[Special Edition] Trend Watch 2023 - Find Your Comfort Zone

Cover:

design by Gilberte Interiors. Photo by Jane Messinger.

Time for a Spring Refresh

The rst bright sunbeams of spring coming into our homes make us realize it’s time to get busy cleaning windows and almost everything else around the house after the long and gritty, grimy winter. Longer, brighter days increase our energy levels, and we’re eager to jump in to improve the looks of our surroundings. While you’re doing your spring cleaning, survey the house to see if there are any changes you’d like to make.

Adding an extra bathroom or remodeling the kitchen are popular improvements, but if you can’t undertake a major change right now, there are plenty of other ways to add some new personality to your home. How about a fresh paint color for the den or an accent color on one wall? How would the foyer or powder room look with a leaf print or oral wallpaper? Try changing a few accessories—a pair of colorful throw pillows or a new lamp can update a room without breaking the budget. Even rearranging the furniture in a room makes it look refreshed. e key is to have fun, and don’t be afraid to try something that’s out of your comfort zone.

e sta and I want to thank all the people who responded to our call to share the latest trends in home improvements. Whether you’re building a home, considering solar heating, or purchasing new lighting or ooring, you’ll nd expert advice from local business people in these pages—professionals with many years of experience and knowledge. When you’re ready to move ahead with your next project, they will be there for you. Enjoy!

trend watch image

Mountain View Publishing, LLC

135 Lyme Road Hanover, NH 03755 (603) 867-9339

www.greateruppervalley.com

Publishers

Bob Frisch Cheryl Frisch

Executive Editor Deborah Thompson

Associate Editor Kristy Erickson

Contributors

Mark Aiken, Anne Richter Arnold, Lynn Bohannon, Katherine P. Cox, Mary Gow, Susan Nye, E. Senteio

Creative Director/Design Ellen Klempner-Béguin

Advertising Design Marston Creative

Web Design Locable

Inbound Marketing Manager Erin Frisch Newton

Advertising Bob Frisch

Deborah ompson

Executive Editor dthompson@mountainviewpublishing.com

www.facebook.com/greateruppervalley

KEEP US POSTED: trend watch magazine wants to hear from readers. Correspondence may be addressed to: Letters to the Editor, Image/TW, 135 Lyme Road, Hanover, NH 03755. Or email us at: dthompson@mountain viewpublishing.com. Advertising inquiries may be made by email to rcfrisch1@comcast.net. trend watch is published annually in the spring by Mountain View Publishing, LLC ©2023. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is strictly prohibited. trend watch magazine accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork, or photographs.

Color of the Year

Pantone’s 2023 Viva Magenta

BOLD BUT ACCESSIBLE, VIBRANT YET INVITING—VIVA MAGENTA, Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2023, is a nuanced shade of crimson red that draws on both warm and cool tones and is an electrifying shade grounded in nature. “We chose this color because we felt that it was an unconventional shade for an unconventional time, something that could present us with a new vision,” says Latrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Institute. “It’s a color that really vibrates with vim and vigor, that demonstrates a new signal of strength, which is something we all need for an optimistic future.” A gorgeous shade for upholstery, glassware, and even accent walls, Viva Magenta will infuse your space with life and leave you feeling hopeful about the future. tw

A complete renovation of a historical home included creating a kitchen that is functional and invites family and friends to gather. Custom handblown glass globes bring light and interest to the space. Photo by Jane Messinger.

BY ANNE RICHTER ARNOLD | PHOTOS COURTESY OF GILBERTE INTERIORS

FROMUNUSEDROOMSTO FUNCTIONAL SPACES

DISCOVER THE POSSIBILITIES WITH GILBERTE INTERIORS

As families evolve and lifestyles change, so do the needs of homeowners. Cheryl Boghosian, interior designer at Gilberte Interiors, has the vision to take the overlooked, underused, and empty spaces in her clients’ homes and transform them into functional, comfortable rooms that enhance their lifestyle as they transition. While many may see a closet, basement space, or a spare room, she can see an o ce, wine cellar, guest space, or media room. With a team of professionals, she can take a project from an idea to reality seamlessly.

Many homes, both new and existing construction, have a room or spaces that are underutilized or empty, just waiting to be turned into a space that solves a client’s problem or addresses a need. For Cheryl, the rst step for a homeowner when thinking about transforming these spaces is to meet to discuss what they are looking for.

This page and opposite: The project involved teaming with the contractor, the owners, and Moskow Linn Architects to create spaces that flo toget er yet a e defined unctions eryl og osian ASID, Gilberte Interiors, er ormed all interior design and lighting design and provided all urnis ings fi tures and accessories ter otos by ane essinger

KITCHEN BEFORE LIVING ROOM BEFORE

“We meet to look at the space and talk about possibilities, as well as to get a sense of their lifestyle and activities they wish they had a dedicated space for or spaces that they wish they could expand on. is can be as simple as taking o a closet door to create a desk/ workspace by adding lighting, bookshelves, and USB ports to a more involved project where we are developing un nished space or creating new spaces by moving existing walls.”

RETHINKING A CLIENT’S SPACE

Recently Cheryl worked with a client to achieve two goals: creating a comfortable and inviting guest room for visiting friends and family that was accessible to the main living areas, and creating a wine room from an un nished space o the kitchen.

“Transforming unused space is a coste ective and practical way of adding square footage,” says Cheryl. “For these clients, I listened to what their needs were, giving them some time to think about how they wanted to use the space, then we created the design, a solution that worked with what they had underutilized in their home.”

Cheryl focused on empty and unused basement space to create a cozy sleeping area for up to six with an adjacent bathroom. “We started with an empty basement space where we could design anything that they wanted. e plumbing was accessible, so it was very easy to add a bathroom for the guests to use. We chose this location because it had proximity to a stairway leading to the kitchen and the living room above, so guests could come and go easily. To make it special, rather than just nish the room and add bunk beds, we created custom bunks, added a sleep sofa for extra guests, and made it very inviting, especially for the younger crowd that would be using the room most often. To suit the needs of this client, we wanted to create a space that would be used—meaning that guests would nd the new bunk area and bath inviting and comfortable but also have all the details of lighting and USB ports at each bunk, making this a space they want to spend time in.”

Above: A temperature-controlled space off the dining room was designed by ilberte nteriors and outfitted to store and display a wonderful collection of wines.

Opposite: Modern bunks with bespoke details give the term “bunk room” a new meaning. Photos by Charles Parker.

e same clients had a room o the kitchen that was intended for their wine collection but was never nished. e space was a walk-in closet that had refrigeration so it could be used for wine storage in the future. With very minimal e ort, Cheryl was able to transform this unused space with custom racks to hold the clients’ wine collection as well as adding strategic lighting.

A strength of Gilberte Interiors is being able to handle all aspects of a project, from a simple repurposing of a space to both new construction and renovation projects. “We are able to design spaces that are as detailed as layouts, electrical, and plumbing plans and specify all materials and nishes,” says Cheryl. “We fabricate so much in-house—window treatments, upholstery, bedding, and all the accessories. Our team can oversee any

Bring New Life to Well-Loved Pieces

While clients often request new furnishings, the design projects the professionals at Gilberte Interiors are working on sometimes include reusing existing furniture that may need refinis ing or reco ering. s an additional ser ice ilberte o ers reupholstery and fabrication of slipco ers and c s ions to t eir clients en or ing on t eir pro ects. it ore t an ears pro iding t ese ser ices t e are able to loo at t e str ct re or bones o t e pieces and decide at a be needed to bring t e bac to li e. ig tening a ra e refinis ing t e ood or res aping t e ar s are all part o re p olstering. eir e tensi e librar o aterials allo s t e to find st t e rig t te tile to create a ne loo or t eir clients. This creates a special piece that expresses the style of the client and is cra ted to be a lasting addition to t e o e. While working with clients on their projects, designers may spot pieces o e isting rnit re t at o ld fit ell in t eir redesigned or ne o e. e can a e alterations be creati e selecting appropriate aterials and tri s and t en pic p and deli er a ing t e process sea less or t eir clients. o eti es st re res ing an old piece can bring ne li e and st le to a a orite or senti ental piece o rnit re.

size project; many involve selecting and providing everything down to the door hardware, bedding, and towels. Our goal is to listen to our clients and create interiors that re ect them using elements of good design.”

Whether new to a home or just rethinking unused spaces in an existing

residence, Cheryl sees trends with clients looking to transform their homes. “ ere is less work-from-home demand, but we are still nding that clients want to plan work areas into each project so that families and friends visiting will have space. I feel that there is more attention being paid to creating

comfortable environments—wanting to spend time at home and have the best lighting, integrated technology, and comfort. Everyone seems more aware of their spaces. is is wonderful for me as a designer, as clients are receptive and understand even more the importance of the details like the lighting, scale, and texture and how all of this works together.”

Cheryl feels that clients get additional value out of working with Gilberte because she can take the stress of coordinating all aspects of a project away from the client. From start to nish, the team at Gilberte can not only design but also specify and provide all the materials and xtures needed for a project. “Organizing contractors to install everything and then overseeing the project is part of what we do and is so important,” says Cheryl. “We make sure the design we had worked out with the clients is completed with the quality and attention to detail that we expect.”

Cheryl says she teams up with her brother Aharon Boghosian, who’s specialty is bath and kitchen design, on many projects. “We have an incredible in-house team that works so hard to make our clients’ projects successful,” she says. “I could not do this without their contributions.”

