Simply Annapolis January 2023

Welcome to the Premiere Issue of Simply Annapolis!

Well Hello Annapolis, and welcome to the First Issue of Simply Annapolis! My name is Veronica Fountain, Publisher of Simply Annapolis Publication. I have had tremendous success in the last 8 years serving communities and helping Business Owners connect with Consumers through Branding with our award winning #1 Local Magazines and Digital Platforms.

Our Super Team is excited and looking forward to serving the Annapolis Market with this exciting new publication called Simply Annapolis. January is our kick off of the Health & Wellness Issue, and KD Designs has braced the Front Cover as a Featured Story that is a must-read! I know that you are ready to kick off the New Year with exercising, so Future-Of-Fitness Owner Mac will show you how to start the year off losing weight AND we tapped BeBalanced with owner Rachelle to cover hormones, losing weight and more.

Our goal is to share the stories of everything and everyone Annapolis Market has to offer- and the things that matter most to you, our readers, whom we produce this magazine every other month.

Contributor ’s PAGE

Leelyn Ellis is a senior at Howard University, majo ring in journalism and minoring in English. She also serves as the executive secretary for the Howard University Association of Black Journalists. “I love telling stories, and writing has always been something that I’m passionate about. Outside of journalism, I’m working on other creative writing projects, including my own novel.”

Braxton C. Babb is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana. She is a Senior Broadcast Journalism major and English minor at Howard University. On her campus, she serves as Vice President of Black Girls House, Social Media Director of B.E.S.T. You Programming, and host for Howard Hotties. Due to her passion for uplifting and being a role model to young girls, her long-term goal is to pursue a career in entertainment media with a primary focus on Black Women.

Tiasia Saunders is a junior Media, Journalism & Film Major and English minor at Howard University. She is from Danville, Virginia, and enjoys writing and reading during her free time. Tiasia plans to get her master’s degree in Data Journalism when she completes her bachelor’s degree. She aspires to become an author and own a publishing company one day.

Askya Alexander is a graduating senior, journalism major at Howard University. When she’s not writing her next Simply Magazine article, you can find her immersing herself in all things pop culture, following the latest beauty trends on TikTok, or reading something from her never-ending TBR list!

“I’m excited to intern for Simply Magazines this fall because it gives me the opportunity to do something I love: writing! To be a student and be able to have this experience is something I’m eternally grateful for.”

Myía Borland is a senior journalism major at Howard University. She adapted a niche for writing from her mother who also studied journalism at Howard and Myía now writes about culture and climate news. Her future goals include writing for major magazines and media outlets that cover these topics. This semester interning with Simply Magazine helped Myía learn new ways to storytell and helped her learn about people and businesses beyond the DMV area.

Address:

2101 Concord Blvd Suite A, Crofton, MD 21114

Future of Fitness

Intimate and inclusive training for strong results

Future of Fitness is a small training gym located in Crofton, MD. It is owned and operated by personal trainer Mac James, along with two other trainers- Brenton Harris and Jay Smith. They offer four styles of training: semi-private training, small group, team training and athlete development. This facility runs on the values of family, fitness and excellence. The class schedule runs from Monday to Saturday, offering various classes throughout each day to be accessible with all member’s schedules. James discussed the evolution of his passion for healthy living turn into the gym he now helps others achieve their fitness goals in each day.

Owner/Lead Trainer: Mac James

Article: Myia Borland Photography by Luke Thompson

When and why did you turn your passion into this career?

“It was probably about my sixth year out of school. I had just finished my masters and started my doctorate in education. I was a school teacher and one day I was just driving to school and I was looking at myself and I said ‘You’re a workaholic regardless. You’re gonna put in an obscene amount of hours just ‘cause that’s who you are, that’s who your dad was. So, do you want to do it to make $35,000- $40,000 a year, or do you want to bank on yourself?’ So at that point, I put in my resignation, it was in the middle of the year. I told my superintendent of the school district, who had hired me, that I was done at the end of the year and a lot of people were upset. I went into personal training on my own, 100% commission for probably about eight years, always moving towards owning my own facility. Then finally, I pulled the trigger to do that.”

