See Inside a 400-Square-Foot Boston Studio That Rents for $2050 a MonthTours
See how this renter decorated her small Boston studio apartment with ultra-minimal, calming vibes.
Jan 25, 2024
This Graphic Designer’s Boston Apartment Was Designed Around the ArtTours
See inside this graphic designer and painter’s Beacon Hill rental where the furniture and decor was designed around the art, not the other way around.
Dec 18, 2023
These Renters Have Painted Every Wall and DIYed It AllTours
When Justine and her spouse, Fen, moved in, they only had a mattress and some hand-me-downs, but over nearly a decade they’ve painted every wall at least once and thrifted, rewired, and DIYed it all.
Dec 1, 2023
This 400-Square-Foot Boston Studio Apartment Uses Every Inch WiselyTours
This is Jacqueline’s first time living without roommates, and she’s made her small space bright and cozy with colorful rugs, green plants, and lots of mirrors to reflect sunlight.
Nov 30, 2023
This Darling 1850s Boston Studio Has Been Elegantly Renovated
Living
The built-in Murphy bed is shockingly chic.
Oct 5, 2023
A 511-Square-Foot Boston Studio Apartment Is Warm and InvitingTours
Colorful prints pop among the cool-toned modern, rustic furniture in this studio apartment.
Jul 24, 2023
Peek Inside This Modern Houseboat — It Comes with a Giant Roof Deck
Property Crush
All aboard!
Jun 15, 2023
A 200-Square-Foot Boston Studio Has Made Distinct "Rooms" Despite a Small LayoutTours
"Be intentional with the pieces you bring into your home, and use online room planning sites to get a feel of which layout works best," says renter Shelby Crane.
Jul 10, 2021
This Apartment Is So Creative & Colorful It Doesn't Feel Small at All Tours
Living on her own has given Renata the opportunity to decorate to her heart's content and really explore her style.
Jun 23, 2021
A Small, Stylish Studio Apartment Doesn't Feel the Least Bit 'Dorm-y'Tours
Marble contact paper, wallpaper, and Facebook Marketplace finds were all used to personalize this university student's apartment, especially her small bedroom.
Feb 24, 2021
A Cute 330-Square-Foot Rental Features Temporary Updates & Smart Storage IdeasTours
This renter hasn't been afraid to make temporary improvements like swapping out ugly kitchen pendants lights, switching out cabinet knobs, and more to create a gorgeous home.
Jan 4, 2021
B&A: A Tiny, Dated Condo Transformation Is Unbelievable Tours
Amazingly, Tim bought nothing new for his condo remodel, opting to visit local secondhand shops and estate sales as well as scouring Craigslist.
Nov 6, 2020
A Small Boston Apartment Has a Cute Renter-Friendly DIY Headboard WallTours
This apartment has a lot of renter-friendly ideas and inspiration!
Sep 21, 2020
7 Ideas to Steal from the Boston Magazine Design HomeDesign Ideas
A couple weeks ago, I got to preview the beautiful Boston Magazine Design Home 2014 in Salisbury, Ma. While I was inspired by many of the rooms and green features of this net zero energy home, these were the seven décor ideas I wanted to steal for my own space: Note: While its eco-friendliness is a huge draw, I’m going to focus on purely decorating tips. To find out more about its energy efficient features, visit the Design Home website. Here are my seven decorating ideas to steal: 1.
Jul 17, 2020
The Most Expensive Cities in the World for Renters Are in the USReal Estate
Everybody knows the rent is stupid high in San Francisco, New York City, and Boston — it’s one of those sad running jokes, an absurdity that’s nonetheless become an accepted fact of life at this point. But a new study by London real-estate startup Nested shows that America’s most notoriously expensive rental markets are now the priciest in the whole world.
Jul 17, 2020
A Large Loft Apartment Has 20-Foot Ceilings, Over 40 Plants, and a MotorcycleTours
This apartment is one of hundreds in this building, which used to be a huge wood working mill many years ago.
Jun 10, 2020
Apartment Therapy’s News and Culture Editor Lives in a Bold ‘Boho Rainbow Brite’ Boston HomeTours
Our News and Culture Editor wears rainbows, sports rainbow hair, and even has prisms in her windows that throw rainbows all day.
