bucks county house and home 2010-11.pdf
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BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME NOVEMBER/D ECEMBER 20102
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B U CK S CO U NT Y HO U SE & H OM E N O VE M BE R /D E CE M BE R 2 01 010
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NOVEMBER/DE CEMBER 2010 BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME 11
on the cover Want your home to takepeople's breath away? You can, by considering
architectural millwork suchas baseboards, crownmolding and window cas-ing, all in a seemingly endless array of construc-tion techniques, woodsand finishes. For more,see our article about thiscraft on page 18.
contentsinterior design and remodeling ideas
18 Custom WoodworkingRaising the Bar and Taking Design Up a Notch
24 Smart HomesMaking Your House More “Intelligent” Can Really Pay Off
28 Dream Deck Challenge WinnersSee the Best of the Best From the Sequoia Supply Contest
30 2011 Product TrendsWhat’s Hot for the Coming Year!
34 Add Value to Your HomeTurn Your Basement Into Usable Living Space
38 Room To CelebrateA Once-Cramped Dining Area is Perfect for Festivities
42 Ready for the Holidays?Spruce Up Your Home to Welcome Family and Friends
46 The Complete Man CaveCreate a “Guys Room” Featuring All the Latest Gadgets
departments
13 Editor’s Note
14 Around TownWorkshops, classes, shows and events
17 Noteworthy
50 Landscaping/HardscapingMaking Improvements During The Off-Season
52 Interior DesignDressing Your Home for the Holidays
54 At Your Service56 Index of Advertisers57 The Gallery
Find-A-Local Pro Featured Video Ads
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BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 201012
PUBLISHER HOUSE & HOME Magazine, Inc.
EDITOR Daniel Sean Kaye
CONTRIBUTORS
Leigh Bell, Michelle Garling, Lindsey GetzMargo Levin, Joetta Moulden, Marie Williams
ART DIRECTOR Debbie Epting
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Sanford Molinaro
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Michelle Bucci, Jamie Dacanay
PHOTOGRAPHERSBill Cartledge, Bob Graham, Jr., Ozzie RVO III
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Annette Korkus
PRODUCTION MANAGER Lisa Santangelo
ADVERTISING ASSISTANTBridget Schneider
ACCOUNTING DIRECTOR
Darlene Versak
SALES MANAGER Andrea Zane
MARKETING CONSULTANTS
Rochelle Dodge, Lynn Nelson, Tina Perrotta, Gary Edelstein, Jerry Kwait, Joye Minnick, Amy B. Weiss, Jim Romano, Gloria Virelli
MARKETING DIRECTOR Bob Doran
Advertising Information Call: 888.202.5501
BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME HOUSE & HOME Magazine, Inc., dba Bucks County HOUSE & HOME (“H&H”). H&H reserves the right to determine
the suitability of all materials submitted for publication and to edit all submitted materials for clarity and space. H&H is
not responsible for loss, damage or any other injury to unsolicited manuscripts, unsolicited artwork or any other unso-
licited materials. Furthermore, H&H will assume that unsolicited photographs, as well as ad photographs, are being sub-
mitted for possible publication and should they be published, no fee is due the photographer or model unless other-
wise agreed upon in advance in writing.
Bucks County HOUSE & HOME is a news magazine with emphasis on home repair and remodeling. H&H does not
knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial content, nor does H&H or its staff, editors or writers
assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial content appear in any publications. Readers are encouraged
to notify H&H if they suspect false or misleading advertising.
Before attempting any renovation or repair project mentioned in H&H, readers are advised to consult with profes-
sional home repair and renovation specialists for assistance, and to take any and all appropriate safety precautions.
Bucks County HOUSE & HOME has not independently tested any products or services advertised herein and has ver-
ified no claims made by its advertisers regarding those services or products. Bucks County HOUSE & HOME. makes no
warranties or representations and assumes no liability for any claims regarding those services or products or claims
made by advertisers regarding such products or services. Readers are advised to consult with the advertiser and/or
other home repair and renovation professionals regarding any such claims and regarding the suitability of an advertis-er’s products.
No reproduction of printed materials is permitted without the consent of the publisher of Bucks County HOUSE &
HOME. Copyright 2010 by HOUSE & HOME. Magazine, Inc., all rights reserved. Subscription available for home delivery
at our website, www.HouseMagazine.com, at a cost of $19.95 per year.
National Sales Office: HOUSE & HOME Magazine, Inc.
PO Box 236, Fairview Village, PA 19409Phone: 888.202.5501 Fax: 215.689.4999
Email: [email protected]
Regional Editions:Montco/Main Line East HOUSE & HOME – PA
Central Jersey HOUSE & HOME – NJ
DelChester/MainLine West HOUSE & HOME – PA South Jersey HOUSE & HOME – NJ
Visit www.HouseMagazine.com to view digital versions of each of the above editions.
BUCKS COUNTY’S RESOURCE AND DESIGN MAGAZINE
Bucks County
www.twitter.com/housemagazinewww.snipr.com/househome
Follow us on
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME 13
Daniel Kaye, Editor
O One of the nicest parts of the holiday sea-
son, for the people who live in my house,
is the decorating. It doesn’t matter if it’s at
our home, a neighbor’s, or in a nearby
community or shopping center. We find
the sprucing up of any area for the
upcoming holidays to be the harbinger of
good things to come…even if that harbin-
ger typically begins arriving way back in
early September. At our home, though, this magical time
of year begins with the traditional sprint
from the bedsheets at about 5:30 a.m. on
November 1. That morning, my son,
Aidan, now almost 7, wakes up earlier
than usual and—after summoning his
exhausted and befuddled father—sets out
to dismantle his Halloween displays.
Quickly boxed up is the glowing and noisy
animated village scene. Disconnected with
a harsh tug is the inflatable stack of pump-
kins outside. Disrespectfully yanked from
the windows are the colorful pictures of
witches, black cats and vampires. In a mat-
ter of moments, the once-beloved All
Hallows Eve is reduced to its 11-month
prison life in three plastic containers sent
to the back of the basement.
And then, out comes the December
holidays.
Representing all religions and cultures
that have fun things to put up, the three
of us unearth a conglomeration of classic,
traditional, humorous and downright
gaudy decorations. Each is met with criesof “oooh,” “awww” or “Oh man, I
thought you secretly threw that out last
year.” Piles of “yes,” “maybe,” “no” and “If
we do, I’m moving out” take shape on the
floor and hard decisions are made. By the
end of the day, the inside and outside of
our house is an attractive, loving tribute
to, well, everything, it seems.
Then there are the lights. We have
dozens of white and multi-colored strands;
some are steady and others blink, some
are standard while others are LED, and
some work while the rest have bonded
together into a giant ball of wires, bulbs
and cheap craftsmanship. In no time, our
editor’s note
fence is encased in white lights, multi-colors
hang around our windows and light-up
characters frolic weirdly on our front lawn.
We all celebrate this time of year differ-
ently. For some it is a deeply religious, spiri-
tual time, while others see it through the
eyes they had as a child. Some reveal just
enough holiday spirit so you can see their
home is occupied, while others spend the
equivalent of the GNP of Bolivia to ensuretheir home can be seen from Neptune.
Every day and night in December, you can
take a ride to see dozens of homes express-
ing themselves individually. You can be
inspired by the beauty of a decorating
design, mentally filing it away until you can
reproduce it yourself. You can be challenged
to find a way to transfer a complicated dis-
play obviously created by an artist or interi-
or designer from a storefront to your family
room. You can spend countless hours in a
stranger’s front yard, amazed at the imagina-
tion and perseverance it took to create a
local Christmas landmark and tradition
(while secretly ecstatic that you have neither
the space nor funds to do your own version
at home.)
This holiday season, try to embrace the
latent designer living inside you. Look at
the displays and decorations with an
emphasis on aesthetics and ingenuity. Stop
at malls and other areas of commerce to see
what colors, styles and formats they’re using.
Visit an independent garden shop to see
how they grow items to add to theambiance and flair of a home. In short, try
to appreciate this time of year for the annu-
al example of inner artistic expression that it
is. Don’t just do what you always do—think
outside the wrapped gift box and rejoice in
the shared magic of the season.
From all of us at HOUSE & HOME,
the happiest, healthiest holiday season to
you all.
