Kim Lucian

Don't have plant FOMO just because your place doesn't get a lot of light.

Name: Caroline and Eduardo Location: North Beach — San Francisco, California Size: 1,100 square feet Years lived in: 2 years; Rented Stylist and model Caroline and her boyfriend, Eduardo, have taken a sunny San Francisco flat and made it all their own, enhancing it with items collected on their travels—like the giant papier-mâché rhino head from Mexico in the kitchen—and references to their cultural backgrounds.

On Apartment Therapy we spend most of our time on interiors—to us its what’s inside (your home) that really counts—but it can really pay off to give the exterior a little TLC. It’s the first thing you see before you step though the door and it can add a lot to your home’s value, should you own it yourself. With this in mind, we’ve rounded up a few DIY projects to give your place a little extra curb appeal. 1. Modern House Number DIY from A Beautiful Mess 2.

While we love a good DIY over here at Apartment Therapy, we don’t always have the time to commit to creating something from scratch. Clever hacks allow us to take something simple or inexpensive and use it as a starting point for a project. We’ve rounded up a few such projects, taking a basic rug as a base and creating something new. 1. Striped Rug Pillows DIY via Martha Stewart. Dear Martha, you never disappoint.

If you live in, or are considering a trip to, Northern California you are likely familiar with the bigger cities like San Francisco, Oakland and Sacramento, and escapes like Monterey, Napa and Tahoe. If you are interested in something a bit more unique, however, take a detour with us and check out our list of NorCal getaways off the beaten path.

I love to browse the thrift shops in my neighborhood, but sometimes find myself stuck on the creative possibilities of an item. I know it has potential but am equally aware that if I don’t have a clear cut idea that I want to execute, it will likely end up in a pile in the back 0f my closet. With this in mind, I rounded up a few DIY upgrades for items I come across frequently. 1.

I have a confession to make: I received a sewing machine as a wedding gift and have yet to touch it. It’s not that I’ve never used one (though my expertise extends only to the most basic of pillow covers), I just don’t feel that I have the time to tackle another big project right now. In that spirit, I’ve scoured the web for a few sewing projects that even the most novice seamstress (or seamster) can try, and maybe I’ll even give one a shot myself this weekend. 1.

I recently visited a friend and was immediately struck by their dark walls and what a great, dramatic backdrop they created for the space. While black walls do have the opposite effect on a room than the brightening, space-creating feeling that comes with white, the serious drama they create is often worth the trade. 1. A black wall is the perfect backdrop for architectural details like this white arched doorway in Cate’s Cozy San Francisco Nest, via Apartment Therapy 2.

We quizzed the talented florist duo Emerson and Benjamin behind Ampersand SF on choosing, arranging and preserving flowers at home. Here are their best tips (simple is often better and greenery is not to be avoided): 1. What is the best way to stretch your budget? Greenery is always an affordable way to make a bouquet extra lush, minimalistic, and fairly long lasting. 2. What’s the easiest way to create a high impact arrangement?

Growing up it was clear that vacations were not always relaxing for my dad, after a day of navigating both travel and new surroundings he always seemed to visibly relax once we were all checked in and settled. I, on the other hand, have been know to pick up on short notice, taking advantage of last minute deals in a more fly by the seat of my pants situation. I’m no stranger to hostels and can find a cheap meal almost anywhere.

The line between work hours and home time is starting to blur with the constant access that smartphones provide—and when your office is your home, it can be nearly impossible to make the distinction. I’ve worked from home at least part time for years and here are a few of the ways that I make the transition work.

Audiophiles love their records like bibliophiles love their books, and as anyone who has tried to fit a collection of either into a small space can attest it can take some creative finesse to make it work. In a quest to make space for my own record collection I did a bit of research and came up with these inspiring images of beautifully organized and displayed vinyl collections from our own tours and around the web. 1. A low console is a stylish option and just the right size for a single row.

When it comes to designing a space that reflects you and suits your lifestyle, one of the best places to start is with your wardrobe.

