Home and Garden, and Real Estate- January 15, 2023

PROJECT OF THE WEEK: Lighthouse project is a bright idea, F3

ANTIQUES & COLLECTING: Some collectibles aren’t what they seem, F4

IN THE GARDEN WITH LEE REICH: Your plants have a preferred window, F6

MORTGAGE RATES: U.S. mortgage rate comes back down, F7

WMASS DEEDS, F7 PLUS: 8 steps to paint like a pro, F10

Gas stoves vs. electric:

By B ecky K rystal The Washington Post

THE TYPE OF STOVE

you have in your home is determined by multiple factors. Chief among them is what type of hookup — gas or electric — you have and whether you can change that.

Renters and others in multiunit condos or townhouses have little choice. If you do have the luxury of choice, you may consider your cooking habits, your budget and your household. Now, another factor may soon force many people’s hands when it comes to stoves: government bans.

As reported by The Washington Post Tuesday, Richard Trumka Jr., a commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), said the U.S. agency was considering a ban on gas stoves — or at least standards around the amount of toxic fumes such stoves can release into American homes. Several cities have already enacted bans on gas stoves in certain new residences.

The CPSC chair, Alexander Hoehn-Saric, walked back Trumka’s comments in a statement Wednesday, saying, “I am not looking to ban gas stoves and the CPSC has no proceeding to do so.” But Hoehn-Saric did reiterate that the agency would look at ways to reduce emissions created by gas stoves. It’s clear this is just the beginning of the fight, as lobbyists, legislators and advocates will probably be duking it out for some time on whether gas stoves will go the way of the dodo. But the contention is more than theoretical. Whatever happens will have a practical impact on the lives of home cooks. So what do you need to know about the differences between gas, traditional electric and induction cooktops? Let’s compare.

1. How they work

• Gas: Gas stoves rely on a combustible mixture of oxygen and gas that flows more or less depending on how you turn the control knob. The cookware is

heated by the open flame.

• Traditional electric: Also known as radiant cooktops, these appliances rely on the slow process of conducting heat from a coil to the cookware. Those coils may be exposed, as you’ll find in older models, or under a smooth ceramic glass surface.

• Induction: Induction cooktops employ copper coils under the ceramic to create a magnetic field that sends pulses into the cookware. This causes the electrons in the pot or pan to move faster, resulting in heat.

2. Safety and climate impact

• Gas: This is the crux of the bans being enacted and considered. “When a gas stove is on, it releases not only fine pieces of particulate matter that can invade the lungs, but also nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and formaldehyde — all of which have been linked to various health risks,” Osaka writes. In terms of climate impact, more gas hookups make it that much harder to move away from fossil fuels. And research shows that gas stoves emit the greenhouse gas methane. As far as other safety issues, the open flames and accessible knobs of gas stoves can be of special concern for households with small children and pets.

• Traditional electric: Traditional electric models don’t emit indoor pollutants. Because of the heat coming off the coils, though, anything in contact with the burners can start to get hot or even catch fire. Most electric homes still rely on fossil fuels but leave open the possibility for a shift to renewable energy sources.

• Induction: Like traditional electric, induction cooktops release no indoor pollutants, and in the future, they may be fueled by renewable energy. These cooktops don’t get very hot, as they heat only compatible cookware, though some residual warmth from the cookware can be transferred back into the ceramic surface.

3. Responsiveness and

heat maintenance

• Gas: Gas stoves are very responsive, easily moving between temperatures. You can see it as the flame shrinks or grows as you turn the knob. Gas does pretty well maintaining a simmer, Consumer Reports notes, but is not as steady in general as electric.

• Traditional electric: Traditional electric models typically take longer to heat up or cool down. Because of the potential for residual heat, you sometimes run the risk of burning foods when switching from high to low heat, which is why some experts recommend switching burners if you need to drop the temperature quickly.

• Induction: Similar to gas, induction cooktops are very responsive to changes in the heat setting. Consumer Reports finds that water boils 20 to 40 percent faster than it does on the best gas or electric burners. Induction maintains a simmer well; however, you may find yourself needing to use a slightly higher temp than you’re used to, as induction is so responsive that a low setting can be cooler than you expect.

4. Cleaning

• Gas: Gas stoves can be a bear to clean, thanks to the grates and cavities underneath.

• Traditional electric: Radiant models with exposed burners pose some of the same challenges as gas cooktops in terms of cleaning. Ceramic cooktops are much simpler to wipe down, though the residual heat means you may get more food burned onto the surface after spills.

• Induction: Induction cooktops are just as easy to clean as other ceramic-topped models. You’re less likely to have to deal with food encrusted on the surface since they don’t get nearly as hot.

5. Price

• Gas: This applies to all types of stoves: You can find models across a wide range of price points, and the most expensive options are not always the best. Price depends on where you live and your retailer, so it pays to shop around. If you’re looking for a point of reference, Consumer Reports recently released its list of top-performing ranges

of all types for this year. The No. 1 gas model from LG goes for $1,698 to $2,447.

• Traditional electric: These are more often among the lowest-priced stoves, though not across the board. The favorite from Consumer Reports is made by LG and runs from $698 to $1,299.

• Induction: While a highend induction model may be two or more times the price of a comparable gas or traditional electric option, at the entry level you can find induction cooktops for less than $1,000, putting them more in line with other ranges. A Frigidaire that goes for $1,093 to $1,549 was the third-place induction range from Consumer Reports, while the top-ranking model from LG comes in at $2,298 to $3,500. Especially if you are switching from gas to induction (or traditional electric), you have to consider the price of changing your lines

and other hardware, though there are some government incentives that can help cover the cost of the appliance and the conversion. If you don’t have cookware that is induction compatible, that would be an additional cost, though many common pans, including cast-iron, stainless steel and some nonstick, already are. Aluminum, pure copper, glass and ceramic are not. While induction is more energy-efficient than older gas or electric stoves because the direct transfer of energy means no heat is lost to the air, keep your energy bill expectations in check, Paul Hope, the home and appliance editor at Consumer Reports, told me. You may see modest savings but nothing dramatic, especially as cooking appliances account for only about 2 percent of your household energy usage.

(JULI TRUSH PHOTOGRAPHY)

STOCKBRIDGE

Botanical garden programs

Berkshire Botanical Garden presents the following upcoming programs;

• Wednesdays, Jan. 18 to Feb. 1, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., “Organic Vegetable Gardening,” online classes. Led by Bridgette Stone, this class is designed for those starting or maintaining a vegetable garden. This online course will include discussion of seed selection, seeding schedules, bed preparation, and successful planting practice. During the first two sessions, students will learn about these practices, as well as what different vegetable families require to be successful. For the third class, students will demonstrate their learning by completing a vegetable garden design to be implemented at their own homes. Cost is $55 members, $65 nonmembers;

• Thursdays, Jan. 19 to March 23, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., “Sustainable Garden Care and Maintenance” online classes. Learn about the maintenance considerations that should be integrated into the garden design process. Students’ horticultural knowledge will expand to factor sustainable maintenance concerns and cost-effectiveness into plant selection. Learn procedures for perennials, woody plants and lawns, including transplanting, staking, fertilizing, winterizing, mulching, plant pathology, and pest control with an emphasis on deer control. Taught by Daryl Beyers. Cost is $190 members, $205 nonmembers. Need help with tuition, visit the website to apply. For more information, or to register, visit www.berkshirebotanical.org; Botanical Garden is located at 5 West Stockbridge Road.

