| | SUNDAY, MARCH 2 , 2025
IN THE GARDEN: Witchhazels are reliable winter bloomers, F3
ANTIQUES: Doll from 1920s was a mascot for GE radios, F7
10 affordable ways to jazz up an all-white kitchen
By D ina C heney
The Washington Post
LIKE BLUE JEANS
and Colonial-style architecture, white kitchens are timeless — and given their popularity with developers and flippers, odds are high that you have one, whether you wanted it or not. But according to the 2025 Kitchen Trends Report from the National Kitchen and Bath Association, these clean and classic spaces have fallen out of fashion. Many homeowners now crave kitchens with personality, shunning “sterile” white in favor of nature-based colors, like green, blue and brown. But that’s a shame. Like spare gallery walls, white kitchens can be ideal backdrops for self-expression. All it takes to avoid blandness is a few “pops of color, texture and personality,” Miami-based interior designer Ania Agárdy said in
an email. In a white kitchen, every surface offers an opportunity to punctuate your space, often at relatively low cost. Here’s how.
Display beloved objects
If your Japanese teapots or vintage casserole dishes have been collecting dust, consider showcasing them in your kitchen. “You probably have accessories already tucked away in your cabinets, so check your inventory before you go hunting,” Florida-based Galey Alix of Galey Alix Design said in an email.
In her kitchen, she stacks cookbooks with attractive bindings and displays antique-style brass salt and pepper grinders she’s amassed over the years. To avoid visual cacophony, stick to a palette, like the blue, red and pink color scheme Katherine Ormerod used for the platters, pitchers and vases she arranged on her blue kitchen shelves. Try placing items in glass-fronted upper cabinets or hanging them on a wall.
of “Your Not-Forever Home: Affordable, Elevated, Temporary Decor for Renters.”
Surprise with paint or wallpaper
For made-you-look playfulness, adorn the ceiling with colorful paint or wallpaper. “This creates an unexpected yet elegant focal point,” Iowa-based Amanda Reynal of Amanda Reynal Interiors said in an email. In the same way, you can designate an accent island or wall or spice up cabinet interiors.
For a sophisticated and transporting accent wall, try installing removable mural wallpaper, like this bucolic landscape.
Brighten your backsplash
The backsplash is prime territory for making a splash design-wise. For an inexpensive (and removable) update, consider applying peel-and-stick wallpaper that gives the illusion of tile, said Ormerod, the author
For a bit more of an investment, swap out your existing backsplash for real tile, like textured Moroccan Zellige.
Jazz up an appliance
Appliances are the workhorses of the kitchen, but they usually add nothing design-wise.
One solution: Cover the surface of your fridge or
dishwasher with a removable decal or magnet cover. For a bright, retro feel, consider Vintage Lemons or Vintage Floral Dark Botanical. Copper Vintage Rustic is more textured and industrial, while Vintage Painting is serene.
If you choose a cover with a pattern, keep the other elements in your space relatively neutral to avoid visual overload.
Above, a Roman shade in Schumacher Citrus Garden fabric steals the show in this kitchen by Amanda Reynal. (ADAM ALBRIGH PHOTOT)
Cover photo: A colorful Moroccan runner perks up a clean white kitchen by Susan Galvani. (SPRUCE INTERIOR BY KATIE CHARLOTTE LYBRAND)
Katherine Ormerod sticks with a limited color scheme for the pitchers, platters and vases she displays on her kitchen shelves. (YUKI SUGIURA PHOTO)
Lee Reich | In the Garden
SOME YELLOW FLOWers caught my eye while I was cross-country skiing. Yes, real flowers! I jammed my ski poles into the ground to get a closer look at the plant, witchhazel, a reliable winter bloomer.
The four strap-like petals, characteristic of witchhazels, appeared especially bright against the ashen stems and the gray sky. Common witchhazel (Hamamelis virginia), native to this area, blooms in very late autumn, so the plant that stopped me in my tracks must have been an escape of a different species. Four especially good species can be relied upon for winter bloom here: Vernal Witchhazel, Japanese Witchhazel, Chinese Witchhazel, and a hybrid of the Chinese and Japanese species.
Vernal witchhazel (H.
GARDEN NOTES
STOCKBRIDGE
Upcoming programs at Botanical Garden
Berkshire Botanical Garden presents the following upcoming programs: First Friday Passport Kitchen: After Hours with Kevin Kelly. First Fridays from March 7 to June 6, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Led by After Hours founder Kevin Kelly, this four-session series, is designed to bring excitement and invite curiosity about the culinary world. Through hands-on, experiential learning, cover the basic techniques and flavor affinities from across the globe. In each of the four sessions, participants will work with local and seasonal produce to explore internationally-influenced cuisine. Each session will focus on two to three curated dishes and will conclude with a family-style meal for all participants. The series will cover cuisines from the
vernalis), native to the lower Midwest, is a multi-stemmed shrub up to ten feet high and wide. It is hardy where winter temperatures dip to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The dark green leaves turn golden yellow as the weather turns cool in autumn. In midwinter, the bare stems are covered with half-inch diameter, yellow flowers that roll up for protection whenever temperatures turn bitter cold, then unroll again on milder days. The flowers are pungently fragrant.
For an orgy of winter bloom, Chinese Witchhazel (H. mollis) is the one to grow. Its flowers are large — an inch-and-a-half in diameter. And fragrant! Chinese Witchhazel begins its winter show of blossoms just after Vernal Witchhazel’s show begins. This witchhazel is a tree that
Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East that we will bring to life with locally sourced ingredients. Cost is $385 members, $410 nonmembers. If you cannot do the whole series, individual classes are $100 members, $120 non-members; Saturday, March 8. 1 to 3 p.m., “Introduction to Succulents.” In this interactive talk Rob Gennari of Glendale Botanicals will include considerations such as seasonal water needs, temperature ranges, air movement from dry to wet periods, growing mediums, sun exposure, flowering and fruiting patterns, and succulent enemies: insects, bacteria, fungi, animals, and others. Learn how these considerations relate to your succulents and their overall growing environment. Cost is 30 members, $45 members. To register or for more information, visit www. berkshirebotanical.org. Berkshire Botanical Garden is located at 5 West Stockbridge Road.
reaching thirty feet high. Brevipetala is a variety with especially showy, butter-yellow flowers.
Japanese Witchhazel (H. japonica) is slightly less cold-hardy than Vernal Witchhazel, and has more red hues than the previously mentioned species — blazing orange in
the leaves in autumn, and reddish flowers in midwinter. The flowers are almost an inch wide but are only mildly fragrant.
