Newsletters

Emma Fiala

    This Chicago Loft Masters Classic, Elegant Christmas Decor
    This warm, industrial modern Chicago loft is beautiful any day of the year, but decorated for the holidays it's even lovelier.
    Emma Fiala
    Dec 16, 2019
    Proof That Creating a Light Fixture is Easier Than You Might Think
    The first time I visited Thomas’ home, he told me not to focus on the light hanging in his dining room—he had plans to make a custom fixture. After it was completed, I came back to take a look and was so impressed by how he was able to implement his vision while waiting patiently for all the pieces to fall into place. I often have an idea of something I want, in my mind. An end table, a dresser, a piece of serving ware, etc.
    Emma Fiala
    Dec 19, 2019
    Can IKEA Make Hydroponic Gardening Catch On With the Masses?
    Last year, IKEA released a line of indoor hydroponic gardening products in the UK. The process, for those unfamiliar, entails growing plants without soil. Will the technique take off? In hydroponic gardening, a plant’s roots are either suspended in a water solution or in an inert medium, like gravel. When using a hydroponic system, plants can be grown indoors year round regardless of climate and with limited space.
    Emma Fiala
    May 3, 2019
    A Wonderfully Easy & Quick Kitchen Cabinet Pull DIY
    An easy way to dress up any kitchen is to switch out the dated drawer and cabinet pulls. With so many options out there it can be hard to narrow down the search (and it can be easy to spend much more than initially planned). But have you ever thought of making them yourself? Sarah did just that! After painting her rental’s super basic kitchen cabinets a dark moody color (Behr’s Submarine Grey) she installed her DIY leather pulls and took her bland stock kitchen to a whole new level.
    Emma Fiala
    Apr 30, 2019
    Simple Secrets to Keeping Your Pets From Dominating Your Decor
    Keeping your home clean and tidy when you have furry roommates can be challenging. So can making sure your home doesn’t look more like “Cat Chic” or “Dramatic Dog Modern” than your own personal style. But our pets are a part of our family, and this is their home, too. How do you keep your space stylish with toys, bowls and more sprinkled about? Here some secrets from someone with a very stylish home and FOUR four-legged friends.
    Emma Fiala
    Apr 30, 2019
    The Look is Just a Click Away: Online Design Links for “Artful Bohemian” Bedrooms
    Add chic bohemian style vibes to your bedroom without ever leaving home. These real rooms ace the free-spirited Artful Bohemian look. And they may even motivate your own shopping spree; you can shop for the items you see in these bedrooms online! We’ve also listed the effective design elements used to illustrate why these rooms work. Use the resources below to craft an online shopping list for your own beautiful boho bedroom.
    Emma Fiala
    Apr 30, 2019
    “Modern Romantic” Collectors Downsize for a Downtown High-Rise
    Name: Pelin Binnet, Tim Kimball and their three cats Jiggy, Catherine Deneuve, and Henry Kittinger Location: Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota Size: 900 square feet Years lived in: 6 months, renting Pelin (creator of the design, retail and beauty blog The Dapper Post) and Tim have a history with the building they currently live in. After arriving from Turkey, it was in this building that Pelin first lived.
    Emma Fiala
    Apr 30, 2019
    Custom Craftsmanship Makes its Mark in this Minneapolis Home
    Name: Leah and Thom Adair Location: Powderhorn Park — Minneapolis, Minnesota Size: 1,200 square feet Years lived in: Own Leah and Thom inhabit the first floor of a duplex they own in the Powderhorn Park neighborhood of Minneapolis. Duplexes like theirs dot the streets in almost every neighborhood of Minneapolis, but from the moment you step into the entryway of Leah and Thom’s home, it quickly becomes apparent that this one is a little bit different.
    Emma Fiala
    Apr 30, 2019
    A Classic, Light-Filled Minneapolis Apartment for One
    Name: Sarah Schwie Location: South Minneapolis, Minnesota Size: 750 square feet Years lived in: 2 years, renting Though Sarah has lived in her south Minneapolis rental for two years, she’s taken her time to fill the space. Just the perfect size for her and her cat — and filled with lots of natural light — it has plenty of whimsical vintage features to keep you peering around the corners the entire time you’re there.
