I’ve observed I get a handful of repeat questions via DMs, feedback, and e-newsletter replies, so I believed it could be enjoyable to start out answering just a few of them in additional element every month.
Ask Brittany – January 2026 Version
How is ChatGPT serving to you adorn your property?
This has been a complete sport changer for somebody like me who can not visualize what one thing will appear to be. I usually don’t know if I like one thing till I’m staring proper at it—which makes adorning difficult.
We use the paid model of ChatGPT (although you are able to do this with the free model too—there’s only a restrict on picture generations). I merely take a photograph of the area I wish to enhance, add it within the app, and describe what I’d prefer to see. It often takes a little bit back-and-forth to get my imaginative and prescient throughout, and it’s undoubtedly not flawless. Typically proportions are off, or it removes issues completely (RIP to the air return vent that disappeared on one wall). However total? Extremely useful.
Take the large empty wall beside our fire, for instance. I uploaded a photograph of the clean area and requested ChatGPT to brighten it within the fashion of Pottery Barn. I don’t need my entire home to appear to be a Pottery Barn catalog, however the aesthetic aligns intently with what I like—and it’s a mode that’s straightforward for the software to know.
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You’ll discover the proportions modified fairly a bit. It shrunk the stone space to the correct of the fireside, lowered the ceiling, and prolonged the mantel. Not superb… so I stored enjoying with it.
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Excellent? No. However nonetheless very useful for somebody who struggles with the “what is going to this truly appear to be?” query? Completely.
After just a few extra iterations, I landed on a model that felt life like and that I genuinely beloved. With that picture (under) in thoughts, I reached out to a carpenter—and shortly I’ll be capable to present you the real-life “after” of this area with floating cabinets.
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I’ll report again on how the experiment seems, however I’ve already used this method in a number of different areas of our house. I’m planning a built-in bench for the entrance porch and am very near pulling the set off on a setup for an empty nook in the lounge too.
Have you ever used ChatGPT for house design?
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What books have you ever learn these days?
Let’s discuss January reads but additionally 2025 books since my studying tends to stretch over time.
At any given second, I often have:
- a bodily e book for me
- an audiobook for me
- a bodily read-aloud with the youngsters
- an audiobook with the youngsters
- and often an audiobook for me and every child for automobile time
It seems like quite a bit, nevertheless it works for us.
As an alternative of sharing simply what I’m studying proper now, right here’s a have a look at what I’ve learn over the previous six months or so. I’ve linked all the pieces for straightforward looking and added my completely subjective letter grade subsequent to every.
On My Personal
- Outlive — A
- The Story (Teen Model) — B
- Demon Copperhead — A
- Large Stunning Life — Did Not End
- Be Prepared When the Luck Occurs — B-
- Delight & Prejudice (with Hailey) — A+
- The Alchemist — C
- 4 Thousand Weeks: Time Administration for Mortals — B
With the Children
- Anne of Inexperienced Gables — A+
- Pollyanna — B-
- Little Girls — A+
- Quantity the Stars — A
- The Secret Backyard — B+
- The Bridge to Terabithia — C
- A Wrinkle in Time — C
- Beowulf — B+
- The place the Purple Fern Grows — A+
- King Arthur and the Knights of the Spherical Desk — B-
- The Legend of Sleepy Hole — B+
- The Mysterious Benedict Society — A
- The Hobbit — A
Quick time period rental recommendation?
I usually get requested: What do you would like you’d recognized earlier than getting began with short-term leases?
First, begin right here—I wrote a submit answering widespread FAQs about short-term leases. Then, listed here are just a few rapid-fire ideas:
First, begin right here the place I wrote a submit about FAQ with brief time period leases. Then, listed here are just a few speedy hearth suggestions:
- Be clear about your targets. Are you targeted on earnings/money stream? Lowering taxable earnings? Making a trip house for your loved ones? These solutions matter as a result of they’ll form all the pieces—from the property you select to the way you handle it.
- Select a property with a distinguishing function. Particularly in fashionable markets, one thing must set your house aside—a view, an awesome location, or a singular amenity. There’s additionally an previous saying: heads and beds. The extra individuals you’ll be able to comfortably sleep, the higher your reserving potential (even when that results in some unconventional sleeping preparations like a twin mattress in the identical room because the king mattress).
- Resolve whether or not you’ll self-manage or rent a supervisor. There are execs and cons to each. If a part of your technique includes tax advantages, self-managing—and monitoring a minimum of 500 hours—issues. In case you use a supervisor, store round. Charges fluctuate extensively, and a few can take a shocking chunk out of your income.
- Have a monetary cushion. Early bills and slower-than-expected ramp-up durations are widespread. You don’t wish to really feel cash-strapped whilst you’re nonetheless discovering your footing.
- Analysis market information before you purchase. Instruments like PriceLabs and AirDNA will help you set life like expectations. Proudly owning a property near house is handy, however comfort doesn’t all the time equal sturdy returns.
Subsequent month…
Have a query that may be enjoyable to speak about subsequent month? Remark under or electronic mail me—I’d love to incorporate it.
And now I’m curious:
What’s the simplest means you’ve used ChatGPT (or Copilot or Grok)?
What’s one of the best e book you’ve learn these days?
Any funding methods catching your eye proper now?
