bucks county house and home 2008-04

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BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME APRIL 20082

Custom Cabinetry forDiscriminating Homeowners

Unmatched 5-year warranty on our carpentry

222 E. Bridge Street • Morrisville, PA215-295-7123 • 800-295-7123

SHOWROOM HOURS:Mon.–Fri. 9-5; Sat. 9-3; Evening hours by appointment

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GENERAL LICENSED CONTRACTOR - REFERENCES UPON REQUEST - FREE ESTIMATES

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• Blueprints available with 3D virtua computer imaging tour of your project!• Theatre rooms.• Kitchen & bath design and installation.• Wine cellars.

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• Blueprints available with 3D virtual computer imaging tour of your project!• Theatre rooms.• Kitchen & bath design and installation.• Wine cellars.

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BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME APRIL 2008 6

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APRIL 2008 BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOME 11


Specializing in:Persian, Turkish, Sumaks, Cacucian, Oushaks, Tribal, Oriental, Kilim Rugs,Heriz and Kazaks

•All rugs directly imported•Various antique, semi-antique, runners

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c o n t e n t s

on the coverThe Cottage WickerCollection is an idealaccent for outdoor liv-ing. Choose comfortwith classic designs atCarlton Pools. Readmore about outdoor fur-niture and lighting in“Destination Outdoors”on page 40.

40

58

Visit our showroomPlainsboro Village Center • 4 Market Street • Plainsboro, NJ

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Where Inspiration Becomes Reality

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A Luxurious Getaway – Creating a custom designed pool and more 24

Revitalizing an Underused Space – A small Richboro kitchen is transformed into a family’s favorite room 28

Freshen Up – A new product can permanently change the look of your home’s exterior 32

Destination Outdoors – Furniture and lighting for your backyard 40

Walkable Art – Decorative concrete is a multi-medium canvas 44

Take it Outside – Decks enable you to enjoy favorite indoor activities outdoors

58How Well Do Your Windows Work? – The latest windows and doors make energy efficiency an attractive choice 62

Special Series – Additions: It’s easier than ever to go green 70

interior design and remodeling ideas

departmentsEditor’s Note 14

Around Town

Workshops, Classes, Shows and Events 16

Noteworthy 20

Arts & Antiques

22

Interior Design

Decorating Do’s and Don’ts 36

Landscaping/Gardening

Get Out! Take entertaining outside 50

Show House Preview

Bucks County Show House Preview 52

CotY Award Project

Starting from scratch 64

Dream House Preview

Dream Home Offers Hope for Families in Need 67

Editor’s Picks 68

Advertisers’ Index 76

The Gallery 77



WWith the winter blahs behind us, it’stime to get moving! While you werecooped up indoors during snowy con-ditions and frigid temperatures thepast several months, you had lots oftime to enjoy (or be annoyed) by fea-tures or a lack of them in your home.Now’s the time to make some changesso you will truly view your home asyour castle!

Perhaps you became frustrated withrecord-high energy bills this winter.Unfortunately, I received a few ofthose too. Installing energy-efficientwindows can help resolve that prob-lem and provide other benefits, suchas improved comfort level in rooms,less noise and an increase in yourhome’s value. Learn more in: “HowWell Do Your Windows Work?”

Now as you peer outside your newwindows, what do you see? Or betteryet, what do you want to see? Read“Destination: Outdoors” to brain-storm ideas for your backyard. Do youenjoy cooking but hate to be coopedup inside? An outdoor kitchen canprovide all the amenities you’ll needfor a great meal with an unbeatableview. Want a place to leave everyday

cares behind? Sitting out on the patiowhere the light’s natural and the settingis a relaxed distance from the hustleand bustle of the house may be just thething. In short, whatever your heart’sdesire, a well-designed backyard canhelp you realize it.

Perhaps as you were dreaming abouthow you could enjoy your backyard tothe fullest, a new deck came to mind.Learn about how to select a contractor,advantages of a deck and the differentmaterials available by paging to “Takeit Outside.” You’ll discover that almostanything you once enjoyed doinginside can now be taken outdoors withthe addition of a deck. Of course, youcan expect to find a handy list of localcompanies that build decks at the endof the article.

So go ahead, get moving and makeyour dreams a reality by getting startedtoday. H&H has lots of ideas andadvice to help you get started.

Did H&H help you with a spring homemakeover project? Please e-mail [email protected] and let meknow. We love to hear your success stories.

H&H

Karen Appold, Editor

make your home your castle

editor’s note

Our inventory of slabs, showroom and manufacturingfacility conveniently located at:

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MICHAEL COLKETTDecorative Painter

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PUBLISHERHouse & Home Magazine, Inc.

EDITORKaren Appold

ASSISTANT EDITORGreg Williams

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSLauren Fritsky, Lindsey Getz, Matthew T. Patton, Kerri Penno,

Susan I. Shiber, Jacqueline Rupp, Alina MakhnovetskyLinda Barth, Debi Bryant, Sarah Heenan,

Joetta Moulden, Elaine Rogers

ART DIRECTORDebbie Epting

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERSanford Molinaro

GRAPHIC DESIGNERSMichelle BucciJamie Dacanay

PHOTOGRAPHERSBill Cartledge, Ozzie RVOIII

OFFICE ADMINISTRATORAnnette Korkus

PRODUCTION MANAGERLisa Santangelo

SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGERKaren O’Toole

ACCOUNTING DIRECTORDarlene Versak

SALES MANAGERRochelle Dodge

MARKETING CONSULTANTSLynn Nelson, Tina Perrotta, Jerry Kwait, Gary Edelstein,Joye Minnick, Amy B. Weiss, Barbara Arnold, Ed Barnes

MARKETING DIRECTORBob Doran

Advertising Information Call: 888-202-5501

BUCKS COUNTY HOUSE & HOMEHouse & Home Magazine, Inc., dba Bucks County House & Home (“H&H”). H&H reserves the rightto determine the suitability of all materials submitted for publication and to edit all submitted materi-als for clarity and space. H&H is not responsible for loss, damage or any other injury to unsolicitedmanuscripts, unsolicited artwork or any other unsolicited materials. Furthermore, H&H will assumethat unsolicited photographs, as well as ad photographs, are being submitted for possible publica-tion, and should they be published, no fee is due the photographer or model unless otherwiseagreed upon in advance in writing.

Bucks County House & Home is a newsmagazine with emphasis on home repair and remodeling.H&H does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial content, nor does H&Hor its staff or its writers and editors assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial con-tent appear in any publication. Readers are encouraged to notify H&H when they suspect false ormisleading advertising.

Before attempting any renovation or repair project mentioned in House & Home, readers areadvised to consult with professional home repair and renovation specialists for assistance, and totake any and all appropriate safety precautions.

Bucks County House & Home has not independently tested any services or products advertisedherein and has verified no claims made by its advertisers regarding those services or products. BucksCounty House & Home makes no warranties or representations and assumes no liability for anyclaims regarding those services or products or claims made by advertisers regarding such productsor services. Readers are advised to consult with the advertiser and/or other home repair and renova-tion professionals regarding any such claims and regarding the suitability of an advertiser’s products.

No reproduction of printed materials is permitted without the consent of the Publisher of BucksCounty House & Home. Copyright 2007 by House & Home Magazine, Inc., all rights reserved.Subscriptions available for home delivery at a cost of $19.95 per year at our website:www.housemagazine.com

National sales office:House & Home Magazine, Inc.

2820 Audubon Village Drive, #324Audubon, PA 19403

(888) 202-5501 • (215) 689-4999 (fax)e-mail: [email protected]

Regional Editions:Central Jersey House & Home – NJ

Chester County House & Home – PAMontco/Main Line House & Home – PA

South Jersey House & Home – NJ

Visit www.housemagazine.com to view digital versionsof each of the above editions.

Bucks County

YOUR #1 RESOURCE AND DESIGN MAGAZINE

upscale renovations distinctive expansions215-264-0596 www.theartfulhome.biz



FRIDAYFIRST FRIDAYS IN DOYLESTOWNDoylestown comes alive the firstFriday of every month. The eveningfeatures local artists and musicians.Merchants and establishments extendtheir hours. Visit historic Doylestownand discover its charm, history andtalent. Free parking.Hours: 7 to 10 p.m.Fee: FreeLocation: Route 202, DoylestownMORE DETAILS:www.doylestownborough.net

AHA FIRST FRIDAYFIRST FRIDAYS IN NEWTOWNAHA/Arts, History, Adventure openhouse evenings held the first Friday ofeach month in downtown Newtown.Monthly events blend arts and historywith shops and restaurants.Hours: 6 to 9 p.m.Fee: Free parking and admissionLocation: Sycamore and State streets,NewtownMore Details: www.newtownpa.us or215-968-3440

FIRST SATURDAYS FOR CHILDREN ATJAMES A. MICHENER LIBRARYREADING GOES TO THE DOGSA children’s program that encouragesreading brings dogs into the mix.Youngsters have the opportunity toread aloud to therapy dogs from Pawswith Patience.Hours: 2 to 3:30 p.m.Fee: FreeLocation: 401 W. Mill St.,QuakertownMore Details: 215-536-3306 ext. 1

SECOND SATURDAYS IN NEW HOPEAND LAMBERTVILLE

New Hope and Lambertville celebratethe arts every second Saturdaythroughout the towns. Art galleries,restaurants and boutiques stay openlate and strolling musicians play forvisitors’ pleasure.Hours: 5 to 9 p.m.Fee: FreeLocation: Streets of New Hope andLambertville, NJMore Details:www.NewHopePAlive.com

FIRST WEDNESDAYSCOFFEE HOUSE SERIES AT SILVER LAKENATURE CENTERA 253-acre natural treasure awaits inthe heart of southern Bucks County.It’s a place where lush foliage,accessible wetlands and richwoodlands abound. Make new friendsand share hot beverages at thisinformative series featuringsustainability themed topics.Hours: 7 to 8:30 p.m.Fee: Donations acceptedLocation: 1306 Bath Road, BristolMore Details:www.silverlakenaturecenter.org or215-785-1177

TUESDAYS – SATURDAYSPEARL S. BUCK HOUSE TOURSDiscover the legacy of this PulitzerPrize-winning author, activist andhumanitarian and tour her circa 1740residence. The home is an excellentexample of rural Pennsylvaniaarchitecture. Tours begin in March.Hours: 10 and 11 a.m. and 1, 2 and3 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and 12, 1,2 and 3 p.m. SundayFee: $8 general, $7 seniors andstudentsLocation: 520 Dublin Road, Perkasie

More Details: www.pearlsbuck.org or215-249-0100

ONGOINGFONTHILL MUSEUM TOURSBuilt between 1908 and 1910, thismansion was designed by HenryMercer from the inside out.Constructed entirely of hand-mixedconcrete, the house contains 44rooms, 32 stairwells, 18 fireplaces andmore than 200 windows. There aremore than 900 prints and otherobjects that Mercer gathered fromthroughout the world. Interiorsurfaces display many of Mercer’sdecorative tiles. Today, Fonthill is aNational Historic Landmark. Eventsare held throughout the year andtours are designed for families,children and adults.Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday toSaturday, 12 to 5 p.m. SundayFee: $9, $8 seniors, $4 ages 5 to 17,under 5 freeLocation: East Court Street,DoylestownMore Details:www.fonthillmuseum.org or 215-348-9461

ONGOINGMERCER MUSEUM TOURSHenry Mercer’s collections, whichinclude more than 50,000 objects ofmany descriptions and everyday life,were varied and seemingly endless.Tools and artifacts represent the soulof early America and the heritage ofBucks County. This seven-storyconcrete building was constructedbetween 1913 and 1916 by Mercer,eight laborers and a horse namedLucy. Inside, early American trades,such as woodworking, metalworking,agricultural, textile and dairy, arerepresented by tools and implements.Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondayand Wednesday through Saturday, 10a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, 12 to 5 p.m.SundayFee: $8 adults, $7 seniors, $4 ages 5to 17, under 6 freeLocation: 84 S. Pine St., DoylestownMore Details:www.mercermuseum.org or 215-345-0210

ONGOINGVISIT ALDIE MANSIONAldie Mansion is a 2 1/2 story brickEnglish-style Tudor mansion built in1927 for sculptor William Mercer andhis wife Martha. Owned by the BucksConservancy, it is also itsheadquarters. Aldie has a finecollection of works by contemporaryBucks County artists and craftsmendepicting historic homes, scenic views

and natural resources. It is availablefor events, lectures and meetings.Tours can be arranged.Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. byappointmentFee: FreeLocation: 85 Old Dublin Pike,DoylestownMore Details: 215-343-7020

ONGOINGCAROUSEL VILLAGE AT INDIAN WALKThis distinctive site features a historic1890 Herschell-Spillman carousel anda mid-sized reproduction of a CPHuntingdon steam engine. Thecarousel is only one of three madeand was designed to be mounted on acircus wagon. Indian Walk also boastsa collection of country shops, nurseryand Native American artifacts.Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, ridesseasonalFee: Free, Indian Walk, $2 carouselrideLocation: Route 413, WrightstownMore Details: 215-598-7165

ONGOINGPARRY MANSION MUSEUM WEEKENDSThe Parry Mansion, built in 1784 bywealthy lumber mill ownerBenjamin Parry, was purchased by theNew Hope Historical Society in1966. It is a decorative arts museumwith rooms furnished in period stylefrom 1775 to 1900. A guided tourtakes visitors through 125 years ofdecorative changes experienced by theParrys, each room reflecting a stylefrom colonial to American empire toVictorian.Hours: 1 to 5 p.m. Friday to SundayFee: $4Location: 45 S. Main St., New HopeMore Details: 215-862-5652 or 215-862-5148

ONGOINGPENNSBURY MANOR TOURSReturn to William Penn’s day on this43-acre re-creation of his estate. Theplantation is comprised of a Georgianmanor house, a dozen outbuildings,including bake and brew houses, andperiod herb and floral gardens. Dailyguided and self-guided tours reveal aworking estate with demonstrations.There are children’s programs,workshops and a gift shop.Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdaythrough Saturday, 12 to 5 p.m.SundayFee: $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 ages 6to 17, $25 familiesLocation: 400 Pennsbury ManorRoad, MorrisvilleMore Details: 215-946-0400

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

BUCKS COUNTY EVENTS

Hilltop Farm is the 2008 Bucks County Designer House.

