Rachel Kurzius
@curiouskurz.bsky.social
Reporter, The Home You Own @washingtonpost | Get in touch with tips, thoughts and romance novel recs: rachel.kurzius@washpost.com | she/her
It’s a rite of passage. As young adults grow up, they decide to upgrade their wall art. They walk into their local frame shop, get sticker shock and often walk straight back out.
Custom framing has never been cheap, but it’s also never been quite as costly as it is now.
Custom framing has never been cheap, but it’s also never been quite as costly as it is now.
November 21, 2025 at 4:47 PM
It’s a rite of passage. As young adults grow up, they decide to upgrade their wall art. They walk into their local frame shop, get sticker shock and often walk straight back out.
Custom framing has never been cheap, but it’s also never been quite as costly as it is now.
Custom framing has never been cheap, but it’s also never been quite as costly as it is now.
Let's talk about renovated White House's Lincoln Bathroom.
I spoke with designers and experts about the changes, which are very much in keeping with what we know about Trump's aesthetic (marble! gold! bathroom chandelier!).
tdlr: wow, that's a lotta marble!
I spoke with designers and experts about the changes, which are very much in keeping with what we know about Trump's aesthetic (marble! gold! bathroom chandelier!).
tdlr: wow, that's a lotta marble!
November 4, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Let's talk about renovated White House's Lincoln Bathroom.
I spoke with designers and experts about the changes, which are very much in keeping with what we know about Trump's aesthetic (marble! gold! bathroom chandelier!).
tdlr: wow, that's a lotta marble!
I spoke with designers and experts about the changes, which are very much in keeping with what we know about Trump's aesthetic (marble! gold! bathroom chandelier!).
tdlr: wow, that's a lotta marble!
The Office of the First Lady announces public tours of the White House will resume Dec. 2 and "all December tours will feature the White House Christmas decorations on the State Floor"
WH holiday decorations bring thousands of visitors each year. They're happening this year, too, tho the tour route will have to be ... a little different.
My latest piece has the details, here's a gift link: https://
wapo.st/4oUZxOH ty to @ddiamond.bsky.social
for the reporting assist
My latest piece has the details, here's a gift link: https://
wapo.st/4oUZxOH ty to @ddiamond.bsky.social
for the reporting assist
Despite demolition, White House will still hold holiday decoration tours
The tour route will be updated now that the East Wing has been demolished.
wapo.st
October 31, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The Office of the First Lady announces public tours of the White House will resume Dec. 2 and "all December tours will feature the White House Christmas decorations on the State Floor"
Each spooky season, squirrels and pumpkin-havers duke it out over the fate of decorative gourds.
Experts provided some key tips for making your pumpkins less appealing to critters. You probably already have a lot of the materials you need at home!
Experts provided some key tips for making your pumpkins less appealing to critters. You probably already have a lot of the materials you need at home!
October 28, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Each spooky season, squirrels and pumpkin-havers duke it out over the fate of decorative gourds.
Experts provided some key tips for making your pumpkins less appealing to critters. You probably already have a lot of the materials you need at home!
Experts provided some key tips for making your pumpkins less appealing to critters. You probably already have a lot of the materials you need at home!
Each year, the White House's holiday tour starts in the East Wing & the East Colonnade sets the tone for the decorations.
Now the East Wing and East Colonnade are rubble.
I just learned that, despite the demolition, the holiday tour is still happening
Now the East Wing and East Colonnade are rubble.
I just learned that, despite the demolition, the holiday tour is still happening
October 24, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Each year, the White House's holiday tour starts in the East Wing & the East Colonnade sets the tone for the decorations.
Now the East Wing and East Colonnade are rubble.
I just learned that, despite the demolition, the holiday tour is still happening
Now the East Wing and East Colonnade are rubble.
I just learned that, despite the demolition, the holiday tour is still happening
Does something in your home feel … off? Stuck? Heavy? Maybe your dog won't stop barking or your things aren't where you left them.
This is when a home cleanser might step in.
"I like to think of it as a spiritual spring cleaning."
This is when a home cleanser might step in.
"I like to think of it as a spiritual spring cleaning."
October 23, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Does something in your home feel … off? Stuck? Heavy? Maybe your dog won't stop barking or your things aren't where you left them.
This is when a home cleanser might step in.
"I like to think of it as a spiritual spring cleaning."
This is when a home cleanser might step in.
"I like to think of it as a spiritual spring cleaning."
Shopping secondhand might be intimidating for some people: Will you really find a treasure under that stack of old Afghans, or just more overpriced, mildewy junk to add to your pile of projects?
Turns out there are key tips to help you distinguish between gems and garbage!
