Bucks County Home & Garden 23

Hardwood, Cork, Laminate, Luxury Vinyl Tile, Lenoleum

Vinyl, Carpet, Area Rugs, Runners, Ceramic Tile

Window Blinds

BUCKS COUNTY

HOME & GARDEN RDEN

Publisher

William N. Waite

President

Vicky M. Waite

Executive Editor

Bob Waite

Art Director

BCM MEDIA, INC.

Photography

Randl Bye

Account Executives

Lisa Bridge, Bobby Waite

Marketa Kruse, Ann Ferro Murray

Adminstration/Circulation

Melissa Kutalek

Bucks County Home & Garden Guide is published annually by BCM Media Company, Inc., 309 W. Armstrong Drive, Fountainville, PA 18923. 215-766-2694. Single copy price of the Bucks County Home & Garden Guide is $1.95. For single copy sales, call 215-766-2694 or visit Buckscountymag.com.

HOME & GARDEN

Arts & Antiques

Doylestown Arts Festival

September 9-10: For this special weekend in September Doylestown turns into a festival. You will discover over 100 artists, live music on multiple stages, activities, food courts, and a bike race. Doylestown, PA. www.doylestownartsfestival.com.

New Hope Annual Outdoor Juried

Arts & Crafts Festival

September 23-24: This Festival will include over 175 artists and craftsmen with such media as ceramics, sculpture, pastels, glass art, and jewelry. Free Admission and shuttle. Rain or shine. New Hope-Solebury High School, New Hope, PA.

www.newhopeartsandcrafs.com

2023 Annual Antiques Show

November 12-13: The Bucks County Antiques

Dealers Association presents their 71st annual antiques show the largest of its kind in Bucks County. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $6. Children under 16 areadmitted free. Free parking. Eagle Fire Hall, Route 202 and Sugan Road, New Hope, PA. 215-290-3140; www.bcadapa.org.

Crafts in the Meadow

October 21-22: This fall invitational craft show features over 100 craftspeople, live music, and

tons of activities. Crafters will be ceramics, fine art, fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, sculpture and more. Tyler Part Center for the Arts, 10 Stable Mill Road, Richboro, PA 267-218-0290; www.tylerpartarts.org.

Annual Philadelphia Museum of Art

Contemporary Craft Show

November 11-12: This annual art event is for the benefit of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Funds raised are used to purchase works of art and crafts for the permanent collections to fund conservation and publications projects, and support exhibitions and education programs. Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 215-684-7930; www.pmacraftshow.org

Gardens

Spring Fling

Apri 23: Bucks Beautiful holds its Annual Spring Fling social event to kick off the season. Dine in rustic elegance in the 19th Century Stone Bank Barn at the historic Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm. Live and silent auctions, cocktails and dinner. For details call 215-340-3639 or susan@bucksbeautiful.org.

Springtime in Paris

April 29: The Perkasie Garden Club is hosting their 6th bi-annual Garden Tea featuring Bene Bron on “Living Flower”. St. Cyril of Jerusalem, 1410 Almshouse Road, Jamison, PA; Tickets on sale. Contact

EVENTS

Colleen Williams at 267-372-3422 or dw69z@verizon.net.

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve

This is the destination for seeing and learning about the native plants of the Delaware Valley. The 134-acre preserve has over 800 species of native plants in the naturalistic setting. Explore woods, meadows, a pond, and Pidcock Creek, as well as a changing collection of wildlife, birds, and wildflowers. Many educational programs are offered year-round. 1635 River Road, New Hope PA. 215-862-2924; www.bhwp.org

2023 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show

March 4- 12: From the sweeping landscapes to the colorful entrance garden, the major exhibits of the Flower Show will catch your eye as soon as you walk through the doors onto the show floor. Pennsylvania Convention Center, 12th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA. www.theflowershow.com.

Paxson Hill Farm

A 32-acre property in beautiful Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The farm is home to a plant nursery, animals and beautiful gardens. The nursery grows various rare and exotic perennials, annuals and trees. 3265 Comfort Road, New Hope, PA. 215-297-1010; www.paxsonhillfarm.com.

House & Home

Philly Home Show

March 18-20, 25-27: The Home Show features guest appearances by DIY celebrities, along with designed rooms and the Cooking Stage. The Xfinity Experience Stage featuring presentations on remodeling, renovation, organizing, décor, gardening, and outdoor projects. Admission. Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA.; www.phillyhomeshow.com.

Philly Home & Garden Show:

February 24-26: Visit this annual show for decorating and remodeling, ideas, remodeling, ideas, learn more about companies, and stroll through gardens by area landscapers. Admission. Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Ave, Oaks PA. www.phillyhomeandgarden.com

Bucks County Designer House & Gardens

April-May: This show house features the work of local landscapers and designers. It is an annual fundraiser to benefit the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown to support Doylestown Hospital and V.I.A. community projects; www.buckscountydesignerhouse.org.

Annual Bucks Beautiful Kitchen & Garden Tour

June: This self-guided tour features six Bucks County homes. 10 a.m-4 p.m. Rain or Shine. Advance admission. 215-340-3639; www.bucksbeautiful.org.

Home Accents

... enlarge your outdoor living space and enjoy the outdoors comfortably with a Perfecta Retractable Awning from JMT Awnings. Select from over 500 fabric choices. For more information contact us at 215-659-5239; www.jmtawnings.com.

... Buckman’s Home and Garden is more than just a garden centeer. We have an extensive line of home and seasonal decor and a boutique filled with scarves and jewelry including “Firefly” and John Michaels Richardson. We also stock a wide variety of plants and specialize in potscaping. From spring to winter we can help design your pots to look amazing all year long. Contact us at 1814 South Easton Rd., Doylestown, PA; 215-348-0877; www.buckmanshomeandgarden.com

... Kenderdine’s in Newtown, PA has provided customers throughout Bucks County with top-quality heating and air conditioning service. Our highly skilled staff takes pride in their craft and strives to build lasting relationships through our premium workmanship. Contact us at 215-968-2041 or visit www.kenderdines.com.

A Peaceful Retreat

Cindy Roesinger seeks a visceral response to the lyrical quality unfolding within her work, which in her open spaces and sweeping landscapes offers a peaceful retreat for the viewer

By Michele Malinchak

Aself-taught painter with a background in photography, artist Cindy Roesinger first picked up a paintbrush in 2008 and hasn’t been able to put it down since. Her affinity for wide, open spaces is reflected in her sweeping landscapes and skyscapes that provide a peaceful retreat for viewers.

Emphasizing movement, form and color, she eliminates extraneous detail, leaving the

In 2021, her floral still life, “Cadence #34,” won the painting award at the New Hope Arts Spring Salon Exhibition. The still life, with its simplified shapes and bold application of color, appears on her website’s home page.

viewer with the origin of the image and the moment that inspired its creation. “I often align my work closely to what feels like musical composition to me,” she said. “When I approach the creation of a new work of art, I am seeking a visceral response to the lyrical quality unfolding within the work. Sometimes it’s quiet, sometimes there’s discord, sometimes there are layers much like a symphony.” While she’s often called a minimalist

painter, her style can vary depending on the subject. Her work often includes landscapes, farms and still life which are inspired by the colors and textures of her subjects.

She enjoys painting local architecture and landmarks such as the Bucks County Playhouse, the Tinicum Park Barn, Fonthill Castle and Moravian Pottery and Tile Works. In 2016, her rendition of the Bucks County Playhouse won first

place in the American Art Awards, an international competition. She also received honorable mention for the work in Artists Magazine.

In 2021, her floral still life, Cadence #34, won the painting award at the New Hope Arts Spring Salon Exhibition. The still life, with its simplified shapes and bold application of color, appears on her website’s home page.

