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VOLUME 26, ISSUE 4
AAA Hellenic Marble
INSIDE:
Guidance to find the perfect stone products for your next project page 29
Sponsored by Trumark Credit Union Page 14
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
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VOLUME 26 ISSUE 4
DELCHESTER/ MAIN LINE WEST
Beechdale Builders
INSIDE:
Meeting the challenge and exceeding customer expectations page 23
ANNUAL KITCHEN & BATH DIRECTORY Sponsored by Trumark Credit Union Page 14
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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DELCHESTER/ MAIN LINE WEST
VOLUME 26 ISSUE 4
INSIDE: ANNUAL KITCHEN & BATH DIRECTORY Sponsored by Trumark Credit Union Page 14
Dilworth’s Custom Design Creating inspired projects built to last 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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DELCHESTER/ MAIN LINE WEST
Kitchen Tune-Up Main Line Flexible renovation solutions to suit your lifestyle page 11
VOLUME 26 ISSUE 4
INSIDE: ANNUAL KITCHEN & BATH DIRECTORY Sponsored by Trumark Credit Union Page 14
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
DELCHESTER/ MAIN LINE WEST
INSIDE:
Sequoia Out Back Inspiring homeowners to create their outdoor oasis See back cover
ANNUAL KITCHEN & BATH DIRECTORY Sponsored by Trumark Credit Union Page 14
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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14 contents 11 The Right Remodel for the Way You Live Kitchen Tune-Up and Bath Tune-Up Main Line offer flexible renovation solutions.
14 House & Home Annual Kitchen & Bath Directory A comprehensive roundup of the area’s leading contractors. Sponsored by Trumark Credit Union
23 A True Calling Beechdale Builders’ owner Sam King has turned a passion into a thriving company with countless happy clients.
24 Stylish Spaces A photo guide to some amazing kitchen remodeling projects.
27 Built to Last Exteriors by Global Home and James
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Hardie offer siding solutions that stand the test of time.
29 Hard Choices AAA Hellenic offers expert guidance on picking the right stone materials for your project.
31 The Art of Beautiful Windows Heritage Design Interiors offers custom treatments that provide both function and beauty.
32 Heating Up as it’s Cooling Down Keeping ahead of costly repairs and dangerous situations.
38 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.
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PARTNER PROFILE
The Right Remodel for the Way You Live Kitchen Tune-Up and Bath Tune-Up Main Line offer flexible renovation solutions that bring greater beauty, function and comfort to the rooms homeowners use most. by ABIGAIL TWIFORD Kitchens and bathrooms are vital parts of the home. Remodeling them can transform a house. These projects often involve reorganizing space, making it important for homeowners to choose the right renovation company and team to meet their needs and vision. Kitchen Tune-Up and Bath Tune-Up Main Line work to be that company for homeowners with a wide range of needs, from transformative updates to smaller upgrades. “We help homeowners create kitchens and bathrooms that feel as good as they look. Because we offer several levels of renovation, we can recommend the right solution based on the condition of the space, the family’s lifestyle and the scope of the project. That flexibility allows us to improve what already works, change what does not and help each homeowner create a room that truly feels like home,” says Jeff Toren, who owns the Main Line Kitchen and Bath Tune-Up franchise with his wife Penny. For kitchens, the company offers oneday wood restoration services, cabinet painting, redooring and cabinet refacing, new countertops, storage accessories, cus-
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tom cabinetry and complete remodels. Bath Tune-Up offers tub to shower conversions and full bathroom remodels. “We want to understand what frustrates the homeowner, what they love about the existing space, how their family uses the room and how they want it to feel when the project is complete. Our skilled designers know how to translate those conversations into practical design choices that improve both the beauty and function of the room,” says Toren. Toren and his team remain involved throughout the process, from the initial consultation to the finishing touches, keeping homeowners informed at every stage. “Our designers listen to each homeowner’s priorities and coordinate the cabinetry, countertops, tile, fixtures, lighting, hardware and color into one cohesive vision. At our Exton showroom, homeowners can see, touch and compare materials, while our specialized design software allows them to visualize those selections in their own space. Together, these tools provide a realistic sense of how the finished kitchen or bathroom will look and feel before the renovation begins,” Toren says. When it comes to the kitchen and cabinets, there’s a big difference between cabinet painting, redooring, refacing and a full remodel. Cabinet painting keeps the existing cabinet boxes and doors,
