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INSIDE: ANNUAL KITCHEN & BATH DIRECTORY Page 12
CLOSET FACTORY This is what ORGANIZED feels like page 11 STYLISH SPACES
FALL LANDSCAPING
Stunning kitchen transformations
The best ways to prepare your yard for the season
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Jammer Doors
INSIDE:
The importance of fall maintenance
ANNUAL KITCHEN & BATH DIRECTORY
page 23
Page 12
STYLISH SPACES
FALL LANDSCAPING
Stunning kitchen transformations
The best ways to prepare your yard for the season
Your #1 Resource and Design Magazine • Visit www.HouseMagazine.com to view our Online Design Center
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VOLUME 26, ISSUE 4
CENTRAL JERSEY
INSIDE: ANNUAL KITCHEN & BATH DIRECTORY Page 12
MAJESTIC OUTDOOR Creating spaces that are comfortable and convenient page 9
STYLISH SPACES
FALL LANDSCAPING
Stunning kitchen transformations
The best ways to prepare your yard for the season
Your #1 Resource and Design Magazine • Visit www.HouseMagazine.com to view our Online Design Center
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VOLUME 26, ISSUE 4
CENTRAL JERSEY
INSIDE: ANNUAL KITCHEN & BATH DIRECTORY Page 12
SWIM-MOR POOLS & SPAS Custom designs that help elevate your backyard page 25
STYLISH SPACES
FALL LANDSCAPING
Stunning kitchen transformations
The best ways to prepare your yard for the season
Your #1 Resource and Design Magazine • Visit www.HouseMagazine.com to view our Online Design Center
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september/october 2026
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contents 9
Evolved Outdoor Living Majestic Outdoor creates spaces designed for comfort and convenience.
11 Better Organized Closet Factory creates customized storage solutions that homeowners love.
12 House & Home Annual Kitchen & Bath Directory A comprehensive roundup of the area’s leading contractors.
19 Built to Last Exteriors by Global Home and James Hardie offer siding solutions that stand the test of time.
20 Stylish Spaces A photo guide to some
HouseMagazine.com
amazing kitchen remodeling projects.
23 The Importance of Fall Maintenance Jammer Doors is prepared to help homeowners get ready for the season.
25 More Than a Pool Swim-Mor Pools & Spas elevates backyard atmospheres with quality custom designs.
26 Heating Up as it’s Cooling Down Keeping ahead of costly repairs and dangerous situations.
30 Small Changes, Stronger Impact Find out the best approach to take for your landscape this fall season.
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PUBLISHER Edward P. McCartney EDITOR Peter Proko ASSISTANT EDITOR Matt Cosentino CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kristen Dowd, Giana Scafide, Abigail Twiford CREATIVE DIRECTOR Hank Alspach PRODUCTION MANAGER Brian Mikulski DESIGNERS Eileen Pullia, Lisa Zollinger ACCOUNTING DIRECTOR Darlene Versak SALES DIRECTOR Lindsay Gonzalez SALES MANAGER Jim Romano NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPER Chuck McKane MARKETING CONSULTANTS Jordan Carty, Nicole Corabi, Rochelle Dodge, Lori Vorgang, Amy B. Weiss DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION Max Haggerty DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Leigh Stuart PUBLISHER EMERITUS Bob Doran EXECUTIVE PARTNERS Gerry Haggerty, Edward P. McCartney
HOUSE & HOME HOUSE & HOME Magazine, LLC, dba HOUSE & HOME (“H&H”). H&H reserves the right to determine the suitability of all materials submitted for publication and to edit all submitted materials for clarity and space. H&H is not responsible for loss, damage or any other injury to unsolicited manuscripts, unsolicited artwork or any other unsolicited materials. Furthermore, H&H will assume that unsolicited photographs, as well as ad photographs, are being submitted for possible publication and should they be published, no fee is due the photographer or model unless otherwise agreed upon in advance in writing. HOUSE & HOME is a regional home improvement and design magazine focused on remodeling, renovation, design inspiration, and connecting homeowners with local home service professionals. H&H does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial content, nor does H&H or its staff, editors or writers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial content appear in any publications. Readers are encouraged to notify H&H if they suspect false or misleading advertising. Before attempting any renovation or repair project mentioned in H&H, readers are advised to consult with professional home repair and renovation specialists for assistance, and to take any and all appropriate safety precautions. HOUSE & HOME has not independently tested any products or services advertised herein and has verified no claims made by its advertisers regarding those services or products. HOUSE & HOME. makes no warranties or representations and assumes no liability for any claims regarding those services or products or claims made by advertisers regarding such products or services. Readers are advised to consult with the advertiser and/or other home repair and renovation professionals regarding any such claims and regarding the suitability of an advertiser’s products. No reproduction of printed materials is permitted without the consent of the publisher of HOUSE & HOME. Copyright 2012 by HOUSE & HOME. Magazine, LLC, all rights reserved. Subscription available for home delivery at our website, www.HouseMagazine.com, at a cost of $19.95 per year.
