Location
San Diego, California
Expertise
DIY home decor, Optimizing small spaces, Pet-friendly home design
- Nicole is passionate about sourcing sustainably made, natural-fiber, and heirloom-quality home goods at an affordable price.
- She transformed a tiny living room-cum-studio into a whimsical jewel box of an apartment (mostly with items sourced at the thrift store!).
- Nicole has also written extensively about urban homesteading, helping to introduce city dwellers to a self-sufficient lifestyle.
Experience
Nicole was the managing editor of one of California's top content marketing agencies, serving clients like Pottery Barn and West Elm. During her time at the agency, she also managed their home product review website, Your Best Digs. Today, she contributes to The Good Trade while simultaneously pursuing a career in animal welfare. With one foot in the "lifestyle" industry and the other in the nonprofit world, she has learned to cultivate timeless design on a budget and aims to help readers do the same.
House Digest uses a knowledgeable team of editors, writers, and experts to create all our content. We dive deep into the always-evolving conversations surrounding design and home trends, striving to deliver the most current and helpful tips, strengthened by expert takes and tutorials from our talented team.
As we cover many fields of expertise, we make it a priority to ensure every beat remains fresh and comprehensive. Additional information on our editorial process available here.
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Design Hacks
By Nicole Ahlering
This stainless steel Ikea product can be used to store a number of items, including your favorite blankets. Save space on your shelves with this Ikea hack.
By Nicole Ahlering
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Bathroom Remodel
By Nicole Ahlering
Towel bars, rings, and racks might be practical, but they're rarely cute. Channel the trend for geometric design by DIYing your own quirky hand towel holder.
By Nicole Ahlering
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Trends
By Nicole Ahlering
While this neutral color scheme once read as outdated, it's starting to regain popularity in modern design thanks to its coziness and versatility.
By Nicole Ahlering
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DIY Home Decor
By Nicole Ahlering
Upgrading your cookware? Don't toss any pot lids just yet. With a little imagination (and a two-part epoxy), you can create a bespoke centerpiece.
By Nicole Ahlering
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Furniture
By Nicole Ahlering
If you wince at the thought of the '80s coming back, consider the unique individual pieces from the era that translate well to modern decor — like this table.
By Nicole Ahlering
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Home Goods
By Nicole Ahlering
This simple Pyrex pattern might not look all that special to the average thrift shopper, but its rarity means it could sell for thousands secondhand.
By Nicole Ahlering
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DIY Home Decor
By Nicole Ahlering
With a few supplies, you can DIY whimsical face planters. They add a fun touch to your space, are easy to decorate, and are perfect for trailing plants.
By Nicole Ahlering
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Trends
By Nicole Ahlering
There are lots of old children's toys worth keeping your eyes peeled for at the thrift store, but few are as valuable as these antique French-made dolls.
By Nicole Ahlering
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Organization
By Nicole Ahlering
Don't throw out those toilet paper rolls just yet. This clever DIY that turns them into a chic jewelry box is too simple not to try (and looks great, too).
By Nicole Ahlering
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DIY Home Decor
By Nicole Ahlering
Spice up your doorway using just cardboard scraps and some crafting essentials. You can do this simple DIY project as is, or add your own flair to it.
By Nicole Ahlering
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DIY Home Decor
By Nicole Ahlering
You can make use of mason jars for some fantastic DIY projects, but what about the lids? With some extra materials, you can turn them into decor, too.
By Nicole Ahlering
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Outdoor
By Nicole Ahlering
You can create an intentional-looking patio design with thrifted items by following some simple decorating guidelines. We'll show you how to keep it chic.
By Nicole Ahlering
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DIY Home Decor
By Nicole Ahlering
Save old books from the landfill by upcycling them into a planter for your favorite greenery. Books with pretty patterns or nice colors on the cover work best.
By Nicole Ahlering
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DIY Home Decor
By Nicole Ahlering
Don't know what to do with those old paper towel rolls you've been collecting? Try this DIY to turn them into a woven basket. Here's how to make it.
By Nicole Ahlering
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DIY Home Decor
By Nicole Ahlering
While old milk jugs might not seem like the most natural sources for DIY inspiration, with a little finessing, you can turn them into gorgeous flowers.
By Nicole Ahlering
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DIY Home Decor
By Nicole Ahlering
If you have kids, your drawers and bins are likely full of old markers. All you need is water to turn them into watercolor paint for home decor on a budget.
By Nicole Ahlering
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Shopping
By Nicole Ahlering
Pyrex pieces are often sought out by collectors, and this limited-run, minimalistic pattern is one of the most popular and valuable you could stumble across.
By Nicole Ahlering
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DIY Home Decor
By Nicole Ahlering
Palm fronds are more versatile than you might think. Take advantage of their leaves to make green roses that you can use to beautify your home.
By Nicole Ahlering
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DIY Home Decor
By Nicole Ahlering
Who knew pipe cleaners could look this good? This DIY is easy to do — and with so many ways to style these flowers, they can elevate any area of your home.
By Nicole Ahlering
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DIY Home Decor
By Nicole Ahlering
What's more whimsical than an enormous dandelion puff in the corner of a kids bedroom? You can DIY one with a few simple hardware store items and some paint.
By Nicole Ahlering
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DIY Home Decor
By Nicole Ahlering
Have a lot of jewelry with nowhere to put it? A clay jewelry tray is a great DIY that even beginners can easily make, which will help store your loose items.
By Nicole Ahlering
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DIY Home Decor
By Nicole Ahlering
Tired of your fresh flower bouquets only lasting a week? Green pipe cleaners and a ball of yellow yarn are all you need to make everlasting dandelion stems.
By Nicole Ahlering
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DIY Home Decor
By Nicole Ahlering
You can get creative with this budget-friendly craft project and personalize a DIY shelf to display small plants or lightweight knickknacks.
By Nicole Ahlering
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Gardening Hacks
By Nicole Ahlering
Baby squirrels may be adorable, but if you find one in your yard, don’t just scoop it up to try to save it. Here’s what to do instead.
By Nicole Ahlering
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DIY Home Decor
By Nicole Ahlering
Stray necklaces, bracelets, and earrings can quickly get messy. These creative projects will help you organize your jewelry in budget-friendly and cute ways.
By Nicole Ahlering
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Your cookbooks aren't just delicious references; they can be stylish decor, too. When it comes to displaying and organizing them, you have plenty of options.
By Nicole Ahlering
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Cleaning Hacks
By Nicole Ahlering
Dollar Tree is a great spot to buy low-cost cleaning products. The retailer's castile soap can be used to clean lots of places both in and outside your home.
By Nicole Ahlering
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