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The Latest: May 8, 2019

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5 Hard-to-Kill Houseplants
We’ve said it here before: plants bring life to all living spaces. If you’re concerned about killing plants, we’ve consulted with a plant expert, Debra Prinzing, to bring you the hardiest ones. 1. Dracaena marginata (also known as Dragon Plant) “It’s pretty sculptural,” Debra says. “Good for the young and modern.” She recommends getting two and putting them on your fireplace mantel or on your entry table.
Lindsey Roberts
May 8, 2019
Before & After: Black and White Stripe Linoleum Floor
Attention, all you renters out there: this is an easy, affordable, and ultra-stylish way to upgrade your dingy rental floors. We have been meaning to do something like this ourselves for quite some time, and seeing this project by Orlando Soria on Design*Sponge totally got us all jazzed up to copy her.
Cambria Bold
May 8, 2019
Nursery Tour: Norah’s Sweet and Sunny Nursery
Name: Norah Age: 4 monthsLocation: Utah Norah’s mom Caroline says she smiles every time she walks by this room and we can certainly see why. The aquas, yellows, reds, oranges and pinks manage to be both vivid and soothing at the same time to create a feeling of warmth and calm.
Carrie McBride
May 8, 2019
This Modern Mansion Featured in “La La Land” is for Sale
Are you still captivated by the contemporary abode Emma Stone danced her way through in search of stardom in “La La Land?” In the film, Stone and her roommates twirl their way up to this incredible mansion to attend an industry party, and every room is filled with dancing guests and flowing Champagne. Cue the musical number “Someone in the Crowd.”Located in Encino, California, this 8,500-square-foot party palace is officially on the market.
Elizabeth Seward
May 8, 2019
9 Rooms That Prove Neutrals Aren’t the Be-All, End-All When it Comes to Rugs
Sure, I love a classic jute rug from time to time, but no one ever said that rugs have to be neutral-colored. Some rooms of the house just call for a little something extra, after all. Whether you’re sprucing up your living room, dining room, bedroom, or nursery, don’t be afraid to play the pattern or color card. These images are bound to inspire. This isn’t your grandma’s oriental rug.
Sarah Lyon
May 8, 2019
We Cleaned Our Sofa In The Washing Machine!
Last year we purchased a sectional sofa with clean lines and best of all, removable and washable upholstery. Even though the tag said it was ok to do so, we were still shy about using our washer to get things clean. Curiosity won in the end, so we tossed them in — said a silent prayer — and hit start! We originally purchased our ridiculously large sofa (over 15 feet total!) from a dealer in KC, just before the holiday season last year.
Sarah Rae Smith
May 8, 2019
Small Play Kitchens & Stove Tops
A friend and apartment dweller recently asked us for small play kitchen suggestions for her daughter’s Christmas present. We tried talking her into some DIY ideas, but she is more the DI-Buy type. If you’re in the same boat, here you go – fifteen small play kitchens (under 31″ H) so your kids can play “dorm room” and “flop house” too. My Portable Cooker by Wonderworld ($55.
Carrie McBride
May 8, 2019
The (Slightly Scandalous) Way Murphy Beds Got Their Name
Chances are, you’ve seen one while visiting a friend’s apartment; or maybe you even have one yourself. But either way, I’m willing to bet that no matter how familiar you are with Murphy beds, you don’t know the story behind how they got their name. And it might just might surprise you.But let’s back up for a minute, shall we?
Kaitlin Stanford
May 8, 2019
Plants and Prints Pack This 400-Square-Foot Studio
Name: Atia NaimLocation: Laurel Heights — San Francisco, CaliforniaSize: 400 square feetYears lived in: Almost 2 years, renting My home is a little studio that I’ve inhabited for close to two years now. This is the first time in my life that I’ve been both able to afford a place by myself and decorate it the way I’ve always dreamed of. I wanted to become an interior designer growing up but ended up going into the field of Biotechnology instead.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 8, 2019
How To Build an Interior Window
Contemporary homes are built with open floor plans, great rooms, and high ceilings — a result of current tastes, as well as programmatic and structural changes in residential architecture. Unlike homes from the mid-century and prior, the contemporary home incorporates the previously private kitchen into the public living space and capitalizes on longer span beams to create rooms that flow together.