Working entirely in her studio, she relies on photos, sketches and her imagination. Sometimes she even dreams about colors and brushstrokes and is able to recall the ideas upon waking. Her paintings entitled, The Hayfield, Once Upon a Cloud, and Cadence #36 were all inspired by color combinations that came to her in dreams.

Cindy’s medium of choice is oil, and

her tools are palette or painting knives and large brushes. She uses a palette knife 90 percent of the time, especially when painting land. For clouds and sky, she tends to use brushes more.

She prefers painting on Jack Richeson Premium Gessoed Panels but also paints on canvas. She works mostly alla prima, in which paint is applied all at once instead of in layers.

Perhaps her greatest inspiration comes from her idyllic childhood. Cindy was born in Ellingham, CT in 1964, and when she was four years old, her family moved to a five-acre farm in Hopewell, NJ. “The wide-open spaces, barns, farm animals, gardens and crops that we lived with have greatly influenced my work as a painter,” she said. The white farmhouse she lived in appears in several of her

paintings, and she has fond memories of climbing onto the barn roof, looking up at the sky and studying clouds for hours.

In the landscape, Across the Meadow, a mix of memory and imagination pays homage to childhood walks in the country. “We lived on a dirt road named Aunt Molly Road,” she said.

She was strongly influenced by her parents, both of whom were highly intelligent, creative and motivated. “My parents were always making things. They were very hands-on.” Her father was an engineer and her mother a teacher and both had doctoral degrees. Her mother used to paint in oils and Cindy remembers liking the smell of the paints.

While she always enjoyed art, her first love was fabrics. “I learned to sew when I was very young and made doll clothes and furniture for my Barbie,” she said. As a teenager she continued to sew, and later on designed and made her own wedding dress. She also sewed her own curtains and upholstered furniture.

“Photography was my second love,” she said, “and I always carried a camera around with me.” Her parents gave Cindy her first camera when she was eight and later a really good one when she attended Hopewell High School.

After graduating, she studied at Ramapo College of New Jersey where she earned a BFA in photography in 1986. She began as a business major but switched to photography after taking a course in her freshman year with Professor David Freund who greatly influenced her.

“He taught me not so much the technical side of photography, but how to see what’s important, how to see the world visually through a rectangle—to narrow down that information and find that special moment that makes a photo interesting and intelligent.”

She worked at photo editing until 1995 when she began doing freelance work. At that time, she started hand tinting black and white photos and found she liked working with color.

In 2001, Cindy, her husband and two children moved from Union, NJ to Bucks County. Captivated by her surroundings and inspired by the early Pennsylvania Impressionists, she set out to give painting a try. “Wanting to follow my own artistic voice, I set about the task of teaching myself to paint,” she said.

Cindy’s work has been nationally and internationally acclaimed and has appeared in numerous books, magazines, electronic media, galleries and private collections

Cindy takes on commissioned work and begins each project with several sketches. Rather than merely copying from a photograph, she looks to highlight something in the painting that may hold special meaning for the client. If it’s a farm, then perhaps a small outbuilding that was used for a particular purpose.

The Doylestown based artist lives with her husband, John, who has always been supportive of her art. Once he jokingly gave her a bar of soap which is prominently displayed in her studio. The wrapper reads: “Soap for True Artists: Smells Like Unemployment.”

Her work is currently represented by Canal Frame-Crafts Gallery at 1093 General Greene Rd, Washington Crossing, PA; 215-493-3660; www.canalframe.com. She also exhibits at Maureen’s Gallery in Exton, PA. To view more of her art, visit www.cindyroesingerfineart.com. Her work can also be seen on Facebook and Instagram.

Michele Malinchak is a freelance writer who has a degree in art and enjoys oil painting.

Botanical Museum

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower

Preserve with scenic trails, lush meadows and enchanting woods is a sanctuary for native plants, and it is the only accredited botanical museum in the country

By Lori Rose

The Japanese term shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, means making contact with and taking in the atmosphere of the forest. It reduces stress, lowers blood pressure and heart rate, boosts the immune system and improves feelings

of happiness. What’s not to love?

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower

Preserve is the perfect place to experience forest bathing. It is a sensory delight. See, hear, smell and feel Bucks County in its most pristine sense. Walk through woodlands and wetlands, hear birds singing and little

animals rustling, smell the earth and trees and water, close your eyes and feel the breeze on your face.

The Preserve is a sanctuary, where you will find only the trees, shrubs and plants that are native to the Delaware Valley area, and an educational resource for the community, inspiring an appreciation of native plants, conservation and stewardship.

Not to be confused with neighboring Bowman’s Tower, “Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is the only accredited botanical museum in the country dedicated to native plants. Unlike the many fine arboretums in our region that feature plants from around the world, the Preserve nurtures only plants native to our region. Plants that the Preserve has added over the course of many years are inventoried, catalogued, tracked and interpreted for the visiting public. Approximately sixty species that are classified as either rare, threatened or endangered are held by the Bowman’s Hill

Wildflower Preserve Association in the public trust,” according to their website, www.bhwp.org.

How did it all begin? Envision the 1930s, ninety years ago. Conservation and preservation of the natural beauty that is Bucks County was as relevant then as it is today. In the fall of 1933, W. Wilson Heinitsh worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Forest and Waters as a consultant for Washington Crossing Historic Park. Picnic grounds were in the plans. He was visiting the proposed picnic area, an untouched, peaceful, natural wooded area of the park.

Here, he happened to meet Mary K. Parry, chair of the Bucks County Federation of Women's Clubs. The two started chatting, sharing their mutual appreciation for the colorful, tranquil autumn setting that surrounded them. According to bhwp.org, “they imagined a sanctuary for Pennsylvania native plants

Opposite, meadows at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve are a habitat where native plants thrive, including wildflowers, grasses, sedges and rushes. Above, a bench waiting for someone to sit and think about the surrounding natural beauty. Bottom, the pond at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve.

with nature trails winding through wildflower plantings – a place where visitors could enjoy this natural splendor yearround. Both firmly believed that this area was far too beautiful to be turned into the ordinary picnic grounds proposed for the site.”

Using their positions and contacts, they got support from various Pennsylvania conservation/ legislative authorities, and ultimately, a gift from the Council for the Preservation of Natural Beauty in Pennsylvania to the Washington Crossing Park Commission was used to create Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve.

Nearly nine decades later, wildflowers–plants one would expect to see growing in open fields–represent just a fraction of what the Preserve has on offer. When you visit, you will see and learn about native plants of all sizes, from trees to

shrubs, perennials to annuals. Native plants, mostly straight species, as opposed to hybrids or cultivars, grew alongside our native deer, small mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, bees and butterflies to give

them the perfect habitat and food sources.

Opposite top, children walking through high grass, ready to explore nature. Bottom, a falconer eye to eye with a red shoulder hawk. Top left, a bee, collecting pollen from a Asclepias incarnata, Swamp Milkweed. Top right, a wood poppy. Bottom left, butterflyweed and tiger swallowtail. Bottom right, Snowberry clearwing (Hemaris diffinis) moth on Allegheny monkey flower (Mimulus ringens).

Since its inception, the Preserve has been actively managed to promote native plant diversity. To keep the meadow from reverting back to forest over time, they mow it in late winter and work hard to remove invasive species that compete with our native plants. They have also excluded deer from most of the Preserve with a deer exclosure fence, creating one of the largest intact and deer-minimized forests in our area, a living museum of many species of native flowers, shrubs and trees that have all but disappeared elsewhere. The fencing allows deer access to the meadow area only, where they are free to browse.

The Visitor Center is the gateway to Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve. Here, a staff member or volunteer will give you all the information you need for an enjoyable visit. Pick up a Visitor Guide and Trail Map and start your adventure.

