Decorative Zone Heating

kitchen fireplace

With energy costs and efficiency a top-of-mind priority on many peoples minds, one avenue of consideration is zone heating. While typically this involves electronic control of thermostats and dampers, there are creative alternatives.

Here, a stone fireplace with gas insert provides not only direct heat to the most active space in a home [the kitchen], but also adds a visually distinctive interior design element. Other decorative heating options include utilizing free standing fireplaces and stoves, placed strategically within a home to maximize efficiency. This route also offers options on fuel choices and refueling requirements.

Serving both function and form, decorative zone heating can be your answer to both efficiency and beauty. Talk with your building or fireplace professional to learn more.

Home Professional:
Curtis E. Schneck, Inc.
Schnecksville, PA
610.767.5018

www.c-schneck.com

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Bending the Design Rules

theDESIGNguide.com

Traditional shapes and materials often dictate the outcome of design in many homes. But that does not have to be the case for you and your home. Consider the kitchen island as a prime example. Often rectangle in design, faced with a cabinetry style and material, and topped with the popular counter top of the moment, it’s a standout home feature that can readily accept creative new directions in design and materials.

Interested? Talk with your builder or remodeler, and they should send you to talk with their cabinetry shop. If you’re just thinking kitchen update, visit a kitchen showroom and talk with one of their designers. And if you feel your not finding the creative result that you’re looking for, feel free to discuss your vision with another designer, as some are more comfortable with outside-the-box thinking.

Bending the design rules in many other parts of the home, both inside and out, can provide the personal distinction that makes your home yours. It’s just takes that first step to explore something new.

Tell us your insights and experiences where have you bent the design rules in your home. Did it work? Would you do it yourself? Would you do it again?

[photograph provided by studio 26 homes | Orefield, PA]

Bending the Design Rules is one of the design points featured in Design Expressions, a collection of ideas and insights on home design from theDESIGNguide, a Lehigh Valley resource to local champions of home design.

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Sunrooms | Inside Out

sunroom ideas

No matter what the season, a sunroom allows you to bring in the feeling of the outdoors from the comfort of your favorite chair. Whether as an addition, renovation of existing space, or as part of a new construction floor plan, the openness, brilliance, and stress free nature of a year-round sunroom offers an exceptional space for quality living.

Home Professional:
Blair Custom Homes, Inc.
Route 378
Bethlehem, PA
610.865.4200
www.BlairCustomHomesInc.com

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White is an Alternative

Aiming for a fresh and distinctive look to your kitchen makeover? Then consider alternative options and materials, like this white cabinetry. Today, there are countless choices to traditional wood stained cabinetry, giving you colors and finishes that can match or compliment other colors and materials.

And don’t stop with the cabinets. Alternative flooring materials such as Bamboo, as well as nonstandard countertop and faucet choices can help you define and shape your personal style.

Home Professional:
Brader’s Woodcraft, Inc.
5440 Route 145
Laurys Station, PA
610.262.3452

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Garages & Car Ports: User-Defined

garages / car ports

The purpose of most garages are to provide cover for cars, boats, yard tools, and people. But who says you can’t create your own design based on your use needs and budget?

This re-defined solution fits both shelter and style details to be a perfect complement to an old farm house home.

Home Professionals:
Johnson Remodeling
Lehigh Valley Builders Association
1504 Linden Street
Allentown, PA

www.LVBA.org

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Creative Touches for Big Results

Sometimes you just need to consider alternative options to turn a home detail, improvement, or repair into an eye catching enhancement. Often the best and most pleasing discoveries are found in the smallest of ideas. Here, what could of easily been an everyday, traditional wooden stairway, really shines and looks up-to-date with the installation of metal balusters.

So when your home calls, or begs for attention, take a mental walk down your alternative options aisle. You may end up wondering why you did not think of it sooner.

 

Home Professional:
Ruhmel Contracting, Inc.
9905 Old Route 22
Breinigsville, PA
610.366.0910

www.RuhmelHomes.com

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The Right Size | Project, Budget, Time Frame


Smaller, quicker, and less costly home improvements can be just a one-time project or part of an overall, long term plan. Either way, it’s a forward step that allows you to improve or enhance bothersome areas of your home. Whether you do it yourself, share part of the work with a reputable contractor, or hand it all over to a home professional, the bottom line provides you with a more enjoyable, efficient, and desirable living space.

