Bucks County Home & Garden by BCM Media

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BUCKS COUNTY

HOME & GARDEN ARDEN

Publisher

William N. Waite

President

Vicky M. Waite

Executive Editor

Bob Waite

Art Director

BCM MEDIA, INC.

Photography

Randl Bye

Account Executives

Rich Baldwin, Lisa Bridge, Bobby Waite, Marketa Kruse, Ann Ferro Murray, Jim Padilla

Adminstration/Circulation

Melissa Kutalek

Bucks County Home & Garden Guide is published annually by BCM Media Company, Inc., 309 W. Armstrong Drive, Fountainville, PA 18923. 215-766-2694. Single copy price of the Bucks County Home & Garden Guide is $1.95. For single copy sales, call 215-766-2694 or visit Buckscountymag.com.

HOME & GARDEN

Arts & Antiques

Doylestown Arts Festival

September 12-13: For this special weekend in September Doylestown turns into a festival. You will discover over 100 artists, live music on multiple stages, activities, food courts, and a bike race. Doylestown, PA. www.doylestownartsfestival.com.

New Hope Annual Outdoor Juried Arts & Crafts Festival

September 26-27: This Festival will include over 175 artists and craftsmen with such media as ceramics, sculpture, pastels, glass art, and jewelry. Free Admission and shuttle. Rain or shine. New Hope-Solebury High School, New Hope, PA; www.newhopeartsandcrafs.com.

The Crafts in the Meadow

October 2026: This fall invitational craft show features over 100 craftspeople, live music, and tons of activities. Crafters will be ceramics, fine art, fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, sculpture and more. Tyler Part Center for the Arts, 10 Stable Mill Road, Richboro, PA; 267-218-0290; www.tylerpartarts.org.

Annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show

November 6-8: This annual art event is for the benefit of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Funds raised are used to purchase works of art and crafts for the permanent collections to fund conservation and publications projects, and support exhibitions and education programs. Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA; 215-684-7930; www.pmacraftshow.org.

2026 Annual Antiques Show

November 14-15: The Bucks County Antiques Dealers Association antiques show at St. Cyril of Jerusalem church. It will be our 79th annual antiques show with quality dealers from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and

Virginia. The hours are Saturday 10 to 5, Sunday 11 to 4. Free parking and refreshments will be available. 1410 Almshouse Road, Jamison PA; www.bcadapa.org.

Gardens

Peace Valley Nature Center

Peace Valley Park is recognized by the Pennsylvania Audubon Society as an Important Bird Area (IBA). Within the nature center grounds, two bird blinds and more than fifteen miles of trails offer exceptional viewing opportunities across a variety of habitats—feeders, the lake, ponds, streams, meadows, and woodlands.170 N Chapman Rd, Doylestown, PA; 215-348-6270; www.peacevalleynaturecenter.org.

Doylestown Nature Club

February 9: Native Plants & Pollinators

March 9: Colonial Kitchen Gardens

April 13: History of the AARK

May 11: History of New Hope historical Society

June 8: Annual Picnic and Plant Exchange www.doylestownnatureclub.com.

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve

This is the destination for seeing and learning about the native plants of the Delaware Valley. The 134-acre preserve has over 800 species of native plants in the naturalistic setting. Explore woods, meadows, a pond, and Pidcock Creek, as well as a changing collection of wildlife, birds, and wildflowers. Many educational programs are offered year-round. 1635 River Road, New Hope PA. 215-862-2924; www.bhwp.org.

2026 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show

February 28-March 8: From the sweeping landscapes to the colorful entrance garden, the major exhibits of the Flower Show will catch

EVENTS

your eye as soon as you walk through the doors onto the show floor. Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA www.phsonline.org.

Delaware Valley University

Henry Schmieder Arboretum of Delaware Valley University, a horticultural jewel in the heart of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Just west of Doylestown, the Arboretum encompasses 40 acres of our main campus. The Arboretum compliments the mission of the University providing a living collection of plants which reflects our faculty’s teaching requirements and serves as a “green resource” for the surrounding community. 700 E. Butler Ave, Doylestown, PA; www.delval.edu.

Grounds for Sculpture

Grounds for Sculpture is a continually evolving landscape. Every season brings new ways to look, see, and explore. Across 42 acres, you can find a meadow rich with wildflowers, butterflies, and a pond teeming with natural life. Or wander through manicured fairways and paths, past elegant and architectural reflecting pools, to admire the living library of native and exotic trees and flowers. 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton, NJ; www.groundsforsculpture.org.

Longwood Gardens

Ongoing: Garden Tours

Through March 22: Winter Wonder

March 27-May 3: Spring Blooms

May 8-September 27: Festival of Fountains 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett; 610-388-1000; www.longwoodgardens.com.

House & Home

Philly Home & Garden

Show:

February 20-22: Visit this annual show for decorating and remodeling, ideas, remodeling,

ideas, learn more about companies, and stroll through gardens by area landscapers. Admission. Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Ave, Oaks PA; www.phillyhomeandgarden.com.

Bucks & Montgomery County Spring Home Show

March 14-15: Our Home Show events are designed for homeowners - such as yourselfwho are in all stages of remodeling, landscaping, and decorating their homes.

Newtown Sports Training Center, 207 Penns Trail, Newtown, PA; www.bucksmontcohomeshow.com.

Annual Bucks Beautiful Kitchen & Garden Tour

June 14: This annual event offers visits to hidden jewels tucked away in and around historic Doylestown. An inspiring mix of homes and gardens will be on display, with Bucks County Master Gardeners on hand to offer expertise. Advance admission. 215-340-3639; www.bucksbeautiful.org.

Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza

September 17-204: The twenty-ninth Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza will be at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA. PNQE will be dishing up all the ingredients needed for a successful quilt show including a unique and beautiful display of over 400 quilts and works of textile and wearable art from across the globe. Plus, as past patrons know, the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza features an amazing Merchants Mall filled to the brim with vendor booths, offering everything quilters and needle crafters need to quench their creative thirsts. www.quiltfest.com.

Home Accents

... Enlarge your outdoor living space and enjoy the outdoors comfortably with a Perfecta Retractable Awning from JMT Awnings. Select from over 500 fabric choices. For more information call us at 215-659-5239; www.jmtawnings.com.

... Kenderdine’s in Newtown, PA has provided customers throughout Bucks County with top-quality heating and air conditioning service. Our highly skilled staff takes pride in their craft and strives to build lasting relationships through our premium workmanship. Contact Kenderdine’s at 215-968-2041 or visit www.kenderdines.com.

... Eagles 54” walk-up bar, locally made, is functional, fun, and also a great furniture piece. Available in three standard sizes and can also be customized to fit your space. Available at Royal Billards. Contact them at 215-704-8252; www.royalbillard.com.

... Dream Kitchens and Cabinetry by In Place Cabinetry Finishes. A fresh, new kitchen by next weekend. Great solutions including custom cabinetry refinishing and complete makeover. In Place will update your existing cabinetry and molding, floor-to-ceiling, by applying a conversion varnish in any one of a host of modern colors. Call 877-984-5771 or visit www.inplacefinishes.com.. s

... Buck County Nursery & Florist, family owned and run since 1981, offers one of the largest selections in Bucks County. From seasonal annuals to multi-generation lasting trees, delectable edibles to gorgeous ornamentals, whether you plant or we do with our dedicated landscape team, we pride ourselves on finding the perfect plants for your landscape. They are a one stop shop with our premier garden center, acres of nursery stock, eclectic gift shop, and full-service florist! For more information contact them at 610-847-8146 or visit www.buckscountynurseryandflorist.com.

ss...Robert Kline has been specializing in fine window treatments: drapes, wood shutters, blinds & shades since 1976. Many styles and colors of drapery hardware. ReUpholstery and custom bedding. Serving NJ-PA-DE and the Jersey Shore. Contact Custom Window by Robert Kline at 856-767-3299 or visit www.cwrak.com.