Daniel
Did H&H help you with a home makeover
project? We love to hear from you! Email your
success story to [email protected]
and let me know. H& H
the most wonderful time of year
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B U CK S CO U NT Y HO U SE & H OM E N O VE M BE R /D E CE M BE R 2 01 014
November 17 – December 23BUCKS COUNTY PLAYHOUSE F ALL
PRODUCTIONS
“Hello, Dolly!” November 17 –December 5; “A Christmas Carol” December 9 – 23.Hours: Various.Fee: $24.50Location: Bucks County Playhouse,70 S. Main St., New Hope, PA More details:
www.buckscountyplayhouse.com or
215.862.2046
November 19GRAND ILLUMINATION
CELEBRATION/30TH ANNUAL
GINGERBREAD DISPLAY
At 6:15 p.m., Santa Claus “switcheson” the display of one million lightsto kick off the holidays. Festive musicand complimentary refreshments,including hot cider heated in an old-
fashioned kettle, and marshmallowstoasted over an open fire. Strolling musicians will perform. Weekend vis-its by Santa. Gingerbread HouseCompetition and Display featuresmore than 100 incredible creations of gingerbread and confection. Lightsand Gingerbread House Display runthrough January 1.Hours: Grand Illumination, 6 to 10p.m.; Gingerbread Display begins at10 a.m.Fee: Free.Location: Peddler’s Village,Lahaska, PA More details:
www.peddlersvillage.com or215.794.4000
November 19 – January 2C APE M AY ’S HOLIDAY SEASON
Seven weeks of special holidays toursand events including Holiday Preview Weekend (November 19 –21), 37th Annual ChristmasCandlelight House Tours (December4, 11, 18), Dickens Christmas
Extravaganza (December 5 – 7), plusLamplighter Christmas Tours, Ghostsof Christmas Past Trolley Rides,Emlen Physick Estate ChristmasTours, Holiday Inns Tours, Evening Holiday Lights Trolley Rides,Evening Ghosts of Christmas PastTrolley Rides, Santa’s Trolley Rides,and more.Hours: Various.Fee: Various.Location: Cape May, NJ
More details: www.capemaymac.org or 800.275.4278
November 25 – January 9 A LONGWOOD G ARDENS
CHRISTMAS
Dazzling floral displays, stunning trees, holiday music, 500,000 out-door lights, and dancing fountainsunder the stars are just a few of thehighlights of the popular display Hours: Various due to the holidays.Fee: Timed-tickets only. General
Admission prices are: adults $18; sen-iors (age 62+) $15, ages 5-18, $8;ages 4 and under, free.Location: Longwood Gardens,Kennett Square, PA More details:
www.longwoodgardens.org or610.388.5200
November 26 – 28DINOSAUR D AYS
Fun activities featuring dinosaurs andtheir closest living relatives, birds.Enjoy teacher-naturalist presentationsand live bird shows throughout theday, as well as dinosaur story time
where you make a dinosaur craft totake home.Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Fee: Adults (age 13 and above) $12;ages 3 to 12, $10; under age 3 free;seniors (age 65+) $10; military and
students (with ID) $10.Location: The Academy of NaturalSciences, Benjamin Franklin Pkwy,Philadelphia, PA More details: www.ansp.org or215.299.1000
November 26 – 28THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION
Give thanks to the men and womenof the armed forces by writing lettersand creating care packages to send to
the troops. Also, participate in“History of Thanksgiving” to learnabout traditions such as the annualpresidential turkey pardon. Childrenare invited to make seasonal crafts,including corn husk dolls.Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Through January 2
C APE M AY DESIGNER SHOW
HOUSE: HISTORIC F AIRTHORNE
COTTAGE
Gothic and stick-style architecturalelements are the two prominent fea-tures of this year’s remodel attraction,a three-story bed-and-breakfast in theheart of Cape May’s Historic District.Hours: 1 to 4 p.m. daily to Jan. 2.Fee: Adults $10; ages 3 to 12, $7.Location: Ocean Street, Cape May,NJ
More details: www.capemaymac.org or 800.275.4278
Through January 10E XHIBIT: “ART OF THE
AMERICAN SOLDIER ”See powerful works of art created by
American soldiers in the line of duty.Drawn from the Army’s rarely seencollection of over 15,000 paintingsand sketches, this world debut exhi-bition showcases the artistic response
of soldiers from World War I throughthe present day.Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m.to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 6p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.Fee: Free with regular museumadmission – adults $12; seniors ages65 and over $11; children ages 4-12,$8. Veterans and military familiesreceive $2 off admission. Active mili-tary personnel, career military retirees, and children ages 3 and
under are free.Location: The National ConstitutionCenter, Arch St., Independence Mall,Philadelphia, PA More details:
www.constitutioncenter.org or215.409.6700
Fee: Free with museum admission.Location: The National ConstitutionCenter, Arch St., Independence Mall,Philadelphia, PA More details:
www.constitutioncenter.org or215.409.6700
November 26 – January 2CHRISTMAS AT H AGLEY
Enjoy the winters past of the property’sformer residents and delight in holiday decorations. On weekends, indoorgames, baking and food tastings, hand-
work, playing musical instruments,making paper ornaments and live con-certs by local choirs.Hours: Daily, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Fee: Free with admission – adults $11;students and seniors, $9; ages 6 to 14,$4; ages 5 and younger, free.Location: Hagley Museum & Library,Rte. 141, Wilmington, DEMore details: www.hagley.org or302.658.2400
December 1 – January 9FESTIVAL OF TREES
The museum’s galleries will be adorned
with beautiful holiday trees decoratedby area businesses and organizations.Hours: Wednesday to Friday, 11 a.m.to 3 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noonto 4 p.m.Fee: Adults $6; seniors and students,$5. Free on-site parking.Location: Morven Museum &Garden, Stockton St., Princeton, NJMore details: www.morven.org or609.924.8144, ext. 106
December 4HISTORIC NEWTOWN BOROUGH
HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR
Enjoy Newtown on foot for an up-close look at the interiors of six privatehomes and several public buildings, alldressed for the holidays. No picturetaking or high-heeled shoes permittedin the houses.Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fee: $20 per person.Location: Newtown Historic
Association, Centre Ave. & Court St.,Newtown, PA More details:
www.newtownhistoric.org or215.968.4004
Confirm information before making your plans by calling the listed number or visiting the listed website.
Information for inclusion in this section should be emailed to [email protected] or faxed to 215.689.4999 at least two months before scheduled date. H& H
Peddler’s Village annual Gingerbread House Display presents imaginative works by local artisans.
aroundtowns a v e t h e d a t e f o r t h e s e l o c a l a r e a e v e n t s
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NOVEMBER/D ECEMBER 2010 BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME 15
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BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME NOVEMBER/D ECEMBER 201016
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NOVEMBER/DE CEMBER 2010 BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME 17
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BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME NOVEMBER/D ECEMBER 201018
raising the bar and taking design up a notch
By Margo Levin
Above: This striking built-in by Home Trimwork makes this room come alive with
its architectural detailing and just the right amount of subtle accent lighting.
Top: This kitchen’s custom maple cabinetry was designed for storage and display,housing the homeowner’s antique breadboard collection. A subtle glazed finishaccents the quirk bead that highlights the doors and drawers, and the corner counter cabinet hides a pull-out TV.Photo courtesy of Billingham Built; Laura Billingham, photographer
custom woodworking
T The phrase “custom woodworking” often conjures up memories of
junior high woodworking class when many of us (or our children)came home proudly toting such classic items as sturdy footstools,
pegged key racks and perfectly shaped cutting boards. To say that
these items last forever and stand the test of time is anunderstatement. Make no mistake—these treasured memories
carved in wood remain prominent in many homes (including
mine) today.
To borrow a branded phrase, custom woodworking “has come a
long way, baby” from its ancient roots. It really has...a hundredfold.
FURNITURE CREATIONS AND BUILT-INS
Crafting wood is a skill, an art, really; the end result of the talented
expertise of a seasoned carpenter. Working with wood in a variety
of creative art forms in an assortment of selected finishes is a far cry
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NOVEMBER/DE CEMBER 2010 BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME 19
>>>
The intricate details of the columns and custom trim by DoMolding addssuperior elegance to this room’s balcony alcove.
Home TrimworkTM is a tribute to quality and creativity. We come to
your home with design ideas to make your home a “Model Home”
With decorative moldings, mantles, pillars, built-in cabinets, stair
work, wood floors, and painting. Our talented team provides a full
service design-supply-install.
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CALL FOR A FREE IN-HOME QUOTE:
(610) 287-1100VISIT US ONLINE FOR PROJECT IDEAS:
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from our ancestors who carved spears in wood. Skilled
woodworkers today are experts in fashioning just the right
sprawling built-ins: wall-to-wall entertainment centers, custom
cabinetry and library shelves, four-poster beds, oversized buffets orbreakfronts, and desk/office stations are some of the unique made-
to-order products in demand.
Many of these custom furniture creations (dressers, highboys,chests and chairs) keep classic styling from the late 17th- and 18th-
century pieces (Chippendale, Shaker, Queen Anne) while others
sport contemporary features that encase a large flat-screen
TV/theater/entertainment system, hiding all the wiring and
offering hidden storage. Sprawling across an entire wall in some
cases, these masterpieces are spectacular, wowing their owners andspectators alike. There’s no denying that if you can dream it, today’s
custom woodworkers can design and build it!
Joe Billingham, owner of Billingham Built, says that in his
experience “cherry or oak is the most popular wood choice” and
explains that “hardwoods are made from deciduous trees and
softwoods from the evergreen family.” He points out that there are
harder softwoods and softer hardwoods and ranks hardwoods from
hardest to softest as: maple, hickory, oak, ash, walnut, cherry,
poplar. “The harder woods, which are readily available, cansometimes cause machining problems with grain tearouts,” he
continues, insisting that “sharp tools are necessary” to get the jobdone right. Woodworkers also have the option of working with
manmade materials, like plywood or MDF (medium-density
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BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME NOVEMBER/D ECEMBER 201020
This custom bath cabinet with its various-sized pull-outs holds and organizes a
variety of items. The soft-toned, natural wood blends well with the sett ing, andthe glass door wall cabinet offers display space to personalize the room.Photo courtesy of Billingham Built; Laura Billingham, photographer
With easy-access storage space a necessity, this custom-built vanity does morethan just hide plumbing pipes. Now towels, soaps and other bathroom itemsare always within reach—housed in a sleek, natural wood work of art.Photo courtesy of Billingham Built; Laura Billingham, photographer
This family room’s Prairie-style home theater, designed by Signature Gallery, ismade of tiger maple. It houses the equipment and has a built-in sideboard, full-height pull-out columns for storage and remote-control guillotine doors that hide the TV.
fiberboard).
Created by talented and skilled artisans, these custom pieces
aren’t limited to furniture creations; they consist of accessories
including handcarved sculptures, intricately detailed clocks,
decorative bowls and serving pieces, as well as outdoor storage
buildings built from the ground up.
Wood finishing starts most often with surface preparation
(sanding, scraping or planing), then the wood’s color ischanged by staining or the use of another technique. Some woods
don’t take stain evenly so a barrier coat or wood conditioner is
applied before the stain. Specific finishes, such as wax, shellac,
lacquer, varnish, paint or drying oils, “have to be chosen according
to the intended use of the client and his or her needs,” Billingham
says. “Good designers and builders need to be good listeners,
asking, ‘What is the intended use of the product?’ and ‘What level
of finish is desired?’” Skilled craftsmen take their time explaining
these and other premium applications, like feathered glazing (where
a very fine brush is used to “feather” the glaze in a back-and-forth
motion giving an aged look), or the use of various textured rags,
rubbing pads, brushes or spray guns to achieve the desired effect.
