GREATER WESTCHESTER/LONG ISLAND BUILDER/ARCHITECT MARCH/APRIL 2003
Scarsdale Design Center feature article.

Design expertise and masterful workmanship are a perfect combination to offer in today's marketplace, helping individuals and families achieve the results they want for new home construction and home renovation. That's the approach taken by Joe Cerasuolo, President of JGC Construction, and Paulette Cerasuolo, owner of Superior Surroundings, to meet the needs of their customers. In addition to their involvement in projects independent of one another, this father/daughter team works together on specific construction and renovation projects to better serve the people who come to them for their professional services. "Working together, we have the ability to create solutions for each residential and commercial challenge that people face, from concept to completion;' explains Joe Cerasuolo during a recent interview with Builder / Architect. "Our focus is on good design and solid construction," adds Paulette Cerasuolo, who emphasizes that design work is quite different from interior decorating. "Good design makes space more functional, livable and aesthetically pleasing, which is so much more than just making a room look pretty. In commercial settings, my focus is on creating a more productive and profitable environment to conduct business."

With more than 25 years of experience as a builder in high-end residential and commercial construction, JGC Construction takes on projects primarily in lower Westchester County, NY, and the surrounding areas of Greenwich, CT. On average, their team of staff and subcontractors are working on various aspects of up to seven projects at any given time. Projects range in cost up to and well over $200,000. No job is too small or too large for JGC Construction, according to Joe Cerasuolo, who makes his staff available to meet their customers' needs whether a home needs its gutters cleaned or a major renovation. Born and raised in Yonkers, NY, Joe graduated from Saunders Trade School in Yonkers and served a four-year apprenticeship working on single-family homes, multi-family apartment houses, senior citizen housing, and building an addition at a local hospital. After launching his career as a builder working with other firms, he and his wife of 33 years, Gerry, established their own general contracting business in 1977. Gerry handles all the bookkeeping and other administrative details for JGC Construction. "I enjoy my trade and look forward to the next project;" declares Joe, who is ready to start his day at 4:30 a.m. and often keeps working straight through until 8:30 p.m. "I work hard and play hard;" he adds with a chuckle. "Our customers know we stand behind our work. We constantly strive to build a strong reputation."

The changes in this kitchen are all subtle, but combined, this kitchen is now spacious with a center island that comfortably seats three. Taking the butler pantry wall down and bringing the cabinets to the ceiling are the two changes that create dynamic results. The kitchen has now become a bright and airy working kitchen, yet it maintains the charm and beauty of the architecture of the house. Custom kitchen cabinets are created by Brubaker Kitchens.

"Our experience with Joe and Paulette has been very good," said Rebecca Riley Carden, who lives with her husband David in their newly renovated home in Bronxville. "They are very professional and offer a lot of good ideas. The work done on our kitchen and sun porch has made our home more comfortable and livable for the entire family, as well as more enjoyable for entertaining purposes."

"Paulette and Joe are terrific people who give me just what I want," said Margaret Vogt of Scarsdale, who now enjoys recent renovations in her home that include a new kitchen, bathrooms and back porch. "The kitchen is spectacular- it's everything I ever wanted. Paulette was especially great in helping us transform our living room fireplace area into something special, complete with ceramic materials and a mural painting."

Growing up in a family with a strong work ethic in Putnam County, Paulette Cerasuolo developed an interest in art early on and took mechanical drawing classes in school. She recalls earning her allowance as a child by accompanying her father to construction work sites on days off from school and helping with clean-up details. After high school she studied at Drexel University in Philadelphia, graduating with a degree in interior design. A professional calligrapher, she completed an internship as a design assistant with a local design firm in New York, and later worked as part of the facilities planning department at West Chester University in Pennsylvania, orchestrating the complete renovation of a four-story building on campus. In 1995 she opened her own business at Scarsdale Design Center, well-versed in a wide range of space planning and design issues, with membership credentials from the American Institute of Architects and the International Interior Design Association. For example, one customer in Scarsdale recently hired her to also provide design services for her home on Martha's Vineyard, insisting that Paulette understand the proper care and attention that needs to be given to this island home. Recently, Paulette has taken on her own line of cabinets, marketed as "Superior Line," working closely with Brubaker Kitchens, Inc., a leading manufacturer. Examples of their work can be found throughout the region. One example is the renovation of a spacious bathroom, complete with an eight-foot by four-foot shower stall made with clear frameless glass. Cherry cabinetry, glass tiles, wall mounted faucets and granite countertops with under-mount sinks are some of its features. The homeowners were so pleased with the results that they organized a party to showcase this work, inviting their grandchildren to put on their bathing suits and splash around in the shower.

Another example is the extensive reconstruction of a house in Scarsdale that was seriously damaged during a storm when a tree severed the structure. Not only was JGC Construction on the scene within an hour of the accident, but they started reconstruction as soon as possible, transforming the former Cape-style home into a four-bedroom Tudor-style home. Working with the same foundation and the remnants of the first floor, they restored the home and built a new state-of-the-art kitchen, installed hydronic heating and central air systems, and added a deck in the backyard. The results: a dramatic example of how the proverbial Phoenix rises out of the ashes.

This 1928 cape looks just perfect...as if nothing ever happened to it. Compare this to how it looked after an eight-ton oak tree landed on it. JGC was able to salvage the first floor, and with good architectural design, rebuild it to its current Tudor style. C.G. Swackhamer provides all building supplies used by JGC Construction. The architect is Maggie Marrone.

"We are very pleased with their work", said Nick Savoye, who lives in a Scarsdale home rebuilt by JGC Construction 1o years ago and that recently had work done. "We appreciate their insights and experience. They are respectful and on time with their projections and work. We love our entire home. Each room is different, with its own charm."