330 Homes Fall 2022

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SILVER LAKE ESTATE STUNS

CASSIE and JOEL TESTA'S SILVER LAKE HOME

photo by Joel Testa

INSIDE TIKTOK STARS' GREEN DIY HOUSE

FENG SHUI YOUR SPACE

FUN FALL DECOR FROM IZZY P AT HOME

ARCH. JUSTICE

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c o n t e n t s

fall 2022 | volume 4 | issue 3

d r e a m h o u s e 14 BLOCK BUSTER 22 SOCIAL SPOT

s p a c e l i f t

8 WARM AND COOL LIVING ROOM 34 ADD A FOUR SEASONS ROOM

f r e s h d e s i g n 10 FENG SHUI YOUR SPACE 20 HANDMADE GLOBAL FLAIR 36 FALL HOME DECOR

s m a r t t e c h 30 GET GREEN TECH

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o n t h e c o v e r

SILVER LAKE ESTATE STUNS

14 | BLOCK BUSTER | photo by Joel Testa

CASSIE and JOEL TESTA'S SILVER LAKE HOME

photo by Joel Testa

INSIDE TIKTOK STARS' GREEN DIY HOUSE

FENG SHUI YOUR SPACE

FUN FALL DECOR FROM IZZY P AT HOME

w e l c o m e

by COLIN BAKER

VALUABLE AREA Living in The 330 is both affordable and enjoyable.

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

Pub l i she r COL I N BAKER cbaker@bakermediagroup.com Cr e a 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 recently saw a Business Insider story that high lighted cities with the lowest cost of living in the United States. Yeah, it was clickbait, and I was lured into scrolling through, but it was interest ing. Ohio had four cities in the top 25, and Akron was ranked 10th for affordability. I’m sure this comes as no surprise if you have trav eled around the country. So many cities are extreme when ing. Cities like New York and San Francisco have always been expensive, and though many residents are leaving for cheaper cities, there will always be a pull of people and talent there. My oldest son, a senior at Ohio University, has been offered a position in northern California just outside of San Francisco. He told me he doesn’t know if he wants to live there because of how much of his pay would go to housing expenses, and owning isn’t even close to being in the cards. He said he could see himself living in Ohio, which really surprised me because he has always said he wants to live on the West Coast. When you’re young and don’t have to pay for it, everything about living in an overpriced city sounds fun. But once you get close to making that decision, it’s your money that would be spent on a shared apartment for several it comes to housing costs and the overall cost of liv

thousand dollars in rent. You start to think differently, especially in today’s world of remote work, where many employers don’t require you to work in an office setting. I certainly enjoy the benefits of living in Akron. The neighbor hood I live in would be com pletely unaffordable in other cities, totally out of reach for me and my family. We are lucky to live in The 330, and because everything we have isn’t spent on housing, our family can live well in a nice community. Yes, it’s possible The 330 will be discovered. People could see we sit near a massive lake of fresh water, and although winters can be rough, they make springs that much sweeter. We have the arts, universities, sports, a national park and great restaurants. The houses here are beauti ful, with tons of turn-of-the century character and history. Get a look inside some of those amazing houses in this issue of 330 Homes . I have lived in cities that have been discovered. Lots of people pour in, home prices go up and infrastructure is tested. This hasn’t happened yet, but according to Roofstock, The 330 reported that home values have risen almost 19 percent in the last year. Regardless, if you are a new homeowner in The 330 area, welcome. It’s a great place to live.

Con t r i bu t i ng Wr i t e r s LONDON GREEN V I NCE GUERR I ER I AVERY SAVAGE LYNNE THOMPSON

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

fall 2022 | volume 4 | issue 3

33 O HOMES is published by Baker Media Group, LLC, 1653 Merriman Road, Suite 116, Akron, OH 44313. Copyright 2022© by Baker Media Group, LLC, All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or pictorial con tent in any manner is prohibited without written permission. Unsolicited manuscripts will not be returned unless accompanied by an addressed envelope and sufficient postage. Baker Media Group, LLC and Akron Life accept no responsibil ity for unsolicited material. Subscription rates: Continental U.S., One year —$19.95, Two years —$34.95. Call for Alaska, Hawaii or interna tional rates. Single issues available by calling the circulation department or visiting akronlife.com/ store. $3.95 each plus $3.50 shipping & han dling. Editorial, advertising and business offices: (330) 253-0056, fax (330) 253-5868.

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

by VINCE GUERRIERI and photos provided by CHEZ-DEL INTERIORS

HO T A ND COL D Warm and cool tones add interest to a living room.

T he need for an in-law Klunzinger's mom spurred Kim and her husband, Verne, and their three children to move from Hinckley Township to Sharon space for Kim Township. But the new home, built by Elite Designer Homes and designed by Chez Del Interiors designer Becky Harrell, has other appealing spots too. Verne, a certif ied public accountant, has a nice off ice, and there’s a pool and an open-sided cov ered lanai porch to enjoy the outdoors. And the living room gives full sway to the Klunzingers’ modern istic tastes — and let Harrell play with con cepts that she doesn’t get a chance to often.

