330 Homes Fall 2021

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FAMILY DOCKS AT DREAM LAKE HOUSE

photo provided by Laura of Pembroke MATT and REBECCA SAVAGE'S TRANSITIONAL HOME

A PARK HIDEAWAY TRANSFORMS FOR TWO

7 INDOOR PLANTS TO BOOST YOUR MOOD

FABULOUS, COZY FARMHOUSE PORCHES

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c o n t e n t s

fall 2021 | volume 3 | issue 3

d r e a m h o u s e 12 TRANS ITIONAL LAKE HOUSE 22 UPDATED HI STOR IC RENTAL 36 PARKS IDE HIDEAWAY

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8 FARMHOUSE KITCHEN 48 COOL GARAGES

f r e s h d e s i g n 20 LEPLEY & CO. 32 HOLIDAY DECOR 46 REDWOOD BURL CO.

o p e n a i r 28 WATERFRONT BACKYARD 44 PORCH LIVING

s p r u c e u p 42 SWEEP YOUR CHIMNEY

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o n t h e c o v e r

FAMILY DOCKS AT DREAM LAKE HOUSE

12 | SHORE THING | photo provided by Laura of Pembroke

photo provided by Laura of Pembroke MATT and REBECCA SAVAGE'S TRANSITIONAL HOME

A PARK HIDEAWAY TRANSFORMS FOR TWO

7 INDOOR PLANTS TO BOOST YOUR MOOD

FABULOUS, COZY FARMHOUSE PORCHES

w e l c o m e

by COLIN BAKER

a s u p p l e m e n t t o A k r o n L i f e m a g a z i n e

GREEN WAY Plants fill your home with vibrant life and stories.

Pub l i she r COL I N BAKER cbaker@bakermediagroup.com Cr ea t i ve D i r e c t o r WI LL I AM L . TECKMYER I I I wteckmyer@bakermediagroup.com Mana g i ng Ed i t o r KELLY PETRYSZYN kpet ryszyn@bakermediagroup.com As s i s t an t Ed i t o r ALEXANDRA SOBCZAK asobczak@bakermediagroup.com Gr aph i c De s i gne r TYLAR CALHOUN tsut ton@bakermediagroup.com

I enjoy houseplants, but my house is getting overrun with them. It started slowly. I didn’t notice at first, but eventually window ledges became alive. We have a room in our house that is incredible for plants. It’s glass all the way around, and every plant seems to love it. Every week, my wife would add a new plant. And now there isn’t a single open ledge or a shelf that doesn’t have something growing. It is cool, I must admit. I have a brown thumb. It’s my wife who keeps the plants alive. How do I know I’m not good with plants? Well, a few years ago, my wife gave me a bonsai tree and all the books and tools to take care of it. It seemed like a great idea, and I was into it. But I forgot about it and then tried to play catch up by watering. Every day, I gave it more and more water. And that’s when I realized — this thing was dead. One of my better moments with plants was a rubber tree that came with our house. The previous homeowners were employees of one of the local tire companies, so what better plant to have? After the first year of living in our house, one of my kids left the backdoor to the sunroom open during below-zero temps, and much of the tree died. Well, that is a hardy tree, and it arose from the dead. And it’s now back

to its previous splendor. It’s about 6 feet tall with shiny rubber leaves, and I love it. Another one of the plants has a fantastic story. My wife’s family has a friend who worked in the White House during former President Barack Obama’s terms, and they gave us some clippings they had from a Swedish ivy plant. That story alone would be cool, but with research, it proved even more compelling. We discovered that Swedish ivy plant had sat under a portrait of former President George Washington on the mantel in the Oval Office since former President John F. Kennedy's administration. The plant was a gift to Kennedy from the Irish ambassador to the United States in 1961 and was displayed by every president following, except for Obama, who chose to display grape ivy. Plants can add character, sto ries and more to our homes. Read our article about the benefits houseplants can have on our health on pg. 20. In this issue of 330 Homes , also find ways to enrich your house with furniture locally made from redwood trees, easy garage renovation ideas and inspira

Con t r i bu t i ng Wr i t e r s SHARON BEST MI CHAEL N I ED

Pho t og r aphe r TYLAR CALHOUN

Sa l e s BUNNY LACEY STEVE TYSON BEN D I COLA sales@bakermediagroup.com

C i r cu l a t i on circulat ion@bakermediagroup.com 330-253-0056, ext . 104

Ed i t o r i a l I n t e r ns MARCUS ANDERSON SAMUEL GROM MORGAN MCGRATH HALENA SEPULVEDA

fall 2021 | volume 3 | issue 3

33 O HOMES is published by Baker Media Group, LLC, 1653 Merriman Road, Suite 116, Akron, OH 44313. Copyright 2021© by Baker Media Group, LLC, All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or pictorial content in any manner is prohibited without written permis sion. Unsolicited manuscripts will not be returned unless accompanied by an addressed envelope and sufficient postage. Baker Media Group, LLC and Akron Life accept no responsibility for unsolicited material. Subscription rates: Continental U.S., One year —$19.95, Two years —$34.95. Call for Alaska, Hawaii or international rates. Single issues available by calling the circulation department or visiting akronlife.com/store. $3.95 each plus $3.50 shipping & handling. Editorial, advertising and busi ness offices: (330) 253-0056, fax (330) 253-5868.

tion for holiday decor. Right now, our Swedish

ivy plant is being displayed proudly in the Baker home. I’m sure it will be clipped and passed along too.

