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.

Used with permission from TopTenRealEstateDeals.com. Photos courtesy of The Agency.

With the right decor, menu and activities, an outdoor party in the winter is the perfect way to connect with your guests. For those living in regions prone to snow, standard outdoor furniture may not be suitable, but sturdy picnic tables, hay bales, and pine-themed decorations with pops of color from holly berries stand up well to winter weather. Having adequate lighting is crucial, since the sun sets relatively early during winter. Maintain a cozy ambiance with string lights, or have a bonfire double as a source of both heat and light.

Whether you choose to have everyone sit by a fire pit or instead encourage people to spend time in a hot tub, make your guests comfortable in the cold by offering an outdoor heat source.  Even in places like Florida, where temperatures do not drop as low as they do in the north, outdoor heating is crucial to creating a cozy atmosphere. A cast iron chiminea gives off significant heat while contributing to a wintry aesthetic, while structures like gazebos help block wind and can be decorated with pillows and blankets.

While swimming or lounging in the sun may be out of the question, some warm weather activities, like lawn games, can still be enjoyed in the winter. Set up cornhole, horseshoes or a ladder toss station to entertain your guests. If you plan to host your party at a snowy destination and would prefer to more closely adhere to a winter theme, encourage guests of all ages to participate in a snowman-making competition or snowball fight.

Photos Courtesy of Hootsuite.

Photo © 2016 Nickolas Sargent All Rights Reserved

Observing decorative tropical fish shimmering through an artificial aquatic habitat can be mesmerizing, but new innovations and elaborate designs have made aquarium industry specialists an essential resource for luxury residential design. A new breed of aquarists is using unbridled imagination and advanced technologies to create larger and more audacious tanks for the home.

Reality television series like Tanked on Animal Planet and Fish Tank Kings on Nat Geo Wild introduce viewers to the incredible possibilities of aquarium design, resulting in focal points that can transform a room into a magical space. High-end aquarists can now be found in every major city and ambitious tanks can be engineered for virtually any residential environment.

Photo courtesy of Infinity Aquarium Design

Nic Tiemens, co-founder of Los Angeles-based Infinity Aquarium Design, reports, “The installations we’re doing today in high-end residences are more elaborate, both aesthetically and functionally, than those in most public aquariums.” Tiemens’ first taste of the business, as a young minimum-wage employee in Chicago, was the installation of two massive tanks at NBA superstar Michael Jordan’s house. When he and his business partner founded Infinity in 2004, they viewed L.A. as a natural home base, and the firm was featured on HGTV’s Ultimate Aquariums, one of the public’s earliest glimpses into this intriguing specialty. “We’ve branded ourselves as the firm where creativity meets the science of aquariums,” explains the passionate entrepreneur.

Tiemens suggests that homeowners’ increased reliance on interior designers has boosted the residential aquarium business, as those ambitious professionals are constantly looking to enhance spaces with unique water features. Celebrity-favored L.A. interior designer Adam Hunter, who collaborates with Infinity in his luxury residential practice, reports, “Aquariums offer such dramatic appeal to any interior because they can instantly become a beautiful focal point, art piece or topic of conversation.”

Hunter believes aquariums work equally well in both traditional and modern architectural contexts, and the endless options of aquatic environments and species allow designers and aquarists to accommodate virtually any situation. “When you spend hundreds of hours paying attention to every last detail that makes an interior perfect, having an organic, living backdrop provides the ideal contrast to such a structured and scrutinized design,” he explains.

Photo © 2016 Nickolas Sargent All Rights Reserved

Reef Aquaria Design (RAD), located in South Florida, also caters to a demanding luxury residential clientele. Operations Manager J.R. Corvison agrees that public aquariums and a heightened environmental consciousness of the oceans have fueled interest, and states some of RAD’s high-end installations cost more than most people pay for a home. “Those with the means have the ability to commission a piece of dynamic living art showcasing the ocean’s splendor right in their own home,” says Corvison.  He reports client enthusiasm for jellyfish aquariums, especially in homes with sleek, modern architecture, as well as burgeoning interest in the aquaculture of fish and live corals.

