DELAW_CVR1_926-AAA Hellenic_New FRY 8 x 10.5 9/22/26 12:27 PM Page 1
VOLUME 26, ISSUE 4
DELAWARE
AAA Hellenic Marble
INSIDE:
Guidance to find the perfect stone products for your next project page 9
Page 6
ANNUAL KITCHEN & BATH DIRECTORY
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
DELAW_CVR1_926—AW Viohl_New FRY 8 x 10.5 9/22/26 12:27 PM Page 1
VOLUME 26, ISSUE 4
DELAWARE
A.W. VIOHL Combining decades of experience with a personal approach page 19
INSIDE: ANNUAL KITCHEN & BATH DIRECTORY Page 6
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
DELAW_CVR1_926—Lennar_New FRY 8 x 10.5 9/22/26 12:28 PM Page 1
VOLUME 26, ISSUE 4
DELAWARE
INSIDE: ANNUAL KITCHEN & BATH DIRECTORY Page 6
Coming Soon: Brandywine Reserve
New Homes. Wilmington. Starting in the $700ks. Read more on pg 15
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
FP_H&H_Bleed_FRY_FP_FRY 11/14/25 3:36 PM Page 1
FP_H&H_Bleed_FRY_FP_FRY 9/14/26 12:34 PM Page 1
FP_H&H_Bleed_FRY_FP_FRY 7/28/26 3:44 PM Page 1
H&H_TOC_0926FINAL.qxp_Layout 1 9/22/26 12:54 PM Page 3
september/october 2026
6
contents 6
House & Home Annual Kitchen & Bath Directory A comprehensive roundup of the area’s leading contractors.
9
Hard Choices AAA Hellenic offers expert guidance on picking the right stone materials for your project.
15 Luxury Living and Location—Coming Soon Lennar’s new Brandywine Reserve community offers something for everyone.
amazing kitchen remodeling projects.
19 A Contractor for All Seasons A.W. Viohl delivers high-quality remodeling projects all year long.
20 Small Changes, Stronger Impact Find out the best approach to take for your landscape this fall season.
22 Heating Up as it’s Cooling Down Keeping ahead of costly repairs and dangerous situations.
16 Stylish Spaces A photo guide to some
HouseMagazine.com
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
HOUSE
& HOME
3
FP_H&H_Bleed_FRY_FP_FRY 5/22/26 9:46 AM Page 1
H&H_Masthead_9_26_FRY_Masthead 9/18/26 3:23 PM Page 3
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
www.snipr.com/househome
www.twitter.com/housemagazine
Get the free mobile app at http://gettag.mobi HouseMagazine.com
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
5
HH_KitchenBathDirect_DELAW_0926.qxp_Layout 1 9/22/26 10:05 AM Page 1
HOUSE
& HOME
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. 6
HOUSE
& HOME
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
HouseMagazine.com
FP_H&H_Bleed_FRY_FP_FRY 7/31/26 9:29 AM Page 1
HH_KitchenBathDirect_DELAW_0926.qxp_Layout 1 9/22/26 10:01 AM Page 1
HOUSE
& HOME Beechdale Builders
Appliances
Hawkins & Sons Appliances (302) 998-5587 HawkinsAndSons.com K & A Appliance, Inc (717) 392-3287 KAAppliance.com Robert Stevens Appliances (215) 638-9494 (215) 742-7444 RobertStevensAppliances.com
Bar & Kitchen Stools
Royal Billiard & Recreation, Inc. (215) 997-7777 RoyalBilliard.com
Builders/Contractors/ Remodelers
A.W. Viohl Home Remodeling (302) 375-6166 ViohlContracting.com
8
HOUSE
& HOME
(717) 278-3683 BeechdaleBuildersLLC.com
Gehman Design Remodeling (215) 513-0300 GehmanRemodeling.com Hynes Construction (610) 896-6388 HynesConstruction.com
Cabinet Refacing/ Refinishing
Capital Kitchen Refacing, LLC (267) 907-3591 CapitalKitchenRefacing.com Kitchen Tune-Up (610) 364-5558 KitchenTuneUp.com
Let’s Face It - A Division of HomeTech Renovations, Inc. (215) 343-2600 (Bucks/Mont) (610) 696-3600 (Del/Chester/MainLine) LFIKitchens.com
Pencroft Ridge Construction (717) 786-4124 PencroftRidgeConstruction.com StoneBridge Renovations (484) 459-4920 SB-Renovations.com The Lennar Corporation Brandywine, Del. (484) 960-7496 Lennar.com Tri-County Development Group (609) 654-6600
TriCountyDevelopmentGroup.com
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
HouseMagazine.com
H&H_AAAHellenicMarble_AskTheExpert_9_26_DE.qxp_AskTheExpert 9/18/26 1:48 PM Page 1
PARTNER PROFILE
Expertise: M A R B L E , G R A N I T E A N D T I L E
?
