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The Latest: May 4, 2019

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Wooden pallets laid out as a makeshift walkway beside a brick wall, with a metal tool on top.
Before & After: A Bunch of Old Pallets Gain Purpose
Kevin rounded up some old wooden pallets by driving around to various warehouses, and through Craigslist. He had a project in mind, and just needed a bunch that were roughly equal sized. Want to see what he did with them? This impressive reclaimed wood backyard deck is the result! After measuring the space, he laid the pallets where he wanted the deck to be. Starting with the first row, Kevin lined up all gaps and used pavers to level and support the pallets.
Dabney Frake
May 4, 2019
Ruby’s Gorgeously Glam Nursery
Name: Ruby Location: Valley Village, CA Room Size: 12′ x 12′ Ruby’s nursery had me at hello. From the glamorous chandelier to the pattern play throughout the space, it isn’t your typical baby room by any stretch of the imagination. Even though the space looks very high-end, I love that Ruby’s mom Rachelle was able to save some money by searching sites like Craigslist and Etsy for budget-friendly versions of the pricier pieces that she loved.
Lauren Hufnagl
May 4, 2019
Before & After: IKEA Hack Makes the BESTA Even Better
Suzanne saw potential in IKEA’s popular BESTA shelf, and not just as vertical storage. When flipped and tweaked, she was able to make it into something else entirely. Keep on reading to see the pretty remarkable transformation… This might just qualify for a hack and a half. Using the IKEA BESTA as a base, Suzanne custom created a DIY tufted banquette that’s sophisticated and stylish (and offers extra hidden storage as a bonus).
Dabney Frake
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Maria’s Vintage Glam Room Remix
Designer Jenny Sanchez and I connected through Instagram recently, where I found her most recent client project, a room makeover she did for her friend Maria Ortiz. Jenny’s main goal was to create a French Glam Vintage look, which was inspired by a simple Chanel bag. This 120 square foot spare bedroom was once a storage catch-all for Maria’s stuff, but her dream was to turn it into a dressing room, a sophisticated spot to apply makeup, prepare for the day, and relax.
Bethany Nauert
May 4, 2019
Before & After: A Vintage Dresser Refresh
Nicole found this in a pile of furniture left for free, and immediately noticed its great shape. But, a banged up and scratched finish meant it would need refreshing. When she brought it home, she discovered that mismatching materials — light wood legs and a walnut veneer top — meant her original plan of staining wouldn’t work. So she came up with a better idea that still preserved some of the great wood and lightened the whole piece up.
Adrienne Breaux
May 4, 2019
Before & After: A 1930s Accent Chair Gets a Patterned Pick-me-up
Christina loves stumbling on old furniture gems and breathing new life into them. She found this chair with lots of potential on Craigslist, and knew its great shape was worthy of a makeover. She chose a punchy and patterned fabric to give it some personality! From Christina: Once I took it apart, I realized it had to be from the ‘30s or ‘40s based on the straw and horse hair stuffing.
Adrienne Breaux
May 4, 2019
Before & After: An Outdated Master Bathroom Goes from Maroon to Modern!
Yellow tile on the floors and counters. Brown grout that always looked dirty. Too dark, patchy maroon walls. Amanda’s master bathroom was dated, but it had potential. A remodel has turned it to a peaceful modern retreat. From Amanda: Our 1970s house had an outdated, leaky but large and potential-filled master bathroom. Knowing the tiled shower pan was leaking, we knew it was time for a full tear out and remodel. blog Thank you Amanda!
Adrienne Breaux
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Discarded Knoll Tulip Table Gets New $10 Top
I was at an estate sale a couple of years ago and spotted this Saarinen tulip table in the driveway, marked for 5 bucks. The base is in really good shape, but the once beautiful top had met its match in the form of rain, and is weathered, splintered, warped and unsalvageable. (The original Knoll label underneath, however, is still intact.) I’ve kept an eye out for replacement tops but, as of yet, none have crossed my path.
Dabney Frake
May 4, 2019
Before & After: A $90 Weekend Kitchen Refresh
When Meghann bought her first house last year, she didn’t have enough money to do a complete remodel of her kitchen, but the home’s original “orange-y” wood cabinets just weren’t working for her. With dark appliances and only one window, her main goal was to brighten her space up, as affordably as she could. She didn’t do a lot, but the $90 she did spend over a weekend made a surprising impact!
Adrienne Breaux
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Bathroom with Peeling Paint Gets a Colorful Update
How many of you have moved into a new house that had a bathroom just like this? Although owner Mera tried to put a few bandaids on the style situation as long as she could (with new wall color and a rug), it was a hole in the ceiling and peeling paint that finally prompted a full renovation. See how it turned out… Not every room can carry off red and purple, but Mera managed to add just enough color to create a cheerful and happy bathroom.