National Sales Office: HOUSE & HOME Magazine, LLC 700 E. Main St. Norristown, PA 19401 Phone: 610-272-3120 Fax: 610-272-2805 Email: info@housemagazine.com
Regional Editions: Bucks County HOUSE & HOME – PA Central Jersey HOUSE & HOME – NJ Delaware HOUSE & HOME – DE DelChester/Main Line West HOUSE & HOME – PA Montco/Main Line East HOUSE & HOME – PA Northern Jersey HOUSE & HOME – NJ South Jersey HOUSE & HOME – NJ
Visit www.HouseMagazine.com to view digital versions of each of the above editions. Follow us on
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PARTNER PROFILE
of outdoor living products up close and gather real-life inspiration for their home. It’s one thing to see these products in a photo or video, but another to stand underneath an awning, see pergola louvers open and close, slide glass panels, and see a motorized screen go up and down. They can feel the build quality and see the finishes in real light, which turns “I think I want this” into “I know exactly what I want.”
How do you customize a project around a client’s particular space, lifestyle and vision?
Evolved Outdoor Living
F
For over three decades, Majestic Outdoor has helped homeowners create outdoor spaces designed for comfort, convenience and year-round use. by PETER PROKO
or more than 30 years, Majestic Outdoor has helped homeowners transform their outdoor spaces. Marketing Manager Vivian Rosa shares how outdoor living has evolved, what homeowners are looking for today and how technology is changing the way we use our backyards.
Majestic Outdoor has been helping homeowners transform their outdoor spaces for more than 30 years. How has the company evolved over that time, and what do you feel has been the key to your longevity and success? When we started this company in 1994, it began with a single shade product that we continue to install to this day: retractable awnings. Since then, the possibilities for an outdoor space have grown and we’ve added product lines as technology has matured, such as custom louvered pergolas, motorized screens, integrated lighting and more, all controlled from a smart device. What’s kept us going for 30-plus years is that we stand behind our premium HouseMagazine.com
shade products, ensuring that they’re the best in the industry and made from high-quality materials. So when a client calls years later, they’re talking to the same company that installed it.
What are homeowners looking for today when designing their outdoor spaces? The biggest shift is that homeowners want their outdoor space to be usable year-round and withstand the shift in weather, not just be nice to look at in the summer. That’s driving demand for automated louvered pergolas that open and close with the weather, motorized screens that shut out bugs and wind without blocking the view, and glass enclosures that turn a patio into usable space well into fall and even winter.
We start with a conversation about their current outdoor space and how they want to use it. From there, our team does a free on-site visit to answer questions, inspect the area and layout, measure and design a custom solution for that specific space before finalizing a proposal. Once the design is approved and after the production period is complete, our installation team handles the build, and we walk the homeowner through operating everything before we leave. And if any maintenance or repairs come up, we will continue to service their outdoor product for many years to come.
How are innovations such as motorized pergolas, screens, lighting and heating changing outdoor living? Automation has turned outdoor spaces into functional rooms they can use yearround. A pergola that closes when rain starts means no one’s running outside to save cushions. Add screens, heating and lighting on the same app, and they can extend the season by months in the changing New Jersey weather.
What advice would you give homeowners who are thinking about upgrading their backyard?
We recommend the homeowner start with how they actually want to enjoy their outdoor space and then find a long-lasting product that meets their outdoor needs. Do they want to unwind in the shade, host friends and family in the evening, or enjoy their patio in the colder months? That answer shapes whether they need shade, enclosure, heat or some combination. Choosing a specialist who not only installs, but also services their own products is what ensures an outdoor project creates What can homeowners expect when they visit your long-lasting memories.
Fairfield showroom, and how does experiencing the products firsthand help? The value of visiting our showroom is that they get to experience our full range
Majestic Outdoor Edison, N.J. | (732) 248-0991 MajesticOutdoor.com
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Better Organized Closet Factory works closely with homeowners to create custom storage solutions that maximize space and elevate the home. by Giana Scafide
W
hile in the past custom closets may have predominantly been viewed as a luxury, more recently they’ve gained recognition as a sensible upgrade. More homeowners are now coming to the realization that organization can simplify their daily routines by making their homes feel more functional. That’s where Closet Factory comes in, designing personalized storage that reflects each homeowner’s needs and desires. With a focus on tailored design and craftsmanship, Closet Factory continues to set a high standard in the custom closet industry, focusing on each client’s vision no matter the scope of the project. To find out more, House and Home spoke with Drew Kirchner, owner of Closet Factory.
