Chicago

Name: Nick Fanelle and Spiro Georgi Location: Edgewater— Chicago, Illinois Size: 1,600 square feet Years lived in: Rented 2 years You might remember Nick and Spiro’s previous Apartment Therapy house tour where they showcased their fabulous farmhouse style, perfectly situated right in the city of Chicago. At the time they were transforming their Vermont-inspired style from one that was more traditional to a more contemporary version.

Name: J. & Stephanie Stack, & Baby Leo Location: Pilsen — Chicago, Illinois Size: 5,000 square feet Years lived in: 1-1/2 years; Owned Calm, cool and collected…these are the feelings you get as you step through the front door of J and Stephanie’s home. I am sure, however, the couple probably wasn’t feeling calm cool or collected during the 15 month process that they embarked on to rebuild a home from the ground up.

This recently renovated home includes carefully thought-out and well-planned decor and custom features. With no detail overlooked you're sure to find something to love.

Name: Jess Goodwin and Andi (Anderson Pooper) the corgi Location: Ravenswood — Chicago, Illinois Size: 750 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years, renting What can you do with a 750 square foot rented apartment in a multi-unit building in the middle of Chicago? If you’re designer Jess Goodwin, a lot. Jess has transformed her apartment into a warm and inviting home that is filled with personal projects and smart solutions.

Name: Karie Leonardo Location: Pilsen — Chicago, Illinois Size: 1,500 square feet Years lived in: Owned 5 years All around Chicago, there seems to be a residential rehabilitation of once-commercial spaces on a massive scale. But rarely does a single person attempt it with a sole commercial property.

Name: Ashley Beaumier Location: Lakeview East — Chicago, Illinois Size: 600 square feet Years lived in: Rented 1 Year Ashley Beaumier has hit the sweet spot of home design, that moment when all those one-of-kind finds that took you months of searching to find finally all come together and fit perfectly into your home. You know it’s right because there is nothing to add, and nothing to take away.

Name: Claren and Ashley Boyer Location: Old Irving Park, Chicago Size: 3,000 square feet Years lived in: 3 years, owned Claren lives in a single family Chicago bungalow built in 1911 and renovated in 2013. She writes: “I am interior architect and this is my personal space. I consider my style to be transitional, mixing modern with more traditional pieces. The space has high contrast with dark floors and white walls as well as cooler tones with inky blue window treatments.

Jess’s Ravenswood Chicago rental is bursting with inspiring DIY projects, both from scratch and simple furniture upgrades. They fit together seamlessly with her overall natural and modern style. If you aren’t quite as handy or patient as Jess, check out her resource lists to source some similar ready-made items to add your home.

Eva isn't afraid of color or breaking a few of the usual design rules. Her advice: "You'll never regret going with the bold choice."

Name: Ursula Location: Logan Square — Chicago, Illinois Size: 500 square feet studio Years lived in: Renting for 8 months Turning a 500-square-foot studio into a visually vibrant and cozy home that feels personal and looks great is no small feat, but that’s exactly what Ursula has done with her Logan Square apartment — an apartment she took sight unseen when she decided to move from Los Angeles to Chicago to pursue a career as a baker.

Wood floors, dark molding, lots of natural light and a gorgeous, contrasting black, white and brass palette. Even more impressive? Matthew's only lived here two months!

Name: Mark Dye and Jeffrey Spivock Location: River North — Chicago, Illinois Size: 1,000 square feet Years lived in: 6 months, renting Jeffrey and Mark have lived all over the world. Jeffrey is from Montreal, Mark is from London, and the two met while they were both living in Toronto. They then moved to Japan where they lived for two years, and most recently they relocated to Chicago.

It was the interesting architecture of this place that drew Jeannine in when apartment searching. She scoured estate sales, garage sales and Craigslist to fill it on a budget.

As modern as Mel and Austin's Chicago loft is, they've made sure it feels inviting and homey, thanks to filling it up with things they love.

Jarod and Tim's home reflects a love of good design, an appreciation for quality, a willingness to go bold, and a sense of fun. In other words, there's a lot to love.

Name: Kristin, Nathan, and Addison (a schnauzer/poodle mix) Location: Ukrainian Village — Chicago, Illinois Size: 1,600 square feet Years lived in: 10 months, owned Kristin and Nathan haven’t been in their loft for long, but it sure doesn’t show. Especially impressive when you learn how much work they had to do after purchasing the space. The chain smoking previous owner had been there for years and the loft was covered in (stinky) carpet.

Name: George Morgan Location: West Loop — Chicago, Illinois Size: 1,150 square feet Years lived in: 2 years, owned George Morgan saw a lot of homes before he finally found his perfect Chicago bachelor pad.

Ty and Lynne are the owners of the award-winning furniture store An Orange Moon, located in the West of Western district of Chicago.