The hybrid of the Japanese and Chinese Witchhazels, H. x intermedia, has taken some reds in the autumn leaf color and flower color from the
Japanese species, and large flowers from the Chinese species. The hybrids are broader than tall and intermediate in height to the parents (fifteen to twenty feet high). One especially good selection of this hybrid is the variety Arnold’s Promise.
WILBRAHAM Garden Club meeting
The March meeting of the Wilbraham Garden Club will be held at noon on Thursday, March 6. at noon, in the Parish Hall at St. Cecelia’s Church on Main St. A luncheon of sandwiches and desserts will be served.
The speaker for the day will be Gretel Anspach, Trustee of the MA Horticultural Society, Lifetime Master Gardner with the MA Master Gardeners Association. Gretel will discuss how growing plants native to the region are easier to maintain, better able to withstand the New England weather and may offer better resistance to deer and rabbits.
Garden Club scholarship
The Wilbraham Garden Club announces that applications are now being accepted for two, $1000 scholarships to financially assist graduating seniors, who are residents of Wilbraham or Hampden, as they transition to an institution of higher learning.
All applicants must be planning to major in an agricultural or botanical field of study. Applicants must include a personal essay of 100-200 words, official high school transcript(s), two letters of recommendation, college acceptance letter(s) if available, along with the completed Wilbraham Garden Club Scholarship application. All required documentation must be received on or before March 31. Notifications will be made by early May, and the recipients will be awarded their scholarships at the annual meeting of the Wilbraham Garden Club on June 5. Scholarship applications will be available at the Wilbraham and Hampden Public Libraries, Minnechaug Regional High School and Wilbraham Monson Academy. Please contact howella413@ gmail.com with questions or to receive an application.
EAST LONGMEADOW Garden Club scholarship
Applications are now available for the 2025 Esther A. Rosati Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 at the East Longmeadow High School guidance office, the East Longmeadow Public Library. Forms also can be downloaded online from eastlongmeadowgard. wixsite.com/gardens.
Applicants must: presently be an East Longmeadow High School senior or a recent graduate of East Longmeadow High school who is planning to attend an institution of higher learning in the fall of 2025; or an East Longmeadow High School graduate student who is a resident of East Longmeadow and is attending an institution of higher learning; or an East Longmeadow High School student who is a resident and has been accepted to participate in a special academic program.
All applicants must be planning to pursue a degree in Agriculture, Botany, Conservation, Ecology, Enviornmental Science or any other related field. Applications and a copy of an official transcript must be received on or before March 15th.
Applicants being considered may be contacted by the East Longmeadow Garden Club’s Scholarship Committee for an interview.
The recipient will be awarded the $1,000 scholarship at the annual May meeting of the East Longmeadow Garden Club. Send completed application and transcript to: East Longmeadow Garden Club Scholarship Committee, c/o Diane A. Tiago, 38 Rogers Road, East Longmeadow, MA 01028.
AGAWAM
Garden Club scholarships
Applications are now available for the Agawam Garden Club 2025 scholarship. To qualify for the scholarship students must be a graduating senior of Agawam High School or a college student who graduated from Agawam High School and is planning to attend an insti-
tution of higher learning in the Fall. Applicants must be majoring in or planning on majoring in one of the following: botany, environmental engineering, environmental science, earths systems, forest management, natural resources, plant soil and insect science, sustainable agriculture, sustainable horticulture or food and farming, turf grass science and management, landscape design and management technology, clean energy, technology studies: wastewater or other environmental related studies.
The recipient will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship at the clubs annual May meeting. Completed applications along with transcripts and references must be submitted to Denise Carmody, 40 Primrose Lane, Agawam MA 01001 by April 1st. Applications are available through Agawam High School or can be found on our website at agawamgardenclub.com.
WEST SPRINGFIELD Garden Club scholarships
The West Springfield Garden club is pleased to announce that two $2000 scholarships are available for qualified high school seniors or post-secondary students during the spring of 2025. Applicants must be West Springfield residents. Scholarships are available for students with a focus of study in one or more of the following areas: Horticulture, Agriculture, Ecology, Botany, Environmental Studies, Landscape Design or Forestry. Applicants must submit a completed application along with a written one-page document which explains their plans for after graduation in any of the above -mentioned fields and how the grant will assist in their career choice.
Applications forms are available at the Guidance Offices of Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative, West Springfield High School, or on the West Springfield Garden Club website, www.wws gardenclub.org
All applications must be received by the Scholarship Committee by April 11. The successful candidates will be notified via mail in mid-May.
Witchhazels grow naturally in the dappled shade of forests along the undulating banks of streams. They can tolerate full sun, but the flowers show more prominently in a little shade. They don’t mind soils that are sticky with clay, or wet; such soils merely remind the plants of their native habitat. However, witchhazels can’t tolerate dry sites. Buy either “balled and burlapped” or container grown plants, since bare-root plants don’t transplant well.
Witchhazel was an ingredient of liniments used in the past to heal and stimulate the skin, and to soothe muscles. A tea made from the inner bark was used by native Americans to rub on sore backs and to keep the limbs of athletes sup -
ple. Later, colonists distilled the inner bark and the leaves with water, then mixed the distillate with alcohol, for a stimulating and astringent rub. Witchhazel was a major ingredient of the once popular ‘Pond’s Extract’.
Don’t worry about evil omens from the “witch” in witchhazel. Witch, in this sense, means a plant with pliant branches, as in “switch.”
The botanical name, Hamamelis, comes from the Greek word hama, meaning together, and melon, meaning fruit. Flowers and fruits are on the plant together. When the small fruits are ripe, the seeds are ejected with considerable force, often more than 30 feet. Fortunately, the shiny, black seeds are only a little larger than poppy seeds.
So, you want flowers in winter? Real outdoor flowers? Plant witchhazel.
Honeybees are out and about on a warm winter day, enjoying Arnold’s Promise variety of witchhazel.
CONTINUES FROM PAGE F3
How to garden when you love both canines and perennials
They dig, they pee, they trample
By Jessica Damiano Associated Press
IF YOU’VE EVER HAD a dog, you know they don’t exactly tiptoe through the tulips. I’m fortunate that none of mine ever had a penchant for digging holes, but my late pit bull, Maddie, used to run through my perennial beds like a weed whacker, leaving horizontal coneflowers and black-eyes Susans in her destructive path.
