SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 ISSUE | REJGUAM.COM
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Knitting it all together
Upstairs, downstairs Accents Earthly delights
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Checklist Oldies but goodies
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Spectrum Mellow yellow
t INDEX UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS .............................................4 ACCENTS ...........................................................................7 CHECKLIST .......................................................................8 SPECTRUM .......................................................................9
Craft rooms tend to be one of the messiest spaces, so get creative with organization — it will both inspire and soothe.
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UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS | CRAFT ROOM
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Knitting it all together Craft rooms tend to be one of the most organized and neat spaces in a room, despite its nature to get a little messy. After all creativity, needs an open and clear space to get started. This is the space where you can keep all your hobbies organized in one place, instead
When decorating a craft room, think of open space, tidiness and organization.
of taking up the living room or dining room table. Independent design consultant Alan Torrado said if there’s an extra room in the home, the craft room can be the best option to unravel all your creative endeavors. From sewing to painting to sculpting, this room is meant to make your personal
activities soar. “When decorating your craft room, you need to remember to keep in functional and organized,” Torrado said. “It’s important to have a lot of storage shelves, containers and boxes to properly keep things organized and within reach for when you do your projects.”
Torrado said an island in the middle of the room with stools and storage areas would create a big working space with most of your materials kept in the same area. Additional cabinets and racks along the walls can be used to display art supplies, finished products and inspirational pieces
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A lighter wall color and furniture will give the illusion of a bigger space, allowing the colorful craft materials to steal the show.
like family photos or magazine cutouts of personal styles. Neutral or white walls would work well in a craft room. After all, the room must always start as a blank slate before creativity kicks in. But color can be added in the fabrics and craft materials that are kept in the room. These materials can serve as the focal point of the room when organized tastefully. “If you want color to energize your creative juices, consider painting the walls yellow. It represents creativity and energy of the sun,” Torrado said. Because craft rooms are bound to get messy, it is ideal to not include too many furniture pieces in the room. Sofas and recliners can get stained in an instant, Torrado said. It is also best to not include large furniture pieces that take up too much room. This can cause one’s mind to feel caved in. Think of a craft room as an open space with only a few cabinets, a working surface area and lots of room. The more open space there is, the easier it is for the mind to get into a creative headspace. A good light source helps with the room’s functionality, too. Natural sunlight with sheer curtains can add a nice fantasy glow effect to the space, further influencing a creative atmosphere. p
Space for supplies and storage are essential.
UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS | CRAFT ROOM
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ACCENTS | NATURE-INSPIRED
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Earthly delights On an island, images of nature appear almost all around us. The beauty of Guam’s jungles, streams and mountainous views can inspire homeowners to add bits of those scenes into the home, adding a refreshing look and atmosphere. Plants are the most popular natural pieces that can easily bring a home to life, especially if one chooses to have real ones instead of imitations. Be careful, though, because the revitalizing effect of plants at home only works if they are taken care of well. “You have to ask yourself how much time can you devote to caring for your plants,” said Alan Torrado,
A wall covered in vines can add a touch of elegance to the exterior of a home.
independent design consultant. “Is there enough sunlight in your home? Is there too much sunlight? There are plants which you would need to water every day, as opposed to succulents that only need water every 10 to 14 days.” Ornamental plants have been very popular among Millennials and Generation Z, but they require a lot of effort to keep them alive. Torrado suggests succulent-type plants for those who have busy schedules. “One indoor plant that I recommend is an aloe vera plant. It purifies the air and the gel from the plant relieves pain from burns and scrapes,” Torrado said.
Aside from plants, one can also use rocks, sand and dirt to create an outside accent design in the front or back of the home. Rock gardens can be made with large, uniquely shaped rocks to represent the landscape, while white sand or gravel can mimic a beach. It’s illustrating a natural scene using resources that do not cost a penny, Torrado said. Finally, nature-inspired finishes for the home can take on many forms. The most common type is wooden finishes. Although most Guam homes are made of concrete, wooden finishes can bring back a more traditional and natural look to spaces.
