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2018
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The Latest: Jun 2018

Welcome to the hub for accessing all our latest posts! Easily sort through content by date to quickly find what you’re looking for — you’ll never miss out on the latest updates here.
The Organizing Accessories Expert Travelers Always Have in Their Suitcase
If you think packing is stressful, it’s probably because you don’t have the tools to make it easy. Take it from me, a converted messy person. I was a slob to the nth degree; where chaos reigned in any room I stepped in. But I quickly learned the only reason that most of my messes happened was because I refused to invest in actual organizing tools, which are literally designed to keep your life tidy. When every item has a home, it’s hard to be messy.
Marlen Komar
Jun 30, 2018
This Phoenix Rental Reignited a Passion for Interior Design
Name: Ashley Pennington Location: Roosevelt Historic Neighborhood — Phoenix, Arizona Size: 1,100 square feet Years lived in: 1 year, renting I moved into this rental to reignite my passion for interior design. This duplex is in the Historic Roosevelt District of Downtown Phoenix. I was so excited to come in and show myself what I was capable of designing. The home was built in the 1920s, has original floors, windows, cabinets and bathroom fixtures.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Jun 30, 2018
This Is The Wage You Need to Live Alone Anywhere in the U.S.
If you live in a major city and don’t make six-figures, you probably live with one or more roommates. And, of course, you probably wish every day that you could move to the middle of nowhere—where rents are cheap—and live alone. Well, surprise! Those dreams will probably never come true, because apartments throughout the country just aren’t as affordable as you think they are.
Leeza Dennis
Jun 30, 2018
4 Amazon Private Labels You Need to Know About (Plus Top-Rated Picks)
You live and die by Amazon. You’ve been a Prime member for years, you know all about that secret $2 section, you head to Amazon Handmade whenever you need a unique gift, and you even give preference to hotels with rooms equipped with Alexa. But did you know Amazon has a whole host of private labels? Amazon launched its first private label in 2009; five years later they slowly launched 11 more; today Amazon has approximately 76 private labels.
Brigitt Earley
Jun 29, 2018
You’ll Swoon Over This Small DC Rowhouse’s Exposed Brick & Beams
Name: Sarah Lyon and her roommate Carrie Location: Dupont Circle — Washington, DC Size: 800 square feet Years lived in: Almost a year My roommate, Carrie, and I found our place on Craigslist after doing an extensive search of rowhouse apartments in DC. We were about ready to give up when we found what was truly a hidden gem—a place that was affordable, had equal-sized bedrooms and two bathrooms, and even came with a roof deck. We snagged it right away!
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Jun 29, 2018
What Does “Starter Home” Really Mean?
Looking to purchase your first home? Find out what this popular real estate term really means, and how to pick the best one for your needs.
Chelsea Greenwood
Jun 29, 2018
11 Things You Should Never Ever Do at an Open House
Open houses can be exciting, no matter whether you’re actively house-hunting or just a nosy Nellie. These events offer a pressure-free (okay, mostly pressure-free) way to scout out any homes on your radar—and maybe even find your dream space. But staying on your best behavior at an open house is paramount: After all, the seller’s agent is right there. Act like a loon and they’ll pass on the memo to their client, who may decide not to accept your offer.
Jamie Wiebe
Jun 29, 2018
Partner
The Most Common Mistakes When Starting a Reno (and How to Avoid Them)
If you’ve ever ended a Fixer Upper binge convinced you can definitely make over your kitchen and shiplap your bedroom this weekend, then you know that renovations are rarely what they seem. Whether you’re calling in contractors or just refreshing paint, there are perennial pitfalls that cost time, money, and frustration. These common mistakes could cost you—or you could read on and avoid them now. (We suggest option B.
Creative Studio
Jun 29, 2018
Partner
Before & After: The Paint Project That Adds Depth to Your Kitchen
Yes, it defies conventional wisdom, but stay with us...