In your opinion, why are custom closets a solid investment for homeowners to consider? A Closet Factory project is an investment in your home as opposed to just a purchase. We’ve seen data that says 83% of the
Closet Factory Fanwood, N.J. | (908) 312-5373
ClosetFactory.com HouseMagazine.com
investment comes back to the homeowner in the form of home equity, plus you get to enjoy the closets while you’re living in your home. Also, while we have certainly designed and built some incredibly fancy and expensive closets, they don’t always have to be that way. There are also affordable solutions that can get clients organized and improve their space. If you want absolute luxury, we can provide that as well. We offer all the trending colors and hardware, which can be complemented with lighting and moldings. Whether you choose something basic or more luxury, either way you are adding to the value of your home. What would you say is the most overlooked benefit of adding a custom closet system? I guess I would ask, “What’s the cost of not being organized?” I love our product because it really does bring peace and comfort to the homeowner. I can’t tell you how many times someone calls for a project and then after we’ve made their problems go away, they call us back and say, “We love it, what can you do for us in the rest of the house?” Closet Factory provides a major day-to-day life improvement. How do custom closets impact a home’s resale value, and what are buyers currently looking for? This is a home improvement that has one of the highest returns on investment. Years and years ago, there was way less awareness of what home organization was, but today it’s become more of a necessity. Nobody wants a closet full of wire shelves, just like very few people want a kitchen
without nice countertops and appliances. As the old saying goes: Spend your money where you spend your time. Where else do you spend more time than in your home? More than ever, we see our clients just want their home to be exactly the way they want it. They recognize the value and they are willing to invest to realize their vision. How does having more organized storage solutions help homeowners who are big on time management? When we are finished, everything will be in its proper place. There’s no guessing on where your shoes or sweaters are. Same thing for garages, basements, pantries and all our products. Closet Factory offers organization solutions for every room in the house, and our solutions provide an organized home life. When comparing your product vs. the big box retailers, what are the biggest differences in durability? Actually, many of the big box stores have chosen Closet Factory as their solution. We take this very seriously as they have put their trust and faith in our business. Closet Factory builds our projects with the highest grade materials available, and we stand behind our work with a lifetime warranty. What further sets Closet Factory apart in the industry? Foremost, we are a floor-based system, which in my opinion makes our product look more like furniture. Our expert designers provide a CAD-based design experience which allows our clients to envision what the final product will look like in a 3D rendering. Our local factory is religiously run on schedule, so we’re always ready for our installations, and our experienced install team really knows what they are doing. Our business delivers highly efficient and reliable installation. We also provide a lifetime warranty on each project. Our clients want us to deliver what they want.
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Annual Kitchen & Bath Directory
Trusted
EXPERTS to help transform your home BY STAFF
I
n the world of home improvement, kitchens and baths continue to reign supreme. Survey after survey shows that these spaces can add the most value in a home. Homeowners who are ready to make the investment in upgrading their kitchen or bath can simply look on the following pages to find qualified professionals in various specialties from marble and granite and cabinetry to remodelers and designers. With the help of this House & Home Directory, we hope the design of your dreams can soon become a reality. 12
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& HOME Kitchen Tune Up Central Jersey One Day Bath/The Tubcut
Bar & Kitchen Stools
Royal Billiard & Recreation, Inc. (215) 997-7777 RoyalBilliard.com
Builders/Contractors/ Remodelers
Amiano & Son Construction LLC (609) 268-5923 AmianoAndSon.com Brindisi Builders (856) 985-6219 BrindisiBuilders.com
(908) 910-0093 (908) 300-0358 KitchenTuneUp.com
Kitchen Tune Up North Jersey (201) 474-3112 KitchenTuneUp.com Lennar at The Ridlings at Oakland (609) 349-8258 Lennar.com Magnolia Home Remodeling Group (855) 624-6655 MagnoliaHomeRemodeling.com
Ernest & Sons (973) 669-3779 MasonryByErnestAndSons.com
Merryfield Construction Group LLC (888) 612-5450
Fine Finish Design/Fine Finish Remodeling (856) 906-5590 FineFinishDesignNJ.com
MickeyDee’s Remodeling (856) 371-1975 MickeyDeesRemodeling.com
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MerryfieldConstructionGroup.com
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
(866) 245-6885 ODBPRO.COM
Tri-County Development Group
tion your dreams and designs to amazing living spaces.
(609) 654-6600 TriCountyDevelopmentGroup.com Under Construction Builders (856) 354-0831 UCBuildersSNJ.com
Cabinetry
Tri-County Development Group is an award-winning custom home builder in New Jersey, serving the South Jersey, Central Jersey and Jersey Shore regions with firstclass custom home construction, home additions, kitchen and bathroom remodeling and more. Our staff and team are committed to excellence3 in every project, delivering the best for our client families and businesses. Our experience and craftsmanship can transi-
Kitchen Tune Up Central Jersey (908) 910-0093 (908) 300-0358 KitchenTuneUp.com Kitchen Tune Up North Jersey (201) 474-3112 KitchenTuneUp.com The Cabinet Shop (609) 463-0400 CabinetShopNJ.com
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The CabinetTree Design Studio
The CabinetTree Design Studio in Cherry Hill, NJ offers a greater selection and pricing than any other South Jersey/Philadelphia area cabinetry dealer, without exception! We feature cabinetry that is entry level to full custom, offerings for every price level able to meet every client’s budget with their desired style and function. We are pleased to announce that we have extended our showroom to be able to provide those seeking new cabinetry for a kitchen, bath, office or entertainment the center the newest options in design. For over 20 years, our showroom has featured the most samples of cabinet options from some of the top manufacturers in the world. Our work with architects, interior designers and builders over the past 25 years has produced thousands of kitchens and baths throughout New Jersey. More importantly, our clients are overjoyed with their new living spaces. With a combined 100 years design experience from nine of our design professionals at the CabinetTree Design Studio delivers exceptional value in every form.
(856) 888-2220 CabinetTree.com
Carpet/Hardwood/Vinyl/Etc.
