Bucks County Home & Garden 2022

BucksCounty HOME & GA GARD RDEN Annual 2022

Victorian Renovation • Wildflower Gardens • Art Calendar • Projects • Resource Guide

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

Contents Bucks County Home & Garden Guide Annual 2022 Edition

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Annual Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Home Accents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Norine Kevolic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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Doylestown Victorian Renovation. . . 26

Gardening for Good . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Home & Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Home Projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Resource Directory . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Advertising Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

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BUCKS COUNTY HOME & GARDEN RDEN

Publisher William N. Waite

Lisa Bridge, Bobby Waite

Executive Editor Bob Waite

Marketa Kruse, Ann Ferro Murray

Art Director BCM MEDIA, INC.

Adminstration/Circulation

Photography Randl Bye President Vicky M. Waite

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Account Executives

Bucks County Home & Garden Guide 2022

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.

IMAGINE FOR 2022 YOUR OWN BACKYARD OASIS

HOME & GARDEN Arts & Antiques

tons of activities. Crafters will be ceramics, fine art, fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, sculpture and

New Hope Annual Outdoor Juried

more. Tyler Part Center for the Arts, 10 Stable

Arts & Crafts Festival

Mill Road, Richboro, PA 267-218-0290;

September 24-25: This Festival will include

www.tylerpartarts.org.

over 175 artists and craftsmen with such media as ceramics, sculpture, pastels, glass art,

Annual Philadelphia Museum of Art

and jewelry. Free Admission and shuttle. Rain

Contemporary Craft Show

or shine. New Hope-Solebury High School,

November 4-6: This annual art event is for the

New Hope, PA.

benefit of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

www.newhopeartsandcrafs.com

Funds raised are used to purchase works of art and crafts for the permanent collections to

2022 Annual Antiques Show

fund conservation and publications projects,

November 12-13: The Bucks County Antiques

and support exhibitions and education pro-

Dealers Association presents their 71st annual

grams. Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101

antiques show the largest of its kind in Bucks

Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 215-684-7930;

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

www.pmacraftshow.org

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

Gardens

Admission is $6. Children under 16 are admitted free. Free parking. Eagle Fire Hall, Route 202 and Sugan Road, New Hope, PA. 215-290-3140; www.bcadapa.org.

Spring Fling April 1: Bucks Beautiful holds its Annual Spring Fling social event to kick off the season. Dine in

Doylestown Arts Festival

rustic elegance in the 19th Century Stone Bank

September 10-11: For this special weekend in

Barn at the historic Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm.

September Doylestown turns into a festival.

Live and silent auctions, cocktails and dinner.

You will discover over 100 artists, live music

For details call 215-340-3639 or

on multiple stages, activities, food courts, and a

susan@bucksbeautiful.org.

bike race. Doylestown, PA. www.doylestownartsfestival.com.

Crafts in the Meadow October 22-23: This fall invitational craft show features over 100 craftspeople, live music, and

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Springtime in Paris April 30: The Perkasie Garden Club is hosting their 5th bi-annual Garden Tea featuring Bene Bron on “Living Flower”. Join them for an afternoon tea. Doors open at 11:30 for shopping with vendors. St. Cyril

EVENTS of Jerusalem, 1410 Almshouse Road, Jamison, PA; Tickets on sale. Contact Colleen Williams at 267-372-3422 or dw69z@verizon.net.

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve This is the destination for seeing and learning about the native plants of the Delaware Valley. The 134-acre preserve has over 800 species of native plants in the naturalistic setting. Explore woods, meadows, a pond, and Pidcock Creek, as well as a changing collection of wildlife, birds, and wildflowers. Many educational programs are offered year-round. 1635 River Road, New Hope PA. 215-862-2924; www.bhwp.org 2022 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show June 11-19: 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.

Paxson Hill Farm A 32-acre property in beautiful Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The farm is home to a plant nursery, animals and beautiful gardens. The nursery grows various rare and exotic perennials, annuals

215-297-1010; www.paxsonhillfarm.com.

House & Home Philly Home Show March 18-20, 25-27: The Home Show features guest appearances by DIY celebrities, along with designed rooms and the Cooking Stage. The Xfinity Experience Stage featuring presentations on remodeling, renovation, organizing, décor, gardening, and outdoor projects. Admission. Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA.; www.phillyhomeshow.com.

Philly Home & Garden Show: February 25-27: Visit this annual show for decorating and remodeling, ideas, remodeling, ideas, learn more about companies, and stroll through gardens by area landscapers.

Admission. Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Ave, Oaks PA. www.phillyhomeandgarden.com Bucks 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.

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.bucksbeautiful.org.

and trees. 3265 Comfort Road, New Hope, PA. Bucks County Home & Garden Guide 2022

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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.

s ... 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.buckmanshomeandgarden.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 2022

Home Accents ... JamesHardie Siding & Trim products are constructed with Portland

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cement, sand and cellulose fiber with meticulous attention paid to the cured finish. This process creates products that are engineered to prevent cracking, splitting, peeling and shrinking.

Available at Tinsman Brothers, Inc., Carversville, PA; 215-297-5100; www.tinsmanbrotherslumber.com.

...remove stress from your aching back with Steller Comfort collection. Steller comfort zero-gravity postion shown

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here. Available at Mastroieni Furniture, 1113 Bethlehem Pike,

Montgomeryville, PA; 215-643-6372

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or visit www.mastroienifurniture.com.

...expert custom masonry and stonework for patios, fireplaces, pits, walks, driveways, retaining walls and more. With years of experience MCB Masonry will work with you through your entire project.

Contact MCB Masonry & Contracting at 267-702-9756 or visit www.pamasonry.com.

