The Latest
2019

The Latest: 2019

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Bedroom with a large potted plant on a wooden table, white dresser with mirror, and wall art including a world map.
One Simple Thing You Can Do This Weekend for Happy Houseplants All Year Long
As spring ushers in all the flowery feelings that accompany rebirth, renewal, and fresh signs of life, we’re going to turn our attention this weekend to the living decor that graces our homes: our plants. With the advent of the season that most houseplants will begin their growing seasons in earnest, the extra TLC we give them now will be repaid with lush, thriving greenery.
Shifrah Combiths
May 3, 2019
Before and After: A Dreamy Nursery That Doesn’t Scream “Baby”
Some rooms have a million flaws that need remedying; the problem with this nursery-to-be was there was no real there there. After months of sanding, painting, ripping out, and replacing by a very pregnant lady and her crew, this room was lovingly decorated for its tiny new occupant. The word for this nursery, created by Bridget Matkovich of The DIY Playbook, is dreamy.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Get the Look: Jess’ Cute and Quirky New Girl Bedroom
New Girl’s L.A. misfit friends are returning for their final season on Tuesday, April 10. [Spoilers ahead] The ending last season was tough because we didn’t know if we were saying goodbye forever or see ya later. Nick and Jess were kissing, Schmidt and Cece got pregnant, Winston is…Winston. It didn’t leave me totally satiated, but I wasn’t mad either. It was just kind of ‘eh’. Lucky for us, the team gets one more shot to wrap it up the way they want.
Anita Shriver
May 3, 2019
Do These 3 Natural Teeth Whiteners Really Work?
Confidently flashing a smile can indicate confidence and friendliness, and make a strong first impression. So it’s totally normal to chase whiter, brighter teeth by turning to a professional for treatments or reaching for a package of whitener at the drugstore.
English Taylor
May 3, 2019
There’s One Cleaning Tool You’re Probably Not Using Enough—Here’s How to Put it to Work
Vacuuming isn’t on many people’s lists of most-hated chores. In fact, I’ve seen it pop up multiple times as people’s favorite cleaning “guilty pleasures.” I get it, for sure. It’s a quick way to make a room look much cleaner and the rewards for your effort are instantly apparent. No matter how much you love to vacuum and how often you do it, though, you’re probably not taking full advantage of everything your vacuum cleaner can do.
Shifrah Combiths
May 3, 2019
A New Trailer For The Handmaid’s Tale Hints At What Happens After The Book Ends
If you haven’t yet caught up on Hulu’s original series The Handmaid’s Tale, you’ve got a couple weeks to check it out – season two starts April 25, when the first two episodes of the 13-episode season will drop. Episodes will air weekly after that, just like season one did. Because the new season takes place after the original source material—Margaret Atwood’s 1989 book—ends, we don’t know what’s outside of Gilead.
Meryl Williams
May 3, 2019
Before and After: A Remarkably Cozy & Minimal London Remodel
Aldo and Zane had already been living in the Borough Market area of London when they fell in love with the city, so it made sense they’d want to buy in the same neighborhood. In fact, an apartment—”a characterful warehouse conversion on a quiet street near Borough Market”—caught their eye. When they got the opportunity to purchase it in 2016, they took on the remodel of a space with great light… but in need of an upgrade.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
How To Grout a Tile Backsplash Like a Pro
Grouting tile is as easy as frosting a cake (a very difficult, really pretty cake anyway). If that sounds like it’s above your skill level, hire a professional. But, if you’ve got the can-do spirit, are handy, and pick up a few grout-specific tools for the job, you’re going to be just fine. (FYI, I feel it’s important to note that I actually tiled and grouted this backsplash myself.) Before starting, choose your grout.
