Reader Submissions

Before & After: Grandpa’s Restored Rattan Hanging ChairHome Projects
Kirby dug Grandpa’s old hanging chair out of the garage, and it had seen better days. A clear gem despite its condition, Kirby put in the work and now it looks better than ever: From Kirby: This chair was my grandfather’s and it was tucked away in the garage for years after he passed until I dug it out this winter. The rattan was really dry and the frame, covered in rust. But with a lot of scrubbing, oiling, and sanding (to the frame, not the chair) this guy really started to shine!
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Family Chairs Get a Photo (Re)FinishHome Projects
Meghan got these chairs from her grandparents, and while they didn’t look like much, family photos revealed their vintage charm hidden under 80s upholstery. She decided to have their original style brought back, but with a twist. From Meghan: I inherited a pair of chairs from my grandparents when they were downsizing. The chairs were from the 1950s and I had several photos of my mother and Aunt crawling all over them when they were little.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Garage Sale Dresser Gets the BluesHome Projects
Allison scored this dresser for $25. While she loved the detail, the faux wood wasn’t doing it for her. After some paint, now those details really pop. From Allison: I spray painted the handles gold using Rustoleum’s Gold Metallic spray paint. This project was an easy task and was complete in just one afternoon. For more photos and details, check out Refunk My Junk. Thank you Allison!
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Separated Bathroom Comes TogetherHome Projects
Cori’s apartment had a peach tub and separate tiny shower stall. Since the bathroom already had a small footprint, her contractor combined the shower and created much needed storage space: From Cori: He re-tiled the floor and around the tub. He converted the tub to a tub/shower and installed high glass doors on two sides. He converted the original shower stall into a closet. He made a custom medicine cabinet so we could have a larger mirror.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Foam Footrest to Patterned PoufHome Projects
While Kristi’s fiancé loved the feel of this foam cube, she wasn’t feeling its bland look. With some pretty pouf inspiration, she covered this cube in something a little more stylish: From Kristi: The fabric was about $25, and the cube was about $15, so the total cost for this project was $40 … WAY cheaper than the ones I have seen in magazines and totally customized to fit my family room! Check out step-by-step photos and instructions over on Kristi’s blog.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
We All Want To Live in This “Yellow Submarine” BedroomTours
Name: E. Price (4) Location: Hollywood, California Ever since I brought home a “Yellow Submarine” storybook my son has been OBSESSED!! From going to Amoeba and buying every book, mug and record; to watching the movie 5 times a day; to listening to him sing along to “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”; to throwing him a “Yellow Submarine” pizza party; he’s had The Beatles on the brain and now he’s asked to learn to play the trumpet!
Nora Taylor
May 4, 2019
A Red, White & Blue Boys RoomTours
Name: Cayden and Kyle (6 and 11 months) Location: Providence, Rhode Island We started this room years ago in this theme — there’s something about the classic red, white and blue that just says little boys to me, I love it! Although it’s a small space, it carries a big punch with a mix of fun patterns to differentiate this room from the rest of our neutral home. Overall, I had really hoped to create a fun and cozy space for my two boys to share.
Nora Taylor
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Plain Patio to Secret GardenPlants & Yard
When Danielle’s side yard was about to be paved over by management, she saved as many plants as she could. She then looked to her apartment’s small, enclosed patio, transforming it into an outdoor oasis: From Danielle: While the majority of my plants and flowers are in containers, I had no place to store them while the work was being done, which meant much of it was going to be sacrificed. My husband and I only had 2 days to clear the side area and salvage what we could.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Paige’s Dreamy Victorian-Boho BedroomTours
Name: Paige (10) Location: Dallas, Texas This makeover was inspired by my colorful daughter. The jumping off point for the entire room was bright ikat fabric that was used for the custom drapes and my daughter’s desire for a canopy bed. The look is what I like to call Victorian-Boho. I selected a subdued color for the wall so the room would age with her as she grows into a teenager.