>>>



EVERY SATURDAYBREAKFAST WITH BEN AT INDEPENDENCEVISITOR CENTERThis interactive adventure featuresone of our nation’s most influentialfounding fathers. Adults and childrencan chat with Ben Franklin, askquestions and enjoy a deliciousbreakfast.Hours: 9 to 10:30 a.m. Fee: $20 adults, $13 children Location: Eighth and Market streets,PhiladelphiaMore Details:www.independencevisitorcenter.comor 215-965-7676

SECOND SATURDAYS IN MANAYUNKNestled along the banks of theSchuylkill River and the ManayunkCanal, this town is a NationalHistoric District. Its Main Streetexpanse is one of the region’s premiershopping and dining destinations. Itsgalleries, boutiques and antique shopsoffer unparalleled personalizedservice. For Second Saturdays, thetown presents promotions, sales anddining specials. Entertainment andsurprises pop up at almost everycorner.Hours: All dayFee: FreeLocation: Main and side streets

More Details: www.manayunk.comor 215-482-9565 ext. 203

SECOND SATURDAYS IN NEW HOPEAND LAMBERTVILLENew Hope and Lambertville celebratethe arts every second Saturdaythroughout the towns. Art galleries,restaurants and boutiques stay openlate and strolling musicians play forvisitors’ pleasure.Hours: 5 to 9 p.m.Fee: FreeLocation: Streets of New Hope andLambertville, NJMore Details:www.NewHopePAlive.com

SECOND SATURDAYS AT CIVIL WARAND UNDERGROUND RAILROADMUSEUM: LIVING HISTORYSTORYTELLERSA monthly program teaches childrenabout the history of the Civil War erathrough stories. Living historycharacters, such as Harriet Tubman,General George Meade, LucretiaMott and others weave tales of lifelong ago in very different times.Artifacts and seasonal items punctuatethe stories.Hours: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.Fee: $5 adults, under 12 freeLocation: 1805 Pine St., Philadelphia

More Details: www.cwurmuseum.orgor 215-735-8196

ONGOINGNEW HOPE AND IVYLAND RAILROADRide through the beautiful BucksCounty countryside and imagine daysof old on this charming train. There iseven a vintage 1920 car and manythemed events. Special dinner ridescan be arranged.Hours: 11 a.m., 12, 1, 2 and 3 p.m.weekdays; 12, 1, 2, 3 p.m. weekendswinter scheduleFee: $15 adults, $10 ages 2 to 11, $2under 2Location: 32 W. Bridge St., NewHopeMore Details:www.newhoperailroad.com

APRIL 16 – 18ATLANTIC BUILDERS CONVENTIONThis is the largest building industrytrade show in the Northeast. Drawingparticipants from six states, it presentsproducts and services from residentialand commercial builders, developers,remodelers, subcontractors andconsulting professionals. Hundreds ofexhibits showcase the latest in theindustry. A full schedule ofeducational seminars is offeredthroughout the convention. Programs

require an additional fee.Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdayand Thursday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. FridayFee: $25 exhibit area onlyLocation: 2301 Boardwalk, AtlanticCity, NJMore Details:www.abconvention.com

APRIL 22RED, WHITE, BLUE AND GREEN: THE

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT WITH JEFFREY

SACHS

Leading international economicadvisor and best-selling author JeffreyD. Sachs will provide an assessment ofthe environmental factors thatthreaten global prosperity. He willoffer a practical set of solutions basedon a new economic paradigm for acrowded planet. Parking is $7 at theIndependence Visitors Center, Sixthand Market streets.Hours: 6:30 to 8 p.m.Fee: $12 members, $15 non-members, $6 K-12 students andteachersLocation: Grand Hall Overlook,Independence Mall, 525 Arch St.,PhiladelphiaMore Details:www.constitutioncenter.org or 215-409-6700 >>>

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APRIL 26EARTH DAY OBSERVANCE/VOLUNTEER DAYCelebrate Earth Day with hands-onactivities at Bowman’s Hill WildflowerPreserve. Help the preserve prepare forspring while enjoying the crisp springair. Choose from a number of tasks,including grounds clean-up, invasiveplant removal and sprucing up grassesand wildflowers. Lunch provided.Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Fee: FreeLocation: 1635 River Road, NewHopeMore Details: www.bhwp.org or 215-862-2924

APRIL 26 – MAY 25DESIGNER SHOWHOUSE ANDGARDENS XV IN PRINCETONThe Junior League of GreaterPrinceton (JLGP) presents DesignerShowhouse and Gardens XV. TheGeorgian brick home is on 7 1/2pristine acres. The four-bedroomhouse features an elevator, solarium,studio, darkroom, wine cellar, pooland pool house. The JLGP expectsapproximately 35 of the best interiordesigners and landscape architectsfrom Philadelphia to New York toshowcase their talents throughout thehome and grounds. A gala Patron’sParty kicks off the spectacular event onSaturday, April 26. The show houseopens to the public on Sunday. Ticketscan be purchased at www.jlgp.org or atarea businesses.Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday,Thursday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 8p.m. Friday; 12 to 5 p.m. SundayFee: $20 in advance, $25 at the doorLocation: 226 Drakes Corner Road,PrincetonMore Details: www.jlgp.org, 609-771-

0525 or [email protected]

APRIL 27 – MAY 30BUCKS COUNTY DESIGNER HOUSEThe Village Improvement Associationof Doylestown presents its 33rdDesigner House to benefitDoylestown Hospital. Hilltop Farmdates back to the 1790s and providesa glimpse into Bucks County’sheritage. The Greek revival manorhouse will be transformed by morethan 25 of the area’s top designers andlandscapers. A three-story plaster overstone and terracotta estate overlooks18 acres of countryside, a store bandbarn, charming springhouse withstudio, stone garden house andoutdoor kitchen. Inside, tour a grandliving room flanked by two fireplaces,a library, keeping room, fashion andartist studios, home office, nursery,drawing room, solarium andplayhouse.Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondaythrough Wednesday and Saturday; 10a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday;12 to 6 p.m. Sunday and MemorialDayFee: $20 in advance, $25 at the doorLocation: 3990 Mechanicsville Road,BuckinghamMore Details:www.BucksDesignerHouse.org or215-345-2191

MAY 3 – 4STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL AT PEDDLERSVILLAGECraftspeople gather to show theirwares and demonstrate skills.Strawberry treats include chocolatedips, pastries, shortcake, jam andfritters. Enjoy live entertainment andpie-eating contests.Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Fee: FreeLocation: Route 202 and StreetRoad, LahaskaMore Details:www.peddlersvillage.com or 215-794-4000

MAY 10MOTHER’S DAY WREATH WORKSHOPAT MORRIS ARBORETUMMake mom or grandma a keepsakewreath treasure. There will be ampleflowers, ribbons, accessories and moreto design a one-of-a-kind personalizedmasterpiece. This workshop is for kidsages 5 to 12.Hours: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.Fee: $30 members, $32 non-membersLocation: 100 E. Northwestern Ave.,PhiladelphiaMore Details: 215-247-5777 ext.156 or 125

BUCKS COUNTY EVENTS

MAY 17IRIS IN THE GARDEN CLASS ATMORRIS ARBORETUMThe iris has been admired, traded,worshipped and cultivatedthroughout the northern hemispherefor thousands of years and for 30years at the arboretum’s MillerCottage. There are two dozen speciesand more than 200 named varietiesextending the iris season from Marchthrough June with repeat blooms inautumn. This hands-on sessionfocuses on how to select and growirises in mixed borders or beds. Learnwhy the iris has a reputation for beingeasy and difficult, old-fashioned andmodern, a friendly native and anexotic pest.Hours: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.Fee: $25 members, $30 non-membersLocation: Morris Arboretum, 100 E.Northwestern Ave., PhiladelphiaMore Details: 215-247-5777 ext.156 or 125

MAY 17TRIP TO HILLWOOD MUSEUM ANDGARDENS IN WASHINGTON, DCBucks Beautiful will host a trip to theestate of the late MarjorieMerriweather Post. This will be adelight for garden, art andarchitecture enthusiasts. The privatemansion tour includes an extensiveart collection of Russian Imperial andFrench decorative pieces. The gardensfeature plants that offer the greatesteffects in spring and fall. More than4,000 azaleas, hundreds ofrhododendron, spirea, lilacs and morewill be at their peaks. Proceedsbenefit scholarship and garden grantprograms.Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.Fee: $100 per personLocation: Bus departs from BailiwickOffice Complex, 252 W. SwampRoad, DoylestownMore Details: 215-348-3913 ext.114

MAY 20BUSINESS EXPO AND HOME SHOWMeet business leaders, builders andsome of the area’s finest providers ofproducts for the home and garden.See the latest designs and learn moreabout the expanding greenmovement.Hours: 12 to 7 p.m.Fee: FreeLocation: Quakertown High School,600 Park Ave., QuakertownMore Details: www.ubcc.org or 215-536-3211

THROUGH MAY 31GIGGLEBERRY FAIR DIAPER DRIVE

FOR BUCKS BABIES

This diaper drive benefits BucksCounty families served by FamilyService Association of Bucks County(FSA). Bring a new box ofdisposable diapers and receive freeadmission to your choice ofGiggleberry Mountain, DiscoveryLand or The Grand Carousel. FSAhelps individuals become selfsufficient by improving the lives ofthose with mental illness, substanceabuse issues and HIV/AIDS. It alsoprepares teens for their futures,reduces child abuse and assistsseniors in living independently.Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Fee: Free with one box of disposablediapersLocation: Route 202 and StreetRoad, LahaskaMore Details:www.peddlersvillage.com or 215-794-4000

THROUGH MAY 31ARE WE DRESSED YET EXHIBIT

AT MERCER MUSEUM

An “accessories and the stories theytell” exhibit explores roles thatfashion and personal accessoriesshare in our lives. More than 75rarely seen objects from themuseum’s collection of vintageaccessories are on display. Theprimary focus is on what BucksCounty residents wore. Hands-onfamily events and opportunities totry on accessories are part of this funand informative show.Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondayand Wednesday through Saturday,10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, 12 to 5p.m. SundayFee: $8 adults, $7 seniors, $4 ages 5to 17, under 6 freeLocation: 84 S. Pine St.,DoylestownMore Details:www.mercermuseum.org or 215-345-0210 ext. 128

Information compiled by Susan I.Shiber. Confirm information beforemaking your plans by calling the listednumber or visiting the listed Web site.Information for inclusion in thissection should be submitted [email protected] orfax details to Around Town at 215-689-4999 at least 2 months before itsscheduled date.

H&H

Giggleberry Fair helps Bucks County

families during its diaper drive.



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noteworthy

DESPITE STRUGGLING NATIONAL

ECONOMY, AREA HOME SALES

STILL GOOD

The Greater Philadelphia regionsaw a modest increase in Decemberreal estate activity after a decrease inNovember, according to thePrudential Fox & Roach, REAL-TORS® HomExpert PendingHome Sales Index. Based on theforward-looking indicator, theregion showed a 3.4 percentincrease in activity moving from arevised November index of 84.3 to87.2 in December.

The Philadelphia area pendinghome sales activity increased for thethird consecutive month, growing1.9 percent from a revisedNovember index. MontgomeryCounty saw the area’s largestincrease at 12.1 percent, followedby Delaware County at 5.2 percentand Philadelphia County at 3.1 per-cent. With a 16.1 percent drop, theMain Line saw its first decreasesince August after 4 months ofgrowing indices. Center City realestate activity grew 31.6 percentfrom a downwardly revised index of122.1 in November to 160.8 inDecember.

Compared to December findingsreported by the NationalAssociation of REALTORS®(NAR) Pending Home Sales Index,the Philadelphia metropolitanregion faired better than the north-

east and national indices. The NARindex showed a 1.7 percent decreasein pending sales in the Northeastand a 1.5 percent decrease nation-ally. In November, the NAR indexindicated a 19.1 percent decrease inpending sales in the Northeast anda 2.5 percent decrease nationwide.

“Consistent with home pricesand the number of homes sold sta-tistics, the Greater Philadelphiamarket continues to perform betterthan the national and northeastindex,” says Steve Storti, senior vicepresident of marketing, PrudentialFox & Roach. “With interest rates continuing to drop, we’ll see if homebuyers become moreengaged.”

EFFORTS MADE TO ‘GREEN’SWARTHMORE CAMPUS

“Art Fennell Reports” reporter JamSarder visited the Scott Arboretumand Swarthmore College to exploretheir efforts to green the campus. Inhis piece, originally aired on CN8,and available online atwww.swarthmore.edu/news/video/green.php, Art Fennell called theScott Arboretum and SwarthmoreCollege front runners in this effort.

“Art Fennell Reports” featuredthe 5,100-square-foot green roofinstalled on the Alice Paul ResidentHall as well as the Leadership inEnergy and Environmental Design(LEED) certified building, the

Sharing your most helpful moving suggestion could help you win a hefty sum.



“REGREEN is not just a set ofguidelines, it’s much more thanthat. We are developing curriculumfor learning programs and design-ing a comprehensive and userfriendly consumer and professionalWeb site to assist in green residen-tial remodeling,” Alin adds.

MOVING MADE EASY CONTEST

CHALLENGES PARTICIPANTS

Have you perfected the art of pack-ing? Mastered the moving dayprocess? Think you’re the savviestmover on the block? Prove it byentering your most helpful sugges-tion for making the moving processfaster, easier or less stressful in theDuck® brand “Moving Made EasyContest,” sponsored by HenkelCorp. The suggestion that packs themost punch is worth a grand prizeof $2,500.

Last year, Henkel received hun-dreds of stories in its moving night-mares contest, detailing dramas ofmoving days gone awry, rangingfrom movers holding possessionshostage to weather complications todamaged property.

This year, the company wants tohelp make moving a little less hec-tic. Beginning May 1, contestentrants will be able to submit theirmost helpful suggestion that pre-vented moving horrors and helpedthem get through moving day inone piece. Whether it’s dealing withprofessional movers, preparing kidsand pets for the big day or packingbreakables, labeling boxes andunpacking at the new place, con-sumers are challenged to share theirbest kept moving secrets. Entrantswill be judged on creativity, originality and helpfulness of their suggestion.

