Real Life Closet Makeover: Esteban & Todd’s New Closet is Now the Stuff Of (Organized) Dreams
Closet size: 24 square feet How many people use this closet? Two. My partner Todd and I share the closet. How long have you lived in your home? Five years Your closet in 5 words or less: Small, narrow, chaotic, cluttered, disorderly. My partner Todd and I challenged ourselves to clean out our closet from head to toe, then reorganize it in a way that made more sense. We did a massive purge session, shopped for smart storage solutions, and are now ready to share our new space.
Esteban Cortez
May 3, 2019
The Best Purple Wall Paint Color Comes from a Surprising Source
When John and Melissa bought their Pennsylvania home, they wanted to create a space that would grow and evolve with them and their family. That’s why choosing the right wall paint color was even more crucial: They wanted something bold, timeless, and flexible. In addition, their paint choice had to be versatile enough to accommodate future additions to their home — perhaps a new sofa or different wall art. The winning hue is purple, and the source for this shade is surprising!
Esteban Cortez
May 3, 2019
A Southeast Asian-Inspired Oakland Loft
Name: Thoey and Sutty Location: Jingletown—Oakland, California Size: 1,600 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years, rented Thoey and Sutty’s spacious loft is filled with colorful, vintage items that create a happy home they and their friends love to spend time in.
Esteban Cortez
May 1, 2019
Joe & Keith Share a Tiny & Inviting Oakland Studio
Name: Joe Cafuir and Keith DeNatale Location: Grand Lake—Oakland, California Size: 300 square feet Years lived in: 2 years; Rented It’s easy for a tiny apartment full of plants and tchotchkes to feel cluttered. But when done the right way—as Joe and Keith have with their tiny 300-square-foot studio—the space can be warm and inviting without feeling crammed or excessive.
Esteban Cortez
May 1, 2019
Minky & Tirsh’s Open, Resourceful Oakland Loft
Name: Tirsh Hunter and Minky Lew and their dog, Arnie Location: Oakland, California Size: 1,200 square feet Years lived in: 2.5 years; Rented Minky and Tirsh cite their family’s resourcefulness as their biggest inspiration, and their North Oakland loft is filled with vignettes demonstrating just that. Minky takes after her grandmother, who instilled such traits in her.
Esteban Cortez
May 1, 2019
Girolamo & Alex’s Creative San Francisco Loft (& Downstairs Coffee Shop!)
Name: Girolamo and Alex Location: Dogpatch — San Francisco, California Size: 871 square feet (1,200 square feet including the coffee shop) Years lived in: 7 years; Owned Very few people can roll out of bed and be at work in just a few steps. For Girolamo and Alex, getting to their coffee shop—La Stazione Coffee and Wine Bar—is just a quick commute down a spiral staircase.
Esteban Cortez
May 1, 2019
Hannah’s Inspiring Oakland Studio
Name: Hannah Ruskin and her dog, Stella Location: McClymonds — Oakland, California Size: 700 square feet Years lived in: 2.5 years; Rented Having previously used her Oakland live-work space for her now thriving business, Hannah is happy she can now claim the space as her own. Although her small studio continues to allow her to work on creative projects, most of her work from home is personal in nature, whether crafting at her desk or caring for more than 40 flourishing plants.
Esteban Cortez
May 1, 2019
A Swedish-Inspired Modern Backyard Cottage
Name: Su Pang Location: Highland Terrace; Oakland, California Size: 500 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years; Owned After spending some time in Sweden, Su fell in love not just with Swedish culture, but with the architecture. “I fell in love with the red wooden Swedish country homes,” she said. “Being a designer, I always wanted to design my own home.” So when she had an opportunity to build in her very own backyard, she jumped on it.
Esteban Cortez
May 1, 2019
Paige & Thorben’s Teamwork in the Mission District
Name: Paige Bennett-Primke & Thorben Primke Location: Mission District; San Francisco, California Size: 700 square feet Years lived in: 3 years; Rented Paige and Thorben’s Mission District apartment shows what good teamwork can create. When they were tired of looking at the white-walls in the living room, they brainstormed and decided to change it up, covering it with reclaimed wood they found in a near-by neighborhood.
