Planning for Summer

Unlike many home improvement companies that focus on a single niche, Impact Landscaping and Impact Home Remodeling views the home as one connected experience. The kitchen renovation flows into the patio. The family room opens to a covered porch. A basement remodel leads to a backyard designed for entertaining. This holistic approach allows homeowners to plan with intention. Instead of treating an outdoor patio as an afterthought, it becomes part of a broader vision—one that complements interior finishes, traffic flow and how the home is used day to day. “Homeowners want their indoor and outdoor spaces to work together—to feel like an extension of the same lifestyle,” says Jeff Heinl, vice president of Impact. For companies that specialize in both indoor remodeling and outdoor living spaces, February marks a pivotal moment. It’s the time when winter planning transforms into spring action. “High-end outdoor living is about creating spaces that seem like a natural extension of the home,” Jeff says. “When designed well, outdoor spaces offer the same level of comfort and craftsmanship as the interior and often become the most used ‘room’ of the house.” Trending this year are these outdoor projects to create functional and inviting spaces. The All-Season Pavilion Impact Landscaping specializes in custom outdoor pavilions—one of today’s most in-demand backyard upgrades. One of the reasons pavilions are so popular is they allow you to enjoy the outdoors in inclement weather. Even on a rainy day, you can still hang out in your backyard. With the addition of HVAC, many pavilions are used year-round. Today’s designs mirror the comforts of the home itself, featuring ventless fireplaces, fully equipped kitchens with sinks, refrigerators and grills, bathrooms, TVs, built-in speakers, electric heaters and layered lighting. The Retreat Homeowners are increasingly turning to their backyards as places to unwind. Water features such as fountains, bubbling rocks and small ponds add calming sound and visual interest. For those who want a small pool for dipping in without using a large footprint, plunge pools—sometimes called cocktail pools—are growing in popularity. Impact Landscaping has also designed unique wellness features, including custom walking labyrinths built with pavers and natural stone to blend seamlessly into the landscape and provide a place to quiet the mind and encourage self-reflection. Making Room for Play While relaxation is key, many homeowners also want areas designed for fun—think bocce courts, synthetic turf areas for lawn games, children’s play areas and swimming pools. At the center of it all, the pool often becomes the biggest social gathering spot. Impact Landscaping installs fiberglass pools in all shapes and sizes designed with unique features, such as tanning ledges and beach entry slopes. Their expert landscaping crew completes the look by planting trees, shrubs and perennials to soften up the edges around the pool and hardscapes. “We don’t just install the pool. We design the entire environment around it to ensure everything works together,” Jeff says. “If you want a pool this summer, now is the time to schedule the project as we can start digging this spring and have the pool ready by summertime.”

Impact Landscaping creates high-end outdoor spaces for people who want it all.

A pool to cool down in during the hot summer days paired with an outdoor fireplace to keep warm and cozy as the sun sets affords the best of both worlds. That’s what one Jackson Township family has—and a whole lot more. “The homeowners are very busy professionals who work long hours, so they wanted to come home to an oasis right in their own back yard where they can relax and have fun,” says Mike Carr, project manager at Impact Landscaping, who spearheaded the backyard makeover last summer. “We started the project in April and by the Fourth of July they were enjoying their backyard oasis.” A local landscaping and home improvement company, Impact is known for its stunning landscapes featuring stone, wood and water in its designs that are visually harmonious with nature. For this project, the centerpiece is a swimming pool and freestanding fireplace set back in a little nook area, all tied together with a decorative cement patio and stone walkways. A stone bridge with a bubbling creek beneath situated on the side of the house leads you to the back yard, which opens to the fiberglass pool, custom-built fireplace and colored concrete patio with paver inlays—all softened up by trees, evergreens and perennial flowers. “We worked with the homeowners to design the back yard, and we used a mix of different color stones, pebbles and pavers for the patio and pool deck area,” Mike says. “There was existing stamped concrete, so we designed the new patio to integrate that concrete with the new colored concrete and created a cobblestone riverbed pathway with both shades of gray.” “Other than the pool being rectangular, everything else has a circular motion, so it all flows together,” says Mike, who helps homeowners with the design process and oversees the construction and landscape crews. “The natural stones in the landscape also soften up the edges.” The goal of all Impact Landscaping’s projects is to have them look like they naturally sprouted in the landscape. This project is no different, as the creek waterfall features driftwood and stumps interspersed around the stones. Another goal is to design landscapes that are low-maintenance. Here, both the water feature and fiberglass pool are easy to care for. “The water in the creek is a self-contained unit that has an auto doser to keep algae at bay,” Mike says. “And our fiberglass pools have auto covers, with a control panel that you punch in a code and it opens and closes automatically for added convenience.”

