Our TeamKatie Holdefehr

Katie Holdefehr

    About Me

    Katie is a fan of all things handmade and nature-made.

    Latest Stories

    12 Creative Ways to Use Command Hooks All Over Your Home
    They are organizing superheroes.
    Katie Holdefehr
    Aug 14, 2024
    The Brilliant Gardening Method That Grows More Plants in Less Space
    Spoiler: It's soil-free.
    Katie Holdefehr
    Jun 30, 2024
    6 Reasons Your Plant Has Yellow Leaves, According to Pros
    And everything you need to know about how to fix it.
    Katie Holdefehr
    May 24, 2024
    29 Galley Kitchens That’ll Inspire You to Make the Most of a Small Space
    These spaces might be tight, but they can also be stylish and efficient.
    Katie Holdefehr
    Nov 3, 2023
    8 Easy Pumpkin Carving Designs No One Else on Your Block Will Have
    Stand out from the crowd with one of these easy DIYs.
    Katie Holdefehr
    Sep 30, 2023
    The 4-Step Guide to Renewing Grout (In Order of Increasing Grossness)
    Stick a light-colored, porous material between tiles—where spills are likely to settle and mildew is undoubtedly going to grow—and you can bet it’s not going to be a pretty situation. And once stains set in, scrubbing them clean is no one’s idea of a fun afternoon. But the promise of fresh, gleaming grout? It keeps us fighting the good fight.
    Katie Holdefehr
    May 20, 2023
    Small Space Ideas from an Iconic 1920s Dutch Design Home
    At the edge of the charming Dutch town of Utrecht, nestled between traditional 20th-century homes and a highway overpass, lies a house that’s all planes, lines and pops of primary color. Built in the 1920s by architect Gerrit Rietveld in collaboration with his partner (in both love and design) Truus Schröder-Schräder, the building does for architecture what Mondrian did for art: It pares it down to form and color.
    Katie Holdefehr
    Apr 27, 2023
    10 IKEA Storage Hacks for When You Need an Extra Closet
    When space is tight and money’s even tighter, IKEA is our happy place. Browsing the $30 wheeled carts and the $10 towel racks (both spotted above), it suddenly seems possible that we can actually afford a stylish, organized home. Even the fact that we have a teeny-tiny closet (or no closet at all…eep!) seems easily fixable. And it is—just follow the lead of the inspiring, IKEA-filled rooms ahead.
    Katie Holdefehr
    Mar 28, 2023
    The Dos & Don’ts of Perfectly Matched Paint Touch-Ups
    No more scratched, scuffed, or chipped paint!
    Katie Holdefehr
    Oct 25, 2022
    Home Sweet Home: Simple Ways to Make Your Kitchen Cozier
    The kitchen is often the hub of a home, but it can also tend to feel like a stark, cold space (tile floors and an abundance of stainless steel appliances will do that). Luckily, there are some design tricks to warm up the room, while still keeping this area devoted to cooking and eating clean and healthy. With a few design details and accents that add personality, you can inject the entire room with warmth.
    Katie Holdefehr
    Oct 14, 2022
    10 Things We Wish We Had in Our Kitchens for this Thanksgiving
    While we may love our kitchens 364 days out of the year (and we don’t mean to sound un-thankful), there’s nothing like the biggest feast of 2016 to suddenly make them seem utterly inadequate. There’s not nearly enough counter space, our tiny sinks fit approximately two dishes, and we consider ourselves lucky if our minuscule ovens have enough room to roast a turkey.
    Katie Holdefehr
    Oct 13, 2022
    The Secret to Kitchens & Bathrooms That Will Never Go Out of Style
    As Nancy pointed out recently, there are some kitchen design choices that never go out of style — retro SMEG fridges and farmhouse sinks fall firmly in this category. If they’ve been considered stylish and practical for decades, chances are they’ll still be popular a couple decades from now.
    Katie Holdefehr
    Oct 13, 2022
    How To Turn Your City Apartment Into a Cozy Ski Chalet in 7 Easy Steps
    Full disclosure: I’ve never been skiing, or snowboarding, or so much as stepped foot on a snow-covered mountain range. But I’ve seen “Force Majeure” and have taken a virtual tour of Aerin Lauder’s Aspen home, which basically qualifies me as a pseudo expert on the après-ski aesthetic. To get the look (without actually hitting the slopes), here are some cozy ways to work ski style into your apartment that won’t look totally out of place.
    Katie Holdefehr
    Oct 12, 2022
