| Author |
Message |
    
J. Crohn
Citizen
Username: Jcrohn
Post Number: 2088
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, February 19, 2005 - 12:27 pm: | 
|
Dear Levenes, I love your house (which I pass at least once a day) and the wonderful work you've done to make it visible. It's a real architectural asset many of us never knew existed. Congratulations!
(Your old house was also charming, and much improved by the lovely gardening you did over time. I watched that transformation with satisfaction, too.)
|
ROGER STRONG
Citizen
Username: Roger
Post Number: 1
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 - 1:06 pm: |
|
I have a friend of mine (no longer living in South Orange) who grew up in your house until 1993 when he was 23. His Parents sold the house after getting divorced. I recently mentioned to him what you have done to the house and he is dying to come in to take a peek! House looks great btw. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 7791
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 4:27 am: |
|
I drove by the intersection last weekend and was really impressed. I have probably driven by there hundreds of times over the year and never even noticed the house. Thinning out the trees did wonders. The house looks almost as if it grew out of the site as opposed to have been built. Really nice job. |
joy
Citizen
Username: Joy
Post Number: 224
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 1:41 pm: |
|
Wow, what a house! - what an amazing house - thanks for uncovering/deforesting a real gem! |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 259
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 11:16 pm: |
|
I second that WOW!
I've been curious to know what all the hubbub was about. Finally got an opportunity to drive by tonight--at night, approximately 10:30. Even in the dark it's spectacular. All those windows, especially the giant curved one in front. Fantastic. Now I really want to see it in the daylight.
Congratulations.
Any info on specific history of the house? Designed by anyone well known? |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 958
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, March 4, 2005 - 10:31 am: |
|
Yes the windows are beautiful
but without window coverings, I can watch your big screen TV while waiting for the light
 |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 261
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 4, 2005 - 1:21 pm: |
|
And I really liked the giant star you have hanging on the wall near the TV!
Love to know where you got it! |
Beth & Stuart Levene
Citizen
Username: 2nw
Post Number: 1
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Monday, March 7, 2005 - 9:10 pm: |
|
As our daughter has mentioned, we appreciate the the (mostly) nice comments about our new home. We have lived in SO for several years now and believe it is a wonderful place to live and invest.
We were surprised at the interest a little tree and landscape maintenance engendered; apparently even at a meeting of Town Board (one would think they would have more important things to discuss, such as agreeing on a good excuse for why they can't seem to create the right conditions to generate redevelopment of what could be a very scenic, beautiful and prosperous downtown).
In any event, as several of you have guessed, it was necessary for us to correct problems created by years of no tree or landscape maintenance. Trees had to be trimmed because they were dead, diseased, causing damage to the house or at iminent risk of falling on the house or the road. Underbrush had to be removed. We also wanted to let a little light into the house, open the house up to the street and set the stage for gardens.
As far as what we know about the house, we have been told that it was built in the 1920's and designed by an architect named Tenessee Williams (not the playwrite). We have also heard that a jeweler known as Slatsky and a family named Goldman once owned the house (pehaps the family of the person mentioned by Roger Strong as the timing seems right). However, we have not traced the house's history through the town records. If anyone has any more information about the house we would appreciate hearing it.
Turning to the questions, the star (its a "barn" star) was purchased in a shop in Montclair which is next to the Montclair Antique Center, although we understand they are readily available at junk shops in PA. As for the tennis court, unfortunately it has not been maintained and will need to be completely resurfaced before it can be used. We we will probably use most of the "mulch" in the beds we plan to cut when the weather permits. If we have any left over, we will be happy to post it on this site. With respect to the yard, can anyone recommend a reputable but not price-gouging automatic sprinkler system installer? The house has one but it too has not been maintained.
Again, thank you for your nice comments.
|
doublea
Supporter
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 933
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Monday, March 7, 2005 - 9:29 pm: |
|
I used Anthony's Landscaping to put in my sprinkler system. I use Anthony for my landscaping and he's a great guy. Sounds like the previous owners didn't winterize the system. |
DeborahG
Citizen
Username: Deborahg
Post Number: 1229
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 10, 2005 - 8:40 am: |
|
Hi Levenes, I pass your corner multiple times a day and it is a joy to see the mushroom house in all its glory! Thank you for your great work!
Deborah |
SouthOrangeNanny
Citizen
Username: Sonanny
Post Number: 2
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, March 10, 2005 - 2:50 pm: |
|
i didn't even know there was a house there untill just a month ago..it looks beautiful |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 325
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 10, 2005 - 4:17 pm: |
|
Finally, had a chance to drive by, up SOA, in the daylight. House is really fantastic. There must have been a ton of overgrowth, because, like so many who have posted here, I never even knew there was a house there.
Keep up the good work! |
arizona
Citizen
Username: Arizona
Post Number: 138
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 10, 2005 - 5:06 pm: |
|
The Satsky family once lived in the "Mushroom" house. They owned an exclusive jewelry store initially on the NW corner of SO Ave and Scotland Rd. When SO lost some of its lustre they moved to - you guessed it - Millburn. |
Pizzaz
Citizen
Username: Pizzaz
Post Number: 1606
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 10, 2005 - 5:59 pm: |
|
Arizona: You're an old-timer. I mentioned that before in another thread about the Mushroom House. Glad to see someone else remembers the Satsky's.  |
suzanneng
Citizen
Username: Suzanneng
Post Number: 310
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 10, 2005 - 6:02 pm: |
|
I teach at South Mountain School, and have always wondered what was hidden behind all those overgrown trees and thick underbrush. Will enjoy watching the house and property evolve! |
Lizziecat
Citizen
Username: Lizziecat
Post Number: 538
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 10, 2005 - 7:37 pm: |
|
Isn't there a similar house in Maplewood on North or South Crescent? I seem to remember seeing one around there. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 676
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 10, 2005 - 9:19 pm: |
|
Yes Lizzie! If you come down either North or South Crescent it's where the road splits.
I want to know who cleans ALL THOSE WINDOWS in the mushroom house?!
And when's the party so we can all see it?  |
arizona
Citizen
Username: Arizona
Post Number: 139
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 10, 2005 - 10:42 pm: |
|
Pizzaz,
Thanks for the "old timer" moniker. You really know how to make someone feel good on the eve of his 50th.
(no offense taken) |
Pizzaz
Citizen
Username: Pizzaz
Post Number: 1610
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 10, 2005 - 11:23 pm: |
|
Arizona: Sorry, now I know you only have a couple of years on me. |
Two Sense
Citizen
Username: Twosense
Post Number: 39
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 11, 2005 - 11:59 pm: |
|
For what its worth:
Ruth Satsky Jewelers tried to save itself by opening a second store in Livingston Mall, after the mall opened and created -- as Ross Perot so eloquently expressed -- a giant sucking sound to the west. The Newark riots to the east and the mall to the west marked the beginning of the end for Satsky's and other fine merchants in S.O. Village. |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page