Small bathroom with mint green and black tiles, pedestal sink, toilet, and wall-mounted mirror cabinet.
Design Solutions: Incorporating Vintage Elements With a More Modern Style
While I absolutely covet many of the elements featured here, I understand that everyone’s taste is a little different, and some people might not choose green tile or wood paneling or shag carpets if they had the choice. But whether you’re renting or buying, and whether you love them or hate them, here are some ideas for making vintage features work with your modern style.
Mar 11, 2020
Splash-Of-Color Roundup: 14 Accent Walls (And 1 Accent Ceiling!)
Painting an entire room teal or mustard or charcoal can seem like a lot: a lot of color, a lot of work, a lot of paint, and a lot of repainting if you hate it. But just one wall? One wall is totally manageable. Bold accent walls are perfect for those of us who love color- just not too much color. Here are some of our favorite examples from Apartment Therapy’s House Tours. FIRST ROW: 1. Kristen and Mike’s Mid-Century Oasis 2. A Bright Beautiful Bungalow From An Ohio Trio 3.
Mar 11, 2020
10 Reasons Living with a Cat is the Very Best
I have, I think, always loved cats, but I didn’t know it until I had a boyfriend who was allergic, and I realized that if things worked out between us I would never be able to have a cat of my very own. I was surprised by how sad this made me, and surprised when we broke up, so I got a cat, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Mar 11, 2020
Adding Color, Pattern and Variety:6 Inspirational Non-Minimalist House Tours
In the divide between minimalists and maximalists, I’ve always felt more drawn towards a less-is-more aesthetic, but after touring some wonderfully vibrant homes that are far from minimal, I find myself inspired to add more color, pattern and even some stuff into the mix. Whoa. If you’re thinking of trying out bolder colors or showcasing more of your trinkets or artwork, check out these gloriously non-minimalist house tours for inspiration.
Mar 11, 2020
How To Create Your Own Lush, Winter Blues Beating, 70s-style Indoor Jungle
Never-ending winters need more powerful spirit-lifting tools like a loose, bohemian indoor jungle look with lots of plants. And a hip, styled explosion of green life in any room in any location is the sort of thing to bring cheer to a home all year long. We’ve got the steps to take, the plants to get and the ideas to help you carve out your own lush home retreat this weekend. START WITH THESE 4 STEPS 1.
Mar 11, 2020
What to Do During the Polar Vortex: A Domestic Choose Your Own Adventure
This week much of the US has dipped to subzero temps, and the attendant office and school closings find many of us at home, wrenched from our weekday routines, and stuck inside. Depending on your living situation and your job, this could mean a fun day at home or an exceptionally challenging work situation. Here are some different scenarios and how to make the most of them. If you are home alone and your office is closed for the day… Lucky you!
Mar 11, 2020
Make It Organized: 10 DIY Wall Shelving & Storage Ideas
One of the best ways to maximize storage in a small space is to go vertical with your storage. And what better way to accomplish that than with some stylish, handmade shelving? From gold and glam to rustic and industrial, here are ten stylish options to add some storage space to your home. TOP ROW: 1. Minty Gold Shelf Inspiration 2. Under $50: DIY Threaded Rope Shelves 3. How to Make a Modern Pegboard Shelving System 4. DIY Honeycomb Shelves from Reclaimed Wood 5.
Mar 11, 2020
Get the Look: Liz & John’s Goth Glam Dining Room
There is a lot to learn from Liz and John’s 1926 Craftsman, especially when it comes to tossing out the rules and following your gut. While this “eclectic gothic-glam” dining room is constantly evolving, we’re going to break down the space to elements that work, and show you how to get the look: 89″ x 98.
Mar 11, 2020
25 Inspiring Ideas: Repurposing Old Toys
So you’ve gone through the toys, sorted them, and chosen some to part with. Now what? You could donate them, do a toy swap, hide them away for a while, or trash them. But another fun idea I’ve come across recently is to repurpose those once-treasured toys. I’ve rounded up twenty-five inspiring ideas for repurposing your little one’s unwanted play things, from the practical to the outrageous and everything in between. 1. Build an island with Lego 2.
