Berkshire Record- Best of for 2014

MARCH 2014
THE
BERKSHIRE
RECORD
MAGAZINE
Best
2014
Treasures
the
berkshirerecord.net
of the Berkshires
TBRM The Best 2014
5
Pardon meX
The Best Of
HOME & DESIGN
A
X X
X
X
R
KS
ER
BE
E
D
X
HIRE RECO
KS
R
R
THE
BEST
B
X
X X XX
X
X
X
X
X
X X X
X
X
X XX X X X
X X X X
X
X X
X
X
X X X
X
X
2014
HIRE COU
R
I
X X XX
X XX XX
X
X
X
X
X X XX
X X XX
X X X
X X X X X X X X X XX
X
X X X
X X X XX X X X X
X X X
X XX XX
X
X
X
86
“ The home should be the treasure chest of living...” — Le Corbusier
TBRM The Best 2014
berkshirerecord.net
fter a lifetime of adventure travelling the
WORLD OF RECOVERING LOST TRIBES to date – the remaining half continues
its obstinance in refusing to be found),
salvaging lost languages, living among
indigenous people, and being made king of
an island nation, I have found myself in the
Berkshires. Thanks to my mentor sir Ethan
Morehouse, I have spent the past year exploring
this jewel of the North American continent,
delving into the community, partaking of the
shopping, dining, nightlife, arts & culture, and as
I stated, I have found nothing less than myself.
The old boy was always clever, and
generous—he forever had my best interests in
his heart. Even so, when he sent me here
TOÞNDONELASTREMAININGTREASURE
little did I realize that the treasure
WASTHE"ERKSHIRESITSELF)ÞNALLY
made the discovery when I
realized that I had no desire and
no intentions to ever leave. The
quality of life I’ve found here
forbids it. All of this in turn has
led me to the discovery of a new
John Edgar Barrington Sedgwick.
One who no longer feels the need
to roam the earth seeking lost treasures,
but who has found his treasure and seeks
only to domesticate himself within it.
3OHURRAHFOR(OME$ESIGN&OR)SHALLÞND
myself the perfect dwelling place and live out my
years enjoying the very things of which you have
BEENREADINGINTHISRECORD4HEONLYDIFÞCULTY
that remains is deciding where exactly I will
live and in what type of domicile. I’m perfectly
happy in a mud hut, but I fear the winter may
not be kind to the structure. Fortunately I need
only look, once again, to BRM’s Best of 2014
FORGUIDANCE&ORHEREINTHISÞNALCATEGORYIS
EVERYTHINGONENEEDSTOÞNDANDMAKEAHOME
From architects and real estate agents to paint
stores and window treatments, whether you want
to buy it or build it, your search has come, as
has mine, to an end.
berkshirerecord.net
PERSONAL BEST
Greg Ward
'REG 7ARD IS PRESIDENT OF 7ARDmS .URSERY )NC LOCATED
IN 'REAT "ARRINGTON Ø NATIVE OF 'REAT "ARRINGTON AND
A GRADUATE OF THE 5NIVERSITY OF .EW (AMPSHIRE 'REG
HAS OVER YEARS EXPERIENCE IN HORTICULTURE IN THE "ERKSHIRES
What are your favorite parts of the Berkshires?
My favorite parts are all the accessible, preserved properties. From Berkshire Botanical Garden, The Mount, Naumkeag, and the Great Barrington
Housatonic River Walk to more wild places, like Monument Mountain and
other Trustees of Reservations lands, the BNRC properties, Massachusetts
ØUDUBON0RESERVESASWELLASTHEØPPALACHIAN4RAILTHEYAREALLFAVORITES
What do you like best about doing business in the Berkshires?
I feel lucky to be able to do business in the Berkshires, to enjoy the natural
beauty of the area while hopefully helping others to enjoy it through our
business. I’ve lived here my whole life and it feels like I’ve already gone to
heaven.
What are some of your favorite pieces of advice for landscaping a home?
