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The Latest: May 3, 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.
Woman in pink coat and hat joyfully posing outside Lutzi's Butcher Shop with vintage signage.
There’s a Condo For Sale In The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’s Building
Want to live like Mrs. Maisel? Then we have good news: an apartment in The Strathmore, the Upper West Side building where the show is set, is on the market. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel was a breakout hit show last year, winning two Golden Globes in January (for Best Musical or Comedy TV Series and Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy TV Series). And as lovers of space and design, we watched for the marvelous mid-century interiors as much as the brilliant acting and storytelling.
Tara Bellucci
May 3, 2019
Design Is For Babies: A Q&A With Julie Merberg, Author of Baby’s First Eames
Babies don’t know much about design. Every time I’ve tried to delve into the finer points of Eliel versus Eero Saarinen with the under-one crowd, they just stare at me blankly (and occasionally drool). Thankfully, Julie Merberg has a new book coming out May 8 called Baby’s First Eames (Downtown Bookworks), and I am thrilled that finally, newborns and I will have something to talk (rather, screech and coo) about.
Tara Bellucci
May 3, 2019
You’re About to See This Color Everywhere
By now you’ve probably heard of Gen Z Yellow. We first introduced you to term late last fall, and now that Millennial Pink fatigue may be starting to set in, and Pantone’s own Ultra Violet still seems a little esoteric and dark, perhaps you’re ready to take this shade of sunshine for for a test drive?
Danielle Blundell
May 3, 2019
Why You Should Put Clear Tape On Your Flower Vases
There’s a big difference between jamming a bunch of flowers in a vase, and creating a gorgeous arrangement that looks like it was done by a pro. Thankfully that difference isn’t necessarily measured in dollars, effort, or even skill. All it takes is something you probably have sitting in your kitchen drawer: clear cellophane tape. Here’s the secret. Use basic clear tape to create a grid over the top of your vase.
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
Renter-Friendly Budget DIYs You Can Do This Long Weekend (That Actually Look Good)
Faced with a long weekend ahead of you, if you’ve got the itch to do a little DIY project to improve the way your rental home looks, this post’s for you. All from the same insanely stylish rental apartment in a basement, these two projects are fast, affordable and most of all… attractive enough you’d actually like to display. Hello trendy grid-patterned curtains that look like pricey versions you can buy at Urban Outfitters or Anthropologie. Well guess what?
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Kitchen Took 5 Months and $12,000 to Complete
This kitchen had a lot of cozy charm, but it wasn’t very user-friendly. After five months of DIY renovations, it’s now bright, spacious, and totally made for cooking. It’s hard to believe this is the same amount of space! While the old kitchen felt claustrophobic, the new one is roomy and airy, yet it appears to boast about the same amount of storage space. Rachel Klein of The Northern Current is the powerhouse behind this renovation, and she did a bang-up job.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
A Surprising IKEA Hack for High-End Lights on a Budget
This $15 IKEA kitchen product is powering this ultra luxe lighting DIY.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Peek Inside the Charming “Bicycle House” From Fixer Upper, Now For Sale in Waco for $350K
Another house from Fixer Upper has hit the market, located “just minutes from the Silos” and with tons of built-in, established rental income. What’s the most intriguing about this listing is that you can see how the couple actually styled the home after Joanna left them to their own devices — and which, if any, of the pieces that the Gaineses selected that the veterinarian and her ultra-marathoner husband actually chose to purchase.
Melissa Massello
May 3, 2019
This Company Makes Fake Plants That Look Realistic (Because They’re Slightly Browning)
It’s hard to settle on the biggest draw of house plants. Is it the inherent sense of pride in being able to keep another living thing alive? Is it the aesthetic brownie-points of a perfectly arranged succulent sill? The perceived higher air quality?
Oset Babür
May 3, 2019
Partner
5 Signs That Your Mattress Isn’t Working for You
We’re not finger waggers here, so we will not start off by telling you you should be getting seven to eight hours of sleep most nights. We will, however, tell you that you need to be getting quality sleep, especially if it’s a little harder to get the right quantity. A simple sleep-quality test is if you’re getting close to the famous seven to eight hours but you’re still tired during the day, then you’re likely not getting a good night’s sleep.
