Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

By Shelley Mahoney

Fence & Deck Connection is celebrating 30 years of serving the community in Millersville and beyond. The business has completed over 54,000 installations since 1991. Those jobs include decks, fences, screened porches and screened gazebos using first-rate materials.

This milestone truly represents another evolution in our journey of success, said Jeffrey Wall, a managing partner and vice president of sales and marketing.

Fence & Deck Connection has won Best Fence and Deck Company awards from Whats Up Annapolis, The Capital and The Maryland Gazette. Severna Park Voice readers voted for Fence & Deck Connection as Best Fencing Contractor for the last five years (plus awards for being the Best Place to Work and the Best Home Improvement Contractor runner-up). Best of the Best Television has named it Best of the Best for the last five years as well. Fence & Deck Connection has accreditation through the American Fence Association and the Maryland Home Improvement Commission, and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Our business has grown simply by sticking to what we do best designing and installing fences and decks, Wall explained. Our executive team has stayed in the forefront of our industry, always looking for ways to streamline our business and internal processes. We have an incredible staff that works day in and day out to help drive our message since our very beginnings: building lifelong clients through our commitment to excellence. Our team of employees truly make the difference!

In addition to providing excellent service, Fence & Deck co-owners James Rubush and Ben Wolod, along with Wall, have a passion for plugging into the community, in part because of their many personal connections and deep local roots in the area. A native of Cape St. Claire, Rubush graduated from Severna Park High School and has raised three children near Crofton.

Fence & Deck Connection also supports local charities, including Warrior Events, Wys Rides, the Blue Ribbon Project, Team River Runner, and the SPCA of Anne Arundel County. Fence & Deck has also sponsored the WMAR ABC2 news teams Built Upon a Dream project, which has included donations of time, labor and materials to The Summit School in Edgewater, The Childrens Home in Catonsville, and the Brooklyn OMalley Boys & Girls Club in Brooklyn.

Success is more than numbers and sales goals it's making a difference in our customers' lives while doing what we love, Wall said. Although success is mostly a state of mind, we measure it by the quality of the interactions with our clients and the impact we can make in the people and communities that surround us.

As with many companies, Fence & Deck Connection has dealt with setbacks due to COVID-19 restrictions. The team has tried, however, to keep business flowing by coming up with creative solutions. Customers are able to receive estimates for onsite design consultations, but these are now completed outside, or even through Zoom or Google Hangouts. They have also encountered challenges as the pandemic has continued, including delays in receiving county permits and building materials.

The company is working fervently to finding patterns and rhythms that help customers feel safe while getting the high-quality work theyre looking for.

For more information on Fence & Deck Connection, including the charities it supports, or to book an appointment, visit http://www.fenceanddeckconnection.com or call 410-969-4444.

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For 30 Years, Fence & Deck Has Built A Strong Community Foundation - Severna Park Voice

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) The New Orleans Police Department is trying to find an accused porch pirate who at least appears to be a little polite.

According to police, the crime happened at noon on Saturday, January 30, in the 4400 block of Jeanne Marie Place and was recorded on the victims Ring camera.

The video shows a woman picking up a package that police say was delivered by UPS and then walking away with it. Its the kind of crime that happens frequently in the city. But this time around, theres a twist.

At some point, the owner of the home appears to speak to the woman, and thats when she actually says, Thank you, before walking away with the package.

To see the latest Wheel of Justice report, including the surveillance footage, click on the video at the top of this story.

If you can help police identify the suspect, call CrimeStoppers at 504-822-1111. Remember, you dont have to reveal your name or testify in court, and you could be eligible to earn a cash reward.

So far, more than 420 people have been booked after their cases rolled on the Wheel of Justice.

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Ring cam captures polite porch pirate in the act - ArkLaTexHomepage

Before

Before: Unloved and neglected, the front entrance is messy and uninviting

After: A welcoming new space

Delilah hanging egg chair, Amazon

One big 'statement' piece, like this Delilah hanging egg chair from Amazon, adds a 'wow' factor to the front entrance (find similar here), and detracts from any problem areas, like uneven paving. The organic shape and curves introduces a sculptural element to the space, which breaks up the sharp architectural lines of the house. It also creates an extra 'outdoor room' in your home to relax, read a book and enjoy your front garden.

