Matt Leyes’ Men’s Grooming Parlor
Name: Matt Leyes, owner and esthetician for The Men’s Grooming Parlor Location: Andersonville; Chicago, Illinois Years lived in: 5 years Matt knew there were men out there who wanted professional grooming services, but didn’t want to end up in a pink robe sitting next to five women in a typical salon waiting room.
Nov 13, 2013
Greg & Rob’s Sky Suite
Name: Robert Onderdonk & Gregory Roth Location: Toronto, Canada Size: 1270 square feet Years lived in: 10 months, owned This sky high condo is as custom-made as they come. While gutting a brand-new home may seem like a surprising choice to some, Greg and Rob were so dissatisfied with their builder-quality basics that they knew it had to be done as soon as they moved in.
Oct 24, 2013
Adam’s DIY Ode To Ornamentalism in Philadelphia
Name: Adam Wallacavage Location: South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Size: 3000 square feet Years Lived In: 13; Owned Stepping inside Adam’s home is akin to stepping inside a set designer’s brain. Everywhere you look, it’s a creative smorgasbord for the eyes. But what makes this place even more spectacular is the fact that Adam’s home is composed of his own creations, most of which he crafted with his own two hands.
Sep 27, 2013
Chris + Kenny’s Ojai Rancho Inn
Name: Chris Sewell + Kenny Osehan // Ojai Rancho Inn Location: Ojai, California Size: 18 Rooms + Swimming Pool and Sauna Years lived in: New ownership as of June 12th, 2012 The last time I visited Chris and Kenny was when I photographed their old apartment in Downtown Santa Barbara for their first House Tour. At the time they were running the Presidio Motel on State Street, as well as the Agave Inn.
Aug 19, 2013
Space Solutions for Small Kitchens
I’m so inspired by the myriad ways in which this year’s crew of Small Cool entrants made the most of their small cooking spaces. Read on for ideas for making a small kitchen work for you.
Jun 3, 2013
Veggie Gardening for the Black-Thumbed
When I tried to grow a vegetable garden in the past it was a total disaster. Now I have a picturesque bounty of gorgeous vegetables. Here are ten things I learned.
Apr 10, 2013
Rental Damage by Kids
The top type of damage to rental apartments? Torn off kitchen doors and towel racks.
Mar 12, 2013
Sam & Anne’s Cozy Modern Blend
Name: Sam, Anne, new baby Tesla and Pup Indiana Location: South Austin, Texas Size: 2200 square feet Years lived in: Owned 8 months Sam and Anne never intended to make this house in South Austin their home. They had been living in a gorgeous modern home we featured on Apartment Therapy last year, and purchased this 1927 bungalow with the intention of flipping it.
Feb 28, 2013
A Simple Way to Get Rid of Fruit Flies
The “paper cone of death” fruit fly trap is one way to kill those annoying little pests. Having trouble wrestling the paper cone? Here’s an alternate solution that’s just as effective!
Jan 15, 2013
Craig’s Tiki Hut
Name: Craig ShimalaLocation: River West, Chicago, IllinoisSize: 990 square feetYears lived in: 3 years; Owned Most people tend to shy away from labeling themselves as hoarders, but Craig has made the fact that he “doesn’t throw anything out” a central part of his aesthetic. Showcasing an impressive collection of vintage nautical-themed knick-knacks, Craig’s cozy Chicago apartment manages to embrace the collector within, while managing to remain uncluttered without.
Aug 28, 2012
Are You Ready for Open Shelving?
Open shelving projects a simple attitude that we’d love to have in our kitchen, but how do you know if you’re ready to take the plunge? We’ve got four ways to tell if you’re ready for open kitchen shelving this year.• Are You Ready for Open Shelving?
Jan 20, 2012
A Spanish Style Meets Mid C Home
Designer:Kate Strickland of West Haddon HallLocation: Los Angeles, California Kate sent us images and info on a recent project: This Spanish style house with dramatic vaulted ceilings celebrates a delicious mix of styles in the interior, designed by Los Angeles-based firm West Haddon Hall. Filled with original Mid-Century Modern pieces in wood and neutral tones, it is enlivened with vibrant Moroccan rugs and Turkish pillows.