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Call 216-362-4660 IRU IUHH GHVLJQ FRQVXOWDWLRQ RU YLVLW XV RQOLQH DW FORVHWIDFWRU\ FRP

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©2021 Closet Factory. All rights reserved.

s p a c e l i f t | f r e s h d e s i g n | o p e n a i r | s p r u c e u p

by ALEXANDRA SOBCZAK and photos by CLIFF FRANKS, BUCKEYE DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY

HEART OF IT ALL A kitchen is the centerpiece of a rural farmhouse-style home.

W hen Andrea Kumse and her husband, Kevin, were planning what they wanted in their new Atwater home, it all started with the kitchen. Andrea loves cooking and wanted to be able to spend time with family while doing it whether she was hosting or just sharing a quiet night in with Kevin and their infant daughter. “That’s where we spend most of our evenings,” she says. “I definitely think the kitchen is the heart of the home.” Although the couple had built their previous Rootstown home through North Canton-based PH Design and Construction, this time they actively collaborated with the PH Design team during the planning process. That helped them achieve the farmhouse style they envisioned in their home that has Craftsman accents. “I kind of wanted that look in the house that felt … a little bit more rustic but also clean,” Andrea says. The Kumses got the cozy hangout spot they wanted for their family with farmhouse features designed just for them. Andrea describes the kitchen’s highlights.

t h e de ta i l s

F L OOR P L AN : Andrea often felt separated in their previous kitchen. So this home’s open floor plan and kitchen allow Andrea to see people in the living room and backyard through large black windows

onto their beautiful 7 acres of land and surrounding farms. “You can look out and see exactly why we moved out here,” she says. When her daughter is older, Andrea hopes to be able to watch her play outside from the kitchen.

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WOOD S : The wooden pieces around the kitchen bring a feeling of warmth. Tall overhead maple cabinets draw your eye to the pine custom range hood with a rough sawn texture over the stove. “It was a really unique piece that kind of ties the kitchen together,” Andrea says. There are also pine shelves with a smoked oak finish and rough sawn texture topped with plants, farmhouse signs and more flanking the windows overlooking the front yard. “Instead of it just being strictly cabinets, we wanted a place to have some fun decor,” Andrea says. I S L AND : One of the most important features is the large maple island with a black stainless steel farmhouse sink on one side, modern metal and faux-leather chairs on the other and three black metal lanterns overhead. “Our island is a little bit darker than the rest of the cabinets to kind of break it up,” she says. The piece serves as a focal point during entertaining, such as when Andrea’s brother and Kevin’s family visited. They hung around the island while Andrea cooked and ate pizza there. “I wanted this to be a gathering place,” she says. COUN T E RS : The Kumses wanted their countertops to be as white as possible, and they got that in the quartz surface on the counters and island, which brighten up the room and complement the white-gray tiles designed to look like brick on the main wall of the kitchen. There’s ample space, so Andrea and Kevin can be there together to plan meals or tag-team making taco bowls for the family. “A lot of prep space — that was a really big thing for me to have,” Andrea says, “having vegetables all over the place to … meal prep for the week.”

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d r e a m h o u s e

by SHARON BEST and photos provided by LAURA OF PEMBROKE SHORE THING A family transitions into a dream lake house in Canton.

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R ebecca Savage envisioned her young family of four living in a contemporary lake house. She and her husband, Matt, loved the scenic beauty of Lake Cable in Canton — and several of his relatives already lived on the 150-acre private lake that offers a haven for boating, swimming and fishing. When a vacant lot became available, the avid swimmers and pontoon boaters, who have 5- and 7-year-old kids, dove at the opportunity to build a house with their friend, Mark Memmer, owner of Massillon based Memmer Homes. “I would go to his open houses and fell in love with his aesthetic,” Rebecca says. “They’re modern but still traditional with very clean lines.” She also enjoyed buying decor from the Laura of Pembroke store in Canton. When she learned Pembroke designers often team up with Memmer Homes on lighting and furnishings, she found a great style connection with interior designer Karen Fehlman. The overall look of the five bedroom, 3,500-square foot home is transitional, which Fehlman describes as combining traditional elements with modern touches. “Even if things go in or out of style, transitional should always stay current,” she says. The color palette Rebecca chose is mostly black and white for a crisp, timeless feel. Adding splashes of blues in the upholstery and artwork keeps that contemporary look from being cold while flowing in a lake vibe. Much of the seating in the home is midcentury modern.

