4 your home

A fresh coat of paint could mean the difference between thousands of dollars more — or less — on a home, if you’re trying to sell. “The more buyers you bring into their home, the more offers you’re going to get, which translates into more money. So why wouldn’t you just give the buyers what they want?” D.C. area...

Kitchens are often the first place people look to renovate in their homes, but they can be the most expensive. Local home décor influencer Rashida Banks says she saved thousands of dollars on her kitchen renovations by doing it mostly herself. “It was just very dark and our kitchen is very small,” Banks said, “so we wanted to brighten...

From teardowns to pops-ups, new construction is happening all across the D.C. area. But there’s something to be said for preserving history before it’s all gone.

A DC-area designer is sharing secrets from one of the region’s most successful design companies.

Here are four simple ways to add pops of color into any space,

Renters and homeowners throughout the District have redecorated their outdoor spaces in the past year.

The Ritz Carlton Residences are under construction in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The luxury condos will be ready for new homeowners by the end of the year.

Former Washington Nationals player Jayson Werth is selling his private, 4-acre estate in McLean, Virginia, for over $6 million.

If you feel like your house is bursting at the seams, you’re not alone. People are looking for more space and some are finding it in their basements. Basement renovations are one of the most requested projects right now, says Anthony Wilder of Anthony Wilder Design/Build in Maryland. “You can’t imagine that people would really want to be in their basements,...

They say kitchens and bathrooms are what sell a house, so you’ll want to know where to spend your money if you’re planning any upgrades.

Interior design tips 4 your home in spring 2021

Tracy Morris, a local interior designer and color expert with Benjamin Moore, has gained invaluable experience over the years about trends. She’s designed enough spaces to know that trends change.

The housing market in the D.C. area has a reputation for being tough. And with an ongoing pandemic and little inventory, things are harder than ever.

Former HGTV star and local mom of five Lauren Liess just put her house on the market. Just hours after being listed, the house already received multiple offers. It’s now under contract.

Wallpaper is back in a big way. You don’t have to spend big bucks or make a big commitment to get the look.  “I think it’s the color and the pattern that just makes wallpaper so inviting,” said Kate Dreyer of Northern Virginia. Dreyer’s popular Instagram account, @Kate_Decorates, shows how she uses temporary wallpaper or peel-and-stick wallpaper to get...

Annie Elliott owns her own design firm and understands staring at the same four walls can get stale. “Everybody is tired of their houses; me included,” she said. But you don’t have to wait for the pandemic to pass to overhaul a space. Elliott has worked with several clients who have been willing to communicate virtually to make improvements...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Despite the pandemic, so many people are finding a reason to celebrate and getting creative when it comes to Christmas decor. “There are so many ways to decorate for Christmas that don’t require you to spend a lot of money,” says Kate Dreyer, blogger and busy mom of two.  “Getting the...

People are turning up the dial on decorating this holiday season.  Kate Dreyer is the blogger behind “Kate Decorates.” Admittedly, she and her family love the holiday season, but this year, they started decorating early—after Halloween. She’s not alone—tree sales are up 29% this year, according to Evercore ISI. There’s also evidence people are getting larger trees and buying...

Kiyonda Powell is a rising star in the design world with deep roots in Prince George’s County. Known for her bold mix of color and pattern, she’s garnered national attention transforming spaces big and small. Her work has been featured on the pages of  ELLE Décor, Harper’s Bazar and House Beautiful to name a few. And now she’s working on her...

Fireplaces aren’t used year-round, so it’s a good idea to have them checked first.

D.C.-area DIY blogger Rashida Banks says the pandemic has prompted a lot of people to jump on the bandwagon. “DIYs have been helping people even close the gap between time,” Banks says. DIY can be a great way to fill the “void” that would otherwise be spent traveling or meeting with friends and family, according to Banks. News4’s Tracee...

Holley Simmons, owner of D.C. flower shop She Loves Me, offers some tips on getting started with houseplants.

It’s pumpkin season. Whether you’ve already picked them or you’re headed to the patch this weekend, the experts have a few tips on how to make the most of pumpkins when it comes to fall decor. Colin Kuhn, general manager of American Plant in Bethesda, suggests using a mix of pumpkins and gourds in various colors to line the...

The most expensive property to ever list in the Alexandria portion of Fairfax County is a piece of George Washington’s original Mount Vernon estate.  The River View Estate was first deeded to George Washington’s personal secretary. But now, the house, guest house and carriage house could be yours for just $60 million. Visiting the 16-acre estate is reserved for the...

Remember when spring ushered in such nice weather and we left our isolation to spend more time outside? Well, the seasons are changing again, but that doesn’t mean we have to rush back indoors. We’re shifting from lemonade and ice cold beer to cider and hot cocoa. People still want to be able to enjoy their outdoor spaces and...

It’s getting cooler, but contrary to what you might think, autumn is actually a great time to plant.

A few bucks at the grocery store and you can leave with some fairly decent flowers, but a local florist is sharing her secrets on how to turn them into showstoppers. Holley Simmons owns “She Loves Me” in the Petworth neighborhood of DC. She teaches a class on floral arranging and says the number one rule of thumb starts with…

The air is noticeably cooler and signs of fall, including chrysanthemums and pansies, are making their seasonal debut. September is the optimal time to purchase mums. Isaiah Weinstein is with Seasonal Celebrations and runs the pop-up shop on Massachusetts Avenue outside St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Northwest D.C. “When you’re looking for mums, you want to get them...

A sprawling kitchen island, a windowsill reading nook, a spacious walk-in closet: We all have a vision for the home of our dreams. But what if more than two dozen designers combined their expertise and vision to outfit a flawlessly on-trend, aspirational home? You’ll find that at a nearly 10,000-square-foot mansion in McLean, Virginia, that is this year’s Aspire...

It’s the year of renovation with quarantine pushing us to make improvements to the spaces we call home. But you don’t have to be a homeowner to get in on DIY. There are many inexpensive and non-permanent ways you can improve your space for renters and homeowners alike. Chelsey Brown is the author of “Rental Style,” a book dedicated to creating...

If the pandemic has you searching for calm in a world where things seem out of control, tidying up your home may help. “The clutter inside your home and your space is something you can look at and actively do something about,” says Ashley Hatcher, a professional organizer and owner of the NEAT Method in D.C. She spoke to...

You’ve watched so much HGTV you could film an episode. Now, it’s time to bring that interior design savvy into your own home. Mariella Cruzado, the owner of Splendor Styling — a D.C.-based decorating firm, says it’s not as hard as it seems. “It is very approachable. Design is approachable. It is right there. We have the internet these...