Simply Annapolis March/April 2023

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PUBLISHER from the Letter

Veronica Fountain

Publisher/Founder/CEO Simply Magazines

As if 2022 wasn’t exciting enough for us, we have started the year 2023 off with a bang and a terrific new team at the editorial helm.

We are truly grateful to Tracey Connor for the work she did over the past couple years, and beginning with this issue, our new managing editor is Lauryn Forbes and we have three new contributing photographers, Frank Sparks, Luke Thompson, and Joey Costa. These ladies and gentlemen have been a part of our team for almost 8 years and represent a strong part of Simply Bowie ongoing success. Please join me in wishing them the best as they steer us editorially moving forward.

Year after year, our loyal advertisers continue with us, and we cultivate new clients because of the quality of our journalism and the results they see from our readers patronizing their businesses. Our stories highlight the hidden gems in our market—artists, philanthropists, chefs, designers, friends, businesses, homeowners, pets and so much more. Our team goes above and beyond to bring you things you may not see elsewhere through that extra effort of research and personal involvement in the community.

This is a true milestone for me, as 2023 marks our 8th year of publishing. I started Simply Bowie in 2015 and Simply Annapolis 2023. Thank you for the friendship, love and support I have received over the past eight years. I am proud to live, work and play here, and I look forward to the next 8 years!

Cheers!

March / April

Many of you may already getting started to look for the creative costumes and getting ready for fun activities by now.

After the long Pandamic, I have not been outside of the USA for 3 years. It is a good time to refresh and visiting my family in Thailand.

I and my wife decided to take a vacation for 3 weeks to visit our friend and family. Also having a great time to visit Luang Prapang, Laos for couple day.

Before we are heading back to USA, we are going to stop at Japan for 4 days to see how people live and learn their culture.

Enjoy Your Vacation Time with Family

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Ways to create a better Wedding Photography “Experience”

Take your Wedding Photos from Okay to WOW!

By Trands4mation Photography

I’ve never met a couple who just want “good” or “average” wedding photos! Brides and Grooms are shelling out an average of about $40,000 nationally (average of TheKnot.com and Brides. com surveys), and can approach $100,000 in cities like New York. Even if you use 50% of that on a nice, but not over-the-top wedding, you still would want a professional photographer to get “great”, breathtaking, if not “wow” photos, right? You’d certainly walk away after your wedding knowing you’ve had a great wedding photography experience. Why then spend so much money on a wedding that doesn’t get curated with spectacular photos!?

So how do you make that happen?

There are many variables and moving pieces, some which you have control over, and some you don’t, that play into the relative success of a wedding. And by success I mean lots of laughter and fun, food, dancing, decorations, music and entertainment, sentimental and beautiful moments, the groom dancing with a great-grandmother, etc. Every one of those details and moments needs aesthetics and optics. That is what you have left after spending the price of a luxury SUV on one night of partying. Now, do you just want “good” photos, or for a little bit more on a professional photographer who knows how to give you a wedding experience – all of it, from the time you meet, getting to know them during an engagement photo sessions, planning for the wedding, creating an album design, all the way until you get all your albums and photos, and more – do you want “WOW” photos? Ehh vs. Wowza?

From having been photographed hundreds of weddings, I could honestly say I know a thing or two about weddings. And I want to give you several thoughts about how to take it from Eh, to WOWZA! Buckle your seats, here they are in no particular order:

1. Flo�ers – Whatever your flower budget is, move a good chunk of it to spice up the main bridal bouquet as that will appear in most photos and you really want the flowers to scream “unique and stunning”. So consider purchasing a tiered or cascading bouquet, some soft, muted, or pastel colors with lots of greens. The bouquet should be mostly bright and light, and use non-conventional (exotic) flowers. If it is possible, avoid using any or many roses as they are considered generic. Here’s a great example of a nice bouquet that gets attention (you can go over-the-top, but you don’t have to!):

2. Venue Walk Through (VWT) – Most professional photographers don’t do a “venue walk through”. What is a venue walk-through? It is an appointment your photographer makes with you at the venue. I usually like to schedule the VWT about 1 month before the wedding because by that time being so close to the wedding, most of the logistics have been nailed down and can be intelligently discussed. It’s not something that should be done months in advance (not enough is usually known about the wedding), and I rarely ever do it 1 week before the wedding because clients are running around getting final details in place and hosting family from out of town.

