Monica’s Well-Traveled “Silver Girl”
Name: Monica Location: Seattle, Washington Hi! My name is Monica Bennett and please let me introduce you to my Silver Girl — my beautiful 2012, 27′ International Signature Airstream travel trailer. This beauty accompanies us on all of our Pacific Northwest non-stop outdoor adventures. She offers up a cozy and relaxing retreat after a day spent outdoors trekking through lush green moss carpeted rain forests, to fly fishing some of the most crystal clear rivers.
Feb 25, 2016
13 Ways to Decorate Around a Piano
It’s a unique problem, but no less worthy of attention than how to dress a gallery wall or what to do when your kitchen’s too small. The presence of a piano in the room can be seriously demanding on decor. Here are more than a dozen rooms who’ve mastered it. Do you have a piano at home?
Feb 25, 2016
Real Small-Space Closet Solutions: How To Hang Your Clothes Out in the Open Without it Looking Like a Mess
No closet? No problem. You know how Edward Sharpe says “Home is wherever I’m with you”? Here’s your new motto: My closet is wherever I keep my clothes. Let’s just grab a sturdy garment rack (or make one from scratch) and set up shop in the living room or bedroom. It can look great, with the right inspiration. Flank a garment rack with a dresser on each side, like shown above in Jeanette & Mikul’s Airy, Sunny and Minimal One-Room East Bay Loft.
Feb 25, 2016
Lauren’s Antique Urban Fantasy Mix
Name: Lauren Pirie Location: Bloorcourt — Toronto, Ontario Size: 400 square feet Years lived in: 6 months; Rented When I first entered Lauren’s apartment, I was immediately captivated by all of the art that covers the wall of the long corridor; Lauren’s work is truly enigmatic and delicate. The corridor then led me to the kitchen/living room/studio space.
Feb 25, 2016
Before & After: This Update Will Floor You
Maria made some kitchen magic happen in her rental. Her new floor is classic, cute and matches the most vital of household accessories, her cat. From Maria: I made an AMAZING kitchen floor makeover a month ago. The floor really looked like S when I moved in to my rental apartment in Gothenburg. SO I decided to get the floor in black/white that I always dreamed about. I was really SHOCKED how different, more bright and even bigger my kitchen became.
Feb 25, 2016
Partner
Win: The Perfect Small Space Bed
Prize: Carmela Upholstered Bed in grey, tan or navy linen, complete bed frame along with a Signature Sleep mattress Total Value: $1000 From: DHP You might not know them by name, but DHP is the company behind some of the most stylish pieces you’ll find at Target, Overstock, Amazon, Walmart and Wayfair – some of our definite go-to sources for small space living. Their unique pieces consistently pack a serious style punch but are surprisingly affordable.
Feb 25, 2016
5 Common Freezer Stocking Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
(Image credit: Gina Eykemans) From The Kitchn → 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Stocking Your Freezer
Feb 25, 2016
Robin’s Cambridge Meets “California Cool” Home
Name: Robin Location: Cambridgeport — Cambridge, Massachusetts What can I say about our home… in short our home is our dream home but funny enough it started out as a space that we expected to be living in only a few years. We purchased our home, a 1700 square feet, three bed, three bath condo in a converted school (from the early 1900s) right after the birth of our first son. We bought the space pre-construction and sadly let the developer make most of the decisions.
Feb 24, 2016
Before & After: An Old Parisian Printing Factory Becomes a Creative Family Home
When Adrienne and Benjamin bought this old Parisian printing factory, the space was raw, dark, and badly in need of a renovation, but the volumes were beautiful and they knew there was potential. They took the challenge and after three months of renovations, an atypical, two-story open space was born. They changed the floor, brought in some light, built a stairway and did so much more.
Feb 24, 2016
Rachel’s Lucky Find Bed-Stuy Apartment
Name: Rachel Location: Bed-Stuy — Brooklyn, New York In the fall of 2014, my husband Eric and I started planning a relocation from Houston to Brooklyn so that I could take a job as a Senior Lifestyle Editor at BuzzFeed. We were going to be finding a place to live pretty much long-distance, but we looked at apartments in the city on a trip there in October of that year. We found a place in Harlem I really liked — it was a high-rise modern, spacious, had nice views.
