Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.
Have an inspirational, peaceful and thought provoking Thanksgiving! Ron
Ron Goldstein, Principal
Silver Professionals
Broker Associate
KoenigRubloff- a Berkshire-Hathaway affiliate
Monday, November 25, 2013
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Live a Fairy Tale in a Getaway Castle Tower
Live a Fairy Tale in a Getaway Castle Tower
Let down your hair or just savor the idyllic views. In these 5 remodeled European towers, how the story goes is up to you
Childhood abounds with tales about stone towers where damsels
in distress await rescue by a knight in shining armor. Historically, medieval
tower houses were often located in inhospitable and inaccessible
terrain, with commanding views of the surrounding landscape. They were
built as defensive structures in a square or circular plan with massive
walls, small window openings and narrow stone staircases.
For centuries these castle towers
and lighthouses have dotted the United Kingdom. Across Ireland many
such towers stand in ruin, but many architects and private owners have
taken over the structures and turned them into rustic and comfortable
bed-and-breakfasts and holiday stays, adding modern-day amenities but
keeping them rooted in their fairy tale surroundings.
Here are a few worth the climb.
Helen’s Tower, Ireland
William Burn designed this castle in the Scottish style and completed it in October 1861. Lord Dufferin built it as an idyllic retreat in memory of his mother. It’s now a holiday getaway with commanding views across Ulster to the Scottish shores.
Here are a few worth the climb.
Helen’s Tower, Ireland
William Burn designed this castle in the Scottish style and completed it in October 1861. Lord Dufferin built it as an idyllic retreat in memory of his mother. It’s now a holiday getaway with commanding views across Ulster to the Scottish shores.
A spiral stone staircase connects the double bedroom, kitchen, living room (shown here), reading room and rooftop terrace.
Stay here: Sleeps two; about $200 per weekend. | More info
Stay here: Sleeps two; about $200 per weekend. | More info
Wicklow Head Lighthouse, Ireland
Built in 1781, this lighthouse stopped operating in the early 1800s. Its lantern was replaced with a dome in 1866 as a conservation effort. In the 1990s it was converted into holiday accommodations by Shaffrey Architects on behalf of The Irish Landmark Trust. Six octagonal rooms were constructed within the tower void, linked by new cast iron stairs.
Built in 1781, this lighthouse stopped operating in the early 1800s. Its lantern was replaced with a dome in 1866 as a conservation effort. In the 1990s it was converted into holiday accommodations by Shaffrey Architects on behalf of The Irish Landmark Trust. Six octagonal rooms were constructed within the tower void, linked by new cast iron stairs.
Here’s one of the two bedrooms in
the tower. Arched windows set deep into the 3-foot-thick walls offer
beautiful views out to the Irish Sea and the surrounding countryside.
Because of the tight floor plan, the architects decorated the tower with muted colors that increase the feeling of lightness and space.
Because of the tight floor plan, the architects decorated the tower with muted colors that increase the feeling of lightness and space.
One of the challenges
in the restoration of the tower was creating safe access to it when it
had no stairs. The solution? Helicopter. Much of the furniture was
brought in piece by piece and assembled inside.
Stay here: Sleeps four; about $675 per weekend. | More Info
Stay here: Sleeps four; about $675 per weekend. | More Info
The House in the Clouds, England
This house sits atop a water tower in Thorpeness, Suffolk. It was built in 1923 and designed to improve the looks of the water tower, disguising its tank with a building more in keeping with the local mock-Tudor and Jacobean styles. It contains 68 steps from top to bottom and is around 70 feet high.
Stay here: The building has five bedrooms and three bathrooms; about $800 to $1,300 per night. | More info
This house sits atop a water tower in Thorpeness, Suffolk. It was built in 1923 and designed to improve the looks of the water tower, disguising its tank with a building more in keeping with the local mock-Tudor and Jacobean styles. It contains 68 steps from top to bottom and is around 70 feet high.
Stay here: The building has five bedrooms and three bathrooms; about $800 to $1,300 per night. | More info
Ballinalacken Castle, Ireland
This tower house dates back to the 15th or 16th century. It sits majestically on a limestone outcrop overlooking west County Clare. On the left side, the privy (a latrine) can be seen protruding from the side wall, a simple long-drop solution for the disposal of unwanted waste. Also a way to deter an approaching enemy.
