All posts by Unique Homes Staff

Concrete-Inspired Gift Guide

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Looking for inspiration this holiday season? Check out this gift guide with an edge. These concrete-inspired items are perfect for your home or office and will stand the test of time to celebrate for years to come. Concrete is an environmentally friendly material. The fabrication of concrete uses fewer fossil fuels during the whole production process than traditional ceramics, making it an ideal addition for those interested in sustainable living.

Photo courtesy of Tom Tailor

Mensch Made Concrete Vase with Gold-plated Leaves

http://www.thedesigngiftshop.com

The design of this Concrete Vase plays with the contradiction between culture and nature. A bold geometrical shape is combined with a texture of organic ornaments, delicate foliage imprints, some of them gold-plated. Natural grey concrete contrast with genuine gold. A very special object that can be appreciated by itself and of course be used as a vase for flowers or twigs. 

Photo courtesy of The Design Gift Shop

Block Concrete Disc Pendant

https://www.blockdesign.co.uk/

This concrete pendant necklace is inspired by iconic British Brutalist architecture.

The hand-cast concrete necklace celebrates the dynamic monoliths of the controversial movement. Statement concrete jewelry embraces the character of concrete, a lively material. Its surface reflects its history, presenting imperfections and changing with you and your environment.

Photo courtesy of Block Design

Concrete Cubic Pendant Light 

http://www.limelace.co.uk

This eye-catching Concrete Cubic Pendant Light by German label GANTlights combines light gray concrete with silver, gold or copper, resulting in a timeless and elegant designer lamp.

Part of the B series collection, this handmade lamp is ideal for illuminating a long dining table, a sideboard, a desk or a bar and is suitably hung individually or in a group. The high-quality gilding of the insides emits a pleasant warm light. Due to its minimalist design and the contrasting materials, the designer lamp can be combined with any style.

Photo courtesy of Lime Lace

Ava & I Pretty Little Things Concrete Trinket Pot

http://www.kitchencraft.co.uk

This trinket pot is from the Ava & I collection, combining influential on-trend elements for a collection that embodies empowerment with modern style and a dash of sass. A real quality design, the pot is made of concrete with gold detail and a sweet ‘Pretty little things motif. A stunning addition to any dressing table or a useful piece generally for the home, the heavy nature and lid of this pot will not be knocked over easily.

Photo courtesy of Kitchen Craft

Featured image courtesy of Lime Lace

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Stacy Gottula joins Celebrity Team Eklund-Gomes

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Stacy Gottula, one of the premier luxury real estate brokers with the Agency, a firm located in Beverly Hills, has officially redirected her career toward working with the Eklund and Gomes team associated with Douglas Elliman.

This is just three months after the Eklund-Gomes team expanded into Los Angeles, where Frederik Eklund, the long-time star of the hit TV series “Million Dollar Listing New York,” moved in order to dominate the West Coast.

“I’ve been chasing her and we’ve been talking for a long time,” he said of Gottula to The Real Deal.  “What she’s bringing, which is something I really need at this point is the experience pitching big, big listings.”

Photo courtesy of Tigran Tovmasyan, One Sixty Studios

Gottula credits her decision to transfer onto the Eklund-Gomes to wanting to work in a team atmosphere again. At the Agency, she worked solo on most projects — and she told The Real Deal that after seeing the team at Douglas Elliman, “it felt right.”

This is another big hit for the Agency, as Stacy Gottula brings the firms’ lost brokers to a count of 45 in Los Angeles.

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Featured Agent: Debra Duvall of Water Pointe Realty Group

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Debra Duvall

Water Pointe Realty Group

3727 S. East Ocean Blvd. Suite 100 Stuart, FL 34996

772.283.3330 | Deb@WaterPointe.com | www.DebraDuvall.com

Debra Duvall, a resident of Florida’s Treasure Coast since 1965, is a leader in the marketing and sales of luxury and waterfront residential properties. Entering the real estate field in 1981, Debra combines her hands-on, historical knowledge of the region with a determination to offer unparalleled sales, marketing, and relocation/absentee services. As a partner of Water Pointe Realty Group, an independent, locally-owned real estate firm, which is a member of numerous national and international networks, specializing in residential, investment, development, luxury and waterfront properties, she ensures that all of her clients are properly represented. Debra’s personal and professional success is built on a firm foundation of experience, education, integrity, and dedication to service.

Listing by Debra Duvall

Florida

Private Island Lifestyle

From the moment you arrive, you’ll instantly forget that life exists beyond this tropical oasis! A casual style main house and guest cottage sit on 3.4-plus acres with 2,700 feet of shoreline, white sandy beaches, and just minutes to the ocean! Close to downtown dining, shopping, a private executive airport and only 45 minutes to an international airport.

www.DebraDuvall.com

$3,995,000.