Paint Slapper

Perceptual artist and teacher Alexandra Schnabel delves into the human experience with highly saturated primary colors using light as the driving force in her paintings

By Michele Malinchak

Alexandra Schnabel is a perceptual artist who, in her words, is a “paint slapper.” Less concerned with accuracy, she paints presently in the moment from direct observation. Her expressive paintings are not highly rendered, but instead emphasize the visual experience of painting and the personal nature of her art. “A painting feels like a portal to a moment made immortal,” she said. “My works delve into felt human experience, investigating a wide variety of

subject matter.”

A native of Bucks County, Alexandra, also called Lexi, is a young artist who at 29 has already made a mark for herself. As a fine artist and art instructor, she combines the best of both worlds. “It’s a symbiotic relationship,” she said.

Chiefly a colorist, she uses only primary colors with white and black. The majority of her work consists of bright, highly saturated colors such as her selfportrait, “Very Much Here,” in which we view the artist from a unique perspective.

Whether natural or artificial, light is the driving force in her work. She enjoys painting landscapes for this reason, and stated, “Light creates cohesion.”

Lexi is especially adept at depicting light in her night scenes. You can almost feel the air and hear the sounds in some of her nocturnes, such as her rendition of a

gas station illuminated by eerie green and red lighting, or in her painting of live performers at an open mike. In “Dark Waters,” a cellphone provides the only light in the painting, creating its own mysterious glow.

Pictured here is a bar scene entitled, “Jim Thorpe in the Winter,” done from a sketch she did at the Marion Hose Bar.

“It was a snowy February morning and the bar was one of three places open in the entire town,” she said. The dark setting is illuminated by overhead lamps which cast their light onto the customers seated at the bar.

She did a painting of a deer on the staircase called, “Who Goes There,” which was inspired by a grand staircase she saw at a gallery in Poughkeepsie, NY. She took several photos, and after painting the staircase, thought something was

missing. The answer came as she looked out her window and saw a deer walking by which she later added to the painting. She called this “an example of a piece that is subtly cheeky, or packs a complicated and variable message,” such as loss of habitat or the sheer element of surprise.

Sometimes her work is fraught with tension as in her painting, Why Do This. It’s a shocking scene with white ibises locked in a fierce battle, their snowy plumage covered in blood. “The point of art is not always to be pretty,” she said. The painting came about as a reaction to something that deeply disturbed her. “The painting served as a portal to my own emotional experience,” she said.

Lexi comes from an artistic family. Both her parents received degrees in illustration from University of the Arts (formerly Philadelphia College of Art). They both painted and her father plays guitar in a band, Waterfront Blue, which recently

released a CD.

She grew up on the 137 acre tract of land known as Schnabel’s Woods in Haycock Township. Started by her grandparents, the private recreational colony provides vacation cottages and cabins for those who want to get away and enjoy nature.

The scenic countryside with its ponds and creeks has offered countless inspiration for Lexi who is at home in nature. She lives in her own cabin and has her studio here.

Everywhere she goes she carries a small 3-inch by 6-inch sketchbook and a tiny set of acrylic paints. She even takes them along when mountain biking, making sudden stops to capture a scene that sparks her interest. This often to the annoyance of her biking friends who impatiently ask, “Are you done yet?” The paintings are usually done quickly, anywhere from one to three minutes, but are

beautifully rendered. In addition, she has a miniature watercolor set that looks like a doll’s toy. She uses a water brush with them and paints on a small block of watercolor paper.

Her encounters with nature can be prickly at times, such as her run-ins with bears.

Once a bear meandered over towards her as it was eating berries. “I was sitting cross-legged, getting eaten by bugs. The bear left and I went back to painting.” In another instance, a mother bear and her cub approached about 15 feet away. “She actively began to enter our campsite!” she said. “She looked curious and I did not feel threatened, especially and mostly because the cub was behind her, not between us. That was when I stood up and said “hey mama…” and at the sound of my voice, she turned around.”

Lexi first discovered her passion for oil painting at her high school, Lehigh Valley Charter School for the Arts in Bethlehem, PA. As senior, she was president of their Arts Alliance and helped organize art shows and fundraising events.

In 2018, she earned her BFA from Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia (PAFA) with a concentration in oil painting. There she studied with Al Gury who taught alla prima painting classes. Alla prima, which means “at first attempt,” is a technique that captures the immediacy of the subject through spontaneous brushstrokes, applying wet paint to still wet layers.

Though she admires Baroque artists like Rubens and enjoys reading Van

Gogh’s journals, she is inspired by contemporary artists such as Pascal Möhlmann, Felicia Forte and Jeremy Miranda.

Lexi’s paintings have been shown at Lehigh University, Bethlehem; Allentown Art Museum; Abington Art Center, Jenkintown; Exhibit B Gallery, Souderton and Main Street Gallery, Quakertown. Her work has also been exhibited at Phillips’ Mill Juried Art Show in New Hope.

This fall she’ll be included in the 15th Annual Traditional Artists Show, October 18-19 at the Cornerstone Barn in Pipersville, PA.

Lexi’s teaching background includes working at ArtZ, a therapeutic arts center in Quakertown where she taught a creative arts workshop for adults with special needs and intellectual disabilities. She currently offers classes in drawing and painting at Arts Quest in Bethlehem for adults and children. In addition, Lexi teaches evening classes for adults at Souderton High School which include watercolor, acrylics, oils, dry media and more. She is also happy to travel to people’s homes for private oneon-one lessons and teaches creativity mentorship programs out of her home studio.

She is honored to take on commissioned work and has samples of some of her pet portraits and homes on her website: www.alexandraschnabel.com.

Michele Malinchak is a freelance writer who has a degree in art and enjoys oil painting.

Bedminster Forever Farm

Gene and Carol rekindled a 1970s high school romance at their 50th class reunion and married on the bucolic grounds of their Forever Home that they found in Bedminster

Written by Beth S. Buxbaum | Photography Randl Bye

COMBINING THEIR LIVES TO REWRITE THEIR FUTURE, CAROL AND GENE WERE THE NEWEST STEWARDS OF THIS HISTORIC PROPERTY.

High school sweethearts in the 1970s in Long Island, Gene Ferraro and Carol Sabatino were young and in love. Their future together was sidelined by parental obstacles and life circumstances. Fast forward 50 years later when they reconnect. A most unexpected and unlikely turn of events occurred as they were reunited on the dance floor at their 50th high school reunion.

Following the reunion, Carol and Gene continued to correspond long distance for months. Carol was living in Doylestown and Gene was in Colorado. As they continued to become re-acquainted, they realized they still had feelings for

one another. A mutual decision was made to give this relationship another chance. For the second time around circumstances were in their favor. After several visits and many hours of conversations, emails and texts, Carol and Gene decided to move forward with their newfound connection. Not so simple, since at the time they were living on separate coasts.

