apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Subway tile, classic and chic, is the standby for many a tasteful homeowner. Newer tiles are taking the subway shape one step further (or a few inches further) by stretching traditional subway into elongated linear tiles. These tiles are available in a variety of finishes and materials, creating a unique contemporary look for a bathroom or kitchen backsplash.

Be they preppy or classic, rugby or jailhouse, stripes have an "I walk the line" sort of boldness about them. Horizontal stripes add width and vertical stripes add height, but they both add drama even in small doses. Stripes usually appear in fabrics for upholstery and window coverings, but when stripes are used in art and accessories they seem fresh again.

There are those who stand dumbstruck in front of the fields of paint swatches at the hardware store and there are others who lose sleep agonizing over the perfect paint scheme. But deciding on paint colors does not have to result in therapy if a homeowner follows a few simple suggestions.

Name: Leslie Bonnell
Location: Austin, TX
Size: 1,100 square feet

They say it takes a village, but in this case it takes one sassy leader and a squad of willing friends to mend a house that was a little frayed. The minute you walk into the Stitch Lab, the sense of community and joy of crafting is more than apparent. The space is bright, cheery and utterly inviting.

CaesarStone has been a long time favorite of ours for its diversity and quality, but now we are even more impressed by their new product released this November. Motivo is a completely unique embossed quartz surfacing material that can be used in a variety of applications from walls to countertops and the spaces in between.

Those of us who inhabit compact spaces usually have desperate moments when we would do just about anything (donate teeth, cut off a toe, wear a tutu, etc.) to have an extra room. The thought of one more closet, a guest room or a craft studio seems like a silvery dream.

The guests have arrived, the wine has been poured and the lighting is perfect. But wait, something is missing. Oh, yes -- sparkling conversation and merry laughter have not yet arrived. All you hear are crickets.

There is seating that oozes style and sophistication and there are couches worthy of snuggling up on for a 3 hour nap, but finding a sofa that is both hip and comfy can be a challenge. Even worse, finding a sectional that meets that criteria and fits into a smallish space may seem impossible. It has been a while since we have featured sectionals, so we obligingly offer 9 sectionals + 1 convertible sofa . . .

Craving a new paint color but fearful of leaving the beloved beige behind? Neutral and versatile doesn’t have to be plain Jane. Look out the window and borrow colors from nature, like blue and green, because nature always gets color right. We think we have discovered the perfect green paint to bring the outside in. . .