What is your favorite type of training or program?

What inspired you to begin your fitness journey?

“When I was growing up I played sports and then I played college football…I was always one of the smallest guys on the team but always one of the strongest so I kind of just stuck in that. I was a school teacher for some years and I still did personal training on the side and I always envisioned myself owning my own facility.”

“It’s a mixture- we do a lot of functional training. I’ve trained a ton of NFL guys, I still train NFL guys and train all types of NBA players and tennis players. But my passion is really helping the regular everyday aging person. Somebody that’s just getting older that wants to stay fit, stay healthy [and] get off medication…It’s a generational thing, [this] generation will have the opportunity to start young whereas some generations didn’t really have that experience because it wasn’t ingrained in their family household to be healthy and active.”

What’s your advice to someone who is new to a training program?

“What I suggest, like anything in life, if you’re not experienced in it don’t try to go at it by yourself. I always use this analogy- you don’t try to wake up and do your own hair if you’re not a hairstylist. You know, you go to a barber because you want a professional. So if you don’t know what you’re doing, then yes, seek out a personal trainer. Somebody that’s credible, not necessarily that has the most likes on social media. Somebody that has done their research and is well educated to help you get started. And also, someone that’s going to listen to you. One of the biggest things is being able to listen to your client, understand what they’re asking for and delivering that versus you telling your client what you think they should be doing.”

Why did you choose Crofton as the location for your gym?

“It was kind of chosen for me, at the time that I was ready to go, one of my original landlords’ and his son were working with me for football training, and he had an open space. I was talking with him about wanting to branch out and move forward and how can I better myself from just being a personal trainer working in a big box gym to creating a family based cultured gym. We want everyone to know your name and who you are when you walk in. So when I was trying to create that he was like you know I have a space I’m getting ready to build it out. I’ll build it out so I can sell it later if you want to start renting it out. Then it went from there.”

What is the most rewarding part of the work you do?

“The most rewarding part is usually being able to pass my passion for fitness onto my clients. Having my clients actually genuinely get better or remember how it feels to be able to do certain things because now they’re off of medications, they’ve lost weight and you know certain people being able to just be better.” Hearing from clients that they can play with their grandchildren or that they had a great game makes Coach Mac’s job the most rewarding. “It is kind of the same process as a teacher. Many people come back and have implemented what you helped them with and then they see the correlation. That’s the most rewarding.”

What are the benefits of going to a smaller gym instead of commercial ones?

“It’s usually going to be a couple of different things. If you find a good quality small gym they usually have better quality trainers. Not to say that other trainer’s aren’t good in commercial gyms, there’s just sheer volume [difference] and a [larger] need, so everybody’s not going to be as experienced. A small gym like my own, I have a cap out at 200 people,” versus the commercial gym across the street that caps out at 10,000 people. “Just that volume alone is not gonna allow you to have the quality across the board with Trainers.

Our goal in this system is to find the best balance between one-on-one coaching and the big group setting. We’re giving people of all fitness levels the opportunity to enjoy professional instruction and a dedicated support system that can help you dig deep and get the most out of every movement. Our curated workouts are all based in functional training, including workouts with dumbbells, barbells, and TRX.

At Future of Fitness, we are proud to help men and women all across Crofton enjoy:

• Sustainable strength gains and lean muscle toning

• Total-body fat burning and healthy weight loss strategies

• Improved heart health and cardiovascular endurance

• Dynamic athleticism for all aspects of life

Come

• Hands-on coaching

• Dynamic training strategies

• Ongoing support and encouragement

• More motivation than ever before

Article by Lauryn Forbes Photography by Ro Moreno

When trying approaching challenging topics such as weight loss, horomones and premenapausal symptoms, it can often feel like someone is throwing a textbook in your face. Rarely is your specialist as passionate about your successful journey as if it was their own. Customers at BeBalanced Annapolis are able to tell a different story. Meet its owner and wellness coach, Rachelle Polk. Her practice is mainly focused on sustainable yet holistic methods of weight loss. “Our real goal is to educate and empower women after they’re feeling better to help continue to live and lead a good, clean, healthy lifestyle”, she says.

