What is an in-law apartment and exactly how would it be of use in a home? An in-law apartment is a living space separate from the main living area in a home. It typically is located in a basement, above a garage, attached onto the house, or in some instances detached, but still on the property.  These apartments typically need to include a separate entrance, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and living area in order to be up to regulations.

Having in-law apartments are becoming increasingly popular. Contrary to the name, in-law apartments aren’t just for in laws.  They can be a great place for aging family members, but also for caregivers if the owners of the house want to age in place.  If a young family needs a little assistance from their family or an adult kid moved back home after college, this is also a great option. Lastly, in some cities, you may even be able to rent it out to strangers.

There are many regulations you have to follow if you want to build or create an in-law apartment, but there could be many benefits to doing so, if you could afford the costs that may be involved. The costs can be around $40,000 for spaces that you are converting, but can be much more costly ($100,000 or more) for those that aren’t attached to the main home.

Creating an in-law apartment can be beneficial to the homeowners and the surrounding community.  If renting out the in-law apartment, this can help provide a second source of income for the family.  An in-law apartment can be a great investment to add onto your home.

Your bathroom is one of the most important rooms of your house, as it’s the one room that all of your guests will see at one point or another during their visit.  It’s important to keep it looking neat and organized, but that can be a difficult task if you don’t have much space. See below for 15 storage hacks that will keep your bathroom organized and your guests impressed.

For pedestal sinks, invest in a wrap around shelf. Get a curved organizer that is tiered to get the most space possible. If this isn’t an option you’d like to invest in, you can dress your sink in a shirt and hide baskets of towels or other items behind it.

Use the inside door of your medicine cabinet. You can purchase little organizers for the back of your medicine cabinet drawer and store anything small behind it. This can include toothbrushes, nail polish, makeup, Q-tips, nail clippers, etc.
 

Install a slender picture ledge above your sink and below your mirror. You can put soap, perfume, lotion, and other necessities on this ledge, displayed neatly. This will also help to keep items off the sink itself.

Store bath toys in hollowed out step stool. This is a great hack if you have small children that can’t quite reach the sink. Store their toys in the step stool and you’re not missing using any more space than you already would have.

Install towel racks on the back of bathroom door. This is a great way for your bathroom to look clean compared to them hanging and falling off hooks.

Store your bathroom products like shoes on the curtain. If you have a ton of products you use in the shower, consider hanging a plastic shoe organizer inside of the shower curtain. This keeps it invisible when your guests use your bathroom and keeps your products organized.

Wine racks = Towel Holders. If you like rolling your towels, the way you see hotels, this hack may be for you. Roll your towels and place them in a wine rack for an interesting look on the wall.

Put shelves above your toilet. This is a great way to utilize typically unused space.  Store toilet paper, decorations, and other products here.

Install an extra shower rod. You can store your items hanging off the top in little organizers.

Use mason jar storage. Having several boxes around your bathroom can look messy and disorganized. Use mason jars to store cotton balls, Q-tips, and other items instead.

Build drawers in the wasted space between studs in the wall. This can save you a lot of extra space; however, you may want someone experienced to help you build and install this for you.

Fireplaces are a touch to any home and can be of various uses. If it’s nighttime and cold, you may have a fire and huddle around it for warmth. If it’s warm outside, you can sit around an outdoor fireplace or fire pit and roast marshmallows. Either way, having a fireplace is an in demand amenity that can liven up your home.  For the purpose of this blog post, we are going to focus on the differences between indoor gas, wood, and electric fireplaces.

Wood Fireplaces
Wood fireplaces are charming and traditional. It’s the oldest option for fireplaces and is typically what people think of when it comes to fireplaces. A wood-burning fireplace has the appeal look, sound, and smell that the other options don’t have. However, they are also more maintenance. The pros and cons are listed below.