Turns out there are key tips to help you distinguish between gems and garbage!
October 8, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Shopping secondhand might be intimidating for some people: Will you really find a treasure under that stack of old Afghans, or just more overpriced, mildewy junk to add to your pile of projects?
Turns out there are key tips to help you distinguish between gems and garbage!
Turns out there are key tips to help you distinguish between gems and garbage!
TV trends have hustled in one direction: toward ever bigger and flatter screens with the highest possible resolution.
But now, a humble, boxy, tiny-screened TV dares to ask: What if we dust off a different path? And what if that path leads us to the kitchen?
But now, a humble, boxy, tiny-screened TV dares to ask: What if we dust off a different path? And what if that path leads us to the kitchen?
October 7, 2025 at 3:10 PM
TV trends have hustled in one direction: toward ever bigger and flatter screens with the highest possible resolution.
But now, a humble, boxy, tiny-screened TV dares to ask: What if we dust off a different path? And what if that path leads us to the kitchen?
But now, a humble, boxy, tiny-screened TV dares to ask: What if we dust off a different path? And what if that path leads us to the kitchen?
Sometimes I look at a play kitchen and I am amazed at how detailed and plain NICE it is. Like ... nicer than my real kitchen.
Turns out, they've mirrored the design tastes of parents and the broader culture for centuries. The biggest change? Now they're marketed to all kids
Turns out, they've mirrored the design tastes of parents and the broader culture for centuries. The biggest change? Now they're marketed to all kids
October 1, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Sometimes I look at a play kitchen and I am amazed at how detailed and plain NICE it is. Like ... nicer than my real kitchen.
Turns out, they've mirrored the design tastes of parents and the broader culture for centuries. The biggest change? Now they're marketed to all kids
Turns out, they've mirrored the design tastes of parents and the broader culture for centuries. The biggest change? Now they're marketed to all kids
The late, great David Lynch's stunning enclave in the Hollywood Hills is for sale for $15M
"The family’s strong desire is that the next owner protects, preserves and honors what David created."
The property has buildings designed by 2 generations of the Lloyd Wright fam
"The family’s strong desire is that the next owner protects, preserves and honors what David created."
The property has buildings designed by 2 generations of the Lloyd Wright fam
September 16, 2025 at 7:13 PM
The late, great David Lynch's stunning enclave in the Hollywood Hills is for sale for $15M
"The family’s strong desire is that the next owner protects, preserves and honors what David created."
The property has buildings designed by 2 generations of the Lloyd Wright fam
"The family’s strong desire is that the next owner protects, preserves and honors what David created."
The property has buildings designed by 2 generations of the Lloyd Wright fam
This thread & responses are so funny -- they've inspired a story for the
@washingtonpost.com
Have you found anything wild or noteworthy in your kid's room? Send me a reply or email Rachel.kurzius@washpost.com if you're open to chatting. ty in advance!
@washingtonpost.com
Have you found anything wild or noteworthy in your kid's room? Send me a reply or email Rachel.kurzius@washpost.com if you're open to chatting. ty in advance!
September 12, 2025 at 4:32 PM
This thread & responses are so funny -- they've inspired a story for the
@washingtonpost.com
Have you found anything wild or noteworthy in your kid's room? Send me a reply or email Rachel.kurzius@washpost.com if you're open to chatting. ty in advance!
@washingtonpost.com
Have you found anything wild or noteworthy in your kid's room? Send me a reply or email Rachel.kurzius@washpost.com if you're open to chatting. ty in advance!
Honey oak, aka the warm wood from the '90s, is back in a big way .... Just don't call it "honey oak."
Designers tell me people are hungry for a natural look. They're done with the Great Grayening and seeking warmth.
Designers tell me people are hungry for a natural look. They're done with the Great Grayening and seeking warmth.
September 10, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Honey oak, aka the warm wood from the '90s, is back in a big way .... Just don't call it "honey oak."
Designers tell me people are hungry for a natural look. They're done with the Great Grayening and seeking warmth.
Designers tell me people are hungry for a natural look. They're done with the Great Grayening and seeking warmth.
They weren't alive in the 80s but they love to wear the "Reagan Bush '84" t-shirts.
I saw frat bros in the 2010s in these tees. Now, the younger members of a totally changed GOP still don them. I wanted to know why!
I saw frat bros in the 2010s in these tees. Now, the younger members of a totally changed GOP still don them. I wanted to know why!
August 25, 2025 at 3:15 PM
They weren't alive in the 80s but they love to wear the "Reagan Bush '84" t-shirts.