Nora Taylor
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Nursery Goes from Blue to GrayHome Projects
With this room in their new home destined to be the nursery, Marynell painted it gray until she found out if she was expecting a boy or a girl, and then added color in accessories. From Marynell: We painted the crib, a dresser, and modified a changing table for her, as well as adding a DIY Box Valance, cushions to the rocking chair, and lots of coral accents! We are so excited to welcome her home to her cheerful room! For more photos and details, check out Amusing MJ. Thank you Marynell!
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Dresser Ships Off to Big Boy RoomHome Projects
Amy’s 3-year-old was ready for a big kid room inspired by the high seas. This thrift store dresser could’ve walked the plank, but a nautical makeover turned it into a hidden treasure. From Amy: I started by giving the entire piece a thorough cleaning and painting it with Annie Sloan’s “Old Ochre” chalk paint. I sketched the ship graphic onto the front and painted it in with Annie Sloan’s “Coco”, then did a wash over the entire dresser with Coco.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Max’s “Mix and Modern”RoomTours
Name: Max ( 6) Location: Crystal Lake, Illinois I call Max’s new room Mix n’ Modern because although it is quite modern, I love to mix that up with a little vintage, a little handmade, and a little quirky. I want both of us to love it, and think I achieved that with this recent upgrade. I gave him our old Malm bed, but painted it. I made him an enormous chalkboard since he loves art.
Nora Taylor
May 4, 2019
Before & After: From Leaky Window to Lovely BathroomHome Projects
Kate’s 1950s home had great bones, but the bathroom needed some help. The shower had a full-sized window that leaked, which meant this wasn’t going to just be a little redecorating. But with some help from her dad and YouTube, she did it herself: From Kate: I ripped off the moldy trim and knocked the window (frame and all) out of the wall into the backyard flowerbed.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Bathroom Goes From Rustic to ClassicHome Projects
The guest bathroom in Melissa’s mid-century modern home was out of place with its rustic touches. She and her husband renovated it to have a more classic style, which fit with the rest of their home. From Melissa: All the work was done by us in a timely manner — we worked on it around our work and family schedules.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Victor’s Functional and Stylish Big Boy RoomDecorating
Name: Victor ( 3) Location: Norfolk, Virginia Not too long ago I was planning a nursery. But as every parent knows, time flies by and soon enough you find yourself planning the kids college education instead. Sigh… When we moved to our current house I was about 5 months pregnant. It was such a special time with the expectation of the new addition to our family of four plus our new house.
Nora Taylor
May 4, 2019
A Mixed-Use Space for Mom & Baby “Where Creativity Thrives”Decorating
Name: Pie (10 months) Location: South Park — Charlotte, North Carolina Our juxtaposition of a room happens to be the most valuable square footage in our home: the playroom/office combo. It seems nonsensical, but for us, it’s perfect. Pie’s playroom is where we spend the biggest chunk of our days. I am a blogger, so I “work” from home. In reality blogging is more fun than work—my blog is a place where I go to feel creative and inspired.
Nora Taylor
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Closed-Off Condo Opens UpHome Projects
This condo hadn’t been renovated in 20-plus years. The owners called in Jessica Nicolls of Bungalow 56 to give it a fresh and open feel, worthy of its San Diego Bay views. From Jessica: We took down the obtrusive walls that enclosed the kitchen, updated the flooring and created custom built ins to maximize storage. Now this condo takes your breath away as you enter! See more after photos at Bungalow 56. Thank you Jessica!