Feb 23, 2016
Dare to Bare: 7 Rooms with Empty Walls (and Why They Work)
We’ve always said that art is one of the most important elements in a room, one of the things that helps it feel complete. But this, like a lot of other decorating mantras, is more of a suggestion than a commandment, and as with a lot of other rules there are plenty of exceptions. Case in point: these eight rooms with no art (or very minimal art) and almost completely bare walls. Instead of seeming boring or incomplete these rooms read as balanced and delightfully minimal.
Feb 23, 2016
Stephen’s Dramatic & Sultry Pied-à-Terre in Morocco
Name: Stephen di Renza Location: Old Medina — Fes, Morocco Size: 56 square meters (600 square feet) Years lived in: 4 years; Owned After years of dwelling in various locations — New York, Paris, London, Hanoi— it is in Morocco that American-born Stephen Di Renza came to a halt and settled.
Feb 23, 2016
23 Make-Ahead Work Lunches
(Image credit: Faith Durand) From The Kitchn → 23 Make-Ahead Lunches to Get You Through the Work Week
Feb 23, 2016
You Can Do It: How To Go to an Event Where You Won’t Know Anyone
Was one of your resolutions this year to connect more? (That’s smart of you). Whether you’re new to a city, trying to find new friends or need to network more for your career, the task can seem Herculean if you know you won’t know many (or any) people at the event you want to attend.
Feb 22, 2016
DIY Bicycle Rack Built For Two
Jacob’s DIY project features a few more steps than most of the projects we feature, but just look at the super cool result!
Feb 22, 2016
Danielle & Ryan’s Light and Crisp Vancouver Home
Name: Danielle & Ryan Location: Fraser/Main — Vancouver, British Columbia Our overall style is minimalist and clean but comfy. We are most inspired by mid-century modern pieces and shapes but like to add bohemian touches for warmth. We also love to freely mixed silver, gold, and brass for a casual and unpretentious feel.
Feb 22, 2016
How To Double Your Closet Space for $51 and One Trip to the Store
Closet too small? Join the club. It’s called “everybody.” But good news! There are two ways to battle a too-small clothes closet: One is to get rid of some of your stuff (in that case, you’ll want to check out this three-part capsule wardrobe series). The other is to get smart about storage. It doesn’t take a lot of time or money. In fact, all you need is one fifty-dollar bill, some sofa cushion change, and an afternoon at your local superstore.
Feb 22, 2016
Cool Color Combo: Mustard & Pink
You guys. It’s February, the days are dark, and I really need some color in my life right now. I saw the photo above pop up on my Pinterest feed, and it was an immediate panacea to my mood: rich mustard yellow and pale mauve-pink is an unexpected, invigorating, and straight-up cheerful combination. Read on for more examples and ideas for this surprising duo.
Feb 22, 2016
If You Love Pop Art, You’re Gonna Want to Pin Every One of These Rooms
What we have here is a dozen unabashed, Warhol- and Lichtenstein-inspired rooms that would look right at home in a pop art museum as they do inside these homes. If you love bright colors and retro styling, get thee to Pinterest and save these shots for later. It’s part aspiration and part inspiration. As big and bold as these rooms are, there are some pretty do-able ideas in here. Do you have any pop art-inspired pieces at home?
Feb 21, 2016
Joseph’s Bright 300-Square-Foot Studio
Name: Joseph Location: Grand Lake — Oakland, California We live in the beautiful Grand Lake district in Oakland, California, across the street from the iconic Grand Lake Theater. Our studio apartment is about 300 square feet with a lofted sleeping area and we have lived here for about two years. Our neighborhood is full of great shops, restaurants and bars, and an amazing farmer’s market on Saturdays.
