May 2023: How We Live

During the pandemic, many of us embraced the idea of home as haven. Demand for furniture and home furnishings skyrocketed as people turned their attention to rooms or outdoor areas that had been neglected or unused. And, in the case of the homes showcased in this issue, many New Jerseyans brought a combined sense of astounding creativity and practicality to their spaces.

While the pandemic appears to be retreating, our desire for the comforts of home is not. Many of those pandemic projects are still being used—and loved—now, and will be for years to come. You’ll find some terrific home retreats, including a backyard bar in Nutley that became a neighborhood gathering spot, a “she-shed” and fairy-garden project that an Island Heights woman says “saved” her during the pandemic, and a basement that became one Chatham family’s favorite spot in the house. Also: See how one local woman transformed a school bus into a home for her family; read about the trend of tiny houses sweeping New Jersey; and find out how your home could be in a film or TV show.