Christine Lu

Christine lives in Richmond, VA with her husband, daughter and Norwegian Elkhound. She is a purveyor of daily delights and champions the joy of doing more with less, the art of living beautifully, and sharing good stories.
Before & After: 8 Living Room Makeover Projects From Our Archives
If you are anything like me, you often look at your living room and wonder when you are going to get around to making those updates you keep talking about. If that’s the case, let this roundup of Apartment Therapy’s makeover projects inspire you to take up the cause, even if it’s a little bit at a time. 1. Ferren and her husband started with the goal of brightening their space and spent the next year gradually replacing items with pieces that were more to their taste. 2.
Oct 15, 2022
20 Clever (and Stylish!) Storage Solutions for Kids Rooms
Finding practical yet attractive storage solutions and organizational ideas for kids’ rooms can feel like an uphill battle. This is especially the case if you’re trying to avoid major installations and custom work. However, there are plenty of brilliant kids room storage ideas out there on social media — and from Apartment Therapy readers — that will help you streamline toys, clothes, shoes, books, and other clutter with ease and style.
Jun 30, 2022
Home Office Ideas: How To Create a Stylish & Functional Workspace
Adding an office to a home is possible, no matter the size of your house or living situation. If creating an office is important to you, there are several ideas to implement in order to make an attractive and functional workspace. Here are the ten things to consider for a successful home office space: 1. Size of the Desk: Assess the space that you have and determine the size of the desk that will best work with that space.
Jul 17, 2020
Before & After: 8 Bedroom Makeover Projects From Our Archives
The bedroom should be a haven, a place that makes you feel peaceful and happy when you land there at the end of your day. If that’s not the case for you right now, check out these bedroom makeovers and let them inspire you to make your own changes! 1. %20gallery:inline:47923%20%20%E2%80%9CKristen%E2%80%99s%20bedroom/a%20evolved%20over%20time,%20and%20transformed%20three%20times%20since%20she%20started%20working%20with%20interior%20designer,%20Lindye%20Galloway.
Mar 11, 2020
Can’t Paint Your Child’s Room? Add Color with a Statement Rug
If you are thinking of ways to start decorating your child’s room and are daunted by the white walls, start with a large, colorful statement rug! The rug can be the starting point of adding color to a neutral palette. Check out some of these rooms that do this very thing and pay attention to the way each room builds layers of color and texture in order to create a pulled-together look. This rug in Isabella’s room packs a colorful, geometric punch.
Mar 11, 2020
Before & After: An Old Dresser for a New Nursery
My mother-in-law’s house is filled with memories. It is the home that my husband grew up in and I love discovering bits and pieces of his past throughout the house when we visit. On one particular visit, my mother-in-law pointed out a shabby old dresser in a corner that she said she was going to throw out because she has had it since my husband was a baby. “Oh, no!” I yelped, and then regained my composure. “Do you think…I could have it? For Sloane?
May 4, 2019
Save or Splurge: 15 Basic Tools Every Kitchen Needs
Quality should win out over quantity every time. But if you don’t have a ton of money to spend, and if you would rather save on items that don’t need the fancier version of itself, you’re in luck. You don’t need to spend money on the most expensive items to ensure a good product, and sometimes the most basic and least expensive things will do the job just as well.
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Christine’s Fabulous Finished Fridge
Remember this? I was embarrassed when I posted this photo for the progress post (still am), but I feel comforted by the fact that it doesn’t look like that anymore! It now looks like…. …this! It makes my heart feel lighter, and I’m more willing to cook. During my clean, I found that I had so much stuff in my fridge that needed to be discarded, which means I have more room in there than I thought.
May 4, 2019
8 Steps For Managing & Organizing Your Kids’ Toys
If you have kids, toys are an important and unavoidable fixture of your home. You know this, and you also know that the sheer volume can easily get out of hand if you’re not intentional about the flow of toys into your home. If you are trying to get a handle on your kids’ toys this year, here are some strategies to help you plan and manage what comes in and stays in your home: Take a moment to think about what is important to you in regards to toys in your home.