May 20, 2020
B&A: This Rental Was Transformed With Contact Paper, Paint, and Thrift Finds Tours
Taylored DIY transformed this rental apartment with elements like faux marble counter covering, paint and supplies for painting cabinets, and thrifted/yard sale furniture finds.
Mar 12, 2020
Before & After: Melissa’s “Cloffice” on a BudgetHome Projects
The challenge (and fun!) of small space living is finding the best use for every inch. Even though tiny apartments are usually short on closet space, a place to stash your suitcases is less useful if what you really need is an office. Melissa put her closet to work for her — for only $130!Melissa Massello is the Stealfinder in Chief of Shoestring Magazine, and with a title like that, you know she’s looking to save a buck.
Mar 11, 2020
Alexandra & John’s Clusters of ColorTours
Names: Alexandra Grenham, her husband, John, and their two daughtersLocation: North End — Boston, MassachusettsSize: 1,336 square feetYears lived in: 1 year; owned When I saw Alexandra’s House Call last month, I was excited to get the job of shooting the full tour. Like you, I couldn’t wait to see more of the beautiful brick and beam loft peppered with bursts of color.
Dec 19, 2019
This Colorful Boston Kitchen Revamp is Filled with Clever Storage Nooks
STYLE
A little bit of color goes a long way in this gut renovated Beacon Hill kitchen by designer Liz Caan.
Dec 19, 2019
Every Room in This Apartment Is Gorgeous, But the Pink Kitchen Is Just PerfectTours
There are bold patterns, cool colors, and even a pair of Lady Gaga's 12-inch stilettos.
Dec 11, 2019
It's Incredible How Good This Rental's DIY Peel and Stick Kitchen Floor LooksTours
It's amazing how such a simple and affordable solution has made such a huge difference!
Nov 11, 2019
A Rental Home’s Tiny Bathroom Shows the Power of a Cheery Shower CurtainTours
Though her bathroom is quite small, this renter still wanted to give it a fun pop of color and pattern, using an Apartment Therapy favorite shower curtain.
Oct 17, 2019
This Boston Loft Is Bright, Bohemian, and Extremely BeautifulTours
With all the abundance of natural light in this Boston loft, it’s like living in a greenhouse!
Sep 6, 2019
Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen List Their Massachusetts Home for $39.5 MillionReal Estate
The sprawling five-bed, five-and-a-half bath estate the beloved New England Patriots quarterback shares with his wife, supermodel/entrepreneur Gisele Bundchen, is officially on the market.
Aug 7, 2019
House Tour: Katin & Brandon’s North Shore CapeTours
Name: Katin & BrandonLocation: Marblehead, MASize: Just under 2000 sq/ft (includes full unfinished basement)Years lived in: Owned since October 2008 Last week you saw the kitchen, then the bathroom, and now it’s time for the whole house. Katin & Brandon made a big move about 5 months ago: from a 600 sq/ft apartment in Cambridge to this roomy cape in Marblehead.
Jul 11, 2019
Dan’s Kitchen: The Big RevealHome Projects
Name: Dan Bailey Type of Project: Kitchen remodel Location: East Boston, Boston, Massachusetts Type of building: 2nd Floor Condo in a Greek-Revival Row House At times, it may have seemed like the Kitchen Renovation That Would Never End. In fact, Dan had the dubious honor of edging out Christine and Pierre for Longest Renovation Diary Project to Date — but through all the setbacks and pitfalls and I-had-no-idea-this-would-take-so-longs, Dan stayed strong.
Jun 26, 2019
How To: Hang a Quilt ArtisticallyHome Projects
The large expanse of white wall in our guest room bored us terribly, and we didn’t have any idle artwork lying around that we could use to jazz it up. Then it dawned on us – we have a fantastic New England quilt, which was revealing only a smidgen of its beauty folded at the end of my bed. This colorful piece of art, found by our mom at a quintessential New Hampshire auction, could be displayed in all its glory! What a perfect match for the lonely white wall….
May 10, 2019
Reed’s Soft, Starry SpaceDesign Ideas
Name: Reed Location: Boston, MA Room Size: 10′ x 12′ When I found out that my friend Dina was pregnant with her second baby, I knew it was going to be a showstopper of a nursery. You see, Dina is a DIY maven with an amazing eye. Although the nursery looks like a million bucks, she managed to put her DIY touch on nearly everything – from the curtains to the artwork to the showstopper ceiling.
