4 Ways to Show Your Kitchen Some Love

 

With the fall season officially underway this weekend, we'll all begin to move our celebrations indoors. There's only one room tough enough to handle the hosting duties: the most important room in your home—your kitchen! If you want to really impress this season, here are a few upgrade trends.

More and more homeowners are building larger islands, which provide more space to gather and prep for parties.

Whether you already have a backsplash or need to add one, ceramic and porcelain tiles are trendy this year. You can also make an impression with natural stones such as marble, quartz, or granite.

Having space in your kitchen is helpful and freeing. After all, you don't want to feel cramped while entertaining. Try creating an open kitchen. Take down walls to other rooms. Your kitchen is the center of the house; show it off. If you're entertaining, you'll feel part of the party.

Add some color to your cabinetry to bring your kitchen to life. While white is still the most popular color, greens and wood tones are becoming increasingly common.

If you're hosting this fall or winter, renovating your kitchen will help you with entertaining and meal prep. Try one of these trends to impress your friends and family. It will impress potential buyers if you're considering selling this year or in the future. If you need to connect with a design professional or have questions about the current real estate market, fall is a great time to buy and sell. Let's talk. Call or text to schedule a meeting.

Do You Know Your Very Next Step?

                           

The Mapmaker's Dilemma

Here is a quick story about how to take your next step in a complex world.

In a bustling town lived Ella the mapmaker. She was known for creating the most intricate and detailed maps anyone had ever seen. People came from far and wide to commission her work, believing that the more complex the map, the better their journey would be.

One day, Sam, a young traveler, arrived at Ella's shop.

"I need a map to the Whispering Falls," he said. "It's for my first solo adventure."

Ella began crafting an elaborate map, filling it with countless paths, landmarks and warnings. As she worked, she noticed Sam's anxiety growing.

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

"It's just ... it looks so complicated," Sam said. "I'm not sure I can follow all this."

Ella paused, remembering her own first journey. On impulse, she set aside the complex map and took out a fresh sheet.

With a few simple strokes, she drew a clear path to the falls. "Here," she said, "this is all you need to start. Just take the first step, then the next. The path will reveal itself."

Sam's relief was apparent. He took the simplified map and set out with newfound confidence.

Weeks later, Sam returned, his eyes shining with adventure. "Your map was perfect," he said. "I discovered so much more than just the falls. I learned to trust myself and enjoy the journey."

From that day on, Ella changed her approach. She realized that, sometimes, the best map is the one that simply shows you where to take your first step

Enjoy This Moment

 

During the summer, daylight lasts longer, the air is warmer and the scent of blooming flowers makes the air sweeter. Yes, summer is special. Most people think about inspirational messages during January, when the new year begins. But summer is unique because it brings people together, makes us feel alive and invites us to step out of our routines, take family vacations and spend time with the people we care about most. Children are out of school, running around in the sunshine, their laughter echoing through the neighborhood. During these few months, people congregate around water — the beach, lakes, ponds and water parks. There's something about the warmth of the sun and the coolness of the water that brings us together, that makes us feel alive. Yet, summer will soon be over, so enjoy every minute of it. I've made a commitment to myself — to appreciate every moment; to live in the now. And I encourage you to do the same. As you read this, I hope you're somewhere beautiful and surrounded by the people you love. I hope you're living in the moment and appreciating the beauty of the world around you. And I hope you remember that time is precious and that every moment is a gift. With warmth and love, Zen Ziejewski CEO, Team Leader & Realtor Z Team Real Estate Group Mobile: 949-391-3141 Fax: 949-891-0385 Email: Zen@ZTeamREG.com DRE#00998118