May 4, 2019
The Wedding Gifts We Still Use 5 Years Later (And The Ones We Don’t)
When I got married almost five years ago, I had a vague idea of what we might need for our home and registered accordingly. However, after several years, I have a much more realistic sense of the things we need and don’t need. Since our wedding, we moved three times and these moves (and all that packing and unpacking) has helped discern between what we really use and things that have stayed in boxes from our previous places and went straight into our closets or attic.
May 4, 2019
How To Be the Best Guest Ever: Real Life Modern Wedding Etiquette
When it comes to being a good guest at a wedding, there are a few things that you can be mindful of that will go a long way and be appreciated by the bride and groom. Their wedding day is a special day and abiding by these simple rules of etiquette will help ensure that their day goes smoothly. 1. RSVP! And do it as soon as possible. Just because the invitation lists a date to RSVP by doesn’t mean you should wait until the last possible moment.
May 4, 2019
5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying Anything Else for Your Home
Home accessories- anything from artwork to decorative pillows, vases, and lamps- are essential to making rooms feel cozy, personal, and stylish, but how do you go about deciding which pieces you want? Here are some starting questions to ask yourself before making that purchase. 1. Why do you like it? Take a moment to consider why you like a particular item. Is it because you gravitate towards that same style every time? Or is it because it is trendy?
May 4, 2019
6 Organization Lessons to Learn from Tiny Houses
Thinking about tiny houses always prompts the question of whether I myself could live in a tiny house. Part of me thinks I could, because I love the idea of minimal living, getting by on the essentials, and spending more time outdoors. But another part of me thinks I couldn’t, because my home is my sanctuary and I want that sanctuary to have certain things in it, including personal space and lots of storage!
Mar 22, 2015
DIY Holiday Decor: 12 Days of Christmas Ornaments
Christmas is right around the corner! The holidays always seem to fly by way too fast so, this year, I’ve resolved to be really intentional about celebrating the season. One of the ways I’ve planned to do that is by picking 12 activities that I want to do with my family to make this season extra special. I have a two-year-old daughter, and I am seeing this holiday season anew through her eyes.
Dec 10, 2014
5 Things to Consider Before Saying Goodbye to Your Furniture
With the holidays coming up and more people coming in and out of your home, the desire to want to get rid of that piece of furniture that you dislike might be greater than ever. Before kicking it to the curb, make sure you exhaust all the options and consider its other uses. If you have a piece of furniture in mind, run it through this checklist of factors to consider before making that decision to get rid of it. 1. Can it be used for in another room, maybe for a different purpose?
Nov 17, 2014
Stylishly Spooky: 15 Easy DIY Decorating Ideas for Your Halloween Party
If you are trying to avoid plastic pumpkins and crepe streamers for your Halloween party this year, check out these creative ideas for easy decorations and party ideas that will make a big impact. Several of these ideas, like the foliage pumpkins and the felt leaves garland, could even be left up after the party to keep your house feeling seasonal and festive!
Oct 22, 2014
Style Forecast: Bedding Trends for 2014 & Beyond
Whether you want a blank slate of all white, or choose designs and details that make your bed feel more cozy, take some time to consider what makes you feel most like curling up on your bed to relax. Whichever way you lean, check out these trends in bedding for the ones that fit your style: It’s hard to go wrong with all white. I personally love the feeling of going to go sleep in a cloud, so I tend to lean towards these neutral palates.
Sep 22, 2014
Before & After: 8 Kitchen Makeover Projects from Around the Web
The kitchen is number one on my list of areas in our house that I want to re-haul. We are in it all the time and it opens into the dining room and living room, so I am always daydreaming about how I can make it feel brighter and maximize the space. Naturally, these makeovers serve to feed these daydreams and give me inspiration about how to go about doing this for my own kitchen someday.
