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The Latest: May 3, 2019

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Yellow house with brown trim, front porch, and large windows, surrounded by trees.
Before & After: The Color That Instantly Modernizes Any Home’s Exterior
Homes across the world come in a rainbow of colors, but there’s one hue that’s king when it comes to working with just about any style of architecture. It’s not an exterior paint choice for the faint-hearted. But those willing to take the paint plunge will be rewarded with a dramatic curb appeal sure to get the neighbors talking. All black!
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Quality Finds: 10 Crowd-Approved “Buy it for Life” Kitchen Essentials
As much fun as shopping can be, having to buy the same item over and over again is no bueno. That’s why it pays to know which products are actually worth the investment, especially when it comes to hardworking items for the kitchen. The commenters at Reddit know all about the importance of buying quality appliances up front. They started multiple “Buy It for Life” threads for this very reason.
Caroline Biggs
May 3, 2019
Before and After: A Cozy NYC Co-op’s Stunning Renovation
“Doing a gut renovation on my own—no husband, no boyfriend, just me—wasn’t easy,” admits Sarah Jacobson, of the renovation of her 750-square-foot NYC home. “It was literal blood, sweat and tears (so many tears!). It was many a moment of fear, of thinking I wasn’t good enough, of thinking I didn’t know what I was doing, of thinking I’d bitten off more than I could chew. But guess what? I did it anyway.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
This Closet App Helped Me Live Like Cher Horowitz (and Here’s What I Learned)
Since the first time I saw Clueless, I have envied Cher Horowitz’s closet. Not even her clothes—although she’s still one of my style icons, so I’ll take those too!—but the computerized system that she used to pick out her outfits. I mean, it was truly amazing, both because it was pretty high-tech for the 90s (It was 1995! Her computer had a touch screen!) and because it meant that she always looked flawless and her closet could so easily stay impeccably organized.
Brittney Morgan
May 3, 2019
Sick of Shaker? Here’s Another Kitchen Cabinet Style That Works Everywhere
Noticed one or two Shaker cabinets on Apartment Therapy or Pinterest lately? You are not the only one. The traditional style adds clean architectural interest while still blending in nicely with whatever else is going on. And it’s absolutely everywhere right now. But is it the only option if you want something timeless?
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
7 Challenges to Kick Start a Happier Healthier You for Fall
Being more mindful of your health doesn’t necessarily mean overhauling your entire diet or hitting the gym for an hour every day—there are a lot of little things you can do to help you feel like your happiest, healthiest self. Things like staying hydrated, getting in extra steps, trying new things and taking breaks are all important, and it all starts with challenging yourself to pay attention to them.
Brittney Morgan
May 3, 2019
This Decluttering Book is the Tiny Tidying Tool You Need in Your Arsenal
There are plenty of books and articles out there that can tell you exactly how to clean and organize your home, but do you want to understand your clutter better? After all, understanding your habits is one of the keys to getting better at managing them and becoming more organized.
Brittney Morgan
May 3, 2019
A New Twist on the Matte Black Trend (This One On Your Walls)
Matte black is having a big moment. From the exteriors of houses to furniture to kitchen cabinets and more, one of the most popular ways to add matte black to your home is the easy and versatile accent wall. Want to take your matte black game to the next level though? Wall paint simply not a big enough statement for you? These two black accent walls weren’t achieved with wall paint; they’re wood walls.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
#WCW: If You Love Laidback California Style, You’ll Love Sarah Sherman Samuel
If you’re a fan of laid back California style, then chances are you’ve pinned, liked or at least scrolled through images of LA-based designer Sarah Sherman Samuel’s interiors. Though she grew up on the water in Michigan, Sarah could write the book on the bright, boho West Coasty thing that’s happening in the design world right now. But she’s not just a one-trick pony.
