The Latest
2019

The Latest: 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.
Various gold and silver rings and bracelets with geometric designs and gemstone accents arranged on a white background.
21 Modern Wedding Bands for a Minimalist Bride
There’s nothing plain, boring, or basic about modern wedding bands for the minimalist bride. Whether you’re after something beautifully crafted, ethically sourced, or perfectly embellished, we’ve got you covered. From simple silver bands to more sophisticated, and dare we say, even a bit sparkly options, there are terrific rings across the minimalist spectrum.
Tabitha Abercrombie
May 3, 2019
How to Think Like a Florist When Choosing & Caring for Fresh Flowers at Home
As an event florist, keeping flowers alive and looking good is a pretty integral part of my livelihood at Winston & Main. I often joke that all design and artistry aside, I’m really more of a triage nurse for my floral friends. I assess their condition and get them stable, so they can leave my watchful eye and make their beautiful way in the world.
Tabitha Abercrombie
May 3, 2019
This Is Exactly How Much Time Running Adds To Your Life, According to Science
If you haven’t laced up those running shoes since January (hey, no judgement), this news might motivate you. New research has calculated just how much time a jog adds to your life. A paper published last month in Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases takes a look at just how much running increases longevity. The study states that in general, “runners have a 25-40% reduced risk of premature mortality and live approximately three years longer than non-runners.
Tara Bellucci
May 3, 2019
Lauren Graham & Alexis Bledel Talk About the Gilmore Girls Revival & the Possibility of More Episodes
On Sunday, Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel were on a panel together, and naturally, all anyone wanted to talk about was Gilmore Girls. The actors behind everyone’s favorite verbose mother-daughter duo chatted about the Netflix revival and the possibility of more episodes.
Tara Bellucci
May 3, 2019
Learn How to Block Print (The Easy Way)
Meet Liz Corkery, a Sacramento-based artist who founded and runs Print Club Ltd., an online source for fine art silkscreen prints. Through Print Club, Liz works with other artists to create and sell limited edition works on paper, but she also has a deep love for cooking and entertaining so has combined those interests in this beautiful set of hand-printed napkins.
Amelia Lawrence
May 3, 2019
The Tamagotchi Is Back and the ’90s Renaissance Continues
Children of the ’90s, the nostalgia hits keep coming. Japanese electronic toy company Bandai has re-released everyone’s favorite pixelated pet, the Tamagotchi. Here is what we currently know about it: Bandai’s exciting news coincides with the 20th anniversary of the OG Tamagotchi, which was launched worldwide in May 1997 (it was available in Japan earlier, in 1996). There are a few differences from the original.
Tara Bellucci
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Small Suburban Bathroom Goes from Taupe to Timeless
After living in New York for 11 years, Diana Marsh was ready to move back to her home state of Michigan and design a beautiful nest. As the proprietor of the downtown Ann Arbor store Thistle and Bess, Diana stocks up and offers one-of-a-kind treasures for those seeking a luxurious lifestyle. And not surprisingly, she was looking to create a luxurious lifestyle in the 1890s house she bought.
Diana Paulson
May 3, 2019
Where Do You Fall on the Odor Wheel?
Forget the Wheel of Life (and our home-oriented Life Balance Wheel) — or, don’t forget them, but after you maximize those wheels’ utility, there’s a new wheel in town: the Historic Paper Odor Wheel, developed by a team out of the University of London to more precisely describe and categorize the smell of old books.
Edith Zimmerman
May 3, 2019
Before and After: A Brooklyn Brownstone’s Living Room Opens Up
Nicole and Dan’s house tour of their Park Slope brownstone had me green with envy. A large space, it was lovingly renovated and beautifully decorated. The way in which they designed the home — to maximize light, to embrace color and pattern — is impressive enough. But wait until you see what the living room and entryway looked like before they renovated.
Minette Hand
May 3, 2019
Dream of Getting Married at an Art Museum? This Couple Did
Bride & Groom: Martina Kolobara and Shea Slater Wedding Date: May 21, 2016 Venue: Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska Number of guests: 250 They say that the best thing about having a big wedding is being surrounded by all the people (and things) you love. And in this Nebraska couple’s case, that includes a couple of pups and a whole museum full of modern art.
