A Cute Chicago Condo’s Home to 2 Humans, 2 Cats, and 80+ Houseplants
Name: Sarah Beckett, my husband Colin Beckett, Sweet Dee a 6-year-old tabby cat, and Gayle Force Winds, a tabby/bangle mix kitten. As well as 80-ish houseplants (mostly foliage plants). Location: Albany Park — Chicago, Illinois Size: Under 1,000 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years, owned My husband and I spent many years renting in the Logan Square area of Chicago. When we first moved into that neighborhood it was very different from where it is today.
Oct 18, 2018
Inside Mariska Hargitay and Peter Hermann’s NYC Townhouse For Sale
Take a peek at the colorful interior.
Oct 17, 2018
All Couples Should Do This Before They Move in Together
When my boyfriend and I decided to move in together after a year of long distance, I knew there would be our share of compromises. One in particular would be combining the contents of two apartments into one singular household. Though I had done a thorough cleaning of my space and came out with a chunk of items to throw out, sell, or donate, I still naturally had accumulated a good amount of things.
Oct 17, 2018
This Artist’s Home Is in a Sunny Chicago Suburb Rental
Name: Kennan del Mar, my partner, Allan, and our dog Marsha Location: Lombard, Illinois Size: 1,035 square feet Years lived in: 9 months, renting I live with my partner, Allan, and our girl dog Marsha, an American Cocker Spaniel. Allan is working as a data analyst and I’m an independent artist.
Oct 17, 2018
Stay at Madonna & Guy Ritchie’s Former London Home (From When They Started Dating)
Though her pub-going “Madge” phase is long over, Madonna’s mark remains on the 2/2 South Kensington flat British filmmaker Guy Ritchie owned when the couple first started dating in the late ’90s—and now, as of this week, you can rent the London pad on HomeAway.
Oct 17, 2018
These Amazon Home Buys Are Designer-Approved AND Under $50
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Amazon has a bunch of home decor pieces that look expensive, but are ridiculously affordable. It’s not that surprising, right? After all, you can buy just about everything (and we mean everything) at the mega-retailer—and usually for a low, fair price. Of course, we’re not the only ones who think Amazon is a decorating enthusiast’s paradise.
Oct 17, 2018
Here’s What That Drawer Under Your Oven Is Actually For
I’ve been cooking for most of my adult life, and I’ve never actually been completely sure just what that drawer under the oven is for. It seems like a good enough place to store baking pans, but that also feels like wasted space, or that it should actually be for something besides storage. I’ve never really used that drawer for anything.
Oct 17, 2018
Why 20% of Workers Will Have Trouble Getting a Mortgage
Andrea Kaplan-Chambers and her husband have owned their Austin, Texas, home for a year now, but the path there wasn’t easy. The couple were both freelancers when they were applying for mortgages, (Kaplan-Chambers worked as a contract programmer and her husband owned a small sound design business) something they didn’t know was going to be as big of a problem as it ended up being.
Oct 17, 2018
3 Donation Mistakes a Thrift Store Employee Saw All the Time
Just because those pesky things aren’t sitting in your closet anymore, it doesn’t mean they’re somewhat easier for another person to have to deal with.
Oct 16, 2018
The One Thing in Your Closet You Should Just Toss Right Now
You will not deal with the box later. You’ll pass by that box every single morning and night and feel pangs of anxiety until you hide the box and pretend it doesn’t exist.
Oct 15, 2018
This $2M Loft in Brooklyn Is a Master Class in Color
This interior re-designed Prospect Heights loft has been featured in all the fancy glossies. 364 Saint Marks Ave. #3D Located in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn $1,999,000 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom Designed and styled by owner Olga Naiman and her firm Aparat Interior Design, this loft has been featured in loads of notable pubs, including Vogue. The apartment is impressive from the moment you enter.
