It’s easy being green with beautiful, low-maintenance artificial grass page 23
Spring Planning Guide 2025 Sponsors:
Inspiring kitchen and bath remodeling projects
SPRING AWAKENING
Tips on how to get your landscape ready for the season
10 Spring Awakening
To have your landscape looking its finest come spring, you’ll need to plenty of advance planning
23 It’s Easy Being Green
JM Synthetic Grass provides beautiful, low-maintenance
artificial grass that lasts for decades
24 Stylish Spaces
Inspiring kitchen and bath remodeling projects from across the region
28 Fabulous Facades
Give your home’s exterior a whole new look and feel
PUBLISHER
Edward P. McCartney
EDITOR
Peter Proko
ASSISTANT EDITORS
Matt Cosentino, Madeleine Maccar, Carly Murray
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Hank Alspach
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Brian Mikulski
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Alex Bianco, Jay Urbaniak, Lisa Zollinger
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Darlene Versak
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Lindsay Gonzalez
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Jim Romano
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Chuck McKane
MARKETING CONSULTANTS
Kristine Di Nardo, Rochelle Dodge, Frank Liantonio, Darren Slaughter, Lori Vorgang, Amy B. Weiss
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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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SpringAwakening
Getting
your landscape in shape for the season begins with lots of advanced planning.
By Peter Proko
While most embrace living in a region fortunate enough to experience the true changes in seasons, there’s no denying Old Man Winter has had some grumpier moments during the early part of this year. That’s not to say that folks are ready to trade in their sweaters for swimsuits just yet, but each passing day on the calendar adds a bit of excitement as eyes begin to shift toward spring.
After months of fighting the bitter cold, spring’s arrival will bring welcomed warm temperatures perfect for hanging with family on the back deck or gathering with friends at the ballpark. The transition to spring also brings new possibilities for
homeowners as they look to refresh their landscape and return their home’s outdoor spaces from dormant to thriving.
Fertilized lawns, freshly laid beds of mulch and the smell of the clippings from that first mowing of the season may not be as far into the future as you may think. It’s important to plan now to be able to maximize outdoor enjoyment when the weather breaks.
The National Association of Landscape Professionals recommends basic steps such as inspecting your trees and shrubs for damage, fertilizing your lawn and testing your soil every few years for pH balance. The organization further suggests fertilizing trees and shrubs prior to mulching, applying
pre-emergent weed control and tidying up all plant beds. As the temperatures climb, an inspection of the irrigation system to ensure its working condition is key.
House & Home spoke with some area experts in the industry to find out how to best get your landscape beautiful and bountiful this spring, from the types of plants that will add pops of color to the latest trends homeowners are gravitating toward.
Are you noticing any recent trends with regard to landscape design that are gaining in popularity?
“Everyone and everything is being affected by climate change. Therefore, my focus is to incorporate as many plantings into a
Spring Awakening
design that can handle—and even thrive in— the extreme temperature swings throughout the year, especially in the summer months, and satisfy the aesthetic needs of the client.
“I’m also keenly aware that the pollinators need the right varieties of food during the growing season. It’s a balancing act that’s essential from my perspective. Townships are also very demanding that any design results in proper storm water management. So, beauty plus environmentally sensitive practicality seems to be the formula going forward.”
“Shade structures are currently trending because they provide areas to entertain family and friends anytime of the year. And these structures do not have to break the bank, they are a quick resolve. … Outdoor kitchens and outdoor fireplaces, once a rare request, have also become popular considerations.”
—Diane Marrazzo, outdoor design specialist, Marrazzo’s North River
What are some of the more important things homeowners need to know to get their landscape ready for the spring season?
“Well, probably the most important thing is fertilizer. It’s huge in the fall and it’s huge in the spring. Homeowners will want to plan a fertilizer schedule … it keeps everything healthier. And the bigger the root systems and the more established your plants, you’ll get heartier, stronger plants with vibrant colors.
“I would also say as the soon as the weather breaks, get out and break up all that dead foliage, so when perennials start popping, they don’t have to grow through layers and layers of dead leaves and debris.”
