Make your spring cleaning a bit more eco-friendly this year

With spring in full force outdoors, I am in hard-core spring cleaning mode indoors -- nothing feels better than airing out the house and deep cleaning every corner after a long winter. But this year, I have adopted a more eco-friendly and sustainable way of cleaning. Instead of harsh chemicals, I have found natural alternatives (see my favorite recipe below) and in one of my biggest changes, I now use natural bristled brushes.

3 tips for decorating a wow-worthy guest bedroom

You don’t always have to play it safe when it comes to home decor -- breaking the rules and decorating outside the box can be half the fun of decorating a room! If you are looking to be more bold with your decor, but are hesitant to take the first leap, a great and easy space to start is in your guest bedroom. This is a space that usually doesn't get as much use as the rest of your house and creating a themed guest room is a great way to wow your guests.

Decorative baskets are an organizational godsend if you are Marie Kondo-ing

With all of the Marie Kondo madness, home organization has been on everyone's minds lately. While it may not be the sexiest topic, I promise that an organized home will simplify your life and leave you happy with your space. The key to organizing your home is to make it approachable and beautiful -- you are more likely to keep things organized if you enjoy looking at all the organization you have created. This is where baskets come in.

How to DIY your own stove top potpourri at home

Cold weather has finally hit D. C. and it is here to stay, at least for awhile. To make your home feel extra cozy and warm, try a simmering stove top potpourri. A basic stove top potpourri is made up of a combination of spices, dried and fresh fruits (or peels), and extracts. There are an infinite number of combinations to try, and it is so fun to experiment. Simmering pots are a great replacement for air fresheners.

Room & Board is having their annual clearance sale on 14th Street this weekend

Holiday Gift Guide: 10 chic gifts any hostess with the mostess will love

A chic guide to interior holiday decorating

The air is cold and we've already experienced a (mini) snow storm, so I think it's well past time we talk about Christmas decorations! There is something so wonderful about decorating for the holidays -- it makes the house feel warm and cozy and it's socially acceptable to play Christmas carols on repeat. No matter if your style is modern or traditional, I have a few simple tips to help you deck your halls this holiday season.

These Navy Yard apartments are trying to make their residents happier and healthier

Of the thousands of residences currently being built around D. C. , a huge percentage of them will be in luxury buildings flouting amenities like cushy gyms with new equipment. Often, those spaces go unused - it’s not uncommon to walk through high-end apartment buildings and see nearly-untouched workout equipment. It may be convenient distance from your front door, but in some buildings there’s a distinct sense of discomfort that comes with using your building’s gym.

Drew and Jonathan Scott of HGTV came to the DMV and fans went wild

There are some diehard fans of The Property Brothers in the DMV

We want to buy this Georgetown home for the gardens alone

This Federal home is giving us Secret Garden vibes and we are HERE. FOR. IT!

Peek inside 9 homes on this weekend's Modern Home Tour

Enjoy a self-guided tour through nine examples of modern homes in our region, from Bethesda to McLean.

3 tips for setting up and using an outdoor kitchen

One of my favorite additions we made to our house is the outdoor kitchen on our covered porch. It is the ultimate place for entertaining, given that it is right next to our dining room and kitchen, and we get so much use out of it. My favorite time of year to cook in our outdoor kitchen is fall; it's cool, but not cold, and everyone can comfortably enjoy hanging outside. I've curated a few tips and tricks to building your own outdoor kitchen and preparing a fabulous fall meal al fresco! 1.

Can an apartment come with a built-in social life? Apparently, yes.

Moving to D. C. can be lonely. Even in a city full of transplants, it's hard to bond with strangers, especially if you're living alone or with a partner. However, some apartment buildings are looking to bridge that social gap by bringing together neighbors over happy hour, shared work spaces and entertainment options. Enter Ampeer Residences, a luxury apartment building built around the historic Patterson Mansion in Dupont Circle.

11 DIY projects to tackle if you're stuck at home during Hurricane Florence

Host a clothing swap to clean out and refresh your closet this fall

Now that the first hints of fall are in the air, it is the perfect opportunity to clean out your closet. Say goodbye to summer and hello to fall and make room for all your cozy pieces. The best way to breathe new life into your closet, without breaking the bank, is by throwing a clothing swap party! It's a great way to clean out all those pieces and accessories that have been hiding unused in the back of your closet, and make room for fun, fabulous and free new additions.

Mortgage experts reveal the 5 questions they hear the most (and answer them for you!)

