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If you take a spectacular home, surround it with a contented residential community, frame it with maintenance-free Mother Nature, then throw in a signature golf course, you’ve got Nevillewood. The resort-like package was a magnet for one particular Pittsburgh couple. 

“We chose Nevillewood because my husband loves the golf course, and is an avid golfer,” explains the owner. Built in 2000, their Londonbury home was awarded the single family Home of the Year by the Builders Association of Pittsburgh. 

Sprawling yet symmetrical, this classic-columned, modern day mansion is a visual feast. “I knew when we began building the home that it had to be a home for entertaining,” explains the homeowner. “The whole house had to be built with a flow.” read more

Larry Ross is a daring man of vision. Tall, trim, and energetic—he looks far younger than he claims to be. Larry loves to talk about the remarkable home he built for himself and his wife, Joanne. Almost eight years ago, he sought out design professionals to help him create a dwelling that would reflect both his aesthetic imagination and his love of landscaping. Seeking excellence that enhanced his own, he found architect Sylvester Damianos and landscape designer Jim Lampl. Together, the threesome created a residence that uniquely blends with its environment. read more

Start with a dream; add innovation, creativity, and a stroke of genius. Next, toss in a handful of hard working buddies, pizza, and some beers; and you’ve got the recipe for the house that Howdy built. 

In the beginning, three antique log cabins would be purchased, dismantled, and then hauled like Lincoln logs to a waiting chunk of land. That was the easy part. In the end, this natural born engineer, along with his wife Abbie, would defy the laws of practicality and create an architectural wonder with both precision and raw perfection. 

In the mid 1970s, Howdy, a young entrepreneur and senior in college at the time, gave new meaning to the word ingenuity. His visits home from school would sometimes include a scan of tax records in Indiana Township. “I would check the records to find out who was delinquent,” he explains. “Then I would go see if it was a desirable property.” This was how he found his present site, for which he paid only $12,000 for the 7 acres of vacant land. A plan to grace this natural habitat with log homes was given the seal of approval by the Pittsburgh History and Landmark Society. They believed in the project so much, that they drew the plans for Howdy. This seal would open the door for the $30,000 construction loan needed to launch the project. read more

Sunshine is a chancy thing where I live. Having been born in the Midwest, I’ve grown accustomed to gray skies, but this spring in particular has been interminably dark, gray and cold. Day after day of gray after gray—it’s been a little dismaying even for me. read more

There’s nothing like 100 years of history to add a little more ambiance to an already charming loft complex. Located in Pittsburgh’s Strip District, the Cork Factory is a landmark structure that was restored and redeveloped into 297 lofts in 2004. Originally designed for Thomas Armstrong in 1901 by a well-known architect named Frederick Osterling, the cork factory was constructed in a red brick Richardsonian Romanesque style which was popular for industrial buildings at that time. read more

The home of Donna Hollen Bolmgren doesn’t need a house number to identify it. Surrounded by two-and-a-half story homes, this inimitable house stands alone. With many of the older homes in the Shadyside area boasting years of history behind fresh renovations, this little single-level gem has a unique tale of its own. u Built in 1923 as an auto repair shop and zoned for commercial use, the original bricked front entrance was a drive-up for customers to drop off their automobiles. At some point Logan Tile purchased the shop where they operated as both a warehouse and retailer for ceramic tile. However, it wasn’t long until the building would eventually begin its transformation into a home. read more

Overlooking the Monongahela River and the skyscrapers of downtown Pittsburgh, Peter and Pat Swann’s seventh story condo is a part-time paradise in the city. The retired couple spends the summer and winter in the Caribbean and the spring and fall in Pennsylvania. So when they return from Antigua, they look forward to the modern amenities that await them in their 4,000-square-foot urban digs. l “The condo certainly has that ‘wow factor,’ ” Peter says. “I think people enjoy seeing how neat and modern it is.” l Located in the Trimont building and originally comprised of two separate units, the condo has since been consolidated into one, so the Swanns now own the entire floor, complete with private elevators. The design took three-and-a-half years to complete, and was a partial collaboration between Peter, a physicist by trade, and Tom Trzcinski CMKBD, 35-year owner of Kitchen and Bath Concepts of Pittsburgh read more

When you were a kid, chances are giving your own personal touch to your bedroom meant taping a poster or two to your walls. Sometimes placement was tricky because you had to pay attention to the imaginary line that divided the room and its contents between you and your sibling. read more

Being a city of four seasons, many Pittsburghers escape to their warm climate homes during the frosty winter months. Once thought of as a person’s secondary residence, the new age vacation home often looks more like a luxurious 5-star resort. read more

