I’ve observed I get a handful of repeat questions via DMs, feedback, and e-newsletter replies, so I believed it will be enjoyable to begin answering just a few of them in additional element every month.
Ask Brittany – January 2026 Version
How is ChatGPT serving to you beautify your own home?
This has been a complete sport changer for somebody like me who can’t visualize what one thing will appear like. I typically don’t know if I like one thing till I’m staring proper at it—which makes adorning tough.
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 house I wish to enhance, add it within the app, and describe what I’d wish to see. It normally takes a bit back-and-forth to get my imaginative and prescient throughout, and it’s undoubtedly not flawless. Generally proportions are off, or it removes issues completely (RIP to the air return vent that disappeared on one wall). However general? Extremely useful.
Take the large empty wall beside our hearth, for instance. I uploaded a photograph of the clean house and requested ChatGPT to embellish it within the model of Pottery Barn. I don’t need my entire home to appear like a Pottery Barn catalog, however the aesthetic aligns carefully with what I like—and it’s a mode that’s simple for the device to know.
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You’ll discover the proportions modified fairly a bit. It shrunk the stone space to the best of the fireside, lowered the ceiling, and prolonged the mantel. Not supreme… so I stored enjoying with it.
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Good? No. However nonetheless very useful for somebody who struggles with the “what’s going to this really appear like?” query? Completely.
After just a few extra iterations, I landed on a model that felt lifelike and that I genuinely liked. With that picture (beneath) in thoughts, I reached out to a carpenter—and shortly I’ll be capable of present you the real-life “after” of this house with floating cabinets.
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I’ll report again on how the experiment seems, however I’ve already used this strategy in a number of different areas of our dwelling. 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 dwelling design?
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What books have you ever learn these days?
Let’s discuss January reads but in addition 2025 books since my studying tends to stretch over time.
At any given second, I normally have:
- a bodily guide for me
- an audiobook for me
- a bodily read-aloud with the children
- an audiobook with the children
- and normally an audiobook for me and every child for automobile time
It seems like so much, but it surely works for us.
As a substitute 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 every part for straightforward shopping and added my completely subjective letter grade subsequent to every.
On My Personal
- Outlive — A
- The Story (Teen Model) — B
- Demon Copperhead — A
- Massive Lovely Life — Did Not End
- Be Prepared When the Luck Occurs — B-
- Satisfaction & 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 Pink 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 typically 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 below are just a few rapid-fire ideas:
First, begin right here the place I wrote a submit about FAQ with quick time period leases. Then, listed below are just a few fast fireplace suggestions:
- Be clear about your targets. Are you targeted on revenue/money circulation? Lowering taxable revenue? Making a trip dwelling for your loved ones? These solutions matter as a result of they’ll form every part—from the property you select to the way you handle it.
- Select a property with a distinguishing function. Particularly in well-liked markets, one thing must set your home aside—a view, an excellent location, or a novel amenity. There’s additionally an outdated saying: heads and beds. The extra individuals you possibly can 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).
- Determine whether or not you’ll self-manage or rent a supervisor. There are execs and cons to each. If a part of your technique entails tax advantages, self-managing—and monitoring at the very least 500 hours—issues. In the event you use a supervisor, store round. Charges fluctuate broadly, and a few can take a stunning chew out of your earnings.
- Have a monetary cushion. Early bills and slower-than-expected ramp-up intervals are widespread. You don’t wish to really feel cash-strapped whilst you’re nonetheless discovering your footing.
- Analysis market knowledge before you purchase. Instruments like PriceLabs and AirDNA will help you set lifelike expectations. Proudly owning a property near house is handy, however comfort doesn’t all the time equal robust returns.
Subsequent month…
Have a query that will be enjoyable to talk about subsequent month? Remark beneath or e mail me—I’d love to incorporate it.
And now I’m curious:
What’s the simplest method you’ve used ChatGPT (or Copilot or Grok)?
What’s the perfect guide you’ve learn these days?
Any funding methods catching your eye proper now?