EAST

Garden Club Scholarship

for the 2023 Esther A. Rosati Memorial East Longmeadow Garden Club Scholarship in the amount of $1,000. Applicants must presently be an East Longmeadow High School senior or a recent graduate of East Longmeadow High School, be planning to attend an institution of higher learning, or a graduate student who is a resident of East Longmeadow and is attending or planning to attend an institution of higher learning, or an East Longmeadow student who is a resident and has been accepted to participate in a special program.

All applicants must be planning to pursue a degree in agriculture, botany, conservation, ecology, environmental engineering, environmental science, floral design, forestry, landscaping architecture, oceanography, perma-culture/ agro-ecology or a related field.

Applicants must include a copy of an official grade transcript and applications must be received on or before Feb. 28. Applicants being considered will be contacted by the East Longmeadow Garden Club’s Scholarship Committee for an interview. The recipient will be awarded the scholarship at the annual May meeting of the East Longmeadow Garden Club. Scholarship applications can be picked up at the high school guidance office or the East Longmeadow Public Library or download it from eastlongmeadowgard. wixsite.com/gardens.

Send completed application and transcript to East Longmeadow Garden Club Scholarship Committee, c/o Diane A. Tiago, 38 Rogers Road, East Longmeadow, MA 01028.

Send items for Garden Notes to pmastriano@repub.com two weeks prior to publication

Don & Dave Runyan | Project of The Week

Lighthouse project is a bright idea

FEATURING A WORKing light, this do-ityourself lighthouse project creates a welcoming beacon for any home port.

The project’s dramatic paint scheme, based on the historic Cape Hatteras lighthouse in North Carolina, creates a striking accent for any yard or garden. Topped with a solar-powered garden light (available at most home and garden centers), the lighthouse requires no wiring or electricity. Other required materials include a single sheet of exterior plywood, three feet of dimensional lumber, a hardwood dowel, fasteners and some paint. The project is easy enough for almost any builder to get great results.

Modular construction, mostly straight cuts, full-size traceable patterns and a color chart for painting make it simple.

To build, trace the parts onto plywood, cut everything out and sand. Next, assemble and paint the base, tower and top separately. To finish, stack the three subassemblies, add the light and wait for the sun to go down.

The completed lighthouse is 22 inches in diameter at its widest point and stands about 64 inches tall.

The Cape Lighthouse plan, No. 941, is $10.95 and includes detailed step-bystep instructions with photos,

full-size patterns, a shopping list and a cutting schedule and layout.

Please include $3.95 per order for postage and handling and allow about two weeks for delivery.

To order by mail, clip this article and send it with a check or money order to U-Bild Features, c/o The Republican, 741B Olive Ave., Vista CA 92083. To order by credit card, visit U-Bild on the web at u-bild.com.

LONGMEADOW

Cape Lighthouse (U-BUILD)

Some collectibles aren’t what they seem

SOME COLLECTibles aren’t what they seem at first glance. This green enameled piece that sold for $252 at Morphy Auctions looks like a covered jar. A closer look at the finial, shaped like a seated cherub or putto playing a stringed instrument, suggests its true purpose. It’s really a music box that plays two tunes.

That’s not all it is: Wind it up and the panels open, revealing a silver toned pocket behind each panel. The pockets were originally meant to hold cigarettes. It’s a music box and a cigarette dispenser!

It’s well-known that smoking was much more common in the first half of the 20th century before its links to lung cancer had been determined. Smoking is less popular today, but smoking paraphernalia and tobacciana are collectible. Ashtrays, especially with advertising, are popular and often inexpensive. Collectors of advertising and packaging look for antique tobacco tins. Lighters have their own category in Kovels’ price guide. Smoking stands appear in antique furniture collections.

Some collectors may repurpose their smoking collectibles by using ashtrays as ring dishes, cigarette cases as credit card holders or smoking stands as plant stands. This cigarette dispenser’s decorations and multiple functions could make it part of a collection of tobacciana, enamels or music boxes.

Q. My mother left me her Pfaff sewing machine, which she bought in 1925 as part of her trousseau. It’s a heavy, treadle type machine. It came across the ocean on the ship my family took when we came to the United States. I

don’t know what it’s worth or what to do with it. I thought of donating it to a fabric shop to be used as a curiosity.

A. Georg Michael Pfaff (1823-1893) made musical instruments. He made his first sewing machine by hand in 1862. Sewing machines continued to be handmade for several years. The first machines were made to sew leather shoes. Pfaff opened a shop in London in 1885. By 1910 the company had made a million sewing machines. Programmable computer-operated machines were made beginning in 1983. Pfaff was sold in 1999. It is now part of DAP Industrial AG. Old treadle machines sell for about $100. Those with ornate decorations and gold

CURRENT PRICES

This musical cigarette dispenser dates to the 1950s. Smoking was fashionable at the time; the link between smoking and lung cancer had not yet been proven. (2023 BY COWLES

SYNDICATE INC.)

Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.

Photograph, sepia print, Martin Luther King’s speech, “I Have A Dream,” crowd around Tidal Basin and Washington Monument, Washington, D.C., 1963, on heavy card stock, 11 x 14 inches, $70.

Cut glass cruet, Ramona pattern, hobstar, vesica, strawberry diamond, prism and fans, oval, double notched handle, rayed base, bulbous stopper, American Brilliant, Pairpoint, 6 1/4 x 3 3/4 inches, $200.

Dinnerware, Franciscan, Starburst pattern, scattered starbursts on cream ground, dinner, salad and dessert plates, bowls, soups, cups, saucers, creamer, sugar, pitcher, serving pieces, marked, 30 pieces, $390.

Political button, Martin Luther King, celluloid, sepia photograph, pinback, integral stand and hanger, 1968, 9 inches, $465.

Pottery tile, landscape, winding lane, low bushes, trees, hills, house in distance, muted colors with black outlines, raised maker’s mark, Trent Tile Works, c. 1925, 6 x 6 inches, $560.

Silver bowl, round, lobed, applied stylized L monogram, rolled rim, flared foot, marked, “Sterling Hand Wrought At The Kalo Shop 287,” Chicago, 2 3/4 x 6 3/4 inches, $685.

Candy container, child holding small snowball, sitting on larger snowball, Heubach bisque head and hands, white faux fur snowsuit with tan trim, snowball opens for candy, 8 inches, $750.

Toy, Busy Cart Robot, construction robot, pushes wheeled cart, yellow and black, battery operated, Horikawa, Japan, original box, 12 inches, $800.

Lamp, electric, desk, two tapered black metal rods, ring base, cream colored perforated enameled metal shade, Ben Seibel for Raymor, 25 1/2 x 7 1/4 inches, $1,495.

Magazine, TIME, Feb. 18, 1957 issue, Rev. Martin Luther King picture on cover, signed and inscribed, sold with letter of authenticity, $3,120.

trim sell for more. Donating an old machine is easier than trying to sell it. Try a local historical museum.

Q. My mother gave me several sets of antique teacups and saucers she found at an estate sale two years ago. I’ve bought about five more sets since then and haven’t paid more than $5 for any of them. I’ve been able to validate the authenticity of all of them except one. It’s marked “Hand Painted” above the initials “T.P.” in a diamond shape. Below that it says “Nippon.” Can you tell me if the mark is authentic?

