August 26, 2026

A Chat with Maria Squilanti

August 26, 2026/ Meryl

maria squilanti

Friends I’m happy to welcome my friend Maria Squilanti of To Be Decluttered to the Chalet for a chat. We met at church and Maria is a member of Book Club I moderate (I love to hear what she’s reading). Maria thanks so much for taking the time to be here; will you please introduce yourself to the readers.

Hi Meryl and thank you - I am Maria Squilanti the owner and lead organizer of To Be Decluttered, a professional organizing company based in Verona, New Jersey and serving NJ and parts of NY. Prior to this venture, I was the owner of a financial PR and Events company in New York City.

My family is my life, and everything I do is with them in mind. I am the proud mom of two beautiful daughters in their twenties, and one high-school-aged son, and our sweet nine-year-old mixed breed, Hazel, who truly completes our family. My husband and I met in New York City and settled in the area after our wedding.

Our family loves spending time together, whether we are sharing a meal, enjoying the outdoors, or just relaxing at home. It’s my deep appreciation for family life that inspires my work—I know firsthand how a peaceful, organized space allows a busy family to focus on what matters most: making memories together.

Originally from New York City, my husband—a NJ Bergen County native—and I settled in Verona over 20 years ago, and we absolutely love it here. It is a wonderful, down-to-earth community full of big-hearted people, and we are so grateful for the close friends we have made who we now consider family.

I have always loved to organize and clean up. Frankly, it’s a way of dealing with stress, of creating a clean slate, of generating order in an otherwise chaotic world. Only recently did I realize I could do something I enjoy so much and help people and also make money!

MUDROOM BEFORE / AFTER

Prior to TBD, I worked on Wall Street for over 20 years, providing Financial Public Relations services to companies all over Latin America. It was a wonderful experience, and I learned a ton about working with and managing people. Every client I worked with dealt with challenges differently, and they needed unique solutions from me and my team. I always thought that a good PR executive listens intently and is ready to come up with out of the box solutions. Flexibility is key.

During COVID, the events side of the business languished, and the overall business took a dive. My partner and I decided that it was time to move on, and we shut our doors almost exactly 20 years after our inception.

KITCHEN BEFORE / AFTER

I threw myself into being a full-time homemaker, a job I secretly longed for the whole time I was working in the city. As I mentioned, I am a homebody and the ability to be home all the time made me ecstatic. I learned how to make sourdough, homemade ice cream, honed my culinary skills, started gardening and spent every possible moment with my family. The girls were wrapping up their high school years and I was determined not to miss a moment of their remaining time with us. I started organizing my house, a task I had neglected over the years. Room by room, I decluttered, moving out all the stuff we had outgrown and focusing on having less stuff.

I am not a minimalist, but I do believe that having less stuff is the key to finding peace in your own home. Hundreds of items were donated, trashed and sold. It was an amazing feeling. I felt energized, organized, able to tackle anything. I knew I would eventually return to the work force but I knew that I would need to reset before I could even begin thinking of my next move.

GARAGE BEFORE / AFTER

What motivates you? My family motivates me; I want to make them proud. I want to show my kids that opportunities abound for those of us who are willing to work hard, be great at something, and take risks. Sure, you might fail epically and failing is embarrassing, frustrating, you name it… But it is important to fail sometimes; otherwise how would we learn? How would we grow?’

One of my first paid organizing jobs was a huge learning experience for me. I had been working on projects that were successful. This is easy, I thought. Then I dealt with a client who was not happy with the end product. My idea of organization was not what she had in mind. She was not home when I was working at her house, so I had to make decisions for her. She kept saying she trusted my judgment but then, when I checked in with her a few days later, she had not liked the placement of her things, or the containers I had picked. It was a disaster! After that situation I changed the way I approached every project. I was a lot more demanding of myself and my team, I asked the client a lot more questions before, during and after the project. I managed expectations so that everyone was clear about the goals, the steps, the time frames. Most importantly, I was adamant that the client be on the scene on the day of the project so that they could be active participants in the project. It’s been smooth sailing ever since. But that experience stayed with me for a long time.

BEFORE

CLIENT CHEF ARIANE DUARTE -

AFTER

Who or What has been the biggest influence on you? Oh wow, that’s a tough one. I like to think that we learn something from all the people we encounter. Don’t you think?

