03/13/2023
Thrilled to be on the cover of local Matters Magazine !
Clocks are changing and spring is almost officially here which means it's time for our annual Hearth + Home issue! We hope you'll find some inspiration and escapism in our stories about some of the wonderful homes in our towns. In her Heart of the Matter column, publisher and editor in chief Ellen Donker shares a special place that is like a second home to her family.
Writer Tia Swanson recounts the history of a South Orange home that nearly a century ago contained a couple -- an attorney and musician -- as well as a music room. Recently, it became home to another attorney and musician couple who have made the home sing again with gorgeous updates.
We also get to know a real estate duo, Camille and Luis Estrella, who have a passion for educating their clients -- especially first-time home buyers -- about how to own their own homes and start building generational wealth.
Donny Levit waxes poetic about the porta-potty, which we find at many homes undergoing construction. His clever piece serves to remind us of the functional respite they can provide at inconvenient times. We hope you enjoy the levity.
Writer Sara Courtney introduces us to our cover duo, Hollie Velten and Victoria Bailey-Adamson, who run SPACES, a local interior design firm specializing in helping recent city transplants adapt to their larger homes.
Looking for home accessories? Many SOMA residents have turned to Facebook swap groups. Adrianna Donat spotlights two such pages. And of course many of our local retailers are great resources for accessories, and we highlight a few colorful options in this issue.
When you're tired of being home and need to get out, there is no shortage of events to choose from. But where to go? Cat Delett and Chrissy McIntyre compile local events on their SOMAPSO website calendar and even deliver a weekly newsletter and podcast to keep us in the know.
For Food Matters, food editor Olivia Mack McCool zeroes in on home-cooked comfort food with her recipes for weeknight meatballs and focaccia. And in Finding Home, Michelle and Danielle Dobrusin tell us how Debbie Rybka Howard helped them find a home that was within 10 minutes walking distance from the train station and within their budget.
If you want to read more in depth about any of our topics, take a look at the book recommendations in Book Report offered by the Maplewood Library.
Lastly, in Final Matters, Tia Swanson reflects on the meaning of home and what it's like to leave a house and move on to another. Perhaps there's always a piece of us that stays behind.
Advertisers: thank you for supporting Matters Magazine. Our next issue - Spring - will share interesting stories about some of the people in our towns. If you're a retailer, you'll want to find out about our "Meet the Merchant" feature. We will also run a "Head of School" feature for private schools and preschools. And for those who run a camp and still have space to fill, be sure to get into our Summer Camp Guide. If you want to get the word out about your business, visit our website or contact our office or your advertising representative.
Readers: thank you for your loyalty and passion for our towns. If you have a story that you think we should tell, email or call us to let us know. We also like to hear which stories were especially meaningful to you.
Ellen Donker Tia Swanson Donny Levit Julia Maloof Verderosa Photographer Olivia Mack McCool Camille Estrella Adrianna Ahern Donat Maplewood Memorial Library
