PRODUCED BY ELIZABETH KURPIS PHOTOGRAPHED BY CHRISTINE DESAVINO STYLED BY BRUCE ESTEVEZ H A I R B Y E R I C A LT, E R I C A LT S A L O N MAKEUP BY ALEXA MELE, BEAUTY BY ALEXA RAE
FALLING FOR SADDLE RIVER MOST ARE AWARE that taking the George Washington Bridge from Manhattan into New Jersey places you directly into the center of bustling Bergen County, one of New York City’s wealthier “suburban” enclaves. What fewer realize, however, is that besides being home to a number of celebrities, captains of industry, and local and national politicians, therein also lies a small, bucolic borough named Saddle River, just five square miles in size, with a population of just over 3,000. Although many may “know of” Saddle River, unless one was born and bred there (like yours truly), or spent the latter half of their life living there, few really know it. When one thinks of New Jersey, “horse country” isn’t usually the first thing that springs to mind. But that is where Saddle River turns on the charm and proves the common thinker wrong. While remaining a bit of an unsung city escape, residents enjoy the luxury of beautifully manicured gardens, everyday entertaining, and large-parcel horse and agricultural farms—all with the convenience of a short, 20-minute ride into Manhattan, should it be necessary or desired. Because of its generous, 2-acre zoning, many homes sport proper English stables stocked with thoroughbreds, and occasionlly—with a bit of irreverence in mind—rescued miniature ponies or multifarious farm animals (see the lovely estate of Mrs. Lisa Dunn in the following pages, who graciously allowed us to photograph her and her daughter, Brianna, at their farm). Over the years, we’ve had house guests aplenty. And by years, I mean since 1675, when Saddle River was established. Beginning with the Revolutionary War, soldiers would travel through and set up camp, including founding father and First President, George Washington, who famously stayed overnight on multiple occasions at the 80 QUEST