tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85612854142547286232024-03-18T04:37:52.852-07:00Houston New Homesdevihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.comBlogger3881125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561285414254728623.post-19759306018302077752013-12-09T14:46:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:22:05.434-08:00Michael Strahan To Acquire Large L.A. Mansion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSOCDCJ2OYq7Z5X_4Y5mD-CS_q9yVPy_eCu0IfGJ0DXCTlZG3NIq06dv0_Rp4Gxc_bYeyyD6Ry38sYy4IWJ0jDNAbhd1shjTlRZf9UonytkzR34fRDz2Gm1sBHPP_5YBh-z0ZBM2lVkw/s1600/MStrahan_BW_PICS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSOCDCJ2OYq7Z5X_4Y5mD-CS_q9yVPy_eCu0IfGJ0DXCTlZG3NIq06dv0_Rp4Gxc_bYeyyD6Ry38sYy4IWJ0jDNAbhd1shjTlRZf9UonytkzR34fRDz2Gm1sBHPP_5YBh-z0ZBM2lVkw/s400/MStrahan_BW_PICS1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>BUYERS: Michael Strahan and Nicole Mitchell Murphy<br />LOCATION: Los Angeles, CA<br />PRICE: $16,000,000*<br />SIZE: 15,600 square feet, 9 bedrooms, 11 full and 3 half bathrooms<br /><br />YOUR MAMAS NOTES: In case any of y'all celebrity real estate-o-philes haven't heard, retired professional pigskinner turned turned wildly popular morning chat show host Michael Strahan—he took over for Regis Philbin in the fall of 2012—and his long-time fiancée Nicole Mitchell Murphy—she's a former model, reality television denizen, and the ex-wife of Eddie Murphy—have been on a serious real estate whirligig the last few years.<br /><br />In April 2011, after a <a href="http://realestalker.blogspot.com/2007/10/nicole-murphy-is-cashing-out.html" target="_blank">four year long slog</a>, Miz Mitchell Murphy finally unloaded a 9,200 square foot Spanish-y mansion in the guard-gated <i>Oaks</i> community in Calabasas, CA for $5,515,000, a pocketbook plundering two million dollar loss against the $7.5 million she paid for the place in 2006.*<br /><br />In November 2009, not long after he and Miz Mitchell Murphy were engaged, property records show the gap-toothed former defensive end shelled out $5 million for a 10,000-ish square foot faux-Tuscan macmansion in L.A.'s tony Brentwood area that he/they sold in March 2012 for $6,150,000.<br /><br />A few months later the couple coughed up $7.9 million for a 1926 Mediterranean tear down in the super-prime lower Bel Air area. It's not clear if Mister Strahan and/or Miz Mitchell Murphy ever moved in—we think not—but what is clear is that they flipped the property less than a year later for $11 million in an off-market deal to mid-priced handbag mogul and bone fide real estate baller Bruce Makowsky for <a href="http://luxe.truliablog.com/2013/07/29/michael-strahan-sells-bel-air-home/" target="_blank">$11 million</a>. (Mister Makowsky, according to the sorts of sources who know these sorts of things, razed the residence.)<br /><br />Since Mister Strahan tapes <i>Live! With Kelly and Michael</i> in New York City it's no surprise he and his betrothed have peeped some spacious and immoderately expensive apartments for them and however many of their combined nine children—she has five children with her ex-husband and he has four, two from each of his previous two wives—live with them. So the gossip goes, the couple recently looked at but passed on a 5,500 square foot, multi-winged duplex penthouse on the Upper West Side that was previously toured by actor Bradley Cooper and is currently listed at $20,000,000, reduced from $24.9 million and down considerably from its original asking price of $29 million.<br /><br />Back on the west coast, <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2013/08/04/michael-strahan-renting-beverly-park-20-million-mansion/" target="_blank">as per celebrity gossip juggernaut <i>TMZ</i></a>, the couple lease an opulent, Neo-classical/semi-Italian villa in Beverly Hill's guard-gated and (in)famously ostentatious <i>Beverly Park</i> enclave. The house is owned, as it turns out, by none other than the aforementioned purse pasha Bruce Makowsky who owns at least two other mansions in <i>Beverly Park</i>. However, hunties, the unmarried couple will soon decamp <i>Beverly Park</i> and head back to Brentwood where they are—according to our impossibly well-connected informant Peter Propertyseller—in contract to acquire a big and brand new residential behemoth listed with a fat $17 million price tag.**<br /><br />Listing details show the freshly finished, 15,600 square foot center hall neo-Colonial style mansion, tightly wedged onto a walled, double-gated, and high-hedged shy acre that backs up to a thickly treed ravine, was designed by Harvard educated, CalArts-trained, and Santa Monica-based residential architect <a href="http://winstonbrockchappell.com/" target="_blank">Winston Brock Chappell</a>. There are, as per digital marketing materials, 9 bedroom suites and a total of 11 full and three half bathrooms on three luxuriously-appointed and elevator-serviced floors.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRJ-pMfMO9Iesua9EKPJ5JbZbGmw7fAffcG8N5b4VavPYZeYfOXDE1M7B0d0zp8DjE6JS6bOkkYpH6ZxF9v_Iq-vdPvJwc2_Z5MftoWRSSSZTREX8A0u9U5YlDoqb15WAyQY9FBrHGsc/s1600/MStrahan_BW_PICS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRJ-pMfMO9Iesua9EKPJ5JbZbGmw7fAffcG8N5b4VavPYZeYfOXDE1M7B0d0zp8DjE6JS6bOkkYpH6ZxF9v_Iq-vdPvJwc2_Z5MftoWRSSSZTREX8A0u9U5YlDoqb15WAyQY9FBrHGsc/s400/MStrahan_BW_PICS2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Guests are surely meant to be impressed into silence and awe by the cavernous foyer and voluminous adjoining formal living room that both have 20-foot boxed wood ceilings, black glass chandeliers, and French white oak floors stained a deep and dark chocolate. Main floor spaces also include a roomy but hardly huge formal dining room (below, top), a compact den with built-in entertainment center (above, lower right), and a fully-paneled library with flat-screen surmounted fireplace and French doors. The bodily evacuation and maquillage reapplication needs of guests are accommodated in a pair of convenient, party-friendly powder rooms. Somewhere there are, as per listing details, two guest/family bedrooms with private bathrooms on the main floor.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFENB2-VYf4_rQcJPqVXLjSnn8MUe2K3UumLKrno7GwaSK5K74ZnpWT5KHd7e2YqYh3O_JgaVi7m1QXXZKnptu8l5sIYBtONsRRbjW8edWFJ9aB1mB-vNEGzt9pvH15xtlhZseVS5AlU/s1600/MStrahan_BW_PICS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFENB2-VYf4_rQcJPqVXLjSnn8MUe2K3UumLKrno7GwaSK5K74ZnpWT5KHd7e2YqYh3O_JgaVi7m1QXXZKnptu8l5sIYBtONsRRbjW8edWFJ9aB1mB-vNEGzt9pvH15xtlhZseVS5AlU/s400/MStrahan_BW_PICS3.jpg" width="352" /></a></div>Less formal, main floor family quarters orbit around an open-concept great room comprised of an informal dining area that overlooks and opens to the back yard, a fireplace anchored family room, and an all-white center island kitchen fitted and kitted with snow white cabinetry, slab marble counter tops, and top-quality appliances.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWLs76zP8tkpdToMypbvBBIu6kHfU6spRbli4QHDlWhZbgKHz-ftt88SOh9derwJSbdlEcHbTV9A-P-7bWiMqmCLCPPT53QfI-t6qNt3_eBLdAbo2DJTLPUmTI9-UoQWs1UL_p4qDzAg/s1600/MStrahan_BW_PICS4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWLs76zP8tkpdToMypbvBBIu6kHfU6spRbli4QHDlWhZbgKHz-ftt88SOh9derwJSbdlEcHbTV9A-P-7bWiMqmCLCPPT53QfI-t6qNt3_eBLdAbo2DJTLPUmTI9-UoQWs1UL_p4qDzAg/s400/MStrahan_BW_PICS4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The fully-finished basement offers two more bedrooms (suitable for less-favored family members, guests or live-in domestic staff) plus a windowless lounge area. Other basement-level creature comforts include: a windowless game room with billiard and poker tables; an also windowless 20-seat screening room with tiered seating and a 15-foot screen; a fitness room with attached bathroom, dry sauna, and steam room; and a 1000-bottle temperature-controlled wine cellar and tasting room equipped—like the paneled library upstairs—with a costly air filtration system for efficient removal of cigar (and other) smoke. Other notable features in the basement designed to impress and entice the rich and/or famous are a cedar-lined storage room for furs, gowns, and tuxedos as well as a separate walk-in safe for cash, jewels, and other valuable.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvzZBsXPfy2Uu33QmVHrd6rjCc8yt2o0iBYblbH4GyQhGmIvi2Av2DSPvwlHrGbSBbJikml4DqZpE6B3ct4r_OBIELc1GsF1gQQ4LwR3T6zrKXRgtNSEhltcBEvtFEwNqgpUIF4Ge554/s1600/MStrahan_BW_PICS5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvzZBsXPfy2Uu33QmVHrd6rjCc8yt2o0iBYblbH4GyQhGmIvi2Av2DSPvwlHrGbSBbJikml4DqZpE6B3ct4r_OBIELc1GsF1gQQ4LwR3T6zrKXRgtNSEhltcBEvtFEwNqgpUIF4Ge554/s400/MStrahan_BW_PICS5.jpg" width="351" /></a></div>The upper level master suite occupies a wing of its own with separate sitting room, a vaulted ceiling and fireplace in the bedroom, a private terrace, and dual walk-in closets and bathrooms, at least one of which as a free-standing soaking tub and direct access tot he pergola-shaded private terrace that overlooks the backyard and thickly treed canyon behind. Four more guest/family bedrooms on the upper level each have private bathrooms and walk-in closets and there are, as per digital marketing materials, two additional guest/family bedrooms on the main floor.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyia5vDMaGfPEgYa8VXVl75jnMyYLvYQuzqV5korhpXBMywz54p-EzvHEblIBsAdCbRxTu7voNpn2U5UM5_qjwstxPmcsrit3jHKzZxXSl4sa175Cu8A9CQ6xKb-LOSoCKESEs2je85uk/s1600/MStrahan_BW_PICS6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyia5vDMaGfPEgYa8VXVl75jnMyYLvYQuzqV5korhpXBMywz54p-EzvHEblIBsAdCbRxTu7voNpn2U5UM5_qjwstxPmcsrit3jHKzZxXSl4sa175Cu8A9CQ6xKb-LOSoCKESEs2je85uk/s400/MStrahan_BW_PICS6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The usable, flat area of the back yard isn't particularly large for a home of this magnitude and expense but it is jam packed with mansion-type amenities: deep, stone-tiled verandas; a long and narrow patch of grass that wraps around the side of the house; a 59-foot long swimming pool and inset spa; and an open-air pavilion replete with pool bath, fireplace, wet bar, integrated ceiling heaters, and an outdoor kitchen/barbecue set up.<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*F.Y.I., the non-celeb buyer caught a classic and an almost immediate case of The Real Estate Fickle and sold the six bedroom residence a year later for $6.5 million to douchey, Lambo-driving rapscallion, Justin Bieber.</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">**Peter Propertyseller told Your Mama that he heard through the Platinum Triangle property gossip grapevine the deal was going down for $16 million but the transaction has yet to be completed and/or recorded so the sale price—and the actual transaction itself—are still just some good ol' fashioned celebrity real estate rumor and gossip, at least until you read about it in one of the more respectable property gossip columns.</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">listing photos: <a href="http://www.theagencyre.com/" target="_blank">The Agency</a></span>devihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561285414254728623.post-48403434138576998652013-12-06T11:37:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:22:05.492-08:00Big Sean Buys Valley View House in Hollywood Hill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSRrIh4rXxLYw8hLhbfegyhzzNRXurnzYm1Fc2uyPZTfBtpT68UY94GRUr-Q0uw9V6P-8Vdt8tZbUdyP-pUfHp2F3vhpJaUf3fLL6blFhsSuJ_PDm4wyR4L7z77rgCqq1cJaJrgwG3nk/s1600/BigSean_PICS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSRrIh4rXxLYw8hLhbfegyhzzNRXurnzYm1Fc2uyPZTfBtpT68UY94GRUr-Q0uw9V6P-8Vdt8tZbUdyP-pUfHp2F3vhpJaUf3fLL6blFhsSuJ_PDm4wyR4L7z77rgCqq1cJaJrgwG3nk/s400/BigSean_PICS1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LrDt9cfWDXB609ymkQMSFhNX7J_PqUSE2sYRbyzURDzuwKRGPyN2M3qd5ehojaFk_iiTbKt02jFCP2Mn8Hy5uhDuM3Z0OxQZtMt34C3-q7zOGBXtuFXvZR7pQo__lQvh4FJVQpRojU0/s1600/BigSean_PICS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LrDt9cfWDXB609ymkQMSFhNX7J_PqUSE2sYRbyzURDzuwKRGPyN2M3qd5ehojaFk_iiTbKt02jFCP2Mn8Hy5uhDuM3Z0OxQZtMt34C3-q7zOGBXtuFXvZR7pQo__lQvh4FJVQpRojU0/s400/BigSean_PICS2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNcpYFoKKW2vZ3OopqB8x_lAXOZA0cOrs8eiwzu3UdVrZ7XWPntN4tderTxI71bNbesWffu94Ua8In1ioaHKGObrsshB7AKuwNbgE5IeE9M7HgVfD4g2McVmIspGlixDkEiAD531nImA/s1600/BigSean_PICS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNcpYFoKKW2vZ3OopqB8x_lAXOZA0cOrs8eiwzu3UdVrZ7XWPntN4tderTxI71bNbesWffu94Ua8In1ioaHKGObrsshB7AKuwNbgE5IeE9M7HgVfD4g2McVmIspGlixDkEiAD531nImA/s400/BigSean_PICS3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZ-wKU4OClpjXt1UhL0yjJ1PA1AGhoZE79CjzTfsc7PnEPoE6JvWDIHD6l2jN5dDEemfiDqCB_5PHNUp06dBq1NVPnDvGnxcD1_9SGGQ7G9vSycv2EJ7yoWLNhRiopa8bectJurhJ3d4/s1600/BigSean_PICS4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZ-wKU4OClpjXt1UhL0yjJ1PA1AGhoZE79CjzTfsc7PnEPoE6JvWDIHD6l2jN5dDEemfiDqCB_5PHNUp06dBq1NVPnDvGnxcD1_9SGGQ7G9vSycv2EJ7yoWLNhRiopa8bectJurhJ3d4/s400/BigSean_PICS4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpE9FPKHm27UmV-KwldLGFtdgLlyoYx9Z63RNgNgAHg9QIpbm7-vJDI1R5J_IPWTZzXJ-eCuNUhYXbyw2oiz8Ix6rCyQF5j2B3aUjDjYNHc1Z2DoaC5kSjK-yooDnuC7lM90tufXHwj00/s1600/BigSean_PICS5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpE9FPKHm27UmV-KwldLGFtdgLlyoYx9Z63RNgNgAHg9QIpbm7-vJDI1R5J_IPWTZzXJ-eCuNUhYXbyw2oiz8Ix6rCyQF5j2B3aUjDjYNHc1Z2DoaC5kSjK-yooDnuC7lM90tufXHwj00/s400/BigSean_PICS5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>BUYER: Big Sean<br />LOCATION: Los Angeles, CA<br />PRICE: $1,675,000<br />SIZE: 4,500 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms<br /><br />YOUR MAMAS NOTES: One of the Bizzy Boys at <i>Celebrity Address Aerial</i> recently let Your Mama know that an up-and-coming and <a href="http://yourmusicmyworld.com/new-music-video-big-sean-featuring-kanye-west-and-roscoe-dash-marvin-and-chardonnay/" target="_blank">well-connected</a>, 25-year old hip hop recording artist from Detroit who goes by the stage name Big Sean shelled out $1,675,000 for a freshly rehabbed and sparsely faux-quoined, mullett-style mock-Med residence in the Hollywood Hills.*<br /><br />Well, children, we're not afraid to admit that Your Mama had never heard of this Big Sean person but it didn't take too many clicks or clacks on our handy-dandy lap top computer to discover that he's not really very big—he's merely 5'8" tall and supermodel slender—and that he's <a href="http://www.etonline.com/tv/139870_Naya_Rivera_Talks_Engagement_Ending_of_Glee/" target="_blank">newly engaged</a> to actress Naya Rivera who, in case you don't recognize the name, plays sassy and sexy Latina lesbian Santana Lopez on <i>Glee</i>. Our travels across the internets also turned up the official <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=560v12-5yoQ" target="_blank">video for Big Sean's newly released single, <i>Fire</i></a>, that features pop music's favorite twerking and tongue wagging hellion Miley Cyrus who—if Your Mama can be permitted to critique out of our element—does an impressively effective job in her portrayal of a slutty video vixen who really knows how to sit on top of a humongous hunk of dramatically back-lit marble. Anyways...<br /><br />From the street B.S.'s new house looks like a rather mundane if carefully groomed and compact single-story residence. However, children, the house, perched on a wicked steep lot with a San Fernando Valley view in a not-so-glam section of the Hollywood Hills above the Cahuenga Pass, drops mullett-style two more floors at the back to encompass five bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms in about 4,500 square feet on three, elevator-free floors.<br /><br />A low front wall, newly planted privet hedges, and a sliding electronic driveway gate define the tight, stamped concrete driveway that does double duty as an extremely low maintenance and water conserving all-concrete front yard. Carved wood pillars and a shallow portico signify the entrance to the residence on its uppermost floor through double front doors that open to a foyer the size of a small living room. A pony wall** is about all that separates the foyer from the only slightly larger "formal"living room where single-pane French doors open to the front yard/driveway and a gas fireplace was wedged—uncomfortably by our persnickety estimation—in a corner between two windows.<br /><br />The simple, over-the-counter moldings and espresso-toned wood flooring in the foyer and living room—the sort of wood flooring that Your Mama would bet both our long bodied bitches, Linda and Beverly, are the engineered type—continue into the formal dining room that has an almost magnificent, not quite square picture window with canyon and San Fernando Valley views.***<br /><br />The (possibly engineered) wood floors switch to stone—or stone-like—tile in the spacious, center island kitchen. The tile on the kitchen floor looks to Your Mama a little too—uhm—<i>identical</i> to the stone tiles that demarcate the chimney breast in the aforementioned corner gas fireplace in the "formal" living room. The kitchen, equipped with white, double raised panel cabinetry decorated with fluted pilasters, ebony counter tops of unknown material, medium grade stainless steel appliances, and, over the sink, a double-wide greenhouse-style bay window, adjoins a convenient breakfast room off of which open a laundry room and attached two-car garage.<br /><br />In addition to a small guest/family bedroom with hall bath access, the middle level has a pair of master suites, both with private sitting rooms, small private terraces, walk-in closets, and attached bathrooms with tumbled travertine (or maybe limestone) tile work. Presumably, the master with two walk-in closets, a corner fireplace, and bigger bathroom is meant to be the main master. Incidentally, the corner fireplace in the main master bedroom was treated with the same stone or stone-like tile as the fireplace in the living room upstairs. Listen, children, Your Mama loves us some decorative unity in a home, but all this matchy-matchy mottled beige stone or stone-like tile looks to us like it was bought in a hurry, in bulk, and at a discount from a big box home improvement center. Then again, what do we know? Maybe that is some kind of rare, artisinal travertine, or whatever. Could be. Probably isn't but it could be, right? Anyhoodles, poodles....<br /><br />One more glute-busting floor below there's a central, wet bar-equipped family/media room flanked by two reasonably sized bedrooms that share a three-quarter bathroom off the the family room. Your Mama imagines Mister B.S. converted or will convert part or all of this lower level to a recording studio.<br /><br />Outdoor space is limited to the all stamped concrete front yard/driveway and a series of petite, slate-tiled and wrought iron railed balconies that effectively cantilever over the canyon off the rear facade and offer up long if slightly tree-obstructed views out over the eastern reaches of the San Fernando Valley.<br /><br />Avid celebrity real estate watchers may recall that Mister Big Sean's fiancee, Naya Rivera, has been on a bit of a real estate streak herself. In June (2013) she sold a renovated residence in a Beverly Hills (Post Office) canyon for $1,930,000 and, a few months earlier, paid $2.6 million for a 1930s clapboard-sided traditional at the far western edge of L.A.'s Los Feliz area.<br /><br />So, children, will these two, like so many other newly wedded rich and famous before them, sell their houses and buy a new, neutral one or will one move into the other's bachelor or bachelorette pad? Pins and needles, pins and needles...<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*For the record: Big Sean actually bought his new house several months ago but we didn't know a thing about it until a couple days ago.</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">**Has we ever complained to the children about how an ill-placed pony wall makes Your Mama crave a damn nerve pill? Well they do. Anyways...</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">***Oh, how Your Mama wishes that window were square.</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">photos: <a href="http://www.charmainedavid.net/" target="_blank">David Charmaine</a> for <a href="http://tracydo.com/" target="_blank">John Aaroe Group</a></span>devihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561285414254728623.post-30983652828688418542013-12-05T13:09:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:22:05.550-08:00Ryan Tedder Acquires Modern-Minded Micro-Compound in Venice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wnbeOuj6-vVkKN_yM-Kd0NEGBfRqm625O1uqMb1c9O3eeNGK5FgrmqQ3vuQ4jbcYGB6qdHbe0WXjErZtOsbeT0BZldDGmWc0EJxF0sWxLCuSiagljyNdB6p7a5-fGEAk8nLqfHLO3HE/s1600/RTedder_Ven_PICS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wnbeOuj6-vVkKN_yM-Kd0NEGBfRqm625O1uqMb1c9O3eeNGK5FgrmqQ3vuQ4jbcYGB6qdHbe0WXjErZtOsbeT0BZldDGmWc0EJxF0sWxLCuSiagljyNdB6p7a5-fGEAk8nLqfHLO3HE/s1600/RTedder_Ven_PICS1.jpg" /></a></div>BUYER: Ryan Tedder<br />LOCATION: Vencie, CA<br />PRICE: $2,850,000<br />SIZE: 3,551 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 5 full and 2 half bathrooms<br /><br />YOUR MAMAS NOTES: We recently received a covert communique from a wise and well-informed little birdie we'll call Polly Wannacracker who snitched to Your Mama that Grammy-winning singer/songwriter/producer Ryan Tedder and his college sweetheart wife, Genevieve, quietly shelled out $2.85 million for a newly built and modern-minded micro-compound the geographic heart of Venice, CA, just off the spendy and trendy shopping and dining strip along Abbott Kinney north of Venice Boulevard.<br /><br />Mister Tedder, as we were informed by Miss Wannacracker, fronts OneRepublic, a multi-platinum pop rock band that's had a couple of radio-friendly hit ditties including 2007's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRUWtag5EFk" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Apologize</a><i>. </i>However and agueably, the 34-year old Oral Roberts University graduate is at least, if not more successful and well respected by his professional peers as a <a href="http://www.policymic.com/articles/51955/11-pop-songs-you-didn-t-know-were-written-by-the-one-republic-lead-singer" target="_blank">songwriter</a> and producer for pop music superstars like Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Natasha Bedingfield, Ellie Goulding, Kelly Clarkson, and Carrie Underwood. Mister Tedder worked with British supernova Adele on her seminal (and sensational) album <i>21</i>—he co-wrote the ever-so-catchy but humorously cutting ditty <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK3MLlTL5Ko" target="_blank">Rumour Has It</a>, </i>a collaboration that earned the relatively new father of one a Grammy Award in 2012. It was <a href="http://www.thewrap.com/voice-taps-one-republics-ryan-tedder-house-producer-songwriter/" target="_blank">recently announced</a> in the tabs and trades, we discovered in our cursory research, that Mister Tedder signed on for a no-doubt highly lucrative gig on <i>The Voice</i> as the popular televised singing contest's first in-house songwriter and producer.<br /><br />Property records and other digitally accessible resources show the newly constructed, two-building micro-compound, a boxy configuration of glass, concrete, steel, and horizontal wood cladding, was designed by sustainability-minded SoCal architect <a href="http://www.mroycearchitecture.com/" target="_blank">Matthew Royce</a>. We gathered from our perusal and parsing of listing details that the 3,551 square foot, two-story main house has three to four bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms. A architecturally matchy-matchy but fully detached, two-story structure at the extreme rear of the property postage-stamp size urban lot, where it backs up to a slightly grungy alleyway, offers generous additional living space.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZm-FvzsADKCDFk_e7lLz9f8A7WJT0oMWJEebOf6GQLznuJmx895yGSFkYYZioDV2Q5kFOXF0AomJKMYo-OZ7-BDUMyyEX0rA8hhzfH9nlIGTHEJB_4D_S40cnwavYo1Xni9za2Kvfkks/s1600/RTedder_Ven_PICS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZm-FvzsADKCDFk_e7lLz9f8A7WJT0oMWJEebOf6GQLznuJmx895yGSFkYYZioDV2Q5kFOXF0AomJKMYo-OZ7-BDUMyyEX0rA8hhzfH9nlIGTHEJB_4D_S40cnwavYo1Xni9za2Kvfkks/s400/RTedder_Ven_PICS2.jpg" width="396" /></a></div>A commercial style aluminum and frosted glass front door set under a shallow overhang opens directly into a lofty, multi-purpose living space with high ceilings, exposed structural elements, polished concrete floors (that Your Mama hopes are radiantly heated), modern art-friendly white walls, and floor-to-ceiling glass sliders that slip effortlessly into the walls to create a seamless transition from the house to the landscaped central courtyard that both divides and unites the main house from the back house.<br /><br />The kitchen has custom walnut cabinetry, a three or four stool center work island snack counter, a full-height pantry and a somewhat unfortunately located adjoining half bathroom. A separate room tucked discreetly beyond the main living area was sparely staged as an office but, due to its private bathroom, is easily converted to a guest or family bedroom.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_7Yi3FiGSE0l3AIGAT3K2PoJ-itKmwdrnUZGf9CPKoyf8I4p7lVfe1dAlVtRUF7rf81lM1RWWkLQbKgQ_Q3nN6F63YfmE6onPm1fUBZlhDmaVwkKQ78p6cioUnnrSh7AcWATEUu617c/s1600/RTedder_Ven_PICS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_7Yi3FiGSE0l3AIGAT3K2PoJ-itKmwdrnUZGf9CPKoyf8I4p7lVfe1dAlVtRUF7rf81lM1RWWkLQbKgQ_Q3nN6F63YfmE6onPm1fUBZlhDmaVwkKQ78p6cioUnnrSh7AcWATEUu617c/s400/RTedder_Ven_PICS3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MFCPZjr39wHB3YT056ezNkwlhepn3Yohquvv0hFtWRBBj_Iuom3x6FoSjsPPwcLn_zh9HWK0_5STDV2J01cfYdFVUq3c34Puz_8IFc4LPaOZk469XVQCB4SugKHKrdGgjTGaNaEwYF8/s1600/RTedder_Ven_PICS4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MFCPZjr39wHB3YT056ezNkwlhepn3Yohquvv0hFtWRBBj_Iuom3x6FoSjsPPwcLn_zh9HWK0_5STDV2J01cfYdFVUq3c34Puz_8IFc4LPaOZk469XVQCB4SugKHKrdGgjTGaNaEwYF8/s400/RTedder_Ven_PICS4.jpg" width="352" /></a></div>A floating tread staircase leads to the upper level where the industrial-edged polished concrete floors of the ground floor give way to a much more intimate, luxuriously rustic, and drop-dead dee-voon wide-plank French oak. Each of the comfortably-sized two guest/family bedrooms on the upper floor have direct access to a private bathroom. The sun-flooded master suite, also on the second floor, has floor-to-ceiling glass panels that slip into the walls and, for all intents and purposes, quickly converts the bedroom into a sea-breezy sleeping porch. There's also a good-sized walk-in closet and the attached bathroom has a glass-enclosed shower stall and an free-standing egg-shaped soaking tub set in front of a floor-to-ceiling frosted glass panel that opens into the wall and exposes a tiny private terrace.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdypSoNiDl-cifAnsEOcEcEkixU3lKvkx7z-01YWm8XSuvrCvnJJ2nEk_kWufawutLTTTSXgHJMIdcYC6F1Q2AkRuXJ_wz9S21Z07D5ZRWjSw3l5wK4FNf-SbMT_xOOJbR84FEReF7JyI/s1600/RTedder_Ven_PICS5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdypSoNiDl-cifAnsEOcEcEkixU3lKvkx7z-01YWm8XSuvrCvnJJ2nEk_kWufawutLTTTSXgHJMIdcYC6F1Q2AkRuXJ_wz9S21Z07D5ZRWjSw3l5wK4FNf-SbMT_xOOJbR84FEReF7JyI/s400/RTedder_Ven_PICS5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The staircase, which manages to be be both weighty and light at the same time, continues up to a spacious but mostly undeveloped roof terrace (above top, left and right) with wrap around views of jagged roof tops and swaying palm trees.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIoqd_tyDREJVyABFXRLSFz6sCyCvy7efImoZ4Sv4BLT9j3Wm7iUL4CJNW7sPaoyTxCVlVZprZkJQdG5Qh2Af4s-bo1iXcKJ52B2Bahu4wHy_sOzYmVjlqfwxKY5BEQUffhF67sLSR9lE/s1600/RTedder_Ven_PICS6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIoqd_tyDREJVyABFXRLSFz6sCyCvy7efImoZ4Sv4BLT9j3Wm7iUL4CJNW7sPaoyTxCVlVZprZkJQdG5Qh2Af4s-bo1iXcKJ52B2Bahu4wHy_sOzYmVjlqfwxKY5BEQUffhF67sLSR9lE/s400/RTedder_Ven_PICS6.jpg" width="396" /></a></div>The aforementioned, detached and self-contained flexi-use structure at the back of the property offers another 1,000 square feet of open-concept space, as per listing details, and is fitted and kitted with more (and still delicious) wide-plank French oak floors; more disappearing walls of glass; a simple but fully-equipped, walnut-cabineted kitchen; a sun-flooded, full-height loft; and 1.5 chic-ly utilitarian poopers, a full one upstairs and a roomy powder room downstairs. The sizable structure would make a pretty sweet guests house, a super-luxe and super-sized—ahem—man cave, a not particularly private rental unit or, as Your Mama imagines more likely with Mister Tedder, a professional quality at-home recording studio.<br /><br />Mister and Missus Tedder divide their time between Los Angeles and the somewhat unlikely but hardly podunk Rocky Mountain city of Denver, CO, where according to property records and other online resources they own a gated, four-lot mini-estate in a small gated enclave in the affluent Belcaro neighborhood, a <a href="http://www.patriotrecords.com/" target="_blank">state-of-the-art recording studio</a>, and a <a href="http://shdenver.com/" target="_blank">BBQ joint</a>.<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">listing photos: <a href="http://www.pardeeproperties.com/%E2%80%8E" target="_blank">Pardee Properties</a></span>devihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561285414254728623.post-14479727922149690662013-12-04T14:11:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:22:05.560-08:00Nigerian Magnate Kola Aluko Nabs Another<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEM_xOPD9_Jd1KrKjV5vxUK5yLn7ddgLFgtWo_HNA_Xc8ulEjz8CLIt62vpUebL4-9Pk_iv5HDQPub3AyohV7polPPrlfyUDhehG0OartHKfo1YLM-qfuqTSUSF_ZEvZVcko9vfz7wWY/s1600/KAluko_PICS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEM_xOPD9_Jd1KrKjV5vxUK5yLn7ddgLFgtWo_HNA_Xc8ulEjz8CLIt62vpUebL4-9Pk_iv5HDQPub3AyohV7polPPrlfyUDhehG0OartHKfo1YLM-qfuqTSUSF_ZEvZVcko9vfz7wWY/s400/KAluko_PICS1.jpg" width="351" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHOZkoHM3XaVYYmoVXy3WTW6akMDoPZEbN_Q-qB0lJwZMLRUPFHzJ-H_zIxPB3l054XW9xyMrSB1_rrhZMUXluh0mff_pMQ7lYfrDxX7WHZTfIwJPVXWqLMFbD_rRmRE6tHnIKyo4N74/s1600/KAluko_PICS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHOZkoHM3XaVYYmoVXy3WTW6akMDoPZEbN_Q-qB0lJwZMLRUPFHzJ-H_zIxPB3l054XW9xyMrSB1_rrhZMUXluh0mff_pMQ7lYfrDxX7WHZTfIwJPVXWqLMFbD_rRmRE6tHnIKyo4N74/s400/KAluko_PICS2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A freshly finished Italianate mini-compound set behind motorized gates and high hedges on a prime street in the famously rarefied lower Bel Air area of Los Angeles popped up on the open market in June 2012 with a fat but hardly unheard of $29,000,000 price tag. The main villa and its detached guest/pool house—declared an "architectural triumph" in digital marketing materials—were conceived and executed by esteemed if somewhat under-the-radar architect Tim Morrison who—according to <a href="http://www.franklinreport.com/ReportCard.aspx?v=5857" target="_blank">this</a>—shares office space with and often works in tandem with also-esteemed West Hollywood-based architect <a href="http://thomasproctorarchitect.com/" target="_blank">Thomas Proctor</a>.*<br /><br />The steeply sloped, very vaguely boomerang-shaped and thus somewhat challenging street-to-street parcel encompasses just .7 acres and, depending on where online you look, the mini-compound's overall total square footage is 19,485 or 18,563 spread between a substantial main villa and a three-story detached guest/pool house. Either size it's a whole lotta luxurious interior space wedged onto a tight and lot that also features a couple of loggias, a wee patch of grass or two, and several sizable terraces hemmed by sturdy sturdy sturdy stone balustrades. A decidedly contemporary infinity edged swimming pool was engineered into the hillside over by the guest/pool house and and eight-plus car subterranean garage is decked out with a mosaic tiled car wash area, a deluxe feature we know Hector Q., mobile car washer to L.A.'s rich and famous, can appreciate.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRyKS-UVkhcMOcecMpeJ3JCEMeXatlPIoZ_gNiqvJJNyhC-vC0_LlNFSSLaOI7-ULiAVFC8fL9Yct65yWZS_kilZTzQ2OsQ0PH_fVgdjXGpg4-nPFDNHavBTtUhTuXNLSHDc0vowX6Ko/s1600/KAluko_PICS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRyKS-UVkhcMOcecMpeJ3JCEMeXatlPIoZ_gNiqvJJNyhC-vC0_LlNFSSLaOI7-ULiAVFC8fL9Yct65yWZS_kilZTzQ2OsQ0PH_fVgdjXGpg4-nPFDNHavBTtUhTuXNLSHDc0vowX6Ko/s400/KAluko_PICS3.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>Online listings Your Mama perused indicate there are a total of nine bedrooms and 14 bathrooms on the property. The main villa, a three story, elevator-equipped edifice that proudly opens to canyon and city views, contains three principal guest/family bedrooms on the upper floor plus an exceptionally spacious 2,200 square foot master suite. (F.Y.I. 2,200 square feet is <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2013/06/04/real_estate/home-size/" target="_blank">just shy of the average size</a> of an American home, children.) In addition to a separate sitting room and bedroom, the master suite has dual, custom-fitted dressing rooms and a pair of marble-slathered bathrooms, one leaning toward dapper (for him) the other bending more towards elegantly feminine (for her). Three more secondary guest/family bedrooms share the lower, semi-subterranean level with staff quarters, a gym, and a media room. There's an additional bedroom and bathroom in the detached guest/pool house in addition to a poolside living room with fireplace.