A Fresh Coat of Paint and New Light Fixtures Elevate This Rental House
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!
Nov 14, 2019
Another UK Home Has a Deliciously Dark and Dramatic Color Palette
This home's style is simple, dark, and moody.
Nov 13, 2019
A Stylish Home Sports Problem-Solving DIYs and a Smart Furniture Layout
Interior designer Jess Diab's home has an L.A. mid-century modern feel with a focus on contemporary artists and their stories.
Nov 7, 2019
Look Back on 500 Years of Living Rooms In 90 Seconds
These 12 design styles span half a millennium.
Nov 4, 2019
Stars Hollow Fans, Check Out These 6 Living Rooms Inspired by ‘Gilmore Girls’ Characters
Saturday, October 5 marks 19 (!!) years since we were introduced to the chattiest mother-daughter duo to ever cross our screens.
Oct 5, 2019
10 Top Decorating Lessons, According to Interior Designers
We're giving you a crash course in interior design excellence.
Oct 4, 2019
An Interior Design Couple's Buenos Aires Home Will Take Your Breath Away
This English-style townhouse has construction details not often found in Buenos Aires, let alone in rentals.
Oct 2, 2019
Your Definitive Guide to Transitional Kitchens
We're breaking down this popular kitchen style from floor to ceiling.
Oct 2, 2019
The Rug Pattern That Can Work Pretty Much Anywhere (And 10 Rooms That Prove It)
No need to fret or sweat over which kind of rug to get to add a little spice to your ____ room. Go with this bold choice—it's surprisingly classic and these rooms prove it.
Sep 11, 2019
10 Scandinavian Instagram Accounts You Should Be Following If You Love Design
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.
Sep 9, 2019
9 of the Most Gorgeous Entryways We’ve Ever Seen
These nine homes don't just have good-looking entryways, they have one-of-a-kind spaces that match their home's personality perfectly.
Sep 6, 2019
Literary Style: 15 Writers’ Bedrooms
It’s true; we find the secret lives of others fascinating. Especially if those others are writers. We get to know them through their work, and we yearn to learn more about them as people… We feel a kinship, with their experiences or with their characters, and we begin to imagine what their lives must be like. We read biographies about them, tour their homes and visit their graves, all in an effort to gain insight into their own particular genius.
Aug 21, 2019
Here’s What ‘Harry Potter’ Characters’ Homes Would Look Like in 2019
From Harry’s living room to Luna’s bedroom to yes, even an office for Lord Voldemort, let's see what the design wizards at Modsy conjured up for this modern day reimagining.
Jul 27, 2019
This Trend Will Bring Teddy Bear-Level Coziness to Your Home
Did someone say hygge?
Jul 24, 2019
Apartment Therapy Editors Reveal Their Favorite Most Colorful Rooms of All Time
Do any of their picks match your favorite room?
Jul 9, 2019
A Lovely Brooklyn Studio Is a Lesson in Superb Small Space Planning
Oyin Antwi managed to squeeze every possible function a person would need in just 370 square feet.
Jun 26, 2019
A Design Editor’s Apartment for Her Family of Four Has a Surprising Amount of Affordable Ideas
You bet former House Beautiful magazine editor Sophie Donelson's home is full of clever and affordable design ideas collected from her many years at the helm of top design publications.
Jun 19, 2019
This Instagrammer’s 500-Square-Foot Apartment Has All Kinds of Smart Small Space Ideas
Professional Instagrammer Patrick Janelle's living room is full of smart small space furnishing ideas and inspiration.
Jun 18, 2019
The New Kitchen: 5 Top Trends
The look of the kitchen is changing — already granite countertops and dark wood cabinets are starting to look a little late 90s. If you’re thinking of renovating or building a house (or just like looking!), here are five of the top trends for modern kitchens. And the best part? Some of these are things you can do right now, without spending much money at all. White and WoodIt’s modern, but warm — the best of both worlds.
