3 Trends in Kitchen Hardware to Keep an Eye On

You don’t have to transform your entire kitchen to feel like your kitchen has been upgraded. All you have to do is update some of your kitchen hardware, like the knobs on your cabinets or the handles on your drawers. You’ll get that new kitchen feel for a fraction of the cost. However, choose your new hardware wisely. Here are 3 trends in kitchen hardware to keep an eye on.

1. Artsy knobs

The great thing about the term “artsy” is that it’s totally up to your interpretation and discretion. You can take your pick of colorful knobs, varying sized knobs and knobs of many different styles. Got a theme for your kitchen? Go all out by getting knobs that matches your vision. 

Whatever your method of madness, personalize your kitchen in the subtlest and classiest of ways so you can impress guests. You can peruse the knob section at Home Depot or Lowes for ideas, or you can check out what’s new in the DIY section of the internet.

2. Bar handles

You can make your kitchen seem more modern and sleek without replacing a single panel or backsplash tile. Just incorporate long, straight lines in your kitchen with bar handles.
These handles are most commonly seen in restaurant kitchens: They’re long and slim metal bars that run the length of drawers. They’re not only great for design but also for utility. You can be completely engrossed in a recipe, reach over to grab a drawer handle and grasp it every time, without fail.

Now, if you have a theme for your kitchen, these handles are maybe not the best way to go. If you’re going for minimalist and even futuristic vibe, these handles are for you.

3. Finger handles

Although they may look like it, finger handles aren’t actually tiny shelves for mice (knock on wood that there aren’t really mice in your kitchen). These flat, stainless steel handles work great for the lower, base cabinets in your kitchen. Just slip a finger or two under the small lip of the handle to open your cabinets.

They look great and they’re completely functional. No more bending down to open a cabinet just to discover the pot you were looking for wasn’t even in there.

Pro tip: Updating the hardware in your kitchen is a great way to spruce up your kitchen before showing your house to prospective buyers. When you’re ready to sell your home, give us a shout. We’re here to help.

Take a room-by-room tour of the inaugural Kips Bay Palm Beach Show House

Villa Belmont in Palm Beach’s El Cid was built in 1925 and is open for tours until December 19th with 15 different designers presenting very interesting decorations.

Don't miss seeing this article from the Shiny Sheet and photos of these innovative ideas.

http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/business/real-estate/take-room-room-tour-the-inaugural-kips-bay-palm-beach-show-house/jXmAkWuqLILimtbAIulRpI/

SPECTACULAR NEW LISTING - NOW UNDER CONTRACT

Emeraude Condo in Palm Beach with ICW and Ocean views. 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, 2145 living sq ft.  $1,075,000.  Come and take a look.  Penthouse (5th Floor). Call or text 561-302-3388~Marilyn Jacobs with Donohue Real Estate in Palm Beach.  RX-10383764.  Furnished Cabana included.  Fitness center, Library, High Security, Doorman, 27 units in the building.  Best unit available on the beach. HOA is $1100/month.

Doorman, 1 space in building Garage

Walk to Lake Worth Beach and Pier

with Stores and Casino

Cross Lake Worth Bridge for

Downtown Lake Worth

with antique shops, art galleries

eateries, Museum, lots of people-watching spots

SO MUCH TO DO!

Call Marilyn at 561-302-3388 for showing or more details

Would you like to get a copy of the listing on email?

GREAT LIFESTYLE!

WITH FLORIDA STARTING TO BE SETTLED IN THE 1920’S, DESIGN ISSUES COME UP IN MANY CITIES

Currently, Lake Worth has issues re hurricane protection for historic homes. Not a new issue for Lake Worth, the owners of designated historic homes have been complaining to city officials.  There are problems replacing doors, roofs and windows relating to application approvals taking a long time.

This past week, the city commissioners unanimously passed an updated an ordinance relaxing the rules and making it easier to get hurricane protection but design guidelines will need to be put in place. The Historic Resources Preservation Board has expressed fears that these changes could jeopardize the city’s program and possibly its state certification. Rules are set by the state’s Department of Interior.

At the second reading a Commissioner stated, “I’m very excited about the design guidelines, but I’m also very concerned about the design guidelines.” “I’m concerned they’re not here. And why are we going out to get someone else to write our design guidelines? We have all this staff on board.” 

