Leela Cyd

Name: Krystal Bick Location: Hayes Valley — San Francisco, California Size: 400 square feet Years lived in: 3 — rented Krystal Bick’s style blog showcases all of her designer duds and playful outfits. Her studio with attached kitchen and rather large closet reflects her fashion sense perfectly — eclectic, feminine, clean and glamorous. Krystal’s space is small but efficient.

Setting up a first studio at home doesn’t have to be a daunting affair. With a few inexpensive solutions, you can photograph small objects with terrific results. And you can take the principles of this contrived setting out with you into the world when shooting outside of your studio.

Name: Joan Hiller Location: North East, Portland, Oregon Size: 432 square feet Years lived in: 1 year; rented Joan is a music publicist, painter and all–around creative, energetic lady. Her apartment functions as her office and her painting studio; she shares the space with her companion of almost thirty years, her turtle Sheldon. Spending time in Joan’s apartment was like watching her consciousness explode into a living space.

Name: Caitlin Flemming Location: Presidio Heights — San Francisco, CA Size: 725 square feet Years lived in: 7 — rented Caitlin’s interior design blog, Sacramento Street, caught my eye a few months ago. I knew my visit to San Francisco would not be complete without a tour of the lovely home of this creative interior designer! Caitlin’s space is small, functional and absolutely adorable.

Name: Julian Grey (2)Location: Beaverton, OregonRoom Size: 10′ x 15′, 150 sq ft Julian Grey’s room stole my heart during my recent visit to the incredible Rummer home of Jonya and Bradley Streeper. It is full of handmade stuffed animals, cherished books and great design ideas for any space.

Name: Jonya and Bradley Streeper (and son Julian Grey)Location: Beaverton — Portland, ORSize: 2,400 square feetYears lived in: 3 — owned Jonya, Brad and their two–year–old son Julian live in one of the most thoughtfully decorated, wonderfully airy homes I’ve had the pleasure of photographing. An open floor plan and tall ceilings allow for a steady stream of unbelievable natural light to flood the entire space.

Name: Phil and Steph Dickinson Location: NorthWest — Portland, Oregon Size: 3,500 square feet Years lived in: 3 — owned Phil, Steph and their children Stan and Mary lived in this daring modern Victorian home that they designed themselves with imagination and style to spare. Their quirky British sensibilities and strong DIY ethic are visible in each and every room.

Name: Scott Radabaugh Location: St. Johns neighborhood in the North part of Portland, OregonYears lived in: 6 1/2 Scott’s home is full of personality, DIYs, vintage curios and thrifted artwork. It’s a space that perfectly reflects the creative sensibility and quirky touch of this talented color/pattern designer in Portland, Oregon.

Name: Holly, Ryan and their son AugustLocation: Portland, OregonSize: 1200 sq ftYears lived in: 5 Holly is one of Portland’s most celebrated fashion designers. After photographing the sweet shop she co-owns, I had a hunch that the qualities I found in her clothing line—romance, inspiration from past eras and subtle palette—would be echoed in her home. I hunched right! Join me for a tour of a mellow, beautiful home. Holly and Ryan have a great touch in their home.

Name: Penelope, Nathan and Bell MillerLocation: Portland, OregonYears lived in: 2 Penelope and Nathan turned a broken down house in North East Portland into a handmade palace full of personality and joy — the perfect spot to raise their 20 month old daughter, Bell, and even have leftover room for guests and grandparents. When Penelope needed a bit of peace and contemplation, they built an outdoor lounge room completely from reclaimed, tossed–aside materials.

Name: Laura LeonLocation: Kerns neighborhood — Portland, OregonSize: 1,010 square feetYears lived in: 2 1/2 years — rented Laura’s a color and materials consultant, trend forecaster and photographer. Another notch to her freelancing belt she should think of including? Interior designer! With her eye for quality vintage, simple colors and personal details, this woman is an artist with her home.

Name: Nina Bakos Location: South East — Portland, Oregon Size: Approximately 500 square feet Years lived in: 2 — rented Nina’s job is to make objects fit into a space just right as a product merchandiser for Nike, so it’s no surprise her studio is arranged with love, care and impeccable taste. Her biggest design inspiration? The aesthetic of her Finnish mother and Slovac father. Great style runs in the family.