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCJzKtBBnvzWQqrnEAlTgKIn3Qf7CDtRnfKr8vQwPM8jn9Lptrq4EfDF0_FQg9bvtG1setKOnKS_QnURC523PR1pGI9gr55TkucCeoOG08oAgFBQwijextc9sXrN5_YAhrOol22mNyz4/s1600/KAluko_PICS5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCJzKtBBnvzWQqrnEAlTgKIn3Qf7CDtRnfKr8vQwPM8jn9Lptrq4EfDF0_FQg9bvtG1setKOnKS_QnURC523PR1pGI9gr55TkucCeoOG08oAgFBQwijextc9sXrN5_YAhrOol22mNyz4/s400/KAluko_PICS5.jpg" width="377" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVn1vjaRVBLPpgU8fDrADsDSAt3cZWsaKZLK1po5F2HoIKj02jKNNfFwyG70FHC_0EeSmw0vh1_t_VBXfilctCMzCTvRZQkt1RQHbmIsrGrNbbrt13ctPqrrgLUNSH5aZEFCcrLfYe9w/s1600/KAluko_PICS6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVn1vjaRVBLPpgU8fDrADsDSAt3cZWsaKZLK1po5F2HoIKj02jKNNfFwyG70FHC_0EeSmw0vh1_t_VBXfilctCMzCTvRZQkt1RQHbmIsrGrNbbrt13ctPqrrgLUNSH5aZEFCcrLfYe9w/s400/KAluko_PICS6.jpg" width="352" /></a></div>The impress-the-guests-style foyer in the main villa has limestone floors, double-height coved ceilings, and a heavy duty staircase that wraps around the room with some the chunkiest carved stone balustrades y'all have ever seen in your damn life. We don't care for the oval islands in the all-white and marble-countered kitchen because they just seem so forced and unnecessary and, although it's purdy to look at from certain angles, we feel uncomfortable with how the negative edge pool and the stone balustrades the flank it seem to want to scratch each other's eyes out. Also, unless it's the garage, Your Mama is baffled to the point of flabbergast by the vast, stone tile floored, and depressingly low-ceilinged lower level that looks like it could be a ballroom for hire at a Best Western in Minot, ND, but, other wise, in the hands of a talented and/or nice-gay or lady decorator, we think the house and grounds could be pretty spectacular if not exactly in line with our own personal taste. Anyhoodles, poodles...<br /><br />Property records show the property in question was owned until the late 1990s by philanthropic real estate developer George C. Page who gifted the property to Pepperdine University, a prestigious (and pricey) private school in Malibu, that quickly sold it in July 1999 for $1,160,000 to a fella who quit-claimed it in 2002 to a corporate entity easily tied on the internets to the aforementioned architect Timothy Morrison. Mister Morrison borrowed a whole bunch of money and built the existing, Italian Riviera-ready mini-compound that was sold, according to property records and other online resources, in late October (2013) for $23.5 million. The buyer, according to property records, was an anonymous corporate concern that shields the identity of the owner so we can't say for sure but good ol' Yolanda Yakketyyak, a trusted and well-coifed real estate yenta who runs in high and even higher social circles, swore to Your Mama the buyer was Nigerian energy and aviation tycoon Kola Aluko.<br /><br />Don't worry, children, if you'd not heard of Mister Aluko. He was, after all, just a year ago named to Forbes Magazine's list of <i><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/mfonobongnsehe/2012/11/02/10-nigerian-multi-millionaires-youve-never-heard-of/" target="_blank">Ten Nigerian Multi-Millionaires You've Never Heard Of</a></i>. He has, however and to be sure, developed a slightly higher, playboy-ish profile since he's been poppin' up real regular in the property gossip columns for the last year or so and been palling around with Entertainment Industry big shots like Leo DiCaprio, Jay-Z and P. Diddy. So the stories go, the latter two hosted Mister Aluko's star-studded birthday party in Beverly Hills last year. Also raising his pampered, jet-setter profile in the international gossip columns is recent (alleged) association with the drop dead dee-vine if occasionally volatile supermodel and mega-rich man serial dater Naomi Campbell.**<br /><br />Mister Aluko may not (yet) be a hardcore real estate baller but, according to Your Mama's admittedly unscientific research and probably not comprehensive findings, the <a href="http://www.that1960chick.com/2013/10/22/nigerian-billionaire-spotted-with-naomi-campbell-in-paris-kola-aluko-acquires-100-million-galactica-star-yacht/" target="_blank">lavish living</a> (<a href="http://www.modernghana.com/news/506041/67/super-rich-kola-aluko-exposed-the-petroleum-minist.html" target="_blank">and some say shady</a>) Nigerian businessman hardly needs another high-maintenance mansion in Los Angeles. In July (2013) Mister Aluko shelled out $8.62 for a <a href="http://therealdeal.com/blog/2013/11/30/nigerian-investor-scoops-1049-fifth-avenue-duplex/" target="_blank">four bedroom duplex condo</a> in a fine and full service if not exactly A-Grade pre-war building on Fifth Avenue in New York City and last year he allegedly spent just over $40 million to buy two top-of-the-line properties: one a gated, late 1990s French Country-style pile on a swank cul-de-sac just above Sunset Boulevard in Beverly Hills and the other a newly erected and aggressively contemporary situated just a few doors down from the Italianate mini-compound Yolanda swears he just bought. We can't vouch for it—making it just rumor and gossip, of course, but Yolanda also told Your Mama Mister Mister Aluko plans to use his new mini-compound as a guest house for his international business associates.<br /><br />Clearly, children, Mister Aluko needs another twenty-some million dollar estate in Los Angeles like he needs another <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cife__px-Sc" target="_blank">$50,000,000 boat</a> <a href="http://www.naijahottestgist.com/2013/10/22/oil-magnate-kola-aluko-buys-new-toy-100m-dollars-galactic-super-yacht/" target="_blank">like the one he bought</a> a couple months ago and either <a href="http://www.yachtcharterfleet.com/news/jay-z-and-beyonce-celebrate-her-32nd-birthday-on-luxury-yacht-in-italy-1350.htm" target="_blank">loaned or leased</a> in September to hip hop/pop power couple Jay-Z and Beyonce. But, if Your Mama has said it once we've said it 47,000 times before: Who, pray tell are we to make heads nor tales of the profligate real estate ways of the ever wealthier, increasingly itchy footed, and astronomically spendy super rich?<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*Misters Morrison and Proctor are the folks who did up the Beverly Hills home now owned by Posh Spice and David Beckham as well as the guys who did the fairly recent re-do of a pedigreed—and gorgeous—Spanish Colonial estate in Beverly Hills that was formerly owned by actor James Colburn and later the Sultan of Brunei. The Bev Hills estate changed hands a few weeks ago when big business executive Kent Kresa, former chairman of both General Motors and Northrop Grumman, sold it for $27.5 million to—Your Mama heard word through the Platinum Triangle real estate gossip grapevine—a prominent Saudi Arabian multi-billionaire industrialist. Anyways...</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">**In addition to Mister Aluko, Miz Campbell has over the years been squired by an international crop of multi-millionaires, billionaires, and near billionaire who include: Italian Flavio Briatore; American Sean Puffy Diddy Daddy Combs; Brazilian Marco Elias; and, most recently, hunky Russian real estate baller Vladimir Doronin.</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">listing photos: <a href="http://www.joebabajian.com/" target="_blank">Rodeo Realty</a></span>devihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561285414254728623.post-52133974434952452302013-12-03T12:43:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:22:05.571-08:00DJ Avicii Buys Bruno Mascolo's House in the Hollywood Hills<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOm220Cme_erz1Iuz9kpXdYEV9EfGwxSryNZfDCw7zN_tCrKNokNGPPK7JLH1l-ZGuXSZyqeR7EoAfc0rq2LlgsiDBgFEfOGZ1e_3geKk7U0cM300YOe5-gtTjDxVMy9YzEtjHinRVPY/s1600/AviciiMascolo_PICS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOm220Cme_erz1Iuz9kpXdYEV9EfGwxSryNZfDCw7zN_tCrKNokNGPPK7JLH1l-ZGuXSZyqeR7EoAfc0rq2LlgsiDBgFEfOGZ1e_3geKk7U0cM300YOe5-gtTjDxVMy9YzEtjHinRVPY/s400/AviciiMascolo_PICS1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMji1R6dAAfHaHNckHOlHdRfyTVRmfMcUNjmwrGNz1ALgYW123xVkQ_VWkTIEPwuBEDFhz5Os1ng63D3yz6Npuzjys2YrUEK3lsO1jucTsgiQGwGavd8segZxrV6d4mDik-CRL7-uXBwM/s1600/AviciiMascolo_PICS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMji1R6dAAfHaHNckHOlHdRfyTVRmfMcUNjmwrGNz1ALgYW123xVkQ_VWkTIEPwuBEDFhz5Os1ng63D3yz6Npuzjys2YrUEK3lsO1jucTsgiQGwGavd8segZxrV6d4mDik-CRL7-uXBwM/s400/AviciiMascolo_PICS2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYM4fYDZdeHso7kvgeeCXEynXT26y55B4eK455OM72y3PxLs4vwe4oKlBGQmgDfZQyrVqsDg0G_J70zfh9nvE4TUeDgT-NtD_NYoKdKxASYJMHQVz5NzMyxJGD-VbARF3AiJgxXFEBmw/s1600/AviciiMascolo_PICS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYM4fYDZdeHso7kvgeeCXEynXT26y55B4eK455OM72y3PxLs4vwe4oKlBGQmgDfZQyrVqsDg0G_J70zfh9nvE4TUeDgT-NtD_NYoKdKxASYJMHQVz5NzMyxJGD-VbARF3AiJgxXFEBmw/s400/AviciiMascolo_PICS3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1ZQjd-fnKUPB8agCsclnyYDBgPq0UeI0OAcKqrkaT2CJtwhms11uG8Va-9ss41vNajApyEuydU-jyzUND74aEvMa5Odd3DXYDJZA_wS41nncwTEU8zKxrVSVU0gkYTih6nKv_D7N8V4/s1600/AviciiMascolo_PICS4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1ZQjd-fnKUPB8agCsclnyYDBgPq0UeI0OAcKqrkaT2CJtwhms11uG8Va-9ss41vNajApyEuydU-jyzUND74aEvMa5Odd3DXYDJZA_wS41nncwTEU8zKxrVSVU0gkYTih6nKv_D7N8V4/s400/AviciiMascolo_PICS4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>SELLER: Bruno Mascolo<br />BUYER: Tim Bergling, a.k.a. Avicii<br />LOCATION: Los Angeles, CA<br />PRICE: Unknown<br />SIZE: 7,007 square feet, 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms<br /><br />YOUR MAMAS NOTES: In case any of the children haven't yet heard, DJs—the kind that do their thing in thumping mega-clubs and not the kind on the radio—are the this generation's rock stars and, as modern day rock stars, they earn rock star-sized incomes. Take, for instance, Sweden-born DJ Tim Bergling, a two-time Grammy-nominee known professionally as Avicii. For the last couple of years the dance genre DJ was ranked at <a href="http://www.djmag.com/top100" target="_blank">number three</a> on <i>DJ Mag</i>'s <i>Top 100 DJs</i> list and the <a href="http://www.forbes.com/pictures/eeel45eekjh/6-avicii-20-million/" target="_blank"><i>Forbes</i> folk recently ranked</a> the toe-headed 23 year old remix master and record producer as the sixth highest earning DJ in 2012 with a haul of around $20,000,000.*<br /><br />By Your Mama's quick and elementary calculations on our bejeweled abacus, Mister Avicii earns almost $55,000 per day. That's $55,000 every day of the damn year, children. So, though he may be just a young laddie of 23 or 24 years old, he can well afford to pay—as we were first told by Our Fairy Godmother in the Hollywood Hills he did—an (as yet) unknown number of millions of dollars for an ultra-modern mansion in the much-coveted Bird Streets 'hood above L.A.'s Sunset Strip that was last listed on the open market with an asking price of $15,750,000.<br /><br />The residence in question was owned, as per property records and <a href="http://luxe.truliablog.com/2013/06/07/beauty-mogul-bruno-mascolo-selling-mansion/" target="_blank">previous reports</a>, by hair care and beauty business bigwig Bruno Mascolo, the head of the U.S. division of the international Toni & Guy hair cutting empire and the former co-owner to the TiGIi Linea haircare conglomerate that was acquired by Unilever in early 2009 for <a href="http://www.cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/Business-Financial/Unilever-buys-TIGI-professional-hair-care-business" target="_blank">nearly $412 million</a>. As far as the property record data bases and other online resources that Your Mama peeped are concerned, Mister Mascolo paid exactly $10,000,000 for the highly libidinous, sharp-elbowed, and bi-winged contemporary in February 2009 and had it on the open market at a couple of different prices since the summer of 2012.<br /><br />Our research shows the two-story residence was designed by modern-minded SoCal architect <a href="http://www.mccleandesign.com/" target="_blank">Paul McLean</a> and built on spec as a collaboration between L.A.-based property developer Brad Kuish and nice-gay interior designer <a href="http://www.browndesigninc.com/" target="_blank">Ryan Brown</a>. Older listings still available on the internets show the house has five bedrooms and seven bathrooms in just over 6,500 square feet while more current digital marketing materials show there are six bedrooms and seven bathrooms in 7,007 square feet of proudly sleek and decidedly aspirational interior spaces defined by soaring ceilings, extra wide plank wood floors, and vast expanses of floor-to-ceiling windows and Fleetwood sliders that fill at night with a twinkling, multi-colored carpet of lights.<br /><br />A walled and secured courtyard entrance has both water and fire features that make for a rather dramatic passage to the even more (melo)dramatic main entrance, a glass-walled bridge that spans a vertigo-inducing concrete crevasse over the swimming pool and links the two wings of the H-shaped residence. The bridge/foyer, roomy enough to accommodate a sitting area and/or baby grand piano, opens on the right into an banquet hall-scaled Great Room. At one end there's an Italian-crafted center island kitchen expensively fitted with Euro-style appliances, waterfall counter tops of unknown but most assuredly pricey material, and a convenient, four-seat snack counter. There's also a 300+ bottle temperature-controlled walk-in wine vault, a dining area with built-in buffet and floating shelves, and a sun-drenched family room with fireplace and two towering walls of glass with panoramic city views.<br /><br />The upper level of the opposite wing contains a study and a spacious but hardly humongous master suite complete with custom-fitted walk-in closet/dressing room and a Thassos marble-lined bathroom with double-wide all-glass shower. Two entire walls of glass in the bedroom slide open to a glass-railed balcony with an all but unobstructed view that sweeps over Los Angeles from downtown to Century City to—on a clear day—the Pacific Ocean more than ten miles away.<br /><br />A boutique-hotel-y, double-wide staircase (not shown in listing photos) leads down to the one wing of lower level where there are a couple of bedrooms, a glass-walled game room, and a separate media room with state-of-the-art projection system, tiered seating and a built-in wet bar/candy counter. The lower level of the opposite wing contains several more bedrooms and bathrooms plus a four-car attached garage with direct entry to the house.<br /><br />Lower level rooms look out and/or open on to the central courtyard where there's a spa tucked back into the aforementioned concrete crevasse overlooked by the entry courtyard as well as a 75-foot long, infinity-ended lap lane swimming pool with built-in cantilevered sun bed. The multi-level terraces around the pool provide plenty of room for preening and sunbathing as well as a built-in barbecue station.<br /><br />Mister Mascolo and his blonde missus, Kyara, also own an ocean front home in the illustrious <i>Colony</i> community in Malibu (CA) that's currently on the open market with a $15.98 million price and—it was snitched to Your Mama by Our Fairy Godmother in the Hollywood Hills—in May (2013) they acquired a gated and privately situated fixer upper on a prominent perch above the Sunset Strip that was once featured on <i>Million Dollar Listing</i> and was purchased, as per property records, for $13.875 million.<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*According to <i>Forbes</i>, The highest earning DJ in 2012 was Adam Wiles, a six-foot-five-inch Grammy-winning 29 year old music re-mixologist whose stage name is Calvin Harris and who raked in a mind-bending $46 million last year. Earlier this year (2013) Mister Harris, a native of Scotland, <a href="http://www.zillow.com/blog/2013-06-04/dj-calvin-harris-buys-7-million-home-in-hollywood-hills/" target="_blank">dropped seven million clams</a> on his own Zen-inspired contemporary bachelor pad in the Hollywood Hills.</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">listing photos: <a href="http://www.williamsromitoestates.com/" target="_blank">Hilton & Hyland</a></span>devihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561285414254728623.post-14954041367729929662013-12-02T03:26:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:02:00.244-08:00FABULOUS HOUSTON HOME TOUR–INCLUDES A FORMER GINGER BARBER HOUSE!<blockquote> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sX1RMlepm24/UpxsXUsR7MI/AAAAAAACFUY/snejfAXfGvw/s1600-h/image%25255B19%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-94uZgHb2u60/UpxsYSZhIhI/AAAAAAACFUg/kSdCBI8SLBw/image_thumb%25255B9%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="934" height="621"></font></a></p> <div align="center"><pre><tt><font size="5" face="Georgia">The Southampton/Museum District Home Tour “Cool Classics” is always the best home tour of the year. The houses are always exceptional. The tour is this coming Sunday – December 8th – from 12-4 pm.</font></tt></pre><pre><tt><font size="5" face="Georgia">Cathy Blum, who is in charge of putting the tour together said this: “</font></tt><tt><font size="5" face="Georgia">I just saw the best house I have ever seen in my 35 years of seeing tons of houses and my heart is <br />still pounding. It brought tears to my eyes like when you see an incredible <br />work of art. This is not a house to be missed. It was a total renovation of <br />a wonderful old Southampton home on the Boulevard and was loving in restored by <br />the owner (a two year project).”</font></tt></pre></div><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O_Acipxvem4/UpxsbH5jtvI/AAAAAAACFUo/UcsR6P9GFEo/s1600-h/image%25255B6%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-V8UyhJ7FTKU/UpxseCurBxI/AAAAAAACFUw/ypoKA3RngYc/image_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="1204" height="804"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">The house that Cathy Blum loves is located at 2241 Sunset Blvd. and +was totally renovated by Martha Baxter Finger and Blake Winston. </font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eJLCYbPEAEg/UpxsfWJ0PoI/AAAAAAACFU4/aZf81Y3MNVc/s1600-h/image%25255B7%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sd2L9Xy-jmQ/UpxsgjG_jWI/AAAAAAACFVA/wPeaO9rhhMU/image_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">Here’s a peek at what the house used to look like – beautiful, but in need of updating. The brick was cleaned of the ivy and painted a trendy white. A new fireplace becomes a focal point on the front façade. Martha Baxter Finger is an interior designer working out of Houston. Her own house was recently featured in Paper City Magazine. Her house is a mix of mid century modern and fabulous antiques. </font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">Here’s a look at her work, first her own house as seen in Paper City:</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-A_JodFN0yuk/Upxsi6FaddI/AAAAAAACFVI/8UceMsZCdtI/s1600-h/image%25255B27%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kVDl-Hk5I9E/Upxsk1r0ZnI/AAAAAAACFVQ/9Aq8ngiGqhg/image_thumb%25255B13%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="1046" height="749"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">The living room is a mix of modern art and more traditional furnishings. I love the green plaster walls and green silk curtains. The French chairs are Jansen. Baxter worked with architect Michael Landrum on remodeling the house. Her husband had owned it, but the house needed to be enlarged to make space for their blended family. And while Baxter was used to living with beige, neutral colored interiors, her husband insisted on color in their newly designed home. </font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Py1vIXfj_t4/UpxsmvwSS3I/AAAAAAACFVY/vSsqwpviOVk/s1600-h/image%25255B31%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_blqmvvXK58/UpxsoChTh3I/AAAAAAACFVg/HtvfcZLiFp8/image_thumb%25255B15%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="534" height="750"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">The plaster walls continue into the dining room – furnished with a skirted table and a set of Jansen chairs. </font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WjNwshnG2EA/UpxspUnundI/AAAAAAACFVo/dE04IvuIUvc/s1600-h/image%25255B47%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kMs4XEaUfUo/Upxsqp0zpkI/AAAAAAACFVw/crSH10dBbQU/image_thumb%25255B23%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="515" height="744"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">The entry staircase with the fabulous bronze railing.</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--oEHuVOWwD0/UpxssFP_26I/AAAAAAACFV4/EW6DX9yY5BQ/s1600-h/image%25255B35%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rABby6ci_Go/UpxstlLtRmI/AAAAAAACFWA/3UVcdkpMhc4/image_thumb%25255B17%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="521" height="748"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">The family room with fireplace and built in shelf. </font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ePwklr1Q79s/UpxsuzDfmII/AAAAAAACFWI/euFpkZQTbFs/s1600-h/image%25255B39%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3N_XT30D4_0/UpxswDm211I/AAAAAAACFWQ/-KjpZ3hEnlY/image_thumb%25255B19%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="501" height="747"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">The family room – looking out towards the back. A French table sits behind the sofa.</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Xe6PVL0UTtQ/UpxsxQ6kNwI/AAAAAAACFWY/vRt49L_R2_w/s1600-h/image%25255B43%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JTT0OVjuEDc/Upxsy7qPNrI/AAAAAAACFWg/bscbPRNJCUQ/image_thumb%25255B21%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="546" height="751"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">The office is painted dark – and has a beautiful antique desk that is juxtaposed against the more contemporary ceiling.</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fBg3UmdF1fg/Upxs0C4naZI/AAAAAAACFWo/I-UgTSJd6U4/s1600-h/image%25255B51%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZVwb9Pnu3dQ/Upxs1R0pFLI/AAAAAAACFWw/GDmaIINrzKE/image_thumb%25255B25%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="556" height="754"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">The powder room walls are mirrored. Mercury glass sink.</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lP72w8nR8fw/Upxs2p6ILZI/AAAAAAACFW4/KRRj0r4-qIQ/s1600-h/image%25255B64%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oFV4ub3lw3s/Upxs4C4MwdI/AAAAAAACFXA/8Gqi7GA61NA/image_thumb%25255B30%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="630" height="745"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">Room </font><font size="5">off the kitchen features a sectional designed by Baxter.</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ewcGhFGD9Do/Upxs5koZ1QI/AAAAAAACFXI/7mq-y_VEhzA/s1600-h/image%25255B65%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QjmOam_dqO0/Upxs67qF1wI/AAAAAAACFXQ/5Oe06LYUCoo/image_thumb%25255B31%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="497" height="745"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">The master bedroom brings more of the green in with the tufted velvet headboard and curtained canopy. </font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-A4MY09JY6vo/Upxs8WY24kI/AAAAAAACFXY/zKWLX4TDCJw/s1600-h/image%25255B66%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MFVqmuPpPlk/Upxs9-9xCgI/AAAAAAACFXg/j_ytSlOtJ9Y/image_thumb%25255B32%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="569" height="750"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">In the master bedroom there is a Mexican day bed in front of the window.</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3NRFZjZW9j4/Upxs_Lq7AHI/AAAAAAACFXo/xSWS1Dlm2S4/s1600-h/image%25255B67%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-A3CJyOkfYJ4/UpxtAiM6kWI/AAAAAAACFXw/L7E2lajCNRE/image_thumb%25255B33%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="553" height="747"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">I love the master bathroom! It was inspired by Jean Michael Frank. The marble drawers are spectacular! Just gorgeous. </font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">In addition to Baxter’s own house, this house is featured on Jeffrey Alan Mark’s web site – with the interiors credited by both Marks and Martha Baxter Finger. The house is located in Austin, Texas. </font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VV8t95-eCK4/UpxtChUASiI/AAAAAAACFX4/JX4-UJyx6YQ/s1600-h/image%25255B71%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FGChaftZjfU/UpxtExzhiBI/AAAAAAACFYA/d8hqDjqgmns/image_thumb%25255B35%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="1028" height="794"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">The Austin, Texas house designed by both Jeffrey Marks and Martha Baxter. The walls are gray stucco, covered in ivy. </font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bZWxE5ARJPg/UpxtHH8UXgI/AAAAAAACFYI/zNegS0FG3UY/s1600-h/image%25255B78%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VcCnHnI2hbE/UpxtJXEbB4I/AAAAAAACFYQ/Oa1YH3pGYxk/image_thumb%25255B38%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="1028" height="712"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">Beautiful property and landscaping.</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E8u8ucblNV4/UpxtLAAAExI/AAAAAAACFYY/3cpwWGeHZU8/s1600-h/image%25255B82%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X2d-52l6Bks/UpxtM3M9jTI/AAAAAAACFYg/Q7OMxZE9HCI/image_thumb%25255B40%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="1028" height="855"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">Walking into the house – the floors are black Morocco styled tile, and the stair treads are also black tile. Love the zebra against the black floors and stark white walls.</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Wo2dCRujrNA/UpxtOjh3ouI/AAAAAAACFYo/tAWzw8oXAQA/s1600-h/image%25255B86%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-p0grM7adeAc/UpxtQvAm3cI/AAAAAAACFYw/aEwp-bOfSrs/image_thumb%25255B42%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="763" height="1028"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">The entry is two story with a wood ceiling. Fabulous space.</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-j6Kpd230Zmk/UpxtS3jKruI/AAAAAAACFY4/DUAsigmBA64/s1600-h/image%25255B94%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9kdhBtY9pjE/UpxtVBoj43I/AAAAAAACFZA/9xquPPCWo9I/image_thumb%25255B46%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="1028" height="788"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">The living room is incredible! Dark wood floors and ceiling with a large stone mantel, topped with carved wood. The steel windows and door are fabulous. Beautiful ceiling and oval window. Love the antique table against the windows. Just beautiful.</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WIefsiuyvXc/UpxtXA01ucI/AAAAAAACFZI/wDOAQyyeadQ/s1600-h/image%25255B90%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-snpwVAEP73I/UpxtZCOS5wI/AAAAAAACFZQ/EGSE9BpJ8oA/image_thumb%25255B44%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="752" height="1028"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">The library with a large antique rug and fabulous stone fireplace. I love how they painted the shelves black against the white walls.</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u8Mns5OekT8/UpxtbcdlqII/AAAAAAACFZY/HCXuZBOGCNk/s1600-h/image%25255B98%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IgfVmrnYAac/UpxtdRLh5KI/AAAAAAACFZg/kyQGSvnNWbg/image_thumb%25255B48%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="1028" height="722"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">Off the entry is the dining room with slipcovered chairs and dramatic wood table.</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lxBxijp96FQ/Upxtfv63xcI/AAAAAAACFZo/Dp7lyig0Ycc/s1600-h/image%25255B102%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8I0baUej5Ag/Upxtho5J3gI/AAAAAAACFZw/_ayM6rVlnwY/image_thumb%25255B50%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="1028" height="763"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">The kitchen is exotic with wire chairs and lanterns and wood floors and ceiling. </font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zivJH8xHJ8U/UpxtjgqtfRI/AAAAAAACFZ4/okx0SL4IQEY/s1600-h/image%25255B153%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rssi-mzTRzQ/UpxtlQfjFyI/AAAAAAACFaA/8oq6QxKKOmw/image_thumb%25255B77%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="1028" height="773"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">The wine room is most fabulous – especially with the luxury of each chair having its own Hermes blanket. </font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">Seeing this house that Martha Baxter designed with Jeffrey Alan Marks and her house in Houston – makes me so excited to see the house she designed that is on the Cool Classics tour. AND after hearing what Cathy Blum said about it – it sounds like this house will be the star of the tour.</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">To see the Austin house on Jeffrey Alan Marks’ web site, go </font><a href="http://jam-design.com/"><font size="5">HERE</font></a><font size="5">.</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AAToemPOVr0/Upxtnrs4yjI/AAAAAAACFdg/JAxZ4bTh7XA/s1600-h/image%25255B10%25255D.png"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AAToemPOVr0/Upxtnrs4yjI/AAAAAAACFdo/ZmSoADqOr14/s1600-h/image%25255B103%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4pEHHrIcHUw/UpxttNCfmcI/AAAAAAACFaY/l80c0OCVchQ/image_thumb%25255B51%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="1028" height="687"></font></a></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">Another house on the tour is this one located at 2027 Bolsolver which was recently purchased by its current owners. I had seen it when it was for sale and I’m excited to see what it looks like now.</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OaTDKIjhRuQ/UpxtujHtiKI/AAAAAAACFdw/6jgTwVy3QEk/s1600-h/image%25255B13%25255D.png"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OaTDKIjhRuQ/UpxtujHtiKI/AAAAAAACFd4/x4fVyeW6B5g/s1600-h/image%25255B104%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KHl6gfc57Qw/Upxtx8gC9SI/AAAAAAACFaw/0Ean8jmpyXA/image_thumb%25255B52%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="1028" height="687"></font></a></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">Here is how it looked when it was sold – the house was so perfect, I can’t imagine it being improved on!</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"><img src="http://harpictures.marketlinx.com/MediaDisplay/59/hr2169659-1.jpg"></font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">And then there is this house on the tour –located on Albans. This is how it looked when it was sold several years ago. It is located on Albans and has the distinction of being owned by Ginger Barber – many, many years ago! This house was featured in several magazines, including Country Home and a now out of print Houston magazine.</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">Actually it was this house in 1994 that introduced Ginger to the public. I remember being so in love with this house and studying every picture, every fabric, every accessory and trying to emulate her style – something I still do today, almost twenty years later! </font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">I found the old magazine from 1994 and scanned in some pictures of that house. Many of you will probably recognize them. It will be so interesting to tour this house, all these years later and see how it has been changed and remodeled over the years! </font><font size="5">Here’s how it looked+-------------------------</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">+</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">all those years ago:</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CsSjXmvnuWw/Upxt0HdB1xI/AAAAAAACFa4/i8NowEoJnyM/s1600-h/image%25255B142%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wFLWjoWpkiA/Upxt2TKYBeI/AAAAAAACFbA/ppwdvPkoRPo/image_thumb%25255B68%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="730" height="1004"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">It’s so interesting to look back on how Ginger decorated all those years ago. She used antiques and slipcovers back then, just as she does today. Also, she used lots of English bamboo – like this antique hall tree. The dining room is through the opening. Of course there is a paisley shawl – a must have accessory back then. And baskets.</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bBGt03j4Xz8/Upxt4HbTCKI/AAAAAAACFbI/Qfw4uHqz3qM/s1600-h/image%25255B143%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sImFN-os5NE/Upxt5l63IbI/AAAAAAACFbQ/gtryGE7iQjI/image_thumb%25255B69%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="658" height="693"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">The same view from a different magazine shows more of the dining room. Surprisingly, the dining room is more contemporary than the Ginger of later times with its glass topped table.</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ksMqZq6Wplg/Upxt8EF_psI/AAAAAAACFbY/uXNFJH1rNWg/s1600-h/image%25255B144%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BydNm-9yFc8/Upxt-22I_sI/AAAAAAACFbg/l1Pgtrx8okQ/image_thumb%25255B70%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="1013" height="1004"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">This carving has stayed with Ginger through all her moves. This was a great buy, something she has hung onto longer than most of her other possessions.</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KGLbsvlePB4/UpxuBKcg3YI/AAAAAAACFbo/ykKZgtA1YUg/s1600-h/image%25255B146%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-niKr_8XXwwE/UpxuDa4u5AI/AAAAAAACFbw/LvH15ZYtvGY/image_thumb%25255B72%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="986" height="773"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">The living room had slipcovered furniture and an English cricket table. Two wonderful wicker chairs sit in the front window. This look is somewhat similar to her look today - but this is much more cluttered. Today, Ginger’s interiors are edited and toned down. They aren’t nearly as busy as this room was. </font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Z5sVNfhw_JU/UpxuElbZA8I/AAAAAAACFb4/nGHBNEYZAoI/s1600-h/image%25255B147%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qTNfL8XnzUc/UpxuF7Z4IiI/AAAAAAACFcA/123aEKKbeYE/image_thumb%25255B73%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="565" height="539"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">In another magazine – you can see this English piece that Ginger has used in almost every house since. It’s a great piece and she accessorized it with antiques and books.