Get Creative at Home with These DIY Kits and How-Tos From Local Shops & Artists

You don't need to go anywhere to make art. Local organizations and artists are providing resources such as virtual how-to courses, DIY kits, and other ways to spend quality creative time at home.

A List of Awesome Local Musicians You Should Stream Today

If you're feeling restless, stressed, bored, or otherwise down in the dumps throw on some headphones and listen to any of these local bands/musicians to improve your mood.

A Local Artist & Ballet Dancers Collaborated on This Amazing Underwater Photo Series

These may look like paintings from the Renaissance Era, but they're actually photos from an awesome underwater series that includes ballet dancers and models.

Cincy Students & Spirited Alumni Should Check out This Sweet Clothing Line

Local designer and marketer Sarah Hannapel makes custom clothing geared towards students and those who love local colleges. Check out her work!

Artist Ellebrux Whisks Us Away to a Rich World of Nature, Bold Colors, & 90s Nostalgia

Local artist Laura Brooks, also known as Ellebrux, draws inspiration from the 90s and nature when it comes to making her handcrafted jewelry and artwork.

A Few Local Authors Whose Books You Can Read or Listen to Right Now

If you find yourself looking for something to do during your down time, consider downloading or ordering a book written by these Cincinnati authors.

A Local Ad Agency Calls the Historic Walnut Hills Cable House Home

This Walnut Hills-based ad agency has some slick new digs inside a building that used to pull cable cars up Gilbert Avenue over a century ago.

Know Theatre Keeps Art & Culture Alive With Streaming Shows & Audio Theater

Revenue made from sales of all streaming and downloadable content will be split 50/50 between the theater and the artists who made the shows possible. That support will help everyone involved in the artistic community.

15 Facts We Learned About Hippos During the Zoo's Daily Broadcasts

Did you know hippos are surprisingly fast on foot? After watching the Cincinnati Zoo's free online Home Safari session about hippos, I learned quite a bit about them.

How to Draw a Flying Pig in 8 Simple Steps

Here's one easy way to draw the Queen City's porcine mascot!

11 Movies Filmed in Cincinnati You Can Stream Right Now

Cincinnati is no stranger to the silver screen. You can stream these 11 films made in Cincinnati right now so long as you have an internet connection.

This Interior Designer Knows Her Way Around a Historic High-Rise

Heliotrope Design LLC has been in the local interior design biz for 10 years now and has a portfolio that includes everything from an 1800s church to two Downtown apartment buildings.

Get Ready For This Weekend's Free Multi-Venue Arts Day

OTR Arts Day, presented by ArtsWave with support from Macy's, is a free six-hour event on Saturday, March 14th from 10 AM to 4 PM that features tours, performances, art-making, and more at venues all around OTR and Pendleton.

Know Theatre's 'Alabaster' Is a Touching Drama With a Cast That's 50% Goat

It's funny. It's sad. It's scary. It's touching. It's classic drama without the predictability.

Some of Our Favorite Colorful Houses & Buildings In and Around Cincy

White, tan, beige, dull red...fuhgettaboutit! These buildings shirk conventional, boring palettes and get funky with a splash of color.

The Best of Union Terminal's Week of Nightly Light Shows

Union Terminal did light shows on its face following its grand reopening, and we enjoyed the heck out of them.

A DAAP Alum Took This 1870s Covington House & Gave It a Total Facelift

If he isn't already, Tom Covert is on track to becoming a household name when it comes to historic home renovations.

Pam Kravetz's 'Elevated' Brilliantly Colors Outside the Lines at the 21C Museum Hotel

Ya gotta love Pam.

A Custom Woodworker in Pleasant Ridge Has Been Creating for Over 16 Years

Thane Lorbach Custom Woodworking specializes in personalized woodworks, laser-cut pieces, and even hosts workshops out of his Pleasant Ridge shop.

One of the Last of Its Kind, Dixie Union Station Is a Model Train-Lover's Paradise

For over 20 years, this amazing little model train store has kept chugging away while competition fled to the internet. Today, it's among the last of its kind in the region.

A Local Stylist Will Clear Your Closet and Fill It With the Outfits You Need

Sometimes shopping is hard; buying clothes and coordinated outfits should be a breeze, right? Alli Robben makes it so.

