The Latest: Jun 26, 2019

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Mid-century modern house exterior with large windows, orange beams, and colorful patio chairs on gravel.

Rachel’s Mid-Century Backyard Patio is About to Get a Whole Lot Better

Name: Rachel Andersen Type of Project: Backyard Patio Renovation Location: Tulsa, OK Type of building: Single-family Ranch The Renovation Diaries are a collaboration with our community in which we feature your step by step renovation progress and provide monetary support towards getting it done in style. See all of our Reno Diaries here. Rachel worked 3+ jobs all throughout high school and college, because she had a big dream: to buy a little place and make it into a home.

Renovation Diary

Jun 26, 2019

Rachel’s Inspiration for a Bohemian Dream Backyard on a Budget

Name: Rachel Andersen Type of Project: Backyard Patio Renovation Location: Tulsa, OK Type of building: Single-Family Ranch The Renovation Diaries are a collaboration with our community in which we feature your step by step renovation progress and provide monetary support towards getting it done in style. See all of our Reno Diaries here. Rachel bought her first house at the young age of 21, and works hard to make it a welcoming place for family and friends.

Dabney Frake

Jun 26, 2019

Rachel’s Backyard Patio: Now 100X Better Than Before

Name: Rachel Andersen Type of Project: Backyard Patio Renovation Location: Tulsa, OK Type of building: Single-family Ranch The Renovation Diaries are a collaboration with our community in which we feature your step by step renovation progress and provide monetary support towards getting it done in style. See all of our Reno Diaries here. Rachel and friends have worked for weeks to pull this backyard space together, not cutting any corners, and doing it all DIY-style.

Dabney Frake

Jun 26, 2019

Rachel Spills: What I Actually Spent on My Backyard Makeover

Name: Rachel Andersen Type of Project: Backyard Patio Renovation Location: Tulsa, OK Type of building: Single-Family Ranch The Renovation Diaries are a collaboration with our community in which we feature your step by step renovation progress and provide monetary support towards getting it done in style. See all of our Reno Diaries here. All projects come with lots of good intentions — filled with budgets, plans, and timelines.

Dabney Frake

Jun 26, 2019

Unusual Exterior Paint Color Combos That Actually Look Really Great

When I was growing up in Lafayette, Louisiana, my family took a lot of trips to Mississippi to see my grandparents, and on the way back, I remember, there was this one lavender house, right by the interstate, that always caught my eye. This one pale, pale purple home, in a sea of beiges, seemed almost magical.

Nancy Mitchell

Jun 26, 2019

Before & After: A Courtyard Gets a Low-Maintenance Makeover

For a less intrepid DIY-er the assortment pictured above would be one intimidating pile of rocks. Not so for April. She transformed her courtyard into a relaxing spot, perfect for entertaining. Best of all, it’s super low maintenance so she can spend more time planning parties and less time watering grass! From April: I am in love with the new look of my courtyard area, which was almost all do-it-yourself projects.

Apartment Therapy Submissions

Jun 26, 2019

Before & After: Replacing a Rotting Deck With a Budget-Friendly Alternative

Jennifer’s backyard was overgrown and her deck had seen better days. After clearing away a good portion of the growth, she knew her backyard had major potential but she wasn’t entirely sure what to do about the deck. Enter gravel! Friend to both budget and mother nature, this alternative choice helped Jennifer build a gorgeous outdoor space. From Jennifer: Before I purchased my house in late 2007, it had lived a maintenance-free life. The yard was completely overgrown.

Apartment Therapy Submissions

Jun 26, 2019

Before & After: A Budget- and Renter-Friendly Patio Makeover

It was love at first sight for Elizabeth and her patio. And like any good relationship, they’ve inspired each other, supported each other and brought a little color into each others’ lives. From Elizabeth: When we took the tour of our apartment I didn’t even need to step through the front door before I realized that we we’re going to take it. Simply based on the patio.

Apartment Therapy Submissions

Jun 26, 2019

Dabney’s Bare Backyard Goes From Lifeless to Next Level

Previously I wrote about my bare backyard when it was a wasteland of dog poop, weeds and sorrow. Today I’m showing you my new and improved outdoor space, which is now a low maintenance dream. Two thirds of the new backyard is covered with an expansive composite deck. The other section is a rectangular area of gravel with a firepit: Composite Deck: Probably the most ground-breaking — yet largely unsung — feature of the new and improved backyard is the new platform deck.

