By Kellyn Legath

Do you ever wonder what happens to old barns, buildings and factories once they have been  abandoned? Red Rooster Designs gives them a second chance. This environmentally-friendly home furnishings company takes building materials from dilapidated buildings in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Western Maryland and turns them into treasured furnishings.

For seven years, Kristian Dixon owned a home furnishing and design boutique in Alexandria, Virginia. At her boutique, Dixon took it upon herself to design one-of-a-kind items for customers who could not find exactly what they were looking for. During this time she realized “the process of taking something old and making it new again was [her] favorite part of the design process.” This passion led her to development Red Rooster Designs in 2009.

Dixon teamed up with a group of men who had been reclaiming wood for more than 40 years, men who traveled to aged buildings and factories ready to be torn down to see what kind of valuable materials they could salvage. Since they have been doing this for so long, a digital network has been established so that people can alert them when a structure is set to be demolished.

Once the wood is reclaimed, it is certified with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and each piece is manufactured by craftsman located in the “Barn Belt” of Pennsylvania. “I love Pennsylvania,” Dixon says. “If you need to get something done, it will get done in Pennsylvania.” Dixon’s furniture designs are simple, beautifully crafted pieces of original art utilizing wood, metal and any other usable materials collected from these buildings.

All of the pieces are customizable, functional, affordable, unique and, most importantly, gives new life to the historical structures of our area. Currently, the line is sold exclusively in Virginia, but Dixon works with customers anywhere who are interested in purchasing her rustic home furnishings.

To learn more, visit redroosterdesigns.net.

Pottery Barn Display-It Storage Mirror
Now there’s a way to keep the kiddies bedrooms and playrooms as organized and stylish as the other rooms in your home. Our pick for a useful piece that can grow with your kids is Pottery Barn’s Display-It Storage Mirror, a simple, multi functional piece that will match most any home’s décor. This storage unit swivels 360 degrees for easy access to each handy side: a full-length mirror, a corkboard for posting important dates and notes, a three-way coat hanger and a shelving unit. This do-it-all unit is crafted with a kiln-dried hardwood frame and finished by hand in classic white paint.
Available at: Pottery Barn, Lehigh Valley Lifestyle Center, Whitehall, 610.264.0381, PBTeen.com, $599

Rock Band Ottoman
Being an amateur musician with Rock Band means a lot of room-cluttering gear. Cleaning up the game equipment can be a drag, but not when you use the Rock Band Ottoman. Store gear in this extra-large faux leather ottoman featuring two custom universal trays that hold multiple games and controller accessories, fitted pockets for guitar and microphone storage, drum stick loops and plenty of room for a drum set and any other accessories. Complete with rockin’ decorative lid stitching, side handles for easy lifting and sturdy construction made to withstand any wannabe rock star.
Available at: JCPenny, Lehigh Valley Mall, Whitehall, 610.264.5671, jcpenny.com, $149.99

Bellini Storage Drawers
Finding space-saving storage pieces can be difficult, especially for smaller bedrooms. The new Bellini Storage Drawers make hiding your kid’s toys, books and clothes easy with these under the bed storage drawers that fit most twin- and full-size beds. The roomy, easy-open drawers create valuable storage space and feature rolling casters that allow even small children to easily open and close them. Sold in sets of two.
Available at: Bellini Baby & Teen Furniture, Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, 3060 Center Valley Parkway, Center Valley, 610.797.1800, bellini.com, $525 for two

A and E Designs 20-Tray Mobile Storage Cubbie
Stow away more gear with A and E Designs 20-Tray Mobile Storage Cubbie. This ultimate kid’s storage unit has enough room to store hundreds of toys and school supplies in its 20 compartments that can be accessorized with colorful plastic bins. The durable and convenient mobile storage solution comes fully assembled with hidden bottom-mounted casters. Perfect for home-schoolers and large families alike. Plastic bins not included.
Available at: itoystorage.com, Sale Price $349.98

Think back to all holiday seasons past and the trips you make to and from the attic, to and from the home center, up and down the ladder, and the thought is bound to cross your mind, can’t I hire someone to do all this this year—a holiday decorator, perhaps? The difference between you and a professional is the difference between having “something nice and having something fabulous,” explains Scott Rothenberger of Scott Rothenberger’s PLACE. “Designers often look outside the box for solutions and give you something that you could have never thought of on your own.” Possibilities are brought to light and the creativity flows.