Just outside the Visitor Center is the native plant Idea Garden. See how you can use native plants to beautify your own home gardens and flower beds as well as benefit the local ecosystem. Native plants can require less maintenance than non-native garden plants because they are adapted to our local environment.

Your admission fee allows you to enjoy a self-guided tour of the Preserve and gives full access to all open areas. The five miles of trails are surfaced with gravel and linked by a paved pedestrian roadway. They wind through the forest, follow a stream, weave through wetlands and lead to the pond and meadow. Some trails are moderate, but most trails meander gently and are equally suited

for a leisurely stroll or a fast-paced walk.

Guided wildflower walks are held on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from April to October, from 11am-noon and/or 2pm-3pm. The website says, “see flowers and fruits in season and discover fun facts about their use. Learn about the Preserve’s history, habitats and important plant-animal interactions while enjoying the beauty along the trails. Preserve staff and volunteer naturalists lead the tours. Tours leave from the Visitor Center, weather permitting, with a minimum of two and maximum of twelve guests.” For organized group tours, contact the Preserve at 215-862-2924.

My favorite suggestion from the Preserve is, as you enter each new section, listen to the sounds of nature around you. Maybe the hammering of a woodpecker, or the sound of water rushing over the rocks will attract you. “Letting your ears dictate your wanderings can often result in a spectacular nature moment.”

Looking for a great venue to host a gettogether? Look no further. The Pidcock Creek Bridge is not only one of the most often photographed bridges in Bucks County, but it also offers a magnificent view of the creek. There is a gazebo secluded in a lovely, wooded setting nearby, and both are available to rent for up to fifty people.

The Pond is a unique spot for a wedding ceremony or other outdoor party where you can see a truly mesmerizing amount of American lotus in the summer. Rental includes use of the stone patio as well as the surrounding lawn. The open area will accommodate up to two hundred

continued on page 46

Family, Food and Home

by Beth S. Buxbaum

Andrew and Mary Lou Abruzzese’s Bucks County farmhouse in Upper Makefield on top of Jericho Mountain with its renovations and additions is a tribute to family, food and home

To Andrew and Mary Lou Abruzzese family is everything. Andrew’s love of family was nurtured at a young age growing up in Baltimore. Family dinners, holidays and cooking with the family matriarchs planted the seed for what was to come. His adult life in Bucks County took course with one

life-changing event. It was when he met and married Mary Lou.

Andrew and Mary Lou have built a wonderful life together. As a young married couple they started out in a little apartment in Bensalem Township. From there they bought a townhouse in Holland where they raised their two sons, Drew and Phillip. They had no thoughts of moving in their near future and had completed renovations on their townhouse in 1979. The focus of that renovation was designing a new kitchen to satisfy Andrew’s passion for cooking. Fortuitously, it was around this same time that Andrew and Mary Lou heard about a property coming on the market. “We were not even thinking about moving,” he says. They did consider the possibilities.

Andrew confesses that he has carried with him a very personal dream of where he really would love to live one day. “I always knew I wanted a five-acre farmhouse on Jericho Mountain,” Andrew explains. Fate took its course and Andrew heard about this homestead on top of Jericho Mountain. Even though it was an inopportune time for the family to move, he was curious to see the property. “I called my realtor and Mary Lou and I went to see it,” adds Andrew. This property was not even officially on the market yet and the owner was actually thinking of renting it. For Andrew this property was what he had envisioned, with some land and privacy, as well as the perfect location.

Sitting high above the landscape in Upper Makefield, on 13 acres, the home was a modest white stucco structure built in 1933. “It was the first cinder block house built in Bucks County,” Andrew adds. He explains that it was the home of Ralph Walker, son of Howard Walker, owner of Howard Walker and Son, an animal rendering plant established in the 1850s that removed dead animals. Ralph Walker built this house near the family business. With around 1700 square feet of living space, this home consisted of a living room, dining room, kitchen and powder room on the first floor and three second floor bedrooms. They made settlement in

Set for a delightful summer meal, the wisteria covered bluestone patio, enveloped in a stone wall, is perfect for family meals or gatherings with friends. The outdoor kitchen offers a stone fireplace with a pizza oven, fireplace grill and stone sink embedded in a side wall.

SITTING HIGH ABOVE THE LANDSCAPE IN UPPER MAKEFIELD, ON 13 ACRES, THE HOME WAS A MODEST WHITE STUCCO STRUCTURE BUILT IN 1933

1980 and moved into their new home. At the time the house was a perfect fit for their little family. After living there for years, Andrew and Mary Lou decided to have an addition built. One factor that enticed them to expand their living space was Andrew’s passion for cooking. The tiny kitchen was not adequate. Andrew explains that they could have added much more but thought against it. “We wanted the house to be comfortable for us, “he says, “and we can always build other buildings for guests.”

Once the decision was made to build an addition, they knew immediately who was perfect for this project. Andrew and Mary Lou enlisted Andrew’s lifelong friend, Jim Hamilton, the former owner of the Hamilton Grille in Lambertville, to design the addition. Known as a visionary, and an expert in his design craft, Hamilton was well established in several other design-focused endeavors. In addition to being a restaurateur, Jim designed showrooms for several world-renowned fashion designers and window

displays for Tiffany & Co. and Steuben Glass. As the owner and operator of Design Associates, he produced scenery for Broadway plays and built touring sets for David Bowie, Tina Turner, and the Rolling Stones. In the early 1980s, he opened Jim Hamilton & Company, an architectural design studio that designed restaurants, homes, and various commercial projects. Jim Hamilton’s visionary ideas began the blueprint for the addition to the Abruzzeses’ home. With the blueprints complete, they worked with local architect, Joe Belikiewicz, and Jim

Mershon and Sons to build the addition.

In 1979 they started the project, with a plan to add a great room, kitchen, sun room and second floor bedroom. Several details were incorporated into the blueprint to orchestrate a blended transition from the original house’s footprint to the addition. The walls were built thicker to match those of the older part of the house. The floors in the great room and kitchen are oak hardwood to blend with the living room and dining room. One element that changed the feel of the home was the addition of many more windows in the blue-

Opposite, for guests and family, the carriage house was constructed as a large stone and wood framed barnlike structure. Living space includes a great room, dining area, eat-in kitchen, private office, powder room and loft. There is also a one-story wing off the rear of the building with two more bedrooms. Above, a three-car garage also had a one-bedroom studio apartment. This space also doubles as an entertainment venue.

Top, the kitchen was designed like a commercial space with stations for prep, cooking and clean-up. The center island is topped with a 10” thick quarry cut black marble. Bottom left, dinner is almost ready. Bottom right, a view of the kitchen from the breakfast nook into the dining room on the left and the sun room on the right. Opposite, the dining room, in the original section of the house, flows from the new addition and the kitchen. Visually dividing the kitchen and the dining room is an antique buffet outfitted with a copper sink and six drawers.

print of the newer rooms. With a more expansive feel, the addition was designed to add living space for greater comfort, accessibility and function. Most importantly, the kitchen was designed for optimum use.

Open and airy, the two-story great room is filled with natural light. This space showcases walls of Palladium windows. These towering windows were built by piecing together a series of windows from an old church that Jim found at Antique Artifacts. Andrew mentions that in one corner of this room they planned a floor-to-ceiling library space. After adding an outdoor gathering and entertainment area, Jim persuaded them against creating the library wall. “He wanted us to look out onto the landscape and our patio and outdoor kitchen,”

Andrew adds. This expansive space is filled with an interesting array of furniture and art pieces. Of note is the glass topped coffee table by Paul Evans, a mid century furniture designer. Covering most of the wall space, not only in the great room, is their extensive collection of local artists, another passion they share. Andrew and Mary Lou have covered the walls of all of their living space with landscapes, still lifes, portraits and some abstract pieces from local artists. Art pieces are on display from floor-to-ceiling in this two-story space.