Dabney Frake
May 4, 2019
Wyatt’s Bright & Bold Abode
Name: Wyatt (6 Months) Location: Tustin, California Room Size: 10×12 ft While I’m not usually a fan of primary-colored nurseries, I was absolutely smitten from the moment I stumbled across this happy space that Whitney Johnson created for her baby boy, Wyatt. By starting with a black and white base and adding small pops of primary colors throughout the space, she kept the room feeling colorful and happy without making it feel too saturated or busy.
Lauren Hufnagl
May 4, 2019
The Lazy Person’s Guide to a Happy Home: More Sneaky Cleaning Tips for People Who Hate to Clean
Earlier this year I wrote the Lazy Person’s Guide to a Happy Home, full of cleaning tips for people who hate cleaning. Many of you read it, and commented, and added cleaning tips of your own, and your ideas were so good that I couldn’t help re-sharing them. Read on for cleaning tips from some very wise people, aka: you. Make cleaning easier by doing a serious purge. misterrious: One day, I just decided I had too much crap in my house.
Nancy Mitchell
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Budget IKEA Sniglar Crib Goes Pretty in Pink
The Sniglar crib mostly owes its popularity to its $69.99 price tag, but it works for so many families because the plain and simple design is versatile enough for any style of room. If you think the Sniglar is perhaps too plain and simple, check out how the folks at bedding company Little Auggie customized one with paint… Painting the spindles of the crib completely ups the style factor and gives the crib a fresh, modern feel.
Carrie McBride
May 4, 2019
Johnny and Freddie’s Cozy Collected Shared Room
Name: Johnny (3.5) and Freddie (7) Location: Mt Eliza, Victoria, Australia Room Size: 12′ x 10′ I tend to think of myself as an “eclectic” person when it comes to decor – mainly meaning that I can’t settle on a particular style. I love the clean lines and fresh colors of modern spaces but at the same time am drawn to the warmth and coziness of a more rustic design.
Lauren Hufnagl
May 4, 2019
Cleaning Up the Spring Bulbs: What NOT To Do
As the last of the daffodils, tulips and other spring bulbs fade away, there is a natural desire to clean up the remaining shriveled flowers and the inevitable floppy leaves that were so welcome just a few weeks ago, but which now appear old and messy. But don’t do it!! Here is why. Bulbs need that greenery because as the flowering ends, those greens stay on and continue to collect energy from the sun, feeding it back into the bulb.
Rochelle Greayer
May 4, 2019
Click and Grow Smart Herb Garden
Product: Click and Grow Smart Herb Garden Price: $99.95 Rating: Strong Recommend* I love growing my own food. Sadly though, I have spent most of my adult life in tiny apartments with limited light and no outdoor space. Enter the Smart Herb Garden, a setup for growing herbs indoors in even the smallest and darkest of spaces, which promises success for even those with the “un-greenest” of thumbs. Originally launched via Kickstarter, the Smart Herb Garden ($99.
Joelle Alcaidinho
May 4, 2019
Before & After: A Brown Bamboo Rocker Gets a Boost!
This bamboo rocker was in pretty good shape, but wasn’t particular inspiring with its original brown hues. Rachel decided that for it to really work in a nook in her boy’s room, it needed a color boost! From Rachel: I bought this vintage bamboo rocker on the last day of an estate sale for $10, hoping it wold work in our son’s room. This was a super simple project; requiring only primer, paint and a faux shearling throw.
Adrienne Breaux
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Kyle & Angela’s Apartment Kitchen Renovation
A lot of people remodel their homes right after (or right before) moving in, but by the time Kyle and Angela decided to take the plunge and redo their kitchen, they had been living in their Clinton Hill apartment for 11 years. They had a lot of time to save, and scheme, and they knew exactly what they wanted: more counter space, a more open floor plan, and a kitchen with a little bit of midcentury style.
Nancy Mitchell
May 4, 2019
Reuse + Recycle: 10 Upcycled Dressers
Do you have an old dresser that is missing a drawer or two? No problem. Check out these 10 dresser DIYs and turn that old dresser into something new. TOP ROW: 1. Book Shelf and Toy Storage from Apartment Therapy 2. Hidden Laptop Workspace from Lucky Me Studios 3. Garden Potting Bench from Jarden Designs 4. Kitchen Island from Dressy Isles 5. Kitchen Catch All from Clover Lane BOTTOM ROW: 6. Kitchen Buffet from Frugal Chic Living 7. Entertainment Center from Better Homes and Gardens 8.