ask the expert Liz Hunter by
AAA Hellenic
TONE MATERIALS ARE ESSENTIALLY THE ICING OF ANY KITCHEN OR BATHROOM PROJECT, PROVIDING BOTH THE FUNCTIONAL VALUE OF PULLING THE ROOM’S COMPONENTS TOGETHER AND SOMETHING PLEASING FOR THE EYE. Choosing the perfect stone takes careful consideration, and the guidance of someone who knows the product. At AAA Hellenic, customers can turn to professionals who have decades of experience designing and installing stone in kitchens, bathrooms, foyers, fireplaces and even in outdoor living spaces. Mike Werner, sales manager, is one such expert who has been with the family-focused company for more than 10 years. House & Home spoke with Werner about how new products from Silestone and Dekton are giving people the high-end looks they’ve wanted at a more reasonable price.
S
WHEN YOU MEET WITH CLIENTS, WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THEIR LIFESTYLE TO GUIDE THEIR SELECTION?
Most individuals typically have saved pictures they found online or in magazines to establish an idea of their design preferences. We also want to know about what’s going on in the space where the stone will be used. Every household is different. Materials they might like or find attractive might not be the best choice for their home. Granite is very dense and durable. It is heat resistant and scratch resistant, with minimal maintenance. Marble
Mike Werner, sales manager
West Chester, Pa. (610) 344-7700 | AAAMarble.com
is a classic choice with unrivaled beauty and gives you a timeless look. It may be a little softer than granite, but will still give you a very durable surface. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE EMERGING POPULARITY OF NATURAL STONE QUARTZITE AND YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF IT?
Engineered quartz has gained popularity over the past couple of years, but natural stone is still the most requested for its beauty and durability. Natural stone quartzite is an especially good choice for kitchens. Everyone likes the look of marble, but it’s softer and more porous. Quartzite is a dense stone that can handle the impact and functionality in a kitchen, and it’s not as porous. We directly import this stone from the quarries to our facility, which enables us to
pass discounted pricing on to clients for rare quartzites in a wide variety of colors. The materials are temperamental and require a high level of care and precision, which Hellenic excels and specializes in. WHAT ARE THE NEWEST MATERIALS ON THE MARKET AND WHERE ARE THEY BEST USED IN THE HOME?
We’re really excited about the design potential with products from Silestone and Dekton in shower wall and bathroom applications. People have been longing for a solid-slab, seamless look on their shower walls—nobody likes grout joints—but this comes with additional labor to get these large slabs into tight shower spaces. These new products are more durable and thinner, making them easier to transport and install. Silestone is engineered quartz and in particular has some nice combinations of natural stone-looking materials, as well as muted patterns for the monochromatic look people want. Dekton is a porcelain and glass hybrid with quartz that is more durable and still gives that desirable natural stone look. This is something that we are specializing in. HOW CAN CUSTOMERS ARRANGE TO VISIT YOUR SLAB YARD TO SEE THEIR OPTIONS?