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CLOSER LOOK

Homeowners Matt and Rebecca Savage have visited California’s Napa Valley a few times and recently began col lecting wine. When Rebecca saw a glass-walled wine room at a Memmer Homes open house, she knew her new home would include one. Though the coolness from the lower level and absence of direct sunlight meant they didn’t need climate control in the wine room, separating the space with glass walls and a locked door makes it feel more distinct while providing a unique and safe focal point for the home’s open lower level, which includes a kids’ play area and a grown-up dining and bar area.

ORE

“In the summer we’re mostly on the water, but we hang out here in the wintertime, watching movies or football games,” she says.

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In the living room, two midcentury dark blue velvet armchairs sit across from more traditional soft gray chairs with nailhead trim. A creamy low profile sofa with unfussy lines lends understated yet sophisticated elegance. To achieve a quintessential transitional effect, rounded, low profile black chairs pair with a contemporary solid oak dining table finished in a sandblasted quarter oak veneer.

Traditional Mission-style cabinetry, painted black on the oversized island and white on the built ins, works with white granite countertops for crisp simplicity. Memmer Homes helped the Savages pick an engineered hardwood with matte-finished oak planks to unite the main level open floor plan with a warm, cohesive look. “I wanted to keep it simple but dramatic at the same time,” Rebecca says.

“That color is really great for a young family,” Fehlman adds. “Medium to light tones hold up to wear and tear very well.” For more of that drama, Rebecca chose black hexagonal tile for the floor in the powder room that has one wall accented with blue-and-white textural animal print wallpaper. It has easy access from the lakeside outdoor living space, which features an alfresco dining area and a dock for their pontoon boat. “I love the darkness and

moodiness of it, but it’s still classic,” Rebecca says. The leather-finished granite-topped bar and lounge area also show off that vibe in the lower level. Medium and darker shades of gray on walls and baseboards offset luxury vinyl floors with the look of reclaimed wood that stand up to dampness. Natural light floods into the living room, dining room and vaulted owner’s suite through walls of windows.

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Transom crossbars over the vertical windows increase both the light and the drama of the space by making the ceilings feel higher. “We wanted to use the windows to feature the lake as much as possible,” Rebecca says, noting they chose not to hang window dressings for an airier impression. But the home’s most brilliant highlight is the light fixtures, which Rebecca and Fehlman both describe as jewelry for the home. “Light fixtures really have the opportunity to

reflect your personality,” Fehlman says. To show off Rebecca’s fun, stylish and tailored sides, Fehlman helped her find fixtures with both contemporary sleekness and approachable authenticity. Touches of bright gold and brass add a fresh feel to the midcentury glass globes above the dining table. The stunning living room chandelier is one of Rebecca’s favorite pieces in the house. The combo of bright exposed Edison bulbs and a thin modern profile brings attention to the space without overwhelming the furniture.

“I wanted something large and grand in that area,” she says. She showed Fehlman an inspiration photo, and Fehlman helped find it within her budget. Between the timeless decor, expansive lake views and a floor plan that welcomes guests in and out, this transitional home is the perfect backdrop for all the milestones in this young family’s future. “My vision was … it’s an open floor plan that we can enjoy with family and friends and feel inviting,” Rebecca says. “It really came to life.”

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s p a c e l i f t | f r e s h d e s i g n | o p e n a i r | s p r u c e u p

by MORGAN MCGRATH and photos provided by LEPLEY & CO.

MI R A CL E GROW Indoor plants are a mood booster you need.

inside the Massillon Train Depot followed in November. Plants have provided a positive fresh start in his life, so he advocates for homeowners to get houseplants to improve their well-being. And many happily do. “A lot of customers … they’ll say things like, I needed a little boost of serotonin today, so I came into the shop, ” he says. Lepley offers some tips on how to pick out houseplants to enrich your life and home. Northside, 21 Furnace St., Akron, Depot, 13 Penn Ave. SE, Massillon, lepleyandco.com

H ouseplants are lovely to look at, but research has also linked them to better mental health. Studies have shown that plants lift your mood, reduce stress and have a calming effect. Justin Lepley attests that. “It gives something outside of ourselves to really focus on and care for,” he says. “Oftentimes, that reflects our own self-care and mental health.”