If the heart of every home beats in the kitchen, then the kitchen belonging to Rose and Ben Del Prince has a strong and steady pulse. Tuscan styled, and constructed with painstaking detail, this labor of love took nine months to complete. Kitchen designer and owner of Notion Design, Natalia Dragunova was brought in to help plan and create the room. read more

The phrase “artistic expression” usually conjures up images of a painter sitting at his easel, or a sculptor with a hunk of clay. Architect Lee Calisti knows better. read more

Whenever I walk through the park near my home, I pause to commune with a treasured trio of crab-apples. The three catch the eye anytime of year. But in spring, ah, sweet-scented spring, I always linger. I close my eyes, inhale the aroma of the pinky white blooms, and experience a joined sensation—as if I were smelling the color of spring. read more

You’ve heard it before—the kitchen is the heart of the home. If you have ever hosted a party or Thanksgiving dinner for your family then you know it’s true. Inevitably, everyone ends up gathering in the kitchen. In addition to having enough space to accommodate your guests, you need the right appliances to suit your needs. From stylish six-burner gas ranges to convenient refrigerator drawers specifically designed to keep your vegetables fresh, today’s appliance manufacturers leave little to the imagination. read more

Between picking up the dry cleaning, running to the grocery and washing the car, it’s no surprise that “to-do” lists often remain half-completed by week’s end. Regardless of how successful we are at delegating chores or combining trips, the rush to cross off as many must-dos as possible can leave us tired and frustrated. After all, the last thing most homeowners want to do is spend their well-deserved weekend in the yard raking leaves or fertilizing the lawn. read more

There are present day homes of distinction, and there are homes of distinction with a past. Nestled far back from the hustle and bustle of a busy street, this 120-year-old carriage house has a beautifully tangled web of rich history and modern day architecture. read more

What is the perfect gift a gardener can receive? I’ll tell you about some of my own tried and true garden tools, reads and accessories, as well as a few (hint, hint) that I wish for. read more

There is an invisible current of electricity that runs through the air in the last two months of the year. The “holidays” can be summed up for almost everyone as a time to cheerfully entertain and gather with family and friends, despite differences of religion, culture or tradition.  However, nothing puts a wrench the size of a reindeer antler in planning for a large gathering like the dread of decorating for the holidays. Decorating can be stressful, overwhelming, and sometimes painful.

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Everyone has them—those fine china or glass pieces that collect dust in the back of the china cabinet: discarded vases, family heirlooms and odds and ends that once had a mate to create a set. This holiday season, pull those precious items out of hiding and display them as unique candy dishes during a seasonal dinner or party. As long as the opening is large enough for candy to be accessed, almost any item can be used to house candy.

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Homeowners who are contemplating whether or not their granite countertops, limestone floors or marble fireplaces will stand the test of time; simply need to take a look back in history. read more

Whether your next paint project
is a room or a piece of furniture,
read on for some tips before
you pick up your paintbrush. read more

Last year it seemed that pubs and bars were all the rage in the custom home industry. Almost every home had a designated area for a custom watering hole. This year, bars and pubs are still a hot trend—but the theme of creating a personal atmosphere for relaxing and spending time with friends and family has been extended to include separate billiard rooms and areas. read more

The suburbs of Pittsburgh may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of Art Deco inspired design—but that could quickly change if one particular Penn Township resident has his way. read more

High industrial ceilings, exposed plumbing, and all that jazz—the South Side Lofts, once home to the Duquesne Brewery plant, now serves as an upscale address for 52 distinguished residences. With the original twelve inches of cork still insulating its roof, this 150-year-old building once served as a cold storage house for the beer. The individual loft entrances, which line up along jumbo-sized hallways, are connected by wide tread plate baseboards, and dwarfed by the high industrial-like ceilings. read more

I’m a professional garden planner—for other people’s gardens. My own garden is, well, unscripted inspiration. A new introduction sample plant tucked in here, with a rare specimen shrub I’ve lusted after that’s temporarily tucked in there. And, oh look! An accidental placement of Sedum, Persicaria, and Euphorbia—what a stunning trio! But, ooooh, don’t look, it’s not pretty, that living-fence experiment didn’t survive the summer well. I don’t have time to deal with it now. I promised myself I was going to put in a new bulb bed this fall—in the fall this time—not near winter as I often do. read more

Selecting new drapery for your windows can be just as stressful as going to your favorite salon for a haircut. You explain to the stylist that you want a trendy new hairstyle, maybe something that matches your personality. It isn’t until the final snip of the scissors, when you’re spun around to face the mirror, that you see the new you. Just as a new hairstyle transforms your face, drapery can revamp an entire room, whether it’s fun and flirty, bold and colorful or formal and perfectly coiffed. read more

Ah, the changing of the seasons! It evokes many emotions as the leaves Turn; the temperatures drop and the home and garden accents morph into richer displays of burnt orange, olive green and mustard yellow. read more

There’s a quiet revolution taking place in kitchens across the country. Backsplashes, which used to sit silently against walls, are beginning to resonate with design elements and flashy materials that command attention. New material choices and design ideas continue to fuel the revolution. read more

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose... This line from the famous Torme and Wells Christmas carol seems like the ultimate oxymoron to people living in the Midwest and on the Eastern seaboard where temperatures rapidly drop after Halloween. However, the outdoor fire pit is quickly becoming a popular way to stay outside even when the temperature falls.

