Much-Hyped Interior Trends That Are Vanishing Without a Whisper
Whether about polka-dot blouses or gold hardware, you know what they say: Trends come and go. You may hate that Pepto-Bismol pink bathroom in your fixer-upper, but we can all but guarantee the original owners installed it because it was in fashion, and not the cheapest tile in the store. So why do tastes change so much over the years? Aqua blue was everywhere—cars, refrigerators, toys, stoves, bathroom tile—in the years following World War II, explains Claire E.
Jun 16, 2018
10 Ways to Make a New Home Look Old
Try implementing some of these tips to give your modern dry-walled digs an extra helping of soul.
Jun 13, 2018
Remembering Kate Spade’s Iconic Style
We were so saddened to hear that Kate Spade was found dead by apparent suicide today. Her influence on the world of design and fashion is immeasurable and we will so miss her iconic style. From her handbags to her home goods, Kate brought delight into our lives by approaching simple items with a sense of joy and whimsy.
Jun 5, 2018
16 of the Most Beautiful Scandinavian-Inspired Home Designs
The thing about design styles is that when they become a ubiqutious trend—like the mid-century modern look or the ’70s style bohemian resurgence this year—is that they take on a life of their own after awhile. What starts as a decor movement anchored in traditions and classic elements can evolve and reshape itself with every home it touches.
Jun 5, 2018
We’re Totally Obsessed With This New IKEA Hack That Has a Feminist Twist
We all love IKEA for its simple, Scandinavian design and reasonable prices, but that versatility and affordability often makes decorating your home painfully ubiquitous. Instead of unearthing a one-of-a-kind piece—and feeling like a total design pro—you end up with the same furniture as your coworker, best friend, old college roommate, and your favorite influencers. Ugh. But just because you (rightfully) love IKEA doesn’t mean your space needs to fall into basic territory.
May 31, 2018
The Pros and Cons of Exposed Bulbs
We got the skinny on the polarizing trend.
May 29, 2018
A First-Time Homeowner Aims for “Minimalist Hygge”
Name: Lauren White Location: Sacramento, California Size: 1,100 square feet Years lived in: 4 months, owned This is the first home I’ve ever owned. I’m single, and have a full-time job as well as owning my own photography business, so when looking for a home to purchase, I wanted something that was new and wouldn’t require any flipping or renovation. I found this new development with the perfect 1,100 square foot condo for me!
May 19, 2018
7 Design Tricks You Can Do With Mirrors
If you're not completely happy with your home's current look, try implementing these brilliant mirror tricks and you'll be in for a real treat.
May 18, 2018
This is a Way Better Version of the Himalayan Salt Lamp Trend
Move over, Himalayan salt lamps. There’s a new trend in town. Himalayan salt lamps, known for their orange glow and dubious air-cleansing properties, have had their time to in the spotlight, but it looks like these accent pieces are about to be dethroned by the latest addition to the well-decor scene: selenite lamps. Bonus: These new crystal-based mood boosters are already one step ahead in the looks department. Selenite lamps are made out of a naturally semi-translucent form of gypsum.
May 16, 2018
These Mugs are Works of Art
That first cup of delicious morning coffee; that afternoon latte; a late night cup of tea [insert long blissfully happy sigh]—arguably the best part of your day, right? It’s those beautiful moments of peace, in the midst of emails and back-to-back meetings, and there’s just you and your caffeine (or decaf) du jour.
May 14, 2018
What 12 Designers Learned From Their Moms About Decorating
We turn to our moms for advice on just about anything—how to navigate our careers, deal with relationship issues, recreate our favorite childhood dish… the list goes on and on. As for me, I’ve even been known to ask my mom to help me choose a health insurance and 401(k) plan and I’m 29 years old. The point is, our moms have taught us a lot. In honor of Mother’s Day, we asked designers what their moms taught them about decorating.
May 13, 2018
This Hardworking Material Looks Just as Good In Your Home as It Does on Your Tush
If I asked you to imagine something made of denim, I’m guessing you’d probably think of a pair of pants—not a couch. Over the years, this distinctive blue canvas material has become almost synonymous with blue jeans. The idea of using denim in interior decor may seem a bit strange to you—I thought so too, until I saw this striking sofa in actress Denise Vasi’s Los Angeles home and began to wonder: what if?
