The Latest
2019
February

The Latest: Feb 2019

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.
Isabelle’s Top Floor Flat of an Old Converted Church in London
Name: Isabelle Palmer, the Balcony Gardener Location: Hampstead; London, United Kingdom Size: 3 bedrooms Years lived in: 14 years; Owned Isabelle Palmer has made a career out of small space gardening, and it’s not hard to see how her home has inspired her business. Isabelle’s flat is a top-floor treasure inside of an old converted church in London’s leafy Hampstead neighborhood. Living in one place for the past 14 years, Isabelle has constantly reinvented the space.
Claire Bock
Feb 28, 2019
Tamasyn’s Colorful, Patterned London Flat
Name: Tamasyn Gambell Location: Bow; London, United Kingdom Size: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath Years lived in: 3 years; owned Who else lives here: Tamasyn’s boyfriend Jamie and their baby Stepping into the home of Tamasyn Gambell, the first thing you notice are the patterns and collections, but go deeper into the home and you will see that her use of pattern and color is united by nature themes which lend a tranquil feel to the home.
Claire Bock
Feb 28, 2019
The Hottest Real Estate Listing for February 2019 Would Cost You $37,000 a Month
Whether or not you’re actually in the market for a new home, scrolling through real estate listings can be habit-forming. Looking at all the cool living spaces available can be oodles of fun, even if they’re halfway across the country or seriously out of your budget. Case in point? One of Trulia’s most popular listings this month: This stunning nine-bedroom, 10-bathroom mansion in Encino, California. At a listing price of $7.
Kate Streit
Feb 28, 2019
Enjoy Renting Because Homeownership Really Does Suck Up All Your Cash
You saved up that down payment—and those extra closing costs. The furniture has been bought and the rooms have been painted. You’ve sent the movers a deposit and even paid your first mortgage payment! You’re past the most stressful financial part of homeownership, right? Not so fast. A large portion of American homeowners say they’re still facing financial anxiety—even after move-in day.
Rebecca Renner
Feb 28, 2019
Before and After: This Basement Living Room Was Lacking a Wow Factor
This garden-level space was the home’s entrance, office, guest room, and living room all in one, and though it was full of intriguing art, fantastic patterns, and great furniture, it needed a little something to make it as welcoming and cozy as possible. Removable wallpaper to the rescue!
Tess Wilson
Feb 28, 2019
Partner
4 Interior Design Students Share Their Favorite Tips for Refreshing Small Spaces
No one knows interior design better than interior designers, and no one knows small spaces better than students living in New York (#studioliving), so it makes sense that interior design students really know how to make small spaces sing.
Creative Studio
Feb 28, 2019
A Couple (and 3 Cats) Beautifully Renovated This Old House
Name: Sara Ruch, husband, and three cats Location: Jersey City, New Jersey Size: 1,500 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years, owned My husband and I bought this home in the fall of 2017, after searching for close to a year in the Jersey City area. We knew we wanted a single family home, and the process was so much longer and more competitive than we imagined. We were lucky to have our offer accepted on this home, which was previously owned by the same family for many years dating back to WWII.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Feb 28, 2019
This Is How You Get a Perfect 850 Credit Score
In the world of credit, establishing a credit score of 850 is like being granted a lifetime achievement award. Both FICO and Vantage—widely used credit-scoring models—consider 850 to be the highest possible credit score. The score is perfect. Exceptional. Untarnished. But… is it possible? The short answer, according to experts: Well, yes. But an 850 credit score takes time and strategy.
Brittany Anas
Feb 27, 2019
The Least Expensive City to Own a Home in Every U.S. State
When it comes to owning a home, it’s all about location, location, location. The city you choose to put down roots will affect so many aspects of your life, including the home you can afford. While certain urban hubs are notorious for being unaffordable, there are other markets that make buying a home just a little more achievable. Wondering where housing costs are lowest in your state? Yearly, the Census Bureau produces the American Community Survey (ACS), which asks U.S.
