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Cambria Bold

    About Me

    Cambria Bold is the Executive Editor of Cubby, and one of Apartment Therapy Media’s first full-time editors from way back when. She was The Kitchn's founding Design and Lifestyle Editor as well as Managing Editor of Re-Nest, Apartment Therapy’s late '00s green living site. She now thinks a lot about design, kids, and designy kids' things. She lives with her two daughters and their father in St. Paul, MN.

    Latest Stories

    This Vertical Bookshelf Is the Best Way to Store a Ton of Kids’ Chapter Books
    It comes in great, kid-friendly colors, too.
    Cambria Bold
    Sep 21, 2024
    11 Non-Toxic Paints To Buy That Are as Safe as They Are Chic
    The best non-toxic and low VOC paints for your entire home, from interior paint jobs to small DIY projects.
    Cambria Bold
    Nov 2, 2023
    This “Mega-Capacity” Washing Machine and Dryer Alleviated My Laundry Dread
    Shopping
    It actually makes it possible to do laundry for a whole family in just a couple loads — and it has a special cycle to get rid of allergens.
    Cambria Bold
    Mar 30, 2023
    Is There a Non-Toxic Stain-Resistant Fabric Protector?
    Q: We just reupholstered our comfy sofa with an all-cotton fabric. Is there a non-toxic way to “seal” the fabric and make it more stain-resistant? I’m sure a no-eating-on-the-couch rule would help, but it’s just not realistic! My family used to use some spray that worked well, but it has a daunting ingredient list.Sent by ElissaEditor: Elissa, great job on the reupholstery! It looks like an entirely new piece of furniture.
    Cambria Bold
    Jan 2, 2023
    14 Ways To Keep Warm Without Cranking Up the Heat
    When cold weather and long, dark days begin to set in, most people begin to wonder what’s the best way to keep warm without running the heat? After all, nothing’s better than feeling warm and toasty in your own home, and plus, freezing temps definitely make it harder to get out of bed. Whether you’re hoping to cut back on energy bills, or you live in a home without heat, it’s possible to keep warm without cranking up the radiator.
    Cambria Bold
    Dec 8, 2022
    Wondering What to Do with Old Towels and Sheets? Here Are 10 Smart Ideas
    We recently took stock of our linen closet and realized that half of the storage space was taken up by sheet sets and towels that we simply don’t use. Some are very old and worn out, and some just never seem to make it into our weekly linen rotation. Of course, we didn’t want to throw them out, so it got us thinking about recycling options.Use old sheets and blankets to make new ironing board pads and covers, like those featured on A Beautiful Mess.
    Cambria Bold
    Sep 20, 2022
    Budget Basics: The Best Organic Bedding Under $100
    Organic bedding is not as unusual (or boring) as it used to be. Companies like Plover Organic, LOOP, and Coyuchi have set the standard for beautiful and environmentally-friendly bedding, but there’s one problem: they can be kind of expensive. Is there such a thing as budget-friendly organic bedding? Yes, there is! Here are our top picks for organic bedding—sheets, blankets, and pillows— all under $100.
    Cambria Bold
    Feb 1, 2021
    A Safe Non-Toxic Sealant for a Wooden Highchair?
    Q: What is a safe, nontoxic sealant for a wooden highchair? We have an old wooden highchair that has a tray with all the finish worn off. The tray had also broken in half where it was seamed together. I glued it together again, but I’d like to refinish it to make it easier to clean. It is in otherwise perfect condition and we want to use it for our grandchildren.
    Cambria Bold
    Jul 17, 2020
    Beyond Granite: 8 Other Countertop Materials to Consider
    Cambria Bold
    Jul 17, 2020
    There’s a Hidden Top-Loading Washing Machine In this Kitchen!
    From Apartment Therapy → There’s a Hidden Top-Loading Washing Machine In this Kitchen!
    Cambria Bold
    Jul 17, 2020
    The 10 Best All-Natural and Organic Mattress Sources
    Buying a new mattress is a big investment, and knowing where to go to find the best options for your health and for the planet—not to mention for a sound night’s sleep— is key.
    Cambria Bold
    Jul 16, 2020
    Food Label Ideas for Easier Entertaining
    Cambria Bold
    Jul 16, 2020

