Not everyone would see the hidden beauty in the Yonkers property destined for the wrecking ball in 2000. But one family took the serious fixer-upper under their wing. Crumbling walls, overgrown maples (indeed, saplings were busting through the brick walls), and deer living in the basement was the state of affairs when Westover Landscape Design initially arrived on the scene. A year of intensive, meticulous, thoughtful renovation by the homeowner followed while the house was brought up to speed. When the last construction machine finally rumbled out, that’s when Robert Welsch and his crew began their odyssey. The goal was to honor the newly restored relic and deliver it into the future with fitting surroundings. “We wanted to bring that treasure back to life,” Robert Welsch explains. Working closely with the homeowner as well as the city of Yonkers to guide the restoration, their first feat was to install a proper drainage system with catchments capable of keeping storm water from the massive roof flowing away. Before anything was visible on the surface, extensive work was accomplished underground. Meanwhile, a plan was drafted to honor the era of the house. Westover chose bluestone as the primary path material for its easy maintenance and simplicity when laying the swank configuration of pathways around the house and outward to an entertaining pavilion. By cleverly hemming the bluestone with period brick that echoes the building material for the house for continuity, the result is a smart and sophisticated finish to a promenade that constantly draws the family and their pets outdoors. Brick was also used to rebuild the walled gardens for the much-needed privacy in a close-knit Yonkers community. And a graceful wrought iron gate enhances the arrival experience. But walls and gates were not the only element to screen and reveal views—plant selection was critical. Few landscapers would go the extra mile to find period perfect plants for a 19th Century restoration, but Robert Welsch saw the importance of authenticity in creating the mood. He repeated large trees—such as an exquisite London plane tree in the front yard—to balance the expression in the back. Recognizing the need for immediate stature, he selected a weeping willow to gain instant volume, giving the landscape a sense of deep roots. A weeping Camperdown elm adds sophisticated drama to the walled stroll gardens. Hydrangeas were incorporated for their billowy stature, easy maintenance, and long blooming season. Similarly, all the plants in residence play their part in the display that goes beyond the usual spring fling to extend throughout the growing season—offering visual interest even when they are not performing. From spring bulbs to autumn perennials, there is never a dull moment. Meanwhile, every step along the way was a collaboration working hand-in-hand with the homeowner and the city to make certain that the historic landmark status of the property was upheld and honored. The result goes beyond a landscape that is just old faithful. It adds life to the picture, creating a jewel-like setting for the newly proud house. In a word, it is sublime. By planting wisely and using sustainable elements, the restored house and its surroundings are ready for the next generation and beyond. This Yonkers gem remains meticulously groomed under the watchful eye and skill of Westover Landscape Design’s team of gardeners—It’s a keeper.

Not everyone would see the hidden beauty in the Yonkers property destined for the wrecking ball in 2000. But one family took the serious fixer-upper under their wing. Crumbling walls, overgrown maples (indeed, saplings were busting through the brick walls), and deer living in the basement was the state of affairs when Westover Landscape Design initially arrived on the scene. A year of intensive, meticulous, thoughtful renovation by the homeowner followed while the house was brought up to speed. When the last construction machine finally rumbled out, that’s when Robert Welsch and his crew began their odyssey. The goal was to honor the newly restored relic and deliver it into the future with fitting surroundings. “We wanted to bring that treasure back to life,” Robert Welsch explains. Working closely with the homeowner as well as the city of Yonkers to guide the restoration, their first feat was to install a proper drainage system with catchments capable of keeping storm water from the massive roof flowing away. Before anything was visible on the surface, extensive work was accomplished underground. Meanwhile, a plan was drafted to honor the era of the house. Westover chose bluestone as the primary path material for its easy maintenance and simplicity when laying the swank configuration of pathways around the house and outward to an entertaining pavilion. By cleverly hemming the bluestone with period brick that echoes the building material for the house for continuity, the result is a smart and sophisticated finish to a promenade that constantly draws the family and their pets outdoors. Brick was also used to rebuild the walled gardens for the much-needed privacy in a close-knit Yonkers community. And a graceful wrought iron gate enhances the arrival experience. But walls and gates were not the only element to screen and reveal views—plant selection was critical. Few landscapers would go the extra mile to find period perfect plants for a 19th Century restoration, but Robert Welsch saw the importance of authenticity in creating the mood. He repeated large trees—such as an exquisite London plane tree in the front yard—to balance the expression in the back. Recognizing the need for immediate stature, he selected a weeping willow to gain instant volume, giving the landscape a sense of deep roots. A weeping Camperdown elm adds sophisticated drama to the walled stroll gardens. Hydrangeas were incorporated for their billowy stature, easy maintenance, and long blooming season. Similarly, all the plants in residence play their part in the display that goes beyond the usual spring fling to extend throughout the growing season—offering visual interest even when they are not performing. From spring bulbs to autumn perennials, there is never a dull moment. Meanwhile, every step along the way was a collaboration working hand-in-hand with the homeowner and the city to make certain that the historic landmark status of the property was upheld and honored. The result goes beyond a landscape that is just old faithful. It adds life to the picture, creating a jewel-like setting for the newly proud house. In a word, it is sublime. By planting wisely and using sustainable elements, the restored house and its surroundings are ready for the next generation and beyond. This Yonkers gem remains meticulously groomed under the watchful eye and skill of Westover Landscape Design’s team of gardeners—It’s a keeper.

