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Volume 6, Issue 1 locallivingmag.com

Hello

my name is Al Portnoy, and I am the owner of Hallmark Remodelers. I first started out as an apprentice for a local home remodeling contractor. When I worked as a general contractor, I learned all the tricks of the trade, but also learned to listen to people’s wants. When I felt confident in my skills I branched off on my own by starting my own home improvement construction company.

That’s when Hallmark Remodelers was created. Since then Hallmark has grown our portfolio to thousands of innovative designs in homes around the greater Philadelphia area and continues to this day. When it comes to kitchen contractors, bathroom remodeling, siding repairs, basement renovation, concrete contractors, replacement windows, roofing contractors, deck repair, interior doors, and more choose Hallmark Remodelers.

With over 45 years of experience, Hallmark Remodelers have been a leader in home renovations, general contracting, and home improvements in the greater Philadelphia area. Over the years Hallmark Remodelers and their world class contractors and remodeling experts have been consistently within the top 500 of Qualified Home Remodelers annual ranking. Our award winning home remodeler, contractor, and home improvement company, Hallmark Remodelers have been committed to not only providing excellent work from the first step to the last, but unequivocal service when it comes to their customers.

Happy New Year from all of us here at Hallmark Remodeling!

800-945-2233

www.hallmarkremodelers.com

Al Portnoy Owner

Remodeling Homes for Over 45 Years!

Serving PA & NJ: Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Mercer County & Surrounding Areas!

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any new kitchen remodel For more information click here

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features

28 8 A Space of His Own 10 Designer Kitchens 14 Make A Splash 16 Cold Weather Recipes to Keep Your Family Warm This Winter 20 Remodeling the Empty Nest 22 How to Clean Natural Stone 24 Local Goes Local

Local

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Karen A. Kovacs Publisher Sherilyn Kulesh / Kulesh Design Group Art Director Blair Johnson Director of Sales Lori Papp Senior Account Executive Susanna Koppany Marketing & Sales Manager Melinda Kovacs Accounting Manager Local Living Magazine is published by Blue Water Media LLC. For more information about Local Living Magazine please visit our website at www.Locallivingmag.com, email us at info.Bluewatermedia@gmail.com or call at 609- 788-0443 All Rights Reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced without the expressed written permission Of Blue Water Media LLC. This magazine purpose is for information & entertainment only.

It is NOT an attempt to solicit business.

Designed In the United States 2016

Volume 6 | Issue 1 Local Living

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HOME

A Space of His Own

By Pattie Krukowski

Y

ears ago my friend Johnny purchased an antique convertible Mercedes Benz. He did not just love that car but rather was in love with that car.

He was a bachelor at the time and that car oozed sex appeal. He religiously kept the leather conditioned and the paint waxed and buffed. One autumn, the first of many more to follow, he experienced a human form of migratory restlessness and in that car, journeyed from Vermont to Florida to spend the winter. After parking his chick magnet at the latest local hotspot for singles, he was often heard mumbling while shoving his keys in his pocket, “My chances would be better if I could just bring it in with me.�

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If Johnny ever asks me to design and decorate a man cave for him, I would base the whole concept around his car.

His three car garage would be transformed into a museumlike dwelling using one of the garage bays to house the beloved current car while the other two bays are opened up to accommodate a sitting room of manly proportion. He would drive up his long tree-lined driveway, through a remotely opened glass garage door to discover even more glass in the form of wall-to-wall, floor to ceiling windows, revealing him to the privacy of the woods that surround his home. The entire space would be based on a high gloss, epoxy painted cement floor the color of Guinness. A sleek blonde wood

wall system would hide storage, refrigeration and a dishwasher. The unhoned black granite bar top would complement the cool silver of a 4 Keg Stainless Steel Kegerator Direct Draw Beer Dispenser. He would be able to reach for a cold one while reclining on a cream colored leather sectional which wraps around a large square travertine topped coffee table that is the perfect height to rest both hooves and Heineken. A 55” Bang & Olufsen BeoVision 11 Smart TV that claims to “challenge your senses” floats next to several bracketless shelves proudly displaying Patriots memorabilia.

