Northwest Bergen, NJ March 2023

Our "Home" Issue HOME + DESIGN

M O DUS CABIN ETRY H O M E S E RV I C E S

M. TEIXEIRA SOAPSTO N E LO C A L S E RV I C E S

G. FRIED FLO O RING & DESIGN

M A R C H 2 02 3

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

Home Sweet Home

March 2023 PUBLISHER

Marc Schwartz | marc.schwartz@citylifestyle.com EDITOR

Kris Pepper | kris.pepper@citylifestyle.com

Home. So much contained in that little four-letter word. Home is our grounding. Our base. Our launchpad. It’s where we start and end each day.

And while the particulars look different for each of us, the meaning and value it holds for all of us is undeniable.

Author Wendy Wunder said, “The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back.” As we thought about home - we wanted to highlight what makes it special to our readers and to us. Our March issue includes the stories of some of the best providers in our community for aesthetically pleasing design and decor. We feel like the lucky ones as we learned more about these businesses and individuals just minutes from your home. We hope to give you a small lens into their lives, their work, and their "homes."

The team at Modus Cabinetry takes the art of designing a kitchen very seriously. As a woman-owned business, Maria Bustios brings 25-plus years of kitchen design experience to the table. M. Teixeira Soapstone in Glen Rock will "rock" your world with soapstone. For those seeking an alternative to the "norm," Roger Teixeira and his staff invite you to tour his yard, showroom, and fabrication plant. A one-stop shop for almost any type of flooring, including carpet, hardwood, luxury vinyl, and area rugs, G. Fried Flooring & Design has been servicing our area for over 45 years. Sam and Gaye Levine will welcome you to their showroom with open arms.

Every month, we hear from readers who keep this magazine for longer than just the month labeled on the cover. They say they hold onto it for months as coffee table art or an accessory in their home. We feel proud to create a resource that is valued in our community and strive every month to deliver the value you expect. As Dorothy says, "There's no place like home."

MARC SCHWARTZ, PUBLISHER @NORTHWESTBERGENLIFESTYLE

STAFF WR ITER S

Donna Gould | donna.gould@citylifestyle.com Lucy Probert | lucy.probert@citylifestyle.com CONTR IBUTING WR ITER

Sammi Tatarsky CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER S

Modus Cabinetry, M. Teixeira Soapstone, G. Fried Flooring & Design, Sammi Tatarsky

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell AD DESIGNER Josh Govero LAYOUT DESIGNER Andi Foster

EAT LOCAL | ENJOY LOCAL | SHOP LOCAL | SPEND LOCAL | SUPPORT LOCAL

Learn how to start your own publication at: citylifestyle.com//franchise

Scan QR code to visit our Instagram CIT YLIFEST YLE.COM/NORTHWESTBERGEN |

Proverbs 3:5-6 Northwest Bergen Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Northwest Bergen area’s most affluent neighborhoods.

Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Northwest Bergen Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered

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L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

Steven W. Tarta Attorney at Law

Practice Limited to Estate Planning and Estate Administration

201.444.8448

tartalaw.com

COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY Ethan and the Bean works to increase the employment rate for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities in New Jersey. Visions shares their commitment to provide an empowering environment that supports individuals in the workplace that’s part of community growth. Visions supports hundreds of causes like Ethan and the Bean with donations to fund good works, employee volunteers who pay it forward, and sponsorships that support community events. Because Visions Cares, where you bank can help you and your community.

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We can build you the kitchen of your dreams You dream it, we design it.

(201) 644-6631 moduscabinetry.com info@moduscabinetry.com

Private Appointments Available

MARCH 2023

inside the issue The Home Issue

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F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

12 Modus Cabinetry

4

Lifestyle Letter

12

Artist’s Palette HO ME + DES I G N

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Decor Trends HO ME S ERV I C ES

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Must See LO CA L S ERV I C ES

What’s Cooking in Your “New” Kitchen?

20 M. Teixeira Soapstone Discover Soapstone in Glen Rock

28 G. Fried Flooring & Design

Taking Floor Decor to a New Level of Style and Service

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Provided Courtesy of Modus Cabinetry 8

Home Is Where The Hearth Is

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Modus Cabinetry WHAT’S COOKING IN YOUR “NEW” KITCHEN?

ARTICLE BY SAMMI TATARSKY PHOTOGRAPHY BY MODUS CABINETRY, SAMMI TATARSKY

It is without question that the kitchen is the center of a home. It houses your precious morning coffee, holds a cozy place for your kids to do their homework, and surrounds your family as you come together to bake your grandmother’s famous apple pie recipe. A room with so much foot traffic—where the big and the little moments are recorded—deserves to be nothing less than perfect.

The team at Modus Cabinetry takes the art of designing a kitchen very seriously.