Mar 11, 2020
How To Make a Shou Sugi Ban Wall
The reclaimed wood wall has been popular for a while now, and I’ve been wanting to get the look in my garage. I love the earthy hues and honest feel of reclaimed wood, but after realizing the time it would take to scour Craigslist and salvage yards for enough material, I decided to forego that nightmare and instead pursue a DIY approach using a wood-charring method called Shou Sugi Ban.
Mar 11, 2020
A Nook of One’s Own: Kids Hideouts & Hideaways
It’s in their nature: kids love to hide. Some kids hide under the table, some under a blanket fort. And some really lucky ducks have dedicated hideouts at home. Here are ten examples that we wrote about this past year. They range from the very easy and do-able to the more elaborate and fantastical. 1. A Secret Kids Room Through the Closet2. Playhouse from Lori and Jeromy’s Stylish Family Home3. Grey’s Bed Nook from Jill Dan’s Lighthearted Home4.
Mar 11, 2020
A Year of Play: Inspiring Kids Playrooms
For kids, play is all around them, but it is nice if you’re able to allot a part of your home just for them to use for art-making, playing with toys and pretend play. Here’s a look back at ten of our favorite playrooms featured this year.
Mar 11, 2020
Idea Exchange: What’s Your Christmas Present Opening Tradition?
Growing up, I had a pretty well defined gift opening tradition: go see a movie Christmas Eve (to pass the time for my sister and I anxiously waiting for Christmas Day), then open one gift when we returned home that night. Then, Christmas morning, we’d wake up, sort our gifts, and then each take turns to open one gift at a time while the others watched.
Mar 11, 2020
Before & After: DIY Slab Marble Desk
Marble countertops have become part of the renovation/decor vernacular thanks to TV makeover shows (though a distant second to the ever-popular granite countertop). But despite marble’s beauty, it’s rarely mentioned as a material for DIY projects because of its weight and cost, which makes this custom made midcentury inspired home office project unique… Redditor yourpalthomps combined four materials into his very own handsome midcentury-inspired desk.
Mar 11, 2020
Inspiration, Installation, & Maintenance: The Complete Guide to Concrete Countertops
If you’re looking for a modern countertop surface that’s both beautiful and budget-friendly, consider concrete. If properly installed and sealed, concrete countertops will last practically forever, and the best part is, you can make them yourself. First, some of our favorite concrete countertop inspiration from around the web. TOP ROW: 1. Concrete is perfect for the modern/industrial look. From Sköna hem. 2.
Mar 11, 2020
Cheap, Easy DIY Decorating Idea: Craft with Painted Fall Leaves
Here’s an easy DIY craft for you: grab some leaves from the backyard, whip out some craft paint or thread, and go to town. If your budget doesn’t allow for buying store-bought decorations, this is a cheap alternative that do-able and fun. TOP ROW: Alisa Burke painted a series of leaves, then strung them up as festive garland. Try painting leaves still on the branch, for a great centerpiece like Rachael’s. Or, simply tape up a collection of leaves like Elsie Marley did.
Mar 11, 2020
Before & After: Vintage Suitcase Now Packed For Portable Audio
Old leather suitcases or briefcases from decades ago are commonly found in varying states at garage sales, thrift shops, and vintage stores across the nation, popular DIY fodder for an array of upcycle projects like this and this.
Mar 11, 2020
Easy DIY Project: Making Your Own Cloth Napkins
I’m not quite ready to go off the grid but I try to be eco in small ways, like turning off the faucet when washing dishes, keeping lights off in rooms I’m not using, and not using paper towels. Using cloth napkins is just one of those things that I’m hooked on. A few stats from Earth911 help put things into perspective: 13 billion pounds of paper towels are used in the U.S. every year.
Mar 11, 2020
A Gallery of Children’s Floor Beds
There are many reasons parents might opt to use a floor bed for their child: following Montessori principles of independence-building, fear of a young child rolling out of a tall bed, saving money on a bed or easy access for a special needs child. If you’re considering going this route, here are fifteen children’s floor beds to check out for inspiration and encouragement.
