A Room-by-Room Guide to Making Your Apartment Look Like a Grown-Up Lives There

How many times have you said to yourself, this is the year I’m going to finally decorate my apartment? Each year since my husband David and I moved here five years ago, we’ve vowed to reserve a few weekends to actually put art on the walls, figure out where to store our champagne flutes and unpack those last finicky boxes (yes, we really had boxes that hadn’t been unpacked since NY in 2011). But we’ve never found the time. Until now! :)

a nine-part series

Lowe’s to transform our dull and drab apartment into a beautifully styled and coordinated space that reflects both of our personalities. Even if you rent (like we do), there are tons of simple, DIY ways to give your space more style without investing too much. Check out the video below to see how the apartment came together, and read on for a room-by-room guide on transforming *your* apartment, home or studio.

Is it even possible to transform your space without just tossing everything you own? If you’re a renter, can you customize your home without saying goodbye to your security deposit? The answers to both are YES. And you can do so in a coordinated, personalized and eclectic way. My apartment is living proof of that fact!

We’ll go ahead and show you an epic before and after to really drive this point home.

AFTER // COLORFUL + COORDINATED

BEFORE // BEIGE + BORING

Scroll on to see how it all came to life.

First things first, we cleaned up the house and took a cold hard look at some of the items we haven’t used in years. We donated about a dozen giant bags of clothes and household items to Goodwill! Then we hit up Lowe’s to stock up on tons of paint, tools and coordinated decor pieces. If you haven’t gotten lost in a paint chip section, you haven’t lived! But for real, I was mesmerized by all the colors and suggested color palettes in this section of the store. I ended up gravitating towards Lowe’s HGTV HOME™ by Sherwin-Williams Paints, mostly because they offer a ton of different pre-curated color palettes that make it easy to coordinate colors room to room.

PREPARE YOURSELF (AND YOUR APARTMENT!)

My husband David and I pored over all the paint samples I collected and came up with a color scheme. We love spending time outdoors so we were naturally drawn to different shades of blues and greens. We kept this consistent throughout the house to make sure the whole space was coordinated. And also so that when we listen to that 1999 dance classic “Blue” by Eiffel 65 we can think of that week when our entire apartment was painted… blue ;)

I also created an Apartment Makeover Pinterest board to gather interior design inspiration, to save favorite products and to see how it might all come together.

coat rack

shoe racks and added a rug. Instant organization, and it makes the apartment feel cozy from the moment you walk in. You can check out all the design details and DIY tips right here.

THE ENTRYWAY

Next up, the bathrooms. Even though we live in a one-bedroom, we somehow lucked out and ended up with two full bathrooms. This is crucial because we almost always have houseguests.

THE BATHROOMS

mirror

shelf! We also added an extra towel rack, which is a great place to hang up clothes if you want to steam out any wrinkles. On the right is the master bath, aka the rainforest.

I wanted to create a nature-infused space to start the day. I wanted it to feel lush, green and alive — hence, the tropical rainforest theme. We put plants EVERYWHERE. On the window sill, on the wall and on the shelves. We also added on-the-wall jewelry storage to keep everything within arm’s reach. Check out how to make your own handy dandy wooden jewelry organizer here. It’s as simple as sanding, drilling and painting.

bedroom

bright white nightstands and, to create more space, we installed wall sconces instead of lamps.

THE BEDROOM

wooden ones

shoe rack to keep the floor space organized as well.

Now onto the living room, which is now a straight up art gallery! I’ve been collecting art for well over a decade, and have never really hung it up. So we decided to make the most of this space and create a gallery — I could stare at this wall all day; it really is the highlight of the entire transformation. To add more dimension, we added small shelves, geometric wire accents and a wall clock. As you’ve likely gathered, I’ve got it bad for power clashing, pattern mixing, whatever you want to call it. Patterns and me are tight, and my home is no exception. I made sure to coordinate colors and patterns in a way that still felt comfortable and homey, not busy and cluttered.

THE LIVING ROOM

this patterned rug

is a really good sport.

needs

shelves, bins and racks are for. To organize DIY supplies, we spray-painted mason jars to hold pens, pencils, paint brushes and more.

THE WORKSPACE

We also got actual office chairs! They match, they have wheels and they look dang good in this bright white work space.

The centerpiece of any apartment is the kitchen. It’s where gatherings happen, where you set up shop when you’ve got a crazy deadline and a ton of work to do — it’s the heart of your home. So naturally, we wanted to create a centerpiece-worthy wall to match. We also mixed a ton of different textures on the table to create a coordinated and unusual look. Polka dots, stripes and pottery all made it onto the table.

