For some it’s a soak in a Jacuzzi tub surrounded by candlelight, immersed in bubbles and with a glass of wine in hand. For others, it’s digging in the dirt and creating a beautiful garden retreat. Others love cheering on their favorite team in a basement man cave, enveloped in a booming sound system that makes them feel as if they are there with thousands of fellow fans. We asked Berks residents to tell us about their happy places at home. Here’s what they had to say…
After living in our home for the last 26 years, we have been slowly remodeling different areas to make our lives more comfortable now that we are empty nesters. As much as we have always loved the house and neighborhood, we have always felt our stone farmhouse was missing something! We purchased a unique home that was physically moved in 1992 from roadside to a cul-de-sac. It was perfect for kids to play safely as they grew. Over the years, we made changes to the landscaping, opening the front so you could see more of the stone and beauty of a 200-year-old home. After much dreaming, planning and designing, 2020 was the year to start construction. In May, we were able to finally realize our dream. The new front porch is now 10’x 30’. It is our tranquil place to relax, chat with neighbors and friends, entertain and decorate for every holiday throughout the year. My husband and I look forward to returning after a day at work, especially spring, summer and fall, so that we can sit on the rockers or swing and reflect on how blessed we are to live in such a beautiful home with so many wonderful memories. It is truly our happy place!
– Beth Hahn
President, SAH Inc. and Berkshire Systems Group, Inc.
My dining room is my happy place. It’s home to a table that once belonged to my great-grandmother that has boasted many colors over the years, but I’ve stripped and stained it back to its original glory. I’ve sat at this table and have shared so many meals with family members, sharing discussions, debates, jokes, family stories and more. The dining room, for me, is one of the most important rooms of a home. It’s where technology is banned and family comes together to discuss their day. It’s where we step away from social media and into the real world. The dining room, where we gather for meals, is the soul of the home. It’s a place that fuels conversations, strengthens bonds, cements relationships and weaves memories. The dining table is the heart of the home.
– Beth Gallen Mastromarino CFP®
Managing Director, Financial Planning Advisors and Van Reed Wealth Management
My husband Barry and I live in his grandparent's home, built in 1946. We started renovations on the home in 2012, which ended up being a three-year renovation project. We lived upstairs while renovating the downstairs and then moved downstairs when renovating the upstairs. Since Barry's grandmother lived in the home until she was 98, she spent most of her time in the kitchen. Her favorite spot was the window seat, which is now my happy place in our home. It's not about the view from the window, it's more the place in the kitchen and the view of my custom stove and hood, painted my favorite color, PURPLE!
– Brenda Huey
Vice President, Travel, AAA Reading-Berks
My Happy Place at Home is this corner of windows in our living room. It's a cozy, sunny spot to relax with my family, and the windows give a great indoor-outdoor feel even in the winter. The corner faces south so we get morning sun from the left and afternoon sun from the right. My 3-year-old son likes to walk along the back of the sofa like it’s a balance beam, and the bow window sill behind it is the perfect place for him to sit and watch for the occasional deer in our yard or the birds at our feeder. And it just wouldn’t be the same without all the little handprints about three feet high. And as soon as my daughter can manage to climb over the back of the sofa to join her brother, I’m sure we’ll have another set of tiny handprints about one foot high!
– Dr. Andrea Smith
Berks Prosthodontics
What can you do with a tiny 13’ x 13’ outdoor space that is just a concrete floor and a tiny garden? That was my dilemma when I moved into my home many years ago. What it became is a secret spot: a place of beauty where it is quiet and private. I had artist Jeanine Saylor paint a large tree on the garage wall and on the other side of the wall she painted a smiling sun. There is a rose bush that grows every year out of the concrete and frames the fence. We strung lights, casually placed umbrellas and a few pieces of furniture. We also added an outdoor fireplace for the chilly nights. The last addition every year would be plants, potted, hanging, herbs and vegetables. Place a few concrete statutes around and many outdoor candles and — my goodness — we have created our own tiny sanctuary where we sit, read and listen to the birds on a Sunday morning with coffee, or music with a glass of wine in the evening. It’s our respite and a lovely place to just breathe and relax. We are so grateful for that 13’ x 13’ concrete spot.
