ANNIVERSARY
CLC LANDSCAPE DESIGN
The importance of using a landscape architect to build the pool of your dreams page 10
ALL DECKED OUT
Adding the right touches to help maximize your deck’s potential
WHERE FUNCTION MEETS FLAIR
Today’s closets get a stylish upgrade
SWIM-MOR POOLS & SPAS
Custom designs that help elevate your backyard page 25
ALL DECKED OUT
Adding
10 Don’t Build Your Pool Without a Landscape Architect’s Plan
CLC Landscape Design brings skill and expertise to pools built to last
14 Decking Out the Deck
How to ensure your deck is best equipped for both function and recreation
20 Set Up Your Space for Summer Sequoia Out Back helps turn backyard dreams into a reality
23 Better Organized
Closet Factory creates customized storage solutions that homeowners love
25 More Than a Pool
Swim-Mor Pools & Spas elevates backyard atmospheres with quality custom designs
26 Stylish Spaces
Closets are no longer an afterthought as homeowners seek more storage and organization
30 Beat the Summer Heat
Tips to keep your landscape thriving throughout the season
PUBLISHER
Edward P. McCartney
EDITOR
Peter Proko
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Matt Cosentino
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Kristen Dowd, Giana Scafide, Abigail Twiford
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Hank Alspach
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Brian Mikulski
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Eileen Pullia, Lisa Zollinger
ACCOUNTING DIRECTOR
Darlene Versak
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Lindsay Gonzalez
SALES MANAGER
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NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPER
Chuck McKane
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EXECUTIVE PARTNERS
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HOUSE & HOME
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DON’T BUILD YOUR POOL WITHOUT A
Landscape Architect’s Plan
HERE’S WHY
Before you call a pool contractor, there is one conversation that changes everything—and that is with a landscape architect.
A pool is one of the most consequential investments you will make in your home. It’s a decision that fundamentally alters your property. It redefines everything from the grading, the drainage, the sightlines from every window, the way your family moves through the space. When you get the design right, you’ll find you never want to leave your backyard.
A pool contractor will build a great pool. A landscape architect will design your entire outdoor living experience.
For over 50 years, the landscape architects at CLC Landscape Design have been proving that point in projects across New Jersey.
THE DIFFERENCE
What a Landscape Architect Brings To a Pool Project
The site comes first. Before a line is drawn, CLC walks every inch of the property— studying grade, drainage, sun angles and sightlines.
One integrated design—pool shape, patio materials, plantings, water features and lighting are conceived simultaneously. The result feels like it was always mean to be this way.
One company manages the entire approval process from impervious coverage calculations to drainage plans, to permit acquisition, to zoning board presentations if needed.
A licensed landscape architect is involved from start to finish seeing the original vision is implemented and improving the design along the way.
A comprehensive budget for all individual costs based on the master landscaping plan.
Experience. For over 53 years CLC has navigated the complexities of swimming pool design in New Jersey. Design pool is only as successful as the landscape it lives in. When
THE DESIGN
Conceived as One. Built to Last.
When CLC designs a pool, they design the entire environment simultaneously. The shape of the pool responds to the architecture of the home. Patio material flows from the interior threshold to the water’s edge without interruption. The planting plan accounts for privacy, seasonal drama and the view from the water looking back toward the house at dusk. Lighting is designed to maximize ambience. The result is a backyard that feels as though it was conceived all at once. Because it was.
DECKING OUT THE DECK
With a newly built deck comes the time to outfit it to your needs and liking, ensuring that it is best equipped for function and recreation.
BY ABIGAIL TWIFORD
HAVING A DECK BUILT ONTO A HOUSE IS A MAJOR DECISION THAT ANY HOMEOWNER HAS TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER BEFORE MOVING FORWARD. ONCE THEY DECIDE TO HAVE ONE ADDED TO THEIR OUTDOOR SPACE, CHOICES ON HOW TO USE THE NEW LIVING AREA STILL HAVE TO BE MADE.
From furniture to lighting, shade features to recreational spaces, all of these need to be decided on and set up before the space can be used for relaxation, the entertainment of family and friends at get-togethers, or as an extension of gardening space.
