Ideas Inspiration

Thanks to a lot of creams, natural stone, natural wood, indoor plants, and organized spaces, Michele Vig's tidy home has an overall feel of being calm, cozy, and peaceful.

Inside designer Colby Kern's apartment, high-end splurges, flea market finds, original art, and even a few big box-store scores coexist. The result is a style that exudes luxury without the high price tag.

"I love my space because it encourages room for creativity — I'm surrounded by items that I find comforting, such as big soft blankets and plush textured pillows, as well as items that creatively inspire me, from art to books and objects from my travels," explains painter Kristine Overacre.

A few months of layering their place with things they love and need gave Aparna and her husband's small rental apartment a warm makeover and became incredibly personal.

Jennifer is a part-time nursing professor and the full-time CEO/lead professional organizer for organizing company, Organized by Jen D. She shares this San Diego home with her husband, Tony, sons Alton, Aiden, and Sean, and pets.

A dated and dark house is now a warm, modern, tranquil home with a beautiful color palette.

Ashley Molesso and Chess Needham run Ash + Chess, a queer and trans owned stationery and art company. And they added tons of personality to this rental house in Richmond they lived in for two years.

Tynan wanted this small studio to feel like a "1950s honeymoon suite, a cocktail lounge, a powder room, the Playboy Mansion, a 1960s TSA terminal, and a little gay space station in the clouds."

Scarlett Langdon and Xandice Armah’s home, known as The Gal Palace, is full of their personalities. “When we moved into the flat it was our first time living together, and our first time living somewhere unfurnished where we could properly put our stamp on it,” Scarlett says.

Every detail of this rental appealed to Lauren Meichtry, the designer behind Elsie Home, from the high ceilings, wainscoting, built-in benches off the fireplace, green marble countertops in the kitchen, to the ocean view from the primary bedroom.

Jakia, the CEO and founder of SoleOrganizer, has done a beautiful job of creating an uncluttered, organized home that holds just what she needs.

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.

"The goal for my home has always been to make it feel like the most fun place you’ve ever been in, and I want every room to have a surprise in it once you enter," says TikTok DIY decor star Taylor BeepBoop of her "Pee-Wee’s Playhouse chic" San Francisco condo.

Professional organizer Shira Gill's definition of minimalism is "not about deprivation or scarcity, but rather, defining what is essential and meaningful to you, and then stripping away the clutter and distraction that stands in the way."

From a tiny plant-filled apartment to a vintage Victorian manse, these homes all stood out to AT staff.

A funky 1960s-era home was the favorite among Apartment Therapy readers this year.

Alex Willcock is the co-founder of Maker&Son, and his home is a Grade II listed country house in West Sussex dating back to the 1660s that's full of gorgeous furniture and beautiful paint colors.

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.

Lots of furniture in Tiffany, Joseph, and Ashley's rental rowhome is salvaged, found, or antiqued.

This artist calls her home a true expression of  “slow design," mixing flea market finds with hand-me-down family pieces and combining clean lines with organic materials and surfaces that show their age.

Chef LaMara Davidson, the founder of Cornbread + Kimchi, lives in this Dallas house that she's painted in bold colors.

Interior designer Ryan Black incorporated family heirlooms and antique pieces from Asia and Europe along with a mix of modern design elements to create an eclectic, worldly feel in Jean-Francois Alix's newly purchased condo.

In 2017, Hurricane Irma destroyed Rob's house in St. Augustine, and just two days later he decided to rebuild with a single family house constructed of shipping containers.

"My style is modern vintage, eclectic, maximalist, seriously whimsical, adventurous, nostalgic, queer, unapologetically colorful and femme, bold, energetic, cozy, life affirming, unconventional, and wholeheartedly personal," explains Sarah Hartley.

When Zoë and her partner bought their first home, this 1950s ranch house, she was able to re-discover her colorful, creative side. "I learned to take risks and embrace the unexpected. I feel like I finally have my creativity back, and it’s a beautiful feeling." 

Aarica Nichole draws inspiration for her home from the '70s and '80s, Hollywood regency, mid-century, Scandinavian, and maximalism styles.

Dani Dazey, the owner and founder of the clothing line, Dazey LA, and the interior design studio, Dazey Den, and her partner, Phillip Butler, live in this colorful, patterned house in Los Angeles with their dogs, Franklin and Yuki.

Lisa Donahue and her daughter, Megan Donahue, started Live Simply Buses as a tribute to their brother and son Michael who passed away at the age of 15.