Whether stashing away pillows or disguising plain planter pots, baskets are a stylish and clever solution to storage woes.

Perhaps you associate wallpaper with a historic Victorian home you once toured, or even Andy Warhol’s vividly outlandish rows of pink cows on a yellow background from the ’60s. But more likely than not, when someone says “wallpaper,” your mind goes straight to your parents’ home.

“My parents always thought all homes should have wallpaper,” says Catonsville-based interior designer Laura Hodges, who moved from England to Gaithersburg in 1984. “In their case, it was nothing fancy— they mostly employed a neutral-toned grass cloth that added texture,” says Hodges, who now runs Laura Hodges Studio. “It didn’t matter if you were rich or poor or refined or not, it was just the thing to do.”

The popularity of wallpaper seemed to wane in the latter decades of the 20th century, thanks in part to a trend toward minimalism, not to mention the cost and difficulty associated with getting the paper on and off the walls. “We went through this whole minimalist, Scandinavian aesthetic that leaned more toward white walls and less wallpaper,” Hodges says.

But there are definite advantages to going with wallpaper. For one thing, it helps create the illusion of a larger space. It can also add an undeniable stamp of personality to an otherwise unremarkable room.

For those and other reasons, some designers say it never went out of style for a certain tier of clients who had the money to pay for installation—and, of course, a designer with an eye to pull it all together. Still, the average homeowner began to veer away from fussy wall treatments.

“For the retail consumer, it came and went, and came back,” says Hodges, who adds that she started seeing it pop up again about 10 years ago. “Wallpaper used to have mostly traditional patterns, but recently the newer, more modern styles, including removeable decals, have made wallpaper more popular again.”

Designer Jay Jenkins, president of Baltimore-based interior design firm Jenkins Baer, also believes wallpaper never really went out of style, but says the rules once associated with it have loosened drastically, which adds to its accessibility.

“The resurgence of scenic and panoramic wallpaper has almost completely changed the marketplace,” says Jenkins, who has been in the design business for 35 years. “Panoramic wallpaper was always strictly used in dining rooms for many, many years, and now the concept has blossomed to being used in bedrooms, hallways, and living rooms.”

Growing up in Rockville, Jenkins notes that many of his home’s rooms were papered—the foyer, dining room, and bathrooms, not to mention a foil orange and white striped paper paired with a brown shag carpet in his own bedroom. Nowadays, his personal style skews a bit more tasteful, with the designer using subtle papers in unexpected places such as dresser drawers, cabinets, and closets.

“I have a house in Easton, and all my closets are wallpapered,” he says. “Like, why wouldn’t you?” He feels that the bolder use of wallpaper and a more layered approach to patterns heralds a welcome change from the ubiquitous gray walls that have been trending for a few years.

“It’s part of the maximalism phase we’re all walking into,” he says. “That whole gray room is petering out behind us.”

Teddi Alyce Segal agrees. and is on the hunt for how to incorporate wallpaper both at home and in her work. She stages and designs investment houses as president and principal broker of Baltimore-based Honey House, “a strategy-based real estate and marketing collective” that specializes in the rehab of Victorian homes in such neighborhoods as Reservoir Hill and Bolton Hill.

She reports that she hasn’t seen much wallpaper in her line of work—except for the layers upon layers of old wallpaper found in the homes she renovates—but that she’s eager to start experimenting to see if modern buyers will bite when bold patterns grace the walls.

“I’m dying to use it in my projects,” she says. “I like to do stuff that’s very period appropriate. The wallpaper for these Victorians has a very specific flavor, and I sometimes wonder if the buyer will understand it and appreciate it. I don’t know the answer to that yet.”

One way she plans to find out is by using it in her own five-bedroom, three-story 1915 home in Reservoir Hill. Segal is considering wallpapers like Morris & Co.’s Strawberry Thief in indigo and mineral and a largescale version of Van Gogh’s “Almond Blossom” for an accent wall beside the staircase and in the small strip of her dining room wall above the wood paneling that climbs almost all the way up to the ceiling.

She likes that these patterns are Victorian-inspired, reflecting her style of period-appropriate but with a modern twist—and unlike the “tacky and busy” wallpapers she remembers from the 1970s.

Experts note that once you’ve decided to take the plunge into wallpaper and chosen a pattern that reflects your personality, the next step is figuring out how to accessorize without clashing. Hodges says there’s no rule of thumb, instead depending entirely on the wallpaper and the artwork. If it’s something simple like grass cloth or a clean stripe, most artwork would work just fine.

“Some wallpaper wants to be on its own,” she cautions. “Maybe you put up wall baskets or a mirror instead of some paintings. It’s just a case of making sure they don’t compete.”