Ashley Poskin
May 3, 2019
Before & After: Dated Mauve Tile Becomes Classic Herringbone
Some vintage bathrooms are incredibly charming, but I’m afraid the same could not be said of this one. One of the bathrooms in Jonathan and Cecilia’s Queens apartment was a mishmash of styles, with a black and gold sliding shower door, an uninspiring vanity cabinet, and wall and floor tile in a particularly unappealing shade of mauve.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Brooklyn Kitchen Brightens Up
Ursula’s new condo in Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy neighborhood came with a builder-basic kitchen that seemed trapped in the ’90s, and a dark color scheme in the living room that, while stylish, made the space feel heavy and dark. Her goals for the renovation were two-fold: to modernize the kitchen, and brighten the entire space to emphasize its natural lighting and generous proportions. So out went the dark, heavy wood cabinets, replaced by streamlined modern ones in a glossy white.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
Before and After: See This Little Garage Become a Guesthouse
Can this humble, crumbling little garage be replaced by the hottest place to stay in town, all in just six short months? With a little help from trusted architects and contractors, anything is possible! Let’s let Jude Green of That Homebird Life explain how this family decided to go from a useless garage to a multi-use guesthouse: We pulled down an old rotting garage and constructed a guest house (with attached storage room, loft and bathroom) in its place.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Diane Keaton’s First NYC Apartment Is Back on the Market for $17.5M
If you still maintain that Annie Hall-era Diane Keaton was the best Diane Keaton, then hold onto your oversized bowler hat. Because the first apartment the actress bought after playing the icon to quirky leading ladies is now back on the market. Housed in a now-famous Central Park West co-op, the full-floor apartment with skyline views “in every direction” is the first apartment Keaton ever purchased following the success of her 1977 film with Woody Allen.
Melissa Massello
May 3, 2019
Partner
5 Signs You’re Sleeping on the Wrong Mattress
We’re not finger waggers here, so we will not start off by telling you you should be getting seven to eight hours of sleep most nights. We will, however, tell you that you need to be getting quality sleep, especially if it’s a little harder to get the right quantity. A simple sleep-quality test is if you’re getting close to the famous seven to eight hours but you’re still tired during the day, then you’re likely not getting a good night’s sleep.
Tim Minerd
May 3, 2019
Before and After: A Cheerful, Sunny Kitchen for Only $2,500
This kitchen is perfectly nice! It’s got lots of windows, a beautiful hardwood floor, and classic cabinets. Its owner, however, wanted something beyond perfectly nice, and, after four years of plotting and planning, made it into something special. In the full-length shot, you can see that lovely floor, as well as more of the mustard walls.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
Peek Inside Kristin Davis’ New Brentwood Manse
It’s the kind of place where you could easily imagine perfectly imperfect couple Charlotte and Harry spending their happily forever after, if they ever deigned to leave New York. But instead of a faux set for Sex and the City, this art-filled villa in Los Angeles is the place where very real actress Kristin Davis is now calling home.
Melissa Massello
May 3, 2019
Get the Look: Mad Men’s Impeccable Mid-Century Cool
Recently, my parents sold my childhood home and bought a grown-up condo. Gone is the lovely, comfortable suburban dwelling that housed countless birthday parties, homework cram sessions and dance recital practices. Their new home doesn’t have to be kid proof; it can just be cool. And no show’s design has been quite so cool as Mad Men (my dad loves mid-century furniture, so it’s fairly obvious inspiration). The set of Mad Men was notoriously well researched and designed.
Anita Shriver
May 3, 2019
The Skincare Secret That’s Been Hiding in Your Linen Closet
Waking up with linen lines imprinted on your face is no fun, but it’s hard to resist the urge to snuggle into a soft, cozy pillow at night. Especially since you’re, you know, asleep. But sleep-you doesn’t necessarily know what’s best, which is why she needs awake-you to be the voice of reason. And for both your sakes, it’s time to pull out those satin pillowcases you stuffed inside the closet long ago.
Julie Sprankles
May 3, 2019
Peek Inside Heidi Klum’s New $5M Fixer Upper Loft
The first glance of Heidi Klum’s new “no-frills fixer-upper” penthouse in SoHo has us channeling her Project Runway costar Tim Gunn and chanting: “Make it work!” The supermodel turned entrepreneur and TV producer recently bought the nearly 5,000 square foot loft at 515 Broadway in March for about $5 million, according to The Real Deal.