“It’s really nonconformist for the area,” says Harrell, describing the Klunzingers’ home as clean and modern. “Most homes around here are transitional to traditional.” Harrell and Verne explain how the modern living room pops. F L OOR I NG : At first glance, the living room looks like it has marble flooring. But it’s a tight-weave white carpet with a marbled pattern. “That gave it a contemporary look,” Harrell says. “It was really fun to work with.” F URN I T UR E : That aesthetic continues with gray couches and chairs with stainless-steel accents. “Our goal was to keep it sleek and contemporary, but still warm and cozy,” Verne says. “Becky softened it with the fabrics. That’s part of the secret sauce.” T E X T UR E S : The carpet looks like marble, but the end table tops are marble. There’s exposed metal on the ceiling beams and in the furniture. And there are dark wood beams and dark wood shelves built in on either side of the stone wall containing the gas fireplace. That’s by design, Harrell says. “In a modern

house, what you want are lots of textures,” she says. “You want to incorporate all the trends to make it beautiful. Design isn’t about matching today. It’s about the different textures blending together to create a space.” L I GH T I NG : Harrell would love to take credit for the light fixture, a round modernistic crystal chandelier, but the Klunz ingers picked out all of the light fixtures. “We love our chande liers, so there are a lot of them in the house,” Verne says. “Because everything is angular, we wanted to go with a round chandelier. It helps soften the room.” ACC E S S OR I E S : The built in wood shelves are decorated with a variety of items, from metal-framed family photos to wicker baskets to ceramic pot tery. The idea was to warm the naturally cool area with grays. “We worked together to fill it in to give a nice warm look,” Har rell says. “I was delighted how everything came together.”

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

by KELLY PETRYSZYN and photos provided by KATE TROYER

BETTER FLOW Try feng shui to boost your mood.

Kate Troyer

Try i t out

CU T C L U T T E R Since your environment

mirrors your state of being, decluttering will help you feel a sense of calm in your home and nix stress about cleaning. Troyer recommends first redefining clutter. “To me, the definition of clutter is anything that you do not love, that you do not use or that doesn’t serve a purpose within your life or within your home,” she says. It can be overwhelming, so she suggests sitting in each room and scanning the contents. Ask yourself, How does each object make me feel? If you hate it, trash or donate it. If you love it, keep it. Decluttering your home leads to decluttering your mind, Troyer explains. Often, her clients have items they can’t stand. And removing items that carry negative memories, such as clothes from an ex, can also remove their negative energy from your consciousness.

W hen Kate Troyer discovered feng shui by reading the “The Western Guide to Feng Shui” by Terah Kathryn Collins, she realized she had been living out the ancient Chinese methods her whole life. As a kid growing up in Wooster, she spent hours watching Martha Stewart’s decorating TV show and

home, such as repainting a bathroom. She noticed it improved her well-being. “When I made changes in my environment, it affected my mood,” Troyer says. “It affected how I felt about myself, how I felt about having friends over.” She became a certified feng shui practitioner and launched her Chagrin Falls-based home wellness company, Feng Shui

Kate. Through personal consultations and a virtual membership collective, Troyer makes the ancient concepts relatable. “It’s the practice of realizing that your environment is a direct mirror of anything that’s going on inside you,” she says.

Troyer offers tips to begin applying feng shui to your space.

spontaneously made upgrades to her family

“Everything has energy,” she says.

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And when it comes to filling your space, buy only what you like. “It’s not about being trendy. … It’s what feels good to you,” she says. “It’s really important their energy is infused in their space. They need to look at it and say, Oh, my god, I love this. ” MA X I M I Z E F UNC T I ONA L I T Y It’s vital the items in your house are useful. “Your home should really be set up to serve you and the lifestyle that you live or want to live,” Troyer says. She offers a few examples. Say you’re excited about your new 6 a.m. yoga class but you keep losing your mat. Add a holder by the door you exit so you always know where it’s at. The same principle works for keys. Try putting a dish by the door that you can drop them in. Troyer tried this with her boyfriend, but one dish wasn’t enough since he’s on the move. Instead, she has four bowls throughout the house, and now he knows his keys are always in one of them. A DD BA L ANC E In spots that are shared, like an owners’ bedroom, each person should have equal space. “Bedrooms are really important for balance,” Troyer says. “It’s extremely important that you have equal amounts of room on the side of the bed.” When she works on client bedrooms, she can tell a partner is dominant if they have more room on their side of the bed. Balance things out with matching nightstands and lamps on each side of the bed for each partner.