Jenkins agrees, adding that it really depends on whether you want the wallpaper or something else in the room to be the focus. “If you’re using a scenic or panoramic wallpaper, everything takes second place to that,” he says. “That’s the important design statement you’re making. So you just have to make a choice.”

Photography by Jennifer Hughes

CUSTOM HOUSE

The increased availability of wallpapers in shops such as Anthropologie and online has certainly boosted the trend, but some fans of wall coverings prefer to completely customize their decor. That’s when a company like Holland and Sherry Wallcovering Studio in Owings Mills comes into play.

According to product manager Aubrey Dunn, that very ubiquity is what makes designers seek their custom wallcoverings when looking for something more unique and special.

“Right now, about 30 percent of what we do is completely custom, and that’s designing everything from start to finish,” confirms Cory Barber, creative director of wallcoverings. They are so customized that Barber often designs the tools to make new papers when they don’t have what’s needed to create a desired texture or effect.

“It’s a lot of repurposing, cutting things apart, and having the background knowledge of how paint application works,” he says. And before you ask, yes, it’s pricier than prefabricated wallpaper. But you can’t put a price tag on individuality.

As we dive into the new year, we’re already starting to see new fitness trends take over our Instagram feeds. People are using the calendar to reset and fuel fresh goals, pursuing all things health and wellness. There’s no shortage of new tips, tricks, and fads, but we’re taking a look at the things we think will stick around for the full year.

Body and Mind

First and foremost, we’re seeing a shift from only-fitness to all-around wellness. In 2019, you’ll focus on training your body and your mind. People are realizing they need to look at the whole picture, not just the physical. From sleep to mental health and stress to nutrition, being “well” is at the top of the list and brands are making help accessible to all. Apps like Headspace are making meditation more mainstream and we’re seeing it more in Baltimore, with events by Jason Williams of Charm City PT and others. Local legend Michael Phelps is working to lessen the stigma around therapy, sharing his story of anxiety and depression, encouraging approachable apps like Talkspace to assist with mental health.

Easy Access

Companies, trainers, and brands are building new ways to make their information more easily accessible, particularly with digital fitness. Streaming and digital-guided workouts are everywhere and apps have multiplied on your phone, on your TV and even in your Mirror. Amazon-owned audiobook seller Audible even has audio-guided fitness programs available from Aaptiv. As we see more focus on convenience and easy-to-use programming, we know this trend will only continue to grow.

Shorter Workouts

Shorter workouts are on the rise (count us in!). People are busier than ever and are looking for a short, effective workouts to help them reach their goals. The 2019 MINDBODY Wellness Index Report shared that 44 percent of Americans “try to prioritize fitness when they can” but nearly 37 percent identify time constraints as a an obstacle to living a healthier life. Studios and digital leaders are offering shorter classes and sessions to cater to the demand.

Because of the time constraints, we’re also seeing a continued rise in HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workouts, which typically involve short bursts of high-intensity bouts of exercise followed by a short period of rest. While HIIT started with elite athletes and has been growing in interest since 2014, this trend has gone fully mainstream. ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal annual Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends ranks it in their top three of 2019 trends.

Low Impact

In an effort to balance high-intensity workouts and focus more on the long term, we’re also seeing a rise in swimming, walking, yoga, and other low-impact fitness activities. Swimming particularly has myriad benefits and can be perfect for people with osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, and even bad posture. But don’t think because it’s low impact means it’s easy—your body is working hard to move you through the water. You can even add in underwater weights like surf legend Laird Hamilton, cycle bikes like D.C.’s Splash Cycle, and much more.

According to MINDBODY, yoga and swimming topped the list of exercises Americans are most interested in trying next. Although popular across the board, when broken down further by age, swimming rises to the top with exercisers ages 45 to 65. The Washington Post reported that “baby boomers are retiring but not slowing down,” making way for specific low-impact programs tailored to their age group. While it hasn’t been in the top 10 for ACSM since 2007, they are showing that fitness clubs are capitalizing on these individuals because they generally have more discretionary money than their younger counterparts.

Recovery, Recovery, Recovery

Going along with the theme of overall wellness, you’re going to see a major emphasis on recovery in 2019. On a recent episode of the Tim Ferriss podcast, LeBron James and his trainer talked about the importance of his recovery, including sleep. While you may have seen a foam roller in the corner at your gym, you can expect to see more myofascial, stretching, and compression tools. More trainers and studios are also utilizing percussion tools, like the Theragun and Hypervolt, to add another layer to your pre and post-workout.

Blurred Lines

Lastly, in 2019 we’ll see expanded offerings from your favorite places and trainers. As we’ve seen here in Baltimore, major cities are becoming saturated with fitness options. It’s not only hard for you to choose just one, but it’s tough for studio owners to keep up with the competition. This year, you’re going to see some studios and instructors grow their offerings to accommodate and attract clients with new classes, workshops, hours, etc. On the other end of the spectrum, we’re also seeing a rise in class offerings from large gym brands—in an effort to keep up with the desire for small, unique experiences.