Take it slow. Plan your garden, yard or landscape. Think
about the mature sizes of what you want to use. Trees are
DIFÞCULTTOMOVEIFTHEYGETTOOBIGANDTRICKYTOKEEP
small. With a good plan, you’ll prevent later problems.
How about a business?
For a business, you want a long-term plan, too. But because
you also want to attract customers, make it bright and colorful.
Name some of your favorite gardens to visit in the Berkshires.
Well, I’ve already named some as favorite parts of the Berkshires but for
sure add Chesterwood. Also you don’t want to miss the opportunity to
visit gardens through the different summer Garden tours that showcase so
many special private gardens like The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days,
3PENCERTOWNmS(IDDEN'ARDEN4OURTHE0ITTSÞELD'ARDEN4OURAND,ENOX
Garden Tour among others. There are so many garden ideas to see and share.
What are some things you recommend to spruce up your landscape?
It’s amazing how much better your landscape looks once you have edged
the beds and mulched well around the plants. I like Buckwheat hulls the
best for mulch.
What can young couples on a budget do to landscape their homes?
Don’t forget that everything grows. So, starting with small plants (especially
SHRUBSORTREES
ISÞNEANDPERHAPSBETTER3MALLERPLANTSTENDTOESTABLISH
more successfully than larger ones and they cost less, too.
TBRM The Best 2014
87
BEST INTERIOR
DESIGNER
the
Best 20
2014
SUE SCHWARZ
3HEFÞELD
Clients’
Choice
HOME & DESIGN
BEST TOP SELLING
BROKER OF 2013
BEST TRUSTED REAL
ESTATE COMPANY
CHAPIN FISH OF WM.
BROCKMAN REAL ESTATE
Great Barrington
WHEELER & TAYLOR
REAL ESTATE
Great Barrington &
Stockbridge
Chapin Fish,
broker and
partner of wm.
Brockman Real
Estate, is the
powerhouse of
Berkshire County real estate.
No other real
estate broker
in the county sells more than
Chapin. Whether you’re looking
for a multi-million dollar estate
or a comfortable family home,
Chapin’s experience, expertise
ANDTRACKRECORDMAKEHIMTHEÞRST
choice. His innovative marketing
techniques and leading technology assures you success in buying,
selling or renting Berkshire County
real estate.
Phone: (413) 528-4859
BEST INTERNET
MARKETING
LANCE VERMUELEN
REAL ESTATE, INC
Great Barrington
As a local industry leader,
Lance Vermuelen Real Estate,
Inc., is a master
of designing
and developing
short- and longterm Internet
Lance Vermuelen. marketing campaigns. The Internet marketing team at Lance
Vermuelen Real Estate, Inc.,
works closely with their clients
to customize and develop effective Internet campaigns that
ARE SPECIÞCALLY TAILORED TO THEIR
clients’ needs. Utilizing the latest
in Internet technology, they can
locate prospects within a generic or
ASPECIÞCTARGETAUDIENCE,ANCE
Vermuelen Real Estate’s Internet
marketing team can help you successfully promote your Berkshire
County real estate on the Internet
today. By giving their clients the
best and most comprehensive
Internet marketing available in the
area, they are constantly exceeding
expectations and getting properties effectively listed and sold.
Phone: (413) 528-6011
88
TBRM The Best 2014
As a trusted Berkshire County
institution since 1871, Wheeler
and Taylor Realty is and has always
BEEN AN EXPERT AT REDEÞNING THE
local real estate industry standard.
For more than 140 years, Wheeler
and Taylor Realty has been helping
PEOPLEÞNDTHEIRIDEALPROPERTYS
homes, farms, lands and businesses, throughout Berkshire
County. Committed to excellence
and solid knowledge of the local
market, the real estate professionals at Wheeler and Taylor are well
known for providing over-the-top
service to all their clients. Whether
you’re thinking about buying or
selling a property in the Berkshires,
you need to look no further than
the Berkshires most trusted the
real estate company, Wheeler and
Taylor, the Berkshires Best Trusted
Real Estate company – since 1871.
