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The Latest: May 3, 2019

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6 Costly Home Upgrades That Can Hurt You In the End
These "investments" are anything but.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A DIY Bathroom Disaster is Made Good Again
Chase and her husband bought a 1937 Key West-style house in Palm Grove, Miami and it came with a serious bathroom disaster. In a DIY job gone horribly wrong, the bath had serious structural issues, not to mention some very interesting (ahem) design decisions — neither of which did the home any favors. Chase was also itching to fulfill her dream of designing a room from start to finish, then actually enjoying it as her own. Then Hurricane Irma came.
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
Beyond IKEA: Other Ready-To-Assemble Kitchen Cabinets That Save Money
There are basically three different ways to get cabinets into your kitchen. You can have them custom-built to fit the space. This is very expensive. You can get pre-made cabinets delivered, already assembled, and install them yourself (or have a contractor do it for you). This is less expensive. Or you can order ready-to-assemble (RTA) kitchen cabinets, and assemble them yourself. This is the most budget-friendly option of all.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
Taylor Swift Just Bought the $18M Tribeca Townhouse Next Door
Taylor Swift has embraced the New York state of mind so completely, and so broadly through real estate investments, that some pop culture writers have started referring to her downtown Manhattan ‘hood as “Taybeca.” Now, the New York Post reports that Swift has mic-dropped a whopping $18 million for a townhouse at 153 Franklin Street in Tribeca (with a somewhat shady past) in an off-market deal.
Melissa Massello
May 3, 2019
8 Outrageous ’80s Kitchens You Might Love, But Will Probably Totally Hate
Eighties design is a fascinating subject of study because of the peculiar arc it’s taken recently: from despised and reviled to avant-garde cool, all within the space of a very short period of time. But with all the love for Memphis and weird ’80s graphics, there’s one particular aspect of this design era I haven’t heard much about: the ’80s kitchen. Is it as terrible as we remember? Has the time for a renaissance finally come? Let’s take a look.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
The Dramatic, All-In Way to Make a Major Room Statement
I love tile. I might even be a little obsessed with tile. So the fact that tile, even very bold tile, is making a comeback in the bathroom has me very excited. Lately I’ve been noticing an interesting trend in tiled bathrooms: bathrooms with tile on the ceiling. That, my friends, is commitment. Is this something you would do? Or is it all just a little too much?
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
We’re Transfixed by this Kitchen Sink Drain that Makes Cleaning Easier
It’s a sign of my age that I get crazy excited about the little things at home. Sure, the frivolous things of my youth still hold some sway, but all I really want is a good vacuum that will suck up rogue animal fur, and a sink that cleans itself. I can probably manage the vacuum, but a self-cleaning sink is most likely not in the cards. That’s ok though, because this one from Elkay is the next best thing. I was recently online, drooling over someone’s recent kitchen renovation.
Sarah Rae Smith
May 3, 2019
Before & After: This Odd Hallway is No Longer a Hodgepodge-y Mess
When Emma bought her current home, she inherited one weird hallway. It was, in her words, “a giant monstrosity.” Along with four different types of scruffy, threadbare carpet on the stairs, it featured chipped white vinyl tiles downstairs, and yellow and orange “woodchip” wallpaper on all the walls on all three floors — even on the ceiling! When the 1970s called and wanted its decor back, Emma was more than happy to oblige.
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
Before & After: This Bathroom Looks Great, But Wait Until You See the Floor
This “Before & After” involves a beautiful Brooklyn brownstone with a bathroom that had seen better days. While certainly not as dire as some “before” bathrooms we’ve seen it had an uninspired design, a clunky sliding metal door that broke up the space, and a distinct lack of storage — especially for a bathroom of this size. Before we focus in on the other charming aspects of this bright new bathroom, let me just say: I love that floor.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
What the Homes In Stranger Things 2 Tell Us About Their Inhabitants
If you’ve already binge-watched Stranger Things 2, then you know the new season gives its audience a wider view of the inner lives of some of the characters, which didn’t see so much of back in season one. If you remember, the first season centered mostly around the homes of Will Byers and Mike Wheeler, despite the fact that Will is largely absent throughout the entire original run.
