A Classic Mix of Vintage & New in a Chicago Condo
Name: Lauren Baker Location: Ravenswood; Chicago, Illinois Size: 927 square feet Years lived in: 10 months, owned From the moment Lauren opened the door, I knew this was going to be a fun tour. Lauren greeted me like an old friend, and her personal warmth and natural ease are evident throughout her home, as much of it is designed with one-of-a-kind pieces acquired through her relationships with local businesses and artisans.
Julia Brenner
Feb 20, 2019
Allison’s Super Chic Chicago Apartment
Name: Allison Reijmer Location: Wicker Park, Chicago Size: 700 square feet Years lived in: 1 year; Rented Within a few minutes of entering Allison’s apartment, I was struck by three fantastic elements: 1) Lofted ceiling! 2) Gorgeous fresh flowers! and 3) The outstanding Bloody Mary I was offered within 5 minutes of meeting her! That’s like the Triple Crown of House Tour welcomes and a great first impression that perfectly matched Allison’s warm and stylish home.
Julia Brenner
Feb 20, 2019
A Soothing, Soulful Logan Square Apartment
Name: Luke and Claire Staszak Location: Logan Square; Chicago, Illinois Size: 2 bedroom + office Years lived in: 2 years; Rented Luke and Claire are two incredibly warm and inspiring individuals. Spending time with them in their beautiful greystone included stories of their experiences living in New Zealand together, details on their impressive DIY projects, discussions about the music playing on their record player, and lots of laughter.
Julia Brenner
Feb 20, 2019
Erin & Danny’s Serene California Home
Name: Erin Nichols and Danny, daughters Kate and Ava, and dogs Chance and Stella Location: Huntington Beach, California Size: 1,700 square feet Years lived in: 8 years Erin and Danny’s lovely Huntington Beach home feels idyllically Californian: tucked away on a quiet tree-lined street, a short walk from the beach, filled with sunlight, and book-ended by two breezy outdoor areas. It’s an easy place to feel relaxed and happy.
Julia Brenner
Feb 20, 2019
Eric & Kellie’s Pencil Factory Loft
Name: Eric, founder of Fair Coast Goods & Upholstery, and Kellie, advertising account manager Location: Roscoe Village, Chicago, Illinois Size: 1,300 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years (own) Eric and Kellie’s wonderfully bright and modern loft is punctuated by a serendipitous story (bad pun intended!). You see, shortly after moving into their loft, which is a converted pencil factory, Eric launched his own business making handcrafted leather goods.
Julia Brenner
Feb 20, 2019
Amy’s Vintage Jewel Tone Apartment
Name: Amy Desmond of Victory Market Vintage & Handmade Location: Andersonville, Chicago, Illinois Size: 700 square feet Years lived in: 4 There are charming apartments and then there’s Amy’s apartment, which is so charming it should come in locket form.
Julia Brenner
Feb 20, 2019
Amy and Todd’s Mod Chicago Home
Name: Amy Haiar and Todd Donahue Location: Avondale/Logan Square — Chicago, Illinois Size: 2,400 square feet Years lived in: 1 year; Owned What happens when two creative directors have carte blanche to design a new home from the ground up? In the case of husband-and-wife duo Todd and Amy, colorful, interesting, and beautiful things happen. Amy and Todd purchased their newly-constructed Smart Tech home a little over a year ago.
Julia Brenner
Feb 20, 2019
Drew & Robyn’s Smart, Sunny Logan Square Graystone
Name: Robyn and Drew Location: Logan Square; Chicago, Illinois Size: 1,250 square feet Years lived in: 5 months Robyn and Drew’s vintage graystone apartment is filled with more than just cool-looking pieces, it’s filled with original vintage finds and soul for days. They choose their belongings thoughtfully and they take their time; they scour Craigslist and local vintage stores—they celebrate secondhand furniture for its craftsmanship and unique style.
