Bathroom with hand-drawn tiles, neon sign reading "Think Outside the Box," and two people standing by a wall of text.
Think Outside the Box: Package Free Shop Aims To Make Zero Waste Living Easy
Lauren Singer has a pretty famous jar. The jar itself is nothing special—just a regular pint-sized glass one—but if you’re an average American, what’s in it is mindblowing. The jar holds all of Singer’s trash from the past four years—yes, every last bit of it. Singer began living a zero waste life nearly half a decade ago, and started the blog Trash is for Tossers to help others do so as well.
Apr 30, 2017
Discounted Design: Here’s How The Eames Lounger Ended Up At Costco
Turns out, there’s more than just 36-roll packs of toilet paper and giant muffins at your local warehouse store. We’ve recently discovered that you can also snag an authentic Eames Lounge chair at Costco, for quite a discount. Earlier this week, we were tipped off to the designer deal via a Facebook group for mid-century modern fans. The photo was of the iconic chair and its ottoman next to Herman Miller boxes stacked on pallets in the warehouse. The price for both pieces? $3,899.99.
Apr 28, 2017
Barack Obama Used To Live In This Park Slope Brownstone For Sale
The president was here. The Brooklyn brownstone that, thirty or so years ago, was home to 44 is now on the market for $4.295 million. In the mid ’80s, post-Columbia (and pre-Michelle) Barack Obama lived at 640 2nd Street in Brooklyn’s Park Slope. At the time, the property was split into multiple apartments—Obama and his then-girlfriend lived on the top floor.
Apr 28, 2017
Justin Timberlake & Jessica Biel’s NYC Penthouse Brings Sexy Back
The word on the real estate street is that Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel now have a new piece of property. The couple reportedly snagged a penthouse in Tribeca last month for a cool $27.5 million. According to The Real Deal, the pair snatched up a penthouse at 443 Greenwich Street, where they’ll have some famous neighbors. According to the developer Nathan Berman of MetroLoft, 90 percent of buyers in the building are “household names.
Apr 26, 2017
IKEA’s Latest Collection Brings New Patterns From Classic Swedish Designers
Your local IKEA is about to get a bit more colorful. Meet AVSIKTLIG, the latest collection from the retailer that taps Swedish design rockstars 10-gruppen for a pattern-filled ode to bold style. If you’ve never heard of 10-gruppen, allow us to fill you in. The design collective was started in 1970 by ten Swedish designers, and the team quickly became “part of the anti-establishment force of the time, turning against the current aesthetic ideals,” according to IKEA.
Apr 24, 2017
Marilyn Monroe’s Former LA Home For Sale For $6.9 Million
This Spanish hacienda style home in Los Angeles’ Brentwood neighborhood has its fair share of charm—just like its former owner. The property that once belonged to Marilyn Monroe came on the market just yesterday for $6.9 million. The white stucco property, built in 1929, sits on the end of a small cul-de-sac.
Apr 22, 2017
This Chelsea Studio Is Listed for Under $500K—But There’s a Reason
Today in ridiculous real estate, let’s take a trip to New York. While few things about the city’s property market surprise me anymore (ahem—crawl space guy), I have to say I am actually amazed that one can buy a studio in Chelsea for under $500,000. Of course (you knew it was coming), there’s a catch.
Apr 20, 2017
Which Costs More? Mid-Century Ranch vs. Bauhaus Fixer Upper
Think you’re real estate savvy? We put your market knowledge to the test with Which Costs More, a column where we pit two listings against each other, and you guess which one comes with the heftier price tag. Today, we have two gorgeous homes in strong mid-century architectural styles, from different Southern cities. We’ll give you some details about each and see if you can guess which one costs more.
Apr 19, 2017
The World’s Tallest Single Family Home Is for Sale for $1.5 Million
Get a bird’s eye view of Arizona’s stunning landscape from the Falcon’s Nest, a single family home that measures 124 feet from top to bottom, making it the tallest in the United States—and the world. Designed by local architect Sukumar Pal in 1994, Falcon’s Nest was built next to Thumb Butte in Prescott, Arizona, which is an hour and a half north of Phoenix (and southwest of Sedona and Flagstaff).