“Choosing the right (wood) should reflect your personal style. It can be beautiful dark mahogany or walnut hardwood floors,” Torrado said. “Outdoor furniture can be made of teakwood because of its weather-resistant features. Whatever the case, natural finishes bring the outdoors into the home.” If you’re feeling especially artsy, incorporating vines to an exterior side wall or along a gate can add elegance to spaces, and can even hide some unflattering features. Like indoor plants, however, vines need a lot of care of maintenance so there is no overgrowth into areas where it should not be. p
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C HEC KLIST | OLD APPLIANCES
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Oldies but goodies Large electrical appliances like refrigerators, washers and dryers can last many years if taken care of properly, so regular maintenance can go a long way in saving money. Just because a machine is old does not mean it’s time has ended, there are many ways to elongate the life of appliances. The number one tip that Appliance Specialist Guam Owner Salvador “Buddy” Haber gives to local residents is to protect their appliances from power surges and fluctuations. This if often the issue Haber gets called for; when he arrives at a home to repair a fridge or a dryer, he notices that do not have voltage monitors attached to them. “It’s no surprise that Guam
Regular maintenance of electrical appliances like washers and dryers can make them last longer.
has power fluctuations, especially when there’s bad weather. Homeowners should use voltage monitors to protect the electrical parts of an appliance. Every time you buy a new appliance, install a surge protector,” Haber said. Additionally, appliances are best kept indoors and not outside where they are susceptible to moisture. This can cause the machines to rust, he said. Refrigerators are tucked nicely into the kitchen, but some homeowners prefer to have their washers and dryers in an outdoor storage space. If this is the only available space, try to keep a cloth cover over the appliances when not in use. Most washing machines
nowadays have a self-cleaning option, where a regular cycle with warm water will run to clean the barrel. However, if there is evidence of rust or calcium buildup, a homeowner can pour a little bit of calcium, lime and rust remover into the washing machine and let it run one cycle, Haber said. As for dryers, it is best to routinely check the airflow of the exhaust vent and make sure there are no obstructions. In some cases, these appliances will need repairs that require a specialist. If an appliance is not working or is showing hazardous signs, it would be ideal to call a technician before opting to buy a new one.
“Keep in mind that technicians specialize in certain brands, and all brands have different procedures. Keep track of the brands you buy so you can find out who to call,” Haber said. If an appliance is beyond repair, it must be discarded. Guam Solid Waste Authority clients are allotted up to two free collections of white goods and metallic waste per year, with additional collections costing $25. “Customers requesting collection service are given a day for collection of up to five items, which must be placed at the curb. Collection crews cannot move bulky and metallic items to the curb on private property,” according to the GSWA website. p
SPECTRUM | YELLOW
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Mellow yellow The color yellow can be a bit tricky to add to a home, mainly because there is an abundance of it in both natural and artificial elements. Bright sunlight through a window can bring a cascading golden yellow to a room and brighten everything it touches. Incandescent lightbulbs radiate a warm tone that can make white walls yellow. Because this color is
implemented in one’s everyday life, yellow can be used to add pop to any space that inspires activity. “Apply the color anywhere that’s supposed to be a warm, bright and inviting place,” said independent design consultant Alan Torrado. Yellow walls are daring and intimidating, but they can work best in rooms with controlled lighting. That way, the color does
not clash with sunlight, which can be harsh on yellow. Add light blue accents to the walls and you have a classic color combination, Torrado said. For those who cannot commit to yellow walls, the color can be used as accents to furniture pieces. Yellow throw pillows on a sofa and a patterned area rug complement each other and add more light to a
room, Torrado said. Yellow would also be a plus on banisters or on dining tables with fresh or artificial sunflowers or coasters. Yellows can be applied to exterior walls as well, although Torrado recommends using the color there in moderation. “When painting the exterior of continued on page 10
A yellow wall may be too bold for some, but it certainly brings life to a room.
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SPECTRUM | YELLOW
continued from page 9
PUBLISHER Maureen N. Maratita EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Morgan Legel
a home, it should be made up of three colors: one for the walls and roof, one for trimmings and lastly, an accent color for the doors or shutters. I personally would love to see a yellow front door. It’s a perfect color to welcome someone into your home,” he said.
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 DIRECTOR Ken Duenas MANAGING DIRECTOR Marcos W. Fong
The Real Estate Journal — September 6, 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.
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The first thing any guest sees is the exterior of your home, so why not start with a bright, welcoming statement like this yellow door?
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Take care not to go overboard with yellow. A vivacious color can bring a lot of emphasis in small doses, but too much of it can often overwhelm or cast a shadow on other parts of the home that are meant to be seen. The color is also often associated with caution, as seen in traffic or warning signs, so it may also bring about an air
of discomfort or uncertainty. It is best not to use too much of this color in spaces where people go to concentrate or work. However, as long as the color is applied tastefully, yellow can certainly transform a house into a happy home. p