OCTOBER 4, 2021 ISSUE | REJGUAM.COM
PAGE 4
Orange is the new black
Spectrum Upstairs, downstairs It’s a wash
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Checklist Drying out
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Accents Looking backwards
t INDEX UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS .............................................4 CHECKLIST .......................................................................5 SPACE STATION ...............................................................6 ACCENTS ...........................................................................7 SPECTRUM .......................................................................9
The use of orange can truly transform a space. See page 9.
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UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS | BATHROOMS
THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL
It’s a wash Bathrooms are often overlooked when it comes to decorating because they can be among the smallest spaces in a home and, functionally, people do not stay in them for long. Most bathrooms have a standard sterile look: all white walls, toilets and sinks with a basic white floor tile pattern and a simple rug. The only pop of color one can find in a bathroom is on the shower curtain. But bathrooms do not need to look so plain. A bit of creativity and color changes can make a bathroom appear spacious and clean. Contractor Johnny Lee of Guam Home Creators shared an example of a master bathroom he
renovated, which is a stark contrast to the typical white bathroom. For the walls, Lee installed brown and white ceramic panels that resemble wooden planks. The sink rests over the cabinet, making it seem like a fountain, and just under a wide, circular mirror with overhead lighting. For a modern touch, Lee installed an automatic toilet. And the shower is encased by glass doors, opposite of a ceramic bathtub that can fit two people. “Rain-down showers are requested a lot these days, too,” Lee said. While this may seem like an expensive endeavor, this helps prove that with the right material,
a bathroom may even overshadow other parts of the home. Still, for those who are on a budget, something as simple as adding a bright-colored rug with a matching shower curtain can liven things up. Toilet seat covers can help tone down the abundance of white space in the room. Wash clothes hanging on rails or folded and on the sink can serve as accents. For lighting, standard fluorescent lights are great for visibility. Lights with warmer tones can add a cozy feel to the bathroom. Cleanliness is an important part of decorating a bathroom, too, especially if the space is primarily white. It is easy to spot when an
area is dirty when it’s on top of a white surface. As a space with running water, mold and mildew are sure to make an appearance without proper care. “Thoroughly wiping (a surface) to remove the mold with a mild detergent is usually sufficient unless the material is porous like gypsum board and ceiling tiles,” said John M. Fernandez, an industrial hygienist with Industrial Hygiene Professionals Inc. Sinks and toilets should be scrubbed down periodically so they can continue to have that nice shine. p
Bathrooms don’t need to look plain. Add color and texture for a more elegant look.
Photo courtesy of Johnny Lee
C HEC KLIST | DEHUMIDIFIER
THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL
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Drying out When living on an island, it is difficult to escape humidity. Dehumidifiers can fix that. High humidity means more moisture, and for a home, this can mean growth of mold and mildew on walls, bathrooms and kitchen sinks. Excessive moisture can also weaken the house’s structure, which can lead to sinking roofs and curving walls. But low humidity can be a bad thing, too. With little to no moisture, the cold air can make skin dry and crack. A good dehumidifier is one that can maintain a healthy level of humidity in the home. There are several factors to determine which one is right for you, according to the customer support desk at The Home Depot. “It’s almost like buying an air conditioner. You need to think about the size of the room, what the room is being used for, and how frequently people go in and out,” according to The Home Depot team. If a room has noticeable signs of excessive moisture, like water stains on walls or a musty smell, it may need a dehumidifier. This is how The Home Depot rates capacity: • For damp rooms that are 500 to 1,500 square feet, use a 30pint dehumidifier. • For damp rooms that are 1,000 to 2,500 square feet, use a 50pint dehumidifier. • For very damp rooms that are 1,500 to 2,500 square feet, use a 70-pint dehumidifier. The number of pints indicates how much moisture is removed in a day. Depending on the severity of humidity damages, the pint number may vary. For naturally humid climates like on Guam, The Home Depot recommended overestimating the number of pints, as it may be more than the standard amount. For example, If the space of a home is sized for a 30-pint dehumidifier, consider purchasing capacity that is closer to 40 pints. The Home Depot also suggested adding more pints to the dehumidifier’s capacity if a room is frequented, has multiple windows or is used for laundry. These areas are prone to develop more moisture. If there is too much moisture to the point where a homeowner sees floor puddles or large mold growths on walls, a dehumidifier may only be a temporary fix. Residents are advised to seek a professional if they notice severe moisture damage. p
Choosing the right dehumidifier is important for optimal moisture control in the home.
