Bucks County Home & Garden 2020

BucksCounty HOME & GARDEN HOME GARDEN

ANNUAL 2019

Stone Farmhouse • Seaside Sanctuary Home Accents • Monica Etz • Calendar Shade Garden Retreat •

640 N. Main Street • Doylestown, PA 215.348.8116 • www.barb-lin.com

Contents Bucks County Home & Garden Guide Annual 2020 Edition Annual Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Home Accents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Monica Etz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

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Duchess Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Shade Garden Retreat . . . . . . . . . . 42 Seashore Sanctuary . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Home & Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

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Rain Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Home Projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Resource Directory. . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Advertising Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 4

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Imagine yourself in the kitchen you’ve always wanted.

See every Sub-Zero and Wolf product in its natural environment at The Living Kitchen.

Make yourself at home. Get hands-on with the complete line of Sub-Zero and Wolf products as you move from one full-scale kitchen vignette to the next. Once you’ve been inspired by all that your new kitchen can be, our specialists will help you turn your dreams into a reality.

450 E. Butler Avenue

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New Britain, PA 18901

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215.345.1892

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www.billvandegrift.com

BUCKS COUNTY HOME & GARDEN HOME GARDEN

Publisher William N. Waite

Lisa Bridge, Kathy Driver,

Executive Editor Bob Waite

Lisa Kruse, Ann Ferro Murray

Art Director BCM MEDIA, INC.

Adminstration/Circulation

Photography Randl Bye Advertising Director Vicky M. Waite

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Account Executives

Bucks County Home & Garden Guide 2020

Melissa Kutalek Bucks County Home & Garden Guide is published annually by BCM Media Company, Inc., 309 W. Armstrong Drive, Fountainville, PA 18923. 215-766-2694.

Single copy price of the Bucks County Home & Garden Guide is $1.95. For single copy sales, call 215-766-2694 or visit Buckscountymag.com.

141 E. Main Street Silverdale, PA 18962 215-257-5177 335 South York Road Hatfield, PA 19040 215-672-4100

Route 29 and Little Road Zieglerville, PA 19492 610-287-9643

HOME & GARDEN Arts & Antiques

Annual Philadelphia Museum of Art

Annual Bucks County Quilt Showcase

Contemporary Craft Show

July-September: Over 100 quilts of various

November 6-8: This annual art event is for the

types will be on display at the Bucks County

benefit of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Visitor Center. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 3207

Funds raised are used to purchase works of art

Street Road, Bensalem PA. 800-836-2825;

and crafts for the permanent collections to fund

www.visitbuckscounty.com.

conservation and publications projects, and support exhibitions and education programs.

Doylestown Arts Festival

Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch

September 5-6: For this special weekend in

Street,

September Doylestown turns into a festival.You

www.pmacraftshow.org.

Philadelphia,

PA

215-684-7930;

will discover over 100 artists, live music on multiple stages, activities, food courts, and a bike

Sugarloaf Crafts Festival

race. Doylestown, PA. www.doylestownartsfes

November 6-8: The Philadelphia area welcomes

tival.com.

the Sugarloaf Craft Festival this fall! The awardwinning show will be at the Greater

New Hope Annual Outdoor Juried

Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pa. for a

Arts & Crafts Festival

three-day engagement, bringing the best in arts,

September 26-27: This Festival will include over

crafts and design together under one roof.

175 artists and craftsmen with such media as

More than 350 curated exhibitors will be in

ceramics, sculpture, pastels, glass art, and jewel-

attendance with their work, which includes

ry. Free Admission and shuttle. Rain or shine.

designer clothing and wearable art, jewelry,

New Hope-Solebury High School, New Hope,

woodworking, leather handbags, fine paintings

PA. www.newhopeartsandcrafs.com.

and glassware. Greater Philadelphia Expo Center,100 Station Avenue, Oaks, Pa 19456.

Crafts in the Meadow October 17-18: This fall invitational craft show

2020 Annual Antiques Show

features over 100 craftspeople, live music, and

November 7-8: The Bucks County Antiques

tons of activities. Crafters will be ceramics, fine

Dealers Association presents their 71st annual

art, fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, sculpture and

antiques show the largest of its kind in Bucks

more. Tyler Part Center for the Arts, 10 Stable

County. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.,

Mill Road, Richboro, PA

and Sunday hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

267-218-0290;

www.tylerpartarts.org.

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Bucks County Home & Garden Guide 2020

Admission is $6. Children under 16 are admit-

EVENTS ted free. Free parking. Eagle Fire Hall, Route 202

trees, glowing orbs, a shimmering tunnel of lights,

and Sugan Road, New Hope, PA. 215-290-3140;

and captivating light displays choreographed to hol-

www.bcadapa.org.

iday music to set a festive tone for Christmas. Road, Kennett.; www.longwoodgardens.org.

Gardens Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve

House & Home

This is the destination for seeing and learning about the native plants of the Delaware Valley.

The 134-acre preserve has over 800 species of native plants in the naturalistic setting. Explore woods, meadows, a pond, and Pidcock Creek, as well as a changing collection of wildlife, birds, and wildflowers. Many educational programs are

Philly Home & Garden Show February 14-16:Visit this annual show for decorating and remodeling, ideas, remodeling, ideas, learn more about companies, and stroll through gardens by area landscapers. Admission. Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Ave, Oaks PA. www.phillyhomeandgarden.com

offered year-round. 1635 River Road, New Hope PA. 215-862-2924; www.bhwp.org.

Linden Hill Gardens The retail nursery and destination garden of garden designer Jerry Fritz. Educational programs are offered year around. 8230 Easton Road, Ottsville, PA. 610-847-1300; www.linden

Bucks County Designer House & Gardens April-May: This show house features the work of local landscapers and designers. It is an annual fundraiser to benefit the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown to support Doylestown Hospital and V.I.A. community projects; www.buckscountydesignerhouse.org.

hillgarden.com.

2020 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show February 29- March 8: From the sweeping landscapes to the colorful entrance garden, the major exhibits of the Flower Show will catch your eye as soon as you walk through the doors onto the show floor. Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA. www.theflowershow.com.

A Longwood Christmas Late November-January: Outdoors, illuminated

Annual Bucks Beautiful Kitchen & Garden Tour June: This self-guided tour features six Bucks County homes. 10 a.m-4 p.m. Rain or Shine.

Advance admission. 215-340-3639; www.bucks beautiful.org St. Mary Community League’s Annual Kitchen & Garden Tour October: This annual kitchen and garden tour is a must see. Funds from the tour benefit St. Mary Medical Center. Advance admission. 215-7102591; www.stmaryfoundation.net.

