At the Canzanese home in Chester County, the barn is a place for party animals, where holiday celebrations last months, from that first slice of Thanksgiving turkey to that last sip of champagne in the wee hours of New Year’s Day. And though it may be as lofty as a traditional barn, this hub for entertaining is outfitted with such niceties as board-and-batten siding, a simulated slate roof, and natural stone veneer inside and out.
A geothermal system keeps the 5,000-square-foot space consistently cozy in winter and cool in summer. Hand-forged, hammered-iron chandeliers twinkle above reclaimed oak flooring. “The reclaimed floor and walls were a game changer,” homeowner Vince Canzanese says. “There’s just a very different feeling when you walk in—and the cathedral ceiling is incredible.”
At Christmas, the barn truly shines, with sparkling trees in the main living space and the loft above the kitchen. Mary Canzanese brings in a team from Terrain in Glen Mills to install seasonal plants and décor.
“We put different woods in the fireplace, according to the season,” says Vince. “Birch pops more. Oak burns longer and hotter, so that’s better for a winter fire.”
Canzanese envisioned a wide-open, welcoming space defined by timber framing, a centuries-old method of fitting heavy timbers with joints secured by large wooden pegs. “It has the ability to create soaring expanses and incorporate massive timbers,” says B&D Builders’ Daniel Glick. “The result is an amazing feeling of freedom.”
The family can accommodate up to 130 guests in the party barn and on the adjoining patio with an outdoor fireplace. Thanks to its open-concept design, it’s a flexible space. For Thanksgiving, they set up a banquet table for 24, serving everyone buffet style. For New Year’s Eve, the couple hosted an intimate catered dinner for 14.
“The reclaimed floor and walls were a game changer. There’s just a very different feeling when you walk in—and the cathedral ceiling is incredible.”
—Homeowner Vince Canzanese
At Christmas, the barn truly shines, with sparkling trees in the main living space and the loft above the kitchen. Mary Canzanese brings in a team from Terrain in Glen Mills to install seasonal plants and décor, taking it up a notch with her own personal touches. Club chairs have fluffy fleece throws, and a huge sectional sofa is positioned for conversations beside a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. “We put different woods in the fireplace, according to the season,” says Vince. “Birch pops more. Oak burns longer and hotter, so that’s better for a winter fire.”
A geothermal system keeps the 5,000-square-foot space consistently cozy in winter and cool in summer.
His favorite feature is the roof’s illuminated cupola. “We have Lutron lighting, so I can control all of it from the main house,” he notes. “I can light up the eaves with red and green and other colors to easily decorate for the holidays.”
As much as the Canzaneses enjoy the party barn, they do appreciate retiring to the main house after they bid farewell to their guests. “It’s so nice to be able to have our event, go to bed, then come back and clean up the next day,” Vince says.
B&D Builders
34 S. Vintage Road, Paradise, Pennsylvania, (717) 687-0292, banddbuilders.com
Vintage Millwork & Restoration
34 S. Vintage Road, Paradise, Pennsylvania, (717) 407-5880, vintagemillworkrestoration.com
Vintage Wood & Forged Iron
8 Township Drive, Paradise, Pennsylvania, (717) 844-2270, vintagewoodandforgediron.com
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