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I NCR E AS E N EW E N E RG Y A simple act that we don’t always do can be key to a big energy boost. “Feng shui believes that your front door is where all new fresh energy comes into your home,” Troyer says. She recommends using it several times a week or once a day. “[It’s] the intention that you’re allowing new energy in, especially if you’re in a home that feels stagnant.” And because it’s how energy enters your home, your entranceway should feel good to you. Stand outside and examine it. Is the paint peeling? Is the lightbulb burned out? Is it appealing? Troyer says an unkempt space can be a reflection of the people inside and chaos in their lives. So make it a space you are proud of by decluttering, fixing issues and adding decor that feels like you. “It’s also your projection of who you are to the world — your front door — that’s how feng shui sees it,” she says. Feng shui is an ongoing process, so continue to check in and investigate each space and feel better in the process. “Taking care of our space and setting it up to serve us and to reflect good feelings back is really important,” Troyer says. “Because I care about the energy I’m putting out and the energy that I’m getting in, that’s ultimately going to bleed into your personal life.”

fengshuikate.com

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sponsored cont ent

A . C A S P E R S E N C O . C ON T I N U E S T O T H R I V E

Chelsea Caspersen was 5 years old when her father, Eric A. Caspersen, started his construction company, A. Caspersen Co., which focuses on exterior home improvements such as windows, siding, roof ing and doors. “I grew up watching him,” says Chelsea Caspersen. “I was a child going to window manufacturers with him.” The knowledge she garnered at a young age led to her off icially becoming the new owner of the company last year, after a slow transition as her dad got older. Despite years of experience, she has faced some challenges as a woman in construction. Only about 11 percent of the construction industry is female workers, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. She has had people doubt her knowledge, but she proves to them that she knows the industry. “I just really went overboard with learning as much as I could. I’m on the job site, so I’m watching our work be done and learning more and more so that … they can trust me,” she says. “I try to stand out with my knowledge, and so far, it’s worked.” Caspersen is conf ident that her company can provide the best experience for customers. They have educational conversations with clients instead of giving rehearsed sales pitches or using

high-pressure sales tactics. She makes sure the company upholds the ethics her father based the business on. “His big thing was Christian ethics, which really just is having integrity, honesty and accountability,” she says. With that mainstay, the company has evolved, with recent changes including a trendy remodel of the Cuyahoga Falls off ice. Caspersen says the off ice, in addition to its on-site showroom, provide a better experience for customers, who can see examples of many different products and color options in use instead of picking based off a small sample.

She hopes to continue improving customers’ experiences while also growing the company further and continuing to give back to the community.

A. Caspersen Co. recently completed a project for the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, installing hundreds of doors and thousands of windows. The company also made Qualif ied Remodeler magazine's top 500 list. “Through it all, I’ve stuck with my father’s core values,” Caspersen says. “I think that’s why we’ve been in business for 28 years.”

A. Caspersen Co. 3473 Wyoga Lake Road, Cuyahoga Falls acaspersenco.com

d r e a m h o u s e

by VINCE GUERRIERI photos by JOEL TESTA

BLOCK

A large family lands at a Silver Lake estate of cinematic proportions.

BUSTER

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J oel Testa wants to be Iron Man when he grows up. It’s a common dream for many kids. But Joel’s an adult. “I think the movie character was actually created after me,” he says with a wink. And judging from his home, he appears to have realized that

and Bumblebee Transformers suits and a nine-seat mar ble-topped bar, where Joel can indulge as well as host guests for the ultimate VIP the ater experience. It all connects to the showroom that also has a mogul-worthy desk and mounted guitars as well as three oversized glass doors and a nano wall of folding glass doors that opens to a backyard overlooking scenic Silver Lake — making it an enviable man cave. “[It's] the best place in the house,” he says. Joel, his wife, Cassie, and their children, Zoe, Giovanni and Sofia, moved into the home built by Testa Builders in September 2021. (Cassie gave birth to their fourth child, Malia, shortly after). Their goal was a traditional one: A move to bring them closer to relatives and a spot for them to raise their family. The house’s modern farm house exterior, with white stone and board and-batten siding, black carriage house doors and a black metal roof, fits in with other houses on the road, many of which are prewar vintage. But inside, the home gives free rein to the Testas’ modernist tendencies while making it a gath ering place.

dream. The lower level alone of his 8,500-square-foot Silver Lake home bears more than a

passing resemblance to Tony Stark’s high tech residence. And like Stark, Joel too is a big-time entrepreneur. He operates several companies encom passing construction, architecture, property

management, real estate and dining including his name sake Testa Cos.

