Before & After: A Punchy Pink Bathroom Gets Gutted (and Gorgeous!)
Maggie’s 880 square foot Hudson River home only has one bathroom and this was it. The layout was outdated and cramped, there was no storage and the pink tile drew attention to how small the room was. Wait until you see this bath today. Even though she ditched the pink tile, Maggie still managed to pack lots of sleek personality into this room, from the beadboard to the art to a repuposed DIY vanity. Great job!
Aug 20, 2014
Is It Time to Move Out? Ask Yourself These 6 Questions to Find Out
You’ve tried so hard to spice up your rental but it’s just not quite doing the trick. Is it time to consider the horrible-of-all-horrible four letter words? Is it time to move? Answer these six questions to know for sure. There are lots of ways to change the aesthetics of your place, but some things just can’t be fixed.
Aug 19, 2014
A Cottage Kitchen Gets a Makeover
Aug 19, 2014
Before & After: Dresser Gets a New, Old-World Update
Ashley loved the details on this dresser but didn’t love the dark and “gloomy” finish. She imagined something a little lighter that kept the same antique style. We love how Ashley didn’t rush to make this dresser look too new. Even after the update, it still has a stylish patina that really works with the old-world feel of the original piece.
Aug 19, 2014
Cast Iron: Truth vs Myth
(Image credit: Faith Durand) From The Kitchn → 5 Myths of Cast Iron Cookware
Aug 18, 2014
Before & After: An Antique Trunk Picks Up Steam
Breanna’s parents pickedup this trunk for her at an antique show for only $10. What a great deal for such a multi-purpose, handsome piece! She added one simple element and is now using this antique in a whole new way. We can never get enough of coffee tables with storage — they’re so perfect for small spaces — and the addition of a sturdy top really takes the classic trunk table up a notch.
Aug 18, 2014
A Dark Kitchen Goes Light and Bright
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From The Kitchn → Kitchen Before & After: A Dark, Dated Kitchen Gets a Fresh Start
Aug 18, 2014
3 Easy Ways to Peel Tomatoes
(Image credit: Emma Christensen) From The Kitchn → The 3 Best Ways to Peel a Tomato
Aug 15, 2014
Before & After: An Overstuffed Closet Gets a Master Cleanse
This is not regular closet cleanout. In fact, Joy called it a “closet cleanse.” But unlike an actual cleanse (which usually just makes us hangry), we’re pretty sure this project left Joy feeling super satisfied. Wow! We’d say that’s better than a green juice any day. We love how Joy picked a variety of neutrals to keep the look cohesive, but not boring. From Joy: I’ve been meaning to get to this for months.
Aug 15, 2014
Before & After: A Beat-Up Peacock Chair Gets Pretty
When Barbara found this beat-up but beautiful chair in a thrift store, she already had two peacock chairs, but something about this one was different. It wasn’t very exciting to look at, but the chair was so sturdy and strong that she couldn’t help but bring it home. We just love Barbara’s thoughtful take on preowned furniture. Every DIYer can relate to these sentiments. Barbara says: Secondhand furniture can sometimes be like people.
Aug 14, 2014
A Factory Tour of Lodge Cast Iron
(Image credit: Erika Tracy) From The Kitchn → How Lodge Cast Iron Skillets Are Made in Tennessee
Aug 14, 2014
Make V8 Juice at Home
(Image credit: Michaela Cisney) From The Kitchn → Recipe: Homemade V8 Juice
Aug 13, 2014
What You Need to Know About Water Towers (It’s Grosser Than You Think)
They’re a familiar scene dotting the city skyline — sleekly conical yet distinctly old-world — but just how much do you know about how water towers work, why we still use them and exactly how safe the tanks where we store our drinking water really are? The municipal water mains of New York City provide enough pressure to lift water roughly six stories up in the air. As turn-of-the-century buildings grew taller and taller, so did the demand for water at higher elevations.
Aug 13, 2014
How Should You Store Tomatoes?
(Image credit: Christine Gallary) From The Kitchn → The Best Way to Store Tomatoes
Aug 13, 2014
Before & After: Jenn Solves Her Son’s Parking Problems
While packing up her apartment for a move, Jenn asked her three-year-old son, “If you could have anything in the world in your new room, what would it be?” His answer was immediate: “A garage to keep all of my trucks.” So rather than ditch this drab, old shelf in the move, the wheels began turning. Absolutely adorable! We love how Jenn turned those scallop shapes into little-boy-worthy cars! From Jenn: I gave the shelf a quick coat of Pool Blue paint.
Aug 12, 2014
Grape vs Cherry Tomatoes: What’s the Difference?
(Image credit: Christine Gallary) From The Kitchn → What’s the Difference Between Grape and Cherry Tomatoes?
