| Phi Home Designs:
What We Do |
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| Hand-painted Kitchen |
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| Completed early in 2008, Phi renovated an historic Federal home in Rockport. In the ell of the structure in what once housed the servants quarters we gutted and transformed the space into a cozy guest apartment with its own kitchen, living/dining area, bathroom, and bedroom with a walk-in closet and laundry area. When we approached the kitchen design the home owner, Dyke Messler, decided to build a traditional frame & panel kitchen with v-match accents. Introducing a fun and unique twist to the design, Dyke came up with the idea of commissioning local muralist Hope Angier to hand fresco the panels with stylized scenes of the Rockport and Camden harbors and country side. Hope's husband Fred faux finished the door frames and v-match giving them the rich appearance of gracefully aged curly maple.
Crafted in maple, birch and poplar the kitchen has integrated appliances, wonderfully cast bronze hardware and durable Corian countertops. We incorporated many "007" components and features such as a hidden spice cabinet on the side of the built-in fridge cabinet, a dishwasher that looks like a common drawer and a sleek vent hood above the stove that disappears behind a cabinet facade. Maple silverware and utensil drawer dividers, stainless steel pullout waste bin and cabinet dividers for bake ware and cookie sheets help keep the small space well organized and inviting for guests. A truly unique kitchen that has classic styling and historic grace yet is a fully modern and efficient workspace. |
| Employee Profile:
Megan Cullen |
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If you are a subcontractor and have worked for Phi then you probably know Megan Cullen. Here at Phi Megan holds the role of Estimating, Purchasing and Design Coordinator. She also has taken a personal passion for ecological design and energy efficiency and applied that to what we do here at Phi. Megan is our point person for research and implementation of the latest in energy efficient design, sustainable products and ecologically sound building practices. Megan is helping Phi to become a leader in energy efficient building and design in the Mid-Coast region. She asks the where, what, and how questions about new products, ideas and practices, then weighs them against the needs and wants of our clients to present a balanced approach to any given project.
Architecture and construction have saturated her life since childhood. Her father was a civil engineer and she readily inherited his interest in structural design. As an undergrad she attended ISU where she majored in Architectural Design Studies. After graduation she participated in several semesters of lecture courses at Yale School of Architecture where she was inspired by many notable speakers. Over the next decade she worked with architectural firms and in construction and development while living in NYC, St. John, USVI and Whitefish, MT. Prior to settling in Mid Coast Maine, she spent three years in Bucks County, PA working with the NPS Center for Historic Preservation Training and the Heritage Conservancy. For over a year she has been part of the Phi team. When asked about her experience here at Phi Megan replied "I have enjoyed being involved with exceptional projects and developing relationships with terrific clients. I am looking forward to experiencing much more of the same"; we at Phi feel the same way about her.
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| Phi Sports |
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Youth Basketball:
Phi Owners Michael and Jill Roy led their Phi Home Designs sponsored basketball team to a 5-3 record this season. Their daughter Avery, along with Phi co-owner Kathryn Matlack's daughter Abigail, both played on the team. This is the third year in a row that Phi has sponsored a team for the Pen Bay YMCA Youth Basketball league. Michael and Jill plan to be back for their 4th season of coaching next year. Great job to all the girls for their hard work and the team spirit they displayed this past year!
What could be better than skating outside in the winter? Michael Roy decided to put an outdoor hockey rink in their backyard this year and invite as many people over as they could to skate on the rink. The goal is to have 100 people skate on the rink this year - total as of this newsletter is 71. Mike Roy comments "Thanks to Nice Rink and their Rink-In-A-Box kit I was able to install the rink with relative ease which has resulted in hours of fun for all of our friends and family to share".
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| Quick Links
Phi: |
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Related Links:
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We are conveniently located off of Route 90 in Rockport and just a few short miles from Route 1. Our office and shop facilities are tucked behind Carver Hill Gallery at 270 Meadow Street.
Please visit our kitchen
displays at:
Carver Hill Gallery
264 Meadow St.- Rockport, ME
207-236-0745
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| Phi Home Designs
February Newsletter |
Happy New Year!
February Greetings from the folks at Phi!
Wow, what a winter we have had here in mid-coast Maine. Sub-zero temperatures and abundant snowfalls have been a boon to outdoor recreational activity, but present common challenges to those of us in the building industry. We have been fortunate enough to have most of our projects in the "indoor" phase of completion with a couple of notable exceptions-(turns out foundations can be poured effectively in January...). Anyway, we hope that you all are finding ways to keep warm and sustained in this icy weather and frosty economic condition.
The inaugural edition of this newsletter generated a healthy amount of feedback from many of you, which was received warmly and with gratitude. We posted some of the quotes in the "letter Board" section of this month's newsletter. We are hoping that as we move forward that we will continue to receive feedback from you so that we can refine this forum to mutually benefit all of us.
