Cozy bedroom with star-shaped light, colorful pillows, and eclectic wall art on a yellow wall.
Before & After: Award Winning Teen Dream To Cool College Room
Anna’s lime green room had won her a teen interior design contest, but three years later, this 19-year-old graphic design major had other plans for the space. From Anna: About three summers ago, I had the honor of working with Pottery Barn Teen as their “student stylist.” As a Student Stylist, I wrote articles and produced pictures and videos for their website, with the focus of the videos/pictures/articles being my room.
Mar 14, 2015
Krista’s 100-Year-Old Charming, Thrifty Rental
Name: Krista Byers Location: Saint Charles, Illinois Our home is a house we rent and it is nearly 100 years old in one of Chicago’s most charming suburbs. Everything in our home is done on an extreme budget. Nearly everything in the home was found thrifting, at a yard sale or on Craigslist!
Mar 14, 2015
Megan & Josh’s Thrifty Family Home
Name: Megan and Josh Miller Location: Nashville, Tennessee Size: 2,000 square feet Years lived in: 5 1/2 years Megan is a stay-at-home mom with two girls and a baby on the way. Stretching a dollar is sometimes a necessity, but it’s also fun. Scouring Craigslist, flea markets, discount stores, and garage sales are a way of life for her. In fact, she’s gotten so good at finding Craigslist deals she started Curating Craigslist to share her finds with people in the Nashville area.
Mar 14, 2015
Trend Alert: Navy, Marble, and Brass
Mar 13, 2015
Tyler & Jack’s Musical Chairs
Name: Tyler and Jack Location: Heritage Hill; Grand Rapids, Michigan Size: 1,000 square feet Years lived in: 2 years; Rented Tyler and Jack have the best-smelling home I’ve toured so far. As I entered their apartment, the scent of pine trees and an Up North campfire hit me. The incense and candle fragrances floated from room to room as dreamy, lounge music from Neon Indian and Bonobo spun on the record player. I began counting the number of iconic chairs in the apartment: fourteen.
Mar 13, 2015
15 Tropical Cocktails That Will Make You Forget All About Winter
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From The Kitchn → 15 Tropical Cocktails That Will Make You Forget All About Winter
Mar 13, 2015
How To Find Lost Stuff: Our Best Step-by-Step Sanity Saving Tips
You can be someone who is constantly saying “Where are my keys” or you can be the kind of person who only loses something every now and then (but loses it really, really well) — the result is always the same. Time lost, frustration and, if you’re me, a slight panic that slowly grips you as you wonder, “where the heck is my _______?!” You might be compelled to search for something in the last place you remember leaving it.
Mar 12, 2015
Halle & Jeff’s East Village Apartment
Name: Halle and Jeff Location: East Village, New York, NY Size: 1,250 square feet Years lived in: 1 The talented guest photographer for this tour, Emily Johnston, gave us the background scoop on this newly redesigned apartment: “Halle and her husband Jeff recently moved to NYC from San Francisco. They were looking for that rare city home with outdoor space when they found and fell in love with this East Village apartment.
Mar 12, 2015
5 Ways To Use Citrus Peels
(Image credit: Natasha Breen) From The Kitchn → 5 Good Uses for Your Citrus Peels
Mar 12, 2015
The Lazy Person’s Guide to Organizing Your Kitchen
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From The Kitchn → The Lazy Person’s Guide to Organizing the Kitchen
Mar 11, 2015
Marlowe’s Southern California Roots
Name: Marlowe Clementine Location: Echo Park; Los Angeles, California Room Size: 17.5 ft x 9 ft Last time we visited the home of Amy Pigliacampo and her husband Corey Szopinksi, they had been living there a mere 2 months. Now three years later, with their daughter on the way, Amy has completely redesigned their spare bedroom. Marlowe Clementine is due in March, soon to be welcomed home to one of the most creative and original nurseries I’ve ever seen.
Mar 10, 2015
Before & After: Yellowed Dresser Gets Restored
Normally a member of the tribe of wood painters, Krizia decided this dresser was too lovely to coat. She did decide to ditch the yellowing finish and give it a refresh, though. See the results: From Krizia: This is a dresser I picked up not too long ago from Craigslist for $60! The shape was so gorgeous and I loved the size and bulk of the piece. What I didn’t love was the dated yellowish finish and there were plenty of scratches and scuff marks everywhere.
