Our TeamLJ Smelker

LJ Smelker

Brooklyn, NY

About Me

I recently graduated with a Bachelor's in Fashion Media and a double minor in Styling and English. I grew up in a small town on Lake Michigan, and I always try to soak up as much sun as possible when visiting home. I moved to NYC for college and have made Brooklyn my permanent home. Since I have celiac disease, I love exploring local gluten-free cafes or bakeries, and I’m constantly reading and bringing my latest book wherever I go.

I was Dorm Therapy's Editorial Intern in the spring of 2025 and immediately knew that Apartment Therapy Media was meant to be home in my post-grad career. I'm passionate about telling people's stories and helping readers be inspired by the world and homes others create. I write Before & After pieces that show transformations and how anything is attainable when you have a little inspiration and a whole lot of elbow grease.


Latest Stories

This Once-Plain Kid’s Bedroom Got a Bold Color-Drenched Makeover
Kara Hobbs used a few existing items from the room and added bold colors to create an engaging space to rest, read, and play.
Apr 9, 2026
This Yard Is an Ojai Oasis That’s Perfect for Relaxing and Entertaining
“We transformed a yard with a chain-link fence and no privacy into an oasis,” says Rebecca Taylor, a food stylist, photographer, and content creator living in Ojai, California, with her partner, Max. Over the past four years, they’d been slowly remodeling their 1960s ranch-style home, but their overgrown yard became neglected while they focused on making the inside of the house a place where the three of them (including their dog, Oli) could start a life together.
Apr 8, 2026
An Interior Designer Hand-Painted Her DIY “Wallpaper” for $100
The Michigan-based interior designer hand-painted a floral design on her bedroom walls — adding a stunning detail to her creative, lived-in family home.
Apr 2, 2026
I Can’t Get Over the Cuteness of This Functional Wall Decor Idea
BRB, running to get my own board to decorate!
Mar 21, 2025
10 Spring Break Items I Always Forget to Pack (but You Shouldn’t!)
Follow this list, and you'll avoid an "oops!" once you get there.
Mar 10, 2025