Our TeamJulia Brenner

Julia Brenner

    About Me

    Julia is a writer and editor living in Chicago. She's also a big fan of old construction, new design, and people who can pull off a wink. She is not one of those people.

    Latest Stories

    Everything You Need to Paint a Room: A Checklist for Total Beginners
    Here's what you'll need to DIY a professional-looking paint job.
    Julia Brenner
    Jul 31, 2024
    To Be Is To Do: 10 of Our Favorite Posts for Mindful Living
    In my own life, it’s all the little choices I make each day—from how much sleep I get to how I’ve handled stress to personal interactions—that shape the feeling I have about my day when I turn out the lights each night.
    Julia Brenner
    Oct 3, 2023
    The Thrift Store Tipping Point: When to Buy & When to Walk Away
    Part bargain seeking and part treasure hunting, shopping at your local thrift store is a great way to save money and find unique items that are otherwise unavailable in the current retail market. I’ve rounded up some tips for navigating the realm of thrifting and please leave your favorite tips in the comments!
    Julia Brenner
    Oct 13, 2022
    How to Make It Work When You Have No Room for a Home Office: A Round-Up of Ideas & Inspirations
    We know that it’s not always easy to visualize the possibilities of adding more into a small home, so here are some of our favorite posts—from roundups to Maxwell’s pro tips to a collection of small space house tours—to help you carve out a home office space when you’re short on space in general. Yes, You Can Fit A Home Office Into Your Tiny Home Try a small desk next to the sofa in place of an end table, as seen on Design Sponge.
    Julia Brenner
    Jul 17, 2020
    5 Apartment Therapy Tips I Use All the Time (and 5 I’ve Had Bookmarked for Years That I’m Just Never Going to Do)
    I’m in my fourth year of writing for Apartment Therapy, and I’ve been an Apartment Therapy/The Kitchn reader for even longer. Like all of you longtime folks, I’ve definitely found many tips from our sites that have changed the way I operate, while others that I was so gung-ho on—projects and tips that I was sure I’d get right to work on—have been languishing on the island of I’m-never-going-to-actually-do-this for years.
    Julia Brenner
    Mar 11, 2020
    Adding Color, Pattern and Variety:6 Inspirational Non-Minimalist House Tours
    In the divide between minimalists and maximalists, I’ve always felt more drawn towards a less-is-more aesthetic, but after touring some wonderfully vibrant homes that are far from minimal, I find myself inspired to add more color, pattern and even some stuff into the mix. Whoa. If you’re thinking of trying out bolder colors or showcasing more of your trinkets or artwork, check out these gloriously non-minimalist house tours for inspiration.
    Julia Brenner
    Mar 11, 2020
    How to Cope with a Lack of Kitchen Storage: 10 of Our Best Posts
    When you have a small kitchen (I do), creative problem solving stops becoming a resume catchphrase and starts becoming a way of life. Configuring cookware and food and utensils—while trying to keep it all from looking like a mad scientist’s lab—isn’t easy. Here are 10 great posts in one place to offer some tips, tricks and inspiration for all of us fighting the good I-dream-of-kitchen-storage fight. Don’t neglect the space above your cabinets.
    Julia Brenner
    Dec 16, 2019
    A Photographer’s Sunny Pre-War Apartment in Chicago
    When you're lucky enough to inherit good bones, less is always more. This beautiful rental is a love letter to vintage Chicago city living.
    Julia Brenner
    Nov 21, 2019
    Terri & Adam’s Creatively Color-Coordinated Home
    Name: Terri Falvey (Advertising copywriter, freelance graphic designer, daydream comedy writer) and Adam Penly (Software engineer, musician, amateur photographer) Location: Albany Park; Chicago, Illinois Size: 1,200+ square feet (townhouse w/ partially finished basement) Years lived in: 1.5 yearsYou know how some couples are simply fun to be around and some homes are simply happy homes?
