Decorating

Name: Ruby (2)Location: Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, AustraliaRoom Size: 10′ x 12′, 120 sq ft How to make a minimalist nursery still feel fun and inviting? Add color, texture, and a dash of whimsy. That’s exactly what Ruby’s mom, Danielle, did when she designed this space. The clean and simple design lends itself to easy changes as Ruby grows, while the hand woven hemp rug, crocheted pouf, colorful accessories, and wood floors add warmth and character to the space.

Name: Olivia Ellen (3)Location: Copenhagen, DenmarkRoom Size: 107 sq ft When your mother is a professional stylist you know you’re going to end up with an amazing room. Rikke Graff Juel designed this space for her daughter, Olivia Ellen, in much the same Scandinavian style as the rest of her home – white walls, plenty of vintage wood pieces combined with fresh modern colors and accessories.

You’ve no doubt heard Auto-Tune — it’s implemented in just about every pop song to both obvious and not-so-obvious effect. You may even be familiar with the term, thanks to performers like T-Pain who’ve made a career and an app out of it. But did you know that Auto-Tune was created by a research scientist who worked in the oil industry? We look at a brief history and also show you where you can download Auto-tune software to use on your home computer.

Name (Age): Hayden (12 weeks)Location: Seal Beach, CaliforniaRoom Size: 15′ x 11′ One wouldn’t generally think a room with white walls, furniture, and bedding could ever be called colorful, but add a few pops of neon here and there and what was once a monochromatic space suddenly leaves a very colorful impression. That’s exactly what Andrea decided to do in her littlest one’s nursery.

Child: Malcolm (4)Location: Oakville, OntarioRoom size: 10′ x 12′ Canadian designer, painter, and blogger Christine Dovey is constantly on a quest for the perfect score for her nearly perfect home. Yet she keeps perfection just out of reach, because what will she do when she’s done? Oh, perhaps she will take care of her three (soon to be four!) children. There’s that, too.

Paint color is all about creating an ambience for your home. That’s why it’s important to select paint colors based on how you want a room to feel instead of mindlessly adhering to trends. To prove our point, we called on color expert extraordinaire Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute and author of Colors For Your Every Mood, to help us break down the best paint colors for every room of your home.

Uh-oh. Has that baby of mine really worked out how to get in the refrigerator? Already? And the cabinets? Time to baby proof our rental. But how, when there is so little we can change? Here are a few of the challenges we renters face when baby-proofing, and the simple steps we can take to overcome them. If you can, start at the very beginning. When looking at a property, speak to the landlord about any safety concerns you have about the space.

In a perfect world, you’d have a home worthy of a shelter magazine spread. Each room would have floor-to-ceiling windows (hello, natural sunlight!); there’d be a waterfall shower in the master bath (yes, you’d have more than one bathroom); and your kitchen would be decked out in top-grade, stainless steel appliances.The only thing standing in your way from your dream digs? Your bank account.

You have a new tile floor, and it’s gleaming and gorgeous. Or maybe you have a 70-year-old checkerboard floor that could use some TLC. Either way, this list of tips can help you maintain your floor for years to come.  This may be common sense, but dirt can easily scratch tile surfaces so it’s important to keep your floor clean by regularly sweeping or vacuuming it. A little preventative manintenance goes a long way. Mop once a week.

Name: Baby GLocation: United States When I began planning our baby’s nursery, I knew I wanted a clean, elegant look. My husband and I decided not to find out the gender of our baby before he was born, so we tried to keep everything gender-neutral. The theme of this nursery was inspired by the handmade linen cloud mobile I discovered from an Etsy shop. I wanted a cloud themed nursery, but not to the extent of painting them on the walls.

Name: Pippi Location: NSW Australia Room Size: 172 sq. feet When I came across the space that Emily had created for her daughter, Pippi, I was instantly smitten by the playful patterns and vibrant colors. Her goal was to create a fun and flamboyant space for her toddler, and I’d say she hit the nail on the head. The room exudes the playfulness and joy of childhood. Read on to learn more about this whimsical wonderland: How would you describe the look and feel of this room?

