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.
Living room with vaulted ceiling, TV above stone fireplace, globe, books, plants, and a brown leather lounge chair.
Designer-Approved Strategies for Dealing with Dingy Carpet
Nothing is a bigger style bummer than dingy wall-to-wall carpeting. Don’t get me wrong—I love that cushy, soft feeling underfoot as much as the next girl. But when carpeting starts to look worse for wear, it becomes a bit of a design dilemma, especially if you’re in a rental and can’t just rip it up. First things first, spring for a professional carpet cleaning or ask your landlord for one.
Danielle Blundell
May 3, 2019
This Kitchen’s Dishwasher is a Total Game Changer
I look at a lot of kitchens for my job, and rarely do I see something completely new that makes me think, “Wow. Why has no one ever done this before?” So when I saw the dishwasher situation in this kitchen above, I definitely paused. At some point refrigerator designers figured out that people don’t want to bend over every time they reach for the orange juice. So now it’s common to see appliances with freezers on the bottom of the unit, and regular cold storage up top.
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
This One Simple Switch Will Make You Stop Hating Laundry
I’ve tried so many things to help me manage the massive amount of laundry that is generated in my household. I strive to do a load a day, I “complete the cycle” by putting folded clothes away right away, and I even bought myself a nifty little tool that makes folding extremely satisfying. But I’ve realized that what I need to address is something way more fundamental. Nothing quite screams You’re behind on laundry like a hamper that’s too full.
Shifrah Combiths
May 3, 2019
A Smart and Simple Way to Stay Active: Follow the 2/30 Rule
Want to be more mindful of your screen time and lead a more active lifestyle? There’s one simple formula to remember that can help you achieve both, and it’s called the 2/30 rule. It’s simple, really—the goal is to limit yourself to 2 hours of TV watching time per day, and to also get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. It’s about spending less time sitting in front of a screen and spending a little more time working on your fitness.
Brittney Morgan
May 3, 2019
Real Estate Experts On: Why Are Buyers So Freaked Out By Paint Colors?
It’s an old real estate trope, but it seems to be true: Paint color can heavily sway a prospective buyer’s opinion of a home. While a seller might think throwing a fresh coat of paint on the walls will boost the value of their property, in reality, doing so might actually leave a bad impression on buyers; depending on their individual tastes and styles.
Caroline Biggs
May 3, 2019
Here’s How You Build a Smart Home the Smart Way
You dream of having a smart home the way others dream of having a closet full of designer shoes. The only problem? You’re on a budget, and smart home solutions are way beyond your means… Or are they? It’s true that just like designer shoes, many smart home devices and systems come with a high price tag. Truth: High-end connected appliances and kits costing thousands of dollars are nice, but they aren’t essential to creating a smart home experience.
Carley Knobloch
May 3, 2019
Swedish Death Cleaning is the Most 2017 Trend of the 2017 Trends
The Internet loves a good decluttering trend: We’ve long extolled the value of KonMari-ing your stuff, for instance, keeping only the things that “Spark Joy” and discarding the rest. But this year the latest big thing in cleaning and organizing philosophies has taken a decidedly darker tone: Swedish Death Cleaning.
Nora Taylor
May 3, 2019
Before and After: A London Studio Apartment’s Total Transformation
There are remodels…and then there are total transformations. Julia and Kurt bought a run-down studio apartment nine years ago. The layout was weird and it was on the teeny side. But instead of just improving the look of the current home’s foot print, they thought outside of the box! They decided to take over the home’s huge rooftop terrace to convert their studio apartment into a two-level, two-bedroom modern home. Originally all the living spaces were on one level.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Here’s One Way to Get Your Family to Help With Chores
Want the clock to move a little faster as you scrub the tub? Just turn on some tunes. We’ve always known that music is proven to provide positive benefits and affects when it comes to mood and emotions, productivity and focus, and learning and memory. But for something as mundane as scrubbing floors or washing dishes to become an enjoyable task—well, that’s a significant leap.