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Kitchen Gets a Key UpdateHome Projects
Lisa’s kitchen was in need of an update. Realizing the faux terracotta tile wasn’t working, but not wanting to commit to a full retiling of the whole space just yet, she came up with this graphic Greek solution. From Lisa: We changed out the damaged bullnose laminate bench tops for Caesarstone Frosty Carinna with square edge, and changed the overhang of the breakfast bar so that it was no longer in a walk way and can seat four now.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Before & After: A Custom Outdoor Kitchen Without the Custom PricetagPlants & Yard
This area of Leslie’s backyard where her grill lived was lacking. But not wanting to pay exorbitant custom kitchen cost, she found functional and stylish workarounds to create that custom look— with a lower price tag. From Leslie: I didn’t want to invest in a new grill, nor invest in a custom outdoor kitchen, so I endeavored to create an affordable, usable outdoor space.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Cottage Kitchen Goes from College to ClassicHome Projects
This cottage kitchen had a lot to overcome: a less-than-functional layout, old cabinets, dated floors, and popcorn ceilings. Sarah from The Estate of Things gave it a whole new look (and usefulness, too): From Sarah: As is customary for this historic renovation and interior design blog, readers of The Estate of Things joined along in the design process throughout. The designer gathered input on a banquette build, readers weighed in on lighting choices, paint colors and appliances.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Turning a Walk-In Closet Into a NurseryHome Projects
With a baby on the way, Anna and her husband had to decide how they were going to fit a little person in their San Francisco one bedroom. The walk-in closet held the solution. From Anna: We had no extra room for a baby. The only “room” we had was our walk-in closet so we decided to convert that to our nursery. Or what we so lovingly call, a “Closery.” It took us about 2 months to purge all of our stuff and find wardrobes to replace the clothes we were keeping.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Before & After: A Kitchen Goes Light and Bright, One Project at a TimeHome Projects
Erin and her husband were taking steps to lighten up their Colorado home. Their kitchen had good bones, so smaller projects done over time helped transform it from lovely and not their style, to the light and bright space they now love. From Erin: The kitchen was a place that we did small projects over a few years to bring a lighter feel to the space.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Before & After: Mobile Home Goes ModHome Projects
Kim’s double wide mobile home was from 1991 and showing its age. Deciding to do a full renovation was a big decision (especially starting during the holidays!), but the results are spectacular. Wow! We especially love the more budget-friendly choices Kim made, like cork flooring throughout, and the IKEA kitchen.
Tara Bellucci
May 4, 2019
Ok, Cool. Now I’m Jealous Of These Toddlers (Seriously, Their Room is So Cool).Decorating
Name: G and J ( 4 & 2) Location: Toronto, Canada After living in our home for the last two years, we’ve slowly started renovating each space to suit our needs. For our two boys, however, I couldn’t figure out what to do with their space. So it remained with builder grade paint and a few train posters on the wall. As it was time for my youngest to transition out of his crib and into a bed, I knew it was time to finally give their room the makeover that it deserved.
Nora Taylor
May 4, 2019
Before & After: “Silo Vibes” No LongerHome Projects
Greg and I are in our third plus year of bringing back the charm of a Dutch colonial foreclosure. It’s taken so long because it’s mostly been just the two of us. I obsessively plotted and planned while Greg, the perfectionist, made it all happen. After the second year or so, if our friends and family asked when we’d be moving in, I would always answer, “never” — but we did!
Nora Taylor
May 4, 2019
Before & After: A Modern Cottage KitchenHome Projects
I can not get enough of this transformation! Popcorn ceilings, Miami Vice blue walls, Julie certainly had her work cut out for her. almost So, inspired by the challenge of small space design and well-resourced by Apartment Therapy and Houzz , I rolled up my sleeves and called my contractor. And, while he saw uninsulated 2×4 stick framing, funky wiring, and a complete absence of something called “square” — I saw modern cottage. Thank you, Julie!
Nora Taylor
May 4, 2019
Before & After: From College Kid Rental to Cool, Modern CondoHome Projects
I purchased this Condo on August 31, 2015. At the time it was renter occupied, which happened to be three (maybe four) college kids. I saw potential in the unit and wanted to make it my own. I fully designed the new space and worked with two contractors to get it fully to my design. In six weeks time, it went from dumpy to modern! It also has a porch and an amazing view of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains. Thank you, Matt! Re-edited from a post originally published 12.11.