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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

RARE & EXO OTIC

PLANTS K OI FIS SH ORNAMEN TAL

GARDEN NS

PAXSON HILL FARM GARDENS & NURSERY 3265 Comfort Rd. New Hope, PA 18938 215.297.1010 www.paxsonhillfarm.com

Foggy Steps Working in silverpoint, oils, wood and bamboo, Norine Kevolic compares her creative process to steps along a path in the fog, seeing a clear path, and then another—an ongoing process

By Bob Waite

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he process of creating art is studied by art historians, written about by art critics and thought about by artists themselves. For Norine Kevolic it is an interaction between her guiding idea and the materials that she uses. However, this interaction is not onesided. The materials actually have a say in the matter.

She says, “I usually have an idea in mind, but I want to work with a material and push that in a new way.”

Born in Philadelphia and raised in Bucks County, Norine grew up with a deep appreciation for art. Her father was a technical illustrator at the Naval Air Engineering Center in Lakehurst and before that for

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Opposite, Norine Kevolic stands in her living room surrounded by art she created. Top, in “Forest Wrap,” branches wrap pieces of various kinds of wood. Bottom, a detail from “Forest Wrap” showing that the individual pieces of wood are beveled, layered, painted and are different in shape and size. Each piece is actually a sculpture in its own right.

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Above, “Dream Keeper” has at its center a bamboo moon made of shredded strands of bamboo.

Opposite is “Vespers,” a mystical work inspired by a Russian Orthodox service using 24-carat gold leaves to represent the prayers and hopes of people.

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the Philadelphia Naval Yard. He was also a painter who encouraged his daughter’s early attempts at drawing and painting. He would gently critique her work and he would bring her to art museums in New York City, instilling in her a deep experiential knowledge and appreciation of art. Norine’s dad also was skilled in the art of painting Orthodox icon eggs, and this Christian tradition would influence Norine’s work, especially her early mosaics.

In her twenties Norine began to paint more fluently. She had a friend who shared this enthusiasm for painting, and they would paint together. She did a lot of painting in Asbury Park, New Jersey. In the mid-eighties she worked in a sign shop where she

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designed, lettered, carved and band-sawed signs. At an artistowned woodshop she routed, sanded and did the finish work on custom cabinetry and also designed picture frames. After hours she would prepare silverpoint panels.

“It was just great,” she says, “we had the shop and made frames for them. So, after hours, we would cut and prepare our panels—using traditional techniques that go back to the 1400s.” ilverpoint is a type of drawing in which an artist uses thin pieces of silver wire held in a stylus to make marks on a prepared surface. The surface needs to “have a tooth,” to grab the silver which the artist prepares my either making her own mixture as was done in the sign shop or using an already prepared mixture. The surface is often toned with a background color, and Norine, when doing silverpoint, adds her own color to some of her drawings. Early on in her use of this medium, she would make copies of Renaissance paintings. These are still in demand. One of these silverpoint works is Botticelli’s Brother, where she uses a toned surface with paint added to the drawing. Norine continues to do small silverpoint drawings every day.

In the ‘90s Norine began to

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incorporate her woodworking experience into her work by using wood as a medium for her art. Her first mosaics would detail images from her family background in Russian Orthodoxy. At this time, she started collecting wood. She says on her Website, “I hoarded discarded scraps of walnut, cherry, poplar, and plywood and spent countless pleasant hours at the bandsaw cutting hundreds of shapes from these natural, painted, dyed or gilded pieces.

These early efforts resulted in colorful figurative mosaics that were stylistic portraits, incorporating gold leaf and other

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decorative elements of Byzantine art.”

As she continued with wood, she added bamboo to her creations and her work became more abstract. A great example of this combination is Dream Keeper.

This sculpture has at its center a bamboo moon. The moon makes its appearance in many of Norine’s paintings. She recalls, “There was never a night when my father and I didn’t stand outside and look at the night sky.” She also recalls a poem by Langston Hughes, The Dream Keeper, “… about people who have a dream and just put it out there, and trust.”

“I work intuitively.

As I create these pieces, I may not know where to begin. I’m just creating, creating, creating. I’m laying them out and I start stacking them—this can be never ending”

Dream Keeper began with an idea that Norine modified as she made it. “I had a vision and at the same time I wanted to push the material and see where that goes.”

She used thin strands of bamboo to create the moon. Norine had to split poles of bamboo and cut the thin strands. Each ring in Dream Keeper is an individual element. She says, “I take each piece and try to create a sculptural element.”

All Norine’s Creations begin with an idea, which she is always thinking about. “I think about it a lot. I think about it while at work and it is always in the background.”

She says, “As I work steps along the way will appear and I am just paying attention to these—things as they happen. I am really aware of subtle shifts in my attention. I follow it and give it as much energy as it needs. And I find as I do that I am somehow guided. Then another step appears.

It’s like walking in the fog. You know, you’ll see a clear stretch of a path, then another. You keep going deeper and deeper. It’s all very interesting. I don’t know what the end result will be. So, it’s a surprise to me and I really like that challenge and that journey—that long journey.”

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Forest Wrap is a piece that hangs on Norine’s living room wall. It looks like a present—beautifully finished pieces of wood wrapped in branches on a painted wooden panel.

“I wanted to try something with wrapping wood where the wrap made from branches goes from side to side and across.

I built the panel, found the branches and since I have a lot of different woods in my shop—cherry, mahogany, cedar, poplar pine, I started creating with what’s on hand. The individual pieces are beveled, layered and of different sizes. They start on the bandsaw and then are finished by hand. Some are stained a little and others are just natural. It’s really not preplanned.

I work intuitively. As I create these pieces,

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I may not know where to begin. I’m just creating, creating, creating. I’m laying them out and I start stacking them—this can be never ending. It feels never ending in the beginning, but by paying attention I start seeing a pattern or direction and just follow it.” The finished piece is “…a forest wrapping itself around these refined pieces.”

Vespers is a piece inspired by a visit to Norine’s sister’s church to go to the gift shop. The service was happening, while Norine and her sister were browsing in the gift shop. Norine, leaving the gift shop, peered into the Russian Orthodox Church service. She says, “It was a beautiful scene, the candlelight, the incense, the mystical feeling.” In Vespers, Norine captures that

moment and universalizes it with this bamboo piece that uses 24-carat gold leaves going upward that represents the prayers and hopes of people. “It’s a simple idea and I give it form and visual space.”

Norine Kevolic is the recipient of many awards and has exhibited her work extensively throughout the area. Some of the local and regional venues are: New Hope Arts, Phillips’ Mill, Stover Mill, Prallsville Mill, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Art in City Hall (Philadelphia), Duke Gallery (Wallingford, PA), Mid-Atlantic Invitational Silverpoint Exhibition (Gaithersburg, MD), Trenton City Museum, Artist’s Gallery (Lambertville, NJ), Grounds For Sculpture (Hamilton, NJ), Makers Gallery (Frenchtown, NJ)

and various online venues. Although she has received many awards, she is most happy the Best in Show Award for Works in Wood 2017, New Hope Arts, New Hope, PA and the CRAFT Award from the American Bamboo Society Arts & Crafts Competition American Bamboo Society (ABS online) September 2016.

Her paintings are available at Chapman Gallery, 46 E. State Street, Doylestown, PA; (215) 348-2011; www.thechapman gallery.com and Canal Frame Crafts Gallery, 1093 General Greene Road, Washington Crossing, PA; 215-493-3660; www.canalframe.com.

Bob Waite is the editor of Bucks County Magazine and Bucks County Home & Garden Guide.

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Renovated Doylestown Second Empire The blueprint for renovating this classic three story Doylestown house included the removal and rebuilding of an older addition while saving the original structure v By Beth S. Buxbaum

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or 150 years this charming Victorian, known to many Doylestown residents as the yellow house, has graced Doylestown’s residential area. Built soon after the Civil War and designed in the Second Empire Victorian style, this notable structure is part of Doylestown’s historic development. Changed throughout its long history, the building was

Bucks County Home & Garden Guide 2022

Opposite, this charming Victorian, known to many Doylestown residents as the yellow house, was built in the Second Empire Victorian architectural design. Above, enhancements were added to the side of the original front structure with a set of stairs to a handsome pergola.

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The kitchen, a part of the new addition, has been appointed with a crisp, clean line of custom, hand-crafted white cabinetry and a gray quartz topped center island with a charcoal-toned, Bucks County Home &custom Garden wood Guide base.

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Above, designed in the newly created bay window area of the kitchen, this cozy eating nook is perfect for an informal midday snack. Opposite, a view of the functional area of the kitchen reveals the six burner gas range appliances and custom white cabinetry with lots of seethrough glass doors.

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recently renovated once more. From a residence first built in 1870, to a tavern and then an office building, with an upstairs apartment; this structure was most recently known as Vista Travel. Familiar to all who stroll around Doylestown, the facade has been virtually unchanged, but the interior has seen its share of transformation. uilt for Marie Antoinette Ely, the widow of Brevet Major General John Ely, commander of the Pennsylvania volunteer infantry during the civil war, this centuriesold building was designed by Quaker architect Thomas Lester Cernea. Appointed with distinctive Victorian architectural elements, these features defined its age. This three-story home’s exterior accents feature a concave mansard roof with matching arched-top dormer windows, molded cornices, decorative brackets, 2over-2 windows with paneled and louvered shutters, and two tall windows on the first floor. The entrance has a small

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gabled hood porch with Doric columns framing the entryway with the original double doors. Throughout all of its years and functions, the exterior Victorian elements have been maintained.

In the fall of 2017 the owner of the building decided to renovate and update the yellow house and sell it as a private residence. He contracted with Jarrett Vaughan Builders and Ellen Happ Architects, both Doylestownbased, to orchestrate the renovation. With a focus on removing and re-doing a 1940-1950 addition on the back of the house, the team began to map out the project. “In this conversion our goal was to save the original 1870 front section,” explains Ellen Happ. With an eye to maintaining and showcasing the original structure’s elegant spaces and architectural finery, they left the front untouched.

Structurally sound and well maintained, the first floor front section features a living room with a bay window, curved walls, high ceilings, and a wood-burning Mercer tile fireplace, as well as a dining room.

Many of the original elements guided the blue print in the renovation. “I was inspired by the elegance of the curved walls, bay windows and high ceilings,” Ellen

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Opposite, seating around the original Mercer fireplace fills the front living room, brightened by the natural light flowing in from the bay windows. Top, along a back wall of the expansive kitchen, is an inviting seating area for gathering before and during a meal. Bottom, on the second floor landing is a view of the stunning original curved staircase and the handcrafted spindles.

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remarks. Taken by those graceful touches, she carried over the curved walls and high ceilings in the plans for the renovation of the back of the house. “This back addition was a simplified version of the existing structure, with a less elegant feel. We let the original house be our guide, but created our own quieter statement, incorporating several of the original features into the design of the new addition,” Ellen explains.

After dismantling the old addition, the plans were in place to rebuild. The blueprint for the new addition included a state-of-the art kitchen, mud room, pantry and bar area, and second floor master suite, as well as a refurbished finished basement. According to builder Brian Vaughan, of

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Above, this sun filled master suite is part of the new addition, appointed with clean lines and an abundance of windows. Showcased is a tiny seating area in the bay window alcove. To right, a newly designed hall bath features an inviting ceramic tub overlooking the landscape with views from the wall of windows.

Bottom, In the expansive master suite, designed with sleek lines, the walk-in, glass enclosed shower is accented with a herringbone motif tile floor and walls.

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Jarrett Vaughan Builders, the house needed some upgrading and repair. “There were some challenges with this restoration,” he explains, “we had to do a lot of remedial work.” Brian notes that the building was structurally sound. “Nothing was falling apart and none of the repairs were monumental,” he adds. They added a new roof, new windows, excavated and re-plastered the basement and upgraded the heating and cooling system. In addition, the millwork was restored and they preserved the original Mercer tile fireplace in the front living room.

“We took the whole back of the house down to rebuild the addition,” he continues. Brian describes how this renovation project redefined the second and third floors. “We moved walls, took out ceilings, rearranged hallways, gutted bathrooms and added a new stairway to the lower level,” Brian explains. “We didn’t gut the old addition,” Brian continues, “but we got pretty close. Part of the challenge was connecting the old and the new. Working closely with Ellen Happ, the addition was designed and built with all modern appointments and functionality, while respecting the architectural elements of the original structure.

Ellen speaks to the original design features that she incorporated into the new addition. “I loved the handsome bay window on the east side of the house,” she adds, “and added a similar treatment in the back of house that frames the eating nook.”

Above this space, where they added a new master suite, Ellen also designed a bay window. Another aspect of the original

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Victorian styling was the use of curved walls. “There is an elegance to a curved wall instead of square corners,” Ellen describes. When they added an elevator they used the curved wall, in the original dining room, to construct the elevator shaft. Ellen also incorporated the curved wall in the new stairway. Another feature of the original structure that Ellen replicate in the new design was the high ceilings, carrying through the high ceiling in the kitchen. Appreciating the graceful interior footprint of the original section allowed Ellen to add those features into her new blueprint. rom blueprint to construction, the structural elements were not in place, ready for the next step. As the new addition took shape, the team collaborated with Celeste Callaghan, of Callaghan Interior Design, to appoint the new spaces with cabinetry, flooring and light fixtures. “We were looking to accommodate today’s taste, style and function,” Celeste explains, “and make it as familyfriendly as possible.” Working closely with the architect and builder, Celeste confirmed the importance of the design.

“Our goal was for the architectural elements to be designed for flexibility in terms of the functionality of the space,” she explains. In acknowledging that a home’s use of space is very personal, she worked with the team to create spaces with multi-functions. In the kitchen, they designed a cozy seating area to be interactive and invite gatherings during the meal

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preparation, as well as during the meals.

In appointing the kitchen, Celeste describes her choices as traditional, to fit in with the original house’s features seen in this space, like the cove and crown moldings and recessed panel doors. “My selection of oak flooring in the kitchen was done to blend with the other oak floors in the adjacent rooms,” she adds. Kitchen elements overflow with a crisp, clean line of custom, hand-crafted white cabinetry.

Celeste chose all natural materials for the counter tops, including a man-made gray quartz topping the center island’s charcoaltoned, custom wood base. Keeping with the crisp white theme, Celeste infused this space with more contemporary light fixtures, in addition to the more modern recessed lighting. In the eating nook she selected a minimalist design, with a diskshaped white fixture. Her choice was more understated to blend with the space.

Unique use of space was also designed in the passageway from the kitchen area into the dining room. A tiny bar area, with a see-through opening, was created as a connection from the newer part of the house to the original section.

Detailing the original rooms with new fixtures was also a challenge. As a design statement, Celeste added a few non-traditional features. For instance, in selecting a new fixture for the original living room, Celeste chose a modern fixture to illuminate the space. The contrast was created with the fixture’s placement in the center of the Victorian-styled rosette adorning the ceiling. “I wanted to create some tension between the historical and the clean and

modern,” she explains, “by adding an unexpected contemporary light fixture.”

Both Celeste and Ellen enjoyed inserting the unexpected. An unexpected space was created in the new master bedroom design, adding a tiny seating area in the bay window alcove. Ellen’s intent was similar to the cozy gathering spot she created in the kitchen, for another unexpected and inviting spot to relax within the larger function of the room.

Aside from designing unexpected areas, the team’s vision was to create a seamless movement from old to new.

Together they orchestrated the new living space. Architect, builder and interior designer each had a hand in the flowing footprint, blending the new features with the earlier Victorian stylings. With an artful collaboration, the team respected all the original elements, while incorporating the modern amenities for today’s lifestyle. In its original form, this quaint Victorian did not lose any of its charm. “Living here, you have the best of both worlds,” adds Celeste, “in a residential area with other stately and elegant historical homes, and just a stroll to the bustle of downtown Doylestown.” Jarrett Vaughan Builders, Inc. is located at 4050 Skyron Drive, Suite G, Doylestown, PA. For more information, call 215-345-8008, email info@jarrettvaughan.com or visit www.jarrettvaughanbuilders.com. v BETH S. BUXBAUM IS A FREELANCE WRITER FROM THE PHILADELPHIA AREA.

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Gardening for Good

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Using the correct native plants in their appropriate habitats will turn your garden into a living organism, capable of restoring ecological health to your property, once and for all / By Alex Morrison WHEN YOU HEAD TO YOUR LOCAL garden center next spring, be a tad suspicious of the showiest selections.

The majority of these trendy plants are non-native, ornamental species that may not be suitable or ecologically beneficial to your property. If you want to build a selfsustaining, ecologically appropriate landscape that will save you time and money every year, start by selecting native plants and putting them where they belong.

Native plants are local species that have existed naturally in a specific environment before agriculture, urbanization, and other interventions altered the landscape. These plants thrived in the unique conditions present in their habitat, and they support local wildlife—including the pollinators we so desperately need.

However, some plants labeled “native” in garden centers are not always locally native. A plant that is indigenous to Colorado wouldn’t be considered an appropriate choice for a Pennsylvania landscape, even if that

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Heirloom Coreopsis has a “native” sticker on the container. Yes, it is native, but not to us in the Northeast. herefore, careful plant selection is the first step to starting a healthy, self-sustaining landscape.

There are approximately 2,100 native plants in Pennsylvania–quite a variety! Species native to us in the Mid-Atlantic, like wood asters, goldenrods, and so many others, are already attuned to our landscapes and will easily take root. The best part is that you might already

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have some native species hiding on your property.

Identifying them with books like Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide can be the first step in crafting a suitable plant list.

You can also check your selections by searching them on the USDA’s PLANTS database.

Once you have your native plants, you’re presented with the second dilemma: where to put them? Placing a Rudbeckia hirta (Black-Eyed Susan) in a shady, moist site is not going to last very long. It is a myth that some plants “just

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die.” Plants perish because they were not meant to live in that particular location, whether that means they got too much water, not enough sun, or that the soil had too much clay.

Always consider the three prime factors before you sink that spade: water, sunlight, and soil. Try a sunny, dry spot with well-draining soil for your Rudbeckia–it will love you for it!

Clearly, careful plant selection and location scouting is not just gardening—it is restoration. Consulting with local experts and reliable resources will help to inform you where

to place your new plants.

Investing in a backyard full of native species will allow for ecosystem processes that cannot be achieved with simple lawn-grass or ornamentals. The native plants themselves will positively alter the landscape as they establish in their proper habitat. Microorganisms in the soil will benefit from the carbon sourced from the plants; the microorganisms will send essential nutrients back to the plant; the plant will feed pollinating insects; pollinating insects and seeds from the plant Bucks County Home & Garden Guide 2022

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The native plants themselves will positively alter the landscape as they establish in their proper habitat.

will feed the birds; and birds will disperse the seed and fertilize with their waste. In other words, we all have the power to catalyze our own backyard habitat restoration for good.

And it starts with the right native plants in the right spots.

Navigating native plant selection and planting can feel like a daunting task, but once the landscape is established, it will last a lifetime with little to no intervention. WildLawn is a local ecological landscape design-build company interested in helping you restore your piece of the planet. You can find them @wildlawn on Facebook and Instagram, or at contact@wildlawn.com for help getting started.v ALEX MORRISON IS THE MARKETING MANAGER FOR ARCHEWILD.

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Expert Masonry and Stonework WALKWAYS, PATIOS, STEPS, WALLS, DRIVEWAYS, FIREPITS AND MORE Our expert masons will work with you through your entire project, from laying the stone to the complete finish.

267-702-9756 • 267-356-2288

pamasonry.com

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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Family owned and operated since 1926

From living rooms to bedrooms, home theater to home offices, the selection is large. If you don’t see what you want on the showroom floor, we will be happy to try to order for you. Our unique pieces are manufactured of the highest quality, and each piece of furniture is handpicked for its quality and value. Mastroieni Furniture takes pride in providing mostly MADE IN AMERICA products, which can be made in different finishes and with different fabrics.

Our sales force and design team is here to help you find the perfect furniture for your home.

1113 Bethlehem Pike • Montgomeryville, PA • 215.643.6372 / Mastroienifurniture.com

Buckman’s Home and Garden

Bucks Home & Garden

WH HERE HOME AND GARDEN COME TOGETHER

Potscaping and Home Decor Gardening Ideas for every Season.

Think Buckman's!

1814 South Easton Road • Doylestown, y PA 215.348.0877 BuckmansHomeandGarden.com m

To advertise contact Vicky Waite at 215-480-9675 or vicky@buckscountymag.com

Home & Garden G

GEMMI CONSTRUCTION, INC. PO Box 87 Mechanicsville, PA • 215-340-4600 Gemmiconstruction.com

emmi Construction, Inc. is a full service remodeling firm in Bucks County, PA. Founded by NARI certified remodeler John Gemmi, 2022 marks Gemmi Construction celebrating 25 years in business.

John’s skill and pride at his craft is centered on building elegant and comfortable living spaces that will be as appreciated in a century as they are today. From whole house renovations and additions, to kitchens, bathrooms, exteriors, lower levels, aging-in-place spaces, and more, Gemmi Construction’s commitment to exceeding customers’ expectations is evident from start to finish.

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PAXSON HILL FARM 3265 Comfort Road New Hope, PA • 215-297-1010 Paxsonhillfarm.com

thirty-two acre property in beautiful Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The farm is home to a plant nursery, animals and beautiful gardens. The nursery grows various rare and exotic perennials, annuals and trees.

Paxson Hill Farm has grown into one of the area's most unique and beautiful places to visit in Bucks County. Our gardens include: shade gardens, formal gardens, ponds, bell garden, a place we call "never never land" and there are always more unique gardens projects underway. Many pleasant surprises await the lucky visitor around each bend.

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Home F

amily-owned and operated since 1908, Tague Lumber has been serving the tristate area for over 112 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, TAGUE LUMBER DESIGN SHOWROOM all while being respectful of your budget. We can work with you to 6100 Easton Road plan your entire kitchen or work in Plumsteadville,, PA • 215-348-9408 tandem with your architect, conTagueLumber.com tractor, or interior designer.

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PERIOD ARCHITECTURE, LTD 22 S. Main St., Suite 224, Doylestown, PA 215-809-1049 Periodarchitectureltd.com 48

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

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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, Wolf, and Cove 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 lineup with SubZero, Wolf, and Cove incorporated side-by-side in a true-to-life setting, helping you to visualize how these brands might complement each other in your own home.

BILL VANDEGRIFT, INC. 450 East Butler Ave., New Britain, PA 215-345-5616 Billvandegrift.com Bucks County Home & Garden Guide 2022

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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.

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

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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 renovations and restorations, new residential construction and renovations, municipal and educational buildings as well as signage in both public and private sector projects.We pride ourselves in creating and fostering long-term relationships and participating with our client’s entire team to create a successful project.

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

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.

B

ELA OUTDOOR LIVING 5095 RT. 202, Doylestown, PA 215-794-2400 Elaoutdoorliving.com

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eautiful landscape design starts with an excellent plan based on a complete understanding of a client's needs, desires and budgets. The award-winning landscape designers and architects at Environmental Landscape Associates will listen closely to your ideas and concerns as we work with you to create a landscape design you will love. Our in-house landscape contractors and construction family of professional masons, carpenters, operators and installers will build your project with full attention to the details, never cutting corners along the way.

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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

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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 2022

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BUCKS COUNTY SCENES

By Bobby Waite

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CELEBRATING 25 YEARS

CREATING SPACE

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oday’s homeowner often prefers a spacious kitchen with an open layout. This project was a complete transformation, taking a small and cramped kitchen from the 1960’s and creating an inviting, contemporary, and well designed open space for cooking, eating, and gathering with friends and family. One of the first decisions to be made was whether or not to put an addition on the kitchen in order to

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create the larger space desired. Breaking the footprint of a home can be an expensive proposition, so we like to encourage our clients to first consider the space within the existing walls. Oftentimes we recognize adjacent rooms or spaces that are being underutilized, so before we look to change the footprint to expand an existing home, we look within to see if there are rooms that can be re-imagined. We accomplished that

in this kitchen, providing the end result you see here. The kitchen is now located where the dining room was and the dining room is now located where the living room was before.

Another important element to the client was to have a fireplace in the kitchen. We decided on what is called a “bed and breakfast” fireplace. It doesn’t take up much space, yet is quite striking visually, and provides an added heat source. Located along a full wall of custom cabinetry, the entire

side of the room in its blue-grey color provides balance, cohesively bringing the entire space together as a beautiful and welcoming central place of the home.

2022 marks Gemmi Construction’s 25th year in business and much of our success is attributed to the relationships that we have cultivated. We look forward to bringing beauty, function and award-winning craftsmanship to your custom renovation. Visit GemmiConstruction.com.

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GARDEN TOUR

PAXSON HILL FARM

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The 32-acre Paxson Hills Farm is the home of a plant nursery, animals and an amazing garden that is considered one of the most beautiful and unique places to visit in Bucks County. The nursery grows various rare and exotic perennials, annuals and trees. The garden is open to the public for a $7.00 per person fee and includes shade gardens, formal gardens, ponds, bell garden, wing gardens, a

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place we call “never never land,” and there are always more unique gardens projects underway.

Strolls through the garden take you along interesting paths where you can encounter bridges, ponds blanketed with water lilies. There are also many ponds that have large koi. Colors change with the seasons and the design of the continually changing garden allows for variety and a

feeling of leaving the ordinary and taking a journey. Many pleasant surprises await the lucky visitor around each bend. All you need to bring is your curiosity and sense of adventure.

Paxson Hill Farm is many things. It is a nursery, with a large inventory of plants of all kinds and sizes with a staff ready and able to help and where even rare and unusual plants can be found. It is also a place to get the services that include garden design, installation and renovation, pond

and water feature installation, garden maintenance and tree removal. It’s owner, Bruce Gangawer, is well-known for designing and installing some of the best gardens in Bucks County including his own scenic gardens at Paxson Hill Farm. The garden is open for visitors from March 15 through November 24Paxson Hill Farm is located at 3265 Comfort Road, New Hope, Pennsylvania.

For more information, call 215-297-1010 or visit www.paxsonhillfarm.com.

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CUSTOM BUILT FARMHOUSE

UPPER BUCKS FARMHOUSE

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ometimes, it all starts with an incredible view. That was the case with this one-of-a-kind custom home built by the team at J.R. Maxwell Builders, Inc., who was asked to build a structure that would allow the owner to appreciate the stunning views of the mountains and hills of Bucks County. With help from the home’s owner, who is also a designer, as well as Mink Run Millwork (a division of J.R. Maxwell Builders), The

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Tile Studio in Doylestown, Bucks County Glass, and Marble Source in Ottsville, this home is a testament to the skill and craftsmanship found throughout the Bucks County area.

Whether studying the interior or exterior, the detail and quality shines through.

The main entry level features the master suite, kitchen, butler’s pantry, and living space with an impressive record collection in an LP room boasting custom Mink Run

Millwork shelving. The open floorplan and ample Andersen E-Series windows bathe the rooms in natural lighting and highlight J.R. Maxwell’s attention to detail. The ground-level includes polished concrete floors, two bedrooms, two baths, an office, music studio, and storage. The team at J.R. Maxwell thrives when working to create custom dream homes for their clients and this is an amazing example of what can be done with a goal and the right contractors.

J.R. Maxwell Builders and their fellow craftsmen at Mink Run Millwork are committed to building to the highest standards in both style and quality, which can be seen throughout this home. Each room, custom millwork piece, and building detail is given the attention it deserves and requires. Dare yourself to dream of your perfect home and contact J.R. Maxwell Builders to discuss your plans: online at jrmaxwellbuilders.com or call 215-345-1953.

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EARTH, FIRE AND WATER

B ACKYARD PARADISE

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LA Outdoor Living is a design build firm specializing in outdoor living spaces, both construction and hardscape as well as plantings and softscapes.

Founded in 1989 by Keith Frederick as a small boutique landscape company. ‘The company’s growth has surpassed the six original employees to a team of 45 individuals. The company now performs large scale high-end residential projects that

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encompass additions and renovations to the homes that they service as well as masonry and swimming pools.

Frederick still maintains a hands-on approach with his customers and his team.

The company has evolved into a lifestyle company that helps customers with many aspects of the outdoors as well as their connection to the indoors.

Earth, Fire & Water are elements of

every project and how the homes architecture relates to the theme of the outdoor space.

Form follows function in good design and planning no matter the project scope.

Designing usable, well-functioning gardens and outdoor rooms doesn’t happen by chance.

The team at ELA represents a wide range of skills from architecture to horticulture.

We personally meet with every customer to discuss their wish list, their style and their working budget to ensure com-

plete satisfaction.

Recently ELA has constructed a showroom and retail center located at 5095 U.S. 202, Doylestown PA 18902 just one mile south of Peddlers Village where customers can meet the team, view their 3D design models, screen and browse for specialty “hard to find” and deer resistant plants.

Contact ELA today to schedule an inhome consultation to discuss your outdoor paradise at 215-794-2400.

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ONE-STORY ADDITION

1810 STONE HOUSE

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his 1810 stone house located in Bucks County, epitomizes the traditional quality found in farmhouse design. The owners wished to incorporate a new one-story addition that created a sympathetic architectural statement and provide a special retreat from the rest of the household as well as renovate existing rooms. A greenhouse was the natural solution as the homeowner is a gardener who cultivates orchids and other plants. The

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resulting inviting space, with views all around, is accented with a chevron brick pattern on the floor and is washed in light from the glazing and skylight.

Within the existing floor plan, the second-floor master bedroom was reimagined as a home office; a quiet aery at the top of the house with views over the pond and property. The new first-floor master bedroom suite incorporates a paneled fireplace, built-in shelving, a master closet with com-

modious storage and a dressing area with natural light, and a master bath featuring an outdoor shower.

Also located on the ground floor, a new mudroom features a dog entrance connects to a fenced in outdoor area. The mudroom has a dog wash, laundry room, and convenient, quiet place for the dog crates. In the new family room, the previously existing wood stove was retained.

Reproduction hardware from Michael M. Coldren Company reinforces the period and enhances the doors, windows, and cabinetry.

The owners’ collection of antique cherry wood furniture inspired Period Architecture’s designs for wood paneled ceilings and beams to compliment the furniture. Niches for specific pieces of furniture and built-in cabinetry and shelving for books and display further distinguish the interior renovation. Custom-designed 1920s glass light fixtures are incorporated into the design and along with the owners’ antique quilt collection lend a singular quality to the entire house.

For more information or a consultation, visit www.periodarchitectureltd.com.

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AWARD WINNING DESIGN

OU T D O O R L I V IN G

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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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AWARD WINNING TRANSFORMATION

C O N T E M P O R A RY C O U N T RY B AR N

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his architectural design is a great example of what is possible when completely transforming an existing home. Conceived as a pastoral retreat from the clients’ New York City loft, it warranted a deep connection with nature, rich materials, and a breathable space. Elements of wood, stone, and metal create a tactile, warm atmosphere in the midst of high ceilings and unbounded views. The open twostory area is a modern expression of the

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barns of Bucks County with an open floor plan and a soaring, vaulted ceiling. The new residence sits on the existing foundation and while many improvements were made, the entry remains as a memento of the original home. In this new design by Ralph Fey Architects, the building grew in height, taking advantage of the tremendous views and embracing the moving sun at all points of the day.

This project is one of two Bucks County

AIA (American Institute of Architects) awards received by Ralph Fey Architects in 2020. “Our vision is always to create successful projects for our clients”, says Ralph Fey. “We greatly appreciate the acknowledgement and recognition from our architectural design peers for the work that we do.”

The thoughtful joining of spaces on the first floor creates a functional, livable floor plan where rooms are delineated by changes in height or gestures of exposed structure

while the staircase embraces the “modern farmhouse” feel with elements of steel and wood. The “barn” is evident in the overall shell of the house but with long spans of steel instead of traditional wood timber framing. The result is a space that breathes, ultimately providing all the light, views, and openness that a farmhouse rarely receives.

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

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SUNROOMS PATIOS & DECKS

OUTDOOR LIVING

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oodsmith Construction, LLC is committed to expanding you outdoor living space and function. They create: custom decks/patios, porches/porticos, pavilions/pergolas and additions/custom framing.

Pete Buechle started Woodsmith Construction in 2008. Prior to this, he worked his way up in the industry, working for a variety of builders; from home builders and residential framers, to designers and luxury/kitchen and bath installers. With a vast knowledge and skill base at his disposal, the

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company has been known to take on a wide variety of projects.

However, over the past few years, Woodsmith started shifting focus to outdoor projects. These past few years have been a prime example of the benefits obtained from enjoying the outdoor environment.

Physically and cognitively, outdoor living is something that should not be ignored in the home but incorporated into everyone’s daily life.

Woodsmith Construction was founded on two major principles: keeping a new gen-

eration of craftsmanship alive and establishing and maintaining a transparent approach to residential construction.

With countless products and construction methods at the disposal of consumers, building outdoor spaces has become a joy for the team at Woodsmith Construction, and they strive to bring that to all customers.

Give them a call today, and bring the luxuries of the indoors….out.

Woodsmith construction is a building company based in Bucks County, PA. Focusing within the residential construction field, they specialize in; Fine home remodel-

ing and new construction, outdoor retreats and exterior upgrades, additions and custom framing. Licensed in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Woodsmith Construction is owned by builder/contractor Pete Buechle.

With over two decades in the trades, Pete’s mission is to create the highest quality and beautiful lasting spaces for the client-on budget and on time.

For more information about Woodsmith Construction, LLC, call 215-862-2148 or visit www.woodsmithconstruction.com All inquiries/calls are acknowledged within 24hrs.

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A FATHER AND SON TEAM

TRUST IS WHAT WE BUILD

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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

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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QUALITY LAWN CARE

LITTLE’S CELEBRAT ES 76 YEARS

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he Little family has owned and operated Little’s for 76 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. Hatfield; 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.

Period Architecture, 22 S. Main St., Doylestown, PA; 215-809-1049; www.periodarchitectureltd.com.