Graduating from Case Western Reserve University's School of Law in May 2020 amid the pandemic spurred Lepley to seek something more. He used his downtime to start selling plants from his personal garden out of a stand he set up in his Akron yard and named it Lepley & Co. Business grew so much that

Lepley expanded to local suppliers and opened a

Northside Marketplace location in August 2020, and a location

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f r e s h d e s i g n

H E L P I NG HAND : Plants are living things with needs. It’s crucial to ask yourself how much care you plan on giving: “Are they really good with a schedule, or … when they remember, they’ll get to it?” Lepley asks. Look for care info on apps such as Planta that scan photos of plants. Customers can also send photos to Lepley & Co.’s number, 330-808-8490, and ask questions. Lepley says pothos plants are easy for newbies. “They can tolerate a wide variety of lighting situations,” he says. “They’ll kind of wilt when they’re thirsty, which is a good reminder.” F I ND T H E L I GH T: When searching for the perfect houseplant, consider location and lighting. “Some plants are better for low lighting, like the Sansevieria [snake plant], while others need a great deal of sunlight,” he says. Plants like cacti and succulents typically require specific placement too. “They do really well in west facing windows,” he advises. “They get that bright, hot afternoon sun.” WAT E R SOURC E : Knowing a plant’s watering schedule is one of the most important pieces of the care process. “You’re much more likely to kill your plants from overwatering them than from underwatering,” Lepley says. So carefully follow the instructions on the tag. Those who are tentative should try a manageable snake plant. “They’re great oxygenators, so they’re a very good starter plant,” he says, “especially people who might not remember to water all the time.”

NEW LEAVES

Consider getting these indoor plants.

Philodendron Brazil: With leaves that resemble a heart shape, this tropical treasure only requires water once a week. “They’re really pretty. They’re a really fast grower,” says Justin Lepley, the owner of Lepley & Co. For a long lifespan, keep it in a standing or hanging pot.

Alocasia frydek: A stunning sight, this sizeable plant is decorated with dark leaves and contrasting white stripes. But be ready for challenging care, like short, bright light exposure, particular temps and specific humidity levels. “They’re somewhat rare,” he says. “They’re so eye-catching.”

Rattlesnake plant: The bold leaves move with light throughout the day, and at night, they fold inward. “They look kind of like praying hands when they move,” Lepley says. “They’ve just got an absolutely beautiful pattern and coloration.”

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CARE TAKE by KELLY PETRYSZYN and photos by TYLAR CALHOUN

A worn-down historic Akron home gets a restoration.

T his 1919 century home in west Akron needed some love. Its cream siding was stained with dirt, its landscaping was dead and its electrical and plumbing were out of date. But Aaron and McKayla Hale saw its potential as a rental that uplifts. Finding good beyond the surface is what Aaron, a Bath native and a U.S. Navy and Army veteran, does. He lost his eyesight when an IED exploded during a tour in Afghanistan with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit. He later lost his hearing, and after cochlear implants,

he can hear out of his left ear. As each challenge arose, he kept persisting. “A friend of mine said, It’s only a disability when you let your limitations stop you ,” he says. “So I found a way around my limitations.” He married McKayla, a longtime family friend who had a crush on him, and they live with their 2-year old twins and 10-year-old in Florida. Now, Aaron is focused on his passions: cooking and real estate. The Hales own the successful Extra Ordinary Delights online treat company, through which Aaron posts

cooking TikTok videos, and got into real estate to reinvest their earnings for their retirements and kids. Aaron’s mom, Carol, still lives in Akron, so she scouts locations. They then buy and fix properties for rent, including a long-term rental in Green, a duplex in Highland Square and this 1,900-square-foot historical home in west Akron. Aaron finds purpose in helping out. “We’re rehabbing homes that need a little TLC,” he says. “We’re putting some

sort of value back into my hometown, which I absolutely love.”

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The Hales bought this home in 2018 and transformed it into an affordable family Airbnb over nine months. They added it to Airbnb’s Frontline program that offers housing to COVID-19 first responders at a deep discount. “I truly enjoy it,” Aaron says. “My mother and McKayla are very creative at turning an unloved home into something really special. I’m more of the numbers guy. I make sure it’s within the budget.” The goal was to maintain the Dutch colonial’s 1919 charm while adding modern amenities and style. McKayla and Carol kept historic features like crown molding, 12-inch-wide baseboards and built-ins. “They don’t do this in homes anymore — this beautiful woodwork. It’s really sturdy hardwood,” McKayla says. “We wanted to keep these features because it is original to the house.” The wide array of paint colors on the walls and ceilings didn’t match, while natural wood features darkened it.

They brightened the house by painting the woodwork, ceilings and most of the walls in whites and neutrals and redoing the wooden stairs in white and gray, using a distressing tool to add a weathered texture. “I really like the clean look that white, black, gray offers,” McKayla says. “You can add splashes of color … and it kind of modernizes the feel of the house.” While much of the project was do it yourself, they enlisted contractors to do technical upgrades, including the electrical, plumbing and creating a breakfast nook. The kitchen got a full remodel with new stainless-steel appliances, white-and-gray marbled granite countertops, soft close gray KraftMaid cabinets, a herringbone tile backsplash, a coiled faucet, a sink and a pendant light.

