Home & Style Archives | New Jersey Monthly: Recent Episodes
Home & Style Archives | New Jersey Monthly
[caption id="attachment_344749" align="alignnone" width="778"] The dining room wows in shades of mushroom grey, accentuated with an inviting table by Hedgehouse Furniture and vintage Danish ladderback chairs. The pendant lamp by Pinch was created with banana-plant fiber and linen. Photo: Thomas Leonczik[/caption]After eschewing the suburbs and living in Hoboken for 13 years, Katie and Eric Daleo knew it was finally time to personalize their home. “We bought our brownstone condo in 2011 and, although we remodeled the kitchen and bathrooms, we felt overwhelmed and unable to make general design choices,” Katie says. “We needed to pull our home together, but only tackled it in starts and stops—until we discovered our design team while reading a New York Times article.”[caption id="attachment_344751" align="alignnone" width="683"] The living room of this 1895 Hoboken brownstone, which overlooks iconic Stevens Park, is graced by a petite antique game table and upholstered stools. Striking millwork and patterned wood floors provide additional charm. Photo: Thomas Leonczik[/caption]Both busy executives with travel schedules, the Daleos didn’t have time to manage the entire project, so they hired SPACES by Hollie Velten to design, manage and execute the job. Interior designer and founder Hollie Velten-Lattrell turned out to be the perfect match for this open-minded young family. She, along with studio director Victoria Bailey-Adamson, work out of their Maplewood studio, a reimagined candy shop. Velten, originally from the West Coast, and Bailey-Adamson, who hails from Oxfordshire, brought uniquely Californian and English perspectives to the endeavor.“These were dream clients because they weren’t afraid of color, pattern and texture,” says Velten. “They wanted to customize their home in a fresh, thoughtful way.”[caption id="attachment_344757" align="alignnone" width="778"] The primary bathroom is awash in minty green, a hue identified when the design team inspired the family to delve into their innermost design preferences. Photo: Thomas Leonczik[/caption]Offering seasonal views of the Hudson River and located directly across from Stevens Park, the 1895 brownstone is home to the couple and their tween daughter. “The residence is special, with an abundance of custom millwork and old, patterned wood floors. Its surrounding neighborhood offers romantic stoop living within a bustling city environment,” Velten says. “Just off the main drag, it feels almost cinematic.”Velten admits it can be a bit tricky designing for city life because entryways and entrances are smaller and can’t always accommodate large pieces of furniture.[caption id="attachment_344756" align="alignnone" width="778"] An easy-to-live-with, olive-green office is elevated with a French wall covering by Antoinette Poisson and a well-appointed day bed. Photo: Thomas Leonczik[/caption]Luxurious, stay-in entertaining was important, so modular seating was added as a spot for the family to coexist comfortably as they enjoy pizza-and-movie nights and play board games around the coffee table. To maximize every inch of space, a custom, built-in storage unit in the living room hides electronics cords and corrals equipment.[caption id="attachment_344750" align="alignnone" width="778"] New storage in the dining room offers scads of space to display beloved heirloom serveware. Photo: Thomas Leonczik[/caption]Velten specializes in studying and shaping the connection of people to their homes. “Our design philosophy is based on the idea that we must explore and engage the past to create a present in which the ideal future can take shape,” she says. To that end, her team played an interpretive card game with the couple early on. The game invited the Daleos to identify their favorite colors, patterns and textures to understand what’s important to them. “For instance, Eric had fond memories of a nubby alpaca sweater, so we added a similar texture in a living room chair upholstered in boucle fabric,” Velten says.[caption id="attachment_344752" align="alignnone" width="778"] A sculptural boucle chair from Maiden Home keeps company with an antique Swedish lamp with a handmade shade. Photo: Thomas Leonczik[/caption]Based on the game, the couple also identified their penchant for the Catskills, the colors of wildflowers, and the moody hues of the Hudson School art movement. The result was an easygoing palette of olive green, mushroom grey, mustard yellow and brownish pink.[caption id="attachment_344754" align="alignnone" width="778"] The Daleos' tween daughter helped create her own bedroom “mood board,” resulting in a vibrant space decorated with cotton bedding, patterned pillows and fabric shades. Photo: Thomas Leonczik[/caption]“This was a successful collaboration, not only because of the output, but because Hollie and Victoria took the time to get to know us, to the point that our daughter was inspired to create her own mood board for her bedroom,” Eric says.“Originally, this home didn’t reflect the family’s personality, so we layered it with joyful color,” says Velten. “Now, the highly customized, light-filled rooms are emotive, elevated and relaxed.”[caption id="attachment_344968" align="alignnone" width="778"] The Daleo family Photo: Courtesy of Kim Lorraine Photography[/caption]“Before we hired our design team, we craved a more cohesive home, but we didn’t know how to achieve it on our own,” Katie adds. “We literally were still living with Eric’s law-school furniture. We’re so happy with our new design because it respects the historic context of our home. It’s warm but clean, and practical, but not cookie-cutter.”Follow our home & style editor on Instagram (@susanbrierlybush).
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[caption id="attachment_343118" align="aligncenter" width="778"] All photos courtesy of the manufacturers[/caption]The Dig the Garden tray from Annabel James is an oversized carryall featuring a fresh crop of garden goodies; $48 at annabeljames.co.uk.A large woven basket holds everything from potatoes to onions and eggs; $49 at hm.com.A white marble salt chamber with a wooden top keeps the most popular kitchen seasoning fresh; $29 at nordstrom.com.Terracotta sprouters come in a set of three sizes for a variety of seeds; $20 at kikkerland.com.Accented with sari fabric, these unique produce bags are handcrafted in India with breathable mesh cotton and drawstring closures; three for $18 at serrv.org.This two-tiered, woven copper-wire stand is ideal for keeping your market haul within reach; $88 at anthropologie.com.Striking a vintage vibe, this cool, roomy tote is a market must; $44 at storigraphic.com.Portable, foldable and durable, this wheeled tote offers a shoulder strap and top handles. The water-resistant design can hold two to five bags of groceries; $105 at containerstore.com.[RELATED: The Future of Farming in New Jersey]
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[caption id="attachment_343531" align="aligncenter" width="778"] Artist Ricky Boscarino lives and works at Luna Parc. Photo: John Bessler[/caption]Ricky Boscarino’s home is the playhouse we all wanted as children—at least, on the outside.It’s Antoni Gaudi on acid, all bright colors and whimsy, mosaics and carved wooden gingerbread, curved walls and a fence made entirely of crutches, and an entrance that resembles an artichoke—altogether, a haphazard assemblage of whimsy 35 years in the making.But what’s inside might frighten a youngster. There are about a dozen mannequins, including an Eagle Scout, a soldier in a Soviet officer’s uniform, and a bride dressed in Boscarino’s mother’s wedding gown, which hovers 11 feet off the floor in a corner of the ballroom. Not to mention the taxidermy.[caption id="attachment_343947" align="aligncenter" width="778"] An explosion of color, materials and textures can be seen on Luna Parc's exterior. Photo: John Bessler[/caption]Artists’ homes usually provide a hint about their work. But for 64-year-old Boscarino, the 15-room house, which he calls Luna Parc after an amusement park outside of Rome, is his work.Luna Parc, located in Sandyston, a rural hamlet in the northwest corner of New Jersey, is a repository of quirky collections and a showcase for Boscarino’s mosaics and sculptures. Its roots go back to his childhood in Piscataway, where he collected rocks, insects and minerals.“My room became a bit of a spectacle,” says Boscarino. His mother often urged guests to check it out.[caption id="attachment_343533" align="aligncenter" width="778"] The entrance to Luna Parc resembles an artichoke. Photo: John Bessler[/caption]Those childhood finds have grown into a room Boscarino calls the Nature Lab, which features a 200-year-old human skeleton and a taxidermy collection that includes a pearl-necklace-adorned deer and the terrifying head of a Cape Buffalo—“the meanest animal on the planet,” Boscarino points out.In addition to the Nature Lab, there are the Hall of Hats (where most of the mannequins reside), a Zen room, a library filled with art books, a gift shop, one bedroom, and a single but spectacular bathroom covered with mosaics and festooned with old hospital bedpans. There’s also a crypt, where Boscarino plans to have his ashes interred.[caption id="attachment_343943" align="aligncenter" width="778"] A fence made of crutches. Photo: John Bessler[/caption]It was while attending the Rhode Island School of Design that Boscarino discovered camp and kitsch. “That’s when I developed this brain of curating,” Boscarino says. His collections have become exponentially more idiosyncratic: rotary phones, colanders, lava lamps, dentures and dental molds, eye wash cups and glass eyes, to name a few. He’s also a compulsive buyer of outsider art created by self-taught artists.[caption id="attachment_343944" align="aligncenter" width="778"] Photo: John Bessler[/caption]To support himself, Boscarino is always working relentlessly. He opens his house to visitors at certain times in the spring and the fall, charging admission, and teaches classes in mosaic making and concrete sculpting in the summer (check Luna Parc's website for a schedule).He makes and sells silver and bronze jewelry in the shapes of insects, acorns, squid, Fallopian tubes and many other unexpected objects. And he also crafts ceramic face pots, inspired by vessels made by slaves in the 19th century; Boscarino’s depict figures like Amy Winehouse and Frida Kahlo, as well as a wide variety of made-up creatures, some with sadistic grins.[caption id="attachment_343945" align="aligncenter" width="778"] Photo: John Bessler[/caption]Lately, and lucratively, he has begun making large wind sculptures for lawns. All this happens when he’s not working on the house itself.Though Boscarino sometimes calls himself a madcap artist, he’s quite serious about Luna Parc. He’s created a nonprofit foundation that will inherit the house.[caption id="attachment_343948" align="aligncenter" width="778"] Art is everywhere. Photo: John Bessler[/caption]“When I die,” he says, “I want Luna Parc to be up there in the great homes of America,” like Vizcaya, Biltmore and Monticello. Though it’s hard to think of the exuberant Luna Parc in the same category as Thomas Jefferson’s symmetrical, brick, neoclassical manse, it happens to be Boscarino’s favorite American house.If only Jefferson had seen some John Waters movies.[caption id="attachment_343946" align="aligncenter" width="778"] Boscarino works with unconventional items like license plates. Photo: John Bessler[/caption]“It’s basically like living in a museum,” Boscarino says of Luna Parc. “I’m very comfortable here. I don’t even notice the mannequins.”[RELATED: One-of-a-Kind Point Pleasant Home Built Around Century-Old Trolley Car]
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“I love that art has the ability to connect people to their higher selves,” says artist Alison Scherr of Peapack. With her reputation for painting emotive, larger-than-life interpretations of the movement of light and patterns in nature, Scherr has amassed a steadily growing fan base.She began her career as a photographer in New York City, collaborating with magazine and record-label clients, often adding a layer of paint to her images. She later evolved into a prop stylist, designing still-life sets for ad campaigns and magazines for such luminaries as Condé Nast and Bloomingdale’s.“As a photographer, I captured people and created elaborate costumes and magical worlds,” she says. “But when I moved to the New Jersey countryside in 2012, my world and physical space opened up, and I began painting full-time. The subject matter of my paintings started with people, then moved to florals and, more recently, to abstracts on canvas. I also create representational plexiglas paintings that sometimes include hidden messages.”The most monumental painting she has sold thus far, Field Burn ll, is 7 by 9 feet and hangs in an art collector’s light-filled, modern home in Wyoming. “I sell a lot of paintings directly to collectors, both established and first-time art buyers,” she explains. “I often work with interior designers and also love making pieces for corporate spaces.” Her art has been exhibited in several states, and a large commissioned piece hangs in Washington, DC, in the lobby of a building adjacent to the White House.[RELATED: Don’t Be Afraid to Embrace Color in Your Home]
Scherr has worked out of multiple studios, recently at Whittemore Nature Preserve in Oldwick, and also in a privately owned manor house. “Now I’ve taken over our dining room and living room, where incredible, big windows let the light come in,” she says. (Scherr lives in what she calls the Hobbit House, a former water-cistern structure built into the side of a berm.) She typically paints her oversized canvases on the floor, unstretched, using industrial materials. “I like the support of the floor beneath, and it gives me the flexibility to walk around, or on top of, the canvas. My paint strokes are very broad and splashy, and the process requires a lot of physical effort,” she notes. ”As I create with a mix of house paint, ink, pastels and spray paint, I turn off my thoughts and allow music to guide my movements.”A curated collection of Scherr’s work resides at Pottersville and Main, an interior-design studio and retail shop in Gladstone, just a stone’s throw from her home. “I love working with owners John and Geoffrey,” she says. “In fact, we’re collaborating on a collection to debut in their space soon.” Scherr also plans to launch a bespoke jewelry line when the leaves begin to fall.To view Scherr’s work, visit AlisonScherr.com or @AscherrArt on Instagram.Follow our home & style editor on Instagram (@susanbrierlybush).
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“This home comes alive each summer. Every house has a season, and our season is definitely summer,” says homeowner Dana Dore of Farmingdale.A passionate, lifelong DIYer, Dore has built a solid reputation in the design community by adding charm and color to her family’s 1,700-square-foot, builder-grade home. These days, she’s a professional stylist, blogger and Instagram darling with Adored House by Dana Dore (@adoredhouse) with 23,000-plus followers.“When guests first visit, they’re surprised it’s only 12 years old with 8-foot ceilings,” Dore says. “Because of my decorating tricks, our home appears much older and larger in photos.” Some of her fool-the-eye faves include tall furniture, beadboard walls and vertical-striped upholstery and drapery fabric.[caption id="attachment_341080" align="alignnone" width="778"] The dining room appears a century older than it actually is, elevated by a collection of pre-loved tableware, board-and-batten walls, a vintage bar cart, old botanical charts, and a painstakingly restored antique pine cabinet that Dore promises never to paint. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]The Monmouth County residence, home to Dore, husband Bob and their two daughters, welcomes with a laidback, rural feel in a quiet community. Despite a modest local population of 1,500, it’s an easy drive to bustling Belmar and Manasquan beaches.“I like to infuse our home with nautical references in artwork and found objects, but I also have a good mix of timeless beach objects, since we’re just 10 minutes from the Shore,” Dore says.[caption id="attachment_341693" align="aligncenter" width="778"] Stylist Dana Dore and her daughters celebrate summer with a lemonade party in the backyard of their Farmingdale home. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]The vast majority of decor within the home is vintage because she believes that “nothing compares to the quality and overall appearance of antique art and furniture.” Even the not-so-old flower beds overflowing with hydrangea, gaura and roses give the impression of a mature vintage garden.“When we first bought our beige, totally characterless Farmingdale house, I was comfortable doing much of the work by myself. Bob loves gardening and cooking, but he lets me handle most everything else,” she says.[caption id="attachment_341077" align="alignnone" width="778"] A quiet bedroom corner peeks into a sweet bathroom sporting a black-and-white floor, hand-painted by Dore. Antique pine cabinets are found throughout the home, and an old wicker basket corrals a collection of antique quilts. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]Dore grew up in New Jersey, where her parents inspired an appreciation for antiquing, painting, wallpapering, arranging (and rearranging) furniture, operating power tools and tackling minor plumbing and electrical challenges. It seemed only natural for her to go on to study art and design, which evolved into a 14-year career in retail display, where she used her handy skills to decorate shop windows.Today, as a social media content creator, Dore inspires others to add personality to their own digs, even those homes that lack character.When she and Bob, a chef at the Asbury Ocean Club, first saw their home, the price was right and the community was perfect, but the new colonial-style house was not what they envisioned. Dore finally agreed to purchase the property after her husband assured her that she would have free rein to make it her own.“Especially today, with a shortage of real estate inventory on the market, sometimes people who dream of an old home wind up settling for a newer house without charm,” she notes. “As I always say, 'love the one you’re with.' You can make almost any place your dream home.”[caption id="attachment_341076" align="alignnone" width="778"] The girls’ sisters suite is decorated with inlaid Art Deco beds, cotton bedding, and a classic Morris & Co wallpaper reimagined in a cheery citrus palette by Ben Pentreath. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]In 2016, she began her slow but steady transformation of first-floor living areas as well as the primary bedroom and children’s room. “A big driver for me is my daughters, who inspire my style,” Dore says. “When I designed their sisters suite, it was a huge collaboration. They were quite vocal about their wallpaper and room layout preferences, and I completely understood their feelings because, when I was 16, my parents allowed me to make over my bedroom all by myself. Back then I enjoyed the walking tours of Cape May homes, so my room was inspired by Victorian design.”[caption id="attachment_341081" align="alignnone" width="778"] Charming details are found in every nook and cranny. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]Throughout the residence is an exuberant palette. Dore especially gravitates to summery yellows and greens, with a healthy dollop of old-school stripes and gingham. After watching home-renovation shows like This Old House and Martha Stewart Living as a kid, she especially likes to hunt for unusual found objects for her home. Case in point: the family’s coffee table is an indestructible old ship-hatch door, perfect for game night with the kiddos.An ardent thrifter, Dore is rather addicted to Facebook Marketplace. “We’re fortunate to live in New Jersey, because there are amazing finds on Marketplace within driving distance,” she says.She’s even been known to motor a couple of hours to snag finds like the kids’ twin beds, the kitchen table and a roomy TV cabinet. Her must-haves for a perfect summer house with Shore vibes? White bed linens, just-picked flowers on the table, and fresh-baked treats made with Jersey peaches.“My best advice is to give yourself the time and grace to fill your home with things you love for the people you love,” she says.Follow our home & style editor on Instagram (@susanbrierlybush).
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[caption id="attachment_341301" align="aligncenter" width="778"] All photos courtesy of the manufacturers[/caption]Easy, breezy, warm-weather looks include the Britt linen shirt, $188, and flowy Ophelia maxi skirt, $188, from J.McLaughlin shops and jmclaughlin.com. The Remi geometric swimsuit offers posh style for fun in the sun; $245 at Nordstrom stores and nordstrom.com. Get comfy with Enola double-buckle espadrille sandals; $158 at Neiman Marcus and neimanmarcus.com. The beaded, layered Manhattan stacked bracelet is chic yet casual; $95 at francesvalentine.com.Created by NJ’s own Bobbi Brown, Jones Road Miracle Balm imparts an all-over, instant glow. Available in scads of shades; $38 for 1.75 ounces at jonesroadbeauty.com. Mallorca cat-eye sunglasses wow in classic tortoise shell style; $79.50 at J.Crew stores and jcrew.com.The DeMellier Capri raffia tote keeps you organized at the beach and beyond; $395 at Bloomingdale’s and bloomingdales.com. Follow our home & style editor on Instagram (@susanbrierlybush).
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Now in its 10th year, the Just Jersey retail store in Morristown has proven to be a trailblazer for the buy-local movement.For the last decade, co-owners Tina Bologna and Paul Miller have stocked their shop with goods made only by Jerseyans—much of it also Jersey-centric, with wares boasting the attitude the state is known for, folklore like the Jersey Devil, and iconic sites like Margate’s Lucy the Elephant.“We were surprised that there was demand for not just Jersey made, but also Jersey branded,” admits Bologna.Collecting Jersey makers in one place may seem like a no-brainer today, but in 2012, when Bologna created a print catalog of items by local crafters and artisanal food producers to sell for a school fundraiser, the idea was a novel hit, so she continued to expand. “I wanted to make a bigger impact,” she says.In 2014, the first retail venture came in the form of a pop-up shop. Since then, the original 30-40 craftspeople have grown to more than 300, offering thousands of products.[caption id="attachment_341290" align="aligncenter" width="778"] "We're like the gift shop of New Jersey," says Tina Bologna. Photo: Andy Foster[/caption]The goods are as diverse as the state, with an inventory that includes greeting cards, jewelry, cookbooks, and a variety of home goods, from travertine coasters to tea towels and pillows.“Each item has a great story,” Miller says. “From the seaglass wall art done by an artist in Cape May to the hand-turned bowls made from storm-felled local trees.”[caption id="attachment_341293" align="aligncenter" width="778"] Stocked items from New Jersey makers include wall art, ceramic goods, handmade cutting boards, and much more. Photo: Andy Foster[/caption]Just Jersey has also become a go-to shop for corporate gifting. “We do a lot of gift baskets. We can create all kinds of themes,” says Miller, an experienced entrepreneur who previously owned a natural fruit juice chain as well as a store for triathlon enthusiasts.One popular basket is the Italian sampler, which includes Jersey-shaped pasta, locally made Italian gravy, biscotti and more.[caption id="attachment_341291" align="aligncenter" width="778"] Photo: Andy Foster[/caption]“Every item here reinforces a company’s commitment to the place they call home,” says Miller. “New Jersey is important to our business’s customers, their employees and the surrounding community. Everything here reinforces the value of their brand.”Students taking summer immersion trips are also regulars. “The students bring their international hosts gifts,” Bologna says. “We have stuff going all over: Japan, Spain, Portugal. They like to bring a bit of their state pride to share.”Realtors, too, flock to Just Jersey. Where better to get a welcome gift that can be customized with your town and zip code?[caption id="attachment_341292" align="aligncenter" width="778"] Photo: Andy Foster[/caption]“We won’t let people forget there is more to Jersey than housewives and Sopranos,” Miller says.Visit Just Jersey at 163 South Street in Morristown; 973-590-2820.The post Just Jersey in Morristown Puts Local Makers On Display appeared first on New Jersey Monthly.
Get weekly design advice and inspiration from the experts at Design NJ sent to your inbox.Email[caption id="attachment_339325" align="alignnone" width="778"] The backyard dining and lounge areas of this Spring Lake colonial feature yellow accents—just like the inside. Photo: Alyssa Mancini[/caption] * Related posts from Design NJ:* * Shore Home Combines Contemporary and Coastal Aesthetics * Relaxed Style in Monmouth County * Ocean County Couple Build a Guest House on a Lot Next Door Built in 1910, as Spring Lake was gaining popularity among New Yorkers and Philadelphians for its serene seaside boardwalk, beautiful beaches, spring-fed lake and quaint downtown, this home still delights with time-honored details and modern-day comforts.
The home is nearly 5,000 square feet and has six bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms, and a wealth of windows for abundant natural light. The current owner and her family “loved the bones of the house, but wanted to give it a very different feel,” says Geneva Goldsmith, founder of Lightcodes Style, a boutique interior design firm serving clients in the Jersey Shore area. “The previous owners had a very traditional look with dark flooring, trim and decor.”Her client preferred a light and airy feeling that also felt “beachy, cozy, and welcoming to both adults and kids.” This concept would extend to the adjacent cottage/pool house, which has its own kitchen, living area, bedroom and bathroom.Inspired by the town’s sense of place and the allure of other coastal destinations, such as the Italian Riviera, the French Riviera and the Riviera Nayarit, Goldsmith gave this project its own flavor by naming the main house and cottage the Riviera Beach House and Riviera Beach Cottage, respectively. “When I learned that Spring Lake was called the Irish Riviera nearly a century ago, the name felt like a perfect fit,” she says.Click here to continue reading this story on Design NJ.