© Linda Jaquez
Inspiration for a contemporary u-shaped kitchen remodel in New York with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets and stainless steel appliances

This backyard was designed by Giuseppe Abbrancati and built by Gappsi in Lloyd Harbor NY 11743. The design incorporates many amenities, modern clean lines, and a functional layout. This is an 18x36 vinyl-lined swimming pool 3-6 ft deep with two corner stairs in the deep end. It is easy to walk the entire length of the pool, which makes it ideal to play sports or just hang out, and it is also perfect for swimming full laps by having a flat wall area between the two corner stars in shallow area. Due to the sloped grade of the property, a Nicolock firma wall was installed to level off one side allowing the patio to be equally installed on both side of the swimming pool. Unique limestone pavers, copings, and wall veneers were used in the patio walls, planters, raised patio, fire pit, and spa walls. This limestone is an exclusive Gappsi product imported from Europe with a very beautiful mix of gray, beige and green colors, along with seashell fossils showing on the surface of every stone. The finished texture of the stones is very comfortable and slip resistant, accomplished by flaming the surface and then tumbling it during the manufacturing process. A 9x6 custom-built spa was constructed with a bench, a liner, and 2 lights. It was raised 18 inches above the patio height to create a spillover into the pool. Across from it, a raised sun deck made for a lounge chair area was set up 18 inches above the pool patio. In the wall facing the pool, two 3 foot wide sheer descents were installed as water features in combination with the two Pentair laminars set in the patio floor. All the water features and pool have LED color lights built into them, making this pool a great feature in the dark as it is in the day time. The deep end ladder and the handrail installed by the steps are stainless steel. The pool was built with a salt chlorine generator, a gas heater, variable speed pumps, and an automation system to control the spa and pool through a smartphone app. And lastly, a stone-veneered wood burning fire pit was built on one side of the patio, and stone planters were built on both sides of the Timber-tech steps from the raised deck next to the house.

With a clean, modern design, the Vision II ceiling fan by Monte Carlo has a 42” blade sweep and comes in four unique finish combinations. The integrated 17W LED downlight generates 780 lumens of output with a CCT of 2700°K and a CRI of 80+. A two-in-one remote (combo hand-held and wall mount) is included which offers three-speeds, reverse, downlight and dimming control.