Name: Jamie Nuccio, my cat, Ruby Location: West Loop — Chicago, Illinois Size: 900 square feet Years lived in: 1 year, owned As soon as I walked into this space, I had a strong gut feeling that it was “the one” (it was only the second place that I toured when I started my condo search!).

Awaiting the arrival of a baby and unable to find another home they liked enough to move, they decided to stick with the home they already have, updating it for their new life.

Name: Shawna Smith, her husband and two sons Location: Downers Grove, Illinois Size: 1,350 square feet Years lived in: 7 months, owned “Myself, my husband, and our two little boys lived in Chicago for years before deciding to take the leap and move to the ‘burbs,” writes interior stylist Shawna Smith. “We chose Downers Grove for its small-town appeal and outstanding schools.

Name: Carly Martin, my husband, and our rescue pup, Norman Location: Wicker Park/Bucktown — Chicago, Illinois Size: 1600 square feet Years lived in: 1 year, renting My husband and I moved from NYC a few years ago where we lived in a 500-square-foot apartment for four years, so now that we have nearly triple the amount of space (for less money!) we try to use it wisely and don’t take an inch of it for granted.

Name: Katherine Corden and her fiancé Dave Location: Lincoln Park Neighborhood — Chicago, Illinois Size: 600 square feet Years lived in: 1 year, renting Dave and I moved in together about one year ago, around the same time we got engaged. We both are physical therapists full time but when we’re not working, we are pursuing our creative passions! Dave loves playing guitar and learning new music, and I am working to grow my fine art business.

While maintaining the integrity of the building's original architecture, Jim and Molly gave a modern face to areas like the kitchen and bathrooms.

Name: Diana, her husband and their two kids Location: Logan Square — Chicago, Illinois The basics: 5 years, owned — 1,000 square feet Diana and her husband decided that while their home was totally fine, it wasn’t really them. Being on a budget and humans with jobs and children they opted to do smaller fixes when they could find the money and time. The result is an airy home, perfect for a fun young family.

Name: Roger Location: Chicago, Illinois Our home is considered a Vintage home. It has four bedrooms and the upstairs is a bedroom suite. There is also a basement and one car garage. We are located on the northwest side of Chicago and we live across the street from a large public school which is grades K to 12 that takes up the entire block. We choose to live here because my husband works downtown and we wanted to be closer and have the opportunity to utilize public transportation.

It seems like a constant challenge to find space for art supplies, music equipment, books and records, but this couple loves using their home to showcase their passions.

Name: Mollie Location: West Loop —Chicago, Illinois My husband, Dave, and I have lived in this space for a little over a year. Prior to moving in we did an entire gut rehab of the space. The condo was originally a factory that was later converted to residential condos (imagine maple cabinets and dark granite counter tops).

Name: Jessica Location: Portage Park — Chicago, Illinois My husband, two feline companions and I live in a spacious, open concept apartment on Chicago’s Northwest Side (Portage Park) The apartment is roughly 1100 square feet and is one of two units in a vintage brick building. It’s a cozy apartment with lots of day light and a funky angular layout. I am currently wrapping up my degree in interior design and love to work with patterns and textures.

Name: Hannah Location: Chicago, Illinois Two years ago my husband and I and our winsome Goldendoodle, Hadley moved out of a typical, dark, old Chicago three-flat apartment and into this beautiful, new construction condo near the hip neighborhood of Logan Square. My husband, Josh is in medical school and I work from home as a Creative Director so it was very important to us to have a bright, sunny, and inspiring space to spend our days studying and working!

Name: Brandon & Kate Location: Humboldt Park — Chicago, Illinois Our home is the top floor of a quaint little two-flat from 1891 in Humboldt Park Chicago. We fell in love with all the beautiful natural light that floods the apartment during the daytime and the simple white walls that were just begging for some artwork. We used to sell vintage furniture so we have a large collection of furniture and home decor to pull from.

Name: Sarah & Lindsay Location: Humboldt Park — Chicago, Illinois Size: 1,000 square feet Years lived in: 5 months; Rented Sarah and Lindsay haven’t even lived together for half a year, but their styles have already merged seamlessly. Sarah brought the cozy Southwestern elements while Lindsay brought the Mid-century modern, and all the colors and patterns work with the nature-inspired elements to create a space that is warm and inviting.

Name: Anna Location: Lakeview — Chicago, Illinois I live in a small studio apartment (350 square feet) in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago. I’m actually right on the border between Lakeview and Lincoln park, which is a popular location for 20-somethings who have recently moved to the city (I’m 25) which is nice because all of my friends live a few blocks away.

