February 2020 Lehigh Valley Your Home Remodel Magazine

Your

THE VALLEY’S REMODEL & DESIGN MAGAZINE

HOME REMODEL MAGAZINE LEHIGH & NORTHAMPTON COUNTIES

Volume 2 Issue 1

Kitchen Makeover 5 Ways to Give Your Kitchen a Modern Upgrade

L

ush andscapes Pro Advice for Having the Prettiest Backyard this Summer

18th Annual Eastern PENNSYLVANIA SPRING HOME SHOW GUIDE Get all the details inside pg. 23

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THE VALLEY’S REMODEL & DESIGN MAGAZINE

HOME REMODEL Lehigh & Northampton Counties

MAGAZINE

29 17 PUBLISHER’S NOTE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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HAPPY 2020!

The start of a new decade is a fresh start for all of us and a great time to breath new life into your home. This decade starts with some exciting new design trends, including the reemergence of bold colors after many years of neutrals being the standard. New innovations in kitchen and bathroom technologies offer many new exciting options for remodels. This season also is the perfect time to start planning your summer landscaping goals. A new patio, pergola or deck? Now’s the time to envision those warm summer nights so you can enjoy them in a few short months. We hope this issue of Your Home Remodel Magazine offers plenty of advice and inspiration to get your plans transformed into reality. Spring will be here soon!

Tina DeSantis Perrotta Publisher, Your Home Remodel Magazine

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KITCHEN MAKEOVER: 5 WAYS TO GIVE YOUR KITCHEN A MODERN UPDATE Style Meets Storage Solutions Opulent meets modern in elegant fusion styles that bring bold designs to your kitchen remodel. Plus: 5 Things to Know about Cabinet Refacing

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SIX STEPS TO KEEPING YOUR GARAGE ORGANIZED

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THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD GUTTERS

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TIPS TO TRANSFORM YOUR BACKYARD INTO YOUR OWN OUTDOOR OASIS If you’ve always wanted an outdoor retreat or entertaining space that looks like it’s out of a vacation snapshot, try out these tips from the pros for creating a tranquil and lush landscape.

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: SCHULER KITCHEN & BATH Schuler Services has been a fixture in the Lehigh Valley for decades, but did you know all they can offer to your kitchen and bathroom remodel?

Learn all about their streamlined renovation process.

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THE 18TH ANNUAL EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA SPRING HOME SHOW 2020

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WINDOW TREATMENT TRENDS

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BEFORE & AFTER: 3043 RIDGE ROAD, PERKASIE

CHOICES

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THE VALLEY’S REMODEL & DESIGN MAGAZINE

HOME REMODEL Lehigh & Northampton Counties

MAGAZINE

Serving Southern Lehigh & Northampton Counties A Remodeling and Design Magazine www.YHRMag.com Publisher Tina DeSantis Perrotta Tina@YHRMag.com Editor Jacqueline Rupp Jackie@YHRMag.com Contributors Lauren Austin Kyle Beauchemin Art Director Michael E. Balisi Production Deanne Janczak Director of Sales & Marketing Tina DeSantis Perrotta Tina@YHRMag.com Digital Media/WEBSITE Vitris, LLC TryVitris.com Advertising Information Call: 215-297-5013 Your Home Remodel Media LLC DBA Your Home Remodel Magazine reserves the right to determine the suitability of all material submitted for publication and to edit all submitted material for clarity and space.

Your Home Remodel Magazine (YHR) is a news magazine with emphasis on home repair and remodeling YHR does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial content nor does YHR or its staff, editors, or writers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial content appear in any publications. Readers are encouraged to notify YHR if they suspect false or misleading advertising. Before attempting any renovation or repair project mentioned in YHR, readers are advised to consult with professional home repair and renovation specialists for assistance and to take any and all appropriate safety precautions. Your Home Remodel Magazine has not independently tested any products or services advertised hearin and has verified no claims made by its advertisers regarding those services or products.

YHR Magazine makes no warranties or representations and assumes no liability for any claims regarding the services or products or claims made by advertisers regarding such products or services. Readers are advised to consult with the advertiser and or other home improvement and renovation professionals regarding any such claims and regarding the suitability of advertisers’ products.

Your Home Remodel Media PO Box 681 Abington, PA 19001 215-297-5013 info@YHRMag.com

CHOOSE SCHULER! PA6582

SchulerKB.com

CALL (484) 901-5777 TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE INTIAL DESIGN CONSULTATION IN OUR NEW SHOWROOM AT 1314 W. TILGHMAN ST. ALLENTOWN

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K

itchen Makeover 5 Ways to Give Your Kitchen a Modern Update

Kitchen Cabinetry is always evolving with novel answers to life’s biggest storage dilemmas, like where to store the bundt pans. And with each new innovation, designs get more beautiful and refined. Here’s a look at some of our favorite trends that have been gaining popularity and will prove to be even more crave-worthy in this new year.

GLASS DOORS AND OPEN SHELVING

Show off your fanciest serving bowls and soup terrains with glass doors and open style shelving that can really add space and depth to a kitchen. New looks include etched glass that gives a similar feel but without revealing too much of what’s behind the door. Lighting these cabinets can give a very rich, custom look.

WINE RACKS REVISITED

Wine racks don’t need to take up a large space, and today we’re seeing cabinet brands offering storage solutions for your mini-collection that offer attractive accents to standard cabinets. Even for those non-wine lovers out there, this is one option not to be overlooked, as it saves so much cabinet space and makes bottle storage a breeze.

Decorative touches like trim and molding can transform an everyday kitchen into a showpiece. Here, Schuler Kitchen & Bath uses a very on-trend distressed cabinet with modern but classic hardware.