    So Long, Popcorn Ceilings: 8 Transformative Overhead Architectural Hacks
    So, your rental apartment or newly-built home didn’t come with coffered ceilings or pressed tin tiles? Set your sights above that unsightly popcorn or drop ceilings you’ve been dealt. All eight of these ceiling hacks will lend architectural interest to a boring room—whether you channel intricate European plasterwork or rustic exposed wood beams is entirely up to you. Give the impression of dramatic crown molding with a painted ceiling that extends about a foot down the wall.
    Katie Holdefehr
    Sep 21, 2022
    What Are Spider Mites And How Can You Save Your Plants From Them?
    So, you’ve noticed some tiny pests creeping on your precious houseplants , leaving little webs and stressing out your once-thriving plant. Here’s the bad news: You may have a case of white spider mites. These buggers reproduce quickly, so the time to take action is NOW to save your favorite green buddies, like your fiddle leaf fig plants and dracaena plants. Here’s the good news: It’s possible to quell a spider mite infestation, but it will require persistence.
    Katie Holdefehr
    May 11, 2022
    18 DIY Desk Ideas to Make Working from Home a Breeze
    See what your workspace could look like...
    Katie Holdefehr
    Mar 5, 2022
    8 Houseplants that Can Survive Urban Apartments, Low Light and Under-Watering
    These plants were born to be city dwellers.
    Katie Holdefehr
    Jan 26, 2021
    The Ultimate Decluttering Guide: 130 Things to Get Rid of in the New Year
    If the prospect of a shiny new year has you wanting to jump back onboard the KonMari-method decluttering train (à la Emily Gilmore in the Netflix “Gilmore Girls” revival), you’re in good company. The start of 2017 has us reimagining our homes as minimalist sanctuaries, filled only with joy-sparking essentials.
    Katie Holdefehr
    Jul 17, 2020
    5 “Future Heirloom” Investment Pieces that are Worth Every Penny
    There are plenty of home goods that are fine to buy cheap (I put shower curtains and bathmats in that category), and then there are those worth shelling out some cash for. These are investment pieces that will travel with you from home to home, and that could one day be given to a loved one. Here are our picks for 5 items you’ll love using every single day, and that you’ll look forward to owning for years to come.
    Katie Holdefehr
    Jul 16, 2020
    Up Your Energy: Simple Workspace Feng Shui Principles to Try Today
    When you’re busy working, it can be easy to let your workspace fall into a rut—I mean, who has time to redecorate their desk when they’re preparing for next week’s presentation? But because your work environment affects how energized you feel, taking a few minutes right now to optimize your workspace may just make your whole week more productive. Want to try it? Read through these five ways to improve and organize your desk according to feng shui—then get to work!
    Katie Holdefehr
    Jul 16, 2020
    5 Bedroom Design Mistakes You Might Be Making (& Their Fast Fixes)
    ...and their fast fixes.
    Katie Holdefehr
    Feb 18, 2020
    12 IKEA Hacks to Keep Your Houseplants Happy
    Get more greenery at home, and keep more green in your wallet.
    Katie Holdefehr
    Feb 6, 2020
    Privacy, Please: Ideas for Carving Out a Cozy Bedroom in a Studio
    Studio apartments are efficient, cost-effective options for living in the city of your dreams, whether it’s New York or L.A., but they don’t exactly offer much privacy. However, you can still create a soothing sanctuary that feels separate from the rest of your open-floor plan home without bringing in a contractor or spending a lot of money.
    Katie Holdefehr
    Dec 29, 2019
    A (Seemingly) Counterintuitive Trick That’s a Must for Small Spaces
    It may seem counterintuitive, but it works!
    Katie Holdefehr
    Dec 19, 2019
    What Is Chalk Paint, Anyway?
    Curious to see what all the hype's about?
    Katie Holdefehr
    Aug 20, 2019
    The Top Clutter Hotspots in Every Home (and How To Conquer Them Quickly)
    A friend you haven’t seen in a while calls to let you know she’s in the area and would love to stop by. You say: “Of course—come over!” You think: “Just give me three hours to clean up, please!” Ideally, we’d follow the “tidy up a little every day” routine, but despite our best efforts, there are certain spots in our homes where the chaos just tends to build.
    Katie Holdefehr
    May 4, 2019
    15 Times Cross-Stitch Was Actually Incredibly Cool
