Weston Boosters Celebrates Its 75th Anniversary!

It’s an exciting year for the Weston Boosters as 2018 marks its 75th anniversary!  As the 75th anniversary is traditionally designated as a “diamond” year, the Boosters is bringing the bling to its annual fall fundraiser, “The Denim and Diamonds Bash,” which will be held on Saturday, November 3, 2018 from 7-11 p.m. at the Weston Recreation Center in Weston, MA. It promises to be an evening filled with sparkle, dazzle and lots of fun for all! But before getting into the details of the Bash, here are a few historic and impressive facts about the non-profit, all-volunteer organization that you might not know. 

 Founded in 1943, the Weston Boosters originally began as a group of parents and students who wrote letters to the 500+ boys, 9 girls and three Weston teachers serving in World War II.  These letters provided town news and reports of high school sports and gave an indescribable “boost” to those serving in the war. Weston parents and students met weekly to send out these letters, and when the war was over, the “Boosters” held a celebration to honor the Weston veterans upon their return. Ever since then, the Boosters has been fostering positive community involvement and generating awareness, enthusiasm and financial support for Weston’s athletic facilities and student athlete programs. 

Through its annual fall fundraising event, spring outreach campaign and apparel sales, the Boosters has consistently been able to generate funding for equipment, coaching aids, uniforms, supplies, transportation and other items for Weston High School and Middle School sports - a total of 24 programs in all.  The cost of these items go beyond what can be covered by the usual school budget process, but their presence makes a decided difference in the district’s ability to offer top athletic programs to its students.  

In 2016 and 2017, the Boosters raised approximately $65,000. With that amount of fundraising, the non-profit organization was able to double its funding for college scholarships last year plus fund field wraps for Field 1 and Proctor Field, purchase a new electronic scoreboard for Field 1 and new scoreboard tables for basketball and volleyball, help cover funding for the ski team, sport-specific clinics and equipment - to name just a few of the contributions.

And this brings us back to the “Denim and Diamonds Bash” Fall Fundraiser. The Bash is a special celebration - not only because it marks the Booster’s 75th Diamond Anniversary, but also because it offers incredibly exciting auction items and opportunities that will allow the non-profit to continue to significantly support the Weston schools’ athletic programs. In addition, AM DePrisco Jewelers in Wellesley, MA has very generously donated a Diamonds by the Yard necklace for an opportunity draw to raise funds. The necklace is an 18 karat, white gold necklace with 1.00 carat total weight of round brilliant cut diamonds. Valued at $2,450, the necklace will be drawn out of a pool of only one hundred opportunity draws!

There will also be a chance to bid on and potentially win some fantastic live auction items, including: 

         * a Nantucket weekend getaway for 2 with hotel as well as golfing and fishing excursions

         * a Celtics package with 4 tickets and 6 hours of limo service 

         * a custom-framed and signed Rob Gronkowski Patriots jersey

         * 2 sets of 4 front-row seats and parking for the 2019 Weston High School Graduation Ceremony

         * a 5-course Italian gourmet dinner plus wine for 10 at the home of a well-known Weston Restaurant Developer

There will also be two other opportunity draw packages – a Yeti cooler for him and a Lululemon bag for her – complete with spa-service and exercise pack gift cards, grilling tools and sauces, power beats earphones, Boston Cannon tickets, a night at The Mandarin Hotel and SO much more. 

The evening promises to deliver yummy food, songs, dancing galore and fabulous entertainment. Delight in farm to fork dinner options freshly and creatively prepared with seasonal ingredients by Weston Resident David Goldstone and his company Wildfire Catering. Dance to the high-energy club music of Siagel Productions – DJ Darren will be spinning. And of course, the bling of the auction items won’t disappoint.

Tickets to the Denim and Diamonds Bash are $100 per person and are available online – https://www.westonboosters.net/events. Last year, this event sold out so purchase your tickets ASAP and partake in a fabulous, sparkling and awesome evening. For more information or to donate to the Boosters, go online - https://www.westonboosters.net- or email the organization – info@westonboosters.net.

For more information on this or about the real estate market in Weston, Wellesley, Wayland and the surrounding towns or if you are considering selling your home, please contact me, Lisa Curlett (www.lisacurlett.com, 781-267-2844 or lisa.curlett@compass.com), to answer any questions or for a complimentary home appraisal.

Your Favorite Time in Your Home?

