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THE WARREN-WATCHUNG CONNECTION
JUNE/JULY/AUGUST 2017
$ 20 Off your purchase of $100 or more! Expires 8/10/17. In stock merchandise only. One per customer. Cannot be combined with other offers. Mastro Shoes, 20 Mine Brook Road, Bernardsville www.mastroshoes.com Mon-Sat: 10am-7pm 908-766-4311 Great styles for men, women and children Extended sizes and widths Walk in...step out in style & comfort Since 1952 Your home is likely to be the biggest investment you make in your life, and it’s where you spend the majority of your time — both great reasons to make sure your home is an oasis of relaxation and enjoyment. That’s why it’s worth it to invest time and money into building the home of your dreams. One choice that's been gaining popularity recently is using hardscaping to create an outdoor relax- ation space. When thinking about hardscaping options, a professional can help you con- sider how it will fit into your entire land- scape area by factoring in drainage, greenery and other elements. Hardscap- ing can transform your backyard by extending the amount of space you have to relax and adding many benefits to your home. Check out just a few ways that a hardscaping project can improve your life and your home. Highest Resale Value for Your Home A well-done hardscaping project can increase the resale value of your home considerably. If you invest in a profession- al hardscape project, you can create a space that you can take advantage of all year round. It’s a great way to make your central NJ home more desirable for potential buyers – whether you’re ready to move soon or are thinking about reselling years down the road. Adds Beauty to Your Home A hardscaping project can really beautify your home! The landscape in central NJ is already lovely, and many months of the year are warm enough to enjoy outdoor seating. Coming up with a hardscape design that beautifies your outdoor space will make your overall home more enjoy- able. Not only will you be able to enjoy the view from inside, but you’ll have a friend- ly setting and outdoor escape to enjoy in addition to your indoor living space. Functionality An outdoor living space will allow you to entertain more often. If you love having friends and family around, a hardscaping project will help you create a wonderful space for gatherings. You can design an area based on the landscape that you have to create the area of your dreams, including an outdoor kitchen and bar, BBQ, fireplace or fire pit, pool or foun- tain. Fireplaces and outdoor spaces with added lighting mean you can entertain guests well into the evening hours and take advantage of warm summer nights outdoors. Safety and Reduced Liability One often overlooked value of hardscap- ing projects and outdoor living spaces is that they can make your house safer. Outdoor spaces with extra lighting help deter intruders who might otherwise think your house is vacant. Hardscaping projects also correct any issues you have with your outdoor space that can be a liability for your home. If you have broken steps, walks or walls, these can be dan- gerous when you have guests over. It’s important to take measures to correct these issues in order to make your out- door area safe. That will be taken care of with a hardscaping project, especially if it’s done by certified professionals. If you have elderly relatives or children, these kinds of fixes are important for keeping your family safe. Hardscapes are becoming a super-popular landscaping project for the home. It’s fun to design a hardscape that you want to incorporate into your outdoor living area and to choose the materials that repre- sent your style. Having a lovely hardscape addition to your home has many benefits and will create an area that you and your family can enjoy during any season. Scott Parker is the owner of Parker Home- scape, one of the top landscape design/build firms in the United States that has also been recognizes locally by Design NJ Magazine and New York Spaces Maga- zine for their award winning work. The firm’s work was chosen in 2012 to be published in a book that is currently being distributed worldwide. Additionally, Parker Homescape has been a four time recipient of the prestigious “Best of Houzz” award. For more information on Parker Home- scape, visit their website and design port- folio at: www.parkerhomescape.com or call (908) 626-1100 4 HARDSCAPING BENEFITS THAT IMPROVE YOUR CENTRAL NJ HOME By: Scott Parker, Parker Homescape, LLC www.theconnectionsnj.com