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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.
Dining room with a wooden table, black chairs, purple walls, and framed art, leading to a bright kitchen with plants.
The Best Purple Wall Paint Color Comes from a Surprising Source
When John and Melissa bought their Pennsylvania home, they wanted to create a space that would grow and evolve with them and their family. That’s why choosing the right wall paint color was even more crucial: They wanted something bold, timeless, and flexible. In addition, their paint choice had to be versatile enough to accommodate future additions to their home — perhaps a new sofa or different wall art. The winning hue is purple, and the source for this shade is surprising!
Esteban Cortez
May 3, 2019
Flip or Flop’s Christina El Moussa Takes Elle Decor Inside Her Bachelorette Pad
It’s been a busy year for Flip or Flop star Christina El Moussa, and she’s not slowing down. The HGTV heavyweight, whose split from husband and co-star Tarek El Moussa back in December had the internet in a frenzy, recently opened up her doors to Elle Decor for a home tour.
Megan Johnson
May 3, 2019
Basic, Not Boring: Beautiful Kitchens That Elevate the Humble (& Affordable) White Tile Backsplash
White tile — it’s timeless, classic, affordable and looks good in just about any backsplash, regardless of your kitchen or bathroom’s style or size. Its ability to complement any color palette or material selection means you can choose something that will remain classic and flexible for your home’s future. But what can be done to keep it looking fresh and unique?
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Fridge Always a Mess? This Common Reason May Be the Cause
My problem isn’t the physical act of cleaning my fridge out; I do that every now and then without trouble. The real issue is keeping my fridge organized and functional for more than a week or two at a time. The whole beautiful array of fresh veggies and lined up condiments will slowly turn into a jumbled clutter that hides almost-expired products and allows dishes of leftovers to grow their own ecosystems in the back.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Planning a Kitchen Upgrade? Secrets to the Perfect Island
Pin this for later.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
The Well-Tailored Closet: How These Fast Wardrobe Fixes Transformed My Wardrobe
There’s no faster way to look more put together and elegant than having a closet full of well-tailored clothes. But if you have a hard time finding pieces that fit you properly—from struggling with long pant hems or boxy blazers—know that there’s an easy fix for that: A tailor! Bringing your clothes into a trusted seamstress to be nipped and tucked can make all the difference, especially considering you can change the details that you don’t find flattering.
Marlen Komar
May 3, 2019
This Epic San Francisco Estate Takes Up an Entire City Block
Considering this San Francisco mansion takes up an entire city block in the most expensive urban real estate market in the country — one of the largest private lots in the Bay Area — and is a compound comprising four separate residences around a sculpture garden, it’s actually kind of a steal at $12.5 million.
Melissa Massello
May 3, 2019
Anatomy of the Ultimate Kitchen Island
This kitchen above designed by Laura Butler-Madden, is very pretty, with deep blue cabinets, brass accents, and open shelving. It sits on one end of a huge, open concept great room with soaring ceilings and beautiful herringbone floors. But this room’s highest achievement may be achieving “peak kitchen island”. Let’s zoom in on it and discuss, shall we? First off, it’s freaking huge.
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
Floyd Mayweather Just Paid $26M Cash for this Beverly Hills Mansion
Two things are for certain, Floyd “Money” Mayweather loves to make headlines, and it’s been a great year for the boxer. He won the much-hyped “one-of-a-kind superfight” against UFC champ Conor McGregor last month, the estimated $300+ million in winnings from which enabled him to do good (purportedly one of several athletes who promised to donate millions to Hurricane Harvey relief in Houston) and #treatyoself with luxurious new digs.