Creative Studio
Jun 29, 2018
What a 2020 Recession Would Mean for Your Home Buying Dreams
We spoke with real estate and home financing experts to get the full picture.
Emily Nonko
Jun 28, 2018
Kraftmaid Has a Secret Outlet That Sells Kitchen Cabinets for Cheap
We're talking deep, deep discounts... but are you cut out for the experience?
Shaila Wunderlich
Jun 28, 2018
A Minimal California Home Features All Your Modern Furniture Design Crushes
Name: Alle Fister and Don Popkes Location: Playa Del Rey, California Size: 4,500 square feet Years lived in: 6 years, owned Alle Fister—owner of Bollare, a communications firm that works with well-known beauty and fashion brands—met Don Popkes 10 years ago. Six and a half years ago the couple got married and bought this house, their first home and a total fixer upper.
Marisa Vitale
Jun 28, 2018
A Long Island City Condo Is Now a Warm and Welcoming Home
Name: Sharon and Dan and pup Ruby Location: Long Island City – Queens, New York Size: 1,020 square feet Years lived in: 7 months, owned We’ve been living in our condo for about seven months! We moved here from Manhattan because we wanted more space to grow a family (we’re expecting a baby girl at the end of August!). Our condo is just over 1,000 square feet with two bedrooms, two baths, dine-in kitchen, dining room, and in-unit washer/dryer.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Jun 28, 2018
What “Move-In Ready” Actually Means
According to the following four real estate professionals, there are several acceptable interpretations of this phrase.
Chelsea Greenwood
Jun 27, 2018
One Way You Might Be Sabotaging Your Own Vacation
Besides the relaxation and change of pace offered by a vacation while it’s happening, an additional benefit of taking time off is being primed to appreciate and enjoy your own home, routines, and everyday life again. Nothing kills this buzz more, though, than returning to a home that slams you with unpleasant demands the minute you walk in the door.
Shifrah Combiths
Jun 27, 2018
A Perfectly Imperfect, Colorful New Zealand Home
Name: Amanda Holland, Mike Brunel, daughters Millicent and Eva Location: Wellington, New Zealand Size: 230 square metres (approximately 2,476 square feet) Years Lived In: 11 years, owned Interior stylist and design/lifestyle store owner Amanda Holland (of Small Acorns) lives in Wellington with her husband and their two daughters Milly and Eva. The couple bought this home 11 years ago when it was really run down and had no one living in it for two years.
Viv Yapp
Jun 27, 2018
When Your Country Scores a Perfect 10 in Life Quality, This Is What Home Looks Like
A long-standing refuge for multicultural immigrants and maple syrup connoisseurs, alike; Canada, oh Canada, was just named the second best country to live in by US News & World Report, and the first for overall quality of life. High-ranking in categories across the board, and with a largely beloved prime minister in power, to boot–Canada is justifiably full of happy residents.
Rose Truesdale
Jun 27, 2018
Partner
Tour a 400-Square-Foot Tiny House That Got a Big Color Makeover
Name: Shaina and Michael, and Keiko Location: Stanardsville, VA Size: 400 square feet When Shaina and Michael decided to downsize, they knew the perfect tiny house to call home: the darling property that was originally built to house Shaina’s grandfather’s medical practice! The couple edited their possessions down to the essentials (beloved local art, items with emotional resonance, family heirlooms) and said hello to simpler living.
Creative Studio
Jun 27, 2018
Wallpaper Made by Kids and a Hidden TV in a Bold Brooklyn Reno
Name: David Shade, wife Lindsay Key and two small children, Zev, almost four, and Frieda, a year and a half. Location: Bed Stuy, Brooklyn Size: 2,100 square feet Years lived in: 4 years, owned Lindsay and I have an interior design firm, Key + Shade, on the third floor of our home. We love to cook, eat, entertain, make art, and garden. I am a bit of a neat freak and we never have enough storage, so we built closets and cabinetry to clear the clutter.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Jun 27, 2018
Questions We All Ask Ourselves: Should You Switch Duvets in the Summer?
