Susan McLaughlin

Ebner's has been a fixture in Red Bank for over sixty years. Proprietor Bob Ebner is celebrating his own 50th Anniversary at the store this year. We are proud to have this symbol of Red Bank quality providing the "foundation" for our living spaces at the "Just Red Bank" model at Corinthian Cove townhouses

I always slow down to see which rug they have on display in their front window. Ebner's showcases Tibetan hand-knotted rugs, contemporary graphics, patterned Axminstera, fine Karastan wools, ombre rugs and stylish animal prints.

I was chatting with Bob last week, recalling my own first experience with his store 15 years ago when I was looking for a rug for my dining room. I knew Ebner's had a great reputation for quality - I just thought they were going to be out of reach for me. I shopped all over New Jersey and the Metropolitan area for months, from stores in Cherry Hill to the rug outlets at Secaucus.

Disappointed that I still hadn't found the right rug, I stopped in to Ebner's and showed Bob my color swatches. He made a bee-line to the rolled rugs, like a reference librarian who knows exactly where to find a book. They pulled the rug out - it was perfect. The price was better than I saw at the other places, too.

I had spent many months looking for a rug that ended up being in a shop that I passed every day. They delivered it, Bob said "Live with it for a couple of days" and I've loved it ever since. Ebner's epitomizes a fine local merchant, with superb product knowledge, top quality, unbeatable customer service and with great prices.

When I told Bob Ebner about the Great Room of the Corinthian Cove residence, he had a terrific idea for the open floor plan. Instead of using identical rugs in adjacent living and dining spaces, he selected complementary rugs, woven from the same dye yarns. Once again - he nailed it, picking colors to complement the cherry hardwood floors. It's just amazing when you work with someone who knows their business so well. People get pretty good at what they do after fifty years - you just cannot find that kind of expertise in the highway stores.

We'll be announcing the Grand Opening date of the model this week. We hope you'll stop in to see their rugs and the best of Red Bank at the last available townhouse for sale at Corinthian Cove. Stop in to Ebner's, too, to see their new line of ''Antique Legends''. It is a gorgeous collection of Axminster rugs with a ''vintage'' finish. Styling is based on legendary antique carpet designs, yet the interpretation is fresh and the colors are perfect for today's interiors.

Ebner's - 29 East Front Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701 - Open Tuesday through Saturday

732-741-0302

Church Street Garden & Home has joined the list of Greater Red Bank retailers who will be displaying at the model home at Corinthian Cove. Owner Jane Sudler Black and associate Judi Trammell have come up with a stylish plan for the 35' x 20' brick terrace at Corinthian Cove.

I stopped in Saturday and walked the yard with Judi, who pointed out the wide range of styles they offer. There are traditional pieces that Jane has brought back from Europe, including a table with iron base and stone top that I'm hoping will be at the showcase. There is every style imaginable, from classic urns and European estate fountains, to ultra-contemporary stainless planters and terazzo dining sets. It had been a while since I last shopped the shop, bringing home a bas-relief panel for my brick patio. I've been missing so much!

I was captivated by set of antique garden statues representing the Four Seasons. Dating from 1920, these are a stunning Art Deco inspired interpretation of classical statues. They are classics, yet with a timeless, contemporary simplicity. They are exquisite.

Right: Chimney pots from an "Olde Florida" resort hotel.

Left: "Autumn", from the "Four Seasons"

I have my eye on an antique French bistro table with Carrerra marble top that Jane brought back from Europe... maybe that will go home with me after it finishes it's run on the Master bedroom balcony at the retail showcase (if someone else doesn't grab it first.) That's the purpose of the showcase, everything you will see can be purchased from the participating shops. It's a great way to stop in and see the best that Red Bank area retailers have to offer.

So many items have an interesting provenance. Right out in front of the store there is a stacked display of geranium planter boxes, fresh from an old Florida hotel. The many layers of paint reveal their past with that familiar Palm Beach pink peeking through. They're charming.

Right: Planter Boxes from an Olde Florida resort hotel

Stop in at Church Street Garden & Home. Located in one of Little Silver's oldest properties. The quaint building has great high ceilings, pocket doors and the original cooking fireplace in the back. Check out the stylish interior furnishings - this is more like a shop in the Village than suburbia.

Don't forget to save time to walk about the yard. Proprietor Jane Sudler Black has expertly gathered the best of the best here. You'll also find Judi is a wealth of knowledge about the history of the antique pieces, as well as the contemporary furnishings and fixtures inside. There is also a new line of handmade jewelry, very reasonably priced. With an artistic streak a mile wide, Judi can help you find the right piece for your home, inside or out.

Church Street Garden & Home

50 Church Street

Little Silver, NJ 07739

732-936-1200

We'll be heading back to Riverside Gardens Park tonight for the opener of Songwriters in the Park with Steve Forbert. But here's a photo I took from Red Bank's other waterfront park, Marine Park.

Photo Copyright 2009 Susan McLaughlin

Tonight is the first of this year's Summer Concerts in the Park, down at Riverside Gardens Park in Red Bank. For years, this was an old run down apartment building, long past it's day. Then we watched as workers demolished the old structure and carved out terraces and ampitheater facing the Navesink River.

This summer's series starts tonight with Tom Timko & the Horn Dogs, sponsored by Comcast. Bring your chairs, bring the kiddies in their jammies. The concession stand will be open and on this lovely night, a stunning sunset is guaranteed.

Here's the old apartment building from one of my old postcards ---- the park that's there now follows.

We're headed down with our lawn chairs, camera and some Diet Coke. It's cool and dry, so we shouldn't even see a mosquito!

Look for us on the side by The Bluffs. While you are passing, take a look at Corinthian Cove townhomes next to the library. We have just one unit left and it's stunning inside, with river views that stretch for miles. Here's a link for more photos and information. http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/Red-Bank_NJ_07701_1107816299

In the meantime, see you at the park.

As I watched the choppy river today, I thought back to this afternoon just last month when Kate and I grabbed lunch and took it over to the bench at the end of Grange. In just a minute's time, sailboats, kayakers, power boaters, canoers, ducks and a heron all went past.