A. Goods imported into the United States had to be marked with the country of origin after the McKinley Tariff Act was passed in 1890. Some manufacturers didn’t want to use the word “Japan” because Japanese goods were often thought to be inferior, so they used “Nippon,” the Japanese word for “Japan.” Beginning in 1921, the United States required the word “Japan” instead of “Nippon” on goods imported from Japan. Many different Japanese companies used the word “Nippon” in their marks. You can find pieces online with the “T.P., Nippon” mark like yours. The maker is unknown but that does not mean it’s not made in Japan.

Q. My father was an official of a Merchant Marine union. The seamen would often bring back gifts, such as rugs, from overseas. I have several rugs in different colors and sizes. I have no idea of their country of origin or value. How can I find out something about them and their value?

A. An expert on rugs would have to see the rugs to determine their value. It may not be possible to determine the country or origin unless there is something unique in the design or technique that identifies them. Contact stores in your area that

sell authentic Oriental rugs to see if they can help. If you have a friend who has old Oriental rugs, they may be able to tell you who to contact.

Q. How much is a toy Fisher-Price School Days Desk worth? It has a carrying handle, chalkboard top, a pullout tray with plastic letters with magnets on them, a place to store extra letters and numbers, and a space at the bottom that holds cardboard stencils with cutout words on them. It’s been well used, but it still has all the letters and stencils. The number “176” is on the side of the desk.

A. Fisher-Price made School Days Desk number 176 in 1972. The chalkboard is made of steel so the letters and numbers will stick to it. It originally came with a box of chalk and an eraser. Old sets in good condition with all the letters, numbers and cards sell for $50 or more. Sets missing a few letters can sell for about $25, if in good condition. Missing letters sell online for $2 or $3 apiece.

TIP: To loosen a rusted metal part on a toy, try soaking it in cola.

Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel answer readers’ questions sent to the column. Send a letter with one question describing the size, material (glass, pottery, etc.), and what you know about the item. Include only two pictures: the object, and a closeup of any marks or damage. Be sure your name and return address are included. By sending a question, you give full permission for use in any Kovel product. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. We do not guarantee the return of photographs, but if a stamped envelope is included, we will try. Questions that are answered will appear in Kovels Publications. Write to Kovels, (Name of this newspaper), King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 or email us at CollectorsGallery@kovels.com.

Terry & Kim Kovel | Antiques & Collecting

Reich | In the Garden

Did you know your plants have a preferred window?

NOTHING ADDS more to the beauty of a home than a few well-selected house plants. It makes the long bleak winters pleasant, and there are no pictures or furniture that can add so much beauty and interest as the natural flower.” I’ll wager these two sentences are as true today as when Professor B. G. Jefferis (M.D. and Ph.D.) penned the advice in his Household Guide; or Practical Helps for Every Home in 1893. Perhaps more true now, given our increasing synthetic environment: plastic clothes, plastic toys, even plastic plants!

“

it once called home.

Dr. Jefferis rightly points out that each houseplant has its preferred window. A zonal geranium will revel in scorching sunlight flooding through a south facing window, yet in that same light a Chinese evergreen would, well . . . scorch. Conversely, a geranium would languish in a dim, north facing window, whose light makes the Chinese evergreen feel as if it were back in the shaded depths of a tropical forest floor

North windows receive only diffuse sunlight, except for a glancing slice of direct sun early in the morning and late in the evening when days are long. North windows also are the coolest windows in a house. Nowadays, with airtight and insulated windows, at least there is no need for stuffing newspaper between the pane and the plants, as was recommended each night in Victorian homes of Dr. Jefferis’ days. A north window is ideal for foliage plants like ferns, cast-iron plant, philodendron, and peperomia. Any of the ivies (English, German, Swedish, or devil’s) can be trained to trail around the molding. Or a rose geranium could perfume the air with its scented leaves.

The full force of the sun in southern windows brings light and heat. This calls for attention to watering. One missed watering and plants are apt to be wilted beyond recovery (unless the plants are succulents or cacti, which thrive in south windows). Where

watering is attended to, exotics like bougainvillea, bromeliads, calla lilies and lantanas can be brought to flower. More mundane, except perhaps in winter, would be a pot of petunias or alyssum. Citrus will flourish in a south window, giving fragrant flowers, then fruit. I fruit a few pots of alpine strawberries in a southern window. Bright sunlight also is needed to make the colors splash on coleus leaves.

Microclimate at an east or west window is intermediate to that between north and south windows with respect to temperature and light. Even so, east and west windows are not the same. An east window brings friendly, morning sun, which floats up and away before hardly warming window plants. This combination of bright light and equable temperature suits plants finicky about holding onto their flower buds before they open, like gardenia, cyclamen, and begonia.

A west window is also bright, but hotter than an east

The case for talking to your houseplants

By Stacey C olino The Washington Post

PLANTS DON’T INTERRUPT WHEN you’re speaking. They don’t argue or ask difficult questions. And regardless of whether they’re actually listening, research has shown them to be a calming presence. It’s no wonder, then, that so many of us talk to ours.

In a 2022 survey by Trees.com, 50 percent of the 1,250 respondents reported talking to their plants and/or trees. When asked why, 65 percent said they believe it helps them grow. The research, however, isn’t definitive about this point. While studies have found that vibrations caused by sound do affect plants, the jury’s still out on whether the human voice offers any specific benefit.

For many plant owners, though, the science is beside the point. Marquis Matson, co-founder of the blog the Indoor Nursery, says she talks to her plants every day because “it feels nice. . . . I

think plants get a sense of community from my talking to them and that keeps them going.”

“One thing humans are really good at is anthropomorphizing — we talk to all kinds of things that aren’t human, like our dogs and cats,” says Cindy McPherson Frantz, a professor of psychology and environmental studies at Oberlin College in Ohio. “We’re hardwired to project a sentient mind, intentionality, or feelings onto other beings or objects - and to want to connect to things outside ourselves. Plants can fulfill that need.”

On the plant side of the equation, a study in a 2003 issue of the journal Ultrasonics investigated the effects of classical music and the sounds of birds, insects and water on the growth of Chinese cabbage and cucumber. The conclusion? Both forms of sound exposure increased the vegetables’ growth. In a 2015 study published in the International Journal of Integrative Sciences, Innovation and Technology, researchers exposed marigold and chickpea plants to

window. Such conditions are better suited to African violets, gloxinias, and hoyas. Many foliage plants requiring medium amounts of light, like rubber tree, weeping fig, dracaenas, and asparagus fern, do well at either east or west windows, though more water is needed at the west window.

The way to tell if a plant should do well at a particular window is to look up its requirements or ask someone knowledgeable. A plant actually is doing well at a particular site if, after a few months, the plant still has its characteristic leaf color and the stems are not drawn and pale. Remem-

ber that light diminishes back away from a window or when windows are obstructed by trees. A geranium just a few feet away from a south window manages to grab just ten percent of the sunlight as does its counterpart sitting right on the sill.

One final bit of advice from the wise doctor: “Do not attempt to grow too many plants. It is better to have one healthy, well-grown plant, than a dozen sickly ones which have neither beauty nor blossom.”