Aug 12, 2014
12 Little Pleasures That Make You Love Cooking
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From The Kitchn → 12 Tiny Food Miracles That Make You Love Your Kitchen
Aug 8, 2014
Before & After: Vintage Dresser Strips Down
Libby bagged this solid wood dresser at a vintage store for $20. She says, “I couldn’t believe it – I thought the price tag would say $200!” Gorgeous! We love how she got rid of what didn’t work (uhhh…layers and layers of paint) but kept what did (those pulls are everything). Great job, Libby. From Libby: I used my orbital sander to take off the three previous layers of paint on the top and edges, to reveal the raw wood underneath.
Aug 8, 2014
Brunch Cocktails? Yes Please
(Image credit: Faith Durand) From The Kitchn → 17 Summery Brunch Cocktails Worth Sipping
Aug 8, 2014
The Best Way to Clean the Freezer
(Image credit: Gina Eykemans) From The Kitchn → How To Clean The Freezer
Aug 7, 2014
Can You Use a Drinking Glass to Peel a Mango?
(Image credit: Kelli Foster) From The Kitchn → Can You Really Peel a Mango with a Drinking Glass?
Aug 7, 2014
Before & After: A Dressing Table Gets a Dose of Geometry
Beau in Australia is a woman of few words. We don’t know where or how she came across this “little old discarded dressing table,” but her results speak for themselves. Gorgeous! We’re loving that colorful, graphic fabric choice. Great job. Beau says she transformed this piece into a, “small, chippy hall stand using Annie Sloan Duck Egg and geometric style fabric to wrap the drawers.” Check out Beau’s blog, Drip Designs. Thank you Beau!
Aug 6, 2014
A Clever Way to Store Whisks
(Image credit: Anne Wolfe Postic) From The Kitchn → The Best Way to Store Whisks in a Drawer
Aug 6, 2014
How to Organize Your Freezer
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From The Kitchn → The Best Way to Organize Your Freezer
Aug 5, 2014
Before & After: A Mudroom Masterpiece
Lana’s family needed a space to pull their stroller in, roll their bikes through, and let their umbrellas dry, and they didn’t want it to be fussy. They spent a weekend transforming this stodgy entry into a “fun spot to throw some shoes on.” So fun! We love the punch of personality that pattern gives this little room. Great job.
Aug 1, 2014
Make Like a Monkey and Peel Your Banana the Easy Way
(Image credit: Emma Christensen) From The Kitchn → Why You Should Peel Your Banana Like a Monkey
Aug 1, 2014
Before & After: A DIY Dream Kitchen
When Erin moved into her home, the kitchen looked like this: fluorescent lighting, dark wood cabinetry, beat up laminate countertop, and a fake brick backsplash. Not cute. So she got rid of the bad (laminate!) and kept the good (that cute rug) and made some major DIY upgrades that gave her kitchen both the look and functionality she needed. From Erin: With its galley layout and wall-to-wall upper cabinetry, work space was virtually nonexistent.
Jul 31, 2014
The Creamy (Healthy) Ice Cream Recipe You Need Now
(Image credit: Leela Cyd) From The Kitchn → How To Make Creamy Ice Cream with Just One Ingredient!
Jul 31, 2014
Avoid Food Waste 8 Ways
(Image credit: Gina Eykemans) From The Kitchn → 8 Essential Tips for Avoiding Food Waste
Jul 31, 2014
The Awkward Files: When (and How) to Say No to Hosting Houseguests
If your couch is sagging under the weight of too many surfers this summer, you may need a refresh on the basics of guest/host protocol. Read on for our take on when to welcome guests into your home and how to just say no. Disclaimer: It’s your home, so you’re free to invite (or not invite) anyone, regardless of what we think. But, if you’re looking for a few suggested guidelines, here you go.
Jul 30, 2014
Before & After: A Damaged Dresser Gets a Dramatic Upgrade
Sara loves to reuse furniture so when she got this damaged dresser from her mom, she knew it had the potential for a gorgeous redo. Wow! That is one handsome dresser. The darker color and sleek new pulls really elevate the look and feel of its basic shape. Sara even tells us that the mirror in the picture used to belong to her great grandmother. Way to keep it in the family and use what you have, Sara. See more at Architecture and a little bit more. Thank you Sara!
