Is Your Style More Dynasty OR Dallas?

                                                                              

DALLAS

DYNASTY

In the 1980's these 2 night time soap operas were campy, amusing and sheer entertaining. Personally, I like the storyline and drama of Dynasty more than Dallas. But in terms of style, count me in as a Dallas girl. My tastes are a bit more subtle than the ornate furnishings of the Dynasty mansion. I adore the open flow of a sprawling ranch and am seriously interested in trading in my center hall colonial for one.

Let's not forget, Knots Landing -- the spin off drama from Dallas, was responsible for the invention of the "cul-de sac." These dramas were a lot more than soap operas. They were home design masterpieces; much like the Sex in the City series was for fashion.

Here are two homes that are on the market in the luxurious Short Hills, NJ neighborhood. I just previewed them this week and they seem fit to define these categories. Please let me know if you would like to see them in person and which you prefer.  Are You more Dynasty OR Dallas?

DALLAS STYLE

This custom cottage style ranch has been beautifully updated/renovated while meticulously maintaining its cottage charm. The structure is "U" shaped and centered around a large blue stone patio with multiple access doors from the Great Room, Living Room and Master bedroom. With 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths it is open and airy, perched stately on lovely property in the Deerfield section of Short Hills, NJ.

Side yard



Formal Living room with wood burning fireplace and
french doors to the patio



Opposite the fireplace in the living room is a bay window with custom window seat 



Square Formal Dining Room off kitchen

Completely renovated chef's kitchen with a very homey feel. 

Large center island, top of the line SS appliances. 

The open kitchen flows seamlessly into the cozy Great room with its doors

 to the patio and a wood burning fireplace.  



Flow from the kitchen to the Great Room



Great Room complete with wood burning fireplace.

   





Bedroom 1 - Used as an office

Bedroom 2

Bright and sunny en suite Master bedroom

Master bathroom

Full bath / Powder Room

Courtyard in center of the home

OR 

DYNASTY  STYLE

An English Manor home circa 1900, renovated and enlarged
approximately 2000

Dramatic and elegant entry

Spacious formal living room with 2 sets of French doors,
wood burning fireplace, intricate molding around walls,
floors and on the ceiling.

Formal dining room

Chef's kitchen 



It is called the family room - but seems a bit formal.

Library with wood burnging fireplace 

The Conservatory

Temperature Controlled Wine Cellar

Master suite - with wood burning fireplace

Master Dressing Room

What's The Buzz?: Stop the Whining and Count Your Blessings

What's The Buzz?: Stop the Whining and Count Your Blessings

Stop the Whining and Count Your Blessings

Entrance to the Essex County Dog Park at the South Mountain Reservation

Many conversations at neighborhood barbecues, soccer matches and dinner parties eventually find their way to the subject of real estate taxes. Have you ever noticed that when the subject rears its head in a social setting it inevitably turns happy, laughing people into whining, negative Nellies?

Yet, as Essex County residents we enjoy many benefits these needed revenues support. Our streets are pretty clean, our roads need work but they function pretty well, public education is highly rated in the county, and there are so many recreational opportunities to enjoy.

Yes, New Jersey does have relatively high taxes.  It is also true that Essex County, NJ has higher real estate taxes compared to other counties in the state.  However, they are still lower than equally affluent, commutable suburban towns in Westchester, and Nassau, Long Island.

As an active community member I enjoy many of the county's public recreational offerings. While I have a partial view of Manhattan from my deck, I can also hike, bike and run in thousands of wooded acres just two blocks from my front door.  For me, this unique access is the perfect juxtaposition of my personal interests.

We are fortunate to have 3 well rated public golf courses in the county, an indoor skating rink, beautiful parks, soccer fields, tennis courts, and the magical Dog Park at the South Mountain Reservation. Not just any park, this county dog park is a serious one.