After high school they went in very different directions. Gene left Long Island to pursue a career as a carrier pilot with the marines in California. More recently he was living in Colorado. Born and raised on Long Island, Carol spent many years in that area, but was familiar with the Bucks County. Her parents used to visit Bucks County and stay at the Inn at Philips Mill.

Opposite top left, on a lazy spring day, the pastoral scene beside the pond is enjoyed on these Adirondack chairs. Opposite top right, A view of the back of the original portion of the house with the stone façade. Opposite bottom left, a view of the front entrance to the summer kitchen mid-1800s. Opposite bottom right, a bike leans against one of the tall trees on the property. Top, a view of the back of the original red-washed bank barn. Bottom, a shot of the stone wall and entrance door to the bank barn.

“My ex-husband and I came for visits and fell in love with Bucks County, especially New Hope,” she continues. “Thirty years ago, after my divorce, I moved to Doylestown from Long Island and found a place to live in Furlong,”

Carol explains. Establishing her life in Bucks County and utilizing her background in psychology and social sciences, she became a drug and alcohol therapist in Doylestown.

Carol had a life here and Gene was busy maintaining his business across the country. While discussing where they should reside, Carol suggested they live in Bucks County. “I knew he was going to love this area since he was relocating from a 160-acre ranch in Colorado,” she explains, “and he wanted land.” Finding the home was the most challenging, living on different sides of the country. Carol added that Gene was searching on Zillow and sending her possible properties to consider. Then Gene came to visit to explore the area. Initially they were considering renting for a year. “We wanted to allow time to get to know each other and to find our dream house,” But during their search for a place to live, they found a property that had many features they admired and it was in their price range. “The exposed stone, the barn, the land, the pond, and an old historic home attracted us both to this homestead,” They submitted a bid.

“We made settlement on July 2023 and Gene moved here in October,” Carol says. On June 8, 2024 Gene and Carol were married, surrounded by close friends and family, under the

The kitchen is part of the original 1830 home and was redone in 1996. Original wood beam ceilings and pumpkin pine floors accent the space. A distressed wood hutch embellishes a back wall and the wood-topped island offers informal seating.

canopy and backdrop of their historic homestead in Bedminster. Settling into their centuries-old Bucks County homestead marked the beginning of their future together. “This property was bucolic, reminiscent of the English countryside,” Carol describes. “I’ve never seen a property like this. We found our forever home,” Carol adds. Combining their lives to rewrite their future, Carol and Gene were the newest stewards of this historic

property. Settling into their centuries-old Bucks County homestead, Carol and Gene were combining their pasts to build a future. With a shared appreciation for history and the past, Carol and Gene continued to acquaint themselves, not only with each other, but also with their new home.

This property’s earliest structure was built in 1830 on land that was purchased in 1801 by Bevig Hiser. The original

Abovet, seating is by the fireplace in the original 1830 parlor with wood beam ceilings and pumpkin pined floors. This living space now has a touch of contemporary with the leather sofa and skin rug. Top right, in rustic tones, the original 1830 keeping room, with the walk-in fireplace, is now the dining room. A mantle displays a collection of copper cookware and antique pewter plates. Bottom right, in this long view of the dining room shows the basement door with its original door latch.

IN

THE 1980s THE PRIOR

OWNERS BUILT A FIREPLACE WITHIN THE ORIGINAL FIREPLACE IN THE DINING ROOM.

house was an all-stone, modest building with two rooms; one with a huge walk-in fireplace for cooking and the other a greeting parlor. Architectural features include the original wood beam ceilings, wide-width plank floors of mostly pumpkin pine, Pennsylvania stone masonry, and multiple fireplaces. Carol and Gene’s property consists of seven-plus acres and includes the house, bank barn, summer kitchen, carriage house, pond and two acres of farm land. Both Carol and Gene had a great appreciation for their home’s authenticity. When they moved in there were not a lot of things they needed to fix or change. Carol says, “We pulled-up all the carpeting and refurbished the original floors.” These aesthetic additions were the extent of any changes they made, with the intent of honoring the house’s historical relevance.

While acclimating themselves to their new home and sur-

THEY CONTACTED JEFFREY MARSHALL, THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE HERITAGE CONSERVANCY, TO TRACE THE HISTORY OF THE HOUSE.

Top left, one of the second-floor guest rooms is now an office.

Bottom left, a climb up the staircase to the second level reveals a wall of family photos. Bottom right, a step down from the kitchen leads into the 1995 great room addition. With walls of picture windows, this room offers panoramic views of the landscape. On the far wall sits a Victorian walnut secretary.

roundings, they were curious about the homestead’s past. Initially they spoke with the prior owners who gave them some information. “The couple who sold us the property lived here for 44 years and named the property Pine Farm, for business purposes,” says Carol. With no official documentation, it is evident from the house’s structure and appearance that several expansions took place over the years. There was a scarcity of records about any major changes to this homestead during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

“We believe that Clare Scott, who moved to this property in the late 1950s,

may have moved the kitchen to the current location,” Carol explains. “She also added on the patio, downstairs bathroom, hall, closet and porch, as well as adding a bathroom and dormers to the third floor,” she continues. Carol notes that in the 1960s, the former owners transformed a portico and screen-in porch on the side of the house into a new entrance. This construction added a foyer, a powder room and laundry room. Carol explains that in the 1980s the prior owners built a fireplace within the original fireplace in the dining room, which was the early cooking or keeping room. “They used stone from the property to build the interior fire-

TOGETHER THEY CREATED THEIR NEW HOME, REDEFINING THEMSELVES NOW AS A COUPLE.

place,” she adds. All the structural changes from the 1900s were revealed to them in their conversations with the prior owners.

To find more extensive historical details, they contacted Jeffrey Marshall, the former president of the Heritage Conservancy, to trace the history of the house. Marshall noted that the primary residence is a Bucks County farmhouse built with features that characterize a Greek Revival styling. “Marshall noted that the rounded walls are a prominent feature of Greek Revival,” Carol explains. “We learned

that the original land, at some point more than 200 acres, was subdivided and was mostly hay farms,” she continues. It was believed that many of the modest homes built on the land in the 1800s were tenant homes. The homes on the land changed hands with more tenants than owners.

Marshall’s research found that the first structures were log cabins and when the owners had enough money, they built their homes.

This home’s exterior was all stone and later the stone façade was plastered over. Primary entrances have changed over the years, originally entering the house into the 1830s parlor. The 1960s addition, that

Opposite, the family heirloom sleigh bed fills the main bedroom. A floral motif covers the walls and accents the windows. Top, this guest bedroom, coined the patriotic room, is filled with historical documents and maritime collectibles including Scrimshaw. Bottom, a closer view of the original keeping room showcases a family heirloom oak dry sink and above a series of signed historic documents and portraits flanked by two heirloom chairs.

created a new entry foyer, has become the entrance. An addition was built on the back of the house in 1995 creating an expansive atrium great room with a cathedral ceiling, skylights and wet bar. An expansive space, the new great room has a more modern, ethereal presence than the rest of the house. A step down from the kitchen leads into this new great room. The original exterior stone wall frames the opening into this addition. The kitchen is part of the original 1830 houset and was redone in 1996. “The former owners gutted the kitchen and renovated this space with all new cabinets, backsplash and appliances,” Carol explains. The original wood beam ceilings and pumpkin pine floors accent the space. Few changes were made to this space. “We wanted to have a larger counter top to create an eating bar. Working with Relic Live Edge, they designed a custom eleven and a half inch walnut slab to expand the existing counter top. “We added bar stools and created a comfy informal spot at the kitchen counter space,” Carol says, “as well as replacing the lighting over the sink.”