Kate Legere
May 4, 2019
Partner
Small Project Saturdays: Inspired Salvage
Maxwell, Apartment Therapy’s founder, needed some occasional tables for his living room, so he took to the internet, checking the Classifieds for good options. He found two stools, versatile enough to be tables or extra seating. But while they were similar, they definitely didn’t match. Want to see how he spent a couple hours on a Saturday using Glidden paint to make them a matched set? Watch our quick video and see the How-To below!
Sponsored Post
May 4, 2019
Before & After: IKEA Norden Table To Portable Dressmaking Station
For anyone who sews, a good table for cutting fabric is the Holy Grail of craft supplies. But it often seems basically impossible to find something tall enough to stand at and cut fabric that is not wildly expensive and fits in an apartment or sewing room. Ikea’s Norden dining table is almost a perfect sewing table right out of the box. The table is 31.
Elizabeth Licata
May 4, 2019
Outdoor Entertaining: 10 Party Worthy Beverage Dispensers
Planning on entertaining outside this summer? Here are 10 party worthy beverage dispensers that will help you serve your beverages in style and keep the party flowing. Personally, I’m looking forward to making summer sangria and spicy ginger lemonade. TOP ROW 1. Enamel Beverage Dispenser, $98 from Terrain 2. Yorkshire Glass Beverage Dispenser, $32 from Circle Glass 3. Del Sol Pineapple Beverage Dispenser, $48 from Home Essentials 4. Glass Infuser Dispenser, $25 from World Market 5.
Kate Legere
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Brown Dresser Launches New Campaign
For $40, this dresser was hard for Sarah Dorsey to pass up, even though the laminate was chipping and it looked worse for wear. So she snagged it and put in practice all the painting tips she’s learned over the years. See how it turned out… After carefully prying off all the hardware, and repainting the entire thing, Sarah’s dresser is now a far cry from cheap; it looks professional, high-end and totally bedroom-worthy.
Dabney Frake
May 4, 2019
Before & After: IKEA Tray Table to Double-Decker Cat Bed
As a rule, I am fully in favor of designing one’s living space around the pets, especially if they’re cats. That’s why I loved this ridiculously easy IKEA hack that turns a neat corner table into a comfortable, two-tiered cat bed. The IKEA Trendig tray table has two convenient, cat-sized baskets. Just by adding some comfortable cushions, Pinterest user Hanna transformed the baskets into perfect little cat beds.
Elizabeth Licata
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Powder Room Exceeds Its Potential
Katherine and Conan are slowly remodeling their 1917 home in Wichita, Kansas, one room at a time. Most recently, this powder room got the DIY treatment, with good reason. Even if you looked beyond the cracked walls and crumbling ceiling, the door wouldn’t shut behind you. Which I imagine made — ahem, privacy – an issue with guests. Before you get all confused, you are in fact looking at the same space.
Dabney Frake
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Backyard Patio with DIY Built-In Benches
Sarah, from Smitten Studio, and her husband, Rupert, recently bought a house in Los Angeles, and worked very hard to renovate it. With this big project complete, they now have the time (and space) to work on some of the smaller ones, like their backyard. According to Sarah, the corner of the yard pictured above was basically used as a dumping ground for old plants and furniture, and now with some custom built benches, paint and accessories it’s another full living area.
Kate Legere
May 4, 2019
5 DIY Ideas for Lego Minifigure Storage
With the introduction in recent years of the LEGO Mystery Minifigures series, the number of minifigs in our house has exploded. If you aren’t familiar with the concept, LEGO releases a series of unusual minifigures, like Bunny Suit Guy, Yeti, Welder, Diner Waitress, or Bagpiper.
Beth Callaghan
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Vintage Dresser Goes For a Sweet Ride
Joseph picked this dresser up for $10 at a local thrift store, but wanted to do something special before it found a permanent home in his bedroom. After a lot of sanding, here’s what he came up with… Honk your horn if you like the final result! Joseph went to great lengths to complete the look: the four tail lights are from a 1958 Impala and the drawer hardware is actually old Buick door handles he cut down to fit. He found them all on eBay.
Dabney Frake
May 4, 2019
10 Awesome DIY IKEA Hacks for Kids’ Room Lighting
Even though most agree that IKEA designs are already pretty great (for the price especially), that doesn’t stop creative people from putting their own spin on the products. Lighting in particular is fun to tweak, and a good way to add extra personality to your child’s room. Here are ten really great projects to inspire you… TOP ROW 1. A Mr. Moon lamp hacked from a FADO, inspired by a print by Martin Krusche, from Mommo Designs. Nieves de TokyoMASKROS IKEA Hackers 4.