Meryl Williams
May 3, 2019
New Show ‘Animal Cribs’ Tackles Over The Top Renovations For Your Pets
Renovation shows are having a moment, and yet with all the options past and present, there hasn’t been one totally dedicated to one very important part of the family: animals. Thankfully, Animal Planet is on it, and a familiar face is taking on these extreme home makeovers (pet edition). You might recognize Antonio Ballatore as the winner of HGTV’s Design Star and the host of The Antonio Treatment.
Tara Bellucci
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Former Schoolhouse Gets a Major Upgrade
This incredible space—and let’s be real, even this somewhat dated space is absolutely incredible before, thanks to those windows, floors, and ceilings—recently got the makeover it deserved. The results are glamorous, architectural, and extremely livable—not bad for a 100-year-old school. It’s like an art gallery! The wall panels appear almost as if they’re sculptures, while the open spaces are satisfyingly blocky and provide playful glimpses of other rooms.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before & After: This Kitchen Lost The Layout, But Kept All the Character
This kitchen had issues, to say the least. We’ll gloss over the linoleum floor (not horrible, but not great) and the counter top, which sagged where it shouldn’t (never a good thing when you need a functional surface). Instead, we’re going to jump right on over to the stove, which had to be plugged in with an extension cord! Combine that with a fridge that was eating up floor space, and you know it’s time to rethink the kitchen layout.
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This ’90s Bathroom Was a Seriously Sexy Beast
This bathroom had everything: mauve jacuzzi! Mauve marble! Hexagonal sinks! Add in black walls and an abundance of glass block and you’ve got one very sexy early ’90s beast. You know this bathroom was A++ in its day. It’s just that its day was 25 years ago. A note: few of the before and after photos line up perfectly, so please use your spatial imagination to place yourself within the room. That being said: WOW!
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: From Fast Food Floors to Old World Charm
The designer of this renovation described the kitchen before as, “dark, oddly angled and with what looks like fast food restaurant tile on the floor.” The client wanted to brighten and update the kitchen while making sure that it fit in perfectly with the rest of the 100-year-old home. The results are fresh and airy yet utterly classic, and the brand-new kitchen has achieved the dream: it looks like it’s always been there.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Check Out Kristen Stewart’s New $5.6M NYC Loft Fixer Upper
Twilight star turned indie film staple Kristen Stewart has decided to try her own hand at taking the worst apartment in the best location and renovating it into the real estate gem of our dreams. The famously private actress and Chanel model just scooped up this 3,000 square foot, three bedroom, two bath NoHo loft for $5.
Melissa Massello
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Garage Sale Dresser Makeover Gives Us the Best Feelings
This little cutie pie garage sale dresser has been hankering for a makeover for a decade—and the results are well worth the wait. Perhaps inspired by the fantastic results, the rest of this corner got itself a spruce too! Before we gaze lovingly at the dresser as it looks today, let’s hear a little bit about what it was before: The side tables were a garage sale find for $10 which we had bought at the start of our marriage 10 years ago.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Here’s Exactly What It’s Like to Be on House Hunters
House Hunters has been a staple at HGTV since 1999 and has spawned a plethora of spinoffs, including House Hunters International, Tiny House Hunters, House Hunters Off the Grid, and House Hunters Renovation. Have you ever wondered what it takes to be on the popular real estate show? Here’s what we found out. According to CheetSheet.com, you don’t need a minimum budget (like you do for Fixer Upper), but you have to have already put in the leg work.
Tara Bellucci
May 3, 2019
Think Your Television Is an Eyesore? Meet the World’s Most Beautiful TV
I didn’t think it was possible to fall in love with a TV. Shoes maybe, but I’ve never been one to go gaga over tech. It’s just that televisions have been eyesores almost as long as they’ve been around. Sure, they’re functional, and flatter and thinner than before. But they’ve essentially remained big black boxes, even when hanging on the wall. That is, until now.
