Luxury Lifestyle

Luxury lifestyle incorporates homes, second homes, travel, food, wine and other luxury indulgences.

La Costa Villas Offer Big Investor Bonus

Roberta Murphy Investors are moving back into the San Diego real estate market with impatient wallets. And luxury real estate investors are no exception. They are seeking well-priced foreclosures, pre-negotiated short sales and most favored of all: Real estate investments with income streams. So-called bargains in sub-marginal areas may not be the wisest real estate investment move anywhere. Perceived bargains in outlying markets may be nothing of the sort, and…

March 28, 2008
1 comment
Read More >>

The WalMart Effect

by Roberta Murphy Once upon a time, the neighborhoods off Houstons northwest FM1960 were a luxury homebuilders dream. Large wooded and level lots surrounded upscale country clubs such as Champions Golf Course, Raveneaux, and North Gate Country Club. Affluent families were attracted to these homes because of great neighborhood schools, beautiful parks, challenging golf courses, and nearby fine dining and shopping areas. It was an area where I once lived,…

March 15, 2008
0 comment
Read More >>

A Novel Green Mansion

by Roberta Murphy Any verbiage I add to this photo would probably be superfluous, since this chatty picture already exceeds the expected thousand words. Hats off to someones clever recycling of mobile homes. Not sure if the intent was green construction, but the designer certainly managed to minimize the footprint of this little mobile home park. I also wonder about the relation of people who live here. And what about…

March 14, 2008
2 comments
Read More >>

The Luxury Shower (and 5 Tips on How to Create One)

by Roberta Murphy 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…

February 29, 2008
1 comment
Read More >>

Azulera: Costa Rica Luxury

by Roberta Murphy Azulera Resort Village on Costa Ricas breathtaking Guanacaste coast promises to be the luxury resort destination within the next two years. By then, it is projected, Greg Normans challenging beach-to-mountain golf course will be completed as will the five- star Hyatt Regency Hotel and the 64 ultra-luxury condos that will be contained within this gated Brasilito complex. The bio-sensitive Hyatt Regency Azulera Resort and Spa will coexist…

January 29, 2008
2 comments
Read More >>

Dreaming of Costa Rica Luxury Real Estate….

by Roberta Murphy More and more people from around the world are choosing to spend at least part of their lives in coastal Costa Rica–and more than a few decide there just might be no better place to spend the rest of their lives. Why? 1. A warm climate, beaches, mountains, jungles–and breathtaking biodiversity. The people and government of Costa Rica are committed to preserving Costa Rica’s clean air, beautiful…

December 13, 2007
4 comments
Read More >>

21st Century Clocks

World Clock
November 30, 2007
0 comment

by Roberta Murphy Thompson This futuristic clock doesn’t necessarily belong in the luxury home discussion, but it certainly provides some interesting global details: Abortions are far more prevalent than marriages. There are more divorces than HIV infections. Bicycle production still far exceeds auto production. Bicycle production also outpasses the manufacture of computers. Respiratory disease is far more prevalent than STD/HIV and AIDS. Suicides are more common than violent deaths. And…

Read More >>

Real Estate Exchanges: Banter and Barter

by Roberta Murphy Yesterday afternoon and evening were devoted to Leaving Las Vegas. I was tired of long lines at the airport, anxious to get back to San Diego, and was dismayed to hear the Southwest flight had been delayed two hours. I spent much of the time catching up on email, reading about Costa Rica and near the end of the wait, met David Greenberger, a real estate attorney…

November 16, 2007
3 comments
Read More >>

50 Simple Feng Shui Tips

by Roberta Murphy I was asked to share some simple Feng Shui tips for home offices, written by Laura Milligan over at the Bootstrapper Blog. She lists 50 great ones, but I’ll tease you with a few she has listed in her article. In spite of a personal bookshelf full of Feng Shui education, I found these suggestions particularly useful in that I am currently refiguring my own home office…

August 31, 2007
4 comments
Read More >>

The Ziploc Omelet: Amaze Your Guests

by Roberta Murphy Unless an omelet chef is employed for the next luxury brunch gathering, one might go ditzy trying to create custom omelets for each guest. This also makes it impossible for all to sit down in front of a hot plate at the same time. I love American ingenuity. This clever trick was forwarded to me by that wonderful host, Hank Holman, from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Thanks to his…

July 30, 2007
10 comments
Read More >>