Wikipedia defines a man cave as a “mantuary or manspace where guys can do as they please,” without fear of upsetting any female sensibility about house décor or design. Across the country, garages, basements, extra guest rooms and offices

are being transformed into such spaces. The importance of a having a space for a man to get away from it all is a fast growing phenomenon. Even the DIY Network hosts a show called “Man Caves” featuring creative ways to develop a refuge just for the macho. Men in need of such a space will go to great extents to obtain one. My husband’s friend Charlie converted his chicken coop into one. I hear it’s outfitted nicely with a wood burning stove, overstuffed couch, fullsized refrigerator and dart board but I’ve never actually been there as Charlie is more traditional in his man cave requirements and sticks with the no-chicks policy.

Perhaps your style is more Hunting Lodge with décor

reminiscent of a Hemingway novel or a James Bond movie.

Heavy Baccarat, old-fashioned cut crystal glasses wait on patina silver trays, always ready to host a neat scotch for guests lucky enough to get an invite. Dark paneled walls rise from darker still hardwood floors. An oversized, real wood burning fireplace topped with a hand carved, strong grained reclaimed wood mantel displays trophies, a collection of pheasant guns and black and white photos of hunting adventures with friends. He-man types congregate round the built-especially-for-you Monarch Billiards pool table while the occasional weaker palate visits the corner wet-bar in search of ice or a water back.

Custom wine cellars are becoming more and more popular. Picture antique brick archways beckoning one to enter a separate glass-walled wine cabinet bigger than your master bathroom’s shower. Custom cabinets and under cabinet lights illuminate rows of vino anxiously waiting to be decanted.

A heavy legged, antique pine table the color of honey, cluttered with Reidel wine stems encourages an argument regarding whether the best Pinot Noir came from California or Oregon this past year. A cigar humidor as large as a Sub-Zero stands proudly against a rough plastered wall painted the deepest shade of sun-cooked terracotta. Wooden wine barrels provide a resting spot for cigar cutters and last month’s Wine Spectator Magazine.

In reality, many of us don’t have limitless space for such frivolity and must be practical and share the Man Cave space. This too, is doable. A contractor’s thoughtful space plan can insure the peaceful existence of Dad’s machismo, kids’ overabundance of toys, Mom’s scrapbooking materials and an extra place to put overnight guests.

Utilizing custom built-in cabinets or DIY storage units from Ikea can help you achieve this and even the tackiest of tchotchkes can be artfully displayed. Permanent or temporary walls or half walls forge much needed boundaries. Trundle beds stay out of the way for more room to play while ensuring no extra guest sleeps on the floor. Whether you share the space or are lucky enough to carve out even a nook that is exclusively he-man, draw from your true passions so it feels like an authentic extension of you.

References: www.bang-olufsen.com, www.kegerator.com, www.monarchbilliards.com Pattie Krukowski is a freelance writer currently residing in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

DESIGNER

Kitchen

here’s a reason the kitchen is called the heart of the home: It’s where you and your family gather to cook, to eat, to socialize, and, sometimes, just to catch up over a quick snack or a cup of coffee. In many homes, the kitchen has evolved into an all-purpose room, including a dining table, computer desk, entertainment area, even a fireplace.

Today’s kitchens are practical, welcoming, and fun. They feature sophisticated colors and innovative components. They also look more like the rest of the house, complete with furniture-like cabinets, wood flooring, and artwork. The perfect recipe for a beautiful kitchen calls for giving a lot of thought to both the components and the activities that take place in the room, from cooking and cleanup to snacking and socializing. Above all, the perfect kitchen is both comfortable and a pleasure to work in.

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HOME

Make a Splash

By Patti Krukowski

W

hile renovating a 15,000 square foot for resale home in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, my creative contractor husband went above and beyond the ordinary when he designed the master bathroom. Created as the room’s focal point, he custom built a 7-foot by 5-foot by 2 ½-foot deep, mosaic tiled, masterpiece of a soaking tub. The “his and her” sinks flanking a mahogany and glass antique armoire stuffed with stacks of fluffy white towels and bowls of heavenly scented bath-salts complemented the tub’s purpose. The 15-foot high domed ceiling, supporting a 12-arm candle chandelier, accentuated the center-of-attention tub. Even the double, 6-foot tall doors that led to the two headed, six wall jet steam shower took second stage to that tub. We had the privilege of residing in that extraordinary dwelling for two years; when I indulged in a soak, I would literally float off

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the bottom of that amazing cauldron, which is no small feat as I am no small girl. Topped by a meringue of bubbles, candles aglow, champagne bucket less than an arm’s-length away—that tub was seductive and soothing.