May 4, 2019
This Guy Has a Constant Stream of Visitors Because of Pokémon GoLife
Pokémon Go, the latest must-play mobile game that launched last week in the US, uses augmented reality to populate your neighborhood with the the little monsters. While people were out exploring the real world for these virtual creatures, one Massachusetts man had a lot of unintended visitors because of it. Boon Sheridan lives in a converted church.
May 3, 2019
The Handmaid’s Tale Season Two Shows an Eerie Futuristic BostonLife
While season two of The Handmaid’s Tale was shot in Toronto, its events are set pretty heavily in Boston so far — or at least, in former Boston. The first two episodes of the new season of Hulu’s original series about a dystopian future dropped this week, and a new episode will air each Wednesday until all ten are live. Slight spoilers for the first two episodes follow.
May 3, 2019
This Modern Boston Carriage House Has the Dreamiest Sunroom EverTours
Name: Melissa Miranda and Ulises Serret, their son Alex, and cats Tammy and Siddharta Location: Harrison Hill — Boston, Massachusetts Size: 2,400 square feet Years lived in: 7 years; Owned Nearly a decade ago, interior designer Melissa Miranda moved into her now-husband’s home in the Harrison Hill area of Dorchester in Boston.
Apr 30, 2019
Easygoing, Nautical New England Style in BostonTours
Name: Philip Saul and his cat, Toby Location: South End; Boston, Massachusetts Years lived in: 8 years; Rented For Philip Saul, his South End apartment boasts two major advantages: the incredible amount of natural light his large south-facing windows offer, and the ridiculously short commute to his men’s clothing shop, SAULT New England. Much like his brick and mortar store, Philip’s apartment is easygoing, and reflective of his passion for sourcing New England-inflected decor.
Apr 30, 2019
Nick & Katie Redefine “Cozy” in Boston’s South EndTours
Names: Katie Kavanagh and Nick Kuizenga Location: South End — Boston, Massachusetts Size: 550 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years; Rented Many of us have learned that in the world of apartment hunting, the word “cozy” is often a euphemism for “small.” And Nick and Katie’s apartment, part of a brownstone that was once a single family home, is no exception.
Apr 30, 2019
Simple, Cozy American Classic Style in 600 Square FeetTours
Name: Alejandra Bennett and Oliver Katz Location: Beacon Hill — Boston, MA Size: 600 square feet Years lived in: 1 year; rented Alejandra Bennett and Oliver Katz’s s light-filled Beacon Hill apartment in Boston is a convergence of new and old, near and far. The couple has filled the apartment with hand-me-downs and inherited family pieces, budget solutions and quality staples purchased for their first place together.
Apr 30, 2019
A Successful Rental Search: Settling Down in the Heart of BostonTours
Name: Max Shay, Emily Billings, and their cat, Snowboots Location: South End — Boston, Massachusetts Size: 655 square feet Years lived in: Rented 5 months As you may remember, a couple years ago, Max and I left our city life behind for rural New England where we moved into an old farmhouse with plenty of room to roam.
Apr 30, 2019
A Bright Boston Victorian with a Modern TwistTours
Name: Justin and Anna Spaller + Cat, Oscar Location: Savin Hill — Boston, Massachusetts Size: 600 square feet Years lived in: Rented 1 year Two years ago, Justin and I had no idea we would end up living in an old Boston neighborhood, let alone in a beautiful 19th century Victorian home. At that time, we were Midwest natives turned Brooklynites, planning a big farewell to the city that never sleeps after four years.
Apr 30, 2019
A Photographer’s “Found & Foraged” South End Row HouseTours
Name: Li Ward and husband Dan Location: South End — Boston, Masschusetts Size: 1,380 square feet Years lived in: 10 years, owned Li Ward and her husband Dan initially met through their work as computer science professionals, but after a decade in the industry, Li decided it wasn’t the right future for her. Around 2009, Li took the plunge into full-time freelance photography after seeing a West Coast friend succeeding at the same thing.
Apr 30, 2019
A Boston Home Inspired by Travel and All Things BeautifulTours
Name: Milicent Armstrong, Brian, and Gerry Location: South End — Boston, Massachusettes Size: 1,800 square feet Years lived in: 5 years, owned Walking into Milicent’s South End home is like being invited into a small oasis. Upon entering, guests step into a hallway with soaring ceilings and beautiful wallpaper.
