JUNE 7, 2021 ISSUE | REJGUAM.COM
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Paint it black
Spectrum Upstairs, downstairs What’s cooking
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Accents Déjà vu
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Spectrum Paint it black
t INDEX UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS .............................................4 CHECKLIST .......................................................................5 ACCENTS ...........................................................................7 SPACE STATION ...............................................................8 SPECTRUM .......................................................................9
Black and white are an ideal color combination. See Page 9 for story.
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UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS | KITC HEN
THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL
What’s cooking For most homeowners, the kitchen is the focal point that determines how the rest of home design will look like. So what does a modern kitchen on Guam look like? For Johnny Lee, a contractor who does business as Guam Home Creators, local residents want spacious, energy-efficient and natural looking kitchens. “The new homes we’ve done have two kitchens. The indoor kitchen has a sleek, open concept with high-end appliances and a seamless island. The outdoor kitchen is mainly for entertainment needs and laborintensive cuisines,” Lee said. Think barbecues and fiestas for friends and family. Especially for multi-family, multi-generational homes, two kitchens would serve
No matter the design, kitchens must have multiple light sources for aesthetics and functionality.
useful whenever a gathering is planned. An open concept for indoor kitchens is inviting, and it leaves a lot of room for decorating ideas. Or, if you prefer simplicity, minimal decorations and a bold accent wall can make a kitchen look sleek and tidy. Bigger interior and exterior doors can also give the illusion of a bigger kitchen space. Kitchen windows can play a big role in transforming the kitchen. Lee said he has observed a switch towards heavy-duty typhoon-graded windows with sound resistance. Skylights above the bathroom and main entrances have also been among design requests, allowing for improved natural lighting. “I think playing with natural light on the position of your home is important. It’s also more
interesting to have different sized windows so there’s not too much symmetry,” Lee said. Whatever lighting choices you make, it is important to keep in mind that a kitchen must be one of the most well-lit spaces in a home. Trends today are that a kitchen cannot fulfill its functional purpose without adequate lighting. Experts typically recommend multiple light sources around the kitchen as not only a design focus that re-emphasizes the décor theme, but also improves efficiency. This can be a combination of natural lighting from a window, ceiling lights as part of the décor, or under counter lighting, which can support multiple decorating
themes or add to the intimacy of a kitchen in the evening. To avoid countertop clutter, make use of cabinets and pantries. Some kitchens have small sections in corners where one can simply place a rack for pots and pans. But an abundance of racks on the countertop can make a kitchen look too busy. Overhead cabinets and pantries can hide most of the clutter and allow more room on the countertop for kitchen needs. Lee predicts that energy efficiency will soon guide kitchen designs. “Trend-wise, I think more people will want high ceilings for energy efficiency. I also think solarinclusive builds will be popular in the future as well,” he said. p
C HEC KLIST | ROOFS
THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL
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A top priority In addition to keeping a roof clean and coated, homeowners should also consider checking for spots where puddles of rainwater may build up. Ponding water is a sign that a roof is not leveled. When rainwater collects in one area for more than 48 hours, it can end up weathering a portion of the roof, which will eventually lead to cracks and leaks. Contractor Anzhela Kalsynova, who does business as Healthy Roof in Guam, said this can be fixed by adding a light layer of self-leveling cement mix and bonding adhesive to the spot. That way, rainwater will move away from the area and into one of the drains at the end of the roof. “Do not put extra cement unless it’s really necessary,” Kalsynova said. “It greatly increases the weight of the roof, which puts more pressure on the foundation. New thin cement cracks easier during earthquakes, forming cracks and damaging the coat. So don’t apply cement to the entire roof.” When applying cement mix, the roof must be completely dry. It is ideal to do this during the dry season, when rain will not be expected for days at a time. This allows time for the roof to dry and the cement mix to settle in.
Puddles of rain water or ponding is a sign that a roof is not leveled.
A routine self-inspection of a roof can help homeowners save money and save their homes from damage.