Our slab yard is open by appointment so we can control the amount of people in the building at a time, everything is spaced out and we also have outdoor inventory available weather permitting. We have implemented additional safety measures, including UV light systems and UV air purifiers to reduce airborne contaminants and provide more peace of mind for customers. We also offer virtual appointments. Our inventory of marble, granite, soapstone and quartzite is very strong right now, we’ve added a lot of new products for people. We have about 200 different colors on display, and our stones are directly imported from places like Italy, Brazil and Africa. It’s always beneficial to walk through and see the stone in different lighting, and more often than not, people find something they never expected. HouseMagazine.com
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
9
HH_KitchenBathDirect_DELAW_0926.qxp_Layout 1 9/22/26 10:01 AM Page 2
HOUSE
& HOME Main Line Kitchen Design
Cabinetry
Art of Drawers (610) 744-3207 ArtOfDrawers.com The CabinetTree Design Studio (856) 888-2220 CabinetTree.com The Cabinet Shop (609) 463-0400 CabinetShopNJ.com Dilworth’s Custom Design (610) 917-9119 DilworthsCustomDesign.com Holcomb Cabinetry (302) 478-5000 HolcombCabinetry.com Kitchen Tune-Up (610) 364-5558 KitchenTuneUp.com
10
HOUSE
& HOME
(610) 500-4071 MainLineKitchenDesign.com
Closets By Design (866) 278-8881 ClosetsByDesign.com
Diplomat Closet Design (610) 431-3500 DiplomatClosetDesign.com
Sunny Cove Cabinetry (717) 500-4540 SunnyCoveCabinetry.com
Closets For Less of Bucks County (215) 660-3080 Closets4LessBucks.com
One Day Doors & Closets of Philly (267) 508-7906 OneDayPhilly.com
Carpet/Hardwood/Vinyl
Boyles Floor & Window Designs (610) 429-9773 BoylesFlooring.com
Seashore Floors (609) 967-0400 SeashoreFloorsLLC.com
Cleaning, Tile/Grout
Sir Grout of Delaware 302-406-3254 sirgroutnewcastle.com
Closet Organization/Pantries
Closet Factory (215) 268-7660 ClosetFactory.com
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
HouseMagazine.com
HH_KitchenBathDirect_DELAW_0926.qxp_Layout 1 9/22/26 11:44 AM Page 3
Victory Closets (484) 366-1836 VictoryClosets.com
Imperial Marble & Granite (610) 521-0130 IMGStone.net
Custom Woodworking
Timeless Stone Fabrication, Inc. (215) 249-1555 TimelessStoneFab.com
Pencroft Ridge Construction (717) 786-4124 PencroftRidgeConstruction.com
HELOC’s/Lending Services
Diamond Millwork (717) 354-3999 DiamonMillworkPa.com
Trumark Credit Union
Signature Woodcraft (267) 736-9740 SignatureWoodcraft.com
Furniture & Accessories
Country Lane Furniture (717) 867-5701 CountryLaneFurniture.com Royal Billiard & Recreation, Inc. (215) 997-7777 RoyalBilliard.com The Buxton Complex (609) 771-6840 TheBuxtonComplex.com Townehaus (856) 581-0378 Townehaus.com
Granite/Marble/Tile/ Mosaics/Solid Surfaces
AAA Hellenic Marble (610) 344-7700 AAAMarble.com
All Marble, Granite & Tile Imports (856) 354-4747 AllMarbleGranite.com Colonial Marble & Granite (215) 543-7077 (610) 537-8918 ColonialMarble.net Dilworth’s Custom Design (610) 917-9119 DilworthsCustomDesign.com
HouseMagazine.com
Turn Your Home’s Equity Into Possibility. TruMark Credit Union’s flexible HELOC options can help fund kitchen renovations, home improvements and more, giving homeowners convenient access to the equity they’ve built.