This backyard and landscaping was designed by Giuseppe Abbrancati and is located in Plainview, Nassau County NY. The challenge was to deal with a very small backyard having a deep slope in a newly constructed residential site. The backyard was built in two levels, with a stoop and platform built by the sliding doors leading down to the patio area. The gunite swimming pool is built on one side and with a large patio on the opposite side, for the main dining table and bbq grill area. A set of wide stairs lead further down to the natural gas fire pit and a grass play area. A sheer descent water feature was built with 3 waterfalls and lighting accents were installed on steps and throughout the backyard. All patios and walls were paved and veneered with Moca travertine selected from the Gappsi showroom. The gunite swimming pool built by Gappsi has many options and was built with the highest quality materials and equipment. Starting with 10 inch thick gunite walls and ½ inch rebar 12 on center, 2 inch PVC plumbing for high volume water flow. The overall size of the swimming pool is 20x40. In the shallow area, a sundeck and the spa were built side by side with steps leading down in to the pool shallow area and a bench in front of the spa. LED lights were also installed, along with an automation system that allows the customer to control the lights, the water feature bubbler, spa jets, and the gas heater, with his or her smartphone. The gunite swimming pool also has a salt-chlorine generator system, an ozone system, a pressure driven Aqua clean robot pool cleaner, variable speed pumps, and an oversize cartridge filter. The finish of the pool shell consists of Pennsylvania bluestone coping for the pool and spa, and a Diamond Brite midnight blue color for the inside pool shell plaster finish. The most important feature suggested and loved by the homeowner that was installed, is the safety automated pool cover. Being in a such tight backyard, it would have been impossible to fence the pool area to keep the their children safe, without distorting the backyard layout.

Five-day SpeedDesign project from start to finish! Client is a New York Times writer residing part-time in New York and part-time in Los Angeles. photo credit: Brett Beyer

This backyard was designed by Giuseppe Abbrancati and built by Gappsi in Lloyd Harbor NY 11743. The design incorporates many amenities, modern clean lines, and a functional layout. This is an 18x36 vinyl-lined swimming pool 3-6 ft deep with two corner stairs in the deep end. It is easy to walk the entire length of the pool, which makes it ideal to play sports or just hang out, and it is also perfect for swimming full laps by having a flat wall area between the two corner stars in shallow area. Due to the sloped grade of the property, a Nicolock firma wall was installed to level off one side allowing the patio to be equally installed on both side of the swimming pool. Unique limestone pavers, copings, and wall veneers were used in the patio walls, planters, raised patio, fire pit, and spa walls. This limestone is an exclusive Gappsi product imported from Europe with a very beautiful mix of gray, beige and green colors, along with seashell fossils showing on the surface of every stone. The finished texture of the stones is very comfortable and slip resistant, accomplished by flaming the surface and then tumbling it during the manufacturing process. A 9x6 custom-built spa was constructed with a bench, a liner, and 2 lights. It was raised 18 inches above the patio height to create a spillover into the pool. Across from it, a raised sun deck made for a lounge chair area was set up 18 inches above the pool patio. In the wall facing the pool, two 3 foot wide sheer descents were installed as water features in combination with the two Pentair laminars set in the patio floor. All the water features and pool have LED color lights built into them, making this pool a great feature in the dark as it is in the day time. The deep end ladder and the handrail installed by the steps are stainless steel. The pool was built with a salt chlorine generator, a gas heater, variable speed pumps, and an automation system to control the spa and pool through a smartphone app. And lastly, a stone-veneered wood burning fire pit was built on one side of the patio, and stone planters were built on both sides of the Timber-tech steps from the raised deck next to the house.

This backyard and landscaping was designed by Giuseppe Abbrancati and is located in Plainview, Nassau County NY. The challenge was to deal with a very small backyard having a deep slope in a newly constructed residential site. The backyard was built in two levels, with a stoop and platform built by the sliding doors leading down to the patio area. The gunite swimming pool is built on one side and with a large patio on the opposite side, for the main dining table and bbq grill area. A set of wide stairs lead further down to the natural gas fire pit and a grass play area. A sheer descent water feature was built with 3 waterfalls and lighting accents were installed on steps and throughout the backyard. All patios and walls were paved and veneered with Moca travertine selected from the Gappsi showroom. The gunite swimming pool built by Gappsi has many options and was built with the highest quality materials and equipment. Starting with 10 inch thick gunite walls and ½ inch rebar 12 on center, 2 inch PVC plumbing for high volume water flow. The overall size of the swimming pool is 20x40. In the shallow area, a sundeck and the spa were built side by side with steps leading down in to the pool shallow area and a bench in front of the spa. LED lights were also installed, along with an automation system that allows the customer to control the lights, the water feature bubbler, spa jets, and the gas heater, with his or her smartphone. The gunite swimming pool also has a salt-chlorine generator system, an ozone system, a pressure driven Aqua clean robot pool cleaner, variable speed pumps, and an oversize cartridge filter. The finish of the pool shell consists of Pennsylvania bluestone coping for the pool and spa, and a Diamond Brite midnight blue color for the inside pool shell plaster finish. The most important feature suggested and loved by the homeowner that was installed, is the safety automated pool cover. Being in a such tight backyard, it would have been impossible to fence the pool area to keep the their children safe, without distorting the backyard layout.