Eden Homes mid-century modern plant stand with pot set, Amazon

Thismid-century-inspired white pot and plant stand reflects the style of the house and softens the dark front door. The Zanzibar gem is a hardy plant that can withstand low light conditions, and rarely needs watering. A cluster of pots and plants adds interest by introducing texture and layers to your front door.

Eden Homes natural coir door mat, Amazon

A classic door mat not only provides a practical function, it also creates an inviting element at the front door that welcomes guests. The natural coil fibre in the door mat (find similar here) complements the greenery and reflects the materials in the hanging egg chair.

Create a relaxing retreat at the front door with the addition of throw cushions. Its an easy and cost-effective way to introduce a pop of colour, while softening the overall look and providing comfort and a flexible seating arrangement for extra people.

Clean and clear creates a sense of calm

An easy and cost-free way to create a welcoming entrance is by keeping it leaf and clutter-free. Pressure-washing is a simple way to spruce up old bricks and pavers, while breathing new life into the area. For improved curb appeal, get out of the habit of leaving shoes and garden equipment at the front door, and keep the pathway clear of leaves and debris.

A video doorbell provides extra security

It might sound obvious, but a video door bell immediately brings your home up to date and adds a sense of security. The Ring Video doorbell 3 Plusis the latest addition to Ring's video door line-up, giving owners a full picture of what's happening at the front door by capturing four seconds of video before motion is detected. Compatible with Alexa, owners can simply say "Alexa, show me the front door", to see the live view, or say "Alexa, answer the front door" to begin speaking with whoever is at their door.

You might also like:

15 statement door ideas that will increase your kerb appeal

How to choose your front door

How to choose a front door colour

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Before and after: A dramatic front porch makeover on a budget - Better Homes and Gardens

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) A 30 degree day in Buffalo is no longer an excuse to skip the workout as the City introduces Winter Porch Sports. Winter Porch Sports brings outdoor exercise and fitness classes to different parts of the City by having exercise videos playing on a massive LED mobile billboard.

"Buffalo is a four season city," Oswaldo Mestre, Director of Citizen Services for the City of Buffalo said, "we don't take off in the winter, activity happens and everyone has been cooped up inside."

The truck will be at certain parks every Tuesday and Wednesday for about two hours. Twenty minute exercise classes will be played to allow anyone to come out and exercise.

"It's a great way to be active," Mestre said.

The program follows CDC guidelines to ensure proper social distancing and gathering protocols.

The full Winter Porch Sports schedule can be found below:

City of Buffalo

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"Winter Porch Sports" bringing exercise classes all over the City of Buffalo - WKBW-TV

Don Magruder| For the Daily Commercial

COVID-19 and most of its cousins have a Dracula feature of not liking sunshine and fresh air, and Florida has plenty of each. In fact, if you chart the biggest spikes in cases of the virus, they came at times when it was so hot that people stayed indoors under air conditioning or during the peak of Floridas winter when folks stayed indoors with their heaters running. All the science seems to indicate that sunshine, fresh air, and humidity are not friends of this virus and most others.

If you look at homes that were designed prior to the days of air conditioning, it seems home designers figured out a well-ventilated home was both cooler and safer. Most homes had double-hung windows and exterior doors with full screens to allow for full breezes and maximized ventilation. In the evenings, the screen porch was a place where everyone gathered to socialize. Houses of the past were ventilated for comfort and health. That, along with soap and water, is how many people prevented sickness.

Those same lessons can and should be applied to homes in Central Florida. The first thing everyone should consider is trading a little comfort for ventilation. Although air conditioning is great in Florida, homes have become too reliant on them, even in summertime. In the evenings and mornings, many homes could be cooled down comfortably with open windows and fans. Keeping your home aired out and well ventilated will help keep viruses from spreading among family members.

Unfortunately, most of the windows in everyones home will not open because they have been closed for so long that the balancers have frozen in place or the dirt and gunk have built up so much in the frame channels that the windows will not move. Windows are meant to be opened. If your windows are unable to do so, get them repaired. Your windows could be the key to keeping your family healthy as well as reducing your energy bills.

