by Roberta Murphy I have staked out early mornings as time for myself and dedicated it to yoga at the Chopra Center in Carlsbad. No real estate clients, no family, no phones, no intrusions. That slice of time belongs to me. Six mornings a week, in the cool, quiet hours before dawn, I arise, shower and head down the hill to the La Costa Resort and Spa for an hour…
by Roberta Murphy Alzheimers disease haunts our family. Could it have been prevented? I sometimes stray from luxury homes and products under the guise of writing about quality of life. And one of the elements key to quality of life is the ability to recognize it when you have it. We buried my mother last June, but we had lost her at least two years earlier. You see, my mother…
A San Diego Golfer’s Dream Once upon a time, a renowned San Diego golf teaching pro decided to create his very own practice course. The setting had to be bucolic and a magnet for native birds, wildlife and outrageous sunset views. The home was to be a custom one–a sprawling single story full of gentle archways and warm, inviting hues. The climate could be nothing other than perfection: San Diego…
by Roberta Murphy For some reason, crystal chandeliers are dirt magnets. They sparkle like nothing else when clean and look like clouded glass when soiled (which occurs all too soon after cleaning). Lets face it, crystal chandelier-cleaning is a drippy, arm-tiring and time-consuming chore, no matter who performs the task. How about just tossing your Swarovski or Strass crystal chandelier into the dishwasher? It appears this fantasy is now a…
by Roberta Murphy I have always justified my preference for fine bed linens by considering the percentage of ones life spent between them. And though I have never slept on D. Porthaults sheets, they remain on my list of wanna-trys. And who wouldnt want to luxuriate on fine, hand-finished sheets that start at around $1100 for a king set with two shams? Celebrities, royalty and business barons happily shell out…
by Roberta Murphy The Luxury Blog Directory (or L-List), started by the inimitable Paul Johnson, continues to grow and re-seed itself in separate locations. I have tried to pull the listings together once again. This time, to make sure all are included, it might be wise to make sure your luxury blog is included below and if its not, add it (as long as it is luxury-oriented). And if there…
by Roberta Murphy Several years ago I graduated from Feng Shui training as a certified practitioner. My own home and those of understanding friends and real estate clients became laboratories for element and furnishing rearrangements. Entire bookshelves in my home accumulated the Feng Shui works of Lillian Too, Kartar Diamond, Karen Kingston, Jon Robertson, Suzan Hilton and other wise teachers. Because there is so much to share, this will probably…
by Roberta Murphy I just returned from a meeting of top real estate agents in North County San Diego. There was much discussion about what is selling and what is not. Aside from market issues (luxury home market is strong here and multiple offers are not uncommon for buffed homes in the $1.5 million and up range), the issue of home presentation and staging was at the very top of…
by Roberta Murphy What if there were a wood treatment that not only disgusted termites, but repelled mold and fungus as well? This dream is now a reality at least for those fortunate custom home builders and remodelers who are able to demand their choice in wood. Though it makes for colorful framing (think Smurf blue), Bluwood has captured the interest of homeowners who wish to avoid the hazards of…
by Roberta Murphy This is a short-notice deal, and reservations must be made by March 24, 2007, but what a great opportunity to steal away to Puerto Vallarta for a weeklong tropical vacation. According to Forbes Traveler, this all-inclusive package runs $999 and includes both airfare (from a number of West and Midwest airports) as well as accommodations and meals at the four-and-a-half star beachfront Marival Resort and Suites. Ideal…