Megan Johnson
May 3, 2019
Styling Tricks for Round Coffee Tables
Recently, we shared our expert tips on how to style a coffee table. The table we used specifically, though, was rectangular, and some readers chimed in to request help with how to arrange a round coffee table. Though most of the same principles apply no matter what shape you’re working with, I’ve rounded up takeaways and inspiration for round tables. This tabletop shows off the power of divide and conquer (that is, dividing the table in two, and conquering each side!).
Cara Gibbs
May 3, 2019
Pillow Talk: 6 Ways to Style Decorative Bed Pillows
The way you make your bed up can say a lot about your decor style. Like to keep it simple and no-fuss? Neatly stack the pillows you sleep on, smooth out your linens and turn down your top sheet and bedspread. You’re done. However, if you prefer something with a little more decoration, we’ve created six simple set ups you can copy at home in your own bedroom. Check them out! A quick note on the bed size.
Arlyn Hernandez
May 3, 2019
You’re One Click Away From Never Forgetting Anything Again
The art of forgetting isn’t hard to master. No matter how organized and prepared we attempt to be, sometimes well, it happens. We forget stuff. But what if there was an iPhone app designed to ensure you don’t ever walk out the door without everything you need? Don’t Leave It! is a location-based reminder app that helps you keep track of your everyday necessities, so you always remember to take them with you when you leave. And best of all: it’s free.
Caroline Biggs
May 3, 2019
4 Simple Steps for Ruthlessly Clearing the Clutter in 2019
Emily Ley is a mama of three, a designer, author, and the creator of the wildly popular Simplified Planner. She lives in a perfectly imperfect new-build house in Florida with her husband and kiddos…and she knows a thing or two about simplifying life. Below, her four simple steps for ruthlessly clearing the clutter in the New Year. Here’s Emily: The beginning of a new year feels so fresh, doesn’t it? The giant, light-up holiday decor has been put away.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Grab Your Headphones: Guided Meditations for Every Part of Your Day
If you feel like you can stand to become more centered and relaxed throughout your day, then take a look at the guided meditations free on YouTube – there are hundreds of videos to choose from that take you from a stressed, anxious state, and back down to a zen attitude. No one’s weekday is an absolute breeze, and it’s easy to get caught up in stress when your responsibilities and to-do lists pile up mile high.
Marlen Komar
May 3, 2019
Completely Charming 2,000-Square-Foot Portland Craftsman
Portland, Oregon
3-Bedroom | $615,000
Julia Brenner
May 3, 2019
Partner
Here Are the Only Supplies You Really Need When You Paint
It's the simplest checklist to do the most professional-ish job.
Creative Studio
May 3, 2019
Check Out Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher’s New $10M Santa Barbara County Surf Shack
Is Santa Barbara the new Malibu? Judging by the recent $10M luxury beachfront home purchased by Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, the answer may be a resounding: “It’s all alright!” Modest by most celebrity and California coastal real estate standards (and down $2.
Melissa Massello
May 3, 2019
Last Chance: Everything That’s Leaving Netflix in July
Netflix giveth and Netflix taketh away. While we’re excited about what’s returning to the streaming service next month, that means some things have to go. So to prioritize your watch list for the remainder of June, here is everything that’s leaving Netflix in July. Sorry, Sandra Bullock fans: Two of the actor’s classic rom coms starring floppy haired leading men are giving their notice.