Julia Brooke Hustwit
May 8, 2019
The Davidson’s 1949 Railroad Caboose
Name: Samuel and Barbara DavidsonLocation: Mercer Island, WashingtonSize: 260 square feetYears lived in: 30 years In the middle of beautiful Lake Washington, nestled amid four acres of wooded land, sits a tiny red caboose from 1949. Colorfully out of place among the giant evergreen trees and sprawling rhododendron, it’s a small jewel full of light and warmth.
Anne Reagan
May 8, 2019
How a Moving Expert Can Help You Declutter—Even If You’re Staying Put
It’s so easy to let our things pile up until moving day when you look around and can’t believe how much stuff you have. But wouldn’t it be far more productive to do regular “cleanse-outs,” where you routinely look at your stuff with a critical eye? We posed that question to Ali Wenzke, a moving expert—she and her family have moved 10 times in 11 years in seven states around the U.S.
Lambeth Hochwald
May 8, 2019
Stacey’s 40s-Inspired Bedroom by Patrick J. Hamilton
Name: StaceyLocation: Union Square, NYC Designer Patrick J. Hamilton sent in Before & After images of his client’s bedroom — and included one of the most thorough list of resources (and links!
Aaron Able
May 8, 2019
Recessed Lighting: How To Change The Bulb
Yesterday, our friend Abbey posted this pic on her Facebook page along with the following text, “I need help changing this light bulb. Seriously. Anyone?” She went on to explain“It doesn’t pull out, there’s no way (that I can figure out) to get the bulb through the fixture, it’s totally attached to the ceiling…????” We can totally empathize with Abbey and her frustration with home repairs.
Beth Zeigler
May 8, 2019
How To Remove Paint From Textured Glass
While renovating our bathroom, we got an annoying amount of paint on the window. The glass is textured so even though we had prepped the window with painters tape it still leaked [we were also a bit clumsy in other places]. The textured glass meant a razor blade wasn’t very effective so we got creative!Materials:Razor BladeNail Polish RemoverMicrofiber ClothCotton TipsGlass Cleaner 1. Scrape as much paint off the glass as you can with the razor blade.2.
Jenny Butler
May 8, 2019
How To Swap Out a Pendant Light
We just moved into a new place and even though we’re renting, we wanted to swap out the pendant above the dining table for a nice upgrade we can take with us when we go. I was going to call an electrician until a friend mentioned that I ought to be able to handle it myself. So I did, and was a lot simpler than I expected!Materials:ScrewdriverWirecutters/strippers (or if you’re handy, a pair of scissors) 1. Turn off Electricity!2.
Laure Joliet
May 8, 2019
How To Remove Jar Labels and Odors
We reuse jars and bottles everywhere in the home – to store bulk grains, dish soap, buttons, nails, you name it. Removing the sticky labels and any odors (most often from foods like tomatoes, pickles, and garlic) from the jars is a mundane yet satisfying task. Here’s how we do it.MaterialsHot waterDish soapSponge or steel woolVegetable oil or peanut butter (optional)Sunshine (optional)Vinegar (optional)Baking soda (optional) ToolsHair dryer (optional) To remove labels1.
Emily Han
May 8, 2019
How To Swap a Two-Prong for a Three-Prong Outlet
It’s rare to find two-prong outlets in homes these days. Landlords and home owners have slowly switched over to three-prong outlets as more and more devices and appliances need them to power up. Occasionally though, you move into a place that doesn’t have a three-prong outlet where you need one, so how do you remedy the situation? You switch out your two-prong for a three-prong, but there’s a lot to consider before you start rewiring your apartment.
Sonia Zjawinski
May 8, 2019
How To Extend the Life of Your Cut Flowers
Fresh flowers are a fleeting pleasure no matter how you slice it, but we think they bring so much life and color to a room that they’re absolutely worth the effort and expense. A few simple tricks borrowed from the pros will help you keep flowers around a good long while. So go ahead, buy yourself a Valentine bouquet!