with surfaces professionally prepared and painted a new color and finished for a refreshed look. Redooring replaces the doors and drawer fronts while keeping the existing cabinet boxes. Cabinet refacing creates a more complete exterior transformation. It keeps the existing cabinet boxes while replacing the doors and drawer fronts and covering the cabinet boxes with matching veneer. “We also offer what we call Refacing Plus. This approach preserves the parts of the kitchen that are working while allowing us to make thoughtful changes to the layout. We may add an island, install a cabinet where more storage is needed, adjust a small section of the cabinetry or incorporate new organizational features,” adds Toren. Changes for appearance and functionality in the kitchen focus on storage, like deep drawers, pullouts, tray dividers, solutions for trash and recycling, cabinetry and pantry organization. The bathroom may include increased storage, thoughtful shower design, better lighting, a properly sized vanity, easy care surfaces and accessibility features that may become necessary as folks age. While these upgrades can make a significant difference in how a home looks and functions, some homeowners may put off projects because of concerns about cost and disruptions that can come with renovations. “Homeowners often postpone a project because there is so much to consider and they do not know what the renovation will require. During the early consultation, we can provide budgetary guidance for the different levels of service and explain what each option may accomplish. Our expertise helps the homeowner compare realistic directions and narrow the project according to the priorities and budget that matter most,” says Toren. Whether it’s an update, uplift, upgrade or a complete renovation, Kitchen TuneUp and Bath Tune-Up Main Line give homeowners the flexibility to create spaces that fit their needs and style.
Kitchen Tune-Up Main Line, PA Exton, Pa. | (484) 435-7430 KitchenTuneUpMainLine.com Bath Tune-Up Main Line, PA Exton, Pa. | (484) 383-5218 BathTuneUpMainLine.com
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Annual Kitchen & Bath Directory
Trusted
EXPERTS to help transform your home BY STAFF
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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. 14
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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
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Sponsored by
Beechdale Builders (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
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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
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Main Line Kitchen Design (610) 500-4071 MainLineKitchenDesign.com
Closets By Design (866) 278-8881 ClosetsByDesign.com
Sunny Cove Cabinetry (717) 500-4540 SunnyCoveCabinetry.com
Closets For Less of Bucks County (215) 660-3080 Closets4LessBucks.com
Carpet/Hardwood/Vinyl
Boyles Floor & Window Designs (610) 429-9773 BoylesFlooring.com
Diplomat Closet Design (610) 431-3500 DiplomatClosetDesign.com One Day Doors & Closets of Philly (267) 508-7906 OneDayPhilly.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
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Sponsored by
Victory Closets (484) 366-1836 VictoryClosets.com
Custom Woodworking
Diamond Millwork (717) 354-3999 DiamonMillworkPa.com Pencroft Ridge Construction (717) 786-4124 PencroftRidgeConstruction.com Signature Woodcraft (267) 736-9740 SignatureWoodcraft.com
Imperial Marble & Granite (610) 521-0130 IMGStone.net Timeless Stone Fabrication, Inc. (215) 249-1555 TimelessStoneFab.com
HELOC’s/Lending Services Directory Sponsor Spotlight
Trumark Credit Union
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
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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
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Kitchen/Bath Design
Holcomb Cabinetry (302) 478-5000 HolcombCabinetry.com
AAA Hellenic Marble (610) 344-7700 AAAMarble.com
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 Colonial Marble & Granite (215) 543-7077 (610) 537-8918 ColonialMarble.net Concept Kitchen and Bath (610) 860-4020 (302) 888-9494 ConceptKB.net
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Dilworth’s Custom Design (610) 917-9119 DilworthsCustomDesign.com
First State Building & Design (302) 307-9383
Inspiration Kitchen & Bath (610) 448-9919
Dreammaker Bath & Kitchen of Chester county (610) 484-2000 Dreammaker-Remodel.com/ Chester-County
