Rosanna Aguilera, San Angelo Standard-Times Published 11:25 a.m. CT March 4, 2020 | Updated 2:27 p.m. CT March 4, 2020

Hygiene. Cleaning Hands. Washing hands.(Photo: AlexRaths, Getty Images/iStockphoto)

SAN ANGELO The San Angelo Health Department is advising the public to take precautionary measures to slow down the progression of germs and diseases.

The San Angelo-Tom Green County Health Department has been working for several weeks monitoring and preparing for any local cases of coronavirus, according to a news release.

More: How prepared is San Angelo for an outbreak of coronavirus? Local experts weigh in

"Currently, there are no known cases of the disease in San Angelo and Tom Green County," the release stated.

There are many types of human coronaviruses, including those that commonly cause mild upper respiratory tract illnesses.

However, COVID-19 is a new disease caused by a new coronavirus that has not been previously seen in humans, the release stated.

More: Texas officials on the coronavirus: Keep calm and wash your hands

"The preventive measures recommended for this disease are similar to other communicable diseases such as influenza," according to the release. "Proper hygiene is crucial at this time."

The Health Department gavethese measures in order to slow down the progression of COVID-19:

Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer in the interim.

Do not touch your face, eyes, nose or ears, especially with dirty hands. Doing so introduces germs into your body.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throw the tissue away or use your bent elbow, not your hands.

Stay home if you are sick and disinfect common areas such as countertops, doorknobs, railings and telephones.

While there are no cases of COVID-19 in Tom Green County at this time, the department advisesthe public to continue practicing these basic preventive measures.

"Following these simple measures will help slow down the progression and spread of disease throughout our communities," the release stated."This will allow time for the production of such things as anti-viral medications and vaccines."

These measures will also help prevent an overload of the health care system.

Residents should call ahead to doctors offices and hospitals to let them know their signs and symptoms so that the provider canprepare for their arrival, the department said.

"Remember, we are still in flu season and the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to the flu: fever, cough and shortness of breath," the release stated.

For more information on COVID-19, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov/COVID19.

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Health Department advises San Angelo to take preventive measures against diseases - Standard-Times

Doing chores is bad enough, but when your laundry room feels unorganized and a little scary, it can make the task even more daunting.

But theres hope, as this incredible laundry room makeover proves.

Rebecca Propes, DIY blogger and contestant on season two of NBCs Making It, turned her messy and boring basic laundry room into a little slice of paradise.

Trending stories,celebrity news and all the best of TODAY.

The lack of storage was her initial concern. I have three kids and sometimes feel like I live in the laundry room, she told TODAY Home. I needed a place to fold, store and organize all the things.

Propes, who lives in Gilbert, Arizona, about 30 minutes from Tempe, said her goal was to create a space that didnt look like your typical laundry room. I wanted to bring in lots of color and pattern that felt cohesive with the rest of our home and wasn't just a utility space that collected piles of clothes and mismatched socks, she said.

There was a major transformation on the walls when she added a pretty pink, floral wallpaper and painted the shiplap black.

Propes also added stock cabinets from Ikea and created a custom countertop featuring a waterfall edge to hide the plumbing behind the washer and dryer.

To give the space a cozy vibe, Propes installed new lighting, hung a shelf to display plants and decor and layered rugs on the floor.

The total transformation cost around $2,500, including the cabinets, countertops, a new sink and other decor.

I love the way the entire space came together, she said. It's a pass-through room from my boys' hallway into our master bath and, before, I wanted to keep the door shut. But now, it's a fully functional, beautiful space to show off even if it is a laundry room.

See more pictures of the room makeover at Propes's blog.

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Laundry room makeover: See the before and after photos - TODAY

888 Bellevue Apartment Building on 108th Ave, Photo Credit: HEWITT

888 Apartments, also referred to as Eight Eighty Eight, is currently under construction and slated to reach completion in April of this year. The building is located at 888 108th Avenue Northeast, next to U.S. Bank in Downtown Bellevue.