Phone: (413) 528-1006
BEST FULL SERVICE
REAL ESTATE
COMPANY
BARNBROOK REALTY
Great Barrington
Mary White and
Maureen White
and their company Barnbrook
Realty have
been the driving force behind
South County
real estate over
the last 25 years.
Mary White.
Since 1984, the
company has diligently served clients in all aspects of residential and
commercial real estate. If you’re
looking for a company that can help
you with everything in Berkshire
#OUNTY REAL ESTATE FROM ÞNDING
buying, selling property as well as
relocation services, than Barnbrook
Realty is your complete, full-service
real estate company solution. No
other company in Berkshire County
can match their experience, connections and hardworking staff
and overall support network.
Phone: (413) 528-4423
Working with clients throughout
New York, Connecticut and the
Berkshires, Gallery315 HOME has
extensive expertise in interior design. Rave reviews support our philosophy of partnering with our clients and translating their vision into
comfortable, uncluttered homes.
We’ve helped clients update their
SPACESÞNDFURNITUREANDLIGHTING
re-upholster furniture that feels
“dated,” and integrate the old
with the new. In addition to hosting
free seminars on home design, Sue
Schwarz makes scheduled trips to
wholesale resources in NYC with
individuals and small groups of
area residents. Call to inquire and
to schedule your complimentary
home consultation.
Phone: (413) 917-701-3841
BEST UP & COMERS
ROSE BAUMANN
& CHUCK GILLETT
WHEELER & TAYLOR
REAL ESTATE
Great Barrington
As Berkshire
County natives,
Rose Baumann
and Chuck Gillett are well
on their way
to establishing
themselves in
the local real
estate scene.
With a solid
background in
sales and hospitality Rose
Baumann understands the
importance of
accentuating
the positive
aspects of each and every individual property. Chuck Gillett,
with a background in marketing
and is well versed in all aspects
of Berkshire County properties
and works to help both buyers
AND SELLERS ÞND THE PERFECT ÞT
Phone: (413) 528-1006
BEST FUEL COMPANY
KIMBALL FUELS
Great Barrington
You won’t get left out in the cold
next winter with Kimball Fuels, a
leader in home heating oil, diesel
fuel, propane and heating services.
Kimball Fuels has been warming
homes and businesses for many
years. Built on the strong tradition
of providing excellent products
ANDÞRSTRATECUSTOMERSERVICEIT
is no wonder that Kimball Fuels
is a leader in providing Berkshire
County full and part-time residents
with heating fuels. They also have
a 24-hour service department that
can repair, maintain and install a full
range of boilers, tanks and other
home heating related products.
Phone: (413) 528-1410
BEST #1 SELLING
REAL ESTATE AGENCY
IN BERKSHIRE COUNTY
BERKSHIRE
PROPERTY AGENTS
Great Barrington
What does it take to be number
one? It takes a lot of hard work,
determination and success. And
in Berkshire County that company
is Berkshire Property Agents. As
the county’s number one best
selling real estate agency, Berkshire Property Agents has sold
more real estate in 2013 than
any other real estate company.
The fact is, if you’re looking to
sell your Berkshire County property, there’s really only one choice
- Berkshire Property Agents.
Phone: 413-528-6800
BEST HISTORIC
HOME SPECIALISTS
ELYSE HARNEY REAL ESTATE
Salisbury, Conn.
If you’re looking for the ideal
historic home in the tri-state area,
Elyse Harney Real Estate should
BEYOURÞRSTANDONLYSTOP7ELL
known for their understanding
and unparalleled appreciation of
the area’s most desirable historic
homes, the real estate professionals at Elyse Harney Real Estate can
help even the most discerning buyERSÞNDTHATPERFECTHISTORICHOME
Stop by and see why they often
exceed customer expectations
and successfully maintain their
REPUTATIONASTHEBESTATÞNDING
buying and selling historic homes
throughout the tri-state region.
Phone: 860-435-2200
'REAT"ARRINGTONAND3HEFÞELD
Phone: (413) 717-7534
BEST SERVICE
IN REAL ESTATE
BEST HOME INSURANCE
WM. BROCKMAN
REAL ESTATE
Great Barrington
FRANK CONSOLATI
INSURANCE, INC.
