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Leah Moss

    How To Deal With Wall-To-Wall Carpet Woes
    There are few souls in the world who have wall-to-wall carpet topping their dream decor list. It’s often the stuff of McMansions and is commonly viewed as the epitome of dated decor, but it’s also the reality for countless American homes. And if you’re a renter, there’s not a whole lot you can do to change it. So how to deal?Before we get started, we need to set a few things straight. Not all wall-to-wall carpet is created equal.
    Leah Moss
    Oct 14, 2022
    Real Life Small Space Solutions From Studio House Tours
    Inspiration comes in all shapes in sizes, but at Apartment Therapy we have a special place in our hearts for the smallest of spaces and an extra special place for the impressive small spaces where all the living happens in one room! This year our community offered no shortage of inspiration in the form of creative studio apartments.
    Leah Moss
    Oct 12, 2022
    Dimensions to Follow: Proper Furniture Spacing Basics
    Have you ever been in a home that just feels right? One where chairs pull out easily from the dining table and conversation can be made without shouting across the living room? Well there are reasons for that, and they probably have a lot to do with the spacing and placement of furniture. Following a few simple guidelines on furniture placement will make a world of difference in the functionality of your home’s layout.
    Leah Moss
    Oct 6, 2022
    Before & After: A Travel Inspired Kitchen Renovation
    If there’s a leading trend, it’s embracing color, and that’s exactly what the talented crew at DC design firm Residents: Understood did with their clients Danielle and Peter. Using the young couple’s wanderlust as inspiration, R:U set about transforming sterile gloomy to bold global.Given that Danielle and Peter met while studying in Europe, got engaged in Iceland, and will be married in Italy this fall, they wanted to make a home that suited their vibrant life together.
    Leah Moss
    Jul 15, 2020
    Before, During, After: An Evolving Outdoor Space
    Just about this time last summer I somewhat sheepishly shared our back deck and the modest makeover cover-up that I attempted to pull off with $150 and a can of paint. This year, we’ve poured a bit more thought, time, and money into the space, and it has totally transformed our summer!As I explained in last year’s post, we have the world’s narrowest deck attached to possibly the world ugliest addition.
    Leah Moss
    Dec 19, 2019
    Hallie & Mark’s Hip Slice of History
    Name: Hallie & Mark BurrierLocation: Frederick, Maryland’s historic districtSize: 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bath, built in 1890Years lived in: owned, 1 yearEven from the street, Mark and Hallie’s three story row house is a stunner. And perhaps even more stunning is the amount of work that the young couple has poured into restoring the turn of the century row home in just a year. While Hallie claims that there is still tons to be done, you would never guess it.
    Leah Moss
    Dec 19, 2019
    Angelique’s Feminine Vintage Harmony
    Name: Angelique Hoffman & Dan, + 3 young daughters + fluffy dogLocation: Myersville, MarylandSize: 2,500 square feet —4 bedrooms, 2½ bathsYears lived in: almost 4 Some homes are lessons in compromise — Angelique’s is a lesson in harmony.
    Leah Moss
    Dec 19, 2019
    Beth & Bill’s Soulful Straw Bale Retreat
    Name: Beth Knox and Bill Hutchins Location: Takoma Park, Maryland (just over the District line) Size: 2,100 square feet — 4 bedrooms + basement apartment Years lived in: 4 years, owned Other occupants: Tenants in basement, 20-something children from time to time, a variety of guests (extended stay), currently a Congolese pastor seeking asylum.
    Leah Moss
    Dec 19, 2019
    Allison & Steve’s Bethesda Masterpiece
    Name: Allison, Steve, and their sons, Ethan and JeremyLocation: Bethesda, MarylandSize: 4 bedrooms and guest houseYears lived in: 2 Today’s House Tour is a bit of a detour from the beloved small, homespun spaces that we often showcase. When interior architect, Miriam Dillon, introduced us to Allison and Steve’s magnificent home, we knew that we couldn’t help but share it with our readers.