Tara Bellucci
May 3, 2019
Before & After: New Bedrooms for the Whole Family in a Brooklyn Brownstone
Considering the amazing renovation work done on the living room, dining room and kitchen of Nicole and Dan Lucey’s Brooklyn brownstone, it’s not exactly a surprise that they also showed the same care, intention and design savvy with the family’s upstairs bedrooms. What is surprising are the bold design choices in two of the rooms, and the serene space the master bedroom turned out to be. Nicole and Dan’s sophisticated son originally wanted ALL black walls.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Before & After: This Boring Bathroom Got a Serious Dose of Personality
Structurally, there was nothing wrong with the bathroom in Nikki and Chris’ Astoria condo. Aesthetically, it looked a bit like an upscale gas station bathroom from the early 90s. The ‘after’, I think you’ll agree, is a huge improvement. The couple’s vision for their new bathroom was a modern twist on a classic NYC bath.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Renovation Makes the Most of a Small Kitchen
House-hunting in New York is a notoriously harrowing process. After months of searching, Nikki and Chris thought they had found the perfect apartment in Astoria. It was beautiful, had all the features they wanted, and was within their budget. But after a few weeks, the deal fell through. Incredibly discouraged, Nikki and Chris wondered if they would ever be able to find a place that felt like home. Two days later, they were putting in an offer on another place.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
These Are The Most Popular Paint Colors By State
People have strong opinions on color—in general, and especially the ones they choose to live with and add to their homes. So we find it inherently interesting to see if certain areas prefer one color over another. The people at BEHR recently studied paint sales across the country, and determined each state’s most popular shade.
Tara Bellucci
May 3, 2019
Home Game Changers: 10 Mundane-But-Awesome Amazon Finds
We all have those unassuming, everyday things we buy that become game changers for our homes, right? They might not be the flashiest most stylish finds, but they are products that just make adult life easier (or at the very least, more bearable). These are the items we tell our friends/family/anyone that will listen about. (For instance, a really good hair unclogging tool.
Arlyn Hernandez
May 3, 2019
True Advice from People Who Are Truly Bad at Email
There's a way to turn a vice into a virtue—just listen to these brilliant tips by self-admittedly awful emailers.
Taryn Williford
May 3, 2019
The New Look For the Kitchen is More Classic Than Ever
Lately, new designs for the kitchen look more and more like old designs for the kitchen. There’s a certain style of British kitchen — vintage-style appliances, Shaker-style cabinets, a bit austere but with very traditional accents — that’s becoming very popular. Looking at these kitchens, I am struck by the fact that they look remarkably similar to some of the 1920s kitchens I came across while researching this series about the history of kitchen design.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
17 Insider Things to Know About IKEA (from Employees Who’ve Worked There)
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work at IKEA? With stores that resemble mazes and tons of products everywhere you turn, it’s sure to be just as much of an experience working there as it is shopping there. And of course, those who do work there just may be able to give us IKEA civilians a little helpful shopping advice.
Brittney Morgan
May 3, 2019
Rooms that Made Us Love Vinyl Flooring (Really!)
For the longest time, vinyl flooring has been as a compromise rather than a design choice made with confidence and enthusiasm. Yes, it’s budget-friendly, durable and easy to clean. But has it been the kind of material that others would devote a Pinterest board to? Not so much. In recent years, big and small brands alike have taken a new approach to vinyl floor products.
Brie Dyas
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Home Under the Hollywood Sign Goes Beachy
When updating a vintage home with a past, a designer has to carefully carry out a vision without erasing the past. Such was the case for this vintage home, located underneath the Hollywood sign in the Beachwood Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles and redesigned by Justin Krzyston with Stonehurst Construction. The circa-1950s home was happily lived in by the original owners until they had passed away.
Brie Dyas
May 3, 2019
Golden Girl Rue McClanahan’s Former Encino Home Is Listed for $5.5M
If there’s a person out there who hasn’t fantasized about a slumber party with the Golden Girls’ Blanche Devereaux, we’ve yet to meet them. Now’s your chance to channel the famous Southern belle — the former home of actress Rue McClanahan is now on the market. Curbed reported on Monday that the former home of the late actress (who passed in 2010) was freshly listed in the upscale Royal Oaks neighborhood in Encino, CA for $5.5 million.