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[caption id="attachment_339224" align="alignnone" width="960"] Illustration: Kay Wolfersperger[/caption]On a deep August afternoon, I sat in my stifling Montclair attic staring forlornly at a horrid turquoise casserole dish that hadn’t seen daylight since my wedding shower.My husband and I had sold our 1905 colonial and we were scrambling to empty out the beloved home our family had spent 23 years filling up. Paul and I had earmarked key items for the apartment we were downsizing to in town, unloaded some things on our 20-something sons, donated what we could, and rented a storage space for supposedly important objects I now only think about when paying our monthly invoice.That left a house still brimming with stuff that, while not particularly valuable, didn’t belong in a landfill: a dusty fabric doll from somebody’s Cancun vacation; a vat of screws, washers and errant metal things that belonged to something, somewhere; a purple V-neck from my mom I’d rediscover in my closet each year and swear to finally give a go. (I never did. I hate purple.)Figuring WTF, I snapped a pic of the odious casserole and listed it on Facebook Marketplace for $10. A couple of nibbles came in, one wanting additional photos and the brand (did he think it was Tiffany?), another countering $5.With the clock ticking fast toward move day, I had about as much time to quibble over crockery as I did for a spa extravaganza at the Short Hills Hilton. I settled on a new price ($0) and reposted it on my local Facebook Buy Nothing page. The description: “I hate this dish. Maybe you won’t.”A clay pot that couldn’t command $10 just days before suddenly had dozens clamoring. In a blink, a woman arrived at my house, raced up our flagstone walk with the glee of a newly named Price is Right contestant, and left with the casserole and a basket of smelly candles to boot.Pumped, I posted more, taking a brief minute to explain to Buy Nothing browsers (and myself) why the object in question wasn’t making my cut.“After 22 years of planting tomatoes and getting about five total per season, we are giving up. Please take these tomato baskets.”“Could not look less hideous in this bike shirt, no matter how hard I pedal.”“I hope that where I am going, I will never have to use this horrid Shop-Vac.”And for that sad little doll from Cancun, a simple “Help me” made her case.As the weeks ground on, my daily Buy Nothing posts and visits became a precious ray of light amid the downsizing chaos. Each exchange provided a chance to spare the landfill. To delight another person I might not otherwise have crossed paths with. To attach a face, and sometimes a name, to something I’d owned and, possibly, loved before sending it out into the world.I sit in my apartment today, loving each of the spare belongings that share our small space. I take joy knowing that, somewhere nearby, someone is appreciating something that couldn’t come with us. And I hold out hope that maybe, just maybe, my mom’s purple V-neck, still hanging in my bedroom closet, will finally get some wear this year.Peg Rosen writes for numerous print and digital publications. She lives with her husband, Paul, and moyen poodle, George, in an uncluttered Montclair rental.[RELATED: Emptying the Nest: How We Decluttered Our Home of 30 Years]
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Mike Considine was deep into a career as a finish carpenter when lightning struck. Not literally, of course; he had what he describes as an aha moment. Why not create a refillable candle, something that would be reusable, environmentally friendly, toxin-free and sustainable?Fortunately, his wife, Olivia Apt, was game.“I’ve always liked to create,” she says, “but I never really found my own craft.”The couple combined forces and got to work, brainstorming ideas and sketching designs. Before he knew it, Mike had switched his artistic medium from wood to clay, and, in the midst of Covid-19 lockdown, voila: Lovelight Handmade was born. “It’s a joint creation,” says Mike.[caption id="attachment_338953" align="aligncenter" width="778"] Lovelight Handmade hosts creative learning experiences through hands-on workshops for people to create their own candle scents, to throw pottery and more. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]The concept is simple: a cylindrical ceramic vessel with a refillable candle. Mike worked on honing his pottery skills (“I got all my mistakes out of the way early,” he jokes), while Olivia threw herself into researching waxes and scents, ultimately procuring materials that are certified clean, vegan, and void of any toxins.“We’re very particular about our scents,” Olivia says. “They’re clean. No chemicals. No headaches.”[caption id="attachment_338954" align="aligncenter" width="778"] Lovelight Handmade has a shop in Bradley Beach. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]As their roles evolved, Olivia discovered a new passion: glazing. Drawing inspiration from the sea, she developed an aesthetic that has become their trademark.Creations in hand, the couple began doing the farmers market circuit in and around Asbury Park, where they make their home. They sold vessels in three sizes and various glazes, along with candle inserts scented with lavender, white tea, sage, grapefruit and other refreshing fragrances“Because it was Covid, people were in their homes,” says Mike, “so business took off right away.”Certain they were onto something, they soon developed an e-commerce presence, shipping “anywhere and everywhere,” Mike says. In May 2023, they opened their retail shop on Main Street in Bradley Beach.The couple concede that their learning curve has been steep, especially on the business side. Says Olivia, “We’re each wearing a lot of hats, learning as we go.” Adds Mike, “We’re grinding.”Undeterred, the pair have branched out into dishes, pitchers, vases and other ceramic designs, but candles remain their bread and butter. “Half of our business is refills,” explains Mike. “That tells me our idea is working.” And, as business continues to grow, so do their ideas. Lovelight Handmade’s vessels can have the LVLT logo imprinted on the ceramic, or customers can create a personalized message, perfect for, say, bridesmaid gifts.“I have a difficult time with the label of ‘artist’,” says Mike, “but what we’re creating here is very rewarding.”Lovelight Handmade is located at 57 Main Street, Bradley Beach (732-455-9514). The post Lovelight Handmade’s Candles Are Inspired by the Sea appeared first on New Jersey Monthly.
Anyone who’s raised teens knows it can be challenging to schedule summer family time when kids also want to enjoy weekends with friends. For this Bergen County family, the solution was to build their long-awaited dream home down the Shore, with abundant living space for overnight gatherings throughout the season.“The homeowners wanted the ability to entertain numerous friends and family members, so we opted to make all 6,200 square feet multipurpose to accommodate lots of visitors coming in and out during summer months,” says interior designer Sarah Brady, founder and creative director of Salt Design Company in Red Bank. “With three growing boys, our clients emphasized the need for livability without compromising style.”[caption id="attachment_336244" align="alignnone" width="778"] A custom coffee table, comfy seating with durable fabrics, and a surfboard wall sculpture adorn the light and bright living area in this Bay Head home. Photo: Linda Pordon[/caption]The project began in 2021 with the help of lead designer Kiera Gannon and cabinetry designer Karen Vazquez and was completed in 2022. “Our design approach gave way to coastal touches while keeping the overall feel grounded and organic,” Brady says.The sprawling home’s three finished levels were designed by Jeff Schneider Architect in Bay Head and constructed by Jonathan Cantor of Signature Home Builders in Englewood Cliffs. Throughout the residence, built-in cabinetry was constructed by Dave Larstana of MDM Woodworking in Hawthorne.[caption id="attachment_336245" align="alignnone" width="778"] The mudroom gets a lot of action when three teens and friends grab beach towels and gear. Photo: Linda Pordon[/caption]The first-floor living area boasts reclaimed wood beams, V-groove paneling, beaded chandeliers, and cozy, very forgiving seating in durable performance fabrics. Even the mudroom is designed for throngs of guests, with a stacked washer/dryer (a backup to the main laundry room) and lots of cubbies to corral pool towels and beach gear.[caption id="attachment_336242" align="alignnone" width="778"] Organic elements and a clean, fresh backdrop combine for a show-stopping, spacious kitchen. English white-oak floors withstand foot traffic as well as a bit of sand and surf. Photo: Linda Pordon[/caption]The adjacent kitchen is organically calm in multiple quiet tones. Benjamin Moore’s Pale Oak paint pairs well with white-oak cabinetry and floors. Large parties are a snap, thanks to maintenance-free quartz counters, a six-burner Wolf range, two 30-inch Sub-Zero column refrigerators, and two hardworking dishwashers. The dining area, which looks out to the front porch facing the ocean, welcomes crowds with a generously proportioned table and comfy custom chairs with rope bases and cleanable faux leather.[caption id="attachment_336248" align="alignnone" width="778"] Built-in queen and king beds abound in the three kids’ rooms, with scads of trundle and cabinet storage. Photo: Linda Pordon[/caption]With a whopping seven bedrooms, six full bathrooms and two half baths, there’s plenty of room for parents, kids, the family dog and visitors to party. In fact, during summer months, the seashore colonial-style home welcomes out-of-towners every weekend.Sleepovers are easy with kid-friendly bunk rooms, each sporting queen and king beds for a total of 10 teen beds. “Unique to any of our previous projects, we created three distinct bunk rooms, each intentionally designed for one of the sons, but meant to transition as they age,” says Brady. Another three en-suite guest rooms and the master bedroom are outfitted for grown-ups. Additional living area on the second floor offers a quiet space to watch the surf, enjoy a drink from the built-in bar, or work from home.[caption id="attachment_336246" align="alignnone" width="778"] Beds are cleverly tucked into dormers and window-seat areas. Photo: Linda Pordon[/caption]“Who wouldn’t want to weekend here?” asks Brady. “With this perfectly appointed custom home located in the heart of Bay Head, guests can ride bikes, surf or take a short walk to town for oysters, cocktails or ice cream. It’s summertime at the Jersey Shore at its very best.”[RELATED: Reimagining a Three-Generation Retreat in Stone Harbor]
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If you think small kids and pets can’t play nicely in a beautifully appointed home, consider this active family who dared to dream in vivid color.When New Jersey interior designer Kerri Pilchik envisioned the first-floor refresh of this stone-front colonial home situated in Ridgewood’s Old Country Club neighborhood, she considered the family’s busy lifestyle and love of entertaining.“Although the couple has two little boys and an English bulldog, the mother adores delicate decor details like scalloped edges and pretty upholstery trim,” says Pilchik. Because the children already had plenty of room to play in the family room and on the lower level, it was decided that kids and fine decor could coexist under one roof, so the plan for beautiful fabrics and finishes began.[caption id="attachment_334358" align="alignnone" width="778"] Baby blues and captivating corals punctuate this Bergen County home’s living room and foyer, where vintage and new decor are mixed for a cohesive look. Photo: Jane Beiles[/caption]The homeowners and designer agreed that a cheery, soft-pastel palette would effectively link all the rooms on the first level of the home. Sculptural furniture, organic textures and abundant objets d’art would pull it all together.Visitors entering the pale-blue front door are greeted by a complementary blue mirror by Ooomph. The welcoming foyer is anchored by an updated oushak rug and a chic, gilded-leaf ceiling light.[caption id="attachment_334361" align="alignnone" width="778"] A mid-century china-cabinet-turned-cocktail-bar Photo: Jane Beiles[/caption]The living room walls are awash in natural grass-cloth wall covering and punched up with a custom-color light fixture by Colleen & Company, a pair of glamorous framed bird prints, a mid-century china-cabinet-turned-cocktail-bar, and a comfy sofa upholstered in ivory fabric. The space also includes a vintage coffee table by Mastercraft, slipper chairs by Oomph, and a cozy window-seat nook with a pair of rattan chairs infused with bright coral.“To add balance to the room, I varied the saturation of the colors and the scale of the prints,” Pilchik says. “We agreed at the onset of the project that the formal living room was intended mainly for adults, but the sofa was covered in very forgiving performance fabric, just in case.”[caption id="attachment_334360" align="alignnone" width="778"] A cozy window-seat nook Photo: Jane Beiles[/caption]The adjacent dining room is accentuated with daring petal-pink grass-cloth wallpaper, which acts as a neutral backdrop. Window treatments include sunny-yellow Roman shades by Brunschwig & Fils and draperies in a large-scale botanical fabric by Schumacher. Dining chairs embellished with rush seats and backs are by Redford House. An over-the-top glass and brass chandelier steals the show by day and night.To add symmetry to the dining area, a pair of ornate gold mirrors reflect light around the room. Beneath each mirror resides a sculptural Chinoiserie cabinet with lacquered white grass-cloth finish, providing plenty of storage for china and glassware.[caption id="attachment_334356" align="alignnone" width="778"] A hand-painted floor and black chairs anchor the dining room and ensure that the petal-pink grass-cloth walls do not appear “too sweet.” Photo: Jane Beiles[/caption]The walnut-stained floor is jazzed up with a hand-painted geometric pattern, “executed by the talented Shelly Denning of Stamford, Connecticut, so the space wouldn’t read as too sweet,” Pilchik says.“The dining room dimensions were constraining, but I love a creative challenge. Unfortunately, the space wasn’t large, so although we could accommodate a dining table and chairs, we couldn’t fit a properly sized area rug. Instead of a patterned rug, we painted the floor to add pattern and interest.”[RELATED: Don’t Be Afraid to Embrace Color in Your Home]
Today the entire first level is party central, pulled together with an imaginative balance of furniture and decor. The energetic family enjoys colorful dinner parties, as well as casual cocktails in the living room during holidays and special occasions, with room for grownups, kiddos and critters alike.ABOUT THE DESIGNER“I had no idea I was being considered, but when I found out, I was ecstatic, of course,” says interior designer Kerri Pilchik of Ridgewood. Named one of House Beautiful magazine’s Top 15 Next Wave Designers, Pilchik is known for her sophisticated, approachable, layered interiors. She also was a guest designer at the Spring 2024 Design on a Dime fundraising event in New York City. Pilchik, a former attorney, is pictured at right in one of her whimsical spaces embellished with Schumacher’s fantastical Thistle wallcovering and large-scale Wheel of Fortune medallion walls by Abnormals Anonymous.Follow our home & style editor on Instagram (@susanbrierlybush).
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The largest topiary producer in New Jersey and one of the best-known decorative topiary purveyors in the United States, Atlock Farm grows specimens ranging in height from 8 to 80 inches. The place is a plant-lover’s paradise.Classic topiaries—hand-pruned shrubbery grown in individual pots—have been mainstays of design for centuries, achieving cult status among interior designers and home-decor enthusiasts. “If you look at design magazines from 30 years ago and even 60 years ago, you’ll see topiaries featured in beautiful spaces. It’s a horticultural art that will remain forever,” says Ken Selody, ornamental gardener and owner of the Somerset County farm.Selody’s interest began in 1990, when Allen Haskell of New Bedford, Massachusetts, was regarded as the king of topiary. “I had a successful business growing unusual garden plants in the late eighties and was intrigued by topiaries, but was groping around in the dark before I met Haskell. He was very generous with his time and even introduced me to Margaret Williams, his top cutter,” Selody says. After Haskell passed in 2004, Williams began working for Atlock Farm, and soon topiary lovers from all over the East Coast flocked to Selody for their topiary needs. Williams remains on his team today.[RELATED: How to Find the Best Houseplant for Your Space]
About 25 years ago, Selody gained widespread recognition as a gardening expert and contributing editor for Martha Stewart Living magazine. He supplied noted American horticulturalist Bunny Mellon’s Oak Spring Farm with Wedgwood thyme topiaries, delivered a truckload of plants to a swanky New York City party thrown by Tom Cruise, and contributed topiaries for a scene in the 2009 film Julie & Julia starring Meryl Streep.The gregarious Selody shared his expertise on a widely viewed HGTV.com appearance in 2022, which included tried-and-true growing tips and a tour of his farm. Although some regard topiaries as finicky plants, Selody maintains they simply require regular watering and sunshine. One might think his own home would be loaded with topiaries, but Selody admits, “I live with seven cats who treat plants like scratching posts. So I’m content to live with fresh topiaries in my greenhouse 12 hours each day.”Atlock Farm, 545 Weston Canal Road, Somerset; 732-356-3373; @atlockfarm on Instagram.Follow our home & style editor on Instagram (@susanbrierlybush).
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[caption id="attachment_331266" align="alignnone" width="778"] Photographer Stephanie Blum poses for a self-portrait, along with photogenic pup Jay, who is being raised by Blum and her husband as a potential Seeing Eye guide dog. Photo: Courtesy of Stephanie Blum; hair and makeup by Ericka Medina; blossoms by Colly Flowers in Morristown[/caption]When Stephanie Blum spent her early years in fashion as director of merchandising for Calvin Klein’s design team, she didn’t foresee her future as a full-time photographer specializing in pet portraiture.“I love this job because I always wanted to work with people and their animals,” Blum says. “Growing up, my family had a lot of rescue animals, so I’m comfortable around pets, and I know how to read a dog’s body language.”She adds, “Pets are beloved family members, so clients like to include them in professional images to celebrate their intimate bond.” Blum also captures the likenesses of solo humans and other critters in her Mendham Borough studio.Full services with Stephanie Blum Photography begin with an at-home consultation to meet adults, kids and pets in their own environment. “Understanding how my clients live helps me envision a creative concept that will represent their authentic style,” she says. “It’s also good for animals to meet me before they visit the studio.”Clients choose Blum because she makes photo shoots stress free by suggesting what to wear, providing professional hair and makeup artists, and offering posing guidance.After the shoot, it’s time for the big reveal. Images are immediately available for viewing, and clients can select from digital portraits, heirloom-quality photo albums, and framed wall-art options.Blum usually works with canine clientele because, she explains, “cats are not always willing participants.” However, she would be happy to collaborate with cooperative kitties, as well as horses, birds, bunnies or reptiles.Blum and hubby Michael Ansell have two pups of their own: 12-year-old Winnie and 11-year-old Benji. In 2023, the couple volunteered as foster parents in the Morristown-based Seeing Eye’s puppy-raising program. Last November, they brought home Jay, a 7-week-old black Labrador retriever, and they are teaching him socialization and good manners for one year.“I wanted to give back to the community because I’m blessed with good vision,” says Blum. “Michael and I are delighted to raise Jay to one day serve a visually impaired person.”She is also working on a “pet project” in her spare time. Later this year, Blum will release a coffee-table book that features her portraits of rescue dogs and their poignant backstories. Proceeds will benefit See Spot Rescued, a Jersey City nonprofit dog-rescue organization that re-homes lucky pooches.Stephanie Blum Photography, 2-A Hilltop Road, Mendham; 732-598-1291.Follow our home & style editor on Instagram (@susanbrierlybush).
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[caption id="attachment_331248" align="aligncenter" width="778"] All photos courtesy of the manufacturers[/caption]A nifty slanted shade with whip-stitch detail gives the Arroyo brass floor lamp by Elan Byrd personality; $798 at luluandgeorgia.com.The Newark lamp has a rattan ginger jar-shaped body with a Belgian linen shade; $790 at hvlgroup.com.Earth-toned beads strung in an organic mollusk shape make for a whimsical statement; $1,564 at laylagrayce.com.The Nathan James wall-mount, pulley-style lamp sports a shapely, open-weave shade; $85 at amazon.com.Inspired by Florida palms, the Palma table lamp’s textured ceramic body and natural-fiber string shade offer a beachy vibe; $590 at troylightinglights.com.A lyrical silhouette on the Winona floor lamp features a leather-wrapped arm and solid oak side table; $1,095 at sohohome.com.
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Day-trippers and locals flock to Shoppons Run Flower Farm in Stockton not only for its burgeoning blossoms, but to share sparkling conversation with proprietor and master gardener Peter McCrohan.“I work with all kinds of customers—the floral designers who order large quantities of just one or two fancy varieties, as well as locals who prefer a humble bouquet wrapped in a rubber band,” says McCrohan, who grew up in Princeton.His goal is to plant just enough each season to meet market demand. “I find a home for mostly everything I grow,” he adds. Quince blooms in March and April; then come peonies in May and June. In August through October, the dahlia crop, for which McCrohan is best known, is at its most vigorous and colorful. The farm also raises lilacs, tiger lilies, nerines, bittersweet, spider lilies and trumpet-shaped crinums.[caption id="attachment_331489" align="aligncenter" width="778"] A field of dahlias appears as if imagined by Monet himself. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]Shoppons Run took off in 2021 when a New York Times real estate-section article raved about Delaware Township. One of the images showed McCrohan, in his signature cowboy hat, cutting flowers in his bucolic field. Soon after, he was featured in Princeton-area publications and even snagged a magazine-cover photo, making him a bit of a local celebrity.[RELATED: The Best Outdoor Activities in New Jersey]
McCrohan is the real deal. He graduated from Cook College at Rutgers with a degree in horticulture, then farmed in Arizona and California for 20 years. Tired of the dry climate, he moved back to the East Coast in 2010 to put down roots on the tract of preserved land that is now his farm. “I bought this property when I was 60 years old and now I’m 73. I grew flowers out west, but had never raised dahlias,” says McCrohan.[caption id="attachment_331490" align="aligncenter" width="778"] The striped Tartan dahlia is a show-off in the field as well as the vase. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]Today, he tends the 14-acre Hunterdon County parcel with his cat, Leo, a good mouser and an ambassador of goodwill at the farm. He employs no staff, but a legion of loyal volunteers helps plant dahlias in spring and digs up the heavy tubers in fall.“I operate the rototiller and tractor, but personally don’t plant or lift,” McCrohan admits. “We have it down to a science. On four separate mornings, I lay about 600 dahlia pots (2,400 total) in rows four feet apart. The volunteers come right behind me to plant them. We work up an appetite for a nice lunch in one of my five outdoor salons.” His salons are vignettes assembled with a quirky collection of well-loved outdoor furniture that McCrohan snagged at local garage sales.[caption id="attachment_331491" align="aligncenter" width="778"] A bouquet of Karma Chocolate, Cafe au Lait, Castle Drive and pompoms is simply elegant. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]Among his volunteers are a retired dentist and an English professor. “Volunteers experience the whole process from seed to blossom, so they feel a part of it,” he says.McCrohan is passionate about the science of farming. “These days, there’s an inability for young farmers to own land. But in Delaware Township, there’s a lot of farmland available, with great support from New Jersey conservation groups. It’s a statewide revitalization of agriculture, because our loamy soil offers so many exciting opportunities for young people to grow flowers, fruit and vegetables.”[caption id="attachment_331493" align="aligncenter" width="778"] A Karma Chocolate blossom is popular among floral designers, as well as bees. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]Meanwhile, back on the farm, McCrohan is on the lookout for new colors and varieties of dahlias. He keeps a nucleus of 25 varieties and tries three to five new types each season.“I like to swap dahlia tubers with other gardeners. Some like tiny pompom dahlias, while others prefer huge dinnerplate dahlias that grow 7 feet tall.”Later this year, he will begin taking orders for already-started dahlias in 4-inch pots.[caption id="attachment_331495" align="aligncenter" width="778"] A close-up of a Cafe au Lait dahlia in full bloom. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]After each busy season, how does McCrohan relax?“I own a vintage BMW motorcycle and like to visit Riegelsville, Pennsylvania, riding up one side of the Delaware River and back down the other. That’s my idea of a half-day vacation. Then I come right back to the farm.”[caption id="attachment_331496" align="aligncenter" width="778"] At the end of the day, even the gardener himself can’t resist cutting a bouquet. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]This passionate gardener and proponent of local agriculture sums up his love of flower farming like this: “Growing dahlias is like cooking scallops. They are good not because the chef is good, but simply because they are naturally good.”Shoppons Run Flower Farm (87 Worman Road, Stockton) is open most weekends, but it is best to call first: 520-850-3226.Follow our home & style editor on Instagram (@susanbrierlybush).
