For the last few years, I’ve been using my smartphone as an alarm. It seemed innocuous enough, until I came upon an alarm clock that I found quite cool and decided to try using it instead of my mobile. The results were surprising. Here are five reasons I’m ditching my smartphone in the bedroom: 1. When your phone goes to bed with you, you spend your last few minutes before sleep staring at a glowing screen. This is bad for falling asleep.
Looking for something to help you relax before bed that doesn’t involve popping a pill? You might want to load up your iPod with a song by Manchester band Marconi Union.
Name: Eulalie (8 months)Location: Townsville, Queensland, AustraliaRoom Size: 3m x 4mBefore becoming a new mom, Claire was a fashion stylist in Sydney. Since then, a surprise to no one after taking this room tour, she has developed a true passion for interior design and styling. What might surprise you is that Eulalie’s nursery was an evolution, starting out as a simple gender neutral room with just the handmade crib (that was Claire’s as a baby!) and a couple of pieces of furniture.
Name: Joan Hiller and Matt LeMay Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York Size: 550 square feet Years lived in: 1 for Joan, 2 for Matt; Rented We first met Joan when she was living in this stylish studio in Portland, so we already knew about her phenomenal sense of individuality and style. Knowing this, it’s not surprising that upon moving to New York, she would meet and fall in love with someone whose creative energy parallels her own.
Last year after Christmas I tried to take two Dutch ovens with me on the plane in my carry-on suitcase. One had been a gift, and the other was a purchase, and I thought that putting them in my carry-on would be the safest way to transport them back to New York. This seemed like a good plan until I tried to go through security……where I discovered that Dutch ovens are considered potential weapons. “You could throw them at another passenger,” the TSA agent told me.
For Julie and Daniel Metzinger, this 1954 house in Louisville, Kentucky is more than just the first home they really got to own. This house has also served as a vehicle of transformation after a painful transition in the family's life: In 2014 their youngest child, a daughter named Edythe, passed away at age 13 after a long illness.
Have you noticed your clothes smelling… musty? Even if you’ve switched the load from the washer to the dryer immediately after the cycle has ended? Before you run out and buy a strongly scented laundry detergent to cover the smell, give your machine a thorough cleaning. Taking care of your washing machine can help it stay clean and prevent walking.
Who: Laura Baross, interior designer and founder of Design With CareNominated by: Laura Schocker, Apartment Therapy Editor-in-ChiefWhere to follow her: InstagramApartment Therapy’s Class of 2020 Design Changemakers is a specially-selected group of the 20 people in the design world everyone should know about by next year. We asked experts (and you!) to tell us who they think should be included—see the rest of the nominees here.
A while back Abby and I got some tips from Danny Seo on how to be smarter about how we did laundry. He had some great simple (green) tips that we implemented right away. He also was one of the first to point out the importance of maintaining the machines so that your clothes get clean, the machines stay efficient and you get the most out of your investment.
For all the excitement and messes and life that happens in them, our beds are notoriously difficult to clean. Here are some pro tips for effectively cleaning up spills and stains without having to hose the whole thing down in the yard… MATTRESSES: SF Gate has a six-step system for removing stains and odors from pillowtop mattresses. Secret ingredients: vinegar and baking soda (just not at the same time)!
As much as people love their cats, and we know that love is boundless, there are certain aspects of life with pets that can be a challenge — odors being top of the “arrgh” list for many. We dug through our archives for some reader intelligence on the issue and according to our commenters, here are three top tips to try.
If you’ve ever owned anything suede you know how much of a hassle it can be to keep clean—but you also know how durable and long-lasting the fabric is. So if you’ve tucked away furniture or clothing because you’re stumped as to how to clean up those stains, get up and gather these three tools, because DIY suede stain removal is easier than you could ever imagine. The first step in stain removal is to identify your stains.
Creating your own countertops may seem intimidating — but we’ve rounded up 10 stylish DIYs that demystify the process. Your kitchen will look brand-new in no time! 1. Above: DIY Concrete Coated Countertops by Little Green Notebook 2. Faux Marble Countertops by Batchelors Way for Remodelaholic 3. DIY Butcher Block Countertops by This and That 4. DIY Live Edge Wood Countertops by Modfrugal (This is obviously a bathroom, but the concept could be adapted to a kitchen.) 5.