 

Debra Duvall originally appeared as an Elite Agent in the Unique Homes Spring ’19: Elite edition. See her page here.

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Inman News Names Joyce Rey to Golden I Hall of Fame

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Inman News names Joyce Rey, a Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Property Specialist affiliated with the Beverly Hills South office of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, to the inaugural Golden I Hall of Fame, the highest honor in luxury real estate presented to the top luxury agents and brokers in the United States.

“I am so honored to join the Golden I Hall of Fame,” said Rey. “I have an energetic spirit and am always committed to excellence in everything I do. I could not have achieved this honor without my wonderful clientele, fabulous staff and colleagues, and sensational friends and family.”

Over her more than four-decade career, Rey has amassed more than $4 billion in career sales. With a dazzling list of accolades, awards and sales records, she is known, most of all, for her incomparable knowledge of the luxury marketplace, her acute ability to negotiate even the most complex transactions and her particular talent for putting clients at ease.

No stranger to success, Rey is designated one of “The Los Angeles 500 Most Influential People” by the Los Angeles Business Journal, named the “First Lady of Luxury Real Estate” by the Chinese media, described as the “Billionaire’s Broker” by Luxury Real Estate and called the “Grand Dame of Real Estate” by the Los Angeles Times. She is also ranked in the Top 20 Luxury Brokers in L.A. County by “The Real Deal” Los Angeles. Passionate about helping others, she serves on the Southern California Executive Board for UNICEF, the Los Angeles Library Foundation Advisory Board and the Coldwell Banker Community Foundation Board. She has also is a member of the Women’s Presidents Organization and served on the Board of the Blue Ribbon Support Group for the Music Center.

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Featured Agent: Trudy Stambook of Centre City Properties

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Trudy Stambook, 

CIPS, CME, SRS, CNE, TRC

Centre City Properties 

220 West “G” Street, Suite A, San Diego, CA 92101

619.252.1944 | Trudy@TrudyStambook.com | www.TrudyStambook.com | CA BRE# 00694195

Renown for discreet, individualized client service, Trudy Stambook is a key resource for real estate clients and those actively engaged in the business, development and cultural community in San Diego. First named among the nation’s elite luxury real estate agents back in 1995 by Unique Homes Magazine, and recognized annually ever since.

• Over 30 years of experience as a luxury real estate professional

• Over 20 years of worldwide marketing in 85 countries

• Representing both Buyers and Sellers

• Repeatedly voted Five Star “Best in Client Satisfaction” by readers of San Diego Magazine

PINNACLE 3402

Capturing the essence of sophisticated urban living, this extraordinary, one-of-a-kind Pinnacle top tier residence is resplendent in custom designed finishes and panoramic views. Nearly 3,000 sq ft of impeccably crafted living space, gleaming marble floors, walls of glass, glamorous entertaining areas yet a finely tuned haven for day-to-day living. Revel in the best vantage point in the city.

 

 

Trudy Stambook originally appeared as an Elite agent in Unique Homes Spring ’19: Elite edition. See her ad here.

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Looking for a Beach Town Investment?

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Some of the most affordable beach towns to invest in for 2019 lie on the Gulf Coast, especially in Texas.

In four-season coastal communities such as Port Aransas, Texas on Mustang Island, the average 50-foot Gulf front lot costs under $1 million — well under the $4 million to $5 million-plus average found in coastal California and Florida. “In addition to the bottom-line profits, people fall in love with our island. We’re an authentic beach community with a laid-back lifestyle more in tune with life in the tropics,” notes Keith McMullin, broker/owner of Port Aransas Realty.

In 2019, Texas housing sales recovered after second-quarter declines, trending upward amid lower mortgage interest rates and a robust economy. Mortgage applications for home purchases and refinances continued to rise, nudged by further dips in interest rates. “The construction of high-end, luxury homes and condos in Cinnamon Shore, Palmilla Beach, and Sunflower Beach have played a significant role in our expansion to new markets. We remain somewhat of a secret outside of Texas, but that is changing as more people discover the affordability and allure of Mustang Island,” according to McMullin.

Texans capitalized on lower rates, pushing mortgage applications for home purchases up 15.6 percent year to date (YTD). Refinance mortgage applications (more sensitive to interest rate fluctuations), have nearly doubled over the past six months. “Large areas of Mustang Island were undeveloped until recent years. Of the 367 miles of Texas coastline, the bulk of the land available for development is located on Mustang Island.  We simply are not as widely known as other more mature beachfront communities,” says McMullin.