NOVEL STORAGE SOLUTIONS

Slender pull outs, the coolest we’ve seen including a knife block drawer(!), are a must-see for any kitchen remodel. Whether it’s cans or kitchen gadgets, these long slender pull-outs will maximize space in even the smallest kitchen. Another novel idea, turn the bottom forgotten drawers that are a pain to bend down to accessm into a clever pet food toe kick drawer. Not-so-lazy Lazy Susans offer innovative ways of storing pots and pans and should be a must-have to any remodel agenda.

STATEMENT HARDWARE

For a few years, minimalism ruled the hardware trends, but now we’re seeing a move toward more warm, decorative touches, rather than just cool straight lines and angles. Farmhouse trends are staying strong, with the addition of elegant, opulent touches like detailed hinge work that creates a beautiful juxtaposition to the rustic vibe.

DARK COLORS

White and light gray has dominated the kitchen cabinet market for several years, but now we’re seeing bold colors coming back full force. Navy is already huge (especially when paired with brass accents) but look for black, dark gray and dark green to also become statement colors. We love the trend toward having upper cabinets one colors and lower cabinets or an island be a contrasting shade. This is a great way to incorporate a dark color without committing to every cabinet being that shade.

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Kitchen cabinetry offers nearly limitless storage solutions. This kitchen, by Schuler Kitchen & Bath spotlights many trending options, including architectural wine racks, decorative open shelving and etched glass.

Resource Box Bella Casa Kitchens & Bath bellcasakitchenandbath.com 610-433-9800 Schuler Kitchens & Bath SchulerKB.com 484-901-5777

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Kitchen Gallery Plus Kitchengalleryplus.com 610-433-2288 Eastern Surfaces Easternsurfaces.com 610-266-3121

Sometimes a kitchen doesn’t need to be gutted to get a face-lift. If you’re just looking for a cosmetic updating to your kitchen, cabinet refacing might be a cost-effective solution. Here’s a few things to know to help you decide if it’s the right direction for your remodel.

1. Refacing won’t give you new storage options, so if you’re lacking for drawers or space to put things, you might need to look into new cabinets. But if you’re happy with your storage and kitchen layout, refacing is an environmentally-friendly way to reuse your existing cabinets and not create the waste of throwing out an entire set of still useable cabinets.

CHOICES

5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT CABINET REFACING

2. It’s time efficient. Whereas a full kitchen remodel can last for weeks, a cabinet refacing prop can usually finish the job in under a week.

3. Cabinet refacing involves covering the “face” of the cabinet, the part you would see from the outside if you were standing in the kitchen. Doors and drawer fronts and sides will get a new veneer applied to them, usually a covering of natural wood veneer or RTF (Rigid Thermofoil) 4. Time to update your hardware. Items like hinges, handles and drawer pulls can give your kitchen new life and a modern look for only a small investment. The hardware—the hinges, handles, and drawer pulls—are usually also replaced during refacing.

5. You can customize. If you’ve been wanting to get in on the glass cabinet trend for instance, here’s your chance. Crown molding can be added to give a finished look, while glass panels, lighting, and upgrades to storage accessories can all be added during the refacing process. These smaller details can add up to a very custom kitchen look for far less than the price-tag of that full kitchen remodel.

If your kitchen sounds like a candidate for cabinet refacing, there are many local professionals that specialize in this type of remodel. Get several quotes, read reviews and see who best fits your needs.

CHOOSE SCHULER! PA6582

SchulerKB.com

CALL (484) 901-5777 TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE INTIAL DESIGN CONSULTATION IN OUR NEW SHOWROOM AT 1314 W. TILGHMAN ST. ALLENTOWN

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The new year brings a lot of resolutions, and right up there with dieting and going to the gym everyday is promising to stay more organized this year. One spot that seems to be a catch-all for random stuff is the garage, which can easily get out of control. It can easily take an entire weekend to get the chaos under-control.

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Steps to Keeping Your Garage Organized

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But who wants to spend their weekend like that?!

Rather than continually having to search for holiday decorations or dig through piles to unearth the lawn mower, how about this year, you set your garage space up to STAY organized. A few proactive steps now can cure that garage clutter for years to come.

STEP 1: Sort & Purge: Few people have a garage with just the essentials. Before you begin organizing, it really does pay to take stock of everything and unload anything that isn’t still in use or worth keeping. Get very picky, if things are just being kept because you’ve always kept them, you might be ready to let them go. After you’re down to just the items worth keeping, sort everything into categories, like: sports & recreation, camping, gardening, car care, etc. This will help keep all like items together and make things easier to find.

STEP 2: Donate and trash. As you’re going through containers and tubs, grouping items into categories, this gives you another chance to purge any broken, out-dated or useless items. Clear out the trash and take those items to a donation center to free up more space for the new garage layout.

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STEP 3: Plan Out the Layout: Now that you have identified the categories you need to store, it’s best to sketch out the more logical places for everything. You’ll want to include a place for some cabinets, some shelving for large tubs, a place for trash/recycling and leave a wall open for hanging items.

STEP 4: Get creative. Now comes the fun part. Although it’s easy to say get some shelves, some plastic totes and a couple of hooks to stay organized, every home and family is different. Maybe your hobby is fishing and you need a place to store rods better or maybe your kids play a lot of different sports so there’s a variety of balls rolling around. Identify the items you’ll want easy access to. There’s endless creative ways to store them, like making vertical ball storage with some elastic cord and wooden dowels. These types of solutions are the things that are going to make all the difference in keeping the room in order.

Clean Glass, Clear Lines ..................................

STEP 5: Store those tubs. Large plastic storage tubs are a great way to keep similar things like holiday decorations together. The problem becomes when they heavy ones get stacked on top of each other and it becomes a pain to put something away. Ideally every tote should be accessible independently of others, in other words, no stacking. Instead consider shelving designed for storage containers, or thing outside the box, and use wood planks to hang them from the ceiling (this is especially great for seasonal items you’ll only need to access once a year). Write labels on the bottom of each tote and you’ll never waste your Thanksgiving searching for holiday decorations again.

