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July 15

The Latest: Jul 15, 2020

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10 Ideas for Disguising or Hiding a Litter Box
I’m one of those visitors that cat owners probably dread: I can smell a litter box a block away, and I’m not charmed by a cat doing its business in plain sight of the dinner table. Any of these attempts at making the litter box more discreet will go a long way towards endearing your darling cat to guests like me… TOP ROW: 1. Here’s the first of my three favorite IKEA hacks, this time from Bella Pop. IKEA should really get into the litter box game. 2.
Tess Wilson
Jul 15, 2020
3 Tips For Getting Warm on Cold Mornings
These days I live in mild San Francisco, but I spent the first 23 years of my life in Chicago, a city where a windchill of -20ºF (that’s -29ºC) turns waiting for the bus into an extreme sport. I’ve learned a few things over the years… I like to keep my apartment as cold as possible while I’m sleeping, but even if you don’t, the transition from under-the-covers to real world can be a brutal one.
Tess Wilson
Jul 15, 2020
Before & After: A Travel Inspired Kitchen Renovation
If there’s a leading trend, it’s embracing color, and that’s exactly what the talented crew at DC design firm Residents: Understood did with their clients Danielle and Peter. Using the young couple’s wanderlust as inspiration, R:U set about transforming sterile gloomy to bold global.Given that Danielle and Peter met while studying in Europe, got engaged in Iceland, and will be married in Italy this fall, they wanted to make a home that suited their vibrant life together.
Leah Moss
Jul 15, 2020
Famous Writers’ Small Writing Sheds and Off-the-Grid Huts
When I hear the phrase “writing hut” or “backyard shed” my imagination practically squeals with delight. A small, intimate space furnished with the essentials. Low impact, high inspiration. This is probably why I love going to North Dakota and why I want to pull a Pollan and build my own little house.
Cambria Bold
Jul 15, 2020
Fixer Upper Fined $40K by the EPA for Lead Paint Violations
If you’ve ever watched an episode of Fixer Upper and wondered, “Huh, I guess they don’t have lead paint in Texas?,” you’re not alone. One such viewer happened to be an EPA employee—and now the Gaineses are on the hook for $40,000 in lead paint violation penalties. This week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it had settled with Chip and Joanna Gaines’s company, Magnolia Homes, for violating rules related to lead-based paint.
Melissa Massello
Jul 15, 2020
4 Ideas For Finding More Meaningful Art
We often share ideas about how to make sure your art complements your decor. Or talk about where to find affordable art to fill up your walls. Or post about DIY art projects you can do quickly, easily and within your budget. Though these are all valid ways to add a little color to your rooms, there’s another aspect to consider when on the hunt for art.
Adrienne Breaux
Jul 15, 2020
Before & After: A Budget Garden Makeover
Since moving back to our rented home we’ve been slowly rebuilding the gardens around the house. Working with what we have and focusing on the growing-not-mowing philosophy, we turned the space near our front door in to a useable garden space for less than $20.Until recently the space was only used to access the hot water system.
Sarah Starkey
Jul 15, 2020
Before & After: Sesame Street Dresser
Since I was a child, I’ve loved Sesame Street; my parents even credit it with teaching me to read before I reached kindergarten. And I even had a similarly plain, white dresser in my room. Imagine my delight had my parents turned it into this beauty that features some favorite Sesame Street muppets!I would’ve flipped for this Sesame dresser (although back in the day, Elmo probably would’ve been Kermit), and when my kids were preschoolers, they would’ve loved it, too.
Beth Callaghan
Jul 15, 2020
Best Upholstery Fabric Options for Cat & Dog Owners
When that luxurious velvet sofa catches your gaze for the first time, it’s easy to think, “I can totally do this, Fido will learn that he is not allowed up. Simple as that.” We’ve all been there, but let’s get real. Even if you become the dog whisperer and are indeed successful in keeping him off the sofa, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will stay clean.
