Blog Posts

Warm Welcomes: 5 Ways to Make Overnight Guests Feel at Home Without a Guest Room

Welcoming overnight guests into your home, even without a dedicated guest room, can be a fun experience for both you and your visitors. With a little creativity and thoughtfulness, you can provide them with a comfortable stay. 1. Create a Cozy Sleeping Space: While you might not have a guest room, you can certainly create a cozy sleeping space. Consider using a comfortable sofa bed, a fold-out futon, or even a high-quality air mattress topped with soft bedding. Add some extra pillows and blankets to ensure your guests have a restful night's sleep. 2. Privacy Matters: Curtains or Screens: If your living space is open, ensure your guests have a sense of privacy. You can hang curtains or use folding screens to create a designated sleeping area. This small touch makes a big difference in providing a comfortable and personal space for your visitors. 3. A Thoughtful Touch: Help your guests feel cared for by providing essential items they might need. Place a basket filled with fresh towels, travel-sized toiletries, water bottles, and perhaps a cozy robe by their sleeping area. This considerate gesture shows that you've thought about their comfort. 4. A Touch of Ambiance: Even in a makeshift sleeping area, you can create a charming bedside table. Place a small table or a sturdy stool next to their sleeping space and add a reading lamp, a small vase with fresh flowers, and perhaps a few books or magazines. This creates a welcoming atmosphere and adds a touch of personalization. 5. Offer a Thoughtful Breakfast: Begin their day on a positive note by offering a simple and delicious breakfast. Set up a breakfast station with a selection of teas, coffees, fresh fruit, and some pastries or cereal. This not only saves your guests the trouble of searching for breakfast but also provides a welcoming start to their day. Even without a guest room, you have the power to create a welcoming and comfortable space for your overnight guests. From creating a cozy sleeping space to providing privacy solutions, stocking up on essentials, adding a touch of ambiance, and offering a thoughtful breakfast, your hospitality will leave a lasting impression. By considering your guests' needs and incorporating these thoughtful touches, you're creating an inviting haven that showcases the true essence of hospitality.

Top 5 Tips for Effective Chemical-Free Cleaning

Cleaning our homes is an essential task, but it doesn't have to involve harsh chemicals that can be harmful to our health and the environment. By adopting chemical-free cleaning methods, we can maintain a clean and healthy living space while minimizing our ecological footprint. In this blog post, we'll explore five effective tips for cleaning without chemicals, allowing you to create a safe and eco-friendly home environment. 1. Harness the Power of Natural Cleaning Agents: Natural cleaning agents are effective alternatives to chemical-based cleaners. Vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and hydrogen peroxide are versatile ingredients that can tackle various cleaning tasks. For instance, vinegar diluted with water works wonders on glass surfaces, while baking soda can be used as a gentle abrasive for scrubbing stubborn stains. Experiment with different natural cleaning agents to find the ones that work best for your cleaning needs. 2. Embrace the Magic of Microfiber Cloths: Microfiber cloths are a game-changer in chemical-free cleaning. These reusable and highly absorbent cloths are effective at trapping dirt, dust, and bacteria. They can be used dry for dusting or slightly dampened for wiping surfaces. The fine fibers in microfiber cloths act like magnets, lifting away dirt and grime without the need for chemical cleaners. They are ideal for cleaning glass, countertops, stainless steel, and other surfaces throughout your home. 3. Create DIY All-Purpose Cleaners: Make your own all-purpose cleaner using simple and natural ingredients. Fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and vinegar, and add a few drops of essential oils for a pleasant scent. This homemade solution can be used on countertops, appliances, bathroom fixtures, and more. It effectively cuts through grease and grime without leaving chemical residue behind. 4. Steam Cleaning for Deep Cleaning: Investing in a steam cleaner can revolutionize your cleaning routine. Steam cleaning uses high-temperature steam to sanitize and remove dirt and stains from various surfaces. It is highly effective in eliminating bacteria, mold, and allergens without the need for chemical disinfectants. Steam cleaners can be used on floors, carpets, upholstery, tiles, and even mattresses, providing a thorough and chemical-free clean. 5. Regular Maintenance and Prevention: Preventing dirt and grime buildup is key to maintaining a clean home without relying on harsh chemicals. Regularly vacuuming, sweeping, and dusting helps minimize the need for intensive cleaning later on. Place doormats at entrances to trap dirt and prevent it from spreading throughout your home. Wipe up spills promptly to prevent stains and use non-toxic solutions like vinegar and water for routine cleaning. Cleaning without chemicals is not only better for our health and the environment but also cost-effective and highly effective when done right. By harnessing the power of natural cleaning agents, embracing microfiber cloths, creating DIY all-purpose cleaners, incorporating steam cleaning, and practicing regular maintenance, you can achieve a clean and healthy home without the use of harsh chemicals. Adopt these tips and enjoy the benefits of a chemical-free cleaning routine that promotes well-being for you, your family, and the planet.

