A Gothic-Turned-Grown-Up Style Apartment of Curiosities
Name: Kendall Leigh Location: Echo Park — Los Angeles, California Years lived in: Renting 4 years Kendall’s collection of antique oddities and memorabilia from her childhood is the perfect mix of charming and alarming, giving her home-sweet-home a bitter twist.
Feb 19, 2019
An Art-Filled “Magical Tree House” in Los Angeles
Name: Mackenzie Kirk, Hannah Kirk, and Rachel Wyatt Location: Mount Washington — Los Angeles, California Years lived in: Rented, 1 year Sisters Hannah and Mackenzie seem to possess a quintessential sisterly bond that allows for creative exploration and unrestrained authenticity when decorating their hilltop home.
Feb 19, 2019
Colorful Cubism & Eastern Antiquities in California
Name: David Kean Location: Glendale, California Size: 2,600 Years Lived In: 4.5 years, owned We first got a peek at David’s mid-century ranch-style home after witnessing his ridiculously satisfying kitchen and bathroom makeovers. While David has made sure to keep the architecture in his home true to mid-century standards, his abundant collections of modern art and fine antiquities are somewhat counter to the minimalist movement of the mid-century era.
Feb 19, 2019
An Interior Designer’s “Euro Eclectic” San Diego Home
Name: Carol and Lee Estes Location: Rancho Bernardo — San Diego, California Size: 1900 Square Feet Years Lived In: 20 years, owned Carol Estes is an interior designer who recently built a substantial Instagram following simply by sharing photos of her own home’s eclectic interior.
Feb 19, 2019
How American Girl Dolls Would Decorate If They Lived in Studio Apartments
This is how we "play" American Girl Dolls as adults.
Dec 17, 2018
11 Inspiring Ways to Style Your Floating Shelves
The possibilities are endless, but if you're stumped on how to style your floating shelves, these inspirational shelfies are sure to point you in the right direction.
Sep 30, 2018
5 Reasons You Should Add a Round Mirror to Your Space
Did you know the mirror, as we know it today, was invented fewer than 200 years ago? According to LiveScience, in 1835 German chemist Justus von Liebig coated a pane of glass with a thin layer of metallic silver and successfully coaxed out mankind’s inner Narcissus for decades to come. Since then, mirrors have come to be a solid fixture in interior design and, more recently, round mirrors seem to be challenging the rectangular norm (and for good reason).
Sep 28, 2018
6 Bathroom Renovations That Cost $5,000 or Less
Bathrooms are sometimes neglected when it comes to design, but that doesn’t have be the case (and shouldn’t be). While, yes, you may do your “business” there, it’s also a space for practicing self-care (I know, it’s a buzz word, but it is really important) and may be the only place you ever find yourself alone. Whether you’re a renter or homeowner on a budget, renovating your #selfcare space doesn’t have to be impossible.
Sep 25, 2018
This $5 Handy Item Fixes Just About Everything in Your Home
We love a good multi-use product. Household putty (aka Sticky Tack, Blu Tack, mounting putty, museum putty) is one of those products that can solve a slew of household predicaments in a matter of seconds. From eradicating matted messes of electronics cables to stabilizing your new gypsy caravan, we’ve got 14 useful ideas to get you started on your lifelong love affair with putty. As an interior photographer, cords are my mortal enemy.
Sep 15, 2018
Surprisingly Chic Ways to Decorate with Washi Tape
It’s been a few years since washi tape first came on the scene as a non-permanent medium for decorating all sorts of things. Since then, washi tape DIYs have saturated the internet like the most bedazzled page in your Aunt Linda’s scrapbook. We’ve waded through the rhinestones and glitter to find 10 chic examples of washi tape in the home that will put your craft store sale bin raids with Aunt Linda to good use.
Aug 29, 2018
A Beauty Blogger’s Simply Serene LA Apartment
Name: Andreea Cristina, husband Bryan Gaul, and two cats and one dog Location: Los Angeles, California Size: 850 square feet Years Lived In: 6 months, renting As a beauty blogger with over a million Instagram followers, Andreea Cristina of Simply Andreea rarely stays in one place for very long. Having both sponsorships that take her around the world and a professional soccer player for a husband means a lot of traveling and not a lot of time spent at home.
Aug 20, 2018
Before and After: This New Home Office Only Cost $100
When it came time to renovate the orange-hued room in her 1920s Michigan home, Patti Mapes had a vision. She wanted an office that was inspiring, conducive to productivity, and, most importantly, that didn’t look like what she calls, “the inside of a cantaloupe.” Over the course of a year, this teacher transformed her spare room into a bright and organized office space with a hint of playfulness to get her through grading mountains of student essays.
