The Making of a Sustainable Home in Chester County

Bragg Hill: Our Story

Building a home, especially a green home wasn’t on our list of “must dos”. My wife, Nancy and I wanted to move to a more rural area once our children graduated college and moved out of the house. Our desire for more land was as much for our souls as for our dogs. The marketplace for existing homes on a decent plot of land in the western suburbs of Philadelphia proved disappointing. These older homes and farmhouses were either too much in disrepair or just not conducive to our tastes and desired lifestyle.

The thought of building a home, albeit a sustainable one, never crossed our minds until we set our eyes on Bragg Hill. This ten acre triangular plot of undeveloped wooded land sat on the market for several years. It’s remote, difficult to get to, heavily wooded, very hilly, an overgrown mess, and just perfect! It had our name on it.

That was 18 months ago. Today, we are in the throes of designing our dream home—our last and only home on this most stubborn and yet beautiful wedge of woods we call Bragg Hill.

Join us in our journey to building at sustainable home @ 60 Bragg Hill

Source:
Superior Woodcraft, Inc. Custom Cabinetry Blog
Superior Woodcraft, Inc. Website

Superior Woodcraft, Inc. Awarded NARI 2009 Contractor of the Year Award

Sustainable library takes national prize for remodeling excellence – puts new stamp on eco-friendly elegance.


Doylestown, PA (PRWEB) June 20, 2009 – The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) awarded Superior Woodcraft, Inc., Doylestown, PA, 2009 Contractor of the Year (CotY™) in the category Residential Interior Under $100,000. Judging was rendered by an independent panel of industry experts who determined that Superior Woodcraft’s sustainable library design met the highest standards of remodeling excellence in the following areas: functionality, problem solving, aesthetics, craftsmanship, innovation and degree of difficulty. In January 2009, the library achieved first-place standing in NARI’s regional competition, qualifying as a finalist in the national competition. Presentation of awards took place on March 28, 2009, in Atlanta, Georgia, at NARI’s Evening of Excellence, an annual gathering of industry leaders.

The award-winning library, an exquisite blend of luxury and sustainability, boasts ESP-certified custom cabinetry derived from plantation grown Lyptus (a highly renewable hardwood), domestic core no added urea formaldehyde (NAUF) plywood, rapidly renewable cork paneling, low VOC finishes, and utilized products and processes recognized and approved by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). To fulfill the client’s wish for a traditional library that would also function as a modern media room, Superior Woodcraft clad the room with wainscot paneling, cabinetry, and a coffered ceiling that seamlessly integrates state-of-the-art media, electrical and HVAC components, providing an elegant yet comfortable backdrop for entertaining and relaxation.

“We are delighted with the awards,” states Michelle Geiger Kennedy, company president and daughter of Superior Woodcraft, Inc. founder, Karl Geiger. “Our thanks and congratulations go to everyone involved in the winning project. Producing fine custom cabinetry requires master craftsmanship, commitment to quality, creativity, and versatility. I’m proud to lead a company where these qualities are recognized and rewarded.”

Full text and photos can be viewed at PRWEB
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About Superior Woodcraft, Inc.
Superior Woodcraft, Inc. designs, handcrafts and installs heirloom-quality custom cabinetry with environmentally sound practices and materials; providing a locally made, sustainable product of lasting value, utility, beauty and harmony. Founded in 1967 by master cabinetmaker, Karl H. Geiger, Superior Woodcraft is committed to preserving the time-honored skills, traditions and integrity of old-world cabinetmaking. This philosophy transcends every style and thematic design when producing the highest-quality custom cabinetry for your entire home. Superior Woodcraft specializes in handcrafted cabinetry for custom kitchens, master baths, pantries, bars, offices and living room built-ins as well as kitchen islands, armoires and vanities. View online portfolio at www.superiorwoodcraft.com

Superior Woodcraft is a member of the Bucks Mont Chapter of The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), the only trade association dedicated to the remodeling industry. With more than 8,200 member companies nationwide, the Association, based in Des Plaines, Illinois, is The Voice of the Remodeling Industry™. Visit NARI’s website at www.RemodelToday.com

Beat The Heat

BARE IS NOT A FASHION STATEMENT!