Her bathroom breaks would also imprint an ever-expanding array of canine crop circles on the lawn. Fortunately, my little Havanese, Miguel, doesn’t pose as much of a threat to my plants, but there are other important elements to consider when planning a garden where dogs and plants can safely coexist.
Let’s start with the lawn
The type of grass you select should be suited to your region and your sun exposure. In my sunny Northeastern front yard, that means starting with a Kentucky bluegrass seed blend, which holds up well against foot and paw traffic, and mixing in roughly 10 percent each of urine-resilient perennial ryegrass and shade-tolerant fine fescue.
For further protection, consider incorporating a trample- and urine-resistant groundcover into your grass-seed recipe. I’ve added clover, which also enriches the soil with safe, nourishing levels of nitrogen (free fertilizer!) and reduces or eliminates groundwater pollution from my property.
If you have a beagle-size dog or two, this will go a long way toward retaining your lawn’s integrity. But, to be honest, I don’t know of any grass that will hold up against a German shepherd
Avoid toxic plants and chemicals
whenever you catch them in the act elsewhere.
or bull mastiff kicking it up on a daily basis. Still, starting with the most resilient grass species for your growing conditions will give you the best odds possible.
Barriers to entry
Typical landscaping designs often space plants far apart, leaving areas of mulch-covered soil between plants and shrubs. Dogs love to run obstacle courses on those bare paths, kicking up mulch and, invariably, straying into planting beds. Instead, opt for a dense garden style that allows only enough space between plants for the expected mature size of each. By their third year, most of the gaps will be filled, eliminating the spaces and, along with them, the invitation to enter.
If you grow delicate plants or edibles, situate them in a raised bed or surround them with short fencing or another barrier to discourage entry.
Next, consider safety. Many common plants are toxic to dogs (and cats), so avoid planting them altogether, even if your pet hasn’t shown an interest in grazing. A one-time curiosity could spell disaster. Check with the ASPCA for a sortable list of plants (including weeds) that are toxic to cats, dogs and horses, and remove any that your pets could access.
Avoid using chemicals. If you must apply them, keep pets out of the garden until the products have dried or dissipated (read package labels carefully and observe warnings and cautionary statements).
Create a zone for digging and playing
If your dog is a digger, fill holes and lay sections of chicken wire over favorite digging spots, then cover them with a few inches of soil. I’ve never met a dog that wasn’t deterred by wire. Diggers will continue to dig, however, so designate a section of the yard where they can do so with reckless abandon. Bury some toys and bones for them to find, and place balls and other toys in there too. After introducing dogs to the area, watch closely and bring them to the digging zone
Such a play area or dog run would be a beneficial garden addition even if digging hasn’t posed a problem, as it would reduce or eliminate plant trampling and lawn damage. Enclose it with fencing or another barrier that allows you to keep an eye on the dog — and vice versa.
Similarly, if space allows, designate a pebbled or mulched potty area. Train dogs to use it by moving scooped poop to the spot. Their noses will convey the message, but again, you’ll have to watch closely and move them to the spot when they show signs of intent to relieve themselves elsewhere. It will take some time, but they should catch on.
Finally, be sure to provide access to a clean bowl of water at all times. It will refresh pups as they play outdoors and, as a bonus, dilute their urine to cut down on burn spots in your grass.
Yes, you’ll likely have to lower your aesthetic standards a bit. But getting to relish two of life’s greatest pleasures simultaneously is well worth the compromise.
Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the Associated Press and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter.
Miguel the Havanese sits on a walkway surrounding a densely-planted garden on Long Island, N.Y. Such a garden design could help discourage entry by plant-trampling dogs. (JESSICA DAMIANO VIA AP)
Vegetables and herbs growing in a raised garden garden bed on Long Island, N.Y. Raised beds are often an effective way to deter plant-trampling by rambunctious dogs. (JESSICA DAMIANO VIA AP)
Terry & Kim Kovel | Antiques & Collecting
Doll from 1920s was a GE radio promoter
PROMOTIONAL TOYS HAVE been a popular form of advertising for a long time. The doll pictured here is Bandy, an advertising mascot created for General Electric in the 1920s. General Electric had many other advertising toys, including the Hotpoint doll and a circus set. Bandy promoted their radios; his name comes from the “big band” jazz music that was popular at the time, even if his colorful uniform and tall hat, which undoubtedly helped catch customers’ attention, might be a better fit for leading a marching band.
This example, complete with his baton, sold for $504 at Donley Auction services. Bandy dolls were 18 inches tall, made of wood and composition with jointed limbs, and appeared in shop window displays with General Electric radios.
They were made by the Cameo Doll Company, known for familiar figures like Kewpies, Betty Boop dolls and other advertising mascots and cartoon characters. Designer Joseph Kallus created many of their dolls. His designs for Bandy and his fellow (or perhaps rival) radio advertising mascot, RCA’s Radiotron, may have been based on work by illustrator Maxfield Parrish, who designed promotional posters and calendars for General Electric that are highly collectible today.
Q. I am downsizing and have a beautiful bowl that I would like to sell. It has pink roses in the center and a lot of gold work. On the back, it has a blue mark that looks like a leaf with letters under it. The words “Hand Painted” are next to it in cursive. Can you help me find a value for my bowl and tell how to sell it?
A. The mark on your bowl sounds like one used by Morimura, a trading company founded in Japan in 1876. One of their marks was a maple leaf with the word “Nippon” underneath and “Hand Painted” in larger letters next to it. “Nippon,” the Japanese name for “Japan,” was used on exports from 1891 to 1921. Nippon ceramics sell frequently at shops and auctions, but usually for low prices. Bowls usually sell for less than $50, unless they are a very rare shape like a punch bowl. Selling your bowl at a local antiques or consignment shop may be the easiest option, but a pattern-matching service that deals in individual pieces of dis-
continued china, glass and silverware may get you a better price. There is also an International Nippon Collectors Club, nipponcollectorsclub. com, that may have more information or help connect you with buyers.
Q. I have a picture, probably a lithograph, of a young girl done by a 14th-century artist from Italy. There is an inscription on the back of the picture: “Florentine Master / A Young Lady / About 1460 / Museum Berlin.” The picture was passed down to me from my English-American grandmother, a lover of art, who traveled widely after having her seven children, one of whom was my father. She traveled alone throughout Europe and South America during the 1930s. I would love to know the picture’s value, other than aesthetic.