May 13, 2018
Here Are Some Lovely Ways to Decorate With Purple
And here's how to decorate it at home.
May 10, 2018
A Minimal, Monochromatic Cottage on the Oregon Coast
Name: Taylor Abbott, husband, and two crazy pups. Location: Neskowin, Oregon Size: 846 square feet Years lived in: 6 months, owned My husband Keaten and I have always dreamt of buying a beach house on the Oregon coast. When the opportunity came, we jumped on it and bought a small, very outdated cottage built in the ’60s with a ton of potential. The cottage is only a few steps to the beach, which is our dream.
May 8, 2018
These are the Trendy Pool Floats That Will Earn You Insta-fame This Year
It is almost summer, and that means it is almost time for your friends to post pictures of themselves on Instagram, gracefully posed on top of some trendy pool float in some enviable location. Look, the rise of the statement pool float is one of the weirder things about Instagram, but I remember that, as an 8-year-old, I was once very, very excited about a pool float shaped like an alligator, so I have no room to judge.
May 6, 2018
Here’s the Truth About Open Shelving (From People Who Have Them)
Ahhh, open shelving. There are some very strong opinions about this kitchen trend. I’m 99% ready to take the leap myself, ditching the looming floor-to-ceiling boxy pantries a previous owner added to our Victorian home. They close in the already small-ish space But it’s a big commitment to move to an everything-on-display kitchen. Sure, they look beautiful on Pinterest, but what’s it really like to live with open shelves?
Apr 25, 2018
A CEO’s Small Studio Apartment Oozes San Francisco Charm
She lives in a dreamy, minimal studio apartment in the heart of downtown SF.
Apr 24, 2018
Every ’90s Kid Will Remember These Totally Rad Home Decor Items
Whether you’re watching the latest television reboot or liking the latest retro #TBT on your timeline, nostalgia for the ’90s is at an all time high. While the pop culture love fest for the decade rages on, let’s take a look back at some of the craziest decorating trends that will give any 90s kid a truly rad blast from the past. Maybe the ’90s should have been known as the see-through decade. Transparency was totally in when it came to home decor.
Apr 16, 2018
Move Aside Mudcloth: This is The New “It” Home Textile
Perhaps you’ve currently got a piece of mudcloth casually draped over the foot of your bed or the edge of your sofa. It’s probably been happily living there, undisturbed, for a couple of years without so much as a second thought. You might be surprised to learn, however, that a new fabric is taking the design world by storm. If you haven’t heard of cactus silk, allow us to introduce you.
Apr 15, 2018
The Story of How the Magical ‘Museum of Ice Cream’ Came to Life
Anyone who’s scrolled through Instagram in the past year or so might have spotted someone knees-deep in a pool full of sprinkles. If you’ve thought “what on earth is this magical land where you can swim in millions of rainbow Jimmies?,” here’s the answer: the Museum of Ice Cream. It’s part-playground, part-“museum,” and 100% FOMO inducing.
Apr 7, 2018
A Different Type of Tiny House: Replicas of Homes Are The New Decorative Trend
You know you’re completely satisfied with your humble abode when you drop stacks of cash to have someone create a miniature replica of your house. Apparently, these tiny examples of non-kid-friendly, grown-up decor are perfect to display alongside your other pricey trinkets that are presumably placed out of the reach of tiny, toy-seeking hands. According to Bloomberg, these small scale models have become popular thanks to companies like U.K.-based model maker, Chisel & Mouse.
Apr 6, 2018
A 300-Square-Foot Minimal, Monochrome Loft Is Little but Lovely
Name: Francisco Arrechea Martinez Location: Mar del Plata, Argentina Size: 291 square feet Years lived in: 2 years, owned This loft, located in the city of Mar del Plata on the Argentine coast, is owned by Francisco Arrechea Martínez, a young fashion stylist. The architecture and interior design are by Paola and Natalia Benedetti. It is located on the top floor of a very old tower, reached by a three-floor walk-up.
