Our homes mean more to us than ever before. And we’re using our homes in more creative ways than ever before. You could call it a home game of epic proportions: since the pandemic began in 2020, we’ve seen a housing boom, and a home renovation wave that still hasn’t crested.
Home improvements are so hot that the home repair market is up more than 80% since the pandemic began. A Harvard study revealed that home improvement spending grew 3% to top out at $420 billion during 2020—while America’s economy simultaneously shrank 3.5%. Our feathering of the nest flourished right into 2021.
Design and home improvement website Houzz reports that searches for “home office” jumped 108% between 2020 and 2021. People searching for “home theater” inspo rose 190%, while “home gym” searches increased 156%, and “art studio” searches skyrocketed 875%.
Still, upgrades to daily living spaces—the workhorses of our homes—are ongoing. That’s because many of us are spending more time at home—especially those of us who have converted to a work from home (WFH) lifestyle. Americans are renovating kitchens and bathrooms, dining rooms, and home offices. Many people report funneling the money they would have spent on vacations—canceled during the pandemic—into making “home sweet home” a bit sweeter.
Here in the Susquehanna Valley, home renos are keeping home improvement businesses busier than bees. We are thankful that they carved a little time out of their busy schedules to chat with us and share advice, insights, and trends—that all hit home.
Ohhhhh, Oasis
Bathroom Design
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Susquehanna Valley Expert
Shawn Connor, Principal, Connor Design Build
Trends
Bathroom renovations are oh-so vital to our daily lives. And most homeowners are looking well beyond the essential necessities.
“Clients are looking for an oasis and area of respite within their home, even in small spaces,” says Shawn Connor of Harrisburg’s Connor Design Build. “We’re seeing clients who are open to the interplay of textures, patterns, finishes, and colors, and want to add depth and complexity to their bathroom project.”
Best Advice
“Partner with a team that focuses first on function and accessibility within the space, as these are the most crucial foundational elements,” Connor advises. “Once these are determined, materials selections become more intuitive and complementary to the overall design.”
What’s the Value?
While a bathroom reno certainly adds value to a home’s bottom line, the real value is felt in, er, pampering your own little bottom.
“The real value is found in how your daily life is impacted by the completed project,” Connor says. “How do you feel walking into the new space? Are your experiencing a decrease in stress or anxiety as a result of the improvements and increased functionality? And is your daily routine easier and more enjoyable? These benefits and impacts are truly priceless.”
Most Amazing Bathroom Projects Ever
It’s like having a spa at your fingertips. “Our elevated projects integrate a steam shower for added functionality and impact,” and according to Connor, “Clients see the benefits of steam in their self-care regimen and appreciate that it can even be integrated into petite bathroom projects.”
Connor Design Build
634 Lucknow Rd | Harrisburg, PA 17110 | 717-230-8568 | connordesignbuild.com
Functional, but Don't Rule Out Funky
Furniture Design
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Susquehanna Valley Expert
Steve McNamee, Sales Manager, Smith Village Home Furnishings
Trends
Since we are all spending more time at home—especially those of us who have converted to a WFH lifestyle—having furniture that is both functional and comfortable is more important than ever, says Steve McNamee of Smith Village Home Furnishings, located in Jacobus, York County. “Casual and eclectic mixing of styles continues to be a popular choice for customers,” he says.
“For living and family rooms, many are choosing sectionals as a place for the family to gather. Sectionals come in all shapes and sizes and can offer more seating,” McNamee says. “For upholstery, various tones of gray have been a long-time favorite and are here to stay, but we’re starting to see a subtle shift to warmer neutrals—more shades of beige, brown and camel.”
Best Advice
Go with your gut. “When decorating your home, select a color you love for your basic furniture pieces or wall colors, then accent with complimentary hues and patterns,” McNamee says.
Be patient. “It should be no surprise that shipping delays continue to impact the furniture industry—be it due to material and workforce shortages, trucking backlogs, or high demand. It’s best to shop early enough to allow adequate time for your new furnishings to arrive for that special occasion or remodeling project,” McNamee advises.
What Are We Looking at?
McNamee shows how families can “maximize lounging space with a comfy sectional big enough for the whole family.” Many families are valuing mealtimes more than ever, too. Dining room and kitchen furniture is trending toward rustic farmhouse style, for both a stately yet natural appeal.
What’s the Value?
“By furnishing with well-crafted pieces constructed of durable materials and covers, you can better outfit your living spaces to provide comfort and style, with an emphasis on longevity,” McNamee explains.
Most Amazing Furniture Reno Ever
“Several years ago, I worked with a married couple who were both vision-impaired,” McNamee recalls. “While neither could see the beautiful pieces we were selecting, it was important for them to have a show-stopping house as they frequently hosted fundraiser events. The colors, textures, and prints we selected were gorgeous and inviting. Although these customers could never experience our completed project in a traditional sense, their level of satisfaction was easily measured by joyous reactions from both family members and party guests. It was truly a humbling experience.”