Stay here: The castle is pretty much a ruin, but the nearby historic Ballinalacken Castle Country House Hotel has rooms for $88 to $135. | More info
This tower house dates back to the 15th or 16th century. It sits majestically on a limestone outcrop overlooking west County Clare. On the left side, the privy (a latrine) can be seen protruding from the side wall, a simple long-drop solution for the disposal of unwanted waste. Also a way to deter an approaching enemy.
Stay here: The castle is pretty much a ruin, but the nearby historic Ballinalacken Castle Country House Hotel has rooms for $88 to $135. | More info
Doonagore Castle, Ireland
This 16th-century tower house in Doolin, County Clare, was inhabited by the powerful O’Briens clan. Back in 1688 it was a less-than-welcoming place to 170 unfortunate survivors of a shipwrecked Spanish Armada vessel who were captured and hanged here.
It’s one of more than 3,000 tower houses in Ireland, and was bought and restored as a holiday home in the 1970s by John Gorman, an Irish American.
This 16th-century tower house in Doolin, County Clare, was inhabited by the powerful O’Briens clan. Back in 1688 it was a less-than-welcoming place to 170 unfortunate survivors of a shipwrecked Spanish Armada vessel who were captured and hanged here.
It’s one of more than 3,000 tower houses in Ireland, and was bought and restored as a holiday home in the 1970s by John Gorman, an Irish American.
While you can’t stay inside the castle, the Sea View House offers rooms with views of the tower.
Houzz Contributor and architect in Ireland More
Friday, November 15, 2013
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
The 15 Most Popular Closet Luxuries on Houzz
The 15 Most Popular Closet Luxuries on Houzz
Turn distressing disarray into streamlined perfection with closet organizers and amenities like these
Clothes on the floor, piles of stacked shoes, overburdened clothing
rods — sound familiar? They're all common closet afflictions, and they
can quickly turn a closet into a disaster zone. You're not alone; we all
can relate. After all, it's hard to find space for all of our goodies,
and most of us are more than willing to sacrifice perfect order for just
one more pair of killer boots.
Houzz professionals continuously work to resolve these closet predicaments, and users are saving their creative tips and tricks in hundreds of thousands of ideabooks. I've pulled 15 of the best closet solutions from the most popular photos on Houzz. See if there's an idea in here for your own closet.
Houzz professionals continuously work to resolve these closet predicaments, and users are saving their creative tips and tricks in hundreds of thousands of ideabooks. I've pulled 15 of the best closet solutions from the most popular photos on Houzz. See if there's an idea in here for your own closet.
1. Dresser island. This photo has been added to more than 136,000 ideabooks, making it the most popular closet photo on Houzz. Interior designer Elizabeth Munger Stiver
thinks it's because of the white cabinetry, glossy surfaces and inset
mirrors, which create a crisp, clean feel. It also has a lot to do with
the built-in dresser, a commonly requested closet storage option when
space allows.
"For an island dresser, you have to have a fair amount of space on all four sides — 3 to 4 feet all the way around," Stiver says. "If you don't have the space, a peninsula dresser is the next best thing, since you don't have to clear all four sides."
"For an island dresser, you have to have a fair amount of space on all four sides — 3 to 4 feet all the way around," Stiver says. "If you don't have the space, a peninsula dresser is the next best thing, since you don't have to clear all four sides."
2. Pullout ironing board. Imagine
the convenience of having a pullout ironing board where you need it
most: in your closet. Almost 114,000 users think this idea is the way to
go. (The handy hamper drawers are a bonus.)
3. Shoe cubbies. Shoe walls are off-the-charts popular. Added to almost 80,000 ideabooks, this photo shows cubbies measuring 9½ inches wide and 8 inches tall — plenty of room for prized heels.
4. Jewelry cabinet. This oversize cabinet from California Closets, a favorite for more than 69,000 Houzzers, is customizable down to the size, shelf liner and number of drawers. You can even add a keypad lock.
5. Man closets. One of the
biggest Houzz dreams is having his-and-her closets. More than 67,000 of
you love this room full of dark wood and plenty of shelf space for
shoes, hats and shirts.
