Author: Shannon Rooks

10 Unique (and Last Minute) Father’s Day Gift Ideas

Posted on by Shannon Rooks

Father’s Day is this weekend! If you haven’t already found the perfect gift for your dad, try one of these ideas that you can pickup before the big day. Dad is sure to love anything on this list!

1 – A gift card to his favorite restaurant

2 – Tickets to a sporting event

3 – Gardening tools and plants for his garden

4 – Grill tools along with a gift card to the local butcher shop

5 – A bag of his favorite fresh-ground coffee with a unique mug

6 – Tickets to tour a local brewery

7 – Create a personalized itinerary for a “day out with dad”

8 – Slippers and pajamas so Dad can relax

9 – Tickets for a boat cruise

10 – A car wash kit with all of the essentials to wash his car.

5 Tips for Refinishing Old Furniture

Posted on by Shannon Rooks

Not only is refinishing old furniture a great way to save some money, it’s also a fun hobby! Before you purchase a new table or bureau for your apartment try refinishing some old pieces to freshen them up with these tips!

1 – Check to see if the furniture has been painted. If a piece is painted, there’s usually a reason for it. A previous owner may have painted the furniture to cover up dents, scratches or other imperfections.

2 – Before you start working, check on the piece’s value. If it’s really old, it may be valuable in it’s current condition. Consult an antique shop for answers to your questions.

3 – Get inspiration. Check Pinterest for some photos of how other pieces look in certain colors before you get started.

4 – Don’t rush the sanding process. If you’ve decided to sand and re-stain the piece, make sure you have taken enough time to sand thoroughly. It will make a huge impact on the final product.

5 – Don’t forget the photos! Snap a before picture before you get started and don’t forget to snap the after for comparison. You’ll love seeing the difference in your new and improved furniture pieces.

Summer Kickoff Party Ideas

Posted on by Shannon Rooks

The unofficial start to summer has officially passed and now it’s time to celebrate! Grab your friends and family and have fun this weekend with these great and festive ideas!

1 – Create a scavenger hunt for the kids. Make a list of items they can find outdoors and help them check off their lists.

2 – Need some ideas for fun summer decor? Use a baby pool or blow up a pool float and add ice for a festive drink cooler.

3 – Set the mood with music. Create a playlist of all songs about summer to play in the background at the party.

4 – Setup a volleyball or badminton net and get everyone up and moving by playing a game.

5 – Create a sun and bug-free station by offering your guests sunscreen and bug spray so they can enjoy the outdoors.

6 – Put together a play area for the kids complete with sidewalk chalk, bubbles, water guns and other toys to keep them entertained.

7 – You can’t kickoff summer without the classic BBQ foods. Make a menu complete with all of the best grill foods and summer salads to serve your guests.

Holmes Beverly…Coming Soon!

Posted on by Shannon Rooks

Introducing Holmes Beverly….coming to Beverly, MA in 2018!

67 mixed-income, transit-oriented rental housing rental units adjacent to the Beverly Depot Commuter Rail station and garage. Commuting to the city is a breeze by jumping on the Newburyport/Rockport line right across the street.

Barnat Development’s 112 Rantoul Street brings new mixed-income rental housing and commercial space to Beverly’s downtown.

Construction started in 2017 and we expect units to come online in 2018!

Mill and 3 Apartments in Chelmsford, MA

Posted on by Shannon Rooks

High-end finishes, 9+ foot ceilings and one or two bedroom floor plans await you at Mill & 3 Apartment Homes in Chelmsford, MA!  This new construction property consists of 3 three-story buildings with direct access garage parking and a first class clubhouse.

Work up a sweat in the clubhouse fitness center and enjoy relaxing by the pristine outdoor pool.

The apartments feature two-toned kitchen cabinets and granite counter tops, glass tile backsplashes, luxury plank flooring in living areas and kitchens, washers and dryers, 9+ foot ceilings, walk-in closets, patios or balconies, and dining areas in select units. Visit our website to view floor plans, our photo gallery and more.

Contact us today to be one of the first ones to live in this new apartment community!

5 Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Pantry

Posted on by Shannon Rooks

When we think of spring cleaning we usually think of packing away clothes and washing the floors. Don’t forget to clean what’s behind your pantry door too! Get yours in tip top shape for the season with these great tips

1 – Start from scratch. Pull all of the items in the pantry out and put them on your counter so you can vacuum the floor and clean the shelves.

2 – Take inventory. See how many items you have, what can be donated, what is expired and decide which items are going to stay.

3 – Reorganize your shelves. Decide what is going where and stick to it. Put the kids snacks on the bottom shelf and the canned goods above. When you’re looking for what you need you’ll know exactly which shelf to go to.

4 – Consider using some baskets or plaster containers to help with your organization. If you buy snacks in bulk you can save space by emptying and recycling the large boxes and keep your snacks in a basket instead.

5 – Stick to it! Don’t let your hard work get ruined the next time you go grocery shopping. Keep your pantry in tip top shape by following these steps every couple of months.

5 Ways to Add Spring Color to Your Home

Posted on by Shannon Rooks

Spring is finally here! Adding pops of spring color to your home doesn’t have to be hard or expensive. Try on (or all) of these five, easy changes to make your space feel lighter and brighter!

1 – Change your couch pillows to new, spring pillows! This doesn’t have to be expensive. Instead of buying a whole new pillow, buy new pillow covers. You can find great spring pillow covers online at store like amazon.com. Cover your existing pillows for a quick and beautiful update.

2- While you’re switching out your pillows, try changing your throw rugs too. If your couch pillows have a bright-colored detail in them, try adding a throw rug to your room with the same color to match.

3- Flowers can make any room feel like spring! Add fresh blooms to your living spaces for a pop of color and the scent of the new season.

4- Switch our your linens. Try changing your hand and bath towels to a brighter spring color to give your bathroom a quick fix.

5- Change your artwork. If you have wall hangings, try adding a new print to your frames. You can purchase spring prints on etsy.com and print them yourself at a local print shop.