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The Latest: Jul 2020

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.
Small, outdated kitchen with white cabinets, old stove, and dishwasher.
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
This Trend is the New Terrazzo, and It’s an Easy Way to Add Color to Your Home
Meet 2020's new speckled home decor trend.
Caroline Biggs
Jul 15, 2020
An Already Gorgeous Victorian House Has Been Energized With Bold Color
Angela Wator, owner/designer of BASH Party Goods, has decorated this 1896 Victorian house in Chicago with color, pattern, and fun.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Jul 15, 2020
4 Seemingly Harmless Things That Will Ruin Your Kitchen Sink, According to Pros
Think twice before rinsing these household staples down the drain.
Brigitt Earley
Jul 15, 2020
Before and After: HGTV’s “Good Bones” Restored This Abandoned Victorian Home—And It’s Completely Unrecognizable
Karen E. Laine and Mina Starsiak modernized the house while preserving some of its original charm.
Nicoletta Richardson
Jul 15, 2020
Partner
3 Ways to Fall Back in Love with Mid-Century Design
Mid-century modern is the sweetheart of the design world. But, like any relationship, our love can get a little stale sometimes. We think this style is much longer-lasting than a trend, though. And with a few tweaks, we can easily reignite the spark. We looked at everything we love about mid-century glamour — curved lines! sleek seating! timeless style! — through a fresh lens and put together three new ways to style your living room.
Creative Studio
Jul 15, 2020
8 Ways To Use a Bowl In Your Home
Cambria has recently mentioned her affinity for bowls in the home and I have to wholeheartedly agree. They’re perfect for use all around your space, not just for a bowl of cereal! Here are a few suggestions on how to get more from your bowls:Now admittedly the bowls in the photo above aren’t the greenest of nature but they still convey the point we’re looking to illustrate below. See where else you can put them to use (besides your tool chest) from the tips below!1.
Sarah Rae Smith
Jul 15, 2020
4 Places to Squeeze an Extra Closet into Your Rental, According to Home Stagers
Don't underestimate garment racks.
Grace Cassidy
Jul 15, 2020
Before & After: Wife Gets Creatively Crafty With Husband’s Charging Corner
Gregory Han
Jul 15, 2020
Review: The Hastens Excelsior II
Bed: Excelsior II with BJX Mattress Top Manufacturer: Hastens Retail Price: $13,350 I just received a new bed to test for October, so it’s time to weigh in on the bed I tested for the whole month of September — the Hastens. My nutshell review: awesome bed, awesomely expensive. I LOVE this bed for two reasons: 1. I sink into it wonderfully and sleep really well and 2. it has zero smells or textures that are toxic or off-putting. Ten beds to go.
Maxwell Ryan
Jul 15, 2020
B&A: How a Tiny Apartment Transformed into 2020's Small/Cool Grand Prize Winner
Video House Tour
Apartment Therapy's Small/Cool contest grand prize winner has an Oakland apartment featuring smart small-space ideas. And one of the most organized pantries we've ever seen!
Adrienne Breaux
Jul 15, 2020
5 Things To Do With Extra Sofa Pillows
The small pillows that came with my sofa upon purchase didn’t really accent anything as their name might suggest. I wanted something a little brighter and jazzier. Instead of keeping those pillows shoved in the back corner of the linen closet, try putting them to use with one of these 5 ideas:1. Remove The Covers: By removing the pillow covers, you can switch them out to be any color, pattern or style you want. It seems obvious, but is an easy one to forget.2.
Sarah Rae Smith
Jul 15, 2020
How To Beat the Cold: Tips for Making Windows Warmer for Winter
Keeping warm in the winter time sometimes requires extra work and some ingenuity. Thankfully, our reader community is a generous one; people regularly share helpful tips and secrets in the comments. Today, I’ve gathered just some of their great ideas on how to seal up windows and deal with drafts — so you can live as toasty (and as cheaply) at home as possible this cold season. gudnis: If you have double hung windows, head to the hardwre store and find some FELT weatherstripping.
Dabney Frake
Jul 15, 2020
My $19 Spa Robe Makes Quarantine Feel Like a Fancy Hotel
This is self care in the time of coronavirus.
Caroline Cox
Jul 14, 2020
These 8 New Sofa Trends Will Make a Statement in Your Living Room
Move over, navy blue velvet!
Samantha Leal
Jul 15, 2020
8 of the Best Bike Storage Solutions You Can Buy Now
Because life in the bike lane doesn't have to mean scuffed walls.
Nicole Lund
Jul 14, 2020
Before and After: A Plain Patio Becomes a Mediterranean-Inspired Oasis
This makeover takes advantage of the 180-square-foot space's L-shaped layout.
Melissa Epifano
Jul 14, 2020
This Is What New York City Would Look Like If Cars Were Banned
Architect and urbanist Vishaan Chakrabarti and his firm Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU) believe that taking cars off the streets of Manhattan is a necessary step toward that better future.
Olivia Harvey
Jul 14, 2020
A Cute 264-Square-Foot Converted Bus Feels Just Like a Real House
What inspired this young couple to downsize and move into a tiny home was the exhausting lifestyle of working to pay rent each month.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Jul 14, 2020
The $0 Way to Always Have Real Flowers at Home
Just call this your "forever bouquet."
Erin Johnson
Jul 14, 2020
I Tested 4 Zero-Cost Methods for Trapping Fruit Flies in the Kitchen—and Found One Clear Winner
Four DIY fruit fly traps, and one winner! My kitchen is fruit fly-free now.
Faith Durand
Jul 14, 2020