Posts from May 2024
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15
'I Couldn't Give Up My 2.65% Mortgage': Why This Couple Decided To Rent Out Rather Than Sell Their Old Home
When Chris L. and his husband bought their first home together in September 2023—a beautiful midcentury modern in Concord, CA—the next question became what Chris should do with the townhouse he'd bought on his own nine years earlier. While his old home was certainly more modest than his new property, it has one huge thing going for it: a 2.65% mortgage rate.
"My mom used to always say, 'Once you sell something, you can't get it back,'" Chris says.
15
Sittin' Pretty: 5 Porch Decor Ideas That Will Transform Your Favorite Summer Perch
Porch season is officially here!
Sure, it might sometimes still be a little too chilly to enjoy your favorite outdoor perch unless it's drenched in sunlight, but soon enough we'll all be sipping sweet tea and basking in some summertime warmth. The beginning of porch sittin' season always begs the question: How do you revive a space that's been dormant all winter long?
Don't worry, we took to Instagram to find you all the answers.
Luckily there is no one way to get your porch ready for the upcoming season of lounging. While porch design is eclectic and individual, we do have a few ideas on how you can get started if you're feeling stuck.
Here are five of the cutest looks from the design world of Instagram to help you get your porch summer-ready.
1. Set the table
One of our favorite ways to create a porch everyone wants to hang out on is by setting a welcoming table like this one from @theproperpeacock.
While you might not want to leave it fully set unless you've got friends coming over, now is still a great time to get all the outdoor tableware (and a table, if you need one) to re-create this look in a summertime snap.
"I love how this trend brings function and style together," says design expert Tina Priestly, of Ready, Set, Refresh. "Last summer, I set up a small bistro table with colorful, weather-resistant plates and glasses. It made the porch feel like an extension of our dining room."
Get the look: Go al fresco and expand your dining possibilities this season with this outdoor dinnerware set.
2. Celebrate vintage porch furniture
Not ready to spend a lot on all-new outdoor furniture? We've got you. Go antiquing for some charming pieces to adorn your porch, as we see in this look from @the.martinhouse.
"Springtime means garage sale time," says designer Devin Shaffer, of Decorilla. "It amazes me how the supply of high-quality vintage pieces never runs out, and especially for outdoor spaces that don't require perfect products, the number of options is limitless."
Get the look: Shaffer recommends visiting your local antiques markets to source metal chairs, old signs, wrought-iron decorative fences, and whatever else suits your creative fancy this season.
3. Create a garden corner
Another fun way to breathe new life into an old porch is to create a garden corner like this one from @karenkeysar.
"Bringing in greenery is a must for any porch," says Priestly. "It's like adding a breath of fresh air! I've created a little garden corner with potted plants and hanging baskets. It's so relaxing to sit surrounded by natural color."
Get the look: Get yourself one of these wood potting benches, and you'll soon be inspired to build your very own garden corner!
4. Pick a color and stick to it
If you're really feeling stuck when it comes to where to start decorating your porch for the season, just keep things simple. Pick a color that works with your house, and use it as a decor anchor, like this design from @1848schoolhousecottage.
"This is actually one of my favorite design tricks," says Shaffer. "This exterior design approach highlights the surrounding landscape and the beauty of the environment. Colors inspired by nature, such as blue, brown, beige, and green, are all great choices."
Get the look: Pick a color scheme by starting with this outdoor metal rocking chair set that comes in a variety of nature-friendly hues.
5. Bring the indoors out
The options for hybrid indoor-outdoor furniture are seemingly endless, which is another reason we love this outdoor living look from @houseof_york. This look is easy to re-create and sure to bring some serious chill vibes to your porch this season.
"Investing in indoor-outdoor furniture is a game changer," says Priestly. "I got an outdoor patio daybed for a porch last year from Wayfair, and it's been a hit with everyone. It's comfy and can handle the weather like a champ"
Get the look: Design a porch that feels like an extension of your living room with this wicker outdoor patio daybed.
https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/insgram-porch-decor-ideas-for-summer/
8
The Overlooked Design Feature That Can Help You Create a Next-Level Dining Room
One aspect of design that we so often forget is also one of the simplest: texture.