    Julia Brenner
    Oct 21, 2019
    Stop Doing These 10 Things That Are Dragging Your Home’s Sophistication Down
    Because we’re not living Pinterest boards and no one gets it right 100 percent of the time, I think we all have certain aspects of home decor and housekeeping that we ace, and other aspects that we struggle to get a handle on. I know I do. Here are 10 common issues that may be diminishing your home’s sophistication along with some easy tweaks to help you self-correct. Rumpled sheets look, well, rumpled.
    Julia Brenner
    Jun 16, 2019
    Club Soda + Salt = Non-Toxic Stain Remover
    A few years ago I was hosting some friends when the spill of all spills happened. The one you nervously laugh about when purchasing anything white. Yep, the dreaded red wine spill, on a white wool rug, because really, what fun is a red wine spill unless it happens on something white? But my friend was quick on the draw. She ran to the kitchen and returned with salt, club soda, and a dish towel. By the next morning the stain was gone.
    Julia Brenner
    May 6, 2019
    Before & After: Salvaged Stool to Colorful Plant Stand
    This before & after project is a great example of how a good imagination is often the key to a great makeover. Kind of makes me feel better about all that daydreaming I did during algebra class.This makeover was featured on Sunset, and I love that this plant stand wound up costing $3.19, the cost of the Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch spray paint in Sun Yellow. If you needed to buy a pot, the project would cost a bit more, but still far less than a wrought iron planter.
    Julia Brenner
    May 6, 2019
    Before & After: Laundry Area Goes from Messy to Fab
    This before & after renovation stars a once messy, chaotic laundry area in the home of four small children and their busy, creative parents. What’s truly wonderful is that they took an area that’s usually an afterthought, the laundry room, and turned it into a well-organized, cheerfully stylish space.According to Katie from Potluck Love, her old laundry room wasn’t a proper room, but a “hot mess of laundry” crammed into a hallway in the back of their home.
    Julia Brenner
    May 6, 2019
    Before & After: Mismatched Thrift Store Lamps Get a Hip New Look
    The 80 degree weather we’re having here in Chicago (in March?!) is making me feel a little Alice-in-Wonderland, like suddenly, oddly neat things are possible, like say, Mandi from Vintage Revivals turning old, mismatched thrift store lamps into something utterly modern and so very cool.
    Julia Brenner
    May 6, 2019
    Before & After: Old Dresser Becomes a Garden of Succulents
    In this before & after project, one clever couple in Los Angeles upcycles an old, abandoned dresser, turning it into a garden of succulents. I think you’ll agree it’s a huge improvement.Curt and Jessica of the blog Grizzly Bear Modern took advantage of an old dresser left behind in the garage of their new home by drilling a few drainage holes in the drawers to create a sturdy vessel for a garden of succulents.
    Julia Brenner
    May 5, 2019
    Before & After: A Dull Deck’s Flower Power Makeover
    I like this makeover because the “before” deck looks like many decks extending from city apartments. In fact, cut it in half and take out the hot tub (or, take out the very best parts), and it looks a lot like my own back deck. But all hot tubs aside, I’m inspired to see how some very doable changes totally transform this flat space into a lush outdoor living area.What strikes me about the “after” is how homey it looks.
    Julia Brenner
    May 5, 2019
    Before & After: Vintage Airstream Trailer “Runaround Sue” Gets an Eco-Rehab
    This is the story of Runaround Sue, the name given to a 1961 Airstream Safari that was lovingly renovated by Prairie Construction. The vintage trailer’s original beauty was carefully restored while making it leaner (more efficient) and greener. This time of year already makes me long to head out for the open roads, and now I’m filled with daydreams of spending the summer traversing the country in Runaround Sue.
    Julia Brenner
    May 5, 2019
    Before & After: “Audree” Gets a Makeover
    Audree was always pretty. She definitely has good bones, but over time Audree’s looks had, well, faded a bit. It happens. Life on the road takes a toll on a girl. But then in walked Tiffany, Audree’s new owner. She knew that with a fresh coat of pink and a hip new look, Audree could still turn heads. And she was right. What a bombshell Audree’s become!
