Tour gives homeowners a taste of possibilities
During the five years Jim Bizzak lived in Williamsburg, Va., he fell in love with the Colonial architecture that surrounded him.
When he left the area to re-establish residency in Greensburg, instead of leaving behind the era-inspired style, he brought it with him. After years of research and construction, Bizzak created a home that showcases many of the features of a true Colonial house.
Those who participate in the Westmoreland Museum of American Art's 12th annual Art in the Kitchen Tasting Tour will get an inside look at Bizzak's home.
The tour, presented by the Westmoreland's Women's Committee, is a self-guided event set for Saturday, and will feature five residential kitchens in the Greensburg and Ligonier areas. The event raises money for the museum.
At Bizzak's home, the experience begins upon arrival.
"I built the house in reconstruction from 1830. The grounds have moss and retaining walls. And the bricks on the house are handmade," Bizzak says. "The interior follows that same kind of style with raised panels below the chair railing and four-piece crown molding throughout the house."
The entryway into Bizzak's home features rich mahogany and hand-rolled glass from Germany. The large kitchen continues the Colonial theme with oak floors and lush cherry cabinetry accented with carved leaves. More hand-rolled German glass is featured in two china cabinets.
Above the stepped cabinetry are antiques reminiscent of the era. The refrigerator and dishwasher are encased in cherry, and black countertops compliment the Wolf stove and copper-colored stone on the island.
Visitors to Bizzak's home can also take a stroll out to the back porch made from cedar boards and a view of the 16-foot fountain with life-sized bronze figures personifying the four seasons of the year.
"There's very low maintenance on the house," Bizzak says. "Everything is designed so that it cleans easily."
As part of the tour, members of the women's committee also provide food samplings straight from their cookbook. At Bizzak's home, those on the tour will enjoy barley and ham soup.
After participants have a look back in time, they can look to the future at another stop.
At the home of Mac and Merriann Grant in Hempfield, visitors can experience a kitchen constructed from sustainable and local products. The push toward a "greener" home has left the Grants with a simple, clean and elegant kitchen.
"The 'green' label makes me nervous because it's not totally green, but we had set some guidelines when we built our house," Merriann Grant says. "The kitchen has Energy Star appliances and LED light strips under the cabinets."
Grant says she and her family had a goal to leave as little of a footprint as possible when building, including reusing old doors and light fixtures from her parents' home. They also used recycled newspaper as insulation and have a gravel driveway, which is better for water runoff and keeps the water table cleaner.
The Craftsmen-style kitchen has Shaker white cabinets and quartz countertops. The appliances are stainless steel and the floors are solid oak.
"Our goal was to have a new house that didn't look brand new, but had some character," Grant says. "And we had to try to find things that met our sustainable criteria. While it's not 'green,' they are things that are durable and will be here forever."
The Grants spent a great deal of time researching to find the proper products in their home construction.
"It can be a daunting task, but the information is out there," she says. "I am not an expert, just someone who built a house this way."
Once visitors take in the elegant simplicity of the Grant home, they can sample brandied peaches, another recipe from the "Art in the Kitchen" cookbook.
"The tour is just a really fun and helpful event. It helped us design our kitchen," Grant says. "It's a great way to get some ideas and gather research for your own kitchen."
In addition to the residential kitchens on display, the event will feature two guest speakers at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art on Main Street.
• Bobby Jo Lisi -- 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Training in tabletop design from Westmoreland County Community College and hands-on experience from her several years of working at an upscale, private Ligonier country club gives Lisi a broad spectrum of expertise in dinner table setting.
• Gerald Lee Morosco -- 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Morosco, architect and author of "How to Choose an Architect." will discuss how to work with an architect (11 a.m. and 3 p.m.) and kitchens for your historic house. (1 p.m.)
Additional Information:
Art in the Kitchen Tasting Tour
Presented by : The Westmoreland Museum of American Art's Women's Committee
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
Admission: $25
Where: Greensburg and Ligonier
Details: 724-837-1500, ext. 33 or online