Aug 15, 2018
A West Hollywood Home Is a Whimsical Explosion of Color
Name: Troy Solomon and Ian Mofford Location: West Hollywood, California Size: 800 square feet Years Lived In: 3 years for Troy, 2 years for Ian, renting I first learned of Troy Solomon (aka ABearNamedTroy) from his Instagram, where his brazen feed strikes a colorful balance between fierce and playful, a strong aesthetic that is reflected in the apartment he shares with fiance Ian Mofford.
Jul 9, 2018
The Fleet House Is the Only Home Built in an Aircraft Factory in the Entire World
Name: Chuck Jones Location: South Pasadena, California Size: 900 square feet Years Lived In: 3 years, renting Covered in stucco and overgrown vegetation, this pre-fab piece of history sat unknown to locals and lost to time until purchased in 2006 by Sergio Santino. Since uncovering this mid-century marvel—built by renowned industrial designer Henry Dreyfuss and architect Edward Larrabee Barnes—Sergio’s childhood friend Chuck Jones has resided here.
Jun 21, 2018
10 Ways to Make a New Home Look Old
Try implementing some of these tips to give your modern dry-walled digs an extra helping of soul.
Jun 13, 2018
Drinking (and Decorating) with Chickens in a Quirky LA Farmhouse
Name: Kate Richards, her husband, and 13 feathered or furry animals Location: Los Angeles, California Size: 1,500 square feet Years Lived In: 10 years, owned Sure, Kate Richards of Drinking with Chickens may like to occasionally imbibe with poultry, but behind the scenes this self-taught cocktail blogger, color-embracing artist, self-proclaimed professional drinker, and insanely hilarious Instagrammer works hard to maintain her charming life.
Jun 5, 2018
The Pros and Cons of Exposed Bulbs
We got the skinny on the polarizing trend.
May 29, 2018
7 Design Tricks You Can Do With Mirrors
If you're not completely happy with your home's current look, try implementing these brilliant mirror tricks and you'll be in for a real treat.
May 18, 2018
Steal These Rental Decorating Hacks From a ’70s-Inspired Bachelorette Bungalow in California
Name: Kit Warchol Location: Eagle Rock — Los Angeles, California Size: 600 square feet Years lived in: Rent control baby! It’s no surprise Kit Warchol is a writer/Head of Content for the female-focused website Career Contessa. Citing Joan Didion’s Slouching Towards Bethlehem as an inspiring force behind her home’s overall aesthetic, her sophisticated ’70s-style bohemian home is lined with books and peppered with meaningful mementos.
May 7, 2018
If Disney Princesses Lived in Tiny Houses
We love a good castle as much as the next person. But what we love even more is a really good tiny home. So much so that we started to wonder what would happen if we took the grandest castle dwellers of them all—six of Disney’s princesses—and reimagined their lives in modern day smaller spaces. It’s proof that living light can bring about a whole new world of possibilities for adventure in the great wide somewhere. (So, so, so many more puns to come.
Feb 22, 2018
The Half Wreath is the Only Way We’re Doing Wreaths This Year
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what gives the half wreath its undeniable je ne sais quoi. Perhaps it’s its deconstructed, minimal aesthetic; or maybe it’s just a blatant disregard for convention that we find so attractive. Whatever it is, one thing’s for certain…this elevated look is affordable, accessible, and totally DIYable for all. Half wreaths are versatile in that they can be left simple, or embellished with as many blooms and baubles as your heart desires.
Dec 10, 2017
6 Places to Hang a Wreath That Isn’t the Front Door
A classic circular wreath is pretty much the physical manifestation of infinite holiday joy, so why limit it to your front door? The possibilities for indoor wreaths are as infinite as their iconic shape, so today we’ve rounded up 6 of our favorite wreath locations that don’t require front door real estate. No mantel? No problem. Hang a wreath (or two, or three) on a blank wall for a celebratory look.
Dec 9, 2017
Decor Double Take: A High & Low Cost Version of a Super Trendy Mirror
Some trends come and go, while others come, stay, and leaving us saying, “wait, why wasn’t this always a thing?”. With a simplicity and softness that feels timeless in its appeal, we think trendy round mirrors are here to stay. If you’ve been on the fence about “rounding out” your mirror collection, here are two nearly identical round brass-framed mirrors in two not-so-identical price points ($50 vs.
Oct 17, 2017
The Stylish Shoe Storage Solutions You Need For a (Finally!) Tidy Entryway
Tackle your own Mount Shoeverest and try implementing an entry way storage solution that fits your needs.
Oct 7, 2017
Make it Work: 8 Beautiful Bedrooms that Include Home Offices
If you’ve had it when it comes to dreary home office spaces, listen up. Those who are short on space or privacy (i.e. roommates) needn’t look further than the room you sleep in for home workspace, and while writing emails may not be high on your list of favorite bedroom activities, these nine bedroom office nooks are so good they’ll have you reducing your commute time in big way.