CUSTOMIZATION IS K EY
Custom kitchen cabinetry and shelving remain popular, as these can
be neatly built-in to fill every rounded corner, nook or cranny that was formerly wasted space. Hidden pull-out drawers and lazy-Susan-
type turntables are incorporated into many pieces.
One customer of Billingham’s, for example, wanted to display
her 200-piece handcarved 100-year-old breadboard collection, so
the cabinetry installed in her home was designed to accommodate.
The nice thing about customizing an area or a piece of furniture is
that it is uniquely yours—not too big, not too small, but just right
for the space you choose. Plus, the wood tone and color finish
meets your exact specifications.Kitchen desk centers and family room craft corners with out-of-
sight storage space are also high on homeowners’ must-have lists.
With these special features, homeowners not only get the look and
feel of a distinctive handmade piece, they get functionality as well.
Edward and Sherrie P. Schoen, owners of Signature Gallery,
specialize in home theaters and TV cabinetry, but the company
offers and builds any kind of furniture for the home. “Adding a
finishing touch to a home, such as custom cabinetry, increases its
beauty with personal touches that the homeowner gets to enjoy
every day,” Sherrie Schoen points out, “and the value of the home
increases as well.”Edward designs each piece to fit the client’s needs and space
requirements, guiding in important early decisions such as wood
type and color. “Clients like to come to our shop so they can seeour woodworking space and get a feel for all the possibilities,”
Schoen explains. Consumers welcome the opportunity to see
products firsthand. “We have so many door styles, panel designs,
wood colors, paint, hardware selections, hinges and door slides,”
she notes.
Schoen agrees that cherry is one of the most popular wood
choices when it comes to stained finishes, followed by maple and
figured woods (tiger maple, pomele sapele and olive ash burl).
ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS: MODERN M ARVELS
Coffered ceilings and crossbeams offer architectural details that
Thi l i ll
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NOVEMBER/DE CEMBER 2010 BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME 21
Showstopping! It’s the only word to describe this combination of architecturalfeatures and colors that pop from any view—starting from the stairway flankedby customized walls and crown molding treatments to the wainscoting in the
foyer, living and dining rooms. Photo courtesy of Home Trimwork
demand attention and add the feel of luxury to any room. Crown
molding treatments, ornate casework, mantelpieces, wainscoting anddistinctive chair rails are commonplace in upscale construction.
Updating formal living or dining rooms and outdated mantels with
striking decorative elements takes a standard space or woodwork from
dull to dynamite. These timeless and sophisticated treatments offer
stunning detail to any room in the home, including foyers, stairways,
kitchens and baths.Many homeowners shy away from customizing wood trim, as the
beauty of its detailing often gives the impression that it’s a bit costly.
Home Trimwork, a company specializing in custom moldings, “makes>>>
it a very affordable and
effective option,” says Igor
Szczerba, owner. The
company’s typical job runs
about $2,000, which can get a few rooms completed and
looking their best, he assures.
“We make the process
easy,” Szczerba continues.
“It’s just a matter of setting
up an appointment for our
trained designer to discuss ideas, review a home’s layout, go over
samples and design drawings that are compatible with a home’s
style and potential, and then order materials. Once the work is
completed, our painter is called in, and in a matter of weeks, voilá,
the space is transformed.”
Szczerba, a third-generation carpenter, explains that he and histeam have thousands of ideas to help a customer match his or her
preferences with the home’s styling. “We guarantee all our work,”
he stresses. “Our growing team makes sure our customers are very
This spectacular wine cellar, with its warm cherry interior,allows you to store precious vintages collected andenjoyed over the years.Photo courtesy of Halkett Woodworking
ti fi d t th i t f i b k f j t ll
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satisfied to the point of coming back for more projects, as well as
referring us to their friends, family and neighbors.”
Steve Ostien, owner of Steve Ostien Carpentry, agrees that
working with a skilled professional is important. When it comes to
custom woodwork, a skilled craftsman will do the job right.
“Quality work stands the test of time; it pays off,” Ostien says, and
affirms that doing a good job not only results in a beautiful andlong-lasting product but also in satisfied customers who spread the
word...and come back.” Recently, Ostien has had several customers
contact him for additional work years after he completed the first
job. One was a customer he had done work for over 10 years ago.
“When it’s time for a home upgrade, new window trim, large
baseboards and shadowboxes offer simple enhancements and add
character to an otherwise standard setting,” notes Dominick Natoli,
co-owner of DoMolding. He has found that semi- or high-glossoff-white is the color of choice for many homeowners, as opposed
to some of the darker colors.
High mantels and fireplace surrounds add a distinctive look to
any setting. “Our skilled carpenters can craft any type of mantel to
complement the aesthetics of any estate,” Natoli says. “Our mission
is to enhance customers’ homes with superior trim, paint products
and services.”
BEAUTY , ELEGANCE AND DURABILITY
Once you decide to take the custom wood route, do your
homework well. Take some time to research the types of products
you are looking for, as well as what’s available in the way of styles,
wood species, colors and finishes. Ask to see products firsthand or
photos of a company’s recent work, and don’t be shy about
requesting references. It helps if you have some ideas and
preferences in mind when you make initial contact. The
professionals will guide you in your final decision-making, and you won’t be disappointed. The end result—from classic to
contemporary—is always magnificent.
And like your junior high woodworking project of yesteryear,
this one-of-a-kind custom creation or detailed wood trim treatment
will most likely last a lifetime. H& H
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resources
Billingham BuiltErwinna, PA
610.294.9652www.bbuilt.com
DoMoldingCranbury, NJ
732.821.0067www.domolding.com
Halkett Woodworking
Souderton, PA215.240.7161www.halkettwoodworking.com
Home Trimwork PA, NJ and DE610.287.1100
www.hometrimwork.com
Signature Gallery Royersford, PA610.792.5399
www.signaturegalleryfurniture.com
Steve Ostien Carpentry Berwyn, PA610.296.3803
Visit our online resource directory at www.housemagazine.com to find
additional companies that offer these products and services.
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NOVEMBER/DE CEMBER 2010 BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME 23
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B U CK S CO U NT Y H O US E & HO M E N O VE M BE R /D E CE M BE R 2 01 024
making your house more“intelligent” can really pay off
By Lindsey Getz
smart homes
Above: Many homeowners st ill prefer a dedicated home theater to a multi-purpose media room. Photo courtesy of Wasserson Design
Top: Today’s home theaters recreate the movie-going experience in your ownhome. Photo courtesy of Altec Electronic Systems
Y You’re on vacation and you need to disarm your security system soyour dog-watcher can get in. No problem—it’s just a push of a button on your smart phone. Maybe you want your home “ready”for you after a long day at the office. Also simple. Minutes beforeyou pull into your driveway, your interior and exterior lights comeon, your HVAC is set just the way you like it and your favoritemusic is already playing. You can also easily disarm your alarm fromthe driveway so you won’t be scrambling to the keypad. Sound far-fetched? Not anymore. Today’s smart-home technology is not only a reality, it’s more affordable than ever before.
“This is not ‘Mission Impossible,’” says Mike Dudzinski, owner of Audio Café. “This is an everyday reality. The technology has gottento the point where automation is available at every budget level. Soit’s not just for the rich and famous anymore. Controlling a few
lights or just the HVAC is simple to achieve. Obviously, the moreyou spend, the more you can do. It’s customizable to thehomeowner’s budget and needs,” he says.
Gary Wasserson, owner of Wasserson Design, explains that one of the things that brought the cost down was the introduction of theiPad. This became a “disruptive technology”—an innovative idea that
resulted in upsetting a standing market. “Similar to what the
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME 25
>>>
p g gautomobile did to the horse-and-buggy trade, the iPad has disruptedthe whole industry by making this technology more available to themasses,” he explains. “On top of that, the continuing drop in cost of central processing systems is making these applications moreaffordable. Five years ago, these systems were only for the wealthy.Today, a homeowner in almost any walk of life can afford some type
of automated system for his or her home.”
THE PU SH OF A BUTTON
So what exactly can a smart home do? A lot! It’s not quite a George Jetson home—meals won’t be magically prepared by pressing a button—but there’s plenty you can automate. In fact, anything inyour home that is powered by electricity can be controlled remotely.That means audio, lighting, security, home theater, HVAC andmuch more.
“We can automate locks, give you lighting control, allow you toadjust yourtemperature whileyou’re away andgive you whole-house audio,”says Mike DePaola,president of HomeTheater Group.
Whole-house
audio, explainsDePaola, gives youthe ability to listento any of your
This dining room includes a music system, lighting switches and automatedHVAC control. A passive infrared motion detector and windows with recessedcontacts are part of its security system. Photo courtesy of Altec Electronic Systems
With an automated system you can control your HVAC, audio, lighting and video cameras from aniPhone. Photo courtesy of Crestron and system available through
Audio Café
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B U CK S CO U NT Y H O US E & HO M E N O VE M BE R /D E CE M BE R 2 01 026
Soon movies will be streamed directly to your home theater, making spaces likethis one even more enjoyable. Photo courtesy of Home Theater Group
homeowners of the location and extent of potential water leakageoccurring; automatic valve shut-off upon detection of water presence;the ability to turn valves on/off remotely through the phone; andgarage-door control over the phone (which opens and/or closes garagedoors remotely).
This technology is not just for fun and games,” agrees Dudzinski.“It can be a matter of safety, energy savings or even solve problems.Having a pathway lit through your home upon disarming the alarm orturning the outdoor lights on and the HVAC off when you arm thealarm upon leaving are just two examples of how safety, convenienceand savings are all achieved through automation.”
And there’s also the huge benefit of energy savings. “Energy efficiency—OCC sensors—automatically turn lights on or off whenthe room is being occupied or not,” says Carver. “Time clocks limitthe lights being on when they are not needed and whole-home systems
will incorporate dimming the lighting for energy savings, turning off lights when not needed and incorporating an astronomic time clock.”
While it all seems very high tech, the ease of use has become muchmore simplified. “It really does come down to the push of a button,”says Zaleski. “The system basically handles everything you need to do,and walks you through it.”
