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Home Design Trends on Our Radar for 2020

Home design trends tend to stick around a little longer than trends in some other industries, and for good reason. It’s not exactly as easy to overhaul a kitchen as it is to update your collection of sweaters. But when home design trends do shift to something new and droolworthy, you can bet we’re excited to share them with our clients and incorporate them into our own homes. From kitchen hardware to textiles and everything in between, here are some of the home design trends that are on our radar for the coming new year. 

High Gloss Kitchen Cabinets

Shaker-style cabinets aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, obviously; but many designers and homeowners are beginning to turn an eye toward high-gloss, flat-panel cabinet doors for the kitchen. The seamless flat-panel look is more modern, and a high-gloss finish adds to the chic, streamlined look. This is an especially good idea for smaller kitchens. Glossy surfaces allow light to bounce around the space, making the whole kitchen feel brighter and more open. Glossy cabinets don’t have to be white, either. The extra shine allows you to install cabinets in a darker color without compromising on reflected light and the illusion of space.

Wooden Beams

Ceilings haven’t gotten as much attention over the years as they deserve. More often than not, home builders just spray a popcorn finish on their ceilings. These days, however, the “fifth wall” is getting a lot more attention from homeowners and designers. One way to add interest to your ceiling is to add wooden beams. You might feel like beams would make a room feel heavy or cramped, but they can actually do just the opposite. In an otherwise all-white or neutral room, contrasting wooden beams draw the eye upward and add height to the space.

Brass Hardware and Accents

Just a couple of years ago, homeowners everywhere were trading out builder-grade brass hardware and fixtures for finishes like nickel and bronze. Brass and gold were considered dated and boring for a while, but now they are taking over design blogs and Instagram photos. Contrast is interesting and fun, and using brass or gold hardware is the perfect way to add that pop of interest to a kitchen or bathroom. As 2020 approaches, be on the lookout for kitchens and baths that pop with darker colors (e.g. black cabinets) paired with brass or gold accents.

Warmer Colors

Designers and homeowners are starting to move away from neutral grays and greiges toward warmer and more bohemian colors. Shades of coral and ochre are becoming particularly popular to warm up a space and give it a relaxed yet chic boho vibe. We are so here for this cozy, comfy update!

Customized Storage

In a post-Marie Kondo society, everyone is hankering for well-thought-out storage solutions that meet their needs, not random storage boxes they have to fit their things into like a game of Tetris. This means planning out storage systems and creating cubbies for the items you own, such as silverware, cups, and plates. Creating custom shelving and space in your pantry or cabinets for things you typically keep on hand is a great idea as well. It makes organizing and decluttering a snap. 

Laundry Rooms That Make a Statement

More and more homeowners have been turning their attention to the laundry room as a space to have fun with design and decor. This previously ignored area of the home has traditionally been pretty bland and basic. After all, what purpose does it serve other than, well, washing, drying, and folding laundry? Bright, creative minds have nixed that thought, though, and decided that even the most boring—and perhaps least utilized—rooms in the house should inspire anyone who steps foot inside! Even if the rest of your home is filled with neutral minimalism, the laundry room is the perfect place to experiment with bold, cheerful colors, fun patterns, and quirky design ideas like chalkboard walls, themed wallpaper, and creative storage. 

Friday Five // December 13th, 2019

It’s Friday again, which means it’s time for the Friday Five, our weekly roundup of five fun events taking place in the Charleston area over the weekend. Get a special view of a boat parade, have cookies with Santa Claus, view a holiday parade, and more! As always, no matter what you choose to do, the staff and agents at Johnson & Wilson Real Estate Company hope you have a very happy and safe weekend!

Board the USS Yorktown this Saturday evening for the inaugural Lights on the Harbor: A Boat Parade Watch Party from 6pm until 9pm. Join Live 5 News WCSC and Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum for the best-ever view of the Charleston Boat Parade high above the harbor. Along with the can’t-be-beat views, you’ll enjoy holiday music, a cash bar operated by Special Ops Events’ Top Shelf Catering, and all your favorite holiday snacks and sweets available for purchase. Pose for photos with Santa as well as Scrappy, the Patriots Point mascot. Access to the Yorktown’s flight deck opens at 6pm, and the first boat of the parade is due to pass by at 6:20pm. Dress warmly and bring a chair. Coolers, food items, and wagons are not permitted on the ship. 

Still not finished with your Christmas shopping? Don’t fret; we’re not done either. Thank goodness for the 5th Annual Holy City Holiday Market this Saturday from noon until 5pm, held at Holy City Brewing’s original taproom (4155 Dorchester Avenue). Sip and shop local with more than forty vendors available to help you find the absolute perfect gift for those loved ones left on your list, featuring the likes of 138 Woodworks, Apis Mercantile, Bootlegger Soap Company, Carolina Clutches, Lowcountry Candle Company, Modern Apothecary, and many more! Don your holiday best and strike a pose for BadJon’s Big Shot camera, the same style of camera Andy Warhol used for his famous portraits. Then spread the holiday cheer with a donation to Camp Rise Above, which provides fun, life-changing camp experiences to children with serious illnesses, life challenges, and disabilities. The Holy City Holiday Market is a rain-or-shine, family-friendly event. Bring the kiddos and snap a selfie with Santa! 