Pros

• Excellent ambiance
• It provides heat and light should electricity go out
• You can choose what type of fire is burned

Cons

• Can be quite expensive to install
• High maintenance (you need to buy and/or chop your own wood)
• Can spit out burning embers – (screens are encouraged for safety reasons)
• May lose more heat than what they produce

Gas Fireplaces
Gas fireplaces are becoming increasingly more popular in recent years.  This option doesn’t contain a lot of maintenance compared to wood fireplaces. They are an excellent choice for those that live more fast paced lives, as it’s quick to start up a fire (just a touch of a button!)  

Pros

• You can almost instantly start a fire
• Maintenance is minimal
• You can use your gas fireplace to keep warm even if the electricity goes out
• They don’t require chimneys
• The flame is behind glass

Cons

• Installing gas fireplaces can be expensive
• Ceramic logs are generally used and the ambiance, sound, and look isn’t as good as with a wood fireplace

Electric Fireplaces
Electric fireplaces emerged as a result of our world becoming more digitalized. An electric fireplace is an image of a fire being displayed. It’s the safest option, but while it still gives off heat, it’s the only option that shows a fake fire.

Pros

• The least expensive of the three
• Easy to install and use (just plug it in!)
• Portable
• Ideal for tight spaces

Cons

• The fire isn’t real
• They won’t work during a power outage
• Style options are limited
• Essentially a space heater with slightly more ambiance

Having a fireplace is a great amenity to have that adds style to any home. Each style – wood, gas, or electric – has pros and cons depending upon what you are exactly looking for. This amenity is great to have on cool nights and can provide more value to your home.

By Day: Gerry joined Norcom in December of 2015 as the Director of Compliance. Soon after, in May 2016, he was promoted to General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer. The only consistent thing with his day-to-day life at the office is enjoying a morning coffee. He works with most departments on a weekly basis; however, he works closest with the Closing, Processing, and Compliance departments. When asked about what he enjoys most about working for Norcom, he replied, “I’m constantly learning, continually challenged, and always feel like I am an integral part of a growing and ever-changing company.”

By Night: During the week, Gerry’s nights are usually pretty hectic. He is often seen supporting his kids at soccer or baseball when they have practices or games. When no events are going on, he runs any errands he didn’t get to over the weekend before coming home just in time to say goodnight to his wife (she goes to bed on the early side since she works on the Mike & Mike show for ESPN and needs to be there at 5am!) He will spend some time talking to his kids about whatever their current obsession is (currently WWE) before squeezing in some time to train for one of his running or triathlon races.  Gerry doesn’t have much free time, but when he does get some, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, being active outside – biking, running, swimming, and eating and drinking.  The most important people in his life are his immediate family. He states, “They make sure I don’t completely go off the deep end, most of the time.”  Gerry’s nights, like the day, are often very busy and hectic. At the end of each day he is exhausted and looks forward to sleeping.  He says, “It’s a crazy life, but I love it.”

There’s nothing quite like summer in New England. Whether you are a resident or just visiting this summer, be sure to check out one of these local events!

CONNECTICUT

June 4 – Summer French Country Market
Come for the cheese tasting, antiques, artisans crafts and sumptuous food. Find 25 vendors with treasures that are chippy, tattered, cottage colorful and farm style. The French Country Market is putting the Farm back in Farmers Markets. Well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome, but be aware of safety of the free range turkeys, ducks and chickens about the farm.

Location: Beltane Farm
Time: 9am – 2pm

June 11 - Textile Treasures Tour
Among the brilliantly colored and richly detailed clothing, shoes, and linens from the 1690s to mid-1800s in the Webb-Deane-Stevens collection are several Sarah Noyes Chester crewelwork pieces. The public can get a behind-the-scenes view of this historic and remarkably well-preserved collection during the Textile Treasures Digging Deeper Tour. The tour repeats on August 13 and October 8. Space is limited and advance-ticket purchase is recommended.

Location: Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum
Time: Tours are at 10:30 and 1:30pm

June 11 – South Windsor Strawberry Festival and Craft Fair
Come for food, fun, music, entertainment, and craft vendors.