Tim Minerd
May 3, 2019
6 Kid’s Rooms Whose Walls Solve At Least Two Problems at Once
Stylish and functional, and most of all fun.
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
3 Simple Ways to Make Flowers Last Much Longer
If you’ve ever done the January Cure, you know how much we at Apartment Therapy love flowers. Put simply, cut flowers are beautiful, add life, and help humidify the air. They are a small, healthy gift to give your home, and a great way to instantly refresh your space, for very little money. Here are a few tips for making them last. Flowers really only need a couple of things to stay happy, and clean water is one of the big ones.
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
How Bad Is It To Sleep With Makeup On?
More nights than I care to admit, I work into the wee hours of the morning, slinging words so I can pay for important things like Netflix and magnetic eyelashes. When I finally drag my tired body toward the bedroom, I have just enough energy left to brush my teeth before crashing. But as I fall asleep to the symphonic range of my husband’s snoring, I often wonder just how bad it is for me to skip washing my face. Is the good skincare fairy going to come down and bop me on the head?
Julie Sprankles
May 3, 2019
Partner
How to Choose the Right Sectional for Your Space
Imagine a Tetris game where every single shape was exactly the one you needed in that moment. In the game of living room layouts, that scenario exists, and we call it a sectional. This versatile superhero sets up a space for big parties and cozy Netflix binges alike. Add in a choice of fabrics and colors and you’ve got thousands of configurations to set up whatever living room you want to live in. So, where to begin?
Tim Minerd
May 3, 2019
We Have Answers to All Your Burning Plant Questions
Green thumbs might seem to have an innate knack for caring for plants, while black thumbs appear to be doomed with a Midas touch of death. But the only difference between green thumbs and black thumbs, really, is just familiarizing yourself with both your particular plants’ specific needs and also some general plant-keeping guidelines.
Shifrah Combiths
May 3, 2019
Over White And Grey Kitchens? There’s a New Neutral in Town
If you're looking for something warm and classic, and not too crazy, try this perfect cabinet color.
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Include Your Pet in Your Home’s Listing Photos
While you might be aghast that someone couldn't love your dog, here's what a potential buyer might be thinking when they see him in your listing.
Megan Johnson
May 3, 2019
What “House Hunters” Didn’t Tell Me About Buying My First Home
“House Hunters” first premiered in 1999 when I was 12 years old. I devoured episode after episode. And since they don’t teach you these practical things in school, I thought I had learned everything there is to know about home buying from the popular HGTV show. But fast forward 18 years: I got married, then pregnant. Suddenly I was eager to trade the nearly-windowless rental basement my husband and I considered home for one we could call our own.
Brigitt Earley
May 3, 2019
The Smartest Small Space Storage Ideas We Saw in 2018
There’s no doubt about it: As well as being cozy and adorable, stylish small spaces also hold a TON of smart storage ideas. The ones below are some of the best solutions we saw in small house tours this year. No matter your home’s size, you’ll find inspiration for how to store more stylishly in 2019. When a professional organizer lives in a tiny studio apartment, expect great ideas, like these floating wall-mounted IKEA cabinets that were hung close to the ceiling.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Before & After: This Tiny Kitchen Remodel Forwent a Traditional Oven
When you’re dealing with a small space, very minimal designs are usually the preferred choice (or so the thinking goes). But when Nancy decided to remodel her Upper East Side studio, she made some bold choices in the tiny six-foot-wide kitchen—things that you might not expect in a room this size, but that give this little space a character all its own. Previously, the kitchen was a bit of a blank slate.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
10 Secrets from Home Cooks for Starting a Food Budget You Can Stick To
Financial wizards will tell you that there’s no time like the present to reign in your spending and get a grip on your budget—but it’s their job to say that! Setting a food budget (that you can stick to) isn’t exactly a cake walk. In fact, it’s kinda the opposite. To help you get on the right track, we asked 10 (super-relatable) home cooks for their best realistic food budgeting advice that you can implement right now.
