WINTER 2023
I hope you are doing well and staying warm. It’s that time of year when we are all longing for more Vitamin D. I know that there are days when it feels like winter will just not end but it’s also a great opportunity to look forward to something, a seasonal change! It’s always exciting to catch the first glimpse of the bulbs peeking out of the ground, like they are asking permission to make the journey. The days get brighter, kids can be seen running through neighborhoods and the outdoor furniture can breathe again with covers coming off. I know that I personally enjoy counting down the days until our pool is open and I can catch a glimpse of the sparkling blue water. It’s all about finding that sparkle in your own life, that much needed distraction to keep forging ahead. So, grab a warm cup of Ginger and Turmeric tea and hopefully you will find a little sparkle here from us including fun treats to try, lovely home accents, polished new spaces and luminous souls.
Hope you enjoy!
Gina SpazianoJay Spaziano Real Estate
1113 General Washington Memorial Blvd. Washington Crossing, PA 18977 (215) 860-2800
gina@jayspaziano.com jayspaziano.com
LLIGHTING DRAMATICALLY IMPROVES A SPACE and shouldn’t be an afterthought. With the flick of a switch, the right fixture can transform the look of any space. It’s just as important as furniture and flooring. Chandeliers, wall sconces and ceiling fixtures don’t only provide light, they add warmth and charm to your home. The right combination of pendant lights and under cabinet lights can brighten up your kitchen. Outside, adding outdoor wall sconces and post lamps can accent your landscaping and help create a well-lit but cozy atmosphere. Security and flood lights can help keep you, your family, pets and guests safe.
Most newer homes have an open floor plan which means that your lighting fixtures will need to be somewhat coordinated. You can mix and match metal finishes, but it’s recommended to not use more than three different finishes that are within eyesight of each other. Mixing size is fine too – large in the living spaces, small or medium in the kitchen, and small or medium in the dining room. This helps create an inviting atmosphere. You will want to avoid mixing something ultra-modern with something ultra-traditional. The goal is to maintain balance when mixing styles and avoid extremes.
Whether for the kitchen or the dining room, consider it the jewelry for the ceiling. Since they are typically in the center, chandeliers want to be the center of attention: the diva of the dining room. They are as versatile as they are dramatic – they come in all colors, shapes and sizes and can be added to any design aesthetic. The right chandelier can make a room feel luxurious, moody, bright, rustic, modern, or anything in between. Chandeliers should hang about 7 feet from the floor. Higher if you have high ceilings.
Pendant lights hang from the ceiling and can be used in many different rooms, not just the kitchen. Some use globes to reduce glare, others are fitted with shades that direct light downward. Pendants are used to provide additional task lighting over tables and work areas such as kitchen islands or to provide accent lighting over servers or display curios. They are also beautiful and can do their job while
accenting the space. Hang pendants about 30-36 inches from the countertop and around 24 inches in between.
Wall sconces are a timeless style of lighting fixture that can complement existing lights by adding a layer of flattering ambient light. A wall sconce will never go out of style, and they have been in use for hundreds of years. The standard rule of thumb is that your wall sconce should be mounted 3/4 of the height of your ceiling height. Wall sconces can come in handy for a staircase or hallway that needs some extra light that overhead lighting does not reach.
Believe it or not, experts say the most common mistake made when selecting a lighting fixture is choosing one that is too small. Larger lights make a room feel more luxurious. Unless you’re strategically designing a minimal space, make sure the lights you select are large enough for your design aesthetic. So, when in doubt, go big! ●
These fun, no-bake treats, can be a nice indoor activity when looking for something to do with the whole family. They are quick and easy to make and use just 5 ingredients. This sweet and salty delight is sure to become a favorite!
● 10 Pretzel rods
● 30 soft caramels
● 3 cups white chocolate chips
● Food coloring – pink, blue, and purple
● Sprinkles
● Line a baking sheet with wax paper; set aside.
● Take three caramels and press them together to form one large caramel. Roll and stretch into a rope. Wrap the caramel rope around the pretzel rod, starting at the top and winding down to an inch or two from the bottom. Repeat with the remaining caramels and pretzel rods.
● Place 2 cups of the white chocolate chips into a medium bowl. Divide the rest of the white chocolate chips among three smaller bowls putting 1/3 cup in each. Melt each bowl of chocolate individually until smooth. Dye the three smaller bowls of chocolate with desired food coloring.