    Latest Stories

    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
    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
    A Collector’s Tiny 178-Square-Foot Apartment
    We’ve seen our share of small spaces and teeny-tiny homes, but this one just might take the cake. This 178-square-foot apartment in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn belongs to 25-year-old Zach Motl. An avid collector since he was a child, Motl adheres to the “old decorating dictum that says the more stuff you put in a room (albeit artfully arranged stuff), the bigger it seems. More really is more.
    Cambria Bold
    Jul 15, 2020
    How Can I Shred Fabric and Turn It Into Fiberfill?
    Q: I am in desperate search to find a way to shred fabric. I have tons of scrap fabric I can’t do anything with along with lots of kids clothes that are beyond repair. I would love to turn this into a fiberfill of sort. It’s been challenging to me to find a way to do this, so I would love if you all could help me find a solution.Sent by KelliEditor: Suggestions for Kelli?Have a good question? Email us! Read other Good Questions here!
    Cambria Bold
    May 20, 2020
    Best Indoor Drying Racks: And How To Hang Your Clothes
    In order to curb her energy use in the winter time, Ashley English of Small Measure (who shared with us her green resolution this past December) has been making use of her indoor wooden drying rack, as she writes today in her weekly Design*Sponge column.
    Cambria Bold
    Apr 9, 2020
    Best Plants for the Bathroom
    Do you have plants in the bathroom? There are actually a number of houseplants that thrive in this room’s typically tropical conditions of low light, warmth, and humidity—not to mention that they help freshen the air and your spirit! See our list, along with a few that thrive in bright and sunny bathrooms.
    Cambria Bold
    Apr 3, 2020
    10 (Non-Renovation) Renovation Ideas For Renters
    If you’re a renter, then you’re probably thinking about taking a mental checkout from our October theme (Green Building and Renovating). I can’t renovate. I can’t even paint! you think. Don’t worry, my friend. We have solutions for you, too! We call it the non-renovation renovation— temporary yet effective ways to dramatically change your home without sacrificing your security deposit.
    Cambria Bold
    Mar 11, 2020
    The 25 Best Small Space Living Tips and Inspiration
    We love small spaces. We love them for their lower energy and heating bills and because they force us to edit, organize, and reduce our accumulation of stuff. But most of all, we love them because there seems to be no end to what you can do with them given some creative planning! Here are 25 of the top small space living posts we wrote this year.
    Cambria Bold
    Mar 11, 2020
    The Big List: 49 Smart, Money-Saving Creative Reuse Ideas
    We get excited about stylish, functional, and innovative creative reuse ideas, from the myriad ways you can reuse a jar, to uses for chipped tea cups, antique bread bins, vintage card catalogs, bubble wrap, wallpaper scraps, even old gym floorboards. Here’s a big roundup of some of our favorites… The Many Amazing Ways to Reuse a Jar: • 10 Simple Uses for Spaghetti Jars • Crafty Uses for Baby Food Jars • Don’t Throw Out That Jar!
    Cambria Bold
    Mar 11, 2020
    Families in Small Spaces: How To Do It And Not Go Crazy
    It’s one thing to pare down your belongings and live simply and compactly in a small space of your choosing if you’re just one or two people; it’s quite another thing when you have a family to contend with. As one reader asked us, “How do you simplify? How do you figure out what you need? How do you get a spouse/child on board to simplify? How do you make a small space that has to have stuff in it feel open and inviting?
    Cambria Bold
    Mar 11, 2020
    10 Surprising Uses for Kitchen Items Around the Rest of the House
    Here are the top 10 kitchen things we use to solve problems all over the house.
    Cambria Bold
    Feb 28, 2020
    The Best Portable Space Heaters
    Here’s another way to save energy this winter: try using a portable space heater to heat just the room you’re in, and turn down the thermostat in the other rooms of your house. The New York Times recently tested 10 portable space heaters. Here are the Top 5:Shown above the jump, from left to right:Holmes Ultra Quiet Ceramic Heater ($82.99): At 15-inches high, this model from Holmes produced the hottest air and took only about 20 minutes to warm up the room by 10 degrees.
    Cambria Bold
    Jan 26, 2020