Plants are well known as great way to add some color, texture and life to a space, and when they also happen to be beautifully oversized hanging plants, they also bring the drama. We’ve rounded up some examples from our archives and around the web. 1. An oversized Boston Fern adds texture and brings character to the room. Gregory and Jenny’s Relaxed Hippie Bungalow Tour from Apartment Therapy. 2. Following curve of a staircase these Bears-Paw Ferns have a cascading effect.

Decorating Easter eggs is one of those holiday activities that the kid in all of us loves (second only to dressing up on Halloween). With our master list of DIY decorating ideas for all skill levels, you can indulge your inner kid and still end up with some seriously grown up results. 1. Fruity French Easter Eggs, from The Alison Show. 2. Calligraphy Eggs, from Oh Happy Day. 3. Metal Leaf and Washi Tape Eggs, from Miss Renaissance. 4. Neon Dip Dyed Eggs, from Oh Joy. 5.

Tech is a integral part of our lives at home, but the cords and accessories that come with it—not to mention the devices themselves—can be tough to integrate into our decor. Keeping cables neat and routers hidden away are just a few of the ways we keep our electronics organized. Check out more after the jump: 1. If you can’t hide it, disguise it. This DIY rope cord wrap keeps things stylish when cords are in plain view. DIY from The Vow. 2.

Finding a creative way to spend Valentine’s Day has the added benefit of avoiding the crowds at overbook restaurant and florist shops. The best way to show your sweetie you love them? Think outside the box and get creative. Here are a few ideas to get you started. 1. Get dressed up. Book tickets somewhere you might not usually go and put your fancy pants on. Try the local ballet, symphony or theater. 2. Do something creative.

Name: Danielle Rowe, Patrick Flannery and son Pete. Location: Berkeley
, California Size: 1,380 square feet Years lived in: 2.5 years; Rented The home that Danielle and Pete share with their son hits all of the right notes: it is modern but maintains a sense of warmth, lived in but not messy, collected but not cluttered.

Name: Anna Korkobcova Location: Lower Pac Heights — San Francisco, California Size: 420 square feet Years lived in: 2 years; Rented The moment you cross the threshold of Anna’s home, you are greeted as warmly as an old friend. I arrived on her doorstep late and battling a cold, for which she insisted on sending me home with her own tried and true remedy.

I look at the many House Tours that are featured on this site as a treasure trove of inspiration, and the holidays are no exception. Oftentimes when we shoot around the holidays, the spaces are decked out in Christmas decor and the homeowners personal style always shine through. Here are a few of my favorite examples: 1. Unique ornaments and a quirky owl tree topper make this tree stand out. From Natalie & Seth’s Organic Modern Home. 2. Pine cones and branches bring in texture and warmth.

It happens to the best of us: We accept a last-minute invite and need to pick up a thoughtful hostess gift; We put off our online shopping until shipping deadlines are passed and we dread facing the lines at the mall; or we just accidentally left a name off the list. No problem, here are our five suggestions to save face, minus mall lines and generic gift cards. 1. Gift a class or DIY workshop.

Name: Natalie Bowen Brookshire & Seth Brookshire Location: SOMA; San Francisco, California Size: 1,200 square feet Years in Business: Natalie 10 years, Seth 15 years, Studio has been open for one year The combined studios of Natalie Bowen Designs and Seth’s architecture firm Porro are just as you would expect from the creative duo.

Tucked away on a small side street, Ampersand is like a secret garden in the city. With its bright turquoise barn doors thrown open wide to the street, the flower shop had become a local institution in record time. One likely cause of this is the sheer likability of the store’s proprietors, Benjamin and Emerson. You just want to hang out here; the space is actually designed to encourage patrons to linger with a conversation style seating area in the center of the space.

Part of my motivation behind doing the Style Cure this year was to reclaim our main living space. It has been a whirlwind of a year for us and we pack a lot of living into not a lot of square footage. Unfinished projects, leftovers from our wedding and all of the (amazing) gifts from our guests left us with an apartment that felt like it was always almost there, but not quite.

