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December 4, 2008
Sustaining Luxury: Your Own Private Island?
By Kimberly Toms / Summer 2008
So, you want to retire on your own private island?
Let’s think about that, for a moment. You buy the island. Then what? It is uninhabited, as it is your island, meaning only for you, right?
Now, how will you build your house? Ship all of the materials in, bringing them by rowboat or helicopter to the shore? Or, will you go to the expense of building a private airstrip to fly everything in (including the manpower), first?
Hmm. Logistics, logistics, logistics. Oh, the bane of your existence on your beautiful private island, those logistics!
Additionally, when you need to borrow a cup of sugar or feel like sharing a cocktail over stimulating conversation, who will you call upon, on that very private island?
Perhaps you should rethink your retirement dream. How about a semi-private island, meaning you share it with a select few of your new best friends, and you start enjoying ownership immediately, versus at the ripe old age of late retirement?
Turks & Caicos Sporting Club’s private jet strip.
By doing that, there are no logistical worries, as the jet strip is built. The sporting club is ready to host you for personal training or gourmet dining. You don’t really have to worry about crime, as everyone on the island is a property owner or club employee. And, the best part? That would be that there is no annual property tax.
Heaven. It is turquoise-oceaned, sandy-beached, iguana-inhabited, tax-free Heaven-on-Earth, for only a select few people who think just like you. Well, those who think like you and can afford a minimum $600,000 for a home site on this island of gorgeous, unspoiled beauty.
This “Heaven” is Turks & Caicos Sporting Club at Ambergris Cay, British West Indies.
Turks & Caicos Sporting Club is one of the recent residential sporting communities developed by DPS Sporting Club Development Company of the United States. For over fourteen years, DPS has been creating private, luxury residential communities and equity sporting clubs in locations of both breathtaking scenery and historic significance.
Located at the southern end of the Bahamas, 575 miles from Florida, the natural elements of Ambergris Cay’s eight miles of pristine views, white sand beaches, world class fishing, snorkeling and diving meet structural additions, such as the longest paved private jet strip in the Caribbean, a beach club, deep water marina and yacht club, member’s lodge and fitness center, tennis courts, squash courts, climbing wall, bowling alley and movie theater. The environmental and the manmade also converge, through Zen-appreciative luxuries such as yoga and Pilates studio, double ocean view spa with private treatment rooms and Japanese soaking tubs, as well as an environmental learning center and staff naturalist.
Beyond luxury is the conservation-based planning that protects Ambergris Cay from human overuse. One third of the island is preserved, namely for the wildlife that includes the largest population of the Turks & Caicos rock iguanas (Cyclura carinata), as well as the highly fertile fish habitat that is protected through a strict catch and release policy.
In fact, Turks & Caicos Sporting Club partnered with San Diego Zoo’s Dr. Glenn Gerber of the zoo’s Center for Conservation and Research for Endangered Species, in order to ensure iguanas are able to peacefully live and thrive with humans co-habiting on the island. To protect the iguanas, the only motorized vehicles allowed at Ambergris Cay (beyond jets utilizing the runway) are animal-friendly golf-style carts.
Although personal transportation will not include Hummers or convertible Bentleys, homes are generally of Anglo-Caribbean architecture that combines British colonial formality with the breezy, relaxed style of the West Indies. Integrity of the island’s development, as well as the ongoing obligation to minimize the footprint of human inhabitants while affording luxury and structural beauty, falls in the hands of an Architectural Review Board, also protecting residents’ investment at Ambergris Cay.
Yes, we are all dreaming bigger these days. No longer are executives, entrepreneurs, celebrities and the financially prosperous dreaming of simply owning a “vacation home.” That has given way to the now more common response to the age-old question of, “If you could have anything you want, what would it be?” Now that the answer of, “To retire young on my own private island,” is a reachable goal, what is next?
December 4, 2008
Shore Comfort
By Scott Pruden ~ Photos by James Jackson SLIDESHOW
Fall 2007
Off season at the Jersey Shore is deadly silent.
Along the ocean, the emptiness is broken only by the cries of gulls and the crashing waves. On the bay, the occasional late-season fisherman motors by, enticed back onto the water by unseasonably warm temperatures and calm waters. Nearby, the sound of a seagull cracking an oyster on the asphalt heard from two stories up can be the only thing that breaks the silence for minutes at a time.
The streets are deserted in a way usually only seen in post-apocalyptic science fiction movies. Six story tall landmark Lucy the Elephant gazes out to sea with little company, the I Love Lucy Snack Bar – along with what seems like half the restaurants and retail stores – closed for the season. A few beach-combing stalwarts roam the sand or recline on folding chairs to take advantage of the wide expanse of shoreline that is now theirs for the taking.