A. Your picture is a copy of a famous portrait from the Italian Renaissance. Sometimes called “Profile Portrait of a Young Lady,” it has been copied by many other artists, printed on decorative pieces like ceramic plates and reproduced as a color or black-and-white print. It appears in the reference book “The Picture History of Painting” by H.W. Janson and Dora Jane Janson, first published in 1957. The original painting was acquired by the Gemaldegalerie in Berlin in about 1898 and is still displayed there. The museum attributes it to Piero del Pollaiuolo, who was active in Florence, Italy, in the 1400s, but some historians believe it was painted by another artist, possibly Piero’s brother Antonio. Your grandmother may have purchased her copy as a souvenir during her travels in Europe. The Gemaldegalerie licensed copies painted in oil on plywood in the early to mid-20th century. One sold at a European auction a few years ago for the equivalent of about $750 in U.S. currency. Vintage prints sell for less, about $100 to $200.
TIP: Repainting an antique doll’s head never adds to the value.
Terry Kovel and Kim Kovel answer readers’ questions sent to the column. Send a letter with one question describing the size, material and what you know about the item. Include two pictures, the object and a closeup of any marks or damage. Include your name and return address. By sending a question, you give full permission for use in any Kovel product. Names,
Bandy the bandmaster helped advertise General Electric radios starting in the 1920s. Now, vintage Bandy dolls appeal to collectors of dolls, radios and advertising. (DONLEY AUCTION SERVICES)
CURRENT PRICES
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.
Disneyana, cookie jar, Donald Duck, bust, hat as lid, head on hand, Treasure Craft, box, 11 1/2 inches, $25.
Shaving mug, occupational, woodworker, in shop, multicolor scene, gilt lettering, marked, T& V Limoges, 3 1/2 inches, $60.
Pottery-midcentury, bowl, asymmetrical, scroll handle, black spiral, yellow spots, footed, marked, Ruscha Keramic, 7 x 13 1/2 x 11 inches, $85.
Rug, needlework, Aubusson style, large center oval medallion, leafy scrolled spandrels, bellflower vine
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, The Republican, King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 or email us at collectorsgallery@kovels.com.
border, Lacey Champion, 20th century, 11 feet 10 inches x 15 feet 6 inches, $160.
Lamp, electric, banker’s, green shade, cased glass, metal base, fluted column, ridged dome foot, scalloped edge, c. 1920, 7 1/2 x 11 inches, $175.
Furniture, daybed, G. Nelson, birch, upholstered cushion, two pillows, springs, tapered legs, metal tag, Herman Miller, 16 x 74 inches, $625. Longwy, vase, bottle shape, red ground, dense multicolor flowers and leaves, slightly flared neck, cobalt blue elephant’s head handles, metal top and base, marked, c. 1900, 12 inches, $690.
Clock, Gubelin, silver, guilloche enamel, garland, oval dial, rectangular case, marked, Swiss, 2 3/4 x 2 inches, $960.
Railroad, poster, London & Northeastern Railway, family on beach, “An East Coast Tonic,” canvas mount, frame, England, 43 x 53 inches, $1,720.
Furniture, buffet, A. Ungenthum, art nouveau, mahogany, two tiers, four upper doors, glass panels, marble top, two lower doors, carved trim, c. 1905, 75 x 76 inches, $1,835.
Average US rate on a 30-year mortgage falls for sixth-straight week
Rate now at lowest level since December
By A lex Veiga Associated Press
The average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. eased for the sixth week in a row, a welcome boost in purchasing power for home shoppers just as the annual spring homebuying season gets going.
The average rate fell 6.76% from 6.85% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, it averaged 6.94%.
Borrowing costs on 15-year fixedrate mortgages, popular with homeowners seeking to refinance their home loan to a lower rate, also eased
Deeds
AGAWAM
Ashlee N. Montessi, Ashlee N. McCabe and Brian P. McCabe to Heather A. Zielenski, 33 Forest Ridge Lane, $460,000.
Charlotte C. Venturini to Artem Mosiichuk, 231 Adams St., $330,000.
Christine G. Gendron to Patricia M. Hebert, 890 Springfield St., $315,000.
David Vilkhovoy and Elizabeth J. Vilkhovoy to Siarhei Vashchylka and Anastasiya Vashchylka, 48 Carmen Ave., $435,000.
Nicole E. Rosario and Joseph A. Rescigno to Jennifer Epaul, 56 Edward St., $320,000.
Richard H. Sanderson to Adianeris Pacheco Rolon and Derick Rolon Oliveras, 325 North St., $364,000.
Sareen Properties LLC, to Steven Lemoine and Kaitlyn Lemoine, 28 Florida Drive, $319,900.
Timothy C. Stowers to Lindrit Bajrami, 654 North St., $160,000.
Wissam Tarek, Karen St Armand and Karen St Amand to Brian R Gaouette, 14 Leonard St, $450,000.
AMHERST
Stone Free LLC, to Peter Laznicka and Kathryn Chang, Meadow Street Off, $850,000.
BELCHERTOWN
Helen O’Seep McConnell to Alexander Geovanny Alvarado and Johanna Rachael Alvarado, 245 Cold Spring Road, $475,000.
this week. The average rate fell to 5.94% from 6.04% last week. A year ago, it averaged 6.26%, Freddie Mac said.
The steady decline in mortgage rates rates this year hasn’t been enough to change the affordability equation for many prospective home shoppers, especially first-time buyers who don’t have equity from an existing home to put toward a new home purchase.
Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell in January as rising mortgage rates and prices froze out many would-be homebuyers despite a wider selection of properties on the market.
New data on pending home sales, a bellwether for future completed sales, point to potentially further sales de-
BRIMFIELD
Yawen Hin to Matthew F. Landry, 22 Hollow Road, $480,000.
CHICOPEE
AS2A Holdings Inc., to Riyyaan II LLC, 206 Newbury St., $700,000.
Castle Bay Holdings LLC, to Christian Reyes Pagan and Karla M. Santiago Cosme, 43 Falmouth Road, $350,000.
Chester Szetela to JJN Realty LLC, 845 Sheridan St., $262,000.
Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and Methuselah Realty Trust, trustee of, to Marguerite Irene Catuogno, 14 Dorothy Ave., $269,500.
Fannie Mae and Federal National Mortgage Association to Roberto Rivera Negron, 109 9th Ave., $223,000.
Chicopee Property Management LLC, to Denys Smyrnov and Marina Smyrnov, Empire Street, Lot 3, $135,000.
Lina Alsaedi to Gail M. Cauley, 71 Doverbrook Road, Unit 6070A, $225,000.
