A unique day trip

July 27, 2011 – 10:40 am

Are you looking for something different to do on a pretty Summer day? Be sure to check out a very unique spot on the out skirts of Milton. This little day trip is something you should absolutely put on your to do list.  I really enjoyed the gift shop, labyrinth  and award winning dahlias.

To experience the ambiance of Provence, France without investing the time and expense, treat yourself to a day at Lavender Fields Farm in Milton.   Wander through blooming rows of purple lavender, enjoy the beauty of the sweet-smelling herb, pick your own bouquet of flowers, and rest under a canopy of trees.

The flavors, fragrances and healing qualities of this amazing purple flower will be all around you.  Bring along a basket and gather your own fresh cut flowers in the fields, perhaps providing a unique hostess gift for an upcoming party.  Check out the quaint cottage store which offers everything from potted plants to scented soaps, or attend one of a dozen demonstrations on lavender’s many uses in the farm’s restored nineteenth century barn.

The Lavender Fields Labyrinth is a special treat with a historic background.  It’s an exact duplicate of the labyrinth embedded in the floor of the Cathedral of Chartres (Notre-Dame de Chartres Cathedral). The Chartres Cathedral is located about 80 km from Paris and was dedicated on October 24, 1260. It has eleven circuits, is 42 feet in diameter and a half mile journey to walk both in and out.  Exploring this Delaware wonder is great exercise for body and soul.

On your way home from Lavender Fields, stop at Hopkins Farm Creamery for farm made ice cream. This local dairy farm with on-site creamery was voted among the 2010 Best of Delaware.  It’s sure to be a hit with the grandkids.

I can’t wait to check out the Lewes Day trip that Whylovede.com suggested next! Look for my next post.

By Christina Harvey | Posted in travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Choosing Tile: Options For Your New Home

July 19, 2011 – 3:20 pm

Many people are unsure of what to do with tile in their homes.  I am here to help.

There are many options when it comes to tile.  Ceramic tile works for use indoors, where temperatures are consistent and is usually available at a lower cost.  Porcelain tile is more durable than ceramic and can be used indoors or outs as it can withstand extreme temperature changes.  Pricing on this can vary from inexpensive too expensive. Glass tile has become very popular in recent years.  While some can be found for a good price, many tend to be more expensive.  The most expensive option is natural stone.  This can cost 2-10 times more than a man made tile but has a look that is difficult to replicate with man-made products.

Next you consider the edging of the tile. Rectified tile has a clean sharp edge and can be spaced closer together virtually eliminating any grout lines. Irregular tile requires a wider grout line and is most common in natural tile. Choosing a slip resistant tile for floors is a safer option leaving polished tiles for walls. I recommend when working on a tight budget in a bathroom to choose a less expensive tile for the walls and floors and add in an accent tile through the shower. You can spend a little more on this since it will be used sparingly. When doing a kitchen backsplash I often mix more than one tile using the same technique listed above. Choose an affordable tile then mix in a 3” or 4” strip of a more expensive tile and it will dress up the less expensive tile in a way you never imagined.  Manufacturers have come a long way in creating man made tiles that replicate a natural stone, so before opening up your wallet ask to see what they have available. The less times a tile company repeats a pattern in a tile collection the more it looks like the real thing. Don’t be afraid to get creative with patterns as this will give your space a more custom look.

Here are some of my favorites:

  • Emil Ceramiche, Keystone tiles come in four different colors and only repeat their patterns every 60 + tiles…this creates a close match to a natural stone at less than a quarter the price.  This product is available through Architectural Ceramic Interiors in Rockville, MD.
  • DalTile I like to use the Stone Radiance Collection.  These come in 12×12 mesh sheets and mix natural stone with glass.  Cutting these in half and hanging a 6” strip through a shower dresses the space up considerably while only using one box of a more expensive product.
  •  DalTile, check out their line of San Michelle tiles.  Great look without a high price tag to match.   Dal is one of the largest manufacturers of tile in our country and can be found at most tile showrooms as well as the big box stores.

Be sure to create a timeless space that you can enjoy for many years to come by avoiding items that are too trendy. Happy tiling!

By Matty Adler | Posted in new homes, product | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (1)

New Homes Maintenance Checklist

July 11, 2011 – 5:00 pm

So you’ve just moved into your brand new home… You did a great deal of research to determine just the right builder and what design worked best for your needs.  You went to the ground breaking, the house was built, you attended the settlement and signed a pile of documents, you moved in, the boxes are unpacked, and everything is in its proper place.  Now what?

One of the most important things to remember with owning a home is that you are responsible for certain routine maintenance items to keep your house functioning properly. These tasks tend to be relatively simple. For instance, many types of heating and air conditioning systems contain filters to remove dirt and dust from the air. A home owner should change these filters when necessary.  It is also a good idea to sign a maintenance contract with your HVAC contractor to perform the annual tune up on the equipment.  This will add to the longevity and efficiency of the system.