Cheryl continues, “Space planning and designing for our clients’ lifestyle is a strength of our team. Listening to how they spend time at home and understanding their interests can help us make suggestions with design solutions. From start to finish, we make their dreams and ideas a reality, and that adds to the value of the house and the way they experience their home.” tw

Gilberte Interiors

10 Allen Street Hanover, NH (603) 643-3727

www.gilberteinteriors.com

“Our goal is to listen to our clients and create interiors that re ect them using elements of good design.”

Guiding Home Buyers and Sellers with an Unbiased Eye

FOUR SEASONS SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

What are some keys that are attracting people to the Upper Valley of New Hampshire and Vermont?

Above and beyond the beauty and quality of life, the opportunities that sprinkle the landscape of Vermont and New Hampshire’s Upper Valley are abundant. Two of the main cogs in the wheel are Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital and Dartmouth College. ere are also so many diverse shops, restaurants, and high-tech rms in the area that attract many employees to our region. Everyone of all ages can nd so many things to do during all four seasons, whether it’s viewing wonderful art, seeing a show, walking, hiking, biking, and so much more.

Did any changes happen during the pandemic that a ected real estate in our region?

As we all know, the pandemic changed how many of us live our lives on a day-to-day basis. As it relates to real estate, what changed for many is that working from our homes became mainstream. With this, many people moved from other cities and states and wanted to live where they played.

ere’s no place better in our country than the Upper Valley of New Hampshire and Vermont to be able to work and live full time.

Is it still a good time to sell?

ere is no question that inventory of listings is very low, not only in our area but nationally. However, it is normal for late winter-early spring listings to be on the low side. e National Association of Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun is anticipating sales to be similar to 2022, with interest rates coming down by mid-year. Dr. Yun does see home values remaining consistent with 2022 value. With this said, it is still a great time to sell as property values remain strong. A seller’s market is predicted to remain throughout 2023.

Why work with a Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty agent?

Our agents will guide you through the home searching and home selling process with an unbiased eye, helping you meet all your buying and selling goals. Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty agents are also a great resource when you have questions about local amenities, utilities, zoning rules, and contractors, just to mention a few. Another bene t of working with a Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty agent is the worldwide network that is o ered to all buyers and sellers. Your Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty agent will o er professional service that you expect and deserve. tw

BY KATHERINE P. COX

T houghtful Design and Functionality

SHAKER HILL GRANITE AND DOMUS BUILDERS CREATE A FAMILY’S PERFECT KITCHEN

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SHAKER HILL GRANITE AND DOMUS BUILDERS

This kitchen features Shaker-style, s inset cabinetr painted in o e and cean. e co ntertop is olonial or it a polis ed finis .

When Lyme homeowner Sarah and her family were redoing the kitchen and other spaces in their house, she gave it a lot of thought, knew exactly what she wanted, and had rough sketches in hand when she consulted with her contractor, Domus custom builders in Hanover, and her cabinet designer, John Napsey at Shaker Hill Granite Company in En eld.

“I wanted a really practical space, space for entertaining, and space for my busy family. We’re in the kitchen a lot,” Sarah says. She credits Bruce Williamson at Domus and John at Shaker Hill with helping her design her perfect space. “ ey kept saying that design is the most important part, so it’s worth putting the time into it. So while it looks beautiful, it’s also extremely functional. ere’s nothing we would change.”

Details Make a Kitchen Work Well

Sarah designed her kitchen around the way she cooks and her family’s lifestyle. ere’s what she calls the business end of the kitchen and what she calls the kids’ end. “My main workstation is at the end of the island that has a compost bin on one side with cutting boards below that and on the other side knives in the top drawer and trash and recycling. Everything you need (to cook) is there.”

Opposite: The beauty of the room is enhanced by the abundance of natural light.

This page: This small, centrally located wet bar enables the kitchen and living spaces to work together harmoniously.

Above:

Many homeowners combine cabinet types. Doors provide a classic look, and drawers can give the kitchen a more modern feel while handling bulky items with ease.

Opposite: Dowels or dividers can be placed to accommodate whatever you wish to store and organize in drawers.

Sarah says Bruce helped her customize the kitchen around her family. One suggestion she originally pushed back against was the 90-degree seating con guration at one end of the island, which is a little over eight feet long. Instead of side-by-side seating on one side of the island, the stools are at 90 degrees at the end. “I couldn’t envision it, but I’m really glad we went with it because that’s where the kids sit, have breakfast, and do their homework. It’s a really practical layout. It’s the number-one thing I was really excited that we did because we use those seats all the time. It worked out really well. Bruce kept saying it’s so worth putting the thought into the design and functionality because it’s going to look great regardless.”

“We like to think about the ow of the kitchen. You want tra c to ow well,” Bruce says. “I like to think big picture, stepping back and looking at something, to start. After you get a direction, you start getting speci c.” It’s the details that make a kitchen work well, he says.

“It’s always a pleasure to work with smart, caring people who are willing to participate in the design,” says Bruce. “We love working with people who are active in the design process because it is for them, after all. We can make recommendations based on general principles, but everybody has a way of thinking about their speci c space.”

One example in the Lyme home are two large windows, one over the stove and the other over the sink, that bring in abundant light as well as views to the outside. “We have a great view,” Sarah says, “and I wanted to optimize it.” John, cabinetry design specialist at Shaker Hill, adds, “She put her range under a window so she can look outside while she’s cooking. You very seldom see that in people’s designs.” e windows over the stove are unobstructed by a unique hood that the homeowner likens to a glass canopy over the stove. “It’s almost dainty and draws your attention to the window.”

Smart Storage

Other features that she hadn’t thought about but ended up loving were putting the plates in drawers in the base cabinet instead of in upper cabinets. “John showed me drawers with dowels in them. ey’re next to the dishwasher and super handy. e kids can empty the dishwasher and are not lifting plates above their heads. ose drawers that house atware and plates and bowls are super handy. at was a great insight from John.”

Bruce says it’s important to get down to the details, from where cereals and crackers will go to where the pots and pans and utensils for various tasks will live. “You want

to store at the point of first use. If you’re at the range frying, you want to reach for a spatula nearby.” Sarah was very focused about her storage needs and how what she needed to store was going to t, John says. “She took my drawings and made notes on everything she was storing.”

Shaker Hill works with seven cabinet manufacturers, four of whom o er custom designs. ey work closely with their brands, and at Shaker Hill, John says, “you get a team that’s very knowledgeable.” Sarah came to him with preliminary drawings and concepts. “She had really worked through her design quite a bit.” Using specialized design software, John was able to provide her with two- and three-dimensional drawings. e layout was tweaked and revised over multiple meetings and emails back and forth before the nal design was determined and Sarah visited the shop to pick out cabinets, colors, countertops, and tile.

Function Meets Beauty

“Sarah had a pretty good idea of what she wanted for cabinets. She wanted an inset style and ended up going with the Cabico’s custom Unique series.” e upper cabinets are painted a creamy white called Dove, and the island is a slate-blue hue called Ocean. “ at’s a very popular color combination right now,” John says. e granite countertop is Colonial Ivory with a polished nish. “We

knew we wanted granite because it’s more unique and varied than quartz and we wanted a warm feel,” Sarah says. “ e granite has blue-grays in it, which matches the island and it also has splotches of a coral color. It’s very warm. We’re very pleased.”

For people considering remodeling their kitchen, Sarah says to focus on the design. “If you get the design right, the rest will follow.” She also advises people going through the remodeling process to be patient and “don’t go with the rst idea. Listen to other ideas.” Find a contractor that’s going to really pay attention to the design “and sees the value in that,” she says, and can o er suggestions and options. Work with people who have experience and knowledge in the eld. Finally, “do some work on your own. Get the graph paper out and put in the time to move things around and see what it looks like so you have something in hand before going to the designer and contractor.” tw

Domus, LLC

PO Box 220

8 Great Hollow Road

Hanover, NH

(603) 643-4114

domusbuilt.com

Shaker Hill Granite Company

17 Granite Place

(603) 632-9800

Enfield H

shakerhillgranite.com

Choosing an accent color for the island adds interest and contrast and has been a popular trend for the past few years.

BEAUTIFUL VIEWS

BY JACKIE TURUR PHOTOS COURTESY OF WINDOWS & DOORS BY BROWNELL

RECHARGE YOUR HOME WITH THESE DESIGN TRENDS

LET IN THE LIGHT WITH BEAUTIFUL CHOICES

Take a break and destress with these design ideas that bring both tranquility and well-being into your home. e places we spend our time in the most can have a signi cant e ect on our mental and physical health. Many homeowners and design professionals are now creating spaces in the home that promote healthy habits and are focused on creating calming spaces or zones that act as a retreat to unwind and recharge.

Here are a few of the top wellness trends in the home that are taking center stage.

Natural Elements: Incorporating natural elements into the design of your home or work space will help you feel more connected to nature and recharge your energy. ink of incorporating natural materials such as wood, stone, and plants into your design.

Biophilic Design: is concept is an approach to designing spaces that connect people to nature and create a sense of well-being. is can be done by adding elements such as water features, skylights, windows,

Right: Create spaces that inspire you and connect you to the outdoors.

Opposite, top: With the Marvin Ultimate Collection, bring in light and natural elements like real wood to create spaces to relax and recharge.

Far right: Use color and patterns to your advantage. Find a combination that will both calm and uplift you.

and other sources of natural light, as well as plants throughout the space.

Color Psychology: Using colors that are calming and energizing can help you recharge in 2023. Consider incorporating blues, greens, and purples into your design for a calming e ect, while bright yellows and oranges can help energize the space.

Smart Home Technology: Technology can help you create an environment that is tailored to your needs with automated lighting and temperature control systems, as well as voice-activated assistants like Alexa or Google Home.