We Toured the Art Museum's Hidden, Incredible Fashion Archive

Hundreds of years of dresses, hats, and shoes fill movable shelves deep within the belly of the Cincinnati Art Museum. We went inside to see it for ourselves.

This Former Cincy Cop Became a Fine Artist After Years of Working Toward His Dream

You're probably familiar with Tony Lipps' amazing paintings. The story of how he became an artist, however, isn't a story you typically hear.

Helltown Bazaar + Workshop Is a Treasure Chest of Vintage & Retro Decor

Whether you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind Mid-century Modern piece to add to your home or a local service to reupholster the dated furniture you already have, you’ll find it all at Helltown Bazaar + Workshop

The Work of Visionary American Artist N.C. Wyeth Graces the Taft Museum

A selection of work by N.C. Wyeth, one of the most talented early-19th century American artists, is currently on display at the Taft Museum of Art. The show highlights Wyeth's profound breadth of creative genius until May 3, 2020.

There's a Reason These NKY Apartments Have "View" in Their Name

These Newport apartments are only a short walk from the Levee and even closer to becoming some of the most enviable places to live in town.

This Local Home Improver Only Uses Eco-Friendly Materials

Greener Stock is celebrating a decade in the biz, and one look at their beautiful work makes it easy to understand why they've been around for as long as they have.

Two Locals Started an Eco-Friendly, Industrial Sewing Facility for Others

Sew Valley was started in 2017 by Rosie Kovacs and Shailah Maynard, two former students who wished they had had access to industrial sewing equipment and a small batch manufacturing facility while in school.

A Local Designer and a Woodworker Make Fantastic Custom Signs

When you see these signatures wooden signs around town and at your friends’ parties, know that they weren’t made by a random person from the internet. They were made by *local* people from the internet.

A Local Woman's Passion For Pottery Gives Back to Women Everywhere

Dana Makstaller uses her love of pottery and years of experience, both with and without it, to make beautiful art partially so she can give back to an organization that helps women--the same organization that helped her.

A Dreamy Hans Nuetzel-Designed Hyde Park House Got a Handsome Facelift

Residing on a secret/sought-after private lane in Hyde Park, the house features four bedrooms, three and a half baths, and three stories of sophisticated living space on nearly an acre of green lawns bordered by forest.

A George Clooney Miniseries Prominently Features This Local WWII-Era Plane

You may have seen Hulu's 'Catch-22' miniseries, but you may not have realized one of the planes in the WWII action/comedy holds a connection to the Tri-state.

Northside's Visionaries + Voices Sells the Work of Its Talented Resident Artists

The retail shop itself got started after each exhibition began offering merchandise themed around the artist's gallery. This expanded into what is now known as the "Visionarium."

A Downtown Boutique Provides a Second Life to High-Quality Wardrobes

Portaluca's mission is to help women feel confident, powerful, and beautiful by suiting them in designer outfits at affordable prices.

The Little Victorian Head-Turner on Greenup Street You Simply Must See

709 Greenup Street in Covington is the type of house you'd imagine seeing on a steep street in San Francisco. The only thing it's missing a view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The 20th Century Cincinnati Modern Show Returns February 22-23

The show, now in its third decade, is one of the best Modern design shows in the country. You’ll find more than 70 dealers across a 20,000-square–foot exhibition hall (wear your walking shoes—this is big, folks!). Modern sellers from all over the country

Know Theatre's Latest Is Expertly Acted and Hauntingly Honest About the World

'In the Night Time (Before the Sun Rises)' is about how two people grapple with the harsh reality of living in a dangerous world after bringing a new life into in over the course of one long, unforgettable night.

Northside's Steampunk Airbnb Is a Welcome Sight for Weary Travelers

Strap on your goggles, cast away the ropes, and fly your oversized dirigible straight to Northside so you can stay the night in the Steampunk House.

NVISION Has an Eclectic Mix of Vintage, Secondhand, and Locally Made Items

There's no telling what you'll find in this shop. That's what makes it so much fun to visit again and again.

Cynthia Lockhart Opens Up About 'Journey to Freedom' at the Taft Museum of Art

Artist Cynthia Lockhart's 'Journey to Freedom' at the Taft Museum of Art features incredibly detailed and colorful quilts Lockhart made herself. The show invites visitors to explore diversity in all its forms through March 15th.

