The Latest
2020

The Latest: 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.
Living room with red chair, globe, TV, stacks of books, gray walls, and a large sectional sofa.
This Weekend: Remove One Of Your Home’s Biggest Eyesores
Do you have a love/hate thing with your window A/C unit? Love overfloweth when it’s hell hot in the summer, and then the hate kicks in during winter when it’s nothing but an ugly appliance that lets in cold air. Let yourself get excited when it’s finally time to either: a) remove it from the window entirely; or b) cover that baby and forget about it for awhile. Store or Insulate Your Window Unit: The gaps around air conditioner units cause major energy loss.
Dabney Frake
Jul 18, 2020
Ellen DeGeneres & Portia de Rossi List Their Santa Barbara Villa for $45 Million
Ellen is on the move. The comedian, TV host, and designer has listed the Santa Barbara villa that she and wife, actress Portia de Rossi, bought in 2013. Originally built in the 1930s by famed architect Wallace Frost for himself, it was inspired by his years living in Italy. Frost emulated the style of Old World villas with stone walls, a classic barrel-tiled roof, terra-cotta surfaces, wide wood flooring planks, rustic exposed ceiling beams, and 18th century Italian tile.
Tara Bellucci
Jul 18, 2020
Are You In? Get Ready for Season Two of Ellen’s Design Challenge With Our Casting Special Recap & Interviews
Ellen is back (and so are our recaps)! We’re super excited that the furniture design competition returns tonight (Monday, January 18), so here’s a look back at the New Year’s Day casting special. We get a taste of what’s to come on season 2 of Ellen’s Design Challenge, we meet the cast, and two people are gone before they got the chance to really compete. Too bad, so sad. Want to meet the cast?
Tara Bellucci
Jul 18, 2020
Art-Inspired Wedding Details That Creative Couples Will Love
If you’re an artsy couple, you’d probably be psyched to incorporate some of your love of painting and illustration into your big day. But even if you’re not, these creative details might be just the thing for you, too. After all, a little color and texture never hurt anybody. Make each piece a little work of art. If they’re particularly beautiful, it can double as a favor to take home. Art-inspired invites are everywhere these days.
Taryn Williford
Jul 18, 2020
You Can’t Go Wrong With This Classic Kitchen Color
Here at Apartment Therapy, we love a colorful kitchen. But we also recognize that painting your kitchen is a little different from say, painting your living room or bedroom. It feels a little more scary, a little more permanent. It can also affect your home’s resale value. If you love color, but these things have you feeling a little trepidatious, why not consider blue?
Nancy Mitchell
Jul 18, 2020
Hue Knew: Two Trending Colors That Are Even Better Together
I’ve always been a huge fan of pink and green together, and the current trend towards more somber, desaturated colors has put a fresh new spin on this classic combo. Hunter green and dusty pink are beautiful on their own, of course, but they’re even better together. This kitchen from Little Greene pairs a pink that’s just a wee bit bubble gummy with a dark green (and an oak worktop) that balances it out nicely.
Nancy Mitchell
Jul 18, 2020
Little Kids, Big Style: Our Favorite Kids Rooms & Nurseries of the Year
Be prepared, upon diving into this slideshow, to be uncomfortably jealous of babies, toddlers, and teenagers. These 15 rooms, home to kids of all ages, are utterly delightful: playful yet sophisticated, orderly yet inviting, and lovingly designed without being fussy. The thoughtfulness of the decor means that these nurseries and kids’ rooms will accommodate their young occupants as they grow—and that there are plenty of design ideas to steal for our own grown-up rooms.
Tess Wilson
Jul 18, 2020
Sorry, Parents: Nobody Wants the Family “Heirlooms”
In a modern world currently intrigued by minimalism, there’s something that all three adult generations can agree on: the problem of dealing with the collections curated (hoarded?) by our family members. From younger boomers and Gen X’ers sandwiched between their aging/dying parents and their own children to millennials trying to gently manage expectations (and their own limited budgets and storage space) without hurt feelings, the message is crystal clear.
Melissa Massello
Jul 18, 2020
Is “Goodbye, Things” the New “Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up”?