Melissa Massello
May 3, 2019
7 Times Simple White Paint Drastically Transformed a Room
No one doubts the transformation that painting an entire room in neon pink would have (bold, to say the least), but tell someone you painted an entire room white, and they might wonder what the next coat will be. These rooms prove, however, that white is its own standalone color that can make a huge impact on a space. Perhaps white paint’s biggest super power (other than being affordable and versatile, of course) is its ability to brighten up a space.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Before & After: From Cherry Wood Beast to Mind-Blowing Beauty
This unremarkable “cherry wood cave with black plastic counter tops” in the suburbs of Chicago was transformed into a dreamy kitchen, full of personality and luxurious finishes. The homeowner spent months searching for the perfect interior designer, someone who would bring authenticity to the project, and the wait was clearly well worth it.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before & After: An Oppressive Beige Bathroom Gets a Dose of Color
There’s no denying the appeal of vintage bathrooms — but Rachel and Michael’s vintage bathroom had seen better days. The tilework, though charming, was badly chipped, and the tight, walled-in enclosure made showering a bit of a claustrophobic experience. The original vanity, mirror, and lights had been replaced with ones that didn’t quite suit the style of the room, and then on top of it all, there was the color of the walls: a very bad, oppressive beige.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
The Money Pit Home Is for Sale — and It May Be an Actual Money Pit
Before there was Chip and Joanna, there was Tom Hanks and Shelley Long in the classic 1986 film The Money Pit. The duo starred as two yuppies who buy a sprawling estate for just $200,000 in a distress sale. But naturally, nothing goes right when they attempt to move into the home, which ends up being a deathtrap with collapsing stairs, a bathtub that falls through the floor, and even a resident raccoon. And now, it can all be yours!
Megan Johnson
May 3, 2019
This Kitchen Was The Worst Part Of The House, Now It’s The Best
When Kia Designs renovated a house in London that had been previously used as a house share, they knew they had a lot of work ahead of them—especially in the kitchen, which was easily the worst part of the house. They hoped it would come to be the heart of the home, a place that people would love to gather in and hate to leave. To give you a sense of how far this room came, take a look at it in it’s original state: Clearly, mission accomplished!
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Before and After: See The Amateur Kitchen That Won Remodelista’s Considered Design Award
Zachary Leung’s Toronto kitchen was recently declared the 2017 Remodelista Considered Design Awards Best Amateur Kitchen, and it’s not hard to see why. He lovingly converted this 130-year-old dark and awkward room into a space that’s somehow both timeless and of-the-moment, with room for entertaining, laundry, and cleverly concealed storage. It’s hard to believe this was designed by someone who doesn’t do interior design full-time for a living.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Creative Ways to Add Plants to Even a Tiny Kitchen
Nothing adds life (literally and aesthetically) to a space quite like plants. And in a kitchen, plants can serve a double purpose, because if you choose to grow herbs, you can look at them and eat them, too. You may think that having a teeny-tiny kitchen means no room to grow things, but that’s where you’d be wrong. If you’ve got the light, we’ve got nine ideas for ways you can find the space.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
You Probably Haven’t Heard of a Junk Bowl, But You Need One
It’s the final week of our month-long decluttering plan (you can catch up here if you want to join in), and hopefully your home is feeling lighter, leaner and more in-control than ever. That’s why now is the perfect time to set up a system that I believe is the secret to keeping future clutter from getting out of hand.
Taryn Williford
May 3, 2019
This 20-Minute Bathroom Clean Out Is the Easiest Thing You Can Do For Your Home
I don’t know about you, but my bathroom is usually the first casualty to clutter. I think it’s because it’s the last room I spend time in on my most hurried, out of control days. In a rush to get out the door, I leave my bathroom in a mess of tissues, makeup and hair products that, yeah, don’t get picked up as quickly as they should when I get home. So my bathroom has always been in a perpetually messy state that lends itself to attracting more clutter.
Taryn Williford
May 3, 2019
The Easiest Closet Clutter Clearing Trick
Decluttering is an exercise in introspection. You need to think about the way you feel about your things (aka the entire KonMari philosophy) and also about when and how you use them. Who wants to hang on to things they don’t need? It’s that question—will I really use this?—that is at the heart of my favorite closet decluttering exercise: The reverse hanger trick. The idea is that you turn all the hangers in your closet around so that they hang backwards on the rod.
Taryn Williford
May 3, 2019
This Fairytale Cottage in Washington Is a Replica of Snow White’s House
It took 12 years and two successive, fantasy-loving owners to complete, but this charming little cottage in Ollala, Washington is now an exact replica of Snow White’s House — and it’s for sale. According to Travel+Leisure, the 2,800-square-foot home features four bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms on five private, gated, wooded acres — and all the character and charm you could want from a real-life Brothers Grimm fairytale, minus the seven dwarves.