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The Senjyo rattan pendant, designed by Hiroshi Koshitaka, is simply stylish; $2,740 at curreyco.com.Twenty-piece Fantasia flatware, available in 20 hues, mixes and matches with any tablescape; $426 at westelm.com.Perk up your kitchen with colorful, artisanal Bornn enamelware swirl mugs. Set of four; $80 at anthropologie.com. Treat your next soirée to pretty and colorful block-print napkins with scalloped edges. Set of four; $49 at markandgraham.com. The Riviera rattan lounge chair features bouclé cushions and a glamorous French feel; $2,100 at jonathanadler.com. Snuggle up with Reef pillow covers in hydrangea blue or grass green; $228-$248 at serenaandlily.com. Follow our home & style editor on Instagram (@susanbrierlybush).
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Because of Jersey’s great debate, carrying this canvas tote will give folks a hint of your exit on the GSP; $10.99 at truejersey.com. By now this shorthand for the exclamation “Oh, my God!” is such common vernacular, it merits this artful rendering in bubbly gold letters; from $1,250 at ashleystarkhome.com. This tome keeps the Sopranos’ story going with character-driven recipes; $21.49 at amazon.com.A pinewood frame displays a time-worn American flag; $399-$799 at potterybarn.com. This enduring sign of peace takes the form of porcelain candle holders; $54 at jungalow.com.This multicolored arc, rendered here in sparkly sequins, is a symbol of inclusion and diversity; $260 at jonathanadler.com.Folks of a certain age know that Birkenstocks defined hippie culture, circa 1970; $160 at nordstrom.com.
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[caption id="attachment_329734" align="alignnone" width="778"] Kathryn Tappen's Jersey residence was designed with a Maine-farmhouse feel. Photo: Tory Williams[/caption]Television personality Kathryn Tappen, known for her NBC Sports coverage of football, hockey, golf and the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, has always designed her own playbook.A native of Morristown, Tappen grew up playing youth baseball and basketball on boys’ teams because girls’ teams didn’t exist at the time. At Villa Walsh Academy, she was laser focused on track, earning academic and athletic scholarships to attend Rutgers University. Tappen majored in journalism, ran with the cross-country and track teams, and was an Academic All-American and Big East All Star. But during all those years of sports, she had another passion: interior design. In fact, as a child, she kept a journal of thoughtful pencil sketches and floor plans for her one-day dream home.“Sports has embodied my life, personally and professionally, but my hobby has always been home design and decorating,” she says.[video width="720" height="1280" mp4="https://njmonthly.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2videokt.mp4"][/video]So, when Tappen pulled up stakes from her Manhattan apartment in 2022, she envisioned exactly the home she wanted. The busy sportscaster’s television career requires continual travel, so she craved solitude during her personal time. “I missed nature, so I began scouting land in Morris County, where I grew up,” she says. Tappen found a bucolic lot a stone’s throw from her parents’ residence. “Building my home from the ground up appealed to me,” she adds.Under the guidance of architect Timothy Bryant of Manhattan, with the assistance of Jeff Rawding and Karl Nichol at F.J. Rawding AIA in Morristown, the renderings were put into a CAD system. Then the project was handed off to builder Jay Grant of Grant Homes in Mendham.[caption id="attachment_329735" align="alignnone" width="778"] The New England-inspired staircase was built by Grant Homes of Mendham. Photo: Tory Williams[/caption]One of Tappen’s favorite vacation destinations is Maine. So, with the help of designer Sarah Steinberg, she incorporated a New England aesthetic in her kitchen and bathrooms.“My home is my respite, and it’s especially relaxing to sit in the kitchen with my cat, Tuxy, as we enjoy the long view out the window to the field in the backyard,” she says.During her free time, Tappen stays fit at the Mendham Golf and Tennis Club, where she often golfs with her mother, a three-time club champ.[caption id="attachment_329731" align="alignnone" width="778"] Throughout the main living area, organic and vintage accessories play nicely with plush furnishings and a pretty palette of creamy whites and pale blues. Photo: Tory Williams[/caption]Designer Jenny Madden of Westfield collaborated on the living, dining and bedroom areas by adding creamy-white and pale-blue coastal colors and suggesting reclaimed beams, union-made Chicago-brick veneers, and patina-rich vintage accessories. “It’s important to add character and history to make a home livable,” says Madden. “It was especially meaningful to Kathryn to integrate heirloom pieces into her design.”Those family objects include a 60-inch, round, pine dining table, handmade for Tappen’s grandparents in 1965, restored by Atlantic Restoration in Dover. “My dining table has special sentimental value, but it’s also a work of art. There’s not one nail in it,” Tappen says.[caption id="attachment_329733" align="alignnone" width="778"] Tappen entertains at her heirloom dining table. Photo: Tory Williams[/caption]The main living area is decorated with a light and airy blend of dreamy sofas and occasional chairs, natural textures and white oak floors. The welcoming kitchen, awash in white, is party ready, with a 48-inch, duel-fuel Wolf range, a generous island with quartz countertop, and a Sub-Zero fridge to hold mega quantities of Super Bowl food and beverages.As for the hospitality wing, Madden says, “a unique element of the project was the guest suite with bedroom, bath and sitting areas. Kathryn was willing to venture outside her comfort zone, and the result is a boutique-hotel-style haven with a darker, moodier palette and a woodsy, rustic vibe.”[RELATED: Step Inside George Oliphant’s Historic Family Home in Montclair]
The exterior of the farmhouse-style home is classic clapboard with a cedar roof. Although the structure is new, it exudes all the charm of historic architecture.[caption id="attachment_329761" align="alignnone" width="778"] Character-rich details include a reclaimed-brick herringbone floor and a dramatic fireplace. Photos: Tory Williams[/caption]“I built this home with hopes to grow into it. Coming back to this part of New Jersey feels like I never left. It’s a beautiful blend of quiet country farmland and the bustle of nearby Morristown,” says Tappen.The 42-year-old adeptly pivots between her television career and her love of interior design. Will her two worlds ever overlap? “Let’s just say I’m considering some interesting possibilities,” says Tappen. “Stay tuned.”Follow our home & style editor on Instagram (@susanbrierlybush).
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[caption id="attachment_328313" align="alignnone" width="778"] The open-concept living space inside the former Cokesbury Presbyterian Church is embellished with a 10-foot-high chandelier and a dramatic brick fireplace. The coffee table is a repurposed antique sleigh. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]When Laura and Rafe Sharón first laid eyes on the former Cokesbury Presbyterian Church in Tewksbury Township five years ago, they weren’t sure what to make of it. The circa-1880 structure had been on the market for a year and was in dated condition. The idea of turning a former church into their residence was at the same time intimidating and exhilarating for the couple, who are not particularly religious.[caption id="attachment_328312" align="alignnone" width="778"] The circa-1880 structure was converted into a school in the 1960s, then became a residential property in the 1980s. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]“When we first walked through the front door into the sanctuary area that had been stripped of church pews, we both felt it had great energy, but at the same time, it was very calming,” Laura says. “When I saw the 20-foot ceilings, I thought the place was so cool. But we were in for a challenge because there were no bedrooms.” However, the building’s ecclesiastical past didn’t stop these divergent thinkers from going for it. The couple, who were engaged when they moved in, soon married in front of the dramatic fireplace that stands where sermons were preached long ago. Their minister was a friend who performed the ceremony as their children looked on.[caption id="attachment_328314" align="alignnone" width="778"] Laura and Rafe Sharón relax in their church-turned-home. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]The antique church was converted into a school in the 1960s, then became a residential property in the 1980s. Among the couple’s renovations were restoring the original stained glass windows and covering them with tempered glass for added protection, and hoisting a 10-foot chandelier to the highest point of the ceiling. One of the trickiest bits of design magic involved the addition of two sleeping areas within the residence. Laura and Rafe now slumber in a large, open space that was once the upstairs choir loft. They also created a diminutive guest room and a bathroom on the main floor.[caption id="attachment_328311" align="alignnone" width="778"] Beloved pooch Truman welcomes guests in the front vestibule. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]Rafe notes, “It’s a pretty quiet neighborhood, since there’s a cemetery in our side yard.” A licensed architect who had previously owned a thriving Princeton business, he reinvented himself as a psychoanalyst in his 50s. Rafe now works from home in the main sanctuary area, at a huge desk reimagined from an original church door. Behind his desk are proudly displayed photos of his grandfather, a respected psychotherapist who used to collaborate with Sigmund Freud.[RELATED: Couple’s Loft at Hoboken’s Old Wonder Bread Factory the Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread]
Also in the primary open space is a music area with a piano, a cello and guitars, where family members enjoy jam sessions. Nearby is a gigantic wooden bakery table that bears century-old knife gouges. Snagged at auction, its identical sister table was scooped up by Ralph Lauren. Rafe’s artist grandmother’s original abstract sculpture also decorates the space.[caption id="attachment_328310" align="alignnone" width="778"] The lower-level family room is surrounded by original stone walls and decorated with vintage found objects, comfy seating and an antique workbench reimagined as a bar. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]Laura, a former Air Force staff sergeant and retired mounted police officer, enjoys decorating the unconventional interior with antiques and unexpected relics. Her most recent project was redesigning the lower-level kitchen with bold blue cabinetry flanked by a large, vintage island that had once resided in a New York deli. The kitchen area was dug out of the church-basement crawl space and expanded into a cozy downstairs family room with original stone walls. The kitchen’s rustic ceiling beams are gnarled and mismatched because the crawl space area was never intended to see the light of day.[caption id="attachment_328309" align="alignnone" width="778"] Blue cabinetry and gnarled beams accent the kitchen, which was once a crawl space. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]Behind the heavenly home is a gracious pool area with an outdoor fireplace, a bar, a brick courtyard and a fountain, all surrounded by colorful gardens. The couple’s three exuberant dogs, Truman, Esther and Schooner, have free run of the fenced property.“Living here, at the site of hundreds of weddings, baptisms and funerals, makes us feel like we’re part of something bigger than ourselves,” says Laura. “We plan to buy plots in the church cemetery next door so we can always remain here in spirit.”
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Years after graduation, when former college roommates and renowned soirée-throwers Amy Tomlinson and Courtney Curzi Murray left their lucrative corporate jobs to start an event-planning business, they wanted to keep the party going.“We still had a passion for entertaining, but realized that adult party planning wasn’t always fun,” says Tomlinson, of Summit. Then the idea came to them: What if someone curated a no-fuss tablescape for event hosts? And what if those hosts didn’t have to stay up late washing dishes and table linens?In August 2023, they launched Spoon + Salt, a luxury tabletop-rental company, serving most of New Jersey and parts of New York and Pennsylvania. “Our vision is to offer curated tabletop looks in an easy way, delivering complete tabletop decor to our client’s home, then collecting it after the party,” says Murray, of Phillipsburg, a former marketing vice president. Tomlinson, a merchandising and project-management expert, adds, “We also believe this is a good way for clients to recycle, by not having to buy new dishes and linens when hosting an event.”[RELATED: This Point Pleasant Shop is Stocked for All Your Stylish Soirées]
The partners offer more than 10 curated tablescape styles, viewing every table as a blank canvas on which to make a creative statement. Their concept is straightforward. Party-throwers browse tabletop designs and choose the one that best fits their occasion, personality and number of guests. The order is placed, and soon a hand-delivered tote bag containing dinnerware, glassware, flatware and linens arrives, along with table-setting tips. After the party, hosts lightly rinse their rented dishware and repack the tote bag to be picked up by Spoon + Salt. Costs range from $120 to $160 for four place settings, plus $35 for round-trip delivery.“In 2024, we’re adding more colored glassware and napkins to round out our extensive inventory for dinner parties, bridal showers, weddings and more,” says Tomlinson. “Amy and I enjoy what we do and are always available for complimentary design consults.”“We love to be invited to the party!” Murray adds.For more information, visit Spoon + Salt's website, or call 908-818-0400.Follow our home & style editor on Instagram (@susanbrierlybush).
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[caption id="attachment_326380" align="aligncenter" width="778"] All photos courtesy of the manufacturers[/caption]Give your boudoir a new look for the new year with an organic, toxin-free, fair-trade bed ensemble from this Summit-based maker; prices vary at bollandbranch.com. Toasty toes are only two socks away! These fluffy footies will keep the cold at bay; $26 for three pairs at nordstrom.com. No more wet heads on chilly days! This soft, terry turban is a hug for your noggin—and helps dry your tresses; $19.99 at hm.com. A chunky, chenille-soft cover in buttery beige is a sure comfort; $60 at cozey.com. The Alaia organic-cotton spread offers a layer of texture and softness; $210 at luluandgeorgia.com. Named for Josephine Baker, a cabaret darling of the 1920s, this cotton-chenille throw gives Art Deco vibes; $199 at johannahoward.com. This open-weave, cotton-knit blanket comes in earthy shades and features a twisted-rope fringe; $103 at ballarddesigns.com. These sumptuous, absorbent, Turkish-cotton towels feature a ribbed texture and a fluffy weave; $85 per set at potterybarn.com.
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[caption id="attachment_326391" align="aligncenter" width="778"] All photos courtesy of the manufacturers[/caption]No matter which way you wear it, this reversible puffer jacket offers a cozy layer; $288 at jcrew.com. The Jocelyn Fair Isle knit cap is a happy accessory to take you through the winter; $65 at bloomingdales.com. Show your stripes with a preppy Niko wool-blend scarf; $325 at nordstrom.com.The Vinny ribbed pullover is super versatile. Dress it up, dress it down; $298 at veronicabeard.com. Dolce Vita Runaway boots in faux suede put a little country in your step; $220 at anthropologie.com. The Una leather and suede cross-body bag is a woven wonder; $248 at J.McLaughlin in Harding Township. The Jupiter stacked bracelet plays nicely with jeans or a cocktail dress; $95 at francesvalentine.com. Follow our home & style editor on Instagram (@susanbrierlybush).
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When interior designer Samantha Stathis Lynch and husband Christopher began searching for new digs with extra work-from-home space, they discovered an intriguing loft listing in the original Wonder Bread factory in Hoboken.“We wanted something different, with character and original details. I like layered spaces with quirky-yet-comforting architectural details,” says Samantha, the principal of Samantha Ware Designs. Chris adds, “I’m English, and I had dreamed of the kind of classic loft you see in the movies.”[caption id="attachment_326307" align="alignnone" width="778"] The spacious living room offers an industrial vibe with high ceilings and expansive urban views. Photo: Trevor Parker[/caption]As soon as the couple entered the newly constructed, 1,700-square-foot Wonder Lofts apartment with gigantic windows, 16-foot ceilings and exposed brick, they were sold. They were especially intrigued with the open-floor-plan space, located in what had been the original working bakery, founded in 1909 and in operation until the 1960s.[RELATED: Peek Inside an NJ Designer’s Belmar Bungalow]
“Our apartment is loaded with character, but it had a modern, white kitchen, which we immediately changed,” says Samantha. “My style is eclectic, with a mix of old and new. Pairing something perfect alongside something imperfect gives a home a soul.” The couple chose a bold, dark blue on new Shaker-style kitchen cabinets and added brass hardware and fixtures. A handmade tile backsplash in a classic brick pattern is reminiscent of Manhattan subway stations just across the Hudson.[caption id="attachment_326305" align="alignnone" width="778"] The formerly white kitchen is party-ready after being reimagined with blue Shaker-style cabinets, brass hardware and a handmade-tile backsplash. Photo: Trevor Parker[/caption]The couple created a designated office area in the main living room with a hefty campaign-style desk, vintage decorative pieces, and a large photograph by Trevor Parker of Delmonico’s Manhattan steak house. The living room was amped up with a plush Moroccan Beni rug plus soft furnishings: a neutral-linen slipcovered sofa from Jenni Kayne, blue-striped Zak and Fox pillows, an ink-blue ottoman, and a pair of mid-century modern chairs reupholstered in show-stopping Pierre Frey fabric. A media console was made with custom shelving embellished with exposed-pipe detailing.[caption id="attachment_326308" align="alignnone" width="778"] The primary bedroom wows with a plush velvet bed and well-appointed pillows and linens. Photo: Trevor Parker[/caption]The primary bedroom has a fresh coat of Farrow and Ball’s green-gray Cromarty, while an 11-foot fabric panel flanks the enormous window. The velvet bed is complemented by a striped linen coverlet, a cheery green throw from Hollywood at Home, and Peter Dunham pillows. The focal point is a second large Trevor Parker photograph that rests above the bed.[caption id="attachment_326309" align="alignnone" width="778"] Samantha's office, loaded with antiques, doubles as a guest room when family visits from England. Photo: Trevor Parker[/caption]A second bedroom serves as both an office and a guest bedroom. A contemporary brass Kelly Wearstler desk lamp and a queen-size Murphy bed (disguised as a large, checker-print table) add personality to the highly functional space. An heirloom antique desk sits alongside a childhood portrait of Samantha’s mom, while an 18th-century chest of drawers offers extra storage. “Sustainable vintage and antique decor add vibrancy to our home and are also environmentally responsible. Antiquing really is the way forward,” Samantha says.[caption id="attachment_326311" align="alignnone" width="778"] The couple entertains on their patio, where wicker and inherited teak furnishings play nicely among hydrangea and English roses. Photo: Trevor Parker[/caption]Just outside the living room is a spacious patio, set against the backdrop of the former factory’s original Victorian smokestack. Here, transitional wicker lounge furniture and Samantha’s parents’ former teak dining set have found a home near limelight hydrangea, English roses, lavender and plumbago. “Having grown up in the English countryside, I’m partial to green fields and cottage gardens, so it was important to create a little English-inspired oasis,” Chris says. Adds Samantha, “Gardening has become a passion of mine. It’s a sort of therapy when your hands are covered in dirt and you watch something you’ve cared for grow.”[caption id="attachment_326306" align="alignnone" width="778"] Samantha prepares lunch, which she'll serve out on the patio. Photo: Trevor Parker[/caption]“Lofts and apartments can feel cold and industrial, so it’s important to add layers of playful colors and patterns and unexpected furniture and art,” the designer says. “In our case, we wanted this to feel like the Cotswolds or a London row house. I think we struck that balance between industrial and comforting, honoring the space’s history while making it feel like home.”Follow our home & style editor on Instagram (@susanbrierlybush).
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IT'S A SETUP! Amp up your tablescape with this charmingly detailed dinnerware; setting is individually priced starting from $9.99 at hm.com. SPICE IT UP: Petite mosaic tiles lend an NYC subway vibe to these fanciful salt and pepper shakers; $32 at anthropologie.com. BLUE-PLATE SPECIAL: Classic blue-and-white dishware with eclectic patterns strikes a traditional-meets-modern tone; from $50/set of four at ballarddesigns.com.PUT ME ON A PEDESTAL: Serve anything from soup to nuts in the whimsical Chroma ceramic bowl; $195 at jonathanadler.com.HAPPY HUES: Just like a favorite wardrobe piece, this stemless suite goes with everything; $170 at nordstrom.com. GET THE POINT: This royal-blue mahogany chef’s knife from Japanese maker Korin has a modern ergonomic design; $149 at korin.com. STOCK A SMOCK: Chefs of all stripes will applaud this cross-backed apron with two front pockets; $39.95 at crateandbarrel.com. GO WITH THE GRAIN: Handsome wooden bowls feature an elongated silhouette that shows off the Italian olive-wood grain; $40 for four at verveculture.com.
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[caption id="attachment_322856" align="alignnone" width="778"] Each year at the Hacienda Fox Run residence in Sussex County, an 11-foot tree is embellished with 1,000 baubles, garland and flocking. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]Each year, when the holidays roll around, this Sussex County family celebrates in a big way as homeowners Ana and Victor welcome kids, grandkids, parents and pets to their traditional Cuban-American Christmas event.
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“Our heritage is important to us, so every year we enjoy the holiday with four generations,” Ana says. She left Cuba as a toddler, and husband Victor arrived in the United States in 1972. Both grew up in Hudson County and they were high school sweethearts.
[caption id="attachment_322860" align="alignnone" width="778"] A mini tree loaded with vintage crystals and cherished holiday photos of kids and grandkids from over the years. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]Preparations for the annual Christmas festivities begin as Victor sets up the 11-foot spruce tree in the living room and Ana climbs the ladder to single-handedly add sparkly baubles and tinsel garland. This labor of love typically requires about nine hours until all 18 large storage bins are emptied. “We have more than 1,000 ornaments that our family has been collecting for years,” Ana says. “Our six kids and four grandkids know that ornaments are my favorite gift, so they’ve given me unusual ones from all over the world.”
[caption id="attachment_322862" align="alignnone" width="778"] Ornaments are Ana's favorite gift. She has over 1,000 from all over the world. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]Once the evergreen masterpiece is so full it can’t hold one more decoration, Ana’s favorite part begins: flocking the tree. Although it sounds like a complicated process, she simply buys a dozen bags of recycled garbage-bag flocking from Walmart and begins layering it on the branches. “It’s really fun and easier than it sounds,” she says.
Their Spanish-style home is expertly festooned from floor to ceiling by Ana, a self-taught decorator. Nicknamed Hacienda Fox Run, the residence overflows with vintage Christmas objects, fine art and quirky decor acquired at local estate sales, thrift stores and antique shops.
[caption id="attachment_322859" align="alignnone" width="778"] Holiday feasts are prepared in the Spanish-style kitchen, the heart of the home. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]Here, Cuban art, a French farm table, an Italian stone fireplace, Eastern Indian textiles and Asian sculpture all coexist peacefully. “We celebrate diversity and welcome all cultures, and I think that’s reflected in our decor,” Ana says.
The couple purchased their home in 2019, but actually fell in love with the property the first time Ana drove past it 20 years ago. “I admired the Spanish architecture and the way it was situated in the woods. So when we discovered the home was available, we grabbed it.”