Lee
Serving Berkshire County families since 1942, Frank Consolati
Insurance is a family-owned independent insurance company
WITH A SMALL EFÞCIENT STAFF THAT
focus on providing personalized
service to each individual client,
allowing customers to work with
the same experienced agent
throughout the process from
STARTTOÞNISH4HEYOFFERHOMEowners insurance, mobile home
insurance, renters insurance and
ßOOR INSURANCE AND BRING THEIR
71 years of experience to meeting the home insurance needs of
Berkshire families.
Phone: (413) 243-0105
BEST REAL ESTATE
BROKER
LISA BOUCHARD
KINDERHOOK
REAL ESTATE GROUP
3TOCKBRIDGE0ITTSÞELD
4HEÞRSTSTEPINÞNDINGYOURDREAM
home in the Berkshires, or selling
YOUR PROPERTY IS ÞNDING THE RIGHT
real estate company. One that gives
unparalleled and unmatched service
to their clients is essential. Here in
the Berkshires, that company is wm.
Brockman Real Estate. Founded
more than 35 years ago by Bill
Brockman and Jack Jefferson, the
ÞRMHASDILIGENTLYPRACTICED(ENRY
David Thoreau’s philosophy of “Be
true to your work, and your word,
and your friend.” And that rings
true today. Under the leadership
of Chapin Fish, Broker-Partner,
wm. Brockman Real Estate is just
as committed today to provide the
ÞNEST STAR PERSONALIZED SERVICE
in the Berkshires. If you’re looking
for a cutting-edge, authentic real
ESTATEÞRMWITHMARKETEXPERTISEAND
decades of success and experience
You should never worry about
running out of heating fuel.
Real Estate in the Berkshires
VIEW ALL OUR BERKSHIRE PROPERTIES AT WWW.ISGOODREALTY.COM
BEST NEW AGENT
."1-&"7&46*5&t(3&"5#"33*/(50/."
ȪȪ or email [email protected]
ELLE VILLETTO
LANCE VERMEULEN REAL ESTATE
Great Barrington
Born
and
raised in scenic
3HEFÞELD %LLE
Villetto grewup a native of
the Berkshires.
A graduate of
Mt. Everett
high school,
Elle went on to
attend the Sante Fe University of
Art and Design where she studied
art history. After completion in
1999, Elle moved to Austin, Texas
where she lived for ten years
and ran two successful women’s
retail fashion companies. In 2009,
she returned home with her
daughter, Evie, and was quickly
attracted to the Berkshires’
thriving real estate industry.
Now living in Lenox with Evie
and her son, Asher, Elle specializes in several Berkshire County
neighborhoods including Lenox,
berkshirerecord.net
KIMBALL FUELS. WE ALWAYS DELIVER.
'! !"%#$"(%&%% "&#"
berkshirerecord.net
Proudly Serving
The Berkshires
Since 1948
With QR reader on
your smart phone,
scan here to go to
our website to see
all our listings.
Like us on
TBRM The Best 2014
89
home & design
Z235
Clients’ Choice
NO INTEREST IF PAID IN FULL
WITHIN 12 MONTHS1 ON
SELECT SERIES,™ EZTRAK™
AND 100 SERIES LAWN TRACTORS
Interest will be charged to your account from
the purchase date if the purchase balance is
not paid in full within 12 months or if your
account is otherwise in default.
$2,499±
ŬKS97ZLQN:
ŬLQPRZHUGHFN
ŬPSKJURXQGVSHHG
Ŭ\HDURUKRXUEXPSHUWR
EXPSHUZDUUDQW\
SAVE BIG. DRIVE HAPPY.