The stars of Tanked, brothers-in-law Brett Raymer and Wayde King, are the owners of Las Vegas-based Acrylic Tank Manufacturing (ATM). Since their show debuted in 2011, the pair has created over-the-top aquariums for actors Neil Patrick Harris and David Hasselhoff, magicians Penn & Teller, and professional athletes Marshawn Lynch, Dwayne Wade and Shaquille O’Neill.

Photo courtesy of Infinity Aquarium Design.

“The popularity of public aquariums has grown over the years, giving people more opportunities to see exotic species, and everybody’s intrigued by fish,” says Raymer, who suggests the ability to maintain live corals and reefs accounts for the popularity of saltwater tanks. “The tanks are educational, soothing and relaxing to look at,” says the enthusiastic King of the hobby’s universal allure, adding, “The colors of fish are incredibly appealing and they all have their own personalities.”

Raymer reports that while it may scratch easier than glass, acrylic has become the state-of-the-art material for extravagant designs because of its ability to be bent and shaped. ATM’s design and installation process begins with an interview of the customer, whether a celebrity or suburban hobbyist. “First we find out what the client has in mind, then turn it over to our artist to create a rendering. Once we get the client’s approval, we go from there,” explains Raymer.

One of the company’s more outrageous projects, scheduled to appear on Tanked later this year, features the third appearance of comedian Tracy Morgan, whose pool house in posh Alpine, New Jersey, will be transformed into a massive 16,000-gallon shark tank designed by ATM. King explains sufficient space, structural soundness and a willingness to take care of the habitat (in addition to capital, of course) are the only limitations to ever-more-elaborate aquariums. ATM’s largest project was a $4.5 million aquarium for a megachurch in Texas, and an upcoming 70,000-gallon project in California will be the largest tank ever installed in a private residence.

Jay Silber, a partner at Lakewood, New Jersey’s Aqua Creations — which serves metro New York City and beyond — reports affluent clients love the soothing effects of aquariums, while other owners are attracted to the feng shui benefits of having water and fish in a home. “One very wealthy client, he’s a big player whose home has a media room, disco room and everything you could ask for, tells me, ‘Jay, when I entertain, the first place everybody goes is to the tank!’”

Silber reports, “We build aquariums from $20,000 to $100,000, depending on how crazy you want to go, but we concentrate on creating a really interesting environment.” He insists the best installation practice is from the ground up, working with architects and builders to engineer the tank, accommodate proper plumbing and allocate sufficient space for an equipment room.

Compatibility, color and movement are the critical considerations when selecting the assortment of fish, according to Tiemens. “We try to create an underwater display that’s realistic and offers an environment that’s natural for the respective species, one in which every color of the rainbow is presented and where you’re constantly seeing different fish,” he says.

Brett Raymer of ATM cautions homeowners, “You need to remember these are live animals … they’re pets, not just decoration, so you can’t just get it set up and forget about it.” He therefore advises clients to enter into a maintenance contract with a reputable company like ATM to ensure proper care. These days, advanced technology allows owners or aquarists to monitor water quality and manipulate pumps from anywhere in the world with the touch of a smartphone.

Adam Hunter, Inc. Los Angeles www.adamhunterinc.com

Infinity Aquarium Design Los Angeles www.infinityaquariums.com

British artist Kerry Hallam captures the essence of luxury living in his bold, timeless paintings. Coastlines and nautical themes are present in many of Hallam’s works, invoking a tranquil mood pervasive in his depictions of shores, sunsets and wharfs.

Hallam, 81, has exclusively painted for Martin Lawrence Galleries — which is famous for its contemporary fine art exhibits that attract collectors to each of its nine locations nationwide — for more than 30 years. His works include acrylic paintings on canvas as well as on nautical charts, and hand-signed, limited edition graphics.

