Eileen Smith Dallabrida
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Articles by Eileen Smith Dallabrida
Return of a movie theater could be Dover Mall's next blockbuster
Dover Mall's Blockbuster Listen to the full interview with Eileen Dallabrida on her latest reporting about Dover Mall's new movie theater. The curtain will soon go up on the next act for Dover Mall with the opening of Dover 14, a multi-screen, amenity-rich movie theater and the largest new presence in the mall in years.
Going back to school costs more in 2026 than previous years
Back to School 2026 Listen to the full interview between Eileen Dallabrida and Tom Byrne where she provided her annual breakdown of what to expect with school shopping this year. For Delaware parents, the annual back-to-school scramble for backpacks, notebooks and new clothes comes with an unwelcome lesson this year: getting children ready for school is significantly more expensive.
A Wilmington Basement Transforms Into a Family Retreat
Photos by Peter Dolan A utilitarian basement in a family’s Wilmington home becomes a glamorous, all-ages retreat. Melissa DiVincenzo and Eric Hohman have never lacked for space. Their three-story home in Wilmington’s Cool Spring neighborhood is generous in scale, its rooms evolving over time to meet the needs of an active family. What it didn’t have until recently was a place designed to bring everyone together—not just immediate family but grandparents, cousins and teenage friends.
This Lakeside Home Update in Berwyn Is Idyllic
For more than 20 years, a local couple made their home in Leopard Lakes, an idyllic water-centric enclave in Berwyn. Over time, the house emptied as their three children grew up and moved on. But while daily life shifted, the tranquil surroundings they loved endured.
This Wayne Kitchen and Bathroom Update Revitalizes the Home
Returning to Wayne and the house he grew up in, a local homeowner found lots to love, from top-tier schools and an idyllic, pedestrian-friendly setting to years of fond memories. But the outdated kitchen and baths felt more like a bad dream, prompting a full-scale rethink for his grownup life with a wife and two young children. To make the house their own, the couple came to Philadelphia’s Kaminski + Pew with a focused plan to create a home that didn’t feel like it belonged to their parents.
2 Names to Know in the Brandywine Valley’s Steeplechase Scene
Photos by Jim Graham Two important names in the steeplechase community show how the sport is carried forward. Steeplechase racing is sustained by people who show up early, stay late and shape the sport across generations. For five decades, Brooke Boyer has been one of its most dependable constants: a race director, clerk of the course, starter, course designer, recruiter and tireless volunteer across the Mid-Atlantic.
This Chester County Farmhouse Update Preserves the Past
Photos by Matt Wargo Once home to a Wyeth daughter, a Chester County farmhouse is now a place where history comes alive. When Heidi and Eric McGlade bought their vintage farmhouse property in 2023, the couple knew they were stepping into something rare. The Chester County home was once owned by the artist John Willard McCoy and his wife, Ann Wyeth, a pianist, composer, painter and sister of renowned artist Andrew Wyeth.
This Georgian Colonial in Bryn Mawr Embraces Color
A 1950s Georgian colonial in Bryn Mawr provided lots of room but lacked organic vibrancy. Hallways cut off sightlines, doorways disrupted flow, and rooms lacked cohesion. To come up with a plan for an ambitious renovation that would coax the house into full flower, the owners turned to Wayne’s Warren Claytor Architects, Phoenixville’s Buono Construction Group and Naomi Stein of Philadelphia-based Design Manifest.
Stabling Systems Are Critical for the Brandywine Valley’s Horses
An exercise rider for longtime trainer Katherine Neilson, Hunter Holm sees his job as equal parts horsemanship and intuition. Photo by Jim Graham. Step inside the stabling systems that protect steeplechase’s elite equine athletes. It’s a few days before the first race of a steeplechase meet, and Dr. Bernadette Smith is already at work. Smith greets a horse that has just arrived off the trailer after the ride to the racecourse and begins the ritual that marks the first moment of stabling.
2 Important Names in the Main Line Area’s Steeplechase Scene
Steeplechase racing is sustained by people who show up early, stay late and shape the sport across generations. For five decades, Brooke Boyer has been one of its most dependable constants: a race director, clerk of the course, starter, course designer, recruiter and tireless volunteer across the Mid-Atlantic. By the mid 1970s, Boyer was jump racing, drawn to the precision and horsemanship that steeplechases demand.
