Attic room with wood paneling, carpeted floor, and a single window. Black metal railing on the left side.
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: A Speedy & Inexpensive Guest Room Makeover
A dreamy bedroom on a budget
Oct 15, 2016
Turn Your Rental Bathroom into a Spa—No Remodeling Required
When describing your rental bathroom, “spa-like” and “personal sanctuary” are likely not the first words that come to mind. The bathroom of your dreams may be a full remodel away, but by taking cues from spas and saunas, you can decorate your way to a more relaxing space. Grab a Turkish towel and some eucalyptus—it’s time to teach your bathroom how to chill out.
Oct 14, 2016
10 Tips to Help Your Dishwasher Help You
(Image credit: l i g h t p o e t) shutterstock From Kitchn → 10 Tips to Help the Dishwasher Run Better
Oct 14, 2016
Drop the Paint Brush: Wood Paneling is Officially Cool Again
Growing up, the walls of my parents’ living room den were narrow, dark wood panels. No matter the time of day, the place felt like a cave. But though I finally persuaded them to paint them to match the rest of the house a few years ago (and it really did brighten the place up), after seeing these stylish spaces, I’m starting to rethink the wood paneling look. It’s definitely distinctive. It adds texture to a space and it certainly ups the warmth factor.
Oct 14, 2016
A Definitive Ranking of The 25 Most Popular Halloween Candies
I don’t know about all of you, but the highlight of my Halloween was always the moment we got back from trick-or-treating: My friends and I would dump our pillowcases out on my living room floor and start to wheel and deal with our candies. Trading just like we were on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange. You see, not all treats are created equal.
Oct 13, 2016
A Light Filled LA Loft
Name: Ashley Location: Downtown — Los Angeles, California Welcome to our sunny and spacious downtown home located in the in the heart of Downtown LA’s Historic Core. Inside you’ll find a 1,300 square foot bi-level ground unit with loft (only three of its kind!) that offers an unparalleled, refined industrial, modern aesthetic. There’s lots of natural light, which we love! We have an expansive living room, charming dining room, a chalkboard wall, and a breakfast bar.
Oct 13, 2016
Get a Jump on These Holiday Food Gifts
(Image credit: Emma Christensen) From Kitchn → Food Gifts to Start Preparing Now for the Holidays
Oct 13, 2016
A House of Many Colors
Name: Eva Location: Irving Park — Chicago, Illinois This home is the upper unit of a 120 year old two-flat in Chicago. What makes it special is that it feels like a private home, almost a farm in the city. It’s a wonderful blend of modern and classic, urban chic and country. There are lots of little nooks in the house: a reading chaise in a kitchen corner, and a library with built-in floor to ceiling bookshelves. The farm feel is enhanced by the yard which has no grass!
Oct 12, 2016
You Can Use a Money Jar to Reach Your Goals (and Save While You Are At It)
Collecting your coins and spare bills is a great way to save money, because over time, all that change adds up. But emptying your pockets into a jar or a piggy bank when you walk in the door? Not exactly the most fun or inspired way to do things. If you need a little extra motivation to save—whether it’s to pay for something special, or to curb your bad money habits—try one of these takes on the traditional coin jar or piggy bank.
Oct 12, 2016
Love Boston? Here’s What $1500 in Rent Will Get You There
While not as expensive as San Francisco and New York, Boston does claim the number three spot for highest median one bedroom rents in the nation ($2,800). Nearly 700,000 people live in the city proper—many of them students—and they have to live somewhere, for something a bit more reasonable. We took a look at Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and Brookline to see what $1500 can rent you, right now.
Oct 12, 2016
How to Leave a Friendship (Gracefully, and Without Hurt Feelings)
Raise your hand if you’ve ever been dumped and heard the words “just friends.” We’ve all been there—and we’ve probably all used the same lame excuse to break up with someone, too. “Just friends” is such a common way to let someone down gently, but when you really think about it, it doesn’t make much sense.
Oct 12, 2016
Is There a Such Thing As Too Many Throw Pillows? AT Investigates (Sort of)
Pillows, aka those comfy things on your bed that you spend eight hours a night drooling onto, were first used around 7,000 BC in Mesopotamia. Originally only owned by the rich or upper echelons, with multiple pillows meaning that the owner was wealthy, important, and probably well-rested.