If I had to name one person, it would be my father. Both his parents died when he was a boy and he basically raised himself. Eventually, he came to the United States from Colombia in his 20’s, a trained tailor, to work in factories while he learned English. When he finally became a tailor again, he worked for shops such as Valentino and Yves Saint Laurent. He was always amazed by the things he saw and the people he met but he was just a great tailor. He taught me that no matter what you do, just give it your everything. It’s true. In this phase is my life, I want to be a great professional organizer. That means my clients are happy when I am done, and they want me to come back.

What’s your personal style? 100% cotton, soft fabrics, and anything coastal. Give me a cozy sweater with a lighthouse on it and a sea of blue tones, and I’m happy as a clam! (The only time you will ever catch me wearing a pop of orange is when I am proudly rooting for the Clemson Tigers!)

Your Happy place – where is it? The answer is easy: Cape Cod. I fell in love with the coast in my early twenties during a trip to Nantucket—there was something utterly magical about the weathered shingles, the deep blue sea, the crisp trees, and that cool Atlantic breeze. It was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. Once I got married, we started a tradition of spending a week in the beautiful coastal town of Chatham MA every summer. We loved it so much, we purchased a cottage there over 16 years ago making us official Cape Codders. It has allowed my kids to literally grow up there and we head up there no matter the season. In fact, when my daughter turned 21, all she wanted was a trip to the Cape. It is our little slice of heaven, and the backdrop to our favorite family memories.

What is your home aesthetic? Like my clothing style, my home is filled with blues and natural colors. I am also a big fan of “cozy areas” so I have reading nooks and seating arrangements conducive for reading a book or relaxing. The sun is important in the mood for my house. I have rooms that get drenched in sunlight and I filter it out with bamboo shades or curtains to soften the glow. The result are pretty rooms that make you want to sit and chill out. I told you I was a homebody!

What space are you most comfortable in? I love being anywhere in my house. But I have a sectional in the living room where I have my designated spot. From that vantage point, I can drink coffee and set it down next to me, I can watch television or look out the window to see what is going on outside. The book I am reading is always in the area and everyone knows not to sit there because it’s my spot.

What is something you try and do every day? I wish it was exercising but it’s really not. I do try to give our dog Hazel a long walk every day.

What’s your guilty pleasure? Chocolate. If there is chocolate in the house, I will not stop until I eat it all. And if someone else has chocolate they know they have to hide it from me. If I find, I will steal it and eat it.

CLIENT CLOSETS

Check out To Be Cluttered Social Channels and the Website.

Maria again I really appreciate your time Thank you! I’m inspired by your entrepreneurial spirit and of course your organizational skills! You’ve created a brand through your attention to detail and hard work. Congratulations! Your clients are so fortunate to experience you and your teams expertise.

Til next time be well and I’ll see you over on the Gram

IMAGES: MARIA SQUILANTI

July 22, 2026

A Chat with Patricia van Essche

July 22, 2026/ Meryl

Friends this month I am so happy and a bit tickled to welcome the loveliest human - my friend Patricia van Essche to the Chalet for a Chat! Patricia welcome welcome my dear! Please introduce yourself. Hello Meryl, Patricia here from PvE Design. I am an Artist and a Pilates instructor. I’ve always loved art, design and movement. Growing up one of seven, I was always amazed at the amount of encouragement that came from my parents and family. I’ve always felt very grateful for their support and enthusiasm.

Family is very important to me. My husband and I have three adult children, a daughter in law, a delightful grandson and Walter our dachshund. We love spending time together and laughing. I have lived in Westchester County, NY since 1996. We raised our children here and my husband commutes to Manhattan for work. I’ve been working from home, creating art and teaching Pilates privately for years. I certified twice in Pilates and am passionate about moving bodies, wellness and art.

Can you please speak on your work: My work has always been referred to as whimsical art and an economy of line. Micron pens and watercolor are my favorite things. I’m a huge fan of lifestyle design and my background began in Fashion Design.