No doubt you’ve heard of white noise, the sounds that can help you block loud or distracting noises in order to sleep or concentrate. Well, it turns out that, depending on the type of noise you’re trying to avoid, you may want to try some colored noise instead.  We’re not talking ocean waves or thunderstorms, although those can also be quite soothing.

Floor cushions are hot items right now. They make great alternative seating to accommodate extra dinner party guests and they’re perfect for back patio garden parties during the summer. Every shop from West Elm to Serena & Lily offers plenty of options, but depending on your budget they can be a little on the pricey side.

Name: BenicioLocation: Silver Lake- Los Angeles, CARoom Size: 125 Square Feet When you’re the child of a very talented interior designer such as Rosa Beltran, founder of Rosa Beltran Design in Los Angeles, you’re guaranteed to have a pretty awesome nursery. 15-month-old Benicio has an incredible room chock full of fun and inspiration that he’ll get to explore as he grows.

Some people have a true eye for colors and an instinct for combining them. And some people need a little help. Inspiration can come from anywhere, sometimes unexpected places…like children’s books. Is there a book whose illustrations you love? Try breaking down the colors and perhaps unlocking a new, unexpected color palette for a room in your home. I used Sherwin-Williams Chip It! tool to create these color palettes.

Is your calendar looking as packed as mine with holiday functions to celebrate with friends and family? Party Planning 101 states it’s good habit to prepare invitations with the “who”, “where”, “when”, “what”, and “how” for any planned gathering during Thanksgiving, New Years, or for your winter holiday party.

Name: Tyler (2 years) & Lucas (8 months)Location: Los Angeles, CARoom Size: About 10×12 ft Joy Dolan was just starting her interior design business when she and her husband Mike decided to add adoptive children to their family of 4 biological children. When they fell in love with a sibling pair from the Los Angeles foster care system, they fostered them and completed their adoption in about one year.

Name: Cooper, 4 1/2 years Location: Pacific Palisades, CA Room Size: 350 sq ft When Morgan Simonds and her husband needed to decorate their kids’ rooms, they turned to fantastic L.A. interior design firm Jackson Paige. Kristine Paige Kamenstein, one of the co-founders of the company, took on the project and helped the Simonds turn their kids’ rooms into livable, beautiful spaces.

Name: Charlie Location: Echo Park – Los Angeles, California Room Size: 120 square feet Charlie was just a baby when she made her first Apartment Therapy debut in her family’s house tour. Her itty-bitty room barely fit a crib and a small play area and I was very curious how her room would transform as she grew older.

Here’s a great idea for a DIY art project you can make, inspired by the art of Mark Hearld. Hearld is a British artist whose gorgeous prints, illustrations, and ceramics depict British fauna and flora dancing with color and movement. His installation at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park is a huge flock of painted wood birds suspended over visitors— something I dreamed of hanging in my house. Alas, I’ll have to (happily) make do with this DIY bird mobile I concocted instead.

Name: Elke Location: NSW AustraliaRoom Size: 10×10 square feet After sharing her older daughter Pippi’s space a few months ago, I waited with baited breath to see what amazing space Emily of The Beetleshack was going to come up with for her new baby, and she didn’t disappoint. Inspired by Rebekka Seale’s stamped bumblebee walls, Emily set about getting a similar look with removable wall stickers, and it made the space.

Name: Martina & Lola Location: Madrid, Spain Room Size: 49 square feet When Bea first saw her home, she fell in love with this room – the biggest in the house – and decided to give it to her daughters Martina and Lola. She had always dreamt of a big and bright room for them, and set about filling it with the things they loved – festive garlands on the ceiling, a little seating area for reading bedtime stories, and a lovely light-filled art corner.

Name: Sienna Location: Los Angeles, CA Room Size: 13’x12′ The first time I laid eyes on Sienna’s nursery, I was blown away. Jen Campbell, editor of Green Wedding Shoes, wanted a girly nursery that was still modern and fresh. To achieve the look she paired bold, graphic designs with a soft color palette and added a dash of sparkle. The result is a stunning space for her new baby girl. How would you describe the look and feel of this room?

You can render room features invisible or make them stand out with strategic painting choices. These projects — in varying degrees — all match either architectural features or decor to the wall color around them. Ask yourself as you look at them: what does your eye float across, and where does it stop and linger? TOP ROW: 1. Painting trim and other architectural details is a classic way to unify a room, and makes it less jarring to walk into.

