architecture. Balemore

The Balemore is my ultimate home. I really do think I could live a super sleek and modern home, but I fight with the "coldness" that can sometimes be associated with modern design.

The estate has a real history (it was a wedding gift!) and then has been updated for the needs of the new owner. The Balemore is one of my "Top 10."

The property is described on Luxist.com as:

"The Balemor Estate, built in 1929, was originally constructed for Elizabeth Paine as a gift for her marriage to Thomas Metcalf but has had major renovations since those days. The six-bedroom home is on over two acres. Terraces and formal gardens connect indoor and outdoor living. The home's classic brick exterior reveals a space that has been considerably lightened up. French doors and abundance of windows contribute to a bright and modern space including a simple and contemporary living room. The modern kitchen has a Wolf 6 burner induction gas cook top, Wolf range oven and microwave, Thermador refrigerator, and two Fisher and Paykal dual drawer dishwashers. The custom built pantry includes an additional refrigerator and an abundance of storage and a spacious seating area with a gas fireplace overlooks the terrace. The outdoor kitchen has a grilling deck and wood burning pizza oven and the formal dining room with dual fireplace is located between the living room and kitchen.

The east wing of the house has a great room with Crestron projector screen, electronic black out shades, gas marble fireplace and four sets of French doors. The library is a cosy space with custom oak paneled walls and original cast iron fireplace and a nook for a home office.Located off of the kitchen is a guest suite with private entrance and full bath. The second floor master bedroom suite has a vaulted ceiling and two master baths. There are three additional bedroom suites on this level. The top floor is open space that could be used for bedrooms, offices, or full time live-in help. The lower level has a spa with an adjacent treatment room. The renovations are magnificent and flawlessly done but it's hard not to pine a bit for the more classic lines that this home must have had in its previous incarnation."

  

This home is listed with Sotheby's. 

The Balemore

1014 Boylston St,
Brookline, Ma 02467 

architecture. Villa Volpi

The Villa Volpi. A Classic formal design, but somehow furnished in a modern casual casual style. The Countess had an innate sense of style. Its seems like a fitting beach house for a Countess... I love it! I think it would be a wonderful home to entertain many wonderful friends. Maybe it will be purchased and turned into a resort. So many options! All we need is someone willing to purchase this "beach cottage." (reference to "Throughly Modern Milly" If you haven't seen it, its worth seeing)

This view is what sold me. Done... I'm in LOVE!

  "Villa Volpi, a neo-classical palazzo overlooking the Mediterranean that's featured in Italian luxury labelTod's new ad campaign, has been listed for sale at $33 million. 

The amazing property, luxe lifestyle setting of attractive people and classic Ferrari's in the alluring ads, sits on 26 acres including a private beach. The estate is the creation of Countess Nathalie Volpi di Misurata, an aristocrat with a reputation for impeccable taste and refined elegance who enlisted celebrated Milanese architect Tomaso Buzzi to build the palazzo in 1960. 

Villa Volpi's seven lavish bedrooms and entertaining spaces have played host to many notable guests over the years, from celebrities to royalty, society and international dignitaries. Additional buildings on the estate include a three-bedroom guest house, a two-bedroom cottage and stables. 

"This home fosters an incredibly peaceful and glamorous way of life," notes Clarice Pecori Giraldi of Christie's International Real Estate, "bringing together a unique location in Italy - where waterfront properties of this scale are extremely rare - with the incredible sophistication of classical architecture."

  

"This home fosters an incredibly peaceful and glamorous way of life"

design. bachelor pad.

I am a bachelor, thus I love this home.


I think the location and modern design are what appeal to me most. I really enjoy a good Italian Villa or French Maison, but right now I'm really liking the modern and sleek.


Its for sale and my birthday is coming-up...*cough*... It was featured on Luxist.com and can be found at Hilton & Highland.

"It takes one to know one. Josh Altman, arguably one of Los Angeles' sexiest and most successful bachelors, has listed a home at $6,250,000 that he describes as "the sexiest bachelor pad I've ever sold." 

The property, a sleek high-end toy box that screams "let's party" is a state-of-the-art Architectural home designed for entertaining. It has large open rooms, high ceilings for art collections, and explosive city-to-ocean views in a gated enclave. The living and dining rooms have full-wall sliding glass doors that open to the infinity pool and spa. The 1,200-square-foot master suite has a fireplace, sitting area and walls of glass. There's a bells-and-whistles kitchen with every amenity a chef could dream about, set in Macassar ebony cabinetry. 

For entertainment, there is a THX theater, bar and spa-like baths throughout. The home has a limo length garage and underground power lines. 

The Altman brothers work out of the Hilton & Hyland Real Estate office in Beverly Hills."

Enjoy.

*cough*... birthday. ;)

architecture. stairs.

My new home was built in the 1950’s and has some interesting stairs. They aren’t horrible, but they lack something… a defined style.  This “defined style”, I fear, will need to be relatively inexpensive (it’s a rental) and have to comply with local construction code… Apparently I MUST have handrails :/  

These are my stairs. They have a hand rail on the wall, but apparently they need the other bars to prevent any children from falling off.  I'm annoyed. First, there will not be any children in this house. Second, if there are children present, their parents should be more watchful.  I don't like having to limit my design options for hypothetical children :p

I’d like to remove the bars and keep it open… I want to SO BAD, but the landlord has already told me “NO!”

So, while I ponder the realistic options that I have, I will daydream of options like these from Home-Designing's articles 10 Innovative Stair Design Concepts and Beautiful Stairs:

dreaming.

design. sofa.

I have been sofa shopping, not sofa buying. There are too many options and I have realized I need to find some inspiration to keep me "on track" while looking so that everything works with my chosen theme. As I have been contemplating the many design inspirations that I could use for my new home, I have found that I am really drawn to a “California Casual Beach” style.  I guess because the home is in California and in a beachside community, the choice makes sense.

I began to research for an inspiration and, as always, Ralph Lauren came to the rescue.  His Driftwood collection is the perfect inspiration… Unless I win the lottery or invent some amazing widget, I will be using these photos for inspiration as I hunt for similar pieces.

The Driftwood collection from Ralph Lauren:

The Driftwood Sofa

I love you Ralph... Forever and Always!