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2019
March

The Latest: Mar 2019

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Cherry blossom tree with pink flowers in a garden setting, surrounded by green shrubs and trees.
You Can Buy a Stunning Cherry Blossom Tree for Your Backyard at Home Depot for Under $40
It is finally spring! Springtime means we can enjoy the beauty of nature, now that those cold and dreary days of winter are behind us. Is there anything more refreshing than looking at flowers blooming after spending weeks on end surrounded by dull gray skies? Of course not! If you’re a fan of cherry blossoms, you’re in luck! You don’t need to drive all the way to Washington D.C. to enjoy the National Cherry Blossom Festival (though it is something incredible to see).
Ana Luisa Suarez
Mar 31, 2019
This Is What It’s Really Like to Live in a Converted Church
American churches were built in bounty in the 1950s as a result of post-war population growth and a national focus on family values—but as time has gone on, more Americans are identifying as “nones” (none-affiliated), forcing these places of community gathering to close, as the cost of upkeep outweighs the number of congregants. Each year, between 6,000 and 10,000 American churches close.
Lambeth Hochwald
Mar 31, 2019
These Aren’t Your Grandma’s Bathmats
Is it just us, or does buying a bathmat feel like a Catch-22? On the one hand, you need a mat in your bathroom. What’s the alternative? Getting your floor all wet or, even worse, slipping after a relaxing bath or shower? Um, no thank you. But while bathmats are integral to every home, you have to admit they’re not always the most stylish accessories.
Kelsey Mulvey
Mar 31, 2019
Why I Really Regret Buying a ‘Good Enough’ House
When my husband and I first started looking for a house in 2017, we had just brought our second baby home from the hospital. By the time we sat down at the settlement table, she was just a few weeks away from crawling. Neither of us expected the process to take so long. After all, “for sale” signs were going up and coming down across the state with breakneck speed. We didn’t realize at the time that those quick moving properties were actually bad news for us as buyers.
Lauren Wellbank
Mar 31, 2019
The 10 Best Places to Live If You Hate Driving
Driving to work can eat up your time, stress you out, and pollute the air. Worse, owning a car gets expensive. But in many cities across the U.S., you don’t have much of a choice—but some places allow you to sit back and let a bus, train, subway, or streetcar take you where you need to go. Some of the best places for those that don’t want to drive? New York, New York; Union City, New Jersey; and San Francisco, California, says Redfin’s 2019 Transit Score report.
Rebecca Renner
Mar 31, 2019
8 Expert-Approved Ways to Carve Out a Play Area in a Small Space
It doesn’t matter if you were playing with your American Girl Dolls, doodling in a coloring book, or racing a stylish set of Hot Wheels, one thing’s for sure: A child’s playroom is so, so much more than a room. It’s a place where kids can foster their creativity and, well, be kids. Chances are, you probably have some pretty wonderful memories if you were lucky enough to have your very own childhood playroom.
Kelsey Mulvey
Mar 31, 2019
Partner
7 Things in Your Home You Should Be Vacuuming…But Aren’t
Let’s talk about a secret cleaning weapon — one you’re probably already very familiar with and are probably underusing. If you’re only using your vacuum cleaner to clean your floors, you’re missing out on all the great things it can do for you. Here are seven hard-to-clean spots that the right vacuum (and the right attachments!) can make short work of. How do you clean a mattress, anyway? You can’t exactly pop it in the washing machine.
Creative Studio
Mar 31, 2019
A Small Spanish Studio Has Some Splendid Small Space Ideas
Name: Sergio Gutierrez Location: Santander, Spain Size: 500 square feet Years lived in: 3 years, owned Sergio first lived in this small studio apartment—around 500 square feet—by himself, but when his partner and then a baby came along, the family moved from this space into a larger home.
Adrienne Breaux
Mar 31, 2019
7 Things Every Homeowner Should Know for Tax Day 2019
It’s that time of year again. The time where we either pull out the cumbersome, confusing forms to file our taxes—or look to an online service to do most of the heavy lifting for us. (Hello, Turbo Tax.) Last year’s major tax changes seemingly doubled or tripled the annual filing headache on top of all of the additional requirements for homeowners.