Another eye-opening feature of this space is the new loft bedroom that floats over the kitchen area and overlooks the great room. Andrew notes that they enjoy the heat and aroma of the fireplace from

above. This was another architectural design added in vision of the use of space. Just beyond the great room is the new kitchen, clearly a chef’s delight, conceptualized and designed like a commercial space. “Jim created stations with one for prep, one for cooking and one for cleanup,” Andrew explains. Another feature of this space is accessibility of all cooking apparatus, supplies and ingredients. With few cabinets, an intentional design element, all that is needed to prepare a meal is at your fingertips. A cluster of well-used pots and pans hang above the center island. In place of closed cabinets, a wall of open shelves displays all their spices, cooking ingredients, dishes and other necessary utensils. A focal point of the space is a massive 10-inch-thick black marble topped center island functioning mainly as a prep area with a few seats for gathering. Squaring off the kitchen’s design is another work island established as the clean-up area. This utilitarian space is topped with seamless stainless steel. A must for their new kitchen is the huge commercial oven with a charcoal broiler and six burners. Another added feature is a huge walk-in refrigerator, in addition to the traditional one. The new kitchen is designed and built to meet the needs and vision of the Abruzzese’s love of cooking and gathering.

With the addition complete, they set as their next goal to add space for guests and family to stay. In 2005 they decided to tear down a chicken coup that was original to the property, and build a guest

Open and airy, the two-story great room is filled with natural light. Above is the new loft bedroom that floats over the kitchen area and overlooks the great room. The loft wall showcases many pieces form their collection of local artists.

house. This large stone and wood framed carriage house, a barn-like structure, features a large living space including a great room, dining area, eat in kitchen, private office, powder room and loft. There is also a one story wing off the rear of the building with two bedroom suites, separated by a full sized laundry room. Years ago this carriage house was home to Mary Lou’s parents. Another structure is a three-car garage they had built in late 2000, which also had a one bedroom studio apartment. In 2020 they added a bluestone patio, surrounded by a stone wall and beautifully landscaped grounds. Perfect for family meals or gatherings with friends, the outdoor kitchen was designed with a stone fireplace that has a pizza oven, fireplace grill and stone sink embedded in a side wall. This addition created a perfect venue for outdoor cooking, gathering and entertaining. Cooking their

signature meals and gathering with family and friends is at the core of their lives together.

With food, cooking and entertaining in their blood, Andrew and Mary Lou had another life changing event in 1989. Andrew had an opportunity to enter into a partnership to purchase a local tavern. Owning a restaurant was something that he had envisioned in his future. Andrew talks about how both his grandfathers were chefs. “My family cooked everywhere,” he adds, “and I grew up cooking so I always wanted to own a restaurant.”He and his partner purchased the Pineville Tavern and have been going strong ever since. Whether indoors, or on their patio, Mary Lou and Andrew are enjoying their tiny slice of Bucks County.v

B eth S. Buxbaum is a freelance writer from the Philadelphia area.

Opposite, filled with natural light from the walls of windows, the sun room’s inviting setting is accented with brick radiant heat floors and a variety of plants. Top, a cozy corner of the great room is accented with floor-to-ceiling art and comfy seating areas. Bottom, in the home office, which was the original living room with a fireplace, there are a few notable pieces of furniture purchased from Nelson Zayes’ Blue Racoon in Lambertville. The desk is an all-glass mid-century modern piece.

Bowman’s from page 32

for larger picnics, parties or reunions. Rental includes use of fourteen picnic tables, a wood-burning fireplace, restrooms, the surrounding lawn and parking. The adjacent meadow is accessible but remains open to the public.

No longer Bucks County’s best kept secret, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve has enjoyed an increase in visitors as people of all ages have embraced gardening, particularly gardening with ecology and conservation in mind.

According to Marissa Smith, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, the educational programs at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve cover a wide range of topics that include the identification, ecology, and biodiversity of native plants and wildlife; basics of botany; and how to use native plants, trees and shrubs in the garden and landscape.

“The Preserve responded to covid with virtual programming and saw a huge increase in participation from people living both in our local area and all over the world,” Executive Director Peter Couchman told me. A grant was awarded to purchase technology equipment so they can stream and better capture video and audio. Programs are a hybrid of in-person and virtual. Another silver lining to covid is that people discovered the Preserve when looking for a safe outdoor space to visit.

The Preserve is excited to re-engage with the community through their creative children’s and family programs, such as falconry demonstrations, wreath making, and

how-to-draw classes. For landscape professionals and homeowners, they offer a Land Ethics Symposium. Most offerings that are available in person are also available via Zoom. Here are a few examples of upcoming classes that embody the Preserve’s vision:

Invasive Species ID & Management

What is an invasive plant? What problems do invasive plants cause? Identify the most common and troublesome invasive plant species in the Delaware Valley region. You will also learn about several alternatives for control of these exotic intruders, many without the use of chemicals.

Knowing Native Plants: Meadow

Discover the Preserve’s four-acre meadow. This program will introduce you to native plants that thrive in a meadow habitat, including wildflowers, grasses, sedges and rushes. Learn what defines a meadow, the benefits it provides, meadow successional stages, the actions necessary to maintain a meadow and the animals that depend on this type of ecosystem. Find out why it is important to plant native species and avoid non-native ornamentals that may escape from cultivation.

Why grow native plants? They attract a variety of butterflies, bees and other pollinators to their flowers. Our local birds, amphibians and many other creatures that survive by eating insects are attracted to the plants, and many will stay to nest and raise their young. As they have evolved alongside native plants, they have also adapted to eating their berries and seeds,

and to using them as cover and nesting sites. While non-native plants such as daylilies may be beautiful, some can be harmful our local environment, flora and fauna.

Here's the good news. Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve has a nursery that sells only plants native to our beloved area. Donna Dahringer, Nursery and Sales Manager at the Preserve says, “The nursery offers a broad selection of high qualityplants that are predominantly straight species and native to the Eastern Temperate Forest ecoregion. We continually have new offerings throughout the growing season and are open every day the Preserve is open from 10am-4pm from mid-April through the end of October.”

The nursery sells more than two hundred species of high-quality native plants, including perennial wildflowers, vines, ferns, shrubs, and trees. Most perennial species are propagated from the plant collections by the nursery manager and a dedicated team of volunteers.

By purchasing plants grown at the Preserve, you can help spread native plants throughout our region while creating an easily sustainable and care-free garden. The nursery is staffed by gardeners and naturalists to answer questions and help you choose the native plants that will grow best in your garden. Free resource material is also available, including native plant recommendations for your specific growing conditions. The plant sales area also features suggested native plant combinations and demonstration gardens.

What does the future hold for

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve?

Currently, the Preserve has a forest therapy pilot program–remember shinrin-yoku, forest bathing–for children with special sensory needs. It is the only organization of its kind trying to link special needs with forest therapy, with hopes of using this type of program for other cognitive issues such as dementia, Alzheimer’s and PTSD.

The Preserve is looking to bring in climate change education. Executive Director Peter Couchman feels it is crucial to talk about hundred-year storms happening a few times in a decade (think Hurricanes Sandy and Ida), the increase in tornado activity in our area, and the impact of how human activity affects the ecosystem (think deer overpopulation). “The impact of a community working together making small efforts can enact great change,” he says. “People are thirsty for ecologically responsible education to support a healthy planet, to use that information in their own gardens, and engage with their own landscapes in a meaningful way.”

Visit the website bhwp.org for any information you need or questions you have. Or better yet just go visit the Preserve. Take a walk, take a tour, take a class, buy some native plants. Bring home the Preserve’s vision of “stewardship” – the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care. v

Lori Rose, the Midnight Gardener, is a Temple University Certified Master Home Gardener and member of GardenComm: Garden Communicators International. She has gardened since childhood and has been writing about gardening for over twenty years.

