Move over, smart homes: Washingtonians want quiet spaces to escape constant stimulation from screens and notifications, designer Zoë Feldman tells Axios.

The big picture: More homeowners nationwide are creating "dumb homes," says Beth McGroarty, vice president of research at the Global Wellness Institute. It's part of a broader "analog wellness" movement.

By the numbers: Reading nooks are now being mentioned 48% more often in Zillow listings compared to a year ago, reflecting "the growing demand for unplugged relaxation at home," according to Zillow's 2026 Home Trends Report.

• Pinterest searches for "digital detox aesthetic" are up 95% over the past year, per the platform's 2026 Parenting Trend Report.

What they're saying: Clients asking for unplugged spaces crave "a different pace of living," Feldman says, "where they can land at the end of the day and feel held rather than pulled in a dozen directions."

• Feldman, herself, lived in a house with a pink sunroom filled with books, art supplies, toys and other analog items that "bring back a sense of presence."
• She moved out less than a year ago, but she remembers the space as a "soft landing zone … where my children could read and play, and where I spent so much time caring for them as babies."

Zoom in: D.C. homeowners James and Ellen Patterson turned their unfinished basement into an "analog room" for screen-free music, games and gatherings, James told the Wall Street Journal.

• Retro guitars, a turntable and a vinyl record collection fill the dark gray-green painted space designed by BarnesVanze Architects and Colman Riddell.

The bottom line: "Playing a game with family or doing your own little impromptu karaoke is just so much more joyful than getting on your phone and scrolling for 45 minutes," James said.

You don't need to renovate an entire room to join the slow-living trend.

• Start by editing one corner, D.C. designer Zoë Feldman says.

Why it matters: "When a space invites you to linger, even briefly, it starts to change how you move through your home."

Here are three edits Feldman suggests trying today:

• Turn off the overhead lighting.
• Add a lamp with a warm glow.
• Bring in something tactile, like a woven textile, a ceramic, or a stack of books.

The bottom line: The goal is to create a space that "feels human rather than optimized," Feldman says. Remove anything that doesn't help you get there.

Landlines may be ringing again in some households — but they remain especially rare in D.C.

By the numbers: Nationwide, roughly 4 in 5 adults lived in homes with only cell service and owned a cell phone by the end of 2024, according to a federal survey.

• Adults in the South (81%), Midwest (80%) and West (79%) were more likely to be "wireless-only" than those in the Northeast (66%).

The big picture: Parents are adding landlines back to their homes to give their kids a way to chat with friends without their own smartphones, the Washington Post reports.

• Some Gen Zers have also embraced corded phones for an escape (and the aesthetic).

You've heard of manscaping. Now meet goatscaping: using goats and sheep to trim overgrown yards, clear brush and tackle weeds.

Why it matters: If you're tired of noisy, gas-guzzling mowers and chemical sprays, rental goats or sheep may be for ewe.

The big picture: Using animals to trim grass and clear vegetation is more biblical than new. But over the past two decades, targeted grazing has grown as a quieter, greener alternative to herbicides and machines.

• It's especially popular in wildfire-prone areas — an increasing concern in our region — as goats and sheep can clear thousands of pounds of dry, flammable vegetation a day and return it to the soil.

Zoom in: Virginia-based LambMowers.com services yards of all sizes in the DMV.

• Founder and chief shepherd Cory Suter keeps a flock of sheep and lambs that munch grass and invasive species starting at $195 for two hours.
• Suter touts the eco-benefits — droppings that help restore carbon and water retention in soil — but the social perks are just as fruitful.

What they're saying: "We create a lot of impromptu parties and help people meet their neighbors for the first time," Suter says.

• His flock also visits preschools, community groups and birthday parties eager to entertain kids while the sheep clear dandelions and do some side-mowing.

Good to know: There are limits.

• Goats and sheep can't eat English ivy — it's toxic — or graze yards recently treated with chemicals.
• In D.C., permits are required, so advance booking is a must (and Suter says the lambs are very in demand).

🐐 In the weeds? Browsing Green Goats — locally famous for clearing Congressional Cemetery — is a woman-owned venture that tackles tough, invasive species like poison ivy, kudzu and knotweed.

• But goat rentals aren't for everyone: The vegetation has to be right, and projects require at least a half acre. Prices start at $2,250 — or you can request a "goatstimate."

Memorial Day weekend is coming — and we want your best backyard BBQ wisdom.

• Did you perfect a side dish or batched drink? Have a hosting hack that keeps things stress-free?
• What's your golden rule for being a good guest?

Email [email protected] or hit reply with your name and neighborhood. We may feature your insights in an upcoming newsletter.