6. Purse hooks. About
56,000 Houzzers love these handy hook rails; they showcase pretty
purchases and make swapping bags a breeze. These are customized — made
to mimic the client's shoulder, in fact — but you could do something
similar with sturdy wall-mounted coatracks.
7. Pant rack. Jean lovers,
rejoice! Here's a storage solution for you. More than 50,000 people
covet this clever pullout pants rack, which prevents wrinkles, takes up
less space and offers easy access. Add extra traction to slippery racks
with a textured flocking material.
8. Display cabinets. More
than 50,000 readers love the idea of showcasing most-loved shoes, but
with this space, there's even more than meets the eye. Principal
designer Michael Fullen
included a swiveling mirror with hidden clothes storage, as well as
lift-up seat benches with hidden hampers. Pair those with the light-up
boxes and Lucite columns for displaying special shoes, and this is
definitely a dream closet.
9. Open cubbies. About 45,000 readers love these open shelves, which keep favorite sweaters, hats or jeans on hand for a quick grab-and-go.
10. Glass cabinets. More than 38,000 users like the idea of see-through doors; no more hunting for that shirt or skirt.
11. Makeup vanity. Avoid
fighting over the bathroom mirror with this convenient option: a
built-in makeup vanity. Included in around 35,000 ideabooks, this photo
shows an ideal spot for a morning makeup routine; this vanity is great
for storing beauty supplies and jewelry in as well.
12. Drawer dividers. Sidestep
a jumbled drawer by installing these simple drawer dividers, which can
be adjusted to accommodate your personal pieces. Around 30,000 Houzzers
want something similar.
13. All-in-one closet unit.
Sure, we all love our niche storage solutions, but most of us want a
closet that accommodates all of our items, from ties to traditional
shirts. Added to 30,000 ideabooks, this photo shows a space that has it
all: an abundance of clothing rods, see-through pullout drawers, a tie
tray and plenty of open shelving. Little touches of luxury, like leather
drawer pulls and a fully stocked mini fridge, customize the closet for
an above-and-beyond look.
14. Tie rack. Nearly 25,000 users like this pullout rack for keeping ties, sunglasses, wallets and cuff links in check.
Architect and designer Laurence Tamaccio says people love the space efficiency and warm wood elements found in this Elements closet system, unfortunately no longer available. "This modular closet system truly thinks of everything," Tamaccio says. "There are so many on the market, but there's something about this one that stands out. It's so simple and nicely designed."
Amber Hopman
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Feng shui secrets to sell your home
Feng shui secrets to sell your home
Sell that home with feng shui
Trying to sell a house this year? Consider using feng shui.
The practice, which originated in China, is a very down-to-earth analysis of what does (and doesn't) make your home appealing and inviting, says Terah Kathryn Collins, author of "The Western Guide to Feng Shui" and founder of the Western School of Feng Shui.
"I think the whole popular notion of staging is all contained within the practice of feng shui," she says.
Everything we associate with staging -- from clearing the clutter to making the place smell good to sprucing up the entryway -- are all feng shui strategies, she says.
But feng shui experts are the first to admit that it, alone, won't sell your house, says David Daniel Kennedy, a feng shui practitioner and author of several books on the topic, including "Feng Shui for Dummies."
First, you want to have "the right price, the right agent and the right marketing plan," he says.
"Those are the three basics that have to be right or feng shui is a nonstarter," Kennedy says. Once you have that, then you can put some feng shui techniques to work -- to amp up your chances of a sale, he says.
Arrange rooms to 'welcome' visitors
Ever walk into a party where all the guests have their backs to you? That's what it's like when you walk into a room and all you can see is the back of the furniture, says Collins.
And that was one of the big problems with a $5 million home she'd been hired to consult on prior to the sale. "There was not a lot of intimacy in this house," she recalls.
She turned the furniture so that it faced the entry ways, and "it made all the difference in the world," says Collins.
Another problem in the house? Chairs were isolated -- set down as one-offs. "Where do you sit and have a conversation in this house?"
So Collins grouped them in pairs. And she placed them diagonally -- often sharing a table -- to create spaces where people could sit and talk.
You want buyers to walk in and feel like they instantly belong, says Jayme Barrett, author of "Feng Shui Your Life." That means you don't want them to walk into your living room "and see the back of a sofa," she says.