Oct 15, 2018
The Historic John Proctor House, Dating Back to the 17th Century, Is for Sale
An important piece of American history just hit the market, just weeks before Halloween. Originally belonging to John Proctor and his wife, Elizabeth, the John Proctor house is a 3,910-square-foot First Period colonial filled with history. Built in 1638 in Peabody, Massachusetts, the home became instantly associated with the Salem Witch Trails when Proctor was hanged after being falsely accused and convicted of witchcraft. Currently listed at $600,000 by Joseph Cipoletta, an agent for J.
Oct 15, 2018
An Artist’s 400-Square-Foot Studio Makes Room for Color
Name: Briana McNamara Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan Size: 400 square feet Years lived in: 6 months, renting My little home is a studio apartment located in a historic home just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. I live in the quaint space with my plant babes, all 10+ of them. I’m a single, city-living gal, graphic designer by day (and sometimes night) and artist from the mitten state.
Oct 15, 2018
5 Things You Shouldn’t Buy If You’re Trying to Declutter
Decluttering is not for the faint of heart—it can take some serious self-reflection, a discerning eye, and the type of discipline not made for a world where Target exists. Author and organization expert Marie Kondo often shares her wisdom about the four biggest hurdles that keep us buried in a sea of our own stuff: space, sentimentality, guilt, and money all make the list. Truth be told, she has a point.
Oct 15, 2018
Get Wine Delivered To Your Door in 1 Hour, Thanks to Amazon’s Expanded Alcohol Delivery Service
It is official, Amazon is the one-stop shop for literally all of our needs. You can buy clothing, books, accessories, toys, tiny houses, lifehacks, food, and wine on Amazon. Yup, you can order wine from Amazon and have it delivered to your house! Don’t you just hate when you run out of wine on a Friday, because you swore you had a full bottle, but it was really only an ⅛ full? Us too!
Oct 14, 2018
5 Real Haunted Houses to Visit If You Love Spooks
Halloween is upon us, and haunted houses are popping up everywhere to provide visitors with thrills, chills, and holiday entertainment. But those who prefer to get their kicks from a more realistic experience may want to visit a supposedly real haunted house instead, complete with dark backstories, dastardly characters, and more. Here are five haunted houses you can visit nationwide.
Oct 14, 2018
A Teeny Studio Apartment Is Well-Designed and Incredibly Cozy
Name: Nkiru Azikiwe Location: Monroe, NY Size: 290 square feet Years lived in: 2 months, renting I live in my tiny studio alone. I enjoy the independence and need my own space and alone time to come home to after a long day. I’ve never lived in a place quite this small! However the location is perfect, the price is right, the space is clean, and landlords are great so it was really a no-brainer.
Oct 14, 2018
A Tiny Shared Studio Is Bright, Minimal and Ultra Functional
Name: Federico Ciccone and his boyfriend Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina Size: 538 square feet Years lived in: 3 years, renting My home is my safe haven, my refuge from the world. Architecturally speaking, it’s a loft located in the heart of Recoleta neighborhood. Its greatest strengths are the original wooden floors and the large window that illuminates the living/resting area. I’m an architect by degree, creative director by choice.
Oct 13, 2018
How I Bought a Home on My $37K Teacher’s Salary
I started my first teaching gig only a few months after finishing college. At first, I was thoroughly unprepared, but two years later, I was confident enough to land a coveted job teaching English at one of the best high schools in the county—a 30-minute drive south of my grubby apartment in Daytona Beach, Florida. After a few too many days of dragging myself out of bed at the crack of dawn to beat traffic, I decided I had to move closer to the school in New Smyrna Beach.
Oct 13, 2018
10 Things From Chrissy Teigen’s Target Line That Are Under $25
Honestly, who doesn’t love Chrissy Teigen? She is the honest Twitter queen that we all need in our lives. Not only is she funny, but she also keeps it very real and we all admire her for it. We’d all love to be her BFF, so she could make us laugh and feed us tasty food. Over the last few years, Chrissy has added a few more titles to her career, as a cook and an author. Now, she’s also on the retail market! She released two cookbooks, Cravings and Cravings: Hungry For More.