Yesterday The Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach presented an interesting Historic Properties Workshop on, “Redevelopment in Historic Neighborhoods”. One Palm Beach resident, whose family owned a 1939 north end cottage for many years, went through the history of the property since it was built with 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, showing photos of various stages of development with additions and changes.

Examples of traditional and big box homes:

The Big Box designs vs traditional styles was discussed regarding St. Petersburg on Florida’s west coast. Photos were shown illustrating the traditional styles clashing with big box styles in predominately traditional neighborhoods, disturbing the homogeneous appearances. Some were next door to each other or across the street. 

The benefits of the historic tax credit were also discussed. Giving tax abatements for ten years when changes are approved, illustrates a reason a buyer might consider purchasing a historic home and doing renovations that are paid for by tax abatements.

Historic preservation is a subject dear to many residents’ hearts in various early-settled cities.

New Rental – West Palm Beach – move in ready! Walk to PB Outlets

2 BEDROOMS, 2 ½ BATHS, 1686 LIVING SQ FT. $1500/month

• Ceramic tiles thruout

• New appliances, storm shutters

• Fully renovated

• Terrace and private landscaped fenced patio

• Light and bright – sliders and windows thruout

• Water, basic cable included in rent

• Easy access to 2 assigned parking spaces

WALK TO:

• Community pool

• Palm Beach Outlets, restaurants, Whole Foods

• Near beaches, I95, Airport, downtown West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, City Place

• Near new Nicklaus signature 

• golf course and Noble House hotel-outside memberships OK

CALL MARILYN JACOBS, 561-302-3388 (text ok), marilynfjacobs@gmail.com

WHAT IS THE BEST INVESTMENT? REAL ESTATE!

In a quiet corner of West Palm Beach's Presidential Estates, where luxury homes abound, some on the waterfront, you will find WHITEHALL CONDOS.  There are sparkling white buildings with catwalk designs that bring N'Awlins to mind.  Beautiful gardens, flowering bushes, and palm trees are meticulously cared for.  It is quiet, peaceful, and there are a beautiful Olympic-size pool and a small clubhouse on the grounds.  Meandering paths have pretty views and an occasional bench to sit on and rake in the colorful pastoral views.

The new Banyan Cay Country Club is being built next door with a Nicklaus golf course, hotel, and clubhouse, and they accept outside members.  Guard gated at the north and south ends, this is a safe secure community.

All units have 1385 living sq ft. They are spacious with a huge walk-in master closet, two bedrooms, two full baths, laundry room with storage space and a bonus room for storage or other usages.  There is a wall of windows at the end of the living room. Some overlook water views, some overlook the golf course.  Others overlook gardens. Kitchens have all the "usual" appliances and a small area for a snack. Some kitchens are updated, some are not. There is a pass-thru window from the kitchen to the dining area.

A property manager can handle "fix-up" that renters request and collect 

the rent for you.

If you are a large investor, this could be a way to start off younger members of your family learning about real estate investments "as they go."

Some of the Whitehall condo owners have two, three or four units that are rented out. Priced at market value, they sell and rent quickly. The units can cost from $114,000 to $140,000, and with many upgrades can cost more.

If you like this idea, give me a call or text me at 561-302-3388 and let me show you some units and the grounds.

Marilyn Jacobs, Realtor

IS BASEBALL YOUR GAME?

Take me out to the ballgame…. At THE BALLPARK OF THE PALM BEACHES.

Take your pick: Watch the NY Mets, Houston Astros, Miami Marlins, Washington Nationals, St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers or Minnesota Twins.  

Located at 5444 Haverhill Rd, West Palm Beach, FL 33407.  

  

Google Ballpark of the Palm Beaches or call 800-840-9227.

Have a great day!

THESE 6 HOUSE PLANTS WILL CLEAN YOUR AIR

You spend a lot of time focusing on what you eat and how it impacts your health. But there’s more to being healthy than what we put into our stomachs.

Here are just a few of the essentials:

·       You need to give your body the right amount of rest.

·       You need to stimulate your mind and expose yourself to beauty.