Jul 30, 2014
Here’s How To Clean Your Butcher Block
(Image credit: Erika Tracy) From The Kitchn → How To Clean Butcher Block Countertops
Jul 30, 2014
A Mid-Century Kitchen Gets Restored
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From The Kitchn → Kitchen Before & After: A Kitchen Goes Back to Its Mid-Century Roots
Jul 29, 2014
Before & After: A Thrift Store Cabinet Goes Glam
Leslie says,”When I saw this dull brown cabinet in the thrift store, it begged for glam.” Well, glam it up she did. Good eye, Leslie! Those mirrored panels really show off those door details. From Leslie: After primer and paint, I used a couple of packages of mirrored tiles from the big box hardware store. The top was a fake slate formica that totally dated the piece. I used a mitre saw, moldings and pewter appliance pulls to fabricate a new top that resembles a gallery tray.
Jul 29, 2014
How Long Do Eggs Last?
(Image credit: Akanit Hengsawat) shutterstock From The Kitchn → How Long Can You Keep Eggs?
Jul 29, 2014
Before & After: A 40-Year-Old Nightstand Gets A Youthful New Look
Several years ago, Rita found this unfortunate looking, 40-year-old nightstand in her mother’s basement and adopted it. She tells us it wasn’t much to look at to begin with and it’s certainly taken a beating since, so she decided it was finally time to give this neglected piece of furniture a facelift. Didn’t see that one coming! We’re loving the punch of personality Rita gave this little table.
Jul 28, 2014
Better Grilled Pizza Starts Here
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From The Kitchn → 5 Tips for Better Grilled Pizza
Jul 28, 2014
Before & After: A Catch-All Laundry Room Gets Beautiful and Functional
Not everyone is brave enough to show off their laundry room like Anna. Hers was the room that accumulated all of the extra “I-don’t-quite-know-what-to-do-with-this-right-now-so-I’m-going-to-leave-it-here-and-forget-all-about-it.” Finally enough was enough and Anna decided her laundry room should be functional for, you know, actual laundry. These were Anna’s goals: •A surface to sort and fold laundry comfortably. •A place to hang ironing.
Jul 25, 2014
These Plastic-Free Straws are Reusable
(Image credit: West Elm) From The Kitchn → 5 Reusable Plastic-Free Straws
Jul 25, 2014
Before & After: A Dated Desk Gets a Fresh, Clean Look
When Tessa found this desk in the free section of Craigslist, she knew it was meant to come home with her. She said, “I liked the lines of it a lot and the non-existent price tag, if not the color and Hannah Montana stickers.” She was able to change an unused nook into a whole home office! So smart! From Tessa: I’m a Furniture Designer working from home and just moved into a new place with my friends.
Jul 24, 2014
Make These Yogurt Breakfast Popsicles for Summer Mornings
(Image credit: Emma Christensen) From The Kitchn → Recipe: Yogurt Breakfast Popsicles
Jul 24, 2014
Make 7 Days of Salads on Sunday
(Image credit: Christine Gallary) From The Kitchn → 5 Tips for Making a Week’s Worth of Salads on Sunday
Jul 23, 2014
Before & After: A Rusty Reject Gets a Reclaimed Reno
When Julie’s family arrived at their new home in Ottawa, Ontario this gem was waiting in the driveway. The metal frames had been left over from a renovation and had been rusting outside for quite a while. But brave Julie took one look at the pile of rubble and immediately thought, “I can do something with that!” From Julie: I have been working with reclaimed wood for a while now and I love the wood and metal combination so I got to work.
Jul 23, 2014
What Should I Store in Airtight Containers?
(Image credit: Faith Durand) From The Kitchn → Which Pantry Items Should I Keep in Airtight Containers?
Jul 23, 2014
How to Organize Your Refrigerator
(Image credit: Abby Stone) From The Kitchn → The Best Way to Organize Your Refrigerator
Jul 22, 2014
Change Your Space, Change Your Outlook: 10 Ways to Be Happier at Home
You could change your home or you could simply change how you feel about your home. Why not try a little of both? Here are five ideas to help you tweak your space so it’s more comfy, inviting and happy, plus five ways help you have a more positive outlook so you’ll enjoy spending time in your space no matter what. Change the lighting. We say it all the time: if you want your home to have a golden glow, good lighting is the easiest and fastest way to get there.
Jul 22, 2014
Before & After: A Dixie Dresser Gets a Dramatic Upgrade
Angela says, “Sometimes you should just walk away from a craigslist sale,” but she must be a glutton for punishment because she still brought home this dilapidated Dixie dresser for just $40. It had chipping veneer, major leg damage and sagging in the center, so we were shocked to see this baby looking so lovely. From Angela: The metal gripper that holds the legs in place was missing on one leg.
Jul 22, 2014
Before & After: Nightstand Nightmare No More
Reeves was so excited to work on these Willete mid-century nightstands when she picked them up at a furniture sale. Little did she know the headache they’d be. But despite some setbacks, Reeves really turned this project around and we think the final results were worth the wait.
Jul 21, 2014