Name: Reed Location: Boston, MA Room Size: 10′ x 12′ When I found out that my friend Dina was pregnant with her second baby, I knew it was going to be a showstopper of a nursery. You see, Dina is a DIY maven with an amazing eye. Although the nursery looks like a million bucks, she managed to put her DIY touch on nearly everything – from the curtains to the artwork to the showstopper ceiling.

Along with looking super cool and casual, leaning art — instead of hanging it on a wall — also makes for a flexible home. You don’t have to whip out the hammer and nails every time you want to rearrange the look of your place. Folks whose art collections are growing out of control will appreciate having alternate ways to display, too. We’ve got ideas so it doesn’t just look like you’ve been too lazy to hang your art.

Name: Ruby Marlowe Location: Highland Park/Eagle Rock, Los Angeles, California Room Size: 12’ x 11’ So often you see a space and can instantly give it a label – modern, Mid-Century, Scandinavian, vintage, glam – you get the picture. But the minute I saw little Ruby’s room, I thought, now that’s something different.

Name: Vivi & Brigette Location: South Georgia Room Size: 12′ x 13′ Lay Baby Lay is a wonderful place to find nursery and kids’ inspiration, so I was beyond excited to hear that the website’s editor Joni was designing a shared space for her girls at her family’s farmhouse. Joni is a master at mixing styles to create a cohesive look. This space is a mix of vintage, modern, and classic pieces, while the accessories and wall panels give it a whimsical, campy feel.

Name: Lula Location: Mission District in San Francisco, California Room Size: 9′ x 11′ When your mother is a French illustrator and paper artist, you know you’re going to have a truly special room! Mom Chloé Fleury has created a modern space for her daughter Lula that is equally warm and whimsical.

All a little reader really needs is a book, but a soft place to curl up, a light and maybe even a bit of privacy doesn’t hurt. I love the trend of repurposing kids closets as reading nooks. You can keep the door to make a secret reading hideaway or take the doors off to make small rooms seem bigger. Here are ten examples to inspire you: TOP ROW: 1. Miss G’s Closet Book Nook by Mama.Papa.Buba 2. Closet Nook for a Brother & Sister by Life with Daugs 3.

Name: Finn Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado When we moved cross-country for the third time, we knew that Finn HAD to have some serious attention paid to his own space. The poor guy has watched us remodel bathrooms, a kitchen and his sister’s room; but he was never the star of the show. My husband wanted to theme the dickens out of Finn’s room, but I was pretty stringent on sticking with something that could easily grow and evolve with the little guy.

Name: Emerson Location: Renton, WA Room Size: About 8′ x 10′ My first introduction to this beautiful nursery was the colorful chevron pouf. Once I saw that, I knew there had to be more fabulousness to come. And I wasn’t wrong! Megan Kane designed this nursery for her little girl, Emerson, and the hand crafted details make every inch of this room special. Megan is a DIY kind of gal, and it shows in the decor of this room.

Sleep is a key building block of health and happiness, yet it’s often hard to get and stay there for one night, let alone a string of several nights at a time. Here are five common reasons your bedroom isn’t working, and eight small changes to help you fall asleep, keep snoozing throughout the night, and ultimately function better the next day. PROBLEM #1: ALLERGIES Is your stuffy nose keeping you from getting shut eye?

Name: Olive Sydney Location: Florence, Alabama Room Size: 12′ x15′ I’m often conflicted when it comes to children’s spaces in that I love the clean, bright aesthetic of a white space, but I’m also partial to bold color. So when I came across this room from parents Tera and Wes of Armosa Studios, I was thrilled to find the best of both worlds. How would you describe the look and feel of this room? The look of the room is bright and happy.

Over the holidays, I finally started on the spare bedroom in my Mom’s house. It has not seen any decorating love since the 80’s, and it was time to strip the wallpaper and give the walls a fresh coat of paint. I was a little apprehensive because I had never removed wallpaper before, but I soon realized it was more tedious than difficult. I also learned that it was a job that could be made easier with our favorite friend: white vinegar.

