A Major Move

When people talk about downsizing, the conversation often turns south – moving South, that is. My husband and I chose a different direction – we wanted a walkable city, one that was still close to friends and family.

We had always planned to downsize after our youngest graduated high school so when Cate decided to attend fashion school in New York City in the fall, the timing felt right to try a different way of living. We traded our nearly 4,700-square-foot home for a 1,530-square-foot rental apartment in Jersey City. (Yes…yikes!)

Sorting through 28 years of belongings was harder than we expected. Every box held a memory – old photographs, multiple inherited china sets not to mention the kids’ drawings and report cards dating all the way back to nursery school. I’m grateful to have had the past few months to sort through and decide what to bring with us, and make peace with leaving the rest behind.

Challenging? Absolutely. Exciting? Definitely.

I’m enjoying making our apartment feel like home. (Lots more to come on that!)  The four of us – including Ruby, our rescue pup – can walk to so much of what we need. New York City is just across the river, and its fabric showrooms, antique shops, and design resources are becoming my new “fabric and resource library.” 

While the zip code has changed, my work continues wherever my clients need me. I’m still designing homes in Bergen and Essex County and beyond, and I’m excited to bring a bit of NYC inspiration into all of my future projects!

I look forward to sharing more with you as we settle into our new view!