X304
D140
ŬKSN:
KSN:
ŬLQPRZHUGHFN
Ŭ([FOXVLYHZKHHOVWHHULQJ
Ŭ\HDURUKRXUEXPSHUWR
EXPSHUZDUUDQW\
400 OFF
$
2
ŬKSN:
ŬLQPRZHUGHFN
Ŭ$XWRPDWLFWUDQVPLVVLRQ
Ŭ\HDURUKRXUEXPSHUWR
EXPSHUZDUUDQW\
100 OFF
$
2
JOHNDEERE.COM
Pittsfield Lawn & Tractor
1548 West Housatonic St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 443-2623
www.plt.com
Offer valid from March 4, 2014, until July 31, 2014. If the balance is not paid in full by the end of the 12-month promotional period, interest will be assessed from the original date of purchase. Available at
participating dealers. Subject to approved credit on a Revolving Plan account, a service of John Deere Financial, f.s.b. For commercial use only. Other special rates and terms may be available, including
financing for consumer use. Available at participating dealers. 2Offer valid from March 4, 2014, until July 31, 2014. Get $400 off an X304 Select Series model and $100 off the D140 model. Prices are
suggested retail prices only and are subject to change without notice at any time. Dealer may sell for less. Taxes, setup, delivery, freight and preparation charges not included. Attachments and implements
sold separately. Shown with the optional equipment not included in the price. Prices and models may vary by dealer. ±Manufacturer suggested list price. Starting-at price $2,499 on Z235 EZtrak Mower.
Taxes, setup, delivery, freight and preparation charges not included. Attachments and implements sold separately. Shown with the optional equipment not included in the price. Prices and models may vary
by dealer. *The engine horsepower and torque information are provided by the engine manufacturer to be used for comparison purposes only. Actual operating horsepower and torque will be less. Refer to the
engine manufacturer’s website for additional information. **Hour limitations apply and vary by model. See the LIMITED WARRANTY FOR NEW JOHN DEERE TURF AND UTILITY EQUIPMENT at JohnDeere.com and
JohnDeere.ca/TUwarranty for details. John Deere’s green and yellow color scheme, the leaping deer symbol and JOHN DEERE are trademarks of Deere & Company.
1
A0D03KKCU1A58871
A0D03KKCU1A58871-00406247
90
TBRM The Best 2014
BEST WEBSITE
LANCE VERMEULEN
REAL ESTATE
with a complete and comprehensive
solutions-based approach to your
next real estate transaction, call wm.
Brockman Real Estate today.
Web: berkshiresforsale.com
Phone: 413-528-4859
BEST TOP PRODUCER
TIM LOVETT,
BERKSHIRE
PROPERTY AGENTS
Great Barrington
Tim Lovett has
been and continues to be
a major part
of Berkshire
County’s real
estate growth.
As one of the
owners and a
broker at Berkshire Property Agents, Lovett is,
year after year, a consistent top
producer in his company and in
the county. Lovett’s individual annual sales place him consistently
in Berkshire County’s top 1% of
Realtors. Whether you’re looking
FOR A COMFORTABLE ÞRST OR SECOND
home or a luxury estate, Lovett’s
keen knowledge of the local real
estate market combined with his
company’s leading edge technology give him the ultimate tools
assuring that his clients will have
the best services when it comes
to buying or selling their home.
Phone: (413) 528-6800
BEST ARCHITECT
PAMELA SANDLER, AIA
Stockbridge
Pamela Sandler
has been working with clients
to create living
and working
spaces in the
Berkshires for a
quarter century.
Extremely wellversed in code
compliance and experienced in
the local permitting process, she is
registered in Massachusetts as well
as New York and Connecticut, and
has worked on every conceivable
project type, from residences of all
shapes and sizes to lodging, spa,
worship and well-being spaces. An
early adopter in the use of green
building materials and techniques,
her portfolio includes awardwinning historic preservation and
residential work that has been
published in Boston Magazine.