Feb 21, 2016
Mariska’s Bold & Bright Amsterdam Apartment
Name: Mariska Location: Amsterdam I am about to embark on a new adventure in Amsterdam and would like to share my 117 square meter (1,259 square feet) home, which I completely renovated. I bought it 10 years ago and immediately fell in love with it because it had a fireplace. The house was quite a mess as it had been rented out for a longer period and had not been renovated since the 70s. My style is eclectic, I love collecting art & objects.
Feb 20, 2016
Vanessa’s Fabulous and Thrifty (Under $150) Guest Bedroom
Name & Location: Vanessa in Lynchburg, Virginia My Favorite Room: Guest Bedroom Specs: 120 square feet We live in a ranch home in central Virginia and have made it our own in the last year and a half of marriage. The guest room was a huge priority to us but we did not have much in the way of a budget. That was no problem. If there is one thing I can do, it is to use my imagination to create things that I cannot afford. I eagerly took on the project for the guest room.
Feb 20, 2016
A Nature-Filled New Orleans Home
Name: Ida Floreak and partner, cats Chuck and Bruce, and Harry the dog Location: Uptown — New Orleans, LA Size: 2,000 square feet Years lived in: 4 years; Rented Ida’s sunny house in Uptown New Orleans has a lot of great features: a mix of vintage and new furnishings, plenty of art and plants, DIY projects, and happy pets.
Feb 20, 2016
Sonia & Jason’s Home Where “Every Nook has its Purpose”
Name: Sonia & Jason Location: Asbury Park, New Jersey We are Jason and Sonia. Jason is a graphic designer and writer, Sonia is a bartender at the local German biergarten and together we are the owners of Nomad, a travel inspired company that rents out vintage travel trailers and European style canvas tents for parties, weddings, etc. We also having a clothing line that we sell at Market at Fifth Avenue, a collective of local and national makers on the boardwalk.
Feb 19, 2016
Save Money, Save Space: 8 Things to Borrow Instead of Buy
When you’re trying something new, often your first instinct is to rush out and buy all the things you need for whatever activity you’ve taken on, be it camping or traveling or hosting overnight guests. But often these things, bought with the best of intentions, end up getting used only very infrequently — and taking up a lot space in your home in the meantime.
Feb 19, 2016
Before & After: A B&A Enthusiast’s Budget Kitchen Makeover
I am a sucker for Before and Afters. Whether it be home remodels or weight losses or What Not to Wear, I get all giddy about transformations. And SO, why NOT buy a really ugly house?? Where’s the fun in buying an already-beautiful home? Nowhere. A couple of years ago, my husband and I bought a fixer-upper. About 11 months later, we (and by we, I mean my dad. Thanks Pops.) finally got enough done to show some of the progress we’ve made so far. Only took a year ..
Feb 19, 2016
Take a Dream-Home Drool Break: Inside 7 Charming Victorian Homes
It was about 90 seconds into an episode of Full House when I first knew it. I was in love with Victorian-era architecture. The sunny bay windows! The elaborate cornices! I may never be able to move into one of the famous painted ladies, but I do hope to one day own the Victorian home of my dreams. Until then, I live vicariously through these beautiful home tours. Portland, Oregon New Orleans Washington, D.C.
Feb 19, 2016
Sally’s Colorful & Inviting D.C. Home
Name: Sally Location: Dupont Circle — Washington, D.C. My boyfriend, John, and I have called our apartment in Dupont Circle ‘home’ for three years now. This quaint little one-bedroom is tucked inside a turn-of-the-century apartment building, located on a bustling street in Washington, D.C. Despite the busyness of our locale, inside we’ve created a cozy, peaceful retreat.
Feb 18, 2016
Space-Maximizing Secrets: Making the Most of Dressers & Credenzas
We do a lot of talking about how to organize the big storage spots in the home — from your closet to your kitchen counters to the pantry and more. But what about those smaller but still vital storage spaces in your home? The stand-alone furniture pieces like dressers, credenzas, storage cabinets and more? If you’re anything like me, these vital storage spots can sometimes get overlooked and become messes.
