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2018
September

The Latest: Sep 2018

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.
11 Inspiring Ways to Style Your Floating Shelves
The possibilities are endless, but if you're stumped on how to style your floating shelves, these inspirational shelfies are sure to point you in the right direction.
Jessica Isaac
Sep 30, 2018
This Is How Much It Costs to Live 10 Minutes from Disneyland
Disneyland is dubbed the “Happiest Place on Earth,” and is a popular vacation destination for people from all over the world. Even celebrities love to spend the day at the magical theme park in Anaheim, California. But have you ever wondered what it would be like to live close enough to Disneyland that you could visit on a regular basis? For true Disney fanatics, owning a home in the area would be a dream come true.
Kate Streit
Sep 30, 2018
These Parents Recreated Diagon Alley In Their Backyard and It’s Absolutely Magical
It is just about every Harry Potter lovers dream to travel to the magical world. We all waited anxiously to get our Hogwarts letter in the mail, but sadly, it never came. For those of us who are the biggest Potterheads, we try to incorporate the wizarding world into our lives any way we can. We rewatch the movies, reread the books, share them with our loved ones, and find ways to celebrate Harry Potter all year long.
Ana Luisa Suarez
Sep 30, 2018
How Student Loans Couldn’t Stop Me from Buying a Home at 25
My husband and I are “recession kids.” We were just starting high school when the Great Recession brought the most significant economic downturn in the United States since the Great Depression. We watched our parents, neighbors, and family friends struggle with unemployment and the housing market crash. Foreclosures surged throughout the country, and home values plummeted following the housing bubble.
Alexandria Jacobson
Sep 30, 2018
Get Natalie’s Palm Springs Look!
Check out Natalie Jacob, the woman behind cocktail blog Arsenic Lace, and see what she’s done with her New Jersey apartment. Full of vintage, IKEA, Target, West Elm and a host of other sources, she’s mixed it all together in a super fun, original way. The wallpaper and paint treatments are exceptional—together it shows how the everyday can be turned fabulous if you roll up your sleeves and apply a little style!
Maxwell Ryan
Sep 30, 2018
This Geometric Tiny House in Slovenia Lets You Relax
The hills are alive with this sustainable tiny house. While those might not be the lyrics to the iconic The Sound Of Music song, it doesn’t make it any less true when addressing this glamping haven. Perched on the mountainside in Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenia, this tiny accommodation is all about modern simplicity. The one-room vacation rental can comfortably fit two guests, complete with a queen-sized bed, table, drawers, and shelves for additional space.
Nicoletta Richardson
Sep 30, 2018
Crate and Barrel’s Halloween Decor is Every Goth Lovers Dream
Did everyone go through a goth phase? Or was it just us? You might have told your parents and friends at the time that it “wasn’t a phase” but for most of us, it was. However, even if you don’t wear all black and channel your inner ’80s Winona Ryder every day, you still can love and appreciate the goth subculture. If you ever were goth or still are, you’re going to need to see Crate & Barrel’s Halloween decor.
Ana Luisa Suarez
Sep 29, 2018
9 Go-To IKEA Products Designers Buy Again and Again
Do you ever walk into a stylish space and mentally try to decipher storied or custom pieces from those that were shipped in a flat pack from IKEA? That’s a cool game to play, right? IKEA, arguably Sweden’s finest contribution to the 20th and 21st century (I kid…?), has become a mecca of sorts for the broke-twenty-something-who-has-no-furniture folk to the high-caliber tastemaker fold, and for good reason: there is literally something for everyone.
Kate Bergeron
Sep 29, 2018
Experts Reveal the 10 Big Mistakes First-Time Homebuyers Make
You’ve been squirreling away dollar after dollar and finally have a pile big enough to consider buying your first home. That’s the good news. The not-so-great news: First-time buyers are prone to making some pretty big mistakes. “Home sales have gone up and many first-time homebuyers are coming down with a case of home-buying FOMO,” says Tanya Hobson-Williams, an attorney in Jamaica Estates, New York.
Lambeth Hochwald
Sep 29, 2018
Inside Tyra Banks’ Pacific Palisades Mansion, Just Sold For $4 Million
Talk about the ultimate fall cleaning. Former fashion model and entrepreneur Tyra Banks recently offloaded another one of her Pacific Palisades homes that she bought four years earlier. The America’s Next Top Model host sold the four-bedroom, five-bathroom for $4 million, which is only slightly less than the $4.25 million she asked for when listing the posh pad back in May.