Apr 2, 2018
The Charming L.A. Home of ‘This Is Us’ Star Susan Kelechi Watson
You might know Susan Kelechi Watson from her role as Beth from the constant-sob-inducing show This Is Us, or recognize her as Janet, the ex-wife from Louie. But there’s more to Susan than her impeccable acting skills—she also has an amazing Los Angeles apartment that’s chock-full of personality. Her home feels welcoming, airy, and full of color and fun.
Mar 28, 2018
These Tiny Apartments Could Be an Affordable Way to Fight Homelessness
With homelessness on the rise in New York City due to government funding cuts, rising rents and stagnating wages, the overburdened shelter system is failing those who need it most. As the government works to figure out how to support the cities homeless, many of whom are working but simply can’t afford the city, individual architecture and design firms are also considering new and inventive ways to provide low-cost or free housing.
Mar 23, 2018
This Vintage Style Might Just Be the New Mid-Century Modern
Of course, before mid-century modern there was shabby chic, and before that there was that awful oversize Tuscan villa-esque furniture that looked like it was made for giants, but no style has had quite the staying power that mid-century modern has. When I graduated college, in 2005, we were talking about it, and 13 years later, we still are. This, of course, means that people like me are always trying to predict what “the next” MCM is. Is it Italian Modernism? Is it Victoriana?
Mar 19, 2018
The International Obsession With Cozy — More Than Just a Fleeting Trend?
What does cozy mean to you? I’m writing this story wrapped in a wool tartan blanket, my big dog at my feet, wearing a fuzzy sweater (hand knitted by a Norwegian, I kid you not). It would be better if the fireplace in the room where I’m writing worked, but late afternoon sunlight is pouring in the window and that’s almost as good.
Feb 6, 2018
Modern & Minimal in Milwaukee
Name: Andrew and Kiel Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Size: 1,400 square feet Years lived in: 2.5 years, owned. We moved to Milwaukee almost three years ago from San Francisco, as part of a challenge to ourselves to try a new adventure. Wisconsin is a slower pace of life than in California, and we’ve found it to be a great place to not only own our first home but to also enjoy being within it.
Feb 5, 2018
A Petite Parisian Apartment Bursting With Botanicals Will Make You Green With Envy
It's a peaceful retreat for this couple, filled with plants and love.
Feb 2, 2018
Are Granny Flats The New Tiny House?
With many major cities facing an affordable housing crisis, alternative modes of living have been on the rise. From tiny houses, to van life, to shipping container homes, we’ve seen a host of stories about the creative spaces folks are outfitting in order to live within their means. And while these alternative spaces work for many, there are drawbacks, usually in the form of permits and impermanence.
Jan 18, 2018
Greta Garbo’s Insta-Worthy Apartment Sold For $8.5 Million
Swedish siren of the silver screen, Oscar winner, and actual film legend Greta Garbo had one hell of a home. The actor’s former apartment, located in the exclusive Campanile, hit the market in March and recently sold for well above the asking price. Up from the initial asking price of $5.95 million to a whopping $8.5 million, the home went under contract almost as soon as it hit the market, finding the final buyer in December.
Jan 10, 2018
A Frank Lloyd Wright Building In Montana Is About To Be Demolished
Frank Lloyd Wright fanatics everywhere are undoubtedly hoping a buyer who has an appreciation for the famed architect’s expansive legacy – along with a cool nest egg stashed away – will step in and save one of just three FLW structures in Montana from demolition. As Curbed reports, The Lockridge Medical Center in White Fish, Montana will meet a most unpleasant fate unless someone pays the $1.
Jan 9, 2018
7 “Old Fashioned” Decor Ideas That Are Actually Super Chic
Blue and white ginger jars have always had a special place in decorators’ (and grandma’s) hearts, but Chinoiserie has had a massive boom in searches on Pinterest lately, meaning it’s going mainstream. And that spike is only part of a much larger trend of old, antique, and retro aesthetics coming back into vogue. Not only are ginger jars having a moment, but so are sputnik lamps, velvet upholstery, and rattan pieces, among many others.