Name: Greg Hennes & Grey Helvey Location: South East — Portland, OregonSize: approximately 1600 square feetYears lived in: 6 months — rented Greg and Grey moved into their studio loft in January of this year. The vibe they’ve created is one of serene calm, mixed with innovation and creativity. The space is astounding, full of open air and light — it’s the ideal showcase for their Antler & Co. handmade goods.

Name: David Florimbi and Nancy SimonLocation: Santa BarbaraYears lived in: 6 Nancy and David moved into a single story ranch style home in the hills of Santa Barbara, California six years ago. They preserved the bones, but opened up many of the rooms and gave the whole thing a coat of fresh white paint. The open floor plan, combined with large windows and a vibrant color palette, give this home an air of exotic getaway.

Name: Samantha, Lindsay and UshaLocation: Downtown — Santa Barbara, CaliforniaSize: 1,500 square feetYears lived in: 2 Samantha, Lindsey and their housemate, Usha, have made a sunshine–drenched home of their own with a few coats of paint, some great DIYs and a whole lot of art work made by family members. Their laid back style is both accessible and inspiring.

Name: Kirsten and Kyle NiemanLocation: NE Portland, Oregon Years lived in: almost 4Kristen is a home decor maven with an eye for upcycling and reclaiming cast away items from Craigslist, garage sales and friends. Her home is relaxed and beautiful with a predominate palette of grayish tones, whites, neutrals and pops of yellow. Join us for tea and a tour of this 1925 Portland, Oregon bungalow.Kristen’s interest in decor and styling is apparent in every room of her home.

Name: Julie Montgomery and son, Henry Location: Carpinteria, California Size: 400 square feet Years lived in: 3 Julie and her young son, Henry, were offered the chance to live at the base of a tropical fruit farm in Southern California, about a mile from the Pacific ocean. Included in the deal was a small studio within the packing facility to create her large–scale abstract paintings. Too good to be true, right? The only catch?

Name: Penny, Petra and Sydney CortrightLocation: The Mesa — Santa Barbara, CaliforniaSize: 2,600 square feet (including a 600 square foot attached studio rental)Years lived in: 20 — owned Never have I turned a corner to face a staircase that literally reads, painted on the stairs, “And I’ll Buy You a Stairway to Heaven.” This detail leads to many more creative twists and turns, as I toured this unique home on the top of a hill in Santa Barbara.

Name: Joan and Jim TannerLocation: Santa Barbara, CaliforniaSize: ampleYears lived in: 45 Joan and Jim live in one of the most artful, layered homes I’ve ever come across. It is at once cozy, enchanting, exuberant, chic and family-centered. Their space is truly a reflection of what full, vibrant lives Joan and Jim have led as an artist and a doctor. Join me in the hills of Santa Barbara for a unique glimpse into a remarkable home.

Name: Heidi and DavidLocation: Downtown — Portland, OregonSize: 900 sq ft Years lived in: 6 months — rented When Heidi and David relocated to Portland, Oregon from Brooklyn a few months ago, they hoped to find a place in an urban neighborhood, close to the farmer’s market and city life. They found just that in an open live/work loft they share with their cat, Gypsy.

Name: Lola, Eric and MenaLocation: NE Portland, OregonSize: 1250 sqftYears lived in: just under 1 Lola and Eric live in a unique modern space full of clean lines, huge windows, and simple furniture. Stylish design aside, it’s their happy smiles and laughter while hanging out with 3 year-old daughter Mena that stands out as the most wonderful feature of the home. Lola and Eric, both engineers from the East Coast, moved to Portland, Oregon about five years ago.

Name: Jered and Jessica Bogli Location: NE Portland, OregonSize: 3600 sq ft Years lived in: 3ish Jessica and Jered’s abode is as environmentally conscious as it is luxurious. With its roof-top solar-collectors that provide heat 10 months of the year, the overflowing edible garden and the outside/inside use of lovely porch space, this home embodies high-end green style. Jessica and Jered came upon their extraordinary space a few years ago after Jessica repeatedly jogged by building project.