    Leah Moss
    Dec 19, 2019
    Catrin & Chris’s “New Traditional” in Woodley Park
    Name: Catrin Morris, husband Chris, and daughters Lucy (4) and Miranda (2.5)Location: Woodley Park, NW Washington DCSize: 5 BR historic “Wardman” townhouse built in 1909 Years lived in: 3 Like probably many of you, I first spotted Catrin and Chris’s beautiful living room in Domino‘s 2007 decorating contest, and I immediately filed it away in my “dream house” folder.
    Leah Moss
    Jul 31, 2019
    Five Favorite Re-Uses For Wooden Crates
    Wine, re-purposing, and attractive storage solutions — these are a few of our favorite things. Perhaps that’s why we’ve featured the wine crate on so many occasions. As a flea market staple and a liquor store freebie, they’re easy to come by and even easier to put to good (re)use.
    Leah Moss
    Jun 29, 2019
    Janelle’s High Impact Oasis
    Name: JanelleLocation: Southwest Waterfront — Washington, DCSize: 600 square feet — studioYears lived in: 11 months — owned Since Janelle’s studio was one of the finalists in this year’s Room For Color contest, I was expecting the vibrancy and the brave use of saturated hues. What I didn’t expect was that the same lively palette that wowed us in October was also capable of eliciting a soothing sense of calm.
    Leah Moss
    Jun 5, 2019
    How To: Get Rid of Pesky Home Odors
    We were going on day six (no, that’s not a typo!) of living with the horrific lingering smell of burnt popcorn. The usual drills of opening the windows, spraying air freshener, and lighting candles seemed to have little lasting effect, so it came time to do some research. Here’s a roundup of the helpful tried and true advice that restored our home’s air quality to breezy good health… 1. Vinegar.
    Leah Moss
    May 9, 2019
    Saf’s Pint-Size Personal History
    Name: Saf, 10 monthsLocation: Silver Spring, MDRoom Size: about 8′ x 6.5′, 52 sq ft Of all the rooms in our house, Saf’s tiny nursery is the one that elicits the strongest reactions. When we set out to put together his pint-size dwelling on a pint-size budget, we looked to things we already owned to set the tone. Saf is our third baby, and now that we have a bit of experience under our belts, we know how quickly babies move out of the nursery stage.
    Leah Moss
    May 6, 2019
    Marya & Rick’s Layered & Luminous Arlington Retreat
    Name: Rick, Marya, baby James & Sadie the catLocation: Arlington, VirginiaSize: 1000 square feet (including the basement)Years lived in: 1.5 If there’s a perfect balance between cozy and clean, fresh and welcoming, Marya and Rick have found it. Marya knows how to make the most of the old home’s small rooms without letting it feel the least bit contrived or overly decorated.
    Leah Moss
    Apr 7, 2019
    Before & After: Disguising Offset Windows Behind a Bed
    Recently I helped a lovely couple redesign their bedroom. They already loved the wall color and the abundance of natural light, but the placement of the windows left something to be desired.  They also wanted to upgrade from a queen size bed to a king, while enhancing the airy feel that they liked best about their bedroom.
    Leah Moss
    Apr 1, 2013
    Strategies for (Very) Big Holiday Gatherings In a Small (ish) Home
    One of the biggest challenges of small space living is entertaining. For a family of five, our 1700 sq ft house is more than enough on a daily basis, but add in twenty dinner guests, and we’re bursting at the seams. After a few years of failed attempts, this year I’ve discovered a happy style recipe for low-stress, large gathering entertaining.
    Leah Moss
    Nov 26, 2012
    4 Things To Consider When Picking A Wall Color
    Sure you can always paint over, but that doesn’t make picking the color that you’ll see everyday any easier. I’ve seen more people agonize over the perfect wall color than the perfect sofa, despite the fact that the former is significantly less expensive. It’s harder to visualize, and that’s scary. Here are a few things to keep in mind to ease the process. • Don’t ignore your floor color! Don’t.