Before anything else, what the deck space will be used for needs to be considered. This will guide what furnishings and features are most needed and will best add to the comfort, function and livability of the deck.
“I’m always looking to start with what’s their
why, and how are they trying to entertain, how they are trying to utilize it,” says Paul Squierdo, landscape designer for Dutchies Stoneworks & Outdoor Living. “I usually start from there, rather than just what’s the trend. … I get them to try and focus on their family. …
So before I go into asking this thing or the other, I start there. I let the function drive the design.”
Besides analyzing how to best utilize the space, before any major and permanent structures or large furniture, Squierdo also emphasizes that it is vital to
consider how the outdoor arrangement could impact indoor living, such as obstructing the view to the outdoors or blocking out natural light from reaching the interior of the home, as the goal of creating a livable outdoor space also involves not impacting the livability of the rest of the house.
“Thinking of those things in terms of placement is also very key, that not everybody always thinks about at times. I start having that conversation, but if they say, ‘Oh, that’s gonna block the natural light,’ then I’m like, ‘Yeah, maybe this isn’t the best spot,’” Squierdo says about how he approaches the topic with clients.
While ensuring they don’t negatively impact how the indoors are used, lighting and shading are two of the most important features a deck can have, significantly influencing the ability of the homeowners themselves and their guests to use the deck for its intended purposes.
Ambient lighting is usually incorporated into the deck itself. LED lighting systems, which are low voltage, offer a soft glow so as to offer necessary visibility without being overly bright or blinding.
“Warm, white low-voltage lighting is the dominant choice because it feels high-end and inviting,” says Robert Glasner of Deck Craft Plus.
Glasner also emphasizes that lighting projects are one of the highest return on investment upgrades a deck can receive.
The lighting is usually placed throughout the deck, especially on railings and stairs where the ability to see is particularly important for safety. Some of the most common lighting types for the outdoor space are stair rise lights, post cap lights, under-rail LED strips, recessed deck surface lights, overhead string lighting or spotlights accenting the home’s architecture and landscaping.
“I would say 90% of the decks we build come with an LED lighting system. It’s not solar, it’s computerized, and it gives a
nice glow in the evening that’s on the railing, the steps get lit up. Those are very, very important features if you plan on using the deck in the evening hours. It’s something we do a lot,” says Mike Jerminski, owner of Get Decked.
While lighting is crucial for using a deck in the evening, something that offers shade makes all the difference in being able to enjoy the exterior living during the warmest months of the year as the sun beats down.
“Shade increases usability dramatically, especially in Pennsylvania where summers get hot and bright,” says Glasner.
Adding a pergola, whether as a built-in, permanent structure or something removable or retractable that can be retired on days it’s not needed, is a helpful way to be able to continue comfortably utilizing the deck.
“To accent the deck area and your different usable living space, deck lighting is essential. Deck designs tend to be a little bit more utilitarian and usable, not extravagant shapes, but how you decorate, it can make up for all of that. So I would say lighting is essential. And I would say putting a shaded area like … a permanent roof is a must,” says Bill Wilson, owner of Amazing Decks.
Furniture is another core element of the deck that makes it a practical place to entertain and relax, with deep seating
being a popular choice for outdoor sectionals, sofas and love seats.
Outdoor dining tables and seating are also among the most common selections, allowing for shared meals during parties and get-togethers.
Fire tables or pits and storage benches that can both provide seating and hold anything from gardening supplies to sports equipment are also popular for furnishing decks, providing both comfort and functionality.
“Measure the space to see how they can accommodate the seating for the number of people, and how they need to arrange their seating to most comfortably visit with their friends and enjoy their outdoor space,” advises Carolyn Hetrick, one of the owners of Hetrick Gardens.
Bar and lounge areas are also highly sought after, as they give guests a space to interact, hang out and place drinks down while still being able to talk and spend time with the host.
“If you have 50 people over to your house, where do they all hang out? They all hang out with you in the kitchen, everybody hangs out there. And it doesn’t matter how big or small the house is, everybody hangs out in the kitchen. So you better put a little bar area where people can sit around with their stools, because they’re going to want to hang out with you, even though you have a
DECKING OUT THE DECK
little bit of work to do. You’re really missing out on the space and the usability of the space, if you don’t consider putting a little bar top area with bar stools, a place to eat, place to put an order so people can be with you while you grill,” says Wilson.