But along with a conspicuous absence of human activity comes the steady hum of commerce continuing just beneath it. Stand on the beach and listen. Not far away, beneath the roar of the waves and the whipping wind, there are the sounds of circular saws and hammers wielded by men in the midst of creating the Shore’s next wave of luxury homes – often on the demolished footprint of the modest beach cottages that preceded them.
Hidden behind the doors of real estate offices, meanwhile, agents and assistants bustle with a stream of high-end buyers and sellers that continues unabated even in the face of a real estate market that for most everyone else has turned a bit sour. “Teardown” is the latest buzzword, usually describing as many as three 1950’s-vintage homes, usually on the “beach block” just off the ocean, giving way to make room for one expansive new one.
It is confirmation that even in these seller-unfriendly times, there will always be a market for homes that combine either historical charm or modern luxury appointments with a spectacular view of water.
So if you are tired of renting for those few months each summer and have $3 million-plus on hand to drop on home No. 2, we’re happy to help you spend your money. Just don’t hold it against us if we ask to crash at your place for a few days when summer rolls around.
10 East 12th Street , Avalon – $4,195,000
No one likes the idea of suburban sprawl, but Shore home sprawl is something everyone has likely hoped for towards the end of a family vacation in too-close quarters.
There will be no danger of falling over aunts, uncles, cousins or in-laws at this Avalon beach block stunner, with seven bedrooms, five full baths and two half-baths spread over three stories to keep out of each other’s way.
The best part is the space isn’t limited to just inside. Five decks – two each on the first two stories and a private area off the master bedroom – give everyone plenty of room to spread out, congregate or be alone.
The home is designed with an “upside down” floor plan that is popular with beach homes because it places most bedrooms on the lower floors, while reserving the second and third floor for living spaces and bedrooms for owners who want to take better advantage of the stunning ocean views.
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But that doesn’t mean the first floor is all about utility. It is freely acknowledged that a full beach house, particularly when there are kids and teenagers present, will not always agree on a sole source of entertainment. That’s why the designers of this home have paid special attention to the lower level family room. Custom built-in book cases house the flat-screen TV and DVD setup, with room to spare for video game systems. And if the kids want a drink, there’s no need for them to have to hike upstairs to get it. The entertainment unit comes equipped with refrigeration drawers for keeping a steady supply of beverages ice cold and within easy reach.
Other details abound, including granite countertops throughout, an interior that has been completely professionally decorated (and that includes all furniture and décor) and a professionally landscaped yard that is downright expansive for a piece of Shore property.
The views alone should sooth nerves shattered by pre-vacation stress and a little too much holiday family togetherness, and it’s comforting to know that the blissful solitude of Avalon’s broad beach awaits within easy view and a short walk away. The prime corner lot location also means there are fewer neighbors to be on top of – or to have on top of you.
For those who don’t feel like getting sandy and salty, the home features an in-ground heated swimming pool with a deck big enough to accommodate plenty of summertime partiers.
For the owners, privacy is a key consideration, with the expansive master suite tucked away on the third level with its own private balcony. From here you get best views of the reason you came in the first place – the ocean – as well as constant reinforcement that you made a very good home buying decision.
9835 Sunset Drive, Stone Harbor – $4,395,000
Life at the Shore isn’t all about the ocean, particularly for those whose enjoyment comes primarily aboard a watercraft. There’s plenty of beauty to be appreciated along the Great Channel, what with the stunning sunset views, the deepwater boat landings and the quiet that comes with not having a public beach at your front door.
Of course, life “on the bay” would be made that much better with a luxurious home from which to appreciate it. But why scream about your luxury acquisition like some insecure kid when you can instead bask in the understated elegance obvious only to the discriminating eye?
That’s a perfect description of this New England-style home. It sits modestly on a corner lot on one of Stone Harbor ’s most dreamed-about streets, envied because of its proximity to the water, dining and shopping, says real estate agent Holly C. Rennie of Ferguson Dechert Real Estate Inc. But you wouldn’t know the home was held in such high prestige from its initial appearance. That is until you begin looking closely.
Certainly the house is beautiful. Just walking around the corner from the bay, it’s easy to see what sets this two-story, 3,000-square-foot home apart. But again, the details tell the story. Ledgestone facing adds to the rich detail of the exterior, as do the solid wood doors on the exterior storage area. The cedar shake shingle siding is specially prepared to resist the brutal onslaught of coastal weather.
Unfortunately, unlike its beachfront cousins, this home can’t accommodate a swimming pool. That doesn’t mean, though, that the residents can’t enjoy a little outdoor living. The two-level weather-resistant deck built from TREX material guarantees that there will be plenty of room for the party to move outside. Guests will be well served from the indoor cabana with its own refrigerator (including two separate beverage drawers), dish washer, trash compactor and ice maker.
Off the deck, there’s plenty of room in the boat slip for a craft up to 25 feet long, as well as space for personal watercraft like Waverunners or Jet Skis.