When it comes to mortgages, there’s no such thing as a “stupid question.” If you’re not familiar with the homebuying process, then the world of loans, interest rates, and real estate can be tricky.(Psst! If this is you, make sure to check out our “ultimate

DIY your own bath bombs for the ultimate day of relaxation

One of my favorite things to do after a long day is to indulge in a soothing bath. There are all kinds of bath accessories out there these days, but bath bombs are truly -- excuse the pun -- the bomb.com! They are a great way to enhance your bathing experi

Living large in a tiny space: What you need to know about thriving in a micro-unit

D.C.'s population is quickly growing and all of those newcomers need someplace to go. Enter the micro-unit, a tiny apartment designed to maximize your living space in as little square footage as possible. Apartment buildings are flaunting their tiniest liv

Georgetown's most gorgeous exteriors

This is some serious house inspiration

Refresh your house vibe seasonally by styling the couch

You know how you have your favorite dresses that you wear all the time, but change up the look with your shoes and accessories to make it feel different and new? Treat your couch the same way! You can change up the styling of your couch each season with li

Create a spa-like atmosphere in your master bath in 5 steps

With soothing tones, calming smells and attention to detail, it's clear that a spa is designed to be a relaxing refuge and a place to melt away the stress of life. Unfortunately, most of us can’t afford to indulge in a spa session daily. Which is why I’ve

7 tips to make your bedroom feel like a luxury hotel room

I’m always impressed by the rooms in luxury hotels -- the bedrooms feel like a sanctuary from the outside world. For my own bedroom, I wanted to create a similar feeling. I wanted the room to have a feeling of calm and be a place to relax and unwind. By

Explore the oddball architecture of the National Park Seminary

It's been a women's finishing school, a soldier's hospital and a hotel over the years.

The house of the late AOL co-founder lists for $62.9M

We've seen a lot of expensive real estate in our days, from $14 million sales to a $22 million listing, and even Jackie Kennedy's childhood home selling for more than $40 million. But the 3.2-acre estate we recently came across, which the Wall Street Journ

Check out this $6.9M European chateau backing up to a bird sanctuary

If you've ever had dreams of living in a European chateau, overlooking a10-acre bird sanctuary or living in the neighborhood that houses the PGA tour, we have news for you. A 15,000-square-foot custom home in Potomac's exclusive Avenel neighborhood has ju

10 tips to turn your chaotic closet into an organizational dream

My favorite part of the day is getting up, meandering into my closet and getting ready in the morning. But this was not always the case. I used to dread heading into the chaos that was my closet! Mismatched hangers, things crammed everywhere and jewelry st

Should you invest in a fixer-upper? Here’s what you need to know.

You might think you have what it takes to replace Chip and Joanna Gaines. But tackling a fixer-upper is a lot harder than it looks on HGTV.Investing in a property that needs some work could be the best choice for some peoplebut is it the right one for you?

6 organizational steps to create a functional and beautiful kitchen

My kitchen organization used to be the butt of all my friends' jokes. One time a friend came over and was so disgusted with the way my fridge was organized, she took it upon herself to clean it for me! Maybe it's because I am getting older, or maybe a swit

Bethesda's 'mushroom house' looks like something out of 'The Smurfs'

If you've ever had dreams of living in a Smurf house, this quirky piece of real estate will be right up your alley! After a major interior renovation, the whimsical Bethesda mushroom house is for sale for the first time since 2015, when it sold for $920,00

Throw a travel-inspired dinner party in four easy steps

I have always had the travel bug. I find traveling to be inspirational, and I love to learn about new cultures and food abroad and then bring back the memories of those far distant places back home with me. Travel inspires my home decor, fashion and entert

The buyer of this Bethesda house gets a trip on a private plane

In a buyer's market, we've heard of sellers offering myriad perks to make their listing all the more appealing to potential buyers. Whether that's offering a closing cost credit or broker incentives, or even agreeing to send cookies for an entire year to y

This chapel-turned-house has 33 stained glass windows

Once used as a private girls' school, a medical facility and a chapel, this two-bedroom/two-bathroom 3,500-square-foot house has a storied history.

Want to go to prison without committing a felony? Then these apartments are for you.

You can visit this Frank Lloyd Wright gem in Alexandria

We bet this has some major hygge vibes in winter.