Melissa Massello
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Modern Kitchen Update with Vintage Charm
When they decided to start a family, interior designer Meredith and her husband realized that their one-bedroom duplex (with the bedroom accessed by a dizzying spiral staircase) was just not going to cut it anymore. After being outbid on four different houses, they finally found their perfect place: a charming Tudor townhouse in Brooklyn’s Kensington neighborhood, with an apricot tree in the front yard and even — an amenity almost unheard of in New York — a garage.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
Before and After: A Dark, Dated Kitchen Gets an Unbelievably Beautiful Update
The kitchen in this Brooklyn brownstone — before its reinvigorating renovation and revival — was dismal. Dark, dated. Grimy and greasy. Peeling paint, cracked walls and a floor you wouldn’t want to walk barefoot on. The whole home needed a lot of work, but the kitchen perhaps most so. After all, for many families the kitchen is the heart of the home. The hub of action. The hangout space of party guests.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Self-Cleaning Toilets Are Here. What Does That Mean For You?
In any survey of most-disliked household tasks, cleaning toilets is high on the list, for obvious reasons. You may know how to clean a toilet properly, and you may enjoy the end result of a less-than-enjoyable toilet-cleaning sesh. But what if you could take cleaning the toilet off your list of to-dos for good? Although the self-cleaning toilet concept isn’t brand new, prices are dropping and they are starting to pop up in more regular homes.
Shifrah Combiths
May 3, 2019
This Gothic Victorian Mansion Inspired by The Munsters Is Under $500K
If your taste runs a little spooky — or your sense of humor just a little kooky — have we got the Portland listing for you: a gothic Victorian mansion inspired by The Munsters is for sale, and for under $500K.
Melissa Massello
May 3, 2019
The Newest Emojis & How Best To Use Them
We’re [insert new emoji face with star eyes] about the news that 56 brand-spankin’ new emojis will be hitting our keyboards this year, thanks the preview of Emoji 5.0 released this week. According to Emojipedia, Emoji version 5.0 “includes 56 new emojis from Unicode 10.0, as well as 183 emoji sequences used for gender and skin-tone variants and subdivision flags.
Melissa Massello
May 3, 2019
Quick Guide: What Classic American Homes Look Like Across the Country
The housing stock in America may be just as varied as the population here, particularly in older areas where people have been building for hundreds of years as waves of settlers brought influence from their native countries. Different styles and trends have prevailed over the years, and of course, no city or region is defined by just one style, but certain geographic areas definitely do have a common thread running through their local architecture and design.
Danielle Blundell
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Sleek, Modern Update to a Tiny Bathroom
When Maria and Eric bought their two-bedroom apartment in Queens, they knew the bathroom would need an overhaul. Moldering tile and aging, mismatched features meant the bathroom’s aesthetics weren’t great, but the real issue in this small space was a serious lack of storage. So they set about turning a decrepit space that had seen better days into a bright, modern bathroom — and added a few clever storage solutions along the way.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
Test Lab: I Tested a Bed Fan (& I’ll Never Spend a Hot Summer Night Without It)
If this test lab review of the BedJet had a CliffsNotes version, it would be: I liked it a lot and I didn’t lose any limbs. But for a more complete assessment, read on. Once upon a time lived a born-and-bred Florida girl who was HOT. Not wanting to crank up her A/C in July (in South Florida) to an acceptable temperature at night (an action that would likely bankrupt her), she sought out alternative ways to stay cool while she slept.
Arlyn Hernandez
May 3, 2019
Now You Can Bed ‘N’ Binge at Netflix’s UK Pop-Up Hotel
The antithesis of a digital detox, this pop-up glamping experience encourages Londoners to literally Netflix and chill while binging on their favorite shows. With hundreds of their friends, in public. The “Bed ‘N’ Binge Retreat” is a first for Netflix, with 15 themed “glamping” bunk room suites and communal spaces popping up on a National Trust park property in West London now through Sunday July 9th, with the last guests checking out on Monday July 10th.