● Dip a caramel-wrapped pretzel rod into the plain white chocolate, using a spoon to help pour melted chocolate over the rod until the caramel spiral is completely covered. Make sure to keep the bottom 1 to 2 inches bare. Gently shake off excess chocolate and place on to lined baking sheet.
● Immediately drizzle colored chocolates over the coated pretzel rod, then finish with sprinkles. Repeat with the remaining pretzel rods. Refrigerate Unicorn Horns until chocolate is set, about 5 minutes.
This is really a fun snack to put together with friends or family. Make sure you have all your supplies out and are ready to go. You need to work fast when working with melted chocolate. Having someone assist at Step 5 is extremely beneficial. One person can dip while the other can drizzle the colored chocolate and add sprinkles. ●
https://abajillianrecipes.com/2017/04/24/unicorn-horns/
FOR SALE
860-2800 / gina@jayspaziano.com
Eye-Catching with Stately Flair, Walking Distance to Downtown 2300 Yardley Road, Yardley / $1,375,000 www.2300YardleyRoad.com
Wonderful Location, Walk to the Boro 447 E Penn Street, Newtown Boro / $969,500 www.447EPennStreet.com
Expanded Stone Cape Cod with New Pool on 4.93 Acres 399 Pineville Road, Upper Makefield Twp / $1,099,000 www.399PinevilleRoad.com
Set back on a quiet, rural road surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, farmsteads and estate homes is this thoughtfully designed and constructed countryside marvel. Winding up the magnificent cherry blossom lined governor’s driveway is this gorgeous property, appropriately named Casa Bella, situated on 11 beautiful acres.
The master brick work is amazing and is enjoyed on every exterior wall. Enter through the front door and experience the substantial marble foyer that immediately speaks to the quality of the home. The open concept floor plan is truly unique and provides a great sense of space while at the same time promoting intimate spaces throughout. The Gathering Room is elegant and dramatic highlighting decorative columns, grand two-story ceiling, wainscoting and a massive fireplace, making it the perfect place to gather. The formal Dining Area provides direct access to the Kitchen and butler’s pantry featuring two huge windows, allowing for ample natural light. The newly updated Kitchen is any chef’s paradise, featuring a brand-new Sub-Zero side by side refrigerator, a large island with cooktop, custom cabinetry, and prep space. The Breakfast Room is its own enclave adorned with a turret style ceiling, filled with light. Only a few steps away is the Bar and Entertainment Area, perfect for socializing and convenient access to the
The open concept floor plan is truly unique and provides a great sense of space while at the same time promoting intimate spaces throughout.
Sunroom and expansive paver patio. The Family Room is connected to the dining and entertaining spaces yet is cozy and styled with impressive built-ins and a lovely fireplace as the centerpiece. The Mudroom is complete with washer and dryer units, a sink and counterspace, a Full Bath, a bedroom (currently utilized as an exercise room), and access to the garage. This space is perfect for an in-law or au-pair suite. The first floor Main Suite is accessed off of a private wing, a serene haven with picturesque views, three enormous walk-in closets, dual water closets, one with convenient access to the pool and patio, and a spa-like Full Bath featuring dual vanities, smart mirrors, and impressive shower. The second floor offers wonderful space, with 3 Bedrooms each having their own private Full Bath, and an open Library at the top of the landing ideal for a quiet reading nook. The Lower Level is partially finished and waiting for your own design. Get creative! This space is perfect for a Media Room, play space or gym and features a walkout to the yard. The Guest House, connected via
breezeway, features a spacious, open layout kitchen, living area, Full Bath, and a Bedroom. The backyard is a private paradise with an in-ground pool with spa, a composite deck, and an extensive patio. Custom millwork, hardwood floors, and recessed lighting are showcased throughout the home. Additional amenities include newly renovated bathrooms with Toto toilets, radiant heat in the kitchen and mudroom, Newer roof, washer/dryer hook-up in the main suite bath, total of 4 garage bays and originally overbuilt for a builder’s personal residence to include approximately 46,000 bricks! Located minutes from Peddler’s Village in Upper Makefield Township and in the Council Rock School District, this oneof-a-kind home is an opportunity you do not want to miss! ●
MMANY OF US MAKE RESOLUTIONS to change and improve our lives for the better each year. One resolution that could help you feel better about yourself and your personal space is home organization, and Closet Possible is here to help!
Mention custom storage and most people think about making the most of every inch of space and, once and for all, getting organized. Those are obvious benefits, but custom storage is so much more than, well, storage.
Custom storage is about making life more enjoyable, more convenient, more efficient, and less stressful. Consider the essential storage spaces throughout your home and how a custom storage solution can affect how you live and feel on a daily basis.