Kate Streit
Feb 27, 2019
How a $300 Portable Washing Machine Makes New York City Actually Livable
Living in New York City brings its fair share of rewards and challenges. For me, the biggest continuous struggle—even after almost a decade in NYC—was doing laundry (#blessed, I know). When I lived in Brooklyn, my building had a basement laundry room, but it was creepy down there and I learned the hard way that the super locked the room at 9 p.m.—with my wet clothes trapped overnight in a washing machine.
Megan Wood
Feb 27, 2019
4 Ways to Achieve an Anxiety-Friendly Home
Designing a cozy home isn’t just about on-point aesthetics. Have you ever thought about how your home actually makes you feel? Interior designers and therapists alike believe home design influences your well-being and emotions, and can even exacerbate your anxiety and stress levels. Whether you are facing clinical anxiety or situational stress, creating a peaceful living space is a great first step toward preventing—and managing—stressful emotions.
Ashley Abramson
Feb 27, 2019
Before and After: This Bathroom Answers the Question “Can You Paint Tile?”
While this bathroom would have been the absolute height of luxury and style a few short years ago—and it’s still extremely nice—it was basically the opposite of its owner’s style. After a creative, approachable DIY, this went from earth-toned bath to brightly colored… ball pit? Roxanne of @daintylibrarian is a visionary who saw a spa tub and thought, probably, “This could be a lot more fun.
Tess Wilson
Feb 27, 2019
8 Rooms That Just Might Make You Abandon Your All-White Bedding
For as clean and unobtrusive as all-white bedding can be, it’s also a bit, well, boring. So we searched our home tours high and low for eye-catching bedding–that isn’t plain white—to show just what a little color and pattern can do in a bedroom. Here are eight bedrooms that might make you rethink your all-white bedding. A little color goes a long way in an all-white room.
Caroline Biggs
Feb 27, 2019
A KonMari Cleanse Allows This Couple to Live Comfortably in a Small NYC Home
Name: Erica Riha and fiancé Location: Upper East Side — New York, New York Size: Under 500 square feet Years lived in: 2 years, renting My fiancé and I moved into our Upper East Side apartment a few years ago after living in a much larger Queens one bedroom. We both work on West 57th Street and moved to have a shorter commute, the trade-off being less space; I’m an interior designer so I knew I could handle the challenge.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Feb 27, 2019
How You Can Use Chopsticks to Seemingly Double Your Fridge Space
This quick trick instantly delivers more space—just by raiding your utensil drawer.
Ayn-Monique Klahre
Feb 27, 2019
Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Created a Plant-Based Baby Line (and OMG, There Are Sloth Diapers)
In between juggling film and TV roles, being a wife, mother and getting her zen on with the help of organization photos, Kristen Bell somehow managed to find time to launch a line of baby products with her husband Dax Shepard. This week, the couple announced a collection of baby goods named Hello Bello, an adorable moniker that pairs well with Kristen and Dax’s reputation for being unbelievably cute at all times. There’s even a nod to K-Bell’s favorite animal—the sloth.
Kenya Foy
Feb 26, 2019
Chip & Joanna Gaines Just Bought a Literal Castle
This is the ultimate fixer upper.
Tara Bellucci
Feb 26, 2019
Before and After: This Is Not a Minimalist, Monochromatic Bathroom Makeover
This master bathroom was perfectly fine, but certainly not in keeping with the rest of Studio DIY’s vibrantly playful, creative, fun, and always-intriguing design sensibility. This one is definitely not a minimalist, monochromatic makeover. Studio DIY turned an ordinary bathroom into something undeniably fabulous. The green tile on its own is utterly glorious, a lush color that would be the statement in many bathrooms.
Tess Wilson
Feb 26, 2019
These Paint Roller Hacks Will Save You Time, Money and Mess
Make your whole project that much easier.
Dabney Frake
Feb 26, 2019
Look Inside: A $619K Vintage Colonial That Perfectly Blends Whimsy & Americana
Photos courtesy Jennifer Procopio A historic home with all the modern updates. 2 Murray Street Located in Norwalk, Connecticut $619,000 5 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms This home makes a serious first impression—both inside and out. The punchy red exterior of this vintage colonial is offset by the modern entrance. Here, you open the front door to an entry with a raised panel staircase and spacious coat closet—all wrapped with statement-making geometric wallpaper.
