apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Our email inbox has been inundated with food and clothing drives this week, looking for support for the homeless. Even though folks are already overextended during the holiday season, we think this is the best time of year for decluttering.

Having lived in South Pasadena a few years back, we grew to love and really appreciate the 1920s style bungalow. Charming and identifiable at a glance, these homes are chock-full of design characteristics so you don't have to start at square one. Courtney's bungalow is no different, with beautiful windows and doors as decorating inspiration.

This season's finale of Curb Your Enthusiasm had a story line where Larry David is accused of making ring stains on an antique wood table. After interrogating his friends (by asking if they "respect wood"), he uncovers the culprit (Cheryl, his ex-wife). Larry's investigation got us thinking--perhaps the right set of coasters can better encourage people to use them. Check out these gems from Etsy--after the jump!

Just because you recently replaced your current tablecloth with a new one for Thanksgiving doesn't mean the old one has to be put away. Grab some wire clips and repurpose as curtains in your home with these examples to help guide the way.

We love the idea of decorating with books because you're utilizing belongings you already have on hand. For instance, this small stack of hardback books in the bedroom instantly adds extra charm and color to the space.

Sometimes, the right containers can make all the difference in the world. This is definitely the case in Leslie's closet-style laundry room. The before pic is a scene of mismatched products overflowing from baskets that aren't quite right. With a little help from Benita at Chez Larsson, Leslie transforms her space just by moving around a few things.

Just because winter is approaching doesn't mean we're heading inside--at least not in Southern California. We're looking forward to taking our favorite cozy blanket and cup of coffee out on the stoop to take in the fresh morning air. We are afforded a little privacy by our stucco stair railing but some folks have to create their own hidden oasis.

When we need extra seating, our go-to move consists of footstools and chairs from the kitchen. But we're really starting to admire the poof--and its design quality. Squishy and comfy, they can be easily moved around at a moments notice. Ten ways to use them after the jump!

Our previous roommate owned a slender bookcase that extended from floor to ceiling. We ended up laying the bookcase lengthwise on the floor when we needed a T.V. stand and extra book storage in the living room. Ever since, we've really appreciated low storage furniture.

When I entertain, I always go the extra mile when giving directions to my home. If guests plan their route with the assistance of a web source, they will no doubt be sent over incredibly steep, 'Frisco-style hills. These gargantuan inclines often strike fear in the hearts of first-time visitors (plus they get folks lost)--this is where good directions come into play.

We usually turn to our laptop to watch T.V. (thank you Hulu). Which means that our living room has turned into a sitting room where we listen to records, get work done on the laptop and occasionally pull a chair up to the window and people watch outside. Alan's sitting room reminds us of one we'd like to create--a cozy spot to retreat.

We love seeing drawers repurposed as containers (usually placed on a table top holding books or DVDs). This version is definitely a spin on the traditional use and can be hung just by using L-brackets.

Drawer dividers aren't a necessity for some folks but we love how they make undergarments and accessories a cinch to find. We have our favorite products from Container Store which sort and divide dresser drawers but after seeing Pia's DIY solution--we're thinking it's a great alternative.

We've always flown by the seat of our pants when it comes to arranging flowers, but there is something to be said for knowing how to create the perfect bouquet. Usually, that's when a flower frog is introduced so your arrangement doesn't appear to look willy-nilly. And then we spotted Patricia's DIY flower frog--something we're definitely going to replicate at home.