[caption id="attachment_322857" align="alignnone" width="778"] Family members spend hours baking cakes, cookies, flan and guava bars for Christmas dinner, attended by 24 people. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]Once the tree decorating is complete, it’s time to plan the traditional Cuban-American Christmas Eve dinner. Two long tables and a children’s table are set for 24 guests. The menu includes lechon asado roast pork, rice, beans and yuca. Festive lamb is also served. “Noche Buena is a love-filled Cuban Christmas Eve where all generations gather in our finest as the aroma of lechon asado fills the air,” Ana says.
Dessert is an extensive buffet of sweets, including Victor’s aunt’s flan, marzipan turrones, frosted gingerbread and chocolate chip cookies, and whimsical custom cakes in the shapes of Santa and a Christmas tree, baked by daughter Briana, a self-taught cake artist. (View her creations on Instagram: @magical_n_sweet.)
[caption id="attachment_322861" align="alignnone" width="778"] Five energetic shih tzus—Anabella, Lupita, Penelope, Max and Otis—pose for their annual Christmas portrait. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]Following dinner, Ana and Victor’s five shih tzus are welcomed into the living room while the children dance to Spanish and American music and the family exchanges presents. “Since there are a lot of us, we buy gifts only for the kids,” Ana says. “Then grownups play a white elephant game, and we each walk away with one silly gift.”
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By the time December 25 rolls around, the whole family is happy to spend the day in their pajamas eating leftovers, dancing, and hanging out with the pups. “Christmas with my family is my happy place,” Ana says. “And we’ll do it all again in 364 days!” Recipe for Classic Cuban Guava BarsIngredients:* 1 cup sugar * 1 stick butter, softened (not melted) * 2 eggs * 2 cups self-rising flour * 16-ounce package of Goya guava paste (available at Walmart)
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together sugar and butter. Beat 1 egg with 1 cup of flour. Then beat the other egg with the other cup of flour. Add the sugar/butter mixture to the egg/flour mixture. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with butter. Pour half the batter into the dish. Cover with sliced guava paste. Then cover the guava with remaining batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Slice into bars and enjoy!Follow our home & style editor on Instagram (@susanbrierlybush).
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Get weekly design advice and inspiration from the experts at Design NJ sent to your inbox.Email[caption id="attachment_322247" align="alignnone" width="778"] Designer Alexa Ralff added hits of color to her neutral sunroom with vibrant throw pillows and artwork. Photo: Christine Gatti[/caption] * Related posts from Design NJ:* * A Retirement Remodel in Montclair * In Skillman, Concocting a Kitchen Renovation * A Bergen County Home Meets Age-Appropriate Modernism “I love a good project,” says Alexa Ralff, owner of AHR Designs in Millburn. That’s why the designer was thrilled with the idea of purchasing a 100-year-old residence and renovating it to meet her family’s needs. “It’s a typical center-hall Colonial in Maplewood,” Ralff says of the home she shares with her husband, Steve, and two children, Wyatt and Avery. “I love quirks and a traditional home; honoring the 1920s history of this house was my pleasure.”Ralff’s aesthetic combines a variety of styles. “I am a classicist, a bit boho and a tad traditional—but in the most casual way; I love all things pretty.” She also loves all things orderly. “I can lean into more is more with decor in terms of my love of color and pattern,” she explains. “But I was raised by a professional organizer mom, so I like a lot of pattern but not a lot of ‘stuff.’ I like a clean counter, I don’t like a lot of tchotchkes; the eye needs a place to land.”
In this case the eye very often lands on the walls. The home is furnished in a palette of blues, greens, peaches and pops of pink. “That’s driven by all of our favorite colors,” the designer says. And much of that color comes from the wall coverings, which are one of Ralff’s favorite ways to elevate a room’s decor. “I’d wallpaper everything if I could,” she says. “I love things layered. Wallpaper acts as one of those layers.”
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[caption id="attachment_319780" align="aligncenter" width="778"] All photos courtesy of the manufacturers[/caption]BE A WRAPPER: A between-seasons go-to, this lightweight kimono-inspired jacket is a style statement with wide sleeves and a belted waist; $145 at nordstrom.com.EARTH TONES: The Fidji pillow from the Free Spirit collection features hand-embroidered details; $32 at cozey.com.SINK IN: This plush, cognac-colored chair sacrifices no comfort for style; $1,998 at luluandgeorgia.com. TABLE TALK: A tightly rendered diamond pattern adds interest to this table runner, which serves as a centerpiece with or without table settings; $9.99 at hm.com.LOOK AT ME: The oversized Anuel floor mirror, rendered in oak and walnut, visually opens up any room and adds an architectural touch; $2,295 at sohohome.com.
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If you’re looking to acquire or sell fine artwork, vintage or antique furniture, objets d’art, jewelry or fashion, the Magnusson Group of Morristown covers the spectrum with estate sales, online auctions and appraisals.One of the most interesting elements of their business is family estates. “Often, we find unusual things in unexpected places,” says daughter Lauren Magnusson, an appraiser and the sales director of the family business. “Once, we discovered a 1-carat diamond ring hidden in an I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter container buried in a woman’s freezer.”Founder and CEO Lynn Magnusson adds, “Sometimes, families have no idea what the value is. In a hidden closet, we once found 300 unopened bottles of Johnny Walker and other Prohibition spirits. We’ve also been asked to appraise rare antique books, comic books, coins, gems, luxury handbags, contemporary art, and even Louis XIV’s personal nursery rhyme book.” Recently, while perusing the contents of an understated apartment, Lynn spied a piece of art stashed behind the fridge. The owner said, “Just take it. The family hates it,” but after researching, she advised the owner it was an oil painting worth six figures.[caption id="attachment_319772" align="alignnone" width="778"] Lauren, Lynn and Drew Magnusson. Photo: Courtesy of the Magnusson Group[/caption]Lynn, along with husband Drew, began the business in 1994, before the appraisal industry was regulated. Today, she is one of the only appraisers in the world to hold accredited/certified memberships in all three of the personal-property accreditation associations: the Appraisers Association of America (AAA), the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) and the International Society of Appraisers (ISA). President and senior appraiser Drew Magnusson owned Rascal’s White Elephant Bar & Grill in Ocean Township in the 1990s, dabbled in auctioneering, and then became a USPAP-compliant appraiser.Today, he specializes in the metal market, art and antiques, and also runs their online auctions. “Since the pandemic, the online marketplace, especially for vintage and sustainable items, has blossomed,” Drew says.[RELATED: Best Thrift Stores and Consignment Shops in NJ]
After headquartering in Harding Township for 15 years, the Magnusson Group recently relocated to a sparkly, 2,500-square-foot, open-to-the-public space in Morristown. Retail inventory includes antique, vintage and contemporary artwork, furniture, silver, porcelain, luxury goods and jewelry.The store is open 9 am-4 pm Monday through Friday, with special events scheduled after hours (162 Ridgedale Avenue; 973-425-1550).HOW TO SNAG THE BEST ESTATE-SALE STUFFIs there a strategy behind getting the biggest bang for your buck at an estate sale? “You bet!” says Lauren Magnusson, who shares her top tips:1. If you’re first in line on the first day, you’ll pay a higher asking price. Negotiate a lower price by making your offer in the middle of the last day. 2. Rather than saying, “I’ll give you...” or “What’s the best you can do?” lower your voice and politely try, “Would you accept...?”3. Be sure to remove your purchases from the property before the sale ends, or expect to pay more for future access.4. Check in advance to see which forms of payment are accepted. Paying in cash typically yields a better price.
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Beyond its green-gated entrance, Bird Haven Farm seems just as pastoral and welcoming as it might have been 200 years ago.The sprawling Pottersville property began with an unassuming stone cottage built in 1816, followed by the addition of barns in the mid-19th century. The name Bird Haven Farm is the original moniker, coined by former lady of the house and publisher Harriet Stratemeyer Adams.[caption id="attachment_317723" align="alignnone" width="778"] Beloved Bruno perches atop a vintage wicker settee near Mavec’s handmade garden-tool wall sculpture, anticipating a lunch of Serrano ham, cold zucchini soup, grilled paella and a homemade plum tart. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]Current owners and bon vivants Janet Mavec and Wayne Nordberg spend many an hour tending the rustic Hunterdon County estate, as their four canines roam the 75-plus-acre parcel, darting among the century-old apple orchard and the flourishing vegetable and flower gardens.[caption id="attachment_317728" align="alignnone" width="778"] The walled courtyard contains exquisite perennial and vegetable gardens. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]The family purchased the residence in 1982 and added a contemporary home and guesthouse in the 1990s. The property’s master plan, which includes a reflecting pool and a party-perfect courtyard, was hatched by the couple with the help of Spanish landscape designer Fernando Caruncho in 2002. Organic veggie and perennial gardens, along with a monastery garden, were envisioned by designer Lisa Stamm.“I grow things I like to eat,” Mavec says. Apples, pears, plums, blackberries, kale, zucchini, beans, cucumbers, carrots, potatoes, onions and herbs all have a place on her dinner table.[caption id="attachment_317726" align="alignnone" width="778"] Mavec’s jewelry creations are inspired by the farm’s earthly delights. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]Nowadays, Mavec, a jewelry designer who previously operated a luxe boutique in Manhattan, draws her inspiration from her surroundings as she creates 18-karat-gold-plated brass necklaces, bracelets and earrings in the shapes of fruits, vegetables, leaves, birds and natural elements found at the farm.Nordberg, an economist, also enjoys gardening, but limits his green-thumb activities to the tomato and pepper patches. “Although we’re married, we occupy separate beds in the vegetable garden,” says Mavec with a smile. “Wayne and I enjoy cooking together. We make soups, and I put up jam, chutney, applesauce and pickles.”[caption id="attachment_317724" align="alignnone" width="778"] Casual lunch is styled with a Cabana tablecloth, Laguna~B glasses, Mottahedeh salad plates and freshly picked blossoms. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]The couple entertains often, assembling uncomplicated tablescapes with an eclectic mix from their collection of fine linen and china, punctuated with simple found objects. “It’s important to make an effort to present things beautifully, but it doesn’t have to be fancy or fussy,” says Mavec. “I particularly appreciate the time-worn patina of antiques.” Case in point: When Mavec discovered a mishmash of tarnished garden tools squirreled away in her barn, she turned them into an outdoor wall sculpture rather than relegating them to a landfill.“I have always loved beautiful, organic things,” Mavec says. “Even in crafting my jewelry, I channel the essence of the garden in celebration of our farm’s spirit.” Follow our home & style editor on Instagram (@susanbrierlybush).
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NBC's George to the Rescue, hosted by Montclair's George Oliphant, straddles the airwaves as a human-interest-story-meets-home-renovation-reveal show.The new 12-episode season, which begins on September 23, includes five filmed in New Jersey.“Our East Orange project features a single mom who suffered a brain bleed and seizure. Her daughter asked us to rescue her mother’s garden sanctuary, and CLC Landscape Design is helping us out,” Oliphant says. “Sometimes hard-working people simply fall on bad luck and run out of time and money, so we help get them to a better place.”Back in 2002, as a film and theater major, Oliphant built stage sets, and learned to use tools and hang wallpaper. Just one year later, he landed an on-camera appearance with MTV, followed by gigs on First Look New York and Open House.Today, George to the Rescue is syndicated in most U.S. cities and has global fans. Nominated for five Daytime Emmy awards in seven years, the series has earned 10 local and two national Emmys. Oliphant says, “My kids get a kick out of it. We’ll be at the mall standing in line at the Gap, or at the airport in Minnesota, and somebody will say, ‘Hey, I know you!’”[caption id="attachment_316112" align="alignnone" width="778"] George, Zoe, their youngest children and dog Sugar hang out in the breakfast nook, waiting for the older kids to return from camp. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]When he’s taking a break from starring in and executive producing the show, Oliphant tackles projects in his own abode, a beautiful 1912 Montclair home formerly owned by his grandparents, with his wife, Zoe. They have four children, ages 5-15.“There’s been an Oliphant in this house for 80 years,” George says. “We’ve done a lot of upgrading, but we were careful to keep the good bones of this residence. I think my ancestors would approve.”Adds Zoe: “We’ve made it our own over the years by mixing old with new. The result is an antique English Tudor, reimagined in a flirty, New England way.”Oliphant's latest home project? “Right now, I’m building a game room for the kids with ping-pong, foosball and darts,” he says. “But no video games or TV. [...] Zoe and I are designing a screen-free room.”Follow our home & style editor on Instagram (@susanbrierlybush).
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[caption id="attachment_316112" align="alignnone" width="778"] George, Zoe, their youngest children and dog Sugar hang out in the breakfast nook, waiting for the older kids to return from camp. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]Long before George Oliphant became a contractor on NBC’s popular home-renovation show George to the Rescue, he and his wife, Zoe, happily resided in Brooklyn—until his father persuaded them to pull up stakes in 2010 and move to George’s grandparents’ former home in Montclair.“We knew it might be too much house for us,” he says, “but Dad threatened to sell the 1912 home that had been in our family since 1942, so we agreed.” [caption id="attachment_316118" align="alignnone" width="778"] The exterior of the Oliphants' Montclair home is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Onyx Black. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]“It’s really lovely that we were able to start our suburban adventure here in Montclair,” says Zoe, who hails from Vermont. “We’ve made it our own over the years by mixing old with new. The result is an antique English Tudor, reimagined in a flirty, New England way.”George adds, “I have fond memories of spending every holiday and summer here as a kid. We especially like knowing that our four kids go to the same school that their grandfather attended.”[caption id="attachment_316113" align="alignnone" width="778"] Shelves displaying handmade baskets by Zoe’s mom enhance the white kitchen. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]The couple’s most recent reno project is a pristine but cozy kitchen with hand-brushed cabinetry, Statuario marble surfaces, a red-knobbed Wolf stove, a Peruvian walnut island, and custom triple-crown molding.“Our challenge was to update the kitchen in a traditional way so it wouldn’t feel disjointed from the rest of the house,” George says. “My general contractor, RTH Building Company, and cabinetmaker, Stephen Fanuka, really came through for us.”[caption id="attachment_316115" align="alignnone" width="778"] The century-old dining room, painted white with earthy-green accents, has a modern beaded chandelier. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]The dining room, an homage to George’s grandparents, features their heirloom table and chairs, original millwork, and leaded-glass doors. A portrait of Scottish grandfather George Booth Oliphant keeps a watchful eye over holiday dinners.“There’s been an Oliphant in this house for 80 years,” George says. “We’ve done a lot of upgrading, but we were careful to keep the good bones of this residence. I think my ancestors would approve.”[caption id="attachment_316116" align="alignnone" width="778"] A butler’s pantry wows in a surprising shade of green. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]Parents and kids, ages 5-15, hang out in the inviting living room that sports a relaxed, Ralph Lauren-esque vibe, with Restoration Hardware leather sofas and an inherited coffee table. George’s Emmy awards occupy an antique bookcase, and Zoe’s cheery Romo wallpaper packs a punch in a bold cherry-blossom pattern.[caption id="attachment_316114" align="alignnone" width="778"] In the Oliphant family’s living room, laid-back luxe means extra-deep leather sofas and heirloom furnishings, all under the roof of a beloved home purchased by George’s grandparents in 1942. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]George says, “Zoe doesn’t love the camera, but I get her to perform once in a while. She has a great eye and can stand toe to toe with top designers. Her style is more modern, and I’m more traditional, so we’re truly the definition of transitional design style.”These days, Zoe’s focus is on her business as a Realtor with Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty in Montclair.[caption id="attachment_316117" align="alignnone" width="778"] The lord of the manor pauses on the porch to don his workboots for another day on the set of George to the Rescue. Photo: Laura Moss[/caption]The couple’s big news is that this fall, George will launch Oliphant Construction. “Besides continuing to produce the show, it’s time to start my own business. It’s a natural progression since I’ve spent the last 20 years in a master class with the best contractors and designers. I’m licensed, insured and ready to go!” he says. Follow our home & style editor on Instagram (@susanbrierlybush).
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Entering the world of wonders that is Cheech & Roo is a sensory experience. From the visually enchanting entryway, with framed vintage photographs and elegantly poised statuary, to the inviting scent that at once seems familiar and new. The space feels homey. Music plays softly, and guests feel welcome to indulge the urge to run a hand along one of the smooth, glossy painted chests or tug open an ornate, brass-handled drawer.
Creating this haven for all things antique, beautiful and peculiar was the natural result of owner Elisa Miranda following her instincts. “I’m visual; I want people to walk in and be wowed. There’s texture and layering; walls aren’t just painted, they are stamped or Venetian plastered.”
A former art student, in 2014 Miranda gave an old dresser she owned a new look with paint and fell in love with revitalizing and repurposing furniture.
“At that time, it was all about chalk painting,” says the exuberant Roselle Park resident, “but that trend passed.” Today, she says, the glassy finish of lacquer is the hot furniture fad, adding, “I can do any look.” Her repertoire of custom finishes is broad and her verve about the work even more vast. “We do new pieces, heirlooms, kitchen cabinets. We pick up and deliver, everything,” she says.
[caption id="attachment_314655" align="alignnone" width="778"] Miranda’s quirky items range from vintage dishes to porcelain teeth to a church’s confessional kneeler. Photo: Erik Rank[/caption]
Miranda says Garwood—known as the small town with a big heart—is an ideal location, sandwiched between the tony, million-dollar-house towns of Westfield and Cranford. “But it doesn’t matter what kind of car you drive up in,” she says.
“People are always telling me to change my prices. But I believe living good can be affordable. Bring your kids, bring your coffee. I want the just-looking crowd to come in and wander. I don’t follow people around. You can look, and you can leave. It’s about the experience.”
Maybe you will buy something, maybe you won’t—but if you see a clever arrangement of vintage pipes and go home and style your grandfather’s collection similarly, Miranda says she’ll be delighted.
Filled with repurposed furniture, Cheech & Roo is also a treasure of vintage home goods and quirky finds, plus items Miranda just loves, like goods from Bridgewater Candle Company, images from travel photographer Scott Levy of Rahway, and fanciful handmade jewelry by Bill Wagner of Cranford.
“Sometimes people come in with laptops and lounge. There’s even a couple having an engagement party here,” Miranda says. “The space has taken on its own life.”
Cheech & Roo, 246 North Avenue, Garwood; 908-619-9693
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[caption id="attachment_314256" align="alignnone" width="778"] Natasha Greene, seen here with her son Nate Jr., often films cooking segments from her redesigned kitchen. Photo: Mary Pat Collins[/caption]
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Glam farmhouse—that’s the aesthetic Natasha Greene was looking for in the Camden County home she shares with her husband, Nathaniel Greene, and their toddler son. It seems fitting for the digital creator whose accounts—@asiliglamcooks, @asiliglamhome and @asiliglam—bring lifestyle inspiration to hundreds of thousands of social media followers.
“I was looking for a modern, clean and elevated aesthetic for my home,” Greene says. “It was built in the early 2000s, so we were working with very traditional colonial aesthetics to begin with. We wanted to keep the integrity of the home while updating it with a more elegant and modern look.”
Designer Sarah Wilson of Chansaerae Designs based in Woodbridge, Virginia, interpreted that look to suit her clients’ lifestyle in their Sicklerville home. “I decided to go light and bright, with a lot of soft blues,” she says. “It’s a comfortable vibe. The Greenes have a young child, and they have a lot of family and friends coming in and out. I wanted to make it comfortable for them—elegant, yet comfortable.”
[caption id="attachment_314259" align="alignnone" width="778"] The Greene’s home has a “comfortable vibe,” says designer Sarah Wilson. “I decided to go light and bright, with a lot of soft blues.” Photo: Mary Pat Collins[/caption]
The elegance is evident in the kitchen, which, for Greene, is one of the most important rooms in the house. As a culinary-content creator, she sought a stylish kitchen that could serve as a backdrop for cooking demonstrations. “I work from my kitchen daily. It serves as my content studio to create new recipes,” she says.
Wilson understood that a noteworthy kitchen was essential to Greene’s work: “Natasha makes most of her videos in the kitchen. She was looking for something memorable.” To that end, Wilson incorporated white quartz countertops with black striations that make an unforgettable statement against the dark cabinets. The waterfall-style counter on the island ups the dramatic impact. “The kitchen is visible from the family room,” Wilson notes. “This was a great moment to include something gorgeous.”
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[caption id="attachment_313217" align="aligncenter" width="778"] All photos courtesy of the manufacturers[/caption]
WHERE'S THE PARTY? Playful cotton-and-silk top rocks whimsical tassels; $220 at the Carrie Dunham flagship in Bay Head and carriedunham.com.
LAIDBACK LUXE: Hand-printed florals decorate cotton cushions that are perfect for summer picnics or poolside lounging; $298 at anthropologie.com.
JUMP RIGHT IN: The 1989 Scoopback swimsuit sports a classic navy bouquet print; $128 at J.Crew stores and jcrew.com.
TABLE READY: Keaton paisley cotton napkins add a punch of pretty to any tablescape. Set of four, $40 at Pottery Barn and potterybarn.com.
UNDER COVER: Cambria cotton bedding was inspired by a vintage block-print pattern. Twin, queen and king sizes; prices vary at serenaandlily.com.
EASY BREEZY: Comfy and lightweight, the Marea House Dress takes you from beach to beyond; $228 at shopmarea.com. Follow our home & style editor on Instagram (@susanbrierlybush).
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[caption id="attachment_310730" align="aligncenter" width="778"] All photos: Courtesy of the manufacturers[/caption]
ON DUTY: Lifesaving style is delivered with this print by Maria Folger, available on metal, canvas or paper; from $40 at saatchiart.com.
GLOBAL ENTRY: The Royal Jelly Harlem placemats introduce vibrant West African motifs on quilted cotton. Set of two; $56 at nordstrom.com.
A COOL COCOON: Sink into the Magnolia Cuddle chair with its oversized egg shape fashioned from woven, all-weather resin and topped with Sunbrella cushions; $699.99 at sunvilla.com.
GET LIT: This flameless, glass-free outdoor lantern is durable and stylish in black-powder-coated metal; $42 at lights.com.
TO SERVE WITH LOVE: This bright, friendly, striped tableware sports beachy hues; sold individually from $19.99 each at hm.com.
SEA LIFE: The Whimsical collection of borosilicate-glass tumblers is lightweight, yet sturdy and eye-catching. Set of four; $100 at sprezznyc.com.