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Disttinctive Vacatio a n Cottages

Find Your Nature Its easy to own your own getaway home, in n the woods by the water, in Bucks Cou unty, Pennsylvania. 100+ acres a of sylvan paradise await you in i quiet seclusion. Wonderfu ful cottages and cabins in a varietyy of styles and price ranges loocated in the beautiful natu ural surroundings of upper Bucks B County. s Private P i t gated t d community it s #ONVENIENT ACCESS TO MAJOR HIGHWAYS s !FFFORDABLE PRICING s ,ARGE STREAM FOR BOATING SWIMMING FIISHING s 3PRING 3UMMER !UTUMN 7INTER

WWW 3CHNABELsWooods.com or call 215-536-6255

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

L ... Buckman’s Home and Garden is more than just a garden centeer. We have an extensive line of home and seasonal decor and a boutique filled with scarves and jewelry including “Firefly” and John Michaels Richardson. We also stock a wide variety of plants and specialize in potscaping. From spring to winter we can help design your pots to look amazing all year long.

Contact us at 1814 South Easton Rd., Doylestown, PA;

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215-348-0877;www.buckmanshomeandgarde.com

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

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www.kenderdines.com.

Bucks County Home & Garden Guide 2020

Monica Etz Using regional artists for her inspiration, Monica Etz is constantly improving her craft as a plein air and still life painter

By Bob Waite

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ur region is so rich in natural beauty and artistic talent that Monica Etz sees local artists as the primary influence on her own work. While many artists may look to the French Impressionists or New Hope School, Monica learns from her contemporaries in Bucks, Hunterdon and Mercer County. “I am really inspired by local living artists. More so than the masters, because they were from a different world.

Local art that I see around me inspires me. I am in awe of people around here.”

Monica, a Lambertville resident, developed her moderate impressionistic style while taking lessons from local artists. She took lessons from Trisha Vergis, Bob Beck, Jim Lukens, Ty Hodanish and other painters from the region while developing her own unique style. But before she ever took any lessons or even opened a tube of oil paint, she painted.

Known for being creative as a child, she began painting in watercolor while in high school. “I really got into watercolor. I enjoyed it and I did some really great paintings.” Watercolor requires a high level of control and

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Bucks County Covered Bridge

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it is known as an unforgiving medium.”

Fifteen years ago Monica tried oil. She says, “When I gave oil painting a try it felt like I found my medium. I started out by dabbling a little bit and then after a while I started taking lessons with Trisha Vergis. She is the best teacher. I cannot praise her highly enough. She is an insightful teacher who really has a gift of teaching that helps people find their voice and achieve. She knows how to observe people and help them reach their highest potential. She saw my potential before I ever saw it. I took lessons from Trisha for so long that when I run into a problem I hear her voice telling me how to fix it.”

Monica specializes in landscapes, which she paints plein air, and still lifes that are often done alla prima (a method of painting where paint is applied wet on wet without letting earlier layers dry. It literally means “at first attempt,” because paintings done with this approach are usually finished in one session). Her style is characterized by what she calls

Bucks County Home & Garden Guide 2020

“bold color and juicy brush strokes.”

Monica works a full time job yet paints every day.

“As I became very committed to my craft, I began to paint every day. I have to be to work by nine o’clock, so I typically get up between 4 and 4:30. I make myself a cup of coffee and go up into my studio to paint for a couple of hours, until about seven o’clock. Then I have to walk the dog and get ready for work. I do it on the weekends too, although less so because there are activities.” onica loves the outdoors and when weekend activity is not taking her away, she is outside painting. And she paints plein air year round.

“We have four fabulous seasons and I love painting in all of them. I just cannot wait for snow days. When you look at the snow-covered landscape you may have never noticed this before, but the sky has a tinge

View of NEW Hope

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Lambertville Canal

of green in it. The shadows on the snow are all lilac, purple and blue. It is the most spectacular palette for painting. I paint in all weather and I have actually painted outside when it was only fourteen degrees.� lthough Monica paints in all seasons and some of her best were painted during the fall, she finds winter the most challenging. To combat the cold she wears knit gloves with the fingers cut off and now has a small space heater that her husband gave her. Another problem with plein air painting outdoors during the winter is that she has to work faster because the paint begins to get tacky after a long exposure to the cold. She muses, “When I go to museums and look at winter scenes by famous painters, I always look close to see how long they were out in the cold because if the paint is very thick, I know that they were out in the cold for a long time.�

Plein air paining, like alla prima has constraints.

A

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“When you paint outside you have this issue with the sunlight and then changing conditions. It can be difficult because the light changes in the sky. I really like to take my time with the underpainting. I’ve worked with a lot of plein air painters who can do their

Prallsville Mill

To combat the cold she wears knit gloves with the fingers cut off and now has a small space heater that her husband gave her. underpainting and their complete painting all at once.

And I have done that but I don’t really feel like that’s successful because I feel rushed. Now I am trying to hurry and do the underpainting and do the color and do the color on top—all in that three hour period. On Bucks County Home & Garden Guide 2020

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another day, whether it is the next day or a week later, I go back and with my palette full of paint.” Sometimes Monica goes back to the scene much later. “One time I didn’t go back for a year and a half. If I have it in my studio staring at me, I say “I got to get back there, I got to get back there.”

Monica uses light and shading in a marvelous way for both her plein air and still life paintings. This is defined by her very full palette and visible brushstrokes.

Her subject matter is our local countryside. “There is so much beauty in Hunterdon, Bucks Mercer County that you can find a beautiful potential painting while driving down any street—really. The ideal situation is to go somewhere where there is a bathroom and coffee nearby. I painted along the towpath in Stockton, the

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Howell Living History Farm, Carversville and New Hope. I painted here in Lambertville, every street. Everywhere I look there is a potential painting.”

Monica enjoys the intellectual dimension of her art, working out a problem, which can be seen as putting a puzzle together. Mainly though, Monica enjoys the inward transformation she undergoes while painting, especially when she is outside. “The thing about me is if I am outside and I am relaxed and get into a certain mindset, I feel the kind of peace where time actually seems to stand still. I love that feeling where I am so focused and tranquil and my mind is still.”

BOB WAITE MAGAZINE.

IS THE EDITOR OF

BUCKS COUNTY

Renewal of Duchess Farm

By Beth S. Buxbaum

Photos: Randl Bye

Janet and Rob Schimek kept their eye on this historic farmhouse on the edge of Duchess Farm Estates until one day their dream of restoring it was only a winning bid away

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n 1690 a simple log cabin was built on what called Egypt Farm in Upper Makefield. The property since then has had a long list of owners and an infamous past. Marge Reeves, owner of the farm in 1970, has supplied much of the history of Egypt Farm and subsequently Duchess Farm III , of which her and her husband Eldrow (nicknamed Dutch) were the 21st owners since Joseph Tomlinson purchased the homestead from the London Land Company on January 14, 1764. As Marge Reeves explains, the original Egypt Farm was named for a Biblical reference. “According to legend, since the early 1700’s, when crop failures occurred due to drought, this farm produced enough seed for farmers in the area to replant their fields. Thus, it became known as Egypt Farm, from the Biblical story when men from all countries went to Joseph in Egypt, to buy corn.”

