Here’s Who Gets the House When an Unmarried Couple Breaks Up
I asked some experts about the smart way to buy a house with partner—both financially and emotionally—if you're not married. Here's what they said.
Nov 17, 2018
Kate Beckinsale’s First Apartment Was “Cozy, Cheap, and Terrifying”
Welcome to My First Apartment! Whether it’s your first studio, a four-bedroom deep in the city shared with a handful of roommates, or even an entire house (lucky you!), there’s something special about moving into the first place that’s truly your own. In this series, we’ll showcase actors, artists, entrepreneurs, and beyond—asking them to revisit that oh-so-sweet nostalgia of newly-found freedom.
Nov 17, 2018
4 Very Smart Reasons to Hang on to Your Eggshells
You’ve probably seen a post or two on social media at some point praising the ability of eggshells to add to calcium to soil. It’s true that eggshells are mostly made of calcium, and calcium plays a big role in determining the soil’s pH— a measure of a soil’s acidity or alkalinity—and an important factor in plants’ overall health. Here’s the thing: While eggshells can be beneficial for soil, it’s a slow burn.
Nov 17, 2018
Take a Peek at Yves Béhar’s Chic New Prefab Home Designs
Thanks to scores of innovative, forward-thinking designers, the process of building a home continues to evolve into one that prioritizes convenience, cost and the well-being of our ecosystem. Yves Béhar is one of the latest contributors to the accessory dwelling unit market with a line of prefab homes.
Nov 17, 2018
5 Gorgeous Vintage Barn Conversions You’ll Want to Move Into Immediately
If you’ve ever left a door open, you’ve probably been asked if you were raised in a barn (the antiquated phrase refers to farmers’ tendency to leave the door open during the day to facilitate easy coming and going.) But what in the past was a clever dig is now a compliment. With all the attractive homes converted from barns on the market right now, who wouldn’t want to grow up in one?
Nov 16, 2018
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8 Bloggers Show Us the One Piece That Completed Their Space
Lots of double-tapping going on here.
Nov 16, 2018
A DIY Rental Dining Room Is Incredibly Colorful and Patterned
Name: Anam Zohaib of Delicious and DIY, and my husband Location: Los Angeles, California Size: 1,100 square feet Years lived in: 3 months, renting My husband and I recently just moved into this condo, which is a rental. We love the natural light that pours into the space throughout the day, which is a big reason why we moved into this space. I love bright and bold colors and a lot of furniture pieces that I have painted have pops of color and pattern.
Nov 16, 2018
5 Ways to Make Your Mid-Century Modern Furniture Feel Cool Again
Are you kind of over mid-century modern design? Do you roll your eyes whenever you spot a knock-off Eames dining chair or faux Saarinen tulip table? Do you look at your MCM couch with a tinge of disdain, wishing you could redesign your space? It’s okay, you’re not alone. If I’m being totally honest, I too am tired of the MCM madness. Don’t get me wrong, I love the aesthetic; however, the style is becoming too ubiquitous that it no longer feels special.
Nov 15, 2018
5 Reasons I’ll Never Put a Command Center in My Kitchen
The kitchen is the de facto command center in most homes. This is where families gather for breakfast and dinner—and homework and work work, too— every day, and it’s the spot to catch your kids or your spouse if there’s something you need to communicate about your day. So no wonder companies and bloggers make a big deal about putting a command center in the kitchen. It sounds so good: a designated spot, bulletin board and all, for controlling your household.
Nov 15, 2018
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These Are the Best Holiday Decor Deals at Lowe’s This Season
The whole idea of Black Friday is so ingrained in us now that it almost feels like a tradition. If lining up for doorbusters is your thing, by all means, do it. But our idea of a better tradition for the day after Thanksgiving is to spend the day at home with our families, putting up our holiday decor. This year, Lowe’s is breaking with tradition this year by offering Black Friday deals throughout the entire month of November, which includes their holiday decorations.
