LET THERE BE WHITE
by Melissa Diaz • photography by Vibe Photography
Our clients are constantly asking us if white kitchens are still relevant or if they are a style that belongs in the past.
Many worry their beloved white kitchen will be a trend that fades, leaving them with a dated, repetitious space that everyone will tire of.
I am here to calm your worries and tell you how to keep your white kitchens a visual masterpiece for years to come!
There are many ways to dress up an all-white kitchen besides just adding a few accessories. It is very important when designing a white kitchen to add many different kinds of visual interest points. It's the layering of all these different elements that makes the white go from being a blur of dull color to a work of art.
When picking out tiles for your backsplash and countertop, make sure they have more to offer than just color. For example, picking a tile that will sparkle under the kitchen lights will add great visual appeal in a very subtle way. When searching for the perfect white countertop I would recommend picking a slab with flowing texture. White Caesarstone or Silestone with subtle gray or gold veining is the perfect way to make the center island stand out next to the white cabinets. The flooring will also help set the tone of what style you wish to achieve. When going for a modern or coastal look, white oak flooring is a beautiful option. If you are more interested in a darker-style white kitchen, then a dark hardwood flooring is a great color to pull it all together.
A way to add some natural pops of color to the kitchen without overpowering the white flow would be by adding a color to the island, like brass or black hardware. Adding updated metal light fixtures above the island make a great visual impact, too. This can all be pulled together with a large, beautiful oven hood as the main focal point of the kitchen. This can be white with wood features or a metal that matches the rest of the hardware featured throughout the kitchen.
Melissa Diaz, voted Real Estate Staging Association's "Most Influential People," is the owner of
Stunningly Staged Homes. 383-6283

TAKE THE BITE OUT OF YOUR YARD
Community social-media platforms are chattering about one very unwelcome new resident: the mosquito.

Mosquito Joe Makes
being Outside Fun Again
A licensed and trained Mosquito Joe's technician will treat your yard with an effective barrier spray that eliminates biters for 21 days. Within 30 minutes of spraying, your yard is ready for family and pets to come out and play.
Mosquito Joe will also inspect your property for active larvae populations and treat them accordingly. Your technician will help you identify potential mosquito breeding grounds in your yard and recommend ways to eliminate standing water. The standard barrier spray treatment is also effective against other pests such as fleas, ticks, gnats and flies. Your technician will customize your treatment for your unique home. Mosquito Joe was recently admitted into the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The goal of this partnership is to provide low-risk pest management so that you can enjoy your outdoor spaces without the hassle of annoying pests. With Mosquito Joe, you have the peace of mind that every necessary precaution is being taken when handling, applying and disposing of pest-control products.
Mosquito Joe of Santa Clarita 455-7150

Did You Know?
Mosquitos need less than a half-inch of standing water to lay their eggs. Regularly inspect your property for standing water - and remind your neighbors to do the same.

SCV Water's Lawn Replacement Program
Takes a Bite Out of Water Use
SCV Water's Lawn Replacement Program (LRP) is back and even better than before to give homeowners, businesses, HOAs and large landscape customers more opportunities to save water and money.
With the new and improved LRP, customers will receive $3 per square foot of grass removed and have more incentives and rebates to help complete their projects. Additionally, customers have more flexibility to mix, match and stack incentives and additional rebates - and now smaller projects and more eligible project areas are allowed so that more people can participate.
Additional Incentives & Rebates
SCV Water has added several new programs and incentives that focus on sustainable landscape practices such as:
• Native Plant Bonus Incentive
• Sheet Mulching Program
• Water Retention Feature Program
• Native Species Incentive
SCV Water has also updated and expanded its LRP resources to help participants every step of the way. Customers will have access to information materials about the program, countless ideas and examples of plants and successful projects, as well as educational resources. Log on to learn more.
conserve.yourscvwater.com

YOUR MODEL HOME
Ever looked at a magazine spread filled with beautiful photos of home interiors (Ahem... maybe... this one!?) and thought,
"I want my house to look like that?" Yeah - us, too. Here are four ways to make yours a "model" home.

The most Photogenic Furniture
Hooker Furniture captures your personal style with quality craftsmanship and architectural interest. From traditional classics to modern styling, you'll find it all, available locally exclusively at A Royal Suite Home Furnishings. Visit their expansive showroom to see and feel Hooker Furniture's selection of living, dining, bedroom, office, accents, home entertainment furniture and more. While the finish is one of the last things the Hooker Furniture craftspeople do, it's the first thing you see - and their finishes "feel" as good as they look, each with a rich texture that is delightful to the touch.
A Royal Suite Home Furnishings 259-7000

Porcelain as Pretty as a Picture
Large-format porcelain slabs of tile aren't only gorgeous - they're a smart choice for your upcoming remodel. Porcelain is durable and easy to keep clean - plus, you'll have fewer grout lines with large format. The look of stone without the maintenance? Yes please!
Consider it for shower wall applications - or even a fireplace wall. Most colors come bookmatched, so the pattern looks like a feature if you have to have a seam.
Woodward Kitchen & Bath 251-3865

Beautiful Functionality
Inspired by contemporary Scandinavian furniture, the Solna kitchen collection by Brizo has crisp lines and a beautifully simple form. With twice the flow rate of standard kitchen faucets, Euro Pot Filler faucets by Brizo make it easy to fill large cooking vessels quickly, without the walk from sink to stove.
Dannick Designs 775-7430

Wonderful Windows
Rich, full-length draperies can certainly add drama and elegance to a room - and are elevated when paired with clean, streamlined Hunter Douglas Design Studio Roman Shades. These window treatments feature battens that are inverted, creating a soft, tailored look when lowered and defined folds when raised.
Blinds & Shutters of All Kinds 298-1230


HOME NEWS TO USE
When There's Water Damage, don't Delay your Response
"Expediency is vital when it comes to water damage," says Joel Moss, co-owner of Paul Davis Restoration of Santa Clarita. "The faster the response, the less damage." When it comes to water, minutes matter. "The difference in time between being able to dry a wood floor with professional-grade tools and having to rip it out and replace it because water sat too long is quite narrow. The same goes for drywall, upholstery and more. The moment a homeowner recognizes that damage has been done, they need to call a 24/7 restoration company who can get on site in minutes, put a stop to ongoing damage and make a plan for mitigation and repair. If it's determined that the client will be filing a claim with their insurance, we'll work directly with the homeowner's insurance company on behalf of the client to reduce their stress," explains the IICRC-certified water restoration specialist.
"The goal is always to return the home and its contents to their original condition - or better," shares Moss. "We do it fast, because we know what it's like to be displaced or inconvenienced by emergencies," says the SCV resident. "We want our neighbors to feel confident that we'll do everything we can to put their lives back together."
Paul Davis Restoration of Santa Clarita 310-0884


Annie Sloan Wall Paint Now Available Locally at Refined Vintage Boutique
Here's big news in the SCV design world: Refined Vintage Boutique has received the first 11 fantastic colors of Annie Sloan's wall paint... and it's worth the hype. Annie's wall paint is simple, straightforward and stunning.
Available in gallons for $120 and sample sizes for $8, with more colors continuing to arrive as they become available, this paint is a luxurious, velvety matte in a durable and washable finish that could only come from Annie Sloan. Expect a gallon to cover roughly 397 to 450 square feet. This is the excuse we've been waiting for to update our walls and interiors. Pop into the store to peek at the colors for inspo - and grab some seasonal and Easter decor and gifts while you're there.
Refined Vintage Boutique 505-7175