Moving in the Summer: Top Tips for a Smooth Transition

Summer is a popular time for moving due to favorable weather conditions and school breaks. However, moving during the summer months comes with its own set of challenges. From scorching temperatures to increased demand for moving services, it's essential to plan ahead and take necessary precautions for a smooth transition. In this blog post, we'll provide tips and strategies to make your summer move a breeze. 1. Plan and Schedule Early: Summer is a peak moving season, so it's crucial to plan and schedule your move well in advance. Contact moving companies or rental truck services early to secure your preferred dates. With high demand, availability may become limited, so the earlier you book, the better. Create a comprehensive moving checklist to stay organized and ensure you cover all necessary tasks leading up to your moving day. 2. Stay Hydrated and Beat the Heat: Moving in the summer means dealing with high temperatures. Stay hydrated throughout the process by keeping a cooler stocked with cold water and refreshing beverages. Take regular breaks in shaded areas or air-conditioned spaces to avoid heat exhaustion. Dress in lightweight, breathable clothing and wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun's rays. 3. Protect Your Belongings from Heat: Extreme temperatures can impact certain items during transit. Take precautions to protect sensitive belongings, such as electronics, artwork, or delicate furniture. Keep these items in temperature-controlled areas during the move. Consider using climate-controlled storage units or transporting valuable items in your air-conditioned vehicle to prevent heat-related damage. 4. Start Early or Move in the Evening: To beat the summer heat, plan your moving schedule accordingly. Begin your move as early as possible in the morning when temperatures are typically cooler. This allows you to take advantage of cooler hours and avoid the hottest part of the day. Alternatively, consider moving in the evening when temperatures have dropped, providing a more comfortable moving experience. 5. Stay Organized with Summer Essentials Box: Prepare a separate box or bag with summer essentials that you'll need on moving day. Include sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, insect repellent, and a change of lightweight clothes. Keep this box easily accessible, so you can stay comfortable and protected throughout the moving process. Moving in the summer presents its unique challenges, but with proper planning and preparation, you can have a smooth and successful move. Are you ready to schedule your move-in to Hohm? Our unique apartment homes offer a variety of floor plans with high-end modern finishes and our community features amenities that will elevate your urban living experience.