The building is comprised of 19 stories, with the top level featuring a rooftop deck with territorial views of downtown Bellevue, Cascade and Olympic Mountains. 888 Bellevue will also include a yoga studio, fitness center, and pet spa.

The complex will offer studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, totaling 160 residential units. The units include quartz countertops, instant hot faucet, air conditioning, stainless steel appliances, walk-in closets, undermount cabinet lighting, and spa-inspired baths.

Pricing ranges from $1,845 for a studio apartment, to $5,095 for a two-bedroom unit.

The apartment building will also have 211 parking stalls and a retail podium.

The developer for the project is Paragon Real Estate Advisors, and the architecture firm is HEWITT.

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Apartment Building with Hotel-Like Amenities on 108th to Reach Completion in April - Downtown Bellevue Network

Marina del Rey | $3.495 MillionA 1923 beach house with four bedrooms and four full and one half bathrooms, on a 0.07-acre lot

Four miles south of Santa Monica and 25 minutes from Los Angeles International Airport, Marina del Rey is a small beach community centered around a man-made harbor, one of the largest in the country. Boats are almost exclusively small pleasure vessels, and kayaking, paddle-boarding and other water sports are popular. Housing is a mix of large condominium buildings and more traditional beach homes. This house, with dcor inspired by the beach cottages of the Hamptons and Nantucket, is on a pedestrian-only street about two minutes walk from the beach.

Size: 2,938 square feet

Price per square foot: $1,190

Indoors: The front door is set back from the street, behind a gate and a small courtyard.

The lower level is laid out in open-plan style. The front door opens directly into a large room with a sitting area anchored by a wood-burning fireplace and white built-in shelving, and a dining area with space for a long table. From the sitting area, a door leads outside to the pool area.

Beyond the living and dining area is a spacious kitchen with an island that offers additional counter space. The countertops in the kitchen are mahogany, and the appliances are stainless steel, including a Viking range. A small desk is built into the kitchen for use as a home office.

A jute-covered staircase leads up to the second-floor hallway, where built-in shelves offer storage space between the master suite and the guest bedrooms. At the end of the hallway is the master bedroom, which has its own fireplace and two walls lined with windows. French doors open to a private deck with ocean views. The master bathroom has dual sinks, a matching French-style tub and a glass-enclosed steam shower.

Three guest rooms off the main hallway are each large enough to hold a queen-size bed. One of the bedrooms has an en suite bathroom with a combination tub and shower; the other two share a bathroom with a shower stall.

Outdoor space: Behind the entry gate is a stone-and-gravel patio with a firepit and room for seating. At the back of the house, a narrow plunge-style swimming pool is surrounded by a paved patio. The one-car garage has an attached room for storing bicycles and surfboards, along with an outdoor shower, to rinse off sand after a trip to the beach.

Taxes: $43,692 (estimated)

Contact: Tami Halton Pardee, Halton Pardee + Partners, 310-907-6517; haltonpardee.com

Corona del Mar is a seaside community in Newport Beach whose main thoroughfare is the Pacific Coast Highway, running along Californias coastline. Most of the areas single-family homes have gated front yards and easy access to the beach. This house is a 10-minute walk from Little Corona del Mar Beach in one direction and a two-minute walk from the Buck Gully Trailhead, a popular hiking destination, in the other direction. Fashion Island, an upscale shopping mall, is a 10-minute drive, while John Wayne Airport, Orange Countys only commercial airport, is about 15 minutes by car.

Size: 2,385 square feet

Price per square foot: $1,465

Indoors: Set on a hillside lot, the house is split-level, with one floor above the entry level and two below. A white picket fence with a gate encloses a paved entry courtyard, screening the front door from the street.

Just inside the entry is the kitchen, which has stainless steel appliances, white Carrara marble counters and an island big enough to serve as a casual dining space. A powder room is also on this floor.

Several steps up is a loft-style living and dining area with white-oak floors. A wall of windows opens to a deck, offering wide canyon views. On the far left of the space is a fireplace flanked by built-in bookshelves.

One floor below the kitchen is the master bedroom, open to a large en suite bathroom with a Carrara marble shower and counters, a soaking tub illuminated by a chandelier and an adjacent walk-in closet. The master suite has its own deck with an outdoor soaking tub and space for lounge chairs.