Step 6: Call in an expert. Garage organization ideas are so much more than we covered here and if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the task, you don’t need to keep procrastinating. There are organization professionals that specialize in garages and will assist with the heavy lifting of sorting and organizing, while offering customized storage solutions for your family AND installing all those features for you. It makes the process so much easier, but also ensures that you’re maximizing your space to the fullest.

Resource Box Victory Closets victoryclosets.com 484-366-1836

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KITCHEN, BATHS FOR THE DISCRIMINATING TASTE

The Importance of Good Gutters We hear a lot about gutters and in general procrastinate about climbing up on a ladder to clean them, but what makes them so important and why might it be worth investing in a more innovative system? Here’s a few quick reasons.

Foundation Health

Did you know that what happens on top of your roof can actually affect what happens below ground? It’s true, without well-functioning gutters to carry rain away, water can erode the soil causing your foundation to become susceptible to water damage. Replacing gutters is a lot cheaper and easier than repairing foundation issues.

Roof Health

Gutters help to draw rainwater down off of the roof and if they are clogged or not working properly, the gutters can actually do more harm than good, allowing water to collect on areas like eaves and fascia and causing wood rot.

Landscaping

Shrubs and plants growing near your home can sustain damage if water is pooling around their roots and causing erosion. This is especially dangerous in the colder months when ice can collect due to clogged gutters and damage even the hardiest plants.

Protection of Doors and Garage

Wood plus water is never a good mix and properly functioning gutters can protect expensive parts of your home, like garage doors and entryways from unnecessary water damage, not to mention shielding heads and hats from lots of rain drips.

Helps Maintain Siding

You might not notice it, but rainwater can carry all kinds of debris and dirt with it as it runs off of a roof. Without properly functioning gutters to divert this mix, your homes siding can take a real hit. Not only does this cause staining and dirt to accumulate, making for an unkempt appearance, but over time it can also cause wood rot, which can lead to bigger problems like rodents and structural damage.

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Water damming can cause damage to your roof eaves and fascia Pooled water not properly draining can leak into the house and damage walls and flooring In the summer months, mosquitoes can breed in the standing water Dry leaves in gutters can be a fire hazard Standing water can erode the gutter itself Deterioration of gutters occurs which causes leaks and eventual failure Wet leaves and debris can put too much weight on the gutter, resulting in it pulling away from the house, which can also damage the fascia and soffits, and worst case scenario can cause the gutter to pull part of the wall down with it.

In cold weather months, ice can collect in clogged gutters preventing the flow of melting snow. With nowhere to drain, the melting snow can re-freeze on the roof and eventually leak into your home.

As you can see, gutters cover a lot of preventative maintenance ground. They might be easy to overlooked but ignoring having them in good working order can cause a host of problems. Today’s gutter professionals have many options available for upgrading your home’s current system to one that is virtually maintenance-free.

Many options are weather-proof or weather-resistant and come with guarantees. Not only will a new gutter system give your home an attractive facelift, but they can save you from much more costly repairs for years to come.

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Resource Box Keystone Gutter Helmet keystonegutterhelmet.com 610-372-4383

Photo Credit: MGH Designs.

This verdant lush garden, created by Maria Hasenecz, owner of MGH Designs, utilized the minimal bed space with planters and disguises the neighboring space beyond the backyard.

TIPS TO TRANSFORM YOUR BACKYARD INTO YOUR OWN OUTDOOR OASIS Want a gorgeous, lush outdoor living space this spring?

Now is the perfect time to start planning for it and getting in place a design that maximizes your outdoor living space. With a few landscaping tricks from the pros, you can better decide on a plan of attack for those unruly spots and beautify your lawn. Let’s get into those tips:

Measure Twice

Measurements aren’t the first thing we think of when it comes to landscaping. There’s no cabinets or tub to fit in like with interior rooms. But measuring your outdoor space is equally as important. Toni Ann Flanigan, owner of Philadelphia Gardens, Inc, which specializes in garden design and installation, has this advice: “Decide how much furniture you want before you put the patio in. If you want a five foot table you need an additional five feet for the chairs when they are pulled out.” With that in mind, don’t overestimate. “It’s better to keep the patio as small as you can because then you can have more plants.” She recommends at least six feet for flower beds.

Make Your Shade

This tip makes perfect sense, yet it was a total “Aha” moment for us. Flanigan suggests planning your seating around where the sun sets. “Go outside and figure out which way the western sun sets, since most people spend time outside after work, we try to always place a tree between where the person will sit and the midday setting sun.” She also urges homeowners to invest in an older, more fully grown tree. Although they can cost significantly more, you’ll get to skip over many years of growth and get instant shade.

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Photo Credit: Philadelphia Gardens, Inc

A simple urn can create a dramatic water effect and divide up larger spaces.

Let the Inside Out

“When the indoor and outdoor meld aesthetically it connects them by extending the visual flow making each space seem much larger,” explains Maria Hasenecz, owner of MGH Designs, which provides design and installation of landscapes and garden retreats. She focuses on the interior design of each client’s house to set the tone for the outdoor landscaping. “This often entails repeating colors, textures or materials from the inside.

For example, we recently had a client with an open concept first floor with sliding doors to an overgrown brick courtyard. The interior had a clean modern look with white walls, geometric kitchen tile, modern furniture and pine floors. When the courtyard was

viewed from inside there was a huge visual disruption as your eye transitioned from modern white interior to a colonial brick courtyard. The final project included white stucco walls, a modern flagstone patio, a custom cedar bench and gate to pull the pine color outside and modern geometric planters to play off the interior kitchen geometric tilework. Now there is a synergy between the spaces and a huge wow factor when viewing the garden from the interior.”