Fashion Is a Beloved Component of Brandywine Valley Steeplechase Races
Winners of a recent hat competition at Mount Harmon Wicomico Hunt Point-to-Point. Courtesy of Mount Harmon. Learn more about the festive traditions and fashion elements that define a race day. Attending a steeplechase race is about more than cheering on the horses. It’s a full-fledged social occasion, blending sport, tradition, fashion and tailgating into a daylong celebration of pageantry and personal style. From what you wear to how you set your table, presentation matters.
Steeplechase Fashion Is a Key Part of Race-Day Festivities
Attending a steeplechase race is about more than cheering on the horses. It’s a full-fledged social occasion, blending sport, tradition, fashion and tailgating into a daylong celebration of pageantry and personal style. From what you wear to how you set your table, presentation matters. Hats remain the crowning glory of race-day attire. For women, wide-brimmed styles adorned with ribbons, flowers or feathers offer both protection from the sun and dramatic flair.
Home Buyers Are Prioritizing Lifestyle Perks Around the Main Line
Buying a home is rarely about a simple checklist. It’s about how you want to live. Buyers across the Main Line and western suburbs are thinking holistically. How stressful is that commute to work? Can a morning run start from the driveway? How much space do we need now—and how much will we need down the road? Mindful of the Fair Housing Act, real estate professionals are careful not to endorse any community as suitable for families, singles, seniors or any other particular group.
Stabling Is a Key Part of Main Line Area Steeplechase Races
It’s a few days before the first race of a steeplechase meet, and Dr. Bernadette Smith is already at work. Smith greets a horse that has just arrived off the trailer after the ride to the racecourse and begins the ritual that marks the first moment of stabling. She checks his eyes—bright and alert—then asks him to jog a few strides back and forth.
A Chester Springs Porch Welcomes a Year-Round Transformation
As much as a pair of Chester Springs empty nesters liked the idea of enjoying the breeze on their screened-in porch, it was a seldom-used space. They craved a comfy conduit that facilitates flow from the interior to the outdoors. To realize this year-round transformation, they called on Chester County designer Kate Pechinka to create a sunroom that would serve as a retreat and complement a reenergized terrace.
6 Stylish Bags for Jaunts Around the Brandywine Valley
Courtesy of Arden + James From utilitarian totes to posh purses, bags are fashion’s most useful accessory. 1. Crafted by artisan Bri Brant at Arden & James in Kennett Square, the Wagoneer tall satchel teams rugged waxed canvas with harness leather from a Pennsylvania tannery. $180. Available at Arden + James, 111 W. State St., Kennett Square, (484) 467-5327. 2. The Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe weekender features a suitcase-handle sleeve and a separate compartment for shoes and dirty clothes. $112.
2 Important Names in Delaware’s Steeplechase Scene
Steeplechase racing is sustained by people who show up early, stay late and shape the sport across generations. For five decades, Brooke Boyer has been one of its most dependable constants: a race director, clerk of the course, starter, course designer, recruiter and tireless volunteer across the Mid-Atlantic. By the mid 1970s, Boyer was jump racing, drawn to the precision and horsemanship that steeplechases demand.
Fashion Is a Critical Part of Steeplechase Races Around Delaware
Attending a steeplechase race is about more than cheering on the horses. It’s a full-fledged social occasion, blending sport, tradition, fashion and tailgating into a daylong celebration of pageantry and personal style. From what you wear to how you set your table, presentation matters. Hats remain the crowning glory of race-day attire. For women, wide-brimmed styles adorned with ribbons, flowers or feathers offer both protection from the sun and dramatic flair.
Stabling Is an Essential Part of Steeplechase Races Around Delaware
It’s a few days before the first race of a steeplechase meet, and Dr. Bernadette Smith is already at work. Smith greets a horse that has just arrived off the trailer after the ride to the racecourse and begins the ritual that marks the first moment of stabling. She checks his eyes—bright and alert—then asks him to jog a few strides back and forth.
Concord Mall reportedly set for sale
DPM's Tom Byrne and contributor Eileen Dallabrida discuss the reported sale of Concord Mall For years, Concord Mall has been the white elephant of Route 202—the shopping center that’s short on customers but too big to ignore. Five years after being acquired by a buyer of distressed malls, Concord is reportedly changing hands again.