Flexible Spaces: Flexible spaces that allow for multiple uses are becoming increasingly popular in wellness design trends for 2023. Consider creating spaces that can be used for di erent activities such as yoga, meditation, or reading depending on your mood or needs at any given time. tw

Windows & Doors By Brownell

Marvin Design Gallery showrooms in West Lebanon, NH and Williston, VT

(603) 298-5555 wdbrownell.com

100% Employee Owned

The use of natural elements can make your space feel warm and welcoming.

So, You Want to Build a House?

TURN TO MASCOMA BANK

We want to build a house! What’s our rst step and how do we pay for our new home?

First of all, congratulations! We recommend you start with a Realtor if you do not already own land, then an architect and builder so you can get a better sense of what the average cost per square foot will be for your construction. A mortgage loan o cer can help you gure out what your approval limit is and start your application for nancing, including identifying all the documents you’ll need. Once you have a location and plans, the bank will work with you to get through the approval process. After your construction loan is approved, you’ll be ready to “dig in” in more ways than one!

Are there any special opportunities from Mascoma Bank that we should know about?

Mascoma Bank has a “One-Step” construction loan. at means you can borrow money to build but have lower interestonly payments during the construction phase of the project and then convert to regular principal and interest payments when you move in. is also means you can lock in the rate for the loan at the beginning of the construction phase and not gamble with the possibility of less desirable rates by the time construction is complete. As you know, with the changing rate climate, that can make a big di erence. Talk to your lender and nd out if this makes sense for you.

How does money from the bank get paid to the builder and contractors?

Your construction package will outline many of the details. If you work with us, our Loan Operations and Investor Servicing (LOIS) department becomes your contact, and you can appoint an agent to act on your behalf to request money from the bank. Once you arrange a payment process, any bill you receive gets submitted to LOIS and payments are made within three business days. e bank will make occasional inspections of the site to ensure the project is moving forward as expected. But it’s important to know that any changes made to the plans that result in higher expenses are paid for by the borrower.

What’s your best advice for a rst-time home builder?

Ask questions! Ask your banker, ask your real estate agent, ask your builder. No one expects you to know all this, and you need to make a lot of decisions, so don’t ever be afraid to ask more questions. ere are a lot of moving pieces in home construction, and you want to have as clear an understanding of the process as possible so that when things don’t go as expected—and this will happen—you can recover quickly and keep the project on track. tw

Spring is a Time to Refresh and Renew...

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Hubert’s Family Outfitters

219 County Road New London, NH (603) 526-4032

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Shepard Interior Selections

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ANICHINI 802

6931 Woodstock Road Quechee, VT (802) 698-8813

www.anichini.com/vermont

Celebrating traditional textiles and craft cultures.

ARC Mechanical Contractors

Serving the Upper Valley in NH VT Since 1947

Lebanon, NH (603) 443-6111

sales@arcmech.com

www.arcmech.com

The Gilded Edge

69 Hanover Street Lebanon, NH (603) 643-2884

www.gildededgeframing.com

100% by appointment only

Wed–Fri 10am–6pm; Sat 10am–5pm

Rodd Roofing

49 Perkins Street St. Johnsbury, VT (800) 331-7663

www.roddroofing.com

Opposite: This great room features a Dorset Large Torch chandelier in weathered iron by Chapman & Myers. Also shown are Dean picture lights in gun metal finish by Alexa Hampton.

This page: The four kitchen pendants are the Greggory Small Lantern in hand-rubbed antique brass finish by J. Randall Powers. Lights both pages are from the Visual Comfort Signature Collection.

BY SUSAN NYE | Photos courtesy of the Lighting Center at Rockingham Electric

Light: it has a tremendous impact on our health and sense of well-being. A beautiful sunrise, a dramatic sunset, or a perfect sunny day can lift our spirits immeasurably. Regardless of the time of day, natural light will always be everyone’s favorite. However, you can create a beautiful light- lled home, one that even mimics natural light, with well-placed xtures and smart technology. e Lighting Center at Rockingham Electric has both the products and the design services to help you.

Founded in 1951, Rockingham Electric has a long history of excellence in providing electrical goods and services. Louis Porrovecchio began the business in his basement to serve the Portsmouth area. Herbert Cli ord bought the company in 1958, and three generations of the Cli ord-Pender family have grown the business to cover New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine with 10 branch locations and more than 100 associates.

Known for its integrity, reliability, and dedication to its customers, Rockingham Electric began a new chapter last fall when it was purchased by NorthEast Electrical, a subsidiary of the Sonepar Group. Sonepar is an independent family-owned company and a global leader in electrical products, services, and solutions.

Above: Visual Comfort Forma table lamp in bronze with a white shade. The bathroom pendant is the Staccato large mini pendant in dark smoke finis by Hubbardton Forge

Right: e oyer eatures t e rystorama aly so eig t lig t crystal teardro c andelier in ibrant bron e finis e Dauphine sconces are in aged iron finis it natural paper shades from the Visual Comfort Signature Collection.

e o fice is ig lig ted b t e onos edi antern in aged iron finis b ap an ers. all sconces are inear ort antern in bron e b ap an ers. ot st les are ro t e is al o ort ignat re ollection.

COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION

Like most companies in the building trades, the Lighting Center has been extremely busy over the past few years. e pandemic as well as concern for climate change has led to population growth throughout the Upper Valley and Kearsarge-Sunapee region. Teleworkers and retirees as well as second home buyers are ocking to the area and its wonderful lakes and mountains. Whether a cosmetic remodel, gut renovation, or new build, the Lighting Center is ready to help residents create the home of their dreams.

Cindy Milne and all the designers at the Lighting Center can provide expert design and technical advice and plans. “It’s a collaborative process with the homeowners, builder, electrician, designer, and architect,” says Cindy—one that starts with the homeowners. Cindy says, “Communication is critical. We listen to their needs and wants and develop an understanding of their space, lifestyle, tastes, and budget. From there, we can introduce them to what’s available as well as what’s new and exciting in the industry.” Once

“Homeowners are moving back to gold and brass nishes as well as natural wood. In addition, they are veering away from white and gray to bolder, more saturated color and organic shapes.”

View of the Newington showroom.

Cindy understands all the moving parts, she develops an architectural lighting plan. After a bit of tweaking with the homeowner, Cindy checks with the builder and electrician to ensure that everything will work.

EVOLVING TRENDS

When it comes to aesthetics, Cindy is still seeing considerable interest in modern farmhouse. A style known for shiplap, white furniture, clear glass, black and gold accents, and white or gray walls, urban designers have been signaling its demise for a while. However, homeowners are saying, “Not so fast.” Instead of dead and gone, this comfortable and cozy look is evolving to become more re ned and a bit more modern.

That said, owners of higher-end custom homes are turning to what Cindy calls modern traditional. Classical lines and nishes are in great demand. She says, “Homeowners are moving back to gold and brass nishes as well as natural wood. In addition, they are veering away from white and gray to bolder, more saturated color and organic shapes.”

In large homes, pendants and chandeliers are oversized to t high ceilings and big spaces. While New Hampshire residents tend to steer away from crystal chandeliers, they are embracing wood and new woven materials.

SMART SOLUTIONS

e biggest trend in lighting today is not the size of the pendant over your kitchen island or shade material in the living room. While these important design details shouldn’t to be overlooked, smart technology is perhaps the hottest thing to happen to lighting since Edison’s carbon- lament bulb.

Instead of wandering all over the house turning lights on and o , homeowners can control everything, both indoors and outdoors, with an app on their phone. You’ll never have to worry about returning to a dark house when your meeting runs late or the tra c is backed up on 93 or 89.

On top of central control, smart, multifunctional lighting can be adapted to both the room and the task at hand. Our homes are working harder these days. e kitchen needs to be brightly lit for homework and toned down

FAMILY OWNED FOR TWO GENERATIONS

We’re proud to be a family owned local business. We’re dedicated to our community and our loyal customers.

Stop into the showroom to browse our extensive product selection today!

for dinner. e lights in the family room need to go down for a movie, up a bit for drinks by the re with friends, and up even more for book club. Programable voiceactivated lighting allows you to change multiple xtures with ease.

THE PERFECT AMBIENCE

LED lights continue to grow in popularity. Not only are they energy e cient but they also bring exibility to the design to create more beautiful and useful spaces. LED lights can be programmed to change tone throughout the day. Cooler blue tones wake you up in the morning, while warmer hues help you relax at the end of the day. Recessed ceiling lights illuminate the entire room, while under-cabinet light strips provide task lighting. Light strips are also great for hidden indirect lighting when installed in bookcases, tray or co ered ceilings, and crown moldings. Add a few beautiful lamps for a cozy and artful ambience.

Whether you are looking at a new build or a renovation, avoid the temptation to order a bunch of xtures and ttings online. Too often, what looked wonderful in the photographs turns out to be too large or small, too dark or light, the color is wrong, the xture is imsy, or you can’t get the smart technology to work. The highly trained designers at the Lighting Center will ask the right questions to provide you with a space that is not only unique and personal but incredibly functional. tw

The Lighting Center at Rockingham Electric 221 Washington Street, Claremont, NH (603) 542-8711

437 Shattuck Way, Newington, NH (603) 436-2310

rockinghamlightingcenter.com

- ARENAS -

- PLAY STRUCTURES -

- Delivery throughout the USA -

SOLD

In the Market to Buy or Sell a Home?

