Chic vs. Geek: Cats!

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We love our new kitten, and we’ve got some tips for making your home more cat friendly.

CHIC (PEARL)

We just opened our home to an adorable four-legged friend. Her name is Bora. And she is perfect. Okay, almost perfect. Anyway, Kevin and I have been planning ways to make our house a safe and fun playground for Bora. We bought a scratch poll and shelves where she can lay out and scope the scene. And we are not “cat people” per se. We’re just animal-loving realtors.

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GEEK (KEVIN)

You know I love a good home construction project, so I’m excited to get started on renovations for the Bora Era. I’m already collecting inspiration, which is how I came across this guide to some outside the box cat-friendly lairs – pun absolutely intended! Are you ready to go the extra mile to make your cats feel at home using high design and decor? Go for it and send us your pics!

On the Road: The Sea Ranch

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We took a trip about two and a half hours north of San Francisco to the Sea Ranch, a planned community in unincorporated Sonoma County, and one of our favorite spots to poke around. While we were in the area, we connected with a local real estate agent from the Liisberg Company and learned that the Sea Ranch is a popular spot among San Francisco urbanites looking to buy a vacation/rental home.

We were both amazed by the unique and interesting architecture found throughout the Sea Ranch, where some of the world’s most innovative designers crafted homes to blend into their natural surroundings.. Even their fireplaces look cool! You can read more about the Sea Ranch style in this piece from the New York Times, and take a deep dive into the history with the folks at Dwell.

Want to learn more?

Chic vs. Geek: Soundproofing your bedroom

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I’m very sensitive to noise, so it’s hard for me to get a full night’s sleep. Any suggestions on what I can do to make my bedroom a more quiet space?

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CHIC (PEARL)

I have a client who is very sensitive to noise. She can't sleep with any auditory distractions. We’ve been looking for a condominium or townhomes away from busy streets and airplane zones, and separated from any underground parking entrances and exits. It has been challenging for her to find a home that meets her most important need. Here are some suggestions I offered to her: Cheap, hollow doors are a frequent culprit when it comes to intrusive sounds; switch to a solid door to dampen noises. Additionally, door sweeps and weather stripping can seal the deal when it comes to blocking out airborne sounds.

GEEK (KEVIN)

The goal here is to mute annoyances like the hiss of traffic, loud neighbors, or, in our case, two cranky felines who beg for meals at unreasonable hours. A high-pile floor rug with a dense rug pad underneath, along with thick curtains, can dampen the acoustics and also absorb sounds coming from outside. Another trick is to add a small desk waterfall to generate natural sounds that distract you from the noise of planes, trains, and automobiles. There are costlier measures like soundproofing window inserts or mass loaded vinyl padding. The investment may be higher, but the return — a full night’s sleep — is priceless.