Home Source, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024

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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.

“Until recently, I was just blissfully breathing, unaware of all the microscopic particles — the dust mites, dander, pollen, mold, viruses, pet smells, germs, cooking odors, 12th-hand smoke and who knows what else — lurking right under my own nose. Then, as I was researching last week’s column, in which I dusted up a fuss about pet fur and shared ways to bust the fuzz covering our furniture, oors and clothes, that changed. The problem with this job is that I can’t un-know what I now know.

pets — including their, ahem, smell — I almost stopped breathing altogether as I discovered what all hung in our homes’ air.

So much for breathing easy.

To keep a clean, odor-free home while living with pets, and for that matter anyone with allergies, smokers and clean freaks (who me?), all indicators point to the bene ts of an in-home air puri er. Dubious about whether these systems actually make a di erence and wary of falling into an EmperorHas-No-Clothes trap, I dug deeper.

As I looked for ways to combat the unwelcome evidence of our

Marni Jameson At Home

A rst-timer’s guide to kitchen remodeling — what to know before you begin

Family Features

Kitchen upgrades are among the most common renovation projects homeowners tackle. Even so, it’s a big project for a rst-time renovation, and the nal results are sure to be stronger with some detailed planning from the start. Take into account these ve tips from the experts at Wellborn Cabinet to help rst-time kitchen remodelers achieve the kitchens of their dreams:

1. Plan your budget

Establish a clear and realistic budget. Factor in costs for materials, labor and some extra for unexpected expenses. Sticking to your budget can help ensure you enjoy the outcome of the project while avoiding nancial stress. Your contractor can help you strike a balance between your vision and nancial resources. You may also nd it helpful to consult with a real estate professional who can ensure your plans are in line with the overall value of your home and neighborhood.

2. Prioritize functionality

Design with practicality in mind. Ensure there’s enough counter space and storage to create an e cient work ow. Consider the kitchen work triangle; that is, be conscious of the travel pattern among the sink, stove and refrigerator. Additionally, look for opportunities to incorporate functional storage in unexpected places. One example is the exposed end of a cabinet run or side of the refrigerator, where there is o en wasted space. One example is a shallow cleaning utility cabinet from Wellborn Cabinet that ts a broom, dustpan and everyday cleaning supplies neatly, giving you practical access to frequently used supplies. A variation on this cabinet o ers a spice rack designed for easy access to cooking essentials. Other options in the line include an over-fridge cabinet with a combination of shelves, sheet pan or

cutting board storage and a trash cancutting board combination.

3. Choose quality materials

Consider factors such as durability, maintenance requirements and compatibility with your design aesthetic when selecting materials for your kitchen. You may be tempted to cut corners and stretch your money further, but quality materials are a critical element of successful renovations. Prioritize high-quality materials that stand the test of time. Durable countertops, solid cabinetry and reliable appliances typically save money in the long run, and they’ll

enhance the overall look and value of your kitchen.

4. Hire professionals

Work with experienced contractors and designers. Their expertise can help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure your remodel meets all safety and building codes. What’s more, these professionals have likely encountered and overcome all kinds of challenges, which means they’ll be well-prepared to help you navigate unexpected obstacles and provide a wealth of knowledge from previous clients to help make recommendations for the perfect nished space.

5. Stay exible

Be prepared for unexpected challenges and delays. Stay adaptable and open to changes and remember patience is key to achieving the kitchen of your dreams. Materials go on backorder and paperwork gets misplaced all the time. Set a realistic timeline for your project that allows for some hiccups and try to avoid becoming too rigidly attached to any single element of the design, so if you have to make a modi cation, it doesn’t feel like a monumental sacri ce.

Look for more ideas and inspiration for

Courtesy photo
Good planning and smart decisions made before you begin your kitchen remodel will ensure a smooth process.

Remodeling

Inspiring ideas for kitchen islands

Adding an island to your kitchen o ers many functional and aesthetic bene ts, and there are styles to suit every type of kitchen.

• Galley kitchen island: This type of island is more functional than design-forward, conveniently adding extra storage and counter space. This conventional con guration works well in most kitchen layouts, both large and small, and can be constructed to t almost any kitchen.

• Table-style kitchen island: If you want a unique addition, an island table is the way to go, whether you opt for a custom-made piece or upcycle an antique. The beauty of a table-style island is that it serves a functional and decorative purpose, warming up a modern kitchen and adding personality.

• Double kitchen island: Incorporating multiple islands — o en called a double island kitchen — can improve tra c ow, increase storage space and seating, and create additional space for meal prep, cooking, washing and eating. Plus, islands are ideal for implementing design elements such as complementing materials and nishes, pops of color and unique cabinetry components including door styles and hardware.