Lauren Masur
May 3, 2019
The Under $20 Item That Gives My Tiny Rental Kitchen More Counter Space
If you live in a small space, chances are that your kitchen is also equally diminutive. As you can see, my particular kind of tiny rental kitchen is of the single wall variety, with a paltry two cabinets width of counter to speak of. While that (and the single outlet) mean I have to cull the clutter and keep appliances elsewhere when not in use, even when the counter is cleared, that’s not a ton of space to work with if you’re trying to cook a meal.
Tara Bellucci
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Carriage House Turned Loft Has Massive Historic Charm
This is a 115-year-old, 1,800-square-foot carriage house with 11-foot ceilings and tons of character. It had been recently renovated, but its new owners wanted to go a step further, by going back to the past and revealing the home’s historic charms. Such a nice modern upgrade! Allow me to list my favorite things about this transformation: 1. That beam!
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
This is the Most Popular Spot for Outside-the-Bedroom Sex
They say that the only things that should happen in the bedroom are sleep and sex, but ask anyone who’s fallen victim to a mid-afternoon nap on the sofa, and you’ll hear that sleep and sex are both great outside the boudoir, too. After all, the heart wants what it wants. And sometimes, it can’t wait.
Taryn Williford
May 3, 2019
Buy One of Taylor Swift’s Beverly Hills Homes for $2.95M
Taylor Swift is rapidly earning her Reputation as one of the most prolific real estate investors of her millennial generation, with potentially yet another massive quick-flip profit coming her way from the upcoming sale of her Beverly Hills home. According to Trulia, Swift purchased the home for $1.775 million back in 2012 and just listed it for $2.95 million.
Melissa Massello
May 3, 2019
These are the Best Houseplants for Every Zodiac Sign
Choosing the right houseplant for your space isn’t exactly a science. Also not a science? Astrology. But much like covering your apartment in greenery, exploring what your zodiac sign might reveal about your personality is a ton of harmless fun (for not a ton of money). We’ve taken the joy of mapping sun signs to their houseplant counterparts based on the traits of both the plants and the personality that will be caring for them.
Taryn Williford
May 3, 2019
Peek Inside Elizabeth Banks’ New $6.85M Home in Sherman Oaks
Now the fifth highest-grossing actress of all time, Elizabeth Banks has had quite the busy (and wildly successful) decade — and is saying #treatyoself to a new $6.85 million family estate with sweeping views of downtown Los Angeles, but far enough away in the San Fernando Valley to create some work/life balance.
Melissa Massello
May 3, 2019
Design Takeaways from Jess Day (and Her Friends)
When New Girl first premiered in 2011, I’m not going to lie, I kind of wanted to be Jess Day. Who wouldn’t live in a loft with three kooky-but-cute dudes and have a killer vintage wardrobe? Sure, her love life was kind of in shambles (at least, initially), but she had great hair and an awesome pad to match. Speaking of the latter, there are a lot of decorating lessons to be learned from the set of New Girl before it goes off the air. And it’s not too late, people!
Danielle Blundell
May 3, 2019
The One Book You Should Read This May Might Be The Funniest Book of 2018
Look, I’m all about a complicated, deep, character-driven novel that makes you feel a range of emotions, most of them kind of dark, but that’s not what May is about. May is about finally being able to be outside (provided you’ve taken your allergy medicine) and enjoying long walks in the park, drinks in backyards, and light, fun books you can bring to the beach or the pool. And the book you should bring with you this month is Hey Ladies!