Aside from the few aesthetic modifications, Carol and Gene were challenged to combine two households and lifestyles. “Every room has a style of its own,” Carol says, “mixing pieces from Gene’s ranch in Colorado and pieces from my residence in Furlong.” But it all seemed to seamlessly fit into their new living space. “Our furnishings are an eclectic mix of family heirlooms and select pieces we bought at local antiques shops and barn sales,” she adds.

Together they created their new home, redefining themselves now as a couple. As their paths crossed once again, while establishing this new union, Carol and Gene are sharing their accomplishments and passions. Both have great interest in history and historical artifacts. From historian to corporate private investigator, Gene has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and authored several books. An avid collector of historical artifacts, Gene has a collection of signed presidential documents and paintings of prominent figures that are displayed around the house. Filling the house with all that they admire and value has been fulfilling.

Sharing this journey as the newest owners of an historic home has added much to their lives. A perfect setting for their wedding last summer, both note that this entire journey has been life-changing. “We have experienced our unexpected joy living on this property,” Carol adds. They appreciate all the beauty that nature brings, taking in the landscape surrounded by towering trees, the east Perkiomen creek running through North side of property, and Blue Herons visiting the pond. “This is a magical place,” she continues. Carol and Gene are reminded of their incredible reunion with a wooden plaque that hangs on the back patio that reads: “Once in a while, in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale.”

Beth S. Buxbaum is a freelance writer from the Philadelphia area.

Creating Private Nature Preserves

By using native plants and natural landscaping, you can reduce maintenance, increase beauty, be environmentally responsible and create a haven for wildlife

Text by Lori Rose & Daniel Ackerman

Photography By Mark Browniee

Properties in our area are commonly dominated by grass lawns and foundation plantings. They have served us well for generations. But have they really? Imagine transforming a traditional landscape into a thriving haven for wildlife, and a space that’s not just beautiful but also environmentally responsible. From wildflower meadows to wetlands, many of these native habitat projects have already been installed in our area, and have matured into sustainable, established landscapes.

Private nature preserves are designed to restore and support local ecosystems. Instead of a conventional lawn that requires regular mowing, fertilizers, and pesticides, a private nature preserve uses native plants and natural landscaping techniques to provide wildlife habitat and reduce

the need for constant maintenance.

Mark Brownlee is the principal ecologist at WildLawn®, an ecological design and landscaping firm based in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. He says that nothing demonstrates this eco-friendly movement better than real-life local people who have embraced ecological landscaping.

The owner of a three-acre property bordering a creek outside of Riegelsville was more interested in a nature-friendly design than a traditional lawn and foundation plantings. While there were some lovely mature trees on the land, it was mostly lawn with tangles of invasive shrubs. With the guidance of Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve in New Hope, the owner hired WildLawn® to help create what has become a private nature preserve. The property now features a wetland shrub area, two different kinds of meadows,

native hedgerows, and a signature WildLawn® of low-growing native species that require no mowing.

Another example is Lisa Menz’s vision at the Fox and Hound B&B in New Hope. When she bought the bed-and-breakfast, it had a large lawn that required a lot of upkeep. She wanted something that would be not only beautiful but also beneficial to the environment. WildLawn® helped her transform that lawn into a wildflower meadow, which is now a vibrant, dynamic ecosystem. The meadow isn’t just visually stunning, it also supports pollinators like bees and butterflies, and stores as much carbon by area as a forest.

Brownley says, “A meadow like this typically takes a year or two to really come into its own. We planted a mix of seeds and young plants, which helps reduce stress on the plants and keeps costs down. Using

seeds means we can plant more at once, which is key for the ecosystem’s long-term success.” Although Fox and Hound’s meadow is still maturing, visitors and guests of the B&B are treated to a panorama of colors and textures that change with the seasons, all while helping to support the local environment.

Menz says, “For this fall, I just love to picture couples strolling through a meadow that’s come alive with the soft rustling of grasses and the gentle hum of insects. They’ll see goldenrod and asters glowing in the evening light, hear crickets chirping… it’s going to be beautiful.”

Menz’s meadow at the Fox & Hound is more than just a land transformation. It is part of a broader movement aimed at inspiring others to reconsider conventional landscaping methods. “We’re the first, and as far as I know, still the only native wildflower meadow in New Hope,” says Menz. “It really does offer our guests a unique experi-

ence–one that connects them to the land in a meaningful way.”

Her hope is that by showcasing the beauty and functionality of native landscapes, other hospitality businesses and homeowners will follow suit, creating a ripple effect that transforms even more properties into wildlife sanctuaries.

Just around the corner in New Hope, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, an important partner in this movement, is helping people reimagine their own properties by offering workshops, tours, and expert lectures on the power of native habitats. In fact, it was at one of these lectures that Lisa Menz and Mark Brownlee met; Brownlee is a frequent lecturer there. Bowman’s Hill is not just a preserve and botanical museum, it is a living classroom that provides the tools and knowledge needed to bring these visions to life.

Of course, the Fox & Hound isn’t the only success story. Across the river in New

Jersey, one landowner purchased several adjacent pieces of land to create a private nature preserve featuring restored wetlands, meadows, and upland forests. Another landowner in Pennsylvania restored thirty acres of ponds, meadows, and streams to create a sanctuary for birds; and with the support of the Tinicum Nature Conservancy, sixty-five acres of degraded forest in Bucks County were rehabilitated by planting thousands of trees and eliminating invasive species to revive a waterfront area over a mile long. These transformed landscapes improve water quality by reducing runoff and erosion, and help manage stormwater more effectively. Native plants are excellent at absorbing water, which can help reduce flooding risks in areas prone to heavy rain.

The benefits of eco-friendly landscapes like a native plant meadow extend well beyond visual appeal. These are truly nature preserves, serving as critical habitats and food sources for a wide range of animals. Native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators find essential nutrition in these plants, while birds rely on the seeds and insects that the meadow supports. “You can put out bird seed in a feeder, but hatchlings can’t eat it. Nearly all baby birds in our area eat only bugs, mostly caterpillars, even if the adult birds are seed eaters. And most species of butterflies and moths will only lay eggs on a few different plants. So if we provide those plants, we support the insects, who in turn support birds. It’s creating a sanctuary, not just for you, but for the animals and plants that call the area home,” says Brownlee.

Across the country, homeowners, busi-

nesses, and conservation groups are recognizing the critical role native plants play in supporting local ecosystems. Homegrown National Park, co-founded by University of Delaware’s Dr. Doug Tallamy and entrepreneur Michelle Alfandari, encourages people to create and preserve native habitats. When a landscape meets certain ecological criteria, homeowners can register with Homegrown National Park to be part of a nation-wide network of environmental restoration efforts that is modeled after the national park system. To date, over fifty-five thousand people have registered their properties, with some installations being dozens of acres and others just a few square feet. Currently the Homegrown National Park covers well over a hundred thousand acres across the fifty states.