Taryn Williford
May 3, 2019
6 Get-Moving Benefits of a Fitness Tracker You Might Not Have Thought Of
While fitness trackers help count your steps and sometimes make for chic wrist candy, they actually do a lot more than people give them credit for. If you’ve grown bored with yours and thrown it into a junk drawer, the reason might just be that you haven’t used it to its fullest potential. Read on to learn about the cool and not-so-obvious ways you can use your fitness tracker. Every activity is more fun when you have the chance to kick butt, including your daily steps.
Marlen Komar
May 3, 2019
Peel-and-Stick Tiles: A Cautionary Tale (Or, I Tried Peel-and-Stick Tiles and They Almost Drove Me Insane)
There’s a certain home blogger, who shall remain nameless, who has moved a bunch of times over the past few years — meaning the makeovers just kept coming. In one of her kitchens, she artfully laid faux marble adhesive tiles over an ugly linoleum floor. They weren’t exactly dead ringers for Kim K. solid calacatta marble or anything, but they made a big difference. “The best thing about it,” she wrote, “is that you just peel off the back and stick it down.
Danielle Blundell
May 3, 2019
The Next Trend in Sofas is a Game Changer on Netflix Nights
You’re probably familiar with L-shaped sectionals—they’re kind of a living room staple. Unlike traditional roll arms, settees and other formal sofa situations, more than one person can lay on them in a fully horizontal position, thanks to their shape and oversized proportions. That’s kind of a game changer when you think of all the Netflix binge watching and movie marathoning that goes on nowadays.
Danielle Blundell
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Kitchen “Held Together with Tape” Gets an Overdue DIY Remodel
Every square inch of this kitchen was ripped out and lovingly put back together — this time in a much more functional and stylish way — by the homeowners themselves. As designer Michelle Gage writes on her blog: “The floors were dirty and sticky. The appliances appeared to be original to the house. The counter tops were held together with tape.” It took two years to save enough money to finally tackle this outdated kitchen’s remodel.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
The Real Reason No One Can Shut Up About Millennial Pink
One of the most exciting (and most alarming) things about the internet is the speed with which information travels, and the speed with which ideas catch fire, achieve full saturation, and then become passé, often within a matter of weeks. Case in point: the strange phenomenon known as millennial pink. Perhaps you’ve never heard of it, or perhaps you’re already tired of it. I know I am. And yet, here I am.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
Before and After: An Itty-Bitty Bathroom Goes From Sad to Rad
A small bathroom is bad enough to live with. But when your small bathroom is windowless and boring? Well that’s just sad. Designer Mary Lee wasn’t going to stand for a tiny, depressing bathroom. So she worked her DIY remodel magic on this part of her Seattle studio apartment, and the result is inspiring! I just loved Mary’s advice for decorating that she shared in her house tour: “More isn’t always better when it comes to stuff and space.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Before and After: From a Gutted Airstream To a Perfect Tiny Home
Brandon and Gabi aren’t just living a dream life — traveling around and enjoying the beauty of our country — they’re doing it while living in this dreamy Airstream trailer. As we showed in their house tour, tons of thought went into the DIY details of their tiny mobile home, from storage to lighting and more. And while the end result is certainly beautiful, it took A LOT of work to get it there.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Before & After: Savvy Solutions for a Seriously Small Bathroom
As bathrooms go, the bathroom in Lauren’s Brooklyn Heights studio wasn’t in the worst shape. Aesthetically, it wasn’t much to write home about (and the odd, alien sink seemed ready for takeoff), but we’ve seen much worse. The real problem in this small space was storage. As in, there wasn’t any.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
You Can Now Stream Britain’s Most Popular Home Design Show on Netflix
First there was Downown Abbey. Then there was Sherlock. Now you can add another British television import to your list, America. Rejoice, design lovers! Britain’s favorite home design show is on Netflix. Grand Designs, which features wacky and ambitious builds and renovation projects, is one of Britain’s longest running property shows (17 seasons!).
