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

Libratone Lounge Is Big On Sound With a Size to Match — Tech Test Lab Review

Gregory Han — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:30:00 GMT

Product: Libratone Lounge
Price: $1,299.95
Rating: Recommend*

While the market is already crowded with a glut of small wireless speaker solutions, both Airplay and an even greater selection using Bluetooth to connect the audio dots, the options for larger, full-bodied sound speakers is slim. Danish audio manufacturer Libratone has waged war against small sound with a sizable flagship speaker armed with Airplay connectivity and a wooly warm exterior to match.

Twinkle Lights in Kids Rooms

Beth Callaghan — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:15:00 GMT

Of course, we've seen lots of uses for twinkle lights during the holidays, and even some great ideas for using them year round in your house. But we also love twinkle lights for kids' rooms, where you can use them to make the room a little more special, created a themed room, or even create a custom night light.

Hide That Remote! 10 Pretty Storage Boxes

Kim Lucian — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:45:00 GMT

Advances in technology are making excessive wires and cables slowly go the way of the buffalo but, the remote? It looks like we may be stuck with that one for a while. So if you can’t beat it, hide it! (Along with those goofy 3D glasses that seem to come along with every new TV.)

What To Order at a Bad Bar

Cambria Bold — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:15:00 GMT

What do you drink when you're stuck in a tired airport lounge, or at a restaurant hundreds of miles away from an artisanal cocktail menu, eyeing a bartender who doesn't look old enough to drink? Here 25 food writers share their safety drinks:

• What To Order at a Bad Bar
The Kitchn

Where to Squeeze a Home Office into a Full House?

Roni Shapira Ben-Yoseph — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:00:00 GMT

It's a perennial small space question that merits revisiting. Under ideal conditions most of us would love to have designated workspace at home, but sometimes square footage and circumstances get in the way. So if your home doesn't have an office where do you put it?

Vote: New Entries for Monday 5.20.13 — Small Cool Contest

Gregory Han — Mon, 20 May 2013 23:30:00 GMT

Who has the smallest coolest home? It's up to you to decide. Click through to check out today's entries and then vote for your favorites.

Little: Myke's Spirit & Creativity
Small: Byron's Modern Quality
Tiny: Jennifer's Exposed Brick Studio
Little: Lois' Happiness Instead of Stuff
International: Alex's Open Plan in Bilbao
Little: Antonio's Warm Welcome
Teeny-Tiny: Xsusha's Creative Thinking
Tiny: Callie's Little "Big" Loft
Small: Diane's Small Sanctuary
Little: Ellen's Thirties Style Small Space

Ellen's Thirties Style Small Space — Small Cool Contest

Gregory Han — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:00:00 GMT

Like this Small Cool 2013 contest entry? Favorite it below!

Name:: Ellen
Location:: Seattle, WA
Square Feet:: 655
Division:: Little
What I Love About My Small Home:: We've been wanting to live in a space like this for years. We appreciate the building's history as a significant design from the 1930's with hints of the Art Deco era. Some of our favorite elements are the triangular bay window that lets in a ton of western light, the view of the city and mountains, the warehouse style windows, the unique archway/alcove by the front door, the hardwoods, the list goes on! This is the first place we've had together, and have enjoyed curating the furnishings to express our style. We've started to dabble in DIY projects, including the dining room table and credenza, with plans for more.

Diane's Small Sanctuary — Small Cool Contest

Gregory Han — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:30:00 GMT

Like this Small Cool 2013 contest entry? Favorite it below!

Name:: Diane
Location:: Queensbury, NY
Square Feet:: 960
Division:: Small
What I Love About My Small Home:: Everything! It is the perfect home: old, charming, cozy, and small. It is our sanctuary. We live, cook great meals, make music, read, write, and rest here. Many new homes being built around us are well over 2,000 sq. ft. and some are double that size. I would feel funny in a space that large.

When I first saw the ad for our home in the paper eleven years ago, it was everything we told the realtor we didn't want. But, after seeing it during an open house I fell in love, and my husband soon followed suit.

Soon after moving in, we installed a beautiful wood stove which increases the cozy factor during long fall/winter seasons. The previous owners also installed giant windows in the kitchen addition at the back of the house. I've seen deer, fox, turkeys, and all kinds of other wildlife in the back yard over the years.

Callie's Little "Big" Loft — Small Cool Contest

Gregory Han — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:30:00 GMT

Like this Small Cool 2013 contest entry? Favorite it below!

Name:: Callie
Location:: Dallas, TX
Square Feet:: 591
Division:: Tiny
What I Love About My Small Home:: The moment I saw Tom Hank's New York place in the movie "Big", I've wanted to live in an urban loft. 20 years later, I got my wish. My tiny box is not big enough for a trampoline, but it does have high ceilings, concrete floors, and just the right amount of exposed brick. I love that I was able to mix soft fabric and furniture with the hard fixtures to create a really cozy home.

