5 Outdoor Entertaining Tips to Amp Up Your Summer Parties

Prep for summer fun with these outdoor entertaining tips. Image: Apex Pools

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‘Tis the season to start moving your gatherings outdoors. As temperatures warm and the daylight hours lengthen, it becomes easier – and more fun – to host parties in your yard. Easier doesn’t necessarily mean easy, though. Hosting your friends al fresco comes with its fair share of challenges.

The good news is that with a little preparation, an outdoor party can be extremely low-maintenance. Getting everyone together outside lends a relaxed air. Expectations are lower, the natural beauty of your yard does most of the decorating work and if things get really messy, a hose handles cleanup. Are you ready to take advantage of the summer season and move your next party into the fresh air? Here are five outdoor entertaining tips that will help you get started.

Outdoor storage for dishes makes hosting a breeze. Image: LevEco Architects

1. Create an outdoor kitchen

Even if you already have a kitchen set up outside, you may benefit from making things easier to access during your party. Start by bringing a cabinet, a trunk or another storage piece outside. If you plan to host throughout the season but don’t want your furniture to get damaged by the elements, consider flipping it over and adding some casters.

Once your outdoor storage is ready, fill it with everything you’ll need. Plastic dishware and cloth napkins are a great start. Think through your previous parties. What did you find yourself often grabbing for? (A bottle opener, perhaps?) Having these necessities easily accessible outside will give you more time to enjoy your event.

Capitalize on the relaxed feel of an outdoor gathering by mixing decor. Image: IDF Studio

2. Celebrate variety

The relaxed air of an outdoor party encourages playfulness in your decor. Say, for example, you’re hosting more people than you can seat with your outdoor chairs. Bring your indoor chairs outside and intermix them. The variety looks fun and inviting.

What other indoor items could be useful? Pull throws off your couch and drape them over chairs outside for guests to use if they get chilly. Choose decor from your coffee table and mix it with fresh-cut flowers for an interesting centerpiece. Don’t be afraid to play with items you already own. The beauty of an outdoor party is in the way otherwise-stressful details become unimportant.

Make sure you’re ready if the breeze picks up. Image: Anthony Wilder

3. Be prepared for wind

Summer nights can get breezy. Getting ready for wind is one of the best outdoor entertaining tips we can offer, because it can prevent something out of your control – the weather – from ruining the whole night. The week before your party, make a mental list of anything that could blow away. Solutions are generally simple: like, for example, buying or making tablecloth weights that clip to the corners of a tablecloth. You should have no trouble finding a product or DIY project that matches the decor of your party.

Too pressed for time? Skip the tablecloth altogether!

If you’re going to be lighting candles, make sure you protect them from the wind. Hurricanes and tea light holders are an affordable way to maintain your lighting on a breezy evening.

Candles add ambiance and keep bugs away. Image: Susie Watson Designs

4. Keep pests away

Candles can serve a dual purpose, beyond adding ambiance: They can also help fend off mosquitos. You don’t have to choose citronella varieties, either; pests also hate eucalyptus. If you’re feeling crafty, you can even make your own bug-deterring candles. This DIY uses both citronella and eucalyptus to banish mosquitos.

If you’re going to be serving food outdoors buffet-style, have a plan in place to cover it when people aren’t actively serving themselves. In a pinch, an overturned mesh colander can serve as a protective shield.

It’s grill season. Get ready to cook outdoors all summer long. Image: FireMagic Grills

5. Prep your grill

Don’t wait until the day before your party to grab propane and scrub your grill grate. You can even season your grill grate the way you would a cast iron pan to avoid rust.

As you get your grill ready, make it safe. Move it at least 10 feet away from your home, outdoor structures and any trees or bushes. If you own a gas grill, perform a quick and easy test with soapy water to identify any leaks. Taking the time to get your grill ready before you fire it up gives you a summer of stress-free outdoor cooking.

If you want more inspiration to get your yard ready for summer parties, check out our outdoor articles. We’re always working to keep you in-the-know about the latest outdoor decor trends and hottest summer yard designs. From outdoor entertaining tips to highlights on fun yard additions, we’ve got you covered.

Did we miss any outdoor entertaining tips? Let us know your best tips and tricks in the comments below.

