Real friends, real estate, real good times.

(The subtitle for this post should be, "OMG I'm off today and I slept for 11 hours!")

As the headline suggests, this weekend was a real treat. First, three of my dear friends came over Saturday night for a barbecue (that's right; we fired up the grill. Take that, Old Man Winter!). They came bearing amazing food and gifts -- take a look at this fabulous flower arrangement that Spence just "whipped up" for my special day (and I don't mean Valentine's day. Someone in the shore house turned a year older this weekend.). I mean...the talent. Can't stand it. ;-)


And speaking of Spence, he and Jim had a quite a coup this weekend...Their house was featured in the New York Times' real estate section yesterday!

Their lovely Glen Ridge, NJ, home has served as a showcase for the talented couple's projects (something they're both hoping to pursue as full time professions; Jim has already been hired for home design projects and real estate staging consultations. I think you should call him if you live in the metropolitan NY/NJ area! And Spence's talent for arranging both flowers and the events they're created for can't be beat.). The house is a living portfolio that's a perfect representation of Jim's design capabilities, and how unexpected treatments can be used to make a house of any style truly represent the people that live in it. To them, any house is a blank canvas.

Here's the outside of the house...a comfortable suburban ranch tucked away on a quiet cul-de- sac. The lime green door is a tip-off to what you're about to see inside...


The entry hall envelops you in goodness; the deep color is daring, yet it's like a warm hug that beckons you to come inside. Love that! And yes; that painting is a Home Goods' special (birds of a feather, we are) hung upside down to make a bit of a statement and add a touch of whimsy (that sounds so HGTV of me).


Their large living room has smartly been divided into two distinct seating areas. The secretary has moved with James over the years; it's a rescue from his parents' basement that he coated in a warm, rich paint and silver leafed on the inside. Flat-screen technology has enabled it to become the perfect TV stand in its latest iteration.

And I wish I had a before picture of those wonderful white wing chairs (alliteration day at the shore house!). They are also rescues, from Spence's family, and were recently covered in fabulous white pleather (easily wipes clean, all you mommies out there afraid of white. Or, non-mommies like myself who spill the occasional drop of red wine. Oopsie.). The nail head trim really gives them a presence, and perfectly marries the modern with the traditional. I love these chairs. And covet them.

The dining room around the bend houses another family heirloom (the table) that fits the space perfectly. I also love the panels flanking either side of the window, that in essence become the window treatment.

The master bedroom is super cozy, and I love the unexpected use of etageres at the bedside. I actually never really noticed that rug before these Times' photos (all taken by Richard Perry) and now I think I covet that, too.

The Times did not show the kitchen, which I wanted to share because I think they've done a fantastic job using color (and new appliances) to perk up a tired suburban kitchen. The deep orange on the inside of the cabinets is another bold use of color that really makes their vintage kitchenware pop.

And they kept the doors on some of the upper cabinets, so it's a great compromise of open/closed storage.

Here's what the house looks like when winter's gone and everything's in bloom:

This house is currently on the market. As I briefly mentioned, Jim and Spence are at an interesting crossroads in their lives (you know that "we're-not-getting-younger-so-let's-do-what-makes-us-happy" crossroads? Lord knows I'm standing in that intersection myself!). They really want to follow their creative passions so they're hoping to pack up and move full-time to the Jersey Shore (steps from the shore house, in Asbury Park, NJ). I'm so happy for them, and admire their decision to do what makes them happy.

And while I'm on the topic of being happy, I was beyond happy to see Rent last night as it stopped at NJPAC as part of it's National tour. With three original cast members, including the yummy Adam Pascal (worth the price of the ticket alone), you'd think I'd be entirely content focusing on the show. But the "new Laura" -- one that has a home that needs some fixing -- was entirely transfixed by the stairway that led to the loft on stage. "That's the perfect size and layout for the widow's walk access." It's kind of all I could think about, so I quick took a picture so I could move on and enjoy the show.

And I did. (Move on, and enjoy the show!)

Now, on to your blogs. I've missed you, my lovelies!