Before & After: 1960’s Stereo Cabinet Turned Into 50,000 Song “Porta-Party”
What started off as a worn down circa 1960’s stereo cabinet was converted into an impressive yesterday-meets-tomorrow media PC capable of storing their 50,000 song library.
Sep 6, 2012
How To Save Money & Cut Your Own Photo Mat
Invest in a simple mat cutter and the world of framing is at your fingertips. Cutting mats is easy, inexpensive, and takes your artwork to a new level. It looks custom, even if you buy a readymade frame from a store. • How To Cut a Photo Mat Apartment Therapy
Sep 6, 2012
A Closer Look at Nelson Bubble Lamps
If there was a top ten list of the most recognizable modern design pieces ever, there’s no doubt George Nelson’s Bubble Lamps would be on it. Though they come in quite the variety of sizes and shapes, their core design — a space-ship like, self-webbing plastic lamp — is the look that many folks gravitate
Sep 6, 2012
IKEA’s Interesting Roots in Scandinavian Progressivism
Although IKEA has become an international brand and a consummate capitalist success story, its roots in Scandinavian progressivism — both aesthetic and social — remind us that there’s more to the company than meets the eye. • IKEA’s roots Apartment Therapy
Sep 5, 2012
Quick History: The Bauhaus & Its Influence
We’ve all seen Marcel Breuer’s famous Wassily chair — the first to use tubular steel for a domestic setting — supposedly inspired by a bicycle frame (image 1). Would you believe this chair, maybe the most famous design to emerge from the Bauhaus, is a grandfatherly 87-years-old? Yes, the Bauhaus turned 93 this past spring, a shocking fact given that Bauhaus design still feels incredibly fresh and current.
Sep 5, 2012
How To Bake Eggs en Cocotte
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) I don’t like to play favorites, but baking eggs in individual ramekins until the whites are barely set and the yolks reach that creamy, pudding-like consistency may, perhaps, be my egg de resistance. Here’s how to do it. • Eggs en Cocotte The Kitchn
Sep 5, 2012
Ways to Welcome Fall
Every fall I am mystified by all the magazines that say things like “Now that the leisure of summer is over..” – do they not work year-round? So I’ve put together a little list of things to make back-to-school season feel special… • Ways to Welcome Fall Apartment Therapy
Sep 5, 2012
107 Inspirations for a Healthy, Organized Home
While the months ahead are sure to be busy, you can keep things at home on a relaxed, summery even keel by staying ahead of the chores, getting things in order and staying focused on the positive. • Healthy, Organized Home Apartment Therapy
Sep 4, 2012
Joe & Brad’s Small Space with Big Style
Name: Brad and Joe, plus Lilly (dog) and Olivia (cat) Location: East Lakeview — Chicago, Illinois Size: 420 square feet Years lived in: 3 years; Owned Brad and Joe’s Lakeview apartment is a wonderful lesson in making the most of a small space. This 420 square foot apartment is home to two men, one sizable dog and a cat — and yet it actually feels spacious, clutter-free and comfortable. Joe and Brad have made great use of every inch of space in their small apartment.
Sep 4, 2012
Before & After: Salvaging a DIY Dresser Gone Wrong
This dresser is a telling reminder that DIY efforts to improve older furniture are nothing new — though viewing this wallpaper application as an improvement may be a stretch! Despite the poor finish, the waterfall dresser itself is a solid piece, one Sarah knew deserved a makeover.Sarah stripped off the green patterned wallpaper only to discover thick layers of paint underneath.
