**Pictures to be updated next month Aug 2024 after our renovation fully wraps up**…read more For months, my sister and I were daunted by the thought of renovating our Cobble Hill, Brooklyn condo. One weekend, we visited various tile and fixture stores near our childhood hometown in NJ, scraping for motivation and inspiration. We walked into Alba Kitchen and Bath in East Hanover on a whim and were warmly greeted by Serenay. This one serendipitous meeting gave us the comfort and confidence to jumpstart our entire project! We are so grateful to Serenay and the whole team at Alba for our beautiful new kitchen!  Here are 3 reasons why working with Alba has been a wonderful experience and why I wholeheartedly recommend them.  1. Seasoned Kitchen Design Experts:  Serenay accounted for every inch of available space in our kitchen and produced multiple renderings (see pictures 3 and 4) showcasing different design configurations. For example, we have an awkward wooden beam which previously left a gap between the upper cabinets. She commissioned custom shallow cabinets, and turned both the top and bottom into usable cabinet space!! She also advised us on how we could maximize space inside our cabinets, such as getting rid of the lazy susan we originally had in our old corner cabinet. The renderings were super helpful in visualizing what the kitchen would look like. Our appliances also fit perfectly back in during reinstallation.  Serenay was also able to take the "inspiration" picture I sent her (see picture 5 - this is from Brittany Marom's 61 Rivington project) and turned it into reality. We chose thin shaker (Luna collection) Fabuwood upper cabinets in White Dove, lower cabinets in Kona, and Maharaja quartzite stone backsplash and counters. Maharaja quartzite is actually the stone we saw in the showroom kitchen countertop. We fell in love with the horizontal striations and after quite a bit of sleuthing, Serenay helped us track down its origin.   2. Clear Communication: Serenay was very direct and clear about what was included in scope (e.g., we would need to hire someone else to remove and reinstall appliances given their COI scope in NYC). She always answered our questions instead of dodging them using vague terms (we noticed a lot of contractors we spoke to, instead of getting into details, would just say things like "It will be great. It will look really nice" whereas Serenay would actually tell us *why* it would look great, *why* we might want to go with Fabuwood instead of other cabinet manufacturers, etc). Scheduling the measurements; cabinet delivery; cabinet installation; countertop installation; and followups were also a breeze. At our request, she also connected us with the stone yard so we could inspect a sample slab, and to meet the stone fabricator so we could preview where they were planning to make the cuts.   3. Fair and All-Inclusive Pricing: I googled Alba beforehand and was reassured by several blog posts/reviews that they get the best pricing on Fabuwood cabinets in NJ. From the start, Alba's quote also included the cost of materials and installation for both the cabinets and countertops, and it was very fair, especially for NYC. We were considering just refinishing our 2002-era cabinets to save money. Working with Alba allowed us to get brand new cabinets with all the bells and whistles, like soft-close and pull-out utensil cabinets.  Throughout this process, my sister and I felt so lucky that Alba is willing to do projects in NYC and not only NJ.  Since we are still mid-project with other renovations, I don't have the best pictures yet of the finished product. I will update this review with closeup pictures once we clear all the construction materials away. But in the meantime, do not hesitate to choose Alba and especially the wonderful Serenay. THANK YOU Alba Kitchen and Bath!!

We recently completed a project with Camille at Alba Kitchen. We are extremely happy with our new…read morekitchen and we highly recommend working with the company. Everything went smoothly and any questions I had, I would call Camille and she would take care of it. They also gave the best pricing on everything. We were quoted at four other establishments and they were by far the best price. We are so happy with our new kitchen and really happy we went with this company and a big thank you to Camille!

I met Carla several years ago playing tennis together. I learned she had a design business, and…read morekept that in mind as we were considering redoing our master bathroom. Several years later we decided to reach out to Carla for her opinion on a redesign of our 1990's bathroom. Carla came up with a great design to maximize and enhance the space, including a jetted tub and larger shower. Working with Carla was easy and she asked great questions to make us think about what we really needed and wanted. Carla also helped us avoid costly mistakes. She came up with some great solutions for our backsplash, counters, tiles, and hardware. The trades she recommended were also very good to work with. I would not hesitate to recommend Carla to others and use her in the future for any redesign projects.

