I never fail to return from a flea without a hand painted soda bottle from a defunct beverage company. The graphics are so appealing & evocative of their time, I usually display them as is, although they do make for charming bud vases. It wasn’t until super storm Sandy did they really serve a serious function as candle sticks. As I may border ... read more
It has taken me 20 years to find someone who would commit to my crazy. Even though the IKEA Billy bookcase was dependable & supportive, I yearned for something that better reflected my design sensibility so I kicked Billy & his cohorts to the curb - literally. I had this vision of suspending the 2 street-found school desk chairs on my wall ... read more
I have a friend who regularly looses multiple pairs of gloves every winter, usually at night. She lays them in her lap while driving and completely forgets them as she exits the car. This nifty trick won’t stop her from losing them, but it definitely makes it easier to find a matching pair. The binder clip & ring glove holders were totally ... read more
There is just something about this vignette in my kitsch-inn that has me smitten. Perhaps it’s the bright beaded fruit that were originally intended as ornaments or the Christmas candy garland corralled in a cloche too tall to store. I’m also pleased as punch with my juice glass display composed of 2 cake stands that couldn’t be contained in the ... read more
Can you believe this is the same closet?! Seriously, how amazing is this transformation? I love how the team created practical and accessible use of every surface and added shelves, hooks and a rail to increase storage. That is what we call ‘creative storage solutions’, being able to augment & adjust with minimal assembly, but maximum ... read more
I am not a shopper, but I have traveled with one and have amassed quite a few dos & don’ts, when buying abroad. When making a significant, whether in size or stature purchase that will be shipped home, it is critical to take multiple photos of what you have bought and any identifying marks & labels. Also, take a photo of the paperwork next ... read more
Last week we spent a few days working in a charming Long Island City apartment. What was once a childhood home for our client is now one for her 2 young daughters, ages 2 & 4. It was a quick & thrifty project - we swapped the girls’ grandmother’s tall dresser for a more size appropriate Ikea one and added a nightstand between the now ... read more
By: Jillian Kramer My friend set her tools on the countertop and went to town: She unscrewed the hinges from her kitchen cabinets and set the doors on the floor. She removed opaque and label-laden boxes of pasta and granola from the shelves and replaced them with clear jars and canisters. She swapped mismatched dishes for a monochromatic, ... read more
I’ve often feel a ping of jealousy when looking at shelter magazines & design blogs that feature beautifully executed photo shoots of interiors. It is always a struggle for me to promote the amazing transformations that we create for apartmentjeanie clients as the furnishings, decor & overall effect rarely represent our design style. What ... read more
What a difference a year makes! 12 months ago I didn’t have a business coach, much less knew why I would need one. A year ago, I had never metmy VA (virtual assistant to those unfamiliar with the initials) in person although she had access to every password, checking account and my social security number. Before May 2014, I had never been in the ... read more