HOME THEATERS AND MEDIA R OOMS
A lot of homeowners are also incorporating dedicated home-theaterrooms and multi-purpose media rooms into their smart homes. Like
control systems, the cost of home-theater equipment has come downdramatically, making it a reality for many homeowners. Even the costof projector bulbs has dropped dramatically. “It used to be thatpeople wouldn’t watch television on the big screen because they
wanted to preserve the bulbs,” says Wasserson. “But today the costhas come way down. We watch the news and my son plays Xbox 360and we don’t worry about using up the bulb. It’s not only affordableto switch them out, but easy to do—something you can do on yourown.”
Wasserson says there’s a distinction between dedicated hometheaters and media rooms. “Some homeowners still want that room intheir basement that has the theater-style seating and is dedicated tobeing an in-home theater,” he explains. “But we can also do a media room that incorporates a projector and screen, but is more of a multi-purpose space. It may even have both a television and a screen. You
music sources in any room you want. “You can enjoy music by thepool, in your master bath or anywhere else in the home,” hecontinues. “And say you’re listening to something in one room andmoving to another; you can pause it and pick it up in the next room.It can play through whole-house speakers or even through thetelevision,” he says.
DePaola adds that streaming music through content stored online
has become very popular and the control systems can link directly with those services, like Pandora or Rhapsody, for example.“Eventually movies will be played the same way,” he adds. “Netflix already streams its movies and that’s the way of the future. Sooneverything is going to be streamed.”
These types of abilities also allow you to remotely control yourhome—no matter where you are. “Anytime you have access to the
Web or a wireless service, you’re in control—anywhere in the world,”says Wasserson. “But that doesn’t mean it’s not completely secure. Ican set it up to ensure nobody can get into your system except you.”
R EAPING THE BENEFITS
Besides simplifying your life, automated controls have other benefits as well. For one, it can make your home much more secure. Lights canbe controlled on a timer or from your smart phone. “An automatedlighting control system can improve security by activating outdoorlights and indoor lighting scenes to give the home a ‘lived in’ look—even when the homeowners are away,” says Wes Carver, CRS, ownerof Wes Carver Electrical Contracting, Inc.
You can also do a lot with your home-security system. “You caneven program the system so that you automatically receive a textmessage when your kids get home from school,” says Joe Zaleski, co-owner of Altec Electronic Systems. “Or you can set the system so thatif your fire alarm goes off, an exit path lights up and your HVAC shutsdown so that smoke isn’t spread more rapidly. It’s a lot more than justsimplifying controls—it’s also peace of mind.”
Some products provide homeowners with the ability to monitorenvironmental conditions of their home while they are away from it.
According to FREEVOLVE creator of the housEvolve remote home
access system, some of the features of such products are: Fulltemperature control over HVAC system (switch state and adjust to any temperature remotely through your phone); temperature out-of-bounds alert, where homeowners are immediately notified to a drop intemperature (allowing more time to react to a potential freezing situation); water-presence detection with area mapping alert to inform
Left: This control panel manages the lighting system, home automationcontroller and music system. Photo courtesy of Altec Electronic Systems
Right: The whole-house music system controller (top) and a double-gang 8-button lighting control switch (bottom) give the homeowner control of eight different lighting circuits in a space usually used for two. Photo courtesy of Altec
Electronic Systems
can actually have the screen drop down in front of the televisionh h bi i ” Prime Time Construction Inc
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME 27
resources
Altec ElectronicSystems
Middlesex, NJNorth Jersey: 908.889.4041South Jersey: 732.607.0444
www.altecelectronicsystems.com
Audio CaféHillsborough, NJ908.904.1727
www.audiocafe.com
FREEVOLVESomerset, NJ
888.543.8658www.freevolve.com
Home Theater Group
Green Brook, NJ732.424.8680
www.hometheatergroup.com
Wasserson DesignPhiladelphia Main Line,Bucks County, Lancasterand surrounding areas
610.616.3105717.382.0040
www.wassersondesign.net
Wes Carver ElectricalContracting, Inc.
Lansdale, PA215.855.3340Doylestown, PA215.348.8616
www.wescarverelectric.com
Visit our online resource directory
at www.housemagazine.com to find additional companies that
offer these products and services.
when you want the big-screen experience.”There’s no doubt that today’s smart homes can do things
homeowners may have only dreamed about in the past. And it canall be done with just the simple push of a button. As a result, thefuturistic homes of movies and television are becoming aneveryday reality. H& H
For over a decade, we have been providing clients with the finest audio, video, and home electronics. We will
design a system to fit your budget!
• Home Cinemas
• Lighting Control Systems
• Media/Game Rooms
• Home Automation/Security Systems
• Whole House Music Systems
• Architectural and Landscape Lighting
Showroom by appointment only: 312 Mountain AvenueMiddlesex, NJ 08846
908-889-4041www.altecelectronicsystems.com
Whole House Music& Lighting Control
Architectural &Landscape Lighting
Flat PanelTelevisions
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DESIGN &INSTALLATIONASSOCIATION
Member
Certified Video DisplayCalibrations
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F O U N D A T I O N , I N C
ENHANCED LIVING BY DESIGNTM
Prime Timerime Time
Construction Inc.onstruction Inc.
Prime Time Construction Inc.THE PREMIER DECK BUILDER
Over 16 Years Experience
Building Premier Decks
Contact us at 215-702-DECK (3325)
Visit us on
www.primetimeconstructioninc.com
We Build Every Deck to Our
Customers Specific Needs and Taste
and to Gain Your Lasting Trust.
Let Us Build One for You.
Grand Prize Winner
of the Sequoia Supply
Deck Builders Challenge
Under deck grotto
PA064230
top decks
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winners of thesequoia supply deck builders challenge
top decks
T Think you’ve seen some cool decks? Well, you haven’t lived until
you see the entrants—and winners—in the Sequoia Supply Deck
Builders Challenge. Thirty sensational, intricate decks were submit-
ted to the competition and voting was difficult. But by October,the challenge had its winners: Best Deck Over 500 Sq. Ft. (where
the winner received $10,000), Best Deck Under 500 Sq. Ft. (where
the winner received $5,000), and the last-minute surprise “Best
Built” category (also rewarding the winner with $5,000).
While the decks needed to be original, they had to follow certain
rules. The deck had to be code-compliant and conform to all town-
ship zoning requirements, and judging was based on—but not lim-
ited to—craftsmanship, originality, design, creativity, use of prod-ucts in design, use of accessories (including lighting, kitchens, land-
scaping, etc.) and the homeowner’s satisfaction with both the con-
tractor and the completed job. Three finalists were chosen in each
category and the final decisions were made based on a physical
By Daniel Sean KayePhotographs by Bob Graham, Jr.
www.nextstep4u.com
Majestic and dazzling, this multi-level master-piece adds value and beauty to the home. It’sno wonder Prime Time Construction of Levittown, PA, was the winner in the “Best Deck Over 500 Sq. Ft.” category.
It’s all in the details! An intricate design adds flair to the upper level deck of Prime Time Construction’s winning submission in the “Best Deck over 500 Sq.Ft.” category.
inspection by an independent panel of judges—an
h / h b ld
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME 29
architect/engineer, a township building inspector
and an officer from the North American Deck and
Railing Association (NADRA).
“I know it was tough to judge. There were a lot
of very, very nice decks,” says John Keller, owner of
Sequoia Supply, the sponsor of the competition. “It was great for me because I got to see our customers
decks finished. Usually we just see the building
product go out the door, but this time we got to
talk to homeowners with supplies from us. It was a
rewarding experience,” he says.
“It was an awesome competition,” says Keith Fry,
co-owner with William Wilson of Amazing Decks
of Ambler, PA, the company that won the Under
500 Sq. Ft. category. Amazing Decks offered a cov-
ered deck with a cedar pergola, steps that led to a pool and other
rare and beautiful features that set their submission apart. “I had a
feeling we could win, but you never know. It was very exciting and
a great experience. To be involved in a competition like that was
really something. Sequoia is awesome. I know that making my busi-
ness successful is a team effort, and having Sequoia as part of our
team is fantastic. It’s what makes things work,” says Fry.
“It was a great, first-class event and I really enjoyed the way Johnran it,” says Mike Yauger, owner of Prime Time Construction of
Levittown, PA, winner of the Over 500 Sq. Ft. category. “I liked
the way it was judged. It was good for every deck builder, a great
contest to be a part of.” Prime Time’s submission included (among
other facets) a four-seasons room, installed HVAC, five different
brick types, a walnut cigar room, a kitchenette, Travertine flooring,
a running stream, a full outdoor kitchen, a grotto with a hot tub
waterfall, a firepit, 8-ft. lampposts and a drainage system. “I can’t
thank John enough. I really wanted to win this competition.” This
Wrightstown deck is now entered in the National Association of the
Remodeling Industry (NARI) national, regional and local competi-
tion. Images of the deck can be seen on the Prime Time website.
Perhaps no one was more surprised or delighted than Rich
Kopchinski, owner of Dream Deck Designs of Ivyland, PA. The
judges found his work so consistently well-constructed they feltcompelled to create a third category, Best Built, just to reward him.
“I felt honored and I was shocked at the win,” says Kopchinski. “I
go over the top in the way I construct my decks, the time I take
with the under deck, and the judges picked up on that,” he says.
“I’ve never heard of a competition like this,” says Kopchinski. “It
was the first time and John put things together very well. I was very
pleased. I have to put my thanks out to Sequoia. John put a lot of
time into doing what he did. It was a very nice thing to do. Some
deck builders were skeptical, but this was a real competition. Itreally brought out the best. I hope he does it again,”
he says.
Known as America’s Decksperts®, Sequoia Supply,
with locations in Hatfield and Warrington, is one of
the nation’s leading suppliers of wood, and low-main-
tenance composite and PVC decking and rail parts.
