Need more space? Couple who made a living out of showing others how to live in cramped apartments split after ten years



A New York couple who have made a living out of providing tips on how other couples can live harmoniously in cramped spaces, have split.

Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, co-founder of the popular design website Apartment Therapy, has parted ways with his wife of almost ten years and business partner Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan.

A source told the New York Post: 'They are separating and nobody knows what the hell is going to happen to the site.

Troubled couple: Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan and his wife Sara Kate have parted ways after almost a decade of marriage, saying getting stuck on perfection was part of the marriage's demise

'They’ve been very public in sharing their lives as a happy couple living in New York City.'

The couple have also been very public about sharing the life of Ursula, their five-year-old daughter.

The adorable blonde-haired toddler has been photographed in the family home for several blog posts by the self-described 'one part interior designer, one part life coach.'

Her growth has been captured in a matter of simple clicks through the website's pages. Ursula was photographed from as young as six-months-old.



Role model: The self-described 'one part interior designer, one part life coach' has shared his life on his blog

A representative for Apartment Therapy, which was launched in 2004, asked that people 'respect our family’s privacy’ while the couple separate.

The website, which promotes the idea that 'a calm, healthy, beautiful home is a necessary foundation for happiness', on the other hand appears as healthy as ever.

It underwent a redesign recently which saw the addition of a new Outdoor channel. The initiative will allow room for expanded content.

It already attracts about one million unique visitors each month.

Success: Mr Gillingham-Ryan's website features seemingly endless features on redecorating the family home

Mr Gillingham-Ryan and his wife were living in a 250-square-foot one-bedroom West Village apartment when the website launched.

Their innovative decorating work throughout the home led to coverage in The New York Times.

The couple moved to a larger space in downtown Manhattan once their daughter arrived.

Mrs Gillingham-Ryan said about their old space: 'The only problem with all this is kids.'



'She's a ticking time bomb.'

APARTMENT THERAPY'S TIPS FOR LIVE-IN COUPLES

Less is more

Well-organised closets are essential.



Always install in-cupboard lighting so you can see what's in it

Edit, edit, edit. Every space will feel bigger if you leave some things out

Get rid of unnecessary clutter



The couple's web-based achievements have allowed Mr Gillingham-Ryan to publish several books about home design including The Eight Step Home Cure which claims to help couples 'transform tiny into totally fabulous'.

He also published the book Apartment Therapy Presents: Real Homes, Real People, Hundreds Of Design Solutions and



Mrs Gillingham-Ryan has also built her own base of loyal followers. She is a food blogger and launched her website Thekitchn.com as an offshoot to her husband's popular site.

She has featured in multiple YouTube cooking demonstrations for kitchen retailer Williams-Sonoma's online channel.

One of the demonstrations show her tips for creating the perfect at-home dinner party.

The couple have built quite the image of a so-called perfect family.



The New York Post's source said the couple's divorce may be messy as they divvy up their assets.