LINDEMAC REAL ESTATE CAN HELP

e 2023 real estate market in the Upper Valley Region is o to a strong start, but tight inventory conditions still persist in most price ranges. Even with rising interest rates and rising home prices, there is still a very strong buyer demand right now, especially in the modestly priced homes (600K and less). It is not clear yet if the generally high prices of the last several years will continue to rise as a result of high buyer demand and low inventory or if we will see some market stabilization.

e majority of national headlines expect a downturn in the housing market, but just like selecting the right house, it is all about the location. e Upper Valley region is a unique market that doesn’t always follow the national trends. Coming o from the year 2022, where the average sales price was up almost 30 percent in the Upper Valley, we are expecting another robust market throughout 2023. However, prices will eventually need to normalize.

REAL ESTATE BY LINDE MCNAMARA $1,995,000 $2,500,000 SOLD $1,415,000 44 South Main Street, Hanover, NH (603) 643-4900 lindemac.com

Mark Aiken

REAL LOG HOMES

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF TIMELESS HOMES

GREEN GABLES

By

and Tamar Chalker Photos courtesy of Real Log Homes

Photo by Epic Foto

For Ben Gooch, owner of O.R. Gooch & Son, log homes are not just his specialty but a family tradition that started with his grandfather. While ipping through a hunting magazine one day in 1963, Oscar Gooch came across an ad for a package from Real Log Homes (then known as Vermont Log Buildings). Jesse Ware had designed and built a log home for himself and started to market packages that included precut logs and a design the owner could follow to build their own house. Oscar was excited by this prospect and soon set about constructing his log home across the street from the local country store, which he owned.

In those early days, modern tools like air guns were not widely available, so Oscar began this rst project with hammers and eight-penny nails. When he nished, he not only had a new home but a new career. Ben recalls his grandfather enjoying the process and concept behind building houses like this, so he soon began selling and constructing them. is led to Oscar becoming one of the rst independent representatives for Real Log Homes, and Ben has followed in his footsteps.

Jim Driesch Ben Gooch

“I’ve been in this business for so long, I’ve seen the good and the bad,” he says. “I use Real Log Homes because they stand behind their products and their designs really work.” Ben knows this not just through his work but in his daily life. His father sold a home in Nottingham, New Hampshire, in 1972 and helped the homeowner build it, a project Ben remembers. In 2001, Ben bought that very house and continues to live there to this day.

An Explosion of Interest

Jesse Ware started Real Log Homes in 1963, when he built his home using the white pines on a plot of land in Hartland, Vermont. In 1975, Jim Driesch began working in the design department. “ ere was just an explosion of interest in log homes,” says Jim. is stemmed from a backto-the-land movement that emerged in the 1970s. “Tons of people were moving into rural areas. ey were trying to simplify, and they could buy a package that included precut logs, windows, and doors.”

Soon the business began to expand nationally, precipitating the business’s name change. “Vermont was great for marketing to local areas, but they needed a national brand identity, so they began to promote the brand as Real Log Homes,” explains Joelle Taylor, the company’s marketing director. Bill Silverstein of WHS Homes currently owns Real Log Homes, along with sister companies Timberpeg and American Post and Beam.

Opposite and above: Designed for large gatherings of friends and family, the Green Gables has an open concept with four bedrooms and a large loft with additional bunk beds.

Photos by Epic Foto.

“Your home is the biggest purchase in your life,” says Ben. “It doesn’t cost any more to customize and get exactly what you want.”

GREEN GABLES

GREEN GABLES

A STORIED HISTORY

Top: Founder Jesse Ware started Vermont Log Buildings, now Real Log Homes, after building his own log home in Hartland, Vermont. Once friends and neighbors saw what he had done, they began asking if he could do the same for them, and the rest is history!

Bottom: Henry Merritt, Jesse Ware’s partner in founding the business. Photos by Sherman Howe, r first ublis ed in Vermont Life magazine.

RIDGEVIEW

SUDBURY

Photos by Danny Klorman

Photos by Rich Frutchey

Photos by GBH Photography

Jim Driesch (right) reviews plans with clients.

Of course, the scope of business has changed quite a bit over the last 60 years. For example, very few homeowners are planning on doing the building themselves. Instead, Real Log Homes now has a network of independent representatives throughout the country, including builders like Ben, who sell the packages. “Any builder or construction company can build them,” says Jim. Over time, the plans and designs have become more complex. Not only did building codes grow stricter, but by the 1980s, customers were requesting more intricate and high-end oorplans. With typical New England ingenuity, the company adapted with the times, and today they boast a wide range of designs. Whether following one of their predesigned plans or creating something custom, the homes are truly stunning. “Your home is the biggest purchase in your life,” says Ben. “It doesn’t cost any more to customize and get exactly what you want.”

Cutting Edge

While log homes certainly are not new, this doesn’t mean they can’t be cutting edge. Looking at the various design options Real Log Homes has available, you can see the creativity possible with a log home. For example, the Ridgeview is an elegant ranch-style design that features a Classic Appalachian log pro le and cathedral ceilings with timber rafters. Meanwhile, the Tipton is a cape-style mountain home that utilizes scissor-trusses in its massive front entry and a V-Groove log pro le to complement the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountain range.

e beauty of log homes isn’t con ned just to their aesthetic, but to their functionality. O.R. Gooch & Son’s model home is a 3,800-square-foot building that utilizes radiant heating on two oors to help hold the heat, an important trait for a house in Epping, New Hampshire. Using neoprene foam to keep the wind and cold out, Ben has been able to keep the building’s annual propane bill under $2,000, an impressive feat for a building that also houses a salon that requires a lot of hot water. Ben also praises Real Log Homes’ joinery system, which features a lock spline made of PVC where the logs come together. “Others will use caulking, which can fail,” he says.

at joinery is the product of decades of experience developing and designing log homes made to stand up to the elements. e use of the computer numerical control (CNC) cutting machine, also known as the Hundegger, is a cutting-edge

SUDBURY

technology that allows Real Log Homes to create unique and beautiful buildings. “All of the dovetailed corner notches and cope corner notches are cut with this,” Jim says. “It gives us the ability to do more complex roof systems with valley rafters and trusses.” e Hundegger ensures that everything ts, which “makes a big di erence for builders in the eld when we have everything precut,” he adds. “I don’t know of other [log] companies using the CNC machines like we are.”

The Joy of a Log Home

“For me, the most rewarding thing is just the joy that these homes bring people,” says Ben. For Jim, who studied architecture in college, it has been the opportunity to work with homeowners. “When I was in college, I thought I’d spend my life in an architecture rm, stuck in an o ce,” he says. “Here, there was this whole other avenue to work with homeowners and be a designer.”

Real Log Homes’ longevity illustrates the lasting appeal of log homes, and the use of cutting-edge technology ensures a quality product. “We pay attention to the details,” says Jim. “ e amount of engineering and e ort is top of the line. e joinery is precise. Everything ts together, works well, and stays airtight.”

“As one of the oldest log home companies in the industry, it is amazing to me that this all started with one person who built his own log home,” says Joelle. “When I drive around the Upper Valley and see one of the original Vermont Log Homes (and there are hundreds, if not thousands of them just in Vermont and New Hampshire alone), I realize just how timeless these homes are.” tw

WOLFEBORO

Photo by RLH Staff

Luxurious bedding from the Global Textiles Collection includes a Tibetan-inspired coverlet woven in India, handmade sheeting from Tuscany, and hand-quilted silk velvet pillows from Vietnam.

BY E. SENTEIO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LYNN BOHANNON

ANICHINI: Life Lived Lavishly

EXPLORE, TOUCH, SEE, AND BE INSPIRED

Anichini shoppers are in the market for luxury. is select group enters the retail space in Quechee, Vermont, not only to shop but to curate an exclusive and unique sensory experience.

Anichini (anna-key-nee) is a global brand of exquisite topof-the-line luxury textiles. e 4,000-square-foot showroom is plush with high-end luxuries for bed, bath, dining, and lavish living. You’ll nd throws, sheets, quilts, shams, pillows, napkins, towels, scarves, robes, rugs, tapestries, and sundry other forms of opulence. You can purchase fabric by the yard or one-of-akind furnishings that your family will love and your friends will envy. However, what customers are really buying are collectibles. ey want items of the highest quality to enjoy and display that re ect their lifestyles and can be passed on to their children and grandchildren. “Whenever you produce something of quality, it lasts a long time,” says founder Susan Dollenmaier. “ e textiles we sell are distinctively luxurious, customizable, and durable. It’s not unusual to get an email from a customer wanting to replace a set of sheets they bought from us 15 years ago or to buy another cover like the one they bought 25 years ago.”

Anichini is not simply a store. It’s a sumptuous showroom resplendent with nery: colors dazzle and soothe, It’s where you find something you’re not expecting and aren’t going to find anywhere else.

textures comfort and exhilarate. It’s Only Natural

While styles and trends in the industry may change, quality never goes out of fashion. As shoppers become more discerning, Susan says, “ ere’s been a big shift to natural fibers and fabrics, which means people are getting used to wrinkles. A more natural, relaxed look is de nitely gaining in popularity.” It’s reminiscent, she says, of when “everything had to be pressed, pants with sharp creases, ironed shirts, then they started wearing linen clothes. It’s cyclical. But I’m not sure in my lifetime if we’ll ever see a return to a super formal lifestyle.” Right now, it’s all about lush, breathable fabrics, hand-stitched designs, and dye-free bers weaving together to create an air of stylish, natural comfort.

With this trend toward natural products, customers also want accountability and sustainability. “My customer is much more concerned than in the past about where products come from,” says Susan. Is it certi ed organic and humane? “ ey want to know that all the processes that go into creating that textile follows greener, sustainable production guidelines.”