Michael J. Redmond and Maureen A. Redmond to Kathryn Loranger, 135 Joy St., $325,000.
Michael S. Gove, representative, Victor George Latvis, estate, and Victor G. Latvis, estate, to NRES LLC, 25 Spring St., $82,500.
Paula M. Moson, representative, Vinal W. Kenneson Jr., estate, Vinal Kenneson Jr., estate, and Vinal Wilson Kenneson Jr., estate, to Harry B. Ingles, 184 Asselin St., $325,000.
PMA Real Estate Management LLC, to AS2A Holdings Inc., 206 Newbury St., $650,000.
clines in coming months. They slid to an all-time low in January.
The average rate on a 30-year mortgage is now at its lowest level since Dec. 19, when it was also 6.72%. It briefly fell to a 2-year low last September, but has been mostly hovering around 7% this year. That’s more than double the 2.65% record low the average rate hit a little over four years ago.
“The drop in mortgage rates, combined with modestly improving inventory, is an encouraging sign for consumers in the market to buy a home,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist.
The inventory of U.S. homes on the market climbed last month to its highest level since June 2020, according to data from Redfin. But mortgage
R Squared Realty LLC, to Philip Stockton, 63 Olea St., $430,000.
Walter J. Palasz and Lynn A. Palasz to Dieusauveur Mathieu and Eveline Cherident, 54-56 Ames St., $450,000.
CUMMINGTON
Kenneth L. Howes, Justin Howes, Troy Howes and Kenneth Howes to Hillside Agricultural Society Inc., Fairground Road Off, $56,000.
DEERFIELD
Thomas V. Nartowicz Jr., and Sandra Weaver to Mark Joseph Kulas, 4 Pine St., $265,000.
Matthew F. Woods and Tricia L. Woods to Brittany Jean Cooper and Kathryn Elizabeth Cooper, 38 Thayer St., $349,900.
Manon Pilon to 1XO LLC, 54A Whately Road, Unit 1, Brookside Condominium, $210,000.
EAST LONGMEADOW
Ann Z. Schupack, trustee, and Ann Z. Schupack 2020 Trust, trustee of, to Michelle Markowski, 44 Bluegrass Drive, Unit II-10, $612,000.
EASTHAMPTON
Joseph E. Reopel to Valery Raymond and Mark Derhovanessian, 6 Boylston St., $175,000.
GRANBY
Jarrett Andrew Hauschild and Bryan F. Hauschild to Bryan F. Hauschild, trustee, Barbara J. Hauschild, trustee, and Bryan F. Hauschild Family Trust, 8 Woodside Terrace, $100.
rates and prices remain an unaffordable combination for many would-be homebuyers.
Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, including how the bond market reacts to the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy decisions.
The latest pullback in rates echoes a decline in the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide for pricing home loans.
The yield, which was at 4.79% in mid-January, has been mostly easing since then, reflecting worries among bond investors over the potential impact from tariffs and other policies proposed by the Trump administration.
The 10-year yield was at 4.28% in midday trading Thursday.
GREENFIELD
Sarah Madison and Mark Phillips to Deana Whittlesey and Saunders N. Whittlesey, 24 Davenport Way, $75,000.
K&C Real LLC, to Eriksen Industries Inc., 201 Main St., $175,000.
HADLEY
Laurie A. Swane, personal representative, and Ronald E. Dursza, estate, to Laurie A. Swane, Scott A. Swane and Gregory W. Dursza, 30 Lawrence Plain Road, $100.
HOLYOKE
AAD LLC, to June Ventures Inc., 148-154 High St., $750,000. Arment & Vanzandt Realty Inc., to Wyckoff Estates LLC, 233 Easthampton Road, $2,660,000.
AS2A Holdings Inc., to Riyyaan I LLC, 636 Main St., $800,000.
Christopher S. Savino to Daniel Ray Babcock, 14 Field St., $360,000.
Federal National Mortgage Association and Fannie Mae to Charlotte E. Pascal and Jean R. Figaro, 46 Davis St., $394,500.
Elizabeth Hanssen and James J. Flannery to Elizabeth Hanssen, 19 Fairfield Ave., $67,324.
Gail Marie Cauley to Margaret Dixon and Cora Lambert, 1177 Northampton St., $308,500.
Hector R. Rosado and Rosael Burgos to Hector R. Rosado Burgos, 58 Longwood Ave., $317,000.
Holyoke City to Johnna Caizan-Torres, 285 Main St., $15,000.
Kathryn A. Tremblay to Patrick B. Lavelle Jr., 2 Montgomery Ave.,
$16,250.
Virgilio Property Management Inc., receiver, Edward P. Plante Sr., Edward P. Plante Jr., Guy P. Plante, Owen D. Plante, Charles J. Plante, Jacqueline R. Michalak and Holyoke City to PAH Properties LLC, 311 Walnut St., $225,000.
PMA Real Estate Management LLC, to AS2A Holdings Inc., 636 Main St., $863,000.
Sandra L. Fitzgerald to Zachary Laroche and Paige Laroche, 7 McLellan Drive, $280,000.
Weary Travelers LLC, to Jessica Marrero, 31 Sherwood Terrace, $309,500.
LEVERETT
Barbara V. Alfange to Georgia Stuart and Timothy Ullrich, 5 Montague Road, $457,000.
LONGMEADOW
Krista Murphy, Krista Kowalczyk, Kathryn Kowalczyk and Kenneth Murphy to Paula Desroberts, trustee, and Paula Desroberts Revocable Indenture of Trust of, trustee of, 52 Maple Road, $375,000.
Quercus Properties LLC, to H&F Properties Inc., 0 Barrington Road, $155,000.
LUDLOW
Idalina C. Rodrigues, Philip J. Rodrigues and Jeffrey C. Rodrigues to Raval LLC, Holyoke Street, $1,300,000.
John A. Halama, trustee, and Halama Family Irrevocable Trust, trustee of, to Fernanda Gomes, Center Street, $122,000.
Deeds
MIDDLEFIELD
Daniel J. Kozynoski, Daniel J. Kozynoski, personal representative, and John J. Kozynoski, estate, to Noel W. Keeney, 266 Skyline Trail, $164,500.
MONSON
Antonio Carvalho to Michael A. Chamberlain and Vicki Chamberlain, 287 Wilbraham Road, $529,000.
Congamond Management LLC, to Joshua J. Beardsley, 12 Homer Drive, $297,500.
William Skinner and Deborah Skinner to Dylan Pafumi, Wales Road, Lot 3A, $85,000.