    Emma Fiala
    Apr 30, 2019
    This Home Has Handsome Hand-Painted Wallpaper and an All-White Modern Master Suite
    Name: Jennifer Jorgensen and two pups Location: Kingfield — Minneapolis, Minnesota Size: 1,700 square feet Years lived in: I purchased it in 2012, so 7-ish years… I had no idea until I just looked up when I bought it—that’s a long time! Jennifer is one half of the Minneapolis-based, custom hand-painted and printed wallpaper and furnishings company, She She. (Kate Worum is the other half of She She, and we toured her home, too!
    Emma Fiala
    Apr 29, 2019
    This Home Has Some of the Most Beautiful Hand-Painted Wallpaper Ever
    Name: Kate Worum Location: East Isles — Minneapolis, Minnesota Size: 1,000 square feet Years lived in: 4 years, renting Not all Minneapolis brownstones are created equal. The moment you step into Kate‘s spacious apartment, you forget where you are. Kate, one half of the Minneapolis-based custom hand-painted and printed wallpaper and furnishings company She She, lucked out when she nabbed this spacious, bright, and beautiful upper floor apartment.
    Emma Fiala
    Apr 29, 2019
    Get the Look: Clean, Classic & Peaceful Living
    Small space or not, you will likely glean some inspiration from Morgan and Andrew’s Atlanta home. They’ve kept their small home feeling peaceful and surprisingly spacious while chock-full of plants, textures, and light at the same time.
    Emma Fiala
    Apr 6, 2019
    Get the Look: A Colorful & Cozy Rental
    Anna and Zan’s Massachusetts rental is colorful and cozy and full of ideas. If you’re looking for inspiration for a simple and light filled space but don’t know where to start, take a peek at Anna and Zan’s resource lists!
    Emma Fiala
    Apr 6, 2019
    Get the Look: Light, Breezy & Natural California Style
    Combining worldly elements and natural textures with a mid-century modern flare has resulted in a comfortable and airy home. What isn’t to love about Sheeva’s Spanish Colonial? Reference her resource list to get a bright and breezy home of your own! charset="utf-8" src="https://d30bopbxapq94k.cloudfront.net/js/curalate-widget-client-all.prod.min.
    Emma Fiala
    Mar 26, 2019
    Get the Look: Vermont-Inspired, Cozy Farmhouse Vibes
    A country style retreat within the city, Nick & Spiro’s Chicago home takes you back in time to a slower pace and peaceful way of living. Whether you’re looking for country inspiration for your home or cabin you’re sure to find something here – from DIY throw pillows and curtains to antique inspired furniture, Nick & Spiro’s home has it all!
    Emma Fiala
    Mar 1, 2019
    A Cozy & Creative DIY Minneapolis Retreat
    Name: Thomas Wegner Location: Longfellow — Minneapolis, MN Size: 1,400 square feet Years lived in: 20 months; Owned Longfellow, one of south Minneapolis’ tight-knit neighborhoods, is full of row after row of early 1900s gems. The exteriors of these houses—which are found throughout the Twin Cities—share many similarities, so walking into a unique interior like Thomas’ is a special treat.
    Emma Fiala
    Feb 20, 2019
    A Bold Downtown Minneapolis Warehouse Loft
    Name: Brooke Voss and Jerrid Voss and their two dogs Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota Size: 1,100 square feet Years lived in: 5 years; Owned Five years ago, Brooke and her husband downsized and moved themselves from the suburbs to Minneapolis’ booming warehouse district, the North Loop. Those five years have brought changes and improvements to the surrounding area, while Brooke has used her expertise as an interior designer to carefully design an intriguing loft space.
    Emma Fiala
    Feb 20, 2019
    An Industrial Loft with a Vintage Vibe
    Name: Noah Hollander Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota Size: 958 square feet Years lived in: 3 years; Owned When a friend suggested I check out Noah’s space, all I had to hear was “historic Cream of Wheat factory,” “huge vinyl collection on display,” and “striped wall” and I was sold! Noah’s apartment in an industrial area of northeast Minneapolis certainly didn’t disappoint.
