luxuryspaces.net

By Taro Yanagisawa, BoConcept Aoyama, Tokyo, Japan

One of the big challenges of living in a city the size of Tokyo is making the most of your living space. Japanese homes are relatively small compared with other parts of the world, and this is especially true in big cities, where house prices are very high. A typical Japanese home is less than 1,100 sq. ft., and usually combines the living and dining space in one. I live alone in an apartment with 400 sq. ft., so you could say that personal experience has taught me to become an expert in optimizing limited space.

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A sure sign of upscale living is a fine kitchen. Preferably, one with high end cabinets with luxurious wood, stainless steel themes, large open spaces for ventilation, and highly advanced appliances to go together. The kitchen is not only an accessory to be displayed around for aesthetic purposes however. It is also the place to jumpstart healthy eating habits and a stylish relaxation place to enjoy culinary delights.

Kitchen enthusiasts sadly are not always born with silver spoons in their mouth. Rich “kitchen enthusiasts” are most often more interested in the aesthetic purposes a high class kitchen provides rather than the functionality and services it can provide compared with other kitchens.

When two former Russian scientists, who established their own chemical business in the US 13 years ago, outgrew their apartment and decided to buy a larger one in Chevy Chase, MD, they turned to Deborah Kalkstein to design the renovation of their new home from conception to completion.

“I showed Deborah this apartment in September or October [2005], even though my settlement wasn’t until Read the rest…

To keep up with the well-off Joneses, you’ll need to invest in heated bathroom floors, a state-of-the-art sauna, eco-friendly materials and computer-assisted light, heating and security systems.
By Lucy Maher, Forbes.com

You have an elegant gunite swimming pool, mottled granite countertops and a steam shower in your master bath. But in the race for the ultimate home, you’re still behind.

Home trends move fast, especially at the very high end of the market, where new ideas take hold. Whirlpool baths, once a rarity, can be found in many a decent new subdivision. Ditto for double-height living rooms. Stainless-steel appliances are practically standard.

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In Puget Sound, $1 million doesn’t get you a luxury home anymore.

Sure, you can buy a 4,000-square-foot view home in Mukilteo, complete with a pool and indoor home theater. Or a 3,250-square-foot home on 3 acres in Woodinville. Or a new McMansion on a regular-sized lot on the Sammamish Plateau. Maybe a 1,300-square-foot condo in Belltown or Bellevue.

But luxury you won’t get. Nowadays, a luxury home will cost double, even triple, that in some neighborhoods, agents and appraisers say. The luxury price threshold is more like $3 million.

At the end of November, 110 single-family homes and eight condos priced at more than $3 million were listed for sale in King County, and 10 single-family homes but no condos above $3 million were for sale in Snohomish County, according to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

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Organization

But Rafferty insists that, for her, it’s less about luxury and more about organization.

“We never knew where anything was,” she said. “It’s been a huge time saver in day-to-day living. Everybody is so busy — maybe it’s the area we live in — I think this has required people to see where they can save time. It’s a very practical luxury; we always know where everything is supposed to go. There are divided sections so everything is easy to find.”

Rafferty’s husband is certainly happy with the change.

“There are a lot of pullout display drawers for my husband. There are special places for his baseball caps, cufflinks and pretty much anything that comes out of his pockets at the end of the day. They designed pullout drawers on rollers so he can see what he’s got,” she said. “My space was more conventional: Makeup and accessory drawers that are shallow. It makes it easier to see where everything is. I also like my shoes hidden behind the closet door while my husband prefers them to be visible,” she said.

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Helen Rafferty and her husband, Brian, have been trying to come out of the closet since June. It hasn’t been easy. They are enjoying it too much.

Their enjoyment comes from the organizational masterpiece built for them at the beginning of last summer by Bilotta in Mamaroneck; a closet as big and luxurious as a new room in their house.

In fact, it is a room in their house.

An entire spare bedroom, 14 feet by 12 feet with high ceilings, that has been converted into what is now one of their most lived-in spaces.

Sound familiar? That’s because the Rafferty’s story reflects a growing trend in designer luxury rooms.

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The first thing to do is to eliminate the things that are not necessary. It is better to have a wide and clean place to live in than a crowded one. Try to start in your clothes. Choose the clothes you are not longer wearing. Put these on a garage sale or a rummage sale (this would be an extra income for you). Your old bags, shoes, and accessories can be of help to other people who cannot afford a new one. Donate the books, handouts, and notes that you’re not using any longer. Aside from saving space, you can also earn money. How good isn’t it?

Fireplaces have been the thing of log cabins for years. For practical purposes, it is a radiator of heat, a life saver in extreme cold conditions out in the wild. But just because it’s a thing of cabins and such doesn’t mean people haven’t adapted it for their own aesthetic purposes. As with all exotic things, humans always find a way to be recreate things that they are not always exposed to.

To most romantic individuals, fireplaces are the ideal centerpieces of living rooms. Sitting in front of the fire on a warm fur rug with a cup of hot chocolate on a cold day is heaven to those seeking that perfect setting.

The new rising Splendido Taal Towers, a set of 4 12-storey condominium towers, is the latest joint venture of JAKA and Sta. Lucia Realty and Development, Inc. The luxurious residential resident can be found in the Tagaytay ridge area, a 70km away from Metro Manila, Philippines.

The 250-hectare planned community will feature a centerpiece, its country clubhouse, Golf and Country Club. It will also feature several sports and recreation facilities such as outdoor swimming pool, basketball, volleyball, squash, badminton, and tennis facilities. For those looking to unwind and relax, massage and spa facilities are available at the Splendido Taal Country Club.