Mar 11, 2020
Our Best Decorating Ideas: How To Layer for Added Comfort & Style
As the days and nights get chillier, it’s time to talk about layers. Taken literally, this means those extra blankets and throws you pile on to stay warm. But it also means all the decorative elements you add to a room to create interest, texture, and depth. Whether layers increase your physical comfort, please the eye, or hide parts of a room that make you cringe, there are tons of reasons to go multi-dimensional.
Mar 11, 2020
Paint Color Portfolio: Mustard Living Rooms
Mustard can be a hard color to pin down — yellowy, orangey, golden, ochre-esque, olive-adjacent — but like pornography, I know it when I see it. Here are a few gorgeous mustard living rooms and paints perfect for autumn and beyond. INSPIRATION ROOMS: 1. Post from Paris: Steven and Garth’s Pied-à-Terre 2. House to Home 3. Valerie’s “From Craigslist with Love” Room 4. Martell Home Builders PAINT COLORS TO GET THIS LOOK: 1. Behr Brown Mustard #360D-7 2.
Mar 11, 2020
30 Ways to Add Color to Your Kid’s Room Without Painting the Walls
Renters rejoice! We know that you can sometimes feel left out of the color loop because you can’t bust out that paint brush and splash color all over your walls. But fear not – here are 30 fabulous ways to add color to your kids’ rooms (or most any room of the house) without painting the walls: ROW ONE 1. Hang some colorful curtains 2. Paint the bed 3. Use removable wall decals 4. Add colorful seating 5. Add colorful storage baskets ROW TWO 6. Create a colorful book display 7.
Mar 11, 2020
Fresh Kids Room Color Combo: Green & Orange
I’m a big fan of less common color schemes, and I love bold color in nurseries and kids bedrooms. In honor of color month here at Apartment Therapy, I rounded up some fantastic spaces featuring a relatively underused color scheme: orange and green. 1. This “Small Space Nursery Triumph” is tiny, but the mix of patterns lends it lots of personality and the soothing sage green and carrot orange are balanced by the neutral greys and whites. 2.
Mar 11, 2020
Colorful Accents: Framed Scarves
I have a bit of an obsession with scarves. I can’t go into a shop without beelining toward the pretty folded squares or colorful looped displays. They’re a year-round wardrobe staple. Though the season for long knitted types will be here before we know it, I’m looking toward the silky square versions for inspiring wall hangings. I’m off to Brimfield for the final antique show of 2013.
Mar 11, 2020
Day 18: Lock in Your Furniture Layout
Day 18: Monday, August 26 Assignment: Work on your furniture placement only – no accessories, artwork or decor yet! Congratulations to everyone on making it to the last leg of the Style Cure, with an extra round of applause for everyone who tackled the big paint job this past weekend.
Mar 11, 2020
Before & After: Brittan’s Chair for the Generations
Last week I posted about Joy Cho’s photo album of her daughter Ruby’s first year. Today I’m sharing another project that captures memories in a completely different way. Click to see how this chair was transformed into a cherished memorial to family.Brittan grew up loving her mom’s photo albums.
Mar 11, 2020
Before & After: Old Garage Converted Into Tiny French Home
It’s like an amazing episode of House Hunters International: photographer Jérémie Buchholtz was searching for the rare affordable apartment in Bordeaux, France, but all he could find within his price range was an abandoned and neglected 441 square foot garage primarily used to store an assortment of junk.
Mar 11, 2020
The World’s Most Popular Bookcase: Best Uses of the IKEA Expedit
If you love looking at pictures of interiors like we do, you’ll probably see a few of the same pieces crop up over and over, design classics like the Eames lounge or Harry Bertoia’s wire chairs. But one of the most ubiquitous pieces has a humbler pedigree (and a much lower price point). It’s the IKEA Expedit, and it’s taking the world of storage by storm.
