A Rental Complex Apartment Goes Beyond Cookie Cutter
Name: Elizabeth Location: Orange County, California Elizabeth shares her stylish Orange County home with her boyfriend. A perfect blend of their styles, the space is designed to be a chill and and inviting spot, perfect for hosting. From Elizabeth: Welcome to our sunny Orange County apartment! We have just over 1,000 square feet and live in a pretty standard apartment complex. There are about 50 other units and we chose to live in close proximity to my boyfriend Jared’s workplace.
Mar 21, 2017
This Charming Tiny Farmhouse on Wheels is Only $72K
Despite being just 290 square feet, this little house isn’t small on style. In fact, you’d be surprised just how much functionality is packed into this tiny footprint. Dubbed “Tiny Getaway,” this farmhouse on wheels is the latest home from Matt Impola of Handcrafted Movement (we wrote about a previous property, Artisan Retreat, last year).
Mar 21, 2017
Before & After: So Brave, So Good! Purple Reigns in a NYC Kitchen
Krista made some pretty stunning lemonade out of old-kitchen-laminate-lemons. She decided to double down on the purple color scheme and the results are crazy impressive. From Krista: My guiding principles when I realized, that, yes, I really had just bought my own NYC co-op, were no white or stainless steel in the kitchen. I succeeded for the most part, though compromises quickly became the name of the game.
Mar 21, 2017
Elegant One-Bedroom in a Federal-style D.C. Boutique Condo
Located in the hip and historic Dupont Circle neighborhood of D.C., this is an elegant one-bedroom condo of my Federal-style dreams. I lived in D.C. for a year and used to meander down New Hampshire Ave., wondering what the interiors of these elegant buildings looked like. Turns out, pretty pretty pretty great. If you’re in the market or in the window-shopping market, take a look at this vintage gem! 1728 New Hampshire Ave NW Apt 201 Washington, DC 1 bedroom | 1 bath | 704 sq ft.
Mar 21, 2017
An Art Historian’s New York Apartment Filled With “Bookish Warmth”
Name: Elyse Location: New York, New York Elyse and her husband have added a considerable amount of character to their 830 square foot rental. With a strong paint choice, smartly mixed styles and pops of green, their place may be short on the historic elements they loved in their former home but it’s long on charm.
Mar 20, 2017
Before & After: A Neglected Brooklyn Backyard Looks Like a Resort Now
It’s that time of year again when the weather starts to get ever so slightly warmer and you suddenly have hope that winter might someday end. It’s also that time of year when people start thinking about outdoor projects, so this transformation of a neglected Brooklyn backyard is particularly timely. Having your own private backyard is something that most New Yorkers can only dream of. K.V.
Mar 20, 2017
Before & After: Who Says White Paint Can’t Work Wonders?
Adie’s office space in her new house was in a room with great light and of a good size, but something just wasn’t right. After some big fixes before moving in, Adie and her husband focused on giving the room a DIY makeover. From Adie: When we purchased our home, one of the bedrooms was being used as an office. It had green walls and shelves everywhere. The floors were in rough shape, but the room has great natural light and is quite spacious.
Mar 20, 2017
Small but Mighty: 9 Genius Design Ideas From Stylish Rental Studios
Here's a reminder to us all that good things—including genius design ideas—really do come in small packages.
Mar 18, 2017
Spilled Nail Polish On The Carpet? Here’s What You Need To Do (Like Right Now)
There you are, minding your business and painting your nails, when suddenly you make one false move and your favorite shade is splattered on the rug. Nothing like a big, crunchy, tangerine-colored spill in the middle of your white carpet to really pull the room together, huh? Good news: You might still be able to get your carpet back to normal—it’ll just take a bit of elbow grease. Don’t panic, just follow these steps.
Mar 18, 2017
Looking Past the “Disaster” to Unlock the Loveliness of this Chicago Beauty
Name: Bridget Location: Lakeview — Chicago, Illinois Once Upon a Time in the Land of Chicago, a young woman named Bridget followed a magical road (Craigslist) to a big, yet unloved castle (a one-bedroom). She took one look at the space that many had overlooked and knew that with a little love care, and deep-clean magic she and the apartment could live happily ever after. From Bridget: Welcome to my vintage 750 square foot apartment in the Lakeview neighborhood in Chicago.