“I believe this movement is here to stay, says Brownlee. “More people are becoming aware of the ecological challenges we face, and they’re realizing that every little bit helps. Even if you have just a small yard, dedicating part of it to a native plant garden can make a big difference. There’s a growing sense of responsibility among homeowners, businesses, and even municipalities to think about the environment in a more holistic way. Organizations like Homegrown National Park are helping to build momentum. This is becoming a larger movement where people are supporting each other to create healthier, more sustainable environments.”

The transformation from manicured lawn or recent construction site to a thriving, native landscape is complex, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Every site has its

own history and unique conditions. “We don’t do cookie-cutter, repeatable designs, because they don’t work,” says Brownlee. “We start by analyzing the conditions and what the land can support, and then we create a design that works with nature rather than against it. Assessing the land and understanding local ecosystems enables us to design a plan that’s sustainable and works for the specific conditions of the site.”

From there, expert teams manage the installation, choosing the right native plants, and incorporating habitat features like swales, ponds, and meadows that naturally restore ecological functionality to the land. It takes time, though, to reap the benefits. “It might be a year or two before you can really see what it’s going to be. That being said, we will also install specific shrubs and trees at larger sizes for an almost instant impact,” says Brownlee. Once a project is complete, ongoing care ensures that these spaces continue to thrive year after year until they fully stabilize and mature.

Transforming a property into a private nature preserve can require an upfront investment, but it can ultimately be less expensive than maintaining a traditional lawn. With native plants, there is less need for weekly mowing, fertilizers, pesticides, or irrigation systems, and just a once-a-year cut will keep things tidy. “We’ve had a few clients who actually sold their lawnmowers after switching from a lawn to a meadow,” says Brownlee, laughing. The long-term savings add up, and the environmental benefits are priceless.

“People are starting to appreciate the role their properties can play in land conser-

vation, especially in terms of biodiversity, water management, and reducing carbon emissions,” says Brownlee. “There are many local conservation groups and state programs that support homeowners interested in restoration.” These organizations can connect landowners with funding sources and ecological landscape design and installation firms such as WildLawn® to help create nature preserves on their own properties.

Organizations in our area include the Bucks County Conservation District (BCCD), the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, and the Tinicum Nature Conservancy. These groups offer expert guidance and provide crucial resources like local native plants and tailored plans to make the transformations happen.

“Every native plant installation we do is a small revolution,” says Iveta Gigova, cofounder and principal at WildLawn®. “If you have two acres, you can just dedicate one small piece of it, maybe a third, to a wildflower meadow, or a hedgerow for privacy and shelter for birds, or a collection of shrubs and perennials that provides fruit for both you and the local wildlife. You know that blueberries are a native in our area, right?”

Even small projects, like converting part of a lawn into a native plant garden, can have a big environmental impact. Brownlee says, “My advice is to start small and reach out to the right resources. You don’t have to do everything at once. Even just planting a few native plants or creating a small meadow continued on page 62

OUTDOOR LIVING

We are able to meet those goals by utilizing high quality materials and having an experienced, talented and well-rounded team. Our designs focus on the immediate as well as long term goals of a garden. This approach ensures success over time as it matures becoming more special with each

season. Our design process incorporates the client’s objectives, tastes and lifestyle in order to create a tailor-made garden. The architecture of the home, site details and its surrounding environment are considered in the design as well. In addition to specifying plant materials, hardscape layouts, pools and structures, our plans include details for water features, fencing and lighting, among other garden elements.

Our installation process is no less exacting. From soil preparation and planting to hand cutting a stone for a water feature, no detail is overlooked in our quest to ensure

the success of your garden. We are extremely particular about the members on our team. By hiring experienced and talented individuals passionate about their chosen specialty in garden making we are able to install or construct all elements we design. This includes, but is not limited to, planting, hardscaping, driveways, pools, pergolas, fencing and lighting.

Building and planting an outdoor living space is part of a progression that continues with nurturing and evolving the idea of a garden into one that grows and matures.

We are proactive in caring for our gardens in order to keep them looking their best. Our maintenance crews are com-

prised of detail oriented individuals with a strong background in horticulture. Having dedicated crews allows team members to learn the subtle nuances of a property, a client’s preferences for how the details are addressed, and to plan what is to be done during the next visit. Our team routinely cares for specialty types of gardens such as formal, cutting, vegetable (from planting to harvesting), woodlands and meadows, to name a few.

For more information, call 215-7668110 (Pennsylvania) and 609-919-0050 (New Jersey) or visit our website www.deargarden.com.

CAN YOU SAY DREAM KITCHEN?

Our clients have lived in their home long enough for us to return a third time! The first project was the primary suite and garage renovation, followed by the living room. Six years later, we got called back to renovate the kitchen, which expanded to the whole first floor. The goal was to take a late 1960s cramped kitchen and create a new space with better flow and function, while capturing natural light and celebrating the

scenic views. We accomplished this by eliminating most of the upper cabinets and replacing them with windows. We moved walls and expanded out the back, adding a flush steel beam, and concealing it into the floor system of the second floor.

The introduction of custom-made black metal framed glass doors for the kitchen cabinetry and the transition to the dining room adds a sense of refinement and elegance. It’s a striking differentiator and

aligns just right with the windows and sliding door to the back deck. We replaced the existing kitchen island with a much larger version, serving as the epicenter of the room, whether for daily life or preparing the holiday feast. We like to call it “the workbench of the kitchen”. There is also a sitting area, with a scenic view. Living on the canal, what better way to see it than from the warmth of your kitchen in the winter or from your outdoor space in the warmer months.

Renovations continued outside with the deck, including a counter height built-in table overlooking the canal.

Gemmi Construction has been in business for over 25 years and they attribute much of their success to the relationships we’ve cultivated over time. Gemmi Construction looks forward to many more years of providing custom remodel and renovation services to homeowners in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. For more information visit www.GemmiConstruction.com

STYLISH MODERNIZATION

With a strong foundation and distinctive character, J.R. Maxwell Builders transformed this 1980s home for modern living. Never previously renovated, the residence featured segmented rooms, original finishes, and a greenhouse-style structure at the center of the first floor that blocked natural light and disrupted flow.

While structurally sound, the layout no longer supported the homeowner’s lifestyle.

The vision was a cohesive, timeless interior with bright, airy spaces grounded in warmth and refined finishes. J.R. Maxwell Builders delivered by opening sightlines, improving circulation, and layering a neutral palette that feels current and enduring.

The renovation included the entire first floor and the primary bedroom and bath on the second level. Originally planned for 10 to 12 months, the project was completed in just nine through careful planning, clear

communication, and efficient decisionmaking. Despite frequent homeowner travel, coordination remained seamless and every detail met exacting standards.

A standout change was the reimagined greenhouse structure. Once underused, it became a fully integrated living space with a second floor above, allowing natural light to flood the main level. The team also resolved a siding challenge by installing Hardi Plank on the rear while preserving existing corner details.

Value engineering balanced style and

budget throughout. The staircase was refreshed, select exterior areas were updated, and quality vanities elevated the bathrooms. Millwork throughout the home was provided by Mink Run Millwork, J.R. Maxwell Builders’ custom cabinet division.

For remodeling, renovations, new construction, or commercial projects, J.R. Maxwell Builders delivers expert craftsmanship and client-first service. Contact them at 215-345-1953 or visit jrmaxwellbuilders.com to learn more.

LITTLE’S CELEBRATES 80 YEARS

The Little family has owned and operated Little’s for 80 years. Our current owners are the third generation to work in the business, and several fourth-generation family members are in the business as well. In other words, our commitment to quality and selling American-made products from one of the great American brands is generations in the making.