The contest rewards participantsfor their creativity and originality insharing their moving day advice.The winner receives $2,500, therunner-up gets $1,500 and thirdplace wins $750.

Visit www.makingyourmove.com formore information or contest rules.Entries must be received by Sept. 30.

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Science Center. The interview withJeff Jabco, director of grounds andcoordinator of horticulture, high-lighted the energy efficiency of agreen roof which helps retain 50 to90 percent of rainfall, extends thelife of the roof membrane from 10to 15 years up to 30 years, helpsreduce heating and air conditioningcosts by providing insulation to thebuilding and provides habitat forbirds and insects.

The projects highlighted by theshow are a few of the ongoingefforts at the Scott Arboretum andSwarthmore College. Visitwww.scottarboretum.org/publications/brochures.html to learn moreabout the various projects at theScott Arboretum or to read theGreen Design brochure.

Nation’s First Green ResidentialRemodeling Guidelines Unveiled The American Society of InteriorDesigners (ASID) Foundation andthe U.S. Green Building Council(USGBC) released the nation’s firstsustainable residential remodelingguidelines at the annual ASID con-ference: INTERIORS 08.

The REGREEN program is aseries of guidelines designed for useby residential designers, construc-tion professionals and homeownersalike. REGREEN includes bestpractices, learning programs andprint and electronic resources forthose looking to green up an exist-ing home whether it’s room byroom or an entire house.

“REGREEN is an important col-laboration between both of ourorganizations,” says Rick Fedrizzi,president, CEO and foundingchair, U.S. Green Building Council.

“Healthy living is on the mindsof many Americans and by provid-ing the tools and resources theyneed to reach their sustainabilitygoals, we’ll be furthering our collective missions of educa-tion and transforming the bui l t environment.” Vis i twww.regreenprogram.org formore information.

“These guidelines are a first forthe industry and it couldn’t havehappened without the partnershipbetween ASID and USGBC,” says,Michael Alin, executive director,ASID.

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Taken by Elliott Erwitt (b. 1928), New York City, 1946, this photo is part of the DogDogs exhibition on display at the Michener Art Museum. The exhibition is organizedand circulated by art2art Traveling Exhibitions. © Elliott Erwitt and Magnum Photos.

arts antiques


APRIL 10 – JUNE 15ALL ABOUT ART AT MOSSREHAB

MossRehab at Einstein presents aninternational exhibition and sale ofworks by professional artists withphysical, hearing and visualdisabilities. This show fills themain halls of the hospital andinspires all who view it. Mediumsinclude oils, watercolors, acrylics,mixed media, photography,sculpture, pine needle baskets andfiber art. There will be jewelry,decorative art glass, fanciful spoonsand pottery. All works are for saleand 80 percent of the proceeds goto the artists.Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.Fee: FreeLocation: 60 East Township Road,Elkins ParkMore details: 215-663-6100

THROUGH APRIL 20MEMPHIS BLUES: PHOTOGRAPHS BY

ERNEST C. WITHERS

Ernest C. Withers, a photographerfor more than 60 years, lived andworked in Memphis, TN, during atransitional point in history. Inaddition to capturing keymoments in the Civil Rightsmovement, Withers is also knownfor his documentation of the

emerging blues scene. Hephotographed hundreds of greatmusical performers such as EllaFitzgerald, James Brown and RayCharles.Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdayto Saturday and 12 to 5 p.m.SundayFee: $6 adults, $4 seniors andstudents, $3 ages 6 to 12, under 6freeLocation: 31 N. Fifth St.,AllentownMore details:www.allentownartmuseum.org or610-432-4333

BEGINNING APRIL 26ELLIOT ERWITT: DOG DOGS

These humorous and insightfulphotographs, taken by Americanphotojournalist Elliott Erwitt,explore the relationships betweendogs and their owners. The exhibitfeatures more than 60 black andwhite photographs taken aroundthe world between 1946 and 2000.Hours: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5p.m. Saturday and 12 to 5 p.m.SundayFee: $6.50 adults, $6 seniorcitizens age 60 and older, $4students and members and

children under 6 freeLocation: 138 South Pine St.,DoylestownMore details:www.michenermuseum.org or215-340-9800

THROUGH APRIL 27THE ART OF LEE MILLER

Lee Miller (1907 to 1977) isknown as one of the most originalphotographic artists of the 20thcentury. This exhibition beginswith Miller’s time spent as a modelin the late 1920s and early 1930sand continues through her days asa traveling photographer to heryears spent as a war correspondent,and finally to her photos from thepost-war years in her nativeEngland.Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdayto Saturday and until 8:45 p.m.FridayFee: $14 adults, $12 seniors, $10students and ages 13 to 18, under12 freeLocation: Philadelphia Museum ofArt, Benjamin Franklin Parkway at26th Street, PhiladelphiaMore details:www.philamuseum.org or 215-763-8100

APRIL 27 – MAY 2366TH ANNUAL AWARDS PAINTING

EXHIBITION

The Cheltenham Center for theArts will host its annual juriedawards painting exhibit. Thisexhibit will be open to allprofessional artists.Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday,Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 8p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and 9a.m. to 1 p.m. SaturdayFee: Free Location: 439 Ashbourne Road,CheltenhamMore details:www.cheltenhamarts.org or 215-379-4660

THROUGH MAY 11FRAGILE DEMON: JUAN SORIANO

IN MEXICO, 1935-1950This exhibition will examine the

early work of one of modernMexico’s most intriguing artists,Juan Soriano. Soriano holds acritical position in the history ofMexican painting and sculpturefrom the 1930s until his recentdeath in 2006. Portraits of friendsand family, images of children, stilllifes and landscapes will befeatured in this exhibition.Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdayto Saturday and Friday until 8:45p.m.Fee: $14 adults, $12 seniors, $10students and ages 13 to 18, under12 freeLocation: Philadelphia Museum ofArt, Benjamin Franklin Parkway at26th Street, PhiladelphiaMore details:www.philamuseum.org or 215-763-8100

THROUGH MAY 18FRIDA KAHLO

This Frida Kahlo exhibition will bethe first one in the United Statesin nearly 15 years. It will presentmore than 40 of the artist’s mostimportant self portraits, still lifesand portraits from the beginningof her career in 1926 through herdeath in 1954.Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdayto Saturday and until 8:45 p.m.FridayFee: $20 adults, $17 seniors,students and ages 13 to 18, $10ages 5 to 12 and under 4 freeLocation: Philadelphia Museum ofArt, Benjamin Franklin Parkway at26th Street, PhiladelphiaMore details:www.philamuseum.org or 215-763-8100

THROUGH MAY 24LOOK AT ME! THE PERFORMATIVE

IMPULSE IN RECENT CHINESE

PHOTOGRAPHY

Guest curator Dan Mills willinvestigate performance in recentChinese photography. Thisexhibition will include artists whodocument performances ofextreme endurance, are humorous,pose philosophical questions and

ARTS AND ANTIQUES EVENTS


SundayFee: $11 adults, $9 seniors andstudents, $8 ages 6 to 12, under 6freeLocation: 31 N. Fifth St.,AllentownMore details:www.allentownartmuseum.org or610-432-4333

THROUGH SUMMER 2008CLAY, WOOD AND PAPER:MATERIALS FOR KOREAN ART

This exhibition features works fromthe Museum’s Korean art collection,spanning more than 1,500 years.Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdayto Saturday and Friday until 8:45p.m.Fee: $14 adults, $12 seniors, $10students and ages 13 to 18, under12 freeLocation: Philadelphia Museum ofArt, Benjamin Franklin Parkway at26th Street, PhiladelphiaMore details:www.philamuseum.org or 215-763-8100


raise issues about the place of theindividual in Chinese society. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday,Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 10a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday; and 12to 5 p.m. Saturday and SundayFee: FreeLocation: Williams Center ArtGallery at Lafayette College, 317Hamilton St., EastonMore details:www.lafayette.edu/williamsgalleryor 610-330-5361

THROUGH MAY 25NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC: THE ART

OF EXPLORATION

Artists play a major role in“National Geographic.” For morethan a century, gifted illustratorshave accompanied explorers andarchaeologists to the far corners ofthe earth. This exhibition willfeature more than 100 originalpieces of artwork that variousartists have done for the magazine.Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdayto Saturday and 12 to 5 p.m.

“ShoshoneRiver Stone”granitesculpture byPatriciaGoodrich,Richlandtown,is in All AboutArt atMossRehab.

Information compiled by LindseyGetz. Confirm information beforemaking your plans by calling thelisted number or visiting the Website. Information for inclusion should be submitted to

arts&[email protected] fax details to Arts & Antiques at215-689-4999 at least 2 monthsbefore its scheduled date.

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Acreating a customdesigned pool and more

a luxurious getaway

By Alina MakhnovetskyPhoto by Vincent Piscitelli

After living and entertaining attheir Collegeville home for the last10 years, David and JoanneCasinelli wanted to spice up theirroutine summers of backyard bar-beques with a deck expansion andperhaps a new grill. The couplehad minor changes in mind and, atthe time, neither consideredadding a pool.

Then, a visit to the Valley ForgeHome Show changed their plans.The couple saw an opportunity totransform their property into amagical escape for every season,

and were ready to make room for apool. The elaborate project wouldinclude a cabana with storage,shower and bathroom, a grandiosefireplace, outdoor kitchen and afree-form pool and spa.

CUSTOMIZING A DREAM

To turn their wishes into a reality,a friend recommended the coupleconsult with Crystal ClearSignature Pools, a full-service poolcompany. In business for 23 years,the company provides full conceptdesign for virtually any desired fea-

POOLS

Top: The completed project redefines beauty and opulence for the home.

Middle: The free-form pool is emphasized with waterfalls and stone veneered beams.The raised spa and cabana are also shown.

Bottom: A bird’s eye view of the extravagant spa. Also shown are the customdesigned and built-in benches and ledges for leisure and comfort.



ture of backyard entertainment,landscaping and continued fullservice and maintenance for fin-ished projects.

Vincent Piscitelli, owner, andCharles Foell, designer, CrystalClear Signature Pools, met withthe couple for several hours at theirhome. The Casinelli's discussedtheir backyard wish list as thedesigner sketched profusely andthe owner offered infinite possibil-ities.

“There was a lot of input ontheir part,” David says. “Vince, avery hands-on owner, was reallyproactive with suggestions. Henever pushed me, but we alwaysopenly discussed a lot of things,”says Casinelli. The initial designincluded an entertainment centerfor family and friends, a free-formpool featuring several waterfallsand water jets, as well as a spa.

ADDING ON

Intricate designs had to be com-pleted in stages. This proved to bea valuable asset to the couple, as

they were able to add features andensure their vision was accom-plished. At the final design presen-tation, the Casinellis decided toadd a large custom-built fireplaceand cabana.

“The concern was that we did itright and we got it done,” saysDavid. “There were three differentphases of this project. I wanted itto be complete so we didn’t have to

come back and start with construc-tion again,” explains David. Afteranother review, the Crystal ClearSignature Pools team went to

work, precisely following Foell’sdetailed blueprints.

CREATING THE VISION

Ultimately, Crystal Clear SignaturePools transformed the couple’sbackyard into a resort-like gateway,creating a 700-square-foot free-form pool, approximately 40 feetlong and varying in depth, from ashallow end, for an easier entry for

children and older adults, to adeeper dive-friendly side. The poolfeatures a raised stone veneeredbeam and several waterfalls andwater jets outline the pool. Foellalso included some benches andadded seating and tanning ledgesto the pool walls. Adjacent is a 50-square-foot raised spa that mirrorsthe stone veneer of the pool andeven has its own waterfall.

Because the couple likes toentertain and cook outside, Foelldesigned a dream outdoor kitchen.The backyard’s entertainment cen-tered on the wrap around kitchenarea with granite countertops and asophisticated state-of-the art grillcounter with stainless steel doors.

Next, a cabana designed to com-plement the couple’s home wasengineered to accommodate stor-age necessities. Built beside thepool area, the cabana has four large

“It was fantastic to see this projectcome together.”

-Charles Foell, designer, Crystal Clear Signature Pools

The pergola refinished with new columns and a floor to match the design.

>>>



POOLS

windows that face the pool andopen with ease to reveal a servicecounter. Foell’s design is accentedwith four bar stools at the counter.

Inside, the cabana boasts plentyof storage space, housing an ice-maker, dryer and also a sink withcabinets and shelving above forbartending. On the other side, thecabana features an outdoor showerwith two separate entry doors anda bench as well as a bathroom andanother storage area for the freezerand a hot water heater.

The backyard transformationwas complete with a large custom-built fireplace, a feature the coupleadded at the final consultation.The designer conceptualized thefirebox to be built high and wide inorder to radiate heat and use virtu-ally year-round. The Casinellis cannow make the most of the fireplaceduring brisk spring months, chilly summer evenings or crisp fall nights.

FACING CHALLENGES

Several existing backyard fixturesthe couple was not willing to partwith complicated the elaborateproject for Foell. His concepts hadto work with both the already pres-ent paver deck and pergola. “It wasnever supposed to be a large proj-ect, but it worked because we wereable to let the project evolve natu-rally as we got to certain stages,”says David.

To complement the existing

deck, Foell used colored exposedaggregate on the pool decking andreplaced the floor of the pergola tomatch the new deck. Steel rebarwas used under the deck, whilecopper mesh was used under thedeck as well as 2 feet around

the pool.To accommodate numerous and

often complicated water features, acomplex plumbing system had tobe installed, while a revealeddrainage problem was easily solvedwith a custom 4-inch draining system, installed into the concretedecking.

REACHING THE FINISH LINE

What began as a simple idea toexpand an existing deck area,turned into an arduous and yetvery rewarding project for the cou-ple. “I never envisioned a projectthis big, but I would have never

done anything this huge if I didn’thave a high level of confidence andtrust in working with someone likeVince and his team,” says David.

The elaborate concept wasfinally completed last fall. As thelast worker, a stonemason, left the

Collegeville estate, the Casinellisreflected on the intricate process.

The couple was more thanpleased with their luxurious back-yard and was excited to invite fam-ily and friends for a season of fun.“We hit a home run, they were allproud of the project and even tookpictures,” says David of the CrystalClear Signature Pools workers.

“It was fantastic to see this proj-ect come together,” Foell says.“The clients were wonderful towork for and this is what makesbuilding pools so much fun.”

