Archive for the 'Luxury Indulgences' Category
The Luxury Shower (and 5 Tips on How to Create One)
Once upon a time, the lowly shower offered faint competition for the jetted bathtub.
The bathtub was where one went to luxuriate, while the shower was a functional cleanser.
Not any more.
These days the lowly shower is one of the hottest home luxuries in demand. The shower stall might contain a steam shower, a multi-headed storm of warm water, or simply a place to stand under a rainfall of ambient temperature.
More and more, as we tour San Diego luxury homes, we are seeing the shower stall (or room) overtake the once dominant bathtub. And even if the shower stall doesnt have a steam feature, discriminating home buyers will often stand back and scrutinize the possibilities of extending glass walls to the ceiling so that steam features and functionality can be installed.
What are these luxury buyers seeking? They want oversized shower rooms with a tiled seat and multiple shower heads. They also like the possibility of sharing the luxury shower with others.
Hence, dual shower heads are also popular. On busy mornings or playful evenings, it might be necessary, compelling, or just plain fun to shower in toto.
These days, the luxury bathroom is closer to a luxury spa than the tiled bath with sink, toilet and tub of the last century. Owners now want not only the jetted garden tub, but also a high-performance shower system that can deliver calming massage sprays as well as invigorating jets that might awaken the most sleep-starved soul.
And even if a complete shower overhaul is not possible, there are some alternatives and remedies to consider:
- Consider installing a shower arm extension to raise the shower head. Most older homes assumed that nobody in the home stood over 5² 5³ tall.
- If you are considering relining the shower stall, consider alternatives to the traditional tile. How about travertine or other stone products?
- Is it possible to add a second shower head especially if there is a tub and water supply nearby?
- Be sure to locate shower head products that accommodate your local water pressure. The higher the better.
- Want a steam shower? When remodeling the bath, this might be an alternative to consider especially if the glass enclosure and door can be brought to the ceiling.
Other luxurious appointments:
The Self Service Spa (Do it at home?)
Induction-Cooktop for the Luxury Kitchen
Ultimate Phone for the Luxury Bath
Switchable Mirror Glass Windows
SONOS: The Ultimate Sound System
Haute Refrigerators for Cool Kitchens?
read comments (0)Kinkos: The Ultimate Business Luxury
But that is a blog for another time.
Pat Kitano has just reported some juicy news that should cause luxury readers to jump with bridled glee:
It is now cheaper to have Kinkos copy, collate and staple ones garden club or horse show announcements (.08) than to do the job by ones self (.49).
Lets keep it a secret, but we thinks soknik might have been calculating things backwards.
God catch, Wizard Kitano!
The Timeless Luxury Home
Sometimes you walk into a home, sense both ageless soul and serenity–and can’t help but smile.
We recently listed such an estate in the beautiful hills of Vista, California. Its current and original owners are a spirited and beautiful international opera singer and her dashing husband, a retired professor of art. With loving attention to detail, it seems nothing was missed in the completion of this luxurious 2003 custom home.
When I first walked into the home, I was struck by the use of old and rich colors, antique woods, the graceful wood and iron staircase, and light classical music that filled the rooms.
At first glance, I knew this home would be exceptional.
The gated hilltop setting offers both ocean and mountain views–as well as quiet privacy. The home’s flexible 4000+ sf floorplan has volume ceilings that carry classical music well, a grand foyer, large living and music rooms, multiple dining areas, and a kitchen Alice Waters might envy.
Upstairs, we discover a substantial master suite with an adjoining study, large dressing room and bath, 
spa tub, and large, organized closets. A romantic trellised balcony overlooks both the mountains and ocean horizon, while the two-way fireplace warms both the bedroom and bath areas. Three other large bedrooms and an open bridge complete the upstairs.
The bones of a home may be magnificent, but inspiring beauty comes from surfaces, windows, doors, lighting, amenities, color and textures. I share clients’ enthusiasm when all of these elements come together.
This home lacks nothing and blends all elements well. It has rich Tuscan colors, art niches and unfluted columns. It beautifully blends the use of stone, iron and woods, and offers contemporary conveniences such as central vacuum and a discreet kitchen vent that captures broom sweepings.
Outdoors is a large covered patio, lawn, gardens and small acreage for hobbies, horses or arborists.
I have often thought that equestrian homeowners in Poway, Rancho Santa Fe and Fallbrook who were displaced by the recent San Diego fires might find this property of interest.
Located on highly-desired Elevado Street in Vista, this estate is reasonably offered at $1.5 million by owners who are anxious to retire in Crete.
We intend to help them accomplish this dream–and look forward to having terrific clients in such a wonderful corner of the world.
Interactive Luxury Home Surfaces?
Much has been written and said about Microsoft’s new surface computing technology.
It is the WOW technology of the year. Sooner than many of us thought possible, this technology will first become a defining feature in luxury homes, and as adoption increases and prices drop, it will likely appear as a builder option in many tract subdivisions.
Imagine interactive coffee tables that wirelessly download photos from your digital camera. Or how about kitchen counters that come to life with not only recipes and schedules–but may also allow you to order groceries, pizzas or Chinese carry-out and pay for it all by laying your credit card on the counter.
Expect to see early adoption of this technology not in luxury homes, but in bars and restaurants.
The possibilities will stagger the imagination.
Luxe Rocks for Luxury Homes
Leave it to Italian designers to create the ultimate in luxury rocks for exterior lightscaping.
These remarkable lighted rocks by Oluce look as if they might have been swiped from the lawn of a distant planet. In reality, though, they were created by Italian designers Marta Laudani and Marco Romanelli with Massimo Noceto. Made from weather-tested polyethelene, these lighted Oluce stones glow with the aid of a screw-in fluorescent bulb.
Dont expect to find these luxe rocks in your local hardware or lighting store though. They are available by special order and then only in œlarge quantities whatever that means. The good news? The price has just been reduced from $513.50 to just $316.00 each. Such a deal!
I hope to seem some of these luminous beauties in San Diego’s luxury homes before too long.
For additional information, you may call ylighting at 866.428.9289 (This is an unpaid, unexpected and unsolicited commercial
)
I wonder if these lighted rocks would attract bugs???
Other fun and imaginative luxuries for the luxury home:
D. Porthault Sheets and Linens
As well as other recent luxury reads:
The Snoring Room
The Self Service Spa (Do it at home?)
Long-Lasting Roses
Induction-Cooktop for the Luxury Kitchen
Ultimate Phone for the Luxury Bath
How to Hide the Bedroom TV
Switchable Mirror Glass Windows
SONOS: The Ultimate Sound System
Haute Refrigerators for Cool Kitchens?
The Overflowing Infinity Tub
Wine Storage for Oenophiles
The Illuminated Bathtub
