Before & After: An Outdated Vacation Apartment Gets a New Look
Nina helped a family turn their vacation property kitchen from a claustrophobic and kitschy space into a fun and open gathering space. By removing the divider, adding some unexpected color along with classic elements, she breathed new life into the room. From Nina: The owners, a young family, wanted a vacation apartment (that they could also rent out), located in a town adjacent to a European ski area.
Jan 18, 2017
Before & After: A Bold Fireplace Brightens Up a Living Room
Danielle added style and interest to her living room with a few simple and small touches: replacing the curtains, adding some light fixtures, and slapping on a new coat of paint. And then she made a big change, adding color and interest to the space in a major way. From Danielle: When we first moved into our family home, the living room was covered in brown and beige from floor to ceiling.
Jan 12, 2017
Before & After: A Bright & Airy Kitchen Renovation
Lindsay and her family moved into a wonderful new space in a neighborhood they loved. But there was one snafu: the old and outdated kitchen. Lindsay has a food blog so a clunky kitchen just wouldn’t do. They gutted the entire thing and started from scratch, and the results are a fun and functional space that’s perfect for family life and blog life. From Lindsay: The biggest change we made was to the location of the sink and the removal of the existing island.
Jan 11, 2017
Before & After: An Unbelievably Bold Blue Kitchen Gets a Modern Makeover
It’s hard to describe the color of the kitchen in this historic Craftsman in Oakland, pre-renovation. Turquoise blue? Sea-foam green? Whatever the exact hue, it wasn’t quite the right shade for homeowners Brett and her husband Brandon when they purchased this house in March of 2016.
Jan 10, 2017
Before & After: An Outdated Kitchen Goes Clean and Classic
This little kitchen was in need of a lot of spiffing up and a little bit more space. Christina gave the space a fresh new look with a smart layout, some classic tile and a coat of paint in a lovely light color. From Christina: We recently finished up our project in Redondo Beach. This was a smaller house that was in serious need of a face lift. It had so many colors happening as well as some issues in the kitchen.
Jan 6, 2017
Before & After: Modernizing a Master Bath
This master bath had plenty of space but not a lot of function. Kendra set out to not only upgrade and maximize the utility of the space, but to create a calm and serene atmosphere. From Kendra: This master suite had taken on minor renovations before, but nothing that allowed it to shine and become a truly functional and relaxing oasis. This space had an outdated standing shower, no access to the walk-in-closet and overall lack of functionally.
Jan 2, 2017
Eyesore No More: Our 10 Favorite Kitchen Transformations of 2016
Sure, we might all want to freshen our living room or bedroom, but no room can get dated, dingy, and even dangerous as quickly as a kitchen can. These 10 amazing makeovers, ranging from $200 DIYs to splashy professional jobs, show the power of paint, paring down, and—for crying out loud—new cabinets.
Dec 29, 2016
Before & After: A Storage-Friendly Bathroom Makeover for Under $800
Ashley wanted a bathroom update that was stylish, full of storage and helped maximize the space of her small bathroom. By pulling in a surprising piece of furniture and painting the space a calming color, she created a bathroom that blends form and function. From Ashley: The tiny half bathroom connected to the master bedroom was original to the 1972 house and in desperate need of an update.
Dec 24, 2016
The Year’s Most Impressive Bathroom Transformations: Best of Before & Afters
A dreary bathroom seems dirty no matter how clean it actually is, so giving it a fresh coat of white paint, additional lighting, and sparkling tiles can completely transform the look and feel of the room, all while making the weekly cleaning feel less Sisyphean.
Dec 24, 2016
Before & After: A Non-Profit Cafe Gets Its First Facelift in 10 Years
Right before Thanksgiving we posed a question to readers — “If you had $200 to surprise someone with a gift, what would that gift be, and to whom would you give it?” Brigid Barjaktarevic’s response — some supplies to spruce up her non-profit workplace — caught our eye. We thought we could do more than just provide paint as the gift; we wanted to go all in on an Apartment Therapy makeover.
Dec 21, 2016
Before & After: An Attic Turned Functional and Fabulous Closet
IKEA Pax wardrobes can be a godsend for creating closet space out of nothing and here is an exquisite example of how they can not only provide a massive amount of storage but appear like they were built just for your space.