The Casinellis invited all of theCrystal Clear workers back toenjoy a little entertainment in theirbackyard and a dip in their newpool. “We wanted to have all theworkers who were on this projectback to share a fun day with uswithout having to work. We hadnothing but a good experience,”says David.

Crystal Clear Signature Pools is locatedat 1216 Street Road, Southampton.For more information, visitwww.crystalclearsignaturepools.com or call 215-355-7665.

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The couple saw an opportunity totransform their property into a

magical escape for every season,and were ready to make room for

a pool.

The outdoor kitchen with granite countertops complements the colors of the house.The fireplace and the built-in grill complete the area.

A side view showcasing the fireplace. On the left, the existing pergola seamlessly blends with the new additions.



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Ma small kitchen is transformed into a family’s favorite room

revitalizing an underused space

By Jacqueline RuppPhotos by Paul Selitskiy

Melissa Jones* was thumbingthrough copies of “House &Home” magazine, just like you’redoing now. She collected many ofthe magazines she received in themail for a moment like this. Yousee, Jones had decided it was finallytime to update the 44-year-oldkitchen in her Richboro home andshe needed a company that wasqualified to do the job.

“I read lots of ads and that ledme to visit several companies. Iwent hunting and made appoint-ments with several of the busi-nesses,” says Jones.

One of the companies Jones con-

tacted was Diamond Kitchen &Bath, which offers full-serviceremodeling, from design throughinstallation. Owned by MichaelReisbord and Paul Selitskiy,Diamond has worked on remodeling projects throughoutPennsylvania and New Jersey for 15 years.

“I was really impressed with thefact that they subcontract very lit-tle,” Jones says. “I liked theirapproach to the remodeling processand decided Diamond would bethe best choice.”

Reisbord guided Jones throughthe design process of remodeling

KITCHEN REMODEL

Top: Diamond Kitchen and Bath changed the room’s layout, eliminating the eat-inkitchen and creating an “intersecting Y” floor plan to maximize the room’s space.

>>>



KITCHEN REMODEL“We added a huge seating area byeliminating the eat-in kitchen.”

To help Jones visualize the newdesign, Reisbord used computer-aided design (CAD) software tocreate a three-dimensional imagethat could be altered. “We go out tothe site and measure at least threetimes to make sure every dimensionis accurate,” Reisbord notes.

DOUBLING STORAGE SPACE

The kitchen, which was original tothe traditional, colonial-style homefrom the 1960s, had basic builder’squality cabinets. To choose the newcabinetry, Jones looked through the

extensive array of samples at theDiamond showroom.

Reisbord chose to use Haas cabi-nets because of the company’s top-quality construction and personal-ized service. Haas’ Charleston stylewas chosen in warm maple honey.

The cabinets included dove-tailconstruction, soft-close drawerglides and a decorative roping trimthat was then carried over to thecrown molding for design consis-tency. Even the smallest details weredesigned to enhance the room’sflow. The Diamond team usedangle-front cabinets for the transi-

“We were so pleased that we’vebegun to remodel the family

room. Our kitchen is now so muchmore spacious and functional.

I love it.” -Melissa Jones, homeowner

To give the homeowner more room in the small space, angle-front cabinets createclear walkways and a more open feel.

The homeownerchose a chiseled-edge porcelain tilein sea foamy grayaccented with dec-orative classicalmedallion touches.

AFTER

Above: Computer-aided design (CAD) software was used to create a three-dimen-sional image that could be altered. Below: Haas Cabinet Co.'s Charleston style waschosen in warm maple honey for the cabinetry.

her kitchen. The family had specificgoals for the new kitchen, whichwas inspired by what was not work-ing in the existing kitchen. “Ourkitchen was the traditional U-shaped design that you see in a lotof homes from that era,” explainsJones. “The sink was under thewindow and it had a U-shapedcountertop and an eat-in area.”

“The idea was to bring thiskitchen into today’s style,” saysReisbord. “This kitchen wasdesigned decades ago and backthen, builders didn’t designkitchens to be the gathering placesthey are today. The peninsula made

the room half the size. We neededto make the room flow.”

OPENING UP THE POSSIBILITIES

The design challenge posed toReisbord was to fit all of Jones’requests into the tiny space. “Iwanted a completely updated look,an island with stools for entertain-ing and modern cabinetry, flooringand appliances,” Jones says.

Additionally, increased storagespace and two ovens for large-scalecooking were high priorities.

Reisbord and his team designed afloor plan that included an “inter-secting L-design. “This allowed forperfect flow,” explains Reisbord.

BCpgs28-31:GenericPages NEW SZ 4/2/08 11:29 AM


tion cabinets around corners, whichprovided clearer walkways.

Additionally, Diamond tackledsome fairly major plumbing issues,including rerouting several pipes tofit into the new design. A pantrywas also added. When all was saidand done, Jones’s overall storagespace doubled.

AN ISLAND FOR ENTERTAINING

Adding an L-shaped island was oneof the biggest changes. Joneswanted it to be a casual place forfamily to gather. With its extendedsize, the island could seat eight peo-ple. Since Jones had also requestedtwo ovens, the second oven wasplaced inside the island. Storagewas also added to the island, withshelving and drawers on one sideand large and deep drawers on theopposing side that were perfect forstoring larger items.

Because the kitchen connectsthrough to the family room, it wasimportant to create a smooth tran-sition between rooms. A set of 18recessed lights were added betweenthe kitchen and family room. Tasklighting was also used by installingpendant lights at the island and

sink area. “The island is extremely unique

because in such a small space, wewere able to install a piece that canseat many people and also accom-modate Jones’ desire for an addi-tional oven,” adds Reisbord.

ACCENTUATING THE POSITIVE

Although the island is the focalpoint of the kitchen, several otherelements played a role in creatingthe new look. All new stainless steelappliances were added.

Finally, finishing touches,including tiling and countertops,were completed. Chiseled-edgeporcelain tile in sea foamy gray withtan muted shades was selected.These tiles were used in a largerscale for the flooring and a smallersize for the backsplash. Decorativemedallion tiles were then added tothe backsplash.

Jones chose a silver sea green huefor the granite, which is used on theisland and countertops. A 30-inchstainless steel sink by Astracastcompleted the look.

“It looks beautiful,” exclaimsJones. “We were so pleased thatwe’ve begun to remodel the family

resources

Astracast by Jacuzziwww.astracast.co.uk

Haas Cabinet Co.www.haascabinet.com

Visit our online resource directoryat www.housemagazine.com tofind additional companies thatoffer these products and services.

room. Our kitchen is now so muchmore spacious and functional. Ilove it.”

*Name has been changed.

Diamond Kitchen & Bath is locatedat 2580 West Maple Ave.,Langhorne. For more information,visit www.diamondkb.com or call215-752-4400.

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Left: The Jones’ kitchenbefore the remodel. It’shard to believe that thissmall, cluttered space wasturned into a grand kitchenfilled with entertaining,storage and cookingspace.

Below: Recessed lightingwas strategically placed atworkspaces throughout thekitchen, while decorativependant lighting wasadded to the island area.

AFTER

BEFORE

“I wanted a completely updatedlook, an island with stools for

entertaining and modern cabinetry, flooring and appliances.”

-Melissa Jones, homeowner

The new island gives the kitchen a brand new look. Not only is it a perfect visual centerpiece, but it also accommodates seating for eight, storage drawers and an oven.



Oa new product canpermanently changethe look of yourhome’s exterior

freshenup

By Lindsey Getz

One of the quickest ways to giveyour home a makeover is to freshenup the exterior with a coat of paintor stain. But years of repainting orstaining your home might leave youless than enthused about doing itagain. However, with new technol-ogy, there are now more options forimproving your home’s look, just intime for the spring season.

Final Coat Exteriors offers aspray on exterior coating productwhich prevents homeowners fromhaving to constantly repaint.

“Our product blends the beautyof fresh paint with the maintenancefreedom of vinyl siding,” explains

Sam Litwin, president, Final CoatExteriors. “The coating is 15 timesthicker than ordinary paint and itcan be applied to wood, stucco, alu-minum, cedar, masonry and more.Though thick, it maintains theintegrity of the surface it goes over.The coating is warranted for as longas you own your home and is trans-ferable.”

Homeowners can choose fromfour different textures and morethan 1,500 standard colors.Custom-matched colors are also anoption, if you’re looking for some-thing specific.

“To determine which color isright for your home, consider thesurrounding landscaping andneighborhood homes,” says Litwin.

You can also feel good aboutmaking your home more green.Final Coat Exterior’s special coat-ings help the environment by cut-ting down on greenhouse emissionswith the lowest volatile organiccompounds (VOCS) of any coat-ing. “It is a true green productwhich is energy-efficient and peo-ple, pet and plant friendly,” addsLitwin.

FINDING A CONTRACTOR

When choosing a contractor foryour project, always check forlicensing, liability insurance andworker’s compensation, saysLitwin. Finding the right person tohandle your job is crucial.

“View at least five homes thecontractor has completed that are atleast 3 years old. Also check withthe Better Business Bureau and theDepartment of Consumer Affairsfor any complaints,” he adds. “Inaddition to items being coated, alsoinclude what is not to be coatedaccording to the contract, and havethe contractor commit to a timeframe to when the project shouldstart and be completed. Other thancases of inclement weather, theproject should be worked on forconsecutive days.”

Litwin also says you should makesure the same crew will work on theproject from beginning to end.

“Consistency is key,” he adds.

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“Without having the same crew,project instructions can be misin-terpreted. It is also an indicationthat the contractor may be runningmore projects than he can handle.”

In addition, Litwin emphasizesthe importance of making sure yourcontractor is up front with the costsinvolved. “Some contractors try toraise the price after they’ve alreadycollected money on the project,” hesays. “Agree on what would consti-tute additional money. Otherwisethe original, contracted priceshould be sufficient.”

You should also agree on a pay-ment schedule in advance, he adds.“Homeowner payments shouldnever be ahead of a contractor’swork unless custom material isbeing ordered,” notes Litwin. “Atleast one-third of the total contractamount should be due only uponsatisfactory completion.”

GETTING STARTED

Before having a coating projectstarted, Litwin says to consider theother exterior improvements youare contemplating. “Roofs, forinstance, should be completed priorto coating a home,” he says.“Roofing materials can fly off dur-ing application and that could marthe coating.”

And while there’s no problemwith replacing windows or doorsafter a coating, if you are planningon enlarging or downsizing theopening, this should be done inadvance.

10 STEPS TO COMPLETION

After you’ve decided you want yourhome coated, take these 10 steps tocomplete the project, Litwinadvises.

1. Inspection. Perform a completeinspection of your home’s exteriorin order to reveal surface deteriora-tion such as chipping, peeling, flak-ing or rotting.

2. Dig a trench. Build a trencharound the home, when possible, toinhibit the capillary action ofground moisture. This step helps to

eliminate costly repairs to the foun-dation in the long run.

3. A deep clean. Pressure wash theentire house using cleansers andmildew inhibitors.

4. Scrape and sand. Scrape andsand the home’s surface whereapplicable, to remove any old layersof paint.

5. Repair and patch. Deterioratedareas of the home are prepared andpatched using compounds that cor-rect surface defects.

6. Protecting the area. Carefullycover surrounding doors, shrubs,windows and any other elements toensure they are not coated.

7. Primer application. Primer issprayed on using compounds thatcorrect surface defects. This primercreates an armor-like surface that isweatherproof and flexible.

8. Finish application. A specialapplication process ensures evendistribution of color coating. FinalCoat offers a wide variety of fade-resistant, heat-reflective colors tochoose from.

9. Final inspection. Homeownersand the crew chief should walk theproperty to ensure the terms of theagreement have been met and thehomeowners are satisfied.

10. Clean up. Remove any maskingthat was protecting the surroundingarea. The area should be cleaned ofany debris and be left neat andclean.

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By Jere Bradwell

The rules of interior decorating canbe as solid as a rock or as open tointerpretation as the sky. But mostdesigners agree that learning the rulescan be the first step toward breakingthose rules when necessary. Here is alist of some decorating do’s:

CREATE A FLOOR PLAN

Draw the space and insert windows,doors and any other architecturaldetails of the space. Make sure tohave the exact size of walls and win-dows and note any special detailssuch as electrical outlets, heatingvents and so on.

DISCOVER YOUR PERSONAL STYLE

Read design magazines and make ascrapbook of favorite pictures andideas. The collection of pictures willno doubt result in a common threadto the pictures, colors and styles thatare appealing. This will help youdefine your personal favorites.

ATTEND DESIGNER SHOW HOUSES

This is a great way to get design ideasand learn how to mix colors and fab-rics. Be sure to look closely at the dif-ferent styles of window treatmentsand the designers’ placement of furni-ture as well. It’s another great way tohelp determine favorite design style.

IDENTIFY THE FOCAL POINTS OF THE

ROOM

This may be a fireplace, a large pic-ture window or the location of anarmoire with a television or any otherkey element of your room. When cre-ating the floor plan make sure to takethese elements into consideration.

PICK A SIGNATURE PIECE TO FOCUS

YOUR DECORATING DECISIONS

It could be a beautiful fabric, an arearug, a picture, a piece of pottery or akey piece of upholstery. The itemshould embody both the room’s colorscheme as well as the style and moodyou hope to create. Style and colorshould always come from some keyelement.

CONSIDER THE USE AND FUNCTION

I always ask this question of myclients. Think how you want to use a

INTERIOR DESIGN

decoratingdo’sanddon’tsBy floating groups of furniture in this room, it was possible to create several decorating areas.



Decorating rules are made to bebroken. Not every project will lenditself to every so-called rule.However, following some of my dec-orating do’s can help give your proj-ect a focus that might not happenotherwise.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE DECORATING

DON’TS: Don’t Paint Walls FirstStart with the fabrics in upholstery,window treatments and rugs. It ismuch easier to put that together andthen pick wall colors that come fromfabrics.

Don’t Line Up the FurnitureAround the Walls Pulling furniture into attractivegroupings in the center of the roomwill add warmth and be inviting toguests. There are very few times whenyou should hug the walls, except per-haps in very small spaces.

Don’t Try to Construct a ColorThemeDon’t be confused by mixing manywildly disparate objects. First, find aprint fabric or rug with all of the col-ors you want to use, then edit out,repaint or recover items that don’t fitwith the plan.