Samantha Zabell
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Is No Longer ‘The Ugliest House I’ve Ever Seen’
It would be fascinating to meet the person who decided to decorate this living room—in what its new owner described as “the ugliest house I’ve ever seen”—with bright green walls and all red furnishings, but we’ll have to be content with seeing how this Christmas-y space was transformed into a bright, modern, and colorful—but not quite as colorful—room.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Formerly Orange Bathroom Is Now Much Easier on The Eyes
This bathroom was very, very orange, but no longer. The once-colorful bathroom still has plenty of color, just not quite as bright and “day-glo.” Here’s the full-length version of the bathroom before, so we can see the pedestal sink and what the homeowner describes as “yucky” floor tiles, but let’s take in the full expanse of ORANGE. I kind of love it, actually.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before & After: This Bedroom Goes Even More Boho
This bedroom was already cute, cozy, and charming, but its owner came up with an affordable, renter-friendly way to upgrade the space—and the results are tropically fantastic. Laura B of Thrifted Bohemian transformed this bedroom into a vibrant oasis with a little help from peel-and-stick wallpaper that goes with the bed perfectly.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: A Sad ’70s Kitchen Gets a Modern Remodel
After living in Brooklyn for awhile, architect Niraya and civil engineer Humberto wanted to bring that “loft” style to Miami, where they currently live. After hunting for a townhouse to buy, they found this home, which was actually used as the manager’s quarters of a Marriott Hotel in the ’70s and ’80s. And boy did it look like it was still in the ’70s and ’80s.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Before & After: Beautifying Beat-Up Flea Market Chairs
It’s impossible to believe, but at one point, these chairs were like two perfect plums. We first discovered them in NYC’s Chelsea Flea Market, one cold Sunday morning, in the early ’90s when my husband (then boyfriend) and I were recovering from a live Jane’s Addiction hangover. The flea market was a place you wandered through when you had nothing better to do and little energy to do it.
Susan Kaplow
May 3, 2019
Before Twitter, What Did TV Fans Do To Save Their Favorite Shows?
The recent saga around Brooklyn 99, FOX’s critically-acclaimed darling about a New York City police precinct, felt like a roller coaster for fans. The network cancelled it in advance of its sixth season, only for it to be scooped up at the 11th hour by rival network NBC. Fans rejoiced on Twitter, the platform on which they’d been cursing FOX for days prior. It’s a story with a happy ending (PS, NBC, can you resuscitate Happy Endings while you’re at it?).
Meryl Williams
May 3, 2019
Disney’s Gravity Falls Put So Much Detail Into The Mystery Shack
One of the most intricate, continuity-conscious series out there is a former Disney Channel cartoon disguised as a children’s show. Gravity Falls ran for two perfect seasons between 2012 and 2016, centering around a fictional Oregon town with twin siblings, Mabel and Dipper Pines, and their great-uncle Stan.
Meryl Williams
May 3, 2019
Partner
4 Layouts That Create a Successful Living Room
Imagine a Tetris game where every single shape was exactly the one you needed in that moment. In the game of living room layouts, that scenario exists, and we call it a sectional. This versatile superhero sets up a space for big parties and cozy Netflix binges alike. Add in a choice of fabrics and colors and you’ve got thousands of configurations to set up whatever living room you want to live in. So, where to begin?
Tim Minerd
May 3, 2019
12 Etsy Finds For A More Organized, Stylish Home, Picked Out By Their Trend Expert
If you’ve just done a Marie Kondo-inspired purge or are midway through our January Cure, why not reward yourself for your newly-immaculate space with something beautiful and useful. We asked Etsy’s head of trends, Dayna Isom Johnson, to pick out her personal favorite organization buys from their marketplace. Ahead, twelve pieces for every part of your home, for a more organized, stylish 2019. “Never misplace your keys again when opting for these color-coordinated keychains.
Marshall Bright
May 3, 2019
10 Plant Paradises You Should be Following on Instagram
There’s no shortage of plant-obsessed accounts to follow on Instagram. The hashtag #plantsofinstagram alone produces more than 1 million posts, most of which come straight from the hands of plant parents across the globe. And if you’re anything like us, you depend on Instagram posts to help inspire and inform all of your gardening endeavors. So to ensure that your feed is always filled with helpful plant info, we rounded up 10 of the coolest plant accounts to follow on IG.