My first job was with Darlington Fabrics, after that I worked for Ralph Lauren as a Project Manager in Women’s Sportswear that was great fun, then in the Design Department at Calvin Klein. The best part of working for these legendary designers was learning from each of them and getting the privilege of being part of the design team. I’ve also worked with J.McLaughlin and several other companies who contributed to Fashion Design in the 80’s and early 90’s.

Once our twins were born 1993 life lead us to our home in Westchester County, NY. We loved living in Manhattan but once we were looking for nursery schools, the cost and logistics seemed overwhelming and life in Westchester had an allure of being kinder and healthier.

**Note cards designed and sold through patricia’s on-line shop**

Patricia tell me what Motivates you? Motivation is the key to everything. Movement certainly helps along with a new art supply. Journals have always been a part of my life and writing or creating art in them has been motivating from a sort of time travel. Daily lists are always great for getting things done.

Patricia you’re an artist and a Pilates instructor - tell me more about Pilates. Yes, Pilates for myself and my clients is a mindful movement practice focused on strength, alignment, and ease. My sessions emphasize controlled movement, breath, and body awareness. I offer instructions for individuals and small groups. I began practicing in 2017 and that same year completed my certification. I teach at Centerwork Pilates Studio in Bronxville, NY.

Who or What has been the biggest influence on you? The biggest influence in my life has always been connections created around me. Honestly it’s very refreshing to meet people who have influenced me to do things that I never expected. Listen to people and learn from them. During my freshman year at the University of Cincinnati - College of Fashion Design I met such amazing people who inspired me to switch from Art Education to Fashion. Honestly, I loved it, learning to create patterns, learn about Fashion History from Jessica Lazarus and eventually move to Manhattan to land a career in fashion design was a dream come true.

What is your personal style? I’m very flattered that my daughter borrows many of my pieces from my wardrobe. My personal style is classic, timeless design and good quality. I have many items that have literally improved over time. Always invest in your own style.

Your Happy Place - Where is it? My happy place is sharing my love for art and Pilates. We love to entertain although it seems to be very different from years past. I love setting my table, fresh flowers, fresh fruit and polished silver. Setting up to teach requires a lot of thought and effort but it’s worth every minute.

Patricia created this card to advertise the Studio - her home away from home.

What is your home aesthetic? My home aesthetic is very welcoming and many people have told me that they love the calming nature of my house. Edit, edit, edit is the key to my life. That said, I think life is much less formal than it used to be so it is fun to dress up and entertain.

Tell us what type of space would you say you are most comfortable in? A fresh space that brings nature together. A museum that brings people together to explore and I’ve always loved art history and travel. Churches will always be alluring. I can’t imagine what life would be without them.

What is something you try and do everyday? That’s such an important step, every day things and manners that create routine and make a difference in life. All the chores and tasks that make a house a home, are part of the process and are part of the respect life deserves to elevate one’s own happiness. A beautiful linen embroidered hand towel, a straw hat and a scarf accessorize your life.

A handwritten note, a kind gesture, a call to an old friend. Everyday manners are important nowadays.

Tell us what’s your guilty pleasure? Clean water for my watercolors! No muddy water please! You can see that in my art! A fresh pad of Bristol paper!

Cucumbers, deviled eggs, olives, and dark chocolate!

Another discipline you teach is Art. Yes, I have art students. It’s fabulous to see how they relate to the techniques I share with them. And lovely to be around such unabashed exuberance!

Patricia thank you so much my dear for taking the time to chat with me! I am so thankful for your time and I appreciate all the ways you embrace your creativity through your art and your mind and body connection.

You can hear Patricia in this 2018 Plan Simple Podcast.

Please follow Patricia:

Instagram: @pvedesign
Website: PvE Design
Etsy Shop: pveshop

Thanks for being here friends til next time I’ll see you over on the Gram!

Images: Patricia van Essche

June 24, 2026

A Chat with Jessica Gordon Ryan

June 24, 2026/ Meryl

Hello Friends this month my featured “Chat” is with Jessica Gordon Ryan a tastemaker, photographer, lifestyle writer, and all around fun gal. Jessica the face behind the Instagram account Gimlet Style. She is creative director of The Entertaining House, a blog that has garnered attention from brands, designers and celebrities around the world. Jessica my dear I’m beyond thrilled and thankful for your time to have a chat! Can you introduce yourself to the readers?