Melissa Massello
May 3, 2019
Why You Should Spray Vinegar Around Your Windows
We’re eager for that moment to throw our windows open to fresh spring breezes — and it seems that the things outside our homes are awaiting the opportunity, too (but for different motives). If it’s not the pollen blowing inside, it’s the bugs that somehow make it through the tiniest nooks and crannies you don’t see (even if you have screens).
Shifrah Combiths
May 3, 2019
Sorry, But These Home Improvements Just Don’t Pay Off
If you plan on selling within five months, or even five years, a renovation is usually planned with extra consideration for resale value. Though there are certain updates that will always be a worthy investment with wide appeal (read: hardwood floors), some projects aren’t worth the trouble if your goal is to maximize your home’s value. One of the most common pitfalls for value-focused renovators is going overboard on the extras.
Brie Dyas
May 3, 2019
Does Sun Bleaching Really Work? We Tried It
Nothing compares to the smell of fresh laundry that’s been hanging outside to dry. Not only is it a fresh and efficient way to do laundry, it’s also oft-touted as a way to brighten whites without having to use special detergents or harsh chemicals. All you need is plenty of time and sunshine. First, wash your clothing as usual, adding up to ½ cup of lemon juice to the wash for an extra boost. (You can also add lemon juice to a spray bottle and spray directly on tough stains.
Ashley Poskin
May 3, 2019
9 Under-Appreciated Ways to Use Aspirin Around the House
Aspirin is a staple in just about everybody’s medicine cabinets. But beyond its medicinal purposes, aspirin comes in handy for many uses at home, with applications ranging from laundry aid to dandruff treatment. Especially if your aspirin tends to expire before you see the bottom of the bottle, these household uses will allow your go-to pain reliever to do more than just that.
Shifrah Combiths
May 3, 2019
Time to Get Spooky: The Best Halloween Decor Finds for Every Style
It’s that time of year again—Halloween! And why should kids shopping for costumes have all the fun? Treat your house to a little bit of festiveness, too. But first, decide what your spook style is: glam goth and scary, modern and minimalist or classic/throwback. Wherever you fall on that spectrum, there’s plenty out there for you to pick from for both indoors and out. Just for you, here’s our Halloween decor shopping scouting report.
Danielle Blundell
May 3, 2019
Your Halloween Mantel 3 Ways: Modern, Glam Goth & Classic
It’s officially October, which means it’s time to bust out the pumpkins, pull the skeletons out of your closets (literally, not figuratively, of course) and get festive. Whether you like to keep it simple with chic white pumpkins, prefer the glam goth look via black velvet and brass skulls, or display your classic jack-o-lanterns and not-so-scary bats with pride, we’ve got you covered with ideas no matter what your Halloween style.
Arlyn Hernandez
May 3, 2019
I Became A Mother In That Chair
Ashlee Gadd is the founder of Coffee + Crumbs and the author of “The Magic of Motherhood: The Good Stuff, the Hard Stuff, and Everything In Between.” We ordered bunk beds yesterday. It was an inevitable purchase, I suppose, after having two boys in two and a half years. When we found out our second baby was another boy, I remember thinking: Someday they’ll share a room, probably bunk beds.
Guest of Apartment Therapy
May 3, 2019
People Who Basically Never Wash Their Jeans Are Actually The Best Kind of People
There are a few conversation topics that remain off limits today. Polite company (if they want to remain polite) might not touch politics. Coworkers often avoid talking about their salaries. And unless you’re very close friends, you probably don’t ever feel brave enough to reveal how truly filthy you actually are at home. Thankfully you don’t have to.
Taryn Williford
May 3, 2019
Which Lindsay Lohan Had The Better House in Parent Trap?
Although I was the grown age of 22 by the time my parents split up, I was still hoping for a fabulous Parent Trap ending. Not the one where my parents reunite, but the one where I get to live on a California vineyard AND in a London townhouse. If you don’t remember, in the 1998 remake of the Parent Trap, Lindsay Lohan plays Annie James and Hallie Parker, twins separated at birth and fortuitously reunited at summer camp.