Dec 19, 2016
Before & After: Big Changes for a Little Bathroom
When Sophia and Leon bought their 3-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom Manhattan apartment, there wasn’t a lot going on in the petite second bathroom — but what was going on looked a little like a gas station bathroom: fine for a gas station, but not for a home. The yellowing wall tile was distinctly uninspiring, and dingy grout made the floor tiles look dirty no matter how many times they were cleaned.
Dec 14, 2016
Before & After: A 1960s Kitchen Opens Up for Under $200
Heather’s kitchen was outdated, but not unlivable, so she and her husband opted for a few smart and thrifty updates to add some style to the space before a big kitchen remodel. From Heather: My husband and I recently purchased a 1960s home. It’s in great condition, but most everything is original to the house.
Dec 14, 2016
Before & After: A Library Goes from Pale Peach to Dark and Dreamy
Natalie’s home was originally divided into apartments, so she had the not-so-small challenge of turning it back into a cohesive space. After experimenting with new paint colors, and switching up the floor, she finally found herself with a moody library full of quirky, personal charm. From Natalie: This room has changed over time as my husband and I have lived in the house. We bought our circa 1870s Pittsburgh home nearly three years ago.
Dec 13, 2016
Before & After: Redesigning a (Really, Really) Red Bathroom
When Marti set out to revamp her bathroom, she knew that a full tile update wasn’t in the cards. She didn’t let that deter her, however, and went ahead and made some really smart and stylish changes that created a less dated, more classic space. From Marti: My goal was to replace the glaring features that made the bathroom look really dated/cheap: most notably, the paint, mirror, and sink.
Dec 12, 2016
Before and After: A Bright & Friendly Kitchen Emerges From Two Small Rooms
When Kate and Emilio purchased their Spanish Revival house, the kitchen was small and broken up into two separate rooms — an awkwardly long mudroom/pantry and an inefficiently small and dated kitchen. The cabinets and countertops were installed right in front of the windows, and there was little workspace between the range and sink.
Dec 8, 2016
Before & After: A Gorgeous Mid-Century Bathroom Makeover
Debra’s home had gorgeous mid-century bones, and her renovations made the most of them. With some stunning tile and beautiful pictures, she turned her bathroom into a breathtaking beauty. From Debra: We recently finished renovating two of our mid-century home’s bathrooms. Since they are adjacent to one another, my first inclination was to combine them into one large space.
Dec 6, 2016
Design Evolution: Two Rounds of Reno for a Coronado Cottage
Karyn and Jessica’s beach bungalow is an ever-evolving small space. This is what Karyn had to say in 2013: I had just moved to the island of Coronado and had the perfect bungalow apartment in mind. I envisioned something small but homey with a comfortable outdoor area. The universe must have been on my side because not two minutes after making my wish list I found the perfect studio apartment. Being a designer has its perks, especially after walking into this place.
Nov 25, 2016
Before & After: A Guest Bathroom Gets a New “Warm Industrial” Look
Courtney and John’s guest bathroom was outdated and had a funky layout, so they set out to open up and update the space. From Courtney & John: To complement our recently renovated guest room, we decided to tackle the attached guest bath as well. Overall, the bathroom was functional with a stock vanity and prefabricated shower/tub combo. But the space lacked style and was not utilizing the square footage to its maximum capacity.
Nov 21, 2016
Before & After: Some Smart, Scandi Kitchen Storage
Heidi’s kitchen got a sleek and storage-minded upgrade. Taking cues from her building’s style —and her own personal aesthetic — she created a space that added a lot of functionality, without sacrificing affordability. From Heidi: The design was conceived around cues from my 1959 building’s clean aesthetic combined with a Scandinavian modern/folk influence.
Nov 17, 2016
For Any Budget: 19 Super Sources for Knobs & Pulls
When it comes to kitchen cabinets, hardware is a little thing that can make a big difference. We’ve rounded up ten of the best online sources for knobs, pulls, and everything in between, helpfully sorted into ‘High,’ ‘Mid’ and ‘Low’ categories so you can find the best store for your budget. My Knobs: A huge, almost overwhelming, selection of cabinet hardware at very reasonable prices. Cabinet Parts: Low prices and a large selection.
Nov 17, 2016
Before & After: Saying Ta-Ta to a Tile Floor
When her sister-in-law was ready to update her kitchen, Cathy knew she could make an impact while keeping most of the kitchen intact by painting the cabinets and making the biggest update to the floor. From Cathy: “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.” I am a firm believer in trying to make the most of the existing elements in a space before considering replacing or changing them.
