apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

When I was growing up, we had a tradition of each family member receiving a special ornament for that year. Usually, it was my mom who picked out everyone's ornaments. Sometimes it would be within the theme of our family — for example, each person would get a musical instrument.

These are not new releases, nor do they have glossy photos but they are enlightening and fascinating books about how we live, why we love our homes and what our experiences and memories have to do with how we decorate.

Maybe it has to do with growing up in California and never really experiencing a white Christmas until I went to college but I am a complete sucker for what I picture as old fashioned, New England, storybook Christmases — right down to the kind of stockings I hang by my fireplace.

A small store quietly opened on the Lower East Side last Friday. The quaint Old Village Hall is owned by neighborhood residents Scott and Erica Hill. Stepping in the store may be familiar for some — The Old Village Hall was originally in the town of Andes, New York and will still be a summer fixture upstate.

Name: Kurt, Sparrow and Simon the cat
Location: Hoboken, New Jersey
Size: 950 square feet
Years lived in: 2½

Before I became a contributor for Apartment Therapy New York, I wrote in to Good Questions asking for advice on paint colors. I had a funny experience with the question and almost as soon as it was posted online, I started changing my mind about what I wanted to do with the rooms. It took me a couple tries but I finally found a paint color I love and decided to paint both the living and dining room and the hallway with Tundra by Benjamin Moore.

I spotted this kitchen the other day and just had to share — is it just me or does this kitchen inspire you to make little pretty French macarons?

Hoboken isn't that big — but if you are visiting for the day, you may just miss one of the best home decor stores if you don't veer off Washington Street. Located on the corner of 2nd and Park Avenue, William Howard Home carries a large selection of scented candles, glassware, table linens, mirrors and more.

Some friends of mine used to decorate their table for festive dinners with a multitude of streamers and ribbons pouring down from the ceiling and gently pooling onto the table top. The ribbons would be all different colors and widths and the resulting look was fun and festive to the nth degree.

In search of a 20th Century objet d'art or piece of furniture for your home? Troy Seidman has the expertise and selective eye for assisting you in finding the piece you are looking for.

I adore stained glass windows in homes. In fact, it was primarily because of the stained glass window in the bathroom that I fell in love with my old studio apartment in Brooklyn, instantly — okay, that and the huge bay windows, the ornate architectural details and the reasonable rent.

There is a charming restaurant in the West Village called La Focaccia that has the most beautiful patterned tile wall. Every time I see it I dream of redoing my kitchen like this.

No, the end is not near by any means. I've just been noticing more and more paintings featuring writing and thought I would share a few.

A reader suggested sharing some of the beautiful knitting and crocheting projects from Ravelry and I thought it was a great idea.

Lately, since I've been on a quest for the lavender rug, I've been paying particular attention to all rugs as I browse through magazines and the web.