The end of another year has quickly approached! Our Elite team completed just over 20 projects this year. Here’s a look at our end of year superlatives as we look at our year in review:
Best Overall Transformation:
We’d be remiss to not award this category to a Wyomissing home that transformed their 1950’s kitchen and dining room into a new space. The project included new windows, a door at a new location, and a completely re-imagined open floor plan. Once complete, our client Penny described her home as a “completely different house,” exclaiming her love for it and how it is what she “always wanted” since the day they moved in.
Josh, the Superintendent on the job said his favorite part of this project was “developing a new open floor plan while still keeping true to the 1950s architecture by keeping the curved opening of the doorway. Penny and her daughter’s favorite part of their new kitchen was making the switch from an electric stove to gas because it has made cooking easier. (Bonus: There is even an air fryer in the oven!) They also love the peninsula in the new space.
Here’s some before and after photos:
Best House To Host A Party:
This project involved a first and second floor addition that was roughly 1,400 SF, a complete kitchen remodel, master bath remodel, re-imagined mudroom, and a stunning new outdoor entertaining area featuring a built-in kitchen to top it all off. Our clients put A LOT of thought into making this the ideal space in terms of flow and usability. Although we originally started discussing this project with our client in 2019, a pregnancy and COVID-19 led us to start construction in April of this year.
Our Elite team unanimously agreed that the spacious, open concept of this first floor, combined with the perfect outdoor entertainment area, make this property an easy win for “Best House To Host A Party,” but we’ll let you be the judge:
Best Bathroom Transformation:
Our Elite team took an ordinary bathroom in Mohnton and transformed it into nothing short of an in-home spa fit for a king and queen – right down to the matching “His” and “Hers” robes. We’ll let the before and after photos do the speaking:
– Before –
– After –
Best Curb Appeal:
This exterior transformation will make you stop and stare! A past customer reached out to make their home Elite once more. This time, we added a new roof and completed some exterior renovations to completely revamp the outside of their home. Our Superintendent Josh loves how “the vibrant blue hardie board siding really pops with the white trim, especially since the exterior of most other houses on their street is either brick or vinyl.” What do you think?
– Before –
– After –
Most Impactful:
Perhaps the most rewarding project for our Elite team this year was a home addition that was completed for the clients’ 11-year old son, Ryan, who has Spina Bifida. Although he uses a wheelchair and crutches in his everyday life, Ryan enjoys an active lifestyle filled with sporting events, playing instruments, and more. D&B Elite Custom was able to assist in helping him achieve an even more independent lifestyle. “We wanted to add an addition that allows him to move freely whether he is on crutches or using a wheelchair. It is important to us to help Ryan grow as independent as possible,” explain Ryan’s parents. Prior to this home addition, Ryan was limited to a small bedroom with a hall bathroom that would not properly accommodate him as he continues to grow.
John Watkins of Watkins Architect reached out directly to D&B Elite Custom with the plan. “Watkins was a huge component of planning this process because once D&B Elite Custom got involved everything was ready to go,” explains Melissa. Larry Adam, Vice President of Residential Construction for D&B Elite Custom, met with David and Melissa for their consultation. “Larry was very confident that Watkin’s plans could be done. It allowed us to be very confident. It was important for us to develop a relationship where we felt confident that they were going to have everything that we needed.” Since Watkins Architect and D&B Elite Custom work together on a regular basis, this partnership made all the difference.
This 440 SF addition was designed to have a functional bedroom, bathroom and closet that extends off of the living room. The process took seven different revisions to find the design that flowed best with Ryan’s needs. Ryan was a part of the design process and told us he worked with Beth, D&B Elite’s Project Coordinator, to find features and designs that he liked best – such as vinyl flooring and slip-free flooring for the shower.
Although this project was not fully ADA compliant, it encompasses a multitude of ADA features that were designed with Ryan’s needs in mind. “ADA requires three different hand rails around the toilet, but ultimately Ryan did not need that, so we only installed one hand rail,” explains Ryan’s father, David. In addition, Ryan does not have any doors in his room because it is his own private living space. According to Ryan’s mother, Melissa, swinging doors can sometimes be a problem with his wheelchair. “This addition has the space to allow Ryan to move freely and spin around in a wheelchair, the doors are larger, and the bathroom was constructed in a way that allows him to do everything independently. D&B Elite Custom did a really good job of not just doing things by the book but instead making it functional for us and for Ryan’s needs. The ADA compliant wasn’t exactly what Ryan needed.”
