making home inspirations achievable
If you find fascination, beauty, or enjoyment in the creative experiences of design, especially as it relates to things, people, and places found in the greater Lehigh Valley region, then check out exploreDesign on Facebook. Hosted by the Lehigh Valley DESIGN guide, this unique site highlights design-inspired wonders that will catch your attention and provide added enjoyment to living in the Valley.
Take a look and be inspired today!
facebook.com/exploreDesign
Lehigh Valley designer Jill Jarrett, of Jarret Designs LLC, was announced the winner of the Inspire My Kitchen Design Contest, professional category, sponsored by innovative range hood manufacturer Zephyr. Helping beautifully transform an eclectic farm home outside Quakertown, Jill’s project beat out several other stunning nationwide entries incorporating Zephyr’s design forward kitchen products. Here’s a link to project highlights and photographs. PHOTOGRAPHS
Jarret Designs
www.JarrettDesignLLC.com
Okay, we could say a lot here, pointing out the glass doors across the front that slide completely open, or how relaxing you could be with some Bailey’s Irish Cream in hand, but not today. Let’s just sit back and quietly take it all in.
Sitting back…
Home Professional:
Silver Creek Construction
Center Valley, PA
610.838.1170
Home updates and improvements don’t have to be big and splashy. Simple, well designed executions can turn everyday spaces into the place to be.
Here, a fresh two-level counter with oven and modern range hood brings new life to this small kitchen.
Now imagine how crowed this “smallest room” in the house will be during the next friend gathering. We can….PACKED!
Home Professional:
Morris Black Designs
Allentown & Bartonsville, PA
610.264.2700
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
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.
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
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
Twin homes today are built and designed for living. The efficient and creative use of space integrated with modern floor plans provide living spaces that are then optimized for today’s lifestyles across a range of age groups. Combine these attributes with the energy efficiency and durability of modern products, and you have an attractive investment and beautiful dream home potential.
Home Professional:
Howard Homes
203 East Emmaus Ave.
Allentown, PA
610.797.8799
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
[photography: Chuck Hamilton]
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.
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
