Apartment Therapy Main

House Tour: Rachel's Repurposed Mid-Century Place Chicago

2008-11-20T22:15:00+00:00

Name: Rachel, Brett and Sebastian Denbow Profession: Self-employed. I sell scrapbook kits and vintage housewares. I also teach online art journal classes. Location: Springfield, MO Size: 1,085 sq. ft. Years lived in: 4 months Type: Rented Bungalow >> Enter Slideshow & Thumbnails

You may remember Rachel's place from our recent Fall Colors Contest. Her little bungalow is the perfect example of blending classic mid-century elements with your personality. Lovely shades of blue, green and pink nestle against thrifted pieces that work flawlessly together. We love homes that show the personalities of the people who live in them -- and this one is no exception.

>> Enter Slideshow & Thumbnails >> Enter Slideshow & Thumbnails Rachel's Survey: My Style: Repurposed, Mid-Century Chic Inspiration: I love seeing the many ways mid-century modern furniture can be incorporated into AT reader's homes. I've been heavily influenced by the DIY posts found here and on other design blogs as well as the white walls with colorful accents trend. Our renter beige walls never posed a problem as we love a clean backdrop to all of our colorful pieces. Favorite Element(s): We love the high ceilings and tall windows. The place we almost moved into before this became available was a wall-to-wall, carpeted basement apartment in a historic brick building. It would've been closer to downtown but the cave effect would've killed us. Biggest Challenge: Creating a happy, organized studio space alongside our dinner table in the formal dining room. I operate two small businesses that require a lot of storage space as inventory comes in and I didn't want to sacrifice aesthetics to make it work. We've been able to secure a few pieces on craigslist that have gotten a lot of boxes off the floor and provide much needed work surfaces. What Friends Say: "Wow, that's a lot of pink. Your husband is okay with that?" >> Enter Slideshow & Thumbnails Biggest Embarrassment: Our front porch is always a mess. It is covered in toy trucks, balls and the newspapers our neighbor launches at our door every morning. It is currently hosting a spray painted card rack that needs to be moved to my friend's studio space. I guess it keeps the burglars away! Proudest DIY: The metal locker took the most elbow grease to fix up. I tried to skip the sanding and spray paint it green but the paint just bounced off the textured doors. Then I tried painting it with acrylic craft paint to test out a dark pink but ran out after one tube and had a half-painted eye sore in our living room for two weeks. Finally, I was able to borrow a friend's sander and buffed off the ugly paint and texture. I painted two coats of pink before it got rained on and then rusted on the sides. I almost threw in the towel but tried one more coat of paint and was pleased that the rust didn't show through. It now acts as an anchor piece for our living room as well as the prettiest storage closet in Springfield. Biggest Indulgence: I spent my birthday money on our pink Modernica chair. It rarely gets sat in because everyone is afraid to touch it. Best Advice: Take your time gathering pieces you love. Look for items that have potential. Keep a cache of interior design images that you love to use as a resource when its time to purchase a new piece or plan the colors for a room. Dream Source: A huge warehouse full of inexpensive, vintage furniture and accessories that no one else knows of except me. Or CB2. >> Enter Slideshow & Thumbnails Resources: Living room: Craigslist for couch Phorm for Modernica chair Flower Rug from Urban Outfitters Thrift Store for brown wire chair Flea Market for green and white chair Lane coffee and end tables from local furniture shop Bookshelf from Target Curtains are converted bedspreads from Urban Outfitters Craigslist for desk Craigslist for pink locker Mirrors, desk lamp, frames, locker accessories and paint by number painting were all locally thrifted. Art by Ashley G, Tams, Pretty Little Thieves, Michele Maulle, Magic Jelly and Sparkle Power. Pillows are handmade. Fabric by Anna Maria Horner. Bedroom: Urban Outfitters for hounds tooth bedspread White, Yellow and blue quilts were thrifted End Table from Craigslist Lamp from K-Mart #3 from Alameda Flea Market White mirror from flea market in Seattle Teal mirror from local Habitat For Humanity warehouse Credenza from Craigslist Dresser from Craigslist Chair from local Flea Market, recovered Globe, fan, books and bowls were thrifted Curtains are converted bedspreads from Urban Outfitters Prints from Ashley G Dining room: Table from Craigslist Chairs from flea market and garage sales Frames and candles sticks were thrifted Place mats from Hambly Screen Prints Curtain came with the house Thanks, Rachel!