Dabney Frake

Jun 26, 2019

Small Outdoor Space? Consider “Square Foot Gardening”

There’s nothing quite so satisfying as growing your own food—and nothing quite so frustrating as being a would-be gardener with a too-small outdoor space. I have known this pain myself, so I was particularly intrigued when Dabney, our Projects Editor, told me about Square Foot Gardening, a very efficient technique for growing things you can eat. Could this be the perfect way to grow a lot of veggies in just a little bit of space?

Nancy Mitchell

Jun 26, 2019

Before and After: A Front Yard Makeover With Massive Curb Appeal

This Bay Area front yard had seen better days, but now it is an urban oasis worthy of major admiration—and envy, especially of their lucky friends who get invitations for sunset cocktails but didn’t have to do any of the actual work. If you happen to have a similar project to tackle, this reader submission has the most thorough process description ever seen in a Before & After post. Everything looks so lush and luxurious!

Tess Wilson

Jun 26, 2019

This 200-Square-Foot Apartment Has An Equally Super Tiny Balcony

You might remember Jessica’s petite apartment, which was featured in a House Tour (and video) a couple of years ago. Off the bedroom, through that French door, is a teeny tiny balcony, which she just got around to sprucing up, and it’s so worth a look. This tiny balcony seems like it’s only large enough to hold a bistro table and chairs—or even just one chair perhaps?—but a clever makeover makes room for so much more. Absolutely amazing!

Tess Wilson

Jun 26, 2019

6 Reasons I’m Kinda Embracing The Whole ‘She Shed’ Thing

Let's unpack the tiny backyard shed phenomenon, shall we?

Dabney Frake

Jun 26, 2019

7 Ways to Throw a Summer Party Without an Actual Backyard

‘Tis the season for partying outdoors. But what to do when you don’t have a proper backyard in which to throw an al fresco bash? Fret not, my patio-deprived friends. There are still plenty of ways to host a stellar summer soiree without an actual backyard. It just takes a little planning and creativity. From picnics at the park to old-school pub-crawls, here are seven ways to throw a stellar summer fete—no backyard necessary.

Caroline Biggs

Jun 26, 2019

Before and After: This Backyard Shed Is Now a Real Money Maker

It went "from shabby storage shed to chic guest suite."

Tess Wilson

Jun 26, 2019

See How Gardening Newbies and Their Neighbors Transformed a Brooklyn Rooftop into an Outdoor Oasis

Even if you don't have a rooftop to use, you'll find garden inspiration from all the ways this couple and their neighbors made use of their shared outdoor space.

Adrienne Breaux

Jun 26, 2019

This Home’s DIY Backyard Pergola Is One of the Coolest Outdoor Chill Zones We’ve Seen

This awesome DIY pergola hangout space in a backyard has serious hangout vibes.

Apartment Therapy Submissions

Jun 26, 2019

What Each Birth Month Flower Means—And How To Arrange Them

You might be surprised to learn that flowers are much more than a beautiful part of nature and a lovely home accent.

Chelsea Greenwood

Jun 26, 2019

The 10 Best U.S. Cities to Make Money on Airbnb

By offering travelers easy access to desirable destinations at a more affordable price, homeowners in these areas stand to make a great return on their investment.

Kate Streit

Jun 26, 2019

How Gardening Completely Changed The Way I Think About ‘Home’

Each time a tiny seed transforms into a rainbow of flowers, I feel renewed with hope not just for my garden, but for the world. It’s a reminder that there is a possibility of beauty everywhere.

Sassafras Patterdale

Jun 26, 2019

6 Ways to Make Your Bed Look & Feel Larger Than It Is

Blessed with only enough room for a twin bed? Trying to make a double work for two while you save up for that California king? Buying a bed that’s properly in proportion to your space (or your budget) means you’re usually left wishing there was a little more room to spread out at night. Not all of these strategies will work for your life, and some of them only give you extra space visually.