Haven’t had your fill of holiday parades yet? Head down to Folly on Saturday for the 29th Annual Folly Beach Christmas Parade! Line up along Center Street and enjoy creative floats and festive community groups as they march down the street in hopes to win prizes for Most Original, Best Band/Music Group, and Best Christmas Spirit. The parade begins at noon and is immediately followed by Santa at Folly River Park and cocoa at the church across the street. The best viewing points are both sides of Center Street, south of Indian. Come early to snag your favorite spot, and don’t forget to bring bags for collecting all the candy passed out by the parade’s participants! 

Make your Sunday a festive one at the 5th Annual Cookies with Santa celebration at Mercantile and Mash. Santa and Mrs. Claus are back for this fun family event! Enjoy a homemade cookie decorating station, festive balloon artists, and food and drink specials for purchase, such as Mercantile & Mash’s famous hot chocolate with marshmallows for the kiddos, as well as spiked hot chocolate, mimosas, and Bloody Marys for the adults. Tickets for this event include one photo with Santa. (To keep the line moving along, each ticket allows for two total snapshots and one printed photo.) The cost is $15 per child. Please note that purchasing your tickets in advance does not determine line placement for photos. 

For even more holiday fun, gather up your family and get down to The Joe this Sunday afternoon for Charlie Claus at the Joe from 2pm until 5pm. Hang out with Santa Claus, Charlie Claus the RiverDog, and other beloved characters at the Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Ballpark. Participate in arts and crafts, hop in a jump castle, shop the vendor village and more before A Muppet Christmas Carol starts at 3pm. Photos with Santa are free, so bring the fam and snap a pic from 2pm until 4pm. Admission is $5 (3 and under free), OR you can get in free with an unopened toy donation to The Salvation Army Charleston Angel Tree.

Tips For Keeping Your Home Show-Ready During the Holidays

If your home is on the market during the holiday season, you might assume that seasonal decorations are out of the question this year. But selling your home doesn’t have to put a damper on your holiday spirit. You can decorate for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa—whichever holidays you celebrate—and still be ready to show your home at a moment’s notice. Just use the following tips to help keep your home show-ready during the holiday season.

Keep It Simple

Homes can actually look their best all decked out in their holiday finery! The key to making it ready to show to prospective buyers is to keep your decor simple. Go traditional with some greenery (garlands, wreaths, swags, etc.) and white lights and simple bows. Anything that can be chalked up to personal taste should be left out for the time being. Leave the inflatable yard decorations and light-up nativity scene in the attic for this year. Think “less is more,” and keep your holiday decor tasteful, warm, and inviting. Or if you’re looking for an excuse not to decorate, you’ve got the perfect justification!

Create an Inviting Atmosphere

Of course it’s not always cold in December in Charleston, but if it is, be sure to keep the heat on. Offer up some treats like hot chocolate, cookies, and candy canes. Creating an inviting atmosphere makes buyers want to stay, which gives them more time to look and discuss your home’s best attributes, possibly inspiring them to make an offer.

Set Aside a “Wet Room” Area

Wet rooms aren’t quite as common in the Charleston area as they are in colder climates, so if you don’t have one, create a makeshift one. Snowy Decembers may not be typical here, but there’s always plenty of crunchy fallen leaves and the occasional rainstorm. The last thing you want is people trampling your clean floors with their wet, muddy, leafy shoes and leaving tracks everywhere. If you don’t have a defined space for wet shoes and rain gear, think about making space near the front door for a rubber mat for wet shoes, some coat hooks for rain jackets and winter coats, and an umbrella stand. 

Designate a Space for Holiday Activities

When you get a last-minute request for a showing, wouldn’t it be nice if all you had to do was quickly pick up any out-of-place items and fluff the throw pillows? You definitely don’t want to be running around from room to room, stashing stuff away and working yourself into a sweat to make your house presentable for buyers. To help keep pickup to a minimum, designate a spot in one room of the house for activities like wrapping gifts, playing games, and doing Christmas crafts. That way, you’ll just have one area to quickly pick up before your prospective buyers show up. 

Keep Important Features on Display

Resist the urge to codrapever your beautiful, reclaimed wood mantle, gorgeous leaded windows, or ornate banisters with garlands and stockings. Any selling features should stay in the limelight and not be covered or blocked in any way. 

Appeal to All the Senses

Switch on your neutral Christmas lights to bathe the house in a warm glow. Play some classical music or even some classic Christmas tunes. Have some treats like cider and cookies and festive paper napkins available for buyers and their agents. Set out a simmer pot on the stove to send a delicious, inviting aroma wafting through the house. Leave out your coziest throws and rugs to create a plush, homey feel for those buyers who tend to touch everything.

