#apt. inspiration

[hometoursandotherstuff]

Christine’s lively Brooklyn, New York apt. features a great DIY backsplash.

"There’s always something going on in my apartment ⁠— whether it’s testing a new recipe for my blog, tinkering with the interior design, an art or DIY project, hosting friends for a mandoo (Korean dumplings) party, or simply cranking away at my computer," says Christine.

"The space has become perfect for all of those activities along with being my place to recharge and rest."

She calls her style “rustic eclectic.”

“I usually purchase everything second hand or discounted, but I had the hardest time picking out the right sofa and it was taking forever. I ended up splurging out of mental exhaustion,” said Christine.

"I also love shopping at consignment stores, flea markets, and Facebook Marketplace so whenever I find unique statement pieces, I use them as a focal point and build the space around it."

“I love that the big windows and tall ceilings fill the apartment with a gorgeous light in the morning.”

She’s proudest of the kitchen. She used Valspar “Cactus Shadow” paint on the cabinets.

The kitchen doubles as a home kitchen and space to experiment / develop recipes for her blog.

She scored the double oven range on Facebook Marketplace so she can test 2 recipes at the same time.

The colorful backsplash she created. 

What a cool desk. It must be full of recipes.

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/a-bold-brooklyn-rental-features-one-of-the-coolest-diy-tile-backsplashes-weve-ever-seen-37074850

[hometoursandotherstuff]

This is the cutest idea- a couple living in a small apt. in Brooklyn, New York, decided to style it to look like a tiny house. They call it “The Treehouse Cabin.” 

Their “cabin” was a one-room studio, but now it’s divided into a kitchen and living/sleeping space.

When you see the floor plan, you’ll notice that the layout is a square C-shape, so the “closet” is tucked away in a nook.

The kitchen is an adorable pink with mint green cabinets- a wall was put up to separate it.

Originally, this wall was solid, but they cut out an opening, hung an old window, then put a shelf for plant cuttings on top. 

The kitchen is quite roomy and has both a table/workspace and a drop leaf table. Orange folding chairs hang on the wall, and so does a small step ladder.

The position of the bed changed when they put the window in the wall.

The desk has a mirror behind it to give the illusion of an open space.

The bath is off the kitchen and is a good size- it was given wood walls to give it a spa-like look. 

Another shot of the entrance to “The Treehouse Cabin” apt. I love clever & unusual ideas.

This is the actual shape of the apt. 

[hometoursandotherstuff]

How Emma & Joshua transformed a large, run down carriage rental in Margate, UK.  They call it the “floating house,” but it’s actually a coach house; it’s basically a 3-story house that starts on the 1st floor rather than the ground floor.

When they looked at the house, there was carpet over lino, over wooden floors. There was no bathroom and the loft bedroom had no flooring at all! Now that she looks back, Emma wonders whether taking it came out of a place of desperation, because it was a huge project for a renter to take on! 

They came to an agreement with the landlord for a slightly lower rent to justify the improvements they would make," explains Emma. Slightly lower?

Their vintage ’70s orange sofa was found on eBay for £300 and Emma is obsessed with it. 

There are a lot of strange layouts going on in the house, which makes it difficult. The tiny galley kitchen frustrates Emma.

It’s also how they enter the house, like having a kitchen in the entryway. They had to work hard to make it feel like less of a cloakroom and more of a kitchen. Emma’s not sure they’ve managed to completely overcome that, but she doesn’t really love cooking, so it doesn’t matter so much.

They use 2 of the bedrooms as an office and a dressing room. The main bedroom also houses Josh’s studio setup as it’s in the loft and has good acoustics.

Emma recommends making use of the backs of doors and cabinets as much as possible; it’s all about considering those unused spaces.

Emma’s proud of the stripes and scallops she painted in the guest bedroom.

The master bedroom. 

Remember there was no bathroom, so they had to pick a room and start from scratch. 

The apt. also came with a bonus terrace.

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/before-and-after-run-down-uk-rental-transformation-photos-36942390

[hometoursandotherstuff]

Look at this delightfully colorful apt. in Spain. The home is vintage and the decor is mashup of styles. Notice the living/dining rooms- from midcentury modern hairpin leg tables to folding chairs.

