CONTRACTING FOR SERVICES ON LBI AND THE SURROUNDING AREA: HOME IMPROVEMENTS AND THE KEYS TO SELECTING THE RIGHT CONTRACTOR FOR YOUR PROJECT From selecting real estate, building a new home or remodeling an existing home to designing outdoor living areas, installing swimming pools and updating essential services, the search for the right service provider/contractor can be challenging and time-consuming. Brian Swank, BLA – Reynolds Design Team -“Design Concept Rendering” Whether

Looking to renovate or remodel on the island and stay within budget? The design-build process may be the best approach for you. Photo By Bridget Horgan Bell The full-service design-build method bypasses the need for a client to go to contract with two separate companies, an architect and a builder, as it combines both aspects of the building process: architecture and construction. Instead of initially hiring an architect to design plans and send them “out to bid” to numerous

Photos by Steve Belkowitz The staircase is one of the main focal points in your home. Its fundamental purpose is to provide access to the different levels of your house, but it also adds beauty, personal style and architectural interest to a home’s design. Most of us don’t choose a staircase very often. Stairs and railings come in many varieties, shapes and sizes, and the process can feel intimidating at times. A good place to start is by looking at the style of your home. A

GardenMark Artificial Grass - For Your Dream Summer Summer— most often synonymous with spending long, dreamy days outdoors with friends and family. The most telltale signs of summer include a quick round of catch with the kids on a beautiful lawn, an afternoon bocce session with the neighbors or practicing putting on your own green. GardenMark Artificial Grass is ready to turn all of these dreams into a reality. If lawn mowing or regular trips to the home center are your favo

Whether you are a stone’s throw from the beach or have a boat docked in the bay, nothing brings on mental repose quite like floating—or swimming—in a relaxing pool of still, tranquil water that is nestled in the privacy of your very own backyard. But putting in a new pool doesn’t have to be an exasperating undertaking. For those considering the installation of a swimming pool or spa on their property, there are a few things to consider before you jump into the deep end. David

Photos by Jay Rosenblatt Photography After an afternoon boat ride along the Barnegat Bay, you may find that you see Long Beach Island from a different point of view. One of the most unique aspects of LBI is it’s expansive amount of water. With all of it’s beauty and the effect it has on our senses, we as homeowners and visitors want to know how we can utilize these natural elements to their fullest potential. As landscape designers and builders, Bay Avenue Plant Company is al

Those with coastal homes are no stranger to the perils of living close to the surf—but few of these challenges are as pesky than when the surf comes home with you. Tracked-in-sand and sunscreen-laced soles sliding across your floors are notoriously difficult to clean—and just plan annoying. An obvious solution, of course, is an outdoor bathroom – and it’s one that many LBI-dwellers have invested in during recent years. One of the most popular local contractors specializing in

After a long day at the beach, a late dinner is even later than expected on the bay in Beach Haven. Two generations of children set the table under the disappearing sun. As guests arrive to enjoy cocktails, darkness sets in and the outdoor lighting comes on and provides necessary lighting to recognize faces. Clusters of candles create glimmering points on the table, but the passed food and smiles are lit by the soffit down lighting from two stories above. This is a typical

Photos by John Martinelli The micro home movement is one of the most fascinating architectural and social phenomena of our time. Appealing to those in the market for a second home or homeowners who are looking to downsize, a house less than 500 square feet guarantees lower living costs and decreased maintenance while offering a simpler, decluttered perspective on life. But millennials are not the only ones adopting minimalism principles by moving into tiny homes, cutting the

The season of rejuvenation! The first sunny warm days of spring bring us all outside and into the garden. Planting annuals in beds or pots marks the beginning of the best time of year if you are a gardener. As excited as we are, spring can be tricky so be careful to pick the right plants. Choose plants that like the cool weather. Typically, garden centers sell the appropriate annuals for the season and the ones to come. Planting too soon can often cause plant to suffer or