Your primary closet is your most personal space, even more personal than a primary bath where an electrician or plumber may occasionally visit.
Due to its personal nature, this closet is often a refuge where one can relax and enjoy a moment of solitude. This might mean having precious items nearby and visible behind glass doors with lighting, such as perfume bottles, designer handbags, or even autographed baseballs.
Minor enhancements to a primary closet can have a profound impact on the enjoyment of the space. For example:
• A simple jewelry tray can provide a sense of calm by providing a permanent home for a favorite ring or watch.
• A built-in hamper can reduce stress for someone who is annoyed by the sight of dirty laundry on the floor.
• A valet, one of the most popular closet accessories, can be used to display the next day’s outfit, enabling the wearer to sleep soundly with less rushing in the morning.
Children young and old need a space for their stuff. A custom-designed walk-in or reachin closet can be equipped with drawers, recessed top shelves, and other features so clothing and other items are easy to access and put away. This leaves kids with less mess on the floor. Less mess means greater focus and fewer distractions when it’s time to do homework or simply get out the door on time.
Many people who are now working remotely don’t have a dedicated home office and probably didn’t have time to do more than clear space for a laptop. Unfortunately, virtual presentations from the dining room table or kitchen counter aren’t exactly professional. Customizing a dedicated space, whether a full room, a walk-in closet, or just a corner of a room, can help you be more productive and hold video meetings as if you were sitting in an executive suite.
An organized mudroom has transformational potential, especially if you have school-aged children. The items traditionally tossed on a chair or table –backpacks, jackets, hats, gloves, scarves, keys and mail – can each have a home in a custom mudroom, eliminating a new mess from being created each day.
Remote working means more time at home. As a result, the garage is being reimagined in terms of not only storage, but home-based hobby and activity centers. Stylish flooring, cabinetry, and slat-wall options create virtually infinite design possibilities that allow you to create the right mix of practical storage and innovative recreation space.
Once the domain of teens, TV, video games, and assorted activities kept hidden from parents, today’s basements are being converted into high-end dinner theatres, cocktail bars, and entertainment zones. Custom storage solutions keep valuables protected and clutter hidden while creating the right vibe.
Organization? Check. Space optimization? Check. Both create tremendous value in your home and your life. But if you’re only looking at the basic function of a custom storage solution, you’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible. ●
CCKO YARDLEY is a boutique health club unlike any other. Located in the Oxford Oaks Shopping Center, CKO has been serving the Yardley community for over eight years.
It can be difficult to keep your fitness goals on track if you do not have a plan or are not sure how to use the equipment in the gym. This is a major contributing factor in why people do not stick with their initial fitness goals, says Justin Lucci, co-owner of CKO Kickboxing in Yardley.
At CKO, all you need to do is show up! The instructor led classes will keep you focused on your goals and motivate you without losing sight of your personal desired results.
CKO Yardley’s cardio kickboxing workout is the number one fat-burning, high-energy exercise, with up to 1,200 calories burned during one class. Since group fitness classes are for both beginner and advanced levels, each member can work out at their own pace.
Whether you have previous kickboxing experience or have never hit a heavy bag in your life, you will fit right in at CKO. Most of our members have never practiced kickboxing before stepping into our gym, and now they can’t imagine their lives without it.
To register for your first class, select your preferred time from the class schedule and fill out your information online. Plan to arrive 15-20 minutes early for the beginner’s orientation; this will give you the chance to learn more about our facility, the workout, and what to expect. We’ll get started by teaching you a few basic techniques that will make it easy to participate in the group workout. There’s no need to worry about bringing equipment to the gym, either. We provide the heavy bags; all you need to bring are sneakers, loose-fitting clothes, and water. You can choose to bring your own gloves, but we also sell them in the gym. Our staff will help you find a pair that fits well to ensure your hands are protected during intense exercises. After your orientation is complete, you’re ready to hit and kick the bag.
If you don’t have much knowledge about kickboxing, it’s okay! Our instructors design every workout to be adaptable, so you can tailor it to your fitness and skill level. We never require advanced techniques or moves. Members are encouraged to
work at their own pace during the group exercise class. Our goal is to develop a non-intimidating environment, which is why we make our cardio kickboxing workouts fun. The instructors keep the focus on the fitness aspect of your workout instead of the fighting side.