Fine Finish Design/Fine Finish Remodeling (856) 906-5590 FineFinishDesignNJ.com
HouseMagazine.com
Haddon Flooring (856) 654-0005 HaddonFlooring.com Matteo Family Kitchens & Flooring (856) 769-2490 MatteoKitchens.com Seashore Floors (609) 967-0400 SeashoreFloorsLLC.com
Cleaning, Tile/Grout
Aldayna Stone Care (973) 239-1351 Aldayna.com
Sir Grout of New Jersey (609) 325-2343 SirGroutCentralNJ.com
Clock Repairs
Antiques & Clocks (856) 786-3444
AntiquesAndClocks1@gmail.com
Closet Organization/ Pantries
Closets By Design (609) 881-2273 ClosetsByDesign.com Closet Factory (North and Central Jersey) (908) 322-8270 ClosetFactory.com Closet Factory (South Jersey) (215) 268-7660 ClosetFactory.com One Day Doors & Closets of Delaware Valley (856) 485-4006 OneDayDV.com
Furniture & Accessories
Country Lane Furniture (717) 867-5701 CountryLaneFurniture.com
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Nastasi’s Fine Furniture (856) 854-3198 NastasisFurniture.com Royal Billiard & Recreation, Inc. (215) 997-7777 RoyalBilliard.com The Buxton Complex (609) 771-6840 TheBuxtonComplex.com Townehaus (856) 581-0378 Townehaus.com
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Imperial Marble & Granite (610) 521-0130 IMGStone.net Matteo Family Kitchens (856) 769-2490 MatteoKitchens.com
Shore Guys Heating & Air Conditioning (609) 884-5016 ShoreGuysHVAC.com
Granite/Marble/Tile/Solid Surfaces
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Colonial Marble & Granite (856) 872-4472 ColonialMarble.net
HVAC: Heating/ Air Conditioning/Plumbing
Viking Casual Furniture (856) 486-1880 VikingCasual.com AAA Hellenic Marble (610) 344-7700 AAAMarble.com
All Marble, Granite & Tile Imports (856) 354-4747 AllMarbleGranite.com
Interior Design
Lomonaco’s Iron Concepts & Home Decor, LLC (856) 740-1071 LICIRON.com
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Kitchen/Bath Design
AAA Hellenic Marble (610) 344-7700 AAAMarble.com
Amiano & Son Design-Build (609) 268-5923 AmianoAndSon.com Blissful Baths & Home (609) 913-3600 BlissfulBaths.com Brindisi Builders (856) 985-6219 BrindisiBuilders.com The Cabinet Shop (609) 463-0400 CabinetShopNJ.com Colonial Marble & Granite (856) 872-4472 ColonialMarble.net Cranbury Design Center (609) 448-5600 CranburyDesignCenter.com
Daniel Robert Remodeling (833) Daniel-0 DanielRobertRemodeling.com Emmons Remodeling (856) 885-6677 EmmonsRemodeling.com Ernest & Sons (973) 669-3779 MasonryByErnestAndSons.com Fine Finish Design/ Fine Finish Remodeling (856) 906-5590 FineFinishDesignNJ.com Kitchen Tune Up Central Jersey (908) 910-0093 (908) 300-0358 KitchenTuneUp.com Kitchen Tune Up North Jersey (201) 474-3112 KitchenTuneUp.com
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Magnolia Home Remodeling Group (855) 624-6655 MagnoliaHomeRemodeling.com Matteo Family Kitchens & Flooring
(856) 371-1975 MickeyDeesRemodeling.com
MickeyDee’s Remodeling
One Day Bath/The Tubcut (866) 245-6885 ODBPro.com Riverside Supply Co. (732) 257-3434 RSC-NJ.com
Matteo Family Kitchens & Flooring has the items needed to complete your kitchen and flooring projects. They carry Frigidaire appliances with special package pricing. They also sell major brands of carpets, vinyl, hardwood, laminate, ceramic and porcelain tiles to fit any style or budget. They are a one-stop shopping experience.
(856) 769-2490 MatteoKitchens.com
HouseMagazine.com
Watertight Showers (973) 420-8150 WaterlightShowers.com
Lighting
Bright Light (610) 992-1790 (609) 465-4478 BrightLightDesignCenter.com
Marble and Granite Resurfacing/Restoration
Aldayna Stone Care, Inc. (973) 239-1351 Aldayna.com
Shower Enclosures/ Frameless Doors Glass Castle Glass Castle is your number one source for all things glass. They offer a wide range of quality glass products for both residential and commercial customers throughout Central and Northern New Jersey. They invite you to visit their state of the art showrooms in Neshanic or Lawrenceville for inspiration. They offer a great selection of styles and colors for shower door enclosures, including ex-
tensive options for your frameless, semi-frameless, and framed shower enclosures. The products at Glass Castle are extremely durable and are custom-fit for each client’s home. They offer several different shower designs. If you’re not sure which type of shower door you would like or would fit with your décor, a quick trip to one of their showrooms will give you the opportunity to examine each type to see which you find most appealing.