Jan 7, 2018
Kristen Wiig Now Calls This Pasadena Case Study House Home
Adding to the list of celebrity homes we want to live in but have settled for fawning over, actress and comedian Kristen Wiig recently acquired a new piece of real estate in Pasadena. The $2.96 million, 3,425-square-foot home sits on one-third of an acre in the hillside neighborhood of San Rafael, a picturesque post situated above the historic Rose Bowl. Father and son architect duo Kemper Nomland and Kemper Nomland Jr.
Dec 29, 2017
Something Called a Pajama Lounge Is Trending (& You’re Going to Want One)
There’s a new term roaming the corridors of the internet that made our ears perk up the second we heard it and we think you’re going to like it, too. It’s called a “pajama lounge”, and we want one. The idea is nothing new, though: growing up in suburbia, you may have had an upstairs loft or living room where the kids studied, watched TV maybe before heading down to the kitchen for a bowl of cereal if your home was spacious enough.
Dec 23, 2017
100+ Years of Tradition: Vintage Retail Holiday Window Displays Through the Years
Long ago, before anybody had even dreamed of the internet, people did their holiday shopping in a charmingly analog way: by scoping out gifts in store windows. Then, in 1883, the smart folks at the Macy’s department store in New York City realized that they could draw even more people to their store windows by putting on a show.
Dec 15, 2017
The Half Wreath is the Only Way We’re Doing Wreaths This Year
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what gives the half wreath its undeniable je ne sais quoi. Perhaps it’s its deconstructed, minimal aesthetic; or maybe it’s just a blatant disregard for convention that we find so attractive. Whatever it is, one thing’s for certain…this elevated look is affordable, accessible, and totally DIYable for all. Half wreaths are versatile in that they can be left simple, or embellished with as many blooms and baubles as your heart desires.
Dec 10, 2017
3 Reasons This Country’s Homes Are So Devastatingly Dreamy
Some of the most beautiful homes I saw this year were from The Netherlands. From houses in Amsterdam’s bustling urban center to organic modern homes full of history in bucolic country settings, each home perfectly embodies the personality and spirit of the person living in it. But while each space is wholly unique, I noticed a series of three important things that folks living in Dutch homes seem to “get right” when it comes to design.
Dec 8, 2017
No Fireplace Needed: The Clever Stocking Hanging Idea Taking Over Pinterest
One of the most charming things about holiday decor are the stockings lined up across a mantel—but what happens if you don’t have a fireplace? Ah well, then of course you dot your staircase banister with them. What? No staircase either? Never fear! This clever idea taking over Pinterest works for everyone, no matter your architectural shortcomings. Decorative ladders in living rooms have been a big trend these last few years, usually used to hang blankets and throws.
Dec 7, 2017
The Paper-Free Gift Wrapping Technique You Need to Try This Year
I did not grow up in a house that delicately opened gifts on Christmas morning. My mother did not collect all the intact gift wrap, fold it carefully and stash it away for another use. We were savages that ripped open presents with abandon. The more shreds I could get out of each box, the longer the unwrapping lasted, which made me a happier child. (My mother did, however, always save gift boxes—the kind you put shirts and pajama sets in—as well as gift bags because she was no fool.
Dec 4, 2017
Twitter Has A Lot of Feelings About This New Holiday Trend
If 2017 left you feeling like your life got flipped turned upside down, then you wouldn’t be the only one. And there’s a new (whimsical?) holiday trend to support the state of affairs, and we have Karl Lagerfeld to thank/blame. On Wednesday, Claridge’s unveiled their annual Christmas tree, a tradition which hospitality site The Caterer calls “one of the highlights of the London hotel festive season”, and this year, it’s… upside down.
Nov 25, 2017
Could Italian Modernism Be the New Look of Now?
Is this the look that's destined to be all over design blogs in two to five years? Or just a flash in the pan?
Nov 20, 2017
Seasteading Is A Utopian Vision for Homesteading the Ocean
There’s a saying that’s always been popular with American homesteaders: “They aren’t making any more land.” While it still holds as modern conventional wisdom, that’s not stopping a handful of innovative city planning pioneers and startup founders around the globe, who are taking their utopian visions of manifest destiny to “the blue frontier” — and using Burning Man as inspiration.
