apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Stephanie & Bob Walker, Silver Lake, CA

Maxwell's recent AT newsletter made note of three of our top October house tours from the Southwest region, with an East Coast perspective: "The sunlight and the generally more airy spaces are super inviting, while the eclecticism and humor of the inhabitants will make you think differently about your own home. It will make you want to try new things." Take a peek below, take in the sunlight, be inspired to try something new and find out which house tours were our most popular last month (with page view stats, for those of you who like to keep a tally)...

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Name: Lucinda and Nicholas
Location: Lower East Side
Size: 1000 sqft
Lived in: 12 years in the back half of the current apartment. (The front half was sublet). One year in the combined apartment

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Lucinda and Nicholas, with the help of O'Neill Rose Architects transformed two tenement apartments that they had owned for more than a decade, into one sleek and modern home for themselves and their newborn child. The space, in its former state, was very cave like so to see it in its current state, is a revelation.


   

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Name: Stef and Mike
Location: Seattle
Size: 1,800 sq ft
Years Lived in: 1 year and 11 months

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We've been reading Stef's blog for years now, and were thrilled when she purchased a house and started posting about it from time to time. Now, she's been gracious enough to pull some photos and information together for a House Tour.

We love how Stef and her husband, Mike, have managed to achieve that often elusive balance of style and comfort while also choosing pieces that reflect their personalities. One look through her photos and we were wishing she'd invite us over to hang out in the Tea Nook.

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Name: Vanessa and Simon
Location: Gramercy Park
Size: 500 sqft., 2-bdrm. rental
Favorite Element: Light

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Vanessa, a web designer, draws a parallel between organizing her belongings and designing web sites. She finds they both present the same challenge — how to accommodate a lot of stuff into a small amount of space...

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Name: Seonna Hong
Location: Mt. Washington
Size: 926 sq. feet
Years lived in: A little over a year

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Finding Seonna's hillside Mt. Washington home was an adventure in itself, with more twists and turns than a spy thriller novel. Clinging to a dramatic hillside, the post and beam residence expresses its pedigree with a variety of original midcentury architectural details, all complimenting its most impressive feature: an expansive hillside view of Pasadena and the Angeles Forest. The home is comfortably decorated with both modern and vintage pieces, warmly accentuated by the obvious presence of Seonna's daughter's playthings and artwork (we love her doorway sign to please "nock" before entering). Additional art from various artist friends give each wall not only visual interest, but colourfully highlight the home and our hostesses' friendly character..

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Name: Jacob, Laurie and Matilda
Profession: Architect; Librarian; Baby
Location: West Ridge neighborhood of Chicago
Type: 2 BR condo owned in 1930’s bow front brick 6 flat; about 1200 sq. ft.
Years lived in: 2

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Jacob and Laurie have been working tirelessly for the last two years. With a desire to try their hands at never-before tackled projects, the pair set out on a clear mission: refinishing floors, installing a new kitchen, and creating a nursery for their daughter-to-be, Matilda. Daunting, yes, but they say it was well worth the effort, learning curve, and adventure.

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Name: Laura
Location: Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
Size: 250sqft
Lived in: 5 months

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Laura is a professional organizer and it shows. We last visited her in her former shrine to utilitarian yet soothing living a couple of years ago. Since then, she was forced to relocate to a smaller home that was in much worse condition upon arrival. Laura did not despair. In fact, she took on the challenge with gusto. If she could make this formerly dirty closet sized studio a place in which she and others wanted to spend time, then no task is too large.

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Name: Dan & Eszter Rabin
Location: Noe Valley, San Francisco
Size: 1000 sq. ft.
Years lived in: 4

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People's homes should reflect their personalities, and their lives. Dan and Eszter's does. It's a welcoming space, full of art and books and vintage modern pieces, all of which are meaningful to them.

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Name: Patty and Chris
Location: Astor Place/Union Square
Size: 2000 sqft
Favorite: The ceilings, the windows, and the good bones.

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Patty and Chris moved in three years ago. Once a candle factory, the space had since been overly adorned by a previous owner during the late 70s/early 80s. Instead of appreciating the apartment for what it is — a formerly industrial brick building with huge windows and brick walls with arches over each window, high ceilings and lots of space — the former dwellers tried to eek out an Italian villa in the middle of the Village...

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Name: Sharon Montrose and Spencer Starr
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Size: 2,000 sq. ft.
Years lived in: 3+ years

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When we found the photos of Los Angeles photographer Sharon Montrose, we knew we had to pester her for a house tour. Her photographic series of puppy photos of her canine pal, Squeak, hosting a mini-house tour promised of an interior as friendly, warm and inviting as her cute four legged friend, and we were not disappointed when she followed up with a bunch more photos of the home she shares with her husband and dogs. So come on in, take a tour of Sharon and Spencer's Los Angeles pad below...

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Name: Tracy & Rex
Location: Manhattan Beach, CA
Size: 3400 sq/ft
Years lived in: Own / 3+ years

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We are happy to share the home of Tracy, Rex and family. Their pretty Southbay home by the beach is comfortable in style and vibe. We love the pulled together neutral tones and stylish yet simple decor accents carried throughout the Cape-Cod style house. A big change for the family this year was renovating the kitchen. Inspired by a movie, Tracy opened up the space, created a functioning island, added appliances she had wanted and created french doors out to the large patio and bar (perfect for entertaining, bbqs and fun!) Check out more of Tracy's inspiration for her home after the jump.

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Name: Eve Martel
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Size: 1,167 sq ft
Years lived in: Just over a year, Eve is a proud first time owner!

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Eve moved into her Hochelaga, Montreal loft just over a year ago. Her loft is in the La Biscuiterie Viau building: it used to be a candy and cookie factory and was owned by a famous local family. Built in 1906, the factory was transformed into loft units in 2007. Every unit is different and most have original architectural details like brick walls, steel beams and wood pillars.

Here, Eve has established a home that is uniquely hers after only a year of residence...

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Name: Kelly and Stuart (with help from PorterFanna Architecture)
Location: Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Size: 675
Lived in: 4 years

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The design and construction phase lasted only five months, but what took place was nothing less then wholly transformative. Stuart knew what he wanted. In fact, he learned the drafting software 'sketch-up' to illustrate his visions. Then he hired architects to help him realize them. The apartment went from typical to fantastic...

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Name: Xing
Location: Bellevue, WA
Size:1800 sq. ft.
Years lived in: 4.5

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After we saw Xing's home in the '06 Fall Colors Contest, he offered to show us more of his fascinating, eclectic house. Xing clearly knows not only how to mix and match pieces and styles, but how to spot deals -- many of his finds are from Craigslist, eBay, and his travels. Take a look. (And don't miss Xing's current Seattle apartment, where he's moved since this tour.)

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