This is a promoted post by Bright Horizons Family Solutions, which has a child care facility in Reston.

The start of a new year is a great time to take stock and make healthy changes for yourself and your family. As we know, children often times shy away from the raw veggie tray and the fruit salad bowl, preferring a grab-and-go bag of chips or high-sugar cereal instead. But healthy eating isn’t all about broccoli and peas. It’s about habits and routines.

Here are a few ways to help your child get a healthy start on eating habits:

• Remember that eating habits are established early and often are resistant to change.
  This is an important area of your child’s development, and you should not hesitate to speak with your pediatrician if you have questions or concerns about health, growth, or weight.
• Make dinnertime together a priority (no matter how difficult).
  The family dinner is an endangered institution, but it is a hugely valuable routine that is critical in establishing lifelong patterns and creating a connection to family memories. This can be a time for interesting discussions that also build language skills. Posing a daily question, such as, “The best thing about my day so far…” can become a family ritual to which everyone looks forward.
• Involve your children in the meal preparations.
  Children often love to help by washing veggies, peeling carrots, breaking lettuce, or helping to set the table.
• At mealtime, have age-appropriate table expectations.
  Allow children to serve themselves when possible. Encourage small portions, but let them know that they can have second helpings. Model serving portions that aren’t too hefty. Resist the temptation to push the “clean plate club” as this can result in patterns of overeating. Allow children to stop eating when they are no longer hungry.

To hear more about this topic, join Bright Horizons as we share tips and strategies to support you in raising healthy eaters. We will address some of your burning questions about how to handle the pickiest eaters, child nutrition facts, kid-friendly recipes, how and when to introduce new foods to your child, and how to create healthy meals that fit into a working parent lifestyle.

Raising Healthy Eater

Thursday, February 16th

5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Learn more about our Family Workshop Series, save your space and RSVP here for this complimentary workshop on Raising Healthy Eaters.

This is a promoted post by Downtown Brambleton, a new development by Knuston.

• 22895 Brambleton Plaza, Suite 104, Brambleton, VA 20148
• The Astra List Price: $639,900
• Knutson Sales Gallery open daily 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• LiveDowntownBrambleton.com

The featured floorplan, The Astra, is a gorgeous 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath townhome with a 2-car garage. It has an open main living level and 9-foot ceilings on all levels, allowing for a spacious and airy feel.

With a ground floor recreation room, 5-star kitchen, all stainless-steel appliances and large private rooftop terrace, you will never want to leave your personal oasis. Convenient living is made even easier at Downtown Brambleton with the optional addition of a private elevator in homes from the $700s.

If you are looking to live in the center of a truly walkable community, these 48 new townhomes are located right in the heart of Downtown Brambleton. Directly out your front door is Legacy Park and immediately out your back door is Onelife Fitness, the taps of Lost Rhino Retreat, a date night at Fox Cinemas, the convenience of a 24-hour Harris Teeter, and over 40 other shops and restaurants.

Construction is now underway and Phase II has now been released. Schedule your appointment to visit Downtown Brambleton and discover the Knutson difference today.

Contact Joanne Fisher, sales manager, at 571-367-4778.

This is a sponsored post from Becky’s Pet Care, a professional pet care service in Northern Virginia.

Meet Faith, an adorable lab/collie mix.

Here is what her friends at Safe Haven Puppy Rescue have to say about her:

Faith and her sisters Charity and Hope are adorable 10- to 11-week-old lab/collie mixes — maybe even some golden retriever or shepherd in there as well, but it’s so hard to tell.

These gorgeous little girls love to play, but also enjoy just hanging out, as you can see in the pics. They’re all great company either way.

We’re sure that this terrific pup will brighten your day and make a most excellent new best friend for any lucky adopter. These precious pups go fast, so please send your application on in pronto so you don’t miss out.

This extremely friendly baby doll is going to bring lots of joy to some lucky adopters.

Are you and Faith (or Charity and/or Hope) a match? If so, let us know and our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, will send you some treats and prizes.

Want your pet to be considered for the Reston Pet of the Week?

Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks.

Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Reston and Northern Virginia.

This is a sponsored post by Anna Gibson, owner of AKG Design Studio and an award-winning, certified kitchen and bathroom designer. AKG Design Studio is a boutique design firm specializing in kitchen, bathroom designs and cabinetry sales. Contact her at 571-989-2541 or [email protected], and follow her work on Houzz; Pinterest; Facebook and Twitter.

