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The Latest: May 4, 2019

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Cluttered kitchen with green walls, open dishwasher, stainless steel appliances, and a dog bed on the floor.
Before & After: Kitchen Opens Up for Entertaining
Lana’s home was built in the 1930s, and the separate rooms made it tough to entertain. She was also lacking counter space on either side of the stove. See how she opened up the space while keeping the same layout: From Lana: Our old kitchen was a great size and decent layout, but was difficult to entertain in— I always felt like I had my back to the conversation and only had 12 inches of counter on either side of the stove.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
What I Learned from Refinishing Our Kitchen Table Myself (Twice!)
Our eat-in nook is in the shape of half a hexagon. And our “temporary” table was a hand-me-down Craigslist loaner from some friends — in the shape of an octagon. I should have known we were destined for each other.
Shifrah Combiths
May 4, 2019
Before & After: A Vintage Eichler Home Opens Up
This is an especially interesting project because it shows how an older home can be adapted for the needs of a modern family without sacrificing the things that made the home charming to begin with. The owners of this Eichler home home in Mountain View, California were in love with the home’s midcentury detailing… but not with the midcentury floor plan.
Nancy Mitchell
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Maggie Remodels a Dark & Dated Den
Maggie and her husband are in the process of renovating their Pittsburgh home, transforming it room by room from a dark, dated place into a light and bright space that’s a joy to be in. One of their favorite projects-in-progress is this window-filled room, which they has tons of potential… So far they’ve ditched all the wood paneling, raised the roof, and installed drywall.
Dabney Frake
May 4, 2019
Before & After: The $800 Sell-This-House Kitchen Makeover
With Erica and her husband hoping to sell their home, they wanted to differentiate their builder-grade kitchen from their neighbors’— without spending a ton of money. See how they transformed the space: From Erica: With the knowledge that kitchens sell homes and our goal being to move out to the country, we needed to upgrade our builder-grade ’90s time warp.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Before & After: The Hardest-Button-to-Tuft Chest Makeover
Sarah wanted this cedar-lined chest to serve as extra seating in her music room. Instead of simply upholstering the top, though, she was inspired by a White Stripes song to try something a little more advanced. From Sarah: During my recent music room makeover, I found myself looking for ways to incorporate some extra seating. My sights settled on an old cedar-lined storage chest, which was the right height for seating but didn’t present the most inviting surface.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Before & After: ’70s Bathroom Addition Finally Fits In
While glad for the extra space, the addition made on Amanda and Dustin’s Sears Kit home felt out of place. So, when they started an update on its bathroom, making it fit in with the rest of the home was a priority. From Amanda: My boyfriend and I bought a 1925 Sears kit home in December of 2014. The entire house needed improvement, but the worst part was the way the addition they added on in the 70s felt too much like an addition.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
The Pros & Cons of Living Near Family
My day job is the only one I’ve ever had in which the employees never socialize outside of work— it’s also the only one I’ve ever had in which all of the employees’ families live locally. Coincidence? I can’t help but wonder: do all of the family recitals, parties, graduations, brunches, and favors take up so much time that there’s little-to-none left over for a non-family social life?
Tess Wilson
May 4, 2019
Before & After: The ‘Yes, You CAN Fit in a Bathroom on the First Floor’ Makeover
Homeowners Shannon and Scott loved their home, except for one problem: their two-story house didn’t have a bathroom on the first floor. This was particularly annoying and inconvenient for Shannon — at home during the day with their young daughter, she found herself constantly running up and down the stairs. So Scott and Shannon turned to architect Andrew Mikhael, who identified a spot where they could add a bathroom, without adding to the home’s foundation at all.
Nancy Mitchell
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Carpeted Bathroom Earns its Stripes
In Ashley’s family farmhouse, only main floor bathroom (and only shower) hadn’t been touched in decades—and was carpeted. She decided to make it more welcoming, without spending a ton of money. From Ashley: We’ve recently moved to my husband’s family farm and into the house that he grew up in. The house is a turn-of-the century farm house, but has had an addition added to it in the late 80s/early 90s.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Susan’s Dream Come True Nantucket Cottage
Name: Susan Location: Bedford, New Hampshire In 2002 I found myself a single mom raising two daughters, I had a dream of designing and building a Nantucket Cottage. I set out to find land, design my cottage and sub contract out the work. The property is surrounded with the charm of the old gray stone walls once used by farmers to mark their land. In 2005 I opened an interior design and home furnishings store in historic downtown Concord New Hampshire.