Mar 17, 2017
Here’s How To Clean Your Stove Naturally
(Image credit: James & Amie Jones of Photography RI) karli.hendrickson@gmail.com From Kitchn → How To Clean the Stove Naturally: A Tip
Mar 17, 2017
5 Green Kitchens We’re Completely Obsessing Over
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy) From Kitchn → 5 Green Kitchens We’re Obsessing Over
Mar 17, 2017
Before & After: A Craftsman Bathroom Gets a Clean & Classic Remodel
Chelsea’s black and white bathroom makeover incorporates classic elements into her family bathroom that keep the space feeling crisp and light. She also teaches us that one way to inspire even more tub envy is to paint said tub black. From Chelsea: This was a bathroom remodel that my husband and I completed on our small upstairs bathroom in our 1918 Craftsman bungalow located in Columbus, Ohio.
Mar 17, 2017
Ina Garten’s NYC Pied a Terre Hits the Market for $2 Million
If you’ve dreamed of popping by Ina Garten’s house in the Hamptons for a fabulous lunch or a dinner party with Jeffery, here’s the next best thing. The entertaining guru has listed their Upper East Side pied à terre for $1.975 million. The cookbook author and Food Network personality and her husband bought the one bedroom, one bath co-op in 2004 and had it renovated by designer Daniel Romualdez (who transformed it from a two bedroom).
Mar 16, 2017
City vs. Suburbs: A New Study Breaks Down Exactly How Much More It Costs For Families To Live An Urban Life
From million-dollar condos to $8 beers, the bright lights of the big city don’t come cheap. In fact, living in New York City costs a family with young children $71,237 more per year than life in the surrounding suburbs. That’s according to a joint study by Zillow and Care.com that compared the costs of housing, property taxes, and childcare in major cities to their outlying suburbs.
Mar 16, 2017
45 Minutes Well Spent If You Can’t Decide to Rent or Buy
If you lustfully dream about getting out of the rental game—to have creative control over your space or just to stop “throwing away money” every month—you’ve no doubt given some thought to whether it’s cheaper to rent or to buy where you live. It’s easy enough to search out a couple of listings on Zillow to give yourself a quick answer, but the truth is there are lots of unexpected financial effects to weigh—on both sides.
Mar 16, 2017
A Toronto Home Where Functionality & Style Go Side by Side
Name: Erin Location: Riverdale — Toronto, Ontario Erin’s Toronto home is full of clean lines and up-cycled style. She’s created a space that is both family friendly, totally functional and full of covetable finds. Her motto? “Style your home with love”! From Erin: Our home is located in a neighborhood in Riverdale, Toronto. It is a three-story, standard-looking, 100-plus-year-old historic Toronto home.
Mar 16, 2017
Before & After: An All-Star, DIY Entryway Makeover
Deirdre’s entryway makeover packs in all of our favorite things: DIY, IKEA, wallpaper, space maximization and creativity. But you know what, since it’s not all about us, the best thing about Deirdre’s new entryway is how much she loves it. From Deirdre Sullivan: My apartment didn’t have a real entryway.
Mar 16, 2017
A Calgary Home with Cozy Colors and Collected Finds
Name: Nicole Location: Red Deer — Alberta, Canada Our home is an ongoing experiment, forever changing as I bring in new pieces and try new things. I love experimenting with fresh and innovative ideas. Many of my clients squirm at the idea, but in the end, if I’m not willing to try something in my own space, how can I convince a client to do it in theirs? Built in 1973, our four-bedroom, 1,374 square foot four-level split gives me lots of different rooms to play in.
Mar 15, 2017
DIY Project Test Lab: I Hacked My Rental Kitchen & Bath with Sugru
Sug-what? Pronounced seew-grew, this sticky substance is like moldable glue that’s clay-like out of the package, then hardens to rubber after 24 hours. People have found all sorts of ways to fix and create things with this flexible, interesting stuff. But perhaps most intriguing is its potential for renters.
Mar 15, 2017
Can Shopping at Costco Actually Save You Money?
(Image credit: Emma Christensen) From Kitchn → Can Shopping at Costco Really Save You Money?
Mar 15, 2017
Gwyneth Paltrow’s Pastel Penthouse is Back on the Market
There’s nothing Goopier than Gwyneth Paltrow’s Tribeca penthouse, and it’s back on the market for the reduced price of $9.995 million. Paltrow and former husband Chris Martin of Coldplay bought the three bedroom, three and a half bath property in 2007. After they consciously uncoupled, the penthouse was first for sale in March 2016 for $14.25 million; a month later, they dropped the price to $12.85 million, and still with no buyers, the listing was dropped—until now.
Mar 14, 2017
A Lovingly Restored Early 20th-Century Family Home in Chicago
Maybe you can have it all: spacious living (perfect for a family) in a vibrant, urban neighborhood. This four-bedroom Chicago home has hit the market (but we bet it won’t be available for long).