New Year, new resolutions — and you made yours to remodel your kitchen, bathroom or basement.

One of the biggest costs of your project is going to be the cabinets. Can you create your space from almost any cabinet line out there? Sure! But there are a few questions you should ask yourself while investing in your space.

1. Am I am remodeling my dream home or planning to sell in the near future?

If you are planning to stay in your home long-term, consider investing in higher-end cabinets that will last for many years to come, and make sure to get the functional and decorative items you can afford. Remodeling is a big expense and you don’t want to redo your kitchen in five years because the fridge is too small or the stove needs to be relocated for better function. This is true for all remodels, but most of all if you are planning to stick around for the long haul. Custom cabinets with full wood and solid construction will last you for years to come.

Or maybe you are planning to move when the kids leave, or when you want to expand the family. This is a good time in your life to invest in mid-level semi-custom cabinets that will last five-plus years and still look smashing when it’s time to sell.

Do what it takes to make this project functional for you to enjoy without going overboard. Over investing will not give you the return in the short run, which brings us to the next question.

2. What is the value of my house and what will be my return on investment?

Adding a $50,000 kitchen to a $150,000 house is unlikely to yield $50,000 in value, although it may make you a happy chef.

As a general rule, look to spend about 25 percent of the home’s value for a new kitchen and 12 to 15 percent for an updated bathroom. According to the Cost vs. Value report, based on DC 2016 numbers, a mid-range kitchen remodel costs $61,087 and will yield $37,514 return, which is 61.4 percent of the value. (The national average is 64 percent.)

A more conservative approach will recommend spending between 6 and 10 percent of the total home value to get fair returns. In the Reston area, a median home cost is $438,000 and a major kitchen remodel will cost an average of $50,000, based on the size of your kitchen and the complexity of the job.

Since cabinets tend to be about 40 percent of your overall materials budget, it’s important to select a cabinet line that will offer you all the options that you are looking for while fitting into your budget.

3. How complicated is my design project?

Many customers underestimate the complexity of their project.

As I have said many times before, just because you have a small kitchen, it doesn’t mean your project is easier or simple. On the contrary, the smaller the space, the bigger the challenge to create a functional space.

As crazy as it may sound, when working in small spaces, we prefer to use custom cabinets to achieve the right function and form. Working with custom cabinets will give us the freedom to utilize every inch of the space without losing to space fillers. They will also work around odd walls and such, since they are built to fit your kitchen.

In conclusion, think about those three questions when considering your project to make a better-informed decision that will fit your budget, home value and lifestyle.

Next time, we will talk about the ABC’s of cabinets. What makes them different, and what are the different options to look for while selecting your cabinets?

Have a question or a comment? We are looking forward to hearing from you!

This is a sponsored post from Becky’s Pet Care, a professional pet care service in Northern Virginia.

Meet Mo, a wide-eyed six-month-old Domestic Short Hair.

Here is what his friends at Little Buddies Adoption and Humane Society have to say about him:

Mo is the sweetest of cats. He is quite the lap cat. He is very affectionate and loves to be cuddled. He also loves to play with just about any toy you give him. Come meet this wonderful young cat.

Are you and Mo a match? If so, let us know and our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, will send you some treats and prizes.

Want your pet to be considered for the Reston Pet of the Week?

Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks.

Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Reston and Northern Virginia.

This is a sponsored post from Reston Children’s Center, which has been providing quality childcare, preschool and kindergarten in Reston for 50 years.

By Buzz McClain

With the 2016-2017 school year underway, Reston Children’s Center (RCC) is marking its 50th anniversary offering professional care for children in a loving and nurturing atmosphere in the Reston community. As one of the first businesses established in Reston — an internationally renowned planned community that was founded in 1964 — RCC is celebrating the occasion with numerous events throughout 2017.

The nonprofit, parent-owned cooperative is committed to serving local children and their families by providing infant and toddler care, preschool education, private kindergarten, before- and after-school enrichment programs for children in kindergarten through sixth grade, transportation to and from local public schools, and summer and winter camps for school-age children.

“This year marks a significant milestone in the history of our center, the Reston Children’s Center community, and the lives of those who were and are privileged to be part of this remarkable community,” said Executive Director Fahemeh Pirzadeh, who recently celebrated her own 30-year anniversary with RCC. “This year gives us a chance to celebrate our founding, reflect on our success, revel in the sense of community we’ve built over five decades, and imagine our next 50 years.”