Apr 30, 2019
Empty Nesters Renovate a Dark and Dated CondoTours
Name: Mary and Tom Eirich Location: Watertown, Massachusetts Size: 1,100 square feet Years Lived In: 2 years, owned We had previously lived in Belmont, Massachusetts, for 30 years and had decided, as empty nesters, to move to the north shore, not far from the ocean. After a few years of being further from our children (and, eventually, grandchildren) and also missing the conveniences and cultural benefits of being close to the city, we decided to look at real estate closer to Boston.
Apr 29, 2019
Get the Look: Pared-Down ComfortTours
As a writer and photographer for Apartment Therapy, Emily Billings knows that readers look to House Tours for inspiration. She was kind enough to provide a glimpse into her Boston apartment—where she lives with her partner Max— and also provides links to most of the items in her beautiful home. Check them out below.
Apr 6, 2019
Tamara’s Quirky Cape Town HomeTours
Name: Tamara and her children, Jonah and Sophia-Rose, and their Boston Terrier, Ollie. Location: Cape Town, South Africa Size: 2583 square feet Years lived in: 15 years; Owned Vintage lovers will take great delight in discovering Tamara’s charming collections spread throughout her home. Nostalgic kitchen scales, glass perfume bottles and china tea cups to name a few. Tamara has a creative eye and a real flair for curating vignettes and quirky nooks.
Apr 2, 2019
FollainTours
Name: Tara Foley of Follain Location: 53 Dartmouth Street, South End; Boston, Massachusetts Size: 350 square feet Years at location: Opened in July 2013 Follain — Gaelic for “healthy, wholesome, and sound” — is just that. After realizing just how toxic beauty products were, Tara Foley began researching skin nutrition, ingredients, and chemicals.
Feb 20, 2019
Ashley & Bryan’s Northern ComfortTours
Name: Ashley & Bryan Norwood Location: Cambridgeport; Cambridge, MA Size: 440 square feet Years lived in: 6 years; Rented Filled with bright personality and space-conscious items, Ashley and Bryan’s apartment in the Cambridgeport neighborhood of Cambridge, MA, feels full but not cluttered. An intrinsic balance exists here—his and hers, style and function—and everything feels well-used and loved.
Feb 20, 2019
Julie’s South End JewelTours
Name: Julie Judson Location: South End; Boston, Massachusetts Size: 779 square feet Years lived in: 2 years; Owned Julie’s enthusiasm is contagious and her hospitality undeniable, so it’s no wonder this Texas transplant has been wildly successful engaging Boston-area millennials in supporting her passion: the arts. When you step into her apartment, you feel immediately at home.
Feb 20, 2019
A Colorful, Maximalist Mini-Museum in MassachusettsTours
Name: Hank Scollard and his two cats Location: Inman Square — Cambridge, Massachusetts Size: 1,200 square feet Years lived in: 16 years; Rented When Hank Scollard was a child growing up in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn, Michigan, his mom would take him to open houses. The family wasn’t looking to move, but Hank’s mom loved to glimpse how others lived in and decorated their homes.
Feb 20, 2019
Grant’s 350-Square-Foot Sleek StudioTours
Name: Grant Devine Location: Fort Point — Boston, Massachusetts Size: 350 square feet Years lived in: 2 years; Rented On the way up from the trendy lobby in Grant’s building—a recently converted shoe factory in the rapidly developing Fort Point neighborhood—he tells me that a year ago it would have been unimaginable to invite a photographer into his home. He explains that in his first year here, he did little more than move in the essentials.
Feb 20, 2019
A “California Cool” Condo in a Former Elementary SchoolTours
Name: Steve and Robin Anderson and their two sons Location: Cambridgeport — Cambridge, Massachusetts Size: 1,700 square feet Years lived in: 8 years; Owned Robin and Steve’s condo in a former elementary school is a playful convergence of colors and textures. It’s an ode to surf, sand and sun. But it wasn’t always that way. They purchased the condo pre-construction almost a decade ago, when the developer was still in the process of converting the school into residences.
Feb 20, 2019
Get the Look: Classic & Crisp With Modern FlairTours
Keeping a 600 square foot space fresh and simple is more affordable than you might think. Alejandra and Oliver have filled their Boston apartment with both old and new while keeping their space timeless and bright. Use their shopping resource list to get this look and make it your own without breaking the bank!