This Custom Barn in Malvern Is Ideal for Parties and Events
Once homes for real animals, barns are increasingly becoming the domain of party animals. In Malvern, a custom barn blends rustic architecture with the comforts of a modern guesthouse and gracious entertaining. Designed by Paoli’s R.A. Hoffman Architects and built by Lancaster County’s B&D Builders, it’s just a horseshoe toss from the main house and bigger than most houses at 3,200 square feet.
How is the housing market shaping up in Delaware?
If you are among those looking to buy or sell a home in the First State in the coming months. what can you expect? Is it a buyers or sellers’ market? This week, contributor Eileen Dallabrida examines the housing market in Delaware. DPM's Tom Byrne and contributor Eileen Dallabrida discuss the Delaware housing market
What you need to know about summer beach rentals in Delaware
Delaware Public Media's Tom Byrne and contributor Eileen Dallabrida discuss the summer beach rental market In a winter buffeted by snow, ice and cold, summer feels far off. But at the Delaware beaches, the 2026 rental season is already underway. More than 10 million visitors are expected to visit Sussex County beaches this year, with rental rates expected to remain largely stable, according to the U.S. Travel Association, a Washington D.C.-based trade group.
This Custom Newtown Square Home Offers a Fresh Start
Moving from a sprawling 7,000-square-foot house to a custom-built home in Newtown Square offered a pair of active baby boomers a chance to embrace a fresh start in style. At 5,000 square feet, the new place is still rather large, but the owners were choosy in what items came with them. Most are in keeping with their love of mid-century modern design. BLENDING EXISTING FURNITURE WITH NEW ELEMENTS WAS CENTRAL TO MAKING THE HOME FEEL BOTH FUNCTIONAL AND INVITING.
A 19th-Century West Chester Mansion Gets a Modern Update
Photos by Kirsten Frances A West Chester estate dating to the 1870s gets an award-winning refresh for a young family. A grand 1870s West Chester mansion is beginning a new chapter, thanks to imaginative owners Patrick and Dava Murray and designer Miggy Mason. Built from distinctive green serpentine stone, the historic residence is affectionally referred to as Bleecker Hall. These days, it blends 19th-century craftsmanship with 21st-century livability.
This Gladwyne Home Design Is Elegant and Timeless
Bathed in natural light and grounded in a palette of emerald greens and soft neutrals, this 8,000-square-foot Gladwyne home is calm, elegant and timeless—much like its sophisticated, well-traveled owners. The ’80s-era house was reimagined by designers Dana Bergman Falcione and Erica Vassalotti of Bergman Vass, who set out to infuse warmth and character into a space that had once felt austere.
Villanova Stylist Dara Tye Goldstein Shares Her Fashion Essentials
HER STYLE: Feminine, classic and sleek. FASHION ROOTS: My love of fashion definitely began at home. My parents were both so stylish, and I was influenced by them from a young age. I remember how they carried themselves with such poise and confidence with every fashion choice. In fact, my brand, Carry On About Style, is named after my father, Cary, who was my true style inspiration. WHY FASHION MATTERS: It’s a form of self-expression that speaks before you even say a word.
5 Health Hacks to Live Your Best Life in Delaware
Health and wellness are being redefined as innovation meets intention. Today’s wellness scene blends advanced technology with evidence-based therapies and ancient practices, offering fresh ways to restore body and mind. From red-light therapy that stimulates cellular repair to AI-guided workouts that personalize fitness down to the muscle, science is reshaping how people heal and train.
Concord Mall at a crossroads?
DPM's Tom Byrne and contributor Eileen Dallabrida discuss Concord Mall and its future Visiting Santa at Concord Mall is a cherished tradition for the Maskery family of North Wilmington. This year, the Maskery children, 8-year-old Ella and 9-year-old Michael, didn’t just ask that jolly old elf for toys and treats. Their big question: Would Santa return to Concord Mall next year? With a low occupancy rate, Concord is among the many malls facing an uncertain future.
The Perfect Holiday Outfit for Parties on the Main Line
Designed by Victoria Beckham in 100% silk, this sensuous midi dress features an asymmetrical neckline and hemline with a fitted waistline for a flattering silhouette. $1,895. Available at Boyds, 201 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne, (610) 726-0036. Courtesy of Mina Danielle Jewelry The slender cuff bracelet with diamond accents offers glamorous star power. $425. Available at Mina Danielle Jewelry, 1149 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, (610) 888-4810.