On the floor below the master suite are two guest bedrooms connected by a hallway, each with its own bathroom and a walk-in shower. Also on this floor is an open office area and a laundry room.

Outdoor space: Like many Corona del Mar houses, this one has a front courtyard big enough for a set of chairs and a barbecue grill. The backyard, accessible from the lowest floor of the house and stairs from the master suite deck, is relatively large for the area and offers hillside views. A stone patio includes space for a firepit and seating. The attached garage holds one car.

Taxes: $41,591 (estimated)

Contact: Casey Lesher, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, 949-702-7211; caseylesher.com

This Spanish-style home was designed by Austen Pierpont, a member of an influential local family. Although he wasnt licensed as an architect, Mr. Pierpont designed many buildings in Ojai, including the post office and the Ojai Valley Inn and Country Club.

Upon visiting the city in the early 1920s, the original owner was so taken with his style that she asked him design this home, which she called El Pedregal, or the rocky ground. In the early 2000s, the current owner added a guesthouse designed in the style of the main house.

The home is about a 10-minute drive from the restaurants and hotels of downtown Ojai and about an hour south of Santa Barbara.

Size: 2,443 square feet

Price per square foot: $1,412

Indoors: Coming up the driveway, a visitor is greeted by the original stone garage, which has been converted into a wine-tasting room and artists studio. Beyond is a newer garage and a pool. The main house is set above the pool, with a stone path leading from the pool area to the front door.

Inside the house, an arched doorway to the left of the entry leads to a formal living room with a stone fireplace and exposed beams. Behind is a more casual den and a powder room.

Through the arch to the right of the entry is a formal dining room with original hardwood floors. The hardwood floors continue into the kitchen, which has been updated with soapstone countertops and farmhouse sinks imported from France. A small dining nook at the back of the kitchen has a door to a dining area outside.

A hallway leads from the foyer to the bedrooms. At the far end of the hall is a bright master bedroom with an en suite bathroom that has a double vanity and a Japanese-style soaking tub in addition to a walk-in shower.

One guest room off the hallway has exposed wood beams and is large enough for a king-size bed, while the other could be used as a home office. The two bedrooms share a large bathroom with a walk-in shower.

Outdoor space: To the right of the main house is the guesthouse, which has a living room, a kitchenette, an alcove sleeping area and a bathroom with a stall shower. At the front of the property is a saltwater pool surrounded by landscaping and low stone walls. Behind the main house is a large outdoor dining area; the guesthouse has its own patio. The main house, guesthouse and pool area are connected by a series of stone paths that are surrounded by olive and citrus trees and offer a number of seating areas. The garage has room for three cars.

Taxes: $36,559

Contact: Char Michaels, Michaels + Associates, Keller Williams Ojai, 805-620-2438; ojaihomes4sale.com

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$3.5 Million Homes in California - The New York Times

A whole new vocabulary is forming around home design, with terms like biophilia, assisted cooking and livability being bandied out by more remodeling pros. That was clear from the 2020 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), which took place last month in Las Vegas.

More than 90,000 attendees caught the latest wares from more than 600 manufacturers. Here are five trends the pros say are here to stay.

Inexpensive materials that look anything but cheap

A recent rise in remodeling costs is driving interest to value-driven materials with high visual impact, including next-generation laminate countertops. The latest designs range from brushed metals to leathered veneers, cost as little as $2 per square foot and can be applied to countertops, cabinets, walk-in closets, fireplace surrounds and more.

Another example of the high-end look for less is porcelain floating floor systems that install twice as quickly as traditional tile, saving hundreds of dollars on labor for consumers. The new flooring continues the porcelain-tile craze, just at a more affordable price point.

Voice control for everything and the kitchen sink

Remember when digital assistants like Alexa only lived in little speakers? Voice-controlled assistants are now being integrated into virtually every object in the home, including smart faucets that let you ask for a precise volume of water at a specific temperature, for example eight ounces of water at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit for the baby's bottle.