Inside, things only get better. The opulent details continue with granite countertops in the kitchen, the four full and two half-baths and even the laundry room. The Andino cherry wood floors throughout the home gleam, and fit and finish is at luxury levels in all parts of the house. And perhaps best of all, the purchase price gets you not only the home itself, but its tasteful furnishings and décor, too.
But some of the best features are hidden – or at least not immediately evident. Take, for instance, the home’s high-tech electronic Smart House system, that includes built-in iPod “docks” in each room. These handy electronic ports allow a guest to plug in their MP3 player and hear their digital music through the room’s built in speakers. Elsewhere, flat-screen TVs (wired to digital cable) are featured in the common areas and almost every bedroom.
Upstairs, the kitchen is a cook’s paradise, with a Sub-Zero refrigerator, plus two supplemental refrigerated drawers that let you grab a cold one without worrying about reaching past leftovers in the big fridge. The Wolf gas cooktop will ensure gourmet meals are at least a possibility, even if the gang feels like ordering pizza (again). A beautiful custom mosaic backsplash adds a burst of color and individual style.
Those who prefer to make their Shore visits in the cozy winter months – or who just plan on living here year ’round – will appreciate the radiant heat floor in the master bathroom after they step out of a drenching shower in the oversized, mosaic appointed stall.
In the second-floor great room, the exterior ledgestone theme is brought inside around the fireplace, mantle and chimney. Vertically oriented “palm frond” ceiling fans above are a constant reminder – kind of like the ceiling fan version of a Jimmy Buffet song – that you’re living the life to which others simply aspire.
107 South Pembroke Ave. , Margate – $5,750,000
Prudential Fox & Roach real estate agent Paula Hartman is the kind of woman you imagine doing nothing other than her chosen job since birth.
Her striking red hair and gleaming smile make it certain that she’ll be noticed in a crowd, and her tendency to highlight a home’s sheer fabulosity by asking a question, having it answered, then asking it again for emphasis (“Is this a great place, or what?” “Yes, it is fantastic.” “No. Isn’t it? Isn’t it great?”) makes her damn near unforgettable.
But when she says a property is stunning, it’s not just because she’s trying to sell you. Chances are excellent that opinion won’t even come into play about the home of which she speaks because it is, based on all empirical evidence, wonderful.
One such gem in her portfolio is 107 South Pembroke Avenue . A quick look will call to mind Philadelphia ’s Main Line , known for its regal estates that recall the glory and glamour so wittily portrayed by the Stewart-Hepburn-Grant troika in A Philadelphia Story.
Who knew that the same feeling could be transplanted to within yards of the Atlantic and a short drive from Lucy, the town’s famous giant pachyderm?
This sprawling early 20th century brick beauty brings old world charm and workmanship almost up to the beach, combining Georgian-inspired architecture with modern amenities that rival any of its newer neighbors.
The home sits perpendicular to the street, allowing for a private side entrance, a coveted two-car garage and room for more parking in the driveway. The spacious sun porch, lit by arched windows that cross the width of the house, looks out onto the (no-doubt jealous) homes across the way. Inside, enjoy the peaceful sounds of water burbling through the mosaic-backed fountain as the roar of the nearby ocean is audible in the background.
The outdoor pool is accessible from the house by a grand brick porch with dual stairways leading down to the deck. And yes, it’s important to make the distinction because there’s another one – a two-lane lap pool – inside the adjacent cabana/pool house combination.
Taking that early morning dip won’t mean you’ll miss breakfast, though, because the intimate breakfast nook just off the kitchen looks out through a double window into the enclosed pool area.
If you happen to be the person stuck inside toasting a couple of bagels, rest assured that you’re equipped to do plenty more. The kitchen maintains many of the features that made it functional back when the home’s owners employed a staff to keep things running smoothly – an intimate design and multiple work stations that include two separate sinks being the most obvious.
But don’t think this space – or the rest of the house, for that matter – hasn’t benefited from some modern updates. The kitchen is fitted with a restaurant-quality range just right for preparing Sunday morning bacon and eggs for a huge summer crowd still a little bleary from tanning and tippling.
Throughout the three stories there seem to be bedrooms (there are six) and bathrooms (six and a half) at every turn. All of the bathrooms have been updated from their original Spartan turn-of-the-20th century style to accommodate nearly anyone’s needs, and some have even been fitted with luxurious steam showers – a sure reminder that you’re enjoying 21st century hospitality. Guests staying in the former servants’ quarters above the garage even have their own second laundry room and a direct route to the kitchen via the back staircase.
Living spaces have kept pace with the times, too, with a surround sound system complementing the flat-screen television in the living room, which also features original fittings like a marble fireplace with a mahogany mantle. Hardwood floor will beckon bare feet all summer long, and custom stained glass adds to the rich, antique feel.
It’s truly the best of several worlds, combining old-world luxury with modern living in a glorious resort setting. When do we move in?
