Dabney Frake's Recent Articles
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These IKEA Hacks Solve One of This Season’s Biggest Problems
It’s that time of year, when days get shorter and shorter, and sunlight noticeably diminishes. Soon, many of us will be trudging to and from school and work in near darkness, and—I’ll venture a guess here—we will not be happy about it. Once we’re home, we’ll also have to turn our indoor lamps and overheads on sooner in the evening. These IKEA hacks help us do it in style, and on the cheap.
May 3, 2019
14 Handy $5 Harbor Freight Items You Can’t Own Too Many Of
There’s a reason that Harbor Freight has somewhat of a cult following. It’s like the dollar store for home improvement, chock full of handy yet oh-so-affordable things that you can’t own too many of. It’s always fun to walk around the store because you’ll inevitably find something you need. Here are some of the best, most useful items they carry, all of which are under five dollars. I own a large collection of carabiners.
May 3, 2019
These Bathroom Remodels All Cost Under $3,000
Full bathroom remodels can run you tens of thousands of dollars. If that amount of money isn’t in your budget right now (or it makes you cringe to spend that much at any stage of the game), take inspiration from these light remodels, all of which cost under $3,000. These reasonable and affordable redos show it’s possible to get a brand-new-to-you bathroom without taking out a huge loan.
May 3, 2019
17 Unique Ways to Create One Wood Accent Wall
It's a warm, welcome solution to your big blank sterile white wall problem.
May 3, 2019
Trader Joe’s Has a Refreshing $4 Alternative to Theme-y Holiday Decor
The Trader Joe’s hits just keep coming. I’ve written a lot about their fantastic seasonal pop-up items—most recently wheat stalks—which are my go-to favorite for lazy decorating on the fly, and on the cheap. Their latest offering is dried lavender, which you can find in bundles right inside the front door, and throw in your cart while you do the regular weekly grocery shopping. Buy these while they last at the store, because they’ll last forever at home.
May 3, 2019
Before and After: A Dead, Empty Entryway Gets a Very Useful IKEA Upgrade
This blank empty space was the first thing this family saw when they walked in their home’s entryway, and not only was it underperforming in the looks department, it also just wasn’t as useful as it could be. Over the course of just one week, this space was transformed from a dead zone into a new household favorite. Before we get to the big reveal, here’s a look at the corner again, from head to toe. Not much to see here, other than some beige walls and a dog crate.
May 3, 2019
West Elm’s Cyber Monday Sale is Packed with This Year’s Biggest Trends
The holiday shopping season continues today with Cyber Monday, that glorious way to get deals without having to elbow your way past teeming crowds in the brick and mortar stores on Black Friday. West Elm has weighed in with some serious sales, some of which are also this year’s biggest trends. This year, West Elm is offering up to 70 percent off a selection of items, plus free shipping on anything that’s not furniture or rugs.
May 3, 2019
6 of the Most Livable Tiny Houses We’ve Ever Seen
Embracing the tiny house lifestyle inevitably means forgoing some comfort and convenience. Compromise comes with the territory. In exchange for a small mortgage and freedom of movement, you give up space and material possessions. Some would argue that’s no hardship, but others might miss certain benefits of a traditional home—say, a washer and dryer?
May 3, 2019
3 Big Takeaways from Our Most Popular Before & After of All Time
Before and After transformations just never get old, especially when the results are utterly unrecognizable. Case in point: Back in 2013, we posted a project about an empty stairwell space that was transformed into something unexpectedly wonderful. Cut to five years later and it’s been viewed almost four million times. We recently went back to see just what made the project resonate so much with our readers.
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Kitchen Flips the Script on Beige and Boring
Ida recently stumbled across images she took the day she closed on her condo. Apart from the fantastic light, which is one of the reasons she and her husband were sold on the place, the kitchen was pretty basic and humdrum. It’s come a very long way in the three years since this photo was taken. What was a beige and boring room now feels warm and welcoming. Ida did a wonderful job reviving this kitchen into something totally new, without changing the layout or moving things around.
