Forget the Open Floor Plan--It's Time to Bring Back Walls

  Myth No. 1: Real estate is less expensive in the suburbs Historically, the average listing price of an urban home has been higher than a suburban home. But these days, don't expect to hit the suburbs for a bargain. During the pandemic, listing prices in the suburbs have actually grown at a faster rate than in cities, according to realtor.com. Currently, the median listing price of suburban properties within the 10 largest metros is growing by 5.2% year over year. In urban areas, the growth rate is only 2.4%. That's true in Fairfield County, CT, where prices have risen an average of 33% since September 2019, according to  Debbie Rehr , a licensed real estate salesperson for Compass Westport in Westport, CT. Rehr, who lives in Weston, CT, says this area is only an hour's drive from New York City and is attracting attorneys, financiers, entrepreneurs, and other affluent professionals looking for places to live, relax, and raise children. Myth No. 2: The suburbs are boring Mo

  1. Opaque Window Coverings I always recommend blackout shades for bedroom windows. Your body repairs itself while you sleep, and it needs darkness to do so effectively. There are many options for blackouts that filter enough light so you can wake up in the morning naturally to sunshine yet provide sufficient privacy during the day. Ashley Martin Home 2. Calming Color Palette While many of my clients prefer warm colors over cool ones, when it comes to the bedroom, cooler hues are the better choice because of their calming effect. Blue, lilac and cool shades of gray promote rest, while warm tones can often be energizing and more likely to keep you up at night. 3. Minimal Decor Even though your eyes will be closed when you go to sleep, if you have too many distractions in your bedroom, it may be hard to actually fall asleep. It’s wise to get rid of the clutter around your bed. Keeping your bedroom clear of distractions will help you clear your mind at the end of a long day. BSA Construc

  1. Go Airy With White on White One of the easiest ways to give your room a spacious look is to use lots of white — white tile, white paint, a white vanity and so on. This noncolor-color naturally recedes, making the space look bigger. It also reflects any available light, rather than absorbing it. Novale Bathrooms White finishes can make any space look bigger, but they’re especially effective in a bathroom. Since a bathroom typically has lots of white fixtures already (the tub, toilet and sink, for example), using white for other surfaces creates a seamless look that makes the space appear as airy as possible. Lindan Homes Note that using lots of white doesn’t mean the space has to lack character. Using different textural elements such as molding, pale stone or tile and fabric accents, as well as the occasional touch of metallics or wood, will retain the seamless look while still giving the eye lots of richness to take in. Concept Interiors 2. Try Tone on Tone Not a fan of stark whit

  1. Stainless Steel By far the most popular material for kitchen sinks, stainless steel sinks are resistant to heat and stains and are available in a variety of types, styles and sizes. I recommend going for a brushed or satin finish rather than a mirror finish — water marks and scratches will be less noticeable. Also, look for sinks that have sound-absorbing pads on the exterior sides and bottom. Consumer Reports tested stainless steel sinks and found that these pads, rather than sound-absorbing spray or a thicker gauge of steel, performed best in reducing the noise commonly associated with stainless steel sinks. The ABL Group Stainless steel sinks are now available in other metallic hues such as bronze, gold (pictured here), pewter and even black. The colored finish is applied using a process called  Physical Vapor Deposition, or PVD, which results in a finish that is durable and corrosion resistant. Prices for stainless steel sinks run the gamut, but you can get a decent-quality st