Ashley Poskin
Jul 15, 2020
Daphne’s Glamorous Nursery
Name: Daphne (1 month)Location: Charleston, SC Size: 10′ x 13′ Many nurseries start off as home offices that are then bequeathed to the newest family member upon their arrival. This was the case with Deirdre’s office which she used for three years before finding out she was expecting. Luckily, the paint color worked well for the nursery she had in mind.How did your office become Daphne’s nursery?
Cate West Zahl
Jul 15, 2020
Pallet Furniture: How to Choose and Prepare Reclaimed Wood for DIY Projects
Pallet projects, in every possible form, were early guests to the DIY party and have stayed around ever since. Using them for the reclaimed wood certainly has its risks (more on that later), but you can’t beat the price (which is usually free). Here’s a guide to everything you need to know: finding, choosing, cleaning, and breaking down one for use. Once you know the what’s what, you can decide for yourself if they are worth the effort.
Dabney Frake
Jul 15, 2020
Out of the Closet: How To Make a Rope Wrapped Hanging Clothes Bar
Tired of pulling my shirts, all wrinkled and creased, out of my over-stuffed closet, I decided to come out of the closet completely and create a hanging clothes bar in the corner of my bedroom. Say goodbye to these colorful (but useless) drawers-turned-shelves and hello to my new rope wrapped hanging clothes bar…This is actually a project I’ve had in mind for a couple of months.
Jason Loper
Jul 15, 2020
14 Ways to Decorate with Vintage Pieces in Your Bathroom
Despite being small, bathrooms can be the trickiest to decorate. We find ourselves thinking wisely about every decision, since this room holds a captive audience. If you’re looking for a little country or vintage charm in your bathroom, try recycling or repurposing something you may already have.
Melissa DiRenzo
Jul 15, 2020
7 Ways to Turn Your Outdoor Space into an Oasis, Even if It’s Teeny Tiny
Make your outdoor space small but mighty!
Danielle Blundell
Jul 15, 2020
The 6 Best Water Filter Solutions I’ve Tested
Since starting Apartment Therapy, I’ve always felt it’s good to do everything you can to make your home comfortable and clean (in as little time as possible), and that air and water quality were fundamental. Living in New York City, I’ve never had a problem with the water, but when I started to drink cold filtered water I loved the difference. Particularly when making coffee or tea, filtered water really seemed to improve the taste. Years later, this is what I’ve learned.
Maxwell Ryan
Jul 15, 2020
Before & After: Under Stair Storage Redo
Like many other small space dwellers, we have almost no closet or storage space in my home. The tenants before us took the first step to maximize the dead space under the stairs by removing a partition wall to open up the area, and installed a drop down hatch under the stair. Unfortunately they didn’t install a railing and instead only those awkward, sharp rectangular boxes — after several falls down the stairs it was painfully obvious something needed to change!
Rachel Wray Thompson
Jul 15, 2020
Before & After: Ikea Malm Goes Grecian Glam
Just look at that Ikea Malm dresser all sitting there all plain and white. You just wait, Ikea Malm dresser. You have no idea what’s about to happen to you. (Hint: it involves O’verlays!)Told you so! We’re such big fans of furniture makeovers, especially when it’s more than just a coat of paint. This makeover, created by Amanda Carol, turned a blank canvas of a dresser into a super statement with Greek key shaped O’verlays that she painted gold.
Katie Steuernagle
Jul 15, 2020
The Best & Worst Times to Go Thrift Store Shopping
After years of thrifting, and knowing myself, I’ve figured out when it makes sense to head to Goodwill, and when I should just stay home. If you aren’t a diehard go-every-day-as-if-it’s-a-religion kind of shopper, then choose your strategy carefully and save yourself a world of hassle and time. Right Before Halloween: There’s just no point.
Dabney Frake
Jul 15, 2020
How to Shop for Kitchen Cabinets on the Cheap
Cabinetry usually adds up to about half of kitchen renovation expenses, so if you have a small budget, you’ve got to find ways to cut costs. Shop sales, check second-hand and salvage stores, try a demolition auction, or find ways to get a custom look from big box sources.For kitchen cabinet sources, click here. Home Depot Big box stores like Home Depot have frequent discounts on stock kitchen cabinets.