Location: 72 Chief Ryan Way, South Windsor
Time: 9am – 5:30pm

June 11 – 12 – Art at Ives Juried Fine Art and Crafts Show
This event presents 76 artists working in ceramics, fiber, drawing, painting, digital art, photography, glass, metal work, mixed media, sculpture, wearable art, jewelry and wood. Discover how to create origami or draw portraiture with live art demonstrations. Great food and live music, children's events featuring the art of puppetry. The event will be held rain or shine.

Location: Ives Concert Park at WCSU
Time: 10am – 5pm

June 14 -16 – Abraham.In.Motion
Choreographer Kyle Abraham and his company Abraham.In.Motion present work combining provocative, refined movement with compelling themes of identity and racial tensions. Live Music Program features The Gettin’ with live music composed by jazz artist Robert Glasper who reimagines Max Roach’s We Insist! Freedom Now Suite, Absent Matter, and The Quiet Dance. Part of the Festival of Arts and Ideas.

Location: University Theater, New Haven
Time: 8pm

MASSACHUSETTS

June 1 – Revels Spring Pub Sing
Join Revels at the spring pub sing at Doyle's Cafe. Music director George Emlen will lead everyone in song from the Revels Pub Sing Songbook after food and beverages.

Location: Doyle’s Café, Jamaica Plain
Time: 6pm

June 16 – Marini Farm Strawberry Festival
Start with a visit to our acres of strawberry picking, visit the inflatable park with the kids which includes large inflatables with slides, games, and inside exploration, and top it all off with a juicy piled high strawberry shortcake.

Location: Marini Farm, Ipswich
Time: 10am – 5pm

June 17 - 19 – Nantucket Book Festival
The Nantucket Book Festival features an impressive literary roster including Billy Collins, Diane Rehm, Sebastian Junger, Emma Sky, J. Kael Weston, Diane Ackerman, Nathaniel Philbrick, Alice Hoffman, Geraldine Brooks and Jack Gantos. Readings and discussions will be held throughout the island's downtown cultural district.

Location: Nantucket
For more information: http://nantucketbookfestival.org/

June 18 – Great Barrington Heritage Day
Events include a guided canoe paddle, bike ride, outdoor walks, downtown tours, and screenings of classic movies and backstage tours at the Mahaiwe. Explore Our Watershed is a 3-mile guided hike to Lake Mansfield. Guests also may join a tour of the Housatonic River Walk, a canoe paddle down the Housatonic River, a bike ride in Great Barrington and Housatonic Village, farmstead tours, a photo walk, a walking tour of the W.E.B. Du Bois home site, a two-hour hike to "Find Iron Industry History in the Woods.”

Location: Various Locations, Great Barrington
Time: 9am – 9pm

June 18 – Key West Party and Auction with Pilgrim Hall Museum
At this breezy party and fundraiser, enjoy silent and live auctions, live music by Pan Loco Steel Band, and food by Mama Mia’s. RSVP by June 10. Tickets may be purchased online.

Location: Pilgrim Hall Museum, Plymouth
Time: 5-9pm

June 20 – Summer Solstice Celebration
Enjoy a fun evening with circus performers, music, dance, food trucks, and hands-on activities, for all ages, with free admission to the Harvard Semitic Museum, Peabody Museum, and Harvard Museum of Natural History. Create a summer crown with flowers; make and wear an Egyptian ornament, or craft your own sun streamer with powerful Aztec sun symbols. email: hmsc@hmsc.harvard.edu

Location: Harvard Museums of Science and Culture, Cambridge
Time: 5 – 9pm

June 23 – The Moth
This popular program on National Public Radio spotlights ordinary people telling true stories. Each show starts with a theme, and the storytellers explore it, often in unexpected ways.