RCC began operations in 1967 with a $1,000 donation from the Reston Foundation and just 30 children from preschool to school age meeting in the United Christian Parish building on North Shore Drive. In 1980, RCC broke ground at its current home at 11825 Olde Crafts Drive. Today RCC serves more than 250 children. With parents composing the elected board of directors, the center is committed to ensuring that children and their families come first by creating an unparalleled teacher/parent partnership dedicated to the education and development of children.

Class sizes at RCC are limited and staff turnover is remarkably low, with more than half of its seasoned staff members serving 10 years or more. After 50 years in operation, the center also boasts many second-generation families, including adult graduates who now serve as teachers and children of RCC alumni who are taught by some of the same teachers who cared for their parents.

To commemorate Reston Children’s Center’s 50th year, the center hosted a picnic celebration for former and current families in October and has planned additional celebrations throughout the year, including the upcoming 50th Anniversary Gala and Silent Auction on Saturday, March 11 at the Hyatt at the Reston Town Center.

The program includes infant and toddler care, preschool education, full-day kindergarten, before- and after-school enrichment, and summer camp. The RCC corporation seeks to promote innovative learning opportunities and individual creativity while maintaining high standards of care and fostering equal opportunity in learning and education for all children regardless of race, creed, sex, religion, national origin, disability or economic status.

Over its 50-year history, RCC has maintained its 501(c)(3) status. The award-winning child care center has been accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) since 1988 and the National School-Age Care Alliance (NSACA) since 2001, and the center has been featured as a national model for child care and coops in numerous local and national television segments, articles, and even a book.

For information, contact Fahemeh Pirzadeh at [email protected] or 703-476-8150.

This is a sponsored post from Becky’s Pet Care, a professional pet care service in Northern Virginia.

Meet Selma, a cute little Labrador Retriever mix.

Here is what her friends at Safe Haven Puppy Rescue have to say about her:

This beautiful little girl is named Selma. She and her brothers Peak and Noah, along with her sister Franny, had a yellow lab mix mother, but their father is a mystery.

All these terrific pups love to play, but also enjoy just hanging out. They’re great company either way. We’re sure that this terrific pup will brighten your day and make a most excellent new best friend for any lucky adopter.

These precious pups go fast, so please send your application on in pronto so you don’t miss out.

Selma is up to date on all shots and dewormings and carries an adoption fee of $329. We can also have her microchipped for only $25 additional.

Are you and Selma a match? If so, let us know and our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, will send you some treats and prizes.

Want your pet to be considered for the Reston Pet of the Week?

Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks.

Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Reston and Northern Virginia.

This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Plaza America that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement, and private sector employee matters.

By John V. Berry, Esq.

What constitutes hostile work environment is often confusing. Many employees often assume that general bad behavior exhibited by a supervisor or coworker constitutes a hostile work environment claim for purposes of filing an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) complaint.  

Typically, an EEO complaint based on hostile work environment must involve actions taken as a result of discriminatory behavior. In other words, a hostile work environment involving a supervisor that is petty, obnoxious, mean or otherwise terrible to work for, without the element of discrimination as the basis for the conduct, is not necessarily an actionable EEO hostile work environment case.

In general, employees can and do suffer from an unpleasant work environment for reasons other than unlawful discrimination. While such conduct is inappropriate and unfortunate, it may not provide a basis for an EEO complaint. In order to show a hostile work environment for the purpose of filing an EEO complaint, employees generally need to show that:

1. The actions taken were discriminatory or harassing against them based on their race, religion, national origin, gender, age, etc.
2. They were subject to harassment (verbal or physical) as a result of the discrimination.
3. The discrimination is pervasive. In other words, it persists over time.
4. The hostile behavior is severe.
5. The employer knew or should have known about the discriminatory behavior.

Here are a few examples of a hostile work environment:

1. An employee, who is an older woman, is subject to constant ridicule in the office by her supervisor for work-related mistakes due to her age. Her supervisor often makes comments that “she should retire.” The employee reports the situation to Human Resources, which does not address the issues, and the supervisor continues his/her harassing behavior.

2. An employee, who is African-American, is subject to repeated offensive racial comments at work by a supervisor in front of other employees. The employee takes the matter to the employer’s president who declines to take action. The supervisor continues his/her discriminatory behavior.  

3. An employee, who is female, is consistently asked out on dates by a co-worker even though she has politely declined the requests. The employee then begins to receive notes on her office door from the co-worker with inappropriate remarks.  She reports the situation to her manager and Human Resources, which takes no action in the matter, and the harassment continues.