What do you do at a VWT? We find a spot to sit down and review all the logistics, timing, schedule, where, when, who, what, why, and how (and some “what ifs?”). If there’s ever a time to identify any snafus in the schedule or with other vendors, this is the time to find out. You don’t want to find those disconnects on your wedding day! First, if the photographer has any kind of forms or guides to help with answering those questions, be sure to complete them. You should nail down as many of the details so that there is less of a chance your photographer will miss photos that you really want to capture, and you walk away having a much better idea of how the day will flow. It helps you consider options your photographer may suggest from the experiences they have. Of course, a VWT will include… a “walk through”! It’s important to take a tour of the property inside and outside, all the while taking notes of the best spots for photography, your favorite spots, and maybe the spot you will use for First Looks. Ask your photographer to type all these notes – logistics and favorite locations – and send them to you in an organized format. Remember, if you fail to plan, you’ve planned to fail.

3. Point of Contacts – It is important that you identify and communicate with your photographer the contact info of your wedding planner (if you have one), the venue contact, and at least one family contact who can assist your photographer in corralling family members for the formal portrait portion of the day (sometimes some portraits are taken before the ceremony, but almost always between the ceremony and reception during the cocktail hour). It is also important for you to provide the contact info of the venue representative. Be sure to give your family member the list of portrait shots you and I have talked about and selected so that they can be as helpful as possible.

4. Video / Cinematographer collaboration – If you are planning to use a videographer or drone operator, be sure to encourage them to work with each other, not just you. Remind them that the photographer will have the creative lead on setting up poses and scenes, etc. Videographers should not get in the way, but do their work either side-byside or from behind. It is very important that videographers avoid going onto the dance floor during the First Dances. This interferes with the sweetness and intimate feel that moment deserves and it precludes some of your guests from their ability to see you dancing! Great videographers purchase zoom lenses so that they can capture all the dancing from a distance without interfering. Don’t let this happen to you:

5. DJ / MC heads up – Tell that DJ to grab the attention or give the photo/video leads a heads up before making important announcements (e.g. first dances, or toasts, etc.). Something like, “Hey, we are about to cut the cake in 5 minutes”. This will help avoid a situation where the photographer or videographer may be outside taking pictures and video of family members, not realizing that an important event is about to take place and possibly missing those all too important shots!

6. Ceremony and Reception Venue Selection (Outdoors) –Having hired a photographer, you probably already selected your venue. However, if you find yourself reading this post before selecting a wedding venue, then consider having both the ceremony and reception at the same location to maximize the time you have to celebrate and afford yourself the most amount of time for photography (you also make it easier for your guest by not having them drive between locations, parking twice, etc.). If you elect to have your wedding outdoors, be sure to find a venue that offers at least one (or more) areas where there is ample shade. The optimal weather for a wedding photographer is to have some (or mostly) cloudy conditions because it is the clouds that help diffuse the harsh sunlight and help softly scatter the light on the subjects’ faces. However, if the venue does not offer shady spots, you may want to reconsider your selection. Can a good photographer take photos in sunny conditions? Of course, but not recommended. Without a shady spot or two, the midday sun causes harsh shadows across the chest and gives people raccoon shadow eyes, not to mention people squint in sunny weather.

7. Ceremony and Reception Venue Selection (Indoors): If on the other had you elect to have your ceremony and/ or reception indoors, then consider finding a venue that offers large spaces, high ceilings, textured architecture, or with bright or white ceiling paint to help diffuse flash when used. String lights and chandeliers are great and give photographers a chance to create “bokeh”. Avoid small ballrooms, cramped spaces with mirrors or drop

ceilings. Think about what you want to see behind you as you are doing your first dance. Here’s an example of a great backdrop:

8. Color schemes – Consider using a color wheel (available online) when trying to mix and match color schemes and palettes. Also, according to Deer Pearl Flowers, the most popular colors for 2023 are: Merlot, Silver Sage, Steel Blue, Antique Rose, Navy, Emerald, Honey Gold. For more ideas, check out David’s Bridal season color schemes. Lastly, consider bringing a spool or colored tulle or fabric that matches your palette. The fabric will be used to help decorate your ring photo details (“the flat lay”) and create thematic and coordinated photos.

