Luxury Real Estate | Luxury OverDose

Eco Houses: the New Mansions

On 08.23.10, In Luxury Living, Luxury Real Estate, By Sarah

McMansions are decidedly out of fashion for most of the population, and while the rich still luxuriate in five thousand square foot abodes, there is another trend that is becoming more popular.

The Green House is not just an energy saver, it can be a financial investment. Here are some of the ways you can convert your home to be green.

1. Geothermal and solar technology: Harvesting energy in these ways means tax breaks and lower bills. But did you know that many energy companies will actually buy your excess energy?

2. Recycling Rainwater: Irrigation for landscaping and gardens is a hot commodity.

3.Lumber: Choosing wood for floors and walls that is green isn’t as easy as it sounds. You might be better off using old floors, or finding renewable forests certified by environmentalists.

4. Gardens: Plant them in windowboxes, on your roof, or in your yard and start reaping the benefits of organic fruits and vegetables almost immediately. If you need to cultivate your green thumb, start lightly with herbs.

The above featured 7ten in Venice, CA., is an example of a green house. If you want to retrofit your house with green technology you don’t have to assume the contemporary look, just call a PV systems company or follow the above tips to get started.

Newport, Rhode Island for a Touch of Class

On 07.07.10, In Luxury Real Estate, By LucyB

If you really want to surround yourself in a little luxury, then look no further than Newport, Rhode Island, home to some of America’s wealthiest families at the turn of the 20th century (heard of the Astors and Vanderbilts?). Perched atop avenues overlooking the sea are some of the grandest mansions, or “cottages,” you’ll ever find. Jackie Kennedy was married at Hammersmith Farm cottage, and Edith Wharton, who described the Newport social scene in “The Age of Innocence,” lived at Land’s End cottage. Today, you can tour some of the mansions in Newport and immerse yourself in their fine architecture, interior design, art, and gardens. The Breakers on Ochre Point Avenue, which was completed in 1895 for the Vanderbilt family, is one of the most impressive Newport abodes; this Italian Renaissance-style palazzo inspired by the great 16th century palaces contains no less than 70 rooms for receiving, dining, music, dancing, sitting, reading, drinking, and generally living in luxury.

Tagged with: Newport • rhode island • the breakers

Picasso Regains Auction Record

On 05.05.10, In Luxury Living, Luxury Overdose, Luxury Real Estate, By Sarah

The Brody Home, with the record setting Picasso on the wall.

Picasso’s “Nude, Green Leaves and Bust,” created on a single day in 1932, set the record yesterday for the most expensive item ever sold at an auction, at $106.5 million. The previous holder of the record was Giacometti’s “Walking Man I” bought earlier this year for $2 million less, and before that was Picasso’s, “Boy With Pipe (The Young Apprentice) which took the cake in 2004.

The painting depicts Picasso’s lover from the period, Marie-Thérèse Walter, who was a 17-year old French girl when she first met the artist. From 1927-35 she loved him, and eventually fathered him a child.

Many of the other works for sale at Sotheby’s on Tuesday night sold higher than expected, among them, some Giacommettis and other Picassos. Many of the bidders were from Russia, China, and the Middle East.

The painting previously belonged to the Brodys of Los Angeles, who sported a large collection that featured other high selling works. Patrons of modern art, the Brodys had a real estate fortune that allowed them to house works by Renoir, Modigliani, Miro, and to buy a ceramic mural by Matisse, which he eventually reworked for them after they showed disappointment. If you don’t have the cash for a Picasso, you can buy their house, for just under $25 million.

Tagged with: Brody • Green Leaves and Bust • Nude • Picasso

Whitney Pt. Deux?

On 04.13.10, In Luxury Living, Luxury Overdose, Luxury Real Estate, Luxury Vacation, By Sarah

The Whitney Museum of American Art is home to some of New York’s most vibrant contemporary art. With a recent gift of $131 million, Leonard A. Lauder has become the museum’s largest benefactor ever. There’s one condition: that the Madison Ave. building remain a home to the museum. Now, there are question of whether and where the Whitney will build a second home.

A proposed site is at the entrance to the new High Line park at the corner of Washington and Gansevoort streets. Part of the reason for expansion is because the current building designed by Marcel Breuer and opened in 1966 is simply too small to accomodate the Whitney’s ever increasing spate of works.

Now there is a rift between the 45 members of the Whitney Board, of which some are New York’s wealthiest art patrons. Questions loom about whether the non-profit institution can afford running two museum sites. Adam Weinberg, the museum’s director, says that a second building is necessary for the institution to compete in New York’s contemporary museum scene.

In the meanwhile, the disputes about where and whether to build are giving way to questions of how to build. Large, open spaces are viewed as necessary for the installation of some of today’s important pieces. Construction is not expected until at least 2014.

Tagged with: contemporary art • Downtown Whitney • Whitney Museum

Treehouses Aren’t Just for Kids Anymore

On 04.09.10, In Luxury Living, Luxury Overdose, Luxury Real Estate, Luxury Vacation, By Sarah

Ah, youth. Remember the days of treehouses and hide and go seek? Well, even if you don’t, today there’s a new way to experience memories of yore. The treehouse is making a comeback, and it’s not just for kids.

Upscale treehouses are being sold as havens away from the chaos of a bubbling household. As places for meditation, these refuges are unparalleled. Custom treehouse designers can erect you a Swiss Family Robinson type home in a few weeks. While the kind of trees influence the design and size of a treehouse, a 200 square foot lofty home usually runs from $40,000 to $80,000 and comes flush with electricity and other amenities. If you really desire luxury, TreeHouse Worshop, a Seattle based treehouse company has no problem with designing six figure treehouses with gourmet kitchens and full bathrooms.