Nov 16, 2016
Before & After: Shiplap Boosts a Blah Bathroom
Chrissy’s bathroom was standard, outdated builder grade blah. She transformed the space into something warm and welcoming without any major renovations. From Chrissy: The bathroom before consisted of builder grade oak cabinets and a mirror with no frame. The cabinet over the toilet was bulky and made the bathroom feel smaller.
Nov 14, 2016
Before & After: A Perfectly Finished Finnish Cabin
Minna’s gorgeous cabin is a stunning and serene oasis, but it wasn’t always that way. When they first bought the cabin it was far from what Minna had envisioned. But after some impactful changes, she transformed the space. We’re ready to move in! From Minna: I remember how lucky we felt when we bought this place four years ago. Our “dream cottage” was quite a wreck.
Nov 11, 2016
Before & After: A Modern Update for a Brooklyn Bathroom
Remember Sophia and Leon’s Manhattan apartment? Last week we witnessed the transformation of their kitchen, and this week we’re looking at the overhaul of the unit’s main bathroom. While the old bathroom wasn’t yet completely falling apart, it had poorly installed, mismatched fixtures — and the fact that it needed to serve for three people meant extra storage space would be welcome.
Nov 9, 2016
Before & After: From Mismatched Hot Mess to Sleek Space
Kelly’s kitchen was dark and outdated with baffling pops of color. She felt the only way to save the space was to start over completely. From Kelly: Our original kitchen was just terrible. It was a hodgepodge of multi-colored wood and metal cabinets. Some were missing doors, drawers and handles. I found out that the oven was broken and leaking gas in the house, and the refrigerator matched the avocado green walls. In summary, this kitchen was a hot mess.
Nov 7, 2016
Before & After: A Foreclosure Remodel Bathroom Brings the Drama
Courtney & John’s bathroom was the height of ’80s glamour: a Jacuzzi tub AND a gold trimmed shower? Choosing not to live in a Gordon Gekko fever dream, they stripped the bathroom down and opted for a space that played up the historic interest of their new home. From Courtney & John: For basic necessity, the master bathroom was the first space that needed to be tackled FAST in order for us to move into this foreclosure property.
Nov 1, 2016
Before and After: Six Kids and a Bright White Kitchen
When tasked with updating a kitchen for a family with six kids, Syd and Shay of Studio McGee wanted to create a “next level” monochromatic kitchen, that could still house a large brood. From Studio McGee: When it comes to a bright, monochromatic kitchen, it’s all in the details. All-white kitchens are the number one request we receive. You might see a lot of people churning out white kitchens, but it’s the subtle design decisions that can take a kitchen to the next level.
Oct 28, 2016
The 7 Swoon-Worthiest Shipping Container Homes
I think part of the reason shipping container houses are so appealing is that building a house from shipping containers is like the grown-up equivalent of making a really sweet fort from cardboard boxes — you have succeeded in making something awesome from something that you just found, something that would otherwise be in the trash. (Of course, the actual reality of shipping container homes is a bit more complicated than that — but there’s no denying they have a certain draw.
Oct 26, 2016
Before & After: An RV Kitchen Gets an Update
Katie’s RV kitchen was functional but cookie-cutter. She wanted something that was unique and warm, and she took a chance on black paint in a small space and it totally paid off! From Katie: When we first purchased our RV the interior was in good condition, it just wasn’t our style. Not to mention every single person that owns the same model has this exact kitchen. We needed a space that felt like ours, ya know?
Oct 26, 2016
Before & After: A 1920s Kitchen Gets a Bright & Modern Makeover
Sarah and Nick purchased their 1924 traditional island cottage in 2013, and spent the next five months renovating much of their new home. They were working with a very tight budget and a very real deadline; baby number two was on the way and the couple had made a pact that the kitchen be completed before his birth. Naturally, this made tackling the project a particular challenge.
Oct 26, 2016
Before & After: The Haunted Mansion Bathroom of Your Disney Dreams
Carrie, a serious Disney fan, has always fancied living Disney’s Haunted Mansion After trying to fix up her small bathroom she finally decided to let it go and follow her dream (which is a wish your heart makes) of a Disneyland-inspired bathroom. With a lucky wallpaper find (definitely not a poor unfortunate soul) and some smart internet shopping that let her remain one jump ahead of the design, even the bare necessities were on brand.