December 4, 2008
Date-Ready Design: 3 Steps to a Romantic Domain
By HGTV’s Krista Watterworth
Fall 2007
Your living space says a lot about you to a date or partner. Krista Watterworth, Designer and Host of HGTV’s Save My Bath gives expert tips for preparing your home for a new romance.
Dreamy Romance Begins in Your Home
Seeking a “dreamy” romance? The first step toward a healthy, happy relationship is to ensure you are healthy and happy, yourself. Your home’s condition directly influences your stress level and emotional well-being. It should also reflect the best of who you are, inspire you, encourage relaxation and comfort both yourself and your dreamy date.
Start by creating an inspiration room – a place where you escape to feel good about yourself, your life and your surroundings. When you are relaxed, you are naturally a more attractive, giving mate.
Inspiration rooms should have elements that positively affect the five senses. This space should provide a relaxing end to a stressful day or a rejuvenating jaunt into another state-of-mind.
For the sense of smell, try lavender incense. It is often used as a homeopathic remedy for anxiety.
A tabletop water fountain or relaxing music provides a soothing sound for your ears.
Tactile fabrics such as silk, cotton, or cashmere for blankets, pillows and upholstery provide a welcoming texture.
Cool blues and greens are settling and peaceful for your eyes, while ornaments such as Buddhas evoke feelings of hope and safety. A framed photo of your favorite place to travel encourages relaxation.
A pitcher filled with filtered water, organic mints or even peppermint tea will please your sense of taste.
Get rid of clutter and get organized. It not only looks better but you will find things more easily and quickly. Clutter equals stress and decreased productivity for you. It also feels chaotic and unwelcoming to your guests.
One of my favorite projects was to create homemade storage boxes. I began saving boxes from holidays and deliveries. I collected decorative papers, stationary, wrapping paper, and interesting looking art magazines. I put together all the papers with a similar color scheme and complimentary patterns, and voila! – instant designer storage boxes! I labeled each one and I can now store items in open shelves, on tabletops, and counters by using my gorgeous new boxes. Everything is in its place and there’s a place for everything!
Transform your bedroom into your sanctuary. After all, it is the most intimate room in your home (next to the bathroom).
Remove, cover or store all your electrical equipment – or better yet, don’t have any. This room has the greatest effect on your health and well-being because sleep and romance are essential to a balanced life. Electrical items create a conflict of energy, and your bedroom should nurture your soul and feel inviting to both you and your partner.
Your home should provide inspiration, energy and relaxation. It should reflect positive notions of your sense of self, soften your edges as well as resonate with your sense of style. It’s easier than you think to create your very own dreamy, romance-ready home!
Television personality Krista Watterworth is the energetic host and designer of HGTV’s hit show Save My Bath, now in its fourth season. She has helped transform over 52 of America’s ugliest bathrooms into contemporary, functional and beautiful spaces. She is also founder and lead designer of Urboeclectic Design (www.urboeclectic.com) and co-founder of Inspired Urban Spaces (www.inspiredurbanspaces.com). She was recently featured on HGTV’s You Should Live Here, Kitchens and Baths 2007, Ultimate Bathrooms, as well as 25 Biggest Decorating Mistakes, and has had guest starring roles on As the World Turns (CBS) and All My Children (ABC).
December 4, 2008
Fashion Forecast for Your Home
Fall 2007
Fashion runways have long been the inspirational source for home furnishings and decorating color choices. Debbie Zimmer, paint and color expert with The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute shares 2008’s trendy paint palettes for your living space.
“Consumers’ increasing color confidence and personal style makes any color fashionable for 2008,” Zimmer says. “From glass-like blues, botanical greens, dramatic black and white and whisper soft pink, color directions will drive towards individual self-expression, glamorous living experiences or an increasing awareness of important environmental causes.”
Zimmer’s Top Three Color Palette Choices for 2008
Go Green
“Green may just become the newest ‘neutral’ color,” Zimmer says. Used as a subtle backdrop to reflect an enhanced eco-consciousness and social responsibility, green will be representative of the growing environmental movement. Mid-tone hues of fern, palm, pine and sage will be used on their own or coupled with clear blue or aqua to create a living space that conjures up a sense of outdoor-friendly living. Sandy tan and adobe brown can be intermingled to complete that earthy and eco-friendly feel. While suitable for all areas of the home, these combinations are an especially good choice for bathrooms, kitchens and family living spaces.
Bold Sophistication
Gaining popularity in 2008, black and white paint hues will enhance opulent living spaces filled with accessories, lighting, mirrors and rich fabrics. Silver metallics and high sheen finishes along with rich textures benefit from the sophistication of this striking palette. Zimmer suggests, “For an unexpected color punch, add cause-related hues such as dramatic red or maintain the room’s classic undertones with subtle pink or taupe.” Dramatic and sophisticated, black and white is becoming the backdrop of choice for glamorous spaces. Master bedroom suites and living rooms are two of the spaces that can benefit from sophisticated elegance.