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For many people the word “wallpaper” can conjure up some pretty unpleasant memories. read more

The unique journey begins on the stone walkway to this particular home of distinction.  If the walls of this magnificent stone Tudor could talk, they would boast quite a story.  Built in 1789, this Brownsville home was known as “The Black Horse Tavern” and served as a meeting house during the Whiskey Rebellion. read more

Amid the tree-lined streets and forests of suburban Pittsburgh, rests this 1932 English manor house that continues to preside over a picturesque ravine. With restored trappings from the Art Deco era and updated accents, the three-story, 7,500-square-foot family home is an organic extension of its setting. read more

The Mt. Lebanon homeowners admired a striking scene depicted on a thank you card they received.  The photograph of a flowing fountain in a courtyard with a panoramic view framed between stone arches, was enchanting.  They momentarily wondered—just where was that beautiful place?  The realization that it was, in fact, a photo taken of their own courtyard amazed them.  Indeed, they are both so thrilled with the completed renovations of their home and garden that they spent a recent vacation at home relaxing and enjoying the comforts they’ve worked to create. read more

Imagine how you feel each morning when the alarm clock sounds.  If you’re like many people, you stumble out of bed and try to adjust your eyes to the unwanted light.  After gulping down a cup of coffee, you make your way to the bathroom, hoping a warm shower will coax you into starting the day. read more

Despite its lack of walls, your back yard is an extension of your home.  And just as the floors in your kitchen or family room, what is underfoot is an important component. read more

Images of Edward Scissorhands’ massive sheers frantically creating animal shapes in the back yards of suburbia seemed odd when the movie was released in the late-eighties.  However, the topiaries have gone to the birds.  Animal shapes have become a trend in landscapes across America as a way for homeowners to express their own personal style.  While animal-shaped topiaries have been gaining popularity, the classic three-ball, ball and corkscrew topiary shapes remain as popular as ever. read more

Just as an artist creates a masterpiece, your home is your canvas.  You can stand before it, your mind racing with ideas, knowing that you have the freedom to create anything your heart desires.  The realm of possibilities is virtually limitless.  If you need a little inspiration, consider the world of contemporary furniture.  Step into a home designed with a contemporary flair, you’ll experience something that’s not only clean and sophisticated, but inspiring, orderly and soothing at the same time.  In today’s world of clutter and fast-paced living, the contemporary design gives a welcome refuge from the wild.  But what exactly is contemporary? read more

Designing a home is often an undertaking best left to a skilled architect—or a physician and his family as this story would have it.  The priceless experience gained while designing their previous house went a long way in helping this Fox Chapel family compose their newly finished home.  With the husband and wife team leading the way in generating the home’s overall floor plan, each family member took an active role in choosing many of the elements found throughout the home’s casual, yet elegant rooms. read more

Let’s face it—the decision to renovate a home takes guts. While the very thought of tackling a renovation project may bring the look of fear and trepidation into many homeowners’ eyes, some eagerly await the challenge to employ their imagination and creativity at transforming a tired and worn out space into a vibrant new one. There’s no questioning that renewing a home with fresh colors, natural materials and detailed styling can add a greater depth of personality and character to any room.

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Maps?  Check. 
Tickets?  Check. 
Fuel?  Check. 
Lunch?  Water?  Sunscreen?  Check, Check, Check. 
CAMERA?!…aah, aah, camera. 
Let’s go!

That’s the pre-tour checklist ritual that my friend Pamela and I perform before venturing off on our annual, self-guided, Botanic Gardens Open Gardens Day Tour.  We are extreme garden tour adventurers.  Women on a mission: to see every garden on the list. read more

Until recently, if someone said they had cork in their home most people would assume they were talking about the stopper nestled in their wine bottle, instead of the flooring in their kitchen.  But this age-old product is a hot item in home improvement these days.  The same holds true for bamboo flooring. read more

With over 1,900 exhibitors and more than 103,000 building industry professionals in attendance, the 2007 International Builders’ Show provided builders, designers and homeowners alike with an up-close look at the hottest trends in home construction.  Simply referred to as “The Big Show” by those in the home building and design industry, the 63rd annual show in Orlando, Florida drew visitors from nearly 100 countries and proved to be the most spectacular Show to date. read more