Raise your IQ as you indulge in these one-of-a-kind amenities. Communities are constantly coming up with new ways to create impressive amenities for their residents and guests, and these communities are doing just that.
From studying the stars through a luxury telescope, to hands-on learning from conservationists, residents at these communities are offered the chance to learn from the comfort of their own homes.
Study the Stars in Style
As you are perched atop a protected hilltop, set up a telescope and take in the stars at Headwaters — a tech-inflected home community developed by Freehold Communities.
The structure has been carefully deconstructed to become the setting for a stargazing amphitheater. Astronomers from the University of Texas frequently gather with Headwaters families to create a high-touch, outdoor classroom for residents to learn about celestial events — eclipses, meteor showers and supermoons.
Located in Dripping Springs, Texas, the Headwaters integrates 1,000 homes within expanses of natural habitat, eight miles of walking trails, as well as five protected hilltops.
Photos courtesy of Freehold Communities
Learn from Onsite Conservationists
With thousands of acres of unspoiled nature and 32 miles of riverfront, Palmetto Bluff offers a natural classroom where teachers — onsite conservationists and guides — run tours, classes, workshops and field trips open to all residents of the luxury, South Carolina community. Learn about life oaks, wild turkeys and other Low Country flora and fauna on bike, horseback or on foot, or head to the May River to explore by kayak, canoe or paddle board.
Looking to learn about the area’s rich history? Onsite archeologist Dr. Mary Socci leads artifact hunting expeditions from past communities dating back 12,000 BC and even leads cemetery walks that include past inhabitants’ pets.
Photos courtesy of Palmetto Bluff
Explore Surrounding Nature
At the Walden Monterey, the luxury agrihood where expansive lots will start in the $5 millions, developers are launching a tree-naming app described as “Pokémon go meets Google Sky, but for trees.” The goal? To increase residents’ interactions with nature through gamification.
Focus on Sustainability and Environmentalism
Located along Ecuador’s Pacific Riviera in the town of Puerto Caya, Oceanside Farms allows residents to gather for onsite lectures and TedX presentations focusing on sustainability and environmentalism.
Discover Astronomy from an Astronomer
For those interested in astronomy, Mountain Shadows is the place to be. The destination offers the Cocktails Under the Cosmos Series and the Spirited Sipping Seminars. Astronomy lessons take place at the hotel’s Camelback Overlook rooftop deck, offered to both hotel guests and residents of the community. Each astronomer-led event features a signature cocktail themed around that month’s astrological sign, which can be seen brighter in the valley due to its low light pollution and dramatic desert backdrop.
Enjoy the fun of Bohemian details and the comfort of mountain inspiration with the addition of some clean lines and modern finishes to achieve Bohemia Mountain Chic. These perfectly blended concepts will transform any space, whether it’s a penthouse apartment or a vacation ski-home in Colorado. Color, textures, patterns, and more will help bring the colorful ease that can already be found in Residence 501 West in Snowmass Base Village.
This style is undeniable fun and full of surprises, including a mixture of patterns and textures, pops of unexpected color, greenery, and calming tomes. The addition of natural materials, such as the various wooden surfaces have a way or working together rather than competing with other elements in the space.
Start with a simple base that will support your accents.
A neutral wall color may feel like a bland move but it creates a canvas for creativity around the room. A lighter shade on the walls will also give the impression of open space. This will also help if the space begins to feel overcrowded or busy.
Botanicals are a big part of any Bohemian look.
Natural elements, such as greenery are a great way to tie the outdoors and indoors together without flooding the room with oversized plants that are difficult to care for. A few plants displayed in a glass vase bring that little bit of life into the room. If there are large windows in the room the spattering of the outside is highlighted to add the perfect touch.
Get creative with patterns and textures.
It’s okay to mix and match in this situation. This tactic will not take away from the modern feel if it is done properly. Trying new textiles and fabrics offer up and opportunity for creativity. It can be surprising what colors will actually work well together. If the room begins to feel a little disjointed or unorganized, try using a neutral color scheme but in a variety of textures.
Other Tips
— Mix bright colors with metalic accents. Nothing makes color pop like a smooth reflective surface or a shining accent. This sleek nature also adds to the modern feel.
— Natural elements, such as a wooden table and some greenery mesh well with classic Bohemian details.
— Be bold with colors!
— Don’t’ be afraid to layer fabrics and materials.
Photos by Gibeon Photography
In the 1950s and 1960s, Hollywood celebrities flocked to this house like bees to honeysuckle. Frank Sinatra owned it for ten years, Marilyn Monroe was rumored to add its guest cottage to her affair locations with JFK, Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli renewed their vows there, the Rat Pack partied hearty there and guests included most of the big names in Hollywood, along with Sinatra’s politician friends. Considered to be California’s No. 1celebrity home, Byrdview, is on the market priced at $12.5 million.
