Home Design Tips and Tricks with Apartment Therapy's Heather Blaha

By Jen Hazen in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 16, 2009 6:40PM

We've been addicted to the home design tips, tricks, and tours of Apartment Therapy Chicago for a couple of years now. The popular site’s endless resources and huge online community keep the creativity flowing in case you’re feeling a little uninspired by your casa. ATC's four-person editorial team serve up a continuous dose of design tips to make any living space lavish—with minimal cash. Find out how to turn your place into a supercool space with some pointers from one of ATC's editors, Heather Blaha.

Chicagoist: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Heather Blaha: I co-launched the Chicago version of Apartment Therapy in April 2006 with Janel Laban. Last year, the site started covering even more midwest territory; it currently has 4 writers/editors including the pair of us, Sarah Coffey in Chicago and Sarah Rae Trover, based in Kansas City. I have a background in art/design history and writing, and got involved in AT initially as a reader of the NYC site.

C: What’s a typical day for you? Are you out scouting a lot?

HB: I try to head out and hit some shops one day a week. A few times a week, if possible, I get to a design event, or something highlighted in the community. On a daily basis, I'm at my computer (usually at home) compiling my ideas for the week and crossing over into our sister sites (I now contribute regularly to Ohdeedoh (also run by Janel) and the Kitchn (run by Faith Hopler).

Each month is a theme across all the sites (June is Outdoor Living), and so every day we're blogging with a pretty clear direction. That direction gets led by our readers as the month progresses and new questions come up, and comments, discussions, and links expand.

The great thing about doing this type of work at home, is that if an idea strikes I can either write about it, or take a break from the computer and actually work on it, rearrange it, paint it, or clean it! We have a set blogging schedule and each of us works super independently in different offices while still being connected by email, phone calls, and group ideas.

C: What are the top 5 trends right now?

HB: Trends in the traditional sense of the word take a backseat when people are watching their money. The trend right now is using what you've got, swapping or buying secondhand, getting creative, and spending time and energy on your home rather than spending money on stuff. With that in mind:

• Texture. Felt has been coming into its own for a while now, and you'll find it used to create things from room dividers to seating to pillows.
• Simple Color Choices (as described by Benjamin Moore) whether dark or light; we love the Chantilly Lace, Hazy Skies & White Sand combo in this Benjamin Moore palette for the home (shown in the sitting room image).
• An Outdoor Space as an Extension of Home—bringing a bit of the outdoors inside.
• Anything Multifunctional.
• Nautical Accents—that don't make a room too "themey."

C: What are some ways to get these looks without breaking the bank?

HB: In the same order as above

• Follow the How-to's offered on AT; adapt patterns and concepts and get materials at your local fabric shop, freebies on craigslist...
• I really like Epco Paint. Prices are fairly standard, but the extra help and guidance (and lots of sale bins on brushes and other painting materials) are so worth avoiding the big stores' paint departments.
• Ask friends, family, and neighbors if they'll separate any plants for you... for indoor containers or outdoor planting (hastas are great dividers). We try really hard NOT to purchase plants; there are just so many other ways. For a roundup of planters for under $20, look here. Collect great rocks, logs, and shells, and bring them inside. If you have outside space, invest in a small or large outdoor rug... it changes everything!
• Multifunctional items aren't always pitched as such. It's cheap to get that "look" because all you have to do is find new ways to use what's already in your home. This post shows a gravy boat used as a key catch-all.
• LL Bean is a sometimes overlooked, but spot-on, source for quality, value, and traditional seasonal trends (check out these vacation inspired hooked rugs); also look to the "classic" line (clean cut meets nautical edge) from H&M Home.

C: What about the 10,000 cords problem... computers, cable boxes, TVs, etc... Any solutions for that?

HB: Our site Unplggd deals with living with technology at home ("Smarter Homes. Fewer Wires."). For some solutions we've featured, click here.