What’s not to love about butter yellow? It’s safe to say that the cheery hue is this season’s “it color,” and we’re falling head over heels for all of the warm, sunny goodness that has made its way into the world of home decor. If you’re looking to embrace this trend—whether in small doses with accessories or by going all in with an area rug—keep reading. We’ve rounded up seven of our favorite butter yellow products on the market that you’ll want to scoop up ASAP. 

Supersoft Gauze Organic Cotton Lemon Sorbet Standard Bed Pillow Sham

Add a buttery yellow touch to your bed with this pillow sham that will have you dreaming of sunny beaches and all things warm and bright. Made of a soft, gauzy material, it’s sure to lull you right to sleep.

Small Honeysuckle Candle, 5.8 oz. 

Loewe knows a thing or two about how to make a top-quality candle. Treat yourself to this honeysuckle scent in a darling butter yellow vessel. It would make the perfect summertime treat for yourself (or your weekend host).

Ruffles Vase, Pale Yellow 

Butter yellow + ruffles = tons of on-trend goodness. Display this chic vase on your coffee table, nightstand, mantel, you name it. It’ll honestly look stunning anywhere and makes for an excellent gift for the person who has everything.

Kids Polly Modern Metal Table Lamp (13″)

This lamp is technically listed under West Elm’s kids section, but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t shine in adult spaces, too. Place it on your desk for a sunny pick-me-up during the work day.

Solid Herringbone Throw Blanket

Snuggle up under this butter-yellow throw blanket as you curl up on the sofa and binge your favorite shows. It’s easy to machine wash in the event of any spills, which is always a bonus in our book!

Duci Striped Trinket Dish Yellow 

Trinket dishes will always come in handy in any room of the home, whether you’re using one to corral everyday jewelry on the dresser, house loose change in the entryway, or even style one with a candle on top of it. This striped piece screams summertime.

5′ 3 x 8′ SoHo Rug

Move over, boring beige rugs. This butter yellow beauty is just begging to bring some life into your living room (or bedroom, nursery, office, and so on!). Its playful pattern will surely put a smile on your face. 

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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If you haven’t yet gotten your patio ready for late spring and summer, now is the time to do so! There are many affordable and stylish pieces just waiting to shine in your space, whether you’re in the market for small furniture, decorative accessories, faux plants, or more. Below are eight of our favorite patio picks that will help you make the most of the season, and best of all, everything is under $500. 

Pawn Accent Table, $319

Add a contemporary touch to your porch or patio with this chic accent table that is perfect for holding your snacks or cocktails as you soak up the fresh air. This piece is also stain-resistant, meaning it’s stylish yet not too fussy—outdoor furniture should never be super precious, after all! 

Crawford Indoor/Outdoor Rug, $398 for a 5’ x 8’ rug 

Infuse your outdoor space with some welcome color when you lay down this rug with a mosaic pattern that was inspired by Mediterranean villas. It comes in seven different sizes, so there’s really something for everyone, no matter how large or small your space. It can be used indoors, if you wish, too. 

Woven Lamp Candle Holder, $79 

This woven lamp candle holder couldn’t be more stunning and adds a fun decorative touch to any outdoor area while taking your space from day to night. Simply place a small votive candle inside and sit back and bask in the soft glow.

Sunbrella Outdoor Ruffle Pillow, starts at $92

Interior designers swear by Sunbrella fabric, so you know you’re in good hands when it comes to this striped pillow. Better yet, the scalloped edge couldn’t be cuter or more on trend. 

3 Pieces Outdoor Wicker Patio Conversation Bistro, $144

This wicker set makes it easy to invite a friend over for a patio hang (without breaking the bank in the process of setting up your space!). The soft cushions will make you want to relax outside all day long, and the wicker material is way more design-forward than other styles. 

California Bistro Table, $159 

If you prefer a more traditional table height, this bistro table is a great pick that will bring a touch of Paris to your yard in no time. It comes in 7 color options. You’ll feel like you’re sitting at a downtown cafe—minus the crowds! 

80-Qt Classic Outdoor Patio Cooler On Wheels, $201 

A cooler like this one makes outdoor entertaining a breeze and even features a built-in bottle opener so that guests can easily help themselves to another beverage. The cooler comes in seven shades, ranging from neutral to colorful, and is an excellent Father’s Day gift idea, too (it ships in just a day!). 