Sarah Coffey
Jul 15, 2020
One Minute Tip: Build Your Own Snowblower Cab
At Apartment Therapy, we believe the more personal you make your space, the happier you will be in it (and that goes for the time you spend caring for the roads leading up to your space, too!). In today’s video, Grandpa Carl shows us his hand-built custom snowblower cab, which he invented and built for less than it would cost to buy one commercially.
Rebecca Blumhagen
Jul 15, 2020
Before & After: Katie’s Big Easy Kitchen
New Orleans-based interior designer Katie Logan rents out a small apartment on the bottom floor of her house on Airbnb, and we’re awfully glad: Not only is it a relaxing place to stay in the Big Easy, it’s nice to look at! Seeing the before photos, we’re inspired by the cute space she was able to create without a lot of money or time.
Adrienne Breaux
Jul 15, 2020
Before & After: Anna’s Take on the Ikea Rast
We’re certainly no strangers to the versatility of the Ikea Rast around here. I even put together a post about The Endlessly Adaptable IKEA Rast Dresser last year. This $35 dresser is a DIYer’s dream and I love continuing to discover new variations. Anna took the simple little dresser and turned it into a classic nightstand…Anna recently shared her Rast customization on her blog, Take the Side Street.
Jason Loper
Jul 15, 2020
Energy Saving Task Lighting in the Kitchen: 10 LED Under Cabinet Lights
I recently installed under cabinet lights in the kitchen of my rental apartment, and for a relatively small investment, they have made a big impact: They provide lighting for such kitchen tasks as dish washing and food prep, and their ambient glow is a pleasant alternative to the harsh overhead lighting I relied on previously. Fluorescent, halogen and xenonTOP ROW1. NON LED Countertop Light, $20 from IKEA2. LEDme Button Light, $54 from WAC Lighting3.
Kate Legere
Jul 15, 2020
Before and After: A Dim, Dated Kitchen Gets a Refreshing DIY Makeover for $400
The secret? Color!
Melissa Epifano
Jul 15, 2020
Before & After Roundup: Refinished Wood Furniture Projects
While applying a new coat of paint can be a quick and easy way to make over a piece of furniture, refinishing a quality wooden piece is often worth the added time and patience. And it’s often not too hard — a little light sanding and a few simple restoring products is often all it takes to breathe new life into old pieces, and bring out the beautiful grain of wooden furniture.1. A Revamped Kitchen Table, from Door Sixteen2. An Old Dresser, Apartment Therapy3.
Rachel Wray Thompson
Jul 15, 2020
10 Clever DIY Projects to Hide Household Eyesores
Here’s the unfortunate truth about 99% of all living spaces: every house and apartment—large or small—likely has something that’s weird, oddly placed, or just plain ugly. These persistent little problems (cords, vents, pipes, outlets) might drive you nuts, but stay they must, especially if you are a renter. The only solution is to get creative…. Here are ten common household eyesores, and DIY projects and ideas to help you disguise them: 1.
Dabney Frake
Jul 15, 2020
A Stylish Kitchen for Less: 10 Great Looking Kitchen Faucets Under $200
Not only does the faucet you choose for your kitchen affect the overall look of the room, but if you cook a lot (or if you don’t own a dishwasher), the convenience of its design will affect you every day. For our 2016 faucet guide, we’ve taken both form and function into consideration—and to raise the stakes even higher, set a price cap at $200. These options meet the trifecta—they’re pretty, practical, and very well-priced.
Melissa DiRenzo
Jul 15, 2020
Kitchen Before & After: From Dark & Dated to Light & Glamorous
Ever since Denise and her husband Brad moved into their 1937 California Ranch style home six years ago, the dark and dated kitchen was always a sore spot for her. Not only was it stuck in the ’80s, it also lacked adequate storage.It wasn’t until the birth of their daughter that she realized she would be spending a lot of time in the kitchen as a stay-at-home mom — and she needed a space that was open, warm, and reflected her love of old world glamour.