Jan 4, 2012
How Your Home’s Insulation Affects Your Wireless Signal
There’s a long list of things we love to blame for poor wireless signals—the weather, antenna placement, AT&T—and insulation is rarely one of them. It should be, though, because the insulation in your walls at home and at the office could be the real reason you’re dropping calls.Some construction materials are well-known to mess around with wireless signal strength.
Sep 15, 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.
Jul 21, 2011
Sam & Dominic’s Sunny Phinney Ridge Home
Name: Sam Spencer and Dominic WilliamsonLocation: Phinney Ridge — Seattle, WashingtonSize: 2000 sq feetYears lived in: 8.5 years Sam, Dominic and their two little girls live on a sunny hill in the neighborhood of Phinney Ridge in Seattle. The house stands out on the street as a sweet, contemporary haven with subtle storybook details. Their bright, red, front door and modern, silver house numbers are just a preview of the chic decor inside.
Jul 8, 2011
The Las Vegas Home of MadeByGirl’s Jen Ramos
Name: Jen Ramos Location: Henderson, Nevada Size: 2,800 square feet Years lived in: 8 months At the end of last year, Jen started the process of remodeling her kitchen. She posted a few inspirational photos and a photo of her kitchen on her design blog, Made By Girl. I was so excited to see the transformation that I kept checking in and waiting to see the final result of her new kitchen. Jen gave me a peek at the rest of her house and I couldn’t resist a full house tour.
Jun 17, 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.
Apr 8, 2011
7 Ways to Clean Your Home with Baking Soda
If you are a natural cleaning products aficionado, then you are probably familiar with the benefits of baking soda as a disinfectant: it’s environmentally friendly, effective, inexpensive and healthier then the chemical-laden products on the market. But we were amazed at just how many things baking soda can do in your home.
Mar 21, 2011
Uptown Glamour at Manhattan House by Celerie Kemble
Name: Celerie KembleLocation: Upper East Side — New York, New YorkSize: 1,861-square-feet — 2-bedroom condo The recent renovation of the Manhattan House buffs an already treasured architectural gem. Giving Celerie Kemble the opportunity to design and create an extravagant two-bedroom residence brings to life the ultimate urban living experience.
Mar 2, 2011
Gavin’s Winning Woodsy Nursery
Child’s name: Gavin (7 weeks)Location: Phoenixville, PA Room size: SMALL. I really don’t know the size. But it’s our smallest bedroom in the house. When Amanda entered (and won!) the Small Kids, Big Color contest, we all followed her into the woods and agreed that it was indeed awesome. The contest’s five photo limit left many of you, not to mention us, craving more of this memorable space.
Feb 1, 2011
Liv, Jeff and the Friendly Yeti Sharing a Home
Name: Liv and Jeff McMillan Location: Long Beach, California Size: 1644 Square Feet Years lived in: 8 Months Liv and Jeff are as fun and carefree as their artistic and handmade home. While Jeff finishes his painting in his studio, Liv is in her crafts room writing for her blog and hanging out with Friendly Yeti. Early this summer there will be a new little addition to the family and it isn’t a baby yeti.
Jan 7, 2011
Roman, Milo & Luca’s Bedroom of Nooks
Names: Roman, Milo, LucaAges: 9, 5 and 2Location: Bel Air, CARoom size: 11′ x 12′ (roughly) With a two-bedroom house and three young boys to accomodate, Irwin Miller had to get creative. His innovative use of all the nooks, recesses and alcoves results in a comfortable, efficient room that gives all three brothers their own place as well as an inspiring shared space.
Dec 16, 2010
John’s New York City Interior with a California Garden
Name: John Saint-DenisLocation: Hancock Park – Los Angeles, CaliforniaSize: 1500 Square FeetYears lived in: 5 years John wanted to reduce his carbon footprint by moving in a multi-unit building. He found his current fourplex and decided to purchase the property with a few friends, who would each keep one of the units. It had the potential for John’s ideal blending of styles, a classic Upper East Side Manhattan layout with a California garden, but needed a complete overhaul.