Set Aside An Entertainment Spot

Flanigan suggests figuring out where you want people to be and what you want them to do before you plan out your landscaping. Do you want an outdoor breakfast nook for the family or a large dining space?

Maybe you want a place to sit and relax around a fire.

The reasons will dictate how your landscape works around the hardscaping of a patio. One good tip to remember, Flanigan suggests for smaller patios saving about a 5 ft. x 2 ft. bump out for a grill area. With this bump-out you can then camouflage the unsightly parts of the grill with planters or vases.

Keep Your Hardscape Low-Key

Photo Credit: Philadelphia Gardens, Inc

Toni Ann Flanigan, owner of Philadelphia Gardens, Inc was able to snag this vintage trough for a client on clearance and it became a centerpiece of the landscape design.

This tip surprised us at first, because of all the amazing brick and colorful tiling options out there, but now we’re fully sold on the idea. Flanigan advises clients to select subtle tones when choosing a hardscaping material. “It’s very important to not look around for paving material that’s different, that will stand out, it’s supposed to hold your table and chairs not be the star of the show, leave the colors for the plants and flowers and let the patio set into the backdrop.” Materias like flagstone/bluestone or Antika (shown in photo) can create a much richer look to a landscape than a louder more vibrant choice.

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A traditional garden was created with newly exposed brick, custom trellis work, traditional plantings and a new brick patio.

Pick the Right Lights

“I love to incorporate landscape lighting to extend the visual interior space outdoors at night, provide ambiance to the outdoor space at night and to highlight the garden’s features,” explains Hasenecz. She says it’s important to keep the lighting effect subtle by using soft low wattage fixtures such as: uplights on trees, downlights under custom benches, water features or garden accents, path lighting in beds and wall lights that complement the design aesthetic.”

Photo Credit: MGH Designs.

Add in a Water Feature Centerpiece

Water features don’t necessarily mean excavating land and digging a giant pit in the ground, above ground water features like an urn and trough can add a gorgeous focal point to any backyard. You might even snag a bargain, like Flanigan did when she spotted this trough for her client at a stone quarry auction. “It was priced out at $2400, so we waited,” she explains, “a year later they had this benefit auction for stuff that’s been in the yard for a while and we were able to buy it for about $500.” She suggests looking for pieces with simple lines and functionality.

She adds water lillies on top for a delicate touch and mosquito dunks to easily keep the pests away.

Deck Out Your Deck

Your deck should get the same landscaping attention as your ground areas. Hasenecz suggests basing your plant choices based on site conditions, amount of planting space, functionality and overall aesthetic you’re looking to achieve. “The best effect is achieved with larger planters, a series of staggered sized planters or long linear planters. Small trees, evergreen and deciduous upright shrubs and perennials are a great low maintenance option for most decks.”

Landscape designer Toni Ann Flanigan suggests only hardscaping the least amount of ground as possible, to give flower beds the space to grow big and beautiful.

Resource Box Solar Shield Awnings 610-372-4383 Kring’s Hearth & Home kringsonline.com 610-224-5050

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Photo Credit: Philadelphia Gardens, Inc

Business

SPOTLIGHT

Schuler Kitchens & Baths A Remodeling Legacy in the Lehigh Valley

Schuler Kitchens & Baths is a division of Schuler Service, which has been in business since 1923. Servicing both the Lehigh and Northampton Counties, Schuler has become a market leader in the region and is known for their supreme quality and service. For decades, their team of designers and master remodelers have created beautiful and functional kitchens and bathrooms throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Great Customer Reviews Tell the Story With nearly 100 years of quality service, Schuler’s list of accomplishments is long and impressive.

Over a thousand 5-star reviews and designers with decades of creative experience are a good place to start. Those reviews often tell of similar experiences — customers raving about Schuler exceeding their expectations in every way. Joe Mrochko, VP of Inside Operations and Marketing says one of the reasons for those great reviews is his exceptional team.

“Our designers have many years of creative experience combined with excellent listening skills. They take time to know what’s trending and make excellent recommendations. Our customers respond by giving us repeat business to do additional projects in their homes.” Senior Interior Designer, Sarah Mokris, for example, has been designing kitchens and baths for over 20 years and is excellent with colors and designs. “She sees what other designers overlook and creates masterful designs,” says Mrochko.

Schuler’s commitment to their customers continues on the job site as well. “Our installers often become very close with our customers while they work in their homes,” explains Mrochko. “Remodeling can be stressful, and our installers have great empathy for our customers and do whatever they can to help make the experience as pleasant as possible.” Project Manager/Estimator, Rick Shellhammer has been with the company since 1995. With his keen eye and incredible knowledge, Mrochko says he is a master at making the impossible possible.

In addition to the team, their product selection helps set them apart, especially their custom cabinetry. Schuler Kitchens & Baths provides full and partial remodels to suit any homeowner’s needs.

“Our showroom is a boutique experience designed to inspire your imagination,” says Mrochko

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Simplifying the Process for Homeowners The team at Schuler has perfected the remodel process to make it practical and easy for homeowners. Mrochko explains that initially customers are welcomed to visit their fully furnished kitchen and bath showroom, here you can discuss project parameters, ideas, budgets and timeframes with an experienced designer. “We ask our customers to share any photos and inspirations they may have and when we all are on the same page, we’ll schedule an in-home measurement appointment.” Customers can then return to the showroom for the design presentation and they can begin scheduling their remodeling project. It is really that easy!

Ensuring Safety & Confidence Mrochko advises homeowners to do their homework and properly vet the people they invite into their home for remodeling projects. Safety and security are a paramount concern for Schuler Kitchens and Baths, and they go to great lengths to provide it to every customer. “Our longevity in the market and excellent reputation with over 1,000 5-star reviews tells an important story,” explains Mrochko. Schuler Service and Schuler Kitchens & Baths employs a security company to run annual background checks on all our employees and then we badge them with photo ID that is emailed and texted to our customers before they are dispatched to their home. Reputation and experience combined with quality products is what sets Schuler Kitchens & Baths apart from the rest.