Melissa Massello
May 3, 2019
This Common Mistake Might Be Costing You Money & Ruining Your Clothes
Oh yes, there is a wrong and a right way to wash laundry, and you're probably doing it wrong. No more lazy laundering, y'all.
Julie Sprankles
May 3, 2019
Crown Molding is the Best Budget Way to Beautify Your Home
If you want to add just one thing to a room to fancy it up, to really take the space to the next level, you can’t do better than crown molding. Crown molding draws the eye up and gives a room instant architectural character. And depending on the profile you choose, it can be a very inexpensive upgrade — and even one you can install yourself. Choosing the right crown molding for your space depends not just on style, but on scale.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
5 Simple Hacks That Make Flowers Look More Expensive
Flower arranging is lost on me. No matter how much time I spend trying to make bouquets look good, I usually wind up just plopping the flowers in a vase and calling it a day. So I love simple, quick ways to raise my flower game, even a little bit. Learn these five basic hacks and get the best arrangements of your life. Letting leaves rot in water is one of the best ways to bring your flowers down.
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
Chip & Joanna Gaines’ First Home Was Actually a Complete Mess
We all have to start somewhere, and that includes Chip and Joanna Gaines. The Fixer Upper stars might be worth millions today, but they were newlyweds once, and just getting started out as a young couple while living in Waco, Texas. And apparently, their early homes were a far cry from their current sweet farmhouse setup. We recently asked Chip what he remembers about the first home they shared back in the day, before there were all the kids and animals running around.
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
Before and After: A Cheap Collage of Browns & Creams Gets a Bold, Blue Modern Remodel in Queens
Peggy Wang, Buzzfeed’s founding editor, decided one day a few years ago she was ready to move out of tiny apartment living. “It was like a weird sudden existential outburst in my usual lazy put-everything-off-forever mindset,” she writes. When she purchased this 1100-square-foot home in Queens, it felt like the right fit. But boy it needed a face lift. She worked closely with White Arrow—Keren Richter and her husband Thomas Richter—to remodel this home.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
The 5 Best Marvel Movie Interiors That We’d Move Right Into
The Avengers are reuniting one more time on April 27 for Avengers: Infinity War, the fourth installment of the franchise, which has been going strong now for almost a decade. In preparation, it’s not a bad time to rewatch some of your favorites from the series, which encompasses three movies each about Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor, on top of a dozen others, including the record-breaking Black Panther from earlier this year.
Meryl Williams
May 3, 2019
6 Design Books to Read Now if You Love the Boho Aesthetic
From globally chic interiors that fill our Instagram feeds to flourishing lifestyle, travel and culture blogs, the free-flowing Bohemian style of living leads to some of the most intriguing spaces and design ideas around the world. The irresistible pull towards an unconventional life is manifested in our homes, where the pretension of perfect gives way to living with what you love.
Nicole Haddad
May 3, 2019
Moving in Together? Five Tips from an Advice Columnist Who’s Heard It All
It’s a big, exciting step in a relationship, but moving in with a partner can also be a minefield of new complications. Just ask Meredith Goldstein, the Boston Globe’s Love Letters columnist who’s been answering readers’ relationship questions with a familiar warmth and comedic candor since 2009.
Jon Gorey
May 3, 2019
There’s a Condo For Sale In The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’s Building
Want to live like Mrs. Maisel? Then we have good news: an apartment in The Strathmore, the Upper West Side building where the show is set, is on the market. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel was a breakout hit show last year, winning two Golden Globes in January (for Best Musical or Comedy TV Series and Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy TV Series). And as lovers of space and design, we watched for the marvelous mid-century interiors as much as the brilliant acting and storytelling.