NORTHAMPTON
Michael Hooker, trustee, and Jeanne Kocsis Revocable Trust to David Howard Pierce, trustee, Jamie Levin Pierce, trustee, and Joint Revocable Trust of David Howard Pierce & Jamie Levin P, 23 Randolph Place, $376,000.
4 Aces Realty LLC, to Shana Hiranandani, 107 Williams St., $500,000.
Gail L. Perlman and Michael S. Perlman to Jonathan Moosekian and Kristi Moosekian, 76 Marian St., $1,025,000.
NORTHFIELD
MNorthfield1 LLC, to Thomas Aquinas College, 54 & 58 Winchester Road, $800,000.
ORANGE
Poitier Wright to Cassandra Marie Koranda, 249 Brookside Road, $399,000.
Christal L. Cutler to Melanie Amber Farr, 58 Walnut Hill Road, $281,500.
PALMER
ASW Fund 1 LP, and ASW Private Lending LLC, to 2041 High Street LLC, 2041-2043 High St., $265,000.
Ronald M. Ziemba, Denise Ziemba, Ashley M. St. George and Ashley M. Ziemba to Cody A. Crossman and Haley Crossman, 231 River St., $370,000.
Stephen Stathis to Ams Realty LLC, 1313 Park St., $465,000.
PELHAM
Mill River Renovations LLC, to Karleen Vollherbst and Patrick Moffett,
24 Gulf Road, $657,500.
RUSSELL
Anthony J. Scapin Sr., and Sally W. Connor to Nexamp Free Holdings LLC, Blandford Road, $260,000.
Saje Home Services LLC, to Carla Boyd, Noell Coburn and Russell Coburn, 434 Blandford Road, $415,000.
SHUTESBURY
Melissa Hudasko and Todd Tietchen to Elizabeth C. Smith and Randall P. Smith, 20 Great Pines Drive, $349,000.
SOUTH HADLEY
Maggie Resnick, trustee, and Robert Resnick Irrevocable Trust to Maggie Resnick, Marissa Chiapperino and Benjamin Saunders, 26 Alvord Place, $100.
Paul R. Miller to Paul R. Miller, trustee, and Paul Rogers Miller Revocable Trust, 24 Alvord Place, $100.
Diane E. Hughes to Barbara Sorley, 100 Stonybrook Way, $499,900.
Nationstar Mortgage LLC, and Servicelink LLC, attorney-in-fact, to LCR Builders LLC, 33 Pershing Ave., $287,500.
Lee A. Pellegrini, trustee, and Revocable Indenture of Trust of Lee A. Pellegrini to Adam Justin Tocci Jr., and Marielena Elizabeth Roulston, 124 College St., $313,500.
Krystyna Sulek, Krystyna J. Sulek, Andrew R. Sulek, Kimberly Sulek and Andrew R. Sulek, attorney-in-fact, to Kmak LLC, and Bernash Realty LLC, 132 Lathrop St., $338,000.
Scott Family Properties LLC, to Zachery P. Scott, 10 Canal St., $100.
SOUTHAMPTON
Theresa Horstmann and Rachel Hodges to Joel M. Estes and Patricia R. Estes, 84 East St., $100.
Patrice Mackey and Dennis J. O’Brien to Lindsay Marie Mounce, 3 Sophie Circle, $475,000.
SPRINGFIELD
Adrienne R. Giguere, Adrienne R. Beane and Devan K. Beane to Loryanna Dimaio, 270 Nassau Drive, $225,000.
BRVS LLC, to Jane Vernalia, 230232 Centre St., $320,000.
Carol J. Langevin, representative, and Sandra L. Rodriguez, estate, to KMAK LLC, and Ryan Randall Realty LLC, 11 Hanson Drive, $210,000.
Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and Azusa Realty Trust, trustee of, to Saje Home Services LLC, 212 Marsden St., $136,000.
Eleanor E. Bineault, trustee, and Woodstock Street Realty Trust, trustee of, trustee of, to Emid Properties LLC, 8 Woodstock St., $390,000.
Emtay Inc., to Shavonne Morris, 206 King St., $257,000.
George Couchiaftis, estate, George J. Couchiaftis, estate, and William G. Sakel, representative, to Christine S. Humel and Craig S. O’Connor, 411 Forest Hills Road, $275,000.
Grahams Construction Inc., to Judith Moskal-Kanz, 100 Crystal Brook Drive, $612,500.
Isidoro Sanchez to Eliane Niyonkuru, 17 George St., $317,000.
James W. Fiore and Darlene Fiore to Olmstead Realty Trust, trustee of, and Peter J. Houser, trustee, 74 Price St., $165,000.
Johnny A. Perez-Mendez and Genesis Perez Acevedo to Caroline Torres and Abraham Elu Torres Jr., 70 Westford Ave., $282,500.
Jose A. Lopez to Pierre B. Fleurant and Lynn-Terry Montinat, 367-369 East Columbus Ave., $410,000.
Kelly Grennan to Jeff Jean-Baptiste and Wilda Etienne, 47 Bangor St., $325,000.
Kevin Radavich and Macayla Belt to Morgan Souza and Hayden Richter, 189 Essex St., Unit P, $207,000.
Loryanna Dimaio and Anthony A. Dimaio to Anthony A. Dimaio II, 141 Arvilla St., $300,000.
Michael Anthony Glenn to Polonia Meliza Espin al Ogando, 11-13 Longview St., $365,000.
Nereida Castellano and Ismael Vargas to CP Property Group LLC, 140 Chestnut St., Unit 202, $55,000.
Noelia Machado and Freddy Espada to Norimar Mercado-Machado, 101 Mulberry St., Unit 418, $135,000. Peoplesbank to Arrha Credit Union, 1240 Sumner Ave., $1,276,000.
Sean P. Harrington, trustee, and Trust Harrington Investments Realty, trustee of, to Ryan Deland, 62-64 Bryant St., $341,000.
Shre Holding Co. LLC, to Kok-Kin Properties LLC, 4 Plumtree Road, $225,000.
William Raleigh and David Kachinski to Anthoney Lomax, 132 Ambrose St., $245,000.
William Soto and William Soto Rivera to Anyira Altagracia Feliciano De Jesus, 229 East St., $270,000.
WARE
Joel Pentlarge to Park Otis LLC, 1418 Park St., $320,000.
Joel Pentlarge to Park Otis LLC, 8-10 Prospect St., $320,000.