Upcycled pieces of furniture, largely from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, add color pops, including a living room console that McKayla repainted robin’s egg blue and

For more personality, she decorated with blue paintings, often in gold frames, and local art, such as an Akron Civic Theatre marquee print and a stunning Don Drumm butterfly cookbook holder. There was only one bathroom, so they hired a contractor to convert an upstairs bedroom into a bathroom. While they added a sliding glass door shower with a rainfall showerhead, a white double sliding barn door vanity with black

added new black knob hardware to, and dining room chairs that she repainted with chalk paint and reupholstered in a white chevron fabric. “With a bit of paint and imagination, you can make older pieces brand new again. That’s something Aaron’s mom and I both really enjoy doing,” says McKayla. But they kept the sunroom furniture as natural wood to accentuate

the sunny warmth that streams in through the many windows.

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hardware by Knox Restoration sets a modern rustic tone for the bathroom, and a creamy brocade wallpaper from Akron-based January Paint & Wallpaper adds interest to a closet interior. They worked their crafty magic in the bedrooms by painting desks cream or navy, adding white shiplap paneling to an attic bedroom and painting a lattice baby gate gray to hang as a deconstructed headboard in one room. To match their neutral color palette, they had house painters redo the siding in a deep charcoal, Sherwin Williams Iron Ore, and brick and other features in a contrasting white. “It gives it a modern touch,” McKayla says. “It’s amazing how far it’s come.” The Hales still live in Florida but are looking to live in Akron during the summers. For Aaron, fixing up houses in his hometown has been fulfilling, and he’s excited to continue the journey. “It’s something that’s fun and rewarding,” he says. “It’s also a way to give back to our community.”

CLOSER LOOK

This bathroom, initially the only one, needed serious attention. So homeowner McKayla Hale and her mother-in-law, Carol Hale, kept the original white tile around the glass block window, stripped the sides and covered it with a black honeycomb tile for a two-toned look. McKayla got a neutral vanity from Facebook Marketplace but swapped in black hardware for a cleaner feel. They repainted the door, along with all the others upstairs, but they kept the antique knobs. Some had lots of wear, grime and paint, so they cleaned and painted them black to match the home’s black-and-white color scheme while showcasing an original element. “There’s so much history in this community,” McKayla says. “It’s nice when you can hold on to that.”

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s p a c e l i f t | f r e s h d e s i g n | o p e n a i r | s p r u c e u p

by SHARON BEST and photos by TYLAR CALHOUN

D I V E B A CK A DIY outdoor renovation helps a homeowner reunite with lake living.

D amion Dolney grew up sailing on Lake Erie with his family. When he left for college, lake life slipped away. Then he married Amanda in 2014, and the couple rediscovered that joy with a 17-foot powerboat on Chippewa Lake, not far from their Hinckley home. Friends suggested trying Portage Lakes, so they rented a home and found the beaches, restaurants, bars and friendly people irresistible. “We loved having the boat in the backyard,” he says. So much so that they sold their home, acquired a couple of wakesurf boats and moved to PLX permanently in 2016. “The impetus of the move is the community’s feeling here and the amount of fun it is to live on the water,” Damion says.

Their 3,200-square foot 1952 home was expanded in the ‘80s

The Dolneys have remodeled the entire property, starting with adding the covered lakeside pavilion and five docks for their wakesurf boats, kayaks and boating visitors. They added a mid level pavilion with direct access from the home’s

lower level and a third covered area that connects the home to the cottage and serves as a carport. “It’s given us flexibility in any situation to enjoy Portage Lakes without hindrance,” Damion says of the changes he’s done largely himself with the

help of contractor friends, from whom he learned construction. “We had a couple of parties this summer [with] 50 people all seated without bringing chairs. When you live in the Portage Lakes, it’s never two people that stop by — it’s 10.”

when a previous owner acquired the neighboring 1,350-square-foot two bedroom, one-bath house as a guesthouse called the Mermaid Cottage.

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UND E R COV E R : The lower dockside pavilion features a hip roof, which has four shorter downward sloping sides, to comply with Portage Lakes requirements for not obstructing views. It provides an additional neighbor friendly benefit when the Dolneys host parties in the spot that has a complete sound system, satellite TV and pull down projection screen. Damion says. “You could be watching a game, and 30 feet away, you can barely hear anything.” “It muffles the sound, holds [it] internally,”

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I NS I D E OU T: The mid-level pavilion, built in 2018, features exposed timber framing and a wood burning stove for year round comfort. “It was our savior during COVID because it gave us an opportunity to see friends, stay warm, be outside and still have that social interaction.” When the Cleveland Browns were teasing a playoff run last winter, Damion and a friend devised detachable walls in six panels made of wood paneling with double hung windows and a full-sized door to enclose the space for four seasons. With the wood-burning stove ablaze and the walls in place, Damion says it’s as cozy as an indoor living room, regardless of Ohio’s capricious weather. T OP CH E F : Amanda gifted Damion a Blackstone 36-inch flattop grill for the mid-level pavilion, on which he makes everything from breakfast omelets to smash burgers. “I like being able to cook — completely covered — in the rain or snow,” Damion says. “That’s

my favorite thing.” Amanda’s favorite

part? Being away from passersby and simply enjoying a view of the East Reservoir.