Don’t Keep Something You HateDo you have a hideous sofa or anugly cabinet or table? If you don’t likeit, don’t decorate around it. If youcan’t bear to part with it for senti-mental reasons, perhaps recover it or

A favorite rug was the basis for the color scheme in this European style kitchen.

room. For example, if your diningroom will also be your study, thenyou’ll need room for a desk, books,lighting and files as well as the diningroom table and chairs.

CHOOSE ACCESSORIES THAT

REINFORCE COLOR AND STYLE

Bring the theme and colors of a roomtogether with the use of the correctaccessories. Certain ones will add to atheme if you want one. The use ofcolorful accessories can also repeatimportant color accents throughout aspace to bring the colors out of theupholstery or perhaps accent a wallcolor.

PURCHASE THE BEST QUALITY

FURNITURE

When purchasing furniture, buy thebest that you can afford. Learn moreabout quality construction and mate-rials that can prolong the life of furni-ture and make it a better buy in thelong run. In today’s world ofimported furniture, there are vast dif-ferences in quality. This is very true ofupholstered furniture. Select pieceswith strong wooden frames and 8-way hand-tied bases to support seat-ing for years to come.

USE A VARIETY OF TEXTURES

Mix smooth, rough, shiny and dullfinishes when adding interest to aroom. Remember that a pleasant bal-ance includes a certain amount ofhard elements, iron, wood and stonefor instance. It achieves a warm bal-ance with the addition of soft rugs,upholstery and window treatments.

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Red is exciting, pale blue soothing,green calming and yellow happy, sochoose color schemes that underscorethe feeling you want to create in yourhome.

At the end of the day however,there really are no rules except thatyou must enjoy your results.

Got a Question?Jere Bradwell is a senior designer atEuropean Home Collection, located at 5222 York Road, Buckingham. E-mail design questions to him [email protected] “design question” in the subjectline. For a personal consultation, call215-794-4443.

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paint it a new color that works withyour taste.

Don’t Forget the DetailsIf your theme is European country,look for iron lamp bases, weatherediron drawer pulls and tile tables. Ifyou love cottage then use paintedwhite accessories, floral accents andcottage prints in fabrics.

Don’t Choose Everything Beige If you really love color, remember,color doesn’t cost more than white.Wouldn’t a pretty mango, soft coralor lovely green wall make a terrificbackdrop for a beautiful sofa? Manypeople use all beiges, off white andtan because they think it is safe. Butis it really pretty?

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Dget away from it all in your backyard

By Harvey Marks

OUTDOOR FURNITURE AND LIGHTING

Do you enjoy cooking but hate tobe cooped up inside? An outdoorkitchen can provide all the ameni-ties you’ll need for a great meal witha view that can’t be beat. Want aplace where you can leave everydaycares behind? Sitting out on thepatio where the light’s natural andthe setting is a relaxed distancefrom the hustle and bustle of thehouse may be just the thing. Inshort, whatever your heart’s desire,a well-designed backyard can helpyou realize it.

GET ON DECK

A deck or patio is the perfect plat-form to build your outdoor lifestyleon, and oftentimes the best designis the simplest. Bold, clean planeswork especially well against a tapes-try of rich natural colors and tex-tures.

If the deck or patio space is visi-ble from the house, you should tieit into the rest of the architecture.When it isn’t in sight, you canprobably give yourself some lati-tude and be a bit fanciful or evenfrivolous. In either case, you’ll findnumerous good resources to helpwith all phases of your project.

Imagine going out for an afternoon or evening of fun andrelaxation without ever stepping off your property. Whilemost homeowners don’t think of backyards as a getaway,with a little planning, they can be a place you love to visitand an important element in your lifestyle.A lush carpet of green grass combined with the soft sounds of splashing fountains make the perfect setting for an outdoor seatingarea furnished here with Lloyd Flanders’ new Rendezvous collection of hand-woven vinyl pieces on aluminum frames. The lineincludes sectional pieces, including quarter-round accessory tables, for multiple arrangements.

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APRIL 2008 BUCKS COUNTYE HOUSE & HOME 41

tional seating to make it easy forcompany to join you while youwork.

HAVE A SEAT

Outdoor furniture options havenever looked better. For proof,check out Lloyd Flanders’ all-weather synthetic furniture. Thenew Rendezvous line offers theappealing look of wicker with top-of-the-line durability.

COOKING UP A KITCHEN

An outdoor kitchen can range froma modest patio with a store-boughtgrill to a large built-in cooking areawith individual stations and aneven larger dining area.

In general, the more ambitiousyour plans, the more space you’llneed for equipment and that criti-cal comfort component: a place tohang out while you cook. Youmight even want to build in addi-

Pull up a few Adirondack-style chairs and a long bench, cover a stump with a brighttablecloth and you’ve declared a quaint picnic spot to take in nature and good conver-sation. Photo courtesy of Deborah Krasner.

If your backyard is the ocean, then an outdoor living space is a must. Treat yourselfand friends to a casual get together with all-weather furniture, upholstery and cush-ions for seating, then frame the view with flowing grommet drapes, here from PotteryBarn.

A Southwestern-inspired backyard getaway with outdoor kitchen, bar seating and rus-tic landscaping.

An outdoor kitchen invites festivities, including a cookout feast. This brick and flag-stone L-shaped kitchen includes all stainless-steel components.

An outdoor kitchen can provideall the amenities you’ll need for agreat meal with a view that can’t

be beat.

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Granite top bars trimmed in outdoor wicker are a season highlight for outdoor enter-taining for poolside or patio parties. Available with swivel bar chairs also in outdoorwicker at Carlton Pools.

A water feature of antique brick and custom-sculpted bronze spouts beckons you tothis outdoor setting, with a brick paver cobble overlay leading to a patio table andchairs beyond the fountain. Photo courtesy of Windswept Landscape Studios.

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Topiary chairs from RichardSchultz outdoor furniture aredesigned to look like shrubs prunedto resemble chairs, and he also hasnumerous other designs that lookgood in virtually any setting,including his new Pavilion.

Finally, The Veneman Groupoffers a wide array of handcraftedstyles for homes, ranging from the stately and traditional to modern masterpieces or anythingin between.

Outdoor fabrics are anotherimportant element in any outdoorlifestyle. Colors range from pastels

to all the primary shades or evenblack, and you’ll find an abundanceof design options. Perhaps best ofall, contemporary fabrics are bothbeautiful and tough, designed tostand up to everything from thun-derstorms to 3 year olds.

There’s no doubt about it. For aplace that can soothe your spiritwhile helping to meet your family’slifestyle needs, you can’t beat yourown backyard. And with all theresources at your command, theresults are likely to be spectacular.

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Swalkable art: a multi-medium canvas

By Susan I. Shiber

“Fiber optics are now being placed in concrete and imaginative

possibilities are amazing.”-Erik Wagner, president,

Enhanced Concrete Design

Surfaces beneath our feet are nolonger something to be ignored.The genius of advanced technologyis complemented by artistic soul toproduce decorative concrete mas-terpieces. Exquisite in color, tex-ture and pattern, ideas and installa-

tions are sought by homeowners tomake statements in style.

According to the ConcreteNetwork, an informational sourcefor consumers, builders and con-tractors, the top five decorativeconcrete trends last year were

Architectural Concrete Design’s textured concrete with custom hand-tooled joints canlend a rustic, natural ambiance to a backyard oasis.

Express your creativ-ity with ArchitecturalConcrete Design’sdecorative concretein countless combi-nations of pattern,texture and color.

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worlds: strength and aesthetics.”He calls his company’s stamped

concrete the look for less. “For asavings of 35 to 50 percent overnatural materials, a patio or walk-way can take on the personality ofa cobblestone street in London oran Italian villa,” says Turner.

Concrete Impressions offers aprocess that incorporates colors,textures and patterns into freshlypoured concrete. When dry, thesurface boasts a natural façade ofbrick, slate, stone, tile and evenwood. It is sealed with ultra-violet(UV) protection that guardsagainst color fading and features anacrylic surface product that pre-vents chips and scratches. There are


patios, stained, stamped, interiorfloors and resurfacing.

“Decorative concrete is one ofthe hottest building trends today,”says Jim Peterson, CEO, ConcreteNetwork. “Homeowners fromaround the country embrace con-crete and are incorporating theseapplications into many aspects oftheir lives.”

STAMP ITTodd Turner, vice president,Concrete Impressions LLC, agrees.“Concrete is one of the mostdurable, yet drab, building sub-stances. With so many new tech-niques in the industry, homeown-ers can have the best of both

Architectural Concrete Design’s decorative concrete enhances a home with beauty,durability and longevity.

no individual units involved, thusgrass and weed problems are non-existent.

Architectural Concrete Design isalso a stamping specialist. JosephA. Smith, director of sales and mar-keting, Concrete Impressions LLC,points out that decorative stampedconcrete is a thrifty way to spruceup homes. “Even though decora-tive concrete is a less expensivealternative, its quality and appealare second to none,” he says.“Concrete surfaces can be repli-cated to mimic bluestone, flag-stone, cobblestone brick and more.

“When the work is performedby an experienced professional, it’sdifficult to tell the concrete isn’t

natural stone,” continues Smith.“Pouring decorative concrete isn’tthe same as laying regular concreteand it takes many years of experi-ence to reach the skill level neces-sary for quality work. When prop-erly laid, it will not crack, will notappear to be uneven and shouldlast a lifetime,” he says.

COLOR ITColor is another concrete designoption. Larry Vogel, store manager,Landis Block and Concrete, rec-ommends Kemiko stain for high-traffic areas. Kemiko, which isavailable in 10 colors, is composedof hydrochloric acid. It is sprayedon concrete for a clean attractive

Photos courtesy of Concrete Impressions.

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A novel decorative asphalt process

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Driveway Impressions. StreetPrint is the

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driveways. Surfaces are colored and for-

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look. “The chemical reactionbetween the acid and the free limein concrete is what producescolor,” explains Vogel. “Hues varydepending on the amount of freelime. You can create a mottledeffect with very unique character. Itdoesn’t look like paint, but is morereminiscent of old-fashionedstreets and European byways.”

Vogel promises that with proper

maintenance, Kemiko acid stainshould last for the life of the home-owner and beyond. “It’s great, too,for basements where water damage may occur,” he says.“Homeowners, who hesitate to putdown carpet, can have any numberof designs.”

Erik Wagner, president,Enhanced Concrete Design,praises the virtue and versatility ofcolor, including acid stain. Otherprocesses are integral concrete cov-ering, color hardening and coloredsystems.

Integral concrete is a mix-incolor, not a topping. NotesWagner, “The concrete is physi-cally colored as it comes out of thetruck. This process features a con-centrated color admixture thattransforms ordinary concrete intosomething that stands out forimmediate notice or blends in withsurroundings.”

Wagner suggests that for a morevibrant quality, choose color hard-ening, which is applied to the topof wet concrete. EnhancedConcrete Design’s colored concretesystem can be used in conjunctionwith surfaces that have alreadybeen color hardened or integrallycolored. This deep penetratingstain is designed to form a rich andvariegated finish that won’t peel,chip or fade. Effects range from

marbled to translucent, much likenatural stone.

GREEN ITGreen building is catching on at aphenomenal pace in the housingindustry. Constructing and reno-vating homes without depletingresources for future generations isan important goal among environ-mentally-conscious Americans.

Concrete is a friend of the envi-ronment in all stages of its lifespan,states the Concrete Network. Fromraw material production to demoli-tion, it is a natural choice for sus-tainable home construction andimprovement projects. The pre-dominant raw material for thecement in concrete is limestone,the most abundant mineral on earth.

Lifespans for concrete buildingproducts can be double or triplethose of other common construc-tion materials. Concrete pavedareas absorb less heat and reflectmore solar radiation. Surfacesretain storm water and can blocknatural water infiltration into the soil.

IMAGINE ITWagner isn’t excited by color alone.New products from EnhancedConcrete Design include verticalstamping, which is hand-finishedand emulates cultured stone. “Youcan have the look of the Great Wallof China right in your backyard,”he says. “It’s easy to match a homeexterior, too.”

The most dramatic new productin Wagner’s line boggles the mindand dazzles the viewer. “Fiberoptics are now being placed in con-crete and imaginative possibilitiesare amazing,” he says. “A design is

>>>

“Concrete surfaces can be replicated to mimic bluestone, flag-stone, cobblestone brick and more.”

-Joseph A. Smith, director of sales and marketing, Concrete Impressions LLC



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Visit our online resource directory atwww.housemagazine.com to find

additional companies that offer theseproducts and services.

Architectural Concrete Design installs imprinted concrete to replicate the elegant andexpensive look of a cobblestone driveway at a fraction of the cost.

set prior to pouring the concrete.Fiber optics are connected afterfinishing. Colors can change, lightscan dance, sports fans can light uppatios with team logos. When youturn off the light source, you neverknow the image exists. It is incred-ible.”

As the season for makingchanges to driveways, patios orwalkways approaches, considerdecorative concrete. Before makinga final decision on method, evalu-ate use and size of the area anddetermine your vision, productlongevity and budget. Visit con-crete educational Web sites and askquestions of potential contractorsand decorative concrete customers.Taking more time upfront willensure lasting satisfaction andenjoyment.

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Wtake entertaining outside

get out!By Sharon A. Shaw

When designing a space for outdoorentertaining, consider a few thingsfirst. The frequency of events willmandate whether entertaining acces-sories and spaces should be perma-nent fixtures or if alternate means canbe used to accommodate guests. Ahomeowner that has frequent dinnerparties will benefit from an outdoorkitchen with built-in appliances,plumbing and electric. Rather thanconstruct an oversized patio, familieswho host annual reunions might pre-fer a lawn area large enough toaccommodate a rented tent.Additional seats can often be createdby including a sitting wall or a wideset of steps in a patio design.

The occasion for a gathering willdetermine elements of the design as

well. Those hosting formal partieswill want adequate hardscaped spacesto accommodate high-heeled shoesand keep elegant clothes clean.Casual events, such as kids’ parties,can often suffice with plenty of lawnspace for play. The age of attendees isan important consideration, sinceolder guests will appreciate accesswith minimal steps and plenty ofroom to sit.