In Business since 1923 Schuler Kitchens & Baths 1314 W. Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA 18102 www.SchulerKB.com (484) 901-5777

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CHOOSE SCHULER!

18TH ANNUAL EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA SPRING

HOME SHOW GUIDE REFRESHMENT STAND

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ACCOMMODATIONS Four Points Sheraton Allentown Lehigh Valley_____________ TBA APPAREL One Day Bath, LLC______________________________________ 141 APPLIANCES Aerus Electrolux_________________________________________ 21 The Longacre Company__________________________________ 159 ASPHALT MAINTENANCE Gibson Paving Services, LLC_________________________ 47, OUT ALT. ENERGY/CONSERVATION/SOLAR Green Mountain Energy___________________________________ 15 NRG Northeast Retail____________________________________ 117 UGI Heating , Cooling, Plumbing, Geothermal to Gas________ 147 ART – STAINED GLASS Appalachian Custom Glassworks__________________________188 StationPlatform9_________________________________________145 AWNINGS Designer Awnings________________________________________ 48 USABlinds.com/Penn Blinds______________________________ 169 BASEMENT WATERPROOFING Basement Waterproofing Specialists_________________________40 ITG Construction-“I’m The Guy”___________________________ 71 Mid Atlantic Waterproofing of PA___________________________ 53 Once and Done Waterproofing Solutions_____________________ 10

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Category Directory*

BATHROOM REFINISHING Bath Saver, Inc. (dba Bath Fitter)__________________________12 Black Forest Home Improvement________________________ 136 Frank Webb Home_____________________________________158 G Contacting, LLC_____________________________________125 Granite Transformations & Closets________________________69 Habitat For Humanity LV Restore________________________131 Install America__________________________________________7 Jack’s Glass, Inc._________________________________________1 One Day Bath, Inc._____________________________________141 Master’s Home Solutions/Bath Planet__________42, 103, Outside PermaGlaze_____________________________________________3 Rome Bath Remodeling_________________________________112 Robert K Ace Construction_______________________________77 BLINDS & WINDOW TREATMENTS USABlinds.com/Penn Blinds____________________________ 169 CABINETRY Anew Face Kitchens____________________________________ 82 Black Forest Home Improvement________________________ 136 Frank Webb Home_____________________________________158 G Contacting, LLC_____________________________________125 Granite Transformations & Closets________________________72 Habitat For Humanity LV Restore________________________131 Maui Kitchens_________________________________________102 Habitat For Humanity LV Restore________________________130 Install America__________________________________________7 Kitchen Magic_________________________________________166 Kitchen Saver Inc.______________________________________ 59 Kreative Kitchens of Lehigh Valley________________________85 Maui Kitchens_________________________________________102 One Week Kitchens____________________________________ 114 *

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CABLE/SATELLITE/INTERNET/CELLULAR RCN____________________________________________________80 Service Electric Cable/Communications______________________19 T-Mobile_______________________________________________ 144 CBD/HEMP Hemp Mountain CBD_____________________________________68 Natures Gift____________________________________________ 102 CHIMNEY SERVICES Spring Hill Chimney______________________________________14 CLOSET & GARAGE ORGANIZATION/STORAGE Creative Closets, LTD______________________________________5 IN STYLE Closets _______________________________________106 Granite Transformations & Closets_________________________ 69 CONCRETE/MASONRY/COATINGS/ CURBING/FOUNDATION SUPPORT BQ Basements Systems, Inc.________________________________64 ENGELMAN Construction, Inc.____________________________98 Precision Concrete Coatings__________________________133, Out COOKWARE/CUTLERY Cutco Cutlery____________________________________________63 Kitchen Craft Cookware__________________________________135 The Starboard Gallery___________________________________ 139 DECKS/REFINISHING/SEALING Master’s Home Solutions/Bath Planet___________ 42, 103, Outside Robert K Ace Construction________________________________ 77 Black Forest Home Improvement__________________________136

