The Latest
2019
May

The Latest: May 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.
A Cozy London House Will Make You Love Wood-Paneled Walls
This small and cozy home was renovated almost entirely by the owners themselves.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 21, 2019
How To Choose the Right Size Lamp Shade
Whether you’re buying something new or updating the old, pairing a new shade with a lamp can be tricky. We’ve got a few tips for you to keep in mind while you shop for that perfect shade. Measuring tape Lamp Remember these five things: The bottom edge of the lampshade should fall midway on the neck of the lamp. You don’t want the socket or the switch to be visible. When shade shopping, the shade size refers to the width across the bottom of the shade.
Ashley Poskin
May 21, 2019
Andrea’s Mini Urban Farm
Name: Andrea Bellamy and Ben Garfinkel, their daughter Lila, and Schnoopette the cat Location: Vancouver, British ColumbiaYears lived in: 5 yearsAndrea Bellamy and Ben Garfinkel grow plants in every nook and cranny they can find around their urban townhouse. Potted tomatoes and herbs grace their balcony and front patio, the couple share raised beds with their neighbors above their parking garage, and they planted a woodland garden in their cozy back patio area.
Willi Galloway
May 21, 2019
How To “Custom” Frame Odd Sized Images
We have looked into framing many an odd sized image, and more often than not a custom framing job really breaks the bank. Here is a little tutorial on “custom” framing your own images for far less than a professional framer. standard frame, larger than your image paint (if desired) custom cut mat acid-free artist’s tape acid-free paper 1. Select and paint your frame. We chose a frame in raw wood (saved a few bucks there) and opted to paint it matte green with acrylic paint.
Jessica Tata
May 21, 2019
Quick Tip #2: How To Cover Up Scratches on Wooden Furniture
Every well-run home is teeming with tricks and shortcuts to keep it humming along. We’re sharing our best quick tips — for cleaning, organizing and repairing stuff at home — to save you time and money. Click through for today’s helpful hint, and links to tons more… Use a WALNUT! Just rub a shelled walnut on the damaged area, and watch in amazement as the dings, scrapes and scratches all begin to darken and disappear.
Molly Anderson
May 21, 2019
How To Clean Your Jeans Without Water (In the Freezer!)
Here’s an oldy but a goody that’s even more relevant now as MORE people are doing it… I recently bought my first pair of “serious” jeans. The reason I know this is because as I was standing at the register about to pay A LOT of money for them, a cool dude who was standing next to me at the register said, “Oh, you’re going to like those.” “Do you have a pair?” I asked him.
Maxwell Ryan
May 21, 2019
How To Clean a Power Outlet
This is slightly embarrassing but my power outlets are…grodie. Doesn’t it look like it’s crying out? It would be one thing if it was hidden behind the sofa but this is in plain view above the stove. However with a little elbow grease (about the amount of a Smurf) it’s clean, clean, clean.ToolsQ-tips Formula 409ScrewdriverRazor Blade (if you have excess caulking to remove) 1. Shut your power off.2. Remove the power plate cover.
Geoff Bentz
May 21, 2019
How To Prevent & Get Rid Of Pantry Moths
Pantry moth infestations are most frustrating. At the same time, I am committed to using natural, non-toxic, and mostly no-kill methods to deal with pantry moths. Here are the methods we recommend to get rid of them and effectively prevent further infestation. If you suspect you have pantry moths, first inspect everything in your pantry. Although moths tend to infest flours and grains, you should also check dried fruit, candy, pet food, etc.
Emily Han
May 21, 2019
Before and After: A Cramped ‘80s Kitchen Gets Upgraded to First Class
See this "coffin of a kitchen" open up.
Jon Gorey
May 21, 2019
44 of the Best Chores for Kids, by Age
You're letting them know that you trust them, you're counting on them, and that they're an indispensable part of their family unit.
Shifrah Combiths
May 20, 2019
A 480-Square-Foot Home Is This Designer’s “Unicorn Apartment”
It's not only affordable but it's also comfortable and beautiful!
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 20, 2019
How to Grow Herbs Indoors
There’s nothing better than cooking with something you’ve grown and harvested with your own hands. But not everyone is blessed with the space for a vegetable garden or even a vertical garden on a balcony or terrace. That’s okay! You can still pretend to be Meryl Streep in It’s Complicated and harvest the heck out of a window full of herbs in your kitchen.  Here’s how.Some herbs thrive indoors, and some don’t.