I saw frat bros in the 2010s in these tees. Now, the younger members of a totally changed GOP still don them. I wanted to know why!
I saw frat bros in the 2010s in these tees. Now, the younger members of a totally changed GOP still don them. I wanted to know why!
ICYMI: I appeared on @NPR.org to chat about the power and pleasure of fan fiction.
Ended up entreating the iconic Scott Simon to allow more whimsy into his life. Hope you're taking that advice, Scott! www.npr.org/2025/08/16/n...
Ended up entreating the iconic Scott Simon to allow more whimsy into his life. Hope you're taking that advice, Scott! www.npr.org/2025/08/16/n...
A look at how fan fiction is changing publishing and reading
NPR's Scott Simon talks with Washington Post reporter Rachel Kurzius about fan fiction, which is changing publishing —from books inspired by "Twilight" to an award-winning take on "Huckleberry Finn."
www.npr.org
August 19, 2025 at 2:38 PM
ICYMI: I appeared on @NPR.org to chat about the power and pleasure of fan fiction.
Ended up entreating the iconic Scott Simon to allow more whimsy into his life. Hope you're taking that advice, Scott! www.npr.org/2025/08/16/n...
Ended up entreating the iconic Scott Simon to allow more whimsy into his life. Hope you're taking that advice, Scott! www.npr.org/2025/08/16/n...
Last week, I watched the team from Sub Urban Staging transform an empty DC rowhome into a space brimming w/ furniture, art & the kind of baubles that make a house feel like a home in mere HOURS.
Stagers do a unique job, but they also have tips for all. Gorgeous pics by @valerieplesch.bsky.social
Stagers do a unique job, but they also have tips for all. Gorgeous pics by @valerieplesch.bsky.social
July 31, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Last week, I watched the team from Sub Urban Staging transform an empty DC rowhome into a space brimming w/ furniture, art & the kind of baubles that make a house feel like a home in mere HOURS.
Stagers do a unique job, but they also have tips for all. Gorgeous pics by @valerieplesch.bsky.social
Stagers do a unique job, but they also have tips for all. Gorgeous pics by @valerieplesch.bsky.social
Fan fiction used to be a scarlet letter for writers trying to get traditionally published. Now, it's a bona fide pipeline.
But as fic becomes more and more mainstream, how exactly do we define it? And what makes it so alluring? (Art by Emma Kumer)
But as fic becomes more and more mainstream, how exactly do we define it? And what makes it so alluring? (Art by Emma Kumer)
July 28, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Fan fiction used to be a scarlet letter for writers trying to get traditionally published. Now, it's a bona fide pipeline.
But as fic becomes more and more mainstream, how exactly do we define it? And what makes it so alluring? (Art by Emma Kumer)
But as fic becomes more and more mainstream, how exactly do we define it? And what makes it so alluring? (Art by Emma Kumer)
People LOVE to discuss and, let's face it, fight over vacuums online. Other appliances just don't seem to inspire the same level of passion
These debates reveal something about changes in business models, expectations of cleanliness and what we look for in a modern appliance
These debates reveal something about changes in business models, expectations of cleanliness and what we look for in a modern appliance
June 30, 2025 at 5:12 PM
People LOVE to discuss and, let's face it, fight over vacuums online. Other appliances just don't seem to inspire the same level of passion
These debates reveal something about changes in business models, expectations of cleanliness and what we look for in a modern appliance
These debates reveal something about changes in business models, expectations of cleanliness and what we look for in a modern appliance
I heard we're talking about stuff that starts with the letter "Z" today, so...
Zillow is a behemoth in the real estate world, so you might think you can find every home listing on there. But there are exceptions: off-market listings and a forthcoming ban on some listings
Zillow is a behemoth in the real estate world, so you might think you can find every home listing on there. But there are exceptions: off-market listings and a forthcoming ban on some listings
June 25, 2025 at 8:24 PM
I heard we're talking about stuff that starts with the letter "Z" today, so...
Zillow is a behemoth in the real estate world, so you might think you can find every home listing on there. But there are exceptions: off-market listings and a forthcoming ban on some listings
Zillow is a behemoth in the real estate world, so you might think you can find every home listing on there. But there are exceptions: off-market listings and a forthcoming ban on some listings
The best source for gossip online is ... Zillow!
Online home listings offer drama, escapism and the digital equivalent of rifling through someone's medicine cabinet.
It's no wonder that Zillow saw a whopping 2.4 billion visits to its site for the first quarter of 2025
Online home listings offer drama, escapism and the digital equivalent of rifling through someone's medicine cabinet.
It's no wonder that Zillow saw a whopping 2.4 billion visits to its site for the first quarter of 2025
May 29, 2025 at 5:22 PM
The best source for gossip online is ... Zillow!
