apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

In June we spent part of an afternoon exploring a new, improved community garden in Harlem. It was a rundown plot of land, but now, thanks to a Herculean renovation by the Food Network, Share Our Strength, and Teich Garden Systems, it's a thriving vegetable and fruit garden where kids from the Children's Aid Society (which has a center across the street) learn about planting, harvesting, and cooking. It's an amazing place to hang out...

We're so inspired by Sunday Suppers, the Brooklyn-based cooking class that created these menus. Their table decorations are always stunning, and yet this particular idea is so simple, we're filing it away for a future dinner party—paper bag menus that guests could pop open and fill with a sweet summer treat for the ride home. See it below...

First things first: Find some canned goods with really cool labels...

We love the classic look of black and white, diamond-patterned kitchen floors. They're very 1950s diner but can look clean and modern, too. Well, this is an eco-friendly riff on that idea, with sustainable cork laid out in contrasting shades...

Small kitchens can get hot, fast, especially in the summer. Do you have a fan? Do you keep your windows open? Crank the AC? Let us know your tricks...

News of alfalfa sprout recalls prompted us to call our mother. Why? Because when we were in kindergarten, she came and taught everyone how to grow their own sprouts in a jar. It seems like a good idea now that we're adults looking for more organic, locally-grown food. Our own kitchen is as local as it gets...

Have you ever been to a Beekeepers Ball? No? Well, here's your chance. Just Food is celebrating Pollinator Week 2009 next week in an attempt to bring attention to the fact that beekeeping is still illegal in New York City...

As part of My Great Outdoors, we've seen some rooftop gardens from you urban dwellers who don't have a backyard. Well, The New York Times is showing off some ambitious city gardens today—and one's from a famous chef...

Never heard of chicken bog? It's a traditional South Carolina dish made from chicken, sausage, onion, and rice—the whole thing a bit soggy and stewy (hence the "bog"). This version is a souped up one, with chicken that's browned, braised, and served alongside risotto rather than plain white rice. And it comes connected to an amazing couple in Georgia and the story of their farm, a true labor of love. Read it below...

Most of us know the biggies in our cities. In New York, we've got Union Square and Grand Army Plaza that are open year-round and have dozens of vendors. But there are lesser-known markets that pop up for a few months in summer, and sometimes we don't know there's one right around the corner until we stumble upon it. Let's make a list...

Melamine plates are such a great alternative to paper if you're planning a picnic. They're lightweight, reusable, and usually dishwasher-safe. We showed you some in our summer sale roundup last week, but these colorful, Andy Warhol flower plates are worth a look. See two more sets from the New York Botanical Garden shop, below...

We just read this article by Marion Nestle on The Atlantic's food site, and it brings up the (hotly debated) question of how important it is to buy local. Should we avoid produce that's traveled thousands of miles to reach us? Or is it more important to support sustainable farms and fair working conditions, no matter where they're located? Nestle shares an interesting statistic, plus the one thing we all should absolutely be doing...

In Week Three of the Kitchen Cure, part of your assignment was to do something beautiful for your kitchen. Here's a shot of our dining table over the weekend—not exactly the kitchen, but close. And it uses those recycled soda bottles we've been talking about...

When we're thinking about cooking an inexpensive meal, we waltz right past the seafood counter. Fish and budgets usually don't mix. But in an article in The New York Times, Melissa Clark reminds us that mussels—a brothy, aromatic, decadent bowl of mussels—is not only cheap but also a responsible seafood choice.