I’ve noticed I get a handful of repeat questions through DMs, comments, and newsletter replies, so I thought it would be fun to start answering a few of them in more detail each month.

Ask Brittany – January 2026 Edition

How is ChatGPT helping you decorate your home?

This has been a total game changer for someone like me who cannot visualize what something will look like. I often don’t know if I like something until I’m staring right at it—which makes decorating tricky.

We use the paid version of ChatGPT (though you can do this with the free version too—there’s just a limit on image generations). I simply take a photo of the space I want to improve, upload it in the app, and describe what I’d like to see. It usually takes a little back-and-forth to get my vision across, and it’s definitely not flawless. Sometimes proportions are off, or it removes things entirely (RIP to the air return vent that disappeared on one wall). But overall? Incredibly helpful.

Take the big empty wall beside our fireplace, for example. I uploaded a photo of the blank space and asked ChatGPT to decorate it in the style of Pottery Barn. I don’t want my whole house to look like a Pottery Barn catalog, but the aesthetic aligns closely with what I like—and it’s a style that’s easy for the tool to understand.

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You’ll notice the proportions changed quite a bit. It shrunk the stone area to the right of the fireplace, lowered the ceiling, and extended the mantel. Not ideal… so I kept playing with it.

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Perfect? No. But still very helpful for someone who struggles with the “what will this actually look like?” question? Absolutely.

After a few more iterations, I landed on a version that felt realistic and that I genuinely loved. With that image (below) in mind, I reached out to a carpenter—and soon I’ll be able to show you the real-life “after” of this space with floating shelves.

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I’ll report back on how the experiment turns out, but I’ve already used this approach in several other areas of our home. I’m planning a built-in bench for the front porch and am very close to pulling the trigger on a setup for an empty corner in the living room too.

Have you used ChatGPT for home design?

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What books have you read lately?

Let’s talk about January reads but also 2025 books since my reading tends to stretch over time.

At any given moment, I usually have:

• a physical book for me
• an audiobook for me
• a physical read-aloud with the kids
• an audiobook with the kids
• and usually an audiobook for me and each kid for car time

It sounds like a lot, but it works for us.

Instead of sharing just what I’m reading right now, here’s a look at what I’ve read over the past six months or so. I’ve linked everything for easy browsing and added my totally subjective letter grade next to each.

On My Own

• Outlive — A
• The Story (Teen Version) — B
• Demon Copperhead — A
• Big Beautiful Life — Did Not Finish
• Be Ready When the Luck Happens — B-
• Pride & Prejudice (with Hailey) — A+
• The Alchemist — C
• Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals — B

With the Kids

• Anne of Green Gables — A+
• Pollyanna — B-
• Little Women — A+
• Number the Stars — A
• The Secret Garden — B+
• The Bridge to Terabithia — C
• A Wrinkle in Time — C
• Beowulf — B+
• Where the Red Fern Grows — A+
• King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table — B-
• The Legend of Sleepy Hollow — B+
• The Mysterious Benedict Society — A
• The Hobbit — A

Short term rental advice?

I often get asked: What do you wish you’d known before getting started with short-term rentals?

First, start here—I wrote a post answering common FAQs about short-term rentals. Then, here are a few rapid-fire thoughts:

First, start here where I wrote a post about FAQ with short term rentals. Then, here are a few rapid fire recommendations:

• Be clear about your goals. Are you focused on income/cash flow? Reducing taxable income? Creating a vacation home for your family? These answers matter because they’ll shape everything—from the property you choose to how you manage it.
• Choose a property with a distinguishing feature. Especially in popular markets, something needs to set your place apart—a view, a great location, or a unique amenity. There’s also an old saying: heads and beds. The more people you can comfortably sleep, the better your booking potential (even if that leads to some unconventional sleeping arrangements like a twin bed in the same room as the king bed).
• Decide whether you’ll self-manage or hire a manager. There are pros and cons to both. If part of your strategy involves tax benefits, self-managing—and tracking at least 500 hours—matters. If you use a manager, shop around. Fees vary widely, and some can take a surprising bite out of your profits.
• Have a financial cushion. Early expenses and slower-than-expected ramp-up periods are common. You don’t want to feel cash-strapped while you’re still finding your footing.
• Research market data before you buy. Tools like PriceLabs and AirDNA can help you set realistic expectations. Owning a property close to home is convenient, but convenience doesn’t always equal strong returns.

Next month…

Have a question that would be fun to chat about next month? Comment below or email me—I’d love to include it.

And now I’m curious:
What’s the most effective way you’ve used ChatGPT (or Copilot or Grok)?
What’s the best book you’ve read lately?
Any investment strategies catching your eye right now?