877-Trumark Trumark.com
HVAC/Electrical Contracting/ Plumbing
Abbey Plumbing & HVAC (215) 643-6645 AbbeyPlumbing.com C&C Heating & Air Conditioning (215) 799-0515 CC-HVAC.com McHale’s Inc. (215) 488-7306 McHales.net
R&D Heating and Cooling (610) 444-6421 RDHVAC.com
Kitchen/Bath Design
AAA Hellenic Marble (610) 344-7700 AAAMarble.com
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
HOUSE
& HOME
11
HH_KitchenBathDirect_DELAW_0926.qxp_Layout 1 9/22/26 10:01 AM Page 4
HOUSE
& HOME
HomeTech Renovations, Inc. (215) 646-7477 HTRenovations.com
A.W. Viohl Home Remodeling (302) 375-6166 ViohlContracting.com
Hynes Construction (610) 896-6388 HynesConstruction.com
Bath Tune-Up (484) 383-5218 BathTuneUpMainLine.com
Imperial Marble & Granite (610) 521-0131 IMGStone.net
Carranza Roofing & Remodeling (610) 671-3747 Carranzacontracting.com
Inspiration Kitchen & Bath (610) 448-9919
InspirationKitchenAndBath.com
Colonial Marble & Granite (215) 543-7077 (610) 537-8918 ColonialMarble.net
Kitchen Gurus (800) 834-6584
Concept Kitchen and Bath (610) 860-4020 (302) 888-9494 ConceptKB.net Dilworth’s Custom Design (610) 917-9119 DilworthsCustomDesign.com
12
HOUSE
& HOME
Dreammaker Bath & Kitchen of Chester county (610) 484-2000 Dreammaker-Remodel.com/ Chester-County First State Building & Design (302) 307-9383
FirstStateBuildingAndDesign.com
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
Gehman Design Remodeling (215) 513-0300 GehmanRemodeling.com Holcomb Cabinetry (302) 478-5000 HolcombCabinetry.com
BasementWaterproofingGurus.com
Kitchen Tune-Up (484) 435-7430 KitchenTuneUpMainline.com Rolf Schroeder General Contractors (215) 201-2195 RolfSchroederGC.com
HouseMagazine.com
HH_KitchenBathDirect_DELAW_0926.qxp_Layout 1 9/22/26 10:01 AM Page 5
Plumbing Services
Ryann Reed Design Build (215) 918-4952 RyannReed.com
Abbey Plumbing & Heating (215) 643-6645 AbbeyPlumbing.com
Spring Creek Design (610) 273-9194 SpringCreekDesign.net
Shower Enclosures/ Frameless Doors
StoneBridge Renovations (484) 459-4920 SB-Renovations.com
Alderfer Glass (215) 723-1192 AlderferGlass.com
Timeless Stone Fabrication, Inc. (215) 249-1555 TimelessStoneFab.com
Window Treatments/ Interior Decorating
The Cabinet Shop (609) 463-0400 CabinetShopNJ.com
Lighting/High-End Fixtures
Bright Light (610) 922-1790 (609) 465-4478 BrightLightDesignCenter.com
HouseMagazine.com
Blind Builders (215) 322-5855 BlindBuilders.com Home Lighting of Frazer (610) 647-2370 HomeLightingInc.com
Painting & Wallcovering
Hynes Construction (610) 896-6388 HynesConstruction.com
Star Painting and Wallcovering Inc. (610) 409-7980 (215) 628-2331
StarPaintingAndWallcovering.com
Heritage Design Interiors (717) 354-2233 HeritageDesignInteriors.com
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
HOUSE
& HOME
13
FP_H&H_Bleed_FRY_FP_FRY 9/18/26 4:04 PM Page 1
HH_Lennar Brandywine profile_0926.qxp_Layout 1 9/22/26 1:52 PM Page 1
Brandywine Reserve will offer residents upgraded features at no additional cost as well as convenient access to shopping, dining, recreation and employment opportunities.