In 2007, Little’s decided to start

expanding its operations to help more property owners and commercial landscaping and lawn care professionals. We now have five John Deere dealer locations serving Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Berks and Philadelphia counties in southeastern Pennsylvania.

At Little’s we offer inventory, warranties and service you won’t find at bigbox merchants such as Lowe’s and Home Depot. Not only do we carry high-quality

John Deere equipment not available at the big boxes, but we also work directly with John Deere to take care of any problems you have with your equipment not covered by warranty.

When you visit us, you’ll find sales staff and maintenance technicians all trained and certified to John Deere standards. With our training and years of experience, we know how to guide customers to the right equipment for their needs and budget.

Little’s offers an annual subscription

service for high-performance care of all the equipment we sell, including regularly scheduled maintenance and repairs on your equipment. Additionally, our Ready To Mow mobile service sends a technician to your home to conduct on-the-spot repairs. Visit relittle.com or one of their local locations to see the full line of John Deere equipment. They have showrooms close by in Silverdale; 215-257-5177. Hatboro; 215672-4100; Zieglerville, PA; 610-287-9643.

EUROPEAN COUNTRY INFLUENCES

Designed for an Irish stonemason and his family, the White Marsh Residence blends European Country influences with Shingle Style architecture, resulting in a home that feels distinctive yet enduring. From the outset, the process was a close collaboration, where the homeowner’s masonry became a defining

design feature.

Resting upon on a long, linear site, the home is carefully composed to balance a gracious public presence with privacy for everyday family life. A Ushaped entry and garden courtyard soften the scale of the façade, while creating a welcoming entry threshold. Inside, the home is designed to foster

gathering and connection. A windowed stair tower links all levels of the home, while the family room and gathering spaces form the heart of daily life.

The exterior is defined by steeply pitched rooflines and deep overhangs, paired with a material palette of cedar shingles, barn dash stone, and brick detailing. Family living extends out-

doors, where a covered porch and pool house support a lifestyle connected to the landscape. The home reflects a highly personal approach to design, rooted in craftsmanship and intended to inspire for generations. To learn more and view our portfolio, visit periodarchitectureltd.com or follow us on Instagram @periodarchitecture.

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

Award-winning Doylestown firm, Ralph C Fey Architects (RCFA), celebrates its 30-year anniversary as the team remains committed to create, innovate, and inspire through architecture and design. Expanding their scope of services to include full-service interior design + procurement, RCFA has established a specialized group within the architecture firm called Brickyard Interiors Studio. This enables a unique tandem effort that is bene-

ficial to clients, providing a complete, inhouse design process from the first sketch to the last furnishing and finish.

Brickyard focuses elevating the client’s style, adding depth and character to each project. Brickyard’s fresh ideas and design skills are built on decades of collective experience and professional licensure. Working seamlessly with RCFA allows projects to range from full-scale home design to standalone details and luxury rehabilitation.

Brickyard excels at incorporating ideas, design, specifications, and style into every aspect of your project. Both RCFA and Brickyard team provides an expanded and cohesive service to clients both inside and outside their homes and businesses.

The featured project reflects RCFA’s collaborative and creative approach to architectural and interior design. Many projects require an elevated level of problem-solving, such as Familial Traditions, a preserved farm held within the same family for generations and centered around a tree originally planted by the parents of the cur-

rent owners. The design vision honored this living legacy by preserving the tree as a focal point, using it to tell a story of continuity and time. The resulting farmhouse reflects traditional silhouettes, including a stone guest house, paired with a modern twist defined by a glass connector and glazed corners. Bucks County AIA recognized the project with the Excellence in Design Award.

For more information, contact Ralph Fey AIA Architects at 215-489-2042, design@rcfarchitects.com, or you can visit www.rcfarchitects.com.

TRUST IS WHAT WE BUILD

The trust that is built is evident from the first meeting to the day a project is completed. This is why, when interviewing their clients, a common theme emerges as to why they chose Rolf Schroeder General Contractors for their remodeling and addition projects.

“They had our best interest in mind… They listened… They helped me stay on budget or explained where costs increased and allowed me to decide what was important to me.” The list goes on. The photos

shown here are just a few examples of the many projects completed for these satisfied clients.

Rolf Schroeder General Contractors, Inc. was established in 1982 by local carpenter and builder Rolf Schroeder. Built on a foundation of craftsmanship, integrity, and strong client relationships, the company has evolved into a respected Design/Build remodeling firm specializing in residential renovations and additions. After working alongside his father since

2008, Derek Schroeder now leads the company as Owner and President, continuing the family legacy. Derek’s passion for remodeling continues to grow as he builds on long-standing family traditions while guiding the firm forward with a modern, design-driven approach.

Although based in Bucks County, Rolf Schroeder General Contractors designs and builds finely detailed projects throughout Montgomery County, PA, as well as select areas of New Jersey. The team is highly experienced and deeply dedicated to their craft—an attention to quality reflected in their ongoing certifications, continuing

education, and commitment to professional growth.

Their primary goal is to create spaces that meet each client’s needs while using high-quality products and a well-rounded, experienced team. This pride in workmanship results in a level of quality and uniqueness that sets their projects apart.

Through their thorough Design/Build process, every project is carefully planned, designed, and finalized before construction begins—allowing for a more efficient experience and a smoother, well-coordinated build completed in a timely manner. Visit www.rolfschroedergc.com.

OUTDOOR SPACES

Sycamore Landscape Design Build exists to design and build timeless outdoor living spaces for families to cherish for generations.

Inspired by our namesake tree, Sycamore Landscape Design Build adapts to our clients’ lives and spaces. Satisfied by hard work and great teamwork, Justin’s first summer job in 1999 has matured into an all-encompassing landscape design,

build and care service, and continues to grow in capacity and offerings.

Our clients invest not only in exceptional landscapes, but quality processes. First, we use a four-step design process to map each client’s unique vision onto a step-by-step path. Well-designed spaces not only optimize resources but get better with age. Each generation creates lasting, cherished memories in the shade of the

young trees planted in your outdoor living space.

Once construction is underway, we walk the path together. Friendly collaborators, our team members maintain thoughtful communication with homeowners, subcontractors and coworkers to ensure clear and trouble-free client experiences. From young families to empty nesters, we cater our project management to each homeowner’s needs making the process as memorable and distinctive as

their soon-to-be finished patio, blossoming garden or glowing fire.

Our motto “Timeless Design” means that your outdoor living space is built to last. Whatever you are imagining, whether it’s a grand entrance, a simple walkway, a full garden oasis, or a private family space in the backyard, we custom build everything to how you intend to use your space now and in the future.

Visit SycamoreLDB.com to begin planning your outdoor living space.

CRAFTING TIMELESS SPACES

In Bucks County, outdoor living isn’t just a trend—it’s a way of life. From historic farmhouses to modern estates, homeowners here value craftsmanship, longevity, and thoughtful design. For more than a decade, Woodsmith Construction has helped homeowners bring those values outdoors, creating custom-built spaces that enhance both daily living and long-term property value.

Founded on the belief that outdoor spaces should be built with the same care and precision as the home itself, Woodsmith

Construction has become known throughout Bucks County and surrounding areas for its high-quality decks, patios, pavilions, porches, pergolas, and integrated hardscape solutions.