(908) 751-4481 (609) 531-0303 GlassCastle.com
Window Treatments/Blinds
Window Works (973) 535-5860 WindowWorks-NJ.com
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Why James Hardie is leading the way
SHOWCASE
PARTNER PROFILE
Beautiful siding can enhance curb appeal and reflect a homeowner’s style. Here are some of the ways James Hardie siding is helping to set the trends. Wood look without the maintenance. Homeowners want warmth and durability and James Hardie’s new TimberHue collection delivers a look that mimics cedar or oak, but without rot, fire risk or the need to repaint. Bolder exterior style. People who want their home to stand out are opting for styles that pope. One popular choice is board and batten which is versatile and can match any home style with its vertical lines creating a distinguished accent look. Mixing materials for a high-end look. James Hardie siding works perfectly as a base material when combining with stone, metal or other accents to create depth and architectural interest. Performance-driven materials. Homeowners today care most about weather resistance, energy efficiency and longevity. Fiber cement continues to outperform vinyl and wood in all three areas.
Built to Last Exteriors by Global Home and James Hardie combine to provide homeowners with siding solutions that look great and stand the test of time.
Key Benefits of James Hardie Siding:
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hen Exteriors by Global Home was founded 25-plus years ago, the company set out to work with only the best manufacturers in the industry. Whether homeowners
are investing in roofing, windows, siding or gutters, they can rest assured that Exteriors by Global Home stands behind the products they install. Over the course of the two decades Exteriors by Global Home has been in business, one manufacturer has stood above the rest: James Hardie Siding. Built for real protection, not just looks, James Hardie Siding is engineered to handle everything your home faces. This is especially important in the Northeast, where homes deal with humidity, freezing winters and temperature swings. “You’re not just upgrading appearance— you’re protecting your home long-term,” says Adam Parnes, marketing director. The fiber cement siding that James Hardie produces gives homeowners the look of real wood without the maintenance. In addition to the authentic wood-grain texture, the siding’s long-lasting ColorPlus® factory finishes resist chipping and fading. What’s more, there’s a wide range of styles available from lap, shingle, and board and batten. HouseMagazine.com
Recently, Exteriors by Global Home was named a 2025 James Hardie ALLIANCE President’s Club Award winner as well as a James Hardie Service Excellence Award recipient—a rare and elite dual honor that places the company among the top James Hardie siding contractors nationwide. “With this dual recognition, Exteriors by Global Home stands out as one of the most trusted, capable and highly rated James Hardie dealers serving New Jersey and Pennsylvania,” says Parnes. “Homeowners searching for the best James Hardie siding installer can choose with confidence—backed not just by product excellence but by proven performance and satisfaction documented by James Hardie itself.”
Exceptional Durability. Hardie board siding resists moisture, pests, and impact damage. It’s also non-combustible, which may help lower your homeowners insurance rates. Versatile Styles. Choose from lap siding, board and batten, or shaker to match your home’s architectural style, whether you live in Springfield, Maplewood, Trevose, or Bensalem. Fade-Resistant Colors. Enjoy a vibrant, custom look for your exterior with James Hardie’s ColorPlus® Technology, designed to maintain its beauty year after year. Affordable & Long-Lasting. Fiber cement siding offers the ideal blend of affordability and longevity, giving you excellent value for your investment.
Exteriors by Global Home Serving Pa., N.J. and Del. (866) 735-1121 | GlobalHomeInc.com SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
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Magnolia Home Remodeling Group The homeowners were looking to expand their living space while modernizing the entire feel of their home. The addition and renovation included energy-efficient Andersen windows, spray foam insulation, wide plank white oak flooring, natural stone veneer at the fireplace, custom kitchen cabinetry and stone countertops. All details were selected to elevate both the function and the aesthetic of the space. Union, N.J. | (855) 624-6655 MagnoliaHomeRemodeling.com
Stylish Spaces INSPIRING KITCHEN DESIGNS THAT PROVIDE BOTH FUNCTION AND BEAUTY Gehman Design Remodeling Clean lines. Bright finishes. Plenty of room to gather. A welldesigned kitchen isn’t just beautiful, it’s planned around how you actually use your home every day. At Gehman, we bring your vision to life with meticulous craftsmanship and expertise. Every detail is carefully handled to ensure your project looks stunning and is built to last. No matter how complex the task is, you’ll enjoy a beautiful, high-quality space you can rely on for years. Planning and foresight make your remodel go smoothly. Each step ensures a smooth, collaborative and rewarding experience that brings your vision to life. This process is why we’re known for creating easy, pleasant remodeling experiences for homeowners. Harleysville, Pa. (215) 513-0300 GehmanRemodeling.com 20
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Spring Creek Design Spring Creek Design transformed this once-cramped, closed-off kitchen by reworking the main-floor layout and making strategic structural changes to create a bright, open space. A generous island anchors the new kitchen, while painted cabinetry, warm wood accents and copper pendant lighting add character and contrast. New flooring and striking foyer tile extend the transformation beyond the kitchen, creating a beautifully connected main floor designed for everyday living and entertaining. Honey Brook, Pa. (610) 273-9194 SpringCreekDesign.net
HomeTech Renovations This kitchen remodel of a home in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania has lots of unique features. The White Icing modified shaker cabinetry by Medallion has become quite popular in the industry and with homeowners. Meanwhile, the earl grey island is highlighted with wainscot paneling and a PentalQuartz countertop with Borghini finish. Lower Gwynedd, Pa. (215) 646-7477 HTRenovations.com
