The Latest: Sep 2011

Name: Noemi Location: Berlin, Germany Beyond a lush garden courtyard, a tall twisting staircase leads to the top floor of a 19th century apartment building. Ivy-framed windows open wide as cool summer air drifts through elegant rooms inspired by the historic abodes of German philosophers, English writers, and even French queens.

Name: Greg Hennes & Grey Helvey Location: South East — Portland, OregonSize: approximately 1600 square feetYears lived in: 6 months — rented Greg and Grey moved into their studio loft in January of this year. The vibe they’ve created is one of serene calm, mixed with innovation and creativity. The space is astounding, full of open air and light — it’s the ideal showcase for their Antler & Co. handmade goods.

There’s a long list of things we love to blame for poor wireless signals—the weather, antenna placement, AT&T—and insulation is rarely one of them. It should be, though, because the insulation in your walls at home and at the office could be the real reason you’re dropping calls.Some construction materials are well-known to mess around with wireless signal strength.

Name: Alan Gonzalez Garcia, owner of new East Austin restaurant Papi Tino’s and Taco (the dog). Location: East — Austin, TexasSize: 2,500 square feetYears lived in: Owned 3 years Two things hit you first when you walk into Alan Gonzalez’s hip-looking East Austin home. One: Whoa! A black ceiling! And two: The realization that this is going to be one awesome house.

Name: Robbie LaughlinLocation: Hollywood near Runyon Canyon — Los Angeles, CaliforniaSize: 1,000 square feet, 1 Bedroom + 1 BathYears lived in: 6 years — Rent Robbie Laughlin, the E! News host, lives in an ideal mid-sized one bedroom home at the foot of Runyon Canyon. His building boasts classic floor plans and gorgeous city views. Tucked minutes away from the hustle of the city in the heart of Hollywood, this apartment’s location truly is the best of both worlds.

Name: Jesse Kamm (fashion designer) & Lucas Brower (founder of AP Academics) Location: Mt. Washington – Los Angeles, California Size: 1500 square feet Years lived in: 1 1/2 years Jesse and Lucas’ home represents both their love of great design and a rather minimalist lifestyle.

Name: Peter and Blair Stocker, their two kids, and a kitty named Gracie.Location: North Seattle, WashingtonSize: 2500 square feetYears lived in: 10 years, owned Peter and Blair live in a sweet (and deceptively large) house, tucked away amongst giant, shady trees in the Greenwood area of Northern Seattle. The self-employed duo have been cultivating the home’s modern twist on traditional decor over the past ten years.

Name: The YardLocation: Long Island City, New YorkSize: 650-square-feet — 1-bedroom condo Modern Spaces has taken brokerage and marketing of new condos at the Yard to a new level. The model apartments benefit a long list of local artists and a female furniture design duo who transform salvaged wood scraps into signature pieces! Nightwood, the deconstructed furniture and textiles company, is very into modern rusticity.

Name: Tammy, John, Sam, Will, and Dobbs Location: Gulf Islands, British Columbia Size: 180 square feetYears lived in: One (mostly on weekends) Before I get started with this tour, I cannot emphasize this enough: My husband and I are not rich and we are not particularly handy. Heck, we’re not even all that smart. This latter fact was probably the driver behind why two people with little money and even fewer skills would even attempt to build a cabin on an isolated island with no amenities.

Name: Giovan and Chloe PolancoLocation: Fashion District — Los Angeles, CaliforniaSize:865 square feetYears lived in: 1.5 years — rent Giovan and Chloe have embraced their downtown converted loft for all its natural light and a spacious floor plan. Using a bit of creativity and elbow grease, these two have creatively added DIY charm to their home by building their own closet and coffee table. Their style is a mix of vintage and estate sale chic put to good use in an urban loft.

Name: Jay Michael Location: Lincoln Square — Chicago, IllinoisSize: Approximately 300 square feet (this particular model) Jay Michael and his construction manager (and long time friend) Diana Tokat led me on a recent tour of this small yet mighty Lincoln Square model apartment in one of Jay’s converted rental properties. The idea is simple: show prospective renters how beautifully and efficiently one can live in a small, rented space.