Jun 16, 2019
This Lovely Renovated Spanish Home Will Have You Pinning Every Photo
This couple merged different styles, decades, and objects to create a place that fit with their personality.
Jun 13, 2019
Behr’s 2019 Color of the Year Is a Lovely and Livable Blue
Behr announced their choice for 2019's Color of the Year, and it's a lovely and livable shade.
Jun 12, 2019
These Gorgeous Rooms Were The Most Pinned Images on Apartment Therapy This Week
We gathered the most pinned house tour photos of the week to see just what Apartment Therapy readers were most drawn to, design-wise. Are the images below your favorite rooms from this week’s house tours? Let us know in the comments below!The bedroom in Kristin Laing‘s must-see maximalist Austin home features Rebel Walls’ Jungleland vintage wallpaper, West Elm Audrey nightstands, pillowcases and throw from Kip and Co, and lamps from Target.
Jun 8, 2019
Stacey’s 40s-Inspired Bedroom by Patrick J. Hamilton
Name: StaceyLocation: Union Square, NYC Designer Patrick J. Hamilton sent in Before & After images of his client’s bedroom — and included one of the most thorough list of resources (and links!
May 8, 2019
Before & After: A Retro Kitchen Stays True to its Roots
While researching yesterday’s post on the comeback of wood paneling, I was delighted to discover this beautiful remodel of a kitchen from the 1960s. Homeowners Bret and Mary Peyton did a great job of updating the kitchen while keeping the design true to the home’s midcentury roots. Take a look.The wall between the kitchen and the dining room was removed, which really opens up the space.
May 6, 2019
Before & After: A Dull Deck’s Flower Power Makeover
I like this makeover because the “before” deck looks like many decks extending from city apartments. In fact, cut it in half and take out the hot tub (or, take out the very best parts), and it looks a lot like my own back deck. But all hot tubs aside, I’m inspired to see how some very doable changes totally transform this flat space into a lush outdoor living area.What strikes me about the “after” is how homey it looks.
May 5, 2019
Before & After: An Expanding Kitchen Renovation
This 80’s kitchen was in need of updated appliances, cabinetry, and an overall space adjustment. By taking extra space from adjacent rooms, the kitchen was opened up into a light and bright gourmet chef’s workplace. Check out the difference after the jump…Although it may not look like it from the before photo, this kitchen was very dark and narrow.
May 5, 2019
Before & After: Ashley & Greg’s Kitchen Remodel
When Ashley and Greg purchased their home they knew that a kitchen remodel was in their future. The existing space was poorly designed, with dated appliances, unattractive cabinetry, and a fair amount of plumbing and electrical issues. Starting from scratch, they designed and built a beautiful, modern, and functional space that makes you wonder – is this even the same house?!Not afraid to get their hands dirty, the couple did what they could on their own.
May 5, 2019
Before & After: Vintage Airstream Trailer “Runaround Sue” Gets an Eco-Rehab
This is the story of Runaround Sue, the name given to a 1961 Airstream Safari that was lovingly renovated by Prairie Construction. The vintage trailer’s original beauty was carefully restored while making it leaner (more efficient) and greener. This time of year already makes me long to head out for the open roads, and now I’m filled with daydreams of spending the summer traversing the country in Runaround Sue.
May 5, 2019
Before & After: Boy’s Bedroom Redo
Michele’s son had outgrown his room’s decor, and everyone was sick of the orange, purple and red color scheme. It took a couple of weeks to re-do it completely, using a lot of what they already owned, plus adding a few new things to the mix. The goal was to keep it affordable and simple.This room might win the award for the most handmade things in one space.
May 5, 2019
Before & After: An Inviting, Kid-Friendly Living Room Update
The makeover of this Brooklyn living room wasn’t just for aesthetic reasons; the homeowners needed more organized, out-of-sight storage, and a space that was kid and cat friendly. They also wanted to incorporate a small piano, and be able to watch TV without the television being the focal point of the room. To do this, they turned to New York design firm Mercer Interior. Check out the results after the jump.
