DESIGN by SAMANTHA SPURRPHOTOGRAPHY by FRONT DOOR PHOTOGRAPHYTEXT by RICHARD LALIBERTE Starting fresh was more than an aesthetic goal, when Urvi Desai renovated her Flanders home. “In 2023, my husband passed away suddenly,” she says. “He fell on a walk and had a brain trauma that he never recovered from.” Their 21-year-old twin son and […]
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The Too-Long Room
DESIGN byTINA GUEVARA, JULIETTE SEBASTIAN INTERIORSPHOTOGRAPHY by MEGHAN BALCOMTEXT by MARISA SANDORA CARR Even homeowners who love to decorate can struggle when it comes to designing awkward spaces, and that’s exactly what was tripping up Jennifer and Kent Bullis. Their circa-1930s Rutherford house featured an extremely long and rectangular living room, with the home’s entryway […]

Who Cares About A Kitchen?
DESIGN by LISA SANTORO, LJS INTERIORS PHOTOGRAPHY by MEGHAN BALCOMTEXT by DONNA ROLANDO Sometimes a designer gets a blank canvas to follow her or his own muse. Other times it’s a collaboration, with the designer working to bring the homeowners’ visions to life. And often, of course, it’s a bit of each. But for the gut-job […]

Enter Gloriously
DESIGN by CHRISTINE J. BOOZER, SERENITY HOME STYLINGPHOTOGRAPHY by MEGHAN BALCOMTEXT by NAYDA RONDON If an entryway is a home’s chance to make a first impression, the entrance to an early 20th century Foursquare home in Westfield proclaims personality plus. Christine J. Boozer, founder of Serenity Home Styling in Scotch Plains, crafted a welcoming space […]

How To Give Your Backyard Barbecue Menu A Twist
As August settles in and Labor Day gatherings draw near, backyard entertaining takes center stage. While burgers and hot dogs will always have their place on the grill, the season also offers the perfect opportunity to elevate the menu with fresh flavors that feel just as effortless as they are impressive. Whether you’re hosting friends […]

Refresh Your Yard For Summer’s End
Summer’s biggest celebrations may be behind us, but there’s still time to make the most of outdoor living before the season winds down. After months of pool parties, family barbecues and evenings spent on the patio, your yard may be ready for a little attention before Labor Day arrives. The good news is that you […]

5 Primary Bathrooms That Define A Private Retreat
After a long day or a great evening, there’s nothing like coming home and taking a long, hot shower or sinking into a steaming bath. More than any other room in your home, the primary bathroom is a place of restoration and rejuvenation, where you build yourself up to start the day or wind yourself […]

Cook Under The Open Sky
You’ve likely spent all season enjoying the pleasures of your own backyard—beautiful landscaping, perfect gardens, just the right ambiance and a fire to gather around. But, of course, that also means you’ve had time to really consider how to make it even better. As summer begins to wane and you start thinking ahead, it’s time […]

Promoted To Full Time
DESIGN by MARC GOLDBERG, INTERIORS MATTERPHOTOGRAPHY by VIC WAHBYTEXT by DONNA ROLANDO Anyone can dish out a compliment. But for the owners of a Manasquan weekend retreat, actions say it all: They are moving up the sale of their East Brunswick home to elevate their Shore getaway to year-round status. Explains empty nester Laura: “I […]

Treat Yourself To A Self-Care Day
Summer is supposed to be the time to kick back and relax—but, let’s be honest, sometimes it’s just as hectic as the winter holidays. You’re hosting dinners and coordinating vacations and gatherings, the kids are out of school or back from college and, in addition to all of that, it’s so incredibly hot out. If […]

Set The Mood With The Right Lighting
As the sun slips below the horizon, a beautifully designed patio shouldn’t disappear into the darkness—it should take on an entirely new character. Thoughtfully layered outdoor lighting transforms terraces, pool decks, gardens and dining spaces into warm, inviting retreats where conversations linger, cocktails flow and entertaining continues long after dusk. From elegant architectural fixtures and […]
