Sarah’s Pro Style at Home
Name: Sarah AlbaLocation: San Rafael, California I’m a field editor and stylist. I look at homes to place in pages of magazines. I drew my inspiration by piecing together things I liked from the homes I scouted in order to create my perfect family abode.I also designed our home on a budget and because we have a 2 year old, I made sure to include many ways to cleverly hide clutter!Thanks, Sarah!• Interested in sharing your home with Apartment Therapy?
May 5, 2019
Kill Mold Overnight with a Simple DIY Clove Oil & Water Spray
Is this the secret to chemical-free mold cleaning? I just had a root canal, which absolutely was not much fun, but it did gave me a few hours of recouperating time during which I discovered a new-to-me show from Australia on Hulu Plus called Lush House. During the course of watching a few episodes, I learned that getting rid of mold might be easier and greener than I knew.The host of the show (and one of my new housekeeping heroes – she’s so calm and helpful!
May 5, 2019
IKEA Kitchen Cabinets: Pros, Cons & Real Life Owner Reviews
A beautiful, functional, new kitchen is a wonderful thing. The act of renovating a kitchen, maybe not so much. It’s a job that causes even the calmest heads to get a little stressed over the decisions that need to be made. To help ease the strain for all the brave planners, I gathered some of our best real-life info on a item that most every renovator considers due to their reputation, availability and price: IKEA kitchen cabinets.
May 5, 2019
Before & After: Audrey’s Scavenged Parisian Chair Makeover
One of the (many) nice things about living in Paris is that people often put their old furniture out on the pavement for opportunistic treasure hunters like myself to scavenge. I found this old chair one evening and I suspect that, as I took it home on the metro, the other passengers thought I was an eccentric expat who brought her own seating.However when I got it home it looked a bit drab so I decided to perk it up with a lick of paint and a bit of decoupage.
May 5, 2019
Caroline’s Treasure Hunt
Name: CarolineLocation: Western Addition – San Francisco, California Everything in my home has been discovered on a treasure hunt. Whether I was at a flea market, garage sale, or it is something a wonderful friend gave me, each piece is a little find. Being an artist, I am inspired everywhere I go. Color always stops me in my tracks — hence my latest turquoise and chartreuse obsession.
May 5, 2019
Naomi’s Single Family Home to a Duplex: Turning a Garage into an Apartment
Name: Naomi Location: Portland, Oregon Last year, my husband and I converted the two car garage of our ’80s ranch home, into an apartment (an Accessory Dwelling Unit, or ADU, according to Porland zoning standards). With the help of our architect friend, we designed and built a beautiful, 1-bedroom, 360 SF apartment that we now call home. We love the space and the fact that we created it together from the shell of a former garage.
May 4, 2019
Bronwyn’s Small San Francisco Studio
Name: Bronwyn Location: Nob Hill, San Francisco, California I have a small studio apartment on Nob Hill in San Francisco. I love being in the middle of the city, so I can walk most places. I love having my home be small, so it is easy to keep up with. I have a wall of closets which is so important for keeping me organized. I love the beams on my ceiling and the built-ins from the 1920s that add character to the space. I painted all the paintings myself.
May 4, 2019
Rachel’s First Place (and It’s Great!)
Name: Rachel Location: San Francisco, California It’s my first home! I turned 30 last year and decided to pull the trigger and buy my first place – a one bedroom apartment in San Francisco. With the help of my sister (she’s an architect), I completely renovated the kitchen. The original kitchen was literally from the 1940s – it still had an icebox for a refrigerator! While rustic, it wasn’t functional.
May 4, 2019
Vivian’s Converted Loft in Oakland
Name: Vivian Location: Oakland, CA Three words to describe our home would be: organic, DIY and modern. What I love most about our apartment is it’s a space that has a character of its own, which allowed us to bring in both of our personalities to make a cozy relaxing home in the middle of a concrete urban neighborhood.
May 4, 2019
A Peek Inside a Perfect Fall Weekend Country Getaway Home
Name: Handsome Hollow Location: Long Eddy, New York Leaves, apples, fireplaces roaring, chilly walks in cute sweaters – right now is the perfect season for weekend getaways. While I most definitely won’t be escaping to anywhere wonderful this weekend (lots of laundry is in my future!