Sit by a bare window on a sunny day, and you'll feel the sun's warmth. Sit by that same window on a cold, windy night, and you'll feel chilled to the bone! With today's economic concerns, smart homeowners are continually searching for ways to cut expenses on their monthly energy bills and be 'eco'-conscious.

Along with saving energy costs, ultraviolet (UV) protection is important to preserve the fabrics in your rooms. Sun is a deadly enemy to textiles, leather and wood.

Newer window treatments, such as Sheer Vision provides both of these functions. The vertical panels, inserted within the sheers, offer sun and privacy control and add an element of softness to the windows. We would appreciate an opportunity to show you the current energy efficient options available to control your environment and "beat the heat".

Oh, one more thing. Bare is not a fashion statement for your skin, either --- sunscreen is a must! Be safe in the sub and enjoy your summer.

Joyce

This article was contributed by Joyce Doebler of Interiors by Decorating Den.

Joyce Doebler

Phone: (215)368-2259
Interiors by Decorating Den

Source:
Superior Woodcraft, Inc. Custom Cabinetry Blog
Superior Woodcraft, Inc. Website

A Life Update from a Past Superior Woodcraft Team Member

Te following is a note from a past Superior Woodcraft team member updating his old friends on relevant things in his life.


Hi Patrick,

Superior Woodcraft has been much in my thoughts the past two weeks. I found some side work helping the friend of a friend remodel his bathroom. Mostly it's been swapping out plumbing fixtures and painting, but I've also been stripping and refinishing base cabinets. Unfortunately, my customer wanted me to use a stain-polyurethane mix he's used before, so I've had a really tough time getting a finish I'm satisfied with. He keeps saying "Well that looks fine to me," but I imagine Mark Dearden (Superior Woodcraft's Finishing Manager) standing over my shoulder and I can hear what Mark would say about all those fat edges and orange skin areas. SW has instilled in me a very high sense of what quality workmanship is all about.

Hope all is going well with everyone there Back East. In the coming weeks, I'm planning on starting my own Green building consulting business, doing green audits and improvements and offering my construction project management services to homeowners doing major renovations. hope you'll keep good thoughts about my venture.

All the best,

Dutch

P.S. To Dutch - We are glad to hear that your sense of quality craftsmanship remains high and that your years at Superior Woodcraft played a role in your development. That feedback is very rewarding to hear because part of Superior Woodcraft's effort is to promote the craft and develop fine craftsman. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

The entire Superior Woodcraft team wishes you much success with your future efforts. It is good to hear from you and see your focus on green construction. Good luck with everything. We know you will be a success.

Source:
Superior Woodcraft, Inc. Custom Cabinetry Blog
Superior Woodcraft, Inc. Website

ATTRACTING BUTTERFLIES

The Buddleia or more commonly known as the summer lilac or butterfly bush is perhaps the best single choice for attracting butterflies to your garden. Its bloom resembles sprays of colors ranging from pink, to white, to purple, to lavender, to yellow and even red. And as if the large, colorful panicles weren’t enough, they have an added bonus of having a sweet and delightful aroma. It is this beautiful fragrance that attracts so many butterflies seeking the plants nectar. Bees are also attracted along with hummingbirds to the red varieties. Butterfly Bushes come in many varieties but typically grow to a height 5 to 6 feet. Buddleias bloom on new wood so its flowers are not diminished by its dieback behavior after the winter season. The butterfly bush will grow in almost any soil and only requires full sun and good drainage. And once established it is extremely drought tolerant. The blooms will last from mid summer through September. The blooms can also be used for flower arrangements. As the name suggests Buddleias are a butterfly magnet. And with over a hundred varieties to choose from you can’t go wrong.

This article was contributed by Shane Holderer of Landscape Plus LLC

Shane Holderer
Landscape Plus LLC
4734 Applebutter Road
Pipersville, Pa. 18947
215-646-1235
Landscape Plus LLC