Ali Kelley
May 3, 2019
How Two New Yorkers DIYed a Stylish, Functional Kitchen in Only 38 Square Feet
To share a mere 478-square-feet with another human has its challenges. But to share and successfully use only 38 square feet of kitchen space is even more impressive! There were many design dilemmas facing Ali and Chip when they purchased this small Brooklyn apartment three years ago, but none so mammoth as the task of making a teeny tiny kitchen work for two people who enjoy cooking.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Fixer Upper Is Ending After This Season
Sad news for Fixer Upper fans: The HGTV renovation show’s fifth season will be its last. Chip and Joanna announced the news this morning on their blog, citing the need to “catch our breath for a moment.” The couple have been going full force with the show, its spinoff, books, and new products, including a line for Target called Hearth & Hand that debuts in at the store in November.
Tara Bellucci
May 3, 2019
The #1 Reason People Finally Remodel Their Kitchens
There are so many reasons to remodel your kitchen. You just bought a house and you hate what’s there now. Perhaps you finally saved up some money and can afford the change. Or, you plan to sell the home in a couple of years and think new cabinets will appeal to buyers. All good reasons, but do you want to know the most common thing that pushed people to finally take the plunge and redo their kitchens? #1 Reason: Because homeowners just can’t stand their current one anymore.
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Modern Boost for a Dated Brooklyn Bathroom
A few weeks ago, when I wrote about square tile being the new subway tile, the response, from a lot of you, was a hard no. Many people in the comments agreed that subway tile was classic, whereas square tile reminded them of either truck stops or icky, bland ’70s and ’80s bathrooms.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
A Hard-Core IKEA Hack for a Rental Bathroom Makeover
IKEA’s IVAR collection is a very versatile system, with different ways to configure storage, and made of unfinished wood that’s a virtual blank slate for paint. But, in a recent makeover project, the big question became: could it become the centerpiece of an inexpensive rental bathroom makeover? Erika’s bathroom suffered from a distinct lack of style, so I wanted to start with a great vanity in a fun color. One of my first thoughts, when on a strict budget, is usually IKEA.
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
The One Thing You Need To Know Before You Install an IKEA Bathroom Sink
IKEA’s instructions are in(famous), with their illustrated diagrams, lack of words, and the oddly bulbous “IKEA man.” For the most part, with some head scratching, you can figure them out. But, as we discovered in our recent bathroom makeover, when it comes to installing a sink, the Swedish retailer left out one major detail, which is essential to the job. Read this before you shut your water off and get to work.
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
Author Kate Inglis Has Crafted a Magical Career & Home in an Old Sea Captain’s House in Nova Scotia
There were just two things a young Kate Inglis wanted to be when she grew up: a professional roller skater and an author. “Only one so far has panned out,” reports the YA and children’s book author (If I Were a Zombie, Flight of the Griffons, and The Dread Crew) and the upcoming adult non-fiction book Notes for the Everlost: A Field Guide to Grief.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Danielle Steel’s Desk Is Truly a Sight to Behold
A woman opened the door to her office. Powerful, successful, creative, she seemingly had it all. But something was missing. Love? No, with millions of adoring fans she had that in spades. Family? No, she was a mother of nine, the matriarch of a warm and happy home. She leaned back into her 4 inch high heels and took stock of the room. As she cast her eyes over her writing desk she knew in an instant what she needed. She scrolled through her Rolodex, “yes, artisans?
Nora Taylor
May 3, 2019
The Horror Inside: Looking Back at the Interiors of American Horror Story
Oh, American Horror Story. You have such campy, spooky promise, and when you deliver, you really deliver. The scenery was always a draw: even when the plot flailed, the sets gave your eyeballs a treat. Now that AHS is gradually leaving Netflix, queue up your television and relive the architectural highlights, before the episodes disappear like so many bodies. Begin with Hotel, arguably the weakest season and the first to get the axe.
Rosamund Lannin
May 3, 2019
Bringing New Possibility to a Rental Bathroom with Pegboard Walls
For our most recent budget makeover, I was working with a double whammy on the walls: textured surfaces on the top half, and oddly-cut sections of beadboard paneling down below. Combined, everything looked bad and very slapped together, not to mention dingy and depressing. In order to inject some style, I needed an inexpensive solution that was also practical enough to work in a bathroom. My solution? I replaced the awful beadboard with crisp white sheets of pegboard!