Feb 19, 2019
The “Ralph Lauren’s Son Returning from Study Abroad in Stockholm” ApartmentTours
Name: Elijah Clark-Ginsberg Location: Somerville, Massachusetts Size: 450(ish) square feet Years lived in: 2 years, rented Elijah, a well-traveled marketer and designer, moved into his beautiful one-bedroom rental in Somerville two years ago. This West Coaster turned East Coaster now draws design inspiration from the collegiate, preppy feel of the New England area, and his love for international travel.
Feb 19, 2019
A “Junk Chic” Home in Boston’s South EndTours
Name: Christa Cardwell Location: South End — Boston, Massachusetts Size: 550 square feet Years lived in: Rented 10 years According to Christa Cardwell, her 550 square foot apartment in Boston’s South End is full of junk. When asked to describe her style, she laughs. “Junk Chic? Is that a thing?” Christa grew up in New England before moving to Austin, Texas, where she worked as a graphic designer.
Feb 19, 2019
A Collected & Tailored Boston RentalTours
Name: Christine Gasparich and her husband Location: Beacon Hill neighborhood — Boston, Massachusetts Size: 1100 square feet Years lived in: Renting 2 years In 2014, Christine’s husband was accepted to graduate school in Boston, so they sold their D.C. house, sold or stored most of their furniture, and moved to Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood for two years. “I am an interior designer.
Feb 19, 2019
A Boston Interior Designer’s Blend of Old & NewTours
Name: Alissa Lenore Minehart, owner of Lenore Design, and family Location: Newton, Massachusetts Size: 1,400 square feet Years lived in: Rented 2 ½ years Over the past two years, interior designer Alissa of Lenore Design has had the task of turning her family’s rental into a home. With an industrial feel (“overhead pipes and very little overhead lighting”), the space wasn’t an easy project to tackle.
Feb 19, 2019
A Couple Finds a New Home in an Old SchoolTours
Name: Austin Young and Jeremy Rodgers Location: Jamaica Plain — Boston, Massachusetts Size: 800 square feet Years lived in: 1 Year, renting Jeremy Rodgers and Austin Young’s apartment in a converted schoolhouse in Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood feels much larger than its 800 square feet. Simultaneously sparse and personal, with soaring ceilings and an open layout, their place achieves the ultimate apartment goal: comfort without the clutter.
Feb 19, 2019
The Price of Spite: Boston’s Skinny House Is For Sale For $895KReal Estate
Before people threw shade and sent subtweets, they built spite houses. One of the more famous real estate clap backs is Boston’s Skinny House, and it is currently for sale. Spite houses are exactly what they sound like: real estate built to spite someone else by blocking a view, annoying a neighbor, or to get around a zoning law. There’s usually an interesting story attached, and who doesn’t like a home with its own legend?
Feb 4, 2019
8 Homes You Could Buy For the Price of a Super Bowl AdReal Estate
It doesn’t matter if you’re rooting for the Pats or the Rams. If you’re a Super Bowl advertiser, then your business is already a winner. But it’ll certainly cost you: a 30-second spot during this Sunday’s battle on the football field costs a brand a whopping $5 million. The folks at realtor.
Feb 1, 2019
The Historic John Proctor House, Dating Back to the 17th Century, Is for SaleReal Estate
An important piece of American history just hit the market, just weeks before Halloween. Originally belonging to John Proctor and his wife, Elizabeth, the John Proctor house is a 3,910-square-foot First Period colonial filled with history. Built in 1638 in Peabody, Massachusetts, the home became instantly associated with the Salem Witch Trails when Proctor was hanged after being falsely accused and convicted of witchcraft. Currently listed at $600,000 by Joseph Cipoletta, an agent for J.
Oct 15, 2018
This “Hogwarts” Like Home In Boston Can Be Yours, If You Can Accio $799KReal Estate
Many of us have settled with the fact that the closest we’ll come to living in an enchanted, sprawling mansion is locating our respective Hogwarts houses on Pottermore (thanks, Sorting Hat). However, for would-be homeowners who are expeditiously piecing together a fairytale lifestyle in the real world, here’s a beautiful Boston home that certainly matches the grand vision.
Jun 14, 2018