Janel Laban
May 4, 2019
Henry’s “Room for Style” in San Francisco
Name: Henry Location: San Francisco, CA I believe that no matter the size of your home, there is always room for style! I live in a 1BR, 795 SF condo on the cusp of SOMA and Mid-Market. I share this space with my partner and our 11 year old chihuahua. We make the most out of our home by creating cross-functioning areas and we are conscientious of what we bring home. The apartment is furnished with a carefully selected mix of finds from Craigslist, consignment shops, galleries and flea markets.
Janel Laban
May 4, 2019
Taylor’s West Coast Surfer Style
Name: Taylor Location: Twin Peaks neighborhood – San Francisco, CA My apartment was built in 1964 at the top of the highest hill in San Francisco. The apartment features unparalleled views of downtown and the bay, so the key to decorating is to let the view be the focus. I’m primarily inspired by a mid century modern aesthetic, with vivid pops of color and a casual, West Coast laid back feel. Thanks, Taylor ! • Interested in sharing your home with Apartment Therapy?
Janel Laban
May 4, 2019
Caitlin & Dave’s “Victorian Eclectic” Apartment in Oakland
Name: Caitlin and Dave Location: Lake Merritt neighborhood – Oakland CA We live in a two bedroom, approximately 900 square foot apartment in beautiful Oakland California. My husband Dave and I moved here from NYC almost two years ago and we share the apartment with one roommate, Patrick, who is a good friend of ours.
Janel Laban
May 4, 2019
Before & After: An Aging Bathroom Enters the Modern Era
At 50+ years old, this vintage bathroom was starting to show its age. The sink and tub were pitted and dented, and since replacing them would mean subbing in new tiles that didn’t match the old, vintage ones, the homeowners decided to go for a full remodel — and bring this aging bathroom into the modern era. Between them, these two homeowners knew quite a bit about interior design.
Nancy Mitchell
May 4, 2019
Need-to-Know Tips on the Proper Care and Storage of Your Sweaters
We’re coming up on sweater weather, y’all. While you’re slowly changing out your closet – pulling those cool-weather clothes out of under-bed storage and trying to sartorially navigate between the seasons – you might find your closet getting a bit tighter with all your bulky knits. The solution? Slim down your sweater collection to your most favorite and best-built pieces, then take really good care of them.
Taryn Williford
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Wingback Chair Gets a Wild Waverly Print
It took three years, but Misha finally worked up the courage to tackle reupholstering this $5 Craigslist chair. We’re so glad she did—check out the impressive after: From Misha: After weeks of scouring Craigslist, I found the perfect chair – it was in good condition, only a few minutes away, & cheap ($5)! Then I began the search for the perfect fabric. After weeks of online searches & trips to Jo-Ann, I finally decided on a medallion print in a purple colorway.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Before & After: ’80s Pendant Goes Cagey
DeaAnna really wanted a caged geometric pendant, and she saw potential in this ’80s brass fixture. See how she made it modern: From DeaAnna: Over the past year I have been obsessing over the open metal geometric shaped chandeliers that are popping up just about everywhere. I love the modern yet classic look they give a space and I have been wanting a more interesting light for our eat-in nook in the kitchen.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Inexpensive Flooring Choices That Actually Look Really Really Good
If you’ve ever embarked upon (or even have just priced out) a remodel, you’ll realize that flooring is one of those things that seems like not much of a big deal but can actually add up to a whole, whole lot of money. So today we’re taking a look at inexpensive flooring choices: ones that initially may not seem particularly glamorous, but might actually wind up looking really great — and saving you a lot of money in the process.