Kenya Foy
Sep 29, 2018
These Amazon Dining Room Buys Are Great for First Apartments–And Beyond
When it comes to buying furniture, some pieces stay with you for a year or two, and some for a lifetime. But when it comes to buying furniture on a budget, more can fall into the former camp. And while some inexpensive options might be required to get started while you save up for more investment pieces, it’s also nice when those inexpensive pieces can grow with you.
Marshall Bright
Sep 29, 2018
4 Things I Learned After My First Month of Small-Space Living
We’re back with the final installment of A Renter’s Diary! We’ve followed Rebekah Hall in her first month moving from a single family home into a 800-square-foot apartment in Little Rock, Arkansas. She’s had to figure out how to downsize and work around the quirks of the space. Last week, Hall shared how she shopped around her apartment (and her parents’ home) for no-cost kitchen storage solutions.
Rebekah Hall
Sep 28, 2018
A Dark, Dramatic Swedish Home Aces Atmosphere
Scandinavian and Nordic-inspired interiors are very good at very white, bright interiors, but they also do dark, moody spaces well, too.
Adrienne Breaux
Sep 28, 2018
Clever Ways to Reuse All Those Used Toilet Paper Roll Tubes
Toilet paper is a fact of life, as are all the tubes that pile up as you go through it. Sure you can recycle those used rolls, but there’s a much better use for all that cardboard. Here are a bunch of ways to stretch out their humble little lives a little further. If you have a ton of gift wrap in your closet, take a break from buying more and find other ways to package presents. These fruit-themed ones are adorable.
Dabney Frake
Sep 28, 2018
5 Reasons You Should Add a Round Mirror to Your Space
Did you know the mirror, as we know it today, was invented fewer than 200 years ago? According to LiveScience, in 1835 German chemist Justus von Liebig coated a pane of glass with a thin layer of metallic silver and successfully coaxed out mankind’s inner Narcissus for decades to come. Since then, mirrors have come to be a solid fixture in interior design and, more recently, round mirrors seem to be challenging the rectangular norm (and for good reason).
Jessica Isaac
Sep 28, 2018
4 Scandinavian Architects Who Also Design Homes in the US
Welcome to Scandi Week—Apartment Therapy’s seven-day focus on all-things Scandinavia (often defined as the countries of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway). Sometimes it seems like the whole world is obsessed with trying to copy this corner of the globe, from its timeless style aesthetic to its now-famous coziness rituals. For the next week, we’ll take a look at all of it—cleaning, pop culture, and of course tons of eye-popping design inspiration.
Keshia Badalge
Sep 28, 2018
Before & After: This Travel Trailer Is a Happy Surprise Inside and Out
Meet Benny the Boler, a 1974 vintage fiberglass trailer built in Peace River, Alberta. Reader Ali and her husband Bryce transformed this 44-year-old cutie camper into a happy little home. Here’s how Ali describes the project: We bought him in 2017 and the plan was to renovate him with a light and bright attitude, for the love of taking something destined for a scrap yard and making it usable and beautiful. We have a real passion for working together and restoring something so functional.
Dabney Frake
Sep 28, 2018
A 1964 Split-Level House’s Decor Reflects the Whole World
Name: Christopher Beecroft, my wife… and two cats who really wanted to be in the pictures Location: Silver Spring, Maryland Size: 3,200 square feet Years lived in: 2.5 years, owned Our house is a 1964 split-level with four floors. It has a mix of mid-century modern-ish, Scandinavian-style, and inherited antique furniture. There is a wide range of art, including vintage concert and art gallery posters from the ’60s and ’70s, and some of my own photography.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Sep 28, 2018
These Cozy Couches Are Each Made from 113 Recycled Plastic Bottles
Wouldn’t watching videos of adorable baby sea animals be so much more comforting if you were curled up on a sustainable sofa that was made from over 100 recycled plastic bottles? Enter: Lovesac’s new sofas, called “Sactionals”. Known for their eponymous next-level bean bags, Lovesac’s new modular sectionals look more like traditional upholstered couches that can be arranged and rearranged from one configuration to another in minutes.