9. Invitation Suite and Flower Delivery – It is very important to arrange a box which contains important, memorable, and meaningful elements from your wedding. This includes a box that contains the invitation suite (cards, envelopes, etc.), rings and ring boxes, shoes, perfume bottle, sentimental details, jewelry, vintage stamps or fabric with your theme colors, etc.). Equally important is to ask your florist to deliver the boutonnières and bouquets to the appropriate getting ready locations: boutonnières to the guys, and bouquets to the girls. With those details available, you photographer can create something like this:

10. Details and Decorations – To give your wedding and photos that “punch” that says you put thought into things, consider spending a little more time on selecting centerpieces which don’t necessarily have to be towering or hurricane

vases. Consider adding calligraphy signage on easels, using special hangers for the bridal and bridesmaids dresses, exchanging cards and gifts between the bride and groom, champagne or whisky for Getting Ready toasts, personalized robes for the bridesmaids, etc. Here are some examples of decorative details that give an oomph to your wedding:

11. Getting Ready location – Consider getting ready at the venue. All else equal, doing so gives you the most time to prepare and create the maximum opportunity for photography. A scenario where you have to go from mom’s house, to the church, to the reception robs you of too much time to celebrate and take photos! But, as is the case often, it is necessary to get ready off site. If you have to do that, consider arranging for a nearby location to minimize the amount of travel time.

12. Putting the Dress on – You’d be surprised how often this traditional and meaningful step is lost in the noise and busyness of the moment. Decide who you wish to help you button up the dress beforehand, so that person knows what their role is and are present to make it happen. Traditionally, this is either the Mother of the Bride, or the Maid of Honor.

13. Bustling Up the Dress – This advice is the easiest advice: Practice, practice, practice! I can’t tell you how many times the bride or the maid of honor told me they know how to bustle up the dress, only to find out that the hooks or loops

are hard to find. What should have taken 3 minutes, takes 20 minutes because of the confusion.

14. Getting Ready, First Look – Some of the most intimate, timeless, and memorable moments happen organically. The bride and bridesmaids getting ready, the first time dad sees his daughter in her wedding gown, the first time the groom lays eyes on his bride. These moments are the moments that we all celebrate. Tender. Tear-filled. Laughter. Even goofy at times. Be sure these moments are planned carefully. Where, when, or who will be there. Planning these moments doesn’t mean they aren’t organic. It just means that everyone can anticipate what should happen and help make sure your photographer gets to candidly and quietly capture the reactions behind the camera! Generally speaking, to make the most of the opportunity and to afford your photography vendor a reasonable amount of time to capture these moments, I suggest you ask them to come to your “Getting Ready” bridal suite at least 2+ hours before the ceremony. If you wish to also do First Looks you should add another hour to that plan, meaning that the photo/video vendors should come to the bridal suite 3 hours before the ceremony.

15. Portraits – Everyone wants formal portraits. I haven’t ever attended a wedding without some amount of time planned for formals – for the bride and groom, parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and so forth. I know how important

these keepsake photos are for you and for the extended family! Since your photographer is committed to give you an amazing “wedding photography experience”, they should make it their job to manage and direct people in a gently assertive way (think of a director on the set of a movie). Time management is part of that. So, I always recommend that your portrait/shot list is kept to a bare minimum, down to the essentials, knowing that you will have more time later in the reception to capture group photos, etc. This gives you the maximum opportunity to both enjoy the cocktail hour and spend more time talking to and celebrating with your families and friends. A long portrait shot list cuts valuable time away from this strategy. My recommendation is to consider creating a portrait list of about 10-20 portraits photos.

16. Posing – You want WOW photos, right? Well then, go online and don’t be shy to look up portrait photos of brides and grooms on their wedding day. Sensual. Posed. Staged. Romantic. Editorial. Bohemian. So many styles and poses to try and recreate. But this is what you paid your photographer to do… to create Art! Practice twirling your bride or doing the “dip” shot, or kissing each other in a sensual way, or using the “almost kiss” method (this is where you close your eyes, tilt your heads, open mouth but without puckering, serious look and no smiling, and letting the lips touch – very sensual). The more you are intentional about posing and letting yourself be creative, the better the photos will come out. You’ll get so good at it that the photos will look natural, not over-posed, and will organically reflect your personality. You don’t just want to create “same old, same old”. You want unique, artsy, and creative!