Hi Meryl I’m happy to be here! My name is Jessica, and I am an empty nester, a mother of three, a photographer, writer, and former publicist. I grew up on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, spent my summers in the South of France, lived in the UK for a couple of years before coming back to attend college in Boston. I have lived in various parts of Fairfield County, CT for over 30 years.

**Jessica with her mother Linda and grandmother Bettina**

In 2008 I launched The Entertaining House, a lifestyle blog with a once sizeable audience, to share my love of the arts, design and food, but as the world shifted over to social media, I followed suit. While I had (and still have) every intention of bringing it back to life, I haven’t quite found my mojo. Life is busy, you know, that and I’m verrrry good at making excuses, but maybe this will inspire me!

Ten years ago, and fairly newly divorced, I launched a boutique marketing firm,working with small local businesses in health, hospitality, lifestyle and design. It happened almost by accident. I was having coffee with a friend who owned a local restaurant and I casually mentioned that his restaurant’s social media was terrible, the way one would to a friend. I suggested some changes that would much better reflect the brand’s aesthetic. This was a stunning high-end, seafood focused restaurant located right on the Long Island Sound. It deserved to be the town’s Belle of the Ball.

I was given the honor of taking over the social as well as the PR efforts, and placed them in assorted publications throughout Connecticut and New England. I had been writing lifestyle pieces for assorted shelter, national and regional magazines for several years and was well positioned for this transition. Within a few months I would have a half dozen clients. I remain grateful for that first client.

Fast forward 10 years and the worlds of social media and PR have changed dramatically. Many local, specialty and shelter publications, and newspapers, have since folded. Social media has become the norm (though not always the preferred) means of small business promotion – much through influencers. Strategy and creativity turned into a game of “pay to play” and genuine authenticity and appreciation was slowly ceasing to exist. I was starting to get burned out.

A couple of years ago, shortly after I signed on a new client, my mother was diagnosed with AML, an aggressive form of Leukemia. Her prognosis was not good. Knowing that I would not be able to juggle the busy schedule of on-boarding a new business, while prioritizing my sick mother and my youngest who was getting ready to head off to college, I wrapped things up with all but one client. Two months later my mother passed away, and a couple of months after that, my youngest took off, leaving me with a very empty nest.

I had come to an unrecognizable crossroad in my life. Both parents were newly passed, and all of my kids were now on their own new journeys toward their future lives. I have no siblings and my mother had always been my sounding board, my North Star; I was charting new territory without a compass or map, and influenced by my mother’s resilience and to find the good in every situation, I did just that.

I had inherited a beautiful historic home in Newport, Rhode Island and I needed to figure out what to do with that first. For a very brief moment I contemplated putting the house on the market, but quickly came to my senses. What began as relatively straightforward paint job to freshen things up a bit, has turned into quite the lengthy renovation process, as often happens with older homes.

In the past two years I have:

Repainted the home’s interior.
Replaced the remaining 23 original windows (this excluded more recent additions which included the back of the kitchen, library and primary bedroom) upon approval of the Newport Historic District Commission.
Rewired the upstairs, living and dining and powder rooms that were still drawing power from an antiquated 1950s junction box to bring to current safety standards and modern day needs.
Replaced a hot water tank.
Replaced all kitchen appliances.
Added new custom cabinetry, replaced dated original cabinet doors with custom, replaced all kitchen hardware.
Replaced old cedar roof due to roof leak with new cedar roof (per requirement of the Newport Historic District).
Replaced ceiling and beams (from said leak) in the library.
Replaced ceiling in primary bedroom.
Replaced floor, sub-floor, support beams and joists in the office after discovering structural issues likely caused by water damage years ago that went undetected until we ripped out the rug damaged by said roof leak.
Remediated entire home due to existing and potential mold issues caused by said roof leak.
Replaced floor, sub-floor, support beams and joists in the office after discovering structural issues likely caused by water damage years ago that went undetected until we ripped out the rug damaged by said roof leak.
Remediated entire home due to existing and potential mold issues caused by said roof leak.

Jessica purchased the pink wooden candelabras from Dunes and Duchess and it sparked the quest for new paint and I think she’s hit on the perfect shade.

