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A guide to fun things to do in D.C. this weekend.

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The Friday afternoon before Labor Day is projected to be the busiest time on the road in D.C. this holiday weekend.

Why it matters: Planning to drive during off times could save you hours in the car.

Zoom in: The peak congestion period is expected from the District to Baltimore via the Balt/Wash Pkwy at 1:45pm on Friday, according to INRIX, a provider of transportation data that works with AAA.

That route is expected to take an hour and 9 minutes — 33% longer than the typical travel time.

INRIX reports that overall the times with the least amount of traffic this holiday weekend are:

Sunday anytime (minimal traffic is expected overall).

What they're saying: "The best times to travel by car over Labor Day weekend are early in the morning or in the evening," says Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX.

"If you must travel during heavy traffic, navigation apps and local departments of transportation can help steer drivers around long delays."

How to avoid Labor Day traffic nightmares in D.C.

Planning to drive during off times could save you hours in the car.

Illustration of a steering wheel as a clock with a highlighted portion in red

Hub Data - All

The Friday afternoon before Labor Day is projected to be the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="busiest time on the road" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/30/labor-day-weekend-travel-driving-traffic-2023" data-vars-content-id="19561924-6036-4b7f-92ff-7401db9e09bd" data-vars-headline="How to avoid Labor Day traffic nightmares in D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/30/labor-day-weekend-travel-driving-traffic-2023" target="_self">busiest time on the road</a> in D.C. this holiday weekend.Why it matters: Planning to drive during off times could save you hours in the car.

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Vertical white siding, charming porches, black window casings, shiplap and apron sinks have taken over home design in D.C.'s suburbs.

Why it matters: Modern farmhouses have dethroned McMansions as the suburban dream home.

Driving the news: The breezy, neutral style was popularized 10 years ago when Chip and Joanna Gaines launched HGTV's "Fixer Upper."

What they're saying: "There's going to be a spot in architectural history for the modern farmhouse," says Kensington-based designer Laura Fox.

The uniform modern farmhouse style is still popular for exteriors, but Fox's clients are leaning more into color and other pops of personality on the inside.

The big picture: The style might be here to stay, especially after retailers like Target and homebuilders jumped on the bandwagon.

The ease of replicating the look "has played a significant role in the phenomenon of the modern farmhouse," says Veronica Valencia, host of HGTV's "Revealed."

"As a homeowner, when you look at a simple modern farmhouse room, you immediately feel like 'oh! I can tackle that!' There are no bells and whistles to it. … It's simple and familiar."

If you want to incorporate the style at home, here are Valencia's top tips:

🎨 Paint your walls light, bright white.

🪑 Accessorize with antiques and modern lighting.

🖼 Frame large, contemporary prints with natural wood.

🔨 Install shiplap vertically instead of horizontally and then paint with your favorite color.

What's next: "People will make the home their destination," Fox says.

Expect homes to feel like boutique hotels with rich paint colors, wallpaper and expertly paired old and new furnishings.

Some experts have already declared the death of the modern farmhouse movement, but Pinterest searches related to the style have exploded since last summer.

Between the lines: The average consumer isn't ready to quit the approachable style.

What they're saying: "Pinners are also putting their own spin on the trend to make spaces feel like their own," says Swasti Sarna, global director of data insights at Pinterest.

"Moody farmhouse" and "vintage farmhouse" are both trending.

Modern farmhouse design dominates DMV suburbs

Seen more vertical white siding and charming porches lately?

Front/side view of house with vertical white siding, white beams and black window casings

A modern farmhouse in Maryland. Photo: The Washington Post via Getty Images

Real estate

Vertical white siding, charming porches, black window casings, shiplap and apron sinks have taken over home design in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="D.C.&#x27;s suburbs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/06/10/washington-dc-suburb-real-estate-home-prices" data-vars-content-id="2cef40c7-c3af-4dbf-a920-5ec67cb55306" data-vars-headline="Modern farmhouse design dominates DMV suburbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2023/06/10/washington-dc-suburb-real-estate-home-prices" target="_self">D.C.&#x27;s suburbs</a>.Why it matters: Modern farmhouses have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dethroned McMansions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/07/realestate/modern-farmhouse-suburbs.html" data-vars-content-id="2cef40c7-c3af-4dbf-a920-5ec67cb55306" data-vars-headline="Modern farmhouse design dominates DMV suburbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/07/realestate/modern-farmhouse-suburbs.html" target="_blank">dethroned McMansions</a> as the suburban dream home.