Investing in Texas real estate has been a no-brainer. Since 2010, the population has grown by 3.5 million, a million more than either Florida or California — converting into one and a half million new homes. Some 2 million of those people came from elsewhere attracted by new jobs, a fast-growing economy, more reasonable home prices, no state income tax, and a state ranked among the world’s ninth strongest economy.

“When compared to investing in other vacation/second-home markets, our story is very compelling. Lower property acquisition costs coupled with the vibrant Texas economy and steady population growth has created a healthy investment opportunity through appreciation and vacation rental income,” says McMullin.

For small coastal communities like Port Aransas, 2019 visitor arrivals from Texas and around the U.S. have so far exceeded last year’s numbers by 40 percent. Those arrivals are expected to rise, thanks to 3,300 out of 4,200 lodging units (up from 2,200 last year) that are now open for business (since Hurricane Harvey) with elevations of 10 to 11 feet above sea level.

Port A is definitely on the upswing, with new developments that include:

  •   The destination’s first conference center, slated to open in 2021 for gatherings of 500 to 2,000 attendees.
  •   225-room conference center hotel, slated to break ground in February 2020.
  •   A new beachfront/bayfront marina and resort
  •   Cinnamon Shore, an upscale 1,000-acre master-planned beachfront, family- and pedestrian-friendly community that will add Cinnamon Shore South, a $1.3 billion, a 300-acre expansion that will more than quadruple the existing community. It will include luxury homes, Town Center residences, community pools, a dining district with several restaurants, a retail destination, a health and wellness center, and a boutique hotel.
  •   Palmilla Beach Resort & Golf Community opened a new golf course on June 1st with 9 holes of links-style play, plus THE LOOP – a 3-hole, par 3 course, plus a driving range. Palmilla Beach’s homes range from condos and townhomes to cottages and custom homes. Homesites begin in the $200s and completed homes from the $500s. 
  •   Sunflower Beach Resort & Residences, nestled among 50 acres of protected dune preserves, features beach homes, several lots and 21 single-level poolside condos.  It has nearly completed the first phase of 25 new ultra-luxury one- and two-bedroom beach cabins priced from $382,000 to $499,000 at The Camp.

Photos courtesy of Cinnamon Shore

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Featured Agent: Jeanne Hockaday of Virginia Country Real Estate, Inc.

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Jeanne Hockaday

Virginia Country Real Estate, Inc.

3765 George Washington Memorial Highway, Hayes, Virginia 23072 

O: 804.642.6126 | C: 804.815.0097 | Jeanne@vacosold.com | www.VirginiaCountryRealEstate.com

Principal Broker and owner of Virginia Country Real Estate, Inc. A licensed Realtor with 45 years experience, earning the status of the Nationally Recognized title “Emeritus” through the National Association of Realtors (NAR), as well as many Realtor designations, which provide better knowledge and skills for performing at the top of our professions. CRS, Certified Residential Specialist, GRI, Graduate of the Realtor Institute, CRB, Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager, ABR, Accredited Buyer Representative, E-Pro Technical Training, QSC, Quality Service Certificate. A Dale Carnegie graduate, Elite Homes Luxury Property Representative, Sales Trainer and Manager, and Realtor agent since 1973. Served 3 times as President of the Chesapeake Bay  River Association of Realtors and various other positions. Currently serving on the State of Virginia Association of Virginia Leadership Academy Alumina Representative, and the State of Virginia Health Dept. On-site Sewage and Systems Appeals Board. A proud Rotarian, Chamber of Commerce, and National Home Builder’s Association member.

Listing by Jeanne Hockaday

Tyndall Point, Virginia

Spectacular one-of-a-kind York River residence. Features include an infinity pool, solar, smart home and dock with covered slip. Must-see magical setting.

$2,000,000.

Jeanne Hockaday originally appeared as an Elite Agent in the Unique Homes Spring ’19: Elite edition. See her page here.

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Tectonic Accessories Inspired By Earth’s Movement

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Architects, designers, artists and more often pull inspiration from their surroundings to create unforgettable final products. Tectonic accessories, designed by Rogerseller, were created with the idea of earth’s most enigmatic natural processes — tectonic plate motion — in mind.

A series of floating plates make up the enchanting collection. They can be placed in various planes and axis’ to each other, representative of the plates that make up the Earth’s surface and their dynamic interaction with each other.

An intriguing addition to any bathroom, these elements are undeniably modern, yet pull from an ancient process that began over three billion years ago. The sleek finishes are appealing in both their function and style. These accessories are the perfect detail to finish your space.

The linear design provides a bold signature aesthetic that appears throughout the collection, which is available in a selection of the Rogerseller Natural Elements finishes.

The accessories feature multiple-length towel rails and shelves (with the option of custom tile inserts), a combination shelf and towel rail, angled and straight robe hooks, double or single paper holders with shelves and a vertical heated towel rail that provides greater heating efficiency.

