Two Menswear Designers’ Layered yet Orderly Co-Op By: Garrett Fleming

While I like being able to have final say in what goes into my home, I do sometimes wish that I had a partner to bounce ideas off of; someone opposite me that pushes for ever-unique solutions to design challenges. The most interesting creative work I have ever seen was born out of two un-likeminded individuals working together under a shared vision. One of my favorite examples of this is Dior designers Raf Simons and Pieter Mulier. One blunt, one more of a waffler, one caring, the other brazen — they complemented one another so well, that the final collection they created was truly visionary.

Menswear designers Shaun and Astrid’s Harlem, NY co-op is the perfect example of how styles can converge to create something personal. Having lived and worked in California, Shaun has a soft spot for knick-knacks and a laid-back, coastal vibe. His wife Astrid’s German upbringing, on the other hand, has instilled in her a love for clean lines and minimal aesthetics. When they moved into this one-bedroom spot four years ago, finding the right balance of their two styles was a bit challenging, but ended up organically shaping the space’s look. “It was important that our apartment feel like a home and not like something decorated by a stranger,” the two say. In order to achieve this, they draped each room in elements that remind them of travels together and the people they’ve met along the way. This “visual diary of [their] life together” isn’t only pleasant on the inside. It sits on one of the quietest streets in Manhattan with a rooftop garden that Shaun and Astrid call the best part of their home. Take a peek at the rest of the clean and cozy apartment that they share with furry friends Artos, Chaplin and Sanderson after the jump. Enjoy! —Garrett

Photography by Shaun Crowley

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New Construction with Curated Charm in Texas By: Garrett Fleming

Rollerblading on Peachtree Lane until the streetlamps came on, swimming until dusk on Stagecoach Drive; my childhood homes in Texas hold many of my fondest memories. I may not live there anymore, but the Lone Star State will always be with me. That being said, I am always extra excited when we get to feature the homes of fellow Texans.

Ryan and Cary Ray completely overhauled their 3,500-square-foot Highland Village, TX home. “It needed so much work,” Cary says. “It was built in 1999 and had seashells everywhere; tile, sinks, sconces, hardware — everywhere,” Cary says. The two were able to see the burgeoning potential under all those questionable designs, and were eager to take on the fixer-upper. New flooring, paint jobs, demolishing walls and from-scratch bathrooms took up the majority of the four-year renovation. It was quite the undertaking, but the since neighborhood was so great, the couple charged through.

Decorating the space took time as well. Waiting for deals, scouring Craigslist, and hunting at estate sales were just some of the ways that the young couple was able to achieve the “welcoming, collected” home they had always wanted. “I see so many beautifully decorated spaces that feel so rigid… I never want to take my home that seriously,” Cary explains. A little bit rustic, a little bit modern — I adore the interplay of the home’s various styles. Take a closer look and you’ll see how this couple has fit two brand headquarters, vintage finds and various collections into their charming Texas abode. Enjoy! —Garrett

Photography by Ryan Ray

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Thrifty Glitz in the Motor City By: Garrett Fleming

What I love about revisiting a home that we have previously peeked inside of is that the stylistic evolution is always so fascinating. Three years ago, we featured Tracey and Mike Tilley’s sunshiny bedroom makeover, and today they have been generous enough to let us see the rest of their mid-century, ranch-style abode in Detroit, MI.

Anxious but excited, project manager Tracey bought the home after growing tired of tossing money into a pit of rental properties. With such a passion for decorating, it no longer made sense for her to invest so much time and effort into a temporary residence. The hardwood floors, coved ceilings and abundant closet space helped this property win out over more updated and convenient homes. Luckily, the one-bedroom home’s previous owners did a fantastic job maintaining some of the space’s original, 1950s charm. “I got good vibes the moment I walked in,” Tracey says.

Eager to have “a clean, blank canvas to work with,” she spent the first few months of her time in the home refinishing floors, tearing out carpet, and painting walls and ceilings. The decorating process has been slow, yet nothing but enjoyable. With a love for scouring vintage shops and keeping her decor in constant rotation, Tracey set out to mix “inexpensive pieces from big-box stores with vintage, flea-market finds.” Eleven years later, she is still finding clever ways to achieve the look she loves for less. Working on a budget meant that some extra DIY headaches were endured, but Tracey says it’s all been worth it. I have to agree. Truly one-of-a-kind pieces fill her rambler. There’s even a disco ball in the dining room and a full suit of armor guarding the breakfast nook. All these quirky touches set the mood for a fun and glittering home I am sure you’ll not soon forget. Enjoy! —Garrett

Photography by Kate Sassak and Tracey Tilley

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A Cartoonist and Illustrator’s Easygoing Rental By: Garrett Fleming

There are so many design styles, artists and vintage pieces to love, I sometimes worry if I’m packing too much into my home. I don’t live in a giant space, and learning how to edit is something I’m constantly working on. Part of the challenge is how easy it is to find new treasures! With the click of a button, you can upgrade – and potentially overstuff – your space.