Planters, garden features and other greenery add a chance for homeowners to further personalize their decks, as well as expanding available gardening space for those who enjoy the hobby.
Some garden features are more regulated in certain municipalities around the region, with built-in planter boxes not being allowed in some places due to different building codes.
“The codes have gotten pretty strict about those nowadays. Children can actually climb up on a built-in bench or on a planner box.
So if we do a bench, it’s a movable bench. Same thing with a planter where the homeowner can move around, but you can’t build them nowadays,” explains Jerminski.
As built-in planters aren’t always an option, Hetrick Gardens sells plants that can be potted and placed on the deck, as well as plant shelves that can help customize the arrangement of the pots. Vertical gardens and railing planters are another option as well.
Other ways to customize and enhance the comfort of the space include heaters, ceiling fans if roofing is available, a weatherproof TV and speakers, and underdeck drainage systems.
What’s more, homeowners are utilizing the space to promote their overall health and well-being.
“We are seeing more clients request that therapeutic wellness spaces—such as spas, saunas and cold plunges—be included in their outdoor living areas. These
options are designed forrelaxation, stress relief and connection—a place to spend meaningful time with family and friends,” says Marcus Stoltzfus, marketing manager, Keystone Outdoor Living.
As for purely aesthetic enhancements, picture-frame borders, decorative railing infill and accent boards consistently increase satisfaction and long-term value, according to Glasner.
“Keep the design simple and spend your money on your decorating and usability. Usability is how you’re going to get your investment back out of the product,” Wilson says.
RESOURCES
Amazing Decks Ambler, Pa. (215) 654-1886
AnotherAmazingDeck.com
Deck Craft Plus
Honey Brook, Pa. (610) 273-3317
DeckCraftPlus.com
Dutchies Stoneworks & Outdoor Living Gap, Pa. (717) 455-3398
DutchiesStoneworks.com
Get Decked
Chester County, Pa., and New Castle County, Del. (302) 897-0302
GetDeckedInc.com
Hetrick Gardens Pottstown, Pa. (610) 327-9066
HetrickGardens.com
Keystone Outdoor Living East Earl, Pa. (717) 936-9590
KeystoneCustomDecks.com
by Lindsey Getz
It’s safe to say that the pandemic has taught us to appreciate the outdoors even more. While backyard outdoor living areas have been soaring in popularity for years now, for many, the stay-at-home orders and the experience of being stuck indoors for so long have made homeowners absolutely crave these spaces more than ever. They are truly a must-have—a fact that’s been increasingly evident at Sequoia Out Back, where owner John Keller says that he’s seeing even more people come into the showroom than ever before.
Set Up Your for
Space Summer
At Sequoia Out Back, customers can find endless inspiration for their outdoor dreams.
From the moment that homeowners walk through Sequoia Out Back’s front
doors, the experience is really unlike any other. The 30,000-square-foot showroom has everything you could want for your personal oasis on display so that you can envision it in your own backyard.
When you walk through a typical
patio store or a big-box store, items aren’t usually set up or paired together the way they would be in your backyard so it can be difficult to visualize your finished space. At Sequoia, you can see an entire outdoor living space the way that you might set it up on your own patio. It inspires so many ideas.
The goal of the showroom has always been to make homeowners feel like they’re stepping into a real-life outdoor space. This helps homeowners to make the best choices when it comes to furniture and decking supplies that will work for their own projects.
Pair these gorgeous displays with the knowledgeable and helpful team members who are ready to assist—and homeowners can really appreciate the showroom visit experience.
Customers always leave Sequoia with a lot of great ideas and information.
In general, inventory has been a major issue since the start of the pandemic. Homeowners who have tried to purchase furniture and deck-
ing may have noticed limited stock. But, Sequoia Out Back has been fortunate to be able to keep a lot of inventory in stock thanks to its relationship with manufacturers and its purchasing power, as well as having a large quantity from the start. With so many people coming through the doors, now is the time to start planning for the spring while inventory is still available.
Before you know it, the weather will be consistently warm, and we’ll all be spending even more time outdoors. Homeowners want to make sure their space is ready now.