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
30 Home-Refreshing Ideas You Can Tackle in 5 Minutes or Less
We’re on a mission to do something good for our homes each weekend. Sometimes we have to roll up our sleeves and tackle a dreadful, somewhat thankless task that simply must get done. Other weekends, we do something that feeds the soul for the week ahead. This weekend, rather than a deep-dive in one particular area, we’re going to blitz around our homes and attack a handful of 5-minute tasks. Turns out you can get a lot done in five (or 10, or 15) minutes.
Shifrah Combiths
May 3, 2019
You Can Visit Laura Palmer’s House From Twin Peaks — If You Can Be Cool
A starring turn on television, much like it does for actors, can also make a house famous — or infamous as the case may be. That was what happened to this picturesque Everett, Washington colonial home. The house took center stage on TV’s cult hit Twin Peaks, during its original two-season run from 1990-1991, as the home of the fictional murdered teen Laura Palmer.
Marni Epstein-Mervis
May 3, 2019
The Most Bohemian Casual Living Rooms of All Time Are in This Country
Bohemian-style living rooms scream cozy, comfy, and “come sit awhile.” Characterized by lots of green plants, layers of color and pattern and a healthy mix of eclectic furnishings, bohemian living rooms are also budget-friendly! In fact, the more vintage, often the better. Though there are plenty of great examples of bohemian living room lounges in the States…there’s one country that seems to be knocking it out of the ballpark.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
This Book Will Help You Become the Plant Person You Want To Be
Is it just me, or was 2017 the year everyone became obsessed with plants? I can barely remember to drink enough water myself, let alone keep houseplants alive, but I so admire the plant lady lifestyle. I want to fill my apartment with ferns and flowers and feel a little extra life in my home, but without a naturally green thumb, I need a little help, and I can’t be alone in that, right?
Brittney Morgan
May 3, 2019
Is Renting Your Clothes the Key to a More Organized, Minimalist Wardrobe?
Paring down your wardrobe can make your life so much easier—less clothing takes up less space, and keeping your options to a minimum makes getting ready quicker. But on the other hand, it can be a challenge: what if you still want the option to try new trends and experiment with different styles without buying more and more clothes? If you’re in this boat maybe it’s time to try a clothing rental service.
Brittney Morgan
May 3, 2019
Before & After: Saying So Long to a Stucco Exterior
The exterior of Erin’s home was not only weathered and not particularly stylish, it appeared to be falling apart. They decided to tackle a major exterior overhaul while living in the house, and lived to tell the tell. Five weeks later they had a gorgeous new exterior that pays homage to the historic character of her neighborhood. From Erin: Our two bedroom, one bath, ~1,000 square foot row house previously had a stucco front which had been placed over the original brick exterior.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
Sherwin-Williams Announces Its 2018 Color of the Year
If you’re over the hues of 2017, you’re in luck—paint companies are steadily releasing their trend reports, along with their 2018 Colors of the Year. Today, we have the pick from Sherwin-Williams, which is “mysterious,” “opulent,” and “inspired by wanderlust.
Tara Bellucci
May 3, 2019
What Hacking Teaches IKEAHackers’ Jules Yap About Life
These days, I prefer weekdays to weekends when it comes to my IKEA trips. Why, you ask? Well, as if it isn’t obvious, it means less crowds and more leisurely wandering the aisles, sans pressure. What am I looking for exactly? Maybe I have a simple list of items I need for a closet makeover, but then I spot a serving bowl that would make a perfect pendant light. Or I go in for some picture frames then can’t help but notice a kitchen cart that would be the perfect bar cart.
Amelia Lawrence
May 3, 2019
The Best Home Decor From H&M Home (According to These Designers)
Whether in-store or online, any fan of H&M Home will tell you it’s their one-stop shop for stylish and inexpensive home decor. However, what they won’t tell you is that figuring out what to buy when you’re overwhelmed with tons of options can be tricky, so it’s important to have an idea of what products you’re interested in ahead of shopping time.
Caroline Biggs
May 3, 2019