With their first franchised location opening in 2015, BeBalanced as a whole is an innovative business focusing on hormone balancing for weight loss, which can alternatively can

help symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia, depression, and anxiety. “We are dealing with all natural hormones that work with what you’re already producing in your body to get them balanced, as opposed to hormone replacement therapy”, Polk says. Though the topic of hormones could put some off, she asserts that their product is “a balancing act, not replacement”.

Starting as a BeBalanced customer herself in 2017, her own journey is what connects her to her patients. After being laid off from her job, understandably stressed, she began her BeBalanced regimen the very day after seeing them at a networking event. The rest, one can presume, was history. “I am always remembering how I felt and how frustrated I was that it propels me forward into really trying to get the

word out to women that they don’t have to suffer like this anymore, like our moms did”, she says.

What sets her business apart from other weight loss clinics is its all-natural holistic approach to losing weight - and what comes along with that is a multitude of other benefits. In the signature 14-week comprehensive weight loss and hormone balancing program, Becoming Balanced, they come at problems from numerous different directions. For one, they start with a whole food diet - you won’t find any prepackaged meals or protein shakes here. This, along with their natural hormone supplements, meditation, and other holistic techniques is their recipe for success. They also look at stress, cortisol, estrogen and progesterone. According to Polk, her customers experience on average 15 to 20 pounds lost in the first 30 days, with other

hormonal symptoms lessening in that same period.

While the majority of their customers are women ages 35-65, but Polk asserts that any gender, any age can benefit from this treatment. “My youngest client is 14 and my oldest client is 82”, she says. Her business is very client focused, with a large dedication to one on one private coaching as opposed to popular weight loss group sessions such as Weight Watchers. However, they do also offer group support if one is interested in that format. Her team focuses on their “drive to really help women change their lives. And that’s what we’re doing here”, she says. Polk emphasizes that this program is not just for weight loss - it is a way to change one’s life and perspective. This, she affirms, makes BeBalanced a different approach than any other program.

In the new year, it is typical for weight loss to be a top resolution - and it’s much easier with dedicated and passionate people on your team. BeBalanced Annapolis is currently accepting new clients, and is encouraging customers to utilize their free consultation. After registering, one can expect a 30 minute session where they figure out whether the program would be a good fit or not. To get in touch, visit: https:// bebalancedcenters.com/ location/annapolis/

holistic weight loss and wellness programs can help you lower stress that can lead to excess pounds, anxiety, sleep issues, brain fog, hot flashes, and more. This year, give yourself the gift of balance. Jump-start your weight loss and wellness goals before the New Year! To learn more, get started with a free virtual or inperson consultation with one of our compassionate specialists.

Is a better body a better self? Is a perfect body our best self? In the visual culture we inhabit we increasingly believe that a better body will lead to a better life, one where we are happier, have a better job, a better partner, and things go well for us.

Think about the New Year’s resolutions we make, the majority of them are about the body – to exercise more, to change our diet, or straightforwardly to lose weight. While exercise might be undertaken under the guise of health, it’s often for beauty, and as beauty becomes the dominant value we, at times, risk our health for it.

While setting a goal to see your doctor more regularly might seem less glamorous than other New Year’s resolutions, it can actually form the foundation for more common resolutions such as “getting healthy.” Seeing your doctor regularly can help you stay healthy and on track to having a good new year.

Visits to doctors have been especially impacted by the ongoing COVID-19

pandemic. One in five Americans reportthat they have delayed seeing their doctor because of the pandemic, but seeing your doctor is one of the best things you can do for your health.

Even if you had a great time in 2020, most of the world agrees that we’re glad to leave that year behind. Like many people, you’re probably eagerly looking forward to 2021, and have big plans ahead.

Those big plans may very well include a positive change in your work life, be it a new job, a promotion or a change of career paths. If so, follow these steps towards zeroing on what you want from your work life and making it happen.

