apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Name: Becke, Lee, Pierre and three geriatric cats (Badooda, Magiggles and Einar)
Location: Lakeport, Ontario, Canada
Size: 1800 square feet
Years lived in: 1

Becke & Lee are self-described "artists, computer nerds and wheelers & dealers" of vintage goods (at The Vintage Cabin on etsy) who made the move from the city to the country a year ago. Becke writes, "My husband & I made the move out of the city & into this house a year ago so we could have more space to garden, be creative and enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle. Since we've been here though, it's been nothing but work!"

Norah's mom Caroline says she smiles every time she walks by this room and we can certainly see why. The aquas, yellows, reds, oranges and pinks manage to be both vivid and soothing at the same time to create a feeling of warmth and calm...

Check out the full nursery tour on: Ohdeedoh

THIS WEEK
• Leslie Williamson at DWR
• Leftovers
• Celebration of Craftswomen
• Gallery 16
• Boneflowers
• Filzfelt
• Sanford Burrows
• G Select
• Propeller
• Homespun Craft Fair
• The Shade Store
• Y Lighting
• DZINE

....and more below the jump:

THIS WEEK
• Object Design League at Pavilion
• Dovetail Chicago
• Artemide
• Thos. Moser
• Zola Jones
• African Sanctuary
• FilzFelt
• Sanford Burrows
• I.D. Chicago
• Unison
• Haute Living
• The Container Store
• Green Home Chicago
• J. Robert Scott

....and lots more below the jump:

Name: Chris
Location: Ontario, Canada

For those of you who think that taking on a renovation as a DIY project is an impossibility, take a peek at Chris's home. According to Chris, the desire for a beach-style home overrode any obstacles in the way and over the last 7 years, the house has been transformed.

Many of you may remember the fabulous handy work of AB Chao when she surprised her daughter, Madeleine, with a gorgeous room makeover. AB's designerly eye has now made its way to the nursery of a very lucky recipient: her friend's daughter, Marlo.

Check out the entire post on: Ohdeedoh

Q: My wife and I live in a small suburban condo but dream of building our own house someday. We hope that staying here another year or two will help us afford the big move. My question is, and maybe some of the readers have resources as well, how do we go about designing/building our own home? Do we contract an architect? Have other Apartment Therapy readers attempted this?

Sent by Matt

Q: I'm finally moving into my own apartment (larger photo & floorplan below) and am having serious furniture layout dilemnas with my living room! It's a great space, but every layout I come up with seems too unbalanced between the left and right sides, especially if I try to include an L-shaped sectional (which I would like to get for the comfiness factor). It'd be great to have something that takes advantage of the views out the bay windows and also an office space/large desk that doesn't face a wall.

Names: Nick, Jane & Luca
Location: Chicago
Adding a new member to the family always has a big effect on the household - from changes in routines to rearranging furniture, it shakes things up and often results in positive changes. That what happened to Nick & Jane, who sent in a few photos.

Megan sent us some photos and info on the beautiful room she put together: This is the nursery we created for our first baby on the way...a little girl we are now calling "Little P." My main goal was to design a space that is cheerful, happy, inviting, warm, and modern. I didn't want to use a cutesy theme, so I chose a color theme instead...

Check out the entire post on: Ohdeedoh

Q: My boyfriend and I moved into our new apartment about a month ago and are LOVING all the great natural light. However, it seems that these two east-facing windows (they're smaller, towards the top of the wall) let in a ton of heat along with all that great light. The "glass" isn't real glass, but rather a peice of plexi and I think that has something to do with it. We can feel the floors and furniture in their path get very hot, even on mild days.

Shop: Three Potato Four
Find Gifts For: Graphic designers & vintage lovers
Typical Items: Signage, antique boxes, school goods, industrial items, glassware and toys. Lettering and graphics are a big part of the overall aesthetic.
Average Price Range: $100+

Impeccable vintage finds online - that is what Three Potato Four is all about. Run by Janet Morales & Stu Eli, this compendium of wonderful things has been around for a little over two years and is going strong. It just may be the perfect place to find a unique gift for a hard-to-shop for person this holiday season.

Q: I installed new windows and am now ready for window treatment as the blankets I've been using for privacy is reminding me a bit of my college days. Since this room (larger photo below) gets afternoon light and is street facing - it would be nice to get something for privacy - and for light blockage when watching movies (there's substantial glare from outside).