Phone: (413) 298-4227
When it comes to searching the
web for Berkshire County real
estate, there are many options
available. But if you’re looking
for the best designed and maintained website that has access to
THE ÞNEST LISTINGS THROUGHOUT THE
Berkshires, there’s only one site to
visit - lancerealestate.com. Designed with the end user in mind,
the website for Lance Vermeulen
Real Estate, Inc., is easy to navigate
and features mobile and smart
device versions as well. Once
on lancerealestate.com, you’ll
ÞND THEIR LATEST LISTINGS INCLUDING
residential, commercial, land, condos, multi-family, and rentals, and
also have access to all Berkshire
County MLS Listings. So, if you’re
searching for Berkshire County
real estate, there’s only one site
YOU NEED lancerealestate.com.
Phone: 413-528-6011
BEST REALTOR OF HARD
TO SELL PROPERTIES
TIM DONNELLY
Great Barrington
It might sound
easy to sell Berkshire County real
estate, but the
truth is that Tim
Donnelly is the
local Realtor
that many count
to sell some of
Tim Donnelly.
the Berkshires’
hardest to sell properties. With
his professional and steadfast
enthusiasm, Tim is successful
because he not only understands
his clients’ needs but also understands the market and sets
realistic prices to help sellers sell
their properties sooner than later.
“I work with my clients to manage expectations and set realistic
goals while at the same time present successful marketing of their
properties which yields results.”
Phone: (413) 528-1006
BEST REALTOR FOR
1ST TIME HOMEBUYERS
MARJI KEEFNER-WEST
Great Barrington
ØS A ÞRST TIME HOMEBUYER ONE
might feel intimidated by the
whole process of buying Berkshire
County real estate. Fear not, Marji
Keefner-West, with over 20 years
experience in Berkshire County,
is your practical and experienced
berkshirerecord.net
berkshirerecord.net
TBRM The Best 2014
91
home & design
Clients’ Choice
Realtor who specializes in working
WITHÞRSTTIMEHOMEBUYERS-ARJI
knows what it takes not only to
help buyers understand the buying
process, but to also feel comfortable throughout the process and
FULLYSATISÞEDWITHTHEENDRESULTS
Phone: (413) 528-1006
BEST DEVELOPMENT
AGENCY
BERKSHIRE
PROPERTY AGENTS
Great Barrington
If you’re planning to build in the
Berkshires, Berkshire Property
Agents is your complete solution
for both residential and commercial projects. They help you
throughout the entire process from
STARTTOÞNISH4HEYWORKDAILYWITH
local engineers, designers, architects and builders to achieve your
dream home. Berkshire Property
Agents can help you with any and
all aspects of a project and have
the expertise and experience to
back it up. Call them today if you’re
planning to build in the Berkshires.
Phone: 413-528-6800
BEST SECOND HOME
SPECIALIST
BARBARA SCHULMAN
Great Barrington
Barbara excels
AT ÞNDING THE
right vacation
home in the
Berkshires for
her clients. She
is dedicated,
focused and in
tune with their
needs and concerns. She has a strong record
of successfully matching her
discerning buyers with properties which will be perfect for
them., always keeping in mind
the property attributes which are
IMPORTANT TO THEMcLOCATION
price, home style, necessary square
footage and the like. She has a
proven success rate and would
love to hear from new clients.
Phone: (413) 298 3786
BEST REAL
ESTATE TEAM
DAVID WALKER-PRICE
& MELISSA JACOBS
Great Barrington
David Walker- Price and Melissa
Jacobs of Wheeler and Taylor Realty are a team with over forty
four years of proven experience.
They are savvy top producers
with extensive knowledge of the
Southern Berkshire real estate
market. Both sellers and buyers
have greatly appreciated their
sophisticated and ultimately successful approach in helping to
achieve their real estate goals. Both
David and Melissa are well travelled
ex-urbanites who have solid roots
in this beautiful part of the world.
Phone: (413) 528-1006
BEST PROPERTY
MANAGEMENT
BERKSHIRE
PROPERTY AGENTS
Great Barrington
Berkshire Property Agents manages Berkshire County residential
and commercial properties with
the highest standard of professionalism and attention to personal
service. Berkshire Property Agents
handles everything from general
maintenance to weekend party
production. They can help you.