We are very happy we chose Carla Gaeta, owner of Gemini Design Group, to design our new kitchen and…read moreto serve as general contractor. Carla gave us the kitchen we had imagined only better. Carla spent significant time with us listening carefully, evaluating our space, answering questions, and offering suggestions. The planning process was thorough and all estimates were on point. Carla brings 30 years' experience in design and construction to the process. She worked to make us happy, but stood her ground when what we asked was not a good idea. From planning through execution, her communication was superb. Questions were answered quickly. We always knew what to expect and when subcontractors would be at our job. Her subcontractors did excellent work and were a pleasure to have in our home. Carla personally checked on each day's work, ensuring that all aspects were up to her very high standard. As with any construction project, not everything went perfectly. Carla stepped in as our advocate with suppliers, always exhibiting grace under pressure to ensure delays were minimized. Her mantra is, "There is always a solution!" Then there is the "above and beyond" aspect of working with Gemini Design Group. Carla noticed the step from the kitchen into the garage was too high thus a bit dangerous. It had always been that way so over 20 years we had become used to it. Being comfortable with picking up tools to make things right, Carla designed and built a proper step into our garage. We are grateful to have found Carla Gaeta of Gemini Design Group. You can place your trust in her to deliver a beautiful, functional kitchen, bath, or both! In fact, Gemini will be starting work on our main bathroom very soon.

The most elegant interior designer in the tristate area. Donna Donaldson has a very strong grasp on…read morea clients vision and overall aesthetic from strategy, to concepting to execution. Donna is a wonderful full service designer with a strong eye for modern, practical, sophisticated home glam. Her projects range from small renovations and room re-do's to multi-million dollar estates in Greenwich/New Canaan Connecticut, Nantucket, Florida, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Donna has impeccable taste, she provides floor plans, perspective drawings, room arranging, decor, floor treatments, window/fabrics/lighting advise...If your home needs a facelift I strongly recommend Donna. If youre not in the market for an interior designer, check out the charming store in Summit to buy one of her infamous candles, throws or pillows.

Working with Donna over the past several years has been beyond a pleasure. She is always prepared…read morefor our meetings with bright ideas and a calm demeanor. My home receives many compliments for its' creativity and uniqueness from our guests. I always give Donna and co. all of the credit. Her style is your style, so you really feel that you are living in your own paradise. Kudos to Donna and her team.

I am remodeling a family owned apartment in Manhattan from scratch…read more I was trying to pick out paint and had been to Benjamin Moore probably ten times. I was at a loss. I contacted Allyson from A and R and she agreed to meet with me in her store and assist me. I brought with me samples of the remodel tiles, fabric samples etc. She spent a good deal of time with me and also showed me a special paint line of BM I didn't even know about. She came up with the perfect colors. Then I was able to go down the street to the paint store she recommended me to to buy samples. I bought the 3 paint colors to NYC today and they were perfect. The furnishings in her store are different and beautiful and I will be back when I am at that point. She is a very talented decorator and very easy to work with as well. So, thanks a million. Sheryl Maccia

Wonderful! We have worked with A&R Interiors for a few projects and have been happy with the…read moreprocess and the end result. Best of all, they listened, captured, and implemented our design needs and style. When possible they worked with items currently in our home. Our first project, with A&R, was redecorating a room in which they added to the existing furnishings. The proportions of the furniture are perfect and they knew exactly where to put that special piece. Additionally, A&R has been very helpful with our remodel. Allyson had many great suggestions and assisted in avoiding pitfalls during the construction process. Sometimes it's the small details that really give your home that extra special touch. Communication throughout the process was great. During the design process, we were shown different options both at our home and the A&R showroom and were able to understand how everything would work together. Having an open floor plan, it was important that the colors were able to tie into other rooms. We were updated on manufacturer production schedule, inspection, and delivery. We have been very happy and look forward to using A&R again!

Bought custom furniture from Butter+Velvet. It was delivered a few weeks ago, and I just love it…read more Is a great addition to my living space. I worked with the manager, Gabriella; and she shared many helpful decorating tips. Her thoughts and insight is amazing! We will be returning. Great store in downtown Denville, and Gabriella was knowledgable and not pushy at all! Highly recommend and will be returning.