May 3, 2019
Before and After: This Tiny Bathroom Redo Triggers Some Major Cute Aggression
Some bathrooms are modern and sleek, others are luxurious and spa-worthy. And then there are those adorable ones that you just want to squeeze. This is one of those bathrooms. If the diminutive size wasn’t enough, it also helps that this bathroom is now blush pink, which ups the cuteness factor by 100 times. (For the color curious, the shade is Sherwin-Williams Intimate White). The shade looks great with the brass accents and black hardware and fixtures.
May 3, 2019
Before and After: A $3K Rustic Scandinavian Bathroom Reveal
Elise’s bathroom was tiny and a hodgepodge of somewhat new, but super generic, finishes and fixtures, and a mismatched paint job. She wanted to both enlarge and update the space for her planned family, and do it on a very tight budget. The bathroom is now an incredibly relaxing, earthy space that Elise loves to be in. The stone countertops, combined with reclaimed wood vanity and black fixtures is a great combination that feels rustic and comfortable.
May 3, 2019
This Weekend: Help Your Body Catch Up With Your Brain
Even though your brain knows the clock is about to turn back, your body doesn’t always get the memo. Some of us will sail through the time change seamlessly, and others will feel out of sorts for days. Start this week so that, before you go to sleep next Monday night — and set your clock an hour earlier — you’re already caught up.
Apr 30, 2019
How To Make a Quick & Easy Folding Room Screen
Privacy screens are like folding sculptures, both visually interesting as well as functional. In an outside space, they are a buffer between you and the neighbors, or can block out the bright sun. Inside, they divide spaces, hide clutter, or even serve as a headboard. Making a custom screen is also (surprisingly!) a quick and easy DIY.
Apr 30, 2019
Make This Handy Housekeeping Helmet for Superior Spring Cleaning
When you don’t have all your cleaners in one place, you wind up spending more time running around the house than you do actually scrubbing it. Save yourself time and headaches with an all-in-one housekeeping helmet that keeps supplies at your fingertips. When one bottle is empty, seamlessly transition to the bottle on the other side and keep on going! Hard Hat 2 Cup Holders Vinyl Tubing Vinyl Tubing Coupler Brass Fasteners (or chewing gum) Drill with drill bits Empty spray bottle 1.
Apr 30, 2019
This Weekend: Let’s Shine A Little Light on Your Laundry’s Worst Log Jams
Laundry is one of those endless jobs with no real beginning or end. If you successfully go through the entire cycle of sorting, washing, folding, and putting things away, then you’re a well-oiled machine and unstoppable. But when there’s a break at any point in the chore chain, piles quickly build up and get away from you. This weekend, clear all the blockages and get things flowing again.
Apr 30, 2019
This Weekend: Start This Simple System Now & Save Money For Years To Come
The benefits of rotation are everywhere: when you plant crops, adjust your tires, or while serving on a volleyball team. The practice distributes a collective burden over a wider area, letting soil, treads, or players rest while someone or something else takes over for awhile. Use this with your household stuff as well and you’ll get more life out of everything you own, and save money in the process. Plus, with every switch, things feel and look new again.
Apr 30, 2019
This Weekend: Make Your Outdoor Space An Oasis
The best thing about warmer weather is the opportunity to greatly expand your living space. Instead of huddling inside like you did this winter, emerge from your four walls and head outside. Think patios, front stoop, porches, decks or backyards. Now’s a great time to make them feel fresh and new again, primed for maximum enjoyment all summer long.
Apr 30, 2019
This Weekend: A Surefire Way To Make This Summer The Sweetest
You are just on the brink of summer, poised to enjoy warm, carefree days with a bonus: extra hours of sunlight! This weekend, ensure the next couple of months are everything you want them to be. Think ahead and make a list of all the ways you want to let go, explore, and have fun. It’s a commitment you’re making to yourself. Head Outdoors: Summer is for getting a healthy dose of fresh air.
