House

Name: Margaux Rust, Drew Daniels, Juniper and Gypsy Location: Echo Park; Los Angeles, California Size: 1000 square feet Years lived in: Rented 1 year We first got a peek at Margaux and Drew’s home during their House Call last fall, but since then they’ve already rearranged and refreshed their space (as they often do). The house was built around 1910, when the neighborhood was filling up with large Arts and Crafts or Victorian homes.

Walking into Rory's house is like walking into an adult Disneyland...if your version is a wonderland of wild colors, impeccable attention to detail and over-the-top accents.

Name: Brian Mitchell and Ericka James Location: NoPa— San Francisco, California Size: 1,450 square feet Years lived in: Owned 1 year When Brian bought this house in the NoPa neighborhood of San Francisco, there wasn’t much left of the two-story structure. Some might have passed up the opportunity, but he saw healthy architectural bones and potential. Within a year, the house transformed into a beautiful, modern California mid-century home.

Name: Trish Grantham and Rentz Leinbach, and Pablo the dog Location: Northeast Portland, Oregon Size: 1,400 square feet Years lived in: Renting 9 months From the moment you step into the foyer of Trish and Rentz’s home and find yourself surrounded by dark walls adorned with hand-painted gold tropical foliage, you know you’ve entered a unique space. Trish is an artist and interior designer, Rentz is a musician, and their home is colorful, fun, quirky and interesting, just like them.

Name: Sheeva Sairafi Location: Los Angeles, California Size: 3 bedroom/2 bathroom Years lived in: Owned 1 year Sheeva Sairafi’s bright and colorful Spanish Colonial style home reflects her inspiring vision for making a global impact. In 2014 Sheeva left a coveted corporate retail position to start her own socially conscious global home decor company, Local + Lejos.

Name: Evan and Gavin Gregory Location: Parkwood — Shoreline (Seattle), Washington Size: 920 square feet Years lived in: 7.5 years, owned On an unassuming residential street in a suburb just north of Seattle, you’ll find a house down a hill, surrounded by bushes and hidden by a fence. One step into Evan and Gavin’s front yard and it feels as though you’ve been transported to a relaxing sanctuary far from the bustle of the city.

Name: Lauren and Jason Location: West Seattle — Seattle, Washington Size: 1,792 square feet Years lived in: 3-1/2 years The first time I got a look at Lauren and Jason’s super chic West Seattle townhome, I was a guest at their “Roaring Twenties”-themed 2016 Oscar party. I climbed the stairs, turned the corner into their kitchen, and bam! It was all Great Gatsby up in that place.

Name: Cisco Merel and Barbara Cartier Location: Panama City, Panama Size: 3013 square feet Years lived in: Owned 1 year Cisco Merel and Barbara Cartier are two young artists living in Panama City. They met years ago in Germany when both were working there, and they love travels, adventures and learning from other cultures and countries. They decided to settle in Panama, where Cisco has roots.

Name: Jaya Williams, Maggie Shafran, Steph Sloan Location: Silver Lake — Los Angeles, California Size: 1250 square feet Years lived in: Rented 8 months Jaya writes: “Maggie and I met during undergrad at Pitzer College in Claremont, California and Maggie and Steph grew up together in Sun Valley, Idaho. We all three got together after we graduated in 2014 and moved to Los Angeles and have had this amazing sister-best-friend-wife dynamic.

Name: Caroline and Jayden Lee Location: Atwater Village — Los Angeles, California Size: 1,000 square feet Years lived in: Rented 2.5 years Caroline and Jayden are the hard-working dynamic duo behind Woodnote Photography and Coco Carpets, two companies that combine a love for travel with an eye for all things beautiful.

Name: Morgan Fender, Owner of Bomisch, Brandon and Ed (the dog) Location: Montford — Asheville, North Carolina Size: 842 square feet Years lived in: Rented 1 year, 2 months While the couple was living in a downtown Asheville loft, they signed the lease immediately when they noticed a house on a corner lot in a desirable neighborhood pop up on Craigslist.

Name: Megan Jorgensen Location: Highland Park — Los Angeles, California Size: 2 bedroom Years lived in: Rented 6 months Megan Jorgensen is an artist whose carefully edited collection of unconventional knick knacks has followed her from Minneapolis to California and everywhere in between. From antique tools to mini figurines—and her own paintings and textiles—her artistic assortment is displayed throughout her home in thoughtful vignettes.