Mar 11, 2020
Before & After: Jenny’s Built-in IKEA Billy Bookshelves
Jenny Komenda of Little Green Notebook consistently executes beautiful DIY projects with precision and flair. Most recently, she and her family used Ikea’s Billy bookshelves in combination with lumber, mouldings, and spray paint to create a custom look at a non-custom cost.Jenny has slowly been revealing updates to her New York home, and these shelves give the living room a sophisticated feel that’s still young and fun. It looks so good!
Mar 11, 2020
The Do’s & Don’ts of Holiday Lights
I don’t understand people who say Christmas lights put them in a good mood. They obviously must be paying somebody else to do their light purchasing, stringing, and storing—because holiday lights are a major headache. But you can make the whole process a little bit easier if you keep a few of these easy tips in mind.DON’T buy too many or too few lights. Plan ahead and get only what you need.
Mar 11, 2020
Before & After: Guest Room Turned Big Boy Room
I love Before and Afters that feature something hideous or lackluster transformed into something beautiful and creative. This is not that kind of Before and After. This is a perfectly nice guest room completely overhauled to become a “big boy” room for a 2-year-old.Amanda wrote to share this house project with us. The carpeting stayed, but that is about the only thing that didn’t change, including the paint on the walls.
Mar 11, 2020
Before & After: DIY Striped Accent Wall
Not one to shy away from color (or DIYs), Chelsea took on the task of creating a striped wall in her office niche. Her take on a painted accent wall transformed an otherwise plain white wall into a statement that gives the whole space new dimension.Chelsea has made a few updates to her home since it was featured on Apartment Therapy. In this case she was able to incorporate pattern and color without using a whole lot of material.
Mar 11, 2020
Before & After: Adding Color to a Boring Office Chair
We’ve all seen them and probably sat in them — the ubiquitous (and rather dull) standard-issue office chair. It’s hard to imagine even tackling a makeover of such a lackluster piece of furniture! But Kendra did — she added lots of color and as she says, “now it looks like a party is happening at my desk!
Mar 11, 2020
Color Direction: Neons + Neutrals
The design world has embraced a neon trend in both fashion and interiors. Whether or not it’s here to stay, we’re always inspired by a bold mix that works. A hint of highlighter yellow or a touch of hot pink can’t help but put a smile on your face.If you’re drawn to neutrals but looking to add some color, these homes provide some great inspiration for successfully integrating neon into your space.TOP ROW:1.
Mar 11, 2020
Before & After: Washi Switch Plates
Light switch plates aren’t something I give much thought to. Until I see a really cute one. Mari, who blogs at Crab + Fish, used washi tape (the craft material du jour) to transform plain light switch plates in her home. It’s simple, cheap and super renter-friendly.As you can see, she didn’t just do one or two switch plates, she liked the look so much that she kind of just kept on going.
Mar 11, 2020
Before & After: Turquoise Front Door
Cream brick, neutral concrete, a white door — this little entryway was cute and welcoming, but it lacked a certain liveliness. With a little bit of turquoise paint, some new lighting, and more substantial hardware, this porch gained a generous dose of personality!Erin from In Between Laundry tackled this little exterior makeover to cheer up her front stoop; she shows how a few simple changes can make a big difference!
Mar 11, 2020
Modern Nursery Classic: The Eames Rocker
The iconic Eames rocker is a well-loved addition to many nurseries that we have featured here. Most nursery rockers and gliders tend towards enormity, but this little workhorse is a stylish small space wonder that’s great for nursing, reading, or just hanging out.Designed in 1948, the Eames’ borrowed techniques for molding plastic from World War II research to create a plastic chair with a more organic, body-contoured form.
Mar 11, 2020
Bachelor Pads of Apartment Therapy
The bachelor pads featured here on Apartment Therapy are not your run of the mill man caves. This diverse group of men has a lot to offer in the realm of design. While each home is quite different from the next, they are all inspiring, modern spaces, packed full of personality.From product designer, to food scientist, to set builder, each of these men has developed a thoughtful sense of design derived from their unique experiences.