Oct 25, 2016
Before & After: A Dingy Brooklyn Kitchen Brightens Up
Prior to their renovation, Laura and Matthew’s kitchen had a few problems common to lots of NYC apartments: a tiny footprint, not enough storage space, and cabinets caked with years’ and years’ worth of paint. As you can see, the cabinets in their galley kitchen had taken on an unusual texture, and the oven was positioned about 18 inches from the opposite countertop. Definitely time for a change.
Oct 24, 2016
Before & After: A Delicious (Mostly) DIY Kitchen Upgrade
Kylie’s kitchen is also her office, so while the original was livable, it wasn’t really blog-worthy. After about six months of hard DIY work, she got a gorgeous, open and photo-worthy space. From Kylie: Our house is 1,500 square feet and was built in the 1950s. We love our location and want to stay here for a while, but the kitchen had to go.
Oct 24, 2016
Before and After: A Wonderful White Kitchen Makeover
Kate (from Centsational Girl) recently saw her friend’s kitchen remodel for the first time. Although this family originally had grand visions for a new kitchen, they ultimately pulled back, skipped the architect, and decided to save money instead. They kept the current layout and put their time and budget towards making their kitchen reflect their own tastes and lifestyle. From Kate: Over the weekend I popped in to visit some good friends, Dino and Heidi.
Oct 19, 2016
Before & After: A Surprising & Superb Splurge
Looking at this photo, this space could become a lot of things. A retro inspired kitchen? A dreamy den? A nursery? The homeowner went an unexpected route and turned the space into a warm, relaxing and wholly unique space. From E: This project has been a long, long time in the planning and execution, but we’ve finally got the payoff of being able to use our beautiful wooden soaking tub.
Oct 17, 2016
Before & After: An Amazing Attic Bedroom Transformation
This attic bedroom was super dark and dated. Catherine and Brian wanted to create a warm & welcoming master bedroom in the space, and boy did they have their work cut out for them. From Catherine & Bryan: We designed this space as a master bedroom. Aside from making it feel less dated, we wanted it to feel cozy, open, and full of character. We had talked about adding built-ins and cubbies, taking out the walls and widening the room, adding reading nooks – you name it, we thought of it.
Oct 16, 2016
Before & After: An Unbelievably Chic Rental Kitchen Makeover
An incredible, temporary floor makeover.
Oct 9, 2016
Before & After: Designing Out the Danger in a 1950s Bathroom
Eek! Nadya’s bathroom not only had some structural issues, but it was also lined with asbestos. In the midst of another renovation, Nadya had to tackle the issue on a budget. From Nadya: Our small post-war house in Brisbane, Australia was built in 1959, and like many similar houses of the era, had an asbestos-lined bathroom. As you can see, it was dingy and awful, and water from the shower was seeping into the wall. The nasty stuff had to go!
Oct 6, 2016
Before & After: Gussying Up a Get Away Cabin
Ashley’s one room cabin was in need of some style to make it feel like a spot worth running away to. The changes are pretty impressive (be sure to check out the ceiling) and get super impressive when you find out all of the projects were DIY! From Ashley: We decided to completely gut a small one room cabin. It had quite a bit of water damage and was just completely outdated. We did all the projects ourselves and stuck to a small budget.
Oct 4, 2016
Before & After: A New Look for a “Sunburn-Striped” Bathroom
There were some great things that happened, design-wise, in the 70s, but this bathroom was not one of them. Molly and Jonathan had a few projects in mind when they purchased their Ditmas Park one-bedroom, but they knew that the “sunburn-colored” stripes in their bathroom needed to be the first thing to go. The problems with the bathroom went beyond the cosmetic.
Oct 2, 2016
Before & After: A Bathroom Shapes Up With Shiplap
Amanda’s cramped main bathroom was in desperate need of two things: light and space. After patiently waiting for two years, she got to work and created a bright & stylish space. From Amanda: We bought our 1925 Sears Kit home in December of 2014 and have slowly been renovating room by room. We started with the rooms that were deemed “unlivable” by us and let the rest stay as they were. Our upstairs bathroom was one of the rooms we learned to live with for almost two years.
Sep 30, 2016
Before & After: A Bright and Beautiful Guest Bedroom
When Christina and her husband moved into their historic row home, they waisted no time (seriously, no time) getting to work on renovations. During that time their guest bedroom took a back seat to other spaces and became a storage area. When it came time to get around to the guest bedroom, however, Christina went full force on DIY projects, smart planning and beautiful design choices.