Name: Morgan and Andrew Beatton Location: Historic Marietta, Georgia Size: 915 square feet Years lived in: 4 months! Morgan and Andrew welcome us into their beautifully designed home on the outskirts of Atlanta. Plants and natural textures create the welcoming aesthetic of this home, leaving this smaller space feeling bright and airy. The Beatton’s home in quaint and historic Marietta, Georgia is a clever blend of old and new that feels finessed and effortless.

From the moment you step inside, you are greeted with the open, honest expression of a couple who fills their home with good vibes, delicious food, and lots of great memories.

Name: Danny and Lyndsay Gugger Location: Portland, Maine Size: 950 square feet Years lived in: Renting 2 months Danny writes: “My wife and I live on the historic Deering Street in Portland, Maine. The building was built in the mid-1800s and our unit is around 950 square feet. We have 10 foot ceilings and black marble fireplaces in both the living room and bedroom. We recently moved from Wisconsin, where we lived in another mid-1800s home.

Name: Sam and Heidi, and their two young sons Location: Athens, Georgia Size: 1,750 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years; owned When it comes to fixer-uppers, it takes the right person with a vision to bring it back to life. For this darling 1936 Spanish Colonial in Athens, Georgia, it was destiny that brought her the befitting champion—someone who could see her potential beyond the old peeling paint, the water damage, and years of neglect.

Name: Leigh Baumann (with renter Eli Barrett) Location: Beacon, NY Size: 960 square feet Years lived in: 2.5 years Leigh is the owner of this lovely home in Beacon, New York. But it wasn’t always so lovely—Leigh gutted the house, completely renovating it. The result is a wonderful mix of architectural elements, an earthy color palette and vintage finds. My Style: Farmhouse-industrial with a mid-century modern touch Inspiration: So much inspiration!

Name: Vanessa Matsalla Location: South Oceanside, California Size: 1800 square feet Years lived in: Owned 2 years The words “California Cool” come to mind when you see interior designer Vanessa Matsalla’s South Oceanside house. An earthy color palette mixes with natural textiles and textures. But contemporary—and even quirky—elements are sprinkled throughout the home, making for a dynamic space.

Name: Lesli DeVito Location: Greenwood — Charlottesville, Virginia Size: 3624 square feet Years lived in: Owned 12 years Lesli, a painter, and her family first rented this Charlottesville home—originally built in 1880. But after only a year of living in the space, they bought it from the owner. They are only the second family ever to own the house. Lesli, who runs the blog My Old Country House, has put a lot of heart into this home for the past 12 years.

Name: Justin Cox and Blue Jean the pup Location: East Austin — Austin, Texas Size: 2/2 + Office Years lived in: 1 years Justin Cox’s home is located in the heart of Austin. The rich, warm wood ceiling in the living room might catch your eye first. A modern kitchen is visible from the front door, and the first impression is of an airy, light-filled space, beautifully layered from floor to (wood) ceiling.

Name: Rashelle Roos and Joe Agati Location: Miller Beach — Gary, Indiana (Southern tip of Lake Michigan) Size: 2,800 square feet Years lived in: Owned 6 years The moment you step through the gate of Rashelle Roos and Joe Agati’s getaway house on the south shore of Lake Michigan, you have the overwhelming feeling of having arrived somewhere very special. Perhaps it’s due to Joe’s monumental sculptural work, Looking Through, which greets you in the front yard.

Name: Ana Elena Garuz Location: Panama City, Panama Size: 1712 square feet Years lived in: Owned 9 years There are amazing people around the world; people with extraordinary talent. Ana is one of them. This incredible Panamanian woman has great energy and knows how to transform it into beautiful art pieces. She’s a woman with good taste and she’s committed to everything she does. Art is Ana’s passion and she’s filled everything around her with that spirit.

Name: Tavia Tindall Location: North Minneapolis, Minnesota Size: 1,496 square feet Years lived in: Owned 1 year Tavia is one of the lucky few who have been blessed by a full and complete home after only a year of home ownership and barely spending a thing. Friends and family, thrift stores, and garage sales have allowed her to fill her space with unique, original, and rare decor from numerous eras and styles.