—George Mihalchick, owner, Ponds by George
When is the best time to start prepping the landscaping for spring?
“Now is a good time to get outside and assess your landscape. You can remove any winter debris, even prune to shape a wiry shrub or low-lying tree branch, before the landscape wakes up to the warmer weather.
“Toward the end of February or early March, one may begin writing down their ideas, ear-tag project pictures from magazines, or Pinterest, etc. You’ll want to schedule an appointment early depending on your needs, as a reputable landscaper can easily book out four-to-six weeks for landscape projects, and for hardscape projects it may be up to two months.”
—Diane Marrazzo
“We love for people to begin as early as possible. What a lot of people do is they’ll wait until it’s nice out and then because they are outside, they’ll start thinking about their landscape because it looks terrible. Start when the weather is bad because then all the planning, all the
back and forth can be done and things are set up for when the weather breaks.”
—George Mihalchick
“If you plan to hire a landscape design firm to create and implement your project for spring, the best time to start is during the late fall of the prior year, or during the winter months. If you wish to do the work yourself—and you’ve done the research and fashioned a design—start with soil preparation in early spring, once the ground has thawed. Use an organic compost to fertilize the soil. This will help to ensure that what you plant thrives.”
—Ronni Hock
What types of plants/shrubs are the best to help homeowners add some color to their landscape?
“Hydrangeas, perennials and flowering ornamental trees all offer a beautiful seasonal display of color and bloom. And remember, our zone can permit winter color too; the reliable Winterberry will never disappoint. [Furthermore], evergreen specimens will not only provide foundational interest, but when used tightly together, they offer texture and balanced color 365 days a year.”
—Diane Marrazzo
“One of the major concerns of any client who wants to install extensive landscaping (and because of the reality of our region) is deer-resistant plant material. The deer population is increasing and these animals have expensive tastes! One important flowering shrub that attracts and pleases hummingbirds in the spring is Weigela. Several varieties have
Image at left courtesy of Marrazzo’s North River
Spring Awakening
shades of pink or white flowers. Other flowering shrubs include: Spirea, Abelia, Pyrancantha, Aronia and Clethra. In the perennial category, Asclepias is not only deer-resistant and food for butterflies, but is also a native to our region. In addition, Erigeron, Calamintha, Agastache, Saliva and any variety of Eupatorium are a wonderful addition to any landscape and have an extended blooming period.”
—Ronni Hock
Do you encounter homeowners preferring to coordinate their landscape with the overall look of the home itself?
“Yes, you definitely want to go with the vibe of the home. When I walk up a driveway [to meet a client for the first time], I am checking out what’s already there as well as the style and layout of the house. Do they have a formal walkway or is it rustic? Is it curved or straight? What kind of light
fixtures do they have, are they formal? I try to pick up on all that stuff as I am walking to the front door and I think about the types of plants that go with the age of the house as well.”
—George Mihalchick
RESOURCES
Marrazzo’s North River Wycombe, Pa. (215) 598-1412
became certified in playground safety surfacing, working with daycares around the country.
Locally, the bread and butter for this Toms River-based business are home installs.
The grass is always greener on the other side— especially if that other side was serviced by JM Synthetic Grass.
“You can always have a beautiful lawn,” Jason Mitnick says. “And it can be low maintenance.”
As the longtime owner of JM Synthetic Grass, Mitnick knows all there is to know about the artificial grass industry. He knows what grass will look and work best in your space, whether it’s a curbside front yard, backyard pool area or a personal putting green. He can guide clients on the right installation to stand up to energetic kids and playful pets.
And with having his own yard of synthetic grass, he can honestly stand by the product. “I haven’t cut my own lawn in 22 years,” Mitnick affirms.
SERVICING NEW JERSEY—AND BEYOND
Mitnick didn’t start out in the synthetic grass industry, but jumped on board as an installer when his father got into the business in 2003. “And 22 years later, here we are,” Mitnick says with a laugh.