Sep 12, 2017
9 Real Bathrooms That Expertly Tackle a Lack of Storage
Not all bathrooms are created equal, and that’s fine by us. Some may see a small bathroom as a storage nightmare, but we see it as a challenge. Here are nine genius DIY bathrooms that prove no storage situation, or lack there of, can’t be tackled. Here, Rebecca Williams shows us how her boho maximalist home in Western Australia maximizes storage. Rebecca uses unoccupied wall space to store her toiletries on hanging shelves and a hanging planter repurposed as a storage basket (genius!
Sep 5, 2017
How To Store (& Show Off!) Blankets & Throws in Style
The saying, “there’s nothing new under the sun” got a lot more real with the invention of the internet. If you think you’re doing something original, there’s a good chance Google will prove you wrong every time. That’s why unique ideas, like this log-holder-turned-blanket-storage from Chrissy Phelan’s West Hollywood home (and salon!) are all the more impressive.
Aug 24, 2017
Decorating Advice From 1948 That Still Totally Applies Today
If you suffer from decision fatigue, these time-tested tips could serve as a jumping-off point for designing your home with confidence.
Aug 11, 2017
Look We Love: How To Create Cozy English Cottage Style
If you find yourself constantly yearning for a Nancy Meyers-esque house swap to whisk you away to the English countryside, maybe it's time to bring the English countryside to you.
Aug 9, 2017
A “Genius” Rental Kitchen Solution That’s Actually Incredibly Simple
For most renters, all decorating efforts come to a screeching halt in the kitchen. Whether it’s dated countertops, offensive wood finishes, or lighting that you’re pretty sure was initially installed for a crime scene investigation, most kitchen eyesores require major permanent solutions — or so we thought.
Aug 5, 2017
A Totally Unexpected 3-in-1 Design Solution for Blank Walls
Some rugs are so beautiful, banishing them to the floor seems like a tragedy. Filling your vertical space with texture, color and warmth, rugs are the perfect three-in-one design solution for any blank wall in need of a boost. Go big and bold or small and understated, just make sure you hang them properly so gravity doesn’t take its toll on your woven works of art (tips ahead). Jungalow maven Justina Blakeney is no stranger to using rugs in unconventional ways.
Jul 29, 2017
One of a Kind Style: A DIY Tree Branch Floor Lamp
Numerous studies support the fact that being surrounded by nature is good for your health, but who knew that getting out into the wild and foraging about could also up your home decor game? In a Chicago home brought to life by two artists, we saw homeowner Caroline Robe design this genius foraged-turned-functional floor lamp out of an untouched tree branch, causing us to wonder, “why didn’t I think of that?”.
Jul 16, 2017
Take 10: Beautiful Bathroom Sink Consoles Made from Vintage Dressers
Vintage dressers are a bathroom renovator’s best friend, as they can lend a healthy dose of character to the old W.C. for a fraction of the price of most (boring) made-to-order vanities. What’s more is, if you know how to drill a hole into wood, you’re half way to repurposing your own vintage dresser into a vanity/ sink console.
Jun 26, 2017
The 7 Types of People Who Should Consider Using Outdoor Rugs Indoors
Rugs can be a royal pain. While they most definitely can pull a room together, deciding on the right one for your space can sometimes tear things apart (i.e. your cleaning routine, your finances, your chill about pets and kids). If you’re on the hunt for a rug that meets all of your indoor needs but doesn’t break the bank, listen up. Using outdoor rugs inside is a great option for a select group of people, and there’s a good chance you might be one of them. You like patterns.
May 15, 2017
What Will the Next Mid-Century Modern Be? 3 Contenders to Watch
First off, let me preface this post by saying I think mid-century modern is a classic and versatile style that will be relevant in home design for many decades to come. Unfortunately for me, when a style becomes increasingly popular, I immediately start panicking about how soon it will lose its luster.
Oct 24, 2016
Decade-by-Decade: A Look at the Typical American Household by Decade
Popular design trends are hard to pinpoint when you’re in the midst of them, but painfully easy to spot once you’re a decade or two removed (the groovy pad of Megan Draper on AMC’s Mad Men screams of the swinging ’70s). Post WWII, decor trends seem to have had about a 10-year lifespan, and we’ve chronicled the nostalgic bullet points for each period.
Oct 23, 2016
Nail the Mixed Metal Look at Home With These 5 Easy-to-Follow Tips
One is silver and the other’s gold…or is it rose gold now? Incorporating metallics into your decor is a great way to elevate your space, but the temptation to replace all of your fixtures every time a new finish “reigns supreme” is hard to avoid. Here are some shining (shimmering, splendid) examples of spaces that masterfully mix metals to help yours stand the test of time.