Nov 15, 2017
Pineapples Are Coming For Your Christmas Trees
If you wandered over to Instagram or Pinterest at all during October, you probably saw your share of carved pineapples instead of pumpkins (yes, this is apparently a thing). Not satisfied with just being a symbol of summer, the tropical fruit is also aiming to take over Christmas by standing in for your fir or pine.
Nov 4, 2017
Over & Out: 10 Home Trends Our Readers Are Ready to Say Goodbye To
To dig into the heads of our most loyal followers, we surveyed readers last month on a bevy of topics. They revealed their favorite cleaning shortcuts, their most hated chore, even the Apartment Therapy advice that has been a game-changer for their home life. We also asked them about trends. We learned that readers are still pretty much into the whole boho look and really love colored doors (and color, in general).
Oct 29, 2017
How “Gen Z Yellow” Became the Color of a Generation
As a person who writes content for the internet, I am uncomfortably familiar with the lengths people will go to to entice people to click on their content. “X is the new Y” is a well-trod and reliable formula. Because who wouldn’t want to know what’s new? So when I saw the first flurry of articles crowning something called “Gen Z Yellow” the new Millennial Pink, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes a little bit. Another day, another trend piece.
Oct 26, 2017
Decor Double Take: A High & Low Cost Version of a Super Trendy Mirror
Some trends come and go, while others come, stay, and leaving us saying, “wait, why wasn’t this always a thing?”. With a simplicity and softness that feels timeless in its appeal, we think trendy round mirrors are here to stay. If you’ve been on the fence about “rounding out” your mirror collection, here are two nearly identical round brass-framed mirrors in two not-so-identical price points ($50 vs.
Oct 17, 2017
Are People Really Painting Their Walls White For Insta-Stardom?
The Wall Street Journal recently published a story with a simple yet shocking premise: “To make their home interiors look better on Instagram and amass more followers, millennials and social-media mavens are painting their walls white.” What do you think of that? What do we think of that?
Oct 12, 2017
A Gorgeous Modern Duplex in Mumbai
Project by: Gaurav Kharkar and Vidhita Kharkar of Gaurav Kharkar and Associates Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India This gorgeous duplex for a family of six has some incredible window action going on. Gaurav and Vidhita Kharkar created a space that is modern and sophisticated but exudes a welcoming warmth. From Gaurav and Vidhita: This three bedroom, sea-facing apartment is home to a family of six. Spread over 2,000 square feet across two levels, the residence exudes warmth and liveliness.
Oct 7, 2017
The Pattern Trends That May Have Overstayed Their Welcome
Before getting down to business, I would like to say no disrespect to any of the prints featured in this article. They are all wonderful motifs in their own right, but for reasons ranging from over saturation to too many knock-off versions, 2017 may be the year to put down the palms. What do you think? I reached out to a couple of well-known designers to get their take on prints they think are too trendy or tired.
Oct 3, 2017
Is Hygge Still A Thing? We Investigate.
Hygge was one of Oxford Dictionary’s Words of the Year in 2016, when the concept of conscious coziness was everywhere. Apartment Therapy featured What Does Hygge Mean?, How To Add More Hygge, Hygge Can Be A Recipe For A Happy Life, Hooked On A (Hygge) Feeling…and a handful of other hygge-theme posts. (We also ran Hygge and Hot Chocolate way back in 2007.) But as we head into fall 2017, does the Danish philosophy still have a hold on us?
Sep 25, 2017
The Suburb of The Future Could Be Free of Driveways and More Drone Friendly
Love ’em or hate ’em, it appears American suburbs are here to stay. But they might look very different 50 or even ten years from now. That’s according to Alan M. Berger, professor of landscape architecture and urban design at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who explained his vision for more sustainable suburban development in the New York Times this past weekend.
Sep 19, 2017
How a Decorating Duo Would Spend $200 to Update a Bedroom
We’ve heard it time and again: the bedroom is often the last place you tackle decorating because it’s behind closed doors (and it seems more practical to devote your energy and dollars to the more public areas of your home). However, just because you’re not ready to take a deep dive into reimagining your sleeping quarters doesn’t mean there isn’t something you can do to spruce up the place in the meantime…sort of like a pre-makeover.