In addition to the legend, the farm also was connected with a tale about a band of thieves who stole cash from the Newtown Treasury. As Marge Reeves tells the story, “John Tomlinson, who was the owner of Egypt Farm beginning in 1764, joined the notorious gang of outlaws, the Doanes. Tomlinson was hanged for his Bucks County Home & Garden Guide 2020

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participation in the robbery and buried on this property. The farm’s legacy continues with a reference to the fact that, according to accounts, the farm is the only one in Bucks County that has remained practically in total through the years, at least until the mid 2000s.

The farm property was bought by Toll Brothers in the mid 2000s, and the farm was subdivided. Aside from the 33 acres that was maintained as the farm, the remaining acreage was developed into homes by Toll Brothers. Janet and Rob Schimek bought one of the new homes in 2008, in what is now called Dutchess Farm Estates. These estates were named after the farm, originally named Egypt Farm, and later called Dutchess Farm

Opposite, fieldstone exterior and a door into the home. Top, a patio with a view toward a wooden gate. Bottom left, the totally refurbished barn, original to the property, was given a facelift with all new exterior wood, a new roof, windows and doors. At the entrance the original wood columns were transformed with an outside layer of fieldstone done by Pete Kirshbaumer, a local mason. Bottom right, the pool area is in full view with the original corn crib, barn and carriage house in the background.

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Top left, in the new kitchen, completed in 2015, a banquette was built from reclaimed barn wood. The seating was designed to have an old, weathered look. The pine floor is designed with a faux parquet finish.

Bottom Left, in a corner of the screened-in porch, against the original fieldstone wall, is a tiny painted cabinet. Right, across from the banquette is the kitchen's center island topped with a synthetic Dekton counter top with a cozy eating bar.

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Janet is from Levittown and Rob grew up on a working farm just five miles down the road from Egypt Farm and was familiar with the property. They love country living, especially farms and older homes.

by Marge and Dutch Reeves. Aside from the remaining farm and the development, a portion of the surrounding land was preserved, protecting the area from any more development. Farmers remained living on the property, as well as an elderly woman, who was there until she passed in 2012. At this point the farm was on the market and on the Schimek’s radar.

“We have been driving by and admiring this farm since we moved to this development,” Rob adds. Little did they know that this historic homestead would be theirs.

Janet explains that Rob was in London, where they were preparing to move for Rob’s job with AIG. One day Janet was driving by the property and saw a for sale sign. “I immediately texted Rob to tell him and he said to put in a bid,” she says. She

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explains how Rob came home for a weekend to see the property, which included the farmhouse, a barn, a corn crib and a carriage house. They were excited about the prospects. Their bid was accepted and Rob returned to London, leaving Janet to handle the purchase process. hat attracted Janet and Rob to this farm? Both Janet and Rob are from Bucks County. Janet is from Levittown and Rob grew up on a working farm just five miles down the road from Egypt Farm and was familiar with the property. They love country living, especially farms and older homes. Even when Rob worked in the city, they always maintained a home in the countryside. Now they are the owners of this property that they have

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Opposite, a cozy setting for a family meal in the dining area, just off of the living room, both part of the 1974 addition. Top, the living room and dining room, part of the 1769 addition, with a fireplace at opposite ends, has the original refinished pumpkin pine floors. Bottom, a newer staircase, added with the 1974 addition, leads to the second and third floors.

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admired from afar. his home has seen a lot of change over the years, from its humble beginnings as a log cabin. From Marge Reeve’s accounts, she explains that a local architect named Edwin Brumbaugh, who was a renowned national craftsman specializing in Colonial restorations, oversaw the restoration of the farmhouse when the Reeves purchased it in 1974.

As he worked on the house he noted several interesting historical facts. The original fireplace on the first floor room of the log cabin, known as the keeping room, was where the residents did all their cooking. This fireplace is 14 feet by eight inches wide and extends from wall-to-wall. Marge states that Edwin Brumbaugh believes this is the largest fireplace he has ever seen. As her records continue, she says that the log cabin was encased in stone at some point. There is a dry sink in the left corner of the fireplace and a brick bread oven in the right corner. The fireplace wall

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has not been disturbed, according to Brumbaugh, and remains today as it was in the late 1600s. This simple log cabin remained such until 1769 when the owners enlarged the structure.

This first addition added a living room and three bedrooms upstairs and another bedroom on the third floor. Marge Reeves stated in her history of the property that she believes the living room was once two rooms. There are fireplaces on opposite sides of this space. She notes that the dividing wall had been removed by the time they owned the property. The Reeves added a new section to the 1769 addition in 1972-1974. A lean-to kitchen stood at the east end of the house. This was removed and a new section was added to create a kitchen and dining room, a powder room, as well as a master bedroom above and a guest bedroom on the third floor.

As the newest owners of a centuries-old farmhouse, the prospect of major repairs and construction are always looming. This was not the case for the Schimek’s. “The farmhouse was in good condition,” adds Rob,” it just had not been updated

Opposite top. in the original first floor of the 1690 log cabin is the wall-to-wall walk-in fireplace with all the original cooking utensils. In the left corner is a dry sink and a brick bread oven is in the right corner. Opposite bottom, in the new master bath, a claw-foot tub sits next to the glass enclosed shower.

This room was finished with a marble floor. Bottom, the original bedroom from the 1690 log cabin shows its simplicity, with the original floors, ceiling beams and walls.

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Opposite, on the first floor of the expansive, refurbished barn is a cozy seating area in front of the fireplace, which was built with fieldstone to match the stone in the original barn walls. A drop down projection screen hangs on the fireplace wall. Above, this seating area has expansive space and another chandelier. since the 1970s.” Rob adds that the barn was the biggest building on the property and the most dilapidated, so that is where the work began. They maintained their home in Dutchess Farm Estates and worked with Tim Sager, a local contractor, to begin some of the renovations. “We entrusted him with this project while we were in London for a year,” Rob explains. pon their return from London, in March of 2013, Janet and Bob worked along with a team to map out and orchestrate the renewal of Dutchess Farm.

The renovation of the barn was already in process. Now they began refurbishing the farmhouse working with their contractor, Tim Sager, their designer, Susan Lanshe, and Joel Petty, their architect. “We could not change the footprint of the house,”

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Rob notes, “and did want to maintain the house’s original elements as much as possible.” In full collaboration with Janet and Rob, the team assessed what work needed to be done. “We really did not change much in most of the rooms,” Janet continues. They were living in the home in Dutchess Farm Estates until all the renovations were completed, moving into their newly refurbished homestead in June of 2017. “I actually watched the renovation project from the house,” adds Janet.

In the farmhouse, other than aesthetics like removing wallpaper and repainting all the rooms, the only major construction as on the second floor. They refinished all the floors. A new master bathroom was designed from what was a closet. They raised the roof to add a shower.

