620 Pandemic Pack Feature - v3 - FINAL_Pages 6 / 10 / 20 12 : 54 PM Page 12 needed an outdoor space where everyone This Old House could escape . “ We had a patio put down , we are REMODELING PROJECTS HAVE BEEN TOP OF MIND having a shed delivered in a few weeks AS WE SPEND MORE TIME THAN EVER AT HOME . and also bought a large [ temporary ] above - Y SYDNEY KERELO B ground pool , ” she says . “ We also decided to spruce up the backyard since we figured during construction and all air ducts are we would be spending most of our time WITH MILLIONS OF PEOPLE FORCED TO SHEL - taped off so dirt doesn’t circulate . In addi - out there this summer . these past few months , the TER IN PLACE tion , the amount of workers in the home “ We have tried to be thoughtful [ during increased time spent indoors has led at any one time is limited and social dis - our remodel ] because we want to support many to begin crafting their home tancing is a local [ businesses ] during this time but improvement wish lists . Whether it’s time must . we were also for that dream kitchen or bathroom , cre - And before anything takes place , a uncomfortable with workers ating a more functional outdoor living digital consultation is available to further having to potentially risk their health on space , or updating the home’s exterior to limit the in - person contact . “ If the client projects for us , ” says Napolitano . “ This is boost curb appeal , remodeling interest opts to do a virtual meeting , then I can why we have tried to support local com - is rising as more and more folks look to set that up with them and they can express panies as much as possible but primarily utilize their home increasingly in the to me what they’re looking to get done . with outside work . ” coming summer months . And then I can share on my screen some Todd Williamson had just purchased But , of course , the pandemic has previous work that we’ve done that is his new home in Moorestown in October altered so many aspects of our lives and similar to the scope of work they’re looking and was in the midst of a major home the world of home renovation is no dif - to complete , ” Clymer says . renovation before COVID - 19 complicated ferent . To that end , the Builders League As the temperature on the thermome - things . He had contracted Cipriani Remod - of South Jersey ter starts to climb , residents across South eling Solutions — another board member ( BLSJ ) — a trade association Jersey have started to think about how to of the BLSJ — to do a complete remodel of professional builders , developers and better utilize their outdoor living space . of the master bathroom , his children’s remodelers — has been working to help Decks , new pools , patios and updated bathroom and a full guest bath . As the homeowners with several projects while landscaping are popular choices as the pandemic began to take hold , necessary also easing any concerns over health and idea of a staycation becomes more preva - adjustments were made in order to see safety measures that they might have , lent with the threat of the virus continuing the job through . namely whether or not to allow workers to linger . into their home . Laura Napolitano was Amiano & Son Design - Build is an looking to get active board member of the BLSJ and her kitchen redone along with some other has put this issue at the forefront of their large projects on the first floor of her I THINK WHAT WE’RE service , according to Joseph Clymer , a Cherry Hill home prior to the arrival of design specialist with the company . If a the coronavirus . Now she has moved her STARTING TO SEE NOW IS THAT client is comfortable with having work focus to the backyard . With two little kids “ CONSUMERS ARE TURNING done in the house , masks and gloves are running around and both she and her THEIR HOMES INTO SORT OF worn at all times , plastic walls are put up husband working from home , Napolitano A SANCTUARY SPACE . ” — Bob Lewis , president of Closet and Storage Concepts “ They were able to schedule the dif - ferent trades in such a way that everybody could get in and get their work done . They did all the cleaning and made sure everything not just looked good , but was disinfected , ” says Williamson , who also worked with interior designers to add window treatments and fresh paint along with new carpet and furnishings . Anne Van de Rijt , a remodeling designer with Cipriani , says adapting to meet a customer’s wishes is always impor - tant , but during this trying time it’s become even more so as people identify some very specific desires . “ One customer said that they wanted a portico over their front door , because all their packages that they were receiving were getting wet in the rain , ” she offers as an example . And with so many working at home SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 17 issue 3 SouthJerseyMagazine.com 34 |