17. Hair and Makeup – Another way to maximize the time you have with your photographer and minimize travel time for everyone is to have your hair and make-up professionals come to your bridal suite. Is it absolutely necessary? No, but it does help a lot and gives your photo and video team the opportunity to capture the candid moments of everyone having fun getting ready, recalling memories, being goofy, and cracking jokes with make-up being applied. A less preferred alternative is to have everyone go to a salon. That will add time and reduces photo opportunities.

18. Relaxation – The best subject for photos are relaxed subjects! I encourage all my clients to stop everything, including photography, about 30 minutes before the ceremony. Why? This gives the bride and groom a chance to catch their breath, have a drink (or two, or three), collect their thoughts on their big day, hide away from the arriving guests, and for the bride to touch up her make-up and hair one last time.

19. Cell phone and cameras – I still have to remind my clients about this! To help you get the best photos during the processional, ceremony, or recessional, ask your officiant to announce just before the ceremony that guests should silence and put away their cell phones! Do you want a bunch of arms and cameras up in the air or sticking out into the aisle for those important shots? This well intentioned guest was so eager to use her personal camera that she completely failed to consider that your photographer is standing right behind her taking one of the most important photos during a wedding – walking up and down the aisle. Yes, you do want

to see guests at your wedding, but no, you don’t want to see them pretend to be professional photographers as they break out their iPhone 14. Here’s what you don’t want tosee:

20. Children – Fancy weddings don’t have children present. Simple. As. That. Don’t get me wrong, I love kids and babies and all, but for a wedding to go as distraction free and without a crying baby or the terrible twos, try and do it without children. You have lovingly been warned! At least keep the invitation list for children to a bare minimum. And of course, I totally understand and appreciate those circumstances when you need to, or want to invite the little ones. This is a matter of my recommendations on what helps my clients get the best experience, not necessarily a commentary on children. After all, children can be very cute and create stunning photos too!

21. First Dances – Have a conversation with your photographer about the best place to dance on the dance floor. This will allow them to consider the best backdrop views for amazing photos. Consider for your final dip or kiss at the end of your dance to be perpendicular with where the photographer is standing. Practice a choreographed dance, however simple. Be sure the final kiss or dip at the end of the dance is sideways facing. You don’t want to have the groom’s butt or bride’s cleavage (or more) facing the camera! That doesn’t make for WOW photos! Make sure that the videographer stays off the dance floor and away from the intimate and personal nature of these first dances. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen amateur videographers walk up to within about 3 feet of the dancing couple interrupting a

very beautiful moment and blocking the view of the guests. A gentle ask will usually work! And while talking about first dances, ask the mother of the groom and father of the bride to be sure they stand upright, instead of dancing with their heads buried inside the crevice of their child’s neck. We want smiley faces that look happy, engaged in whispers or talk, and not looking at the camera.

22. Consider your photographer – Last but not least, consider your photography and videography team. Remember that the objective here is to create the best, not just good, photos. Therefore, a happy photographer makes great photos! Consider providing a regular dinner for them and their team. At this point in the day, they’ve spent a considerable amount of time running around and by dinner time they are hungry (maybe even hangry!). Consider them when planning the menu and calculating a head count (e.g., offer them the options you have for plated food) and help them avoid having to eat those dreaded “vendor meals”. Kindly ask your venue rep to secure a spot for them to eat along with silverware. However gracious you may be, most photographers need some space to catch their breath and prefer to remain discreet and not part of the seated guests. And last but not least, the professional photographers you’ve hired have been handsomely paid by you. However, none of them would say “no” to a thoughtful tip. They don’t expect it and never guilt anyone into doing it. It just makes their job that much more rewarding as they push really hard to give you the best wedding photography experience you expect and deserve!

How to Determine Wedding Cake Size

When it comes to choosing a cake size, the first step is to consider your guest list. “Start by looking at the number of guests you are inviting,” says Dominique Pickering, owner of Poppy Pickering Cake Design. “With regards to the number of portions, not everyone will wish for a piece of cake. Therefore, you do not need to cater to every guest. However, some guests may wish for seconds or wish to taste each flavor.”

