Real-Life Redo - Traditional Home®.
Before she was one of The Real Housewives of New York City, which began airing its second season on Bravo TV in February, Jill Zarin was a mom, wife, sometimes-socialite, and flex-hours associate in husband Bobby’s family business, Zarin Fabric. As a housewife (lowercase “h”), she did her home decorating with a lowercase “d” — that is, for the appreciation of her family and friends, period.
This year, though, little that Jill does escapes the viewing public. For example, the show recently televised the fund-raiser for orphans that Jill hosted at her Hamptons house last summer. So when she decided to redecorate the Upper East Side apartment she shares with Bobby and her 17-year-old daughter, Ally Shapiro, she knew fans would be watching.
“Naturally, I’m a little nervous,” says the otherwise self-confident redhead, shown here with her beloved Chihuahua, Ginger. “People will either love what I’ve done or hate it,” she frets.
Photographs by John Bessler
Text by Candace Ord Manroe
June 3rd, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Jill:
I can see how having Gloria as a Mother, would have prepared you for entering the NYC socialite scene and probably groomed you and your sister for choosing spouses and friends. Hence.. you have achieved what most Jewish mothers would want for their daughters; a financially successful business man husband, a very bright and beautiful daughter, and probably a cell phone contact address list that even a finance mogul would envy.
I dont know how much of your interaction on the show is purposeful to stir viewers appetite for drama, but if you truly do want to be seen as a caring pleasant person, dont go along with every scheme that bravo suggests. They need you, and after all the people who were urging you to cut off from bethanny just happened to be people who had some issue with her personally. I call them “me too, buddies” because they sit by the side and wait for a chance to help enflame you to strike a gate between your friendship with her. Jill, all she has ever wanted in her life was a family of her own, and to be independent, all the things you got when you married Bobby, she admired you and wanted to please you and tried to become like you. Please take the time to reach out and watch your girlfriends. Kelly isnt crazy , Jill she is crazy like a fox. She and bethenny remembered her initial intro with the photographer she dated and how kelly flirted with him.
That man she claimed was bothering her and she was arrested for it, I can very much see her going psycho on some body, and wasnt she still married when it happened. From that charity meeting when kelly and bethenny bumped heads, Kelly began putting the plan together to pull all the housewives away from bethenny and you ended up with luanne and kelly, both of them feeding you more and more negative info.
She did not go crazy on the island. She would not have won a divorce settlement from her spouse by being crazy,.but evidently she knows how to add that to the mix when she tries to become victimized.
You are a big girl Jill and you know how to make friends and the kind of friend that you want. Think about the pros and cons to your inner circle. I know bethenny loved you and if you decide not to go back to being friends, make sure it is your decision and not someone elses words. Your daughter is such an intelligent and beautful teenager, and just my personal objective observation- she needs your time, and for some reasonit is hard for Bobby to get too close to her. but maybe you can use your time in helping them form a bond. I think you are a sweet person, and you allowed others to pull you into the drama, and had you seemed happy, I would say maybe your circle is full and you dont need anymore. But I sense you are not happy. Outside of the reality world, where everything is edited for effect, are you happy?
July 20th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Jill,
Your apartment makeover was fabulous. The rich wallpaper and fabrics made me wish I had the money to do something similar. One of the things I especially loved was the mirrored “lettered” coffee tables that spelled the word “pop.” I think it added a hint of whimsy to your lavish apartment. I felt it was alot like you, a high class woman with a youthfulness spirit. Can you let me know where your decorator found those tables I would like to add something similar to my home to add the whimsy touch.
May 19th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
I loved your hampton house. Was wondering where I could purchase your bed like the one you had in your master suite, in the Hamptons.
Thanks so much,
Beth Cohen
May 19th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Contact Zarin at 212-925-6112 and ask fro David Zarin. JIll
May 9th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
dear jill, i think your wonderful such a personlility and sweet way but the rest of the girls seem to be in love with themselfs…keep up the great show get rid of the dead weight….
May 7th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
LOVE the revamp!!! We’ve (myself and other mid century dealers/designers) have all been wondering if Hollywood Regency and quality glamor are still “in” on the east coast.
Your home reflects how very “in” true taste and good design will always be!
Bravo! It’s stunning!
Wishing you continued success!
Elle Greene
Owner AustinModern
May 6th, 2009 at 12:13 am
Hi Jill,
I think your apartment looks wonderful! I especially like the side silver letter tables. They look wimsical. I am dying to buy one and have looked high and low. In one episode when Kelly was at your house she stated she had them in her daughters rooms. That is exactly what I want them for! Can you please direct me to where I can buy these. All the best!
May 4th, 2009 at 8:50 am
I really enjoyed (and spent way to much time this weekend) watching the RHW of NYC marathon. I really got a charge out of your photoshoot with Traditional Home. My gardenseat was featured on the April cover and I am pleased to be in such esteemed company. TG
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Jill…how beautiful your home turned out, very light and airy, and I love the colors. You have amazing city views, and now your home really shows them off. No need to be “nervous”…as long as you and your family are happy with it.
Everytime I see that picture of you holding Ginger, I can still hear you asking the girl about her “PP”…how funny!!
I’m with everyone else…just love you and Bethany! I think it was insulting for Ramona to say Bethany is your charity case or whatever, you can see how much you both really care about each other, and how much you value each others friendship. I think Ramona is just jealous….such a sad person.
This site is great, and we so enjoy you.
P.S…leave your lips ALONE…you are a beautiful lady…INSIDE and OUT!