Make a list of exactly what you want

The more specific your career goals, the better you’ll be at achieving them. Before starting your search, take an hour or so to sit down and create a list of your wants and needs for your next job. These could include salary range, length of commute, benefits and workplace culture, as well as the types of skills the position will allow you to exercise and develop. Having trouble? Evolution Coaching has a certified career coach waiting to work with you!

…And why someone should want you

By far, this is the hardest part of any job search. Unless you’re that rare person blessed with tons of confidence, determining the “selling points” about yourself can feel like a confusing, uncomfortable or even impossible task.

As hard as this task seems, however, there are easy ways around it. One simple way is to ask close friends or trusted colleagues to describe your best qualities as a person and as a professional. Getting an outside perspective helps you see yourself more clearly. You can also work with a professional career coach to help you determine your strengths and assets, as well as how to present them to potential employers.

Update your resume and create a portfolio Preparing your resume in the best resume format can be another task that feels intimidating, but don’t stress. If you’re feeling befuddled by how to summarize years of experience on a piece of paper, work with a professional resume writer or utilize resume editing services. They will help you concisely describe yourself in a way that gets the attention of potential employers.

Before You Start

First, make sure that you have realistic goals. You do not want to set your sights too high and then be disappointed when you do not meet them. Try

starting with a modest weight loss goal of five pounds per month. Next, choose a healthy diet plan that fits your lifestyle and preferences. There are plenty of options, so take your time and find one you can stick with for the long haul. Finally, get plenty of exercise in addition to your healthy diet plan. The combination of good nutrition and regular activity is the key to sustainable weight loss success.

Mind Diet

The mind diet is quickly gaining popularity due to its impressive health benefits, including reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other types of

dementia. The diet is also relatively easy to follow, with guidelines that focus on natural, healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and fish. While the scientific community is still divided on whether or not the mind diet works, the early evidence is promising. A mind diet is an excellent option if you want a healthy way to eat that may also support your brain health. So there you have it, our diet plan for 2023. What are your thoughts? We would love to hear what you think. And do not forget to share this article with your friends and family who may be looking for a healthy diet plan for the upcoming year.

SIMPLYANNAPOLIS — ART HAPPENING —

Join us once again for our 22nd year of The Good Deale Bluegrass, Eastman String Band show! Tim Finch’s annual show continues this year with Seldom Scene’er Dudley Connell playing some classic and ”not so classic” bluegrass tunes alongside a lineup of great players.

Jonas and Anne Catharine Green Park

2001 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Annapolis, MD

Weekly Yang Style 37 movement TaiChi practice. Come and join the group as we relax, enjoy the view of the river and the park, as we work through the 37 movement Yang short form. All are welcome to...

MON, FEB 27, 9 – 10 AM

Odenton Library

Anne Arundel County Public Library

1325 Annapolis Rd, Odenton, MD

Learn how to make paper flowers and style them into a decorative wreath perfect for Valentine’s or springtime. Supplies are limited. Registration required.Read more on Anne Arundel County Public Library

MON, FEB 13, 6:30 – 8:30 PM

Valentine’s Day Couples Sip & Paint

Diamonds Are Forever

Article By Nyah Marshall

That memorable, special moment when your partner drops to one knee and pops that famous question is one like no other. It’s a daunting task to be able to profess your love and promise of commitment—but it could be a little less nervewrecking when you’re confident that you’ve chosen the perfect engagement ring for that special someone!

Firstly, congratulations if it’s about that time to start ring shopping! Whether you’re searching for rings together or heading to the shop alone, this extensive guide is key for selecting the perfect engagement ring. And if it isn’t your time yet, let this guide serve as inspiration for what you’d want your future engagement ring to look like!

1) Educate Yourself on the 4C›s

The 4C’s— cut, color, clarity and carat weight— each play an important role in the quality, price and beauty of a diamond. What’s important to know is that even if a diamond ring hits high on the scale in each of the 4C categories, it’ll naturally cost the most but may not be any more beautiful than a more affordable one. In other words, it is a misconception to say that a diamond has to be perfect across all 4C’s to be valuable.

