House Calls

Haley has been able to create distinct sections in their studio that help with the fact that they work from home. "I have a 'bedroom', 'office/workout room', 'living room', and 'kitchen' all without having walls separating them."

Emma says the first room she focused on when she moved into this rental apartment was the kitchen, where she added contact paper to the counters, and used baskets to create highly organized kitchen cabinets.

This former one-room schoolhouse from the 1800s (circa 1860) used to serve children in the surrounding Hudson Valley farming community. "The head teacher used to live upstairs amongst the books," explains the new owner, Justine.

This small backyard rental in-law suite's style is "traditional, simple and charming, yet refined."

"Having lived in a rented 'white box' for a few years where I couldn't put a single poster on the walls, this place turned out the opposite: There's not a single white wall!" says apartment owner Marina Chaccur.

Designer Katherine Thewlis' ranch-style home has charming vintage decor and some unique tree-decorating ideas you'll want to steal.

Musician Katie King's 500-square-foot studio in Hillsboro Village is where she spends time writing and practicing — as well as on other creative pursuits, like painting and macrame.

Homeowner Sandy Jandu describes her home's style as "Escaping the '90s." She explains: "It's a three-bedroom builder-grade from the 1990s, chock-full of 45-degree angled halls and nooks to nowhere. We have worked our tails off to bring it to life, and while our home has a ways to go, it feels like OURS."

After spending years in rental homes that had to be neutral, Maggie Overby isn't holding back in this her forever home. She's adding lots of layers of pattern, color, and DIYs.

Kristina's apartment is packed with rental-friendly ideas and secondhand finds — almost nothing in her home was bought brand new.

Apartment dweller and art advisor Rachel Elliott's apartment is filled with original works, some of which she planned specifically for her space with the artist. Rachel says: "If you have the opportunity to meet the artists you are collecting and collect from emerging artists, do it! These are relationships that can last a lifetime."

The homeowner, Jonali, says they are drawn to neutral textures and tones, and they add eclectic accessories for a bit of fun and color throughout.

"My style is sexy and edgy and a little bit frantic, but is also warm and simple and cozy," renter Xenia Polychronis says. "These two 'styles' do not go together on paper, but they go together for me!"

The home was designed in 1969 and completed in 1970 by Fred Blecksmith, and some of its original details include a built-in vanity and light fixtures in the bathrooms, a hidden closet and bar, and gorgeous old growth redwood paneling.

Leonor and Pablo live in this apartment that they have filled with secondhand and sidewalk finds along with beautiful retro furniture.

Because Hayley Ward's period home in Dublin has historic charm, she was drawn to a dark, bold color palette.

"My home is a physical diary of the places I’ve been and the objects and memories I cherish, a place to remind me of the incredible beauty I’ve found during the adventures of my life," Ashley Urban, an eight-year resident of Los Angeles says.

When she and her husband first bought it, Kara Haren's apartment had cranberry painted walls, a kitchen that hadn't been touched in 20 years, and flimsy and cracked windows. In the six years they've lived there, they have renovated each room to feel special and specific to them.

When Julia Drye and her husband moved into their 1830s home, it was a blank slate, flipped by previous owners several years before. And out of necessity, Julia tackled the home's makeover on a budget.

It packs so much style (and so many mementos!) into 578 square feet.

"We wanted our space to feel warm and sanctuary-like, which I think led us to choose more earthy tones, especially in the living room," homeowner Emily says of the Philadelphia home she shares with her partner, Hayley. "We lovingly identify as plant mothers, and our plants have acted as kind of a baseline decor aesthetic in each room."

Linda Miles had to design her small home on an extreme budget, so almost everything was bought from neighbors on OfferUp or at Swedish secondhand stores.

"Our homes are reflections of our personalities, and the colors and textures we are most drawn to land on our backs, on our walls, and beneath our feet," homeowner Dana Taylor says.

This New Jersey bungalow has original built-in shelves, a "Wes Anderson bathroom," and wood paneling galore.

Renter Jiske Kosian describes her apartment as eclectic, goofy, colorful, original, and Jugendstil (the German iteration of the Art Nouveau movement).

This bungalow required a complete gut job, and aspiring designer Rita Melkonian designed the new floor plan from scratch to fit her family perfectly.

The Halloween-themed mural in the dining room is delightfully weird, and is an impressive must-see DIY project.

Robyn Pope and her husband's house was flooded in a hurricane, and after they redesigned it, incorporating both local Florida artists along with many vintage finds from all over the US.

Musician and art collector Brad Walsh lives in a snowy part of Ohio, so he says he likes to "propagate a perpetual spring indoors."

Maggie Antalek, who owns a mural and interior decorating business, was able to use this new apartment as a blank canvas for bold murals and DIY projects to make the space her own.

Polla Posavec and her husband, Dan, aim to live a sustainable, restorative lifestyle on their patch of Australian bushland.

"I'm most at home outdoors, so our apartment is a nod to nature," says Cathy, who owns this apartment with her partner, Stephen. They even painted their dining nook Pantone's "Pine Green" to match the plants that sit on the windowsill.

Lisa Swatt and her 13-year-old daughter live in a small in-law unit to have low overhead and be able to travel and enjoy life the way they want to.

Ayanna Barton loves color, and she wanted this house to be classic and timeless while also being a little adventurous with colors.

Sannaz describes their home as "modern Persian. We like to combine super modern design with traditional Persian rugs, as we are both Persian."