What is your favorite time in your home? Is it a certain time of the day or evening? If you have children, is it when they are there or when they are gone? Perhaps it’s a time when the kids have gone to school, the house has finally been put back in order, and you have some time to yourself in the quiet of your home? Or is it when the kids are home with their friends, running through the rooms, playing Wii in the basement or kicking the soccer ball outside? If you don’t have children or they have “left the nest,” is it when you are entertaining – the house is sparkling, in its most beautiful state, and you can show off your beloved abode to a degree? Or do you especially enjoy some quiet moments to yourself, like sitting on your front porch swing reading a book?

Do you prefer your home when it is quiet and in order? Or do you like it better when it looks lived in and shows the messes of the people and animals who live there? Does the answer to this question change depending on the time of the year? Maybe you love when people are around, and the house is crazy during the holidays. But a hot summer night enjoying the screened-in-porch by yourself is another favorite time.

There are certainly quite a few scenarios to consider. For me and my home in Weston, MA, I love the energy and chaos of my children and pets, but the older I get, there is something peaceful that happens when my house has a certain order to it. I find that I get overwhelmed when every room is filled with books, papers, pens, toys, stuffed animals, clothes, etc. My stress level goes down a bit when I can put my house back in order – it’s like I can clearly think again. This feeling is equalled when I am hosting and entertaining my closest friends, and their children are here with my children. I love having many of the people I love under my roof having fun and enjoying one another. The times when chaos, loudness and laughter reign supreme….

What are your thoughts? What are some of your most favorite times in your home, and why do you treasure them? I can’t wait to hear….

For more information on this or about the real estate market in Weston, Wellesley, Wayland and the surrounding towns or if you are considering selling your home, please contact me, Lisa Curlett (www.lisacurlett.com, 781-267-2844 or lisa.curlett@compass.com), to answer any questions or for a complimentary home appraisal.

Favorite Sayings and Wise Words

Given that we’re at the start of a new year, I figured what better way to enter it than to post some favorite sayings and wise words in an effort to keep our thoughts and minds positive, healthy, forward-looking, happy, productive and more. Of course, when formulating this, I had to get some input from my trusted group of friends and colleagues. And so here are a few of our collective favorites:

• “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” ~ The Golden Rule, Luke 6:31 and Matthew 7:12. The golden rule is something to remember each day, one of the best rules of the universe both personally and professionally and a tremendous guiding philosophy to share with your children.

• “A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush.” ~ John Ray’s A Hand-book of Proverbs. Having something certain is better than the possibility of getting something better. This adage comes to mind quite often during the home selling and offer process.

• “If you’re bored, you must be boring.” ~ Author unknown*. I first heard this from my brother-in-law when we were at a wedding, and the kids were saying they were bored. I thought it was the best retort ever. (A similar quote is, “Boredom comes from a boring mind.” ~ Metallica.)

• “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” ~ English Proverb. You can always get more and further by being sweet than by being harsh. And this is certainly a great thing to remember and will help you as you journey through life.

• “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” ~ Dr. Seuss. I just came across this saying as I was writing this post, and it was too perfectly said not to include it. Incredible!

• “When you point your finger at someone, three fingers are pointing back at you.” ~ Anonymous. Touché – and so true. When you find yourself blaming another for something, you might want to look at your own involvement as well.

• “People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.” ~ English Proverb. To me, this is all about judgment and being critical. In other words, don’t judge others and call them names because we all have faults.

• “You can’t get the new car in the driveway if the old one is still parked there.” ~ former Soul Cycle instructor Sal. What a perfect visual about not bringing baggage from our past on our new path forward.

• “Right around the corner is love, happiness and success. And just because you can’t see these things, doesn’t mean they’re not right around the corner.” Thanks again to former Soul Cycle instructor Sal for that one too. I love this as many of us might be waiting for the other shoe to drop but this is a supremely positive way of approaching the uncertainty that lies ahead, especially as we enter the new year of 2015.

• “If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.” ~ Lao Tzu. A good reminder to live in the present.

• “The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists.” ~ Japanese Proverb.

• “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” ~ Reinhold Niebuhr, also known as The Serenity Prayer.

• “I am not a product of my circumstances. I am, however, a product of my decisions.” ~ Stephen Covey. Power is in acting and making decisions.

• “Remember that no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt. Love this – a well-said, no-nonsense reminder!

• “You give your children enough money to do something but not enough to do nothing.” ~ Spoken by George Clooney in the film, The Descendants.

