I FEEL SO NAKED
When hiring a new gardener, the first thing he did was remove the privet hedges bordering our property. After 45 years with the leafy barrier, I can understand how Eve felt in her loin.
Excitingly, we’ve gained three feet of frontage. The look brings a new curb appeal to our stately brick house.
The June 23, 2026, blog post, "Zillow is My New Best Friend," shows our house previously surrounded by those privet hedges, which had been used as a barrier to prevent people from walking across the lawn. Now, with gates at the ends of our streets, the gardener commented, we don’t have the foot traffic we used to have in the neighborhood.
For a clear description of our neighborhood, I had to look no further than a realtor’s inviting post on the house across from ours. For Property Details, he wrote:
“Welcome to one of South Orange's most distinguished residences a Grand Historic Colonial where timeless elegance meets refined modern luxury. Set in the coveted Montrose district, this extraordinary 6-bed estate, set on a park-like .49 acres, commands attention with its impressive front porch, stately architecture, and exceptional presence on one of the town's most picturesque streets. Rich in character yet thoughtfully renovated for today's lifestyle, this remarkable home offers an expansive & sophisticated floor plan designed for both luxurious everyday living and unforgettable entertaining. A dramatic center hall welcomes you into beautifully scaled rooms filled with natural light and classic details. The heart of the home is a stunning designer kitchen featuring premium appliances, custom cabinetry, and seamless flow for gatherings large or small. Multiple living & entertaining spaces create warmth and flexibility. With spacious bedrooms and 4.1 beautiful baths adorned with exquisite Italian tilework, the home effortlessly blends historic charm with elevated modern design. The expansive basement offers endless possibilities for recreation, fitness, media & office. A two-car garage w/ private loft Studio Space is ideal for a luxury home office, yoga studio, etc. Rarely does a home of this scale, and modern sophistication become available in one of South Orange's most admired and sought-after neighborhoods. Just moments from vibrant downtown South Orange & trains to NYC.”
We expect that our new landscaping will enhance the beauty of our block, and we’re looking forward to the compliments after the grass planted in September grows. As usual, we love to entertain, but when directing guests to our house, we need to remember not to tell them to look for the house with the hedges all around.