Apartment Therapy Archive: May 2019

Here at Apartment Therapy, we’re big fans of Man Repeller, the online destination for smart, quirky fashion and smart, addictive writing about life, culture, and everything else. Last year, founder Leandra Medine partnered with Decorist to redesign her NYC home — and this year, she worked with Decorist designer Chloe Redmond Warner to transform Man Repeller’s New York offices.

This clever pair shares budget-friendly, out-of-the-box projects that even DIY-newcomers can complete with ease.

Navy is the new neutral. While dark tones often make a room feel dim and gloomy, navy blue offers a richness that can actually warm up a space.

Amazing news for those who can’t get enough Harry Potter (is there such a thing?): four new Harry Potter reads will be coming to an online store near you this summer. But before you get too excited that we’re getting a new look at Hermione and Ron’s adult life together and the houseplants they do (or don’t) successfully keep alive (surely they’d get Neville’s help with that, though, right?

Welcome to Good News, a column that’s part-link roundup, part-community gratitude journal where we can all share the feel-good moments from the past seven days and end our week on a high note.Happy last day of May, dear friends! It’s Tara, your News & Culture editor, here to get the Friday vibes flowing with some piping-hot good news. I’ll start it off, but feel free to share links, personal news, photos—whatever you’re excited about this week—in the comments.

In a perfect world, we’d all love our homes and our communities. But when that’s not possible, I choose neighborhood over space, and that’s okay. For me, people and ambiance make a place homey more than anything, and feeling connected to my community is something that’s important to me. And if that comes at the cost of hating my tiny, fifth-floor walkup apartment (with all the problems that come with NYC rentals), then so be it.

The Farmers Almanac tells us what to plant in our gardens and the best times to place seeds in the soil, but the urban gardening collaboration between Tom Dixon and IKEA asks us to reconsider where and how we put our green thumbs to work in order to yield results that prioritize our health and the environment. The British designer and the home goods brand recently brought the experimental project named Gardening Will Save the World to life at the Chelsea Flower Show in London.

Memorial Day is behind us, which means it’s officially prime backyard time. If you’re lucky enough to have outdoor space (even if it’s just a sliver of grass) you’ll want to make the most of it. But knowing where to start can be tricky. We love these gorgeous backyard spaces from past home tours, which offer some great outdoor inspiration. If you have the space, consider creating a variety of seating options — the neutral color palette ties together each of these.

Aviva Falk's Brooklyn apartment filled with one-of-a-kind finds thanks to a unique resource: Her mom owns an estate sale business!

And for a limited time, it's discounted by $100.

“I really don’t like to travel,” is not something you hear too often.Most of us can agree that traveling is the gift that keeps on giving. You can immerse yourself in a new culture, experience delicious foreign food, take stellar photos of the coolest places on Earth, and buy some beautiful home decor from all around the world. But filling your home with pieces that exude wanderlust is easier said than done.

If our binges of Marie Kondo’s popular Netflix show have taught us anything, it’s that cleaning is good, but mindfully tidying up is so much sweeter. In the process, you inevitably discover the items that truly bring you joy and say farewell to those that don’t. But what if tossing unnecessary items could bring you joy and a stack of cash? If your tidying has unearthed treasures like vintage Cabbage Patch Kids dolls, you could be in for a solid payday.

We're going to flip the switch from "yeah, I really need to start walking" to "I took a walk, I enjoyed it, and I can totally do that again if I want."

Mid-Century Walnut Dresser or Credenza – $650 – Mid-Century Modern double dresser in walnut with six deep drawers. Features figural walnut grain, carved pulls and tapered legs. In excellent vintage condition, showing minor wear consistent with age and use. Height — 31.5 inches Width — 58.25 inches Depth — 17.75 inches. – BROOKLYN From Maxwell:Dear Readers, What are you looking for?

If you’re a fan of both period dramas and wellness, then the recently published “The Jane Austen Diet” by Bryan Kozlowski will be as illuminating as the sun rising over Elizabeth and Darcy’s first kiss.

Want to make sure your pet is really welcome in that new apartment? Experts say to ask these seven questions before signing a lease.

You want the workstation to flow with the rest of the decor of the room, but you also want the area to feel professional enough so you can pull up a chair and get into a business frame of mind.

For fans of the cartoon Darcel Disappoints or the now-shuttered Paris shop Colette, you’ll be delighted by the news we’re sharing with you today: IKEA is about to launch an entirely new collection called FÖRNYAD. This collection is playful and celebrates what student life is like in this modern age. And, most importantly, the collection has been designed by Sarah Andelman of Colette and Craig Redman, the artist behind Darcel Disappoints.

You'll never think your toothbrush is boring again.

The only thing better than a good-looking piece of art is one that offers a storage solution. To prove our point, we rounded up a few super stylish yet innovative objets d'art that also offer up some storage opportunity.

This shotgun house in the Irish Channel neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana is the home of painter Ansley Givhan.

In the world of relaxation and fundamental fun-having, there might only be two types of people: those who like saunas (and they usually like hot tubs, too) and those who don’t. I’m not going to tell you how to be, but if you hate saunas, you might be doing it wrong…just something to consider. Saunas are a godsend; they are a Finnish delight generously shared across the globe with those who are willing to experience their virtues.