Summer-proofing your home happens like clockwork. Once the temperature rises, you add an air conditioning unit and screens to your windows, trade in your woodsy candle for a beachier scent, and swap out your flannel sheets for some lightweight linen ones. But, if we’re being honest, we never know what to do with our duvets. On the one hand, duvets are comfortable and a great extra layer for when your AC is on full blast.
Kelsey Mulvey
Jun 26, 2018
9 Weird Ways Clothes Hangers Can Solve Your Life’s Problems
They aren't just for closets.
Dabney Frake
Jun 26, 2018
A Small & Stylish Seattle Home Uses Every Inch of Space Wisely
Name: Mona Tavakoli, Beau Ritten, and cats Minnow and Sushi Location: Central District — Seattle, Washington Size: 700 square feet Years lived in: 2 years, renting Make your way up the stairs to Mona and Beau’s converted top-floor apartment in the heart of the Emerald City, and you can feel the eclectic vibes seeping into the landing. The elongated cat statue staring at you on your way in could be playing a large part. Needless to say, their pad is very cool.
Brian and Nicki Rohloff
Jun 26, 2018
The 10 Questions Everyone Forgets to Ask at an Open House
The open house circuit can feel stressful and intimidating. You’re filing in and out of strangers’ homes and apartments, hoping this one might be the one. But how can you know? Luckily, those agents—you know, the ones manning the cookie tables, holding piles of business cards—can answer all your burning questions. You just need to know which ones to ask. Here, the top 10 questions to ask at an open house to help determine whether or not the space is right for you.
Jamie Wiebe
Jun 26, 2018
Partner
See How the Right Chair Totally Completes a Room
Often it just takes one item to make a space really sing, and seating is one of our favorite ways to accomplish this. The right chair offers so many design solutions: Color and functionality, plus a healthy dose of whatever your personal style is, whether it’s mid-century or boho or something else. Need a little inspo? Take a cue from these Instagram influencers who took statement seating from the modern design pros at Industry West and personalized it for their own homes.
Creative Studio
Jun 26, 2018
An Art Director’s Brooklyn Abode Is a Hip Half Loft, Half Studio
Name: Taiyo Kitagawa and Lebowski the cat Location: Williamsburg — Brooklyn, NY Size: 750 square feet Years lived in: 10 months, renting I grew up in Fuji, Japan and moved to Switzerland when I was 9 years old. I moved to the USA for college, so my apartment contains design influences from around the world. I’m an art director now and my personal style comes through in the space, from the art on the walls to knickknacks.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Jun 26, 2018
One Smart Thing You Should Always Do After Washing the Dishes
Let me begin with a caveat: I do not always do the dishes straight away. I do try to, because I think it’s always easier to just deal with the mess instead of letting it pile up. Why not put that coffee mug in the dishwasher or give that chef’s knife a quick rinse and dry and put it safely back on my magnetic strip? The alternative is that I don’t do those things and I just leave it all out on the counter.
geraldinemcampbell
Jun 26, 2018
Food Blogger Gaby Dalkin’s Seattle Home Is Perfect for Entertaining
Name: Gaby Dalkin Location: Lower Queen Anne — Seattle, Washington Size: 2,000 square feet Years lived in: 6 months, owned “I love the Seattle house!” I had just wrapped up shooting food blogger Gaby Dalkin’s lower Queen Anne townhome when she let out that statement with a serene smile.
Mackenzie Schieck
Jun 25, 2018
Before and After: This Is Why You Should Never Turn Down Free Furniture
This poor old dresser was dated and unwanted, until one intrepid crafter, armed with only a vision and an impressive drawer pull collection, took it in and made it over. The results are fantastically impressive. I actually squealed a bit when I saw this—and I don’t even really like purple! This is a piece that is 100% practical (storage), while somehow also being 100% fun (tassels!).