Apr 16, 2017
Stop What You’re Doing, We Need To Talk About These Wacky Hanging Chairs
Working at Apartment Therapy and being on the internet all day, well, let’s just say I’ve seen my share of out there design. Much of it, though, pales in comparison to the work of Porky Hefer, a South African artist and the mastermind behind some seriously unorthodox seating. Today, Brittney came across this hanging chair—reminiscent of a gas mask—while trying to source a photo from Pinterest (a task that accounts for roughly 95 percent of our time).
Apr 11, 2017
An Actually Affordable Oceanside Apartment from Big Little Lies
We were here for the real estate porn of HBO’s star-studded limited series Big Little Lies just as much as the storyline. We bid farewell to the characters’ stunning mansions during the finale that aired on Sunday, but one property from the show can be yours—and could actually be within the price range of mere mortals. [This post contains spoilers for episode six.
Apr 4, 2017
The Tiniest Castle In The UK Is For Sale
Castles are usually expansive, grand affairs, but the old adage that good things come in small packages applies even to stone manors. Molly’s Lodge is the tiniest castle in the United Kingdom, and it also happens to be for sale.
Apr 2, 2017
Kristen Wiig’s Gorgeous LA Home Is For Sale For $2.4 Million
Kristen Wiig is on the move. The actress and comedian has listed her pad in the Franklin Hills neighborhood of LA for $2.395 million. There’s something strange in the neighborhood—at least there must be for the Ghostbusters star to get rid of this stunning property (and that view!). The 2,719 square foot home has three bedrooms, four bathrooms, and 2,500 square feet of decks (why yes, that is almost the size of the interior).
Mar 23, 2017
These New Multifunctional Furniture Collections Are Coming to IKEA in April
IKEA is already one of our go-to retailers for smart small space solutions, and the new collections they have in store for us are only going to enforce that. There are several products debuting in stores and online next month especially for multipurpose spaces that we’re excited about. Here’s your first look: First up is the EKEBOL sofa. It combines wooden shelves underneath and behind the cushions within a metal frame to add storage to a piece that often doesn’t have any.
Mar 22, 2017
This Charming Tiny Farmhouse on Wheels is Only $72K
Despite being just 290 square feet, this little house isn’t small on style. In fact, you’d be surprised just how much functionality is packed into this tiny footprint. Dubbed “Tiny Getaway,” this farmhouse on wheels is the latest home from Matt Impola of Handcrafted Movement (we wrote about a previous property, Artisan Retreat, last year).
Mar 21, 2017
Ina Garten’s NYC Pied a Terre Hits the Market for $2 Million
If you’ve dreamed of popping by Ina Garten’s house in the Hamptons for a fabulous lunch or a dinner party with Jeffery, here’s the next best thing. The entertaining guru has listed their Upper East Side pied à terre for $1.975 million. The cookbook author and Food Network personality and her husband bought the one bedroom, one bath co-op in 2004 and had it renovated by designer Daniel Romualdez (who transformed it from a two bedroom).
Mar 16, 2017
Gwyneth Paltrow’s Pastel Penthouse is Back on the Market
There’s nothing Goopier than Gwyneth Paltrow’s Tribeca penthouse, and it’s back on the market for the reduced price of $9.995 million. Paltrow and former husband Chris Martin of Coldplay bought the three bedroom, three and a half bath property in 2007. After they consciously uncoupled, the penthouse was first for sale in March 2016 for $14.25 million; a month later, they dropped the price to $12.85 million, and still with no buyers, the listing was dropped—until now.
Mar 14, 2017
A Hilltop Los Angeles Home Giving Us Palm Springs Vibes
Want a Palm Springs feel but live in Los Angeles? Check out this mid-century home in Eagle Rock, on the market for $799,000. 1625 Wildwood Drive, Los Angeles (map) 2 bedroom | 2 bathroom | 1,403 SF 2-car garage, fireplace, 2 patios $799,000 | $569 per SF Property website Perched atop a hill, this two bedroom, two bath home is giving us #doorsofinstagram vibes right off the bat with a bold orange front door.
Mar 3, 2017
Oh Joy’s Rainbow-Hued Furniture Collection for Target is Here (And We Want Everything)
If you’re someone who’s just as into statement sofas as statement pillows, then you’re really going to love Joy Cho’s latest collection for Target. And it’s a first: Joy’s love of color and pattern explodes into a new category—furniture! The new Oh Joy!