This Contractor Updates Local Historic Homes Without Erasing What Makes Them Special

Eric Smyth and his team do outstanding work. You need to see how they've transformed old homes on Dayton Street in the West End into stunning new homes all while preserving as much of the house's history as possible.

A Rare 1878 Statue of Liberty Prototype Recently Came to Cincy for Auction

It's not every day that Cincinnati gets one of the only remaining original prototypes for the most recognizable monument in America.

A Fort Mitchell Shop Has Racks of Fashionable Clothes Plus a Botox Bar

Come for the clothes, stay for the Botox.

Northside Has an Amazing Co-Working Space Designed With Creators In Mind

The Depot in Northside is the definitive co-working space with a breadth of amenities for every creative. Here's a peek inside.

Our Favorite Photos of 2019

We were busy this year! Sit back, relax, and enjoy a slideshow of some of our favorite photos from the last 365 days.

Creative Retail Is Alive & Thriving Inside Covington's Handzy Shop + Studio

Handzy is a true small business in Covington providing high-quality products both online and on Pike Street. The expanded store and companion baby/toddler shop next door, Gumdrop, add a load of vibrancy to the neighborhood's retail scene.

The Amos Proves Historic Local Architecture Can Be Reused For Luxurious Modern Living

High ceilings, Italian-made Bertazzoni appliances, custom wardrobes made locally, high-quality finishes...The Amos in the Historic Licking Riverside District of Covington is among the premier places to call home in the neighborhood.

Pomegranate & Lime Will Wrap Your Unique Gift with a Signature Bow

Pomegranate & Lime offers a changing selection of dazzling jewelry, bow ties, local college-themed accessories, baby items, and seasonal decorations for the home. It's the perfect one-stop shop for finding a one-of-a-kind gift for any occasion.

Check Out This Slick Photo Studio Inside a 149-Year-Old Mid-Rise Building Downtown

A local photography company renovated four floors of a 149-year-old Downtown building to suit commercial food photography needs, or anything else you might be looking to shoot.

Reusch Interior Design Redid This Kitchen/Bathroom Combo With Colorful Results

Reusch Interior Design, based in Hyde Park, does gorgeous work. You may remember the feature we did on them last year. They’ve struck design gold again with a stunning kitchen and bath remodel in Hyde Park. Tired of “white box” kitchens? You will not find that here. Laney Reusch, principal designer at Reusch Interior Design, took a plain, white-tiled, white-cabinet, solid color-walled kitchen and dining room and utterly transformed it.

The Frog Princess Makes a Leap Ensemble Theatre's Mainstage For the First Time in 12 Years

For the first time in 12 years, Ensemble Theatre will be performing The Frog Princess, a family-friendly musical based on a classic Russian fairy tale

Inside Spiritwood: A 1920s Indian Hill Residence That Grew Over The Last 90 Years

Spiritwood is now home to the Smiths, who are diligently restoring areas of the house to its original 1920s look. According to Lorinn Smith, the roughly 15,000-square-foot house has a staggering 35 rooms in total.

One of Hyde Park's Most Sought-After Condos Finally Hits the Market

Since it was built in 2009, only four condos in 2801 Erie Avenue have been on the market. When someone moves into this highly popular, contemporary Hyde Park condo building, they rarely leave. That's only one reason why Unit #101 is worth talking about.

You Can Get Married Under the Roebling Bridge

A group of women-owned businesses banded together to do a photoshoot to promote the Roebling Bridge as a wedding destination through Anderson Pavilion. Together, they captured how elegant a modern bride might look in an iconic 150-year-old space.

These Local Leather Accessories Promote Positivity

A Newport couple wants to make the world a more positive place with their colorful bags and the wishes that come with each one.

The "Norwood Charmer" Is Nicole Nichols' Latest Excellent Cincy Rehab

If you've been reading Refined for a while, you'll know we are fans of Nicole Nichols' brand of rehabs, mainly because when she renovates a home, she RENOVATES in all caps. The 'Norwood Charmer' is her latest project.

An Oakley Boutique Blooms with Style and Fresh Flowers

Before heading out the door with your new shoes, why not pick up a fresh bouquet on the way out?