Nancy Mitchell
May 4, 2019
E-Readers vs. Book Books: A Book Lover Weighs the Pros and Cons
I love books. From a very young age I’ve been surrounded by them, and the feel and even the smell of books is something I find incredibly comforting. I love them so much that I wrote a manifesto about how, even if the printed word becomes technically obsolete, I’m never letting go of my books. And then, about a year ago, on the eve of a six-week trip to Europe, I made an uncharacteristic decision: I decided to get an e-reader.
Nancy Mitchell
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Craigslist Cabinet Turned Cat Box
After too many dinner parties in view of the litter box, Tina decided to DIY a solution. Here’s how a $10 Craigslist find became a cat box: From Tina: I live in a small apartment in Chicago that has no room for a litter box, so the idea for this project came from one too many dinner parties where my guests had to look at the catbox while eating at the dining room table. I wanted a furniture unit that would cover the catbox and also fit in with the decor of my dining room.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Before & After: A Park Slope Kitchen Looks Up
Claire and Mike loved everything about their co-op in a converted Brooklyn industrial building, except for the kitchen. In appearance it was rather inoffensive — not nearly as terrible as some of the ‘before’ kitchens we’ve seen on this site — but in storage ad counter space it was seriously lacking. Also, with its standard-height cabinets, the kitchen looked awkward and squatty in such a tall space.
Nancy Mitchell
May 4, 2019
We Tried It: The Best Way to Keep Flowers Fresh
There’s nothing that can freshen up your space or brighten your day like a bouquet of flowers. The only downside to these lovelies is that we wish they would last longer. We’ve all heard of different tips and tricks to help our flowers stay fresh as long as possible, and I thought I would put some of the common options to the test. Keep reading to see the results and the big winner!
Melissa DiRenzo
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Danish Chairs Get a Fresh New Fabric
Dena picked up this pair of Danish chairs at an antique market. The fabric was nasty, the finish not great, but she saw the potential. They look much more modern and fresh now: How much do you love that Nate Berkus fabric?? From Dena: A few months ago I spotted a pair of chairs hiding underneath a rug at Scott’s Antique Market.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Alice, I Don’t Want to Be Friends With My Neighbors But They Won’t Quit Trying
Dear Alice, I live alone in a large apartment building in the city and usually this would provide some level of anonymity, however, a new couple just moved into the unit next door and they won’t leave me alone. I’m an introvert and I really prefer to keep to myself. I’m happy to nod politely and say a quick hello to other residents that I see in the lobby or the elevator, but I really don’t feel the need to get into long conversations every time I step out of my door.
Ask Alice
May 4, 2019
Before & After: A Murray Hill Bathroom Goes Modern
After living in their apartment for twelve years, Carrie and Jack felt that the time had come to overhaul their bathroom. They’d tried little, inexpensive fixes over the years, like a new medicine cabinet and new lighting, but nothing made their bathroom feel any less cramped and, with grout stained by years of use and tiles replaced haphazardly over the years, just plain dirty-looking.
Nancy Mitchell
May 4, 2019
The Guilty Art of Stealth Purging
I have a pair of beloved sweatpants that has a hole in them. I would still continue wear them — in spite of said hole — IF I could find them, but I have a sneaking suspicion that my partner boxed them up and toted them off to Goodwill. She is curiously mum on the subject, feigning perfect innocence in the face of my pointed questioning and unblinking stares, but it’s been months since I saw them last. I am quickly losing all hope of ever seeing, let alone wearing, them again.
Dabney Frake
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Kitchen Goes From Grossness to Gorgeous for $2500
Jill purchased a foreclosure last year, and her first project was fixing up the kitchen which had seen better days. This casita said adios to laminate, honey cabinets, and fire-starting stove! From Jill: I bought this casita in August of last year. It was a foreclosure and a fixer-upper – and it had apparently not been cleaned, much less updated, in what appeared to be a long time. My first priority was improving the horrible kitchen.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Free Dresser Finds New Life
Molly scored this free dresser, and gave it a mix of staining and painting in line with its mid-century roots. From Molly: I was home with a sick child one sunny Friday, so I decided to browse the free pages of usedvictoria.com (used everywhere.com). I found a gem of a mid-century dresser posted for free, and I happened to be Lucky Caller Number One!