Nov 15, 2018
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Win: Samsung SmartThings Smart Home Package
Prize: Samsung SmartThings Hub, Sensors, Outlet and Button Total Value: $199 From: Samsung The good thing about our homes getting smarter is that almost everything we use—security system, doorbell, thermostat, lighting—is one step closer to The Jetsons world we all imagined. The unexpected twist, though, is that all these systems became a lot to manage. We never knew we’d need a system for our systems, but here we are.
Nov 15, 2018
This Is the Most Hated Cleaning Task in America
Being an adult means tackling things we’d rather not do, and that is especially true when it comes to certain household chores. According to a new survey compiled by the American Cleaning Institute, over half of Americans rank this task their most hated out of all of them—do you agree? When it comes to cleaning tasks people dread cleaning the most, the top answer is (understandably) the bathroom, which scored 52 percent of the vote.
Nov 14, 2018
5 “Luxury” Home Upgrades That End Up Being Totally Annoying
Whether you are home shopping or considering adding new bells and whistles to your current pad, the fact is that some features aren’t worth the time, effort, or cost. We asked the experts for add-ons that you may think are a good investment but actually turn out to be pretty annoying (and costly in terms of your ROI!)—some may just surprise you: Just say not to those fancy-schmancy rain showerheads.
Nov 14, 2018
Could One of These Colors Be 2019’s Answer to Millennial Pink?
Don’t get mad, but we’re kind of over millennial pink. Make no mistake, we were all about the hue when it first burst onto the design scene a few years ago. Part bubblegum pink, part salmon, it was once the coolest way to embrace your feminine side. But now? It feels, well, overplayed. While there are still some ways to make millennial pink look and feel cool again (hint: try pairing it with red!), we’re itching for a new “it” color.
Nov 14, 2018
A Small Southern Home Is Quietly Renovated Over 13 Years
Name: T.D. and Lisa Luten and two dogs, Jack and Montana Location: Raleigh, North Carolina Size: 1,900 square feet Years lived in: 13 years, owned After we got married, we moved to Manhattan to pursue our careers. A couple years later, we were homesick. We bought our home over 13 years ago and have been quietly renovating it. Our house is a federal style home with lots of windows.
Nov 14, 2018
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5 Tips to Make a Room Feel Comfy and Cozy
It’s fall. That means apple picking, pumpkins, cider, and falling leaves! It probably also means you’re about to be spending a lot of time inside. Now, more than ever, it’s important to set up a cozy space that you love coming home to. This stylish living room takes cues from the season itself and uses key pieces from Raymour & Flanigan to create a space that’s super inviting. Let’s look at the five tips that make it work and how we can use them all year round.
Nov 14, 2018
Before and After: This Is Quite Possibly the Easiest Way to Change Up Your Bedroom
When one clever crafter gained a larger bed but lost a headboard, a humble roll of washi tape came to the rescue, completing the look without destroying the budget. Here was the issue. Georgina recently replaced her old bed with a much larger super-king, which didn’t come with a headboard. As a result, the plain wall above her bed suddenly looked very bare. She came up with a smart way to elegantly and affordably demarcate the sleeping space.
Nov 13, 2018
Peek into a Tiny 432-Square-Foot Shared Stacked Log Cabin
Name: Gretchen Fewell, my husband, a giant Schnauzer, and a mutt Location: Union, West Virginia Size: 432 square feet Years lived in: Part-time by myself 7 years; full-time with husband 1.5 years, owned My 6’4″ husband, giant Schnauzer, medium-sized mutt, and myself live full time in our tiny 432-square-foot square stacked log cabin. It’s an open floor plan that has all the amenities necessary to function. Yet, allows us to enjoy our stream that runs the length of our 2.
Nov 13, 2018
This 5,122-Square-Foot Minnesota Beauty Can Be Your Forever Home for Under $700K
This home has loads of bedrooms—and two kitchens! 3060 Wild Flower Trail Located in Medina, Minnesota $684,900 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms Originally built as a model home in 2016, the current owners took a tour and knew they’d found their forever home. But sadly, work brought on relocation and they’re selling—though not before the couple made a ton of custom upgrades.