Six years and several much smaller project houses later, my husband and I had a new favorite tub. It was a twentyfive dollar, powder blue, foldable plastic infant tub from ‘Babies “R” Us’ we purchased for our newborn boy. Inflatable, flexible and shaped like whales and ducks, baby tubs that conveniently fit in your kitchen sink create some of the most precious, and during colicky times, the only sane moments of baby and parents’ day. If you’re in the market for the most adorable infant tub ever, check out a “Blooming Baby Bath”.

It comes in a variety of colors and is made from super soft and plush materials and is shaped like a flower with cushy petals for sprout to snuggle amongst. After the bath, just

wring it out and toss in the dryer. Pictures taken with your little one cradled by this whimsical blossom will surely be cherished for decades to come.

If you’re in the market for a bathroom renovation, you have a generous number of choices in which to scruba-dub-dub. Bathtubs are available from the common to the extraordinary. Ask yourself: to jet or not to jet? Do I want round, rectangular or corner shaped? Should it comfortably fit one person or more? There is even a tub for the ultimate techie. The insanely cutting edge “La Scala T650 Entertainment Jacuzzi” is about as pimped out as a bathing vessel can get; so much so that I wonder if it’s for real or just urban legend. Its round spaceship cabin shape houses a 48 inch, high definition flat screened television, DVD player, AM/FM and CD stereo, underwater lighting and surround sound. It even comes with a floating remote control. Rumor has it there is a three to four month wait time. This huge wow factor to your lavatory comes with an almost $40,000.00 price tag. Need something portable? Yes, I said portable. Check out the inflatable, portable “Softub”. It can be enjoyed indoors and out, brags minimal energy consumption and weighs less than 75 pounds. Depending on which model you choose, there is room for two, four or six people, the largest equipped with underwater LED lighting available in a number of colors.

Perhaps you are updating an 18th century farmhouse.

Clawfoot tubs can be purchased from antique markets and refinished. For you DIYers, HGTV has a complete list of materials needed to do so, followed by a 13-step instruction guide on-line. Word to the wise, these cast iron antique beauties often tip the scales at 400 pounds plus so buyer or transporter beware. In addition, new plumbing supplies including handheld, tub filler and shower faucets are readily available to insure your historic vessel is functional. For those of you less than enthusiastic about the real deal, consider purchasing a new, easy to move light weight acrylic, vintage clawfoot imposter.

If I could design the ultimate environment to house a fabulous tub it would include French doors or perhaps a NanaWall system that could be left open to a private courtyard or balcony. Boxwood hedges, and a vine covered pergola roof would ensure secrecy. Landscape lights softly glowing and simple white cushioned, weathered teak chaise lounges invite après soak. Perhaps this dream will be made into reality in the next house.

Pattie Krukowski is a freelance writer and interior decorator currently residing in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

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Cold Weather Recipes to Keep Your Family Warm This Winter

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When it turns cold outside, there are certain dishes we gravitate to for comfort.

These best winter recipes will make your house smell fantastic and warm you up inside and out. There is no doubt that your whole family will enjoy sitting down to eat, with any of these creations are on their plates!

Baked Potato Soup

Here’s a classic, perfect for potato lovers—baked potato soup, made with mashed up baked potatoes, onion, celery, and stock, puréed and topped with classic baked potato toppings like crumbled crispy bacon, grated cheddar cheese, sour cream and chives. It’s the perfect thing for using up leftover baked potatoes too.

Ingredients 4 pounds russet potatoes (about 7 medium potatoes) 1/4 pound thick sliced bacon, cut crosswise into 1/8-inch slices (lardons) 1 large onion, finely chopped (about 2 cups) 2 ribs celery, finely chopped 6 cups chicken stock 1 teaspoon kosher salt (more to taste) 1/8 teaspoon of ground white or black pepper 2 to 4 Tbsp heavy cream (optional) Garnishes: Grated sharp cheddar cheese Sour cream Minced chives Crumbled bacon (from step 2 in method) Directions 1. Scrub the potatoes clean and poke them all over with the tines of a fork or paring knife (this is so they don’t explode from internal pressure building up as they cook). Place on a foil lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 1 hour, or until easily cut through with a knife. Remove and let cool enough to handle. (To speed up cooling, slice them in half lengthwise.)

