In their Words: with the Tennant Family

We recently sat down with Justin and Brooke Tennant of Venetia, PA to speak about their most recent outdoor project.

How many projects have you trusted PSW with to this point?

We’ve trusted PSW with two major projects to this point. The most recent including a pool and covered patio with fireplace and outdoor kitchen.

Why do you continue to trust PSW for your new living spaces?

We’ve trusted PSW because of their quality of work. Also, their project management. They are one of the only companies that can do everything you want them to do. The other companies that we interviewed could only do the pool, or only do the patio, PSW could do it all and they have a great design team as well.

How did PSW work with you to create your vision?

We had somewhat of a vision of what we wanted, and they really helped us take it over the finish line. We showed them some pictures of some other work that we liked, and they were able to work with us to piece it together and make it our own.

Before breaking ground, how confident were you that you would get what you wanted?

They took us through a pretty detailed design process. From early vision talk, to showing pictures, they put a couple of design options together for us through their computer software. It was really nice as it showed the details of our house, and it was able to show us the design incorporated into the house even before the house was built.

It really gave us comfort that they knew what we wanted and were able to deliver it in the end.

You started this process before your home was built? What we’re the benefits of getting PSW involved that early in the process?

Justin: Yes, the biggest benefit for us was that we we’re able to get all of the construction done at once. We didn’t have to make any special plans to work around finished items such as a paved driveway and they we’re able to get all of the equipment on and off site with no hassles. It made it easy on them and it really made it easy on us in the long run.

Brooke: The benefit of doing the construction while the house was being constructed was that a lot of the big work, such as the digging of the pool, was done before we moved in. Once we we’re here, it was mostly finishing work. It worked out really well for us timing wise.

How do you feel the project fits with the overall look and feel of the house?

That's another big benefit of working with PSW's design team. We were able to go back to our home builder and talk to them about what we were planning on doing outside and make sure we had everything in line and really coordinate between the two companies to ensure everything fit together perfectly.

If the option was there, how beneficial would it have been to have PSW build both your home and your outdoor living space?

The more you can work with one company, the less stressful it is, the better it is, especially if you trust that the company can do everything, in one package, very well.

That’s hard to find in the market, but anytime you’re going through a complex build, like we just went through, the less people you need to work with, the better.

Now that you’ve lived here for a while, what would your life be like if you had not included this outdoor space?

Brooke: We would spend a lot less time outside, for sure.

Justin: Yeah, we moved into this house in the Spring, and even though we built a beautiful home, the outside has really been the focus all throughout Summer. We’ve entertained out here, and we get a lot of compliments on how beautiful it is out here. It has been the center of the project so far.

When entertaining, what do guests typically notice first?

They tend to notice the grand scale of the project. The pavilion, the fireplace, the pool. They really like the pavers, more specifically the size of the pavers. We really wanted to go for a Californian style. We used a lot of turf features in the pool design and that is not something you typically see in Pittsburgh.

Why did you decide to go with the Californian style? How was it working as a couple to design the space?

Brooke: We’ve traveled a lot to the West Coast and really like that lifestyle. We saw a few homes with pools and outdoor spaces that we really liked, so we knew from the very beginning that was the style that we wanted to bring. For the two of us, we were both on the same page as far as the design and the elements that we wanted to see in our backyard.

Justin: I think we’re lucky in that we both have a very similar palette when it comes to design so there were not a lot of arguments.

What do your kids think of the new space?

Justin: Our kids can’t get enough of it! This is the first pool we’ve ever had. They’ve really enjoyed it and their friends want to come over all the time and play. We we’re able to have our daughter’s birthday party out here, and it’s just been an amazing time for the kids.

Brooke: It’s nice that the kids can come home and just jump in the pool. They love it! And, as the kids get older, I like the fact that we can have their friends here, know what they’re doing, ensure they’re having a good time, and spend more time with them.

What makes PSW continue to stand out over other companies that you have worked with?

I would say, what drove us to PSW with this project, was the sheer scale of what we were looking to do. We wanted to get a variety of things done all at the same time. As I mentioned before, PSW is really the only company in the market that can do it all and do it all with great quality.

In addition, they make it easy on the homeowner because they have great project managers who are in constant communication. If you’ve been through a construction project before, you know that not everything goes right all the time, so having that constant communication and openness really helps out with a project this size.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about working with PSW?

I’ve already referred PSW to quite a few people. The #1 thing I say to them is, “if you want someone who is going to do it right the first time, who is going to do it with a lot of care and quality, and who is going to be there for you and communicate every step of the way, you’re going to want to go with PSW.”

How does the value of having the space compare to the price you paid?

Justin: If you’re looking to only make a decision based on price, you’re probably not going to choose PSW. But, if you want to make the decision based on quality, ease of process, and a project that really “wows” people, then stick with PSW.

Brooke: For people that have busy lives and families, to not have to micromanage every aspect of the project, and having the project managers take care of things behind the scenes, was a huge benefit as well.

If there was one word you could use to describe PSW, what would it be and why?

Justin: Quality. You get what you pay for. You get a really good final product.

Brooke: Peace of Mind. Knowing that is done right from the beginning and that it’s going to be the way that you want it to be as well.

What has this project done for your quality of life?

This project has really increased our quality of life. With a project of this scale, we spend a lot of our time outside. Either we’re swimming, watching football, building a fire at night, or relaxing in the jacuzzi, we spend a lot of time outside. You look forward to being outside and being in nature and having a place like this really adds to that.

What part of the project is your favorite? And where do you spend the majority of your time?

Brooke: I probably spend most of my time sitting next to the pool. I love looking at the water, getting some sun, and relaxing.

Justin: My favorite area is definitely by the fire watching sports. I build a fire every day no matter the temperature. I love the smell and the ambiance of it. I enjoy having drinks with my neighbors and sharing a cigar is the way I like to unwind during the weekend.

How has this space affected your social life?

It seems that our house has become the focal point of entertaining as compared to our previous home. We spend a lot of time here with our neighbors and our friends which is great because we specifically built this space to spend time with them.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Brooke: Just how easy they make it by taking care of the little details and communicating between the members of the teams. They make it easy.

Justin: They are going to have your back throughout the whole project.