THE KITCHEN

This geometric statement wall was a crazy but totally doable undertaking. The key is painting a different color each day so you’ve got ample dry time to create seamless color blocks. Check out the full tutorial here.

drawer organizers

bulletin board to house a mix of recipes, photos and wedding invites.

Very serious painted walls call for very serious family portraits, don’t you think? ;)

before and after transformation

graphic black and white carpet, a huge Indian tapestry, an antique-style pendant light and hung a pair of vintage skis on the wall. Our “coffee table” is actually a bench that came with our dining table — it’s great for pulling up extra seating to the table.

THE DEN

The other side of the den is Turkey’s palace, as it were. A lime green crate, a dresser filled with treats and even some succulents and greenery to liven up the place! We also installed a shelf above the dresser to house books and other knick-knacks.

my porch

bar stools together.

THE PORCH

The key here is lots and lots and LOTS of plants! :) We spray painted these giant planters teal and coral to bring even more color to the porch.

Turkey, everything the light touches…

All in all, our apartment feels totally transformed thanks to teaming up with Lowe’s! It finally feels like us.

I turn to Instagram for mainly two things: hilariously adorable pet videos to share with my daughter before bedtime — a nightly ritual we started a year back — and a steady stream of home decor inspiration. Having studied interior design and spent years writing about stunning spaces, my love for beautiful interiors runs deep. The home decor bloggers I follow offer a mix of styles and experiences, from cozy vintage vibes to refined and sophisticated homes and rooms. Whether you’re looking to refresh your space for the season or simply find joy in nesting at home, there’s a little something from everyone here to inspire you. Happy decorating!

PrettyOnFridays

PrettyOnFridays

Writer Deema Tabbara Lopez's Friday newsletter, Merci Ktir, offers a glimpse into all the pretty things bringing her joy each week. Her home is so cozy, filled with vintage charm and lovely DIYs and how-tos (and stunning paint colors!). You'll want to dive into her feed for all the inspiration this fall.

ThisHouse5000

ThisHouse5000

Home decor enthusiast Elena Lohse and her handyman husband have been renovating their 1935 home in Toronto’s west end, the Junction, for the past 4+ years. Her style is clean, fresh, and never boring. I love her DIY videos, and her blog follows their travels too through a unique design lens.

Erin Conway Kismet House

Kismet House

For a masters in warm, cozy traditional spaces, follow Erin and Matthew of Kismet House who share tips and tricks for creating homes that feel unique and full of character.

Michael P.H. Clifford

a1000xBetter

Designer Kirsten Blazek creates rooms that are authentic, stylish, and so comfortable. She really thinks about spaces you want to live in. I'm still swooning over this kitchen of hers that we featured. Her first book A1000xBetter: A Rebel By Designshowcases her eclectic interiors and love of vintage treasures along with her design inspirations and tips.

Banda Property

𝗦𝗮 𝗚𝗿𝗮̂𝗰𝗲

Principal designer Ithabeleng Mothabeng has such a talent for creating stunning interiors. She blends a timeless elegance with modern touches and the result is always gorgeous and sophisticated.

Sam Arneson

Sam Arneson Home

Sam Arneson, an LA-based realtor, brings a thoughtful approach to design with a focus on sustainability and slow living. Her soulful feed is full of inspiration, from mid-century modern gems to cozy woodsy cabins.

OEZLEM OEZSOY

OEZLEM OEZSOY

This Hamburg, Germany-based photographer and home decor enthusiast is known for her sophisticated eye for vintage and mid-century decor, creating beautifully curated neutral spaces.

LEMIEUX ET CIE

The Organic Bubble Vase, Théophile Candle Holder, and Cadoret Bowl

Christiane Lemieux

NYC-based Christiane Lemieux is an author, designer, entrepreneur and the founder of LEMIEUX ET CIE, a luxury home furnishings brand. If you're looking for elevated interiors with a smidge of fantasy and the unexpected, her feed is the place to be. She was also the co-host and a judge on Ellen’s Design Challenge on HGTV and is a regular guest on MSNBC.

Some other favorites to look out for:

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Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum made headlines for their whirlwind romanceafter they met while making Zoë's directorial debutBlink Twice. Fans were so excited to learn they were engaged, but on October 29, multiple sources reported that the couple had broken up — and called off their upcoming wedding. Here's a look back at their relationship timeline.