I have a confession to make and it’s a doozy: I’m an editor of a site about design (this one) and I don’t know the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator. In fact, I’ve been using those two terms interchangibly for years. Bad editor! So I decided to educate myself (and you!). Turns out, it’s pretty straightforward but there are some major distinctions.

It’s no news that green hues soothe and relax, particularly when used as wall paint, surrounding a room, its furnishings and its inhabitants in a calming color. But how do you keep from choosing the wrong green and making your space look lame? Easy: Choose greens that are a little bold and different, but still relaxing. Here are six successful paint color picks from house tours.

Name: Eden, 6 months Location: Denton, TX Room Size: 12′ x 12′ We first saw Anna Tovar’s design skills when she shared her son Axel’s nursery with us. Now, we’re delighted to see what she’s put together for her new daughter, Eden. The design made the very most of a tight budget with thrifted and repurposed pieces and a keen eye for detail.

Homemade laundry detergent isn’t just about saving you money (although it’s definitely a budget friendly move). In this day and age, when most of us are so far removed from the process of how our necessities are made, there’s something thrilling about making something that you need. If you’d like to try your hand at it, here’s how I made mine.

Name: Cruz Stanton Barros Location: Murrieta, California Room Size: 13′ x 10′ When I learned that Priscila Barros, editor-in-chief of Babiekins Magazine was pregnant, I knew that an amazing nursery was in the works. By combining modern geometric patterns with warm colors and textures, she and decorator Amy Fjeldsted created a cozy vibe for her son Cruz that is perfectly on trend.

Name: Aidan Location: Northern Germany in Hannover Room Size: 4.7 x 3.2 meters (15 x 10 feet) I’m a long-time fan of the work of Holly Becker of Decor8, so I was thrilled to find out she was pregnant and working on a nursery. By choosing the main focal points first, like the stunning Kite wallpaper by Ferm Living and the gorgeous crib by Oeuf, Holly was able to work from there to create a dreamy and cohesive gender-neutral space for baby Aidan.

Taking inspiration from the IKEA summer catalog and Designers Guild, I decided to dip dye paper lanterns to replace the grubby, aging ones currently hanging from my balcony. The 4th of July holiday gave me a good deadline to finally get this DIY project off the back burner. This is one of the cheapest and easiest DIY projects that I have done.

Name: Rafael Location: Amsterdam Room Size: 36 square feet Take a peek into Rafael’s darling little sanctuary where he spends countless winks! Sofia, his mother, did an excellent job using muted and natural colors with a pop of blue and delicate touches around the room. She took time choosing items that were personal (including vintage pieces that her husband used growing up) and practical.

Name: Jack (3) Location: Dallas, TX Room Size: 11′ x 12′ How do you blend a modern aesthetic with the wild spirit of a romping, play-in-the-dirt three-year-old boy? Just ask Ginny Chase of Chasing Sunshine. She artfully created a clean, modern black and white bedroom for her son Jack without losing any of the playfulness or fun that comes along with being three – no small feat as a renter.

Name: Eden Location: Richmond, Virginia Room Size: 7′ x 9′ The moment I walked into this nursery, I wanted to plop down on the rocking chair and hang out in there all afternoon! Laura did a great job making a small space feel both cozy and bright, and attributes a lot of that coziness to the fact that most of the items in the nursery are gifted from friends and family who wanted to be a part of baby Eden’s life.

Recently I came across the image above of small bunk beds in the shared bedroom of 4-year-old twins and realized I’d never seen mini bunks like this. They are the same size as a toddler bed (i.e. the size of a crib mattress) and offer a stop-gap solution for parents looking to eke out another year or two in their current space. First, a word about safety: Although these beds are sized for toddlers—i.e.

Name: Judah (4) & Layla (3) Location: Senoia, Georgia Room Size: 110 sq ft Judah and Layla’s shared space is about the same size as my daughter’s small nursery (albeit a bit taller), so I was amazed with how their mother Keight was able to make the space serve so many different functions. It’s a bedroom, a playroom, an arts and crafts space, and a general hangout.

Name: Ruby Location: Valley Village, CA Room Size: 12′ x 12′ Ruby’s nursery had me at hello. From the glamorous chandelier to the pattern play throughout the space, it isn’t your typical baby room by any stretch of the imagination. Even though the space looks very high-end, I love that Ruby’s mom Rachelle was able to save some money by searching sites like Craigslist and Etsy for budget-friendly versions of the pricier pieces that she loved.