Nov 12, 2018
Before and After: An Online IKEA Order Solves a Classic Shoe Storage Problem
While this entryway looks pretty organized and well-wrangled in this photo, the entryway’s owner assures us that it was actually “cluttered and disastrous” on a daily basis. IKEA to the rescue! Reader Kate Sheehan explains the issues this hallway was causing: I had tried to make the entryway nice with two industrial shoe racks, but my husband and I have so many shoes that the hallway always looked cluttered and disastrous which is not a particularly great first impression.
Nov 12, 2018
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Give Your Closet Its Seasonal Switch in 3 Steps
A change of season brings the opportunity to hit refresh on your closet: Even if you’re just swapping out sundresses for lightweight cashmere, this is a great moment to make sure your warm-weather clothes will have a happy hibernation and to move your sweater-weather wardrobe to first position. Show your pieces how much you love them with these three easy steps. Try The Laundress and get 30% off with the code ATREADERS through December 4, 2018, only!
Nov 12, 2018
10 Things You Should Do 10 Days Before Thanksgiving
I hate to be the bearer of stressful-yet-delicious news, but the American holiday of Thanksgiving is just about 10 days away. Luckily, 10 days is plenty of time to ready both your appetite and your home. If you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year, this list is a lifeline for staying on top of things and avoiding that frantic day-before energy.
Nov 12, 2018
A Cookie Cutter Home Gets a Cozy Custom Makeover
Name: Nicole Thompson, spouse, four kids, two goldendoodles, one cat Location: Spanish Fort, Alabama Size: 3,032 square foot Years lived in: 6 years, owned Our home was a cookie cutter home that we have customized. We wanted to build a custom home but didn’t have the time with two kids and a newborn. We settled on a production built home and over the last six years we’ve transformed almost every space.
Nov 11, 2018
This Lip Smacker Advent Calendar Will Bring You Straight Back to Your Childhood
There are a few things that you can hear and smell that will transport you right back to your childhood. The sound of a slap bracelet hitting skin. Your 5th-grade classroom had a weird smell that you’ll never forget. Your friends were all fighting over who had a cooler Lisa Frank notebook, while you were busy applying your favorite Lip Smacker.
Nov 11, 2018
The 70-Year History of How VA Loans Changed the Way We Buy Homes
For those that don't know much about VA loans, you'll be surprised at how much it has affected the way many Americans live—even today.
Nov 11, 2018
8 Pro Tips for Hiring a Home Improvement Contractor
The right renovation can really increase the value of your home, but it’s an expensive and time-consuming process. Besides setting aside the necessary funds, the first big hurdle is deciding how you’re going to tackle the project. Although some talented folks may attempt to DIY, the vast majority is better off seeking out the help of a general contractor for big projects—bathroom updates and kitchen remodels, for example—or additions.
Nov 11, 2018
Before and After: An Affordable, Transformative Fix For an Old Tile Floor
This is a near-perfect cozy corner—imagine curling up by that fireplace in that chair, warmed both by the fire and the radiator—but its new owner believed it could be totally perfect. And, indeed, perfection was achieved, thanks to about $150 and a summer of hard work. Here’s a little backstory on this house and its dated floor: Our house was built in 1910 and this particular floor was the only one replaced since.
Nov 11, 2018
A Clever Way Organize Your Closet with $1 Shower Curtain Rings
Shower rings aren’t just for your bathroom anymore—the affordable hooks can also be used inside your bedroom as a clever organizing hack for your accessories. If you have a basket of scarves, then you know that the struggle is real when it comes to organizing them. When they’re thrown into a drawer or jumbled on a shelf, it’s hard to remember what you own.