At Home with Chef Tyler Florence San Francisco Chronicle: 11.19.08

2008-11-20T21:15:00+00:00

When Tyler Florence isn't taping his Food Network show in New York City, he calls a 1926 Craftsman bungalow in Mill Valley home. Surrounded by trees, near a creek, it's a peaceful retreat for the celebrity chef -- who must need a sanctuary as he juggles writing cookbooks, hosting a television show, opening a kitchen and store, winemaking, all while also preparing to open a restaurant. The home incorporates vintage pieces; for instance, the dining room table is made from an antique printing press and a 1,000-pound piece of marble.

• Read Anh-Minh's article here: At home with chef Tyler Florence Images: Eric Luse/The Chronicle

Attua Aparicio Torinos' Cabinet A Small Space Entertainer's Dream

2008-11-20T21:10:32+00:00

This storage cabinet by Spanish designer Attua Aparicio Torinos is easily the best product design we've seen this week. At first glance, it doesn't seem all that special. But it offers something wonderfully useful for those of us with space limitations...

Check out Attua Aparicio Torinos other designs here. [via DesignKlub]

How To: Set Your Table in a Modern Way

2008-11-20T21:05:00+00:00

We firmly believe that there is no wrong way (and therefore no "right" way) to dress a table. The days of having to pull out an etiquette book to set the table for lunch with friends are long gone. That said, we do think there is a MODERN way to put together a table and you can get the look in 5 easy steps...

1) Keep the color story simple. Pick a few colors that really speak to you and build up your collection of linens over time. If you stick to the same color story, they will always work together, so you can freshen up the look with one new item while still using all of your old standards. 2) Try a grouping of small interesting items instead of one large centerpiece. We think this is totally key to creating a modern looking tablescape and it works especially well if you go for a monochromatic feel to the grouping, as shown in this photo. 3) Mix those patterns! If you follow step #1 (keep the color story simple) this one is a no-brainer. Mix up those patterns for an eclectic, interesting look. 4) Consider runners instead of tablecloths or placemats. This is an updated look which also lets your tabletop be part of the beauty. 5) Break the rules. We don't think your guests will mind if the mood strikes you to get creative with the napkin or silver arrangement. All table linens shown are from DwellStudio. More info is here. Photos: DwellStudio

Bathroom Seating

2008-11-20T20:45:00+00:00

... Besides the obvious seat, that is. Most apartment bathrooms only allow for the necessities, but what about those rare spaces with a little room to spare? The bathroom is not usually thought of as a place to gather, but a chair can be a welcome addition, all the same.

We had a little wooden seat in our last plus-sized bathroom, and found it to be helpful. But how about an upholstered chair, as seen here? Does the thought sound cozy or unnecessary? We'd love to hear your thoughts.
Image: Airspace

8 Ways to Add Color to the Kitchen/Dining Room

2008-11-20T20:35:00+00:00

The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home, and most people want that heart to feel warm and welcoming. For the rooms where you cook and eat, we've rounded up a few small (and not-so-small) ways to add a little cheer through color...

Add Color Through Accessories: Aja's Anti-Depressive Kitchen

Tablecloths are a Quick Fix: Family Tree Tablecloth from Ferm Living

Paint is a No-Brainer: Kathleen and Alex's Guest-Ready Condo

Tea Towels Are Cheap and Easy: Tea Towels from Xochi Santa Fe

Placemats, Runners, and Chargers Add Color to the Table: Juniper Placemat from Unison

Paint the Kitchen Cabinets: Photo from Colorful Kitchens on AT:SF

Large-Scale Artwork: Nathan's DIY Painting from Top Design

Flowers Add a Layer of Detail: Pink Dining Room from House Beautiful

Industrial Materials and Bold DesignThe Oregonian: 11.20.08

2008-11-20T20:15:00+00:00

Colin and Jaynelle Nash collaborated with green building contractors Green Hammer to design build this industrial-modern, passive-solar dream house in Estacada, Oregon, southeast of Portland.