Oct 13, 2018
Why I Let Our Seller Back Out—Right Before We Closed
There are a multitude of reasons why people don’t make it to move-in day after an offer is accepted: Your financing doesn’t go through, inspections uncover major issues, or you don’t move quickly enough. But one issue you usually don’t hear about? The seller backing out. “It is very rare for the seller to back out of the sale,” says Alex Lehr, proprietor of Lehr Real Estate in San Carlos, California.
Oct 13, 2018
10 Organizing Tips I Learned While Stalking Marie Kondo’s Perfect Instagram
It’s not technically considered stalking if it’s a public account, right? I haven’t broken any laws or anything, but I’ve probably spent more than the socially acceptable amount of time on Marie Kondo’s Instagram. I can’t help myself. It’s just all so perfect. The time wasn’t wasted, though, because I learned some serious lessons, which I’m now passing along to you!
Oct 13, 2018
How We Can Help Those Affected by Hurricane Michael
The strongest tropical cyclone to hit the US since Andrew in 1992, Hurricane Michael has already impacted coastal Florida and as far north as Virginia. According to CNN, the US death toll is already at 13—and it’s expected to get worse. While Michael has since been downgraded to a Tropical Storm, there’s no better time to help out—and we’ve compiled a list of organizations helping the victims of this brutal extreme weather event.
Oct 12, 2018
3 Things I Love About NYC (And 3 Things I Hate)
Like a lot of people, I grew up thinking that New York City was this magical place where all your dreams came true. In my fairytale, there was no gorgeous royal to sweep me off my feet—I was the princess, and New York was my one true love. When things were good, I pictured myself basking in the glow of the city lights. When things were bad, I told myself it would all go away once I got to New York.
Oct 12, 2018
I Lived Alone for 4 Years–Then I Had to Get Roommates. Here’s How I’m Making It Work
I have had some bonkers roommate experiences in my short 25 years of life. From waking up to a roommate watching me sleep repeatedly for months in a small dorm space, to another roommate going on a three-day blackout drinking binge, I’ve grown accustomed to compiling my own personal list of “roommate horror stories.” Hence, when I was able to find an affordable micro-studio in Seattle for the last few months of my undergraduate studies, I jumped on the opportunity.
Oct 12, 2018
4 Credit Score Raising Tips, From Members of the 800+ Club
Fact: The majority of people don’t have amazing credit. In fact, the median credit score, according to Experian, is only “good,” the average score hitting 700. But some people do blast their way into 800 territory—a tier known as “exceptional.
Oct 12, 2018
An Antique Store Owner’s Bold Barcelona Home
Name: Carina Casanovas Location: Gracias — Barcelona, Spain Size: 3,000 square feet Years lived in: 25 years, owned Carina has been buying, restoring and selling antiques for 28 years. Antiques are such a part of her life, that her house reflects this passion as well. The home she’s owned for 25 years does have some antique store vibes, but it’s still cozy and home-like. And there are tons of things to look at, from skulls to religious art.
Oct 12, 2018
10 Things You Should Always Be on the Lookout for at Stores Like HomeGoods and Marshalls
What good home finds are waiting for you at Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and HomeGoods? Um, to sum it up briefly, a lot! I have a fairly intense relationship with Marshalls. I grew up shopping their Bedford, MA, store and now I am lucky enough to live near a “really good one” outside Los Angeles. This is not just my personal opinion — I am quoting a very impressed gentleman I heard remark as he walked through it.
Oct 12, 2018
31 Incredibly Colorful Wallpaper Design Ideas for Any Room
Need more proof that wallpaper just might be the perfect decor accessory for your home? These 31 rooms are bursting with vivacious, energetic wallpaper designs that will inspire. Some homes features every wall covered in pattern, while others just have a small accent—but all the rooms prove that graphic, bold wallpaper is your design best friend.