There are high-pow ered sports vehicles — a Lamborghini, a Ferrari and a Ducati motorcycle — in a lower-level showroom. There’s a sumptu ous theater with a 16-foot screen, cushy recliners and sur round sound. There are even a couple full-size replica Iron Man suits on display. And outside the the ater, there’s a light-up Marvel marquee, a red carpet lined by red velvet ropes, a snack bar with a popcorn machine, a ticket win dow, life-size Spider Man, StormTrooper

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“We want this to be the place where kids bring their friends to hang out,” Cassie says. “I think we’ve done that.” Joel bought the property from his parents. The couple got a good offer to rent their downtown Akron loft where they previously lived (They would like to return to it as their empty nest home.), so they rented elsewhere during con involved a lot of changes to the landscaping, cre ating a backyard while honoring the village’s riparian setback require struction. That took about 8 months and

ments about building back from the lake. “We had to strategically fit this house into the site,” Joel says. You can’t argue with the results. The open floor plan on the main floor includes a 29-by-18-foot great room and 23-by 16-foot kitchen. There’s an eight-burner stove with a quartz-and-glass backsplash, and a mas sive 11-by-6 1/2-foot kitchen island, which can accommodate 12 people comfortably. Most family meals

the kitchen countertops are granite, the island’s countertop is quartz, which Joel says is becoming the predomi nant kitchen surface. “It’s manmade, so it’s controllable,” he says. “It’s antimicrobial and it doesn’t stain. It’s far lower maintenance than granite.” The original design of the main floor was flipped, Joel says, to afford better lake views from the great room that has two-story-tall picture windows, a white

with a digital hookup and a walkout water front porch. As a result, the kitchen was bigger than originally intended and features a walk-in pantry and butler’s kitchen area. There’s also a formal 12-person dining room, which the Testas use less frequently, that has a window into the front yard at one end, and a glass-encased wine room at the other. The dining room features a dark accent wall. The Testas flipped the script from their loft’s darker black, white and gray color scheme.

are eaten around the island, and although

concrete fireplace, a custom player piano

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“We wanted to brighten up this house, so we did white as the base color,” Joel says. “We have some accent walls. We wanted to keep it as fresh and light and clean as you think a lake house should be.” The home maximizes available space with pocket doors, from the in-law suite on the main floor to a pocket dog gate between the dining room and mudroom. Upstairs are four bedrooms for the children. Each pair of bedrooms features a Jack-and-Jill bathroom, with two separate vani ties and a shared shower and toilet area. The main suite includes a full bathroom, as well as a small balcony with seating overlooking the lake. And there’s a large playroom, with toys from a kitchen playset to a video game system to accommo date each child — not an easy task with their ages ranging from high schooler to toddler. “My favorite part is the trampoline,” says Sofia. But the play area is a work in progress, Joel says. The plan is to cre ate a playscape that looks like its own town. It’s an ambitious project, but Joel is more than up to the task. “My brain’s going a mil lion miles an hour,” he says. “I always need the next challenge.” Spoken like a superhero.

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CLOSER LOOK

The extra space that resulted from flipping the design of Joel and Cassie Testa’s home led to them installing a concealed butler’s kitchen. But it also let them install a secret passage. “I channel Batman,” Joel says. The door from the kitchen into the but ler’s kitchen — a spot designed for food to be prepared out of sight — blends seam lessly into the white kitchen cabinets. So when Cassie grabs a water bottle from the pantry, she seems to disappear into the wall.

To enter, you have to open full-length cabinet doors and then a roll ing black chalkboard door to a spot that contains pantry shelves, cabinets, a sink and a stylish tin ceiling. An air of mystery has become a trademark for the developer with properties including the hidden away Northside Speakeasy in Akron. “Most of our bars and restaurants — and even some of our homes — have hidden doors and secret pas sages,” Joel says. “This was our way to get our secret room in.”

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

by LONDON GREEN and photos provided by DA'SHIKA A. STREET

GL OB A L LY I NSP I R E D Decor by Da’Shika A. Street tells cultural stories.

D a’Shika A. Street was seeking a way to help during the pan demic, and she was drawn to her sewing machine. She started Project Sew United in 2020 and then recruited other Black women displaced from work to make Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-approved face masks and partnered with Summit County Public Health and Project Ujima to distribute them. Street remotely taught women sewing and fell in love with teaching sewing and crafting. That prompted her to launch Da’Shika Street, an eponymous home goods company fea turing her sewn items and to open Street Craftery in downtown Akron in 2022 to host workshops that teach people how to hand craft art (see sidebar). Her home line combines different cultures she was exposed to while living around the world in places like Germany and New York. In a quiet, meditative space, she allows her creativ ity to flow in response to her surroundings, creating internation ally influenced pillows,

ge t t h e look

Da'Shika A. Street

blankets, aprons, ves sels, candles and more. “A lot of what I’ve made lately stems from a space of appreciation, spe cifically appreciating the Earth,” Street says. She prioritizes sustain able practices in her cre ative process, like using

spare materials to make new pieces. She also sources her fabrics inter nationally, often using Ankara fabrics, which are traditional African wax print fabrics. The vibrant, bold patterns tell stories of history and culture. “I try to infuse glob ally inspired or globally

derived fabrics into the products I make as a means of sparking conver sations and bringing cul tures together,” she says. “They really stand out and

bring focus to them.” Here are a few items that can add stories to your home.