Linda Ly
Jul 15, 2020
Before & After: Dana’s Updated Bathroom
We’ve been following along as Dana and her husband sold their old house, moved into an apartment, and rebuilt a small house — all while also welcoming their third child. I’m sure this master bathroom update is a great indication of how the rest of the house has come together. Dana and her handy hubby, Steve, worked with what they’ve got in this small bathroom.
Jason Loper
Jul 15, 2020
30 Ways To Repair, Restore, Or Redo Any Piece Of Furniture
Not all furniture we find is attractive. It might be picked up from an online listing or passed on from relatives. Over the years we’ve spent a great deal of time focusing on these shabby pieces in efforts to make them chic once again. Check out these 30 tips, tricks and ideas for your next furniture flip!
Sarah Rae Smith
Jul 15, 2020
Before & After: Greg & Ashley’s Bathroom Gut Rehab
We got a sneak peek into Greg and Ashley’s bathroom remodel back in April, when the couple was still in the thick of the project. After checking in on their progress, we discovered that the bathroom is now ready for a full unveiling!Greg and Ashley have been tracking the progress of their house renovation on their blog 7th House on the Left. When we peeked in at their bathroom last April they had just finished ripping out all the old stuff and installing the new tile and vanity.
Jason Loper
Jul 15, 2020
Before & After: New Uses for Old Doors
After moving to Saratoga Springs, NY, which is famous for its horses and horse track, Lucianna Samu became obsessed with old horse stall doors. She began collecting and refurbishing the doors for projects around the house. Below are pictures of a liquor cabinet and a kitchen pantry that Lucianna created by hanging the doors on modern sliding rails.According to Lucianna, My advice is that the lighter the door, the easier and less expensive the installation.
Kate Legere
Jul 15, 2020
Before & After: The $5 New Upholstery Office Chair Makeover
I just bid farewell to our last task chair review sample, noting as much as I found this and other new models comfortable in different ways, my tried and true task chair I purchased way back in 2008 keeps proving to be the most comfortable. But after years of daily use, the chair has definitely seen better days.
Gregory Han
Jul 15, 2020
Before & After: Kitchen Makes the Most Out of Inherited Oak Cabinets
Back in 2011, Annie and her husband had a little difference of opinion when it came to the oak cabinets in the kitchen of their new home. She hated them, and he loved them. Since she had carte blanche everywhere else in the house, she wrote into Apartment Therapy asking how they should redecorate and still respect his wishes.
Dabney Frake
Jul 15, 2020
Best Bedside Water Carafes: Esque, Crate & Barrel, Canvas Home & 11 More
I’ve been rounding up these little luxuries for a number of years and have even been corrected (happily) that a “bedside carafe” MUST (in order to earn its name) have a glass attached to it. Agreed. So this is my biggest selection yet of the best options out there right now, from traditional to modern, from high to low. The one up top is my top pick this year, because the shape is unexpected but still elegant, and it’s totally affordable.
Maxwell Ryan
Jul 15, 2020
The Complete Guide to Using and Caring for Copper Pots
Copper pans are loved for being quick to warm and for their extremely even distribution of heat. They are often specifically called for in candy-making and other heat-sensitive recipes, but copper is useful for almost all your cooking, since the increased control and evenness of temperature makes everything easier. Although copper is one of the most expensive materials for pans, for those who love to cook copper pots and pans are worth the investment.
Emil Evans
Jul 15, 2020
Look Inside: This 1960s A-Frame Boasts a Bright, Airy Living Room
It's a five-minute walk from the beach.
Madeline Bilis
Jul 15, 2020
Music For Your Eyes: Beautifully Displayed Record Collections
Audiophiles love their records like bibliophiles love their books, and as anyone who has tried to fit a collection of either into a small space can attest it can take some creative finesse to make it work. In a quest to make space for my own record collection I did a bit of research and came up with these inspiring images of beautifully organized and displayed vinyl collections from our own tours and around the web. 1. A low console is a stylish option and just the right size for a single row.