“The goal for Ryan was to be able to be more independent as he continues to grow. The addition did just that, allowing him to become independent for all of his daily needs without his parents,” explain David and Melissa as they reflect on the positive impact that this project had on Ryan. When you ask Ryan, he’ll tell you that he most enjoys the fact that he can control his fan and the temperature of his bedroom and bathroom via a remote control. In fact, Ryan loves his new space so much that he let his parents know that he plans to never leave, joking that his future wife will one day move in with them.
Best Space To Watch The Game:
From the bar to the dual televisions, you’ll want to watch all your favorite sports in this spacious basement we remodeled in Exeter Township! (Bonus Points if you are a Philadelphia Sports fan, as the walls of this freshly renovated space are decked out in all things Philly!) After your favorite team wins, burn off your energy in the renovated gym – complete with gorgeous barn doors.
Place You’re Most Likely To Find Us Curled Up With A Good Book:
Catch us here all Winter with the fireplace blazing!
Best Dressed:
When we visited our client after they were all moved in to their re-imagined space, we initially thought we got lost and ended up in the Studio McGee and Hearth & Hand with Magnolia section of Target. You’re going to love the timeless, minimal look of this home with its earthy hues and natural tones! We couldn’t get over how well our client, Kim, staged and decorated her space. See for yourself:
The Elite team recently completed a kitchen and dining room remodel for a Wyomissing client. The end result? We gave a kitchen built in 1953 an entire upgraded look, including new windows, a new door at a new location, and a re-imagined open floor plan. “It’s a completely different house! I love it. It’s what I always wanted since the day we moved in,” exclaimed our client, Penny, when we stopped by to visit after they were settled in with their new furniture.
Josh, the Superintendent on the job said his favorite part of this project was “developing a new open floor plan while still keeping true to the 1950s architecture by keeping the curved opening of the doorway. Penny and her daughter’s favorite part of their new kitchen was making the switch from an electric stove to gas because it has made cooking easier. (Bonus: There is even an air fryer in the oven!) They also love the peninsula in the new space.
A Look At The Transformation:
Here’s some before and after photos of the space:
Our team opened up the dining room, living room, and kitchen area to create a more open space.
The Construction Process:
Penny and her family enjoyed watching the construction process and said that our team and Trade Partners were “nice and respectful, especially when it came to having to walk through the kitchen throughout construction.” The on-site construction team would always move the plastic barriers whenever the family wanted or needed to walk through. “They were so courteous that they avoided cutting any wood, etc. and waited until we were done making our food,” Penny’s daughter reflects.
Our clients relied on microwave cooking and cooking on the grill throughout the course of construction. In fact, having to walk all the way around the house to get to the grill is what inspired the family to start dreaming up their next home renovation – an outdoor living project that they hope to begin with our team in Spring of 2023.
As the homeowner, Penny also appreciated how our team would always “go to bat for her to get her what they needed.” That’s the D&B Elite difference.
Now Get The Look:
Here’s a look at some of our trusted Trade Partners who helped bring this vision to life: Flooring and tile backsplash from About All Floors, Granite Countertops from AAA Hellenic Marble, cabinetry was completed by Swartz Kitchens & Baths, and plumbing fixtures from Weinstein Reading.
We’d be remiss to not recognize World Architecture Day, which is always celebrated on the first Monday of October. While architecture exists to create the physical environment we live in, it is so much more than that. It is a huge part of our culture, and it greatly impacts our society. Two architects that have wholeheartedly impacted two recent clients of ours are Watkins Architect (based out of Fleetwood, PA) and Olsen Design Group Architects (based out of Reading, PA).
At D&B Elite Custom, we are grateful that we were able to work with both of these architect firms as they enriched our clients’ lives. Learn more about both below:
Revitalizing A Home In Spring Township:
In December of 2019, a Berks County family endured a fire at their home that left just part of the foundation. Thankfully, they were in good hands with one of their friends, Lee Olsen, who conveniently also happens to be the President and CEO of Olsen Design Group Architects. He referred the family to our Elite team, and the rest was history. Despite the pandemic putting a brief pause on the design process, the design phase was restarted in May of 2020 and demolition took place in October of 2020.