Name: Wyatt (6 Months) Location: Tustin, California Room Size: 10×12 ft While I’m not usually a fan of primary-colored nurseries, I was absolutely smitten from the moment I stumbled across this happy space that Whitney Johnson created for her baby boy, Wyatt. By starting with a black and white base and adding small pops of primary colors throughout the space, she kept the room feeling colorful and happy without making it feel too saturated or busy.

Name: Johnny (3.5) and Freddie (7) Location: Mt Eliza, Victoria, Australia Room Size: 12′ x 10′ I tend to think of myself as an “eclectic” person when it comes to decor – mainly meaning that I can’t settle on a particular style. I love the clean lines and fresh colors of modern spaces but at the same time am drawn to the warmth and coziness of a more rustic design.

Even though most agree that IKEA designs are already pretty great (for the price especially), that doesn’t stop creative people from putting their own spin on the products. Lighting in particular is fun to tweak, and a good way to add extra personality to your child’s room. Here are ten really great projects to inspire you… TOP ROW 1. A Mr. Moon lamp hacked from a FADO, inspired by a print by Martin Krusche, from Mommo Designs. Nieves de TokyoMASKROS IKEA Hackers 4.

Wouldn’t you have loved to create little worlds on the walls with magnets, or draw tiny characters all over your bedroom when you were a kid? If you have a creative child that leaves you scrubbing walls with a bucket and sponge—let the creativity fly! These five interactive wallpapers for kids let parents breathe easier and get kids’ creative juices flowing. 1. My personal favorite: Sian Zeng Interactive Magnetic Wallpaper for kids from Just Kids Wallpaper, $540 AUD.

Name: Oscar (5) Location: Den Bosch, the Netherlands Room Size: 3.5 x 3.5 meters I’m not sure if it was the bright yellow bed, the wall of beautiful books, or the fabulous wallpaper, but it was love at first sight when I laid eyes on Oscar’s room. I’ve always been drawn to spaces that combine both vintage and modern pieces, and I absolutely adore both bright white spaces and those filled with bold colors. This room is the perfect union of all of those elements.

I know exactly how many stairs there are to our apartment. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve counted—through tantrums, while carrying strollers or sleds in the dead of winter. We’ve lived here four years now, they were babies, they were just-learning to walk, I even had one C-section. Friends who live large on the ground floor tell me they’d never go back. So…how do we do it? How do we make life work with kids in a walk up? 1.

Is there anything more enviable about a Scandinavian kids room than their amazing mix of bright and bold textiles? Of course there isn’t, just look at those quilts! Ready for some new bedding? Here are some Scandi-style sources to brighten up your little one’s room: 1. For Scandi-style on a budget, look no further than IKEA. Remember their cheaper pieces can always be paired with more expensive Scandinavian linens. This duvet cover and pillowcase is just $29.99. 2.

Adding a graphic element to is a good way to customize a party and make it your own. For Maxwell and Lulu’s Halloween party, we created these easy cupcake plates using ceramics from the thrift store and some clip art. Inkjet Lazertran Image Transfer Paper Blank Ceramic Plate Clear Acrylic Spray Chosen Image Alcohol (optional) Bowl of Warm Water Paper Towel I love this method because it can be temporary if you want to reclaim your plate after the party.

Reversible and versatile, the IKEA Kura bed is shaping up to be a firm favorite of Scandi-style and budget-loving parents the world over. Its low profile means its perfect for small spaces and younger kids. But…is it possible you could make the Kura sleep two? Here are examples of some families who have done exactly that.

At first glance, the bedroom seems the least important room in the home, in terms of lighting. After all, we’re not really working in there much (unless it doubles as an office), and the primary goal of the space is to support sleep— which requires an intentional lack of light.

As with the kitchen, the bathroom is a “work room,” and therefore one of the most important spaces in the home to get lighting right. They also tend to be smaller than all the other rooms in our home, and don’t have as many (or as large) windows. Careful consideration of the General, Task and Accent lighting we add to this room will pay dividends in how the area functions and feels.