Esteban Cortez
May 1, 2019
A Graphic, Nature-Inspired, Small Oakland Apartment
When Maggie and Jose could no longer justify paying such high rent in San Francisco, they decided to pack up and cross the bridge to Oakland.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
3 Creatives Make It Work in an Open, Eclectic Modern Oakland Loft
Name: Michelle, James, and their son Triston Location: Santa Fe — Oakland, California Size: 1,200 square feet Years lived in: Rented 1.5 years When a family of creatives lives in one open space, creating nooks where each person can work and relax is challenging. But Michelle, James and their son Triston have successfully completed the difficult task of creating a functional live-work space utilizing pieces that are well-designed and beautiful.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
Get the Look: Bohemian & ’70s Minimalist
Megan Jorgensen’s Los Angeles home features many colorful, unique items—watercolor paintings, vintage hand-me-downs, and vibrant textiles. Although Megan is lucky to claim some of these one-of-a-kind items as her own, it’s easy to get a similar aesthetic in your own home using these shopping sources.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
“Luxe Bohemian Fairy Tale Discotheque” Style In Oakland
Name: Bridget Schwartz Location: Adams Point — Oakland, California Size: 800 square feet Years lived in: Rented 7 years Bridget describes her apartment as “luxe bohemian, fairytale discotheque, and hippie princess”—all labels that are hard to define. But after touring Bridget’s bright and eccentric Oakland apartment, the descriptions start to make sense. Her apartment has so many distinct styles, and she is perfectly fine with that.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
Get the Look: Traditional English & Modern Country
Victoria’s two-bedroom English bungalow is located in the picturesque countryside, and the inside is fitting of its beautiful surroundings. Inspired by traditional English country cottages and whitewashed seaside homes, Victoria added pinks, soft greys, gold and copper throughout the home to keep the rooms feeling cozy and cohesive. She furnished her home on a budget, so Apartment Therapy readers can easily get this warm, traditional look in their homes, too.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
Get the Look: Contemporary & Industrial
Laura and Nina’s Chicago home is simple and clean on the outside, and the interior is no different. The modern pieces they’ve put in their home create a contemporary and industrial aesthetic that also feels warm and comfortable—not cold and sterile. You can create the same vibe in your home and shop the style using the sources below. Green Cat with Lights — Similar (print sold out, but puzzle can be framed!
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
A California Home Bursting with Different Styles
Name: Jamee Jones (and his six housemates) Location: Oak Tree — Oakland, California Size: 1,691 square feet Years lived in: Rented 2 years When Jamee greeted me at his doorstep before his Apartment Therapy photoshoot, he had just finished his daily commute from San Francisco, where he works at Urban Outfitters as a social media manager.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
Get the Look: Luxe Bohemian Hippie Princess Style
Bridget’s best advice is to buy vintage whenever possible so that the stuff in your home is unique. Because of that, it’s hard to find the original sources for many of the items in her eccentric, vibrant Oakland apartment. However, it’s easy to find a modern take on some of these vintage pieces using the shopping sources below.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
A “Muppets Go to Burning Man” Style Loft in Oakland
Name: Bob and Heather Location: Melrose — Oakland, California Size: 2,500 square feet Years lived in: Rented 2 years Bob and Heather define their style as “eclectic weirdo”—something the couple takes pride in. It’s a space filled with odd decor, including a plush, faux-fur-covered chair in the living room, and stair handrails covered in LED lights—and there are plenty of other unconventional decor elements (this is their current living room projection).
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
Get the Look: Rustic, Nautical & Scandinavian Mix
Jil and Jeff’s home showcases many rustic, nautical and Scandinavian-inspired pieces, like the vintage wood crate at the sofa’s side or the coffee table made from a slab of wood. If you had your eye on some of the items in their expansive Toronto loft, you can get some of the items—or something similar—using the sources below.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
A Bright DIY & Art-inspired Loft in Oakland
Name: Erika Brulé Location: Jingletown — Oakland, California Size: 1,600 square feet Years lived in: Rented 2 years When Erika saw photos of the Oakland loft she now calls home, she immediately signed the lease without even looking at the space in person. She knew it would provide her with all she needed: a spacious area where she could indulge in crafts and DIY projects, expansive walls where she could hang art she loves, and industrial elements like exposed pipes and brick.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
A “Homebody’s Haven” Vintage Craftsman Home
Name: Sienna and Javod Location: Willow Glen — San Jose, California Size: 1,300 square feet Years lived in: Rented 2.5 years Sienna and Javod are inspired by vintage pieces, whether it’s while window shopping at local antique markets, shopping for vintage treasures online, or inheriting family heirlooms. When paired with a penchant for DIY, crafting and art, the result is a beautiful home filled with geometric patterns, textiles and mid-century furniture.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
Get the Look: Bohemian “a la Francaise”
Marie-Laure and Sébastien’s boho-inspired home in France takes inspiration from nature, such as the pine trees in their backyard and the nearby ocean. If you’ve been looking for more Bohemian-style pieces for your home, check out the links below to shop the style.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