Marie Kondo is more than a household name. She’s crossed over to the next level and has become a verb for those of us who write, think and obsess about all things home. Yes, “KonMari-ing” and “Kondoizing” are things now. We need our socks to spark joy if we are going to keep them around; why should we settle for anything less?
Janel Laban
Jul 18, 2020
How They Do It: Secrets of People Who Are Always Full of Energy
You know who I'm talking about. The people who show up at the office bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, every day, like clockwork, eating the kind of food you made resolutions about.
Anne Momber
Jul 18, 2020
Matteo: The Most Luxurious Bedding I’ve Found
So, I’ve got this client. He’s a single guy in finance with a BIG budget, and he really needs to upgrade his large SoHo apartment so that it doesn’t look like a dorm room anymore. We stain the floors, repaint and buy beautiful, sophisticated furniture that he will be able to keep with him for years. But when it comes to the bedding, I don’t want to present him with overpriced Italian sheets or anything feminine. I want masculine. I want modern. I want luxury.
Maxwell Ryan
Jul 18, 2020
9 Makeshift Desks that’ll Turn Your Living Room, Bedroom, or Any Room into a Home Office
WFH made better.
Kelsie Schrader
Jul 18, 2020
Decluttering Idea to Consider: Letting Go of Leftover Furniture
Dragging furniture from one home to the next is pretty standard practice. And as your most-used furniture finds its new home in your living room, dining room and bedroom, have you ever noticed there’s sometimes perfectly-good-so-why-get-rid-of-it “leftover” furniture that you always struggle to find a place for? For me it’s a handful of chairs.
Adrienne Breaux
Jul 18, 2020
A Really Slow, Hard Week For Rebekah & Graeme’s Kitchen Project
Name: Graeme & Rebekah Molloy Type of Project: Kitchen Remodel Location: Chautauqua Park, Des Moines, Iowa Type of building: 1920 Tudor The Renovation Diaries are a collaboration with our community in which we feature your step by step renovation progress and provide monetary support towards getting it done in style. See all of our Reno Diaries here. Rebekah and Graeme are now totally in the thick of their kitchen reno.
Renovation Diary
Jul 18, 2020
5 Ideas for Sliding Mirror Closet Doors
Not all sliding mirror closet doors are created equal. For example, our new home is equipped with mirrored sliding doors, and while they’re not awful, we definitely want to revamp them (or take them out altogether). Our 5 ideas for dealing with sliding mirror closet doors (and don’t forget to weigh in with your suggestions). Apply vinyl decals like these or these to distract from the look of mirrored closet doors.
Beth Zeigler
Jul 18, 2020
7 Things New Homeowners Should Never, Ever Apologize For
In your first year of owning your own home, every new day brings on a new challenge. And thanks to that fresh and dewy homeowner glow, you’re poised to tackle them all. Who cares if the wall is crooked and the kitchen is in disarray—they’re yours. Owning a home isn’t all good feelings, though. And people don’t seem to want to discuss all the bad vibes that can frequently come along with buying your own first place… What if the neighbors are horrible?
Taryn Williford
Jul 18, 2020
5 Simple, Safe & Surprising Metal Cleaners
Inspired by the folks who described their own homemade cleansers in our green cleaner comment thread yesterday, we remembered this list of simple and safe homemade metal cleaners in Real Simple Cleaning, and pulled it off the shelf this morning to take a look. Perfect for keeping your kitchen or bath faucets shining bright without chemicals!1. Ketchup brightens copper. According to Real Simple Cleaning, the acetic acid in ketchup dissolves the oxide tarnish that makes copper look cloudy.2.
Janel Laban
Jul 18, 2020
Here’s How Much Extra You Need to Save to Keep Up with Rising Home Prices
Saving up to buy a home next year? You might need to put aside a little extra to keep up with rising home costs. According to a recent report from Zillow, the national median home will be worth $6,275 more a year from now—meaning that, on average, U.S. homebuyers will need to save an extra $105 a month (a total of $1,260 for 12 months) to keep up with the cost of a 20 percent down payment.
Brittney Morgan
Jul 18, 2020
Succulent School: 10 Hardy & Stylish Succulents For Home
It’s no secret that we’re into succulents. They’re easy to take care of, cheap, easily propagate, don’t need much water and come in tons of beautiful colors and textures. Looking for some fresh succulent inspiration? Want to expand your succulent knowledge and find a new love? Discover our favorite succulents for ground and container planting after the jump. The beauty of succulents is that they can take full sun and can live in a container or in the ground.