Molly Williams
May 20, 2019
A Barcelona Home Blends Natural Materials and Minimalism Beautifully
Name: Esther Lopez Aguilar, her partner Dani, and Alma Location: Barcelona, Spain Size: 1,614 square feet Years lived in: 1 year, renting This amazing apartment renovation in Barcelona’s “El Born” neighborhood is full of the soul of its interior designer inhabitant, Esther Lopez Aguilar, the founder of loag studio. Esther shares the minimal home with her partner Dani and daughter Alma.
Lula Poggi
May 20, 2019
Say “Bonjour” to Relaxation in This Stunning Treehouse Retreat in France
If Belle from “Beauty and the Beast” were to live in our modern times, she’d be all over this charming treehouse. About 300 miles south of Paris is this incredible treehouse rental, just an hour outside the historical, charming town Brive-la-Gaillarde. The treehouse is the most idyllic escape that will make you feel like you’re hiding away from reality.The house sleeps four, complete with two bedrooms: one with a queen-sized bed and the other with two twins.
Ashley Ross
May 20, 2019
The Mistake Most People Make When Choosing Between Flat-Rate and Hourly Movers
There's a good chance you're either over- or underestimating how long your move will take.
Brittany Anas
May 19, 2019
We Reimagined Famous ‘Game of Thrones’ Castles as Modern-Day Homes, and We’re Ready to Move In
Welcome to UnReal Estate, where we take characters from pop culture and reimagine their fantasy spaces into homes fit for the “real world.”After eight years, more than 70 episodes, and innumerable fan theories, the grand finale of HBO’s epic fantasy series “Game of Thrones” is finally here. Now that our watch is officially ended—and after this, let’s just say, controversial final season—we thought it would be fun to have some lighthearted GOT fun.
Bridget Mallon
May 19, 2019
These Are the Most Popular ‘Game of Thrones’ Houses by State
At the onset of the final season of “Game of Thrones,” Joybird created a quiz so that you could finally figure out which of the nine main family houses—Stark, Targaryen, Lannister, Tully, Tyrell, Baratheon, Greyjoy, Arryn, and Martell—you belonged to. Are you a ruler who craves power or the love of your people? Would you be loyal to your friend no matter what, or ask questions before sticking your neck out for them?
Tara Bellucci
May 16, 2019
The Cutest Houseboats to Rent, Starting at $99/Night
Start your day waking up to peaceful views of a lake, ocean, or river and end with gently rocking waves lulling you to sleep. What could be better?
Kate Streit
May 19, 2019
These Classic $10 Organizers Will Double Your Cabinet Space
They offer next-level organization, save me time, and preserve my mental balance
Shifrah Combiths
May 19, 2019
Rooms In Bloom: 14 Fabulous Floral Arrangements from Our House Tours
Fresh flowers are one of life’s ultimate indulgences: they’re beautiful, they’re fabulous, they’re gone before you know it. Here are 14 gorgeous, ephemeral arrangements from our House Tours and a discussion of just what makes them work so well— besides their own gorgeousness, of course… Danielle’s Charming, Classic Chicago Walk-Up: Ranunculus Ah, the sweetest little cabbages of the floral world.
Tess Wilson
May 19, 2019
The Things You Need to Do Right This Second If You Are Moving This Summer
Moving is already a pain under the best circumstances, but there are even more reasons to dread it during the summer. It’s when the vast majority of moves take place, says Adam Doron, CEO of Unpakt, a booking and pricing site for movers. Because demand is high, prices are often at a premium and logistics are trickier than in other times of the year. But you don’t have to abandon your possessions curbside, Oregon Trail-style.
Marshall Bright
May 18, 2019
The Most Controversial Design Trends, According to Real Estate Agents
You might not think of real estate agents as experts in interior design. But—given the sheer volume of homes they see—they certainly have some valuable insight to offer. They see firsthand how design can be a detriment when selling a home.Many buyers have the ability to look past cosmetic aspects of a house, like design or finishes, and focus on the important things (the bones of the house, the layout, the location, etc.).
Chelsea Greenwood
May 18, 2019
A Wine Brand Wants to Send You to the South of France to Create Rosé Content
There are worse ways to spend your summer.
Elizabeth Entenman
May 18, 2019
What to Know Before You Go Greige
On their own, the colors beige and gray aren’t especially groundbreaking. But combine them and bam—you’ve got a color that’s as versatile as your basic neutral, but miles more nuanced. Greige, a warmed-up gray, adds serious depth to a room and makes a great backdrop, no matter whether your style is traditional, modern, or somewhere in-between.