Be Crewel
Many consumers continue to strive for simplicity in their technology-driven overloaded lifestyles and seek a return to a gentler way of life. The crewel color palette reflects consumers’ returning interest in crafts, home cooking and family-focused activities. Like a rich and color filled needlepoint pattern, these hues add a soulful and personalized feel to any space. “Handcrafted items create a sense of stability and security and these warm, creamy rich colors will do the same in your space,” says Zimmer. Rich cranberry reds, warm browns, along with pumpkin orange help to create a nurturing and caring environment. Mix in deep-toned blue and the tapestry is complete. Crewel colors remain an excellent choice for kitchen or dining areas and can be warming, like a knitted afghan, in family spaces.
December 4, 2008
5 Steps to Snoop-Proof Your Bathroom
By HGTV’s Krista Watterworth
Fall 2007
You’ve had a few great dates and now that special someone is coming over for a visit. Don’t let your romance fizzle before it even gets started! Your date will most likely snoop when he or she heads to the bathroom (wouldn’t you?) and scary personal products or a scummy shower curtain may well lead Mr. or Ms. Right right out the front door!
According to Krista Watterworth, design guru and host of HGTV’s hit show Save My Bath and Biggest Decorating Mistakes, the state of your bathroom is a tell tale sign of your personal hygiene and could be seen as an indicator of the care you’ll put into your relationship. She offers the following quick tips for making the best impression:
Clean and tidy is the only way to go!
Don’t leave dirty, wet towels hanging in the bathroom and make sure all surfaces are clean and mildew-free.
Make sure there is hand soap and toilet tissue.
Empty the wastebasket.
Gentlemen: Clean the toilet seat…thoroughly, including under the seat and around the bowl!
Ladies: Get rid of any knotty, linty hairbrushes and sweep up those strands of hair.
Rid the medicine cabinet of your “dirty little secrets.”
If you aren’t ready to let your date know what medication you take, don’t leave it in the medicine cabinet.
Edit your personal care products!
Nothing screams “I’m high maintenance” like a bathroom overrun with products. Keep the illusion that you’re a “natural summer beauty” by storing away all but a few essentials. You may use six different moisturizers, four different hair gels and two different acne creams, but your date doesn’t need to know this!
And a tip for the organizationally challenged – if you haven’t used it for a few months, it’s probably time to say goodbye to it.
Decor counts!
Even your bathroom can express your sense of style. Have a fresh and clean set of neutral colored towels available and display a scenic image in a photo frame. It’s a great sign to a potential partner, when a date cares about the details.
Turn the romance up a notch.
One nice scented candle or even a simple tea light can make a big difference.
Everyone loves a little romance so always keep some floss and mouthwash on hand, in case your date wants to freshen up for smooches.
Oh and that spare toothbrush may come in handy!
Television personality Krista Watterworth is the energetic host and designer of HGTV’s hit show Save My Bath, now in its fourth season. She has helped transform over 52 of America’s ugliest bathrooms into contemporary, functional and beautiful spaces. She is also founder and lead designer of Urboeclectic Design (www.urboeclectic.com) and co-founder of Inspired Urban Spaces (www.inspiredurbanspaces.com). She was recently featured on HGTV’s You Should Live Here, Kitchens and Baths 2007, Ultimate Bathrooms, as well as 25 Biggest Decorating Mistakes, and has had guest starring roles on As the World Turns (CBS) and All My Children (ABC).
December 4, 2008
Loft Life
By Kimberly Toms with Profiles by Kate Wright ~ Photos By Mark Margraff ~ SLIDESHOW
Spring 2007
Imagination revives dilapidated factories and worn-down warehouses into chic new living spaces ready-made for entertaining.
Since the 1800s in Paris, artists have long utilized the high ceilings, vast expanses and massive windows of former commercial buildings as the optimum live and workspace. Through the windows that once pulled the attention of sometime daydreaming assembly line and machine workers, warm beams of light shot down from the sky and illuminated color placed passionately by the artist on white stretched canvas. How ironic that the former workers, often impoverished individuals who were stuck in a cycle of lower class struggle, used their imagination to focus on what was outside of the walls and windows, whereas artists of the 1950s and beyond brought their focus to the interior of the former warehouses and factories, to bring their own imagination to life.
New York, Boston and Chicago were the first American cities to embrace the transformation of empty commercial and warehouse structures within downtown areas into what are now referred to as lofts. Initially, these residences were reformed illegally, as they were commercially zoned. However, by the 1980s, the zoning had changed due to the popularity and overwhelming public acceptance of the loft lifestyle. Now, cities from coast to coast have experienced a surge of loft development, including in Philadelphia’s Center City, New York’s Soho, Portland’s Pearl District, Dallas’ Deep Ellum and Chicago’s Printer’s Row. Even smaller cities, such as Chattanooga, Lexington and Des Moines have joined the movement.