2. Place bacon lardons in a large, thick bottomed Dutch oven (about 5 to 6 quart pot). Heat on medium high until the bacon starts to brown then lower the heat to medium. Cook until the bacon has rendered most of its fat and the lardons are browned and crispy. Remove the cooked bacon and set aside.

Remove all but 1 tablespoon of bacon fat from the pan. (Do not discard bacon fat in your sink, it will clog the drain. Pour the fat into a jar and let it cool and solidify. Then either scoop it out and discard it or use it for another purpose.)

3. Add the chopped onion and celery to the remaining bacon fat in the pot. Cook for 2 minutes on medium high, then lower the heat to low, and cover the pot. Let cool slowly on low heat for 15 to 20 minutes.

4. When potatoes are cool enough to handle, scoop out the insides to a bowl. Then add it to the cooked onion and celery mixture along with 6 cups chicken stock. Add a teaspoon of kosher salt. Bring the soup to a simmer and reduce the heat to

low. Use a potato masher to mash the potatoes into the stock.

5. Cook the potato soup for about 5 minutes, then use an immersion blender to purée about half of the soup if you want a slightly chunky soup, or purée all of it if you want a smoother soup. Stir 2 to 4 tablespoons of heavy cream into the soup if you want a creamier soup. Add more salt and pepper to taste.

6. Pour into bowls and top with grated cheddar, sour cream, chives, and crumbled crispy bacon.

Cheesy Skillet Cornbread

This cornbread is packed with cheese, onions, and whole corn, and flavored with bacon drippings. Need I say more?

Serve the corn bread at the table directly from the skillet, the benefit being that because the cast iron holds its heat so well, the corn bread stays warm throughout the entire meal.

Ingredients 1 cup cornmeal 1/2 cup flour 1 Tbsp baking powder 1 Tbsp sugar 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon salt

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1 cup shredded medium or sharp cheddar cheese 1/4 cup chopped onion 1 cup milk 3 Tbsp bacon drippings (warmed to liquid), plus 1 teaspoon to grease the pan 1 egg, beaten 3/4 cup of cooked corn, either fresh, defrosted frozen corn, or drained from a can Directions 1. Place a 9 or 10-inch cast iron pan in the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. 2. In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar, garlic powder, and salt. Add remaining ingredients, and stir until just combined.

3. Carefully remove the hot pan from the oven (remember the handle is hot!). Place a teaspoon of bacon fat in the bottom of the hot pan and swirl it around until it is all melted and coating the bottom of the pan. Pour the batter from the mixing bowl into the pan. Remember to put a pot holder over the hot handle of the pan and return it to the oven.

4. Bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let the cornbread cool in the pan.

Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s pie is basically a casserole with a layer of cooked meat and vegetables, topped with mashed potatoes, and baked in the oven until the the mashed potatoes are well browned. When you dig in you get a spoonful of mashed potatoes, some crispy bits, meat, and vegetables all 18

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in one bite. It’s pure comfort food.

Ingredients 1 1/2 to 2 pounds potatoes (about 3 large potatoes), peeled and quartered 8 Tablespoons (1 stick) butter 1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups) 1-2 cups vegetables—diced carrots, corn, peas 1 1/2 lbs ground round beef 1/2 cup beef broth 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce Salt, pepper, other seasonings of choice Directions 1. Place the peeled and quartered potatoes in medium sized pot. Cover with at least an inch of cold water. Add a teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook until tender (about 20 minutes.

2. While the potatoes are cooking, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a large sauté pan on medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until tender, about 6 to 10 minutes. If you are including vegetables, add them according to their cooking time. Carrots should be cooked with the onions, because they take as long to cook as the onions do. If you are including peas or corn, add them toward the end of the cooking of the onions, or after the meat starts to cook, as they take very little cooking time.

3. Add ground beef to the pan with the onions and vegetables. Cook until no longer pink. Season with salt and pepper. Add the worcestershire sauce and beef broth. Bring the broth to a simmer and reduce heat to low. Cook uncovered

for 10 minutes, adding more beef broth if necessary to keep the meat from drying out.