Laure Joliet
Jul 18, 2020
Getting Rid of the Fugitive Filth I Was Harboring in my Kitchen
Kate’s West Village Charm This weekend, in a search of a lost item, I ventured into the no-man’s land of one particular area of my kitchen and was aghast at what I found there. Even though it’s a little-seen area, that doesn’t make it any better in terms of the dust accumulation and the total ick-factor I experienced when I realized what kind of filth I had been harboring. So where was all the grossness hiding?
Carolyn Purnell
Jul 18, 2020
The Ten Commandments of Buying Used Furniture
You see a chair on the curb. It’s sitting right in front of your building and it’s free. Or, you’re at the thrift store and spy a cheap sofa. But something holds you back. You’re just. not. quite. sure. If only there were guidelines — holy reminders if you will — of things to keep in mind while looking at used furniture. How do you decide if it’s the right thing to re-do? Or if you should run in the other direction?
Dabney Frake
Jul 17, 2020
Before and After: Stock Tank Gardening Project
I’ve been in love with galvanized stock tank gardens for a long time and posted a roundup of my favorites last summer. Finally, I’ve gotten the chance to exercise my green thumb and take the first, small step to adding a little style to the exterior of my home.After nearly a year of renovations to the interior of my home, I’ve finally had the chance to start adding a little curb appeal.
Michelle Chin
Jul 17, 2020
Paint Color Portfolio: Coral Bathrooms
Coral can be defined as a reddish yellow, pinkish yellow or a light yellowish red. It’s similar in shade to salmon and tangerine, with the former having a stronger pink undertone and the latter, a stronger orange. Coral is often associated with colors suited for a Caribbean beach house or tropical decor, but with the variety of tones, this bold yet warm color is quite easy to pull off in many spaces.
Kimber Watson
Jul 17, 2020
Before & After: Laminate Countertop Goes Concrete!
Updating old laminate countertops without having to completely replace them can be a big challenge. Faux finishes can often look, well… faux, and tackling a DIY project (like pouring your own concrete countertops) can be tricky and exhausting. That’s why I was so impressed with this project from interior designer Kara Paslay.Kara managed a realistic concrete look without the hassle and weight of fully-formed slabs.
Sarah Dobbins
Jul 17, 2020
Faith & Mike’s Master Bathroom: The Big Reveal
Name: Faith and MikeType of Project: Master Bathroom CreationLocation: Columbus, OhioType of building: 1920s, multi-level, single family homeIf you’ve been following along with the master bathroom creation in our home renovation, then today is the big day: you get to see how it all turned out!
Faith Durand
Jul 17, 2020
We Bet We Can Guess the 6 Dustiest Spots in Your Home Right Now
Think your home is pretty clean? Maybe you’re doing a good job of dusting the spots you remember to clean on the regular, but we bet there are a few spots that are hiding dust bunnies. Peruse this list, take a quick peek in these spots in your home and tell us if we’re right (or tell us which spots we left off). The purpose of this dust/truth revealing list is not to shame anyone who might in fact have any of these dusty spots (I looked and I had dust in three of these spots myself!
Adrienne Breaux
Jul 17, 2020
Unexpected Drama: An Out-of-the-Box Kitchen Color Combo
It’s an exciting time to be choosing a kitchen color scheme. Not only have we seen a lot of fresh trends emerge in recent years, but bold and playful hues are ever more welcome in this traditional space. If you’re a color lover looking to branch out in your kitchen this year, you might want to take a peek at this surprising color combo to see if it’s right for you.
Adrienne Breaux
Jul 17, 2020
Casper Has Opened a Nap Café in New York
If you need a nap in the city that never sleeps, then there’s a new way for you to catch some ZZZs. Casper, the direct-to-consumer mattress company that started the bed in a box craze, has opened The Dreamery, a nap café next to its store in New York. If you’re new to nap cafés, then you’ve been sleeping on a trend.
Tara Bellucci
Jul 17, 2020
This Is the Best—and Cheapest!—Room in Your Home to Paint a Ceiling
Plus, it's rental-friendly and helps boost natural light, too!