Any gardening questions? Email garden@leereich.com. Come visit my garden at www. leereich.com/blog

Lee

African violet enjoys the warm and semi-bright light of a west-facing window. (CREDITS: LEE REICH)

Average US mortgage rate comes back down

By M ATT O TT Associated Press

AFTER TWO straight weekly increases, the average long-term U.S. mortgage rate came back down again this week but remains a significant hurdle for many prospective homebuyers.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the average on the benchmark 30-year rate fell to 6.33% from 6.48% last week. A year ago the average rate was 3.45%.

The average long-term rate reached a two-decade high of 7.08% in the fall as the Federal Reserve continued to boost its key lending rate in its quest to cool the economy and tame inflation.

At its final meeting of 2022, the Federal Reserve raised its rate 0.50 percentage points, its seventh increase last year. That pushed the central bank’s key rate to a range of 4.25% to 4.5%, its highest level in 15 years.

Though another report Thursday showed that inflation at the consumer level eased to 6.5% in December — a sixth straight monthly decline — Fed officials have signaled that they may raise the central bank’s main borrowing rate another three-quarters of a point in 2023, which would be in a range of 5% to 5.25%.

Though home prices have retreated as demand has declined, they are still nearly 11% higher than a year ago.

The rate for a 15-year mortgage, popular with those refinancing their homes, also fell this week, to 5.52% from 5.73% last week. It was 2.62% one year ago.

Deeds

AGAWAM

Campbell Drive LLC, to Sergeo V. Arbuzov and Olga Arbuzov, 24 Campbell Drive, $320,000.

Deborah A. Andrews to Kelnate Realty LLC, trustee, and Walnut Street Realty Trust, trustee of, 216218 Walnut St., $175,000.

Dorothy J. Gallo and Cynthia A. Girand to Scott Pattenaude, 248 South Westfield St., $142,000.

Frederick S. Fruwirth to Frederick S. Fruwirth Jr., 51 Fruwirth Ave., $160,000.

Jennie P. Usifer to Lance Berneche and Lisa Berneche, G-26 Mansion Woods Drive, $26,000.

Joshua W. Stanley and Beatrice Stanley to Geraldine O’Sullivan, 1370 Main St., $401,000.

Lisa M. Curry and Kevin M. Curry to Corey Jenks and Anna Nadler, 40 Plumtree Way, $545,000.

Mehul Lakhani and Sanjana Mehrotra to Richard Herbert, 5 Mansion Woods, Unit C, $260,000.

Pine Crossing Construction Inc., to Kevin M. Curry and Liza M. Curry, 84 Villa Drive, Unit 29, $475,000.

Sadiq A. Elias to Christine A. Elias, 1083 Suffield St., $150,000.

Tifany Inacio to Calabrese Construction LLC, 16 Norris St., $120,000.

AMHERST

Phoebe J. Merriam-Welcome, Phoebe J. Merriam and Bryan T. Welcome to Ngoc Diem Pham and Ha M. Nguyen, 20 Western Lane, $370,000.

Eric H. Kleinberg, Suiyin Kleinberg and Sui Yin T. Kleinberg to Xuhui Li and Daowei Lu, 24 Tanglewood Road, $635,000.

William H. Grohmann and William R. Grohmann to Jesse W. Johnson, 146 Sunset Ave., $100.

BELCHERTOWN

Gary R. Wilkinson and Karen A. Wilkinson to Caitlin McCabe, 9 Chauncey Walker St., $330,000.

Samuel O. Walker and Heather L. Walker to Benjamin Nyzio, Sabin Street, $69,500.

Kenneth I. Hislop, trustee, Lyle Hislop, trustee, and Irving R. Hislop Nominee Trust to Kenneth I. Hislop, Lyle G. Hislop and Robert L. Hislop, Jensen Street, $100.

Kyle M. Belanger and Jennifer Belanger to Nicolas Dente and Lindsey Dente, 154 Chauncey Walker St., $350,000.

Diane M. Lemire to Robert H. Adair, 5 Diane Drive, $490,000.

Jeffrey N. Cosgrove to Daniel A. Hebert and Kayla M. Pelletier, 203 Orchard St., and 203 Orchard Street Rear, $216,600.

Declan McCarthy to Thomas A. Whelan and Maeve M. Whelan, 55 Chadbourne Road, $280,000.

Brooke E. Coughlin, Brooke E. Packard and Brendan M. Coughlin to Kristy A. Sullivan and Carolina R. Salvetti, 40 Ware Road, $280,000.

Robert Morra and John Roda to Brendan Michael Coughlin and Brooke Elizabeth Coughlin, 119 Franklin St., $615,000.

Jackson Brothers Property Management LLC, to Land of Oz LLC., and Stadler Street Realty LLC, 1-3 Stadler St., and 12 Jabish St., $4,250,000.

BLANDFORD

Gary Fitzgerald and Pamela Fitzgerald to MHI Properties LLC, 145 Chester Road, $160,000.

BRIMFIELD

Alan M. Pelletier and Christine A. Pelletier to Sean Moynagh, 18 Lyman Barnes Road, $451,500.

Cheney Family Nominee Trust, trustee of, David L. Cheney, trustee, and Vickie M. Cheney, trustee,

to Steerage Rock Properties LLC, Brookfield Road, $100,000.

Marc A. Piotte and Tammy J. Piotte to Christian Ciesluk and Tina-Elise Ciesluk, 32 First St., $25,000.

CHICOPEE

Ai Hong Huang and Jin Min Li to Gary Wilkinson, 32 Yorktown Court, $211,590.

Arbors Associates LLC, to MPK Properties LLC, 0 Memorial Drive, $2,500,000.

Deniz Kan and Denis Mehmet Kan to JCD Realty Inc., 15 Wawel St., $86,308.

Gerald J. Podsiadlo and Gerald L. Podsiadlo to Charlotte N. Wodi, 109 Andersen Road, Unit G6, $187,000.

Ibelis Mateo to Darlene Saczawa and Patricia Saczawa, 23 State St., $225,000.

John A. Ziemba Jr., Edward A. Ziemba, James J. Ziemba and Ashley Ziemba to David R. Pratt Jr., 115-117 Cochran St., $425,000.

Joshua A. Cayo and Joshua Cayo to Jeremiah Jenkins, 207 Horseshoe Drive, $180,000.

Lawrence R. Loranger and Jacqueline A. Loranger to Reinaldo Jose Jimenez Gonzalez, trustee, and 161 Grattan Trust, trustee of, 161 Grattan St., $220,000.

Lisa K. Lewis to Orlando Quinones, 1721 Westover Road, $260,000.

Mark E. Hayward and Lyne N. Hayward to Megan Lafrenaye and Nicholas Lafrenaye, 232 Pendleton Ave., $334,000.

Orion Pro Friend KP LLC, to Avodah 613 LLC, 529 Memorial Drive, $3,236,837.

Rose P. Benoit to Amanda Smith, 40 Marble Ave., $179,000.

Dinoia Irrevocable Family Trust of March 2017, trustee of, and Lori Bonzagni, trustee, to Aitza M. Lugo Vega, 171 Park Place, Unit 33, $195,000.

Victor C. Colon Vazquez and Kiara L. Arvelo Ruiz to Javier Garcia and Margarita Torres, 20 Thomas St., $305,000.