©JHSphoto.com
Kitchen - large contemporary l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen idea in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

This 16’x32' freeform gunite swimming pool custom constructed in Massapequa NY. The pool shell consists of 10" concrete walls and an 8" concrete floor. The pool was shot with gunite cement, over 6" of over sized gravel base, 12 inches on center, 1/2” rebar metal cage and 6" apart center rods in any areas that the pool is deeper than 48”. All plumbing is done with 2" hard PVC schedule 40 piping. All of the equipment is Hayward including 400,000 BTU gas heater, a salt chlorine generator, ozone system, pumps, and cartridge filter. The pool is 46" to 66" deep which makes it a non-diving pool. In the deep end of the pool, there is a bench with special jets through which air and water are pushed at a higher speed to create a spa effect. Porcelain pool tiles were installed at the water line; the finish of the pool is cool blue diamond bright quartz. The steps and benches were highlighted with diamond shaped 2”x2” tiles. The coping patio and raised patio wall were created with Nicolock products. 6”x12" bullnose, ridge stone patio pavers with brown inlays and mini colonial walls and caps are all in travertine color. From design concept to finish execution Gappsi provides Nicolock pavers supply/installation, gunite swimming pools, and landscaping. For more information about design and installation in Massapequa NY, visit www.gappsi.com or call us at 631-543-1177 for a free estimate. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ_tYkMsYVg&t=5s

How AI is Revolutionizing Bathroom and Kitchen Renovations in 2025 The renovation industry is entering a new era — and it’s powered by artificial intelligence. For decades, bathroom and kitchen makeovers required weeks of back-and-forth planning, consultations, and budgeting. But in 2025, AI bathroom design and AI kitchen renovation tools are transforming the experience, making it faster, smarter, and far more personalized. A Smarter Way to Renovate Traditional renovation processes are known for being time-consuming and stressful. From collecting measurements to selecting products and coordinating contractors, homeowners are often left overwhelmed. That’s where AI comes in — simplifying every step of the journey. Using platforms like the Allreno app, homeowners can now scan their space with a smartphone, instantly generate a 3D model, and receive personalized layout suggestions. The app’s AI engine automatically recommends styles, color palettes, and materials that match your preferences — saving hours of guesswork. AI Bathroom Design: A Game-Changer Designing a bathroom used to mean working with spreadsheets, mood boards, and several design consultations. Today, AI bathroom design streamlines this process into minutes. Tools like Allreno analyze space dimensions, plumbing positions, lighting conditions, and user style inputs to generate design proposals that are not only beautiful but also practical and code-compliant. Homeowners can preview their dream bathroom in realistic 3D, adjust fixtures and finishes, and even get instant price estimates — all before a single tile is laid. AI Kitchen Renovation: Built for Speed and Precision AI kitchen renovation takes things even further. AI models can detect where cabinetry fits best, suggest storage optimizations, and align design with ergonomic principles. Whether you’re planning a sleek modern kitchen or a cozy traditional space, AI delivers layouts that balance aesthetics with function. Allreno’s smart design engine can pull directly from product inventories, ensuring the designs you see are not only buildable but immediately available — reducing delays and backorders. Empowering Professionals and Homeowners What makes AI-powered home renovation truly powerful is how it bridges the gap between homeowners and professionals. Contractors, designers, and suppliers can now work with exact specifications and visuals shared directly through platforms like Allreno, eliminating miscommunication and ensuring smoother execution. This also means cost savings. With AI managing space planning, product selection, and budgeting, professionals spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time delivering quality craftsmanship. The Rise of Smart Home Remodels The trend toward smart home remodels is also being fueled by AI. Renovation projects now consider how your bathroom or kitchen connects with your smart lighting, voice assistants, or energy-efficient systems. Allreno helps integrate this tech seamlessly into your renovation plan, future-proofing your investment. Why Allreno Is Leading the AI Renovation Movement The Allreno app is at the forefront of this AI-driven shift. It’s not just a design tool — it’s a full renovation ecosystem. By combining design automation, real-time pricing, local contractor matching, and AI-powered recommendations, Allreno makes renovation as easy as ordering a product online. In a world where speed and personalization are key, Allreno empowers homeowners to take control of their renovation journey — with clarity, confidence, and creativity. Ready to renovate smarter? Try the Allreno app and experience the future of home renovation today.