Woodsmith approaches every project as a custom design-build experience. Each space is tailored to the home, the property, and the way the family intends to use it— whether that means hosting large gatherings, creating a quiet retreat, or extending usable living space well beyond the home’s interior.

Woodsmith’s construction-first philosophy ensures every project is engineered, framed, and built for decades of performance. Materials are carefully selected, structural details are never rushed, and workmanship is held to a standard that exceeds typical residential construction. This approach has earned Woodsmith a loyal client base of homeowners who value quality over shortcuts—and who understand that the true cost of a project is measured over decades, not seasons.

As the company has grown, Woodsmith Construction has expanded its services to

better serve homeowners with Woodsmith Earth & Haul (excavation and site prep, drainage solutions grading and small-scale earthwork, Bucks Roofcrafters (asphalt shingle roofing, standing-seam metal roofing and full replacements and repairs. This allows homeowners to work with one trusted organization for major exterior improvements—simplifying the process while maintaining consistent quality standards.For more information about Woodsmith Construction, LLC, call 215-862-2148 or visit www.woodsmithconstruction.com.

continued from page 43

can make a huge difference. And if you’re serious about transforming your whole property, connect with local conservation groups and professionals like WildLawn® who can help guide you.”

Resources:

WildLawn®: www.wildlawn.com

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve: https://bhwp.org/

Homegrown National Park: https://homegrownnationalpark.org/

Bucks County Conservation District -

https://bucksccd.org/ Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr.html/ Tinicum Nature Conservancy: https://www.tinicumconservancy.org.

Lori Rose, the Midnight Gardener, is a Temple University Certified Master Home Gardener and member of GardenComm: Garden Communicators International. She has gardened since childhood and has been writing about gardening for over twenty years.

Home & Garden

GEMMI CONSTRUCTION, INC.

PO Box 87

Mechanicsville, PA • 215-340-4600

GemmiConstruction.com

Gemmi Construction, Inc. is a full service remodeling firm in Bucks County, PA. Founded by NARI certified remodeler John Gemmi, Gemmi Construction is celebrating over 25 years in business. John’s skill and pride at his craft is centered on building elegant and comfortable living spaces that will be as appreciated in a century as they are today. From whole house renovations and additions, to kitchens, bathrooms, exteriors, lower levels, aging-in-place spaces, and more, Gemmi Construction’s commitment to exceeding customers’ expectations is evident from start to finish.

In Place Cabinetry Finishes is a full-service cabinetry refinisher, enhancer, and renovator. Customized carpentry upgrades and incomparable product durability are what sets us apart and why we continue to delight our customers for over two decades. IPCF works with your existing cabinets using a proprietary system (no brushes or rollers) to apply the highest quality factory coating in many colors and sheens. The finishes include a 15-year warranty. Call for a personalized in-home consultation.

Home

SYCAMORE LANDSCAPE DESIGN BUILD

PO Box 909

Doylestown, PA • 267-742-3335

SycamoreLDB.com

Sycamore Landscape Design

Build specailizes in creating timeless outdoor living spaces for families to cherish for generations. We specialize in a boutique style process and provide a high level of service to design, install and care for the complete outdoor living space that reflects your family’s unique style and personality. We do this by asking a lot of questions and listening to what our clients’ needs are for their specific project. Reach out today to start the process.

Period Architecture, Ltd. is a custom architectural firm pledged to designs rooted in time-honored traditions that also deftly accommodate complex twenty-first century lifestyles. This dual passion and pursuit achieves transcendent, beautiful, and livable architecture that integrates family life, entertaining, and indoor to outdoor living. With offices in Malvern and Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Period Architecture is a committed steward of the landscape and vernacular architecture.

& Garden

Vacations have never been easier than owning a cottage in Schnabels’ Woods, a private gated community of individually owned recreational cabins. Conveniently located and affordable, cottages come in a variety of sizes and styles, all with access to the beautiful Tohickon Stream. It’s pristine, because there are no permanent homes or rentals. Enjoy acres of wooded beauty, commune with nature or do nothing at all, here in your cottage, in the woods by the water.

SCHNABELS’ WOODS

Bucks County, PA 215-536-6255

Schnabelswoods.com

s one of your largest investments, your home deserves care and attention so that it can keep you and your family safe, and so that its value may increase over time. With over 25 years of experience with exterior home renovations, All Pro Exteriors offers expert installation and repairs of your roofing, siding, windows, doors, and outdoor living areas. All Pro Exteriors has decades of experience in the industry, is fully licensed and insured, offers a tenyear warranty on all projects, and is a certified Wolf PRO deck installer.

Home

DEAR GARDEN ASSOC., INC.

Pipersville, PA PA 215-766-8110 • NJ 609-919-0050

Deargarden.com

Dear Garden Associates, Inc. is an award-winning firm specializing in the design, installation and maintenance of outdoor living spaces. Our goal is to create and maintain gardens of the highest quality possible and to provide a great experience for our clients. In addition to specifying plant materials, hardscape layouts, pools and structures, our plans include details for water features, fencing and lighting, among other garden elements.Our team routinely cares for specialty types of gardens such as formal, cutting, vegetable (from planting to harvesting), woodlands and meadows, to name a few.

Ralph C. Fey Architects specializes in a wide range of building design–including restaurants, event venues, multi-family residential conversions and development, equestrian training facilities and stable relocations, historic renovations and restorations, new residential construction and renovations, municipal and educational buildings as well as signage in both public and private sector projects.We pride ourselves in creating and fostering long-term relationships and participating with our client’s entire team to create a successful project.

& Garden

Barb-Lin Carpet One, family owned and operated, has been providing excellence in the floorcovering business for 75 years. Our quality and service are what the community has been able to depend on. The flooring industry has undergone many changes in recent years. Barb-Lin Carpet One has lead the trends by providing the newest in hard surface products as well as carpet with major brands such as Karastan, Masland, Fabrica, Mirage and Lauzon. We invite you to visit our showroom and let our professional staff answer any questions you may have about flooring. We also offer free estimates.

BARB-LIN CARPET ONE 640 North Main Street • Doylestown, PA 215-348-8116 Barb-lin.com

Year-round comfort. Service.Value. Security. Convenience. You can have it all with Harris Comfort. For over 75 years and four generations, the Harris family has been providing the region with top quality fuel oil, along with expert residential and commercial heating, cooling, and backup generator installations. With every piece of equipment, every drop of fuel, we also deliver unyielding dedication to full service, personal attention and your total comfort.

Home

ROLF SCHROEDER

Ivyland, PA 215-672-0829

RolfSchroedergc.com

Rolf Schroeder General Contractors, Inc. is an award winning construction firm that offers the design and the Building aspect needed for successfully managing and completing any remodeling project in Bucks County and Montgomery County. Over the last 30 plus years, the Company has been built around professionalism, reputation, integrity, dedication, and experience. They offer to complete any and all home remodeling projects, while specializing in kitchens, bathrooms, and custom home remodeling.

& Garden

Class-Harlan is committed t

excellence and has been located in the same "Heart

of Historic Doylestown Borough"

location for over 50 years. It is an established privately-owned company with experienced real estate agents available 7 days a week. We will help you achieve your real estate goals with ease and confidence based on our many years of

experience and knowledge of our

local marketplace. You can count on honesty and integrity. Class Harlan agents will exceed all of your expectations. After all we have a long-standing and proud real estate tradition to uphold!