Apr 30, 2019
This Weekend: Simple Ways To Soothe Yourself To Sleep This Summer
Long summer days spent out in the sun really do a number on you — leaving your body drained, dehydrated, maybe a little sunburnt, and dare I say cranky? Stay irritated too long and you’ll wind up tossing and turning, instead of sleeping soundly, at night. Here’s how to revive yourself and reclaim your rest. Soothe Your Skin: This season is hard on the skin. If you’re feeling the burn, whip up some DIY lip balms, and lotions.
Apr 30, 2019
Erin & Ken’s Backyard Redesign: The Final Budget Breakdown
Name Type of Project Location: Upper Tangletown — Minneapolis, Minnesota Type of building: 1930s Tudor-Style Duplex Erin and Ken finished their total backyard on time, but did they also get the job done on budget? What’s your guess? Did they go over or under? Electrician: $494.46 Design fees: N/A Gas Grill: $288.57 Exterior Backdoor Light: $325.96 Garage Sconces: $192.55 Semi Raised Gardens: $112.75 Screen Door & Hardware: $88.88 Garage Main Door + Hardware: $303.98 A/C Fencing $245.
Apr 30, 2019
Erin & Ken’s Backyard Redesign: What We Learned
Name Type of Project Location: Upper Tangletown — Minneapolis, Minnesota Type of building: 1930s Tudor-Style Duplex Erin & Ken managed their backyard project with skill, getting it done in plenty of time to enjoy all summer long! Here’s what they learned in the past seven weeks… Now that your backyard is complete, what are the most valuable lessons you learned from the project? We’ve compiled our top 5 lessons learned from our backyard redesign: Plants are expensive!
Apr 30, 2019
How To (Seriously!) Upgrade a Basic $40 IKEA FJELLSE Twin to a Beautiful Cane Bed
Serena & Lily IKEA FJELLSE Bed (I only had space for a single, but go for the queen!) Molding of your choosing (I used two of these from Home Depot) Set of IKEA VÄSENTLIG Curtain Finials White Spray Paint Set of Table Legs (I used these from Lowe’s) 2 Tee Nuts (make sure the thread size matches your table legs) 24″ Open Cane Webbing Wood Glue Saw Hammer Clamps Staplegun 1. Spray paint all the pieces before you get started. 2.
Apr 30, 2019
How To Build a Deck Over An Ugly Cement Stoop
If like us, you have an old concrete stoop that has more than seen better days, rather than going through the hassle of tearing it out, why not give it a facelift? From concrete stains and epoxy coatings to a variety of enclosures, there are several ways to go about this. We chose a composite decking surround as we liked the low-maintenance factor and wood look.
Apr 30, 2019
How To Make a Simple, Modern Screen to Hide the Ugly Stuff in Your Backyard
Central air conditioning can be a lifesaver for keeping our homes cool in the summer months, but the look of the air conditioning units themselves leave much to be desired when it comes to backyard ambience. With our home being a duplex, my husband, Ken, and I had double-trouble air conditioner units located next to our backyard patio, and we needed to find a solution for hiding them in plain sight without interfering with their efficiency.
Apr 30, 2019
How To Hack a $10 IKEA MELODI Pendant Lamp
IKEA’s MELODI pendant lamp is a really great blank slate — there are a million ways to tweak and hack one to make it yours. Weave the plastic shade with natural round reed get a contrasting mix of materials that’s both organic and modern. IKEA MELODI Pendant Lamp Natural Round Reed Scotch Tape Spray Paint (optional) Tools Drill & Bits X-Acto Knife Measuring Tape Pen 1. Wrap the tape measure around the diameter of the lamp and put an odd number of pen marks on the shade.
Apr 30, 2019
How To Make a Knotted Macramé Glass Bottle Cover
Bottles covered in macramé, or knotted rope, are an old school craft — the result reads either nautical or Bohemian. The netting’s an easy way to add texture and decorative pattern to a surface, and it works particularly well with glass bottles and tall vases. Learn how to do it here, and then start knotting! IKEA 365+ Glass Carafe Twine Scissors 1. Tie a circle of twine around the top of the glass bottle.