“The sooner you can start planning, the better,” urges Keller. “The number of visitors coming to the store right now is higher than ever for this time of year. It’s definitely not too early to start thinking about setting up your outdoor space.”
As you start planning, Sequoia Out Back has all of the amenities that you might want to consider. This includes firepits, patio furniture
and all of the material supplies including decking and railing, and hardscaping. Sequoia works with all of the leading manufacturers including TimberTech, Wolf, Trex, Zuri and Fiberon—all of whom continue to offer innovative products.
Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or someone who was sent by their contractor to look for materials, Sequoia’s showroom can accommodate everyone.
It’s all about making the experience as easy and as enjoyable as possible for homeowners. As the true outdoor living experts, Sequoia and its team are ready to help make homeowners’ backyard dreams come true.
“Outdoor living has been a trend for a long time but it’s hotter than ever,” Keller sums up. “I think we’re all ready to start spending more time outside.”
Better Organized
by Giana Scafide
While in the past custom closets may have predominantly been viewed as a luxury, more recently they’ve gained recognition as a sensible upgrade. More homeowners are now coming to the realization that organization can simplify their daily routines by making their homes feel more functional. That’s where Closet Factory comes in, designing personalized storage that reflects each homeowner’s needs and desires. With a focus on tailored design and craftsmanship, Closet Factory continues to set a high standard in the custom closet industry, focusing on each client’s vision no matter the scope of the project. To find out more, House and Home spoke with Drew Kirchner, owner of Closet Factory.
In your opinion, why are custom closets a solid investment for homeowners to consider?
A Closet Factory project is an investment in your home as opposed to just a purchase. We’ve seen data that says 83% of the
investment comes back to the homeowner in the form of home equity, plus you get to enjoy the closets while you’re living in your home. Also, while we have certainly designed and built some incredibly fancy and expensive closets, they don’t always have to be that way. There are also affordable solutions that can get clients organized and improve their space. If you want absolute luxury, we can provide that as well. We offer all the trending colors and hardware, which can be complemented with lighting and moldings. Whether you choose something basic or more luxury, either way you are adding to the value of your home.
What would you say is the most overlooked benefit of adding a custom closet system?
I guess I would ask, “What’s the cost of not being organized?” I love our product because it really does bring peace and comfort to the homeowner. I can’t tell you how many times someone calls for a project and then after we’ve made their problems go away, they call us back and say, “We love it, what can you do for us in the rest of the house?”
Closet Factory provides a major day-to-day life improvement.
How do custom closets impact a home’s resale value, and what are buyers currently looking for?
This is a home improvement that has one of the highest returns on investment. Years and years ago, there was way less awareness of what home organization was, but today it’s become more of a necessity. Nobody wants a closet full of wire shelves, just like very few people want a kitchen
without nice countertops and appliances. As the old saying goes: Spend your money where you spend your time. Where else do you spend more time than in your home? More than ever, we see our clients just want their home to be exactly the way they want it. They recognize the value and they are willing to invest to realize their vision.
How does having more organized storage solutions help homeowners who are big on time management? When we are finished, everything will be in its proper place. There’s no guessing on where your shoes or sweaters are. Same thing for garages, basements, pantries and all our products. Closet Factory offers organization solutions for every room in the house, and our solutions provide an organized home life.
When comparing your product vs. the big box retailers, what are the biggest differences in durability?
Actually, many of the big box stores have chosen Closet Factory as their solution. We take this very seriously as they have put their trust and faith in our business. Closet Factory builds our projects with the highest grade materials available, and we stand behind our work with a lifetime warranty.
What further sets Closet Factory apart in the industry?
Foremost, we are a floor-based system, which in my opinion makes our product look more like furniture. Our expert designers provide a CAD-based design experience which allows our clients to envision what the final product will look like in a 3D rendering. Our local factory is religiously run on schedule, so we’re always ready for our installations, and our experienced install team really knows what they are doing. Our business delivers highly efficient and reliable installation. We also provide a lifetime warranty on each project. Our clients want us to deliver what they want.
“other than the increased popularity of adding more bells and whistles to the pool.”