Let’s Face It This contemporary kitchen refacing project included white glossy cabinetry with white quartz countertops. What’s more, a new wood island was fabricated in our shop with a black granite countertop and extra storage space underneath. Lower Gwynedd, Pa. (215) 343-2600 LFIKitchens.com
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The Importance of Fall Maintenance
TEMPERATURES ARE ALREADY STARTING TO COOL DOWN, SO JAMMER DOORS IS PREPARED TO HELP WITH HOME MAINTENANCE AND A SEASONAL SALE. By Abigail Twiford
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summer turns into fall and temperatures continue to drop through winter, homeowners have to consider the maintenance, replacements and upgrades that need to be made throughout the house to prepare for cold weather, snow, wind and all of the other strains the chilly climate brings for half the year. The vast majority of these improvements needed to get ready for a colder, damper and harsher season than what the summer has to offer are related to the comfort of the home’s inhabitants and energy efficiency in keeping the home warm despite the most frigid conditions going on outside. One of the biggest elements of the home that needs to be considered for maintenance at this time is the garage door and its opener, with Jammer Doors being a prime provider for this necessary maintenance throughout the area. “The biggest [priority] is preparing for the cold weather. Make sure that you’re checking the alignment of the door and checking the tracks of it so that the door opens and closes properly. That’s important for making sure that there’s no issues with the cold coming in once the weather start getting colder,” says Sarah Jammer, legal compliance director for Jammer Doors. The main concerns for fall maintenance
with garage door openers are functionality and safety, which means ensuring that the photo eyes on operators are clean and clear of leaves and debris, which can disrupt the opening and closing of the door. Besides ensuring everything opens and closes properly to keep out drafts and improve energy efficiency, safety is a main concern, as cold weather can exacerbate existing issues within the door’s structures. The operator’s track needs to be inspected by the homeowner or a professional to check for dents, damage or to see if the track needs to be lubricated to be readied for the winter ahead. “A lot of times fall and winter can be a busier season in the Northeast because of the snow and the change in temperature that can cause a lot of spring and cable breaks if they're not properly taken care of, so it's just always a great time to make sure that they’re up to date and there’s no issues with it. That’s one of the reasons why fall maintenance is really important,” Jammer says. Besides the garage, the house’s other doors and windows should also be checked for any issues, such as whether the windows lock properly. “The main thing, especially in the Northeast, is checking and preparing for colder weather, so older windows might have issues
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with retaining heat and that will impact energy efficiency,” Jammer says. Entrance doors at the front, back and side of the house should also be inspected for their own alignments to make sure there are no gaps between each door and its jamb, which could let in cold drafts and decrease the comfort of those within the home. “That way it really focuses on retaining that energy efficiency and helping with heat retention when it comes to wintertime,” Jammer says. As Jammer Doors knows that maintenance and replacements for different door and window parts and features are needed at this time of year, the company is holding a fall sale, which begins on Sept. 26 and ends Oct. 6. The sale covers their Provia and Raynor products, offering a 15% discount on entrance, garage and slider doors, and windows, though operators and storm doors are excluded from the sale. “We provide preventative maintenance to come out and just double check to make sure everything's operating smoothly. And then, if there are any issues with their garage door and entrance door, we can provide recommendations. And if they want to move forward with that, they can,” Jammer says.
L a w r e n c e v i l l e a n d Ya r d l e y (609) 883-0900 JammerDoors.com SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
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PARTNER PROFILE
More Than a Pool Swim-Mor Pools & Spas elevates backyard atmospheres with quality custom designs by Kristen Dowd
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wim-Mor Pools & Spas partner and general manager Mike McCool recognizes that there is a lot more that goes into a new pool than there used to be.
“The backyard has transformed over the last 10 years or so away from being just ‘your yard’ and into another room of your home with the same care and detail put into it,” McCool says. “Because of this the design of your pool has become more than just a pool but the focus of the outdoor living room. There is a lot of coordination with creating what a customer’s backyard haven is going to be.” Fortunately, the family-owned South Jersey business is more than up to the challenge of bringing a customer’s backyard pool vision to life. In its 59 years of business, Swim-Mor Pools & Spas has helped to create thousands of backyard paradises throughout the region. And what’s more, they make the process as easy as possible for their customers. “We’re a start-to-finish gunite custom pool company—the design, the build and the service afterward,” McCool says. “We have our own crews that handle the work which helps us control quality and makes the process go smoother.” There are six designers at Swim-Mor Pools & Spas who can help guide customers on a new pool design. The company’s countless photos and 3D drawings can provide inspiration, and the final design is what best suits the backyard, according to McCool. “Size, setbacks, elevations. We’re here to help you work through that,” he says.
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Finding the right pool “The first step is to give us a call. From there we’ll set up an appointment to come out to your home,” McCool says. “That way we can see all the aspects of the property. What the contours of the yard are. What the access is like. Even the best location based on where the sun rises and sets.” The timeline to get started is largely based on the homeowner and how decisive they are, McCool adds. Once everything is confirmed, things move to contract and Swim-Mor Pools & Spas starts working on permits. “Time is of the essence. Permits can take from two weeks to several months, all depending on the municipality,” McCool says.