“For naturally humid climates like on Guam, The Home Depot recommended overestimating the number of pints.”
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SPACE STATION | GUAM PREMIER OUTLETS
THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL
Guam Premier Outlets
YEAR ESTABLISHED: 1997 LOCATION: Tamuning PHONE: (671) 647-4032 WEBSITE: www.gpoguam.com SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook and Instagram - @GPOGuam POINT OF CONTACT: Monte Mesa, general manager DESCRIPTION OF MALL: Since opening its doors in 1997, Guam Premier Outlets has offered a vast selection of shopping, restaurants and entertainment. Guam’s only outlet mall, GPO includes brands like Calvin Klein, Famous Footwear, Tommy Hilfiger and Vitamin World. Ross Dress for Less is GPO’s anchor tenant. In addition, GPO has a large food-court and free-standing restaurants on its property, including Ajisen Ramen, Cold Stone Creamery, King’s 24-Hour diner, Longhorn Steak House, Ruby Tuesday and Wendy’s Old-Fashioned Hamburgers.
AVAILABLE UNITS: • Building D (former Forever 21 space) - 20,835 square feet • TA 2/3 (Former Chuck E Cheese space) - 14,570 square feet • Suite 104D - 1,006 square feet • Suite 116 (Former Naturalizer space) - 3,165 square feet • FD T/S (Former Subway space in food court) - 1,335 square feet • FD N (Food Court space) - 439 square feet • Unit 375B (former Bestseller office space) - 1,058 square feet • Space Plaza 2 (former Cold Stone Yogurt Bar) - 1,000 square feet
ACCENTS | RETRO
THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL
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Looking backwards With the world of interior design leaning more towards modern and sleeker looks these days, a little bit of retro can be all it takes to make a home stand out from the rest. A retro style can date back as far as conscious designing was established, but people often associate the style with designs from the 1950s to the 1970s. This era of design played heavily on large shapes, vibrant colors and zany wallpapers. Some examples include large neon square frames hung on walls, bright blue circular rugs under coffee tables and floral wallpaper covering entire kitchen walls. Rooms seemed less spacious as a boisterous mixture of colors
The retro style of furnishing is popular in Guam.
and patterns filled them. In Guam a majority of the older homes embrace retro styles, as they take on a more traditional appearance. However, some newly built homes also opt for a dated look with modern elements. Vicky Baldonado, sales manager of Furniture Outlet, said although customers mainly come into the story looking for modern style furniture, some customers also inquire about traditional style wooden bed frames with posts at the corners. “They feel it’s more elegantlooking,” Baldonado said. Bright-colored fabric sofas also convey an older look, she said,
although people opt for more subtle colors nowadays. Leather or vinyl sofas have a retro feel to them as well, but they are not ideal for Guam’s climate. Vintage pieces can also work as fine accents in a home. Alan Torrado, an independent design consultant, had previously stated in the Journal that memorabilia can be used as accents and decorations for a home. For a retro look, memorabilia can come in the form of vintage comic books, sports jerseys and even signed autographs of celebrities from back in the day. These can be displayed on floating shelves or hung on walls. An interesting take on retro
styles is that although they are influenced by past aesthetics, they can also be equipped with modern elements. Digital record players, for example, can have the functionality of today’s technology while still taking on the appearance of an older device. Large chandeliers can have LED lighting in its fixture to conserve electricity. A Victorianera bed frame can be filled with memory foam. With endless combinations of past styles and modern technology, coupled with the nostalgic Millennial market, the retro aesthetic may become the new trend soon enough. p
SPECTRUM | ORANGE
THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL
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Orange is the new black Using the color orange as part of your home design and decoration is almost like incorporating one of Guam’s beautiful sunsets: it’s intense, energetic and even dreamy at times. Orange is attention-grabbing, which is why it is the primary color for traffic cones, safety vests and some caution signs. These may not be ideal things to think about
when designing, but there are more positive and heartwarming scenes where orange is represented. “Orange reminds me of Guam’s vibrant and eye-catching sunsets,” said Austin Grant, owner of decorative business Grey by Grant. “This color also reminds me of flames — particularly, when I’m sitting by a campfire and watching the flames shift.”