Sep 17, 2014
Good Deals: 12 Stylish Shower Curtains
One of the easiest ways to give your bathroom a face lift is to replace your shower curtain. The shower curtain is often the first thing that you notice when you walk into the bathroom and its color and texture can set the tone for the rest of the space. If you have been looking to change or upgrade your bathroom, select a shower curtain as the starting point for new ideas. Check out the deals on these shower curtains below and see if any of them inspire you! City Block Shower Curtain, for $29.
Aug 28, 2014
Clean Your Fridge This Weekend: Christine’s Progress
I’m doing it, I’m baring it all. Taking the before photos of my messy fridge was pretty embarrassing, but realizing that I didn’t notice how messy it was on a day-to-day basis is worse. For the sake of motivation, posterity, and that satisfying “after” photo, here it is anyway (and yes, I plan to be satisfied). Like most people, I obviously want my fridge to be clean and organized.
Aug 16, 2014
Bargain Alert! 10 Stylish Sofas on Sale Now
Looking to replace your current couch? Getting a new one can be a great way to update your living room and good motivation for you to decorate accordingly. Here are some stylish sofas that are on sale now; take a look and see if any of these would work for your space! Fog Kendall Sofa from World Market; was $699, now $549. Chelsea Sofa from Urban Outfitters; was $998, now $599. Serta Monaco Leather 77″ Deluxe Sofa from Target; was $599, now $509.
Aug 7, 2014
Tips From Our Tours: Creating Private Space in Studios or Lofts
An open space in a loft or studio can be both a blessing or a curse. The openness allows you to take liberties with the layout and make decisions that work best for your lifestyle, but it can be a challenge figuring out how to maximize space and distinguish between different living areas. Here are some tips from our tours that show real life examples of how people take on this challenge! 1. Alexandra and Christine made great use of their open space by using curtains to divide up the area.
Jul 28, 2014
Creating a Home: 15 Ideas for Making & Displaying Art
As a renter, you may think of your space as a temporary one and not consider putting much art up, but filling your space with art will make a huge difference in how the space feels and will help you create a sense of home. Here are 15 DIY art projects to try yourself or to inspire you to make something for your walls that is just perfect for your home. 1.
Jul 7, 2014
The Look For Less: Erin’s Living Room on a Budget
Erin’s living room is refreshing because it uses one of my favorite tools of decorating — mixing textures! If you’re feeling like you’re in a funk design-wise, mixing and blending in this way is a great way to lift and give dimension to your space. A living room like Erin’s is a lovely example of a fresh, clean and modern space that employs neutral colors but keeps the eye interested with various textures and contrasts.
Jun 30, 2014
Ian & Martha’s Tasteful and Sentimental Home
Name: Ian and Martha Robinson Location: Church Hill; Richmond, Virginia Size: 1,800 square feet Years lived in: 4 years; Owned Ian and Martha Robinson have the kind of style that seems effortless. Once you get to know them, however, you realize that it’s even better than that: their style has developed over time from attention to craftsmanship, quality, and artistry. They value simplicity and beauty, and are mindful about the practicalities of living on a budget and with two children.
Jun 17, 2014
Savvy Style: How To Save Money on Clothes (and Look Great Doing It!)
We all know how easy it can be to find ourselves spending way too much money on clothes. But buying clothes for your wardrobe can be similar to buying items for your home – quality over quantity, taking time to determine your own style, and being resourceful are all factors to be considered! Here are some tips on how to save money on clothes that I’m learning to put into practice more and more each year. 1. Know what works for you.
Jun 11, 2014
The Look For Less: Allison’s Living Room On A Budget
Allison’s living room from Allison’s Collected and Curated Apartment has a great layered look that’s based on a combination of super style and personal touches. We shopped around for some budget friendly options for similar pieces to get you on your way towards creating a cozy and layered space! Kivik Sofa from IKEA, $549 Moroccan Contemporary Ottoman from Overstock, $129 Cobalt Blue Crochet Ottoman from Etsy, $86.