DOORS/SECURITY DOORS Castle Windows_________________________________________ 4a Jack’s Glass, Inc.__________________________________________1 Power Home Remodeling Group______________________ 10, 127 Renewal By Andersen of Northeast PA_____________________ 48 Window Nation________________________________________ 146 ENERGY/CONSERVATION/SOLAR Green Mountain Energy__________________________________ 15 Momentum Solar_______________________________________ 129 NRG Northeast Retail___________________________________ 117 Solar Reflections -SolaTube________________________________81 UGI Heating , Cooling, Plumbing, Geothermal to Gas_______ 147 FINANCIAL SERVICES/MORTGAGES Edward Jones__________________________________________ 130 FIREPLACE/MANTLES/INSERTS A1 Infrared Technologies-VAL 6 Heat_________________ Outside FLAG POLES L&R Enterprises________________________________________189 FLOORING G Contacting, LLC______________________________________124 Habitat For Humanity LV Restore_________________________131 The Longacre Company_________________________________ 159 Tom Adams Windows & Carpets_________________________ 152 FOOD & BEVERAGE Boyd’s Cardinal Hollow Wine____________________________161 Costco Wholesale Club #1211_____________________________ 96 Dark Run Jerky_________________________________________158 Five Star Home Foods_____________________________________ 9 Got Chocolate, Inc.______________________________________143 Orlando Santos dba Latin Flavor__________________________138 Passanante’s Home Food Service__________________________126 FURNITURE & HOME DÉCOR Appalachian Custom Glassworks_________________________126 Bamboo Life____________________________________________ 99 GARAGE DOORS & ACCESSORIES Whitehall Door, Inc._____________________________________ 51 GARDEN & OUTDOOR/GRILLS Daniel’s Lawn & Garden Center___________________________ 29 Dan Schantz Green House/Cut Flower Outlet______ Lobby & 210 L&R Enterprises________________________________________189 GENERATORS Hannabery HVAC & Generators___________________________84 Jack Lehr Heating,Cooling,Electric_________________________ 75 GIFTS/GADGETS Alpaca Comforts_______________________________________ 102 Costco Wholesale Club #1211_____________________________ 96 Cutco Cutlery___________________________________________ 63 L&R Enterprises________________________________________189 Royal Z Beauty Cosmetics LED____________________________88 StationPlatform9________________________________________145 The Starboard Gallery___________________________________139 Touchstone Crystal_____________________________________ 120 GLASS ENCLOSURES Jack’s Glass, Inc._________________________________________62 GRANITE/MARBLE/TILE/SOAPSTONE Buck’s County Soapstone Company_______________________109 Maui Kitchens__________________________________________101 Granite Transformations & Closets_________________________72 Robert K Ace Construction________________________________90 GUTTERS & GUTTER PROTECTION Casanova Remodeling, LLC______________________________145 Inspired Exteriors, LLC___________________________________93 Keystone Gutter Helmet___________________________________ 6 Leaf Filter North, LLC____________________________________13 Master’s Home Solutions/Bath Planet__________ 42, 103, Outside Tristate Leafguard_______________________________________ 93 HEALTH/ BEAUTY/WELLNESS Costco Wholesale Club #1211______________________________96 Hemp Mountain CBD___________________________________ 128 Nature’s Gifts__________________________________________ 102 Royal Z Beauty__________________________________________ 88 Scentsy Home Décor with Nikki Gordon____________________18 TNR Products – Hidow__________________________________111 HOME DESIGNS Appalachian Custom Glassworks_________________________188 Anew Face Kitchens______________________________________82 Black Forest Home Improvement_________________________ 136 Buck’s County Soaptstone_______________________________ 107 Frank Webb Home______________________________________158 Jack’s Glass, Inc.__________________________________________1 Master’s Home Solutions/Bath Planet__________ 42, 103, Outside One Week Kitchens_____________________________________ 114 Rome Bath Remodeling__________________________________112 Scentsy Home Décor with Nikki Gordon____________________18

HOT TUBS, SPAS, POOLS, POOL TABLES Daniel’s Lawn & Garden Center__________________________ 29 Doctor Feel Goodes_____________________________________ 23 HVAC/HEATERS/PLUMBING/ELECTRICAL Deluxe Plumbing, Heating, HVAC_______________________ 123 Hannabery HVAC & Generators__________________________66 Jack Lehr Heating,Cooling,Electric________________________ 75 The Longacre Company________________________________ 159 UGI Heating , Cooling, Plumbing Geothermal to Gas_______147 INSULATION Master’s Home Solutions/Bath Planet__________42, 103, Outside USA Insulation of Lehigh Valley__________________________ 58 KITCHEN & BATH Anew Face Kitchens_____________________________________82 Bath Saver dba Bath Fitter________________________________12 Black Forest Home Improvement________________________ 136 Buck’s County Soaptstone______________________________ 107 Frank Webb Home_____________________________________158 Maui Kitchens_________________________________________101 G Contacting, LLC_____________________________________ 124 Granite Transformations & Closets________________________69 Habitat For Humanity LV Restore________________________131 Install America__________________________________________ 7 Jack’s Glass, Inc.________________________________________ 62 Kitchen Magic_________________________________________166 Kitchen Saver Inc._______________________________________59 Kreative Kitchens of Lehigh Valley________________________85 Maui Kitchens_________________________________________102 One Week Kitchens____________________________________ 114 Robert K Ace Construction_______________________________77 Rome Bath Remodeling_________________________________122 The Longacre Company________________________________ 159 KITCHEN TOOLS/HOME PRODUCTS Costco Wholesale Club #1211_____________________________96 Cutco Cutlery__________________________________________ 63 Kitchen Craft Cookware________________________________ 122 The Starboard Gallery__________________________________ 142 LANDSCAPE/PLANTS/FLOWERS/ FENCE/LAWNCARE/PAVERS Dan Schantz Green House/Cut Flower Outlet_____ Lobby & 210 Daniel’s Lawn & Garden Center__________________________ 29 NaturalLawn of America________________________________ 94 The Hardscape, Fence, Landscape Co._____________________ 77 Timberrock Landscaping & Lawncare____________________ 152 MASSAGE CHAIRS Costco Wholesale Club #1211_____________________________96 MATTRESSES/BEDS Bamboo Life___________________________________________ 99 Costco Wholesale Club #1211____________________________ 95 Mattresses-Gel Top Adj. Beds____________________________ 96 METAL ROOFING Legacy Service USA____________________________________122 MISCELLANEOUS Bamboo Life___________________________________________ 99 Costco Wholesale Club #1211_____________________________95 Freedom Boat Club of the Poconos_______________________ 183 Habitat For Humanity LV Restore________________________131 L&R Enterprises_______________________________________189 Martin Herman -Author_________________________________ 18 PA Dept Ag. The Wood Mobile__________________________ 190 Scentsy Home Décor with Nikki Gordon___________________18 StationPlatform9_______________________________________145 Touchstone Crystal_____________________________________120 NON-PROFIT Boy Scout Troop #72 Fogelsville_______________________Lobby Girl Scouts_________________________________________ Lobby Habitat For Humanity LV Restore________________________131 PA Dept Ag. The Wood Mobile__________________________ 190 Soldier Solutions, LLC__________________________________131 PEST CONTROL M&M Pest/Mosquito Hunters____________________________ 79 Terminix Pest & Termite Control__________________________65 POOLS/SPAS/HOT TUBS Daniel’s Lawn & Garden Center__________________________ 29 PUBLIC ADJUSTER Metro Public Adjustment Inc.