In the bathroom, we're seeing showerheads with built-in smart speakers, enabling users to check the news while washing their hair, as well as smart toilets with voice-controlled operation of the toilet seat and built-in bidet.

Outdoor living inspired by the great indoors

A big trend for 2020 is using sophisticated design details to integrate outdoor living spaces with the home's interior. KBIS featured many fetching outdoor storage units with faux wood grain powder coat finishes, maybe to match the mahogany floors just inside the home.

And there was a lot of buzz around "biophilia," or the human affinity for nature. In the case of biophilic design, it's all about enhancing the home's connection to nature. KBIS highlights included a fully assembled pop-out window seat with panoramic views of the outdoors.

Artificial intelligence that's for real

AI is quickly moving from the concept phase to ready for prime time. Many of the best applications facilitate home maintenance. For example, we saw AI-powered appliances that alert customers to potential problems with their appliances before they occur.

AI is also making life easier in the kitchen. For example, manufacturers are putting smart cameras inside ovens and other interactive appliances, where the "assisted cooking" technology can recommend recipes based on available ingredients and then manage the cooking times and temperatures.

Aging-in-place gets a makeover

More older Americans plan stay put in their existed residence. But they don't want their home to look like a hospital, hence the demand for "livable" products with plenty of style. Our pros spotted some nice ADA-compliant farmhouse sinks, which play beautifully into the trend for farmhouse design while enabling tasks to be done from a seated position.

HomeAdvisor is an online marketplace connecting homeowners with trusted service professionals to complete home projects. Visit HomeAdvisor.com.

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Kitchen and bath trends for 2020 - The Providence Journal

PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 21: Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts in the ... [+] second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans during their game at Moda Center on February 21, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

The former New York Knick, now demonstrating his artistry on the court for the Portland Trailblazers, has listed his New York condo and a quick look inside shows he has a love for art in his life off the court too. Anthony has listed a full-floor 4,500 square foot condo in the Chelsea Arts District for $12.85 million. The five-bed, four-bath condo combined the two units on the 5th floor, making it the largest unit in the building. It includes an outdoor terrace with views of the tree-filled High Line and, since it is the combination of two units, it comes with two private elevators, two storage units, two living rooms and a layout that separates the bedrooms from the more public living rooms.

Located in a 10-story building designed by Cary Tamarkin the building uses floor-to-ceiling casement windows as a way to let in plenty of light while still providing architectural details while blocking noise from outside. Here is one of the living rooms which shows the 10-foot high ceilings and white oak flooring throughout the unit. The unit remodel preserved large expanses of wall space which provide a place for hanging art, both in direct view of sunlight and hidden away from the rays to protect the artwork.

Normally the units would be north and south so thats where you have the uniqueness of the two living rooms, said listing agent Kevin Mallen with Compass. A full floor in a building like this is very unique for Chelsea. A lot of the newer construction [units] are right about 4,000 square feet and this adds the additional five hundred.

Living Room

A corner living room with operable windows has more of his art collection on display, with statues against the far wall and a table whose base adds a sculptural element to the room. According to the listing agent, many pieces of furniture were custom-made.

Corner Living Room

The kitchen has matching Calacatta Gold marble countertops and backsplash contrasted with rich walnut cabinetry. The oversize island doubles as a prep area and dining table.

Kitchen

The media room reserves one wall for screens while still having a wall of windows to let in light.

Media Room

To the right of the screen wall is a recessed climate controlled place for storing wine and other beverages. The industrial nature of the glass walls complements the aesthetics of the buildings design.

Wine wall

The main bedroom has custom wall treatments in the same metallic gray as the ceiling.

Bedroom

And heres the terrace with views of the High Line.

Terrace

The building has a doorman, fitness center, bike room, and private courtyard for residents. The unit is listed with Kevin Mallen and Michael Graves of The Michael Graves Team at Compass.

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Carmelo Anthony Shows His Artistic Side With $12.85M Condo Now On The Market - Forbes

Kitchen islands have been getting bigger for years. The larger surface areas for islands in todays kitchens have prompted some to wonder if the requirements within the National Electric Code (NEC) need to be revisited. How big does the island need to be to require more than one receptacle outlet to be installed? The good news is the 2020 NEC answers this question.