4. When the potatoes are done cooking (a fork can easily pierce), remove them from the pot and place them in a bowl with the remaining 4 Tbsp of butter. Mash with a fork or potato masher, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread the beef, onions, and vegetables (if using) in an even layer in a large baking dish (8x13 casserole). Spread the mashed potatoes over the top of the ground beef. Rough up the surface of the mashed potatoes with a fork so there are peaks that will get well browned. You can even use a fork to make creative designs in the mashed potatoes.

6. Place in a 400°F oven and cook until browned and bubbling, about 30 minutes. If necessary, broil for the last few minutes to help the surface of the mashed potatoes brown.

Apple Cobbler

A favorite thing to make with apples is this apple cobbler.

The filling is seasoned with cinnamon, lemon, and vanilla and isn’t overly sweet. The buttermilk biscuit cobbler crust is speckled with bits of candied ginger. As much as we all love pie, cobblers are much less fussy. You don’t roll out a crust, but just spoon the crust dough on top of the filling. So you get the great taste of pie with half the work!

Ingredients Filling ingredients: 3 lbs of a variety of good cooking apples such as Granny Smith, Pippin, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Gravenstein 2 Tbsp lemon juice 4 Tbsp unsalted butter 1/2 cup sugar 1 Tbsp flour 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2. Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped apples (and the lemon juice from the bowl), sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Toss to coat with everything so that the spices and sugar are well distributed throughout the apples. Partially cover the pot and cook until the apples are just tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in the vanilla, and toss to coat with a tablespoon of flour. Transfer the apple cobbler filling (including any juices from the apples) to a 10-inch pie dish, a 9-inch deep-dish pie dish, or a 9x9-inch baking dish.

3. Preheat the oven to 425°F. In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Add the cubed butter and toss to coat with the flour mixture.

Use your fingertips or a pastry blender to cut the butter into the flour mixture until the largest piece of butter is no bigger than a pea. Stir in the candied ginger and zest. Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture and pour in the buttermilk. Use a fork to stir the flour and buttermilk together until the flour is all moistened. Do not overwork the dough!

4. Crumble the cobbler dough over the top of the apples in the baking dish. (If you want extra pizzaz you can sprinkle the top with a little brown sugar.)

5. Place a rimmed baking sheet on the lowest rack in the oven (to catch any drippings), and place the cobbler on the next lowest rack. Bake for 10 minutes at 425°F until the top is beginning to brown, about 10 to 15 minutes. Then lower the temperature to 350°F and bake for 30 more minutes until the topping is cooked through and the filling is bubbly.

Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

Crust ingredients: 2 cups all purpose flour 1/4 cup sugar 2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup (1 stick or 4 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into small cubes 1 cup buttermilk 1 Tbsp finely chopped crystallized ginger 1 teaspoon lemon zest or orange zest Method 1. Peel, quarter, and core the apples. Cut them into 1/4 to 1/2 inch chunks. As you prep the apples, add them to a bowl and toss with lemon juice to keep them from oxidizing (turning brown).

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Remodeling the Empty Nest The kids have left home, and you’re left with extra space.

If you’re looking for ideas for your empty nest, here are a couple transformation ideas for a newly vacant bedroom.

By Jackie Dishner

S

ome families prefer to leave bedrooms alone when their children move out after high school; they want their children to have a familiar place to come home to. But for the parents who want to find a new use for that space, experts have some suggestions.

If the price sounds steep, it doesn’t have to be. Hardware stores offer do-it-yourself books, products, and ideas that can cost a lot less, but only if you don’t intend to hire designers and labor or to tear out walls.

If you plan to stay in your home, you’d be wise to invest in a renovation that might include built-ins, lighting, and new furniture. The cost to renovate can begin at $10,000 and increase depending on what you want to do and where you live. But from a practical standpoint and resale value later, it’s worth it.

Maintaining a guest room or guest suite is top of the list.

It can include adding full bathrooms, king-size beds, and sitting areas. Some homeowners might even add a wet bar and big-screen TV. It’s not about having more square footage—it’s about having the square footage do more.