With the rush of the holiday season, the ability to whip up a quick project at home versus running to the store again can be a real lifesaver. We’ve rounded up 1o of our favorite printables for Thanksgiving, from a festive banner to cute “to go” bags to remind guests to take home those leftovers. 1. These cute pie box labels from Studio DIY will make that midnight snack even more enticing. 2.

This neutral, stackable, woven pouf from IKEA is a piece that pops up again and again in inspirational images, and for good reason. The piece is versatile and rings in at just $30, meaning you can stock up without blowing your budget. 1. The texture and natural feel are a perfect fit for this relaxed, light filled space. The Sunny Sweet-Scented Studio of P.F. Candle Co, Apartment Therapy 2. A stack of poufs doubles as a low slung nightstand.

Name: Erin Kelsey Location: Oakland, California Size: 1,500 square feet Years lived in: 1 year With a career as a textile designer, you would expect no less than beautiful fabrics and finishes of all sorts—and Erin’s loft does not disappoint. From buttery leather and perfectly worn wood, to an abundance of richly patterned rugs and blankets the loft is a test lab for layered, textured perfection.

Name: Esther Hahn, Brendan Cooney, and Timothy Hahn Location: Pacifica, California Size: 1,610 square feet Years lived in: 1 years; Owned The home that Esther and Brendan share (along with her brother Timothy) is colorful, vibrant and full of energy. Esther works as an editor for Racked, is an avid surfer and rides horses, and she and husband Brendan are often out together with their two (adorable) cattle dogs.

Last year I cured my sparsely furnished bedroom and loved the results. This year I decided to take on a slightly bigger project, the main living space. We live in a quintessentially petite (read: tiny) San Francisco apartment and our “living room” is also our kitchen, dining room and my home office. We’ve lived in this space for almost two years now and are starting to settle in so things have started to accumulate a bit.

I get press releases on a near daily basis that go something like this… “check out our innovative new start-up.” The services range from the ordinary (housekeeping, art curating, personal shopping, flower delivery) to the less than ordinary— a service that provides you with a personal valet to park and retrieve you car for you as needed, and the now infamous “Yo” app.

Name: Scott Henderson & Carly Sciacqua Location: Central Richmond District; San Francisco, California Size: 1,000 square feet Years lived in: 2 years; Rented The newly engaged (congrats!) couple’s home is the perfect example of a successful collaboration. With Scott’s background working on architectural projects and Carly’s colorful sensibility, the space is well planned and perfectly accentuated with pops of color, quirk and personality.

In my quest to get it together be a little more organized, I’ve been looking around at different cleaning schedules and checklists. In an attempt to find one that suits my needs, I’ve discovered something of a trend: While there are definitely little chores that I do every day to stay on top of things, I usually reserve all of the real cleaning for the weekend. I honestly just don’t have the energy or inclination when I’ve been working all day to tackle a room.

When it comes to setting up a home, we never forget our first spaces. From our first apartments in college, to our first solo space, to our first time moving in with a significant other, we set out excited, inexperienced and ready to take on each empty space and make it our own. Here are a few first homes from our house tours. TOP ROW: 1. Mara Alex’s First Home as a Married Couple: Mara purchased her first house solo, and it became her first home as a newlywed as well. 2.

I’m always on the lookout for ways to incorporate my flea market finds into my space, so when I came across these images of vintage board games on display I developed a bit of a crush. They’re the perfect blend of sweet childhood nostalgia and character to break up your box store decor. Here are a few ways to display them, along with where you can find them: Display: 1. Board games play up the fun in this kids room from Apartment Therapy. 2.

Hitting the local farmers market in your town has plenty of advantages over your local grocery store. By buying direct, you are getting the freshest possible produce at the best prices, plus you can better understand where your food is actually coming from. That being said, they can be a little overwhelming to navigate. Here is our field guide to get you started. 1. Come prepared. Bring bags, small bills, sunscreen, comfortable shoes and a list.