Melissa Massello
Sep 27, 2018
HGTV HOME By Sherwin-Williams’ 2019 Color Of The Year Is So Calming
With a new year comes the opportunity for a new start, including a fresh coat of paint for your living spaces. But with so many color swatches to choose from, HGTV HOME By Sherwin-Williams just made your life a lot easier with their 2019 Color of the Year unveil. The winner is Reflecting Pool (SW6486), a hue of “many personalities” that communicates “a life of balance with a little bit of flair” with its versatility and adaptive skills.
Nicoletta Richardson
Sep 27, 2018
What I Wish I Knew Before Breaking My Lease—and Getting Sued
This piece is run with an anonymous byline as a courtesy to the writer, as the post could affect their ability to obtain housing. In my first apartment out of college, my roommate and I rented a well-maintained, spacious apartment with a built-in cabinet, hardwood floors, and an original clawfoot tub. We fell in love with its charm and the rent was pretty affordable. The building was a two-flat that the landlord had lived in for over 30 years.
Guest of Apartment Therapy
Sep 27, 2018
5 Rooms That Nail Tone-on-Tone Decorating
Is it just us, or are pops of color officially played out? Make no mistake, we love a good use of color as much as the next design lover. But when every single room has a pop of color, the styling tactic feels, well, dull. If you’re looking for an alternative, you may want to consider tone-on-tone decorating. Turns out, using one color throughout your space is unexpected, impactful, and totally Instagrammable.
Kelsey Mulvey
Sep 26, 2018
3 Things You Should Never Do During Your Inspection Period
Read over these missteps, as well as what you ought to do instead, so that you can handle your inspections with a sense of confidence.
Tara Mastroeni
Sep 26, 2018
A ’70s Swedish House Is Renovated and Reimagined
Name: Camilla Larsson and family Location: Nyköping, Sweden Size: 1,539 square feet Years lived in: 7 years, owned Welcome to Scandi Week—Apartment Therapy’s seven-day focus on all-things Scandinavia (often defined as the countries of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway). Sometimes it seems like the whole world is obsessed with trying to copy this corner of the globe, from its timeless style aesthetic to its now-famous coziness rituals.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Sep 26, 2018
A Bold Bungalow Is Bursting with Stealable Decor Ideas
Name: Sarah Ward, my husband Dave, and pup Oliver Location: Calgary, Alberta Size: 1,800 square feet Years lived in: 8 years, owned Our home is a 1920s Craftsman bungalow located in Calgary, Alberta. We have lived in the home for about eight years and have slowly brought it to where it is today.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Sep 26, 2018
These Stunning Scandinavian Living Rooms All Share a Common Thread
Welcome to Scandi Week—Apartment Therapy’s seven-day focus on all-things Scandinavia (often defined as the countries of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway). Sometimes it seems like the whole world is obsessed with trying to copy this corner of the globe, from its timeless style aesthetic to its now-famous coziness rituals. For the next week, we’ll take a look at all of it—cleaning, pop culture, and of course tons of eye-popping design inspiration.
Dabney Frake
Sep 25, 2018
6 Bathroom Renovations That Cost $5,000 or Less
Bathrooms are sometimes neglected when it comes to design, but that doesn’t have be the case (and shouldn’t be). While, yes, you may do your “business” there, it’s also a space for practicing self-care (I know, it’s a buzz word, but it is really important) and may be the only place you ever find yourself alone. Whether you’re a renter or homeowner on a budget, renovating your #selfcare space doesn’t have to be impossible.
Jessica Isaac
Sep 25, 2018
10 Ways Buying a Home in Sweden Is Totally Different Than in The U.S.
Welcome to Scandi Week—Apartment Therapy’s seven-day focus on all-things Scandinavia (often defined as the countries of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway). Sometimes it seems like the whole world is obsessed with trying to copy this corner of the globe, from its timeless style aesthetic to its now-famous coziness rituals. For the next week, we’ll take a look at all of it—cleaning, pop culture, and of course tons of eye-popping design inspiration.
Elizabeth Clayton Wester
Sep 25, 2018
This Tiny Norwegian Tree House Is a Minimalist’s Dream Come True
Do you ever get the urge to pack up your belongings, and escape the hustle and bustle of life for a while? This striking tree house with panoramic fjord views might be the place to do it. Located in Sandane, Norway, you can glamp in this tiny house that overlooks the country’s west coast. And “tree house” isn’t just a figure of speech: this structure is actually perched in the treetops, making guests fully immersed in the natural environment.