As part of the revitalization of formerly vacant or dilapidated buildings into living spaces, the urban environment as a whole is reenergized. When people move into downtown areas and warehouse districts, their need for easy access to basic necessities accompanies them. Grocery markets, salons, restaurants and cafes, boutiques and galleries soon follow the new residents into reclamation of a neighborhood that may have previously existed as empty buildings, parking areas and overgrown lots. Not only the loft occupants benefit from the changes, as downtown developments bring a certain “joie de vie” to areas once frequented only by corporate workers hungry for new places to dine, shop and relax for lunch and after work.
Loft dwellers are, for the most part, single adults and married couples without children, who enjoy living without the responsibilities of suburban life, including lawn maintenance, longer commutes to work and general house upkeep. Further, these typically college-educated, affluent residents of urban environments enjoy being within walking distance to their favorite areas of socialization, dining, cultural attractions, entertainment, shopping and business.
The beauty of lofts is the ease with which one may personalize and decorate the space. Most inhabitants opt for gourmet-style kitchens with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, with bathrooms including large showers (or massive tubs) and the same quality appointments as the kitchen. Beyond those two rooms, the loft becomes more about the use of furnishings adequately scaled to the vastness of the overall space, as well as how each living and functional area are appropriated. Although there is generally an absence of internal walls dividing rooms, placement of furniture and rugs can dictate how the space is divided without obstructing views or freedom of movement.
As for entertaining, the social benefits of living in a refurbished commercial space are many. Ceilings are high, creating an atmosphere wherein laughter, boisterous voices or music can dictate the mood of an event, as sound resonates clearly throughout the space. Kitchens are generally open to the rest of the floor plan, so the host may continue their duties without missing out on festivities or conversation with guests. Mingling is easy and unencumbered by walls, lack of floor space and furnishings. In a loft, parties are never just simple gatherings, as from most areas of the apartment one can hear and see all of the action, effortlessly creating a lighthearted, jovial vibe.
According to Kay Roberts, Interior Designer and Instructor of Etiquette and Protocol in New York, “Lofts encourage social gatherings through their open design, wherein one area flows into the next. Use of color and placement of furniture can not only force the eye to move from one area to the next, but encourages traffic flow where guests may fluidly move, discover, and interact.”
Lofts are clearly large, airy, and open spaces suitable for entertaining and socialization, but can a person who prefers a cozier atmosphere find peace and tranquility within a loft? Kay clarifies that “the industrial flavor of some lofts may at first appear intimidating to decorate, but can be warmed into cozy living space.” In order to section areas into more intimate surroundings, “Unpretentious, simple furnishings, large pieces of art, strong color and accessories lend themselves well to the loft and can aid in defining each area, such as the kitchen and dining spaces from conversation, work, and sleeping areas.”
Profiles of Loftiness
The Cigar Factory, located in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia, gives its history away in the name, but today it has been converted into a residential building filled primarily with professionals aged 25 to 40. The current residents of this space perfectly portray the change of pace for loft living, from artists and students to attorneys and bankers.
With its fourteen-foot ceilings and hardwood floors, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, exposed brick, and piping throughout the living area, and exposed beams in the walls and ceilings, these loft areas are just as original as their predecessors but have become too upscale for the starving artist or college student. It is hard to find a loft this nice for less than $500,000. Maintaining the respectability of its 90-year-old history, the bare bones of the building remain intact, yet the grand additions earmark its upscale reputation.
“Unique is the only way to describe the Cigar Factory”, says loft owner, Randy Stern. Randy, a 25-year-old district sales manager for the financial provider HSBC, works long 60-hour weeks and spends his free time taking his dog to the dog park and going to the art museum with his girlfriend. He enjoys a night out on the town, although he prefers bringing people to his place for socialization.
He designed the layout for his loft with an architect, so he was able to plan for entertaining without jeopardizing his personal space. Eight foot walls separate his two bedrooms, so although his privacy is not perfected, he has maintained a significant amount of respect for it. Stern calls his loft “late night central,” as it is where he and his friends can get together, drink, eat, and party for as long as their tired eyes will allow. He occasionally throws a dinner party for an intimate group of friends, but with 1700 square feet, his loft can fit thirty people comfortably. The open space that designates his home as a loft creates a setting conducive for conversation and comfort for everyone present. Lacking the walls that traditionally divide a home, and most likely the people, all of his guests are able to mingle in a way that is not likely in a house with separated rooms and quarters.
Vinnie and Michael, a couple living at Lofts 640 (www.lofts640.com), are the personification of the loft’s own unification of the professional and the artist. Vinnie works as a sales promoter at a posh restaurant in downtown Philadelphia; Michael is a painter and sculptor. This combination of what once was the sole inhabitant of the loft space, the artist, and what is now becoming the majority of loft dwellers, the businessman, mimics the presentation of the old and new that exists inside all refurbished lofts.
