MARCH 8, 2021 ISSUE | REJGUAM.COM
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The little things
Upstairs, downstairs — kid’s rooms Upstairs, downstairs The little things
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Accents Step up
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Spectrum True blue
t INDEX UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS .............................................2 CHECKLIST .......................................................................4 ACCENTS ...........................................................................5 SPECTRUM .......................................................................7
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UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS | KID’S ROOM
THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL
The little things In the last Real Estate Journal, we talked about elements to make an adult bedroom stand out. For a kid’s room, styles almost work in reverse. Where an adult bedroom capitalizes on neutral tones and sleek designs, a children’s bedroom is vibrant, loud and naturally busy. That is because it is a space where imagination roams free, and much
Sometimes natural greenery can liven up the space without cluttering it.
of the decor should be reflective of a child’s ever-changing creativity. Think dreamy or whimsical — but keep patterns to a minimum. NKPDF Designs Nina D. Field says a children’s space should be fun, but not so overbearing that it is impossible to focus. “I would decorate the space with items that can serve multiple purposes,” Field says. “For example,
a small name sign can be used to hang artwork.” Some popular themes when decorating for children are tropical, ocean, fantasy (such as mermaids and unicorns), and boho vibes, she said. These themes can also be added elements in the room through color themes on their furniture pieces or bed sheets. Field typically recommends light
pastel colors for anything related to children. Light colors encourage imagination, especially with natural light coming in through the window, she says. Speaking of furniture, pieces in children’s rooms should be kept simple and minimal, if possible. Children need a lot of room for play, so maximizing their free space will give them room to grow.
UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS | KID’S ROOM
THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL
A bed and dresser can be all that is needed to furnish a kid’s room. To prevent clutter, children’s rooms should have storage spaces for kids to put their toys and crafts away. Storage cabinets and dressers are ideal, although they would take up space in the room that can otherwise be used for something else. “Need help corralling the clutter? Hooks, wall-hugging book rails, under-the-bed storage crates and furniture with built-in storage are great options and can double your storage space,” says decor expert Michelle Ullman. She also recommends loft beds, which have some space underneath for a craft station or reading zone. Installing dividers in a closet can help kids organize their clothes, so that they won’t end up being stuffed in a dresser. It is also important to think child friendly. “Imagine you’re three feet tall,” Ullman says. “Low bins, open shelving and easy-to-access hooks encourage self-responsibility and independent play.” Additionally, thinking from the perspective of a child will allow for cuter designs, she adds. p
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C HEC KLIST | INSULATION
THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL
Keep your cool with insulation Concrete buildings in a tropical climate can attract heat into homes, so homeowners should consider regular maintenance of their house insulation to keep things cool. Most homes have some form of insulation —a heat-absorbent or heat-reflective material placed either between walls or between an outer wall and direct sunlight. Fiberglass is the most common type of insulation, typically seen in grid-like panels on the inner ceiling of offices. Other types like foam spray or foam board are hidden behind walls. A well-insulated home is an energy-efficient home, and residents can spend less on their power bills
if they keep their insulation up to date. The Guam Power Authority recommends the following checkups for residents: • Reduce cooling loss through the ceiling and walls with recommended insulation levels. Standard levels of various insulation materials can be found at the U.S. Department of Energy’s website. • Do not cover light fixtures with insulation. Be sure to keep at least three inches of space away from these fixtures. • Ensure that moisture does not build up around the insulation. GPA says that older homes may not meet today’s standards, if they
have insulation at all. To check if a home is insulated, open an electrical outlet from an outer wall while the circuit breaker is off. If you gently push into the outlet with a tool and feel a slight pushback, the home has some insulation. “Unfortunately, this method cannot tell you if the entire wall is insulated, or if the insulation has settled,” according to GPA. “Only a thermographic scan by a professional auditor can do this.” Not every part of the home needs to be insulated. Attics, basements and crawl spaces are the best places for insulation, although most Guam homes don’t have those components. Instead, insulation is best used in
places where direct sunlight is hitting, like side walls and roofs. Newer homes are better insulated because they follow Guam’s Building Energy Code, which includes requirements and recommendations for insulation on any structures. But even if a home is not properly insulated, there are other ways to keep the interior of the house cool. Shino Thomas, project manager of Marianas Coating, recommends a nice, clean roof. “At least once year, water blast your roof and check for visible cracks,” he said. “An efficient roofing system can reduce indoor heating and in turn increase cooling, resulting in lower energy bills.” p
Radiant barriers are one type of insulation that reflect heat away from the inside of a home.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy/Elizabeth Spencer
ACCENTS | S TAIRC ASE
THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL
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Step up Staircases in a home are often overlooked as a component to stylize, as their function of getting people to the next level takes precedence over appearance. But some simple choice designs can make these steps a great aesthetic. First, the staircase must be in top condition before making any plans to add design elements to it. Homeowners should ensure that the structure is still firm. For wooden stairs, creaking steps and small splinters along the flooring and rails must be fixed. Cement steps with crack should be sealed up. The team at the Guam Home Center says it would not hurt to
Accent walls add personality to a room, in contrast to the neutral colors.