This 84 square foot daylight basement kitchen utilizes every square inch of space and provides ample counter space for cooking and entertaining. Featuring Dura Supreme Cabinetry in Knotty Alder with cashew stain and floating shelves. Flooring is Mannington Adura LVT in Napa Dry Cork. Appliances: Wolf 24" induction cooktop, Bosch 24" convection microwave, Bosch, 18" panel ready slim-line dishwasher, Bosch fully vented pull-out exhaust hood and Bosch freestanding counter depth 24" refrigerator. Countertops and backsplash are Formica laminate in Limestone Matte with ogee edge detail. LED track lighting and LED under-cabinet lighting creates an inviting space. Individually controlled convection radiant wall heaters by Stelpro supplement the home's forced air heating system. Photo by A Kitchen That Works LLC

This backyard and landscaping was designed by Giuseppe Abbrancati and is located in Plainview, Nassau County NY. The challenge was to deal with a very small backyard having a deep slope in a newly constructed residential site. The backyard was built in two levels, with a stoop and platform built by the sliding doors leading down to the patio area. The gunite swimming pool is built on one side and with a large patio on the opposite side, for the main dining table and bbq grill area. A set of wide stairs lead further down to the natural gas fire pit and a grass play area. A sheer descent water feature was built with 3 waterfalls and lighting accents were installed on steps and throughout the backyard. All patios and walls were paved and veneered with Moca travertine selected from the Gappsi showroom. The gunite swimming pool built by Gappsi has many options and was built with the highest quality materials and equipment. Starting with 10 inch thick gunite walls and ½ inch rebar 12 on center, 2 inch PVC plumbing for high volume water flow. The overall size of the swimming pool is 20x40. In the shallow area, a sundeck and the spa were built side by side with steps leading down in to the pool shallow area and a bench in front of the spa. LED lights were also installed, along with an automation system that allows the customer to control the lights, the water feature bubbler, spa jets, and the gas heater, with his or her smartphone. The gunite swimming pool also has a salt-chlorine generator system, an ozone system, a pressure driven Aqua clean robot pool cleaner, variable speed pumps, and an oversize cartridge filter. The finish of the pool shell consists of Pennsylvania bluestone coping for the pool and spa, and a Diamond Brite midnight blue color for the inside pool shell plaster finish. The most important feature suggested and loved by the homeowner that was installed, is the safety automated pool cover. Being in a such tight backyard, it would have been impossible to fence the pool area to keep the their children safe, without distorting the backyard layout.