    Julia Brenner
    May 5, 2019
    Before & After: Plain Jane Nightstand Gets a Reclaimed Wood Makeover
    I found this before and after and loved not just the transformation, but the use of reclaimed wood pieces to create an entirely new tabletop. Take a look!Using wood pieces from a discarded trellis found in her garden, Taryn from Design, Dining and Diapers created a fresh, stylish table that showcases the beautiful colors and textures running through the found wood scraps.
    Julia Brenner
    May 5, 2019
    It’s the Little Things: 5 Ways to Spend Less & Reduce Clutter
    I was at Target the other day, and standing in front of me in line was a gentleman buying a plunger. That’s it. A plunger. While I really should have been feeling bad for him, because after all, the poor guy was out on a plunger run, I found myself staring at him in wonder, dazzled by his ability to get out of Target with only one darn thing.
    Julia Brenner
    May 5, 2019
    Before & After: Boy’s Nautical Room Makeover on a Budget
    This is a great makeover and a cool story because it involves a mom and son working collaboratively to create a completely new room for a budget of only $150! Take a dip into Levi’s newly nautical bedroom (puns = not my strong suit). I know, wonderful, isn’t it?
    Julia Brenner
    May 4, 2019
    Before & After: Catch-All Basement Corner to Cool Kids’ Craft Corner
    I think many of us can relate to those catch-all corners of our rooms that we know can be improved in both form and function. Melissa from 5 foot 12 Creations had a vision for her catch-all basement corner: a special space where her children could access art and craft supplies, a charming space where the markers are many and the paper is plentiful. The perfect pint-sized craft corner! I can only imagine the hours of creating that are now spent here.
    Julia Brenner
    May 4, 2019
    Before & After: Bright & Beautiful Nashville Kitchen Renovation
    When Brian and Greg purchased a 1,500 sq. ft., 1960’s-era ranch house that had been on the market for over 500 days, they knew they could turn it into something special. A first priority was turning an 11 x 12 kitchen that comfortably fit one person into a bright, open space that met their needs as a growing family and frequent hosts. I would say they achieved their goal…a thousand times over.
    Julia Brenner
    May 4, 2019
    Lean In to Your Crabbiness: 10 Things to Do When You’re Home Alone and Feeling Grumpy
    Maybe I’m being a curmudgeon here, but the current cultural pressure to be happy and mindful and Mindfully Happy all. the time. —it’s too much. It seems like feeling any other way is culturally unacceptable, something to feel guilty about. Yet we’re emotional beings and life can be tough. Feeling sad, crabby, or even (gasp) angry is OK sometimes! No, it’s more than OK, it’s necessary. Right?
    Julia Brenner
    May 3, 2019
    Frugal Framing: 10 Ways to Display Artwork Without Spending a Fortune
    I adore custom framing but it can be quite expensive, which got me thinking about some alternatives. After all, necessity is the mother of invention, is it not?Turns out a lot of people have had this same thought and have created some lovely options to display artwork sans framing. Check them out! Above: This option from Deko employs wooden trouser hangers to display art. That’s it! And I love it. I found this elegant display idea on Freshome.
    Julia Brenner
    May 3, 2019
    The Cool Friend We All Want: A Fashion Stylist Shares Her Secrets
    Personal and fashion stylist Elim Chu is the cool, nice friend you hope to have because not only is she smart and hip and has amazing style—she will happily share her knowledge and secrets to help everyone around her look and feel great. She’s genuine and warm and approaches styling with the belief that everyone can build a simple and beautiful less-is-more wardrobe.
    Julia Brenner
    May 3, 2019
    How to Love Your Tiny Rental Bathroom: Styling Ideas from 10 Real Homes
    Many aspects of a rental home are transformable, yet the rental bathroom tends to be a ‘you-get-what-you-get-and-you-don’t-get-upset’ zone because there typically isn’t a lot of literal or metaphorical wiggle room. But even with less-than-ideal rental bathrooms, and even when living with roommates or significant others—we can still elevate the style and add functional beauty. Check out 10 rental bathrooms from our house tours that do this in spades.