Susan has watched trends and styles cycle through in the decades she’s been in the industry. Over the years, she’s had locations in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, and West Lebanon. But by 2017, Susan had made the decision to consolidate in Vermont. e vast Quechee retail space is currently the only brick-and-mortar store and showroom. Still, Anichini remains far-reaching and prominent with an eyecatching, robust online presence.

Around the World and Back Again

Locally or via the Internet, Anichini o ers a broad selection of hand-stitched and loom-woven items made by traditionally skilled craftspeople worldwide. However, what Susan says makes her “very proud” is that many other pieces draping, gracing, and brightening Anichini are made domestically at the workshop in Tunbridge, Vermont.

Yet, always striving for superior quality and re ned design, Anichini textiles are sourced from around the world. “We originally sourced in Italy, then spread out to Europe. But the concept of a global collection came into being on its own because I believe every country and culture has its own textile specialty.” Susan is currently excited about Anichini’s new collection of Wild Wools sourced from Nepal. “It’s wool that’s sustainably gathered from yak and camel and then made into yarns that we make into gorgeous things. It’s absolutely fantastic and 100 percent natural.”

Does It Bring You Joy?

Each item is chosen to delight and surprise, just as a recent addition to Anichini nery did for Susan. “I’ve never considered myself a fan of velvet. But I connected with this one man in Vietnam who’s making these beautiful pieces for us. All hand-quilted in the most outrageous, vibrant colors. I brought a couple of the pillows home, and I love them. Like I said, I never saw myself as a velvet person. But I do now.”

Susan wants to create that same type of experience for every Anichini customer. She feels a sense of responsibility: “We develop the products, and therefore, my sensibility runs through what we sell. My tastes are di erent now than 40 years ago, but I still have an appreciation for things that were developed 40 years ago. ey wouldn’t necessarily be in the collection today. But some things that customers still ask for and love have been around since the beginning.”

A Stitch in Time

In part, this sense of the past informing the present brought Susan to the industry. She can’t pinpoint why or when her love of textiles began, yet she has vivid childhood memories of her grandmother surrounded by cuts of fabric laid out on the oor in her sewing room. “She was a seamstress and taught me to sew. I can’t not be attracted to textiles; I just love them. I have a strong attraction in general to history and

antiques. Textiles were one of the earliest inventions. First, we had fur and leather. en ultimately, they gured out how to start weaving with crude vegetation.” Now Anichini is part of the legacy. Susan will tell you she is a child of the ’60s and ’70s. “I started going to thrift shops during my Annie Hall period. I wore vintage clothing. But even before that I always collected textiles. I had a good eye for it and an interest in it.” Previously a social worker in Vermont, Susan says, “I just woke up one day and said, ‘I can’t do this anymore.’” A week after leaving her job, she recalls, “Many of the vintage clothes I wore I’d purchased at the ea market. I went to the same ea market, set up a table, and started selling. My time there was more important than an MBA. e turning point came when I bought something in the morning and sold it in the afternoon. en a friend suggested I could buy stu here and sell it wholesale in New York, and that’s what I did.” All

(silk) roads led to Anichini.

Touch Me in the Morning

The name Anichini is a remnant of a long-defunct partnership, Susan says, but the quality, selection, and possibilities expanded and ourished, attracting an elite and exclusive clientele. Life has changed since her nascent days selling thrift from a ea market stall to Anichini luxury items gracing the homes of celebrities “whose names you’d recognize, but I won’t share for privacy,” to decorating some of the top upscale resorts and hotels. These hospitality hosts want their guests to sleep and wake in luxury and comfort, be pampered in the bath, and be surrounded by beauty and style. e Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland, Waldorf-Astoria in New York, Bellagio in Las Vegas, Twin Farms in Vermont, and Mandarin Oriental Global are just a few indulgent clients who have chosen Anichini to provide world-class accommodations for their guests.

Founder Susan Dollenmaier is happy to be surrounded by her collection of rare and traditional textiles.

Whether it’s a hotel or a cottage, a table or a bed, a prewashed linen sheet set that you never have to iron, or a set of colorful and wild sheets, says Susan, “We’ve got something for everybody. Often, someone comes in who has a family member or friend in a nursing home or somewhere, and they buy a cashmere throw to put over their lap. at always makes me happy. Because it’s a vibe thing. To be covered with a cashmere throw or blanket is truly a special moment.” A hand-loomed six-ply wa e-weave cashmere blanket is one of Susan’s favorite things in the store right now. “We also have this amazing collection of washable silk in all kinds of shading. And millennials our loving our at-weave linen towels and robes. ey’re environmentally conscious and beautiful.”

Crème de la Crème

Some customers enter the store with a very specific need, Susan says, but a lot just come in to browse. “ ey’re looking to see what catches their eye. And they’ll say things like, ‘It gives me so much pleasure just to be in your space and look at all these beautiful things.’”

Anichini is not simply a store. It’s a sumptuous showroom resplendent with nery: colors dazzle and soothe, textures comfort and exhilarate. It’s where you nd something you’re not expecting and aren’t going to nd anywhere else. It’s about having what you want customized to your personal style and taste. Susan invites customers to stop by to see what inspires and excites them. Maybe you’ll spot the perfect meditation pillow or an all-natural dye-free blanket for your newborn. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, ask. ere are products in the store that aren’t available on the website. Susan wants people to explore, touch, see, and luxuriate. But whether you access Anichini through a door or a website, she says, it is where you will nd only “the best of the best.” tw

Anichini 802

6931 Woodstock Road Quechee, VT

(802) 698-8813

anichini.com

Be Ready to Buy or Sell

COUNT ON SOUND ADVICE AND SUPPORT FROM SNYDER DONEGAN REAL ESTATE GROUP

What attracts out-of-town buyers to the Upper Valley as a place to relocate?

ere’s an undeniable charm to the Upper Valley that attracts families and businesses alike. e area o ers good people, good schools, and strong, safe communities. e natural beauty with seemingly endless recreational options is also a huge draw for people looking to escape more crowded areas for a simpler way of life.

How can you advise customers with what you see for the rest of 2023?

e advice we are giving to buyers is to be ready. Get your nancials together so that is in place. And get to know the area as much as possible so when a new property becomes available, you are ready—in every sense of the word—to make a strong o er quickly. Working with a Snyder Donegan agent who knows exactly what you want and do not want will help, as you have local eyes and ears on the ground for you. As for sellers, the market pace has not slowed down, so you are still in a great position to market and sell your property.

Tell us about your commitment to support community causes.

Part of what makes this area so special is the closeness and authenticity of our communities.

It’s the essence of our cultural fabric. And since every agent in our rm doesn’t just do business here but actually lives within these communities, many having children in the school systems, we have a vested interest in seeing them thrive and succeed. We see it as our privilege and responsibility as a company to support and contribute to their well-being.

You are selectively seeking talented agents. What attributes make for a good t with the Snyder Donegan team?

Our agents get highest marks for integrity, trustworthiness, and professionalism, so those are of utmost importance when considering new additions to the team. Our expectation of agents in every transaction is that they give excellent advice and counsel to our clients every step of the way, from the early discussions on property pricing, timing, and staging/ photography/marketing through to o ers and negotiations, and ultimately to a smooth sale and closing. We assist our agents with excellent advice and support whenever they need it. Compared to bigger companies with nonlocal ownership that hire mid-level managers to do oversight of agents in the area, our owners are hands-on in the business and very supportive of each and every member of our team. tw

David Donegan, Owner

John Snyder, Owner

15 Pleasant Street, Woodstock, Vermont.

29 Rope Ferry Road, Hanover, New Hampshire.

A South Boston Soake Pool is set into rustic landscape with reclaimed cobblestones and native plant materials. Landscape design by Nawada Landscape Design.

Photo by Jon Caron Art.

BY MARY GOW PHOTOS COURTESY OF SOAKE POOLS

YEAR-ROUND LUXURY INYOUR OWN BACKYARD

Earth, air, re, and water—the four classical elements—have long been recognized for their synergy in personal and aesthetic balance. is quartet is the foundation of healing practices in cultures around the world. Embracing them in our home landscapes engages our senses and o ers connections to our surroundings, people around us, and our inner lives.

Soake Pools, a growing New Hampshire company, o ers elegant new options to incorporate and experience water in home landscapes—joining the earth and air of our environment and the re of the sun and outdoor repits or replaces. Serene plunge pools, adjustable for warm or cool water temperatures, serve as visual focal points and gathering places. Soake’s plunge pools and new garden tubs also o er the sublime experience of pampering our bodies in the bliss of our homes’ outdoors.

Left: A modern full backyard renovation with a Soake Pool in Boulder, Colorado. Photo by Murphy Foto Imagery.

Above: Beautiful patio and yard design around a Soake ool in Fairfield onnecticut Landscape design and photo by Outdoor Design & Living.

BRINGING PLUNGE POOLS TO THE UPPER VALLEY

Plunge pools—small, deep bodies of water for soaking—have been around for millennia. Columned pools of Knossos on Crete and alabaster tubs of Akrotiri in Santorini date from the second millennium BCE. e Romans elevated plunging and bathing, expanding baths’ social, recreational, and therapeutic roles.