Location: Wilbur Theater, Boston
Time: 7:30pm

June 25 – Garden Artistry Orleans Garden Tour
Six lovely Orleans gardens will be on display. Gardens from the Master Gardener Association of Cape Cod will be on site to answer questions. Plein air painters and local musicians will be present at selected gardens. After tour receptions will be held at local galleries from 4 6 p.m.; you can sip wine and meet the artists. Tickets will be available early May. Email: OIAGardenTour@gmail.com

Location: Nauset Regional Middle School
Time: 10am – 4pm

June 25 – 26 – The Vintage Bazaar
Over 175 outdoor boutiques feature antiques, vintage finds , architectural salvage, rusty junk, repurposed goodness, indie crafts and one-of-a-kind artisans. This weekend festival also offers unique fare & food trucks, live music, family activities, book signings and demonstrations!

Location: Pettengill Farm, Salisbury
Time: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m - 5 p.m. (Early Bird Hours - Saturday only, 8:30 - 10 a.m.)

June 29 – July 27– Wacky Wednesday’s Family Concerts
June 29 -- Karen K and the Jitterbugs, featuring toe-tapping original music for tots and grownups alike.; July 6 -- Keith Munslow combines rock solid funky piano tunes, hilarious stories and lightning fast cartooning on July 6. July 13 -- Little Groove, playing fun, catchy, educational, and danceable music for children and adults; July 20 -- Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys perform their original music in an encore Wacky Wednesdays performance. ; July 27 -- Zak Morgan performs his unique brand of children's music and poems that tickle the funny bone on

Location: Jane Carr Amphitheater, Hingham
Time: 10am

July 22 – Glass Flowers Soiree
For guests over age 21, this evening will celebrate the Harvard Museum of Natural History's Glass Flowers exhibition. Come with a date, with friends, or make new friends as you enjoy cocktails and music while strolling through the museum's 15 exhibitions.

Location: Harvard Museum of Natural History, Cambridge
Time: 7pm – 10pm

MAINE

June 3 – ART Walk
ART Walk showcases a wide variety of fine art and craft, with special performance events including theatre or music at locations throughout the town. See traditional and contemporary art, much of the work by local artists, including wall art, sculpture, glass, pottery, jewelry and fiber arts. Pick up your walking map at the Chamber of Commerce, most lodging establishments, at the galleries and other participating venues.

Location: Chamber of Commerce, Bar Habor
Time: 6-9pm

June 9 – 12 – Back to the Beach Corvette Weekend

Corvettes fill up Old Orchard Beach. Email RalphSandie@back2thebeach.net

Location: Old Orchard Beach
Time: All Day

June 18 – Rock The Boat After Party
This VIP after-party will feature live music, a champagne toast, creative cocktails and small bites of delicious food on board a Kennebunk-area vessel, Spirit of Massachusetts. Get your front-row seat for the boat parade. This is an event of LAUNCH! A Maritime Festival in Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, and Arundel.

Location: The Spirit of Massachusetts Schooner, Kennebunkport
Time: 8 – 11pm

June 18 – River Lights Boat Parade
This boat parade features sparkling lights and fun decorations! This is an event of LAUNCH! A Maritime Festival in Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, and Arundel.

Location: Kennebunk Lower Village
Time: Dusk

June 18 – 19 - Art in the Park
Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park have been captured on canvas since the mid-1800s by noted American painters. Painters -- known as "rusticators" -- flocked to the area in the 1800s, to see the magnificent landscapes with their own eyes. Art in the Park will showcase original works of more than 30 painters and photographers.

Location: Village Green Bar Habor
Time: 10am – 5pm

June 19 – Fathers Day Concert
Dance the day away with your dad and the rest of your family in Agamont Park! Happening on Sunday, June 19, 2016, in Agamont Park in downtown Bar Harbor, the free outdoor concert will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the music will stop at 7 p.m.

Location: Agamont Park, Bar Harbor
Time: 5:30 – 7pm

NEW HAMPSHIRE

June 11 – 19 – Laconia Motorcycle Week
Laconia Bike Week celebrates the 93rd Anniversary of the World's Oldest Motorcycle Rally. This weeklong event will feature racing, hill climbs, music, wild contests, bike shows, and top of the line vendors.