American Remodeling Enterprises__________________________ 2 Black Forest Home Improvement__________________________136 Casanova Remodeling, LLC_______________________________145 Castle Windows__________________________________________ 50 Bath Saver, Inc. (dba Bath Fitter)____________________________61 Buck’s County Soapstone Company_______________________ 107 Frank Webb Home_______________________________________158 Habitat For Humanity LV Restore_________________________ 131 Hess Home Improvement/Hess Windows & Doors___________ 44 Homespire Windows & Doors____________________________ 119 Install America___________________________________________ 7 Jack’s Glass, Inc.__________________________________________ 62 Kitchen Magic__________________________________________ 166 Kitchen Saver Inc.________________________________________ 59 Kreative Kitchens of Lehigh Valley__________________________85 Legacy Service USA_____________________________________ 122 Master’s Home Solutions/Bath Planet___________ 42, 103, Outside Maui Kitchens__________________________________________ 102 One Day Bath___________________________________________141 One Week Kitchens______________________________________114 Power Home Remodeling Group_______________________11, 115 Rome Bath Remodeling__________________________________ 112 Renewal By Andersen of Northeast PA_____________________ 48 Robert K Ace Construction________________________________ 90 Solar Reflections – Solatube________________________________81 The Longacre Company__________________________________159 TJR Construction________________________________________142 Window Nation_________________________________________116 Your Remodeling Guys – Home Depot_____________________132 SHEDS, PLAYSETS, OUTBUILDINGS All Amish Structures, Inc.________________________________ 215 SECURITY SYSTEMS ADT Residential Security_________________________________ 78 RCN___________________________________________________ 80 T-Mobile_______________________________________________ 144 SUNROOMS Appleby Systems, Inc.____________________________________ 90 Patio Enclosures_________________________________________109 TOOLS & POWER EQUIPMENT Canns-Bilco Power Equipment_______________________ ANNEX PowerPro Equipment____________________________________148 TRAVEL/VACATIONS G&P Marketing/Kings Creek_____________________________ 136 TREE CARE/REMOVAL Joshua Tree__________________________________________73, 137 VACUUMS & AIR PURIFIACTION SYSTEMS Aerus Electrolux_________________________________________ 21 Costco Wholesale Club #1211______________________________ 95 EnviroAire – Rainbow____________________________________ 66 WATER SYSTEMS/FILTERS Hydro-Therapeutics Water Cond.___________________________ 3 Long’s Eco Water Systems, Inc.____________________________ 57 Reynolds H20 Plus/Culligan Water Conditioning_____________ 46 WINDOWS, ROOFING & SIDING Acre Replacement Windows_______________________________92 All About Windows & More/CCUSA_______________________ 56 ALLIANCE______________________________________________17 American Remodeling Enterprises___________________________ 2 Appalachian Custom Glassworks__________________________188 Appleby Systems, Inc.____________________________________147 Aspen Home Improvement_______________________________132 Bachman’s Roofing_______________________________________ 54 Casanova Remodeling, LLC______________________________ 145 Castle Windows_________________________________________ 50 Hess Home Improvement/Hess Windows & Doors___________ 44 Homespire Windows & Doors____________________________ 119 Install America___________________________________________ 7 Jack’s Glass_______________________________________________1 Legacy Service USA_____________________________________ 122 Master’s Home Solutions/Bath Planet___________ 42, 103, Ourside Power Home Remodeling Group_______________________11, 115 Renewal By Andersen of Northeast PA_____________________ 83 Renu-Solar_____________________________________________ 115 Robert K Ace Construction________________________________ 90 Roof Maxx_____________________________________________ 140 Solar Reflections – Solatube________________________________81 Tom Adams Windows & Carpets__________________________152 TJR Construction________________________________________142 Window Nation__________________________________________16 Your Remodeling Guys – Home Depot_____________________132

PUBLICATIONS/MAGAZINES/NEWSPAPER Home Improvement Guide________________________ Entry, 85 The Morning Call______________________________________127 Your Home Remodel Magazine_______________________ Lobby REGLAZING/REFINISHING PermaGlaze_____________________________________________3 REMODELING/CONSTRUCTION Anew Face Kitchens____________________________________ 82 www.yhrmag.com

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Photo credit: Kirsch

Large rooms with large windows call for a dramatic touch in window treatments.

These Kirsch wide wood blinds are a simple way to create a striking design.

GUIDELINES FOR GORGEOUS

WINDOW TREATMENTS EASY WAYS TO MAKE YOUR WINDOWS WORK WONDERS

Window treatments might seem like a decorative accessory, but they work very hard playing many important roles in your home’s functionality and design. Not only do they add the decorative complement to a home’s architecture, softening hard structural lines, but they also provide much needed shade and privacy as well as draft reduction and energy efficiency.

SMART SHADES, OF COURSE

Photo credit: Kirsch

Window treatments have gotten Smart, with technical functionality that includes automated opening and closing options and remote buttons like this from Kirsch’s new line.

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Like everything else in your home, window treatments are going high tech and automated. Kirsch brand recently announced a comprehensive new collection of window shades, draperies and drapery hardware now available to consumers through a free and convenient shop-at-home design service available exclusively through The Home Depot. The brand’s shade automation options let consumers experience true wireless, smart home living as the shades move automatically throughout the day to positions of the consumer’s choice.

THE BEST BLINDS IN THE

LEHIGH VALLEY

Please Visit Our Full Service Design Showroom Mon - Fri | 9am - 4pm Saturday by Appointment Only 1301 Union Blvd, Allentown

610-770-1700 www.PennBlinds.com

Photo credit: Kirsch

Blinds can add a sleek, modern look to any room. These Kirsch designs complement the drapery and offer sun protection without getting in the way of the look of the room.

VALENCES ARE BACK

For several years now, modern clean curtain rods were the focus of window treatments and valances were overlooked as outdated and cluttered. But valences don’t need to be gobs of fabric bows and jabots, they can also offer clean lines and create the sense of height by drawing your eye up, in a way a rod just can’t do.

