Cook anything & everything outside
Homeowners want more than just a grill for backyard dining.
They’re increasingly using other outdoor cooking methods, such as pizza ovens, smokers, ceramic kamado-style barbecues and Argentinian-style gaucho grills that use wood or charcoal.
Moving away from the minimalist decor trends
Maximalist styles are layering in bold color, patterns and textures. The design approach celebrates abundance and allows homeowners to furnish their homes with pieces that reflect their personalities.
For example, grooved wall and ceiling paneling are being done in bold colors, and more patterns are entering everything from drapery and rugs to furniture and pillows.
2025 and beyond is all about neutrals and a warmer feeling interior
Adding “warmth” into an interior has become a popular buzzword in home design, marking a shift away from cool whites and grays. Color trends are moving more into off-whites, creams, beiges, tans and browns. Paired with warm neutral palettes, earthy tones and organic colors, we're seeing wood elements used as ceiling beams, trim, mill-work, wall paneling, posts and cabinetry to add architectural warmth to spaces throughout the home.
A yearly check-up on your home’s plumbing system from a master plumber can save you money and heartache by preventing problems before they spiral out of hand.
Once your home’s plumbing is in good health, keep it that way by regularly checking for common sources of leaks:
Check your water heater: Check your water heater once every two months for signs of aging or leaks.
Test your main shut-off valve: Be sure you know how to operate the main shut-off valve for your plumbing system in case of an emergency.
What’s even more crucial is knowing that it works. Remember to test your shut-off valve once a month in the summer and twice a month in the winter when pipes are prone to bursting.
7. Narrow Wet Rooms
From unassuming to a BOLD and Beautiful update
Wetroom bathrooms—typically a shower and tub in a spacious shower area—have grown in popularity in recent years. But wet rooms are now being added in smaller, narrower spaces, too.
Placing a tub at the back of a long room, with a separate shower in front, gives homeowners with tight spaces a wet room arrangement that looks and feels more luxurious than the standard shower-tub combo.
What's old is new again
Woven and mesh details add texture and visual interest notes. We’re seeing it frequently used to help break up expanses of cabinets, especially in kitchens.
It’s also being used in bathroom vanities, furniture and even window treatments. Designers say that natural woven materials can soften hard edges and provide a warm counterpoint to cold surfaces, creating more cozy and welcoming spaces.
Unique separations vs wide-open spaces
These range alcoves include a recessed or niche area—sometimes arched—and are often flanked by counter-tops and side walls. This feature adds a substantial architectural element to a kitchen, creating a focal point and allowing for a natural stopping point for, and containment of, a striking back-splash design.
4. Shower Rooms
Large, BOLD and Beautiful update
Showers have been featuring frameless glass enclosures, but homeowners looking for greater privacy are embracing a “shower room.”
This style of shower has a glass door leading into a fully enclosed space that creates an intimate, spa-like look and feel. A shower room allows features that require a more sealed-in design, such as steam and sauna functions and aromatherapy.
3. Arches
Curves inside and out...
Fitting right in with the curvier home trend are arched walls and home accessories. Arches, in particular, are adding “a touch of playfulness and [helping to] soften harsh angles to generate a welcoming, cozy feel”. Arches can be added to home doorways, windows, niches, cabinets and mill-work details. Also, arched accessories, like arched mirrors, headboards and chairs, are bringing in scalloped silhouettes that hug spaces.
2. Rounded Furnishings
You will start seeing "curves" everywhere
Gentle curves and rounded edges continue to be grounded in the popularity of organic modern styles. Expect to see more circular coffee and dining tables, finished off with cylindrical legs. Also, designers predict bulbous sofas and accent chairs and oblong mirrors.
1. English-style Kitchens
These cozy kitchens feature cabinets in rich woods as well as historical paint colors, such as moody blues and deep greens. You’ll also find natural counter-top materials, like soapstone and butcher’s block, as well as large range alcoves, wood ceiling beams and collected looks that appear pieced together over time.
Often New Year’s resolutions revolve around improving our personal image, particularly how we present ourselves to others. Why not channel that resolution into your home by upgrading its curb appeal? A beautiful exterior welcomes guests to your home and attracts buyers when it’s time to sell. These low-cost upgrades will freshen up your curb appeal in just one month:
Low-Cost Trio: These 3 updates combined deliver max impact for the lowest cost.