Nicoletta Richardson
Sep 25, 2018
This Camper-Boat Allows You To Vacation On Land And Water
Germany-based company Caravanboat has the solution to the common vacation conundrum that plagues many trip planners: Whether to hit the high seas or remain on land. The Departure One, a 30-foot camper, is capable of being used on the water or on solid ground. Fashioned out of seawater-resistant aluminum, the multi-purpose dwelling is a crafty combination of a camper and a motorized houseboat. The air-conditioned space has a living room, a small shower, sink, and toilet.
Kenya Foy
Sep 24, 2018
New Yorkers Share the Weirdest, Most Frustrating Things About Their Apartments
Living in New York City often means expensive rent and little space, but sometimes apartments here are…an experience, to say the least. It seems like everyone lives in a building that has its quirks—things like strange-but-creative ways of fitting appliances in, weird structural features, odd smells, and more. Even the best apartments—the ones no one would dare give up their leases on—have their own interesting shortcomings.
Brittney Morgan
Sep 24, 2018
An $888K Shaker-Style Home with Stellar Views of the Sea
This charming New England home is a classic Shaker style with ultra-modern features. 41 Saltaire Drive Located in Old Saybrook, CT $888,000 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms This is your classic coveted New England seaside home but—surprise!—it was built in just 2015, so you’ll get all modern updates. The architect-designed shingled home in Old Saybrook was constructed with today’s living in mind.
Anne Roderique-Jones
Sep 24, 2018
A Fun Scottish Apartment in a Former High School
Name: Will Harvey, Iona Sangster, and Luna the Cockapoo Location: Leith — Edinburgh, Scotland Size: 800 square feet Years lived in: 3 years, owned Will and Iona Harvey’s modernly colorful and whimsically decorated flat in Leith, a district to the north of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, is dotted with references to school: A vintage school desk and chair serve as office furniture in their living room, while a seat meant for a small student sits in the bedroom.
Jessica Rapp
Sep 24, 2018
7 Bold Bohemian Rooms Maximalists Will Love
Bohemian looks have always been trendy, but not many people go full-blown flower-child in their homes. If you’re a true maximalist at heart and love going full steam with a trend, then you will love the maximalist bohemian aesthetic. Utilizing bold, look-at-me wallpaper prints, a dizzying array of clashing patterns, saturated colors, and layered textures, just about every detail in the space competes for your attention.
Marlen Komar
Sep 24, 2018
Before and After: An Over-the-Top, Yet Elegant $500 Bathroom Makeover
The new owner of this home became fixated on its “varying shades of split pea soup green” powder room and was determined to give it a makeover—but wanted to spend less than $500. Enter absolutely fabulous wallpaper! First, let’s hear a bit more about this bathroom’s pre-makeover state: To be honest, I don’t remember seeing this bathroom in the real estate listings or when we toured the house. I knew it was there, it just made no specific impression.
Tess Wilson
Sep 24, 2018
Partner
5 Weekday Cleaning Hacks That Will Save Your Weekend
The first sign you’re back in the fall grind is that weekends become a much more precious commodity than you remember them being. Despite the returned chaos, there are a few little tasks you can do during the week that will keep the weekend chore list shorter. Each takes less than five minutes; none requires any special tools. We all want to be the person who wipes off soup splatters right after they happen, but who among us is?
Tim Minerd
Sep 24, 2018
A 450-Square-Foot San Francisco Studio Is Small, But Ultra Cozy
Name: Hayley Dickson Location: Lower Pacific Heights — San Francisco, California Size: 450 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years, renting I’ve always wanted to have my own space, but was worried with Bay Area rent prices I would never be able to afford it. So when I came across this studio in my price range and in a neighborhood I liked, I jumped at the opportunity!
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Sep 24, 2018
The Credit Score Raising Hack You Need to Know About
So your credit score is less than perfect and you’re doing everything in your power to improve it. The bills are paid on time and you’re only charging about $20 on your credit card every month (because the limit is only $500!). But, even with all of this, your credit doesn’t seem to budge more than a few points because your bills aren’t tied to your credit or you have just one measly credit card.