Artificial UV Resistant Palm Tree in Pot Set, $120 

Whether you crave a touch of greenery or need to construct your own privacy screen of sorts, tall faux potted plants like these will get the job done. At $120 for a set of two, they’re much more affordable than the real thing and require zero maintenance. 

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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Whether you’re a trend setter, a traditionalist, or some combination of both, there’s a Color of the Year waiting for you.

If you’ve been house-hunting this spring, you’ve likely walked through a number of perfectly-staged listings designed to make you fall in love with the layout and start mentally placing your own furniture in the space. You may have noticed that the paint scheme was light, bright, and non-instrustive, a blank canvas on which to imagine your own decor taking shape. And while minimalism might help sell a property, it’s not always the favorite approach to making a home.

When the final closing docs have been signed and you’re prepping to move into your lovely new place, it’s the perfect time to line up painting pros and take the first steps toward putting your personality on full display. But where to start for inspiration? 

Luckily, there is no shortage of color wheels to take for a spin, and every major paint company has their own version of “what’s in” for discerning decorators. Starting in December and rolling out into the New Year, trendsetters and marketers start promoting their version of  “THE” color and related hues that they feel capture the vibe, attitude, and zeitgeist of the day.

While recent design trends have leaned toward “safe” neutrals with a pop of color here or there, the current mood of paint designers clearly seems to be … “moody.” Cool whites, blues, grays, and beiges are giving way to rich tones of brown, plum, deep greens, and burgundy which invite feelings of comfort, coziness, calm, and luxury. 

Coastal Grandma, meet the Sumptuous Sophisticate. 

Let’s take a look at what’s trending so far in 2025 and how they each came to be named “Color of the Year.”

Pantone is a name synonymous with color and since its founding in 1963 has touted itself as a “color communication system,” with their color-coding systems reigning as the standard across apparel, decor, and accessories. Pantone announced the first “Color of the Year” in 1999, anointing Cerulean as the color to watch. (Fans of The Devil Wears Prada know this color all too well.)

For 2025, Pantone dived deep into indulgence with Mocha Mousse, “a warming, brown hue imbued with richness. It nurtures … with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort.” From there, users are encouraged to explore five complementary palettes – ranging from “Relaxed Elegance” to “Floral Pathways” – for a balanced feeling throughout the home. 

Mocha Mousse by Pantone (Photos courtesy of Pantone)

Given the influence that Pantone wields throughout the design world, it’s not surprising to see shades similar to Mocha Mousse also being showcased.

Instead of picking one color, Sherwin-Williams, the nation’s largest paint supplier, announced their first-ever “Color Capsule” with a whopping nine colors meant to work in harmony. Grounded, Sunbleached, Chartreuse, Bosc Pear, White Snow, Rain Cloud, Clove, Malabar, and Mauve Finery run the gamut from dark brown to bright white, giving the palette flexibility for any style of home. 

“There was a vintage vibe that we kept leaning towards when we were looking at the palette,” Emily Katz shared on the Sherwin-Williams’ blog, Stir. “Nostalgia is having a big impact on design. People are craving those authentic pieces of the past in their homes, so this palette pulled influences from those iconic design styles.”

Grounded by Sherwin-Williams (Photo courtesy of Sherwin-Williams)

Not to be outdone in the curated mood department, Benjamin Moore’s Cinnamon Slate continues the trend of soft, deep coloring that blends a delicate mix of heather plum and velvety brown to provide “a smooth familiarity to any design.” Benjamin Moore’s experts said this “restorative color” was chosen out of a “need for balance and reassurance.”

“It reflects the sentiment that’s in the air and that yearning for comfort and having a color that’s really going to surround you in a beautiful way,” explained Andrea Magno, Director of Marketing and Design for Benjamin Moore.

Cinnamon Slate by Benjamin Moore (Photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore)

House Beautiful and Martha Stewart both offer a round-up of all the Colors of the Year, all showcasing similar slates of muted, earthy, and darkly rich tones. Meanwhile, our friends at The Scout Guide reached out to their favorite local designers to get their take on what they hope to see in their favorite places (note: it’s not as dark as the national picks.)

No matter your own personal style – whether it’s firmly set or still being discovered – there’s a perfect palette out there to help you put it on display. And if you don’t see what you like in 2025’s offerings, just wait for the next class of Colors of the Year!

Your Corcoran McEnearney agent can recommend the right design, decor, and home service professionals to help you get settled into your next abode. Reach out to your Trusted Advisor today to get started.

