

Why This Genius Comforter Is a Relationship Saver

I can’t imagine I’m alone in this predicament: I tend to flip-flop between being a hot and cold sleeper, as does my S.O., except, we never seem to be on the same page at the same time. We are not sleeping temperature compatible, people, and wow is it a nuisance. When my toes are frozen solid and I can’t seem to cocoon myself enough in my comforter to achieve P.S.T.

Arlyn Hernandez

Mar 27, 2018

Partner

3 Key Tasks for a Simplified, Streamlined Spring Cleaning

It’s not that Rikki Snyder is a perfectionist; she just has an eye trained to see what makes spaces beautiful. As an interiors photographer, she spots all the little dust bunnies, paw prints and crumbs the rest of us overlook. “You might not realize it when you’re living in your own space day to day,” she says, “but when I come in with my camera, everything shows up!

Creative Studio

Mar 27, 2018

Why the “Target Trick” Could Help Eliminate Junk Drawers from Your Life Entirely

Also: why you should never call it a "junk drawer."

Adrienne Breaux

Mar 27, 2018

Do Household Cleaning Products Actually Expire?

Do you know how old your furniture polish is? If you have to think back to a specific purchase and then do math, chances are it’s expired. And what about those other products you have to reach way back in the cupboard for — those products you only use a few times a year? Yep, almost all cleaning products expire — but what does that mean exactly? Simply put, it means that they’ll break down and become less effective.

Ashley Poskin

Mar 26, 2018

Everyone’s Favorite Mid-Century Home Just Got A Redesign

One of the world’s most famous houses – and arguably the world’s most famous modern home – has just gotten a major makeover. Los Angeles’ iconic Stahl House (also known as Case Study House No. 22) with its cantilevered structure, and its sweeping, unobstructed views of Los Angeles was an architectural and engineering feat when it was originally built in 1960 by architect Pierre Koenig.

Marni Epstein-Mervis

Mar 26, 2018

12 Epic High-End IKEA Hacks That Totally Had Us Fooled

These pieces only look expensive.

Nancy Mitchell

Mar 26, 2018

Partner

What Would the “Aladdin the Musical” Characters’ Homes Look Like IRL?

The award-winning Aladdin on Broadway brings the adventure of Disney’s classic film to a whole new world. (Sorry, too easy!) Which got us thinking…What would Jasmine, Aladdin and all the other characters’ digs look like in real life? With a little help from our library of House Tours we came up with a few ideas… Design Personality: Modern Desert Rustic We start in the desert. Not the Seven Deserts outside Agrabah, but the Mojave Desert in CA.

Tim Minerd

Mar 26, 2018

A Bold and Colorful Boston Condo Is a Marvelous Mix of Styles

Name: Madison Wetter, husband Skyler, and Italian Greyhound, Warren Location: Boston, Massachusetts Size: 2,100 square feet Years lived in: 2 years, owned Furniture aside, our space is filled with three big personalities: my husband, Sky; our Italian Greyhound, Warren; and me, Madison. Like most, we wanted to decorate our first home with a style and quality that would not only last us but one that would also make us proud.

Apartment Therapy Submissions

Mar 26, 2018

These Teeny Tiny Shipping Container Homes Just Might Solve Student Housing in Copenhagen

These “truly lovely” yet teeny tiny modular units made from shipping containers, currently sitting on Copenhagen’s harbor front, just might be what the future of sustainable, affordable housing looks like — for students and other young people.

Melissa Massello

Mar 25, 2018

Before & After: We Love This No-Reno-Required Rental Kitchen Makeover

This is an intriguing transformation, because the only difference between the before and after is the decorating. No remodeling, no renovation, no repainting or replacing anything, and yet the results are incredibly dramatic. So inspiring, especially to all of us with neither power tools nor the skills to wield them. Let’s back up to get a full view of the drop ceiling and beige floor—two standard rental features that add a fair amount of blah to any room.

Tess Wilson

Mar 25, 2018

What Ever Happened to Colored Toilet Paper?

The days of coordinating your TP to your bathroom are over. Here's why.

Nancy Mitchell

Mar 24, 2018

The 9 Apartments You’ll Meet on Tinder Dates

If you’ve swiped through Tinder (or any dating app really) you know there are as many profile clichés as there are users. The men with fish. The women who “love to laugh.” Those people who mysteriously pose with babies who aren’t their own. But behind every dating cliche is a place these suitors call home. And here’s the thing: we’ve found they can be pretty cliché too.

Maria Del Russo

Mar 24, 2018

These Tiny Apartments Could Be an Affordable Way to Fight Homelessness

With homelessness on the rise in New York City due to government funding cuts, rising rents and stagnating wages, the overburdened shelter system is failing those who need it most. As the government works to figure out how to support the cities homeless, many of whom are working but simply can’t afford the city, individual architecture and design firms are also considering new and inventive ways to provide low-cost or free housing.