Nora Taylor
May 4, 2019
Before & After: A Midwestern Bathroom Opens UpHome Projects
A job opportunity brought us to Milwaukee from San Francisco and we fell in love with the older homes along the northern shore of Lake Michigan. Our 1927 Tudor has a wonderful layout and beautiful details, but was in need of updating for modern living. The master bedroom gets lots of natural light from the original lead pane windows and the size was exceptionally large (especially compared with our prior homes in San Francisco and Manhattan).
Nora Taylor
May 4, 2019
Before & After: A Serious Overhaul for a ‘Destroyed’ East Village KitchenHome Projects
When Henry purchased his one-bedroom co-op in a former tenement building in Manhattan’s East Village, it was in bad shape. Really, really, really bad shape. The entire apartment was falling apart, and the kitchen was, in a word, ‘destroyed’. Never had a space been more ripe for a makeover. Luckily, Sweeten was there to help Henry revitalize his space, and he didn’t just stop at the kitchen.
Nancy Mitchell
May 3, 2019
Before & After: Remodeling an Unsalvageable BathroomHome Projects
We recently purchased our first home, a 1950s ranch in Clifton, New Jersey, that needed updating to the main bath and kitchen. The existing bathroom was, quite frankly, hideous and couldn’t be salvaged. We used a contractor for all of the work and I based my design off an inspiration photo I had seen on the Internet. The black tiles (made by Lungaro) were purchased at Standard Tile in Totowa, NJ (who are fantastic to deal with!
Nora Taylor
May 3, 2019
Bo’s Timeless Scandinavian NurseryTours
Name: Bo (8 Months) Location: Oslo, Norway When creating a bedroom for our son Bo, we wanted it to tie in with the rest of our apartment and not be overly babyish. Baby specific decor rapidly gets outdated and needs to be updated, as kids grow older. So instead we opted for a more timeless and ageless look, with furniture that lasts (in terms of function, aesthetics and quality) and can grow with him.
Nora Taylor
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Garage Leftover Gets a New LifeHome Projects
It’s hard not to romanticize the meet-cute between Sofia and her now stunning bar. Just an average, overlooked workbench is collecting dust all on its lonesome, until it finally found that special someone who came along and claimed it. From Sofia: I found this workbench under mounds of dusty boxes in the cellar at my mum’s house.
Nora Taylor
May 3, 2019
A Tiny “Scandinavian Cabin” in PortlandTours
Name: Genevieve Location: Concordia — Portland, Oregon This is our tiny house (216 square feet) within the growing Concordia neighborhood in NE Portland. The home started as a garage space that was historically permitted as a living space in the 1940s under WWII war time code. So, the tiny house itself has some interesting history.
Nora Taylor
May 3, 2019
Girolamo’s Double Duty Coffee Shop/HomeTours
Name: Girolamo Location: Dogpatch — San Francisco, California I live in the Penn Station Lofts, a building in the sunny Dogpatch district in San Francisco. The lofts are situated behind the train station and I also happen to be the owner of La Stazione Coffee and Wine Bar. What’s cool about my loft, 8 years in the making, is that it’s a live/work situation so my commute to work is literally down a spiral staircase everyday.
Nora Taylor
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Teeny-Tiny DIY Dorm DeskHome Projects
College living is chock full of design challenges (small spaces, random roommates, a general sense of impermanence) so I’m always impressed when people commit to living their best dorm lives. Roxanne came up with a pretty ingenious way to carve out a workstation for her daughter, seemingly out of nowhere. From Roxanne: My daughter needed a study area in her tiny dorm room. With no floor space available I had to get creative. Working with only 2 feet of wall space, I added a fold down desk.
Nora Taylor
May 3, 2019
Sandra’s San Francisco Apartment Full of Light, Textiles and PlantsTours
Name: Sandra Location: San Francisco, California I’m a textile designer behind the brand Happy French Gang and I live in a typical San Franciscan apartment in a very old house right in front of the famous Dolores Park. The place is about 800 square feet and I think we brought some French spirit to that place! We have two bedrooms, and the one we gave to our 5 year old is facing the cool Dolores St. palm trees.