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T E S T A R E A LT Y S AV E S S U MM I T C OU N T Y R E S I D E N T S T HOU S A N D S We all know of someone f inancially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. While so many industry sectors have been hit hard, one of the bright spots has been the residential housing market. “Summit County has seen a 32 percent increase in home sales in November and December of 2020 over the previous year. During that time, the average days on market fell from 69 to 40,” says Testa Cos. president Joel Testa. “The real estate industry has been one of the few around that has managed to thrive during these very diff icult times. Because of this, we feel a moral obligation to our community to give back.” Testa’s real estate f irm has announced a program called “Community Strong,” which went live in 2020. If you have a home to sell in Summit County and are looking to buy another one in that same area, it is willing to list your home and assist you in purchasing your new home for free. That’s right — free. Testa is quick to point out that as much as it sounds too good to be true, there is no catch to the program.

“Our agents earn our fee from the seller of the new home our buyers purchase. So, there is already no cost to the buyers for our service,” he says. “By committing to let us help you with that transaction, we are willing to list your house for sale at no charge.” Testa sees this as a way to not only give back to the community but also to invest in future clients. “We aren’t just offering this to families that need to retain as much of the equity in their house as they can when they sell,” he says. “We are hoping that aff luent sellers see the value and become new clients for life. So far we’ve managed to save some clients tens of thousands of dollars in each deal.” For more info, contact Cassie Testa, director of residential sales and leasing at Testa Real Estate Group, at cassietesta@testacompanies.com or 330-945-HOME.

Testa Realty 330-945-HOME testacompanies.com

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by SHARON BEST and photos provided by JONES GROUP INTERIORS STAR DUST Add twinkle to your house with professional holiday decor.

R eturning home effortlessly transformed into a winter wonderland might seem unlikely. But that’s exactly what Eric Jones and his team at Akron-based Jones Group Interiors deliver with their professional holiday decorating service. from work to f ind your

“We create the magic,” he says. “They miss the mess.” Jones consults with clients to determine what their holiday decor wishes are, from a glitzy centerpiece for a gala event to an inti mate glow for a family den. Then he travels to Atlanta, Dallas, New York City and other locales to search for unique ornaments you won’t find at big-box stores. He also works heirloom ornaments or other pieces a family finds meaningful

into his designs that are tailored to each home owner to avoid looking cor porate or overdone. “There’s a sense of propor tion and balance,” he says. “That’s the science of what we do to make the decora tion look flawless.” His crew decorates houses with white-glove care that includes cleaning up meticulously, and they even return in January to box everything up and can

store it in their warehouse until next year. The result is a uniquely personal holi day display that creates wonder and joy. “When you’re sitting there in the evening with a glass of wine, the candles and fire going, the lights on, it’s a space you want to be in,” Jones says. He discusses some memo rable holiday decor.

[ continued on page 34 ]

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G E T ORG A N I Z E D W I T H A C U S T OM U N I T F ROM C L O S E T F A C T ORY

Let Closet Factory help transform your home into an organized oasis that will be the envy of your friends! Our expert designers help create spaces that make it easy to stay organized. From glamorous walk-in closets that showcase your wardrobe to functional desks for virtual learning, an organized system will bring order to your life. We can also create the perfect mudroom to store backpacks and more. Our designs range from simple to spectacular and everything in between. Closet Factory is the authority on custom storage, and we design around you to create an organization plan tailored to your needs. We design, manufacture and install custom closets, home off ices, mudrooms, garages, pantries, entertainment centers, wall beds and more! Our Northeast Ohio location has been family owned and -operated for over 22 years. That means you receive the experience you need with the personal touch you want.

Closet Factory 5305 Commerce Parkway W, Parma 216-362-4660 closetfactory.com

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T R E A T YOU R S E L F T O B E T T E R WA T E R

Vern Dale’s Water Center has been treating water in Stark and surrounding counties for over 60 years. Call us for: • Water Treatment Systems: We are the experts when it comes to treating your family’s water with equipment for the most challenging water problems. We offer a no-obligation free water analysis and 0 percent f inancing. • Service: Our highly skilled technicians service most brands of residential water treatment equipment ranging from conditioners, f ilters, reverse osmosis and UV systems. We also pride ourselves on a quick response time. • Water Coolers: We have the lowest water cooler rental price, as well as coolers available for purchase. • Salt: We can load pickup salt for you, or we can deliver salt, carry it to your basement and load it into your tank. Ask about our Drop and Go delivery special. • Bottled Water: We have the highest quality bottled water for pickup or delivery. • Filters: We have a variety of whole-house cartridge f ilters and drinking water system f ilters available. If you have a question or need, call us. Visit our website for online shopping and curbside pickup.