Smith Village Home Furnishings
34 N Main St | Jacobus, PA | 855-841-7448 | smithvillage.com
Parisian Inspo or Historic Homage: Room Renos with Personality
Room Usage & Design
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Susquehanna Valley Expert
Brian Miller, CMKBD, CAPS, Designer, Excel Remodeling
Trends
Homeowners are realizing, now more than ever, that it’s not good to mix business with pleasure.
“Currently, I have a lot of clients calling to remodel their basements and find ways to add an office in their home,” says Brian Miller, Designer at Lemoyne’s Excel Remodeling. “COVID has created a new design trend of working from home, and needing a space where homeowners can have privacy and a physical separation of their personal and work lives.”
Best Advice
“When deciding who to choose for your project, it is important to have a connection with the designer and company you work with, because of how intimate the project is for your home”, says Miller.
What’s the Value?
“When it comes to home renovations, the kitchen and bathroom will always be the areas that will bring you the best bang for your buck, in my opinion,” Miller says, adding, “I have a few real estate agent friends who tell me all the time that their clients want a turnkey home.”
What We’re Looking at
This gem of a bathroom remodel focused on the Azul Imperial Quartz incorporated into the vanity and tub cabinet countertops, plus the shower bench seat. “The overall concept was that of a luxurious Parisian-style bath with a free-standing soaking tub, beautiful draping, textured tile, and rich Parisian blue cabinetry,” Miller describes. “The homeowners desired a much larger walk-in shower with a bench seat and multiple shower heads. The stunning blue cabinetry also provides convenient storage space and beautifully frames the inviting soaking tub, strikingly positioned in front of the large bathroom window with elegant privacy draping and a polished nickel chandelier adorned with smoke gray crystals. No detail was overlooked in this stunning bathroom.”
Most Amazing Home Reno Ever
“My absolute favorite project that I have done to date is a historic home in Lancaster—I am a huge fan of older homes, and I like to preserve their character and charm when designing a remodel,” he says. “My clients wanted an updated and larger kitchen to entertain. I used appliances made to look older to preserve the aesthetic. The entire space is now bright, open, and easy to entertain in, yet still feels like it was a kitchen from the early 1900s.”
Excel Remodeling
570 S Third St Lemoyne, PA 17043 | 717-774-4990 | excelremodeling.com
The Heart of the Home
Kitchen Design
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Dan Tullos
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Susquehanna Valley Expert
Esther Riddle, Co-Owner, Kitchens by Eileen
Trends
“We’re seeing more people moving toward darker, bolder colors, and people wanting more earth elements such as stone, metal, and wood,” says Esther Riddle, current co-owner and daughter-in-law of Kitchens by Eileen’s founder. The longtime Lititz kitchen designer and builder is moving to a new spacious location along the Oregon Pike in Brownstown.
“We have paneled appliances integrated within the cabinetry, which makes everything a little more cohesive through the space,” describes Kacie Hall, Kitchens by Eileen designer. “We’re also doing a metal hood surround, to bring a different texture into the space. Arched doorways add curves, and open floating shelves provide additional storage to display a few items.”
Still, classic and clean white kitchens are always trending, never-out-of-style, so Kitchens by Eileen’s new location will also include a more traditional, all-white model kitchen as well.
Best Advice
Renovating your kitchen? Here are some key questions to consider: “Homeowners should definitely consider how they use the kitchen,” says Riddle. “For example, they should think about how often they entertain and how many people they typically invite over. Which kitchen gadgets and appliances they use most. What is it about their current kitchen set up that annoys them the most.”
What’s the Value?
“The kitchen is for sure the heart of the home,” Riddle explains. “A well-designed, quality kitchen is by far the most sought after element in a home, thus increasing the selling price and likelihood of selling more quickly.”
What Are We Looking At?
Recently-designed and photographed kitchens include trending design features such as floating wood shelves, full quartz backsplash, painted cabinetry, metal range hood, and waterfall countertop.
Most Amazing Kitchen Project
“We are super excited about this one right now,” Riddle says, referring to their business relocation. “Over the past couple years, we’ve been rapidly growing. We had a small but adorable, quaint showroom in Lititz. And we wanted to stay in Lititz, but my husband said for years, the only way we’d move was if something opened up near Martin’s Appliance—they are wonderful partners. When the building next to Martin’s opened up, we felt it was a real Godsend.”
