The design team at Deb Stone Interiors was called upon by Mayor Joseph Yanuzzi and airport director Dominic Yanuzzi to express their vision of modernizing this city owned airport that had not been updated since the 1960’s.  Their focus was to provide a place for the community to gather while also attracting executives, with its easy access to surrounding companies, and serving as the first impression of the city.

With materials and construction funded by donations, this project required a phased execution.  The first phase included the creation of a rejuvenating pilot’s lounge with desirable amenities that would attract pilots to return to the airport.

The pilot’s lounge incorporates a work and flight planning station, a well-appointed refreshment station and comfortable lounge seating.  A metal trey ceiling with blue cove lighting further enhances this restful and revitalizing atmosphere.

A dedication ceremony for the Pilot’s lounge was held on October 30, 2015 where volunteers and donors were recognized.   At the dedication, Gottstein Corporation was honored as a prime financial contributor to the airport renovation project.  Deb Stone Interiors designed the dedication plaque befitting of the interiors, which is mounted on the wall at the lounge.  

Our conceptual design of the terminal building including the lobby, offices, restrooms and a visitor’s lounge was presented to guests at the dedication event.  We look forward to the ongoing renovations and being a part of this exciting transformation.

This project we are particularly proud of, delivering a significant impact with a low financial outlay.   When the executives of this established rehabilitation organization were prepared to make current the outdated lobby, we were delighted that they looked to Deb Stone Interiors for a fresh & modern transformation.

The building lobby had wonderful bones: a floating staircase, two story glass windows, high ceilings, stone walls and a unique leather covered wall as a backdrop on both floors.  An existing rock and plant garden was positioned at the base of the stair and served as a transition to the vista through the massive, two-story floor to ceiling windows.  

Our solution was to open up the space by removing an unoccupied reception station and replacing the pink VCT with durable, low maintenance vinyl tile.  The new tile floor, with its limestone aesthetic, offered a clean and cohesive appearance that paired well with the natural stone walls.  

In addressing the existing worn and damaged leather walls, we were fortunate that we were able to refurbish this distinctive feature of the original building.  We finished the walls off by replacing the vinyl base with a thoughtfully designed dark stained wood base and capped it with a coordinating crown molding.  To add prominence to the elevator doors we applied a warm metallic paint and framed the opening with a wood casing.

We selected accent pieces, lamps & accessories to coordinate with their existing soft seating.  To enhance and marry the contiguous window from 1st to 2nd floor, we added a valance and full length, warm-hued fabric panels that appear to go through the floor.

Our purposefully appointed design approach, in taking advantage of existing qualities of the space and adding carefully selected finishes and accouterments, resulted in a Zen-like atmosphere that is both tranquil and welcoming.

This non-profit industrial/economic development corporation has been serving the Greater Hazleton Business Community for over 50 years.   Can Do called on Deb Stone Interiors to update their existing Hazleton landmark, 4-story office building.  

We de-constructed and converted an unused lobby reception station into a welcoming lounge & casual meeting area.   Adding prominence to the lounge, a floating ceiling was designed to include accent lighting which highlights and honors past & present board Chairmen of this industrial development company.  A custom millwork display cabinet was seamlessly added to feature a bronze bust of the founding President.   

We integrated the Can Do logo into a custom designed wall covering which serves as a media wall backdrop when needed.  

The renovation also included the challenge of constructing a new ADA restroom in a small space that contained a structural column.  The result was a design which is both accessible & unique.

This 2nd floor lobby with its existing glass rail opens up into a soaring three-story atrium that houses the main building entrance; therefore we developed a new paint and finishes palette that encompasses the entire space.  We further married new custom sconces flanking the full height atrium windows with the tile-clad radius soffit designed at the 2nd floor. New furniture, plants and accessories complete the space.

We have been fortunate to establish a continuing relationship with the Can Do team responding to their evolving interior design needs.

Tommy & Bobby Trella celebrated the Grand Opening of their new banquet facility, Capriotti's Palazzo, located in McAdoo, PA, in January 2012. The design-build project with Watkins Architects, Heim Construction Company and Deb Stone Interiors, allowed this growing family-owned and operated business to expand its catering services. The new facility may seat 375 guests or serve multiple parties concurrently.   This new location boasts a generously sized kitchen which offers the opportunity for the owners to prepare for multiple in-house events, while also catering functions off-site.