Caroline Biggs
May 3, 2019
10 Smart Kitchen Tools Restaurants Have On Hand (And You Should Too)
Fun fact: You don’t need to be a professional chef to take advantage of some of the smart tools used in restaurant kitchens. And no, we’re not talking about $200 knives or fancy sous vide machines. We’re talking about the inexpensive, everyday sort of stuff that’ll make your time in the kitchen neater, easier, and just a tad bit better. See, many of the gadgets and tools that professional chefs use in restaurant kitchens can be just as useful to us casual home cooks.
Lisa Freedman
May 3, 2019
10 Small Movements that Can Improve Your Mood
I always tell my kids that we don’t always get to choose our feelings, but we get to choose what we do with them. Sometimes those emotions, though, can be so strong that they feel impossible to overcome. This is where it helps to fake it ’til we make it: Acting as if we feel a certain way can cause us to actually feel that way. It’s science.
Shifrah Combiths
May 3, 2019
Chalk Paint Is The Practically Zero-Prep Way To Transform Your Kitchen Cabinets
Painting your cabinets is one of the most transformative and inexpensive ways to upgrade your kitchen. But to do it right, there’s the sanding, priming, more sanding, and painting. No doubt, it’s a lot of work. Turns out chalk paint lets you skip over many of those steps so you can get straight to the new color, even if that new color is just a fresh coat of bright clean white.
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
Shaq’s $28M Orlando Mega Mansion is For Sale And It’s Totally Extra in Every Way
Dubbed “Shaq-apulco” by the celebrity basketball player and his entourage, Shaquille O’Neal’s longtime home in Orlando is up for sale—and the 31,000-square-foot estate sitting on four prime Floridian waterfront acres has all the over the top features of an all-inclusive resort getaway. And then a hefty dose of humor and quirk befitting the larger-than-life star with the personality to match.
Melissa Massello
May 3, 2019
The Downside to Shiplap Walls You Might Not Know About
Sick of shiplap yet? It’s the little wall siding that could, chugging its way all across America these days. We’ve seen it in kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and even inside showers. Oh, and it is apparently all over a certain Texas town called Waco—maybe you’ve heard of it? Whether you are a diehard devotee, a grudging admirer, or just looking for another reason to hate it, know that shiplap has at least one major check in the “con” column.
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
The Smart Reason You Should Put Lace (Yes, Lace) On Your Windows
Warmer weather means opening up your curtains and windows, and letting in the light and fresh air. But, with all that welcome air and sunshine sometimes comes unwelcome bugs and less privacy. Let’s welcome back a classic that can surprisingly solve both issues: lace! Lace is the perfect medium for letting light in and keeping bugs out. Madelene lives in an old Swedish house and, when it gets hot, loves to open the windows and let the air in.
Cat Meschia
May 3, 2019
Why You Should Put Ice Cubes in Your Flower Pots
This past Valentine’s Day, my boyfriend gave me a potted orchid instead of the usual bouquet of carnations and roses. Having never owned an orchid before, I checked the tag for care instructions and learned I was supposed to water it with three ice cubes, or about ¼ cup of water, once a week. I’ve been feeding my orchid its ice every Friday, and it’s been blooming spectacularly for the past three months. But are the ice cubes really the secret to orchid success?
Rebecca Straus
May 3, 2019
Kirsten Dunst Just Sold Her Dreamy, Boho SoHo Loft for $4.4M
After over a year on the market, actor-director-producer Kirsten Dunst has just sold her charmingly boho penthouse loft in Hudson Square—at the intersection of New York’s coveted Soho and Tribeca neighborhoods—for $4.4 million. The 477 Washington Street #PHW (aka 533 Canal Street) was formerly owned by Dunst and is the same vintage-inspired, two-bedroom, two-bathroom loft that the celebrity has had listed on the market since February 2017.
Melissa Massello
May 3, 2019
These Are The Books Everyone Will Be Talking About This Summer
Memorial Day is around the corner, so we’re officially allowed to start planning our summers, wearing white jeans… and updating our TBR lists. One of our favorite bookworm communities, Goodreads, used their 75 million members to compile the most anticipated books of summer.
Samantha Zabell
May 3, 2019