A Fabulous Forever Home Is Full of Colorful Accents
Name: Clayton Brant, husband Keith and two little boys, Fischer and Ford Location: Carlisle, Pennsylvania Size: 2022 square feet Years lived in: 1 year, owned We found a four-acre property right outside of town with beautiful trees in a very quiet neighborhood, and built a house on a very strict budget. We were committed to keeping our footprint relatively small (around 2,000 square feet), so we designed the interior of the house to use space very efficiently and functionally.
Jul 31, 2018
5 Side Table and Lamp Pairings to Try in Your Home
The right accessories can really make or break your living room. Sure, the big ticket items—your sofa, rug, chairs, etc—are what set the tone in the space, but it’s the littler pieces that really make it feel like you. Your side table and its accompanying lamp may not feel like the centerpiece of the room, but that doesn’t mean you should sideline this important design aspect.
Jul 31, 2018
Zillow Now Lets You Apply For Apartments and Pay Your Rent
Applying for an apartment is hard. First you have to find one that’s moderately nice and within your price range, and then you have to get all of your documents together really, really fast. This would be easy if you were organized and had time set away to sort through your papers. But this is life and we’re not as organized as we’d like to be; it’s likely that you have a job and thus have limited time to collect your bank statements from the last six months.
Jul 31, 2018
An Architect Turned a Photography Studio from the ’60s into a One-of-a-Kind Home
Name: Gianni Ruggiero, his wife Valeria Dubin, and their two daughters Olivia and Mila Location: Barcelona — Spain Size: 2,153 square feet Years lived in: 8 years, renting This big open Barcelona loft has seen a lot over its lifetime. In the 1960s, it was a photography studio, welcoming lots of models and colorful characters into its airy interior. When that photographer retired, he moved out and let his son rent the place: Gianni, an architect who appreciates simplicity in things.
Jul 31, 2018
Before & After: Look What $22 Worth of Contact Paper Can Do in a Bathroom
You’re looking at a pretty standard-fare bathroom, one part of a mostly unrenovated 1950s house where Andrea lives with her family. Since she’s a renter, she decided to make one big temporary change—something warm and fun—that works with the pink tile in the bathroom shower. I think we can all agree this is very fun, and very bold.
Jul 31, 2018
Partner
4 Common Home Renovations and How Much They’ll Cost
There are two parts to every home renovation: There’s the fun part, where showroom salespeople treat you like royalty and Pinterest becomes your part-time job. But there’s also the practical part, which is mostly consumed with creating a budget and paying the bills. As much as we love a mood board, today we’re going to look at determining a project’s budget and financing.
Jul 31, 2018
Smart & Stylish Ideas for Dividing a Bed Area in a Studio
Living in just one room doesn’t have to mean seeing your bedroom from the front door. These smart studio dwellers created cozy bedroom areas despite the fact that their homes don’t have walls. Elaine Burns had the unique idea for her studio apartment to create a plantation shutter faux wall to hide the bed and separate it from the entryway. She reached out to American Blinds to have the wall custom built.
Jul 31, 2018
Peek Inside This Out-of-this-World Sculpture House for Sale
Greetings, Earthlings: today’s real estate gem is an out of this world “spaceship” house. And this might not even be the first time you’ve laid eyes on this otherworldly dwelling. That’s right, we featured the 1969 sculpted house in La Selva Beach, California as a House Tour back in 2016. Now, it’s currently listed with Coldwell Banker for $1.4 million.
Jul 30, 2018
The 8 Dreamiest Airstreams and Campers on Airbnb
If you weren’t already hip to Airstream rentals, now’s the time to smarten up. Sort of similar to glamping—but indoors—Airstream trailers and campers are essentially mobile mini-homes you can park (and rent) in just about any location (the desert, the beach, and so on). It’s no surprise that Airbnb is brimming with cool Airstream rentals in dreamy destinations all over the globe.