Dominique Gebru
Jul 17, 2020
How To: Make a Glittering Lightscape
Glow and Behold. We first saw this sparkling lightscape last year in the now-defunct Blueprint. It’s a lovely neutral and crystalline color palette. Click below for details on how to do this project using Christmas lights and canvas…• Paint a stretched canvas from an art-supply store in your desired color.• Plot out your design in pencil on the back, keeping dots a half-inch apart.
Danielle Henderson
Jul 17, 2020
DIY Room Decor: Lace Doily Bowls
I’m an accessory junkie, it’s true. I like to make, buy and hunt for new accessories and it’s very hard for me to part with old ones. This simple DIY project is a great way to organize some of your trinkets, and also a great use for all those old doilies floating around in the universe. Whether they’re from your local thrift shop or passed down from your family, this project is a great way to give doilies a new fresh life.
Melissa DiRenzo
Jul 17, 2020
8 Sneaky Ways to Fit in a Workout Every Day
If I had a dollar for every time I justified skipping a workout because I couldn’t find the time, well, I’d probably have enough money to cover my woefully neglected gym membership for a year. But the reality is it can seem impossible to devote a decent chunk of the day to exercise. Still, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t. Happily, there are about a million sneaky ways to fit in a workout—even when time is scarce.
Julie Sprankles
Jul 17, 2020
Before & After: Faith & Mike Create a Bathroom
Most of our Renovation Diary projects involve transforming an existing space. This one was different because Faith and Mike chose to create a bathroom in their 1920s Columbus home where before there was only a sleeping porch. Originally the space was only 7 feet tall, with a sloping floor that would have to be replaced. It was a unique project, and a unique challenge. (You can see many more photos of the original space in the post that introduced Faith and Mike’s bathroom remodel.
Nancy Mitchell
Jul 17, 2020
Rachael’s Apartment Therapy Inspired Design Lab
Name: Rachael & Cassidy (1-year old Doodle, a Dashchund-Poodle mix)Location: U Street Corridor, Washington, DC Size: 1,025 square feetYears lived in: 2.5 My home is a mini-design lab, where I’ve tried out many of the inspiring ideas shown on Apartment Therapy. I replaced the barn door with sliding bookcases — my version of a secret passageway — and tried out my favorite colors and ideas.
Rachael Grad
Jul 17, 2020
Before & After: The Year’s Most Dramatic Transformations
TOP ROW:1. Before & After: A Trashed Curbside Dresser2. Before & After: An Unexpected Upholstery Project3. Before & After: Faux Snakeskin Table4. Before & After: Dresser Makeover5. Before & After: From Trash to Silk Screened Style BOTTOM ROW:6. Before & After: Ottoman Transformation7. Before & After: Salvaging a DIY Dresser Gone Wrong8. Before & After: Trash to Treasure Table in Just an Hour9. Before & After: Restoring a Solid Wood Desk10.
Nancy Mitchell
Jul 17, 2020
Lessons Learned From Photographing Stylish Homes
I’ve been photographing house tours for Apartment Therapy for years (I’m the House Tour Editor now). And I’ve been able to walk through and capture homes with beautiful, inspiring and bold interiors. But all the homes I’ve photographed have had more than just good style in common. Many of them have had elements that make them not just beautiful to look at, but enjoyable and comfortable to be in.
Adrienne Breaux
Jul 17, 2020
10 Ways to Customize a Rental Bathroom
Renovation and rental are two words that you don’t hear too much in the same sentence, but even though you might not be able to completely overhaul your rental apartment, there are ways to cover up that old avocado-green tile, add storage to your small shower, or transform an ugly overhead light without making your landlord angry in the process.
Sarah Coffey
Jul 17, 2020
Before & After: Nancy’s $5 Wall Treatment
Nancy was recently faced with the challenge of completing a quick and affordable bedroom makeover for a couple who is adopting three siblings. She transformed a guest room into a bright and airy girl’s room in only five days, and while there are plenty of lovely touches in the space, it’s her simple and cheap solution for a wall treatment that really stopped me in my tracks.