Mar 11, 2020
Packing Checklist for a Perfect Road Trip
Road trips tend to be love ’em or leave ’em affairs, and personally, I fall into the “love” category. While I’ve enjoyed most of my excursions, I’ll be the first to admit that there has been a serious trial-and-error process with my packing lists. Inevitably, the trips for which I was better prepared were much more pleasurable than others, but it hasn’t always been easy to anticipate just what items I’ll need.
Mar 11, 2020
Planning Ahead: Converting Twin Beds to Bunks
Our recent roundup of twin beds elicited many comments from readers convinced that twins don’t make much sense because kids might outgrow them. But what about shared rooms and space constraints? My twins share a room and are perilously close to climbing out of their cribs, so we are looking at big kid beds. For our home and needs, it makes sense to buy twin beds that can be converted to bunk beds in a few years. In the course of shopping around we have learned a few things.
Mar 11, 2020
Before and After: This Springy $1,000 Bathroom Redo Covers Every Little Detail
The before is fine, but the after will give you heart-eyes.
Mar 11, 2020
10 Kid-Friendly Ideas for Backyard Fun
My parents always shooed us outside in the summertime. We’d come in for lunch and the occasional popsicle, but we otherwise lived outside. If you’re planning the same for your kids, here are ten ideas for making your outside space more appealing, more fun and more memorable.Sandbox: Even if you can’t get to the beach this summer, you can still have the sun and the sand. Buy one or build one to your specifications. Show here is a terrific shaded sandbox.
Mar 11, 2020
Before & After: File Box Goes for the Gold
It was a little over a year ago that this little file box came home with me and received its first makeover, going from a dull gray to a vibrant yellow. A lot of things have changed in my apartment over the past year, so it’s time for the file box to get another makeover…When I painted this file box last year, yellow was the perfect color. It suited the room where it lived, and I’ve always been partial to the color of the sun.
Mar 11, 2020
Before & After: Melissa’s “Cloffice” on a Budget
The challenge (and fun!) of small space living is finding the best use for every inch. Even though tiny apartments are usually short on closet space, a place to stash your suitcases is less useful if what you really need is an office. Melissa put her closet to work for her — for only $130!Melissa Massello is the Stealfinder in Chief of Shoestring Magazine, and with a title like that, you know she’s looking to save a buck.
Mar 11, 2020
The Ultimate Guide to Making Any Rental More Energy Efficient
Think that because you don’t own, you have no control over your home’s energy use? Not true! Here’s our ultimate guide; full of links to quick, easy and yes, even inexpensive, ways to reduce your carbon footprint and lower your bills (your landlord will thank you!). Most of these changes are likely to pay for themselves in energy savings over the duration of your rental.
Mar 11, 2020
Before & After: TV Tray Table Gets Decked Out
As part of my ongoing quest to add some color to my grey living room, I picked up one of these inexpensive tv tray tables at Target and decided to give it the before and after treatment. Yes, there is spray paint involved. And lamp finials. And rope. Intrigued? Click on through to see my nautically-inspired end result.The goal was to transform this $9 table from ‘college girl watching sitcom reruns and eating popcorn’ to something a little more yacht chic.
Mar 11, 2020
Before & After: Bold Color in the Kitchen
When Lee moved into his apartment rental, the kitchen was stark white and sterile. Check out what some color and black and white self adhesive floor tiles can do…With the help of a hair dryer, he removed the old, cracked vinyl tiles, and replaced them with Armstrong self adhesive floor tiles (cost $90). By positioning them at an angle, he created a diamond pattern that helps to distracts the eye from the railroad apartment’s “long & skinny” shape.
Mar 11, 2020
Before & After: MacBook Dye Project
Got an outdated white Apple MacBook? Here’s a surprising customization project utilizing RIT fabric dye to give the MacBook’s polycarbonate case a whole new colorful life. Considering how expensive professional custom paint jobs cost and the outdated state of these models, we’re pretty impressed with the project’s results… Get a pan (An inch or so deep, if possible.), and fill it with water (4 cups of water per packet, 8 cups.
Mar 11, 2020