More Than a Pool
Swim-Mor Pools & Spas elevates backyard atmospheres with quality custom designs
by Kristen Dowd
Swim-Mor Pools & Spas partner and general manager Mike McCool recognizes that there is a lot more that goes into a new pool than there used to be.
“The backyard has transformed over the last 10 years or so away from being just ‘your yard’ and into another room of your home with the same care and detail put into it,” McCool says. “Because of this the design of your pool has become more than just a pool but the focus of the outdoor living room. There is a lot of coordination with creating what a customer’s backyard haven is going to be.”
Fortunately, the family-owned South Jersey business is more than up to the challenge of bringing a customer’s backyard pool vision to life. In its 59 years of business, Swim-Mor Pools & Spas has helped to create thousands of backyard paradises throughout the region.
And what’s more, they make the process as easy as possible for their customers.
“We’re a start-to-finish gunite custom pool company—the design, the build and the service afterward,” McCool says. “We have our own crews that handle the work which helps us control quality and makes the process go smoother.”
There are six designers at Swim-Mor Pools & Spas who can help guide customers on a new pool design. The company’s countless photos and 3D drawings can provide inspiration, and the final design is what best suits the backyard, according to McCool.
“Size, setbacks, elevations. We’re here to help you work through that,” he says.
Finding the right pool
“The first step is to give us a call. From there we’ll set up an appointment to come out to your home,” McCool says. “That way we can see all the aspects of the property. What the contours of the yard are. What the access is like. Even the best location based on where the sun rises and sets.”
The timeline to get started is largely based on the homeowner and how decisive they are, McCool adds. Once everything is confirmed, things move to contract and Swim-Mor Pools & Spas starts working on permits.
“Time is of the essence. Permits can take from two weeks to several months, all depending on the municipality,” McCool says.
Pool popularity
Prior to March 2020, business was strong for Swim-Mor Pools & Spa. That was only boosted when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the region.
“The pool business was never busier than it was in COVID,” McCool says. “The lockdowns forced people to stay at home and they immediately focused on the backyard.”
Although that business boom has settled down a bit, things are still busy. But pool trends, according to McCool, have held fairly steady.
Hampton-style pools have long been a customer favorite, but equally popular are the freeform designs, which can be customized to fit into any backyard environment.
“Through COVID there have not been many significant changes in the industry,” McCool says,
Natural stone is popular for the coping along the pool’s edge, McCool says, as well as darker finishes in the pool. A majority of SwimMor Pools & Spa customers are using a salt sanitation system and automated controls in their new pools, as well as choosing to add water features—waterfalls, fountains, deck jets and plenty more. The company also offers many in- pool fixtures for lounging—bar stools and benches that can tie into your outdoor kitchen or can run inside the pool, along with table areas, sundecks for your lounge chairs and custom fire features. Color LED lighting packcome with every pool, too.
The majority of customers also choose elements to lengthen their pool-enjoying season, as heaters and spas. “It will extend your season by a few months,” McCool says.
Why Swim-Mor Pools & Spas?
Being a local family-owned independent business makes Swim-Mor Pools & Spas a smart choice for customers, according to McCool.
“We’re not national. We’re not a franchise. And we do not try to sell everything. Our expertise has been building custom gunite pools for 59 years and that’s what we focus on,” he says.
Save for a few aspects that are legally required to be outsourced to independent licensed contractors, Swim-Mor Pools & Spas uses all of their own crews for the pool construction, which McCool says is unique for the pool business.
In addition to building new pools, SwimMor Pools & Spas also specializes in renovating gunite pools. The experienced team can handle everything from your standard renovation of replacing your coping, tile and plaster finish, to adding features such as raised water features, sun decks, and even spas that were not originally built with the pool. McCool says, “Even though your pool may not have originally been built with the more current popular features doesn’t mean that Swim-Mor cannot add them now.”
The 2026 pool season is already underway for the business, which thanks to the mild winter meant they were able to start construction early. Pool openings and service will ramp up from mid-April to Memorial Day.
But, for those looking to add a pool to their backyard this summer, it’s not too late. “We’re still building for this year. We’re still selling for this summer,” McCool says. “But don’t waste time. Get in!”