From custom homes and remodeling to millwork and fine commercial renovations, there is distinctive American character in everything we build. We place significant emphasis on quality control from start to finish and we refuse to cut corners— every detail of every project has the unique touch of our craftsmen. Each carpenter, mason, plumber or electrician who works with us has dedicated significant time and effort to the perfection of their individual craft.

HOME & GARDEN RESOURCE DIRECTORY

ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN

Ralph C. Fey Architects

300 N. Broad Street, Doylestown, PA 215-489-2042; www.rcfarchitects.com.

Founded in 1996, Ralph C. Fey Architects focuses on design excellence incorporating the traditional and artistic heritage of the region with contemporary architectural technologies including sustainable practices and green building. Ralph brings the hand of an artist and visionary to the design process, understanding and working with the entirety while attending to the most particular architectural details.

Period Architecture

22 S. Main St., Doylestown, PA 215-809-1049

www.periodarchitectureltd.com. Well-versed in historic styles, Period Architecture considers the character of a region to unite architectural traditions of the past with contemporary lifestyles and technology. The firm’s uncompromising and inventive designs, whether historic or contemporary, appear as if they have always been there and always will.

AWNINGS

JMT Awnings

215-659-5239

www.jmtawnings.com.

For over 20 years JMT Awnings has provided customers with a beautiful, custom-built Perfecta retractable awning with the quality, reliability and experience they deserve. The possibilities are endless from sunrise to sunset.

BUILDING MATERIALS

Tinsman Brothers Lumber 6632 Old Carversville Road, Lumberville, PA 215-297-5100

www.tinsmanbrotherslumber.com.

Established in 1785. Tinsman Bros. Inc. has all your home improvement and building supplies, and a team of trained and experienced experts to help you decide on the right tools and materials.We are a full service lumber yard and hardware store. The oldest family run lumberyard in the United States.

CUSTOM BUILDERS

Gemmi Construction Inc. 4936 York Road, Suite 1200 Buckingham,PA 215-340-4600.

www.gemmiconstruction.com.

Gemmi Construction, Inc. is a full service, remodeling firm, specializing in Custom Renovations and additions founded by NARI Certified Remodeler, John Gemmi. With over 20 years experience, John’ s skill and pride in his craft are building elegant and comfortable living spaces all over Bucks and Montgomery Counties that will be as appreciated in a century as they are today.

J. R. Maxwell Builders, Inc.

Doylestown, PA 215-345-1953

www.jrmaxwellbuilder.com.

From facades and kitchen cabinets to built-ins, there is distinctive American character in everything we build. We place significant emphasis on quality control from start to finish and we refuse to cut corners–every detail of every project has the unique touch of our craftsmen.

Rolf Schroeder General Contractors, Inc. 1979 Stout Drive Suite #1, Ivyland, PA 215-672-0829

www.rolfschroedergc.com.

An award-winning Construction Firm that offers the Design & Building aspect needed for successfully managing and completing any remodeling project. Over the last 30 plus years the Company has been built around professionalism, reputation, integrity, dedication, and experience.

DECKS / RENOVATIONS

Woodsmith Construction Buckingham, PA 215-862-2148; www.woodsmithconstruction.com.

Specializing in decks, renovations, basement remodeling, kitchens, baths and more. We pride ourselves in high-quality products and skill in our craft; simplicity in communication and timelines; as well as attention to detail and results that will take your breath away. We know that

all great things start with a dream and it is our privilege to turn your dreams into a reality.

FLOOR COVERING

Barb-Lin Carpet One

640 North Main Street

Doylestown, PA

215-348-8116

www.barb-lin.com.

Family owned and operated, Barb-Lin Carpet

One has been providing excellence in the floor covering business since 1948. Through the years, our quality and service are what the community has been able to depend on. We invite you to visit our showroom and let our professional staff answer any questions you may have about flooring.

EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS

All Pro Exteriors, LLC

134 Maple Ave.

Dublin, PA

215-249-1900

www.allproexteriors.net

We have over 25 years experience with exterior home renovations. All Pro Exteriors offers expert installation and repairs of your roofing, siding, windows, doors, and outdoor living areas. With decades of experience All Pro Exteriors is fully licensed and insured, offers a ten-year warranty on all projecets.

HEATING AND

Harris Comfort Year Round, Serving you from our two locations in Newtown and Bristol, PA.

215-968-7477

www.harriscomfort.com.

We are a local air conditioning and heating oil company with deep roots in Bucks County, a skilled local workforce, and a proud record of service to the community. For more than 60 years and four generations, the Harris family has provided our region with top quality fuel oil delivery, along with expert residential and commercial heating and air conditioning service and installations.

GARDEN AND LANDSCAPING

Bucks County Nursery

26 Gessner Road

Kintnersville, PA

610-847-8146

Jerry and Linda Tumolo started their Bucks County nursery business in 1981, growing nursery stock for the trade. With the help of their three sons, Bucks County Nursery, a full-grown family business, has developed into a premier garden center, floral and gift shoppe . Their 32 acres of field grown plant material in concert with their 38 greenhouses offer one of the largest selections in Bucks County, and make it a "must see" destination for the avid gardener.

Dear Garden Associates, Inc.

6746 Old Easton Rd., Pipersville, PA

215-766-8110

www.deargarden.com.

Distinctive design, installation and maintenance. Our goal is to create and maintain gardens of the highest quality possible. We are able to meet that goal by utilizing high quality materials and by having an experienced well rounded team. Having the work performed by individuals passionate about their craft ensures unsurpassed quality and attention to detail. Equal to our goal of creating quality gardens is to be certain we provide value. Having an experienced team ensures efficiency due to thorough planning and execution allowing the work to be performed properly and in a timely manner.

Dublin Away, Route 212, Dublin, PA 15-249-3117

www.dublinagway.com.

Dublin Agway is your Farm, Pet, and Yard & Garden Store. Find all of your animal supplies, pet needs, garden supplies, and nursery plants here. Since 1956, we have been providing knowledgeable and personalized service to Dublin and its surrounding areas, working one on one with you to answer your questions and plants, nutrition for animals, and farming needs.

Sycamore Landscape Design Build PO Box 909

Doylestown, PA

SycamoreLDB.com

Sycamore Landscape Design Build specailizes in creating timeless outdoor living spaces for families to cherish for generations. We specialize in a boutique style process and provide a high level of service to design, install and care for the complete outdoor living space that reflects your family’s unique style and personality. We do this by asking a lot

of questions and listening to what our clients’ needs are for their specific project. Reach out today to start the process.

KITCHENS

In Place Cabinetry Finishes 104 Mill Street Dublin, PA; 844-946-7522

www.inplacefinishes.com.

REAL ESTATE

Class Harlen Real Estate 15 West State Street

Doylestown, PA 215-348-8111 www.classharlen.com.

Located in the Heart of Historic Doylestown Borough adjacent to the corners of State and Main Streets, Class-Harlan is a Doylestown tradition helping Buyers and Sellers for over 50 years. Class-Harlan Realtors are committed to excellence! We strive to exceed our clients’ expectations by combining good old-fashioned customer service with “state of the art” technology. Our goals are based on your goals.

WINDOW TREATMENTS

Custom Windows By Robert A. Kline Serving NJ-PA_DE and shore. 609-707-7742 www.cwrak.com

Since1976 owner designs,furnishes & installs fine window treatments: draperies & hardware wood shutters, blinds & shades with motorization. Re-upholstery,pillows & custom bedding. Interior design service is available.