Apr 30, 2019
This Weekend: Give Your Home a Fresher Feel With This Mindless But Must-Do Task
The saying that nothing is certain except for death and taxes should be revised to dust and taxes. Because, no matter what you do, it’s a constant. It’s from dirt coming through open doors and windows, pollen, air conditioner vents, insects — you name it. The best you can do is wipe it down, and minimize the surfaces it will cling to in the future. Seek & Destroy: Find all the places where dust lingers and take care of it quickly and efficiently.
Apr 30, 2019
This Weekend: Do The Proper Prep & Avoid a Shock To This System
If we humans dread the end of summer, think about how poor plants feel. People get coats and sweaters to arm against the elements, but they rely on us to keep them safe and happy. You’ve done a good job all season, but leave them outside too long after Labor Day, or bring them inside without proper prep, and it’s a shock to their little systems. It’s not often that we say it’s a matter of life and death, but this is one of those times.
Apr 30, 2019
Erin Shares Everything About Her $18K Kitchen Renovation
Erin and Ken updated their Tudor home with bright, clean finishes and smarter, more efficient technology — all while respecting their Tudor home’s time period and keeping a firm handle on their budget.
Apr 30, 2019
This Weekend: Don’t Let This One Thing Slip Through The Cracks
I know, I KNOW. I hate to even bring it up. But soon it will be winter, your joints and dry skin will hurt, and you’d rather cozy up in bed instead of fiddle with your drafty windows and doors. Take advantage on this transition period by prepping your home for the cold to come. You’ve totally got this! If You’re a Renter: Even if you’re not responsible for the building itself, you can still amp up your home’s efficiency and reduce your own heating bills this winter.
Apr 30, 2019
This Weekend: Don’t Let Your Summer Hard Work Go To Waste
During the summer we garden, landscape and spend a great deal of effort maintaining our outdoor living spaces. When the leaves start to fall, there are just a few more things to do before we are free of our outdoor maintenance routine for the winter. You’re almost there! Take Care of the Living: Protect the time and energy you put in this year and prevent having to start completely over next year, by ensuring disease and frost don’t get the better of your green pals outside.
Apr 30, 2019
This Weekend: A Surefire Way To Make Thanksgiving Less Stressy
Who here wants a less crazy Thanksgiving? One where you feel happiness instead of panic, and calm instead of chaotic? A Thanksgiving “plan of attack” doesn’t exactly sound festive right now, but it does help eliminate a lot of hectic elements that sneak up on you when you’re not prepared. Take some action now and don’t get stressy or stabby around your friends and family the day of the big meal.
Apr 30, 2019
A No-Fuss Holiday Decoration that Lasts Forever & Doesn’t Take Up Space
Remember the fabric Christmas tree that IKEA used to sell? Yeah, they don’t carry those any longer. Which is such a shame, because not only do these types of wall hangings last forever, but they are also great for small spaces because: a) they don’t have a footprint; and b) they are small and easy to store after the holidays are over. You can try searching for an old one on eBay, or you can easily make your own custom version that’s just as lovely as the original.
Apr 30, 2019
How To Make Edible Christmas Ornament Treats for Birds & Wildlife
If you love making Christmas cookies, add in a batch of edible ornaments for wildlife this season. Hang them outside on a tree outside your window and watch your outdoor space become a resting spot – and holiday dinner table – for birds and squirrels.
Apr 30, 2019
Last-Minute Holiday Decorating Ideas For the Truly Uninspired & Lazy
By the time Thanksgiving dinner is over, I’m already spent. Which makes the quick pivot into Christmas a particularly tiresome prospect —especially because that holiday is, in turn, followed closely by New Year’s Eve and our huge annual party. Being wedged in between those two other major holidays means that poor Christmas gets a little neglected in our household — which is why these quick, easy decorating ideas are really appealing.
Apr 30, 2019
10 Weird Ways Bed Pillows Can Solve Your Problems
Maybe you’ve had the same bed pillow for ten years and have your sights newly set on some memory foam. Or maybe you’ve got an extra five random pillows stuffed in your closet, just in case, and it’s time to KonMari. As with most things we toss or get rid of these days, old pillows can still be used long after they’ve left their prime days behind. Here are 10 ways this everyday basic can help you out around the house, no matter what condition they’re currently in.