When he took over the company in 2007, it grew from servicing three states to 12, procuring a license out in the Midwest. The company
“We do a lot of homes: anywhere in New Jersey, we’ll travel to Staten Island, Long Island, even eastern Pennsylvania,” Mitnick says.
And as a family-owned business, clients can expect to deal with Mitnick himself.
“I’m not just a salesman. I literally go on every sales call. I show the product. I sell it to the customer. I even take it off the semi when it comes to the warehouse,” he says. “I’m not just a name in a big business. I’m involved with every step of the way.”
WHAT IS SYNTHETIC GRASS?
Synthetic grass is a plastic, natural-feel product that is as durable as it is beautiful. There are different grades of product, and JM Synthetic Grass offers more than 600 styles of grass to choose from.
Once installed, synthetic grass is low maintenance and long-lasting, the perfect solution for on-the-go families, rental properties or just someone who wants to have gorgeous grass without the hassle.
“And we install in places where you couldn’t have real grass. We can go over cement. We can do rooftop areas, flat roofs,” Mitnick says. “We just try to make use of the space.”
THE PERKS OF ARTIFICIAL GRASS
Artificial grass has the look and feel of real grass without the maintenance.
“No mowing. No watering. No seeding,” Mitnick says. “There’s no chemicals. It’s nonflammable and nontoxic.”
No special tools are required either. A regular leaf rake or leaf blower takes care of keeping synthetic grass clean.
The product is also durable—and this includes when it comes to energetic dogs. Dogs like digging. They like mud. The outdoors is their toilet. But none of these things will hurt synthetic grass.
“There’s no dirt, so they can’t dig and there’s no mud,” Mitnick says. “Pee washes right out. Solid waste is picked up like any surface.”
Longevity is the name of the game, too, with most synthetic grasses far exceeding their 15-year warranty on materials. “In reality you should push to 30, 40-plus years,” says Mitnick.
AS EASY AS A PHONE CALL
The first step to a beautiful, virtually maintenance-free lawn from JM Synthetic Grass is to give the company a call. Mitnick will talk through some specifics on the phone, and if the client has a ballpark square footage, he can talk general pricing, too.
Choosing a grass from more than 600 options may seem intimidating, but Mitnick can guide clients to the right fit. He knows which products work best for certain wants and needs, and he also is an expert on what grasses are more realistic to certain parts of the country.
“There’s a wide range of what artificial grass can cover. It’s versatile,” Mitnick says. “It’s safe for kids and pets. It’s good for rentals and not needing to pay for maintenance. It’s great down the Shore where it’s hard to grow grass in the sandy soil. It’s for everywhere you want to grow grass, including the places where you really can’t.”
KITCHEN & BATH
Amiano & Son Design-Build
This South Jersey kitchen was recently remodeled and features large windows above the sink, which were a special request of the client. To enhance the design, sconces were added above the winodws, creating a sleek and symmetrical look, while incorporating touches of black and wood for warmth and character. The result is a bright, functional space with an elegant and warm feel.
Southampton and Barnegat Light, N.J. (609) 268-5923 | AmianoAndSon.com
Let’s Face It
This transitional-style kitchen features white painted shaker doors featuring brushed gold hardware, an island and eating area featuring contrasting maple wood cabinetry, quartz countertops, GE Monogram appliances with brushed gold handle accents, a hand-built subway tile backsplash and a new lighting package, including under-cabinet lighting.
Lower Gwynedd, Pa. (215) 343-2600
LFIKitchens.com
STYLISH SPACES
This project transformed a neglected kitchen into a welcoming space for family gatherings. Masterfully crafted custom cabinetry, highlighted by a French range with a soft blue hood, blends elegance with functional design, showcasing the artistry of Master Design Cabinetry. Honey Brook, Pa. | (610) 273-2212 | MasterDesignCabinetry.com Master Design Cabinetry
HomeTech Renovations
This stunning bathroom design is spotlighted with Medallion Early Grey painted cabinetry and quartz countertops. The enclosed closet area was converted to a sit-down makeup area with a recessed medicine cabinet. The floors are porcelain wood-look tile plans with radiant heating, while the porcelain marble spa shower features a wall alcove and custom shower glass. A tub was removed and replaced with an upholstered bench seat and tall linen cabinet, floating shelves were added over the toilet and new Palladian windows with plantation shutters were installed.