MEET THE EXPERT

Dominique Pickering is the owner and creative designer behind Poppy Pickering Cake Design.

Typically, you can estimate the number of servings needed by approximating that 75 to 85 percent of those on your guest list will enjoy a piece of cake. Determine if you’d like to have enough cake to feed every guest, whether you’d like to have

cake leftover, as well as consider what size of cake slice you plan to serve. Standard wedding cake servings are 1-inch by 2-inch slices. A larger party size slice is 1.5-inches by 2-inches. Many bakers offer cake tiers that are 4-inches or 5-inches tall, which should be factored into sizing calculations as well.

Your cake baker will work to inform you of the best sizing options and will help guide your choices.

Wedding Cake Sizes

Think about wedding cake sizing from top to bottom. Add up the number of servings a 6-inch top tier will provide, and then continue with the next cake size in order: 8-inch, 10-inch, 12-inch, and so on. For example, if you need 74 servings of cake, a three-tiered round wedding cake consisting of a 10-inch cake, an 8-inch cake, and a 6-inch cake would suffice.

Round Wedding Cake

Sizing

• Round 6-inch Cake: 12 servings

• Round 8-inch Cake: 24 servings

• Round 10-inch cake: 38 servings

• Round 12-inch cake: 56 servings

• Round 14-inch cake: 78 servings

• Round 16-inch cake: 100 servings

Square Wedding Cake

Sizing

• Square 6-inch Cake: 18 servings

• Square 8-inch Cake: 32 servings

• Square 10-inch cake: 50 servings

• Square 12-inch cake: 72 servings

• Square 14-inch cake: 98 servings

• Square 16-inch cake: 128 servings

The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Cakes

Other Factors to Consider Including Additional Desserts

Often, a wedding cake may serve as the main feature of a dessert table. But with the addition of a variety of treats such as cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and even candy, you may

not need as much cake. Consider offering enough total dessert servings for all guests to enjoy one and a half items, whether it’s a slice of cake, a cookie, or a brownie.

18 Sweet Candy Bar Ideas for Every Wedding Style

Saving the Top Tier

It’s a tale as old as time! Saving the top tier of your wedding cake allows you to relive a momentous occasion on your first anniversary. If you plan to follow this timeless tradition, be sure to account for it when determining your wedding cake size. Don’t include the top tier when figuring out how much you need for a certain number of servings. Simply start your calculations with the next size down, often the 8-inch cake tier.

If you’re planning a wedding weekend, you may need to factor in more cake. An additional tier of cake can be added to allow for plenty of leftovers to enjoy at a following-day celebration.

Venue Size

Think about your venue size when choosing your cake size to be sure it’s proportionate. “For example, if the room is large with high ceilings, then a small-sized wedding cake might look a little lost and out of place,” says Pickering. “Fake ‘dummy’ tiers can be combined with real tiers to add height and grandeur.”

Decorations and Aesthetic

If you’re obsessed with a certain style of cake or method of

decorating, you may need a larger cake size to pull off the look. “If the couple only requires a smallsized cake, then it might look out of proportion with lots of sugar decoration,” offers Pickering. If it seems like the cake may look strange in proportion to any intricate decorations, increasing the size may help to balance out the details.

Service Style

The wedding cake may be cut and served during a sit-down dinner. Or, more often, it’s served after dinner and just before dancing. Consider your service style when determining cake size. If you’re planning to have a plated slice served to each guest while they’re still sitting, you’ll want to be sure you have enough cake to deliver that same slice to everybody. If you’re planning to cut the cake just before or in the middle of a dance party, chances are, not everybody on the guest list will head over to the cake table to grab a bite.

When to Order a Wedding Cake

Baking and decorating elaborate wedding cakes is truly a specialized skill, and bakers fill their calendars up fast. Because of the time and attention to detail a wedding cake requires, bakers typically don’t take on many cakes at a time. If there’s a baker you love, be sure to begin discussing your cake eight months to one year from your wedding date. This will ensure you’ll get the sizing, flavor, and aesthetic you’ve been dreaming of.

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MORE THAN A COACH

By Kalee Blake

“We are the masters and experts of our own lives.” Barbara Lee’s personal slogan serves as the foundation of everything she does. Coach Barb to her clients, she has cultivated a community that she uplifts and guides. She counsels and encourages clients through their personal challenges. The objective of a life coach is to help clients to reach their ultimate vision. After a few years of working as a counselor, Barbara felt called to make the switch to coaching and has been dedicated to it ever since.