Marni Epstein-Mervis
May 3, 2019
7 Brown Kitchens That Are Definitely Not Dated, Dark or Depressing
If we saw these while scrolling through Instagram, we'd be quick to double tap.
Danielle Blundell
May 3, 2019
The 5 Most Useful Essential Oils
While natural beauty guru Rachel Winard (of the cult-favorite brand Soapwalla) and I were talking about good, easy facials to make with food that might currently be in your kitchen, I also asked her for pointers on how to start an essential oil collection. Essentially: What are the essential essential oils? She suggested these five (for which you could come up with your own mnemonic, too — my first attempt is “let little ponies eat … tea trees.
Edith Zimmerman
May 3, 2019
The Science-Backed Guide to the Best Nap of Your Life
Everyone needs a nap now and again, but if you’re feeling sleepy and you’ve got things to do, you definitely want to maximize your time, right? Naps work in different ways, and the truth is, it’s all about timing and understanding how the body’s sleep cycles work. Before you doze off for 45 minutes and hope for the best, you should know how they work and what kinds there are—here’s what you need to know.
Brittney Morgan
May 3, 2019
How a Chef and Baker Share the World’s Smallest Kitchen
It’s impressive when a couple shares a tiny home together. But even more extraordinary is what Devon Loftus and her chef husband Brian Loftus have managed to pull off in their super small, 320-square-foot tiny house: cook, bake and entertain, despite having a kitchen that’s only 18 square feet! How do they do it? The couple generously shared their small but successful kitchen dwelling secrets.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Vertical Garden DIY Ideas Using a Wooden Pallet (Plus, a Tutorial!)
Vertical gardens are an exciting outdoor project because they show off your flowers and plants beautifully and aren’t difficult or expensive to make. In fact, they can easily be made out of mostly recycled (and recyclable) materials. Vertical gardens are also especially well-suited to small outdoor spaces so no worries if you don’t have a whole yard or deck to work with. Below are the basic instructions for how to make a vertical garden planter using scrap wood and a pallet.
Jen Wang
May 3, 2019
Here’s What the Homes in Annie Hall Are Worth, 40 Years Later
Annie Hall is 40 years old this month. Ever wonder what the property in the film costs now? Let’s investigate. Annie Hall came out in April 1977. Winner of four Academy Awards, including those for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress for Diane Keaton, it’s always been one of my favorite romantic comedies (up there with When Harry Met Sally) and certainly my favorite Woody Allen film.
Jon Gorey
May 3, 2019
Fantasy Real Estate: Questions I Have About the Homes in Big Little Lies
Have you caught up on Big Little Lies, the seven-part HBO miniseries everyone from your mom to your hair stylist is talking about? The one starring Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon and Shailene Woodley, even though she seems a little too young to play the mother of a first grader? If so, let’s dish, and if not, maybe bookmark this for later – this contains mild spoilers.
Meryl Williams
May 3, 2019
There’s a Great British Baking Show for Gardens, And Here’s How You Can Stream It
If you’re obsessed with watching charming and talented amateur contestants compete on The Great British Baking Show, it’s not a stretch to say you’ll enjoy another UK export—and starting in May, you’ll be able to stream it here in the US. Now that Mary Berry has left and Mel and Sue have been replaced, I know I’m going to need a new addictive, yet soothing British competition show.
Tara Bellucci
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A First Time Homeowner Kicks Up the Curb Appeal
First things first: congrats to Amanda on purchasing her first home! Taking the plunge can be nerve-wracking, exciting and is always a very big deal. (We’ve got some tips on making it less scary if you need them.) After settling in to her new abode, the next step was to tackle the exterior, which Amanda felt needed a little boost. With the help of a few family members, a super smart paint job and flower power, the home has a fresh look and a whole lot of curb appeal.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
Think You’re Saving Money? Not Really
Debt-slaying and money-saving posts are rife with suggestions for how to shave a little here, trim a little there, not spend, not spend, not spend. But you can’t say you’re saving money just because you’re packing your own lunch and drinking the coffee you brewed at home.