The 9,800 square foot facility houses a large banquet hall with folding partitions, as well as a bridal room and conference room to accommodate smaller parties. Restrooms are elegantly appointed with refined finishes and graceful arched soffits. Design inspiration for this project was drawn from the owners’ Italian American heritage.  When entering the lobby, a large scale porcelain floor tile reminiscent of natural stone surrounds a mosaic floor tile inset. The lobby boasts an elevated coffered ceiling with a striking tiffany pendant. Both textured and floral wall coverings grace the lobby walls. Centered between the banquet hall entrances rests a full height painted wood paneled fireplace, where bridal parties often gather for photographs and serves as the focal point of the space. Use of wrought iron, gentle arches and muted earth tones in the materials specified throughout the banquet facility is a nod to a Tuscan aesthetic, refined to modern day design and function.

With over 100 schools nationwide, Empire Education prides itself on having a fashion and industry "edge," therefore it was critical that the design and palette for the new space be current and creative, while drawing people and their ideas into the space. A sense of openness was established within the new 32,000 square foot, two-story structure through the use of exposed ceilings, glass walls and selection & positioning of finish materials. Floor finish patterns were extended from perimeter executive offices and conference rooms through glass partitions peeking into corridors inviting to those circulating through the space. 

The company's core purpose and core values appear forthright (carved and back-lit in the wood stringer at the lobby) as well as subtly throughout the offices in the palette of warm tones, and selection and positioning of finish materials. The design impact is comfortable, yet active, and timeless, yet current; responding to the company's longevity and need to maintain an "edge" in the fashion industry, as an educator whose graduates gain self-sufficiency through their studies. 

The design-build team included Watkins Architects, LTD. & Heim Construction Company along with Deb Stone Interiors.   Heim Construction Company received the Award of Excellence for Commercial Construction by the Eastern Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors for this new addition to the existing corporate offices.

The Pedestrian Bridge project was born of an enterprise between private entities from a combined vision, collaboration, and desire to pay homage to the City of Hazleton.   From concept through completion, the structure is perceived as the beginning of a new downtown initiative that links private entities to the community toward the development of pedestrian traffic, business enhancement and Broad Street as an urban destination.
 
The designers at Deb Stone Interiors worked closely with architects and engineers at Joseph Rominski Architecture to design a dramatic connection leading from the City-owned parking garage to the Hayden Towers and Trader’s Bank Building, and ultimately to Broad Street businesses.  The pedestrian bridge passes over a railroad at one leg and over Wyoming Avenue at another leg.  The use of full-height glass and a wedge shaped seating area provides reason for pedestrians take pause and experience views of the City’s activity from above.

The interior finishes were specified with a natural and modernistic aesthetic in mind, respecting the dominant structural elements with color, while incorporating organic textures and natural hues to soften the geometric shapes.

A furniture, art and accessory package is currently in development that will further enhance the pedestrian experience, while complimenting the structure and completing the space.

We were approached by first time business owners Karen Walsh-Emma & her husband Joseph Emma, who were inspired by the Pittston revitalization efforts, to assist them with creating a unique retail environment.  They chose a Main Street corner location in a newly renovated historic building, requiring adherence to construction standards established by the building owner.

We maintained an open retail floor plan with a substantial, carefully placed, multi-functioning transaction station as its focal point, with the business’s logo as its centerpiece.  This station was designed to be efficient when manned by one worker, yet ample enough to accommodate several staff members.  It houses towering display shelves over the beverage service area, a point of sale counter, and giftwrapping area.  An important component was to allow the customer to be a part of the experience and make visible the tea preparation process.  It was our design intent to accomplish all this while concealing the utilitarian functions and maintaining the staff ‘s clear view of the entire store.  

Taking advantage of the downtown presence, customers may sit and take in the activity of the Main Street through the floor to ceiling windows, from comfortable upholstered chairs, resting beverages on stained wooden electrical spool “tables.”  We further enhanced this industrial aesthetic with wire light pendants hanging overhead from corrugated metal ceilings.

We developed a floor plan creating an easy to navigate space that invites its customers to meander comfortably revealing its carefully chosen merchandise. We partnered with the store owners in selecting new and repurposed display fixtures, which gave the space an organized and eclectic feel.

As the final layer to this multifaceted retail space, we worked along side Karen & Joe to prepare the store for opening by assisting with the merchandising aspect.  We accomplished this by displaying products using elements of design such as balance, texture, rhythm, and scale.  Upon completion, this formerly empty retail storefront was transformed into a cozy and welcoming space that this family envisioned.

New finishes, furniture, lighting and accessories were selected for the Lobby of this revitalized Historic Building in downtown Hazleton.  Wonderfully preserved, this 11-story skyscraper was built in 1910, with renovations in 1923 and 1928.