Dabney Frake
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Myrtle Gets More Mighty
“Myrtle” is Capri’s 1964 Travco Motorhome, which she drives all over the country while on vacation. Over the years she’s also put a fair amount of work into this labor of love, slowly returning Myrtle to its Beatles-era glory. See what it looks like today! From Capri: Myrtle is 27 feet long and is powered by a 318 poly engine. She is equipped with a full bathroom, kitchen, couch, bench, closet, ample storage, rear double bed and two entrance doors.
Dabney Frake
May 4, 2019
Before & After: A Boring and Brown Dresser Turns Cool and Clever
Have a heavy piece of furniture you just don’t use much anymore (and is possibly just taking up some space)? You’ll find inspiration in this surprising DIY that takes a forgotten-then-found old worn-out dresser and turns it into a cool and functional furniture piece for the kitchen! From Kristie: Living in an apartment complex, you see lots of people moving out and leaving things behind.
Adrienne Breaux
May 4, 2019
Real Life Rescues: 10 DIY Ways to Update Your Vintage Seating
This is the weekend! Finally take that vintage/free/found/Craigslist chair, sofa or stool and pull out its potential! If you’ve been sitting on a DIY seating project because you just weren’t sure what to do with it, we’ve got 10 real-life examples of taking an old piece of furniture and adding a zing of personality. Perhaps one of these ideas will inspire your own makeover this weekend? Pictured above: 1.
Adrienne Breaux
May 4, 2019
5 Interactive Wallpapers for Kids
Wouldn’t you have loved to create little worlds on the walls with magnets, or draw tiny characters all over your bedroom when you were a kid? If you have a creative child that leaves you scrubbing walls with a bucket and sponge—let the creativity fly! These five interactive wallpapers for kids let parents breathe easier and get kids’ creative juices flowing. 1. My personal favorite: Sian Zeng Interactive Magnetic Wallpaper for kids from Just Kids Wallpaper, $540 AUD.
Andie Powers
May 4, 2019
Before & After: All White Kitchen Gets a Subtle Kick
Kristi recently remodeled her kitchen and didn’t give her toe kicks a second glance. Then she got a glimpse of Oh Joy’s recently remodeled studio kitchen, and was inspired to try something new… Switching up the white to black is a subtle but significant change. Rather than painting the actual toe kicks again, Kristi came up with a temporary solution that lets her try out a color, and change it up again down the road. Renters, take note!
Dabney Frake
May 4, 2019
Bronwyn’s Small San Francisco Studio
Name: Bronwyn Location: Nob Hill, San Francisco, California I have a small studio apartment on Nob Hill in San Francisco. I love being in the middle of the city, so I can walk most places. I love having my home be small, so it is easy to keep up with. I have a wall of closets which is so important for keeping me organized. I love the beams on my ceiling and the built-ins from the 1920s that add character to the space. I painted all the paintings myself.
Janel Laban
May 4, 2019
Freia’s Cozy, Colorful Corner in the Master Bedroom
Name: Freia Location: Berkeley, California Room Size: Tiny! Her corner is probably 5′ x 5′ feet at most, but it is part of our main bedroom (that part is probably 6′ x 8′) When I first discovered little Freia’s nursery, I never would have guessed it was but a tiny corner of the master bedroom in mom Audrey’s two-bedroom rental.
Lauren Hufnagl
May 4, 2019
Tips For Negotiating a Lease with Exotic Pets
I am an exotic pet person. This came as quite a surprise to me when I moved to a new city and called a vet specializing in small animals to see if they could fit in one of my guinea pigs who had developed a sneeze during our move, but was told that the vet did not treat “exotic pets”. Surprise! Both of my guinea pigs and my little mouse are exotic pets. I assure you they all felt quite fancy when I informed them of their status.
Erin Roberts
May 4, 2019
Art on Theme: 9 Books of Ready-to-Frame Posters
When is a book not a book? When it’s actually a tiny little bound packet of posters. Since we’re all about pieces that pull double-duty, I thought I’d share a few ready-to-frame poster books: titles you can grab at the bookstore to keep on the coffee table, and then tear pages from as needed to fill up the walls. I was recently gifted the book Swissted, a collection of vintage rock posters re-designed by digital artist Mike Joyce.
Taryn Williford
May 4, 2019
Nature Calls: Tools For Budding Birdwatchers
It’s the perfect time of year to have the kids active and outside and, if they love to watch birds, to encourage that, too. If you have a beginner birder at your place, here’s everything they’ll need (and a couple of things they’ll love) to get started on what often becomes a life-long hobby. 1. Audubon Bird Call can produce generic bird calls $8 from Los Poblanos Farm Shop. 2.