Danielle Blundell
May 3, 2019
Before & After: An ’80s Bathroom Remodel Mixes Old & New
The bathroom in the Brooklyn apartment that architect Brian Kaplan shared with his family was one of those “it’ll do” jobs. The space, last renovated in the ’80s, was a bit tired and dated — but perfectly serviceable. But when a leak from the bathroom upstairs ruined the ceiling, Bryan took it as a sign that it was time for an overhaul. Rather than updating the bathroom to look super-modern, Bryan was instead inspired by the past.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
Banquette Seating Saves Every Square Inch In Your Small Eat-In Kitchen
Every little bit helps.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
Why Wet Rooms Might Be Better Than Traditional American Bathrooms
It may seem strange to Americans, but they also make a lot of sense.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
Cuddle Up: The Coziest Homes From ’90s Movies
We had to wait a few extra weeks this year but finally, the temperatures are dropping and cozy season is officially upon us. Now is the perfect time to drink as much hot cocoa as you’d like, wear all your scarves at once, and immerse yourself in the world of any Diane Keaton character, for her movies have the most cozy interiors of them all. Here are a few movies featuring cozy homes that are sure to warm you up.
Ali Kelley
May 3, 2019
Everyone Loves to Hate the Backwards Books Trend—Do You?
We recently reposted this image of Carrie Waller of Dream Green DIY’s bookshelf on the Apartment Therapy Instagram feed with the following caption, and the result was DRAMA: “Books don’t match your decor? Don’t fret. The incredibly easy solution? Flip them for a perfectly coordinated look.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Design Cheat Sheet: 5 Need-To-Know Tricks About Decorating With Color
Color is a really powerful tool in design. But it can also be a debilitating one if you’re unsure of what colors you like and what works best in your space. Or maybe you’re worried about getting tired of anything bolder than white or wood tones. You’re not alone. The good news is that this is a very common design dilemma, and a few simple designer tricks can make it easier to start embracing colors both inside and outside of your comfort zone.
Danielle Blundell
May 3, 2019
This Is How Much You Get Paid To Rent Your Home to TV Shows
What would you trade for your home to have a moment of TV fame? Endless roof pizzas? Well, now that the writers at The Real Deal have pulled back the curtain on how much money people actually get paid to rent out their homes to a TV show, you can be a little smarter in your bargaining. While homeowners do have to deal with crews traipsing in and out of their homes for anywhere from a day to a few weeks, they are handsomely rewarded for their time.
Nora Taylor
May 3, 2019
The One Expensive Thing Your Homeowners Insurance Probably Doesn’t Cover
When you purchase a home, it’s smart to invest in homeowners insurance. In fact, you probably don’t have a choice: Your mortgage lender will more often than not mandate it. As a first-time buyer, you might wonder exactly what is and what isn’t covered by your new homeowners insurance policy. It turns out, your standard homeowners insurance isn’t exactly a one-stop shop that covers every and any disaster. Sure, it covers a lot of them, but not all.
Gina Vaynshteyn
May 3, 2019
A Quick Curb Appeal Refresh that Anyone Can Do This Weekend
Our front doors are the portals between the outside world and the sanctity of our homes. Whether your front door is the actual entrance you use to get into your house, or you go through the back or garage door and only formal guests pass through it, this gateway deserves some attention. This weekend, no matter how plain or grand they are, we’re going to make our front doors the gleaming, stately entrances they want to be.
Shifrah Combiths
May 3, 2019
This West Village Townhouse For Sale Was Once Destroyed By Courtney Love
Destroying a hotel room is, like, so rock ‘n’ roll, but what about questionably redecorating (and possibly setting a small fire to) a $27,000 per month West Village rental? That’s the kind of history that comes with this NYC townhouse, currently listed for sale at $11.25 million — after a $100,000 makeover the owner deemed necessary once infamous grunge band frontwoman Courtney Love moved out in 2011.
Melissa Massello
May 3, 2019
Lloyd Wright’s Infamous Sowden House Is On the Market
In 1926, architect Lloyd Wright (yep, son of Frank) built this “neo Mayan” home in Los Feliz for friend and artist John Sowden. The property is currently for sale for $4.7 million.