The company has opened Sequoia Out Back, a back-
yard superstore encompassing everything imaginablefor outdoor enjoyment. “While our first step is to help
customers build the deck of their dreams, the follow-
up is to enrich that deck with the highest quality fur-
niture, hot tubs, fire pits, grills, kitchen accessories and
pergolas,” says Keller.
The deck competition put a focus on some of the
most creative and talented deck builders in the region.
“It was a terrific experience and I am about 80% sure
we’re going to run another in 2010/2011,” says Keller.More details of the competition—including photos
from all the entrants as well as new information and
photographs of the winners—can be found at
www.deckbuilderschallenge.com. H& H
With every deck they entered regarded as exceptionally constructed, the judgeshad no choice but to create the “Best Built” category solely to reward DreamDeck Designs of Ivyland, PA.
A flowing shape and a covered section blend the inside and outside in this gor-geous, aesthetically superior entry, winner of “Best Deck Under 500 Sq. Ft.” for Amazing Decks of Ambler, PA.
ProductTrends
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B UC KS COUN TY HOUS E & HOME H OUSE & H OME N OVEMB ER/DEC EMB ER 2 0 1 030
pushbutton pools
Now you can take pool automationright into the water! Activate heat, spa
jets, cleaning, filtration, waterfeatures, pool and landscape lighting,and more from a wireless, 100%-waterproof command center that youcan hold in your hand. This state-of-the-art remote does everything andgoes everywhere so you can be themaster of your backyard resort whileinside the house, around the poolarea, or even in the water. Free in-home estimate and custom poolplans are offered.
Blue Haven Pools & SpasSix offices serving PA, NJ & DE800.219.2141www.bluehaven.com
a better way to energize
These unique custom
charging stations canstore up to six cellphones, i-Pods or otherelectronic equipment,and come equippedwith or without a timerso you can set theamount of time tocharge to avoid overcharging your equipment. They can also be installed in anypart of the home (closets, mud rooms, drawers, countertops, etc.)—wherever ismost convenient for you!
Affordable Closets Plus, LLCBangor, PA (serves Northern & Central New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania)800.823.4227www.affordableclosetsplus.com
luxurious,european-inspired
design solutionsCalifornia Closets’ Lago collectionis an assortment of premiumfinishes inspired by thepicturesque landscapes andarchitecture of Italy’s Lake Como.Defined by imported Italian materials with rich finishes and unique wood grains,as well as exceptional craftsmanship, this combination results in a European-inspired line of six distinct color finishes. The Lago collection also providesenvironmental benefits since Lago is made with E1 wood, which has reducedemissions potential and is processed according to a strict European standard
for clean and safe wood manufacturing.
California Closets800.274.6754 or 609.655.1899www.californiaclosets.com
a hot outdoorliving trend
Nowadays, manyhomeowners preferstaying home andmaximizing their
investments. As a result, more outdoor areas are being designed for customerswho want to create a “resort-like” feel in their backyards. From outdoor bars andkitchens, to televisions, pools and waterfalls, the options are endless. The livingarea in this photograph incorporates a pool with EP Henry pavers, a sheerdescent waterfall capped with flagstone, an outdoor bar with granite top and aflat-screen television! The shift from simple patios to complete outdoor livingareas will continue to be hot in 2011.
B&T Landscape & Patio DesignHarleysville, PA215.256.0989www.btlandscaping.com
Nothing moves forward the business of home building
and renovation faster than innovation. From safety to
style to increased functionality, today’s homeowners
like to know what their options are and how they will
better their lives. So in order to help you improve your
home—indoors and out—here are some of the latest,
greatest trends, products and services available in our
region, handpicked by HOUSE & HOME. How can
your life change in the most positive ways over the
next year? Just look through the next few pages where
you’ll find items that will inspire, comfort and intrigue
you—and will make that better life a reality.
for What’s
ProductTrends
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NOVEMBER/DE CEMBER 2010 BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME 31
an artistictouch topainting
Beautiful painting stylesnever go out of fashion, butthis look is one sure todominate the renovationlandscape for 2011. Thesedining-room walls weregilded in Dutch Gold leaf andchemically treated to make a natural patina. The process—which can be appliedto any surface (ceiling, furniture, objects d’art, etc.)—provides a warm andinviting, classic and refined look.
Colkett PaintingSellersville, PA215.257.5252www.colkettpainting.com
quality behavioral training fordogs and humans
Having spent 15 years refining his craft as a dog trainer, Dave Cugno has
become the leading authority on canine behavior in the Philadelphia region. Hiswealth of experience, ranging from the mostaggressive dog to the even-tempered familypooch, has bred in him an acute awareness ofthe psychology of dogs living in a humanworld. His goal is to train people to understandand live harmoniously with their dogs.Emphasizing this development of thedog/human relationship, Dave’s techniquefosters a happy and stable state of mind foryour dog from which all good behavior follows.
David Cugno’s Canine CenterKing of Prussia, PA610.337.0800www.cugnoscaninecenter.com
bathe safely at home
Getting a walk-in tub installed in aresidence is gaining in popularity, asseniors and people with disabilities orinjuries want to stay in their homes andsafely bathe independently. The tubs areavailable with both hydrotherapy jets andwhirlpool jets and both the seat and thedoor handle are ADA-compliant. Walk-InTubs come in a variety of sizes and theCelebrity Model fits into most 60-inchbathtub spaces. The walk-in tubs aremade in the USA and have a lifetimewarranty not to leak. Installation isavailable with a wide variety of options.
Granite TransformationsMontgomeryville & West Chester, PA215.283.4498 or 610.696.4498www.granitetransformations.com
a better wood choice
Showplace Lyptus is a fully sustainable,environmentally-managed hardwood. With the
beauty of mahogany and the durability of maple,Lyptus is a truly renewable hardwood species.Grown on sustainably-managed plantations inSouth America, Lyptus is a naturally occurringhybrid of eucalyptus. It is harvested in as little as15 years and does not deplete old-growth forests.Unlike most other fast-growing woods, Lyptus isa true high-grade hardwood with a hardnesssimilar to that of maple. Showplace Lyptus isoffered in a wide range of door styles and a selectpalette of stains and is available through HaddonTowne Design Center Kitchens & Baths.
Haddon Towne Design Center Kitchens & BathsWestmont, NJ856.854.4490www.haddontownedesign.com
add color, shape,texture and more
to concreteRahns Concrete now offers decorativecolored ready-mix concrete, ideal fordriveways, patios, walkways, floorsand pool decks—anywhere aestheticsand durability are both must-haves.Concrete has always been tough—both under foot and on the eyes—but now concrete’s legendary strength isavailable in a plethora of beautiful colors, which when stamped by a concretecontractor, delivers all the shapes, textures and hues of natural stone, pavers,brick or even wood—nearly endless combinations and possibilities. With
integrally colored concrete (not just a top coat), you can make a bold statementor subtly blend your project with its surroundings without any worries.
J. Vincent, Inc. Concrete ContractorsPottstown, PA610.400.3389
keep in touch with your home,from anywhere
housEvolve is a simple, effective, affordable solution for water damage prevention
and temperature-related problems,giving homeowners the ability tomonitor, control and receive voicealerts of these aspects of theirhomes from anywhere in theworld. A homeowner has theability to turn water valves off/on,adjust temperature and switch theHVAC state, and open and closegarage doors—all by pressing abutton on their phone.
FREEVOLVESomerset, NJ888.543.8658www.freevolve.com
ProductTrends
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BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME NOVEMBER/D ECEMBER 201032
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the coolest item onthe block
The art of kitchen design and
integrated refrigeration has reached anew height with Sub-Zero’s 27-inchcolumns. The item adds a 27-inch all-refrigerator and a 27-inch all-freezercolumn models to its integrated line.Seen as the elegant evolution ofrefrigeration design that designershave been asking for, the items arefilled with more aesthetic andtechnological innovation than youwould expect in such a slender form.
Kieffer’s AppliancesLansdale, PA215.699.3522www.kieffers.com
continuing a tradition of beauty and durability
Nantucket Island is a place of great beauty that is
also resilient in the face of the harsh coastal weatherof the North Atlantic. That same truth is expressed inthe Nantucket Collection by Simpson Door Company.After all, you want your door to offer a warmwelcome to guests, but also the ability to fight offextreme weather conditions when it needs to. Thedoors combine durable, weather-resistant woodspecies with a modified mortise-and-tenonconstruction technique. The result is a door that willretain its rugged beauty and last for years and years,regardless of what nature sends its way.
Niece LumberLambertville, NJ800.932.0779niecelumber.com
no more clutter, searching or expired food
Shelf Sergeant provides adjustable pull-outshelving solutions. The shelves are custom-made to retrofit existing cabinets, closetsand pantries, with deeper, stronger storageareas—even when pull-outs are 100% fullyextended, they support 100 lbs. each. Pull-outs have been around for decades, butwere often built using inferior slide technology and nailed joints. These shelvesare created with dovetail joinery, UV finish, steel slides and washable bottoms.A welcome addition are divider bin pull-outs, which vertically store all sizes ofcooking sheets. An in-home demonstration can reveal how closet and pantrypull-outs can increase storage capacity by 50% and accessibility by 100% .
Shelf SergeantSouth Brunswick, NJ732.960.1624www.pulloutshelf.com
extend yourliving space
Today’s enclosures allow youto convert the outdoors, yourspa, or patio space into anindoor paradise withinminutes. Experience year-round enjoyment with a fullyretractable enclosure. Pool &Spa Enclosures modern, elegantly designed retractable enclosures allow you toenjoy the outdoors while creating a retractable enclosure to exercise, relax orentertain throughout the year even in the often unpredictable conditions ofspring, summer or fall. Imagine a retractable patio enclosure, sunroom,entertainment room, Florida room, observatory or a greenhouse.
