Email
Print
FeedThe Height of Living
A dynamic duo combines talents to create a dream home on high.
(page 4 of 4)
Long before the walls went up, the Rossis knew where they would place their furniture and where the TVs would be mounted. Those details were essential in order to place the lighting. Also essential was extra framing in the walls, which is required to support flat-screen TVs. “We knew the TVs would be heavy,” he says.
Throughout the process, Jimmy, a state trooper, recorded images of the pipes and wires installed in the walls and floors. With those records in hand, it won’t take much detective work to track down the source of any problems that might occur years down the road.
“It makes much more sense than breaking into walls,” he says.
With a bird’s-eye view of Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland, the Rossis enjoy a rare combination of natural wonders and cityscapes. From a sky-high perspective, the Acelas zipping into the nearby Amtrak station look like toy trains under the Christmas tree. At night, the city lights twinkle like stars.
“I love to watch the storms roll in,” Jimmy says. “You can see rain clouds moving in from miles away.”
The Rossis also enjoy other aspects of condo life. He was happy to give up raking leaves and Cathy was glad to forego commuting to work. These days, all it takes to get to the office is a short walk.
“I like the sense of community and the ease of lifestyle we enjoy here,” she says. “It’s our little corner of the world.”
GET THE LOOK
- Think things through before the walls go up. That will enable you to avoid dead space and establish the infrastructure for energy, communication and entertainment systems.
- When in doubt, call in the pros. It could prevent an expensive mistake.
- Analyze the floor plans of model homes. “You will see the things you like—and the things you would rather change,” Cathy Rossi says.
- Blend low-tech with high-tech. Ceiling fans are an energy-efficient way to keep spaces comfortable year round. Smart wiring enables the Rossis to program their home to automatically lower or raise the blinds, adjust the thermostat and conserve energy.
- Shop till you drop. The Rossis scoured sources close to home and throughout the Mid-Atlantic region to find just the right furnishings.