Julia Brenner
Feb 20, 2019
Lauren’s Bold Chicago Apartment Bursting With DIY Projects
Name: Lauren Svenstrup of Studio Sven Location: Andersonville; Chicago, Illinois Size: 650 square feet Years lived in: 2 years When Lauren’s House Call was featured this summer, readers were intrigued by her wonderful mix of vintage and modern, so I was thrilled when Lauren gave an enthusiastic “yes” for a full tour. On my recent visit to Lauren’s home, I was inspired by the distinct yet harmonious moods and tones she’s achieved in one relatively small space.
Julia Brenner
Feb 20, 2019
A City Dweller Aces DIY & Design in a Chicago Apartment
Name: Jess Goodwin and Andi (Anderson Pooper) the corgi Location: Ravenswood — Chicago, Illinois Size: 750 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years, renting What can you do with a 750 square foot rented apartment in a multi-unit building in the middle of Chicago? If you’re designer Jess Goodwin, a lot. Jess has transformed her apartment into a warm and inviting home that is filled with personal projects and smart solutions.
Julia Brenner
Feb 20, 2019
A Baker’s “Hip Grandma” Small Studio Apartment in Chicago
Name: Ursula Location: Logan Square — Chicago, Illinois Size: 500 square feet studio Years lived in: Renting for 8 months Turning a 500-square-foot studio into a visually vibrant and cozy home that feels personal and looks great is no small feat, but that’s exactly what Ursula has done with her Logan Square apartment — an apartment she took sight unseen when she decided to move from Los Angeles to Chicago to pursue a career as a baker.
Julia Brenner
Feb 19, 2019
Two Lovers of “the Hunt” Craft a Bright, Eclectic Condo
Jarod and Tim's home reflects a love of good design, an appreciation for quality, a willingness to go bold, and a sense of fun. In other words, there's a lot to love.
Julia Brenner
Feb 19, 2019
Quick Question! In or Out: Cheeky Word Art on Decor?
Right? “Hustle” pillows and “I Can’t Adult Today” blankets, “Live, Love, Gymnastics” tea towels and “The Snuggle is Real”…At this point, it’s like, okay okay, I get it. The world is filled with cute sayings, always has been. There were some real zippy zingers back in the mid 19th-century. I mean “bully for you!” or “acknowledge the corn!” That is some first-class slang.
Julia Brenner
Oct 21, 2017
The Pattern Trends That May Have Overstayed Their Welcome
Before getting down to business, I would like to say no disrespect to any of the prints featured in this article. They are all wonderful motifs in their own right, but for reasons ranging from over saturation to too many knock-off versions, 2017 may be the year to put down the palms. What do you think? I reached out to a couple of well-known designers to get their take on prints they think are too trendy or tired.
Julia Brenner
Oct 3, 2017
A Charming 1904 Farmhouse in Atlanta for $619k
Located in an historic neighborhood, just one block from Grant Park (Atlanta’s oldest city park), this completely charming traditional American Farmhouse still shines with much of its original 1904 beauty. I love the respect for history reflected in this home—a home whose owners have taken loving care of the original features for over 100 years, including cast iron sinks, pinewood floors, wavy glass windows, and plantation shutters. And the kitchen.
Julia Brenner
Jul 11, 2017
A Bright and Beautiful Spanish Tile Home for $700K in L.A.
Oh boy, this home is a real diamond. I love everything about it. Elegant simplicity, an abundance of natural light, gorgeous vintage details, large private outdoor living area, and a beautiful Spanish tile exterior to boot. This home is going to make someone very happy indeed. This gorgeous Spanish tile home is a fantastic mix of vintage and modern, with a a feeling of spaciousness and privacy.
Julia Brenner
Jun 27, 2017
A 1,500-Square-Foot Houston Home with Timeless Updates
Relaxing on a porch swing, sipping sweet tea under a large shade tree… Sounds completely dreamy to me, which is why I absolutely adore this charming single family home in historic Houston Heights. It’s spacious while still feeling cozy, with a balanced mix of vintage charm and modern updates and serene outdoor space for days. This is a quintessentially storybook family home, complete with porch swing, shade tree, breakfast nook and huge backyard.