Jun 5, 2014
20 DIY Projects You Can Make for Under $10
Do you have $10 and a free afternoon? Try one of these beautiful and simple projects to brighten up a corner of your home. The materials for many of these are probably things you have laying around your house. Scope it out and try out one or two of these as a weekend project! Pictured above: 1. Moon clock from Bambula 2. Arrow Jewelry Holder from Lemonade Makin’ Mama 3. Desk Organizer from Amy Krist 4. Compass Banner from Everything Emily 5. Copper Bud Vases from Poppytalk 6.
May 28, 2014
Michelle and John’s Handcrafted Family Home
Name: Michelle, John, and Hattie Taylor Location: Bon Air, Richmond, Virginia Size: 2,500 square feet Years lived in: 4 years; Owned Four years ago, Michelle and John bought their split-level home in the neighborhood of Bon Air, a suburb of Richmond, Virginia. They appreciated the bones of the house, but it needed a lot of work, so they started renovating and they haven’t stopped since.
May 28, 2014
Real Life On A Budget: Christine’s Money Saving Tips & Ideas for Buying Children’s Clothing
Buying clothes for your kids can end up getting really expensive if you don’t budget and plan as you go. Kids’ clothes are outgrown quickly and it’s temping to want to buy all the adorable clothes that are out there these days. Having a plan for your kids’ clothes should be an essential part of your budget; here are some tips that have been helpful for me! 1. Locate the children’s consignment stores in your city.
May 20, 2014
WORK Lab’s Vintage Eclectic Workspace
Location: Richmond, VA Size: Front office space is 1,600 square feet, back space is 600 square feet Years lived in: 20 years Cabell Harris, the founder and owner of WORK Labs has created an environment that is bursting with creativity and fun. WORK Labs is a creative brand agency in Richmond, VA that promises you that they are always thinking.
May 13, 2014
Get Started Growing: 5 Easy Small Vegetable Garden Ideas To Try
If you’re thinking about starting a small vegetable garden but feel like a total newbie, here are some simple ideas to get you moving towards growing some vegetables on a small and manageable scale! 1) Go Vertical: Going vertical saves on space and is visually pleasing to the eye.
May 5, 2014
JHI’s Serene Mid-Century Modernism
Name: JHI Location: Richmond, Virginia Size: 2,400 square feet Years lived in: 12 years The building that is home to JHI, a design and marketing firm, stands out in many ways. It’s a pleasant surprise to come across this one-story mid-century building amongst the multi-story Victorian homes on Monument Avenue.
Apr 17, 2014
For Your Inspiration Board: 15 Stylish Entryway Setups
Entryways are one of my favorite parts of a home. They have the potential to instantly tell you so many things about the person who lives there. Even if your space is small, you can create an entryway that’s functional, beautiful, and reflective of your style. If you’re looking for ideas, here are some inspirational spaces to get you started. The best stylish small entryways seem to 1) go bold, 2) make really good use of the wall, and/or 3) use small tables or benches.
Apr 15, 2014
Eden’s Sweet and Cozy Nursery
Name: Eden Location: Richmond, Virginia Room Size: 7′ x 9′ The moment I walked into this nursery, I wanted to plop down on the rocking chair and hang out in there all afternoon! Laura did a great job making a small space feel both cozy and bright, and attributes a lot of that coziness to the fact that most of the items in the nursery are gifted from friends and family who wanted to be a part of baby Eden’s life.
Apr 10, 2014
Keeping a Peaceful Home: Tips for Living with a Messy (or Clean!) Person
When talking to friends about their relationships, one of the biggest areas of conflict that seem to keep coming up is household chores. Specifically, the problem of a ‘clean’ person living with a ‘messy’ person and the problem of who does what around the house. You probably already know by now if you are a messy person or a clean person. This is probably especially apparent if you are living with someone of the opposite type.
Apr 8, 2014