Feb 18, 2016
Before & After: A Basic Buffet Gets an Elegant Upgrade
When I first walked into Thomas’ home, I was struck by the amazing number of creative and personal touches that filled every room. As I got to know Thomas, I quickly learned that most, if not all, of my very favorite parts were designed and/or handmade by him! Against the living room wall, on the far end of a long room, sat an elegant buffet.
Feb 18, 2016
Tom & Allison’s Amazing DIY House of Reclaimed & Unusual Objects
Name: Tom and Allison, their son, Gordon, and their dogs and tortoise Location: Culver City, California Size: 2,000 square feet Years lived in: 8 years; Owned One look inside the home of Tom and Allison of California Rediscovered and you quickly realize that you are in the presence of DIY masters.
Feb 18, 2016
Before & After: The Magic of Wallpaper & Elbow Grease
Kris’ impressive powder room makeover is a master class in the art of the well chosen splurge. Impressive DIY updates compliment some truly spectacular wallpaper. Check it out! From Kris: We moved into a new house last summer, and have recently started tackling some small-ish DIY projects. My most recent project was updating our first floor powder room.
Feb 18, 2016
Out-of-the-Box Ideas to Jump Start Your Bedroom Style
In a bit of a rut in the bedroom? I mean, design-wise? (We can’t help with the other thing.) Good news: We’ve collected eight creative, unconventional ideas that will surely refresh your space and give you something to really get excited over when you pop into bed each night. Above: We see a lot of rug layering in living rooms, but it’s fresh for the boudoir.
Feb 17, 2016
Sometimes You Really Do Get What You Pay For: Nine Times More is More
Sometimes, saving means spending money. Most of the time, this is because buying a quality product will greatly reduce or even eliminate the need for replacement. Other times, we spend money but save on other valuable assets, such as our health or sanity. Here are nine items or categories that you should splurge on, not because you’re reckless with money, but because you’re wise, purchases that underscore that beloved aphorism: you get what you pay for.
Feb 17, 2016
11 Beautiful Wall Murals That Will Make You Want to Break Up with Paint
Why settle for an oversized piece of art when you could have a piece of art that covers the whole wall? These 11 murals will have a big, big impact—hang one on the wall and your decorating job is pretty much done. A quick note to start: a wall mural differentiates from wallpaper in that it does not repeat. It’s an entire scene stretch across a determined width, while wallpaper matches up and repeats indefinitely.
Feb 17, 2016
How To Love the Home You Have Just a Little Bit More
Valentine’s Day has come and gone for another year, leaving everyone thinking about love and relationships. But what about the relationship you have with your home? Here are five (free!) things you can do to love your home just a little bit more. Get rid of some stuff. Lots of advice about how to make your home better revolves around bringing in something new.
Feb 17, 2016
Adrienne & Benjamin’s Renovated Printing Factory Home in Paris
Name: Adrienne and Benjamin and their children, Jeanne, Sacha and Rose Location: Belleville — Paris, France Size: 200 square meters (2,153 square feet) Years lived in: 12 years; Owned When they’re not playing electro-Balkan music with their band, Djam Orkestar, Adrienne, a passionate socio-anthropologist, and Benjamin, a fashion-loving lawyer, keep the magic and fanfare going in the old printing factory they revamped into a multifaceted duplex.
Feb 17, 2016
Before & After: Updating a Childhood Home
A year ago my husband, our two sons and I bought the house I grew up in and my parents had owned for over 30 years. Not only did the house need quite a few renovations but, for us, it also needed to not look like the house I grew up in. Because the house is small and we don’t have a playroom the open concept living room is the busiest room in our home. It is where our kids play, where we read and watch TV and dance.
Feb 17, 2016
Easy & Affordable Ways to Add More Visual Joy to Your Home
How much joy does your home bring you? Do you have a lot of design moments that make you smile? Do the rooms in your home showcase things that make you happy? Filling your home with visual joy doesn’t need to be a complicated task; we spotted seven easy (and affordable) ways to celebrate happiness using your home in one of our recent tours. (Pictured above) Pick a corner, any corner! Can be a guest room that you don’t go into every day. Can be a cramped bathroom. The laundry room.