    Julia Brenner
    May 3, 2019
    Snail Mucus Isn’t the Only Reason Korean Beauty is Big Right Now
    If the words sheet mask, Peach & Lily, 10-step skincare routine, and BB cream are familiar to you, then you’re probably up on the Korean beauty trend, which continues to grow in popularity in the US—partly because it’s lauded as a more natural, intentional approach to skincare, and partly because of the ridiculously cute packaging. I mean, moisturizing face mist in a pink bunny bottle? You had me at bunny!
    Julia Brenner
    May 3, 2019
    Beyond Mainstream: 14 Indie Magazines to Read for Endless Life Inspiration
    Long live indie magazines for smart content, innovative style, and an often fearless approach to navigating the editorial waters. Whether its art, design, travel, fashion, or lifestyle, these magazines explore topics in ways that are exciting, honest and a little sexy (because to me, being original is sexy). And these magazines are very original.
    Julia Brenner
    May 3, 2019
    Completely Charming 2,000-Square-Foot Portland Craftsman
    Portland, Oregon
    3-Bedroom | $615,000
    Julia Brenner
    May 3, 2019
    Phaidon Wrote the Book (Literally) on Humble, Irresistible Nordic Design
    The Red Thread: Nordic Design is a gorgeous and comprehensive book exploring the Nordic approach to design for everyday life—from furniture to kitchen utensils to textiles. Exquisite photographs illustrate how Nordic designers have mastered the art of simple beauty and functional accessibility. Spoiler alert: You’re going to see a lot of Apartment Therapy favorites featured in these pages. Take a look.
    Julia Brenner
    May 3, 2019
    An Artist’s Chic Compact West Village Apartment
    Name: Carly Berlin Location: West Village, NYC Size: 700 square feet Years lived in: 3 years, renting Part home, part professional art studio, Carly’s long and narrow West Village apartment is outfitted minimally but filled with warmth and personality. Carly has a gift for seeing the beauty in the smallest of details, and her ability to set up her home from that perspective means she’s made a million small but successful decisions.
    Julia Brenner
    Apr 30, 2019
    An Art Deco Dream Apartment in Manhattan
    Name: Devin VanderMaas, her boyfriend Ranga and Chelsea the cat Location: Murray Hill — New York City Size: 775 square feet Years lived in: 3 years, own When Devin first saw this apartment, it reminded her of The Great Gatsby. Full of charming Art Deco architectural details, this isn’t the dark and dramatic kind of Art Deco style you might be imagining, though. Big windows and Devin’s mastery of a soft, neutral color palette make the small space seem bigger than it is.
    Julia Brenner
    Apr 30, 2019
    This Artist Bought Her Grandparents’ Condo—Here’s What She Kept (And What She Changed)
    A mix between "Mad Men" and "Pee Wee Herman," artist Kim Alpert's self-proclaimed style is "Folk Futurism."
    Julia Brenner
    Mar 29, 2019
    Partner
    Nathan’s Heritage Modern Chicago Loft
    Name: Nathan Michael Location: Chicago, Wicker Park, IL Size: 2,250 square feet Years lived in: 1 years; Rented Years hosting on Airbnb: Going on 1 year Situated on a quiet, tree-lined street in Chicago’s historic Ukrainian Village is Nathan’s bright and beautiful three-story home. On first entering his home, I was struck by the bold architectural elements (check out that staircase!) and gorgeous interior.
    Julia Brenner
    Mar 21, 2019
    Joe & Bonnie’s Light and Lovely Wicker Park Condo
    Location: Wicker Park; Chicago, Illinois Size: 2,000 square feet Years lived in: 7 years As a young person living in Chicago, I spent many hours rambling though Wicker Park, an area of the city that used to be synonymous with art and music. The neighborhood, home to historic flats on shady, tree-lined streets, has since been gentrified six ways from Sunday.
    Julia Brenner
    Feb 20, 2019