The family turned the loss of their old home into an opportunity to build a home guided by form and function. The end result was a home “more suitable for senior citizens” with everything they need all on one floor as they enter the next season of their life. Every detail of the home, from the breathtaking timber beams right down to the paint color in each room, was carefully selected with a purpose. The couple wanted a rustic, comforting style that paid homage to their travels in the Alps. Influence came from a blueprint they obtained in Zermatt, Switzerland, as well as from the architecture of northern Italy, southern Austria, and Bavaria, Germany.
From there, Lee and his talented team got the job done. According to the Olsen team, this project was “the most emotionally fulfilling project, as we took a burned-out home, and keeping only the basement, created a new and vibrant homestead for the family. Now all of their children and grandchildren have a new home to come to at holiday time, the owners have their own Grande Suite, and a full music recording studio on the same site where they have lived since they were married.”
Blueprints of the home from Olsen Design Group Architects
The exterior of the finished home
The first floor
The Master Bath
Accessible Home Addition Leads To Independence:
In Lebanon County you’ll find another client of D&B Elite Custom’s who recently received assistance in helping their 11-year-old son, Ryan, achieve a more independent lifestyle. Ryan has Spina Bifida, a birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord don’t form properly. Although he uses a wheelchair and crutches in his everyday life, Ryan enjoys an active lifestyle filled with sporting events, playing instruments, and more. “We wanted to add an addition that allows him to move freely whether he is on crutches or using a wheelchair. It is important to us to help Ryan grow as independent as possible,” explain Ryan’s parents. Prior to this home addition, Ryan was limited to a small bedroom with a hall bathroom that was clearly too small as he continues to grow. Here’s a view of the spaces he used prior to completing this home addition project:
This 440 SF addition was designed to have a functional bedroom, bathroom and closet that extends off of the living room. The process took seven different revisions to find the design that flowed best with Ryan’s needs.
John Watkins of Watkins Architect spoke with our client about the importance of having an architect to make sure everything that needs to be complete is finished. He reached out directly to D&B Elite Custom last April with the plan that needed to be done. “Watkins was a huge component of planning this process because once D&B Elite Custom got involved everything was ready to go. Larry was very confident that Watkin’s plans could be done. It allowed us to be very confident. It was important for us to develop a relationship where we felt confident that they were going to have everything that we needed,” explains the client.
Although this project was not fully ADA compliant, it encompasses a multitude of ADA features that were designed with Ryan’s needs in mind. For example, ADA requires three different hand rails around the toilet, but ultimately Ryan did not need that, so only one hand rail was installed.
“The goal for Ryan was to be able to be more independent as he continues to grow. The addition did just that, allowing him to become independent for all of his daily needs without his parents,” explain Ryan’s parents as they reflect on the positive impact that this project had on him.
Check out the addition below:
All in all, none of these projects would have been possible without the help of of these two outstanding local architects – Watkins Architect and Olsen Design Group Architects. We are grateful for their partnership day in and day out.
Nearly one year after we began this couple’s full remodel of their 1970’s home, we reconnected to see how they were enjoying their new space after living in their newly remodeled home for approximately three months now.
Looking back, they described living in a temporary apartment last year as a “time of upheaval,” but one that went by relatively quickly. They enjoyed living in a different part of town and experiencing what the neighborhood they stayed in had to offer — especially their beloved dog Hachi, who loved going for walks and enjoying the dog-friendly atmosphere!
They think it helped that they lived on this property since 2010 before completing their renovation. Lori described it as “an advantage because we had clarity on what we wanted and didn’t want going into this project.”
In case you missed our first blog on this project last July, here’s a quick summary of the history of the home: The house, which was built by the homeowner’s father, would have turned 50 years old this year. The family decided now was the best time to renovate and celebrate new beginnings. An unfortunate accident that left Av with a disability also increased the need for a home renovation, as the ADA compliant open concept layout of the first floor allows him to better navigate their home. You’ll find wider hallways and hardwood floors throughout the home, as well as a larger shower with a flip-up seat.