May 4, 2019
Fay’s New Place on the Left Coast
Name: Fay Location: Lake Merritt, Oakland, California I submitted an application to rent my apartment, sight unseen, as I was making a rather speedy move from the East Coast. (Small world alert! One of our House Tour participants, Colleen, lives in Fay’s old DC apartment! – Janel) I was instantly smitten by the charming elements of the pre-war building: hardwood flooring, crown molding, cut glass doorknobs and the working fireplace.
May 4, 2019
A Roundup of Reader Style Cure “Before & After” Makeovers
We wrapped up a Style Cure the week before Thanksgiving. For those of you who haven’t heard about our Cures, they are month-long group projects where a big bunch of Apartment Therapy readers and editors work through a series of daily assignments with a specific goal in mind. This time, it was to refresh one room in our homes in time for the holidays.
May 4, 2019
Chaoyi’s Sophisticated Sunny Style
Name: Chaoyi Location: SF Bay Area, CA I share an one bedroom apartment with my boyfriend in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our place is around 700 sq. ft, with a very nice large patio tucked under some beautiful trees from the street. We love this place because it is bright and airy, the living room gets a lot of light, especially in the morning. And our dog Danger loves to sunbath on weekend mornings.
May 4, 2019
Clara’s Not-So-Hipster Oakland Cottage
Name: Clara of Banner Day Location: Oakland, CA We live in a small not-so-hipster 1930’s cottage, one of the few that survived in our neighborhood from the 1991 Oakland firestorm. We moved here after living in San Francisco for several years. We love our Rockridge neighborhood, the pedestrian lifestyle of College Ave, and the quick access to vast hiking trails all over the East Bay.
May 4, 2019
Maura’s Return to the West Coast (Without a Moving Van)
Name: Maura Location: King’s Hill – Portland, OR Late last year, when I was particularly missing my native West Coast, I decided to relocate from Washington, D.C., to Portland, Oregon. Part of the challenge (and the excitement) of making a cross-country move was the fact that I decided to bring with me only what I could fit inside my car — so when I arrived in Portland, I would be looking for entirely new furniture. And here is what I came up with!
May 4, 2019
A Pretty Palette: New 108 Paint Color System from Serena & Lily and Colorhouse
I always find that painting is (relatively) easy and affordable, once you’ve selected your colors, but the process of getting your choices narrowed down is the lion’s share of the work (and for those of us prone to fretting over design decisions, the potential stress, as well).
May 4, 2019
Alexis & Nathaniel’s Cozy Modern Cottage in Portland
Name: Alexis & Nathaniel Location: Portland, OR We bought our home in 2007 because we loved the SW Portland neighborhood of Multnomah Village and though the house is small – just under 800 square feet. we loved (still love) that it felt larger because of all of the windows and natural light.
May 4, 2019
Susan’s Dream Come True Nantucket Cottage
Name: Susan Location: Bedford, New Hampshire In 2002 I found myself a single mom raising two daughters, I had a dream of designing and building a Nantucket Cottage. I set out to find land, design my cottage and sub contract out the work. The property is surrounded with the charm of the old gray stone walls once used by farmers to mark their land. In 2005 I opened an interior design and home furnishings store in historic downtown Concord New Hampshire.
May 4, 2019
Henry’s “Room for Style” in San Francisco
Name: Henry Location: San Francisco, CA I believe that no matter the size of your home, there is always room for style! I live in a 1BR, 795 SF condo on the cusp of SOMA and Mid-Market. I share this space with my partner and our 11 year old chihuahua. We make the most out of our home by creating cross-functioning areas and we are conscientious of what we bring home. The apartment is furnished with a carefully selected mix of finds from Craigslist, consignment shops, galleries and flea markets.
May 4, 2019
Taylor’s West Coast Surfer Style
Name: Taylor Location: Twin Peaks neighborhood – San Francisco, CA My apartment was built in 1964 at the top of the highest hill in San Francisco. The apartment features unparalleled views of downtown and the bay, so the key to decorating is to let the view be the focus. I’m primarily inspired by a mid century modern aesthetic, with vivid pops of color and a casual, West Coast laid back feel. Thanks, Taylor ! • Interested in sharing your home with Apartment Therapy?
