The sunshine made its debut for Mother's Day just as the day began to draw to a close. It immediately beckoned me outdoors where I paused to remember how lovely the light is at the end of the day. Hedges were trimmed in our neighborhood this weekend, grass was mowed, and dare I say, the mooring field is looking slightly more occupied. I am anxiously awaiting the summer to arrive. Upon my outdoor exploration, I was reminded of how much I adore this darling historic home (captured above) down the street from us. She also happens to be on the market and would make an excellent summer escape. See the listing, here.
On the Market: A Villa in the French Riviera
Panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea, a rose garden, a vegetable garden, a covered terrace and ocean breezes for days.... this home in the French Riviera is on the market. To view this property and more, visit here.
Cowboy Moguls
I caught up on Friday's WSJ accompanied by an epsom salt bath and tea. I was especially drawn to the article discussing the strong demand for mega ranches in the U.S. - those with typically over 100,000 total acres (with often a substantial portion of deeded acreage) listed from roughly $10 million to $175 million. (Find your mental map of the U.S. and think about New Mexico - this is where the 'cowboy moguls' are mostly flocking to). In the fiscal year of 2014, the value of U.S. pasture land normally grazed by livestock rose 11%, making property with revenue streams highly desirable. With drought conditions slowly on the upswing, higher cattle prices, a boom in the oil & gas industry and attractive interest rates on mortgages, ranches that have been sitting on the market are starting to sell.
In 2012 for instance, Billionaire Stan Kroenke, (owner of St. Louis Rams and soccer's Arsenal F.C), scooped up the 124,000-acre Broken O Ranch in Montana for a cool $132.5 million. Head due south, and D.R. Horton (founder of America's largest home building company) purchased Great Western Ranch in New Mexico for over $59.5 million, where he hopes to use the 293,000 acres as a landscape to entertain clients and made available for use by his 'key employees'. Despite the alluring qualities of entertaining and sporting on the majestically vast land, there is certainly keen interest in investing in an asset that can aid in profitability, whether it may be fracking and mineral rights, livestock operations or fees from wildlife hunting. Those billionaires might be on to something...
Read on, here.
Hard Hats with LKRE
Last Friday, I joined the Libby Kirwin Real Estate (LKRE) team for a tour of their latest collaboration with builder Behan Bros, Inc., and developer, Arch Street Development LLC. In the midst of construction, (hence the hard hats), The Carey School Residences will transform any notion one has had of Newport living. If you have been privy to Libby Kirwin's Renovation and Design Consulting business (LKRDC), you'll know that her team's eye is fresh, edgy, functional and always one step ahead. They have single-handily taken the stale air out of real estate. That approach is alive and well with this project.
With a team comprised of a renowned builder, developer AND listing agency-meets-design consultancy, you'll want to keep tabs on this project. The structure was once an elementary school, and while some original architectural elements will be preserved, it is gracefully morphing into what will be 13 units of condominiums in prime Newport locale. Floor plans will range from a one bedroom unit to penthouse units with views of Newport Harbor and beyond. Finishes will be classic Newport but with an industrial sophistication. Get LKRE on speed dial for the latest on the listing.
Intrigue in Ibiza
It feels naughty to dream about vacation when you're ON vacation, but alas, I can't help but be intrigued by the above property. The home belongs to Luis Galliussi, and although I can't speak a lick of Spanish, by the looks of the online editorial, he lives my kind of lifestyle. See more in Architectural Digest España.
On the Coast: Rugged Beauty
I've been captivated by the Oregon Coast for quite some time and it remains on my bucket list of domestic travel destinations. This home in Cloverdale, Oregon will be up for auction in two short weeks. Although there are several things I would do differently with the property, you can't ignore her rugged beauty & bliss - all 25 acres! See more here.
A Pacific Heights Classic
I loved the feature in Lonny this month detailing Susan Greenleaf's home in Pacific Heights, San Francisco. The brick 1867 Georgian-style home was once the residence of a French government official and now, a vibrant family home. An interior designer, Susan's style is playful yet traditional which seems logical given her roots abroad in London and her husband's career in the tech space. You'll find shades of citrus in geometrical art throughout the home, canary yellow upholstered Louis XVI chairs, and whimsical Scalamandré wallpaper in the powder room. This is, however, a home that lends itself to functionality, vitality and growth - she and her husband have eight year old twins. Read on about the home, here.
Mark Your Calendar: SF Decorator Showcase
The Decorator Showcase is my favorite annual event in San Francisco. This year, I am particularly excited about the house selected, as I have been mesmorized by the ivy-covered home ever since my first walk in the Pacific Heights neighborhood. Last year, the home sold for $18M making it one of the most expensive (residential) real estate transactions within the year. It should also be mentioned that it sold above asking price. (For those unfamiliar with the San Francisco real estate market, this is more common then you would think).
The Decorator Showcase will be open from April 26 - May 26 this year, showcasing the work of over twenty six interior and landscape design firms. The event, open to the public, is a fundraiser for the San Francisco University High School. Last year, the event raised over $622,565 (net).
I reccomend attending the event on a weekend morning or after work. It's a wonderful event to go to with friends who appreciative design, and also makes for a fun pre-dinner date activity.
To learn more and purchase your tickets, visit here.
On The Market
Sotheby's describes this listing as a "superb blend of historic and contemporary" and I would have to agree. This beauty is as quintessential as it gets when thinking about San Francisco landmark mansions. Almost 10,000 sq. ft., the home commands nothing but grace and gusto. Astonishingly, the home includes a garage that can accommodate 4.5 cars, which is unheard of in San Francisco. Although almost every inch of the home is unquestionably remarkable (you're paying $1,044/sq. ft. by the way), I think my favorite feature of the home is the kitchen and outdoor space. See the full listing here. MLS #: 415441.
Blue Skies & A Rustic Calling
While getting caught up on my WSJ Real Estate section, I couldn't help but be drawn to this unique 360 acre ranch in Stanley, Idaho up for sale. The sprawling property features breathtaking panoramic views of mountains perfect for hiking and skiing, converted sheep wagons for a rustic sleep retreat and best of all, a geo-thermal hot spring that flows into an outdoor tub. Pack your boots and whiskey, time for an adventure! Yeeeee-ha!
Images via.