The painting above the sofa is of her grandmother Bettina with her dog Ballyhoo sitting in her wheelchair. Bettina contracted Polio at age 28 and was paralyzed and she owned several wheelchairs - one for travel, dress and casual. According to Jessica her chairs were very much her accessory. Bettina designed homes in Rochester, NY, Paris, Cannes, London and Great Haseley (Oxfordshire). Each home was photographed for various publications, including Maison et Jardin, Elle Decor, Interiors, House and Garden, Country Life to name but a few and Jessica has copies of every magazine and book the homes appeared in.

DININGROOM

Jessica loves color just look at the design of the kitchen - green walls (her favorite color) and look at the striped ceiling!

KITCHEN

**Jessica on her recent birthday celebrating in her bright green bedroom**

UPSTAIR BEDROOMS

Jessica I know you still have a To Do List at the house. Yes, I still need to replace the furnace which will take place this summer and repaint the primary bathroom and renovate the original upstairs bathrooms. We ran out of time before the start of the summer season and renovations will resume next fall. I can now focus on getting the primary bedroom and office back together after their “deconstruction” and continue with the things I enjoy – the decorating! And just in the last few weeks unfortunately the A/C broke! It’s been crazy. I’m in the process of getting it repaired.

Outside I have:

Trimmed, thinned and taken down sickly trees.
Replaced old shrubs with new ones.
Planted new hydrangea and laurel behind the house.
Planted a White Ash Oak in memory of my parents.
Planted boxwoods behind the pool to hide an old chain linked fence – While the pool doesn’t need to be totally fenced in the property does for insurance and liability purposes.
Relined the pool with new concrete and tile after discovering a slow leak last summer.
Replaced the old dated concrete decking around the pool with bluestone for an updated and elevated look
Created a walkway from the house to the pool with bluestone stepping stones
Replaced old worn pool furniture for a more elevated look

I still need to replace the old French drain system underground that pulls water from the ground near the house to the fields in back. After this, the “big stuff” should be done! I do want to add some more plantings outside this summer, especially out by the pool area.

Golly that’s quite a list but I know my dear you’ll get it accomplished beautifully as you have been doing so far! We haven’t even touched on the fact that up until your mothers passing you’d been living full-time in CT. You still have a condo, business acquaintances and many friends there. Yes I still go back and forth and I have no plans to live exclusively in Rhode Island - not yet… maybe not ever.

During the 2020 lockdown Jessica turned her attention from client work - because it was well - lockdown to her own photography. She sold works directly through her website and had a gallery show of her work once the world opened up. Jessica I really hope you’ll pursue this again because I want a piece of your work in the Chalet.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSICA

Two years have now passed, and while I have formally shut down my business, I keep busy with the odd photography assignment and oversee the social media initiatives for Rooms With A View, a spectacular charity-driven design event based in my hometown of Southport, Connecticut. This weekend of design has taken place every November since 1995, when it was founded by the late Albert Hadley. I like to say that I have two passion projects, this as well as my 99 year old Newport home.

So Jessica I’d love to know Who or What has been the biggest influence on you?My two biggest influences were unquestionably my grandmother and my mother. My grandmother was left paralyzed from polio, which nearly killed her when she was just 28. When she was finally released from the hospital, after struggling with getting around in her own home, she designed her own, wheelchair accessible, then hired an architect and a builder to bring it to life. The home, in Rochester NY, was recently listed for sale. It remains mostly unchanged and her style and aesthetic are still very much part of the house today. She went on to design and/or renovate and restore half a dozen more homes in the US and abroad, Paris, Cannes, Oxfordhsire and Umbria. She didn’t believe in the term “handicap.”

My own mother was extremely career-driven and headed up the public relations departments for The Museum of Modern Art as well as the Whitney Museum (back when it was at the Marcel Breuer on 75th and Madison.) I thought her job was so glamorous and I loved visiting her at work as a child. Back then, it was rather unusual for women to have careers.