Liz Steelman
Sep 23, 2018
Urban Outfitters Now Sells a Wine Glass Holder for Your Shower
Beer lovers have been able to enjoy “shower beers” for years, but trying to drink wine in the shower is such a hassle. The ledge in the shower is always too wet and you can never put the glass down. If you do, then your wine will spill everywhere. And god forbid the glass shatters while you’re trying to just take a shower and enjoy a glass of Chardonnay.
Ana Luisa Suarez
Sep 23, 2018
5 Mistakes You Might Be Making with Your Leather Goods
If you’re afraid of the luxury of having something nice like a leather sofa, we’re here to put your fears at rest. Leather is a performance material, and fortunately you don’t have to work hard to maintain it. “People make the mistake of assuming that because leather is more expensive, it requires more care—when it’s just the opposite,” says Whitney Tinsley, Moore & Giles‘ Director of Education. “Leather is meant to be lived in.
Marissa Hermanson
Sep 23, 2018
Before and After: This Bathroom Got Done on a Tight 6-Week Timeline
This “builder basic, circa 1980” bathroom is about to get a total head-to-toe makeover, in which nothing is where it was and everything is as far from builder basic as it’s possible to get.
Tess Wilson
Sep 23, 2018
The Most Ingenious Way to Clean a Slow Cooker Is Also the Easiest
You can actually get your slow cooker to clean itself.
Ayn-Monique Klahre
Sep 23, 2018
This Apartment’s Art Deco Bathroom Color Combo Is Must-See
Name: Carolyn Seuthe Location: Los Angeles, California Size: 850 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years, renting My apartment is a one-bedroom in the Miracle Mile neighborhood of Los Angeles, an area with a lot of incredible, historical properties. When I was looking for this apartment, I had just moved back to my hometown after four years in Washington, D.C., where I lived in one of those really giant, sterile-seeming apartment complexes.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Sep 23, 2018
You Can Show Off Your Harry Potter Pride With This Hogwarts-Inspired Luggage
September 1st came and went without our Hogwarts letter arriving in the mail. That doesn’t mean we didn’t plan our trip to Hogwarts for this year. If you’re an avid Harry Potter fan, you can now show off your house pride in style whenever you travel. Recently, Pottery Barn released a Harry Potter home decor line full of incredible bedding sets and bedroom decor. But did you know that Pottery Barn’s sister site, PB Teen, sells Harry Potter luggage?
Ana Luisa Suarez
Sep 22, 2018
6 Surprising Things Your Homeowners Insurance Actually Covers
When buying a house these days, homeowners insurance is typically mandatory–even if you don’t think you’ll ever need it. However, the hefty monthly sum you pay for coverage may be more useful than you realize. “It is important to remember that a homeowners insurance policy provides important coverages beyond just the structure of the house,” says Michal Brower, spokesperson for State Farm Insurance.
Chelsea Greenwood
Sep 22, 2018
What’s the Difference Between Agents, Brokers, and Realtors?
As a renter or a buyer, you’ve probably heard the words agents, brokers, and Realtors used to describe the same person who is helping you buy, rent, or sell your house or apartment. There’s even a chance you’ve used these three terms interchangeably. While an agent, a broker, and a Realtor will all help you buy or sell a home, these terms are not synonyms and do mean different things.
Hana LaRock
Sep 22, 2018
Before and After: An Epic Tale of One Estate Sale Mid-Century Sofa
This estate sale sectional had its issues, but what it lacked in legs it made up for in mice. Don’t let the beautiful backdrop distract you: This sofa needed some serious (read: professional) TLC to go from threadbare and disintegrating to refined and rodent-free. Here’s how this sofa was acquired: The day before I moved 1,000 miles to my current home, I spotted a mid-century sectional sofa at an estate sale and bought it for my new place.
Tess Wilson
Sep 22, 2018
Are Gallery Grids the New Gallery Walls?
Gallery walls fill a void in our heart we didn’t know we had: the need to show off all of our artwork, all of the time. But after a decade exploding with galleries, it’s time for something a little more streamlined. Enter the gallery grid, where themed artwork is hung in a grid—think of it as a gallery wall, sans clutter. The result adds a pleasing sense of order to your living spaces.
Jamie Wiebe
Sep 22, 2018