</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MQMlBfZw4u4/UpxuIq_MTMI/AAAAAAACFcI/dQwvV-yC06w/s1600-h/image%25255B149%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iTpO016Xw3A/UpxuL0bco3I/AAAAAAACFcQ/m3VZ2hWj2ts/image_thumb%25255B75%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="1044" height="1004"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">Here’s a close up of the piece – back then.</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wAy-fBmX3Zc/UpxuNnOuPRI/AAAAAAACFcY/6L7mNTMlAYw/s1600-h/image%25255B154%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tumxJot9hWQ/UpxuPBO3SFI/AAAAAAACFcg/aqEtiQ_WwK8/image_thumb%25255B78%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="581" height="802"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">The kitchen had terra cotta tile floors and a diamond patterned backsplash. It will be interesting to see how the kitchen has been changed. Of course – today Ginger’s styling is quieter. But back then, the more cluttered the kitchen, the better! Imagine photographs on a refrigerator shown in a magazine today!</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vcPj-iJTc-E/UpxuRtMd_SI/AAAAAAACFco/4vMEyu4yyOc/s1600-h/image%25255B155%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ieCqG1xM-B4/UpxuUNh4ZjI/AAAAAAACFcw/5Uo6nqaTi0M/image_thumb%25255B79%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="886" height="1004"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">The family room was added on – the pine mantel is so Ginger. I still love the striped chair in the corner.</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YlH14Vs6YWI/UpxuXYmNdII/AAAAAAACFc4/yykpil__gOs/s1600-h/image%25255B156%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vJvOVuObY70/UpxuajLntGI/AAAAAAACFdA/7mKacpb5l28/image_thumb%25255B80%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="1167" height="1004"></font></a></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">Wow - her son is now full grown! Time flies. The barley twist gate leg table is still a fabulous touch. I wonder if Ginger has kept those lamps – but with white shades?</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5">If you are in Houston this Sunday, be sure to take the Cool Classics Home Tour!</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="5"></font></p></blockquote><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AcofSekNrGA/Upxub98k7KI/AAAAAAACFdI/w2V8BEgWaHU/s1600-h/image%25255B140%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zUujDZlf40Q/UpxudPulkbI/AAAAAAACFdQ/YJSoHLsL9ts/image_thumb%25255B66%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="777" height="882"></font></a></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p><br /><p><font size="5"></font></p> devihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561285414254728623.post-87761782252168841712013-11-29T12:01:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:22:05.582-08:00Annie Lennox Lists in London<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkiihJiV1QMntDT2ucjmT3AG_zNeui_1yC6gvJbduRnY7PsIyXY8TY_80EMYhWYbPAoHdNntFGc2x0yXK_g5mTxUTxzK6xYq4oYYcOkAqJ_IjTWF3o0MJhkqdioMAnSYJEGVdIyknTQs/s1600/ALennonx_Lon_PICS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkiihJiV1QMntDT2ucjmT3AG_zNeui_1yC6gvJbduRnY7PsIyXY8TY_80EMYhWYbPAoHdNntFGc2x0yXK_g5mTxUTxzK6xYq4oYYcOkAqJ_IjTWF3o0MJhkqdioMAnSYJEGVdIyknTQs/s400/ALennonx_Lon_PICS1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Jov0KDeEIHz8IXdOLt5cGZKqcCJCgO3chSDpG2SEtRWn9DxNGh35syjedg5y690dSDabOrLOYMrg5MFRRuI1LIB9vRVYVwC8i4zNmDxz8cFahoBR06l_jYXe0MTlcDzYu3DHTWL7ThQ/s1600/ALennonx_Lon_PICS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Jov0KDeEIHz8IXdOLt5cGZKqcCJCgO3chSDpG2SEtRWn9DxNGh35syjedg5y690dSDabOrLOYMrg5MFRRuI1LIB9vRVYVwC8i4zNmDxz8cFahoBR06l_jYXe0MTlcDzYu3DHTWL7ThQ/s400/ALennonx_Lon_PICS2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMXwICgM27LCKInKG2VV11qVcBNzeQmyOfog-1WGm-AngDZbZAQlketu0oep-S1lFPKoqzOajIXuC2xDQZQ6lsA662IprtOJ8t3h-g8tOxA80UsOy98HLtcdMvLcwpORdAmvvrhaB6t4/s1600/ALennonx_Lon_PICS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMXwICgM27LCKInKG2VV11qVcBNzeQmyOfog-1WGm-AngDZbZAQlketu0oep-S1lFPKoqzOajIXuC2xDQZQ6lsA662IprtOJ8t3h-g8tOxA80UsOy98HLtcdMvLcwpORdAmvvrhaB6t4/s400/ALennonx_Lon_PICS3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTCfYgt6LQIz1g5Ts8SJmNcl7oMJEh-vrb8QNim0MEYWF64EenlBt3nOKKS8ONdLx3IrfSE2gM1u94e3VGcDOJu1OMHSzCCYhnpElmKpo-Vkhc-nd2jwPP-VRqKaMdoShEIuoQWDeBuvc/s1600/ALennonx_Lon_PICS4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTCfYgt6LQIz1g5Ts8SJmNcl7oMJEh-vrb8QNim0MEYWF64EenlBt3nOKKS8ONdLx3IrfSE2gM1u94e3VGcDOJu1OMHSzCCYhnpElmKpo-Vkhc-nd2jwPP-VRqKaMdoShEIuoQWDeBuvc/s400/ALennonx_Lon_PICS4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>SELLER: Annie Lennox<br />LOCATION: London, UK<br />PRICE: £12,000,000<br />SIZE: 5,131 square feet, 4-5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms<br /><br />YOUR MAMAS NOTES: We have Our Man in London to thank for sniffing out the open market listing for a Grade II listed terrace house just a few short blocks off Portobello Road in London's Notting Hill nabe that's up for sale with an £12,000,000 price tag and owned by pixie-haired synth-pop/New Wave music pioneer and legend Annie Lennox. (Your Mama's rusty but trusty currency conversion contraption shows that the current guide price—that's U.K. real estate speak for listing price—of £12,000,000 equals $19,581,4000 at today's rates.)<br /><br />Scotland-born Miz Lennox, for those of y'all who weren't around in the early 1980s, was one-half of the duo <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6f593X6rv8" target="_blank">Eurythmics</a>. In the 1990s Miz Lennox lit out on a successful solo career and, as best as we can tell from our research on the internets, she's got <a href="http://www.brits.co.uk/artist/annie-lennox" target="_blank">seven BRIT Awards</a>, three Grammys, and both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for a pop ditty (<i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-4iZAXfRqI" target="_blank">Into The West</a></i>) that she co-wrote for <i>The Lord of the Rings.</i> She's also got scads of awards, titles, recognitions for her extensive charity work and international humanitarian efforts.<br /><br />That Miz Lennox might want to sell her swank house in London isn't such a great surprise since newly wedded rich and/or famous folk often buy a new house to set up home and, in case you missed the gossip glossy reports, 58-year old Miz Lennox recently hitched her love wagon for the third time to Harvard-trained, notably philanthropic, and South Africa-based gynecologist <a href="http://www.ted.com/speakers/mitchell_besser.html" target="_blank">Dr. Mitch Besser</a>.<br /><br />As far as we can tell, Miz Lennox paid £4.4 million—that's $7,179,830 at today's rates—for the five-floor, Regency terrace house that listing details show was designed by architect and topographical illustrator Thomas Allom and built in 1853.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1n5keq81W2WvreQ4isBtQQRmSW18gtcOLwWp6DpGq68GslbmYMmZwmohXY-ugD2AUiIqNNtcQC9yl3FL9xAwFQwL2Irs0NpZeXDFkoWKg2V7bjI-Xg7dJu6UM4MfdSszj5PCEEYpBYXc/s1600/ALennox_Lon_FP1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1n5keq81W2WvreQ4isBtQQRmSW18gtcOLwWp6DpGq68GslbmYMmZwmohXY-ugD2AUiIqNNtcQC9yl3FL9xAwFQwL2Irs0NpZeXDFkoWKg2V7bjI-Xg7dJu6UM4MfdSszj5PCEEYpBYXc/s400/ALennox_Lon_FP1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitBcfV6ztNLigRaeNTxSeHB21hZ05HNUaQWmakgcNPTMoCLVfmGGtHEhCXuiM8Ivv7T2q1ehkV_PVfomJ7eYd0lJVeOypV1_jRXAxstrgzopwc5ZPaFUnYlykxWhRF3CbVJEjhMYTaSM/s1600/ALennox_Lon_FP2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitBcfV6ztNLigRaeNTxSeHB21hZ05HNUaQWmakgcNPTMoCLVfmGGtHEhCXuiM8Ivv7T2q1ehkV_PVfomJ7eYd0lJVeOypV1_jRXAxstrgzopwc5ZPaFUnYlykxWhRF3CbVJEjhMYTaSM/s400/ALennox_Lon_FP2.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>Online marketing materials (that include a color-coded floor plan) show the double-fronted white stucco residence has 4-5 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms in 5,131 square feet of interior space that marries original architectural details such as heavy-duty moldings with thoroughly modern fittings and trimmings such as radiant heated floors throughout, a home automation system that controls lighting and a/v equipment, and a camera-equipped security system.<br /><br />The raised ground floor has impressively high ceilings, espresso-toned wide plank wood floors and elaborate ceiling moldings and window trims. The T-shaped foyer and stair hall open to an unusually spacious powder room, a roomy open-concept center island kitchen/family room, and a separate formal dining room with fireplace, bay window and a fab oval-shaped Eero Saarinen tulip table and chairs with multi-colored cushions.<br /><br />The lower ground floor—that's U.K.-speak for a basement—comprises a wee bedroom for staff or guests, a closet-lined gym, and a small office. There's also a laundry room, kitchenette and tiny three-quarter bathroom. At least two of the rooms open to sub-street level patios, the larger of which provides convenient exterior access to a quartet of storage vaults under the sidewalk.<br /><br />The first floor—that's the second floor for all us Americanos—has a trio public rooms: sun room with fancy tile floor, a snug/library with marble-manteled fireplace and a baby grand piano, and a roomy drawing room fireplace and with three sets of transom-topped French doors that open to a slender, wrought iron-railed wrap around balcony.<br /><br />The master suite occupies the entire second floor with super-sized sitting room, cozy bedroom, and, in between, a commodious bathroom with frosted glass windows for privacy, a sitting area, steam-equipped shower stall, and a sleek, two-person soaking tub set right in the middle of the room. Two more generous, if somewhat oddly shaped bedrooms on the uppermost level share a hall bathroom with double sinks, bathtub and separate shower.<br /><br />Although private outdoor space is somewhat limited to a couple of small balconies and a not particularly private subterranean wrap around patio on the lower ground floor, Miz Lennox's London' digs offers direct access to the communal (yet private) Stanley Gardens South as well as access to the also communal (and also private) gardens of Ladbroke Square.<br /><br />Your Mama confesses we're not aware of Miz Lennox owning any other property but we'd be somewhat surprised to learn she didn't and we assume without any intel whatsoever to base our supposition that she and her third new Mister—Dr. Besser—maintain a luxury residence in Cape Town (South Africa).<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">listing photo and floor plan: <a href="http://pereds.com/" target="_blank">Pereds</a></span>devihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561285414254728623.post-31689376659888101092013-11-27T11:37:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:22:05.592-08:00David Koepp Lists Manhattan Townhouse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMm0ZuDlQzN5MlZsDQxz8Fn9W9yRdOa10QFzUEkLZ_Lf_GuNA9n45LeX1THKD2bP5U2w2H8hJzutjHd5PtPFFYuIMSOUTZBjAzJittIkMUeTxAQh1RxUZv8_ia4Whk2uIrACavgXlFUs/s1600/DKoepp_NYC_PICS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMm0ZuDlQzN5MlZsDQxz8Fn9W9yRdOa10QFzUEkLZ_Lf_GuNA9n45LeX1THKD2bP5U2w2H8hJzutjHd5PtPFFYuIMSOUTZBjAzJittIkMUeTxAQh1RxUZv8_ia4Whk2uIrACavgXlFUs/s400/DKoepp_NYC_PICS1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JFAQsgyRwKRxI1qiaamXxkVJig7tKTHNosjOKi28oCqeRGaG7QjiLQyCkCYzinSqmm26lZ9odwiXBION8B5k9BynlEXjOrbvvPSA-o39_mmdao1MDz1rGs9QxQiRRpbIS5BYAadamMQ/s1600/DKoepp_NYC_PICS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JFAQsgyRwKRxI1qiaamXxkVJig7tKTHNosjOKi28oCqeRGaG7QjiLQyCkCYzinSqmm26lZ9odwiXBION8B5k9BynlEXjOrbvvPSA-o39_mmdao1MDz1rGs9QxQiRRpbIS5BYAadamMQ/s400/DKoepp_NYC_PICS2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxBBEI-1HCcb2yNrnzEJruxe1yfusXIJdxKcor9O2aDhCFbb8emDYqAGrS4TDLej3Bg9HCS6gWi7eoTtO7gDS0_zR2Z7MgoYKbMY23w0y23wnCkjC2YQ7ubjlZKyXJscTzXHf6OSj8iY/s1600/DKoepp_NYC_PICS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxBBEI-1HCcb2yNrnzEJruxe1yfusXIJdxKcor9O2aDhCFbb8emDYqAGrS4TDLej3Bg9HCS6gWi7eoTtO7gDS0_zR2Z7MgoYKbMY23w0y23wnCkjC2YQ7ubjlZKyXJscTzXHf6OSj8iY/s400/DKoepp_NYC_PICS3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ey32KEqVfEAOPYlWYHe_Fe_hW0tMnmTOxVrNjnLbYLySRtllEy8PgzlG549h7grFyfMaeAfVa9VoZUQeqj5A7Lr8HHmYmp4RS7WTt2mA59mWjeGyq7BE9wD-s4jeWylLg1tB2f9ouQY/s1600/DKoepp_NYC_PICS4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ey32KEqVfEAOPYlWYHe_Fe_hW0tMnmTOxVrNjnLbYLySRtllEy8PgzlG549h7grFyfMaeAfVa9VoZUQeqj5A7Lr8HHmYmp4RS7WTt2mA59mWjeGyq7BE9wD-s4jeWylLg1tB2f9ouQY/s400/DKoepp_NYC_PICS4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>SELLER: David Koepp<br />LOCATION: New York City, NY<br />PRICE: $9,900,000<br />SIZE: 5,000(ish) square feet, 4-5 bedrooms, 3 full and 1 or maybe to half bathrooms<br /><br />YOUR MAMAS NOTES: A quick spin through some of the newer property listings in New York City turned up a townhouse on the Upper West Side listed for $9.9 million and owned, as per property records, by David Koepp.*<br /><br />Mister Koepp's name may not ring your Tinseltown bells but he is, to be sure, an notably tall, bespectacled, and unusually successful screenwriter (and director) of action-oriented blockbuster movies such as <i>Jurrasic Park</i> and its sequel <i>The Lost World: Jurrasic Park, Mission: Impossible, Spider-Man, War of the Worlds, Panic Room, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, </i>and <i>Premium Rush</i>. In the mid-Aughts Mister Koepp wrote and executive produced the short-lived network series Hack and, although he <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/22/david-koepp-snow-white-and-the-huntsman_n_1822848.html" target="_blank">briefly backed out</a> of the project in 2012, he penned the upcoming second installment of the <i>Snow White and the Huntsman</i> franchise.<br /><br />Property records show Mister Koepp and his first wife, artist and occasional actress Rosario Varela, acquired the meticulously maintained and updated 1870s townhouse in January 1999 for $3,250,000. In 2004 Mister Koepp bought out first Missus Koepp and, as far as we know, Mister Koepp remained (and remains) in residence with his second wife, Melissa Thomas.<br /><br />Current listing details show the urban single family residence, just a few doors off Central Park with interiors by accomplished lady-decorator <a href="http://www.fawngalli.com/" target="_blank">Fawn Galli</a>, has about 5,000 square feet with 4-5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, two fireplaces, an elevator that serves four of the five floors, a sky-lit laundry room on the top floor, and a multi-level garden.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYkVwgNK5FM5fTOgTJLQswmDgpWulQBi8OYopC8BuzGisQOV-D2Kudd7ed6mT0KlYKXV2WID9IgDUmeJlGfkidFh5IBMq2sJaeGf5bWK5ls70q-OzNIr9EF01zkmY01bqoM3Je87XSmE/s1600/DKoepp_NYC_TH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYkVwgNK5FM5fTOgTJLQswmDgpWulQBi8OYopC8BuzGisQOV-D2Kudd7ed6mT0KlYKXV2WID9IgDUmeJlGfkidFh5IBMq2sJaeGf5bWK5ls70q-OzNIr9EF01zkmY01bqoM3Je87XSmE/s400/DKoepp_NYC_TH.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>Floor plans and listing photographs included with digital marketing materials show the raised stoop entry on the parlor floor high ceilings and chevron pattern wood floors. A small vestibule entry links to an over-sized foyer—with butterfly-pattern wallpaper and wall-mounted faux zebra bust—that does double duty as a formal dining room. A small study off the entry vestibule overlooks the sparsely tree-lined street and could be pressed into use as a bedroom if necessary and/or desired. At the rear of the parlor floor the formal living room opens through multi-paned doors to a small balcony with corkscrew staircase that winds down to the garden two floors below.<br /><br />The ground floor comprises a floor-through, loft-like space with top-quality kitchen with marble counter tops and an adjoining mud room street entrance, a casual dining area, and a roomy family room that, like the formal living room directly above it, also opens to a small balcony that connects via exterior corkscrew staircase to the garden. Although listing details indicate there's a powder room on the ground floor, as far as these boozy-woozy eyeballs can tell from a thorough perusal of the floor plan, there isn't a bathroom on this level so anyone with a need to evacuate must ascend to the vermilion-walled powder room just off the formal dining room or descend to the (English) basement where there's a windowless three-quarter pooper along. Also down in the garden level basement are a large storage room, a small sitting area and a fireplace-equipped media room with built-in entertainment center and direct garden access.<br /><br />The good-sized garden view master bedroom on the second floor has a dressing room lined with closets and a Jack 'n' Jill type bathroom that is—regretably—shared with the a second, street-facing bedroom. Two more generously proportioned bedrooms on the uppermost floor share a hall bathroom with separate tub and shower.<br /><br />Property records how Mister Koepp still owns another apartment in modern building on Columbus Avenue that he picked up in August 2002 for $1,575,000 and in March (2011) he and his second missus shelled out $3.85 million for a land-locked mini-estate in the low-key but hideously expensive Hamptons community of Amagansett, NY.<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*Mister Koepp's surname, in case any of you want to know, is pronounced kepp.</span><br /><div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">listing photos and floor plan: <a href="http://www.elliman.com/" target="_blank">Douglas Elliman</a></span>devihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561285414254728623.post-79796047310749023542013-11-26T11:44:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:22:05.603-08:00John Fogerty Buys Hidden Valley Estate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHpHPCxrOlOD2U0eb26sQw7sS2UEgSK2beUopzfDfY1EVMcFjU94e7T7XaSMiKQts0nAB3XWIN80EUuOOFEwl2uYJXo9_AiPdSDG9j3E2MWJAmvkyPfDkPZ0oOPAyrjgCKdvHyZkstGQ/s1600/JFogarty_TO_PICS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHpHPCxrOlOD2U0eb26sQw7sS2UEgSK2beUopzfDfY1EVMcFjU94e7T7XaSMiKQts0nAB3XWIN80EUuOOFEwl2uYJXo9_AiPdSDG9j3E2MWJAmvkyPfDkPZ0oOPAyrjgCKdvHyZkstGQ/s400/JFogarty_TO_PICS1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YQN2gG5tFa0__mjECmGKZSx0VukGHtWzP8jbdmwKuqmhhtrMwU5Ds8KZputHn46w1X3RBegOfv0MW-4D3hBH87XG4TDUzmjSYzb47HWC8zxz99BBsaIdMDPvIlUc5XFB6Pur7yr_ugI/s1600/JFogarty_TO_PICS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YQN2gG5tFa0__mjECmGKZSx0VukGHtWzP8jbdmwKuqmhhtrMwU5Ds8KZputHn46w1X3RBegOfv0MW-4D3hBH87XG4TDUzmjSYzb47HWC8zxz99BBsaIdMDPvIlUc5XFB6Pur7yr_ugI/s400/JFogarty_TO_PICS2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_GDXfHFUZ7IK99i7oV0_oqzUJ5wRN8ZJJIaYIsrqQuajuLwTEtpvJ5Mkuo3DsgC9HEw0-UFQGgECosQm53F7KHrVOhweF6ubbQlkUDhfALKSPGOd93jVyGu76THHGdmgAeasIeTESkU/s1600/JFogarty_TO_PICS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_GDXfHFUZ7IK99i7oV0_oqzUJ5wRN8ZJJIaYIsrqQuajuLwTEtpvJ5Mkuo3DsgC9HEw0-UFQGgECosQm53F7KHrVOhweF6ubbQlkUDhfALKSPGOd93jVyGu76THHGdmgAeasIeTESkU/s400/JFogarty_TO_PICS3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzS0eOnj8bxTo5Vcvvw1uMtiXr_JILVnKhxf7seusfAh1M0aqW6Nz-vuxU8DH2tFztmAUFdtbWVZsGW-AukLy6vgPPqIfFYVvnuMYWnRo1k3DKlPSaHdTSbcaVl4DWiGsZ7xSgtBYvXpI/s1600/JFogarty_TO_PICS4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzS0eOnj8bxTo5Vcvvw1uMtiXr_JILVnKhxf7seusfAh1M0aqW6Nz-vuxU8DH2tFztmAUFdtbWVZsGW-AukLy6vgPPqIfFYVvnuMYWnRo1k3DKlPSaHdTSbcaVl4DWiGsZ7xSgtBYvXpI/s400/JFogarty_TO_PICS4.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_2dymliBPzQJ3xaisTqnfd6VH-z4Lj3sHjJf82ApVXx4sSn3yUvG3llvV13pdglyeJRLSuQ-0QDJpnkLCbSdbJyAbA8FybwkanmgbqjCCmTEXqIaxjJsrQXadjvbQuLc2vnsl4lBBvQ/s1600/JFogarty_TO_PICS5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_2dymliBPzQJ3xaisTqnfd6VH-z4Lj3sHjJf82ApVXx4sSn3yUvG3llvV13pdglyeJRLSuQ-0QDJpnkLCbSdbJyAbA8FybwkanmgbqjCCmTEXqIaxjJsrQXadjvbQuLc2vnsl4lBBvQ/s400/JFogarty_TO_PICS5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHtdprGgyrQqMNi6mfduze5Y9VPbg123ll8O95ZsnVqmQgO07m9ayo8T5z9CMWjP1SpsBd5UPmY4MC2J9FAaWaPfGTMUvAbR3AEhFmEl2dj-nxDpLzF82jRuBuc9atcD6Pv4_YAins1c/s1600/JFogarty_TO_PICS6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHtdprGgyrQqMNi6mfduze5Y9VPbg123ll8O95ZsnVqmQgO07m9ayo8T5z9CMWjP1SpsBd5UPmY4MC2J9FAaWaPfGTMUvAbR3AEhFmEl2dj-nxDpLzF82jRuBuc9atcD6Pv4_YAins1c/s400/JFogarty_TO_PICS6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>BUYER: John Fogarty<br />LOCATION: Thousand Oaks, CA<br />PRICE: $8,950,000<br />SIZE: 13,053 square feet, 7 bedrooms, 7.5 bathrooms<br /><br />YOUR MAMAS NOTES: Late yesterday afternoon, deep into our second top-shelf gin & tonic (extra lime, please) Your Mama heard word from tireless real estate yenta Yolanda Yakketyyak that guitar legend and veteran rock 'n' roll VIP John Fogerty of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAVhKjsImeI" target="_blank">Creedence Clearwater Revival</a> fame and fortune, dropped $8,950,000 on a spacious estate in Thousand Oaks, CA, a sprawling and affluent community about 20 miles over the Santa Monica Mountains to the tip of Point Dume in Malibu and just about equidistant between downtown L.A. and Santa Barbara.<br /><br />Property records show the 20+ acre Thousand Oaks estate was acquired in May (2013) with the very same somewhat oddly-named trust that owns the 13,476 square foot, faux-Tuscan mansion on three gated and landscaped acres in Beverly Hills (Post Office) that Mister Fogerty and his Missus, Julie, had on the market as a <a href="http://luxe.truliablog.com/2013/07/26/john-fogerty-selling-beverly-hills-mansion/" target="_blank">whisper listing</a> over the summer (2013) with an asking price of $23.5 million.*<br /><br />The roomy estate—it looks like the sort of place that would have been given a name, doesn't it?—sits amid an impressive group of similarly sized estates in a small, gated enclave in the Hidden Valley area of Thousand Oaks, the same swanky and bucolic locale where Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi DeGeneres sold their 26-acre horse-oriented compound for <a href="http://realestalker.blogspot.com/2013/10/your-mama-hears.html" target="_blank">nearly $11 million</a> to luxury t-shirt tycoon (and budding real estate baller) James Perse. Listing information described the Fogerty's Thousand Oaks spread as a "Rustic Mediterranean Estate" but we're not exactly sure what's <i>rustic</i> about this extensive estate other than the rolling mountains that surround the otherwise manicured grounds that include vast amoebic swathes of well watered lawn.<br /><br />The mostly one-level H-shaped residence** was designed, as per digital marketing materials, by North Hollywood-based architect and Mediterranean macmansion specialist <a href="http://www.ronaldgfirestoneaia.com/" target="_blank">Ron Firestone</a> and completed, as per property records we peeped, in 2004. There are seven bedrooms—one more queenly than the next—and 7.5 bathrooms—one more ebulliently garnished that the last—in 13,053 square feet of interior space outfitted, as per listing details, with pecan floors, wood-beamed ceilings, five fireplaces, a 500-bottle wine closet, and remote-controlled window shades and lighting system.<br /><br />Other features of note include: an irrigation system with a private water well and a 22,000 gallon cistern; a 12-car garage—the seller had a portion of it set up as an—uh—<i>man cave</i>; a salt water swimming pool and spa and a nearby cabana with pool equipment and bathroom. There are at least a couple fountains and at least one of those pergola-folly things fashioned from a domed, wrought iron cap placed carefully atop classical carved stone columns.<br /><br />To be honest, children, Your Mama does not even have the will power to (dis and/or) discuss this house, either its faux-Old World and liberally pastiched architectural bones or all its baronial decorative opulence and festooned frippery. We are absolutely certain that all the heavily pasamenteried drapery and all the carved and tassled furniture, the tapestries, and bedazzled accessories cost an absolute fortune and we also understand that different people have different visions and versions of what constitutes luxury, good taste, and regal comfort. But, children, the obsessively ornamented day-core seen in the listing photographs of this house just makes Your Mama feel like we need a damn nerve pill. We just feel like, big as the damn place is, we'd suffocate in a house like that. So, rather than go through the torture of a (too) long and over-detailed, pre-holiday hoozy-goozy of a discussion of the house and property, let's let y'all ponder on and opine about the not entirely tongue-in-cheek listing copy Yolanda Yakketyyak wrote for the property:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Have you been wanting a house that speaks to you on an emotional, not simply architectural level?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A house that single-handedly defines America yet deftly blends our diverse cultural heritage into every block and beam? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A house with an awe-inspiring Feng Shui-ed layout that single-handedly provides you with the courage and the tenacity to take the reigns of your destiny and step out from the shadow of darkness that blankets our generation?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Your prayers have been answered.</span></div><br />Mee-ow.<br /><br />Anyways, in addition to their old digs in Beverly Hills (that they would like to sell) and their palatial new piece of the property pie in Thousand Oaks Mister and Missus Fogerty also still own a much more modest, 1,890 square foot house on a twisting, celebrity-lined street in the Beverly Hills Post Office area that they picked up in November 2008 for $1,385,000.<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*The Fogerty's Bev Hills mansion, which they appear to have custom built on land they acquired in 2002 for $2.9 million, no longer appears on The Agency's website but, as far as Your Mama can tell, the property has not been sold. Make of that what you will.</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">**Listing details describe the house as "single level living except" for the "hundreds of feet of storage plus storage facility on the third level under the main floor area" and the "upstairs granny flat or media room that might also be suitable for a live-in domestic or an underachieving adult child.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">listing photos: <a href="http://www.shawncordon.com/" target="_blank">Shawn Cordon</a> for <a href="http://robwernerestates.yourkwagent.com/" target="_blank">Keller Williams</a></span>devihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561285414254728623.post-76600616848267806902013-11-25T16:33:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:22:05.614-08:00Did Angie Jolie Buy Fiancée Brad P. A Private Island?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpr9TQjRUuEu1SvncMXfy1ovoY83dxMxzH99r6eB8ovEgtU1RJeKlDER7efBOw0oCRGCjAdfQaBXcxhmf7umQ4lXyT95kSkzygAHJv54VQXowFvwSqQpxP9-xsMJQloVYSjTbL9CXyZrg/s1600/Jolie_Petra_PICS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpr9TQjRUuEu1SvncMXfy1ovoY83dxMxzH99r6eB8ovEgtU1RJeKlDER7efBOw0oCRGCjAdfQaBXcxhmf7umQ4lXyT95kSkzygAHJv54VQXowFvwSqQpxP9-xsMJQloVYSjTbL9CXyZrg/s400/Jolie_Petra_PICS1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2513197/Angelina-Jolie-spends-12-2-million-secluded-heart-shaped-island-Brad-Pitts-50th-birthday.html" target="_blank">International property gossips</a> have gone <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/video-tour-angelina-brad-pitts-2849801" target="_blank">hog wild</a> over the <a href="http://curbed.com/archives/2013/11/25/did-angelina-jolie-buy-a-flwpedigreed-island-for-brad-pitt.php" target="_blank">rumors and reports</a> (and reports of rumors) that Oscar-nominated actress Angelina Jolie bought her über-famous fiancée, Brad Pitt, a private island on small and scenic Lake Mahopac (NY) with a Frank Lloyd Wright pedigree. So the stories go, the hands on super mommy of six and globe-trotting do-gooder shelled out somewhere in the neighborhood of £12.2 million for the 11-ish acre island, an amount that Your Mama's handy-dandy currently conversion contraption indicates amounts to 19,790,600 U.S. dollars, at today's rates.*<br /><br />However, the daughter of the current owner says <a href="http://southeast.patch.com/groups/real-estate/p/owners-family-angelina-jolie-did-not-buy-island-in-mahopac" target="_blank">all the hullabaloo just ain't true</a>. In fact, the daughter told a local reporter that, as far as she knows, neither Angelina Jolie nor Brad Pitt have ever visited the island. And—let's get real, children—if Angelina Jolie and/or Brad Pitt and/or any of their representatives visited your parents' $20 million private island, don't you think they might have mentioned it?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pJMrz6ZpFzU90X9L_e-3DNtDGtU7-BklWpqjtjq7FxmonELrlI-SDAAxjx9K7D0Ga50fTowsgULB8VC42ZcT0NQ1U69_4QsyyOtKQTTNTq9uXHat6hvoYnsug4VW-KdHs23rwPepu2w/s1600/Jolie_Petra_GH_PICS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pJMrz6ZpFzU90X9L_e-3DNtDGtU7-BklWpqjtjq7FxmonELrlI-SDAAxjx9K7D0Ga50fTowsgULB8VC42ZcT0NQ1U69_4QsyyOtKQTTNTq9uXHat6hvoYnsug4VW-KdHs23rwPepu2w/s400/Jolie_Petra_GH_PICS1.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><i>Petra Island</i>—sometimes <i>Petre Island, </i>is about 50 miles or 15 minutes by helicopter from Midtown Manhattan and is currently owned by retired local sheet metal contract Joseph Massaro who acquired the heart-shaped islet in 1996 for $700,000. At the time of Mister Massaro's purchase the island had only a (rather intriguing) 1,200 square foot cottage (above) designed and built in 1950 by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright for the island's previous owner, an engineer named A.K. Chahroudi. Mister Lloyd Wright had also designed a much larger, approximately 5,000 square foot main residence for Mister Chahroudi but the plans went unfinished and was the residence realized as Mister Chahroudi wasn't prepared to spend the $50,000 Mister Lloyd Wright estimated for construction.<br /><br />As part of his 1996 purchase of the island Mister Massarro received Mister Lloyd Wright's renderings and floor plans for the unrealized main residence and subsequently hired architect and Frank Lloyd Wright historian Thomas A. Heinz to complete and execute the unfinished design.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwwGFdNuQCJT9Dnb0bhrKrRpcpgkP0kse7Lj8ayyOVn1L6mXFYSEVpOH3paU2Gwv2UG2Y9K6XChhQV2222QtT7ajzLBStSATJ8C5lKK-Ir8K-XqSd8kzCU_5mL8h7BsTCLXB8m8VAHX0/s1600/Jolie_Petra_PICS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwwGFdNuQCJT9Dnb0bhrKrRpcpgkP0kse7Lj8ayyOVn1L6mXFYSEVpOH3paU2Gwv2UG2Y9K6XChhQV2222QtT7ajzLBStSATJ8C5lKK-Ir8K-XqSd8kzCU_5mL8h7BsTCLXB8m8VAHX0/s400/Jolie_Petra_PICS2.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpkYaB6fl0nUzs6-Wjk0vooI1jzB3mq2yaBBrl-Q6sxvkGqZx3ZwcAuLDHfIsYvsQCIU280PgPRshvh40GgoEJ9jxjub4NZ6GpZDiFrnGqTa_EbtcdlOJN00P0ZvogwjhWNKMmadJGYA/s1600/Jolie_Petra_PICS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpkYaB6fl0nUzs6-Wjk0vooI1jzB3mq2yaBBrl-Q6sxvkGqZx3ZwcAuLDHfIsYvsQCIU280PgPRshvh40GgoEJ9jxjub4NZ6GpZDiFrnGqTa_EbtcdlOJN00P0ZvogwjhWNKMmadJGYA/s400/Jolie_Petra_PICS3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The resulting residence, an angled and muscular mix of concrete, wood, stone and glass was completed in 2008. The result—at least to those not attuned to the nuances of FLW's signature architectural contrivances and conventions—appears much in line with a FLW-designed house: There are wrap-around and cantilevered decks galore; half a dozen monolithic fireplaces, both indoors and out; large if awkwardly shaped public space, not always seamlessly incorporated topography (i.e. boulders); and a ceiling of interlocking triangular skylights; long rows of mahogany-framed glass doors that allow for a smooth integration between indoor and outdoor spaces.<br /><br />The existing house is not without its critics who scream and stomp their feet that the design is not pure and does not hew closely enough to Frank Lloyd Wright's original intentions and/or architectural conventions. Indeed, to date the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation has not certified the house as a Frank Lloyd Wright design, a snub that has long infuriated the current owner who is, technically, only supposed to refer or market the main residence as "inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright."<br /><br />Whether Miz Jolie and Mister Pitt bought <i>Petra Island</i>—and it appears they did not—they still maintain an international collection of residences that include (but may not be limited to) a multi-residence compound in Los Angeles's Los Feliz area, an oceanfront compound near Santa Barbara (CA), an historic mansion in New Orleans (LA), a rustic spread in Cambodia, and <i>Chateau Miraval</i>, their 1,200-ish acre spread in the Provence region of France.<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*Current digital listings for Petra Island don't reveal the asking price but in late 2012 it was <a href="http://architizer.com/blog/private-frank-lloyd-wright-designed-island-hits-the-market-just-in-time-for-the-holidays/#.UKPHGIYY3jW" target="_blank">widely reported</a> to have a $20,000,000 price tag.