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[caption id="attachment_312635" align="alignnone" width="778"] “The home is built into a rather steep hillside,” architect Jeff Jordan says. “Since the project was a renovation and the heavy lifting of building into a hill had already been dealt with, the new work was relatively straightforward. The benefit of that hillside setting, however, is that the clients have outstanding city views and a strong sense of privacy.” Photo: Greg Maka[/caption]
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This Montclair home was constructed in 1956, right in the middle of the Midcentury Modern architectural boom. It’s a prime example of the era’s forward-thinking aesthetic. Still, after six and a half decades, the residence required some freshening up. Homeowners Chuck Moser and Patti Samper engaged Jeff Jordan Architects for the project.
“The home had seen several renovations through the years and had fallen on hard times,” says Jordan, whose firm has offices in Jersey City and Rutherford. “Our clients wanted to update everything from the windows and roofing to the finishes and fixtures while maintaining the original spirit of the home. Our intervention was subtle, with some minor layout changes and a big move to open up the kitchen to the surrounding living spaces and views of New York City.”
Design NJ: What are the hallmarks of the Midcentury Modern style?Jeff Jordan: Homes from this era often have flat or shed-style roofs to present a “clean” exterior profile. There are typically floor-to-ceiling windows and exposed posts and beams. Decoration is often minimal. Bedrooms and bathrooms are modestly sized to make the open living spaces feel more gracious. And most importantly, there is a strong connection between interior and exterior spaces, with adjacent gardens and patios serving as an outdoor extension of the living space.
[caption id="attachment_312613" align="alignright" width="350"] Jeff Jordan of Jeff Jordan Architects[/caption]
DNJ: What is the history of this style home?Jordan: Midcentury Modern style became popular following World War II. Architects such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Marcel Breuer and Walter Gropius transformed the International and Bauhaus styles of Modernism into something that was more appropriately scaled, detailed and efficiently built for the domestic market that was booming at the time.
DNJ: What was the scope of this project?Jordan: The home had been altered through the years and was sold to the current owners with some of the interior finishes already removed. Our scope included modifications to the existing layout; installing new finishes, fixtures and lighting throughout the interior; and installing new windows and roofing on the exterior. The overall size and form of the home remained the same.
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Dolores Catania and Paul Connell’s Bergen County residence was newly built. Still, Catania, a cast member on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, and Connell, president and CEO of Manhattan-based Eco Electrical Services LLC, wanted to infuse it with their own aesthetic. “They’re very particular,” designer Vanessa Deleon says. “They wanted to refresh the spaces and tailor them to their liking.”
Deleon, a television staple herself on programs such as American Dream Builders and Restaurant Impossible, as well as a brand ambassador with Overstock.com, is principal designer at New York City-based Vanessa Deleon Associates. She describes her clients’ design preferences: “They wanted classic elements to reflect their traditional tastes. However, this is a modern town house. We didn’t want to stray from that aesthetic too much.”
The designer merged the two styles to create an elevated urban aesthetic that both celebrates the owners’ preferences and honors the contemporary bones of the home. “We made a cohesive synergy happen with the finishes and the architecture,” says Deleon, an allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers.
In the living room, the finishes and architecture meet in a wall treatment that reaches from the fireplace mantel to the 16-foot-high ceiling. “We considered marble or stone cladding, but everything felt too hard,” the designer says. Instead, they opted for the faux-leather installation. “We hit the nail on the head,” she says of the tall expanse of quilted squares rising in uniform rows above the fireplace. The ceiling features its own geometrics in the form of L-shaped insets that are lit from within for added drama.
The effect is repeated in the primary bedroom, this time with upholstered wall panels behind the bed. “The clients wanted more than a headboard,” Deleon explains. “They wanted it to speak to the room, to be very prominent.” The deep-gray treatment is, indeed, a focal point. The tone is reinforced throughout the space with the inclusion of tactile textiles in shades of white and gray—from the quilted bedding to the faux-fur throw to the hand-tufted rug over the chevron-patterned hardwood floors.
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[caption id="attachment_309753" align="aligncenter" width="750"] This brownstone at 55 Lincoln Park in Newark was formerly owned by Newark historian Clement A. Price.[/caption]
The former home of Clement A. Price, a historian and Rutgers professor who died in 2014, recently went under contract before it even hit the open market.
“A few people who saw the house were mainly interested in buying it because he owned it—and it’s a beautiful house,” said Compass Real Estate's Carissa Borraggine, who listed the home exclusively to Compass agents.
Interest in the 1887 brownstone Price owned at 55 Lincoln Park in Newark was amplified by the affection many felt—and still feel—for this stalwart supporter of the town.
A native of Washington, D.C., Price adopted Brick City as his home during the turbulent sixties, eventually settling in the Lincoln Park district. He became known for his fervent love of New Jersey and the city of Newark.
[caption id="attachment_309754" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] The dentil moulding along the ceiling line, and the deep baseboard moulding, are signatures of a bygone era.[/caption]
Once sought after by the turn-of-the century rich and famous, many of the homes in the Lincoln Park district reflect classic architectural elements. Price's 2,904-square-foot former residence features a handsome golden brick exterior with an arched entryway. Inside, there are original hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, crown moulding and carved trim.
[caption id="attachment_309755" align="aligncenter" width="768"] Price's home has maintained its original, ornately detailed 1887 staircase.[/caption]
The Lincoln Park area earned distinction on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. The neighborhood, which spans 23 acres, includes performing arts venue Symphony Hall, historically significant landscaping, and prominent statues.
Considered the arts district, the area is host to the Lincoln Park Music Festival, and encompasses the City Without Walls gallery, as well as the Newark School of the Arts, a performance and fine arts institution.
A full-circle moment? Clement’s Place, a cabaret-style jazz club that honors Price’s passion for the music, is located on nearby Washington Street.
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[caption id="attachment_310565" align="alignnone" width="778"] Illustration by Claire Owen[/caption]
People ask me how I’ll manage when my daughter heads to college this fall. I just might fill my empty nest with caterpillars. As a Rutgers Master Gardener, I volunteer at the butterfly house at the EARTH Center in South Brunswick. Master Gardeners undergo a year of classes and field work before becoming certified volunteers for county Cooperative Extensions. We help teach the public about issues such as soil health, landscaping and the needs of pollinators.
Butterflies, ethereal and fragile, are beloved as pollinators. Caterpillars, alas, don’t get as much acclaim. After all, they ravage a lot of greenery en route to becoming butterflies. But I was delighted to encounter an Eastern black swallowtail caterpillar munching through my parsley patch last September. Here was a late-season caterpillar to admire, with its chartreuse body accented in black and yellow, and those adorable, stubby legs.
Then I spied movement in the patch: a line of determined ants, capable of devouring my caterpillar with frightening speed. Note that I said “my” caterpillar. A caterpillar is essentially a baby, and I had already bonded with it. No way was I leaving it to a gruesome fate. “OK, Chunk,” I said, “let’s get you inside.” Further inspection of the parsley revealed four additional swallowtail caterpillars, even younger—not much bigger than exclamation points.
Chunk and his friends spent the first night on a bouquet of parsley in a vase on my dresser. Like a new mom, I checked on them several times, relieved that Chunk hadn’t toddled off the vase. I ordered a mesh enclosure so they could grow up safe from predators over the next few weeks.
Every day, I’d hear the tiny plink of caterpillar poop hitting the bottom of the enclosure. Every day, I’d remove each pellet and refresh the parsley. I swelled with pride to learn black swallowtails are the state butterfly of New Jersey. I yearned for a guide—something like What to Expect When You’re Expecting Butterflies. I joined Raising Eastern Black Swallowtails on Facebook, because of course there is a group for this. I was all in.
[RELATED: Why Migrating Monarch Butterflies Love NJ]
I was fully aware that my devotion to the caterpillars helped me cope with impending changes at home. Chunk formed a chrysalis on the same day that my daughter, Audrey, started her senior year of high school. Slow down, I thought. Come back. But I couldn’t wallow. There were college applications to send and four more caterpillars to raise.
At times, I worried. “Should they be eating more?” I asked my bemused husband when the caterpillars slowed their pace. “Is this normal?” One by one, they turned green, grew large and left caterpillar-hood behind. I witnessed one of them create its chrysalis, and I was brought to tears as its chubby body disappeared. How purposeful they were.
By November, Audrey had applied to college, and two of the chrysalids had become butterflies in our backyard. They wobbled, steadied their wings, and then—zoom, gone. Through winter and spring, Chunk and the other two chrysalids hibernated in our garage, while Audrey looked forward to prom and graduation.
Any day now, Chunk and his remaining pals will emerge as butterflies. And before I know it, another summer will be gone, and Audrey will begin her first year at Rutgers. One minute, it’s all about feeding them and cleaning up their poop. You blink, and suddenly they’re wrapped up in their chrysalis, chilling in their rooms until it’s time to fly.
Kelly-Jane Cotter lives in South River. In her yard stand a large cherry tree and a small garden, where caterpillars will always be welcome.
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[caption id="attachment_307987" align="aligncenter" width="778"] All photos: Courtesy of the manufacturers[/caption]
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[caption id="attachment_309882" align="alignnone" width="778"] Storm-resistant windows let the sunshine in and inspire nighttime star gazing. Photo: Jacob Snavely[/caption]
If you’ve enjoyed the magic of a family getaway to the Jersey Shore, you might agree that the best souvenirs are happy memories made under the summer sun. For the Chung family of Stone Harbor, the Shore is particularly beloved because three generations of family have enjoyed their 1980s-era home located just two minutes from the ocean. But when it became clear that the house no longer met their daily living and entertaining needs, the grown children suggested reimagining the interior. Ultimately, two generations of family members agreed to redesign the home rather than start from scratch.
[RELATED: The Ultimate Guide to Summer 2023 at the Jersey Shore]
Boutique interior-design firm Toledo Geller of Franklin Lakes accepted the project and set out to optimize outdated spaces so this getaway could seamlessly evolve with the years. Designers Virginia Toledo of Sparta and Jessica Geller of Essex Fells melded timeless architectural details with the family’s trendy style.
“This was a unique project because, instead of a knockdown, the homeowner made the best of what the space already offered,” Toledo says. Adds Geller, “Happily, the grown children who had spent many years in their Shore house had a say in the decorating process. Everybody wins because the modern, more subdued design appeals to the younger crowd and the classic style will stand the test of time.”
[caption id="attachment_309878" align="alignnone" width="778"] The foyer welcomes guests with a lavender console. Photo: Jacob Snavely[/caption]
The designers honored their client’s late wife by infusing lavender, her favorite color, throughout the home. This happy hue, found on an eye-catching lacquered console table, welcomes guests to the foyer. As a nod to the Jersey Shore setting, nautical-inspired shiplap paneling was installed on several walls, and an architectural keystone was added to an entrance wall, along with salvaged pieces of vintage seashell as a backsplash.
[caption id="attachment_309880" align="alignnone" width="778"] An 80s-era kitchen turns hip with blue cabinetry, modern lighting, neutral wood and an oversized island with stools. Photo: Jacob Snavely[/caption]
A spacious kitchen wows with dusty-blue cabinetry, mod pendant lighting, neutral wood accents and dramatic vaulted ceilings that were updated with decorative beams. The sink and island have been repositioned to maximize the breathtaking ocean view. “Our family is so pleased with the new design,” says homeowner Young Chung. “It is a calm, joyful place to spend quality time. We especially appreciate the kitchen, where we bake cakes and make ice cream to celebrate the summer birthdays in our family.”
[caption id="attachment_309883" align="alignnone" width="778"] Bedrooms are outfitted in mid-century furnishings. Photo: Jacob Snavely[/caption]
Adjacent to the kitchen, sofas and chairs in a monochromatic mashup of textures round out the lounging area. One of the family’s top requests was to revamp the floor plan to optimize views and add a second bedroom on the main floor. Doing so brought the bedroom tally up to six, enabling more guests to visit the beach retreat. One large and one small bedroom evolved into two roomy suites, each outfitted with mid-century-modern furnishings and casual cotton, linen and seersucker bedding. Beachy-green and blush-pink hues in the adjoining bathrooms add a calming, spa-like vibe.
[caption id="attachment_309885" align="alignnone" width="778"] An open, airy floor plan offers plenty of room for multiple family members to simultaneously cook, dine, watch television and work at their laptops. Photo: Jacob Snavely[/caption]
These days, the freshly redesigned beachside getaway serves as party central. Although family members go their separate ways as they travel extensively every year, all three generations reunite each summer in Stone Harbor to create new memories in the sand and surf.
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Steve Hiltner was hiking through Princeton’s Herrontown Woods in 2007 when he came across an abandoned house and cottage. “It was like being in the wilderness, on the frontier,” says Hiltner, who is a jazz musician, writer, actor and botanist from Princeton. The house was open, and Hiltner ventured inside. A few boxes of paperbacks sat on the living room floor—a sign, he thought, that someone had found shelter there in the not-too-distant past.
“I said, ‘Wow, what’s this?’” he remembers. “So that’s when I took steps to work to fix it up.”
That hike sparked a decade-long effort to restore not just the house, but the entire 150-acre nature preserve in northeast Princeton on which it sits. The garden is open to the public; the house is under renovation.
Hiltner’s nonprofit group, Friends of Herrontown Woods (FOHW), has removed downed trees, invasive shrubs, and poison ivy to turn barely passable paths into some of the region’s best easy hiking trails. Volunteers created a “botanical art garden,” called the Barden, at the entrance, while the house and nearby cottage are being prepared for renovations as meeting, performance, and educational-programming spaces.
The house, a prefab that was moved there from Morristown in 1930, played a noteworthy role in Princeton history: It became the home of mathematician Oswald Veblen, one of the first faculty members at the Institute for Advanced Study, and his wife, Elizabeth. Albert Einstein used to join the mathematician for walks in the woods and tea in the 1875 cottage, which Veblen used as a study. The Veblens donated the property to Mercer County; today, it is owned by the municipality of Princeton, but the volunteers of FOHW have been transforming it.
Work began in 2013, led by Hiltner and artists Kurt and Sally Tazelaar of Princeton, who spent much of that hot summer clearing trees and plants from trails, a massive undertaking. Builders digging out basements nearby contributed stepping stones.
It’s no surprise that the original volunteers came from the arts, Hiltner says: “You learn to make something out of something everyone else doesn’t pay much attention to. It was very much a vision, seeing beyond what’s there, seeing what it could be.”
The project grew organically from there. As a bar mitzvah service project, a local boy helped clear a looped trail in the woods. Sculptures—donated or created from repurposed materials—appeared in the Barden. The pandemic brought more volunteers.
Last year, the woods hosted an Earth Day event, outdoor readings of poetry and nature writing, a concert of Celtic music, and yoga classes. Lawn chairs dot the house’s garden.
Hiltner believes the restoration of the woods and house is in the tradition of Veblen himself.
For more information, visit herrontownwoods.org.
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Driving up and down the Jersey Shore shortly after the end of World War II, hauling laundry along New Jersey Route 35 from Point Pleasant Beach to Seaside Heights, Fred Pearl and Ed Patnaude dreamed big. With the war over, here was their chance to turn sparsely developed ocean-view land into communities of vacation homes like the suburban tracts with modest, single-family homes springing up across the country.
If they could get a bit of money together, they could build little cottages for the average working person—cop, baker, butcher and returning GI. One by one, the banks all turned them down. They had no collateral. But Ed’s brother-in-law bought into the dream when the banks wouldn’t. Fred and Ed were off on a new venture.
To make the economics work, the houses were basic: two bedrooms, a kitchen and living area, a very small bathroom with a shower and toilet, and a porch where a family could sit outside and hear the waves crashing along the beach. They divided up the land into 1,500-square-foot lots of stand-alone homes, side-by-side and back-to-back with enough room for a car (or two) to park and a small patio for barbecuing or taking in the early-morning sun.
No heat. No insulation. No air conditioning—just sticks to prop up windows. For showers, there was a tin bucket on the roof to collect rainwater that, weather permitting, would be heated by the sun. If a buyer wanted to splurge, a water heater cost $6.
In 1946, these 420-square-foot houses on cement slabs were attractively priced at $2,095. Some homes were sold with the land underneath, while others were sold at a discount, but required a yearly lease fee. They sold quickly. Fred and Ed doubled down. They helped create 4 of the 12 communities in skinny horizontal rectangles from ocean to bay. They built so many that, in the Ocean Beach III (OBIII) section alone, there are almost 1,000 houses in an area about one-third of a square mile. It may be the densest area of single-family homes anywhere on the Jersey Shore.
Despite the hurricanes and the even stronger tug of economic forces, Fred and Ed’s vision has endured.
Some 75 years later, Robert and Marie Chrone sit on their porch along Tarpon Way in a 480-square-foot house that, with some modest upgrades, looks just as it did when Fred and Ed built it. Together with their son, they purchased the home in December 2020, like many others who sought refuge at the Shore during the Covid-19 pandemic. Marie says of her husband, who works unpredictable hours as a utility-company supervisor, “He has a hard time relaxing. When you drive over that bridge…it transforms you. We’re only an hour and 15 minutes from home [in Moorestown], but we feel a million miles away.”
Robert adds, “I just park the car. We walk. We can be at the beach looking at the water in 30 seconds. It’s pretty cool.”
[caption id="attachment_309795" align="alignnone" width="778"] Robert and Marie Chrone’s 480-square-foot summer cottage is a refuge. Arriving in town, Marie says, “transforms you.” Photo: R.C. Staab[/caption]
Like many homeowners, the Chrones rent out their cottage on a weekly basis during the prime summer season, carving out two weeks for themselves. Nowadays, most of the homes are upgraded with heat and air conditioning, better siding, and new windows—critical for rentals. Families with one or two children happily pay $2,500–$3,000 a week for a vacation spot within steps of the beach. The Chrones’ rental enables them to cover most of the cost of their mortgage, insurance payments and property tax.
With home prices on most lots from $625,000 to $650,00, it’s debatable whether these homes are in reach for the average working person. But considering the run-up of property prices along the ocean in Monmouth and Ocean counties, the cottages—with their in-demand rental income—are considered a bargain for first-time buyers at the Shore looking for something other than a condo.
Fred and Ed’s clever business strategy included selling some homes outright for the capital, but selling other homes while keeping a long-term lease on the land, eventually creating an annuity for their families. One-third of the homes in OBIII still sit on leased land. It’s a dilemma for some buyers, knowing they have to pay homeowners association fees, property taxes and about $10,000 a year for the lease. Marie says, “Leased land was a foreign concept to us. Why would someone buy a house on it? We couldn’t bring ourselves to do it.” But homes on leased land sell for about $150,000 less than those on owned land, making them attractive to entry-level buyers.
Along busy Route 35, drivers can blink and never notice they’ve passed through OBIII and its 11 neighboring communities, including Ocean Beach I and Ocean Beach II, none of which are contiguous. Sandwiched between Brick Township Beaches and Lavallette, this tiny seaside section of Toms Rivers Township is variously known as Shore North, Shore North Beaches, Dover Beaches North or Lavallette, if one asks the post office for the mailing address.
[caption id="attachment_309798" align="alignnone" width="778"] Ocean Beach III may be the densest area of single-family homes anywhere on the Jersey Shore. Photo: R.C. Staab[/caption]
Each community has a homeowners association (or club, as the locals say) with separate dues, rules, beach badges and lifeguards. Most clubs have a bayside playground or community space for movie nights, barbecues, kids’ activities and more.
OBIII is different for one reason: the streets. It’s not the fact that the streets are mostly named for birds or marine life. As Kevin Iredell, who lives in Cranford and owns a vacation home on Albacore Way with his wife, Lisa, says, “Ocean Beach III is unique because it only has sandy streets.” The sandy streets have what Lisa describes as a good vibe. “This to me is as beachy as it gets,” she says.
It’s a good vibe unless you have a dog. Pets are not permitted on the paths and roads. As resident Bridget Chirchirillo describes it, “You have to have to carry them up to [Route] 35 or drive them up.”
The look of the roads contributes to another factor that people frequently mention as a key selling point. Paul and Bridget Chirchirillo had previously owned a Shore home in Bradley Beach, sold it, moved to Wall Township and started looking for another beach spot during the pandemic. They found it on Dolphin Way. Paul says, “This place appealed to us because of the sand roads and the traditional way of life. The more we spoke to people, they would say, ‘My grandmother owned a house. I grew up here. My kids grew up here. All my grandchildren—70 years of tradition.’”
[RELATED: The Pandemic Fueled These Incredible Home Renovation Projects]
Paul says when his grandchildren saw the house, “they lost their minds, they were so happy. They ran up to the dunes and the beach and saw it. The next day, they asked when they were going to come back.”
Perhaps the quaintest of the communities, OBIII today most closely resembles Ed and Fred’s original vision. “There are deed restrictions,” adds Kevin Iredell. “You can’t go up. You can’t put an addition on. You basically have to leave it the way it is. That keeps that old-school, 1950s kind of Jersey Shore feel.”
There are no McMansions and no five-bedroom houses for partygoers like those infamously featured on MTV’s Jersey Shore in nearby Seaside Heights. People who buy and rent in OBIII know what they are getting, choosing the family-oriented, quiet lifestyle, away from the boardwalks and clubs.
[caption id="attachment_309797" align="alignnone" width="778"] Ashley Swartz is among the handful of OBIII residents who live there year-round. Photo: R.C. Staab[/caption]
“It’s as if Dirty Dancing was filmed by the sea instead of a lake,” says full-time resident Ashley Swartz. When she first bought her house in 2015 while still living in New York City, she says “it felt like what I would imagine the Jersey Shore to be like in the 1950s, like time had stood still, with sand streets, these little cottages, and with children playing in the street, riding their bikes freely.”
Of course, a 500-square-foot house creates challenges, including having only one bathroom, which is typically only 40 square feet. In homes like the Chirchirillos’ that hark back to the 1940s, the bathroom is accessed by two doors—one from the kitchen and one from outside.
“It was designed for people to have their kids come right in from the beach into the potty and not have to go into the house,” Bridget says. They generally lock the outside bathroom door, but when Paul is barbecuing on the outdoor patio, everyone is warned he’ll be cutting through the bathroom to get to the kitchen.
The two bedrooms are the same size, barely big enough for a queen-size bed. Owners often add bunk beds in the second bedroom and a pull-out couch in the living room to attract renters. The Chirchirillos have told prospective renters their home sleeps six or seven people.
Storage space is severely limited as well. As Kevin Iredell describes it, “Everything we have has to have a place. We don’t bring any extra.”
[caption id="attachment_309796" align="alignnone" width="778"] Almost 1,000 tiny homes comprise the Ocean Beach III community. Photo: R.C. Staab[/caption]
Some homeowners, like the Chrones, haven’t been able to figure out how to add a washer and dryer without redoing the house completely. While space is tight inside, as Marie says, “a lot of the house is outdoor living. Almost everyone has a patio with chairs, a table and some outdoor grill.”
