Apartment Therapy | Saving the world, one room at a time

Party Fun: DIY Mini Piñatas

Dabney Frake — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:00:00 GMT

By now you know I'm immersed in all things related to children's parties. This week, whilst searching for other things, I came across some DIY projects to share. I'm not doing a piñata for my niece Lu's birthday, but I sure do love these miniature ones...

Everything You Need for a Backyard Movie Screening Party

Julienne Lin — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:00:00 GMT

One of my favorite things about the warmer weather in Southern California is being able to enjoy movies outdoors. Fortunately in LA, there are a lot of outdoor screenings in public parks, museums, and unusual settings like Hollywood Forever Cemetery. But if you're more about entertaining at home, and have the space, there are a plentitude of options for creating an outdoor movie screening setup...

Pro DIY Project: David Stark's Visual Memorabilia Cocktail Tray

Janel Laban — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:00:00 GMT

To get ready for summer entertaining season, this month we're sharing a mini-series of pro tips and projects from our guest blogger, party planner extraordinaire and designer David Stark. This week, his idea for a fun one-of-a-kind tray to commemorate a fun event or honored guest.

Last week I was at the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami giving a presentation and signing my new book David Stark: The Art of the Party. It was a fabulous day not only because the crowd was amazing, but the museum has a lot of meaning to me — it is the site of one of my favorite projects in the book: the recent 15^th Anniversary Gala we created for MOCA.

Lu's Big Day: Part One — Party Planning Diary

Dabney Frake — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:00:00 GMT

This is my niece, Lu, who is about to turn three. She also just became an older sister, so her mom (my sister-in-law) isn't exactly in party planning mode with a newborn. To help her out, and because I'm a nerd for all things fun and pretty, I volunteered to throw Lu's birthday party this year.

Space Saver: Recipe Cocktail Shakers

Angie Cho — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Cocktail shakers with recipes printed on them are excellent space savers for your bar or tabletop. With these, there's no need to store and fumble with recipes. The best of the bunch is the shaker featured in the main photo by Kikkerland. It is printed with pour markings so don't need a measuring cup or jigger either.

Small Space Entertaining Helpers: Colorful Stacking Chairs

Jason Loper — Fri, 10 May 2013 14:00:00 GMT

I spent many years of my youth stacking and un-stacking chairs in church basements and cafeterias and have a special fondness for the ubiquitous colorful chairs found in those spots. Here are some contemporary examples with a similar vibe, perfect for small space and outdoor entertaining.

Mother's Day Inspiration: 10 Alternatives to Traditional Flowers

Dabney Frake — Wed, 08 May 2013 14:00:00 GMT

It's easy to call for flower delivery, but I know my mom would argue for more. Mothers! Always so demanding and thoughtless. Give in to their unreasonable requirements by doing a little bit more this May. Here are ten ideas that should put a measly bouquet to shame, and earn you a short reprieve from your mom's excessive need for attention.

Pro DIY Project: David Stark's Patterned Party Luminary from the Printer

Janel Laban — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:00:00 GMT

To get ready for summer entertaining season, this month we're sharing a mini-series of pro tips and projects from our guest blogger, pro party planner extraordinaire and designer David Stark. First up, creating pretty patterned luminaries for your gathering using your computer printer.

On first glance, the events in my new book The Art of the Party are large and extravagant, but the truth is that those events are filled with smart ideas that utilize inexpensive, highly accessible, every day materials that can be lassoed for parties of any scale – even a dinner party for six at home!

3 New Ways to Discover New Music

Julienne Lin — Thu, 02 May 2013 11:45:00 GMT

Whether you’re trying to remember that catchy song you heard at a party the night before or you're just searching for new artists, there are some excellent song-searching and discovery tools available online. I’m always searching for new music sources to refresh my playlist and these are my current three favorite places to find new music...

The Red SOLO Cup Goes Fancy

Elizabeth Licata — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:00:00 GMT

Nothing says “party” like a red SOLO cup. But the staple of keggers everywhere has gotten a fancy upgrade so now even posh types can sip their Manhattans and Bordeaux from the red plastic classic.

A Beginner's Guide to Wireless Media Streaming at Home

Rachel Rosmarin — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:00:00 GMT

The era of setting up a home theater is changing: wired connections between speakers to a receiver and to an audio or video source is becoming hopelessly outdated. There are now so many easier ways to attain home theater sound and now even video, and none of them involve little white, red, and yellow cables, let alone speaker wire or HDMI cables...

I Crown Thee: Ruler of Your Birthday!