May 5, 2019
Before & After: A Moroccan Pattern Stenciled Bathroom
This relatively plain bathroom got a major face lift with something that looks as good as wallpaper, but is actually impeccably painted, DIYed stencil handiwork. While that has a huge impact on the space, there are a few other east improvements that A Pumpkin and a Princess implemented that helped transform the room — can you spot them?Crystal from A Pumpkin and a Priness set out to makeover her guest bathroom, all on her own.
May 5, 2019
Before & After: Victoria’s Cottage Makeover
It’s easy to walk into a rental and see only the bad parts — poor lighting, bad flooring, old paint, etc. Forced to move, Victoria of SF Girl by Bay has made the best out of what initially seemed like a less than ideal new home.
May 5, 2019
Before & After: Little Boy’s Room Gets a Creative New Look
I love it when kids’ rooms look like, well… a room fit for a kid! This is a great example of a clean, organized, yet creative space for a little one to flourish.Kara Rosenlund designed this room to be a cheerful, relaxed space perfect for a growing little boy. From the dramatic floor-to-ceiling chalkboard walls, to the sunny ceiling fan, to the “grass” rug on the floor, there’s no risk of mistaking this room for a serious grownup space.
May 5, 2019
Before & After: Corner Fireplace Update
I recently came across this design project that Michelle Morelan, designer and renderer extraordinaire, did for a couple in Toronto.The clients had some general ideas of what they wanted to accomplish with the project, and Michelle created a plan to help them achieve their goals. The major objectives were to expand the space, replace all of the finishes, and to update the corner fireplace.
May 5, 2019
Hide That Remote! 5 Pretty Storage Boxes
Advances in technology are making excessive wires and cables slowly go the way of the buffalo but, the remote? It looks like we may be stuck with that one for a while. So if you can’t beat it, hide it! (Along with those goofy 3D glasses that seem to come along with every new TV.) We’ve rounded up a few options that you won’t mind leaving out based on the average size TV remote (7.5”) though you may want to check them against your own. 1.
May 5, 2019
Try This Technique!: Paint Decorative Elements the Same Color as Your Walls
You can render room features invisible or make them stand out with strategic painting choices. These projects — in varying degrees — all match either architectural features or decor to the wall color around them. Ask yourself as you look at them: what does your eye float across, and where does it stop and linger? TOP ROW: 1. Painting trim and other architectural details is a classic way to unify a room, and makes it less jarring to walk into.
May 4, 2019
Deans Court: William & Ali’s Ancestral Home
Note: I’ve redone this great tour from last year to put all the text into the slideshow so that you can cruise through it in one go. I’ve added pics too. Let me know what you think.
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Laundry Room Gets Scrubbed of Its Boring Past
Scandinavian magazine Allt I Hemmet recently featured this laundry room, submitted by one of their readers. Far from exciting, Anna-Lena’s space was devoid of color and personality, not to mention cramped. With Allt I Hemmet’s help, the laundry room got a good cleaning itself, and came out on the other side with a sparkling new personality.
May 4, 2019
Before & After: A Not So Pretty In Pink Bathroom
When you buy a house with a pink, mauve, salmon and coral bathroom, it might be time to renovate. Some people like that kind of thing, but Katie isn’t one of them. She and her husband tore out the carpet the day they moved in. Soon after that, they made a plan and got to work on the rest of the renovation. You might be surprised to learn that this beautiful bathroom update only cost $3,500. Katie and her husband did a lot of the work themselves, and made some smart choices.
May 4, 2019
What’s the Difference? Interior Designer vs. Interior Decorator
I have a confession to make and it’s a doozy: I’m an editor of a site about design (this one) and I don’t know the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator. In fact, I’ve been using those two terms interchangibly for years. Bad editor! So I decided to educate myself (and you!). Turns out, it’s pretty straightforward but there are some major distinctions.
