Spring arrives this week, and you might be making a list of things you can do to help your house welcome the season.
“Curb appeal is always a spring game changer,” says Malia Yee, lead designer for Graham Builders, the Honolulu design/build firm. “A new entryway or porch, landscaping, fresh exterior paint, a new front door — these things can help make your home’s first impression welcoming and friendly.”
Yee, who has worked in the architectural field for nearly twenty years, both in residential design and community planning, is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and earned a BA in architecture from the University of Southern California.
“You’ll definitely want to replace missing shingles on your roof, and repair any leaks, of course. You might also consider replacing old louvered windows with Energy Star-rated windows,” she suggests. “If you use air conditioning, new windows can significantly reduce your electric bills. At the very least, they’ll help keep your house cooler.”
Fresh new interiors
With more than 15 years of experience as an interior designer, and a BFA in design from Chaminade University, Lenore Smith, client care manager for Graham Builders, knows that even small changes can make a big difference.
“Springtime is a great time to freshen up your home – incorporate bright colors, new fixtures, lighting and furnishings that you love,” Smith offers. “And paint can do a lot, indoors and out. You can use it to accentuate the best things about your home, and it can help you minimize its flaws.”
Kitchen rejuvenation requires effort, but can pay off handsomely. “Go through your cabinets and organize dishes and plates, utensils, cookware, food storage, and small appliances,” recommends Smith. “Donate anything that’s unused; dispose of anything damaged and irreparable.”
When the kitchen is pau, Smith suggests organizing the contents of bathroom cupboards, drawers, and linen closets. “Be patient and pace yourself,” she says. “And remember, all of the things you’re doing will help make your home cleaner and more comfortable.”
When spring cleaning isn’t enough
You’ve done the painting, the scrubbing, the replanting. Spring cleaning is done, as far as you can tell. But how do you know when it’s not enough?
“If you’ve cleaned and organized your cupboards, and still don’t have room for all of the appliances and bakeware in your kitchen, or all of the styling tools and products in your bathroom, perhaps it’s time to build the addition you’ve always wanted,” says Smith.
“And it’s important to take care of the nitty-gritty,” Yee says. “If you have substantial mold or mildew problems, or if your roof has multiple leaks, it might be time to hire professionals.”
Need help with your home’s spring rejuvenation? You’re invited to attend Graham Builders’ FREE “Building Your Home for Life” seminar on DATE???? from 9-11 a.m. at the Honolulu Country Club. Founded in 1990, Graham Builders remains the only contractor in Hawaii honored by the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Business Ethics. Register for the seminar at grahambuilders.com or call 593-2808.