PROPER POSITIONING

The height of your window treatments is extremely important. A window treatment professional can ensure your curtain rods and drapery is installed at the most eye-pleasing position. Crown molding, window size and ceiling height can all be factors in what the best positioning and sizing will be. A window treatment professional can also offer creative suggestions, like using a barely visible that extends over multiple windows, to create a grand luxurious feel.

FULLNESS MATTERS

Sometimes drapery looks flimsy because it lacks a good liner material to give it structure and depth. You don’t need to ditch a look you love if the fabric is too thin. Instead, by adding a liner and thicker interliner, you can give substance to flimsy fabrics.

KNOW YOUR BLIND OPTIONS

Today there are an array of functional blind options to choose from. Picking the best one for your family will involve many factors. Do you want to add in more light or need more shade? Is this a public or semi-private window?

Are there large or mostly small windows that need covering? The Kirsch Collection for instance, covers 12 different shade types, including cellular, roller, roman, woven woods, vertical blinds, shutters, horizontal blinds and sheer shades. A window treatment professional can walk you through the options that work best for you, while handling all the meticulous details involving exact measurements and fabric weights.

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www.yhrmag.com

Resource box Penn Blinds Pennblinds.com 610-770-1700

& AFTER BEFORE 3043 Ridge Road, Perkasie PA 18944 Photos by Advanced Imaging Methods, Dave Apple

Rebecca Rynkiewicz, investor, Realtor and Team Leader with HomeSmart Realty Advisors transformed this Perkasie home from outdated to modern luxury this year. Currently listed for $630,000, the 3.1 acre property with 3,440 sf finished living space features 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, finished basement, deck and 2-car attached garage.

What was the state of the home/room before the remodel? This was a foreclosure that had not been lived in in over 2 years. The house was built in 1999 and nothing had been updated since it was originally built.

What were the worst parts before? The basement! It was dark and dirty and all the mechanicals had failed.

Also the landscaping and the yard. The entire 3.1 acres were never properly graded so there was standing water everywhere, everything was extremely overgrown, and the yard was very uneven.

What were some of the design challenges for this space? Even though the kitchen seems big, with what I wanted to accomplish the space was tight. I wanted a Chef’s kitchen with a large island for prep space and entertaining, all while keeping the eat in area.

Who was on the design/planning team? Myself and my boyfriend, Tony Chowdhury, who managed the construction and assisted on picking out the finishes.

What look/style were you going for? Rustic Luxe Farmhouse What was done construction/building wise (if applicable)? This was an extensive rehab. While we did not rip everything down to the studs, we demolished the kitchen, knocked down the dividing wall between the family room and kitchen to provide a more open concept, ripped up all the floors, demolished all bathrooms, waterproofed, framed out and finished the basement, added high hats & basement stair lighting, converted from oil to propane, all new appliances, new hot water heater, new well pump, sand mound serviced and pumped out, new 4-ton York HVAC, new sump pump with battery backup, fresh paint, new light fixtures, new garage doors & openers, built deck, new exterior doors, pressure washed exterior, crown molding installed, new landscaping, removed over 75 trees, new stone driveway, and properly graded the lawn bringing in 15 triable loads of topsoil with fresh seed and straw. www.yhrmag.com

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What new elements were added? 5� wide plank bamboo floors throughout entire 1st & 2nd floors, luxury vinyl tile in basement.

Quartz countertops, solid wood soft close doors and drawers, cold water pot filler over range, GE appliance package featuring double ovens, 5 burner gas range, wine fridge, French door refrigerator, dishwasher, range hood, microwave built in the island, and garbage disposal. Stainless steel double basin farmhouse sink with Moen faucet. 8 ft island. black hardware throughout entire home, GE washer & dryer in mud room, 1/2 bath feature, shiplap accent walls, Master bathroom features a soaking tub with tub filler, stand up shower with overhead rain showerhead & self closing custom shower door and Italian marble surround.

Who did you work with for the construction process? My brother is a general contractor and we subbed out all different components of the construction to local family owned companies.

Were you able to stick to your budget and deadline? Did any unforeseen obstacles arise? Unfortunately, we went over budget by about $30,000. The biggest factor was the overage on everything on the exterior. The original budget for that was $5,000 and we ended up spending almost $30,000 on the exterior alone. Tree removal, stump grinding, and working with excavators is not cheap!

Originally I did not think we would be needing that many loads of topsoil- I did not estimate properly.

Describe the finished outcome? What are the best parts and the most stand out features?

I want to live here! My favorite parts of the house are the kitchen and master bathroom.

It turned out better than I could ever have imagined. I am very proud of this rehab!

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With the recent lower interest rates, many homeowners are wondering if they should refinance. To decide if refinancing is the best op�on for your family, start by asking yourself these ques�ons:

Why do you want to refinance?

There are many reasons to refinance, but here are three of the most common ones: 1. Lower your interest rate and payment – This is the most popular reason. If you have a 4.75% interest rate or higher, it might be worth seeing if you can take advantage of the current lower interest rates.

2. Shorten the term of your loan – If you have a 30-year loan, it may be advantageous to change it to a 15 or 20-year.

3. Cash-out refinance – With home prices increasing, you might have enough equity to cash out and reduce other debt or invest in something else, like your children’s educa�on, a vaca�on home, or a new business.

Bo�om Line

To find out what’s right for your family, please contact me so I can help you understand your op�ons and guide you toward the best decision.

Frank Mancuso, Managing Partner

NMLS# 122891 (215) 801-8799 (direct) Frank@NortheastEquitable.com www.FrankMancusoNEM.com

Northeast Equitable Mortgage, LLC is licensed by the Pa Department of Banking and Securities, the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance and the FL Office of Financial Regulation, NMLS# 894392.

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