Nov 11, 2018
A Lovely Dutch Home Shows How Chic Simplicity Can Be
Name: Saritha Ashok, husband, and 12-year-old son Location: Leiden, Netherlands Size: 1,507 square feet Years lived in: 1 year, renting We live in a small town called Leiden in the Netherlands. We are a small family—me, my husband, and our 12-year-old son. They totally support me in my decor adventures and are my biggest cheerleaders. Since ours is a rented space, there are some decorating limitations. But we have been able to work around it.
Nov 10, 2018
Windowless Planes Might Be the Future of Air Travel
What is the appeal of the window seat on an airplane? Maybe you want to get a view of the sky as you travel, or perhaps you just don’t want to get stuck in the middle seat. It seems like everyone fights for the window seat, rather than the aisle seat, and the person last to the fight gets stuck sitting in the middle. Well, if you love the window seat for the view, a new type of airplane is currently being brainstormed.
Nov 10, 2018
Experts Say This Is the Best Credit Score You Really Ever Need
The 800-and-up credit score club is an elite one: 20.7 percent of Americans have reached this upper echelon of credit worthiness, according to the latest data from FICO, a widely-used credit score rating system. But, finance experts explain that you don’t actually need to have a score in the 800 range to qualify for the best mortgage rates. In fact, the score you should really aspire for is… drumroll, please: 760!
Nov 10, 2018
Disney Launched Their First-Ever Princess Subscription Boxes – Just in Time for Christmas
Growing up, did you dream of becoming a princess? Maybe you longed to be a mermaid like Ariel or you wanted to live in a castle with a huge library like Belle. Or maybe you didn’t idolize the traditional princesses, and instead, you loved Mulan and Pocahontas. Whoever your favorite Disney princess was, you probably spent hours playing dress up pretending to be them. Many of us did!
Nov 10, 2018
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5 Packable and Portable Toddler Toys for Holidays Away from Home
Reuniting with faraway family for the holidays can be wonderful, emotional, and… exhausting. When you’re traveling with little ones, all of that is amplified. Schlepping bags full of toys and gifts-from-the-grandparents through the airport is daunting, but it can be managed! Use this Sago Mini packing list to save space while keeping kids entertained with toys that spark imagination and curiosity. Plus, you can forward this wishlist to Grandma and Grandpa.
Nov 9, 2018
A 360-Square-Foot Studio Is Like a Tiny Cabin in the City
Name: Kyle L. Quilici, my boyfriend, also named Kyle! Location: San Francisco, California Size: 360 square feet Years lived in: 5 years, renting I moved into this studio five years ago from a listing I found on Craigslist. I was attracted to the cabin-like feel of the wood-beamed ceiling and the brightness from the skylights. It was located in a random part of the city, right in between a few different neighborhoods, but the street itself is a gem—tree-lined and quiet.
Nov 9, 2018
Peek Inside This Elephant-Shaped Villa—And It’s Available for Rent
If you’re not already sold on the fact that this rental is shaped like a giant elephant (think of the post-trip Insta posts!), you’ll be pleased to learn that its charm goes far beyond that particularly striking detail. This 40-foot, two-story mammoth of a tiny house is located in the Southeastern Uva Province of Sri Lanka, near a river that borders Yala—Sri Lanka’s famous wildlife park.
Nov 8, 2018
Genevieve Gorder’s First Apartment Was a DIY-Lover’s Dream
Welcome to My First Apartment! Whether it’s your first studio, a four-bedroom deep in the city shared with a handful of roommates, or even an entire house (lucky you!), there’s something special about moving into the first place that’s truly your own. In this series, we’ll showcase actors, artists, entrepreneurs, and beyond—asking them to revisit that oh-so-sweet nostalgia of newly-found freedom. To say that Genevieve Gorder is captivating is an understatement.
Nov 8, 2018
Before and After: The Best IKEA BESTÅ Hack We’ve Seen in Ages
IKEA hacks are always fun, but this one resulted in a piece that looks more like a high-end mid-century modern credenza that would cost at least 10 times more than it actually did. This BESTÅ is about to truly live its best life. First, a little bit about how Alex Mcclain, the mastermind behind this hack, was inspired by: I really liked a mid-century style credenza I saw from a company called Rove Concepts but couldn’t justify spending the $1,000+ dollars so I had to get creative.