Name: Anna Zajac and her cat, Isaiah Location: Lincoln Square — Chicago, Illinois Size: 800 square feet Years lived in: 2 years; Rented Anna Zajac is a talented wedding photographer in Chicago with a background in design. Both she and her lovely studio apartment could not be more welcoming. The space is truly a reflection of her: warm, sweet, positive, and stylish. Delicate thrifted pieces are carefully juxtaposed with bold, dark walls and modern elements.

Name: Ashlee Location: Roscoe Village — Chicago, Illinois I want to submit my apartment because I’m freaking obsessed with it. It’s a 2-bed unit in an old turn-of-the-century smokehouse in Roscoe Village. My landlord lives in the front unit and is the former drummer for 90’s power pop band, Material Issue, and he’s always plodding around doing cool things to the building.

Name: Meg Location: Logan Square — Chicago, Illinois Last year my boyfriend and I scored a Memphis Design Group exhibit poster at a garage sale down the street for $7. I’d been wanting to do an ’80s apartment for ages, but never pulled the trigger (I was getting my design fix through my blog). Neal was on board and began to make a copy of our favorite Memphis pendant lamp, “The Santa Fe” by Matteo Thun, out of balsa wood and an IKEA lamp cord. Thanks, Meg!

Name: Heidi Unkefer (left), Brittany Meyer (right) & Jess Manning Location: Wicker Park/East Village; Chicago, Illinois Years lived in: 3 years (Brittany), 1.5 years (Heidi), 0.5 years (Jess) This is no brand-new condo made to look like an industrial space with high ceilings and exposed ducts; this is a paint-on-the-floor, full of history, open and raw, ever-evolving space, one that has changed in size and configuration over the years depending on whomever was living there at the moment.

Name: Becca Kannapell Location: Noble Square; Chicago, Illinois Size: Approximately 1,400 square feet Years lived in: 1 year; Rented When Becca and her boyfriend moved from New York City to Chicago a year ago, they were amazed by their new-found apartment options. Both of them lived in tiny 400-square-foot apartments in Manhattan, and now they have all this space to create in — and Becca has been taking full advantage.

Name: Maria and Tristan Location: Chicago, Illinois My husband Tristan and I have shared this classic Chicago graystone apartment together for a little over 3 years. It is roughly 1,200 sq. ft. with 3 bedrooms and 1 bath, featuring a giant kitchen, and separate dining room. We moved here from a very small garden apartment with low ceilings and little light, so we instantly fell in love with the 12’ ceilings, giant windows, and nearly double the floor space.

Name: Topaz Location: Downtown Wheaton, Illinois I work as an Art Director in the Chicagoland area and about two months ago moved into a gorgeous, half-basement nook. In the style of one of my favorite authors, L.M. Montgomery, I like to name my homes. However, accurately naming a home that is partially underground turned out to be more difficult than expected. After many word searches and some rather depressing synonym discoveries, I settled on “The Burrow.

Name: Ashley Gerou & Emily Drake Location: Lakeview; Chicago, Illinois Size: 800 square feet Years lived in: 3 years; rented Cousins Ashley and Emily grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and attended college in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. After graduating from separate schools, they moved to Chicago. Now they rent a condo together in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. The ladies’ personalities shine in their own rooms.

Name: Ty & Lynne McDaniel Location: Humboldt Park; Chicago, Illinois Size: 1,200 square feet Years lived in: 3 Ty and Lynne McDaniel, owners and founders of the fantastic Chicago furniture store An Orange Moon, have created a hip and airy crash pad in the back of their shop. Located in the heart of Humbolt Park, the store/studio is brimming with history and charm. Lynne has been a pioneer in the advancement of the neighborhood, and has used those same skills in transforming their personal space.

Name: Sarah Location: Lakeview – Chicago, IL After graduating from the University of Michigan with a B.F.A. in Art & Design, I risked a move to the bustling city of Chicago to begin my pursuit towards a career in fashion. I only planned on staying a few short years, but, five years on, I’m still a happy resident of the ever chic and fashion-forward Windy City.

Name: Jack Location: Chicago, IL My apartment is in an amazing vintage building in Lakeview that used to be owned by the Roosevelt family. There is no lack of character, which is one of the best parts aside from great lakeside location. Although it’s a smaller unit (roughly 450 sf) as a result of the chopped up floor plans when it was converted to a rental building, it’s very efficient.

Name: Stephanie and Ryan Sievert Location: Wicker Park; Chicago, Illinois Size: approx. 900 square feet Years lived in: 2 years, Rented Walking into Ryan and Stephanie’s top floor Chicago apartment, you are immediately greeted with a wealth of light and music. The stylish, tidily arranged furniture and decor is a direct result of the superb taste shared by the couple. For two years they have inhabited this artful space with their two cats, Meatloaf and Vom.

