B4 • Friday, November 8, 2024
thegardenisland.com
THE GARDEN ISLAND
7 EASY KITCHEN RENOVATION IDEAS you need is a coat of paint. Gone are the muted colors and whisper grays of past years. Today, it’s all about deep, rich color. Pair sage green cabinets with black appliances (or a dramatic black sink and a standout faucet!), or smoky blue cabinets with white walls and a splash of yellow. Other trending colors include deep red, pastel blue and even rich black.
BRANDPOINT Thinking of updating your kitchen? If it has been awhile since you tended to the heart of your home, it might be time for a refresh. The good news? You don’t have to do an extensive (and expensive!) remodeling job to get a new look. You can spruce up your kitchen easily, in a weekend, with some small changes that will make a big impact. Here are some ideas from the pros at Kohler.
Cabinet hardware While you’re refreshing your cabinets, don’t forget the pulls and knobs. Take an afternoon to browse at your local kitchen store or online — you’ll be surprised by how many innovative, fun styles and colors of pulls and knobs you can find that will accent and highlight your kitchen’s new look.
Paint Take one afternoon, a roll of painter’s tape, a paint brush and a step stool. Add a fun new color of paint and you’ve got a new look for your kitchen. There is nothing easier, quicker or less expensive than a DIY paint job to brighten up your space. Even a new color on one wall makes a big difference.
COURTESY OF BRANDPOINT
Today, faucets are multi-functional works of art, statement pieces that catch the eye.
Lighting
Swapping out your old fixtures for a more draBacksplash intersection of form, textwo-function aerator that cleanup. But it doesn’t matic look will instantly Faucets allows users to switch from have to look stodgy. With While you’re choosing change the feel of your ture and function. FeaturYou’d be surprised how Kohler’s Sink Collection, your new sink, consider a kitchen. Under-cabinet ing seven striking designs, an aerated stream to Softmuch a new faucet can you can choose from under new backsplash that will lighting provides a soft the collection is eye-catch- Rinse spray with a simple change the entire vibe of or top mounted, farmreally make the area pop. glow for those times when twist. That’s perfect for ing, but these aren’t just your kitchen. Today, fauThink about subway tiles, a you don’t need the room to washing hands, rinsing del- house, double or single pretty works of art. They mosaic or a metallic look be bright. incorporate advanced func- icate glassware and china, bowl — whatever fits best cets are multi-functional that can pull the various elWith a few small with your kitchen decor. works of art, statement and prepping veggies and tionality, too. changes, you can freshen And deep color is all the pieces that catch the eye. fruits. The Semi-Professional ements of your kitchen toup your kitchen quickly rage. Why not venture from gether. The Kohler Components faucet showcases Kohler’s Sinks and easily. Not sure exactly traditional white or cream Kitchen Faucet Collection, innovative Sweep Spray what you’re looking for? for example, is defined by a that provides a wide, forceLong known as the work- into trendy teal, truffle, as- Cabinet refresh warm, minimalist look. You don’t need to invest Check out this Bathroom ful blade of water to deliver horse of the kitchen, your pen or fresh green, or even and Kitchen Buying Guide Styles are noted for their in new cabinets to give efficiency in cleaning. The sink is a central focal point dramatic black to update precision in detail and the your kitchen a new look. All for inspiration. Bar faucet features a of all of your meal prep and your kitchen style?
30-year fixed-rate mortgage rises to 4-month high Lucia Mutikani REUTERS WASHINGTON, D.C. — Mortgage rates increased to a fourmonth high this week and could rise further amid fears that President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed economic policies could stoke inflation. The average rate on the popular 30-year fixed-rate mortgage climbed to 6.79 percent, the highest level since July, from 6.72 percent last week, mortgage finance agency Freddie Mac said today. It has increased for six straight weeks and has risen by 71 basis points since late September. As supply remains below pre-pandemic levels, rising mortgage rates and elevated house prices have combined to stifle sales of previously owned homes, which hit a 14-year low in September. “Buyers who were waiting until after the election to get into the market may not see rates as low as they had hoped,” said Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright MLS. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate tracks the benchmark 10year Treasury note, whose yield jumped to a four-month high in the aftermath of Republican Trump’s victory in the presidential race. Trump campaigned on a platform of tax cuts, which economists say would juice the economy, widen budget deficits and increase government borrowing. He also promised to impose a 60 percent tariff on Chinese goods and at least a 10 percent levy on all other imports, which economists expect to re-ignite inflation and reduce the Federal Reserve’s scope to cut interest rates. Most homeowners have mortgage rates below 4 percent and the so-called “rate lock” is starving the market for previously owned homes of supply. Bright MLS estimated that the median monthly payment on a mortgage to buy a $400,000 home has increased by almost $200 in just six weeks.