Owner Maria Bustios brings 25+ years of kitchen design experience to the table. It is not only her attention to detail, her keen design eye, and her pulse on the latest styles and trends that put Modus Cabinetry above the rest, but also Maria’s ability to understand the impact of a client’s lifestyle on their kitchen design needs.

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A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | HOME + DE S I GN

The process begins with a consultation—in your home or at Modus’ design showroom in Oakland. “I ask my clients to make a wish list of what they need in their new kitchen,” says Maria.

Whether you have a clear vision or just a vague idea of what you might like in your new kitchen, Maria will work with you and refine it to perfection.

Preferred style is important to define. The general categories include traditional, transitional, modern, and farmhouse.

From there, Maria will help to determine the nuances of what might make your specific style unique. “A client might like the hardware associated with one style category, countertops from another, and cabinet doors from another. Determining their preferences happens over time,” she says. “I like to provide physical samples of paint or stain colors and cabinet doors so that my clients can get an idea of how it will look in their space.”

Maria will visit your home to understand the flow, the architecture, and your overarching style. “Your kitchen needs to make sense in your home,” says Maria. “Our goal is to design a space that flows nicely with the rest of the house and also incorporates specific design details that the client desires.”

When considering a remodel of your kitchen, you might think about the idea of painting or refacing existing cabinets; however, Maria highly recommends a complete makeover to solve organizational challenges. Going for the full gut renovation allows you to install special drawers—like roll-outs—to improve drawer navigation. Not only that, but a full remodel will also withstand the test of time and carry you through decades of precious life moments.

Currently, the most popular trends include two-toned cabinets and transitional-style kitchens. Maria says clients have been CONTINUED >

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“Our goal is to design a space that flows nicely with the rest of the house and also incorporates specific design d e t a i l s t h a t t h e c l i e n t d e s i r e s .”

trending towards intricate backsplash designs with varying shapes and tones. “Even if a client prefers the look of subway tile, I help them find a way to add some texture and dimension so that it meshes well with the cabinets and countertops.”

In addition to kitchens, Modus Cabinetry also specializes in bathrooms, mud room and pantry storage, laundry rooms, playroom cabinets, and home office design. Maria is known for her exceptional customer service. Her goal

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A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | HOME + DE S I GN

is to make the design process as seamless and stress-free as possible. “A year or so later, clients often come back to me and ask for my help in designing other spaces in their home,” says Maria.

Whether it’s a big kitchen or a small pantry and mud room makeover, one thing is certain—Modus Cabinetry is a trusted source of knowledge, expertise, and creative design. moduscabinetry.com

CONTINUED >

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Owner, Maria Bustios

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A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | HOME + DE S I GN

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M. T E I X E I R A SOAPSTONE Soapstone Bathroom

ARTICLE BY KRIS PEPPER PHOTOGRAPHY BY M. TEIXEIRA SOAPSTONE

Discover Soapstone in Glen Rock

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D E C OR T R E N D S | HOM E S E RVI CE S

M. Teixeira Soapstone, founded by Roger Teixeira, is an importer and fabricator of soapstone countertops, custom soapstone sinks, DYI countertops, soapstone tiles, fireplaces, and more.

Also known as Steatite, soapstone is a metamorphic rock that consists primarily of talc.

If you are considering a home improvement project, visit the Glen Rock showroom for the most extensive collection of

Soapstone Countertops, Backsplash, and Farm Sink

soapstone available in the United States, sourcing their lines domestically from Virginia as well as from international quarries in Brazil and India.

Roger originally entered the business with soapstone carvings and sculptures. He then began providing soapstone for the art industry, including art schools and universities, and in the early 2000s, he began offering a line of soapstone countertops and sinks.

“Soapstone is a great alternative to marble, granite, or quartz for countertops,” says Roger. “It’s all-natural and non-porous. It does not react to acids or heat, and it doesn’t stain. Since it doesn’t react to chemicals, it is a popular counter surface for chemistry labs.”

Soapstone became popular in the late 90s when Martha Stewart and Bob Villa began featuring it in their projects. “Soapstone has a consistent style that doesn’t get old,” says Roger.

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The product comes in shades of gray, varying from an even tone to dramatic veining. Domestic lines tend to resemble a chalkboard color, and slabs sourced from Brazil or India will tend to have more exotic and dramatic features.

Soapstone can be treated with mineral oil or an ager to enhance and deepen its tone. “Once it’s installed, you can apply these products regularly to achieve more intense coloring,” says Roger, “it’s all up to the homeowner.”

It’s important to be aware that several forms of slates and marbles are falsely advertised as soapstone. This is an international issue in the soapstone market, so educate yourself prior to purchasing soapstone slabs or fabricated goods.

M. Teixeira Soapstone supplies to distributors and suppliers, but they also work directly with homeowners. “We also have a ‘do-it-yourself’ program in which homeowners can buy the product directly from us and finish it themselves. It saves them a lot of money.”