Pool popularity
“other than the increased popularity of adding more bells and whistles to the pool.” Natural stone is popular for the coping along the pool’s edge, McCool says, as well as darker finishes in the pool. A majority of SwimMor Pools & Spa customers are using a salt sanitation system and automated controls in their new pools, as well as choosing to add water features—waterfalls, fountains, deck jets and plenty more. The company also offers many in- pool fixtures for lounging—bar stools and benches that can tie into your outdoor kitchen or can run inside the pool, along with table areas, sundecks for your lounge chairs and custom fire features. Color LED lighting packages come with every pool, too. The majority of customers also choose elements to lengthen their pool-enjoying season, such as heaters and spas. “It will extend your pool season by a few months,” McCool says.
Why Swim-Mor Pools & Spas? Being a local family-owned independent business makes Swim-Mor Pools & Spas a smart choice for customers, according to McCool. “We’re not national. We’re not a franchise. And we do not try to sell everything. Our expertise has been building custom gunite pools for 59 years and that’s what we focus on,” he says. Save for a few aspects that are legally required to be outsourced to independent licensed contractors, Swim-Mor Pools & Spas uses all of their own crews for the pool construction, which McCool says is unique for the pool business. In addition to building new pools, SwimMor Pools & Spas also specializes in renovating gunite pools. The experienced team can handle everything from your standard renovation of replacing your coping, tile and plaster finish, to adding features such as raised water features, sun decks, and even spas that were not originally built with the pool. McCool says, “Even though your pool may not have originally been built with the more current popular features doesn’t mean that Swim-Mor cannot add them now.” The 2026 pool season is already underway for the business, which thanks to the mild winter meant they were able to start construction early. Pool openings and service will ramp up from mid-April to Memorial Day. But, for those looking to add a pool to their backyard this summer, it’s not too late. “We’re still building for this year. We’re still selling for this summer,” McCool says. “But don’t waste time. Get in!”
Prior to March 2020, business was strong for Swim-Mor Pools & Spa. That was only boosted when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the region. “The pool business was never busier than it was in COVID,” McCool says. “The lockdowns forced people to stay at home and they immediately focused on the backyard.” Although that business boom has settled down a bit, things are still busy. But pool trends, according to McCool, have held fairly steady. Hampton-style pools have long been a customer favorite, but equally popular are the freeform designs, which can be customized to fit into any backyard environment. “Through COVID there have not been many Mount Ephraim | Northfield | Millstone Township significant changes in the industry,” McCool says, (848) 301-2988 | SwimMor.com
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COMFORT
BY KRISTEN DOWD
Heating Up As it’s Cooling Down
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Local experts share the biggest heating mistakes they see with customers and the best ways to keep ahead of costly and dangerous situations.
he Farmers’ Almanac is forecasting an unpredictable winter season full of surprises in the Northeast, and although our region in particular may be seeing some above-normal temperatures overall, a fair amount of snow days could pop up as well. Regardless, with the season’s first frost right around the corner, it’s time to be thinking about the best ways to keep warm this winter—and, more importantly, the heating mistakes to avoid. After all, heating mishaps are not
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only about inconvenience, but safety, too. “The No. 1 mistake is not having your heater chimney inspected. Almost everyone has a heater that vents into a chimney,” Joe Ochal says. “We do chimney inspections regularly in the Philadelphia region, and the amount of carbon monoxide we find is literally unbelievable.” Ochal is owner of Chimney Scientists, a full-service chimney company offering inspections, cleanings, repairs and installations. The company routinely finds poor chimney
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
maintenance that leads to carbon monoxide leaks in the home—leaks that are not necessarily high enough to set off a carbon monoxide detector, but are high enough to cause adverse health reactions like headaches and drowsiness. “It’s going to make you sluggish, irritable, tired. And it’s amazing to me that we focus a lot on our health today, buying organic foods and things of that nature, but not getting our chimneys inspected,” Ochal says.
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Prioritizing maintenance Maintenance is the name of the game with fireplace chimneys, too, according to Chris Olsen, owner of Newtown Fireplace Shop, a retail fireplace business that also offers inspection and installation services. “I would say the biggest mistake when heating with gas fireplaces is not keeping up with good annual maintenance,” he says. “If they’re not serviced regularly, they’re going to burn inefficiently, increase energy costs and reduce heat output. A poorly functioning fireplace can put soot out into the home, too.”
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Things, of course, are a little different for woodburning fireplaces or stoves. While annual maintenance is important to make sure the flu is clean, there are no blockages and everything is up to code, Olsen says the biggest mistake he sees with woodburning sources is customers who are burning the wrong type of wood. “It sounds silly, but improperly seasoned wood is not going to burn efficiently. You want to be in the proper range of moisture content—around 15% to 20%. Too high, you won’t get the heat output. It will create more creosote in the flu and cause blockages
in the chimney,” Olsen explains. “When the moisture content is too low, it’s burning way too hot and you’ll be going through a tremendous amount of wood.” Wood fireplaces can also create a buildup of creosote in the chimney—a highly flammable residue that can be left behind as substances such as smoke and gases escape through the chimney. This can especially happen when a fireplace is burning inefficiently. “Creosote can cause a chimney fire, and that can lead to a house fire,” Ochal says.