Pool & Spa Enclosures, LLCMonroe Twp., NJ609.655.8898www.PoolAndSpaEnclosuresUSA.com
keep it cool
The first building-improvement products made inthe U.S. to measure and report their carbon
footprint, Solar Gard and Panorama window filmshelp decrease carbon dioxide levels in theatmosphere and help achieve zero energy-building goals. Solar Gard window films arecarbon negative in all 50 states and on averageare carbon neutral within one year of installation.More efficient than Low-e coatings at rejectingsolar heat, Solar Gard window films reduce abuilding’s carbon footprint more effectively andfor less money than new windows. Application of Panorama Slate 10 reduces80% of solar heat, reduces the harsh glare and blocks almost 100% of UVA andUVB. The film also qualifies for the energy tax credit.
Sun Control Specialists, LLCNorth Wales, PA866.900.TINT (8468)www.suncontrolspecialists.com
putting scraps to excellent use
This recycled leather iPhone holder was made in Italy from recovered leatherscraps. They come in assorted colors and are perfect gifts for all ages. Other
items included in the Tuscan Hills' collection are iPad holders, business cardholders, luggage tags and key trays. All are available only at Tuscan Hills, a storededicated to bringing Italiandesign and warmth toAmerica. Its exclusivecollection of imported homefurnishings and accessoriesare from small family-runbusinesses in Italy, reflectinga fusion of classic andcontemporary designs.
Tuscan HillsKingston, NJ609.921.9015www.tuscanhills.com
“ ” f b i i l
ProductTrends
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NOVEMBER/DE CEMBER 2010 BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME 33
“green” fabric comes in many colors
The Fabric Loft is making a conscious effort to provide fabrics that areenvironmentally friendly. In theirshowroom they carry organic
cotton fabrics for the consumerlooking for pure products withpure style. They also feature100%-recycled polyesterfabrics, which are made fromrecycled plastic water bottles.All of these fabrics arebeautifully designed in manycolors and qualities, with strictenvironmental standards,making them eco-friendly.
The Fabric LoftLahaska, PA215.794.9100www.TheFabricLoftOnline.com
new faces in the vegetable garden
There’s no name more synonymous withplants than Burpee, so the area seed companyhas many items to keep an eye on for 2011,including: The “Raspberry Lemonade Mix”Zinnia marylandica Varieties, a combination ofCoral Rose, Yellow and Starlight Rose; the“Coconut Ice” white sunflower (pictured); theGaillardia “Punch Bowl”; the “Frilly” sunflower;the black base and bright yellow star“Phantom”; the “Black Cat,” the world’s onlypure black petunia; and the “Scarlet Bronze,”the very first bronze-leaved Canna from seed.
W. Atlee Burpee & Co.Warminster800.333.5808www.burpee.com
keep indoor petssafe outside
You love your pets, spend a ton of money
on them and worry when they aren’t well.But what do you do if your cat or smalldog enjoys being outside? Veterinariansknow outdoor animals have higher rates ofillnesses such as feline immunodeficiency and leukemia viruses, as well assicknesses that may result from hunting or scavenging.
Kritter Kommunity has your answer. The Kritter Kondo outdoor enclosures forindoor pets are perfect for courtyards, balconies, campgrounds, beaches, hotels,parks and yards. Measuring 2 feet tall by 2.5 feet wide by 5.5 feet long, this one-piece item requires little assembly and is ideal for up to three cats and small dogs(35 pounds and under). The Deluxe version has a collapsible shade canopy,carrying case and double doors for pet access on either side of the enclosure.
Kritter KommunityPhiladelphia, PAwww.kritterkommunity.com
Photo courtesy Heronswood Voice
Custom Closets, Garage Cabinets, Home Offices and more...
Call for a free in home design consultation and estimate
866-278-8881www.closetsbydesign.comLicensed and Insured2008©AllRightsReserved.ClosetsbyDesign,Inc.
HIC Reg. No. PA002447
HH
20% Off Plus
Free Installation
20% off any order of $1000 or more. Free
installation with any complete order of
$900 or more. Not valid with any other
offer. With incoming order, at time of
purchase only. Offers expires 1/15/11.
add value to your home
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turn your basement into usable living space By Lindsey Getz
add va ue o you o e
I If you’re using your basement for storage, you’re missing out on itsfull potential. Today’s basements can be turned into home offices,playrooms, media centers or home theaters, entertaining areas andmore. Finishing a basement adds living space to your home without
breaking the bank. “Because you’re working with existing space, it’smuch more cost-effective than adding on,” says Robert Lascelle,owner of Hunterdon Builders. “And that additional living spaceadds value to your home. It’s definitely a smart move.”
“A finished basement is a wise choice right now,” agrees Larry
A wet bar with asink adds appealto a finishedbasement.Photo courtesy of
Hunterdon Builders
Some homeowners even opt for a full kitchen in their finished basement. Photo courtesy of Colella Construction, Inc.
Don’t let a water prob-lem ruin your beautiful-ly finished basement
of taking the risk, let the professionals complete an inspection. “Ioften tell homeowners that a basement water problem can be like a cavity ” says Mike Klukiewski owner of Select Basement
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>>>
Giannone, CR,owner of MeridianConstruction, Inc.“You take advan-tage of the spaceyou already have. Inmany cases, plumb-ing, electrical andHVAC are located
in the basement soaccess is convenient and therefore less expensive. The foundationand floor system are already in place. The lower construction costsmake it an efficient way to obtain usable space and gain equity inyour home,” he says.
THE R IGHT STEPS
So you know you want the remodel—what’s your next move? Oneof the first things a homeowner should do is ensure that the space
has adequate waterproofing. Telltale signs of a water problem wouldbe discoloration of the walls or any dampness. But don’t expect thatyou’ll always be able to see a water problem on your own. Instead
ly finished basement.Call in a waterproofingexpert. Photo courtesy of
Select Basement Waterproofing
cavity, says Mike Klukiewski, owner of Select Basement Waterproofing. “Even though a cavity might be hiding in the tooth,from the surface its appearance looks clean. You can’t see the decay on the inside. And if it’s too late when you discover the problem,the tooth has to be pulled,” he says.
Finding the right professional to work with is definitely impor-tant as well. Look for a contractor who can show you a variety of finished basements from his or her portfolio, suggests Lascelle.Don’t hire a company that hasn’t worked on many basementsbecause this can present unique challenges—it’s important to havepeople who know what they’re doing. “Make sure they have theexperience,” Lascelle continues. “And find a contractor that keepsup with the latest technology, especially “green” technology, whichis important to homeowners today. Energy savings is a big issue,”
he says.“Energy efficiency is something a lot of our customers have
expressed interest in and where we’ve been focusing a lot of ourattention,” agrees Carla Zapotek, project manager, Colella Construction, Inc. “Many of our customers want to invest in theefficiency of their basement—things like lower energy levels forlighting. It’s not only better for the environment but saves on a lotof household expenses,” she says.
Finding the right contractor can help walk you through these
stages, as well as through the budget. It’s definitely important tofind a contractor you are comfortable with, adds Giannone. “A remodeling project of any kind is a process,” he continues. “The
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B U CK S CO U NT Y H O US E & HO M E N O VE M BE R /D E CE M BE R 2 01 036
resources
Colella Construction, Inc.
Hatfield, PA
215.368.3196
www.colellaconstructioninc.com
Hunterdon Builders
Flemington, NJ
908.713.1000
www.mydeck.com
Meridian Construction, Inc.
Lansdale, PA
215.362.4700
www.meridianbuilder.com
Select Basement Waterproofing
Marlton, NJ
856.324.4894www.selectwaterproofingusa.com
Visit our online resource directory at www.housemagazine.com to
find additional companies that offer these products and services.
company you work with should have the capability to help youunderstand the design considerations. The company should identify the factors that drive cost and discuss them with you. Your contrac-
tor should be a resource to you from the initial planning throughconstruction.”
A NEW SPACE
The fun part of the process is deciding how you want to use thenew space. There are certainly many options. Your contractor canhelp give you ideas but you should also clip “inspiration pictures”for additional input, suggests Zapotek. “This helps in communicat-ing with your contractor because not everyone interprets ideas the
same way, but pictures tell a different story,” she explains. “And beaware that just because something looks great on paper doesn’talways mean it will work with the space.” That makes it importantto work closely with a qualified contractor. He or she can helpyou decide what will work best in the space you have available,explains Zapotek.
Homeowners are adding home-theater rooms, arts-and-craftsrooms for the kids, kitchens and bars, home gyms, home officesand more, she says. Some homeowners are also using the space for
an additional bedroom and bathroom. “These, [typically called]‘mother-in-law suites,’ add additional value to the home,” saysZapotek.
Of course, you don’t have to incorporate specialty rooms in yourfinished basement. “Some homeowners just want practical space,”
A well-finished basement can be made to look like any other area of the home.Photo courtesy of Colella Construction, Inc.
Many homeownerslike to use their newly finishedspace as a mediaor entertainment room. Photo courtesy of
Hunterdon Builders
Bars are still a much-asked for, popular feature in finished basements.Photo courtesy of Colella Construction, Inc.
you can createa whole new area of thehome where you can spend
time with your family.Photo courtesy
of Colella
Construction, Inc.
says Giannone. “They want to be able to use the space for differentpurposes as their needs change. In this case, the new area may serveas a playroom for a number of years, then a game room and ulti-
mately end up as a place to entertain years later with very littlealteration needed. This approach is good for resale as it would beuseful to any potential buyer,” he says.
There’s certainly a lot to consider in the process of remodeling a basement. If your family needs room to expand, the extra space youneed might be just beneath your feet. H& H
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME 37
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AFTER
After (above): In the new library/dining room,a versatile 45-inch round table expands to a62-inch oval for entertaining. Red toilehost/hostess chairs roll easily to the table oncasters. Neutral walls and ceiling allow touchesof holiday reds to pop, while vertical, silk-trimmed curtains visually raise the ceiling.
New custom bookshelves frame the doorway and attach to ready-made book-shelves flanking the new faux fireplace. The host/hostess chairs double as com-fortable reading chairs in the library/dining room.
AFTER
BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 201038
a once-cramped dining area isperfect for festivities
J Judithe Little’s diminutive 12-by-12-foot dining room with its 8-footceiling featured a table and chairs that were way too large to comfort-ably move around, and an unused piano took up one entire wall.There was also a total absence of architectural detailing and thevibrant red walls were a bit overpowering for the softer color palettein the rest of her house.