Whatever your needs and whatever direction you choose, you’ll find peace of mind when you utilize the building or retail services of a Lehigh Valley Builders Association member. [Builders, Remodelers, and supporting home product showrooms and professionals | www.lvba.org]

Home Professional:
Sorensen Construction
New Tripoli, PA
610.298.8098

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Make it Personal | Basement Ideas

Making it personal not only applies to the specific ideas and needs you have for your basement or home spaces, but also to how you choose a contractor for doing the work. Make your hiring decision a personal one by considering all the qualities the company or contractor should have before they start work on your home.

For decision ease and convenience, Lehigh Valley Builders Association members bring you three qualities that others may not offer or have:

  • pledge to follow a strict code of ethics
  • are required to carry insurance
  • are knowledgeable of proven ideas, solutions, and building codes

For for further convenience, their Remodelers Council consists of members perfect for basement and home remodeling. Start your remodeler search here.

Home Professionals:
Lehigh Valley Builders Association
1504 Linden Street Allentown, PA

www.LVBA.org


[finished basement photograph: W.J. Posavek & Son | Bethlehem, PA]

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Meeting Lehigh Valley’s Traditional/Metro Home Styles

Most of us realize that the Lehigh Valley is a nice mid-point between New York and Philadelphia. This goes for not only in distance and travel time, but in home styles and design as well. For us this means that there is a great mix of professionals who can not only excel in the style and design of a traditional Pennsylvania home, but can equally rise to the needs of urbanites who have more metro tastes and lifestyles.

Whether your interests are in new construction, an update, or an addition to adsorb your lifestyle demands, look for professionals in the Lehigh Valley to fulfill your home dreams. This professional and the Lehigh Valley Builders Association are great places to start.

Home Professional:
S&D Renovations, Inc.
Breiningsville, PA
610.366.8828

www.SDRenovations.com

[photography: Chuck Hamilton]

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From Bigger is Better to Smaller is Smarter

Guided by innovations in green technology and changes in lifestyle values, a growing interest in smaller, more efficient new construction floor plans is now the norm.

Designed as a single floor at 1,600 sf., these homes from Anthony Construction/Anthony Builders provide all the amenities of those earlier larger square foot homes by utilizing vaulted ceilings, columns, and arches throughout the design. Expandability is kept in mind, allowing numerous options to enlarge the floor plan as living needs change. Immediately available for on-your-lot construction. Model: Sacramento

Home Professional:
Anthony Builders / Anthony Construction
434 Clearfield Street
Freemansburg PA 18017
610.865.9314

www.AnthonyBuilders.com

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EVENT | reThink: Imaginative Design for the Home

reThink is a refreshing consumer event that “rethinks” elements of design throughout the home in a fun, thought provoking, participative, and discussion worthy experience. Attendees will see and find inspiration in ideas, products, and applications that stimulate fresh perspectives and thinking on design in and around the home.

Ideal for those who appreciate all levels of design or are seeking alternatives to everyday choices. Featured reThink inspirations include:

• Unbounded Designs in Furniture
• Outdoor Social & Experiential Design
• Design Sensations in Remodeling
• Home Media: So Much | Made Simple
• Textures in Exotic Wood
• Multimedia: A Day Made of Glass
• Activity: Design Warm up
• The Classic/Modern Window

When: Friday, April 29, 5:00-9:30 PM, Saturday, April 30, 9:00 AM -4:00 PM
Where: The Banana Factory | Crayola Gallery | Bethlehem, PA
Tickets: Available at the door. $3 & $5 admission.

www.reThinkDesign.INFO
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Building Science | A Please Touch Experience

For those of you seeking a formulated base for energy efficient building and remodeling, there is a demonstration home that will give you direction to what you were look for, and a whole lot more. Encompassing innovative building, energy, and design technologies throughout the entire space, you can see, touch, and experience building science in what it offers for responsive home living now and into the future.

HoudenHall | Pennsylvania’s first experiential home center

Home Professional:
Ruhmel Contracting
9905 Old 22
Breinigsville PA 18031
610.366.0910

www.RuhmelHomes.com

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