At first glance, the houses seem nearly on top of each other. But as John McDonough, local Realtor and one of Fred Pearl’s grandsons, says, “These are small lots on small streets. [Fred and Ed] didn’t want big houses, tall houses, to create almost a tenement affect, which you have up in the big cities of North Jersey. Most everything is in a checkerboard pattern the way the houses are laid out, so it maximizes the space between each house. You can’t be closer than 10 feet to the rear lot line. You’ve got to be 20 feet minimum away from your neighbor. So there’s always at least 20 feet from all these little houses. You don’t feel like you’re cramped, like someone is right there.”
Sure enough, despite many homeowners renting to new tenants each week throughout the summer, there’s very little complaining about rowdy behavior and noise. “We’re not a community that rents out to kids for parties,” Bridget Chirchirillo says. “People care.” Paul adds, “They respect it. It’s traditional. They want to maintain that 1950s, 1960s, maybe 1940s feel. Everybody goes to the ice cream store at night and waits to get their cone.”
Aptly, the ice cream store is a Dairy Queen.
While the vast majority of owners are families with children or retirees with kids and grandkids who come down in short stints, there are a few full-time residents. Swartz managed to buy one of the larger homes—all 729 square feet—on Osprey Way. She eventually moved to OBIII full time in 2017.
As a single professional woman without children who worked in Manhattan, Swartz says, “I could not have more different life experience than my neighbors, and sometimes that extends to politics. I have learned, which happens naturally when living in such small spaces, that despite this, we often have the same values.”
She adds, “I have beautiful neighbors; we are a family and a community, and they would and have done anything for me. I’m better at listening to hear and to better understand. Living here has made me a better person.”
For Swartz and the handful of others who live there year-round, there is one drawback: “The island becomes a ghost town as of the end of October, with street lights blinking.”
R.C. Staab writes extensively about the Jersey Shore, including the book 100 Things to Do at the Jersey Shore. In the summer, he runs, swims, kayaks and walks the beaches from Sandy Hook to Cape May.
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Get weekly design advice and inspiration from the experts at Design NJ sent to your inbox.Email[caption id="attachment_308750" align="alignnone" width="778"] The ceiling in this Spring Lake Heights home rises to 16 feet in the living area. With walls two to three times as thick as today’s standard construction, the inside temperature remains stable and predictable without the need for a conventional, expensive, resource-guzzling heating and cooling system, architect Richard Pedranti says. Photo by Jeffrey Totaro, courtesy of Richard Pedranti Architect[/caption] Related posts from Design NJ: * An Eco-Friendly Home in Princeton * A Long Branch Lot Reaches Its Potential * Sustainable Outdoor Living Imagine living in a comfortable, modern house with no cold drafts, no temperature variations from room to room, and virtually no heating or cooling bills. “It might sound too good to be true,” architect Richard Pedranti says, “but these pleasant conditions are the norm for people who live in a Passive House,” a building standard that emphasizes energy efficiency, comfort, health and long-term affordability.
Pedranti’s award-winning Pennsylvania-based firm, Richard Pedranti Architect (RPA), specializes in energy-efficient design and was recently recognized by the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and its Committee on the Environment for the design of an environmentally sustainable project in Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey. The home, built using Passive House principles, was recognized for its architectural excellence and energy-conscious footprint.
The prefabricated beach getaway, designed as a weekend retreat for homeowners Theresa Lang and Scott St. Marie, also qualifies as a Net Zero Energy building, meaning it produces roughly as much energy as it consumes annually. Pedranti shares the process and benefits of Passive House construction.
Design NJ: Were your clients fully invested from the start in building a home with net-zero capabilities?Richard Pedranti: Yes, they wanted a modern, comfortable and energy-efficient home with a simple one-story layout that includes a seamless connection between the inside and outside living spaces to the expansive rear yard and garden.
DNJ: What Passive House features were used in the design and construction?Pedranti: High levels of insulation, airtight construction, triple-pane windows, passive solar orientation and the use of a heat recovery ventilator — features that allow the home to remain comfortable year-round without having a traditional HVAC system.
DNJ: As far as energy use, how does a Passive House compare with a standard house?Pedranti: A Passive House uses approximately 80% less energy for heating and cooling than a traditional building. That savings tends to grab the public’s attention and prompts them to learn more. What really surprises them when visiting a Passive House are the improvements in temperature and indoor air quality. I often tell our clients the energy efficiency is a byproduct of making a comfortable and healthy building.
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The post Why This Home in Spring Lake Heights Seems ‘Too Good to Be True’ appeared first on New Jersey Monthly.
“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” This horticulturist’s adage is especially applicable to the imagination and determination that created 172-year-old Van Vorst Park from the ground up.
With more than 65 different species of trees, 275 types of perennials, and thousands of tulip, daffodil and iris bulbs, the Jersey City park is blossoming in a big way these days. In March, it was awarded level 1 arboretum status—a coveted accreditation granted only to educationally focused parks with numerous and diverse flora.
“Here, you’ll find unusual plantings like a rare Franklin tree, a pair of 100-foot-tall dawn redwoods and a valuable copper beech tree,” says master gardener Marc Wesson, president of the nonprofit Friends of Van Vorst Park.
A new, brightly colored playground was funded by the Jersey City Open Space Trust Fund. Photo by Laura Moss
Stroll through the 1.8-acre parcel, deeded by Cornelius Van Vorst in 1835, and you’ll experience a family-friendly venue surrounded by ornate brick and brownstone row houses. The area was expertly landscaped by florist and horticulturist Peter Henderson in 1851 when it became a formal Victorian city park, which led the way for unprecedented local growth. However, the park’s history hasn’t been a bed of roses. In 1906, after a tornado ripped out most of the plantings, the area languished for 80 years.
[RELATED: Fun Things to Do Outside in New Jersey This Spring]
“When we first moved here in 1987, my kids couldn’t play in the park because it was drug-infested, full of mud and hypodermic needles,” says Wesson, who lives right across the street and has helped maintain the park for the last 23 years. “For a few years, some of us from the neighborhood tried to bring the park back, but people kept stealing the plants,” he says.
Surrounded by ornate row houses, historic Van Vorst Park in Jersey City is an urban oasis for garden enthusiasts. The park also hosts seasonal events and a farmers market. Photo by Laura Moss
Things began to change in 1993, when community leader Clifford Waldeman established Friends of Van Vorst Park and then, in 2005, founded the Jersey City Parks Coalition. Working with local park advocates, Waldeman got traction that helped secure a $1.6 million Green Acres Fund grant. That seed money resulted in a fountain, gazebo, playground, sprinklers, new walkways and 19 empty gardens. A dog run, sprayground and pet-free lawns were added in recent years.
“After the park’s renovation in 1999, the Friends of Van Vorst Park planted and now maintain all the gardens, contributing our own time and money,” says Wesson. “We also host weddings, summer movie nights and a Halloween event. Our farmers market is open every Saturday year-round, with 100 percent of collected fees going back into the park.”
The gazebo is a favorite gathering place for kids and wedding parties. Photo by Laura Moss
Notably, only a small group of green-thumbs comprise the Friends of Van Vorst Park. These grassroots volunteers plant, trim and prune—and also rake a whopping 400 bags of leaves each fall. While some trees have been donated by local residents and organizations, about 75 percent were funded and planted exclusively by the Friends of Van Vorst Park. Wesson himself spends 1,000 hours each year contributing labor and handling the park’s paperwork.
“We’re always looking for volunteer garden enthusiasts, from Jersey City or elsewhere, to help maintain the gardens or suggest ways we can improve our verdant oasis within this urban setting,” says Wesson. “I’m happy to say that Van Vorst Park has changed this neighborhood for the better.”
A popular attraction is the fountain and birdbath. Photo by Laura Moss
He adds, “People actually move here because of our park.”
IF YOU GO: Van Vorst Park is located at 281 Montgomery Street in Jersey City. The farmers market takes place year-round on Saturdays, 8 am–2 pm. In June, the rose garden is in full bloom. To volunteer or for information, visit fvvp.org or follow @vanvorstparkJC on Instagram.
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Illustration by Steven Salerno
We loved our neighborhood in Glen Ridge but after 26 years, three kids, a cat, a dog and too many goldfish, it was time to move house.
We knew it would be hard to leave. We had a block party every September, complete with a bouncy castle and a band. On Halloween, the sheer volume of little Cinderellas and pint-size Spidermen required that you sit on your stoop, candy bowl in hand, to cater to the never-ending parade of trick-or-treaters. On Christmas Eve, those observing lined their patches of sidewalk with luminaries. During blackouts, as gas generators began to hum, strings of orange extension cords would appear, crisscrossing the street so those without generators could at least keep their fridges going till electricity was restored.
But now the movers had gone, the house was nearly empty, and two of our dearest neighbors, Bridget and Mary, were joining us in giving the house a final cleaning so it would be ready for the new owners. My wife, Jackie, had bonded with Bridget many years ago as they commiserated, heavily pregnant, in the summer heat—my wife with our first child, Iain, and Bridget with her second. Jackie met Mary in the park at the top of our street as her son, Owen, played with our twins, David and Simon. Coincidentally, we discovered, Owen was born on the same day and in the same hospital as our boys. To this day, everyone in town knows them as the triplets. They’re 22 now, but still the best of friends.
As I swept, I recalled the day we moved in. I had bought a bottle of champagne to celebrate, and not being particularly suave, managed to send the cork directly toward the kitchen window, leaving a cork-sized hole—and our first home repair—in its wake. Perhaps out of some psychic need to bookend home repairs, on the day before the new buyers’ final home inspection, I backed the minivan out of the driveway unaware that a haphazardly thrown garden hose was wrapped around the side-view mirror. As I drove away none the wiser, the faucet it was attached to pulled away from the house, leaving water to gush into our window well. Luckily, a neighbor noticed the broken faucet, retrieved a spare key we had left with another neighbor, and cut the water supply before it could flood the basement. Yet another neighbor, who happened to be a plumber, fixed the faucet in time for the inspection.
We only moved 15 minutes away, and while our new neighbors welcomed us with open arms, it’s hard to replace the bonds created while chatting at the school playground or huddled together in the bleachers for a sporting event. It took me several months to even drive down our old street because I missed it so much. But upon visiting friends there now, including the young couple who moved into our old house and whose little ones now occupy the same bedrooms ours once did, it’s not hard to realize that, “for everything there is a season.”
Our home served us well, and now it’s time to pass it on to another young family. We take great comfort in knowing the house is once again filled with toddlers and their toys, and a couple who, like us, appreciate the value of great neighbors. We wish them many years of happiness in their new home and offer only a single piece of advice: Be careful where you throw the garden hose!
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Because the sloped walls at this New Vernon showhouse did not have wallboard, they wouldn’t hold the tented fabric. “We had to devise a way to add wood at the top and center to hold the fabric covering,” designer Karla Trincanello explains.**** Photo by Wing Wong
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Designer Karla Trincanello says the attic room at Tyvan Hill in New Vernon (part of the Mansion in May Presents Splendor in September showhouse in 2020) was “as unappealing as possible.”
In addition to steeply sloped walls, the room had a long, narrow entry flanked on one side by a pitched ceiling and on the other by a curved concrete wall.
But Trincanello, owner of Florham Park-based Interior Decisions, was undaunted. “I studied the space and thought it would be a great ‘chic-shed.’ I’ve long wanted to do a room for a woman as her own space.”
Trincanello, a state-certified interior designer and allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers, used the unique bones of the room to her advantage. “The sloped walls reminded me of a tent,” she says, “which led to the concept of draping the walls with a beautiful soft-pink, sheer fabric to create that illusion in a luxurious way.” Though the tenting made the room seem larger, the designer “was careful to scale the furnishings so the room wouldn’t appear crowded.”
Custom built-ins line the sloped wall, creating useful space in the tight entry hall. Trincanello designed a long desk/giftwrap center flanked by two tall cabinets, one of which includes a wine refrigerator. The other features a display case for a wedding gown. “People [on the tour] loved the idea of displaying their own gowns rather than storing them away.”
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After the pandemic devastated nursing homes around the country, many elderly people wanted to find a different way of living out their golden years—one that would keep them in their homes and communities.
That’s just one reason why Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)—small, single housing units located on the properties of larger, single-family homes—have become popular in New Jersey.
“Many [elderly] people want to age in place. They want to keep the same doctors and houses of worship and neighborhoods. Disruptions can be difficult for older people to adjust to,” says Ann Lippel, a Montclair Gateway Aging in Place board member who has been advocating for ADUs in the Essex County town since 2015.
After more than a decade of discussion, Montclair finally passed an ADU ordinance in February, making it legal to have one of these tiny homes. Montclair joins a short list of other municipalities around the state that have passed ADU ordinances, including Princeton, Maplewood, East Orange and Bradley Beach. Restrictions regarding things such as square footage and number of stories an ADU can have vary by town.
An ADU adds “gentle density” to communities, says affordable-housing advocate Harold Simon. Photo courtesy of Todd Mason/Halkin Mason Photography
Harold Simon, an affordable-housing advocate and expert who lives in Montclair, recalls trying to get the same ordinance passed in town back in 2011—to no avail. “Montclair, like every other community in New Jersey, has a need for more housing, but it’s an old community,” says Simon. “There are real limits to how much more housing you could put into a place like Montclair. So you could either build apartment buildings, or you could add an ADU.”
Buy our May 2023 issue here. Cover photo by Chris Buck
ADUs aren’t just for the elderly. The units can be an alternative for any adult looking to rent. And because ADUs are built on already-owned properties, more homes can be added to the market without the need for more space. Many say ADUs are a potential solution to the housing crisis.
“It doesn’t add new infrastructure, for the most part,” adds Simon. “It’s a great way to add housing units to the community without additional cost to the community. The impact is marginal, and it adds gentle density.”
An ADU on a family member’s property can also be a great place for a recent college graduate to live if they can’t afford to pay rent, yet want some independence. Most ADU ordinances also allow for homeowners to rent out the pads for additional income.
Property taxes do increase when an ADU is added to a home, but that’s usually offset by the added value of having rental income or a free place for a relative to live.
Or homeowners can choose to move into the ADU and rent the main house, giving them extra income. Lippel says sometimes homeowners work out deals where their renters shovel snow or do other chores in exchange for a break in rent.
So what’s the next step for ADUs in New Jersey? State legislators are currently working on a bill that would allow homeowners statewide to build units on their properties. The bill, sponsored by state assemblyman Raj Mukherji, could be a step toward making more affordable housing available in the state.
Architect Marina Rubina Rubina aims to “make small places feel large.” Photo courtesy of Todd Mason/Halkin Mason Photography
There is a lot to consider when building an ADU on your property. Marina Rubina, a Princeton-based architect who has been in practice for over 20 years, has designed many ADUs ranging from 400 to 1,200 square feet, and says the tiny home and the main residence must work in unity.
“[I think of] how to make small places feel large and how people can live together on the same property and not be in each other’s way,” says Rubina, who has seen ADUs rise in popularity in recent years. “With ADUs, you get to know the people who are living next to you. It’s more of a friendly relationship than living in a giant apartment complex.”
An ADU must work in unity with the main residence, Rubina says. Photo courtesy of Todd Mason/Halkin Mason Photography
That was true for Montclair couple Joel Patenaude and Judy Hoffstein. When they moved into their home, they were thrilled to realize they could convert the former doctor’s office attached to the back of their house into an apartment for Hoffstein’s aging parents. “It made for a nice lifestyle for them,” Patenaude says. “Initially, they had their independence, and we ate with them a couple of times a week. Then we had all of our meals with them.”
The apartment had a separate entrance, giving his in-laws privacy. The arrangement worked out well for everyone, he says, including his children, who were able to spend quality time with their grandparents. As his in-laws aged, Patenaude and his wife eventually brought in hospice workers. ADUs were legal in Montclair at the time if they were used for elderly parents.
“When my mother-in-law died, I buried my friend,” says Patenaude. “We were able to develop a great relationship; that’s a really nice aspect of this.”
Jacqueline Mroz contributed to this article.
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Color can evoke a certain feeling in a home, offer an element of playfulness or drama. It can also be intimidating, especially when making a big change.
That’s where South Orange-based Madeline Shaw, owner of Shapes For the People, comes in. Her company paints geometric murals and offers color consultations for residential and commercial spaces.
Here are her tips for embracing color.
ASK YOURSELF WHAT YOU LIKEStart by asking yourself some questions, says Shaw. What do I want for my home? How do I want to feel in a particular room? What colors do I naturally gravitate toward? “Think about what you love,” she says.
Madeline Shaw owns Shapes For the People. Photo: Courtesy of Aimee Ryan
START SMALLIf you live in a mostly neutral home, you can “take a gentle approach” to embracing color, says Shaw. Choose one hue to experiment with—something you’re drawn to—and start with accessories like throw pillows, which don’t require a huge commitment. “Most of the time, when I go into people’s homes, I can see there’s already a pattern emerging.”
TRY COLOR BLOCKING“As much as I love color, I’m not about throwing it on anything and everything,” says Shaw of her approach to her own home. Instead, she uses color blocking. “Pretty much all of our walls, apart from our living room, are white as, like, a palate cleanser. And then we have a bright-blue ceiling in one living room; in our kitchen, we have a pink ceiling that runs sort of like a waterfall from the ceiling down. And we have a bright-orange kitchen counter.”
Shapes For the People creates geometric murals in people’s homes. Photo: Shapes For the People
CONSIDER THE ROOMWhen it comes to bold declarations like one of Shaw’s patterned murals, think carefully about where and how to make your statement. A guest powder room or a playroom, for example, can be a fun spot for playfulness or an element of surprise. “If it’s your dining room, it needs to be something that’s palatable for a longer period of time, perhaps, because it’s an investment,” she says.
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For many in recent years, the formal dining room has gone the way of the dinosaur. Co-opted by spacious eat-in kitchens, these once prized rooms have been turned into homework stations, home offices or even playrooms.
But the pleasure of having a meal in a room appointed for comfort and entertainment in a way that rivals eating out is making a comeback. Instagram star Kate Rumson, whose ground-up build of a 4,400-square-foot home in Monmouth County has been chronicled on the social media platform, reminds us of this space’s original appeal.
Rumson doesn’t skimp on tablescapes. Photo courtesy of Kate Rumson
The table is the star of this room. “My recommendation is to always pay attention to the width of the dining table—it needs to be at least 40 inches wide to allow for comfortable and visually beautiful table settings,” she says. Rumson’s table choice is a chunky, solid-wood design from Hooker Furniture. “It’s perfect for hosting large dinner parties in style,” she explains.
Rumson is a fan of going all out on tablescapes, and an ample table is needed to accommodate accessories, placemats, chargers, wine and water glasses, as well as decorative elements such as flowers and candles.
Kate Rumson, right, and interior designer Eilyn Jimenez worked together on this entertaining-friendly space. Photo courtesy of Kate Rumson
“To me, no space could ever look or feel complete without flowers or greenery,” says Rumson. “I love real flowers, but don’t have the time or patience for the never ending upkeep, so I always include high-quality faux florals.” To that end, in 2021, the design entrepreneur launched her own brand of handcrafted faux flowers called Eleven Gardens.
Buy our May 2023 issue here. Cover photo by Chris Buck
Because of their inherent formality, dining rooms are a great place to juxtapose styles. “I love the mix of modern and traditional elements,” Rumson says of her space. “The vintage-inspired art and accessories make it feel lived in and warm, while the architectural chandelier adds an edgy twist. It’s the perfect blend of old and new.”
Another must-have element for the dining room adds personality and coziness underfoot. “Every dining room needs an area rug—it grounds the space and makes it feel more comfortable and inviting.” Last, but certainly not least, add “thoughtfully curated dinnerware,” which, Rumson says, “is essential for elevated entertaining and to make everyday life feel just a little more special.”
For input on her dining room design, Rumson worked with architect Dan D’Agostino of PlanArchitecture in Bergen County and interior designer Eilyn Jimenez, who hosts Designing Miami on Netflix.
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If anyone knows about creating an oasis at home, it’s Montclair-based interior designer Andrew Suvalsky. He recently transformed a 1952 Upper Montclair cottage into a bright and modern five-bedroom home, where he now lives with his husband and their two young children.
During the pandemic, many New Jerseyans created amazing retreats in their homes—in outdoor and indoor spaces. Suvalsky shares his tips on carving out pockets of sanctuary at home, no matter its size.
LET THE SUNSHINE IN“Find the sunniest room in your house and make a cozy sitting area,” says Suvalsky. His sunroom, seen above, features vintage pieces; he says the style of furniture in a sunroom should “invite you to luxuriate in an indoor, but otherwise mood-lifting, light-filled room.”
BE PARTY READYBuy our May 2023 issue here. Cover photo by Chris Buck
“A little party-central space can go a long way,” says Suvalsky. “An intimate and curated bar makes staying at home that much more fun.” Stock it with great barware and beverages.
MAKE YOUR BATHROOM SPA-LIKE“Your bathroom should be the ultimate sanctuary,” says Suvalsky. He notes that fresh towels, accessories, flowers and window treatments can all be impactful. “You can keep it simple, but make sure you love all the elements so that your time in the bath feels spa-like,” he says.
MAKE A WORK SPACE WORK FOR YOUMake your work-from-home setup a place you want to spend time. “Carve out a corner space in any room for a warm and inviting desk area,” says Suvalsky. “Populate the surrounding surfaces with favorite objects and books, both for function and aesthetics.”
EMBRACE TV TIME“Let yourself enjoy the home-theater experience,” says Suvalsky. “Don’t be afraid to replace art with a big TV, even in a prominent location, like over the fireplace.” Then, when the set is off, “it can double as a screensaver for beautiful images and art.”
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Raven Tyler has been living in a repurposed school bus for six months—and she loves it.
The 33-year-old decided to give “skoolie life”—as those who live in school buses-turned-mobile homes call it—a try after seeing videos and stories online. She already felt she was paying too much in rent for her apartment and also liked the freedom that could come from having a home on wheels.
“I was giving literally all of my money away every month,” she says. “It just didn’t make much sense.”
Tyler flew to Florida last December to purchase this converted school bus. Photo by Chris Buck
Tyler, who parks in Montclair, lives in the bus with her 5-year-old daughter Myla, a cat, a German shepherd, and, occasionally, Tyler’s mother when she visits.
So how did Tyler find her bus? Last December, she saw an ad on Facebook Marketplace for a converted school bus in Florida. She flew down, purchased it for $20,000, and drove it back to New Jersey. The bus had already been furnished by its previous owner.