Cleanliness is a factor that will make your home last longer and work better. Dust and dirt, if allowed to accumulate, can harm the finishes on blinds, cabinets, countertops, floors, sinks, tubs, toilets, walls, tiles and other items. If dirt does accumulate, make sure to clean it with a substance that does not scratch or damage the finishes.

On the outside of your home, make sure that gutters and downspouts do not get clogged with leaves or other objects. The exterior of your house is built to withstand exposure to the elements, but a periodic cleaning will improve the appearance and, in many instances, prolong the life of siding and other exterior products.

When you settled on your new home, you received a warranty from the builder on workmanship and materials. This warranty applies to problems related to the construction of the home, but it does not apply to problems that arise because of failure to perform routine maintenance. For example, if your roof begins to leak after six months because of faulty workmanship, your warranty would cover that. If you develop a problem because water backed up in clogged gutters that you should have cleaned, the builder is not responsible for repairs. Also, some items, such as appliances, may be covered by manufacturers’ warranties and are not the responsibility of the builder.

As Summer progresses into Fall, mark your calendar to make sure your plumber is scheduled to blow out your irrigation and also winterize an outdoor shower if you have one.  Attached is a simple checklist from the National Center for Healthy Housing to help remind you of maintenance items on your home.  Follow these guidelines and you will have a lasting healthy home.

Download HEATLHY HOMES MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST


By Lance Manlove | Posted in health, new homes, News | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Latest Trip to Central America!!!

June 29, 2011 – 12:00 pm

I just got back from another 10 days in Nicaragua. It felt good to be back in a country that I really have started to love. The atmosphere alone is worth the trip. I almost always travel with my brother (Joel) as well as our good friend Paul. When I arrive in the capital city of Managua I stepped off of the plane into an instant wall of heat. Since we traveled in May I hadn’t experienced much heat yet on the East Coast so it is always an adjustment to step into 90 degree humid air straight off of the plane. I welcome the temporary thermal shock though. The Managua airport is small despite being the main airport for the country. I am always greeted with pleasant faces of the local people and am glad to see things similar to when I last visited.

I had a driver meet us at the airport to take us to our final destination, Playa Santana. Its about a 3 hour drive from the Managua airport and I couldn’t imagine trying to navigate some of those roads on my own. A good portion of the drive is on dirt roads and through undeveloped green rolling hills so it is great scenery along the way.

This is the first time staying at this particular “hotel” and the location couldn’t be better. I could throw a stick from the restaurant (that is part of where we are staying) and hit the water. Our room is 14 dollars per night after splitting it three ways. The accommodations aren’t the cleanest I’ve ever stayed at but the location certainly made up for it. I put hotel in quotes simply because this building started out as a local farmers house and they have simply added on to it so that they could rent it out to surfers that travel here.

We stayed there for 8 straight days and never really left the immediate area. Honestly we didn’t really have a reason to. We surfed 3 times a day, ate incredible meals and slept in hammocks next to the ocean every single day. As always, it was just what was needed.

Part of the reason that I visit out of the way destinations is because I appreciate being fully disconnected there. There is no cell phone service, Cable TV or anything to connect with the outside world that we so easily are connected with in our everyday lives. To me this time of disconnect enables me to get refreshed for my return when I will be instantly back on the treadmill and it enables me to perform that much better in my daily life.

When I got back I was thrilled to see my family. I wish they could have been there with me (that was the only real downside to this trip). My wife did an amazing job of juggling all of the family duties but was definitely grateful to have me back in the picture to help out. My daughter was awake and waiting for me when I got home at 3 in the morning. I loved seeing both of their faces as I walked in the front door.

I’m sure I’ll be back again soon and I look forward to another visit to the beautiful Playa Santana.

By Tim Tice | Posted in travel | Tagged | Comments (0)

What is this RENEW anyway???

May 26, 2011 – 9:52 am

You may have seen the sign at the Echelon Design Center, or the job site signs in downtown Rehoboth, or maybe one of the Renew trucks driving down route 1 in a safe and courteous manner, and wondered what the company is all about. Well it is your lucky day, our marketing coordinator has pestered me relentlessly to write a blog about Renew so I am taking this opportunity to introduce the company.

A little over a year ago the team at Echelon decided it was time to take action on an idea they had been working on for many months. The idea was to create a company using the Echelon model of service, quality, and customer satisfaction ECSTATIC CUSTOMERS and have it focus on renovations, remodeling, and energy retrofits. With Renew you get the same great team of designers (Tim, Matty, Rebecca, Ivana, and Joni) and an experienced renovation team in John Coyle, Dion Lamb, and Chris Tull.

What’s interesting is that the Echelon approach to building a house – putting our customer’s happiness first, making all design decisions and selection upfront, and building a friendship with our clients as opposed to just a business relationship is even more important in the world of renovations. When your home is being torn apart and put back together you need people you trust to take care of you and your home, while moving with as much speed as possible. That is why our team is completely dedicated to renovations/additions/remodeling, because it is a very different animal than building a house from scratch. It requires expertise, experience, and major attention to detail.  This isn’t side work for us, this is our profession and we love what we do.