Sep 12, 2017
Move Over, Minimalism: The “New Victorian” Look is On the Rise
Are you tired of minimalism? You've come to the right place.
Aug 13, 2017
Look We Love: How To Create Cozy English Cottage Style
If you find yourself constantly yearning for a Nancy Meyers-esque house swap to whisk you away to the English countryside, maybe it's time to bring the English countryside to you.
Aug 9, 2017
Edward Norton Buys $11.8M Architectural Wonder in Malibu
Actor Edward Norton just purchased an $11.8 million home in Malibu Colony. The beachfront strip of prime Malibu real estate has for decades been a fave among the Hollywood set. Prior to the ‘Fight Club’ actor snapping up this architectural wonder, the home had been listed on and off the market for four years, priced as high as $22 million. The Stevens’ Home, as the residence is called, has five bedrooms and five bathrooms situated over 3,366 square feet.
Aug 6, 2017
This Heart Shaped Island Comes with a Frank Lloyd Wright House
A piece of prime architectural history is up for sale, and a private island comes with it. Situated on the 11 acre, heart-shaped Petra Island in New York’s Putnam County, luxury real estate concierge Chilton & Chadwick have put the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed property on the market with a $14.92 million price tag.
Aug 5, 2017
The Most Popular Home in America: Why the Ranch Style is So Pervasive
If you’re thinking of buying a home, you’ve likely given a lot of thought to what style suits you best. Are you drawn to the sleek lines of modern architecture? Or are you a sucker for Craftsman style? If your answer happens to be the modern American ranch, well, you’re certainly not alone—according to a 2016 Trulia study, it’s the most popular pick in 34 states in the U.S.
Jul 20, 2017
The Cement Tile Trend is Holding Strong (& We Couldn’t Be Happier)
Some trends stand the test of time for a reason. Case in point: cement tiles. Although they’ve been making waves in the decor scene for a looong while now (historians date some versions back to the 12th Century), these beautiful tiles started to pop up inside the most design-savvy contemporary homes across the globe in recent years in a big way. And it’s not difficult to see why. Along with creating artfully polished displays, cement tiles are crafted from natural materials (i.e.
Jul 12, 2017
What is Considered an “Older” Home?
I distinctly remember during our home-buying journey when our real estate agent asked if we wanted new construction, something close to it, or if we’d be open to an “older” home. When we said yes, we knew that—in our budget—we would likely be looking at a few houses built in the early-to-mid 1900s. However, if we’d had a much larger budget, we could very well have wound up walking through (and legitimately considering) houses built in the early 1800s.
Jul 10, 2017
The Homes that America Built: A Crash Course in Favorite American Architecture Styles
I have this argument with friends every now and again: What’s “American” food? The question inspires a lively discussion, with a lot of suggestions but no real consensus. (It usually comes down to hog dogs or Southern-style barbeque.) Nailing down American food is a tough thing because there is so much of America. So many people and cultures and styles that manage to blend together and evolve over the (few) centuries the country’s been around.
Jul 4, 2017
If You Love Tile Indoors, Wait Until You See It Outdoors
Boldly patterned tile is starting to pop up in all sorts of unexpected places - including outdoors.
Jun 25, 2017
A High-Contrast Color Combo Trend for the Bedroom
There’s a color combination I’ve been seeing pop up in bedroom after bedroom recently. From transitional to eclectic to bohemian style, it seems to be the kind of combo that works with any decor look. And considering one half of the pair is very popular (like, the most popular), it’s not surprising that the trend is starting to swing in this direction.
Jun 21, 2017
You Do You: These “Rule Breakers” Prove You Can Use Rooms Any Darn Way You Want
Use a bedroom as a living room? An extra office space as a den? A closet as a bedroom?! Yes—though rooms come with “historical precedent” of how they were used in the past, it doesn’t mean you have to use a space in your home the way it was intended. Not only do you have permission to use your home any damn way you please—it just makes sense to do so. Why not craft a home that functions just the way you need?