Danielle Blundell
May 3, 2019
Before and After: Two Bathrooms Go from Revolting to Reborn
Fernando and Maximiliano bought an abandoned-for-years, run-down, dilapidated house in the La Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. Though the house had good architecture, classic bones, and potential, every room needed a lot of work. A budget of…zero meant that the couple would have to do much of the renovations themselves. Here, Fernando and Maximiliano tell us about the what they were facing with these bathrooms and how they turned them around.
Federico Paul
May 3, 2019
Take 20 Minutes and Listen to This: “The SoHo Effect” by 99 Percent Invisible
99 Percent Invisible is not a new podcast, and The SoHo Effect is not even a new episode. But on a recent re-listen during a long car trip, I realized that there’s a whole lot of overlap in the Venn diagram of Apartment Therapy readers and people who would probably find this story fascinating. So here we are. I’m writing, and you’re reading, a very forthright recommendation: Go listen to this 19 minute, 38 second podcast.
Taryn Williford
May 3, 2019
Before and After: An Abandoned Living and Dining Room’s Total Turn Around
When Fernando and Maximiliano bought a classic house in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of La Boca, the building had been abandoned for years and every room was begging to be renovated. With a very minimal budget they decided to redo every room themselves. When we bought the house the living and dining room were two separate rooms, and every wall had a different color or wallpaper. The wooden floors were buried in dirt.
Federico Paul
May 3, 2019
Take Back Your Space: Conquering a Monster of a Messy Closet
See it "magically" transform from chaos to order.
AT Video
May 3, 2019
Before and After: A Windowless Bedroom Finally Sees Some Light
Fernando and Maximiliano bought a classic house in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of La Boca. It had great architectural bones, but the building had been neglected for years. Every room needed tons of transformation. But with a teeny-tiny budget to work with, they With almost zero budget they decided to tackle the renovations themselves! People say that you don’t miss something until it’s gone…and that became very true about windows.
Federico Paul
May 3, 2019
Before & After: An $80 Sofa Gets an Affordable and Easy Refresh
Amy fell in love with this sofa’s good bones and excellent cushions, even though the fabric was a little drab. After inspecting the piece to make sure it wasn’t too good to be true, she took it home and got to work and giving it a super easy and affordable refresh. From Amy: This is one of those sofas built with an incredibly sound construction, it’s something that is hard to find these days for an affordable price.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
The Best Day to Shop the IKEA As-Is Section
IKEA is a many-splendored place. Along with rows and rows of inexpensive but stylish furnishings, the mega-retailer also boasts a pretty impressive “as-is” section—filled with broken items, custom returns, and of course major markdowns. However, the only problem (like most hassles related to shopping at IKEA) is timing: figuring out the best day to show up to peruse these oft-ransacked shelves.
Caroline Biggs
May 3, 2019
HAY Launches a Kitchen Line at MoMA
While we’re anxiously awaiting the arrival of HAY’s collaboration with IKEA (due in stores this October!), the Danish brand has some more great news: They just launched a collection of kitchen items, and they’re available as of today at the MoMA store. HAY Kitchen Market is a curated collection of essentials from HAY’s co-founder Mette Hay.
Tara Bellucci
May 3, 2019
Two Big Reasons To Paint Over Your Exposed Brick Right Now
I’ll just start off and say that there’s a lot to love about exposed brick walls. I’ve lived with many over the years, and there’s no substitute for the warmth, texture, and authenticity they bring to a room. But those are just the pros, because exposed brick can also be kind of a nightmare. So, read on to decide if all that historic charm is worth the headache.
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
An Under-$20 DIY Project to Add Curb Appeal
Stephen and Amy bought their first home together in Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood in 2013. Their home is adorable inside and out, with many of the elements crafted by the couple. There is one small element that I think has a big impact on their home’s curb appeal — and it’s an easy and affordable DIY! “When we bought the house, there were ugly numbers nailed to the door.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Sliding Barn Doors Aren’t Just for Fans of HGTV’s Fixer Upper
Not all barn doors have to look as if they came straight from a farm. Here are our favorite picks, from rustic to modern.