Name: Kelsy and Travis Hodge, with their children Elodie (6) and Paloma (1.5) Location: Santa Barbara, California Size: 980 square feet Years lived in: Rented 4.5 years The bright yellow wreath by the front door and pom pom garland hanging in the picture window are the first hints of the visual treat waiting for us within the Hodge family’s 1920s California Bungalow. Inside, their home has a cheery and comfortable vibe.

Name: Yancey, Carter and Duck Location: Cleveland Park — Nashville, Tenneesee Size: 1,500 square feet Years lived in: Owned 6 months Yancey and Carter bought their first home six months ago in the blossoming East Nashville neighborhood of Cleveland Park. It was built in 1908 and is on the historic registrar. The house was nearly torn down in 2010 but instead was rehabbed by Habitat for Humanity and cared for by the previous owner.

Name: Alyssa Valentine Location: Echo Park — Los Angeles, California Size: 1,414 square feet Years lived in: Owned 7 years Alyssa works in real estate and it’s no surprise she’s staged her share of interiors. Her natural knack for tastefully blending a variety of styles to give rooms a unique personality is hard to match. Her bright and cheery home, which she shares with her husband and two children, feels both comfortable and refined, with a touch of whimsy.

Name: Brian and April Location: Villa Heights — Charlotte, North Carolina Size: 1,940 square feet Years lived in: Owned 2 years Brian and April have done an incredible job of turning their first home into their own. Since purchasing in 2014, they have added fun pops of color and personality into almost every room and turned it into a happy haven in the Plaza Midwood area in Charlotte.

Name: Hortense Giraud owner of My Barrio Location: Gracia — Barcelona, Spain. Size: 750 square feet. Years lived in: Rented, 1 year. A dynamic french girl named Hortense moved to Barcelona a year ago. She then decided to quit her job as a Design Studio Director for fashion brands and follow her heart to start her own business called My Barrio. With it, she’s created a community for design lovers who share her passion for the slow life and thoughtful products.

Name: Marie-Laure Daillut and Sébastien Zanella Location: Hossegor, France Size: 200 square meters Years lived in: 1 year In Hossegor, France, surrounded by forests of pine trees and the scent of the nearby ocean, is the spot where you will find the lovely home of Marie-Laure and Sebastien. It’s a creative gem put together by their common passions for nature, surf and the bohemian lifestyle à la francaise.

Name: Stephanie Michaan Location: Bridgehampton, New York Size: 2,000 square feet Years lived in: Owned 2 years Stephanie gave a peek at some of the details of her current modern house in a house call not too long ago, but we wanted an extended look. Striking just the right balance of minimal and modern, it’s a simple and sparse space, but still exudes a lot of warmth.

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: Angelina Rennell Location: La Selva Beach, California Size: 700 square feet Years lived in: part-time 1 1/2 years The “Spaceship” house is owned by designer Angelina Rennell’s mother, Cynthia. She helped her mom both restore and decorate the space, and it’s 700 square feet of groovy, modern, space age style. Angelina lives in the home part of the year, and she also uses it as a backdrop for photos of her products that she designs with her brand, Beklina.

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.

Name: Hilary and Glenn Location: Central District — Seattle, Washington Size: 1,382 square feet Years lived in: 3 years Guests make their way up to Hilary and Glenn’s front door via a winding path that’s a little on the steep side—even by Seattle standards. And when you walk inside, you definitely feel as if you’ve reached a summit of sorts.

Name: Joanna, Audie and son Arlo Location: Silver Lake —Los Angeles, California Size: 900 square feet Years lived in: Renting less than a year Joanna and Audie’s charming 1920s bungalow trades indoor space for a large, private yard (something of a unicorn in the bustling hillside neighborhood of Silver Lake).

Name: Mercedes La Rosa Location: Mile End — Montréal, Québec Size: 850 square feet Years lived in: Rented 4 years Just steps away from the bustle of cafés and bookstores along rue Bernard, Mercedes’ 850 square foot apartment is a quiet gem in the heart of the Mile End. Standing at the threshold to her ground floor apartment, surrounded by green leafy plants, the New Yorker Radio Hour’s “Cat vs. Dog” podcast can be heard through her living room window.

Name: Mareka and Anders Stake with their 2-year-old daughter and 6-month-old son Location: Bethnal Green, East London Size: 98 square meters Years lived in: Owned over 5 years Set in the heart of the hustle and bustle of trendy East London is this Victorian terrace belonging to the Stake family. Mareka, an art director, together with her creative director husband Anders, have carefully designed everything in this beautiful house.