What matters most is that the diamond is beautiful in the eyes of your SO, and that you’re getting the best quality diamond within your budget. However, educating yourself on cut, color, clarity and carat weight will help you narrow down your options during your search for the perfect ring, as well as help you understand the diamond jargon you may encounter during your search.

Cut

As a general rule, most diamond experts suggest a high quality cut above all else, as this greatly impacts a diamond’s beauty and brilliance. The cut refers to how well the diamond is proportioned and polished, which in turn determines how well it interacts with light. If you want an eye-catching diamond that effortlessly sparkles and shines, be sure to consider the cut and ask your jeweler about it.

Color

A diamond’s color is graded in terms of how “white” or colorless it is. The scale is measured from D-Z, with D meaning completely colorless and most expessiexe, and Z meaning the diamond has a yellow hue. This component may not matter too much in your search, being that a diamond color is a personal preference and doesn’t necessarily indicate quality.

Clarity

On the other hand, finding a good balance between cut and clarity is essential. Clarity refers to the number of natural imperfections, called inclusions, present in the diamond. Diamond experts suggest that your goal should be to find the most affordable, “eye-clean” diamond. “Eye-clean” describes diamonds that may have inclusions but the typical person can’t see them with their naked eye.

Carat Weight

What many don’t know is that the carat weight of a diamond is not equivalent to how large the stone is. Depending on the diamond’s shape and cut, two 1 carat diamonds might be quite different in size. Be open to lowering your carat weight to ensure you purchase a stunning diamond; brilliance and beauty will outshine mere weight each and every time.

2) Understand your partner’s style and preference

The perfect engagement ring should perfectly compliment your partner’s lifestyle and personality. The ring style may very well bee the most personal component of an engagement ring.

To decided on the perfect style, take notes on your partner’s personal style. Would you describe it as modern, elegant, or unique? Another way to do this would bee to reach out to friends and family who know your loved ones’s taste. Need more inspiration? Here are some styles that have been suggested by leading diamond company Brilliant Earth:

Traditional and Elegant

The most timeless setting is the classic solitaire setting— it showcases the diamond without any distraction. Solitaires are the most popular types of engagement rings and would best complement a person who loves a classy, refined look.

Stylish and Outgoing

If your SO loves a luxurious, glamours look you’ll want to choose a diamond setting that holds the diamond higher. Halo engagement settings add a circle of diamonds around the center diamond to add sparkle and make the center diamond appear larger.

Outdoorsy and Nature Lover

When they’re not with you, is your SO most happy when they’re outdoors? Are they very active and a nature lover? If yes, you may want to select a ring with a setting that has organic elements such as leaves and flowers. A bezel setting is great for an active person because it’ll keep the diamond protected.

3) Choose a Band Metal

Engagement rings are usually made from yellow gold, white gold, silver, or platinum. Although, roses gold emerged as a fresh, modern addition to the traditional band colors. The key to the best ring metal is that it should complement the overall design and stone you choose. if you’re unsure what would go best, the safe, traditional route would be to go with white gold as it fits perfectly with the majority of designs and gems.

4) Get Measured Correctly

Learning the 4C’s, picking the right ring setting that goes with your partner’s style and selecting the best band metal all won’t matter if the ring doesn’t fit! Ring size is an essential consideration to this process—no one wants to get it wrong. If you don’t already know your partner’s ring size or you want the proposal to be a complete surprise, here are step by step instructions to help you find the perfect ring size, with only three tools: string, a pen and a ruler.

1. Cut a piece of string to at least 3 inches long

2. SNUGGLY wrap it around the base of the finger you plan to wear your ring on.

3. Mark where the ends overlap

4. Lay the string flat and use ruler to measure the length in millimeters

5. Use the Ring Size Conversion Chart below to find your corresponding ring size

5) Let’s talk money

Have you ever heard the saying that an engagement ring should cost abut two months’ worth of a salary? This saying came from a De Beer advertisement; they are the diamond company that completely revolutionized the diamond world in 1947 with their slogan: ‘A diamond is forever.’ It was the first time diamonds began to be marketed as a romantic purchase a man could make for his lover.