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How to Save Money on Your Electricity and Water Bills

While you want to be comfortable in your home, it’s possible to achieve this goal while also saving money. Making small adjustments that you will barely notice can result in significant savings. Keep reading to discover ways to save money on your electricity and water bills.

Avalon Interiors

Stop using your toilet as a wastebasket. “Every time you flush a facial tissue or other small bits of trash, five to seven gallons of water is wasted,” according to Doyle James, president of Mr. Rooter Plumbing.

James also recommends that you refrain from using your garbage disposal so frequently. “In-sink ‘garburators’ require lots of water to operate properly,” he explains. “Start a compost pile as an alternate method of disposing food waste.”

If you wash your dishes by hand, stop leaving the water running when you’re rinsing them. “If you have a double-basin, fill one with soapy water and one with rinse water,” James says. “If you have a single-basin sink, gather washed dishes in a dish rack and rinse them with a spray device or a pan full of hot water.”

Studio 511

Your water heater accounts for 12% of your electric bill. If you have an older system, James says flushing sediments out of it will improve energy efficiency. However, if the water heater is 15-20 years old, he tells Freshome that replacing it will generate substantial savings. “Tankless ‘on-demand’ systems don’t store water, offering savings up to 30 percent; however, the latest hybrid heat pump systems offer even greater savings – reducing water heating costs up to a whopping 60 percent,” James explains.

 

Winn Whitman

Your ceiling fan can lower your energy costs during the summer. According to Richard Ciresi, owner of the Aire Serv of Louisville, KY, ceiling fans create a wind chill effect, allowing you to adjust thermostat settings by 4-7 degrees F (up to 30% savings!) and still remain comfortable. However, make sure that the fan is going in a counterclockwise motion during the summer, and turn it off when you leave the room, because fans cool people, not rooms.

DDB Design Development and Building

Ciresi also recommends upgrading your lighting. “Lighting accounts for up to 12% of your energy budget, and those old school incandescents give off 90% of their energy as heat, taking a toll on your air conditioner.” He recommends replacing your lightbulbs with CFLs (use 75% less energy and last 10x longer) or LEDs (use 80% less and last 25x longer).

 

European Ceramics

Leave your thermostat alone. You don’t need to cool an empty house. “This practice can actually increase your utility bills,” Ciresi warns. “We recommend, particularly during hot weather, that you set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature and leave it be.” Also, he says the constant temperature change isn’t beneficial to your art, musical instruments, or furnishings.

Observe your humidity levels. If they’re above 50%, Ciresi says you’ll feel warmer than the air temperature. “In most cases lower humidity allows you to be comfortable at slightly higher temperatures, often as much as 78 degrees,” he says. And if you can be comfortable at higher temps, you can save a lot in energy costs. “If your humidity is too high, check for a source like a leaking basement, roof, or plumbing fixture – you may need to a call an air conditioning professional to determine the cause and provide a solution.”

Miele GB

Changing the time you use large appliances can also help you save money. “Operate dishwashers, washers, and dryers only when full, preferable at night or when temperatures are cooler,” recommends Doug Rogers, president of Mr. Appliance. “Also, remember that refrigerators/freezers use less energy when full and make sure to pack them accordingly.

Small appliances – microwaves, toasters, TVs, DVDs – are energy vampires that consume small amounts of energy even when they’re not in use. “Don’t let them drain your budget,” Rogers says. “Plug them into power strips so you can turn them off when you’re not using them.”

A Fresh Touch Interiors

If your windows are properly sealed, this can account for 20% of your home’s energy loss, according to Larry Patterson, franchisee of Glass Doctor in Dallas, TX. If your home was built before 2001, he says the most cost-efficient approach is to keep the window frame material and replace the existing clear glass insulated units with new low-emissivity (low-e) glass insulated units. “This can help save up to 35% on utility bills, while also leading to increased comfort near windows, reduced fading, and less noise.”

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3 Tips for Sprucing Up Your Laundry Room

A laundry room can be just as inviting as any other room in your home. Image: Jodi Fleming Design

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The laundry room: At best, it’s an efficient space to complete your weekly chores. At worst, it’s cramped, ugly and disorganized. You may dread going to your laundry room, but with the right colors, materials and tools, you can make it organized and stylish. After you brighten it up, you might actually enjoy doing laundry. Take a look at these tips for sprucing up your laundry room with minimal effort.