Anne Roderique-Jones
Feb 25, 2019
5 Surprising Places to Live in the U.S. If You Love Hiking
For some people, a big backyard is a priority—as in a backyard that boasts hundreds of miles of trails perfect for weekends spent hiking and exploring. You know of the biggies like the Rim-to-Rim in the Grand Canyon and The Narrows in Zion National Park. But there are several, lesser-known destinations throughout the United States where hiking is spectacular, thanks in part to preservation efforts, volunteers who groom the trails, and good ole’ Mother Nature.
Brittany Anas
Feb 25, 2019
Embrace the Ease of a “Day-of” Party (So You Can See Your Friends More)
Life is stressful enough as it is—so make this the weekend you stop putting unnecessary pressure on yourself when it comes to hosting. Does your house need to be impeccably clean with a three-course dinner planned and a carefully crafted evite in order to have a good time? No. Is it easy to get swept up in appearances and pretend it does? Absolutely.
Tyler Calder
Feb 25, 2019
Before and After: This KonMari-ed IKEA Closet Cost $1,700 and Is Basically a Boutique
It took two days to create this walk-in wonderland.
Tess Wilson
Feb 25, 2019
Why You Should Put “Clean the Fridge” at the Top of Your Grocery List
I hate to toss around tired old adages, but the truth of the matter is that taking care of a problem when it’s small is far easier than addressing a bigger problem once it’s grown. “Stitching in time” is particularly relevant when it comes to home-keeping—where procrastination, like not sweeping dirt from hardwood floors, can lead to major tasks like eventually refinishing your scratched-up floor.
Shifrah Combiths
Feb 25, 2019
How To Remove Wallpaper
How long have you been living with that wallpaper you hate? If you answered “too long,” read on—we just might have the inspiration and know-how you need to get going on your long-awaited project. We recently moved into an 1870s home that was covered—with the exception of one room—in wallpaper. It was mostly Victorian (1980s Victorian), and we couldn’t wait to get in there and remove every last bit.
Ashley Poskin
Feb 24, 2019
“Disposable” Household Products You Should Reuse Again (& Again)
Disposable products may be cheap and convenient, but there’s a cost associated with throwing out all that material. Many items have alternate uses and longer lives than just the one use their makers intended. Instead of throwing them away, get the most you can out of the following six things. Aluminum Foil: After using tin foil to cover the casserole, save it and use it again around the house. Alternate uses range from getting rid of rust to homemade funnels.
Dabney Frake
Feb 24, 2019
DIY Home Decor: How To Make a Modern Beaded Wood Trivet
This simple DIY trivet is perfect for tea-brewing winter months and a great gift for design lovers. Not only does it embody two of my current obsessions— geometric shapes and color-blocking against unfinished wood—but it also is super practical and can be separated into three individual trivets. Here’s how to make your very own: 1″ Wood beads (I used 39pcs) Cording Paint Tools Paintbrush Palette ScissorsPaperclip or large needle (optional) 1.
June Bhongjan
Feb 24, 2019
How To Paint a Brick Fireplace
The fireplace is almost always the centerpiece of the room —all furniture and decor tend to revolve around it. If you don’t happen to be head over heels for yours, chances are you won’t ever really love that room. The most effective and satisfying way to remedy the problem? Update the interior with paint. Cleaning supplies (vinegar + water, nylon scrub brush) Dropcloth Painters tape Paintbrush Small paint roller for textured surfaces Primer Flat or Satin topcoat Clean.
Ashley Poskin
Feb 24, 2019
How To Replace an Electrical Outlet
Are your outlets holding plugs nice and snug? If not, it might be time for you to change them out. Yes, fatigued outlets are a nuisance but they can also be potential fire hazards. And what about the appearance of your outlets? Are they old and outdated and could stand a new look? Don’t be intimidated! It’s not as hard as it looks (or expensive!) to replace an electrical outlet. ScrewdriverNeedle nose pliersNew electrical outlet (Also called a receptacle.