    Leah Moss
    Jul 5, 2012
    How To: Create A Reclaimed Wood Wall
    I’d been scheming to create a reclaimed planked wall for several years, and finally got my chance when the talented couple behind Ashley & Robert’s Streamlined Bohemian asked me to help them design their new Georgetown chocolate shop.The goal for their shop, Fleurir Hand Grown Chocolates, was to create a vibe that was both clean and rustic.
    Leah Moss
    Feb 23, 2012
    Amy & Greg’s Fresh Traditional
    Name: Amy & Greg Strunk, their brand new baby, Graham, and their two kittens, Pips and Fawkes Location: Penderbrook (Fairfax, VA)Size: 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 2 ½ baths on 4 floorsYears lived in: owned 4 years I didn’t even have to look at the house number to find Amy and Greg’s home on photo shoot day— as soon as I saw the flowers and foliage cascading down the front steps I knew I had arrived. Knowing that Amy is a landscape designer, that part was a giveaway.
    Leah Moss
    Aug 25, 2011
    Zoe & Trey’s Refined Eclectic Georgetown Digs
    Name: Zoe Feldman and Trey Location: Georgetown — Washington, DCSize: 2 bedrooms, 1 full bath, 2 half baths. Approx: 1200 sq ftYears lived in: almost 2 years — owned Seeing what tricks designers use in their own homes is always a treat, but getting to peek into the home of an interior designer as unique as Zoe Feldman is a total thrill, especially since she was so open about sharing tips and resources.
    Leah Moss
    Jul 21, 2011
    Before & After: Fresh Starts at the 2011 DC Design House
    How do you revive a dark and dated room without completely eliminating its original character? I gleaned quite a few ideas from the 2011 DC Design House where some of my favorite DC designers brought fresh sophistication to their spaces by simplifying and lightening — perfect inspiration for spring!• 1-3: The Pool Room: Erin Paige Pitts Erin was charged with the task of making the rather gloomy pool room into a functional and inspiring retreat.
    Leah Moss
    Apr 8, 2011
    Chris & Saule’s Clean Eclectic Family Home
    Name: Saule & Chris and their three young childrenLocation: Frederick, MarylandSize: 2,800 square feet — 4 bedroomsYears lived in: 9 — owned (and still changing it every day) My first thought on walking through Saule’s door was, “how on earth does this stylish woman keep her house looking this perfect with three young kids and a busy career?” She and Chris have mastered the art of balancing interesting and unique accents with durable, practical materials.
    Leah Moss
    Mar 29, 2011
    Before & After: Den Makeover On an Extreme Budget
    When I posted How To Make a Block Print Rug Using a Welcome Mat, I promised a full reveal of my den’s before and after, and while ideally there are a few tweaks I’d still like to make, here it is. Since our budget was virtually non-existent — as in free— everything in it was borrowed from another room, salvaged, handmade, or secondhand.Ideally, we’d like to redo the addition where this room is housed.
    Leah Moss
    Feb 28, 2011
    Shannon & Aaron’s East Coast Yuppie Bungalow
    Name: Aaron and Shannon Hase, owners of Yuppie Decor, and their spoiled Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, PepperLocation: Arlington, Virginia (Douglas Park)Size: 1450 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Years lived in: owned 2 years Part preppy coastal, part old boys club, and part fresh traditional, Shannon and Aaron’s home is a lighthearted interpretation of yuppie East Coast style.
    Leah Moss
    Feb 15, 2011
    Pam & Bryan’s Comfortably Creative Family Home
    Name: Pam, Bryan, their sons, Sawyer and Zane, and dog, ShaynaLocation: Arlington, Virginia (Clarendon)Size: 4 bedrooms, 4 ½ bathroomsYears lived in: almost 11, owned Pam is an intuitive decorator. Rather than adhering to any strict design principles or striving for complete cohesion, she’s designed each room with elements that she and her family love regardless of whether the spaces have a strong stylistic connection to each other.
    Leah Moss
    Jan 27, 2011
    Allison’s Playful Chinoiserie Modern
    Name: Allison and her cats, Pooh Bear and LBA.Location: Cleveland Park, Washington, DCSize: One bedroom, about 850 square feet. The apartment is split into two levels, which helps it feel a bit roomier.Years lived in: 2.5, rented If there’s one thing I learned about Allison from visiting her lovely home, it’s that she is way too modest about her DIY skills. Walking in, my first impression was that her home felt very “put together,” in the best possible sense.