The summer solstice in June, signaling the onset of summer, is the longest day of the year. And though we start to lose a little daylight from this point on, summertime fun has just started. If you have been thinking about getting an in-ground pool, you still have time. “There has been such a high demand for pools these past couple years that we felt adding in-ground pools to our services was a natural extension of our landscape and remodeling business,” says Joe Chiera, who, along with his wife, Kristen, owns Impact Landscape & Home Remodeling. “So many of the customers we landscape for are also interested in pools. We are known for backyard landscapes that turn homes into more of a resort oasis, with outdoor kitchens, pavilions, fountains and fire pits. And now we can do it all.” Impact Landscape installs fiberglass pools manufactured by Thursday Pools. They come in all shapes and sizes, as well as colors ranging from Caribbean Sparkle for a bright blue to Graphite Gray that reflects a steel-blue water color.  “Fiberglass pools are very low maintenance,” says Joe, noting there is no liner, they don’t need re-plastering and you won’t snag swimwear.

When you ask Joe Chiera if he prefers outdoor landscaping jobs or indoor home remodeling projects, he says it’s like picking your favorite child. You can’t because you love them equally. As co-owner, along with his wife, Kristen, of Impact Landscape & Home Remodeling, Joe and his staff are uniquely qualified to handle all aspects of home remodeling—and they make outdoor and indoor designs seamless. “Though most of us have been spending time in our backyards and enjoying the extra space outdoor living affords, it is inevitable that here in Northeast Ohio we eventually will have to scurry indoors once the weather takes that dreaded turn,” says Joe. “And once we move back indoors, we want to have a beautiful and functional space for family and friends to gather, so now is the time to start your indoor home remodeling projects.” Whether you want to create a master bathroom, finish your basement or build your dream kitchen, Impact can help with any remodeling project. 

Sharon Township homeowner Diane jokes that when her three kids come home from college, they will never want to leave the basement. And it’s not because they are basement dwellers aimlessly hanging out downstairs all day, but rather because their basement is first-floor worthy. With a new family room, kitchen, bedroom, two bathrooms, office, workout room and laundry room all downstairs, who wouldn’t want to be a basement dweller? But this is no ordinary basement. Thanks to Impact Home Remodeling, which transformed an unfinished basement into a showstopper, this new living space is worthy of a magazine layout. “I wanted everything to be light and airy,” says Diane, who, along with her husband, Jim, built this house nine years ago. “Working with Impact, they guided us along the way and helped us design the floor plan and construct this space.”

Transitioning from winter’s snow-covered landscape to spring’s colorful flowers popping up through a green backdrop, March is a perfect reminder of how beautiful change is. And it’s also the signal to get back outdoors. Leading the charge is Impact Landscape & Home Remodeling, a family-owned business known for building stunning outdoor gathering spaces for homeowners. “We are designing new landscape projects, including patios, pavilions and pools, right now and in just a couple of weeks we will be digging already,” says Joe Chiera, who along with his wife Kristen, owns Impact Landscape & Home Remodeling. Both a landscape company and a home remodeler, the company has a unique perspective when designing inside and outside spaces. From designing backyard kitchens that look like they belong indoors to remodeling home interiors, this locally owned company is seamlessly blending indoor-outdoor living spaces.