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Plain Chairs Get the Artist’s Treatment
Kaitlyn bought these chairs as a medium for her art show. The fabric she chose is definitely a work of art! From Kaitlyn: I bought these chairs from a local thrift store in Santa Fe, although they originally came from a hotel on the plaza. I bought them to reupholster and put in my college senior art show, where I am sharing a space with 8 other students. I wanted to create something that would be stick out, and also incorporate my skills outside of traditional studio art practices.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Before & After: ’80s Kitchen Gets a Breath of Fresh Air
Paige’s ’80s kitchen needed to time travel a few decades forward. Now, hardly any wisp of the past remains; say goodbye to the cabinets, appliances, floors, counters, and even a wall. This kitchen transformation is truly stunning! From Paige: Last August we set out to destroy our ’80s nightmare of a kitchen and replace it with something fresh and unique.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Before & After: $100 Guerrilla-Style Kitchen Makeover
Shelby’s new cute Craftsman style home had a lot of old charm….except for the bland builder-grade kitchen.
Dabney Frake
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Grody Gangso Goes Geometric
Dena found this mid-century set in bad shape. She cleaned them up with some fab new fabric—and shares a tip on how to get a crisp upholstery edge with one easy step: A gorgeous fabric to go with these Gangso Mobler pieces. And now for Dena’s tip on how to get crisp, pro results on that DIY upholstery job: use cardboard upholstery strips to wrap the cut edges before attaching to the underside of the cushion.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Grandpa’s Restored Rattan Hanging Chair
Kirby dug Grandpa’s old hanging chair out of the garage, and it had seen better days. A clear gem despite its condition, Kirby put in the work and now it looks better than ever: From Kirby: This chair was my grandfather’s and it was tucked away in the garage for years after he passed until I dug it out this winter. The rattan was really dry and the frame, covered in rust. But with a lot of scrubbing, oiling, and sanding (to the frame, not the chair) this guy really started to shine!
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
The Best Foods to Grow in a Small Space Container Garden
Few things are more satisfying than growing food that you can eat. If you’re living in an apartment or any other place without a backyard, you may think that this is an impossible dream, but you might be surprised by the variety of edibles you can grow in containers. The following is a list of things I’ve had good luck growing in small(ish) containers, along with some other plants that have been recommended to me as good small space growers.
Nancy Mitchell
May 4, 2019
Post-Swim Recovery: How To Get Chlorine & Sea Salt Out of Your Swimsuits, Skin, and Hair
There is nothing more glorious than jumping into the water on a hot summer day, and while the crispy hair, dry skin, and faded swimsuits are more than worth the relief that chlorinated or salty water provides, they can be avoided by following these 14 tips. My personal tip would be to wear your suit into a cool post-swim shower. Once you feel thoroughly rinsed, take off your suit and turn the water up to a comfortable temperature.
Tess Wilson
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Family Chairs Get a Photo (Re)Finish
Meghan got these chairs from her grandparents, and while they didn’t look like much, family photos revealed their vintage charm hidden under 80s upholstery. She decided to have their original style brought back, but with a twist. From Meghan: I inherited a pair of chairs from my grandparents when they were downsizing. The chairs were from the 1950s and I had several photos of my mother and Aunt crawling all over them when they were little.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Archer’s Colorful Nursery with Geometric Elements
Name: Archer Location: Los Angeles, California We bought our house when I was 8 weeks pregnant with Archer. Since then, we’ve completed a full gut renovation on the house, including new flooring and walling off a second doorway in Archer’s room. While those renovations were being completed, I had lots of time to come up with a plan for this room!
Carrie McBride
May 4, 2019
Alice, My Boyfriend Shoots Down All My Decor Ideas (But Doesn’t Offer Any Of His Own)
Dear Alice, My boyfriend and I have been living together for a couple of years now. Whenever I try to decorate or improve our space, he complains and puts his foot down saying that we don’t need anything. Yet at the same time, he also complains that our place is a mess and that he wishes it looked better. Anytime I try to offer an idea for improvement, I get shot down, which wouldn’t be so bad if he offered an alternative idea, but he doesn’t.