KITCHENS BY EILEEN
The new location, in addition to featuring designer kitchens, will include bathroom, walk-in pantry, and master closet displays. Doors are expected to open in June—look for grand opening announcements on Kitchens by Eileen’s website and social media channels. kitchensbyeileen.com
Calling All Walls
Wall coverings & Design
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Susquehanna Valley Expert
Carol Miller, Marketing Manager, York Wallcoverings
Trends
Nature’s appeal is growing, especially against today’s pandemic backdrop. “Natural themes and organic specialty products continue to dominate interiors, as we begin to understand just how important living with other organic forms helps to balance and heal within our lives,” says Carol Miller, Marketing Manager at York Wallcoverings, the oldest and largest wallcovering producer in the country.
Wallcovering themes and colors reflect comfort and familiarity. “Trends range from ‘Urban Bohemian’ to ‘Black and White,’ and the incorporation of ‘Antiques’ with a modern mix,” Miller says. “Also be aware of circles and arches which soften both furnishing, accessories, and architecture. Color palettes are changing, as gray begins to move toward earth tones—taupe, brown, and desert colors of sunset and adobe, with dusty blues, sage, and blush.”
Best Advice
“Be fearless—today’s technologies allow for easy installation and removal, and education on how to install and remove is readily available,” Miller encourages. “Be yourself, and work from there. This is for you and should tell the story you want to tell.”
What Are We Looking At?
Miller provides insight to some of her designs: “Pattern Mystic Forest from the Antonina Vella Boho Luxe collection is a mix of European folk art and fantasy which provides a show-stopping nature-inspired backdrop of free spirited luxury,” Miller describes. “Pattern Currents from the Dazzling Dimensions II collection uses the organic geometry of ocean currents to create a striking single panel mural, overprinted on textural Mylar™ which allows metallic waves to show through. This mural is in endless repeat, which means you can place as many panels around the room as you would like, and they will match one another at the side seams.”
What’s the Value?
“A full room wrap of wallpaper acts as an anchor to layering and developing the texture and depth of field within any space,” Miller explains. “Single wall applications, ceilings, and murals can act as statement pieces which define and communicate a feeling of unique vision.”
Most Amazing Product Ever
“With over 15,000 active patterns, and owning all wallpaper printing types available together under one roof, that’s difficult,” says Miller. “But I believe our Surface print products are the most amazing. We still print on certain presses that have been in operation since we opened our doors in 1895, and we are the sole provider of Surface printing in North America. Surface printing gives the look and texture of a hand-painted wallpaper art piece, but it is done on machine.” This unique mechanized printing type is done by master craftsmen after two-year apprenticeships.
York Wallcoverings
Headquartered in York, with locations worldwide | See their store locator at yorkwallcoverings.com
Think of It As Jewelry
Accent Pieces and Décor
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April Elizabeth Photography
Susquehanna Valley Expert
Lindsey Barnes, Owner, Fern.ish Home
Trends
Everybody seems to be giving their homes more love these days—and that includes more personalized touches, according to Lindsey Barnes, owner of Lancaster-based Fern.ish, which includes both a shop and studio focused on interior design and home décor of all sizes, from furniture to accent pieces. Organic, natural tones and shapes are in, moving away from boxy lines toward soft curves—and away from grays toward more natural browns.
“Kitchen accessories have always been huge—because for many homeowners, it’s where they spend time doing something they love—so they want to make it beautiful,” Barnes explains. “Coffee table and shelf styling is big—we help homeowners group the right items together, to make it all flow. Whether shelves are in the office, living room, dining room, or kitchen, they want to enjoy having beautiful things out surrounding them.”
Best Advice
“I think on the décor side, keep it simple,” Barnes advises. “You don’t have to fill every space—it needs to feel airy and breathe your personality, too. Too much clutter makes you feel anxious and not able to relax and enjoy it.”
What’s the Value?
It’s accent pieces and décor items that help your personality shine. “Everyone could have the same type of sofa or chair, but then you add in the rugs and it completely changes the space—or you add a unique lamp, and it can push you more organic or modern in your style,” Barns says. “Those pieces really set the tone—they’re almost like jewelry on the room.”
What Are We Looking at?
“What we’re noticing from clients is that they want a little bit of an eclectic look,” Barnes describes. “Mixing and matching styles is a fun way to achieve this. A modern angled vase next to a stack of books with vintage style adds that interest—it says you’re not stuck in a style. We like to have new items that can lean more modern, and we definitely love to throw vintage rustic pieces in for that warm feeling— that you’re well-traveled, with the organic feel of greens, different textures in rattan, and making it all work together.”
Most Amazing Project Ever
“In all honesty, it’s hard to pick just one, because we’re constantly doing different things for different people, so I don’t know that I could pick a favorite,” says Barnes. “It’s exciting to work with a client that wants your opinion and understands we’re going to give them the best design from start to finish. It’s a really cool humbling feeling, when people welcome us into their home.”
Fern.ish Home
398 Harrisburg Ave | Lancaster, PA 17603 | 717-740-5338 | fernishhome.com
*Original Art by Whitney Babin