Barbara describes her work as a transformation, which as she mentioned requires clients to be open and devoted. “Over time we’re removing the old programming and creating new neuro pathways to establish beliefs that are empowering for the brain to accept,” she said. “There’s no magic fix, there’s real work involved.”

Barbara encourages and guides her clients to be involved in the process. An integral part of what she does involves vision boards. Barbara has her clients map out their goals in a physical way, a visual representation of what they want their future to look like. This method focuses on seven areas of life and makes the goals become as attainable as they are.

As someone who works to improve the quality of life for others, the real secret to her dedicated work practice is setting boundaries and holding herself accountable in the same ways she does her clients. In addition to being a business owner, Barbara is a mother to seven, has 10 grandchildren and she celebrated 18 years of marriage last december. When asked how she manages her full life, she said she simply makes the time. Not only for her family but for herself

too. “All of us have time for what we choose to have time for.”

Barbara aids her clientele in a moving way, through what she describes as passion-work. The idea of reframing your mindset is prevalent here. By learning to recognise unhelpful thought patterns and reframe them over time, clients will begin to feel better and make decisions that support their overall sense of wellbeing. By renaming these assignments from homework to passion-work, the urge to complete them is much greater. “It gives them something to look forward to,” she said. “Who looks forward to homework?”

Barbara is passionate and solution driven as is her clientele. She markets herself in a meaningful way. It’s not overwhelming but instead offers others a path to what they want. Her style of coaching is distinct in the words she uses and the approach she takes. Her commitment is noted as she makes it a point to be accessible and not disappear between sessions. She is more than a guide, it’s a mentoring partnership that people are willing to be a part of.

Ways to Elevate Your Bathroom Design

Bathrooms may take up a fraction of your home’s square footage, but don’t underestimate the humble washroom’s ability to add value to your home and dazzle buyers when it’s time to sell. Bathrooms can make a home feel swanky and cozy at once. Of course, functionality is an essential quality of any livable bathroom. However, design matters to home buyers who will walk through your home and try to envision their first waking moments and beauty rituals at the sink.

Elevate the ambiance with these bathroom design ideas

Invest in your bathroom before you list your home to ensure it’s as marketable as could be – and so you don’t flush money down the drain. Here are fourteen bathroom-centric design ideas that increase home value to get you started.

1. Decorate with fun (not fuddy-duddy) wallpaper

Wallpaper is typically a no-no when it comes to modernizing and updating homes. In fact, Curbio has stripped many a wall of it when conducting prelisting home improvements. Still, there’s something to be said for a tasteful dash of pattern and texture –especially as an accent to a smartened-up bathroom. Consider geometric patterns and bold colors to make your home stylish and memorable to home buyers.

2. Illuminate with skylights

Bathing in natural light feels good. Skylights maintain privacy yet connect the interior to the elements. If your home is particularly shady or your bathroom doesn’t have a private window (or any window), adding skylights will beautify the space. Many of the prospective buyers who view your home will love this feature, so this is an investment that stands to increase your home value and make your listing stand out.

3. Spice up walls and floors with interesting tile patterns

Oh, the variations are endless. Well-done tiling is pleasing, no matter if they’re big, small, textured, or patterned. Obviously, the bathroom is the perfect area for tiles. They’re the ideal option to waterproof rooms that are humid and wet regularly and make even small bathrooms more vibrant. Contrasting black and white tiles are a classic combination that rarely falls out of fashion. Get creative in terms of color, placement, materials, and patterns. This is the one room where “extra” eye-catching details can be very charming, so don’t rule out those marble or high gloss options.

4. Add some life

Keep things fresh in the washroom by making space for a beautiful plant or four. Improve air quality with low-maintenance, elegant varieties that can tolerate the bathroom’s fluctuations in temperature and humidity. If you’ve decluttered and modernized your bathroom, plants will soften and brighten its sterility.

5. Enhance the bathroom design with bold colors

Paint the vanity chartreuse. You have permission. Or use an audacious accent color in tiles, soft furnishings, or to repaint the walls. Don’t go too wild, but let the bathroom be a unique room in your otherwise neutral home. Contained spontaneity will add just the right amount of allure to your home’s interior.