Wells Fargo Bank and Robert E. Dall Jr., to Natanoeal Crespo and Natanael Crespo, 58 Silvin Road, $197,000.

COLRAIN

Diane L. Cohen, personal representative of the Estate of Lester George Mandigo, “aka” Lester G. Mandigo, to Everest Jordan Peacock, 299 Adamsville Road, $224,500.

DEERFIELD

Cheryl C. Daggett and Richard E. Daggett to Eagledeer LLC, 10 Boynton Road, Unit B, “aka” Unit 3B Mountainview Condominium, $280,000.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Andrew R. Shpak and Emily A. Shpak to Sarah M. Morrissey, 16 Black Dog Lane, $650,000.

Michael H. Thomes, representative, and Barbara L. Thomes, estate, to Helen H. Huynh, 5 Harris Drive, $285,000.

EASTHAMPTON

Mary Jane Dupont, trustee, and John G. Tenczar Real Estate Trust to Cheryl A. Thomas-Camp, 16 Lyman St., $352,800.

Tsi-Yu T. Huang to Rebecca E. Groveman, 35 Clark St., $103,668.

Carole N. Gross to Charles O’Dowd, 30 Overlook Drive, $320,000.

GRANBY

Nicholas Dente and Lindsey Dente to Matthew David Cayer, 187 West St., $275,000.

Karin M. Eichelman and Douglas M. Wilson to Andrew W. Serra,

Deeds

197 Batchelor St., $266,000.

GRANVILLE

Joseph M. Ascioti and Jeanine A. Ascioti to Frank A. Soleimani and Orod Soleimani, 10 Julia Lane, $480,000.

GREENFIELD

Melissa Rohde and Don S. Wright to Jacobo Bartolon, 23 Pond St., $95,000.

Crawford K. Sweeley Jr., to K P Property LLC, 130 Franklin St., $150,000.

Kara J. Jacobsen to Donna M. Riggs, 57 Forest Ave., $287,500.

HADLEY

Janet D. Wanczyk to Bruce Plate and Kimberly Plate, 146 Rocky Hill Road, $100.

Barbara L. Palangi to Kipa Realty Inc., 13 Middle St., $575,000.

HAMPDEN

Donald M. Safford Jr., estate, and Patricia N. Safford, estate, to Giggle Gardens Inc., 73 Allen St., $266,000.

HATFIELD

Nicholas M. Hebert and Tracey Hebert to Martha Elizabeth Kinney, 102 Main St., $375,000.

Keith F. Papageorge and Linda M. Papageorge to Craig Bell and Stephanie Skowronek, 343 West St., $295,000.

HOLLAND

Monica Beres, representative, and Kenneth P. Beres, estate, to Maple Ledge Associates Inc., 143 Vinton Road, $202,000.

HOLYOKE

Cha-Kat Realty LLC, to Dwight Arms LLC, 1159 Dwight St., $1,100,000.

Elaina K. Paquette and Travis J. Deschaine to Mustafa Ibic, 60 Westfield Road, $270,000.

Open Square Properties LLC, to Open Square Realty LLC, 110 Lyman St., $12,000,000.

Paola Ferrario to Ashley Leanne Richard, 2-4 Portland St., $303,000.

Rosemarie McLaughlin, Michael P. McLaughlin, Bernard D. Gelinas and Michele T. Gelinas to William Hannigan, 107-109 Westfield Road,

$440,000.

Voces De Esperanza Limited Partnership, Voces De Esperanza Corp., and Valley Voces General Inc., to Voces De Esperanza LLC, 337-351 Chestnut St., $1,900,000.

HUNTINGTON

Vanessa Dasilva and Jason L. Dasilva to JVD Investment Properties LLC, 4 Crescent St., $100.

LONGMEADOW

Ann Marie Lynch and Ann-Marie Lynch to Salvatore Anzalotti III, 85 Emerson Road, $345,000.

Edward T. Heaphy Jr., trustee, Lois B. Heaphy, trustee, and Lena P. Decarlo Realty Nominee Trust, trustee of, to Andrew Kessler and Melissa Gentile, 123 Arlington Road, $375,000.

Falcone Retail Properties LLP, James J Falcone Irrevocable Indenture of Trust, trustee of, and Rocco J. Falcone, trustee, to Rimantas Sturonas, 31 Whitmun Road, $325,000.

Janell Sargent to Maryna Gorbunova and Valeri Gorbounov, 62 Birch Road, $361,000.

LUDLOW

Maria Maggi, trustee, and Maria De Lurdes Goncalves Hague, trustee of, to Lauren Cole and Jonathan Victor Rodrigues, 59 Ray St., $225,000.

Meadowbrook Plaza LLC, to Shreekrupa LLC, 257-265 Fuller St., $500,000.

Walter S. Wood LLC, to V & V Properties LLC, 20-56 East St., $3,500,000.

WestMass Area Development Corp., to Stockhouse 122 Realty LLC, Lot C Riverside Drive, $650,000.

MONSON

Carolyn A. Hyatt and Carolyn H. King to Robert G. Pafumi Jr., Deborah Pafumi and Stephen T. Pafumi, 129 Upper Hampden Road, $355,000.

Lorraine E. Kelly to Thomas A. Yvon, 22 Wilbraham Road, $207,000.

Patricia A. Booker, executrix, Jean Booker, estate, and Jean M. Booker, estate, to Monson Town Conservation Commission, Hovey Road, $390,000.

NEW SALEM

Joshua J. Dostis to Hannah KohlerSmallidge, 235 Neilson Road, $50,000.

NORTHAMPTON

Peter Vogel to Peter Vogel, trustee, and Peter Vogel Trust, 691 Westhampton Road, $100.

Stephen R. Platt, personal representative, and Constance A. Platt, estate, to Kris Baker, 21 Park St., $430,000.

Ankudowich Mass Properties LLC, to Matthew J. Kozuch and Tammi M. Kozuch, 30 Baker Hill Road, $330,000.

Zoe Senior Retirement Community LLC, to Northampton Management Systems Inc., 345 Haydenville Road, $21,620,000.

Linda Manor LLC, to Northampton Management Systems Inc., 349 Haydenville Road, $14,490,000.

John P. O’Grady and Mary L. Gray to Elizabeth D. Morgan, 51 Linseed Road, $825,000.

Joel S. Woppert to Philip R. Deal and Grant W. Sullivan, 80 Damon Road, $130,000.

NORTHFIELD

James S. Rider to Amy C. Beckwith, Christopher C. Beckwith and Amanda M. Hamel, 491 Millers Falls Road, $475,000.

PALMER

Clayton J. Lizak, trustee, and John W. Lizak Revocable Indenture of Trust of, trustee of, to Palmer Retail Management LLC, Thorndike Street, $2,300,000.

Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and Exultant Realty Trust, trustee of, to Fabio Miguel Rodrigues, 1-3 Bourne St., $290,000.

J F Gulluni LLC, to JNB Property Investment Inc., 153 Ware St., $1,000.

Jemel L. Williams and Daytona C. Williams to Charla Bush and Carol Bush, 5 Holbrook St., $277,000.

Linda R. Miga, representative, and Ruth Outhuse, estate, to Travis D. Bonsant and Nicole E. Dyl, 197 Flynt St., $380,000.