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A Master Suite for Guests

A Room of One’s Own

Some couples might decide to have separate bedrooms in which to retreat and even sleep. They want their own space, even their own private bathrooms. He gets the shower. She gets the Jacuzzi. Living together 24/7 is tough. Spouses still want a place to do their own stuff: watch investments, read a book, watch football, smoke a cigar, whatever. So that extra bedroom becomes a nice way to do that.

A Place to Play

Another trend is having a space to set up the card table. It’s the new cool thing. More and more baby boomers are playing games like mah-jongg, bunco, Uno, and poker. Without the kids at home, they have more time to host card parties and want a room to play. All you have to do is clear out the bedroom furniture and put in a round table and club chairs, shelving or cabinets, and wooden floors, experts suggest.

Home Work

Other families with less space might keep the spare bedroom but add a work area with a desk in the corner. It gets the computer out of the family room and provides a more private place to go online. If you’re going to do this, Pottery Barn makes great bookshelves that don’t take up too much space.

For those who need more than just a desk area, the newly empty bedroom is also the perfect place to put a home office. For a more professional look, hire someone to design and install custom millwork. Decorate with a mahogany desk, bookcases, and cabinetry for storing paperwork and supplies.

Store It

There’s always a shortage of space! You can make good use of a small bedroom by transforming it into a cedar closet. It’s a safe storage space we can all use. Just line the walls of the closet with cedar plank, which you can buy at Lowe’s or Home Depot for less than $200, and it’s an easy nail-in weekend project.

Buy extra cedar planks to trim the rest of the walls in the room. Then the entire space becomes a great place to store seasonal outdoor equipment and clothing that might otherwise take up space in the garage.

Wrap It Up

If you have all the storage space and bedroom you need, I suggest a hobby room. You can even create a gift-wrapping room. It’s great for families with grandchildren. Use organizing systems, including peg boards and pullout drawers, to create a fun place to hang ribbon rolls and store gift wrap bags and ready-made bows. Drawer organizers that you’d use for jewelry or makeup make a handy place to store gift tags. You can get creative or carried away.

Whatever you do with that extra space, make sure it blends well with the rest of the house.

good to know

How To Clean & Care for Natural Stone

M

aintaining your stone is an integral part of your natural stone experience, as well enjoying the longevity that natural stone offers to clients.

Please use this information as a guide to ensure you are doing everything possible to keep your natural stone products looking like they did the day they arrived in your home or business. Below are some different maintenance suggestions based on the type of natural stone care you are performing:

General Care Care and Precautions

Use coasters under all glasses, particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juices. Many common foods and drinks contain acids that will etch or dull the surface of many stones.

Do not place hot items directly on the stone surface. Use trivets or mats under hot dishes and placemats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that can scratch the surface.

Cleaning Procedures and Recommendations Floor Surfaces

Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. Sand, dirt and grit do the most damage to natural stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness. Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize the sand, dirt and grit that will scratch the stone floor. Be sure that the underside of the mat or rug is a non-slip surface. Normally, it will take a person about eight steps on a floor surface to remove sand or dirt from the bottom of their shoes. Do not use vacuum cleaners that are worn. The metal or plastic attachments or the wheels may scratch the surface.

Other Surfaces

Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner, 22

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stone soap (available at hardware stores) or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Use a clean rag mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results.

Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks.

Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently. Do not use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.

Bath and Other Wet Areas

In the bath or other wet areas, soap scum can be minimized by using a squeegee after each use. To remove soap scum, use a non-acidic soap scum remover or a solution of ammonia and water (about 1/2 cup ammonia to a gallon of water). Frequent or over-use of an ammonia solution may eventually dull the surface of the stone.

Dos and Don’ts

DO Dust mop floors frequently DO Clean surfaces with mild detergent or stone soap DO Thoroughly rinse and dry the surface after washing DO Blot up spills immediately DO Protect floor surfaces with non-slip mats or area rugs and countertop surfaces with coasters, trivets or placemats DON’T Use vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners containing acids on marble, limestone, travertine or onyx surfaces DON’T Use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub & tile cleaners DON’T Use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers

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Local

goes local

North Conway, New Hampshire

By Diane Burns

W

ith the hectic bustle of the holiday season behind us, now is the perfect time to think about enjoying a short winter getaway. If you enjoy cold weather sports such as skiing, ice-skating, and snowboarding, New Hampshire has much to offer.

