Robert C. White & Co. - October 2021

Robert C. White & Co. - October 2021

R E N T A L READER YOUR

OCTOBER 2021

860.613.6290 WWW.ROBERTCWHITE.COM

Just yesterday, I was at Lowe’s to pick up some supplies for a property review. Walking into the store, I passed a bench full of fall mums. They were in full color and, believe it or not, triggered an old memory and some thoughts about quality. IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER A Question of Quality and Value

proud of myself. He looked at each plant one by one … and he asked me to put over half of them back and find him new ones. I was shocked. I literally couldn’t believe he didn’t like the ones that I picked out and, frankly, was a little agitated (by this time I had been working with him for over 30 minutes). I took a deep breath and decided to pay more attention to the ones he was keeping and, more importantly, the ones he was putting back. After a while, I noticed that he wasn’t putting back the smaller ones or the less colorful ones. He was actually paying a lot of attention to the leaves of the plants. If the leaves had good shape, he tended to want it. And if there were problems with the leaves, like a tear or a petal that had dried to it, he tended to put it back. I hunted for ones with better leaves, even if they weren’t the biggest or brightest (the ones that I prefer). This had a much higher rate of success and we got to a full tray of plants pretty quickly. As I carried the plants to the register, we chatted a little bit and the customer shared that he is colorblind … total context adjustment . Now I understood why he put back over half of the plants I chose. He literally saw plants differently than I did. How I defined quality plants and how he defined quality plants was completely different. So, when I saw the mums (which we used to grow), I thought of the greenhouse and my old “regular” customer with colorblindness … and thought about how Robert C. White’s clients all have different context. We all value things and define quality differently. RCW’s stated goal is to deliver five-star service for our clients. But for us to deliver on that goal, we have to continually explore the context of our clients and understand what makes up a quality service in their minds. It’s going to be different for every person. It is no easy task, but it is an important one. And one the entire team embraces. We hope you are experiencing five-star service. If not, please let me or your property manager know. We will do our best to understand what quality service is for you and work to deliver it.

Let me explain …

My older brother, Matt, started a greenhouse business when he was 14. He grew bedding flowers and sold them on location (my family’s farm). When I was about the same age, I also got involved. I bought my own greenhouse, grew flowering plants, and sold them. Eventually, almost all of my brothers got involved. It was a way for us to earn money to pay for college, and our parents helped us be successful by acting as our source of credit, advisors, and landlords ($1 lease on land is a great deal). But we were very much the ones who ran the business in the beginning. It was a great experience and one of my first forays into the world of business. And it taught me lots of lessons including the value of hard work, the importance of clear communication, and how to treat your customers. Over the years I realized we had “regulars” — people who would come year after year to support us. I was especially grateful for them. I remember the first time I met one of our “regulars,” a gentleman in his early 50s who needed someone to help him. I welcomed him, introduced myself, and gave our introductory “spiel” about where different plants were located, prices, specials, etc. He asked for help finding some plants for a part sun location. I showed him a couple different choices that were popular and would perform well. After a lot of back and forth, he settled on New Guinea impatiens and he asked me to help pick the individual plants for him. I grabbed a tray and started the task of finding the perfect plants while he watched. I picked ones that were big and full and had vibrant colors with lots of blooms and more on the way. I was sure he was going to love these, and I presented them to him feeling pretty

To understanding quality is in the eye of the beholder,

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ACHIEVE MISE EN PLACE WITH THESE DIY KITCHEN STORAGE IDEAS!

Renew and Refresh Without

Breaking the Bank

The perfect philosophy for organizing your kitchen is mise en place : Everything needs to have its place. So, it’s time for those lids to stop piling up in a corner of your cabinet and pots to be stored properly! Here are a few DIY ideas that’ll make the tasks even easier:

4 Affordable Changes to Your Home Decor That Make a Difference

No. 1: Pegboard Utensil and Pot Organizer Add a chic touch to your kitchen and make all your pans and cooking

Out with the old and in with the new! Transitioning into fall brings with it all the seasonal favorites — pumpkin spice lattes, cooler temperatures, trendy outfits, and fun home decor! Leaving summer behind can inspire the need for change as you prepare for the upcoming holidays. What better way to get ready for visits from friends and family than to make some notable changes around your home for a small price? Paint Switching up your wall color is an easy change that can truly go a long way. Did you know that different paint colors can elicit a wide variety of emotions and vibes? Shades of blue bring out feelings of peace and tranquility, while hues of yellow symbolize hope, happiness, and cheer. Red is the “color of confidence” and is a bold choice for those trying to make a statement. The color you choose can transform your room in a huge way without breaking the bank. Accent Pieces Changing out your accent pieces in big rooms, such as your bathroom and kitchen, makes a difference. The eye is drawn to these small details, and replacing outdated handles and knobs on cabinets and doors with trendy pieces is a great way to keep your home updated. Also, accent pillows and lamp shades can be switched out seasonally for some holiday fun! Crown Molding When many think of crown molding, they see dollar signs. This is likely because it gives off a very elegant vibe and looks expensive and fancy! While it will cost a few hundred dollars per room, it is an upgrade that is well worth it to deliver the look you desire. For an even more affordable option, check out peel and stick molding! DIY Backsplash In kitchens, one of the biggest statement pieces is the backsplash. To keep within your budget, there are many faux DIY options you can go with to create the subway tile, patterned mosaic, or artificial stone look you crave. You can even opt for faux brick or laminate! For assistance in making the best decisions for your home, check with the experts at your favorite hardware store!