Moving Tips and Tricks: Smooth Transition into Your New Apartment

Moving to a new apartment can be an exciting yet daunting task. With proper planning and organization, you can make the transition smoother and more manageable. Here are the top five tips for a smooth moving experience: Create a Moving Checklist Before you start packing, create a comprehensive moving checklist to keep track of tasks and deadlines. Include items such as contacting utility providers, updating your address, notifying important contacts, packing essentials, and scheduling movers or rental trucks. Having a checklist ensures you stay organized and reduces the chances of forgetting crucial steps. Declutter and Organize Moving presents an excellent opportunity to declutter your belongings. Sort through your items and separate what you want to keep, donate, sell, or discard. Clearing out unnecessary items not only saves you time and effort during the packing process but also helps create a fresh start in your new apartment. Consider hosting a garage sale or donating to local charities to give your belongings a new home. Pack Efficiently Packing efficiently can save you time, money, and headaches. Start by gathering sturdy moving boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape, and markers. Begin with non-essential and seasonal items, gradually working your way to everyday essentials. Label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to, making unpacking a breeze. Use blankets, towels, or clothing to protect fragile items and maximize space in boxes. Additionally, pack an essential box with items you'll need immediately upon arrival, such as toiletries, a change of clothes, and basic kitchen supplies. Arrange Professional Help Depending on your needs and budget, consider hiring professional movers to assist with the heavy lifting. Research reputable moving companies and obtain quotes in advance. Professional movers can provide expertise, save time, and ensure your belongings are transported safely. If hiring movers is not an option, enlist the help of friends or family members and reward them with a meal or small token of appreciation. Take Care of Utility Transfers and Change of Address To avoid any interruptions or additional charges, make sure to transfer or disconnect your utilities at your current apartment and arrange for their setup at your new place. Contact your internet, cable, electricity, and water providers well in advance to schedule the necessary transfers. Additionally, update your address with the post office, banks, credit card companies, insurance providers, and any subscriptions or memberships you have. Moving to a new apartment can be a hectic process, but with careful planning and organization, you can make it a smoother transition. By following these five tips, you'll be well-prepared to tackle the moving process efficiently, allowing you to settle into HOHM Apartments as stress-free as possible. HOHM Apartments in Highlandtown is now leasing studio, 1, 2,3 & 4-bedroom apartments! Give us a call today to schedule your tour of our brand-new apartment community and ask about our move-in specials!

Celebrate Pride in Baltimore: Embrace Love and Diversity in 2023!

Baltimore is a vibrant and inclusive city known for its rich history, diverse neighborhoods, and a strong LGBTQ+ community. As Pride celebrations continue to evolve each year, 2023 promises to be an extraordinary time to embrace diversity, equity, and love. HOHM Highlandtown Apartments is luxury apartments located in Highlandtown, a hub for all things Pride! “ One Heart, One Love, One Pride ” is the theme of this year's Pride festival and will be held from June 19-25, 2023. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pride Center Of Maryland 🖤💜🤎🤍💙💚❤️🧡💛 (@baltimore_pride) June 16, 2023 - Twilight on the Terrace Head to Gertrude’s for Twilight on the Terrance, the largest gala benefiting The Pride Center of Maryland. Gertrude’s will host a night of dancing, performances from incredible local artists, fine food and craft cocktails. June 17, 2023 – Pride of Mt Vernon Stop by Mt Vernon from 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM for a pride filled, family and dog-friendly street festival featuring a stage with musical entertainment, shopping with artists, local vendors and more. June 23, 2023 - Ridin’ the Rail at the B&O Grab a ticket to the B&O Railroad Museum and hop aboard the Pride Train for a Pride celebration you won’t want to miss! Catch one-of-a-kind drag performances, followed by a night to remember with food, drinks, music and dancing under the stars. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pride Center Of Maryland 🖤💜🤎🤍💙💚❤️🧡💛 (@baltimore_pride) June 24, 2023 – Baltimore Pride Parade & Block Party Starting at 1:00 PM, at North Charles and 33 rd Street, The Baltimore Parade kicks off the day’s activities. The parade leads directly into The Block Party on Charles Street between North Avenue & 23 rd Street. Check out a variety of vendors, DJs, great food from local vendors and incredible talent that you won’t want to miss! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pride Center Of Maryland 🖤💜🤎🤍💙💚❤️🧡💛 (@baltimore_pride) June 25, 2023 – Pride in the Park Head to Druid Hill Park on Sunday to continue the festival with music, vendors, incredible drag performers and so much more starting at 12:00 PM. Get there early so you don’t miss a thing and don’t forget to bring your picnic blanket and sunscreen! Baltimore is a city that embraces diversity, inclusivity, and the spirit of Pride. Whether you're a member of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, celebrating Pride in Baltimore is an experience like no other. HOHM Highlandtown Apartments offers luxury apartments, world class amenities, and a welcoming inclusive environment for all.