Geoff Nudelman
Mar 30, 2019
The Coolest Ways to Update Your Home Bar for $10 or Less
A good bar setup at home ensures that you’re always ready for happy hour. Luckily, Amazon is brimming with cute and clever bar accessories—many of which are priced for 10n bucks or less. Read ahead for seven items that will transform your bar cart—for cheap. Looking for an easy way to squeeze some fresh lemon or lime into your cocktail? This savvy spritzer has serrated teeth, so you can stick it straight inside a piece of fruit and then spray away.
Caroline Biggs
Mar 30, 2019
15 of the Best U.S. Cities for Work-Life Balance, According to Statistics
Tired of telling your niece you can’t come to her birthday party out in the ‘burbs because you have to get some work done this weekend? Or maybe it’s more that you have too much time—like you’re underemployed and can’t partake in all the amazing opportunities your city offers? It may be time to move to a city with a better work-life balance. Might I suggest Provo-Orem, Utah?
Liz Steelman
Mar 30, 2019
Your Dog Will Never Track Mud Into the House Again with This Handy Paw Cleaner
Now that we’re officially done with winter and spring has sprung, we’re headed toward better weather days. We can expect to see some beautiful flowers blooming shortly. However, before we get flowers, you know how the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers.” The rain isn’t too awful unless you have dogs. Every dog owner knows that with rain comes mud and with mud comes muddy paws.
Ana Luisa Suarez
Mar 30, 2019
The Surprisingly Simple Bedroom Trend We’ve Been Seeing Everywhere
It’s no secret that streamlining is in right now. Many of us are carefully evaluating everything from our wardrobes to our kitchenware and enjoying feeling lighter as we let unneeded belongings go. And with that, it’s no surprise that we’re more and more drawn to a streamlined look when it comes to furniture and decor, too. Take bed frames and headboards, for example. Gone are the days of tufted, upholstered numbers and in are sleek, simple wooden options, like the ones below.
Sarah Lyon
Mar 30, 2019
The Untold History Behind Why Most Real Estate Agents Are Women
A little over a year ago, Dani Rosenthal was at a crossroads. After spending more than 10 years working for homeware and apparel companies, she was looking to leave city-life and spend more time in Lake Arrowhead, California, where her family had decades-long roots. She loved architecture and historic renovations, and wanted to nurture these interests. After talking to friends and family members, she thought maybe becoming a real estate agent could be a smart next step.
Grace Stetson
Mar 30, 2019
NASA Is Willing to Pay You $18,500 and All You Have to Do Is Stay In Bed for 2 Months
Do you have a pretty deep love of your bed? Is it your hardest goodbye each morning and your fondest hello at night? Yeah, same here. We love to sleep and we especially love to be cozy in our beds. If sleeping for two months straight sounds like something right up your alley, then you might want to check out this opportunity from NASA. Yes, NASA, as in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Independent reported that NASA is looking to pay volunteers $18,500 for 60 days of work.
Ana Luisa Suarez
Mar 30, 2019
A Historic Row House Has a Colorful Exterior and Charming Interior
Name: Blair Wilson, my spouse Stephen, and our two pets, Tina the dog and Masaki the cat Location: Historic downtown — Frederick, Maryland Size: 1,700 square feet Years lived in: 2 years, owned Three years ago we were living in suburban Washington D.C., and on a weekend drive we discovered charming and picturesque Frederick, Maryland.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Mar 30, 2019
8 Superhero Cleaning Brushes That Save Time (and Effort!) All Over Your Home
Still using the same basic brushes to clean all the nooks and crannies of your apartment? You should know there’s a whole world of superhero brushes and scrubbers with all kinds of special features that will help cut your cleaning time in two. From soap dispensing dish brushes to a rechargeable spinning scrubber, here are eight cleaning brushes that will put your current basics to shame: Consider this soap-dispensing sink brush the Cadillac of dish brushes.
Caroline Biggs
Mar 30, 2019
James & Mark’s Haute Flea Market Style
Name: James Franco and Mark Goldrick Location: Newport, Rhode Island Size: 1200 square feet (includes an outdoor deck) Years lived in: 8 years; rented When James and Mark first laid eyes on their third floor apartment, they saw past the hideous wall mural in the stairwell, dingy cabinets and linoleum in the kitchen, holes in the walls, and ratty stained carpeting. The dumpy place that scared every other potential renter away filled them with a sense of excitement and possibility.