    Latest Stories

    Before & After: Backyard Studio & Deck
    Corey in Seattle shared his before & after backyard project with us. Jump below to see what it looks like “after” all of the hard work:Corey says: My wife and I live in Seattle, WA. We finished our backyard studio garage 2 years ago and just finished the deck last fall. The plants are starting to come in nicely now, and we can’t wait to enjoy the yard this summer and entertain friends and family. Thanks for sharing, Corey!(Re-edited from a post originally published 06.24.
    Cambria Bold
    Dec 19, 2019
    Matthew and Emma’s Eco Environment
    Name: Matthew and Emma McGregor-MentoLocation: New York, NYSize: 650 sq/ftYears lived in: 6 months When Matthew and Emma bought their 6th floor apartment in the East Village, they knew they wanted it to be filled with natural living things and to convey the sense that “nature was taking the apartment back, like a small plant growing from a crack in the sidewalk.
    Cambria Bold
    Dec 19, 2019
    Shopping for Healthy and Colorful Eco-Friendly Area Rugs
    “All I want is a rug that doesn’t try to kill me in my sleep.” I read this comment on a message board recently. This poor chap was lamenting all the recent exposés on phthalates, BPA, brominated flame retardants, and other VOCs that tell us how poor and potentially harmful our homes’ indoor air quality has become.
    Cambria Bold
    Dec 4, 2019
    The Lightbulb Wars: The Best Lighting For Your Home
    Do CFLs work best in overheard lights or in table lamps? What fixtures work well for LEDs? In our second to last Lightbulb Wars video, Maxwell visits Lighting by Gregory to talk about how to light your home. Interested in getting new light fixtures and light bulbs for your home?
    Cambria Bold
    Dec 4, 2019
    Alternative Non-Stuff Gift Ideas For ‘No Gifts Please’ People
    Last year after Christmas I tried to take two Dutch ovens with me on the plane in my carry-on suitcase. One had been a gift, and the other was a purchase, and I thought that putting them in my carry-on would be the safest way to transport them back to New York. This seemed like a good plan until I tried to go through security……where I discovered that Dutch ovens are considered potential weapons. “You could throw them at another passenger,” the TSA agent told me.
    Cambria Bold
    Nov 22, 2019
    I Was Finally Able to Clean My Greasy Oven Door—and Here’s My Secret Ingredient
    Despite vigorous scrubbing with baking soda and Bon Ami, the spatters wouldn't budge. It took me six months to revisit the problem (I know!), but I finally got the glass on my oven door looking clean and clear.
    Cambria Bold
    Jul 25, 2019
    The Secrets Behind Great Small Spaces
    Everyone has a bit of a different take on small space living: it’s all about purging your stuff. No, it’s all about organizing your stuff. Wait, it’s all about storing your stuff! But one thing is for sure: you know an amazing small space when you see it. Small spaces are king on Re-Nest. Yes, we love them for their lower energy and heating bills, and yes, we love them because they force us to edit, organize, and reduce our accumulation of stuff.
    Cambria Bold
    Jul 1, 2019
    10 Ways to Get Rid of That Awful Smell in Your Kitchen Sink
    Even when we diligently use a sink strainer or garbage disposal, we work our kitchen sink drains hard. Inevitably, food particles, grease, and other not-so-lovely things make their way into the drain and we wake up one morning to a foul smell coming out of the sink. Blech! Now what? Thanks to our readers and my fellow editors, I’ve got 10 ways you can kick that kitchen sink smell to the curb (and keep it from coming back).
    Cambria Bold
    Jun 30, 2019
    The 60 Minute Quick House Clean
    Cambria Bold
    Jun 4, 2019
    16 Eco-Friendly Kitchen Countertops
    We like to keep good green materials resources tucked away for that eventual day when we own a home and are working on a design/renovation. So, here’s a list of some of the best eco-friendly and sustainable kitchen countertops currently on the market.1. Squak Mountain Stone: An alternative to quarried stone, these slabs are made of fly ash, post-industrial crushed glass, and low-carbon cement. Cost $50/sq. ft.
    Cambria Bold
    May 8, 2019
    Before & After: Black and White Stripe Linoleum Floor
    Attention, all you renters out there: this is an easy, affordable, and ultra-stylish way to upgrade your dingy rental floors. We have been meaning to do something like this ourselves for quite some time, and seeing this project by Orlando Soria on Design*Sponge totally got us all jazzed up to copy her.
    Cambria Bold
    May 8, 2019
    A Bathroom That Opens Into The Kitchen: Awkward?
    If you live in an old building or a rental, you’ll understand where we’re coming from: our last apartment’s bathroom opened up directly into the kitchen, as did our apartment before that. In fact, we grew up in a home where the toilet room (just the toilet.. the sink and bathtub were separate) was basically in the dining room, a few feet away from the table…and our guests eating dinner. For anyone entertaining or on a date, this can be veeeerrrrry awkward.
    Cambria Bold
    May 8, 2019