Oct 12, 2016
10 Signs That Show It’s Time to Live on Your Own
You love your apartment, but there’s one thing you would change if you could—your roommate. It could be that your roommate is actually the worst, but maybe it’s not about them—maybe, it’s you. Maybe it’s that, deep down, you know you’d rather live alone. Whether you daydream about your perfect studio or you dread spending any time around your roommates, these might be signs that it’s time to get your own place.
Oct 12, 2016
Organizing Strategies to Help You Leave the House on Time, Every Time
Does it seem like no matter what you do, you’re always running late for something? Getting out the door early may seem impossible, but with a few new organizing strategies, you might just surprise yourself with your newfound promptness. Little things like packing your bag the night before and doing some easy meal prep can make it so that you leave on time, every time—here’s how.
Oct 12, 2016
A Chelsea Apartment With Good Bones and “Approachable Elegance”
Name: Whitney Location: Chelsea — New York, New York In the summer of 2015, Jordon and I had a lease in hand—just waiting to be signed—for an apartment one block away from where we ended up. It was Memorial Day weekend and we wouldn’t be able to “seal the deal” until Tuesday when the building owners were back from vacation.
Oct 11, 2016
A Highly Scientific Formula for How Much Halloween Candy to Buy This Year
Halloween-related household spending is expected to hit a record high this year, according to the National Retail Federation: $8.4 billion dollars overall in the U.S., with $2.5 billion of that spent just on candy. That’s a whole lot of Snickers bars, y’all. No doubt, with stats like those looming on the horizon, you want to do your homework and avoid over-spending on Halloween candy this year.
Oct 11, 2016
The IKEA RÅSKOG is Your New Coffee Cart
(Image credit: Devon Jarvis) From Kitchn → The IKEA RÅSKOG Cart as Coffee Station
Oct 11, 2016
6 Dirty Little Secrets of People Who Live in Small, Perfectly Organized Apartments
Let’s be honest: we all have a friend or family member who against all odds is irritatingly clean. Despite their studio-sized apartment space and insanely jam-packed schedule, they somehow manage to keep their place perennially—if not inexplicably—prim.
Oct 11, 2016
Before & After: A Fireplace’s Terrific Tile Turnaround
Tiffany hit the rental jackpot with a gorgeous old fireplace. The only catch is that it came with not-awful-but-not-great yellow tile. Well, all praises be to contact paper because Tiffany was able to totally change the look of the tile and remain on her landlord’s good side. From Tiffany: One of the things that I knew I wanted to change in my rental was the yellow tile surrounding my fireplace. I’ll admit that once I moved in, the yellow tiles grew on me.
Oct 11, 2016
Venus Flytrap Bait: The World’s Cutest Butterfly Dog Costume
Now, this is what we call a couple’s costume. You get a cute-yet-creepy Venus Flytrap Fascinator, your pooch gets a sweet set of monarch wings to go along with it. Crafted from lightweight felt that’s looped right onto your pet’s harness, this is a costume your dog won’t mind prancing around in.
Oct 11, 2016
An “Old Friendly Farmhouse” in Cape Town
Name: Liesel Location: Vredehoek — Cape Town, South Africa We fell in love with this house the moment we saw it! It felt like an old, friendly farmhouse, surrounded by mountains but just a few blocks away from vibey Cape Town City Centre. After spending a few years in London, we wanted to get back to a simpler lifestyle but were hooked on the high street concept of having grocers and flower sellers within walking distance from your house.
Oct 10, 2016
20+ Two-Person Costumes You Can Totally Pull Off This Halloween
Because every Burt needs an Ernie, Thelma goes with Louise, and who wants to see Siegfried without Roy? It’s more fun to dress up with someone else for Halloween, and it’s doesn’t need to be your honey. Team up with a friend for the party or parade, and use these two-person costumes ideas for inspiration. 1. Mike and Eleven from Stranger Things, from Shrimp Salad Circus 2. Unicorns from Brit & Co. 3. Zoolander and Hansel from Brit & Co. 4.