The ultimate home-buyers checklist

Buying your first home takes years of financial preparation. But now that you've finally saved enough money to get your own place, you might be wonderinghow the heck do I start?From beginning to end, the average homebuyer will take about 30 to 60 days to

Create the perfect Cinco de Mayo tablescape in 5 steps

Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner and it is the perfect excuse to invite your friends over for a vibrant, colorful dinner party to celebrate Mexican culture(respectfully!) and to indulge in flavorful dishes. Just follow my five simple tips below for

Inside Old Town Alexandria's cutest historical gardens

Just in time for spring gardening!

Check out the transformation of this gutted and renovated Arlington home

This 1939 pre-war Colonial home was already a gem before local architect Rob Morris got his hands on it. But after the complete gut and renovation he worked on the Arlington property in 2013, it became a seriously stunning property! Now, it is on the marke

How to host a romantic cherry blossom-inspired brunch for two

The weather might not be screaming spring just yet, but at least the cherry blossoms have finally hit peak bloom and are giving us all the warm fuzzy feels! To honor this seasonal rite of passage, I wanted to share one of my favorite traditions for blossom

Robert E. Lee's childhood home is on the market for $8.5M

For the first time in 50 years, Robert E Lee's boyhood home, also referred to as the Crown Jewel of Alexandria or the Potts-Fitzhugh House, is listed for sale for $8.5 million.

This apartment building has a rooftop dog park and regular yappy hours

MUST. LOVE. DOGS.

Check out first of 5 historic Capitol Hill brownstones renovated into $3.6M townhouse

Is it a house, is it an office -- you decide! Five Capitol Hill brownstones (418-426 C Street NE) circa 1888 are undergoing renovations to be transformed into modern spaces that are licensed to be used as either single-family residences, or for commercial

Peek inside this $6.49 million Georgian mansion from 1923

By the time we finished scrolling through the virtual tour on this listing, we were ready to curl up with a book by any of the three fireplaces, if only it wasn't for that pesky price tag...

This is the second most expensive house in D.C.

As someone just starting the house-buying process in the D.C. area, coming across listings for $18 MILLION is equal parts horrifying and exhilarating. That means while I scroll through the 600-square-foot, one-bedroom condos I can (maybe?) afford, there ar

This penthouse is the real estate love child of a SoHo art gallery and Capitol Hill condo

If you haven't picked up on the trend yet, it is becoming increasingly clear that real estate developers are targeting new projects at millennials. Thus, we are seeing more properties with communal areas, rooftop decks, high-tech gyms and eco-friendly/sust

I’m interested in buying a home — now what?

Buying a home is one of life's major events. It can be exciting, terrifying and everything in between. Being well-informed about the home-buying process will help to ensure that you have a low-stress, yet productive experience.Here are some important steps

Peek inside legendary Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann's home

The Georgetown townhouse where JFK and Jackie met just hit the market

You never forget the where and when of meeting your future spouse. But when your name happens to beJacqueline Bouvier, the entire world wants to hear the story. And it just so happens that Jackie and John F. Kennedy's love story starts in Georgetown, the

Real Estate Eye Candy: Modern Rock Creek Park listing for $3,875,000

Super Bowl champion Alan Faneca is selling his McLean mansion

Former NFL player Alan Faneca has put his 7-bedroom/10-bath McLean mansion on the market for $5.5 million.

Saving money your resolution? Look no further

The holidays are over, and if, as Ebenezer Scrooge described, they were “a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer,” then the new year is the perfect time to make some wise and financially prudent resolutions. If you’re looking to pu

You've got to see the views from this $3.49 million Logan Circle penthouse

As the beautiful John Legend once said, Go to the penthouse floor (let's go, let's go, let's go). And for $3.49 million, you can go to the penthouse every single day!This Logan Circle penthouse was custom designed for its current owners in 2013 by renowne

For the first time in D.C. you can use Bitcoin to buy a condo

Baltimore Ravens' Tony Jefferson puts home on the market for under $1 million

When I think of athlete bachelor pads, I don't exactly think of beautifully-designed, single-family homes nestled at the end of a cul-de-sac. But for Tony Jefferson -- a 25-year-old strong safety who signed with the Baltimore Ravens in March, 2017 -- a sta

Tour the 10 most expensive homes sold in 2017

MRIS provided the following ranking information and images for this list. It should be noted that only houses that MRIS obtained seller permission to promote are considered in this data.