1) New House Numbers
2) New Mailbox
3) Fresh coat of paint on front door, porch, fence etc, as needed.
Landscaping: If it’s been a while since you last moved the lawn or updated your landscaping, hire a professional to wrangle your yard into a state that’s easier for you to maintain throughout the year. Excellent landscaping increases home value by 10% to 30%.
Invest in new outdoor furniture: Almost 90% of homeowners view their outdoor spaces as essential for their health and well-being. Jump on the bandwagon, and add an outdoor furniture set to your front porch.
Replace your garage door: Not only will a new garage door give your home a face-lift, but this upgrade also adds value to your home and recoups 103.9% of project costs.
Realtor Tip: If you don't do anything else, get the "low-cost trio" done.
• Stable Sales, Limited Inventory
• Lingering Impact of Interest Rates
• High Demand, Low Supply in Key Price Range
At the start of 2025, Milwaukee’s rental units were 94% occupied, with 70.1% of renters renewing leases and eight renters competing for each apartment...
The Milwaukee Assessor's Office said all city properties are up roughly 15%, which includes commercial buildings and condos.
Milwaukee's 15th ward, located in the middle of the city, is where overall property values hiked the most.
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY
from Team Hoffmann
Back in 2016 we shared this Memorial Day recipe and it has been a favorite ever since.
Click the link below to download a copy of the recipe now.
GREENFIELD, WI
Prices spiking in Greenfield — where average home prices rose by nearly $53,000 year over year — also made the list.
Total homes sold: 71, up from 62 in the first quarter of 2024.
Average sale price: $324,996, up 19% year over year.
Average number of days on market: 23 days, down from 28 days the year prior
NEW BERLIN, WI
Market heating up in New Berlin... Although prices have risen more modestly in New Berlin compared to Mukwonago or Greenfield, the community's market is still hotter than the metro-wide average.
Total homes sold: 62, up from 52 in the first quarter of 2024.
Average sale price: $486,689, up 7% year over year.
Average number of days on market: 23 days, down from 25 the year prior.
Next up is Cedarburg, where prices have risen sharply, and homes are selling faster.
Total homes sold: 34 homes, up from 32 in the first quarter of 2024.
Average sale price: $584,280, up 14% year over year.
Average number of days on market: 17 days, down from 33 the year prior.
SLINGER, WI
In Slinger, homes are selling significantly faster than they were last year.
Total homes sold: 24, up from just 14 in the first quarter of 2024.
Average sale price: $388,082, up 8% year over year.
Average number of days on market: 34, down from 49 the year prior.
Traditionally markets provide agricultural products and seasonal produce from area farmers, but many markets have expanded offerings to include meats and dairy, prepared foods, and even provide food samples and cooking instruction.
Click the link below for a current list of farmers markets...
You’ve made it to May, and it’s time to check in on your New Year’s resolution to stay organized — starting with your home maintenance records.
Collect printed and digital home records, including instruction manuals, appliance warranties, home improvement records (like the receipts for that sunroom addition you just put in), and repair invoices. Then organize and save the documents in a physical or digital file.
By organizing these documents, you can review and reflect on the investments you’ve made to improve your home. You can better plan future repairs by taking note of maintenance that’s upcoming or overdue. Plus, when it’s time to sell, you can easily justify your asking price and present records of significant upgrades to the appraiser.
Realtor Tip: When it’s time to sell, you can easily justify your asking price and present records of significant upgrades and routine maintenance to the appraiser.
• Sales Down But In Line With Recent Years
• Listings Down Slightly But Up for the Year
• Average Sale Price Up 11.7%
Spring is one of the best times to see Wisconsin's waterfalls. With snowmelt and spring rains, the state's falls are at their most robust.
Here are a handful of waterfall tours and individual cascades worth seeing...
St. Paul Fish Company (located in the Milwaukee Public Market) was recently featured on the online review platform's 2025 list of the "Best Seafood in Every State."
Yelp compiled the list by identifying businesses in the seafood category with a large concentration of reviews mentioning the term "seafood." Yelp's team then ranked those spots using several factors, including geographic location and the total volume and ratings of reviews.