Oct 12, 2018
Gift Your Wizard This $12 Harry Potter Advent Calendar
If you need an excuse to incorporate Harry Potter into your life, there’s always going to be one. Need something to do for Halloween? Go dine at Hogwarts for a spooktacular feast. Yearning to transform your space? Decorate with this magical home collection. Looking for your next novel? New books galore! And with the holidays fast approaching, your latest excuse might be needing a gift for your fellow wizard (or yourself).
Oct 11, 2018
50% of Homeowners Bought Their First Home by This Age
First, a disclaimer: You should, of course, live your life on your own timeline. But, if you were curious about the median age of homebuyers, a snapshot from the National Association of Realtors reveals that it’s 32. To get super specific… the average household income of the median homebuyer is $75,000, their homes were 1,640 square feet, and they spent $190,000 on their first property.
Oct 11, 2018
Here’s How Long Your Favorite Homewares Last, According to the Experts
Unless you just moved into your home—and purchased brand-new pieces to fill it with—you’ve probably had your furniture for a long, looong time. Your rug dates back to your college days, your mattress has lasted longer than most of your relationships, and you don’t even want to think about how many hours you’ve spent binge-watching TV on your couch. Once you’ve found a piece that fits with your space, aesthetic, and budget, you never want to let it go.
Oct 11, 2018
Most People Don’t Put 20% Down to Buy a Home—But Should You?
You’re trying to save 20 percent to put down on your first home, but do you know exactly why you’re striving for that amount? Though you don’t need to put down that percentage of your home purchase price in order to buy, it does help in two major ways: It saves you money in the long run by shredding off interest and makes you a more attractive loan applicant. And while all that sounds like a great goal, it can feel impossibly to many.
Oct 11, 2018
Minimalist Meets Boho in This Newly Converted School Bus
Name: Jordan Page, husband, Sam; furbaby, Penelope Location: Everywhere! We travel full time. Size: 200 square feet Years lived in: Self-converted it for nine months—have lived in it full time for one month, owned My home is a bus! My husband and I bought a 2003 Chevy Bluebird school bus in December 2017. It was yellow, had all the seats, and it was pretty filthy.
Oct 11, 2018
11 Surprising Ways to Stay Clean and Organized with Silicone Cupcake Liners
If you thought reusable cupcake liners were only good for baking, then think again. Turns out those colorful silicone cups, like these rainbow-hued cuties by AmazonBasics, are awesome for cleaning and organizing stuff around your home, too. Don’t believe us? Read on for a bunch of ways you can use (and reuse) silicone baking cups outside of the oven. Searching for a cute and inexpensive way to streamline your workstation?
Oct 11, 2018
Four Ways to Decorate Your Terracotta Pots for Halloween This Year
We have a lot of love for terracotta pots. They are a no-brainer choice for your plants: They’re cheap, blend in anywhere, but they are also easy to customize and make your own. We recently came up with a whole new way to use them at home, and we’re pretty chuffed about it. Carving pumpkins is messy, requires tools, and then they just turn around and rot on you. Here’s another suggestion: Forgo the jack-o-lantern and decorate your plants and planters instead.
Oct 10, 2018
I Wrote an Offer Letter That Beat 6 Other Bids—Here’s What I Did
When my husband and I put an offer on our house, I asked our agent if he thought sending an offer letter, or a personalized letter to the buyer explaining why they should pick us over another offer, would be appropriate. “Yes, definitely do that,” Mark Branch, our real estate broker with Century 21 Scheetz in Indianapolis, Indiana, told me. “And send pictures, too.
Oct 10, 2018
Is it Better (and Cleaner) to Shower at Night or in the Morning?
While my showering habits have shifted since having kids (read: I shower less), I’ve always been a morning shower-er, purely for practical reasons. My fine hair styles better when I don’t sleep on it, and the ritual of a morning shower jolts me awake and helps me mentally prepare for the day ahead. Plus, I tend to get hot at night, and I feel fresher when I rinse it all off in the A.M. But fans of night showers defend their habits for similarly practical reasons.
Oct 10, 2018
This Is How Much It Costs to Live 10 Minutes from Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The beautiful area straddling the New York-Canadian border is home to striking waterfalls; miles of hiking trails and fishing and boating on the Niagara River; as well as wineries, orchards, shopping, golfing, and restaurants.
Oct 10, 2018
You Can Slide Down an Actual Pole in This Converted Fire Truck
Name: Red Rescue Retreat Location: Lake District, United Kingdom I think it’s accurate to say I’m slightly obsessed with things that aren’t homes being converted into a homes. That’s why you’ve seen everything from a former prison bus turned mobile home, to a converted van, to a school bus turned tiny home featured on Apartment Therapy. I’m very happy to share a first for the site: a converted former fire truck.
Oct 10, 2018
5 Things That Don’t Belong In Your Kitchen Junk Drawer
There are two kinds of junk drawers. There’s the kind that you open with one hand and, with the other hand, sweep the contents of the kitchen countertop into and shove shut. Then there’s the properly curated, random junk stashing spot. Here’s how to keep your drawer of chaos in check and looking like the latter. There will be things you always find in a junk drawer, like a burnt-out lighter and three sets of old, mysterious keys.
Oct 10, 2018
8 Reasons You Should Consider Decorating with Monograms
When you think of monograms, do the frilly handkerchiefs from your grandmother’s handbag pop into your mind? Sure, monogramming has been around forever, but we’re loving all of the fresh, modern takes on the age-old classic that we’ve been coming across. Check out our favorite inspiration images and shopping picks below; we guarantee you’ll have a hard time settling on just one!
Oct 9, 2018
5 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Moving Into a Newly-Constructed Apartment Complex
Before I moved into my current apartment, I thought I did a good amount of research: I’d cranked out the numbers for my budget, called around to multiple agents and buildings, and went on plenty of apartment tours. Despite all this, I was shocked at what the market held for me—though Omaha, Nebraska, has been named one of the most affordable cities in the country, most of the townhomes and apartments I’d loved so much were still out of my budget.
Oct 9, 2018
The New Editor-in-Chief of Out Magazine’s Cool Brooklyn Apartment
Name: Phillip Picardi and Dr. Darien Sutton-Ramsey Location: Downtown Brooklyn — New York Years lived in: 1.5 years, renting Phillip and his partner Darien live in a luxury high rise apartment building in Downtown Brooklyn. “I hate to admit this, but we could never go back,” Darien laughed when talking about the perks of living in this space. The airy apartment features high ceilings, modern finishes, and amazing views of Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Oct 9, 2018
Before and After: This Pink Houseboat Keeps Getting Better and Better
If you’re thinking that there couldn’t possibly be any improvements upon this Wes Anderson–worthy houseboat, hold onto your Team Zissou beanie because things are about to get a lot cuter—and cleaner. Erika Klees of the Pink Lady is the person responsible for this amazing houseboat renovation.
Oct 9, 2018
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6 Accessories That Will Take Any Space to the Next Level
We all have that one friend: the one whose home, whether on Instagram or in person, always looks FLAWLESS. You’ve admired that friend. You’ve envied that friend. But we know the secret to being that friend: accessories. They’re the little pieces that warm up the room with personality, making it feel lived in and complete.
Oct 9, 2018
Join Apartment Therapy’s Holiday Jumpstart and Get Ahead on the Holidays!
When you look back on the holidays, you want to remember things like the raucous Christmas party or the morning you spent laughing with your family over latkes—not the times when you spent all day hunting for a parking spot or waited an hour in line at the department store checkout. To help you make more room for happy memories—and save you from holiday shopping stress—Apartment Therapy is launching a new program called Holiday Jumpstart.
Oct 8, 2018
This Decadent $2.85M Beach House Comes Fully Furnished(!)
This home in Alys Beach, Florida looks like it’s straight out of a magazine spread. It comes tricked out with the best of everything—even all the furniture. 71 Nonesuch Way, U1 Located in Alys Beach, Florida $2,850,000 4 bedrooms (plus bonus), 4.5 bathrooms Dreaming of a beach house that feels like you’ve jumped into your screensaver?
Oct 8, 2018