The biggest project was the kitchen Bucks County Home & Garden Guide 2020

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Above, a caterer's kitchen was designed for entertaining in the barn. Opposite, a view of the second and third floors of the newly refurbished barn with a family room and cozy eating area on the second floor and the pub on the third floor. renovation in 2015, to design a new kitchen out of the 1974 addition. A major reconfiguring took place in this space, that was the kitchen and dining room. Tucked into the back of this area was the old kitchen. They removed all the appliances from the back corner and transformed that space into a laundry room. There was a wall separating the kitchen area from the dining room. The wall was removed and the newly defined kitchen area was created. A custom designed floor was done in pine and painted with a distressed faux parquet-look. “The reason for this was that we knew we could not match the new floor to the floor in the original 1690 section of the house,” Rob explains.

All the wood in the cabinetry and seating was designed to look as though it was part of the original homestead, done with a weathered, distressed finish. Custom carpentry, by Ken Reinert, included a ban-

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quette built from reclaimed barn wood. Rob points out that the wood underneath still has the original red paint. “The seating was designed to have an old look with modern capability,” Rob adds as he points out that a big screen TV that is hidden in the side of the banquette seating, as the remote control lifts it. In the space that was the dining room, the new kitchen was designed with a center island. A Dekton counter top with a cozy eating bar sits on top of the base supplying plenty of storage. A stone backsplash was created above the stove, with an added appointment of a fireback mounted on the backsplash. A fireback is a metal sheet that sits in back of the fireplace to reflect the heat back into the room. “We found this fireback somewhere in the house and the designer decided we should use it as an accent point in the new kitchen,” Janet adds.

Repurposing materials was one element of the farmhouse renewal that was impor-

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SUSAN LANSHE INTERIOR DESIGN or Bucks County Interior Designer Susan Lanshe,

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working on the Schimek farm house and barn proj-

ect was a dream come true. Lanshe and Janet Schimek first met 20 years ago when they worked together on the Schimek's house in Lower Makefield. Over the years, they developed a strong partnership and when Schimek brought the farm property to Lanshe, she jumped at the chance. “Janet and Rob have a strong sense of their personal style and vision for this property,” says Lanshe. “My job is to work with them to help bring their vision to life.”

In this project, Lanshe worked closely with Janet and Rob Schimek, as well as with the architects, contractors and tradespeople to painstakingly transform this over 100-year old, dilapidated farm into a beautiful home and barn that they can enjoy with their family and friends. “This was a five-year labor of love," says Lanshe. “We put so much thought into every detail of this property—from the space planning, architectural details, plumbing and electrical work, to the finishing touches like tile, lighting

Buckman’s Home and Garden WHERE HOME AND GARDEN COME TOGETHER

fixtures and more. I am so proud of the end result."

Susan Lanshe is a Bucks County native and earned her Bachelor's degree in Interior Design from Moore College of Art & Design in Philadelphia. She owned and was the principal designer at the Newtown Design Group for more than 20 years and now works from her design studio in Richboro, PA. Lanshe has worked with hundreds of clients in Bucks County and the surrounding community over her 25-year career and says that each home and each client brings their own style and taste. “I begin each project with a clean slate,”

Potscaping For Every Season Landscape And Installation Garden Revitalization 1814 South Easton Road •Doylestown, PA

215.348.0877

BuckmansHomeandGarden.com

says Lanshe. "I love working with people in helping them achieve the home of their dreams."

To contact Susan Lanshe Interiors, call 215479-7877.You can also visit Susan Lanshe Interiors on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SusanLansheInteriorDesign.

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Everything you need for your fireplace

105 S. Main Street • Dublin, PA

215.249.0182 www.gratesandgrills.com

(Between Doylestown & Quakertown on Rte. 313) Mon - Fri. 9-5:30 • Sat 10-4 • Closed Sun

Heating Oil & HVAC 215-968-2041 www.kenderdines.com

500 S State St Newtown PA Automatic Delivery 24 Hour Emergency Service Service Contracts Payment Programs HVAC Installations

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Shade Garden Retreat

BY BOB WAITE Photography: Greg Kear

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ob and Lois Kear bought their Doylestown home in 1965.

They were the third owners to live there since the house was built in 1893. The previous owner, Casimir Anthony Sienkiewicz, an economist, banker and impressionist painter, emigrated from Poland in 1906 and decided he wanted the Kears to have the house because he loved the young family, especially the children. It wasn’t long before Bob, Lois’s late husband, designed the shade garden behind this historic Doylestown home. This exquisite hidden retreat, not visible from the road, is a place for solitude, relaxation and reflection. It is also a place of togetherness.

The garden was displayed to the public as part of the 2018 Bucks Beautiful Kitchen & Garden Tour. Since the garden was designed and built, additions were added to it, such as the garden house and pond. Lois’s son, Greg, built the pond with her grandsons, Jonathan and Michael. Jonathan lives with Lois and maintains the garden for her. Although the family thinks it may be time for Lois to move into a retirement community, she says, “I find it very hard to move.” She loves her home and her shade garden, with it’s garden house, patio, pond, and shady spaces.

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Seashell Sanctuary A beach house design on the Jersey Shore that shelters a family from north winds, and noise while opening views of the shoreline and water

By Michael Roosevelt When my clients first showed me their beach house for renovation, their kids were outside collecting seashells and hermit crabs. It became clear how much the family loved spending time outside. But there are lots of people along beachside roads and there can be storms. Like a certain creature of the sea, people need quiet time as well to retreat into a sanctuary, a shell. We can appreciate that cozy feeling, yet this house presented the problem of particularly cramped quarters.

Moving forward in our process, indoor-outdoor connection for this beach house design on the Jersey Shore was an important component for the project, to shelter the family from the north winds and street/beach noise while opening their home to the beautiful views of the shoreline and the water.

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START ANEW AND SAVOR THE VIEW

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he little single-story bungalow beach home was situated in the middle of its property facing toward the Atlantic Ocean. With no air conditioning and built in the 1950s, the clients had renovated it a couple of times to make it suitable so they could enjoy it as a vacation home and rent it out during other times of

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People would walk along that sandy beach road alongside the North side of their property to get to the water, dropping bikes and flip flops along the way.

the year.

Public beach access meant convenient but crowded. People would walk along that sandy beach road alongside the North side of their property to get to the water, dropping bikes and flip flops along the way. The family was constantly exposed to this traffic. As the ice cream truck approached, all the kids would emerge shouting. It sounds idyllic but from the clients’ perspective, they worried about the

noise levels and their children’s safety.

Seeing their kids splashing in the water and playing in the sand, I knew the design had to encourage more of that adventurous, outdoorsy spirit … for the whole family.

While children today spend half the time their parents did playing outside, a National Trust survey also found that ‘nine out of 10 parents would prefer offspring to spend childhood connecting with nature.’ I love to see families like this who seek outdoor Bucks County Home & Garden Guide 2020

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Beach House experiences as part of a vacation and everyday life.

To accomplish this, our design process revealed it was time to knock down the bungalow and build something new—like a hermit crab that sheds its shell, then seeks another. The clients had outgrown their shell.

