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APRIL 2025
WHERE HISTORY MEETS HOME
A Step Back to the 1940s
*Note from Luke: Our Leasing Coordinator, Jessica, had a recent experience that I asked her to share with all of you. It is a really nice reminder that together, we are making memories for the tenants in your rental homes that will last a lifetime. Your decision to rent your home is important and has a larger impact than you know. Some moments in real estate go far beyond leasing — they connect the past with the present in the most unexpected ways. Recently, while showing an apartment at one of our historic properties, I was transported back in time. As I walked back to my car, I saw three women standing outside in the driveway, pointing and seeming to reminisce. I sat in my car for a few minutes, curious, and knew I wanted to introduce myself. I never expected this routine showing would turn into a heartfelt journey through the building’s history, told through the memories of someone who once called it home.
memories of her time in the grand building at 27 West Lane in Ridgefield, originally built in the 1920s. I explained that one of the five units inside was vacant, and her entire face lit up when she realized it was the very apartment she had spent her cherished childhood years in. It felt like it was meant to be and that we were both in the right place at the right time. Every step inside seemed to bring her back to happy times, and I remember how quickly she could climb that long flight of steps like she was walking on air. She was so excited to get up there and see what had changed about the space. From recalling where her father’s favorite chair sat to marveling at all the modern updates, she brought the apartment’s story to life. She remembered all the little details — the living room layout, where her bed was, the old refrigerator, and all the family gatherings. Time had not faded her memories of how her parents had set up every room, and I was amazed at how specific her recollections were. She was almost giddy when she learned of the second bathroom and dishwasher — little luxuries they didn’t have when she was a child. She couldn’t believe how well-kept the unit was after all these years and even got to speak with a couple of residents about their wonderful experiences in the building. As a Realtor and leasing coordinator at Robert C. White, I meet many people and hear countless stories, but this experience was truly special. I always hope people walk away from working with us feeling like we’ve done more than just help them find a place to live. We want them to know we genuinely care about their needs and their family’s future. It’s gratifying when I can help a family find a home that meets their immediate needs but also serves as a space where they can create lasting memories. It’s fulfilling to be a part of the story they’re making. My time walking down memory lane with this woman who was so grateful for the chance to travel back to her childhood is a beautiful reminder of why we do what we do here at Robert C. White. We don’t just help people find homes; we preserve history and give families a backdrop to create memories that last a lifetime, sometimes many generations.
It turned out that one of the women grew up at the property in the 1940s. The 96-year-old still had fond
–Jessica
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Reimagine Your Rooms 4 Fun-Sizing Trends to Make You Love Your Home Again
Declutter Your Entryway Tips to Master This All-Important Space
With graduation season right around the corner, many parents are preparing to become empty nesters, which for many means downsizing to a smaller home. But rather than downsizing, there’s a new trend helping empty nesters take advantage of the space in their newly emptied nest: fun-sizing. Fun-sizing is all about reimagining the space you’re already in. Rather than relocating or completely overhauling your home after the kids leave, fun-sizing encourages homeowners to embrace their passions and create dedicated spaces in their homes rather than leaving for greener (and often smaller) pastures.
In many ways, your front entryway is your home’s command center. It’s where some of your most precious possessions reside and the first thing guests see when they visit. Unfortunately, it can also be your home’s most cluttered and disorganized space, leading to everything from desperate, already-late-for-work dashes to find your car keys to pets looking at you quizzically as you embark on a scavenger hunt for their leashes. Here are two quick tips to clear up that all-important space and save you from hustling to find those items that always seem to vanish whenever you need them. Stop the Shoe Stack If your front entryway typically looks like a sneaker factory hit by a tornado, the first step is to get all that footwear — especially if it’s wet or muddy — out of your way and into easily accessible locations. You can utilize baskets or shelves to organize those items by person and even assign each area a name or number to help family members (or guests) find them without hassle. The same goes for gloves, hats, scarves, socks, boots, umbrellas, and other weather- specific attire. If your entryway space is minimal, consider adding hooks and shelves to a nearby wall to keep these essentials — plus purses, keys, and other daily accessories — in one spot. Best of all, everyone will know where to place certain items instead of dropping one glove in the living room and another in the kitchen. Imagine that ! Perfect the Pet Parent Playbook Of course, you also need to keep things neat for your beloved animal companions. Leashes, pet clothing, and waste scoopers should also have designated spaces in your reorganized entryway. Storing your pet essentials in a dedicated place will be especially helpful when your furry friends wake you up in the middle of the night so you can take them outside to do their business. From making a great first impression to keeping tasks convenient for your family, a decluttered front entryway is one of the best and most practical gifts you can give your home.
