17 Design a Space That Feels Like an Escape Amiano & Son transforms dated bathrooms into relaxing retreats
20 Staying Put
How to make what’s old new again with a home refresh
PUBLISHER
Edward P. McCartney
EDITOR
Peter Proko
ASSISTANT EDITORS
Matt Cosentino, Madeleine Maccar, Carly Murray
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Kristen Dowd
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Hank Alspach
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Brian Mikulski
DESIGNERS
Eileen Pullia, Lisa Zollinger
ACCOUNTING DIRECTOR
Darlene Versak
SALES DIRECTOR
Lindsay Gonzalez
SALES MANAGER
Jim Romano
NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPER
Chuck McKane
MARKETING CONSULTANTS
Nicole Corabi, Kristine Di Nardo, Rochelle Dodge, Lori Vorgang, Amy B. Weiss
ACCOUNTING MANAGER
Max Haggerty
STAFF ACCOUNTANT
Karmal Pritchett
DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTOR
Leigh Stuart
PUBLISHER EMERITUS
Bob Doran
EXECUTIVE PARTNERS
Gerry Haggerty, Edward P. McCartney
HOUSE & HOME
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Featuring WE PROUDLY PRESENT THE 2025 SPOTLIGHTS and SHOWCASES
We are excited to present our tenth annual Best
of House & Home.
As voted by our readers, the following companies and professionals are being recognized for their quality products, expertise, top-notch customer service and reliability. We're also featuring a closer look at these companies in informative spotlights and showcases that shed some light on their dedication. For your next home project, there is no one better than these winners.
ADDITIONS
Amiano and Son 609-268-5923
AmianoAndSon.com
Cipriani Remodeling Solutions
856-853-8398
CiprianiRemodelingSolutions .com
Magnolia Home Remodeling Group 855-624-6655
MagnoliaHomeRemodeling .com
APPLIANCES
H & H Designer Appliance Center 609-426-1111 HHAppliance.com
Mrs. G TV & Appliances
609-882-1444 MrsGs.com
Roger’s Appliances 908-782-1962
RogersAppliances.com
ARCHITECTURE
Knight Architect
609-252-0474 KnightArch.com
ARTIFICIAL GRASS/TURF
Artificial Grass Turf Warehouse 201-971-2323
ArtificialGrassTurfWarehouse .com
GardenMark
201-736-1926 Garden-Mark.com
JM Synthetic Grass
201-220-2609
JMSyntheticGrass.com
AWNINGS
Awning Design
732-462-1131
AwningDesign.net
Marygrove Awnings
800-AWNINGS Marygrove.com
Window Works
973-535-5860
WindowWorks-NJ.com
BASEMENT WATERPROOFING
Affordable Waterproofing
856-461-1500
AffordableWaterproofingLLC .com
Basement Waterproofing Specialists
800-700-9171
BasementWaterproofing Specialists.com
Quality 1st Basement Systems 866-440-8073
Quality1stBasementSystems .com
BATH DESIGN
Amiano & Son Design-Build 609-268-5923 AmianoAndSon.com
Emmons Remodeling 856-556-3229 EmmonsRoofing.com
Magnolia Home Remodeling Group 855-624-6655 MagnoliaHomeRemodeling .com
One Day Bath 570-402-2337 RenewYourBath.com
BRICK & STUCCO
Riverside Supply 732-257-3434 RSC-NJ.com
BUILDING SUPPLY
Riverside Supply 732-257-3434 RSC-NJ.com
CABINETRY
Home Surplus 732-888-3600 HomeSurplus.com
Kitchen Magic 800-510-4710 KitchenMagic.com
Kitchen Tune Up 732-200-7615 908-300-0358 KitchenTuneUp.com
CABINET REFACING
Kitchen Tune Up 732-200-7615 908-300-0358 KitchenTuneUp.com
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 55 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
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 Swim-Mor 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 packages come every pool, too.