Solar panels are mounted on the 30-degree pitched roof, and celestory windows and the reflection off of a nearby pond provide additional light.

Much of the house is given over to a two-storey art studio, that the Nash's might convert the upper portion of down the line, to accommodate kids.

• An Estacada home melds industrial materials with bold design • Colin and Jaynelle Nash's home construction blog • Green Hammer Images: Marv Bondarowicz for the Oregonian

IKEA's "Come Into the Closet" Website: Weird but Mesmerizing

2008-11-20T20:10:35+00:00

Perhaps it's partially because we're at the tail end of our work day, or because we've been running on empty the last few weeks with a hectic work schedule...or maybe because we're just a little strange to begin with...but this web advertisement from IKEA has had us mesmerized with its peculiar combination of pre-animated dancing against the backdrop of IKEA catalog items. Each character moves according to the sounds/beats of the music, which you can choose or change to an uploaded option. Use your keyboard to add your own defined beats or influence the spastic activities like a demented puppeteer with your computer's microphone. Check out some screen grabs below...

If you wanna check out this strange ad campaign yourself, head over to IKEA's "Come Into the Closet" website. Just make sure you tell you friends to check "Come INTO the Closet"...an accidental misquote of the site's name raised a few eyebrows when we tried sharing it amongst our friends online today (and our friends are far from puritan). [via The Presurfer]

Roundup: Best Local Pottery and Ceramics ...and a related weekend event at A+R

2008-11-20T20:10:21+00:00

With all the discussions about tableware this week (corelle vs. heath vs. eva) and the impending holiday season, we wanted to round up some of our favorite potters and ceramicists around town (and etsy) and highlight an event happening this weekend:

This Saturday at A+R, visiting potter Maria White Mebane will be unveiling some new handcrafted works exclusively for the shop. An expanded line of her gorgeous votives, bowls, vases and pots will be available for a short time at A + R so get them while they're hot. And some other potters not to be missed if you're looking for a gift or a little something spiffy to add to the table: Atwater Pottery Alex Marshall Pottery We can't wait for Heath Ceramics to open up next month! Vessels Architectural Pottery in San Diego Gregoire Scalabre Heather Levine Flux Gallery Everything at Matin Sara Paloma Jonathan Adler and his quirky retro pieces. Whitney Smith

Creating Storage When Closests Don't ExistAdventures In Loft Living Day 4

2008-11-20T20:05:59+00:00

The great thing about loft living is that the space is totally customizable. This can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how creative you are, or how crafty you are with a hammer and saw. Click through the jump to see some tricky storage items and how (for now) we plan on tackling the problem of keeping them out of the way with little effort.

There are some things that are needed in a space such as this. Construction items and large tools come to mind.

Our Orion Cooker will need a home now that we no longer have a garage and backyard. As will the charcoal and woodchips that go with it.

Before we bust out the saw and make built ins we decided that these shelves from Costco would be a great alternative (they may even end up being permanent depending on how we like the look).

We like the 90 degree angle configuration and purchased two of these sets to stack on top of each other. They should be able to hold things like Christmas ornaments, seasonal clothes and other odds and ends. Look for pictures of the result sometime next week. The next step is to make a curtain for it!

(Photos by Sarahrae)

Rainman Decanter, Pattern Tales & Recycled Martha Bows Slinks for 11.20.08

2008-11-20T19:35:00+00:00

Seen on the web today: An unusual decanter design, Pattern Tales wallpaper, a mighty poster and old Martha mags recycled into bows...jump below for all the links:

Today's slinks :

Recycled Bows : made from old Martha Stewart Living mags via Martha Moments
Rainman Carafe: by Matilda Sundén Ringnér via Swissmiss
The Pen is Mightier...: new poster by Seb Lester via Black White Bliss
Pattern Tales: new wallpaper by Alan the Gallant via Design Milk

Most Recent Slinks:

An Amazing Mural, DIY Dresser and Angela Adams Prints

What's In This Closet?