We discussed what they needed moving forward. Creating an indoor-outdoor connection, we discovered ways to open up to the views of the shore from higher levels of the home, while the sunbathers they didn’t want to see on the ground level would be out of sight.

materials create this sense of connection.

For additional privacy, we could build a wall of driftwood or grasses. Eclipse parts of the nearby buildings, then only peaks of the houses pop up into view.

In Japanese architecture, this transition effect is called Borrowed Scenery, or a Borrowed View. The concept is to shield the stuff you don’t want to see, and in the foreground welcome materials or vegetation that is consistent with the view you love.

The essence of the indoor-outdoor connection is gradually dissolving the built world and sliding into the natural world.

WELCOME THE OUTDOORS IN

DEFINE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SPACES Through in-depth conversation and planning, we defined private and public spaces. The dining room would be more public, on the front of the house, facing the street. Glass openings, along with a large door to the deck, still allow for connection to a frequently busy public space.

The side facing the beach became more private. From the deck, plants in planter boxes cascade on the stairs. This way, one could transition from the deck to the beach, or sitting there, you could still feel like you’re at the shore in your own private oasis.

Framed views and mindfully chosen

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he average American spends 93% of life indoors, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

We want our clients to spend more than 7% of their lives outdoors, and this family’s beach house design on the Jersey Shore encouraged the whole family to savor the view of the water from the deck … while the kids continue collecting hermit crabs and seashells.

If you have a beach home and are ready to shed your shell, call us at 267756-7004 or visit us online at www.syner gy-architects.com.

MICHAEL J. ROOSEVELT AIA, NCARB, LEED BD+C IS THE PRINCIPAL OF SYNERGY ARCHITECTS, INC.

Home & Garden G

GEMMI CONSTRUCTION, INC. 4936 York Road Buckingham, PA • 215-340-4600 Gemmiconstruction.com

emmi Construction, Inc. is a full service, remodeling firm, specializing in Custom Renovations and additions, founded by NARI Certified Remodeler, John Gemmi. With over 20 years experience, John’s skill and pride in his craft are building elegant and comfortable living spaces all over Bucks and Montgomery counties that will be as appreciated in a century as they are today. Our commitment to exceeding our customers’ expectations is evident in all the work we do. From our first meeting to the final walk through, you are an essential part of the team.

H

HOLLAND FLOOR COVERING 34 Swamp Road Newtown, PA • 215-968-3333 Hollandfloor.com

olland Floor Covering is a family owned and operated business for over 40 years. Their 8,000 square-foot showroom features a large selection of carpet, hardwood, laminate, area rugs, vinyl and ceramic tile. Free estimates. Let Holland show you how beautiful your home can look with new flooring. A friendly knowlegeable staff is here to help you.

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Home F

amily-owned and operated since 1908, Tague Lumber has been serving the tristate area for over 110 years. The certified designers at our Showrooms specialize in creating truly custom looks for your kitchen and baths. Not only will our beautiful displays inspire you; our design professionals can help you assess custom options and decide which types of cabinets and countertops will function best for you, all while being respectful of your budget. We can work with you to TAGUE LUMBER DESIGN SHOWROOM plan your entire kitchen or work in 6100 Easton Road tandem with your architect, conPlumsteadville,, PA • 215-348-9408 tractor, or interior designer.

TagueLumber.com

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GL DESIGNS Ambler,, PA • 215-628-4070 GLDesigns.net

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ince 1979, GLDesigns has created hundreds of projects from Philadelphia to the Hamptons. Our experienced design/build team can handle all aspects of your project from gardens, patios, walkways and decks.

Each project is customized to reflect your taste and lifestyle while delivering multi seasonal interest and a seamless functionality that enhances the home for years to come. GL Designs is located at 1122 E. Welsh Rd., Ambler, PA 19002. For information, call 215-628-4070 or visit www.gldesigns.net.

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acations have never been easier than owning a cottage in Schnabels’ Woods, a private gated community of individually owned recreational cabins.

Conveniently located and affordable, cottages come in a variety of sizes and styles, all with access to the beautiful Tohickon Stream. It’s pristine, because there are no permanent homes or rentals. Enjoy acres of wooded beauty, commune with nature or do nothing at all, here in your cottage, in the woods by the water.

SCHNABELS’ WOODS Bucks County, PA 215-536-6255 Schnabelswoods.com

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ill Vandegrift, Inc presents the Sub-Zero and Wolf brands in the environment in which they are meant to be experienced, showcasing the breadth of products and offering the opportunity to interact with the appliances much like one would in a home kitchen. See the full model line-up from Sub-Zero and Wolf incorporated side-byside in a real setting, helping you to visualize how these two brands might complement one another in your own home.

BILL VANDEGRIFT, INC. 450 East Butler Ave., New Britain, PA 215-345-5616 Billvandegrift.com Bucks County Home & Garden Guide 2020

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Home D

DEAR GARDEN ASSOC., INC. Pipersville, PA

PA 215-766-8110 • NJ 609-919-0050 Deargarden.com

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

R

RALPH C. FEY ARCHITECTS 300 N. Broad St., Doylestown, PA; 215-489-2042 Rcfarchitects.com 58

Bucks County Home & Garden Guide 2020

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

& Garden B

arb-Lin Carpet One, family owned and operated, has been providing excellence in the floor covering business since 1948. Our quality and service are what the community has been able to depend on. The flooring industry has undergone many changes in recent years. Barb-Lin Carpet One is one of the few carpet retailers who have met this challenge by aligning themselves with major brands such as Karastan, Bigelow, Lees, Pergo, Mannington and Armstrong just to mention a few. We invite you to visit our showroom and let our professional staff answer any questions you may have about flooring.

BARB-LIN CARPET ONE 640 North Main Street • Doylestown, PA

215-348-8116 Barb-lin.com

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ear-round comfort.

Service.Value.

Security. Convenience.

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

HARRIS COMFORT 215-788-4596 215-968-7477 Harriscomfort.com

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Home R

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

ROLF SCHROEDER Ivyland, PA 215-672-0829 RolfSchroedergc.com

GRATES AND GRILLS 105 S. Main Street, Dublin, PA 215-249-0182 Gratesandgrills.com

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F

or your outdoor enjoyment we carry the full line of Weber barbecue, charcoal and gas grills with all the parts and accessories. If you’re building an outdoor kitchen, come in to see the top of the line stainless steel Firemagic built-in or portable grills.

Bucks County Home & Garden Guide 2020

& Garden F

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

J.R. MAXWELL BUILDERS, INC. Doylestown, PA 215-345-1953 JRMaxwellBuilders.com

W

olstenholme Associates, an award-winning Bucks County architecture and design firm, draws its inspiration from the local architecture. Our team is dedicated to providing high-quality, sustainable designs, modernizing them in a fresh and classical manner that realizes your vision and achieves a unique and inspired architectural expression.

WOLSTENHOLME ASSOCIATES 108 N. Main Street • Doylestown, PA 215-701-3065 WolstenholmeAssoc.com Bucks County Home & Garden Guide 2020

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Garden

Rain Gardens, What Are They?