Name: Becca and Doug, daughter Audrey and pug Seymour Location: South Bay Area, California Size: 1850 square feet Years lived in: Owned 2.5 years I think I might smile every day if I lived in Becca and Doug’s South Bay Area home. Natural light pours in through big windows, bouncing off white walls and light blond wood floors. But it’s the bold, colorful and stunning pattern that Becca’s infused in nearly every corner of this house that makes it so cheerful.

Name: Christina Lowry and family Location: Brisbane, Australia Years lived in: Owned for 4 years Christina is a jewelry maker living on the Southside of Brisbane, Australia. When looking to buy a home four years ago, the requirement was that she have space to have her workshop at home. As a result, she lives in a ’70s-built home with her husband and three children, in a quiet and leafy suburb. What is lovely about Christina’s home is that it doesn’t adhere to one style.

Name: Violet (singer/songwriter) and Cracker Jack Location: East Nashville — Nashville, Tennesee Size: 1,300 square feet Years lived in: Owned for 8 months Violet is a Los Angeles native living in Nashville Tennessee. While in graduate school she fell in love with the works of Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris and decided to make the leap into a full time musician. She moved to Nashville in 2013 to follow her passion of singing and songwriting.

Name: Chloe Gard and Joel Dwine Location: Brisbane, Australia Size: A cottage and backyard studio Years Lived In: Renting for 1.5 years Chloe and Joel’s home looks like a simple old timber cottage just on the Southside of Brisbane city. But if you take a look inside, you will find a quirky and nontraditional extension done by an architect, complete with a built-in attic-bedroom, corrugated iron walls and old French doors as windows.

Name: Betsy, Manny and Tilly Location: Savannah, Georgia Size: 1680 square feet Years lived in: Owned 1 year Betsy and Manny are a duo who clearly enjoy a good renovation project. They moved to Savannah from Brooklyn, New York a little over a year ago after outgrowing the city—and their 400 square foot studio apartment.

Name: Kathy Marquardt Location: Dayton’s Bluff — St. Paul, Minnesota Size: 1,600 square feet Years lived in: 11 Years Owned It doesn’t take long after stepping into Kathy’s St. Paul home to come to the conclusion that she must be an artist. Her eclectic and bright mix of furniture and decor speaks of her personality and demeanor, with personal and one-of-a-kind treasures filling every room.

Name: Jamie and AJ Fink / Kiddos: Sophia, Etienne, Charlotte, Laurent and Nicasio / Pets: Oliver, Audrey, Napoleon and Greta Location: Brookfield, Wisconsin Size: 3200 square feet This 1968 house on an acre of land in Wisconsin was a “time warp disaster flanked in brown,” but Jamie and AJ knocked down walls and painted to transform this house into a bright, cheery home with plenty of style and function — important with so many kids and pets who live here!

Name: Alison, Bob, and Angus Masey Location: Highland Park — Los Angeles, California Size: 600 square feet Years lived in: 5 years; rented Alison and Bob’s mini Craftsman may be petite, but it’s loaded with warm and fuzzy anecdotes. Whether given or found on the side of the road, every single item inside seems to have fatefully found its way there without being sought out, and each one with a great story to boot.

Name: Balee, Dylan, Alton and Ringo Location: Charlotte Park — Nashville, Tennessee Size: 1,500 square feet Years lived in: Owned 4 months Upon entering Balee and Dylan’s house you are greeted by their two cute dogs, as well as a mix of color, art and music echoing throughout every room. Dylan is a photographer and Balee is a stylist who helps Dylan with his shoots. Their home is a perfect reflection of their creative and artistic passions.

Name: Jennifer Perkins and husband Chris Boehk along with daughter Tallulah and son Baxter Location: Shady Hollow Neighborhood — Austin, Texas Size: 2,900 square feet Years lived in: 3 years, owned Crafter, blogger and extremely cool mom Jennifer Perkins excels at many things — and transforming her Austin home into a Halloween land of enchantment every year is definitely high on the list.

Name: Arielle Goldman Location: Church Hill neighborhood — Richmond, Virginia Size: 1,500 square foot Years lived in: Owned 1 1/2 years Arielle and her husband live in this Richmond home, known as the “2nd Billups House.” The Billups family is among the oldest in the Church Hill neighborhood, dating from the 1860s. This house, in particular, was built by Charles Jackson Billups in 1900.