Apr 29, 2019
Renovation Diary Application: Apartment Therapy Wants to Be Your Project Partner!
Are you thinking about making a big change? You love your home, but are tired of cringing at your outdated bathroom. Or perhaps you’ve been dreaming of making over your barely-functional kitchen for years and are finally ready to take the plunge. If you have big dreams, Apartment Therapy wants to partner with you to help make those dreams happen with our Renovation Diary Program. Here’s how it works: you tell us about your plans to renovate, using the form below.
Apr 29, 2019
Cheer Up: Home Tips To Get You In the Spring Mindset
Transitional months, like March, are odd. You have one foot mired in winter and the next reaching for spring, unsure of where things stand. If you can’t stand the idea of any more bleakness, make mental strides towards warmth and brightness. TIP: Bring in fresh organic materials that feel alive. The fresh greenery and bright flowers help bid adieu to winter, and put you in the mood for warmer weather.
Apr 6, 2019
This Weekend: Make Sure You’re Completely Covered
Invest In Your Favorites: You can definitely get more wear out of your precious jeans, not to mention the soft sweater you’d sleep in if you didn’t get so hot at night. Inspect all their forgivable flaws, patch them up, and send them back out onto the field for another season.
Apr 6, 2019
Before & After: A Tudor Kitchen Catches Up To The Times
Erin and her husband Ken purchased their 1934 Tudor-style home in July 2015 and spent that summer and fall renovating much of the house. They were working with a very tight renovation budget, which made tackling the kitchen a particular challenge. It had bug-infested cabinets, a crusty radiator, and a tin backsplash held on with double-stick tape. Since Erin is a DIY blogger and Ken is a commercial construction manager, who better to handle the project?
Apr 6, 2019
PSA: You’ve Only Tapped 1/15th of Sandpaper’s Full Potential
Some single-use gadgets and home tools just take up space versus regularly make our lives easier. It’s hard to purchase an entire device that just de-pills sweaters, for example, when you know it will wind up languishing in your cabinet or drawer. Which is why it’s great to discover multiple handy uses for ordinary objects and materials you already have lying around the house. Today’s unsung household hero: sandpaper.
Mar 22, 2019
Before and After: This $130 Bathroom Makeover Colors Outside the Lines
Anne-Claire recently completely a guest bathroom makeover and was so pleased with the results of that project that her own master bathroom suddenly looked, in comparison, a little sad and cluttered. She decided to change up that one too, but wanted to keep the project small and cheap (and doable), so major moves—like changing the tiles—were not an option. The whole project took a week and cost around $130.
Mar 21, 2019
Before and After: The Best Part of This Stunning Living Room Redo Is a $5 DIY
Vancouver-based Kristina Steinmetz knows her way around a good DIY. Her site, Ich Designer, is filled with clever and sophisticated home projects and IKEA hacks that have surprisingly humble origins and price tags. We recently featured her re-done mudroom, and her latest living room makeover might be even better. Here’s a wider shot, so you can get more of a sense of the whole room. It was in good shape but definitely needed an update.
Mar 19, 2019
This Weekend: Take 30 Minutes to Hide All Evidence of This Ugly Eyesore
99.9% of homes have these particularly annoying things that are both a physical nuisance, and also visually drag our living spaces down. We can’t get rid of them entirely, so instead tuck them away and pray they remain hidden out of sight. But time and time again — despite our silent pleas and crossed fingers— out they come again, creeping into the open. And man do they have a long reach!
Mar 14, 2019
Before & After: Neil Patrick Harris Just Pulled Off a Secret Makeover for His Brother
If there’s anything better than a home makeover, it’s a heartwarming home makeover with Neil Patrick Harris. The child TV actor turned triple threat (musical theater star meets family man meets magician) just surprised his older brother Brian with a renovation project at his longtime New Mexico home.
Mar 12, 2019
5 Grown-up Hacks That Will Have You Calling Your BILLY Bookcase William
The iconic piece of furniture is turning 40 this year.
Mar 10, 2019