A 650-Square-Foot Bungalow Is Small But Incredibly Efficient
Name: Kate Carter, my dogs, Duke and Bash Location: Manchester, New Hampshire Size: 650 square feet Years lived in: 2 years, owned I am a former architect who works in construction, so buildings are really an interest of mine. This house has been my dream since I was a kid. It’s efficient but packs a punch of style and history. My realtor claimed it was the smallest house in Manchester, and she couldn’t imagine why I loved it so much!
Sep 22, 2018
4 No-Cost Solutions to My Small Space Kitchen Storage Woes
It was time to be inventive and put to use one of the oldest tricks in the book. Here's what I've come up with so far:
Sep 21, 2018
How to Decorate For Fall Without Being Cheesy
Chunky sweaters, warm apple cider, and crisp, colorful leaves—what’s not to love about fall? Well, the decorations for starters. Don’t get us wrong: We love autumn as much as the next person, but the season is often associated with really, really cheesy decor. We’re talking about inflated ghosts and goblins in the front yard, garland covered in fake leaves, and mugs, throw pillows, and coasters declaring one’s love for pumpkin spice lattes.
Sep 21, 2018
You Can Get A Free Tiny Home That Will Make You Money
Entering the real estate business with the purpose of earning passive income certainly isn’t a novel idea. However, the inventive folks over at Wisconsin’s ESCAPE have placed a creative twist on the popular investment tactic in the form of the company’s “Free ESCAPE Tiny House Program,” which allows participants to profit off tiny dwellings. The way the program works is ESCAPE lends out free tiny homes to people who agree to share a portion of the rental proceeds.
Sep 21, 2018
A Designer/Artist Duo’s Creative Hong Kong Home
Julie Progin and Jesse McLin have their own homewares brand called Latitude 22N.
Sep 21, 2018
Why You Shouldn’t Move Into a Bigger Apartment If You Need More Space
If you live in a majorly cramped city, you know that space is definitely at a premium. Dreams of moving into a bigger, more airy space might pop into your head when all the crap you’ve shoved into your only closet falls out for the millionth time. But if more space is what you’re looking for, there is actually a stupidly simple way to solve this problem on the cheap: Rent a storage unit.
Sep 21, 2018
8 People You Need When Buying a Home, According to Experts
Whether you’re starting the process of buying your first home or want to sell the home you’re in to upgrade or change neighborhoods, the process of buying a new home can seem daunting. From finding a great real estate agent, working with a lender, acquiring a real estate lawyer, and getting a home inspector—all on a short deadline—buying a home can often feel like writing the most overwhelming and emotional college research paper.
Sep 20, 2018
A Renter’s Room in a Shared Home Is Like a Mini Apartment
Name: Sarah Lyon and a roommate Location: The Dupont Circle/Logan Circle neighborhoods of Washington, D.C. Size: 950 square feet Years lived in: 11 months, renting I absolutely love my current apartment. It took awhile for my roommate and me to find this space, but without sounding too cliché, it was truly worth the wait.
Sep 20, 2018
Cheap Rug Hacks That Can Save You Hundreds
Investing major money into one measly item always hurts. Some items, though, are more painful than others. My painful everyday expenditure: floor rugs. For an item that endures near-constant contact by the likes of dirty feet, pets and mucky shoes, $600 to $1,200 seems disproportionate. And if you have kids, toss in the very real possibility that within weeks of purchase, it could be irreparably ruined by a pool of ketchup.
Sep 20, 2018
A Cozy D.C. Condo Is a Modern Plant-Filled First Home
Name: Anna Johnston, My partner and our Maine Coon cat Location: Washington, D.C. Size: 680 square feet Years lived in: 1 year, owned Our condo building is directly across from Union Station in Washington DC so we can actually hear the trains from inside. The building is aptly named Pullman Place after the historic Pullman train cars. The building itself is brand new and has about 40 different units. We live on the second floor and we are lucky enough to have one of the few units with a balcony.
Sep 20, 2018
The Purchase That Made Reese Witherspoon Realize She Was Like Her Mom
You know that saying, “Like mother, like daughter?” Well, there’s a reason it’s so widely used. Many of us recall thinking at a young age, I’m never going to be like my mother when I grow up. And yet, here we are, reflections of the very person we thought didn’t understand what we were going through—only to realize later on in life that they went through it, too.