Taryn Williford

Jun 26, 2019

Beth & Jeff’s Whimsical Vintage-Inspired Home

Name: Beth, Jeff, Ruby, and Fiona Location: Bixby Knolls, Long Beach, California Size: 1,000 square feet Years lived in: 6 years; OwnedSet back off of a quiet street in Bixby Knolls is Beth and Jeff’s lovingly crafted one-story 1920s home, shared with daughters Ruby, 4, and Fiona, 9 months. But it wasn’t always so quaint. When they purchased the home six years ago, it was dilapidated and in desperate need of TLC.

Bridget Pizzo

Jun 26, 2019

5 Ways to Speed Up Your Slow Wi-Fi Connection

There’s a good chance you’re not experiencing the full internet speeds you’re paying for. A weak wireless connection is often the bottleneck between advertised maximum speeds and the reality of waiting for pages to load and files to download. So what’s the point of paying for all this speed if you can’t take full advantage of it?

Jason Yang

Jun 26, 2019

A Portuguese Rental Home Is Effortlessly Elegant

This bright white rental apartment in Lisbon has textiles, art, and objects that bring in color.

Apartment Therapy Submissions

Jun 26, 2019

Mike’s Masculine Vintage

Name: Michael MurphyLocation: Brooklyn — New York, New YorkSize: 615 square feetYears lived in: 5 — ownedAs an interior designer, Mike is used to working on high-end projects for which he might source a sofa for $45,000 without blinking an eye. But when it comes to his own home, he intentionally aims for a more relaxed look through a combination of vintage modern furniture pieces and his own personal handiwork.

Mat Sanders

Jun 26, 2019

The One Thing Your Most Put-Together Friends Do Before Moving

It's easy to get so overwhelmed you don't know where to start when moving, but I'll make it simple for you: Here's one thing that you can do, right now.

Marshall Bright

Jun 26, 2019

The Surprising Way People Are Using Instagram (Yes, Instagram) to Stay Productive

Who thought social media would actually help you get your to-do list done?

Olivia Muenter

Jun 26, 2019

Dan’s Kitchen: The Big Reveal

Name: Dan Bailey Type of Project: Kitchen remodel Location: East Boston, Boston, Massachusetts Type of building: 2nd Floor Condo in a Greek-Revival Row House At times, it may have seemed like the Kitchen Renovation That Would Never End. In fact, Dan had the dubious honor of edging out Christine and Pierre for Longest Renovation Diary Project to Date — but through all the setbacks and pitfalls and I-had-no-idea-this-would-take-so-longs, Dan stayed strong.

Guest

Jun 26, 2019

A New Study Shows that ‘Puppy Dog Eyes’ Are an Actual Thing

They're designed to melt your heart.

Jaclyn Turner

Jun 26, 2019

Partner

One of Our Favorite Decor Shops Now Has a Beautiful New Outdoor Collection

It’s summer, and you want nothing more than to be outside. If there’s a beach within reachable distance, you are dying to be there. If you have a bit of outdoor space to call your own, you may be thinking about sprucing it up. So it feels like a good time to announce that Society6, one of our favorite retailers, has just introduced an outdoor collection.Why do we like Society6? (1.) The things they sell are beautiful and unique. And sometimes they’re even lovably weird!

Creative Studio

Jun 26, 2019

Instead of Renting, This Military Family Moves Their Cozy 350-Square-Foot RV Home From Place to Place

Dylan is an officer in the Navy, which means moving every year or so. He and his wife got sick of renting so decided to instead move into a fifth wheel and move their home with them!

Apartment Therapy Submissions

Jun 26, 2019

A Lovely Brooklyn Studio Is a Lesson in Superb Small Space Planning

Oyin Antwi managed to squeeze every possible function a person would need in just 370 square feet.

Darragh Dandurand

Jun 26, 2019

This Is What an Off-Grid Passive House Looks Like

Name: Jennie Hoekstra, Luke Hoekstra, Jude (9), Neve (7), Wilder (4), Marmalade (the cat), Miki and Mandu (Australian Zebra Finches), and a flock of semi-retired hens. Location: Kemble — Ontario, Canada Size: 1,665 square feet Years Lived In: 6 months, owned In the spring of 2017 a lovely four-acre lot came up for sale in the rural village where we live. We knew the property well and loved it, but understood that it was on an unmaintained road with no hydro, so building would be tricky.

Apartment Therapy Submissions

Jun 26, 2019