Boston

Name: Eva, Jack, their 3 year old Eleanor and Robin Williamson the cat Location: Dorchester — Boston, Massachusetts The basics: Four years, owned 1,100 square feet Eva and Jack’s space is like a cozy and welcoming art gallery. After bouncing back from a fire that destroyed most of their belongings, they’ve created a home that feels stylish and exceedingly personal.

Name: Christa Location: South End — Boston, Massachusetts My little home on Dartmouth Street in Boston is my favorite place on Earth. It is about 550 square feet on the parlor level of a brick row house. Being a corner building I have windows on three sides which makes the snug space feel a bit grand. The ceilings are about 10 feet and have one big exposed brick wall in the living/dining room. My style is simple, a mix of affordable staples and found items through the years.

Name: Hilary Location: Back Bay/South End — Boston, Massachusetts My couch, purchased from Zonal Furniture (R.I.P.) in Hayes Valley in San Francisco, California is oddly my pride and joy. I mean, who wouldn’t love a couch made from sustainable materials, delivered by local neighborhood drivers, sold by a Canadian ex-pat from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan? Maybe it’s become my pride and joy because it fits perfectly in my tiny rental studio apartment in Boston, where I live now.

Name: Jesse and Dan Moskowitz and their dog, Stormy Location: Roxbury — Boston, Massachusetts Size: 750 square feet Years lived in: 5.5 years; Rented When you enter Jesse and Dan Moskowitz’s comfy and colorful apartment in Boston’s historic Roxbury neighborhood, two things immediately stand out: the records and the pup. “It’s her apartment,” Dan states matter-of-factly, referring not to Jesse but to Stormy, the four-year-old Moskowitz dog.

Name: Alice Saunders and her pup, Maisey Location: Jamaica Plain; Boston, Massachusetts Size: Approximately 800 square feet Years lived in: 5 1/2 years; Rented Alice Saunders is a prominent figure in the world of artists and makers. A native of New Hampshire, this New England gal is the owner of Forestbound, where she designs and crafts beautiful leather and canvas totes out of vintage materials sourced at flea markets, estate sales, and military shows.

Name: Justin and Madison Power and their schnoodle, Sylvia Location: Roslindale; Boston, Massachusetts Size: 1,200 square feet Years lived in: 3 Months; Rented Justin Power of Pioneer Goods Co. has a bent for good old rustic Americana. The son of an interior designer, Justin spent a great deal of his childhood developing his eye at flea markets and estate sales with his mother. Some twenty years later, Justin curates his own home goods shop in one of Boston’s most popular neighborhoods.

Name: Joe & Rachael Ringenberg, daughters Lux & Joan Location: Beacon Hill; Boston, MA Size: 950 square feet Years lived in: 2 years; Rented Rachael, of Erstwhile Dear, and Joe Ringenberg, a product designer for Wistia, live in this intimate Beacon Hill apartment with their daughters, Lux and Joan. The couple has honed in on a sleepy-minimalist scheme that reflects the abundance of natural light, transforming the attic space into an airy, lived-in nest.

Name: Sofia Location: Waltham, Massachusetts I bought my house about a year ago, on my own. It’s a 1910 New England colonial, which had been rented out for decades. Because of this, the previous owners had neglected to paint over the original wood trim, mess with the steam heat, or do any renovations whatsoever (including the decision not to put something as frivolous as a sink in the main room of the kitchen!).

Name: Matt & Annie Location: Boston My name is Matt. I live with my fiance, Annie, in the heart of Back Bay in Boston, Massachusetts. As a couple, living in a small space (405 sq/ft) can have its challenges. Both Annie and I have a passion for interior design. We worked hard to make sure our small living space was functional while staying true to our classic (with a twist) style. Our little abode has come a long way since we moving in and continues to be a work in progress. Thanks, Matt!

Location: South End; Boston, Massachusetts Size: 1,975 square feet Years lived in: 1 year Abby Ruettgers has seen a lot of change in recent months. A year ago, she was simultaneously renovating her new home and creating a new business. But if you think that’s tough, just try wrangling her Bernese Mountain dogs, Cooper and Keegan. Abby’s store Farm & Fable, specializing in vintage cookbooks and cookwares, opened in November a mere 46 steps from her front door.

Name: Emily & Jonnie Coutu of Hundred Acre Design Location: Worcester, MA My husband Jonnie and I have been renting our 1100 square foot pre-war apartment in Worcester, MA for 5 years. We chose it for its architectural details, high ceilings and large windows, and didn’t mind that it was lacking in some amenities such as a dishwasher, central air and in-unit laundry. As an architectural designer, original moldings trump modern conveniences every time!

Name: Sara & Nick Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts My husband Nick and I have been in our place, a rented one-bedroom, for just six months. It was a scramble to find it—Nick was on the ground looking at apartments in Boston while I trolled my Padmapper alerts from the UK. It was a relief to move in, getting all our stuff out of storage after two years living in China and the UK.

Name: Christine Mitchell and Ted AdamsLocation: Cambridgeport, MassachusettsSize: 850 square feetYears lived in: 1.5 years, rented Style blogger Christine Mitchell of N’East Style has an aesthetic all her own. Inspired by her upbringing in New England, her blog is filled with the lifestyle, fashion and folklore of the region, along with her unique hand-drawn illustrations. Her home reflects both her upbringing and the style she embodies.

Name: Jennifer, Paul and SheaLocation: Boston, MassachusettsSize: 840 square feetYears lived in: 3 years; Rented When I met Jennifer Allen of Market Home she was selling her housewares at the South End Open Market. A set of pristine Kartel ghost chairs, a cast iron antler candleholder and a curvy vintage settee were among the goods that made me stop and take notice.

Name: Melyssa & TedLocation: Arlington, Massachusetts Size: 1,000 square feetYears lived in: 3 years; Rented Entering Melyssa and Ted’s home, I expected to walk out back and see the ocean. Not quite a reality for this 19th century carriage house north of Boston, but that vacation vibe mixed with bright colors and quirky touches creates a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere that’s not afraid of a little sand.

Name: AlexandraLocation: North End – Boston, Massachusetts Our condo, located in the historic North End, is not only our first home, but our dream home as well. We wanted an open space with light and charm (and an elevator) in the heart of the city to raise our kids. When we finally found our home, it was love at first “light:” the sun shining in from the vast windows was almost overwhelming.

Name: Brian & Kerry Grabowski Location: Jamaica Plain — Boston, Massachusetts Size: 800 square feet Years lived in: 4.5 — owned Entering Brian & Kerry’s loft, the first thing you see is the courtyard. It’s hard to miss an entire wall of windows that reaches up to the 18-foot ceilings. “In the winter, it’s like living in a snow globe,” Brian reminisces, “…when it actually snows.

Name: Chris and ErinLocation: Carlisle, MassachusettsSize: 680 square feetYears lived in: only 4 months — rented I’m used to getting crushes on the homes I photograph for Apartment Therapy. But this one? This home I WANT. It fits in so perfectly with my recent obsession with the idea of living in a smaller space. Chris, a woodworker with his own shop, and Erin, a yoga instructor, massage therapist and writer with her own studio, scored this amazing rental on Craigslist.

Name: Pete and SandyLocation: East Washington, New HampshireSize: 1660 square feet (includes porch)Years lived in: 36 Years; Fully Restored 2006-2008 We first featured Peter and Sandy’s amazing minimal farmhouse last July. Since this quaint New Hampshire town is one of our favorite weekend escapes, we thought it would be a treat to revisit our good friends’ home.