So here are a few questions I like to pose - Where is your happy place? As a child it was Cannes. My grandmother had designed the most spectacular house in the hills overlooking the Mediterranean. I was fascinated with design long before I understood that a well-designed home was something special. Her house, which used the outdoors as its focal point, the pool area in particular, was magical, elegant and designed with entertaining in mind. Two sides of the main living and dining areas featured massive, long and thick glass doors that when fully opened disappeared magically inside the walls so it was as if you were outside all the time, even in inclement weather. For this reason storms terrified me as the lightning was brighter than anything I have seen since, and the booming thunder echoed and reverberated around the mountains.

Now, it’s Newport and the home I have inherited from my parents that I have been restoring for the past 2 years.

What is your personal style? Both in how I dress and how I decorate – is a mix of classic and traditional, with some whimsy tossed in. There’s a lot of European influence which stems from spending so much of my youth in overseas. I am definitely a “high-low” girl. I love my inherited antiques as well as those I pick up from antique shops and yard sales. I also a huge fan of places like Home Goods where you can often find really good “dupes” for less. I recently found some beautiful rattan accessories there as well as Walmart. Yes, Walmart! I also like to support my local design-forward shops both in Connecticut and Rhode Island. There is no reason why something beautiful and elegant from Tiffany’s, Baccarat and Sferra can’t live beautifully on your dining room table with something whimsical from Marhsall’s or Michael’s! (A girlfriend made the most stunning napkin rings using “faux” flowers from Michael’s for most magical tablescape!) I adore color – all color. I like my spaces to be filled, well lived in, and a reflection of my personal interests. I’m not a maximalist but I am also not a minimalist, by any stretch of the imagination! I’m a home body by nature so I like to surround myself with things that have meaning. I love a bargain, when someone compliments something I’m wearing or in my home and they learn that it’s not a luxury piece but something I picked up for practically nothing. I’m good at styling things to make them appear luxurious, and sometimes that does mean pairing them with something that’s more high end, but most often they don’t. It’s all about pattern and fit, both on me and in my home. When I was younger and just starting off on my own, my mother would give me tips to find things that looked “more expensive” a phrase she used all the time, decades before the younger Millennials and Gen Z kids started using this term on social media, and decades before they were born!

What is something you try and do every day? I make exercise a priority- it’s definitely something I try to do everyday.

Tell us what is your guilty pleasure? My guilty pleasures is a funny term because I have no guilt when I indulge. Life is short – You should indulge! I have a ridiculous sweet tooth. If I’ve eaten dinner at home I will settle down with a bowl of ice cream. I’m in my coffee espresso chip era! Just a scoop or two, now more. I used to have a nightly glass of wine to end my day. I’ve traded that in for this and frankly this is just so much better. It feels like a reward and we all deserve a reward!

Jessica has an (The world’s best) Eggnog Pound Cake recipe on her blog. I made it friends and it’s so rich and beyond yummy! Jessica thanks so much for sharing. Oh Meryl happy to!

Equipment:

Stand mixer with paddle attachment (or hand mixer and large bowl)
12-cup Bundt pan or tube pan or two large loaf pans, 6 small loaf pans greased and floured

Ingredients:

2 sticks unsalted butter
3 cups (525 g) granulated sugar
6 eggs
3 cups (339 g) cake flour
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup (240 ml) eggnog (I always use light eggnog)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoon golden rum or rum extract (But you could add more!!)

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 325° F/165° C.
Cut butter into chunks and cream. Gradually add sugar. Add eggs one at a time.
Stir together flour and nutmeg. Alternate flour and eggnog: one cup flour, 1/2 cup eggnog, one cup flour, the rest of the eggnog, and then the rest of the flour. Keep the mixer going slowly, scraping down the edges as necessary.
Stir in the vanilla and the rum (rum is optional)
Pour into prepared pan(s) and place on the cookie sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 90 minutes (in bundt pan, 50-60 minutes, loaf pan, 30 minutes cake pan.)
Allow to cool 10 minutes in the pan, then turn out onto a wire rack to finish cooling.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve

Friends when I opened this interview I mentioned Jessica is one fun gal and I know from personal experience - after a few years of chatting through Instagram and one failed meet up - we finally met last fall at the Terrain Store in Westport, CT.

**Jessica and I at Terrain in Westport, CT - November 2025**

After a bit of shopping we ended up at Nomade for dinner and it was one of the best days ever! I am so lucky to have made and met amazing friends through the crazy world of Insta and I count Jessica as a dear one.