North Conway Village, located in the beautiful White Mountains, is ranked by National Geographic Magazine as one of the top ski towns in the country. Trip Advisor also ranks it as one of the most affordable in the Northeast. If you prefer alpine skiing you will enjoy Attitash, Black Wildcat, Shawnee Peak or Breton Woods. Cross-Country enthusiasts should try Jackson Ski Touring Foundation right in the North Conway Valley or at Mount Washington Valley Ski and Snowboarding Center.

Other attractions include: hiking trails, kayak trips, ATV tours, dog sledding and rock and ice climbing. The kids will especially like the dog sledding, as they can have a chance being the “musher” (one 24

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who calls out the commands to make the dogs run). Lots of family fun can be found at Banana Village, the home to a very unique miniature golf course, which is built on the side of a hill. You’ll want to plan a trip during the warmer months to experience both that and Whales Tales Water Park. Luckily, the family can enjoy the indoor water part at Red Mountain View Resort during the winter months.

North Conway Village is a great place to do a little shopping in their great factory outlets. You can purchase winter gear and apparel, New Hampshire arts and crafts, artwork and even gourmet gadgetry. If you are craving something sweet, North Conway Village houses the 2012 winner of Cupcake Wars. The winning cupcake, an orange almond cupcake with orange marmalade filling and mascarpone icing, is always available. Be sure to make a stop and enjoy the awarding winning delight!

Before you settle in for the night, enjoy a sumptuous meal at one of the many eateries in the area. There are a variety of fast food places, quaint bistros and cafes like

The Stairway to the Muddy Moose Pub, and fine dining restaurants like The Wentworth, for your eating pleasure. There is also a great selection of gluten free and organic restaurants, such as Rafferty’s.

Of course you will find a variety of lodging accommodations in the Village and the surrounding areas to suit your needs. You may want to look into: Adventure Suites, Comfort Inn, and Farm by the River, Bed & Breakfasts and the Nordic Village. (Contact the Chamber of Commerce for further information.)

North Conway Village in New Hampshire seems to be the perfect place for your entire family to enjoy a short winter getaway, and cure any post holiday blues.

For further information contact: MVW Chamber of Commerce Corporate Communications Inc. Box 854 North Conway, NH 03860 Diane Burns is a freelance writer now residing in Chester County, PA

What People Are Saying

About Hallmark Remodelers At first I thought remodeling my house would be impossible. Picking the right contractor and “doing it on a small budget made me very concerned that I would get taken advantage of because you always hear stories of that happening. But not with Al and Hallmark remodelers. He came to my house about the deck that I wanted fixed and was concerned that he was going to try and sell me a whole new one. But Al was different. He wasn’t pushy. He wasn’t overbearing. He was honest and gave me options. Here I thought that he was going to push a new deck, but instead he recommended fixing up my existing deck with a few replacement planks that had deteriorated over the years and some protective coating. That’s why I always recommend Al and Hallmark. Not only will they do a great job, but you will be completely satisfied and not feel like you were tricked into spending a whole lot of money.

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— Marie B.

I love it. It’s beautiful. They did a wonderful job on this kitchen. I love Hallmark. They were “excellent.

I had called different contractors a number of times and it took them weeks just to get an estimate. Once I called Hallmark, they took a look at my kitchen, which was a big project, and gave me an estimate that night. It was a wonderful experience. My kitchen was so small before, but now with the work that Hallmark did, they were able to expand it and now it has become my favorite

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room in the whole house!

— Joan D.

“

We needed a lot of work done. We have 3 bathrooms and a kitchen that were in horrible shape. Al showed us options

and that was big for us. We had a tight budget, but a lot of work we wanted done to the house and Al was able to make it happen with picking out affordable options and helping us with the right financing. We are extremely happy with how

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everything turned out.

— Gabby S.

Click HERE to watch the video Volume 6 | Issue 1 Local Living

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Specializing in Kitchens & Bathrooms

Kitchens

Bathrooms

Imagine It and We’ll Make It Happen

• Roofing and Siding • Windows • Basement Remodeling • Decks • Awnings, Iron Railing & Fences • Masonary • Patios • Walls • Granite Countertops • Tile • Hardwood Flooring • Garages • Additions

800-945-2233 PA, NJ Fully licensed and insured Free In Home Estimate

hallmarkremodelers.com