Page 9 - Hawaii Renovation - May 8, 2022

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GRAHAM BUILDERS MAY 8, 2022 HAWAII RENOVATION 9
Easy spring cleaning designs
BY CAROLINE WRIGHT
Once a daunting event for many homeown- ers, spring clean-
ing has been simplified by practical, thoughtful home design.
“If you’re planning to build a new residence, or remodel an older one, there are plenty of options for design and materials that make spring cleaning — indeed, cleaning any time — much easier,” says Evan Fujimoto, presi- dent of Honolulu design/ build firm Graham Builders.
KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS
With the availability of solid-surface and quartz countertops, kitchen and bathroom maintenance has never been simpler.
“Both types are non-po- rous and easier to clean,” Fujimoto says. “Quartz can chip at its edges, especially around sinks, but solid sur- face can be refinished with fine sanding/buffing.”
Kitchens designed by Gra- ham Builders often include soffits — boxy structures built to close the space be- tween cabinets and ceilings.
“Tall cabinets provide storage, but top shelves are hard to access,” Fujimoto observes. “If you don’t need storage, build soffits to mini- mize high, dust-collecting areas.”
For both kitchens and bathrooms, Fujimoto’s team recommends solid-surface integral sinks, which elimi- nate seams between counter and bowl.
“With under-mounted porcelain sinks, the caulked
seam below the counter overhang turns black over time,” he warns. “Solid sur- face or quartz is easiest to maintain in showers, too.”
If your heart’s set on tile, Fujimoto recommends larger format tiles (12 inch- es by 24 inches) to mini- mize grout lines.
“And remember to use small tiles on shower floors, to increase grout lines for better grip,” he advises.
Designers should avoid “landlocked” bathrooms — windowless baths with no access to exterior walls.
“Locating bathrooms on corners means you can have a window in the shower and another behind the com- mode,” Fujimoto shares.
ALL OVER THE HOUSE
For every room designed by Graham Builders, home- owners are offered a variety of options for simplifying maintenance.
“Tilt-in double-hung win-
dows are very popular,” says Fujimoto. “They’re ideal for second-floor windows since the outside of the window swings down into the home like a tabletop and can be cleaned as effortlessly as wiping your dining table.”
When it comes to flooring, porcelain tile in light shades is durable, but hard to keep clean. Real wood, while easy to maintain, eventually re- quires refinishing. Fujimoto says his team installs plenty of luxury vinyl plank (LVP).
“Swiffer mops are all you need to keep LVP looking terrific.”
Designers at Graham Builders recommend home- owners keep light fixtures low and accessible.
“For cleaning or changing bulbs, it’s best to avoid high pendant fixtures on stair- cases where they’re hard to reach,” says Fujimoto. “Wall sconces are better options for stairs.”
High on the list of desirable features for home mainte- nance: a central vacuum cleaner.
“It makes cleaning conve- nient and less labor-intensive. It’s also a smart choice for
those will allergies since the central vacuum collects dust in a central canister away from living areas for easier disposal,” Fujimoto says.
A leader in the design and construction of multi- generational homes and ag- ing-in-place design, Graham Builders is the recipient of the Better Business Bureau of Hawaii Torch Award for ethics in small business. The next free Building Your Home for Life seminar is scheduled for Saturday, June 4. Register now at grahambuilders.com or call 808-593-2808.
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