Shifrah Combiths
May 3, 2019
The 5 Most Expensive Homes For Sale in San Francisco Right Now
San Francisco is a dream city for many, but it comes at a cost—it’s the most expensive city in America. But, if you had an unlimited budget and the daydreams to make it happen, you might consider moving into one of the most expensive homes you could find. To help you picture it, we combed through listings to find the highest priced homes for sale right now in San Francisco.
Brittney Morgan
May 3, 2019
Golden Oldie: A Room-By-Room Breakdown Of A Quintessentially ’80s TV Home
The Golden Girls' Miami Beach home is everything we love (hate?) about '80s decor. Here, we break down the elements that forever implanted this TV set into our nostalgic hearts.
Marissa Hermanson
May 3, 2019
Before & After: Chic Makeover for a DC Kitchen With a Presidential Connection
Shaila’s kitchen came with both a fun connection to DC history and a pretty funky layout. Aesthetics aside, it was time for a reno; the kitchen had begun to fall apart. Taking a cue from the age of the building and her personal love of art-deco, Shaila gave her new-to-her old kitchen a stylish updated vintage-inspired look. Take it away, Shaila… After serving as a diplomat around the world, it was time for me to come back to Washington.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
The Most Effective Space-Maximizing Ideas Real Renters ACTUALLY Use
Advice from design writers is great and all, but what’s useful is learning about what people who are actually dealing with real rental issues are doing to overcome design dilemmas. Since the worlds of rental issues and small space problems can often overlap, why not look to folks with stylish spaces for ideas on how to make the most of the rental space you have?
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Get Into Natural Dyeing (Plus, How To Dye Pillowcases from Avocado Pits)
Sasha Duerr has been dyeing her textiles with compost for over 20 years. The author of two books on natural dyeing and an instructor at the California College of the Arts, Duerr fell in love with natural colors while searching for alternatives to the art school oils and acrylics that made her sick.
Meghan Nesmith
May 3, 2019
7 Plants for Your Garden Inspired by Disney’s New Avatar Park
The highly-anticipated Pandora: World of Avatar opens officially to the public on May 27 at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Park. While most will beeline it to the two new rides, the photos we’ve seen of the incredible landscape make the argument to slow down the pace (just a little bit —wouldn’t want to lose your spot in an up-to-six-hour line).
Brie Dyas
May 3, 2019
5 Big Organizing Lessons We Learned from This 160-Square-Foot Tiny House
This adorable House Tour has been called “the most livable tiny house” ever seen. It’s not an exaggeration. The whole space is only 160 square feet, and yet it actually seems like something we might all be able to live in (not together, obviously). It feels so possible because the place is very thoughtfully laid out and organized — especially the kitchen. Here are five smart organizing tips we got just by looking at the photos.
Lisa Freedman
May 3, 2019
Time To Make This San Francisco Clock Tower Home (If You have $6.25 Million)
This new San Francisco listing is billed as “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live and work within San Francisco’s most iconic, historic property,” I know what you’re thinking and no, it’s not that iconic, historic landmark—but this one is pretty fantastic. This one is a historic clock tower penthouse—and it is absolutely amazing. Frankly, given its $6.25 million price tag, it ought to be.
Marni Epstein-Mervis
May 3, 2019
Step-by-Step: A Closet Makeover Fit For an Instagram Star
Kate Rumson is the founder of the The Real Houses of IG Instagram account (1.5 million followers and counting). In between running the account and her business, The Real Houses, Kate’s also been in the process of updating her New Jersey home to fit her simple-yet-luxe aesthetic. The first order of business: Tackling the bedroom. Specifically, the closet. Kate was lucky enough to have a huge closet space, but it didn’t offer much in the way of storage or style.
Brie Dyas
May 3, 2019
This is America’s Favorite Paint Color (and It’s Not a Neutral!)
As we’re known to say around here, painting is an easy and inexpensive way to totally change the look of your space. And while colors come in and out of vogue (neutral whites and grays have reigned supreme for quite some time now), it looks like people might now to be more willing to add a little more hue to their homes.