DIY an art gallery in your home without breaking the bank

You can now get floral arrangements inspired by Vogue editors from UrbanStems

I have to admit that as soon as I heard Vogue and florals in the same sentence, I couldn't help but think of one of my favorite Miranda Priestly lines:via GIPHYBut perhaps Ms. Priestly would be more impressed by UrbanStems' (D.C.'s homegrown floral delive

Our 10 favorite DIY projects from 2017

5 tips to jumpstart your New Year's Resolution to be more organized

With 2018 just around the corner, it is time to start thinking about your New Year’s resolutions. Sure, being healthier or traveling more are common goals, but getting organized is usually at the top of most lists. And what better place to start the organi

Pinterest Fails: We tried to DIY three holiday wreaths

When you look up Christmas wreaths DIY on Pinterest, thousands of ultra-cute, professional-looking crafts fill your screen. It seems like the perfect time of year to brew up some hot chocolate and bust out the craft supplies, So, after scouring Pinterest f

Gift Guide: 6 perfect gifts for every hostess, plus creative wrapping ideas

It’s that time of year again -- the holidays are upon us and for D.C. that means parties, dinners and more parties! I am a bit old fashioned when it comes to being a gracious guest and I love the tradition of presenting the host or hostess with a token of

The brilliantly bright houses of Hill East

See if you can spot the Pantone Color of the Year for 2018!

The D.C. fiber artist that you need to know

The thing I love most about working on the Chicvilla are the wonderful people I've met along the way. Everyone who has been helping with the renovations knows someone that can help with something else -- word of mouth is one of my favorite ways to find rep

Bethesda home of the Exorcist's late author is on the market

Sure, you've heard of the Exorcist steps in Georgetown, but have you heard of the Bethesda home where the author resided from 2001 until his death earlier this year? His widow is now selling the 6-bedroom/7-bath Georgian Colonial for $3,195,000.

Why winter is actually the best time to buy a house

If you think moving in the winter means an even more hectic holiday season, you need to think again! Here are a few reasons why winter in general, and this one in particular, is a smart time to buy a house.Motivated sellersBecause so many buyers aren’t ea

8 steps to hosting the perfect garden party

I absolutely adore transforming outdoor spaces into over-the-top dining destinations. With these simple tips you too can soak in the last feeling of summer with an unforgettable picnic soiree.

Peek inside 5 cutting-edge homes as part of the inaugural Modern Home Tour

This past weekend, The Modern Architecture + Design Society hosted the inaugural DC-Metro Modern Home Tour, with the doors to five cutting-edge modern homes open for self-guided tours.

9 steps to DIY the mini walk-in closet of your dreams

Each closet cost around $250 in materials and it took three full days of DIYing, but the results are INCREDIBLE!!! If you have a closet like this at home, run, don’t walk, to your local hardware store.

The coolest things we saw at D.C. Design House

The D.C. Design house, which raises money for Children's National Health System, is open to the public from September 30 through October 29.

This modern gem in the Palisades is a horticulturist's delight and is less than $2M

There is such beauty in a historic home -- imagining what life was like for its previous occupants, knowing exactly what floorboard creaks even when you tiptoe, and even reveling in the semi-disheveledness because it tells a story. But there is definitely

5 tips for using Bourbon bottles to DIY a masculine tablescape

Entertainment usually takes a backseat to construction and renovation projects at any new house. But with a majority of the work behind me, I have finally started entertaining again at the Chic Villa!I have been plotting a masculine Bulliet Bourbon tablesc

Check out this colonial condo that was once the stomping grounds of George Washington

This Colonial-style condo was originally built in the early 1700s as a simple farmhouse, but became a social club and meeting hall frequented by our first President, George Washington and his close friend George Mason in 1790.

Peek inside the 27,000-square-foot DC Design House before it's renovated

23 of D.C.'s top designers have been working since August 14 to renovate a $10.28 million mansion in Potomac for this year's DC Design House. Each designer will put their own touch on one room in the nine-bedroom/13-bath house, and the final product will

The 5 Most Frequently Misunderstood Things About Buying a Home

Buying a house is a purchase unlike any other. It’s not just because there are so many laws, forms and documents surrounding the purchase, but because what you buy, how you pay for it and what you do with it has so many far-reaching implications for your f

6 easy steps to DIY the perfect outdoor oasis for your home

An urban retreat is just what the doctor ordered after a long day. By bringing the indoors outside to a small space, you too can create the perfect outdoor urban retreat in six easy steps.