Vern Dale’s Water Center 3827 Kirby Ave. NE, Canton 330-455-9466 verndalewater.com

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[ continued from page 32 ]

IMPRESSIVE PROPORTIONS: Jones found a pair of bearded gnomes in Atlanta and used them to set an oversized scale for this lush and whimsical mantel in this west Akron home. “People are afraid to make a statement,” he says. “Trade se cret? Start big and keep getting bigger.” He used 12-inch-wide garland, crystals from a vintage chandelier, vertical orna ments and three different sizes of lights, including twinklers for a sense of move ment, to fill it with glitz and glamour. GRACEFUL GRANDEUR: Because this floating staircase is the first thing guests see upon entering this Clinton home, Jones made it the centerpiece of the family’s classic holiday decor. “A staircase traditionally has been associ ated with grandeur,” he says. “Our job is to make it look exceptional like it can’t the rest of the year.” He used hundreds of lights and gigantic ornaments over thick swags of artificial pine to match the scale of the home’s 20-foot ceilings. QUIET ELEGANCE: When a client es chews the idea of traditional red-and green Christmas decor, Jones spends time getting to know what they really want. A Hunting Valley couple wanted an intimate, grown-up space “away from the Santa Claus mentality” where they could spend evenings together. He based the navy-and-gold theme of this tree with star accents and this mantel with metallic oak and maple leaf embel lishments off the room’s chestnut wood work and richly upholstered furnishings. It creates a tranquil effect that fits seamlessly with the elegant room for a quieter holiday display. CONTEMPORARY COLOR: To balance a classic holiday look with a more contemporary feel, Jones chose colorful translucent glass balls to punctuate a variety of white and colorful lights on this flocked tree covered in artificial snow. “They look like bubbles, but it’s still traditional,” he says. He incorporat ed ornaments from the Fairlawn Heights homeowners’ world travels, such as a hand-blown glass fish from Hawaii, and topped the tree with an elegant white peacock for a dash of whimsy.

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SHU LTZ NAMED HOMEBU I L DER OF THE Y E A R As longstanding members of the Homebuilders Association, we are elated and honored to be awarded 2020 Homebuilder of the Year. We are a second-generation, family-operated company passionate about the communities we serve. Our vast portfolio of unique projects spans across custom homes and luxury renovations throughout Summit, Portage and Stark counties over the past 30 years. Shultz Design & Construction is under the Shultz Companies umbrella of brands — a true full-service real estate group reaching from development to design to brokerage services. This award is largely attributed to the synergies of all our companies, employees, clients and loyal trade partners. Amidst uncertainty, 2020 was a great year for our team. We were able to connect with and service our clients in more meaningful ways as the concept of and connection with home was redeveloped for so many. We are in a thrilling 2021 and hope to work with you and your family in the near future. Thank you to the HBA for its continued dedication to our industry — remaining a steadfast resource for builders to serve their communities. Shultz Companies, Shultz Design & Construction 3465 S. Arlington Road, Suite 116 E, Akron, 330-896-8883, shultzdc.com

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by MICHAEL NIED and photos by JACQUELINE ZEMA, ISO PHOTO STUDIO

TREASURE TROVE

A hideaway near the national park transforms into a charming home for two.

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J ill Pinto fell in love with her partner Tom Parry’s Akron home the first time she came over during a date five years ago. “I literally walked in and said, Don’t say anything to me, ” she recalls. “I just wanted to take it all in.” Parry had a similar expe rience nearly 30 years prior. In 1987, he bought the three-bedroom, three-bathroom home located just outside of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, around the corner from where he grew up. Although the 2,750-square foot house underwent several renovations, both agreed a redesign was nec essary when Pinto moved in in 2018. Enter Katie Heinz, owner and senior designer of Medina-based Interior Design Studio.

Parry’s renovation goals were simple: to preserve the richly grained wood work, the dimmable light ing and his beloved sound system that reaches every room and the front and back yards. Pinto had free rein beyond those ele ments. Her aesthetic is traditional but light and airy. Her goals were to brighten the dated home and enmesh their belong ings to create a shared life. Heinz incorporated their visions into the three-year renovation that didn’t erase the home’s unique look and backstory. She was enchanted that it’s a kit home in a distinct early 20th-century style and was purchased out of a Sears catalog in 1958. “It’s roots and history,” she says. “There’s nothing like them anymore.”

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Changes are particularly evident in the open floor plan 375-square-foot kitchen, dining and sit ting rooms. They access a large deck with a hot tub and overlook an expansive backyard running to the tree line. Emerald walls were painted a cozy off-white, and a black granite back splash matching the kitchen countertops was swapped out for light sub way tiles. Barstools were upholstered in a striped fabric with a pop of coral. Moroccan-inspired pen dant lights picked up in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, hang above an island. The dining room show cases a glass table set for four. Parry’s love of music is evidenced by a styl ized photo of the Beatles hung in the central nook of a well-stocked wet bar. A neon-lit sculpture of a diner picked up at the Boston Mills Artfest is dis played on a shelf. Eclectic accents, such as a flower-shaped side table, add whimsy to the sitting room. A tufted sofa is staged alongside an antique R.J. Horner china cabinet Pinto’s grand parents rescued from a barn. That’s not the only piece of family history: Her grandfather crafted a chair with carved wooden arms and legs using a lathe. Heinz reupholstered it with a lively bird fabric to pay tribute to Pinto and Parry, who are avid bird-watchers. Similar treasures pop up like jewels around every