A decade ago, Karen and Brian Larson, captivated by their plunge pool experience at a resort, decided that they wanted one at their home. ey soon discovered that what they envisioned—not a large swimming pool, not a hot tub—was not available. “We were in love with the concept of small pools and there wasn’t anybody out there making them. So we created a product that didn’t exist because we wanted one. We tested it at our own house and we were in love with it. We thought maybe others would be, too,” says Karen about the couple’s cofounding of Soake Pools. Indeed, many, many others love them too. Since the company’s 2014 launch, Soake pools have been installed around the country and beyond, from Washington state to Turks and Caicos.

says Karen. She notes that with plantings, waterfalls, decks, and other landscape features, every one becomes unique. With their compact size, they fit into backyards and urban spaces as well as in expansive grounds.

AN EXTRAORDINARY CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

Function, beauty, and ease of installation were central to the Larsons’ vision from the beginning. ey worked with engineers to design a precast pool that was suitable for above- or in-ground installation. “We designed them not only to be a small body of water but to be very elegant.” e pools’ interiors are nished in luxury tile, installed by local New Hampshire tile artisans before the pools are shipped.

“ e possibilities of how you nish the outside are in nite,” says Karen. She notes that with plantings, waterfalls, decks, and other landscape features, every one becomes unique. With their compact size, they t into backyards and urban spaces as well as in expansive grounds.

Soake’s standard plunge pools, seven by thirteen feet, which will hold a water level of four and a half feet, are transported by truck to the homeowners’ site. Because the fabrication, tiling, ltration, heating, and control systems are ready to go when they are shipped, installation usually only takes a couple of days. Conscientious service and attention to detail are central to Soake’s products

“The possibilities of how you finish the outside are infinite,”

and process. “We want the customer service experience to be extraordinary,” says Karen, noting that the Soake team works closely with homeowners as they make decisions on tile, systems, and site work. “Our team is fun and lively. By the end of a project most homeowners have gotten to know ve or six of us.”

NEW OPTIONS

With their depth, Soake plunge pools are ample for aqua aerobics and swimming in place. “ ere is plenty of room for multiple people. Yet their small size is very e cient for heating and they are easy to cover,” says Karen. With heating systems that can go to 104 degrees, the pools can be enjoyed year-round, even in New England. With their saltwater ltration system, the pools’ water is gentle on the skin and has a soft, silky feeling rather than the heavy chlorine of many pools.

e Larsons have recently added two new vessels to their lineup, the (Hip to Be) Square and the Garden Tub. e seven-by-seven-foot (Hip to Be) Square has underwater seating on all four sides and is not as deep as the original plunge pool; you sit and soak rather than stand. “It still has the same gorgeous hand-tiled porcelain interior but is more spa-like and is designed to be used in a more spa-like way,” says Karen.

e Garden Tub, a smaller, more intimate, above-ground piece, was unveiled at the Philadelphia Flower Show in March. “We were inspired by ancient watering troughs, like the one in the atrium at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum,” says Karen, noting its oral motif. “We wanted to have something as beautiful as that and that was also something you could use in your own garden.”

Designed for bathing, the Garden Tub is lled and drained with each use. “We are excited about how people are going to create hidden spaces and little private settings where you can go and literally take a bath in your garden on a hot summer day, just sit there in nature and enjoy being in this beautiful vessel,” says Karen.

“We look at ourselves as an outdoor living company. We are part of people’s backyard outdoor living space,” says Karen. tw

Left and below right: Forbo Marmoleum Click Cinch LOC Seal can be combined in custom patterns. This product is warm and quiet and is made primarily of renewable resources. It is antistatic, repelling dust and dirt.

Bottom left: Cosmic from the Pottery collection is from WOW tile, imported from Europe and distributed exclusively to specialty dealers throughout the US. See the line at Valley Floors.

Right: Dash and Albert, an Annie Selkie company based in Massachusetts, designs area rugs ready-made or in custom sizes and accessories in collaboration with some of the hottest names in home design.

Opposite: WOW Tile’s Mestizaje, pronounced, mesti-za-je, meaning fusion of the imperfect and the natural, is a nod to Zellige tile of North Africa in a charming blend of shades and textures. Here is Zellige in aqua with Chateau ite gloss on t e floor

BY MARY GOW PHOTOS COURTESY OF VALLEY FLOORS

STEP INTO BEAUTY

Bold, bright, textured, geometric, unexpected! Floors are stepping out these days with verve. Instead of staying neutrally in the background, oors are resoundingly another canvas for homeowners’ expression. Rugs as artwork, fresh dimensions and patterns of tiles, curves, geometric patterns, and colors you love are all among 2023’s trends to make your oors as personal as the rest of your home.

“Folks are making their spaces their own, more than I have ever seen. People know what they like and what they dislike,” says Ryan Chase, owner of Valley Floors in Bradford. “Homeowners are introducing their own likes and style with customization.”

Founded by Ryan’s father Dean Chase, Valley Floors has been serving the region for 40 years. Dedicated to a tradition of exceptional quality in products and service, Valley Floors has a fulltime team of more than 20 employees. “Our mission is to provide the best value and the latest in ooring innovation and products—with superior customer service from the friendliest, most competent associates in the industry,” says Ryan.

MAKE A STATEMENT WITH CUSTOMIZATION

Two particularly exciting trends in ooring now are in tiling and in rugs and carpet, Ryan explains. “We are seeing a lot of customization with ceramic tile. ere are so many styles and patterns and colors. Yes, there are neutrals with wood grain and luxury vinyl tiles, but also a lot of fun, bright colors, and that’s what folks want.”

TURN TO VALLEY FLOORS FOR THE LATEST DESIGN CHOICES

Ryan says that they have particularly been seeing accents including kitchen backsplashes, hearths, and replace surrounds transform as focal points of the home. While in the past brick and stone were the materials of choice around replaces, now homeowners are opting for tile. And they have choices—connecting to the palette of the room, making bold pattern statements, sometimes homeowners have tiles with particularly personal connections, hand-painted tiles collected during travels, or selections of imported tile from favorite places.

SIZE, TEXTURE, AND PATTERN

A feast of new tile dimensions enlivens surfaces. Larger—much larger—tiles for oors and walls and elongated tiles visually—and tactilely—surprise. “Rather than the three-by-six-inch traditional subway tile, you can use the same o set pattern but with two-by-eight or even one-bytwelve-inch tiles, and have a completely new look,” says Ryan.

Besides their fabulous range of color, tile oors are also bursting with pattern. Vintage checkerboard oors are back in black and white or other pairings. Curves, hexagons, botanic-inspired shapes, and mosaic-like compositions usher in today’s trendsetting style.

With hardwood oors, Ryan is seeing more interest in un nished hardwood planks than pre nished hardwood. e un nished wood, mostly local, is available in longer and wider dimensions. Luxury vinyl plank oors continue to be popular. A wide variety of dimensions, wood style grains, other styles, and colors are available.

Price, ease of installation, and durability are among their advantages.

CARPET UNDERFOOT

Many people enjoy stepping out of bed onto a soft, plush carpet—as well as in other locations throughout the house— so Valley Floors continues to install this popular option often. “Today’s carpet is not the plain beige broadloom carpet that we have all installed for so many years,” Ryan says. “ e carpet world has created some really fun patterns, colors, and textures and has stepped out of the plain-Jane game to create some nice products on the higher-end tiers,” he says. ese can include accent area rugs, stair runners, and hallway pieces. “Even in homes that are putting down beautiful hardwood or ceramic tile, we see that they want a soft surface, and it adds another decorating piece.”

Ryan continues, “ ese are not premade six-by-nine-foot area rugs. ese are a broadloom piece of carpet that we cut to the dimensions of your space so you have matching carpet under the dining room table, in front of the entry door, and in front of the replace. We cut and bind it in-house so it ts your space exactly.” People are opting for fun colors and prints. “We’re seeing everything from tiger prints to annel block patterns—an entire array of cool designs.” tw

Valley Floors

515 Waits River Road Bradford, VT

(802) 222-9611

alleyfloorsinc com

This bathroom features Fobo Marmoleum® Cinch LOC in Black Glacier.

BY KATHERINE P. COX PHOTOS COURTESY OF BETHEL MILLS

MAKE THE HUB OF YOUR HOME FUNCTIONAL

KITCHEN TRENDS FROM BETHEL MILLS

The kitchen is the hub of the home, where busy families gather, dine, entertain, and even work. Today more than ever a stylish kitchen that meets all those needs is in demand, but a remodel or renovation can be costly. It’s an important investment in your home, and working with a professional can help in choosing designs that are on trend, functional, timeless, and t your lifestyle. With open-concept homes, the kitchen is central to the rest of the house, and its visibility requires a distinctive statement that focuses on function, comfort, and style.

e National Kitchen and Bath Association, which predicts trends in kitchen design and products, says that in 2023, homeowners want kitchens that are multifunctional to meet all their lifestyle needs. ey see expanded spaces dominating kitchen designs, with larger islands for food prep, dining, entertaining, and work, and pantries and butler pantries extending the kitchen’s functionality.

COLOR AND SIMPLICITY

One of the biggest trends for 2023 is color, according to national design experts, especially blues and greens either for cabinets or accents in an all-white kitchen. Upper cabinets in a di erent color from the lower cabinets and island are gaining on white kitchens. Warm wood will also be popular, they say, and countertops are moving away from the dark granites of the past. Sleeker cabinet styles, creative and expanded storage solutions, and concealed appliances are all forecast to appear in kitchens this year.

In the Upper Valley, Tina Glosser, kitchen and bath designer at Bethel Mills in Bethel, says 90 percent of the kitchens she sees are still all white—“that doesn’t go out of style”— though black cabinets and warm woods are coming back. Simple cabinets with slab doors with rustic features are popular here. “It ts the area,” she says. “Wood has a lot of character,” and rustic styles leave in some of the imperfections. “We’re seeing warm, nutmeg colors, and the natural blonde Scandinavian look never goes out of style.”

