‘The Right Choice’
From historic renovations to custom builds, the team of craftspeople at B&D Builders takes a personal approach to helping homes achieve their full potential.
When planning a renovation that will alter a home’s functionality and aesthetics, one needs a team of professionals who prioritize quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. One Chester County resident realized this truism firsthand when she sought out a builder to revitalize her property.
“The property came with this great, old red barn, and I used to ride [horses] there when I was a kid,” says the homeowner, a Willistown resident who requested anonymity. “The space had so much sentimental value to me, but it was dilapidated, so I needed help turning my vision into new memories.”
Specifically, she wanted to transform the existing barn into a so-called “party barn” without losing its authentic appeal, as well as turn the on-site horse stables into a luxury apartment. To add to the challenge, any renovations would need to meet the approval of the historic Willistown community, which had defined conservation policies in place.
After having been referred by a family member, the homeowner brought her concept to Paradise, Pennsylvania-based B&D Builders. She wound up choosing B&D in part because of its reputation for delivering superior custom builds and renovations, both close to home and much farther afield. More so, her choice came down to the connection she felt with the people behind the firm.
“From the minute I called them, I knew I had made the right choice,” she says. “They were so much fun to work with; they thought about me every step of the way. Everything was done with a smile and with care.”
B&D owners Ben Esh and Daniel Glick started as barn builders more than 20 years ago. Their enterprise has since evolved into a team of tradesmen focused on luxury estate design, professional event venues, farm and equestrian spaces, and more. The company has also grown to include five specialty brands—namely, Mid-Atlantic Timberframes, Mid-Atlantic Steel Fabrication, Vintage Millwork & Restoration, Vintage Wood & Forged Iron, and Blackwood Equestrian Stalls. These subdivisions enable the company to keep almost every aspect of the job in house, thereby controlling quality and costs and shortening lead times.
B&D kicked off the construction phase of the Willistown project with an old-fashioned barn-raising. The homeowner got to participate in the barn-raising, which she describes as an event she will never forget. “That’s just who they are,” she adds. “They make sure you know you’re part of the team at every step.”
Functional improvements to the barn included an exposed-beam ceiling, an expansive kitchen, and an HVAC system so the homeowner could use the barn during all seasons. B&D also turned a four-stall horse barn into a one-bedroom apartment with a “groom’s quarters” touch.
“They gutted this old space and turned it into an absolutely beautiful, vaulted space,” says the homeowner. “They added a proper bathroom and a private office, and then whitewashed the space so it matched the party barn, to create one continuous aesthetic.”
B&D brands Mid-Atlantic Timberframes and Vintage Millwork & Restoration handled specialty aspects of the project, such as the timber framing, hardware, and woodwork. The distinctive touches B&D added helped the property blend seamlessly into the surroundings of historic Willistown, which is east of West Chester.
“It’s the imperfections that they don’t remove, the little touches they put in, that have set them apart,” the homeowner adds.
Her life has changed considerably since the project’s completion. She says the revitalized barn has helped her property realize its full potential.
“I use it as a yoga studio for friends every week, we’ve hosted a wedding, and we have a rehearsal dinner coming up this spring,” she adds. “I am able to open it up for nonprofit dinners and events all year long. It’s a beautiful space, with most of the details handmade right in the B&D shop using historic materials or processes.”
The customer has since worked with B&D Builders on various other projects. The quality of the company’s work has exceeded her expectations every time.
“They’re true craftsmen and take a lot of pride in their work,” she says. “The dedication each member of their team brings to their work shows in the uniqueness of everything they do. You aren’t getting a cookie-cutter design; you’re getting a finished product that fits your vision and blends right into its surroundings.”
B&D Builders
34 S Vintage Road
Paradise, PA 17562
(717) 687-0292
banddbuilders.com
34 S Vintage Road
Paradise, PA 17562
(717) 687-0292
banddbuilders.com
Photograph courtesy of B&D Builders
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life magazine, March 2022.