Real Estate

D.C. homeowners are among those thinking about wellness when they renovate their bathrooms.

Organic materials, a bathing setup near a window and large showerheads are just a few ways locals are making bathrooms more luxe.

Why it matters: As more people make home design choices in the name of wellness, bathrooms are getting more spa-like, which could have mental health benefits.

Zoom in: When D.C. residents upgrade their bathrooms, they consider adjusting everything from plumbing fixtures and lighting to toilets and shower stalls.

What they're saying: Now, "everyone seems drawn to a shower that is light and open. … Gone is the expectation of any privacy between the shower and the rest of the [bathroom]," Dale Overmyer, owner of Overmyer Architects in D.C., tells Axios.

Zoom out: When removing a bathtub, 78% of U.S. homeowners enlarge the shower, according to a 2022 Houzz trend report

And "larger walk-in showers" tops the list of desired bathroom features — with 60% of respondents interested — per a national survey by The American Institute of Architects.

By the numbers: During a bathroom renovation, more than three in four homeowners incorporate premium features, per Houzz, such as:

A photo showing a white bathroom with two sinks, exposed plumbing underneath, a see-through shower with glass doors and multiple sprayers and a bathtub

A traditional bathroom by Overmyer Architects. Photo courtesy of: Gordon Beall Photography

This Georgetown bathroom has taken tranquility to the next level with generous space, a simple color palette and several shower sprayers.

The project cost an estimated $75K, according to Overmyer.

"Keeping things neutral and visually peaceful and calm [helps make for a] spa-like experience in your own home," Overmyer says.

Intentional details like handmade tile can keep "your eye entertained" and speak to "a narrative of something older and creative."

Go deeper: New home trend: Spa-like showers

D.C. bathroom upgrades look spa-like

Organic materials, a bathing setup near a window and large shower heads are just a few ways locals are making bathrooms more luxe.

An illustration showing a shower head dressed with cucumber eyes and a towel around it's "head" like a person

A photo showing a white bathroom with two sinks, exposed plumbing underneath, two mirrors, a see-through glass shower with multiple sprayers and a bathtub

D.C. homeowners are among those <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="thinking about wellness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/09/bathroom-renovations-showers-mental-health" data-vars-content-id="8c35481d-b082-4357-ab74-4b59127812a5" data-vars-headline="D.C. bathroom upgrades look spa-like" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/09/bathroom-renovations-showers-mental-health" target="_self">thinking about wellness</a> when they renovate their bathrooms.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Organic materials" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonian.com/2023/05/15/check-out-the-statement-making-wood-vanities-in-these-bathrooms/" data-vars-content-id="8c35481d-b082-4357-ab74-4b59127812a5" data-vars-headline="D.C. bathroom upgrades look spa-like" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonian.com/2023/05/15/check-out-the-statement-making-wood-vanities-in-these-bathrooms/" target="_blank">Organic materials</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a bathing setup near a window" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/realestate/georgetown-home-renovation.html" data-vars-content-id="8c35481d-b082-4357-ab74-4b59127812a5" data-vars-headline="D.C. bathroom upgrades look spa-like" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/realestate/georgetown-home-renovation.html" target="_blank">a bathing setup near a window</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="large showerheads" data-vars-click-url="https://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/house-tours/a41589389/washington-dc-bathroom-renovation/" data-vars-content-id="8c35481d-b082-4357-ab74-4b59127812a5" data-vars-headline="D.C. bathroom upgrades look spa-like" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/house-tours/a41589389/washington-dc-bathroom-renovation/" target="_blank">large showerheads</a> are just a few ways locals are making bathrooms more luxe.</li></ul>Why it matters: As more people make <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="home design choices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiegold/2023/03/21/design-associations-top-2023-trends-feature-wellness-design/?sh=743a97835c41" data-vars-content-id="8c35481d-b082-4357-ab74-4b59127812a5" data-vars-headline="D.C. bathroom upgrades look spa-like" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiegold/2023/03/21/design-associations-top-2023-trends-feature-wellness-design/?sh=743a97835c41" target="_blank">home design choices</a> in the name of wellness, bathrooms are getting more spa-like, which could have mental health benefits.

Carly Mallenbaum

Featured stories

D.C. bathroom upgrades look spa-like

How to avoid Labor Day traffic nightmares in D.C.

Modern farmhouse design dominates DMV suburbs