Swim-Mor Pools & Spas
Mount Ephraim | Northfield | Millstone Township (848) 301-2988 | SwimMor.com
Stylish Spaces
NO LONGER
THE FORGOTTEN PART OF A HOME,
the closet can include personal flair while also prioritizing organization and storage.
For years, the humble closet was treated as an afterthought—a hidden space reserved for overstuffed shelves, tangled hangers and the occasional avalanche of forgotten sweaters. Today, that mindset is changing. Modern homeowners are reimagining closets as highly personalized extensions of their living spaces, blending smart storage solutions with clean design, sustainability and everyday convenience. From boutique-inspired walk-ins to compact systems that maximize every inch, closet organization has become one of the fastestgrowing trends in home improvement.
The latest trends go far beyond simple decluttering. Adjustable modular systems, integrated lighting, hidden laundry
storage, eco-friendly materials and color-coordinated organization are reshaping how people use their homes. Social media and home design shows have also fueled demand for stylish, functional storage that feels both practical and luxurious. Whether families are trying to simplify busy routines or homeowners are investing in custom upgrades that add resale value, experts say the modern closet is now as much about lifestyle as it is about storage.
To better understand what’s driving the trend locally, we spoke with a few industry experts about what homeowners are asking for most, which mis-
takes they see repeatedly and the overriding benefits of becoming more organized.
What are some of the major benefits that closet organization provides beyond maximizing space?
A well-designed closet does so much more than give you extra storage. It can genuinely change the way your day begins. When everything has a place, mornings feel calmer, getting dressed is easier, and you’re not starting the day digging through clutter or making unnecessary decisions.
A custom closet also helps people enjoy what they already own. Clothing, shoes, handbags,
accessories and seasonal pieces are easier to see, easier to care for, and easier to use when the space is designed around your routine. It becomes less about simply “fitting more in” and more about creating a space that supports your lifestyle.
—Laura Bryan, vice president, Diplomat Closet Design
Custom closets impact our daily lives more than people often realize because they’re one of the few spaces in the home we use every single day. Being organized helps reduce stress and makes everyday tasks easier and more efficient. A well-designed closet is almost like a tool because while it looks beautiful and creates an attractive space, it also has an important function by helping everything stay ac-
cessible and easy to manage. Beyond the daily convenience, custom closets can also add value to your home, making a smart investment for future resale.
—Greg Ahart, owner and founder, Victory Closets
Are homeowners gravitating toward any particular trends these days? Are they prioritizing aesthetics, functionality or storage space more?
I’m seeing a color trend of people steering away from white. They now want beige or light wood colors. Homeowners are also getting more into adding accessories to the closet, like valet poles, belt racks, scarf racks and colored rods.
With pantries, homeowners want pull-out drawers, pull-out wire baskets, plate dividers and wine racks.
—Aaron Lewis, owner, Closets for Less of Bucks County
We’re seeing a growing trend toward adjustability in custom closet design. Homeowners want storage systems that can evolve with their lifestyle instead of fixed layouts that only work for their current needs. Adjustable shelving and hanging sections, being able to add or move drawers, and flexible configurations allow you to reorganize your space over time as your storage needs and routines change. People are looking for long-term functionality and convenience, not just a one-time design solution.
We are also seeing an increased interest in custom kitchen pantries. New customers and past closet customers are wanting to replace their wire shelving with a custom system. Standard wire shelving is just not practical or functional in a pantry space that is used consistently throughout every day. Busy families are looking for smarter ways to reduce clutter and get organized to make these spaces easier to manage. They want features like adjustable
shelving, rounded corners for easy access to every inch of space, and they want flexible layouts that they can change when they need to.
—Greg Ahart
Homeowners today really want all three: aesthetics, functionality and smart storage. The closet has become an extension of the home’s overall design, so people are paying much closer attention to finishes, hardware, lighting and the overall feel of the space.
Functionality is still the foundation. A closet has to work well first. But aesthetics are definitely playing a bigger role than they used to. Homeowners want closets that feel calm, finished and personal, not just a collection of shelves and hanging rods behind closed doors.
We’re also seeing more interest in specialized storage, like shoe walls, handbag displays, drawer banks, built-in hampers, valet rods, jewelry storage and adjustable shelving. The trend is not just more storage for the sake of storage. It’s smarter storage that looks beautiful and makes daily routines easier.