Ask Alice
May 4, 2019
Alice, How Do I Ask My Neighbors to Pick Up Their Dog’s Poo?
Hi Alice, How do I ask a neighbor to pick up the dog poo from their yard more often because it is smelling up my yard (front and back) real bad? Do I go straight to 311 or do it face-to-face or is there a better suggestion? I’d like to cause the least amount of embarrassment/awkwardness/ill-will while still getting the shit taken care of. Flies, man, already and super-humid Baltimore summer coming … Thanks!
Ask Alice
May 4, 2019
Before & After: A NYC Galley Kitchen Opens Up
Heather’s Upper West Side apartment had a problem common to a lot of New York apartments, big and small — an outdated floorplan with small, chopped-up rooms. In particular, the galley kitchen was cut off from the rest of the apartment, not a great fit for the way people live now.
Nancy Mitchell
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Garage Sale Dresser Gets the Blues
Allison scored this dresser for $25. While she loved the detail, the faux wood wasn’t doing it for her. After some paint, now those details really pop. From Allison: I spray painted the handles gold using Rustoleum’s Gold Metallic spray paint. This project was an easy task and was complete in just one afternoon. For more photos and details, check out Refunk My Junk. Thank you Allison!
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Before & After: The “Green Guest Room Gets Gorgeous” Makeover
Project by: Decorist Location: San Francisco The client, Kristen, had a great upholstered bed and a fantastic classic chair in her guest room, along with some ultra-vibrant apple green walls. While the bold color was a definite wow, it wasn’t exactly tranquil, which is what she was hoping for in this space, so it had to go. She went the makeover route in hope of ending up with a more pulled together, cohesive and welcoming room.
Janel Laban
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Dated Powder Room Gets Some DIY Pow
Sabrina had a typical powder room: beige walls, basic tile, pedestal sink—functional but nothing to write home about. With a moody hue and some DIY magic, this forgettable space is now fantastic: That ceiling is a stunner! Sabrina used a paintable textured wallpaper and coated it with a beautiful blue that’s echoed in her towels. On its own it might be too much, so she continued the faux molding with MDF painted the same color as the walls.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Separated Bathroom Comes Together
Cori’s apartment had a peach tub and separate tiny shower stall. Since the bathroom already had a small footprint, her contractor combined the shower and created much needed storage space: From Cori: He re-tiled the floor and around the tub. He converted the tub to a tub/shower and installed high glass doors on two sides. He converted the original shower stall into a closet. He made a custom medicine cabinet so we could have a larger mirror.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Foam Footrest to Patterned Pouf
While Kristi’s fiancé loved the feel of this foam cube, she wasn’t feeling its bland look. With some pretty pouf inspiration, she covered this cube in something a little more stylish: From Kristi: The fabric was about $25, and the cube was about $15, so the total cost for this project was $40 … WAY cheaper than the ones I have seen in magazines and totally customized to fit my family room! Check out step-by-step photos and instructions over on Kristi’s blog.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Before & After: A Smart Kitchen Transformation in Hell’s Kitchen
Dan and Mike made a great purchase that they’ve since gone on to make even greater: a one-bedroom condo in an old converted piano factory, in one of Manhattan’s most coveted neighborhoods. Although their apartment had a lot of things going for it, one thing that they didn’t love was the kitchen, hidden away from the rest of the apartment by a wall with an awkward passthrough.
Nancy Mitchell
May 4, 2019
7 Steps to a Fantastic Front Porch (Inspired by Real-Life Makeovers)
Why are front porches so often sad and droopy? They’re the first impression your home puts out, yet so many are woefully neglected. (No judgement here, believe me. I just take notes on what I see.) Case in point: this lovely farmhouse, which is absolutely lovely, but could use a boost. Click to see what it looks like now, and what you can learn from this, and a bunch of other makeovers. The Curbly porch makeover involved tossing a bunch of stuff that just lingered on the porch forever.
Dabney Frake
May 4, 2019