We can’t resist our curiosity about what some of our area’s most prominent houses look like on the inside. However, imagine getting a glimpse inside them with the additional benefit of supporting a worthy cause?
In Essex County, two home and garden tours are scheduled for late May in Short Hills and Montclair. These events allow the general public to admire stunning residences and distinctive landscapes, with proceeds benefiting significant community projects.
If you’re passionate about home and gardening, or simply seeking some activity this month, consider these two upcoming home and garden tours in North Jersey:
Begin your day with more knowledge. Receive all the essential news directly in your mailbox every morning.
H.O.M.E. Tour at Short Hills
The Warehouse NJ
is holding its 3rd yearly event
H.O.M.E. Tour at Short Hills
On May 30th. This event is among the two primary fundraising activities for the organization, which is a not-for-profit entity focused on gathering and distributing furniture to those who have experienced tragic circumstances.
The H.O.M.E. — Helping Others Move Equitably — tour will showcase five meticulously selected residences across Short Hills, open for ticket-holders to explore between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. According to Margaret Santana, who serves as the secretary for The Warehouse NJ and chairs the H.O.M.E. event, each location will highlight various architectural elements and interior decorating aesthetics.
VIP ticketholders will get an additional benefit of accessing a sixth exclusive home during the Preview Party on May 29th, where they can savor cocktails at the location.
One of the properties featured this year is a historically significant home brimming with preserved architectural features, she mentioned. Additionally, there’s an entirely bespoke newly constructed house equipped with top-tier finishes. Visitors can also explore a dwelling that has undergone complete renovation; each space showcases before-and-after images highlighting the dramatic changes made.
Each one of our houses has a tale,” Santana stated. “Therefore, we’re delighted that we seem poised to present just as captivating a collection of residences as always.
Santana mentioned that to keep the event running seamlessly and maintain guest respect for the residences, volunteer guides will be stationed in every house during the tour. These volunteers significantly enhance the experience by sharing information about the properties with the visitors.
Participating again this year will be an additional event
online auction
The event runs from May 27 to May 30 and features designer pieces, exclusive experiences, and in-home services. Although viewing will occur during the tour, Santana mentioned that the auction is accessible to those who do not participate in the tour too.
This year, The Warehouse NJ has teamed up with Boxcar Bar and Grill in Short Hills. According to her statement, the eatery will operate during lunch hours on the event day, with part of the earnings being donated to support their cause.
Santana stated that home holds great significance. He explained that although a house is just a structure, their mission with The Warehouse NJ is to assist individuals in transforming houses into true homes. This concept is encapsulated in what they refer to as the H.O.M.E. tour, which focuses on honoring and sharing stories of wonderful residences while also working towards providing homes for those who lack one.
Tickets:
The cost is $75 per person for general admission and $125 per person for VIP tickets, which represent a non-refundable contribution to The Warehouse NJ. These can be bought now.
online
.
Go:
The locations of the highlighted houses will remain confidential until the day of the tour and will only be disclosed to those who have purchased tickets. Ticket holders will receive an email with a tour map and additional event information.
Roses to Rock Gardens
The annual Roses to Rock Gardens tour, hosted by The Montclair Foundation at the Van Vleck House and Gardens, will occur from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both May 30th and May 31st. This marks the 25th year of this fundraising event aimed at helping preserve the historical significance of the Van Vleck House and Gardens.
This year, the self-guided tour will feature a total of nine private gardens — or, ten if visitors choose to include the gardens of the Van Vleck house — in Montclair and Glen Ridge. Outreach for the featured gardens, consisting of both professional landscapes and spaces that were curated by homeowners, was handled by Roses to Rock Gardens Committee Co-chair Michele Trevenen.
“What started out as a walk-through of a few rose gardens 25 years ago has blossomed into a two-day event feature nine beautiful properties curated by devoted owners,” said Cathy Garrity, Roses to Rock Gardens committee co-chair and chairperson of The Montclair Foundation Board of Trustees.
A representative from the organization named Eileen Lundberg stated that guests will be provided with a tour journal at check-in, which serves as their pass to enter each garden. This booklet will contain the locations along with information about every highlighted garden, and participants are allowed to visit each location just one time throughout the duration of the two-day event.
In honor of this being the event’s 25th tour, Lundberg said she’s also working on compiling photos and videos of the first Roses to Rock Gardens tour from 1999 to display at the check-in areas.
Jennifer Bernstein, who serves as both the CEO and the William C. Steere Sr. president of the New York Botanical Garden, will attend this event as a featured guest speaker on Saturday. The day will begin with a Continental breakfast at 9 a.m., leading into Jennifer Bernstein’s talk scheduled for 9:30 a.m. in the Van Vleck House.
Tickets:
Tickets cost $50 each for members of the Van Vleck House and Gardens, or $60 each for non-members, and
can be bought online up till May 29
Following that, attendees can purchase tickets at the venue on the day of the event for $10 more per person. Additionally, tickets to see Bernstein’s presentation cost an extra $15 per person.
Parking:
Visitors are advised to park on either North Mountain Avenue or Upper Mountain Avenue upon arrival at the Van Vleck House and Gardens for check-in.
Go:
The Van Vleck House and Gardens, located at 21 Van Vleck Street, Montclair; phone number: 973-744-4752.
montclairfoundation.org
.
Maddie McGay serves as the real estate correspondent for
NorthJersey.com
And The Record, which covers everything noteworthy about life in North Jersey. You can find her there.
Instagram @maddiemcgay
, on
X @maddiemcgayy
and subscribe to her
North Jersey Living
Newsletter. Do you have a suggestion, trend, or outstanding home feature she should be aware of? Send an email to her at
MMcGay@gannett.com
.
The article initially appeared on NorthJersey.com.
Take a look into the stunning interiors of houses and distinctive gardens in North Jersey during these touring events happening in May.