Jessica Dodell-Feder
May 18, 2019
Maxwell’s Mix of Old & New
Name: Maxwell Location: Austin, Texas Room Size: 200 square feet My favorite nurseries include a mix of old and new, handmade pieces and family heirlooms. Baby Maxwell’s nursery is a perfect example. With a trendy triangle accent wall, a classic Jenny Lind crib, vintage dresser/changing table, and loads of DIY projects throughout the space, the space feels like it was put together over time rather than lifted from a showroom floor. How would you describe the look and feel of this room?
Lauren Hufnagl
May 18, 2019
Clever Ideas to Make the Most of a Small Laundry Room
Even if you're dealing with a very small laundry space, there are ways you can fit in all the functionality of a much larger room. All it takes is a little ingenuity.
Nancy Mitchell
May 18, 2019
How To Make a Succulent Kissing Ball
Succulents are all the rage these days, which means they’re popping up everywhere. In funky containers, concrete planters, wreaths, even bridal bouquets. But as cool as they are — they often come with a hefty price tag — which is why I decided to make my own. Instead of attempting the more common wreath form, I opted for a modern take on the traditional mistletoe kissing ball.
Kimber Watson
May 18, 2019
We Still Haven’t Recovered from These Popular Trends That Went Way Too Far
It’s a simple truth: The eye tires of seeing the same thing over and over. That’s why trends come and go—first, a detail, color, shape, or form feels fresh and new because you’ve never seen it before. Then you’re seeing it at the mall and your aunt’s house, and finally, like with skinny jeans, you’re just… done. It’s a natural evolution, sure.
Laura Lambert
May 17, 2019
Wingardium Leviosa! It’s Time for Good News
Welcome to Good News, a new column that’s part-link roundup, part-community gratitude journal where we can all share the feel-good moments from the past seven days and end our week on a high note.Congratulations, you made it to Friday! It’s Tara, your News & Culture editor, here to start your weekend off with some grade-A good news.
Tara Bellucci
May 17, 2019
The 8 Most Underrated Items at Target for Renters
While there are some definite upsides to being a renter (you’re free to move when you get bored with your space!)—there are some definite bummers, too. High on the list: Boring white walls, ugly lighting, not enough storage, and hideous finishes. But not to worry. That standard rental can feel a bit more glam with a quick Target shopping spree. I asked some trusted designers for favorite products from the store that also solve renter’s common decorating problems.
Lambeth Hochwald
May 17, 2019
A Tiny 400-Square-Foot NYC Apartment Tackles Utility With Style
Name: Caryn Wallace and husband Location: Alphabet City (East Village) — New York, NY Size: Approx 400 square ft. Years lived in: Owned 2 Years This urban dwelling is the first New York City apartment purchase made proudly by business service manager, Caryn Wallace. It’s located in Alphabet City, a neighborhood in Manhattan’s crowded East Village.
Darragh Dandurand
May 17, 2019
The 10 Living Room Paint Colors Design Pros Swear By
If picking out a paint color was easy, we’d all do it a lot faster. Instead, we agonize over paint chips and swatches, hoping that we don’t make a mistake. Paint may not cost a ton, especially if you’re DIYing the job. But who wants to waste time putting the wrong color up on their walls? That’s why I went straight to the pros to bring you a handful of go-to, no-fail living room colors. Spoiler alert: There are a lot of white and gray shades in the mix.
Danielle Blundell
May 16, 2019
Partner
Set Up Your Bedroom for the Joy of Canceling Plans
This is what the joy of missing out is all about.
Creative Studio
May 17, 2019
What It Means to Be a ‘Regular’
Is there somewhere you’re a regular? A place where, when the bell jingles as you walk through the door, you instantly feel at home? A spot where you’ve found your people? To find out what makes a regular, we’ve asked friends and Apartment Therapy staffers to tell us about their favorite haunts. Some folks love the personal attention of their “regular” status, while others are more contented by the vibe of a familiar space.
Tara Bellucci
May 17, 2019
This Drink Dispenser Is All I Need to Throw Perfect Summer Shindigs
Summer entertaining is the best. Getting everyone together, enjoying the weather, throwing something on the grill or just bringing some potluck dishes—it’s sociable and just makes you feel good. But what’s perhaps even better? Some libations added to the mix.
Samantha Leal
May 16, 2019
Before and After: Black Walls Bring Serious Drama to This $6,400 Kitchen Reno
When Stasia bought her flat in 2016, she liked the kitchen—it was “big and bright and airy,” she says, and certainly on-trend. But it also “felt bland,” with “bleached white walls and cupboards that made it feel cold and clinical. I didn’t want to feel like I was cooking in a science lab.” When she decided to renovate, she was aiming for “industrial yet cozy, somewhere [she] could relax with a glass of wine.