When something seems out of whack in the NEC, it is your responsibility to help fix it. If you are a living, breathing individual who sees a problem with requirements in the NEC, an avenue exists for your voice to be heard. Notice I said living, breathing individual. You do not have to be an electrical professional to affect Code changes. Documented cases exist where moms and dads, painters, and even plumbers have submitted their concerns to the NEC, and their substantiations have resulted in change.

Does the intended seating area in this photo need to be counted in the square footage for receptacle outlet requirements for a kitchen island? At present, the answer is yes.

If you are an apprentice, electrician, engineer, or other electrical professional who isnt engaged in the Code-making process, then you are not fully engaged in the electrical industry. The NEC exists because of each person who has an idea or an issue and takes the time to send in his or her thoughts. This is exactly how changes in the kitchen island and receptacle outlet requirements in the 2020 NEC came about.

A public input was received by NEC Code-Making Panel 2 (CMP-2) on the number of receptacle outlets for kitchen island locations in a dwelling unit. This request was made on behalf of a well-known electrical labor association. Substantiation was offered that receptacle outlet availability for large islands in kitchens needed the attention of CMP-2. If you are not aware, CMP-2 has purview over NEC Art. 210 [Branch Circuits]. The submission noted that more receptacle outlets were necessary for the homeowner to properly use that large surface without the use of extension cords. What followed were many conversations at the committee level to determine exactly what constituted an acceptable number of receptacle outlets. After several options were discussed, a decision was brought forward to base the number of receptacle outlets on the square footage of the island countertop (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1. This illustration shows how to calculate the square footage of a kitchen island.

Per Sec. 210.52(C)(2)(a), provide at least one receptacle for the first 0.84 m2 (9 ft2) of countertop or work surface. A receptacle outlet is then required for every additional 1.7 m2 (18 ft2) of countertop or work surface. In addition, at least one receptacle outlet should be located within 600 mm (2 ft) of the outer end of the peninsular countertop or work surface.

The next step in the process is to come up with a way to explain how to calculate the appropriate number of receptacle outlets to meet the minimum requirements of the Code.

Being an electrician means knowing some basic math. From bending conduit in a large commercial building to determining receptacle outlet spacing in a dwelling unit, math is part of the trade. Before some of you start to get apprehensive about how to make these calculations, dont worry. Figure 2 does a good job of summarizing how to come up with this number for certain countertop square footages. In the event the table does not cover the size of the surface area you have encountered, you will need to do the math.

Fig. 2. Illustration showing a table for reference as to receptacle outlet requirements for kitchen islands.

An attempt was made by CMP-2 to address the concerns of public inputs and public comments about receptacle outlet requirements in todays large kitchen islands. Now its up to the installation and inspection communities to let CMP-2 know if they got this rule change right.

Speaking as a member of CMP-2, but not as an official representative of CMP-2, I know there were several items brought up during our discussions that we could not resolve. However, we did the best job that we could with the information we had to work with regarding this situation.

One item that was difficult to address related to what to do with a kitchen island countertop that also serves as a countertop surface for eating. Please reference the introductory photo of this article for an example of this type of kitchen island. Does this intended seating area need to be counted in the square footage for receptacle outlet requirements for a kitchen island? At present, the answer is yes. In the future, however, this could change based on feedback from the installer, inspector, homeowner, or anyone else with a viable comment. Future feedback will help shape potential change in the 2023 NEC.

Remember, dont wait on someone else to bring an idea to the Code-making process and then get upset when it doesnt happen. You can affect change by being part of the process. Through your individual actions, you will be doing your part to keep your friends and family electrically safe.

Inspector Intel articles are provided by the International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI), http://www.iaei.org, a membership-driven, non-profit association headquartered in Richardson, Texas, that promotes electrical safety throughout the industry by providing education, certification of inspectors, advocacy, partnerships, and expert leadership in electrical codes and standards.