The entrance features a small kitchen and a futon. Photo courtesy of Raven Tyler
The interior of the bus, which Tyler nicknamed Nelli, is designed with practicality in mind. The entryway (which includes the stairs and the driver’s seat, and which Tyler has dubbed the cockpit) is where she leaves the pets’ bowls when the bus is stationary.
Walk back, and you’ll encounter the kitchen/living room area. On one side is a small sink with a removable cover, a stove, an oven and an L-shaped counter, and across the way is a futon. Farther back is the bathroom, with a toilet and shower, plus a pantry, small refrigerator and closet.
Tyler enjoying the “skoolie life.” Photo by Chris Buck
Tyler and Myla sleep in the bus’ sole bedroom, complete with a queen-size bed, cabinets and other small storage spaces.
Buy our May 2023 issue here. Cover photo by Chris Buck
Behind the bedroom is Myla’s play area, where the cat, MJ, likes to hide out when the dog, Homi, is too playful. Tyler plans to swap a table in the play area for a bed for Myla when she gets older.
While she no longer has to pay rent, Tyler has sizable expenses, including diesel and maintenance. Still, she doesn’t want people to equate living in a skoolie with financial struggle.
Tyler knows that the skoolie lifestyle is unconventional, despite having been around since the 1970s. She catches people doing double-takes as she drives and others peeking through her windows.
“It’s just a different way of living,” Tyler says. “Just because someone lives on a bus or in a van shouldn’t be a reflection of who they are as a person. There are a number of ways to live life.”
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Midway through the film One True Thing, Meryl Streep surveys her surroundings and laments, “I wish I had redone this kitchen years ago when I had the mind to do it.”
Alas, in the film, Streep’s character, Kate Gulden, is dying of cancer. And the kitchen? That’s actually the domain of Michael Aaron Rockland and Patricia Ard, whose vintage Morristown home was the setting for the 1998 film.
Rockland and Ard purchased the ornate, Queen Anne-style Victorian in 1987. Located in Morristown’s historic district, the 1886 home is just one block from Macculloch Hall Historical Museum and the Thomas Nast Home, a National Historic Landmark where the late-19th-century political cartoonist resided for the last 30 years of his life.
Rockland and Ard have lived in their 1886 Morristown home since 1987. Photo by Laura Moss
It is only fitting that Rockland should live in an historic home. Now retired, he taught American history at Rutgers for 50 years. He is also the author of 15 books and a longtime contributor to this magazine. Ard, also retired, taught English literature at Ramapo College.
Upon moving into their six-bedroom home, Rockland and Ard began making improvements, expanding the front porch, combining two parlors into one large living room and creating a dramatic entrance to the living room, with a wide archway. They flanked the archway with two sets of twin columns, salvaged by their carpenter from someone else’s rotting porch.
Those fluted columns were destined to play a central role in One True Thing. Director Carl Franklin used them to frame several scenes; at one point early in the film, Streep ducks behind one of the columns as she awaits the arrival of her husband (played by William Hurt) at his surprise party.
The living room columns played a key role in the film. Photo by Laura Moss
The couple were taken by surprise when the art director for One True Thing and his staff came knocking. “There were seven or eight of them,” Ard recalls. They explored, measured and videotaped every part of the house. After some bumpy negotiations, a deal was struck. The homeowners were given a temporary home to inhabit during the shoot, which took more than six months. The production paid them $75,000.
“We were told later that we were totally ripped off,” says Rockland. “They bowled us over with Meryl.”
[RELATED: How Scores of New Jerseyans Get Their Homes in Movies and TV Shows]
The contract signed, a crew of 12 moved every stick of furniture from the house. Every room was painted or papered—often in flowery patterns to reflect the fictional Kate Gulden’s fussy taste. Despite the home’s high ceilings, large rooms and oversize doorways, several walls were moved to accommodate certain shots.
Rockland and Ard were allowed to visit the set as they liked, and both of their children, Kate and Josh, appeared as paid extras in some of the outdoor crowd scenes, which were shot in Maplewood. (Rockland has three other children from a previous marriage.)
The couple keeps a photo of Meryl Streep on display, which she signed while filming the movie.Photo by Laura Moss
Interactions with Streep during the shoot were limited. When she wasn’t on camera, she typically retreated to Rockland’s third-floor study where a bed had been installed for her naps. But Streep, who grew up in nearby Basking Ridge and Bernardsville, went out of her way to tell the couple how much she loved their home. “She was as nice as she is talented,” says Rockland.
His experience with Hurt was not as painless. “I called him Bill one time,” says Rockland. “He went nuts.” Hurt insisted on being called William. “I thought, What’s the matter with this guy?” On the other hand, Rockland did discover Hurt reading one of his novels (A Bliss Case, published in 1989) during a break from shooting. That compensated for the actor’s rudeness.
Production paid the couple $75,000 to film in their home for six months. Photo by Laura Moss
There were bigger difficulties with the producers. Rockland had noticed members of the crew stomping out cigarettes on the home’s precious heart-of-pine floors—despite a stipulation in the contract that there be no smoking in or around the house. Rockland stormed into the production office and declared, “If I see one more cigarette here, I’m going to stop the movie.”
Rockland was reminded that all of the floors were going to be sanded and refinished, but that didn’t stop him from repeating his threat. That’s when things got heavy. One particularly tough member of the team got up in Rockland’s face. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” he snarled. For Rockland, it was like a scene out of The Godfather. Needless to say, he backed off.
Crew installed a tin ceiling in the kitchen, which the homeowners kept. Photo by Laura Moss
Finally, the shoot was over and the crew restored Rockland and Ard’s home to its original state. Well, almost.
The kitchen plumbing leaked, paint spotted the floors in some places, and an improperly replaced second-floor bathroom window tumbled from its framing one night with an alarming crash.
Renee Zellweger and Meryl Streep in “One True Thing.” Photo: Photofest/Universal Pictures
Which brings us back to the kitchen. While Rockland was happy to say farewell to the fruit-print tiles and red Formica counters installed for the movie, he coveted the retro-looking tin ceiling the crew had installed. Unprompted, one of the producers asked Rockland if he’d mind if they left the ceiling in place. Bingo!
“That was a tremendous triumph,” says Rockland. “We got the ceiling for free.” What’s more, they used a significant portion of the fee they had received to remodel the kitchen yet again. Kate Gulden, no doubt, would have been pleased.
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Ever wonder how the homes in movies and TV shows end up there? Ever wish your own house could be featured on the big screen? Well, here’s your chance!
With reinstated tax incentives leading to a boom in projects being filmed in New Jersey, production companies and homeowners both have more opportunities for work in the Garden State. The Scout Source, a Montclair-based company, serves as a go-between for both parties, representing more than 700 homes in the tri-state area for use in movies, television series and commercials.
[RELATED: What Happened When a Meryl Streep Movie Took Over One NJ Couple’s Home For 6 Months]
With a detailed database, the Scout Source can fulfill the specific requests of producers—such as a precise kitchen setup—while saving companies the pain of cold scouting. The Scout Source negotiates on behalf of the homeowners and walks them through the filming process. “It’s a lot to open your home to 80-100 people,” says co-owner David Clark.
Buy our May 2023 issue here. Cover photo by Chris Buck
The Scout Source has worked on TV shows and movies—including Zach Braff’s new picture, A Good Person, which filmed in his native Essex County—but mostly does commercials, including major ads and even Super Bowl spots.
The company worked on an Amazon commercial with celebrity couple Colin Jost and Scarlett Johansson, and a Hellmann’s ad with comedian Pete Davidson. When former Giants quarterback Eli Manning shot an ad with one of the Scout Source’s clients, he signed autographs and played catch with kids who lived at the shoot site, Clark recalls.
Not every shoot brings famous faces into people’s homes. Some feature animals, like the time a crew needed to get a donkey in a bathtub. Another shoot called for an elephant in a living room. That meant finding a location with “an above-average door,” Clark says.
Of course, homeowners get more than just unique encounters. Filming typically pays $5,000-$7,000 per day, Clark says. Prep days pay roughly $2,000. The Scout Source gets a cut. Production companies will pay for hotel rooms for homeowners, depending on shoot length and logistical concerns.
People hoping to list their homes on the Scout Source should visit scoutsource.com. Co-owner Asa Miraglia says the company is interested in various styles of homes to accommodate a wide range of projects.
“We will speak to anyone that calls us,” she says. “It’s not like a like a high-end, fancy thing. We’re always open to people.”
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In the age of Covid-19, say “protection” and the mind naturally turns to masks, vaccines, social distancing, and all the other medical totems of safety and security we embraced beginning in that fevered spring of 2020. But for most of us, nothing in those days was more emblematic of protection against the danger and disorder that swirled around us than our own homes. The pandemic imbued the word home with a meaning that most of us had never given it before.
“Earlier, people were using homes as transitional spaces, because we spent most of our time at work or otherwise outside the house. During the pandemic, our homes became our sanctuaries,” says Swati Goorha, a New Jersey-based interior designer. Hardware chains like Home Depot reported unprecedented demand for tools as we labored to create those sanctuaries (or paid others to create them for us). The home furnishings industry struggled to meet demand, especially for living room and bedroom furniture. We experienced a mass craving for signifiers of comfort and filled our rooms with houseplants, reflecting a trend that Goorha labels “biophilic”—decorating that draws its inspiration from nature.
Architects Stacey Ruhle Kliesch and Gary Kliesch designed an indoor/outdoor retreat in LBI. Photo by Matt Reitinger
Even before reports surfaced that Covid was less contagious in the open air, we longed to be outside, to derive those well-documented positive emotional effects of green space where we could go to have somewhere to go when everything was locked down. We blurred the boundaries between outside and in, as backyards became the new living rooms—and kitchens, playrooms and home offices. “People couldn’t travel, so they were looking to create outdoor paradises,” says landscape architect Rich Cording, founder of CLC Landscape Design in Ringwood. In a 2021 survey for the International Casual Furnishings Association, 90 percent of respondents agreed that outdoor living spaces were more valuable than ever before, and more than one-third said they planned to create a private outdoor retreat.
“The waves are the first things you see” when you look out the windows, says Stacey Ruhle Kliesch. Photo by Jessica Orlowicz
What’s particularly striking about all of these trends is that, as the pandemic appears to be retreating, our desire for home comfort is continuing apace. A report released in February of this year by the National Association of Home Builders noted that home buyers are actively seeking “a space within the home that provides respite.” And those of us who created pandemic oases use and prize them as much today as we did during lockdown and its long aftermath.
As always, denizens of the Garden State proved themselves particularly creative at these endeavors. Their inventive refuges are testament to the adaptability and resilience of a citizenry whose trials and travails have schooled them well in the true meaning of “gimme shelter.”
TRANQUILITY ON THE WATERTheir newly built getaway became a game changer during the pandemic. Photo by Jessica Orlowicz
Just as Covid emerged, Stacey Ruhle Kliesch and her husband, Gary Kliesch, were putting the final touches on the house they’d built on Long Beach Island as a waterfront getaway for themselves and their two teenage daughters. The Ridgewood-based architects designed the house to take advantage of water views, with multiple floor-to-ceiling windows and a south-facing wall that can be folded in to create an expansive indoor/outdoor space. “Because of the elevation of the house,” says Ruhle Kliesch, “you can’t see the ground plane from any of the windows, so it’s almost like you’re looking out of the windows of a cruise ship—the waves are the first things you see.”
The couple relaxes in their chic living room. Photo by Jessica Orlowicz
Those views, she notes, “were mentally soothing,” as was the opportunity to live so much of life outdoors. They’d originally envisioned an open space outside the house facing the water, but at the last minute they decided to cover it and add a ceiling fan. It changed everything for the family during lockdown: “An area that wouldn’t have been a room became a space where we were working, dining, relaxing, using it as a classroom,” Ruhle Kliesch says. “We spent a remarkable amount of time there.”
THE FAIRY GARDENThe trees were calling to her. In March of 2021, Patricia Fusaro and her neighbor bought a stretch of wooded land and subdivided it between them. She had no specific plans for the property and never imagined that the 50-by-95-foot slice of forest would support her spirit throughout the pandemic.
Then the vision emerged: A garden that would wend its way through the trees—a fairy garden! The retired art teacher set out with a bucket to a beach on Barnegat Bay and collected all the rocks she could carry. She glued them to juice bottles to create tiny houses, incorporating all manner of found objects, from acorns to hatpins. “You weren’t going out shopping,” she explains of her need to rely on found objects. Over time, neighborhoods emerged, like Sam’s Corner, named for a neighbor’s daughter, and Amelia Court, a tip of the hat to her great nieces, Amelia and Courtney.
And at the very back of the garden, Fusaro raised a pandemic retreat for humans, a “she-shed” constructed of repurposed windows and doors, where she does her crafting and hosts tea parties.
“It was like a haven,” she says. “Making that garden got me through the pandemic.”
BASEMENT FAMILY ROOMA Chatham basement was transformed into a family hangout spot. Photo courtesy of Thomas Leonczik
During the height of Covid, Carly Russo (not her real name, as she requested anonymity) couldn’t visit her native California, so she built her longing for it into the family room she and her husband commissioned in the basement of their newly purchased house in Chatham. Maplewood-based designer Hollie Velten-Lattrell filled the modern space with organic materials and playful objects, like a wave-shaped cushion topper for a built-in bench and a floor-to-ceiling corkboard for displaying art and other pandemic projects.
In fact, says Velten-Lattrell, family rooms were a big ask during Covid. “Family life before the pandemic was much more separated and detached,” she notes. “During the pandemic, family behavior changed, and we learned”—perhaps even yearned—“to coexist more.”
The U-shaped space comprises a variety of zones: a television area, a reading nook, and a crafts/homework station. It’s the place where Russo, her husband and their kids both got away and got together during the height of the pandemic, and continue to do so today. “I’ve found all three children, at different times, sitting in that reading nook actually reading,” she says, still slightly amazed, “and there have been very fierce Just Dance competitions in the TV area”—proving that family coexistence can be fun as well as uplifting, pandemic or not.
THE HIGH-RISE HAVENA Hoboken terrace became an oasis. Photo courtesy of Raquel Langworthy
Not everyone fled cities during the pandemic’s peak. Edward and Jennifer Yruma had just started work on their Hoboken condo in the spring of 2020 when they realized exactly how important their large, river-view terrace would be. “We spent a lot of time thinking about how we could make it really livable—a place where we could work, where our two daughters could run around and have fun, where we could safely entertain,” Edward says.
To that end, their designer, Jenny Madden, put in multiple spaces for seating, including a table for ten; ordered an oversized umbrella that provided all-day shade for working; and installed a series of planters equipped with an irrigation system. “We wanted greenery to bring the outdoors into an urban environment,” Edward says.
The terrace became an extension of the living room, as well as a place to refresh pandemic-weary souls. “It really was a living area for us, which was incredibly important during the pandemic,” Edward says. “And our use of it as an extension of the house continues to this day.”
Buy our May 2023 issue here. Cover photo by Chris Buck
THE OUTDOOR OASISIt was going to be a pleasant outdoor space in Towaco, with a pool and places for grilling and lounging. Then came Covid and the realization, on the part of David and Erica Paris, that their two daughters weren’t going to summer camp—in fact, the entire family wouldn’t be going much of anywhere. Suddenly, the relatively modest project morphed into something that David describes as “an environment where everyone could come and hang out during that very uncertain time.” In addition to the pool and the lounging area, they ended up putting in an extensive outdoor kitchen with a pizza oven and a counter long enough to comfortably accommodate eight, as well as a TV space, a fire feature and a changing room.
“Prior to the pandemic, people wanted to do something nice in their backyards,” says Rich Cording, their landscape architect. “But during Covid they wanted more amenities, more lounging places, more pavilions—they wanted everything in their backyard so they’d never have to leave.”
David puts it more simply: “It was a form of sanity and serenity in a time when everyone was on the verge of losing their minds.”
THE ALL-DAY BREAKFAST HOUSESome of us discovered during the pandemic that our refuges were hiding in plain sight. In 1996, Silas Mountsier and Graeme Hardie designed the little house facing their main residence in Nutley as a place to dine, with a series of French doors that folded in to allow them to eat al fresco. Mostly, it was where they breakfasted, which is why they’d always referred to it as the Breakfast House. Covid allowed them to see and use the house as a whole new space.
“We never realized when we built this just what it was gong to mean to us,” says Graeme, “because of the view”—the house looks out on their extraordinary garden, as well as the charming, early-20th-century main house—“and the sense of openness any time of the year.”
The Breakfast House has windows on three sides, from which the couple spent much of the pandemic simply taking in the beauty of the changing light. “We worked here; we dined here; we did everything here,” Graeme says. “And that’s how the house has changed for us.”
THE BACKYARD BARPaul and Christopher Irwin-Dudek decided to install a backyard bar, dubbed the Tipsy Pig, inside a 199-square-foot shed. Photo courtesy of the homeowners
Also in Nutley, Paul and Christopher Irwin-Dudek were planning to buy a shed to house their pool furniture during the off-season. But a random post on Facebook from a couple in the UK changed their plans. The couple had created a backyard bar out of exactly the kind of shed the Irwin-Dudeks were looking for, inspiring them to install a bar of their own.
The 199-square-foot space, dubbed the Tipsy Pig, is filled with quirky personal touches, including ample memorabilia devoted to the story of Tipsy herself, whom Paul describes as “the three little pigs’ gay cousin, who was not accepted by society and therefore was left out of the story.”
Walking into the shed, you’d be hard-pressed to identify it as anything but a bar, from the faux-leather stools to the big-screen TV to the glossy, dark-wood bar itself. Though she didn’t design the Tipsy Pig (all the credit goes to the homeowners), designer Jenny Madden notes that home bars were a major pandemic trend, reflecting a desire for normalcy and camaraderie (and, yes, for alcohol).
A neighbor wept upon visiting the bar during the earlier days of the pandemic. “I can’t believe I’m actually out somewhere,” she said. Photo courtesy of the homeowners
“For me, Covid was a dark time,” says Christopher. “I’m an extrovert, and I like to hug.” Even if hugging wasn’t an option in Covid’s early days, the bar offered a meeting place for the couple and their bubble (and their teenage daughter and her bubble), a place for celebrations (Christopher even got ordained so he could perform a wedding in the Tipsy), and, of course, a refuge. The couple recalls the time a neighbor first visited the bar and started to weep. “I can’t believe I’m actually out somewhere,” she told them.
More than anything, the bar is a shared space. “It’s brought us closer to our neighbors, who’ll call and ask whether the Tipsy is open,” says Paul. “And our response is, ‘The Tipsy’s always open—it just may not be staffed.’”
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Spring is upon us, and so are warm-weather dinner parties, weddings and vacations. No wonder fans of designer Sue Sartor are embracing her effortless dresses and kaftans in classic silhouettes, intricate block prints and bright colors. We caught up with Sartor, who is originally from Summit, to get the skinny.
When did you start designing?In the early ’90s in New York City, I worked for Calvin Klein’s luxury line. I saw firsthand how being authentic and staying in your lane can do great things. Today, I’m fortunate to merge my interests of art and design by creating artisan block prints, along with my own natural silk and cotton fabrics.
What was a turning point in your career?Several years ago, I designed a unique flounce dress. When my first box of stock arrived, shoppers literally bought them on the spot. That dress silhouette, the Sue Sartor Flounce, helped define a timeless style for my line.
“Joyous prints are here to stay!” says designer Sue Sartor. Photo courtesy of Brittany Daniel
What inspires your design process?I’m inspired by vintage botanical prints and elements from the garden. Sometimes I send sketches to my artisans in India to create custom-carved block prints, or we repurpose vintage blocks. My signature details are hand-pieced contrast prints, hand piping, placket-front detailing, a contrast sash and pockets. Joyous prints are here to stay!
And your recent Anthropologie line?I’ve always admired Anthropologie, so when they reached out, it was a pinch-me moment. We collaborated to create my best-selling silhouettes in fresh, new prints, and we’re thrilled that the concept has been such a hit, with many of the styles selling out quickly.
Is your family supportive of your business?Absolutely! My husband is a general surgeon, and I waited to start my business until our three kids were grown. Once you start a business, you are your brand. Anyone who has a dream of entrepreneurship should envision everything and keep a journal of ideas. Enjoy everything you do, but be willing to outsource anything that doesn’t feed your soul.
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The refreshed façade of this Princeton home includes a new covered porch and copper accents. “We were very careful how we placed the copper so the downspouts don’t conflict with the big columns in the corners,” notes architect Marc Brahaney. Photo by Tom Grimes
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- Moroccan Mindset The exterior of Chris and Debbie Sugden’s residence in Princeton, New Jersey, didn’t need a complete overhaul, but a bit of a facelift was in order. The siding was showing its age and the overall appearance needed an update. To spruce up their home’s facade, the Sugdens called on Marc Brahaney, owner of Princeton-based Lasley Brahaney Architecture + Construction.
Design NJ: What is the architectural style of this house?Marc Brahaney: This is a colonial built in the 1950s. If you look back at past styles, this home fits in the “Adam” colonial house category. It’s reminiscent of architecture dating from the late 1700s to early-to-mid 1800s. Elements of this style include a symmetrical exterior with the entry door as the focal point, multiple pieces of trim around the front door including a fan-shaped window or wood panel above the door, individual double-hung windows that are not ganged together and that align both vertically and horizontally with panes of glass divided by muntin bars (small strips of wood), shutters and two to four chimneys. This is a builder version of what colonial architecture looked like at the time colonial was original to this country.
DNJ: What was the impetus behind the project?MB: The pre-renovation house was dressed up with shutters, with trim at the front door and with large pieces of trim at the corners that were meant to mimic a giant order of columns. Other than that, it was fairly plain and unadorned. It was a little bit like a blank slate and it was fine; but the owners had reached the point where they needed to refurbish the exterior. The siding needed some maintenance and replacement. The shutters weren’t in good shape. The windows, which were original to the home, were not operating well. The owners took the need to do some significant maintenance as an opportunity to reconsider how they wanted the house to look. That led them to call us and ask us about options.
DNJ: What was the scope of the project?MB: A fair amount of the siding had deteriorated badly, so we replaced those portions in keeping with the look of the existing siding. The project also involved adjusting the nature, proportions and detail of the trim, while working within the constraints of the mass of the house. For example, the giant columns on the corners were just flat board. We added new columns with a recessed panel for interest. Along the tops of the windows, we incorporated elaborate trim.
We also replaced the garage doors, which were okay but kind of tired. They weren’t on a par with what we were doing with the rest of renovation. That’s always a challenge with a project—knowing where to stop the level of intervention. You don’t want a situation where you do a lot of work but leave 25% of what was there. That can make the new elements look unfinished.