Sep 4, 2012
Must-Haves for a Dedicated Cook’s Kitchen
Earlier, we wrote about essentials for a first kitchen and here’s a follow-up for ten must-have items for a dedicated cook’s kitchen… • Kitchen Must Haves Apartment Therapy
Sep 4, 2012
How To Make a Chalkboard Menu Board
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) Inspired by a pin or two of chalkboard walls in kitchens, I thought it fitting to have a chalkboard menu prominently on display in the dining room. So I DIY’ed a chalkboard-painted piece of plywood on the wall. Easy, not-permanent, moveable, perfect. • DIY Chalkboard Menu Board The Kitchn
Aug 31, 2012
Tips for Downsizing To a Smaller Kitchen
Sometimes you have to downsize, for one reason or another, to a kitchen with less storage and space. Here are some of the most important elements needs to keep organized and functional. • Downsized Kitchens Apartment Therapy
Aug 31, 2012
Cutting Cable? A Review of the Roku 2 XS
Angela recently made the decision to free herself from cable and was worried all she’d be watching was P90X infomercials. She agreed to share her experience transitioning over to the Roku 2 XS… •
Aug 31, 2012
One Easy Trick for Instantly Pulling Together a Room
Recently I helped a friend get her home ready for an AirBnB photo session, We had, literally, 5 minutes while the photographer unpacked so I pulled out my favorite trick and went to work. • Trick to Pull a Room Together Apartment Therapy
Aug 30, 2012
A Guide To Storing Fruits and Vegetables
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) With so much produce at our fingertips this season, it’s time for a refresher on the proper way to store various fruits and vegetables. Here are the best ways to store apples, tomatoes, fresh basil, and many, many more varieties of fresh produce. • Fruit + Vegetable Storage The Kitchn
Aug 30, 2012
4 Couches Over 16 Years: What Went Wrong
Couch shopping is inevitably a stressful situation for me I somehow always end up with the wrong couch. Follow me after the jump to see what I have learned from my past couch failures. • 4 Couches in 16 Years Apartment Therapy
Aug 30, 2012
5 Tips for Planning Out a Downsized Living Room
You’ve made the decision to downsize. What do you do when your carefully-selected assortment of furniture doesn’t fit into your teeny-tiny new living room? Well, edit. • Downsized Living Room Apartment Therapy
Aug 29, 2012
Kitchen Tour: Alina’s Exotic Cooking Lair
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) Alina takes the best of what a country’s cooking and design tradition has to offer and brings it into her home. All the materials are natural and all the colors are warm. It seems that, aside from the food, everything about this kitchen will last forever. • Alina’s Exotic Cooking Lair
Aug 29, 2012
Natalie and Kevin’s Perfect Parkdale Perch
Name: Natalie and KevinLocation: Parkdale, Toronto, CanadaSize: Approx. 1500 square feetYears lived in: 9 months; Rented When searching for a new place to call home, Natalie and Kevin never dreamed they could find such a spacious, bright, and charming place within their budget in the city. Nine months after moving in, Natalie is still pinching herself.
Aug 29, 2012
Before & After: Restoring a Discarded Dresser
Titia was out running errands when she decided to swing by one of her favorite junk stores. While wending her way through back streets, she came upon a treasure trove of furniture just being discarded, and hopped out to look. Her luck held when she found two pieces she knew she could work with — and when a passerby offered to help her load them into her car!Even before she began stripping off that terrible brown paint, Titia was certain she had found a very special piece.
Aug 29, 2012
A Natural Way to Clean Your Wood Cutting Board
I inherited this pull-out wooden cutting board with our condo but use it rarely due to its damage. Since I’ve started a new bread-baking habit, it was time to at least get to cleaning and caring for it. • Clean Your Cutting Board Apartment Therapy
Aug 29, 2012
Craig’s Tiki Hut
Name: Craig ShimalaLocation: River West, Chicago, IllinoisSize: 990 square feetYears lived in: 3 years; Owned Most people tend to shy away from labeling themselves as hoarders, but Craig has made the fact that he “doesn’t throw anything out” a central part of his aesthetic. Showcasing an impressive collection of vintage nautical-themed knick-knacks, Craig’s cozy Chicago apartment manages to embrace the collector within, while managing to remain uncluttered without.