By installing rain gardens an integrating them into the landscape, GLDesigns can add beauty and color to the landscape, while providing an easier way to meet township requirements for a drainage solution to offset an addition of impervious space.

BY ANDREA STEINBERG

he dictionary definition goes something like this, “A rain garden is a planted depression that allows rainwater runoff from impervious surfaces, like roofs, driveways, walkways, decks and patios, to slowly infiltrate back into the soil as the plants, mulch and soil naturally remove pollutants from the runoff.”

The working definition goes more like this, “You want to build a deck or patio but the township requires a drainage solution to offset the additional impervious space.” A rain garden can be the solution.

There are alternatives. You could choose a gravel pit with drains, but rain gardens are a lot cheaper, easier to install and certainly more visually appealing. However, rain gardens can be aesthetically challenging. The best method is to integrate the rain garden into an existing landscape.

The project shown here started with a new deck. The rain garden is part of the larger landscape and captures water from the pool decking and run-off from the roof. The property had a lot of mature, formal plantings that had to make visual sense with the naturalistic vibe of the rain garden plantings. To get started, we used transitional plants to meld the

T

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Rain garden with view to pool. Plants across the pool area are Perovskia atriplicifolia, Amsonia hubrichtii and Geranium macrorrhizum ‘Bevan’s Variety’. Foreground plants include, Helianthus ‘Lemon Queen’, Helenium autumnale 'Sombrero' (orange) and Lobelia cardinalis (red).

View of deck entrance to rain garden and pool spa. Hydrangea paniculate ‘Limelight’ tree form by the rail.

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Rain garden hiding the pool equipment: Chionanthus virginicus (ornamental tree), Baptisia australis in foreground, Vibrunum pragense in front of the fence, and Vernonia noveboracensis (purple). in the background.

styles. Hydrangeas in the foreground are effective with both moods and a sturdy, green backdrop of evergreen Viburnums also helps to screen the pool equipment. The shrubs provide a structural framework for the perennials and ornamental grasses, keeping everything looking surprisingly neat. The rain garden added fun splashes of color and made the pool area feel like a vacation property.

The colorful variety of native perennials thrive in the rain garden environment and add summer color and seasonal interest. The garden’s plants also attract birds, butterflies and pollinators. Natives have the added benefit of being deer resistant.

Rain gardens can be added to your property at any time and are great for the environment. You might find that you’re a rain garden convert!

GLDesigns is located at 1122 E. Welsh Rd., Ambler, PA. For more information, call 215-628-4070, email sales@gldesigns.net or visit www.gldesigns.net.

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BUCKS FEVER • DISCOVER NEW JERSEY • THE HULK

BucksCounty magazine ©

Annual Wedding Guide

74470 26627 0

$4.95US

3

81

Spring 2018

TAPESTRY GARDENS / CIVIL WAR AT NESHAMINY AN EXTENDED LOG CABIN / PET PORTRAITURE

THE MAGAZINE OF CHOICE

Because of it’s editorial excellence, unparalleled content and exceptional quality, Bucks County Magazine has become the magazine of choice among the top decision makers and key leaders within the business community and the cultural, art and social sectors of Bucks County.

ORGANIC FARM / SPICES / CHESAPEAKE GETAWAY

Be sure you include Bucks County Magazine in your media plan when you want to reach this very attractive region.

Published quarterly, Bucks County Magazine is sold on major newsstands and to paid subscribers through the mail. A portion is also mailed to business and professional offices for their waiting rooms.The magazine also sponsors local events and markets copies through these events.

Contact Bill Waite at 215-920-9660 or bill@buckscountymag.com

AWARD WINNING DESIGN

OUTDOOR LIVING

D

ear Garden Associates, Inc. is an award-winning firm specializing in the design, installation and maintenance of outdoor living spaces. Our goal is to create and maintain gardens of the highest quality possible and to provide a great experience for our clients.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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TRADITIONAL AND MODERN

OPEN AND WELCOMING HOME

A

dding modern elements to a traditional home is not always easy, but Gemmi Construction is always up for the challenge! For this major residential renovation, it was important to integrate contemporary materials with historic sensibilities in a respectful way for the two elements to complement one another.

The Gemmi Construction team was

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able to work together with the architect, interior designer, and homeowner to bring this vision to life. The existing kitchen was cramped and the original house lacked character, so one of the first goals was to open up the floor plan into one continuous space. This created a welcoming environment that is both well functioning and well designed. Large bi-fold doors open along the entire length of the dining area wall,

connecting the interior home and exterior gardens. This added special elements in a truly unique way, along with skylights and large windows for plenty of natural light.

Wide plank white oak flooring throughout adds to the contiguous flow, while 200 year old barn beams, quartz countertops, and European inspired cabinetry bring everything together for a creative blend of old meets new.

Large custom made barn doors allow for adaptability as they can be closed off when desired or remain open to achieve the goal of communicating with adjacent areas. The end goal was to create a very open yet cohesive space to be the center of focus for the owner’s lifestyle. For more information, contact Gemmi Construction, Inc. at 215-340-4600 or visit them at www.gemmiconstruction.com.

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NEW ADDITION WITH KITCHEN

1800’S STONE FARMHOUSE

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ocated in Bucks County, the owners of this 1800’s stone home wanted to expand their existing addition. Experienced in construction with older historical structures, Jay and James took the previous addition down to the studs, made their adjustments, and reconstructed a new addition to blend and incorporate the old stone facade with the new.

Upon entering, the addition opens to

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a large, open kitchen complete with custom cabinetry from Mink Run Millwork, a division of J.R. Maxwell. A farmhouse sink sits amongst the cream millwork and an island stands in the center featuring more custom cabinetry painted in an accent color, creating a chic Bucks County feel.

A living room sits behind the kitchen, allowing for guests to move from one space to the other seamlessly. The room is

full of natural light from windows, and has easy access to a new powder room, mudroom and exit, creating the perfect flow.

Above the first-floor area of the addition is the new master suite, complete with covered walk-out patio, large spacious bedroom with a stunning master bath featuring a custom millwork vanity, stand-up shower and elegant tub–which has the feel of a luxury hotel suite.

J.R. Maxwell Builders has the ability to take your dream plans from idea to reality. Whether you need an addition, a completely new home, commercial construction, custom millwork or a smaller project, there’s J.R. Maxwell craftsmen for each and every job. For more information, contact J.R. Maxwell Builders at 215-345-1953 or visit them at www.jrmaxwellbuilders.com.

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A BUCKS COUNTY BARN

SALVAGING HISTORY

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riginally part of a William Penn land grant, this historic Bucks County property had undergone many additions since the original house and barn were built toward the late 1700’s. The barn had been crushed by a tree and was in danger of imminent collapse with only onethird of the stone walls remaining.

Ralph Fey Architects was able to save the structure, transforming it into a beautiful space for entertaining, featuring a com-

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pletely open area column-free wood and glass interior. The result is an architectural delineation between what was salvaged (the stone) and what is new (the glass).