2008-11-20T19:15:00+00:00

Hint: It's not clothes, games or groceries. It is a perfect small space solution...

For as long as I can remember, my dad has worked at least two days a week out of this converted closet, located in my parents' bedroom. Equipped with a desk lamp, a drawing board and every color of pencil imaginable (he's an illustrator), he's got everything he needs...plus the added bonus of a really short commute. Though the yellow color scheme could use an update, I think some of his ideas are timeless. In particular, the curved laminate allows for a desk chair to be stored out of the way inside the office and the window allows natural light into what could be a fairly desolate space. One side note: Dad is a compulsive neat freak, so even though he packs a lot of stuff in his space, I assure you that it's all neat and tidy and perfectly organized. If he had known I was taking photos, I'm sure he'd have trotted out the drawers of color coordinated pencils!

Good Questions: Cleaning Skylights?

2008-11-20T19:10:50+00:00

Dear Apartment Therapy, my partner and I just moved into a condo with a skylight in the kitchen and also in one of the bathrooms. We absolutely love how they provide natural light during the day, BUT, we noticed a most unruly foul fowl has spoiled our upward view with one of their most unreasonable deposits (a considerable amount considering their size). Could you recommend some tips for cleaning a skylight? What may be as easy as a task as getting up there and wiping seems as unclear as our view for us new skylight owners. Sincerely, Viggo.

Got a good question you'd like answered? Send your queries and a good image or two here and we'll see if the ATLA team or our readers can help you out.

First thing to recommend assessing is how easy it is to get up onto the exterior roof to clean your skylight. If there's any chance it is unsafe for you to be up there, call a professional window washer. It's not worth the risk for the sake of cleaning bird droppings. It's recommended that skylights are cleaned twice a year to prevent residual dirt/rain/poop buildup from accumulating and ruining the clear view. Plexiglas skylights are especially prone to becoming scratched from minute amounts of dirt or any other abrasive material (and remember, birds intentionally eat small pebbles to aid in their digestion, so they're droppings are especially abrasive). Prior to spraying, inspect whether there are problem spots, and use a diluted citrus based cleaner to remove droppings or sap (test on plexi before using to make sure it doesn't haze/ruin the clarity of the material). We also recommend using a spray hose made especially for washing windows, set at a light mist to spray, then lightly soaping, misting rinse clean and then using a rubber squeegee readily available at any automotive parts supply store (these are soft rubber that prevent most scratches).

Good Questions: Obscuring the View From Outside?

2008-11-20T19:05:00+00:00

Claire sent us an email: I have a question that begs for the creativity of Apartment Therapy readers: The bottom floor of our apartment is garden level, and while there's a decent amount of hegdging and plants outside, we'd like to put something in the window to obscure the view into our living room. However, the wide window ledge is a favorite for our cats and they love to sit and watch the world go by.

(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first. Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to: chicago(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)

We also like to have the light come in, so curtains or blinds aren't really an option. We'd like something that won't take up the whole ledge so the cats still have room to roam and lie down on the ledge. I was thinking of either plants (cat safe? capable of growing with less light), tall vases or maybe some type of beaded curtain? Our living room has light grey walls, red couch, and a the bold black and white IKEA RAND rug and dark black wood furniture and accents of green and teal blue. Photo of the window is attached with some of the items I've put up there to see how they work. Help and suggestions are appreciated! Please share your ideas with Claire in the comments below...

What's Your Dream Room?

2008-11-20T19:05:00+00:00

We browse through photos of beautiful spaces every day on Apartment Therapy, but when we came across this picture from an Italian fixture and fitting company, we were riveted. This is our dream room. We've always lived in apartments where we have to lug our dirty clothes to a laundromat or dark, scary basement. Having our very own bright, organized laundry room is a persistent fantasy. We're wondering...

What's your dream room? Do you fantasize about a walk-in closet, a bathroom with double sinks, an eat-in kitchen, or a personal library? Let us know in the comments below. Photo: IDEA Group