This 16’x32' freeform gunite swimming pool custom constructed in Massapequa NY. The pool shell consists of 10" concrete walls and an 8" concrete floor. The pool was shot with gunite cement, over 6" of over sized gravel base, 12 inches on center, 1/2” rebar metal cage and 6" apart center rods in any areas that the pool is deeper than 48”. All plumbing is done with 2" hard PVC schedule 40 piping. All of the equipment is Hayward including 400,000 BTU gas heater, a salt chlorine generator, ozone system, pumps, and cartridge filter. The pool is 46" to 66" deep which makes it a non-diving pool. In the deep end of the pool, there is a bench with special jets through which air and water are pushed at a higher speed to create a spa effect. Porcelain pool tiles were installed at the water line; the finish of the pool is cool blue diamond bright quartz. The steps and benches were highlighted with diamond shaped 2”x2” tiles. The coping patio and raised patio wall were created with Nicolock products. 6”x12" bullnose, ridge stone patio pavers with brown inlays and mini colonial walls and caps are all in travertine color. From design concept to finish execution Gappsi provides Nicolock pavers supply/installation, gunite swimming pools, and landscaping. For more information about design and installation in Massapequa NY, visit www.gappsi.com or call us at 631-543-1177 for a free estimate. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ_tYkMsYVg&t=5s

This backyard and landscaping was designed by Giuseppe Abbrancati and is located in Plainview, Nassau County NY. The challenge was to deal with a very small backyard having a deep slope in a newly constructed residential site. The backyard was built in two levels, with a stoop and platform built by the sliding doors leading down to the patio area. The gunite swimming pool is built on one side and with a large patio on the opposite side, for the main dining table and bbq grill area. A set of wide stairs lead further down to the natural gas fire pit and a grass play area. A sheer descent water feature was built with 3 waterfalls and lighting accents were installed on steps and throughout the backyard. All patios and walls were paved and veneered with Moca travertine selected from the Gappsi showroom. The gunite swimming pool built by Gappsi has many options and was built with the highest quality materials and equipment. Starting with 10 inch thick gunite walls and ½ inch rebar 12 on center, 2 inch PVC plumbing for high volume water flow. The overall size of the swimming pool is 20x40. In the shallow area, a sundeck and the spa were built side by side with steps leading down in to the pool shallow area and a bench in front of the spa. LED lights were also installed, along with an automation system that allows the customer to control the lights, the water feature bubbler, spa jets, and the gas heater, with his or her smartphone. The gunite swimming pool also has a salt-chlorine generator system, an ozone system, a pressure driven Aqua clean robot pool cleaner, variable speed pumps, and an oversize cartridge filter. The finish of the pool shell consists of Pennsylvania bluestone coping for the pool and spa, and a Diamond Brite midnight blue color for the inside pool shell plaster finish. The most important feature suggested and loved by the homeowner that was installed, is the safety automated pool cover. Being in a such tight backyard, it would have been impossible to fence the pool area to keep the their children safe, without distorting the backyard layout.

This 16’x32' freeform gunite swimming pool custom constructed in Massapequa NY. The pool shell consists of 10" concrete walls and an 8" concrete floor. The pool was shot with gunite cement, over 6" of over sized gravel base, 12 inches on center, 1/2” rebar metal cage and 6" apart center rods in any areas that the pool is deeper than 48”. All plumbing is done with 2" hard PVC schedule 40 piping. All of the equipment is Hayward including 400,000 BTU gas heater, a salt chlorine generator, ozone system, pumps, and cartridge filter. The pool is 46" to 66" deep which makes it a non-diving pool. In the deep end of the pool, there is a bench with special jets through which air and water are pushed at a higher speed to create a spa effect. Porcelain pool tiles were installed at the water line; the finish of the pool is cool blue diamond bright quartz. The steps and benches were highlighted with diamond shaped 2”x2” tiles. The coping patio and raised patio wall were created with Nicolock products. 6”x12" bullnose, ridge stone patio pavers with brown inlays and mini colonial walls and caps are all in travertine color. From design concept to finish execution Gappsi provides Nicolock pavers supply/installation, gunite swimming pools, and landscaping. For more information about design and installation in Massapequa NY, visit www.gappsi.com or call us at 631-543-1177 for a free estimate. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ_tYkMsYVg&t=5s

This free form swimming pool, located in Chaptico, MD, features a waterfall, pebble surface, brick paver coping, concrete decking, and bench. Equipment utilized on this swimming pool consists of: Cartridge filter, variable speed pool pump, salt chlorine generator system, automatic pool cleaner, and winter safety pool cover. Wise Pool & Spa Service, Inc.