Mar 10, 2015
Lessons Learned From Beautifully Organized Kitchen Cabinets
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From The Kitchn → 15 Beautifully Organized Kitchen Cabinets (and Tips We Learned from Each)
Mar 10, 2015
Christine & Will’s Serene Hoboken Home
Name: Christine & Will Arcuri Location: Hoboken, New Jersey Size: 1,177 square feet Years lived in: 4 years Christine and Will didn’t know where to start when they purchased their Hoboken condo. Their pad boasted a mix of overstuffed bachelor furniture and other mis-matched items. In order to inject a dose of style and create a more grown-up home, they worked with Jessica Davis of Nest Studio (whom you might remember from Jessica & Scott’s East Coast Nest).
Mar 9, 2015
Before & After: The Totally Transformed, Under $50 Fireplace Makeover
The dark-and-orangey fireplace in Amber’s living room was not her style. With a little ingenuity, she managed to give it a lovely light facelift, for under $50. From Amber: When we first moved into our house it was dark! Dark walls, dark trim and a big boxy and dark fireplace with orange tile. Not exactly our style. We’ve been diligently working to lighten everything up, but the biggest eyesore was also the main focal point of the living room – the fireplace!
Mar 9, 2015
Before & After: Mismatched IKEA Table Gets a Concrete Makeover
Aimee’s twin toddlers had done a number on her dining set, but she was hesitant to shell out for something new while they still have an appetite for destruction. Inspired by kitchen counter DIYs, this IKEA table gets a tough new top: From Aimee: I was the sad owner of an even sadder, hodgepodge dining set – Ikea table and chairs, Target bench. The tabletop had taken quite the beating, thanks to the 2-year-old-twins who eat at it 37 times a day.
Mar 9, 2015
Lauren’s Chicago Mix of Finds
Name: Lauren Baker Location: Chicago, Illinois I am the Marketing Events Manager for The Land of Nod based in Chicago. (I plan all the events for our stores around the country, and plan all our bus tours for our #nodtourbus. Dream job!) I purchased my two bedroom/one bath condo seven months ago in the Ravenswood neighborhood in Chicago. Although it had a traditional builder 2007 look, I totally had a vision, and was obsessed with the large window and light when you walked in!
Mar 8, 2015
Jess’ Colorful Melbourne Townhouse
Name: Jess Viscarde, partner and Peg the rescue cat. Location: North Fitzroy, Melbourne, Australia Size: Two bedroom, two story townhouse (square feet unknown) Years lived in: 18 months, rented An interior stylist by trade, Jess also started and curates the popular #pocketofmyhome hashtag on Instagram. A sucker for a great vignette, she loves nothing more than changing up her living space to reflect her interests and aesthetic.
Mar 8, 2015
Kendra’s Character-filled Cambridge Townhouse
Name: Kendra O’Neill Location: Boston, Masschusetts My gorgeous townhouse apartment is located in Cambridge, Masschusetts just a few blocks from Harvard Yard. What really sold me on this place was the exposed brick. I’m a sucker for character and three large walls gave me just that. It’s a fairly large apartment as it has a full living room, eat in kitchen, small laundry room, 2 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Plus when the snow melts, I have great outdoor space.
Mar 7, 2015
Clare & Mike’s Super Glam Salvaged “Brady Bunch” Home
Name: Clare (Broadcast Producer) & Mike (Advertising Creative Director) Location: Leaside – Toronto, Ontario, Canada We both lived in Leaside when we started dating. Mike has 3 children and I have 2. They range in age from 12 to 17. Mike was living in a small apartment and I was living in a small 3 bedroom house. We got married in September of 2014 and needed to find a new house that was big enough to fit all 7 of us.
Mar 6, 2015
The Epic Guide to Organizing Everything in Your Kitchen
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From The Kitchn → Our Epic (Almost) A-Z Guide to Organizing Your Kitchen
Mar 5, 2015
Before & After: Blank Entryway Gets a Bright, Easy Makeover
My apartment’s entryway is an angled, narrow pseudo-hall that opens to my main living space. After searching for a way to create some definition, I decided to do a little painting project, inspired by my coworking space. Here’s the inspiration: I love that I work from a place that makes bold design decisions, so when my WeWork location recently opened up this new common area, I filed away this simple geometric painting technique for future use.
Mar 5, 2015
Before & After: The Early Bird Gets The Hairpin Desk
I found myself in the vicinity of my favorite thrift store just before the doors opened recently, and while I wasn’t hardcore enough to stand in the sub-zero cold with the other bargain hunters, I made it in early enough to find this lovely hairpin Frankenstein-ish desk. I saw it in the back of the store and immediately scooped it up! I didn’t really have a need for (or a place to put) it, but I’ve never had the strength to pass up hairpin legs.