Ashley Poskin
Feb 24, 2019
Spring Cleanout: 5 Things to Get Rid of Right Now
In last week’s video roundup we wrote about spring cleaning, but we may have put the cart before the horse a bit: after all, it’s hard to clean effectively when your house is full of clutter. So this week we’re focusing on something we’re calling a ‘spring cleanout’ — getting rid of some of the unnecessary stuff that’s been burdening you so you (and your home) can feel light and free in the coming season.
Nancy Mitchell
Feb 24, 2019
How To Make a Moth-Repellent Sachet
Whether you’re just pulling out your sweaters or putting them away for the season, a moth repellent is key to making your winter wools last. Forget the stinky, toxic moth balls—and who really has the space for a cedar closet? What you need is good smelling, tiny alternative, and we’ve got just the thing!
Ashley Poskin
Feb 24, 2019
How To Make a Room Diffuser
Scents play a pretty significant role in my home, and I’m always searching for the perfect combo of comfort, cleanliness, and freshness. Creating your own room diffusers allow you the opportunity to make exactly the fragrance you are looking for — and it’s way more cost effective than what you’ll find in a boutique. bamboo skewers or paper straws Essential Oils 1/4 cup water 1/4 cup vodka 1/3 cup mineral oil Vase or similar container 1.
Ashley Poskin
Feb 24, 2019
DIY Brass Hanging Planter
This adorable little brass tubing planter has been making its way around Pinterest lately —and for good reason. It’s just as fun as it is affordable and stands about 18″ tall so it’s a perfect addition to any small space! If you’ve yet to work with brass tubing, this is a fantastic intro project to get your feet wet.
Ashley Poskin
Feb 24, 2019
How To Remove Stains From Marble Surfaces
Whether you’re working to get stains out of an old, neglected marble mantlepiece, or rust stains out of a newer marble shower, the method remains the same. Marble is a porous material — as is our skin, and like our skin when we have a wound, making a poultice to draw the stain out of your marble works in just the same way making a poultice to draw out infection in a wound would. The recipe may vary depending on the stain, but the poultice method is consistent.
Ashley Poskin
Feb 24, 2019
5 Ways to Warm Up a Cold Entryway
Maybe the front door is drafty or the floor isn’t insulated. Maybe there’s a big window that’s always cold to the touch. Maybe you enter through a dark and damp basement. For whatever reason, your entryway is always freezing cold this time of year. As a renter, there are a few things you can do to warm up this high-traffic space in your home.
Taryn Williford
Feb 24, 2019
Let’s Get Started: A Weekend of Flowers & Floors
Happy New Year! During the month of January, one assignment at a time, you are going to get your home in great shape. The effort put in over the next few weeks will pay you back with interest over the course of the year ahead. Each assignment you complete will absolutely add to the momentum of positive change that lasts long after the Cure wraps up. Now, you got that little pep talk because it’s the first weekend of the Cure, time to hit the gas and speed forward.
Janel Laban
Feb 24, 2019
How To Turn a Vintage Vanity Into a Desk
For years, I’ve wanted to get my hands on a vintage vanity and re-work it into a really functional workspace. So when my mom texted me a photo of this little beauty from a yard sale, I knew the time had come! One of the reasons it has taken me so long to pull the trigger on this project was because all the vanities I was coming across were in really beautiful condition.
Ashley Poskin
Feb 24, 2019
7 Things to Do Now to Prepare Your Home for Winter
It’s almost November, and the cold — really cold — weather will be here before you can snap your fingers. Get a jump on winter by taking care of a few things in and around the house now, while it’s still bearable temperature-wise, and you aren’t knee deep in snow and ice. Here are seven things to make for an easier transition into the cold… 1.
Dabney Frake
Feb 24, 2019
Before & After: Becky’s Brilliant Basket-Based DIY Closet Organizer System
Project by: Becky Location: Victoria, BC, Canada I can only admit this because I have now dealt with the skeleton in my closet, but I am was (fingers crossed) a huge clothes piler. As a large-scale, whole-house renovation left us needing to stretch the last dollars a little farther, my husband and I decided to tackle much of the finishing details ourselves. One item on our list was fitting out our master bedroom closet. It is not a huge closet, but at 5’X7′, it is a walk-in closet.
