Ticket stubs, a set of keys, a pair of jeans, a faded airline boarding pass, a marriage proposal scrawled on the back of a receipt, worn-out work boots, muddy slobbered-on tennis balls — these ordinary but dear items are among the keepsakes photographer Shana Novak has digni ed through photography and captured on the pages of her addicting book “The Heirloomist – 100 Treasures and the Stories They Tell,” (Chronicle Books, April 2024).
life and elevate them.
Now, you’ve heard me say, it’s not the stu , but the stories behind the stu that compel us to cling. Well, Novak’s book illustrates exactly that. In fact, I almost didn’t get this column written because the striking pictures of these everyday items and their tender stories so absorbed me.
Warning: This book could make you never throw anything sentimental away again. But that is not the point! The point is to nd those few poignant items in your
Of the 100 items featured, most belong to workaday folks, but some belong to celebrities. A library ladder chockfull of books portrays a passion of writer and activist Gloria Steinem. A bronze sculpture of a pregnant yogi that model Christy Turlington felt moved to buy when she was
StatePoint Media
Adding an accessory dwelling unit to your property can increase the value of your home, become a source of rental income or help you expand your living space for your adult children or parents.
If you don’t know what an ADU is, you’re in good company. A 2023 Freddie Mac survey found that 71% of respondents were unfamiliar with the concept. ADUs are o en known as in-law apartments, granny ats, carriage houses or secondary suites.
According to Freddie Mac, here’s why investing in adding an ADU may be worth it:
The basics: An ADU is a smaller, independent residential structure built on the same lot as a single-family home. To qualify as an ADU, the additional living area needs to include a kitchen, bathroom and separate entrance. Common examples include a dwelling over a detached or attached garage, a suite above the main oor of the home, a basement apartment or a detached
structure such as a guesthouse or backyard cottage.
The bene ts: Building an ADU on your property may contribute to the supply of a ordable housing in your area, but it also has a wealth of bene ts for you, the homeowner. It can boost the value of your home by as much as 35%, and become a potential source of extra income if you rent your ADU to a tenant. An ADU can also make for a great home o ce, guest house or workshop, or be a good solution if your adult children are returning to live with you or you are the caretaker to aging or disabled relatives.
Eligibility: Before adding an ADU to your home, you will need to learn about the zoning codes that apply to your property. Ordinances and policies vary by location and change frequently. Make sure you understand any federal, state or local laws involved with renting your ADU. Discussing this with an attorney is one option. To nd your zoning code, check your local
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All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the federal Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, physical handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preferences, limitation or discrimination.” California also extends protection based on age and marital status. The Mountain Democrat makes every effort to comply with these federal and state regulations. We ask your assistance in maintaining an acceptable standard of advertising. While they may seem inconvenient at times, these laws are written to protect you, our readers and advertisers, as well as ourselves. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this paper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For further information, you can call the Dept. of Fair Employment & Housing at (916) 445-9918 or the State Dept. of Consumer Affairs at (800) 344-9940.Note: Rental ads that contain the phrase “Single Occupancy” refer only to the physical characteristics of the dwelling and are not intended to state a preference of either marital or familial status.
government’s website or reach out to your local zoning or building code o ce.
Financing: You should create a construction budget and consider how you will pay for a new ADU or renovations to an existing ADU. The good news is that you don’t necessarily need to pay the expenses upfront. There are loans designed to help you pay for improvements to your home. For example, Freddie Mac CHOICERenovation is a nancing solution that can provide you with funding to add an ADU on your property. Speak with your lender about the nancing options available to you and which may best suit your needs.
To learn more about home equity and renovating your home, visit My Home by Freddie Mac.
Whether you’re looking for a way to increase your property value or create a living space for a loved one, adding an ADU can be a rewarding investment. While navigating zoning laws, renovation budgets and landlord responsibilities may seem daunting, there are many resources available to guide you through the process.