Each rail, shelf and robe hook is of equal height, allowing installation as a continuous linear feature wrapping around the bathroom.
                                                                                                                     Photos courtesy of Rogerseller

For similar content, try; Four Concepts Trending for Your Bath This Fall, Homeowners Seek Black Finishes, Automated Faucet Technology Redefines Touchless Hand Washing.

 

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Entertaining through Color

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Photo by Alem Sánchez.

With literally millions of shades and hues to play with, color can also be intimidating. In a recent post by Northeast Meetings + Events, a series of experts give their professional advice on how to utilize color to enhance an entertainment venue and decoration. Fulfill the entertainer in yourself with their insight!

Expert advice varies on if there should be a color limit or if there’s a perfect strategy to picking colors. But when you do, internationally recognized color expert Leatrice Eiseman suggests starting with one lead color. “Then build the other colors around it.” And always take into consideration the existing room’s colors and lighting. “Whatever the venue is you’ve got to take into consideration what is already there that is immovable. What could you do to draw attention away from or disguise a presence of color that really is interruptive?”

As Director of the Eiseman Center for Color Information and Training, and the executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, Eiseman definitely has the know-how on color. She says that early in her career people outside of fashion didn’t pay much attention to color. “When I started out I’d often meet with a bunch of engineers sitting there with crossed arms,” she says. “But people have realized the psychological impact color has. … Color is a very important aspect of any work you do across design industries.”

When using color in decor, for events or otherwise, consider the mood you want to establish. 

Photo by Kaboompics.com

“The use of cool colors and hues such as blues can help calm and relax individuals and generate clearer and a more relaxed mind-set, great for business sessions,” says Sarah Kelly, senior event producer with Cantrav Services. She often incorporates color to set a mood. “While the use of warmer colors and hues such as ambers and reds can help stimulate and generate a more active and warm response, great for team-building or brainstorming sessions,” she adds.

Photo by Pixabay.

Photo by Designecologist.

You can even use color to play off of factors such as the season of the event, suggests Dwayne Thomas, owner of Portland lighting company Greenlight Creative.

“There are some perennial things. If I do a fundraiser in the fall, there’s a 50-50 chance it’s going [to show] fall colors. In winter, blues tend to be more popular, and in the summer, reds are more popular.”

 

“Color adds an additional depth and sparks interest,” says Kelly, who suggests that planners be bold and purposeful — but not too bold. “There are two mistakes people can make, either using too much color and overwhelming guests’ senses or being afraid to use it at all and not fully committing to the event’s theme or identity,” she says. “But, as long as you stick to some basic rules such as making sure you use colors that complement one another … there’s no reason to go wrong.”

For more color tips, visit Northeast Meetings + Events post!

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Perfecting Your Home Office Style

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For many industries, working from home has become the norm and the need to create a productive work environment is at the forefront of the minds of young professionals.

What better way to increase productivity than to outfit the perfect office space! Design professionals at Home Design Ideas have found some of the best and easiest ways to help you find your office style, so that the real work can follow. Whether you’ve got an entire room or just a tiny corner, this list should help spark the imagination!

Minimalism

Minimalism has been a consistent trend that works its way into many highly sourced styles, from Hygge to Transitional. For offices in particular, minimalism is key as it wards against clutter and helps promote a clear mind.

To keep your desk clutter-free, add in simple furniture and some shelving. Embrace a neutral color palette to really showcase the minimalist in yourself, and if you need to warm things up to avoid getting too stale, incorporate a touch of green with a plant or pieces of art.

This is the better way to keep it simple, clean, and perfectly in order.

Photo courtesy Pixabay.

 

Black Goes with Everything

Much like its effect on wearable fashion, black happens to go with almost anything, from brass accents on black furniture to gray-black paint as an accent wall.

Using black is an easy, yet stylish method of design for those who want their office style to look effortless (because it was!). There are tons of ways you implement black color, including the utilization of fun prints.

“To totally transport yourself somewhere way more exciting than your work, try an exotic pattern, like the black-and-white zebra motif. A rattan chandelier adds texture and personality to the space,” according to Home Design Ideas.

Photo courtesy Pixabay.

 

Boho a Go-Go

Bohemian, like other classic styles, is one that is timeless and free spirited in nature — a perfect setting to give your mind a rest after the work is done.

Embrace your inner free spirit and decorate your office with anything that tells a story, has sentimental value to you, or that you picked up on your travels.

Often times these pieces are little motivational tokens, a reminder of what success and productivity lead to.

Add in a bold, patterned rug, color on color, and some plants to add to this overall energy.

 

For other tips, visit Home Design Ideas post here!

Photo courtesy Daria Shevtsova.

 

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