C. 1873 DAIRY BARN ADAPTIVE

Among rolling hills, down a heritage tree-lined path, sits a quintessential Pennsylvania farm with stone bank barn that soars above the surrounding hills. Built as a dairy barn in 1873, the barn’s original agrarian use is a fond memory after the recent renovation designed by Period Architecture. Their design approach was focused on breathing new life into the building while respecting

the history of the structure and its surroundings.

Reimagined for modern entertaining, the barn has been transformed into the ultimate private hosting retreat with multiple lounging spaces creating a warm, cozy atmosphere among the vast square footage. Downstairs, as an homage to their former hoofed tenants, the original barn stalls were transformed into restrooms, and a full

STONE BANK BARN

kitchen allows the homeowners to host family meals. Outside, stucco was removed from the façade to repoint the original fieldstone, most likely sourced directly from the property by the 1870s owner.

During the restoration, the upmost attention was paid to honor the rich history of this property. Creative solutions were found to salvage as many original details as possible. For example, the original floorboards were removed, re-milled and reinstalled to keep the classic character alive

throughout the main level.

The evolution from barnyard bastion to an epicenter for entertainment required a respect for the past and an eye for the future. A barn such as this has the power to transcend time. When people walk through the doors, their nostalgia recognizes the authentic details and they allow their imaginations, if only for a moment, to transport them to another world.

For more information or a consultation, visit www.periodarchitectureltd.com.

AWARD WINNING DESIGN

OUTDOOR LIVING

Dear Garden Associates, Inc. is an award-winning firm specializing in the design, installation and maintenance of outdoor living spaces. Our goal is to create and maintain gardens of the highest quality possible and to provide a great experience for our clients.

We are able to meet those goals by utilizing high quality materials and having an experienced, talented and well-rounded team. Our designs focus on the immediate as well as long term goals of a garden. This approach ensures success over time as it matures becoming more special with each

season. Our design process incorporates the client’s objectives, tastes and lifestyle in order to create a tailor-made garden. The architecture of the home, site details and its surrounding environment are considered in the design as well. In addition to specifying plant materials, hardscape layouts, pools and structures, our plans include details for water features, fencing and lighting, among other garden elements.

Our installation process is no less exacting. From soil preparation and planting to hand cutting a stone for a water feature, no detail is overlooked in our quest to ensure

the success of your garden. We are extremely particular about the members on our team. By hiring experienced and talented individuals passionate about their chosen specialty in garden making we are able to install or construct all elements we design. This includes, but is not limited to, planting, hardscaping, driveways, pools, pergolas, fencing and lighting.

Building and planting an outdoor living space is part of a progression that continues with nurturing and evolving the idea of a garden into one that grows and matures.

We are proactive in caring for our gardens in order to keep them looking their best. Our maintenance crews are com-

prised of detail oriented individuals with a strong background in horticulture. Having dedicated crews allows team members to learn the subtle nuances of a property, a client’s preferences for how the details are addressed, and to plan what is to be done during the next visit. Our team routinely cares for specialty types of gardens such as formal, cutting, vegetable (from planting to harvesting), woodlands and meadows, to name a few.

For more information, call 215-7668110 (Pennsylvania) and 609-919-0050 (New Jersey) or visit our website www.deargarden.com.

A POOLSIDE STAYCATION

Building a pool house opens up a whole new world right in your backyard, transforming the space behind your home into a destination and creating a staycation oasis for friends and family to enjoy. Though we normally remodel and renovate existing homes, this project was built from the ground up, giving us the opportunity to start with a clean palette and create a design and structure

without limitations. The client requested a kitchen area and a large space for indoor gathering so that the pool house could be used all year long, not only in the summer. To accomplish this, one of the main focal points are the large doors that open up in the summer, bringing the outdoors in and vice versa, while in the colder months, the doors can be closed, maintaining enough space inside for entertaining.

One of the goals for this project was to create large rooms without overpowering the backyard. We accomplished this with low-pitched hip roofs in conjunction with a large gable roof, allowing us to create height with glass, so that the sky is still visible in the main room. This gives the feeling of grandeur without overpowering the sightlines from the main house. Placement of the new building was a paramount factor in order to blend well spatially with the main residence and the pool, while deliver-

ing beautiful and functional design in a limited area. The final result is a vacation destination right outside the back door.

Gemmi Construction has been in business for over 25 years and we attribute much of our success to the relationships we have cultivated over time. We look forward to many more years of providing custom building and renovation services to homeowners in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Visit GemmiConstruction.com.

PAXSON HILL FARM

The 32-acre Paxson Hills Farm is the home of a plant nursery, animals and an amazing garden that is considered one of the most beautiful and unique places to visit in Bucks County. The nursery grows various rare and exotic perennials, annuals and trees. The garden is open to the public for a $7.00 per person fee and includes shade gardens, formal gardens, ponds, bell garden, wing gardens, a

place we call “never never land,” and there are always more unique gardens projects underway.

Strolls through the garden take you along interesting paths where you can encounter bridges, ponds blanketed with water lilies. There are also many ponds that have large koi. Colors change with the seasons and the design of the continually changing garden allows for variety and a

feeling of leaving the ordinary and taking a journey. Many pleasant surprises await the lucky visitor around each bend. All you need to bring is your curiosity and sense of adventure.

Paxson Hill Farm is many things. It is a nursery, with a large inventory of plants of all kinds and sizes with a staff ready and able to help and where even rare and unusual plants can be found. It is also a place to get the services that include garden design, installation and renovation, pond

and water feature installation, garden maintenance and tree removal. It’s owner, Bruce Gangawer, is well-known for designing and installing some of the best gardens in Bucks County including his own scenic gardens at Paxson Hill Farm. The garden is open for visitors from March 15 through November

24Paxson Hill Farm is located at 3265 Comfort Road, New Hope, Pennsylvania. For more information, call 215-297-1010 or visit www.paxsonhillfarm.com.

STUNNING MODERN RENOVATION

TRANSITIONAL OPEN CONCEPT

Our commitment to excellence is one of the top priorities of J.R. Maxwell Builders. We are frequently contacted by previous clients to perform new work, and that was the case with this home. The first time at this property, J.R. Maxwell Builders transformed the front entryway and portico. This time, our team added an outdoor living space consisting of a covered patio and fireplace, and inside, we renovated much of the first

floor.

Our builders completely reconfigured and modernized the kitchen area. We worked with Kimberly Reneeisen and Wendy Lund of KJR Home Designs to create a transitional open concept space highlighting a beautiful, large island. Custom cabinetry was designed, built and installed by our own mill shop, Mink Run Millwork. Some of the unique kitchen millwork details include utilizing the outside

cabinetry for a thin medicine and knickknack storage space as well as a coffee and beverage station. Beyond that, the remodeled dining room features a custom-built combination bar and desk area.

Between the expertise and quality of J.R. Maxwell Builders and Mink Run Millwork, our clients know and trust that we will plan, build, and transform their spaces to fit their lives. Whether our team is building an addition, renovation, or completely new home, our clients receive

impeccable service. We are proud of our commitment to the best materials and providing exceptional quality craftsmanship since 1976. Contact us at J.R. Maxwell Builders for residential or commercial services, custom homes, renovations, additions; as well as Mink Run Millwork for custom and semi-custom millwork needs. For more information call 215-345-1953 or visit jrmaxwellbuilders.com and minkrunmillwork.com.

BACKYARD PARADISE

ELA Outdoor Living is a design build firm specializing in outdoor living spaces, both construction and hardscape as well as plantings and softscapes.