Janel Laban
Feb 24, 2019
How To Repair and Prep Cracked and Crumbling Walls for Painting
Repairing small cracks and holes in your walls is an essential home improvement skill. It’s quick and easy to do on your own, once you know how. We’ve gathered together a few good tips and photos to show you how its done; check it out, gather your supplies and give it a try…you can do it! Light weight spackle or non-shrink joint compoundPutty knifeFine grit sanding block 1. Sand around the crack or use a putty knife to remove any loose paint or drywall. 2.
June Bhongjan
Feb 24, 2019
Never (Ever!) Say This Word To Guests In Your Home
We all work so hard to make our homes beautiful, relaxing spaces where we can host our friends and family. So what if I told you that by merely uttering one little word, you could derail all the positive, beautiful attributes of your home in the eyes of your guests? Please, lovelies, never say this! “Sorry about the mess.” “Sorry it’s so hot in here.” “Sorry, we’re out of milk.” Sound familiar?
Jennifer Hunter
Feb 24, 2019
A Photographic Ode to IKEA’s Expedit in Kids’ Rooms
IKEA’s announcement last week that they were discontinuing the ubiquitous Expedit storage unit was, ultimately, much ado about nothing as its replacement, called Kallax, is nearly identical. But the public outcry by many fans was a reminder of how beloved this versatile and functional piece is. The Expedit transcends nationality, budget and decor styles as you can see in this gallery of children’s rooms.
Carrie McBride
Feb 24, 2019
Weekend Chores: Flowers, Outbox, Living Room & Lighting
Day 17: Friday, January 24….and the weekend of January 25 & 26 Assignments: Bring home some Friday flowers, empty your outbox, clean your living room and take a look at your lighting Yes! Here we go: the last full (and yes, busy!) weekend of the January Cure. This time next week, we’ll be done. This final stretch is when things should start coming together, as you spruce up your living room for your gathering and start the big emptying of the outbox.
Janel Laban
Feb 24, 2019
Hang Ups: Storage Solutions for Kids Rooms Without a Closet
The start of a new year often injects us with energy and motivation to organize and clean. (And, in my case, the feeling is usually gone by February!) Closets are a traditional target, but what if you don’t have a closet? Kids usually get the smallest bedrooms in the house, often lacking a closet, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have a functional, organized faux-closet. Above are 15 examples to explore.
Carrie McBride
Feb 24, 2019
Eleanor’s Cure: A Crash Landing, Averted
I count myself pretty lucky that my flat has a built-in Landing Strip, in the form of a covered radiator with mirror in the entry, and hooks for coats further along the hall. I know not everyone is this fortunate (I lived for years in a flat where the keys-mail-coat situation happened right in the kitchen, using up valuable counter space), so I’m definitely grateful for my current situation. The only problem with having a ready and waiting landing strip is that you do tend to abuse it.
Eleanor Büsing
Feb 24, 2019
How To Get Rid of Stuff (and Simplify Your Life)
Whether you’re about to move or just trying to simplify your life, ridding yourself of clutter can be an uphill battle. Tackling a whole pile of stuff (or even just one messy room) can be pretty intimidating. And once you’re actually holding something in your hand, it can be hard to pull the trigger. “But I used to really like this!” “But maybe I will use this… someday.
Nancy Mitchell
Feb 24, 2019
4 Tips for Getting In & Out of IKEA Faster
There’s no question about it, IKEA is a great resource for affordable and stylish furnishings, but it can can sometimes feel like a hassle to shop at the Swedish retailer’s stores, especially when you are in a hurry. After spending some time at one of their stores this weekend, I have a few tips to help you get in and out faster.1. Pre-plan your trip.
Jason Loper
Feb 24, 2019
7 Cozy, Snowy Cabins For Sale—For $400K Or Less
While many people are sick and tired of the seemingly endless cold and snow that this winter has delivered, others—believe it not–just can’t get enough of that wonderland vibe. In our opinion, snow is best enjoyed outside the city, in the country, where it stays white and pristine, and activities like skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and the like can be enjoyed. So, that’s why we set out to find snowy cabins for sale nationwide–all for $400,000 or less.
Chelsea Greenwood
Feb 24, 2019