House Envy in Maplewood

Community members with an appreciation for beautiful historic homes took part in the Maplewood Rotary House Tour last Sunday afternoon, May 1. With proceeds set to benefit the Rotary Club’s Community Beautification Program, five striking homes were part of the tour.

“Some homes are on the tour because they are historic,” said Caroline Gosselin, the club’s event co-chair. “Others because they are wow homes. All of the homeowners are doing this on a volunteer basis to help us raise money.”

Julie and Madelyn Petrow-Cohen bought the gutted house at 20 Highland Place in 2009. They renovated the turn of the century home within six months with help from Dr. Fix-It’s Home Design Studio in South Orange.

“We decided to do the tour because we got so many comments from neighbors about how nice the house was,” said Julie. Madelyn did much of the home’s interior design.

Chris and Tracie Grella’s Victorian-style home at 576 Ridgewood Road was built in 1902. After the couple moved into the home in 2009, they re-painted the purple façade, and re-did the fireplaces and their upstairs bathroom. “I was a past president of the Rotary in Bayonne,” said Chris. “So I knew the importance of the Rotary. When we were asked to do this, we said, 'Yes.'”

The eclectic home at 5 Owen Drive is owned by writer Tori O’Connell. With its colorful walls and vintage furnishings, the vibrant house is a throwback to the 1950s. Several photo galleries that adorn the walls and antique trinkets make the house a unique find.

Patrick Blake and Mary Ryan own the elegant 1914 center hall home at 456 Richmond Avenue. The pair has been there for 17 years. “Structurally, we didn’t do much to the house,” said Blake. “We did add a deck in the back and did some painting throughout the house.”

The house at 623 Prospect Street is a landmark that is owned by Fran Rothschild. Built in 1892, the home features gorgeous dark oak wood throughout. Rothschild, who grew up in Millburn, has lived in the home for 15 years. “I added a deck in the back since I’ve been here,” she said. “I also redid the kitchen about five years ago.” The eye-catching kitchen features a two-sided French stove and a copper sink. The deck was designed with Kayu batu, a dense Indonesian wood in the mahogany family. “I was asked a few times to do this and I finally decided to go ahead and do it,” said Rothschild. “This house has a lot of character and history so I’m glad I did.”