Hi, I’m Kaitlin! I’m a enthusiastic DIY-er, avid thrifter, and seasoned Airbnb host/short-term rental stylist.
Welcome to my site, where I share all of the decorating know-how I gained while working as an editor for home publications for more than 12 years, and decorating 7 of my own homes and Airbnbs in the same time frame.Â
My goal with my own homes, and the one I hope to help you achieve while you’re here, is to create a space that looks and feels good long-term, not just until the next trend comes along. I love timeless rooms, and think layering is the key to achieving them. I also believe that a beautiful home can be created on any budget and by anyone. To amend the words of the one and only Countess Luann De Lesepps, money can’t buy you style.
Here, you’ll find my favorite shopping destinations, beginner-friendly DIY projects, design inspiration, and info on all of the paint colors and tools I’ve used while decorating. I’m also working on a series about decorating basics.
A few things I believe about home:
- Paint is the fastest and cheapest way to transform any space
- Layering styles is the key to creating a timeless room
- A Goodwill coffee table can absolutely work next to a designer sofa. You can love nice things and the thrill of a bargain
- Moodboards are a must if you’re decorating your own home
- Every room needs something thrifted or vintage
- Good lighting is essential, from a style standpoint and an ambience one
- It doesn’t have to be perfect to be awesome, and it’s usually more interesting when it’s not
Some of the publications and brands I’ve written for include: RealHomes.com, Architectural Digest, New England Home, Martha Stewart Living, Good Housekeeping, Vanity Fair, Homes & Gardens, Freshome, Modern Luxury Interiors, Refinery 29, Haute Living, and Chicago Magazine, along with Conde Nast, Amazon, Decorist, The Design Network, Maya Romanoff, Maisonette and 1stDibs.
Quick Kait Facts:
- My husband and I met in New York City, and then moved to Chicago, Boston, South Boston, Hingham, MA, Seattle, and back to Chicago before settling in Connecticut, my home state.
- I found one of my favorite pieces of furniture (a little black chest) at the dump when we lived in Hingham, MA. Don’t worry, I cleaned and painted it. It’s currently in my family room.
- Painting that dump-chest was one of the things that really got me into DIY.
- I went to Northeastern University in Boston. One time, in the comments section of an article introducing me as a new writer, a commenter asked why I couldn’t get into Northwestern.
- I used to work at Wayfair, and got to decorate Jesse James Decker’s Nursery, the homes of Little Big Town singers, and Lela Rose’s dinner party. Pic or it didn’t happen:
- I currently live in Connecticut with my husband, three kids, and our black lab. When I’m not working or doing laundry for a family of five, you’ll probably find me at a flea market.
Want to say hi? Work together? Sell me something from your attic? Get in touch at kaitlin@kaitlinmadden.com.
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