    Leah Moss
    Nov 22, 2010
    A Perfect Balance: Gray and Orange
    The saying “opposites attract” goes well beyond human relationships — and the affair between orange and gray mingling to create a stunning balance is a perfect example. Depending on the tones, the duo can be youthful and whimsical, eclectic and bold, moody and sophisticated, or masculine and sleek, and any combo in between!
    Leah Moss
    Nov 17, 2010
    Caroline’s Pint Size Retro Whimsy On A Budget
    Name: CarolineLocation: Columbia Heights — Washington, DCSize: 475 square feetYears lived in: 1.5 years — rented Studio apartments are tricky in their own right, and studios where the only windows are on one wall are even more so. Add in renter’s white walls, precarious plaster, and a lilliputian kitchen and you’ve got yourself what could easily become a design disaster.
    Leah Moss
    Oct 21, 2010
    Amna & Paul Paint It Bold
    Name: Amna & Paul WerdelLocation: Adams Morgan — Washington DCSize: 750 square feetYears lived in: 2 — rented Take a good look, because these are some of the last pictures snapped of Amna and Paul’s Adams Morgan gem before it goes under the knife…or the sledge hammer as it were. Their turn of the century building is being turned into condos, and part of the process is a major renovation of all the units.
    Leah Moss
    Aug 19, 2010
    How Low Can You Go…With Your Art
    Artwork hung too high may be the worst thing in the world my biggest design pet peeve. If you’re questioning the height of your artwork, sticking to the principle of “better too low than too high” will probably serve you well. But is there such a thing as too low?Well, that of course depends on who it’s with, where it’s placed, and how that place is used.Visually, I think low hung art can almost always work as long as it’s in a group.
    Leah Moss
    Jul 22, 2010
    3 Easy Ways To Dress Up A Metal Bed Frame
    Metal framed beds often get a bad wrap, and not without due cause. Pillows are always slouching through the headboard bars, and metal is certainly no match in comfort with its plush upholstered counterparts. Thankfully there are a few easy ways to work around their flaws or change their look without breaking the bank.
    Leah Moss
    Jul 13, 2010
    The Art of Layering
    Somewhere in between random grouping and borderline clutter lies the art form of layering. It’s the decor equivalent to tousled hair: seemingly effortless. While the beauty of layering is in the unique combination of objects— making it impossible to come up with a one-size-fits-all formula— there are a few tips that may help you master the look:• Start big.
    Leah Moss
    Jun 1, 2010
    How to Paint White Stair Risers & Keep Them Clean
    White risers can do a lot to brighten a staircase, as evidenced in the entryway above. However, like white floors, pretty and bright doesn’t always equal maintenance-free…but it doesn’t have to equal nightmare either. Here’s how to make them work. I recently completed the risers in our entry hall, and I can tell you first hand that like most painting projects, preparation and the right paint is everything.
    Leah Moss
    May 11, 2010
    Stefan’s Inspired & Eclectic Studio
    Name: Stefan of ArchitectDesignLocation: Logan Circle neighborhood of Washington DCSize: studio 475 square foot studio, ownedYears lived in: 2½ years Most people may think that being a collector of beautiful things is incompatible with dwelling in a studio apartment, but Stefan shows that big style can exist in small spaces.
    Leah Moss
    Feb 18, 2010
    Before & After: A Modest Galley Kitchen Makeover
    Let’s just say the kitchen was not what attracted us to our new home. Country rooster decor was in abundance and so were peeling vinyl floor tiles, 80s lace valances, and honey-stained cabinetry — not exactly our dream kitchen. However, coming out of grad school, we weren’t really in a position for a total dream kitchen remodel, so we prioritized our list of essential updates, enlisted a handyman friend, and went to work…FIRST ROW• 1 Before & After views.
    Leah Moss
    Mar 13, 2009