PARTNER PROFILE
by ABIGAIL TWIFORD
Luxury Living and Location—Coming Soon,
Brandywine Reserve
hen a family is searching for a new place to call home, there is more to consider than just the home itself. Homebuyers also look at what the surrounding community has to offer—from schools and recreation to shopping, employment and other everyday conveniences. Lennar’s soon-to-open new northern Delaware community, Brandywine Reserve, checks all those boxes. “This community is a rare opportunity for Lennar. It is a chance to build an infill piece in a suburban setting, where there’s plenty of retail and shopping, and it’s nearby a lot of things. This is what we would consider an A-plus location, which is why we were really excited about the opportunity when we came across it,” says Tench Tilghman, Division President for Lennar’s Pennsylvania-Delaware Division. The community will comprise a total of 52 homes, 33 detached single-family homes and 19 townhouses, creating a boutique community that allows residents to better know their neighbors and not have to deal with some of the inconveniences that come with living in larger developments. All of the homes in Brandywine Reserve are in the luxury category, with upgraded features like high-quality interior finishes and spacious primary rooms included at no extra cost. Prices of the homes will range from
W
HouseMagazine.com
Wilmington, Del. | (302) 660-1366 | Lennar.com $700,000 on up. Residents can expect stateof-the-art kitchens and beautifully designed bathrooms as well as ample closet space and custom interior selections. What’s more, the homes will have anywhere from three to five bedrooms and two to four bathrooms. “There’s a wide range of styles, and I think that makes it a really nice setting for everyone,” says Tilghman. Lennar’s Everything’s Included® program is another enticing reason to buy a home in
the community, providing homeowners with high-end interior finishes that extend beyond the standard builder-grade materials you’ll find in most homes. “We don’t have design studios where people go and pick custom finishes. Instead, we make it super simple for them, and we put in upgraded features throughout the home,” says Tilghman. The location of Brandywine Reserve is also very desirable, with a lot to offer in terms of recreation, shopping and dining in the area. Every major big box store is within a three to four mile radius of the community, and it’s not far from the bustling Wilmington waterfront. “The local Brandywine Public School District is also heavily sought after and provides high-quality education to its students. The best part is, it’s [ranked as] the No. 4 school district in the state, so it’s very highly regarded,” says Tilghman. The location is appealing to professionals as well, with New York City, Philadelphia and Wilmington easily accessible by commuting routes and public transportation. “Everything’s nearby. This is an area that lots of professionals will want to live in because it’s convenient and it’s close to everything that they need,” says Tilghman. Interested or want to learn more? Join the Brandywine Reserve interest list on Lennar.com.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
HOUSE
& HOME
15
HH_KitchenBathPictorial_0926FINAL.qxp_Layout 1 9/21/26 2:16 PM Page 1
KITCHENS
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 16
HOUSE
& HOME
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
HouseMagazine.com
HH_KitchenBathPictorial_0926FINAL.qxp_Layout 1 9/21/26 2:16 PM Page 2
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
HouseMagazine.com
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
HOUSE
& HOME
17
FP_H&H_Bleed_FRY_FP_FRY 9/2/26 11:04 AM Page 1
HH_AW Viohle Profile_0926.qxp_Layout 1 9/21/26 3:44 PM Page 1
PARTNER PROFILE
A CONTRACTOR FOR
All Seasons The Delaware-based A. W. Viohl Contracting delivers high-quality remodeling and maintenance every month of the year, which means it’s always the right time to get started on the interior or exterior project of your dreams. by Madeleine Maccar
A
nyone who loves what they do will tell you that they don’t do it for the awards and accolades: They do it for the personal satisfaction, like knowing that they made a difference, finding the work rewarding and fostering strong relationships along the way. “By the time a project’s over, our clients have become part of our family,” says Andrew Viohl of A. W. Viohl Contracting. Viohl founded the company that bears his name in 2008 and, since then, has diligently HouseMagazine.com