The building’s overall form and classical detailing were meant to communicate professionalism, solidity and longevity. The owner’s intent was to create a grand entrance that would respect the architecture of the original bank building, thus the annex was built adjacent to the historic structure. Two penetrations through the building’s exterior were made from the new annex to serve as entrances through either the original lobby or the new restaurant.

The integrity of the building’s exterior was very much a consideration and influence for the interior treatment of the Lobby. This influence is readily detected upon entering the space.  Thoughtfully designed architectural features enhance and provide continuity throughout the space. Classic, rich elements exist in balance with the curvilinear, winding lines created by changes in flooring and ceiling materials. The stained wood panel wainscot, high coffered ceilings, and wooden pilasters harmonize with the elliptically-shaped reception desk.

The floor plan created encourages multiple seating groupings for a variety of uses with a grand fireplace as its welcoming focal point.  The overall atmosphere created is one that is sophisticated, timeless and inviting.

Jewelry store owners, Alison and Charlie Sophy, have been meeting the fine jewelry needs of the Schuylkill County Community with a family owned and operated business since 2003.  In 2011, the Sophy’s decided to move their retail store from a local mall to Coal Creek Plaza located in St. Clair, a new, highly visible and accessible setting for several locally owned retail stores and eateries. The design-build project with Heim Construction Company & Deb Stone Interiors sought to benefit from its corner location with plentiful windows to display sparkling merchandise to shoppers and passersby.

The project was one with an aggressive schedule, beginning in June of 2011 and opening by Thanksgiving. Alison & Charlie Sophy had very diverse thoughts on the design aesthetic; Charlie, with an appreciation of antiquities, and Alison, with a longing for modern design. The design team established a concept that met both owners’ sensibilities in the use of a variety of materials articulated with espresso stained traditional wood panels at the point of sale area to coordinate with the modern wenge wood jewelry display cabinets.  

A gentle serpentine transition from a limestone-like porcelain floor tile at the entry to the elegant swirl-patterned carpet draws customers into an elegant retail space. Glass beaded wall covering is the backdrop for the exquisite gemstone images printed on metal panels and floating inside painted wood frames.   At the diamond counter, a slate veneer fools the eye for its perceived mass while a sleek electric fireplace framed with pearl mosaic tiles and dark wood creates a warm environment for this area, where promises are made over the selection of an engagement ring.

The VIP room is further appointed with old and new including an expandable server with a punched metal panel front, glass table with overlapping chrome rings base, and a plush settee with pearlized pillows. Displayed on the wall over the settee, rests Charlie’s antique photo of “Old Pottsville,” which is a favorite among Sophy Jewelers’ customers.

The owners of the new Pines Eatery and Spirits were inspired by the former Knotty Pine Restaurant, known for its homemade dishes and presence in the community for over 70 years.  It was their goal to establish a refreshing feeling of familiarity while offering an upbeat place to gather in the prospering downtown.

Deb Stone Interiors was brought in to create a contemporary and unified design by respecting the historical architectural elements of the building, combining the nostalgia of the original Knotty Pine, and capturing the diverse activity in this urban setting.

Located on the 1st floor of the Hayden Towers, the existing tenant space boasts 23-foot high ornate, restored plaster ceilings and two original bank vaults.  We reworked the floor plan and removed interior walls to open up the dining room to provide a cozy nostalgic seating area.  We utilized the existing carpeting and chairs, and incorporated built-in custom upholstered booths and new table tops.  A structure separating bar dining from open dining with movable resin panels was added to provide flexibility to accommodate a variety of events.  Custom millwork and new millwork details were designed to integrate with the existing architecture.

Sophia Byorek, former proprietor of the Knotty Pine, hung her various painted art pieces created throughout her lifetime within her restaurant.  The owners of The Pines Eatery & Spirits wished to honor Mrs. Byorek by incorporating her art in the design.  We seized the opportunity of the new restaurant’s soaring ceilings by enlarging Sophia’s original artwork and showcasing them to "pop" against vibrant painted walls.

Signage:
Assisting with and following the newly established brand and logo, the Deb Stone Interiors team provided both exterior & interior signage design & installation.

Conference & Mezzanine:
Upon the restaurant’s opening, it became evident to the owners that an expansion was needed to accommodate banquets and meeting requests.  We elevated the palette and design to this unadorned and underutilized mezzanine space.  Architectural elements, paint, new carpet, murals & graphics, along with furniture & accessories were all added
to create warmth, depth and interest.