    Seriously, it's so cool.
    Katie Holdefehr
    May 3, 2019
    The Very Best Outdoor Bars & Dining DIY Projects for Small Spaces
    Think you don’t have room for a bar, dining nook, or food prep station in your small outdoor space? Think again. These DIY tables, bars, and carts fold flush to the wall, wheel inside, and make use of plain ole’ efficient design—turning the dream of al fresco dining into a reality for small space dwellers. When open, this Murphy bar offers plenty of shelf space for cutting boards, bottles, and glasses, plus, a dining table for two.
    Katie Holdefehr
    May 3, 2019
    Green ’17: 10 Easy Ways to Make Your Home Play Nice with the Earth
    If your home goal for 2017 is to go green(er), here are 10 remarkably easy changes that require the most minimal amount of effort. Switches as simple as changing a lightbulb (seriously) or buying a dish towel don’t call for much work on your part, but together they’ll add up to a total eco-friendly home makeover. When buying new wood furniture, look for certified sustainably harvested options.
    Katie Holdefehr
    May 3, 2019
    The Best Water Filters at Every Price Point
    When investing in a healthy home, one of the most important purchases you can make is a water filter.
    Katie Holdefehr
    May 3, 2019
    5 Beach Houses You’re Going to Want to Move Into
    In an effort to soak up every last bit of summer, we’ve rounded up some inspiring seaside homes, from cozy bungalows we can imagine ourselves walking around barefoot in, to pristine spaces straight out of the glossies. Want even more beach-home eye candy? Click through for the full tours of each of these spaces. If you absolutely have to work in paradise, it might as well be at a distressed wood desk, surrounded by surf art, and with a few stray seashells as paperclip catchalls.
    Katie Holdefehr
    May 3, 2019
    Amazing Acrylic Frames: 9 Examples that Will Convince You to Float Your Art
    “Frameless frames” are hitting it big right now, showing off how beautiful art looks without the distraction of a border. This trendy framing method is remarkably versatile and adapts to almost any decor style, because the clear sheets blend into any background. All you need to get the look is two transparent sheets of acrylic or lucite (you can get them cut to size at Lowe’s or ask a local glass cutting company) and a handful of standoff bolts.
    Katie Holdefehr
    May 3, 2019
    Ta-Da! Give Basic Wire Baskets a Colorful Makeover
    When it comes to taming my ever-growing collection of stuff, there’s really nothing simpler or more useful than a wire basket. To be honest, I have five (is that too many??) in my bedroom alone. And while I love how functional they are for stashing everything from notebooks to ribbons, they can start to feel a little utilitarian.
    Katie Holdefehr
    May 3, 2019
    How to Live Like an Artist, According to Ceramicist Helen Levi (Hint: You’re Gonna Need Snacks)
    If you fantasize about trading in your cubicle for a former-warehouse artist’s studio flooded with light, filled with plants, where snacks flow freely—then you’ll probably think Brooklyn-based ceramicist Helen Levi‘s life is pretty dreamy. We asked Helen to walk us through her daily routine and tell us about her beautiful studio. It didn’t disappoint. Don’t think you’ll get to live that artist life?
    Katie Holdefehr
    May 3, 2019
    Way More Chic Than Shabby: You’ve Never Seen Chalk Paint Like This Before
    Chalk paint may be the undisputed champ of aged, vintage-style furniture, but this matte medium is actually incredibly versatile, and can be used to revamp pieces in a wide range of styles. From mid-century modern apartments to artsy bohemian interiors, this easy-to-use, environmentally-friendly paint is showing up everywhere. Find inspiration in the projects that follow, then learn everything you’ll need to know about mixing up homemade chalk paint.
    Katie Holdefehr
    May 3, 2019
    So Clutch: Captivating Venus Flytrap Nails
    Our Surrealist take on witches’ claws, these Venus flytrap nails are every bit as dangerous, but thanks to sparkle polish and rhinestones, are 10 times prettier. These designs were dreamed up by extraordinary nail artist Mei Kawajiri (don’t miss her Instagram for even more OTT styles), but don’t worry nail art novices, our video tutorial and step-by-step instructions put this look totally within your grasp.
    Katie Holdefehr
    May 3, 2019