Sep 29, 2016
Before & After: A Small Bathroom Lightens Up
When Nole and her family moved into their home, their sole bathroom was dark, cramped and falling apart. After overhauling the main fixtures and lightning everything up, they have a much happier spot! From Nole: This is the only full bathroom in our home. When my husband and I first toured our home, we immediately identified the bathroom as needing a total gut renovation.
Sep 22, 2016
Real Life Advice: Everything I Now Know About Refacing, Replacing, or Repainting Kitchen Cabinets
About a year ago, my partner and I purchased our very first home. It’s a darling 1920s house with tons of curb appeal, but it still needs a lot of renovation work on the inside. And, while much of the house retains its original charm, the kitchen leaves a lot to be desired. After a bit of sleuthing, we learned from past building permits that the previous owners did a complete kitchen overhaul in 1970.
Sep 21, 2016
Before & After: A Modern, Scandinavian Inspired Look for a Farmhouse Dining Room
Isadora finally found the farmhouse of her dreams and set about creating a modern, Scandi inspired look in the dinning room, while sticking to a small budget. Putting their previous DIY skills to the test, Isadora and her husband created a bright and stylish space that is warmly welcoming. From Isadora: My husband and I have been dreaming of getting a farmhouse in Sonoma County. We spent a year and a half looking for the right property at the right price.
Sep 21, 2016
Before & After: A Small & Basic Bathroom Blossoms Into a Black & White Beauty
Erin wanted to pack a lot of style into her small bathroom. With her eye on function and organization, she upgraded, replaced and customized her way to a space that really makes a statement. From Erin: The old bathroom was basic and old. Because I had a small space to work with, I wanted to make a statement in my bathroom. I removed the old cast-iron tub and opted for floor-to-ceiling oversized subway tile to draw the eye up and brighten the windowless space.
Sep 20, 2016
Before & After: A Galley Kitchen Gets Gorgeous
Erin’s old kitchen looked straight out of Stranger Things and she knew before she moved in that she’d be going to battle with the demigorgon of outdated design (end of reference, I promise). By knocking down the cabinets and updating the kitchen with crisp, modern design she was able to make her galley kitchen functional and beautiful. From Erin: I recently bought a dated condo with hopes to make it my own. The obvious issue in the small galley kitchen was the lack of natural light.
Sep 19, 2016
Before & After: What a Difference a Coat of Paint Makes
Emma and Matt bought a home in Ipswich for its old world character and its affordability. But most of the time “character” often comes with a huge list of DIYs and needed renovations. This home had a particularly dated living area and kitchen that, despite the big windows letting light in, felt quite dark. The living area and kitchen of their home was very dated with the yellow walls, green trim, not to mention the dark wooden ceiling and kitchen cabinets.
Sep 17, 2016
7 Ways To Add Character to a Cookie Cutter Home
We can’t all live in a gorgeous Haussmannien building on the left bank of the Seine. In fact, some of us have to live in effective but uninspiring homes with little to no architectural detail whatsoever. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do. In fact, there’s a lot you can do, even if you live in the most boring of houses, to add a little character to your space. Check out these 7 DIY projects. Add a ceiling medallion.
Sep 15, 2016
Before & After: Goodbye Galley Kitchen!
Lauren’s a big fan of cooking and entertaining, but her cramped galley kitchen was getting in the way of her following her bliss. So she enlisted some professional help and totally transformed her kitchen into a stunning, open space. From Lauren: I recently completed a 3.5 month apartment renovation. The driving force behind the project was my kitchen. I enjoy cooking and entertaining and the confines of the original galley kitchen was not conducive to the way I lived and entertained.
Sep 13, 2016
Ways to Use Bathroom Tile You Won’t Stop Thinking About
In my line of work, I look at lots and lots of bathrooms, but still I find myself continuously amazed by the creative ways in which interior designers use tile. Whether as an accent or as a full wall treatment, tile can really transform the look of a bathroom, and nowhere is that more evident than in these 11 spaces, where unusual applications of tile create interiors that are both beautiful and unique. In this bathroom from Inside Out, fish scale tile make for a striking accent in the shower.
