Cat Meschia
Apartment Therapy
Oak Park, IL, United States
Contact Catherine
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Past articles by Catherine:
DIY Picture Frame Moulding Tips
Whether you're a seasoned DIYer or a total novice, these tips will help you get the look of picture frame moulding at home. → Read More
9 Materials You Need to Give Your DIY Built-Ins a Pro-Level Finish
Built-in shelving is an architectural detail that perfectly combines form and function. Since the shelves (or dinette, or window seat, or wardrobe) custom fit to your space, they provide maximum storage — and a look that flows with the rest of the house.Not everyone is blessed with built-ins in their own place. But the good news is that you don’t have to shell out thousands to a pro carpenter to… → Read More
5 IKEA Hacks We Can’t Wait to Do in 2022
IKEA may no longer be publishing its iconic catalog, but peek into its “new” section and you’ll find all the latest releases. The page is filled with gorgeous stuff, everything from sculptural pendant lamps to cottage core bedding — but as a DIYer, I have an eye out for the products that will be the most hackable. Here, my five picks for the best hack-worthy new IKEA products for 2022, plus… → Read More
Level up Your DIY Game in 2022 with These 6 Achievable Home Projects
How to hang a TV, make a built-in, reupholster a chair, install a faucet, and build a planter. → Read More
The Under-$5 Pro Secret to Making Your DIY Built-Ins Look Like a Million Bucks
A lot of people enjoy the functional and aesthetic value of built-ins, but with the national average cost of $2,500 for a built-in bookshelf, it’s no wonder there are plenty of DIYers looking for clever ways to fake the look. Like those intrepid DIYers, you can get the professional look at home by using off-the-shelf furniture and materials. → Read More
10 Easy Last-Minute DIY Gifts Even Non-DIYers Can Pull Off
As an avid DIYer myself, I might be a little biased, but I firmly believe DIY gifts are one of the greatest displays of love. They’re the perfect combination of two major love languages, both gift-giving and acts of service.But I recognize that DIYs — especially DIY gifts — can feel really intimidating to a lot of people. → Read More
9 Holiday Decorating Hacks to Help You Fake a High-End Look on an IKEA Budget
Flipping through holiday decor catalogs evokes the same kind of giddy joy that toy catalogs used to bring. It’s fun to imagine the possibilities of your own winter wonderland, and to dream about how you can sprinkle little moments of magic throughout your home.Here’s a secret, though: You don’t have to shell out department store money to get a super high-end look at home. → Read More
Make this Under-$30 Holiday Decor Now, and You Can Use It All Year Long
A wreath on the front door is a beautiful way to welcome guests and set the tone for the rest of your home. Eucalyptus wreaths in particular are a fail-safe option since they’re classically simplistic, and — spoiler alert! — you can make the same one work for every season.Ready to make this mind-blowingly easy yet stylish decor? Read on to see how to DIY your own faux eucalyptus wreath for under… → Read More
Not Celebrating Thanksgiving? Here Are 8 Fun DIY Projects You Can Do Instead
While many across the country are getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving over a meal with family or friends, many others will be treating the holiday as just an extra-long weekend. If you’re in the latter camp — for any reason — you might be looking for something fun and special to do to fill your time. That’s where DIYing comes in! → Read More
How to Transform a Plain IKEA KALLAX into a Groovy ’70s-Style Burl Wood Piece
How to make a faux burl wood credenza with an IKEA KALLAX. → Read More
8 Easy Projects You Can Do Using Just a $5 Sample Pot of Paint
Paint is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to change the look of your home. And here’s a secret: You don’t even have to purchase a whole gallon or even a quart of your chosen paint color to make a transformation at home. For many projects, a sample size container — just 8 ounces, and often less than $5 — will do the trick. → Read More
This One (Nearly Free, Basically Magic) Trick Can Fix Your Home’s Biggest Eyesore
How to paint your light switch to match your wall. → Read More
15 High-Impact Curb Appeal Makeovers That Prove There’s Power in the Details
Whether you’re welcoming guests or getting ready to list your house, your home’s exterior is the first impression. The first glimpse seen from the street can immediately make your home feel warm and welcoming—or it can feel dark, dreary, or standoffish.Fortunately, bringing the welcoming vibes to your digs doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to renovate your whole house. → Read More
18 DIY Curtain Ideas That Will Instantly Give Your Room a Style Boost
When it comes to making a space feel homey, walls are usually at the top of the list for upgrades, whether it’s via paint, art displays, mirror gallery walls, wallpaper, and more. But there’s another area of your home that’s a prime candidate for high-impact upgrades: your windows!My husband and I rented for years, and after getting settled in each time, our apartments never felt like “home”. → Read More
15 Inspiring Dresser Redo Ideas That Go Beyond Just Paint
Second to your bed, your dresser will be the biggest furniture piece in your bedroom. And for obvious reasons: It needs to be functional enough to give you sufficient bedroom storage, holding the bulk of your folded clothing, accessories, and more. But that doesn’t mean that it’s destined for a boring life that prioritizes functionality over design. → Read More
9 Bright Ideas For Making That Sad Lamp Look Way More Expensive
Lamps are one of those decor pieces that can set the tone of the room, but sometimes finding the perfect one can be a challenge. This one is the perfect shape but wrong color, this one has a weird shade… this one is perfect, but way too pricey. The good news is that your local thrift store is brimming with lamps looking for a second life—thanks, Marie Kondo!—so you don’t have to spend a ton of… → Read More
14 Ways to Use Hydrogen Peroxide, Your Favorite First Aid Staple
You probably already have this budget-friendly first aid staple in your medicine cabinet (or maybe in your emergency kit), but did you know you can use hydrogen peroxide all around your house? The standard 3 percent solution is a nontoxic staple that not only disinfects, but also brightens and whitens. Here are 15 ways to use the hydrogen peroxide you already have for tasks all around your… → Read More
Simplify Your New Fall Routine with These 10 10-Minute Projects
Fall is officially here! And while we’re excited that that means cider and pumpkin everything, we also know it can be a hectic time. Between back to school, after-school activities, weekend games, work events, and holiday planning, suddenly there is a lot more added to your routine. That’s why we’re sharing our 10 favorite 10-minute projects to help you ease into the new season.Streamline the… → Read More
9 Wallpaper Ideas You Actually Won’t Get Sick of
Wallpaper sometimes gets a bad rap for being stuffy and old-fashioned, but it definitely doesn’t have to be! Print designers, illustrators, and interior designers are bucking tradition and playing with paper in fresh new ways. Here are nine of our favorite wallpaper ideas to bump up the personality in any room.The neutral palette of this vintage ’40s wallpaper makes it easy on the eyes and it’ll… → Read More
10 Hacks for the 2020 IKEA Collection That We Can't Wait to Try
We’ve been poring over the pages of thee IKEA 2020 catalog, bookmarking our favorite finds, and dreaming of all the ways to hack some of the newest additions. Here are 10 products we can’t wait to get our hands on, as well as ideas to inspire your own DIYs. → Read More