Wages, Jr., is the technical advisor, education, codes and standards for IAEI. He represents IAEI on NFPAs NEC Code-Making Panel-2 for the 2020 NEC. He also serves on the UL Electrical Council and on several UL Technical Standard Panels. Wages, Jr., is an ICC certified building official and an IAEI-certified electrical inspector for one- and two-family dwellings. He can be reached at jwages@iaei.org.

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Kitchen Islands and New Receptacle Requirements in the 2020 NEC - EC&M

Burlingame | $2.898 MillionA cedar-shingled 1916 cottage with three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms

Burlingame, a city in San Mateo County, between San Francisco and Palo Alto, has a population of about 28,000 and a median home sale price of $1.95 million. This Arts and Crafts house is in Burlingame Park, a historic neighborhood a few blocks from the center of one of the citys two retail districts. There, youll find restaurants, boutiques, the Copenhagen Bakery and an Apple store.

Size: 2,180 square feet

Price per square foot: $1,329

Indoors: The single-level house was renovated by a previous owner and includes a recently upgraded kitchen and bathrooms. (The current owner bought the property less than six years ago.)

A central foyer with oak floors and a vintage brass pendant light opens, though windowed pocket doors, into a living room with extensive millwork and built-ins. The wood-burning brick fireplace is flanked by square, glass-fronted bookshelves, each with an adjacent window seat. The large dining room, entered from the foyer through a second set of pocket doors, has another wall of Mission-style cabinetry.

The kitchen includes white wood cabinets with marble countertops, a white bead-board wainscot and a butcher-block work area with seating placed against a wall, to make efficient use of the narrow space. The gas range is Thermador, the dishwasher Bosch and the refrigerator Sub-Zero.

Off the dining room is an office with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and a built-in corner desk and upper cabinets.

A windowed door with milk-glass panes opens to the large master suite. The master bathroom was finished with marble surfaces, a roomy tub with an integrated shower and a toilet closet. Two guest bedrooms share a bathroom faced in white subway tile, with a combined tub and shower. There is also a powder room.

A pocket door in the kitchen offers access to a carpeted, finished basement with recessed and natural light.

Outdoor space: The house occupies a corner lot with lawns and hedges and is wrapped by a white picket fence. The front door is tucked under the roof of an elevated front porch. French doors in the kitchen open to a large rear deck. Parking is in a detached one-car garage and an off-street paved area with an electric vehicle charger.

This property is in East Ojai, two blocks north of Grand Avenue. It is surrounded by large citrus and olive ranches, and has the feeling of Tuscany, with bigger mountains. It is four miles east of the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, a 250-acre resort that is a centerpiece of this city of 7,500, which is known for its outstanding beauty and prohibition of chain stores. Downtown Los Angeles is 80 miles southeast, and Santa Barbara is 36 miles west.

Size: 1,600 square feet

Price per square foot: $1,801

Indoors: The home was bought four years ago and brought back from a ruinous state. Original features, including sections of its redwood siding, were restored or given period replacements.

A wood-faced foyer leads to a combined living-and-dining room, where glass spans the distance between a ceramic-tile floor and a beamed, slatted ceiling, and the redwood walls have an artful, patchwork look. A large tile fireplace is fronted by a custom wrought-iron screen that swings open like a gate. (The artisan who created it also designed the iron gates that admit cars and pedestrians to the property.)

The renovated kitchen is long and lean, with white cabinetry, dark countertops, floating stainless steel shelves and high-end appliances, including a Viking range.

The three bedrooms all have slatted redwood ceilings, paneled walls, tiled floors and expansive windows. The en suite master bathroom includes a walk-in subway-tiled shower; the guest bathroom has a combined shower and tub.

There is a separate studio building with a room for lounging or working, and a sink and counter area off to the side.

Outdoor space: The professionally landscaped property has lush greenery and multiple patios; one includes an outdoor grill built in rough stone near the recently built swimming pool, while another overlooks a koi pond to the side.