The exterior doors of your home offer the biggest and best form of ventilation. Many homeowners have gotten away from screen doors because of their reliance on air conditioning. In many cases, an investment in a new aluminum screen door can enhance a front door opening as the modern styles are very attractive. Plus, the pets in your home will love you.

A screened lanai or front porch with a brisk operating fan can be a haven for socializing and enjoying the beautiful Florida climate nightly. Although open porch areas are nice and can provide great ventilation, without screens these areas are not fully utilized due to mosquitoes that feast at dusk. Porches or open lanais in Florida should be screened to keep out the bugs.

Another great screen idea is a garage screen that can be used when the garage door is open. For those who work in their garage or use their garage for a smoking area or man cave, a garage screen provides wonderful ventilation and can be a haven for family interactions.

As the COVID-19 vaccine is rolled out, there is real hope that an end to this pandemic is in sight. However, there are other viruses that could potentially infect you and your family. Designing a home and putting features in place that help prevent the spread of disease is a great investment in your familys health.

A lesson learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is that a generation now understands the dangers of viruses as well as how to mitigate them. Screens, fans, and fresh air will be the new home remedies.

Don Magruder is the CEO of RoMac Building Supply and host of Around the House, which can be seen at aroundthehouse.tv.

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Around the House: Ventilation helps combat COVID-19 - Daily Commercial

For 45 years, the St. Louis-based band Fanfare has made it's living performing before live audiences. And then the pandemic hit.

"At the very beginning, I book the band, I honestly did panic," says founding member Vincent Golomski. "Because we're not quite ready financially to retire. What are we going to do?"

He jokes that he's made his living playing music and has never had a "real" job.

Fellow band member Kitty Moller, who also happens to be Golomski's wife of 42 years, had an idea early on in the pandemic.

"Hey, let's do a porch concert," she said.

Golomski says they'd been practicing at least every other day in their family room, going through material just to keep things going. Performing for neighbors on their St. Louis Hills block sounded like a good idea. At first it was just the couple, then the rest of the band (socially distanced, with neighbors safely spaced).

"People were pretty generous with the tip jar," jokes Golomski.

The park concerts, festivals and other shows had come to a screeching halt, along with the school concerts. Golomski's two sons helped them put together a video of the kids' program they had been doing--a musical history tour from the big band era up to the current era.

Fanfare kept busy in 2020 with some virtual concerts, including a Christmas concert, and producing their 10th album. But Golomski and Moller are looking forward to performing before a crowd.

"We feed off the audience," says Kitty. "It makes a big difference."

But until live performances are possible once again, Golomski and Moller will keep the music alive together. When asked what it's like to work so closely with one's spouse, Golomski says it's definitely not something every couple could do, but, "We still like each other."

Moller says when they decided to get married after a few years performing together, she figured if it didn't work out, she could always quit the band. Fortunately it never came to that.

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St. Louis band surviving pandemic with porch concerts, tips - KMOX

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) With guns drawn in the middle of a cold winters night, home security video captures armed bounty hunters with their fingers on the trigger, pointing a gun at Seneca Babcock resident Jake Reinhardt on his property on Oakdale Place.

Up until that point I thought there was a mistaken address, he said.

Barefoot and barely clothed, Reinhardt says he was ordered to leave his home. In the surveillance video, you can see him walking out on the porch, visibly shaken. On video, he lets the bounty hunters know his three year old daughter and wife are in the back room sleeping.

The bounty hunters, who Reinhardt says are from out of state point a gun at him as he orders them to put the gun down.

They then ask where his relative is.

The person theyre looking for does not reside here, does not live in this house has never lived here, he said.

Still, the hunters enter the home anyway. Reinhardt can be heard asking if they have a warrant.

Can I see it? He said.

But they ask him to step aside, not producing any paperwork, instead walking through the home with guns drawn.

In the back room, his wife, who is eight months pregnant and their young daughter.

Whats more troubling, Reinhardt says he saw two Buffalo Police Officers looking on, and thinks the search is official police business. He can be heard on video asking the bounty hunters if theyre Buffalo Police.

The raid didnt stop there. Video shows the armed men going upstairs to his tenants apartment where there were other children, including a baby. This time, the armed men were caught on baby camera with their guns drawn, storming the house.