—Laura Bryan
How do elements like different finishes and hardware help a custom closet stand out?
Well, everybody has their own style, their own likes, their own wants, their own needs—they have a style and color schemes in their house, which we want to complement.
Part of what’s been going on in the industry over the last two decades is that it’s been the beneficiary of its own success. The more businesses that have taken off, more money has been invested in research and developing new products, new materials, new textures, new colors—there is a huge array of stuff out there. There’s wood grain that is melamine, but you would never know it’s not real wood. There are materials that look like leather and burlap. It just depends on the
Stylish Spaces
client and what they want it to look like.
—Drew Kirchner, owner, Closet Factory
What are some of the more popular areas of the home outside of the bedroom where people are looking for custom closet solutions?
We offer solutions for just about every room in the house—we do home offices, garages, mudrooms, pantries. … We offer wall beds, which is a convenient way of increasing the amount of people that can sleep in your house without having to see it all the time. It really does span just about every room and I think that in addition to our standard walk-in and reach-in closets, those spaces have become very popular.
—Drew Kirchner
What are some of the bigger closet design mistakes you see that homeowners may not be readily aware of?
Putting hanging sections in the corners. That makes it very difficult to see what’s in the back corner of the closet. It
should always be a shelf unit in my opinion. If you’re putting a hanging section into one corner, there should be a shelf unit on the other side because
the shelf unit has a lot less depth, which makes it a lot easier to see back into the corner of the closet.
—Aaron Lewis
How important is it to design a closet around a client’s lifestyle and what best suits their individual needs rather than taking a cookie-cutter approach?
It’s always better to build a closet toward their lifestyle, not a basic closet design. But homeowners need to understand that because they see something they like, it may not work for them.
A lot of times, a customer sees something on Pinterest or somewhere else, and they think their closet can be the same as what they’re looking at, and it doesn’t always match up. By looking at what they have in their closet and finding out what their basic lifestyle is, we are then able to design something suitable from there.
—Aaron Lewis
It’s extremely important to design the closet around the specific type of storage the customer needs and how they want to use their space. Not taking that into consideration can lead to
a lot of frustration and pain points in the future. You need a designer who really listens. You also want to give customers the flexibility to make adjustments to their layout when their needs change.
—Greg Ahart
Yes, especially in primary closets. Lighting is one of the biggest upgrades we’re seeing because it makes an immediate difference in both the look and function of the space. Integrated LED lighting can highlight favorite pieces, make it easier to see colors and details and give the closet more of a boutique feel. Smart-home features are also starting to make their way into closet design. Things like motorized closet r ods and thoughtful lighting solutions can help homeowners use the full height of the space and make the closet more convenient overall. We’re also seeing more homeowners think about how their closet lighting connects to
the rest of the home, including integrating it with systems like Lutron. That allows the closet to feel like part of the home’s overall lighting plan, with options for dimming, scenes and automated controls that make the space both beautiful and easy to use.
—Laura Bryan
Part of our process is to inventory all the things they’re looking to store. If they have 100 pair of shoes, you have to make sure that you can get 100 pair of shoes stored in an organized way. It’s also a tenet of our design team and approach that we need to do more listening than anything. Every client is different and they have their own vision of what they’re trying to achieve. It’s our job to capture that into a design that fits within their budget as best we can and make their dream a reality. That’s the business we are in, we are problem solvers.
—Drew Kirchner
RESOURCES
Closets By Design
Serving Del., Pa. and N.J. (866) 278-8881 (Pa. and Del.) (888) 500-9215 (N.J.) ClosetsByDesign.com
Closet Factory Fanwood, N.J. | (908) 322-8270 ClosetFactory.com
Closets for Less of Bucks County Warminster, Pa. | (215) 660-3080 Closets4LessBucks.com
Diplomat Closet Design Downingtown, Pa. | (610) 431-3500 DiplomatClosetDesign.com
Victory Closets
Serving Del., Pa. and N.J. (484) 366-1836 VictoryClosets.com
Beat the Summer Heat
By Giana Scafide
CHOOSING SUITABLE FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE
When driving through neighborhoods, one component that can always catch our eye is the beautiful flowers and shrubs homeowners place throughout their landscape. Vibrant marigolds, multicolor petunias, boxwood shrubs, hydrangeas and many other planting options are all popular picks to spruce up the exterior of the home. But where do you start when looking for the perfect ones to choose from?