·       You need to make sure that the air that you breathe is healthy and clean.

Did you know that there are house plants that can meet all those needs? It’s true!

No matter how well you clean your home or how organic the products you buy, toxins in the air are hard to wipe away.

Some can cause allergic reactions and illness. But there are houseplants that remove impurities from the air while they help add to the warmth and serenity of your environment.

They’re easy to find and inexpensive too!

By adding any of these green beauties to your home you can give yourself greater peace of mind and cleaner air to breathe.

1. Boston Fern

Boston Ferns are the most efficient air filtering plant you can buy.

They’re also available for purchase everywhere… chances are good that if your supermarket sells plants, they will sell Boston Ferns.

Keeping a Boston Fern healthy is pretty simple. Give it a dose of plant food once a month and water it regularly. If you live in a dry area, you should mist it once a day too.

2. Palm Trees

These tropical beauties are very good at removing toxins like formaldehyde from the air.

The Dwarf Date is best of all, but other good choices include the Parlor Palm, a Bamboo Palm or a Lady Palm. Palm Trees will flourish in a sunny spot in your home.

3. Rubber Plant

If you think your home doesn’t get enough light to sustain a plant, try a Rubber Plant or a 

They don’t need much sun and they do a great job of cleaning the air.

4. English Ivy

This is another plant that is sold just about everywhere.

Though most people think of English Ivy as a climbing plant that lives outdoors, if you keep it inside it will stay pretty compact.

It needs very little care – just water and mist once a week or so – and it will keep your air free of toxins and mold.

In fact, a study showed that it cuts airborne mold by 94%.

5. Peace Lily

There are a lot of good reasons for choosing a Peace Lily for your home.

This beautiful plant needs very little light and will bloom all year long. It is good at removing all types of harsh gases, and even adds humidity to the air.

6. Aloe Vera

This spiky succulent is not only good at improving your air quality: you can also use the gel that flows through its leaves to help speed healing.

It’s an especially good plant to keep in the kitchen to quickly soothe the pain from burns.

Yours in health and happiness,

Danette May
America’s Leading Healthy Lifestyle Expert

BRIGHTLINE UPDATE

Express trains may soon be running between West Palm, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami. They have not yet started on the Orlando destination, but expect that to be serviceable in 2020. Passengers are expected to be mainly business people, and there will be tourists too. With theme parks, conventions, hotels and other venues to explore it will be a popular run.

WHERE CAN YOU FIND...

...an exclusive community with social membership for $1000 initiation fee, $829 annual dues and $550 min dining & bar fees, pretty clubhouse, pool? Breakers West & Mayacoo Golf Club in West Palm Beach FL. 561-302-3388 for details.

Today homes are available from the $200’s to $1,850,000.  GREAT LIFESTYLE WITH AFFORDABLE AMENITIES!

COME AND SEE... YOU WILL WANT TO STAY!

Keep Your Patio Furniture Looking Its Best

It's the time of year when the days are longer and outdoor furniture comes out of storage. Whether you lounge in handcrafted teak Adirondack chairs or pull up your favorite metal frame seat to your vintage glass-top table, patio furniture requires some necessary maintenance. Read on for our seven tips for maintaining your patio furniture.

1. Clean it periodically to prevent dirt and debris from dulling the finish. Regardless of the material, the finish will eventually lose its sheen if left unattended. Besides that, you don't want pollen pants after sitting down on an unkempt chair in the springtime.
For that initial cleaning at the start of patio season, do not be afraid to rent a power washer. You'll save time and elbow grease by enlisting the help of a power washer in that scrub session.

2. Cover patio furniture when you're not using it. Sun, wind and rain will eventually take their toll on fabrics, paint and stain. Using a custom cover or all-purpose tarp will help extend the life of your furnishings.

3. Keep rust under control by addressing the problem as soon as you notice it. If you're in a humid climate, your metal patio furniture (or components like nails) is susceptible to rust. The brown, flaky stuff is the result of exposure to oxygen and moisture, unavoidable for outdoor furniture. Grab some WD-40 and a wire brush and scrape off the iron oxide before it spreads.