Mark Your Calendar Early

Decide which days you’ll host holiday parties or have get-togethers with friends and family, and have your real estate agent mark the dates down in your showing notes. This will alert buyers’ agents to the fact that your home won’t be available for showings on those dates. Then you won’t have any phone calls asking for showings or in-person interruptions while you’re preparing for or cleaning up after your celebrations.

Hire a Home Stager

If you’re not completely sure you can do it all on your own, think about hiring a home stager to help decorate your home in a neutral yet alluring way. A professional stager will be very familiar with what buyers will love and what will turn them off immediately. 

Friday Five // December 6th, 2019

It’s Friday once again, which means it’s time for a brand new edition of the Friday Five, our weekly roundup of five fun events happening in the greater Charleston area this weekend. Attend a parade (or two), get in some Christmas shopping at a holiday market, learn about holidays around the world, and more. As always, no matter what you choose to do, the staff and agents at Johnson & Wilson Real Estate Company hope you have a very happy and safe weekend!

The North Charleston Christmas Festival takes place this Friday and Saturday at the Felix C. Davis Community Center in Park Circle. Join the City of North Charleston to celebrate the season with live musical entertainment, kids’ activities, a marshmallow roasting pit, hayrides, an artists’ market, a petting zoo, visits with Santa Claus, a parade, festive food, and thousands of twinkling lights. The event begins on Friday evening at 6pm with the lighting of the 40’ Christmas tree. Festivities resume on Saturday at 4pm with the Christmas Parade, which starts at the intersection of Mixson Avenue and East Montague, goes around Park Circle, then heads back down East Montague toward the starting point. The festival continues with musical entertainment from New Galaxy, Wayne Daws, and the Charleston Caroling Company in Victorian dress. Visits with Santa will take place in the Felix Davis Auditorium following the parade (approx. 5:30pm) until the end of the festival at 8pm. Admission and parking are free for this rain-or-shine event, and there is ample parking available on the islands around Park Circle. 

People all over the world celebrate holidays in their own special and unique ways, from America to Scandinavia to China and beyond. The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry invites children and families into the museum this Saturday morning for a Holiday Extravaganza, a “holiday tour” of traditions happening around the globe throughout the year, but particularly during the month of December. Celebrate the Chinese New Year, play traditional Swedish games, parade throughout the museum with traditional Middle Eastern instruments… Each exhibit will feature a local group and will include décor and hands-on activities to honor holiday rituals and festivals. The Children’s Museum’s Holiday Extravaganza is a free event this year, thanks to a generous anonymous donor, but pre-registration is required at the link above. 

The Exchange Park in Ladson, Charleston’s Alternative Venue, will be transformed this weekend into a wonderland to showcase artwork from some of the best artists and artisans in the nation. Just in time for the holiday shopping season, the 27th annual Christmas Made in the South welcomes hundreds of artists and makers from 28 states exhibiting spectacular work in a broad spectrum of mediums. This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, artists will exhibit their work in photography, jewelry, sculpture, woodworking, personalized ornaments, pottery, stained glass, folk art, and many others. Each maker will be present at their booth for the entire weekend, presenting the rare opportunity to personally meet the creators of the work, ask questions, and discover what motivates them. With prices ranging anywhere from $10 to $2,000, there’s something for everyone at this unique holiday market. Old Saint Nick himself will be on hand to hear your Christmas wishes too! 

Bay Street Biergarten is putting on their first Christkindlmarkt this weekend, their very own take on a German Christmas Market. Biergarten’s Christmas Market will be held on Saturday and Sunday from 11am until 4pm both days. There will be live music from the Emily Curtis Duo (Saturday) and the Jenna Feeney Duo (Sunday), visits with Santa, face-painting, gluhwein, and various local vendors on hand to help you get into the Christmas spirit and fulfill your Christmas shopping/wish lists all in one weekend. Vendors registered for the event include Charleston Slate Works (stone/slate designs), Leaf Me Alone (plants), Juliana Fisher (paintings), The Look by Lucy (pop-up clothing boutique), Simply Charleston (soy candles), Moonlight Naturals (handmade soaps), Thistle and Thatch (jewelry), Summerville Sweets (baked goods), Casey Little (Charleston-themed Holiday cards), live screen printing with Link Ink, and many more. 

Pack your chairs, blankets, snacks, and a candy-gathering bag and join Summerville Dream for the 2019 Summerville Christmas Parade! Residents and visitors will line the streets of Summerville this Sunday to watch this year’s Christmas parade, which begins at 2pm. This year’s parade theme is “All Aboard!” Businesses, sports teams, clubs, churches, charities, scouts, and many others will march to fulfill the mission of the Summerville Christmas Parade, which is to promote positivity throughout the Town of Summerville while capturing the spirit of the Christmas holiday for all to enjoy. There will also be a food truck rodeo on Little Main Street along Hutchinson Square! Check the link above for a complete map of the parade route and accommodations such as port-o-lets and reserved seating.