Nov 18, 2010
Anthony & Gregory’s 1912 Contemporary Craftsman
Name: Anthony Franco, Clothing Designer and Wardrobe Stylist and Gregory Metcalf, Wardrobe Stylist and Pillow DesignerLocation: Silver Lake — Los Angeles, CaliforniaSize: 1,782 square feet — 4 bedrooms & 3 bathroomsYears lived in: 5 years My friend told me about Anthony and Gregory’s home and I welcomed the opportunity to check out a 1912 restored Craftsman home in Silver Lake.
Oct 26, 2010
Lisa & Dan’s Curated Family Farmhouse
Name: Lisa & Dan and their 2 childrenLocation: Bedford, New HampshireSize: 6,200 square feet (including a small in-law apartment not pictured)Years lived in: 10 — owned Lisa and Dan moved into this outstanding farmhouse 10 years ago after living in a modern home made mostly of glass. It is clear from the first few steps inside that there is no shortage of modern amenities here — but when Lisa re-designed and re-structured this home, she did so with a reverence for the past.
Oct 19, 2010
Alison & Joe’s Suburban Mid-Century Thrift
Name: Alison and JoeLocation: Plainfield, IllinoisSize: 1,800 square feetYears lived in: 3 months Alison and Joe have only lived in their house for about three months but you wouldn’t know by looking at it. The way their suburban home is so completely and tastefully decorated it looks like they’ve lived in their house for three years.
Aug 30, 2010
10 Oven Tips that Cut Costs and Keep You Cool
It’s hot. Really hot down here in the south. But as we’re still recovering from the blow of last month’s power bill, we know better than to turn that AC down even just a notch. Instead, we’re keeping cool by using our oven more efficiently when we cook, saving money and bringing down the temp in our home at the same time. Check out what you can do to cut costs and keep cool.
Aug 23, 2010
DIY Training Chopsticks
Last night we had a special dinner with all four grandparents. Everyone was using chopsticks and of course the kids wanted to use them as well so we quickly made two pairs of training chopsticks.
Aug 19, 2010
Jennifer’s Maison Une
Welcome to Kate from the Pacific Northwest; a blogger trying out for a place on the Apartment Therapy editorial team as a House Tour Contributor. Enjoy her work!Name: JenniferLocation: Rio Dell, CaliforniaSize: 1850 square feetYears lived in: 28 Fondly referred to as Masion Un (which means House One in French), this home seems almost hidden among the lush, overgrown plants, orchard, pond and alluring views all vying for attention over the five acre sprawl.
Jul 20, 2010
14 Home Hacks for Your Dishwasher
By now you know that your hair dryer and your microwave can do way more around the house than frizz your locks and zap your coffee. But did you know your dishwasher has some multi-tasking skills of its own? Check out our list of 14 home hacks for your dishwasher.
Jul 9, 2010
Revisiting Beth’s Teeny Tiny Peek-a-boo View
Name: Beth of Small Cool 2010 fameLocation: Sausalito, CaliforniaSize: 365 square feetYears lived in: 3 years There is no doubt that everyone remembers Beth’s Teeny Tiny Peek-a-boo from this year’s Small Cool Contest. As winner of the Teeny Tiny division, we were all impressed by how much Beth was able to do in such a small footprint. Still, five images were not enough and left us all wanting to see more.
Jun 10, 2010
Krista & Zak’s Philadelphia Art Hotel
Name: Krista Peel and Zak Starer of Philadelphia Art HotelLocation: East Kenzington, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Size: 1,700 square feet — 3 story brick rowhouse Years lived in: 9 months If there’s one thing we know right off the bat — Krista and Zak are not afraid of color! In fact, they embrace it and use it in every square inch of their home.
Jun 3, 2010
Violet’s Small, Sloped, Splendid Space
Name: Violet KathleneAge: 2 Weeks, 2 DaysLocation: Central PennsylvaniaRoom size: 12′ x 7′ How to create a cohesive, beautiful nursery in a small room with sloped ceilings? Planning. Violet’s mom, Lauren, gathered inspiration, made a plan and recruited family to pull off some terrific DIY projects. The result is this fresh, dreamy space filled with light and soft touches. It melds modern and classic pieces into a contemporary space that feels timeless at the same time.