Jul 30, 2018
This Salt Lake City Bungalow Is Full of Modern Touches
The Yale Avenue home might be simple from the outside, but the interior is chock-full of impressive updates. 118 Yale Avenue Located in Salt Lake City, Utah $279,000 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom To be perfectly honest, this house on Yale Avenue isn’t the most glamorous from the outside. The 1925 bungalow is cute enough—with a solid brick exterior and a pretty porch—but it’s the inside that truly impresses.
Jul 30, 2018
The $7 Find Everyone Should Have in Their Shower
Soap scum and water marks are ubiquitous in most showers and baths. So often we treat them as an inevitable nuisance that is hidden from most eyes and that we address when we deep clean the bathroom, have guests coming, or just can’t take it anymore. And then we look for quick fixes and hacks like the baggie method to tackle the clinging grime (nothing wrong with that!).
Jul 30, 2018
A Tiny Gutted RV Is Now a Fun Family Home for 4
Name: Annie Robertson, husband, two sons (ages 4 and 7) Location: Portland, Oregon Size: 250 square feet Years lived in: 2 months, owned We are in the planning and permitting process of building a house from scratch, and our family faced an unexpected job loss. Rather than give up our lot and move out of inner Portland, where housing costs are ever-rising and we would be hard pressed to get into again, we decided to remodel a two-bedroom fifth wheel trailer! We are stationary on our lot.
Jul 30, 2018
Partner
5 Renovations to Consider Taking On Right Now
Almost every homeowner has a renovation project in mind, but the big question is: When should I do it? Sometimes, it makes sense to save up and put it off. But in certain cases, it would behoove you to do it sooner. These are the medium and big-ticket projects that, yes, will add value when it’s time to resell, but are also improvements you want to enjoy for yourself.
Jul 30, 2018
This Might Be the Most Universal Storage Hack Ever
One of the greatest gifts the internet ever gave us was fellowship. Your fingertips impulsively tap out a random thought, hit send, and seconds later the entirety of Twitter is liking it and retweeting it in solidarity. Like they’re saying through emoji hearts I know the feeling, too.
Jul 30, 2018
The 2019 IKEA Catalog Is Here—These Are Our Favorite Products
The past seven days of my life have been shrouded in secrecy—like NDA-level secrecy—but I can finally open up and shout the big news from the rooftops (well, from Apartment Therapy, at least). The 2019 IKEA Catalog is officially here, and it’s a good one! Especially considering it’s the Swedish design giant’s 75th anniversary year.
Jul 30, 2018
This Hairdresser’s Home Is a Playground of Patterns
Name: Erin Love, husband, two daughters, and two dogs Location: Russiaville, Indiana Size: 2,300 square feet Years lived in: 2 years, owned Our home is set back on a semi-wooded lot in the country. I would describe it as a cozy cottage. It was built in 1977 and has so many cool “older” quirks that won me over instantly. I am drawn to earth-toned colors and pretty textures and patterns.
Jul 29, 2018
5 Towns That Are Hidden Architectural Gems
The architecture of a city so often becomes an integral part of its branding and identity. The distinguishing image of Paris is the Eiffel Tower and Haussmann apartments. San Francisco has the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, of course. And New York has lofts, brownstones, impressive skyscrapers like the Empire State Building, and quirky modern residences designed by big names like Zaha Hadid and Bjarke Ingels.
Jul 29, 2018
This 130-Year-Old Dutch Home’s Reno Is Industrial Boho Chic
Name: Marieke Rijksen, husband and two children (11 and 6) Location: Haarlem, The Netherlands Size: 2,400 square feet Years lived in: 4 months, owned Our home was built about 130 years ago on the canals of Haarlem. It features gorgeous ornate original high ceilings and many of the historical features have been preserved. When we bought it late 2017, it needed a bit of love and some extra space. The kitchen was tiny and the second floor was not very practical with a pitched roof.
Jul 28, 2018
Jojo Fletcher’s First Apartment Was a Pizza Lover’s Dream Come True
Welcome to My First Apartment! Whether it’s your first studio, a four-bedroom deep in the city shared with a handful of roommates, or even an entire house (lucky you!), there’s something special about moving into the first place that’s truly your own. In this series, we’ll showcase actors, artists, entrepreneurs, and beyond—asking them to revisit that oh-so-sweet nostalgia of newly-found freedom.
