This family’s renovated 1960s home is full of surprises — including a secret bookcase door {issue 53}

Plus, 9 super-creative and budget-friendly family Halloween costumes.

October 4, 2021 No. 53 What has your family been watching lately? We're diving into the classics and recently saw "The Neverending Story" — a dragon, childlike empress, and rock giants. It holds up! Hoping you find some time to cozy up with a movie too. — Thao      This Family's Renovated 1960s Home Is Full of Surprises — Including a Secret Bookcase Door For Fliss Beasley and her husband Daniel, renovating their own home in Yorkshire, which they share with their daughters Ella, 5, and Ivy, 2, and a mini lop Bunny called Beau (short for Rainbow, the name Ella chose) was something quite new for the couple. Fliss says she had zero experience of remodeling prior to her own home (before deciding to stay home with her kids, Fliss worked as a preschool teacher). Daniel had worked on dozens of renovations before, but they were all rehabs of rental properties that his family's business owns. "Cheap and cheerful, all neutral, and empty," says Daniel of the rental renovation ethos — a far cry from the Beasleys' playful, personality-packed home.   Instead of the boring, landlord-special, you'll find joyful wallpapers, tons of color, an indoor swing, and even a secret door hidden behind a bookcase. Here's how Fliss and Daniel approach renovation, parenting, and even social media. read more > cubby ❤️ We've found the perfect lunchbox treat — Yummy Toddler Food's pizza muffins! All the great, savory flavor of pizza with none of the mess. (Also ideal for on-the-go snacking.)     live     Before and After: A Plain-Jane Kids Bathroom Gets a Sleek Makeover Inspired by … Locker Rooms?! The floor-to-ceiling storage, locker-room-style bench, and emerald green accents seriously can't be missed. read more >     6 Small-Space Organizing Tips, According to This Mom This family downsized to an apartment — here are their biggest design takeaways for small-space living. read more > eat     I Tried Smitten Kitchen's Apple Pie Cookies and They Are THE Handheld Fall Treat The ultimate after-school snack for fall. read more >     4 Most Reliable Foods for Easing Constipation in Kids Experienced parents share the tried-and-true solutions that have worked for them. read more > play     9 Budget-Friendly and Instagram-Worthy Family Halloween Costumes You don't have to spend a lot of money OR time to get a show-stopping group costume. read more >     8 Tips for Raising Creative Kids from Working Artists Creative kids are natural problem solvers. Here, doable tips to nurture those imaginative impulses. read more > cubby finds: reusable napkins check stripe days of the week Mexican print colorblock ask maxwell Are there any design trends you've been loving for kids? Our 8-year-old daughter needs a room upgrade. (We're working with a dated, slightly babyish space, TBH.) — Erica  Dear Erica,   I love this question and it gets me right back into my designer headspace, which is fun and creative — but also — very subjective, so let me kick it off for you and then you take if from there with your daughter.   First of all, an 8-year-old is YOUNG, so we want to start with some really simple building blocks that perhaps she can learn from going forward. These are not trends, just a few building blocks.   read more > Maxwell Ryan is a father and was an elementary school teacher in NYC before founding Apartment Therapy. He'd love to answer your question: askmaxwell@cubbyathome.com ( trust us ) Liar, liar Unsubscribe or Manage Your Preferences  View this email in your browser  Apartment Therapy is full of ideas for creating a warm, beautiful, healthy home. If we've inspired you, we may receive a share of purchases made through this email. Apartment Therapy Media 270 Lafayette Street, Suite 1300 New York, NY 10013 ABOUT | CONTACT US | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE