Home Projects

CREATING SPACE

Today’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 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.

PAXSON HILL FARM

TThe 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 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.

CUSTOM BUILT FARMHOUSE

UPPER BUCKS FARMHOUSE

Sometimes, 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 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.

BACKYARD PARADISE

ELA 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 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 complete 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.

1810 STONE HOUSE

This 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 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.

OUTDOOR LIVING

Dear 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 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 comprised 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.

CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY BARN

This 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 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.

OUTDOOR LIVING

Woodsmith 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 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 remodeling 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.

TRUST IS WHAT WE BUILD

The 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 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.

LITTLE’S CELEBRATES 76 YEARS

The 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 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.