1. Add shelving and storage

“For a laundry room to function well, users need easy access to everyday items such as detergents,” says Carla Phillips, a Melbourne-based interior designer. “I recommend open shelving next to the washing machine to keep your detergents handy for everyday use.” She also recommends using large storage drawers to keep laundry off of the floor and out of sight.

For Nicola Croughan, an interior stylist at Blinds Direct, organization doesn’t have to be boring. She says that you can “use storage to separate items into color groups, since organizing by color is a big trend this season.”

While having a lot of storage space is ideal, it’s also important to keep in mind the limitations of your space. If possible, plan out in advance which items you need to store, so you don’t end up with storage space you don’t use. “Laundry rooms are notorious for being cramped,” says Jonathan Self, a real estate broker for Center Coast Realty in Chicago. “You want to keep it as airy and spacious as possible, while also providing plenty of designated shelving spaces to put detergent, linen and towels.”

Croughan advises caution and forethought with the items you store, as well. “Don’t forget to keep laundry detergent up high, so small children can’t reach it.”

Don’t let a small space stop you from creating a fabulous laundry room. This laundry space is hidden behind custom-built shaker-style cupboards. Image: Burlanes Interiors

Shelves dedicated to specific items decreases clutter. Image: Midori Yoshikawa Design Group

Slotted shelves make it possible to store and hang clothes at the same time. Image: Maple Leaf Custom Homes

2. Install spaces to hang items

The laundry room isn’t just a place to store items; it should also be conducive to post-laundry chores. Croughan recommends adding a hanging rail for drying laundry or hanging up items straight from the dryer for minimum ironing.

Katy Brut, Interior Design Consultant at NY Furniture Outlets, agrees. She adds: “Think about creating a place for folding or hanging things, especially underwear or clothes.” By giving yourself dedicated space in the laundry room for these tasks, you avoid the mountains of clean clothes that can pile up in the bedroom.

Consider adding a long rod for hang-drying clothes. Image: Abruzzo Kitchen and Bath

Even a small bar allows you to hang up freshly ironed shirts. Image: Designstorms, LLC

3. Choose simple, stylish designs

As for the overall design of the laundry room, usability and style should work hand-in-hand. “The first step is the choice of finish materials,” Brut tells Freshome. “Choose a moisture-resistant finish like ceramic tiles or plastic panels.” Lamps Plus Lighting Expert Jeff Emmerson adds that laundry spaces need a simple, efficient overhead light like a flush mount or semi-flush mount. “Don’t forget under-cabinet lighting when you have workspaces in a laundry room.”

Brut recommends painting the walls and ceiling white (or another light color), especially if the laundry room is a small space. This will make the room feel larger and brighter and less like the closet you may consider it.

Finally, don’t neglect fun design choices. Just because it’s a laundry room doesn’t mean it can’t have personality. One way to do this, says Self, is to display your detergent and powders in large apothecary jars. This fun way to store everyday items gives your laundry room character. A little creativity goes a long way in livening up the space.

Patterned backsplashes add character to a dull laundry room. Image: Brooks & Falotico

Light colors, like this blue, open up an otherwise-dark space. Image: Rabaut Design Associates

It doesn’t take a full renovation to spruce up your laundry room. Implementing any of these tips should give you a great place to start. For more inspiration, check out our 10 laundry room ideas for adding value to your space.

Does your laundry room need a little TLC? Will you be using any of these suggestions? Let us know in the comments!

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Studio Ulanowski Designs a Penthouse Apartment for a Jewelry Designer in Hong Kong

Located in London’s Covent Garden is a playful penthouse apartment designed by Studio Ulanowski, who gutted the interior for a fresh start. The homeowner, a jewelry designer based in Hong Kong, wanted a more open space and for the design to work for her family’s evolving needs.

The layout was redesigned while new windows and doorways brought about new views and a light-filled interior.

The custom kitchen cabinets continue down the long wall in the living room to form a storage cabinet with the same bright blue color, which helps ground the room. Additional cabinets in white create a sophisticated juxtaposition.

A perforated staircase was made by Joseph Waller Fabrications and it leads to the upstairs master bedroom.

Underneath the stairs is a piece of neon art designed as a collaboration between Jochen Holz and Malgorzata Bany.

The master bathroom is outfitted with cedar wood walls and slatted screens used for privacy. Handmade Moroccan tiles behind the sink vanity pop against the surrounding wood.