Jacqueline Marque
Mar 29, 2019
11 IKEA Products Every Renter Should Know About
I'm a lifelong renter and IKEA products have come to the rescue for many of my rental conundrums over the years.
Carrie McBride
Mar 29, 2019
This Controversial Exterior Might Be Making A Comeback
When it comes to curb appeal, prospective home buyers are being wooed by a classic: red brick exteriors. Trulia zeroed in on the trend after analyzing its most searched listings for March. Among the East Coast properties that are garnering the most attention, several had red brick facades, according to the real estate and rental listing site. Red brick is an oldie—some people may say “dated,” even—but others may see it as a “goodie” for its vintage charm.
Brittany Anas
Mar 29, 2019
This Artist Bought Her Grandparents’ Condo—Here’s What She Kept (And What She Changed)
A mix between "Mad Men" and "Pee Wee Herman," artist Kim Alpert's self-proclaimed style is "Folk Futurism."
Julia Brenner
Mar 29, 2019
These Are the Best Cities for Working Moms
One day we’ll collectively evolve into a society that fully supports the struggles of juggling work and parenting. But until we can get everyone (employers, specifically) to get on board with stuff like paid family leave, here’s a list of cities that are the best—and not so great—for working moms. First, the not so good news—the list excludes an entire region of the country, which isn’t exactly promising for mothers in the Northeast.
Kenya Foy
Mar 29, 2019
This Bell Tent In Mexico Marries Luxury And Eco-Friendliness
Whether it’s recycling, composting, or using cloth grocery bags, living an organic, eco-conscious lifestyle has never been easier. And great news, travelers: this can be the case for when you’re vacationing, too, as you don’t always have to choose between chic and luxury or environmentally-conscious. Say hello to this ultra-chic luxury bell tent in Tulum, Mexico, that is totally eco-friendly.
Amanda Becker
Mar 29, 2019
A 300-Square-Foot Studio Is a Cozy, Crafty, Kitschy, “Spinster” Pad
Name: Chelsea Del Rio, and cats Cat Millett and Fannie Purrkins Location: Sunnyside, NYC Size: 300 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years, renting I share my apartment with my feline companions Cat Millett and Fannie Purrkins (named after queer women in history because that’s my thing). This home was a miracle.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Mar 29, 2019
Partner
5 Little Ways to Unwind at Home
With a bustling lifestyle business—including a mega-popular Instagram account and a curated shop of vintage finds, Harper & Arrow—plus two little ones to chase after, Cynthia Harper knows that relaxation usually comes in small doses. Her trick is to create a home that’s immediately immersive so that when she does find a couple of minutes to herself she’s instantly at ease. Her trick for that? Think of more sense experiences than what you can see.
Creative Studio
Mar 29, 2019
The Biggest Souvenir You Buy On Vacation Could Be Your Whole Hotel Room
Some people can look at an empty room and visualize where every furniture item will go, what fabric will work for the curtains, and what planter they should buy for the corner by the window. Others need real, tangible inspiration—spaces they can shop like you might buy clothes off of a mannequin. And while there are showrooms for that, they can feel cold and uninviting—it’s hard to picture living in a showroom. Enter: the shoppable stay.
Samantha Zabell
Mar 28, 2019
The Best Time to Put Your Home on the Market, in Every Metro Area
Watching your house sit while it’s on the market can be a real drag. So maybe you’ve been hesitant to list yours. Well, now might be the time if you live in the New York metro area, Chicago, Dallas, Jacksonville, or another major city. The first week of April is a real estate market sweet spot where high buyer demand, low competition, speedy sales, and strong prices come together to give sellers who list a major wallet win. Don’t believe it? We’ll show you the numbers.
Rebecca Renner
Mar 28, 2019
This $150K Philadelphia Home Is the Most Popular Fixer-Upper on the Market
Flirting with the idea of a fixer upper? Those who are searching for homes online are majorly crushing on this massive stone home in Philadelphia that was originally built in 1900 and is for sale, “as is,” for $150,000. While the sprawling 2,000-square-foot home with four bedrooms and two bathrooms is definitely begging for some TLC, it’s among this month’s “most searched” properties on Trulia, a home and neighborhood site for buyers and renters.