Melissa Massello
May 3, 2019
Before & After: Carving Out a Playroom in a Corner of a Living Room
Project by: Louise Bradberry of Cait’s Room Interiors Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Transformations aren’t always about knocking down walls or elaborate IKEA hacks. Sometimes they’re about looking at your space with new eyes and giving it a new purpose. Louise did just that for her clients. Wanting to supplement limited outdoor play space for their child, they tasked Louise with creating a play nook for their daughter in a corner of their living room.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
One Smart Reason to Keep Your Empty Tissue Boxes
Empty tissue boxes: Can’t live with them, but can’t figure out anything to do with them once they’re empty (other than just tossing them). Luckily, we discovered an awesome reason to save your used tissue boxes from the recycling bin, and upcycle them into something more purposeful for your home. Use your empty tissue boxes to collect dryer lint, folks. Dryer lint! You know, that unsightly stuff you peel off the filter before you do a load of laundry?
Caroline Biggs
May 3, 2019
Phaidon Wrote the Book (Literally) on Humble, Irresistible Nordic Design
The Red Thread: Nordic Design is a gorgeous and comprehensive book exploring the Nordic approach to design for everyday life—from furniture to kitchen utensils to textiles. Exquisite photographs illustrate how Nordic designers have mastered the art of simple beauty and functional accessibility. Spoiler alert: You’re going to see a lot of Apartment Therapy favorites featured in these pages. Take a look.
Julia Brenner
May 3, 2019
Two Savvy Solutions for Ugly Rental Kitchen Lights
Considering the amount of spectacularly hideous light fixtures in rental kitchens around the country, it’s almost as if installing the ugliest, most unflattering light fixture was at one time the law. That’s of course not true, but for anyone who’s ever walked into their rental kitchen, looked up at their light fixture and wondered “why that?,” this post’s for you.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Before & After: Living Room Goes from Bland to Glam
Spoilers for “Best Room Wins.”While we’ve been in a golden age of TV for awhile now, but only in the past few seasons have we seen more variety in new home and design programming. If you want something besides another flipper taking over their hometown or another pair of questionably employed folks complaining about paint colors, there are actually other options out there.
Tara Bellucci
May 3, 2019
Plant Lady 101: How To Help Your Plants Stay Happy When You’re Away From Home
You’re going on a two-week trip. You’ve made your lists, you’re running last-minute errands, and you’ve made arrangements for pets and mail. It’s easy to forget about your green household companions, your plants. But if if you do, you’ll come home to find them unhappy or worse. Here are some ways to care for the verdant members of your household when you’re out of town. Before you leave for your trip, remove all dead leaves from each plant.
Shifrah Combiths
May 3, 2019
Go Beyond Craigslist: 5 Furniture Resale Sites You Should Bookmark Now (No, But Really)
Whether you’re looking for a piece to complete a space or want to offload a room full of furniture before a big move, resale sites can often be your best bet for scoring something original or reaching lots of buyers with your listings. E-marketplaces can be competitive for both sellers and shoppers, but the good news is there are more resources than ever for getting into the re-commerce game, and each has its own special twist to offer users.
Danielle Blundell
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Kids Room Goes from DIY Mess to DIY Success
Meera knew she was going to have to get extremely crafty with her son’s new room. The previous owners had made some questionable (and potentially dangerous) choices that needed to be fixed immediately, and Meera was able to do so with some very cool DIYs and brilliant money-saving fixes. From Meera: The walls and ceilings were covered in poorly-hung textured wallpaper and the room was a DIY mess.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
How To Customize Your Bookshelves With Diagonal Shelf Inserts
I wanted to change up the look of my bookshelves as well as add a third shelf. With the help of a friend and a trip to the hardware store, this project took an afternoon to pull off and can be accomplished by someone with minimal experience. And, to help you out, I documented the process to walk you through each step. In my head, this project was super elementary. I’m not afraid of using a saw, so I wasn’t worried in the last bit.
Ashley Poskin
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Dull Driveway is Now Super SoCal Cool
Turning a driveway and storage area into a beautiful lounge for adults and children alike seemed like an impossible feat for Ali and Evan. Luckily they had a great friend, Lake, who knew exactly how to transform this space! From Lake Sharp of array.la: The lean-to structure immediately creates a sense of privacy and much needed shade, but still allows for airflow and light. The look of the patio is centered around the colorful Laotian lanterns that Ali showed me at our first meeting.
Marisa Vitale
May 3, 2019