Rachael Grad

Name: Rachael & Cassidy (1-year old Doodle, a Dashchund-Poodle mix)Location: U Street Corridor, Washington, DC Size: 1,025 square feetYears lived in: 2.5 My home is a mini-design lab, where I’ve tried out many of the inspiring ideas shown on Apartment Therapy. I replaced the barn door with sliding bookcases — my version of a secret passageway — and tried out my favorite colors and ideas.

Name: WillLocation: Cabbagetown; Toronto, OntarioSize: 1,300 sq. feetYears lived in: 4.5 years owned We last visited Will’s English Gentry in Cabbagetown in the summer of 2010. While there wasn’t much to improve on since then, Will has moved around furniture, acquired some new accessories and renovated his furnace room. So this tour shows details missed in the first tour and focuses on the small changes that alter the feel of the space.

Name: Mazen El-Abdallah, founder of Mazen StudioLocation: Leslieville, Toronto, OntarioSize: 900 square feetYears lived in: 4 years owned When Mazen bought his townhouse, the space was divided into small rooms. Coming from a loft, Mazen wanted this home to have an open feel. Thanks to Mazen’s renovation and interior design, the house now feels like one big space with the upstairs living room area connected to the downstairs.

Names: Anna and DanOccupation: co-owners of Goodwood DC; Anna is also a co-owner of the interior designer firm “Old School Interiors” Other Occupants: cats Mouse and Doddy (18 and 19 years old)Location: Logan Circle, Washington DCBuilding Type: industrial building built between 1890 and 1911; functioned as an upscale laundry facility whose clients included the White HouseSize: about 2000 sq.ft.

Name: WillLocation: Cabbagetown, Toronto, OntarioSize: 1,300 sq. feetYears lived in: owned for three years Six years ago, Will arrived in Canada from the U.K. with a few suitcases of clothing. Since then, Will has built up his ideal home with personal objects and furniture that combine elements of his homeland and adopted city. His self-described style: “landed gentry with a North American twist.

Name: AlexOccupation: owner of dog-walking company Loyal CompanyLocation: U Street Corridor, Washington DCSize: 1,200 square feetLived in: rented for 4 yearsOther Occupants: Louis, a 4-year old Italian greyhound >> Each room of Alex’s shotgun apartment has its own decor theme: the Diane Vreeland-inspired red living room; the green room; the calm bedroom; and the “bruised” hallway. The long, shotgun apartment layout lends itself well to different decor in each room.

Name: KellyOccupation: self-employed, consults from homeLocation: Adams Morgan, Washington DCSize: about 450 sq.ft.Lived in: rented for 2 years >> found chair.> Kelly combines found objects and store-bought items with her own artwork and finishing touches. None of the furniture in Kelly’s studio cost more than $200. Kelly is not afraid to make bold changes to her decor and furniture and is constantly replacing places and making them over.

Name: AdamLocation: Dupont Circle, Washington, DCSize: 625 sq ft condYears lived in: 7 years, ownedResidence Type: condo building designed by architect Harry Wardman in 1916 Adam shares his condo with his two cats, Jonas and Ezekiel (named after the Indigo Girls’ song). Always a neat-freak, Adam had to make some concessions when he adopted his two cats. Adam designed a cat tunnel, which leads the cats from the hall to their litter box in the closet….