to remove any objects that can clog Self-leveling cement mix can be found these drains. at most hardware stores, and there are Earthquakes can also lead to lighter variations of it specifically for cracks and unleveled surfaces, even if roofs. the quake feels minor. Kalsynova said It is also important to make sure that earthquakes can crack the roof’s that gutters and downspouts are surface, and water can enter the home clean and not obstructed by dirt or from various angles. debris. Clogged drainage can also “You should also pay attention to cause standing water to collect on water stains or discoloration on your the edge of the roof and weaken the ceilings, walls and floors. Cracking concrete. After long periods of heavy or peeling paint is also3:45 a sign of a rain, residents should inspect the roof 21-FHB-MoneyMapCollateral_May-June_REJ_Size7.5"X10".pdf 1 4/30/21 AM
poor roof condition. If you find black mold inside your home, call your contractor,” she said. In addition to leaks, standing roof water can also cause small holes that air can escape through. This will make indoor cooling systems work harder than they usually should, adding more dollars to the power bills. A routine roof self-inspection can save homeowners money by avoiding these problems, Kalsynova said. p
ACCENTS | DÉJÀ VU
THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL
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Styles that have withstood time Through time, traditionally styled homes have always been renewed in design requests because of the feeling of nostalgia and hearth. The elements that make up this concept of a “traditional home” have survived throughout the years and remain timeless trends in the realm of design and decor. Here are three different styles from days past that you can still find in homes today. Accent tiles in kitchens and bathrooms Wall tiles as accents in two of the most vital spaces of a home have been around for more than 150 years. The concept, which imitates the tiled walls in subways, was originally designed by New York architectural firm partners George Heins and
Christopher Lafarge. Though the tiles now vary in size and are often smaller, this wall accent adds a classic feel to the kitchen and bathroom. Similar tile patterns can also be found in the exterior of a home, especially the front face. These tiles can vary in color, often different shades of a color, to add a bit of personality. Bookcases and shelves as decorative pieces From a functionality perspective, the aim of bookcases and shelves is to organize reading materials, picture frames, awards and prized possessions. While this purpose is still at the forefront of their designs, modern homeowners (or renters) have installed bookcases and shelves simply for aesthetic reasons.
A wall covered with rows of books, video games or hobby collections can make for better accent walls, depending on the individual. Open shelves can also hold potted plants, succulents or decorative vases for a touch of elegance. Built-in bookshelves are a timeless addition to a room, reminiscent of some of largest and long-lived libraries around the world. With a little effort, inexpensive modern-day shelving can be used to recreate those impressive shelves of past times. Coving above a shelf, or the right lighting to emphasize a collection of items have held their usefulness and creative appeal. Natural daytime lighting In the past, a window was the only source of light and air circulation
for a home. The inventions of electricity and modernization have since created new sources of light that can illuminate areas that even window light cannot reach. Still, natural lighting invokes a look and feeling that artificial light cannot replicate. The variable warmth and breeze of an open window during a summer’s day add to the appeal of natural light. Natural lighting also brings the outdoors indoors and can beautifully illuminate the decorative pieces in a home, based on the position of the sun. For all the new innovations that technology has come up with for lighting up homes, none can compare with light coming from a window. p
Bookshelves remain a timeless piece in a home, even if they are not exclusively used for books.
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SPACE STATION | ADA PLAZA CENTER
THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL
Commercial units for rent — Ada Plaza Center OWNED/OPERATED BY: Ada’s Trust and Investment Inc. LOCATION: Hagåtña PHONE: (671) 472-9830 WEBSITE: www.adastrust.com ABOUT THE ADA PLAZA CENTER: In the 1970s, people came to the Ada Plaza Center mostly to make long-distance calls in one of the RCA phone booths, or to visit the office of the Guam Chamber of Commerce. Both had been tenants of the center for the past 30 years.
visibility in Hagåtña and is within easy distance of the post office, restaurants and mor. Ada’s Trust holds several commercial properties throughout Hagåtña. For more information on available listings, please visit the website at www.adastrust.com.
ITS ADVANTAGES: Now, after modern renovations and upgrades, the Ada Plaza Center is home to senators, food establishments, professional offices, entrepreneurs, telecommunications operators and the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Tenants have ample dedicated parking easily entered and exited behind the building. The Ada Plaza Center has high
The Ada Plaza Center was established in Hagåtña in the 1970s.
The front of Ada Plaza Center Building A as shown in Hagåtña.
Photos courtesy of Ada’s Trust and Investment Inc.
SPECTRUM | BL AC K
THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL
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Paint it black Black is color that can work with virtually any other color. Be careful, though — this color adds an intense effect to almost anything, so moderation is key. Sleek, bold and definitely masculine, black has been the go-to color for modern and simplistic aesthetics, along with its white opposite. Matte or faded black shades have an earthy and industrial look to them, while metallic and glossy blacks put on a more fashionable and stylish display. But too much of this dark color in one space can easily make a
Black and white are an ideal color combination.
room look dreary and lifeless, so its best use is in pairing it with a lighter color. Black and white can be a striking combination and work with a variety of designs. There’s no doubt that the impression of black and white together give a message of freshness and sharpness with a modern design, and timeliness when emphasized in furnishings and wallpaper. Interior design expert and author Coral Nafie said black and white make the perfect color combination for any design.
Black and white is a popular combination in bathrooms, bedrooms and kitchens. It’s the accents of other colors that add pop to a black and white theme, using bold colors such as red, or yellow or purple and allow your personality and special finds like bathroom accessories, linen or kitchen baskets to make the design theme very personal. Black adds drama to a space, so if you want a particular space in your home to stand out, include this bold color in its design. On a tropical island like Guam, black may not be ideal for exterior
purposes, unless a home has ample shade from the sun. But one can find this color along rails, grilling equipment and plant buckets. In this case, black can become part of the design when paired with natural colors like green and blue. When indoors, black walls, furniture pieces or decorations should not be in direct sunlight as they are prone to fading. Going with black themes takes commitment, but with the right color pairing and textures, black can transform any room to a favorite one. p
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