Carolyn Purnell
Jul 17, 2020
This Weekend: Prepare For A Big Seasonal Shift
With every season comes a different set of clothing, accessories, and gear that’s front and center in your home for a couple of months. For summer, it’s light weight clothing, open toe shoes, and umbrellas. And, while there’s probably lots of time left for the charcoal grill in late August, the clock is ticking on the bicycles, canoe, and pool noodles currently loitering around the house.
Dabney Frake
Jul 17, 2020
Pimp My Small Kitchen: 10 Cheap, Renter-Friendly Improvements
All the small space goodness from last month inspired me to make some tweaks and additions to make my small Brooklyn kitchen more serviceable and user-friendly (especially since I am its primary user). The changes are affordable, renter-friendly and, hopefully, helpful to some of you simmering and sautéing away in your own small kitchens. 1. Over-the-Stove Cutting Board: small kitchens are a challenge not just for storing things but for actually cooking.
Carrie McBride
Jul 17, 2020
How to Test a Waterproof Phone Case
Water-resistant, water-proof and life-proof cases can open up a world of freedom for phone addicts. But before the case ever makes the journey to the lake or the pool, it should be tested to ensure that the case and its seals are in working order. Inspect the case and seals for cracks, dust and dirt. Check that the seal or o-ring is clean an in place. Take a piece of paper, paper towel or anything else that will show when it gets wet, and close it inside the case.
Taryn Williford
Jul 17, 2020
DIY to Try: How To Make Your Own Mudcloth
My love affair with mudcloth is well documented. If you are unfamiliar with the stuff, mudcloth is a somewhat heavy fabric, sewn in strips, and dyed naturally with mud. It usually has a graphic pattern of geometric lines and dots, in high contrast black and white. Given the process of making it, it’s no surprise that the real deal is also somewhat expensive.
Dabney Frake
Jul 17, 2020
Khloe Kardashian Registered For a $10,000 Crib And We Have Questions
Leave it to the Kardashians to turn a baby shower into a star-studded fete with enough ritzy gifts to fill a truck. And that’s just what the family did over the weekend to honor the last currently pregnant Kardashian, Khloe, for the impending arrival of her baby girl with boyfriend Tristan Thompson.
Megan Johnson
Jul 17, 2020
Before & After: Baby Takes Over the Home Office
Stacy had a great home office. The question was, would it be a great nursery, especially if she wanted to re-use many of the same pieces? Let’s see what this room looks like reconfigured as a nursery and which items Stacy kept in the space: Sweet, right? As you can see, Stacy kept the gray paint along with the colorful turquoise shutters (re-repurposed from her wedding). The fetching tissue paper artwork is a DIY project.
Carrie McBride
Jul 17, 2020
7 Ideas to Steal from the Boston Magazine Design Home
A couple weeks ago, I got to preview the beautiful Boston Magazine Design Home 2014 in Salisbury, Ma. While I was inspired by many of the rooms and green features of this net zero energy home, these were the seven décor ideas I wanted to steal for my own space: Note: While its eco-friendliness is a huge draw, I’m going to focus on purely decorating tips. To find out more about its energy efficient features, visit the Design Home website. Here are my seven decorating ideas to steal: 1.
Tara Bellucci
Jul 17, 2020
The One Big Drawback to Undermount Sinks
Undermount sinks are often a no-brainer decision when remodeling a kitchen. There’s lots to love: they look nice, let you to wipe water and crumbs directly from the counter into the sink with a single swipe, and they eliminate that gunk-magnet seam around the lip of overmount sinks. With all these pros, what’s the catch?
Shifrah Combiths
Jul 17, 2020
Farmhouse Fabulous: All About Apron Sinks
The apron-front, or farmhouse, sink has been a popular fixture in all kinds of kitchens for some time now, and with the rise in popularity of kitchens that mix traditional and modern elements, it feels more appropriate than ever. If you’re considering adding one of these big beauties to your space, here’s everything you need to know. Searching for a farmhouse sink? See all of our best picks here.
Nancy Mitchell
Jul 17, 2020
7 Things You Should Know Before Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets
If you’re looking for a relatively painless, low-cost way to update your kitchen, and have ever been on the internet, you know that painting your cabinets is the way to go. Honestly, I can’t think of better dollar-to-dramatic improvement ratio on any other project. And the news gets better: It’s way easier now than it was the olden days, before the miracle of chalk paint.
Dana McMahan
Jul 17, 2020