Kate and Paul Hermans transformed the backyard of their historic Wayne home, designed by renowned architect Frank Furness, into a true personal oasis, writes Emily Goulet for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Built in 1878, the house was the childhood home of Robert L. Montgomery, founder of Janney Montgomery Scott. His daughter was the inspiration for the classic movie A Philadelphia Story.
The Hermanses bought the property, called Lainshaw, in 2015. The home included an enclosed family room at the back opening onto an elegant patio. However, to the couple, the design still felt incomplete.
“My husband loves a good outdoor fire, and that patio was missing an outdoor fireplace,” said Kate Hermans.
It was also not big enough for their entertaining needs.
With help from Blase DeMichele, owner of landscaping and build company B. DeMichele Inc., they extended the patio and added a wood-burning fireplace. This created space where they could spend more time outside with more people.
To ensure everything fit seamlessly with the historic home, they first built a new stone patio featuring ample space for a stone fireplace, hot tub, and abundant seating. They also added a copper roof dotted with skylights for an inviting and airy atmosphere.
Read more about Kate and Paul Hermans’ historic home renovation with the help of Blase DeMichele in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on VISTA.Today in July 2025.