A 16,000-square-foot Georgian mansion just hit the market in McLean

If you've ever visited Ireland, you probably fell in love with a Georgian mansion (or two) and had dreams of moving into one of those gorgeous stone castles and slaying dragons. And then reality sets in and you realize how impractical it would be to flee t

Setting up a grown-up bar in your home is as easy as 1-2-3

So I have a confession to make in all of my adult life I have neverhad a bar in my home. Yep you read that right -- please tell me I am not the only one showing up late to the party!?! Since moving into the Chic Villa, I have felt very “grown up” and I f

This 7,000-square-foot Tuscan villa looks like something straight out of Italy

Built in 2016 by GTM Architects and Sandy Spring Builders, the 5-bedroom/6-bath estate looks like something straight out of "Under the Tuscan Sun."

This 1935 colonial has a 2,500-bottle wine cellar and the loft office of our dreams

Ok, we have to admit that we have a bit of a real estate addiction round these parts. Several times a day we find ourselves perusing Redfin or Estately, and of course we tell ourselves it's in the name of research -- you know, alerting you lovelies to awes

This luxury dorm for grown-ups has finally opened in a Dupont mansion

Ampeer, the newest luxury urban living concept, opened its flagship property in D.C. inside the historic Patterson mansion in Dupont Circle. Ampeer consists of 92 fully-furnished residential units are available ranging studios to lofts and one-bedrooms.

For $5.2 million, you can live in this five-level Kalorama home

Ever since the Obamas decided that a 1920s mansion in Kalorama would make a suitable alternative to the White House, we can't stop hearing about the neighborhood! It became a bipartisan millionaires club when Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner decided to rent

Tour a $22 million house, currently the most expensive on the market

This property was once owned by one of Washington's most philanthropic families, but when their home was burned down, the land was acquired to develop as an estate property. Listed at $22 million, it's now the most expensive listing on the market.

The most expensive purchase that no one shops around for

The internet provides a fast and easy way to compare prices, financing options and product reviews but home buyers may not be exploring all options. In fact, nearly 50 percent of people fail to compare lenders before buying a home.

Take a tour of this $3.6M McLean mansion that has its own ballroom

Real estate porn alert! A $3,649,000 luxury home in McLean, complete with a 5,500-square-foot entertainment wing and an elaborate ballroom that can accommodate 200 guests, has just hit the market TODAY!Political leaders from around the world have been hos

Check out the view from this $2.1 million Bethesda home

This $2.1 million Bethesda home has gorgeous views of the Potomac

Surviving your first renovation in a new house

As soon as we signed on the dotted line and the Chic Villa was officially ours, I immediately wanted to put my stamp on the new house by putting holes in the walls. But I had no clue just how much work AND money goes into what seem like minor renovations.

Live in an apartment designed by the same architects who revitalized Rockefeller Center

6 tips for finding the perfect real estate agent

Buying your first home is a daunting and emotional task -- that is why it is so important to pick the perfect realtor. They will be the ones that talk you off the ledge, so to speak, and watch your back when you didn’t even realize you needed to have it wa

Frank and Claire Underwood's "DC" brownstone is for sale and we got a peek inside

You can see Nats Park from these luxe maximalist apartments

An apartment where I can see Nats Park from my rooftop?? COUNT. ME. IN!

This modern gem is a block from the waterfront in historic Old Town Alexandria

It is quite rare to find a house that feels this modern, especially in a neighborhood as historic as Old Town Alexandria. Built in the 1970s and renovated in 2015/2016 this townhouse has only been owned by two families in nearly 50 years!

This new luxury apartment in NoMa is an industrial-chic lover's dream

Seriously, this place is such #apartmentgoals.

How to DIY an accent wall with just a hammer, nails and rope

With this simple rope feature wall, you will have your guests saying WOW from the moment they see it! Everyone will ask how to do it in their home. Plus the best part is it's affordable and incredibly easy to do.

We are gaga over this $2.25M Bethesda show stopper

European flair can be seen throughout this Bethesda home, from the Spanish cedar front door to the strong penchant for color, soaring ceilings and wide variety of natural materials and textures used.

How to create a memorable first night in your new home

Moving into a new place is exciting. Now imagine taking that excitement and multiplying it by 1000 -- maybe then you can understand how over the moon excited I was when my hubby and I closed on our very first home! Whenever I move into a new place, I alwa

We are smitten with this $3.3M New England-style estate in Alexandria

Tucked away in a neighborhood that used to play home to President Gerald Ford, this 5,600-square-foot house built in 1939 is a gorgeous blend of old house charm and and modern updates.