Mar 4, 2015
Beata & Gerrit’s Dutch Rowhouse
Name: Beata & Gerrit Location: Almere, near Amsterdam, The Netherlands We love the modern Bauhaus-type square block of our non-traditional Dutch row-house in Almere, right near Amsterdam. It’s a two-bedroom bungalow with a small enclosed patio. Gerrit grew up near here and my original home is Duesseldorf, Germany, which is only a 2-hour drive away. After having lived in the U.S.
Mar 4, 2015
Happy Evenings at Home: 5 Things to Do the Moment Work’s Over
How you spend your days, as the saying goes, is how you spend your life. And because work takes up such a huge chunk of many of our lives, it’s worth examining the other chunks — the small moments in the evenings after work — to see how one might improve that time so you’re not just living for the weekends.
Mar 4, 2015
Before & After: Nashville Cottage Gets a Charming Update
This small house near Nashville had been left unloved for awhile. Claudia decided to give it the makeover it deserved, including some much-needed curb appeal: From Claudia: This is one of two projects that I just recently finished in the area of Nashville, TN. The cottage had been vacant since 2010 and in a huge disarray.
Mar 3, 2015
Ty & Lynne’s Colorful Chicago Studio
Name: Ty & Lynne McDaniel Location: Humboldt Park; Chicago, Illinois Size: 1,200 square feet Years lived in: 3 Ty and Lynne McDaniel, owners and founders of the fantastic Chicago furniture store An Orange Moon, have created a hip and airy crash pad in the back of their shop. Located in the heart of Humbolt Park, the store/studio is brimming with history and charm. Lynne has been a pioneer in the advancement of the neighborhood, and has used those same skills in transforming their personal space.
Mar 2, 2015
Before & After: IKEA STUVA Cabinet Becomes Built-In Desk
Jill was looking for a budget-friendly option to add a modern industrial look to her home’s new addition. Enter the IKEA STUVA, a smart DIY tabletop, and just check out the result: From Jill: We just finished adding a little over 300 sq. ft. to our small house, and have now begun the process of furnishing the space. I loved the idea of a wall to wall desk for the office, but I couldn’t find a modern/industrial looking desk that fit both my budget and needs.
Mar 2, 2015
How To Care for Copper Cookware
(Image credit: Erika Tracy) From The Kitchn → How To Clean and Polish Copper
Mar 2, 2015
Wendy’s Cozy & Historic Indiana Home
Name: Wendy Location: Wabash, Indiana My home is an apartment in a 1902 duplex in Wabash, Indiana. At 2,000 square feet it is more than roomy enough for myself, four children and our little dog and big cat. I grew up in this small Midwestern town and after being away for several years I decided to move back after some major life changes. It was a huge adjustment for us for several reasons: We had lived in our prior home for 12 years. It was situated back a long lane, nestled deep in the woods.
Mar 1, 2015
David’s Museum-Style Home
Name: Brick + Mortar Location: Size: Years lived in: David Kowalski, the vintage curator/designer behind local Atlanta favorites such as Bell Street BurritosThe PinewoodLadybird Grove & Mess Hall David certainly keeps himself busy with new projects rolling in, and most recently, his pop-up shop in the Westside Provisions District. So, I was lucky enough to catch him on a rainy afternoon which happened to be the perfect vibe for his comfy 1930s bungalow.
Mar 1, 2015
Before & After: DIY Bathroom Update Under $1,200
How do you balance the need for updates when you’re waiting to do a larger remodel? Ashley and her family faced that exact conundrum when they set out to spend not a ton of money on a bathroom update that’ll get them through the next five years. From Ashley: Our goal with this DIY bathroom update was to modernize it and make it fit us without spending a ton of money. This bathroom will eventually be part of a large scale remodel, but eventually is the key word.
Mar 1, 2015
Before & After: Broken Wardrobe Gets a Worldly Weathering
Marlane spotted this broken wardrobe at a thrift store. She decided with a little love, it could be a solid replacement for an IKEA piece. From Marlane: I got this 1930s wardrobe for $50 at my local thrift, broken pieces and all. It seemed like the wardrobe had once been dropped, but other than that it was in good condition. Definitely old, but not a priceless antique. When I got it home, it was a lot more broken than it had looked!
Feb 28, 2015
Julie’s 700 Square Foot Art Deco Minneapolis Apartment
Name: Julie Carroll Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota I live in a classic 700 square foot Art Deco apartment in Minneapolis. The building was constructed in the early 1930s and maintains much of the original charm (cast iron radiators, porcelain farm sink, crystal door knobs, and the ornate brass light fixtures.) I was drawn to the beauty and opulent architecture of this otherwise modest space. My interior styling is inspired by my Minnesota/Scandinavian heritage.