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Creat e Now Make items to display in your home at Street Craftery. Try a workshop . Learn how to form a hydro-dipped cement vessel with a unique marbly finish at a do-it-yourself workshop. Also try candle-making and more during walk-in worskshops Tuesday to Saturday. Let loose in Splatter Alley. Don a poncho, shoe covers, gloves and goggles and splatter paint on a canvas to your heart’s content. Block out letters or shapes for a personalized touch. Try Tot Tuesdays. Tykes ages 2 to 4 and their caregivers can learn creativity with workshops that merge crafts and education, such as a previous one that featured a reading of “Finding Lucy” and kids creating abstract pieces with paints, magnets, cotton balls and marbles.

A PRONS Bring color into the kitchen with her aprons ($85). She mixes Ankara prints with black fabric to create full coverage, lined aprons with five pockets and adjustable ties. There are sizes for kid chefs too. “They bring vibrancy,” she says. A ROMAT H E R A P Y P I L L OWS These aromatherapy eye pillows ($22) are filled with natural grains and essential oils that promote self-care. Different pillows have dif ferent aromatherapy blends for calming, restorative, energizing and clarify ing functions. “I get great feedback from my custom ers — they are absolutely amazing in helping relax or

restore you or even to allevi ate certain things you might be experiencing,” she says. How to Use: Warm in the microwave for 30 seconds or chill in the freezer, place over eyes and lay back as it soothes. Try placing it on the back of the neck to ease aches and pains or on the forehead to relieve tension and congestion. V E S S E L S Mixed, poured and pig mented by Street herself, each of these vessels ($32- $48) varies in shape and color. “I was really inspired by how resilient Earth is,” she says, “and how it provides all the resources and things we need to sus tain ourselves as human beings. So I started explor

ing the art of cement.” Find square, oblong or round vessels. How to Style: It can be used as a candle holder, planter or vase. Play around with positioning to create different focal points in your home. WR E AT HS Using fabric remnants from other projects, Street crafts unique zero-waste wreaths ($55). A fall variation fea tures strips of black-and yellow and black-and-white geometric swirls, emerald green plaid on black and red-and-black buffalo check. “I love prints because there’s a story in them,” she says. “It’s almost like looking at a piece of artwork.”

356 S. Main St., Akron, streetcraftery.com

dashikastreet.com

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SPOT SOCIAL by LYNNE THOMPSON photos by KELSEY MANSINGH DIY stars transform a ’70s Green house into a trendy modern home.

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T he Green brick split level was loaded with architectural amenities and a unique 1,800-square foot layout with both a great room and lower living room for entertaining, but the interiors were outdated. Some rooms still had down to the faucets. It was exactly the mid century-modern fixer upper that Kelsey and Ryan Mansingh desired, one that exuded this old-house charac ter in an established neighborhood. The young couple their original 1974 decor — the guest bath, for example, was completely pink, right isn’t intimidated by major home renova tions. When they built a two-story home in Ryan’s native Orlando, afford upgrades. So they learned how to make them by watch ing YouTube videos and FaceTiming Kelsey’s brother, who ran her Florida, five years ago, they couldn’t

A F T E R

B E F OR E

family’s Barberton based Helen Scott Custom Builders.

In 2018 the Mansinghs dubbed themselves the Newbuild Newlyweds and began sharing videos under @new build_newlyweds on Instagram and TikTok — the latter made them social media stars with 1.6 million followers. After being laid off from Walt Disney World in March 2020, they relo cated to the Akron area. They bought this two bedroom, 2 1/2-bath abode in August 2021 and Kelsey, now 29, documents its trans formation on TikTok as Ryan, now 28, works as a finish carpenter for Helen Scott. “We wanted to keep the midcentury vibe of the house but also still make it our own

The couple opened up the kitchen by remov ing a wall separating it from the formal entry, demolished a break fast-bar peninsula with overhead cabinetry and replaced the kitchen ceiling with a raised counterpart that elimi nated the surrounding soffit. (Drywall, window installation, electrical and plumbing were left to pros). They laid a foundation for warm neutral decor by painting the walls a creamy white and laying a durable luxury vinyl plank that mimics white oak on the floors.

The first room the Mansinghs designed was the kitchen. They helped an Amish cabinetmaker install custom-made cabine try painted Sherwin Williams Pewter Green and a center island stained a dark espresso, then added a trendy zellige tile backsplash in mottled shades of white, tan, cream and gray. A friend made a round espresso-stained table stationed under a brass drum lighting fixture. While Kelsey bought the brushed-nickel-frame chairs with cane backs

and kind of modern ize it,” Kelsey says.