Name: Emily Kurzweil and Grady Jurrens, and Eva (6), Sam (3), Edie (3) and Juni the Boston Terrier Location: Laurelhurst Neighborhood — Portland, Oregon Size: 3,200 square feet Years lived in: Owned 5.5 years Emily and Grady moved from Chicago to Portland when their eldest child was just an infant. They wanted to be close to family, and bought their home in Portland’s historic Laurelhurst neighborhood with children in mind.

Name: Julie and David Holdsworth Location: Lake Forest, Illinois Size: 3,948 square feet Years lived in: 20 years, owned From its architectural design to pristine English gardens to the artists that have made this a home, this cottage is truly magical.

Name: Chrissy Phelan Location: West Hollywood, California Size: 1,300 square feet Years lived in: Renting 7 years Hair stylist Chrissy Phelan’s knack for styling goes beyond the buzzes and fades she crafts in her small in-home salon. While she’s lived in her West Hollywood house for seven years, a recent self-motivated design overhaul has given the home a fresh feel, complete with a new light-filled salon room and tons of vintage-eclectic character.

Name: Athena Pelton Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota Size: 2,000 square feet Years lived in: 3 years, owned After moving her family from an older home (often in need of repairs and attention as so many are) into their brand new digs, Athena began to decorate. Soon after the move, however, Athena and her husband realized that they didn’t exactly account for furniture and decor in the budget for building their new home.

Name: Taylor and Alisha Murphy Location: Austin, Texas Size: 1,300 Square Feet Years lived in: 2 years, rented Taylor and Alisha Murphy have lived in Austin since they both graduated from the University of Texas. It was a happy medium for being close to family, but also being in the middle of all the exciting things a city can offer, such as outdoor activities — hiking, swimming, camping, music — and a great design and restaurant scene.

Name: Mimi and Harper Location: Nashville, Tennesee Size: 2,300 square feet Years lived in: Owned 5 1/2 years Mimi is a Nashville native who grew up in the city limits and on a farm outside of town. She now lives in her own house — a space that manages to be simultaneously calm, comfortable, vibrant and eclectic.

Name: Spencer Huddleston Location: Austin, Texas Size: 780 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years, rented Spencer is a graphic designer and world traveler living in Austin, Texas. When I arrived at his home, his packed climbing gear was immediately noticeable. He was headed that day to climb Mount Kilimanjaro (!). “My friend and I try to climb one mountain a year. This year, it’s Mount Kilimanjaro.

Name: Brooks, Matt and Reed Location: East Nashville — Nashville, TN Size: With basement den, 1800 sq. ft. Years lived in: Owned 5 Years Brooks and Matt bought their first house five years ago and have since transformed it into a beautiful, bright and modern living space. They have done most of the work themselves in stages, with the basement being the last big project. When they first moved in, they lived out of one room while renovating the kitchen and the living room.

Name: Kathryn and Emilio Ancaya and their daughter, Claire Location: Kenilworth — Asheville, NC Size: 2,000 square feet (with 700 square foot attached studio apartment) Years lived in: Owned 7 years Kate has always appreciated the beauty of old homes, and when she saw that the architectural gem she had long admired had gone on the market, she knew there was a dream to chase.

Name: Betsy Cross and Will Cervarich, with dogs Maurice and Gingham Location: St. John’s — Portland, Oregon Size: 900 square feet Years lived in: Owned, 1.5 years Betsy and Will live at the end of a quiet street in Portland’s St. John’s neighborhood. From the outside, their 1965 home looks modest and unassuming, but step inside, and you will find an interior that is modern, open and welcoming.

Name: Robyn and Sam, plus their two Dachshunds Carl and Prune Location: The Junction — Toronto, Canada Size: 1,400 square feet Years lived in: Owned 3 years There is much debate when it comes to minimal design and living. It seems to be a lifestyle that draws polarizing views — you either love it or you really don’t!

Name: Natalie, Bobby, Arlo the boy, and Lucy the dog Location: Texas Hill Country Size: 1,300 square feet Years lived in: 1 year Natalie and Bobby met in college and married about 11 years ago. Moving from Portland, Oregon (where Natalie studied to become an art therapist) to Austin, Texas in 2013 was a huge adjustment. “I had found out I was pregnant the day we packed up and said goodbye to all of our friends and our lovely Portland neighborhood.