May 4, 2019
Caitlin & Dave’s “Victorian Eclectic” Apartment in Oakland
Name: Caitlin and Dave Location: Lake Merritt neighborhood – Oakland CA We live in a two bedroom, approximately 900 square foot apartment in beautiful Oakland California. My husband Dave and I moved here from NYC almost two years ago and we share the apartment with one roommate, Patrick, who is a good friend of ours.
May 4, 2019
Before & After: The “Green Guest Room Gets Gorgeous” Makeover
Project by: Decorist Location: San Francisco The client, Kristen, had a great upholstered bed and a fantastic classic chair in her guest room, along with some ultra-vibrant apple green walls. While the bold color was a definite wow, it wasn’t exactly tranquil, which is what she was hoping for in this space, so it had to go. She went the makeover route in hope of ending up with a more pulled together, cohesive and welcoming room.
May 4, 2019
Launching Today: First Look at the Nine Brand New Farrow & Ball Paint Colors
One of the things that Farrow & Ball is known for is its very carefully edited, strict palette of 132 paint colors, which, in a show of true British prudence, care and custom, is added to quite infrequently. Well, color lovers can rejoice, because today is one of the rare occasions where their colour card is updated. Nine new colors are being released in celebration of the brands 70th anniversary year and we’ve got them to share.
May 3, 2019
The House of Bedlam: A Madcap “Auntie Mame Meets Bunny Mellon” Country House
Name: John Loecke and Jason Oliver Nixon of Madcap Cottage Location: High Point, North Carolina Size: 5,000 square feet Years lived in: 4 years, owned If there are any two people most qualified to write the bible on print and pattern mixing, it’s John Loecke and Jason Oliver Nixon, the dynamic designers behind North Carolina- and New York-based interior design firm Madcap Cottage.
Apr 30, 2019
Before & After: Painted Furniture & Cabinetry Projects
The power of paint can’t be denied – we all know how it can transform a room, but the effect is also powerful when it comes to projects that involve the application of paint to furniture and cabinetry. Here are ten examples from the archives (including one where the “furniture” didn’t even exist prior to the paintjob!); check out the befores in this gallery and then click through on each for the always-fun-to-see afters.
Apr 7, 2019
Let’s Get Started: A Weekend of Flowers & Floors
Happy New Year! During the month of January, one assignment at a time, you are going to get your home in great shape. The effort put in over the next few weeks will pay you back with interest over the course of the year ahead. Each assignment you complete will absolutely add to the momentum of positive change that lasts long after the Cure wraps up. Now, you got that little pep talk because it’s the first weekend of the Cure, time to hit the gas and speed forward.
Feb 24, 2019
Before & After: Becky’s Brilliant Basket-Based DIY Closet Organizer System
Project by: Becky Location: Victoria, BC, Canada I can only admit this because I have now dealt with the skeleton in my closet, but I am was (fingers crossed) a huge clothes piler. As a large-scale, whole-house renovation left us needing to stretch the last dollars a little farther, my husband and I decided to tackle much of the finishing details ourselves. One item on our list was fitting out our master bedroom closet. It is not a huge closet, but at 5’X7′, it is a walk-in closet.
Feb 24, 2019
Weekend Chores: Flowers, Outbox, Living Room & Lighting
Day 17: Friday, January 24….and the weekend of January 25 & 26 Assignments: Bring home some Friday flowers, empty your outbox, clean your living room and take a look at your lighting Yes! Here we go: the last full (and yes, busy!) weekend of the January Cure. This time next week, we’ll be done. This final stretch is when things should start coming together, as you spruce up your living room for your gathering and start the big emptying of the outbox.
Feb 24, 2019
CHI House Tour: Jessica & Alex’s Simple Modern On a Budget
Name: Jessica, a graphic designer and Alex, a packaging engineerLocation: EvanstonSize: 1920’s 3 Bedroom Condo – (Don’t know the square footage; too lazy to measure)Years lived in: 2 >> Though we have yet to meet in person, we feel like we know Jessica a bit – we “discovered” her colorful Chicago home through her blog and sent her an email asking if she’d be up for sharing it with the Apartment Therapy community, and happily she agreed.