PLAINFIELD

Daniel K. Lederer and Amy M. Cullen to Risa F. Harris-Gerstein and William Franklin Dewees III, 130 West Hill Road, $240,000.

RUSSELL

Cheryl A. Denardo and Diamond Investment Group LLC, to Jennifer Puthycheat Ros, 81 Valley View Ave., $260,000.

Russell Community Church to Javier Melendez and Diana E. Melendez, 123 Main St., $202,000.

Stephen B. Nelson, trustee, and Nelson Realty Trust, trustee of, to JVD Investment Properties

LLC, 328 Blandford Stage Road, $50,000.

Thomas N. O’Brien to Hurricane Properties LLC, 15 River Road, $914,000.

SHUTESBURY

Jade E. Alicandro and Stephen Mace to Ashley F. Davis and Colin P. Davis, 163 Leverett Road, $269,900.

SOUTH HADLEY

George L. Leduc to Gallagher Properties LLC, 56 Lyman St., $220,000.

Amanda J. Beaudry and Andrew R. Beaudry to Kristin M. Phelan and Danica M. Belber, 40 Pittroff Ave., $490,000.

Leo J. Tetrault and Deborah A. Tetrault to Jason Donaldson, trustee, and Etabav Realty Trust, 50 Spring St., $151,000.

SOUTHAMPTON

Pioneer Valley Railroad Co Inc., to Southampton Town, Florence Secondary Tract, $340,000.

Mark W. Hagelstein and Darlene Hagelstein to Philip Corbeil, 18 Noreen Drive, $320,000.

SOUTHWICK

Bonnie L. Willey to Kyle P. Davidson and Melissa J. Davidson, 140 Hillside Road, $442,000.

Daniel J. Towle, Susan A. Towle and Susan Gauthier to Sebastian Paul Roy, 42 Point Grove Road, $245,000.

Kari L. Scott and Gregory E. Jerome to Ian Hurley and Danielle Bunker, 427 College Highway, $375,000.

SPRINGFIELD

Ahmed Aljashaam to Asmenne Derolus Aurelien, 54 Littleton St., $258,000.

Angela M. Teles to Pah Properties LLC, 44 Ina St., $110,000.

Barbara J. Stroup to Devon McDaniel and Sophie Combs, 235 State St., Apt 319, $180,000.

Bedrock Financial LLC, trustee, and 53-61 Glenmore Street Trust, trustee of, to Victoria Gonzalez Rodriguez, 53 Glenmore St., $99,000.

BML Holdings LLC, to JVLV Realty LLC, 134 Avocado St., $1,500,000.

Bretta Construction LLC, to Christian Michael Mackenzie, 83A Hampshire St., $445,000.

BRVS LLC, to Simeon Payano Eustaquio, 74 Everett St., $278,000.

Liberty Street Acquisitions LLC, to Massachusetts Comm Transportation, 331 Liberty St., $2,000,000.

Campagnari Construction LLC, to Ian Thomas Morrissey, 14 Endicott St., $350,000.

Copenger LLC, to Doms Home Improvement LLC, 41-43 Reed St., $240,000.

Daniel P. Miller II, and Cynthia Erika Miller to Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and Lumturi Realty Trust, trustee of, 181 Shawmut St., $140,000.

Danoma Dg LLC, to Santo Aybar Percel, 97-99 Madison St., $330,000.

David M. Dollar and Debra A. Dollar to Jilena Marie Cichon, 7 Patrick St., $250,000.

DB Real Estate LLC, to Shanice L. Reid, 134-136 Darling St., $295,000.

Deborah A. Morin to Bay Flow LLC, 160 Hampshire St., $55,000.

DevelopSpringfield Corp., to Napolitano Investments LLC, 473-477 State St., $79,000.

Dijon H. Shepard and Dijon Shepard to We Buy Houses 4 Cash LLC, 632 Plumtree Road, $6,000.

Djuan J. Barklow to Mohamud Hussein, 162 Kensington Ave., $270,000.

Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and Short4u Realty Trust, trustee of, to Equonda Bercy, 11 Intervale Road, $340,000.

Dong Phuong Group Inc., to Tho Phuoc Le, 68 Maryland St., $100,000.

Dreamwake Homes Inc., to Nathanael Cruz Vargas, 276 Parkerview St., $220,000.

Edwin E. Pagan Suro to Melissa Bautista and Auri L. Bautista-Rijo, 20-22 Pequot St., $310,500.

Emmett Potter and Sonila Potter to Jerry Torres, 50 Wrona St., $250,000.

Hans J. Vonnahme and Angie Vonnahme to Joshua W. Stanley and Beatrice C. Stanley, 33 Colony Road, $729,500.

Javier Garcia and Margarita Torres to Francisco DeJesus and Benny Moreno, 51-53 Horace St., $320,000.

Jorge Baez to Angel L. Salcedo-Rodriguez, 89 Brightwood St., $217,500.

Kenneth B. Little, representative, Leola Frederick Little, estate, Leola F. Little, estate, Ronald T. Little, guardian, Marsha G. Little, guardian, and James Howard Little Jr., to Ericka Gonzalez Carrillo, 35-37 Suffolk St., $235,000.

KMM Properties LLC, to Massachusetts Comm. Transportation, 255 Liberty St., $400,000.

Kristol Griffith and Jerrell Glass to Jerrell Glass, 22-24 Cortland St., $208,000.

Plants

light Indian music as well as to traffic noise: They found that both types of plants grew and developed better — gaining increased height, a greater number of leaves,

“Those vibrations can come from airborne sounds or insects moving on the plants themselves. And plants will respond differently to tones and music than to silence.”

Still, she points out: “While sound absolutely matters to plants, we don’t know if talking to them makes them

you might water, dust and prune them more regularly and take other measures to care for them and help them thrive.

Regardless of whether talking to the plants helps them, does it help us, as human beings?

In that same 2022 Trees. com survey, 62 percent of the participants who reported chatting up their greenery said they did so because it helped their own mental health. They may have been onto something: Plenty of research shows that taking care of plants is beneficial to our well-being.

and calming practice, and talking to them enhances this experience,” says Bucur, founder and owner of Rhythm of the Home, a home improvement website. “In addition, talking to plants can help us practice gratitude and appreciation.”

While there isn’t published research on whether talking to plants is therapeutic for people, there are plausible reasons it might be, experts say.

and a healthier look — after being exposed to the music for four hours per day, but not to the traffic sounds.

“Plants definitely respond to vibrations in their environment — which can cause plants to grow differently and become more resistant to falling over,” says Heidi Appel, a professor of environmental sciences at the University of Toledo in Ohio.

grow differently.”

Despite the lack of studies and evidence about the benefits of talking to your plants, there is at least one theoretical perk: “If we identify with a living organism that we’re tasked with taking care of, we’re going to take better care of it,” Appel says.

For example, if talking to your plants helps you feel more connected to them,

Deeds

CONTINUED FROM PAGE F8

Living Stone LLC, and Livingstone LLC, to Gregory Szyluk, trustee, and Temple G3 Realty Nominee Trust, trustee of, 82 Temple St., $220,000.

Lynn Landry to Myra Oppel, 211 Emerson St., $260,000.

Maryrose Coughlin to Kenny Emerson Manguinuri Cuevas, 140 Chestnut St., Unit 304, $65,000.

Michael Gonzalez to Shamella F. Kearse, 17 Sorrento St., $305,000.