Embrace the rattan trend.

When I bring home a shopping bag full of fresh produce, there is some that goes onto a tray on the countertop and some that goes into the refrigerator’s produce bins. And that’s about where my divisions stop.But when I found that bananas were hastening the ripening of nearby produce (which is sometimes unwanted!), I decided to look further into produce storage and which fruit-and-veggie adjacencies to avoid.

Erin combines inherited pieces with found pieces to create a fun story. Throughout her apartment you will see the mix of old and new; thrifted blue velvet wingback chairs with a new MCM gray couch.

The tall ceilings and natural light make this already spacious and gorgeous house seem even bigger.

Read on, and be inspired to take the step toward that city council run that you’ve been thinking about.

It’s been over a week since “Game of Thrones‘” series finale, and if you’re still reading think pieces, we don’t blame you. But allow us to revisit some earlier seasons for a moment, because our favorite Usonian starchitect, Frank Lloyd Wright, was the inspiration for a “GoT” set. Yes, Wright’s impact reaches to Westeros and beyond.

Colorful pillows and classic ginger jars brighten up this welcoming living room pulled together by Katie Riddell for her home in Melbourne, Australia. Neutral pieces, like a cream-colored sofa and a stunning brass coffee table, lay a stunning foundation and make it easy to switch out accessories and experiment with new shades and patterns often. From Maxwell:Dear Readers, What are you looking for?

In my neighborhood, it’s common for residents to set out piles of unwanted items with friendly “free” signs, meaning that you never know when you’ll head out for a walk or to run an errand and come back with something interesting and useful. After seeing these amazing luggage transformations, I’m majorly hoping that one of my neighbors will toss an unneeded suitcase or two to the curb. Looking to work some DIY magic of your own?

Given the backlash against McMansions over the past 10 years or so, it’s clear that many buyers today are seeking grand homes with a bit more personality than the cookie-cutter structures of yesteryear. For those who want even more authenticity and charm—while still enjoying plenty of space—older mansions are a great option, and they don’t have to break the bank.

Summer is almost here and for some of us, that means having a little extra free time to revamp our home interiors. But what to do when our budgets aren’t as generous as our schedules? Fret not my redecorating-deprived friends. We put our thinking caps on and uncovered a slew of simple ways to refresh your space—completely free of charge. Don’t believe us? Read ahead for six clever decorating ideas you can do today for free.

Glamping has taken us to many far-flung places. You can bed down in a tented eco-retreat in Mexico or a cozy pod in Sweden. There’s even a glamping experience in Calistoga wagon replicas to get a taste of the Wild West. The glam camping trend shows no signs of stopping, and I’m here for it!This summer, glamping is truly hitting new heights—the top of the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C., to be exact.

Experience the couple’s legendary, empire-building style for yourself.

To be entirely honest, many of the home accessories I normally love don’t have a real purpose other than, well, to look cute (which, in my opinion, is entirely ok). That said, it’s always rewarding to be able to find pieces for your space that look nice but are also super functional—like a blanket ladder.

Danielle Ribner is the founder of Loup, a Parisian-inspired women’s wear collection collection that focuses on well-made wardrobe staples. She lives in this minimal, bright apartment in Brooklyn's Fort Greene rental apartment.

Ditching the headboard isn’t the end of the world, but that doesn’t mean you should leave the space above your bed blank.

It's the perfect blend of contemporary, traditional, and eclectic.

After a five-month long remodel, this home was completely transformed into a more modern, bright space.

Of all the things a new mother has to do, yard work isn’t high on the list of priorities.

In honor of National Composting Day on May 29, we spoke to some experts to help break down common myths about composting, including how to do it in an apartment.

Mid Century Tallboy by American of Martinsville – $490 – The veneer work on this piece is something special. There was no other option than give the set a complete restoration to best bring out the beauty of the grain. The tops, sides and drawer front have all been refinished with a hand rubbed poly. No gloss. Just the natural luster of walnut. They’re incredibly well made. That’s what makes MCM furniture so great.

If you’re following along, you may have caught us drooling over Arlyn Hernandez’s makeovers. Arlyn is Emily Henderson’s editorial director and the proud occupant of not one but two beautifully designed rooms in a 100-year-old Los Angeles Mediterranean-style apartment building.

A young family of three has customized a cute tiny house on wheels to be the minimal, functional home of their needs.

There’s a really good chance you’re reading this article while you’re burning the midnight oil. Or maybe you’re procrastinating tackling that laundry list of projects, emails, and deadlines. (It’s okay, we won’t tell your boss if you don’t!)Truth is, you spend a lot of time working. Some studies even say an average person spends over 13 years in their lifetime working.

For most people, apartment living doesn’t exactly come with outdoor space for luxuries like a swimming pool. But if your space comes with a balcony or patio, rejoice! You’ve got your own little slice of the great outdoors to customize exactly how you’d like. A little attention to detail (and of course, our expert styling tips!) can turn a small, drab balcony into your very own outdoor oasis. Here  are a few tips to consider when you revamp your outdoor space.

Not only did this couple do much of the house's renovation work themselves, the entire neighborhood pitched in. Their style? Reverent and resourceful!

The show gives a surprisingly detailed, real representation of renting in a city.