Founded in 1989 by Keith Frederick as a small boutique landscape company. ‘The company’s growth has surpassed the six original employees to a team of 45 individuals. The company now performs large scale high-end residential projects that

encompass additions and renovations to the homes that they service as well as masonry and swimming pools.

Frederick still maintains a hands-on approach with his customers and his team. The company has evolved into a lifestyle company that helps customers with many aspects of the outdoors as well as their connection to the indoors.

Earth, Fire & Water are elements of

every project and how the homes architecture relates to the theme of the outdoor space.

Form follows function in good design and planning no matter the project scope. Designing usable, well-functioning gardens and outdoor rooms doesn’t happen by chance. The team at ELA represents a wide range of skills from architecture to horticulture.

We personally meet with every customer to discuss their wish list, their style and their working budget to ensure com-

plete satisfaction.

Recently ELA has constructed a showroom and retail center located at 5095 U.S. 202, Doylestown PA 18902 just one mile south of Peddlers Village where customers can meet the team, view their 3D design models, screen and browse for specialty “hard to find” and deer resistant plants.

Contact ELA today to schedule an inhome consultation to discuss your outdoor paradise at 215-794-2400.

TRUST IS WHAT WE BUILD

The trust that is built is evident from the first meeting to the day the project is completed. This is why when interviewing their clients, the common theme of responses arises as to why they chose to have Rolf Schroeder General Contractors complete their remodeling and addition projects. “They had our best interest in mind…They listened…They helped me stay on budget or explained to me where I went over and

allowed me to decide what was important to me…” The list goes on. The photos above are just a few examples of the projects completed for these clients.

Rolf Schroeder General Contractors, Inc. was established in 1982 by local carpenter/builder Rolf Schroeder. The company specializes in the design and building process of residential remodeling. In 2008, his son Derek Schroeder joined the company full time after graduating from

Pennsylvania State University.

The company's passion for remodeling continues to grow as they build on family traditions. Although they are based in Bucks County, they design and build fine detailed projects in Montgomery County, PA as well as New Jersey. They are an experienced group who are dedicated to their craft which is evident in all their remodeling certifications and continuing education classes completed each year. Their main goal is to create spaces which meet the needs of each client while using high quality products and a well-rounded experienced

team. Having a company and team of individuals who takes pride in their work creates unsurpassed quality and uniqueness in every project. Their thorough Design/Build Process ensures your project is planned, designed, and finalized before the work even begins, allowing for an efficient project which is completed in a timely manner. Rolf Schroeder General Contractors, Inc. is located at 1979 Stout Drive, Suite #1, Ivyland, PA. For more information, call 215-672-0829, email derek@rolfschroedergc.com, or visit www.rolfschroedergc.com.

CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY BARN

This architectural design is a great example of what is possible when completely transforming an existing home. Conceived as a pastoral retreat from the clients’ New York City loft, it warranted a deep connection with nature, rich materials, and a breathable space. Elements of wood, stone, and metal create a tactile, warm atmosphere in the midst of high ceilings and unbounded views. The open twostory area is a modern expression of the

barns of Bucks County with an open floor plan and a soaring, vaulted ceiling. The new residence sits on the existing foundation and while many improvements were made, the entry remains as a memento of the original home. In this new design by Ralph Fey Architects, the building grew in height, taking advantage of the tremendous views and embracing the moving sun at all points of the day.

This project is one of two Bucks County

AIA (American Institute of Architects) awards received by Ralph Fey Architects in 2020. “Our vision is always to create successful projects for our clients”, says Ralph Fey. “We greatly appreciate the acknowledgement and recognition from our architectural design peers for the work that we do.”

The thoughtful joining of spaces on the first floor creates a functional, livable floor plan where rooms are delineated by changes in height or gestures of exposed structure

while the staircase embraces the “modern farmhouse” feel with elements of steel and wood. The “barn” is evident in the overall shell of the house but with long spans of steel instead of traditional wood timber framing. The result is a space that breathes, ultimately providing all the light, views, and openness that a farmhouse rarely receives. For more information, contact Ralph Fey, AIA Architects at 215-489-2042, design@rcfarchitects.com, or visit www.rcfarchitects.com.

OUTDOOR LIVING

Woodsmith Construction, LLC is committed to expanding you outdoor living space and function. They create: custom decks/patios, porches/porticos, pavilions/pergolas and additions/custom framing.

Pete Buechle started Woodsmith Construction in 2008. Prior to this, he worked his way up in the industry, working for a variety of builders; from home builders and residential framers, to designers and luxury/kitchen and bath installers. With a vast knowledge and skill base at his disposal, the

company has been known to take on a wide variety of projects.

However, over the past few years, Woodsmith started shifting focus to outdoor projects. These past few years have been a prime example of the benefits obtained from enjoying the outdoor environment. Physically and cognitively, outdoor living is something that should not be ignored in the home but incorporated into everyone’s daily life.

Woodsmith Construction was founded on two major principles: keeping a new gen-

SUNROOMS PATIOS & DECKS

eration of craftsmanship alive and establishing and maintaining a transparent approach to residential construction.

With countless products and construction methods at the disposal of consumers, building outdoor spaces has become a joy for the team at Woodsmith Construction, and they strive to bring that to all customers. Give them a call today, and bring the luxuries of the indoors….out.

Woodsmith construction is a building company based in Bucks County, PA. Focusing within the residential construction field, they specialize in; Fine home remodel-

ing and new construction, outdoor retreats and exterior upgrades, additions and custom framing. Licensed in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Woodsmith Construction is owned by builder/contractor Pete Buechle. With over two decades in the trades, Pete’s mission is to create the highest quality and beautiful lasting spaces for the client-on budget and on time.

For more information about Woodsmith Construction, LLC, call 215-862-2148 or visit www.woodsmithconstruction.com All inquiries/calls are acknowledged within 24hrs.

LITTLE’S CELEBRATES 77 YEARS

The Little family has owned and operated Little’s for 77 years. Our current owners are the third generation to work in the business, and several fourth-generation family members are in the business as well. In other words, our commitment to quality and selling American-made products from one of the great American brands is generations in the making.

In 2007, Little’s decided to start

expanding its operations to help more property owners and commercial landscaping and lawn care professionals. We now have five John Deere dealer locations serving Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Berks and Philadelphia counties in southeastern Pennsylvania.

At Little’s we offer inventory, warranties and service you won’t find at bigbox merchants such as Lowe’s and Home Depot. Not only do we carry high-quality

John Deere equipment not available at the big boxes, but we also work directly with John Deere to take care of any problems you have with your equipment not covered by warranty.

When you visit us, you’ll find sales staff and maintenance technicians all trained and certified to John Deere standards. With our training and years of experience, we know how to guide customers to the right equipment for their needs and budget.

Little’s offers an annual subscription

service for high-performance care of all the equipment we sell, including regularly scheduled maintenance and repairs on your equipment. Additionally, our Ready To Mow mobile service sends a technician to your home to conduct on-the-spot repairs. Visit relittle.com or one of their local locations to see the full line of John Deere equipment. They have showrooms close by in Silverdale; 215-257-5177. Hatfield; 215672-4100; Zieglerville, PA; 610-287-9643.

BOUNTIFUL ACRES

5074 York Road

Holicong, PA • 215-794-7043

BountifulAcres.com

Home

At Bountiful Acres Garden Center, our purpose is to provide our Bucks County community the opportunity to create and experience joy through beautiful spaces. We are passionate about gardening and providing you with the plants, products, and services, you need to create your own indoor and outdoor oasis. Serving the community for over 65 years, our garden center has the tools and supplies to make your gardening experience stress-free. Our selection changes seasonally, so contact our nursery staff or come visit our greenhouse often to find the latest blooms, home, and patio décor.

