Name: Nicole & Zach Lowery (and Oliver the dog!)
Location: Berkeley neighborhood, Denver, Colorado
Size: 690 square feet, half of a duplex
Years lived in: 5 years; owned
Name: Jared & Caryn
Location: Lakeview; Chicago, Illinois
Size: 1,000 square feet
Years lived in: 2.5 years; rented
Jared, who is working on a Ph.D. in African-American Studies, revealed to me his dissertation mantra: "Just take it bird by bird." Drawn from the writings of Anne Lamott, this saying suggests that when one writes, it's best to proceed one step at a time, focusing on the immediate task instead of getting bogged down by the big picture. This is excellent advice for writers of any ilk, but looking around Caryn and Jared's home, it also seems clear that taking it "bird by bird" is a great way to build an inspirational home full of truly loved objects.
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: Ralph Martin and Julie von Kessel, their children Lulu (7) and James (3), and Tony the cat
Location: Berlin-Kreuzberg, Germany
Size: 175 square meters/1,884 square feet
Years lived in: 2 years; rented
The story of how novelist, journalist and ex-New Yorker Ralph acquired such a spacious, classic apartment in Berlin’s Kreuzberg neighborhood, with a rent that hasn’t been raised in over 20 years, is the stuff myths (and dreams) are made of. The space was earmarked for their family over ten years ago by the previous tenant, a friend and work colleague. Ralph, his wife Julie and their growing family patiently waited five years to move into the warm, multi-kulti neighborhood and their future home.
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: Alexis Finc and Brook Heintzelman
Location: West Hollywood; Los Angeles, CA
Size: 1,000 square feet
Years lived in: 1.5 years; Rented
Alexis and Brooks met in school in Wilmington, NC while pursuing graduate degrees in creative writing (him: fiction, her: poetry). But after graduating, a job brought them to the West coast — sunny LA to be exact — somewhere they never thought they would ever live. Their apartment today looks nothing like the dirty, cramped place they first viewed when they were looking to find a home in the city. (Two young guys with massive black leather couches were the tenants at the time). However, Alexis saw the potential in the space and fell in love with the green framed windows, hardwood floors, decorative tiles on the Spanish inspired fire place, and all the natural light coming into the living area and kitchen. She quickly transformed the apartment into a cozy, personal space where she, Brooks, and their cat, Bear, could live.
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: Thomas Hayes Gallery
Location: Hollywood; Los Angeles, California
Size: 6,000 square feet
Years in business: Since 2002. Originally under a different business name, but same company. Rebranded in 2009 as Thomas Hayes Gallery.
Thomas Hayes has made his gallery into a welcoming, homey space. The entire team loves cooking in the kitchen and having breakfast together, relaxing in the outdoor space with a koi pond, and freshening up in the dramatic bathroom. Everyone works long hours (no 9-5 here), so it is nice to work in a space that makes you feel like you are at home.
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