The examples of different types of a hostile work environment are too numerous to cite, but the harassing behavior has to involve discrimination based on race, religion, gender, national origin or other protected categories. Again, if a supervisor or co-worker is hostile, mean or even engages in bizarre behavior, it may not rise to the level of an actionable EEO hostile work environment case.  

If you need assistance with an employment law issue in Virginia, please contact our office at (703) 668-0070 or at www.berrylegal.com to schedule a consultation. Please also like and visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BerryBerryPllc.

This is a sponsored post by Anna Gibson, owner of AKG Design Studio and an award-winning, certified kitchen and bathroom designer. AKG Design Studio is a boutique design firm specializing in kitchen, bathroom designs and cabinetry sales. Contact her at 571-989-2541 or [email protected], and follow her work on Houzz; Pinterest; Facebook; and Twitter.

As our spaces and technology evolve, so do the spaces in our homes. Many home owners are asking for bar areas in the house. From a relaxing coffee spot to a full-on bar service area, if you are remodeling your home, a bar area is a must. Those spaces can be part of the kitchen or in a different part of the house, based on your space or who you are planning to host. Some bars can be extravagant and space-consuming, but this is not a must. You can create the perfect spot just about anywhere following your own personal style and needs.

Types of bars

Wet bar — In most cases, this will be in the basement with the appliances such as a bar fridge, a wine cooler, a sink and even a dishwasher. Those types of bars definitely need some planning and space.

Coffee bar — Not much into alcohol or looking to create a relaxing spot? Many home owners are adding a coffee station in the master bedroom and in the kitchen. Some will add a cabinet where the coffee machine can hide while not in service, and some will create an creative display.

Built-in bar areas in the kitchen — While renovating, many home owners add a wine cooler and wine storage to the main kitchen, allowing them to entertain while still staying the center area of the house.

Bar sheds — Move over man cave, the bar sheds are taking over! Have an old rusty shed with too much stuff that no one needs? Convert it into a bar! It’s a great spot to entertain outdoors and bring the party outside.

Mobile bar — Don’t have the room for a full-on bar? How about a nice bar cart? This is an easy and inexpensive way to showcase your spirits, and it can be moved around to where the party is.

Here are some bar ideas:

Arlington keg

While renovating this Arlington main floor, the home owner, who is a beer lover, requested a space for a keg. By moving the fridge to the new location, we were able to accommodate a perfect spot between the kitchen and the family room. This created a great spot connecting the rooms, bringing the party into the space between the family room and kitchen.

The classic basement bar

This project is the classic wet bar located in the basement. This bar has a sink and wine cooler. The raised seating area creates a sense of a real bar and has great space to sit or stand conveniently around it. It’s important to create storage space for all your bar needs, and some open space to display your collection of stemware and spirits.

The secret master indulgence

As we mentioned before, many customers are adding a coffee bar to the master bedroom. You can create a built-in space or just use some unique and enclosed space such as this one. Convert an old armoire to a full-service coffee spot without seeing it all the time.

Whichever bar works best for your lifestyle and budget, make sure you have plenty of comfy seating space around it, so your guests can kick back and watch your bar skills in action.

Do you have any plans to create or renovate your home bar? Tell us in the comments below!

This is a sponsored post from Becky’s Pet Care, a professional pet care service in Northern Virginia.

Meet Abbott, a handsome little Tibetan Terrier mix.

Here is what his friends at Safe Haven Puppy Rescue have to say about him:

Abbott is a 1-year-old Tibetan Terrier mix that weighs 15 pounds. This boy is cuteness overload. He is incredibly sweet, loving and friendly; loves other dogs and absolutely loves all people!

Abbott is a precious little boy who would love nothing more than a family to love and a home to call his own. Can you give Abbott his forever home?

Abbott is up to date on all vaccines, is micro-chipped and has been neutered. His adoption fee is $350.

This boy is going to bring lots of joy to some lucky family.

Are you and Abbott a match? If so, let us know and our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, will send you some treats and prizes.

Want your pet to be considered for the Reston Pet of the Week?

Email [email protected] with a 2-3 paragraph bio and at least 3-4 horizontally-oriented photos of your pet. Each week’s winner receives a sample of dog or cat treats from our sponsor, Becky’s Pet Care, along with $100 in Becky’s Bucks.