Zoë Kravitz And Channing Tatum's Relationship Timeline

Image via Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

February 10, 2017 — The Lego Batman Movie Premieres

Glimmers of their love story began in 2017 when Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum lent their voices to the hit animated film, The Lego Batman Movie. Little did they know that this animated connection would pave the way for their real-life love story a few years later.

Image via Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for ABA

Summer 2021 — Zoë Kravitz And Channing Tatum Work Together Again

Kravitz was all set to work with Tatum in her directorial debut film P*ssy Island. This creative endeavor brought the two closer, both personally and professionally, setting the stage for a unique partnership. While working on the film, Tatum advised Kravitz not to take on too much, showcasing the supportive and collaborative nature of their relationship. Both stars had nothing but praise for each other's work and creativity.

Image via Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

August 2021 — Zoë Kravitz Gets A Fresh Start

At the start of 2021, Zoë Kravitz divorced her former spouse, eventually sparking rumors a possible romance with Channing Tatum. This marked the potential for the beginning of their exciting journey as a couple, with their personal lives becoming increasingly intertwined. August was a pivotal month for these two, too. Channing Tatum showed his love and support by following various fan-run Instagram accounts dedicated to Zoë Kravitz. It wasn't long before their relationship made its way into the public eye. And hello, did you see that Brooklyn bike ride? It was clear this couple was meant-to-be kinda cute from the beginning!

Images via Theo Wargo/Getty Images/Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

September 13, 2021 — Zoë Kravitz And Channing Tatum Make Their Red Carpet Debut

The couple made their debut — stepping up and out at the iconic Met Gala, a night filled with glamour and romance. Their joint appearance in multiple after party pictures confirmed their blossoming relationship to the world. Kravitz wore a sexy chain dress, while Tatum looked incredibly handsome in a black tux.

Image via Joe Maher/Getty Images

November 15, 2022 — Zoë Kravitz Calls Her Relationship With Channing Tatum "Sacred"

In a GQ interview, Zoë Kravitz opened up about her relationship with Tatum. She shared that they chose to keep their love story relatively low-key, wanting to keep it sacred and private for as long as possible. “He’s just a wonderful human," she says. "He makes me laugh and we both really love art and talking about art and the exploration of why we do what we do. We love to watch a film and break it down and talk about it and challenge each other."

“You want to keep it sacred and private as long as you can,” Kravitz continues. “So that you don’t have to even think about what the world thinks about it.”

Image via Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

January 17, 2023 — Channing Tatum Says He's A "Monogamist"

Channing Tatum candidly discussed the early days of his relationship with Zoë Kravtiz in Vanity Fair, revealing they briefly lost touch before rekindling their connection on the set of P*ssy Island. He also opened up about his struggles in matters of the heart.

“Relationships are hard for me,” Channing says. “I am a bit of a monogamist...but heart things, when it comes to people I love, I have a really hard time. I end up trying too hard, you know?”

Image via Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Kering

June 2023 — Zoë Kravitz And Channing Tatum Are Taking Things Slowly

Sources close to the couple revealed to US Weeklythat Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum were in no hurry to get engaged, as both had experienced failed marriages before. "They are perfectly happy with where things are and cherish [their] special relationship," the source says. "Having a baby is a very real possibility. But they enjoy taking things slowly."

Images via Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures/Amy Sussman/Getty Images

October 31, 2023 — Zoë Kravitz And Channing Tatum Are Engaged!

After a romantic date night in Paris during Fashion Week, Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum are getting married! In October, the lovebirds finally took the next step and got engaged, per PEOPLE, promising a future filled with love and adventure. YAY! We love love!

www.instagram.com

January 26, 2024 — Channing Tatum Supports Zoë Kravitz' New Movie

Channing recently took to Instagram to show his support of Zoë directing Blink Twice (formerly named P*ssy Island) and even shared a cute BTS video of them looking intently at a scene being filmed. "MISS DIRECTOR LADY HERSELF IN ACTION!!" he says in the caption. "ABSOLUTELY CRUSHING IT. CAN’T WAIT FOR YALL TO SEE."

Image via Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Kering

March 4, 2024 — Zoë Kravitz And Channing Tatum Are Doing "Fantastic"

"Channing and Zoë are doing fantastic and could not be more in love," a source tells ET. "They’re so thrilled about their engagement and to be taking this next step together." The fact that *they're* excited about their engagement makes *me* even more excited for them!

August 9, 2024 — Zoë Kravitz And Channing Tatum Attend The Blink Twice Premiere

Look out world because Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum have officially stepped out on the red carpet together! They stunned in gorgeous, minimalistic black ensembles at the premiere of Blink Twice and made us wish we could've been specks of dust on what they were wearing.

