b'A Designer Gets a New CanvasFinding Home with Jill SockwellBY ELLEN DONKERD I N G H ON MIF ER obert Knighton and EliEli Aizen and Robert Knighton with their twin girls are right at home inessary upgrades such as adding central air, Aizen knew that a movepainting the house inside and out, install-from Manhattan to theing new lighting and windows, and paving suburbs was in their fu- the driveway. Next on the list is the back ture. They pictured theyard. Knighton has lots of ideas. children that they hopedSouth Orange. KnightonandAizenaregratefulthat to have running aroundtheyconnectedwithSockwell.Shewas a spacious house with a large yard. the feel, it had the yard, it had the neighborhood Ireallygoodaboutlisteningtowhatwe Until that happened, they kept their ears openwanted. I knew that it was going to be a house forwanted,Knightonsays,admittingthatsome-for suggestions of towns they might like to con- us, but my husband was like, No, its too muchtimes they pushed her to show them houses she sider. Aizen made a mental note of a post from awork. Theres no way were going to do this. I said,knew they wouldnt like. He says she was always Facebook friend who gushed that Maplewood wasif we dont get this house, Im going to divorceright, adding, It made us trust her more. an amazing town, perfect for same-sex families.you. Knighton laughs, adding, I ended up talk- AizendescribesSockwellassavvyand In2021,KnightonandAizenwereblesseding him into it.efficient.Hepointstoherdeterminationto withbeautifultwingirls.Thenextyear,theyThe house sits on a hill with a winding drive- showthemahousethatwasoff-marketrather decided it was time to go house hunting in Maple- way that leads to a sizable back yard. Knightonthan waiting until after it was listed. He says she wood and visited a collection of open houses theydescribes the interior: It had a huge foyer, bigdid the same thing for their friend who was also found online.wide staircasea huge dining room, plenty ofsuccessful in buying a home. They loved her so They met real estate agent Jill Sockwell whilebedrooms that the girls could grow into. It had amuch that they said they had to take us to dinner touring the last house. Aizen recalls his husband,basement that I knew we could finish eventually.just to thank us that we gave them Jill.whoownsViVODOMiInteriorDesign,tellingIt just hit all the marks.The family has gotten to know their neighbors. Sockwell that he needed a place that he could re- Becausethehousewasoff-market,meaningIn fact, the design. Sockwell replied, I got you. I know exactlyit wasnt in the system that real estate agents useweekthey what you want, and I will get you what you want. to list homes, the couple didnt have to endure amovedin, The thing that I loved about Jill is that shebidding war. Instead, they agreed to a shut-downthe families immediately understood not just what I wantedoffer, which is the price the homeowners wouldonGlen-but the type of house I wanted, Knighton says.take to avoid putting the house on the market.sideAve-So, it could be a project, but she also knew IKnighton says, I dont think we would have got- nue invited wanted a grand house that I [could] rebuild. ten this house if it was not off-market. themto During the next few months, the couple bidThe transaction closed smoothly. Now it wastheirblock on houses that Sockwell showed them. Unfortu- Knightons chance to work his magic. He says, Ip a r t y . nately, they were outbid each time. knew that once I got my vision on it, it could be aKnighton Undeterred, Sockwell continued to scout hous- modern, beautiful, Victorian home.says,Ev- Jill Sockwell helped the Aizen/Knigh-es for the couple. The one on the corner of NorthSoon enough, Knighton had contractors work- eryonehaston family find an off-market home.Ridgewood Avenue and Glenside Avenue in Southing on the house before they moved in. About sev- been so great and so friendly and so welcoming. Orange captured Knightons imagination.en months later, the couple renovated the kitchenIts the perfect neighborhood, not just the perfect He says, It needed a ton of work, but it hadand three bathrooms. They also made many nec- house. 28/ matters magazine / spring 2025'