Sep 19, 2018
10 of The Most Stylish Treehouses You Can Rent This Fall
With fall fast approaching, it’s time for a getaway during which you can get cozy underneath blankets, light a fire in a hearth, and reach for some apple cider, all while enjoying the changing leaves and crisp air. And what better place to experience all of that than inside a treehouse? Don’t worry, these aren’t the treehouses of your childhood, complete with hand-me-down pillow poufs and tacked-on band posters.
Sep 19, 2018
3 Things You Can’t Forget to Do on Your Final Walk-Through
Your final walk-through is the last hurdle before going to closing and becoming a homeowner. Since it’s so close to the finish line, many first-time buyers have a tendency to try and rush this appointment or not take it as seriously as they should. Unfortunately, this can lead to unintended consequences. With that in mind, we’ve created a guide on how to handle your walk-through the right way.
Sep 19, 2018
A Floral Designer’s Once-Sterile Spec House Is Now Cheery
The nice part about a spec home is you start with a great blank canvas with such potential for personalization.
Sep 19, 2018
This Is How Much It Costs to Live in Times Square
Many people feel that New York City is the center of the universe. And if that center had a center, it just very well may be Times Square. Though it’s often called “the Crossroads of the World,” many New Yorkers will tell you that Times Square itself is nothing but a tawdry tourist trap. But there’s no denying its proximity to many of the features that make New York City a major hub, including the Broadway theater scene and “restaurant row.
Sep 19, 2018
Before and After: This Bold Dining Room Only Cost $150 to Completely Redo
This dining room had a lot going for it—natural light, wood trim, soothing palette, the fact that it exists—but its owner couldn’t get past how “boring and beige” it felt. Paint to the rescue, and no, it’s not all white. Here’s a bit more about the before: This house was as beige and boring as you could get, from brown carpet, brown trim, beige walls, and builder-grade light fixtures.
Sep 19, 2018
A Cookie-Cutter, Boring Basic House Is Successfully De-Beiged
Name: Courtney Equall, husband, three little kids, and a cat Location: Bend, Oregon Size: 1,817 square feet Years lived in: 1 year, owned Our family moved back to Oregon last year after spending a few years in Texas for my husband’s work, and we bought our house before we had even seen the property in person! The house was in our dream location and is on the river, which we didn’t even think we would be able to find in our price range so we just went for it.
Sep 19, 2018
This Cozy Renovated Cabin Will Make You Crave Fall Temps
This traditional Vermont ski cabin is a well-designed space that's more than just a place to take your snow boots off in.
Sep 18, 2018
We Did the Math: Here’s When You Should Get a Storage Unit
Americans love stuff. We store it in our homes, garages, basements—and when that’s all filled, we pile it in to storage spaces across the country. But sometimes when space is hot commodity, all that stuff creates a huge problem and the idea of renting additional storage space can seem like a good answer. If you’re toying with the idea of storage space, you’re not alone: In a 2017 study, the non-profit Self Storage Association found that approximately 12.
Sep 18, 2018
The 5-Minute Stretching Routine You Should Do Daily
Whether your day job involves sitting at a desk, driving to sales calls, or bent over your phone responding to emails and texts while you run around town, we all could use stretching breaks throughout the day. “Stretching is very important, but not in the way people think, says K. Aleisha Fetters, M.S., C.S.C.S. You’re not thinning out your muscles, she says.
Sep 18, 2018
A Small Renovated Paris Flat Features Film Set Finds
Before this remodel, all of the rooms were closed off. The kitchen used to be a bedroom. And the current shower used to be a tiny kitchen.
Sep 18, 2018
How to Elevate Your Rental Apartment, According to Design Experts
Ah, home sweet home. Well, for now, that is. Whether you recently graduated from college, are moving in with your partner, or are renewing your lease, there’s a good chance you’re living in a rental apartment. Studies show more people are renting than at any point in the past 50 years. We’ll let that sink in. Sure, there are a lot of perks to living in a rental.
Sep 18, 2018
8 Celebs with Sprawling Nashville Estates
It’s not just every bachelorette party in America that heads to Nashville. Tennessee’s capital city is a major draw for everyone from actors and athletes to business tycoons and, of course, musicians. In fact, you’ll find most of country music’s top crooners have set up shop in Music City. Here are some of our favorite big names who have called the Southern city their home: As you may have seen on their new E!
Sep 18, 2018
Partner
3 Easy Tips to Get Families Cleaning Together
Timothy and Brittany have just moved into a new house with their three-year-old daughter, Melani, and one-year-old son, Cameron. And somehow they’re still smiling at each other. In addition to being full-on #relationshipgoals for the rest of us, they have some brand new #parentinggoals to go with their new living space.