Oct 10, 2016
A Roadmap to Renting the Place of Your Dreams: Apartment-Hunting Tips from a Serial Mover
I move a lot. Like, a lot. I even wrote an article about the benefits of being a serial mover like myself. And in moving so much, I’ve gotten really good at finding great apartments, the newest one always better than the last. (Ask my friends, they’ll back me up!) I’m currently in my seventh Seattle apartment with a view of the Space Needle from my living room. So I promise, I know a thing or two!
Oct 10, 2016
Clear Up Your Biggest Kitchen Clutter Offenders
(Image credit: Leela Cyd) From Kitchn → The 12 Worst Offenders for Kitchen Clutter and How to Deal with Them
Oct 10, 2016
Partner
What to Think About When Setting Up Your Living Room
From 1-bedroom apartments to larger houses, the living room sets the tone for the rest of the home. It should be calming for ourselves and our housemates, as well as any visitors we invite in; it should be equal parts comfort and style. With the right pieces, like those available at American Signature Furniture, our houses become homes. So, what should we consider to truly personalize our main living spaces? Ask yourself some basic questions: Do you enjoy having guests over?
Oct 10, 2016
Nail the Mixed Metal Look at Home With These 5 Easy-to-Follow Tips
One is silver and the other’s gold…or is it rose gold now? Incorporating metallics into your decor is a great way to elevate your space, but the temptation to replace all of your fixtures every time a new finish “reigns supreme” is hard to avoid. Here are some shining (shimmering, splendid) examples of spaces that masterfully mix metals to help yours stand the test of time.
Oct 9, 2016
Getting Along While Getting It All Done: 7 Fun Ways to Divide Up Roommate Chores
Chores aren’t fun, and unless you’re lucky enough to get along with all your roommates, having the conversation to divide them up might not be easy, either. Good news: Apps can help, and you can add a little variety into your cleaning routine by trying some fun DIY takes on chore charts, and by turning your chores into a bonding activity.
Oct 9, 2016
Before & After: An Unbelievably Chic Rental Kitchen Makeover
An incredible, temporary floor makeover.
Oct 9, 2016
The Art Of Leaving A Party Early Without Ruffling Any Feathers
Say you’re at a soiree with pink champagne cocktails and more guacamole than you know what to do with, and you find yourself yawning between all the mingling. Or maybe you’re standing in front of your bathroom mirror — applying the night’s lipstick — and it dawns on you that getting into a taxi cab and legging it across town is the last thing you want to be doing that night.
Oct 8, 2016
An Apartment in an Old Manhattan Bathtub Factory
Name: Jordana and Bernard Location: South Street Seaport — Manhattan, New York My husband, tuxedo cat and I live in a 100+ year old brick building that was once a bathtub manufacturing company and a sewing factory. Such amazing history and detail line our expansive 1,300 square foot apartment at the South Street Seaport, a historic neighborhood in lower Manhattan.
Oct 7, 2016
An Unexpected Truth: Going to Concerts by Yourself is Actually the Best
Concerts and movies are great group activities, sure, but they don’t have to be group outings. It seems like most people wouldn’t (or at least, haven’t) gone to to a concert or to see a movie by themselves—and if you haven’t, you’re missing out. It may sound weird, but giving myself permission to go to things like that alone was one of the best things I could have ever done for myself.
Oct 7, 2016
The Many Questions I Have About This Viral House: A List
Have you seen this house? It went viral this year after being uploaded to Reddit thread /r/funny back in March. User liquidthc is the one who noticed something strange about this South Carolina home—can you spot it? It initially took me awhile to notice this, despite realizing something was “off.” The comments, both on Reddit and Shareably, offer a host of possible scenarios—some of which I share below—but no definitive answers.
Oct 7, 2016
10 Movies Perfect for Friend Dates
(Image credit: Leela Cyd) From Kitchn → 10 of the Best Movies to Watch on a Date Night In with Friends
Oct 7, 2016
A Comfy & Modern Vegas Home
Name: Victoria Location: Henderson, Nevada I just purchased my first home and I’m a L.A. based fashion designer and turned interior designer. This is my Henderson/Las Vegas home, it’s 3,000 square feet of modern & spacious living. A far cry from my apartment in L.A. I love coming home here so I can just relax and spread out. My favorite room is the master which has a lot of pieces from my favorite shops in L.A. I love my light fixtures I’ve collected from all over.
