Apartment Therapy Archive: Aug 8, 2016

Oh stainless steel. As of a few years ago, nothing said “I’ve arrived” louder than having SS appliances (and granite) in your kitchen, particularly as a renter. You’d eagerly report to friends about your new place that “it has stainless steel appliances!” with a high-pitch voice of excitement and pride, and you’d receive a cacophony of “oohhs” and “ahhhs” in return.

Name: Bob and Heather Location: Melrose — Oakland, California Size: 2,500 square feet Years lived in: Rented 2 years Bob and Heather define their style as “eclectic weirdo”—something the couple takes pride in. It’s a space filled with odd decor, including a plush, faux-fur-covered chair in the living room, and stair handrails covered in LED lights—and there are plenty of other unconventional decor elements (this is their current living room projection).

We’ve found the perfect place to watch the Olympic swimming events. Here is an Australian home with a sunken living room that’s right at water level. The pool, designed by Melbourne company OFTB, further blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living—like when being inside is just too far away from the water. An acrylic panel separates the pool from the sunken living room, and is giving us clear glass tub vibes.

No matter your opinion of the hotly contested daybed, the fact remains it can be a total lifesaver when it comes to small space design. Whether you’re using a daybed as a place for friends to crash in your living room, as a hybrid sofa-bed in your home office, or as your main bed/couch in a studio apartment, the endlessly versatile daybed has now been elevated to a stylish and super functional piece of furniture that you’ll actually want.

The idea of using a workout video to get your heart pumping probably conjures images of dusty old VHS tapes with perky instructors wearing leg warmers. We aren’t knocking those old-school Jane Fonda tapes, but we know you are probably looking for a more modern workout. Luckily there are plenty of new workout videos that allow you to sweat it out from the comfort of your own home and get expert advice from some of the best fitness trainers in the industry.

When Alyssa and her husband moved in to their Echo Park home seven years ago, they were happy to see a lot of the original details from the 1940s bungalow intact, like this blue tile in the bathroom. Though the tile was charming, the rest of the bathroom was dark and gloomy. Alyssa was able to give the space a whole new modern look with a just few small changes—and keep the charming vintage tile!

See what your workspace could look like...

Name: Franke Chung, Jason Wark, Neko the cat, and Ozzy the dog Location: Streeterville — Chicago, Illinois Size: 640 square feet Years lived in: Rented 1 year Many folks who live in studio apartments might agree — they function quite efficiently… until you have company over. That’s when there’s a sudden shift in the equilibrium. There’s one too many bodies in here.

Summer’s indoor garden is lush, full-of-life, and delicious, because not only is this home filled with glorious green, its closet was converted into a kitchen garden. The “Bedouin wanderer meets rooted gardener” style can now be yours—plants not included. Daybed with Drawers — Similar: Walmart Fabric — Similar: Fabric.

The mat outside your front door is one of the first things guests see when they visit your home, so why not choose one that reflects your personal style? This practical accessory is more than just a spot to wipe your shoes, but it also helps set the tone for your home. Our top 10 picks for 2016 are durable enough to withstand the elements, pretty enough to receive compliments, and guaranteed to make a great first impression.

Dana took her time to truly make her living room reflect the personalities of the folks living there and make the most of a kind of funky layout. From Dana: After years of tweaking, rearranging, shuffling chairs, plants and window treatments, I can honestly say that I’m thrilled with where we’ve landed in our living room. While the kitchen is usually the center of the home figuratively, this living room is literally the center of ours.

From Apartment Therapy → Before & After: A Charming DIY Kitchen Update for Under $5k

(Image credit: [Stone] Tanglewood picnickers circa 1947. Photo by Erika Stone.) From Kitchn → Our Love Affair with Picnics — The Moveable Feast

In the mid 1970s my mother and her best friend, Emily, took me, my brother, and Emily’s daughter on vacation. They were two single moms exploring the world and trying to find a relaxing vacation with restless children. Years later, I discovered that Emily wrote down the events of the trip and I LOVED it. Below is her lighthearted account of what it was like to visit Grossingers, an iconic Catskills retreat for decades, catering to Jewish clientele from New York City.

5 things you need to know, now that it’s Monday. Dwell’s new site is Houzz meets Pinterest. Dwell released an iPhone app and a new site that “allows the design community to share, discover and collaborate like never before.” The site, built completely in-house, starts with their library of 300,000 images and encourages users to add and share their own.

(Image credit: Rachel Joy Barehl) From Kitchn → The Flatware Set That Breaks the Rules

本周精神食粮,当你阅读精益tartup think about how we measure or could measure better our success. How do we know when we are adding value? We put out our “product” every day and people come to us and “use” it, but how do we know what works for our readers the best? How do we know what works for our advertising clients best? Below is an excerpt to spur your thinking.