Coming Soon!

The curb appeal at 48 Cottage is undeniably delightful with its mature blooming perennials welcoming you up the path to the front door. Inside you’ll be smitten by the historic details and charm. The cozy front sunroom is the ideal space to relax with a book. Don’t miss the incredible moldings, high ceilings, and marble mantle in the adjacent living room – a beautiful space to entertain and reminiscent of the details found in Brooklyn brownstones! Across the foyer is the spacious and bright dining room which flows effortlessly into the efficient kitchen and powder room which combines old world charm and modern convenience. The back sunroom (Yes! There are TWO sunrooms in this captivating home!) will beckon you to sit with coffee on lazy mornings and again for after-dinner conversation. The deep yard is an incredible surprise filled with hostas, irises, a blooming dogwood tree and a delightful path for exploration. Upstairs you’ll find three bedrooms, a generous bonus closet and full bath. The third floor has ample storage and a finished bonus room – perfect for a tucked away office space. If you are looking for a one-of-kind and well cared for home – this is it! Only .4 miles to the train station and everything downtown South Orange has to offer.

Dear Prospective Buyers,

In 1977, with a two-year-old daughter, one of us traveling for business and one of us in graduate school, we decided to move from our Brooklyn brownstone to South Orange, New Jersey, where colleagues and friends had settled. Leaving Bedford-Stuyvesant’s diversity, we looked forward to the same here.

Only one of us drove at the time, so the convenience of easy train and bus service to NYC, and a short walk to shopping (which delivered), the library, houses of worship, doctors within walking distance, the airport 20 minutes away, parks and pool and good schools nearby were huge pluses.

And then there was this house! So many huge windows filling the rooms with light and air. Our Brooklyn home, built in 1885 had amazing original plaster work and elaborate wood details, with a lovely yard space which we landscaped. 48 Cottage Street, circa 1870 had many of the same details in a Victorian cottage. We fell in love with the light in the house and the potential of the town.

In 1978, we re-landscaped our 100’ deep back yard with meandering paths and plantings of roses, iris, Rose of Sharon, azaleas, lilies, spring bulbs, and daisies. We have expanded a small screen porch to a three season room (four with a space heater) from which we enjoy the garden year round, and in which by candle light at night. We have found that even in winter the traffic flow of the first floor with its living room, dining room, garden room, and kitchen all connected with wide doors, has let us easily entertain as many as forty friends, winter or summer.

We have replaced virtually all of the windows with insulated vinyl, we have put in French drains and a sump pump in the basement (allowing for a project/sewing space) we have upgraded the electric with 200 amp service and installed many new outlets and electric heat in a bonus room in the walk-up attic (also wired for a/c). We have installed ceiling fans and picture rails in many of the rooms. A consulting mechanical engineer rebuilt the original yankee gutters, created metal chimney caps and structure repairs, and repaired gutters, flat roofs and downspouts

That is all just stuff. The great treasure of our home has been the people! We have made friends here – some married into our family – our daughter has made made life-long friends as well. We have made connections to faith communities. We have become deeply involved in the amazing Newark Museum of Art as volunteer docents. Our daughter came back to teach at the South Orange Middle School for a few years before marrying. The farmer’s market, a short walk to the village has provided fresh produce in season. Local theater companies have enlightened and entertained us. Medical professionals ( good doctors and dentists) have supported our health. We are moving from our HOME of 46 years only to simplify, not to get away, but just moving for simplicity to the next town,

We are certain that when you make 48 Cottage St your residence, it and South Orange will be a wonderful home for you.

Regards,
The current homeowners