The bathroom vanity can disappear behind sliding panels when not in use.

Photography by Michelle Young.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/studio-ulanowski-designs-a-penthouse-apartment-for-a-jewelry-designer-in-hong-kong/

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Stitched in the desert: Iota’s Products Are Made by Bedouin Women in the Negev

A home interiors and accessories company is providing jobs for Bedouin women who aren’t allowed to hold employment outside of their home. Tal Zur, CEO of Iota Hand Stitched, speaks to Design Milk about why they think “soft furniture” is the next home design frontier, how they found themselves in the Negev, and where their designs are going this summer!

Tal Zur, CEO of Iota Studio. Photo by Or Kaplan.

Design Milk’s Keshia Badalge at Iota Hand Stitched in Tel Aviv, Israel.

“If you want a product that is straight, where all the sides are equal, the color is all the same, then that’s not us. Our products are alive,” Zur tells us as we sit in her studio in Tel Aviv. And sure enough, her studio emulates that same liveliness, with hanging swings, chunky-knit rugs and pillows and shelves full of colorful yarn, specifically put together by a colorist on their team.

Inside Iota Hand Stitched in Tel Aviv, Israel. Photo by Or Kaplan.

These home accessories are not only delight to look at and plop down onto, they also tell a small but proud story of Bedouin women empowerment. Bedouin women are traditionally not allowed to hold jobs outside of their home. They spend most of their time on domestic chores and taking care of their children.

Zur first learned about a group of Bedouin women working with a designer in Jaffa in Tel Aviv. Through him, she was able to slowly get introduced to the women and gain their trust.

Now, Zur and her team go to Hura, a Bedouin township in the Negev desert, to teach Bedouin women how to crochet and make Iota’s home products. Not only have they created a home-based industry in the Negev where women can work, for most of these women, it is their first opportunity to earn an income.

Bedouin women making products for Iota Hand Stitched.

Zur says, “When they finally have some money that is their own, it makes them confident, it makes them feel important. They can make certain decisions at home, like picking clothes for their children. It sounds so simple to us but to them, it is a big change.”

TouristIsrael and TouristJordan bring people to visit some of the more accessible Bedouin communities in Israel and Jordan. “I don’t think it is good or bad to live as a Bedouin woman,” Zur says, “but it is important for these things to happen, for people to see, for communities to understand each other’s culture better.”

In 2017, Iota was tapped by the car company Peugeot to make a special line of car mats for their concept car. Peugeot had asked for grey mats, but Zur remarked, “What we do is colors!” So, in trademark Iota style, the team tagged their samples of grey with their signature, colorful yarns. Peugeot did not miss the gesture, and responded by asking Iota to mix pops of color into their yarn.

“You know how people started talking about everything slow…slow food, slow fashion,” Zur said, “We think that the next generation will be soft. Soft furniture. Soft living.”

Grey Pouf. Photo by Or Kaplan.

Design Milk’s Keshia Badalge at Iota Studio. Photo by Or Kaplan.

Zur also told us that they just got an update this week that the Black Forest swing is hanging in Tom Dixon’s new office.

Iota Hand Stitched’s Black Swing. Photo by Noam Preisman.

Photo by Or Kaplan.

This summer, Iota will be hosting knitting parties in London and New York to launch their DIY bag kits. The philosophy behind this, Zur says, is “to make your own things, to do something slowly. It is social as well, in that we believe making things that you own and use is good for you.”

DIY Bag Kits. Photo by Noam Preisman.

DIY Bucket Bag. Photo by Noam Preisman.

Crochet tote bags. Photo by Noam Preisman.

To make one of your own, sign up on this list to be informed when an Iota knitting party comes to your city!

This studio visit was made possible by Vibe Israel, a non-profit organization that organized this year’s Vibe Design Tour.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/stitched-desert-iotas-products-made-bedouin-women-negev/

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The Lofree Digit Number Pad Adds Up to a Touching Experience

Lofree embraces the nostalgic with a catalog of delightfully colorful and rounded technological accessories reflective of space age era optimism. One of their upcoming designs continues this propensity for the playful – a sidekick to their popular clickety-clack keyboard, the numerical Digit Number Pad designed as both a partner and stand-alone calculation device.