8 Official Symbols of Maryland State

How many of these Maryland state symbols are you familiar with? Bird | Baltimore Oriole The Baltimore oriole is a distinctive inhabitant of Maryland's suburban areas and parks. The Baltimore Oriole migrates north from Mexico and South America in the spring and returns south for the winter. The Oriole weaves bag-shaped hanging nests often found on shade trees and feeds on fruit, insects and nectar. The Baltimore oriole is also the mascot and namesake for Baltimore’s baseball team, the Baltimore Orioles. The Oriole Bird has been the mascot of the Baltimore Orioles since 1979. View this post on Instagram A post shared by John F. Kennedy (@jfkwildlife) Reptile | Diamondback Terrapin The official reptile of the state of Maryland is the diamondback terrapin . Diamondback terrapins are the only turtles adapted to live in brackish water, as such, you will find these turtles living in costal marshes in Maryland. Diamondback terrapins have made their way to mascot status, becoming the official mascot of The University of Maryland College Park. In addition to being the mascot, The University of Maryland College Park donates a portion of sale proceeds from their “Fear the Turtle” merchandise to fund terrapin conservation and research efforts. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Reptile Report (@thereptilereportofficial) Flower | Black-eyed Susan The Black-eyed Susan has been the official flower of Maryland since 1918 when it was designated the “Floral Emblem” of Maryland by the General Assembly. Black-eyed Susans are members of the sunflower family and are perennial daisies or coneflowers. They are native to the United States, east of the Rocky Mountains. The root of the black-eyed Susan is used in traditional and folk remedies to treat colds. These beautiful flowers are commonly found in fields and on roadsides, blooming between May and August. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Claudia Gaupp (@between.gardens) Gem | Patuxent River Stone The Patuxent River Stone became the State Gem of Maryland effective October 1, 2004. This stone can only be found in Maryland and the colors of rent and yellow reflect the Maryland State Flag. Have you ever seen one of these stones around Maryland? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Andi Jumalon Witherow (@andiro1969) Crustacean | Blue Crab The Chesapeake Bay is famous for blue crabs , which Maryland designated its official state crustacean in 1989. Blue crabs are omnivores, eating both plants and animals, typically consuming thin-shelled bivalves, annelids, fish, plants and nearly any other item that they can find, including carrion. The blue crab's scientific name ( Callinectes sapidus Rathbun) translates as "beautiful swimmer that is savory." In Maryland, blue crabs are the most valuable commercial fishery. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Larry White (@wildgamegourmet) Dessert | Smith Island Cake The Smith Island Cake became the State Dessert of Maryland on October 1, 2008. Named after Smith Island, Maryland’s last inhabited island that is reachable only by boat, the Smith Island Cake consists of eight to ten layers of yellow cake with chocolate frosting between each layer and slathered over the whole. Many variations of the cake have evolved, both in flavors of the cake itself and frosting. Have you ever tried Smith Island Cake? View this post on Instagram A post shared by beazleybakes (@beazleybakes) Dinosaur | Astrodon johnstoni Astrodon johnstoni was designated the state dinosaur of Maryland in 1998. Astrodon johnstoni, who were herbivores, lived in Maryland from 95 to 130 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous period. These giant sauropods weighed up to 20 tons. Astrodon johnstoni had small heads, long necks, long tails, and strong, solid legs. Fossilized teeth of the Astrodon johnstoni were found in Maryland in 1858, marking one of the earliest dinosaur finds in the country and the first in state. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Page about prehistoric fauna (@extinct_animal_facts) Fish | Rockfish In 1965, Maryland designated rockfish , also called striped bass, as the official state fish. Between April and June, rivers feeding Chesapeake Bay provide spawning grounds for most Atlantic Coast rockfish because adult rockfish swim in the ocean but lay their eggs in fresh water. Rockfish that are born in the Bay spending their first 3 to 5 years there before migrating to the Atlantic where they may live up to 30 years. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Central Coast Fishing Charters (@central_coast_fishing_charters) Be sure to keep an eye out for these state symbols next time you’re out hiking or just driving around our great state of Maryland!