Oct 9, 2016
Self Care Style at Mascot’s Bohemian Boutique
When we toured Liz and Josh’s Bohemian Santa Clarita house, it seemed they knew a thing or two about maintaining a balanced life. The energetic couple has built a flourishing family home and successful well-being business while remaining totally chill in the process (seriously, you just want to be friends with them). Their local shop Mascot Aesthetic shares that spiritual-Bohemian ambiance that their house wears so well.
Sep 30, 2016
Be Bold: Tips for Successfully Incorporating a Kaleidoscope of Colors Into Your Home
Sticking to a limited color palette isn’t the only way to design a home that looks inviting and pulled together. Caroline and Jayden are the colorful couple who live in the cozy Atwater Village home shown here an they saw absolutely no hue limitations when they designed their place.
Aug 9, 2016
Before & After: Vintage Tile Is Spared in a Modern Bathroom Makeover
When Alyssa and her husband moved in to their Echo Park home seven years ago, they were happy to see a lot of the original details from the 1940s bungalow intact, like this blue tile in the bathroom. Though the tile was charming, the rest of the bathroom was dark and gloomy. Alyssa was able to give the space a whole new modern look with a just few small changes—and keep the charming vintage tile!
Aug 8, 2016
Surefire Ways to Make Your Home a Happy (And Functional!) Place
Home. It’s the supposed harbor of our hearts, and yours is probably affecting your overall well-being more than you think. Gary and Chelsey’s home gave us that good, old fashioned “happy home” feeling, and we were determined to figure out why. If you’re feeling stuck in your pursuit of a happy home, we’ve compiled a simple list of practices most of the happiest homes on Apartment Therapy—such as this one—share.
Feb 11, 2016
Dustin & Maya’s Eclectic Hillside Home in Silver Lake
Name: Dustin Lancaster and Maya Brenner, kids Jack and Sadie, and dog Roxy Location: Silver Lake — Los Angeles, California Size: 2,700 square feet (house) Years lived in: 6 months; Owned Hard-working entrepreneurs Dustin and Maya can now add their beautiful six-month home renovation to the long list of productive ventures they’ve accomplished in the last year.
Feb 2, 2016
Lindsey’s Colorful West Hollywood Residence
Name: Lindsey O’Donnell Location: West Hollywood — Los Angeles, California Size: 1,550 square feet Years lived in: 2.5 years; Owned If one thing’s for sure, it’s that interior designer Lindsey O’Donnell is not afraid of color. From Blackberry Wine to Midnight Navy to Black, O’Donnell’s paint choices are pretty fearless. Inspired by the bold interiors of designer Mary McDonald, O’Donnell’s lavish lair is anything but modest.
Jan 6, 2016
Brandon’s Bold and Bright Bachelor Pad
Name: Brandon Kleinman Location: West Hollywood; Los Angeles, CA Years lived in: 4 years; Rented Bachelors may have a reputation for maintaining less-than-desirable living quarters, but as the founder and CMO of online interior design firm Laurel & Wolf, Brandon Kleinman refused to fall victim to such stereotypes.
Jul 23, 2015
An Art Lover’s Harmonious Home
Location: Los Angeles, CA Size: 2,000 square feet Years lived in: 7 months; Owned Nestled in the winding hills of Hollywood, this mid-century modern post and beam home was recently snatched up by two art-lovers and transformed into a striking minimalist masterpiece. Natural sunlight flooding in through large, unobstructed windows and skylights reflects brilliantly off the white walls, white cement flooring, and blonde wood furniture inside. Needless to say, this place is seriously dreamy.
Jul 7, 2015
Before & After: Melinda & Mark Update Their Outdoor Space
When Mark and Melinda bought their home in Eagle Rock, Los Angeles in 1999, the backyard was littered with uneven, rocky terrain. The expansive backyard provided a multi-level outdoor area that boasted a killer view of the city, but, naturally, some safety concerns arose as their family began to grow. A few landscaping tricks and fixes added just enough structure to create the perfect backyard jungle, perfect for playing or hosting friends on a warm Summer evening.
May 25, 2015
A Tour of AphroChic’s Stylish Show Home at Helms Bakery
On the weekend of October 12th in Los Angeles, global design gurus Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason remixed the Helms Bakery District’s newest showroom space, transforming its interior into a stunning concept home filled with design inspiration. The exhibit, complete with a living room, library, master bedroom, dining room, and back patio, was furnished entirely with items from the Helm’s Bakery District’s various retailers.
Nov 17, 2014
David’s Sentimental Gentleman’s Loft
Name: David Del Fonzo Location: Downtown; Los Angeles, CA Size: 750 square feet Years lived in: 1 month; Rented David’s spacious Downtown LA studio epitomizes the ideal bachelor pad. Sturdy, industrial materials are combined with plush fabrics and personal accents from David’s childhood to create a handsome and inviting space with a healthy dose of personality. In just 1 month, David has turned a stark, cavernous studio into a functional and cozy living space.
Oct 19, 2014