Nov 8, 2018
10 Unbelievably Bold and Unique Tile Ideas to Try
Available in a dizzying array of colors, materials, patterns, sizes, and shapes, tiles are the incredibly versatile and durable decor tool that’s been adorning interiors for thousands of years. Whether you’re looking for fresh inspiration or overwhelmed by all the choices available, these 10 one-of-kind rooms narrow in on unbelievably bold and unique looks you can achieve with tile. In Daniel and Diego’s small Buenos Aires, Argentina home, they went BOLD in the bathroom.
Nov 8, 2018
7 Daily Home Habits That Will Boost Your Creative Energy
Creativity starts at home. That’s why it’s important to know what kinds of things you can do around the house to get your creative juices flowing. We called on two of our favorite creative experts: Rahti Gorfien, Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and ACCG at Creative Calling Coaching and Danielle Raine, a U.K.-based creativity coach for advice on everyday habits that can help improve our creativity from the privacy of our own place, and they had lots to share.
Nov 8, 2018
The Surprising Place to Find Furniture for Cheap
If you’ve ever thrown any kind of party at your house you know that, regardless of your best laid plans to draw guests into other rooms, everyone is going to congregate in the kitchen. Kitchens have long been the number one return on investment for remodeling for that reason, and now they’ve also become the most splurge-y place in the house for furniture and decor, as well.
Nov 7, 2018
6 Ways This Staging Secret Weapon Can Help Your Home Sell
We all know plants work wonders to purify the air and make your space feel happier, but there’s more to know about these green goodies: They can actually help sell your house. Here’s how. Houseplants make our homes happier, healthier places. They also convey just that when you’re putting your house up for sale, says Justin Hancock, a horticulturist at Costa Farms in Miami, Florida.
Nov 7, 2018
9 Little Ways to Upgrade Your Kitchen Without Renovating
You're not stuck with what you've got.
Nov 7, 2018
The Best Place to Live If You’re Not a Fan of Budgeting
Budgeting can be pretty hard—especially on a measly income. And some places, it’s nearly impossible to live a full life on your income alone—so you’re likely to slip into debt to pay the bills. Though it’s not ideal, for many it’s just the way it is. But in other places, it’s much, much easier—like in San Jose, California.
Nov 7, 2018
Before and After: This Kitchen Remodel Is a ‘Crazy Magic’ Blend of Industrial and Victorian Styles
This “industrial condo” needed to be transformed into a home to please someone who also loved Victorian homes and an elegant, full-of-antiques style. Somehow they managed to combine those two aesthetics seamlessly. How does this have so much vintage charm yet feel so fresh? That, I suppose, is the magic of Shannon Tate Interiors, who renovated this kitchen for a client.
Nov 7, 2018
6 Surprising Things Your Renters Insurance Covers
If you’re budget-conscious, you might think purchasing renters insurance is a luxury you can’t afford—especially if your landlord doesn’t require you to hold it. But like most insurance, it can pay dividends when the unexpected occurs and your valuables are lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed–and much more besides.
Nov 6, 2018
What to Make and Eat on Election Night
With midterm elections this week, you may have already figured out where you’ll be tuning in—but have you thought about what you’ll be eating? No matter who you’re voting for in November, one thing is universal: We’ll all need food to fuel us through the night as results roll in.
Nov 6, 2018
6 Things You Didn’t Realize About IKEA Kitchen Cabinets
Here's everything you need to know.
Nov 6, 2018
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How One Designer Brings IRL Inspiration into Her New England–Style Spaces
Instagram is great for design inspo, but sometimes we forget that all those digital ideas come from the real world. (Remember the real world? It’s so tactile!) It’s time to stop scrolling and start snapping: Which is exactly what Heather Thibodeau—the DIY-ing, color-loving lady behind The Heathered Nest—is doing for her next projects, all inspired by New England.
Nov 6, 2018