This West Chester Home Gets Festive for the Holidays
At the West Chester home of Madeline and Chuck Dobbs, holiday décor is a festive mix of sparkle, texture and imagination. Natural materials mingle with metal and Lucite, and every corner feels joyful. “We don’t match things—we like things that live in harmony,” says Madeline. That exuberant sense of artistry shines in unexpected ways. Yellow and orange poinsettias warm an icy aluminum tree trimmed with gold bells and silver pinecones. White pompoms wind around a sunny yellow banister.
Wayne CMO Veronica McKee Shares Her Fashionable Favorites
HER STYLE: Modern classic. FASHION ROOTS: Even before elementary school, I was interested in pretty clothes that made me feel special, and both of my grandmothers supported this interest. One taught me to sew and helped me make custom clothes when I couldn’t find what I wanted in kids’ sizes. The other indulged me with a special outfit for my December birthday every year—and it invariably included some luxurious fabrics like velvet, satin or lace.
Will inflation, tariffs dampen holiday spending this year?
DPM's Tom Byrne and contributor Eileen Dallabrida discuss the 2025 holiday shopping season Santa may be tightening his belt this year. With new tariffs, persistent inflation and a cooling job market weighing on consumer confidence, Americans are heading into the 2025 holiday season more cautious than they’ve been in years. According to PwC’s 2025 Holiday Outlook survey, consumers expect their seasonal spending to dip 5% compared with 2024.
This Malvern Home Embraces Cheerful, Vibrant Colors
When a young family found their forever home in Malvern, it felt like a dream come true—but it did require some work. Though functional, the interiors felt dark and subdued, lacking the cheerful sophistication the owners envisioned for themselves, their two small children and two newly adopted kittens. Interior designer Liz Walton stepped in to create something that reflected the vibrancy of the active household. “They loved their home, but it wasn’t telling their story,” she says.
A Chester County Farmhouse Renovation Makes Space for Family
Photos by Rachel McGinn A dog-friendly equestrian family finds some room to roam. With its curated antiques, high-tech appliances, nods to equestrian sports and paintings by regional artists, a Chester County farmhouse is its own piece of Americana. When renovating the 50-year-old structure, the emphasis was on expanding spaces for gathering, play and three large dogs. The growing family required more bedrooms, a children’s play loft and room for guests.
4 Easy Ways to Upgrade Your Brandywine Valley Home
Courtesy of Nicole Bailey Designs Local designers share timely tips for updating your space without making it too much of a project. West Chester-based designer Nicole Bailey loves to push boundaries in what’s often a home’s smallest room. It’s a place you and your guests visit—alone. “That makes the powder room ideal for going bold with color, pattern or even a touch of whimsy,” says Bailey.
Add These Entertaining Essentials to Your Brandywine Valley Home
Courtesy of Simon Pearce Set a fine table for your guests—no plastic allowed. These entertaining essentials bring elegance to any dining event. Named for the fictional martini-sipping sleuths, Nick and Nora glasses are downright leggy, with an upsized bowl for mixing cocktails. $190. Visit Simon Pearce. Matouk Magic Mountain cocktail napkins celebrate myths with fanciful Schumacher prints. Starting at $89. Available at Tailored Home in Greenville.
This Kennett Square Home Embraces Natural Touches
Photos by Jeffrey Totaro Vintage materials make for a one-of-a-kind home in Kennett Square. In some ways, houses are like children, their owners striving to nurture in them more perfect versions of themselves. And these parents can’t help but play favorites when it comes their Kennett Square home—the eighth they’ve designed and built since marrying 45 years ago.
This Greenville Home Lets Art and Automobiles Shine
Photos by Angle Eye Photography Auto and art enthusiasts upgrade their home to suit their interests. A pair of Greenville homeowners have two passions: art and automobiles. And they wanted their stately 1930 stone colonial to reflect this. The team at Period Architecture was up to the task of designing a home with revved-up curb appeal and spaces that would allow them to display their paintings, motorcycles and cars.
Craft the Perfect Container Garden for Your Brandywine Valley Home
Courtesy of Binkley Horticultural Services Erica Boston, founder of Binkley Horticultural Services, recommends urns, pots and other containers to bring vibrant flowers, fragrant herbs and nutritious vegetables to your personal landscape. Yearning for a garden even though your outdoor space is restricted to a balcony, window boxes or a tiny patio?