6. Make your mirror (mirror) on the wall the fairest of them all

If bathroom mirrors could talk, make sure yours would say, “I know I look good.” From gold framed, dramatic designs to contemporary circular and geometrically shaped options, a mirror upgrade will be seen and appreciated when you open your house up to home buyers.

7. Par down the palette for a chic, modern feel

A bold monochrome aesthetic may be very flattering if your bathroom is neither tiny nor oversized. Upgrade your mirror, vanity, floor, and wall tiles with sleek, modern designs in greys or cooler, natural, muted tones to make a statement without making too much splash in average-sized full bathrooms.

8. Add a little flare to your fixtures

Simple changes to the hardware can add a lot of character. How old are the current lights, doorknobs, faucets, handles, and towel racks? Check out contemporary design options if your bathroom is adorned with decades-old brass fixtures. Materials range from nickel and gold to stainless steel – and even novelty colors.

Shower your bathroom with tub (…or shower) enhancements

Spend some time thinking about the perfect bath or shower. You could probably think of some things that would make this daily ritual more relaxing and enjoyable. Make pre-listing improvements to your showers and baths to delight buyers when you list your home.

9. Add a shower bench

Options range in style and budget, from built-in to freestanding. Adding a bench is feasible if you’ve got ample space in your walk-in shower. People love to relax or use them as props for shaving and lathering up.

10. Two (shower) heads are better than one

The best way to ensure your shower bench is ideally positioned is to add a second shower head to your sparkling, remodeled shower. Doubleheaded showers are luxurious upgrades. They’ve been popular for decades, but have lasting appeal: a shower with two heads is practical and glamorous simultaneously!

14 Ways to Elevate Your Bathroom Design

11. Rainfall shower heads

While you’re creating the ultimate luxury shower, don’t forget the rainfall shower head! Imagine yourself bathing under a gentle waterfall on a summer day. Most home buyers will add that pleasant concept to their “pros” list when evaluating your home.

12. Invest in minimalist glass door designs

There are plenty of ways less could be more by using glass for the walls and doors of your freestanding shower. Consider frameless glass doors – or no doors at all – to elevate the style and feel of your bathroom.

13. Detail your bathroom with spalike finishes

You can transform your bathroom into a retreat with features like heated tile flooring, “his and hers” sinks, and upgraded vanity cabinets. Spa-like touches are highly desirable; consider task lighting over the mirrors and recessed lights overhead. Make less costly and labor-intensive upgrades with plush towels, mats, and other furnishings to stage your bathroom just right.

14. Add a statement clawfoot or stand-alone tub

Tubs can be barely noticeable or the focal point in a bathroom’s layout. From refurbished vintage claw foot tubs that set a very distinct (and desired) mood to sleek, cutting-edge shapes, make home shoppers fall in love with your tub. Consider a statement tub and enhanced walk-in shower if your bathroom is spacious enough.

“Top rated 5 Stars”

Kitchen REMODEL & RENOVATION Ideas

Even minor kitchen remodel ideas can generate major expenses, with Remodeling Magazine reporting that the minor kitchen remodel these days averages around $23,000. Even people who are excited about kitchen renovation may balk at the price tag and opt for a smaller facelift that adds a fresh look without breaking the bank. If you want your kitchen before and after to look great even when you do the DIY kitchen makeovers yourself, try some of these small and large projects yourself in 2021.

With images of gorgeous kitchens flooding Instagram and Pinterest by the hour, it’s easy to entertain dreams of an ultra high-end remodel. But experts say a costly renovation with state-of-the-art appliances and luxury finishes won’t necessarily boost resale value down the road.

“The biggest return on investment is going to be a minor remodel,” says Skylar Olsen, chief economist for Zillow. That might include putting a new coat of paint on cabinets, refreshing the backsplash and upgrading the appliances. “Still, only expect to get back $.81 for every $1 spent.”

Here’s how kitchen remodelers recommend getting the most bang for your buck out of a renovation.

Add an island

While incorporating an island is no small undertaking, it’s worth doing if you plan to stay in your house for a while since this hard-working feature adds utility and has long been on many buyers’ most-wanted lists. “If someone walks into a kitchen with an island, automatically they see more countertop prep space, more storage and more seating,” says Shannon Kadwell, lead designer with Anthony Wilder Design/Build in Cabin John, Md.

