They say there’s no place like home, but if we’re being honest, I think we can all say it’s been a love/hate relationship with our homes the past year. What once felt like a safe haven to come home to after a long day’s work, a shelter from the cold, a place to cozy up with family, has now become a little too familiar to us all. When it came time to plan this year’s Home & Garden issue, we really wanted to focus on ways to increase the functionality of a home. We took time this issue to really focus on actionable tips and inspiring stories to help you continue to elevate your home and rebuild that lost love.
2020 was the year of change and one of the biggest shakeups was the shift in the workplace. We traded our high heels and suits for leggings and slippers; we gained new coworkers in the forms of pets and children; and we went on the hunt to find a suitable Zoom background within our homes. While some of us may have had a designated home office, many of us found ourselves making do with the kitchen table, or even slipping away to a closet to find some peace and quiet for virtual meetings. One result of 2020? An uptick in home office renovations and additions. Turn to page 30 for some inspiration from four of the region’s top interior designers.
It wouldn’t be our Home & Garden issue without our annual collection of Pantone Color of the Year home decor, and this year we’ve even got two colors—yellow and grey! Turn to page 12 for some local favorites.
As the weather begins to warm, consider sprucing up your outside space as a secondary living area. This month’s 5 Things article focuses on chic ways to upgrade your patio. Nothing pairs better with a warm day on a patio than a nice cold glass of beer. Grab your to-go crowlers from Lancaster’s newest beer destination, Our Town Brewery, spotlighted on page 22.
Until that weather does warm up for us, why not stay inside and learn to make some bread? Turn to page 25 for artisan bread recipes from Tradition Bakery’s Yelena Korablin. Already mastered bread baking? Try bringing some artistry to the mix with scouring techniques like Korablin’s.
Remember, though we may be stuck inside a little more than we’d like, there truly is no place like home.