Another selling point of their home reno? “The new layout is much more efficient and makes it easier to host guests,” explains Av. Prior to their home renovation, they never felt fully comfortable having a number of people over before, but now there is definitive space for guests, such as their extended family in western PA, NJ, and DE who have already come to visit.
Despite the challenges that naturally come with a home renovation of this size, the family had a great experience overall, especially with our Trade Partner, Kyle of Elements Integration, who handled installation of security cameras throughout the property, mounting TVs, the Internet, and all of the wired electronics throughout the house. “Kyle was excellent to work with because his knowledge is top notch and he is so friendly. He never condescended and always explained everything,” explains Av.
Check out this interview to learn more about the family’s experience getting a complete home renovation with our team!
Designing Their New Home With Blue House Designs LLC:
A reflective Lori and Av recall that they “knew nothing about the design process” when they first began working with the D&B Elite team and Kylene Baney of Blue House Designs LLC, who has been an Architectural Designer for 20 years and owned her business for seven years now. “When I first started working with the family they had project boards with magazine clippings and items printed from online, including exterior and interior designs. Every time they saw something they liked they added it to the board. There was a mixture of modern, farmhouse style, and traditional, so in order to narrow down what they really wanted we started with the design of the exterior of the home,” explains Kylene.
Below are some of the options that the family was given in each style. “This helped them realize that they liked the farmhouse style most,” recalls Kylene. Another realization that Lori and Av made during the design process? “At first we thought we’d keep the exterior of the whole house and go from there, but we ultimately ended up deciding we wanted another house since keeping the same exterior would be like upgrading from Web 1.0 to 1.5. That makes no sense. We wanted to get to Web 2.0.”
View the final home walkthrough here on our YouTube channel!
A Q&A With The Designer, Kylene Baney:
Q: How did you get started in this industry?
A: “Designing has always been my passion. It’s what makes me tick. I had a high school teacher who noticed my talents, and I always liked working with people. I knew I wanted to help people bring their home dreams to fruition.”
Q: Walk us through the process of what it’s like helping clients reach their final decision on design?
A: “It is normal for me to assist clients with narrowing down to their final choices, but at the same time some clients will have a set design they absolutely love. If they allow my input, I will show them other options that would also work. Many times the client never thought of other options, and then I will work with them to design their needs.”
Q: What programs do you use to design?
A: “I draw with SoftPlan 2022 Program, which allows me to design the exterior and / or interior of the home. I enjoy renovating existing homes that will improve the client’s space.”
View the SoftPlan web 3D model for the Rochino house here, and complete your own walk through!
Q: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
A: “The most challenging aspect of any project is making sure I incorporate everything the customer wants or needs into the space allowed. I also find this part of the job to be the most fun! It’s like putting a puzzle together; everything must fit perfectly. Another challenge is how hard it has been to get to where I am. Drafting is not a woman’s field. Don’t get me wrong, I work with a lot of men who appreciate my work, but growing up I had a lot of hurdles. I wish I saw more women or girls taking an interest in what I do.”
Did you know: According to the American Institute of Architects, only 17% of registered architects in the United States are women?!
Q: What is your favorite aspect of this particular home design and why?
A: “I enjoy getting to know the family and making their living space easier and more useful for their needs. The challenge is taking the families’ ideas and incorporating them to meet their needs. It is truly rewarding to see my design project transform into reality. Seeing how the design changes improved the clients’ lives is the best and gives me a great sense of accomplishment.”
Q: What is it like watching your drawings transform from rendering to reality?
A: “I feel a lot of pride and honor when families trust me to design a space or entire home that fits their needs. I think that takes a lot of courage on the homeowner’s part to let someone they don’t know have so much responsibility. Knowing that in the end they liked my design so much that they built it is my favorite part of the job.”
Q: How long have you been working with D&B Elite Custom?
A: “I’m pleased to have been working with D&B Elite Custom since 2018. Our relationship started from an email I sent to local builders making them aware that I was looking for work. This relationship became mutually successful, as I have since completed over 40 projects with D&B Elite Custom to date.”
This year, D&B Elite Custom is working with two wonderful local families who have faced adversity head on within recent years. At the end of May, the D&B Elite team smiled from ear to ear as they watched the Kline family start to move their belongings into their custom home, and they look forward to doing the same when the Rochino family moves in to their re-imagined home soon.