Zoë wore a satin Saint Laurent dress and kept the rest of her look simple while Channing took dapper to the next level with a tailored black suit. Honestly, this is one sexy couple whose engagement rumors we hope are true.

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

August 14, 2024 — Lenny Kravitz Is Excited For Zoë's Wedding

Fans may be surprised to know Zoë Kravtiz and Channing Tatum didn't know each other before she shared her idea for Blink Twice. Spending time together snowballed into the romantic relationship they have today, but wedding bells aren't ringing soon. Though her dad, Lenny Kravitz announced he's excited for the couple's wedding (via Entertainment Tonight), Zoë admitted that she and Channing have talked about it "in passing," (via Esquire).

Also, you might want to erase the image of Zoë being a mother from your brain because she doesn't think she'll be taking on that role. It's something she used to be scared to admit, but feels more comfortable talking about these days (via Esquire).

"There’s a lot of pressure on women to have children, and there’s a feeling that if you don’t, you don’t have purpose here. But this movie, it feels like I gave birth," she said.

October 29, 2024 — Zoë Kravitz And Channing Tatum Have Broken Up

Multiple sources told People that Channing Tatum and Zoë Kravitz have split after three years together, and called off their wedding. TMZ also confirmed the news.

“Wedding plans were looming, but neither of them were rushing to the altar,” a source told Us Weekly, adding that their relaxed mindset ended up putting "a lot of pressure" on them. “Ultimately once [Blink Twice] ended, they realized they were on different pages with what they wanted. It fizzled fast after their press tour wrapped.”

​What are Channing Tatum & Zoë Kravitz ages?

Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Channing Tatum was born on April 26, 1980, making him 43 years old. Zoë Kravitz (who's 35 years old) was born on December 1, 1988, so there's an 8-year age gap between the two.

Looking for more celeb news? Be sure to sign up for our email newsletter and if you love Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum's relationship, check out the latest news on Tom Holland And Zendaya and Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce!

Header image via Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

This post has been updated.

In our Take 5 series, sponsored by Verizon, we ask women in business about unexpected challenges, their inspirations, recent wins, and how the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program has helped propel their business forward. Here, we meet Therise Edwards, founder/CEO of Teshley Solutions, an education consultancy firm that helps students and families navigate the complexities of the education system K through 12.

What is an unexpected business challenge that you faced and how did you overcome it?

I wouldn't call myself a FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) expert, but I ended up having to know a lot more about it than I ever anticipated. FAFSA is what administers Pell Grants, which is what a lot of colleges base their financial aid on. I knew about the application changes, and some were excellent, but they made a series of critical errors and a lot of parents were scrambling. It was not my intent to have this as my area of focus; it just became a necessity.

What's a recent small win for your business?

Recent small wins are my collaborations. I formed partnerships with one organization that focuses on students with special needs. I hosted a webinar with the executive director of that organization. I formed a partnership with members from an insurance company on planning and paying for college. That was my first corporate sponsorship. And I've got a series of events coming out because others actually reached out to me. One of them I met through another networking platform, but I got to that platform from one of the sessions that I did with Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program.

How did you start to collaborate with external partners?

Just changing my strategies and my approach, and just being more secure and more emphatic in making connections. It ends up being this continual cycle.

Is there a woman in business that you admire or that you look up to?

I have two. Leontyne Anglin, who runs a nonprofit called Beyond Expectations. She works with a small pool of students, but she just gives them enormous exposure and opportunity. She's brilliant with collaborating with individuals and businesses and really bringing the students what they need. And then the other on a bigger scale is Cate Luzio, founder and CEO of Luminary, who taught her Business Plan Bootcamp through the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program. She is just a dynamo. She is just so supportive of women entrepreneurs. She's awesome.

How did the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program help propel your business forward?

All of the collaborations and partnerships with the exception of one all came from joining the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program. I’ve taken all of the free classes and the one on projections and pricing, something every entrepreneur struggles with, was very helpful. There have been so many of them. Sometimes you're completely ignorant in a category so you take the class and it's like, okay, that's good to have. But then sometimes you sign up for it and it's like, oh, yeah, I did know 90 percent of that, but this other 10 percent is going to be very, very helpful.

Learn more about the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program and Teshley Solutions.

Illustration by Daniela Jordan-Villaveces


“Amen,” all the Starbucks-frequenting vegans, lactose intolerants, and anti-dairy people said in unison. Starbucks is no longer charging extra for non-dairy milk customizations! Starting November 7, 2024, the coffee giant saidthey’re nixing the up-charge on alternative milks like soy, coconut, almond, and oat.