• Rolling kitchen island: This convenient solution adds exibility with

extra storage and counter space. You can easily tuck it away to open up more oor space when done, and this portable island can easily roam around the kitchen so you can place it where you need it.

• Two-Tier kitchen island: While you can cook and eat on any island, the two-tier creates a clear boundary where you can cook on one side and eat on the other. This all-encompassing island is perfect for larger families and homeowners who like to entertain.

• Chef’s kitchen island: If you want to showcase your cooking skills or have a private chef cooking for friends and family, a chef’s island is a unique solution. Installation requires the appropriate ventilation and electrical, which may be well worth it if you frequently cook for family or friends.

• Round kitchen island: Compared to a typical rectangular island, a rounded option is an eye-catching way to add more seating in your kitchen for entertaining family and friends.

• L-shaped kitchen island: If you have a lot of space in your kitchen, an L-shaped island can ll the area. The design provides extra cooking space, allowing you to accommodate multiple chefs in the kitchen. You can also add seating for family and friends.

• U-shaped kitchen island: Best suited for large, open-concept kitchens, a U-shaped island creates storage space and room to install appliances such as a bar fridge, sink or range with prep space le to prepare meals.

I searched on the Environmental Protection Agency website and found evidence that air puri ers are nothing to sni at. To improve indoor air quality, the EPA recommends a three-step approach: First, remove pollutants and their source. (thank you, I will be keeping my pets.) Second, ventilate rooms by letting clean outside air in. And third, use air ltration.

Speci cally, that means either running a portable air puri er, which lters the air in a single room or area, or upgrading the air lter in your central HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) system. Both purifying methods can measurably reduce indoor air pollution, according to the EPA.

I decided to bring home a portable air puri er to try. Worst that could happen was nothing. But maybe it would alleviate my morning sni es, clean my home of pet smells that I worried were there (though I can’t smell them) and banish other indoor pollutants like dust, dander, pollen, viruses, cooking odors and mold.

A week a er letting the unit run in di erent rooms, kitchen, o ce, bedroom, I checked the lter. Though I can’t see the invisible, what I could see was a light lm of dust, fuzzy pet dander and several ex-mosquitoes. My husband, an even bigger skeptic than I am, said he was sneezing a lot less, which I could con rm.

Convinced that this little box, about the size of a small printer, was pulling its weight, I called Rabbit Air, a company based in Downey, that has been making portable air puri ers, including the A3 model I got, for 20 years.

“The pandemic caused a lot of people to focus on air quality in their homes,” said Ryan Smith, company spokesman, who elded my questions:

Marni: Since most of what air puri ers lter are particles far too small to see, how can we know if a system is working?

Ryan: The main way is you will feel a di erence in the air right away. It will smell cleaner. You’ll notice a lack of odors. Second, you’ll be able to tell by looking at the rst- lter, which you should clean every few months. (These are washable and reusable.) The rst of several lters in the system, this o ers visible proof. A er a while, it looks like a vacuum bag, then you realize that could have been your lungs.

How do portable air puri ers di er from systems that work directly with the central HVAC?

Both purify the air. Portable units mainly work on the room you have them in. You can move them room to room like a space heater. A central system will increase air quality throughout the house but is not as targeted.

Which

households need air puri ers most?

Every house can bene t, but our typical customers fall into three categories: those who struggle with

allergies and asthma, homes that have a smoker and pet owners, including homes with large birds, which create lots of dander. Homeowners in areas prone to res also appreciate that puri ers will clean indoor air of smoke.

Is it OK to open a window or door when the unit is on?

Yes. I recommend it. Outdoor air quality is o en two to 100 times better than indoor air. However, you might want to rst check the air quality and pollen count in your area. If pollen count is high, you’ll want to keep windows closed.

Where is the best place to park a portable puri er?

One rule is to put it as close to the source of pollution as possible, like, say, the kitchen, if you have cooking odors. Another rule is to put it as close to you as possible, so by your desk when you’re working or by your bed while you sleep.

When choosing an air purifying system, what should you look for?

You want to make sure the system uses a HEPA lter, which stands for “high e ciency particulate air.” Around since World War II, HEPA lters are the gold standard in air puri cation and will catch particles as small as 0.3 microns with 99.97% e ciency, as well as airborne bacteria and viruses, pet allergens, mold spores, bacteria, dust mites, VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from new carpet and smoke. Also check the system’s clean air delivery rate. This is the number of air changes per hour, or how fast the unit cleans all the air in a given space when set at its highest fan speed. You also want to look at the unit’s coverage area. Our largest unit, the Rabbit Air A3 covers 1,070 square feet with two air changes per hour, or one every 30 minutes. Choose a system that is a good t for your space. The stronger the puri er and the larger capacity the higher the price point.

Marni Jameson is the award-winning 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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