</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">listing photos: <a href="http://www.privateislandsonline.com/" target="_blank">Private Islands Online</a></span>devihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561285414254728623.post-59717294569550394952013-11-25T09:54:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:22:05.626-08:00Snowboarder Shaun White Snags Malibu Mini-Compound<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWBjJEyvehK8NGjVV1kSoFTN0QlP5hsLdNYOsQfsqhyphenhyphenN5teVeciv9iwujoGon8XFgHZkfCz3XV07q9FppP-0n8DpZNK6a6coFldq5j8md5xoHRtRq9riS1BOGpDKuTQtjf0AZWK0lvMQ/s1600/SWhite_Mal_Aer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWBjJEyvehK8NGjVV1kSoFTN0QlP5hsLdNYOsQfsqhyphenhyphenN5teVeciv9iwujoGon8XFgHZkfCz3XV07q9FppP-0n8DpZNK6a6coFldq5j8md5xoHRtRq9riS1BOGpDKuTQtjf0AZWK0lvMQ/s400/SWhite_Mal_Aer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>BUYER: Shaun White<br />SELLER: Mike Fleiss<br />LOCATION: Malibu, CA<br />SIZE: 2,625 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms (plus outbuildings)<br />PRICE: $8,940,000<br /><br />YOUR MAMAS NOTES: Your Mama hears from our already holiday merry-making celebrity real estate yenta Yolanda Yakettyyak that high income earning 27-year old two-time Olympic gold medal winning professional snowboarder Shaun White—a.k.a. The Flying Tomato—quietly, through a generically-named trust shelled out $8,940,000 in an off-market deal for a bluff-top mini-compound in the Point Dume area of Malibu, CA.<br /><br />According to property records, the seller of the Pacific Ocean-view spread was Mike Fleiss, a distant cousin of (in)famous former lady-pimp Heidi Fleiss and a bona fide reality television pooh-bah who created the crazy successful (if depressingly vapid) <i>The Bachelor </i>and <i>The Bachelorette</i> programs. The fairly recently divorced Mister Fleiss and his ex-Missus also owned the the two-parcel property house next door to the one they sold to Mister White, which they unloaded in the fall of 2012 for exactly $6,000,000.*<br /><br />Not for looking but Your Mama wasn't able to locate a recent listing for the Mister White's new compound-style crib in Malibu and, ipso facto, we're not sure what if any improvements Mister (and ex-Missus) Fleiss did or did not make to the walled and gated, one-plus acre property. However, with a leg up from our always helpful Fairy Godmother in Malibu, we did come up with up a rental listing for the property from way back in 2005 that shows the ranch-style residence was built in the early 1950s and, at the time, had four bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms in 2,625 square feet plus a separate one bedroom and one bathroom guest house <i>and</i> a detached, 800 square foot office or recreation room. The bluff-top location allows for sweeping coastline views and a long, booty-busting stairway down the steep bluff provide direct, if not exactly relaxing access to a deep and wide stretch of (public) beach.<br /><br />Some of Mister White's new Malibu neighbors include Owen Wilson and film and television writer/director/producer <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001741/" target="_blank">Bryan Singer</a> (<i>The Usual Suspects, Dirty Sexy Money,</i> and the <i>X-Men</i> franchise)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmUXwWDdjDJs2PVXYCYuVo-ML932wv2rPeqKEeZGl4GUt6Zqq5tdmchfKiauDv9WzpIZQEdOm34j1sku_-0wz1DBLyzu1K4dsXTdmR2p7Iq0qSPrdKRwIYnS9eoN2qKyXpCgf3dPKsAY/s1600/SWhite_Enc_Ext1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmUXwWDdjDJs2PVXYCYuVo-ML932wv2rPeqKEeZGl4GUt6Zqq5tdmchfKiauDv9WzpIZQEdOm34j1sku_-0wz1DBLyzu1K4dsXTdmR2p7Iq0qSPrdKRwIYnS9eoN2qKyXpCgf3dPKsAY/s400/SWhite_Enc_Ext1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>It was only last August (2012), some of the children may recall, that word slipped down the celebrity gossip grapevine that the fire-tressed snowboarder <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2012/12/03/shaun-white-snowboard-house/" target="_blank">dropped $3.85 million</a> on a cliff-top house with direct beach access in Encinitas, CA, but, as it turns out the snowboarder maintains a fairly extensive real estate portfolio.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZx5HFgFNWUD0T0K3Tp6z8olCuGNqgnoOOE1wJvpUKaJFlpoRr-m5O8ciYqn5a2bTo0Vmg9f8ToxovijDCZoO-5D6vBNMw-y3q5i_9vXvvAFnzK2GS0DQetEdjGp3w0pzj5GxE8EUJx04/s1600/SWhite_HH_Ext1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZx5HFgFNWUD0T0K3Tp6z8olCuGNqgnoOOE1wJvpUKaJFlpoRr-m5O8ciYqn5a2bTo0Vmg9f8ToxovijDCZoO-5D6vBNMw-y3q5i_9vXvvAFnzK2GS0DQetEdjGp3w0pzj5GxE8EUJx04/s400/SWhite_HH_Ext1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>In addition to a Park City, UT, condo and a couple of ho-hum if hardly inexpensive tract houses near San Diego, in Carlsbad, CA, Mister White owns a contemporary, city-view abode in the Hollywood Hills (above) that bought the house in March 2009 for $1.7 million. Your Mama dug up digital evidence that the snow, sand, and real estate loving daredevil put the house out for lease late last year (2012) with an asking price of $10,000 per month.<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*Last October (2012) Mister Fleiss paid <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mel-gibson-sells-house-bachelor-376994" target="_blank">$9.3 million</a> for Mel and Robyn Gibson's former estate in the star-stocked Serra Retreat enclave in Malibu.</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">aerial photo (Malibu): <a href="http://www.bing.com/maps/" target="_blank">Bing</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">exterior photo (Encintas): <a href="http://www.rllifestyles.com/" target="_blank">Real Living Lifestyles</a> (via <a href="http://www.zillow.com/" target="_blank">Zillow</a>)</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">exterior photo (Hollywood Hills): <a href="http://www.thepartnerstrust.com/" target="_blank">The Partners Trust</a></span>devihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561285414254728623.post-74439641385539491562013-11-25T01:00:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:02:00.260-08:00Wonderful New Giveaway–Jewelry by Karen Sugarman<blockquote><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">One of my favorite sponsors is also one of my longest and most loyal sponsors – Karen Sugarman Designs. I’m totally in love with her jewelry which she designs – and I love to read about the inspiration behind her pieces, which she writes about in her blog <a href="http://karensugarmandesigns.blogspot.com/">HERE</a>.</span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Karen’s last blog entry was about this necklace – owned by Elizabeth Taylor, which she was inspired to recreate. </span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UeLs34fT4eU/T-LHgePQYoI/AAAAAAABaUo/UifN2f3rlxY/image_thumb%25255B22%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Elizabeth Taylor’s necklace was made of antique ivory opera tokens from the 18th and 19th century, and was valued at $1,500 to $2,000 but was auctioned at $314,500.00!! </span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><img height="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fIaJqMo-yfg6TZLYxBnnBAx_CAyqaJ1Aa_MoJXPhSvbAzascTHKsuvMlb-DwBgNxowe0eVNHTXCNssGQ2RXvgctwwWhJlLZPSt0VgN5vtiy5e1c-ecn9CWHAKEcoIRKuUbe2kFFm60Y/s1600/Cherish+-+Theatre+Token+Necklace.jpg" width="1189" /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Inspired by the token necklace, Karen designed this one and offered others for sale either like this or with individualized tokens.</span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2Momj9c1Gciy4_YOEaVOke-SmLaGQY46OsWP4HYiBN25PtFJjC653ioMeza8AsFA0k4nK5ivU58f4SJ4qxJGGfxLKrulYs0zO5EQ08R1k8GSA_8KLizggjcsoKaEqzKOYNG_jeSPVho/s640/DSC08630.jpg" /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Recently she wrote </span><a href="http://karensugarmandesigns.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-year-of-designin-progress.html"><span style="font-size: large;">HERE</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> about a work in progress token necklace that she is currently making for a client – each token was hand drawn and created especially for the client. It’s a fascinating story and makes me wish I had ordered one myself. It’s just so beautiful! </span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Antique Chinese Game Counter Peridot Baroque Pearls Necklace" border="0" src="http://shard2.1stdibs.us.com/archivesE/jewelry/upload/180/143/XXX_180_1373314988_1.jpg" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">I especially love this necklace Karen designed – with an antique Chinese gaming counter hanging from a chain of peridot and pearls. Beautiful!</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Multicolored Moonstone Necklace Antique Gilt Carnelian Fob - Elise III Necklace image 4" src="http://shard3.1stdibs.us.com/archivesE/jewelry/upload/180/164/180_1385354237_4.jpg" /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Another favorite is this antique carnelian fob – love it. And I love Karen’s styling too. Her presentation is an art in itself.</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Guilloche Locket Grisaille Putti Pink Pearls Labradorite Necklace image 5" src="http://shard4.1stdibs.us.com/archivesE/jewelry/upload/180/134/180_1367883880_5.jpg" /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">There is this antique Victorian peacock blue guilloche mourning locket – hanging from pearls.</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="A Shell Of An Idea III Necklace - Antique Angel Skin Coral Cameo image 3" src="http://shard3.1stdibs.us.com/archivesE/jewelry/upload/180/38/180_1297743081_3.jpg" /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">My absolute favorite – this antique cameo on a necklace of shells. Perfection.</span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="center"><img alt="Ruby Red Venetian Glass Intaglio Cameo Fleur de Lis Pink Opaline Crystal Rhinestone Earrings - Vittoria Earrings" src="http://www.karensugarmandesigns.com/artists/gallery/211/img/36967_a.jpg" /> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">There are also bracelets and earrings – such as this stunning pair 0f red intaglios surrounded by pink opaline. </span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">The giveaway necklace was inspired by Karen’s love of the Quatrefoil shape.</span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">The quatrefoil is an ancient Christian symbol used in architecture – the name is derived from the Latin word for four leaves – as the Quatrefoil resembles a four leaf clover. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">In Christianity – the four sided shape is said to symbolize the four evangelists – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">The height of the Quatrefoil’s popularity was during the Gothic and Renaissance </span><span style="font-size: large;">eras – but today, the Quatrefoil is experiencing a resurgence – and it’s shape can be found everywhere.</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="File:Quatrefoil, St. Guthlac, Croyland Abbey.JPG" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/Quatrefoil%2C_St._Guthlac%2C_Croyland_Abbey.JPG/598px-Quatrefoil%2C_St._Guthlac%2C_Croyland_Abbey.JPG" /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">An example of a quatrefoil found in architecture. This is at the Croyland Abbey and depicts the life of St. Guthlac. </span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6KnYzIj-ucc/UpMQu9VmOiI/AAAAAAACFQ0/HilI7HRiC_E/s1600-h/image%25255B6%25255D.png"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dgbc_REF7H8/UpMQwFTOdxI/AAAAAAACFQ8/UBy1ZV03f-g/s1600-h/6a00e554d7b8278833019affae531f970d%25255B3%25255D.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0I-AlgQqMz8/UpMQxntgSoI/AAAAAAACFRE/I6PItANqyHo/s1600-h/image%25255B18%25255D.png"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0I-AlgQqMz8/UpMQxntgSoI/AAAAAAACFRM/PZGs9WDoMaA/s1600-h/image%25255B19%25255D.png"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="504" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pVh025zZc2I/UpMQz8l6vdI/AAAAAAACFRU/-EU7XicD3IA/image_thumb%25255B7%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="488" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">A stained glass quatrefoil found in a church in Chiswick, England.</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></blockquote><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="796" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_YxK_J8z5-Q/UpMQ2-P-WaI/AAAAAAACFRc/ZEmsF4vc-uQ/image_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="1173" /></span> <br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is an architectural example from today – the kitchen in actor Robert Pattinson’s house boasts a quatrefoil window.</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dgbc_REF7H8/UpMQwFTOdxI/AAAAAAACFQ8/UBy1ZV03f-g/s1600-h/6a00e554d7b8278833019affae531f970d%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="6a00e554d7b8278833019affae531f970d" border="0" height="1270" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-S7yWPQUa1lI/UpMQ4DHVkzI/AAAAAAACFRk/nIK7BkvceTU/6a00e554d7b8278833019affae531f970d_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="6a00e554d7b8278833019affae531f970d" width="1202" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">This gorgeous example is from the kitchen in </span><a href="http://brookegiannetti.typepad.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Velvet and Linen’s</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> new house. There is a matching quatrefoil on the opposite side of this space in the living room. </span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ghiberticompetition.jpg"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dsdFLruyPwE/UpMQ66ggROI/AAAAAAACFRs/Qyci7L0nh7o/s1600-h/image%25255B26%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="835" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1c-hMhqeu3o/UpMQ8gsNH2I/AAAAAAACFR0/uuFjST2MP4k/image_thumb%25255B12%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="664" /></a> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">McAlpine Tankersley designed this quatrefoil window for a house in Nashville.</span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zOA2vT3nk8c/UpMQ_Yb9tQI/AAAAAAACFR8/nyNKzAw-tYE/s1600-h/image%25255B30%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="1004" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-r5FV-75-XQI/UpMRCaQxLUI/AAAAAAACFSE/4MpvWc2t1MY/image_thumb%25255B14%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="792" /></a> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">And another by McAlpine Tankersley – this window lays on its side.</span> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lw4g8IsqPLo/UpMREaAoAFI/AAAAAAACFSM/YICMo3obdXo/s1600-h/image%25255B9%25255D.png"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lw4g8IsqPLo/UpMREaAoAFI/AAAAAAACFSU/PtwmrpxJLv4/s1600-h/image%25255B20%25255D.png"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="1331" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xjCmmRslUE8/UpMRI7QABoI/AAAAAAACFSc/B0NNPWLDo_Q/image_thumb%25255B8%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="1004" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Suzanne Kasler designed this chair using a quatrefoil for inspiration.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-f0uDGJHsh1E/UpMRLQcKckI/AAAAAAACFSk/h9GL0jnj0LM/s1600-h/image%25255B34%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="1019" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2_iqY0ZHy1s/UpMROydxw7I/AAAAAAACFSs/lTvUdNBkDkM/image_thumb%25255B16%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="718" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Kasler also designed this line of quatrefoil lamps.</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6Kku1tQxL1g/UpMRRxildUI/AAAAAAACFS0/qOjkq--5t3Q/s1600-h/image%25255B44%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="663" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VRWvl4aqJb0/UpMRUJfSq3I/AAAAAAACFS8/xhHm95eX6rk/image_thumb%25255B20%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="1204" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Charming shutters using the design.</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MTEyaBTnW4w/UpMRXHmyZ1I/AAAAAAACFTE/v62hbifhqhs/s1600-h/image%25255B46%25255D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="844" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KUd1I_5uJOU/UpMRapRLsRI/AAAAAAACFTM/-jQx_lJ_D2I/image_thumb%25255B22%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="1204" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Fountains in the quatrefoil shape are popular.</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><img src="http://sugarstudiosdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Quatrefoil.jpg" /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">The quatrefoil is a very popular design in papers, in linens, and in fabrics. </span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vVSCHJfZNik/UpMRdTPpHgI/AAAAAAACFTU/3TUCNjcu_50/s1600-h/KARENS1%25255B2%25255D.png"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vVSCHJfZNik/UpMRdTPpHgI/AAAAAAACFTc/6IQwTJJvny4/s1600-h/KARENS1%25255B3%25255D.png"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="KARENS1" border="0" height="574" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gKZUn6mNNtM/UpMRggJPwoI/AAAAAAACFTk/HHGpB4SRsN4/KARENS1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="KARENS1" width="472" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">You can even get the shape in tiles – in fact this is what inspired Karen Sugarman in her jewelry design – this tile is what she wanted for her master bathroom renovation – until she priced it. Stunning!</span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">And here is the giveaway – this beautiful mother of pearl quatrefoil necklace, hanging from a chain of pearls and crystals:</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iCK2RNVQgJk/UpMRhgR1XsI/AAAAAAACFTs/pv0E9dhLWNA/s1600-h/KARENS%25255B3%25255D.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iCK2RNVQgJk/UpMRhgR1XsI/AAAAAAACFTw/IxiRPU9KAss/s1600-h/KARENS%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="KARENS" border="0" height="1004" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M6YaX6rxMGI/UpMRkPEpQRI/AAAAAAACFT4/A0f_0FF-kVs/KARENS_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="KARENS" width="1004" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">The Rules:</span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">To enter the giveaway – you need to first visit Karen Sugarman’s web site </span><a href="http://www.karensugarmandesigns.com/gallery"><span style="font-size: large;">HERE</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">,</span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">look around and find your favorite item. Then, come back here and leave a comment telling me what your favorite piece was. That’s all!</span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Be sure to leave your email address on the comment if you are Anonymous!!</span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">The contest starts today – November 25 and lasts until Thursday, November 28th at 11:59 pm.</span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">And as an extra bonus – any piece you purchase will be discounted by 15 per cent!</span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">To receive your discount – be sure to enter the coupon code “Cote de Texas 2013” before you purchase anything.</span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Karen’s pieces make the perfect Christmas gift so look around in order to use the 15 per cent discount!!!</span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">Good luck!!!</span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;">And finally, a huge thank you to Karen Sugarman for another wonderful giveaway!!!!</span> </div><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span>devihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561285414254728623.post-80048988594586353662013-11-22T14:44:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:22:05.637-08:00Did Paul Allen Buy A Big Bay Area Crib?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhT9fhEHoc6BJnufO7DsCzqINM0FRbh938VXD0C68KPUml0NdWbezeYn6lnWV2Q7ajInGArR5g6rm27uXbApgcMU6bYicVdWZUYeTpbk2UCzq4A1C-qx0LH0x1ivuEBcd_PSBslnLo5Q/s1600/PAllen_Ath_PICS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhT9fhEHoc6BJnufO7DsCzqINM0FRbh938VXD0C68KPUml0NdWbezeYn6lnWV2Q7ajInGArR5g6rm27uXbApgcMU6bYicVdWZUYeTpbk2UCzq4A1C-qx0LH0x1ivuEBcd_PSBslnLo5Q/s400/PAllen_Ath_PICS1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAqvWHgwuiVAKo-T2GOrZIugBs2PFQVj3nNxqyU4i75A-73-c43j1Ja3EjaVFbKbXMkYUMmiPbvropj4Fj_pCuZXQ5YfBJnLvYwWVooDbmICOxnaijI8VjM3gb4BTDklt_yzI1qr44nk/s1600/PAllen_Ath_PICS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAqvWHgwuiVAKo-T2GOrZIugBs2PFQVj3nNxqyU4i75A-73-c43j1Ja3EjaVFbKbXMkYUMmiPbvropj4Fj_pCuZXQ5YfBJnLvYwWVooDbmICOxnaijI8VjM3gb4BTDklt_yzI1qr44nk/s400/PAllen_Ath_PICS2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fFggX05q47iUGl-JqrgTtlECxispF7-R3_EshI9WSyBwbz-ukkng2EghRVwdDLKUNHw5uGVY-KVYVQTgxaChUuch5NMhAu5T6NzWmnwPC2EmMKP-LvXXOgFZgQV4PBToVWVqvHScef8/s1600/PAllen_Ath_PICS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fFggX05q47iUGl-JqrgTtlECxispF7-R3_EshI9WSyBwbz-ukkng2EghRVwdDLKUNHw5uGVY-KVYVQTgxaChUuch5NMhAu5T6NzWmnwPC2EmMKP-LvXXOgFZgQV4PBToVWVqvHScef8/s400/PAllen_Ath_PICS3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPN9J6Xy4X6-ylnbvsXfSlOisa3l1SJ2JUfF7DVAkWfaqu2b1CkgtgF6zlUl2XfuDj1PdTKFPBAb7xzgJg3stwMIXc0EiTzMqpVKzoqk8JCxMiXAawHgcOEE48P0rCcIH3rg3ww0kqxI/s1600/PAllen_Ath_PICS4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPN9J6Xy4X6-ylnbvsXfSlOisa3l1SJ2JUfF7DVAkWfaqu2b1CkgtgF6zlUl2XfuDj1PdTKFPBAb7xzgJg3stwMIXc0EiTzMqpVKzoqk8JCxMiXAawHgcOEE48P0rCcIH3rg3ww0kqxI/s400/PAllen_Ath_PICS4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKueX8sKtQIrLmUKZ8asSt2SrNWLJXUDgKbzZpftnEHJu6oQvd3DulUJ1Eq8G_Fq3iK6i2fZhIAPc3fCsV5zoBBnnHtuYFY3V-zmheeE9Qfv0IdtjwXEVU4CwkeuEnWvYFNA7ci6ZZVI/s1600/PAllen_Ath_PICS5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKueX8sKtQIrLmUKZ8asSt2SrNWLJXUDgKbzZpftnEHJu6oQvd3DulUJ1Eq8G_Fq3iK6i2fZhIAPc3fCsV5zoBBnnHtuYFY3V-zmheeE9Qfv0IdtjwXEVU4CwkeuEnWvYFNA7ci6ZZVI/s400/PAllen_Ath_PICS5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>BUYER: Paul Allen<br />LOCATION: Atherton, CA<br />PRICE: $27,000,000<br />SIZE: 22,005 square feet, 6 bedrooms, 6 full and 4 half bathrooms<br /><br />YOUR MAMAS NOTES: Your Mama already knows we're a little late to this particular high-profile property purchase party but we can't resist us a little ditty about a multi-billionaire philanthropist and hardcore real estate baller like Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen who—<a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2013/11/19/microsoft-co-founder-paul-allen-buys.html" target="_blank">so the scuttlebutt goes</a>—just added a newly constructed, $27 million mansion in the über-affluent Silicon Valley community of Atherton (CA)* to his already substantial residential property portfolio. Or did he?<br /><br />None of the three property records data bases Your Mama consulted reflect a recent transfer of ownership from <a href="http://www.pacificpeninsula.com/" target="_blank">Pacific Peninsula Group</a> (P.P.G.)—the upscale architecture and property development concern that purchased the property in question in the last days of 2010 for $5.9 million—but, sho enuf, butter beans, the San Mateo County Assessor's online portal shows the high-priced property recently traded from P.P.G. to a private family trust named after and controlled by Jo Lynn Allen. Jo Lynn Allen, a woman more publicly known as Jody, is Paul Allen's sister. This would suggest to Your Mama—but certainly not prove—that the Atherton spread was acquired not by Mister Allen but rather by his sister and right hand woman.<br /><br />Miz Allen, along with her brother, co-founded and is the president and CEO of Vulcan Inc., the entity that manages the vast and varied business investments for the Allen family. She also serves as the co-founder and president of the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation that oversees much if not all of the philanthropic endeavors of the Allen family and she serves as the president of Vulcan Productions, a documentary and independent feature film production operation with credits that include <i>Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues, Far from Heaven</i> and <i>Hard Candy</i>.<br /><br />Your Mama's research on the interweb indicates Miz Allen's primary residence, like her brother's, is on Mercer Island, a prestigious residential island at the south end of Lake Washington, five or seven miles from downtown Seattle. However, six or so months ago <a href="http://www.pehub.com/2013/04/microsoft-cofounder-paul-allen-opening-investment-office-silicon-valley/" target="_blank">the Allens announced</a> their investment arm, Vulcan Capital, planned to open a tech/internet investment office in Palo Alto, CA, the spiritual if not geographic heart of the Silicon Valley. Given that development it's really not so odd or surprising to Your Mama or any other property gossip that either or both of the Allens might opt to buy a considerable and considerably plush home base in the Bay Area. This one, the one bought with a trust in Miz Allen's name, is conveniently just three or four miles from Vulcan Capital's downtown Palo Alto offices. Listen, chickens, what do we really know? For all we know Mister and Miz Allen will share the super-size house in Atherton as a very part-time pied-a-terre. Stranger things have happened. Anyhoodles, poodles...<br /><br />Tucked privately down a discreet, private driveway on a 1.97 acre flag lot, the decidedly contemporary and approximately 22,000 square foot main house, as per listing details Your Mama dug up on the internets, contains six bedrooms, six full and four half bathrooms, and seven fireplaces. In case any of y'all might be wondering, 22,000 square feet is <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2013/06/04/real_estate/home-size/" target="_blank">nearly ten times</a> the size of the average American home. A self-contained, kitchen-equipped guest house next to the backyard swimming pool has two more bedrooms and bathrooms while, attached to the five-car garage, there is what listing details describe as a "House Manager Suite."<br /><br />This huge and arguably self-indulgent abode may not fit your assiduous personal preferences of architectural purity and perfection but, as far as this property gossip is concerned, it can and should be appreciated—and/or criticized—as a painstakingly concocted, exquisitely crafted, and exceptionally spacious residential monument to extreme wealth and minimalist-minded haute luxury.<br /><br />The austere yet sumptuously sybaritic, light-filled, and imposingly stately residence does quite happily without florid or frivolous architectural details, i.e. the house lacks any ceiling moldings and makes use of only the simplest of baseboards. Instead, the mansion cleaves to an organic but elegantly astringent and exquisitely discriminating materials palette that includes: wood floors that Your Mama would be surprised to learn are not French oak or some other insanely pricey imported wood; windows and doorways framed in wide but simple strips of teak or some other exotic and rare wood; meticulous mill work that includes a repetitive gridded paneling that pops up throughout the house; and a variety of custom cabinetry styles smartly unified with extra thick slabs of marble or some other wickedly costly stone.<br /><br />A double-height foyer anchored by a muscular glass and metal stair case leads directly into a voluminous double-height formal living room with a raised hearth fireplace, clerestory windows, and a towering trio of transom-topped windows with a long view framed and funneled by a treed allée of undetermined species. In the formal dining room the (could be off-center) fireplace was elevated to table height and three transom-topped glass doors provide easy access to the extensive entertainment and recreation terrace(s) that runs along the back of the house. Listing photographs also show three more more transom-topped windows in the otherwise fully-paneled library/office that open to the rear terrace.<br /><br />A long butler's pantry links the formal dining room to the less formal family quarters that—as best as we can tell—includes a snazzy, crisp, and clean-lined kitchen with two central work islands as well as a double-height family room and an adjoining breakfast room with (at least) two walls of rectangular-paned glass.<br /><br />A fully fitted and finished lower level appears to contain several casual living areas and lounges, at least on of which has an entire wall of frameless glass that opens out to a small terrace and long staircase that ascends grandly to the stone terrace that surrounds the dark bottom swimming pool and inset spa. (The LED lighting installed along the steps the lead up from the pool deck to the lawn lend an interesting graphic touch to the night lighting but, call Your Mama old fashioned—and we've been called so much worse than old fashioned, children, it comes off as a little too Las Vegas for to our personal and possibly persnickety outdoor lighting scheme likes and dislikes.<br /><br />Whichever Allen—Paul and/or Jody—makes use of the Atherton residence in question will have some very powerful tech industry titans for neighbors: one time Republican gubernatorial candidate and current Hewlitt Packard president and CEO Meg Whitman, veteran Yahoo! executive turned angel investor Farzad Nazem, multi-billionaire financier Charles Schwab, Intuit co-founder Tom Proulx, and Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt who—Your Mama heard through the Platinum Triangle gossip grapevine—has been peeping high-priced properties in Los Angeles and even made a (rejected) low-ball offer on a quirky but dignified (and <a href="http://mattedge.com/blog/max-mutchnick-for-dot429-magazine-beverly-hills-ca/" target="_blank">published</a>) Tudor-style pile in Beverly Hills owned by Emmy-winning Tinseltown writer/producer Max Mutchnick (<i>Will & Grace</i>) and his unfortunately-named husband, Erik Hyman, a partner at a high-powered L.A. law firm.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">::::::::</div><br />Back in the fall of 2010 Your Mama made an extensive (but not necessarily complete) catalog Mi ofster Allen's rather monumental private residential property portfolio so if any of y'all would like more lengthy discussions of the properties we suggest you go <a href="http://realestalker.blogspot.com/2010/09/lets-talk-about-paul-allen-shall-we.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://realestalker.blogspot.com/2010/09/update-lets-talk-about-paul-allen-shall.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and/or <a href="http://realestalker.blogspot.com/2010/09/lets-talk-about-paul-allenagain-shall.html" target="_blank">here</a> but allow us here to be somewhat more brief.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcGrCaRad9oyZHYiMlCslCo0o7M1ywRDjhQxgSCI2dnqYKrd0XGrheXBMcP4s1If-iedIq4RfDsJVgT4jrMMzDGW1a1qQCS5wB95FdCmrwwFV0THpNIVH2nNcHGKQ-MckzlXL4YtRrzU/s1600/PAllen_MI_Aer_Bing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcGrCaRad9oyZHYiMlCslCo0o7M1ywRDjhQxgSCI2dnqYKrd0XGrheXBMcP4s1If-iedIq4RfDsJVgT4jrMMzDGW1a1qQCS5wB95FdCmrwwFV0THpNIVH2nNcHGKQ-MckzlXL4YtRrzU/s400/PAllen_MI_Aer_Bing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Mister Allen, who owns both the Seattle Seahawks and Portland Trailblazer sports teams, has long maintained a massive, waterfront compound on Mercer Island, WA, that comprises at no fewer than nine large residences with at least three that claim direct frontage on Lake Washington. Also up in the Pacific Northwest, Mister Allan owns not just one but two private islands in the San Juan Islands chain.** He built an extensive family camp on one of them and had other, the less developed 292-acre <i>Allan Island</i>, up for sale for the last few years. It's <a href="http://www.privateislandsonline.com/islands/allan-island" target="_blank">currently listed</a> at $13.5 million.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4yWAzUOVIjsosFsVoDKJSgo-ITeUFWgX-yfd9Tv6raVqvsm6d9Af2xrBd7o06CAloFJD1gsq_3PfQtj9fwUxfkEB2sSwJxJ4LuYopWQsNZeX9akO8aFtsncDrImD9Kohwfuc1XCkGDY/s1600/PAllen_BH_Aer_Bing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4yWAzUOVIjsosFsVoDKJSgo-ITeUFWgX-yfd9Tv6raVqvsm6d9Af2xrBd7o06CAloFJD1gsq_3PfQtj9fwUxfkEB2sSwJxJ4LuYopWQsNZeX9akO8aFtsncDrImD9Kohwfuc1XCkGDY/s400/PAllen_BH_Aer_Bing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>In Los Angeles, Mister Allen owns an impressive, gated estate in Beverly Hills—it has a funicular-accessed tennis court—as well as <i><a href="http://paradiseleased.wordpress.com/2011/09/05/lost-hollywood-the-enchanted-hill-of-fred-thomson-and-frances-marion/" target="_blank">The Enchanted Hill</a></i>, a fabled and much fretted over 24-acre tract of land in the mountains above Beverly Hills where, at one time, he toyed around with building a spectacularly large house. In 2010, like all good real estate ballers with southern California real estate interests, he <a href="http://realestalker.blogspot.com/2010/09/lets-talk-about-paul-allen-shall-we.html" target="_blank">dropped $25 million</a> for a glassy contemporary on Malibu's swank Carbon Beach***<br /><br />Since 1993 Mister Allen has owned the 4,000+acre <i>Teton Ridge Ranch</i> outside of Tetonia, ID, and—we're not quite sure when—he paid somewhere about $7.5 million for the historic, water front <i>Thurston Estate</i> in Kailua-Kona, HI, and in New York City, Mister Allen maintains a mansion-sized duplex penthouse atop one of the most expensive and exclusive buildings on Fifth Avenue. He <a href="http://observer.com/2011/10/paul-allen-gets-25-m-windows-on-the-ues/" target="_blank">reportedly picked up</a> an 18-room, full-floor spread in 1996 for about $14 million and, in the fall of 2011, quietly forked over $25,000,000 in an off-market deal for a 7-ish room penthouse with extensive terracing that practically hover over Central Park.**** Mister Allen's international holdings are oft reported to include a sizable townhouse in the hoity-toity Holland Park area of London***** as well as a villa in fancy-pants Cap Ferrat in the south of France but we don't much about that.<br /><br />Feeling over loaded and/or overwhelmed yet?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UDGYBsciNajZOA1e2tD0gubHStf9Sa0dgqLUn9LTxshu7-UKHb2nkXK65hTvgHrb21NYS5W99d_38P9d2sltYraMLcTphHkR6NCKv7IIX60u-k7b41zeMXdwIfBUMl9xFpITbH1je8s/s1600/PAllen_Tatoosh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UDGYBsciNajZOA1e2tD0gubHStf9Sa0dgqLUn9LTxshu7-UKHb2nkXK65hTvgHrb21NYS5W99d_38P9d2sltYraMLcTphHkR6NCKv7IIX60u-k7b41zeMXdwIfBUMl9xFpITbH1je8s/s400/PAllen_Tatoosh.