The majority of customers also choose elements to lengthen their pool-enjoying season, as heaters and spas. “It will extend your pool 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 55 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 2023 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 is a familyowned and -operated business started in 1967 that proudly carries on a tradition of quality in our products. We have an experienced staff that utilizes some of the latest technology to bring to you. Visit or contact one of our three convenient locations for a consultation about building your ideal pool.
newpools
Put some tropical escape back into your suburban sprawl. This perfect oasis is no mirage but the ideal transformation of your yard to the spot where everyone gathers to enjoy.
Give your old pool a new look with the latest features, functions and materials. Add the hydrotherapy spa that you always wanted or simply replace the worn plaster, tile and coping, a full range of options is available.
stylish spas renovations
Stun your neighbors and attain a level of sophistication that you have always dreamed of. Your yard is now ready for everything from cocktail parties to barbecues and birthdays.
Staying Put Staying Put
Fewer people in the United States are moving from house to house these days. In fact, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the percentage of the country’s movers has been on a steady decline, from 16.8% in 2016 to 11.8% last year.
Additionally, more families aren’t just choosing to live in their homes longer: They’re spending more time there. This homebody trend began with the COVID-19 pandemic and its related lockdown, and has not only persisted but also grown over the past five years. Consumer analytics platform CivicScience found that the proportion of adults with a decreased desire to leave their home hit 35% earlier this year, which is higher than the 29% reported in 2020.
Home improvement companies are ready to make what’s old new again for clients who want a refresh of their home.
The problem is, deciding a house is a forever home—or at least a forever-for-awhile home—does not automatically turn it into a dream home. In fact, spending more time in your space may highlight the things you want to change. Does the kitchen look tired? Is the bathroom too bland? Do these floors need restoring? Is it time to update the woodwork?
For those looking to stay in their current home long-term but are still eager for a refresh, House & Home spoke with local professionals to discuss the many ways you can spruce up your home’s interior and make it the perfect place to spend your time.
A SMART INVESTMENT
When staying long-term in a home, it makes sense to invest in quality craftsmanship.
“It adds value and personal character to the house,” explains Pavlo Danylchenko of Signature Woodcraft. The custom interior woodworking business brings beauty to a home, from adding wainscoting to a hallway, to building a mantle around a fireplace, to constructing a custom staircase in a foyer. The company fields a lot of requests for mudroom cabinetry, too, as well as custom shelving and bookcases throughout a home.
“We’ve been doing this for a very long time,” Danylchenko continues. “We know how to do it and it’s very easy for us.”
Adding charm with details is a great way to refresh a tired space, according to Rich Lauletta of Haddon Flooring. The company specializes in luxury hardwood, engineered hardwood and luxury vinyl plank flooring—the latter a popular choice because of its durability, Lauletta says—and also offers custom wainscoting and eye-catching accent walls, which have been growing in popularity.
Staying Put
“They really brighten up a room,” Lauletta says. “It’s a ‘wow’ factor. One couple told us they couldn’t help but smile when they walk past it. Someone else told us the accent wall made the room their happy place. We love doing them and hope we can spread joy through them.”
They’re also practical and long-lasting, Lauletta adds, with the wood and high gloss paint used being much more durable than a regular painted wall.
Durability is a key reason to use professionals when refreshing your space: They know how to make things not only look great, but also last for years to come.
AN UPGRADED LIFESTYLE
“Many homeowners love their homes but feel their kitchen or bath no longer reflects their lifestyle or taste,” says Steven Livingston of Kitchen Tune-Up Bloomfield. “Kitchen Tune-Up specializes in breathing new life into existing spaces—without the disruption or cost of a full-gut remodel.”
There are a range of tailored solutions from Kitchen Tune-Up, including the cabinet refacing that gives a brand-new look to existing solid cabinet boxes, new custom cabinetry, and upgrades such as countertops,
tile, hardware and smart storage solutions.
“These options allow homeowners to modernize their space and increase value while staying comfortably in the home they love,” Livingston says.
Kitchen Tune-Up Greater Bergen’s Todd Finkenstadt adds that the company offers options at every investment level.
“If you plan to stay in your home longterm and want a meaningful refresh, Kitchen Tune-Up offers a range of services, from quick updates to complete kitchen transformations to help you love your kitchen again,” he notes.
