Pragya Mishra is the Founder and Principal of Artscapes, LLC, a Northern Virginia-based landscape architecture firm that specializes in designing outdoor transformations that bring you joy. With 22 years of professional experience, she works closely with each client and her network of top-tier contractors to make each project vision a reality. Follow Artscapes on Instagram @artscapes_living and see examples of past projects on her website, www.artscapesliving.com.

Visit corcoranmce.com to search listings for sale in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.

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December is here, and it’s time to bring the holiday spirit to our outdoor spaces! At Artcapes, holiday decor should never clash with your beautiful landscape design. Instead, I show my clients how to use natural materials and existing structure to create an elegant, sustainable display.

Use Your Yard’s Greenery

Forget the store garlands. I want you to look right outside first! Real Virginia greenery looks and smells better, and using your own clippings saves waste.

I make garlands look full and professional by layering. Start with sturdy pieces like Pine or Cedar, then add softer Boxwood and bright red Winterberry Holly. This mix keeps your greens looking great for weeks.

Decorate Using What You Already Have

The secret to a sharp holiday look is using your home’s fixed features (hardscaping) as your guide. Use your columns and railings as anchors:

• Frame Your Space: Use columns and porch railings to hold your decor. Drape garlands here, or wrap simple, warm white lights around posts to show off clean lines.

• Smart Containers: Keep your best outdoor pots out! I replace flowers with hardy plants like dwarf Alberta Spruce or Holly. Then add pinecones or birch logs on top for a natural, easy style.

Better Lights: Easy and Bright

Great lighting is smart, not overwhelming. A good lighting plan makes your home and plants look great, even in winter.

• Choose Warm White: I recommend warm white LED lights. They save energy and give off a nice, soft glow that looks very classy.

• Light Up the Shape: Instead of wrapping every branch, I focus on lighting the trunks and big branches of a few key trees. This makes your trees look like sophisticated, lighted sculptures.

By focusing on natural materials and decorating with your existing design, your holiday display will be elegant, smart, and truly Artscapes Living.

Ready to plan a thoughtful landscape that truly shines during every season? Contact me today to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation!

Pragya Mishra is the Founder and Principal of Artscapes, LLC, a Northern Virginia-based landscape architecture firm that specializes in designing outdoor transformations that bring you joy. With 22 years of professional experience, she works closely with each client and her network of top-tier contractors to make each project vision a reality. Follow Artscapes on Instagram @artscapes_living and see examples of past projects on her website, www.artscapesliving.com.

Visit corcoranmce.com to search listings for sale in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.

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August is here, and back-to-school time is right around the corner! While it’s important to spend the last few weeks of summer soaking up all of the joy that the season has to offer, setting aside some time to also tackle a few key organization projects will set you and your family up for success this fall. Here, local DMV area organizers share the back-to-school tasks that they’d recommend checking off your list during the month of August. 

Set up a drop zone

Alexandria Brouard, the founder of Cozy Home Studios, shares the importance of creating a drop zone right by your front door. “It’s such an essential space because it’s the first and last area you see each day, when you’re rushing out in the morning or coming home with tired kids and backpacks in tow,” she says. “Keeping it organized helps cut down on stress and makes busy school days a breeze.” Not sure what this area should include? “Use labeled bins, hooks at kid-friendly heights, and a small tray for important school forms,” says Jenya Tucker, the founder of Minimize & Organize. Dealing with larger items? “For older kids who have sports equipment or musical instruments, dedicate an out-of-the-way space for these items if they are carried back and forth to school,” offers Joy Hodges, the founder of Organize with Joy.

Taking some time now to get your everyday storage in order will truly pay off once schedules get more hectic. 

As Tucker reflects, “This small project creates daily efficiency and helps reduce morning stress.” 

Create a Homework Station

No, your kids likely won’t be thrilled about the return of homework, but having a designated area at which to sit and work will make settling into a routine after school a bit easier. “Whether it’s a full desk setup or a basket of supplies that lives on the kitchen table, having a consistent, clutter-free spot makes all the difference for after-school focus and routines,” Brouard says. 

Go Through Clothes

Your kids will likely need a few new basics prior to the start of the school year, but before you go shopping, take a look at what no longer fits or suits your children and donate these items to make room for incoming purchases, suggests Malaika Lubega, the founder of Huza Home Harmony. If you come across old uniforms, donate those back to your child’s school, she adds; they may be able to match them with students in need. 

Think about any organizational tools you would like to buy for your kids’ closets, too. “Adding bins or drawer dividers can make it easier for kids to dress themselves and keep things tidy, setting a tone of independence for the school year,” Tucker says. 

Since kids often have a difficult time parting ways with things they own, work out a system to make this task more fun. “Offer your kids a small reward for completing this project with you —maybe a snow cone or even some new shoes for school,” says Amy Bloomer, the founder of Let Your Space Bloom. 

Sort Through Backpacks

Lubega also recommends going through your child’s backpack now if you didn’t do so already at the end of the school year. “Toss out broken pencils, worn erasers, dried-out glue sticks, pens, and markers,” she says. If folders, pencil cases, and the like are still in good condition, reuse them rather than buying these again when you go school supplies shopping. “You don’t always have to replace everything, and kids don’t need brand new everything at the beginning of each school year,” Lubega explains. 

Refresh Your Snack Area

Kids come home from school hungry, and you’ll want to make it easy for them to access their afternoon snacks as needed. Di Ter Avest, the founder of Di is Organized, recommends creating a snack zone in your fridge or pantry. “Use clear bins or baskets to separate items like granola bars, fruit cups, or crackers,” she says. “This little system builds independence and makes it easier to say ‘yes’ to snacks with less mess and stress.” 

Another task you can complete closer to the first day of school is prepping some ready-to-grab fresh foods for kids to munch on when they come home, no rinsing needed. “Pre-cut and containerize fruits and veggies, and store them in clear labelled bins as well, including the date they were prepped,” suggests Lauren Siperstein, the founder of Organizing by Lauren. 

Label Kids’ Belongings

Kids of all ages are prone to losing items at school, but a label maker will help make it easier for their belongings to make their way back to their desk or locker. Backpacks, water bottles, lunch containers, pencil cases—if it’s going to school, put a name on it. “Use a label maker or pre-printed name stickers to make it quick and easy,” Ter Avest says. “This one tiny task can save you a lot of money and frustration throughout the school year.” 

Set Up a Calendar

Busy families are juggling tons of activities, practices, parties, appointments, and more all school year long. Ter Avest recommends buying a large calendar and hanging it in the kitchen or hallway. “Color-code each family member for easy readability,” she says. “You can pair it with a weekly planner or digital app if your family is tech-friendly. Having a visual schedule helps kids learn time management and keeps everyone in the loop.” 

Make a Plan for Storing Papers 

Kids will bring home all kinds of art projects and other papers over the course of the school year, and having a storage system in place before classes kick off is never a bad idea. “It can be as easy as a large bin that you throw the save-worthy pieces in at the end of the week or month, or a filing system with folders for art, report cards, etc.,” says Jaime Hecht, the founder of Aunt Jaime Organizes. “Don’t overthink it! If your art bin starts to get full, maybe it’s time for an edit.” 

Sarah Lyon is a New York City-based freelance writer, originally from Bethesda, MD. She contributes to a number of national design and lifestyle publications like Architectural Digest, Apartment Therapy, MyDomaine, the Washington Post, and more. Sarah also works with designers to help them style spaces for photo shoots. Find more shelfies on her Instagram page, @sarahlyon9 

Visit corcoranmce.com to search listings for sale in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.

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