Richard Cording, owner of CLC Landscape Design, says options like perennials are a great place to start. “Right now, the availability of perennials is just starting to come in,” he says. “Something like catmint, which is one of those iron-clad perennials, blooms for months. Choreopsis is another great one that can grow in sunny locations and bloom for a lengthy period at a time.”
If your area tends to get more direct sunlight, Cording recommends the new variety of Russian sage, which blooms for about two months. If you want something that blooms almost the entire length of the summer, he recommends roses and geraniums.
Chris DeMato, owner of Rock Bottom Landscaping & Fencing, says adding interest to your landscape is a must when it comes to plants. “Add a flowering tree, such as dogwood, redbud, serviceberry or flower and cherry,” he says. “You can even expand with evergreen shrubbery, like boxwood, laurel, gold, cypress or juniper.”
AVOIDING PLANTING PROBLEMS
When it comes to planting, there are a couple of common mistakes that may occur. Underwatering and overwatering, not having the proper amount of soil to cover the roots and positioning plants in areas with little to no sunlight are among these problems, but are easily avoidable.
When it comes to keeping plants healthy and hydrated, some homeowners may have an
irrigation system such as an irrigation controller, valves, drip tubing or sprinklers, which is usually the top option for plant care.
“If you have an irrigation system, that’s the optimal way to keep plants hydrated,” Cording explains. “Those without an irrigation system can mulch plants, keeping them hydrated as an alternative. With or without an irrigation system, mulching the plants is very beneficial—2 to 3 inches of mulch will help hold in moisture. It protects the roots from the summer heat, and prevents them from not only drying out, but it also keeps them at a more even temperature, ensuring the roots don’t burn.”
DeMato emphasizes how watering properly is very important, considering that most plants require close to 1 inch of water per week to thrive. “Deep watering, opposed to spraying, is better for plants, encouraging stronger root growth. With newer plants, they typically need a little bit more water during their first season,”
DeMato says. “Watering early in the morning is the best to reduce evaporation and fungal risks.”
BATTLING WEEDS AND PESTS
Weeds and insects will inevitably appear in your outdoor spaces, but there are ways to control the amount of both that emerge.
“For controlling insects, the best thing to do is get a professional company to come in to diagnose,” Cording says. “If people don’t want to hire a professional company, then they should go to their local garden center or hardware store, read the labels and get informed on when to apply it.”
DeMato adds, “Avoid overfertilizing. Too much fertilizer can weaken plant roots or grass, making them more susceptible to pests and diseases.”
For weed control, you want to make sure you are removing any unwanted plants to decrease their impact on the surrounding area. “You have to know when to do it at the right time—that’s key,” Cording states. “It’s the
same thing when you switch to garden beds. We do something called a spring cleanup where we prune all shrubs, weed all beds, edge and shape, then put down a granular weed preventative underneath the mulch.”
“Regularly edge planting beds and hand-weed to keep roots healthy as well as maintaining a clean appearance,” DeMato says.
Incorporate Structure and Function into Your Yard
Hardscaping isn’t just about looks—it’s about creating usable spaces and reducing maintenance.
“Adding hardscape to landscaping can provide interest while adding texture and functionality. Consider features like retaining or sitting walls, Belgian block for driveways or bed edging and other elements to introduce variety and structure,” DeMato suggests.
Cording says, “The biggest hardscaping is always patios. Although a patio is the most popular we do, which also includes walls and walks, we feel strongly
that a patio, which is an outdoor living space, should be designed.”
A well-maintained landscape doesn’t have to be all high-maintenance. By watering wisely, choosing the right plants, staying on top of weeds and pests and incorporating smart hardscaping, you can create a yard that’s beautiful, functional and sustainable all summer long.
RESOURCES
CLC Landscape Design Ringwood, N.J. (973) 832-1826
CLCDesign.com
Rock Bottom Landscaping & Fence LLC Belle Mead, N.J. (732) 873-6780
RockBottomLandscaping.net