Aug 28, 2012
How To Make Authentic Italian “Caffe”
Sicilian-born artist and actor Vincenzo Amato shows us how to make perfect Italian “caffe”. This is the first in a series of coffee rituals that connect people to their space. • How To Make Italian Caffe Apartment Therapy
Aug 28, 2012
DIY Nut Milks: 5 Easy Recipes
Once you make homemade nut milks at home, you’ll likely stop buying them at the store. They really are so simple, and it’s nice knowing exactly what’s in them and being able to completely control the amount of sweetness on your own. • DIY Nut Milks The Kitchn
Aug 27, 2012
The Best Trick Ever For Separating Eggs
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) We’ve shared a few tips before on how to best separate eggs, but this trick made us stop in our tracks. We can’t understand a word of the video, but the visuals are so compelling that we don’t need to. Prepare to be amazed: • Egg Separating Trick The Kitchn
Aug 27, 2012
A Guide to Refinishing Wood Floors Yourself
Do you have wood floors that have seen a bit of abuse or been hiding under carpet for years? You can refinish them yourself for just a couple hundred dollars. • Refinishing Wood Floors Apartment Therapy
Aug 27, 2012
Before & After: Rescuing a Dumpster Dive Dresser
It is obvious that Karen must a dedicated DIYer with an artist’s eye if she could find the beauty in this dilapidated dresser. Her father-in-law rescued this dresser from the dumpster knowing that Karen would be able bring this piece back to life.After waiting for inspiration to strike, Karen got to work scraping and stripping and sanding to remove the layers of peeling paint. She then painted the dresser in a slate grey and created a pattern to help celebrate her 19th wedding anniversary.
Aug 24, 2012
Carve Your Own Wooden Spoons
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) I have a beautiful wooden spoon, one of my favorite things in my kitchen. It was carved by hand and because of that, it was expensive. So when I stumbled on an old article from Mother Earth News on how to carve your own wooden spoon, I was intrigued. • DIY
Aug 24, 2012
The Best Way to Cut Up a Watermelon
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) Cold from the fridge, a cup of watermelon is my favorite August treat. Here’s the best way I’ve found to quickly and easily cut a watermelon into neat, even cubes for snacks and salads. • Cutting a Watermelon The Kitchn
Aug 23, 2012
Apartment Therapy’s Guide to Best Bar & Counter Stools
With the rise of open floor plans, stools have taken a more prominent position in the home. Here’s our look at the best bar and counter stools on the market today. • Best Bar & Counter Stools Apartment Therapy
Aug 23, 2012
5 Non-Traditional Wedding Registries
Wedding registries can be tricky, but if you’re setting up a new home, check out these unique ones you may want to consider. • Non-Traditional Registries Apartment Therapy
Aug 23, 2012
15 Homemade Snacks for the Lunchbox
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) I cannot believe school is starting already! It’s time for the lunchbox to emerge from the dark cupboard you stashed it in all summer, and it’s time to stock it with some good snacks for fall. Here are 15 favorites — all homemade and yummy. • 15 Homemade Snacks The
Aug 22, 2012
10 Stylish Family Dining Rooms
Just because your kids have temporarily hijacked adult dinnertime rituals doesn’t mean that having kids has to mean eating in a dining room void of style. • Stylish Family Dining Rooms Apartment Therapy
Aug 22, 2012
5 African Spice Blends To Make Yourself
It isn’t always easy to find premade versions of common African spice blends like Ras el Hanout at the local supermarket, but the truth is, if you have a well-stocked spice rack, you likely have almost all the components to make these mixtures on your own. • 5 African Spice Blends The Kitchn
Aug 22, 2012
Budget & Bargain Sources for Furniture, Rugs, & More
Whether you are looking to dress your floors, stock up for an end of summer cocktail party or create a fresh bed for the fall season, here are roundups of places to do so, on the cheap… • Budget & Bargain Sources Apartment Therapy
Aug 21, 2012