Prior to this slogan and the advertisements accompanied it, during the 1930s, diamond engagement rings were not necessarily normal or expected. In 1940, only 10% of first time brides were receiving diamond engagement rings, while in 1990 that number skyrocketed to 80%.

With that being said, there are so many more options at your disposal today. An engagement ring does not have to be worth two months of your salary—it could be more or less depending on your comfort and your partner’s preferences. Also, you could always upgrade the ring later on in life or inquire about a financing plan. Ultimately, you SO will value the love and thoughtfulness behind the engagement ring more than it’s price.

Ring size conversion chart, courtesy of Brilliant Earth Traditional and Elegant, courtesy of Brilliant Earth Stylish and Outgoing, courtesy of Brilliant Earth Outdoorsy and Nature Lover, courtesy of Brilliant Earth Color scale, courtesy of GIA Diamond Solitaire Engagement, courtesy of KAY Jewelers De Beers ‘A Diamond is Forever’ advertisement, courtesy of theeyeofjewelry.com

Article by Sophia Turner Photography by Ro Moreno

For Interior Designer, Krista Shugars, beauty is more than visual. It is about people, how they live, and how they want to feel in their homes. “It’s in my blood, really,” Shugars said, “my grandmother was a professional seamstress and upholsterer. I grew up watching her and fondly remember spending hours admiring all the different textiles she worked with. My mom learned upholstering from her, and she sewed as a hobby as well. In that way, I have always been around design. It has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember.”

Krista started in the corporate world where she built a successful career in sales, leadership, and management. After raising a family

and seeing most of their children start their college journeys, it was Krista’s husband who encouraged her to pursue her true passion. Krista tells us, “I have always loved all aspects of design and have always had an eye for fashion, textiles, patterns, and colors. Prior to starting my business, I spent years designing for family and friends, as well as designing and building three of my own homes from the ground up.

“My husband said, ‘This is what you love and where you excel. You should follow your passion and do what you love full-time.’ It was so empowering having that kind of support,” Krista says.

“I discovered Decorating Den Interiors and their franchise program in my research. I decided to join them in 2018 when I was moving from Howard County to Anne Arundel County. I knew I would be in a new area outside of my original center of influence where I had fostered relationships for over twenty years. I joined this amazing group for many reasons: their affiliation with over 125 top quality trade vendors along with direct account access, an increase in my breadth of product offerings, the additional support and ongoing industry training, the wonderful network of other designers across the US and Canada, and the ability to truly run my business as an independent designer.”

Krista continues, “We are so very thankful and humbled to have experienced such immediate success working with our amazing clients in the greater Annapolis area. Starting as a single-person, independent designer working out of my home, we quite literally outgrew that space and there wasn’t another inch to be found for the business. In less than five years, we now have three additional employees and a beautiful, new commercial space in Hanover, MD, where we love to showcase our textiles and samples during our design presentations with our wonderful clients.”

In addition to her knowledge and love for design, Krista credits her former corporate career for much of KD Designs’ success. “I wouldn’t be as prosperous without my business background. Knowing how to curate a design and knowing how to run a business are two very different things. It is a blessing to be able to do both successfully. I have learned plenty along the way, but my experience has helped set the business foundation in an area I am truly passionate about,” she says.

Krista is looking forward to continuing to nurture existing and develop future client relationships by transforming beautiful spaces one room or home at a time in 2023. “We have been extremely fortunate from the moment I started this business. We have had lovely clients and have been able to continue to do the work we love, even through the uncertainty of the pandemic and the world around us. Our goal is to truly make a difference in people’s lives. Design is typically considered a luxury. We believe that good design is essential in how a person feels about the home they live in. When you wake up in your space, come home after a really long day, or spend the weekend with your family, we want you to love where you live,” Krista continues, “One of the very first questions we ask a client is, ‘If you could

Hear

From the Expert The True Color Expert

wave a magic wand and have your project completed, how would you want this space to make you feel?’ How a home makes you feel is more than just how it looks. We want to help our clients discover which types of emotions they want their space to evoke. It’s the foundation of who we are, and we want to truly transform where they live, bringing happiness to the place they spend the most time. Design is such a personal experience for clients, and we strive to make them feel comfortable with us and to trust us to give them the vision they are seeking.”

