From House To Home

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After 23 years of living in the heart of the city, these Lebanon homeowners traded a restored 1890s historic home for 5 tree-lined acres where birdsong and deer tracks replaced train whistles and traffic lights. But one thing didn’t change. Their newly built, custom home has all the character and craftsmanship of a much older model.

Earth tones set the palette both inside and out, and once the home’s siting was established, the team set about designing the open floor plan with an orientation toward the dramatic beauty of the back yard. Natural materials such as hardwoods, ceramic tile, and granite complement the chiseled rock and stucco facade for a home that blends seamlessly into the beauty of the surrounding forest.

Builder Fred Wiegand of Manaheim, Pennsylvania, came to their attention during the Parade of Homes, which the homeowners toured each year as they planned their custom project. But he earned their trust on the job site by rolling up his sleeves, often working side by side with his subcontractors, and helping turn their dream home into a reality. He used oil paint on the woodwork, and he framed freestanding cabinetry into several strategic spaces to give the look of custom case goods. At Wiegand’s suggestion, both fireplaces have been fitted with gas lines because it allows them to ignite easily and still burn real wood.

Wiegand was not the only one whom they trusted from having seen previous projects. Nora Hostetter, a designer with Colonial Craft Kitchens Inc., made sure that they loved their new kitchen as much as they had loved their old one.

Their newly built, custom home has all the character and craftsmanship of a much older model.

Jerry Hoffsmith, the president of Colonial Craft Kitchens, had just started his company when he helped guide them through their first remodel, and building this kitchen from the ground up proved even more satisfying. The work triangle calls for gourmet appliances with a three-tiered kitchen island capped in a combination of granite and Corian separating it from the great room. A custom-built “message center” helps organize the day-to-day activities and also offers a transitional space between the kitchen and the adjoining living areas.

Each room was sized and designed to accommodate existing furniture, so there were no surprises on moving day. Even the electrical outlets in the great room were located after the sofas, end tables, and lamps were sketched into place.

The home is designed on two levels, and there are guest rooms upstairs. But the master suite is on the lower level and makes a visual connection with the outdoors. Windows above the bed allow early-morning light to filter in from above, and a door leads directly to the patio at the back of the home. Their historic house taught them the value of closet space, and here they specified his-and-her closets large enough to avoid having to stow away clothes according to the season.

Because the home has such a private setting among the trees, it made sense to incorporate green efficiencies as well. Geothermal heating and extra insulation provide them substantial savings on their energy bill. Solar shades act as a thin web to protect the hardwoods and keep the summer afternoons cool. A septic system and well water also help them remain independent and off the grid.

After having spent two years enjoying the privacy of the setting and the perfect blueprint, the homeowners have yet to discover a single element they are unhappy with. “We’re coming up on our second anniversary here, and there isn’t one thing we would change about the design or the construction,” they say. “It really is our dream home.”