Jamie Wiebe
May 16, 2019
Try This Old-School Method to Get That White, Weathered Brick Look
What’s cooler than an exposed brick wall? An exposed, weathered, white brick wall!If you’ve been pining for that distressed, vintage look, read on—and don’t fret. It’s totally DIY-able and costs next to nothing… as long as you’ve got plenty of time. When my husband and I uncovered the original brick in the apartment over the former stable behind our Victorian, I knew I wanted to go with a random, weathered white look for our newest Airbnb.
Dana McMahan
May 16, 2019
The One Thing You Should Never Get Rid of from Your First Apartment
These will come in handy in the future.
Marshall Bright
May 16, 2019
Kaley Cuoco Has a Swing in Her Living Room and It’s So Charming
Kaley Cuoco is saying goodbye to the sprawling Mediterranean estate she bought with ex-husband, Ryan Sweeting. “The Big Bang Theory” star, who is now married to equestrian Karl Cook, just listed her six-bed, eight-and-a-half bath Tarzana estate for $6.9 million. But if you’re thinking this luxe property looks familiar, you aren’t wrong. Back in 2014, Cuoco purchased it for $5.
Megan Johnson
May 16, 2019
Vibrant Art and Rugs Add Color to This Rental House
Name: Kate, Nick, Otis, and Zephyr, with dog Bucket Location: Frankston South — Melbourne, Australia Years lived in: 3 years, renting Kate—who runs the Instagram account The Little Beastie—has a love of interior design, decor, and craft, all of which can be seen throughout the rental home she shares with her family.
Natalie Jeffcott
May 16, 2019
Man Booked a ‘Clean Home’ on Airbnb Only to Find an Illegally Parked Shipping Container When He Arrived
For many travelers, the perks that come with renting out an Airbnb for a getaway make it the obvious choice over a standard hotel. If you’re lucky, you land a stay at one of these dreamy Airbnb houses that comes with a cool, accommodating host and have an experience that easily earns a 5-star rating.
Kenya Foy
May 16, 2019
This $4 Hack Keeps Your Kitchen Cabinet Doors From Slamming
If I admire one home design advancement, it just might be the advent of soft-close. You never realize how annoying slamming toilet lids and cabinet doors are until you experience the calm relief of closing those things quietly. This invention is so ubiquitous now that you can even get refrigerators with soft-close drawers—which, frankly, is a little gimmicky… but I still like mine.What if you have cabinets that date back to the time before this common upgrade?
Dana McMahan
May 16, 2019
7 Stylish Ways to Decorate with Vintage Typewriters
Despite all of the technological developments of the past several decades, typewriters are still a staple in many of our homes. Whether we inherited one from a relative or picked one up at a favorite vintage shop, many of us just can’t get enough of them.
Sarah Lyon
May 16, 2019
An Avid DIYer Brings the Outdoors In With Plants and Rustic Decor
The apartment is in a converted 19th-century mansion and has high ceilings, beautiful wood floors, and original crown molding.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 16, 2019
6 Moving Essentials That You’ll Keep Using
It’s no secret that packing everything up and moving is both exciting (a new space! A new home!) and a true nightmare. (Seriously, how do you accumulate so much stuff in one household?) But while packing up boxes isn’t the most fun thing in the world, there are some silver linings. For one, you’ll get to KonMari the heck out of your place. Two… okay that’s basically the only silver lining.
Samantha Leal
May 15, 2019
The (Free) Tool Renting Option You’re Not Using
Maybe you need a power snake to clear your drains after a heavy rain. Or a weed whacker in early spring. There’s always that one tool you need desperately for one job, but it isn’t anything you’d really want to buy—or worse, store. If you’re lucky, you know someone who knows someone who might lend you a tool for a weekend. But in our wondrous sharing economy, there’s another solution: tool libraries.
Laura Lambert
May 15, 2019
How Three Cross-Continent Moves Taught Me Everything I Need to Know About Myself
When I had to coordinate moves across continents three times in the span of a decade, I quickly realized I had been living in a bubble, unable to see my truest self.
Lauren Ramirez
May 15, 2019
You Can Rent Reba McEntire’s Former 8-Bedroom Mansion for $3,000/Night
Want to live like Southern royalty? From its Antebellum columns to its picture-perfect views of Old Hickory Lake, this expansive mansion in Lebanon, Tennessee, is a dream retreat. And to sweeten the deal, this elegant abode was once the home of Reba McEntire, the true Queen of Country.This 12,816-square-foot lakefront home (known as The Estate at Cherokee Dock) comes with a dock for lake access that’s perfect for summer fun.
Rebecca Renner
May 15, 2019