Julia Brenner
Jun 14, 2017
Real Homes, Real Solutions: 20 Reversible Ideas to Overhaul Your Rental Bathroom NOW
The following are stellar examples from our House Tours of rental bathrooms done right. While I’ve broken down the images according to categories, a great thing about these bathrooms is that they all have a cross-section of ideas to steal (in a good way, of course), so steal away!
Julia Brenner
May 22, 2017
A Mix of History & Modern Comforts in a Converted Chicago Church
This 3-bedroom duplex is a gem of a find in Chicago—a family-friendly home that is a gorgeous mix of history (the unit is situated in a converted church) and modern comforts. The unit itself is modern and bright without feeling sterile thanks to the abundance of hardwood floors and exposed brick as well as a wood-burning fireplace.
Julia Brenner
May 10, 2017
A Gorgeous Two-Bedroom Duplex in Park Slope
There is so much to love about this lovingly rehabbed Park Slope duplex, from the location one block from Prospect Park, to the spacious, sunny rooms with original features—hardwood floors with walnut inlay, working fireplace, and stained glass bay window. This property is a beautiful mix of vintage and modern in a prime Brooklyn location with access to additional basement storage and a private deck. In other words: a dream scenario indeed.
Julia Brenner
May 2, 2017
3 Stylish & Practical Ideas to Improve Your Bland Rental Kitchen
We’ve talked a lot about rental kitchens being “you-get-what-you-get-and-you-don’t-get-upset” zones because we’re typically limited in the changes available to us. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have kitchens with good functionality and great style; we just need to be creative! Check out this cheery kitchen from our home tours that showcases do-able and stylish ways to improve your rental scenario.
Julia Brenner
Apr 16, 2017
Marie Kondo, Take the Wheel: I’m Trying to Part with Sentimental Clutter and it’s HARD!
I have some things that have been sitting in drawers and closets for years and—while I don’t need or use these things—I am pained to part with them. Some are inherited, some were formerly important, some never made sense, and a lot are scraps: of papers, events, good days, and really amazing trips. They’re little material bits of my life that sit in drawers or the back of closets. And I’ve never figured out how to part with them.
Julia Brenner
Apr 3, 2017
Elegant One-Bedroom in a Federal-style D.C. Boutique Condo
Located in the hip and historic Dupont Circle neighborhood of D.C., this is an elegant one-bedroom condo of my Federal-style dreams. I lived in D.C. for a year and used to meander down New Hampshire Ave., wondering what the interiors of these elegant buildings looked like. Turns out, pretty pretty pretty great. If you’re in the market or in the window-shopping market, take a look at this vintage gem! 1728 New Hampshire Ave NW Apt 201 Washington, DC 1 bedroom | 1 bath | 704 sq ft.
Julia Brenner
Mar 21, 2017
Small but Mighty: 9 Genius Design Ideas From Stylish Rental Studios
Here's a reminder to us all that good things—including genius design ideas—really do come in small packages.
Julia Brenner
Mar 18, 2017
A Lovingly Restored Early 20th-Century Family Home in Chicago
Maybe you can have it all: spacious living (perfect for a family) in a vibrant, urban neighborhood. This four-bedroom Chicago home has hit the market (but we bet it won’t be available for long).
Julia Brenner
Mar 14, 2017
How Do You Gracefully Get Out of Plans? (When You’re Overbooked or Just Really Don’t Want to Go)
Because sometimes you're overbooked or just don't want to go.
Julia Brenner
Nov 29, 2016
Bless Their Heart: Responses to Prying Questions From Nosy People
Oh, bless the nosy relatives and awkward acquaintances that we see this time of year. They mean well, right? They don’t want to hurt our feelings. They don’t mean to pry. And yet, oooof— navigating the holiday table can feel like House of the Flying Daggers, but instead of daggers it’s questions about jobs and housing and love interests and income and life goals and babies, all zinged at us over mashed potatoes and Nana’s famous dinner rolls.