Feb 20, 2019
Sally’s Sight Unseen Fresh Start
Name: SallyLocation: Austin, Texas My boyfriend and I just moved to Austin, Texas two months ago, into a home that we decided was perfect for us solely based on the photos posted along side its’ Craigslist ad. Arriving at this three bedroom house, with only what could fit in our small prius (our 45lb dog taking up quite a bit of that space) we were daunted by the idea of turning this big empty shell into a “home.
Feb 20, 2019
Jennifer & Andrew’s “Home Away From Home” in Paris
Name: Jennifer, Andrew and Little One (our cat)Location: Paris, France (15th arrondissement) We moved to Paris from Philadelphia in March of this year and have found the journey to be an amazing one. However, one of our greatest hurdles was finding an apartment that would serve well as a home and office – and also have enough space for family and friends to visit.
Feb 20, 2019
Dana’s Bungalow Beautification
Name: DanaLocation: Grant Park — Atlanta, Georgia We bought the house as a foreclosure in 2009. It had been vacant for over a year and severely neglected. Despite having no functioning toilet or shower, no working appliances, outdated electrical and no heating or air conditioning, we still fell in love with this historic home.
Feb 20, 2019
Lauren’s Quintessential San Francisco Studio
Name: LaurenLocation: San Francisco, California I moved into my quintessential San Francisco 500 sq ft studio just four months ago. After a few years of bouncing around living with roommates, I was excited to have my own place.I started my own interior design/style/food blog about a year ago and when I moved, I chronicled the search for and design of my apartment. I try to share tips with my readers about how to decorate with personality without spending a lot.
Feb 20, 2019
A Family Home in IJburg
Name: WendelienLocation: Amsterdam, The Netherlands Hello! We live in Amsterdam in the recently reclaimed and newly built area called IJburg. On a lake called the IJmeer they built six man-made islands that will eventually house 45,000 people.We live on the island called the Steigereiland where ‘normal’ people were offered the opportunity to build their own house. Restrictions where given as to the height and size of the house.
Feb 20, 2019
Chad’s Small Space Glamour in New Orleans
Name: Chad GraciLocation: Lower Garden District – New Orleans, Louisiana At 650 square feet I’ve managed to create a high style, multipurpose space that meets all of my needs.My home showcases the aesthetic, style and attention to detail that I bring to all of my design clients. Luckily, one of the only problems that I faced was the size of the space. The architecture was there, I just needed to make it work for me. There are 13 foot ceilings so I wanted to draw the eye upwards.
Feb 20, 2019
Tiffany’s History & Charm in NYC
Name: TiffanyLocation: Studio in Upper West Side, Manhattan, New York Ever since I was a little girl I dreamed of having my own apartment in New York City. There was something about the history and charm of the big buildings that inspired me, and I loved the classical detailing that so contrasted the stucco suburb of my youth in San Diego, California.After graduating from NYU, I was ready to relocate uptown to a mellower neighborhood.
Feb 20, 2019
Chuck’s Americana in Hollywood
Name: Chuck D. WillisLocation: Hollywood, California My name is Chuck and I’m an actor living in Los Angeles. I have a great interest in furniture restoration and thrift shopping. I’m from Nashville, Tennessee, so my aethstetic is strongly influenced by American culture.My secret to filling a 2,000 sq feet apartment is patience. I have sourced and collected pieces over the past three years so I wouldn’t break the bank as well as but pieces I truly love.
Feb 20, 2019
Cara’s Small Space Style in West Hollywood
Name: CaraLocation: West Hollywood, California Interior design is not my job, it’s my passion and it is in my blood. I grew up with a father who kick started and fueled my love for beautifully cool spaces… And now, well, he’s the proud Dad of a girl who likes to move every year so she can change-up her ” look”.As a Creative Director in an L.A.
Feb 20, 2019
Cullen’s 50s Collector’s Heaven in Brooklyn
Name: CullenLocation: Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York I collect 1950s antiques and had a unique experience finding an unrenovated mid-century apartment. My search started after already living in New York for 8 years. I had moved just after turning 18 to go to college. After 1 year in the dorms I was ready for my own place and I found a great deal on a 1 bedroom in the West Village off Washington Square Park.