While this is going on, two Buffalo Police Officers stand on Reinhardts porch. They can be heard questioning what agency the bounty hunters are with.

I dont even know what agency that is either, one officer said. Me neither, said the other. I think theyre from PA.

When they dont turn up who theyre looking for, the bounty hunters and police leave.

R. Anthony Rupp III is representing Reinhardt in a civil lawsuit filed in U.S. Federal Court for Civil Rights violations.

This is the absolute worst Ive ever seen Rupp said.

The Buffalo Police Department will not comment because of pending litigation.

Reinhardt says he feels violated and unsafe in his own home. He wants answers from the unidentified men, the police and the city.

Erie County District Attorney John Flynn is investigating this incident.

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Armed out-of-state bounty hunters, assisted by BPD storm the wrong home - WKBW-TV

Address: 2228 Wesley Avenue, Ocean City, NJ 08226VROCNJ Listing #165

The home is between 22nd and 23rd Streets on Wesley Avenue, across the street from the beach. Ocean Citys boardwalk ends at 23rd street with no commercial property south of 14th street.This stunning beach home includes 5 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms plus an entry level shower.

The bright and airy open floor plan boasts 13-foot ceilings, floor to ceiling windows in the living area, comfortable and spacious living room, kitchen, and dining spaces.The fully equipped kitchen features granite countertops (including a large center island with stools), stainless appliances, and upgraded cabinets and fixtures. The comfortable dining area opens to the large front porch and will be great for providing memorable family meals on your vacation. Enjoy the ocean breezes while relaxing or dining on the large, furnished front porch.

For complete details about this rental, including more photos, rates, amenities, availability, interactive map of the exact location, and reviews from previous guests, visit VROCNJ Listing #165 and contact the owner direct to save on booking fees!

Isnt quitewhat you are looking for?Search hundreds of Ocean City Vacation Rentals at VROCNJ.com

Own a Vacation Rental in Ocean City, NJ? Advertise it on VROCNJ for as little as $249/year! NO Commissions or Booking Fees! List Your Property on VROCNJ.comToday!

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Featured Vacation Rental: Feb 8th - OCNJ Daily

One of these so-called small vessels is the one you see in the cover photo. Its known as the Prestige X70 and it should be ready this year. But I warn you, it may not the only one.

This ravishing creature is created by Prestige-Yachts. This company traces its history back to 1957 when Henri Jeanneau decided to take the powerboating business into his own hands. However, it wasnt until 1989 that the first Prestige vessel, the Prestige 41, was launched.

Since then, this company has embedded itself into the minds and pockets of some of the wealthiest humans on the planet. After all, if youve had a look in the gallery, you understand why. Just look at what over 30 years of yachting experience can achieve.

Now were starting to get an idea of what were in for. The first trait to note about this vessel is its size. Rather than being some gigantic, no-room-to-park-it kind of beast, its a reserved luxurious craft fit for some of the most intimate weekends youll ever experience.

What I enjoy the most about this freshly launched vessel is the actual acquisition experience. More specifically, what happens if you try to buy one. Well, the first thing to note is that this vessel is meant to be mass-produced. As a result, we should see more than one racing around the Bahamas. But not all is lost.

If you check out the manufacturer's website, what happens when you show interest in this vessel is that Prestige will have you run through a configurator so that you can create your own unique X70. For example, you can select the number of staterooms and the woodwork while even being able to select the number of staircases that lead to the flybridge. Even things like upholstery, exterior layout, whether you want a grill or not, and even household appliances are things you can customize from an array of options Prestige puts at your disposal.

However, it seems that this particular yacht Prestige presents in the photos includes several options in order to show potential customers the level of comfort that can be attained with this company. At the rear, we can see the beach club option in full swing, ready with a folding lounge bed and aft platform to kick your feet in the water.

At the bow, we can see a forward-facing lounging area being overlooked by the flybridge up top. It's also on the highest deck that we find space for an outdoor dining area and more lounging aft. The main deck, too, includes an array of options for the floorplan. For example, you can choose to include an interior dining space while offering outdoor lounging or vice versa.