“We never used the dining room except for holiday dinners twicea year,” she explains. “I wanted to turn it into a multipurpose room
where we could eat, read a book or work, but I didn’t know how todo that myself.”
THE W ISH LIST
Judithe and I met when she won a national magazine decorating
By Joetta Moulden Janet Lenzen, Photographer
Before: The diningfurniture was too
large, the window treatments and
trade secrets
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BEFORE
BEFORE
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME 39
>>>
makeover, and I was hired as the decorator to redo her room. My design intern, Jennifer Guerra, and I met with her to design a library/dining room that would fit into her traditionally decoratedhouse. Judithe had a formal mantel with a marble surround, a new
round table and chairs and built-in bookshelves with storage for herchildren’s craft supplies. She wanted toile fabrics, monograms andlots of books. The challenge was that the room was small, so it wasn’teasy to fit all the things on Judithe’s wish list into the small space—on a budget—and still be able to move around them.
Tip: The least expensive way to add new bookshelves is to buy prefabricated, unpainted wood shelves and build them in, adding moldings and trims, and then paint them.
So that’s what our contractor did—built-out the piano wall 18inches, which made the bookshelves appear to be recessed into the
wall. Additionally, Jennifer sized an unfinished wood Hillsboro fire-place mantel to give Judithe the fireplace she desired.
P AINT M AGIC
The walls were painted with Benjamin Moore’s New Chestnut, theceiling with Decatur Buff and the firebox on the wall with flat Black Bean Soup paint. The MDF fire screen and faux marble surround Jennifer and I designed were professionally faux painted.
Tip: The more monochromatic your walls are compared to the
floor, the more they recede. Darker walls and ceilings push the wallsaway, making the room seem taller and wider.The unfinished, Pacific cloth-lined Shaker chest was also faux
painted with alternating stripes in Benjamin Moore’s Decatur Buff and Valley Forge brown.
FURNITURE FINDS
A new 45-inch round-to-oval expandable table, slipcovered couturechairs, toile host and hostess wing chairs, a wool and jute rug, cus-tom-glazed red end table and new lamps filled out the room’s fur-
nishings. The table’s pedestal base keeps it from overpowering theroom with more legs than necessary, thus expanding space visually.
Tip: Think outside the box. Take ready-made slipcovers andmonogram them to add a custom look and your personality.
The toile wing chairs are on casters and serve double-duty as cozy
reading chairs, but can also be rolled up to the dining table to serveas host and hostess chairs. The table is dressed with a custom table-cloth and topped with a protective glass top, and custom pillows incoordinating fabrics brighten the chairs. Custom curtains were made
using IKEA two-for-$49 cotton panels, lined and bordered in redembroidered silk and hung from Kirsch® drapery hardware.
Tip: To solve a room’s vertical shortcomings, mahogany curtainrods were installed at crown-molding height and a long red silk bor-der was added to inexpensive ready-made draperies to further theillusion of height and to take your eyes up to the darker ceiling.
SOFT ACCENTS
Since Judithe already had stenciled the wood floor, Jennifer and I
borrowed her stencil to custom-paint the rug with Benjamin Moore’sClinton Brown paint.Tip: Where red walls once overwhelmed this dining room, touch-
es of red now serve as bright accents to the soft neutral palette, mak-ing their way back into the room in small doses on fabrics and onthe back wall of the bookcases. This palette also allows holiday deco-rations to standout visually.
HOLIDAY DECORATIONS
Since this was the first holiday season in the new room, Jennifer and
I decorated the room for Judithe, focusing on the mantel, tabletopsand windows. (When holiday decorating, it is best to make sure thebackgrounds and furniture placements are correct first. The roomshould look fantastic after the seasonal decorations are put away.)
Tip: The idea is to make your home look and smell as fragrant,
treatments andchandelier visually lowered the ceilingand the wall color was too strident.
Before: A lack of architectural detail-
ing left this smallroom feeling cold
and formal.
• Get a high-end look on a budget by using
ready-made curtains and customizing
them with a silk border and lining.
• Think outside the box by using unfinished
ready-made bookshelves and adding
onto them.
• By selecting a darker ceiling color, you can
visually make it recede. Paint consistentlygives the most bang for the buck.
• To eliminate costly mistakes, hire an
objective professional to help you stay
within your budget yet add thousands
to your resale value.
• Sometimes the most effective strategy is
to not buy more furniture and accessories
but to rethink the pieces you already own.
Before: An unusedpiano dominated one
BEFORE
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BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 201040
festive and candlelit as possible—to literally ooze holiday festivity. Toaccomplish this, you must exaggerate what you would normally doin order for the decorations to look full and festive.
On the striped chest, Eiffel Tower statues remind Judithe of hercollege semester abroad, and her son’s framed drawing is proudly dis-played on an easel. Silver horse trophies and Judithe’s collection of transferware plates found a new home in the bookcases, along withnewly framed black-and-white photos of her children. Baskets of arts-and-crafts supplies are easily accessible to the kids, but are hid-den behind the closed cabinet doors.
“Before, I didn’t even want to go in the dining room,” Judithesays. “Now the room looks like a place I’d really like to live—
and I do!”
Joetta Moulden offers home makeovers using your own home furnishings to create the home you’ve always dreamed of. Visit www.shelterstyle.com to view more room makeovers. H& H
After: The piano wall was built-out 18 inches to accommodate two 18-inch- wide bookcases and a 48-inch-wide mantel and faux fireplace with faux-paint-ed marble surround.
piano dominated one wall and the existingmirror needed to bedarkened and toneddown with black shoe
polish.
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AFTER
Enter the NARI Enter the NARI Award Winning CraftsmanshipWinner of (2) Contractor of the Year Awards in 2010
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME 41
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry and House & Home magazine invite all NARImembers*, including builders, architects, designers andcontractors to enter their best project in the 2011Contractor of the Year competition. Show us why your remodeling project is exemplary. Winners will beselected to be published in the spring issues of the NARIremodeling directory. Call for more information!
*Must be a NARI member to enter competition.Your project could end up on the pages of…
2011
www.bucksmontnari.org • 610-787-0896Entry Deadline 12/1/10
2011Contractor of the Year Competition
Contractor of the Year Competition
Bucks-Mont NARI CotY Awards Ceremony will beheld Friday, January 28, 2011.
For information, contact Kathy Benelli [email protected]
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BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 201042
spruce up your home to welcomefamily andfriendsBy Leigh Bell I It’s the most wonderful time of the year....already!
The holiday season can sneak up like a stealthy little elf. And
while we love the “holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
when friends come to call,” the to-do list of home improvements
is long and, well, quite undone.
Thankfully, gift-giving comes early with this list of quick,
simple and cost-effective ways to spruce up your home for theupcoming festivities—whether you’re hosting fetes, housing the
in-laws or just having the grandkids over.
This new plate-and-handlein a handsome bronzedesign is an instant improvement to a door.
Give your floors a clean sweep, polish or other treatment to make them look their best. Photo courtesy of Mannington Mills, Inc.
Now’s the time toclean those rugs andcarpets before guestsarrive.Photo courtesy of Windsor
featured on TLC’s Moving Up & in House Beautiful magazine
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME 43
>>>
Photo courtesy of Windsor
Smith for Kravet
Above: Install a tankless water heater, which can often replace two tanks. Thetankless version reduces water heating bills by more than 50 percent.Photo courtesy of GE
Below: Replace your outdated kitchen faucets with stylish models, such as theEvoke single-control faucet and sidespray by Kohler ®.
• Clean the carpets, rugs and upholstery. If you thought vacu-
uming made a difference, scrubbed floors and furniture really brighten and refresh a room. The service is done in a day and
usually costs less than $40 per room for carpets and less than
$100 for a couch.
• Install a new front door or touch-up the old one. It can change
the complete look of a home. The front door is the first
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• Don’t forget
the kitchen. The
kitchen also
benefits from
small but effec-
tive changes,like replacing
the island coun-
tertops with
granite, soapstone or marble. These sturdy tops are great for
all your holiday baking.
This may also be the perfect time to splurge on that enter-
tainment sink you’ve been eyeing all year. It’s ideal for addi-
tional cooking preparation or to chill a spread of drinks.
• Repair the driveway, sidewalk or walkways. The reason is
obvious, of course. But this repair will not only save your
guests from a stumble or two, it’ll also improve the entire
neighborhood.
• Add a towel warmer to the bathroom. That post-shower, pip-
ing-hot bath towel is a comforting holiday gift to your cold-
natured guests. Plus, a towel warmer adds a practical splash of
color and style to your bathroom. Choose from stand-alone or
wall-mounted models, but compare prices, which can run
anywhere from $90 to upward of $4,500.
• Paint a wall, a room or an entire house . Painting your house
is the number one job when it comes to ease of completion.
impression, and the
first impression is
the lasting impres-
sion.
The cost of a
new door can vary greatly, and may be
unnecessary if the
existing one is in
good condition.
Sometimes it’s just
sun bleached. In
that case, new
hardware, weather-
stripping, new
paint or additional
wood stain can do
wonders.
• Install new faucets and/or fixtures in the kitchen or bath. The
guest baths and powder rooms will be busy with holiday visi-
tors, so primp them up with a new decorative mirror, an ele-
gant vanity bar light or granite countertops.
And don’t forget the details. Switch-out old cabinet hard-
ware for something more up-to-date. New towel rings/bars,
paper holders and robe hooks can make a big impact on a
small space.
BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 201044
Above: Repair your driveway with an interesting mix of materials, such asstained concrete and gravel, for a lasting upgrade. Photo by Mark McKinnon
Below: Treat your guests—and yourself—to a towel warmer for the bath.Photo courtesy of Thermique™
Install streamlined yet striking bath fixtures for a beautiful bath.Photo courtesy of TOTO® USA
Entertainment sinks are hot itemsright now, so get fashionable andjoin the fun.Photo of Cordial®
entertainment sink
shown with Simplicefaucet courtesy of Kohler
Many walls are painted just before a big party or before the
holiday season.