I have been a customer of Butter and Velvet for many years! Everything in the store is curated…read moreperfectly for wonderfully unique gifts ( but I always find something for myself every time I go in!) I have also used the design side of the business for years and have loved every single item they have helped me choose from furniture, lighting, wallpaper, linens ,paint color and decorative objects. Also Kelly and Michaeline are both extremely talented and warm- a great combination!

I needed to replace the exhaust hood in my kitchen. It is a ducted system with a hood made in…read moreItaly. I called multiple appliance folks and no one could help me. I then called Andrew at NJ Kitchen and Bath. Not really his thing either but he suggested I call Designer Appliance in Montclair. They knew exactly what I needed and the replacement is scheduled for next week. I really appreciate the referral and assistance.

I highly recommend NJ Kitchens and Bath. They just completed our Kitchen renovation. From the…read morebeginning 3D design to the completion of the project it has been a pleasure to work with Andrew and his team. They were highly communicative and responsive and also professional and punctual. We requested a few changes to our original design and Andrew was very accommodating with the changes. Derek completed most of the labor and he is a true craftsman, attention to detail and workmanship. The crew cleaned up everyday before leaving and did an excellent job. We are very happy with our Kitchen renovation. If you are looking for a reliable, professional, communicative company then NJ Kitchen and Baths is the company to use!

tl;dr Go to Cove if you want to be talked down to, dismissed, and belittled. Go elsewhere if you…read morewant great service, a business that cares about their customers, and an organization that tries to meet their customers' goals. I had spoken with Ron on the phone and indicated our priorities to him by phone: to be able to move quickly in the selection process, cover 2,000 sq ft, and do it within a reasonable budget. I even followed up with photos via email, so we could move faster in the process. When we came into the store though (at the agreed upon time, although Ron repeatedly told me I didn't need an appt), Ron was not immediately available and then, when we did start speaking with him: - he talked about cost as something you had to make "palatable" (as if the concept of a budget is unreasonable or distasteful) - we had to actually ask him to show us around the store because he was very focused on showing us only the most expensive vinyl -- which then turned out to not be applicable b/c it didn't come in stair treads. When discussing the fact that the vinyl would be for a basement, he should have asked about the entry to the basement and guided us appropriately to feasible options. - someone else arrived to talk to Ron while we were there and he simply dismissed us, telling us that it would take multiple visits to make a decision, despite us being very clear about our time sensitivity. - he refused to explain how the pricing would work while we were there, and what components would make up the total - he never said "bye", "thanks", or even "have a nice weekend" to us when we left after 1 hr in the store We were very frustrated when we left, given Ron's dismissal and his inability to understand and help us achieve our goals, and I called later in the day and spoke with Donna. Donna said she was leaving for the night and would call me back Monday or Tuesday and would also set us us with an additional sales rep, Doug. Well... Donna never called me back. And Doug was as incompetent as Ron, extremely unresponsive (again, despite our time pressure), and just grossly smarmy with my husband (when my husband returned some samples) -- read: used car salesman vibe, not genuine interest. After 1 week post-measurements, Doug let us know he had a quote for us (which he never provided in writing) and said it was for three bedrooms. When I asked about the fourth bedroom, he said he'd have to call me back and then when he did (several hours later)... the price suddenly went up a few thousand dollars. He misread their own measurements, quoted us incorrectly the first time, and didn't even include the full extent of the costs at that point (plus still no calculation for stairs). When I let Doug know that we had received a quote elsewhere for similar quality products for several thousand dollars less overall, he refused to believe it, and told me I should bring those samples in so he could explain to me how they were lesser quality. He also asked if my other quote (despite me saying it was from a local company) was from Home Depot -- as if Home Depot was obviously lesser than their options (irrespective of the option selected). When I told him it wasn't Home Depot and was, in fact, another small local business, he flat out refused to believe that was the case. I tried to give them one more chance though and asked that, if they wanted the business, to look for options similar in style to what we had picked at Cove and propose something that might be more cost competitive. I suggested that we'd come back in and could review what he found together. After numerous days, he didn't respond so I sent an email summarizing our discussion. Ultimately though, he decided we weren't worth his time (because who should actually work to understand their customers' goals and help meet them?) and wished us luck with our "project". No, Doug, Donna, and Ron -- good luck to you. You need the luck more. I've found a great local flooring company that actually wants our business and your disinterest in working with us led us right to them. Update following the owner's response to my review: It does not shock me that the owner is trying to discredit my review by placing blame back on me (a move, where I'm living, etc.). None of those explain why Cove treated us poorly and refused to work with us, and are just a distraction from the core of the issue -- Cove is not interested in understanding customer needs and aligning to them in service of being able to successfully transact a deal. They also mention in the review below that they intended to show us alternate products, but that is a lie (and was already disproven in my original review) -- I had to ask for alternate products to be shown to us via phone, then via email, and ultimately received a reply from them wishing us "luck" with our project and dismissing the opportunity to do business together. They never prepared any additional products to show us, despite multiple requests.