CLASS-HARLAN

15 W. State Street

Doylestown, PA • 215-348-8111

ClassHarlan.com

Class-Harlan is committed to excellence and has been located in the same "Heart of Historic Doylestown Borough" location for over 50 years. It is an established privately-owned company with experienced real estate agents available 7 days a week. We will help you achieve your real estate goals with ease and confidence based on our many years of experience and knowledge of our local marketplace. You can count on honesty and integrity. Class Harlan agents will exceed all of your expectations. After all we have a long-standing and proud real estate tradition to uphold!

REAL ESTATE

& Garden

Gemmi Construction, Inc. is a full service remodeling firm in Bucks County, PA.

GEMMI CONSTRUCTION, INC.

PO Box 87

Mechanicsville, PA • 215-340-4600

GemmiConstruction.com

Founded by NARI certified remodeler John Gemmi, Gemmi Construction is celebrating over 25 years in business. John’s skill and pride at his craft is centered on building elegant and comfortable living spaces that will be as appreciated in a century as they are today. From whole house renovations and additions, to kitchens, bathrooms, exteriors, lower levels, aging-in-place spaces, and more, Gemmi Construction’s commitment to exceeding customers’ expectations is evident from start to finish.

PAXSON HILL FARM

3265 Comfort Road

New Hope, PA • 215-297-1010

PaxsonHillFarm.com

Athirty-two acre property in beautiful Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The farm is home to a plant nursery, animals and beautiful gardens. The nursery grows various rare and exotic perennials, annuals and trees. Paxson Hill Farm has grown into one of the area's most unique and beautiful places to visit in Bucks County. Our gardens include: shade gardens, formal gardens, ponds, a bell garden, a place we call "never never land", and there are always more unique gardens projects underway. Many pleasant surprises await the lucky visitor around each bend.

6100 Easton Road

Plumsteadville,, PA • 215-348-9408

TagueLumber.com

Home

Family-owned and operated since 1908, Tague Lumber has been serving the tristate area for over 112 years. The certified designers at our Showrooms specialize in creating truly custom looks for your kitchen and baths. Not only will our beautiful displays inspire you; our design professionals can help you assess custom options and decide which types of cabinets and countertops will function best for you, all while being respectful of your budget. We can work with you to plan your entire kitchen or work in tandem with your architect, contractor, or interior designer.

PERIOD ARCHITECTURE, LTD

22 S. Main St., Suite 224, Doylestown, PA 215-809-1049

Periodarchitectureltd.com

Period Architecture, Ltd. is a custom architectural firm pledged to designs rooted in time-honored traditions that also deftly accommodate complex twenty-first century lifestyles. This dual passion and pursuit achieves transcendent, beautiful, and livable architecture that integrates family life, entertaining, and indoor to outdoor living. With offices in Malvern and Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Period Architecture is a committed steward of the landscape and vernacular architecture.

TAGUE LUMBER DESIGN SHOWROOM

& Garden

Vacations have never been easier than owning a cottage in Schnabels’ Woods, a private gated community of individually owned recreational cabins. Conveniently located and affordable, cottages come in a variety of sizes and styles, all with access to the beautiful Tohickon Stream. It’s pristine, because there are no permanent homes or rentals. Enjoy acres of wooded beauty, commune with nature or do nothing at all, here in your cottage, in the woods by the water.

Bucks County, PA 215-536-6255

Schnabelswoods.com

Bill Vandegrift, Inc presents the Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove brands in the environment in which they are meant to be experienced, showcasing the breadth of products and offering the opportunity to interact with the appliances much like one would in a home kitchen. See the full model lineup with SubZero, Wolf, and Cove incorporated side-by-side in a true-to-life setting, helping you to visualize how these brands might complement each other in your own home.

DEAR GARDEN ASSOC., INC.

Pipersville, PA PA 215-766-8110 • NJ 609-919-0050

Deargarden.com

Home

Dear Garden Associates, Inc. is an award-winning firm specializing in the design, installation and maintenance of outdoor living spaces. Our goal is to create and maintain gardens of the highest quality possible and to provide a great experience for our clients. In addition to specifying plant materials, hardscape layouts, pools and structures, our plans include details for water features, fencing and lighting, among other garden elements.Our team routinely cares for specialty types of gardens such as formal, cutting, vegetable (from planting to harvesting), woodlands and meadows, to name a few.

RALPH

300 N. Broad St., Doylestown, PA; 215-489-2042

Rcfarchitects.com

Ralph C. Fey Architects specializes in a wide range of building design–including restaurants, event venues, multi-family residential conversions and development, equestrian training facilities and stable relocations, historic renovations and restorations, new residential construction and renovations, municipal and educational buildings as well as signage in both public and private sector projects.We pride ourselves in creating and fostering long-term relationships and participating with our client’s entire team to create a successful project.

C. FEY ARCHITECTS

& Garden

Barb-Lin Carpet One, family owned and operated, has been providing excellence in the floor covering business since 1948. Our quality and service are what the community has been able to depend on. The flooring industry has undergone many changes in recent years. Barb-Lin Carpet One is one of the few carpet retailers who have met this challenge by aligning themselves with major brands such as Karastan, Bigelow, Lees, Pergo, Mannington and Armstrong just to mention a few. We invite you to visit our showroom and let our professional staff answer any questions you may have about flooring.

Year-round comfort. Service.Value.

Security. Convenience. You can have it all with Harris Comfort. For over 75 years and four generations, the Harris family has been providing the region with top quality fuel oil, along with expert residential and commercial heating, cooling, and backup generator installations. With every piece of equipment, every drop of fuel, we also deliver unyielding dedication to full service, personal attention and your total comfort.

ROLF

Ivyland, PA 215-672-0829

RolfSchroedergc.com

Home

Rolf Schroeder General Contractors, Inc. is an award winning construction firm that offers the design and the Building aspect needed for successfully managing and completing any remodeling project in Bucks County and Montgomery County. Over the last 30 plus years, the Company has been built around professionalism, reputation, integrity, dedication, and experience. They offer to complete any and all home remodeling projects, while specializing in kitchens, bathrooms, and custom home remodeling.

Elaoutdoorliving.com

Beautiful landscape design starts with an excellent plan based on a complete understanding of a client's needs, desires and budgets. The award-winning landscape designers and architects at Environmental Landscape Associates will listen closely to your ideas and concerns as we work with you to create a landscape design you will love. Our in-house landscape contractors and construction family of professional masons, carpenters, operators and installers will build your project with full attention to the details, never cutting corners along the way.

& Garden

From custom homes and remodeling to millwork and fine commercial renovations, there is distinctive American character in everything we build. We place significant emphasis on quality control from start to finish and we refuse to cut corners— every detail of every project has the unique touch of our craftsmen. Each carpenter, mason, plumber or electrician who works with us has dedicated significant time and effort to the perfection of their individual craft.

10 W. Rt. 313 • Dublin, PA 18917 215.249.3117

HOME & GARDEN RESOURCE DIRECTORY

ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN

Ralph C. Fey Architects, 300 N. Broad Street, Doylestown, PA; 215-489-2042; www.rcfarchitects.com.

Founded in 1996, Ralph C. Fey Architects focuses on design excellence incorporating the traditional and artistic heritage of the region with contemporary architectural technologies including sustainable practices and green building. Ralph brings the hand of an artist and visionary to the design process, understanding and working with the entirety while attending to the most particular architectural details.

Period Architecture, 22 S. Main St., Doylestown, PA; 215-809-1049; www.periodarchitectureltd.com.

Well-versed in historic styles, Period Architecture considers the character of a region to unite architectural traditions of the past with contemporary lifestyles and technology. The firm’s uncompromising and inventive designs, whether historic or contemporary, appear as if they have always been there and always will.

APPLIANCES

Bill Vandegrift, Inc., 450 East Butler Ave., New Britain PA; 215-345-5616; www.billvandegrift.com.