Oct 6, 2016
Stacy Covered Her Rental Countertop With Contact Paper & This Is What Happened
Stacy’s rental bathroom started out just fine. She had white and grey tile floors, a grey-blue wall color, and a white pedestal sink. The bathroom was tiny, but there was a separate counter and mirror from the sink, with plenty of space to store her products. The only trouble was the green countertops, which made the bathroom feel dark and dingy despite it being light everywhere else.
Oct 6, 2016
Work Through Your Wardrobe by (At Last!) Tackling This To-Do List
Cleaning out your closet is a really big task. There’s a lot to unpack, pun slightly intended, when you determine your wardrobe needs sorting—just deciding to get rid of a few pairs of jeans might send you on a tailspin through everything from sentimental memories to body image issues.
Oct 6, 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
6 Classic Dinnerware Sets That Will Never Go Out of Style
(Image credit: Restoration Hardware) From Kitchn → 6 Dinnerware Sets That Will Outlast Your Design Whims
Oct 6, 2016
Partner
Win: A Beautiful Smart Frame from Aura
Prize: An Aura Frame From: Aura Frames Value: $399 You have hundreds (thousands? tens of thousands?) of pictures on your phone right now. And yet, there they sit in your photos app, a 21st-century shoebox collecting dust in a closet. It’s time to get them out of digital storage and onto an IRL wall. Aura is ready to do that. Now, you may remember digital picture frames being all the rage in the mid-2000s. And you may remember tossing yours out after you used it twice.
Oct 6, 2016
A House Full of Creatives Somewhere “Between Mid Century Modern Meets Bohemia”
Name: Hannah Location: Mount Washington, California A publicist, a painter and an entrepreneur walk into a bar… Well not quite, but we do all live together. In what feels like a treehouse, tucked up in the hills of Mt. Washington. Although we are just about seven minutes away from Downtown LA, there is something about this 1920’s house that makes you feel like you are much further away than you are.
Oct 5, 2016
Two Explorers Pursuing a Life in Chicago with Small Riches & Big Adventures
Globe-traveling, curio-collecting, working professionals by day and co-creators of an animated series by night. They’re building a life together rooted in a love of travel and exploration, fueled by intellectual curiosity and creativity. They’re smart and warm and possess Jedi-level cocktail making skills. Here’s life with Mark and Noelle… Mark and Noelle live in a flat in Chicago’s Avondale/Logan Square neighborhood.
Oct 5, 2016
8 Tips for Hosting a Charitable Dinner Party
(Image credit: Sarah Copeland) From Kitchn → 8 Tips for Hosting a FEED Supper
Oct 5, 2016
It’s Complicated: New Yorkers Weigh In on the Realities of NYC Real Estate
Recently, we shared a study that reported the minimum salary you’d need to buy a home in a bunch of cities—New York included. Unsurprisingly, our readers had a lot to say about the subject. Let’s take a closer look at how New Yorkers are reacting to the real estate market in the Big Apple. The mortgage lender that released the study, HSH.com, concluded that the salary needed to buy in New York was $86,215, based on the median home price of $395,400.
Oct 5, 2016
Knife Sharpening Basics: The Video
(Image credit: Christine Han) From Kitchn → How To Sharpen a Knife: The Video
Oct 5, 2016
Unexpected Items to Look for When Thrift Shopping (& Things to Avoid!)
Never sure what to snatch up when you’re out thrifting? Or what to put back down? With so much STUFF to see (and potentially purchase) when you’re out second-hand shopping, it can be tough to make the best buying decisions. While everyone’s decor needs are different, it never hurts to hear what the experts are always on the hunt for (and what they would never take home).
Oct 5, 2016
Partner
3 Things To Consider When Setting Up a Living Room
From 1-bedroom apartments to larger houses, the living room sets the tone for the rest of the home. It should be calming for ourselves and our housemates, as well as any visitors we invite in; it should be equal parts comfort and style. With the right pieces, like those available at Value City Furniture, our houses become homes. So, what should we consider to truly personalize our main living spaces? Ask yourself some basic questions: Do you enjoy having guests over?
Oct 5, 2016