Taxes: $36,025 (estimated)

Contact: Sharon MaHarry, MaHarry & Cadenasso Real Estate Team, 805-766-7889; 805properties.com

The renowned Austrian-American architect Richard Neutra designed this one-story home in the Encino district of Los Angeles for a physician and his wife. It has remained in the same family ever since, along with extensive correspondence and transaction records related to its construction.

The house faces north, with views of the San Gabriel Mountains. It is a mile and a half above Ventura Boulevard, which is lined with chain stores and other businesses. Los Encinos State Historic Park is about two miles north, and Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park and Mulholland Drive are the same distance south. Downtown Los Angeles is 20 miles southeast. The Van Nuys Airport, which is popular with private jet owners, is six miles north.

Size: 2,676 square feet

Price per square foot: $1,074

Indoors: Passing through a glassed-in front atrium space with plantings, and a red double front door, you enter a freshly painted and carpeted area that extends the width of the house, with a transparent back wall overlooking the pool and distant mountains.

At one end is a living room with a floating fireplace along a side wall. A sliding partition that runs along a ceiling track closes off the living room from the adjacent dining area, and a second partition separates the dining room from the kitchen on the other side.

The kitchen includes ash cabinetry with hardware that is original and tile countertops that are not, and a retractable shade to block sunlight streaming through the rear wall of glass. A third sliding partition divides the kitchen from the room beyond it a den with wood paneling and built-in floating shelves.

To the right of the entrance is a hallway leading to the three bedrooms. The master suite, which looks out to the pool, has wraparound glass walls and a private outdoor patio and putting green. The master bathroom includes double sinks and a sunken Roman tub with a shower head; the period-appropriate linoleum flooring is new.

Two guest bedrooms share the hall bathroom in between, which has a sunken bathtub and separate dressing room with a long vanity. A fourth bedroom behind the den looks out to the front atrium and is staged as an office. It has access to a bathroom with a shower; this room also opens to the pool area. A niche with washer-and-dryer hookups is here, as well.

Outdoor space: The almost-half-acre lot is large and level for the neighborhood, with extraordinary views. If the property were bought by a developer and this historic home were torn down, as is happening frequently in the hot Los Angeles real estate market, it would be a veritable crime. Parking, for two cars, is in an attached carport.

Taxes: $35,919 (estimated)

Contact: Andrew Manning, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services California Properties, 818-522-3972; bhhscalifornia.com

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$2.9 Million Homes in California - The New York Times

As we slide into a new decade, the kitchen of tomorrow is taking shape. And one characteristic above all dominates: low maintenance.

Going back 20 years, kitchens were beautiful and functional, but they also required a lot of upkeep. They could be anxiety-provoking, too think pristine marble countertops that were prone to staining and scratching, or stainless-steel finishes that showed every fingerprint.

Today's homeowners aren't interested in that kind of stress. Fortunately, manufacturers have responded with a slew of new products and materials that combine beauty and performance with minimal upkeep. Here are five to consider for your next kitchen remodel:

Quartz countertops

Spilled wine, oven-hot casserole dishes and razor-sharp chef's knives can wreak havoc on marble and other natural stones but not quartz. The engineered stone consists of stone chips, pigments and resins that combine to form an impervious surface, without the need for periodic sealing. Quartz also comes in an array of beautiful designs, including faux-stone patterns, so you can have the look of marble (or granite or soapstone or concrete) without all the upkeep.

Black stainless steel

Traditional stainless-steel appliances have endured for so long because they provide the perfect neutral backdrop in so many kitchen design schemes. The downside is the constant wiping of fingerprints, water marks and more. That fact is driving a ton of consumer interest to black stainless steel, especially among younger homeowners with busy families. The material's matte finish makes it virtually smudge-proof, and its soft, warm luster plays well in a range of kitchen styles, from transitional to mid-century modern.

Porcelain flooring

Natural wood has been the preferred kitchen flooring material for decades, conferring warmth and beauty throughout millions of homes. But as many of those homeowners will attest, wood floors are highly susceptible to scratching, denting and fading. Enter porcelain tile, a supremely durable material that's also moisture-proof a bonus in kitchen installations. What's more, porcelain comes in many very convincing faux-wood patterns, from weathered oak to the richest mahogany, so there's no compromise on style.