Mar 1, 2017
Ellen’s Furniture Collection Is As Likable As Ellen Herself
Funny lady Ellen DeGeneres wants you to pull up a seat—preferably one of hers. The comedian’s lifestyle brand just debuted a multi-room collection of furniture with Thomasville. Thomasville began in 1904 in North Carolina, and continues to be a bastion of classic American furniture design. That, blended with Ellen’s personal aesthetic, resulted in the ED Ellen DeGeneres collection, which has two main styles: relaxed mid-century, and rustic modern.
Mar 1, 2017
Meg Ryan’s SoHo Loft is For Sale for $10.9 Million
Meg Ryan’s moving on from her spacious New York City loft. Peek inside the When Harry Met Sally star’s SoHo space. In 2013, Ryan purchased the property from The Simpsons star Hank Azaria for $8 million, and she’s given it a bit of a facelift in the four years since. The 4,100 square foot loft comprises the entire fifth floor of a building built in the 1880s. The apartment has two bedrooms plus an additional sleeping area with French doors and three bathrooms.
Feb 26, 2017
Sofa Drama: How West Elm’s Peggy Went from Popular to Discontinued to Refund-Worthy in Under a Week
West Elm’s Peggy sofa has been the source of much controversy this week. Here’s how the affordable mid-century style option went from popular pick to discontinued in just about six days. It all started when Anna Hezel’s piece, Why Does This One Couch From West Elm Suck So Much?, was published on The Awl last Thursday. In it, she details how she and her partner bought the Peggy after moving in together.
Feb 23, 2017
Is Nokia Making a ‘Smart’ Move Bringing the Dumb Phone Back?
Do you miss the days when phones were for calling people, batteries lasted more than four hours, and the only distraction available was playing Snake? Good news, luddites, because Nokia is bringing back their beloved 3310, the dumb phone to end all dumb phones. “Serial leaker” Evan Blass announced on Twitter that Nokia would be debuting the resurrected 3310 later this month at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, along with a few Android-based smartphones.
Feb 19, 2017
This Finnish Relaxation Practice Includes Drinking at Home Alone In Your Underwear
Welcome to Scandi Week—Apartment Therapy’s seven-day focus on all-things Scandinavia (often defined as the countries of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway). Sometimes it seems like the whole world is obsessed with trying to copy this corner of the globe, from its timeless style aesthetic to its now-famous coziness rituals. For the next week, we’ll take a look at all of it—cleaning, pop culture, and of course tons of eye-popping design inspiration.
Feb 18, 2017
Check Out These Winning Architect-Designed Little Free Libraries
Anything that spreads the love of reading is wonderful in our book. We’ve been enamored with Little Free Libraries since they started popping up in neighborhoods around the world nearly a decade ago. Recently, Chronicle Books held a design competition to see if architects could come up with the perfect Little Free Library. Here are the results: The first Little Free Library came to be in 2009.
Feb 17, 2017
The Guinness Family Is Selling This Stunning Irish Castle
Just 28 miles from Dublin, there’s Luggala, the 18th-century castle owned by the Guinness family. The sprawling estate recently came on the market for $30 million. Located in a verdant valley on 5,000 acres in County Wicklow, Luggala Lodge was built in 1787. According to the listing, it has “that special brand of eighteenth-century gothick that rejoices in little battlements, crochets, trefoil and quatrefoil windows and ogee mantelpieces.
Feb 15, 2017
Students Design a Temporary Shelter to Combat LA’s Homelessness
There’s a homelessness crisis in Los Angeles, with an estimated 50,000 people sleeping on the streets every night—a figure that’s jumped 35% in the last year alone. Architecture students at the University of Southern California have worked with city officials and nonprofits to come up with Homes for Hope, a single-occupancy pod that can be built quickly and cheaply, and can help provide safe spaces for homeless people while more permanent solutions are in the works.
Feb 12, 2017
Pinterest Just Announced a New Feature That Turns Your Camera Into a Search Tool
Big news from Pinterest today. The social network and image sharing platform debuted a suite of visual discovery tools today, one of which turns your camera into a search tool. “Humans are visual creatures. We use our eyes to decide if something looks good, or if it matches our style,” the company says in its announcement blog post. “Pinterest is built for open-minded discovery. Just like when you’re out window-shopping.