Nestled in the foothills of St Clair, PA, this 4,000 square foot prime retail space in the newly constructed Coal Creek Plaza was the perfect setting for this unique restaurant & pizzeria to pay homage to the area’s historic past.

This blank canvas afforded the opportunity to tie in the distinctive coal-fired food preparation process with Schuylkill County’s anthracite mining roots.  We used both galvanized and painted metal elements throughout the restaurant in decorative as well as structural forms. Painted exposed ceilings serve as a backdrop for industrial pendant lights, while decorative glass pendants accent the black galaxy granite bar & takeout counters. At the perimeter, functional track heads suspended from irregularly shaped, colorful soffits are directed at framed photographs highlighting the mining history of the area including the crowned “Miss Anthracite,” in full royal attire.

Diners are offered a variety of seating options which include cozy upholstered booths at different heights to take advantage of the restaurant’s overall experience.  Penny-colored wire mesh curtains subtly obscure the view of the bar area where patrons may await their dining table or watch sporting events on one of the large flat screen panels positioned above the bar.

The restaurant’s focal point is the massive, stone coal oven, with its warm neutral tones and enveloping flames, which may be seen throughout the space from its central location.  A dining area is positioned adjacent to the oven, where VIPs may observe the preparation of their meals and interact with the chef.

2012

Success of the restaurant since its opening in 2010 led to an expansion of an outdoor seating area in 2012.  The DSI design team carried our established interior palette to the exterior with the design and implementation of custom canvas canopies.  We further enhanced the evening dining experience with ambient lighting for a casual and active atmosphere.

2013

Continued success of the restaurant necessitated a 1,500 square foot banquet room addition in 2013.   The owner’s goal was two-fold; providing an open, flexible, and more formal dining space to accommodate a growing clientele, while offering a diverse venue for multiple functions and private parties.  We kept the ceilings open and designed decorative wall treatments that supported the acoustical needs in this high volume space. We conveyed the client’s inspiration of Italian icons with the use of plush carpeting, dark wall finishes and selective artwork, giving the new space a refined feeling of old Hollywood.

The Culinary Arts Building was constructed in 2013 as a new entity to the Luzerne County Community College campus, designed by SDA Architects, Scranton, in conjunction with GPI Engineers, Scranton, and Deb Stone Interiors.  This “new build,” two-story 22,500 square foot educational facility is located in the downtown area of Nanticoke, PA, just 1 mile from the campus proper.

While the primary function of the center is to house classrooms and faculty offices, teaching kitchens occupy a large portion of the footprint.  An integral component of the culinary arts educational experience is hands-on, where students apply coursework learned in the classroom directly to the kitchen setting mastering the use of equipment and tools essential to this profession.  Thus, fully operational teaching kitchens were vital for faculty instruction and the students’ practical experience in food preparation, creative presentation of main courses, baking and pastry arts, and restaurant management training.  At the teaching kitchens, designers specified materials and finishes that were both durable and sanitary, with lively textures, patterns and color to compliment the stainless steel equipment dominant in these areas. Safety was a critical factor of the materials specified here, which was fundamental to the design.

The designers at Deb Stone Interiors were called upon to assist with space planning and developing a design that would speak to the students and faculty, as well as to visitors.  The use of natural light and unique architectural detailing were sought for this location, given its presence in the business district.  Abundant natural light filters through the building with the use of interior windows
and transoms. Light permeates into the student lounge space from skylights above energizing the space where students gather between classes. 

The College requested a dining room and entry where the community may visit to have a restaurant experience and enjoy cuisine prepared by the students.  A dramatic entrance to the dining room was created with an amoebic-shaped vaulted ceiling highlighted by pendant lights at the guest lobby.  An elegant hostess area containing a circular window which frames an artichoke-shaped pendant positioned overhead adds further drama in the guest area.

An overall palette was developed that fosters activity and appetite.  Organic textural patterns serve as the backdrop for enlarged imagery of colorful fruits and vegetables throughout the building.  At the classrooms, punches of color were achieved in the floor finish patterns and in the furniture textile selections.

In addition to classrooms, faculty offices, and lounges, a modern auditorium space was constructed, featuring a demonstration kitchen as the focal point, where culinary events are conducted and community-based televised programming is filmed. The objective of this space was to promote community involvement in the educational culinary experience.
The designers at Deb Stone Interiors were further sought to assist administration & faculty with the selection of furniture that was functional and durable.  The overall impact resulted in a lively and spirited environment that evokes the art and passion of the profession they are there to share and achieve.