Karisue Wyson

Karisue Wyson is the Director of Education for Corcoran McEnearney and was previously a Top Producer Realtor® in the Alexandria Office.

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

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Closets provide homeowners with the means to store clothes and other items out of the way so they don’t crowd the rest of the house. But some people can underestimate just how many possessions they have. As a result, closets tend to lack the room needed to house everything you want to tuck away. If your closet never seems to have enough space, you’re not alone. Experts at The Tailored Closet of Greater Washington, D.C. share top tips for finding calm rather than chaos in your closet.

Reduce Clutter 

Closets are often loaded with clutter. Because they’re “out of sight” places, it can be easy to make a habit of tossing things into the closet and forgetting about them. A cluttered closet space is one of the biggest issues that make it seem like there isn’t enough space for your belongings.

To start setting up an organized closet, remove everything from the area. Doing so enables you to not gauge the closet’s actual dimensions, but it provides you with an easy way to access everything you plan to store. Then, sort your belongings into piles, getting rid of what you don’t want, don’t wear and don’t need.

Create an Inventory 

When you’re done downsizing your closet items (donating or throwing away what you don’t need), sort what’s left into segments of closely related things. For example, you might want to note how many pairs of shoes you have, how many work uniforms you need to make a place for, or seasonal items you’ll want to store more efficiently.

After creating an inventory and categorizing everything you want to store in your closet, you’ll have a better idea of how much space you’ll each need.

Optimizing Your Space 

When your closet is empty, it’ll be easier to plan out designated areas for all of your possessions. In addition, an empty closet simplifies the process of trying to determine the sizes of various organizational tools your closet space can reasonably accommodate.

For example, if you have extensive shelf space but very little space for hanging items, it’ll give you an idea of the type of additions you’ll need to install to optimize the space you have available.

Use Functional Organizational Accessories 

Functional organizational accessories are a lifesaver in a closet! Using these options successfully is just a matter of deciding what you need and how you plan to accommodate that need. Using wall hangers and bins helps save space that shoes and bags would ordinarily take up. Plus, they’re easy to assemble and install.

Jennifer Zschunke

Jennifer Zschunke is Marketing Manager for The Tailored Closet and PremierGarage of Greater Washington, D.C., where our mission is to turn chaos into calm in our customers’ homes and garages, giving them time to live their best lives. With over 12 years in the remodeling industry in marketing and client experience, Jennifer manages digital media, print marketing, event management, and the client journey for the company.

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

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Technology evolves at lightning speed, making it tough to keep up with the latest advancements. That’s why partnering with a professional integrator is crucial when choosing smart systems for your home. “At Daisy, we stay ahead of industry trends, so you don’t have to,” says Justin Tsuchida, owner of Daisy Northern Virginia. “What’s cutting-edge today might be outdated tomorrow, but we ensure the solutions we recommend are built to last.”

So, which technologies should you embrace in 2025? It depends on your lifestyle, budget, and evolving trends, but here are five innovations set to make a big impact:

1.  Immersive Audio & Lighting

“As more families take their entertainment outdoors, seamless sound and lighting are becoming game changers,” says Tsuchida. Outdoor speakers and architectural lighting are now designed to blend into landscapes while delivering superior performance. Modern speakers offer crisp, high-quality sound without the need for bulky equipment, and smart outdoor lighting can sync with the natural rhythm of sunlight, motion sensors, and even your audio system to create an immersive atmosphere.

2. Health & Wellness Through Smart Tech

Bringing nature indoors is a growing priority for homeowners. “We’re seeing more clients embrace natural lighting solutions that enhance well-being,” Tsuchida explains. Motorized shades can be programmed to optimize sunlight exposure throughout the day, while human-centric lighting mimics the sun’s natural cycle-helping you wake up refreshed and wind down naturally in the evening. These small changes can make a big impact on health and overall quality of life.

3.  AI-Enabled Smart Homes

AI is revolutionizing home automation. “We’ve moved beyond basic voice control-today’s AI-driven systems learn your habits and adapt automatically,” says Tsuchida. Instead of manually setting schedules for lighting and climate control, AI-powered automation fine-tunes your home environment based on your daily routines. AI is also enhancing home security, with smart surveillance systems that can differentiate between a family member, a delivery person, or a potential intruder-alerting you only when necessary.

