b'AccessorizingYour Old HomeOur online community can helpBY ADRIANNA DONAT F urnishing a home in Maple- todaymarketplace to buy, sell, or give away items to build,be a fiteye out for items that might work for her wood and South Orange hasprojects.Shealsosharesthisinformation itschallenges.Theelegantwith designer friends and members of the oldhomesdontalwaysFacebook group. lend themselves to the stylesMaking items available to other group stockedatIkeaorWayfair.members creates choices that are likely to Even if cost is not an issue, it can berenovate, restore, or beautify your home. Items canfor others in the area. We try to make it difficult finding fixtures and furniture madebe both used or brand new, extras, incorrectly mea- easy for each homeowner to be a steward for their that look right with 10-foot ceilings. And the mold- sured items, or samples.own homes architectural integrity, says Gee. And ings in these homes can rarely be matched with theModerators Carla Labianca, a local realtor, andit costs a lot less time and money than finding the stock at Home Depot or Lowes. Sarah Gee, an interior designer, make this group apieces in a store.The average SOMA home is just under 80 yearsperfect swap ecosystem. As a realtor, Labianca worksWe focus less on decorative items and more on old. Chestnut trim and custom front doors are fea- with clients who want to pare down the furnish- building materials, says Gee. Its also a great group tures that make the homes lovely and unique. Butings in their homes ahead of a sale. Gee keeps anto use to crowdsource, says Labianca. We have a for those who would like to maintain the histori- lot of posts asking for opinions about paint col-cal charm they fell in love with, the homes canors for different spaces, and flooring choices, be difficult and expensive to furnish. Labiancacontinues.Butthereareplentyof Luckilythisisacommunitywheremanyhousewares available too.wrestle with the same issue. The key word here isI had a client refurbish a bathroom with a community: in this case the solution is onlineperfect but out of place purple pedestal sink, swap communities that help local homeownerssays Gee. Once posted in Salvage Market it was find what they are looking for, no matter howsnapped up quickly and used in someones beach obscure or period-specific. house. Now its down the shore, living its best A community online swap group is a plat- life, quips Gee.form where people can buy, sell, or trade fur- The group is also a great place to find new niture, decor and housewares. This is especiallyfriends.usefulwhenfurnishinganoldhouse,astheIliketoplaymatchmaker.Ienjoyscroll-items available in online swap groups are likelying through my Facebook, says Labianca. I do to fit the SOMA aesthetic and have the appro- this to support small, local businesses and to sal-priate historical character. Carla Labianca and Sarah Gee moderate the SOMA at Homevage old house parts. We have a big problem in One such group is SOMA at Home SalvageSalvage Market on Facebook, a place to give away or sellour country with construction waste produced building materials or home furnishings that might work in other Market on Facebook that describes itself as theSOMA homes. during home renovations. If we can make even 32/ matters magazine / hearth + home 2023'