While most people start off their year thinking about meal preps and workout plans, we’re asking an entirely different question: What’s on tap in the drink world for 2019? We asked some local experts—brewers, distillers, bartenders, and wine makers—to conjure their best ESP skills and predict what drink styles we’ll be seeing more of in the year to come.

IPAs are Here to Stay
Brewers are still waiting for lagers to have their big day in the sun, but consumers will continue to want their beer hop-heavy. “Juicy, hazy, New England-style, brut, and sour will all continue to be applied to IPA, IPA, IPA,” says Union Craft Brewing co-owner Jon Zerivitz. However, some of the novelty of the milkshake-style IPAs might wear off and you’ll see brewers playing less with lactose than they did in 2018, according to Hop Culture. While Wet City owners PJ and Josh Sullivan say they are hearing “chatter” regarding lager beers, they echo the IPA growth prediction. “The popularity of Hazy IPAs is still going strong,” PJ says. “And we don’t see any end in sight.”
Where to try now: So many options! Change Order at Union; Lil Woozy at Wet City; Nobo at Monument City; Astrodon at Peabody Heights.

CBD, THC, OMG
It’s easy to find CBD—a cannabis compound that is not psychoactive like THC—in oils, juices, and sparkling water around town. But expect it to slip into more and more cocktails this coming year. Some bars will give you off-menu options and the bartenders at Gunther & Co. even mixed up some for a dispensary event last fall. This week, Frederick-based Flying Dog Brewery announced that it’s releasing Hop Chronic, a non-alcoholic IPA infused with therapeutic cannabinoids available at dispensaries throughout Maryland. (Release of the product is subject to regulatory and legal approvals.) “We see a lot of interest in cannabis from the craft beer community,” says Ben Savage, CMO of Flying Dog, which is partnering with Green Leaf Medical Cannabis on the product. “There are definitely similarities between the natural flavor profiles we extract from hops and the terpenes and found in cannabis.”
Where to try now: CBD oils are available at MOM’s Organic Market and area dispensaries to try out your cocktail-making skills at home.

Blurring of Categories
It’s no secret that the craft beverage market has become a really crowded space, so brands are looking to diversify and break out in any way they can. Looking at the year ahead, many breweries, wineries, cideries, and distilleries will be collaborating to come up with sub-genres to potentially attract a new customer base. “At our bar, we’ve seen kettle sours bring wine drinkers and people that don’t normally drink beer into the craft beer scene,” PJ of Wet City says. Lyon Distilling in St. Michael’s and Jailbreak Brewing in Laurel just collaborated on a “beerskey,” or a beer distilled into a whiskey, and Old Westminster Winery (OWW) is seeing great success by mixing it up. “Some of our most popular products are the wine and cider hybrids,” says Drew Baker, co-owner of OWW. “Producers—whether you’re making beer, wine, or spirits—are looking to fill that space in between.”
Where to try now: Pip & Berry from OWW at Grand Cru; Cherry Berliner Cider at Union Craft.

Non-Alcoholic Cocktails
Yes, this is a thing! Dry January participants can rejoice as the popularity of teetotalling and even zero-proof spirits will make a bigger impact on the market this year. “A large part of the population is not drinking as much as they used to or are a bit more conscientious about their intake,” says R. Bar manager Amie Ward. “This is a great thing! But it does require bars and restaurants to start thinking about alternative options. Simply throwing together juices isn’t going to cut it.” Non-alcoholic spirit companies—like Seedlip and Ceder’s—have launched in recent years, applying the same distilling process and equipment to create zero-proof booze. But, more commonly, bars in New York City, Chicago, and LA, are simply taking the alcohol out to create thoughtful and tasty mocktails.
Where to try now: R. Bar has four options that start as non-alcoholic and include a suggested spirit; Woodberry Kitchen has a lovely mocktail menu.

Ready-to-Drink
Thought the concept of bottled and canned cocktails has been around for a while, things are starting to get a little more sophisticated. “When people think ‘ready-to-drink,’ there is the unfortunate connotation of the sugary stuff from the 2000s,” says Jaime Windon, co-owner of Lyon and president of the Maryland Distillers Guild. “But you’re going to see the new age of bottled cocktails. You don’t have to go to the bar to necessarily have a beautiful cocktail.” Many brands around the country are bottling classic cocktails like the negroni (sign me up!) to elevate the trend. Next month, winemakers at OWW will be coming out with a low-calorie, low-proof spritzer cocktail in a can. As Windon sums up: “People want less work.”
Where to try now: The 84-proof Rock & Rum, basically a rum old-fashioned, at Lyon Distilling.

