Our TeamJennifer Hunter

Jennifer Hunter

    About Me

    Jennifer spends her days writing and thinking about decor, food and fashion in NYC. Not too shabby.

    Latest Stories

    Trust Your Taste: Our Ultimate Find-Your-Style Quiz
    Learning your own taste can be a lifelong journey. Wherever you are on your path, take our quiz as a way to clarify your current perfect style profile. Here’s what to do: turn off your brain, scroll through these slides and pick the very first room that catches your eye. Don’t try to figure anything out, just go with your gut and record your answers.
    Jennifer Hunter
    Oct 4, 2023
    10 Decor Ideas for That Weird Space over Your Doorway
    That strange strip of wall sandwiched between your ceiling and the top of a door frame has always been a kind of no man’s land, decor-wise. Like a tough-to-decorate, awkward corner, it’s usually not big enough for any major statement, but it’s not small enough to ignore without feeling like you’re missing an opportunity.   These above door decor ideas are sure to elevate any room in your home, whether you’re decorating on a budget or just need a quick refresh.
    Jennifer Hunter
    Jun 22, 2023
    Paint Finishes: The Pros and Cons of Flat, Low Luster and Gloss
    When painting, choosing the perfect color is only the first step. Picking the right paint finish is another key ingredient in determining how your final product will look and wear. How to choose? Read on to discover the pros and cons. Paint finishes come in three general categories: flat (or matte), low-luster (eggshell and satin) and gloss (or semigloss). Choosing between them is simply a matter of weighing your room conditions, need for durability, and personal taste.
    Jennifer Hunter
    Jan 2, 2023
    Everyone Loves Eye Candy: Our Most Beautiful and Eye-Catching Round-Ups of the Year
    Get ready to gawk at these stunning spaces. We love browsing pretty pictures and getting inspired to try something new and these homes do it really, really right. Prepare to mop up your drool while you click through this list of our best eye candy.
    Jennifer Hunter
    Oct 13, 2022
    Project ROYGBIV: A Rainbow of 20 Great Paint Color Inspiration Pics
    Making a big commitment like colorful walls can be a bit daunting, so spend some time getting cozy with these stunning examples of paint jobs in every color of the rainbow. As you can see, some of these spaces choose to use major color only as an accent; others go whole hog. Many offset their swath of color choice with white trim to really show off the punchy hue while a few brave souls combine their color with…gasp…more color!
    Jennifer Hunter
    Oct 12, 2022
    Stuck in a Rut? How To Fall in Love With Your Home All Over Again
    Once upon a time you were madly in love with your home. Then you found out that your home sometimes forgets to brush his teeth and leaves socks all over the floor. You don’t need therapy to get the magic back, you just need this stuff to rekindle your relationship. Your first and easiest way to regain some home bliss is to get your whole space spick and span.
    Jennifer Hunter
    Oct 12, 2022
    5 Unexpected Things Happy People Have in Their Homes
    Oh, you're not interested in getting happier?
    Jennifer Hunter
    Nov 3, 2020
    The Easiest Way to Do Fewer Dishes
    Who wants to spend less time doing the dishes? We do! There’s no need to overthink it. Sometimes the answer is simply to create fewer dishes in the first place. Try this simple tip. One person = one drinking vessel. Period.
    Jennifer Hunter
    Jul 17, 2020
    The Introvert’s Guide to Entertaining
    Are you an introvert who’s sworn off entertaining after too many exhausting events? Not everyone is cut out for every kind of hosting, but just because you’re not a social butterfly doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time with guests; you just have to do it the right way and play to your strengths. Here’s how.
    Jennifer Hunter
    Jul 17, 2020
    7 Ways to Have Your Most Successful Garage Sale Ever
    Ready to stage the best, most profitable summer yard sale you’ve ever thrown? There are plenty of tricks to make your sale stand out from the other sad, old-shoes-on-a-blanket sales dotting your neighborhood. Here’s how… Anyone with a yard can have a yard sale but we’re going for showmanship here. Are you moving? You, my friend, are having an “Everything-Must-Go Moving Sale.” Selling the extras from your spring cleaning binge with a few friends?
