feature story / 15 This Edwardian chandelier belonged to Tom's mother. Eileen asked for her Grandma Betty's sec- retary where she displays her Grandma Joan's Royal Doultons. This picture, painted by Mary's mother, hangs in the vestibule of the front door. tion for Tom since he was six years old. Even the round window on the second floor mimics a ship’s wheel. Tom also added arched doorways in some of the rooms to echo arches found in other parts of the home. These details may not be obvious at first, but the repeti- tion provides cohesion. Having inherited furniture, china, antiques and artwork of various peri- ods from their parents, Tom and Mary also had the staggering job of deciding what to keep and how to integrate the pieces into their home. An Edwardian crystal chandelier from Tom’s mother now hangs in their dining room. A re- upholstered federal-style couch mixes well with a pair of wing chairs in the living room. These pieces co-exist nice- ly with the round midcentury modern table and green leatherette chairs near the kitchen. Upstairs, their daughter Eileen asked for her Grandma Betty’s secre- tary desk and uses it to prominently display Grandma Joan’s Royal Doul- tons. And in the vestibule to the front door, Tom hung a picture painted by his mother-in-law. “Joan was like a second mother to me," he explains. "I adored her. This is like a little shrine to her.” Such important heirlooms, lovingly placed throughout the home, not only honor their parents but infuse it with the warmth of happy memories and lives well lived. Although the renovations were completed under trying circumstanc- es, the Conways look ahead to making new memories in a home that has dou- bled in size and suits their needs better than ever. Already they’ve added a yel- low Labrador puppy named Brewster who tears around the house, appearing both cute and impish simultaneously. Reflecting on his house, Tom shares, “I’ve been designing this in my mind for 22 years. Now it gives me joy to see all these things from our parents. It feels like they’ve moved in with us… it’s a continuum of family.” Ellen Donker watched this house expand and was grateful to be able to tell the family's story. MAGGIE AXELROD-CALISTER We keep you smiling! 250 Millburn Avenue | Millburn 973-467-0077 Saturdays and Evenings Available On site parking | Convenient location Wendy Wisz, DMD General, Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry Every effort is made to ensure the utmost comfort for each patient. Enjoy a modern professional environment and a caring staff. As a former faculty member of Fairleigh Dickinson Dental School, Dr. Wisz now devotes all her time to private practice.