Both the season and time of daythat you entertain will affect thecomfort of guests. If a host entertainsyear-round or during cooler seasons,they should consider includingheaters or a fireplace that can createwarmth and ambiance. Events heldduring summer days should providerelief from the sun. Large shade trees

OUTDOOR DESIGN

When winter loosens its icy grip and the weather finally begins to warm, we all want to celebrate. It’s time for a breath of fresh air, but spring cleaning is such a chore. This year makeentertaining easier by taking it outside. Outdoor entertaining makes hosting simpler becauseyou don’t even have to clean the house!

Top: This outdoor kitchen has all the amenities for outdoor entertaining including agrill, refrigerator, side-burners, warming drawer, a shady pergola and a granite coun-tertop with bar style seating.

Above: A stone fireplace may be at the center of this outdoor entertainment center,but when the grill is fired up, good food is the focal point of the party.


APRIL 2008 MONTCO/MAIN L INE HOUSE & HOME 51

or a pergola are two options that addyear-round beauty to a landscape. Acovered porch or gazebo will alsooffer limited protection frominclement weather. Evening partiesrequire lighting for function, safetyand beauty.

The number of guests attending anevent dictates not only the size of thespace, but also the furniture. Beforeplanning an entertaining area, ahomeowner should know the quan-tity, size and function of furniturethey prefer. A landscape designer canuse this information to create anappropriately sized area for everydayliving and occasional entertaining.Dining tables, chaise lounges andother seating groups require addi-tional space for guests to pass by. Atalented designer will arrange furni-ture to maximize an area’s function.Don’t overlook adequate parking andappropriate access to the backyard.

ACTIVITY OPTIONS

Finally, consider the activities youwant to offer guests. Dining, danc-ing, swimming and lawn games allnecessitate different spaces. With allof this in mind, a landscape designercan begin to create outdoor rooms forseparate functions and good trafficflow for mingling. The potential foraccessorizing outdoor rooms is lim-ited only by the imagination.

Delicious food and drink areessential to any celebration. An out-door kitchen permits hosts to be withguests during preparations. Built-ingrills can be connected to a supplyline so that the fuel never runs out.Amenities, such as an outdoor refrig-erator and warming drawer, allowitems to be made in advance and keptat the right temperature until being served.

Adequate counter space, a sink,

integrated storage and trash recepta-cles keep the tools for preparationand clean-up close at hand.Countertop space can also be used forbuffet service or bar-style seating.Other helpful bar accessories includea built-in icemaker, cocktail stationand electrical outlets, useful for oper-ating blenders and musical devices.

A swimming pool is the highlightof many summer parties. Considersafety and convenience when includ-ing a pool in the landscape for enter-taining. Many townships insist thatpools be fenced, although locationrequirements may vary. Ideally a poolshould have convenient access, asecure lock, an unobstructed view forsupervision, adequate space for foottraffic and seating for guests or com-pany. Swimmers also need a bath-room, shower and place to changeand store belongings. Access to thehome is one option, but if you wantto avoid wet footprints comingthrough your house, consider a poolhouse that can offer space for all ofthese necessities.

The lawn can also play an impor-tant role in outdoor entertaining. Inaddition to providing room for atent, it can be designed to accommo-date a variety of outdoor activitiesincluding games, sports and playstructures.

As you plan to host events thisyear, consider creating a place foroutdoor entertaining and tell yourguests to “get out!” They will thankyou for it.

Photos and article courtesy of KeithFrederick, president, EnvironmentalLandscape Associates Inc., Doylestown.For more information, call 800-ELA-9252.

H&H

A sitting wall provides additional room for guests on this beautiful brick terrace whilethe bluestone countertop offers plenty of space for cooking.

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H

the beauty ofHilltop Farmenticesnew visitors

By Lindsey Getz

Hilltop Farm has a long history ofmany owners and many changes. Theproperty has been dated all the wayback to 1683 when Richard Houghsailed his ship, the “Endeavor,” fromEngland to acquire land along theDelaware River. He purchased 475acres. When Hough died in an accidental drowning during aPhiladelphia boat trip, the acreagewas sold. Thus began a long series of ownerships.

During that time, the initial 475acres were split among many newowners. In 1723, John Bradfield Sr.purchased nearly 140 acres from theprevious owner. This is the land

where the original stone home wouldeventually be built. But even thatacreage would be split. That is untilJohn and Anna Ruckman, a well-known couple, accomplished animpressive feat: within 2 years theyacquired almost all of the original140 acres. It had been more than 200years since the land was under oneownership. When the Ruckmanspassed away, Charles V. Swain, execu-tor of the estate, acquired the farmwhich he maintained until he died in 2006.

Through the years, the area hasexperienced many changes. Houseshave popped up replacing the ruralcountryside that once surroundedHilltop Farm. Over time, the farm’soriginal 140 acres were reduced to itscurrent 18 acres. But Swain was anexceptional steward of Hilltop Farmand much of its beauty remains.

Now, the public can enjoy thatbeauty. Hilltop Farm, located at 3990Mechanicsville Road, Buckingham,has been presented as the 2008 Bucks County Designer House andGardens. The 33rd Designer House is sponsored by the VillageImprovement Association ofDoylestown (VIA). More than 25 ofthe area’s top designers and landscap-ers will work their magic on thisthree-story, plaster-over-stone andterracotta house.

The show house kicks off with apreview gala on April 25 from 6 to 9p.m. Tickets are $125 per person andreservations are required. This elegantevening includes cocktails, cateringby Earl’s Prime and music providedby some of Bucks County’s finestmusicians. A Fashion Show & Tea isslated for May 8, 9 and 10 along withseveral complimentary seminars.

Tours will be held from Sunday,April 27, through Friday, May 30.Admission is $25 at the door or $20 foradvance sales. Senior discounts areavailable. Children under age 10 arenot permitted. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6p.m. Monday to Wednesday andSaturday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdayand Friday; and 12 to 6 p.m. Sunday and Memorial Day. Visitwww.buckscountydesignerhouse.org formore information or to purchase tickets.

H&H

SHOW HOUSE PREVIEW

Top: The three-story show house overlooks 18 acres of countryside. A spectacular175-year old Austrian spruce also sits on the Hilltop Farm property.

Above: The Hilltop Farm show house provides a true glimpse into Bucks County’s her-itage. Photo by Kim Billingsley.



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Aalthough a couplewas just a kitchenaway from the perfecthome, it needed acomplete redesign

By Lindsey Getz

Photos by Bob Faulkner

After 2 years of searching for theperfect home, a couple fell in lovewith a 12-year-old home in NewHope. It had everything theydesired, except for the perfectkitchen. Knowing the kitchenwould need work, they moved for-ward and purchased the 4,500-square-foot home and employedPersonal Property Managers LLC tocreate a kitchen that would com-plete their dream residence.

“We wanted a kitchen thatwould have a lot of storage space,”says John Smith*, who shares thehome with his wife, Beth*. “And wewanted plenty of room as well as afunctional, but not too big islandfrom which we could entertain.”

Creating a kitchen that served all

of these purposes required an entireredesign of the space. The plan wasto remodel the kitchen to incorpo-rate a wine bar area, an island forworking and eating, more naturallight and a computer desk area. Thehomeowners also wanted a cookinghearth, functional hutch andpantry, but didn't want too muchspace to be consumed by any ofthese additions.

“The homeowners wanted alarge kitchen area which wouldserve as the centerpiece of theirbusy lifestyle with a focus on familyand entertainment,” says JoeSantoro, president, PersonalProperty Managers. “The homethey selected had an outdatedkitchen area with a builder-grade

Penny and Joe Santoroproudly accept a CotYAward for the kitchenrenovation project.

Storage space was a big factor for the family, and the new kitchen provides plenty of it. The hutch, island and cabinets offer ample room and create a clutter-free atmosphere.

COTY AWARD PROJECT

starting fromscratch



traditional maple L-shaped layout.”

FULFILLING THE DREAM

The home's exterior has a modernand contemporary look, but it'sfairly traditional inside. “Wewanted something that would befunctional, but not too frilly,” John says.

Thus, one challenge was to createa kitchen that maintained the tradi-tional feel of the rest of the interior,while still offering everything amodern home should have.

As a result, the new kitchendesign and cabinetry incorporatedmodern amenities such as hiddendrawers, spice racks, cupboards,towel rack and top-of-the-lineappliances, says Santoro. But thecolors and design elements of thecabinetry helped to maintain a clas-sic look with a distressed countryfeel.

A fully functional island that metthe homeowners' needs was alsodesigned. It features a granite topand accommodates seating, recy-cling bins and bookshelves. A prepsink fulfills both storage and enter-taining needs. The new islanddesign gives maximum countertop

space without occupying too muchroom.

Poor lighting was another chal-lenge. The solution, developed bySantoro, meant combining newwindows and lighting sources.Increasing the room's natural lightwas achieved by replacing the case-ment window above the kitchensink with a three-panel bay win-dow. A triple panel casement win-dow was also added to the breakfastarea, allowing sunlight to fill theentire space.

“The creation of a box windowabove the kitchen sink and adding asecond window on the same wallallows beautiful views of the sur-rounding woods,” adds John.

In addition, customized lightingwas installed, which included spe-cial features such as uplighting andunder-cabinet lighting, saysSantoro. Graphic eye, a master con-trol panel the homeowners can useto set a variety of different lightingsettings with one touch, was alsoinstalled.

Modern appliances, includingthe addition of a gas LP stove (liq-uid propane, an alternative to those

“The homeowners wanted a largekitchen area which would serve as

the centerpiece of their busylifestyle with a focus on family and

entertainment.”-Joe Santoro, president,

Personal Property Managers

Left: The new island serves multiplepurposes as a space for entertain-ing, cooking, storage and work.

Below: Before renovations thekitchen had poor lighting, an ineffi-cient island that consumed spaceand undesirable cabinetry.

New lighting and a lot of natural light brighten up the once dark and dreary kitchen.

>>>



COTY AWARD PROJECTwho want a gas stove, but don'thave access to gas) for cooking, willmake life easier for the busy couplewhile maximizing space. “The flowfrom the appliances to the counter-tops makes cooking easy,” saysJohn. There is now room to have allutensils within reach of the stoveand ovenware within reach of theovens, he adds.

CUSTOM CABINETS

Removing all of the existing cabi-netry and demolishing a framedfoyer closet, which extended intothe kitchen and took away from the

aesthetics and functionality of thespace, was also a major componentof creating the kitchen's new look.

One of the obstacles faced by thedesign of the cabinetry was creatingand building pieces that wouldcomplement the home's countrywooded setting while still offeringall of the modern amenities.Santoro hired Village HandcraftedCabinetry to make the custom cab-inetry.

“The cabinetry was selected bythe clients, who met with ourdesigner to get an overview of thepossibilities,” says Joseph Trave,CKBR, partner of VillageHandcrafted Cabinetry. “We offeran endless arrangement of woodspecies, finishes, door styles,dimensions, accessories and archi-tectural details.”

“We did a custom color on thecabinets using a creamy white colorand pewter glaze,” adds Trave. “Thecabinets were hand distressed andthe island was used as an accentpiece. The island was completed ina sage paint and coffee glaze.”

The cabinetry colors played ahuge role in simultaneously main-taining the modernity of the space,while still giving off a traditionalambiance that complemented therest of the home. The wooded area

surrounding the home adds to thispeaceful, country setting.

HOME SWEET HOME

The remodel of the family's kitchenfulfilled the look they had wantedto achieve and ended their 2-yearquest for the perfect home. Close,one-on-one service with the con-tractor played a huge role in achiev-ing the goals of this busy family.

The homeowners couldn't behappier. “The look and function ofour new kitchen is all we could haveasked for,” says John. “We nowhave plenty of counter and storage

space, plus the combination of thegranite and cabinetry look as if theywere made for each other.”

Ultimately, Personal PropertyManagers and Village HandcraftedCabinetry won a Contractor of theYear (CotY) Award for Kitchens

resources

A.M.C. Plumbing/Heating/Air Conditioning Plumsteadville215-766-9890610-847-2020

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Applegate Wood Floors New Hope

215-598-8708www.applegatewoodfloors

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Wes Carver ElectricalContracting Inc.

Telford215-799-2141

www.wescarverelectric.com


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Personal Property Managers LLCis a family business, founded by JoeSantoro, serving SoutheasternPennsylvania and New Jersey. For more information, visitwww.personalpropertymanagers.comor call 215-489-8820. Offices arelocated at 4387 Swamp Road,Doylestown, PA, and 615 MiltoniaStreet, Linden, NJ. Santoro is activein the Central Bucks Chamber ofCommerce, NARI and the BucksCounty Association of Realtors:Affiliate Committee.

Village Handcrafted Cabinetry islocated at 200 West 8th Street,Lansdale. For more information, visitwww.villagehandcrafted.com or call215-393-3040. The company is amember of NARI, National Kitchen& Bath Association and CabinetMaker Association.

*Name has been changed.

H&H A breakfast area was incorporated into the new design and provides a beautiful view of the surrounding woods.



Talmost anything you once enjoyed doing inside cannow be taken outdoors with the addition of a deck

By Lindsey Getz

There are many reasons to consideradding a deck onto your home.Decks can increase your livingspace, provide a place for enter-taining and even create a vacation-like spot in your backyard.

“Decks can also increase thevalue of your home and make yourtime spent outdoors more enjoyable,” says Mike Giandonato,owner, Giandonato Construc-

tion Co. They can also increase the

amount of living space outsideyour home. “Building a deckexpands your living area,” adds JB Funk, owner, JB FunkConstruction Inc. “It offers aclean, organized outdoor space.”

“Rather than move to a biggerhome, many owners are adding on by having a deck built,” notes

take it outside

DECKS

Top: Keep railings off of a deck so views aren’t obstructed. Photo courtesy ofDunDraft.

Above: A deck is a great way to extend your living space to the outdoors and a cov-ered area allows you to do almost anything outside that you could do inside. Shown isa Distinctive Decks creation.



Juan Cardona, franchise owner,Archadeck. “Today’s decks arebecoming more like outdoorrooms.”

SELECTING A CONTRACTOR

Prior to coming up with any plans,it’s important to find the right per-son for the job. Do your home-work and get to know what com-panies are out there.

“Homeowners should researchpotential contractors to help in thedecision making process,” says BobGriffin, owner, Distinctive Decks.