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B E F OR E

and velvety dark green cushions from Wayfair, several social media fol lowers mistook them for ’70s flea-market finds. “I wanted to update but still have some touches that seemed like they fit in with the vibe of the house,” she explains. The short flight of stairs from the kitchen area to the great room — a fea ture Kelsey says wasn’t up to code — was replaced by a sleek black powder coated steel staircase with custom-fabricated white-oak treads. “We had to completely build every aspect of that staircase,” Kelsey recalls. They swapped out track lighting for an angular brass chandelier better suited to the great room’s vaulted ceiling. The cou ple encased the thin white beams in substantial three-sided faux counter parts they built from an espresso-stained maple that popped against the white. After some debate, “It really brightened it up and totally modernized it,” Kelsey says. The Mansinghs furnished the room with a linen blend sofa, oak-frame accent chair, reclaimed oak coffee table and 7-foot-high vintage inspired mirror, all from Anthropologie. Kelsey and Ryan updated the owners’ bedroom by painting the walls Sherwin-Williams Urban Putty and replacing they painted the dingy brick fireplace white.

A F T E R

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valances with the same Lutron smart shades installed at the other windows. The focal point: Crate & Barrel’s arching black-metal interpretation of a canopy bed. A sliding black barn door reveals the owners’ bath. They finished a larger shower in gray subway tile with a white penny-tile floor. A sunken whirl pool tub was torn out so the toilet could be relocated, making room for a 72-inch-long black painted vanity with a marble picket-tile backsplash and two square sinks set in a white-quartz counter top. In the guest bath, the pair installed a roomy 38-by-60-inch Signature Hardware acrylic alcove tub. The spouses finally moved into the house in May. Kelsey says it’s great for hosting summer cookouts and birthday celebrations. She singles out the kitchen and patio off the great room. The former is now big enough for guests to hang out in while she cooks, while the latter is secluded with sunken bench seating made modern and inviting with dark paint, out door pillows, tons of potted plants, cushy seating, a fire table and a six-person table. The pair is still making updates to personalize their home.

CLOSER LOOK

The most unusual feature in Kelsey and Ryan Mansingh’s Green home is the room for their cat, Stella. They connected dead space behind cedar clos ets flanking a fireplace in the lower living room and tiled two walls the same pearly pink as an “en-suite bath” — a litter box area. Another wall has a whimsical black-and-white cat print. Stella can enjoy climbing ledges, a perch, a pink velvet couch and a wall-mounted tablet that plays scenes of swimming fish. Murphy Doors provide easy access. “They look like built-in bookcases,” Kelsey says. Stella comes and goes through an opening on a door appropriately marked by a cat head-shaped surround.

“We’ll be here for quite a while, making it our own,” Kelsey says.

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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.

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

by KELLY PETRYSZYN and photos provided by NEW LEAF HOME DESIGN

RECHARGE NOW Make energy-efficient changes to help improve the environment and your home.

“That gave us the opportunity to take the house all electric,” says the owner of Akron-based New Leaf Home Design. “We’re … becoming increasingly aware of the urgency of climate change. And the technology is getting better and better all the time for all-electric solutions for homes.” Going green within your home can seem daunting, but Bowie has been doing sustainable home design

since 2006, and she says energy-efficient technology is becoming more affordable and within reach. By making key changes over about six months, she was able to turn her decades-old inefficient home into one that is all electric and runs on 100 percent renewable energy. Bowie shares how she made her home more sustainable and offers tips on how you can too.

B efore architect and LEED green associate Hallie Myers Bowie and her husband moved into their 1961 Akron split-level home in 2017, they immediately identified energy-saving opportunities. She loved the open floor plan and that it faced south toward the sun, but it needed work, including a new furnace.

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S E A L U P

as well as makes it easier to find places where air is able to get into the house from outside.” Some places leaks commonly occur are around outside hose bibbs and gaps around the chimney. A huge leak in her parents' house was where closet floor joists cantilevered over the garage floor, and it was sealed by rigid foam. In Bowie’s house, areas around basement rim joists were leaky, so they used spray foam to seal them. They also added more insulation in the attic and sealed other leaks too. Afterward, the temperature was better regulated and it felt better to be in.

Before making any big changes, you need to identify problem areas. Bowie recommends getting an energy audit done through Dominion Energy Ohio’s Energy Star program to find any leaks. “It will actually make your home more comfortable to live in to have it better insulated and air sealed,” she says. “You’ll have better indoor air quality.” To perform the audit, workers set up a blower door. “They put [one] on your front door that has a fan in it,” she says. “It depressurizes the house, which allows them to measure how leaky the house is,

“You don’t have as many cold drafts,” she says.