It has the most calming and airy vibes — and some very luxe details.

Janet and Scott McLean love Mediterranean design, which you can see reflected in the natural local fabrics they have chosen for the home.

"I decided to go full on with the decor and the wall art," Erin, who rents this space in St. Louis says. "In a new state literally and figuratively, I allowed myself to really settle in and get out everything that I'd been holding inside."

Sarah Campbell, a graphic designer, and her boyfriend and roommate, both music producers, share this apartment, which is colorful and "artful but not cold or pretentious."

Journalist and soon-to-be published book author Brianna Holt wanted multiple places to sit down and write in her home. Her decor is the inspired by the creative spaces of the artists she admires.

The house had been flipped and drained of all character and personality so Christie added color, vintage touches, and high quality mid-century furniture intermixed with joy and whimsy to bring it back to life.

Previously, Rosemary has gravitated toward a more vintage MCM aesthetic, but that didn’t feel like the right match for the ultra-'90s architecture of her condo, so instead she's embracing a more Miami Modern/Art Deco revival look.

Sarah Norman has transformed her small NYC rental apartment, including turning the living room as a home office, instead.

Katsia Augustin renovated and converted her parent's basement into a modern, cultured, eclectic, artistic, and comfortable apartment.

Since she was a little girl, Sunita Chhabra has loved collecting colorful, beautiful things — and her house is covered is vibrant hues and cool objects. It's travel-inspired, mural-filled maximalism.

Lavinia and her partner live in this 1860s apartment, which they have renovated beautifully with clean, modern lines and a simple and soothing palette.

Over time, Joseph and Mike's style has evolved from subtle mid-century to Art Deco to bohemian maximalist. But no matter what your style is, Joseph says, ask yourself this: Does someone feel comfortable, and can they put their feet up while they visit?

A ceramicist and her roommate share this one-bedroom apartment and have filled it with vintage finds, artwork, and of course, lots of cool pottery.

Alexandra and Erik bought this 161-square-foot home on wheels at the start of the pandemic and have been on the road ever since. See how they've made it a tiny boho retreat for two (plus pups).

A few words to describe this one-bedroom apartment? Maximalist, Eclectic, Graphic, and Neon. And the best part is that all of the added details are renter-friendly. (You've probably never seen such creative uses for washi tape or such colorful cabinet upcycles!)

This interior stylist has made the brick walls, 12-foot-ceilings, original woodwork, and wood-burning fireplace sing by styling with plants, rocks, leathers, woods, and linens.

"A home is curated over time," homeowner and designer Jennifer Thomas says. "Collecting pieces you love and finding the perfect spot for them in your home is the secret to having a comfortable space that reflects you and what you love."

Aly, her partner Mitch, and their parakeets moved to this one-bedroom after living in a studio and have enjoyed filling their larger (but still small) space with furniture and fun energy. Mitch has a knack for finding cool vintage furniture while Aly's original paintings hang throughout the space.

This home's white, teal, and orange color palette mirrors the nature surrounding it.

Sophie Lopez's maximalist home is full of personality, personal touches, and lots of colour.

When Monica moved into her apartment, the fireplace tiles were painted over in a standard off-white rental shade, but in her gut, she knew there was something special underneath.

Mellissa's apartment balances coziness and vibrancy and is filled with abstract finds that reflect her style as a painter.

Full of DIY projects, Marcel and Ben's house also features a very rad DIY accent wall/headboard idea.

It has incredibly tall French doors and a potted cactus that stretches just as high.

Marie-Helene's Quebec City studio apartment may be small, but she fits a ton of style in just 275 square feet.

This black and red kitchen got a complete refresh thanks to paint, and now it's Nichol's favorite part of her condo.

When Shar and her husband and kids moved into their forever home in Colorado, she was excited to go BOLD with color. "My personality definitely shines through my decor style," she says. "The boldness and vigor and sauciness."

At 622 square feet, Ariel and Patrick's Prospect Heights apartment has just two rooms, and they set out to make this small home a multi-functional space they can work, relax, and pursue creative endeavors in.

Ryan's advice for creating a space you love? "Fill your space only with things you love and things that make you happy. Don’t get everything all at once, instead, collect as things enter your life."

Rachel and Rob Hill's Scotland home used to be a church, but it doesn't look too "churchy" on the inside. It's a collected, travel-inspired, plant-filled, colorful space with an impressive spiral staircase.

With black and white star-patterned tiles, deep gray cabinets, a gorgeous leather ottoman, and natural wood tones throughout, Kailee's 588-square-foot condo has total Joanna Gaines vibes, much of which was achieved just by adding paint.

Apart from the bathroom, Matt's Auckland pad is all one room, which means you can see the cool wooden shelving, the art-filled living room, and the cozy kitchen (including a must-see emerald Smeg) from any vantage point.

This apartment is a mix of new furniture, family hand-me-downs, and personal artwork.

Check out the cozy but vibrant space.

Architect Anjari Ganguly (@thatyellowtrunk) has always believed in the saying, "Creativity is intelligence having fun." Her apartment, full of plant-filled colorful workstations, is the perfect playground for content creation and DIYs.

Gabriela's goal was to make her apartment place cozy and welcoming with new and thrifted pieces that bring personality, warmth, and fun to the space while maintaining a relatively neutral palette.

The house was built in 1897 and was originally occupied by workers from the local brick factory.