Yep. It’s a fact. Normal, completely sane and stable home sellers and realtors have been praying to St. Joseph and burying him in effigy for good luck, for years. Centuries, actually. The tradition dates back to St. Teresa of Avila (A.D. 1515 – 1582), a nun who buried St. Joseph medals on some property she wanted to buy, and voila! it came up for sale.

In the U.S., a resurgence of this practice took root in the 1970s, and again in the 90s, and it continues to this day.

It’s no urban legend. You can actually buy a spell kit, along with detailed instructions and prayer; just look around online.

How it’s done

Step 1: A statue of St. Joseph is placed inside a protective cloth and buried upside-down in the front yard. (If you live in a condo, use a potted plant and place it by your front door.)

Step 2: A prayer to St. Joseph is recited. Here’s a fun one: “Memento nostri, beate Ioseph, et tuae orationis suffragio apud tuum putativum Filium intercede; sed et beatissimam Virginem Sponsam tuam nobis propitiam redde, quae Mater est Eius, qui cum Patre et Spiritu Sancto vivit et regnat per infinita saecula saeculorum. Amen.”

Step 3: Wait for the offers to roll in.

Step 4: Once the house is sold, thank the Saint and give him some air, please.

Step 5: Give the statuette a place of honor in your new home.

Some people think this practice is vital to a sale, some think it’s silly. I say – hey, why not?  What do you think? What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever done in an effort to sell your house?  And, did it work?

What were the main items on the project wish list?

Diane: The clients wanted to maintain the vintage charm and scale of this modest home while making big improvements. Very high-quality custom cherry cabinets and high-end Wolf appliances and finishes were at the top of their list.

What would you say were the biggest obstacles?

Diane: Staging this project was tough because the house is small, and there is no garage. We literally took up the entire first floor with materials and products to be installed into the kitchen. We maintained the client’s privacy using plastic dust barriers and having workers use a separate entrance.

Where are the hidden gems in this design?

Diane: The high-quality fit and finish of the custom cabinets we had made for this project. It’s like the difference between the finish of a luxury car vs. a sedan. This kitchen is like an Aston Martin!

I encourage anyone who is considering a kitchen remodel to go visit a cabinetmaker’s shop to learn the difference that great fit and finish make.

Tell me about that glorious Cherry-paneled fridge.  

Tamara: Its a 42″ wide Sub-Zero but doesn’t look “too wide” because of the paneling, very successful.

What’s the process and price for paneling a fridge?

Tamara: The fridge has to be an upgraded model that can receive a panel. All the panels have to be custom ordered and installed by a pro to keep the warranty. The panels could be added in a less custom manner and add as little as $2,000, but it all depends on the context and the overall project goals and package. It could be closer to a $5,000 to $8,000 upgrade. 

With this sleek TV setup, where do the components live?

Tamara: Glad you ask. You can get a TV that has a cable card and skip the bulky cable box altogether, pretty great. Lots of other options, too. The key is using the right AV pro.

What’s the weirdest design request you’ve had a client ask?

Tamara: We have integrated cat shelving for the kitchen sink window. Years ago we had client who knew their cats would get up on the counter, so we built a cat perch. As I recall, the cats did indeed use them, so we consider it a success!

What should homeowners know before calling a pro?

Diane: I wish homeowners knew how to qualify a great, professional general contractor vs. a guy who has a truck but no experience or standards and who might go out of business. People trust their general contractor with what is typically their largest investment. For a head start, look for a general contractor that is a member of NARI.

Tamara Myers, CR, LEED AP, is co-founder and Sales/Design Principal for Myers Constructs, Inc., an award-winning design to build™ general contracting firm serving the greater Philadelphia metro area. A graduate of Temple’s Tyler School of Art, Tamara has worked in the construction/home improvement trade for more than 30 years.

Diane Menke is co-founder and VP/Production Manager for Myers Constructs, Inc. Diane, a graduate of Philadelphia College of Art, has logged more than 23 years in home-improvement-related entrepreneurial ventures, including painting and speculative remodeling businesses.

Follow Myers Constructs on Facebook.
Photos: Mark Gisi/Tabula Creative, Philadelphia
Custom cabinetry: Superior Woodcraft, Inc., Doylestown, PA

My thoughts…

People discover design trends at all different times. For instance, my little sister Katie is gleefully discovering the 1970′s and all the browns, oranges, mustard and avocado – they all feel new, fresh and fun to her.  Good luck telling her the 1970′s have come and gone!

How do YOU feel about your grasscloth den?  Is it in good shape?  Do you still like the color and look of it?

Trends are funny things.  Some people are attracted to them and really crave change in their homes constantly.  Other people look for classic profiles, colors, and materials to decorate and design their spaces with, requiring less frequent updating.  Grasscloth as a design trend has as much traction today as it ever had – so I wouldn’t worry about it being dated.

Kim Smart Designs, Photograph by Cynthia MacDonald

In design, the word ‘dated’ can mean two things.  It refers to being able to identify the time period that something was installed – like a glittering mirrored refrigerator likely happened in the 1960′s – 1970′s.  Dated can also mean that something looks tired or out of style.  While it’s a tiny distinction, I think it’s an important one.  Just because something hails from another era, does not mean it should be replaced.

If your walls are in good shape, and you like the color for your home, consider gently reminding your decorator you’re still fond of the grasscloth, and asking him or her to help brainstorm ways to refresh the space without touching the walls.  I’m sure your decorator will have some neat ideas.