Layered looks and the combination of different kinds of wall treatments, textiles, organic compositions, and lighting all work together to create spaces that are dynamic and complete.
Adding texture to your space doesn't have to be complicated, and it's also a great design tactic for rooms that are somewhat locked into a set of furniture pieces—like the dining room.
So before you ditch your table and chair set altogether, take a look at this list of creative ways to modernize your dining room with these five textured looks from Instagram.
1. Shiplap walls
When it comes to giving your dining room a deeper look, nothing does it quite so well as reimagining the walls in shiplap, as in this photo from @archdigest.
"Shiplap has become synonymous with modern farmhouse style, but its texture and visual interest also make it an excellent choice for creating a cozy and inviting dining room that has a touch of rustic elegance," says designer and founder Guillaume Drew of Or & Zon.
Besides being a versatile design that works in just about any kind of dining room, shiplap can also help make small spaces seem larger.
"The linear texture of shiplap walls adds depth and character, while its horizontal lines suggest a broader space," says Drew.
Get the look: Make your dining room seem larger by following this DIY guide.
2. Sheepskin dining chairs
Another textured dining room look we love? Furry chairs, especially when done in a sheepskin like these from @sherinegridesign.
"Incorporating sheepskin into dining room chairs infuses an unrivaled level of texture and luxury," says Drew. "The softness provides a tactile experience that enriches the dining setting and also evokes a sense of opulence and comfort, inviting diners to linger longer at the table."
Get the look: Create a space that makes friends and family feel a touch of quiet luxury with these Pula boucle dining chairs.
3. Organic textured vases
For a textured look that will be front and center on your dining table, check out these nubby vases from @livingwithnic.
"Organic textural vessels look great empty on the table as a sculptural accent or filled with freshly gathered flowers from the garden," says designer Pamela Nast. "Fill them with a dramatic collection of seasonal branches for a colorful accent."
Get the look: Add an eye-catching element to your tablescape with this Minka pot.
4. Tambour dining table
Sometimes, the only texture you need is right on your dining table—just like this look from @brookemoraleshome.
"The tambour details on the base of this dining table are the 'of the moment' textual design accent popping up everywhere," says Nast. "The tambour texture breaks up the scale of the table— it's the unexpected pop of texture that brings everything into balance."
Get the look: Re-create this balanced texture-forward look with this Como round dining table.
5. Birdcage lampshade
One of our favorite ways to create a unique textured look in the dining room is with this woven lampshade from @lighting_forest.
"The birdcage lamp is a great way to add textural volume to your dining room," says Nast. "The openness of the style keeps it from feeling heavy, while the white shade that blends into the surrounding paint color also adds a great sense of drama."
Get the look: Bring some dramatic volume into your dining room with this modern wooden pendant.
https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/textured-designs-for-dining-room/
7
What to Know When Inheriting a Home
Updated 5/20/2025
When someone inherits a home, the first question they usually ask is, "Now what?" It can be an overwhelming situation. After all, what to do with a home you've inherited is not only a financial decision but also an emotional one. Chances are, you have a lot of memories in that home with the loved one you inherited it from.
Our real estate agents are here to help. Here's what you need to know about inheriting a home and the steps you should take to make the process as seamless and stress-free as possible.
Options when you inherit a home:
Arguably, the biggest consideration when you inherit a home is what to do with it. Ultimately, you have three options:
- Live in it. Occupying the house keeps the proper...
7
National Barbecue Day: Chicagoland BBQ Favorites
May 16 is National Barbecue Day, but we're here to tell you that every day is barbecue day in Chicagoland. Whether your BBQ of choice is Texas, Memphis, Carolina or Kansas City-style, you'll find what you're looking for in Chicagoland neighborhoods.
There are too many great barbecue joints in Chicago to list them all. This article is only scratching the surface, but these are some of
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