Jun 8, 2017
Colored Mirrors & Glass Decor Are the (Potential) Trend I Can’t Get Enough Of
Anyone who lives, breathes, dreams design will understand the following: sometimes, you become fixated on something design-y, and then —like learning a new word that you start to hear everywhere — you start to see that design-y thing everywhere (much to your delight, but also much to your chagrin because you WANT.IT.) Well, that is me currently with colored glass and mirrors.
May 25, 2017
The Long, Low Shelf Is a Designer Trick That Never Fails
When you spend all day, every day, looking at pictures of interiors, you pick up a few tricks. Here’s one of my favorites—something I’ve spotted in a few different interiors, and that always looks great. As an added bonus, it’s cheaper than buying new furniture—and a super easy DIY. The styling secret I’m referring to? A single long, low shelf. (You can also double or triple these up, as suits your needs and the architecture of the space.
May 11, 2017
Stitch, Please! 9 Embroiderers Serving Up Instagram Eye Candy
Crafting trends ebb and flow just like decor trends come and go, and at the moment, embroidery is enjoying its time in the spotlight—and showing up on everything from jean jackets to tennis rackets. Whether you choose to pick up a needle and thread, or prefer to admire these beauties from afar, we’ve pulled together a sampler of Instagram accounts offering endless stitch-spiration.
Apr 9, 2017
Look We Absolutely Love: Dark Colors for the Bathroom
After getting burned by Eisenhower-era pinks and olive greens, we’ve been playing it safe, color-wise, in the bathroom for a long time. Subway tile and white walls dominate modern bathrooms, with maybe a little grey tile on the floor for contrast. But that may all be about to change. More and more now I’m starting to see bathrooms that embrace the darker, moodier colors that are already so popular in other parts of the house. Take a look at these nine stylish examples.
Apr 4, 2017
Join the Movement: How “Slow Design” Can Give You the Home You Really Want
In a world where buying a new sofa can be accomplished by a couple clicks, some in the design world are resisting this fast-paced, instant gratification direction in favor of a slower way. An offshoot of the Slow Movement — which began in Italy in 1986 as the Slow Food Movement (a natural reaction against a McDonald’s opening up) and has gained serious traction as of late — Slow Design focuses on process, origin and materials, while valuing the environment and the individual.
Mar 26, 2017
The Most Popular Kitchen Countertop Is No Longer Granite
It seems like just yesterday I was bemoaning the ubiquity of granite, hoping and praying it would go the way of the dodo bird and I’d never have to see its speckled self in a kitchen again. Now, after several years of declining use, the day has come: another surface has officially surpassed granite in terms of popularity. Any guesses as to what the new countertop du jour might be? It’s quartz, otherwise known as engineered stone.
Feb 23, 2017
The Online Decorator Secret Shopper Makeover: We Tried Out 3 Internet Design Services to Redecorate this Rental
Vijay Nathan—Product Manager for Apartment Therapy Media—and his wife Anita moved into their rental loft in Philadelphia last year, bringing along with them furniture pieces from previous homes that no longer felt quite right. Some things they loved, others they knew were now placeholders and in need of replacement. “We came to our marriage with furniture that had served us well when we lived apart, though most of it lacked personality and longevity,” says Vijay.
Feb 22, 2017
The Rules for Decorating an Older Home (Hint: Any Damn Way You Please)
My current apartment is housed in a building over 100 years old. And though it creaks and cracks a lot, nothing can replace the charm of tall ceilings, cove molding and other traditional building features. Yet I sometimes wonder if my furnishings do the space justice? Does my “Bohemian-meets-Maximalist-meets-Literally-Throw-Anything-Together” style really make the architectural details of this older building sing?
Feb 15, 2017
5 Tips for (Successfully) Decorating with Roommates (from Those Who’ve Been There)
No matter if your roommate is your soulmate or someone you found on Craigslist, co-decorating a home is likely going to require some compromises. Considering these 5 simple tips as you negotiate area rugs and couch colors with your roommate will help keep your home’s design—and your relationship—harmonious.
Feb 8, 2017