    Emma Fiala
    Feb 20, 2019
    A 106-Year-Old Minneapolis House with Chill Scandinavian Vibes
    Name: Alison and Jeff Allen (and sons Finn & Gus) Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota Size: 2,200 square feet Years lived in: 6 years; Owned I stumbled upon Alison’s home via Instagram and knew right away that I found a gem. A bold teal living room is always a good sign! As I got to know Alison through her blog (Deuce Cities Henhouse), which features her home improvement projects, my excitement grew to see it in person.
    Emma Fiala
    Feb 20, 2019
    Two Best Friends (& Two Adorable Dogs!) Share a Comfy Minneapolis Home
    Name: Amy Gustafson, Stephanie Ingold and their dogs, Lenny and Marvel Location: Northeast Minneapolis, Minnesota Size: 1,500 square feet Years lived in: 4 years owned for Amy; 2 years rented for Stephanie Amy and Steph have been friends for over a decade.
    Emma Fiala
    Feb 20, 2019
    Nic & Andrew’s Minimal Black & White Home in Minneapolis
    Name: Nic and Andrew Location: North Loop — Minneapolis, Minnesota Size: 800 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years; Rented In a recent addition to the North Loop of Minneapolis, you’ll find uniquely shaped apartments completed with different finishes and materials. On the level that boasts concrete floors, in a unit with a balcony overlooking the street, you’ll find Nic, Andrew, their dog, and not much else!
    Emma Fiala
    Feb 20, 2019
    Jaimee & David’s Light & Simple Scandinavian-Inspired Home
    Name: Jaimee and David Morse, their twin sons, and Lana the dog Location: Northeast Minneapolis, Minnesota Size: 1,250 square feet Years lived in: 3 years; Rented When Jaimee and David moved to the Midwest from the East Coast, they didn’t expect to come to Minneapolis—and they certainly didn’t expect to stay. They have since fallen in love with the city, their neighborhood, and their home.
    Emma Fiala
    Feb 20, 2019
    Ryan & Joanna’s Simple Midwestern Update
    Name: Ryan (a landscape designer) and Joanna Herm, and dog, Dori Location: Minnetonka, Minnesota Size: 2,400 square feet Years lived in: 3 years; Owned Immediately after purchasing your first home it is temping to jump feet first into a project or two. It is fairly common for a new homeowner to walk in the door for the first time and rip up all of the old dingy carpet to expose the natural wood underneath. But not Ryan and Joanna.
    Emma Fiala
    Feb 19, 2019
    An Industrial Minneapolis Loft of Memories
    Name: Matthew Hodgman and his dog, Brinkley Location: Northeast Minneapolis, Minnesota Size: 700 square feet Years lived in: 3 years; Rented Have you ever walked into a rummage sale, antique shop, or flea market and spent hours admiring every little piece that evokes a bit of nostalgia? Have you ever wondered what it might be like to live inside an antique shop? Wonder no longer—Matt’s historic loft is your answer.
    Emma Fiala
    Feb 19, 2019
    Anna’s Light-Filled Lakeview Studio
    Name: Anna Curtis Location: Chicago, Illinois Size: 350 square feet Years lived in: 7 months; rented Small space living isn’t for everyone, but when Anna returned from a trip to Berlin, she was ready to come back to a familiar well-loved Chicago neighborhood. She jumped on this tiny 350 square foot studio. Immediately after setting foot inside, Anna agreed to take on the previous renter’s lease along with all of his much-too-large-for-a-studio furniture.
    Emma Fiala
    Feb 19, 2019
    Meg’s ’80s Flashback in Chicago
    Name: Meg Gustafson Location: Uptown — Chicago, Illinois Size: 800 square feet Years lived in: 3 months; rented For a short few months, Meg has lived in this familiar space—a high rise in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, on Lake Shore Drive. The building was built in 1959 and Meg’s grandma lived in this exact unit for years. In 1978, Meg’s parents took over and began renting it out.