Becky’s Pet Care, the winner of three Angie’s List Super Service Awards and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters’ 2013 Business of the Year, provides professional dog walking and pet sitting services in Reston and Northern Virginia.

It’s been barely a year of business for the Arlington-based family tour firm TripUSAFrance, but in that time, dozens of travelers have experienced the South of France with Julia Girard-Gervois and her Montpellier-based father Stephane, and the rave reviews are pouring in.

“I loved eating at places frequented by the locals and the picnic lunch catered by Julia’s mom at the beach was beautiful and delicious,” said Katie L. “We saw so much — from walled cities to Medieval castles to rides on Montpellier’s trolleys. Much better than fighting tourists in Paris!”

“We have traveled extensively throughout Europe and France, but had never been to Montpellier and its environs,” said Tim S. “TripUsaFrance put together a wonderful tour of Medieval cities, castles, cathedrals and country sides. Of particular note were the sound and light show of Chagall paintings and the cooking school. And hosts Julia and Stephane couldn’t have been nicer.  They went out of their way to make sure everyone in our group — ages 35 to 92 — had a great time.”

The common theme to these comments is the personal touch Julia brings to each adventure. It’s part of the company’s purpose.

With the motto “Travel like a local,” TripUSAFrance crafts culturally interactive tours so you can actually experience the culture, not just see it.

“We want the travelers to experience France like a local would by sharing our culture and traditions, showing them our secret spots, teaching them our language and habits, introducing them to as many local French people as possible such as the owner of the hotel, friends, and neighbors. When these locals recognize our travelers and say hello to them it makes them feel like they are part of the community and even more welcome. This is only possible because we are a small group, no more than 14 people, and because they are staying in the same hotel and city for a week, which we consider more like a village. This is what makes our tour unique and special,” Julia said.

Upon arrival, Julia and Stephane drive you to your beautifully renovated beach hotel, just steps away from the Mediterranean Sea. Each morning you are treated to a French Breakfast at the hotel before they pick you up for the day’s activities. With most of the sites within 1 hour of driving and departure times around 9:00am every day, you get plenty of rest and still have enough time to see everything on the tour without feeling rushed.

Inclusive pricing provides you with daily breakfast, lunch and snacks, three dinners, local transportation and accommodations, admission to wine tastings and other activities.

According to clients, highlights include homemade picnics of regional dishes, learning to play Petanque, interacting with locals, attending cooking classes, wine-tastings, learning French, and, said Julia, “simply realizing that we are becoming friends by the end of the week.”

Julia and Stephane’s tour is a perfect combination of historical sites and experiencing the French lifestyle with two passionate local tour guides. No lines, no tourist traps, no hassle. It is a one-of-a-kind insider tour of Southern France that those who partake in the journey will never forget.

Act fast and book before January 31, 2017 to save $200 off the regular tour price with their early bird discount! Get an extra $50 off with the special coupon code “RESTON17”.

To learn more about the tour and book a trip, check out www.TripUSAFrance.com. For more information call 703-485-6894 or email Julia at [email protected].

The preceding post was written by Buzz McClain and sponsored by TripUSAFrance.

This is a sponsored column by attorneys John Berry and Kimberly Berry of Berry & Berry, PLLC, an employment and labor law firm located in Plaza America that specializes in federal employee, security clearance, retirement, and private sector employee matters.

By John V. Berry, Esq.

Effective January 1, 2017, employees in France working for companies with more than 50 employees were given new employment rights, including the ability to negotiate terms with employers about ignoring their work emails outside of normal working hours. The new French law has been referred to as the “right to disconnect” and could trend to other countries, such as the United States.

The goal of the new French law is to stem the tide of after-work emails cutting into the modern problem of compulsive email checking after work. The French have acknowledged that employers who require employees to check and respond to emails after work has lead to insomnia, relationship issues and overall less family time. The goal of the new law is also to reduce after-work stress.

Many individuals have commented in the news about the viability of such a law taking hold in the United States. It is possible to see some changes in the future as the line between work and home life blurs through the increasing use of and advances in technology. The issue has already started to appear in the United States with some workers claiming overtime for responding to emails beyond work hours. Some U.S. companies have already voluntarily instituted “no email” policies after work hours and on weekends. It will be interesting to watch as new policies and laws about after-work emails develop in the future.

If you need assistance with an employment law issues in Virginia, please contact our office at (703) 668-0070 or at www.berrylegal.com to schedule a consultation. Please also like and visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BerryBerryPllc.