So many wonderful pops of color and interesting pieces. That galvanized chair in the corner is amazing and it’s paired with a MCM chair and provincial table. Also like the bookshelf configuration.

The table is quite a find- it has a drawer! What could be less expensive than old, colorful assorted folding chairs?

Small corner kitchen remains plain and utilitarian, although I really need that little red cart.

How cute is this daughter’s room with pops of purple? Her hand-labeling looks like art.

The main bedroom is a softly colored sanctuary. Love the peachy bedding.

A simple wood slat wall, stained pink works to hang just about anything with simple hoods.

A vintage screen behind the bed makes up the headboard and feature wall.

http://keltainentalorannalla.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2013-09-27T07:00:00%2B03:00&max-results=2&start=572&by-date=false

[hometoursandotherstuff]

Anna’s apt. in Brazil is beautifully decorated and full of lovely, artsy things. Love the turquoise sofa and the book tower.

She has small children and skillfully incorporates their toys and things into the design.

The large seating area has 2 zones. (Isn’t this place fabulous?)

Looking into the dining room from the living room- the floors are gorgeous.

Love her wallpaper mural choice- it’s neutral, but interestingly beautiful.

Vintage industrial table surrounded by a set of antique chairs with assorted fabric upholstery. Fabulous. Her home has lots of great ideas.

Plate collection on the wall.

The kitchen is clean and sleek.

That floor.

Anna’s studio. She’s a fellow Libran! This is a lovely space to work or unwind.

Her bedroom is amazing- madly in love with that mural. It’s similar to the one in dining room, but has some color to it. I wonder if it’s removable- I need it in my apt.

Anna’s beautifully well-organized twin’s room.

http://olaalhaeezuvim.blogspot.com/

[hometoursandotherstuff]

What a pretty apt. Cabinet fronts painted a soft green and a feature wall of delicate floral wallpaper. I also love the idea of a window paned door. A long narrow table fits well in the long kitchen and also serves as an island.

In a small living room, grouping the seating off to one side, gives the illusion of more space.

In the hall they’ve made a mini office in a cubby space. The desk is on wheels in case they need to move it for more room.

The bedroom is soooo pretty. Love the windowed door w/a lace curtain.

And, finally, it has a nice shower- wish my apt. had this. The plant is enjoying some humidity. 

https://historiskahem.se/object/OBJ18440_1823096835

[hometoursandotherstuff]

They call this a small Swedish apt., but it’s a good size for 1 of 2 people, and it’s got so many things going for it.

This is a nice kitchen- it even has a beautiful brick wall, and look at the cool exhaust hood.

Plenty of room for a dinette and a breakfast bar with stools. Love the marble columns, too. 

The bedroom, off the kitchen, is off the kitchen and has cute little windows.

There’s room for a chair, and the closet is in the hallway. 

Very nice sized closet. 

http://keltainentalorannalla.blogspot.com/

[hometoursandotherstuff]

For designer Rhonda, moving into a rental was never going to come at the price of not leaving her mark and making the place feel like home. She has transformed her apt. with her signature playful aesthetic, black-and-bold color palette, graphic detailing and architectural use of plants.

Luckily, she’s got a landlord who let her do a bit of painting and stuff like that and even gave her some rent off for doing it. “It was such a hole before,” she says.

She created a plant window with plank shelves.

For her, home is part of her identity, and it’s important to make it feel like hers.

She tore out the top half of the kitchen cabinets [which were practically hanging off the walls] and replaced them with painted  plank shelves.

The yellow balloon sculpture in the hall came from an exhibition.

She customized the white apartment walls with bold graphics.

Rhonda’s brutally honest when she says, “The bathroom is pretty ugly. The tiles had all fallen off from above the bath and everything is the cheapest common denominator crap. I’ve made a feature of the tile ‘hole’ by painting it with epoxy floor paint so it now frames the bath and feels a lot less ‘squat’.”

The graphics continue out in the courtyard, which is a lovely addition to the apt.

https://www.themodernhouse.com/journal/investing-in-a-rental-flat-rhonda-drakeford/