My second favorite thing is my downtown view! The building across the street was built in the 1920's and has a Deco façade, so all my windows frame interesting peeks into Texas' own Gotham.

My third favorite thing is the built-in washer and dryer.

My fourth favorite thing(s) are the deep shelves under my windows and above my kitchen cabinets. They are the perfect place for displaying my favorite photos of family and friends.

Dinner Party in a Small Apartment: 5 Tips

Cambria Bold — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:15:00 GMT

I've been sharing my spring dinner party on The Kitchn, a party I hosted in my one-bedroom apartment. Feeling inspired? Great! Still feeling anxious about throwing a shindig in your own little apartment? That's what I'll be talking about today.

• 5 Tips for a Dinner Party
The Kitchn

Design Q&A with Karina Oldemans

Abby Stone — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:00:00 GMT

Finnish-born, French-educated, LA living, Karina Oldemans combines the practicality of the first, the sophistication of the second and the imagination of the third for timeless, classic interiors with a modern sensibility.

Xsusha's Creative Thinking — Small Cool Contest

Gregory Han — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:30:00 GMT

Like this Small Cool 2013 contest entry? Favorite it below!

Name:: Xsusha
Location:: New York City, NY
Square Feet:: 300
Division:: Teeny-Tiny
What I Love About My Small Home:: Location and the challenge of fitting two adults and a large dog into a small space without going crazy. The challenging parts of our small space living force us to think creatively about everything we want and need.

Bold Rope Mirror by Grain Design — ICFF 2013

Nancy Mitchell — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:15:00 GMT

Nautical mirror from Grain Design.

TVG LA's Massive Creative Hub — Creative Workspace Tour

Bethany Nauert — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:00:00 GMT

Name: TVG LA
Location: Los Angeles, California

The Visionary Group LA is a creative workforce for digital advertising and media. Their Los Angeles office underwent a massive renovation after they acquired it earlier this year. Avoiding the normal corporate cubicles and depressing office furniture, they created a space that is decidedly modern and bright.

Antonio's Warm Welcome — Small Cool Contest

Gregory Han — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Like this Small Cool 2013 contest entry? Favorite it below!

Name:: Antonio
Location:: Los Angeles, CA
Square Feet:: 780
Division:: Little
What I Love About My Small Home:: The best thing about my small home is that it welcomes everyone that comes through its doors. Its natural light provides a warmth that can only be replicated with grandma's sugar cookies. The knick-knacks provide a sense of wonder and leads to wonderful conversations. A piece of stone could lead to a far distant memory and back to the food that sits on the table. It's a place for community to be build and for friendships to strengthen. Such a place requires many hiding gems and secret passages. My home is a reflection of how I am and how I want to present my self. What I love about my small home is how well it represents me and how it welcomes everyone.

Alex's Open Plan in Bilbao — Small Cool Contest

Gregory Han — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:30:00 GMT

Like this Small Cool 2013 contest entry? Favorite it below!

Name:: Alexander
Location:: Bilbao Spain
Square Feet:: 390
Division:: International
What I Love About My Small Home:: It is in the city-centre so everything is close: parks, bars, pubs, cinemas, underground, etc. And I have enough space for the pug and the Florida tortoise, and also for gatherings with friends. Cozy, bright, comfortable, and efficient while easy to clean and to heat. A real (small) home!

Summer Supply List: Modern Grills

Jason Loper — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:00:00 GMT

It may be Monday but I'm already thinking about the weekend. With Memorial Day coming up in a few days, my mind is preoccupied with thoughts of summer grilling and weekend parties. That means it's time to shop for new summer entertaining essentials, starting with a fun modern grill.

Guess the Decade: Lofted Sitting Room

Dabney Frake — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:00:00 GMT

It's been quite a while since we've done a "Guess the Decade" post, which means it's about time we did another! Today's room is a beautiful one, and hopefully one that trips up all you design-savvy people out there.

Myke's Spirit & Creativity — Small Cool Contest

Gregory Han — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:30:00 GMT

Like this Small Cool 2013 contest entry? Favorite it below!

Name:: Myke
Location:: San Francisco, CA
Square Feet:: 650
Division:: Little
What I Love About My Small Home:: I'm in the center of San Francisco, but on a side street which is very quiet which I love. I operate an art and interior design collective in SF so I worked with local artists and crafts-people to create an environment which I feel reflects the spirit and creativity of the people around me. The place has lots of history too. It was originally built in the 1920's as a dance studio for the owner of the main house and has a speakeasy in the basement…you can only imagine what went on down there! Because it is a separate unit I can entertain and make lots of noise without disturbing the neighbors. Also, it has a fireplace which helps in the winter, as the place has virtually no insulation.