• “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” ~ English Proverb. I think we all heard this as children. And there’s no need to interpret this as the words say it perfectly and succinctly.

• “Not always right, but never in doubt.” ~ Commonly used for several decades*.

• If you never try, you’ll never know what you’re capable of.” ~ John Barrow. I’ll say!

• “If you stay ready, you ain’t gotta get ready.” ~ Will Smith. That’s a fun one!

• “And in the end it is not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.” ~ Abraham Lincoln. Such true words from such a wise man.

• “I would rather have eyes that cannot see; ears that cannot hear; lips that cannot speak, than a heart that cannot love.” ~ Robert Tizon. Isn’t that really the essence of life?

• “In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.” ~ Buddha.

• “A monkey in silk is a monkey no less.” ~ English Proverb. No matter how one dresses, it is the same person underneath. This is a similar concept to the proverb, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”

• “Pray like it all depends on God, but work like it all depends on you.” ~ Dave Ramsey.

• “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere.” ~ A popular expression and song written by Jim Brown and Don Rollins and performed by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffet. I love this saying, and it’s a perfect way to end this post….

On that note, are there sayings and wise words that you find yourself saying under your breath or uttering out loud to those around you? Are any of your favorites on the list above? If not – because there are thousands upon thousands of these types of incredible wise words – please chime in and add some of your cherished quotes, phrases and sayings. I can’t wait to hear…. And a final thanks to all my trusted confidantes who contributed to this…. xo

For more information on this or about the real estate market in Weston, Wellesley, Wayland and the surrounding towns or if you are considering selling your home, please contact me, Lisa Curlett (www.lisacurlett.com, 781-267-2844 or lisa.curlett@compass.com), to answer any questions or for a complimentary home appraisal.

Taking the Quiz of the Love Languages

For those of you who know me know that I love the subject, discussion, analysis, concept and complexities of love! Years ago, I heard about the book – The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts by Gary Chapman – which details the five languages of love, specifically Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time and Physical Touch…. And recently I was reminded of it by my great friend, Laura, who suggested I take the quiz to understand which of the five languages made me feel most loved.

Before we get into the quiz, though, I’d like to relay a sense of each of the love languages for a bit of foundation:

• Words of Affirmation – For this person, actions don’t necessarily speak louder than words. Saying “I love you” and speaking kind and encouraging words are paramount.

• Acts of Service – Vacuuming, picking up the kids, cooking dinner – anything you do to lessen the responsibilities for this person means everything,

• Receiving Gifts – This person sees the thought, care and effort behind a gift and feels completely loved in this way.

• Quality Time – Nothing says “I love you” like spending time together and giving this person your whole, undivided attention.

• Physical Touch – A hug, kiss, back rub, touch of the arm – any kind of physicality – makes this person feel loved.

Now back to the quiz…. There were 30 questions asking you to choose your preference between two options. For me, it turned out that quality time was most important (10), followed closely by physical touch (9), and then words of affirmation (6), receiving gifts (4) and acts of service (1). Not only do these results provide valuable information in terms of understanding how you want to be loved in a relationship, they also allow you to communicate this vital information to your significant other.

And on that note, your partner and her/his love language plays an equally important role in this analysis. It’s crucial to understand how to love your partner the way s/he wants to be loved. If your partner hasn’t taken the quiz – and doesn’t want to – her/his love language preferences may be easier to determine than you would think as the signs are probably all there. According to Chapman, “How does your partner normally try to love you? The love shown you is probably how your partner wants to be loved…. What does your partner ask of you most often?  Help around the house?  More physical intimacy? Time together? The love they’re asking for most often is probably how they want to be loved… What aggravates/frustrates/saddens your partner the most in your relationship when it’s missing? The love he or she is missing probably indicates how he or she wants to be loved…”

As I pondered these five languages of love, I wondered if the importance and rankings of the love languages would change as your relationship with your significant other matures and changes over time. And how about as you change individually over the course of your life? I’m thinking at this point that it’s time to read the book because I’m guessing that these questions will be artfully and clearly answered by reading through the pages….

But before I do that, what are your thoughts on the subject? Have you ever taken the love language quiz? If so, did it seem consistent with how you want to be loved? And did it help you in understanding your partner’s love languages? I can’t wait to hear….