Feb 20, 2019
Jayme’s Row House Rehab
Name: JaymeLocation: East Kensington – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania This Philadelphia row house rehab was conceived as a showcase for my business, CraftworkHome, a design/build firm specializing in cabinetry and cast concrete. The starting point was an 1880 structure that had seen better days: once surrounded by a thriving textile industry, the neighborhood had slid into disrepair and the building was a blighted drug house for years.
Feb 20, 2019
A Contrast of Glamorous & Classic Elements
Name: Cinda & Mark Boomershine Location: Atlanta, Georgia Size: 3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath Years lived in: 7 years An architecturally traditional home filled with bright color and bold contemporary art is just the first of many contrasts that make up Cinda and Mark’s style.
Feb 20, 2019
Sneak Peek: Favorites from the New IKEA Stockholm 2017 Collection
Tomorrow, IKEA is launching the official press site for the new STOCKHOLM 2017 collection. But today, I received an advance paper copy of the catalog in the mail and just had to share some favorites ASAP: there are some really strong designs (some classic, some more funky) at very good prices. The pieces in the collection will be available in the US starting in April and I can tell you, I’ve definitely got my eye on that rattan cabinet. I see a trip to Schaumburg in my future.
Feb 14, 2017
The Ultimate Clutter Filter: An Easy Way to Keep Your Home Cleaner, Every Day
Many of you doing the January Cure are graduates of previous Cures and/or long time readers of Apartment Therapy, and if so, might have already done a version of today’s assignment at some time in the past. If so, stick with (and bear with) me, when I let the new Curers know – this is one assignment that is worth doing, NO MATTER WHAT.
Jan 25, 2017
A Trick to Stay on Task: Invite a Friend (or Ten) In
One of the most motivating things you can do, both for your cleaning and organizing efforts AND for your attitude and outlook, is to have people over now and then. Now don’t get all shy on me – you don’t have to turn into a Martha-level “Entertainer” (note the capital E) – this is simply about recognizing that you are someone who truly cares about their home.
Jan 16, 2017
A Realistic Kitchen Refresh: The Inside/Out Cleaning Plan
Happy Friday! Weekends on the Cure mean two things – that it’s time to pick yourself up some new flowers and that you have three days to complete your assignment. So, armed with lovely blooms, you have some extra time to tackle this weekend’s focus room, the kitchen. Now, before you run away screaming, just hear me out. The goal is to get your kitchen to a cleaner, better state by Sunday night, while not burning out on the overall Cure on your way there.
Jan 13, 2017
Join the January Cure for Your Best Year Yet
There is nothing like the start of a new year to get your home (and life!) in good shape – and Apartment Therapy wants to make it as painless as possible. If you are ready to make 2017 your best year yet, I have a plan. Sign up for the free group project we call the January Cure and I’ll send you do-able, one-manageable-step-at-a-time assignments throughout the rest of the month, designed to help you create a cleaner, more organized and peaceful home.
Dec 19, 2016
#7: SUNNERSTA Cart & Mini Kitchen
What do you think? Can the SUNNERSTA cart usurp the seemingly unstoppable and ever-popular RASKOG ? Will it capture the hearts of organizing decorators everywhere? It’s pretty darn cute and seems to tick many of the same boxes, including the price point. Designed by Henrik Preutz. IKEA says: Sometimes installing a large kitchen isn’t necessary, or too expensive and time-consuming. That’s why SUNNERSTA mini-kitchen was developed.
Jul 25, 2016
Get the Look: A Fashion-Forward Interior Designer’s Own Home
Leirecent full tour of the home Dining table: Gregor Jenkin Benches: Similar – Parsons Bench at Target Bench cushions: custom made by Ashanti Sideboard: made by Recreate, Lei briefed them and they sourced an old sideboard for her which was then remade Glass lamp: @home Pendant lights: Hoi P’loy Rug: Alexander Joles Large pink painting: by Natasha Miller Gutman, who runs Tel Aviv Art Studio.
Jun 21, 2016