Lofts 640, located six blocks north of City Hall, was originally a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant and then became a clothing factory where, rumor has it, the original “Members Only” jackets were made. Michael appreciates the preservation of the “original integrity of what the building once was” while gratefully accepting the modern-day conveniences that have been added. The 640’s lobby décor is eclectic in both old and new – a large painting of oranges suspends next to old doors carved with Asian symbols. The combined scheme works well, and the artist and the professional work well within it.
Both men agree that the kitchen is the favorite part of their home, seconded by their three enormous walk-in closets that are each large enough for a small office. The kitchen has stainless steel appliances and plenty of cupboard space to fit their culinary gadgetry and espresso machines. Most of all, these two love their kitchen because they can cook while entertaining. The stove sits on an island facing the living room with a connected bar where three or four guests sit and chat while drinking a glass of wine or beer from the tap. The open, multifunctional area lightly sectioned into the kitchen, living and dining rooms also encourages mingling among guests, even after the cooking has ended. Comfortably seated, their home fits six to ten people, although twenty can gather for a louder, more raucous time.
Fondue dinner parties are what make Vinnie and Michael famous, Friday nights bring homemade pizza night, and often you will find them karaoke singing with a small group of their friends. As their events, large or small, are so warm and inviting with infectious laughter and conversation, it is difficult to determine whether the loft itself encourages heightened socialization, or if Vinnie and Michael are just outstanding hosts. Perhaps it is a combination of both.
December 4, 2008
9 Deal-Breaking Design Mistakes
By HGTV’s Krista Watterworth / Fall 2007
Krista Watterworth, design guru and host of HGTV’s hit show Save My Bath and Biggest Decorating Mistakes points out nine design mistakes that could inhibit romantically happy endings in your home:
1. Fake Flowers. A huge mistake! Get rid of them immediately. Fresh flowers or real plants ONLY!
2. Too Many Pillows. A few decorative pillows are great, but an overload is uncomfortable and makes it seem like a child’s romper room.
3. Knick Knack Overload. There’s no need to display a snow globe from every place you have ever been. Just keep to a few select things that truly have meaning or are beautiful to you.
4. High Art. Place artwork at eye level only. Just because you have a large photo or painting, you shouldn’t hang it way above the eye line of the average person.
5. Tacky Couch Covers. Don’t follow in your great aunt’s footsteps with plastic covers, an ill- fitting, sloppy slipcover or throw. Try to keep your sofa tailored.
6. Pushed Back Furniture. Make the pieces work for your space, not the other way around. Arrange furniture to create a cozy environment. Don’t use your furnishings to cover wall space.
7. Everything Matches. This can kill a space. There is no reason that the rug, sofa and curtains have to be the same print. This is a dated look that overwhelms the eye and causes anything slightly out of place to stand out.
8. Ignoring Window Dressing. The most sleek homes often have the worst white blinds as “window treatments.” Coordinate window treatments with the rest of the décor, or they will be an eyesore and your place will appear unfinished.
9. Furniture That Doesn’t Fit. Don’t try to squeeze the huge sectional couch from the ‘burbs into a compact city apartment. Instead, opt for a loveseat. Oversized or undersized furniture can have a huge impact on a room.
Television personality Krista Watterworth is the energetic host and designer of HGTV’s hit show Save My Bath, now in its fourth season. She has helped transform over 52 of America’s ugliest bathrooms into contemporary, functional and beautiful spaces. She is also founder and lead designer of Urboeclectic Design (www.urboeclectic.com) and co-founder of Inspired Urban Spaces (www.inspiredurbanspaces.com). She was recently featured on HGTV’s You Should Live Here, Kitchens and Baths 2007, Ultimate Bathrooms, as well as 25 Biggest Decorating Mistakes, and has had guest starring roles on As the World Turns (CBS) and All My Children (ABC).
December 4, 2008
Historically Social: Brownstones
By Kate Wright ~ Photos by Mark Margraff ~ SLIDESHOW
Spring 2007
Homes that were once symbols of status and style for our founding families are being returned to their original glory, as chic dwellings of the social set.
Vastly different from lofts, the brownstone is another favorite type of revived dwelling in Northeastern cities. These beautiful, big, old homes have housed generation after generation of families, and the history that lives inside can hardly be appreciated without further exploration.
Walk down Elfreth’s Alley in Philadelphia and you will gain a clear perspective of life in the United States during the time of our founding fathers. A National Historic Landmark, this cobblestone alley is the oldest continually inhabited residential street in our country, dating back to the early 1700s.
Elfreth’s residences are early rowhouses, now commonly referred to as brownstones, a name that derived from the reddish brown sandstone of which many such dwellings were constructed. This architectural style is simply a row of homes that share side walls with neighboring residences and are characterized by fairly uniform exteriors. Windows tend to be placed evenly from one home to the next and doorways are similar, as are front steps leading to the sidewalk.