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>In addition to his land-based holdings, Mister Allen maintains <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2013/06/04/inside-microsoft-mogul-paul-allens-multi-million-dollar-wwii-airplane-collection/" target="_blank">a world-class collection of WWII aircraft</a>, a fleet of private jets that include a Gulfstream or two and at least one custom-fitted Boeing 757—he recently sold one of 757s to brash, publicity-seeking billionaire <a href="http://www.king5.com/news/cities/everett/141969443.html" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a>, and two ship-sized yachts. His 303-foot long <i>Tatoosh</i> (above) has five decks, accommodates 24 pampered guest in 10-12 staterooms, and requires a crew of around 35. The mega-mansion sized boat is fitted with a French limestone fireplace in the main salon, a swimming pool with adjustable floor depth, a movie theater and two helipads. Although it no longer appears to on the market, the steel-hulled <i>Tatoosh</i> was put up for sale in 2010 with a $125,000,000 price tag.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLrH0YcDRm1UYOUuuZofY0bPfprA4ctk_OJQCPeFEAC4ZiKd-OOX5NpybNvhZwIyfTuvglmQtz8k3v5ch_e_EthuqnOFb_6Ei8_gGdCQPvT-HmvAGZIQPiGAZ96dnIm-mmPJzJOXORQA/s1600/PAllen_Octopus_WikiCom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLrH0YcDRm1UYOUuuZofY0bPfprA4ctk_OJQCPeFEAC4ZiKd-OOX5NpybNvhZwIyfTuvglmQtz8k3v5ch_e_EthuqnOFb_6Ei8_gGdCQPvT-HmvAGZIQPiGAZ96dnIm-mmPJzJOXORQA/s400/PAllen_Octopus_WikiCom.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Gargantuan and elaborately appointed as <i>Tatoosh </i>is, it's kind of yachtsman child's play compared to <i><a href="http://www.superyachts.com/motor-yacht-3412/octopus-photos.htm" target="_blank">Octopus</a></i>, Mister Allen's other and much bigger, 414-foot long superyacht. <i>Octopus</i>, said to cost close to $400,000 a week to operate and features two helicopter landing pads, seven tenders, a few jet skis, and two submarines. Yep, submarines, and one of them can be operated by remote control. There's also a swimming pool, a basketball court, and—for his rock star friends—a state-of-the-art recording studio. The <a href="http://www.superyachts.com/motor-yacht-3412/octopus.htm" target="_blank"><i>Superyachts</i> website</a> shows<i> Octopus</i> can host 26 guests, carries a crew of 57, loads more than 40,000 gallons of fresh water, and requires about 225,000 gallons of fuel to fill up its greedy gas tanks.******<br /><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*Atherton was <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/morganbrennan/2013/10/16/the-complete-list-americas-most-expensive-zip-codes-in-2013/" target="_blank">recently pegged by the folk at <i>Forbes</i></a> as the most expensive zip code in all of the United States with a stratospheric median home price of $6,665,231.</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">**Some of the children may recall that <i>Speiden Island</i>, a 516-acre island in the San Juans, is currently owned by another multi-billionaire real estate baller, <a href="http://www.forbes.com/profile/james-jannard/" target="_blank">James "Jim" Jannard</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">***Other billionaires and near billionaires who own homes along Carbon Beach include Larry Ellison, David Geffen, Haim Saban, Eli Broad, and recent divorcee Jamie McCourt.</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">****Other residents of the chi-chi co-operative building include: hedge fund fat cat Daniel Nir and his wife, Jill Braufman, who shelled out $29 million for their mid-floor sprawler in 2007; hedge funder Charles Coleman III and his financial services heiress wife, Stephanie, who paid $36,000,000 in 2008 for a Renzo Mongiardino-designed spread previously owned by socialite Veronica Hearst; and pharmaceutical tycoon Howard Solomon who coughed up $25 million in 2004 for his seventh floor spread. We've been told by a socially connected acquaintance that Texas-based billionaires Sid and Mercedes Bass also maintain a residence in the building but we don't claim any other details about that. Anyhoo....</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*****Other Holland Park homeowners include Sir Richard Branson, Simon Cowell and Sir Paul McCartney </span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">******According to the Automobile Association's <a href="http://fuelgaugereport.aaa.com/?redirectto=http://fuelgaugereport.opisnet.com/index.asp" target="_blank">fuel gauge website</a>, the average price of premium gas in the U.S. yesterday was $3.57. That means if Mister Allen drove <i>Octopus</i> into his local gas station and paid the average price to fill up the 225,000 gallon tanks it would have cost him $803,250. By Your Mama's rudimentary and rounded off calculations, it would take a minimum wage worker in California, who earns <a href="http://www.dol.gov/whd/minwage/america.htm" target="_blank">$8.00 an hour</a>, more than 48 years of 40-hour work weeks with no time off for sickness or vacation to earn the equivalent to what it costs Mister Allen to fill up just one of his two mega-yachts with gas.</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">aerial photo (Mercer Island): <a href="http://www.bing.com/maps/" target="_blank">Bing</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">aerial photo (Beverly Hills): <a href="http://www.bing.com/maps/" target="_blank">Bing</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">exterior photo (Tatoosh): <a href="http://www.fraseryachts.com/Sale/sale_gallery.aspx?YachtID=Y5457_FL" target="_blank">Fraser Yachts</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">exterior photo (Octopus): Thorongil via <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Octopus_Yacht_Venice_2.jpg" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">listing photos (Atherton): <a href="http://www.pacificpeninsula.com/" target="_blank">Pacific Peninsula Group</a> (via <a href="http://www.movoto.com/" target="_blank">Movoto</a>)</span>devihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561285414254728623.post-47271372954926789472013-11-21T17:59:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:02:00.272-08:00Make Me Cry<blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii45dto0AX3fidg1hpV77URWSjIGUgwGMd8RGRdCTuFxq5SfhpztW22tRy8pRfnQztU-FQhTjzRF_ZLtxmaRkxL1TXIniwGVgPwWy8IEX8qwA9xwcwMDvFOyHsNdhviD1tQCEbO5X96J3l/s1600/item2.rendition.slideshowWideHorizontal.bruce-shostak-01-living-room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii45dto0AX3fidg1hpV77URWSjIGUgwGMd8RGRdCTuFxq5SfhpztW22tRy8pRfnQztU-FQhTjzRF_ZLtxmaRkxL1TXIniwGVgPwWy8IEX8qwA9xwcwMDvFOyHsNdhviD1tQCEbO5X96J3l/s1600/item2.rendition.slideshowWideHorizontal.bruce-shostak-01-living-room.jpg" /></i></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>WARNING: This blog story has NOTHING to do with interior design! So, please indulge me this one time!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>A friend sent me a Youtube video of a baby girl intently watching while her mother sings her Sara Evans’ hit song “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeLYwUIcoRE">My Heart Can’t Tell You No</a>.” This amazing and wonderful video has gone viral with millions of hits and last week even The Ellen Show joined in and had the baby and her parents on the program.</i></span></div></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>What made the video so special was that while her mother sang her the song, the 10 month old little girl began to cry – not because she was hungry or colicky - but because she was so moved by either the melody or her mother’s voice hitting the high notes.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSw1l2hM4V94v_aoAmSUhJ9x6d0y7txVWl5M3KFeXVvHM6jpia8VIvQVEMCaquOWHb3JypqO0O2vKtgEGZMrfcyhmQ5IeAcvSENlk-9_zhsnLHS5MqSN7FuE0C4MHTMeT1HBawha94LxBP/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+11212013+31653+PM.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSw1l2hM4V94v_aoAmSUhJ9x6d0y7txVWl5M3KFeXVvHM6jpia8VIvQVEMCaquOWHb3JypqO0O2vKtgEGZMrfcyhmQ5IeAcvSENlk-9_zhsnLHS5MqSN7FuE0C4MHTMeT1HBawha94LxBP/s320/Fullscreen+capture+11212013+31653+PM.bmp.jpg" width="320" /></i></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Sweet emotional baby</i></span></div></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Everyone knows that certain music can elicit tears – but from a little baby? </i></span></div></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i> </i><i>That video reminded me that a few years ago I had written a blog story about music and why it makes us cry – but I never published it since it had nothing to do with interior design. But now this video has inspired me to pull it out and freshen it up a bit.</i></span></div></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Why DOES music make us cry? Is it the melodies or the words or both? Classical music with no lyrics can bring on the floodgates, and listening to music in a foreign language can also make you weep. Is it the high notes that bring on emotion?</i></span></div></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Twenty years ago, the British psychologist John Sloboda conducted an experiment on why we are moved by music. He asked people to write down the passages of songs that made them either cry or have a physcial reaction, such as goosebumps. There were 20 passages that induced tears and Dr. Slobada analyzed them - noting this trend: 18 of the passages contained an "appoggiatura" - a note that clashes with the melody to create a dissonant sound. This sound creates tension in the listener. When the notes return to the melody that is expected, the tension resolves, and it feels good. At that point, the listener may experience chills. If there are several appoggiaturas occuring next to each other in the melody - this will generate a cycle ot tension and release which provokes an even stronger reaction - and thus, tears.</i></span></div></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>I thought it would make an interesting discussion to have you see what songs make me cry and then you can leave a comment with your own choices – and we can all enjoy listening to some wonderful music.</i></span></div></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>In putting out my list - I realised how personal it really is. Some of the songs are from my childhold, some from when Ben and I first met, and others are those I have enjoyed during sad times. Another warning – I have a very eclectic taste in music!!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i></i></span></div></blockquote><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>So, get out your hankies – but try not to cry too much!</i></span></div></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/nIsCs9_-LP8/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/nIsCs9_-LP8&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/nIsCs9_-LP8&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">The emotional baby video. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z0b-2Jd7OVI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">I Don’t Want to Live Without You by Foreigner</span></i></div></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>This was a favorite of Ben’s and mine. We would watch the video and just weep at both the lyrics, the images and the music. Of course back then – we were in the throes of our great passion and this was “our song.”</i></span></div></blockquote><br /><br /><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/RMTKb-pgxGI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i></i></div></span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Keep me in Your Hearts For Awhile</i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Warren Zevon wrote this song when he was dying of cancer. It’s a love song to his family. Enough said.</i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/2u0nzKbUgw4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Probably my favorite score from a movie – just hearing the opening strains make me sob. To listen to Atticus Fitch famous closing arguments in Tom Robinson’s trial, go <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8TgqenWW0I">HERE</a>. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/GZjcfZ2pWtM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This song by Lily Allen, Chinese, is a love song written for her mother. The English Capital Childrens Choir singing this song makes it all the more sweet. </i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"></div></i></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/pG1zL8FoLQk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The Book of Love</i></div></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <i style="text-align: center;">It’s hard to pick ONE Peter Gabriel song that makes you cry – so many do because his voice is just so beautiful. This song, The Book of Love, is so emotional – I can listen to it over and over again for one hour straight. </i></span></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i></i></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i></i></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/hLQl3WQQoQ0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Adele</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i></i></div></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>OK I know this is a cliché. But is there a better break up song to cry to than this? No. I didn’t think so! This song inspired the Wall Street Journal to write an article of why songs make us cry!</i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></blockquote><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/GpFudDAYqxY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></i></div></span></blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>The River</i> </span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>My all time favorite Christmas song – by Joni Mitchell – the 60s singer songwriter who just celebrated her 70th birthday. A total tearjerker – caused by her lyrics and the notes. </i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i></i></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><i></i></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i></i></span></blockquote><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i></i></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i></i><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/khznWuH3VTs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i></i></div></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>I dare you not to cry at this one! Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli’s Time to Say Goodbye. I know it’s an easy choice, but it’s so incredible.</i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/B7IVI4AvGG0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Oh God, this song by Nanci Griffith is a killer about farmers - “you’ll be the mule, I’ll be the plow, we’ll work it out – there’s still a lot of love here in these troubled fields.” Not sure why a song about the dustbowl makes me cry, but it’s the combination of the lyrics and her vocals.</i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/eUJxrkPGQ5Q?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i></i></div></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>This song, by my all-time favorite band, The National, is heard at the end of the movie Warrior. I’m never sure if it’s the movie or the music that brings on the tears. If you aren’t familiar with The National which features the fabulous baritone of Matt Berninger, the dual guitars of the Dessner twins, and impeccable percussion by Bryan Devendorf, I can’t recommend them enough.</i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></blockquote><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zrg8okKQqUM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A college boyfriend introduced me to this album by Frank Sinatra "Old Blue Eyes is Back." So many great songs are on it – and his voice was so fabulous at this age. Of course, college love make you cry over songs like this – Dream Away – written by Paul Williams.</i></div></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/vr0XPJ4j_PE/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/vr0XPJ4j_PE&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/vr0XPJ4j_PE&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Oh such a sweet song about a dying man - with all his faults - and how wonderful he is despite it all. The King and I's Something Wonderful - sung by Carly Simon.</i></div></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/Z7-3_h0vxXA/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/Z7-3_h0vxXA&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/Z7-3_h0vxXA&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>OK, OK - Bella's Lullaby from Twilight! Of course! Carter Burwell wrote this underlying song for his wife when they broke up. When he was asked to write the soundtrack for the first Twilight movie, he asked his wife's permission to use their "love song" which she of course gave. He didn't write the score for the second or third movie in the series, but, he was brought back for the final 4th and 5th movies - where he wove this love song throughout the soundtracks. It's a beautiful melody.</i></div></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/f-x1FsvOAz4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This song sums up so much - growing up with the Beatles in the 60s, John Lennon’s untimely murder – and this pure long song to Yoko whom I think the entire world hated, blaming her for breaking up the Beatles. John didn't care – the bad press seemed to make him love her all that much more. This song came out after he had been shot by a deranged fan. John had such a beautiful voice. I know many people thought of the Beatles as John Lennon and Paul McCartney - cowriting all the songs, but when you really know their individual voices you can tell who wrote which song. John was the real talent there - in my opinion. His Dream is one of the prettiest songs ever written – especially with his falsetto soaring <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6DcfBGqlyI">HERE</a>. Imagine. Julia. Dear Prudence. Across the Universe. I’m Happy Just to Dance with You, I Should have Known Better, Nowhere Man, Please Please Me and so many others. </i></div></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/T2Ns6J1KWd8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i></i></div></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>There is something about the falsetto voice of the rarely heard Eagle Timothy B. Schmidt – who also wrote this song – that tears me up each time I hear it. It is one of the few songs that both Ben and I love.</i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/cDV9GrQ2rgk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>My favorite female singer songwriter, Ani di Franco. She’s an acquired taste, but this song – the lyrics and the melody – gets me every time. di Franco is an incredible woman in the music industry. She refused to sign with a record label and did it all on her own, creating her own label. In doing so, she lost out on a huge career, but she is a critic’s darling and has never once had to compromise her vision or art for the big bucks. Yeah, I am a huge fan. </i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"></div></i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/u7GxdxediD0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>So many great songs are from Funny Girl, which me and my family actually saw on Broadway back then! But, My Man, still gives me goosebumps and tears when Barbra sings goodbye to bad-boy Nicky Arnstein. Barbra is famous for tearjerkers, but this one is my personal favorite.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/JU2E1lX1geY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>There are so many great Dave Matthews Band love songs – Satellite, Crash, You & Me, Baby Blue, Grace is Gone, that bring on the tears. It was so hard to decide though between Crash or Lover Lay Down</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/_Ysz_DCpdyE/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/_Ysz_DCpdyE&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/_Ysz_DCpdyE&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Touch your lips just so I know</i></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>In your eyes, love, it glows so</i></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I'm bare boned and crazy for you</i></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>When you come crash</i></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Into me, baby</i></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And I come into you</i></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>In a boys dream</i></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>In a boys dream</i></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>If I've gone overboard</i></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Then I'm begging you</i></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>To forgive me</i></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>In my haste</i></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>When I'm holding you so girl</i></div></i><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Close to me</i></div></i></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>or when Dave starts telling her to hike up her skirt, a little more -</i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>well.. DAVE! He is the epitome of the sexy rock god. </i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i></i></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><i>So although my first choice was Lover Lay Down, I had to go with Crash Into Me. But I put them both on here anyway. Who can choose???? </i></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i></i></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/VsNbhwSXDB8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This one is so personal. Elisabeth, my daughter, was a huge Spice Girls fan. We took a limo to see them in concert and she even had a Spice Girls birthday party with a fake Spice Girl that totally fooled her. This song that the girls sing to their mothers in the audience against the backdrop of their private home movies was a killer for me. I never make it through without crying – even ten years later. Even writing this.</i></div></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>So this is a small compilation of music that has effected me emotionally through the years. I tried to edit the list to keep it manageable and I know there are much better choices that I have forgotten about or just didn't think of.</i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>I would love to hear your favorite songs that bring on the tears or the goosebumps or just good memories. If you have a link on youtube to the song - include it in the comment. If not - don't worry - we'll find it ourselves.</i></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></blockquote><br />devihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561285414254728623.post-70070286131931716942013-11-21T14:42:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:22:05.699-08:00Celebrity Rental: James PerseIn support of and in property gossip solidarity with the hardworking kids at <i><a href="http://curbed.com/" target="_blank">Curbed</a></i> and their annual "Renter's Week," Your Mama thought we'd have a brief look-see at a handful of homes in the sensationally scenic, punishingly pricey, and celeb-saturated seaside community of Malibu, CA, that are currently available for rent and owned by a high profile Tinseltowner...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUAvTDHm0qnY9_26upO_177qUUf3AbV8BQOGb45Fi008PNqJytaY_KIZYpQtTd6nWuIcNKedAPrQ-fjObA_kZFldNF1miEGvY3j8jTnALNeZ__Vr4tJ60eGRPxkQdJaJZb2691SKWVc4/s1600/JPerse_Mal_LSE_PICS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUAvTDHm0qnY9_26upO_177qUUf3AbV8BQOGb45Fi008PNqJytaY_KIZYpQtTd6nWuIcNKedAPrQ-fjObA_kZFldNF1miEGvY3j8jTnALNeZ__Vr4tJ60eGRPxkQdJaJZb2691SKWVc4/s400/JPerse_Mal_LSE_PICS1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVAkFEU06l2IK9sR5mcA6aDDw6c3aTHEpN_KrR1atJgD7_WTiMLomeDZ9TquKS9UJOtwWyusp6AbB_dOWyW7eptoP1uh-rWGGDt0RW3ChSJwLHc2WltJMEf3bmTpBsJyoGLFCqhfXZ_U/s1600/JPerse_Mal_LSE_PICS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVAkFEU06l2IK9sR5mcA6aDDw6c3aTHEpN_KrR1atJgD7_WTiMLomeDZ9TquKS9UJOtwWyusp6AbB_dOWyW7eptoP1uh-rWGGDt0RW3ChSJwLHc2WltJMEf3bmTpBsJyoGLFCqhfXZ_U/s400/JPerse_Mal_LSE_PICS2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnVVQ4PmtUfb-tNTEk6SbMeE_HEoSz2HVVuRE5y1Ow3-fmzjRhOPGAhzP4GNUBIy9-p8kaYZ03dgyR48lzxRuR1f0gC9c5dp-q-1B2zR6epU_YnXR0eMTQORRfdi9KhUSP7jPlVgyUzdU/s1600/JPerse_Mal_LSE_PICS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnVVQ4PmtUfb-tNTEk6SbMeE_HEoSz2HVVuRE5y1Ow3-fmzjRhOPGAhzP4GNUBIy9-p8kaYZ03dgyR48lzxRuR1f0gC9c5dp-q-1B2zR6epU_YnXR0eMTQORRfdi9KhUSP7jPlVgyUzdU/s400/JPerse_Mal_LSE_PICS3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Los Angeles fashion scion, fancy t-shirt guru, and lifestyle designer James Perse—he of the artisinally super-luxe, single origin cotton lounge wear whose father, Tommy Perse, owns the perennially haute and brutally expensive shopping emporium <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Maxfield.LA" target="_blank">Maxfield</a> in West Hollywood—has been much in the property gossip columns the last few months.<br /><br />In September came word came down the real estate gossip grapevine that he and his Bev Hills-bred wife Brandi Briskman—that's Brandi with an i, thank you very much—paid $6.69 million to acquire a recently redid Euro-country style estate in the Point Dume area of Malibu.* The next month, October, came the dish about how the photogenically laid back couple shelled out another $10.85 million for a 26-acre horse ranch in the Hidden Valley area near Thousand Oaks they bought from veteran house hoppers Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi DeGeneres.<br /><br />Now, here we are in November, hurtling towards the winter holidays with alarming speed, and Your Mama digs up digital evidence that Mister Perse and Miz Briskman bathed their recently acquire Point Dume property in Mister Perse's beachy but chic and expensively minimalist signature style and hoisted it back on the market as a partially furnished rental at a rate of $25,000 per month.<br /><br />Listing details show the gated estate includes an approximately 7,000 square foot residence with six bedrooms, six bathrooms, at least three fireplaces, and a series of interconnected living spaces with wood floors and metal-framed French doors that link to the outdoor living areas. We spied in listing photos a party-sized formal living room, a simple but generous dining room, a roomy game room (with an Old-School ping pong table), and a country-style center island eat-in kitchen with butler's pantry and adjoining den. Somewhere, as per marketing materials, there's a library/study and an art studio, and separate guest/staff quarters.<br /><br />The back of the house spills out to a trellis-shaded terrace that gives way to a liberally watered, essentially flat, tree-ringed, and soccer pitch-sized lawn. A simple, rectangular swimming pool, spa and sunbathing terrace sits far enough from the house that the lazy will more likely tuck around a nearby tree to relinquish their liquids rather than hump across the vast lawn to make use of the facilities back to the house. Listing details suggest the lucky, deep-pocketed renters will be able to make use of the property's deeded beach rights and keys to the gorgeous and private Little Dume Beach.<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*The seller of the Point Dume spread was Dave Matthews Band bass player Stefan Lessard and the obviously very rich Mister Perse and his wife already own a glassy contemporary a couple thousand feet away as the crow flies that they surreptitiously purchased in late 2010 for $16 million and is all but next door to Barbra Streisand's cliff-top compound.</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">listing photos: <a href="http://www.lilyharfouche.com/" target="_blank">Coldwell Banker</a></span>devihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561285414254728623.post-9466603080829555062013-11-21T13:48:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:22:05.757-08:00Celebrity Rental: Eric Gold and Marcy KaplanIn support of and in property gossip solidarity with the hardworking kids at <i><a href="http://curbed.com/" target="_blank">Curbed</a></i> and their annual "Renter's Week," Your Mama thought we'd have a brief look-see at a handful of homes in the sensationally scenic, punishingly pricey, and celeb-saturated seaside community of Malibu, CA, that are currently available for rent and owned by a high profile Tinseltowner...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYngjS7f02aMeVFXskuqLnc_obWdeIVTn_H_KMfShHqulP1osleJS4gIjdx-acqStRVbC6pTlU3q76pb7RRi-k193FsWtNiAcaV1LJvG9mHnNFmYIT1Cysxd9kQEQ-Lfot0XzINbg6AU/s1600/EGold_Mal_LSE_PICS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYngjS7f02aMeVFXskuqLnc_obWdeIVTn_H_KMfShHqulP1osleJS4gIjdx-acqStRVbC6pTlU3q76pb7RRi-k193FsWtNiAcaV1LJvG9mHnNFmYIT1Cysxd9kQEQ-Lfot0XzINbg6AU/s400/EGold_Mal_LSE_PICS1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BzE91OfEHN4xR9lpg1brMkJC-GzdlBSRAEj9f1YZiF8AqZpK47-PqvgkNRt9fvF3O3WzSAaqqrdSGpE8wBGM2gh3Cz27rH6RB9eKfgIxbX6kJ2k1ZpddlEgmvGqVUIixbIZZ2iufWLI/s1600/EGold_Mal_LSE_PICS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_BzE91OfEHN4xR9lpg1brMkJC-GzdlBSRAEj9f1YZiF8AqZpK47-PqvgkNRt9fvF3O3WzSAaqqrdSGpE8wBGM2gh3Cz27rH6RB9eKfgIxbX6kJ2k1ZpddlEgmvGqVUIixbIZZ2iufWLI/s400/EGold_Mal_LSE_PICS2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJU_QuWAeKo1arLMVzaoQq8foZwifpwxUT1M-fgHO1SqtP0kvfaCgwanHbZajVSr4-wqr_ChriVgD7BNV5LQU3vqUCbPSGFlC0BG3Ys6wisxVMKja5QixB0JMKBDSr8214BW2Kj6Iu3U/s1600/EGold_Mal_LSE_PICS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJU_QuWAeKo1arLMVzaoQq8foZwifpwxUT1M-fgHO1SqtP0kvfaCgwanHbZajVSr4-wqr_ChriVgD7BNV5LQU3vqUCbPSGFlC0BG3Ys6wisxVMKja5QixB0JMKBDSr8214BW2Kj6Iu3U/s400/EGold_Mal_LSE_PICS3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Television, movie, and musical producer—and talent manager, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0324970/" target="_blank">Eric Gold</a> (<i>Scary Movie, The Wayans Brothers</i>) and actress/writer/producer <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0438310/" target="_blank">Marcy Kaplan</a> (<i>The Pre Nup</i>) have their late 1960's <a href="http://www.buffsmithandhensman.com/" target="_blank">Buff & Hensman</a>-designed ocean front spread on sandy La Costa beach up for rent at $75,000 per month.*<br /><br />Current listing information and <a href="http://www.modernluxury.com/interiors-california/story/making-waves" target="_blank">other online resources</a> show the 4,300 square foot house was once owned by music legend Berry Gordy and now has casual yet ever-so-costly and smoothly sophisticated interior day-core by L.A.-based lady decorators <a href="http://www.barondesmorrisdesign.com/" target="_blank">Elizabeth Barondes and Kelly Morris</a>.<br /><br />A spacious, open-plan living area has extra-wide plank pale yellow-blond wood floors, a fireplace, a library nook (with backgammon table), and, tucked up behind the dining area, a marble-countered galley kitchen. Glass panels slip into the walls to merge the indoor living area with a glass-railed sea- and beach-view deck for sunbathers, ciggy and doobie smokers, gin and tonic enjoyer, sunset watcher, and star-gazers.<br /><br />The house claims 60 feet of prime beach frontage and there are three bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms in the main house, one the well-appointed master, another a children's room with trundle-equipped bunk beds that sleep six. A detached casita that opens off the front courtyard between the house and garage offers another bedroom and bathroom perfectly suite to fornicating and/or flatulent house guests.<br /><br />Property records indicate Miz Kaplan and Mister Gold purchased their Malibu getaway for exactly $9,000,000 in November of 2009 and their in-town residence, a 9,200+ square foot Gothic Tudor-style mansion behind security gates and privacy hedges in the flats of Beverly Hills, in May 2006 for $8.8 million.<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*Listing details ask for interested parties to ring the real estate agent for winter pricing, which Your Mama imagines could be somewhat less than $75,000 per month but what do we really know, right?</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">listing photos: <a href="http://www.susanmonus.com/" target="_blank">Coldwell Banker Previews</a></span>devihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561285414254728623.post-6098941425672710132013-11-21T12:22:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:22:05.814-08:00Celebrity Rental: Cindy Crawford and Rande GerberIn support of and in property gossip solidarity with the hardworking kids at <i><a href="http://curbed.com/" target="_blank">Curbed</a></i> and their annual "Renter's Week," Your Mama thought we'd have a brief look-see at a handful of homes in the sensationally scenic, punishingly pricey, and celeb-saturated seaside community of Malibu, CA, that are currently available for rent and owned by a high profile Tinseltowner...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTAIoSkyFq5UcpDh9I28CHuOghxlAwT7a1k9dAJqhl3_1Gx2AIUzN5WHbjTGw6j77a0ObvkUOHhMJeTIHQeYEJFYEr6R6Y0rgEOVqlt4cjBe_SbdSE7U1lc3n5pqvheKmVX6cRx8s_XY/s1600/CCrawford_Mal_LSE_PICS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTAIoSkyFq5UcpDh9I28CHuOghxlAwT7a1k9dAJqhl3_1Gx2AIUzN5WHbjTGw6j77a0ObvkUOHhMJeTIHQeYEJFYEr6R6Y0rgEOVqlt4cjBe_SbdSE7U1lc3n5pqvheKmVX6cRx8s_XY/s400/CCrawford_Mal_LSE_PICS.