Starbucks

“At the heart of the Starbucks Experience has, and always will be, the ability to customize beverages and our baristas’ expertise in helping you find, and craft your Starbucks beverage,” a Starbucks announcement reads. “Substituting non-dairy milk in a handcrafted beverage is the second most requested customization from our customers, behind adding a shot of espresso.”

The chain reported that almost half of U.S. customers that pay for non-dairy milk could see a price reduction of more than 10%. The news comes amidst the company's recent 6% drop in sales, along with customer complaints that Starbucks is simply charging too much for their goodies – something the newly-appointed Starbucks CEO, Brian Niccol, seems to be addressing.

Starbucks

How much savings are we really talking about with this menu update? Most Starbucks stores charge $0.70 to customize your drink with soy, coconut, almond, and oat milks. Some locations in hotspots like New York City even see an up to $0.90 upcharge.

A regular Caffé Latte in my area (Denver, CO) costs $5.25, and if I were to customize it with an alternative milk, it brings the price up to $5.95 ($6.43 total with tax). That's around a 13% increase that I luckily won't be seeing anymore once the new non-dairy changes go into effect.

Starbucks also announced the pricing update on their Instagram page. Many commenters seem elated to hear the news.

“FINALLY!!!!!!” one user wrote.

“People should never have been getting charged because of allergies or dietary restrictions,” another person said. “It’s [about] time 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻”

“Good call as long as nothing else goes up,” someone else noted. “Prices are getting way [too] high even for a simple, non fancy coffee.”

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NYT bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid is officially back from her hiatus, and she's announced her brand new book! While we continue to dish about her book-turned-TV-series Daisy Jones & The Six, Reid's written so many other incredible, page-turning books. And now that she's back with something new for eager readers, we're sure this title will easily become a bestseller too! Here are all the exciting details we know about Reid's new read!

TL;DR

  • Taylor Jenkins Reid announced her new book, Atmosphere, on Instagram October 30, 2024.
  • The book follows a physics and astronomy professor who joins the NASA Space Shuttle program — only to find love, potentially change her whole life, and juggle a massive mission.
  • Atmosphere comes out on June 3, 2025

When did Taylor Jenkins Reid announce her new book?

Instagram/tjenkinsreid

On October 30, 2024, Taylor Jenkins Reid announced her upcoming book on Instagram! The post reads:

"Taylor is so excited to announce her next book ATMOSPHERE, releasing June 3, 2025. Huge, huge thanks to Vogue US and British Vogue for helping us celebrate today."

The caption continues, "From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six comes an epic new novel set against the backdrop of the 1980s space shuttle program and the extraordinary lengths we go to live and love beyond our limits."

After digging into the plot — more on that soon! — Taylor's team shares, "Fast-paced, thrilling, and emotional, Atmosphere is Taylor Jenkins Reid at her best: transporting readers to iconic times and places, with complex protagonists, telling a passionate and soaring story about the transformative power of love, this time among the stars."

What is 'Atmosphere' about?

Amazon

Per Taylor Jenkins Reid's official website, Atmoshpere is set in the 80s and tells the tale of one woman's journey through space.

Joan Goodwin's love for space has led her to a lovely role as a physics and astronomy professor at Rice University. She splits her time between teaching and bonding with her niece Frances — two things that bring her great joy. But her interested is piqued when she discovers she can possibly join NASA's Space Shuttle program.

Somehow Joan is selected to join and begins building relationships with the other chosen candidates at Houston's Johnson Space Center. Though mostly everyone is kind, mission specialist Lydia Danes isn't interested in rolling out the welcome mat to anyone. Still, this doesn't cause too much friction as they continue training in the program. Joan even finds love in an unlikely place and wonders if she can go back to the life she had before.

Just when the trainees think they've found a nice rhythm, mission STS-LR9 provides the biggest shock no one saw coming.

When does 'Atmosphere' by Taylor Jenkins Reid come out?

Readers will have to revisit Reid's other titles because Atmosphere won't hit shelves until June 3, 2025!

How many books has Taylor Jenkins Reid written?

Amazon

She's written a total of 9 books, including Atmosphere. Here's every Taylor Jenkins Reid book, in order:

What are Taylor's most popular books?

Amazon

While we flipped through each Taylor Jenkins Reid book faster than the next, her most popular reads are:

Pre-Order 'Atmosphere' By Taylor Jenkins Reid Here!

Taylor Jenkins Reid

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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