Tess Wilson
Jun 25, 2018
This 3,785-Square-Foot Upstate NY Home Is Full of Surprises
This property brings the simplicity of Bauhaus and the reverence of a cathedral together under one roof. Sturdy, warm and historical are some of the words that come to mind when it comes to this beautiful New York home. 6580 Bianchi Lane Located in Clarence, New York $890,000 4 bedrooms, 3 baths Things we love about this property crush: The cathedral ceiling brings instant character and history to the home, even with its modern amenities (that kitchen!).
Leeza Dennis
Jun 25, 2018
26 of the Most Stylish, Serene, Scandinavian Style Kitchens We’ve Ever Featured
Minimalism and functionality are two key elements that can take a hum-drum, cluttered kitchen and turn it into a beautiful space to cook and entertain in. As I mentioned in this Scandinavian-style house tour round-up last month, perhaps the greatest feature of Scandi-inspired style is that it can be interpreted and used in so many different ways.
Adrienne Breaux
Jun 25, 2018
The $13 Way to Take Charge of Your Messiest Kitchen Cabinet
It’s an unfortunate truth of small space living that the tinier the kitchen, the harder it is to find storage space—and worse, stay organized. While some of us invest in new ways to carve out storage space and keep our kitchens tidy, others are forced to forgo their non-essential (and clutter-causing) kitchen wares, especially plastic Tupperware. But fret not my lunch-packing (and leftover-loving) friends, there’s hope for your messy Tupperware cabinet.
Caroline Biggs
Jun 25, 2018
Here’s How to Prevent Your Dog From Getting a Bad Sunburn
Every summer, we try to take extra care to apply sunscreen any time we know we’re going to be in the sun. However, even people have a hard time remembering how often they need to reapply sunscreen (every 60-90 minutes, depending on the brand of sunscreen you use). While you were concerned about your own skin, did you ever think to apply it to your dog? If you spend hours outdoors with your pet during the summer, they also need protection from the sun.
Ana Luisa Suarez
Jun 24, 2018
6 Celebrities Who Have Homes in the Suburbs
When the hustle and bustle of big city living gets to be too much, many celebrities—understandably—flock to the suburbs for quieter living. After all, when you own multiple homes, it pays to diversify, right? The following celebs range from singers to actors to athletes but they all share common ground: owning homes in the suburbs (even if a few of them are trying to unload said properties at the moment).
Chelsea Greenwood
Jun 24, 2018
If There’s Such a Thing as a Sexy Toilet Plunger, This is It
Toilet plungers are not something we tend to discuss. But, for sure, we want them to work and we sure hope there’s one accessible if we—horror!—happen to need one in someone else’s bathroom. (By the way, this post has some great tips for how to unclog a toilet, should you find yourself without a plunger). Whether it’s through consideration for your guests or to equip your own home with the top tools for the job, we found the one toilet plunger to replace all others.
Shifrah Combiths
Jun 24, 2018
What Does “Open Concept” Really Mean?
One of the most sought-after features in real estate today is “open concept.” But, like many popular buzzwords, people seem to mean different things when they use it. So we decided to talk with some real estate professionals to break down what open concept really means, how it originated, and why it’s so appealing.
Chelsea Greenwood
Jun 24, 2018
You Can Score a NYC Apartment for Under $300,000—Really!
Good news first: It’s actually possible to purchase an apartment in Manhattan for under $300,000 or so. (Yes, an actual apartment—not a closet! And yes, purchase to own, not rent!) Every so often, a Housing Development Fund Corporation (HDFC) co-op unit hits the market, providing a rare, affordable option for prospective homebuyers. But the discouraging news?
