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

1. Comfortable Outdoor Seating You wouldn’t select an uncomfortable sofa for your living room, so keep those same standards when choosing seating for your patio. Your outdoor furniture needs will depend on your space constraints, climate and lifestyle. Choose  durable outdoor materials  like teak, steel, powder-coated metal, resin wicker and anything that can handle exposure to sunlight, moisture and outdoor temperature changes. If you have the space for it, creating multiple seating areas — some for groups, others for quiet retreats — can make a yard more dynamic. An  outdoor rug  under an outdoor sectional makes this Chicago deck extra cozy. Staghorn NYC 2. Outdoor Table Nothing beats enjoying a meal at an outdoor dining table on a warm evening. As with choosing any outdoor furniture, getting the scale right is key. As a general rule, allow at least 2½ feet (0.8 meters) from the edge of a table to the end of a patio or any other obstacle to a...

1. Find Your Expert Agent! —   A  team that will assist you in your selling needs. Real Estate has changed dramatically over the years especially with technology. And you want to be backed by a TEAM that can make sure your home is seen by everyone and anyone who is looking at your area through technology tactics.  2. Consider Your Curb Appeal —  Yes it's true, people will judge a book by its cover, especially in Real Estate. First impressions are everything when selling & buying a home. You always want to start the experience with a win, and that starts with the exterior. By investing some effort in relatively easy fixes, like planting colorful flowers and repainting your front door, the outside of your house can beckon prospective buyers to come on in. Need guidance, ask me and my team as we know what is "In" and what buyers want to see. 3. Declutter Living Areas —  Less is definitely more when it comes to getting your house ready to sell....

1. Make your own pendant light Photo by Abelow Sherman Architects LLC Sure, you can always go out and buy a pendant light—but with so much time on your hands, why not make one? “Pendant lights are all the rage right now, but they can get expensive,” says home blogger  Jeneva Aaron  of  TheHouseWire . “This DIY pendant is stylish, super easy to make, and very affordable. It also has an earthy, organic quality that can bring some boho style to any room.” 2. Hand-paint some throw pillows Photo by Nisha Tailor Interior Design. LLC Whether you’re sick of your current pillows or just in need of a refresh, hand-painting your own throw pillows is a great way to give your bedroom the pop of color it needs. “Can’t find the perfect pattern for your throw pillows? Looking for some that match the exact colors in your room? If you can’t find them, make them,” Aaron says. “With a little bit of fabric paint, you can create the pillows of your dreams.” 3. Build a rustic s...

1. Pull weeds Photo by Cording Landscape Design The yoga studio is closed, but that doesn't mean you can't squat down in the dirt and clean up your flower beds. Lay out an old yoga mat or towel to kneel on, and get low to pull some weeds. You could also lay some stones around your flower beds or along walkways in the garden to delineate and highlight your work. 2. Sow seedlings and forced bulbs Now's the time to get those bulbs and seedlings in the ground. Plant any water-forced bulbs you've been caring for during the colder months, transfer seedlings to outdoor pots, and start the seeds for annuals. If you've got nada to plant, head outside and see what's blooming, and then bring it back into the house to propagate indoors. Gray-Plaisted recently clipped some forsythia branches to force in some water inside, and she plans to cut apple blossoms next. 3. Pick up sticks You need to do a spring cleanup anyway, so why not get the whole family to pi...

1. Install a dish-drying rack Photo by red. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a dishwasher. And if you’re sick of leaving handwashed dishes in a wet pile on the counter (or staring down that ugly plastic drying rack you’ve had for years), then it might be the perfect time for an upgrade. “Installing a dish-drying rack is both decorative and functional,” explains interior designer  Michael Helwig . “Installing one above the sink allows dishes to air and drip-dry, and the decorative aspect makes dishes look neat and orderly. It also makes dishes more easily accessible for daily use, [and] depending on the dishes themselves, can add more color and pattern to the space.” Check out  this video  to get started. 2. Try a different window treatment (or none at all) Photo by Marvin Home decor trends are getting farther and farther away from curtains and window coverings—so unless you have a real attachment to yours, now’s a great time to ditch them for a more...

Last month, as the coronavirus pandemic began affecting businesses across the nation, Congress and the president approved the CARES Act to help small businesses — including self-employed design and remodeling pros. But at first the rules for self-employed people weren’t immediately clear. Then the initial $377 billion allocation ran out. Now Congress and the president appear on the brink of approving an additional nearly $500 billion in relief to help small businesses (and provide funds for hospitals and testing). If you’re a freelancer or the owner of a one-person business, here’s what you need to know about the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, federal and state unemployment and other new programs that can help your business now. Thayer Design Studio 1. Forgivable Loans Through the Paycheck Protection Program The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a forgivable loan that will cover up to 2½ months of your firm’s average payroll costs (up to $100,000 ...