Name: Jaimie & James Location: Evanston, IL Our house is a Sears kit home called The Fairy in the old Sears “Modern Homes” catalog. It started out as a two bedroom, however we made the living room into a large dining room, and made the bedroom in the front a small sitting room. We are located in Evanston, IL the first suburb north of Chicago. It is less than 600 Sq. feet, which is perfect for my husband and myself.

Name: Jill Dudones & Chris Campbell Location: Berwyn; Chicago, IL Size: 3,225 square feet; 5 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 2.80 lots Years lived in: 2 years; Owned The up-and-coming neighborhood of Berwyn, Illinois is filled with beautiful, historic Chicago-style bungalows. But among them is a special home, a Prairie-style Craftsman house designed by the famed architect George Grant Elmslie, that is unique in its beauty, scale and architectural detail.

Name: Britain Spinney Location: Logan Square, Chicago, Illinois My boyfriend and I live in a one-bedroom apartment in the heart of Logan square that is about 600 square feet. We didn’t have much time to find an apartment and we had been traveling back and forth from Minnesota to find one. We already loved the location of this place and once we learned the building was a converted old hotel, we both decided this was the one!

Name: Yana of NoMad Luxuries Location: Chicago, Illinois The great thing about this city is that each and every neighborhood has its own style and energy. We live in the Uptown/Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago and really enjoy the proximity to the lake. We especially fell in-love with the charming details of our condo. When we started looking, we knew we wanted a space that had good bones and vintage character, but didn’t necessarily want to pay for someone else’s style.

Name: Lindsey Location: West Loop, Chicago In our seven years in Chicago, we’ve moved seven times and this is honestly the most interesting building we’ve ever lived in… We packed up and purged from a 3-bedroom house into a 900-square foot space with our dog, Max. As soon as we unloaded the truck, people began welcoming us into the building and telling us about its history. We were invited to the annual progressive dinner where you visit different units.

Name: Shaun Sperling & Matt Leyes Location: Andersonville; Chicago, Illinois Size: 1,100 square feet Years lived in: 3 years Matt and Shaun’s loft is a study in the type of creative freedom that comes from having a loft space, loving DIY projects, and joyfully merging two design styles.

Name: Andy Location: Chicago, IL My brick and timber loft in the West Loop was recently remodeled. My friend helped with the design work. The style is mostly industrial with a bit of MCM in the mix. . Much of the furniture is vintage. Some items were purchased at local shops and fairs and some I came from my family. They’ve been in the dry cleaning business since 1907 and we were able to use items from the original plant. My building is was built in 1910 so it worked out perfectly.

Name: Matt Leyes, owner and esthetician for The Men’s Grooming Parlor Location: Andersonville; Chicago, Illinois Years lived in: 5 years Matt knew there were men out there who wanted professional grooming services, but didn’t want to end up in a pink robe sitting next to five women in a typical salon waiting room.

Name: Sabreen & Terrence Madden Location: Lakeview; Chicago, Illinois Size: 1,250 square feet Years lived in: 4 years There’s no better project for a newly married couple than to build a nest together – a place where the new commitment can grow with shared experiences. Finding the right place that represents both spouses can be tough, but Sabreen and Terrence found their perfect place in this historic loft, housed in the once popular Belmont Theatre.

Name: Brian Cobb and Brad Harris (Benny, greyhound & Chi-Chi, chihuahua mix) Location: Rogers Park; Chicago, Illinois Size: 901 square feet Years lived in: 9 months; Owned Brian and Brad have the eye, the patience, and the motivation that is required from artists who create perfectly harmonious and balanced spaces. They are also able to pull it all together in quick order — just nine shorts months.

Name: Arthur Garcia-Clemente & Kristin Over Location: Printer’s Row, Chicago, Illinois Size: 1,200 square feet Years lived in: 3 years; Rented When two interior designers move in together for the first time, to a loft space with only a few walls and even fewer enclosed rooms, the chances for design conflict run high.

Name: Brad and Joe, plus Lilly (dog) and Olivia (cat) Location: East Lakeview — Chicago, Illinois Size: 420 square feet Years lived in: 3 years; Owned Brad and Joe’s Lakeview apartment is a wonderful lesson in making the most of a small space. This 420 square foot apartment is home to two men, one sizable dog and a cat — and yet it actually feels spacious, clutter-free and comfortable. Joe and Brad have made great use of every inch of space in their small apartment.

Name: Craig ShimalaLocation: River West, Chicago, IllinoisSize: 990 square feetYears lived in: 3 years; Owned Most people tend to shy away from labeling themselves as hoarders, but Craig has made the fact that he “doesn’t throw anything out” a central part of his aesthetic. Showcasing an impressive collection of vintage nautical-themed knick-knacks, Craig’s cozy Chicago apartment manages to embrace the collector within, while managing to remain uncluttered without.