Or if you want a more do it yourself experience, the same company sells tools that allow you to fashion your own tree home, albeit it more modestly. New technology like the Garnier Limb, a fake tree branch, allows treehouses to be built with more facility. But one of the largest benefits is that the foundation for the house already exists. Best of all is the fact that these verdant outposts serve the same function as a vacation home, and can cost a fraction of the price.

Tagged with: fun • luxury kids • treehouse luxury

What’s With Your Millionares, China?

On 04.02.10, In Luxury Living, Luxury Overdose, Luxury Real Estate, By Sarah

Actually, it turns out we’re beating you! Haha! So much for all that “record growth” you guys experienced last decade. The U.S. now has more than 7.8 million millionares, up 16% from the year before. Compare that to China’s paltry 875,000 millionares, up just 6%.

So what’s the deal? China’s robust economy continued to grow throughout the recession, marking 8.7% growth last year alone, while the U.S., in the wake of recession, watched the economy shrink 2.4%. You’d think that with fewer millionares to begin with, China’s millionare percentage would surge with figures like that.

It turns out that much of the American wealth is still linked to the stock market, whose daily fluctuations can help to explain these uncanny numbers. With the stock market up more than 60% since it hit rock bottom back in ’08, these conditions helped mint more millionares. China, on the other hand, has more wealth tied to real estate and the economy at large.

This data, which comes as a surprise, will no doubt cause Congress to continue foisting help upon the middle class, which is disturbed at the wealthy’s ability to weather the recession, and continues to feel economic trouble. Also, it should shift the focus of many investors back to the U.S. as a center of wealth and luxury.

Tagged with: China • Millionares • wealth report

Top 5 Places for a 2nd Home

On 03.09.10, In Luxury Living, Luxury Overdose, Luxury Real Estate, Luxury Vacation, By Sarah

With the markets rising, and summer not far away, the real estate market for the rich and powerful is booming. Barron’s just released the top 10 places to own a second home; here are the top 5:

1. Maui: This island boasts some of the world’s best beaches, and over the past decade has undergone a face lift that has made it even more appealing to the wealthy. While the median home price is 1.5 million, it’s down 27% from its peak.

2. Kiawah Island, S.C.: This island has beautiful beaches, abundant wildlife, and just one realty company to keep its low key image. Did I mention that some of the world’s best golf is next door? And if you’re in the mood for some city, head to Charleston in less than an hour.

3. The Hamptons, N.Y.: Long a reserve for wealthy New Yorkers, this enclave is experiencing a surge in interest thanks to big Wall St. bonuses. Whether you are looking for Southampton’s old money congeniality, or trendy East Hampton’s gloss, you will find some gorgeous real estate.

4. Park City, UT: This ski town has some of the finest snow in the world, but winter’s not the only time worth visiting. During summer, there are fewer people and the Old-Western style town becomes a refuge from crowds.

5. Aspen, CO.: This town is also a ski center, but when it comes to getaways, Aspen takes the cake. Shopping, culture, and gorgeous homes adorn the area, and year round this town shimmers.

Tagged with: aspen • Luxury Real Estate • maui • park city • south carolina • the hamptons • travel

World Most Livable Cities

On 03.03.10, In Luxury Living, Luxury Real Estate, Luxury Vacation, By Sarah

Recession got you down? Want a change of pace? It might be time to move – abroad. This year the world’s most livable city is Vienna, followed by Zurich, (last year’s number 1) Geneva and Vancouver. Europe holds down the list and Germany has three of the top ten cities (Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich).

The U.S. had only two cities in the top 30, Honolulu and San Francisco. There were none in the top 30 from Africa or South America and out of the 215 ranked, Baghdad came in last place.

So if you feel like a bit of culture that demands more than just a week or two to absorb, look into becoming an expatriate for a few years. According to the experts these cities have a great quality of life and have weathered the recession well by keeping crime rates low, maintaining infrastructure, education and stability and paying attention to culture and the environment.

Tagged with: expatriates • livable cities • moving abroad

One Of The Best Luxury Villas In The USA!

On 01.03.10, In Luxury Living, Luxury Real Estate, Luxury Vacation, By Sarah

If you are anything like me, you love to travel. The thing about me is that while I don’t mind sleeping out underneath the stars, what I really love is traveling and sleeping in the lap of luxury – in this case, villas! A villa is a really nice option because it gives you the comfort and privacy of a home, but it still gives you all the amenities that you are looking for some as beautiful homes, incredible sceneries, beaches, swimming pools, Jacuzzis, etc. Whatever you like – you can have! These are the top five best villas in the USA!

First off, I have to go with somewhere warm because this cold weather is killing me so let’s start in Florida and work our way around! Florida in general is beautiful, especially places like Naples, Marco Island, Sarasota, and the Keys. In this case, we are traveling to Naples. As soon as you see anything “luxury” you have to assume right away that it’s NOT going to be a $50 a night villa. Sorry! This is the Villa Del Sol and it’s going to cost you about $4,000 a night. Not for the faint of heart!

But if you saw this place and you had the money, you would definitely dig in for at least 7 days (or more!), especially with the 4 Bedrooms, 6 Bathrooms (4 En Suite), Beachfront, Pool. This could be yours alone, or you could invite friends. Frankly, I could have my arm twisted (yea right) to staying in each room each night of the week! This is 5 miles away from the Gulf, you have entertainment options such as home theatres, alfresco dining, grand pianos, and DVD players just to name a few! This is without a doubt a place that you could freely enjoy any time of year!

Tagged with: best luxury villa usa • luxury us villas • luxury villa • vill del sol fl

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