As a full-service design firm, KD Designs handles every aspect of the design process for their clients, from the initial consultation to the final reveal, and everything in between.

Krista prides herself on making sure her clients understand the design process and ensures that they feel heard from the very beginning. “We have a detailed and specific process that we walk our clients through. From the initial phone call to the moment we go under contract together, every detail of the process and all of the deliverables are thoroughly explained. It is important that our potential clients have all this information before they invest in their project with us.”

Through it all, Krista wants her clients to come home to a place they love. “We design

While the winter brings gray weather, it is a great time to add a touch of color to your home. Color can liven up any space, from pillows to an accent wall, the possibilities are endless. Krista Shugars shares tips and tricks on how to spruce up your home with color.

As A Certified True Color Expert, what can you tell us about trends for the New Year?

We attended the Fall Furniture Market in High Point, NC in October 2022. This is the largest home furnishings industry trade show in the world. We saw much in the way of color. Colorful showrooms throughout the Market added a burst of energy. Bright colors are in play. If a colorful sofa is too much for your preferences, consider splashes, not pops, of color throughout your space in the way of lighting, accessories, rugs and artwork. For the less daring, more muted dusty, earthy hues reminiscent of sunsets and deserts were prominent. Grays are transitioning to browns and black is here to stay. Black and White remains a classic. Whether you use just a touch or make it dominant, the two can add drama and glamour to any space. While at Market we saw a lot of green in varying shades: chartreuse, forest green and emerald to name a few. Bringing nature indoors is also trending. One popular way to do this is by using green to give an outdoor mood to a room. Green can also be a backdrop with natural wood tones and accented with other earthy colors. Another trend at Market was the use of textured fabrics such as boucle, velvet, and leather to appeal to the senses and add interest to a room décor. Again, look to nature for inspiration for adding texture. The use of stone or wood accessories can add both texture and create a more peaceful outdoor-like sanctuary.

How can people simplify adding color into their home? What’s the best method while planning?

Working with the undertones of the existing hard finishes in your home is the number one tip I have on color. Incorporating a neutral with two accent colors to complement each other is probably the simplest way to add color.

What room is most often overlooked or forgotten while designing a home? What can make this area stand out?

The main level Powder Room. This is a space where we can showcase a little bit of flare and a lot of creativity since it sits apart from the main open areas of the home. You can have a lot of fun in small spaces. You can dress it up with wallpaper or a great sink and it’s a space that all of your guests typically visit but it tends to be one of the lower priorities for a family redoing their home.

How important or effective are accent walls in the home?

Accent walls are very effective. They can really bring a wow factor to any space. Accent walls go beyond just a different paint color in a room. They can be done with wallpaper; they can be done with millwork. You can get very creative and go dark and dramatic or light and calming. Depending on the feeling you want in the room, accent walls can have a tremendous impact. What’s something you might say to a client that is new to interior design?

One of the most important things is to really think about your priorities for the overall project (Which rooms do you need help with? Do you need new furniture and if so, which pieces? Do you need window treatments as well? Is there any remodeling involved in the project?)

Also, consider your budget range for the project. Having a general idea of those two things prior to contacting a designer is very helpful for the initial call. A good designer will be able to assist you with a realistic budget and help to break your priorities into design phases, if necessary

specifically for each client and take the time to get to know them on a personal level. We work very hard to make sure each client feels special throughout the design process.” Shugars summarizes her passion with this: “A recent client whose goal was to feel joy with the use of bright colors and glam décor told us at the end of the project, ‘Your design changed my life.’ It doesn’t get any better than that for us.”

To learn more, or to schedule your discovery call, visit www.kddesigns.decoratingden.com or email KD Designs about your project at krista@kd-designs.net.