I went to Cove to look at carpets awhile ago, and got very little help from the employee who was…read moreworking that day. They gave samples to take home, and when I returned them, I asked to be contacted so we could discuss next steps. I got no response. A week ago, I contacted Cove again and asked that I get a call back to discuss carpeting options. My call was never returned. I'm rather appalled that Cove seems so disinterested in potential new business. I will look elsewhere.

Natalya Price came into my cramped Cape Cod like a force of Nature!…read more Instead of having me rent expensive furnishing and art, she worked with what I had. When her swirl of energy settled, she had winnowed it to a perfect home -- just enough furniture and wall art to make an average Cape feel amazingly spacious and comfortable. The paint colors and kitchen design she chose were simultaneously inviting and soothing. The whole house seemed to breathe, "Buy me!!" The name of the company is truly apt: the Cape sold in ONE Day, with two over-list-price offers!!! My husband and I will always be grateful to Natalya Price and NJ Staged 2 Sell! Leslie Devlin-Stallone Berkeley Heights, NJ

NJStaged2Sell / Natalya Price has a keen eye and natural affinity for designing and organizing…read morespaces. We bought a Summit townhouse that had been decorated by its previous owners in a traditional English style that, to us, seemed dated and unexciting. Funnily enough, it was similar to the décor we had enjoyed all our lives. We gave Natalya two things: a blank canvas to work with and our trust in her vision. The living room /dining room combination comprised the largest space on the first floor. Long and narrow, it felt a bit like a bowling alley. Natalya suggested painting as a first step and advised that an up-to-date neutral Benjamin Moore color AF-95 ("hush") would set the tone. To bring the space together, she selected Benjamin Moore AF-240 ("satchel") as a contrasting color which, when applied to the two end walls, took the space from bowling alley to warm and connected. After the painting was finished, Natalya set out to create and define the two separate living spaces, all the while maintaining a beautiful flow. There were already installed overhead lighting placed strategically to highlight the previous owners' artwork. Our budget was small and we couldn't take on the cost of changing the existing lighting. So, working with what existed, Natalya planned a setting where I could showcase my family art and silver and the existing lighting shone perfectly. My family and I wanted to completely different look in our new townhouse - contemporary, sophisticated and clean. Natalya knew where to shop - online! She recommended sites and offered multiple selections for my consideration. For the living room, truly our family room, we selected her first choice - a beautiful set of living room furniture, two leather club chairs and a sofa in a soft ivory color. To complement those pieces, she found contrasting dark wood tables which, not only finished the look, but provided a lot of storage and more space for showcasing art. Next, we needed an area rug to tie the furniture together. Voila, Natalya and I found on-line a contemporary piece of neutral tones with a whimsical flair. Exactly what I wanted! Next, Natalya recommended shelves and ledges, all found easily and reasonably priced at IKEA. She measured the space using exactly what I wanted to display (no easy task) and installed it perfectly. I consulted her on many other smaller details and Natalya always steered me in the right direction. She stayed within our budget and introduced me to a world of creative ideas and resources I never knew existed. What's more, we had a lot of fun working together.