    Emma Fiala
    Feb 19, 2019
    A 325-Square-Foot “Cozy Femme Clutter” Chicago Studio
    Name: Andy Koch and Danielle Boachie, and cats Zeus and Miss Fluffy Location: Hyde Park, Chicago, Illinois Size: 325 square feet Years lived in: 8 months; rented For such a small space, Andy and Danielle have their limited square footage very well divided into areas with different purposes.
    Emma Fiala
    Feb 19, 2019
    Sarah’s Cheeky & Whimsical Chicago Coach House
    Name: Sarah Montgomery Location: Chicago, Ilinois Size: 800 square feet Years lived in: 1 year rented Sarah is proud of her entire 800 square feet, tucked away in a Ukrainian Village coach house, and rightfully so. She has brought art and whimsy into each of her rooms with a true DIY and frugal spirit, all while leaning on her past experience as a window display designer at Anthropologie and her current gig as a product designer at Eastern Accents.
    Emma Fiala
    Feb 19, 2019
    A Shabby Chic St. Paul Apartment
    Name: Katherine Harris Location: Highland Park; St. Paul, Minnesota Size: 850 square feet Years lived in: 9 months rented As a professional photographer, Katie has a keen eye for design, finding inspiration in vintage kitchens and old farmhouses. Most of all, Katie leans heavily on the philosophy that decor need not be expensive. To Katie, meaningfulness trumps all else, with the majority of her furniture being gifts, hand-me-downs, and local purchases.
    Emma Fiala
    Feb 19, 2019
    Get the Look: Where Vintage, Modern & Contemporary Chic Meet
    With or without a house built in the 1950s, it’s possible to achieve a mid-century style mixed with your own personal flare. Astral’s home seamlessly joins elements from mid-century design with both modern and vintage elements—and some contemporary chic. Find out how you can achieve Astral’s style with the shopping resources below!
    Emma Fiala
    Feb 19, 2019
    A Modern, Colorful and Clever Seattle Home
    Name: Evan and Gavin Gregory Location: Parkwood — Shoreline (Seattle), Washington Size: 920 square feet Years lived in: 7.5 years, owned On an unassuming residential street in a suburb just north of Seattle, you’ll find a house down a hill, surrounded by bushes and hidden by a fence. One step into Evan and Gavin’s front yard and it feels as though you’ve been transported to a relaxing sanctuary far from the bustle of the city.
    Emma Fiala
    Feb 19, 2019
    Get the Look: Classic & Crisp With Modern Flair
    Keeping a 600 square foot space fresh and simple is more affordable than you might think. Alejandra and Oliver have filled their Boston apartment with both old and new while keeping their space timeless and bright. Use their shopping resource list to get this look and make it your own without breaking the bank!
    Emma Fiala
    Feb 19, 2019
    Get the Look: Organic & Clean Vintage Style
    Decorating a rented space well can be challenging. Incorporating your own style into the permanent, sometimes significant, features isn’t always easy. But it’s an area in which Ruth excelled in her 550 square feet in London. Check out Ruth’s shopping resources to achieve her stylish vintage Scandinavian style in your own space.
    Emma Fiala
    Feb 19, 2019
    Get the Look: Mid-Century Modern Meets Eclectic
    Evan and Gavin have perfected the art of finding impressive decor at antique and thrift shops. Their Seattle home is a treasure trove of mid-century modern finds and one-of-a-kind pieces. But not everyone can be so lucky. Check out this shopping resource list to find some new mid-century modern-inspired treasures that you don’t have to cross your fingers and make a wish for.
    Emma Fiala
    Feb 19, 2019
    A Lovely Minneapolis Home Full of Thrifted Buys & Frugal Finds
    Name: Tavia Tindall Location: North Minneapolis, Minnesota Size: 1,496 square feet Years lived in: Owned 1 year Tavia is one of the lucky few who have been blessed by a full and complete home after only a year of home ownership and barely spending a thing. Friends and family, thrift stores, and garage sales have allowed her to fill her space with unique, original, and rare decor from numerous eras and styles.
    Emma Fiala
    Feb 19, 2019
    Get the Look: Minimal, Clean & Cozy Scandinavian Style
    Let more light in and simplify your style with the shopping resources from this minimal yet cozy, Scandinavian style home in The Netherlands.
    Emma Fiala
    Feb 19, 2019