For more information on this or about the real estate market in Weston, Wellesley, Wayland and the surrounding towns or if you are considering selling your home, please contact me, Lisa Curlett (www.lisacurlett.com, 781-267-2844 or lisa.curlett@compass.com), to answer any questions or for a complimentary home appraisal.

Do You Bitmoji?

Do you Bitmoji? Or maybe the question should be, do you have a Bitmoji? Though I really like it as a verb instead of a noun…. Anyway, if the answer is no – and I don’t say these kinds of things often – you most definitely should! Ashley Parker in her New York Times article, “My Bitmoji, My Better Self”,  sums it up perfectly, “Bitmoji is basically a personalized emoticon, designed by you, to look like a more delightful, caricatured version of your actual self…. After choosing everything from face shape and eye color to hairstyle and outfit, you can place your avatar into a range of poses: popping out of a cake to wish a friend happy birthday, say, or dressed as a “Game of Thrones” White Walker, warning that winter is coming.”

Last February, one of my very favorite clients and I were texting, and then all of a sudden, she sent me her Bitmoji with the “Team Awesome” pose. And that was it, I was hooked. I made my own Bitmoji, and I’ve been using it ever since in all kinds of ways – to send smooches to my love (see the “Muah” Bitmoji above), to wish friends a Happy Birthday, to say goodnight to my kids, to let my work associate know that I’m taking care of the situation and so much more. The fun is endless and laugh out loud at times – I kid you not.

One of my favorites is “Yo” pictured here. This is perfect when you are texting back and forth with someone and then they go MIA. “Yo” says it just right and in a cute, silly way – “Where’d ya go?” My sister and I have a fun exchange in which we poke each other, which only sisters can do. I could go on and on….

What are your thoughts on the Bitmoji subject? Have you ever Bitmojied? Or maybe I should say, do you have a Bitmoji, and if so, do you use it like crazy? I can’t wait to hear….

For more information on this or about the real estate market in Weston, Wellesley, Wayland and the surrounding towns or if you are considering selling your home, please contact me, Lisa Curlett (www.lisacurlett.com, 781-267-2844 or lisa.curlett@compass.com), to answer any questions or for a complimentary home appraisal.

The Enneagram Test: The Fun of Finding Out Who You Are

You most likely have heard of the Myers-Briggs Personality Test and possibly the DiSC Profile Test, but have you heard of The Enneagram Test? In case you haven’t, let’s start with the Merriam-Webster definition of the Enneagram, It’s “a system of classifying personality types that is based on a nine-pointed starlike figure inscribed within a circle in which each of the nine points represents a personality type and its psychological motivations (such as the need to be right or helpful) influencing a person’s emotions, attitudes, and behavior.” According to The Enneagram Institute, the nine personality types are as follows:

1. The Reformer – The Rational, Idealistic Type: Principled, Purposeful, Self-Controlled, and Perfectionistic

   1. The Helper – The Caring, Interpersonal Type: Demonstrative, Generous, People-Pleasing, and Possessive

   2. The Achiever – The Success-Oriented, Pragmatic Type: Adaptive, Excelling, Driven, and Image-Conscious

   3. The Individualist – The Sensitive, Withdrawn Type: Expressive, Dramatic, Self-Absorbed, and Temperamental

   4. The Investigator – The Intense, Cerebral Type: Perceptive, Innovative, Secretive, and Isolated

   5. The Loyalist – The Committed, Security-Oriented Type: Engaging, Responsible, Anxious, and Suspicious

   6. The Enthusiast – Spontaneous, Versatile, Distractible, and Scattered

   7. The Challenger – The Powerful, Dominating Type: Self-Confident, Decisive, Willful, and Confrontational

   8. The Peacemaker – The Easygoing, Self-Effacing Type: Receptive, Reassuring, Agreeable, and Complacent

The Enneagram Institute goes on to explain that, furthermore, the nine personality types fall into three Centers – The Instinctive Center (Types 8, 9 and 1), the Feeling Center (Types 2, 3 and 4) and the Thinking Center (Types 5, 6 and 7). “Each Center consists of three personality types that have in common the assets and liabilities of that Center…. For example, personality type Four has unique strengths and liabilities involving its feelings, which is why it is in the Feeling Center…. Most simply, these issues revolve around a powerful, largely unconscious emotional response to the loss of contact with the core of the self. In the Instinctive Center, the emotion is Anger or Rage. In the Feeling Center, the emotion is Shame, and in the Thinking Center, it is Fear. Of course, all nine types contain all three of these emotions, but in each Center, the personalities of the types are particularly affected by that Center’s emotional theme.” And then there are Wings. “No one [type] is a pure personality type: everyone is a unique mixture of his or her basic type and usually one of the two types adjacent to it on the circumference of the Enneagram. One of the two types adjacent to your basic type is called your wing.”