    Jennifer Hunter
    Jul 16, 2020
    Do You Have a “City Persona” and a “Country Persona?”
    We recently started talking about meeting your neighbors and it got me thinking about the variety of ways that people in different parts of the country (or the world for that matter) interact with each other in small ways, day-to-day. I’ve always realized that I act differently towards other people depending on the city I’m in, but that’s not a bad thing. In fact, it’s something of a cultural necessity.
    Jennifer Hunter
    Apr 14, 2020
    Coffee Table Roundup: Round, Square & Beyond
    My search for the perfect coffee table is endless. Not because of a lack of variety, just the opposite. There are tables in so many sizes, shapes and materials that, as often happens to me while decorating, I’m paralyzed by choice.There are so many beautiful options that each new, amazing find just reinforces my idea that committing to one table will, through the evil influence of Murphy’s Law, lead me down a path to an even more perfect choice.Then there are the rules.
    Jennifer Hunter
    Mar 11, 2020
    Block Distractions with the Colors of Noise
    No doubt you’ve heard of white noise, the sounds that can help you block loud or distracting noises in order to sleep or concentrate. Well, it turns out that, depending on the type of noise you’re trying to avoid, you may want to try some colored noise instead.  We’re not talking ocean waves or thunderstorms, although those can also be quite soothing.
    Jennifer Hunter
    May 5, 2019
    Before & After: A Kitchen Goes From Eek to Chic on a 10k Budget
    When Chris and Julia moved into their home in 2011, one of the spaces that really needed major attention was the outdated, builder-grade kitchen, complete with almond-colored appliances, pink countertops, dingy cabinets and fluorescent lighting. Although they were initially planning to tweak the layout, ultimately they decided to save money by keeping the floor plan and refurbishing the existing cabinets. They worked on the kitchen in phases, replacing appliances as they could afford it.
    Jennifer Hunter
    May 5, 2019
    Before & After: Gemma’s New Nursery
    Gemma and her husband have a baby on the way and, while they didn’t get pregnant just so they could design the nursery, for them, it was a welcome bonus. When they moved into their bungalow, the room was, as Gemma called it, “a hot turquoise mess.” With $600 to spend, they were able to fill the room with nursery essentials: a crib, dresser/changing table (they scored a used one and fixed it up) and a new rug.
    Jennifer Hunter
    May 5, 2019
    Before & After: Marty’s Beachy Backsplash
    Marty and her husband found a unique way to upgrade their backslash using reused materials, and it didn’t cost them a dime. You’ll never guess what they did. Marty says, “My husband took some castoff wood from a neighbor’s curb and turned it into a beautiful backsplash worthy of a beach cottage.” They sanded each piece to eliminate splinters and then sprayed the wood with an aerosol primer.
    Jennifer Hunter
    May 4, 2019
    What’s the Difference? Interior Designer vs. Interior Decorator
    I have a confession to make and it’s a doozy: I’m an editor of a site about design (this one) and I don’t know the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator. In fact, I’ve been using those two terms interchangibly for years. Bad editor! So I decided to educate myself (and you!). Turns out, it’s pretty straightforward but there are some major distinctions.
    Jennifer Hunter
    May 4, 2019
    4 Easy Home Habits That Let You Be a Little Lazy
    If your favorite part of cleaning is when it’s over, then listen up, lazybones. You can do less work and still have a clean and tidy house if you set up these strategies ahead of time to diminish dirt, wrangle clutter and keep yourself on track. It’s sooo much easier to prevent dirt from coming inside than it is to clean it up afterwards.
    Jennifer Hunter
    May 4, 2019
    Winning at Laundry Day: What to Learn From My Worst Laundry Mistakes (So You Don’t Make Them, Too)
    I’ve ruined a lot of great clothes in my life and most of them could have been saved had I known a few handy laundry facts before I embarked upon my trial-and-error method of clothing care. Official warning: don’t make my mistakes! Don’t do this stuff anymore.