The biggest change was the addition of a covered porch on the front of the house. That was designed to take what was a very flat and plain massing on the front and fine-tune and modulate it by adding a significant front porch. It really enhances the look of the house.
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Though I’ve long been known for my experience with fruits and vegetables, I thought I’d digress this month to talk about some other farm products I’ve come to know: Easter and Passover plants.
Growing up in a seasonal family business—Napolitano’s Produce in Bergenfield—we had to sell whatever we could to survive “shoulder” season, the cold months from November to December and March to April, when there was no local produce to sell. In addition to picking up odd jobs like shoveling snow and delivering newspapers and telephone books, my family sold Christmas trees and Easter plants to help boost the household income. So I got to learn about many of the popular plants, flowers and trees that people use to celebrate different holidays.
Easter and Passover are interesting because, occurring anywhere from early March to late April, they can dictate big differences in which flowers and plants are available from year to year. A nice thing about these holidays arriving in early-to-mid-April this year is that frost concerns should be behind us, and many early spring flowers should be in bloom. Like most everyone, I can’t wait to enjoy their bright colors and lovely scents. (And I’m also excited that the annual planting of my tomatoes, eggplants and peppers will soon be underway!)
Produce Pete discusses the range of different Easter and Passover flowers during a segment of NBC’s Weekend Today in New York. Photo courtesy of Pete Napolitano/NBC
PERENNIALSEarly in the season, bulb plants such as tulips, hyacinths, lilies and daffodils are the most prominent. After they’ve bloomed and start to lose their flowers, these plants can be cut back to about an inch or two from the bulb top and planted in the ground. They’ll come up again next year—and for years after that. Perennials are a strong and rugged variety that weather cold temperatures very well.
Tulips are one of my favorite plants—I love how the flower opens up in sunlight and closes when it gets dark.
Hyacinths have a wonderful smell, almost like perfume, and can permeate a room. Like many flowers, the aroma can trigger a wave of memories. Whenever I remember my Grandma Morrissey, for instance, I always think of hyacinths; they were her favorite.
Lilies are among the most popular Easter flowers. Very beautiful to look at, they’ll return every year if you cut them back and replant them. A quick way to keep lilies looking clean and pretty is to pull out the pollen stems from the inside of the flower. (Just be careful not to get the pollen on the white flower—that will stain the flower and make it die sooner.)
Daffodils are also visually lovely and are especially pretty planted in your yard. When daffodils start to peek out of the ground, you know spring and warmer weather are close!
Produce Pete displays a variety of Easter and Passover flowers at DePiero’s Farm Stand & Greenhouses in Montvale. Photo courtesy of Pete Napolitano
MORE GREAT PLANTS FOR EASTER & PASSOVERMums, hydrangeas, cineraria, miniature roses and azaleas are also great plants for the Easter and Passover holidays.
Mums come in many colors and remain in bloom a long time—sometimes two to three weeks. If you cut them back and plant them, mums will grow back in the fall.
Azaleas are also very pretty, but since they don’t usually bloom this early, the products typically available now at garden centers, farmers’ markets or supermarkets are ones that have been forced to bloom. If you’re planting this kind of azalea outside, be careful with them—they’re not as strong in the beginning. However, if you plant them in a spot with southern exposure and a lot of light, they should be just fine in time.
Hydrangeas, also called snowballs, are another fine option. Once planted in the ground, hydrangeas usually won’t flower for two to three years, but then they’ll do so regularly. They might also change color—from pink to blue or purple, for instance.
Years ago, my father had a whole truckload of hydrangeas to sell for Easter. When they suddenly began to wilt, my mom—the smart one in our family!—recommended we feed them some aspirin. So we bought a case of it and diluted the tablets in a big vat of water. With a pencil, we poked three or four holes in the soil around each plant, then submerged them in the aspirin-infused water up to their soil levels. We watched as bubbles appeared in the holes, and when the bubbles stopped, we knew each plant was sufficiently saturated. Sure enough, it worked: The hydrangeas perked right up! As our family learned time and time again, mom was always right! To help your own potted hydrangeas stay healthy, simply dilute two aspirin in water and give them a drink.
Nothing warms us up after winter quite like the colors, fragrances and new growth of spring! Enjoy it all, and have a happy and healthy Easter or Passover.
About “Produce Pete” NapolitanoWith over 65 years of experience in the produce industry, New Jersey’s own “Produce Pete” Napolitano is a renowned fruit and vegetable expert, author and TV personality who’s appeared on a highly popular segment on NBC’s Weekend Today in New York Saturday mornings for over 28 years. His new book, They Call Me Produce Pete: Food, Memories and Cherished Family Recipes From America’s Favorite Expert on Fruit and Vegetables, is now available. For more information, visit producepete.com.
About Susan BloomA regular contributor to New Jersey Monthly and a variety of other well-known local and national publications, Susan Bloom is an award-winning New Jersey-based freelance writer who covers topics ranging from health and lifestyle to business, food and more. She’s collaborated with Produce Pete on a broad range of articles for over a decade.
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All photos courtesy of the manufacturers
TURN IT ON: Meg Braff’s brass table lamp with a scalloped shade perks up any space. Available in baby blue and other hues; $900 at megbraffdesigns.com. TREASURE CHEST: The Currey & Co. Santos chest in rattan and mahogany wows with a groovy swirl pattern; $2,765 from CWI.Design in New Providence. IN FULL BLOOM: Clarence House fabric and wallpaper in Marguerite pattern will elevate your home with garden-fresh style. Available at clarencehouse.com.SO SIMPLE: The classically elegant Ellen chair by Dowel Furniture is as comfy as it is chic; $1,500 at dowelfurniturecompany.com.STEP ON IT: Matilda Goad’s jute and wool rug delights with a whimsical squiggle pattern. Various sizes available at anthropologie.com.TAKE A SEAT: The new Chatham sofa offers luxe, button-tufted comfort. Fully customizable at Serena & Lily stores and serenaandlily.com.Follow our home & style editor on Instagram (@susanbrierlybush).
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Tempaper & Co.’s wallpaper can be seamlessly removed and replaced without damaging walls. Photo courtesy of Tempaper & Co.
Twin sisters Jennifer Matthews and Julia Biancella Au, Jersey natives, became business partners in 2008, when they launched Tempaper. Their business revolutionized wallpaper by making it readily removable without damaging walls.
The Brick-based company’s self-adhesive designs come in hundreds of styles that run the gamut from classic to modern looks.
Celebrating its 15th anniversary with a rebranded name, Tempaper & Co., the company has put forth a revitalized website, collaborations with brands like alice+olivia, and new ventures, such as wall decals, murals and vinyl floor mats.
Wallflowers? There’s nothing shy about twin sisters Jennifer Matthews, left, and Julia Biancella Au’s peel-and-stick wall designs. Photo courtesy of Tempaper & Co.
How long does Tempaper stay up?This is our most asked question. Words like temporary are used to describe peel-and-stick wallpaper because of how the product peels off, not when. Tempaper is a long- or short-term design choice.
What is the most creative use of Tempaper a customer has shared?Along with transforming entire rooms, customers create accent walls, line bookcases, stair risers and ceilings. Tempaper has been used for backdrops on production sets for film and television, photography backdrops, retail displays, trade show booths and wedding venues.
What trends do you see in color and/or patterns for 2023?Our team is focused on embracing a traditional design aesthetic that leans into past art movements and styles, pairing them with a contemporary color palette.
The brand has always been inspired by vintage looks, especially with our chinoiserie collections. Designs for 2023 will also incorporate a lot of layering, with neutral tones with decomposed geometrics and coastal-influenced patterns. An example of that is the most recent launch, the Wild Canvas Collection, which features playful palms and folklore prints.
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When a young Short Hills family launched their multiroom decorating project, they turned to interior designer Kristina Phillips of Ridgewood, who reimagined their living room, primary bedroom and adjoining sitting-room kitchenette in a sophisticated, artistic way.
“My clients are well traveled, so I wanted their spaces to reflect the artwork they collected along the way. When embarking on a design project, I always ask the family about their favorite destinations and hotels. As soon as the homeowners mentioned Casa del Mar in Santa Monica, I understood their vibe and started to design around a beachy theme with a Mediterranean feel—cool blues, aquas and greens, punched up with bright colors,” says Phillips.
Bold artwork and painted, upholstered chairs warm up a corner of the bedroom suite, a favorite spot for a cup of tea outside the adjoining kitchenette. Photo by Jane Beiles
Having grown up in the Bahamas, Germany and France, the designer relates to her clients’ penchant for travel and their desire to bring culture, authenticity and originality to the homes she reimagines. “Whether it’s just a few rooms or a whole house, it’s important to create spaces that are unique and authentic to clients’ experiences and taste by listening first to their stories,” the designer says.
“For the living room, we wanted a space that was welcoming and sophisticated and felt like a trip to someplace new and exciting,” says the homeowner. “Seating was chosen to feel like a comfortable lounge where you can settle in and sip a cocktail, which is exactly how we use the space. The living room is now our chosen pre-dinner spot with friends who enjoy knowing the stories behind the art, fabrics and décor.”
The lounge area wows with colors, patterns and sculptural shelves loaded with books and objets d’art. Photo by Jane Beiles
The project began, literally, from the ground up, with a custom wool rug that pulled in the colors of the artwork. A pelmet window treatment was designed in the style of an Asian pagoda, complementd by natural woven shades to add texture and privacy when lowered. As a finishing touch to the primary living room wall and a nod to the homeowners’ love of butterflies, Phillips commissioned porcelain butterflies from France, each hand molded in various stages of flight and then hand painted.
“The home is kid friendly, with durable performance fabrics,” says Phillips. “The fabric we chose for the living room window seat was a bit more precious and, since window seats are kid magnets, we had that material treated to withstand use by an active family.”
The dreamy primary bedroom was reimagined to create five distinct living areas. A bright, vibrant palette and organic textures contribute to the every-day-is-a-vacay vibe. Photo by Jane Beiles
The project also included a retreat-like primary bedroom that optimized the area’s large footprint. The space was divided into distinct zones, including a sleeping area with a fireplace flanked by comfy window seats, and an adjacent lounge area.
The bedroom features a bonus element: a galley kitchenette with its own seating area, a coffee and wine bar, and floating shelves that offer storage for bed linens and towels. The project was an exercise in smart space planning; by designing several functional areas within the very large bedroom, five usable spaces were ultimately created.
The well-appointed kitchenette is a wallpapered bonus nook where coffee, wine and snacks are always on hand. Photo by Jane Beiles
“After 18 months of design,” says the homeowner, “we’re thrilled with the end result and find ourselves entertaining more in what had been a seldom-used area. We are so happy with our new living room, as well as our own private retreat.”
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A large modern painting, a bold grass-cloth wallcovering and an abstract contemporary chandelier are among the steps the designer took to balance the traditional feel of this dining room’s Queen Anne-style mahogany table, chairs and server, all of which the homeowners wanted to keep. Photo by John Ferrentino
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- How to Create a Stress-Free Zone in Your Home The layers of dark molding and brown, heavily patterned wallpaper in the foyer were overwhelming, as was a home office with dark green walls. A warren of small rooms, closed off to one another by French doors, was almost suffocating. Furnishings had luxury brand names, but the styles hearkened back to the conspicuous consumption proclivities of the 1980s, even though the home had been professionally redesigned much more recently.
It was serendipitous, then, that the owner of the Essex County home wandered—Starbucks in hand—into a home design store one day during a foray into downtown Livingston. When the store owner, designer Tracey Butler, explained the concept of the business, the homeowner noted coincidentally that she and her husband were considering redoing their primary bathroom.
She invited Butler to visit the home to talk about the bathroom project, and the moment she arrived the ideas started flowing for other rooms also. The homeowner liked the ideas so well that before all was said and done, Butler had redesigned the entire Livingston home as well as the couple’s vacation home in New York state.
At the Livingston house, the owners appreciate dramatic design. The previous designer responded to that mandate with dark walls, traditional furnishings, faux finishes, many mixed patterns, and layers and layers of details. “I proposed creating drama with a lighter, simpler, more modern look,” Butler says. “We started by getting rid of everything except the architectural details, some of the expensive furniture they purchased for the previous redesign and whatever was sentimental. From there, the owners gave me free reign to create a more open floor plan, simpler textures and a lighter palette.”
Any new furnishings had to stand up to the couple’s three children (two were in college and one in high school when the project began) and their friends. “The owners also do a lot of casual entertaining of their own friends and extended family, so it was important to them that everything be comfortable and durable,” says Butler, who has since relocated her design business, b. home interiors, to New York City and launched Clear Home Design, featuring luxury Lucite® and glass home furnishings.
Butler’s first impression of the home came in the foyer, which she found depressingly overdone. “The homeowners are so stylish, so well put together,” Butler says. “This space didn’t reflect who they are.” The owners wanted to keep the applied molding and ceiling trim, so Butler lightened it with cream-colored paint with subtle iridescence. She replaced the dark wallpaper inside the molding with an iridescent wall covering in the same shade as the paint. A light-wood demilune chest with a metallic finish and colorful paintings on the upper walls add more drama. Dark terra cotta tiles with heavy grout lines were replaced with 18-inch crema marfil marble tiles with tight grout lines. “The iridescent and reflective finishes give the foyer sparkle,” Butler says. “The homeowner got the formality and glamour she wanted, but in a much more modern way.”
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Every two years, designers and home décor enthusiasts from New Jersey and New York make their pilgrimage to the Mansion in May Designer Showhouse and Gardens. This year, the big event happens at the Three Fields country residence in the heart of bucolic Mendham.
Set on 36 acres of rolling hills, the 9,000-square-foot, stone, très-chic French manor-style home was designed by New York architect Greville Rickard and completed in 1930. Visitors will notice romantic architectural elements such as a steeply pitched tile roof and French doors that open to the formal gardens, ponds and fields.
The Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center’s elaborate fundraising event, which celebrates architectural history and daring design, will benefit the expansion and modernization of Morristown Medical Center’s Institute of Bioskills Training and Innovation. This year’s mansion involves 29 interior designers, 14 landscape designers and more than 1,000 volunteers contributing 15,000 hours.
Three Fields is open to the public daily from May 1 to May 31.
Mansion in May typically attracts more than 20,000 visitors, so head to mansioninmay.org now to order your tickets ($50 for general admission) or to book a private tour.
On-site parking is not available, but free off-site parking and shuttle service are included in the ticket price.
“Mansion in May always attracts prestigious designers, and this year is no exception,” says Alexandra Elliott, Mansion in May design co-chair. Adds Lisa Overley, design co-chair: “We received an impressive number of proposals from a multitude of well-known design firms in the New Jersey/New York area and their creativity, vision and inventiveness was outstanding.”
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Jessica and Jeff Gurtman fell in love with their 100-year-old house years before they owned it. “Our family used to live right next door,” Jeff says. “We had always admired the home that belonged to our good friends. When they sold it to us in 2019, it was an easy move—we just carried our stuff across the backyard.”
The Gurtmans are passionate about mid-century, industrial, and eclectic vintage and antique furniture and artwork. Their Maplewood home embraces a masterful mix of paintings, sculpture and objets d’art with pedigreed provenance, as well as quirky curiosities, all thoughtfully picked, researched and displayed.
Jessica and Jeff Gurtman hunt for treasures throughout New Jersey and the tristate area together. Photo by Laura Moss
“What started as a hobby with my husband evolved into our little family business, Essex Co. Vintage, in 2017,” Jessica says. They sell through essexcovintage.com, Instagram (@essexcovintage), and occasionally at pop-up shops and holiday boutiques. “We love our side gig, but it doesn’t pay the mortgage,” Jeff says.
Somewhat surprisingly, these two creative spirits maintain non-artistic day jobs. Jessica is a manager for a global tech company, overseeing strategic partnerships. Jeff, an executive with a consulting firm, creates and measures customer loyalty in the hospitality, retail and heath care industries. A decade ago, he gained a level of celebrity as one of the hosts of the Travel Channel’s Travel Spies, visiting and rating global hospitality destinations undercover.
Today, the Gurtmans orchestrate most of their treasure hunting in New Jersey and the tristate area, pursuing their collecting passion as a team. “Some couples golf or bowl together. We buy and sell art, décor and furniture,” Jeff says.
A tour of their comfortable, unfussy home is peppered with comments like, “We found this art at an estate sale, and that vase at a flea market, and this lamp was my mom’s—and this chair some guy just gave us because he didn’t have room for it.”
In the family room, an Alex Katz textile steals the show, flanked by an Eames lounge chair and woven wicker coyote by Mario Torres. Photo by Laura Moss
Among their most desired collectibles are carved tramp art frames, folk-art heads and busts, old oil portraits, vintage lucite, and animal figures in wood, leather and brass. “We like things that other people don’t have,” Jessica says. A self-taught artist, she also paints and sells her framed artwork in their online shop.
Almost everything displayed in the playfully patterned, circa-1920 home has been previously loved. “Jess and I coalesce around the intriging details of each piece. We edit each other and both have veto power,” Jeff admits. “To us, buying vintage is as much about a love of the past as it is protection for our planet,” Jessica adds.
Jessica and Jeff Gurtman’s dining room décor pops with Morris & Co. Brer Rabbit wallpaper, a nod to the family of bunnies that resides in the backyard; a huge, round table teamed with eight ghost chairs; a buffet created by designer Vladimir Kagan’s father; and a trove of funky paintings and objets d’art. Photo by Laura Moss
“People see our home and are surprised that kids live here. But we think it’s possible for children to enjoy vintage art and décor in a lived-in space. We realize that homes are meant to be lived in, so we buy high-quality, but not-too-precious, pieces that last. Worst case, if something breaks, it’s an excuse to replace it with a new find,” Jeff says. “It’s not uncommon to drag our kids, ages 7 and 5, out of the house at 6 am to arrive at the Golden Nugget flea market in Lambertville before daybreak. We hope to instill in them an appreciation for old things.”
The family’s renovated kitchen offers a neutral backdrop pumped up with a collection of copper teapots and folk art. Photo by Laura Moss
Jessica adds, “The part we enjoy most is finding and sharing art that brings our customers joy. The moment this business becomes work, we’ll hang it up. But for now, we’re having a blast.”
When will the Gurtmans stop collecting cool old stuff? “Never,” assures Jeff.
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The open-plan kitchen/dining area/living room is ideal for entertaining. Photo by Christian Harder
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- It’s All About This View in Bergen County Joan Enger faced several challenges when she designed a Hoboken condominium for a young family, not least of which was its relatively small size. The 1,700-square-foot space needed to accommodate the varied requirements of the couple and their two children. Fortunately, the designer was brought into the project during its earliest stages. “We were hired alongside the architect months before demolition would begin—the ideal scenario,” she says.
The early involvement allowed Enger, owner of Hoboken-based J. Patryce Design, to work closely with the homeowners throughout the construction and design process. The space had good bones, a fact that helped inform the new layout. “The 17-foot industrial ceilings were incredible to work with,” Enger notes, “and enabled us to centrally locate the kitchen by running the water and power underneath the raised children’s wing, thereby creating a unique split-level design.”
In the children’s wing, the clients requested separate bedrooms and bathrooms for each child. “At first,” Enger says, “I thought this would result in spaces that were too tight and cut up.” However, after reallocating square footage, “we were able to make this work perfectly. Although the bathrooms are compact, they don’t feel cramped due to the 9-foot ceiling height, floating vanities and fully tiled walls.”
The teamwork between the homeowners and the design professionals continued with the rest of the space. “We were able to collaborate on the floor plan and kitchen design, as well as the abundance of custom millwork throughout. Through thoughtful planning, we were able to incorporate the majority of wish-list items into a relatively compact space.”
Though the process was thoughtful and careful, it was not slowly paced. “The timeline was probably our biggest challenge,” Enger says. “The owners originally wanted the entire project done by Christmas (we started demolition in August). Although we did not finish by Christmas, they were able to move in by March—about six months in total for a full gut renovation—not bad!”
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When a Westfield couple craved a first-floor refresh that offered more livable space, a dramatic renovation fit the bill.
The home, built in the 1990s and nestled on a quiet street, had great bones. It offered original, 6-inch-thick, locally mined stone walls and an attractive layout and style. But it needed a 21st-century makeover to accommodate the homeowners, their three children, four grandchildren and two beloved English springer spaniels.
The sleek kitchen wows in white marble, natural white-oak finishes and custom cabinetry. Photo by Laura Moss
A move was out of the question because of the family’s strong ties to Westfield, where they’ve resided for three decades. Although their daughters maintain homes nearby and their son lives just across the river in New York City, the parents’ property remains party central.
After a six-month facelift, the homeowners now spend time in their spacious, sleek kitchen, enlarged to fit a huge see-through pantry with a custom steel-and-glass wall. Favorite features include a generously proportioned white marble island, natural finishes such as white-oak shelves, a pop-out bottom drawer that holds two dog bowls, and floor lights that dramatically illuminate the interior stone walls.
The corner bar area features hands-free, motorized cabinetry and a wine fridge. Photo by Laura Moss
A just-right-sized coffee bar is thoughtfully designed with a convenient wall spigot for filling the pot each morning, along with cabinetry to corral all the mugs. An adjacent family room includes a second counter area with a peninsula bar, as well as a wine fridge.
The homeowners turned to Michael Robert Construction and Ellie Mroz Design of Westfield to turn their wish list into a more hospitable, sprawling compound. “Because the couple loves to entertain, it was important to give them a more functional kitchen and family-room space, roomy enough for catered parties, but cozy enough to read a book or watch the morning news from the peninsula television,” interior designer Ellie Mroz says. So she focused on family-friendly fabrics and carpet, plenty of cabinetry to hold (and hide) everyday kitchenware, and a year-round backyard retreat space.
From left: A TV vanishes into the kitchen counter when not in use. The see-through pantry, with a black steel-and-glass wall, is visible behind the counter. Photos by Laura Moss
Contractor Michael Mroz says, “Besides making the home visually appealing, we considered storage needs and how each space would be used by an active three-generation family.” The husband-and-wife design-build team, who often collaborate under the moniker MRCxEMD, has appeared on NBC’s George to the Rescue home-renovation series alongside fellow New Jerseyan George Oliphant.
The exterior phase of the project transformed the traditional backyard into a cool, Zen-style resort with swimming, barbecuing and dining areas. Even in frigid months, the homeowners and their guests use the area to roast marshmallows and enjoy the glow of gas-lit firebowls.
Beloved canines enjoy the Zen-inspired backyard. Photo by Laura Moss
After six months of complicated renovations, the luxe but highly livable property exudes a fresh aesthetic punctuated with comfortable furnishings and authentic, touchable surfaces. It might be cold outside, but it’s always warm and welcoming inside those 30-year-old stone walls.
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