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

Since 1908, Tague Lumber has been providing top-quality building materials to the tri-state region. Tague Lumber offers 5 convenient locations, plus a Custom Millwork Division, a Custom Door Shop, two Design Showrooms, and Premier Commercial Door, Frame & Hardware to our family of companies. Every division is staffed by experienced, knowledgeable salespeople committed to providing superior customer service and the finest quality building products at fair prices. Plus, Tague Lumber offers call-ahead ordering with express pickup or convenient delivery directly to the jobsite.

Tinsman Brothers Lumber, 6632 Old Carversville Road, Lumberville, PA; 215-297-5100; www.tinsmanbrotherslumber.com.

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

CUSTOM BUILDERS

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

BUILDING MATERIALS CONCRETE Tague Lumber & Tague Design Showroom, 6100 Easton Road.,Plumsteadville, PA; 215-348-9408; www.TagueLumber.com

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MCB Masonry, 267-702-9756 • 267-356-2288 www.woodsmithconstruction.com.

Expert masonary and stonework. Walkways, patios, steps walls, driveways, firepits and more. We will work with you through your entire project, from laying the sotne to the complete finish.

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

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

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

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

HEATING AND AC Harris Comfort Year Round, Serving you from our two locations in Newtown and Bristol, PA; 215-9687477; www.harriscomfort.com.

We are a local air conditioning and heating oil company with deep roots in Bucks County, a skilled local workforce, and a proud record of service to the community.

For more than 60 years and four generations, the Harris family has provided our region with top quality fuel oil delivery, along with expert residential and commercial heating and air conditioning service and installations.

GARDEN AND LANDSCAPING Buckman’s Home & Garden, 1814 S. Easton Rd., Doylestown, PA; 215-348-0877; www.buckmanshomeandgarden.com.

Buckman's Home & Garden is a family owned business located in the heart of Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Buckman's has been providing the highest quality perennials, annuals, herbs, vegetables and houseplants, in addition to an unprecedented selection of home decor and boutique items.

Dear Garden Associates, Inc. 6746 Old Easton Rd., Pipersville, PA; 215-766-8110; www.deargarden.com.

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

ELA Outdoor Living, 5095 Rt. 202, Doylestown, PA; 215-794-2400; www.elaoutdoorliving.com.

Design and contruction for outdoor living since 1989.

Lanscaping, design, property care, lighting, masonry, structures, pools and outdoor kitchens. Beautiful landscape design starts with an excellent plan based on a complete understanding of a client's needs, desires and budgets. The award-winning landscape designers and architects at Environmental Landscape Associates will listen closely to your ideas and concerns as we work with you to create a landscape design you will love.

KITCHENS Kenderdine’s Heating Oil & HVAC, 500 S. State St., Newtown, PA; 215-968-2041; www.kenderdines.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 fullservice provider capable of handling all your home comfort needs for heating and air conditioning, hot water, and humidifiers. Working with residential and commercial customers.

FURNITURE Mastroieni Furniture, 1113 Bethlehem Pike, Montgomeryville, PA; 215-643-6372, www.mastroienifurniture.com.

Our mission is to bring your vision to life. We are dedicated to finding the furniture that fits your lifestyle through custom design and customer service. Family owned and operated since 1926, we pride ourselves on delivering a superior furniture buying experience.

Looking for the finest furniture in Philadelphia? Think Mastroieni first.

Tague Design Showroom, 6100 Easton Rd., Plumsteadville, PA; 215-348-9408; www.taguelumber.com Since 1908, Tague Lumber has been serving the tri-state area for over 112 years. Our showrooms feature fullscale kitchen and bath vingettes and our certified designers can help you select the woods, finishes, colors, and door panel configurations that will make your vision a reality. Our custom cabinetry options offer styles from classic Colonial to contemporary European, from the best manufacturers, plus we offer storage and organization solutions that are as stylish as they are functional.

Tague Lumber features a selection of windows and doors from top manufacturers, as well as hardware, moulding and millwork. 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.

Bucks County Home & Garden Guide 2022

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Advertising Index Bucks County Home & Garden Guide Annual 2022 Edition Barb-Lin Carpet One

2

Bill Vandegrift Inc.

5

Buckman’s Home & Garden

46

Dear Garden Associates, Inc.

Inside Front Cover

ELA Outdoor Living

7

Gemmi Construction, Inc.

3

Harris Fuels

39

JMT Awnings

6

J. R. Maxwell Builders, Inc.

Inside Back Cover

Kenderdines Heating

45

Little’s John Deere

8

Mastroieni Furniture

46

MCB Masonry

45

Paxson Hill Farm

17

Period Architecture,

9

Ralph C. Fey Architects

1

Rolf Schroeder General Construction

15

Schnabels Woods

16

Tague Lumber

13

Tinsman Brothers

25

Wolstenholme Associates

24

Woodsmith Construction

Back Cover

80 Bucks County Home & Garden Guide 2022

Building Yoour Dream e Home o e Frrom o thhe Ground Up

CUSTOM C U S T O M HOMES HOMES R RENOVATIONS E N O VA AT I O N S & ADDITIONS ADDITIONS B BUILT-IN U I LT- I N CABINETRY C A B I N E T RY C COMMERCIAL O M M E R C I A L CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION

R e a d m o re a b o u t tthh i s b e a u t iffuu l c u sto m h o m e i n th i s p u bli c a t i o n

A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE 215.345.1953 | jrmaxw wellbuilders.com

M MINK RU RUN MIILL LW WORK A Division of J.R. Maxwell Builders | minkrunmillwork.co om

Creaating Custtom Wo Wood Cabinetry r y & Millworrkk

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Finished Projects: @JRMaxwellBuilders

Works in Progress: P wellBuildersInProgress @JRMaxw

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