The Connection Warren-Watchung Edition Sept/Oct/Nov 2018

PAGE 10 THE WARREN-WATCHUNG CONNECTION SEPT/OCT/NOV 2018 Gisele’s Unique Shop Tues.-Fri. 10:30-5:30 • Sat. 10:30-5 Passion for Fall Fashion... New Arrivals Daily! Gateway East • 53 Mountain Boulevard • Warren, NJ 07059 www.giselesuniqueshop.us DONNA DEGNAN • ELLIOTT LAUREN • ECRU WHITE + WARREN • J’ENVIE • CAROLYN ROSE ALBERTO MAKALI • 3 DOTS • GERRY WEBER 908-647-5250 Convenient Parking Your home is the biggest investment you make in your life, and it’s where you spend the majority of your time. That’s why it’s worth it to invest what is necessary to build the home of your dreams. A landscaping option that can give you the oasis you crave is creating an outdoor relaxation space. Specifical- ly, hardscaping can transform your backyard by extending the amount of space you have to relax and providing additional benefits. Check out just a few of these benefits that hardscaping offers. Highest Resale Value for Your Home A well-done hardscaping project can increase the resale value of your home. If you invest in a professional hardscape project, you create a multipurpose space that is useful all year. It’s a great way to make your home more desirable to potential buyers - whether you’re moving soon or are reselling years down the road. Adds Beauty to Your Home A hardscaping project can beautify your home. New Jersey’s landscape is already lovely, and many months of the year are warm enough to enjoy outdoor seating. Designing an outdoor space that com- plements your home exemplifies your style and improves your home’s appear- ance. Not only will you be able to enjoy the view from the inside, but your neighbors will be jealous, too! Functionality An outdoor living space allows you to entertain more often. If you love having friends and family around, hardscaping creates a wonderful space for gather- ings. You can design a dynamic space that includes an outdoor kitchen and bar, BBQ, fireplace or fire pit, pool or fountain. Outdoor spaces with added lighting or fireplaces mean that you can entertain guests well into the evening hours and take advantage of warm summer nights. Soften your beautiful new hardscape with a colorful land- scape that will put the finishing touch- es on the project. Safety and Reduced Liability An often-overlooked value of outdoor living spaces is that they make your house safer. Outdoor spaces with extra lighting deter intruders who might oth- erwise think your house is vacant. Hard- scaping projects also correct any issues you have with your outdoor space that may be a liability at your home. If you have broken steps, walks or walls, these can be dangerous when you have guests over. To correct these issues and make your outdoor area safe, a hard- scaping project executed by certified professionals is the answer. If you choose to add an outdoor living space to your home, you have the opportunity to design a hardscape lay- out and choose materials that repre- sent your style. When considering hardscaping, a professional can assist in making these determinations and analyze how the project will be com- pleted by factoring in drainage, green- ery and other elements. Scott Parker is the owner of Parker Homescape, a design/build landscape firm that has been recognized as one of the Top Landscape Design/Build Firms in the Unit- ed States, and has been recognized locally by Design NJ Magazine, New York Spaces Magazine, The Suburban News and many other prestigious publications. For more information on Parker Homescape, visit their website and design portfolio at: www.parkerhomescape.com or call (908) 626-1100 4 HARDSCAPING BENEFITS THAT IMPROVE YOUR NJ HOME By: Scott Parker, Parker Homescape, LLC www.theconnectionsnj.com