If this boat winks at you and you end up buying one, do let us know how much you ended up spending on it. Weve done a bit of research, and even though its hard to pinpoint an exact price for this highly modular vessel, we find an average rate of 2.1 million, which is the equivalent of about $2.89 million. Now go get one.

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Freshly Announced Prestige X70 Yacht Is the Fully Customizable Boat of the Year - autoevolution

You dont have to be a design professional or style expert to know what some of the biggest decorating trends are for this year. Chances are, youve probably already used one or two of them in your home without even realizing it.

In 2021, thanks in large part to a pandemic that has all of us spending more time at home, people are clamoring for versatility, comfort and a return to tradition. Think of these as anti-trends trends.

Heres what design experts had to say about how the emphasis on comfortable, user-friendly spaces will affect home design in the coming year:

Goodbye, single-use space

At the top of the trend forecast for 2021 is the extinction of the single-use room. The pandemic has transformed our homes into a hub for everything we used to seek elsewhere: gym, movie theater, restaurant, office, classroom, vacation spot. Your dining room or guest room (if you are fortunate enough to have either) is probably doubling as an office, classroom or gym. And this is not a trend that seems to be short-lived.

The big trend is being at home, says Todd Klein, a New York-based decorator. Klein, who has clients all over the world, has been swamped with requests to create multipurpose rooms and, importantly, spaces that can serve multiple generations. Klein says its not uncommon for three generations to be living together as a pod under one roof right now, so versatility has never been more important. Ground-floor family rooms have been transformed into spaces where an elderly parent can sleep, for example, and bedrooms have been rejiggered to house gym equipment and desk setups.

Wall-to-wall comfort

Not surprisingly, comfort is also trending. Alessandra Wood, vice president of style for Modsy, an online interior-design service, predicts that the old-school Pottery Barn vibe, which was popular in the 1990s picture Monica and Rachels apartment on Friends will make a strong comeback.

She says to look for overstuffed furniture with softer curves. Think sofas, sectionals and armchairs that have a comfortable look and feel, something that you could really curl up on and binge-watch TV or read a good book, she says.

Tori Mellott, a longtime design editor and current style director at Schumacher, agrees that comfort is king for 2021. She predicts this will translate into a resurgence of people wanting wall-to-wall carpet.

With everyone spending so much time at home, I think homeowners are desperate to maximize comfort and coziness in their space, and one way to do that is using wall-to-wall. It unifies a space and provides ultimate luxury underfoot, Mellott says. Wall-to-wall got a bad rap years ago because many manufacturers used subpar materials, she says, but there have been so many advancements in stain-resistant fibers and treatments that wall-to-wall has never looked or felt better.

To grandmothers house we go

Mellott also says that traditional furniture is rising in popularity. Mid-century furniture has reached a fever pitch with consumers, and its starting to feel tired and cold, she says. The market is saturated with knockoffs, and that particular style doesnt feel special anymore.

What people want, Mellott says, is classic antique furniture. The pandemic has unwillingly thrust us into a chaotic and manic state, and for right now, brown furniture feels solid, sturdy and stalwart, she says. There is sometimes a comfort attached to something that has been passed down from generation to generation, something that has weathered many storms, so to speak.

The preppy woven furniture associated with the Palm Beach style from the 60s is also back in the form of pieces made from natural materials like cane, jute, wicker and rattan. This is in part thanks to designers including Amanda Lindroth, Celerie Kemble, Aerin Lauder and Sarah Bartholomew, all known for their breezy, island-inspired rooms.

Rattan dining chairs or a woven reed coffee table can give a vacation-like feel to a room a vibe that is very much needed now. Using natural items has a calming effect and gives rooms oodles of texture, Wood says. She also notes that the use of natural materials is in keeping with a rising interest in sustainability. People are starting to think more and more about the environmental impact of home design, and many natural fibers are sustainably produced without leading to deforestation.

Interest in traditional elements started well before the pandemic; wicker, rattan and brown, classic furniture are all primary design elements of the grandmillennial style. Many people find comfort in the familiar elements of their grandparents homes and want to replicate it in their own space. Wood predicts the granny style will be stronger than ever in 2021.

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The hottest decorating trends find comfort in traditional elements - The Keene Sentinel