The ushering in of spring on Tuesday may have gone unnoticed due to the lack of a proper winter in many regions of the US, but it is here, nonetheless! And with the change in seasons comes longer days, outdoor dining, blooming flowers, and an opportunity to renew and refresh your space. Take a break from preparing taxes and consider these 10 tips for reviving your abode; and please share your tips!
Formerly used as a storage shed, this 1972 Airstream was filled with mold, lizards, mouse traps, but after a full gut renovation, “Honey” is now a 31-foot home on wheels.
Carly and Scott have lived in this warm Chicago apartment for just over a year. It is both a haven from the busy city life and a creative space for Carly's watercolor business.
Because Sarah and her husband rent, they are limited in remodeling, but a fresh coat of paint and some new light fixtures is a quick and easy way to elevate your space!
Bec's house is a vintage mix of '50s and '70s surf vibes. It's painted blush pink, there's an olive green Volkswagen in the driveway and surfboards lean by the front door.
Do you have toxic items you’re no longer using hanging around that you just don’t know how to dispose of? Well, kudos for keeping them out of the landfill but it’s time to get them out of the house. Check out our resource guide for handy tips on where and how to properly dispose of hazardous items in your home. Hazardous or toxic waste can be anything flammable or combustible, corrosive, explosive, or reactive.
Dave and Hopie are newly-engaged and recent California transplants—and they decorated their 800 square foot apartment in a 1920s Venice Beach house with Rose Bowl Flea finds, hand-me-downs and tons of books. The result is a blend of eclectic, East Coast-meets-California beach cottage vibe. Below, clickable, shoppable resources to get this look. charset="utf-8" src="https://d30bopbxapq94k.cloudfront.net/js/curalate-widget-client-all.prod.min.
Name: Melissa Reese Location: Tarrytown; Austin, Texas Size: 800 square feet Years lived in: 2 years; Rented Melissa Reese is a Creative Director and Illustrator. Her work is whimsical and soft, much like her eclectic two bedroom home and office located a few minutes from downtown Austin. Her vintage bungalow is in one of Austin’s oldest neighborhoods and has such charm.
Name: Katie & Soloman Location: Arcata, California Size: ~750 square feet inside Years lived in: 5.5; Owned Have you ever dreamed of getting away from it all, maybe living in a little house with a big garden, growing your own food, making your own clothes? That’s life for Katie and Soloman, whose home in Arcata, a California college town 280 miles north of San Francisco, is full of color and warmth and the sense of a life well lived.
Name: Noah (2) Location: Sydney, Australia Room Size: 3.8m x 2.6m With three sons ages 2-12, Simone of Honey & Fizz is an expert at putting together little boys’ rooms. All three of her boys’ rooms are full of graphic patterns, color, and most importantly, fun. Her youngest son, Noah, calls this fantastic space home. Although he has some of his brother’s hand-me-down pieces, one certainly can’t say that his space isn’t special or unique to him.
Name: Brandi Ware Location: Crown Heights; Brooklyn, New York Size: Approximately 970 square feet Years lived in: 1.7 years; Rented Born and raised in New York City, and then moving back after several years in Texas, presented Brandi with several unique (and welcome) challenges. The first Brandi would encounter, of course, was New York’s notorious rental market, which is discouraging for even a blue-blooded New Yorker.
Name: Sharon and Phil Sunderland Location: Perth, Western Australia Size: 300 square metres (3229 square feet) Years lived in: 10 months; Owned It’s apparent from the moment I walk through the front door that this home oozes style and sophistication. Although, the light-washed floorboards, paired with the white walls and the designer furniture and light fixtures, make it hard to believe that a family of five—with three children preschool age and under— live here.
Name: Ashlae and Thom Location: Denver, Colorado Size: 1,100 sq ft Years lived in: 10 months; Rented Ever thought of what a food blogger’s space would look like if it were crossed with a history buff’s pad?! Well, look no further! In the midst of the hustle and bustle of downtown Denver live food blogger Ashlae and her boyfriend Thom.