Name: Kristen Hallberg Reavis and James Reavis (and Rosie!) Location: Mount Pleasant, South Carolina Size: 2600 square feet Years lived in: Owned, 2 years and some change Both originally from snowy Chicago, Kristen and her husband James moved to Charleston two years ago from Houston, Texas, for work. Kristen and James have recently been gearing up for two new additions to their family — twins!

Name: Allen, Clara and Henry Hah Location: Austin, Texas Size: 2100 sq ft Years lived in: Owned almost 2 years. Purchased Jan 2014; moved in Nov 2014 due to renovations Allen and Clara met through a mutual friend years ago and became long distance pen pals, between San Francisco and Houston. Texas has always been home for Clara, so she was itching to move back. Allen got a job opportunity that he couldn’t pass up, so they packed up and moved to Austin in 2012.

Name: Emily Waldmann Location: Austin, Texas Size: 1,400 square feet Years lived in: Owned 3 years Austin is known for its music scene and amazing barbecue. But Austin also boasts some diverse, singular design. Deep down in East Austin is where you’ll find Seattle native Emily Waldmann and her incredible modern-meets-bohemian style. This 1967 renovated charmer features welcoming common areas, ample outdoor space, and a private master bathroom ensuite.

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.

Name: Maggie, Chuck, Katie and Will (crazy critters: Stella, Blanche and Ozzie the three legged cat) Location: Sumter, South Carolina Size: 2,400 square feet Years lived in: Renting 14 months Maggie Overby is a Louisiana native living in Sumter, South Carolina. After graduating from LSU and meeting the love of her life — Chuck — they bought their first home and Maggie caught the renovating and design bug.

Name: Sarah, Keith, Charlotte (age 9), Cormac (age 6), and Otis “My Man,” their Wheaten Terrier Location: Melrose, Massachusetts Size: About 2,200 square feet (including finished basement) Years lived in: Owned 8 years Sarah and her husband Keith moved from Boston up to Melrose, Massachusetts after getting married and having their first baby. Having a small child in the city wasn’t ideal for them, and it seemed like the right time for more space.

Name: Nisha Stevens, Tim Stevens (husband) and Kester Stevens (son, age 3) Location: Deptford, South East London Size: 1160 square feet Years lived in: Owned 4 years When I stepped into this flat-fronted Victorian terrace in South East London, it was as if I was magically thrown back in time to the ’70s. Nisha, an interior designer, and film producer husband Tim, are clearly big fans of the decade and it shows.

Name: Hannah, Marc, Louisa and Izzy Location: Nashville, Tennessee Size: 3,300 square feet Years lived in: Owned 1.5 years Hannah and Marc moved into their gorgeous 1920s home a little more than a year ago. They have worked hard to update the space with fresh coats of paint, flooring and beautiful decor.

Name: Emily Murray, husband and two young sons Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Size: Four-bedroom Victorian terraced house Years lived in: Owned 6 years Lifestyle journalist Emily Murray, who’s also behind the fabulous interior blog The Pink House, doesn’t shy away from color. Or pattern mixing. Or pretty much any daring design element at all.

Name: Pamela Hill and Michael Castellon, their son Max, age 17, and dogs Bentley and Rosie Location: The Alphabet District — NW Portland, Oregon Size: 3,790 square feet Years lived in: Owned, 4 years When Pam and Michael purchased their 1906 historic home in one of Portland’s most desired neighborhoods, they knew they were signing up to tackle a huge project.

Name: Greg, Nola, Vivian (8 years) and Pepper Talmage (4 years) Location: Mid Wilshire/Miracle Mile — Los Angeles, California Size: 1,550 square feet Years lived in: Renting 5 years This great Spanish style home is located just off a busy street filled with high rises and heavy traffic. But walking into Nola’s apartment, you sense light and serenity. She has made her home a cozy, creative solace from the fast-paced Los Angeles that lies just outside her door.

Name: Neffi Walker and her children (Adonis 23, Kawhyii 22, Jhette 17, Nile 5) Location: Northern New Jersey Size: 5,000 square feet Years lived in: Owned 5 years Some know her as the proprietor of Jersey City interior design destination, Le Noir Home. Others know her for her uplifting and unapologetic attitude on her blog and its related Instagram page. But all who know Neffi Walker know that her family is the center of her being.