Nora Taylor
May 3, 2019
Before & After: From Super Blank Slate to Charming NurseryHome Projects
For some people, a totally blank slate of a room is just plain intimidating. For Jolie, it’s a joy. See how she built a lovely little nursery in a room that was in need of some serious charm. From Jolie: When my sister-in-law and I first started off on this renovation journey, I don’t think we realized what we were getting ourselves into!
Nora Taylor
May 3, 2019
Holly’s Warm & Welcoming Home (With a Wes Anderson Themed Bathroom)Tours
Name: Holly Location: Portland, Oregon Our home is actually the main floor of a beautiful old Portland home (built in 1908) that’s since been divided into four apartments — one for each floor plus the basement. Because of its wonderful history, it definitely has a few quirks. The apartment is about 1,400 square feet, but is only a one bedroom (a converted dining room). Our closet is a converted butler’s pantry, so we store our shoes in drawers made for holding potatoes.
Nora Taylor
May 3, 2019
Book Nook Makeover: There’s Hope for That Unused Corner in Your Home, TooDecorating
Above: A bland, unused corner of a living room. Below: A colorful, dreamy reading nook you could get cozy in for hours reading your favorite novel. Yes —this mini-makeover of a living room’s unused corner turned reading nook is totally intended for kids. But that’s not stopping me from getting inspiration for my own dreamy book nook.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Tiny Kitchen in a Pre-War Apartment Gets a Modern UpdateHome Projects
Nathan Rittgarn doesn’t list the square footage in his professional project submission of this kitchen, located in a pre-war Brooklyn Heights one-bedroom apartment. But you can see from the before photos above, it’s not particularly expansive. Coupled with the fact that the apartment’s “entryway” dumps you right in front of this small space, and it’s clear this room needed an update not just for aesthetics, but for function, too.
Adrienne Breaux
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Snug as a Bug in a Rug Closet NurseryHome Projects
While preparing for their first baby, Kelsey and Matt found themselves getting creative with their closet space. One armoire, a few DIY projects and four months later, they have an adorable and cozy nursery all set for their daughter. From Kelsey: With the upcoming arrival of our first baby, my husband Matt and I wanted to create a special nursery in our one bedroom rental home in Topanga Canyon, California.
Nora Taylor
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Sloped Bathroom Shapes UpHome Projects
Faced with an awkwardly shaped ceiling, Catherine and Bryan had to get creative and totally rethink the space of this bathroom. From Catherine: This bathroom was the only room in the house that needed some {major} love. It was the only bathroom on the second floor, and awkward was an understatement. Our biggest priorities when renovating the space were: 1. Ditch the tub and replace it with a shower that’s more comfortable to use (and prettier, of course!).
Nora Taylor
May 3, 2019
Before & After: Doing Away With a Dark NurseryHome Projects
By switching up three simple elements in this dark nursery, Sarah completely transformed this space. Nothing new-fangled or extra fancy, just some really smart design choices. From Sarah: A few months ago we bought a new house and immediately set our eyes on a nursery makeover. The room was originally painted a dark tan, which made the space feel drastically smaller and more dated than it was. The ceiling fan was way oversized for the space and the lights were directly in front of your face.
Nora Taylor
May 3, 2019
Before & After: From Stuck in the Mud to “Smart Looking Study Piece”Home Projects
Round of applause for Chelsea and her terrific eye! While taking her Mom out for her birthday (awww) Chelsea picked up this diamond in the rough and took it home for a little TLC, and boy did it pay off! From Chelsea: This piece was sitting outside in the muddy lawn of an antique shop this past Spring when I took my Mom out for her birthday. I had no intention of making a purchase of my own but couldn’t pass this soggy piece by without wondering what it could be if it were restored.