Jul 28, 2018
Stop Worrying About These 5 Things at Home
Full disclosure: I’m the last person to give advice about not worrying. I was up half the night last night thinking about everything currently going wrong with my home renovation. Trust me, if it wasn’t that it would be something else. But look, there’s plenty of actual Bad Stuff happening out in the world—none of us need to add to that worry load. So take a look at a few things around the house that I believe we can just strike off the list.
Jul 28, 2018
I Moved In With 5 Strangers—Here’s Why I Miss It Every Day
I move a lot. Because of the nature of my job (freelance writer), I was in five countries over three continents this month. I have to pack, unpack, and move rooms every few days. When I’m on an assignment, I usually stay in a hotel. When I’m not, I often stay with my sweet, accommodating partner who has rearranged his entire bedroom to create a writing nook for me. But even he knows what I long for. It’s not a hotel or a nice apartment with designer furniture.
Jul 27, 2018
A Designing Couple’s Home Is Drop-Dead Gorgeous
Meritxell Ribé and Josep Puigdomènech are the designers behind Barcelona-based firm The Room Studio.
Jul 27, 2018
An L.A. Rental’s Swell Style Is Rivaled Only by the Cute Dog
Name: Ashley Hosmer, my husband Matty, and our dog Mia Location: Los Angeles, California Size: 1,000 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years, renting My husband Matty and I moved into our one-bedroom fourplex with our dog Mia about a year and a half ago. My husband saw the listing within an hour of it being posted, was the first to see the apartment, and made an offer without me even seeing it. He knew it was good and would go fast.
Jul 27, 2018
9 Trends Designers are Ready to Say Goodbye to
"Keep Calm and Please STOP IT."
Jul 26, 2018
A Food Blogger’s Ontario Home is Minimal, Monochromatic, and Marvelous
Name: Marcella, Justin, and their dogs Buddy Holly and Pete Location: Fonthill — Ontario, Canada Size: 1,700 square feet Years lived in: 2 years, owned Just two years ago Marce of Hey Modest Marce decided to leave her hectic job in the Toronto financial district and uproot her life to live a slower pace. She and boyfriend Justin found a 1920s traditional craftsman home in Fonthill, a small town in the heart of Ontario’s wine country.
Jul 26, 2018
An Amateur Architect Built a Home Called the Triangle House
Name: Samantha Blair, husband, 3 children, and 4 pets Location: Rolling Hills Estates, California Size: 2,500 square feet Years lived in: 1 year, owned My husband, Ron, and I live here with our three children and four pets. Our very first home purchase, we’ve been here a little over a year. It was a dream home purchase and love at first sight for both of us. It was built in 1960 by an amateur architect for himself and his family.
Jul 26, 2018
The 10 Commandments of House Hunting
Anyone who has gone through the stress of house hunting knows that it can be a challenge of biblical proportions. Though no home buying experience is the same, Maureen Burns with @Properties in Chicago, Illinois, says the right preparation and mindset can help you find the best property with relatively little stress. From not getting hung up on easily-fixed cosmetic features to researching your desired neighborhoods ahead of time, this list of rules is a good guide for house hunters everywhere.
Jul 25, 2018
Plants and Pattern Add Color to This Beach Bohemian Bungalow in California
Name: Janelle Burnett, husband George, daughter Sienna (2 years old) Carson (3 months old), and two fur babies Lola and Marilyn Location: Mission Viejo, California Size: 2,000 square feet Years lived in: 2 years, owned My husband and I bought our home over two years ago when I was pregnant with our daughter Sienna. We could only afford a fixer upper so we gutted it and redid almost everything on our own. Remodeling a house while pregnant is something I wouldn’t recommend; it is no joke.