But that doesn’t mean you should cram one into a too-tight space. Only install one if you have at least 36 inches of clearance on all sides, though 42 to 48 inches is ideal.

Stick to simple, neutral cabinetry

Cabinets generally take up about 30 percent of a renovation budget, and should have a 20- to 25-year life span. For that reason, it’s wise to stick to timeless styles, such as Shaker, and universally appealing colors.

“Your warmer neutral colors are more pleasing and safe,” says Steven Cooper, owner of Cooper Pacific Kitchens in Los Angeles. While white kitchens remain perennially popular, “cabinet palettes have expanded to include a range of soft taupes, dark blues, linens and grays,” adds Nadia Subaran of Aidan Design in Silver Spring, Md.

Choose the right cabinet grade

Cabinets come in four quality grades: custom, semicustom, stock and ready-to-assemble, which includes Ikea cabinets. “With custom or semi-custom, the cabinet sizes can be different and there are multiple choices for finishes,” says Jim Harris, a vice president at BOWA Construction in McLean, Va.

Custom cabinets are an investment, offering what Harris calls “a return on enjoyment,” but not necessarily on investment. For renovators on a smaller budget, Ikea offers affordable choices with options for customizable upgrades.

“You could save thousands by going with an Ikea kitchen, but it really depends on the bells and whistles that you choose,” says Kim Vargo, a kitchen renovator and one half of the Chicago-based design team behind the blog Yellow Brick Home. “You can deck out an Ikea kitchen

with Semihandmade doors and find yourself cost-wise in the semi-custom category, or you could do semi-custom cabinetry without as many bells and whistles and find that it’s relatively inexpensive.”

If getting all new cabinetry isn’t in the budget, a fresh coat of paint offers a quicker and more affordable fix.

Swap out hardware

Changing hardware is also an easy way to upgrade tiredlooking cabinetry. Though cabinet knobs and handles run the gamut price-wise, you don’t have to spend a lot to make a dramatic difference — you can find plenty of options for less than $10 or even $5 a piece. Plus, you don’t have to worry about going too trendy, since it’s so easy to change again if it goes out of style.

Go with marble countertops (or a cheaper look-alike)

Homeowners’ penchant for the luxurious look of creamy Calacatta or Carrara isn’t going away anytime soon. “Every client of mine has at least one inspiration photo with marble countertops,” says Subaran. The drawback: They’re higher maintenance with a higher price tag to match. Still thinking of splurging on the natural stone? She suggests using StainProof by Dry-Treat, which is a special sealer that prevents staining for up to 15 years.

There are also some lower-cost alternatives. Engineered stone, such as quartz, does a great job of mimicking marble while offering stain-resistant and antimicrobial properties. “It’s nonporous, easy to clean, and it’s one of the more economical choices right now,” says Kadwell. Porcelain is

another option: “If you’re shopping for a quick bang for your buck and want the look of marble, you can get a realistic looking porcelain slab at a fraction of the price,” says Cooper.

Yes, subway tile is still the most popular backsplash

This classic choice remains your best bet due to its wide appeal, coupled with its versatility and affordability (you can find it for under $2 per square foot at big box stores). “It can be installed in a herringbone or brick pattern, or straight stack for a more modern look, and that lets you customize a space without a ton of cost,” says Kadwell. But remember the more complicated the pattern, the more money you’ll spend on labor, so you might want to reconsider that intricate chevron design.

Layer lighting

Plan for ambient lighting for general illumination and task lighting so you can see when you’re dicing celery. Kadwell suggests adding under-cabinet lights as an easy upgrade, as well as opting for statement-making lights over the island. “Light fixtures can add that pop of personality and they can be easily changed when your house is sold,” she says.

Coordinate appliances

Try to match appliance finishes — for example, go with all stainless-steel or opt for panel-ready models. All new appliances can run anywhere from 10 to 20 percent of the overall renovation budget. But don’t go overboard, Olsen warns: “If you remodel a kitchen to have state-of-the-art appliances but a future buyer doesn’t cook, then they won’t be willing to pay for it.”

The HOME Issue & WEDDING Issue

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