Keiko Brodeur and cartoonist Malachi Ward are no strangers to the challenge of fitting your big life into a small apartment. The two creatives used to live and work out of this 550-square-foot apartment in Pasadena, CA. Their growing collection of vintage finds and work supplies, however, quickly left them feeling boxed in by their space. “We literally had narrow walking paths between stacks of boxes,” Keiko explains. A year ago, the stress finally proved too much for the couple, and they decided that separating work and play was mandatory.

The couple immediately felt liberated once all of their tools were out of the picture and neatly stowed in the new studio. Eager to finally furnish the home of their dreams, they dove headfirst into decking out their one-bedroom apartment. Just like for me, an edited aesthetic didn’t come naturally to the couple. Their pension for plants and irresistible accessories could have easily left their home feeling cramped, but they simply kept telling themselves to stick to the plan. What was that plan? To find the right balance between functionality and coziness – a warm space where they could relax. Their well-thought-out design decisions are so organic that they become invisible. All we see is a nest that’s so effortless and easy it’s hard to imagine the space looking any other way. I adore their home’s laid-back attitude, and I hope you do as well. Enjoy! —Garrett

Photography by Hollin Brodeur

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An Australian Home Gets a Pre-Fab Addition By: Garrett Fleming

Stylist Anna Critchley and her husband Michael firmly believe that a happy home makes a happy family. Because of this, they traded in their new construction for a place where their daughters Eadie and Lilah could flourish. “[Our old house] was nice, but it didn’t inspire us in any way. We found that we weren’t excited to go home. We wanted a home that we couldn’t wait to get back to and spend time in,” the family says. While in between places, the family temporarily stayed in Anna’s parents’ rental. It didn’t take long for the couple to realize that the property’s pastoral view of Hinton, Australia and “quiet lifestyle were perfect for [their] young family.” Before they knew it, the four were putting down permanent roots in the three-bedroom spot.

The 1970s-era house was “nothing exciting or glamorous,” to begin with, but with guts and a little patience Anna and Michael decided to “create a house that [they] loved as much as the block and location.” Their biggest undertaking was the pre-fabricated addition they attached to the front of their home. The Critchleys chose to contrast the existing traditional facade with über-modern new construction that would help it stand out amongst the other houses on the block. After about seven weeks of development under the guidance of architect Jodie Dixon and Timberline builders, the new structure finally left the factory in three pieces and was craned into place. “A central, light-filled hallway,” was added to seamlessly connect the pre-fabricated portion to the existing structure. As you’ll see when you click through the full tour, this new wing of the home holds the entry, kitchen, dining room and open living area.

This all seems quite enough for one pair to undertake, but the family didn’t stop there. New flooring throughout the entire home, paint jobs around every corner, and a new deck and garage round out the renovation. All in all, it took 18 months to bring their vision to life, but from the looks of it the challenge was absolutely worth it. You can feel this family’s joy as you comb through the colorful photos. I hope you enjoy taking a peek inside as much as I did! —Garrett

Photography by Nail & Twine Photography

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A Chicago Family’s Victorian Cottage By: Garrett Fleming

Andersonville is one of my favorite neighborhoods here in Chicago, IL. The Swedish community not only has some of the most fabulous design shops in town, but my friends and I look forward to its Midsommarfest every year. The family-friendly and artistic neighborhood north of downtown is not only perfect in my eyes, but turned out to be the perfect spot for Angela, Gene, Enzo and Luca when they decided to move eight years ago. Their quaint cottage is a master class in how good things can come in small packages. According to Angela, the lots in Andyville – as my friends and I call it – are so close together “you could honestly pass a cup of sugar to your neighbor.” This presented a unique set of design challenges that Angela and Gene attacked head-on after moving in.

Determined to make the home feel larger and brighter, the family decked out their entire 1890s Victorian in shades of barely-there grey. Before this, “each room was painted a different color and every room had a different colored floor,” creating a disparate and uninvitingly dark feel. This new paint job, however, was just the beginning. From the get-go the family wanted a Scandinavian aesthetic with light floors, a lot of candles and a fireplace, but how exactly that would come together was up to the home itself. Angela let the home speak to her for a year before making any big decorating decisions. I have seen the results and think you’ll agree that a year’s worth of design development has resulted in a refined and warm place to call home. Click through to check it out. Enjoy! —Garrett

Photography by Amber Hampton

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