Saying Goodbye to a Home-Away-From-Home

Tess Wilson — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:00:00 GMT

For the last 4 years, I've house-sat and dog-sat for my friends whenever they travel. I love their home (and the dogs, of course) dearly, and am going to miss it so much when I move away next month. This is their home, but a little part of my heart will stay here...

The Multidisciplinary Studio of Colorcubic — Lifework

Gregory Han — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:00:00 GMT

Christy Lai and Michael John like the term “multidisciplinary.” We can see why; together, they have a lot going on. First there’s Colorcubic, their interactive studio specializing in UX/UI, 3D modeling, animation, and motion graphics. For this week’s Playlist, they share a few tracks that inspire their multidisciplinary activities while working together.

Maxwell & Ursula's Light Rental Reno: The Cabinets — Renovation Diary

Maxwell Ryan — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:00:00 GMT

Name: Maxwell & Ursula
Type of Project: Light renovation of a rental apt
Location: Soho, NYC
Type of building: Two bedroom apartment

I had a big unsolved issue for this project, which was how to get a compact bed into Ursula's room along with all the storage she and I needed in both of our rooms for clothing, etc. Then I ran into George Evageliou again after posting about his company back in 2007. He was literally in our offices dropping off his new cards, when I asked if he'd come take a look at this apartment. Within thirty minutes he'd convinced me to rip out all the old, funky closets and work with him to install cabinets in both rooms, one of which would carry Ursula's bed. That's when the fun began.

The Renovation Diaries are a new collaboration with our community in which we feature your step by step renovation progress and provide monetary support towards getting it done in style. See all of our Reno Diaries here.

Juan's Garage Turned Modern Guest House — House Tour

Kathryn Bacalis — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:00:00 GMT

Name: Juan Vasquez
Location: Highland Neighborhood; Denver, Colorado
Size: 400 square feet
Years lived in: Owned for 9 years; Remodeled garage 1 year ago

Nine years ago, Denver resident, Juan Vasquez purchased a 1920s bungalow in the bustling Highland neighborhood of Denver and set out to make it his own. Shortly after, he took on the project of renovating his old two car garage into a restful haven out back. Originally Juan’s vision was to create an indoor/outdoor space connecting the main house to the vegetable garden. But new zoning laws sparked his interest and fostered the idea of repurposing the unused space into a modern guest house and possible income property. He could envision the 400 square foot unfinished space being transformed into a bright, airy, inspirational hideaway, perfect for out of town guests or visiting family. Soon after the decision was made and the 8 month renovation began.

Byron's Modern Quality — Small Cool Contest

Gregory Han — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:30:00 GMT

Like this Small Cool 2013 contest entry? Favorite it below!

Name:: Byron
Location:: Oakland, CA
Square Feet:: 965
Division:: Small
What I Love About My Small Home:: I’ve been in this apartment for less than a year after living in various San Francisco Victorians for over a decade. Although I love the charm and character of old apartments, I really wanted to live in a modern space again. What attracted me to this apartment was the “quality” of the space; it’s basically a series of right angles with big windows. The simplicity of crisp white walls with light-colored wood floors allows the focus to be on the furniture, which I’ve kept minimal and neutral in palette. Being a photographer, I also love the amount of light and wall space which has given me the freedom to increase the scale of my work. Most of all, I love the balance and juxtaposition I’ve achieved between modern and vintage, shiny and matte, textures of fabric, simple shapes and natural materials. Even though the space has a definite design push to it, it doesn’t feel fussy or unapproachable. In fact, it’s quite comfortable and livable!

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

Libratone Lounge Is Big On Sound With a Size to Match — Tech Test Lab Review

Twinkle Lights in Kids Rooms

Hide That Remote! 10 Pretty Storage Boxes

What To Order at a Bad Bar

Where to Squeeze a Home Office into a Full House?

Vote: New Entries for Monday 5.20.13 — Small Cool Contest

Ellen's Thirties Style Small Space — Small Cool Contest

Diane's Small Sanctuary — Small Cool Contest

Callie's Little "Big" Loft — Small Cool Contest

Dinner Party in a Small Apartment: 5 Tips

Design Q&A with Karina Oldemans

Xsusha's Creative Thinking — Small Cool Contest

Bold Rope Mirror by Grain Design — ICFF 2013

TVG LA's Massive Creative Hub — Creative Workspace Tour

SPONSORED POST: Styling From Scratch: Three Bedrooms, Three Different Ways

Antonio's Warm Welcome — Small Cool Contest

Alex's Open Plan in Bilbao — Small Cool Contest

Summer Supply List: Modern Grills

Guess the Decade: Lofted Sitting Room

Myke's Spirit & Creativity — Small Cool Contest

Saying Goodbye to a Home-Away-From-Home

The Multidisciplinary Studio of Colorcubic — Lifework

Maxwell & Ursula's Light Rental Reno: The Cabinets — Renovation Diary

Juan's Garage Turned Modern Guest House — House Tour

Byron's Modern Quality — Small Cool Contest