Simple cabinet door styles provide a contemporary look, with slab or Shaker styles prevailing, Tina says. “Sometimes people like to do a bold countertop and simple, clean lines

Textured melamine wood grain looks great with classic white easy-maintenance quartz with a modern thicker built u edge rofile paired with a classic bric tile bac

las Texture and pattern create interest with a so t color

Far left and left: Ultracraft Frameless Cabinetry in Metropolis door style with a Sil er Elm finis

s

alette

Far left and below: Ultracraft Frameless Cabinetry in the Evanston door style with a latinum ray finis t’s a traditional armouse style in used it an industrial fla or it arm oods and mi ed metals

Right:

on the cabinetry and let the countertop take center stage.” An example might be a natural granite top with huge veins and a laminate door style. Muted countertops that veer away from the dark, busy patterns of the past prevail in national trend forecasts, with quartz or quartzite favored for its clean look and ease of maintenance. In this area, Tina says countertops tend to be classic, mimicking marble.

ISLANDS AND BACKSPLASHES

Islands, long a mainstay in today’s kitchens, are undergoing a subtle transformation as a design centerpiece and multifunctional core. One National Kitchen and Bath Association member says double islands—one for cooking and meal prep, another for work, dining, and family activities—are guring into kitchens that are large enough to accommodate them. Islands are also where people tend to gather, whether for family night or entertaining. ey can be elegant as well as functional, and designers say one way to achieve this is with a dramatic waterfall countertop, where the top seamlessly continues down the sides. Architectural details that make the island look more like furniture can also add elegance.

Backsplashes are another area getting renewed attention and making their own

statement in the kitchen. “Backsplashes are getting more bold,” Tina says. “We’re seeing wallpaper trends, which is kind of interesting, in a big, bold scale, and orals and nature-inspired patterns rather than geometrics.” Still classic, she says, are oversized subway tiles and playing with patterns, such as herringbone. Other people like to go with something colorful, she says, and tiles that have texture. Large backsplashes such as marble make a stunning statement and are a 2023 favorite.

STORAGE IS KEY

Organization is key to kitchen functionality, and more drawers for storing everything from atware to dishes and pots and pans are guring in today’s designs. “People are leaning toward more drawers because it offers more storage capacity,” Tina says. With drawers absorbing some of the items that would go into upper cabinets, open shelves are a big trend and o er an airy, open look to today’s kitchens. ey are also a budgetfriendly alternative to upper cabinets.

ey’re a perfect place to display plants, favorite barware, and collectable pottery.

One fun area where color is popping up is the kitchen range, Tina says, with a variety of colors o ered by appliance companies. Other appliances, such as the refrigerator

and dishwasher, can blend into the cabinets with paneled fronts to match the cabinets.

Experts say creative lighting will be a central feature in kitchens with large pendants and stylish designs. In addition to oversize statement lighting, Tina says the trend she’s seeing is undercounter lighting, “and a big, big trend is not to do any upper lighting and to light your shelves with accented lighting.”

Remodeling or renovating a kitchen in 2023 can be a sizable investment, depending on the amount of work that is to be done. If there are no major changes, such as moving walls, and electrical and plumbing features are not being moved, Tina says it could cost $30,000 for a new kitchen. If it’s a full overhaul of the space, it could go from $50,000 to $70,000, depending on the work involved. Keep in mind that you’re investing in something that adds value to your home, Tina says, and will bring pleasure for many years to come.

Bethel Mills has very talented designers who are eager to assist with your project. Visit with Lindsey Vladyka, Steven Allen, Melissa Hood, or Tina

tw

Bethel Mills 40 Marsh Meadow Road Bethel, VT (802) 234-9951

bethelmills.com

Glosser.

Left: Framed StarMark Cabinetry in the Bonita door style in a Blueberry and ite finis lassic quartz marble-look countertops with a herringbone tile and colored grout.

Framed StarMark Cabinetry Shaker doors along with a consistent flooring color gi es the room warmth. A mix of a classic farmhouse sink, subway tiles, and modern clean-line cabinetry is the perfect modern mix for the Upper Valley.

Exceptional, Local, and Personalized Service

SUGAR RIVER BANK IS YOUR HOMETOWN COMMUNITY BANK

Why should someone choose Sugar River Bank for their nancing needs?

Sugar River Bank is proudly celebrating its 128th anniversary this year. We are the local hometown community bank and, as a mutual institution, are owned by our depositors, not shareholders. is means we cannot be bought or sold. Also, in most cases, we can lend anywhere in the states of New Hampshire and Vermont.

Our lending sta all live in the communities that we serve and have several years of experience in the industry. All loan decisions are made locally. Most loans that we originate are serviced right in our main o ce in Newport, New Hampshire, not by a third party located in another state.

Our interest rates and closing costs are competitive and we o er a wide array of mortgage products tailored to t a borrower’s needs. You can apply for a mortgage online. We o er six convenient branch locations, all with drive-up facilities, and all calls are answered in person by one of our friendly sta .

What is the di erence between a home equity line of credit (HELOC) and home equity loan?

Both products are secured by a mortgage lien on the borrower’s home. A HELOC is a revolving line of credit with an established credit limit. e interest rate generally adjusts after the initial xedrate period. ese loans are exible. e

term of the line of credit is generally 10 years with a minimum monthly payment of interest only based on the amount outstanding. e borrower may make principal payments at any time. A home equity loan has a xed interest rate until maturity. e full amount is disbursed when the loan closes. Payments of both principal and interest are paid monthly over a 10-year term.

What are some ways to leverage the equity in your home?

e HELOC and home equity loan are two of the most common ways to utilize some homeowner equity. Now is a great time to contact one of our Mortgage Loan Originators to discuss the best option for you.

What types of loans are available to borrowers buying a home that is a xer-upper?

Sugar River Bank has several program options to nance these properties. For more signi cant repairs, a construction loan might be the best option. In addition to construction loans, we also o er New Hampshire Housing Loan programs that provide nancing options for rehab properties. Lastly, the bank also o ers portfolio (in-house) loan products to assist with nancing properties that need improvement. All these programs have exible payment options. tw

Terri Crate Vice President Senior Retail oan O ficer NMLS #419840

Left: This residential hallway features Benjamin Moore’s Castleton Mist HC-1, Aura® flat on alls and astleton ist HC-1, Aura® semi-gloss on the stair wainscoting.

Center: This hallway makes a statement with Old Navy 2063-10, in Aura® eggs ell finis e trim color is Sim ly White OC-117, Aura® semi-gloss.

Right: A family room achieves a fresh look with Revere Pewter HC-172, Ben® in eggs ell finis

EASY WAYS TO REFRESH YOUR HOME

TURN TO LEBANON PAINT & DECORATING

Are you looking for ways to infuse new life into your home this spring? You’ll nd plenty of fresh ideas from window treatments and wallpaper to all the latest Benjamin Moore paints at Lebanon Paint & Decorating. eir expert sta can guide you to beautiful choices to t your taste and budget.

Window Treatments

“ e decision to buy window treatments is an important one,” according to Maria Voegel, design specialist. “Not only do they complete a room but they can also reduce your energy consumption and save you money.” e store o ers many options, including cellular and roller shades, which are popular since their low pro le can “disappear” without interrupting your view. “Each type has countless patterns, textures, and colors to choose from,” Maria says. “Come see our new display wall featuring cellular, roller, and horizontal designs.” While you’re in the store, check out the newest wallpaper selections. “Wallpaper’s popularity continues to soar, particularly for bathrooms and accent walls,” Maria says. “Look for styles including Arts and Crafts, modern, retro, whimsical, or textured options to add new interest to a space.”

Paint Can Change Everything

A simple, inexpensive coat of paint can transform the look and feel of any room, so start browsing for your favorite colors. “Color trends are much the same as they’ve been for the last few years,” Maria says. “Smudgy grays like Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter and Pale Oak remain very popular, but white walls are making a comeback. Try soft whites like Capital White, White Dove, and Swiss Co ee with a bright white like Chantilly Lace for wood trim and moldings,” she suggests.

“Benjamin Moore has improved their paint even further by adding scu resistance, better hide, and better color retention to their paints,” says store manager John Rescigno. “Our customers are still looking for bold accent colors, which Benjamin Moore can deliver, and with our unique colorant system, we can make colors that our competition simply cannot make. Our color of the year is Raspberry Blush, sure to warm and bring any room to life.”

Upper Valley residents are busy with all kinds of projects to recharge their living spaces, from creating serene bedrooms and bold bathrooms to revamping the family hub—the kitchen. “We have more customers than ever coming in preparing to paint their kitchen cabinets, and we have the paint perfect for the job,” John says. “Advance paint levels to give you a mirror-like nish, and, once cured, the nish will withstand the use cabinets get daily.”

Having trouble picturing new colors, patterns, and blinds or shades in your home? No worries! “We now o er in-home color consultations to help you ease your way through selecting the right color paint and window treatments,” John says. Have fun exploring all the choices! tw

Lebanon Paint & Decorating 51 Main Street West Lebanon, NH (603) 298-8596

lebanonpaint.com

Above: Are you ready for a bold kitchen with red and white cabinets? Benjamin Moore’s Caliente AF-290 may be just the bright red color pop you’ve been looking for.

BY JILL ARTHUR, SIMPLE ENERGY MARKETING MANAGER

ECO-FRIENDLY AND EFFICIENT SOLUTIONS FROM SIMPLE ENERGY

With our long New England winters, warmer summers, uctuating energy prices, and America’s desire to reduce carbon emissions, energy e ciency is indeed a hot topic. Two of the hottest eco-friendly trends in home energy e ciency are heat pumps and solar combined with a battery storage system.