corner. A pink volcanic rock female climber sculp ture by a Colombian art ist hangs off the wall in the main-floor bathroom. Three pieces from the Art of Dr. Seuss Collection are displayed in the den, including a paint ing of a green cat in an Uleaborg Finland subway. The couple picked up another together — a hand-painted, cast resin trophy mount of the Sea-Going Dilemma Fish that’s framed above the granite-fronted fireplace they use all winter. Parry gifted Pinto the final one, which features a cat wrapped in a lime-green shower curtain, after he saw her admiring it in Lake Tahoe, California. “She was in a bubble, locked in on that paint ing,” he recalls. Comparatively, the owner’s suite is sparsely accessorized because it is already a work of art. A bed and floating nightstands rest inside a previously renovated dor mer outfitted with atrium style windows. The couple sleeps underneath the open sky. “During a starry night or a storm, it’s pretty awesome,” Pinto says. Heinz also transformed what used to be an office into a modern sitting area. A rounded sofa and seafoam walls play off warm-toned wood panel ing. The result is a blend of old and new. There’s nothing old about the owner's bathroom. Last renovated 24 years prior, it’s now tricked out with modern amenities.

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CLOSER LOOK

A glass-enclosed steam shower replaced a walled-in shower to create the illusion of extra space within the 90-square foot owner's bathroom. Chrome showerheads spray from all directions, and a trough drain is a sneaky feature. Designer Katie Heinz utilized two types of accent tiles in the luxe spot. A hexagonal glass tile mosaic sets the scene for a small nook in the corner, and white carved tiles wrap up one wall and continue across the ceiling in a graphic line. The latter is a favorite of the home owners. “Every tile is different. It sort of looks like a patchwork,” says Jill Pinto. “Katie brought one square, and I was like, Yes! ”

A damask area rug was cut into segments and trimmed to create runners. Quartzite tops the vanity, which features dual sinks and bronze, gemstone adorned cabinet pulls. A newly cased window bathes the room in natural light.

Tucked away within the woods so they can hear concerts from Blossom Music Center but still enjoy privacy, the serene home that was once just Parry’s now reflects the couple. It’s lived-in, well-loved and filled with gems that nod to their history together and apart. And Pinto? She’s enamored as ever.

“Once a week I say to Tom, I love my house so much, ” she admits.

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A N A RT I S A N A P P ROA C H T O R E MOD E L I NG & D E S I G N Architectural Justice has been providing homeowners of The 330 with an artisan approach to design and remodeling for 35 years. Its unique Design Center in Medina offers clients a one-stop shop for all the materials and products needed to transform a home. Architectural Justice is also one of the largest stocking stone fabricators in the area featuring nearly 2,000 slabs of exotic stone on-site. Along with stone fabrication, other on-site services include custom cabinetry, furniture, and millwork, architectural metal design and fabrication, as well as design and remodeling services. Whether it's a small project or a full remodel, its purpose is to give you the most creative and innovative solution for your space.

Architectural Justice Design Center 2462 Pearl Road, Medina 330-225-6000 architecturaljustice.com

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2462 PEARL RD. MEDINA, OH 330.225.6000 I ARCHITECTURALJUSTICE.COM

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by HALENA SEPULVEDA and photos provided by FRIENDLY SWEEPS

C L E A N SWE E P Keep your chimney clear heading into winter.

T he season of cuddling by the fire is just around the corner, so now is the best time to get your chimney cleaned. Being proactive is important, as winter is a time when your chimney is at risk for hazards such as freezing water that can lead to cracks in the chimney tile. Lee Hlas, the owner of Medina-based Friendly Sweeps, recommends homeowners get their chimneys inspected at least once a year, even if they don’t use them very often.

“There’s a lot more that can go wrong,” he says, “especially if someone doesn’t use it for a long time.” Annual chimney main tenance checks help keep chimneys clean and safe and can teach you how to monitor for signs of damage. Hlas offers some factors to consider when getting your chimney serviced this season. L OOK OV E R : Hlas recommends getting a full assessment during your maintenance check,

which typically includes technicians inspecting your firebox

for mortar or buildup,

confirming gas lines work and

about whether the chimney needs additional services. “If it doesn’t need to be cleaned, we tell them upfront,” he

are capped and checking that any ash in the ash dump is discarded and not a fire hazard. Technicians should also make sure the chimney’s damper, which controls whether air can escape, is sealed and that there are no cracks in the tile. After an assessment, they give clients feedback

says. If the chimney needs to be cleaned,

however, technicians use a brush with heavy metal

bristles to sweep out buildup from inside.

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