The bedroom is a great place to make an impact…with oversize art. Fewer windows and, often, a tendency to leave the walls blank is an opportunity to add a focal point with one big, grand piece of art. Top Row 1. A colorful, abstract painting brings focus to the center of this vibrant bedroom. Real Living magazine featuring Andrew O’Brien artwork (available here) 2. A monochromatic room is punctuated with an ironic canvas. Tamara Magel Home on Houzz 3.

Paint color and light go hand in hand, and are a complex couple. Your paint color will look different depending on the light that it’s exposed to. The tricky part is this: light is never consistent and how it shines depends entirely on time and context. Learn the different light variables, and how color responds, and you are well on your way to becoming a paint master of the universe.

In this post on easy-to-live-with paint colors, a number of you asked for a post on paint colors that go with wood trim. Ask, and you will receive! Here’s a roundup of some successful colors from our House Tours that allow wood trim to shine. When it comes to wood trim, neutrals are an easy choice, but as some of these rooms from our house tours show, having wood trim doesn’t mean that you have to be a shrinking violet. Bold colors can work just as well! TOP ROW: 1.

Sconces are the chameleons of small space lighting — they blend in anywhere, whether a bathroom, hallway, or bedroom. Here are 10 particularly compact and useful designs, from high-end Italian pieces to budget utility lighting. West Elm Their Flat Stock Single Sconce has a mirrored backing that reflects light, and it’s affordably priced at $59. There are double and triple versions as well. If you’re a renter, check out their non-hardwired Industrial Sconce, $79.

So, you’re shopping for a sofa that won’t overwhelm your tiny studio apartment or you’re looking for seating to fit inside an alcove. The problem is, you keep coming up short (bad pun intended — sorry). Most furniture stores tend to favor large sizes, especially when it comes to anchor pieces like sofas and beds. But if you know where to look, you can find moderately sized sleepers, settees, and loveseats that will work in a small home.

Indigo might be the dark blue of the moment. However, it is nothing new to home interiors; it’s a stylistic reincarnation of navy blue. Indigo and navy are both a dark blue bordering on black, but one color name is associated with an eclectic style, while the other expresses a traditional style. We love it, whichever name it goes by. Indigo is a natural dye extracted from plants and has been around the world for centuries.

Recovering an old lampshade with new fabric is one of the easiest ways to make a large impact on a room — without largely impacting your budget. No sewing machine? No problem! Lamp shade 1 yard of fabric (if you are working with a very large shade you may need more) Sharp scissors Large sheet of blank paper (tracing paper or wrapping paper work great!) Spray adhesive Lots of clothespins Pen or marker 1.

Name: Nina James Location: Johannesburg, South Africa When I first came across this South African nursery, I was dying to know who made the adorable little house bed. I was certainly very surprised to learn that the bed is actually going to become a crib and is a DIY project created by Nina James’ talented parents! It’s definitely the focal point of this unique, modern nursery, but the rest of the space is full of wonderful little surprises as well.

When I started Apartment Therapy as a design service in NYC in 2001, I quickly noticed that if I helped someone to improve their home, but their refrigerator was empty, progress halted. In other words, no matter how lovely I was able to get a home to look, if my clients didn’t come home to cook and eat, everything got cold and dusty.

One of the many things you can do to transform your kitchen is to change your countertops. If completely replacing them isn’t an option for you right now, updating your existing laminate with countertop coating is a great way to achieve a new, fresh look without breaking the bank. Countertop paint is great for homeowners and renters alike.

Name: George (1) Location: Los Angeles, California Room Size: 11′ x 12′ There’s really nothing more magical than childhood, so it seems quite fitting when I come across a child’s room that feels more like a wonderland than a simple spot to sleep. Maybe it’s the twinkle lights or perhaps it’s the unicorn, but there’s something about this sweet nursery that is just so dreamy. How would you describe the look and feel of this room?

Have you ever considered bringing your favorite natural scene into your own space to enjoy all year round? Wall murals and huge scale nature art can be a bit tricky, since there’s a wide selection of options of varying quality. If you’re inspired to create a beautiful indoor retreat, check out these examples of the look done right. These examples include art, murals and tapestries — and some are even from hotels (so you can book now and see how you like living with it first).