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>Cindy Crawford—a 47-yeard supermodel glamazon who looks downright sickening in a recent <a href="http://www.vmagazine.com/site/content/1859/cindy-in-menswear" target="_blank">photo shoot for <i>V Magazine</i></a>—and her beau-hunky former model turned restaurateur husband <a href="http://gerberbars.com/" target="_blank">Rande Gerber</a> have had a real estate foot hold in Malibu. Their main Malibu residence is an ocean front compound that clings to a steep hillside but, since 1998, they've also owned another, much more modest ocean front residence on a sandy stretch of sand between El Matador State Beach and the quickly disappearing Broad Beach. They paid, as per property records, $1.85 million for the upgraded and well-maintained semi-Spanish-style beach house and currently have it up for lease as a long-term furnished rental at $19,500 per month.<br /><br />Current digital marketing materials reveal the beach-front house sits down a shared but private and gated street and has 3-4 bedrooms and three bathrooms in 2,413 square feet that also includes an main living area that opens through numerous wood-framed sliding glass doors to a glass-railed deck with direct beach access and contemplative views up and down the sand and surf.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">listing photos: <a href="http://www.chriscortazzo.com/%E2%80%8E" target="_blank">Coldwell Banker</a></span>devihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561285414254728623.post-2284591470047991462013-11-21T11:40:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:22:05.870-08:00Celebrity Rental: David Charvet and Brooke Burke-CharvetIn support of and in property gossip solidarity with the hardworking kids at <i><a href="http://curbed.com/" target="_blank">Curbed</a></i> and their annual "Renter's Week," Your Mama thought we'd have a brief look-see at a handful of homes in the sensationally scenic, punishingly pricey, and celeb-saturated seaside community of Malibu, CA, that are currently available for rent and owned by a high profile Tinseltowner...<br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PAWsTqL3R02UJO-BKkhO2537QRSlcHrWeLjK-ia8_E-HywsJojAFqEtDzOFkqYsDxvowL9pvJ41VM4Q1qjnHgKT7MFkFiTi0QOROAJabpipRNlN-sJJN9fC9rOwq62PpDCXvsi0vcOQ/s1600/DCharvet_Mal_LSE_PICS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PAWsTqL3R02UJO-BKkhO2537QRSlcHrWeLjK-ia8_E-HywsJojAFqEtDzOFkqYsDxvowL9pvJ41VM4Q1qjnHgKT7MFkFiTi0QOROAJabpipRNlN-sJJN9fC9rOwq62PpDCXvsi0vcOQ/s400/DCharvet_Mal_LSE_PICS1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQscUp9n_xpbq12iEjXcKCANeSYOF5UmTV-jmx2xQL4j_JAmKKp_NgbjjB07hftG-nMIyYtn-U4iRmhaiZ6qgxmwXLpoAkx8eVqUyfFHKphVvQavqOw89_I-tRF0BGqUjgjj7nRb6BS8/s1600/DCharvet_Mal_LSE_PICS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQscUp9n_xpbq12iEjXcKCANeSYOF5UmTV-jmx2xQL4j_JAmKKp_NgbjjB07hftG-nMIyYtn-U4iRmhaiZ6qgxmwXLpoAkx8eVqUyfFHKphVvQavqOw89_I-tRF0BGqUjgjj7nRb6BS8/s400/DCharvet_Mal_LSE_PICS2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>So goes the proverb, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again," and that's exactly what handsome and semi-retired French actor and singer <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001039/" target="_blank">David Charvet</a> (<i>Baywatch, Melrose Place</i>) and his former <i>Baywatch</i> babe turned<i> Dancing With the Stars</i> hostess wife <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1036361/" target="_blank">Brooke Burke-Charvet</a> have done with <i>Chateau Charvet</i>, their gated, 3.5 acre estate in the guard-gated and celebrity-friendly <i>Serra Retreat</i>.<br /><br />In 2011 they unsuccessfully attempted to sell the five-parcel estate with its custom-constructed six bedroom and four bathroom mini-mansion with <a href="http://realestalker.blogspot.com/2011/06/david-charvet-lists-chateau-charvet-in.html" target="_blank">an asking price of $12.5 million</a>. They then tried to lease the gated estate at a rate of $75,000 per month and now, according to digital marketing materials, they've drastically lowered their asking price to a still tumescent $50,000 per month.<br /><br />Some of the highlights of the 6,769 square foot house include a formal living and dining rooms, a wood-paneled study, a 4,000 bottle wine cellar, a "woman's off season closet," and a hidden screening room. The gated and mostly manicured grounds include a motor court and courtyard with an 18th century fountain and gas lamps, formal gardens, a 200-bush rose garden, a citrus orchard, a fresh water swimming pool and spa, and a stone-walled poolside cabana with outdoor fireplace.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">listing photos: <a href="http://www.robertradcliffe.com/" target="_blank">Sotheby's International Realty</a></span></div>devihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561285414254728623.post-18956732846218578402013-11-21T11:34:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:22:05.927-08:00Celebrity Rental: Matthew PerryIn support of and in property gossip solidarity with the hardworking kids at <i><a href="http://curbed.com/" target="_blank">Curbed</a></i> and their annual "Renter's Week," Your Mama thought we'd have a brief look-see at a handful of homes in the sensationally scenic, punishingly pricey, and celeb-saturated seaside community of Malibu, CA, that are currently available for rent and owned by a high profile Tinseltowner...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8OF29OnAunsT5bvtQTdZ9c7NekNXVS4ZMdlhvZMz1KTbCRAoWj0UBu-_DaGMUx8JLD-ppOKWp-D7VgvbNDLfyWMhtVEW5pjN5KJkzZXOpoAtwM3ZUpBD5EtyN7_LM7wSZwALtu0GCfg/s1600/MPerry_Mal_LSE_PICS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8OF29OnAunsT5bvtQTdZ9c7NekNXVS4ZMdlhvZMz1KTbCRAoWj0UBu-_DaGMUx8JLD-ppOKWp-D7VgvbNDLfyWMhtVEW5pjN5KJkzZXOpoAtwM3ZUpBD5EtyN7_LM7wSZwALtu0GCfg/s400/MPerry_Mal_LSE_PICS.jpg" width="355" /></a></div>In the fall of 2011, always working and residuals rich sitcom star <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001612/" target="_blank">Matthew Perry</a> quietly <a href="http://realestalker.blogspot.com/2013/09/matthew-perry-quietly-buys-beach-front.html" target="_blank">paid $12,000,000</a> for a newly re-habbed, <a href="http://www.scottgillen.com/" target="_blank">Scott Gillen</a>-designed house on a much-coveted stretch of sand that's currently available as a furnished rental at $40,000 per month.<br /><br />Listing details show the 5,500 square foot, two-story sand sitter has four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms including a ocean-view master suite that stretches the full-width of the house on the upper level. An expansive, loft-like open-concept main living area contains a wide plank wood floors, and exposed wood ceiling, a double-sided fireplace, a truckload of slip-covered furniture, and a modern-minded ping-pong table. a wide wall of glass panels disappear into the walls when pushed open and unite the interior spaces with a glass-railed deck that juts out over the sand and, during a really high tide, the surf. The expensively equipped and cook-friendly kitchen has a commercial-grade refrigerator/freezer that cost more than most people's cleaning lady's cars and—natch—there's a state-of-the-art screening room with tiered seating.<br /><br />Mister Perry, a fairly frequent buyer and seller of multi-million dollar homes, owns at least three other residential properties in Los Angeles: another house in Malibu—a very contemporary place currently used as a luxury sober living house; a sleek, city view residence above the Sunset Strip; and a fairly modest, 1,700 square foot residence in a solid if hardly fancy nabe just off Laurel Canyon Boulevard in Studio City.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">listing photos: <a href="http://www.thepartnerstrust.com/" target="_blank">The Partner's Trust</a></span>devihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561285414254728623.post-79941428001011023772013-11-20T15:44:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:22:05.985-08:00Rupert Murdoch Recap, Divorce StyleAfter fourteen years, globally engaged and legally embattled octogenarian billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch and his third wife, businesswoman Wendi Deng, have <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/rupert-murdoch-wendi-deng-reach-divorce-settlement-article-1.1523326" target="_blank">reportedly reached</a> an "amicable" divorce settlement agreement.<br /><br />Details are still slim but, so the stories go, in addition to whatever child and/or spousal support, cash and/or News Corp. stock she may or may be entitled to, China-born and -raised Miz Deng, who has two school-age children with Mister Murdoch, will retain ownership of the erstwhile couple's courtyard-style villa in Beijing as well as their Manhattan apartment, a 20-room triplex penthouse once owned by American royalty Laurence Rockefeller and grandly perched atop one of Fifth Avenue's finer, limestone-clad buildings (below).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4MlSw3rkPqYMr3LGSUcpIfaLdzh-v_WoCgtaMNOsJXYwNpt7C-AmuJPnTvwUEyRmyklC-nonU0blitAt7MrU_eZGwH2sBSpyqt4ct99luwRgSaFmVGxaGewvwBU2qDvLNLSQl3aJYGo/s1600/RM_834Fifth_Ext_PS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4MlSw3rkPqYMr3LGSUcpIfaLdzh-v_WoCgtaMNOsJXYwNpt7C-AmuJPnTvwUEyRmyklC-nonU0blitAt7MrU_eZGwH2sBSpyqt4ct99luwRgSaFmVGxaGewvwBU2qDvLNLSQl3aJYGo/s400/RM_834Fifth_Ext_PS.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>The couple shelled out what was then record-breaking $44 million for the 8,000-ish square foot penthouse in 2004. At the time of its purchase, the titanic urban aerie carried <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/30/realestate/30scap.html?_r=1&ref=realestate" target="_blank">massive monthly maintenance charges</a> of $21,469.07. A few quick clicks and clacks on Your Mama's bejeweled abacus shows that comes to a pearl-clutching $257,628.84 per year.<br /><br />A quarter million dollars in annual maintenance might seem like a pittance to someone like Mister Murdoch, who has an estimated net worth in excess of $12 billion, but it's an absolutely unimaginable sum for someone like, say a New York State minimum wage worker who earns $7.25 an hour.<br /><br />Just for shits and giggles, children, let's have a quick look at how long it would take New York State minimum wager worker to earn $257,628.84. A few more slippity slaps on our trusty abacus shows a minimum wage worker in New York State would have to to work 35,535 hours to earn enough money to pay the annual maintenance costs for the Murdoch family's penthouse. A few more bead shifts and we tabulate that 35,535 hours translates into 888.38 forty-hour work weeks. Looked at another way, in order to pay the maintenance on the Murdoch's penthouse for one year, a New York State minimum wage worker would need to work 17 years of forty hour work weeks without a single day of vacation or any time off for being infirm or otherwise indisposed. Seventeen years. Anyways, not that a minimum wager worker is in the market for a $50+ million penthouse...<br /><div><br /></div>No word has slipped down the divorce gossip grapevine—at least as far as <i>we</i> know—about which of the Murdochs will hang on to the (former) couple's west coast abode, a privately sited, multi-acre estate on a high promontory above Beverly Hills. Iffin we had to guess, we'd guess it'll be Mister Murdoch who keeps it since he bought it long before he got with Miz Deng in the late 1990s.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WRPlOuVFiileVc3mJ9NWDLzppyLBBQ5fAEx2ssh5NVU9KVn8_iiautZvZ5nXGRldIeg3SKSYtMmd5pbNAP5a0Uf9a8GTsXJqWt2w0dtuYDiVqwVE5EPPf8YF5dmI5P-8yntLI7DO6_o/s1600/RM_BevHills_AerAndFP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WRPlOuVFiileVc3mJ9NWDLzppyLBBQ5fAEx2ssh5NVU9KVn8_iiautZvZ5nXGRldIeg3SKSYtMmd5pbNAP5a0Uf9a8GTsXJqWt2w0dtuYDiVqwVE5EPPf8YF5dmI5P-8yntLI7DO6_o/s400/RM_BevHills_AerAndFP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Although it's just rumor and gossip as far as we know, several Platinum Triangle real estate insiders have snitched to Your Mama that the Murdoch's Bev Hills estate (above), with its horseshoe-shaped hacienda that was originally designed in the 1920s by coveted architect Wallace Neff, can be toured by well-connected and qualified buyers who know who to call and can stomach and afford the (rumored) $35 million price tag. We were told by the always knowledgeable Peter Propertyseller that Leo DiCaprio made an offer in the $30 million range but the status of the (alleged) offer is unknown, at least to this property gossip.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnNbk4_EPYqcMVbAhpueqFNSpAP8hLF7pniPD2wVHc8_niJ2l_aOF_X1xsSr0uBP80-O1gQpMpgaFhimpPJDADh6etnNQY6Wu7uP7FmnuKg5pFkSSp-GQbhleCo1OvzLuyyaHtRPDIQg/s1600/RM_Moraga_PICS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnNbk4_EPYqcMVbAhpueqFNSpAP8hLF7pniPD2wVHc8_niJ2l_aOF_X1xsSr0uBP80-O1gQpMpgaFhimpPJDADh6etnNQY6Wu7uP7FmnuKg5pFkSSp-GQbhleCo1OvzLuyyaHtRPDIQg/s400/RM_Moraga_PICS1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZsst1pAsPe3L5gNASRDU9uzsrLPzjXvymY34GeO2hPY4qY_AVSPROayU3fJrMzQbcDqGuoGgjIJjLxrEoyctfIjGWDzudQfaNpIN0n-RShHH0cefAlu3tXXMbBeBNhYlHUgBmtpgmzw/s1600/RM_Moraga_PICS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZsst1pAsPe3L5gNASRDU9uzsrLPzjXvymY34GeO2hPY4qY_AVSPROayU3fJrMzQbcDqGuoGgjIJjLxrEoyctfIjGWDzudQfaNpIN0n-RShHH0cefAlu3tXXMbBeBNhYlHUgBmtpgmzw/s400/RM_Moraga_PICS2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Even if Mister Murdoch were to sell his Beverly Hills spread—or hand the keys to his newest ex-wife—he's hardly without a luxurious home on the west coast. Some months ago Mister Murdoch completed the <a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-rupert-murdoch-moraga-vineyards-20130829,0,2120696.story#axzz2lCWDKHY6" target="_blank">$28.8 million</a> acquisition of a <a href="http://realestalker.blogspot.com/2013/05/hump-day-hodgepodge-rupert-murdoch.html" target="_blank">16-ish acre commercial vineyard</a> estate at the western edge of the swanky-panky Bel Air area of Los Angeles (above). The property comprises a 7,700+ square foot main residence, a separate two-bedroom guest house, and a 4,400 square foot office building plus some grape growing related structures.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUuC34K6xzOW2Gh_JDzguQBwOo81nrs-kJ9Gj_gme7HIzgbsXFvaesUz4DTnXXSMD_xQ602IIPxmI7xAWkxDcg-abbzgTm4xIQ3AkB7I7p0MAAhForFa2oDIZ6zXMXlJ7m_yE6ydt8u4/s1600/RM_Rosehearty_PICS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUuC34K6xzOW2Gh_JDzguQBwOo81nrs-kJ9Gj_gme7HIzgbsXFvaesUz4DTnXXSMD_xQ602IIPxmI7xAWkxDcg-abbzgTm4xIQ3AkB7I7p0MAAhForFa2oDIZ6zXMXlJ7m_yE6ydt8u4/s400/RM_Rosehearty_PICS1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Some of Mister and third ex-Missus Murdoch's previous residences include <i>Rosehearty</i>, an historic, 4.6 acre water-front estate in the historically high-wasp enclave of Oyster Bay on the gilded North Shore of Long Island (NY). They picked up the bucolic seaside retreat (above) in 2003, had the day-core of the 11 bedroom early 20th-century Colonial mansion done up by presidential decorator Michael Smith. They first put the 10,000-ish square foot manse on the market in mid-2007 for $14.8 million but—and not until after Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt (allegedly) rented it for a month or two—did not manage to unload it <a href="http://realestalker.blogspot.com/2011/09/your-mama-hears_23.html" target="_blank">until September of 2011</a> when, as per property records, private equity mover and shaker Ian Snow and his wife, Mary, coughed up $9.1 million.<br /><br />Before the luxe-living Murdochs paid $44 million for their Fifth Avenue triplex penthouse, they owned a sophisticated, nearly 10,000 square foot penthouse loft in SoHo they had done up by sophisticated and frightfully pricey French architect/designer Christian Liaigre. They sold the penthouse in December 2005 for $24,675,000 to fashion designer Elie Tahari who, in case you haven't already heard this real estate tale, sold the sophisticated penthouse for $27,500,000 in an off-market deal in June 2010 to computer tycoon turned billionaire philanthropist Ted Wiatt. Mister Wiatt quickly caught a desperate case of The Real Estate Fickle and flipped the nearly 10,000 square foot spread less than a year later at a spectacular, $2.5 million loss to an as-yet unidentified buyer. The children will recall Mister Wiatt was recently in all the property gossip columns and blogs after he quietly paid software heiress and movie producer Megan Ellison $20.5 million for one of the three sleek and modern houses she recently sold in the Bird Streets 'hood above the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. But we digress...<br /><br />Your Mama assumes without any proof whatsoever that Mister and third ex-Missus Murdoch surely must have maintained high-priced and high-maintenance home bases in the U.K. as well as his home-nation of Australia. Right? Bueller? Bueller? Anyone Down Under? Bueller?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjFIrZ50R1i2Q9fg5hOAofqaisWELojD8ybvzwad84LWmvipifEO7MgvdqtixV1Iaglwp6Q8Nm6KYkpRGt4rbbswgZzRIbgsv6EGC-atMu01byzjrwNycWceRws-oI0o1ndYnu_9mq4M/s1600/RM_HMSRosehearty_PICS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjFIrZ50R1i2Q9fg5hOAofqaisWELojD8ybvzwad84LWmvipifEO7MgvdqtixV1Iaglwp6Q8Nm6KYkpRGt4rbbswgZzRIbgsv6EGC-atMu01byzjrwNycWceRws-oI0o1ndYnu_9mq4M/s400/RM_HMSRosehearty_PICS1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_rXb7GXr7HqVXeTy12IHBDvyaHH76KXgeBoUy9b80u-kJvSBcU-Pje1GxCpDjMOqXZzM1ehrviKvXZ8Q-0waV9qLRGn16GnrsBIlA1QuO3FZGZJiD7JHXdLG0UF52TaX0T1lpzNx7yw/s1600/RM_HMSRosehearty_PICS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_rXb7GXr7HqVXeTy12IHBDvyaHH76KXgeBoUy9b80u-kJvSBcU-Pje1GxCpDjMOqXZzM1ehrviKvXZ8Q-0waV9qLRGn16GnrsBIlA1QuO3FZGZJiD7JHXdLG0UF52TaX0T1lpzNx7yw/s400/RM_HMSRosehearty_PICS2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>In addition to their collection of ritzy land-based residences Mister and third ex-Missus Murdoch own at least two floating mansions. <i>Rosehearty</i> was not only the name of Mister Murdoch's Long Island estate but also, somewhat unimaginatively, that of a so-christened 183+ foot sailing yacht (above). <br /><br />A peek at the floor plan (below) shows the boat's interiors—worked over, like his former SoHo penthouse loft, by designer Christian Liaigre—can accommodate 12 guests in five state rooms that each have a private head. Crew quarters in the bow of the boat comprise a kitchen/lounge and beds for nine paid sailors in four compact cabins that each have a private subcompact head.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlnKtVns9OtL3cHZYh3kHATtphiqjr_m-ldVGFdq_ckLKJqpwSd9Ncsa8Pch9aR8inEirtnh02XN8dfREioHIp5K-jZCzH_YYNfMImxC90_gUE7hz5FQ-A4_2eKmZqw_ryqgULlrjKRw/s1600/RM_HMSRosehearty_FP1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlnKtVns9OtL3cHZYh3kHATtphiqjr_m-ldVGFdq_ckLKJqpwSd9Ncsa8Pch9aR8inEirtnh02XN8dfREioHIp5K-jZCzH_YYNfMImxC90_gUE7hz5FQ-A4_2eKmZqw_ryqgULlrjKRw/s400/RM_HMSRosehearty_FP1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIKF0-_e-JPtIil6EagLX3Fs61HJrKvPCFYOftB7eTIitsHcQnNS9CNaw3uysCyt_R6YZQNi5It2kCrsnxtApsSUoOMNPPTtRaauAX0y9rl3oS1CEA5kZcgSo14snnQ2tkFg_Cn-JCXg/s1600/RM_HMSRosehearty_FP2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="87" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIKF0-_e-JPtIil6EagLX3Fs61HJrKvPCFYOftB7eTIitsHcQnNS9CNaw3uysCyt_R6YZQNi5It2kCrsnxtApsSUoOMNPPTtRaauAX0y9rl3oS1CEA5kZcgSo14snnQ2tkFg_Cn-JCXg/s400/RM_HMSRosehearty_FP2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>As it turns out <i>Rosehearty</i> (the boat) went up for sale on the open market a few months ago with a $29.7 million asking price. The wind powered vessel—which also has powerful motors, of course—can also, <a href="http://www.charterworld.com/?sub=yacht-charter&charter=sailing-yacht-rosehearty-1124" target="_blank">as per online listings</a>, be charted for as little as $200,000 per week. That's a redonkulous amount of money but it's kind of a bargain if you consider that yacht charterers with <i>real</i> dough-re-mi easily drop upwards of half a million to rent ship-sized boats for a week. Anyways...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2s-AiZNgJWkcQtBoxZQqqG9RM-fijIL1hkZ962TKmlsOPd6Ef5DQXdQEC4v6RQujymVsCOKV0519sx6CZ044FmX1LCkQw5WU8gZ5P8Ym1skHE__9HX6BwNO02LBQzyvHQw1rsG5wGuo/s1600/RM_Vertigo_PICS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2s-AiZNgJWkcQtBoxZQqqG9RM-fijIL1hkZ962TKmlsOPd6Ef5DQXdQEC4v6RQujymVsCOKV0519sx6CZ044FmX1LCkQw5WU8gZ5P8Ym1skHE__9HX6BwNO02LBQzyvHQw1rsG5wGuo/s320/RM_Vertigo_PICS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>In the fall of 2011, amid the phone hacking hullaballo that is most certainly a bugaboo in his businessman bonnet, there were reports Mister Murdoch bought <i>Vertigo</i>, a substantially larger, 220-foot sailing yacht with sinuously minimalist and elegantly severe interiors by—you got it—Christian Liaigre. We can't say for sure if Mister Murdoch owns <i>Vertigo</i> because, well, we don't know. But, so the stories go, the sick-rich yachtsman bought the blue-hulled seafaring behemoth from an unexpected and aforementioned character in this real estate tale, Leonardo DiCaprio. Well, hell's bells, children, Your Mama didn't even know L.D.Cap. even had a damn yacht let alone one decked out by Christian Liaigre himself. We also didn't turn up a reported sale price for <i>Vertigo</i> in our ever so brief research but we did turn up evidence that the muscular sea machine can be chartered at weekly rates that begin at £225,000. (In case you American ballers and wannabe ballers might have wondered, that's 362,374 U.S. dollars, at today's rates.)<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">exterior photo (Fifth Avenue, New York City): Scott Binter for <a href="http://www.propertyshark.com/mason/" target="_blank">Property Shark</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">aerial photo (Beverly Hills): Bing; floor plan (Beverly Hills): <a href="http://www.mparchitects.com/site/talks/architecture-choice" target="_blank">Moule & Polyzoides</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">listing photos (vineyard, Bel Air): <a href="http://www.surterreproperties.com/" target="_blank">Surterre Properties</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">listing photos, <i>Rosehearty, </i>the estate: <a href="http://www.sothebysrealty.com/" target="_blank">Sotheby's International Realty</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">listing photos and deck plan: <i>Rosehearty, </i>the boat: <a href="http://www.camperandnicholsons.com/" target="_blank">Camper & Nicholsons</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">listing photos, <i>Vertigo</i>: <a href="http://y.co/" target="_blank">The Yacht Company</a></span>devihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561285414254728623.post-15031555506282162742013-11-19T14:18:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:22:06.044-08:00Reality Television Pioneer Sells Topanga Spread to Billionaire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnuQya-nzpNMT2vTwdVW1kzL0uruVjob7X4xpGJSfU5UzikAEZt6p0_B5oAI3Di161cihhe_TYj7qhvbLNjL9NGFbkR5rmu5J4o3-xnziv2qHkbjcBWH1sa5rVMhBzFm6g8iq3bYoU2k/s1600/MurrayPritzker_Top1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnuQya-nzpNMT2vTwdVW1kzL0uruVjob7X4xpGJSfU5UzikAEZt6p0_B5oAI3Di161cihhe_TYj7qhvbLNjL9NGFbkR5rmu5J4o3-xnziv2qHkbjcBWH1sa5rVMhBzFm6g8iq3bYoU2k/s400/MurrayPritzker_Top1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0u8gy9Vv9rv24EqiiTteKEFKkRtSJ2yTnsSIliXIDjRtwR1Ai9LQL9hg2zyBSWlf17Xdxvxk1JgOK29HWFL_Cwt9qcXzHZKRxizRn5Hjpm6hmzgdzR1ulvTzdm21vPhPhiDi-tXcTiA/s1600/MurrayPritzker_Top2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0u8gy9Vv9rv24EqiiTteKEFKkRtSJ2yTnsSIliXIDjRtwR1Ai9LQL9hg2zyBSWlf17Xdxvxk1JgOK29HWFL_Cwt9qcXzHZKRxizRn5Hjpm6hmzgdzR1ulvTzdm21vPhPhiDi-tXcTiA/s400/MurrayPritzker_Top2.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzjTE1iGX9p_-jmoSm8GNgl1GGfgdHRZQhlrHGb6hBAMVZfoUx7efxuGsH788vDe6LE_8pGGW6HfKEuiZ1JywLL2Rh3Ezk1ztwedlsijLmvPdvppHSWGknsJXEgNFA2Z1UiXwKAzBXvw/s1600/MurrayPritzker_Top3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzjTE1iGX9p_-jmoSm8GNgl1GGfgdHRZQhlrHGb6hBAMVZfoUx7efxuGsH788vDe6LE_8pGGW6HfKEuiZ1JywLL2Rh3Ezk1ztwedlsijLmvPdvppHSWGknsJXEgNFA2Z1UiXwKAzBXvw/s400/MurrayPritzker_Top3.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-NOmTWUwcfexvYwDViUvG2Tqtaq7VTJpS6BklKO4ss_kIgwbbkbo-s4IdHNeYp-yGG_Jy4fQGpMjCcxpFjix6OEMUX3pDDEmKHx7AQXhznck1Rv3s1qB3i95ksz4K1a0lbXltRuFMi8/s1600/MurrayPritzker_Top4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-NOmTWUwcfexvYwDViUvG2Tqtaq7VTJpS6BklKO4ss_kIgwbbkbo-s4IdHNeYp-yGG_Jy4fQGpMjCcxpFjix6OEMUX3pDDEmKHx7AQXhznck1Rv3s1qB3i95ksz4K1a0lbXltRuFMi8/s400/MurrayPritzker_Top4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZRAO0ST0JeqRQ7EgNBPUuHMSoJNwp6bgvEKvpTwHFWoKmuWJjPuUeaW2yaAmhZ-UgctghFvcFUeYQiM5VtDViI55sHLrH8Vqw49lQP-Bmo2A0vMFnp1z-teXRlp_IOH4o1QCy0bnCEo/s1600/MurrayPritzker_Top5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZRAO0ST0JeqRQ7EgNBPUuHMSoJNwp6bgvEKvpTwHFWoKmuWJjPuUeaW2yaAmhZ-UgctghFvcFUeYQiM5VtDViI55sHLrH8Vqw49lQP-Bmo2A0vMFnp1z-teXRlp_IOH4o1QCy0bnCEo/s400/MurrayPritzker_Top5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>SELLER: Jonathan Murray<br />BUYER: Anthony Pritzker<br />LOCATION: Topanga, CA<br />PRICE: $2,650,000<br />SIZE: 3,664 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms<br /><br />YOUR MAMAS NOTES: Your Mama can't recall exactly when or from whom we first heard it but it was already way back in late June (2013) that reality television pioneer Jonathan Murray sold a casually luxurious estate of nearly three, gated acres in Topanga, CA, for $2,650,000. The two parcel property was purchased, as per property records, by a corporate entity easily linked to multi-billionaire Hyatt Hotels heir Anthony Pritzker. As it turns out, the same corporate entity that acquired Mister Murray's mountain-view spread also owns an adjacent, multi-residence compound that comprises at least six parcels and, by Your Mama's admittedly rudimentary and entirely unscientific calculations, sprawls across at least seven acres.<br /><br />Those of the children who have not wrecked their heads on liquor and dope may recall that Mister Pritzker and his missus, Jeanne, recently sold their 8 bedroom and 11 bathroom Mediterranean villa in L.A.'s ritzy Bel Air area for <a href="http://realestalker.blogspot.com/2013/10/puck-picks-up-pritzker-villa-in-bel-air.html" target="_blank">$14 million to celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck</a>. Mister and Missus Pritzker moved with their half dozen offspring, plus whatever live-in domestics they may employ, into a contemporary, convention center sized mega-mansion set proudly and prominently like the monument to extreme wealth and privilege that it is on a private promontory with all but unobstructed, 270 degree views over a hefty swathe of the L.A. Basin.<br /><br />Mister Murray, along with with his producing partner, the late Mary-Ellis Bunim, not only created and produced Showbiz industry altering reality-based docu-dramas like <i>Real World </i>and the booze-fueled (and grimly truly tawdry) <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zrl_m9rqbxQ&feature=c4-overview&list=UUNRtwshWXJEGBzoAiRwUEvw" target="_blank">Bad Girls Club</a></i> franchise, but also claims credit as executive producer on the mega-hit <i>Project Runway</i> as well as, we recently read on the internets, the up-coming Tim Gunn-hosted fashion competition <i><a href="http://variety.com/2013/tv/news/tim-gunn-nabs-his-own-fashion-competition-series-on-lifetime-1200827088/" target="_blank">Under the Gunn</a></i>, which, quite frankly, at least on the surface, sounds not so different from <i>Project Runway</i>. Mister Murray, along with a bevy of others including squeaky clean Tinseltown mogul Ryan Seacrest, also executive produces all those many and utterly vapid but wildly successful shows that feature the limelight craving Kardashian family. Anyways...<br /><br />Property records and other online resources show Mister Murray purchased the 2.93 acre spread in April 2007 for $2,550,000 and first put it on the open market in early May, 2013, with a $3,295,000 asking price. The multi-winged ranch-style residence was originally built in the mid-1970s, according to digital marketing materials, but was significantly revamped by in 2009 at which time new-fangled luxuries and amenities were installed like radiant heated stone floors, solar panels, a whole-house home automation system, and a 220-volt hook-up in the garage for convenient charging of electric vehicles.<br /><div><br /></div>A long, gated driveway climbs up the hillside and wraps around to the front of the house that digital marketing materials show spans 3,664 square feet with three bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms, including an enviably secluded guest suite on the lower level that ensures (auditory) privacy for all and has a private exterior entrance, a separate sitting room, and an attached bathroom.<br /><br />The front door that opens directly into the angled and meandering central core of the house, an open concept main living space finished and fitted with a mix between wood and flagstone floors, a vaulted exposed wood ceiling, long expanses of floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that slip into the walls when open, and two stacked stone fireplaces, one in the sunken "formal" living room and the other in the "formal" dining area.<br /><br />An backwards L-shaped snack bar/serving counter with cook top divides the commodious dining area from the expensively equipped galley-style kitchen that's complete with high-grade appliances and a porcelain farmhouse sink. An adjoining family room has a built-in flat-screen television, an office area with built-in cabinetry and work stations, and more sliding glass doors that lead out the backyard entertainment terrace that runs along the back of the house.<br /><br />The spacious stone terrace that extends the main living area into the outdoors includes sunny lounging areas, a trellis shaded dining area and a built-in barbecue. The extensive grounds include rolling lawns, shade dappled terraces, a swimming pool with inset spa, a separate storage—probably for gardening implements and etc., and a deer-thwarting fenced garden area.<br /><br />This is not, children, the first time that Mister Murray has sold a redone mini-estate nestled into the mountains above Malibu. In the latter days of 2004 he paid $2,375,000 for a 10.4+ acre hill top spread in the Monte Nido area of Topanga that he sold in August 2007 for $4,250,000 to a corporate entity Your Mama's sources swears was controlled by software heiress, movie producer, and budding real estate baller Megan Ellison. Miss Ellison—or the entity that technically and legally owned the property, anyways—sold the property at a significant loss in late 2011 for $2,650,000 to a somewhat mysterious buyer who may or may not be an entertainment attorney or a celebrity.<br /><br />Your Mama's research shows that in April 2012, long before he sold his Topanga spread to the billionaire, Mister Murray paid $3,950,000 for a five bedroom and 5.5 bathroom house in Santa Monica (CA) built by and for a renown architect with a modern undercarriage of high-tech features wrapped in a style, as per digital marketing materials we dug up, inspired by the California's shingle-style beach bungalows for the early 1900s.<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">listing photos: <a href="http://www.garyharryman.com/" target="_blank">Pritchett-Rapf & Associates</a></span>devihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561285414254728623.post-30681992121678167482013-11-18T11:42:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:22:06.101-08:00Ricky Martin Lists Manhattan Pied-a-Terre<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZMci8bBvCmdCkmy2xYdHxLOqAOUQhgsbOGv2mLtAVDGLZgdqVkvTFLaVRm2yg2FE31ofxE-iFA3CJJ_ylm0hyphenhyphenCjR6ZmzLewUv3P7ZMUdyZyvK6PV2BqvZlf_iOU1MwiPGdPAe3o-Mxg/s1600/RMartin_40NYC_PICS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZMci8bBvCmdCkmy2xYdHxLOqAOUQhgsbOGv2mLtAVDGLZgdqVkvTFLaVRm2yg2FE31ofxE-iFA3CJJ_ylm0hyphenhyphenCjR6ZmzLewUv3P7ZMUdyZyvK6PV2BqvZlf_iOU1MwiPGdPAe3o-Mxg/s400/RMartin_40NYC_PICS.jpg" width="395" /></a></div>SELLER: Ricky Martin<br />LOCATION: New York City, NY<br />PRICE: $8,300,000<br />SIZE: 2,637 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms<br /><br />YOUR MAMAS NOTES: A little birdie told Your Mama that a downtown New York City apartment long-believed by property gossips to be owned by handsome, out and proud, tatted and well-built Puerto Rican pop star Ricky Martin has popped up on the open market with an $8,300,000 asking price.<br /><br />This turn of celebrity real estate events isn't so surprising given that last November (2012) Kiki, a Grammy-winning vegetarian father of twin boy tots, <a href="http://realestalker.blogspot.com/2012/12/ricky-martin-is-uptown-daddy.html" target="_blank">(reportedly) paid $5.9 million</a> for a more family-friendly, two-unit combination spread with four bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms in swanky, Peter Marino-designed building directly across the street from Carl Schurz Park on Manhattan's Upper East Side.<br /><br />Property records show the corporate entity that is the legal owner of the floor-through condo-crib acquired the apartment in August 2007 for $5.7 million and listing information reveals the deluxe digs, located on a higher floor of the <a href="http://www.ianschragercompany.com/" target="_blank">Ian Schrager</a>-developed and <a href="http://www.herzogdemeuron.com/index.html" target="_blank">Herzon & de Meuron</a>-designed homage to New York's famous cast iron buildings, has three bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms in 2,637 square feet and carries monthly common charges and taxes that ring up to $4,694 per month.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXUsaQrrUJVJdONcsvlCFjlKjNJAJuncpSfeN3xKncVommSvK9R00jJKK4LChxtO5ztsgpZD1lQ8QyGQ4sspvAfQ_jOsI3NRZHwEosH2p-wsLfXcpcHNH6bHH98zrNFtGON5F_nXz-LY/s1600/RMartin_40NYC_FP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXUsaQrrUJVJdONcsvlCFjlKjNJAJuncpSfeN3xKncVommSvK9R00jJKK4LChxtO5ztsgpZD1lQ8QyGQ4sspvAfQ_jOsI3NRZHwEosH2p-wsLfXcpcHNH6bHH98zrNFtGON5F_nXz-LY/s400/RMartin_40NYC_FP.jpg" width="323" /></a></div>The floor plan included with online listings shows a nearly 30-foot long entrance hall leads to a spacious, 17-foot wide south-facing great room that stretches nearly 33 feet long and has gorgeous smoked oak floors, a wall of 11-foot tall floor-to-ceiling windows, sculptural bookshelves and, tucked up into an otherwise awkward nook near the kitchen, a built-in dining banquette that seats at least eight. A sleek and expensively equipped galley-style kitchen connects through to a separate dining room that also has floor to ceiling windows.