Michael Kamrowski to Carla Maisonet Machado, 908 Parker St., $210,000.

Michael W. Sales to Hourglass Property Solutions LLC, 84-86 Lebanon St., $125,000.

Narayan Adhikari and Indira Adhikari to Namarig Attahair Mohamed, 162 Chalmers St., $276,000.

New Man Ventures LLC to Doms Home Improvement LLC, 223235 Centre St., $255,000.

Patricia A. Gagne to Patricia A.

Gagne and Andre L. Gagne, 25 Venture Drive, $100.

Phoenix Development Inc., to Jose A. Berrios and Acelia M. Cruz, 277 Redlands St., $227,000.

PVIC Realty LLC, to Pearwood LLC, 5 Barber St., $185,000.

Rafael Capellan-Polanco and Rafael Capellan Polanco to Carmen Ivette Navedo Aviles, 54 Queen St., $223,000.

Raymond Jenkins and Marisol Perez to Spencer McKay, 53 Fox Hill Road, $317,000.

Round Two LLC, to Deniker JeanCharles, 68 Kensington Ave., $310,000.

Ruth Mary Rivera and Raphael Joe Rivera Sr., to Raymond Bryant Jenkins, 231 Louis Road, $276,300.

Steven D. MacKay and Bonnie MacKay to Patricia Rios and Stefan Aldridge, 80 Jerilis Drive, $224,450.

WALES

123 Kids LLC, to Benjamin Payne and Heather Payne, 4 Lake George Road, $305,000.

One study in a 2018 issue of the journal HortScience found that transplanting plants reduced mental stress and anxiety in young adults.

And regularly spending an hour gardening has been found to improve mood and reduce stress among healthy women, according to a study in a 2022 issue of PLoS One.

Stefan Bucur of Lewisville, Texas, says that he and his wife, Maegan, regularly talk to their plants. “Taking care of plants and interacting with them can be a mindful

For one thing, it may come to us naturally. “As humans, we often speak to what we’re caring for — it’s built in,” says Patricia Hasbach, a psychotherapist with Northwest EcoTherapy in Eugene, Ore., and author of “Grounded: A Guided Journal to Help You Reconnect with the Power of Nature — and Yourself.” “It helps us be very present or mindful.”

For another thing, it can be a way of expressing thoughts and feelings out loud, in an effort to make sense of them. “I think of talking to plants as a way of talking to ourselves,” says Kenneth R. Yeager, a

social worker and director of the Stress Trauma and Resilience Program at Ohio State University. “As we’re talking to our plants, we’re talking to ourselves — and formalizing our thought process.” In other words, talking to the flora in your home can be a way of tuning in to the ways you talk to yourself (a.k.a., your self-talk) and exploring how you’re thinking about something. “Putting our thoughts and feelings into words is somewhat therapeutic,” Frantz says.

Talking to your plants is also a relatively low-risk proposition. “You might not want to do it in front of someone else,” says Elizabeth Diehl, director of therapeutic horticulture at the Wilmot Botanical Gardens College of Medicine at the University of Florida. However, when you talk to your plants, they are, quite literally, a captive audience.

“Plants don’t judge,” Diehl says. “You can be who you want to be and say what you want to say — and they’re happy just for you to be taking care of them.”

WARE

Judith A. Norton to Mary C. Robidoux, Sheryl A. Adamczyk, Regina M. Sanderson, Kathleen E. Towlson and Michael F. Norton, 109 South St., $100.

Paul Bradway and Rose Bradway to Henry L. Padden and Deborah A. Padden, 4 Third Ave., $83,000.

Forty Pine LLC, to Rated Speed LLC, 34 Pine St., $250,000.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Diplomat Property Manager LLC, to S & A Property Management LLC, 15 Oleander St., $175,000.

Living Stone LLC, and Livingstone LLC, to Lombra Realty Nominee Trust, trustee of, and Gregory Szyluk, trustee, 28 Lombra Road, $215,000.

Pah Properties LLC, to Ruth Rivera, 96 Garden St., $295,000.

Shashi M. Bharvirkar and Elisa S. Bharvirkar to Tianyi Zhou, 51 Glenview Drive, $290,000.

Tara Noone to Kevin Almeida, 80 Brush Hill Road, Unit 30, $150,000.

WESTFIELD

Holly A. Prater to Daniel S. Dembek, 3 Gillette Ave., $200,000.

James R. Christofori to Obelisk Holdings LLC, 4 Saint Paul St., $225,000.

Maria Diaz and Maria Isabel Diaz to Kari L. Scott and Gregory E. Jerome, 242 West Road, $475,000.

Mark R. Bollenbach and Patricia May Fuller to Jonathan Richard Surratt and Christian Grace Bergdoll, 49 Western Ave., $401,700.

Paul J. Czupkiewicz, Linda Czupkiewicz and Melinda Czupkiewicz to James P. Debay and Mary Ann Donnelly-Debay, 549 Russell Road, Unit 3C, $158,000.

Peter J. Fiore, Michelle C. Miele, Robert Meile Jr., Catherine M. Fiore and Robert Miele Jr., to Richard A. Esposito and Debra A. Esposito, 35 Gary Drive, $537,500.

Stephanie Horkun and Stephanie J. Horkun to Silversnake Properties LLC, 372 Russellville Road, $160,000.

WILBRAHAM

Kevin W. Rossmeisl to Jemel L. Williams and Daytona C. Williams, 10 McIntosh Drive, $449,000.

Mark R. Conley, representative, Mark Raymond Conley, representative, Eugene Mason Conley, estate, Eugene M. Conley, estate, and Gene Conley, estate, to Amjad Real Estate LLC, 224 Three Rivers Road, $180,000.

NKZ Realty Inc., to Joann L. Demore and Samuel K. Adams, 980 Tinkham Road, $410,000.

Steven R. Denby and Margaret Hayes to Matthew Nataloni, 687 Glendale Road, $306,500.

Zbigniew Kielczewski, trustee, Elizabeth Kielczewski, trustee, Elizabeth Keilczewski, trustee, and Zbigniew Kielczewski & Elizabeth Kielczewski Living Trust, trustee of, to Sheila I. Slawiak and Thomas A. Slawiak, 5 Lodge Lane, Unit 5, $385,000.

WORTHINGTON

Paul A. LaBonte and Carol S. LaBonte to Alfred A. Clay II, and Susanne M. Clay, 132 Scott Road, $297,500.

“Plants don’t judge,” Diehl says. “You can be who you want to be and say what you want to say — and they’re happy just for you to be taking care of them.”

8 steps to painting a room like a pro

By Jennifer Barger

The Washington Post

IT’S A DECORATING truth nearly universally acknowledged: Putting new paint on your walls is the best way to change the look of a space quickly and cheaply. “Paint has superpowers: It can make a plain room look more expensive or even brighten up features you hate, like dingy floors,” says Julia Marcum, a product designer and DIY home blogger.

And in most cases, painting a room in your home is almost always a project you can tackle yourself. Before you get rolling, you’ll want to brush up on the best practices for prepping your space, choosing the right tools and pulling off an expert-level application. Here’s our step-bystep guide:

1. Choose a paint color

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the rainbow of paint colors available at paint or hardware stores. To zero in on the right one for your space, you’ll need to view it in your room’s lighting (natural and artificial) at different times of the day.