Bathroom design style in three easy steps! The collections are grouped by common base palettes: white, blue, gray, black and neutral. They also feature a variety of shower surrounds and floor tile options, including materials like tile, solid surface and quartz. The expert team here will work with you to figure out your preferences—no more running from store to store trying to find all the puzzle pieces. Sit back and relax as a team of experts brings your vision to life. For a free consultation contact the number below or visit the showroom at 359 E. Lincoln Highway in Easton, Pa. Easton, Pa. | (484) 383-5218 | BathTuneUpMainline.com
The CabinetTree Design Studio
The kitchen remodel project began with installing a 25-foot structural support beam made flush with the ceiling. The rest of the kitchen was gutted and the cabinets were replaces with new UltraCraft cabinetry, and appliance panels were installed on the fridge. The main piece of this remodel is the kitchen island with seating for nine people and seating on three sides, leaving one side for the host to serve their guests.
Cherry Hill, N.J. | (856) 888-2220 | CabinetTree.com
Fabulous
Incorporating the latest trends for a home’s exterior can boost curb appeal with designs, colors and materials that stand out from the crowd and are customized to what each household will love.
by Carly Murray
BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO A HOME’S EXTERIOR IS AN EXCITING JOURNEY. However, from siding, roofs, windows and doors to budgeting, permitting, Homeowner Association (HOA) restrictions and planning, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Thankfully, there are no shortage of modern and trendy options to explore, as well as plenty of homeimprovement experts with whom to collaborate.
Regardless of the vision homeowners wish to bring to life, there are key elements to remain conscious of to facilitate the process.
With the proper research, everevolving product, brand, color and material selections can allow for any desired result without compromising your budget so you can enjoy experimenting with these varied options to arrive at the exterior of one’s dreams—or even find a new, better vision during the process. After all, with modern technology, fixtures can be compared efficiently, and virtual models can demonstrate how elements will actually look in a specific space, so there’s no harm in weighing all of the choices to find the absolute best fit. Interestingly, the homes of the future are not what past genera-
Facades
tions once envisioned. Rather than all-white, sharply-defined edges and irregular shapes, 2025 home exterior style trends consist of hues that embody warmth, bold colors, and design contrasts and individuality.
Earth tones are an optimal way to achieve a serene look and
feel, and many combine these natural-inspired colors with stone and wood materials. Within these naturally occurring resources are color variations that can inspire finishes and details, but these mediums will also pair well with any color, natural or otherwise. One might be surprised how ef-
fectively completely different patterns can harmonize with one another. Mike Chapman, president of Chapman Windows Doors and Siding, describes dynamic exterior design choices that incorporate a mixture of materials, textures and perceptible direction.
“One of the standout trends we’ve seen is combining different siding orientations, such as pairing horizontal and vertical siding elements together, which adds visual interest and depth. This is often complemented with stone accents, bringing a natural, earthy touch that contrasts beautifully with the sleekness of modern siding,” says Chapman. “Bold hues combined with creative design elements always result in a finished product that leaves a lasting impression and truly transforms the home. It’s always rewarding to see clients’ visions come to life with these daring and distinctive design choices.”
In addition to nature, regional architecture can play a major role in igniting inspiration for creative decisions. Regional architecture for residences and businesses alike often encompass a more classic, colonial style, and many homeowners like to align their design decisions with these established styles. Still, taking inspiration from another region’s popularized architecture is a great way to make a property truly stand out: Although this may diminish resale value, it may be the best choice for a homeowner who prioritizes personalization and uniqueness— especially if they intend to stay in that home.
