B4 • Friday, July 26, 2024
thegardenisland.com
THE GARDEN ISLAND
5 kitchen upgrades to save you time Delta workstation sink with a built-in WorkFlow™ ledge creates a multi-functional space and reduces counter clutter by allowing you to work right over the sink. The ledge provides plenty of space for food prep, washing and drying, all in one convenient location. Whether you are washing pots and pans after hosting, filling vases for cut flowers from the garden or rinsing sandy items from a day at the beach, a workstation sink has all the space you need.
BRANDPOINT Summer is here! The warm weather is the perfect excuse to spend time outdoors doing what you enjoy with the people you love. To maximize your time for relaxation and enjoyment, it’s a smart idea to simplify daily tasks. For example, simple kitchen upgrades that streamline cooking and cleaning can save you time to better enjoy your wellearned summer vacation. Summer is ideal for home renovations, big or small. The risk of weather delays is low, and multiple holiday sales make it the perfect time to purchase something you’ve been saving for! Plus, you’ll be thanking yourself when fall and winter hosting picks back up. Don’t know where to start? Check out these five simple kitchen upgrades.
Change hardware
COURTESY OF BRANDPOINT
Organizational items and systems
Touchless kitchen faucet technology is a time-saving innovation that cuts down on cleaning and makes everyday tasks easier
Taking time to revamp your kitchen with organizational items and systems can streamline your kitchen routine. Look at your space and see where you can add shelves, drawer dividers and pantry organizers to create designated spaces for every kitchen item. Kitchen organization will allow you to quickly find what you need when you need it and
help you maintain a clutter-free environment.
Faucet Touch2O with Touchless Technology line. To operate, simply place Touchless technology your hand near the faucet, Touchless kitchen faucet tap the faucet surface with technology is a time-saving your wrist or forearm or innovation that cuts down use standard handle activaon cleaning and makes evtion to stop and start the eryday tasks easier so you flow of water. Touch-free can spend more days in the activation helps keep your faucet clean, even when sun. When looking for a faucet with touchless tech- your hands aren’t. Best of all, the Touch2O with nology, consider models Touchless Technology is like those from the Delta
30-year fixed rate climbs to 6.78 percent Makailah Gause REUTERS NEW YORK — The average rate on the popular U.S. 30-year fixedrate mortgage edged up to 6.78 percent for the week ending July 25, leaving it about half a percentage point below its peak earlier this year, as buyers still show signs of hesitancy to enter the market. That was up slightly from 6.77 percent in the prior week, mortgage finance agency Freddie Mac said on Thursday. It averaged 6.81 percent during the same period a year ago. “Despite these lower rates, buyers continue to pause, as reflected in tumbling new and existing home sales data,” Chief Economist Sam Khater said in a statement. Existing home sales fell 5.4 percent in June — the fourth straight monthly drop — to the slowest rate since December, the National Association of Realtors reported earlier this week. Many home owners are continuing to hold on to properties purchased with mortgages with a much lower rate, as buying a new home will likely mean a higher rate. Still, housing inventory jumped to the highest in nearly four years, leading NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun to conclude: “We’re seeing a slow shift from a seller’s market to a buyer’s market.” “As a seller, I am glad that people want to buy my house, but as a buyer I am concerned about the fact that we will be getting into bidding wars,” said Gaurav Khanna, a prospective home buyer and economics professor at University of California at San Diego. “It’s pretty competitive.” Rising home owners insurance premiums are also hurting housing affordability, but many economists expect home borrowing costs to ease further later this year as the Federal Reserve shifts to interest rate cuts as inflation eases.
available in three different designs with a variety of finishes that complement your personal style. Undercabinet lighting Installing undercabinet lighting is an easy way to enhance the functionality and ambiance of your kitchen. Choose LED light strips that are energy-efficient and easy to install. Not only will this simple
upgrade add a touch of sophistication to your kitchen, but it will also create a well-lit environment for all your culinary adventures. Workstation kitchen sink Upgrade your kitchen sink to a workstation model designed for versatility and daily kitchen tasks. A model like the
Want a quick and simple way to elevate your kitchen and refresh your style this summer? Swap out your hardware! Look at the handles and knobs on your cabinets and drawers and think about what colors and finishes speak to your vision of the ideal kitchen. Opt for modern, stylish handles and knobs that will stand the test of time and enhance the aesthetic appeal of your kitchen. Savor the joys of summer by incorporating these five simple but smart kitchen upgrades. The time you spend now creating a more efficient home environment will give you more time to create summer memories that will last a lifetime.