“Although it’s typical to add on to historic architecture in a seamless way, this project celebrates the surviving stone wall and timber frame with a glass and wood companion addition” says Ralph Fey. “The expression happens both on the exterior by the change of stone to wood and on the interior by the

Before

After

completely open and column-free area, contrasted by the timber frame of the original barn. This creates an exciting and inviting space overall, incorporating the historic structure and infusing contemporary construction.�

The design for the main home was to seamlessly mesh a contemporary farmhouse kitchen, mudroom, and attached garage with the traditional stone farmhouse. The owners wanted to expand and renovate the

kitchen to align with their love of cooking and entertaining. During the demolition phase, a bread oven and sistern were discovered. They were included in the new design, in keeping with Ralph Fey Architects goal of preserving the past, while bringing properties into the modern era.

For more information, contact Ralph C. Fey Architects at 215-489-2042 or visit www.rcfarchitects.com.

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A FATHER AND SON TEAM

TRUST IS WHAT WE BUILD

T

he trust that is built is evident from the first meeting to the day the project is completed. This is why when interviewing their clients, the common theme of responses arises as to why they chose to have Rolf Schroeder General Contractors complete their remodeling and addition projects. “They had our best interest in mind…They listened…They helped me stay on budget or explained to me where I went over and

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allowed me to decide what was important to me…” The list goes on. The photos above are just a few examples of the projects completed for these clients.

Rolf Schroeder General Contractors, Inc. was established in 1982 by local carpenter/builder Rolf Schroeder. The company specializes in the design and building process of residential remodeling. In 2008, his son Derek Schroeder joined the company full time after graduating from

The Pennsylvania State University.

The company's passion for remodeling continues to grow as they build on family traditions. Although they are based in Bucks County, they design and build fine detailed projects in Montgomery County, PA as well as New Jersey. They are an experienced group who are dedicated to their craft which is evident in all their remodeling certifications and continuing education classes completed each year. Their main goal is to create spaces which meet the needs of each client while using high quality products and a well-rounded experienced

team. Having a company and team of individuals who takes pride in their work creates unsurpassed quality and uniqueness in every project. Their thorough Design/Build Process ensures your project is planned, designed, and finalized before the work even begins, allowing for an efficient project which is completed in a timely manner. Rolf Schroeder General Contractors, Inc. is located at 1979 Stout Drive, Suite #1, Ivyland, PA. For more information, call 215-672-0829, email derek@rolfschroedergc.com, or visit www.rolfschroedergc.com.

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REINVENTING THE BACKYARD

BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR SPACES

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hen Woodsmith Construction began this project, there was nothing in the backyard but dirt. With a large family and frequent entertaining, the client wanted the ultimate outdoor retreat. The goal was to bring the inside out, creating living space with additional “rooms” under cover. This started by constructing a 400 square-foot cathedral sunroom in a transitional design combining modern elements with rustic materials. Building out the back, a 30’ x

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30’ roof structure was added over the kitchen areas, wrapped in cypress and finished with a pine V-Groove plank ceiling.

Going from the sunroom toward the lower patio is an expansive outdoor kitchen featuring a built-in stainless grill, sink, refrigerator, wrap-around leather finished granite top, seating for five at the bar, and even a custom made bread oven. There is a detached pergola and two firepits with culling stone and glass that changes colors with the flames. Topping it all off is the

outdoor lighting and landscaping, enhancing everything for a summer’s evening gathering.

Woodsmith Construction is a full service building company based in Bucks County, PA, focusing on residential construction, fine home remodeling, outdoor retreats and exterior upgrades. Licensed in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Woodsmith Construction is owned by builder/contractor Pete Buechle. With over 15 years experience, Pete’s mission is

to create the highest quality and beautiful lasting spaces for the client—on budget and on time.

Woodsmith Construction was founded on two major principles: bringing back an era of true craftsmanship and establishing and maintaining a transparent approach to residential construction.

For more information about Woodsmith Construction LLC., call 215-862-2148 (office) or 908-763-2528 (cell) or visit www.woodsmithconstruction.com.

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QUALITY LAWN CARE

LITTLE’S CELEBRAT ES 70 YEARS

T

he Little family has owned and operated Little’s for 70 years. Our current owners are the third generation to work in the business, and several fourth-generation family members are in the business as well. In other words, our commitment to quality and selling American-made products from one of the great American brands is generations in the making.

In 2007, Little’s decided to start

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

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

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

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

Little’s offers an annual subscription

service for high-performance care of all the equipment we sell, including regularly scheduled maintenance and repairs on your equipment. Additionally, our Ready To Mow mobile service sends a technician to your home to conduct on-the-spot repairs.

Visit relittle.com or one of their local locations to see the full line of John Deere equipment. They have showrooms close by in Silverdale; 215-257-5177. Hatboro; 215672-4100; Zieglerville, PA; 610-287-9643.

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HOME & GARDEN RESOURCE DIRECTORY ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN Ralph C. Fey Architects, 300 N. Broad Street, Doylestown, PA; 215-489-2042; www.rcfarchitects.com.

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

Wolstenholme Associates,108 N. Main Street, Doylestown, PA; 215-701-3065; www.wolstenholmeassoc.com.

Wolstenholme Associates, an award-winning Bucks County architecture and design firm, draws its inspiration from the local architecture. Our team is dedicated to providing high-quality, sustainable designs, modernizing them in a fresh and classical manner that realizes your vision and achieves a unique and inspired architectural expression.

APPLIANCES Bill Vandegrift, Inc., 450 East Butler Ave., New Britain PA; 215-345-5616; www.billvandegrift.com.

Bill Vandegrift Inc.—the only one you need to call. Let our knowledgeable staff and 60 years of experience help you choose the right appliance for your needs. We’re just a phone call away.

vignettes of kitchen and bath cabinetry, windows, doors, hardware, plus moulding and millwork displays.

CUSTOM BUILDERS Gemmi Construction Inc., 4936 York Road, Suite 1200 Buckingham, PA; 215-340-4600. www.gemmiconstruction.com.

Gemmi Construction, Inc. is a full service, remodeling firm, specializing in Custom Renovations and additions founded by NARI Certified Remodeler, John Gemmi.

With over 20 years experience, John’ s skill and pride in his craft are building elegant and comfortable living spaces all over Bucks and Montgomery Counties that will be as appreciated in a century as they are today.

J. R. Maxwell Builders, Inc., Doylestown, PA; 215-345-1953; www.jrmaxwellbuilder.com.

From facades and kitchen cabinets to built-ins, there is distinctive American character in everything we build.

We place significant emphasis on quality control from start to finish and we refuse to cut corners–every detail of every project has the unique touch of our craftsmen.

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

An Award Winning Construction Firm that offers the Design & Building aspect needed for successfully managing and completing any remodeling project. In Over the last 30 plus years the Company has been built around Professionalism, Reputation, Integrity, Dedication, and Experience.