Brittany Anas
Jun 24, 2018
This Home Makes Even a Couch from the ’80s Look Cool
Name: Lindsay Mills, husband, two young girls and two cats, Penny and Marty. Location: Sherwood Park — Alberta, Canada Size: 1,972 square feet Years lived in: 9 years, owned We purchased our home in 2009. It sat on the market for months due to the overwhelming amount of golden oak, Wedgwood blue, and peachy beige. Because it was built in 1992, it was well built, and had a great layout. When we got possession, I began painting.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Jun 23, 2018
This 3-Word Cleaning Strategy is Your Shortcut to Spotless
When it comes to housekeeping, few people know the ropes as well as Durk Johnson. In addition to serving as the executive director of Vacation Rental Housekeeping Professionals (VRHP)—a national organization that specializes in housekeeping principles and procedures—he has over fifteen years experience in cleaning luxury rentals around the world.
Caroline Biggs
Jun 23, 2018
You Can Live at Walt Disney World – Here’s What It Will Cost You
Have you ever wanted to live in Walt Disney World? Honestly, what Disney lover hasn’t wanted to take up shop in Cinderella’s Castle. Living like a princess is pretty much the dream that every kid had. However, while living long-term in Cinderella’s Castle isn’t actually an option, you can live at Disney World now. Any Disney fanatic that is on the market for a new home should look into Golden Oak.
Ana Luisa Suarez
Jun 23, 2018
8 Surprising Celebs Who Have Called Canada Home
It's time to bust out the Tim Horton's coffee, because we're headed north.
Megan Johnson
Jun 23, 2018
The Most Satisfying $6 I Ever Spent On My Rental Apartment
As a renter, I love this product and think it's easier than the real deal.
Ashley Poskin
Jun 23, 2018
The Best Affordable City to Live for Every Myers-Briggs Personality Type
Looking for a new adventure and not sure what affordable city best suits you? We've connected all 16 Myers-Briggs personality types to their best-fitting city.
Jamie Wiebe
Jun 23, 2018
And Baby Makes 7 – Chip and Joanna Gaines Welcome Their 5th Child Together
The Fixer Upper family just got a little bit bigger! Our favorite Texas family just welcomed their fifth child together. Chip and Joanna Gaines son was born today and he’s already a part of the coolest family in the house-flipping business. The Gaines family was already six strong until baby number 5 and now baby makes 7! Previously, the handy parents had two sons and two daughters, but now the boys outrank the girls.
Ana Luisa Suarez
Jun 23, 2018
15 Designers Share Their Favorite Vacation Spots
Maybe it’s the beautiful weather—or maybe it’s the surge of long weekends—but there’s something about summer that makes us want to pack our bags and go somewhere fabulous. To help get your summer off to an awesome, jetsetting start, we asked 15 designers about their favorite vacation spots. Whether you’re craving an all-American road trip or a week abroad, consider your summer travel plans set.
Kelsey Mulvey
Jun 22, 2018
This 182 Square Foot Tiny Cabin Is BIG on Style
When the thought of a wooden retreat comes to mind, it immediately accompanies images of solitude and a discrete place that blends in with its surroundings. However, this modern tiny house in upstate New York meets at least half of those criteria due to its bold structure that allows it to stand out against a natural backdrop.
Kenya Foy
Jun 22, 2018
10 Things That Say ‘Home’ To Blogger (and Now Food Network Star) Molly Yeh
10 things that say home to the blogger and Food Network star.
Marshall Bright
Jun 22, 2018
This 15th Century Scottish Castle Could Be Yours for $20M
Live out your own costume-drama’d fantasies and hotelier dreams by purchasing Ackergill Castle and the Napoleonic-era Solent Forts, all currently for sale together as a lot by English mattress millionaire Mike Clare. Clare is selling the four historical properties located in Scotland and on surrounding English islands for a combined $20 million.
Melissa Massello
Jun 22, 2018
Your Rent Just Went Up. Is it Worth it to Move?
It doesn’t matter how much you love your rental: The day your renewal notice comes in with a rent hike you never imagined, all those fuzzy feelings might just fly out the window. That said, how do you know if it’s worth it to move? From an economic standpoint, know that your next landlord will need the first and last month’s rent plus a security deposit, and for some apartments, a real estate broker’s fee.
Lambeth Hochwald
Jun 22, 2018