Name: Ben Paciello and Matt Horton
Location: Uptown, Chicago, Illinois
Size: 1,500 square feet
Years lived in: 2.5 years; Owned

Matt and Ben are not afraid to re-sell their furniture if they're not happy with the way it fits in their apartment. In fact, that's how I first met them. The minute I walked into their apartment to buy the yellow Parsons desk they had listed on Craigslist, I knew I would have to hit them up for a house tour.

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Name: Victoria "Tory" and Michael
Location: Washington, D.C.
Size: 1350 sq.ft.
Years lived in: 7, Owned

Within minutes, it was pretty obvious that Victoria (Tory) and Michael are patient, thoughtful and thorough people. The first thing I noticed when visiting their condo in a lovely old building in northwest Washington D.C. was the remarkable collection of artwork Tory has collected over the years, a collection that transverses an eclectic array of styles, value and media. Collecting works of art takes time. It takes patience. But it also takes courage.

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There's something intrinsically luxurious and old fashioned about a Chesterfield sofa. All that tufting! Those curved arms! There's just so much to love. Which is probably why the Chesterfield has remained a classic style over the years. Here's a roundup of Chesterfields for every style and budget — from classic to modern, low end and high. More

Name: Jason Mathews of SHERIDAN + COMPANY, Michael Nielsen, their sons Nick and Linus, and a brood of chickens.
Location: Ballard; Seattle, Washington
Size: 1,900 square feet
Years lived in: 4 years; owned

You might remember the SHERIDAN + COMPANY showroom tour we published last week. If you liked what you saw, then you may love owner Jason Mathews and his partner Michael's contemporary farm house.

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Name: Jefferson and Anna Duval
Location: Ashland, Oregon
Size: 1,280 square feet
Years lived in: 7 months; Rented

When Jefferson and Anna arrived on the scene, their century-old farmhouse was in desperate need of a facelift. Adjacent to a 15-acre field that still grows hay in summer and feeds cows in winter, their cottage boasted flaking paint and destroyed hardwood. Luckily, they saw past all that and, after a new floor and an exterior paint job, they were rewarded with a true vintage charmer.

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The Washington D.C. interior designer Darryl Carter has pioneered a new American aesthetic that seamlessly mixes modern elements with traditional design. Carter's decor is defined by restrained, edited choices, with an emphasis on subtle upholstery and elegant antiques. The result: spaces that are simultaneously stylish and livable, all of which have a quality that is sure to stand the test of time. More

Name: Mike & Stacy Gall, Madeline and Sophia
Location: Historic Riverview, Kankakee, Illinois
Size: 1,900 square feet
Years lived in: 3 years; Own

I've known the Galls for years. My husband grew up with Stacy and Mike and they are one of the funniest, happy families I've ever met. The first time I went over to their house Stacy had a chalkboard sign in the entry advertising "Fall!" and her home looked and smelled like the season. I was in college and it was the warmest, most welcoming place I'd set foot in since leaving home.

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I first fell in love with these library-style wall lights in an issue of Domino, which featured the bathroom (shown above) of editor Rita Konig. What an unexpected choice for a bathroom, with those big spidery bold legs sticking out over the sink. I love how the sconces — which are almost swing arms but only move up and down — give Konig's bathroom an extra layer of character and warmth.

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Name: Marianna & Micah Whitson
Location: Arlington, Massachusetts
Size: 1,000 square feet
Years lived in: 2 years; Rented

Moving north for their advertising jobs, Marianna and Micah have created a comfortable place that celebrates both their roots and their current locale. From North Carolina and Alabama, the pair has even built a business around sharing slices of the south with those who miss it like they do. Though their letterpress prints are only some of the memories this place holds for home.

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Name: Holly & Joe
Location: Portland, OR
Size: 2,000 square feet
Years lived in: 8 months; Owned

Three cross country moves in three years is enough to test even the most solid of relationships, but newlyweds Holly and Joe are convinced it just made theirs stronger. They recently decided to put down roots in Portland and plan to let those roots go deep before they consider another move any time soon.

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