Mar 14, 2017
Before & After: A 30-Hour Total Kitchen Turnaround for Under $600
Wow! Wendy’s kitchen makeover was renovation free and budget friendly. She went from standard issue to a colorful, customized tile wonderland in 30 hours. Check it out! From Wendy: For my kitchen makeover we worked to a pretty tight budget but man I gotta tell you, I love it. You know when you go to a party and everyone winds up in the kitchen? Yeah, that’s basically me – every single night. Party for one. This is my most favouritest space.
Mar 14, 2017
Clever (& Cheap!) Ways To Organize With Wooden Dowels
Walk into almost any hardware or craft supplies store and you’ll find a bin full of inexpensive wooden dowels. Buy one of these 48-inch-long wooden wands for under $5, and magically transform it into a useful organizing tool — everything from a DIY pegboard to a simple coat rack, like the one in the entryway above. If your home’s in need of some serious organizing help (whose isn’t?), let these hardware store hacks put things in their place.
Mar 14, 2017
The One Thing I Always Do After Doing the Dishes
(Image credit: Lauren Volo) From Kitchn → The One Thing I Always Do After I Do the Dishes
Mar 14, 2017
Before & After: Believable “Built-ins” That Are Actually Renter-Friendly & Removable
Ariel found herself in a situation familiar to many an Apartment Therapy reader; a great idea, great taste and the limits of being in a rental. With a little millwork, paint and a weekend Ariel was able to make her living room dreams a reality. From Ariel: We live in a rental (Military Housing here in Canada) so we’re not allowed to do anything that can’t be un-done when we move out.
Mar 13, 2017
The Nitty Gritty: 3 Too-Real Ways Young People Are Making Homeownership Possible
The reality of owning a home isn’t as simple as it used to be decades ago. Many first-time home buyers are now waiting longer than they ever have, around six years, before shifting from being a renter to being a home owner. (And rates of homeownership are down further than they have been in nearly fifty years.) For many potential home buyers, unsurprisingly, the down payment is their biggest obstacle. Housing prices have gone up while household income has remained relatively stagnant.
Mar 13, 2017
A New Yorker in Scotland: New Baby, New City, New Home
Name: Liz Location: Stockbridge — Edinburgh, Scotland I’m a New Yorker, living in Edinburgh, married to a Scotsman with a chatty baby boy. I regularly daydream about art, design, interiors, Mid-century modern furniture, wallpaper, the color yellow, and all things brand while navigating being a new mama. Why Edinburgh? My lovely Scottish husband told me “It was every Scotsman’s duty to make someone fall in love with Scotland”. It worked.
Mar 13, 2017
Why My Secret Travel Tip Is to Drink Coke with Every Meal
(Image credit: Sergey Causelove) shutterstock From Kitchn → Coca-Cola Is My Secret to Battling Traveler’s Tummy
Mar 13, 2017
Here’s How To Clean a Blender in 30 Seconds (Without Taking It Apart)
(Image credit: Faith Durand) From Kitchn → How To Clean a Blender in 30 Seconds (Without Taking It Apart)
Mar 13, 2017
Before & After: A Classic Kitchen Update 40 Years in the Making
I’ve heard it said that it’s helpful to live in your home before renovating, to get a feel for how you actually use the space and what you really want from the renovation. Well, this Upper East Side homeowner lived in his apartment for 40 years. So he had a pretty good idea. What he did want: A fresh new kitchen, but one whose traditional feel would integrate seamlessly with the rest of the apartment. What he didn’t want: a completely open-concept kitchen.
Mar 12, 2017
Before & After: A Typical Dated Suburban Kitchen is Now “To Die For”
Project by: Jessica McClendon of Glamour Nest Project location: Los Angeles, California The “before” of this Sherman Oaks kitchen is your typical suburban kitchen: oak cabinets, tile flooring, Corian countertops…all the result of a renovation from decades prior that now felt dated and ignored the home’s mid-century roots.
Mar 12, 2017
20 Creative Date Ideas That Cost Less Than $20 (But Aren’t Any Less Fun)
Date night doesn't need to break the bank—with these ideas, you can spend quality time together without actually spending much of anything, and there's something for everyone.
Mar 12, 2017
This Shape-Shifting Chair Is a Small Space Lover’s Dream
Is it asking too much for a seating option to be comfortable, stylish and space-saving? Well, that treasured chair that you use as a nightstand might find it challenging to meet those expectations, but this shape-shifting Ollie chair easily hits the mark and does it with some added flair. Whether you’re trying to make the most of a micro apartment or simply enjoy multi-functional furniture, this unique chair is a small space lover’s dream.