It’s been said that renovating not only restores the house, but also restores the story of the home. At Impact Landscape & Home Remodeling, Joe and Kristen Chiera help homeowners turn the page and make a fresh start while staying true to the roots of the home. As owners of this local remodeling and landscaping business, they are uniquely qualified to handle all aspects of your home remodel—and they make your outdoor and indoor designs are seamless. “Though we have been spending time in our back yards and enjoying the extra space outdoor living affords, we will soon be moving back indoors when it gets cold again,” says Joe. “Once we move back indoors, we still want to have a beautiful and functional space for family and friends to gather. It is our mission to help families create their dream homes inside and out.” Whether you want to build your dream kitchen, create a master bathroom, finish your basement, build an addition or turn your back yard into a private oasis, Impact can help with any remodeling project.

Just like other empty nesters, Mary pondered whether to stay in the house where she and her husband raised their family or perhaps become snowbirds and move down south. Once the couple decided to stay put, they wanted to renovate their Medina residence into their forever home, where they could age in place. And just as fate would have it, Mary read an article in Mimi Magazine about another couple who used Impact Landscape & Home Remodeling to renovate their home, and everything fell into place. “We were looking to renovate our home both inside and outside and loved that Impact does both,” says Mary. “We have plenty of room in our house, so we decided this is where we want to retire—but just remodel instead of moving.” Impact owners Joe and Kristen Chiera met with the couple and shared their vision and ideas. 

Not everyone is good at multitasking. However, for Joe and Kristen Chiera, owners of Impact Landscape & Home Remodeling, that is their forte. And it is what makes them uniquely qualified to handle both outdoor landscaping projects and indoor home remodeling jobs. Construction know-how. Horticulture expertise. Exceptional vision. It all works together and results in beautiful home renovations.  Both a landscape company and a home remodeler, Impact has a fresh perspective when designing inside and outside spaces. From designing backyard kitchens that look like they belong indoors to remodeling home interiors that feature walls of windows to bring nature inside, this locally owned company is seamlessly blending indoor-outdoor living spaces. “We take care of all things related to your home,” says Joe. “Whether you want to remodel your kitchen, transform your bathroom, finish your basement, install an expansive patio, add a backyard pool or spruce up your landscaping, we can do it all.”

It’s been said that a fallen leaf is nothing more than a summer’s wave goodbye. For Impact Landscape & Home Remodeling, the emerging fall landscape also signals that it’s time to turn the focus back on the home’s interior. As both a landscaping and home remodeling company, this local business is uniquely qualified to handle all aspects of your home—making your outdoor and indoor design seamless. “While we have been spending time in our back yards and enjoying the extra space outdoor living affords, it is inevitable that we eventually will have to head indoors once the cooler weather sets in,” says Joe Chiera, who along with his wife Kristen owns Impact Landscape & Home Remodeling. “Fall is always our busiest time for home remodeling projects as homeowners are looking for ways to renew the interior of their home, whether adding space or just a better use of space.” Since 1997, Impact has been helping homeowners in Northeast Ohio build dream kitchens, create spa bathrooms, finish basements or even build additions for both growing families and couples looking to downsize. “Impact has done a phenomenal job remodeling our home,” says James Whitley, whose wife Brenda helped provide design inspiration for the new spaces. “I’m so impressed with Joe and his core team of plumbers, electricians, tile installers. Two years ago Impact remodeled our lower level, so we turned to them again this year to remodel our master bathroom, walk-in closet, laundry room and home office. Each and every time the work is the highest quality.” Dream Bathrooms Once built for convenience and necessity, the master bathroom now is more of a place where you can rest and relax. “We have been working with homeowners to repurpose space from their master bedroom to make room for a larger bathroom and closet because it is more functional,” says Joe. “Many homeowners are opting for bathrooms that feature a curbless wet room, where the tub and shower are designed so the entire area can get wet. We only need about 60 square feet to add a wet room to any bathroom remodel. With a curbless shower and no walls, the space feels bigger than it really is.” Bathroom designs are very personal, but most homeowners like to mix natural elements, including stone, marble and wood, to exude a spa vibe that is very calming and soothing. Your Culinary Centerpiece Considered the heart of the home, the kitchen is one of the best returns on investments when it comes to remodeling. “Homeowners can recoup up to 75 percent of their kitchen remodeling costs, so you can view it more as an investment than an expense,” Joe says. “There are many design options we can show you or bring us your ideas and we will bring them to life,” he says. “We always like to blend on-trend décor items with classic elements to create a timeless design that you will enjoy for years to come.” 