Alison Gerber
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Backyard Blight Turns Out of Sight
Last time we checked in with Aaron & Heather Hawes in Saint Louis, they shared the transformation of their old firehouse into a modern and sleek photography studio. Today they are back with a new project: the recent makeover of their outdoor parking area. As before, the Hawes’ did all the work themselves, and the results are quite incredible. Now before anyone freaks out, the photo was indeed taken at a different angle, but I think you can see why.
Dabney Frake
May 4, 2019
Noisy Kids? How To Keep The Peace With Your Next-Door Neighbors
No doubt about it: kids make noise. What happens when you have kids, noisy kids and your neighbor doesn’t? Apartment living can be tough, but it’s even tougher when a case of shared walls meets very different lifestyles. Here are a few guidelines for ensuring everyone gets along just fine. 1. Get to know each other. Invite your neighbors over for dinner. Nothing beats a shared meal for wearing down divisions and clearing up misunderstandings.
Alison Gerber
May 4, 2019
Before & After: A Vintage Dresser Goes From White to Wow!
Dena loved this vintage dresser from the moment she saw it, specifically the sleek hardware that gave the whole piece a modern look. She took it home and made two simple but bold changes that transformed the entire look — and turned it into a show-stopping piece! From Dena: Wink. I loved it at first sight but knew I wanted to add some legs to it to raise it up. I’m getting to be an old woman and anything I can do to keep from bending over is awesome. Okay, so I’m not that old.
Adrienne Breaux
May 4, 2019
Before & After: A Marvelous Mid-Century Modern Make-Under
You can see that this bright blue piece of furniture has a nice mid-century shape, but with the thick, gloppy coat of paint, the damage to the top and the overall unpleasant look of the exterior, plenty of folks would probably pass this furniture piece up, even if it was free. Not Zachary. He spotted it, took it home and did one impressive make-under! From Zachary: My boyfriend and I were taking a walk and we found this little blue nightmare on the curb for the garbage man.
Adrienne Breaux
May 4, 2019
Take It Outside: 8 Spring Cleaning Projects That Are So Much Easier Outdoors
Ah, spring: when a young man’s fancy turns to beating rugs and scrubbing the crisper. And no, those aren’t euphemisms, but chores that are infinitely easier to accomplish now that going outdoors won’t result in certain death. Some of these require access to a hose, but there’s hope for apartment-dwellers, too… I am stupidly excited about finally getting to scrub down the recycling can we keep in our pantry.
Tess Wilson
May 4, 2019
Before & After: IKEA Futon Graduates From College
Certain decor doesn’t transition well from college to more grown-up digs, and your futon is one of them. Which makes this a good hack for folks who don’t want to get rid of the one they currently own, or spend the money on a new sofa. Elizabeth shows you how to do it with IKEA’s GRANKULLA, but you can use any similar type of wooden futon. To make this new daybed happen, Elizabeth disassembled the futon, made a few modifications, and then reconstructed it into a different shape.
Dabney Frake
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Faded Outdoor Umbrella Sees The Light of Day
Ashley had a very faded striped pastel umbrella that she could have easily jettisoned. Instead, she took a little inspiration from this Urban Outfitters umbrella, budgeted about $20 for her version, and gave it a little makeover… Ashley used a paint sprayer with thinned down latex paint to give it about three coats of bright white paint. Then, she and her husband laboriously hand-painted a design on each panel. The final step was attaching pom-pom trim around the edge.
Dabney Frake
May 4, 2019
Oscar’s Bright, Bold Abode
Name: Oscar (5) Location: Den Bosch, the Netherlands Room Size: 3.5 x 3.5 meters I’m not sure if it was the bright yellow bed, the wall of beautiful books, or the fabulous wallpaper, but it was love at first sight when I laid eyes on Oscar’s room. I’ve always been drawn to spaces that combine both vintage and modern pieces, and I absolutely adore both bright white spaces and those filled with bold colors. This room is the perfect union of all of those elements.
Lauren Hufnagl
May 4, 2019
Rachel’s First Place (and It’s Great!)
Name: Rachel Location: San Francisco, California It’s my first home! I turned 30 last year and decided to pull the trigger and buy my first place – a one bedroom apartment in San Francisco. With the help of my sister (she’s an architect), I completely renovated the kitchen. The original kitchen was literally from the 1940s – it still had an icebox for a refrigerator! While rustic, it wasn’t functional.
Janel Laban
May 4, 2019