feature story / 13 the wood floors to their original beauty. Since all three bathrooms were aged, they updated each one and added new fixtures and designer light- ing. On the first floor, the Fried- manns widened doorways and added sliding doors in the kitchen. They didn’t want an open floor plan, just greater space to allow sunlight to flow from the din- ing room to the back of the kitchen. Marisa says, “I really like the balance between new and old. [People] like to have the open floor plan but yet you need wall space for everyday logistics.” To improve the flow in the kitchen they updated the layout and added beautiful new cabinetry, quartz coun- tertops, a marble backsplash, brushed gold hardware, custom lighting and new fixtures and appliances. All three second floor bedrooms were staged with attractive furnishings, one as a nursery so a prospective family could imagine the home growing with their needs. The third floor, which had been filled to the ceiling with boxes, was rei- magined as an office. The overall effect is a lovely, mod- ern house that would suit most any family. As for the dance studio, the Fried- manns were able to keep the building true to its past and are in the midst of updating it with a new, fresh aesthetic. Motion Arts Dance Studio is slated to move in this spring once the renova- tion is complete. Ellen Donker enjoyed touring both prop- erties and gaining insight on how the Friedmanns transform homes. Above center: Muted colors were used in the master bedroom. Above: Imagining a young family moving in, this bedroom was staged as a nursery. The front porch provides an inviting entrance to the house. 2208 millburn ave in maplewood @pickettsvillagebar THERE’S A NEW BAR IN TOWN OPENING THIS SPRING