Phone: 413-528-6800
BEST REALTOR FOR
HOMEBUYERS THAT
WANT TO RENT
THEIR HOME
CLAUDIA LASLIE
Great Barrington
Have you considered buying and
then renting your home? Well look
no further. Specializing in second
and vacation homes along with
the associated rental of that property, Claudia Laslie acts as liaison
between tenant and homeowner.
Managing both vacation sales
and long-term rentals since 2005.
For more information, please call
Claudia Laslie today.
Phone: (413) 528-1006
BEST REALTOR FOR NEW
MARLBOROUGH
FREDDY FRIEDMAN
Great Barrington
New Marlborough, a township of
ÞVEVILLAGESISAGREATPLACETHAT
MANYÞRSTANDSECONDHOMEOWNers love to call home and are
passionate about the seclusion
the area offers. This passion for
New Marlborough real estate is
embodied by Freddy Friedman.
As both a resident and expert in
New Marlborough real estate,
Freddy Friedman knows the local real estate market well and
can help almost any buyer with
small, medium or large budgets
ÞNDTHEPROPERTYOFTHEIRDREAMS
throughout New Marlborough.
Phone: (413) 528-1006
BEST REALTOR
FOR LAND USE,
CONSERVATION
& DEVELOPMENT
JONATHAN HANKIN
Great Barrington
Buying or selling land in Berkshire
County takes a Realtor with expertise and hands-on experience
in land use, building and zoning.
Jonathan Hankin, with over 35
years experience in architecture
and real estate, is considered one
OFTHEBESTWHENITCOMESTOÞNDing and acquiring land throughout
Berkshire County. The fact is, no
other Realtor has the knowledge or
insight into land and land development. If you’re considering buying
land in the Berkshires, whether for
farming, building a new home, or
development, then the person you
NEEDTOCALLÞRSTIS*ONATHAN(ANKIN
Phone: (413) 528-1006
BEST ONE PERCENTER
CHRISTIAN DECKERT
Great Barrington
Hailing from Berlin, Germany,
Christian Deckert has lived in Berkshire County since 2000. He studied
Hotel & Restaurant Management
in Lower Saxony while living on
the East Frisian Island. After living in the Cotswolds in England
he moved to the Berkshires to
work at Wheatleigh and Pearl’s
before joining Berkshire Property
Agents in 2008. Based on his annual sales, Christian is part of the
elite 1% club where his sales rank
him in the top 1% of all Berkshire
County real estate professionals. If
you haven’t met Christian yet, you
just might spot Christian around
town in his cream colored vintage
Mercedes Benz or on his Ducati
motorcycle as he’s off on his way to
another closing. The fact is, Christian moves fast so you can, too.
Phone: (413) 841-2813.
supplies, tools, pottery, and fertilizer, among other garden needs.
Phone: (413) 528-0166
BEST POOL
CONSTRUCTION CO.
AQUA POOLS
Berkshire County
moving and shipping necessities - they also have the
knowhow to hook you up with
just what you’re looking for,
and make sure you know how
to use it properly for whatever
job or event you need it for.
Phone: (413) 528-1770
When it comes to designing and
building your custom dream
pool, Aqua Pool is your total pool
construction solution with over
44-years of experience. Working
with you every step of the way
from the planning, designing and
permitting phases throughout
the construction of your custom
pool, the professionals at Aqua
Pool are there to help and guide
you every step of the way. And
remember, behind every great
home is an Aqua Pool. It is not
just the company’s slogan, it’s how
you’ll feel in your new Aqua pool.
Phone: (800) 722-2782
BEST PLUMBING
BEST RENTAL SERVICES
3OUTHÞELD
.AMEDNOTFORTHEßOWERBUT
for the love of the work, PasSIONßOWERmSDONATIONGARDENS
ANDWILDßOWERSIN3OUTHÞELD
as well as her work in private
gardens and lush planters
around the Southern Berkshire
region and Westchester County, N.Y., are a vivid testament to
their careful and quality work.
0ASSIONßOWERDOESEVERYTHING
TAYLOR RENTAL
Great Barrington
They’ve got a phrase over
AT 4AYLOR 2ENTAL 2ENT THE
equipment, keep the advice.