St. Paul ― which also has a larger location in Mequon ― serves six kinds of fried fish, a variety of fish sandwiches and tacos, po'boys, lobster and crab rolls, soups and salads, grilled fish dinners and appetizers like calamari, oysters and shrimp cocktail. The full menu can be found here. Many dishes are sold with fries and coleslaw.... READ MORE
OATS
With 10 grams of protein for each one cup serving, a bowl of hearty oatmeal topped with ripe bananas is an old-school and nutritional way to kick off the morning.
BUCKWHEAT
Move over oatmeal! A cup of nutty-flavored buckwheat has a full 22 grams of complete, plant-based protein in just one cup.
Remember, you can prepare it just like "overnight oats", say the experts at Bon Appétit.
TOFU
A plant-based option, tofu delivers approximately 10 grams of protein per half cup. Scramble it with veggies for a savory breakfast alternative.
KEFIR
This rich, creamy drink has 10 grams of protein for a one cup serving and also probiotics.
It works well in smoothies and can be included in many delicious recipes for muffin and pancakes.
NUT BUTTERS
Almond, peanut, or other nut butters provide around 7-8 grams of protein in two tablespoons.
Spread them on whole grain toast or blend them into smoothies for a protein boost.
SMOKED SALMON
With a whopping 25 grams of protein in a one-cup serving, tasty smoked salmon is a great way to pack more protein in your breakfast. Top a toasted bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon to add both protein and omega-3 fatty acids to your morning meal.
LENTILS
Offering around 18 grams of protein per cup, cooked lentils can be incorporated into breakfast bowls or soups for a hearty start to the day.
Pre-cooked chicken sausages are a great choice for breakfast as many contain up to 13 grams of protein per 2.5 ounce serving.
Quinoa
The addition of quinoa adds another 6 to 8 grams of protein.
Here's a quick recipe
Known for its high protein content, quinoa can be cooked and served as a warm breakfast cereal with sausages.
Or, alone mixed with nuts and berries for added flavor and nutrition.
This dairy product packs a punch with around 13 grams of protein per half cup.
It's a great addition to your breakfast routine, either on its own, topped with fresh fruit, or spread on whole-grain toast.
Enjoy the great outdoors from the comfort of your home by building a three- or four-season room in April. Top real estate agents share that sunrooms are a trending home upgrade as homeowners look for affordable ways to increase their square footage.
The average cost to add a sunroom runs between $22,000 and $72,600, depending on your home’s location, the size of the room, and the quality of materials. Thankfully, this project yields a healthy return on investment (ROI), typically recouping 49% of project costs.
Tip from the Pros... If your home already has a patio or porch, consider doing a "Porch Conversion" or a "Patio Enclosure", it could reduce the cost of this project by up to $10,000.
• Sales Down Due to Lack of Listings & New Construction
• Metro Prices Up 4.3% for the Quarter, Averaging $435,646
• Macro-Economic Forces Yielding Uncertainty
Check it out... Milwaukee Brewers reveal food truck park, known as "The Alley"
Greek Yogurt
A single serving of Greek yogurt can contain up to 20 grams of protein.
It's a versatile option that can be enjoyed on its own, mixed with fruit, or added to smoothies for a creamy texture.
These tiny seeds are a powerhouse of protein, with about 4 grams per two tablespoons.
They can be soaked overnight to create a delicious chia pudding or sprinkled on top of yogurt or oatmeal.
As the price of eggs soars due to the shortage caused by bird flu, many people wonder what protein-rich options they can include in their diet to replace eggs. An average egg has between five and eight grams of protein depending on its size, so it's no wonder it’s a great choice to start your day. But there are other just as healthy options you can try, according to nutritionists.
“Protein is a vital component to a healthy breakfast,” says Jessica Jones, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator, according to SELF.
Protein helps to keep you full and satisfied longer, preventing mid-morning hunger pangs. It also aids in muscle repair and growth, which is essential for maintaining overall health and fitness. Moreover, protein has been shown to stabilize blood sugar levels, providing a steady stream of energy throughout the day. Including protein-rich foods in your morning meal can also improve cognitive function and concentration.
Check back with us over the next few days as we share these great options....
A dozen protein-rich egg-free options to start your day...
The nation’s longest running Home & Garden Show will return to...
Wisconsin State Fair Park March 21-30, 2025
Discover the Tranquil Color Collection at HGTV Dream Home 2025
Once again, the designers of the 2025 HGTV Dream Home share a perfect case study for using the colors of 2025.
Hopefully you'll get inspired to freshen up your home this spring.