Whether you decide to make the call or tough it out on your own again this year, Rothenberger says there are several few essential things to keep in mind:

• Do NOT go overboard with any particular theme. How many times have you seen that dated red bow theme gone terribly wrong? One carefully placed red bow on a wreath is nice. Placing others on your window boxes, shrubs, and mailbox post is definitely overkill. Remember, less is more.

• Be careful when mixing fun elements. For example, don’t combine a rustic Christmas element like reindeer antlers with something elegant like a beautiful glass Moravian star—often times this just comes across as tacky or cluttered.

• Incorporate something cherished into your décor. “The holiday should have room for something sentimental,” says Rothenberger. “This could be something as simple as a family photo in a glitzy holiday frame or something as elaborate as a family heirloom ornament handed down for many generations.” It adds something personal and in turn will make your display more homey.

“No matter what I buy and create for a client’s holiday, I always incorporate sentimental items that I often find stashed away in the attic,” says Rothenberger.

If you decide to use a decorator, you’re in for some perks. Not only do they already know all the above rules, but they also invest in staying up on the latest styles and trends. A recent trend includes using non-traditional colors in your color scheme.

“Coordinating the colors with the interior design of the home, this makes the holiday season mesh with the interior of the home versus competing or fighting with it,” says Rothenberger.

So, if you have a light blue room, add white and silver accents to it. Granted it’s not the stereotypical green and red, but it will stand out more from the norm.

Another element Rotherberger likes to employ is the great outdoors. Because of my background and experience in architecture and horticulture, the holiday designs that I create for clients are very sensitive to the architecture of the home and many times incorporate things from my clients’ landscapes. I am big fan of bringing the outside in and often cut grasses and perennials and add a little spray paint and glitter to make them sparkle with holiday cheer.

Perhaps the best perk of all when hiring a designer is the stress relief. Just think of it as an early present to yourself.

The most important thing to remember while hiring is to ask around. Question friends, colleagues, family—anyone whose taste you admire. After all, the most important holiday must-have is to have fun!

INFO: Scott Rothenberger’s PLACE, 610.428.1801, designbyplace.com

By Amanda Hurd

Add a New Look to Your Home with an Old Standard

If windows are the eyes of the room, then moulding (also spelled molding) is the makeup. Installing moulding in an ordinary room instantly transforms it from modest to magnificent.

“Crown, cove, cornice, panel, frieze, chair rail… there is no limit to the possible options,” says Anna of Castle Remodeling in Bethlehem, “Combining different pieces gives homeowners the opportunity to really customize their room.” Traditional moulding is made of wood, but moulding also comes in a range of synthetic alternatives. Wood moulding can be stained or painted to match any particular taste. Within the broad category of wood moulding, there are different types of wood species, hard or soft wood, and a range of different appearances and costs. When choosing what kind of moulding to purchase, consider whether you want to stain or paint your moulding. Wood, MDF (medium density fiberboard), and plastic can be painted. Newly constructed homes often come with basic moulding around windows and baseboards. The best way to make your new home distinctive is to add some custom trim. Even ol der homes with existing trim can benefit from a moulding refurbishment.

Inspired by European castles, the pros at Castle Remodeling strive to bring sophistication into homes in the Lehigh Valley. They offer free in-home consultations to ensure a specialized look that’s simultaneously unique and personal. Planning is essential for a successful moulding project. “In our line of work, the details are everything,” says Anna. Designing new moulding for your home makes an excellent spring renovation project. One of the latest trends is to paint your moulding a dark, saturated color rather than to choose a traditional white or wood stain.

Moulding can be used in some unlikely places, too. “Mouldings aren’t only for stately libraries, grand foyers, and dining rooms. The right moulding can create ambiance in any room, even a kitchen or bathroom,” says Anna. Moulding creates architectural interest and transforms a boring box of a room into a stylish living space. Additionally, adding moulding increases the value of your home by making it distinctive.

Sometimes moulding can even be functional. It can solve construction problems such as covering unsightly cracks or disguising joists between the wall and ceiling. Picture mouldings can be used to display artwork. There is no “typical” moulding project since each individual home, and homeowner, is different.

If you are brave enough to attempt moulding installation yourself, we suggest that you do your homework. Research all the types of materials and styles available and choose one that’s appropriate for the size and style of your home. And if all else fails, consult a professional.

“Your home is your castle,” Anna reminds homeowners, “everyone should live like a king.”