Brie Dyas
May 3, 2019
Before & After: Finding Space for a Third Bedroom, Beautifully
Buying an apartment in New York often involves a level of compromise. When Deeksha and Joe moved from D.C. to New York, along with their three-month-old son, their dream was to find a three-bedroom apartment. Reality was a spacious apartment in Washington Heights, with gorgeous views of the river — and only two bedrooms. But in the apartment’s L-shaped living room, they saw an opportunity.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
5 Ruthless Questions to Ask Yourself When Decluttering
The very hardest part of clearing things out of your home isn’t the actual brawn of walking them out the door. Nope, there’s another muscle that needs exercising to prepare for this fight: Your brain. The tough part of decluttering is truly the mental aspect of deciding what should stay, and ultimately, how to get over the hurdle of liberating those once-worthy objects from our ownership. You have to be merciless.
Taryn Williford
May 3, 2019
Out to Lunch: 12 Top-Rated Lunch Boxes & Bags for Kids of All Ages
Ahh, back to school. The heady smells of crisp notebook paper and waxy crayons are in the air, which means it’s time to figure out where your kiddos’ lunch will be served out of when it’s time to put those pencils down and beeline toward the cafeteria. Here, we rounded up 12 top-rated picks for kids of all ages, from of-the-moment-but-really-useful bento boxes to easy-to-carry top-handle bags.
Arlyn Hernandez
May 3, 2019
Still Not on the Bullet Journal Train? This Book Explains Exactly How to Use them to Get Your Life Together
Bullet journals basically do it all—they’re a totally customizable place to keep track of just about everything in your life, and they’re beautiful enough to be Instagram content (seriously, every time I look at a bullet journal I’m reminded that I need to up my penmanship game!). There’s also so much bullet journaling content out there that, if you’re new to the whole concept, it can be a little overwhelming. Where do you start?
Brittney Morgan
May 3, 2019
A Teacher-Turned-Designer Furnishes a Playroom for Her Kids
Project by: Alana Chernecki of Brillante Location: East St. Paul, Manitoba, Canada Alana, a school teacher turned designer, blended both of her realms of knowledge in creating a playroom for her daughters. A mix of style and pedagogy, the space is designed to foster creativity and imaginative play, while still looking sleek and age-appropriate.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
AI Designs My Little Pony Names That Sound More Like Monty Python
The scientist who brought us future paint colors named by artificial intelligence like Bank Butt and Snowbonk is at it again, this time using her research and software to dream up new My Little Pony characters.
Melissa Massello
May 3, 2019
Move Over Avocado Toast: Bachelor Parties Are Why You Can’t Afford a Down Payment
Want to buy a home but having trouble saving up a 20% down payment? You could theoretically try bailing on your buddy’s upcoming bachelor party. Zillow recently crunched some numbers to find that attending a string of destination bachelor parties in your 20s and 30s can add up — to a full third of a down payment on a typical home. Bachelor party attendees reported spending an average of $738 apiece, according to survey data from wedding website The Knot.
Jon Gorey
May 3, 2019
How To Make a Leather Bench with Only One Power Tool
I have a confession: Sometimes using power tools scares me. I know – that’s embarrassing for a DIY-er to admit. But I also know, deep down, I can’t be the only one who feels this way. So, what if I told you that you could make this bench with minimal tools and minimal upholstery skills? Seriously, there is no sewing involved.
Cate Henderson
May 3, 2019
Neat Freaks Might Just Be Superior Humans, According to Science
Do you have cleaning wipes at the ready at all times? Does sweeping make you feel Zen? Have you been taking flak from your friends for years for being a quote-unquote neat freak? Well then do we have some good news for you. People who like to clean are supposedly happier, according to research recently conducted by The Clorox Company (who, of course, it deserves to be noted might have a vested interest).