Not only do these guys have
just about any equipment
you could possibly want to
rent - from contracting and
contruction vehicles to wedding and party equipment to
LEPREVOST
Lee
/VERSATISÞEDCUSTOMERSARE
REASONENOUGHTOßUSHYOURWORRIES
down the drain when you’ve got the
professionals at LePrevost handling
your plumbing needs. For the past
16 years, they’ve been offering
nationally-recognized oustanding
service to seasonal and year-round
Berkshire residents.
Phone: (413) 243-1777
BEST LANDSCAPE
DESIGN
PASSIONFLOWER
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS
OF CREATING QUALITY, TIMELESS
ARCHITECTURE AND RELATIONSHIPS
31 Main Street Stockbridge MA 01262
413.298.4227
www.sandleraia.com
BEST NURSERY
WARD’S NURSERY
Great Barrington
Supplying gardeners in the Berkshires, eastern New York, and northwestern Connecticut, Ward’s grows
over 1,400 perennial selections
and 700 different houseplants.
Founded in 1957, they opened
a new garden center as recently
as 2010, becoming more energy
EFÞCIENTANDSUSTAINABLEINTHEPROcess. They also carry soil, seeding
Pilling
Landscaping
'(6,*1‡&2168/7$7,21‡&216758&7,21‡0$,17(1$1&(
The choice of home owners, contractors,
architects and garden lovers since 1981.
92
3HUHQQLDO*DUGHQV‡7UHHV‡)RXQGDWLRQ3ODQWLQJ‡6WRQH:DONV‡:DOOV
3DWLRV‡&RQWDLQHUV‡5HWDLQLQJ:DOOV‡5RFN*DUGHQV
:DWHUIDOOV3RQGV‡/DZQV‡/LJKWLQJ
Serving Massachusetts, New York & Connecticut
413-298-5112 | www.PillingLandscaping.com
TBRM The Best 2014
P.O. Box 688
5WH6KHIÀHOG0$
berkshirerecord.net
berkshirerecord.net
$322/EHUN[QHZLQGG
TBRM The30
Best 2014 93
7 BEST REASONS TO JOIN BERKSHIRE FUNCTINAL FITNESS
We’re told the best realtors are easy to recognize.
1 / START WITH AN AMAZING SCREENING PROCESS.
2 / YOU WON’T FEEL INTIMIDATED.
3 / YOU’LL BE EDUCATED & EMPOWERED.
4/ YOU’LL LOVE THE COMFORTABLE SETTING.
5 / 24-HOUR ACCESS.
6 / OUR TRAINERS ARE TOP OF THEIR FIELD.
7/ OUR MACHINES ARE SPECIAL: STATE-OF-THE-ART HUMAN SPORT® EQUIPMENT.
Great Barrington
333 Main Street
413-528-1006
Dale Abrams
Rose Bauman
Tim Donnelly
Berkshire Functional Fitness / 325 Stockbridge Rd #3 / Great Barrington, MA 01230 / 413.528.0067
Connect with us on Facebook / email @ [email protected]
106 TBRM The Best 2014
At least, that’s what clients tell us after working with Wheeler & Taylor Real Estate agents.
It must be the way they listen to clients’ needs. Maybe it’s the agents ability to understand the
community, since they live here and recommend the best marketing strategy for properties.
Maybe it’s because they find buyers the perfect house at the best price. Of course, they’ve been
doing it for over 143 years, so it’s no wonder they are so good at it. Give them a call or stop into
the offices. The realtors are easy to recognize by their smile and willingness to serve you so well.
berkshirerecord.net
berkshirerecord.net
Real Estate
wheelerandtaylor.com
Freddy Friedman
Chuck Gillett
Douglas Goudey
Jonathan B. Hankin
Dorian Held
Richard S. Jackson, Jr.
Melissa Jacobs
Marji Keefner-West
Claudia Laslie
Stockbridge
44 Main Street
413-298-5584
Barbara Schulman
David Walker-Price
TBRM The Best 2014 107