The Glen Rock showroom features different varieties of soapstone in kitchen vignettes to help spark the home improvement shopper’s imagination, and their on-site warehouse stocks a large variety of soapstone slabs.

Shoppers are invited to select the slab with the coloring and marbling you prefer. “Many homeowners come in with their architects to help with the selection,” says Roger.

Each classic soapstone variety—and even each slab within varieties—displays differences in veining, color, and hardness. Though tints and veining differ from slab to slab, these classic soapstone varieties are durable, stain-proof, and offer the same heat resistance and antibacterial properties, making soapstone a preferred material for kitchen countertops.

Soapstone is versatile for commercial applications as well. Whether your design elements are rustic industrial, or contemporary classic, soapstone fits in and makes a shining statement to accentuate your business’s style.

Along with the typical renovation projects, it’s interesting to note that Roger and his team are exporting large amounts of soapstone to Europe for woodburning stoves, which have increased in demand due to the war in Ukraine.

“We are exporting a lot of soapstone from Brazil and India to help Ukraine shift away from gas. Soapstone stoves are excellent for holding and radiating heat,” Roger states. “It’s important for us to be a part of helping this cause.”

Visit Roger to learn more about the benefits and durability of soapstone and find some inspiration for your next project! soapstones.com

Roger Teixeira, Owner of M Teixeira Soapstone

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D E C OR T R E N D S | HOM E S E RVI CE S

Soapstone Countertop and Farm Sink

“Soapstone is a great alternative to marble, granite, or quartz for countertops. It’s all-natural, non-porous, doesn’t react to acids or heat , and it doesn’t st ain.”

CONTINUED >

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D E C OR T R E N D S | HOM E S E RVI CE S

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G. Fried Flooring & Design Taking Floor Decor to a New Level of Style and Service

ARTICLE BY KRIS PEPPER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY G. FRIED FLOORING & DESIGN

Longevity is the name of the game for G. Fried Flooring & Design, located at 495 Rt. 17 in Paramus. A one-stop shop for almost any type of flooring, including carpet, hardwood, luxury vinyl, and area rugs, the store has been a staple of the highway’s commerce corridor for over 45 years. It’s a Bergen County institution thanks to owner Sam Levine’s commitment to top quality, beautiful styles, and old-fashioned integrity and honesty.

Gaye Levine, Sam’s wife of 51 years, has been alongside him all the way. “He was in this business since he was 19. He always had the ability to make things happen, and he excels in everything he does. We make a great team,” she says. “I’ve never met anyone who knows as much as he does.”

Sam and Gaye’s lifelong teamwork has paid off—not only in retail success but in the positive relationships formed with their employees and customers. They pride themselves on providing nothing less than stellar customer service, and their team of long-tenured employees stands right behind them. “If anything ever goes wrong with something you’ve purchased from G. Fried, we will have your back,” emphasizes Gaye.

“When you are spending a lot of money, it’s so important to trust the people you do the business with,” says Sam, whose longtime career developed first-name-basis relationships with manufacturers and importers. Those relationships ensure that G. Fried customers receive the best flooring products in the world.

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G. Fried Flooring & Design Staff

Herringbone Kitchen Floor

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M UST SE E | LOCA L SERV I CE S

Teamwork plays a significant role in running a well-reputed business like G. Fried, and most of their employees have been with the company for most of their professional careers. Store manager Matthew Bader began working for the company when he was 16, joining his father and his brother, Marc. “Our employees are like family. When we find quality people to work with, we never let them leave,” quips Sam. “We don’t sub anything out, so every service we provide is done in-house—installation, fabrication, and so on. We treat the customers the way they want to be treated.”

The team at G. Fried knows the value of being connected. “It’s important to create a relationship based on emotion and trust,” notes Matt. “We make ourselves available—even at off-hours. We know that people are looking for a quick response, and we try to provide that service as much as possible.”

The store stocks thousands of styles of carpet, hardwood flooring, and premium vinyl flooring. “Our sales team has been in the business for a long time and can effectively advise customers on what type of carpet is best for their specific needs,” says Sam. “We let the customer talk—and we listen!”

G. Fried also offers carpet cleaning and restoration services. “We opened our cleaning and restoration department in 1998 because we were getting calls and requests for these services, but we didn’t have a good provider to refer,” says Matt. G. Fried’s experts help restore much-loved carpets and rugs following pet accidents, floods, and other disasters. If it’s time for a new rug, they also offer design and planning services.

The Levines prioritize taking customer service to a new level. “Now, we have generations of families coming into the store,” says Gaye.

“We treat customers how we would want to be treated, and we make it a point to ensure they are always happy—then, they will come back again,” says Sam. CONTINUED >

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