Sep 18, 2018
Before and After: A Rustic Cabin’s Minimal and Modern Revival
Jenny McClary and Allie Leepson never originally intended to purchase a cabin in the woods of Vermont… they first looked to buy a home in Joshua Tree. But, after losing out on offers on homes to cash buyers, they decided to change course and take a look in Vermont to see if anything sparked their interest like those in California. Three of them actually did… and they put an offer on this three-bedroom rustic cabin immediately!
Sep 18, 2018
How To Give Your New Home Good Energy
Why bring that negative energy into your new home?
Sep 18, 2018
Empty Nesters Downsize to a Cheery, Patterned California House
Name: Carolyn Rebuffel Flannery and husband Location: San Rafael Size: 1,600 square feet Years lived in: 1 year, owned When we first saw the fabulous bungalow home at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, we were smitten. The interiors were mostly original and there was a giant blue farm sink in the kitchen, original to the house. Regretfully, the sink was completely impractical but we are turning it into a potting sink in the garden.
Sep 17, 2018
$989K L.A. Bungalow Comes with a Reading Nook and Fig Trees
This light and bright home in Los Angeles is everything you want in a cute California abode. 952 Lucile Ave Located in Los Angeles, California $989,000 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms When you conjure up sunny images of a California bungalow, it’s this home that ticks all the boxes. The exterior is dreamy with curved windows, a Spanish tiled roof, and bursts of green. There’s a sweet little porch and lots of plants and trees.
Sep 17, 2018
What Most People Get Wrong About Open Houses
If you’re selling a house, one of the first things you may want to do is hold an open house. While opening up your doors to potential buyers might seem like an effective way to sell your humble abode, it might not be worth the hassle. Joe Cleary, owner of The Cleary Group in Florida, says that open houses are slowly becoming a thing of the past, largely due to advances in virtual listings and home tours.
Sep 17, 2018
A Blogger’s Home Is New Traditional Meets Modern Farmhouse
Name: Thalita Murray, her husband, and twin boys Location: Cobourg — Ontario, Canada Size: 2,100 square feet Years lived in: 2 years, owned Thalita is an interior design professional who believes in keeping it real. She owns Thalita Murray Design and runs the design and lifestyle blog, The Learner Observer, and if that wasn’t enough, she is also a wife and mother of twin 2-year-old boys.
Sep 17, 2018
Before and After: $200 Goes a Long Way in This Messy Entryway Makeover
This entryway is so incredibly relatable: purse, recycling, tote bag, Roomba, grocery cart—all necessary and conveniently accessible, but perhaps a bit too visible. One impressive DIYer took $200 and totally revamped this space, making it a lot more attractive and practical. Here’s a description of the pre-makeover entryway, plus how it affected the rest of the home: My entryway was a complete disaster.
Sep 17, 2018
Partner
How to Make Your Fall Decluttering Project So Much More Painless
You do NOT schlep in this age of on-demand everything!
Sep 17, 2018
A Sacramento Spanish Revival Home’s Stunning Refresh
Name: Christina Dobrinski, my husband, our three boys—Jack (5), Wyatt (3), and Adler (4 months)—and our pup Murphy Location: Sacramento, California Size: 2,400 square feet Years lived in: 2 years, owned When we bought our Spanish Revival home in the older Land Park neighborhood of Sacramento—a home that hadn’t been updated in nearly 70 years!
Sep 17, 2018
An 1870s Victorian Conversion in London Is All Kinds of Lovely
Name: Kelly Love, my boyfriend Chris Location: London, England Size: 1,000 square feet Years lived in: 4 years, owned Our home is a two-bedroom Victorian conversion in the Greenwich borough of London, built in the 1870s. It has beautiful high ceilings with the original cornice details and bay windows in the two main rooms, which flood the space with light. We also own the main hallway and big old front door of the house plus the front garden, which is often communal in conversions.
Sep 16, 2018
This Redditor’s $250 Pantry Makeover Is Kitchen Storage Gold
This Redditor’s pantry was impressive, both in terms of its size, but also in the amount of food, kitchen supplies, and cookbooks he had stuffed in there. For $250 and some DIY power, he completely revamped the space and made it so much more functional and appealing. I think we can all relate to what this pantry looked like before: Standard wire shelving, jumbled up goods, the works.