4. Mildew is not your friend for many reasons. It's smelly and unsightly and can cause health problems. It is a survivor, though, and will cling to surfaces like gum on the bottom of your shoe. Mildew does not fare well in the presence of vinegar or baking soda. Both readily available agents will eliminate blight on the surface and the interior of cushions. Plus, you can use it to clean umbrellas or other colorful accessories without the adverse effects of bleach.

5. Paint is your friend when it comes to maintaining your patio furniture. If your metal table and chairs need a facelift, grab a few cans of spray paint formulated for outdoor use. Refresh the appearance with minimal monetary investment.

6. Water always wins. Even if the fabric or treatment claims to be waterproof, at some point water will penetrate the coating. If at all possible, move furnishings indoors when the season is over. Inside is also the best place to avoid damage from high winds and hail.

7. Table glass looks best when you can see through it. Prevent scratches, residue buildup and other blemishes by grabbing the rubbing alcohol and newspaper. Pour or spray liberally and wipe down with something you can recycle.

Whether you're cleaning for houseguests or planning to list your home for sale, connect with me for more ways to keep your home in tiptop shape.

BEST WAY TO CLEAN HARDWOOD FLOORS

BEST WAY TO CLEAN HARDWOOD FLOORS

Many homeowners love hardwood floors not only for their look and durability, but also because they're simple to clean—at least relative to carpeting, tile, and many other surfaces. But maintaining spick-and-span hardwood floors isn't quite as simple as it may seem, which leaves many homeowners wondering: What's the best way to clean hardwood floors, anyway?

“There’s a responsibility that comes with owning a wood floor,” says Brett Miller, vice president of education and certification for the National Wood Flooring Association in St. Louis. “People who haven’t had a wood floor before don’t always consider the importance of properly maintaining those floor coverings.”

If you want to keep your hardwood floors looking their best, here are the steps to take.

Related Articles

·       Hardwood for Flooring: Pros and Cons

·       Decoding the Listings: From Bamboo to Vinyl, Know Your Flooring Facts

Remove debris regularly

Your first line of defense is to remove dirt and debris as quickly and often as possible. Even the smallest specks of dirt act like sandpaper, and can scratch the floor's surface and make it look dull. So make sure to vacuum or sweep regularly—ideally once every two to three days, or more for high-traffic areas, says Miller. If you vacuum, use the hard surface setting on your machine, which turns off the beater bar and lowers the vacuum to the floor for better suction power.

Wipe spills immediately

Hardwood floors may look impervious to spills compared with carpet, but certain substances can actually eat away at the top coat of polish on your floor. Some common offenders include milk, mustard, and pet urine. So if Fido or Fluffy isn't fully house trained, make sure to pick up after accidents pronto.

Mop the right way

A damp (but not sopping) mop can also help keep a hardwood floor clean, provided you use the right cleaner (more on what not to use next). Most wood floor installers or manufacturers recommend cleaners that contain isopropyl alcohol, which dries quickly, and are available at home supply stores.

To make your own solution for a monthly clean, add a capful of white vinegar to a gallon of water, which will help dissolve grease and grime on the floor, but not strip the finish. To remove shoe scuffs, rub marks with a tennis ball, which cleans without scratching the finish.

Whatever you do, do not clean wood floors with a steam mop, Miller says. “Steam is horrible for wood floors. It opens the pores in woods and damages the finish, causing irreversible damage to any wood floor.”

Use the right cleaning products

“Wood is probably the easiest floor covering to keep clean, but you have to use the right cleaning products,” says Miller. In fact, contrary to what you might think, he adds, “anything that says ‘polish’ or ‘shine’ indicates you’re adding a layer of something to the floor, and it’s not a protective coating.”

The result? Your floor might look shiny right after you're done, but it will quickly smear and look dull (prompting you to clean your floors again). So when in doubt, stick with cleaning solutions recommended by a hardwood floor specialist rather than what's being hawked at your average grocery store.

And if it still doesn't look clean...

If vacuuming and mopping don’t restore the luster to your hardwood floors, it may not be due to lack of elbow grease. Eventually, wood floors withstand enough damage that they should be refinished—meaning the top layer of wood is sanded down to remove marks, then covered with sealant. Hardwood floors should be resealed about once every 10 years, or every two to five years if they get substantial traffic from kids or pets.