Over the years I’ve spent working from home, the work/life separation has proven to be the largest struggle. After dealing with this issue in multiple apartments, I’ve learned that carving out a space for myself — whether it’s a small corner of a room, or a whole home studio — is the key to establishing…
This is a simple renovation, but even simple renovations can achieve great results. Judith and her family moved into an 800 sq. ft. apartment in Berlin that had layers upon layers of wallpaper and paint on the walls. Judith decided to strip the rooms down to their essentials and start fresh, with lots of beautiful…
A majority of the bathroom projects we share lighten a space with lots of white, so it’s nice to see a dark bathroom makeover every once in a while. Lindsay added a lot of sophistication to this small bathroom with black walls, an eye-catching patterned curtain and a small pop of color with hot pink-framed…
I’m thrilled to end the day with another amazing kitchen renovation, one with an entirely different approach than Casey’s all-white interior from earlier, but similarly successful in creating warmth, energy and a super-efficient flow throughout the space. This kitchen was created by Portland-based architect Michael Howells, a man not afraid of a little wood grain….
A few weeks ago I was scouring Craigslist for ping pong tables, and somehow I stumbled onto a listing for a 1981 Westfalia van for sale in my neighborhood. I didn’t take the plunge, but since then I have had campers and caravans on my mind in a big way. As we get deeper into…
I know that all-white interiors are a bit polarizing — some people find them calming, peaceful or energizing, while others feel oppressed or bored by the lack of color and contrast. I can see both sides of the coin, but there’s just no denying that white brings in the light, and that’s a good thing….
I’ve been watching a string of renovation shows lately. I don’t know what it says about me, but my favorite scenes are definitely the demolitions. I think I’m itching to break down some walls and remove bulky old cabinets in my own apartment, and even though I can’t actually take hammer in hand, I find…
I sincerely hope I’m not offending anyone when I say this, but I think the “before” living room is my personal nightmare. I love me some burgundy, don’t get me wrong, but the oversized maroon leather sofa, white lace curtains, thick floral carpet and lacquered furniture are giving me a dusty, old dollhouse vibe that…
It seems contradictory that painting walls black could brighten a room, but that’s certainly the result in this lovely dining and living room makeover from painter Adriane Duckworth. The contrast of dark and light, echoed in the furniture as well as the walls, works wonders to modernize and freshen up this space. I also love that…
Honestly, the idea of building one’s dream home seems daunting, expensive and impossible to start. However, after seeing this full home renovation project, I am filled with inspiration and hope. Textile and interior designer Vicki Simon decided to completely transform her small home in Portland, Oregon, replacing synthetic surfaces with all salvaged and eco-friendly materials. The results…
I’ve seen many clever stairway renovations lately, where the owners have chosen to showcase the stairs and turn them into a focal point. I’ve decided this is the way to go — why not make stairs a work of art? Aleksandra’s exposed industrial staircase from last week is one example, and here’s a totally opposite…
I sometimes imagine how much fun it must be to purchase and renovate an entire home, but I still don’t think I have the guts to take the risk, nor do I have the perseverance or vision to really spot that great deal, the diamond in the rough. I think I’ll always be in awe…
I love the thrill of completely changing a room — not just its decor and layout, but its very function. Part of the beauty of simple rooms with four walls and not much else is that when you feel like switching things up, you can make a living room a bedroom, a bedroom a den…
I’ve been dreaming of a furniture project that would involve a sturdy recycled textile, and I was struggling to come up with the right fabric source; everything seemed too familiar and not interesting enough. So I was thrilled to see this amazing restaurant decor project from Jennifer Jako at Fix Studio, in which they used…
One of the joys of working for D*S is our loyal readership. We love seeing repeat submitters over the years because it means we get to follow their lives a little bit: first home, first office, first nursery, and so forth; it’s kind of like being part of the family. We’re longtime fans of designer…
Today’s second and third Before & After projects celebrate pattern and color — they are both maximalist in the very best way. This first colorful home renovation comes from Aimee Daniels. Aimee is a lover of bold, brilliant textiles and all things vintage. Looking through her newly redecorated home, it’s clear that she had a…
Sometimes the simplest projects are my favorites, especially when they provide dramatic results. I’m such a wimp when it comes to sanding; I just don’t want to put in the time to do it, and I know I end up passing on a lot of potentially great pieces because of it. It’s nice to see…
Oh, lofts. Lovely, light-filled lofts. I will always be envious of people who live in big, airy spaces like these, but after watching Grace and Amy setting up the D*S office, I now have a better understanding of how hard it can be to make huge industrial spaces feel comforting. I think Margot has done…
I love window seats! Not enough homes come with built-in window seats, and I don’t think I’ve ever lived in an apartment that had one :( It’s cool to see such a substantial window seat, with built-in storage no less, all done DIY style for relatively low cost and time. Ryan crafted the drawers out…
As someone who sleeps in my apartment’s “living room” and watches television in the “dining room,” I have a soft spot for people who use rooms for completely different purposes than what was originally intended. Interior designer Courtney Agosti was noticing a serious lack of bathrooms in her home, so she decided to turn a…