Feb 16, 2016
Nick’s All-in-One Home & Studio
Name: Nick McPhail Location: Silver Lake — Los Angeles, California Size: 650 square feet Years lived in: 3 years; Rented With the price of rent quickly increasing every year in Los Angeles, artist Nick McPhail was lucky to grab this perfect little home all for himself. Complete with a backyard that houses an organic garden and a ceramics studio, this home embodies the ideal of a live/work space.
Feb 16, 2016
Tips for Handling Hosting Hiccups
(Image credit: Leela Cyd) From The Kitchn → Tips for Coping with a Potluck Gone Wrong
Feb 16, 2016
Melissa’s “Eclectic-Modern” Family Home in a Former Warehouse
Name: Melissa Location: Central Business District — New Orleans, Louisiana My husband and I sold our 2,300 square foot house and downsized to a 1,000 square foot apartment in the heart of the Central Business District. I love all of the home tours Apartment Therapy has done in New Orleans, but haven’t found any in our neighborhood. The CBD is a booming neighborhood where empty parking lots are becoming trendy apartments, retail and restaurants.
Feb 15, 2016
Genevieve & Ashley’s Lush Shared Sanctuary
Name: Genevieve Bandrowski and Ashley Campbell Location: Cleveland Heights — Oakland, California Size: 1,000 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years; Rented When Genevieve moved back to Oakland nearly two years ago, she wanted her now-roommate Ashley to see the creative spirit that Oakland has to offer. Since then, they have created a lush sanctuary inspired by the many Bay Area makers they admire.
Feb 15, 2016
Three Friends Share a Sun-Kissed Apartment in Marrakech
Name: Silvia Michielotto, Jean-Pierre Mongard and Valeria Concari Location: Old Medina — Marrakech, Morocco Size: 110 square meters (1,184 square feet) Years lived in: 2 years; Rented Crises can sometimes turn out to be good; you can make new decisions, reboot the hard drive, explore new possibilities and do things you could not do before. Friends Silvia, Jean-Pierre, and Valeria did just that.
Feb 15, 2016
The Rise and Fall of the Heart-Shaped Hot Tub
It’s Valentine’s Day, which means that the two-lobed shape that we somehow recognize as representing a human heart is suddenly everywhere. There are heart-shaped candies, cards, chocolates, even heart-shaped pizzas. And many years ago, one man had the idea of building a heart-shaped hot tub… and a movement was born.
Feb 14, 2016
Phillip’s Boldly Colorful Denver Apartment
Name: Phillip Location: Highlands — Denver, Colorado My place is about 800 square feet (I think). It’s in the LoHi section of Denver, just outside of downtown. When I moved in 3.5 years ago, mine was the only big new apartment building in the area now there are at least a dozen. It’s definitely become a pretty popular area with a ton of great restaurants. I think it’s apparent from the pictures that I like a lot of color in my space.
Feb 13, 2016
Design Ideas for Doubling Down: Rooms with Two Twin Beds
Although it’s not as common as a single bed per room, doing double (when it comes to beds) could be a solution for your guest room, your kid’s room or maybe even your own room. Check out this visual evidence that two beds might be better (or at the very least as stylish) as one. An upstairs guest room gets a Wes Anderson-vibe thanks to a cool color palette and two twin beds. A kid’s room is made sophisticated and stylish with black and white contrast and monograms.
Feb 13, 2016
A Bolder Bathroom: Wild Wall Art Ideas
Tired of looking at your bathroom’s blank or beige walls? You might need some art! And there have been some spectacular ideas to borrow for your own home from the homes we’ve toured here on Apartment Therapy. Above: A DIY mosaic mural on a wall adds whimsy, color and excitement to a bathroom. Art all over: Elizabeth’s bathroom features a black-and-white faux-finish on the floor, writing on the wall (literally) and cut-out, pasted-on clouds on the ceiling.
Feb 13, 2016