Nora Taylor

Mar 23, 2018

Everything You’ve Been Told About Thread Count in Sheets Is Wrong

Have you, too, stood in the linens department, eyes glazed as you try to figure out the best sheets? It doesn’t help that they tend to be folded up and jammed into a plastic container so that you can only feel a tiny corner of them. How are you supposed to know how it will feel on your entire body if only the tip of your finger can brush a sliver of the sheet? Well there’s always thread count, which is what it seems “they” want us to rely on.

Dana McMahan

Mar 23, 2018

Before and After: A Budget $6K Bathroom Three Years in the Making

You might think that the issues with this bathroom are mainly aesthetic — the dangling door, the intensely peach tiles, for starters. But, in fact, the problems go much further than these superficial concerns. Unfortunately, reader Rachel found that removing the ruffled curtain did nothing to alleviate the mold-infested walls.

Tess Wilson

Mar 23, 2018

A 195-Square-Foot Hand-Built Tiny Home Proves Basic Is Beautiful

Name: Maximilian Monahan Location: Boise, Idaho Size: 195 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years, owned I am a classic car dealer and I specialize in importing and retailing affordable Italian vintage cars. My father and I bought this 25′ x 120′ property in 2005, and it had a 550-square-foot concrete cottage built in 1948 that my dad used as his retirement pad.

Apartment Therapy Submissions

Mar 23, 2018

This Stylish Mini Camper Takes the Rough Out of Roughing It

So you’ve finally booked that trip to the ethereal island of Iceland. A quick perusal of a “things to do” list lets you know that the otherworldly Nordic country is jam-packed with geological wonders that you certainly don’t want to miss.

Kenya Foy

Mar 22, 2018

Before and After: The Secret to Successfully Painting Old Kitchen Cabinets

Read this before you attempt yours.

Tess Wilson

Mar 22, 2018

7 Times You’re Actually Just Hoarding When You’re Trying to Organize

We’ve all been there. It’s almost springtime and after a long winter spent indoors, you’re ready to get your home nice and clutter-free for the warm weather season. Unfortunately, sometimes instead of successfully clearing out the clutter in our homes, we simply wind up organizing stuff we shouldn’t keep in the first place. While catchall storages bins and closet organizers might seem space-savvy, they often end up helping us hoard things we should be getting rid of.

Caroline Biggs

Mar 22, 2018

Here’s a Before and After We’ve Never Seen: A Balcony Becomes a Bathroom

We’ve seen plenty of impressive room conversion Before & Afters—closet to nursery, kitchen-turned-bedroom, closet to mudroom—but a balcony-to-bathroom renovation is definitely a first. The space was languishing as a slightly awkward office, when what the family really needed was a bathroom. They wisely turned to the pros for help. Let’s take a look at the full-length “Before,” so we can see both the wood-paneled sloped ceiling and the beige carpet.

Tess Wilson

Mar 22, 2018

This Condo Remodel Was Inspired by Accidentally Buying a Too-Big Sofa

Name: Michelle, Brad and Broc the three-legged pooch Location: Brooklyn, NYC Size: 700 square feet Years lived in: 2 years, owned Our apartment is home to my husband and I and our three-legged dog. We fell in love with the area because it was convenient to a lot of places we frequent but had a neighborhood-y feeling to it, which instantly made us feel like we were coming HOME.

Apartment Therapy Submissions

Mar 22, 2018

Before and After: This Bedroom Actually Makes Beige Carpet Look Good

When a DIY enthusiast moved from British Columbia to Toronto to be with her husband, she knew something had to be done about his nearly empty bedroom. Perhaps some bedside lights and a few throw pillows? Or would an entirely fresh start—new marriage, new city, new home—be more appropriate? Now this is a breath of fresh air! This gorgeous makeover was conceived and executed by Kamaldeep kaur Jawanda of Get Kamfortable, and the result is so airily gorgeous.

Tess Wilson

Mar 21, 2018

An ER Doctor’s Bright, Minimal Urban Oasis in Houston

Name: Pam and her dog Franny Location: Houston, Texas Size: 1,900 square feet Years lived in: 8 months, renting I am an ER doctor, originally from NYC, residency trained in Detroit. I decided to not go back to NYC right away, pay off some loans, save money, and travel the world. I ended up in Houston in August 2017, two weeks before Hurricane Harvey. I don’t know anyone here so making my house a true home was extremely important to me. I was honestly thankful to have a home at all.

Apartment Therapy Submissions

Mar 21, 2018

Why You Should Let Ice Cubes Melt on Your Rugs and Carpet

Whether you’re rearranging or moving out, heavy furniture can leave behind quite the unattractive footprint on your carpet — and the longer the furniture has been there, the harder it is to persuade those carpet fibers to spring back into shape. So instead of laying on the floor with various carpet cleaning tools for hours on end, try this super simple method instead.

Ashley Poskin

Mar 20, 2018