So if you have a basement that needs finishing, a neighbor who is looking to build an addition, or a friend who is finally ready to completely redo their beach house, you want Renew on your team. We would love to share our passion and experience to make the magic that is before and after pictures.

You can see our work, meet our team, and find out more about our process at www.RENEWvation.com, or you can give me, Dion Lamb, a call directly at 302-841-5660.

By Dion Lamb | Posted in News, RENEW | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Hello

May 26, 2011 – 8:47 am

I’m Dion.

By Dion Lamb | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Meet the Artist

February 12, 2011 – 12:02 pm

Attention art lovers:  Matty Adler, Echelon Custom Homes designer, will be displaying his work in the months of February & March at MIXX, “an exciting new American Fusion restaurant” in Rehoboth Beach.

Matty has been showcasing his work since 2001, appealing to art collectors in the U.S. from California to Maine, as well as across the pond in England and Belgium. His paintings are currently available for purchase in Delaware at Java Beach in Lewes and the Blue Moon in Rehoboth Beach. Matty describes his style as “pop art with a interjected sense of humor“.

Meet our own Matty Adler for “Meet the Artist Brunch” on Sunday, February 20th, 2011 starting 11AM at MIXX restaurant, located at 26 Baltimore Avenue in Rehoboth Beach.

By Echelon | Posted in Events | Comments (0)

pictures from wedding in St. John

December 27, 2010 – 3:14 pm

I spent the first week in St. John, USVI to celebrate the wedding of my best friend Chad and his lovely wife Alena.  I was honored to serve as best man.  There were over 30 people from Rehoboth Beach there for the wedding.  With a group that large we took over any spot we went to and we had a great time!  We spent one day boating throughout the British Virgin Islands including a trip to the Baths in Virgin Gorda.  One of the most fun and relaxing vacations in years!

The Wedding Party

Bride & Groom

Groomsmen

St. John

By Matty Adler | Posted in photos, travel | Comments (0)

Competing in Egypt

December 9, 2010 – 5:46 pm

2010 Lifesaving World Championships were held in Mamora Beach, Egypt. I was honored and proud to be one of the twelve selected to represent for the United States in this year’s worlds championship. The Lifesaving World Championships consist of beach and pool events. My main events are on the beach. I compete in beach flags, the open 90, the 4×100 relay, rescue race and taplin race.

Out of 72 competitors in the beach flag competition, I placed 5th in the world. I was very excited about this accomplishment.

Me & my trainer Harrison

Me & my trainer Harrison

The USA National Team

Winning a flag

In the heat

Dana, Harrison and me

The rescue race

The pool

The medal winners

Egypt was truly an amazing experience. I was glad to see that part of the world. Even though my favorite part about this trip was the competition, visiting the pyramids was breathtaking.

I’m so grateful to have this opportunity to compete and build friendships throughout the world. Being part of the US team over the years has allowed me to see the world, experience different cultures and find life long friends.

Holding the Pyramids

Just another day at pyramid

Me at the Pyramids

My buddy Rayli from South Africa

Palace street

The camel

Our tour guide

Beautiful sunset

By Dan Matta | Posted in photos, travel | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Contributing To The Charm Of Rehoboth Beach

November 8, 2010 – 9:37 pm

The 14th Annual Cottage and Town Awards presented by Rehoboth Beach Main Street were held on Sunday, November 7th 2010 at the Rehoboth Beach Museum.  Sponsored by Echelon Custom Homes, the program is a celebration of preservation and renovation in downtown Rehoboth Beach, DE. It recognizes residential and commercial property owners who contribute to the charm, beauty and ambiance of Rehoboth Beach through preservation, restoration, new construction, and landscaping. The aim is to celebrate and thank those who have had a significant visual impact on our community.

The winner of the New Home Construction Award went to the Holland residence for their home at 105 New Castle Street built by Echelon Custom Homes. The home was designed by Tim Tice with interior and exterior selections made by Matty Adler. This upscale beach cottage complements the surrounding homes, while providing the homeowner with unique living spaces. The whimsical landscaping and flower boxes enhance the home’s distinctive charm.  According to the award from Rehoboth Beach Main Street, “A number of factors went into this award, not the least of which was respect for the site and preservation of its trees, including the magnificent pine at its front entrance. Elsewhere, the large volume of the home is hidden in a series of connecting cubes which disguise the size of the place including a set of bedrooms hiding under its roof.”




Other categories included:

  • Residential Preservation/Renovation – 33 Park Avenue
  • Commercial Renovation – The Rehoboth Beach Museum
  • Commercial Preservation – Café Azafran
  • Landscape Renovation/New Plantings – 217 Stockley Street

Best Residential Preservation - 33 Park Avenue

Best Commercial Preservation - Rehoboth Beach Museum

Best Commercial Renovation - Cafe Azafran

Best Landscape Renovation - 217 Stockley Street

By Echelon | Posted in Awards, Press | Comments (0)