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Saturday, November 9, 2024
11-2
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pregnant foreshadows the nonpro t dedicated to maternal health the fashion model would start years later. The dust-laden desert boots that TV journalist Bob Woodru was wearing in Iraq when an explosion injured him represents an iconic moment.
Most of Novak’s heirloom photography, however, happens beyond the book. Also known as The Heirloomist, Novak makes it her business to photograph cherished keepsakes clients send her. “My job is to make something seemingly ordinary feel magical,” she said.
Whether whimsical or sobering, all the photographed objects once hung on the wall have the same e ect. They beg viewers to ask, “Why?”
“Why do I have a picture of old running shoes on my wall? Let me tell you …” and from there the conversation and the memories ow.
Fascinated, I called Novak, to learn more.
Marni: How did you get started being a chronicler of people’s memorabilia?
Shana: When my grandmother was around age 90, she was feeling her own mortality and started telling me pretty cool stories of the many interesting things she had kept, like the metal plate that had once been implanted in her leg a er a golf cart ran her over. She stored that in a closet right next to her ne sterling silverware. When I heard these stories, I did what I do. I started taking pictures.
How did you get your start in the photography business?
I have worked in photography, in both fashion and advertising, for 15 years alongside some of the best food stylists, prop stylists, veteran photographers and giants in industry. I learned a lot on the job. Moving into heirlooms just happened. Now people from all over the world send me their stu . I’ve photographed about 1,500 heirlooms.
Most of us think of an heirloom as a cherished valuable relic from an ancient relative. What do you call an heirloom?
An heirloom can be anything, expensive or humble, as long as it tells your story, a story you want to keep alive for generations.
If you had a litmus test for choosing an item to memorialize, what would it be?
Does it make you want to smile? If something makes you feel nice and warm and fuzzy, that’s what we want. I like to help people bring something to life that deserves to be on the wall instead of in a drawer or closet, and that will make them feel happy every time they look at it.
Don’t feel pressured to memorialize something that doesn’t speak to you, or that makes you feel sad or stressed. For instance, if military medals from a family member who died in service make you sad, it’s OK to keep those a box.
What are some of the most common items you shoot?
I get a lot of pregnancy sticks. That’s always fun. I also get Teddy bears in the worst condition.
Making a really loved stu ed animal look charming can be challenging. Matchbooks are popular. Most get thrown in a drawer, but if you brought home the matchbook, it probably represents a special moment. Oh, and lots of cowboy boots. They’re among my favorite objects to photograph. They are tall, and proud and so textural. They just speak.
What is one of the more unusual objects you’ve been asked to shoot?
About two years ago a husband asked me to photograph an Oreo- avored McFlurry as an anniversary gi for his wife. The ice-cream drink was his wife’s favorite treat. When he proposed and presented her with a ring, they were sharing a McFlurry. So, we went out and bought six Oreo McFlurries to nd the prettiest one.
How does someone go about having you photograph an heirloom?
Customers can go online and get a price by telling me what they want photographed and how large an image they want. Price ranges from $750 to $5,000,
but usually the price is around $1,000. I photograph the object and email a few versions for the client to approve. I then send the nal photograph printed on archival paper and rolled in a tube. Framing is on the client. The items in your photos have so much dignity, how do you use photography to elevate them?
My photographs are reality based. No touch up. The most we would do is remove lint. Texture is big. We want pictures that are dimensional with a lot of contrast. Whether working with a T-shirt or a teddy bear you want the shadows even and happy. Strobe lights help make colors bold.
How important is knowing the back story?
I like to know what’s important about what I’m working with. However, sometimes I just get an heirloom in a box with a note that says, “Work your magic.” Then I let the object tell me how it wants to shine.
Marni Jameson is the author of seven books, including “Rightsize Today to Create Your Best Life Tomorrow,” “What to Do With Everything You Own to Leave the Legacy You Want” and “Downsizing the Family Home.” You may reach her at marnijameson.com.
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