Feb 28, 2015
Before & After: How to Turn a Dining Room (Or Any Room!) Into a Guest Room Someone Would Actually Want to Stay In
Writer and editor Melanie Warner Spencer’s apartment in Uptown New Orleans is filled with charm, but no guest bedroom. So she’s come up with a way to transform her dining area into an inviting space a guest would actually want to stay in — and has tips and ideas you could steal for your own home.
Feb 28, 2015
5 Really Great Reasons to Float The Furniture in Your Living Room
Are you struggling with how to fit your furniture in the living room, and can’t for the life of you come up with a good layout? You might need to “float” your furniture — or pull everything out from the wall and create an island of sorts comprising your sofa, chairs and tables — and anchor it all with an area rug. What decorating magic is this do you ask? And how will you know if this is the answer?
Feb 27, 2015
Sarah’s Crisp and Clever Small Space in Chicago
Name: Sarah Location: Lakeview – Chicago, IL After graduating from the University of Michigan with a B.F.A. in Art & Design, I risked a move to the bustling city of Chicago to begin my pursuit towards a career in fashion. I only planned on staying a few short years, but, five years on, I’m still a happy resident of the ever chic and fashion-forward Windy City.
Feb 27, 2015
How to Be Your Own Professional Organizer: 10 Top Tips from the Pros
We can all use a little organizing reminder every now and again; I know I do. I always start out with the best intentions, and then they fall by the wayside shortly thereafter. I’ve gathered 10 tips used by professional organizers— just to scan over — whenever I need a little help getting back on track: 1. Get Ready The Night Before.
Feb 27, 2015
9 Rugless Rooms That Rock
It’s always interesting when homeowners make an unexpected choice in their spaces. In these nine rooms, one might expect to see a rug, yet these decorators have chosen to forgo one. It’s a slightly more subtle, sparse look that really lets the rest of the room shine. Take a look. So, tell us. What do you think about this look? Would you (do you) sport a bare floor?
Feb 26, 2015
IKEA Hack: The Best BILLY Built-Ins of All Time
Transforming IKEA furniture — and especially the BILLY bookshelf — has been done before. But when I saw this hack, I was truly impressed. Prepare to have a bunch of superlatives spewed your way, because it’s really that good… Gwen from The Makerista recently redecorated her friend Laura’s living room and, as part of the project, brought someone in to create these remarkable “custom” library shelves, using the IKEA Billy as the base.
Feb 25, 2015
4 Lessons Learned From Cooking On an Electric Stove
(Image credit: Emma Christensen) Emma’s a better cook because of her time with an electric stove, but she also won’t miss it when she moves. From The Kitchn → 4 Lessons I Learned From My Electric Stove
Feb 25, 2015
Kera’s Modern Cultural Family Home in Abu Dhabi
Today, we continue our collaborative series curated by Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason of Aphrochic for Apartment Therapy. They handpick homes from around the world to share that capture the culture and style that they celebrate in their book, Remix: Decorating with Culture, Objects, and Soul.
Feb 23, 2015
Before & After: Cabinet Gets a Cool Mint Makeover
This little mid century cabinet had seen a shabby paint job. Nicole decided to fix it up and add a little more functionality to it. From Nicole: This cabinet was badly painted and beaten up. It previously had a door on the right side from what I could tell because there were notches and holes from hinges. The drawer and legs were the best features of this piece and I knew with a little love it could be great.
Feb 23, 2015
Before & After: From Pink to Perfect Bedroom Makeover
Have I got a doozy of a before & after for you today. Have you ever purchased a house or moved into a rental that comes with plenty of the previous owner’s ‘character’? For Lidy and her family that meant acquiring a bright fuschia bedroom when they purchased their home near Calgary, Canada. It takes a strong vision and sense of style to transform a room like this into something so modern and cool. Above is how the room looked when they decided to purchase the house.
Feb 23, 2015
Are You a Highly Sensitive Person? How to Set Up Your Home & Routines to Best Fit Your Life
I’ve been reading about the designation of Highly Sensitive People (and greatly identifying with it). Highly Sensitive People are particularly aware of and affected by stimuli in their environment— things ranging from physical objects, light, and sound, to unseen things like others’ moods. The designation was first put forth by San Francisco clinical psychologist Elaine Aron, PhD, and there’s a self-test here.
Feb 23, 2015