Vintage

"As a plant-collecting maximalist, I've blended greenery and decor to create such a peaceful and nature-inspired vibe," writes homeowner Jeremy Rebelo.

Justine added removable peel-and-stick tile backsplash, changed out handles and outlet covers, and installed new overhead light fixtures to transform this 600-square-foot rental.

“I’d also describe my home as mid-century-Parisian,” writes renter Anna. “I even have a bunch of decor that came straight from the set dec department of 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'!”

Gina’s been renting this micro studio for 7 years, and has made tons of improvements to make it functional, including a very cool custom multi-purpose table she made with her dad.

Gunn enjoys the challenge of maximizing a small space. For example, the space doesn’t have a kitchen, but Gunn’s set up a movable cart for warming food and making drinks. “It’s just enough for what I need,” he shares.

Amber Sherman has filled her home with all of her favorite things: “Pastels, carousels, candy, rainbows, carnivals, fairs, unicorns, fairies, nature, Alice in Wonderland, cats, rubber-faced vintage plushies, circuses, and iridescent anything!”

It’s repainted almost monthly.

Nearly everything in Michaella Becker’s Philadelphia rental is thrifted, DIYed, or trash-picked.

“The aesthetic is a mix of new pieces and antiques that feminize the smokers lounge vibe we associate with masculine spaces in the English stately homes of the early 1900s.”

Graphic designer Min turned her tiny rental into a calm, plant-filled escape — with warm lighting, a hammock, and space for Kuro the dog to lounge.

This apartment was a blank slate in a 1920s building with plenty of charm, but also plenty of room for Kate to add her own personality.

There have been so many changes, and it’s a rental!

Katherine and Jess’s rental is like the “apartment of your favorite lesbian aunts who always give you books for your birthday.”

Though built in 2019, this backyard ADU “immediately felt cozy and lived in because everything in it already had a soul.”

The secondhand custom Pottery Barn couch is the star of the show.

Lexy instantly fell in love with this rental’s vintage charm.” When I first toured this apartment, the sun was streaming through all the windows, reflecting off the mirror doors in my living room.”

After the roller coaster of driving cross country to start their new life in LA., William and Kevan’s goal was to create a “collected, layered, laid back home through blending styles and design periods.”

Tour this couple’s rental home in Astoria, New York, that was in such rough shape before moving in, everything needed painted (and some things completely redone!).

“I want my studio to tell you who I am through its decor; every corner of the flat contains clues as to who I am," explains renter Charlène.

The main feature of this 700-square-foot apartment is a "huge brick wall with a hand-painted advertisement for an old market that used to be in our neighborhood," writes renter Brandon Corcione.

Plus, 90% of the furniture is secondhand.

“My space is slightly cluttered, but also intentional. Everything has a place. Nothing matches perfectly, but goes together. It’s my little urban cottage,” writes Claudia.

Justin Hollinger describes this 1939 Cape Cod house before purchasing it as "[t]ired, run-down, layers of questionable DIY, unfinished projects, cheap fixes."

This rental was sad when Jillian moved in. “It was dark, cold, many things were broken, the vibe was off … ” Jillian put a lot of TLC, love, and effort to turn this dingy rental into an oasis.

When Louise first entered this house, it felt like stepping back in time. "The house was in its original state, with all the 17th century walls and floors, and books were piled high in every room," she writes.

Some people live in New York City for a while, and then, when they start a family or grow tired of the hustle and bustle, they retreat to the suburbs or smaller cities. While it might not be the most common storyline for a family of four to trade their spacious home in Texas for a small apartment in New York City, that’s exactly what Tim and Liz Everett (and their children Ethan and Harper) did.

See inside an Arizona home “packed with fun, nostalgic items in a space full of color.”

As soon as Camille walked into this Pasadena rental apartment in a building built in 1929, it was love. “The stained glass bay window, large bedrooms, in-unit laundry room, and, of course, the original tile bathroom are what sealed the deal for me."

One hundred-plus years of history was erased by cheap paint and $10 boob lights, but now this rental apartment feels like being transported to the South of France.