Depending upon color (available in white, red-orange, and light aquamarine) the Digit Number Pad represents an aesthetic convergence of Dieter Rams’ iconic 1987-era designed Braun ET66 calculator with a Speak and Spell. The Digit Number Pad is designed to operate as a stand-alone calculator like its Braun predecessor, but unlike any 80s-era calculation device, this one also features Bluetooth connectivity allowing it to work in conjunction with any modern computer, tablet, or smartphone.

The retro design isn’t just aesthetic. The Digit Number Pad is designed to deliver an auditory and tactile mechanical experience, with old school membrane switches underneath each numeral in lieu of the paltry short-travel of butterfly keys ruining touch typing in the modern age. In use, this means the press of each sizable key delivers a satisfying sound and feel, aiding in faster and more accurate typing.

Lofree currently list the wireless Digit Number Pad as a “coming soon” offering, with a sign-up for notification about availability listed at the bottom of this page, with the promise of an early bird discount upon launch. If the Lofree Instagram feed is any indicator, expect to see the accessory becoming available sooner than later.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/lofree-digit-pad-colorful-design-adds-up/

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Creative Energy in a Design Lover’s Wichita Cottage

“Aesthetics encompass a myriad of sensations: joy, awe, heartache, desire, passion, calm, ad nauseum,” Brette Sumner, a hairstylist, explains when asked about her decorating process. The Wichita, KS home that she shares with her husband Blair and the couple’s pups, Smokie the Yorkie and Pablo the Chihuahua, has been seven years in the making.

Brette’s interest in design developed when the couple first bought their 1940s cottage, located in a quaint neighborhood on the east side of town. Hunting for art, furniture, and aesthetically compelling pieces at estate sales and online quickly grew into a passion project that has continued to this day. Brette shares, “when we had lived here about a year and were still newlyweds, Blair asked me when I would quit buying and changing things constantly. I said, ‘probably never.’ That’s when he accepted his fate and kicked back, allowing me to do my thing.”

Decorating the family’s home initially started out of sheer boredom and Brette’s desire to create a space that really reflected both her and her husband. “I’ve learned that frustration and boredom are part of what propels me forward,” Brette explains. Diving into the world of design has been a journey that has allowed Brette to discover her own style, and express her personality in a spatial environment. Finding cohesion in the juxtaposition of her varying tastes is what has resulted in the fresh and personal mark that Brette has put on every single space in her home. “There’s no formula. Intuition and experimentation are part of the process. I’ve come to admire unique art, furniture, architecture, and design of all kinds everywhere I go,” she adds. When scrolling through the pictures of Brette and Blair’s cottage, you’ll find a wonderfully blended mix of styles, an abundance of inspiring art and delightfully surprising details — all proof of how boredom can turn into beauty once the design bug bites. —Sofia

Photography by Tobie Andrews

Image above: Old and new, soft and sharp — the living room is the perfect introduction to Brette’s aesthetic. 

from Design*Sponge https://www.designsponge.com/2018/06/creative-energy-in-a-design-lovers-wichita-cottage.html

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Update Your Kitchen For the Best Return on Your Investment

This post is sponsored by Travelers Insurance. All words and opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting our sponsors who help bring you original content every day!

We’ve seen our share of amazing before & afters here at Design*Sponge and, after a little bit of research in our archives, I’m pleased to report that the number of smaller “updates,” as opposed to full-scale renovations, is much higher than I expected. With some planning, saving and good old-fashion DIY muscle, those of us without massive budgets can make a big impact happen ourselves. The reason for my research? I needed to create a budget for some general updates as well as some more major repairs for my own home. I wanted to make sure that I would be prioritizing and budgeting in a way that would eventually help me get the biggest return on my investment when my daughter heads off to college and I sell my home.

Since this is the first home I’ve actually purchased, and my new-home search was quick and dirty, I knew I needed to find out what the data out there said regarding home improvements and their relationship to resale value. And yep! I do indeed work on the business side here at D*S, so my need for knowledge in this area is not at all shocking to my colleagues (wink, wink)! My plan was always to purchase a home that wasn’t exactly a fixer-upper, but that could use some updates to go along with the other good selling points of the house, like its post & beam structure, serene privacy and access to the local park and downtown.