It’s a bit complicated, but I love that it deals with what happens when a person has lost his/her sense of self and thus unconsciously emits an emotional response of anger, shame or fear. So not only does the system deal with the strengths of the person but also his/her weaknesses, and then goes on to explain how those weaknesses are exhibited. The bottom line is that the Enneagram test/system will allies you to better understand yourself from a variety of perspectives so that you can strive to optimize your personal and professional relationships. Although as we know, sometimes even though you know all this, you still can’t help but react.

So….if you haven’t already done so, click here to take the Enneagram Test and see what you find. I took it twice – once for free and once for payment. (As an aside, the test that I paid for had 144 questions that were at times very difficult to answer. The questions ask you to differentiate between two approaches toward a situation, for example, and sometimes I found myself making almost equal arguments for choosing both answers – but I could only choose one. Hmmmm…..) And then let me know what you think…. I can’t wait to hear!

For more information on this or about the real estate market in Weston, Wellesley, Wayland and the surrounding towns or if you are considering selling your home, please contact me, Lisa Curlett (www.lisacurlett.com, 781-267-2844 or lisa.curlett@compass.com), to answer any questions or for a complimentary home appraisal.

The 2018 Oscar Fashionistas

Oscar Night is always the highest fashion evening of the year, and one of my favorite TV nights of the year. The exciting and fabulous 90th Academy Awards, aka the Oscars, aired Sunday, March 4, 2018 on ABC. Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel for the second year in a row, the evening was incredible – especially the Red Carpet – though viewership faltered a bit. According to Deadline.com, Sunday’s “ceremony which aired live from 8 PM-11:54 PM EST, averaged 26.5 million viewers (Live+same day) . That was down 19% from last year’s 32.9 million viewers, a nine-year low. That, despite the fact that The Shape of Water was the the highest-grossing Best Picture winner in five years.”

But let’s put aside the films for now, and talk about the Fashion! Honestly, this year, I thought everyone looked stunning! There weren’t really many “Could Have Done Better” choices. Because of this and the onslaught of general negativity of late, I decided just to focus on my Fashion Favorites this year. But before I get started on my choices, I wanted to share the thoughts and perspectives of Zanna Roberts Rossi, Senior Fashion Editor of Marie Claire and Judge on Lifetime’s Glam Masters and Brad Goreski, Celebrity Stylist and E! Red Carpet Co-Host. On Monday’s NBC Today Show, they mentioned the vibrant array of color they saw in the fashions as well as the metallics (“almost like head to toe armor”) and “clean and structured” whites. Brad said his favorite was “hand’s down Nicole Kidman in Armani Prive. I said last night, ‘Bow down to Nicole Kidman.’ That gown to me is everything that is chic about the Oscars. It is everything I want from Nicole Kidman.” Zanna said she had two favorites. The first was Margot Robbie in a white Chanel Haute Couture gown. She “loved the beading, [and it] felt a little bit sci-fi with that clear plastic bag – the cheap plastic bag.” And her other favorite was Saoirse Ronan. She looked “absolutely beautiful in Calvin Klein By Appointment … the actual construction on this bow – stunning.”

As I like to mention, I am no fashionista* but just a regular Realtor, Mom, etc. without any training in fashion or award show styling. I just like what I like. And on that note, here are my five favorites of the evening (listed in alphabetical order):

• Zoey Deutch in Elie Saab Couture and Tiffany & Co. jewelry – I loved her gently curled locks with her neutral beaded, tiered gown. So pretty!

• Jane Fonda in custom Balmain, Chopard jewelry, Perrin bag and Salvatore Ferragamo shoes – Zanna and Brad summed it up perfectly…. “Jane Fonda shut down the carpet…. She’s 80, and probably still a sample size.” Wow – no words on that one!

• Eiza Gonzalez in Ralph Lauren, Chopard jewelry and Brian Atwood shoes – another Wow. But this time is what a Hot Wow! She was sizzling in her tight-fitting and breast-hugging dress! And I am not usually a fan of yellow.

• Taraji P. Henson in custom Vera Wang – her black slit gown was armor-like and free-flowing at the same time. What a great combination of effects!