Jul 25, 2018
5 Conversations to Have With Your Roommates Before You Move Out
If you have roommates, you probably know the standard move-in conversations that need to happen to ensure harmonious living. How will rent be collected and paid, whose television is going in the living room, and are peanut butter jars considered communal? But it’s important to make sure those A-plus communal living communication skills don’t fizzle come move-out time.
Jul 25, 2018
This Small Brooklyn Apartment Excels at Storage
This couple from Charleston settled into a 550-square-foot NYC apartment with lots of light but little storage... until they implemented their smart ideas.
Jul 25, 2018
Marie Kondo Showed Us How Her New Organizing Boxes Work
Drawers are my organizational kryptonite (OK, fine, that and the “clothes chair,” if I’m really confessing weaknesses). I can get everything folded up and fairly neat looking, but the first time I need to grab a T-shirt on my way out the door to the gym in a rush? It all goes down one big jumbled slippery slope of messiness. No amount of purging—or even, dare I say, Kon-Mari-ing—has helped. But now, the KonMari architect herself, says she can help.
Jul 25, 2018
Partner
Trapped in Debt? Here’s One Way to Get Out of It and Save More
In today’s economy, it’s downright normal to have a home mortgage, some student loans, and even a bit of credit card debt. But what should you be doing to protect yourself and make the most of your money? Sure a small amount of debt is normally fine, but sometimes if you don’t take control of it, it could have control over you. Here’s a well-kept secret: Once you start borrowing money, it can be challenging to dig yourself out of the hole.
Jul 25, 2018
Partner
Before & After: A One-Day Paint Project Energizes a Little Living Room
Painting this one architectural detail made the whole room come together.
Jul 25, 2018
Before and After: A Closed-Off Kitchen Is Now an Open-Concept Dream
When Laura Gibson and her husband decided to buy this rental home, they knew a lot of changes would need to be made for it to fit their family’s needs. One of the biggest updates Laura wanted to make was to remodel the dark, closed-in kitchen. To create the open-concept great room that Laura dreamed of, the couple did have to knock down some walls in the home, creating a big open kitchen, dining room and seating area.
Jul 25, 2018
10 Brilliant Storage Ideas to Steal from These Tiny, International Airbnbs
If you want to (affordably) escape to an amazing city, renting a tiny Airbnb might be your best bet to get the perfect location. And one of my favorite things about staying in an Airbnb, especially one that’s someone’s home that they rent out versus one that’s really working as a hotel, is seeing the clever tricks they use to make living in teeny spaces work out. While we don’t usually recommend stealing from Airbnbs (that’s wrong! And illegal!
Jul 25, 2018
This Immersive Fun House Is Full Of More Than Just Sideshow Tricks
For a comprehensive reminder of just how wonderfully left field Snarkitecture has gone with its designs since its inception a decade ago, you’ll definitely want to check out the New York-based studio’s Fun House exhibit at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.
Jul 24, 2018
Creative Ways to Decorate for Absolutely No Money
Although the need to change up your home now and then is perfectly human and natural, it’s not always feasible. These free decorating ideas indulge your need for something new, without putting a hit out on your wallet. Here are four great strategies to have in your back pocket, whenever you feel compelled to shake things up on the cheap. If you’ve done any painting lately, or ever, you most likely have a some leftover in a can somewhere in your house or garage.
Jul 24, 2018
Before and After: A Garage Is Transformed into a Stylish, Cozy Living Room
When Laura Gibson—who runs the blog Sophisticated Rust—and her husband moved into this rental house, she didn’t see a lot to love. It was small, hadn’t been taken care of, and just wasn’t what she wanted in a home. But her husband fell in love with the property and persuaded her to consider purchasing it. She was finally sold on the idea, but only if they put a lot of work into the house.
Jul 24, 2018
Do This and You’ll Never Have to Dust Your Hard-to-Reach Spots Again
I’ve written a lot about dusting, but like a doctor who stops for Krispy Kreme on the way to work, I have some blind spots when it comes to this one part of homekeeping. Namely, I’m not the best at staying on top of dusting the hard-to-reach spots in my home. Not that it doesn’t bother me that the tops of my built-ins and kitchen cabinets are coated with a thin coating of dust (ok, more than a thin coating).