Go See This Hilarious Play That Takes Place In a Very Famous British Wizard Universe

Know Theatre's latest and current show, Puffs or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic by Matt Cox, is all about a group of adolescent wizards learning about themselves, their abilities, and their (many) failures all while living in the shadow of Harry Po... uh, I mean... a very famous fictional wizard who happens to hail from the UK. Puffs is the third Mainstage production to kick off the theater's 22nd season themed around the concept of "The Fight.

The Purveyor of Cincy's Finest Kitchens Owns the Most Refined Kitchen Himself

Many know NOLI Modern, the Italian kitchen design shop in Findlay Market owned by Agostino Fede. But what they may not know is what the master of modern kitchens has in his own OTR loft. We interviewed him to find out.

If You Dig Retro Furnishings, You'll Love Latonia's Curated Design & Decor

You can find some great Mid-century modern pieces in the shop to decorate any space, or perhaps a one-of-a-kind gift if you're feeling generous.

Big Brands Are Producing Commercials & Content Inside Newport's Slick New Creative Studio

Because of its central location and proximity to downtown, ample parking, and well-designed studio space, the sky's the limit for the garage that's helping transform Newport into New Hollywood.

Collaborate With Professionals to Design Your Own Deluxe Suit at Bespoke Tailoring

All the Best-Dressed Cincy Peeps of October 2019

Y'all brought your A-game to fashion last month. From BLINK-goers to Halloweeners, we saw an embarrassment of riches when it came to fall fashion.

Pendleton's Prettiest Airbnb Is Cleverly Hidden In a Well-Traveled Alley

A tucked-away, modest-looking Airbnb absolutely stunned us with how beautiful it is inside. You HAVE to see this place.

The Fashion Photoshoot 'Opulent Wanderlust' Is a Treat for the Eyes

Local artists collaborated on a fashion photoshoot, and this is what they made. Kick back, relax, and enjoy this visual adventure through color, texture, and movement courtesy of photographer Tina Gutierrez and stylist Shawna Maria.

A Rare Piece of Post-War American History Sits on a Shady Wyoming Street Corner

In post-war America, a housing shortage kicked off a plan to mass-produce affordable houses called Lustron homes, but the plant closed just a few years after it opened. Cincinnati has at least one of these rare late-1940s houses in Wyoming.

Spanish Treasures Dating Back 4,000 Years Are Currently at the Cincinnati Art Museum

The Treasures of the Spanish World Exhibit had so many fascinating pieces, it ended up filling three galleries in the Cincinnati Art Museum.

Japp's, the Cocktail Leviathan of Main Street OTR, Looks Amazing After Its Recent Remodel

Molly Wellmann's flagship bar gets a makeover that somehow remains true to its roots while improving everything about its look in an undeniable way.

The Aston Oaks English Manor Hearkens Back to a Time of US Presidents & Horticulture

It all started in 1855...

'Art In Bloom' Pairs Custom-Designed Floral Arrangements With Works of Art

For fans of flowers, art, and museums, there is no better event. Art in Bloom only happens once every two years, so get up to the Cincinnati Art Museum before it leaves!

If You Love Custom-Designed, Contemporary Homes, Ben Fry Should Be On Your Radar

No two Ben Fry homes are the same, and when it comes to the local home-building arena, he's a heavyweight contender.

This 1890 Victorian Reno in NKY Is *the* Definition of Photogenic

A couple turned a formerly abandoned Victorian house in Dayton, KY into a magazine-worthy personal home and Airbnb.

Everything We Saw While Walking Around BLINK for the First Two Days

We walked around as much of BLINK as we could for its first two days and saw a lot! From Covington to Over-the-Rhine and everything in-between, there's quite a bit to enjoy.

BLINK Parade: The Unbelievable Scene of Thousands Celebrating Art & Light (10.10.19)

Was that the coolest parade Cincinnati's ever seen? We think it might be.

Guided Tours Being Offered During BLINK

Are you ready for BLINK? We are!

Students Are Given $50 to Create Fashionable Outfits Using Thrift Shop Finds for Charity

The 17th annual Retrofittings fashion show in partnership with St. Vincent de Paul will take place on October 17th at Cincinnati Music Hall at 6 PM.

This Magical Aquatic and Garden Store Is a Decor Destination

On Route 42 in West Chester, there’s a place with some unexpected magic. Within just a few feet, you can wander through water gardens, explore fountains and water features, discover statues from around the world, and pick out unique planters for your patio.