With the downturn in the economy and the gloomy news reports (not to mention the long winter here in Maine) it can be difficult to remain optimistic and upbeat about a lot of things. This brings to mind the old adage "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade". Here at Phi we are looking at this economic slowdown as an opportunity to evaluate ourselves and our business, to look at our strengths and weaknesses. Where change is needed we are implementing that change and where there are areas that our foundation is solid we are building upon that. We are taking steps to lower our energy consumption, shorten our supply chain for materials, and improve our overall efficiency. By creating less waste and using fewer resources we are becoming leaner and greener, both in the short term and over the long haul. |
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Kichens & Casework  Phi Home Designs can create just the right kitchen or built-in cabinetry that you are looking for. We have more than 20 years of experience building and designing custom kitchens and casework. Our in-house drafting services, experienced craftsmen, comprehensive finishing department, exceptional managing team, and professional office staff ensures that each step of every project is handled with care and attention to detail efficiently delivering your project to spec, on-time, and within budget.
Our cabinetry reflects furniture grade construction and finish quality. We have taken our furniture making expertise and extended this fine craftsmanship into creating kitchens and casework of the highest quality. The final outcome is highly refined cabinetry custom built to your space that you and your family will enjoy for a lifetime.
Your kitchen or casework project will be endowed with a pleasing balance of aesthetics and function. We will work closely with you to ensure that it is exactly what you want, carefully crafted from your choice of the finest solid woods and premium grade veneers.
Design
- Custom designed to your personal space
- 3-D CAD rendering and drafting services
- Full research services (appliances, plumbing fixtures, countertops, hardware, etc.)
- Creative designs for space utilization and energy efficiency
Fabrication
- Fully staffed state-of-the-art facilities
- Traditional methods of joinery
- Custom veneer work
- Hand carving
- Inlay & marquetry
- Custom turning
- Curved cabinetry
- Environmentally sound products and practices
Finishing
- Highly experienced in-house finish team
- Furniture quality finish
- Full spectrum finishes including hand rubbed oil, sprayed lacquer, varnish, paint, milk paint, and marine finishes
- Specialty techniques including distressing, crackling and faux finishing
- Custom samples & color matching
Site Installation
- Highly experienced and professional in-house installation team
- Support from in-house carpentry and/or trim crew when needed
- Portable shop trailer on site providing for a more efficient and less intrusive installation process
- Seamless integration with other trades including electricians, plumbers, painters, and appliance and countertop installers
- Dedicated to maintaining a clean and safe work environment
Project Management
- Accessible management team
- Coordination with other tradesmen
- Weekly client updates
- Photographic record keeping/updating
- Professional and efficient office staff
- Ensures project is delivered and installed to spec, on time and within budget
Please see our kitchen displays at:
264 Meadow Street
Rockport, ME
207-236-0745
47 Park Drive
Topsam, ME
207-725-7309 |
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Coastal Guest House 
The beautiful and rugged coast of Maine has many elegant and grand estates along its miles of shoreline. Over the years tradespeople here in the mid-coast have had the pleasure and opportunity to work on many of these distinguished properties. This work has helped shape our coastline and shape our craftsmen.
Phi recently renovated a building on one of these fine estates here in Camden. The property consists of a main house, a guest bungalow, a two car garage, a small shed, and on a different part of the land a barn and second garage. The original design of the main structures drew on the Arts & Crafts movement for inspiration and incorporated extensive landscaping and stone work.
When the new owners of the estate wanted more space for guests they decided to hire Dominic Mercadante to draw up renovation plans to convert the barn into a guest house. Phi was hired as the General Contractor to oversee the project and to produce the casework for the space including a full kitchen, a vanity, a built-in bookcase and built-in desk.
Over the course of the next few months the building was transformed from a utilitarian structure to a cozy and refined guest cottage.
Upon completion of the renovation work and the casework installation, the home owners turned their attention to furnishing the space. After a walk through the Carver Hill Gallery, where we were able to direct them to local artists and artisans and their work, the home owners commissioned Phi to design and build custom made beds and nightstands for the three upstairs bedrooms.
It was an enjoyable and rewarding project that added a touch of refinement to an already exquisite estate and utilized the full range of services that Phi has to offer. |
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 I hope that you enjoyed this edition of the Phi Newsletter and that despite the economic turmoil you all are weathering this well.
As we evaluate what we do, how we do it and who we partner with, we have chosen to move forward with confidence in Phi, in our fellow tradesmen, in our clientele and in our community - in the things that make us who we are. This is the time to learn and to share as a community of tradesmen, businesses and people with common interests, goals and needs. We have much to be thankful for living here in the mid-coast and we also have lots to share with others.
Recently my daughter Eliza reminded me about sharing with others. For her 8th birthday she asked her friends and family to not buy her any gifts; instead, she asked that they give to the Camden-Rockport Animal Rescue League. A good reminder for all of us.
Sincerely,
Michael
Michael Roy
Owner Phi Home Designs |
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Letterboard:
We had a wonderful response to our first newsletter and thought that we would share with you some quotes from some of the e-mails that we received:
"Just wanted to say "kudos" to you! This is absolutely stunning...beautiful layout and beautifully written. "
"Great newsletter! I've admired the work your company performs, upbeat and high quality. ...whenever I work with someone from your staff; it is in a very professional manner. You have to be congratulated on hiring top people."
"Just a quick note to say nice newsletter!
Looking forward to the monthly update."
"...the newsletter is fabulous."
"This is a good way to keep people current on your good work."
"Congrats on the newsletter, what a great idea, keep them coming and we can keep up with what you lovely guys are doing."
"Nice job on the newsletter."
"I got your new newsletter and it looks great."
"Nice job with this!" | |
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