Since 1955, the Lake Hopatcong History Museum has curated a unique collection of information and memorabilia related to New Jersey’s largest lake and more than 40 other topics germane to the area’s history. See their schedule of public programs at lakehopatconghistory.com. The Museum of Early Trades and Crafts is a history mu- seum the explores New Jersey and the people who built the state from the colonial era through industrialization. The permanent exhibitions look at how people worked the land and developed a bustling economy. The main gallery hosts special exhibits that usually rotate twice a year. Through January 2025, this space will be dedicated to the philan- thropic history of American heiress Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge. See the METC’s full schedule of events for adults and kids online at metc.org. The Longo Planetarium has been bringing the stars to Northern New Jersey since 1973. Located at the County College of Morris, the planetarium’s Digitstar projection system displays thousands of stars, planets, and the moon on a dome that is 33 feet in diameter. On the second and fourth weekends of the month, the public may buy tickets to celestial extravaganzas—including One Sky , Starlit Nights , Big Astronomy, or Mesmerica —some of which are appropri- ate for kids as young as six. Ticket info for each offering is available through the school’s website at ccm.edu. ■ MEET THE DESIGNERS
Top: The METC helps kids craft decor for the spooky season. Bottom: Longo Planetarium charts a path to the heavens.
If you were a color, what color would you be and why? I asked my lovely coworkers for their thoughts on this question, and they told me yellow! I agree with them: bubbly, cheerful, and bright. I’m heavily introverted, but when I’m with people I enjoy, the yellow shows. Is there a kind of design project you’d like to do more of? I love helping people with fixing up the small parts of their homes, but I adore doing new construction projects. The possibilities are a lot less restricted when the ground has never been bro- ken before. How do you unwind when you’re feeling stressed out? I subscribe to “grandmotherly” activi- ties like knitting and crochet work. Is there a design upgrade you’d love to make in your own home? I want to knock out the wall separat- ing my kitchen and my mom’s office and make the kitchen much, much bigger. I’d redo all of the cabinets and appliances in a heartbeat.
How would you describe your own design style? My personal design style is ‘60s-‘70s maximalism. There is something in- credibly charming about bright colors and tchotchkes that brings a whole new layer of personality and fun to an interior space. We as a society lost our way when we stopped integrating conversation pits into home design. Who inspires you? My mom inspires me. I’ve never met someone so resilient and intelligent. She always pushes me to be my best. Is there a TV show with design you love? My guilty pleasure is definitely HGTV’s Love It or List It . Can you share a problem you en- countered on a design project and how you made it work? I’m currently working on a five-and- a-half bathroom house for a client with a bit of a problematic budget. I’ve been showing them alternatives to the selections they previously made in or- der to get back into their price range, and it’s been going well!
FAITH BRACERO MORRIS PLAINS
What’s a trend that fascinates you? “Millennial beige” (also known as “sad beige,” according to Business Insider ) is finally on its way out. Wallpaper is back. Fun tile is back. Color is making a return to the home. What changes can we make in our homes to increase productivity? Make a separate space dedicated to work and keep it out of places you try to relax. If you work in your bed or on your couch, you will not be able to fo- cus properly because your brain asso- ciates that place with resting. Making a small area for a desk or a work space can greatly increase productivity in the long term, so your brain can focus.
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