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RESOURCES Chimney Scientists West Conshohocken, Pa. (610)-947-0475 ChimneyScientists.com Newtown Fireplace Shop Newtown, Pa. (215) 968-3981 NewtownFireplaceShop.com
When to call The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends a chimney inspection every year. These inspections do not have to be when the weather cools and the heat clicks on. In fact, that’s often when homeowners realize there’s a problem stemming from blockages, damage or even code issues. “People think we’re these ‘Chim Chim
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Cher-ee’ chimney sweeps, but most of our business is emergency calls from carbon monoxide and people’s heater chimneys getting blocked,” Ochal says, adding that these emergencies can be avoided with simple chimney inspections. So, when’s the best time to call? “We definitely recommend doing it between Memorial Day and Labor Day in the summer months. It seems counterintuitive
but you want to do it before the season starts,” Olsen says, explaining his company stays extremely busy from September through March. Ochal echoes this idea, but the bottom line is to get chimney inspections “whenever you can.” “Just do it. It may be fine if it’s not that old,” he says, “but you need to get that inspection.”
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OUTDOOR LIVING
Small Changes, Stronger Impact From smarter pruning and planting to basic and high-impact changes, find out what works for your landscape this fall season. B Y G I A N A S C A F I D E
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all landscaping doesn’t always call for a complete revamp. In many yards, the biggest improvements come from well-timed decisions. To find out more, House & Home spoke with local experts who shared their knowledge on how to achieve a suitable landscape for fall.
Start With the Basics Before adding anything new, take care of the landscape’s fundamentals. Fall is still an active growing season for both lawns and plants, and treating the yard as though winter has already arrived can create problems. One common mistake is abandoning lawn care too early. Fall is also an important opportunity to overseed areas and repair bare spots before it’s too cold for new grass to establish. “Grass is still actively growing in September and much of October,” says Chris DeMato, owner of Rock Bottom Landscaping. “Continue mowing as needed, and don’t leave the lawn excessively long going into winter.” Fertilizer and mulch are also important in keeping a healthy appeal. Applying too much fertilizer can encourage unnecessary growth instead of helping plants. And when it comes to mulch, more isn’t necessarily better. Two to three inches is generally sufficient, and mulch should never be piled against tree trunks and shrub stems. “Fertilize: You’ll have a great impact on your plants right now,” confirms George Mihalchick, owner of Ponds by George. “Adding character, which would be something decorative, in a planter in your garden that you can plant around is great as well.”
Prune With Purpose Fall is a natural time to look at shrubs and perennials, but that doesn’t mean everything should be cut back. Pruning is needed when fixing your landscape for fall, but the way you go about it matters. “Cutting back shrubs and trees too heavily can remove next year’s flower buds and encourage tender new growth before winter,” DeMato states. A specific type of pruning that can be used is deadheading. Once certain flowers have finished blooming, removing them can encourage additional flowering and keep the plant looking cleaner. “One of the biggest mistakes I see is when homeowners have flowers like daylilies—they flower and then you don’t deadhead them,” Mihalchick says. “If you deadhead something once it’s done flowering, nine times out of 10 you are going to get more flowers. People don’t usually do regular maintenance on their plants, so it only blooms once.”
Think in Layers, Not Just Flowers A landscape that relies entirely on flowers can lose much of its visual interest once summer ends. A layered design by contrast can provide homeowners with shape, texture and color as different plants move through their seasonal cycles. The current preference for fewer plants with better placement works particularly well. “For longer-lasting structure, boxwoods, hollies and evergreens provide the backbone, while ornamental grasses, hydrangeas and looser perennials soften the design,” DeMato says. “Late-season perennials like sedum, cone-
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berries that’s completely defoliated and it has brilliant red berries, just clusters of them all over the plant.”
Make A Few Effective Changes
flower and anemone extend color beyond the summer season.” Consider plants that also work well for the winter, as they become more interesting after their leaves disappear. “There is a plant called variegated red twig dogwood,” Mihalchick exclaims. “This has variegated leaves, and when it drops its leaves, its twigs turn brilliant red all winter long. So even to do those in a planter, to do those in your garden, do them where you can see them.
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They’re gorgeous in the snow because they’re bright red twigs that grow up from this plant, so it stands out.” Winterberry offers another strong seasonal feature. Once the foliage drops, clusters of red berries remain on the branches through winter, providing color and attracting certain animals. “This plant will produce berries that turn red all winter, and the birds will come and eat them,” continues Mihalchick. “It’s a bush with red
For homeowners who don’t want to redesign an entire landscape, relatively small improvements can make a noticeable difference. Lighting is one effective improvement as the days grow shorter. A well-placed light can highlight certain trees, architectural features or an entryway that can go unnoticed when the sun goes down. “A relatively small change with a big payoff is adding landscape lighting, a few wellpositioned uplights on specimen trees or the house can completely transform the property at night,” affirms DeMato. Most homeowners tend to overdo with seasonal decor, and one way to make sure everything’s not overwhelmed is with structure.
“Use a piece of driftwood, put it in your garden, put it on anything that’s going to give you structure,” says Mihalchick. “A nice curving piece of driftwood adds a lot more attention than a plant.” The most successful fall landscape changes aren’t necessarily about making a yard look more seasonal. They’re about making decisions that work now and continue to work once the leaves are gone.
RESOURCES Ponds By George Southampton, Pa. (215) 396-7500 PondsByGeorge.com Rock Bottom Landscaping Belle Mead, N.J. (732) 873-6780 RockBottomLandscaping.net
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