Fermentation Experimentation
Of course, the fermentation process is crucial in making alcohol of all forms and flavors, but expect people to get pretty weird this year. Brewers will play more with barrel-fermented and mixed-fermented sours for extra tart and acidity, which many drinkers in the market have demanded. Plus, fermented beverages like kombucha will still have a place as mixers or additives in booze. And exotic fermented cocktails like the pineapple-flavored Tepache are staying prevalent on local bar menus, as well. “I’ve many customers start to appreciate the more complex, mixed-fermentation sours these days,” says PJ of Wet City.
Where to try now: The Artista Zynergia barrel-aged sour series at Wet City; Tepache at Alma Cocina Latina and Clavel.

If you’ve started to notice hints of yellow lining the walls and shelves of your favorite stores, you’re not crazy, it’s full-on happening.

This bright and cheery color, which fashion blog Man Repeller dubbed “Gen-Z Yellow” is the new hue filling the closets of the young, hip, and fashion forward—dethroning the once-popular “Millennial Pink” that we have seen everywhere over the past year.

While this sunny shade can be intimidating to most, the trend extends itself to different shades of yellow, such as canary, gold, and mustard, allowing people of all complexions to embrace it.

Looking for a simple way to elevate your wardrobe? The tassel is this season’s go-to embellishment, effortlessly taking any outfit from bleak to chic. Long gone are the days of only seeing tassels on graduation caps or your grandmother’s curtains. This fun fashion add-on is hanging—literally—on everything from handbags and apparel to jewelry and footwear.

Some people jiggle their leg—others click their pens or doodle in their notepads. Fidgeting and finding outlets to control these ticks aren’t new, but there is a trendy toy that has spun its way into the hands of consumers everywhere to help channel these urges. 

A fidget spinner is a palm-sized toy that has a central core and usually 2-3 propeller-like blades that users can spin with two fingers. The kid’s toy is said to relieve nervous energy, even calming ADHD and psychological stress.

“They really came fast out of nowhere,” said Flora Stelzer, co-owner of Shananigans Toy Shop in Roland Park, whose original supply of fidget spinners didn’t last long before they had to order more. “We would get 10 phone calls a day from people asking us to look for them. We had kids line up after school waiting for them.”

Stelzer says the popularity started for her store in April, when kids ages 6-14 would ask for the toy in high demand.

But, in reality, the origin for the fidget spinner dates back further. While there is no clear inventor of the product, Catherine Hettinger is cited as being the creator of the toy by The New York Times and The Guardian because of a “spinning toy” she got a patent for in 1997. But Hettinger acknowledges that there is no concrete connection between her own invention and the fidget spinner.

The little gadget has taken over the Internet and is sold by everywhere from Amazon to street vendors. Videos of fidget spinner tricks have gone viral, with one YouTube video garnering more than 42 million views.

Unlike most toys that have had their five minutes of fame (think slime or hoverboards), these spinners claim to actually be helpful to users rather than solely existing for entertainment. 

Dr. Pilar Trelles, a psychiatrist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, acknowledges the benefits in an interview with health.com and encourages using gadgets like this along with actual treatments. Trelles admits that the effectiveness of these spinners depend on each individuals place on anxiety/autism/ADHD spectrums, so it won’t work for everyone. 

One post on Amazon furthers this and claims that they can be “helpful for anxiety, focusing, ADHD, autism, quitting bad habits, staying awake. Definitely a blessing for someone with a nervous disorder where keeping the hands busy is a symptom.”

While fidget spinners have primarily been used as entertainment or an anxiety reducer, they can also be a source of scientific inspiration. Such is the case for artist C. Harvey, the mobile maker manager at Open Works in Greenmount West.

Coming from an engineering background, Harvey noticed that there weren’t enough high quality and relevant STEM programs for black youth so she wanted to introduce 3D printing technology, in a way that was non-intimidating and relatable to their lives.

“These kids don’t relate to making sailboats or robots, so I asked them what they would want to invent if they had 5 million dollars and they said fidget spinners,” Harvey said.

So with 3D printing pens in hand, Harvey went over to a local recreation center to meet with kids K-8 and that’s exactly what they did. The kids were excited to make their own spinners, and learned a lot about how to use advanced technology the entire time.

With that said, not everyone has such a positive attitude towards these toys. Though many find the spinning to be calming, others find the spinning to be incredibly distracting. So much so that schools and some individual teachers from multiple states including Florida, Connecticut, and New York have already banned these toys from classrooms.

According to a report on WMAR, spokesmen for the Baltimore County and Anne Arundel County Public School systems say they haven’t experienced any problems to impose a similar district-wide ban.

Though this gadget seems to be taking the world by storm, Stelzer at Shananigans is sure that this is only a fad. She laughs and says, “they’ll be on to something else soon, maybe even by the time you print this.”