4.  Predictive Maintenance for a Hassle-Free Home

Just like your HVAC system needs regular maintenance, your home automation system benefits from proactive care. “The beauty of today’s technology is that many issues can be resolved remotely-often before the homeowner even notices a problem,” Tsuchida notes. With predictive maintenance, your system alerts our team to potential issues, ensuring everything runs smoothly with minimal disruption to your daily life.

5.  High-Performance Wi-Fi for Seamless Connectivity

With more devices relying on internet connectivity, standard Wi-Fi networks are struggling to keep up. “Reliable, high-performance Wi-Fi is no longer a luxury-it’s a necessity,” Tsuchida says. Enterprise-grade systems deliver fast, consistent connectivity throughout your home, ensuring uninterrupted streaming, smooth video calls, and flawless operation of your smart devices.

6.  Future-Proof Your Home with Daisy

Technology is constantly evolving, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. “At Daisy, we’re here to help you build a smarter, more connected home-whether that means upgrading your outdoor spaces, enhancing wellness, integrating AI, or ensuring your home is always online and running smoothly,” says Tsuchida.

Ready to embrace the future of home technology? Reach out to Daisy today and let’s create a home that’s as intelligent as it is comfortable.

Justin Tsuchida
Owner, Daisy Northern Virginia
O. (703) 239-1500
Email Me

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

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We’ve made it through the bulk of winter and spring is right around the corner-officially arriving on Thursday, March 20, to be exact! To prep your yard for the warmer months ahead, there are a few tasks that you can begin now, according to area landscaping pros. Below, two local experts share tips on what exactly to tackle so that you can enjoy your yard to the fullest once sunnier days are here. 

Photo courtesy of Richardson & Associates Landscape Architecture

Make a Plan: Use the month of March to plan out what you’d like to incorporate in your garden, suggests Jordan Clough, associate principal at Richardson & Associates Landscape Architecture in Washington, D.C. “All of the nurseries are releasing their catalogs for the coming season, with many new cultivars coming onto the market,” he says. “Your garden is usually clear and open this time of year, giving you a good sense of the space you have to work with.” Be Ready to Plant: You’ll want to be able to hit the ground gardening when the time comes. Clough says, “If there are any patios, paths, terraces, or walls that need completion, it’s nice to get that done in time for spring planting season.” 

Grab Some Mulch: Did you know that Arlington County, Fairfax County, and the City of Alexandria offer free mulch pickup for residents? “They’ll even deliver for a fee,” shares Deborah Sauri, co-founder of TriVistaUSA Design + Build in Arlington. “Mulch controls weeds, improves the soil for all your new Spring plantings, and looks great,” she explains. 

Photo courtesy of TriVistaUSA Design + Build

Clean the Gutters: Go on up and tackle the gutters when you have a free weekend afternoon. “It’ll help prevent clogs before all our spring rain,” Sauri says. “In this area, we usually see our first mosquitoes in April, so keeping them clean will control infestations as well as rodents or mold.” 

Prune Your Fruit Trees: It’s a great time to grab those shears. “Trees like Peach, Apple, Pear, and edible Cherry all benefit from a late winter/early spring pruning to open up the canopy to allow for better fruit production by increasing airflow and sunlight to the middle of the tree,” Clough says, noting that the goal is to create a bowl shape when you’re pruning. Looking to expand your selection? “This is also the time of year to plant any new fruiting trees, before they leaf out,” Clough says. 

Take Charge of Removal: Use this time to say goodbye to invasive species and undesirable plantings, Clough says. “If there are invasive vines and shrubs, or other woody material that needs to be removed, removing them while they are dry and brittle in cool weather is far easier than trying to remove them in the mid-summer heat and humidity when they have all the weight of water and foliage,” he explains. 

Add Solar Lighting: Upgrade your backyard with some inexpensive solar lighting, which Sauri has been enjoying herself. “I recently ordered some solar-powered lighting to line our driveway and illuminate our trees and bushes that will be blooming this spring,” she says.

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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The holidays are over, but the temps are unpleasant, to say the least, and outdoor entertaining most likely won’t be a viable option for another couple of months. But how can you make your indoor gatherings feel festive and enjoyable during this dreary winter period? As it turns out, there are plenty of fun routes to take! We spoke with TK DMV area designers and creators to gather ideas for how to expertly host friends and family indoors while still keeping the vibes full of cheer. 

Making the Evening Special 

While you never need a reason to celebrate, a theme can help put guests in the mood (and help them determine what to wear!). Whether you’re looking to host a fancy night in or chill by the TV, you can’t go wrong with any of the ideas below. 

