Critics Ridicule Molly Blutstein for Her Bare-Looking Home

Introduction to the Controversy

Call this a design flaw. When Architectural Digest profiled Brooklyn influencer Molly Blutstein and her self-decorated Cobble Hill apartment this month, the feature seemed poised to celebrate the DIY charm and aesthetic experimentation of a social-media tastemaker. Instead, it ignited an online firestorm questioning both the magazine’s editorial standards and the influencer’s design credentials.

The Apartment and Its Design

Blutstein, an Atlanta native who runs a Substack called In The Details and has more than 200,000 Instagram followers, had moved to New York City in July and styled her railroad apartment herself. As the images show, there’s a lot of white paint — and not much else. Molly Blutstein/Instagram
The article showcased her creative process — painting kitchen cabinets a soft yellow, sourcing second-hand furniture and applying faux butcher-block counters with the help of a TaskRabbit. “I’m really influenced by Southern design to some extent, or more traditional design. And I was raised on Pinterest.”

Criticism and Backlash

Critics on Reddit and Instagram blasted AD for featuring what they called “an unfinished Pinterest board copypaste apartment.” Molly Blutstein/Instagram
She also made clear her aversion to one particular trend. “Midcentury. Don’t show me a tapered leg,” Blutstein told the magazine. But the Internet pounced — first on that statement, and then on the magazine itself. Commenters were quick to note that many of Blutstein’s featured furnishings were, in fact, midcentury in style.

Online Reactions

On Reddit, the criticism grew sharper. “There is so much real artistic talent out there that is ignored to uplift the absolute most mediocre bulls—t ‘design’ from influencers who think being good at social media and buying clothes translates to other aspects of design,” one user wrote, adding, “The apartment isn’t even finished!! It’s basically empty!!!!” Others questioned why the feature appeared in Architectural Digest at all.

Defense and Further Criticism

Some defended Blutstein, arguing the real issue lay with AD’s editorial direction. “I guess fashion is more her thing … seems like something the editors should have caught,” one person wrote, while another observed, “I like that she’s exploring design on her terms, and I also recognize that AD and similar mags are going through a significant shift in readership — but I would really like it if AD could return to fostering thoughtful and educational discourse on design.” Molly Blutstein/Instagram
Blutstein, for her part, has cited a long list of influences — “Beata Heuman, Heidi Caillier, Jessica Helgerson, Billy Cotton, Hageman Homes & Interiors, Giancarlo Valle … Nickey Kehoe is also a big one,” she said.

Conclusion

After Architectural Digest spotlighted influencer Molly Blutstein’s Brooklyn apartment, social media erupted with ridicule, questioning why the unfinished space appeared in such a prestigious design publication. Yet online, that individuality became a lightning rod for broader frustration over how influencer culture is shaping the design world. Neither Architectural Digest nor Blutstein has publicly addressed the backlash.

FAQs

• Q: Who is Molly Blutstein?
  A: Molly Blutstein is a Brooklyn influencer with over 200,000 Instagram followers, known for her Substack called In The Details.
• Q: What was the controversy about?
  A: The controversy surrounded the feature of her apartment in Architectural Digest, with many criticizing the space for being unfinished and lacking in design credentials.
• Q: How did people react to the feature?
  A: People reacted with ridicule and criticism, questioning the editorial standards of Architectural Digest and Blutstein’s design credentials.
• Q: Has there been any response from Architectural Digest or Blutstein?
  A: Neither Architectural Digest nor Blutstein has publicly addressed the backlash.