Online home listings offer drama, escapism and the digital equivalent of rifling through someone's medicine cabinet.
It's no wonder that Zillow saw a whopping 2.4 billion visits to its site for the first quarter of 2025
Online home listings offer drama, escapism and the digital equivalent of rifling through someone's medicine cabinet.
It's no wonder that Zillow saw a whopping 2.4 billion visits to its site for the first quarter of 2025
Seeking sources for a fun Post story about home listings!
-Love to look at listings/send them to pals/scope them out before visiting someone?
-Felt anxious sharing listings you're eyeing bc it felt too revealing?
-Other stories welcome!
Email rachel.kurzius@washpost.com / msg me
-Love to look at listings/send them to pals/scope them out before visiting someone?
-Felt anxious sharing listings you're eyeing bc it felt too revealing?
-Other stories welcome!
Email rachel.kurzius@washpost.com / msg me
May 20, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Seeking sources for a fun Post story about home listings!
-Love to look at listings/send them to pals/scope them out before visiting someone?
-Felt anxious sharing listings you're eyeing bc it felt too revealing?
-Other stories welcome!
Email rachel.kurzius@washpost.com / msg me
-Love to look at listings/send them to pals/scope them out before visiting someone?
-Felt anxious sharing listings you're eyeing bc it felt too revealing?
-Other stories welcome!
Email rachel.kurzius@washpost.com / msg me
When Martha Stewart gets a new cat or dog, the first thing she does is bite it on the mouth — “hard,” she specifies. “And it squeals. It knows then that I am its mother.”
I learned this when I met Martha and her protege, a wunderkind animal breeder named Ari Katz, recently
I learned this when I met Martha and her protege, a wunderkind animal breeder named Ari Katz, recently
May 18, 2025 at 11:31 PM
When Martha Stewart gets a new cat or dog, the first thing she does is bite it on the mouth — “hard,” she specifies. “And it squeals. It knows then that I am its mother.”
I learned this when I met Martha and her protege, a wunderkind animal breeder named Ari Katz, recently
I learned this when I met Martha and her protege, a wunderkind animal breeder named Ari Katz, recently
"Do you realize that toilet paper has not changed in my lifetime?” George Costanza once said.
Welp, George got it a little right and a little wrong. After learning that it took Charmin 5 years (!!!!) to innovate its wavy edges, I simply HAD to learn about toilet paper R&D
Welp, George got it a little right and a little wrong. After learning that it took Charmin 5 years (!!!!) to innovate its wavy edges, I simply HAD to learn about toilet paper R&D
April 10, 2025 at 8:01 PM
"Do you realize that toilet paper has not changed in my lifetime?” George Costanza once said.
Welp, George got it a little right and a little wrong. After learning that it took Charmin 5 years (!!!!) to innovate its wavy edges, I simply HAD to learn about toilet paper R&D
Welp, George got it a little right and a little wrong. After learning that it took Charmin 5 years (!!!!) to innovate its wavy edges, I simply HAD to learn about toilet paper R&D
Members of Congress come from all over to DC for work. What I've always wondered is...where do they sleep?
Some own places, some sleep in their offices, and others publicly shared struggling to find an apt in a $$ city.
For my latest, a new House member showed me her home:
Some own places, some sleep in their offices, and others publicly shared struggling to find an apt in a $$ city.
For my latest, a new House member showed me her home:
March 25, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Members of Congress come from all over to DC for work. What I've always wondered is...where do they sleep?
Some own places, some sleep in their offices, and others publicly shared struggling to find an apt in a $$ city.
For my latest, a new House member showed me her home:
Some own places, some sleep in their offices, and others publicly shared struggling to find an apt in a $$ city.
For my latest, a new House member showed me her home:
Reposted by Rachel Kurzius
Every listing should come with a Lego model, IMO. So cool!
via @curiouskurz.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/home/2025/03...
via @curiouskurz.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/home/2025/03...
March 21, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Every listing should come with a Lego model, IMO. So cool!
via @curiouskurz.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/home/2025/03...
via @curiouskurz.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/home/2025/03...
HOT TIP: if you want your home listing to stand out, you might consider adding a realistic, highly detailed, to-scale LEGO replica
What ... you don't already have one of those hanging around?!?
What ... you don't already have one of those hanging around?!?
March 20, 2025 at 4:26 PM
HOT TIP: if you want your home listing to stand out, you might consider adding a realistic, highly detailed, to-scale LEGO replica
What ... you don't already have one of those hanging around?!?
What ... you don't already have one of those hanging around?!?