“The contractor should be able toprovide a list of references fordecks they’ve constructed in the past.”

And don’t be shy! It’s importantto actually call references, he adds.Ask them about their experienceswith the contractor and whethertheir goals were met.

“Ask to check out some workthey’ve done in the past,” saysFunk. “Request to see a deck that’sat least a year old and see how it’sholding up. You can also ask that

customer for feedback.”And look for contractors who

construct decks regularly, addsCardona. “You don’t want some-one who just does one or two deckprojects a year,” he says. “You wantan experienced contractor who canhelp you with all the details.”

GETTING STARTED

Once you’ve decided on a contrac-tor, the next step is to come upwith a design and choose materials.Take an active role in this decisionprocess. There are a wide variety of

materials and each is differentwhen it comes to features such asmaintenance and looks.

“It is important for the home-owner to research materials and askthe contractor to provide samples,especially when considering main-tenance-free materials,” saysGriffin. “We prefer to use materialsthat carry a good warranty and thathave been around for more than 5 years.”

The material selection processcan be confusing for homeowners

Adding a covered portion to a deck can create the feeling of an outdoor room.Pictured is a deck by Archadeck of Chester County.

>>>

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“We like to create a cozy atmos-phere on our decks by incorporat-

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lighting and much more.” -Bob Griffin, owner, Distinctive Decks



DECKS

and is an area in which having pro-fessional support is important, saysCardona. “There are many choices,so it’s important your contractorreviews the pluses and minuses ofeach with you,” he explains.

The latest trend is compositedecking, a combination of woodand plastic materials that holds upbetter to the outdoor elements anddoesn’t require frequent mainte-nance work.

“While people are still using thetraditional pressure-treated lum-ber, composite decking has becomemore popular because of its low

maintenance,” says Keith Fry,owner, DunDraft Inc.

“Composite materials arepricier, but are much less work tomaintain,” adds John Keller, presi-dent, Sequoia Supply. “It’s only amatter of time before you spendthe same amount of money withthe cost you’ll put out for main-taining wood. Composite deckingwill still need to be cleaned. There’sno such thing as a totally mainte-nance-free product.”

In high-end homes, the materi-als are as luxurious as the rest of the house.

“The most popular material weinstall on the finer homes in thisarea is called TimberTech,” saysGiandonato. “They have the

largest variety and highest qualityof composite decking and railingsavailable.”

But if it’s the wood look that

resourcesArchadeck of

Chester CountyWest Chester610-696-3340

www.archadeck.com

Distinctive DecksFolsom

610-534-9054www.distinctivedeckdesigns.com

DunDraft Inc.Ambler

215-654-1886www.dundraft.com

Visit our online resource directory at www.housemagazine.com to findadditional companies that offer these products and services.

Giandonato Construction Co.Chester Springs

610-827-9758www.GCdecks.com

JB Funk Construction Inc.West Chester610-430-2100

www.jbfunkconstruction.com

Sequoia SupplyWarrington

Hatfield866-650-DECK

www.decksupplies.com

The latest trend appears to be ashift toward using composite

decking, a combination of woodand plastic materials.

Adding a pergola over a deck, like this one from Giandonato Construction Company,can provide shade from the sun, plus a unique look.

A deck, such as this one by Giandonato Construction Company, is a great way to addliving space onto a home.

Photo courtesy of Archadeck of Chester County

This deck by Distinctive Decks provides a relaxing spot to enjoy dinner on a nicespring or summer evening.



Split up a deck with a partially-covered area for better furniture and an open area toenjoy the sun. Shown is a deck by DunDraft.

A good design, like this one from Archadeck, will make a new addition look like it wasbuilt as part of a home.

you love, there are now moreoptions than ever.

“While the growing trend isgeared toward maintenance-freematerials, we still use a variety ofnatural woods,” says Griffin. “Ipe,a Brazilian hardwood, and cedarare the most popular of the naturalwoods. Both require a finish inorder to maintain the beautiful,lustrous appearance and theintegrity of the material.”

ALL THE OPTIONS

Once you’ve selected the materials,the next step is creating the perfectdesign. Today’s decks have moreoptions than ever. The days of hav-ing a standard square deck withnothing more than a table andchairs are over. The latest deckshave everything a homeownercould want.

“Incorporating a lighting pack-age has become very popular,” saysFry. “New railing systems allowyou to conceal wiring and mostlighting systems are low voltageand come standard with an on/off timer.”

And many deck building com-panies are helping homeowners

meet all their needs, down to thesmallest of details.

“We like to create a cozy atmos-phere on our decks by incorporat-ing interesting features such as trel-lises, planter boxes, benches, light-ing and much more,” says Griffin.“We focus special attention on thedetails and craftsmanship of ourdecks.”

Additional trends in decksinclude the construction of pergo-las, lighted staircases, fireplaces andfire pits, says Giandonato. Almostanything you can dream up cannow be part of your deck. In fact,homeowners are finding that thethings they once enjoyed doingindoors, can now be brought out-side.

“A lot of what we’re doing nowis considered outdoor living,” saysFunk. “It’s not just deck buildinganymore. Homeowners want thewhole package. That could includea roof over the deck, fireplaces,cooking areas and all the finestmaterials. It’s more like an outdoorroom than a deck.”

Creating an outdoor living spacecan start with the deck and extendto the whole backyard.

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“Designed properly, a deck shouldbe just like adding extra square

footage on to your home.”-Keith Fry, owner, DunDraft Inc.

“We’re getting into helpinghomeowners create the wholebackyard,” says Keller. “So we’renow offering patio furniture, hottubs, pavers and outdoor kitchens.You’ll be able to pick our productsfor your entire backyard.”

No matter which features andadd-ons you choose, you can besure the deck will become yourfamily’s new favorite place.

“Imagine a place for the kids to

play during the day or a placewhere adults can eat a meal whilewatching the sun go down,” Fryadds. “Designed properly, a deckshould be just like adding extrasquare footage onto your home.There are so many things you cando with an outdoor deck that you simply couldn’t do inside the house.”

H&H



T

the latest windows anddoors make energyefficiency an attractive choice

how welldo yourwindowswork?

By Debi Bryant

WINDOWS AND DOORS

Twenty-six percent of homeownerssay what they dislike most abouttheir existing windows and doors isthey are drafty and inefficient, saysthe Perfect Home Survey, a recentstudy commissioned by Jeld-WenWindows & Doors, one of theworld's leading manufacturers ofwindows and doors. These ineffi-ciencies can quickly turn into ris-ing utility bills.

One quarter of all homeownersbelieves their windows and doorsare inefficient, says Brian Hedlund,product marketing manager, Jeld-

Wen. "That represents a largeamount of wasted energy and envi-ronmental resources that relativelysimple upgrades could solve."

NEW VIEWS ON WINDOWS

The positives that homeownersachieve with the latest energy-effi-cient windows include lowerenergy bills, improved comfortlevel in rooms, less noise and a per-ceived upgrade in the value of thehome when tired aluminum win-dows are replaced with sparklingnew ones.

Above: Tilt-wash double-hung windows in the 400 Series from Andersen Windows &Doors are attractive and energy efficient, a great combination for achieving curbappeal and energy savings.

Below: Go ahead and enjoy the view and the cost savings you’ll experience with anenergy-efficient window by Marvin Windows and Doors.

>>>



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WINDOWS AND DOORS

Slider windows by Simonton Windows allow you to insulate or open a room to alovely day.

a quick course in codesChoosing windows and doors with low-emission (Low-E)

glass is an important step in making a house more

energy efficient because the special coating helps

reflect some of the interior heat back into the home and

keeps outside air outside. Efficiency ratings are based in

part on the U-factor, which is the amount of heat escap-

ing the home through that product. The lower the U-fac-

tor, the more efficient the product. The easiest way to be

sure of efficiency is to look for the ENERGY STAR label.

SGO Designer Glass can create leaded designs on a tempered overlay piece orapply lead to an existing window to achieve the desired look while maintaining theefficiency of modern window construction.

There’s no need to worry about drafty windows with Jeld-Wen’s custom wood win-dows.

>>>

For energy efficiency and the look and feel of wood and less maintenance, consider

fiberglass doors.



Beautiful swing-in French doors by Infinity for Marvin are made by Marvin Windows and Doors.

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pen up your home to the true beauty of your surroundings with the comfort of

Phantom Screens.

Let cool summer breezes and the fragrance ofyour garden into your home with doors andwindows open wide – without unwelcome flying visitors or direct sun glare. When youdon’t need Phantom Screens, they retract completely out-of-sight.

Expertly fitted to your doors, windows and outdoor living areas by professional installers,Phantom Screens complement your uniquedécor. With custom colors and unique woodgrain finishes, Phantom Screens keep your home true to your vision.

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SGO Designer Glass can create leaded designs on a tempered overlay piece orapply lead to an existing window to achieve the desired look while maintaining theefficiency of modern window construction.

WINDOWS AND DOORS

When selecting which windowto use, keep in mind that the nameof the manufacturer and the modelis important. Some manufacturershave a standard model withoptions you can add to make itmore energy efficient. When com-paring different manufacturers andtheir costs, make sure you look atthe standard and any options.

ELEMENTS ARE HARD ON DOORS

The front door plays a vital role asone of the first lines of defenseagainst the elements. For energyefficiency and the look and feel ofwood and less maintenance, con-sider fiberglass doors. Fiberglassdoors are engineered to withstandthe rigors of nearly any environ-ment, are built with a denseenergy-efficient core and are virtu-ally indistinguishable from wood.They don’t contract or expandwith heat; therefore, they’re called“dimensionally stable.”

The initial outlay for fiberglassdoors is about the same as forwood but, they require lowermaintenance. Fiberglass doors aremade by manufacturers such asJeld-Wen, Marvin Windows and

Doors and Therma-Tru Doors.

DON’T FORGET

The doorway from an attachedgarage can easily be overlookedwhen it comes to energy efficiency,but it's one of the most used entrypoints of the home. Considerusing one of the new vinyl-coveredfoam weather-stripping materialsto create a tighter seal on the door.

The vinyl-covered foam weatherstripping can be used for new con-struction and existing homes.When applying it to existingdoors, be careful to align it cor-rectly with the door frame becausethis new weather stripping isslightly bigger than the old one.

Another entry point that isoften overlooked is the attic door(not the ceiling pull-down), oftenfound in two-story homes. Manyhomes built prior to 1980 usedhollow-core doors leading into theattic. Consider replacing themwith solid doors and updatedweather stripping, both of whichreduce heat flux from the attic.

H&H



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TThe phrase “The American Dream”was coined in 1931 in response toconditions at the time. In short, itwas comprised of social justice, theability to participate in consumereconomy and the hope of a betterplace for one’s children.

The Charitable Foundation of theHome Builders Association of Bucks& Montgomery Counties (HBA)embodies those same beliefs.

Its mission is to provide those inneed with better lives, better housingand better environments. Formed in1993, the foundation has distributedmore than $1 million in funds andmaterial donations to local charities,including Habitat for Humanity,Peace Valley Nature Center,American Red Cross, Big Brothersand Big Sisters and to families incrises with shelter needs.

With a goal to increase supportand extend its philanthropic reach, HBA launched The Dream Home,which will be open to the publicApril through June. Like theAmerican Dream of 1931, TheDream Home of 2008 offers oppor-tunities to participate in a worthysocial project and offers hope forfamilies through the funds raised.The home will be sold at marketvalue. Proceeds benefit the CharitableFoundation.

The home is located at 1442Gabriel Lane at Mignatti Companies’

Golf Club Estates at Heritage Creek,Warwick Township. The 5,600 -square-foot Baltusrol model is set ona 10,000-square-foot home site. Thehome includes four bedrooms, four-and-one-half baths, an extended fam-ily room, second floor library, fin-ished basement and an expansivedeck. The country French façade isstone and stucco.

“As fourth-generation builders,Mignatti is dedicated to giving back,”says Stephen McKenna, president.“The HBA Dream Home gives us aplatform to participate in a valuableprogram and to help create a productthat exemplifies exceptional qualityand construction innovation. We areproud to be part of it.”

The home is open to the public onTuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays andSundays from 12 to 4 p.m. If you gowith a Realtor®, it is free. If you goon your own, a contribution wouldbe appreciated.

The Home Builders Association ofBucks and Montgomery Counties islocated at 721 Dresher Road inHorsham. To learn more about its Charitable Foundation, visitwww.hbahomes.com or call 215-657-1300. Visit www.hbadreamhome.orgfor details about Dream Home.

H&H

dream homeoffers hope forfamilies in need

tour HBA’s ‘Dream Home’ now through June


GREEN EDITOR’S PICKS

editor’spicks

House & Homefound these itemsto make your lifeeasier, add to yourdécor or simplybring fun and flairto your home.

Ilandscape with

recycled rubber International Mulch Co. (IMC), which has recycled morethan 100 million pounds of rubber tires to make its products,is debuting four new items this spring. Known for itsRubberific Mulch® line of groundcover, IMC’s new recycledrubber offerings allow consumers to match borders to mulch,or create complementary color combinations in landscaping.

Rubberific Timbers provide a border system for landscapingand playgrounds that conforms to any edge. Rubberific TreeRings help maintain tree beds, while Rubberific LandscapeBorders line flower beds, fence lines or driveways. RubberificStepping Stones provide the pathway to a landscaped property.All products are maintenance free and come in Earthtone orRedwood. Visit www.internationalmulch.com to purchase.

Cwall-to-wall

toxin-freeChildren’s linens and homewares company Serena & Lily nowoffers non-toxic, low odor, low-volatile organic compounds(VOC) paints in 15 colors. The products erase worry that paint-ing a child’s room means bringing chemicals to their quarters.Thirteen hues for the wall and two for trim, include Punch, adeep rose color, and the warm green Sprout. The colors matchwell with Serena & Lily’s existing bedding and accessories collec-tions. The company offers 4-ounce sample size containers andregular-sized containers of all the colors. Visitwww.serenaandlily.com to buy.