Colored cabinets

The classic white kitchen will never go away completely, but more homeowners have discovered just how much elbow grease goes into maintaining the all-white look. As a result, more people are applying color to their cabinets. The embrace started slowly, with beiges and grays, but we're now seeing deeper blues and greens find their way into the kitchen.

Preferences around cabinet styles are also evolving. Twenty years ago, we saw a lot of ornate designs with raised panels and delicate moldings all of which trapped grease and grime and were a pain to clean. Today's homeowners are opting for simple, flat-front designs, epitomized by Shaker cabinets, in part because they're so easy to wipe down.

Matte finishes

For the same reason black stainless steel is becoming more common, homeowners are choosing low-maintenance matte finishes for their kitchen faucets, cabinet hardware and light fixtures. Smudge-resistant brushed nickel is particularly common on faucets, though more and more are choosing matte black to coordinate with their black stainless-steel appliances. Homeowners who are going for the popular mixed-metal look might do lighting fixtures or cabinet hardware in an oil-rubbed bronze finish. It requires a bit more upkeep, but most people are OK with that, provided the rest of the kitchen is super easy to clean and maintain.

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Excerpt from:
The 5 ingredients of a low-maintenance kitchen - The Providence Journal

Dear David,

Weve recently repainted our kitchen cabinets and would like to update the countertops. Quartz looks nice, but is it really worth the investment? UNSURE ABOUT STONE

DEAR UNSURE: Do the cabinets look good with a new coat of paint? If so, then go ahead with quartz counters . Quartz is a long-wearing choice that will look great now and can also offer a higher return on investment when it comes time to sell. Laminate is easy on the wallet by comparison but doesnt offer much in terms of wow factor. If the surrounding kitchen looks fresh, Id say go ahead with the upgrade and maybe even some new appliances.

A few years ago, I may have answered this question differently. But with home values rising so quickly in our area, higher-end updates (like quartz) cost less than they used to in relation to the overall value of the house. The price of an entry-level home has doubled in the last decade, but the same cant be said for a slab of quartz. Thats why high-end details like this are showing up in unexpected places, like smaller, newly built condos .

PRO TIP: My one red flag about quartz is that you should choose something with broad appeal instead of making a personal style statement. Bold shades and glitter may look great in the showroom, but if a potential buyer feels your choice is odd or dated, the added value of your high-end upgrade is lost. Ask your Realtor for input.

Dear David,

My uncle had a stroke recently. He has some physical challenges to deal with but is OK mentally. Hes currently in hospital and does not have a financial Power of Attorney. How do we pay his mortgage, utilities and credit cards? PAYMENT PRESSURE

DEAR PAYMENT: Im sorry to hear of your uncles setback. Powers of Attorney relating to finances and property are separate from those that relate to health care. If either type has not been arranged for your uncle, I encourage you to call a lawyer immediately.

A General Power of Attorney is the legal document that grants limited authority over finances and property to a specific person. With this document in place, you can accomplish such tasks as writing cheques on your uncles behalf or dealing with his financial institution.

Technology can be a godsend, given that your uncle is mentally capable. With mobile phone apps, customers can bank from just about anywhere, including a hospital room. This can make things easier for both of you.

PRO TIP: This medical scare should be a wakeup call to have Powers of Attorney in place. If required, a lawyer will come to the hospital to complete the paperwork. If a stroke (or other factor) were to render a person incapable under the law without a POA, their expenses would need to be covered until the necessary powers could be granted by a judge. #AskDavid #Advice

David Schooley is an award-winning real estate Broker with RE/MAX Twin City in Kitchener. Recently dubbed the Michael Jordan of Real Estate, his keen understanding of the nuanced local market is built on 30 years of entrepreneurial success in Waterloo Region. Fervently dedicated to client success and community support, his "Stuff the Hummer" family events have raised over 200,000 emergency meals (and counting) for the Food Bank of Waterloo Region.

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Ask David: Are quartz countertops worth the investment, what to do when lacking a Powers of Attorney, and more real estate advice - Cambridge Times