May 4, 2019
Before & After: A Floral & Fashionable Bathroom Refresh
Little powder rooms can pack a punch. Case in point: Emily of Cupcakes and Cashmere recently redid a tiny bathroom in her house, and decided not to play it safe. The results are impressive: I think it’s safe to say that this oversized floral wallpaper from Ellie Cashman is a show stopper and, when paired with the marble vanity and gold accents, makes for a glamorous and timeless room.
May 4, 2019
Adam and Ashley’s Modern Plant-Filled Portland Home
Name: Adam Baz, with his girlfriend Ashley Vaughan Location: Portland, Oregon Our spacious North Portland apartment is filled with plant life, Danish-modern furniture, vibrant textiles, and many DIY furnishings. We wanted the space to strike a perfect balance between modern simplicity and rustic Portland charm — warm, welcoming and well-designed. We love nice woods, worldly patterns, colorful art and found natural objects.
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Back Steps Become a Stairway of Heaven
Once you’ve groaned at the title of this post (go ahead, I know you want to), click on over to see Gemma’s DIY fix for the back steps down to her basement. An IKEA rug just happened to be the exact width of Gemma’s stairs, which made it an irresistible choice for a quick DIY runner. Finished off with some nailhead trim, it’s now a chic little entrance. (Plus, Gemma hopes the dark rug helps hide tracked in dirt.
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Paint Spices Up a Stylish Dining Room
Want to see what just a few coats of paint can do to a room? Rafaela’s dining room wasn’t bad-looking before — great furniture and fun art made for a stylish space. But as a renter, she hated the beige walls that seemed to cast a dull look on the entire room. It was time for a wall paint change as well as a new coat of color on a pair of shelves she had had for years. From Rafaela: I rent this place and all walls were beige-yellowish (urgh!
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Bathroom with Peeling Paint Gets a Colorful Update
How many of you have moved into a new house that had a bathroom just like this? Although owner Mera tried to put a few bandaids on the style situation as long as she could (with new wall color and a rug), it was a hole in the ceiling and peeling paint that finally prompted a full renovation. See how it turned out… Not every room can carry off red and purple, but Mera managed to add just enough color to create a cheerful and happy bathroom.
May 4, 2019
How To Properly Light a Bedroom
At first glance, the bedroom seems the least important room in the home, in terms of lighting. After all, we’re not really working in there much (unless it doubles as an office), and the primary goal of the space is to support sleep— which requires an intentional lack of light.
May 4, 2019
How to Properly Light a Bathroom
As with the kitchen, the bathroom is a “work room,” and therefore one of the most important spaces in the home to get lighting right. They also tend to be smaller than all the other rooms in our home, and don’t have as many (or as large) windows. Careful consideration of the General, Task and Accent lighting we add to this room will pay dividends in how the area functions and feels.
May 4, 2019
Do You Like It Big in the Bedroom?: Oversized Art
The bedroom is a great place to make an impact…with oversize art. Fewer windows and, often, a tendency to leave the walls blank is an opportunity to add a focal point with one big, grand piece of art. Top Row 1. A colorful, abstract painting brings focus to the center of this vibrant bedroom. Real Living magazine featuring Andrew O’Brien artwork (available here) 2. A monochromatic room is punctuated with an ironic canvas. Tamara Magel Home on Houzz 3.
May 4, 2019
Bring the Outdoors In: 15 Inspiring Nature Murals
Have you ever considered bringing your favorite natural scene into your own space to enjoy all year round? Wall murals and huge scale nature art can be a bit tricky, since there’s a wide selection of options of varying quality. If you’re inspired to create a beautiful indoor retreat, check out these examples of the look done right. These examples include art, murals and tapestries — and some are even from hotels (so you can book now and see how you like living with it first).