A Super Small & Cozy Santa Cruz Studio
Name: Robyn Kleffman, John Morley and their dog Daisy Location: Seabright — Santa Cruz, California Size: 350 square feet Years lived in: Rented 6 months If John could have it his way, he’d fill his home with comfy La-Z-Boy furniture, but Robyn has completely different tastes, citing Consort, Coup D-Etat, DWR, and Anna Karlin as some of her dream sources.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
Get the Look: Vintage Modern Craftsman
Sienna and Javod’s San Jose home is filled with art, mid-century modern furniture, and geometric patterns. Though a lot of the items were made by Sienna or purchased second-hand, you can get items with similar patterns and styles online using the links below.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
A Boho-Chic Cali Beach Cottage Full of Family Fun
Name: Caryn, Edward, and their two sons Kai and Beckett (plus their two pitbulls Dexter and Nuggett) Location: Santa Cruz, California Size: 1,400 square feet Years lived in: Owned 11 years Caryn and Edward bought their beach cottage on the west side of Santa Cruz, California 11 years ago to raise their growing family. The family is happy to call the quiet street with beach views their home, though the inside isn’t quite as hushed as the street scene outside.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
A Fiber Artist’s “Dreamland” of Textured Art
Name: Meghan Bogden Shimek Location: Oakland, California Size: 1,200 square feet Years lived in: Rented 6 months Meghan’s live-work Oakland loft is very personal and full of inspiration, found in her beautiful fiber weavings, work by her creative friends, or vintage furniture that brings her joy. Though she’s lived in the space for less than a year, Meghan is already enamored with the amount of space the loft provides her, both to create and share with her 5-year-old son.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
Get the Look: A Classic Style with a Modern Twist
Lauren and Alex’s Pittsburgh home is mid-century modern, but also features lots of traditional elements. In order to highlight some of these classic details, the couple chose to fill their home with traditional furniture and modern accents—a combination that represents their tastes. If you love both classic and modern pieces, use the shopping sources below to get the look in your home.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
Get the Look: Vintage & Cosmopolitan Style
Lisette’s beautiful, restored flat in Barcelona tells stories of her travels throughout the world with very minimal decor. She has vintage pieces acquired while working in the fashion industry in Hong Kong, and showcases furniture she found while living in Amsterdam. Though some of these items are unique finds, you can find similar styles online using the sources below.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
Get the Look: Happy Californian Style
Jane’s San Francisco home is inspired by her surroundings from architecture, retail spaces, and nature (plus some mid-century modern)—a style Jane calls “Happy Californian.” If you’re inspired by these things, as well as clean lines and craftsmanship, check out the shoppable links below. Teepee — Similar: Etsy Table lamp — Similar: Zinc Door Credenza — Similar: Overstock Mini globe — Similar: World Market Brass duck — Similar: Jet.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
Get the Look: Beach-Vibes, Boho & Mid-Century Modern Mix
Caryn and Edward’s Santa Cruz home is full of rich and vibrant colors, just like Caryn’s art pieces. The house style is a mixture of boho-chic and mid-century, plus some beach style thrown in throughout (the end of their street has a perfect view of Santa Cruz and the beach). Use the sources below to get the look in your home and shop some of the items found in their beautiful house.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
Get the Look: Vibrant, Fluffy, & Creative
Meghan Shimek’s Oakland live-work studio is full of inspiration, whether it’s her own inspiration that translates to beautiful weaving, or art created by her friends. Check out the links below to get some of these unique items or something similar in your home.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
Get the Look: A Blend of Modern, Rustic & Bohemian
Though Jordan and Ryan’s Nashville home is filled with lots of one-of-a-kind antiques (95% is vintage, in fact), it doesn’t follow one specific style. There are elements of bohemian, rustic-industrial, and traditional decor in every room that come together to create a charming refuge for the couple. To get this unique look in your home, check out the shoppable links below.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
Get the Look: Colorful, Playful & Quirky
Chad’s Cape Town basement apartment is gorgeous and beautifully put together. But guests might not be quick to notice the quirk and playfulness in each room, and that’s exactly what makes his space so inviting. Check out the sources below to shop some of the bold items featured in his home.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
An “Every Day is Halloween” Home in Oakland
Name: Mollie Gilbert Location: Oakland, California Size: 1,325 square feet Years lived in: 11 years, owned It isn’t difficult to find Mollie’s house on her quiet street: Just look for the home with the jack-o-lantern on the porch year-round. If the pumpkin or the “Haunted Mansion” sign at the doorway aren’t an indication of what’s inside, then you’re in for a spooky treat.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
Get the Look: Smart, Neat & Orderly
When two people with a background in architecture and design join to create a home, it’s no surprise that the outcome is clean, smart and functional. Check out the sources below to shop some of the items in Verónica and Pol’s Scandi-inspired Barcelona flat. Sofa — IKEA Pillows — IKEA Biker poster — Similar: Art.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