This is a sponsored post by Anna Gibson, owner of AKG Design Studio and an award-winning, certified kitchen and bathroom designer. AKG Design Studio is a boutique design firm specializing in kitchen, bathroom designs and cabinetry sales. Contact her at 571-989-2541 or [email protected], and check out her work on Houzz; Pinterest; Facebook; and Twitter.

This was a fantastic year with plenty of innovations, new looks, mixed materials, and styles that created a whole new world of transitional design options, creating space for any taste out there. Technology invaded our kitchens with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to control our cooking, lights and even our shopping lists! So what’s in store for 2017? Let’s explore…

According to Zillow Digs the latest home trend forecast is that “Homeowners today want an open and thoughtfully designed kitchen that blends seamlessly with the rest of the home’s design aesthetic.”

While the trend of open and “super” kitchen continues, consumers are looking for smoother transitions between spaces bringing up the hidden appliances as the next trend. Panels on appliances, and covered coffee stations is what to look for. When selecting new appliances, remember to choose ones that are specifically designed for integration.

Also from Kerri, 2017 will be about bringing warmth and comfort into the home. Ditching the harsh industrial look and moving towards a softer look, incorporating plush velvet and jewel tones.

If you recently remodeled and selected to go with white cabinets, you are still leading the pack, as the soft transitional look is still in the lead. Still moving slowly toward a more modern look, sleek wood paneling and high gloss cabinets will be taking a chunk of the market, but those will be more popular in the big metro areas where modern design vibes with contemporary living spaces. Following the trend Kemper cabinets recently added a few modern and sleek cabinets to their line.

According to the Inman report, instead of going for a monochromatic stainless steel look, homeowners are choosing appliances and accessories with various finishes, such as gold, copper or pewter. The final result is an eclectic, one-of-a-kind space.

So if you were not sure how the brushed bronze hardware will go with the stainless steel appliances, worry no more! Just mix and match and have fun. Remember, hardware is one of the easiest things to replace in the kitchen and yet it can change the whole look.

Mid-century modern no more! The clean lines of subway tiles are on their way out, fun and funky patterned tiles are taking their place. The backsplash is where you can let your personality shine. The tile industry is happily embracing the trends and providing us with plenty of fabulous tile in every color, shape and design your heart desires. From laser cut glass to hand painted geometrics designs, the artist in you can rejoice.

What will be the color of the year? according to Pantone, the leading color this spring will be greenery, but if the zesty yellow-green shade is not your style, No worries! This is why Pantone also released 10 different color pallets that are predicted to be very popular this year. The company hopes these colors will address consumers’ desire for something new, yet comfortable. My favorite and my prediction for the most incorporated colors in the kitchen is “Rev it up” pallet. Mixing black and white, gray with jewel tones of blue and orange as accents.

Here is to another year of fabulous, out of the box, no cookie cutter designs.

Cheers!

To learn more about Anna Gibson, check out the latest featured article on Houzz.

This is a sponsored post by Anna Gibson, owner of AKG Design Studio and an award-winning, certified kitchen and bathroom designer. AKG Design Studio is a boutique design firm specializing in kitchen, bathroom designs and cabinetry sales. Contact her at 571-989-2541 or [email protected], and check out her work on Houzz; Pinterest; Facebook; and Twitter.

Christmas and Hanukkah are right around the corner, the holidays of light! From candles to sparkling indoor and outdoor LED lights. Since your family are going to spend lots of time in the kitchen this holiday season from cooking, to eating, wrapping gifts and writing cards and of course a lot of hosting, let’s talk about lights, kitchen lights!

As we have seen, the kitchen serves many functions year around and especially during the holidays, so it’s important that the lighting is both task-oriented as well as ambient and friendly and serves multipurpose spaces and the use of the kitchen. With proper illumination, a room functions better, is more appealing to the eye and can even uplift the mood. The three main layers of light in the kitchen are task, ambient and accent lights. Let’s see how each functions and what type of light fits the category.

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This is a promoted post by the Neurology Center of Fairfax.

Growing medical office in Fairfax seeks PT/FT patient service professional.

Medical experience not required. Will train. Requires ability to multi-task, computer skills, polished people skills, superior English language skills, mobility, ability to work in teams and independently.

Excellent salary and benefits. Advancement opportunities possible. Work Monday through Friday in the daytime. Email cover letter and resume to: [email protected] or fax to 703-940-1497.