We’ve lived here for two years this July and have settled in comfortably, but now’s the time to get serious about some home improvements. Thanks to my handy Time-Life home improvement book set from the 1970’s that my mother passed down and resources like the Travelers Home Central website, I’m getting a real sense of how things are built and, therefore, how to evaluate DIY versus handyman versus licensed contractor projects. I’ve tackled some projects myself already, like re-caulking all the outside windows. I had no idea that what seemed like a simple project like caulking would cost so much if I hired someone else to do it.

When I visited the Travelers site’s Home Central site, I learned that kitchen improvements are the number one way to pump up your resale value and recoup most of the costs of the project. It’s said that everyone ends up hanging out in the kitchen at get-togethers and parties and, apparently, the same is true when homebuyers tour homes for sale. It’s that nice, neutral spot where people tend to linger if the house is likely to end up on the buyers’ short-list. This is where my affinity for data comes in! I found out on the Travelers site that, according to a recent study done by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), it’s true what conventional wisdom has always held – that kitchens, do indeed, sell homes in most cases.

The kitchen also happens to be one of the more expensive areas to take on in the home improvement realm. The good news is there are some very useful tips to consider when thinking about a complete renovation versus a well-thought out upgrade. And remember – home improvement projects not only help you when you’re selling your home and appealing to new buyers, but they can also make your home a more enjoyable place for you to live.

The study I referred to, by the way, actually ranked the top 5 home improvement projects most likely to provide the best value to the home for resale. So if you spent $10K on a kitchen update, you’d probably recoup around 65% (or $6,500) of the money you spent on it in the final selling price of your home. Today we’re sharing some tips on how to improve your home now for your own pleasure that will pay off when it’s time to sell.

Image above: Ashley and Luke Mayes’ beautiful renovated kitchen in their Springfield, MO home. Photography by Ashley Mayes.

Tip 1: New Paint & Lighting Can Transform a Room

The kitchen shown above is small and probably would not wow any prospective homebuyers. However, with minimal expense, unifying the space by playing up the contrasts with a fresh coat of white paint, new hardware and a statement light fixture tells buyers you’ve made the most of the space you have, plus you’ve kept it neat and updated. That leaves a good impression that the care you’ve shown in this tiny space extends throughout the home. It feels fresh and, suddenly, all of its awkwardness has become charming and full of character. It’s also neutral enough for the prospective buyers to imagine a total redo of the space should they have the means.

Image above:  Alison Allen is the genius behind the kitchen above! She completely transformed her Minneapolis kitchen into a beautiful & functional space. See more of Alison over at her blog  Deuce Cities Henhouse. Photography by Alison Allen.

Tip 2: Everyone Loves Shiny & New

Image above: Anna and Austin Smith renovated their Minneapolis kitchen to a show piece thanks to Anna’s professional interior design skills. Visit her professional site here! Photography by Chandler Kim.

This fixer-upper kitchen was designed in a classic way that isn’t likely to go out of style any time soon. Incorporating details like a new drop-in sink, a hexagon tile backsplash and shiny new appliances that can be shined up again when the owner moves on, this space is another great example of fresh and neutral that’s likely to attract homebuyers when the time comes.

Tip 3: Don’t Be Afraid To Rearrange a Space

Image above: Ashley and Luke Mayes’ beautiful renovated kitchen in their Springfield, MO home. Photography by Ashley Mayes.

Aside from the dated wallpaper and border, this kitchen had a spatial disadvantage because the refrigerator and stove were directly next to the dining room entryway. By detaching some lower cabinets and swapping them with the stove, there was the opportunity to create a side-by-side appliance wall with the addition of some new cabinetry for the refrigerator. Adding in some modern shelving and a sleek cabinet paint job, the room suddenly feels upscale, modern and custom – perfect to entice new home buyers who want a move-in ready home for entertaining.

If you’re itching to do some improvement projects that will eventually help you sell your home and recoup a good portion of the cost of those improvements, you should learn about the other two spaces that top the list for the best return on your investment. Over on the Travelers site you’ll find a lot of good information (and data!) from the pros who study this stuff to help educate their customers and provide a great set of tools to make sure their customers’ current or future homes are not only protected with insurance coverage, but can help them increase the value of their homes when it’s time to sell. If you haven’t guessed or have no idea what the other two rooms are that provide the biggest bang for your buck when it comes to home improvements and resale value, hop over to the Travelers site here to find out!