In 1949, socialite Dora Hutchinson, heir to the Chase Manhattan Bank fortune, commissioned futuristic architect William Pereira to design her new home. Not only was Pereira one of the most famous and prolific architects of the time, he had also been a film set designer, director and producer for several 1940’s movies, winning an Oscar for his special effects photography work on Cecille B. De Mille’s Reap the Wild Wind in 1942. The perfect architect to pack a dramatic punch, he designed a show stopping mid-century-modern home that was ideal for Dora’s grand-scale entertaining and would be just as stylish in 2019 as it was in the 1950s.
As soon as it was completed, she wasted no time in gathering the Hollywood stars and California business leaders for her soirees, many times setting off fireworks from her Byrdview perch to signal the start of cocktail hour. It was when she decided to move back to New York City that she passed it to Frank Sinatra, which shifted the entertaining from mannerly socialites to Rat Pack style.
Byrdview is located on 4.3 acres in the Chatsworth neighborhood on a hilltop with 360-degree views over Los Angeles, mountains and the surrounding 3,000 acres of nature preserve. Gated and not visible from the road, the 6,661-square-foot, four-bedroom, six-bath 60 percent of the structure’s walls are sixteen-foot-tall glass, flooding it with light and capturing the views in all directions.
Also included is a bar, formal dining area, a den-office, large chef’s kitchen with island, breakfast nook with view and top-of-the-line appliances, a number of fireplaces, and endless entertainment areas both inside and out.
Byrdview has been the backdrop for numerous films, television shows and music videos. The house and grounds have been seen in films such as Swordfish, Dreamgirls, Transformers and Bewitched. It has also starred in television series Mad Men and Californication and music videos by Mariah Carey, Usher and Rihanna.
Byrdview, the home that has enjoyed its own celebrity status for 64 years, is for sale and priced at $12.5 million. The adjacent parcel of more than six acres also owned by the seller is negotiable separately. Co-listing agents are Craig Knizek and Barrie Livingstone of The Agency, Beverly Hills.
Used with permission from TopTenRealEstateDeals.com. Photos courtesy of The Agency.
From screenwriter to actress and model, Meridith Baer never imagined becoming a businessperson, let alone the founder of a leading home staging company at age 50. Now, with offices in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Miami, Meridith Baer Home has flourished into a lifestyle brand that does more than just increase a home’s value.
Photo courtesy of Meridith Baer Home.
What brought you to design?
As a kid I loved rearranging furniture and my mom let me. She bought and flipped mansions in the Midwest and she would take my advice on what to buy or how to arrange. My apartments always looked great with inexpensive finds and friends often asked me to help them pull their places together, which I did gladly.
How does design make you happy?
When I wrote scripts, it was hard to feel realized. So many people get their fingerprints all over what you’re doing and a project can go on for years and may still never get made … or not get made in a way I saw it. But I can stage a home in a matter of days and have a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.
What is your favorite room or type of home to stage, if there is one, and why?
All homes present a unique challenge. Making older homes fresh and young is very satisfying. Personally, I love doing modern homes with a mix of styles, even throwing in a bit of neoclassical here and there.
Are there any activities outside of work that help inspire your work? Any that help you escape?
Travel is a great inspiration. I always come home with new ideas. I read every home magazine I can get my hands on. The only way I get away from work is Sudoku. It doesn’t inspire me, but it is all about bringing order … which, in part, is what design does.
What influence, if any, do you get from where you live?
Living in Los Angeles, I spent a lot of time outside and it is very important to me to bring the outside in and the inside out. Growing up, I spent a lot of time at the family ranch, so I like to include rustic elements in my designs.
Is there a specific style that you use when staging a home, or is it more particular to what the owner/seller has in mind?
What differentiates us from every other staging company is that we do enjoy doing all styles and have the inventory to do it. Before we begin, it is important that we get a clear understanding of what the broker and homeowner want, as we want to accommodate their ideas.
What is the most important element to remember to keep in any space you stage?
Everything has to look natural, easy and comfortable. Our job is to show the lifestyle one can have when they buy this home.
What colors, styles, and/or themes do you like to play with the most? The least?
I like backgrounds that are white or black … then I bring in color with rugs, art and accessories. I hate when a room has only one look … like everything came from one showroom. However I like groupings of objects … either the same color, but different sizes or shapes, or a small collection arranged in an interesting way, or a single simple item. I like to tell stories with things.
Do you tend to “bring work home with you?”
I’ll ignore my home for a month or two, just live in it, then I’ll be walking by the living room, take it in with a long look, and start rearranging. Furnishings don’t need to be permanent.
What kind of design trends do you want to see in the future?
Interior design, like fashion, is always changing. For a number of years now modern has been trending. Unfortunately it has gotten fairly cookie cutter. So I would like to see more of a mix in homes … modern mixed with different periods and sensibilities.
Any projects you’re working on now, or any in mind for the future?
We’re always coming up with new designs and have begun manufacturing much of our furniture. We’re also in talks about a new television series about e-commerce and hotel design.
What advice would you give to someone going into interior design or starting his or her own firm?
Go for it!
This soothing master bedroom suite highlights striking water views with a cool, relaxing color palette and clean, transitional furnishings.
Photo by Wanderlust Photography, thewanderlustphotography.com.
Comfortable upholstered lounge seating brings the indoors outside, complementing the infinity pool.