Jul 24, 2018
7 Secrets for a Less-Messy Living Room
Living rooms come in all shapes and sizes, and unfortunately, the smaller the apartment, the harder it can be to keep yours organized. Throw in a busy work schedule and a somewhat active social life and suddenly a tiny living room can turn into a cluttered disaster zone, especially when you don’t have a lot of extra room for storage. But fret not my busy, unorganized friends; we’re here to help.
Jul 23, 2018
A Tiny 300-Square-Foot Studio Apartment Is a Jewel Box
Name: Heather Alexander Location: Washington Heights, New York City Size: 300 square feet Years lived in: 6 years, renting After divorcing a “design-curmudgeon,” Heather says she really went for it when she moved into this place six years ago. Filled with so many colors, fun finds, and treasures she dubbed her home the “Jewel Box.
Jul 23, 2018
I Spent $30 on a Fan for My Kitchen, and It’s Made a Huge Difference
A while ago, I wrote a post about how to ventilate a kitchen when you don’t have a range hood or vent. A number of Kitchn readers recommended installing a reversible window fan which, when put on the exhaust setting, can effectively draw smells, steam, and smoke out of your kitchen. I don’t have a hood in my rental kitchen, and for a long time I just ran the ceiling fans in other rooms when I cooked something particularly smelly or smoky. It worked okay, but wasn’t ideal.
Jul 23, 2018
Before and After: You’ll Love How This Kitchen Keeps Its Character
There’s often one element in old kitchens that we’re all rooting for, crossing our fingers that it survives the big renovation. For this kitchen makeover, I’m holding my breath that the amazing pink double oven makes the cut. Reader Amanda Schaneman shares some insight into what this kitchen was really like, as photos never tell the whole story: The kitchen before the remodel was dark, dirty, and dated.
Jul 23, 2018
4 Ways to Hack Our Favorite $3 IKEA Organizing Staple
The magic of IKEA pieces is not only in their well-thought-out, small-space-maximizing design, but in the numerous ways each versatile piece can be repurposed and hacked. Here are four ways to transform one of our very favorite IKEA staples, the VARIERA bag dispenser, into more than meets the eye.
Jul 23, 2018
A Boho Minimalist Plant Lady’s Brooklyn Rental
Name: Abby Fuller Location: Williamsburg — Brooklyn, New York Size: 500 square feet Years lived in: 3 months, renting I work in developer relations for Amazon, so I’m on the road a lot! I wanted something that felt homey and comfortable, without requiring a ton of maintenance (i.e., no plants that would die if I left them for 10 days. I killed a lot of them experimenting with this before I finally asked my mom for help!
Jul 22, 2018
An Intro to Architecture Styles (Explained Through The Zodiac Signs Because It’s 2018)
When it comes to architecture, there seems to be endless styles to choose from. Have you ever wondered which type is right for you? Interested in your horoscope? Well, what could be more fun than meshing the two? Here, 12 types of homes and their corresponding star match, for millennials’ sake. The free-spirited, unconventional Aquarius would mesh with a Key West-style home.
Jul 22, 2018
If You Feel Unproductive During the Summer, You’re Not Alone
Is there anything worse than feeling unproductive? We all need lazy days, but if you weren’t intending to be lazy and chill, and you actually needed to get stuff done, then being unproductive is pretty bad. For some reason, it feels like productivity justs plummets during the summer. There is a reason behind that and you shouldn’t feel bad if you finding yourself lacking productivity during June through August.
Jul 22, 2018
Before and After: This Vintage Bathroom Got a $265 Overhaul
This “before” bathroom features vintage tiles, which are beautiful in their own way, but also make the space feel a little dated. To the rescue? Modern wallpaper. The bold print took this outdated 1950s style straight into 2018. The wallpaper has so much tropical flair, and I’m intrigued by the way the green of the palm fronds works with the tile color.
Jul 22, 2018