Gehman Design Remodeling (215) 513-0300 GehmanRemodeling.com
Kitchen Gurus (800) 834-6584
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FirstStateBuildingAndDesign.com
InspirationKitchenAndBath.com BasementWaterproofingGurus.com
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Kitchen Tune-Up (484) 435-7430 KitchenTuneUpMainline.com
Plumbing Services
Abbey Plumbing & Heating (215) 643-6645 AbbeyPlumbing.com
Rolf Schroeder General Contractors (215) 201-2195 RolfSchroederGC.com
Shower Enclosures/ Frameless Doors
Ryann Reed Design Build (215) 918-4952 RyannReed.com
Alderfer Glass (215) 723-1192 AlderferGlass.com
Spring Creek Design (610) 273-9194 SpringCreekDesign.net StoneBridge Renovations (484) 459-4920 SB-Renovations.com Timeless Stone Fabrication, Inc. (215) 249-1555 TimelessStoneFab.com The Cabinet Shop (609) 463-0400 CabinetShopNJ.com
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Window Treatments/ Interior Decorating
Lighting/High-End Fixtures
Bright Light (610) 922-1790 (609) 465-4478 BrightLightDesignCenter.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
Blind Builders (215) 322-5855 BlindBuilders.com
Heritage Design Interiors (717) 354-2233 HeritageDesignInteriors.com
StarPaintingAndWallcovering.com
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PARTNER PROFILE
OST 13-YEAR-OLD BOYS HAVE PLENTY OF DISTRACTIONS TO KEEP THEM OCCUPIED OTHER THAN THINKING ABOUT THEIR FUTURE CAREERS. While Sam King readily admits that he was not above some of those trappings, at the same time he also displayed a dogged work ethic and a passion for construction, even at a young age. In fact, by his early teens he was already employed by a shop near his Pennsylvania home as a cupola builder. At 16, he joined a general contracting firm led by local builder Norman Graham and took his skills up another notch. Before long, he knew he had found the field that was right for him. “My dad was a carpenter and he worked for Graham’s, and I just had a big interest in it from when I was young,” King says. “I’m thankful for the upbringing that I had, for sure.” King mentored under Graham for 11 years before deciding to branch out on his own. In 1999, he founded Beechdale Builders, a company that today specializes in constructing brand-new custom homes, creating additions for existing houses and renovating kitchens, bathrooms and basements. His goal from the beginning was to utilize the knowledge and skills he had accumulated in his previous stops, while giving customers the stress-free experience they deserve when making a substantial investment and undergoing a major project in their homes. “We try to be straightforward and honest with everybody,” King says. “We go the extra mile to help them achieve their look and give them what they want.” That is especially true when it comes to custom homes, which are like a blank canvas for King and his team, including his designer/architect. Beechdale Builders works in a wide variety of styles and can usually complete a new house within six to eight
M
A True Calling First inspired to become a contractor as a teenager, Sam King has poured his passion into Beechdale Builders, a thriving company that offers custom homes, additions and renovations to happy clients. by Matt Cosentino
months, or a little longer for larger homes. King understands the anxiety that customers are feeling during the process, but he is in constant communication and keeps them up to date on the progress. “If they have the land, we can help them get the house that they want,” he says. “We will help make their dream come true, whatever they’re interested in. I recently estimated a project for $200,000, which is a small rancher, but we’re also working on a $1.5 million house right now as well. I try not to count anyone out.” When it comes to additions, Beechdale Builders time and again rises to the challenge of providing a space that is functional, aesthetically pleasing and looks like a natural extension of the home. “When you have someone who loves their location and doesn’t want to move, they’d rather spend some money and make the house more like they want it instead of going out and buying a new home,” King says. “We
have all of the resources they need to do the planning and get started. They might just be looking for more living space, or a new master bedroom and suite area is also quite popular at the moment.” Remodels make up a large portion of Beechdale’s business, with kitchens and bathrooms being the primary rooms in need of a makeover. In kitchens, it’s common to remove a wall and open up the space, and Beechdale’s designers and crews can handle everything from cabinetry and countertops to flooring and appliances. “You can really upgrade a house with a kitchen renovation,” King says. “Even though you’re going to spend $80,000 to $120,000, it also adds to the value of the house.” With Beechdale offering all of those services and having a well-earned