Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
Radiant Orchid - Pantone Color of the Year 2014
It is that time of year again when Pantone announces the color of the year. This year, on December 5th, a purple - more precisely - "Radiant Orchid"was selected. It is described by Pantone Executive Director Leatrice Eiseman as "An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.”
I have already seen pictures of a Radiant Orchid Keurig - how fun is that?!
For home interiors, this color will create drama used liberally and at the same time, when used sparingly, is just delightful. I love it with, gray, gold for a sophisticated look; with yellow or turquoise for a more relaxed feel and pair it with red for some interesting energy.
For the fashion minded, click here for the spring runway trends.
For the official announcement, click here
I have already seen pictures of a Radiant Orchid Keurig - how fun is that?!
For home interiors, this color will create drama used liberally and at the same time, when used sparingly, is just delightful. I love it with, gray, gold for a sophisticated look; with yellow or turquoise for a more relaxed feel and pair it with red for some interesting energy.
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| Photo courtesy of Pantone |
For the official announcement, click here
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Thursday, October 31, 2013
House Sold! Repurposing Custom Water Bottle Labels
Okay, we closed on a great house last week... and I have all these water bottles with my labels left over. What to do? Well, let's put it this way - my kids' friends were a bit surprised to see me at the lunch table.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Monday, August 5, 2013
The Place in a House You Never Thought to Stage
The Place in a House You Never Thought to Stage
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Low Appraisal Killing The Deal? Write a Rebuttal Letter!
The market is picking up and deals are being made. But what happens when an appraisal on the property just doesn't mesh with the contract price?
Buyers and sellers should know that they can formally appeal an appraisal that has come in with a lower price than anticipated. While the number of appeals that actual work may be slim, these "rebuttal letters" can point out discrepancies in the comps that were used, (haven't we all seen a comp thrown in that isn't even remotely related to the subject property?) and/ or challenge the experience of the appraiser and possibly keep a deal alive when the borrower may not have enough cash on hand to make up the difference between the appraised value and the contract price.
Source: Wall Street Journal, July 26, 2013
Friday, July 26, 2013
On Vacation Seeing Homes
I always like to check out the local real estate when I travel - the styles, the pricing and the neighborhoods. Sometimes I only get to do this by the local magazines; other times I get to see up close and personal - be it an actual showing or, as most recently - 2 days ago - from a boat.
While in Mont Tremblant, Quebec I took a lake cruise and the guide pointed out the local homes along the shore and gave us a bit of background as to the development. Not to repeat her 1 hour monologue but, in sum, the area is greatly protected after the timber companies in the early part of the 20th century took to the mountains and the trees. Some of the older homes have been handed down through families, newer homes cost over 1 million Canadian dollars per acres, some having a price tag of $30 million Canadian. Our guide mentioned Tommy Hilfiger's business partner, Lawrence Stroll, and Pittsburgh Penguins owner as 2 business people with lake homes here.
Much of the real estate is accessible to their homeowners only by boat or ice road. Some homes require generators to get electricity. Regulations of some sort mean that new construction is required to be of the most environmentally friendly materials and even the colors of the exteriors are limited as to blend into the natural beauty. The results are fabulous! Take a peak at some of the homes along the way - it was very overcast and these photos are not editing for marketing purposes!
While in Mont Tremblant, Quebec I took a lake cruise and the guide pointed out the local homes along the shore and gave us a bit of background as to the development. Not to repeat her 1 hour monologue but, in sum, the area is greatly protected after the timber companies in the early part of the 20th century took to the mountains and the trees. Some of the older homes have been handed down through families, newer homes cost over 1 million Canadian dollars per acres, some having a price tag of $30 million Canadian. Our guide mentioned Tommy Hilfiger's business partner, Lawrence Stroll, and Pittsburgh Penguins owner as 2 business people with lake homes here.
Much of the real estate is accessible to their homeowners only by boat or ice road. Some homes require generators to get electricity. Regulations of some sort mean that new construction is required to be of the most environmentally friendly materials and even the colors of the exteriors are limited as to blend into the natural beauty. The results are fabulous! Take a peak at some of the homes along the way - it was very overcast and these photos are not editing for marketing purposes!
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| Lovely Contemporary |
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| Love the blue trim |
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| I'll take this one! |
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| Or this one |
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| Love the path down to the water |
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| I love sitting areas by the shore |
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| Sucker for cool docks |
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| Need I say anything? |
Monday, June 17, 2013
Financing Green Remodels: The Ins and Outs of Energy Efficient Mortgages
More green for being green!
You might be able to qualify for a larger loan and be energy efficient at the same time! This articles touches on how :
Financing Green Remodels: The Ins and Outs of Energy Efficient Mortgages
You might be able to qualify for a larger loan and be energy efficient at the same time! This articles touches on how :
Financing Green Remodels: The Ins and Outs of Energy Efficient Mortgages
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Friday, May 10, 2013
Oh, to be a kid again...
I use to think it would be great to be a kid again so I could go back to summer camp but now... these kid spaces shown in today's WSJ, Mansion section, are so fabulous! Themed closets, "offices" for homework, lounges and special game rooms... hey Mom!
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Repurposing the Right Way
Interesting article I would like to share for all those "historic" enthusiast!
Repurposing the Right Way
Repurposing the Right Way
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Saturday, February 23, 2013
And, the Curbie goes to...
The following films are nominated for best picture; let's take a glimpse of the "home" in each...
Amour
This foreign film takes places almost entirely in an unassuming Paris apartment. Great location, who doesn't love Paris?
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Argo
The Tehran home of the Canadian Ambassador has some great space and interesting decor - love what appears to be grass cloth on the walls in this room below and I especially love the eclectic furnishings. The fireplace mantle works for me as well.
Beasts of the Southern Wild
In a place called The Bathtub, in an isolated bayou community, that is where Hushpuppy lives. You surrender to the surreal in this film and her home is just magical... go with it - what a view.
Django Unchained
The home of the wicked Calvin Candie, played by Leonardo DiCaprio is quite stunning; it is not a set but rather it is the Evergreen Plantation , located on the west bank of the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. It currently operates as a sugar plantation and is open to the public for tours. Love the sweeping and dramatic double winding staircase off of the second story veranda.
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| Photo from New Orleans Plantation Country |
Les Miserables
Set in 19th Century Paris, the set depicting Cosette's bedroom and small garden outside the home that she and Jean Valijean shared before having to flee the City conjure up a soft and nurturing place in comparison to the grim city streets just beyond the gate to the home. Stunning, or is that because of Hugh Jackman?
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Life of Pi
A home on the water, the boat has lovely lines and pets are allowed.
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Lincoln
The interior sets on the Lincoln movie did a great job capturing the decor and "bones" of the mid/late 1860s - especially appreciate the molding and the wide hallways. Bathroom wallpaper at best.
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Silver Linings Playbook
A home in a classic Phillie neighborhood - it's dated for sure but if you covet the style then there may be a house for you - click here to see some listings and tell them Jackie O sent you.
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If you want to learn about the actual house used in the movie - click real house.
Zero Dark Thirty
Hmmm, this proves a bit more difficult... the compound is the obvious home here and not one that I would vote for... lots of concrete walls, no real design features to draw you in, a bit on the cold side.
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Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor's movie residence, congrats to ARGO and BEN AFFLECK. This film also gets my vote for best film.
*unless otherwise noted, photos from official film websites.
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