utensils easy to grab with a pegboard! Not only are pegboards constructed rather sturdily, but you can also paint and use metal hook inserts to hold all sorts of kitchen tools, from heavy pans to kitchen scissors. No. 2: Upcycled Tin Can Storage Don’t throw away tin cans! Instead, keep them, repaint them, and/or label them for pastas, grains, spices, candies, snacks, and much more. Even in different sizes, you won’t run out of uses for these, since they can be potentially used as a gift container, too! No. 3: Hidden Measuring Cup Hooks Tired of your measuring cups rattling in a drawer? Put small hooks inside a cabinet door, hang your measuring cups, and close. You can use stick-on hooks or drill a small bar of wood inside and attach hooks to the bar. This works great with any small utensils, but it works best if your cabinet’s interior isn’t stacked and overflowing with items. No. 4: Pot and Pan Lid Storage Bar Everyone says keep your lid on, but nobody says what to do with your lid when it’s off. It’s annoying how often lids pile up inside your kitchen space — but if you install a single metal bar (yep, just one!), any lid with any type of middle grip can be stored on it. Just slide it on top, and the bar will hold up the lid, thanks to its handle preventing any fall. Bonus — Easy Chalkboard Menu/Grocery List While this isn’t an “item storage” idea per se, it does make it easy to store and update your grocery list! First, use chalkboard paint on the inside (or outside) of one of your cabinets. Then, use chalk markers to create and update your weekly grocery list every time you run out of an ingredient. You can also use it for a menu during parties!

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REDUCING FOOD WASTE

Making Sure Your Food Is Sustainably Sourced

Use the entire plant, stem to leaf. Instead of cutting off the broccoli stems and dumping them in the trash, use the whole vegetable and find new uses for the parts that normally get thrown away. You’re maximizing money spent while also reducing waste. The broccoli stalks can be pickled or chopped up and used as crunchy salad additions or veggie stock base! When it comes to other foods, doing some quick research on uses for the parts that normally get thrown out may open up your options. Store it right. Proper food storage leads to less food waste. Did you know that tomatoes, potatoes, and garlic really shouldn’t be refrigerated? For many, this is a common mistake. Ethylene, a gaseous chemical that helps start the ripening process and is produced by many foods, should also be taken into consideration. It is essential to separate foods that give off more ethylene gas from those that do not to reduce the risk of spoiling. For more information, check with your local farmers market. They are sure to have great tips to share!

Waste not, want not! It is the optimal motto to live by. However, food waste happens to all of us. That bag of lettuce you bought last week sat untouched in your fridge and has gone mushy and bad — into the trash it goes. Reducing your “foodprint” is just one of many ways each of us can make a difference when it comes to reducing our impact on the environment. Curtailing food waste is an important part of learning to cook sustainably. Cooking at home allows you to take control of food waste, whereas, eating out leaves many question marks when it comes to preparation, sourcing, and packaging that takes place at restaurants.

Let’s take a peek at some ways to reduce food waste.

Shop for only what you need. Reducing food waste all starts with your trip to the grocery store. If you don’t buy it, it won’t be wasted on your watch! Although buying in bulk comes along with a convenience factor, it can also lead to more waste. Making a list of items you need and planning out your snacks and meals is a sure way to ensure that waste is minimized.

TAKE A BREAK

HALLOWEEN COOKIE PIZZA

Inspired by Pillsbury.com

Image sourced from Pillsbury.com/recipes/halloween-cookie-pizza/67172821-ddfb-49ce-b658-ddc4ef4b5cf3

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup chocolate chips • 1/4 cup vanilla frosting (store- bought or homemade)

• 1 roll Pillsbury Sugar Cookie Dough • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter • 1 cup candy corn

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. Grease a round, 12-inch pan and line with cookie dough, ensuring the dough covers all but the outer 1/2 inch. 3. Bake for 16–20 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely. 4. Spread the peanut butter over the cooled cookie dough, then sprinkle on the candy corn and chocolate chips. 5. In a small bowl, microwave the frosting for 15 seconds or until liquified. 6. Drizzle the frosting over the “pizza,” slice, and serve!

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57 DODGE AVE., STE. 107 NORTH HAVEN, CT 06473 860.613.6290

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INSIDE

1

In the Eye of the Beholder

2

Affordable Home Updates

Easy DIY Kitchen Storage Ideas

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Cooking Sustainably 101

Halloween Cookie Pizza

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Is Your Bathroom Ready for the Holidays?

BRING NEW LIFE TO YOUR BATHROOM FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Believe it or not, the holidays are right around the corner! That means company — which means a lot of people will be using your bathroom. Here are some low-budget ideas to freshen it up after a year of lockdown. Be Bold Everyone loves a clean white bathroom, but don’t be afraid to liven things up with a splash of color. An accent wall or a handful of vibrant accessories will make your bathroom stand out.

Brighten Up Statement lighting is in. To wow your whole family, select a chandelier that will stand out and draw eyes upward. This is one small change that will see big returns. Go Wild Bring life to your bathroom — literally! — with a bit of vegetation. Select plants that both fit your space and bring playfulness and dimension. If you don’t have a green thumb, then try picking colorful, low-maintenance succulents.

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