Sep 8, 2016
Before & After: Casey & Kumar’s Clinton Hill Kitchen
When they bought their co-op apartment in Brooklyn, Casey and Kumar had a particularly ambitious project in mind: transforming a one-bedroom to meet the needs of a family of four people. Doing so involved some pretty clever solutions along with a full-scale overhaul of the unit’s very small, very outdated kitchen. Since space in their small apartment was at a premium, Casey and Kumar wanted the kitchen to flow seamlessly into the rest of the living area.
Sep 5, 2016
Before & After: A Kitchen Goes From Builder Grade Blue to Sophisticated Black & White
Danica’s new house came with an old kitchen, and she knew it had to go. With a nice layout and some Craigslist luck on her side she was able to DIY her way to a gorgeous updated kitchen. From Danica: We moved into our home last year and the first project we tackled was the horribly boring builder grade kitchen. The layout was great but the oak cabinets, white laminate and checker backsplash needed some serious updating.
Aug 31, 2016
Before & After: Fitting a Tub (and Fresh Tile) into a (Terrifyingly Outdated) Tiny Bathroom
We featured Josef’s stylish Prague apartment a few weeks ago. Now we get to see how Daniele worked his magic on this tiny and outdated space. From Daniele: Josef gave me full creative freedom when renovating his apartment’s bathroom. The bathroom was old and dark. He wanted to fit in a bathtub, possibly his only request for this project. Given the small size of the bathroom I thought it was a bad idea, but he insisted so we did it.
Aug 30, 2016
Before & After: A New Look For a Master Bath
New home, new projects! Kristina knew that upgrading her out of date bathroom was the first thing she wanted to tackle in her new home. Three months later she now has the bathroom of her dreams. From Kristina: As soon my husband and I moved into the Ravine House, we started on our massive upstairs renovation, which included our master bathroom. It was in desperate need of a revamp!
Aug 29, 2016
Before & After: An Old Brown Kitchen’s New Life
This vintage kitchen had a lot of brown in it. Brown cabinets. Brown counters. A brown floor. Yep, even a brown oven. Thanks to the DIY skills of this couple in Pittsburgh, their kitchen is brighter and a heckuva lot more modern. Lauren writes: “We did most of the kitchen ourselves and a good bit I did all by myself. I was completely terrified to do it but I’m so glad I did.
Aug 29, 2016
Before & After: A Dated Bathroom Goes Mid-Century
This bathroom looks like my childhood, and while that may be heartwarming for me, Tanya was not that wild about the dated look of her space. After saving up and getting down and dirty and doing a lot of work themselves, Tanya and her husband have a stylish and timeless bathroom in their forever home. From Tanya: Technically, the “before” photo I submitted is the before-before, because I gave it a temporary spruce while my Hubby and I planned and saved for this renovation.
Aug 27, 2016
9 Ways to Upgrade Your Existing Floors For As Little As $50
If you hate your floors, but are a little short on cash, I’ve got good news. A new floor can cost a ton of money — but it doesn’t have to. Here are nine budget-friendly ideas for upgrading your existing floors so you can get a whole new look without spending a whole lot of money. This vinyl floor cloth, demonstrated by designer Kerra Michele Huerta in an article from the Washington Post, is a great option for renters as well as homeowners on a budget.
Aug 25, 2016
Small Space Savers: Our Favorite Wall Mounted Bathroom Faucets
Wall mounted faucets might be a little more expensive to install than their deck-mounted cousins, but there are also certain benefits to having fixtures separate from the actual sink. There’s more room for toothbrushes and your products — which is a serious bonus in small bathrooms — and cleaning is easier when there aren’t fixtures to maneuver a sponge around. Here are twelve of our favorites to consider, in a range of styles: SHOP WALL MOUNTED BATHROOM FAUCETS: 1.
Aug 19, 2016
Before & After: A Tropical Meets Mid-Century Living Room Redo
Andrew Deming and Rachel Gant of YIELD Design Co. transform a drab 1950s living room into a bright and fresh sanctuary, incorporating their mix of modern and vintage design. The difference is astounding, and truly brings this midcentury home to its fullest potential. “When we bought our house last year, the living room was one of the worst spaces.
Aug 18, 2016
Before & After: Making Over a Mantelpiece
Marisa’s living room was feeling a little dark and dated. She knew the carpet had to go and had her ideal fireplace mantel in mind. With a few trips to the tile store and some help from her dad, Marisa was able to make her mantel dreams come true. From Marisa: When we first moved into our ranch-style home, between the old brown carpet and the dingy brick wall, the open concept layout felt dark and small. While some people love the rustic brick wall, I knew that it wasn’t for me!
