Apartment Therapy Archive: Feb 26, 2014

The idea of a dedicated vanity space instantly conjures up visions of over-the-top makeup counters surrounded by rows of bright globe lights, better fit for a drag show dressing room than my modest apartment. But just like feathers and glitter, there’s a way that vanities can be tastefully done. 1. All that’s needed to start is a mirror and a chair. Blogger Alysha of Old House New Tricks made over an unused nook in her home to create this prep space. 2.

Full disclosure, I hate cleaning. No really, I do. I hate how it makes my allergies flare up, the time it takes, and well, just about everything about it. But while I dislike cleaning, I do enjoy having guests in my home, and so I’m left in a bit of a pickle unless I want to spend a small fortune on a daily housekeeper. After a friend commented over the weekend that my place always looks “sooo tidy,” I knew I had to share my tips.

Name: Vana Chupp of Le Papier Studio Location: Mount Prospect, Illinois Size: 400 square feet Years lived in: 7 months; rented When Vana and her husband, both trained as architects, decided to move her office back into their house, they knew they were going to have to create a space where they could both be comfortable (he’d be using it occasionally, too) as well as a space that would keep Vana recharged and inspired.

This kitchen was originally built in 1989, and after 20 plus years of daily use, it was falling apart. While it may not look too bad on the surface, behind the before photograph were broken cabinets, a cooktop that barely worked, and granite countertop edges that were falling off. The kitchen had a contemporary feel for 1989, but for 2013 the owner was hoping for a softer, more family friendly feel.

You’ve just stumbled upon the mother lode of DIY projects and ideas for your entryway. That’s over 50 ways to make your landing strip, hallway or foyer pretty, organized and inviting. So dig right in and find something that works for you and your home: double functionalitySmart storage solutionperfect entry benchpaintable patternumbrella standcute ideacoat hooksfabric wall organizertiered cake standwall-mounted landing stripshoe storage See anything here that could work for you?

Name: Kelly Stewart Location: Rampart Village; Los Angeles, California Size: 400 square feet Years lived in: 1 years; rent Kelly lives in a quaint stylish studio apartment in Rampart Village, where she has indulged her interior design know how. Taking note of all she’s learned working along side various designers mixing that with her own personal aesthetic, she has created a wonderful place to call home. It’s pretty awesome what Kelly was able to accomplish in 400 square feet.

I love hanging original artwork in my home, but I don’t have enough of it or enough time to DIY some to create an entire gallery wall. A desire to hang a series of frames in my narrow stairway, however, led me to look into the idea of a gallery wall made of mirrors: Mirrors will bounce light around in the narrow space and open things up a bit while giving us a chance to check our hair on the way down the stairs and out the front door at the bottom.

Lucky Kaycee scored these two Kofod Larsen Lounge Chairs on Craigslist for $225 each. The chairs came without cushions (and with a very strange patio-chair replacement for the original webbing) so Kaycee was able to put her own spin on these classic chairs. Kaycee paid around $200 per chair for professional upholstery — including new cushions, upholstery and webbing — and $140 for about 7 yards of fabric.

Product: Stick N Find Price: $49.99 Rating: Recommend* For people who are constantly losing their Kindle, keys, pet, wallet, iPad, or any other important or expensive thing, the Stick N Find is bound to be your new favorite product. Want to page your wallet? Me too. Here’s how. The Stick N Find is easy to set up. Simply download the app, place the stickers (without the backing removed) right next to your phone, and pair them with your device.

(Image credit: l i g h t p o e t) shutterstock From The Kitchn → 10 Tips to Help the Dishwasher Run Better