Chic vs. Geek: Preparing for Disaster

Most homeowners don’t think about tragedies like tornados, wildfires, and floods until it’s too late. But Californians have learned to prepare for the worst.

CHIC (PEARL)

When you live in a region that literally moves and shakes with unpredictable regularity, you owe it to yourself to invest in earthquake insurance. The California Earthquake Authority (CEA) is a reliable resource with a variety of options for owners of single-family homes, condos, and RVs. They also offer policies to protect renters..

GEEK (KEVIN)

You can pay for all the insurance you want, but if you truly want to protect your home and the loved ones inside from the next “big one”, you should consider a full seismic retrofit. Visit the CEA website to learn about the most common hazards and vulnerabilities and how to find a good contractor to help make your home more resilient.

Chic vs. Geek: To wash or wipe?

Tired of toilet paper? Consider adding a washlet or bidet to your porcelain throne!

CHIC (PEARL)

Last year, when the pandemic hit and left us all sheltering in place, toilet paper became a hot commodity, and the shelves at our local supermarket were regularly bare. That’s one reason we invested in a bidet. Not only did it get the job done without wasting paper, the model we installed also came with a seat warmer to keep our butts cozy while we did our business.

GEEK (KEVIN)

Most people don’t like to talk about poop, but it’s just a natural part of life. We all do it, so why treat it like an ancient mystery? Installing a bidet is so easy and inexpensive that any weekend home improvement warrior can get it done without breaking a sweat. Need extra oomph for those really tough spots? Just turn it up a notch with an adjustable flow option. Ours goes to 11!

Chic vs. Geek: Love Where You Live

It’s the holiday season, and that means a visit to the Los Altos Festival of Lights. We both love this annual celebration – for different reasons, of course!

CHIC (PEARL)

Every year around this time, we look forward to attending the Festival of Lights Parade in Los Altos. Unfortunately, COVID kept us from holding a festival last year, so we knew the 2021 edition would be extra special. It got even more special when I got to ride on a Compass-themed “float” in the parade!

GEEK (KEVIN)

So what was I doing while Pearl was having all the fun? Taking these wonderful photos to document the occasion! Seriously, though, I love seeing everyone in our community join in the spirit of the season. It’s just another reminder of how awesome it is to live where we live. Get out and enjoy it!

Chic vs. Geek: Holiday Listings

With Thanksgiving this week and Hanukkah starting Sunday night, we’ve got a few tips for listing your home during the holidays!

CHIC (PEARL)

The first thing holiday sellers should know is that winter buyers aren’t messing around. They are ready to buy and will make offers based on need rather than want. For example, someone moving due to a job transfer or other professional opportunity will be more motivated to secure a new home right away.

GEEK (KEVIN)

Don’t forget about end-of-year tax breaks! Buyers can deduct the mortgage interest, property taxes, and interest costs of their home loan if the sale closes on or before December 31. Bottom line: If you have someone interested in your home during the holidays, it's a good idea to take them seriously.

Chic vs. Geek: Designing Happy

These days, we're spending more time in our homes. Here’s how you can use interior design elements to elevate your happiness.

CHIC (PEARL)

For me, a happy home is a comforting home. That’s why I prefer to keep things cozy with soft elements like plush pillows and fuzzy blankets that invite you to relax. Calming colors can also help to amplify the tranquility of your space. Speaking of space, your living room is typically the top spot for unwinding and the room where the most happy is needed. Lean in to relaxation by decorating your living room with items that make you happy, such as family photos, favorite books, or cherished mementos.

GEEK (KEVIN)

Nothing gets in the way of my pursuit of happiness like clutter. It adds unnecessary stress to your life, so it makes sense that organization would be a key component of a happy home. If you’re the type that can’t help but collect a lot of clutter, I suggest incorporating a lot of closed storage elements to help you easily hide it from the world. Speaking of the world, the happiest homes are often styled in the vibe of popular locales and terrain like rustic, mediterranean, and mountain regions.