DECKS / RENOVATIONS

AWNINGS JMT Awnings, 215-659-5239; www.jmtawnings.com.

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

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

Specializing in decks, renovations, basement remodeling, kitchens, baths and more. We pride ourselves in high-quality products and skill in our craft; simplicity in communication and timelines; as well as attention to detail and results that will take your breath away. We know that all great things start with a dream and it is our privilege to turn your dreams into a reality.

BUILDING MATERIALS FIREPLACE Tague Lumber & Tague Design Showroom, 6100 Easton Road.,Plumsteadville, PA; 215-348-9408; www.TagueLumber.com Since 1908, Tague Lumber has been providing topquality building materials to the tri-state region. Our new Doylestown Showroom seamlessly joins our lumberyard with a beautiful new 4,000 sq. ft Design Showroom. Customers can walk directly from the retail section into our showroom which features full-scale

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Grates & Grills, Inc., 105 S. Main Street, Dublin, PA; 215-249-0182; www.gratesandgrills.com.

Since 1975 Frank Rymdeika and family have been helping people stay warm and toasty with an extensive inventory of fireplace tools and equipment. Also filling your barbecue needs with a huge array of gas and charcoal grills. A family business for your family needs.

FLOOR COVERING Barb-Lin Carpet One, 640 North Main Street, Doylestown, PA; 215-348-8116; www.barb-lin.com.

Family owned and operated, Barb-Lin Carpet One has been providing excellence in the floor covering business since 1948. Through the years, our quality and service are what the community has been able to depend on.

We invite you to visit our showroom and let our professional staff answer any questions you may have about flooring.

Holland Floor Covering, 35 Swamp Road, Newtown, PA; 215-357-0909;www.hollandfloor.com.

Family owned and operated for over 40 years. Carpet, hardwood, laminate, ceramic tile. Excellent service, reasonable prices. Free estimates. Let us show you how beautiful your home can be with new flooring.

GARDEN CENTER Buckman’s Home & Garden, 1814 South Easton Road, Doylestown, PA; 215-348-0877; www.buckmanshomeandgarden.com.

Buckman’s Home and Garden is a Buck County tradition that has been family owned and operated for over 36 years. We are more than just a garden center. We have an extensive line of home and seasonal decor. In our boutique we carry a fabulous selection of scarves and jewelry. We also stock a wide variety of plants and specialize in potscaping.

From spring to winter we can help design your pots to look amazing all year long.

HEATING AND A/C Harris Comfort, Bristol, PA; 215-788-4596; Newtown, PA; 215-968-7477; www.harriscomfort.com.

At Harris Comfort, customer satisfaction is our goal— that's why, when you send us your feedback, we listen!

We've improved our online customer portal system so that customers can enjoy a seamless experience with easy-to-use, helpful features for convenience and comfort year round.

Kenderdine’s, 500 S. State Street, Newtown, PA; 215968-2041; www.kendedines.com.

For more than 50 years, Kenderdine’s in Newtown, PA has been Bucks County’s premier home heating oil delivery company. We are a family owned and operated full-service provider capable of handling all your home comfort needs for heating and air conditioning, hot water, and humidifiers. Working with residential and commercial customers.

KITCHENS

www.TagueLumber.com.

Since 1908, Tague Lumber has been serving the tristate area for over 110 years. Our new showroom in Doylestown offers full scale kitchen and bath vignettes, windows, doors, hardware, plus moulding and millwork displays. Our showroom is “one-stop shopping” at its finest. And yes, we are open to the public—so drop by for design inspiration or call ahead and schedule a FREE consultation with one of our certified designers.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Dear Garden Associates, Inc., Pipersville, PA; 215-766-8110; www.deargarden.com Our goal is to create and maintain gardens of the highest quality possible and to provide a great experience for our clients. In addition to specifying plant materials, hardscape layouts, pools and structures, our plans include details for water features, fencing and lighting, among other garden elements.

GL Designs, Ambler,, PA; 215-628-4079; www.gldesigns.net.

Since 1979, GLDesigns has created hundreds of projects from Philadelphia to the Hamptons. Our experienced design/build team can handle all aspects of your project from gardens, patios, walkways and decks.

Each project is customized to reflect your taste and lifestyle while delivering multi seasonal interest and a seamless functionality that enhances your home for years to come.Contact us today, for a free consultation.

VACATION COTTAGES Schnabels’ Woods, Bucks County, PA; 215-536-6255; www.schnabelswoods.com.

Nestled on 137 acres in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Schnabels’ Woods is a private recreational colony designed to provide vacation cottages and cabins to people interested in relaxing and recreating in a country setting, Schnabels’ Woods is an experience that is uniquely original. It is an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful countryside and woods of Bucks County with the offering of leisure-home ownership without the burden of a typical real estate transaction.

Wolstenholme Associates,108 N. Main Street, Doylestown, PA; 215-701-3065; www.wolstenholmeassoc.com.

Wolstenholme Associates, an award-winning Bucks County architecture and design firm, draws its inspiration from the local architecture. Our team is dedicated to providing high-quality, sustainable designs, modernizing them in a fresh and classical manner that realizes your vision and achieves a unique and inspired architectural expression.

Tague Design Showroom, 6100 Easton Road, Plumsteadville, PA; 215-348-9408;

Bucks County Home & Garden Guide 2020

83

Advertising Index Bucks County Home & Garden Guide Annual 2020 Edition

84

Barb-Lin Carpet One

2

Bill Vandegrift Inc.

5

Buckman’s Home & Garden

40

Dear Garden Associates, Inc.

Inside Front Cover

Gemmi Construction, Inc.

3

GLDesigns

9

Grates n Grills, Inc.

41

Harris Fuels

7

Holland Floor Covering

23

JMT Awnings

6

J. R. Maxwell Builders, Inc.

Inside Back Cover

Kenderdines Heating

41

Little’s John Deere

8

Ralph C. Fey Architects

1

Rolf Schroeder General Construction

13

Schnabels Woods

12

Tague Lumber

15

Wolstenholme Associates

22

Woodsmith Construction

Back Cover

Bucks County Home & Garden Guide 2020

Renovat a e and ReddeďŹ ne Your o St S yle

CUSTOM HOMES RENOVATIONS T ADDITIONS MIL LLWORK & CABINETRY

A TRADITION OFF EXCELLENCE

Tra ddiit ion ooff E x celllee nce Tr fo r O ve r 4 0 Y fo Yeea r s

215.345.1953 | jrmaxxwellbuilders.com

MINK RUN MILLW M LWORK Follow Us on Facebook & Instagram Facebook: J.R. Maxwell Builders

Creating Custtoom Wo Wood Cabinetry C r y & Millworrkk

A Division of J.R. Maxxwell Builders | minkrunmillwork.co om Finished Projects: @JRMaxwellBuilders

Work ks in Progress: @JRM MaxwellBuildersInProgress

Millwork: @MinkRunMillwork

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