Obtain a few swatches and tape them to the wall of your room. Better yet, buy sample-size paint pots and apply the shades to a white poster board that you hang up, or peeland-stick swatches. (Unless your wall is a basic white, painting the samples directly onto it might distort the shades.)

Traditionally, a room’s trim and ceilings have been painted white. But that’s no longer a hard-and-fast rule. “I like a monochrome look, with the same color on the trim and walls in different paint finishes,” says Tom Preston, a D.C. interior designer. “It’s more cohesive and can make the ceilings look higher.” Preston and other pros also say it’s perfectly acceptable to use the wall color — or even an entirely different hue — on the ceiling.

2.

shine) to high gloss. The shinier the paint, the smoother your walls will need to be, since glossier finishes accentuate imperfections.

Eggshell — one step up from flat — is a popular choice for walls in non-damp locations such as living rooms and bedrooms, because it’s glossy enough to be scrubbable yet flat enough that it doesn’t show too many flaws. If you’re painting trim in those areas, go with a satin or semi-gloss for durability and contrast. In bathrooms and kitchens, you’ll probably want to use at least a satin finish on the walls, so you can easily clean them and the paint holds up better against moisture. You can stick to satin or use something glossier on the trim.

For ceilings, which aren’t as susceptible to grubby fingerprints and other wear and tear, you can use flat paint, which is typically the toughest to scrub clean. It’s also a good bet for ceilings because it won’t reflect too much light and detract from the rest of the room.

3. Get the right amount Use a paint calculator to figure out how many gallons you’ll need for the room you’re painting, keeping in mind that you’ll generally want enough for two coats.

Primer is a base coat that helps your topcoat adhere and blocks stains, imperfections and mold. It’s not always necessary, especially if you’re painting from a light color to a dark one, or you choose a paint with a built-in primer. But it does help ensure a smooth application. And if your walls are plaster, modern latex paint may not adhere to them, so you’ll probably want to start with an oil-based primer such as Kilz.

4. Protect yourself

Choose a finish

Once you’ve decided on a color, you’ll also have to choose a finish, which affects how glossy and durable the paint will be once it’s dry. Most paints come in increasingly reflective options, ranging from flat (no

When you’re prepping your walls for new paint — a process that includes sanding — wearing safety goggles and a face mask or respirator can protect you from potentially harmful particles. You should be especially careful if your house was built before 1978 and might have residual lead paint. Although many newer paint formulas are low in VOCs (voluble organic compounds), it’s better

for your lungs and eyes to wear protective face and eye gear while painting. Open a window if possible, and keep it cracked until the paint is thoroughly dry — which usually takes a day.

5. Prep your walls

“You need to sand and wash down your walls to get rid of grease, oil and dust,” says Patrick O’Donnell, Farrow & Ball’s international brand ambassador and a color consultant.

First, clean your walls (and your ceiling if you’re painting it, too) using a solution of dish detergent and warm water. Then, with a cellulose sponge, wipe off the solution using a gentle circular motion. When the walls are dry, patch any holes or cracks by applying joint compound with a putty knife. Then sand the surfaces with 220-grit sandpaper, by hand or with a sanding pole. (Electric hand sanders are usually too harsh for this purpose.) If your trim or molding needs smoothing, try a sanding sponge that can get into tight spaces.

Finally, remove light switch and outlet covers, roll up rugs and move any furniture to the center of the room.

6. Tape

Use blue painters’ tape for

crisp, professional-looking lines and to keep paint from bleeding into places it shouldn’t.

Tape off the section directly abutting the section you’re painting. For example, tape along the trim and ceiling before painting the walls, and tape along the edges of the walls before painting the trim or ceiling.

Apply the tape in six-inch increments, which makes it easier to keep in a straight line. Press down firmly as you go, then seal it by running a putty knife or damp cloth along the length. Most manufacturers recommend letting the tape “set” for 30 to 90 minutes before painting, to allow it to fully adhere. Some experts say the correct paint brush and painting technique make this whole process unnecessary: “I think a really good, two-inch, short-handled paint brush eliminates the need to tape off,” Marcum says. But if you’re a painting novice, taping is the surest way to keep your job neat.

7. Get painting

Most painters recommend a combination of rolling and brushing on the paint. Start with the ceiling, then move onto the walls, and finish with

the trim. You’ll need a paint key or a putty knife to open your can of paint. Stir it with a chopstick or stirring stick to blend all the pigments.

Start by “cutting in” — the process of carefully applying a straight line of paint with a two- to four-inch angled brush — along the edge of the wall where it touches the molding, trim or floor. You’ll also need to cut in around light switches, door and window frames, and other narrow spots. Dip the brush about halfway into the paint (Duvall recommends putting a small amount of paint into a Handy Paint Pail), and tap off any excess before applying it gently but firmly to the wall.

Then cover the bulk of the walls and ceiling using a roller. Most experts recommend a nine-inch roller with a half- to one-inch nap. Pour paint into a roller tray (a plastic disposable one or a more eco-friendly reusable one), then cover the roller with paint via short, rapid dips. Roll on the paint while the edges you’ve brushed on are still wet. Experts recommend rolling in a tight “W” pattern to ensure full coverage, going vertically first, then horizontally to ensure complete coverage. Let the paint dry between coatsgenerally two to four hours, but check the recommendations on your can. For trim, use a twoinch angled brush and “long, single strokes,” Duvall says.

“The fewer brush marks, the better, since shinier trim paint will show more imperfections.”

8. Clean up

Once you’ve applied the last coat, allow it to partially dry (generally two to four hours), then remove the blue painters’ tape by pulling gently and slowly at a 45-degree angle. If you wait to peel it off until the paint has totally dried, you’ll probably take some of the paint along with it. If you’ve used latex paint, clean the brushes and rollers using soap and warm water to ensure they will be in good condition for your next project. Brush combs and a rag to wipe off the initial globs of paint also can help. If you’ve used oil-based paints and primer, you’ll need to clean brushes and rollers with a solvent; look on your paint can for recommendations.

Maine Coon (Mixed kitten?) Has "M’’ on forehead. $500/BO. Info. text or call 413-523-6002.

Two kittens, Maine Coon, Bengle mix, $50.00/each. Call 413-777-9659

Black Exotic Yorkie male puppy, 1st shots, dewormed. Very tiny, parents on premises. $1,000. Call 413-777-3536 or 413-657-0960

English Springer Spaniel, Liver/white female, ready Dec. 1st. Vet checked, 1st shot. $1,500. 413-596-8190

FRENCH BULL DOG PUPPIES Parents on premises $3500 to $4500/each. Call 413-478-0763

Golden Retriever puppies, dad is chocolate Labradore. 7 females, each $1,500, 3 males, each $1,300. Call or text 413-309-1747

Golden Retrievers Puppies, 1st shots & dewormed. $500.

Patriots leather Carl Banks coat, XL (new zipper) pictures avail. Great shape, $100.00. Call 413-313-3658

LOVESEAT good condition Madres Plaid, $75.00/B.O. Call 413-782-4620

Huge array of professional percussion equipment. Sticks, drums, mallets, cymbols, 2 tambourines, Peavey speaker, 2 amps, Bose speakers, turn-table, CD changer, Castanets, bells & 3 triangles, etc. Call for appointment to see 413-562-4649.