Nora Taylor
May 3, 2019
Before & After: Adding Comfort Without Sacrificing StyleHome Projects
Ashley’s sleek little cushion adds serious style to her already impressive dining room chairs, all while making them a little more welcoming. From Ashley: We have a set of four metal chairs and I like them other than the fact that they are not the most comfortable. I got to thinking that they could be comfortable with a cushion. To stay consistent with my decor, I knew that a slim, modern cushion would look best. I couldn’t find anything that I liked so I decided to try to make some.
Nora Taylor
May 3, 2019
Before & After: Rock-a-Bye Vintage Rocking ChairHome Projects
An old pro at the vintage rocking chair game, Ashley spotted this gem and knew that with a little TLC it could become something truly special. From Ashley: Over the past two years we have hunted and found vintage rocking chairs for friends (including ourselves!) at least six times. Our friend group has definitely hit the parenting band-wagon. There are a lot of new options out there, but we wanted rocking chairs that could add some character and history to our nurseries.
Nora Taylor
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Stunner of a DIY Home Office MakeoverHome Projects
April turned this beige, catch-all “pool house” space into such a crisp and gorgeous home office it is almost unrecognizable! From April: Hi all! I’m April from Uncookie Cutter. A while back we moved halfway across the country into this crazy house in which every room needs a makeover. One of the reasons we bought this house is that we knew this junky “pool house” would make a great office for my husband, who does the majority of his work from home.
Nora Taylor
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Basement BeautyHome Projects
Wood paneling and tile and fluorescent lights, oh my! Heather’s basement was lacking a cozy charm and full of standard issue basement problems (we’re talking about you, mold) so she flexed some serious DIY muscle and turned the space into a warm, family friendly hang out. From Heather: This basement remodel was a heavy lift. We started out with a linoleum and wood paneled jungle, complete with mold, mice, mildew, and hardly a beam of natural light as far as the eye could see.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
After & Before: A Donald Trump Meets Jumanji Living Room Makeunder
Sometimes the “before” photo is more jaw-dropping than the finished project, and this is one of those times. Round of applause for Lotta, who was able to see the clean, modern potential in this living room —especially given what she had to work with. From Lotta: This beautiful modern home, designed and built in 1987 by architect Jon Condoret, needed to be brought back to modern again.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
Before & After: From Dated 1990s to Classic & Cool
Chokers, Tommy Hilfiger, Wynona Rider. The ’90s may be back but Kirsten really wanted them to get out – and stay out – of her kitchen. With a little help from her husband, she was able to create a classically cool galley kitchen that won’t be going out of style anytime soon. From Kirsten: When we first looked at this home to buy, I remember thinking that the biggest transformation needed to be the kitchen. It was dark, too enclosed and feeling very 1990s.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Smart “Tide Me Over” Budget Kitchen Upgrade for My Mom
First of all, shout out to Tanya’s mom for choosing kitchen elements way back in the ’80s that wouldn’t look totally insane to our modern eyes. As smart as her choices were, time waits for no man and since the kitchen was showing its age, Tanya figured she would jump in and help her mom update her space.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A DIY Spa-Style Bathroom
April’s guest bathroom wasn’t making a great impression, so she started again from down-to-the-studs scratch. With some seriously impressive DIY skills the final product is a serene and welcoming space. From April: Our hall bath is the bathroom in the house that all of our guests use, whether they be overnight or just dinner guests. The room needed a major upgrade. We completely gutted the space to start with – down to the studs and slab.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
Baby Makes Three: A Shared Master Bedroom & Nursery with Global Style
Name: Marra (Newborn) Location: Fort Meyers, Florida The nursery was designed to flow with the existing decor in our master bedroom since we are sharing a space with our little girl. We live in a two-bedroom townhouse and often have guests so we wanted to keep our guest room for hosting. We needed to find a way to create a kid friendly space that still had a sophistication to work in an adult space as well. We also wanted to forgo a crib and follow a Montessori nursery style with a floor bed.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
Before & After: From Burgundy to Bunnies, Custom Wallpaper Transforms a Feature Wall
When Danielle and her family moved into their home, they knew which room they wanted for their daughters nursery but felt it needed some major restyling. After switching up the color scheme with paint and wallpaper, replacing the chandelier with something a little more kid friendly and adding all of the cute touches that make a nursery, they have an adorable space for their daughter that is a fry cry from the original room.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A First Time Homeowner Kicks Up the Curb Appeal