Tara Bellucci
May 3, 2019
Design Is For Babies: A Q&A With Julie Merberg, Author of Baby’s First Eames
Babies don’t know much about design. Every time I’ve tried to delve into the finer points of Eliel versus Eero Saarinen with the under-one crowd, they just stare at me blankly (and occasionally drool). Thankfully, Julie Merberg has a new book coming out May 8 called Baby’s First Eames (Downtown Bookworks), and I am thrilled that finally, newborns and I will have something to talk (rather, screech and coo) about.
Tara Bellucci
May 3, 2019
You’re About to See This Color Everywhere
By now you’ve probably heard of Gen Z Yellow. We first introduced you to term late last fall, and now that Millennial Pink fatigue may be starting to set in, and Pantone’s own Ultra Violet still seems a little esoteric and dark, perhaps you’re ready to take this shade of sunshine for for a test drive?
Danielle Blundell
May 3, 2019
Why You Should Put Clear Tape On Your Flower Vases
There’s a big difference between jamming a bunch of flowers in a vase, and creating a gorgeous arrangement that looks like it was done by a pro. Thankfully that difference isn’t necessarily measured in dollars, effort, or even skill. All it takes is something you probably have sitting in your kitchen drawer: clear cellophane tape. Here’s the secret. Use basic clear tape to create a grid over the top of your vase.
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
Renter-Friendly Budget DIYs You Can Do This Long Weekend (That Actually Look Good)
Faced with a long weekend ahead of you, if you’ve got the itch to do a little DIY project to improve the way your rental home looks, this post’s for you. All from the same insanely stylish rental apartment in a basement, these two projects are fast, affordable and most of all… attractive enough you’d actually like to display. Hello trendy grid-patterned curtains that look like pricey versions you can buy at Urban Outfitters or Anthropologie. Well guess what?
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Kitchen Took 5 Months and $12,000 to Complete
This kitchen had a lot of cozy charm, but it wasn’t very user-friendly. After five months of DIY renovations, it’s now bright, spacious, and totally made for cooking. It’s hard to believe this is the same amount of space! While the old kitchen felt claustrophobic, the new one is roomy and airy, yet it appears to boast about the same amount of storage space. Rachel Klein of The Northern Current is the powerhouse behind this renovation, and she did a bang-up job.
Tess Wilson
May 3, 2019
A Surprising IKEA Hack for High-End Lights on a Budget
This $15 IKEA kitchen product is powering this ultra luxe lighting DIY.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Peek Inside the Charming “Bicycle House” From Fixer Upper, Now For Sale in Waco for $350K
Another house from Fixer Upper has hit the market, located “just minutes from the Silos” and with tons of built-in, established rental income. What’s the most intriguing about this listing is that you can see how the couple actually styled the home after Joanna left them to their own devices — and which, if any, of the pieces that the Gaineses selected that the veterinarian and her ultra-marathoner husband actually chose to purchase.
Melissa Massello
May 3, 2019
This Company Makes Fake Plants That Look Realistic (Because They’re Slightly Browning)
It’s hard to settle on the biggest draw of house plants. Is it the inherent sense of pride in being able to keep another living thing alive? Is it the aesthetic brownie-points of a perfectly arranged succulent sill? The perceived higher air quality?
Oset Babür
May 3, 2019
Partner
5 Signs That Your Mattress Isn’t Working for You
We’re not finger waggers here, so we will not start off by telling you you should be getting seven to eight hours of sleep most nights. We will, however, tell you that you need to be getting quality sleep, especially if it’s a little harder to get the right quantity. A simple sleep-quality test is if you’re getting close to the famous seven to eight hours but you’re still tired during the day, then you’re likely not getting a good night’s sleep.
Tim Minerd
May 3, 2019
6 Kid’s Rooms Whose Walls Solve At Least Two Problems at Once
Stylish and functional, and most of all fun.
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
3 Simple Ways to Make Flowers Last Much Longer
If you’ve ever done the January Cure, you know how much we at Apartment Therapy love flowers. Put simply, cut flowers are beautiful, add life, and help humidify the air. They are a small, healthy gift to give your home, and a great way to instantly refresh your space, for very little money. Here are a few tips for making them last. Flowers really only need a couple of things to stay happy, and clean water is one of the big ones.