Brittany Anas
Mar 28, 2019
This Old School Bus Was Given a New Life as a Tiny House on Wheels
It's only 280 square feet and currently home to two parents, a baby, and a dog.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Mar 28, 2019
A Home Without Women Is Almost Unrecognizable
Imagine a realtor showing a modern home in 2019 with no dishwasher, no refrigerator, no infrastructure for a home security system. Imagine waking up in your apartment on a Saturday morning and having no easy way to brew a cup of coffee. That would be a home without women. It makes sense that women made such significant contributions to improving the efficiency, safety, and productivity of the home—that’s where they spent most of their time, given that other work options were limited.
Samantha Zabell
Mar 28, 2019
Ben & Aja’s Boiler Room Loft
Name: Ben & Aja BlancLocation: Steel Yard/Monohasset Mill — Providence, Rhode IslandSize: 1,900 square feetYears lived in: 2 — rentedCoaxing the cavernous boiler room of a former rubber mill to feel like home is no small task, but sculptor and designer Ben Blanc and his wife, Aja, an educator and herbalist, manage it with ease. They’ve filled the space with large-scale artwork, oversize furniture, and homey details that refuse to be dwarfed by the soaring industrial ceiling.
Sarah Rainwater
Mar 28, 2019
Audrey’s Family Collection
Name: Audrey and Matt with Simon, Bennett, and Cora Location: Lawrence, Kansas Size: 1,700 square feet Years lived in: 3 years; owned When you visit Audrey’s clan at home in Lawrence, Kansas, it’s an unassuming beginning: Their place is tucked into a relatively new housing development where the houses have a tendency to look similar to one another.
Regina Yunghans
Mar 28, 2019
A Remodeled Mid-Century Eichler Home in Northern California
Name: Karen Nepacena & John Shum Location: Walnut Creek, California Size: 1,663 square feet Years lived in: Owned 4 years Karen and John knew they wanted to raise their family in not just any mid-century modern home, but one specifically designed by the renowned real estate developer Joseph Eichler. “We fell in love with Eichler homes and mid-century modern design after seeing a nearby open house for a thoughtfully restored and renovated Eichler,” Karen says.
Esteban Cortez
Mar 28, 2019
An Artist’s Sophisticated Chicago Home
Italian Rationalism meets Scandinavian Chic meets New York '70s Glam meets Dutch coziness.
Aimée Mazzenga
Mar 28, 2019
Vintage Treasures in a Historic 1890s Australian Country Cottage
Name: Marnie and Ryan Hawson, their mini-Pinscher Dexter and Marnie’s parents’ cat. Location: Riddells Creek — Victoria, Australia Size: 1614 square feet Years lived in: 3.5 years owned Photographer and vintage shop owner Marnie Hawson and her husband Ryan live in an 1890s weatherboard cottage in the tiny town of Riddells Creek, an hour out of Melbourne.
Sophie Timothy
Mar 27, 2019
Before & After: A Home Formerly Called “The Skittles” House Is Now Light and Bright
Name: Ashley Amaral, my husband, Alipio. Our son Benny and our dog Georgie Girl Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho Size: 3,100 square feet Years lived in: 4 years, owned When my husband and I met we were both living in Europe and then our first few years of marriage we lived in Brazil. So this was our first home we bought together in the States. When we moved in it was referred to by the neighborhood as “the Skittles house” because it was every color of the rainbow!
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Mar 27, 2019
Stay in This 365-Square-Foot Grecian Tiny House With Its Own Private Beach
Ever since “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,” we can’t stop fantasizing about a dreamy getaway in Greece. This cozy Halkidki hideaway makes the ideal backdrop for your private Mediterranean adventure—musical numbers not required. This cozy wooden cabin is nestled on the Halkidiki, Chalkidi peninsula in Northern Greece off of Central Macedonia. The 365 square-foot tiny home is fully equipped with a plush double bed, cozy bathroom and kitchen, and an outdoor shower.
Amanda Becker
Mar 27, 2019
5 Apps That Make Selling Your Furniture Super Easy
A sale is just a swipe away!
Kelsey Mulvey
Mar 27, 2019
6 Gold-Accented Pieces from AllModern’s Clearance Sale That Look More Expensive Than They Are
Sometimes you want your home to feel like Kate Winslet’s English cottage in “The Holiday,” and sometimes you want to go full Great Gatsby and drink champagne in your Art Deco-era settee. If you’re in need of some extra glamour in your space (who isn’t after this dull winter?), there are plenty of ways to do it, including adding gold accents with furniture and decor.