Karl Przechocki, personal representative, and Daniel K. Przechocki, estate, to Jurisdised Agencies LLC, 10 Walnut St., $100,000.
Rafaat A. Geres and Marian Latif Foaad Fenhas to Brendan Andrew Shunaman, 95 Maple St., $419,000.
William W. Gravel and Cynthia E. Gravel to Benjamin J. Koziol, 32 Highland St., $349,900.
William R. Labarge to Tammy J. Tuttle, 53 Crescent St., $100.
Bernadette Hicks to One Mirabile Drive LLC, 50 Chestnut St., $100.
M.R.T. Development LLC, to Thomas J. Bianchi and Debra Bianchi, 6 Coldbrook Drive, $50,000.
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Alvin Weaver Jr., to Sergey Shalypin, 110 Circle Drive, $312,000.
Daniella Tirone to Edward Santaniello and Kelly J. Santaniello, 47 Apple Ridge Road, $501,700.
Donald C. Pinkerman and Karen E. Pinkerman to Adam Jaber, 73 Rogers Ave., $410,000.
Edward Santaniello and Kelly J. Santaniello to Ryan T. Eldridge and Kayla M. Eldridge, 43 Pebble Path Lane, $392,000.
Fatih Emekci to Yongpin Wang, 1658 Memorial Ave., Unit 1-B, $128,000.
Jenna Rosado to Gerard S. Filip Jr., 72-74 Summit St., $320,000.
Joori K. Johnson and Valdemar A. H. Johnson to Icarian Real Estate Advisors LLC, 18 Shady Brook, Unit 18, $475,000.
No Limit Assets LLC, to Win Lin Lin Bo and Aye Thet Naing, 81 Rogers Ave., $400,000.
Patrick W. Argiro, representative, Bernadette Patricia Argiro, estate, and Bernadette B. Argiro, estate, to Mason Jacoby and Ana Sofia Fialho Grosse Siestrup, 444 Hillcrest Ave., $427,500.
Rindels Realty LLC, to Pingree 2000 Real Estate Holdings LLC, 874 Memorial Ave., $1,561,000.
WESTFIELD
20 Sherwood Avenue Land Trust, trustee of, Jerald Reinford, trustee, and 20 Sheroood Avenue Land Trust, trustee of, to Carlos Suarez and Lisandra Calderson, 20 Sherwood Ave., $234,200.
Christopher Michael Robare to Alex Delgado, 5 Leonard Ave., $300,000.
Frank P. Fitzgerald, representative, Homer Joseph Foucher, estate, Ray Foucher, estate, and Homer J. Foucher, estate, to Bal Darjee and Alisha Darjee, 9 Glenwood Drive, $370,000.
Gregory Foulkes and Laura K. Foulkes to Philip L. Arendt, 47 St Dennis St., $244,000.
J & F Management LLP, to Knox Trail Properties LLC, 83 1/2 Franklin St., $650,000.
J & F Management LLP, Francis
Friguglietti and John P. Morizio to Knox Trail Properties LLC, 103-109 Court St., $1,550,000.
J & F Management LLP, Francis Friguglietti and John P. Morizio to Knox Trail Properties LLC, 235 Elm St., $75,000.
J & F Management LLP, Francis Friguglietti and John P. Morizio to Knox Trail Properties LLC, 9-11 Bartlett St., $175,000.
John P. Morizio and Francis A. Friguglietti to Knox Trail Properties LLC, 241 Elm St., $300,000.
John P. Morizio and Francis A. Friguglietti to Knox Trail Properties LLC, 89 Franklin St., $350,000.
Keith Watson to Colin M. Berry and Nicole E. Paradis, 44 Stuart Place, $381,000.
Nasser Hussain and Bibisakeena Bary to Mohamed R. Abdulazeez and Azara Rilshad, 160 Franklin St., Unit A, $267,000.
WHATELY
Robin L. Glenn, “fka” Robin L. Grimaldi, to Robert Beede, 32 Swamp Road, $255,000.
WILBRAHAM
2301 Boston Road LLC, to Harriet Ubersax Revocable Trust, trustee of, and Jeffery D. Ubersax, trustee, 1 Lodge Lane, $510,000.
Kathleen A. Czupryna Supplemental Needs Trust, trustee of, and Eileen Murphy, trustee, to 19 Western View Realty Trust, trustee of, and Bruce Arnold, trustee, 19 Westernview Drive, $330,000.
Barbara L. Lyons to Paulo Villegas, 106 Stony Hill Road, $246,000.
Marian Roncarati-Fortin Revocable Trust, trustee of, Marian Roncarati-Fortin, trustee, and Michael Fortin to Daniel Allen Minahan and Krystie E. Minahan, 80 Soule Road, $610,000.
Mary E. Hanrahan to Richard B. Hanrahan, 13 Woodland Dell Road, $100.
Sheila M. Commisso and Marcel N. Caron Jr., to Rachel M. Wolfe, 9 Primrose Lane, $470,000.
WILLIAMSBURG
Dwight V. Baghdoyan and Susan I. Zuroff to Allison Cwalinski and Nicholas Popowich, 14 Goshen Road and Route 9, $340,000.
WORTHINGTON
Robert N. Brodrick to Courtney Stutz and Jeffrey Spratt, 14 Harvey Road, $210,000.
Evelyn Voorhees, Dean Kent and Dean A. Kent to Allen Barstow and Pamela Piliero, 74 Thrasher Hill Road, $727,000.
How can I remove hard water stains from stone countertops?
By Jeanne Huber
Washington Post
Q. I need to replace my kitchen faucet. I have hard water from a well, and there are white-ish stains at the base of the faucet where the faucet meets the granite countertop. Is there a way to clean this area to remove the stain? And, is there a way to clean it quickly, as I’ll have a plumber waiting to complete his work?
A. A new single-edge razor blade is probably the magic wand you need. There are chemical ways to remove mineral deposits and the soap scum that’s often mixed in with them, especially where the water is considered “hard” because it is high in minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. But unless the deposits are very thin, chemicals aren’t likely to produce a quick cure. Plus, you have the ideal situation for simply scraping off most of the ugliness: You’re dealing with a hard stone and you won’t need to worry about nicking the faucet because it will be out of the way.
“Once the faucet is out, use a razor blade,” said Cameron DeMille, a technical support specialist for MB Stone Care, a company in Wilson, North Carolina, that makes stone cleaners, stain removers and other products for stone surfaces.