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
How Bad Is It To Sleep With Makeup On?
More nights than I care to admit, I work into the wee hours of the morning, slinging words so I can pay for important things like Netflix and magnetic eyelashes. When I finally drag my tired body toward the bedroom, I have just enough energy left to brush my teeth before crashing. But as I fall asleep to the symphonic range of my husband’s snoring, I often wonder just how bad it is for me to skip washing my face. Is the good skincare fairy going to come down and bop me on the head?
Julie Sprankles
May 3, 2019
Partner
How to Choose the Right Sectional for Your Space
Imagine a Tetris game where every single shape was exactly the one you needed in that moment. In the game of living room layouts, that scenario exists, and we call it a sectional. This versatile superhero sets up a space for big parties and cozy Netflix binges alike. Add in a choice of fabrics and colors and you’ve got thousands of configurations to set up whatever living room you want to live in. So, where to begin?
Tim Minerd
May 3, 2019
We Have Answers to All Your Burning Plant Questions
Green thumbs might seem to have an innate knack for caring for plants, while black thumbs appear to be doomed with a Midas touch of death. But the only difference between green thumbs and black thumbs, really, is just familiarizing yourself with both your particular plants’ specific needs and also some general plant-keeping guidelines.
Shifrah Combiths
May 3, 2019
Over White And Grey Kitchens? There’s a New Neutral in Town
If you're looking for something warm and classic, and not too crazy, try this perfect cabinet color.
Dabney Frake
May 3, 2019
Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Include Your Pet in Your Home’s Listing Photos
While you might be aghast that someone couldn't love your dog, here's what a potential buyer might be thinking when they see him in your listing.
Megan Johnson
May 3, 2019
What “House Hunters” Didn’t Tell Me About Buying My First Home
“House Hunters” first premiered in 1999 when I was 12 years old. I devoured episode after episode. And since they don’t teach you these practical things in school, I thought I had learned everything there is to know about home buying from the popular HGTV show. But fast forward 18 years: I got married, then pregnant. Suddenly I was eager to trade the nearly-windowless rental basement my husband and I considered home for one we could call our own.
Brigitt Earley
May 3, 2019
The Smartest Small Space Storage Ideas We Saw in 2018
There’s no doubt about it: As well as being cozy and adorable, stylish small spaces also hold a TON of smart storage ideas. The ones below are some of the best solutions we saw in small house tours this year. No matter your home’s size, you’ll find inspiration for how to store more stylishly in 2019. When a professional organizer lives in a tiny studio apartment, expect great ideas, like these floating wall-mounted IKEA cabinets that were hung close to the ceiling.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Before & After: This Tiny Kitchen Remodel Forwent a Traditional Oven
When you’re dealing with a small space, very minimal designs are usually the preferred choice (or so the thinking goes). But when Nancy decided to remodel her Upper East Side studio, she made some bold choices in the tiny six-foot-wide kitchen—things that you might not expect in a room this size, but that give this little space a character all its own. Previously, the kitchen was a bit of a blank slate.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
10 Secrets from Home Cooks for Starting a Food Budget You Can Stick To
Financial wizards will tell you that there’s no time like the present to reign in your spending and get a grip on your budget—but it’s their job to say that! Setting a food budget (that you can stick to) isn’t exactly a cake walk. In fact, it’s kinda the opposite. To help you get on the right track, we asked 10 (super-relatable) home cooks for their best realistic food budgeting advice that you can implement right now.
Lauren Masur
May 3, 2019
The Under $20 Item That Gives My Tiny Rental Kitchen More Counter Space
If you live in a small space, chances are that your kitchen is also equally diminutive. As you can see, my particular kind of tiny rental kitchen is of the single wall variety, with a paltry two cabinets width of counter to speak of. While that (and the single outlet) mean I have to cull the clutter and keep appliances elsewhere when not in use, even when the counter is cleared, that’s not a ton of space to work with if you’re trying to cook a meal.
Tara Bellucci
May 3, 2019