Julie Sprankles
May 3, 2019
Room Sweep! Try This 20-Minute Entryway Decluttering Strategy
The hardest part about decluttering has to be the “getting started.” Without a real nudge to dive in and actually do it, you might never feel the urge to, say, tidy up a few over-stuffed baskets or cluttered drawers. So that’s exactly what we’re going to do today. The thing is, today’s “room sweep” micro-mission is a timed exercise. All you have to do is focus your energy on one area—today, the entryway—and deal with it for just 20 minutes.
Taryn Williford
May 3, 2019
The Finishing Touch That Will Set Your Bathroom Apart
Here's a fresh new way to add a little fun to your bathroom.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
Here’s Where To Stream Your Favorite Saturday Morning Cartoons
We bet the sheer mention of some of these shows from the classic era of Saturday morning cartoons will bring their theme songs back to earworm status. The good news is, many of them are now available to watch again — this time digitally remastered, sans commercials — thanks to the magic of streaming TV.
Melissa Massello
May 3, 2019
“Pittsburgh Potties”: A Real & Very Mysterious Thing
Ever wandered down into someone’s basement and seen a fully functional toilet in the middle of the room? ‘Pittsburgh Potties’ are just that —common commodes installed in your average unfinished basement, without walls or doors —and so named because of their prevalence in Western Pennsylvania. Why, you might be asking, is this an actual thing in this area? I’m glad you’re as curious as I was.
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
Why I’ll Always Keep “Alvin Corn” in My Cleaning Kit
I love inexpensive, simple DIY household cleaners with one giant caveat: they have to work. One of my very favorite homemade cleaners is Alvin Corn. I’ve mixed one up for every bathroom in the house and one for common areas and it’s one cleaning solution I’ll never replace. Alvin Corn is a homemade glass cleaner that actually works — and works so very well. I first found out about it years ago on Crunchy Betty when she tested several homemade glass cleaners.
Shifrah Combiths
May 3, 2019
How To Take Plain Store-Bought Curtains to the Next Level
While ready made curtains are perfectly wonderful out of the package, I have a few tricks up my sleeve to make them a little bit more special.
Arlyn Hernandez
May 3, 2019
When In Decorating Doubt, Follow the 3/3 Vertical Rule
Sometimes the best way to decorate, particularly when you don’t know where to start, is by looking at nature itself. Plenty of decorators will tell you that they find color combos in nature, or that you can’t go wrong with a nature-inspired floral or foliage pattern. And don’t even get me started on the crazy plant lady trend, which I’d wholeheartedly participate in if keeping plants alive were actually a strong suit of mine.
Danielle Blundell
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Memphis & Facts of Life-Inspired Nursery
When Jessica and her husband moved into their home they knew that they would need to do some serious updating. They took off the Beetlejuice wallpaper in their guest room and when it came time to turn it into a nursery they decided to go full fun. A little bit of Memphis, a sprinkling of Facts of Life, a dash of FAO Schwartz and you have a super cute, very unique nursery.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
One Dirty Thing You Should Wash with Your Regular Laundry
We’ve all been there. After several loads of laundry, the measuring-cap-slash-lid on your detergent can get pretty grimy with gunky buildup. But thanks to a clever tip from Redditor bluechris11, we now know a solid way to quickly clean your gross detergent caps. Believe it or not, you can simply toss your dirty detergent cap in with your next load of laundry to give it a good wash.
Caroline Biggs
May 3, 2019
You’re Probably Not Washing Your Throw Blanket Enough
If you’re anything like me, then you love cuddling up with plush throw blankets when you’re in bed (and on the sofa). But with all that close-knit nightly snuggling, it can be hard to figure out the right time to let go of your favorite throw and toss it in the wash. Luckily, we have laundry experts John Mahdessian, founder of Madame Paulette, and Kim Duk Won, owner of Manhattan’s Nordic Cleaners to call upon for help.