    Jennifer Hunter
    May 4, 2019
    Need to Be A Night Owl? Try These Tricks to Stay Awake
    I used to be a night owl. A midnight movie? No problem! An after-after party? I was there. But, in an interesting turn of life events, I’ve begun getting drowsy embarrassingly early these days. Obviously this means some of my late-night habits have had to change (hello 10:30 bedtime), but when I know I’m going to have to stay up late? I do this stuff.
    Jennifer Hunter
    May 4, 2019
    Never (Ever!) Say This Word To Guests In Your Home
    We all work so hard to make our homes beautiful, relaxing spaces where we can host our friends and family. So what if I told you that by merely uttering one little word, you could derail all the positive, beautiful attributes of your home in the eyes of your guests? Please, lovelies, never say this! “Sorry about the mess.” “Sorry it’s so hot in here.” “Sorry, we’re out of milk.” Sound familiar?
    Jennifer Hunter
    Feb 24, 2019
    Molly & Tyler’s Classic Cool Cottage
    Name: Molly and Tyler KingLocation: Echo Park, Los Angeles, CaliforniaSize: 680 square feetYears lived in: 5 years; Owned I first met Molly and Tyler years ago when I tagged along with a friend to their Labor Day barbecue, and since then, I’ve watched them welcome countless friends into their charming Eastside home.
    Jennifer Hunter
    Feb 20, 2019
    5 Things Your Real Estate Broker Won’t Tell You
    House hunting? You probably need a broker to help with your search. A great broker can find you a place to live but also sometimes winds up acting as your best friend, your mom, and your therapist all in one. For a successful end result, you really want to make this complex relationship work; we’ll let you in on what your broker might really be thinking… When you’re a broker there are no guarantees.
    Jennifer Hunter
    Nov 20, 2018
    3 Renegade Ways to Shake Up Your Home and Hone Your True Style (Without Spending a Dime)
    You’re sick and tired of looking at the same old, same old, but it’s all you can seem to see. You’ve surfed and pinned until your fingers bled, but you can never seem to translate those ideas into real-life change. Never fear. These three steps require you to get off the couch and take some action. Doing this stuff will get you going, we promise.
    Jennifer Hunter
    Sep 24, 2015
    3 Ways to Save Your Memories (So You Can Let Go of the Actual Things)
    One of the our biggest emotional blocks against reducing clutter is nostalgia! We want to keep remembering the great things that happened to us while wearing that sweater or the time in our lives when we loved those plates, so we hang on to stuff that we no longer need. But guess what? You don’t need the actual items to keep those great memories at the front of your mind. Try these ideas.
    Jennifer Hunter
    Aug 30, 2015
    Does Making the Bed Really Make You Happier? I Found Out
    We tell you all the time about the importance of making your bed — the one task that will make you happier, healthier, permanently stress-free and rich beyond your wildest dreams (or something along those lines). But against my own advice — I know, I’m a hypocrite — I rarely make my bed. Mornings are always such a scramble that it never seemed like much of a priority.
    Jennifer Hunter
    Aug 26, 2015
    Safe and Smart: How To Sub-Lease Your Apartment The Right Way
    Need to be away for a while but don’t want to eat a chunk of rent? You might be in the market for a sub-leaser. Letting someone in your home comes with plenty of issues so let’s wade through them together. Read on. You have a set of guidelines for your tenancy; it’s your lease. Check it to see the rules for sub-leasing. In the event that it’s not addressed, you really need to bring it up with your landlord.
    Jennifer Hunter
    Aug 20, 2015
    How to Love a Temporary Living Situation (Even Through It’s Not Forever)
    If you’re languishing in a dorm room, sublet or any other type of temporary housing, you’re probably facing a particular kind of decor dilemma. On one hand, you’re living there so you want it to be nice. On the other, the idea of putting tons of time into fixing up a place where you won’t be for very long is exhausting. What to do? Read this. If you know you’re gonna be on the move again soonish, it’s worth it to figure out how to weed your belongings down.