“Home exterior styles vary by region, like Colonial in the Northeast, Mediterranean in the Southwest, and Craftsman in the Pacific Northwest. Clients often match their remodels to these styles for a cohesive look and
better resale value,” affirms Chris Morrell, general manager of Kirkin Exteriors.
Chapman describes how West Coast aesthetics are more aligned with the aforementioned conventional image of futuristic architecture, with a focus on a sleek look, open
spaces and clean lines. He explains that extracting even one element from these models—such as the incorporation of large areas of clear glass—can be an impactful personal touch. An especially innovative option for glass is CLiC switchable privacy glass, which allows for a
privacy layer when electricity is off and a completely clear view when electricity is activated.
“In this region, we often see bold, modern elements being combined with more traditional colonial styles, creating an exciting blend of the past and present. This combination allows homeowners to preserve the charm and history of colonial architecture while embracing modern, cutting-edge design,” says Chapman. “Clients often choose to reflect these regional trends in their remodels, but many also enjoy experimenting with blending different styles. Whether they lean into the minimalist, modern aesthetic of the West Coast or embrace a more eclectic fusion of old and new, it’s about finding a balance that suits their personal tastes and lifestyle.”
One should keep in mind, though, that regional styles are often related to the local climate. There is no better way to adapt to a climate by incorporating energyefficient technology, which is perhaps one of the trendiest and era-defining implementations. Glass glazing and
window solar technology are in the process of becoming more widespread: Rooftop solar systems in particular have also gained traction because they are cost-effective and kind to the earth by converting sunlight into electrical energy.
“We are super excited about GAF Timberline Solar Shingles. Not only do they save energy, but the tax credits and savings are an awesome additional benefit,” says Morrell.
Functionality, of course, is even more important than aesthetics. A home may look amazing, but an eye-catching aesthetic doesn’t matter if it makes living in that space more difficult. Finding the perfect blend of artistic vision and practical utilization is an essential part of the planning process.
“With garage doors, there’s a lot more to them in terms of: How much insulation do you want? Do you care about noise? Do you care about the spring technology, for example? Because the standard is for us to install the newest type of technology, which is the overhead storage that goes above the door,”
says Fadi Baaklini, owner of ProLift Garage Doors Lansdale. “And then it comes in different colors, shapes, sizes. We can make a match for siding. We can make it pop, have contrast. So, the sky’s the limit really, in terms of what you want from your door. And I think that’s the most important thing, because you can get something just off the rack, or you can get as detailed as you want.”
Considering each element can
drastically affect the look and feel of the entire home between each component. Color blocking can add dimension to a home with contrasting colors running horizontally between sections of siding or vertically between siding and the roof, such as pairing a neutral color with a bold color or even pairing black and white. Contrast is a long-established method of achieving and maintaining a modern look, especially since the standards of contemporary style
change from year to year.
Reflecting upon the longevity of different styles allows one to realize that while some trends are fleeting, many are timeless or cyclical; therefore, both old and new concepts can be classified as the pinnacle of haut decor.
“The trendiest right now I would say are [garage] doors with windows on the side that go up the side. Most garage doors, when you look at them, are just windows up top—the modern look, I would say,” says Baaklini. “And it doesn’t really work with all houses when you have the windows going down the side in a vertical way, [but] depending on the color, you can even get it at a premium in a woodplank style. So if you’re going for that mid-century modern look, it could work really well.”
Whether a project involves a partial exterior redesign or a full remodel, continued education, paying attention to details and accommodating expectations go a long way. Consulting an expert will ensure a smoother process and allow for the homeowner to
RESOURCES
Chapman Windows Doors & Siding West Chester, Pa. (610) 601-2480
ChapmanWindowsDoors.com
Kirkin Exteriors New Castle, DE (302) 832-ROOF
KirkinExteriors.com
ProLift Garage Doors Lansdale, Pa. (267) 490-3718
ProLiftDoors.com
focus on less technical considerations, which can make or break a project if they aren’t exact. With continually expanding options and opportunities, there is a perfect match to every vision to make the home exterior of one’s dreams a reality.