Our group workouts are the perfect way to stay engaged and motivated throughout your fitness journey. We pride ourselves on creating a positive community comprised of driven individuals that share one common goal: hitting real heavy bags. Group exercise classes in Yardley and the surrounding areas are effective at creating a support system and accountability. Don’t go it alone at a traditional gym. Our trained instructors can help you reach goals in a fun way that makes our group kickboxing classes addictive!
Don’t waste another second dreading the hour you spend at the gym. Try a class at CKO Yardley today and learn why thousands of other people have ditched the treadmill for an intense and fun-filled fitness kickboxing routine. ●
215.321.3355
www.ckokickboxing.com/pa-yardley
, Happy Tails Rescue Retirement Home is a non-profit one-woman mission to give senior dogs in need the chance to live out their golden years in comfort.
In 2019, the senior dog retirement home and hospice set out to change the lives of senior dogs in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and beyond.
Most of the senior dogs in Stacey's care have extensive health issues and were out of time at high volume shelters. While some make their journey to her home from private owner surrenders or international rescue operations, regardless of how a resident ends up in Stacey's care, she is their last chance at life.
The retirement home is every senior dog's dream. With options to nap in their favorite spots, go kayaking with Stacey, stroller walks, or lounge around in the warm sunshine with friends, each resident is supported toward their
final day, surrounded by love and without fear, as every dog deserves.
But unconditional love isn't the only form of support her residents receive. Stacey provides medical care, and lots of love for the last months or years of their lives. With a specialization in fixer-uppers, senior dogs have so much love to get and give.
With a predominantly holistic approach to wellness, alternative therapies coupled with traditional medicine are used to provide the best care possible for her residents. Regular medical and preventative care is crucial to ensuring a pain-free and healthy life for the residents. Most of her dogs come to the rescue with minimal medical history, making extensive medical support along their journey necessary to recover or manage chronic conditions. Feeding a raw diet, using Reiki for healing, and various types of physical therapy are an extra level of care for their mind, body, and spirit.
Specializing in senior dogs and hospice care comes with rewarding highs and unbearable lows of loss. Whether their time together spans years or in some cases, just weeks - saying goodbye is inevitable. Since opening her heart and home, 14 dogs have passed, 9 in the last year alone. Each time a resident passes, their name is memorialized forever on a large set of rainbow angel wings her niece painted on the fence in the backyard. The mural is a daily reminder of the dedication and love that fills every corner of her home.
Since 2019, 25 senior dogs have made their way into her home. The two newest additions, Kiwi and Bean win the award for furthest distance traveled after being rescued from the Dominican Republic over 1,500 miles away.
Happy Tails primarily rescues dogs from the tri-state area, however, Stacey couldn’t say no to Kiwi and Bean. Bean has hemangiosarcoma which is an aggressive form of cancer of the blood vessels. Treatment is limited here but
non-existent in the third world country. Stacey had to jump through hoops with the CDC to receive the necessary approval to bring them here and they finally arrived recently.
There are many stories of the dogs at HTRRH, some known, however, many unknown as some were brought in to the shelter as strays. Here are a few stories, in addition to Kiwi and Bean: Stacey rescued Flick and Phatsy who lost their owner due to COVID. A tiny 5 pound Chihuahua she named Beezy, pregnant at 12 years old, from a hoarding case in a small home where there were 52 other animals. Three dogs, Piggy, Rascal and Angel were rescued from a cruelty case in Delaware. No matter what happened before, it’s all love and the best of care from here on until the end.
Senior dogs living their best lives is the foundation of Happy Tails Rescue Retirement Home. As a small in-home non-profit, HTRRH receives no formal funding and relies entirely on donations, 100% of which goes to the care of the dogs. Donations, big or small, allow their lifesaving work to ensure the best final moments of their lives.
When a senior dog's family isn't forever, Stacey gives them a home. One without crates or kennels and surrounded by love and support 24/7 for the rest of their days.
Because love never grows old. Senior dogs are simply amazing and they matter. ●
You can donate and follow their journeys here: www.HTRRH.org @happytailsretirementhome @happytailsrescuepa @happytailsrescueretirementhome
Jay’s sales experience has momentum and is one of the many reasons he has been the top producing agent in Bucks County over the last 25 years. 2022 proved to be another record-breaking year for Jay in the number of transactions closed and volume. Momentum, along with experience, dedication, and service, matters in navigating this market. Below is a recap of our listings which sold in 2022.
If you are thinking about listing your property or are interested in viewing any of the special homes in our portfolio, please contact us at jay@jayspaziano.com or (215) 860-2800. We will personally meet with you to develop an individual plan to effectuate your housing goals.