Never be afraid to communicate to a decorator or designer what you like about your home, especially early on in a relationship.  You and your decorator don’t have to have the same taste – just a common language.

I also like pavers in a more commercial setting, like these…  I love the romance of the cobblestone pavers, complete with a simple border around the edges.  The lighting and giant outdoor curtain doesn’t hurt in the romance department either…

I love flagstone too, for it’s natural beauty. When set in concrete, flagstone can be a strong, beautiful hardscape component in your yard or on your stairs. It works so beautifully with iron railings and spindles. (and apparently my work boots!)

Flagstone is also magical peeking out from a more natural, permeable landscape like this one.  Can you spot the flagstone tucked into the pea gravel and stones?

It’s fun to look down every now and then.  What did you spot underfoot this week?

It’s one of my favorite types of lighting because you can combine different styles in a unique bouquet, space out fixtures of a like type, or arrange however the spirit moves you. There are so many options these days, there’s no excuse to go with the tried and true.

A pendant with panache set above your dining room tables and islands can encompass anything from steampunk, industrial, elegant, quirky, traditional, mercury glass, antlers… You name it. There’s probably even fuzzy dice available, if you want them!

Before you go crazy, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Scale is an important consideration.

If your ceilings are low, a large fixture won’t work even if you are out to create drama. Instead, since your lights will be closer to eye-level, choose something hand-painted, or with an intricate filigree.

If you’re lighting your dining area, fit the statement fixture to the table rather than the room. Lights should be about 34 inches above the surface of the tabletop, creating optimum light without interfering with conversation or creating distraction. Though, of course, statement lighting is meant to be seen.

Pendant lighting is cool, pretty, edgy, and awesome.

You get the idea. But unless it’s large, it’s probably not going to be the main source of illumination. Wall sconces, floor lamps, or other overhead lighting should be part of your design plan, too.

Remember the dimmer switches.

It’s an easy thing to overlook, but almost everyone agrees that nothing creates ambiance like soft, low lights at an intimate dinner.

Design by Dennis Martin

Design  by David Bromstad

On the way, I wandered into In-N-Out. For those of you not in SoCal, it’s a cult favorite burger joint in business since the late 1940s. I was reminded all over again why I like the color red in a kitchen setting.

 Now… this juicy burger is really appealing, right?

In-N-Out – like the band The White Stripes and the super store Target — is immediately iconic for its red and white color scheme. There’s more to the bi-color combo than meets the eye when it comes to our mouths. Red actually stimulates our taste buds. It’s been clinically proven that the hot hue conveys excitement and passion, and it releases endorphins into your system that stimulate the appetite.

Doesn’t a can of Coke and a juicy red apple cut in half seem pretty appealing? That is why this design works well in residential kitchens. Here are a few examples of my personal favorites.

Design by Anthony Carrino

Design by Meg Caswell

Design by Dave Stimmel

What trendy products have caught your eye?

What were the main items on your kitchen wish list?

Tyler Doran: The main goal was to make the kitchen brighter and open, which was a challenge due to the 1730s ceiling. We also wanted to join the kitchen with the living room, giving the space a better flow.

What would you say were the biggest obstacles?

Tyler Doran: Tearing down the walls while being careful to preserve the raw-hewn beams and wide floorboards was tough. I was also really concerned about adding the skylight. I wanted to maintain the organic feel of the space. In the end, I think it works because it’s subtle and it really brightens up the room.

What’d you learned from this project?

Tyler Doran: Well, there are few right angles in a really old house. Even if they were there when it was built, they aren’t there anymore. That can be both very charming and very frustrating. So I guess I learned that you can’t force a square peg into a not-quite-square 1730’s hole.

Give me the good stuff: Where are the hidden gems?

Tyler Doran: Ooh, the finishes: The silver mercury glass vintage X-Ray shades. The salvaged interior beams echo the rustic qualities of the butter bench under the portrait of the boxer. The collection of 1930s dog show ribbons give the room a pop of color that a rustic kitchen needs in order to feel fresh and personal.

What colors are you obsessed with today?

Tyler Doran: Dark. Grays. Always. Current obsessions: Farrow and Ball’s Down Pipe and Railings.

New debate: Brass or nickel?

Tyler Doran: I love antique brass hardware on dark cabinetry, like in a butler’s pantry. I use nickel in lighter, open spaces and in bright bathrooms.

What would friends see at a party you were hosting?

Tyler Doran: We had a Merchant Ivory themed party last summer and set up different vignettes around the house and yard. There was an Out of Africa picnic complete with vintage Victrola, and campaign furniture. Lots of decorative accessories, costumes and props. Vintage bar ware. Turbans. Lanterns. Cricket sweaters and Gin & Tonics.

What one item in your house will you never let go of?

Tyler Doran: I have an abundance of family heirlooms – Corner chairs and tables made by my great-grandfather. I always fall in love with historical pieces that tell a story. I have a long roll of red white and blue French crepe paper from 1890 that is superbly simple and beautiful and is worth way more to me than it could ever be to someone else.

Last question and then I’ll get out of here, I promise…

What international style inspires you?

Tyler Doran: I was born in Saudi Arabia and my family came back to New Hampshire in the late 70s, so there is a huge juxtaposition of styles I’m drawn to. I love the rustic and modern Belgian aesthetic. It’s simple and pure, but layered and very personal.

Tyler Doran is founder, creative director and principle designer of Heir Antiques based in NY and RI. Doran is best known for merging the sensibility of classic American living with his background as a young traveler. When not collecting, Tyler spends his days redesigning his homestead in South Kingstown, RI with his partner Mark.