Mountain Town Living

The Park City area real estate market not only survived but thrived in 2020, one of the few industries that did not suffer during the COVID-19 pandemic - according to The Park Record. In a press release summarizing real estate performance in the past year, the Park City Board of Realtors said it was expecting a severe depression in the market but that “expected housing slump … failed to materialize.” The market showed strong appreciation, with notable increases in average and median sale prices.

“Fears that the market might be facing a slow, sustained recovery period were short lived,” the release stated. “While the market dipped quickly in April, by mid-June the market had recovered fully and by year’s end 2020 had set records across the board for sales totals and median prices.”

Park City tops Travel+Leisure's America's Best Mountain Towns. Whether you're looking for outdoor adventure or a luxurious retreat, America's best mountain towns have something for every type of traveler. During the winter months, these towns offer world-class skiing and snowboarding, and come summer, visitors can enjoy hiking, rafting, mountain biking, and more — they're truly year-round destinations. From Aspen's pristine slopes and luxury hotels to Asheville's vibrant art scene and Leavenworth's European feel, these mountain towns offer unique experiences and stunning scenery.

Park City, Utah - Under an hour's drive from Salt Lake City, Park City is best known for skiing and Sundance. Of course, there's more to the city than that — in the winter, visitors can snowshoe, snow bike, snowmobile, and more, while summer travelers can enjoy fly fishing, golfing, horseback riding, and rafting, among other activities. There's a full range of accommodations, ranging from Airbnbs to five-star hotels, so there's something for every budget and travel style. Click here to see all ten mountain towns.

We wrap up this week's blog with 24 Decorating Ideas That’ll Make the Most of Your Mantel Year-Round from Apartment Therapy. If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace mantel in your home, you know just how much fun it is to style that area, whether you want to decorate it for the holidays, to welcome a new season, or to use it as a spot to showcase your favorite art or collectibles. We will share the top ten, CLICK HERE to see all 24.

1. Opt for clean and modern - A few pieces of chic artwork and touches of gold make the mantel in this sleek West Hollywood abode look picture-perfect.

2. Rustic done right - Exposed brick and lots of charming old wood are part of what makes this stunning New Orleans home the gem that it is. A few small but intentional decorative touches added to the mantel only make it that much more jaw-dropping, letting the interesting architecture speak for itself.

3. Throw a plant party - It’s almost as if the space above fireplaces was made for housing your ferns and philodendrons.

4. Try a double decker - One mantel is great but two? Talk about dreamy! This artsy Australian home shows how you can make this concept work. Visitors will marvel at this interesting set up, which includes two rows of cute pictures, but it won’t feel too busy visually for you.

5. Be selective - All you really need on a minimalist mantel is a few thoughtfully placed trinkets—a small stack of books, a vase, a candle. If items echo the rest of the colors in your room, these pieces can help tie the whole space together while adding a touch of personality.

6. Create a Scandi vibe - A stack of books always makes for easy, affordable decor—just raid your shelves and pick out a few titles that speak to you. You can also grab branches and greenery from your backyard (if you have one), and create different levels in your design scheme by using books to prop different pieces up at different heights.

7. Add a letter board - Propping up a letter board with a fun quote is a great way to welcome guests into your home and show off your wit. We also like the addition of a small lamp and mirror, which can help throw light around a space.

8. Glam up your mirror - Hanging a wreath over a mirror atop the mantel adds a cheerful pop of green to the space that will look lovely year round. Decorating with florals here—either real or faux—is always a good choice. You can go the garland route, or display a bouquet or a single stem in a sculptural vase.

9. Display artwork front and center

While it’s often common practice to hang a TV above a relatively low mantel, that certainly isn’t a requirement! Instead place an oversized piece of abstract art.

10. Keep it utilitarian - In a small space, sometimes less is more. Try only placing a lamp and plant on top of it. The whole look is very mid-century modern and streamlined—but not sterile because of the soothing pops of green and blue these couple of pieces add.