Aug 17, 2016
Before & After: A Dated Victorian Living Room Gets a Bright, Elegant Update
Some thought Christina, who runs the blog Christina’s Adventures, was taking on a bit too much when she decided to buy and restore a 1902 Victorian house in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with her husband. Not only was it quite dated and run-down, but they had a very young kid and another on the way! But Christina saw the potential in this house’s bones, and her restoration has created a modern, bright home with a family-friendly, farmhouse feel.
Aug 13, 2016
Before & After: A Big Change for a Little Bathroom
When we moved into our little 1950’s fixer-upper 2 years ago (you might remember previous progress reports on the kitchen and living room), I thought there was no way I could possibly wash in that grimy, cramped and dysfunctional bathroom. It had no shower, the loudest toilet flush on the planet and extremely temperamental hot water. But we ran out of cash and so it turned out I could live with it. For a really long time.
Aug 12, 2016
Before & After: A Dated Kitchen Gets a Delightful Farmhouse Style Look
Christina of the blog Christina’s Adventures had quite the task before her when it came to tackling this historic Victorian home. Though it’s clear Christina is pleased with how the entire home turned out, the kitchen’s makeover—that they took on themselves!—is her proudest DIY. From Christina: “It was the worst room in the house before, and we transformed it into our favorite room in the whole house!
Aug 11, 2016
Before & After: A Funky Family Bathroom
Lesley took a pretty major bathroom problem and turned it into a wonderful design opportunity. She set about putting the “do” back “mildew” (sorry) and ended up with a gorgeous new bathroom! From Lesley: This is a small family bathroom in our 1950s ranch home. It was pretty dated when we moved in but functional…until the floor started rotting and growing mildew, that is.
Aug 10, 2016
Before & After: Gussying Up Granny Style Furniture
Sara is in a fairly unique situation of having to deal not only with the standard rental woes, but she also has to work with the not-totally-her-style furniture that came with the space. From Sara: The first day I stepped in this bedroom I got instantly bored and sad. The sand color on the wall, the nightstand with that bedside lamp, the dark green and gold headboard… We lived with that for three or four months, and one day I woke up like ‘I can’t stand this anymore!
Aug 9, 2016
Before & After: Vintage Tile Is Spared in a Modern Bathroom Makeover
When Alyssa and her husband moved in to their Echo Park home seven years ago, they were happy to see a lot of the original details from the 1940s bungalow intact, like this blue tile in the bathroom. Though the tile was charming, the rest of the bathroom was dark and gloomy. Alyssa was able to give the space a whole new modern look with a just few small changes—and keep the charming vintage tile!
Aug 8, 2016
Before & After: A Drab Master Bath Turned Modern Retreat
Amanda and Mike’s master bathroom was anything but masterful. When they decided to renovate it, they completely gutted the space from floor to ceiling, moved the toilet so they could fit a luxurious, giant shower and updated the fixtures and surfaces to include elements like marble tiles. The result is a bright modern retreat.
Aug 5, 2016
Before & After: A Charming DIY Kitchen Update for Under $5k
Inspired by the gray skies of the Pacific Northwest, Nila and her husband Henryk, DIYd their way to a charming, English cottage inspired kitchen. From Nila: As newly graduated Florida transplants to the Pacific Northwest, our money didn’t stretch as far as we had hoped. We purchased a small home, which we’ve named Corner Cottage, because it is a corner house in a fun part of the city with many shops, restaurants and farmers market all within walking distance.
Aug 3, 2016
The Inspiration for The Stacked Barn
Welcome to The Stacked Barn project where I lead you through a year-long odyssey that I’ve never been on before: the building of a new house. I’m going to show you how my new home gets built – step by step. This is Chapter Three. I’ve always loved my old house and didn’t want to change the layout too much, but I definitely wanted to use my design chops to figure out how to make it work EVEN better.
Jul 29, 2016
Before & After: A Marvelously Multifunctional Space
It’s almost hard to believe that this is the same room! Becki decided to make the most of the room’s gorgeous natural light and create a boldly white and bright space. Yes—they removed the stairs! As Becki states on her blog, this was an additional staircase, and really, “who needs two sets of stairs four feet apart from each other?
Jul 29, 2016