Tara Bellucci
May 3, 2019
Last Chance: Everything That’s Leaving Netflix in December
December is creeping up on us, and that means that we have news on what will be leaving Netflix next month. Just know that new arrivals are around the corner, and take some solace that there’s a holiday happening this week, so you can sneak in one last viewing of your favorites. Say goodbye to some beloved witchy sisters (and one of our favorite Halloween houses of all time). See ya later, Paddy’s Pub—seasons 1 through 11 are leaving the streaming service next month.
Tara Bellucci
May 3, 2019
Shave It & Save It: How To Give Your Upholstered Furniture a Second Life
Pilling on fabric is no good. It makes clothing and furniture look worn and tired, like it needs to be replaced. I certainly felt that way about this yellow chair before the most epic fabric de-fuzzer showed up on my doorstep. Friends, here me when I say this: This is the most satisfying $12.99 you’ll ever spend on a home-care appliance. I knew this type of tool existed, but I didn’t know how amazing the results would be when used on upholstery fabric.
Ashley Poskin
May 3, 2019
Partner
Shop the Gift Guide That Gives Back
I’m on what I call a “fewer better” mission: an effort to say “no, thank you” to all the cheap goods of dubious origins that fill store shelves and “yes, please” to unique, quality items that reflect ethical practices and high standards. So if you’re getting a gift from me this holiday season, it’s coming from a brand that shares my mission and my aesthetic — like The Citizenry.
Courtney Balestier
May 3, 2019
The Plaza Hotel Is Offering Home Alone 2 Inspired Packages
First Eloise, now Kevin McAllister leaves his mark on the iconic Plaza hotel. The famed hotel is now offering Home Alone 2: Lost in New York inspired packages for the wealthy and nostalgic. As a celebration of the movie’s 25th anniversary, the hotel has set up an exhibit, crafted a ’90s inspired menu and even offers up a room package that includes a stay at The Plaza and the opportunity to live out some of the more memorable scenes from the movie (Joe Pesci not included).
Nora Taylor
May 3, 2019
Here’s Where Serena Williams Stayed for Her NOLA Wedding
Down in the Treme, it was just Serena Williams and her bae bae (Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanion) and this gorgeous Greek Revival mansion. The couple celebrated their New Orleans wedding recently with a whirlwind weekend of fairytale romance and R&R at this dreamy HomeAway rental property.
Melissa Massello
May 3, 2019
How Hey Arnold Makes Cartoon City Living Look Realistic
As any ’90s cartoon fan can attest to, Nickelodeon’s beloved football-head hero, Arnold, lived an idealized, but pretty realistic urban life. So how exactly did the show get city living so right? In an interview with City Lab, series creator Craig Bartlett discuss the making of Arnold’s idyllic urban environment. The landscape of the show was largely inspired by Seattle, where Bartlett grew up, and Portland where he attended art school, with pieces of Brooklyn and Chicago.
Nora Taylor
May 3, 2019
This Is Quite Possibly the Most, Colorful, Creative, Cat-Friendly Home of All Time
Name: S.T.A.R Location: Long Island, New York It’s quite paw-sible that these two Burmese cuties on the left (officially known as The Choco-Lettes) are the luckiest two cats on the planet. Why? Because their humans have crafted one of the most incredible feats of feline ar-cat-ecture in the home they share in Long Island. Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: My name is S.T.A.R. which is an acronym for Susy’s Things Altered and Recycled.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
The Movie Homes That Seriously Upped My Holiday Decorating Expectations
As a child, I took decorating for Christmas far, far too seriously. Every year, I’d wrangle some twinkle lights out of the outdoor-designate bin in the garage to hang all throughout my bedroom. I made every red-and-green construction paper countdown chain you could imagine. I strong-armed my parents into buying a real tree every single year while I still lived at home when what they really wanted was a simple, mess-free artificial tree. And you know what I blame?