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POWE R SW I T CH Plan to move toward energy efficient appliances, so when something breaks, you already have a more sustainable replacement in mind. Bowie replaced her entire gas furnace with an air source heat pump, which uses existing ductwork for heating and cooling and is three times as efficient as typical electric resistance heat. “You get a lot more heat per kilowatt of electricity,” she says. They also needed a new water heater, so they replaced their gas hot water tank with a heat pump water heater that is 300 times more efficient than a standard resistance coil electric water heater. The only difference you might notice is that the air that comes out of the duct is a bit cooler than a gas furnace, so you might turn the thermostat a bit higher. You can also make a sustainable change in your kitchen. Bowie replaced her gas cooktop with an induction cooktop that has a glass surface. “The induction cooktop is a joy to cook on. [It’s] very safe because the surface of the stove doesn’t heat up itself,” she says. “You can turn the heat off and have the heat totally disappear.” It’s also a healthier way to cook because you are eliminating combustion inside your home.

S OURC E CHANG E By switching her gas appliances to electric, Bowie was able to eliminate the need for a gas hookup. That saves money, but it also greatly improves her home’s air quality. “We don’t have any concerns about carbon monoxide in the house,” says Bowie. “Doing some of these things can help with allergies if you don’t have as much outdoor air coming in.” Getting rid of gas also means that Bowie runs her home on 100 percent renewable energy through the state’s Energy Choice Ohio apples-to-apples program that allows customers to switch to a renewable energy provider. She has black electric solar panels on her roof but is still tied to the grid. The solar panels produce enough to cover her energy costs in the summer, including charging her electric car and using air conditioning. But she doesn’t have to use air conditioning much because the house is well insulated and stays cool. And she doesn’t typically have to pay an electric bill until winter. Bowie urges homeowners to consider these switches and says every sustainable change helps.

To COns i der :

Through the Inflation Reduction Act, you can save thousands of dollars on energy-efficient home improvements, including heat pumps, water heaters and more, in the form of tax credits for the 2022 tax year and beyond, and rebates slated to be available starting in 2023. Talk to your financial adviser to learn more.

“The operation of my home does not create any carbon

emissions,” she says. “Recognize that this is a big opportunity to move away from fossil fuels.”

newleafhomedesign.com

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ABC Roofing Inc. 3636 Copley Road, Akron 330-431-8279 abcroof ingohio.com

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

by VINCE GUERRIERI and photos provided by CYNTHIA CHAGIN

Y E A R ROUND Adding on a four-seasons room offers a connection to the outdoors.

C ynthia cut out for her when she bought a Richf ield home in 2021, moving in at the end of May. The home was built in 1961 — and looked it. “The house hadn’t been touched in years,” says Chagin, who buys, restores and sells homes. She has worked as an electrician and is also an actor who you can see in “White Noise” featuring Adam Driver slated for a 2022 Netflix release. In the span of 14 months, Chagin redid the whole house, gutting the Dutch colonial and redoing the kitchen and 2 1/2 bath rooms. She also put on three additions, adding a total of 800 square feet, to increase the size of the house by one-third. One of the additions came by converting one of three bays of the garage into office space and adding a hallway and mudroom; another was made by turning a back porch into a four seasons room. Chagin had her work

“One of the least expensive ways to add value to your home is to increase the square footage when there's already a founda tion in place,” says Chagin, who plans to sell it this winter. “Putting in walls, win dows and electrical doesn’t cost much.” The experienced do it-yourselfer shares how she added a four seasons room to con nect with nature on the serene 2-acre lot. BAS I C S : The room, formerly the porch, had a

W I NDOWS & DOORS : Views of the secluded back yard are paramount, so the new 13-by-26-foot room has five windows — “I wanted as many windows as I could put in,” she says — and a sliding glass door. It’s nearly sound proof since one of its walls was previously an exterior wall. “I can watch TV pretty loudly, and nobody can hear me,” she says. “I just wanted to create spaces away from the main living space that were peaceful. Everyone’s so focused on an open floor plan until they real ize how noisy it can be.” L I GH T S : In addition to all the natural light, Chagin hung two crystal dandelion chande liers. Dandelions are a symbol

of growth, love and happiness, she says. “It was the perfect embodiment,” she says. “It used to be an outdoor space.” D E COR : The goal of the room was a seamless transi tion from outdoors to indoors, so Chagin used beige colors to decorate, playing off the wood used in the rest of the interior. She took off the vinyl siding to uncover the home’s original siding — as well as exposed brick from the back of the living room fireplace that she later painted white — to tie together the house’s clean white aesthetic and create an inviting feel. “I wanted it to be a family home, but also a showpiece,” she says.

concrete base and a roof but wasn’t enclosed. Chagin blew insulation into the white soffit ceiling and hired roofers to put on a new roof and frame out the enclosure. She did the rest, installing drywall, white vinyl tile flooring and more in about three weeks. She planned to add ductwork but discovered a pleasant surprise. “I studied the basement very carefully and realized there were ducts in the wall. I could feel the heat from the wall, so I cut into the wall and found the duct,” she says. “Within 20 minutes, it was a heated and air-conditioned room.”

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A F T E R

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

by AVERY SAVAGE and photos courtesy of IZZY P AT HOME

NEW V I BE Update your decor with help from Izzy P at Home.

