Real Estate Journal - March 7, 2022

MARCH 7, 2022 ISSUE | REJGUAM.COM 

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Bohemian rhapsody

Accents Upstairs, downstairs A second look

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PAGE 6

Checklist Springing back

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PAGE 9

Spectrum 50 shades of gray

t INDEX UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS .............................................3 CHECKLIST .......................................................................6 ACCENTS ...........................................................................7 SPECTRUM .......................................................................9

Natural elements and neutral tones help create an eclectic atmosphere. See page 7.

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS | FORMAL LIVING SPACES

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A second look: Formal living spaces With changes in trends and lifestyles, and the growing need to make the most of what we have, formal spaces aren’t used the same way they were before.

The designation of such spaces — like living rooms and dining rooms — are still in use today.

Formal living areas like living rooms and dining rooms are not quite what they used to be.

However, the functionality of these spaces has since been fused with other parts of a home, making them seem almost unrecognizable as their own spaces.

The original purpose of a living room was to have a space where family, friends and guests can

socialize. If anyone wanted to eat, they had to go to the dining room.

While this distinction has an air of authenticity, these designations are not seriously observed these days.

In modern times, this functional distinction is rarely seen.

Some homeowners opt to

expand their kitchen into their dining room, so that people can eat while in or near the kitchen.

Others may combine the dining room and living room as one space where someone can lounge, eat, continued on page 5

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS | FORMAL LIVING SPACES

A formal living room was originally made for entertaining, and now it’s another room to help show a home’s style.

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watch television or surf the web.

Some critics of formal living spaces argue that these designations are outdated, as people are interacting differently and more casually than before.

These spaces have been described these as “entertaining areas” that are nowadays used more for decoration than functional rooms.

You can now entertain where and how you choose. If your lifestyle lends itself to inviting a few people over to casually gather, then you can make use of less formally designed rooms.

But people in favor of maintaining these rooms say that they should be reimagined instead of removed.

Designer Erin Gates, author of the book, “The Elements of Family Style,” suggests ideas like adding a bar to a living room to enhance the social experience. Having a small art gallery of personal or prized works of arts can also ignite conversation in the room.

The social effects of the current pandemic have been a factor to changes in how some rooms in a home are used, especially as some people are still working remotely. Living rooms are optimal to repurpose into an office space, even if it is in a small section of the room. Dining rooms can be used for sanitization, especially if it is adjacent to the kitchen, or for dedicated work areas and more. p

“Having a small art gallery of personal or prized works of arts can also ignite conversation in the room.”

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C HEC KLIST | SPRING CLEANING

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

Springing back Spring is on its way, and with it comes the annual tradition of an indepth cleaning of the home to turn a new leaf.

Spring cleaning may not be so relevant in Guam, as we do not experience the aftermath of winter.

Still, the practice of setting aside time to clean your home, free up space, and try new decorations is a refreshing experience. The effort it takes for a full-on spring cleaning is not ideal for just one person, so it is best to have some assistance with what we also call a “deep clean.”

First things first: a thorough sweep, dust, vacuum and mop.

From floors to the top of cabinets,

Even though the tradition of spring cleaning is not entirely relevant to Guam, an annual deep cleaning of the home is good practice.

reducing the amount of dust and dirt from your home can improve cleanliness and reduce chances of mold from forming in the home.

This includes cleaning inside closets and under refrigerators, beds and couches.

In fact, the places that are often overlooked when cleaning should be on the top of the list to clean.

Typhoon shutters accumulate leavings from geckos and wasps, so it is ideal to clean them from the inside and outside at this time.

Sam Lai, general manager of Alliance Metal Specialties, said shutters should be inspected at least once a year.

“You can use a garden hose to clean and flush out the dirt and mud. Give the shutters some time to dry, then apply lubricant to the rollers and locks. Thumbscrews holding the locking rods can use some marine-grade type of grease applied into the threads,” Lai said.

Driveways are also overlooked, mostly because they are covered by vehicles and some equipment most of the time. Richard Ulloa, certified home inspector of Guam Home Inspections, recommends water blasting the surface to remove buildup.

“Buildup on exterior walking surfaces is very slippery and can

cause slips and falls,” Ulloa said.

Clearing the yard of debris and cutting loose branches off trees is a proactive way to prevent any accidents from happening in instances where children are playing outside. The roof will likely need to be water blasted or at least swept, so that can be another outdoor task to add on.