    Jennifer Hunter
    Aug 16, 2015
    5 Ways to Create Defined Zones in an Open Plan Space
    So you have a huge open space on your hands? Great! Not so great is the feeling that it’s just one big, undefined area. Never fear. You can strategically use the things you already have to create separate zones and get your space organized. Try these tricks. Want something to look different than everything around it? Paint it a different color! It’s one of the easiest and fastest ways to create definition. Furniture doesn’t have to stick to the walls!
    Jennifer Hunter
    Aug 12, 2015
    Rental Red Flags: Watch Out For These 5 Bad Landlord Warning Signs
    Even a great rental will be hell if you’re stuck with a bad landlord. Don’t be blindsided by a dud. Heed these warning signs before you commit to a lease and it’s too late. Even if the apartment you tour looks immaculate, be wary if the rest of the building seems surprisingly run down in comparison. What about the landscaping outside, the lounge or the laundry room?
    Jennifer Hunter
    Aug 5, 2015
    Give Up the Guest Room: 5 Other Ideas to Squeeze the Most Use Out of An Extra Bedroom
    If you’re lucky enough to have an extra bedroom in your home, you might be getting some familial pressure to have a guest room always at the ready for out-of-towners. An extra bed is never a bad idea, but letting an empty room go to waste the other 51 weeks of the year seems like a shame. Maximize your space by turning that room into one of these things that you can appreciate all the time. Your guests will understand!
    Jennifer Hunter
    Aug 4, 2015
    5 Small Space Strategies Everyone Should Use (Even If You Have Plenty of Space)
    Lots of small space strategies are about so much more than just making it work in an itty bitty box; they’re smart ideas that everyone can use in any space. Try these on for size. Roll your eyes all you want, but remember, clutter can take over and make you crazy. Although we often hear this advice in reference to small spaces where every inch counts, no one in a home of any size should be hanging on to too many things they don’t need.
    Jennifer Hunter
    Aug 2, 2015
    The “I Hate Camping” Person’s Guide to Surviving a Family Camping Trip
    So you somehow got roped into a family camping trip this summer. If the word camping inspires a particular feeling of dread in the pit of your belly then you need our help. You CAN get through your ordeal vacation. Follow this guide. Maybe you think sleeping on the ground is for suckers or maybe you don’t fancy the idea of being shower-free for multiple days. These problems have solutions!
    Jennifer Hunter
    Jul 22, 2015
    20 Last Minute Ways to Make Your Home Look Guest-Ready (When It’s Actually Kind of a Mess)
    Are you a robot who is always ready for spur-of-the-moment guests? Good for you! The rest of us humans need to fake it once in a while. Here are twenty easy ways to do just that. Make your home look loads better in a hurry with one or two (or more if you’re feeling motivated!) of these low effort, high-impact (and dirt-hiding) tips. 20. Sweep clutter from all visible surfaces. 19. Make the bed. 18. Clean the bathroom mirror. 17. Light a candle. 16. Putting out a store-bought snack?
    Jennifer Hunter
    Jul 9, 2015
    This is Real: The Baby Cage
    1930’s London wasn’t known for its plentiful fresh air or sunshine but for a quick minute, these babies got to soak up as much as they could of both…while dangling high above the city streets in a wire cage. Guess that’s one way to get your kid to play outside. This incredible invention was brought to our attention courtesy of an hilariously tongue-in-cheek recent Gothamist article.
    Jennifer Hunter
    Jun 23, 2015
    How To Talk to Your Landlord (and Get What You Want)
    The landlord v. tenant relationship can be a tricky one to master; there are so many minefields to step around when dealing with your home and his property. But going into any discussion with the right knowledge and attitude can significantly improve your chances of request success. Here’s where to start. The number one secret to getting extra-good service from your landlord? Be the kind of tenant your landlord wants to keep around.
    Jennifer Hunter
    May 10, 2015