Mar 11, 2017
This Coat Closet Turned Pantry Is So Smart
(Image credit: Diane Henkler) From Kitchn → Look at This Coat Closet Turned into a Pantry!
Mar 10, 2017
Before & After: A 60s Style Sideboard Gets a Spiffy Scandi Makeover
Ajda’s sideboard find had fantastic mid-century lines and solid sturdiness, but it needed a little more style. She opted to go the soothing Scandinavian inspired route, tossing in a little pattern to give it some extra pizzaz. From Ajda: My boyfriend and I got this 60’s sideboard a while ago and couldn’t figure out how to bring it to 2016.
Mar 10, 2017
Partner
Small Space Love: The Interior Designer Whose Multifunctional Apartment Is Her Door to the World
Her apartment doubles as home and design studio. And triples as her launchpad to world travel.
Mar 10, 2017
Before & After: Daaaannnngggg This Dressing Room Is Everything
We featured Christina’s master bedroom makeover last week, and now we get to see what magic she’s worked in another room in the house. She switched up the purpose of her guest bedroom, revamped the whole aesthetic of the space by adding storage and serious chic finds. Without any further ado…the dressing room of your dreams!
Mar 9, 2017
Before & After: The Unbelievable But True Story of Someone Who Had TOO MANY Closets
So often we find ourselves engaged in the classic home design battle of style versus storage. Tamera found herself in such a conundrum with her hallway. Too many doors led to a guest bathroom guessing game and made the space feel cramped and cut off. Her solution was simple, inexpensive and totally changed the vibe of the hallway. From Tamera: When we first moved into our apartment, the hallway to the guest bathroom was covered in doors.
Mar 8, 2017
Five Thousand Years in Bed: A Brief History of Where We Sleep
The average person spends about a third of their life in bed, but in discussions of history we seldom ever mention sleeping (unless, perhaps, someone had the misfortune to be murdered while doing it) and even more infrequently mention the place where the sleeping happens.
Mar 8, 2017
Don’t Waste an Inch: Ideas for Using a Really Narrow Room
Have you got a spare room, a bit of hallway, the loft above a stairway—any particularly small sliver of space in your home that’s searching for its purpose? Narrow rooms can pose a special challenge, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t make the most of that space. Here’s a little inspiration for getting the most out of a (really, really) narrow room. Even the narrowest of rooms can make a great workspace, as evidenced by this interior from David Boyle.
Mar 8, 2017
A Garage Apartment Designed to Let the Light In
Name: Clients of Marie Flanigan Location: River Oaks — Houston, Texas So often spaces specifically designed for guests can feel cold and unwelcoming. Not so with this warm and relaxing space! It manages to feel special and serene while still having personality and function. With a strong focus on the natural light available and smart lighting choices, the whole space feels ready for a visitor!
Mar 8, 2017
How To Finally Clean Out Your Refrigerator
(Image credit: Gina Eykemans) From Kitchn → How To Clean the Refrigerator
Mar 8, 2017
Be Inspired by These 5 Smart Ways to Use Pegboards in the Kitchen
(Image credit: Wanda Ely Architect) From Kitchn → 5 Smart, Fresh Ways to Use Pegboards in the Kitchen
Mar 8, 2017
Before & After: A Night & Day (Nearly Unrecognizable!) Rental Transformation
Richard added so much personality and warmth to his rental, it’s kind of astounding. The totally fine but pretty sterile space was full of the standard rental woes; outdated overhead lighting, bland cabinets and a kitchen floor that has seen better days. With a mix of gifts, Craigslist and new purchases, Richard turned the bland apartment into a welcoming and charming home.
Mar 7, 2017
A Boldly Black Brooklyn Townhouse
Name: Nicole Location: Park Slope — Brooklyn, New York Nicole’s house hunt was not easy (when are house hunts ever easy?) but after putting in a couple of years on the search she found this beaut. Faced with an outdated exterior and not enough room in her budget for an overhaul, Nicole got creative and decided to go to the dark side. From Nicole: It took us two and a half years to find our home. We had so many aggressive buyers outbidding us every time.
Mar 7, 2017
MIA: The Acronym That’ll Cut Your Cleaning Time
Melissa Maker wears many hats. She’s a YouTube star, author of a new book (out today!), and the founder of a boutique cleaning service in Toronto. Through years of cleaning other people’s spaces, she’s discovered the best ways to clean her own—and she’s sharing some of her best tips with Apartment Therapy. The shoemaker’s kids never have new shoes.
Mar 7, 2017