Such homes do range from the simple, working class design and construction of Elfreth’s Alley, to more extravagant, larger buildings such as in Society Hill or Rittenhouse neighborhoods of Philadelphia. Brownstones are also found in other cities, such as Brooklyn, Boston and Washington DC.
Rowhouses became the dwelling of choice in American cities during the birth of our nation and through the nineteenth century, as community populations expanded and homes indicative of industrial prosperity became desirable. The purpose of a brownstone home was simply that – to be a comfortable home, while occupying a small footprint in fledgling cities.
Brownstone spatial arrangements gave flexibility to a family and allowed for entertaining guests as well as respecting the need for privacy. The houses were cut up into rooms and hallways, most commonly on three floors, with each floor and space designed for a specific purpose. The ground level housed the kitchen and family rooms; the parlor (second) floor, was intentionally designed for entertaining, with high ceilings and comfort for groups of people in the living and dining rooms; and the third floor consisted of bedrooms.
Modern buyers of brownstones are not just purchasing a rowhouse, but also all of the original elegance of a home with wonderful spaces and centuries-old architectural ingenuity invested within the floor plan. They also have the added benefit of spatial flexibility. With room for both friends and solitude, brownstones allow for social, yet private lifestyles.
Philadelphia-based architect Jim Branch of DPK&A Architects has worked on numerous buildings in the city, and in his spare time, designs and refurbishes his own home located at 21st and Naudain Street. Just north of famed South Street, these avenues are lined with three story homes with brick facades and wonderful twists and turns on the interior.
Jim has gutted most of his home but has managed to keep the original feel of the building. On the first floor lie the living room and kitchen. To the left, a spiral staircase twirls all the way up to the third floor. On the second story, Jim has created an office and entertaining space by separating two smaller rooms with double doors that open wide to create one larger room if necessary. He considered making this a spare bedroom for family and other guests, but decided against it so he would have more room for himself and for spending time with friends. More and more, people living in these homes are renovating extra bedrooms into living areas for entertaining.
On the third floor, the bedroom awaits. This is the only finished room in the house so far, and Jim has done an exceptional job. The original fireplace has been kept intact with new artwork above and on top of it. Entering this room feels like walking into a different time period that should require candles for lighting and heavy blankets for warmth. Jim has added a comfortable cleanliness that combines with the old to welcome him for rest and relaxation.
His work does not leave much time for socializing in the present, but when Jim finishes his home, he will have the perfect space – enough room for dinner parties or movie nights, along with his own separate quarters to retreat as the party nears its end.
In the midst of Society Hill, historic brownstones are plenty. Years ago when Philadelphia was a baby, Society Hill was so called because William Penn donated the area to the Society of Free Traders. It was not upscale, but rather was filled with brothels and bars. Now Society Hill is a different place, and although the homes have been maintained in their original state, the area itself has grown in sophistication and class.
Caroline George, residing at the John Drinker house at 2nd and Pine, is proud of her brownstone’s original trim and cabinetry, hardwood floors and staircases. Every piece of her home is over two hundred years old, creating wonderful holiday warmth regardless of the time of year.
Caroline and her husband, Ed, enjoy throwing parties, implying that just about anything can be cause for celebration in their home. Whether it is their annual Christmas party or summer events, in which they excitedly open both the inside of their home and small backyard to guests, they often welcome up to ninety five people, although they are also fond of a smaller gathering with co-workers or close friends.
Their residence is conducive to entertaining, with its many rooms and spaces for people to congregate. Various groups of people will meet each other, and voices, loud and soft, resonate throughout the house. The individual rooms create a cozy atmosphere with intimate places for conversations. As most people will find, Caroline swears the kitchen is the favorite meeting place, where the Georges always provide plenty of food, ranging from bowls of tortilla soup to catered hors d’oeuvres.
Caroline appreciates the historic value of her property and the uniqueness of the experience of owning such a home. She feels that she and her husband are simply “stewards of this home,” that it is their job to preserve the integrity and the spirit that lie within. They want to share their space with others so their family and friends can appreciate the history, beauty and antiquity that adds to the atmosphere of their parties.
But, Caroline believes that the brownstone itself does not make a party good or bad. “As long as the right people are there, everyone will have a good time regardless of the space that surrounds them.” She loves to entertain because of the residence she and her husband occupy. But, the excitement and the happiness gained from her parties could be found in a loft, two-bedroom apartment, or single family home, as long as good people are involved.
November 6, 2008
Need a Hand? Or Two?
Sometimes you just need a helping hand. Instead of losing your keys, throwing your coat on the floor, or tossing your bag on the sofa, try these:
Wall-mounted, resin, lifelike hand sculptures by Harry Allen do so much for you. Extended or cupped to hold your keys or pocket change, motioning “come hither” to hook a bag or coat, pinching for incense, and grasping for a candle or flowers, these casts of the artist’s hands assist you in the best way possible: without argument!
$75 each, available at Design Public.