Bill Vandegrift Inc.—the only one you need to call. Let our knowledgeable staff and 60 years of experience help you choose the right appliance for your needs. We’re just a phone call away.

AWNINGS

JMT Awnings, 215-659-5239; www.jmtawnings.com. For over 20 years JMT Awnings has provided customers with a beautiful, custom-built Perfecta retractable awning with the quality, reliability and experience they deserve. The possibilities are endless from sunrise to sunset.

BUILDING MATERIALS

Tague Lumber & Tague Design Showroom, 6100 Easton Road.,Plumsteadville, PA; 215-348-9408; www.TagueLumber.com

Since 1908, Tague Lumber has been providing top-quality building materials to the tri-state region. Tague Lumber offers 5 convenient locations, plus a Custom Millwork Division, a Custom Door Shop, two Design Showrooms, and Premier Commercial Door, Frame & Hardware to our family of companies. Every division is staffed by experienced, knowledgeable salespeople committed to providing superior customer service and the finest quality building products at fair prices. Plus, Tague Lumber offers call-ahead ordering with express pickup or convenient delivery directly to the jobsite.

Tinsman Brothers Lumber, 6632 Old Carversville Road, Lumberville, PA; 215-297-5100; www.tinsmanbrotherslumber.com.

Established in 1785. Tinsman Bros. Inc. has all your home improvement and building supplies, and a team of trained and experienced experts to help you decide on the right tools and materials.We are a full service lumber yard and hardware store. The oldest family run lumberyard in the United States. We offer delivery of all of our products.

CUSTOM BUILDERS

Gemmi Construction Inc., 4936 York Road, Suite 1200 Buckingham, PA; 215-340-4600. www.gemmiconstruction.com.

Gemmi Construction, Inc. is a full service, remodeling firm, specializing in Custom Renovations and additions founded by NARI Certified Remodeler, John Gemmi. With over 20 years experience, John’ s skill and pride in his craft are building elegant and comfortable living spaces all over Bucks and Montgomery Counties that will be as appreciated in a century as they are today.

J. R. Maxwell Builders, Inc., Doylestown, PA; 215-345-1953; www.jrmaxwellbuilder.com.

From facades and kitchen cabinets to built-ins, there is distinctive American character in everything we build. We place significant emphasis on quality control from start to finish and we refuse to cut corners–every detail of every project has the unique touch of our craftsmen.

Rolf Schroeder General Contractors, Inc., 1979 Stout Drive Suite #1, Ivyland, PA; 215-672-0829; www.rolfschroedergc.com.

An award-winning Construction Firm that offers the Design & Building aspect needed for successfully managing and completing any remodeling project. Over the last 30 plus years the Company has been built around professionalism, reputation, integrity, dedication, and experience.

DECKS / RENOVATIONS

Woodsmith Construction, Buckingham, PA; 215-862-2148; www.woodsmithconstruction.com.

Specializing in decks, renovations, basement remodeling, kitchens, baths and more. We pride ourselves in high-quality products and skill in our craft; simplicity in communication and timelines; as well as attention to detail and results that will take your breath away. We know that all great things start with a dream and it is our privilege to turn your dreams into a reality.

FLOOR COVERING

Barb-Lin Carpet One, 640 North Main Street,

Doylestown, PA; 215-348-8116; www.barb-lin.com.

Family owned and operated, Barb-Lin Carpet One has been providing excellence in the floor covering business since 1948. Through the years, our quality and service are what the community has been able to depend on. We invite you to visit our showroom and let our professional staff answer any questions you may have about flooring.

HEATING AND AC

Harris Comfort Year Round, Serving you from our two locations in Newtown and Bristol, PA; 215-9687477; www.harriscomfort.com.

We are a local air conditioning and heating oil company with deep roots in Bucks County, a skilled local workforce, and a proud record of service to the community. For more than 60 years and four generations, the Harris family has provided our region with top quality fuel oil delivery, along with expert residential and commercial heating and air conditioning service and installations.

Kenderdine’s Heating Oil & HVAC, 500 S. State St., Newtown, PA; 215-968-2041; www.kenderdines.com.

For more than 50 years, Kenderdine’s in Newtown, PA has been Bucks County’s premier home heating oil delivery company. We are a family owned and operated fullservice provider capable of handling all your home comfort needs for heating and air conditioning, hot water, and humidifiers. Working with residential and commercial customers.

GARDEN AND LANDSCAPING

Dear Garden Associates, Inc. 6746 Old Easton Rd., Pipersville, PA; 215-766-8110; www.deargarden.com.

Distinctive design, installation and maintenance. Our goal is to create and maintain gardens of the highest quality possible. We are able to meet that goal by utilizing high quality materials and by having an experienced well rounded team. Having the work performed by individuals passionate about their craft ensures unsurpassed quality and attention to detail. Equal to our goal of creating quality gardens is to be certain we provide value. Having an experienced team ensures efficiency due to thorough planning and execution allowing the work to be performed properly and in a timely manner.

Dublin Away, Route 212, Dublin, PA; 215-249-3117; www.dublinagway.com. Dublin Agway is your Farm, Pet, and Yard & Garden Store. Find all of your animal supplies, pet needs, garden supplies, and nursery plants here. Since 1956, we have been providing knowledgeable and personalized service to Dublin and its surrounding areas, working one on one with you to answer your questions and plants, nutrition for animals, and farming needs.

ELA Outdoor Living, 5095 Rte. 202, Doylestown, PA; 215-794-2400; www.elaoutdoorliving.com.

Design and contraction for outdoor living since 1989. Landscaping, design, property care, lighting, masonry,

structures, pools and outdoor kitchens. Beautiful landscape design starts with an excellent plan based on a complete understanding of a client's needs, desires and budgets. The award-winning landscape designers and architects at Environmental Landscape Associates will listen closely to your ideas and concerns as we work with you to create a landscape design you will love.

KITCHENS

Tague Design Showroom, 6100 Easton Rd., Plumsteadville, PA; 215-348-9408; www.taguelumber.com

Since 1908, Tague Lumber has been serving the tri-state area for over 112 years. Our showrooms feature fullscale kitchen and bath vingettes and our certified designers can help you select the woods, finishes, colors, and door panel configurations that will make your vision a reality. Our custom cabinetry options offer styles from classic Colonial to contemporary European, from the best manufacturers, plus we offer storage and organization solutions that are as stylish as they are functional. Tague Lumber features a selection of windows and doors from top manufacturers, as well as hardware, moulding and millwork. Our showroom is “one-stop shopping” at its finest. And yes, we are open to the public—so drop by for design inspiration or call ahead and schedule a FREE consultation with one of our certified designers.

REAL ESTATE

Class Harlen Real Estate, 15 West State Street, Doylestown, PA; 215-348-8111; www.classharlen.com. Located in the Heart of Historic Doylestown Borough adjacent to the corners of State and Main Streets, Class-Harlan is a Doylestown tradition helping Buyers and Sellers for over 50 years. Class-Harlan Realtors are committed to excellence! We strive to exceed our clients’ expectations by combining good old-fashioned customer service with “state of the art” technology. Our goals are based on your goals.

Advertising Index

Bucks County Home & Garden Guide Annual 2023 Edition

Barb-Lin Carpet One

Bill Vandegrift Inc.

Bountiful Acres

Class-Harlan Realt Estate

Dear Garden Associates, Inc.

Dublin Agway

ELA Outdoor Living

Gemmi Construction, Inc.

Harris Fuels

JMT Awnings

J. R. Maxwell Builders, Inc.

Kenderdines Heating

Little’s John Deere

Paxson Hill Farm

Period Architecture,

Ralph C. Fey Architects

Rolf Schroeder General Construction

Schnabels Woods

Tague Lumber

Tinsman Brothers

Woodsmith Construction