Sep 16, 2018
7 Creative Ways to Decorate and Stay Organized with Used K-Cups
Are you addicted to single-serve coffee? We can’t blame you. It’s fast, convenient, and of course, delicious, but unfortunately, also super wasteful. (Even the inventor of the Keurig K-Cup has expressed regret over inventing the technology in the first place.
Sep 16, 2018
Before and After: A Sophisticated IKEA Built-in Bookcase Hack for $1K
This dining room is so graceful and elegant—that delicate molding and beautiful hardwood floor, but its new owner found it lackluster and hollow. IKEA’s BILLY bookcase to the rescue! Well, more like eight BILLYs to the rescue… Reader Oriane Szekelyhidi-Williams kindly shares a wealth of details about the inspiration behind this project and the challenges faced: We purchased our condo knowing we would be doing a BIG overhaul on the space.
Sep 16, 2018
An Architect’s Renovated Home Is Rough and Refined
Name: Cara Hyde-Basso, husband, and our dog Oso Location: Highland Park, Illinois Size: 1,000 square feet Years lived in: 1 year, owned My husband and I are architects who met while living in Brooklyn. We have since moved to the Chicago area where we bought our first home, which is our first project together as designers. The first phase was a complete gut renovation of the kitchen and opening it up to the adjoining living and dining rooms.
Sep 15, 2018
This $5 Handy Item Fixes Just About Everything in Your Home
We love a good multi-use product. Household putty (aka Sticky Tack, Blu Tack, mounting putty, museum putty) is one of those products that can solve a slew of household predicaments in a matter of seconds. From eradicating matted messes of electronics cables to stabilizing your new gypsy caravan, we’ve got 14 useful ideas to get you started on your lifelong love affair with putty. As an interior photographer, cords are my mortal enemy.
Sep 15, 2018
What No One Tells You About Living in a Doorman Building
For doorman-building devotees, there’s nothing like seeing a familiar face on the way in and out of that place you call home. But for others, there’s nothing worse than having to chit chat with this person—or having him know your business. For those lucky enough to have the option, the decision is of personal preference.
Sep 15, 2018
Get the Badass, Audacious Look of Aelfie’s Home (and Our Top Marketplace Finds of the Week)
Plus, our top marketplace picks this week.
Sep 14, 2018
A Designer and an Artist’s Cozy Carroll Gardens Home
Name: Amy Ilias, Jim Denney (and kitties McCabe, Billie Pilgrim, and 3) Location: Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn Size: 3,200 square feet Years lived in: 21 years, owned As the Executive Vice President of Art & Design for ABC Carpet & Home, you could definitely say Amy Ilias knows design. And the Carroll Gardens house she’s owned for over two decades is a beautiful display of her elegant and design-forward style.
Sep 14, 2018
Partner
5 Designers You Should Start Following on Instagram
Thinking about shifting gears to a career in interior design? Here's the first thing you should do.
Sep 14, 2018
The Best College Towns to Move to (If You’re Not a Student)
From inventive dining options, to world-class music, to ample outdoor recreation, these five college towns tick all the boxes for non-student residents.
Sep 13, 2018
The Brooklyn Loft of Aelfie’s Founder Is as Audacious and Badass as You’d Think
Name: Aelfie Oudghiri, her husband, their daughter, and Shah the cat Location: Brooklyn, NY Size: 1,800 square feet Years lived in: 1 year, owned Fans of textile, furniture, and accessories company Aelfie are familiar with the brand’s stylish offerings—quirky graphics, loud colors, patterns that complement (and sometimes even clash, in a good way).
Sep 13, 2018
It's International Coffee Day—Here's How to Store All Your Mugs
It's the perfect weekend project.
Sep 13, 2018
Before and After: This $4K Bathroom Reno Looks More Like $40K
This totally DIY bathroom took seven months to go from damaged and dangerous (faulty electrical work!) to sleek and safe; and from “standard, average” to something truly special. Here’s a little backstory on this bathroom: When we moved into our home our guest bathroom was your standard, average space. It had newly updated cabinets and lighting, was painted a shade of beige, and was topped off with budget-friendly $5 blinds.
Sep 13, 2018
A Former Retail Space Is Now a Funky, Book-Filled Apartment
Name: Samantha Ladwig, my partner and our cat, Ingrid Location: Port Townsend, Washington Size: 800 square feet Years lived in: 3 months, renting My partner, our cat, and I moved from Los Angeles last December. I had been working as a film cataloger at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences for a few years, while freelance writing part time. I wanted to jump ship and freelance full time, so we saved up for a year and moved back to Seattle, with all 20-some plants in tow.
Sep 13, 2018