sand and varnish wooden staircases to make them look like new again. “After sanding, wipe down with a damp cloth. There are also some products you can use on the wood to remove the dust. Afterwards, apply a coat of clear varnish so it looks like natural wood,” according to the Guam Home Center. This easy maintenance will retain the rustic look of wood — a style of its own. Other maintenance tips like vacuuming the steps periodically and wiping down scuff marks off the adjacent wall will keep a staircase in good condition. In fact, the aesthetic of a staircase should always have safety at the
forefront of its concept. For example, carpeted staircases provide padding in case someone trips or falls on the steps. And guard rails not only add depth, but support to staircases. Adding accessories to the adjacent wall or ceiling of a staircase can add some personality to the space. As HGTV puts it, “Consider the location and style of your home when sourcing accessories for your staircase.” If you live close to the beach, consider adding some sand texture to the wall. Or prop up a surfboard, either hanging overhead or as a wall decoration. Homes with children can have their artwork
displayed in ascending fashion, parallel to the stairs. Homes that are surrounded by jungle can have ornamental plants and vines hung on the walls. Abstract art or singlecolored shapes can add pops of color to otherwise plain walls. Even mirrors can serve as decorative pieces if they are reflecting natural light from outside. Whichever you decide, just make sure that the design is not too distracting to the point where someone will forget to look where they step. Simplicity goes a long way. p
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SPECTRUM | BLUE
THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL
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True blue On an island surrounded by a vast ocean, Guam residents live and breathe the color blue. It is only natural that some articles of blue would be found in a local home. Blue is a calming color, but that does not mean it cannot convey a bold and lively look that warmer tones usually give off. Blue accents add a refreshing pop to a space, whether it is on curtains or an entire wall. For a professional look, darker blues can make office spaces look executive in tone. Lighter blues bring life to children’s rooms or well-frequented day rooms. And any space can be transformed into a coastal theme when blue is paired with white, cream or light tan.
Blue is almost an essential color in a Guam home, since residents are surrounded by an ocean of blue.
“Blue works well with many other shades, including neutrals and bolds,” according to the paint department at Home Depot. If you have neutral-colored furniture pieces, Home Depot recommends bold blue walls or at least an accent wall to liven things up. There’s a variety of blue paints to choose from, and it’s really up to the homeowner which shade is right for them. Do they prefer a more subtle look? Or are they going for an eye-catcher? These are the questions homeowners should ask themselves when deciding on a color. Furniture pieces can also stand out with blue, and there is
a variety of combinations to work with, as long as the surrounding walls are white or neutral. Light blue couches can be paired with patterned blue decorative pillows. Navy blue rugs will work nicely under a white coffee table. Blue curtains will look especially vibrant when they are hit with sunlight. Even wall decorations like pictures and paintings can shine with blue, especially if they portray Guam’s beaches. Choosing a shade of blue is not easy. Depending on availability, a department store can have upwards of 100 different shades. Celebrity interior designer Kathy Kuo has a general guideline:
dark blues work best in modern bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms; light blues give off vintage and beach styles in any part of the home; and blue-greens can either be feminine or playful. This is not a strict rule to follow, but it gives homeowners a good idea about the functionality of the color and how it changes with each setting. And for the more fortunate residents, a coastal home with a stunning ocean view will provide you with all the blue that you need. p
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