May 28, 2010
Backyard Farmers: 25 Websites You Should Be Reading
While browsing Urban Farm’s website today, we came across their list of online resources for all things local and sustainable, including their recommended beekeeping, gardening, and backyard farming blogs. We’ll share a sampling of their list, and then YOU can tell us what blogs/websites you read!
Apr 5, 2010
Philip & Leong’s Live / Work City Space
Name: Philip Leeming & Leong Ong of FallsLocation: East VillageSize: under 600 square feetYears lived in: 9 years — rented The apartment that Philip and Leong call home during the week is in the heart of the East Village — just east of Astor Place on Saint Marks. In addition to being their weekday home, the apartment functions as hub of the couple’s fashion line Falls — it functions as their design studio but also hosts meetings, photo shoots and model castings.
Mar 24, 2010
Trish’s North Portland Nest
Name: Trish Grantham (along with Pablo the dog and Georgia & Arlo the cats)Location: Portland, OregonSize: 900 Sq FtYears lived in: One Month (yep, ONE MONTH!) Portland artist, Trish Grantham lives on the ground floor of a pretty amazing house in North Portland. Inside her living space, collections abound. Outside is a large fenced backyard that makes the house feel removed from the tightly packed neighborhood it is set in.
Mar 23, 2010
5 Places To Put A Compost Bin In A Small Kitchen
Many of us are all for composting, even if we don’t have a lick of outdoor space to call our own. Some have the luxury of slightly larger kitchens or cabinet space, but others are doing good if they can open their oven and refrigerator doors at the same time. If your kitchen feels a little small, here are five places to place a compost bin!
Mar 17, 2010
Emily and Meeko’s Sunny First Apartment
Name: Emily Baker & Meeko MendezLocation: North Beach, San FranciscoSize: 850 square feetYears lived in: almost 1 year Emily and Meeko, just married last October, moved into their first apartment together in North Beach about a year ago. As exciting as that was, combining lives, stuff and styles into a small apartment proved to be challenging as both were moving from much larger spaces they shared with roommates.
Mar 4, 2010
Julie’s Jubilant Loft
Name: Julie Simonson & Wilbur (6-month-old chocolate cockapoo puppy)Location: Old City — Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaSize: 1,223 square feetYears lived in: 2½ Julie is a Philadelphia Native. She moved to Los Angeles for several years and has vacationed in Vermont for much of her life. She eventually returned back to the city of brotherly love, bringing with her treasures from around the country that help make this loft Julie’s Jubilant Loft.
Mar 4, 2010
Jenny and Cristina’s Rustic Modern Apartment
Name: Jenny Rinzler and Cristina EspinosaLocation: Mission Dolores, San FranciscoSize: 1,000 square feetYears lived in: Cristina for 8 1/2 years, Jenny for 5 years (they had roommates until 3 years ago) It’s one thing to make a home out of your rental. It’s another to make a home out of your 100+ year old rental with poor wiring and insulation. Now that the years of roommates are over, Jenny and Cristina finally have their charming abode to themselves and have made it their own.
Jan 26, 2010
Heather’s Vintage Granny Chic
Name: Heather Spriggs ThompsonLocation: Nashville, TN Size: 2100 sq. ft.Years Lived In: 3 months in this house (although I have lived in Nashville for 11 years) The vintage stylings of Heather Spriggs Thompson feel like a beautiful echo heard around the internet. She has set the bar high in the mainstream media, when it comes to making vintage pieces not only feel beautiful, but modern and comforting.
Nov 6, 2009
Making The Bed: Pillowcase Ends Facing Inside Or Out?
Traveling back to LA last week from our road trip out of town, we took advantage of the hotel’s free newspaper service. We attempted the crossword puzzle, perused the business section and finally, read Dear Abby. In this particular article, a husband writes in wanting Abby to solve a debate between him and the wife. The couple is at odds with pillowcase end placement on their king size bed.
Jul 29, 2009