I was entertaining my in-laws last weekend and couldn’t resist Lainie and Abigail, my husband’s cousin’s kids. They are 5 and 7 and exhibited a healthy interest in interior design, judging by their fascination with my pillbox collection and dolls house.
The current issue of New Jersey Monthly contains a feature about a recently finished project in South Orange that I am especially proud of. I first met Alan and Susan Young twenty years ago when we worked together on their first home in South Orange. Three years ago they found their dream home and we’ve since partnered on a comprehensive renovation. I’ve often said that the chemistry between designer and homeowner is vital. In the case of the Young’s the chemistry is as good as it gets. You can read the article online here, download a PDF here, or see more pictures on my website here.
When my husband called from Short Hills in the fall of 2007 to say he’d found a possible new space for Belle Maison but that it was definitely a fixer-upper, I was intrigued enough to rush over and take a look. The photo on the top left is what I saw. I knew instantly it was the perfect spot, and the following spring we moved in. It had been a vacuum cleaner repair shop, and people still show up regularly to get their machines serviced, only to leave panic-stricken when informed of the new ownership. As we celebrate our two year anniversary, we see the move as a blessing: more space for storage, organizing samples, seeing clients and putting together schemes. And our seven parking spaces are a luxury indeed. Below left is a photo of our space today. The fixer-upper has definitely been fixed!
SEEDS—Scholars, Educators, Excellence, Dedication, Success—is a non-profit group founded in 1992 that helps financially limited kids reach their potential by gaining admission to top schools. A friend spoke to me about the group and mentioned that they needed some pro-bono design work in their offices in Newark. Of course I’m helping them, essentially integrating their space, providing paint colors and wallpaper and rearranging much of their existing furniture and furnishings. I’m pleased to do what I can to aid such a worthy organization