Mari Richards — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:00:00 GMT

Do your kids start talking about their next birthday within days of the birthday they've just celebrated? My daughter is super prepared - she started planning her next birthday 11 months in advance. Every week she adds a new element.

Challenge: Create an Automated Instagram Printer for Your Party

Rachel Rosmarin — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 16:00:00 GMT

The concept: party guests tag Instagram photos with a hashtag unique to the event, a Web-connected printer automatically prints them out, and voila!—photographic party favors are collected at the end of the night. The hosts, as well, get to keep a physical reminder of the night that was. How fun, I thought, to wake up in the morning after a house party to more than just scattered chairs and empty bottles!

How To Take the Home Entertainment Experience Out to the Backyard

Jason Yang — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:00:00 GMT

As warmer weather emerges, the backyard becomes the destination where many of us go to enjoy entertaining, grilling, and even escape to enjoy music. Some homeowners are bringing the full home entertainment experience outside, with television sets situated in backyard "living rooms". But weather is no friend of your standard television set...we'll show you how to set yourself up with a TV outdoors safely!

Alfresco Fun: Springtime Finds for Eating Outside

Dabney Frake — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:00:00 GMT

Eating outdoors adds an extra dimension to your meals, not to mention getting you out in the sunshine this season. Enjoy the smells and the breeze while you nibble on lunch. There's always time for a lawn game or two as well.

Vinyl Records on the Go: Crosley Cruiser Portable Turntable — Tech Test Lab Review

Taryn Fiol — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Product: Crosley Cruiser Portable Turntable
Price: $99.95
Rating: Recommend*

Saturday, April 20th is Record Store Day, an international celebration when independent record stores release exclusive vinyl releases and special performances all over the world in honor of the beloved record. It's as good a day as any for a beginner to dive into the world of record collecting and listening, and this compact portable turntable is just the player to get started with.

Apartment Therapy & The Duke — Homes on the Road

Maxwell Ryan — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:00:00 GMT

During the year I carried my home on my bike, I spent the Easter holidays in the Italian town of Todi with a large family, the father of which was a duke. The family lived on a really beautiful property with many buildings, including a small church. The meal itself was elaborate, cooked by the women of the family, and there were many guests at the midday meal.

At the head of the table on one side was the Duke and at the other, the town priest. Everyone spoke Italian, and I barely understood a thing. The food was delicious.

For the Birds: DIY Birdseed Eggs — Style Me Pretty

Linda Ly — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:00:00 GMT

Just because we're done with Easter doesn't mean we're done with eggs — how about a little love for our feathery friends?

Fresh Seder Plates for Spring

Rachel Rosmarin — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 13:30:00 GMT

Spring holidays give us rituals for cleaning, decorating, hosting, and eating. The Jewish holiday of Passover begins the evening of March 25, and it involves all four tasks in abundance: dinner table decor for this holiday has been under scrutiny since, well, time immemorial. More

A Rustic St. Patrick's Day Brunch — Décor + Dinner from Apartment Therapy & The Kitchn

Tara Bellucci — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 17:45:00 GMT

St. Patrick's Day doesn't have to be all leprechauns and pots o' gold. Get in the spirit by setting a rustic table with some no-fuss brunch fare. Plus, it'll fill you up before all the imbibing at any parades you plan on attending.

Buy or DIY: Cake Toppers

Beth Callaghan — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 15:00:00 GMT

Whether you're a do-it-yourselfer or an order-from-the-interneter, we've got some fun cake toppers for you to peruse. When planning your next kid's birthday party, you might want to have a look. We've rounded up five great toppers to purchase and five that you can make yourself. More

DIY Driftwood Candelabra — Green Wedding Shoes

Linda Ly — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 17:00:00 GMT

While we're waiting for spring to come around, here's a beautiful project from Green Wedding Shoes to get you thinking green! More

A Modern Easter Tree — Leaf Magazine

Rochelle Greayer — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:00:00 GMT

The online magazine Leaf released its Spring 2013 Issue yesterday. There are a number of fantastic garden and outdoor living stories in the issue, but one is particularly useful if you are gearing up for spring holiday decorations. More

Before & After: Sarah Saves a Bar Cart

Tara Bellucci — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:15:00 GMT

This bar cart was far from perfect, but it sported some nice mid century stylings. Sarah picked it up at a thrift shop and set out to banish the bad stain and bring back its former glory.

Party Decorations for (All) the Ages

Dabney Frake — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 17:00:00 GMT

I'm planning a children's party for the very first time this year, so I'm on the hunt for decorations that don't involve princesses, ballerinas or Spiderman. I love the idea of a simple theme - the kid's age. The opportunities for colorful, graphic typography are endless.