With high interest rates cooling down the real estate market, you can still get the place you have always dreamed of—your own home. “Homeowners who don’t want to double their current 3.5 percent interest rate mortgage to 7 percent now if they move, but still want bigger or just grander spaces, should make 2024 the year they remodel their home,” says Joe Chiera, who, along with his wife Kristen, owns Impact Landscape & Home Remodeling. “If you need more space, we can build an addition to add more square feet to you home, or finish your basement to add more living space,” he says. “And if your dream home includes a new master spa bathroom or modern kitchen, we can help you with both the design and construction.” Impact Landscape & Home Remodeling is uniquely qualified to handle all aspects of your home remodel. “We follow the lead of each homeowner and can provide as many design recommendations as they want,” says Kristen, who gets her inspiration from architectural magazines and world travels. “Some homeowners have their own design in mind, some want to partner with us to work together on ideas, and some want us to do it all.” “Kristen and I meet with homeowners to give them perspectives from both the design and construction side,” Joe says. “Even if they have their own design in mind, we recommend where best to put the sink, shower and toilet in bathrooms and the configuration of stove, refrigerator and sink in the kitchen.” The company recently finished a master bathroom remodel in Bath that is a large wet room separated by design elements and a stylish mix of textures. “We wall-mounted all the faucets instead of putting them on the countertop,” Kristen says. “We also focused on lighting by adding LED lights in the shower niches and in the tray ceiling, as well as lighting under the vanity and LED mirrors with touch lighting above the sinks.” 

Sometimes the best gifts are ones that cannot be wrapped or put in a festive bag. In the New Year, consider gifting yourself a new kitchen or bathroom. Though the saying “the gift that keeps giving” may be cliché, it really does describe the endless pleasure you will get from renovated, refreshed rooms in your home. “If your dream home includes a new spa bathroom or modern kitchen, we can help with both the design and construction,” says Joe Chiera, who, along with his wife Kristen, owns Impact Landscape & Home Remodeling. “If you need more space, we can build an addition to add more square feet to your home or finish your basement to add more living space.” Masterful Bathrooms Though often the smallest room in the house, the bathroom can be a sanctuary—a place to relax, refresh and rejuvenate. It usually is the first and last place you go every day, so it helps set the tone for the day, as well as helps you ease into a restful night of sleep. “Our goal is to turn your bathroom into a room with a calming spa vibe, regardless of the size,” Joe says. Heading into 2024, one of the biggest bathroom trends is wet rooms. Homeowners who like an open concept living room and kitchen are opting for a similar feel in the bathroom by combining the shower and tub in one tiled waterproof room, where everything can get wet. “We can create a wet room in any area that is at least 6-by-10 feet, so you don’t necessarily need a huge space,” Joe notes. The centerpieces of a wet room are freestanding tubs and frameless showers. A curbless shower not only provides a more open design, but it also allows homeowners to age in place. Access to the shower is much easier, as you don’t have to step up or over a raised frame. 

As American novelist and poet Christopher Morley said so eloquently, “April prepares her green traffic light, and the world thinks, Go.” For homeowners, this means it is time to head outdoors and get their yard ready for spring and all the enjoyable activities that come with warm weather. “Spring is far more than just a change of seasons. It’s a time to refresh and renew,” says Joe Chiera, who, along with his wife Kristen, owns Impact Landscape & Home Remodeling. “It is time to tidy up your landscaping and add new features.” 

As summer is unfolding, our back yards have become integral parts of our lifestyle and well-being. They’re where we can relax and connect with nature, enjoy dining outdoors, and just hang out with friends and family. And even though fall is looming around the corner, homeowners can enjoy their yards well into the year—especially if they design functional outdoor areas that mirror indoor rooms.