Photograph by Simon Berlyn, berlyn.net
An inviting step-down library features a muted palette and sophisticated textures.
Photo by Rebecca Duke, instagram.com/rebeccamduke
This modern, double-height living area with elegant contemporary furnishings opens out to an inviting patio featuring a stunning pool and cabana.
Photograph by Bernard André, bernardandre.com
Tammy Campbell-Plummer
The Signature Homes of Campbell-Plummer & Merritt-Coldwell Banker
Global Luxury Specialist
727.455.2351 | Tammy@CPMSignatureHomes.com
Tammy has consistently been recognized as a top producer and was on Coldwell Banker’s #1 Small Team in Florida and 6th in the U.S. (awarded in 2017), as well as #1 agent for West Central Florida for many years in a row (2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015). Her dedication to excellence is only matched by her uncomparable experience and knowledge of the Tampa Bay area’s luxury real estate market and trends. Tammy’s team has over 45 years of combined sales experience in the luxury market and more than $750 million in closed sales. Tammy is recognized as a skilled negotiator in the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury network.
Featured Listing by Tammy Campbell-Plummer
TIERRA VERDE, FLORIDA
Sands Point
This waterfront masterpiece offers extraordinary craftsmanship throughout with a gorgeous presence. A private deep-water dock offers open water access of Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico within minutes. MLS #U7846557
$2,800,000
Tammy Campbell-Plummer originally appeared as an Elite agent in the Unique Homes Spring ’18: Elite edition. See her page here.
Bar Harbor, the summer stomping ground of elites such as John D. Rockefeller, Jr., J.P. Morgan, Cornelius Vanderbilt, the Astor family and President William Taft, is home to East of Eden — a mansion that survived a fire that destroyed most of the town in 1947.
One of Maine’s last Gilded Age mansions, East of Eden, is now for sale in Bar Harbor. The Gilded Age was a glittering era that took place after the American Civil War in the late 19th century, and was filled with economic growth from new technologies and new ways of organizing businesses. East of Eden, formerly known as Eegonos, was one of the few Gilded Age mansions in Bar Harbor that survived a fire in 1947 that destroyed most of the town. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
With its picturesque New England coastline, it wasn’t too many years after the British settled the area in the late 1700s that the people of the upper class decided Bar Harbor — originally known as Eden — would be perfect for their summer retreats.
Bar Harbor was the summer stomping ground of elites such as John D. Rockefeller, Jr., J. P. Morgan, Cornelius Vanderbilt, the Astor family and President William Taft who enjoyed playing his golf there. Nelson Rockefeller was born in Bar Harbor and kept a home in nearby Seal Harbor for many years. Today, the resort town’s summer season is filled with film and television celebrities, writers, artists, lobster rolls, water sports and ordinary people enjoying the scenery and laid-back atmosphere.
Designed by Guy Lowell, the home is a blend of Beaux Arts and Mediterranean Revival style. Its 15,000-square-foot manse construction was completed in 1909. The 2.5 story house is positioned on nine private acres of waterfront with a deep-water dock to tie up a yacht or to enjoy the sunset. There is plenty of room for guests and extended family with fourteen-foot ceilings, eight bedrooms and twelve baths. Old world features include a large marble foyer, columned separations between major public rooms, fireplaces finished in marble and wood, ceilings with decorative friezes and medallions and hand-painted wall murals.
In addition its the detailed restoration, all mechanical systems have been updated. There is also an eight-bay garage to accommodate owners and overnight guests. East of Eden is a quick drive to Arcadia National Park and Bar Harbor’s restaurants and shops.
One of Maine’s few remaining Gilded Age mansions, The Knowles Company has listed East of Eden for $15.5 million.
Photos courtesy of The Knowles Company Realtors
Just 10 minutes from the main island of Bora Bora, the private island of Motu Tane encompasses approximately 10 acres of sandy beach, tropical foliage and coconut groves all set against a mountainous backdrop.
Owned by cosmetics mogul François Nars, Motu Tane consists of traditional thatched-roof Polynesian huts or “fares”, with 22 separate structures, including 2 luxurious suites comprised of 2,500 square feet, each with a sunken lava bathtub, shower and dressing area, as well as panoramic views onto the garden, the beach and the main island.
The island features nine beach bungalows and two suites to accommodate up to 20 guests, a library with museum-quality Polynesian art and artifacts, a photography studio, a chef’s dream kitchen with commercial-quality stainless steel equipment, and two staff quarters. The great room, encompassing about 2,500 square feet, is perfect for casual gatherings or formal entertaining with an adjacent dining area offering a hidden wet bar and two extra large custom-made tables for up to 36 people, all surrounded by the garden.
Designed by Christian Liaigre, the rooms feature custom-crafted furniture made from rare tropical wood and natural fabrics, and most bungalows have motorized screens which can bring the outside in and can offer shelter in case of excessive winds or tropical rains. The island is dotted with 1,500 coconut palms and other native flora, creating a garden-like retreat.
Motu Tane is offered at $42,000,000 by Bob Hurwitz of The Hurwitz James Company.