Another way to upgrade a space without overhauling the entire room is by replacing shower doors and mirrors—accents that should, quite literally, shine.
“Primarily, we’re going to be working in the bathroom,” says Scott Kingsland of Glass Castle. “Shower doors are more modern, heavier glass, less metal. We also offer different mirror options—beveled, custom cut.”
The safety of full-glass shower doors shouldn’t be a concern, according to Kingsland, as it’s tempered safety glass ranging in thickness between three-eighths of an inch to a half-inch.
“You could literally hit them with a hammer and they wouldn’t break. They’re that strong, and definitely very durable,”
he affirms.
From a longevity standpoint, coatings applied to the glass during the manufacturing process, such as Showerguard, not only come with a lifetime warranty but also seal the inside portion of the shower “so every time you clean it, everything comes off and it looks brand new. You can have a shower door that’s 15 years old and it’s still going to be as clear as the day installed,” Kingsland says.
Although most of Glass Castle’s offerings are focused on the bathroom, they have also been adding mirrored walls to basement gyms and, for higher-end customers, glass fronts for wine rooms to showcase the space.
ON TOP OF TRENDS
When it comes to trends in the homespace, a lot of the shift is on finishes, whether it’s the front of a cabinet or the hardware of a shower door.
According to Finkelstadt, homeowners are asking for warm, natural finishes and slim shaker cabinets, which “blend natural warmth, modern simplicity and low-maintenance practicality.”
“We’re seeing homeowners lean into warmth and texture—natural woods, matte finishes, and soft whites balanced with statement hardware or bold islands,” agrees Livingston, adding that storage efficiency is an-
other major focus. “Hidden charging drawers, pull-out pantries and built-in organizers are topping most wish lists.”
The biggest industry trend that Kingsland has seen in recent years has been thicker glass and less metal on shower doors, with a wider option of finishes.
“Twenty years ago it was chrome and brass. Then brushed nickel was introduced,” he says. “Today, matte black is popular. Satin brass, satin gold finishes are all pretty popular, too.”
Finishes have changed in woodworking, too, as Danylchenko says, “Paint is trendier right now. It’s rare we do stained jobs.”
STARTING THE PROCESS
When it comes to booking a job for a home facelift, a simple phone call typically begins the process. Most companies offer free in-home consultations to get the ball rolling, too.
“We can show them a bunch of options, different samples where they can put it right in the space to really get the feel of what it would look like when it’s done. We also do visualization tools where we can take a picture of their space and show them a rendering of what it would look like with a custom accent wall or new floors,” Lauletta says.
Even when the customer knows what they want, Dan-
ylchenko says it’s important for the professionals to bring in their own knowledge to make the space as functional and aesthetically pleasing as possible.
“We always provide our own drawings of the projects of how exactly it’s going to look,” he says.
Kitchen Tune-Up uses its own proprietary design quiz to help uncover each client’s style and preferences, according to Livingston.
“It all begins with an inhome consultation, where we collaborate with homeowners to craft a design they’ll love for years to come,” he says. “During the visit, we review the space, discuss functionality and layout, and then translate that into a detailed design plan. From there, we guide clients step-by-step through every component of the remodel—incorporating 3D renderings where applicable for custom kitchens to help them visualize the finished space with complete confidence.”
When a client starts the home upgrade process, they may know exactly what they want, or they might know that they need a refresh but aren’t quite sure how to go about it. In either case, local businesses are ready to work with customers to find their perfect solution.
“We help make it a happy place to spend their time,” Lauletta says.
RESOURCES
Glass Castle
Lawrenceville, NJ: (609) 312-5619
Neshanic Station, NJ: (908) 402-1057
GlassCastle.com
Haddon Flooring
Serving South Jersey (856) 654-0005
HaddonFlooring.com
Kitchen Tune Up North Jersey
Steven & Takia Livingston (Bloomfield, NJ)
Todd & Ruth Finkenstadt (Glen Rock, NJ) (201) 474-3112
KitchenTuneUp.com
Signature Woodcraft
Serving New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware (267) 736-9740