Kim Lucian
Jul 15, 2020
An Instagrammer is Reviving Khokhloma, a Near-Extinct Folk Art
From Russia with love…gems, beads, pearls, and a complete and total explosion of color. These studded and sparkling plates, and their insanely intricate embellishment work, are the ultimate in bedazzling. These decorative plates are the handicraft of a Russian artist named Daria.
Marni Epstein-Mervis
Jul 15, 2020
20 Ways to Hack, Tweak, Repurpose & Reimagine IKEA’s Trofast
Think you’re clever using IKEA’s Trofast to round up all your kids’ toys, do ya? Well, okay, it is perfect for that, but that’s so Trofast 1.0. You’ve got to expaaaaand your miiiiind. Think outside the biiiiiin. Like these folks, who show that mere toy storage is just the tip of the Trofast iceberg. Check out these 20 ways to use the use the Trofast. Some are true hacks and reimaginings, others minor tweaks and adjustments. Not familiar with Trofast?
Carrie McBride
Jul 15, 2020
Life at Home: Ways To Enjoy a Grown-Up “Snow Day” Anytime
During the first half of my life growing up in New York, snow days meant waking up early, gripping the radio in hope that my school’s name would be called out so I would get to spend the day playing in the snow with my friends.The second half of my life has been on the West Coast where snow and winter became foreign words. Until last year that is when I moved to the Pacific Northwest and entered the world of seasons once more.
Alysha Findley
Jul 15, 2020
5 Ways to Battle the “Not Enough Outlets” Problem
Old apartments have so much character, don’t they? The solid walls, the carefully crafted architectural details, the two power outlets in the whole place… yikes! If you’re loving your pre-war apartment, but hating having no place to plug in your hair dryer, check out if one of these five solutions can help.1. Install New OutletsYeah, this might not work for everybody—especially renters.
Taryn Williford
Jul 15, 2020
The Broke Person’s Guide to Decorating: The Cheapest, Chicest & Most Effective Tricks
Have hardly any money to spend on your home decor? Have NO money to spend on your decor? It might seem impossible to design a home that won’t end up looking like your budget was zero, but it is possible to get creative and design a home that still looks great despite your small (or non-existent) budget. Here are some of our favorite tips. Really work on designing your spaces to optimize each room’s flow and feeling.
Adrienne Breaux
Jul 15, 2020
The One Bathroom Storage Spot You’re Probably Overlooking
Taking advantage of this space will only set you back $10!
Dominique Gebru
Jul 15, 2020
Nate Berkus And Jeremiah Brent Are Obsessed With This Distinctive Marble, And We Can See Why
It screams luxury.
Olivia Harvey
Jul 15, 2020
How To Really Enjoy a Day Off
A day off is a gift and in today’s hard-working world, a thing to be savored. For some of us, that means a recuperating and revitalizing opportunity — a day without any goals beyond recharging batteries. For others, the idea of an “extra” day to accomplish a home-based goal, whether crafting, cleaning, decorating or renovating is simply too good to let pass by.
Janel Laban
Jul 15, 2020
Fresh Start: Small Closet Updates that Make a Big Difference
It’s easy to close the door to your closet and forget about what’s in there…until the next time you get changed or put on your coat. Here are a few simple ideas for upgrading your closets’ style and organization so that each look and rummage inside is enjoyable.Go uniform. The easiest way to make your closet look more orderly is to use single-color multiples.
Kim R. McCormick
Jul 15, 2020
Before & After: Upcycled, Vintage, Budget Office Makeover
BEFOREDreary home office gettin’ you down? Take a cue from one of the lovely ladies of Fig & Sage who, after realizing the paint color on the walls made the office ‘depressing and lifeless’ in winter, transformed the room into… AFTER… a soothing, lavender-hued oasis with a wood door tabletop (salvaged from her basement), IKEA shelves and desk legs, two West Elm Parsons desks (scored for $15 each at an overstock warehouse), and neat, colorful organization.
Cambria Bold
Jul 15, 2020