A s the seasons change, so do the stylish collections at the new Izzy P at Home boutique in downtown Canton. Embrace fall with rust-colored knit pumpkins and a “Let’s Snuggle and Watch Scary Movies” sparkly wood block sign with a buffalo check rim. Owner Crisiva Palmer launched the shop in 2021

with her daughters to help others decorate their homes for seasons and everyday living. “My daughters and I have always had a love for decorating and design. We wanted to bring an affordable home decor shop to our local city to share with everyone else,” says Palmer in an email. “We

pride ourselves on having locally made and sourced items. Our vibe is always moving with the trends. We have boho, farmhouse, contemporary and modern all mixed in one space.” Along with the abundant home decor and Amish made furniture, also find items that go beyond the home, including women’s

clothing, pet products, accessories and more. “We envision Izzy P being your one-stop shop for your gift shopping, seasonal decorating and a place to purchase a new date night outfit,” Palmer says. She introduces some Izzy P items you can enjoy this autumn and beyond.

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CAND L E S Made with all-natural ingredi ents in Alliance, Union House soy candles ($8-$20) come in 8, 9 or 16 ounces and offer unique seasonal scents like cornbread and apple but ter. Some scents are sold year-round, and a top seller is maple bourbon. “To me, the maple bourbon candle smells like home,” says Palmer, adding that the scent is a combination of maple syrup and caramel bourbon. DOG CO L L A R Cat and dog parents need to shop Izzy P’s pet line. Find collars, pet decor, treats, beds and accessories for your furry friend. Plus, there are new items each season. Items include matching Foggy Dog bandannas, collars and fash ionable waste bag holders. To give your pooch a fresh, fun look, put on the hand-illus trated peaches-and-cream dog collar ($18) that has a gleaming gold buckle. “For a lot of people in their 20s or 30s, their pets are their babies, and they want to spoil them,” Palmer says. SH E L F The triple loft shelf ($210) is a striking platform to show off your decor. “This piece is definitely a statement piece,” Palmer says. How to Style: She recommends adding fam ily photos and sentimental items and then filling in the gaps with vases, signs and foli age. “An easy and inexpensive way to change with the season

is artificial greenery, and we have different collections in shop for each season,” she says. Browse the fall garden bush pumpkin collection to find faux allium spheres, green foliage and berries in autumnal colors. T R AY This year, marble has been popular in kitchens, and this marble-and-wood tray ($33) is a beautiful way to incorporate that trend. It is raised off the counter by wooden legs, mak ing it a great surface to display items. How to Style: “I would design this tray by using it for a beautiful charcuterie board or on your kitchen counter with a beautiful faux or real plant, candle, small sign or everyday items like salt-and-pepper shakers,” says Palmer. “I don’t just like items for the show. They also need to be functional for everyday living.” 207 Market Ave. N, Canton, izzypathome.com

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M B S I N T E R I OR S MBS Interiors is a full-service kitchen and bath design center in Canton. In addition to professional design services, it offers the highest quality semi-custom cabinetry from KraftMaid, StarMark, Ultracraft, Merillat and Mid Continent. It is proud to offer designs that represent your style. Make your kitchen and bath sparkle with expert designs, products and services. Save money on your renovation with the help of an MBS Interiors designer, who can help you avoid costly mistakes. Designers are professional, trained and, most importantly, experienced. They know what to expect and are aware of common obstacles, whether pertaining to measurements, ordering or design. They can guide you and help you determine your ideal investment and timeline. MBS Interiors designers help with your project from start to f inish. Professional design services include cabinetry design, space planning, appliance selection, dependable delivery and more. Book your consultation today and work with an expert designer to create your dream kitchen or bath. You deserve to love the space you live in!

MBS Interiors 4426 Whipple Ave. NW, Canton 330-409-9343 mbsinteriors.com

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I N T E R I OR D E S I G N S T U D I O Built on creativity, collaboration and over 40 years of interior design experience, the Interior Design Studio is focused on crafting the ideal environment for each client. The Interior Design Studio is a full-service award-winning residential and commercial interior design f irm. It offers nu merous services and products that allow its team to prepare turnkey packages. Its full-service interior design consulta tions can range from total home remodeling and commercial build-outs to single room updates. Each includes collaborating with contractors and vendors to implement the design specif ic to your taste. Some of its other consultation services include space planning, furniture layouts, color concept and product specif ications. With its expansive design resource center, it can offer custom ized design products to f inish a room such as blinds, window treatments, upholstery and accent furniture. Maintaining lasting relationships with clients is one of its core principles. Whether designing living rooms, remodeling kitch ens or executing ground-up commercial builds, the interior design team focuses on providing amazing service to its clients, often forging a lasting bond.

Interior Design Studio 207 S. Court St., Medina 330-725-7623 interiordesignstudiooh.com

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