Name: James Franco and Mark Goldrick
Location: Newport, Rhode Island
Size: 1200 square feet (includes an outdoor deck)
Years lived in: 8 years; rented

When James and Mark first laid eyes on their third floor apartment, they saw past the hideous wall mural in the stairwell, dingy cabinets and linoleum in the kitchen, holes in the walls, and ratty stained carpeting. The dumpy place that scared every other potential renter away filled them with a sense of excitement and possibility. Inspired by the apartment's hip South Broadway neighborhood, which reminded them of the old East Village of their 1960's youth, the duo set out to transform the place into a home. With a lot of imagination and hard work, they've created a unique space filled with humor, color, and kitsch.

Name: Emily & Jonathan Power, with Ramona (almost 2) and Ottoman, the Wheaten Terrier (there’s also four goats, three chickens, and two ducks who live out back).
Location: Lower Highland (LoHi) Neighborhood, Denver, Colorado
Size: 564 square feet 
Years lived in: 3 years; rented / owned

Almost three and a half years ago, the Power family decided to put down roots in a 1910s charmer located in the (now ever so popular) Lower Highland neighborhood of Denver. Just as the name implies, these two are indeed a power couple. They have their hands in multiple creative endeavors at once and yet some how manage to be incredibly talented at them all. 

Name: Jackie and Sam Hiersteiner
Location: Shaw; Washington, DC
Size: 1,200 square feet
Years lived in: 3 years; Owned

Usually, friends drop by Jackie and Sam Hiersteiner’s place for some of Sam’s home-cooking, followed by a nip from his collection of small-batch bourbons; today I’m there to snap photos, and in Sam’s absence — he’s at work — Jackie has prepared a simple, lovely spread of fresh bread and cheeses. Beside it, champagne chills. The couple’s Maltese mix, Pappy Van Winkle (named for Sam’s favorite whiskey) hops into my lap. Their 1,200 square foot home in DC’s Shaw neighborhood is flush with warmth and hospitality.

Name: Julie Bazigos Karatzis, owner of letterpress company Cartoules Press and agent at Secret Agent PR, her husband Spiro Karatzis, sister Eugenia Bazigos, and their parents Michael and Mary Bazigos.  
Location: Sarlata, Kefalonia island, Greece
Size: 1700 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3 ½ baths.
Years lived in: We bought the land in 2006, broke ground in October 2010, and completed the house in August 2012. 

What's your idea of the perfect summer getaway?  If it involves jumping on a plane to an exotic island, warm sand beaches, crystal clear water, great food and wine, and your own private villa, you're in luck. 

Name: Jeremy and Jenna Avellino
Location: Old Kensington, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Size: 1,500 square feet
Years lived in: 10 years; Owned

When they first set eyes on this house ten years ago, Jenna and Jeremy knew they were facing the daunting prospect of numerous years of serious rehab work. While this might discourage most home buyers, Jenna and Jeremy leaped at the challenge. And now, finally, the fruits of their labors are blooming into a beautiful, welcoming home. 

Name: Victor and Adrienne Barranco
Location: Woodbridge, Virginia
Size: 3570 square feet
Years lived in: 2 years, Own

Though situated in the suburban neighborhood of Woodbridge, Virginia, Victor Barranco and wife Adrienne’s home is built like a self-made cabin retreat in the woods. There is hardly an inch of the home that the couple did not remodel, paint, or build by hand. The crafty pair were kind enough to provide some before photos taken during the renovation process in what may be a first-time before and after House Tour post. You can view bits of the "before" process in the slideshow.

Name: Architect Cass Cheesar, Carla Umlauf-Cheesar, Sophie 13, Ella, 11, and Maggie (our lab)
Location: Brentwood; Austin, Texas
Size: 2,200 square feet
Years lived in: 8 years; Owned

Architect and builder Cass Cheesar and his wife, Carla Umlauf-Cheesar, a native Austinite and realtor, renovated a 1952 home in the Brentwood neighborhood a few years back. While modern elements were brought in, they also maintained the spirit of the original home, all combined with their impeccable style. The end result is an elegant, playful home with Mid-Century lines, bursting with the personality of a vibrant family. 

Name: Sarah Schmitz and Fred Gray
Location: Berkeley, California
Size: 1,200 square feet
Years lived in: 2 years; Owned

Plants make a house feel fresh. Just take a look at Sarah and Fred's leafy Berkeley abode. The beautiful one-bedroom house came with the Christmasy poinsettia out front, but the rows of potted succulents and happy houseplants are the result of Sarah's own green thumb.

Name: Rachel Loren — jewelry designer/co-owner at Loren Stewart
Location: Mount Washington; Los Angeles, California
Size: 2,500 square feet (19,000 square feet - lot)
Years lived in: 3 years

I originally saw Rachel Loren's yurt workspace on Tomboy Style and contacted her to get a tour of the rest of her home. I was not surprised to find that her house was just as awesome! It's up in the hills of Mount Washington, and has a very interesting history. 

Name: Mary Sprague
Profession: Artist and Art/Art History professor (retired)
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Size: 4500 square feet
Years lived in: 27 years; owned

Mary's home and studio is an aggregation of 50 years of art. An active and longtime member of the St. Louis artistic community, she's also one of those women you want to be when you're in your 70s — whip smart, creative and kind. While many of the features of her space can be described as utilitarian – even her bed is a twin — the luxury comes with the amount of space she has to work with, and how the light moves through it throughout the day.