First things first: congrats to Amanda on purchasing her first home! Taking the plunge can be nerve-wracking, exciting and is always a very big deal. (We’ve got some tips on making it less scary if you need them.) After settling in to her new abode, the next step was to tackle the exterior, which Amanda felt needed a little boost. With the help of a few family members, a super smart paint job and flower power, the home has a fresh look and a whole lot of curb appeal.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
Before & After: Carving Out a Playroom in a Corner of a Living Room
Project by: Louise Bradberry of Cait’s Room Interiors Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Transformations aren’t always about knocking down walls or elaborate IKEA hacks. Sometimes they’re about looking at your space with new eyes and giving it a new purpose. Louise did just that for her clients. Wanting to supplement limited outdoor play space for their child, they tasked Louise with creating a play nook for their daughter in a corner of their living room.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Kids Room Goes from DIY Mess to DIY Success
Meera knew she was going to have to get extremely crafty with her son’s new room. The previous owners had made some questionable (and potentially dangerous) choices that needed to be fixed immediately, and Meera was able to do so with some very cool DIYs and brilliant money-saving fixes. From Meera: The walls and ceilings were covered in poorly-hung textured wallpaper and the room was a DIY mess.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
Before & After: Setting Up a Nursery is a Family Affair
Allison stepped in to help her sister-in-law set up her baby nursery after the passing of her mother. Her act of love and kindness led to one adorable space for the new baby, with a beautifully bittersweet story. From Allison: After my mother-in-law passed away, I decided to step in to help my sister-in-law with her nursery for her baby girl on the way.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
Before & After: Building a Baby-Friendly Space, Basically From Scratch
Life comes at you fast. Lisa had been considering this room for a makeover when she found out she was pregnant and suddenly on a whole new unexpected timeline. After gutting the room they got to work adding classic elements to the structure of the room so it was more in line with the rest of the house as well as, you know, getting it ready for a baby.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
Before & After: This Exterior Makeover Will Make You Turn (Sea-Foam) Green With Envy
Ashley’s adorable home needed a bit of a boost in the exterior paint department. After giving herself permission to just friggin go for it, she decided that they would not only be painting their home sea-foam green, they’d be doing it themselves. Sweat was sweated, paint was painted and a few labor heavy weekends later, a bold and bright house emerged.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
Before & After: An $80 Sofa Gets an Affordable and Easy Refresh
Amy fell in love with this sofa’s good bones and excellent cushions, even though the fabric was a little drab. After inspecting the piece to make sure it wasn’t too good to be true, she took it home and got to work and giving it a super easy and affordable refresh. From Amy: This is one of those sofas built with an incredibly sound construction, it’s something that is hard to find these days for an affordable price.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
A Teacher-Turned-Designer Furnishes a Playroom for Her Kids
Project by: Alana Chernecki of Brillante Location: East St. Paul, Manitoba, Canada Alana, a school teacher turned designer, blended both of her realms of knowledge in creating a playroom for her daughters. A mix of style and pedagogy, the space is designed to foster creativity and imaginative play, while still looking sleek and age-appropriate.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
Before & After: A Memphis & Facts of Life-Inspired Nursery
When Jessica and her husband moved into their home they knew that they would need to do some serious updating. They took off the Beetlejuice wallpaper in their guest room and when it came time to turn it into a nursery they decided to go full fun. A little bit of Memphis, a sprinkling of Facts of Life, a dash of FAO Schwartz and you have a super cute, very unique nursery.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
Before & After: Saying So Long to a Stucco Exterior
The exterior of Erin’s home was not only weathered and not particularly stylish, it appeared to be falling apart. They decided to tackle a major exterior overhaul while living in the house, and lived to tell the tell. Five weeks later they had a gorgeous new exterior that pays homage to the historic character of her neighborhood. From Erin: Our two bedroom, one bath, ~1,000 square foot row house previously had a stucco front which had been placed over the original brick exterior.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
May 3, 2019
Shauna’s Beach House Bathroom Makeover
Project by: Shauna Location: Naples, Florida Our beach cottage in Naples, Florida was a dated 1960s, 2600 square foot home that was dying for an extreme makeover. In just under three months we gutted the kitchen, master bathroom, guest bathroom, guest bedroom and home exterior. The before and after photos are pretty incredible, especially the kitchen and master bathroom. This is our vacation “getaway” home so we kept that in mind with budget and design choices.
Nora Taylor
Apr 30, 2019
Erin’s Delightful Closet Makeover
Project by: Erin Location: Atlanta, Georgia Even in her busy family home, Erin managed to carve out a space that is completely her own style, creating the perfect in home mini-retreat. From Erin: As a busy mom of 3 boys, I really craved a space that could just ooze femininity. I thought the closet was the perfect place to go totally glam with the decor.
Nora Taylor
Apr 30, 2019
DIY Wood Planked Ceiling
I have to admit, I’ve never really thought of the ceiling as something you can DIY. Christina proves that you not only can, you can do it beautifully. And while this project may not be for the DIY-faint of heart, it can definitely provide some inspiration. Skill Level: Moderate Time Required: Weekend Cost: $100 2x4s Tongue and groove wood planks Wood stain Crown molding Saw Build a frame on the wall out of 2x4s. Stain the wood planks ahead of time.
Nora Taylor
Apr 30, 2019
Meghan’s $10 Bathroom Floor Makeover
Project by: Meghan Location: Charleston, South Carolina Our bathroom floor was disgusting. Like, ten year old faux-wood rental apartment sheet vinyl disgusting. Really, the picture does not do it justice AT ALL. I toyed with the idea of putting down vinyl tiles on top (like I did in our kitchen), but the floor is super uneven and I was worried that the humidity would cause the glue to unstick. So, we made peace with it for a year and a half.
Nora Taylor
Apr 30, 2019
Phil and Bowha’s Open and Airy Family Kitchen
Project by: Phil and Bowha Location: Bakersfield, California This beautiful home is located in the Southern California community of Rosedale, which was historically a country town that was founded as a colony of English farmers back in 1891.
Nora Taylor
Apr 30, 2019
DIY Kubus Inspired Candleholder
This DIY project is totally impressive if you’re a fan of the Kubus candleholder that inspired it. It’s also pretty impressive even if you’ve never seen a Kubus. For under a day and under $20 you can have a totally gift-able, beautiful candle holder. Skill Level: Easy Time Required: 24 Hours Project Cost: Under $15 From Sara: The first time I saw this candleholder I felt instantly in love with it.
Nora Taylor
Apr 30, 2019
Charles Bares the Brick of a Brooklyn Home
Project by: Charles Wachtel of CW Property Group Location: Bed Stuy — Brooklyn, New York I am a former entertainment attorney, now on a mission to make clear that a house “flip” does not need to be a four letter word. I treat each renovation as my own home, and to that end, I build spec houses that I hope introduce a level of quality in both the design and the execution that people are generally unaccustomed to seeing in a developer-built renovation.
Nora Taylor
Apr 30, 2019
DIY Cloud Light
We’re card carrying members of the string light appreciation society and Therese’s fun and inventive DIY is a great way to add another whimsical light source to your home. Skill Level: Easy Time Required: 1 hour Project Cost: Around $10 LED Lighting Chain Metal Wire Hanger Pliers To get the frame for my cloud I bent a metal wire hanger in the cloud shape I wanted. You’ll need some strength and patience to finish this step.
Nora Taylor
Apr 30, 2019