This color can be gathered from an array of natural elements, like on wood or foliage on some of Guam’s trees. Grant suggested magnolia leaves and branches as beautiful pieces to add as decorative pieces in a room. “For a pop of color, arrange magnolia branches in a modern vase and place it on an end table or coffee table. You can also place
fresh oranges in a chic white bowl and place them on your kitchen counter,” he said. Orange can also be the main color of a space, instead of an accent. While it can seem intimidating to use, it truly transforms a space when used in the right places, especially ones you want noticed. continued on page 10
Orange can grab your attention.
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SPECTRUM | ORANGE
THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL
PUBLISHER Maureen N. Maratita EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Morgan Legel CONTENT COORDINATOR John I. Borja EVENT COORDINATOR AND DESIGN CONSULTANT / CONSULTANT TO REJ Alan Torrado CREATIVE CONTENT MANAGER Vikki Fong DESIGN & PRODUCTION Conrad Calma DIGITAL MEDIA SALES Natalie Gilbert ADMINISTRATION Jennifer Orot The color orange can make a room more energetic, creative and inspiring.
DIRECTOR Ken Duenas MANAGING DIRECTOR Marcos W. Fong
The Real Estate Journal — October 4, 2021. Entire contents copyrighted 2019 by Glimpses Media. The Real Estate Journal is published monthly by Glimpses Media. 161 US Army Juan C. Fejeran St., Barrigada Heights, Guam 96913. (671) 649-0883; Fax (671) 649-8883. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Glimpses Media, P.O. Box 3191, Hagåtña, Guam 96932. Send e-mail to glimpses@glimpsesofguam.com. All rights reserved. No material may be printed in part or in whole without written permission from the publisher. Printed by Guam Daily Post LLC, on Guam. In the Northern Mariana Islands, contact Glimpses Media at Glimpses of Saipan Inc., 2nd Floor Transpac Business Center, Middle Road, Gualo Rai, Saipan, MP 96950, or call (670) 235-7645; Fax (670) 234-1801. Send e-mail to subscriptions@ glimpsesofguam.com.
Glimpses Media includes Guam Business Magazine, Marianas Business Journal, MBJ Life, The Real Estate Journal, Beach Road Magazine, Buenas, Drive Guam Magazine and Pocket Deals. Glimpses of Guam Inc. Mission Statement: To connect people with information.
continued from page 9
Bedrooms and bathrooms are better with orange accents, while living rooms, kitchens and office spaces are more suited for bigger usage of the color. “These areas of your home are where you want to feel inspired and energetic,” Grant said. For color matching, Grant suggested using a complementary, monochromatic or analogous approach, depending on personal interest. When looking at a color wheel, colors that are opposite of each other are complementary. Blue is the opposite of orange. A perfect example of this combination is a view of a sunset by the sea. This combination is also used in retro designs. Monochromatic and analogous colors are less about contrast and more about blending and gradients. Orange’s analogous partners are yellow and red, and a combination of these colors can easily display the color of trees during the fall. Monochromatic blending — using different shades of orange — can add dimension wherever it is applied. “Remember, orange should be used as a splash of color to boost inspiration, cause joy and spark confidence,” Grant said. “This can be an accent wall, stylish chair, patterned rug or a throw blanket.” p
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