Get the Look: Organic, Floral & Full of Nature
Plants, flowers, and minimalism combine with pops of color and woodsy, cabin-inspired elements: welcome to Dave and Kelly’s Chicago home. Check out the shopping links below to get a similar cozy vibe in your home. charset="utf-8" src="https://d30bopbxapq94k.cloudfront.net/js/curalate-widget-client-all.prod.min.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
Get the Look: Eclectic, Timeless & Family-Ready
Jamie and AJ’s family-ready home is eclectic, timeless and fit for their entertaining lifestyle. To shop some of the gorgeous pieces featured in their open, airy home, check out the sources below.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
A Plant-Packed Apartment in Puerto Rico
Name: Adriana Sierra and Victor, plus their sun parakeet Fibi Location: El Monte Norte — San Juan, Puerto Rico Size: 1,000 square feet Years lived in: Rented 2 years When your apartment is surrounded by the lush foliage of Puerto Rico, it’s only natural to bring the outdoors in. Adriana’s San Juan apartment does just that, showcasing thriving plants, natural wood elements, and even a parrot with bright and colorful plumage.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
Get the Look: Year-Round Spooky Style
Mollie goes all out in her Halloween-ready home in Oakland, and she displays things that most people would find creepy or just plain odd, such as two vampire busts in her living room or ’80s horror films posters. If you’re preparing for a Halloween bash, or if you are inspired by vampires, horror films and all things dark as Mollie is, check out the sources below to add a little bit of spookiness to your home.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
Get the Look: French Country With Modern Whimsical Accents
Julie and David Holdsworth’s magical, French country-style home is filled with beautiful antiques and traditional furniture, but features unexpected accents in almost every room, such as Julie’s beautiful sculptures in the dining room. To get this beautiful style in your home, check out the sources below for inspiration.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
Get the Look: Modern, Minimalist & Earthy
Erin and Tobin’s condo in Rhode Island is a perfect blend of minimal decor and bright, bold colors. The bright yellow backsplash and colorful poster in the kitchen contrast the white, modern IKEA cabinets, and the beautiful yellow lounge chairs in the “record room” add a pop of color to the light and airy room. Check out the sources below to shop some of the items featured in their gorgeous Providence home.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
A Sunny Mix of Old & New in California
Name: Celine and Christian Coly (and their son Damase) Location: East Bay — Dublin, California Size: 1,250 square feet Years lived in: Rented 1.5 years Celine and Christian’s East Bay apartment is bright, airy, chic. Most importantly, it’s cozy and comfortable for the couple, their 9-year-old son and guests.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
This Chicago Apartment is Like a 1950s Time Capsule
Name: Rose Schreier Location: Rosehill—Chicago, Illinois Size: 1,100 square feet Years lived in: Rented 6 years Six years ago, Rose was hunting for a cute and affordable vintage apartment in Chicago. When she drove by her current home with a “For Rent” sign outside, she jumped on the opportunity to check it out. She nearly flipped when she saw it: the owner of the property had left the interior virtually untouched since the 1960s.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
Get the Look: Musically Inspired Vintage Style
Rose’s Chicago home is filled with all things vintage, particularly from the 1940s and ’50s. While it’s common to find furniture and decor inspired by those decades, Rose’s home goes all out and features pieces from that point in time. It may be difficult to find some of these unique items for your own home, but you can shop for similar pieces using the links below.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
Get the Look: Playful, Modern & Minimal
Carlos’ Puerto Rico apartment is filled with bright, colorful furniture and playful accents, such as video game consoles from his childhood and mustache throw pillows. His sophisticated home—which is 23 stories high with gorgeous views of Puerto Rico’s beaches—doesn’t take itself too seriously. Check out the sources below to shop the style for your own home.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
Get the Look: Modern, Crafty Farmhouse Chic
Dan and Yves’ Chelsea home is modern and artistic, with farmhouse accents, crafty DIYs, and unique art pieces in every room. Some may call it “eclectic” but we call it “farmhouse chic.” Find some of the beautiful pieces featured in their home (or something similar) using the links below.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
Get the Look: “Less is More” Creative Style
As an artist, Antje wanted a home with bright natural light so she could create art. She found that in her open-plan studio, located in the historic Alfama district in Lisbon, Portugal. In the three years she’s been there, she’s filled her home with wonderful antiques and vintage accents, as well as her beautiful art. If you agree that “less is more,” check out some of the links below to shop for similar styles in your home.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019
A Modern, Industrial Detroit Loft in a Renovated 1920s Building
Name: Jesse and Cali Green Location: New Center — Detroit, Michigan Size: 980 square feet Years lived in: Rented 1.5 years Jesse and Cali’s apartment building is inspiring, not only because they’ve created a beautiful modern and minimal home without splurging, but because of its deep history in Detroit. The building opened in 1926 as a home to graphic artists working in all of the nearby industries, General Motors in particular.
Esteban Cortez
Apr 30, 2019