Delawareans deal with high food prices
DPM's Tom Byrne and contributor Eileen Dallabrida discuss rising food prices in Delaware At grocery stores across Delaware, shoppers are learning to stretch every dollar as food prices continue to climb. Staples once routinely added to grocery lists — coffee, beef, eggs, bread, and butter — now command noticeably higher price tags. Even savvy shoppers who plan menus and chase weekly specials are finding their grocery tab is higher each time they go through the checkout line.
Phoenixville CEO Amanda Wood Shares Her Fashion Favorites
HER STYLE: Minimalist, with a chic edge. I gravitate toward tailored pieces in neutral tones and refined accessories. I absolutely love blending timeless high-end pieces with high-street items that feel fresh, polished and authentic. FASHION ROOTS: My styling career started in real estate. I was holding an open house, and a prospective buyer walked in, looked me up and down and asked me if I was the broker. Upon my answer of yes, they abruptly walked out.
This Chester County Home Embraces Eco-Friendly Elements
Photos by Jeffrey Totaro Surrounded by serene beauty, a Chester County home is a tranquil space with an environmental spin. There’s a stunning home in Chester County that’s affectionately referred to as Bough Haus. The name is a nod to both the trees on the 20-acre property and the natural materials so crucial to the design. It’s also a play on Bauhaus, the 1920s-era German school of design that championed beauty, function and simplicity.
This Custom Chadds Ford Home Is a Modern Take on Farmhouse Style
A custom Chadds Ford home features all the best the Brandywine Valley has to offer. Indigenous materials anchor a house’s connection to the land. In the case of the Porters’ custom-built home surrounded by Chadds Ford countryside, it’s the ironstone traditionally used in historic Brandywine Valley farmhouses. Yet it remains a modern interpretation of tradition, its interior reflecting traditional design with a natural flow that promotes togetherness.
A Gladwyne Home Design Works for Morning and Night
An older house in historic Gladwyne is entering its next chapter—this time with owners looking for a space that also functions as an office and a base for business. To come up with a design that retains function and style during work hours and comfort after the day is done, they turned to a trusted and familiar source: Brittany Wurzak Hakimfar of Far Studio.
This Whimsical Wayne Home Works for the Whole Family
With its English-cottage charm, a young family’s Wayne home looked as if it had sprung from the pages of a storybook. But the fairytale still needed a happy ending—a design that would allow its owners and their children to enjoy every room. To write the next chapter, they turned to Michelle Gage Interiors, a Philadelphia firm known for cheerfully elegant, comfortable style. “THE OWNERS FAVORED A SERENE PALETTE OF BLUE, GREEN, AND NEUTRAL TONES.
Accessories Council Media's Karen Giberson on Her Signature Style
Her style: Athleisure at heart, rocker at work. Think Lululemon by day, leather-trimmed blazer by deadline. I live in leggings but accessorize like a headliner. Fashion roots: I begged for go-go boots in the early ’70s and never quite shook the obsession. I still love anything that gleams. A career in fashion wasn’t on my radar until Macy’s swept me into their executive training program right out of college. My first buying job (in sterling silver jewelry) sealed the deal.
This Avalon Shore Home Is All About Custom Details
When a Wayne couple acquired a prime 50-by-100-foot lot in Avalon, New Jersey, they wanted to make the most of the space they had. Keen on the clean lines found in Scandinavian design, they turned to Joseph Lombardi of the Paoli-based Architetra. His design for a 3,500-square-foot custom home encompassed six bedrooms, six and a half baths, two living areas, a home office, two laundry rooms, four decks, and an outdoor pool with shower.
This Fenwick Island Beach House Is an Absolute Stunner
Photos by Dana Hoff On Fenwick Island, a couple embraces their life philosophy with a sumptuous beach house. Aptly named Live Lucky, a waterfront sanctuary on Fenwick Island reflects the values of its owners: Work hard, play hard and embrace gratitude 24/7. Amy and Dave Geiger had enjoyed the Little Assawoman Bay for years. It was a place to unwind from their demanding careers.
What you need to know about back-to-school shopping - and how to stay on budget
Contributor Eileen Dallabrida joins DPM's Tom Byrne to discuss back-to-school shopping If moms and dads had to take a pop quiz on back-to-school shopping, they would see some familiar questions—and one big new question. Are you spending more money than last year? Did you start shopping early this year or are you holding off? Where will you shop? And, finally, will recently enacted tariffs impact prices?
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