Arlyn Hernandez
May 3, 2019
The Hardware Store Houseplant That Makes a Perfect Small Space Christmas Tree
I’m both unwilling to store artificial christmas tree supplies, as well as insecure about going out to buy a live tree. Past years, I’ve either foregone holiday decorating, or DIYed some sort of makeshift faux tree. While those choices may work for some folks, it’s always left me wanting. That’s why when I came across this houseplant at the hardware store a couple of years ago, I knew it would be the perfect “Christmas tree” for me and my small space.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Meghan Markle’s TV Apartment Is Serious Goals
The soon-to-be royal won't be returning for Suits' eighth season--and we might miss her apartment the most.
Tara Bellucci
May 3, 2019
Here’s What It’s Like to House Hunt In the (Frustratingly Expensive) Bay Area
While it might not be as nightmarish as Toronto just yet, the real estate market in and around San Francisco has been getting worse for years. Here’s what homes are really selling for: The backstory: My cousin and her family have lived in Berkeley, Calif., for several years, renting because they couldn’t afford to buy there even five years ago.
Jon Gorey
May 3, 2019
Why I Will Never Switch to an Open Kitchen Floorplan
I can get behind a design trend just as fast as the next person. Exposed brick? Sliding barn doors? Reclaimed wood? Check, check, and check! I dream of a farmhouse sink and a subway tile backsplash and am about to do the all-open-shelving thing in our kitchen. But there’s one seemingly mandatory design decision that I have zero interest in making: adopting the open kitchen. In our 1890 home, the kitchen is at the back of the house in a textbook-style late-Victorian floor plan.
Dana McMahan
May 3, 2019
Before & After: Exciting Upgrades for a Very Boring Bathroom
In its previous iteration, the bathroom in Meredith and Jason’s Chelsea home was the epitome of late ’90s truck stop chic. A fancy truck stop, mind you, with a stone countertop, fancy mirror, and mud-colored shower tiles in a staggered configuration. But it just wasn’t working for them.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
Call Me By Your Name Is Also a Love Story of Italian Interiors
Heading to the movies this holiday season? Well then you should probably be aware that there is some serious travel and house porn hitting an indie movie screen near you. Call Me By Your Name (out in limited release) is a coming-of-age love story set in the Italian countryside during the summer of 1983, and starring Armie Hammer. Hammer plays a 24-year-old research assistant to an art professor who joins the professor and his family at their summer retreat.
Marni Epstein-Mervis
May 3, 2019
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Has Mid-Century Style In Spades
If you’ve been missing the on-point mid-century aesthetics of shows like Mad Men and Good Girls Revolt, you might want to watch The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel strictly for that. The new Amazon show from Amy Sherman-Palladino takes place in the late ’50s and shows us the best apartments the Upper West Side had to offer at the time.
Meryl Williams
May 3, 2019
The Next Best Thing to a Pricey Retro-Style Fridge Is This Under $100 Appliance
I LOVE those retro-style refrigerators that come in an array of colors and look 1,000 times better than a regular fridge. But some of the ones available on the market today are on the pricey side out of the budget of many. And also maybe you rent and don’t have the ability to replace an entire fridge?! Thankfully there’s a smaller, more affordable and more mobile appliance alternative that is still cute but something you can take with you when you move.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A California Kitchen Dramatically Dresses Down
Jennifer’s new house was definitely move-in ready, but she was still eager to make some key changes to better suit her style, and quickly put all her collected Pinterest inspiration to good use. We featured her bathroom renovation already, and today it’s all about the changes she made to the kitchen. Again, the old kitchen wasn’t horrific, but it wasn’t ideal either.
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
Before and After: A Welcome Twist On An All White Kitchen
This kitchen is great on paper — granite countertops! Stainless steel appliances! But in reality, it didn’t suit the homeowner at all. In just weeks, the kitchen went from black, tan, yellow, and brown to . . . well, you’ll just have to see! Wow! We see so many whitewashed renovations —which I always love, to commenters chagrin —so it’s fun to see a room that’s been redone in bright white and a bold, unusual color.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019