I’d love it if you’d share what sold you on your home when you were house shopping. Let me know in the comments if you would! –Caitlin

from Design*Sponge https://www.designsponge.com/2018/06/update-your-kitchen-for-the-best-return-on-your-investment%e2%80%a8.html

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Business Photography and Lighting with Kate Zimmerman Turpin

The following post is brought to you by Squarespace. Our partners are hand picked by the Design Milk team because they represent the best in design.

Ask any professional photographer and they’ll tell you, using the right kind of lighting is key to capturing the underlying mood, tone, and setting of every photo they’ve ever shot. If you’re curious, just have a look at some of the images you’ve taken on your own smartphone and they’ll tell the same story. Building your own business is a lot of work, much of which revolves around how it will be perceived by your customers – creating a strong launch, mastering your online brand, and having a powerful logo design are just a few of the pieces. But then there’s the photography element, a true visual imprint of just what it is you’re putting out there into the world, and it needs to be on point and done right the first time around. Get some help looking like a pro from the get-go with Squarespace and their award-winning site templates. Their easy to use platform allows you to create an impactful, stylish, and easy-to-manage online presence so you can share your brand with the world.

Kate Zimmerman Turpinis an Austin-based photographer with a focus on product, food, interior, and fine art photography known for her strong use of natural light and shadow. She knew from a young age, even through seasons of insecurities and doubt, that being a photographer was what she was most comfortable with and wanted to spend her life doing. I fell in love with photography when I was around 12, following my baby brother around the house and convincing him to pose like the subjects in Sally Mann’s or Keith Carter’s images. I became obsessed with the darkroom in high school and then decided to study Fine Art at the University of Texas,” Zimmerman Turpin said. With the help of Squarespace, she’s been able to create a stunning portfolio site that showcases her best photos and helps to acquire new clients.

Zimmerman Turpin honed in on the niches of food, still life, and travel photography simply because she enjoyed working quietly and on her own, something I think many small business owners will be shaking their heads yes to. She says, “I liked playing with compositions, making them balanced or unbalanced, experimenting with textures, and doing it at my own pace.” While her favorite category tends to change with the seasons, Zimmerman Turpin currently favors still lifes in her personal work and interiors in her business.

As with any creative medium, Zimmerman Turpin uses different approaches to achieve the lighting look required for the various types of photography she specializes in. “For food and product, I always like to set up next to a window, usually in the morning or evening. For a more moody look I like having only one window as a light source, and blocking off the rest of the window light to create deep shadows. If I’m looking for a soft look, I’ll set up a white sheet over the window to soften the shadows. For spaces, I like to photograph when the natural light is at its best in each room. As for travel, I like to wander around in the morning, late afternoon, and evening to avoid harsh light,” she said. There’s also plenty of room for experimentation, usually involving full sunlight or interesting shadows.

While Zimmerman Turpin’s photos are undeniably beautiful, sometimes hiring a professional isn’t in the budget for a small business, so we asked her for a few tips and tricks to use when shooting on your own. “My first bit of advice would be to achieve the achievable, keep it simple. If you’re doing product photography, find a clean backdrop you can keep going back to and put it next to a window for consistent light. Remember, less is more – don’t over style. And don’t over edit with too much of a filter!” She recommends using only natural light and turning off all other light sources in the space, getting as close as possible to your light source (aka window), and using a reflector for the best end results.

However, some projects are going to require a pro, so if you’re looking to spend money wisely what should that go towards? Zimmerman Turpin suggests saving your dollars to use for your site’s photography. An impressive banner or cover image makes a huge first impression and will be well worth the professional photography investment in the long run.

We love Squarespace’s site design customization options and price point, and their users do too. “I chose my design based on the suggested designs for photographers. I wanted a clean gallery format on most pages so I didn’t do any personal customization, but I did play around with creating new pages and then adding a gallery on them. It gave my site design a slightly more organic, less organized look which I prefer,” said Zimmerman Turpin. Squarespace helps her run a stronger, more streamlined business from end to end and offers an aesthetic that aligns with her photography. “I love how I don’t have to spend a lot of time and money on hiring somebody to create a design that works for my business. Squarespace already has the clean and minimal look that best accentuates my photos.”

Ready to get to work on that branding? Take the first step and create a website or buy a domain name with Squarespace. Use coupon code DESIGNMILK at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/business-photography-lighting-kate-zimmerman-turpin/

from Home Improvment http://notelocreesnitu.tumblr.com/post/175372661929