The Latest: Jul 2010

Name: Alisha, Graham & Finley Irwin Location: Fairfax, CA Size: 320 square foot studio cottage with loft Years lived in: newly built guest cottage behind our home Rented or Owned: owned When Alisha and her husband were ready to renovate their tiny guest house they decided on two things: to keep it as low impact and green as possible and to infuse it with their happy, bright, vintage style.

Many rooms just mandate a bed on an angle. Placing it against the walls makes the space feel stale and sticking it straight out into the room might take up all of the available floor space. So when we ran across Jonas’ bedroom from yesterday’s Hollywood Regency Homestead tour, we wanted to make sure to highlight that it can be done and the end result is fabulous!

Name: Jonas Location: Brookside, Kansas City, MissouriStyle: Dutch Colonial Years lived in: 4 On the drive to photograph Jonas’ home, I had geared myself up for the “nice but non-creative” that is usually found in neighborhoods of this age. His home resides just south of Kansas City in an area that’s trying to make a shift from old money to new young blood.

Name: Emily Location: Ukrainian Village, ChicagoSize: 1,000 sfYears lived in: Just over one year When I wrote the post about Emily’s welcoming guest room earlier this month, I knew I had to see the rest of her apartment. Luckily, Emily was willing to have us all over for a House Tour! And just as I expected, the rest of her home is decorated with her cute, light, bright, and mostly DIY shabby chic style.

Welcome to Kate from the Pacific Northwest; a blogger trying out for a place on the Apartment Therapy editorial team as a House Tour Contributor. Enjoy her work!Name: JenniferLocation: Rio Dell, CaliforniaSize: 1850 square feetYears lived in: 28 Fondly referred to as Masion Un (which means House One in French), this home seems almost hidden among the lush, overgrown plants, orchard, pond and alluring views all vying for attention over the five acre sprawl.

Name: Susan Castor Collection “Beach House”Location: Port Aransas, TexasSize:3980 square feet — 6 bedrooms and 5½ bathrooms The Gulf Coast is all over the news these days, but it’s rarely linked with design and decor. Today we’re bringing you news from the Texas Gulf Coast of a lighter, fresher sort. On a recent trip to Port Aransas, we unexpectedly discovered a beautiful custom-built (and eco-friendly) vacation home open for tours at Cinnamon Shore.

Welcome to Beth from New York; a blogger trying out for a place on the Apartment Therapy editorial team as a House Tour Contributor. Enjoy her work!Names: Eli and JenniferLocation: Clinton Hill / Bedford Stuyvesant border —Brooklyn, New YorkSize: 16 feet wide by 45 feet deep, 5 floorsYears lived in: 1 year lived in (and still no couch) It is hard to imagine that Eli and Jennifer’s Brooklyn brownstone was on its way to disrepair when Eli acquired it a couple of years ago.

Name: Randal DawkinsLocation: North Williamsburg — Brooklyn, New YorkSize: 700 square feet (approximately 490 square feet pictured)Years lived in: 6 We first featured the apartment that Randal coined his “miniature country house” during our Small Cool Contest. Though situated in Brooklyn, Randal is spot-on with his description.

Welcome to Beth from San Francisco; a blogger trying out for a place on the Apartment Therapy editorial team as a House Tour Contributor. Enjoy her work!Name: Katie KuhnLocation: San Francisco, CaliforniaSize: 500 square feetYears lived in: 2 years — rented After graduating from University of Virginia in 2003, Katie moved from Charlottesville to San Francisco where she’s had several positions as a buyer for retailers like Banana Republic, Pottery Barn and GAP brand.

Name: Mike & Maddie WitterLocation: Upper West Side, NYCSize: under 500 square feetYears lived in: 2 This couple of acclaimed public school educators have learned a thing or two themselves during the process of decorating their small bi-level apartment. Because of their high marks in our Small Cool Contest, we decided to get a closer look at this charming home.There is a great mix of antiques and new pieces happening here.

Welcome to Brandon & Leah from Portland; a blogging duo trying out for a place on the Apartment Therapy editorial team as House Tour Contributors. Enjoy their work!Name: Heather, Douglas, Gabrielle and ZoeLocation: Portland, OregonSize: 3500 square feetYears lived in: 6Heather’s cozy family ranch was custom built in 1960, in the historic Argay Terrace neighborhood of Portland.

Name: Alicia PeatLocation: San Francisco, California (Inner Richmond District)Size: 1,000 square feet (2 bedrooms and 1 1/2 bathrooms)Years lived in: 3 years Alicia tells us the story of her colorful San Francisco home in her own words: “My house. Even after 3 years, it is still pretty awesome to say ‘my house;’ as in I own it. I knew the moment I walked in that this was the place.

Name: Amanda RamsdenLocation: Sterling, VirginaSize: 1,600 square feet — 2 bedroom, 2 ½ bathYears lived in: 5½ Amanda lives nestled away outside of the hustle and bustle of Washington, DC. She gets the simplicity and calm vibes of the DC suburbs, but for her interiors, she embraced the loud, colorful, artistic mashup that encompasses the District.