amassed a team of in-house professionals whose dedication to clients and a job welldone mirror his own, and whose talents come together to make the Delaware-based contractor a truly versatile, trustworthy indoor and outdoor service that can do it all. “The guys who work with me are good buddies, we’ve been working together for a long time. We’re like a family and we’re family-oriented,” Viohl explains. “We know what we’re doing, and we know how to work together. We’ve been doing this for 20-some years, so we’ve pretty much seen it all.” And while Viohl appreciates the talent on his team and knows they’re absolute professionals who can navigate any challenges that may arise along the way, the awards are a nice confirmation that the A. W. Viohl team is on the right track. Having been recently recognized as one of House & Home magazine’s Best of the Best is one of the contractor’s
most recent honors. “We’re out there working as hard as we can, so it means a lot to all of us,” Viohl says. But Viohl and his team are never content to rest on their laurels, whether it’s renovating a basement, creating an addition, updating a kitchen or bathroom with premium fixtures and quality materials, or repairing a deck, they aim for nothing less than the best for the homeowners who trust them with their interior and exterior remodeling goals. “We’re not rushing from one project to the next,” Viohl promises. “Our focus is on you and your home, we will design your project to meet all of your needs and finish the job right.” And there’s never an off-season for the year-round operation, which means they’re not only scheduling projects for the spring but also breaking ground on a few now. It often comes as a pleasant surprise for clients who are planning ahead for the warmer months—or aren’t about to let winter stand in the way of their renovation projects. “I don’t think you should react to a customer by saying ‘Why do you want to do a deck now?’ and I don’t like turning down work: Whatever job people need done, we’ll do it regardless of season,” Viohl says. “We’re always doing projects, even in January and February. On the other hand, we also have calls now to get on the books to start work three months out. That gives us time to get the production going, to get all the permits we need so come March, April or May, we’re ready to go for them.” Viohl adds that features like composite decking boards and vinyl railings will ultimately save homeowners some money. “You won’t have that extra yearly fee or every two years because you’re paying someone to stain it or pressure-wash it.” Viohl diligently encourages open lines of communication, both with the homeowner and among his team. It ensures everyone is on the same page at every stage of the project while managing clients’ expectations—because it is, no matter the project, always about making sure a customer is completely satisfied. “A lot of the jobs we do are for repeat customers, so they’ve been there and know what to expect,” he says. “They know that they’re getting the quality work their paying for. It’s an honor when they hire us for repeat work, and we want to make sure they’ll call us for their next job.”
A. W. Viohl Contracting Claymont, Del. | (302) 375-6166 ViohlContracting.com
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
HOUSE
& HOME
19
HH_Fall LandscapingDept_0926_Layout 1 9/22/26 10:31 AM Page 1
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
F
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-
20
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
HouseMagazine.com
HH_Fall LandscapingDept_0926_Layout 1 9/22/26 10:35 AM Page 2
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.
HouseMagazine.com
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
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
21
HH_HeatingMistakes_0926-v2_Layout 1 9/22/26 10:56 AM Page 1
COMFORT
BY KRISTEN DOWD
Heating Up As it’s Cooling Down
T
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
22
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.
HouseMagazine.com
HH_HeatingMistakes_0926-v2_Layout 1 9/22/26 10:56 AM Page 2
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.”
HouseMagazine.com
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.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
23
HH_HeatingMistakes_0926-v2_Layout 1 9/22/26 10:57 AM Page 3
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
24
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026
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.”
HouseMagazine.com
FP_H&H_Bleed_FRY_FP_FRY 7/29/26 2:15 PM Page 1
EandEGeneralContractingLLC9_26_BackCover_FRY_BC_FRY 9/17/26 4:47 PM Page 1
House & Home Magazine 700 E. Main St. 2nd Floor Norristown, PA 19401
PRSRTD STD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT 956 Harrisburg, PA