Eliminate Excuses for Not Hosting Gatherings
If you’re anything like me, you don’t host gatherings at your place nearly as much as you would like. Here are tips to create an excuse-free zone so you can have your friends over. • Eliminate Excuses Apartment Therapy
Aug 21, 2012
An Outdoor Dinner for 200 at Quail Hill Farm
On Saturday Maxwell attended the Peconic Land Trust’s annual fundraiser at Quail Hill Farm. If these folks can do dinner for 200 in an orchard, think of what you can do at home next weekend. • Outdoor Dinner for 200 Apartment Therapy
Aug 20, 2012
Where To Buy Kitchen Cabinet Hardware
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) Shopping for cabinet hardware can be overwhelming, so to help ease the stress we’ve provided a list of 10 online shopping sources for cabinet knobs and pulls to get you started. We think you’re bound to find what you’re looking for at one of these places! • Kitchen Cabinet Hardware
Aug 20, 2012
Before & After: A Dresser Refresh
Vanessa spotted this dresser in Portland and fell in love with the shape and style, but not the dried-up, cracked surface. So instead of the typical paint over we so ofter see, she went the wood purist way. See what some hard work and dedication will uncover after the jump…She began with a good clean and strip. The natural soy based stripper she began with didn’t do the trick, so she had to call in the big guns to get rid of the old varnish.
Aug 20, 2012
Before & After: Refinishing a Craigslist Console
Michelle had been searching for a media console since she moved into her condo, something to replace the modern IKEA piece that came with her home. When she saw the above piece listed on Craigslist for only $40, she immediately headed out to purchase it. She knew that after a little TLC, it would be the perfect addition to her home.
Aug 20, 2012
Cookie Monster’s Famous Cookie Recipe!
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) Cookie Monster’s famous cookie dough recipe first appeared in Big Bird’s Busy Book, from the 1970’s. If you like a bit of nostalgia mixed in with your sugar and eggs, this recipe is for you! • Cookie Monster’s Cookie Recipe The Kitchn
Aug 20, 2012
A Look at Kitchens in Studio Apartments
The owners of these studio kitchens understand the effort it takes to live large in a small space. Some have kitchens with architectural quirks, and some have done their best to add quirk to an otherwise bland space. • Kitchens in Studios Apartment Therapy
Aug 20, 2012
Unconventional Ideas for Hanging Art in Your Home
Hanging art makes a house feel like a home. If you want to do something different from just plain hanging pictures on the wall, try one of these unconventional ideas. • Ideas for Hanging Art Apartment Therapy
Aug 17, 2012
Think Like a Minimalist
In the words of Francine Jay, thinking like a minimalist can be “a fun little thought-experiment on what’s truly necessary.” Here’s her list of 15 pieces of furniture that you may be able to live without. • Think Like a Minimalist Apartment Therapy
Aug 17, 2012
Pros & Cons of Storing Data in the Cloud
Since I work from multiple locations on multiple devices, I have been pushing more and more data to the cloud. The super cloudified life definitely has its pros, but there are also a few cons… • Storing Data in the Cloud Apartment Therapy
Aug 16, 2012
3-Ingredient Cocktail Recipe of the Summer
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) “Faith! It’s the cocktail of the summer,” said my colleague Janel last week when she was visiting me in Columbus. Janel quite handily talked me into trying a Gold Rush for myself. Well, it wasn’t that difficult. Do you know this drink? You should. • The Cocktail of the Summer
Aug 16, 2012
Less Is More: 15 Pieces of Furniture You May Not Really Need
Minimalism certainly isn’t for everyone. In fact, it probably isn’t for most people. But in the words of Francine Jay, thinking like a minimalist can be “a fun little thought-experiment on what’s truly necessary.” If you want to play along, here’s her list of 15 pieces of furniture that you may be able to live without. Be forewarned: this list is probably going to strike you as extreme.
Aug 16, 2012