Tara Bellucci
May 3, 2019
The Easy, Genius Way to Clean Your Cheese Grater
Freshly grated mozzarella (or any cheese!) is an amazing addition to all kinds of foods, but the process of grating it can be a pain. And we’re not just talking about the actual work of running it across the grater over and over again—without, hopefully, cutting your fingers!—but also the actual cleanup. That soft, fatty cheese can get stuck inside the grater’s holes and you can tear up your sponge (or really injure yourself!) trying to get it clean.
Ayn-Monique Klahre
May 3, 2019
Tested & Reviewed: Baking-Soda Free Natural Deodorants that Actually Work
Last summer, due in part to a story I did on non-aluminum deodorants, I began my “natural” deodorant journey. After having tested a handful myself for that piece, I came to realize that I, in fact, liked these non-aluminum varieties as much (if not more) than the antiperspirants I’d been wearing since I hit puberty. One of my favorites in particular was Soapwalla’s Deodorant Cream in original scent.
Arlyn Hernandez
May 3, 2019
This Floral Designer Is Turning NYC Trash Cans Into Gorgeous Bouquets
Ordinarily, city trash cans are strictly regarded as pungent eyesores, but an artistic beautification initiative led by New York designer Lewis Miller aims to change that perception. Instead of bins overflowing with garbage, Miller has filled NYC trash cans with huge colorful bouquets, creating one of the most beautiful and unique flower arranging ideas we’ve ever seen.
Kenya Foy
May 3, 2019
It’s Not Easy Being Green: 4 Times I Went Back to Chemicals
I like to reduce the chemicals in our household, not only because I don’t want them accessible to my young children, but also because I try to reduce our chemical exposure in general. That’s why I mix my own Alvin Corn glass cleaner (“alcohol, vinegar, cornstarch” — awesome stuff), and use baking soda to scrub my sinks.
Shifrah Combiths
May 3, 2019
How I Taught Myself to Stop Buying Clothes I’ll Never Wear
Since I was a young girl, I’ve always loved shopping. Back in the day, I may have had more…extravagant takes (I gravitated toward everything pink, sequined handbags, feather boas and kitten heels…topped off with plastic clip-on earrings), but the love for style was already there, albeit it a little misguided. Nowadays I’ve updated a few things here and there, but I can’t say the road to the aesthetic I have now has always been smooth.
Marlen Komar
May 3, 2019
Hide & Seek: Genius Hide-Away Bed Solutions for Small Space Sleeping
Designers and amateur decorators always say that bedrooms are the spaces that get neglected most. After all, they’re never really on display when you have people over the way your kitchen, dining room and living room are, unless we’re talking overnight guests. But when space is tight, you must become strategic about your sleeping situations. Because you just might be sleeping where you entertain or entertaining where you sleep.
Danielle Blundell
May 3, 2019
Make It Beautiful: How To Style the Perfect Coffee Table
Styling in home decor is – honestly – very subjective. What works for one person’s design aesthetic and lifestyle may not come even remotely close to what someone else might prefer. However, study a slew of shelter magazines, Instagram accounts and top-pinned images (some you’ve likely saved yourself), and you’ll start to see some similarities, which begin to unlock the secrets to fool-proof styling, no matter what the individual aesthetic.
Arlyn Hernandez
May 3, 2019
Here’s How to Style the Nightstand of Your Dreams
Those who are constantly tinkering with their home decor will know that the poor, poor bedroom is often left for last. Hidden behind doors, it’s easy to put off giving this space the attention it needs, but I promise, it doesn’t take much to get it in tip-top, show-off-to-guests shape.
Arlyn Hernandez
May 3, 2019
Make It Beautiful: How To Style the Perfect Entry Table
The entry in your home is a lot of things: it’s the first taste of sweet freedom when returning from a hard day’s work; it’s your landing zone for odds and ends like keys, mail and dog leashes; it’s where you do your “Did I remember everything?” check before heading out the door. Oh yeah, and the foyer is the only space that absolutely every guest sees of your abode, no matter how far you let them venture in.
Arlyn Hernandez
May 3, 2019