home DREAMS | Lehigh Valley, PA

Decorative Zone Heating

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

Categories: dreaming, insights & ideas, inspiration Tags: curtis e schneck, design, fireplace, interiors, new construction, remodeling

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

Categories: insights & ideas, inspiration Tags: brader's, cabinetry, color, design, kitchens, remodeling

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

Categories: insights & ideas, inspiration Tags: custom builders, ideas, interiors, remodeling, ruhmel contracting

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

Categories: dreaming, insights & ideas, inspiration Tags: anthony builders, custom builders, new construction, planning, professionals

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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Categories: events, insights & ideas, inspiration, products & services Tags: design, event, ideas, products

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

Categories: dreaming, insights & ideas, inspiration, products & services Tags: custom builders, design, energy efficiency, green, ideas, insights & ideas, planning, remodeling

Spring Training

It’s home dreams time. Not only because we’re all anxious for warmer weather and to get outdoors, but to clean up, fix up, and improve the living spaces we’ve occupied and longed for over the winter months. And in anticipation of more Spring-like weather, we feature this outdoor space to spark to the home dream and idea process. Limber up!

Home Professional:
Chestnut Hill Landscape Contractors
Center Valley, PA
610.965.8057

www.ChestnutHillLandscape.com

Categories: dreaming, inspiration Tags: chestnut hill landscaping, design, hardscaping, landscaping, outdoor spaces

Home Planning & Design

No matter whether your style preference is traditional or contemporary, careful planning and smart design can make the world of difference. The same goes for energy efficiency. Up front considerations and guidance from experienced professionals can add up to money saved on utilities and energy costs for the lifetime of the home.

Home Professional:
studio 26 homes
1748 Central Park
Orefield PA
610.391.0100

www.studio26homes.com

Categories: dreaming, inspiration Tags: contemporary, design, energy, studio 26 homes

Basement Bar, Plus

Basements are exceptional areas for adding living space. They are often open, can be designed to handle a variety of interests, and don’t have the expense of an extended foundation or utilities that an addition would require. Whether you’re thinking family space, entertainment zone, or after work escape, basements, when planned right, can provide a whole new floor of home living.

Home Professional:
Clean Cut Construction, Inc.
Coopersburg, PA
610.282.4331

www.CleanCutConstruction.com

Categories: insights & ideas, inspiration Tags: basement, clean cut construction, remodeling

Basement Wine Storage

Making beautiful use of existing home spaces not only takes a great design eye, but also the craftsmanship skills to pull it off. Here a wine storage area was designed to fit under the stairs of a basement renovation. Notice the rich woodwork and the unique storage arrangement.

Does wine taste better coming out of a display rack like this? We think so.

Home Professional:
Stofanak Custom Cabinetry
176 Nazareth Pike
Bethlehem, PA
610.759.9311

www.Stofanak.com
Showroom Location/Map

Categories: dreaming, insights & ideas, inspiration Tags: basement, cabinetry, design, pj stofanak, remodeling, wine rack