(If you missed Part 1 of this series on the Kline Family be sure to read it here on our blog, and check out our follow up on this project one year after mobilization took place here on our blog.)
All in the Family: A Fifty-Year Milestone in Wyomissing Hills
Lori and Avelino (Av) Rochino are another local family making something beautiful out of the hand they have been dealt. “With recent life changes, such as Av’s disability from an unfortunate accident and his mother’s recent passing from pneumonia, we knew we were ready to make changes to accommodate our new life situation,” says Lori. “With the house turning 50 years old next year, we thought this would be a great way to celebrate new beginnings!”
In 2010, Lori and Av had the opportunity to buy Av’s parents’ home when they retired to Florida. This allowed the Rochinos to keep the home that Av’s father, Avelino Sr., built in their family for hopefully generations to come. Av attended the Wyomissing School District with his older brother up until junior high. Today, their son Andre now attends the same school as a third grader. This Wyomissing Hills home was the perfect starter home for Lori and Av. “When we bought the home we knew it had plenty of potential, but since it was built in 1972 we knew we’d be making some changes one day. However, life got busy and any home improvement projects got placed on the back burner,” says Lori.
The perfect storm changed this. Lori, a marketing / communications professional for Philly and Boston based organizations, and Av, a software engineer for a Boston-area based company, both worked from home prior to the start of COVID-19. Previously mentioned life events, coupled with the fact that their son was now attending school remotely due to the pandemic, resulted in a need to make more space so everyone wasn’t on top of each other. Another plus side to renovating their home? The Rochino family has close ties with extended family in western PA, NJ, and DE. These renovations will allow the family to have more space to entertain family and guests. With interest rates at their lowest, the Rochinos knew now was the time to secure the finances to help make their renovation dreams come true.
At the beginning of April this year, D&B Elite Custom began renovations to the family’s beloved home. These renovations include adding a second-floor master suite and updating every aspect of this 1970’s home. In addition, the first floor will be completely ADA compliant for Av, with hardwood floors throughout, wider hallways, an open concept living plan, and a bigger shower with a flip-up seat. The D&B Elite team is happy to be able to increase the quality of life for their client. “When I found out that this home was Av’s childhood home and they are now raising their son in it, I thought ‘How cool is that?!’ The Rochinos are just enjoyable to be around and easy to work with. They did their homework and knew what they wanted to achieve. We are excited to make their ideas a reality,” says D&B’s Project Coordinator, Beth.
When Lori and Av first reached out to D&B Elite Custom over a year ago, they had some ideas but didn’t know what to expect, as this was their first home renovation project. “We didn’t know anything about the design process,” reflects Lori. “We watched HGTV and all the home videos and always thought, ‘That would be cool to do.’ Then when you actually do it you realize it is not a short 30-minute sprint. It is kind of a marathon in some ways. There’s a lot of little moving parts throughout the process,” she explains.
Kylene of Blue House Designs LLC has been working with the Rochinos and Team D&B to design the look of their home. She remembers the Rochinos had a “project board of ideas with a mix of styles” when she first met them. “I felt it was necessary to see what style they really wanted by showing them different ideas,” she recalls. Here’s a look at some of the original ideas next to the final rendering (pictured last) of what the Rochino family ended up going with:
A mix of excitement and nervousness could be detected prior to the start of construction. The couple described how they felt as “surreal and a little overwhelming.” One thing that gave them both peace of mind? Av’s mother, Merian, was able to see the plans that the couple put together with Team D&B prior to her passing. “She got very excited about the changes for her former house, so the ‘new house’ seems to have her blessing,” Lori explains.
Who does D&B Elite Custom still need to receive approval from? Hachi, the Rochino’s Pembroke Welsh Corgi, who runs the household and is a neighborhood pet fixture will get the final say! Be sure to follow our social media and blog for updates once the house is complete.
D&B Elite Custom has humble beginnings that date over 10 years ago. In 2010, Dan Gring (CEO) and Brennan Reichenbach (COO) began flipping houses together in their spare time. From here, they transitioned into residential general contracting before they began building entire custom homes from the ground up. They officially starting their business in February of 2011, and D&B just celebrated its 10-year anniversary.