Caroline Biggs
May 3, 2019
Before & After: Big Changes for a Very Small NYC Bathroom
After living with the cramped, unremarkable bathroom in his Manhattan apartment for almost a decade, Charlie had a pretty clear idea of what he wanted out of his renovation: “I wanted it to look bigger.” Which was a bit of a challenge in a 40-square-foot space with no windows — but I think you’ll agree that this renovation rises to the occasion. The biggest change was replacing the old tub with a glass shower stall, which significantly opens up the space.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
Renovation Ideas to Steal from Updated Ranch House Exteriors
In today’s real estate market, affordable ranch homes are proving their potential. When they aren’t dismissed, torn down, and then replaced by larger McMansion-style homes, they get snapped up by eager buyers happy for the large lots, large windows and friendly layouts. These exterior renovations show you don’t have to compromise your style, and that there are so many ways to customize and modernize an ‘outdated’ home’s appearance.
Brie Dyas
May 3, 2019
It’s Official: This Overlooked Budget Flooring Looks Great Absolutely Anywhere
And all for less than $1 per square foot.
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
Here’s a Fool-Proof Plan for Cutting Down an Overwhelming Collection
New technology is forever changing the way we live with media at home, but I bet you’re still hanging onto some relics of the past. Instead of ignoring them—hidden away behind the doors of a TV console or the depths of a storage closet—today, we’ll try and cut down on those collections. If you have a cherished collection—say, a perfectly curated assemblage of vinyl records or books—today’s mission will go quickly.
Taryn Williford
May 3, 2019
7 Secrets to Getting the Anthropologie Look at Home
As a design lover, Anthropologie is hands down one of the the best places to window shop, browse and discover. There’s something inspirational and beautiful to see in every corner of the store, and half the time, it’s not even merchandise but Anthropologie’s expert propping, styling and display pieces. I don’t know about you, but whenever I’m in an Anthropologie, I get a “I never want to leave this place” feeling.
Danielle Blundell
May 3, 2019
If You Ever Spill While Cooking, You Should Stash Some Chalk in Your Kitchen
You know how weightlifters and gymnasts use chalk powder to keep their sweaty hands dry? The same principle carries over with all kinds of grease (dry shampoo, anyone?). Next time you find yourself with an oil splatter or greasy stain on your favorite top, trade in your stain stick and try pre-treating with a little chalk instead. Like baby powder, chalk is ultra-absorbent, making it a must-have to keep on hand for bacon grease splatters and lipstick marks alike.
Ashley Abramson
May 3, 2019
Before & After: Committing to Color to Transform a Kids Room
Project by: Jessica Davis of Nest Studio Location: South Orange, New Jersey Jessica wanted to give her daughter’s room a new look, something age-appropriate but not overly precious or childish. A large room with good light, the possibilities were endless, but she settled on a rich color for the walls and timeless furniture that her daughter can grow with.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Really Dark Brooklyn Kitchen Lightens Up
Although this Greenpoint kitchen, at 100 square feet, is much larger than many NYC apartment kitchens, it was suffering a bit from dark, heavy finishes. The black countertop sucked light out of the space, and glass-front cabinets left nowhere to hide clutter, making the kitchen feel chaotic and cramped. Plus, two of the cabinets were blocking a window — never a good look. The new kitchen embraces lightness and brightness, but, refreshingly, doesn’t go all the way white.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
The Best Purple Wall Paint Color Comes from a Surprising Source
When John and Melissa bought their Pennsylvania home, they wanted to create a space that would grow and evolve with them and their family. That’s why choosing the right wall paint color was even more crucial: They wanted something bold, timeless, and flexible. In addition, their paint choice had to be versatile enough to accommodate future additions to their home — perhaps a new sofa or different wall art. The winning hue is purple, and the source for this shade is surprising!
Esteban Cortez
May 3, 2019