While there are as many fun-sizing options as kinds of people, here are four top fun-sizing trends that can help make your home a haven.
Create an alcove. If your living room feels like an overcrowded wasteland, creating an alcove is an excellent way to break up the space. From there, you can fun-size your new space into a mini-library, a small arts and crafts desk, or even a comfy spot to sit and relax with a good book.
Dig into your basement. It’s easy to transform a dull basement. If you want to stay in shape without the hassle of going to the gym, rubber floor pads, better lighting, and mirrors on the walls turn your basement into a gym-goer’s haven. And if athletics aren’t your cup of tea, fresh carpeting, a comfy couch, and a flat- screen TV can turn your basement into a great place to entertain friends.
Look outside. While a pool might have been the best feature of your yard when your kids were around, it can be a hassle — and expensive — to maintain. You can fill in that unused pool to make space for the outdoor kitchen or a large deck perfect for hosting summer barbecues. ‘Shed’ your troubles. Getting “away” is a fantastic way to relax, but did you know you can create a vacation spot from your old shed? A little work can transform an old shed into a yogi’s retreat, a sports fan’s cheering section, or a place to write the book you always swore you’d get around to.
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Restore Your Hardwood Floors Like a Pro BUFF, PATCH, AND POLISH
Hardwood flooring is one of the most popular options when designing or renovating a home. It’s incredibly durable, but that doesn’t mean it’s impervious to damage. Moving bulky furniture, wearing workboots or high heels, and letting your animals sprint through the house with
long claws can leave your hardwood floors covered in scratches. Replacing it can be expensive, so your next best option is to repair the damage yourself. Depending on the level of damage, you can use these tricks to help your hardwoods feel like new. Simple Touch-Ups After years of walking on your hardwood floors, you will notice a few scuffs and scratches. These are easy to take care of on your own. Using a soft cloth, apply a small dab of coconut oil to your floors and rub it in a small circular motion. After it sits for about five minutes, your floor will regain its shine. For minor scratches, you can use a touch-up pen or wax stick to fill in and cover any blemishes. Deeper Scratches Once the scratches and scuff marks become more pronounced, you’ll need
to exert more effort. Start by using fine steel wool to buff out any scratches. Just be sure you don’t push too hard! This will also remove the very top layer of wood, so you may need to apply some wood polish afterward to ensure your floor retains its shine. If that doesn’t work, you can also try wood putty. Start by cleaning the scratch before using a putty knife to place the wood putty into the gap. Let it dry, and sand it with fine-grit sandpaper until it’s level with the rest of your floor. You’ll then want to apply a shellac finish over the repaired area to protect your floor further. The Point of No Return If the years have really beaten up your floor, you’ll need to take more drastic measures. To unveil fresh wood, sand the area with fine-grit sandpaper or an orbital sander. Once again, don’t go too deep. After sanding, wipe the dust from the area before finishing it with a matching stain and seal.
TAKE A BREAK
Classic Fish Fry
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
Ingredients
• Vegetable oil • 2 lbs fresh cod • Salt and pepper, to taste • 1/2 cup all-purpose unbleached flour • 2 large eggs
• 2 tbsp water • 2 cups plain bread crumbs • 1/2 tsp mustard powder • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper • Lemon wedges
Directions
1. Pour 2 inches of vegetable oil into a large skillet over medium-high heat. 2. Cut cod into 4 servings and season with salt and pepper. 3. Place flour into a pie tin. Whisk egg and water in a second pie tin. Combine bread crumbs, mustard powder, and cayenne in a third pie tin. 4. Coat your fish in the flour tin, then the egg tin, then the bread crumb tin. 5. Set coated fish in hot oil and fry for 5 minutes on each side. 6. Serve with lemon wedges and enjoy!
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INSIDE
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How One Apartment Holds a Lifetime of Memories
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Claim the Compact Storage Crown
Why Downsize When You Can Fun-Size?
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Quick Fixes for Your Scratched Hardwood Floors
Classic Fish Fry
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Soak Up All the Shades
THE POWER OF DOUBLE DRENCHING Wrap Your Room in Color
Are you ready to double down on bold home design? Double drenching is the latest painting trend that soaks your walls and trims in various hues of one color to
create a layered and dynamic look. Think of it as wrapping your room in a stylish color hug, enveloping the whole space in vibrant variations of blues, greens, or browns. This trend thrives on harmony and dimension, pairing slightly lighter or darker shades of color for the trim and accents to create contrast with a monochromatic vibe. Ceilings, window frames, doors, and furniture are all the perfect canvas for a splash of shading. With this style, there’s no room for white baseboards — it’s about showcasing the many variations one color can offer to create a rich atmosphere. So, why settle for a single tone when you can drench every inch of your space in a symphony of shades?
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