Susie Nadler
May 8, 2019
When Should Your Shower Sponges Be Discarded?
Did you know your bathroom sponges, loofahs and poufs can be a serious breeding ground for some nasty bacteria and germs? It seems silly since we soap them up and rinse them clean, but we recently learned they should be tossed out far before you see any wear and tear. We were shocked at how short their lifespan really is!
Sarah Rae Smith
May 8, 2019
The Best Interior Paints are Low-VOC and Inexpensive
A lot has changed with paints—even in the last year more paint companies have changed their formulas from high-VOC to low-VOC and even to no-VOC. And they’re probably not the big name eco-friendly paints you’ve heard about. Leave it Consumer Reports to put all the paints to the test, and find out their results after the jump.
Rachel Wray Thompson
May 8, 2019
How Do I Prevent My Cats From Climbing Onto the Screen?
Q: My husband and I adopted a kitten a few months ago, and now that the warmer weather is coming we need some help cat-proofing the apartment in a new way. We’re lucky enough to have two large 6 foot windows and a sliding door (with screen) that’s about 10 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Any tips for how to keep the cat from climbing on the screens? We keep her nails clipped short, but she manages to grab hold anyway. Any diversion tips? Thanks!
Gregory Han
May 8, 2019
9 Storage Boxes Under $20 That Are Cute Enough for Company to See
Time to ditch those ugly plastic storage bins you've been hiding, once and for all.
Kaitlin Stanford
May 8, 2019
A Bathroom That Opens Into The Kitchen: Awkward?
If you live in an old building or a rental, you’ll understand where we’re coming from: our last apartment’s bathroom opened up directly into the kitchen, as did our apartment before that. In fact, we grew up in a home where the toilet room (just the toilet.. the sink and bathtub were separate) was basically in the dining room, a few feet away from the table…and our guests eating dinner. For anyone entertaining or on a date, this can be veeeerrrrry awkward.
Cambria Bold
May 8, 2019
Warm Up Your Bath Towels…Without a Towel Warmer!
The other day, I was talking to some friends about our dream bathrooms. A sunken tub, said one. A shower for two, was another vote. His and Hers sinks, was on a third friend’s wish list. Top of my list? A towel warmer. I got that one covered, said my sunken-tub-wishing friend. Really? I’d been to her house recently and I didn’t remember any towel warmer or even any space for one. She shared.
Abby Stone
May 8, 2019
Bricor 0.5 GPM Ultra Low-Flow Showerheads
Bricor claims they are the only manufacturer to create a truly “low flow” showerhead without sacrificing water pressure. Their Ultra Max 100 showerhead has only a 0.5 GPM, yet it has the highest performance value rating of any showerhead tested—more than Oxygenics or Delta. See here for Bricor’s assessment of their FIT rating (Flow Impact Intensity)Technically, “low-flow” is anything under 2.5 GPM, so 0.5 GPM is pretty astounding. How does it work?
Cambria Bold
May 8, 2019
An Excellent Homemade 3-Ingredient All-Purpose Cleaner
You can make your own all-purpose cleaner using three basic, inexpensive, non-toxic ingredients. You can use this cleaner for everything — from streak-free mirrors to wiping out the cat litter box. I keep it pre-mixed in a reused windex spray bottle for easy access. Ingedients 2 cups water 1 cup hydrogen peroxide ¼ cup lemon juice Mix and adjust to suit your needs. Hydrogen peroxide is the key to this cleaner. It’s inexpensive, non-toxic, and readily available.
Kathryn Wright
May 8, 2019
How To Make A Wine Bottle Tiki Torch for Under $4.00
Inspired by the this Recycled Wine Bottle Torch post and annoyed by mosquitoes this week (how is it that they’re already out and there’s been only a few weeks of spring?), we hit up the hardware store and threw together a $3.48 recycled wine bottle torch filled with citronella. While it’s not as classy as the real thing (nor as safe), it keeps the bugs at bay and looks pretty good. And it was quick and cheap.
Trent Johnson
May 8, 2019