<br /><br />Two guest/family bedrooms each have small closets, attached private bathrooms and giant windows. The master suite with walk-in closet, small study/office, and a compartmentalized bathroom with two sink vanity, separate crappy cubicle and a naughty-sounding glassed in "wet room" with Corian-slathered shower space and bath tub.<br /><br />At least twice in the last few years Mister Martin has put the apartment out for lease, first in early 2010 at $23,000 per month and again in March 2012 for $29,500, later reduced to $28,000.<br /><br />In addition to his residential holdings in New York, Mister Martin may or may not still own <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/luxury/travel/3124/puerto-rico-new-resorts-and-fresh-horizons.html" target="_blank">at least one home</a> on the northern coast of Puerto Rico in Dorado, a house in Madrid (Spain), and a <a href="http://realestalker.blogspot.com/2008/04/ricky-martin-has-island-fever_30.html" target="_blank">private island hideaway</a> in Rio de Janeiro. The oft-bearded and always bubble-bootied pop star and <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2013/11/11/ricky-martin-childrens-book/3500029/" target="_blank">children's book author</a> has also owned (and sold) a handful of state-side residences that include a Beverly Hills (CA) estate—sold in 2006 for $15 million, three bay front mansions in Miami Beach (FL)—one he bought in 2005 for $10 million and sold in April 2012 for <a href="http://realestalker.blogspot.com/2012/04/monday-morsel-ricky-martin-unloads-in.html" target="_blank">$10.6 million</a>, and an <a href="http://realestalker.blogspot.com/2007/12/ricky-martin-is-flipping-out-in-florida.html" target="_blank">ocean front spread in Golden Beach</a> that he purchased in April 2007 for $16.25 million and sold in November 2012 for $12.8 million.<br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">listing photos and floor plan: <a href="http://www.elliman.com/" target="_blank">Douglas Elliman</a></span>devihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561285414254728623.post-6132136300226503982013-11-18T10:19:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:22:06.158-08:00Monday Morning Mash UpListen, chickens, it's a tad bit slow in the celebrity real estate world right now so let's have a quick look at a few of the stories Your Mama didn't discuss over the last week or so, okay?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">::::::::</div><br />Showbizness shit-stirrer Charlie Sheen—née Carlos Estevez—and his perpetually troubled third ex-wife Brooke Mueller are at each others' throats once again and the volatile actor reportedly wants Miz Mueller o.u.t. <i>out</i> of the multi-million dollar mini-mansion he bought last year for her and their two children to live. Indeed, Mister Sheen <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2013/11/13/charlie-sheen-selling-brooke-muellers-house-i-want-that-bitch-out-of-my-neighborhood/" target="_blank">told celebrity gossip juggernaut <i>TMZ</i></a> that he plans to to list the 6,600+ square foot house for $4.8 million, the exact same amount he <a href="http://realestalker.blogspot.com/2013/04/charlie-sheen-picks-up-third-house-in.html" target="_blank">paid billionaire Tom Gores</a> for the property in October 2012. Miz Mueller is reportedly looking at condos.<br /><br />Avid celebrity real estate watchers will recall that Mister Sheen owns two other large, mock-Med mansions in the same star-studded and guard-gated community in Beverly Hills/Shermans Oaks, one where he lives (with whatever gaggle of hussies he gallivants around with nowadays) and another reportedly occupied by his second ex-wife, Denise Richards, and their two young children.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">::::::::</div><br />Thanks to the long-legged blond at <i>Trulia Luxe Living</i> we learned that after at least 2.5 years <a href="http://realestalker.blogspot.com/2011/03/kelsey-grammer-lists-colorado-ski-crib.html" target="_blank">on and off the market</a>, long ago divorced (and probably still feuding) Tinseltowners Camille and Kelsey Grammer <a href="http://luxe.truliablog.com/2013/11/15/camille-kelsey-grammer-sell-home/" target="_blank">finally unloaded</a> their 8,000+ square foot Beaver Creek (CO) ski chalet for $6.6 million. That's several million less than the $9.5 million they originally wanted but still a good bit more than the $5.35 million they paid for the place in 2002.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">::::::::</div><br /><a href="http://miami.curbed.com/archives/2013/11/15/sammy-sosa-buys-golden-beach-house-for-76-million.php" target="_blank">So reported</a> the always-working kids at <i>Curbed</i>, (allegedly) home run hitting—and <a href="http://nesn.com/2013/09/sammy-sosas-conditioned-skin-still-looks-weird-on-former-cubs-slugger/" target="_blank">increasingly pale</a>—retired professional baseballer Sammy Sosa dropped $7.6 million on an ocean front mini-mansion in Golden Beach, FL.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">::::::::</div><br />The U.K. property gossips are all a-twitter that 23-year old American pop-country superstar Taylor Swift is (once again) rumored to be on the hunt for a house in London. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2508733/Taylor-Swift-searches-London-pad-minutes-away-Harry-Styles-home.html" target="_blank">So the celebrity real estate scuttlebutt goes</a> in <i>The Daily Mail, </i>super-rich Miss Taylor, who already owns luxury homes in Nashville (TN), Westerley (RI), and Beverly Hills (CA), peeped at least one posh pad said to be—we kid y'all not—walking distance to her former boy-bander boyfriend, Harry Styles, about whom she famously penned a top-selling ditty.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">::::::::</div><br />Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. recently put his house in Pacific Palisades, CA, on the market for <a href="http://realestalker.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-great-cuba-gooding-jr-sell-off.html" target="_blank">nearly $12 million</a> and, <a href="http://nypost.com/2013/11/13/soho-me-the-money/" target="_blank">according to the lady property gossip</a> at the <i>New York Post, </i>recently had a look-see a five bedroom and five bathroom spread in New York City's SoHo 'hood that's currently listed for $8.995 and owned by Sir Winston Churchill's artist granddaughter <a href="http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/node/1907604" target="_blank">Edwina Sandys</a> and her socially connected architect hubby Richard Kaplan.*<br /><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*Mister Kaplan—in case any of y'all might be interested—was married in the 1960s to the gorgeous and downright dee-voon octogenarian supermodel <a href="http://supermodelicons.com/carmen-dellorefice/2009/08/11/" target="_blank">Carmen Dell-Orefice</a> who used to pal around with Bernie and Ruth Madoff and, like everyone else who invested with the Ponzi schemer, lost a fortune. Anyways...</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">::::::::</div><br />The design-savvy folks at <i><a href="http://nymag.com/homedesign/design-hunting/2014/winter/reem-acra/" target="_blank">New York Magazine</a></i> had a peek and poke around globe-trotting fashion designer Reem Acra's internationally inspired loft in New York City's Garment District.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">::::::::</div><br />In case any of y'all haven't heard, London is crazy expensive and the über high end of the market is absolutely out of control with more than a dozen houses and apartments priced between <a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303763804579183750069249612" target="_blank">$80 million and $400 million</a>.<br /><br />::::::::<br /><br />Your Mama can't say it signifies a trend or not but celebrities are, with increasing frequency, lowering the asking prices of their multi-million dollar residence. Jessica Simpson sliced <a href="http://www.realtytoday.com/articles/4378/20130524/jessica-simpson-selling-beverly-hills-residence-8-million.htm" target="_blank">$700,000</a> off the price of her former Beverly Hills (Post Office) house before she <a href="http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2013/10/jessica-simpson-sells-beverly-hills-home/" target="_blank">sold it</a> for $6.4 million and action flick actor Bruce Willis recently chopped two million of his Beverly Hills mansion that was <a href="http://realestalker.blogspot.com/2013/05/bruce-willis-lists-beverly-hills-estate.html" target="_blank">originally listed</a> for $22 million. <a href="http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2013/11/million-dollar-price-drop-on-matt-damons-miami-mansion.html#.UopPJWRgZJU" target="_blank">Now comes word via the <i>Redfin</i> blog</a> that Oscar-winner Matt Damon took a hefty- million dollars off the asking price off his bay front <a href="http://realestalker.blogspot.com/2013/04/matt-damon-dumps-miami-beach-digs.html" target="_blank">Miami Beach (FL) mini-compound</a>.devihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561285414254728623.post-73625702548586614442013-11-15T11:04:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:22:06.215-08:00Nick Jonas Nabs Sunset Strip Spanish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOpS6fvJyznUEiTdhpxasoDAqq2FLvfFzOSvmUZlCdd_XXvTeuiO5QcTHa1vyORVL6nlXbPjOfNLLe3gZFgCBKDc9PEYI9m0AYr_lcjEuPIHUHQTFVyQdXMi_dH_PtjFSy_i-Nvb9jWE/s1600/NJonas_SS_PICS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOpS6fvJyznUEiTdhpxasoDAqq2FLvfFzOSvmUZlCdd_XXvTeuiO5QcTHa1vyORVL6nlXbPjOfNLLe3gZFgCBKDc9PEYI9m0AYr_lcjEuPIHUHQTFVyQdXMi_dH_PtjFSy_i-Nvb9jWE/s400/NJonas_SS_PICS1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv14woQtrpuZzNtzfXpH1sgYMWhlB2M_SvOblNUgNVjq-ZqLeXoorHd3SqXoLgzFYFHFWuQL2ilffkLv2kMaJABCDVlWh0Tt1ty9-XYYhn0r3b8d2JBdschyVJBCugb3NlbtZiwpgRGcQ/s1600/NJonas_SS_PICS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv14woQtrpuZzNtzfXpH1sgYMWhlB2M_SvOblNUgNVjq-ZqLeXoorHd3SqXoLgzFYFHFWuQL2ilffkLv2kMaJABCDVlWh0Tt1ty9-XYYhn0r3b8d2JBdschyVJBCugb3NlbtZiwpgRGcQ/s400/NJonas_SS_PICS2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTHEB01t5ZQgdzw04phkZ0L-T5S8H3PFIMrLmfamXIxu0FljvSFKYomNqg7D9Ngz_kbEojUP52-fJJCcPAJhbkdWI-F_mapOM7-JfqRc_AuSvdGrebJf5mhdVTdRtfDaMNEfh2fAc__E/s1600/NJonas_SS_PICS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTHEB01t5ZQgdzw04phkZ0L-T5S8H3PFIMrLmfamXIxu0FljvSFKYomNqg7D9Ngz_kbEojUP52-fJJCcPAJhbkdWI-F_mapOM7-JfqRc_AuSvdGrebJf5mhdVTdRtfDaMNEfh2fAc__E/s400/NJonas_SS_PICS3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pWLaDjYzkVZUD2uQo_f1KBprlsBv0tIXscBLUhT8wqxEhh1aWScQ3u7DxaUjplYDQZikktGRO95RI_EIgbV8JiMNGq8AMH4-8o665mIaowsWZGNtEaVI_oGIIfQRonFC1cNMEX5jByM/s1600/NJonas_SS_PICS4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pWLaDjYzkVZUD2uQo_f1KBprlsBv0tIXscBLUhT8wqxEhh1aWScQ3u7DxaUjplYDQZikktGRO95RI_EIgbV8JiMNGq8AMH4-8o665mIaowsWZGNtEaVI_oGIIfQRonFC1cNMEX5jByM/s400/NJonas_SS_PICS4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>BUYER: Nick Jonas<br />LOCATION: Los Angeles, CA<br />PRICE: $3,200,000<br />SIZE: 2,305 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms (total)<br /><br />YOUR MAMAS NOTES: When (American) boy-men turn 21 they all too often gather a merry band of bros and hos and drink downright ludicrous and dangerous amounts of liquor. But—as per several reliable informants including Benny N. Duhjets and Yolanda Yakketyyak—if you're an international pop music superstar and budding actor like <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2679917/" target="_blank">Nick Jonas</a> you go out, instead, and drop $3.2 million on a gated micro-compound just above L.A.'s perennially chic Sunset Strip.<br /><br />Digital marketing materials show the property, a minuscule but mostly flat .16 acres on a city-view promontory that is well-oriented for celebrity-style privacy, includes an updated and upgraded 1930s Spanish-style main house with three bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms plus a wee but self-contained studio-style guest house with bathroom.<br /><br />The recently renovated residence mixes original—or at least vintage-inspired—architectural details such as period tile and leaded glass windows with a bevy of new-fangled features such as an integrated whole-house sound system and cutting edge security that Your Mama imagines will likely be beefed up by the increasingly—uhm—body-fied tween and teen sensation with a burly and armed guard who would rather lay a beotch out on the street than let him or/her stand around and gawp like a fanbot moe-ron. Anyways...<br /><br />Chestnut-toned wood floors run throughout much (if not all) of the living spaces on the main floor that include a roomy formal dining room and a party-sized formal living room with a wood-beamed ceiling, wood-burning fireplace, and a curved wall of windows with verdant, garden view.<br /><br />The well-equipped kitchen kitchen looks large enough to host a free-standing center work island if such a thing is desired by Mister Jonas and is currently finished with olive green cabinetry, some sort of eggshelly-colored solid-surface counter top, and a full suite of high-grade stainless steel appliances. An adjoining den opens through wood and glass doors to a tree- and shrub-enshrouded courtyard area with a lagoon-style plunge pool.<br /><br />One of the two guest/family bedrooms on the second floor has a vaulted exposed wood beam ceiling and over-sized arched windows while the other, smaller bedroom, also with a vaulted and exposed wood beam ceiling, has an angled wall and a a full wall of built-in bookcases. The upper level, city-view master suite is complete with fireplace, walk-in closet, and a large private facility with two-sink vanity, jetted tub, and separate steam shower.<br /><br />The detached guest house offers occupants a compact but well-outfitted and private hideaway with high-quality kitchenette, vaulted ceiling, glossy paver tile floors, and a private bathroom. The house and guest house sit tightly on the small and unusually shaped lot but none-the-less manages to accommodate several interconnected patios, courtyards and terraces. One hosts the afore-mentioned plunge pool, another has an outdoor fireplace for nippy morning and chilly evenings, and a third offers a head-on view of the cluster of high-rises that comprise Century City.<br /><br />We don't know where he officially lives, Mister Jonas—who recently <a href="http://www.eonline.com/news/475599/jonas-brothers-break-up-kevin-joe-and-nick-explain-their-split-on-good-morning-america" target="_blank">broke up with his brothers/bandmates</a> and currently dates (former) Miss Universe <a href="http://perezhilton.com/2013-11-12-nick-jonas-girlfriend-olivia-culpo-gushes-on-stage-moscow-miss-universe-pagent#sthash.D5fgnCde.dpbs" target="_blank">Olivia Culpo</a>—lived in New York City for at least part of 2012 while he briefly starred on the short-lived Broadway reprise of <i>How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. </i>We, and just about everybody else, learned <a href="http://curbed.com/archives/2012/02/17/nick-jonas-rents-one-of-nycs-favorite-celebrity-apartments.php" target="_blank">from the kids at <i>Curbed</i></a>, that young Mister Jonas reportedly shelled out about $20,000 per month to lease a three bedroom penthouse apartment in the same star-studded New York City building where Lance Bass owns a condo (that's currently under contract to be sold) and Katie Holmes has holed up in a rental since she dumped ex-husband Tom Cruise in the summer of 2012. The penthouse is owned, as it turns out by professional puck pusher Scott Gomez who previously leased leased it to film and television producer Steven Levinson (<i>Boardwalk Empire, Entourage, In Treatment</i>) and much-tatted fashion designer <a href="http://nymag.com/thecut/2013/08/marc-jacobs-on-tattoos-in-the-fashion-industry.html" target="_blank">Marc Jacobs</a>. Anyways...<br /><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">listing photos: <a href="http://drewfenton.com/" target="_blank">Hilton & Hyland</a></span>devihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8561285414254728623.post-67817064727256828812013-11-14T18:33:00.000-08:002013-12-10T11:02:00.309-08:00Tour the Provence Guest House: Le Petite Bijou<blockquote> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Is there someone you know or someone you’ve read about who is living the life you you’ve always wanted to? Vicki Archer is my someone. Vicki, a best selling author, writes the beautiful blog “French Essence” which recently celebrated its 5th anniversary. Vicki lived in Australia, was married and had three small children when she visited Provence in 1999 and fell in love at first sight, as she describes it, with an abandoned and decrepit 17th century olive farm. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0w_PRd1Cxo8/UoWevc2dM_I/AAAAAAACFBo/pCkCfxYcWFA/s1600-h/image274.png"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0w_PRd1Cxo8/UoWevc2dM_I/AAAAAAACFBw/JuVCeWaK0VQ/s1600-h/image313.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ehppEumAYfc/UoV98FNjlWI/AAAAAAACEjM/v7PooCi2XrU/image_thumb115.png?imgmax=800" width="772" height="1028"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Ms. Vicki, sitting down for once! </font> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font> <p align="center"><font size="5">She and her husband bought the farm, Mas de Berard, and began the long and laborious process of renovating it. To simplify life, they moved to London in order to be closer to Provence. It took three years before the farmhouse was restored and today they split their time between the two countries. London? Provence? Does it get any better than that? I didn’t think so. </font> <p align="center"><font size="5">Over the years, I have written about Vicki a few times and we interviewed her on The Skirted Roundtable. Obsessed? Moi? Just a little. One look at Mas de Berard and its easy to see why anyone would gladly trade places with her. </font> <p align="center"><font size="5">Vicki is kept busy. Running the farm isn’t just sitting back and admiring its beautiful gardens – it’s hard work. When the olives ripen, Vicki is right there helping in the harvest. And besides taking care of both her houses, she managed to find time to write two books about life in France. Still, a few years ago, Vicki decided she needed yet another project and she and husband found an abandoned townhouse in St. Remy de Provence, a short five minutes from their farm. The two turned the wreck into a charming guest house which is now available for rent. </font> <p align="center"><font size="5">Vicki was sweet enough to share the before and after pictures of the guest house “Le Petite Bijou,” which I am thrilled to show you today! But first, let’s take a look at Mas de Berard again. </font> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nNRqxV5AiEM/UoV9-mrknWI/AAAAAAACEjU/nQGnNohlEPo/s1600-h/image310.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aWQvfDp2Q9c/UoV-BMMEOcI/AAAAAAACEjc/F7eoKqoDGvc/image_thumb112.png?imgmax=800" width="1101" height="730"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Mas de Berard, Vicki Archer’s 17th century farmhouse in Provence</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TG2tJPavxSA/UoV-DJCm1-I/AAAAAAACEjk/hTFJ31xTflU/s1600-h/image317.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ksv9L3FkjB4/UoV-E28PQPI/AAAAAAACEjs/EIvpBQORtNg/image_thumb117.png?imgmax=800" width="891" height="613"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The interiors are wonderful, pure French.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-u6d9utF9YFI/UoV-GWBtoRI/AAAAAAACEj0/WG5gNVWDtvU/s1600-h/image15.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Mf8faaNc7SY/UoV-Htd_i4I/AAAAAAACEj8/P8K_Uci0gak/image_thumb5.png?imgmax=800" width="507" height="804"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Vicki always mixes the new with the old – like here in her library.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qTLCB8wU_Uw/UoV-JsqQ_9I/AAAAAAACEkE/miD7kFFvFT4/s1600-h/image%25255B7%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UR6yHyKnhg0/UoV-LonXfII/AAAAAAACEkM/b9wSplWQ43Q/image_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="669" height="1004"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The master bedroom has this wonderful bed. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ilz_RAmHL4E/UoV-MxSTlvI/AAAAAAACEkU/HfDGNZ6N3yI/s1600-h/image%25255B35%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-a1dD2Cqim08/UoV-OWvlBZI/AAAAAAACEkc/0FzMKVGcwEg/image_thumb%25255B11%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="495" height="772"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The fireplace in her master bedroom. I love the colors in this room.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lyZf3_yz_xk/UoV-QPce1kI/AAAAAAACEkk/bJFKw9l9ilc/s1600-h/image%25255B36%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-s-eQaOoO6Ek/UoV-R58C6OI/AAAAAAACEks/9q2fgtVV5jc/image_thumb%25255B12%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="871" height="584"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Vicki’s daughter’s bedroom is my favorite room in the house.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_7nE4mhpjL4/UoV-UmtgkFI/AAAAAAACEk0/2aYwbc9g_xc/s1600-h/image%25255B38%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3X_QlfucKi8/UoV-X3V9SvI/AAAAAAACEk8/4PWlu-1JK4g/image_thumb%25255B14%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="1204" height="851"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The kitchen – the heart of every Provencal mas.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jABqF9sd7zA/UoV-ZovKTNI/AAAAAAACElE/z-_KCdR7c-M/s1600-h/image%25255B39%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Q_Uyq1Jim4I/UoV-a28dysI/AAAAAAACElM/bigF8XJS3i8/image_thumb%25255B15%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="527" height="804"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The stone stairs meet the terra cotta tiles.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mhRTgiBtC6w/UoV-dnxyLPI/AAAAAAACElU/NsVst1WH9gk/s1600-h/image312.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3Qn7wV62V_s/UoV-gEEvaqI/AAAAAAACElc/jrlPnFdMDIM/image_thumb114.png?imgmax=800" width="1204" height="863"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"><em>As much as I love the interiors, Mas de Berard’s property is spectacular. Here, the Les Alpilles</em> mountain range is seen in the distance.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gRsDDxmQPIY/UoV-i61oX5I/AAAAAAACFB4/rTQIVb2WpgA/s1600-h/image289.png"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gRsDDxmQPIY/UoV-i61oX5I/AAAAAAACFCA/QcNVb1TKOvc/s1600-h/image318.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-m7m-nIC2xSw/UoV-qkb0ZCI/AAAAAAACEl0/xYZKkG_3E8Y/image_thumb118.png?imgmax=800" width="1204" height="904"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The grounds are especially beautiful during the lavender blooming season. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Mr0FprekqQ4/UoV-t2gGe8I/AAAAAAACFCI/Ga6Mw3tCBDg/s1600-h/image292.png"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Mr0FprekqQ4/UoV-t2gGe8I/AAAAAAACFCQ/k63woF_NAcw/s1600-h/image319.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HNDALiFLk7k/UoV-3K5OURI/AAAAAAACEmM/-wzcGM8Swew/image_thumb119.png?imgmax=800" width="1204" height="904"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Here is the olive grove in front of the mountain range. Does it get more beautiful anywhere? Imagine how lucky Vicki and her family are to wake up to this beauty each morning?</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pep5UZ1SRbg/UoV-47cC9JI/AAAAAAACFCY/ijBcHAXMYC0/s1600-h/image268.png"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pep5UZ1SRbg/UoV-47cC9JI/AAAAAAACFCg/eFcFZUb9tWM/s1600-h/image320.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FcxKkSleQrM/UoV-9azwgyI/AAAAAAACEmk/zZT1yHbsvyU/image_thumb120.png?imgmax=800" width="580" height="772"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Remember the water rill from a few weeks ago at actor Robert Pattinson’s L.A. house? Vicki has her own water rill – here surrounded by blooming lavender.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0F8-8QKjq8A/UoV--japM5I/AAAAAAACEms/vqyIpxNEfS8/s1600-h/image262.png"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z2fPUnowUss/UoV-_piZ6PI/AAAAAAACEm0/Cr8BJoky3Es/s1600-h/water-feature1.jpg"><font size="5"><img title="water-feature" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="water-feature" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T48mu-GY1gM/UoV_AXt7f3I/AAAAAAACEm8/H-oyO4asgPg/water-feature_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="746" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">A longer view of the rill.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L0CDtzUP6lQ/UoV_BL0s9_I/AAAAAAACEnE/mPgUwMLipj4/s1600-h/1016271_10200485397077645_420666979_.jpg"><font size="5"><img title="1016271_10200485397077645_420666979_n" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="1016271_10200485397077645_420666979_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-S8oJXT_3NT4/UoV_CEPWUFI/AAAAAAACEnM/syGOJh2l3mM/1016271_10200485397077645_420666979_%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="616" height="616"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Blooming flowers on the front yard.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X60E1Ws9h_4/UoV_FBzv0VI/AAAAAAACFCo/UH_cjRVnBkI/s1600-h/image259.png"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X60E1Ws9h_4/UoV_FBzv0VI/AAAAAAACFCw/RNIMhyb86KI/s1600-h/image323.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4GjQj_vC43M/UoV_OD4mfoI/AAAAAAACEnk/mkrdBr1MYHY/image_thumb123.png?imgmax=800" width="1204" height="904"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The rill is flanked by tall cypress. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jmvw_5Wq-aY/UoV_P7GDdaI/AAAAAAACEns/WT2dALan4ko/s1600-h/image%25255B41%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8lnsxrvJ3uE/UoV_RXPDSUI/AAAAAAACEn0/EfsJ2sZ55QA/image_thumb%25255B17%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="580" height="772"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">It’s a shame the blooming season doesn’t last longer.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ouud_Gf7-6k/UoV_TAOl5bI/AAAAAAACEn8/VxWt4JC9YBg/s1600-h/image%25255B46%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lEUKl4MFqCM/UoV_Uxeb_QI/AAAAAAACEoE/8yz1AAYzyiA/image_thumb%25255B20%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="580" height="772"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Vicki says the lavender is a lot of work – but worth it. At the end of the season, she bundles the lavender up and puts it in bowls around the house. Other lavender is tossed into the fireplaces – the oil is used as a starter.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y8jxEgvTZT8/UoV_YP-spsI/AAAAAAACEoM/vZLK14v7Ygs/s1600-h/image%25255B49%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RDIciAQuLVo/UoV_bvQtO2I/AAAAAAACEoU/5o4h72TFrQQ/image_thumb%25255B23%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="1204" height="904"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Roses on a pergola. These beautiful photographs of the farm by </font><a href="http://carlacoulson.com/"><font size="5">Carla Coulson</font></a><font size="5"> mostly come from Vicki’s books.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_IDxXmCZWPc/UoV_eS9K4HI/AAAAAAACEoc/9a4dYrzx9tA/s1600-h/image14.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EAhOApdPaoE/UoV_je_JSiI/AAAAAAACEok/sqsu2LJzg_E/image_thumb4.png?imgmax=800" width="1196" height="1597"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Facing towards Mas de Berard.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PtdqJJbtFcM/UoV_m4BipqI/AAAAAAACFC4/mto1RHkb_P4/s1600-h/image253.png"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PtdqJJbtFcM/UoV_m4BipqI/AAAAAAACFDA/8TUDw2HaUdc/s1600-h/image325.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qjKNRd-EhnU/UoV_vbcmufI/AAAAAAACEo8/D1u8--e1st0/image_thumb125.png?imgmax=800" width="1204" height="904"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">And here, the rill gushes into the stone trough on the terrace.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zdjxpXLzGOg/UoV_yUaIM7I/AAAAAAACFDI/-ifgR8_iQEQ/s1600-h/image283.png"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zdjxpXLzGOg/UoV_yUaIM7I/AAAAAAACFDQ/Uw0k3KQe5Kg/s1600-h/image327.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2ZEqNxQtqZk/UoV_6YzkPNI/AAAAAAACEpU/NSa-OgzVu4M/image_thumb127.png?imgmax=800" width="1204" height="904"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Here, the terrace under the pergola. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NOLN0Lcds0Y/UoV_94YEX3I/AAAAAAACEpc/JlgmE4l-dQI/s1600-h/image25.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oZXs5riAbDo/UoWABDmPguI/AAAAAAACEpk/KKECQi6XqUQ/image_thumb11.png?imgmax=800" width="1204" height="904"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Wisteria growing on the pergola.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ayv6fJnCyUY/UoWAD7f8JnI/AAAAAAACFDY/OPEmGCvw4W0/s1600-h/image286.png"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ayv6fJnCyUY/UoWAD7f8JnI/AAAAAAACFDg/U5WWdlw78a8/s1600-h/image328.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KIzsZPGpJx4/UoWALd6OVbI/AAAAAAACEp8/N2eYIAjS65M/image_thumb128.png?imgmax=800" width="1204" height="805"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Al fresco dinner on the terrace. Through the metal window is the living room, previously seen.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-R6S5k-yznLA/UoWANNzFsbI/AAAAAAACEqE/oyKZB5ZI0ZE/s1600-h/image261.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-b_aVOqjcRBQ/UoWAOsV7G_I/AAAAAAACEqM/5O_n74iKL84/image_thumb12.png?imgmax=800" width="580" height="772"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">So Provence- love the shutters.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w5Hzb-_0UQg/UoWARPcX7nI/AAAAAAACEqU/QmYxR-sqsgI/s1600-h/image%25255B51%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dxWxedf9WV0/UoWATtX1edI/AAAAAAACEqc/Sg2EdQTw_Uc/image_thumb%25255B25%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="1204" height="805"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Heaven on earth.</font></p> <p align="center"> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font></p><font size="5"> </font> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wTUe63Olnh0/UoWAW_uECiI/AAAAAAACFDo/ZTfo08WDeBI/s1600-h/image277.png"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wTUe63Olnh0/UoWAW_uECiI/AAAAAAACFDw/N0i7VrDofug/s1600-h/image332.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7mni4qlH0gk/UoWAfy0QCDI/AAAAAAACEq0/mER6d-2N7wY/image_thumb132.png?imgmax=800" width="1204" height="904"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> White roses surround the front door. I’ve always wondered how Vicki leaves and goes back to London? But, she loves London as much as Provence. </font> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> <p align="center"><font size="5">Le Petite Bijou </font> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zpyHimHgZB0/UoWAiSwR8-I/AAAAAAACFD4/aUDRC6oHN8E/s1600-h/image84.png"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zpyHimHgZB0/UoWAiSwR8-I/AAAAAAACFEE/UnzqOjMQkyY/s1600-h/image334.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5Vrz5wy6XAk/UoWAo9-Eg_I/AAAAAAACErM/PwgsIYjqxsw/image_thumb134.png?imgmax=800" width="754" height="1004"></font></a></a><font size="5"> </font> <p align="center"><font size="5">For the past few years Vicki and her husband have been busy renovating Le Petite Bijou, their new guesthouse in the historic district of St. Remy-de-Provence. They hired </font><a href="http://www.hugues-bosc.com/"><font size="5">Hugues Bosc</font></a><font size="5">, the talented architect who designed Mas de Berard, to restore the house – but Vicki took on the interiors - scouring the brocantes for antiques and furniture. The predominant color scheme is greige- that beautiful color between gray and green. The only pattern is a few choice toiles and chintzes. The mood is quiet and peaceful and it’s a perfect place to stay and refuel while antiquing or touring the South of France. </font> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VumZUWFuwH0/UoWAr9UDiTI/AAAAAAACFEM/-EVyTOyqsdw/s1600-h/image250.png"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VumZUWFuwH0/UoWAr9UDiTI/AAAAAAACFEU/gj7i7rrsO40/s1600-h/image335.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zuSpvLF19YE/UoWA1fkeF9I/AAAAAAACErk/LDKS-rPyYSY/image_thumb135.png?imgmax=800" width="1205" height="802"></font></a></a><font size="5"> </font> <p align="center"><font size="5"> The house is in the middle of the historic village – next to the Musee des Alpilles and the Hotel de Sade – where the red A is. </font> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-icCJHF_Ok08/UoWA3663uJI/AAAAAAACFEc/hSldeZ3CzAs/s1600-h/image241.png"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-icCJHF_Ok08/UoWA3663uJI/AAAAAAACFEk/AdM4Hsb9AvI/s1600-h/image336.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JAtAZcaXWxc/UoWA_th5n6I/AAAAAAACEr8/TUD0-0xkKtU/image_thumb136.png?imgmax=800" width="1204" height="903"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">To reach it by foot or bicycle – there’s a large town square with a café. Go past the Musee through the stone arch in the corner. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QbEFZGkHLcM/UoWBBnGTipI/AAAAAAACFEs/2i_Pnu1XLJg/s1600-h/image247.png"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QbEFZGkHLcM/UoWBBnGTipI/AAAAAAACFE0/In8rAGitLGk/s1600-h/image337.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-osEC6clEUpY/UoWBFzSV5JI/AAAAAAACEsU/ZaKwHB0n5uU/image_thumb137.png?imgmax=800" width="617" height="849"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Looking back towards the town square – past the arch in the corner - is the Musee des Alpilles. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LKbIgkblhqQ/UoWBHsUdmwI/AAAAAAACFE8/WxzKR6hlz4c/s1600-h/image244.png"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LKbIgkblhqQ/UoWBHsUdmwI/AAAAAAACFFE/Tabm32r4s4w/s1600-h/image340.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yl2MYRNrz1E/UoWBMF4dv8I/AAAAAAACEss/ienjvMlBcOg/image_thumb140.png?imgmax=800" width="555" height="835"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">You continue through the arch to another arch. So charming!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LOFK4ACO4R8/UoWBOcQwL9I/AAAAAAACEs0/KKcsY2qmunc/s1600-h/image344.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CCu2r8-lUns/UoWBQk9VkTI/AAAAAAACEs8/Ye044ItiiIk/image_thumb142.png?imgmax=800" width="860" height="814"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The cobbled street continues under the stone bridge.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-B_i0kZCRilE/UoWBTDIE_1I/AAAAAAACEtE/89XBEhuN17U/s1600-h/image235.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vxnz3NAuLt0/UoWBUiXfN2I/AAAAAAACEtM/o9QMEY-P5mI/image_thumb83.png?imgmax=800" width="790" height="603"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">BEFORE: And finally the house comes into view – here is how it looked 3 years ago when Vicki and her husband first saw it – abandoned and falling down. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LVVeWZe77pA/UoWBW3MTBmI/AAAAAAACEtU/fQmOebGL3G0/s1600-h/image13.png"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1wbn_FIZePM/UoWBZ5elI3I/AAAAAAACFFM/yOIjGAd1jBs/s1600-h/image87.png"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1wbn_FIZePM/UoWBZ5elI3I/AAAAAAACFFU/5xnworWYhDE/s1600-h/image347.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-M9F_0dhIrqs/UoWBhtgSBFI/AAAAAAACEts/3ZBZx3_rQ8I/image_thumb145.png?imgmax=800" width="1204" height="904"></font></a></a></a><font size="5"> </font> <p align="center"><font size="5">And here is the house when construction started. The entry was moved to the garage instead of the front door – which is seen here in the middle in blue. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MNQ3vumaKAc/UoWBkmKo1bI/AAAAAAACFFc/eHP725i9Tjc/s1600-h/image93.png"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MNQ3vumaKAc/UoWBkmKo1bI/AAAAAAACFFk/iEiBWjSCR4U/s1600-h/image352.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DeOuAR60SZI/UoWBrkj52mI/AAAAAAACEuE/h0c2T6ek-2c/image_thumb150.png?imgmax=800" width="1204" height="904"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">From the balcony, the view of the hotel across the street.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p></blockquote> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kYicBreLO54/UoWBtyhef_I/AAAAAAACFFs/sAdXP62heWc/s1600-h/image99.png"><font size="5"></font></a> </p> <blockquote> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kYicBreLO54/UoWBtyhef_I/AAAAAAACFF0/F08gojb9Sps/s1600-h/image348.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WQlv0V9iHD4/UoWBzmQFpLI/AAAAAAACEuc/Ca4s-mI4ZVk/image_thumb146.png?imgmax=800" width="754" height="1004"></font></a></p></a> <p align="center"><font size="5">The scaffolding goes up. Renovating in Provence calls for extreme patience. Getting permits can take months and even years. The grounds under St. Remy are Roman ruins, so great pains are taken to be sure no archeological relics are destroyed when renovating properties. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oA6kZZ14I3g/UoWB17tTyNI/AAAAAAACFF8/sKquvE5IjLw/s1600-h/image19.png"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oA6kZZ14I3g/UoWB17tTyNI/AAAAAAACFGE/iSDAMBbhMvU/s1600-h/image349.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Om7y_1bnkIE/UoWB7wieh-I/AAAAAAACEu0/HtALQdEIf1s/image_thumb147.png?imgmax=800" width="754" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Rebuilding the roof. Upstairs will be two bedrooms, one bathroom.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5">`</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-stof653eXEQ/UoWB-KYVT1I/AAAAAAACFGM/-M80xIK4IKc/s1600-h/image28.png"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-stof653eXEQ/UoWB-KYVT1I/AAAAAAACFGU/rVjjnR4kOHk/s1600-h/image354.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ronp0UVayz4/UoWCEODx-aI/AAAAAAACEvM/FGYw3yT3Srs/image_thumb152.png?imgmax=800" width="754" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">A detail over the door.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nLUMKaIKkmw/UoWCGXh8yYI/AAAAAAACFGc/pXctDYc8Hms/s1600-h/image37.png"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nLUMKaIKkmw/UoWCGXh8yYI/AAAAAAACFGk/xddGWoMo-v4/s1600-h/image355.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vBaKBP9rxUw/UoWCLzqgPSI/AAAAAAACEvk/Ecg_3iMhnRo/image_thumb153.png?imgmax=800" width="754" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The stairs before.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cMF3s1Fe3Ag/UoWCODJx_tI/AAAAAAACFGs/bdCq8bnzt5A/s1600-h/image251.png"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cMF3s1Fe3Ag/UoWCODJx_tI/AAAAAAACFG0/ahxWkZ9q-1s/s1600-h/image356.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UfOeU-xjmG4/UoWCULPm2fI/AAAAAAACEv8/jSPO-ZZ3o_M/image_thumb154.png?imgmax=800" width="754" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Interesting to see the roof being prepared for the beams. This will be the living/dining room.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ehAzWIoAUWU/UoWCWfAbwmI/AAAAAAACFG8/Cvg0c9t1Mt4/s1600-h/image311.png"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ehAzWIoAUWU/UoWCWfAbwmI/AAAAAAACFG8/Cvg0c9t1Mt4/s1600-h/image311.png"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ehAzWIoAUWU/UoWCWfAbwmI/AAAAAAACFHE/hYIKBk4vjVU/s1600-h/image357.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5H3SNszAGRU/UoWCb8ovTzI/AAAAAAACEwU/d4HrmdqDBaY/image_thumb155.png?imgmax=800" width="754" height="1004"></font></a></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Wood beams and steel door. The entry hall. These beams were later whitewashed. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NYcDRAaLdUE/UoWCeP6BwbI/AAAAAAACFHM/Zan6C5uEMDU/s1600-h/image34.png"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NYcDRAaLdUE/UoWCeP6BwbI/AAAAAAACFHU/Ztkme83v_Xo/s1600-h/image358.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YV-fZNVNf0M/UoWCjtgtaMI/AAAAAAACEws/VCBEQQ0jO0k/image_thumb156.png?imgmax=800" width="754" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Notice the arched wood shutter with braces that fits on the outside of the steel door. The dining table will sit in front of this window/door.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5N7r4HMMijQ/UoWCkz7OpfI/AAAAAAACEw0/-YE9F61UtgU/s1600-h/image41.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uw-FNVnwNGk/UoWCmEUB5dI/AAAAAAACEw8/b0idBSiRCis/image_thumb15.png?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The galley kitchen – most appliances will be hidden behind cabinets.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qXUbMRKgfAQ/UoWCoOm6t7I/AAAAAAACFHc/ixs0Mqk7zj0/s1600-h/image47.png"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qXUbMRKgfAQ/UoWCoOm6t7I/AAAAAAACFHc/ixs0Mqk7zj0/s1600-h/image47.png"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qXUbMRKgfAQ/UoWCoOm6t7I/AAAAAAACFHk/gGzBq9mIJQo/s1600-h/image359.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PCJLOJ9P0Mg/UoWCr1spNvI/AAAAAAACExU/Q_4bCV4aG2Q/image_thumb157.png?imgmax=800" width="754" height="1004"></font></a></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Open shelving going in.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vHNJfvWePzc/UoWCt53bazI/AAAAAAACFHs/fVGApEGYO1s/s1600-h/image44.png"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vHNJfvWePzc/UoWCt53bazI/AAAAAAACFH0/RBhXCbuuZAo/s1600-h/image360.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-p0YbivYbJR8/UoWCzQvGlhI/AAAAAAACExs/iXza4GCtBjg/image_thumb158.png?imgmax=800" width="754" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The sink cabinet – before.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5">AFTER: </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PwgdFrjVHRU/UoWC1lLE9BI/AAAAAAACFH8/VCBot3I65tw/s1600-h/image231%25255B1%25255D.png"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PwgdFrjVHRU/UoWC1lLE9BI/AAAAAAACFIE/j33eilxiNHQ/s1600-h/image361.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_AS-LN0BEw8/UoWC7NwcWiI/AAAAAAACEyE/BVIVYrw-DuA/image_thumb159.png?imgmax=800" width="754" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">And here is the façade, all cleaned up. The shutters are now a light blue/gray – much more subtle than their original color. The original bush has been cut back to make it more manageable. The large bedroom is located here on the second floor – behind the shutters. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C57AQFpG-9Y/UoWC9cFuwhI/AAAAAAACEyM/oQ5rJgm7leA/s1600-h/image78.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2YZRlKlabKA/UoWC-e0rQjI/AAAAAAACEyQ/t21LzPHzLB8/image_thumb30.png?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Love the address plates.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N0Mj6UJv4Go/UoWDAneN5tI/AAAAAAACFIM/e4bvk8jrIcg/s1600-h/image81.png"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N0Mj6UJv4Go/UoWDAneN5tI/AAAAAAACFIU/PpGvDH3QA78/s1600-h/image362.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gsBmMqHf2d0/UoWDHGSEZdI/AAAAAAACEys/XkGFqJ0pxXU/image_thumb160.png?imgmax=800" width="753" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The front door was restored, along with its stone surround – even though this is no longer used as the entrance into the house.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ot3FQC7hQv8/UoWDJY7gmnI/AAAAAAACFIc/JbNHCX3dDmg/s1600-h/image61.png"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ot3FQC7hQv8/UoWDJY7gmnI/AAAAAAACFIk/vNt1va_zCVY/s1600-h/image363.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9AUBAJGQFKo/UoWDPQIQgGI/AAAAAAACEzE/-dNh987pOiE/image_thumb161.png?imgmax=800" width="754" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Original hardware remains.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--CdNHK1NFZY/UoWDRtx27cI/AAAAAAACEzM/bXycxtaZQe4/s1600-h/image55.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gee6l4ZQll4/UoWDT-fchMI/AAAAAAACEzU/77VOmLhdb8w/image_thumb211.png?imgmax=800" width="753" height="1004"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">And welcome to the entry hall, which is the former garage. The terra cotta tiles are from Mas de Berard – there was enough left over to use here throughout the first floor. I’m in love! This is so, so charming the way that Vicki put it all together. I really love the gilt frame inside the trumeau. Just love this!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zXMlFk1FWpM/UoWDWMyqREI/AAAAAAACFIs/cGZcF8VO8ZY/s1600-h/image58.png"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zXMlFk1FWpM/UoWDWMyqREI/AAAAAAACFI0/K_nwpP0qcO8/s1600-h/image364.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kB9BIP-jEnQ/UoWDc38aDPI/AAAAAAACEzs/aMVUzBDZTfg/image_thumb162.png?imgmax=800" width="900" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">A close up - I really like the metal plants. If you can ever find these – buy them! They look so great on a mantel or on a bakers rack, like this one.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eeXqSGtGbn8/UoWDfTTHucI/AAAAAAACEz0/vyKxMT6a1-w/s1600-h/image66.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4o0-vkS-QPw/UoWDhtPUIuI/AAAAAAACEz8/6hnbrSOxXFk/image_thumb26.png?imgmax=800" width="754" height="1004"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Across the entry is this bench filled with baskets ready for the market. Love the candle stands. Above are great looking white washed beams.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jeWM7V-_JfU/UoWDj1pcKeI/AAAAAAACFI8/ivzhaIUNRSk/s1600-h/image102.png"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jeWM7V-_JfU/UoWDj1pcKeI/AAAAAAACFJE/e4cq6hr60W0/s1600-h/image365.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MiziTWqMeto/UoWDqP2ABoI/AAAAAAACE0U/Ecb7fjeo9Kg/image_thumb163.png?imgmax=800" width="754" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Going through the entry is this small hallway – with a commode found in an antique shop in Provence. </font> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mcnbHMKMM8g/UoWDsumSW1I/AAAAAAACFJM/yh3O2y5IHqo/s1600-h/image108.png"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mcnbHMKMM8g/UoWDsumSW1I/AAAAAAACFJU/UzmvYFF1fZA/s1600-h/image366.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2Xj2dgavhPs/UoWDzJrKWjI/AAAAAAACE0s/PwI2MguaJdM/image_thumb164.png?imgmax=800" width="840" height="1119"></font></a></a></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p align="center"><font size="5">Close up of the small pass-through hall. Love the mirror Vicki added and I really love the apothecary jars. There is a powder room across from this hall. </font></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7nUaOW5bMAY/UoWD1iL4efI/AAAAAAACFJc/kDhqtmHenZ8/s1600-h/image228.png"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7nUaOW5bMAY/UoWD1iL4efI/AAAAAAACFJk/6d24sJ2JPGQ/s1600-h/image2261.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wyhK65j9wUI/UoWD7EIPV_I/AAAAAAACE1E/t_K802njOBg/image226_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="753" height="1004"></font></a></a><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The main room is a combination living/dining room with the kitchen off to the side. At the window are linen panels. Next to the French chair are two chairs covered in aubergine linen. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s2yWygdPXp8/UoWD9m_Z18I/AAAAAAACFJs/UqF0NBg532E/s1600-h/image195.png"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s2yWygdPXp8/UoWD9m_Z18I/AAAAAAACFJ0/zOPxt2Xvfn0/s1600-h/image1931.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-S5srjgkuYPo/UoWEDKTWebI/AAAAAAACE1c/5HLMoT5EGUI/image193_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="753" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Vicki does interesting vignettes – notice the charming drum. Behind this chair are the wood tread stairs that lead up to the two bedrooms.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mTiH4U9nuZc/UoWEFfpPv6I/AAAAAAACFJ8/17tkAwNRytc/s1600-h/image216.png"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mTiH4U9nuZc/UoWEFfpPv6I/AAAAAAACFKE/kinpoP8HTBQ/s1600-h/image2141.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4sCafEQ9_1Y/UoWEK8GtpyI/AAAAAAACE10/HNj8VdrLVoo/image214_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="753" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Next to the stairs are this pair of chairs that sit under a wonderful set of botanicals. Vicki likes to mix the new with the old – here she puts a set of classic nesting tables next to antiques. Aren’t these botanicals fabulous?</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-A2rS-F8SFMM/UoWENKj_UWI/AAAAAAACE18/K81kLU1wxNc/s1600-h/image30.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GelqtoZpzUw/UoWEPfCYO2I/AAAAAAACE2E/V3xTxwrxM8o/image_thumb14.png?imgmax=800" width="754" height="1004"></font></a><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The focal point of the room is this painted bookcase in the dining area. The sofa is covered in a subtle toile that looks like Bennison Roses in pink. The terra cotta tiles pick up the color of these fabrics.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fxmYQFSOh4k/UoWEQ4kHViI/AAAAAAACE2M/2TDKzaFlByg/s1600-h/image%25255B62%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5n0RZl5yU7w/UoWESUvWqDI/AAAAAAACE2U/LXVocDaHOUo/image_thumb%25255B30%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="616" height="616"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">This shows the sofa with its end tables and the dining table behind it. The kitchen is to the right. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Bwgstcz89lY/UoWEUhdEavI/AAAAAAACE2c/V0q4wgD4H9k/s1600-h/image341.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pv3VN_9QUhc/UoWEWxuTTxI/AAAAAAACE2k/R_-A2NrFBQc/image_thumb16.png?imgmax=800" width="754" height="1004"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The dining room table is painted and sits underneath a crystal chandelier, which is the main light fixture in the room.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HF18hkhJO4c/UoWEYlo9AII/AAAAAAACE2s/t8Kku2teQlE/s1600-h/image%25255B70%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zOqORZc8cxc/UoWEaLE0CsI/AAAAAAACE20/WimxYnusKpY/image_thumb%25255B34%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="616" height="616"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The arched window/door opens off the dining room to the neighborhood outside.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LsY_rHjDMDk/UoWEdE-aCvI/AAAAAAACFKM/TcFy_3lHQl4/s1600-h/image213.png"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LsY_rHjDMDk/UoWEdE-aCvI/AAAAAAACFKU/kQn_gyaHJdI/s1600-h/image2111.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7Tx5jR6EqOs/UoWEl0cxE9I/AAAAAAACE3M/Cu0Axf4aPHk/image211_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="1204" height="904"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Vicki mixes white dishes with red and white transferware. Beautiful monogrammed linen napkins.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-whAq2C8FnLg/UoWEoXwuQLI/AAAAAAACE3U/PFDeb7uyu6A/s1600-h/image201.png"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RntX8pzl7DI/UoWEqj1euUI/AAAAAAACFKc/NtVdrXrvuTw/s1600-h/image192.png"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RntX8pzl7DI/UoWEqj1euUI/AAAAAAACFKk/Lb_QBBK8LtU/s1600-h/image1901.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YwszwKnwZ_o/UoWEwba9jVI/AAAAAAACE3s/p9oX5c9NAeg/image190_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="754" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Vicki accessorized the bookcase with paintings and books.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KM9poZPCjBU/UoWEyjKwvVI/AAAAAAACE30/nnp0cw5oJ48/s1600-h/image2021.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fPocNGSjJag/UoWE2sBWoiI/AAAAAAACE38/6_PJEWScMCQ/image202_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="753" height="1004"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The kitchen is located through the opening. Along this side of the kitchen galley are cabinets that hide the oven and refrigerator and microwave.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0fuOmUWeAOk/UoWE4wGVm5I/AAAAAAACE4E/haLBbe0HoHc/s1600-h/image38.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kuBNaaNopzA/UoWE7GOi-DI/AAAAAAACE4M/tnne1nXKpqI/image_thumb18.png?imgmax=800" width="754" height="1004"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The countertop is a stone from the region. At the top shelves are a collection of small paintings.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-x4wAc0pV7gg/UoWE-BPzq7I/AAAAAAACE4U/lGPZjkhOML8/s1600-h/image174.png"><font size="5"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kkbrUsBxyN4/UoWFBCv_hzI/AAAAAAACFKs/gt9IT5k1dxI/s1600-h/image189.png"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kkbrUsBxyN4/UoWFBCv_hzI/AAAAAAACFK0/lsrFce9QJ2U/s1600-h/image1871.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yJDN6loapp8/UoWFJdCkIOI/AAAAAAACE4s/YRtdg57nw44/image187_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="1204" height="903"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The kitchen is fully stocked if the guests would rather cook than eat out. There is also a chef available for those who want to eat in, but not cook. So many choices!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5jjcyY6XDK8/UoWFLML-izI/AAAAAAACFK8/lQyjT0J5Fds/s1600-h/image183.png"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5jjcyY6XDK8/UoWFLML-izI/AAAAAAACFLE/Dz2lC86lf2U/s1600-h/image1811.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-u2D3Ru-KKjw/UoWFO3v7uRI/AAAAAAACE5E/2EfAw62vfec/image181_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="754" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Appliances hiding behind the cabinets in the kitchen.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Paint color? The walls are similar to Farrow & Ball’s ‘elephant’s breath, while the woodwork is paler, a colour resembling Farrow and Ball’s ‘skimming stone.’</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Ready to go upstairs?</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Imw7L_ZtESs/UoWFP3t9SwI/AAAAAAACFLI/1Y0wycji1-M/s1600-h/P81431362.jpg"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Imw7L_ZtESs/UoWFP3t9SwI/AAAAAAACFLU/NvqwJ9XyVMM/s1600-h/P814313611.jpg"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Imw7L_ZtESs/UoWFP3t9SwI/AAAAAAACFLc/rl484fj-KZA/s1600-h/P81431361.jpg"><font size="5"><img title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA " src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CF-SzZO5v7s/UoWFRs95UpI/AAAAAAACE5g/WL5MJlA5fac/P8143136_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="750" height="1000"></font></a></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">At the landing is a vignette with a chest, clock and sconce. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gIMpdU7ZnSs/UoWFTvbEs4I/AAAAAAACFLk/vbJ7TpyU_50/s1600-h/image171.png"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gIMpdU7ZnSs/UoWFTvbEs4I/AAAAAAACFLs/8sAA6y_3z_4/s1600-h/image1691.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-whcdaYnX6cA/UoWFZLtO48I/AAAAAAACE54/lBPRNlgaHBE/image169_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="753" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Down the hall is a collection of paintings in gilt frames flanked by sconces. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0acQHm2xwm4/UoWFcKMkOEI/AAAAAAACFL0/zhyNGeWe84c/s1600-h/image111.png"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0acQHm2xwm4/UoWFcKMkOEI/AAAAAAACFL8/OmGKyRinC20/s1600-h/image1091.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-29UCOO08kKQ/UoWFkguUbUI/AAAAAAACE6Q/Y68bT0vM4i0/image109_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="1204" height="904"></font></a></a><font size="5">There are two bedrooms upstairs. This is the smaller one that has a balcony. Beautiful linen pillowcases. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZPvQFDVMDJo/UoWFnKuPVZI/AAAAAAACFMI/L4wlEeorgFU/s1600-h/image117.png"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZPvQFDVMDJo/UoWFnKuPVZI/AAAAAAACFMQ/5-Mr2oJ2Or0/s1600-h/image1151.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9OCv_cFV5Eo/UoWFsJpVIGI/AAAAAAACE6o/t5gq7a88LSw/image115_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="753" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Upstairs – there are hardwoods. Across from the bed are two bergeres with a toile fabric.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TbFeKXk0PlY/UoWFwCuFVZI/AAAAAAACFMY/tmf4WpnPJlU/s1600-h/image114.png"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TbFeKXk0PlY/UoWFwCuFVZI/AAAAAAACFMg/75q-EDx1XoA/s1600-h/image1121.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-edV9-_byoxI/UoWF4vCMDQI/AAAAAAACE7A/kDUohVOOoIE/image112_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="1204" height="902"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Another vignette by Vicki. She puts her favorite caramels out for the guests. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bcVPYyv84wI/UoWF7NLkKVI/AAAAAAACFMo/XKVHYdBFCJ0/s1600-h/image123.png"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bcVPYyv84wI/UoWF7NLkKVI/AAAAAAACFMw/PdrBotB5oHI/s1600-h/image1211.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-39MNUh-15Go/UoWGBPYCxnI/AAAAAAACE7Y/q9VP4VaAJ6s/image121_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="754" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Vanity mirror repurposed as a book holder by Vicki!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--9IR6tCY0_g/UoWGDr47QnI/AAAAAAACFM4/rLMdVZtAF70/s1600-h/image129.png"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--9IR6tCY0_g/UoWGDr47QnI/AAAAAAACFNA/t1YvXmIh3p8/s1600-h/image1271.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-goCWLf7zfzw/UoWGJooGQdI/AAAAAAACE7w/bFO-zhrrmYY/image127_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="754" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The back of the chairs are traditionally upholstered in ticking.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GVp1UxXBx-c/UoWGMOFlI-I/AAAAAAACFNI/GvFDsgyPHQM/s1600-h/image126.png"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GVp1UxXBx-c/UoWGMOFlI-I/AAAAAAACFNQ/0Efiueb52uU/s1600-h/image1241.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OllTWseX_xA/UoWGSqy3mQI/AAAAAAACE8I/Wxl5Lhox8pE/image124_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="753" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The balcony off the smaller bedroom. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1vr1GVfiLZo/UoWGUsuYfqI/AAAAAAACE8Q/A1OOT1PXvFA/s1600-h/image43.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-okBUrcK65FA/UoWGWq7GbpI/AAAAAAACE8Y/yHBz-h1y788/image_thumb21.png?imgmax=800" width="754" height="1004"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Even the balcony is charmingly furnished!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IDbVUheHMHg/UoWGYScRPfI/AAAAAAACE8g/VkjXAmFon_w/s1600-h/image%25255B55%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LCn0uVqGaDI/UoWGZ2jAf6I/AAAAAAACE8o/eFFxt_XGu-g/image_thumb%25255B27%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="616" height="616"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The view towards the other direction.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Iqh8EFaftt4/UoWGbhZ25tI/AAAAAAACFNY/9AHiD4PydYM/s1600-h/image138.png"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Iqh8EFaftt4/UoWGbhZ25tI/AAAAAAACFNg/BWZ_FfAGv4o/s1600-h/image1361.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jytEAQTa6IE/UoWGg3H3rII/AAAAAAACE9A/NWb58s1CtVk/image136_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="754" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The larger bedroom has two bergeres and painted nightstands. Notice how Vicki places prints or mirrors behind each nightstand in both bedrooms.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6IHjk6VkyVk/UoWGjJl4vZI/AAAAAAACFNo/kPilHQDNN1o/s1600-h/image147.png"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QffFBKNkDs8/UoWGl3g4CLI/AAAAAAACFNw/LkJwuLgcURU/s1600-h/image141.png"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QffFBKNkDs8/UoWGl3g4CLI/AAAAAAACFN4/wVsh4bpyAwk/s1600-h/image1391.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z8gX04-eJk0/UoWGtg2lIuI/AAAAAAACE9g/nM6T1CUFfRo/image139_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="1204" height="903"></font></a></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">There is a vaulted ceiling with painted beams. This headboard is tufted in linen and the dust ruffle is out of the same linen.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6IHjk6VkyVk/UoWGjJl4vZI/AAAAAAACFOA/NkrkMVw3KR8/s1600-h/image1451.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Y05RYG5hVIg/UoWGy7fkOVI/AAAAAAACE9w/M3WWLtF2KVw/image145_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="753" height="1004"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Notice the pretty doors and cabinets. Along one wall is a painted chest with a mirror and lamps.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ORcnLoZ6CLo/UoWG1LU6fXI/AAAAAAACFOI/6QDCY7NPhQc/s1600-h/image132.png"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ORcnLoZ6CLo/UoWG1LU6fXI/AAAAAAACFOQ/jNgn4cf8W88/s1600-h/image1301.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dRNRgpBA1DI/UoWG6WqmbUI/AAAAAAACE-I/G7IXc-_ZKVg/image130_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="753" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Closeup of the fashion prints and lamp.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2qMAY9EfjIU/UoWG9exrKfI/AAAAAAACFOY/EfIKxxMq360/s1600-h/image144.png"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2qMAY9EfjIU/UoWG9exrKfI/AAAAAAACFOg/xCldpLQ6knE/s1600-h/image1421.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lweaOcUAco0/UoWHF8LOmFI/AAAAAAACE-g/YHN2DNvpN9s/image142_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="1204" height="904"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">A stack of large antique books act as a side table next to the bergere.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y4Oo0COsGkQ/UoWHIPQUQnI/AAAAAAACFOo/LA09sOdYCoM/s1600-h/image150.png"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y4Oo0COsGkQ/UoWHIPQUQnI/AAAAAAACFOw/ZpNzAq0RO60/s1600-h/image1481.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Rnte_9Oh1Gg/UoWHNoznhdI/AAAAAAACE-4/781QMDgBToY/image148_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="753" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">French doors open to the view of the historic area of St. Remy.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WZNk_8qxgdA/UoWHPQy4KZI/AAAAAAACE_A/sJ8hG9S4wY8/s1600-h/image%25255B66%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_N_SKXSdQX8/UoWHQ8aTIdI/AAAAAAACE_I/V6yQ2z6uSwA/image_thumb%25255B32%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="616" height="616"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The view from the Juliet balcony window in the large bedroom.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2QICQFz5WS8/UoWHRrH9FcI/AAAAAAACE_M/G1othitJ5ME/s1600-h/e13db5acf9aa11e2bbed22000a9e28b0_71.jpg"><font size="5"><img title="e13db5acf9aa11e2bbed22000a9e28b0_7" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="e13db5acf9aa11e2bbed22000a9e28b0_7" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZQKlbCmW3GQ/UoWHSUbE8rI/AAAAAAACE_Y/OocHLRxqo_M/e13db5acf9aa11e2bbed22000a9e28b0_7_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="616" height="616"></font></a></p></a> <p align="center"><font size="5">View at night.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7xKBsXs79mk/UoWHUccfbZI/AAAAAAACE_g/LAcgmgImZTs/s1600-h/image%25255B74%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eAyYMk0_ajQ/UoWHWjiwbuI/AAAAAAACE_o/bFtojEL_eqY/image_thumb%25255B36%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="754" height="1004"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The two windows in the large bedroom – notice the curtain gatherings, it looks so pretty.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oqETXzTlehw/UoWHYdHXY0I/AAAAAAACFO4/BBjQMZbiF-0/s1600-h/image168.png"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oqETXzTlehw/UoWHYdHXY0I/AAAAAAACFPA/aOSzctQzby8/s1600-h/image1661.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8cv7_DJ3oMw/UoWHddqY-cI/AAAAAAACFAA/_JqNmWq3C3w/image166_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="753" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">The bathroom sink with its Venetian mirror and sconces. </font> <p align="center"><font size="5"> </font> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UO9-dq9ix-M/UoWHfnz8eNI/AAAAAAACFPI/Kmf-VsKAO8g/s1600-h/image156.png"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UO9-dq9ix-M/UoWHfnz8eNI/AAAAAAACFPQ/8xkwZhiTMxQ/s1600-h/image1541.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KG_k0Ly2ljo/UoWHktMnygI/AAAAAAACFAY/QmZsLbha2uQ/image154_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="753" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">There is a tub and a shower – for both options.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5tec5ApCjQQ/UoWHmPoFMfI/AAAAAAACFAg/oz1X_N0qq-E/s1600-h/image%25255B78%25255D.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5Hn3h5XyWKo/UoWHnyRDSII/AAAAAAACFAo/U3pvcdFz_0I/image_thumb%25255B38%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="616" height="616"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Sweet. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-N47tpHz7A5I/UoWHp8_ST8I/AAAAAAACFPY/LCr2P7HdLP4/s1600-h/image162.png"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-N47tpHz7A5I/UoWHp8_ST8I/AAAAAAACFPg/rrpi_O0RQqo/s1600-h/image1601.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I4XOhEcO89U/UoWHvzZMcLI/AAAAAAACFBA/twRuTFi6izg/image160_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="753" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Heated rack for towels.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TcnnLxpRuNc/UoWHyATMZMI/AAAAAAACFPo/0Iew8e5JAFI/s1600-h/image222.png"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TcnnLxpRuNc/UoWHyATMZMI/AAAAAAACFPw/wLMPhxluznA/s1600-h/image2201.png"><font size="5"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vUOKS8onYuY/UoWH3ec0kKI/AAAAAAACFBY/HJfOTuytBrk/image220_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="754" height="1004"></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">I’m ready! I’ll spend a week here and then a week in the country at the Huff Harrington house we saw a few months ago </font><a href="http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2013/09/do-you-need-place-in-stay-in-france.html"><font size="5">HERE</font></a><font size="5">. Care to join me?</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5">I hope you enjoyed this tour of Le Petite Bijou in St. Remy! A huge thank you to Vicki for all her gorgeous photographs. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5">To contact Vicki Archer about renting Le Petite Bijou, go </font><a href="http://vickiarcher.com/le-petit-bijou/"><font size="5">HERE</font></a><font size="5">.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">To read Vicki’s blog, French Essence, go </font><a href="http://vickiarcher.com/"><font size="5">HERE</font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">To listen to the Skirted Roundtable interview of Vicki, go </font><a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2010/12/vicki-archer-of-french-essence-joins-us.html"><font size="5">HERE</font></a><font size="5">. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"></font></p></blockquote> devihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16337011690004721154noreply@blogger.com0