TThe iTouchless Trashcan is a 16-gallon, two-compartmentrecycle bin and trashcan that opens and closes via aninfrared sensor. Each area holds up to 8 gallons of trash orrecyclables. Simply hold debris within 6 inches of the sensoron the top of the can, and the lid will open automatically.Use one section for recycling and one for regular trash, orone for paper and one forbottles and cans. Theproduct comes with twoinner plastic buckets andfour wheels, and anoptional UL listed ACpower adapter is available.The trashcan retails for$119.99. Go towww.itouchless.net topurchase.

a touch of trash


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Tit’s easierthan ever

to gogreen

By Susan I. Shiber

Thanks to a new program, consumerscan easily find green remodelers. TheNational Association of theRemodeling Industry (NARI),launched a green education programin August. Upon completing 12 2-hour Webinar sessions and passing a200 question exam, a NARI membercan become a green certified profes-sional by NARI designation. To qual-ify for the course, remodelers arerequired to be in business for at least5 years and must produce evidencethat they have practiced green build-ing principals for the past three.

The 16-topic program includesframing, foundation, roofing, insula-tion, HVAC, electrical systems,appliances, exterior and interior fin-ishes and materials, site developmentand marketing. However, the mostextensive classes are those devoted tobuilding science. “A house is a sys-tem,” explains Dan Taddei, directorof education, NARI, who launchedthe program. “And, everything inthat house has ramifications. Wemust understand how all those rami-fications work together. If you build atight addition and don’t provideinternal ventilation, you can bring inharmful carbon dioxides. This is justone point and we cover hundredsmore in 6 hours of building science.”

Taddei noted size first when asked

ADDITIONS

A bar and screened addition completed by Gehman Custom Remodeling features natural and renewable materials.



what he would pay attention to if hewas planning an addition. “Everyonewants to live in their castle, but doesit really have to be so big? If yourhome is 1,200 square feet, do youneed to double it? If a family is grow-ing, yes, but if there are only two peo-ple, a smaller addition is sufficient.

“Make sure all products used wereclean, such as chemical-free paintswithout volatile organic compounds

(VOCs). Windows should be highperformance and the entire structureair sealed. Adequate ventilation is amust,” explains Taddei.

Consumers, too, can learn thehows and whys and ins and outs ofgoing green as they contemplateaddition and remodeling projects.“Collectively, Americans spend $160billion each year on remodeling,” saysDavid Johnson, an environmentalconstruction consultant for morethan 30 years. “If just a fraction ofthis money was focused on greenerconstruction, we could restore a sig-nificant portion of the world’s ecosys-tems while immediately creating ahealthier indoor environment for our

families.”Johnson, who suggests that home-

owners and remodelers think interms of changing the world oneroom at a time, co-authored “GreenRemodeling” with LEED accreditedprofessional Kim Masters. Thisinformative book covers building sci-ence basics, affordability and savingsassociated with green remodels, foun-dation, site and landscaping as well as

room by room guidelines. There areresource lists, a metric conversionchart, remedies for pollutants and aglossary. The book is available at localretailers.

The Web sites of What’sWorkingand GreenHomeGuide are also valu-able sources for green remodelinginformation. The latter offers unbi-ased reviews and advice from profes-sionals and homeowners. For exam-ple, if you want to know more beforepurchasing flooring for an addition,GreenHomeGuide gives eight tips. Iffurnishings are a concern, the Website provides a green approach to takewhen shopping. “House & Home” isalso an excellent tool for finding

ideas, educationalinformation and reli-able professionals.

ONE-STOP GREEN

SHOPPING

Many of the remodel-ers featured here shopat The EnvironmentalHome Store, the firstgreen showroom in theregion. The storeevolved through needwhen its founder ToddBallantyne beganremodeling his home,a 19th-century school-house. “I wanted ourhome to be green andquickly learned thatinformation and prod-ucts were difficult tofind,” says Ballantyne.“There were simply nolocal resources for thecomponents I wanted,

“Windows should be high performance and the entire

structure air sealed. Adequateventilation is a must.”

-Dan Taddei, director of education, NARI

The Environmental Home Store offers wood products,such as flooring, that come from sustainable forests.

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ADDITIONS

so I did my homework and locatedmanufacturers and suppliers. Next Ibuilt a Web site, devised a businessplan and purchased products, dis-plays and materials. The store openedlast year on Earth Day and the show-room this past January.

“The Environmental Home Storeis experiencing incredible success. Atfirst it was a trickle, but now cus-tomers are absolutely jazzed to haveaccess to our line of green products.People from upstate New York,Delaware, State College and SouthJersey visit us.”

A customer from Hazelton pointsout why the drive is worth it. “We’regetting ready to paint our ceiling andwant safe primer and topcoat,” hesays. “We went to several stores andsaw paints with low VOCs, but themanufacturer had added microbialelements, which aren’t healthy. This isthe one place that sells what wewant.”

Ballantyne expands on his cus-tomer’s analysis. “Lots of manufac-turers produce zero (z)VOC paints,but that doesn’t mean they are safe.They could contain toxic chemicals,such as ammonia, acetone, formalde-hyde or other odor-masking agents.The government doesn’t define theseadditives as VOCs, so paint can becorrectly called zVOC, but still con-tain harmful chemicals. It’s this con-fusion that has people scratchingtheir heads. Why guess? AFMSafecoat and Yolo make paint with-out these solvents and prices areabout the same as any eco-paint,” hesays.

Other products featured at TheEnvironmental Home Store includeAmerican Clay Earth Plaster wall fin-

ishes, floor adhesives and finishes,recycled from paper solid-surfacecountertops (PaperStone), carpeting,wood alternatives and responsiblyharvested flooring.

resources

Environmental Home Store LLC

Lansdale215-368-2589

Mt. Airy215-844-GREEN

www.environmentalhomestore.com

Gehman Custom RemodelingHarleysville

215-513-0300www.gehmanremodeling.com

Green Home Guidewww.greenhomeguide.com

NARI Bucks-MontDoylestown

215-340-0279www.bucksmontnari.org

NARI DelChester Media

610-363-8001www.nari.org

What’s Workingwww.WhatsWorking.com


HVAC checklistDavid Johnson recommends concentrating on one room

at a time in his Green Remodeling book. One of the green

principals that most people readily accept is improving

HVAC systems. Johnson’s checklist is one of many helpful

strategies found in the book.

Heating

✔ Install a 90 percent or greater Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency

(AFUE) forced air furnace

✔ Install sealed combustion furnaces

✔ Install zoned, hydronic, radiant heating

✔ Install an air-source heat pump

✔ Properly size an HVAC system

✔ Consider alternatives to fireplaces and wood stoves

✔ Turn down the temperature

Furnace Ducts

✔ Use duct mastic or Aeroseal™ instead of duct tape

✔ Install ductwork within the conditioned space

✔ Eliminate panned joist space or ceiling cavities used as air returns

✔ Provide a jumper/transfer duct

✔ Clean all ducts before occupancy

Ventilation/Filtration

✔ Incorporate variability in temperature and ventilation control

✔ Install operable windows or natural ventilation

✔ Vent the kitchen range hood to the outside

✔ Properly vent laundry dryer

✔ Install a bathroom exhaust fan

✔ Install a carbon monoxide alarm

✔ Install attic ventilation systems

✔ Install a whole house fan

✔ Install a heat recovery ventilator

✔ Install a high efficiency particulate arresting (HEPA) filter

✔ Purchase a portable room air cleaner

✔ Install a humidification/dehumidification system

Air Conditioning

✔ Eliminate sources of unwanted heat

✔ Install operable windows and fans

✔ Install evaporative cooling units

✔ Install ductless air conditioning units

✔ Use AC wisely

Gehman Custom Remodeling chose bamboo for the floor of an entertainment centeraddition.

>>>



“A vast amount of flooring in theUnited States is not harvested withsustainable practices,” saysBallantyne. “The standard is ForestStewardship Council (FSC). This isanother perplexing situation because

nearly all hardwood suppliers,American and tropical, are membersof FSC. However, just because acompany is part of the FSC chain

doesn’t mean it sells FSC-certifiedflooring. Look at the invoice; it mustrecord the percentage of FSC certifi-cation. If not, the flooring is not cer-tified.”

Ballantyne plans to add sustainablecabinetry, sustainable harvested lum-ber and non-toxic pressure treatedwood to the product line. A secondstore opened in Mt. Airy inSeptember.

Green remodeling is responsible.However, as homeowners sit downwith architects and design/build pro-fessionals, the bottom line is often atthe top of their lists. “Many folksthink that green products are expen-

sive,” says Joe Falco, executive direc-tor, Bucks-Mont NARI. “Theyshould look at the big picture beforemaking decisions.”

“Many folks think that green products are expensive. Theyshould look at the big picture

before making decisions.”-Joe Falco, former executive director, Bucks-Mont NARI

Creating green additions is possible with help from The Environmental Home Store.Hardwood flooring, paint and other products are the basis of a safe and healthyhome.

A PaperStone countertop from TheEnvironmental Home Store is madefrom recycled paper.

Linda Andrews, executive director,Habitat for Humanity of BucksCounty, expands on Falco’s advice.“We’re advocates of building greenand apply its principals every time wecan,” says Andrews. “In fact, in PhaseII of Emerald Hollow Estates inQuakertown and Milford Township,we allocated an extra $3,500 pertownhouse for green construction.Upgrades are applied to construction,duct work, insulation, weatheriza-

tion, toilets and heaters. Habitat isalways extremely budget conscious.We have to be, and these features willpay for themselves and save so muchin the future. Anyone who opts toadd on to their home should incor-porate green into the mix. The initialcost will reap substantial rewards,”concludes Andrews.

H&H

ADDITIONS



Are your once-beautiful tile floors or walls now discoloredwith dirty and ugly-looking grout? This can easily

happen if the grout lines were never sealed after the tile wasinstalled, or if the seal on your grout isn’t properly maintained. In fact, most grout lines are never sealed andbefore long dirt, mildew and stains penetrate the porous grout,making it appear dull and dirty. Discolored grout can turnyour once-dazzling floors or walls into an eyesore. There is asolution: Sir Grout can make your tile surfaces look new againin a matter of hours. “We make old grout look new and helpkeep new grout looking new,” says Ray Curatolo, owner of SirGrout, which serves the Bucks County area. “We provide distinctive services with uncommon results. Many homeowners are unaware that they can bring back the beautyof their tile floors, walls and countertops without tearing uptheir tile and starting over.”

Sir Grout uses a non-toxic cleaning solution to pre-treat thegrout lines before using a commercial-grade vertical scrubberto remove embedded dirt. Then they apply a sealant that caneither restore or change the grout’s original color, dependingon a customer’s wishes. The color sealant is absorbed into thegrout creating a barrier to stains and dirt. The grout looks newand if maintained correctly, will retain its fresh look for years.The Sir Grout process is safe, odorless and takes usually fourto five hours to complete and homeowners can walk on a tilefloor within minutes after the process is completed. “Yourgrout lines will be uniform in color and able to repel stains,water and mildew,” notes Mr. Curatolo. Sir Grout also offersa maintenance program that extends its warranty. A homeowner simply needs to follow the Sir Grout prescribedmaintenance program and use its patented PH neutral soaplesscleaner. “We not only carry the cleaner for our customers, wecan deliver it to their door as well.”

If dull and dingy grout is making you tired of looking atyour tile floors and walls, call Sir Grout before you decide totake drastic measures. Visit our website at www.sirgrout.comto see how their process transforms tile surfaces. You can also call (215) 450-5763.

Before

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PAINTING CONTRACTORS

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Paint Your House Beautiful


I n d e x o f A d v e r t i s e r s309 Office Furniture-15

Affordable Closets Plus-69

Affordable Garage Doors-10

Alpine Painting & Restorations Services-15

Amerom Industries-77

Applegate Wood Floors, Inc.-57

Artesian Pools & Spas-17

Artisan Tree & Treehouse LLC-77

B. Shapiro Supply. LLC-20

Beco Kitchens & Baths, Inc.-2

BKZ Contractors-53

Blue Haven Pools & Spas-11

Bucks/Mont NARI-56

C&K’s Unique Garden Center-19

C.H. Briggs-5

Capitol Pavers & Retaining Walls, Inc.-21

Carlton Pools-3

Classic Accents Hardware-77

CM Masonry-74

Colkett Painting-14

Colonial Marble & Granite

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Crystal Clear Signature Pools-27

DeShayes Residential Resort Design-78

Diamond Kitchen & Bath-29

Don Yacovella Stair Restoration-59

Door Magic-39

DunDraft-59

Environmental Landscape Assoc.-51

Environmental Protection Agency-73

Esposito Plumbing & Heating, Inc.-27

Final Coat Exteriors-33

Flemington Granite &

Architectural Supply-14

Four Seasons Sun & Shade Co.-6

Franco Roofing, Inc.-49

Gannon Insurance Agency-77

Garage America-39

GarageTek-49

Gemmi Construction-34

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Harth Builders-66

Hillis Public Adjusters-27

Holland Floor Covering-37

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Interns Wanted-76

Innovative Exteriors-42

Interior Specialties, LLC-53

ISC, Inc./Home Trimwork

Finish Carpentry-69

Jacob’s Ladder Painting-75

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Lawn Barn-21

Master Kitchen & Bath-43

Maxwell House Portraits-77

Memos International-12

M.E.W., Inc. Frameless Shower Doors-77

Mike Silcox & Sons Inc.-63

Mikolosky Windows/Doors-77

Molinaro Graphics-77

Monarch Door, Co.-47

NaturaLawn of America-77

Osborne Builders-4

Patio Enclosures-53

Penn Windows and Doors-63

Petfinder.com-77

Phantom Screens/Mid-Atlantic Screens-65

Rinox, Inc-9

Robert Stevens Appliances-66

RVO 3rd Photography-38

Shutter Tech-19

Sir Grout, Inc.-75

Stone Depot/Hilltown Garden Center-67

Susan T. White Kitchens & Baths, Inc.-13

Techo-Bloc-7

Ten Thousand Villages-76

The Artful Home-12

The Next Level Construction Co.-77

Time for Design Interiors, LLC-77

Tinkermen’s Construction Inc.-38

Tint N Trim-77

Today’s Kitchens & Baths of Newtown-67

Total Basement Finishing-8

Unique Custom Closets-34

Viking Casual Furniture-43

Wagner Contractors-47

Wes Carver/Electrical Contracting-56

Wildwood Condo Rental-77

WindoWizards-39

HELP WANTEDPart-Time Editorial Intern

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