He cautioned, though, that this advice holds only for granite, quartzite and
Kitchen
CONTINUES FROM PAGE F2
Don’t overlook furniture
In a clean white kitchen, bold or sculptural pieces can make a sizable impact. New York City-based Marina Hanisch lent her client’s kitchen an industrial, artisanal feel by choosing wooden architect-style screw stools.
You can also mix it up at your dining table, pairing colorful chairs with more neutral, traditional seating. Add punch with pulls
Changing out drawer pulls and cabinet handles is a time-honored way to affordably update a kitchen. With white cabinets, colored or unusually shaped hardware (like these) can
quartz surfaces, with quartzite meaning the natural stone and quartz referring to the manufactured product that consists of ground quartz minerals mixed with resins and often pigment. A razor blade would remove mineral deposits from marble, travertine and limestone, but these stones are softer and you might wind up scuffing the countertop, DeMille said. It would be safer to call in a pro to refinish those surfaces with diamond abrasives.
Mineral deposits form when water repeatedly dries on a surface, leaving behind minerals it picked up when traveling through soil or rock before getting to a home’s water supply. The deposits are most likely to form where there is hard water, which also keeps soap from doing its job and leads to deposits of soap scum. At first, the deposits often look like water spots, but eventually they become more noticeable, especially in places like the bases of faucets, where water drips off hands. Regularly cleaning the area and wiping the surface dry after each use can prevent the deposits, but once they start forming, you can’t just wipe them away.
The deposits are alkaline, so acidic cleaners, such as CLR Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover ($6.28 for 28 ounces at Home Depot), eat away at them effectively. CLR is labeled safe to use on plastic, ceramic tile, glass, stainless steel, faucet and shower fixtures, shower doors, fiberglass, toilet bowls and sinks, although there is a warning that
the cleaner might etch older sinks, tubs and tiles. But the manufacturer says explicitly not to use CLR on natural stone, including granite. Similar warnings appear on many other acidic cleaners. There are other products that remove mineral deposits and soap scum from natural stone, but they are best used when the deposits are just beginning to form or when most of the deposit has been scraped away. Those include MB Stone Care’s MB-3 Soap and Mineral Deposit Remover ($19.97 a quart from the company’s website). Designed for use on concrete, granite, marble, limestone, travertine, quartzite, serpentine and terrazzo, it is a strong alkali, with a pH of 13, comparable to bleach or oven cleaner. So, just as with the strongly acidic mineral deposit removers, you need to follow directions carefully, including protecting your eyes and skin when using it. And you shouldn’t expect instant results.
“It’s pretty slow,” DeMille said. “Faucets get crusty.” That’s why he recommends using a razor blade to remove most of the gunk on a countertop or other surface made of hard stone, then following up with the Soap and Mineral Deposit Remover to clean off the remnants. To avoid scratching the countertops, keep the blade at a low angle to the stone. Moisten the surface with water for lubrication. You don’t need to worry about scraping off the sealer on your countertop, DeMille said, because the sealer is almost certainly a
shift the vibe of the room. “Swapping in unique cabinet pulls and integrating other bold metal accents can bring personality to a space and ensure it feels visually
dynamic,” said Hanisch, of Marina Hanisch Interiors.
Choose an accent rug
One item can make such a difference. By adding a col-
penetrating type, which sinks into pores in the stone and winds up just below the stone’s surface.
Some soap scum and mineral deposit removers labeled for use on natural stone are acidic. Rock Doctor Spot and Ring Remover ($13.99 for 14 ounces on Amazon) has a pH of 1.7, about 10 times as acidic as vinegar. The directions say to rub it on with a damp sponge, soft cloth or paper towel and to repeat the procedure with more pressure if the deposits persist. The product contains finely ground quartz, which acts as a superfine abrasive to wear away deposits as the acid is chemically weakening them, said Melinda Dames, who handles customer service for Rock Doctor, a company in Lenexa, Kansas, that makes a range of stone care and kitchen cleaning products. About half the customer reviews on Amazon rated the product five stars, but about one-third gave it just one or two stars, and some of them complained that it dulled the surface. Dames said the company has tested the product extensively and seen no damage. It’s common for customer feedback to run the gamut, from good to bad, she said.
So a word to the wise: Test whatever product you plan to use in an inconspicuous place before you use it in a high-visibility area such as by the sink. You might not be able to test its effectiveness at breaking down deposits, but you can evaluate whether it makes the surface dull or pitted.
orful, vintage Moroccan runner, Susan Galvani of Spruce Interior in Charleston, South Carolina, warmed up a client’s otherwise neutral kitchen. Thanks to the rug plus a blue accent island, the space feels cozy and boho.
Wow with window treatments
In a kitchen Reynal designed for a client, a Roman shade in whimsical Schumacher Citrus Garden fabric steals the show. To tie the room together, Reynal applied its blue-green-yellow color palette throughout the space.
She chose blue cushions for the counter stools and painted the island green.
Season with humor
As an experiment, add
one playful decorative item, like a banana-shaped fruit bowl, retro school lunch wall sculpture, “Coffee First, People Later” print, or fruit refrigerator magnets. Then see if it improves your morning mood. This foray into “dopamine decor” might perk you up more than your coffee.
Install a funky fixture
A spiderlike, multi-pendant chandelier seems to crawl across the ceiling in a kitchen designed by Manhattan-based Rebecca Roberts of Method + Moxie. The ultra-modern installation wakes up the white and gray space. Similarly, the curvy wooden pendant lights Hanisch chose for a client’s kitchen add an organic touch.
In this kitchen by Amanda Reynal, pops of color help punctuate the space. (PHOTO BY ADAM ALBRIGHT)
The
PUBLIC AUCTION
Lot #6: ±3½ Acre Vacant Residential Lot • ±150 Ft. Frontage on Devil’s Lane • Private Well & Septic Required • Zoned: RUR • Assessor’s Map ID: 12-0-24.4 •
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Required • Zoned: RUR • Assessor’s Map ID: 12-0-24.3 •
Lot #8: ±1½ Acre Vacant Residential Lot • ±99 Ft. Frontage on Devil’s Lane • Private Well & Septic
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Lot #9: ±1Acre Vacant Residential Lot • ±150
Ft. Frontage on Devil’s Lane • Private Well & Septic Required • Assessor’s Map ID: 12-0-24.1
Lot #10: ±1Acre Vacant Residential Lot • ±161 Ft. Frontage on Devil’s Lane • Private Well & Septic Required
Assessor’s Map ID: 12-0-24
Lot #11(Rear): ±5¼ Acre Vacant Residential Lot
RUR