Feb 8, 2017
Win Your Office Holiday Gift Exchange: Boozy Baileys Chocolate Mug Cake Kit
Stumped on what to bring for your office secret Santa or white elephant gift exchange? Don’t just bring another coffee mug—make a mug cake kit! It’s super simple, under $10, and when you add a nip of Baileys, you’re sure to win at the holidays. A mug Cellophane bag Baileys nip Baker’s twine Ribbon Spoon Recipe card (one per page / four per page) Recipe dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt) 1.
Dec 21, 2016
Here’s What People Think About Pantone’s Color of the Year
On Thursday, Pantone announced Greenery as the Color of the Year 2017, and publications, brands, and people from across the globe have since taken to the internet to share their opinions on the new reigning hue. Colors are so steeped in personal preference, that it’s no surprise that—like every year—there are the people that love it and the people that don’t.
Dec 8, 2016
This Is Pantone’s Color of the Year 2017
It’s December, and the holiday season is officially here. But for color lovers, today is a holiday in and of itself: the day Pantone announces their Color of the Year for 2017. In 2016, they surprised us all and gave us two hues: Serenity and Rose Quartz. Is there a new pair this year? Or are we back to one color to rule them all?
Dec 8, 2016
Await The Apocalypse In This (Surprisingly Stylish) Virginia Bunker
Well, the US presidential election is a mere four days away, and no matter what side of the political divide you’re on, you probably believe the end of the world is coming, should the other candidate win. Perhaps it’s time to take shelter in this partially underground concrete home in Virginia. Built by architect Donald Reed Chandler in 1977, it’s one of the country’s first modern earth roof and berm homes.
Nov 4, 2016
5 Chunky Yarn Projects You Can Arm Knit (Besides a Blanket)
Super chunky knits are all the rage right now (we even had Kaitlin arm knit us a blanket on Facebook Live). After watching a cozy throw get knit in just 15 minutes, I wondered what other cool things you could make with this gorgeous bulky yarn. Here are five more projects for your home that you can arm knit in an afternoon: Who can say no to a chunky knit pillow? This is the sort of cushion cover that would cost nearly $100 at a store, but you can make for about $30 in yarn.
Oct 25, 2016
Watch this Coffee Table Convert to a Dining Table in One Move
Convertible tables have been a small space staple for decades, but what they offer in functionality, they often lack in style. Paris-based Boulon Blanc wants to change that with their new transformable table. While traditional convertible tables use an X-shaped mechanism that’s reminiscent of an ironing board, Boulon Blanc has a patented rotating hinge instead. The result is an organic-inspired, transformative shape whether it’s used as a coffee table or a dining table.
Oct 20, 2016
Love Boston? Here’s What $1500 in Rent Will Get You There
While not as expensive as San Francisco and New York, Boston does claim the number three spot for highest median one bedroom rents in the nation ($2,800). Nearly 700,000 people live in the city proper—many of them students—and they have to live somewhere, for something a bit more reasonable. We took a look at Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and Brookline to see what $1500 can rent you, right now.
Oct 12, 2016
The Many Questions I Have About This Viral House: A List
Have you seen this house? It went viral this year after being uploaded to Reddit thread /r/funny back in March. User liquidthc is the one who noticed something strange about this South Carolina home—can you spot it? It initially took me awhile to notice this, despite realizing something was “off.” The comments, both on Reddit and Shareably, offer a host of possible scenarios—some of which I share below—but no definitive answers.
Oct 7, 2016
It’s Complicated: New Yorkers Weigh In on the Realities of NYC Real Estate
Recently, we shared a study that reported the minimum salary you’d need to buy a home in a bunch of cities—New York included. Unsurprisingly, our readers had a lot to say about the subject. Let’s take a closer look at how New Yorkers are reacting to the real estate market in the Big Apple. The mortgage lender that released the study, HSH.com, concluded that the salary needed to buy in New York was $86,215, based on the median home price of $395,400.
Oct 5, 2016
Teddy Ruxpin Got a Makeover & Is Still Creepy AF
Anyone who grew up in the ’80s remembers Teddy Ruxpin. The talking bear with the cassette tape in his back hit the market in 1985, scared us all with his uncanny valley face and low battery voice, and faded into oblivion for awhile. Until now. In case you need a refresher: MommyandGracieShow got a look at the new Teddy at the Dallas Toy Fair and he’s ripe to terrify a whole new generation. Produced by Wicked Cool Toys, the biggest visual difference is in the eyes.
