Luxury OverDose – The Luxury Blog

The heads of federal agencies assist the arts through requesting certain pieces that are lent or given through donations.  The chairman usually decides on his art at the beginning of his term, but current Fed chair Ben Bernanke has had some changes of opinion.

In 2002, at the beginning of his term, Bernanke chose “Harvest Scene, New York State” by Thomas Hotchkiss, in the vein of the Hudson Valley School of landscapes as well as a valley scene by Arthur Hotchkiss.  But times change, as do tastes.

Harvest Scene, New York, 1859

When Bernanke requested some different decor, he boldly chose a Rauschenberg, “Samarkand Stitches IV,” a larger work that barely fit in his office.

Samarkand Stitches IV, 1988

After his stint at the Council of Economic Affairs in 2005, he returned to his office requesting yet another change of scene. This time choosing two post WW-II works, a Guglielmi, “New York 21″ and Ilya Botolowsky’s “Double Diamond.”

Double Diamond, 1949

These choice suggest a progression perhaps in accordance with the changes of a turbulent economy. Who knows what Bernanke will choose after the recession has ended?

The Master PatioMr. Jon Frank designed his dream house with hopes of spending his twilight looking from his bluff out onto the Pacific and La Piedra beach. But after the three years it took to build the getaway, plans had changed, as had the size of his family. He spent $20 million designing the house, without the price of the land.

The mansion has amenities such as a gym, theatre, hair salon, wraparound patios, handcrafted stone work, saltwater pool, six bedrooms (excluding the guest house’s three) and a massage room, which the family uses weekly.

Living Room

Inspired by Spanish Mediterranean villas, this Californian paradise was built using the best materials. As Mr. Frank says, “This house is built so that in 500 years, when I’m long gone, I want someone living in this house and think, Wow this is great.”

Scotch whisky has long been recognized as a staple of the luxurious life.  Single malt scotch is made using only one malt, barley. Whereas bourbon and rye are distilled from other malts – corn and rye, respectively – Scotch whisky is also distinctively dried after malting with  fire over peat moss. This gives many Scotches their earthy, smoky flavor. After the Scotch has been fermented, it must be distilled. For single malts, pot stills are used to boil the liquid into an arm of the still where it reverts to its liquid form, leaving impurities behind.  Usually Scotch is distilled more than once.

The best ingredients create the best product. For example, Glenmorangie Signet uses a rare high roasted ‘chocolate’ malt barley which adds another level of flavor and intensity to this spirit.

Ardberg, another quality single malt whisky, is known for its rich peaty, smoky flavors. Their newest whisky was inspired by the Corryvreckan whirlpool off of the coast of Scotland, the world’s second largest. After maturing in French oak casks, this whisky is imbued with flavors fruity and woody in a balance of smoothness. Much like wine, Scotches are best aged, and have many varieties. To the unrefined tongue all Scotch tastes the same, but to a seasoned Scotch drinker there are multitudes of variation. The only way to be able to taste these subtle flavors is through practice.

Like cars? Me too! The problem I seem to have with a lot of items is that I only like the stuff that is super expensive! My dad says I have a taste for the rich things in life! It’s true, I would rather have a Jaguar XJR over a Prius any day of the week. If you like luxury cars or living the luxury lifestyle you are definitely going to want to check out these cars – some of them WILL be out in the next few years, and some are simply concept cars. The number one car looks a little like something a Super Hero would drive. It’s big, it’s bad, it’s yellow. Yellow? I know what your thinking. But this isn’t your dad’s yellow banana boat caddy – this is a prime time grade a Frazer-Nash Namir by Giugiaro.

You actually can buy one of these, but its one of the most expensive cars I have ever seen in my life – but it’s crazy sexy. Yellow and black definitely work for this car! Its sort of got a “bumblebee” look to it. It’s hot. The second choice is the Bugatti Veyron. This manufacture is actually a few years old, but just came out with the Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4 which is the newest car from the Volkswagen Group. Personally, I like this car simply because it screams – LOOK AT ME! Its sleek, its stylish, its rich. You usually get to choose from two base colors – one main color and an accent color. For some reason the black and blue or black and grey really get my engines revved up, but for you it might be another color altogether!

For the next one, it’s a car I have always loved. Its fast, it’s definitely luscious and it will make heads turn, the Lamborghini, in this case the Valentino Balboni. I’ve only seen this car and yellow and white (stripe) with the black and white (stripe) interior. So it might come in colors, but not from what I have seen. This is all about power. An ordinary person that buys this may never drive it, it’s probably just for show. Me? Id drive it all the time. Heck, if you have the money to buy this bad boy, you surely have the money to fix it! This isn’t a car to be holed up in your garage – take it for a spin! And lastly, an oldie, but such a goodie. I have been in love with this car for, well, forever.

Before ‘Gone In 60 Seconds’, or any other movie – it’s the 1967 Shelby Mustang. This is not a car you want to fool around with, especially if it’s the REAL deal and not a replica. Don’t be fooled though, if you do buy a replica it will have some power and speed and will be hard to tell apart from the original, but come on the original would be so cool to have! The replica for the 1967 Shelby Mustang is going to cost you close to an original, so if you can get your hands on an original don’t feel like you are paying over the price its worth!