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Is it just me, or did January fly by in a heartbeat? |
| February is here, and while Valentine’s Day gets all the attention, it’s also a natural moment to take stock of the spaces we live in. Do they still work for us? Do they feel good to come home to? This month, I’m thinking a lot about how we reconnect with our homes—whether that’s a small, thoughtful refresh, a DIY project that finally gets checked off the list, or simply recognizing that your current layout no longer fits the way you live. Sometimes it’s about improving what you have; other times it’s about imagining what’s next. I’ve been closely watching the early signals of the 2026 market, and there’s a lot to be excited about this year—especially for homeowners who are thinking strategically about their space, their value, and their future. |
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| FEATURED DWELL + DESIGN PROJECT: MODERN HEIRLOOM |
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| A Contemporary Yet Timeless Interior |
| What started as a stark, all-white, contractor-grade flip became a full-on personality reveal—layered, bold, and anything but basic. We pushed past safe neutrals and leaned hard into character: a color-drenched deep teal kitchen that anchors the home, hand-painted checkered floors that feel equal parts vintage and confident, rich terracotta grasscloth wallpaper adding warmth and depth, and playful striped walls in the mudroom that don’t take themselves too seriously. When the client casually mentioned he was “handy” and planned to do much of the work himself, I’ll admit my guard went up—but it quickly became clear I was working with a true craftsman. His skill, precision, and care elevated every detail, and what began as a leap of faith turned into a creative partnership I now rely on for help across other projects. For more images, head over to our website Dwell-and-Design |
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Real Estate Giant Compass Closes $1.6 Billion Merger to Become Worlds Largest Broker |
| "We are pleased with the strong support from our and Anywhere's stockholders in approving this transaction," said Compass founder and CEO Robert Reffkin. "Today's outcome reflects confidence in our shared vision to empower real estate professionals with everything they need to grow their business and better serve their clients."
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| Not Just Robotics: An AI Program from Robotics & AI Club of NJ |
| An advanced Robotics & AI program from Robotics & AI Club of NJ focused on creativity, confidence, and future-ready skills. Reservation is required.
Click HERE for details. |
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| | | Snuggle, Shop & Adoption Event |
| Come meet adoptable dogs from See Spot Rescued while you shop small and treat yourself! Featuring local artisans, plants, books, live tattoos, desserts, art, home decor, pet apparel and raffles to raise funds for the pups!
Click HERE for details. |
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| Lifestyle Tips and Tricks |
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Thinking About Selling Your Home As Is? Read This First. |
| If you're thinking about selling this year, you may be torn between two options: Do I sell as-is and make it easier on yourself? OR do you fix it up a bit first? So it shows well and sells for as much as possible? |
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| 5 Kitchen Designs Going Away In 2026 |
| The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the home. It needs to be functional, aesthetic, and able to serve multiple purposes. These spaces can also be incredibly expensive to renovate, so most homeowners want to do it once—and do it right. |
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| | | Turning A House Into A Home |
| There’s a lot of conversation about home prices, mortgage rates, and affordability right now – and those things are important. But if you’re thinking about buying a home, it’s worth remembering something the headlines rarely talk about: people don’t buy homes just for financial reasons. They buy them for their lives.
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| | | | | This graciously restored English Tudor sits atop beautiful Crest Drive, offering breathtaking NYC skyline views and a seamless blend of historic detail and modern luxury. Enter the reimagined entryway showcasing Japanese Shou Sugi Ban-inspired wood paneled closets, setting a stunning architectural tone. Inside, curved archways and expansive sunlit rooms provide both warmth and grandeur. The first floor features new herringbone white oak flooring with radiant heat, creating an inviting and elegant flow throughout. The main level includes the grand open living + dining room with wood-burning fireplace, a sunken family room with sliders to the patio, and a charming country-style eat-in kitchen with access to the screened porch and powder room. Every original window has been meticulously restored by a team of craftspeople, painstakingly preserving the home's timeless character. Fresh paint, new designer carpeting, handcrafted railings, and exquisite new hardware and doorknobs elevate every detail of this exceptional home. Upstairs are five bedrooms and four full baths, including a spacious primary suite with dressing room or WFH space. The third floor Rec room is the perfect hang. Outside, enjoy the private front yard, and back patio, but be blown away by the spectacular heated in-ground pool surrounded by decking with unbelievable views of NYC. This is a truly rare opportunity to own a restored classic on one of South Orange's most coveted streets. |
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| Montrose Park South Orange |
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Thanks for reading and subscribing! Ready to achieve your next real estate goal? |
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| | Amy Lutz
Interior Designer + Lic. R.E. Salesperson M: 646.239.5248 O: 856.214.2639 amy@dwell-and-design.com |
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Office: 856-214-2639 Compass RE is a licensed real estate broker. All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions. |
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