Nicole Lund
Mar 26, 2019
Get the Look: Light, Breezy & Natural California Style
Combining worldly elements and natural textures with a mid-century modern flare has resulted in a comfortable and airy home. What isn’t to love about Sheeva’s Spanish Colonial? Reference her resource list to get a bright and breezy home of your own! charset="utf-8" src="https://d30bopbxapq94k.cloudfront.net/js/curalate-widget-client-all.prod.min.
Emma Fiala
Mar 26, 2019
A 225-Square-Foot Micro Studio’s Decor Is Inspired by a Comic Book Character
Name: Carla Moreno Location: Seattle, Washington Size: 225 square feet Years lived in: 2 years, renting Seattle is an expensive city and finding a place to live that doesn’t break the bank is hard. Over the years, I’ve learned to live with less and in the process, I’ve learned a lot about my needs and wants. As I get older, I desire experiences more than things, but I feel my apartment reflects my creative home making skills.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Mar 26, 2019
Partner
3 Design Bloggers on Their Favorite New Home Fragrance
Whenever we talk about creating a sense of space, it seems like we’re always talking about its look. Yet, your home’s scent is such an important part of its DNA. (Perhaps the most important part! Smells go straight to the same part of the brain that processes memory, which is why certain scents can immediately conjure up specific places.
Creative Studio
Mar 26, 2019
Partner
6 Ways to Re-think Your Living Room Seating Plan…No Matter Its Size
Buying new furniture is a big part of the fun of moving into a new place or redecorating the place you already have. But furniture (particularly living room furniture) is a significant purchase, and you want to get it right. The first step, before you get down to styles and fabrics and colors, is deciding what furniture you need. How do you get the right combination to make the most of your space?
Creative Studio
Mar 26, 2019
6 Common Things That Make Your Kitchen Look Messier than It Is
Whether you’re sprucing up for company or just trying to maintain a tidy home on the reg, there are several things that can hinder your efforts. Kitchens are a notoriously tough room; no matter how often you scrub, sweep, and organize, if you do any of these six things, it will still look messy. This one may be obvious, but too much stuff on your countertops is a total no-no.
Alyssa Longobucco
Mar 26, 2019
This Celebrity Home For Sale Is Only Accessible by Cable Car
Fire up the cable car, because we’re ready to move into Suzanne Somers’ desert oasis. The actress and health entrepreneur just listed the 72-acre hillside retreat she shares with her husband Alan Hamel in Palm Springs, California, and the sprawling estate is the picture of privacy. How private? Well… the compound is reachable on foot, by golf cart via a private road, or by private funicular. That’s right: you need to ride a cable car to get to this hillside enclave.
Megan Johnson
Mar 25, 2019
Look Inside: A Marvelous, Mid-Century, Midwestern Home for $624K
This architect-designed home will have you wanting to book a flight to Illinois and buy property ASAP. 613 Hunter Road Located in Wilmette, Illinois $624,000 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms Dream of living in a mid-century modern home? (Yeah, us too.) Designed by renowned architect Edward Humrich, this MCM Prairie-style house has all the classic features with just the right amount of updates.
Anne Roderique-Jones
Mar 25, 2019
Before and After: This Furniture ‘Dumping Ground’ Gets a Master Makeover
Ashley Crites, one half of the team of Relative Renovations, described her master bedroom as “bland, gray, and the dumping ground for old furniture”—not exactly an ideal place to spend a third of your life. So when she had the opportunity to take part in the One Room Challenge, she knew exactly which room to choose. Inspired by Brady Tolbert’s gorgeous tufted headboard, Ashley chose a deep green velvet to upholster headboard panels that span the width of the room.
Ashley Poskin
Mar 25, 2019
Here’s Another Study That Will Validate (or Shame) Your Bed-Making Habits
Do you feel like you can’t officially start your morning until you make your bed? Well, it turns out that there’s more anecdotal evidence that this simple task could contribute to your productivity. In a survey of 1,000 people, the company Best Mattress Brand determined how bed-making affects productivity and health.
Megan Johnson
Mar 25, 2019