Oct 3, 2016
5 Instagrammers to Follow If You’re Bullet Journal Curious
Have you heard of bullet journaling? The latest trend in list making, it really just requires a notebook, a pen, and maybe a ruler if you’re a stickler for straight lines. Part planner, part diary, all bullet journals start with an index, and the rest is up to you. You can add yearly overviews, monthly calendars, daily habits, shopping lists, class notes, doodles—you name it.
Sep 23, 2016
5 of Brangelina’s Houses to Ugly Cry Over Now That Love is Dead
Even if you normally manage to avoid celebrity gossip, by now you’ve heard that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are getting divorced. While I know it’s ridiculous to get attached to celebrities and especially to their relationships, this one hit me right in the feels. Even Adele was broken up about it. If, like me, you need a good cry, turn up Someone Like You and scroll through the following Brangelina abodes as we mourn the end of an era.
Sep 21, 2016
Would You (Could You?) Live in Times Square?
It’s a fact of life that Times Square is never not teeming with lights, sounds, and people; it’s a permanently buzzing hub in a city that never sleeps. While the area surely has a high concentration of hotels, you might be surprised to learn that people actually live here permanently. According to the Times Square Alliance, 5,800 residents make their homes between Avenue of the Americas and Eighth Avenue, from West 41st to 53rd Streets.
Sep 14, 2016
This Untouched 70s Home is The Grooviest Thing You’ll See All Year
Located in Framingham, Massachusetts, this suburban home looks rather average on the outside, but the inside is a time capsule that will take you right back to the disco days of the 1970s. The 3,600 square foot, five bedroom, two and a half bathroom home has only had two owners. You can be the third for $624,900. “The original owner built the house and customized it and did all the decor in the early ’70s,” realtor Matt Cuddy told BuzzFeed.
Sep 2, 2016
A Peek Inside Paisley Park, Prince’s Minnesota Recording Studio
Quite unassuming from the outside, you’d hardly guess this building was the creative refuge of The Purple One. But at Paisley Park in suburban Minnesota, Prince recorded nearly 30 albums. Take a look inside: 55,000 square feet on nine acres, Paisley Park was completed in 1988 and houses four recording studios, a video editing suite, and a 12,500 square foot soundstage.
Apr 28, 2016
Before & After: Fireplace Gets a Quick Renter-Friendly Makeover
Jess’ rental had a beat up fireplace that was a bit of an eyesore in the middle of her living room. She found the perfect low-cost way to give it some glamour, with a classic renter’s trick that we love: Contact paper!! From Jess: The main materials are contact paper and an exacto (or utility) knife. Prior to doing anything to your fireplace make sure you give it a good wipe down so that the contact paper will stick to the fireplace surround.
Aug 28, 2015
Before & After: A Powder Room Wins the Race
Deirdre’s powder room needed a punch of color and a little style upgrade. This Charleston resident decided to go with a horse racing theme and a jewel-toned wallpaper that, when paired with the glossy beadboard, makes the space. From Maggie: Leland galCandy Shop Vintage Thank you Maggie & Deirdre!
Aug 27, 2015
Before & After: $50 Table Goes Farmhouse
Robyn snagged this thrift store table for $50, and with some elbow grease, it became the farmhouse table of her dreams: From Robyn: When I walked into a thrift store and saw a two pedestals and the table top leaning nearby I knew that this was what I had been looking for and bought the table without even assembling it. I was motivated to finish this table and use it right away so refinishing a table this size could be a weekend project for someone who wanted to work long hours.
Aug 26, 2015
Before & After: ’70s Fireplace Gets a Facelift
Rachel’s home hadn’t been updated since it was built in 1975, and it was evident in the dark fieldstone fireplace. Not having the funds for a full renovation, she got creative with paint—and boy, does it look great. From Rachel: We painted the 1970’s field stone fireplace. I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and watered it down quite a bit which allows the texture and various colors to still come through.
Aug 25, 2015
Before & After: From Too-Big Vanity to Airy Powder Room for $300
There used to be a dance you’d have to do to use Erica’s tiny powder room: Squeeze in past the oversized vanity, do a little spin, and shut the door. With just $300, she transformed the space into something more stylish and more functional: From Erica: To start, bright white board and batten was added to the lower four feet of wall, above the faux chunky baseboard, and a light gray paint above. The old linoleum was replaced with lovely white hexagon tile and a light gray grout.
Aug 16, 2015