Location: Various Locations, Laconia
Time: All Day

June 15 – Sand Sculpture Competition
The fun starts June 15, when 250 tons of imported sand is dropped on Hampton Beach and expert sand sculptors go to work. The work and competition take place all weekend, but the entire area is illuminated for night viewing through July 4. 

Location: Hampton Beach
Time: All Day

July 9 – Antique & Classic Automobile Show
A gathering of automobiles from the past at this classic country estate. View stunning examples of auto dating from the turn of the century through 1979. Food and beverages will be available for purchase in the Meadows by Shannon Pond, where the show will take place. All production automobiles built before 1980 are welcome! Registration to show a vehicle is $20 to $25.

Location: Castle in the Clouds, Moultonborough
Time: 10am – 3pm

August 6 – 14 – League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair
The Craftsmen's Fair showcases the work of 300 of the finest craftspeople in the country. See and shop for one-of-a-kind fine craft that is both beautiful and functional. The fair offers shopping for handmade crafts, daily craft demonstrations, workshops for all ages, including all-day pottery classes and Tools for Kids, fashions and accessories at the CraftWear Exhibition, a Sculpture Garden, strolling performers like puppets, magicians, mind readers, and musicians. No pets are allowed on the fairgrounds or left in vehicles.

Location: Mount Sunapee Resort, Newbury
Time: 10am – 5pm

RHODE ISLAND

June 11-12 – Rhode Island National Guard House and Air Show
The airshow offers the finest aerial and static displays along with activities for people of all ages. The events features flyovers by the USAF Thunderbirds.

Location: Air National Guard Base, Quonset
Time: 10am – 4pm

June 18, July 9, July 23, August 6, August 20, September 24 – Waterfire
All full WaterFire installations light up over eighty braziers from Waterplace Park to Memorial/South Main Street Park. Partial lightings usually include all of the braziers from Providence Place Mall to Steeple Street. Lighting occurs shortly after sunset and the event continues until half past midnight. Food vendors will be located on Washington, College and Steeple Streets.

Location: Waterplace Park, Providence
Time: Time Dependent Upon Date

June 24 – 26 – Newport Flower Show
Colorful floral designs, horticulture exhibits, garden displays, unique shopping, champagne & jazz brunch, afternoon tea, lectures and demonstrations, children's activities. Presentations by guests Bruno Duarte and Bonny Williams.

Location: Rosecliff, 548 Bellevue Avenue, Newport
Time: Friday, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
          Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 

July 22 – 24 – 2016 Newport Antiques Show
The Newport Antiques Show is one of the nation’s premier antiques venues presenting a wide selection of important Americana antiques: paintings, furniture, folk art, jewelry, and fine and decorative arts. General admission tickets can be purchased at the door or online. The Gala Preview Party will take place Thursday July 21, 2016.

Location: St. George’s School, Middletown
Time: Friday & Saturday - 10am - 6pm
          Sunday - 10am - 4pm

VERMONT

June 11 – 12 – Manchester Antique & Classic Car Show
Thousands of spectators and hundreds of car collectors turn out each year to enjoy an exciting array of vintage vehicles along with food, silent auctions, 50/50 raffles, tractor rides and strolls on the show field, and a flea market. The annual car parade is Saturday at 4 p.m. The Tailgate Competition will take place and be judged on Sunday as well as the judging for Best of the 1940s, ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s

Location: Dorr Farm, Manchester
Time: Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
          Sunday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

August 6 – 7 – Art in the Park – Fine Art & Craft Festival
Art in the Park has been named one of the “Sunshine Artist 200 Best,” and voted Rutland Herald’s Best of the Best in the category of Best Arts Festival. Added value like food, music, craft demonstrations, and kids activities are also offered.

Location: Main Street Park, Rutland
Time: 10am – 5pm