The move from a luxury home can be a daunting one–especially when grand pianos, snooker tables and valuable art need to be both carefully packed, insured and moved into new abodes. One of our readers, Kirstie Birkewitz, is not only a writer, but co-owner of a careful moving company in San Diego–and has some excellent tips for luxury home relocation Specialists are needed to make the event a success! Moving…
by Roberta Murphy (It is with sadness that we learned of Michael Jackson’s death due to a heart attack this afternoon, apparently at his Holmby Hills mansion. In the days ahead, many will be wondering about the fate of Neverland. Our prayers and kind wishes are extended to the Jackson family.) Over two years ago, we were speculating about the fate of Michael Jackson’s Neverland and wondered if it would…
by Roberta Murphy It’s a sad fact of life, but unscrupulous vultures are always ready to pick at the flesh of the most financially distressed–which more frequently these days includes the owners of luxury real estate. Over on our San Diego real estate blog we report that San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis is asking San Diego Realtors to help her track down and prosecute real estate fraudsters operating…
by Roberta Murphy Upon first seeing these beautifully-designed solar panels, I couldn’t help but imagine other applications and modifications for the green lifestyle–whether it be in the luxury home, a school yard, a country club or off-the-grid project. Imagine these cobra-shaped shades as swiveling solar panels that take the place of outdoor umbrellas around the pool. Or as bus stop shelters or airport curbside check-in. The possibilities are endless and…
by Roberta Murphy Who are these young and ultra-affluent buyers of homes in Rancho Santa Fe, Palm Beach, La Jolla, Aspen and Manhattan? Robert Frank, in his best-seller Richistan, calls them instapreneurs (didn’t he coin the term?). These are the new titans in technologies, who have benefited from a rise in financial speculation and governments that support free trade and wealth. Instapreneurs are not plodders when it comes to accumulating…
by Roberta Murphy Last year, I wrote a short article about the worlds most expensive mansion in Mumbai, India being built by uber-wealthy Mukesh Ambani. In addition to arguably being the most expensive private home in the world (how about $1 Billion to build?), it will also be the tallest measuring in at 42 stories. Residence Antilla, though, will only have 27 stories, due to Ambanis desire for taller ceilings….
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…
by Roberta Murphy Last nights annual New Years Eve bash at the Murphy home was lots of fun for all, and almost everyone was ready to drop kick 2007 out the door and welcome the promise of 2008 with open arms. I thought 2007 had been put to rest (save for income tax drudgery); but when I opened todays email I discovered not one, but two 2007 accolades for Luxury…
by Roberta Murphy Peering into the future, it is nice to imagine a home that is smart in every sense–and inviting to all. Sunset Magazine and Popular Science recently team-conceived the Idea House, the House of Innovation , in Alamo, California. This intelligent $5 + million smart home provides a trajectory of design and technologies that will end up in homes of tomorrow. It is loaded with sustainable materials and…
by Roberta Murphy Nano technology to repair homes damaged by an earthquake? A home that heals itself? It boggles the mind, but Knauf, a German building manufacturer, is working with several universities on that very technology. They are building a luxury tech villa in the mountains of Greece with special walls containing nano polymer particles that liquefy when under pressure. This liquid then flows into the building cracks, where it hardens into solid material. (For those…