When you lay eyes on it you can tell it was a very well thought out project. The dramatic entry includes a large bronzed statue of a dog elevated on professionally landscaped stones, gravel and greenery. There are 2 large fenced in areas (1 for large dogs and 1 for small dogs), trash bag dispensers for cleaning up after the dogs,  trash receptacles, cooling tubs  running water and park benches.  The dogs love the activity and socialization it provides and their owners bond over doggie stories and training tips.

Modeled after a Ratweiller this iconic sculpture is a great piece of art to enjoy

New residents tell me they find the park to be an alluring feature when deciding to live here. So if you haven't been to see it - I strongly suggest you go and hopefully you will see me there with Romeo enjoying my tax dollars at work.

3 Easy Home Improvement Projects That Put Money Back in Your Pocket

1. Install a programmable thermostat to take the guessing game out of your home's temperature. This technology will save you a couple of hundred dollars per year on your energy bill according to Consumer Reports.
2. Compact fluorescent lights can be installed in virtually every receptacle to add up the savings. You can save up to $56 over the life of one of these bulbs. Multiply that times the number of bulbs in your home and you might just kick yourself for not switching it sooner.
3. Showering makes up a large portion of a home's water consumption. Installing low flow shower heads in your bathrooms can save 40% on your water bill as well as save 8,000 gallons of water per year.

A Front Row Seat at Occupy Wall Street

Yesterday I traveled to the southern tip of Manhattan to see for myself exaclty what the Occupy Wall Street non-violent protest was all about. Whether you are opposed to, or in support of the protester's message their energy, commitment, and passion are inspiring.

Near the Zuccotti park entrance is the Wall Street's biggest -The Bull - symbol sculpted in bronze. It;s sort of poetic given the protester's message.

 I was truly suprised and delighted by the peaceful energy I encountered entering the park. One of the protest participants makes a different Lego design evey day to captures the event.

The same protester also created this QR code out of Legos. If you click it, it will take you to his Facebook page where he has photos of all of the designs he has created in the 38 days he has lived there.

People are actually living on card board boxes, under tarps, covered in blankets. If that isn't commitment I don't know what is.

On the south side of the park various flags each with their own message

Near this chalk board which is used for making the daily schedule that includes, sweeping, serving food etc. is a buffet with largely vegetarian and organic produce and even homeade  apple pies.

This protester asks for donations so he can take his message on the road

 I was also suprised by the plethora of artists "in residence." In addition to this modern deconstructed poster were photographers, musicians and dancers.

In the center of the park is a shrine adorned with a wide array of meaningful objects.

This protester is an executive with a top Wall Street bank. As he put it, "just because I work here does not mean I agree with the way they do things." His poster includes the head shot of a Bloomberg news reporter who has a hard right view of things.

Just west of Zuccotti park is the new 911 memorial and the Freedom Tower which will be 50 feet taller than the World Trade Centers. It is a supreme architectural achievement and a perfect symbol for what is so great about this country.

What's The Buzz?: Is It Worth it?

What's The Buzz?: Is It Worth it?

Is It Worth it?

This beautifully renovated Colonial/Victorian style home in Short Hills came on the market for $1,549,000. It had multiple offers (we heard 6) the first week and went under contract for a price substantially over asking price. It is making everyone scratch their heads and ask why? What is it about this home that created such demand from buyers? 

A combination of styles mixing Colonial  Victorian

 Hardwood Floors in Living Room

Living Room with Flow to Dining Room 

 Formal Dining Room with Wood Bruning Fireplace

 Fully Renovated Kitchen with Cherry Caniets, granite counter tops and a stone floor

 To break up the cherry the center island is in white with wainscotting style molding

 The open kitchen and breakfast area also includes the great room with built in cabinetry, vaulted celing, skylight and large sized windows

Alternate view of the great room

 

Master Bedroom

 Hall Bathroom

 Loft

 Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 4

Backyard and pool

Patio - off breakfast area and great room