Heat Pumps

Air-sourced cold-weather heat pumps provide e cient heating and cooling for your home by transferring heat between inside and outside. According to energy.gov, when properly installed and serviced, a heat pump can deliver up to three times more heat energy than the electrical energy it consumes. For additional energy e ciency, heat pumps can be powered by solar panels, with the extra bene t of emission-free heating and cooling.

Gone are the days of heat pumps being limited to mild and warm climates. e improved technology in cold-climate heat pumps now conquers most of New England’s cold temperatures, keeping well-insulated homes toasty warm, even when temperatures go down to -15 degrees. Some brands and models work in temperatures down to -31 degrees. Having a backup heating system is still strongly recommended for prolonged, very cold days.

Look for e ciency ratings to compare brands and models.

e HSPF, heating season performance factor, rates the e ciency of the heating component. SEER, seasonal energy e ciency ratio, measures the cooling e ciency. e higher the ratings, the less electricity the system needs to keep a home at its desired temperature. Also look for the blue Energy Star label, the trusted, government-backed symbol for energy e ciency.

Hiring a reliable company ensures your quote includes licensed HVAC professionals, manufacturer trained technicians for 24/7/365 service, and warranties on both the installation and the equipment. Like all heating and cooling systems, proper installation and maintenance are key to e cient operation.

Above: Generac PRWcell solar battery storage system.

Far left: Haier heat pumps provide both heat and air conditioning in single or multiple zones.

Near left, top: Simple Energy’s Master Electrician Chris completes the installation of the PRWcell inverter.

Bottom: A heat pump condenser e ficiently trans ers heat from outside to inside.

A fully integrated solar and battery storage system not only creates solar energy but also stores energy for backup power.

Simple Energy

With “Energy” as part of the Simple Energy name ro iding e ficient and eco-friendly heating and cooling options is a natural extension of the company’s 17-year history of delivering heating oil and propane. Visit our new showroom and see heat pumps and (coming soon) solar and battery storage displays.

Solar and Battery Storage System

A fully integrated solar and battery storage system not only creates solar energy but also stores energy for backup power. When the solar panels are not directly providing power to your home, power will be generated by the battery storage system, including during a power outage. Look for a system with a modular design to expand your storage capacity as your power needs evolve. Consider installing a generator to recharge the battery during extended power outages and long periods of insu cient sunlight— after all, this isNew Hampshire and Vermont!

One solar and battery storage system is the Generac PWRcell™. Energy generated by solar panels is managed by the inverter to keep the batteries charged and to provide power to your home. Excess solar production is sent to the

grid to be used as energy credits on your electric bill.

e Future Looks Bright

While it’s too early to tell exactly how the In ation Reduction Act will play out, the bill contains substantial rebates and tax credits for energy-e cient improvements and clean energy installations. E ciency VT and NH Saves will be the go-to resources for more information.

Home energy is going through exciting changes. It’s important to have an honest conversation with your energy provider about your expectations versus equipment deliverables—all the more reason to form a partnership with a knowledgeable and trustworthy company. tw

Simple Energy

162 North Main Street West Lebanon, NH (603) 298-7200 simpleenergyonline.com

Solar panels look good and work hard.

BY KATHERINE P. COX GO GREEN

THE SAFE WAY TO A BEAUTIFUL LAWN

TURN TO PURE SOLUTIONS

After the long New England winter, homeowners are eager to get outdoors to enjoy their lawns, gardens, and patios. And who can blame them? It’s the season for cookouts, picnics, and planting. Kids and dogs want to run and play in the backyard. But how do you achieve a picture-perfect lawn without using potentially hazardous chemicals? Is it possible to be a steward of the environment, protecting our families and pets from harmful substances, and still grow and maintain an outdoor space that’s the envy of the neighborhood?

e answer is a resounding yes! by making one call to Pure Solutions in Lyme, New Hampshire. Pure Solutions, a family-owned company that was launched in the Upper Valley in 2011 by Kyle LaCroix, was founded in Massachusetts by his cousins. “ ey were a growing business using the safest products possible, and I was excited about the opportunity to be part of the brand,” Kyle says.

Organic and Safe

Pure Solutions o ers an organic lawn-care program that features all aspects of turf services, from aerating and overseeding lawns to fertilizing and weed and insect control, such as grubs. “Everything we use is organic,” says Kyle, “and we like to start with a soil sample to see what the soil is lacking. Our approach to the lawn is just like approaching a quality organic garden. We start with the soil health and build it from there.” While nonorganic methods such as synthetic fertilizers are used by some other companies, they

Left: A turf technician is aerating and overseeding the lawn in the fall to build dense growth ahead of the winter season.

Below: Pure Solutions’ new deer repellent program helps make plants smell and taste bad to deer, therefore keeping the deer from eating their way through clients’ properties.

“Our products are made from essential oils. Some are even OMRI listed, so they’re as close to being certified organic as possible. We don’t mix in any neurotoxins or synthetics. They are safe as can be and still kill ticks and mosquitoes, which reduces the population on properties.”

are mostly treating the grass blades, according to Kyle. “We are feeding the roots for a healthy, thick turf stand that will withstand drought and insect damage much better, reducing the need to treat with chemicals. We have also added deer-repellent services to shrubs and plants that tend to be a deer’s favorite meal. e products we use for this are all organic and safe as well.”

Get Rid of Pests

What can ruin a perfectly wonderful day outdoors? Ticks and mosquitoes. But Pure Solutions is making it fun to be outside again without the fear of Lyme disease or mosquito-borne infections.

e company provides safe elimination of ticks and mosquitoes from your property by applying an organic solution that kills them and stops their spread. Ticks and the accompanying diseases they carry are the driving force behind the growth of the company, accounting for about 75 percent of his business, Kyle says. “Our products are made from essential oils. Some are even OMRI listed, so they’re as close to being certi ed organic as possible. We don’t mix in any neurotoxins or synthetics. ey are safe as can be and still kill ticks and mosquitoes, which reduces the population on properties.”

e essential oils go to work by breaking down the exoskeleton and the respiratory system of the tick when the oils get on them, killing the ticks as well as acting as a repellent.

GO GREEN

e product is applied with a special mist-blower sprayer, and they target areas where ticks hide, such as brush piles and stone walls, and places where mice (tick hosts) congregate, as well as lawns. e sprayer can also reach up into trees to target mosquitoes. People and pets can go outside as soon as 10 minutes after application, or once the oils have dried. Cost depends on the size of the property, which the team at Pure Solutions will visit or use satellite measuring and give you an estimate.

Pure Solutions also o ers a unique program for people who are holding events outside and don’t want mosquitoes and ticks to ruin them. “Weddings, barbecues, birthday parties—you name it, we will show up a week in advance and treat the property. e second spray is done right before the event and the results are amazing,” Kyle says. “We’re giving our customers in the Upper Valley peace of mind to know that it’s safe. Our goal is to let people enjoy their backyards again.”tw

Pure Solutions

4 Britton Lane Lyme, NH (603) 838-PURE

www.puresolutions.com/uv

A Pure Solutions technician applies a blend of proprietary organic products to another beautiful lawn.

The Upper Valley Landscape Is Evolving and Diversifying TURN TO BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES VERANI REALTY

Why do you love living in the Upper Valley?

e Upper Valley of New Hampshire and Vermont is a unique region with a rich history. With its strong economy, beautiful natural landscapes, and a thriving tourism industry, the area is well-positioned for continued growth in the years to come. What our team really loves about living here is the lifestyle this area provides. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a farmer, a musician, an artist, or an intellectual, this area truly has something for everyone.

Despite the strong demand for housing, the towns in the area maintain their small-town charm and sense of community. Many residents are actively involved in local organizations and events, and there is a sense of pride in the region’s history and traditions. is helps create a welcoming atmosphere that attracts both tourists and new residents alike.

We see you!

We recognize and honor that each prospective client has a unique set of wants, needs, knowledge, and resources. We are here to help the wide array of people who call the Upper Valley home, and we work tirelessly to help each individual achieve his or her real estate goals. Diversity and inclusion are essential to our success, as well. Each member of our team brings a unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives to the table. By embracing diversity, we not only better serve our clients but also create a positive and supportive work environment for our team where each member can learn and grow.

We are here to be your Forever Agent® For those looking to buy or sell a property in today’s competitive market, you need a strategic advantage. Partnering with reputable and experienced Realtors like the Upper Valley team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Verani Realty is invaluable and can give you that extra advantage. Our team of professionals has extensive knowledge of the local market, has relationships that bene t their clients, provides valuable insight and guidance, and employs unique strategies to help clients be successful throughout the buying and selling process. Whether you’re a rst-time homebuyer or an experienced investor, our team will help you achieve your real estate goals.

In addition to our extensive knowledge of the local market, the team is known for professionalism, attention to detail, and exceptional customer service. We are committed to providing a stress-free and enjoyable real estate experience for all our customers and clients. With a strong emphasis on teamwork, we believe collaboration and communication are essential to achieving success. By working together, sharing ideas, and leveraging our collective strengths, we are able to provide the best possible service to our clients!

Our team-based approach means that you will have access to a wealth of knowledge and expertise, and you will always have someone available to answer your questions or provide guidance as needed. Our commitment to excellence will help you achieve your real estate goals. tw

Lori Shipulski Regional Manager Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty

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LaValley Building Supply 8

Lawn Master of Vermont 83

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