Host a Formal Sunday Dinner, Just Because

Who needs an excuse to bust out the good china? 

“While I enjoy easy-breezy outdoor entertaining in the summer, I admittedly love the excuse to pull out fancy dishes and host a more formal party in the colder months. I know some people save their china for the holidays, but I think it’s hard to beat a formal Sunday dinner in February with friends and their families. One of my favorite shortcuts for hosting is to buy premade pies and place pieces in fancy stemware—think dishes, teacups, or crystal glasses. I top the pie with a decorative cookie, piece of fruit, or sprig of mint, and it looks more like a layered trifle than a premade pie.” — Jewel Marlowe, Jeweled Interiors 

Sing Karaoke 

It’s not just for kids! 

“It doesn’t matter what age your guests are, everyone loves a little karaoke, especially when you get to pick the songs. It’s such a great way to spend time with your friends, and I’m pretty sure you’ll make a few memories, too.” — Sara Raak, SKG Designs 

Bust out the Fondue Set

It’s the perfect blast from the past. 

“I love hosting cozy fondue parties with vintage fondue sets. I use the fondue set my mother had and it still works to this day. Warm cheese and chocolate are perfect for this time of year.” — Valerie Darden, Brexton Cole Interiors

Don’t Forget Something Sweet

Who can resist hot chocolate? 

“For a more intimate party, hosting a movie marathon with a hot chocolate bar is a great idea. It’s fun to pick out winter-themed mugs and have a variety of hot chocolate fixings such as marshmallows, whipped cream, and sugar toppings. Adding in cute textures like blankets and pillows are a fun addition to this.” — Valerie Darden 

Perfecting the Atmosphere

Once you’ve landed on a theme or activity, you’ll want to be sure to set the right vibes! Scent, lighting, and more will all help you take your gathering to the next level. 

Be Mindful About Lighting

There’s simply no need for the “big light.” 

“Lighting is so important when you’re hosting an event. I never use my big light, instead opting for several lamps, candles, and even ambient light from a TV or fun pendants in order to set the move.” — Imani Keal, Imani at Home

“All of my holiday decor heads back to storage after the new year, with the exception of our faux candles in the windows. I have them scheduled to flip on automatically during the darkest days of winter all the way through March. I pull out our vintage brass candlesticks and arrange them in every corner of the house — bonus points for adding a ribbon to the candlesticks to coordinate with the event. I like to use slightly unexpected lighting, like lighting a fire, a candle warmer, a reading light, or fairy lights twisted around serving platters, rather than the dreaded overhead lights. Hosting in the winter comes down to your guests feeling comfortable and cozy, and lighting helps me execute that.” — Amanda Witt Westly

Offer a Signature Cocktail or Mocktail

Specialty cocktails aren’t just for the holidays or wedding season. 

“It’s always nice to create a beautiful cocktail moment so that guests can serve themselves—bonus hosting points for having their drink of choice ready to pour!” — Sallie Lord, GreyHunt Interiors 

Style Your Tabletop to a T

Get creative with materials you already own. 

“One way to take your indoor entertaining to the next level is to use winter fabrics in your decor or tablescape. For example, replace your linen tablecloth with a velvet tablecloth. A budget-friendly option is to add velvet placemats or napkins, or even suede. Playing around with more wintery fabrics is a way to level up your entertaining experience.” — Rashida Banks

Set the Mood with Scent

Consider this an excuse to buy a new candle.

“Adding a winter fragrance to your space is also a way to enhance the indoor entertaining experience. There are certain scents that give a cozy feel in the cold months, like cedarwood, sandalwood, vanilla, caramel, and amber. Having a fragrance with these types of notes in them feels like a nice warm hug to your senses so lookout for candles and diffusers with these aromas in mind.” — Rashida Banks 

Ensure Guests Aren’t Too Cold (or Hot!) 

Baby, it’s warm inside. 

“Because I’m usually hosting in a small space, I really have to think about the temperature. Sure, it’s cold outside, but once you get five to 10 people inside of a small apartment, it will quickly become super hot inside! To get around this, I keep an eye on the thermostat throughout the night, adjusting it as more people arrive. I also make sure to stop using the stove a few hours before people arrive, so my gas range does not contribute to the rising temps. Opening up the windows to let in fresh air is always a good idea—it’ll keep the air from becoming stale with a consistent breeze.” — Imani Keal

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 

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