– Toni Reece
Senior Executive Director, Employee Development, DoubleTree by Hilton Reading
No matter how hectic life can become, there are few things in life that feel more comforting than returning from a busy day to rest in your favorite place in your home. My favorite home space effectively marries functionality with style. A sitting alcove that features everything from wood, to stone, to a bespoke sliding wooden door, my family and I enjoy both the warmth and the different textures of the area. [The door] leads to outside, so we can enjoy both fresh air and watch TV, depending on what mood strikes us. My son, Max (pictured), and sweet pup agree wholeheartedly!
– Melinda O’Neill
President, Empire Home Center
What I love most about my space is my foyer. It’s the first impression of my home, so I always try to keep it warm and inviting – both for guests and myself after a long day. I accomplish this with plenty of greenery, including my favorite houseplant, my Monstera. My foyer gets great morning light from a second-story window, so all of my plants really thrive in this location (as long as they can survive the cats’ paws). I accompany my houseplants with home décor from local shops, like this “Stay Awhile” sign from Timber Made Design Co. that I purchased at The Mint Leaf. And, of course, you can never go wrong with a little reminder to Have Some Fun Today!
– Angela Cremer
Marketing Officer, Fleetwood Bank
My favorite place at home is in the living room when my grandsons stop by and I get to read and play with them. Our house is small, but we always seem to have enough room for everyone when they come to visit to make it our home.
– Beverly Kelly-Carfagno
Owner, Muddy Creek Soap Company
I had always dreamed of a space exactly like the room that I now call my family room. It truly lives up to its name. I envisioned a space that offered natural light and natural elements throughout. I also dreamed about a fireplace that could be used on cold winter nights as my family and I cuddled up on our couch to watch movies or play games. This simple space allows all of those ideas to come to life. Grand windows, surrounded by natural wood and stone encasing a fireplace, a large couch big enough to create space and comfort for my three children and me to engage in Friday night movie night, it is the best feeling.
– Nicole Meckley
Owner, Kemerton Refill & Refresh
In an effort to stimulate conversation with our three teenagers, my wife, Rachel, created this area off of the kitchen. There are four supremely comfortable swivel chairs. It invites people in, even teenagers who are unenthusiastic about conversing. Once my kids drop into these chairs, conversation ensues. It's pretty amazing, really. Of course, there are days where it's just McCoy (our family dog) and me and that works out pretty well, too!
– Michael Kuhn
Co-Owner/President, Kuhn Funeral Homes, Inc.
My happy place is in my sunroom, complete with my morning coffee and my wife, Michelle. We watch the birds flit about feeding and chattering. The dogs play, sniff with curiosity, and protect us from nothing, but bark nonetheless just to let us know they are useful. I contemplate what I have to do after I water the plants and my wife says nothing but everything with her smile. No matter what happens, no matter how worried I am about something, no matter what real hardship we are about to face, her smile, the morning coffee, the dogs, the birds, the silence, and the morning sun rising, sets me at ease and gets me ready to face the day. That’s my happy place.
– Mike Sirak
Owner, MGS Insurance Agency, LLC
As most people know, when growing up in an Italian household, food is the staple that brings the family together. For that reason, for me, the kitchen has always and will always be the heart of the house. My passion for cooking has inspired me to open two restaurants, and even on my off days, I find myself in the kitchen cooking for my family. It brings out my creative side and gives me peace and calm.
– Massimo Caloiero
Owner, The PourHouse American Grille and Lilli's Ranch House
This is the Tiki Bar that I built in my backyard during quarantine, when I, like a lot of people, was going stir crazy and looking for entertainment. I had been thinking about it since I bought the house in 2017, so this gave me the perfect excuse to build it. And I bought the materials right before the price of lumber skyrocketed! The bar sits aside of the pool and hot tub, and is extremely useful for the events we’ve have outside – birthday parties, graduation parties, etc. It also gave me a place to display all of the memorabilia and knick-knacks that I accumulated over the years that don’t quite work in our family room. I can’t imagine our backyard without it.
– Jim Cinelli
President Liberty Environmental, Inc.
My pool is my happy place at home. It brings me peace, patience and a Zen-like feeling. Unfortunately, it only lasts half the year.
– Samantha M. Trymbiski
Owner/Funeral Director, Milkins Trymbiski & Kirkhoff Funeral Home