Today, D&B Elite Custom is a full-service residential construction firm offering services for custom homes and remodeling projects. Our remodeling projects span from powder room remodels to entire master suite renovations or home additions. We have completed many unique projects for clients, including custom outdoor living spaces and even an NBA-sized basketball court.
The D&B Elite team is comprised of dedicated individuals who anchor themselves to one of the hallmarks of the company’s business model – People come first at D&B. This mentality, coupled with their quality work, has led to D&B being the recipient of many awards in the last decade, including Builder of the Year, Remodeler of the Year, Remodeling Magazine’s Top 550, Qualified Remodeler 500, Lehigh Valley’s 45 Fastest Growing Businesses, Best Places to Work in PA, INC 5000’s Fastest Private Growing Companies, and Greater Reading Chamber Alliance’s Top 50 Businesses.
At D&B, “we care” is more than just a tagline. Our pre-construction and selection processes are one of a kind and allow for transparent communication between the D&B Elite team and clients so every project is completed on time, within budget, and to our customers’ visions. It is one thing to be able to take an image a client saved on Pinterest of their dream kitchen and make it a reality, but it is another thing altogether when the completed job is life changing to a client. This is a responsibility that the D&B Elite team does not take lightly.
A Transformation Like No Other
The feeling of seeing a client view their new home or completed renovations for the first time is always rewarding in itself, but watching the Kline family step foot into their new home for the first time meant so much more to the D&B Elite Custom team after all this couple has endured over the last two years. On December 14, 2019 Dave and Kathy Kline had a fire at their home. Unfortunately, the only thing left from the old house was part of the foundation, so their hand was forced to build a new home.
Friend and President/CEO of Olsen Design Group Architects, Lee Olsen, told the couple “There’s only one choice. You’ve got to go with D&B. I’ve worked with them. They’ll do a great job, pull together some amazing subcontractors, and the process will all flow very smoothly.” Following the recommendation of Lee, the Klines met with D&B Elite Custom’s Director of Residential Construction, Larry Adam, shortly after the fire in January of 2020. Larry remembers walking through the house with the couple to “look over existing amenities and go over their insurance claim proposal so they could start budgeting for the rebuild based on sketches from their architect.” Although the pandemic put the design process to a halt for a bit, they restarted the design phase in May of 2020 and demo of the existing structure took place in October of 2020.
“When we started the demo, Dave and Kathy were on site. This was a moment of closure for them as the house they raised their children in was torn down to make way for the new and improved version of their home,” recalls Larry. He loved watching the couple’s reactions as their new home progressed. “I could see their excitement as their design and selections came together and they could physically walk through what they had created on paper,” he says with a smile.
The Klines decided to make lemonade out of lemons, turning the loss of their old home into an opportunity to build a home guided by form and function. The end result was a home “more suitable for senior citizens” with everything they need all on one floor as they enter the next season of their life. Every detail of the home, from the breathtaking timber beams right down to the paint color in each room, was carefully selected with a purpose. The Klines wanted a style that was both rustic and comforting while paying homage to their travels in the mountains and Dave’s 35 years of guiding ski and sightseeing groups in the Alps. Influence came from a blueprint Dave obtained in Zermatt, Switzerland and from the architecture of northern Italy, southern Austria, and Bavaria, Germany. “It’s sort of our vacation home that we live in full-time now,” Dave said with a smile as he sat at the bottom of their new staircase, which has carpet so comfortable he admits to taking his first nap in their new home here.
Describing their home as a “labor of love,” D&B Elite Custom’s Project Coordinator, Beth Varone-Barrer, says: “What they love to do and what they have experienced in life is incorporated into their new living space. Their home tells a story. Kathy told me she never thought they would be building a home at this stage in their life. When I toured her completed home and she gave me a hug I could have cried. It made me feel so good to see her happy with her home.”
The Superintendent in charge of this project, Paul Gent, says his favorite part of his career is the relationship he builds with the homeowners he completes work for. Paul has built more than 10 houses from the ground up since he started in this industry over 20 years ago, but nothing compared to seeing how excited and appreciative Dave and Kathy were. “This wasn’t your everyday, normal home,” reflects Paul. “It was completely customized to the couple’s liking and included memorabilia from their old house that we were able to save and incorporate into their new home, such as a custom decorative glass piece that everyone sees as soon as they walk through the front door. My reward was seeing how happy they were.”