Spring cleaning can also mean a basic check of your house’s infrastructure. Visual checks in plumbing and electrical can help detect problems early. Checking for any visible cracks or possible leaking points is also a good idea. p

ACCENTS | BOHEMIAN

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

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Bohemian rhapsody There is no clearer way to put it: the bohemian aesthetic is for the eccentric.

In line with its dictionary definition, the bohemian style breaks away from tradition and takes an unconventional approach to decoration and design. Uneven lines, mixed patterns, and different colors and textures are often put

Bohemian accents can include natural, cultural and spiritual pieces.

together with no real structure, but it is never chaotic. Somehow, even though each component is different from the other, this form of design works as one collective art piece. Artists and performers from days past started the bohemian movement, and their eccentricity still carries on.

As an accent, Bohemian

elements can still steal the stage of a space because of their bold personalities. Accent pieces can include cultural, spiritual and natural pieces like crests, shell jewelry or exotic plants. Other accents can be an array of fabrics, like a display of different silks. To get a good idea of what bohemian looks like, simply find a vintage

store and take a look at what is hanging on the walls.

Lauren Flanagan of the Spruce deems “deep browns, greens and grays” as bohemian base colors, while “saturated purple, fiery orange, and electric blue” are complimentary. Another way of continued on page 8

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ACCENTS | BOHEMIAN

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

Bohemian decor can incorporate different patterns, colors, natural elements and metals as well.

continued from page 7 choosing bohemian colors is to get inspiration from peacock feathers.

Creating a pattern with these colors if they are painted on a wall, can add a bohemian look.

Because the bohemian style favors more over less, it can be

intimidating to incorporate as an accent. It is best to keep in mind that this style should be used if you want to make a statement in a space. Hallways can be a good beginner’s start to implement this look. Hanging various trinkets and plants along the walls can make a hallway look fuller, as if one is

walking through a floral garden.

For bigger spaces, bohemian accents work best where neutral colors like white, beige or gray are used largely. They can also work with other colors, but it requires some artistic relevance to the rest of the room so that it is complimentary, rather than competitive.

The bottom line for bohemian style is to not be afraid to go against the grain. Most homes will likely have patterns and consistency to their design, but the bohemian approach ignores that.

There is beauty in messy, abstract art. p

SPECTRUM | GRAY

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

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50 shades of gray The mind tends to think of a dark and gloomy atmosphere whenever the color gray is discussed, but don’t be fooled: this neutral color has an array of uses.

Gray is a common color in modern and minimalist design.

Its neutrality makes it easy for

Gray is often associated with gloominess, but it can also represent professionalism and comfort.

other colors to make their debut in a space, and it does not make a strong statement on anything. In general, darker colors make a space seem smaller while lighter ones expand them. People who prefer minimal or simplistic design tend to gravitate towards the darker

illusion as it provides a feeling of comfort and security.

The color gray can also represent professionalism. Eric Borja, store manager of Rainbow Paint Supply, told the Journal that gray is his personal favorite color to add to his home, because of how

relaxing and professional it looks.

“It’s nice to come home and see a gray wall, in contrast to all the bright lights and colors you see throughout the day. There’s like an elegance to it, too. It does not seem too masculine or feminine. continued on page 10

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SPECTRUM | GRAY

THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL

PUBLISHER Maureen N. Maratita EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Morgan Legel CONTENT COORDINATOR John Borja DESIGN & LAYOUT Conrad Calma Vikki Fong LJ Mingoy DIGITAL MEDIA SALES Natalie Gilbert ADMINISTRATION Jennifer Orot DIRECTOR Ken Duenas MANAGING DIRECTOR Marcos W. Fong

The Real Estate Journal — March 7, 2022. Entire contents copyrighted 2022 by Glimpses Media. The Real Estate Journal is published monthly by Glimpses Media.

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Incorporating gray can create a comforting atmosphere in any room.

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It doesn’t make a statement. That’s why it’s comforting,” Borja said.

It’s not a color that people always look for at the store, though, he added.

“I think people should know that gray can match pretty much any color, especially lighter ones,”

he said.

Gray can also serve a functional purpose. In rooms where there is too much light or too many objects, gray can reduce the “noise.” As it is not a distracting color, it is easier for people to focus on what they are looking at. Not all walls have to be gray; an accent wall can be used to add seclusion to a certain part of a room. Examples of this design

can be found in hotel lobbies, such as the Dusit Beach Resort Guam.

And don’t forget about furniture. Gray sofas, sofa beds, couches, and chairs are always in vogue. Gray tints on wooden tables and desks are also found in office spaces. It is a good practice to pair these furniture pieces with color accents, so a space does not look too monochromatic. p