Now that odorless paint is available, the job can be done
last-minute Just be sure it’s dry before guests arrive Painting
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME 45
last minute. Just be sure it s dry before guests arrive. Painting
one wall in a standout color accents a room, while painting
the entire room changes the overall look.
What hue do you use? For help deciding, check outPittsburgh Paints’ The Voice of Color® palette
(www.voiceofcolor.com) to answer a series of questions
that help pinpoint your personal color palette and
decorative styles.
• Install a tankless hot-water heater . OK, it’s not exactly a
cheap improvement. In fact, a tankless water heater is roughly
three times as much as its tank counterpart; however, the
investment pays for itself in efficiency, conservation and quali-ty. One tankless water heater can often replace two tanks, and
the tankless version reduces water heating bills by more than
50 percent.
Tankless water heaters are also better for the environment
because they are at least twice as efficient as a new tank heater.
Each tankless unit emits 700 pounds less carbon dioxide into
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BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME NOVEMBER/D ECEMBER 201046
>>>
create a “guys room”
featuring all the
latest gadgetsBy Marie Williams T
This holiday season, why not divert from basic department
store gifts, like shirts, ties and expensive cologne, and opt,
instead, to create a special “guys room” featuring all the latest
gadgets? Designing the ultimate man cave offers a special
escape respite for your guy to unwind, relax, play games or
watch sports—either alone or with his buddies. It’s the gift
that keeps on giving!
COMFORTABLE SEATING
A man cave can be any size room, but one element that mustbe present is comfortable furniture, such as a nice leather
This ultimate man cave has a mix of comfortable theater seating, a large screen TV and behind-the-scenes theater equipment. It’s the ideal place for watching sportsand action flicks with the guys.
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BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME NOVEMBER/D ECEMBER 201048
couch or lounge chair. Make it even more comfy with anottoman. Think oversized!
If you have enough space, include reclining theater seats with arms that attach them together. These can also be pur-chased individually. Some manufacturers offer a sofa withrecliners at each end for maximum comfort. These are sold with or without power controls.
EQUIPMENT FOR A HOME THEATER
When putting together a man cave, the home-theater equip-ment can make or break the room. Most technical representa-tives at specialty home-theater stores agree on exactly what
The more games in a man cave the better, and no guys room would be complete without a billiard or poker table.
guys are looking for: The ultimate man cave experience must
have a great audio system, a large screen, comfortable seating
and sporting events, movies and video games readily at hand.
(Most every man will want the largest screen and loudest
speakers possible!)
State-of-the-art equipment can be expensive, however, and
some guys will need to settle for just a few budget-friendly
alternatives in order to complete their room. Generally, thebudget for an audio/video man cave is dictated by how elabo-
rate the décor is and how intense the equipment will be. On
average, equipment can run from $7,000 to $12,000.
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NOVEMBER/DE CEMBER 2010 BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME 49
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Leather recliners and theater seating are great options for any man cave.
A HOME FOR ALL THE G ADGETS
Carefully crafted cabinetry to house all the gizmos and gadg-
ets has become a staple for a man cave. Cabinets can be done
in a black contemporary or all-wood stained finish. The most
popular requests are for walnut and cherry finishes. Cabinets
are built from 3/4-inch hardwoods and plywood, and can be
designed built-in or freestanding. Everything can be built to
the customer’s specifications, and most specialty audio/video
stores offer free in-home consultations to make sure the user
knows exactly how everything works.
G AMES, G AMES AND MORE G AMES
Most guys want more than a plasma television or stereo sys-tem to entertain guests and friends. Billiard tables, poker sets
and air hockey tables are the most commonly purchased
items.
A shuffleboard is a fun item and can vary in length and
size. Also, consider pool-table lights, cue stands, arcade games
and pinball machines.
This is all great stuff, and you’ll benefit in the end. Give theman in your life a sanctuary he can call his own—the ulti-
mate hideaway where grown men can be little boys again.
Plus, you’ll always know where to find him! H& H
Style and comfort can be part of the man cave with this classic leather piece.
landscaping/hardscaping
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BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME NOVEMBER/D ECEMBER 201050
lots to enjoy: making improvements during the off-season
By Michelle GarlingTop: An outdoor kitchen can be used for extra cooking and entertaining spacethroughout the year, especially when as well appointed and well lit asthis, featuring an outdoor fireplace, grill, side burners, sink, refrigerator andstorage. M Many homeowners don’t give much thought to their landscaping
once they have raked the fallen leaves off their lawn, but there aremany ways to enjoy the landscape during the off-season. There
are improvements that can be made to the landscape to enhance
its fall and winter appeal including the addition of an outdoor
kitchen with a fireplace or heater and landscape lighting that cre-
ates multi-season interest.
W ARM TO THE IDEA OF W INTER
Even when the temperature drops, you can still turn up the heat
on outdoor entertaining. In this region, late fall and early spring
are still great times to entertain. An outdoor kitchen offers acces-
sories, counter space and storage that will allow for grilling three
seasons of the year. During the cooler months, an outdoor fire-
There are many things, including the addition of an outdoor fireplace and light-ing, that homeowners can do to improve their use of the landscape off-season.
place or patio heater can warm a crisp evening on the patio—also
extending the months of use.
Fuel is the first consideration in designing an outdoor fire-
place. Wood fires burn with a distinctive crackle, the smell of
smoke and add flavor to grilled foods. They also require a large
protect it from rain or wind, making the space practical for multi-
season use. Provide enough space for guests who might attend a
Christmas or New Year’s party. An outdoor kitchen can also offer
additional cooking space for a large Thanksgiving or Easter din-
ner. Even during the cooler months, an outdoor room can be
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NOVEMBER/DE CEMBER 2010 BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME 51
s o e a d add avo to g ed oods. ey a so equ e a a ge
functional masonry chimney and draft system. Since there is no
smoke generated by a gas fireplace, it can be designed with little
or no chimney and less expensive masonry. This allows greater
flexibility for incorporating a fireplace into an outdoor room,
even an existing one. An existing gas line can even be used to sup-
ply the fuel.
Either style of fireplace can be designed to complement a wide
variety of architectural styles and be embellished beautifully. Some
possible building materials include stone, brick, stucco or tile.
The structure can be personalized with architectural details such
as an elaborate mantle, shelves or chimney pots. Many accessoriescan also be built into a fireplace including seating walls, wood
storage and cooking gear.
Patio heaters offer warmth without the flame. They can oper-
ate off of either propane or natural gas and cast up to a 12-foot
circle of heat. Most are mobile units, allowing for them to be
stored when not in use. Fixed infrared units that can be mounted
under the eaves of a structure are another option for heating an
outdoor space.
ADD, ADD, ADD
Consider adding a roof or walls to an outdoor room. These can
e . ve du g t e coo e o t s, a outdoo oo ca be
used to surround your home with the warmth of family and
friends.
Landscape lighting can be used to illuminate walkways, out-
door kitchens and patios for use. To increase the safety and func-
tionality of the landscape during the evenings—which arrive earli-
er this time of year—consider landscape lighting to illuminate
pathways, entertainment areas and specimens. A well-designed
lighting plan will highlight the beauty of the landscape, including
elements with winter-interest such as stone, grasses and branch
structure.
Finally, the off-season can be a great time to begin planning for
projects to be built the following year. The design-and-permit-
approval process often takes longer than many homeowners
expect so it is important to allow plenty of time for this process.
Focusing on a fun summer project can also help pass the cold
months of the off season!
Photos and article courtesy of Keith Frederick, president,
Environmental Landscape Associates Inc., Doylestown, PA.For more information, visit the company’s website at
www.elaoutdoorliving.com or call 215.268.7915 H& H
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NOVEMBER/DE CEMBER 2010 BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME 53
DINING IN STYLE
Food and dining offers one of the most universal bonding experiences.
Welcome your guests with beautiful tablescapes. Think beyond the
usual tablecloth. Drape your table with ornate silk scarves, tapestries
or vintage cloths. For a festive New Year display, start with bright
placemats or fabric arranged in a casual manner. Scatter horns andnoisemakers throughout the serving area.
Small, antique vases or mismatched glass salt-and-pepper shakers can
substitute for dainty vases filled with sprigs of holly or pristine tiny
roses. Scatter ornaments in your favorite holiday colors. Let’s not
forget the last detail: napkins. Anyone can learn to do a unique fold to
provide a magnificent punctuation to your table. Visit
www.napkinfolding.com for inspiration.
TIME TO R ELAX
If family or friends are staying for the night or an extended time, visit
your guest room and bath. Pretend you are the guest. Are all the
comforts of a luxury hotel present? Provide sundries, magazines,
notepaper, water, extra pillows and cozy blankets.
Above all else, when decorating for the holidays, be sure to put your
own personality into everything you do. Keep your expectations
reasonable, plan ahead and create another chapter of beautiful
memories.
Joyce Doebler, owner, Decorating Den Interiors, Hatfield, PA, can be
reached at 215.368.2259. Visit www.joycedoebler.decoratingden.com for
more information or to view additional projects. H& H
Sophisticated and simple, this arrangement provides lots of holiday glimmer and glow.
Specializing in stairs
and railings
Change your standard wood balusters to iron.
Change your carpet gradestairs to hardwood stairs.
Visit:
DONYACOVELLA.comfor ideas and
more information.
215-262-0975
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B U CK S CO U NT Y H O US E & HO M E N O VE M BE R /D E CE M BE R 2 01 054
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME 55
SAVE$35Full house clean only
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Classic Accents Hardware-57
Closets by Design-33
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Penn Renewables-37
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Philadelphia Home Show-6
Prime Time Construction, Inc.-27
Right Way Waterproofing Co.-9
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RVO 3rd Photography-49
Steelway Cellar Doors-37
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The Maids of Huntingdon Valley-55
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B U CK S CO U NT Y H O US E & H O ME N O VE M BE R /D E CE M BE R 20 1 058
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