May 4, 2019
The New Look for Painted Trim? Anything But White
For a long time now, white-painted woodwork has been de rigeur in the domestic interior, so much so that it’s almost a foregone conclusion. But this is slowly changing: we’ve seen black woodwork popping up lately, and now grays and bold hues are making their voices heard as well. If you fancy this change but aren’t sure what to go for, let this trim-spiration sourced from around the web be your guide.
May 4, 2019
The Other Vignette: A Guide to Styling Stuff Under Surfaces
If your furniture is leggy — the great weight of it lifted high off the floor — you may have found yourself wondering if maybe you should put something under it? Like a basket? Or maybe books? Should you put anything? Can you put anything? The answers to your stuff-under-your-furniture questions can be found in this post.
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Third Time’s a Charm Kitchen Reno
When interior designer Melissa Miranda moved into the bachelor pad of her now-husband, builder-by-trade Ulises Serret, she wasted no time adding her own signature touch to the space. The open layout kitchen was the first project she undertook, and while the original renovation that Ulises completed prior to Melissa living in the space functioned, it wasn’t the right fit aesthetically for the couple, and so the kitchen underwent a third facelift.
May 4, 2019
Before & After: A New Bathroom, 3 Hours & $150 Later
Erin of Earnest Home Co. admits that small changes aren’t her specialty. Once she focuses on a room, it’s usually all or nothing. So simply sprucing up her small bathroom was a decided challenge, one she did with only $150 and a couple of hours one afternoon. Since the tile and floor wasn’t going anywhere soon, she focused on the little things she could change out easily.
May 4, 2019
Clever Built-ins to Make the Most of Small Bedrooms
A tiny bedroom can be a big challenge. There are a lot of things you need to fit into this little room, but you still want it to be a calm and restful space. If you’re lucky enough to have the freedom to make significant changes to your place, built ins can be a real lifesaver in a small bedroom, perfect for adding extra storage and functionality with a streamlined look. Here are 11 ideas.
May 4, 2019
Retro Bathroom Refresh: Why Older Bathroom Suites are Still Sweet
Common wisdom says that when it comes to bathroom suites, newer, more streamlined, and whiter is better. The bathroom is often the first room homeowners want to gut, but this isn’t the only option. If you’re lucky enough to have a suite of retro bathware in good nick, whether it be pink, mint green, or even avocado, maybe think twice about ripping it out. Read on for some swoon-worthy retro bathrooms.
May 3, 2019
A Designer Reveals the Secrets to Making Dark Colors Work
After years of living in beige and buttercream apartments, designer Arielle Goldman was “…itching to go bold” when she moved into this old Victorian. Thankfully, she has a knack for fearlessly painting walls and using dark, dramatic colors in her home, which she talks about on her blog, Scotch and Nonsense. And which you can see quite clearly in her house tour, A Beautifully Moody Historic Victorian in Virginia.
May 3, 2019
Second Lives: Clever Reinventions of Things that Were Destined to Be Reincarnated
I’ve got to tell you: if you didn’t believe in reincarnation before, you will now. These five projects are so brilliant, it will leave you wondering if those things weren’t destined for their new use all along. It’s one thing to recycle, it’s quite another to reinvent. Peeking through Tom & Allison’s Amazing DIY House of Reclaimed & Unusual Objects is like an I-Spy game of recycling brilliance.
May 3, 2019
What’s the Right Height for Hanging a Light Fixture Above a Table?
When it comes to any job that involves drilling holes, you want to get it right the first time. Just as you do when hanging art, you have to figure out the sweet spot when hanging light fixtures. Today’s Frequently Asked Home question: What’s the right height for hanging a light above a table? For fixtures hanging over a kitchen island or a dining room table: Hang it low enough so that it brings light to the surface (but not so low that it obscures eyelines).
May 3, 2019
An Unbelievably Stylish $70k Tiny House on Wheels
Here’s a tiny (and very smart) dwelling that proves that little houses can be just as stylish as big ones. Called the ‘Artisan Retreat’, this little trailer is just bursting with beautiful details and clever solutions. And if you’re hunting for a home, it can be yours — for only $70k. The house, a creation of Matt at Handcrafted Movement, measures 250 square feet, including the loft.