An Old Brighton Firehouse Is Slated to Become Offices and Commercial Space

If you've ever admired the old fire station that sits at the corner of Central and Freeman Avenues in Brighton, you'll be pleased to know it has a bright future ahead of it.

A Doni Flanigan-Designed House Dials Opulence to Infinity and Beyond

There's no one in Cincinnati quite like designer, contractor, builder, and artist Doni Flanigan.

Historic Preservation-Minded Renovators Restored & Updated This Ludlow Home

Rachel Tanner moved from England to pursue a corporate job offer in America. After reestablishing her life in the States, the company laid her off. That's when she and her husband got into the house flipping business.

One Covington Design Agency Is Making a Lot of Local Business Look Amazing

Diners might be surprised to learn that a lot of the restaurants they interact with Downtown were actually branded and developed in Covington.

'The Absentee' Is a Sci-Fi Story About Love, Loss, and Voting In the 2088 Election

Know Theatre's latest and current show, The Absentee by Julia Doolittle, is a science fiction story about queer love, overcoming grief, and voting set over 60 years in the future.

"Save What You Love" Is the Motto of This Covington Art Conservation Studio

The items brought into Moeller’s care run the gamut from 19th century photograph albums, fine art prints, and historical documents to sports ephemera, vintage movie posters, and family heirlooms.

The Cincinnati Ballet's New Works Celebrates Female Choreographers

We are lucky to have so many world-class arts organizations in Cincinnati, and September is when they begin their new seasons. The Cincinnati Ballet is no exception. What better way to start than with the popular Kaplan New Works Series, where we can see six world premieres? This year, there are three ballets by prominent, nationally-recognized female choreographers, and three by Cincinnati Ballet dancers, chosen during their annual Choreographer’s Workshop last spring.

A 130-Year-Old Northside Fire Station Is a High-End Photography Studio Today

An advertiser's dream is to put high-quality, memorable images out there. To achieve this, they turn to top-notch studios like Northside's OMS Photo.

For 12 Years, This Oakley Spot Has Championed Artists and Coffee-Lovers Alike

Redtree Art Gallery has always been about displaying the works of local artists, but now they're expanding that focus to include some great local coffee and handmade goods, too.

Last Night's Gala at the CAC Was All About Opening Minds

The Contemporary Arts Center opened minds and let imagination run free at their 2019 gala, all in the name of supporting art programs.

Wrap Up Summer at the 18th Annual Bellevue Art in the Park

In almost two decades the City of Bellevue’s annual Art in the Park has grown from a small event with eight enthusiastic local artists to a city-embraced yearly tradition.

An Indian Hill Home Got a Hefty Makeover That Ended Up Winning Two Awards

The 14 room house was recently updated to such a degree, The English Contractor, who remodeled many of the rooms and utilitarian features, won two National Association of the Remodeling Industry/Ohio Valley awards.

Paper Wings Gracefully Lands on Vine Street With Gifts to Give

Carolyn Deininger loves paper goods. The demand for paper goods at her other Vine Street store in OTR, MiCA, kept growing. As a result, she opened Paper Wings two doors down.

A Free Exhibit Downtown Showcases the Once-Controversial History of Cincy's Flying Pig

You only have until August 25th to see it, so get there ASAP!

Josh Stout Wants to Paint a Mural on Your Wall

Josh Stout is just one artist on a quest to beautify the Greater Cincinnati area by hand-painting as many murals as he possibly can.

10 Local Bathrooms Flushed With Selfie-Worthy Style

If your lavatory is lavish, if your water closet is weird, or if you gotta good-lookin' john, people will wanna get a selfie in it. These 10 places put time into their toilets to make 'em good backdrops for photos.

A 1970s International Modern-Style Residence Sits High Atop a Clifton Hill

While the 1970s aren't generally considered a decade profuse in MCM design, Cincinnati has at least one exception.

A Woman Remakes Herself in Know Theatre's "Girl in the Red Corner""

Know Theatre's latest and current show, "Girl in the Red Corner" by Stephen Spotswood, is all about one woman's fight to change her life after delving deep into the world of mixed martial arts.

Local Photographer Brendan Burkett Is the Real Deal Behind the Lens

If you're unfamiliar with the work of Brendan Burkett, you're in for a treat. Burkett's subjects, while often found along the river and within the city's center, include everything from street scenes to portraits, drone painting and more.