reputation for finishing projects on time and on budget, it’s no surprise that the company is busy throughout the year. King is happy to have crews he can depend on—several employees have been with him for more than 20 years— including project manager Matt Graham, who oversees each job with a fine attention to detail. The grandson of Norman Graham, he already had a strong relationship with King and has been a welcome addition to the team since joining in 2020. With that support behind him and grateful customers who appreciate his work, it’s no wonder that King is proud of what he has built at Beechdale and the career he first embraced back in his teenage years. “I love it now more than I ever did,” he says. “It really helped bringing Matt on, because that has allowed me to focus on growing the business. Before, it would wear me out trying to line up new jobs while keeping the ones we already had running smoothly. Now, I can focus on the new jobs and Matt oversees the ongoing projects. That makes it enjoyable.”
Beechdale Builders 507 A Beechdale Road | Bird In Hand, PA (717) 278-3683 | BeechdaleBuildersLLC.com
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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 24
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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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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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PARTNER PROFILE
Expertise: M A R B L E , G R A N I T E A N D T I L E
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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.
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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
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PARTNER PROFILE
The of
BEAUTIFUL WINDOWS Heritage Design Interiors offers custom treatment that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
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beautiful room deserves beautiful windows—and at Heritage Design Interiors, every detail is thoughtfully designed to bring comfort, style and lasting elegance to your home. As the cooler days of fall arrive, it is the perfect time to refresh your home with custom window treatments that are as functional as they are beautiful. Heritage Design Interiors offers a wide selection of Hunter Douglas blinds, shades and shutters, expertly designed to complement any room, from traditional and timeless to sophisticated and contemporary. Heritage’s approach is truly full-service. They take care of all the details from measuring to installation, ensuring your window treatments fit beautifully and function properly. Whether your windows are large or small, standard or uniquely shaped, Heritage has solutions designed specifically for your home. For bedrooms, media rooms and spaces where privacy and restful sleep are important, room-darkening shades provide exceptional light control. For added convenience, motorized shades allow you to adjust your window treatHouseMagazine.com
ments with the touch of a button—or set them to operate automatically throughout the day. Beyond the window treatment itself, the finishing details make all the difference. Heritage Design Interiors offers an extensive selection of beautiful fabrics, trims, rods and linings, allowing each design to be customized to your home and personal style. Carefully selected shades and linings can also help insulate your windows, keeping the cold air out and helping
your home feel warmer and more comfortable as temperatures drop. And when fall arrives, there is nothing quite like the warmth and luxury of beautiful custom bedding. Coordinating fabrics, pillows, trims and window treatments can transform a bedroom into a cozy retreat—a place to relax, unwind and enjoy the season in comfort. At Heritage Design Interiors, they believe window treatments should be more than something that covers a window. They should enhance the architecture of your home, provide the comfort and function you need, and beautifully reflect your personal style. From the first measurement to the final installation, Heritage is here to make the process easy and enjoyable. Let them help you create windows—and rooms—that are beautifully designed for the way you live.
Heritage Design Interiors
1064 East Main Street New Holland, Pa. 17557 | (717) 354-2233 HeritageDesignInteriors.com SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026 HOUSE & HOME 31
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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.”
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.
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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.
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
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