Julia Brenner
Nov 23, 2016
A Refreshingly Realistic, “Good Enough” Plan for Cleaning Before Hosting Houseguests
As we’re heading into the season of potlucks, cookie exchanges, and cocktail parties, let’s remember that our friends and family are coming over to spend this special time with us, not to judge our homes. Even if we’d like everything to be “perfect,” we only need to tackle a few issues to make our homes welcoming and inviting.
Julia Brenner
Nov 17, 2016
17 Ridiculous Design-Related Pick Up Lines to Use at Holiday Parties
It’s holiday party season, which means ample opportunities for awkward exchanges with your office crush, your neighbor crush, or your longtime friend crush (huzzah?). Ok, more like blergh. So just for fun, since we’re all design fans, let’s imagine a world where, instead of stilted small talk about craft beers or Netflix shows, we exchanged design-related pick up lines…a world like this: *Okay, no one said these were any good, but please do report back if you try one!
Julia Brenner
Nov 17, 2016
Two Explorers Pursuing a Life in Chicago with Small Riches & Big Adventures
Globe-traveling, curio-collecting, working professionals by day and co-creators of an animated series by night. They’re building a life together rooted in a love of travel and exploration, fueled by intellectual curiosity and creativity. They’re smart and warm and possess Jedi-level cocktail making skills. Here’s life with Mark and Noelle… Mark and Noelle live in a flat in Chicago’s Avondale/Logan Square neighborhood.
Julia Brenner
Oct 5, 2016
The Grocery Store Purchase that Helps You Keep a Neater Home
In my post, 5 Apartment Therapy Tips I Use All the Time, I noted that keeping fresh flowers around the house inspires me in unexpected ways—it lifts my mood and helps me keep a neater home. Makes sense? Sounds hokey? A little of both? Turns out there’s some science behind this! We’ve included buying flowers in the Cure assignments for years. Maxwell has promoted this simple practice as an easy and affordable way to add beauty to our homes and lift our spirits.
Julia Brenner
Aug 21, 2016
Molly & Daniel: The Freelance Life in LA
Molly and Daniel are true blue partners in crime. They live together in a 1920’s-era Los Feliz apartment, work together as business partners, and support each other’s freelance work goals. They’re also great storytellers, fun to be around, and, as far as cute couples go, they’re like Olympic ice skating team cute. Here’s life with Molly and Daniel… The story of Molly and Daniel starts off with a simple twist of fate.
Julia Brenner
Mar 16, 2016
Ok, We Give: Enough with “Curate”!
You’ve all been saying it for years in the Apartment Therapy commenting community: “curate” is overused. I’ll admit I was ambivalent, but after hearing someone put down their own lovely, charming home because they think it’s not “well curated”, I’m ready to join the cool-it-with-curate-club. Who’s with me? I’ll curate some signs.
Julia Brenner
Jun 12, 2015
Stephen & Antwann’s Cool, Clever Home
Name: Stephen Stocker and Antwann Nourse Location: Andersonville, Chicago, Illinois Size: 1,100 square feet Years lived in: 2 years Two items I spotted at Stephen and Antwann’s home: A book by Nate Berkus and a painting of the Superman “S”. So what do you get when you cross Superman with Nate Berkus?
Julia Brenner
Dec 20, 2013
Before & After: Home Office Gets a Light & Lively Makeover
Wendy from Designed to Dwell had a perfectly nice formal study, yet she came to a realization I think we’ve all had at some point: sometimes what we think we like isn’t our style after all. Check out how Wendy lightened and brightened to create a completely fresh new room that’s much more her. After living with the formal study for a few years, Wendy realized her study needed a makeover.
Julia Brenner
Oct 23, 2013
The Perfect Cocktail Party Playlist
Getting ready for a holiday cocktail party and thinking of putting the ole iPod on shuffle? The convenience may seem tempting, but take an hour and make a playlist instead. Cocktail parties are the time to break out the red lipstick, the fanciest drinks, the funniest stories, and the bounciest music. If you can make a playlist that will have your guests shimmying, singing, and flirting, then you’ve set the stage for a swinging night.
Julia Brenner
Dec 5, 2012