• Jennifer Lawrence in Christian Dior – She looked sculpted in her Metallic dress like she was wearing head to toe armor as Zanna and Brad mentioned above. She was warrior-like – strong and yet feminine accentuated by her frizzy blonde locks.

• Helen Mirren in Reem Acra with a Judith Leiber bag – ok I fibbed…. I have to have six favorites. Helen Mirren was just too classically beautiful and elegant in her blue, tightly fitted gown and gorgeous necklace not to mention.

And of course, the men looked fabulous too, some making serious fashion statements. I particularly loved the look of Ansel Elgort in his velvet Tom Ford tux. And there was quite a buzz around Chadwick Boseman, who looked so handsome in his three-quarter length Givenchy coat and zippered shoes.

All in all, it was a fantastic night with fun, festive and many fabulous fashion choices! What did you think? What were your fashion favorites? Were they similar to mine? I can’t wait to hear….

For more information on this or about the real estate market in Weston, Wellesley, Wayland and the surrounding towns or if you are considering selling your home, please contact me, Lisa Curlett (www.lisacurlett.com, 781-267-2844 or lisa.curlett@compass.com), to answer any questions or for a complimentary home appraisal.

* My other caveat is that unfortunately for me, I wasn’t at the Oscars (but hope to be at some point in the future). And so I didn’t get a chance to see all of the Oscar participants and their fashion choices – only those who were on TV or online – nor did I see them in person with my own eyes.

Today’s Best-Selling, Dream Kitchen

A client recently asked me what makes for the perfect kitchen today*, and it got me to thinking…and writing. First, the kitchen needs certain elements to maximize re-sale value, hence the “best-selling” element. Second, it needs several features to make it a “dream” kitchen for any homeowner. (And not necessarily in that order as I would personally prioritize my “dream” elements over “best-selling” ones.) From my experience in our neck of the woods (Weston, Wellesley, Wayland, MA and surrounding towns), here are some of the must-haves for today’s best-selling, dream kitchen:

• White cabinetry – The choice du jour is for white cabinetry giving a light, clean and airy look. There is talk, however, that wood will be coming back one day – and perhaps not too far in the distant future.

• Light countertops – Similar to the cabinetry, today’s preference is for light countertops and many are using quartz though some still use granite and occasionally marble though the care and maintenance of marble can be a bit of a hassle.

• Glass backsplash – This is another frequently-used choice for kitchens these days, which makes for a fabulous finishing touch.

• Stainless appliances – These add to the kitchen’s sleek look, and the higher-end you go, the better (i.e. sub-zero, wolf or viking, etc.).

• Two ovens (at the least) – If you fancy yourself a chef, you’ll definitely need two ovens. For those who aren’t as cooking inclined but are entertaining wizards, two ovens are essential for all of the holiday celebrations and parties.

• Sleek hardware and lighting fixtures – Today’s design trend is a transitional, almost contemporary look, one that is minimalist and sleek with clean lines. And for the hardware especially, think satin or brushed nickel and chrome but stay away from brass as it’s considered very passé.

• Eat-in area – The perfect kitchen has a separate, generously-sized eat-in area where the family can convene and eat together in a less formal space.

• Island – This is another essential feature of a dream kitchen. And of late, you often see the island’s cabinetry in a darker though complementary color to rest of the kitchen. The island serves as another informal seating area plus it often houses an extra sink or cooktop as well as additional storage.

• Pantry – No matter if you use the kitchen non-stop or barely ever use it, everyone – and I mean everyone – wants a pantry that’s perfect for Coscto items, large pots and pans, blenders, mixers and more.

As you can see from above, the trend for today’s kitchen has a look that is sleek and light with clean lines and is combined with features emphasizing functionality and practicality. This list, of course, is not exhaustive nor are all of the elements mandatory by any stretch, but it’s a good guide to help you when formulating your own plan for today’s best-selling, dream kitchen. What are your thoughts? Have you recently designed and/or renovated your kitchen? Did you incorporate some of these features and items? Or were there others that were important to you? I can’t wait to hear…..

For more information on this or about the real estate market in Weston, Wellesley, Wayland and the surrounding towns or if you are considering selling your home, please contact me, Lisa Curlett (www.lisacurlett.com, 781-267-2844 or lisa.curlett@compass.com), to answer any questions or for a complimentary home appraisal.

*Note that these features might change over time; they are written with today’s trends and choices in mind.