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.
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.
May 3, 2019
Beyond Good Looks: Add Value and Style to Your Home with This One Element
Plantation shutters are a hallmark of Southern style that are also a great choice for window coverings in homes of almost any style. The deep-louvered, swinging wooden shutters provide a sophisticated alternative to blinds and will give any home a little touch of the genteel.
May 3, 2019
The 2-Minute Trick to “Reupholstering” Your Sofa
Like color, pattern can be one of those anxiety-provoking design elements for the novice decorator. You think: “How can I tell if these prints go together?” “What if I’m using too many patterns?” “What if I get sick of them a month from now?
May 3, 2019
The Most Memorable Trading Spaces Makeovers
Remember when “Trading Spaces” shone a light on your budding love for interior design? If you’re like me, you found your teenage self confused by your strong desire to stay home on the weekends and peep TLC’s most riveting home design programming. From Doug’s jungle room to the Jessica Biel episode, we’ve unearthed some of Trading Spaces’ most memorable makeovers, that you probably (some for the best) forgot about.
May 3, 2019
Make It Beautiful: How To Style the Perfect Coffee Table
Styling in home decor is – honestly – very subjective. What works for one person’s design aesthetic and lifestyle may not come even remotely close to what someone else might prefer. However, study a slew of shelter magazines, Instagram accounts and top-pinned images (some you’ve likely saved yourself), and you’ll start to see some similarities, which begin to unlock the secrets to fool-proof styling, no matter what the individual aesthetic.
May 3, 2019
Here’s How to Style the Nightstand of Your Dreams
Those who are constantly tinkering with their home decor will know that the poor, poor bedroom is often left for last. Hidden behind doors, it’s easy to put off giving this space the attention it needs, but I promise, it doesn’t take much to get it in tip-top, show-off-to-guests shape.
May 3, 2019
Make It Beautiful: How To Style the Perfect Entry Table
The entry in your home is a lot of things: it’s the first taste of sweet freedom when returning from a hard day’s work; it’s your landing zone for odds and ends like keys, mail and dog leashes; it’s where you do your “Did I remember everything?” check before heading out the door. Oh yeah, and the foyer is the only space that absolutely every guest sees of your abode, no matter how far you let them venture in.
May 3, 2019
#WCW: Here’s Why We Are Totally Crushing on Designer Amber Lewis
If you don’t read designer Amber Lewis’ blog or follow her on Instagram, you’re missing out on a lot. First, girlfriend is FUNNY. She doesn’t take herself too seriously, and I’ve never seen a designer come up with better names and hashtags for her projects—”Client Rad Trad” or “Client Oh Hi Ojai,” anyone?
May 3, 2019
#WCW: If You Love Laidback California Style, You’ll Love Sarah Sherman Samuel
If you’re a fan of laid back California style, then chances are you’ve pinned, liked or at least scrolled through images of LA-based designer Sarah Sherman Samuel’s interiors. Though she grew up on the water in Michigan, Sarah could write the book on the bright, boho West Coasty thing that’s happening in the design world right now. But she’s not just a one-trick pony.
May 3, 2019
7 Secrets to Getting the Anthropologie Look at Home
As a design lover, Anthropologie is hands down one of the the best places to window shop, browse and discover. There’s something inspirational and beautiful to see in every corner of the store, and half the time, it’s not even merchandise but Anthropologie’s expert propping, styling and display pieces. I don’t know about you, but whenever I’m in an Anthropologie, I get a “I never want to leave this place” feeling.
May 3, 2019
One Room, Many Windows? Pro Tips for Choosing Window Treatments
While having “too many” windows may sound like a good problem to have (hello, vitamin D), treating multiple windows in one space is often a task best left to the professionals. With so many variables involved, it’s hard to know what treatments will look good together until the installation is complete (aka once it’s too late).
May 3, 2019