That arrangement "creates an obstacle," she says. "And you want the positive energy" -- and the buyers themselves -- to be able to move freely through the home, she says.
Create a good traffic flow
Good traffic flow isn't just for parties. Buyers want that in their everyday lives, too.
With one house, Collins "came around a corner and almost ran into a chair," she recalls. "That's a big no-no."
The rule: "You don't want anything that's going to keep people from feeling that they can move through an area."
So look at the room in terms of creating easy-to-navigate, open pathways. You want to represent a home that makes potential buyers feel comfortable -- not one that feels cramped or claustrophobic.
And if that means getting rid of some of the pieces, that's OK, too, Collins says.
"The way space is arranged has such power over people," she says.
Watch the subliminal messages
The painting over the bed in one client's master bedroom? A three-ring circus.
While it was colorful, the underlying message was "stress," Collins says.
"It might have been fine in a den, but it's not fine in a bedroom," she says. Instead, create an atmosphere that's calm, restful and restorative, she says.
With that in mind, the homeowner selected another piece of art to hang over the bed -- "a beautiful landscape," Collins says.
"Nature scenes are soothing and will relax the buyers," Barrett says.
Make sure to also put away those personal family photos and religious and spiritual icons, says Barrett.
"You want to make your home as welcoming as possible to potential buyers ... you don't want your spiritual preferences, which may be different from theirs, to sway them in any way," Collins says.
"It's essential for the buyers to be able to envision their family and furniture in the home so keep the decor neutral," she says.
"Nature scenes are soothing and will relax the buyers," Barrett says.
Feng shui -- and home marketing -- are all about making a good first impression, says Collins. "You want to create that friendly, positive first impression."
Use plants and water to your advantage
Real estate agents will tell you to close toilet lids because no buyer wants to look into your commode.
Feng shui philosophy advocates the same thing for a different reason.
"Water represents money and the toilet is the one place where water/money escapes," Barrett says.
Instead, "You can place a small tabletop water fountain either at the entrance or in the back left corner of the home, which is the wealth corner," she says. "Moving water circulates prosperity energy throughout the home."
Another welcoming touch: "Place thriving plants and flowers in the corners of the room," Barrett says. That will "enliven the home and create harmony."
Don't get emotionally attached to 'your' price
Feng shui alters the way you interact in your environment -- so you are at least half of the equation, Kennedy says. One of the biggest roadblocks he sees is an emotional attachment to a particular price.
"People are valuing the home based on an internal value rather than the market," he says.
That set-in-stone price can be based on anything from what the sellers need to zero out the mortgage(s), to what they "need" to buy their next home -- or even how much they want in the bank for retirement, he says.
Regardless, if you stubbornly hold on to $350,000 when the market is screaming $300,000, it won't sell, Kennedy says. And no amount of feng shui tactics will fix that.
His go-to fix is something called the "emotional freedom technique." It's a combination of memory, meditation and tapping specific acupressure points that you can use to give yourself an "attitude adjustment," Kennedy says. "Think of it as a change for your 'internal' feng shui."
Be sure you're ready to let go
If you haven't let go of the house, that's a big roadblock to a sale, Kennedy says.
If the house isn't moving, it could be a red flag that you, or other family members, don't really want to move. So it's smart to rethink your options. Don't let yourself be fast-talked into something you don't want, or caught up in artificial "deadlines." Instead, focus on what you and your family truly want.
If you're set on leaving, find a way of saying goodbye and letting go, says Kennedy. And that's no mean feat. "Your basic sense of security is still getting rattled in a big way."
Some strategies:
- Walk room by room through the house and mentally say "thank you" for the good -- and bad -- times you had there, says Collins.
- Picture yourself holding the house, presenting it as a gift to the next owner, Kennedy says.
- Start packing. "It starts getting the energy moving" and releases "your hold on the house," Kennedy says. Plus, packing away your personal items is a good way to lose the "It's my house, not yours" vibe.
-
By Dana Dratch of Bankrate.com
Friday, November 1, 2013
Picture the Holidays in your new home.1 East Schiller.. 2300 sf of gold coast boutique living overlooking Wrigley mansion. Motivated seller. Priced right!
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