Earlier this year, Hallam presented two special exhibitions at Martin Lawrence’s La Jolla, California location. He participated in a meet-and-greet with art enthusiasts and collectors, encouraging them to relish life’s simple pleasures. Visitors embraced the opportunity to grow familiar with Hallam’s latest works and immerse themselves in the artist’s alluring paintings.

After receiving training from British master painters upon winning a six-year scholarship to London University’s Central College of Art, Hallam was also included in Britain’s Royal Society of Artists in Watercolor. The artist is also inspired by 19th-century French Post-Impressionists, as well as Cezanne and Van Gogh.

Hallam moved to the U.S. in 1973, and established his first studio in Boston. In 1981, he opened a studio and gallery on Nantucket Island — he has since lived in various places in the U.S., but made the decision to return to New England, where he currently resides.

Photos courtesy of Martin Lawrence Galleries. 

Hawaii is currently number one on the list of Best Luxury Destinations in the USA by U.S. News, and for good reason. The exotic greenery, breathtaking sights and pristine beaches are enough to sell any traveler on visiting. But, why visit when you can invest in a dream Hawaiian home?

For those itching to own their second home, considering the lush islands of Hawaii is ideal. There are many benefits of owning a vacation home in Hawaii’s tropical climate while still having the safety and security of U.S. laws. 

Here is what potential home buyers should keep in mind when looking into purchasing a vacation home in Hawaii.

1. Have ample time for due-diligence: When you purchase a home in Hawaii, state law provides buyers with 30 days to review all the purchase agreements and have their questions answered. This helps create a pressure/stress-free experience for buyers, many of whom are on vacation when they make the decision to call Hawaii their second home.
2. Manage time zones: It can be a hassle to manage a second home in a different time zone. Consider having someone on the island who can monitor your assets for you and ensure everything is well taken care of while you are away, like security, bills, groceries, and air conditioning.
3. Plan out furnishings: In Hawaii, homeowners sometimes face roadblocks when furnishing, due to lack of in-stock products and long shipping times. Many buyers take advantage of purchasing fully-furnished residences as a way to limit any inconvenience and own something that is move-in ready.
4. Renting your home while you’re away: Many purchasers plan to rent their Hawaii homes when they are not currently living there, but it’s important to note that many areas in Hawaii have restrictions on rentals – only homes with Transient Vacation Rental Licenses within Visitor Destination Areas are legally allowed to operate vacation rentals

After being informed properly on how to logistically own a home in Hawaii, it’s time to look at properties. Here are three gorgeous options to consider.

Montage Residences Kapalua Bay

Launching in July 2014 with 84 oceanfront luxury residences situated in the year-round community of Kapalua Resort, this residence is a lush natural paradise located on Maui’s spectacular western shore. Within the 1,650-acre community, each residence is a rare treasure, offering generous private lanais and expansive ocean views.   

The Curious Crowd collection is brought to us by Ghislaine Viñas at HBF Textiles, and it brings the designer’s connection with water to life through aquatic influences.

Viñas was born in the Netherlands and raised in South Africa. Later she studied interior design at Philadelphia University and went on to establish a successful design firm in New York in 1999. With several design awards and nationally and internationally published projects, Viñas has had the opportunity to work with a range of products including wall coverings, rugs, and furniture. The Curious Crowd collection of textiles is specifically influenced by the ocean and its playful energy, especially colorful jellyfish and seas slugs. “My connection to water is deep and constant — I’ve always lived by the ocean, which is an important part of my childhood,” says Viñas. “The clownish attitude and outrageous patterns of the sea slug and the beauty of the undulating jellyfish inspired this collection. I’ve always been fascinated by eccentric personalities and colorful beings, the ones you want to hang out with at a really fun party.”

The six fabrics were crafted to perform and stun.

Ms. Quilty is an ultra-soft quilted knit and featured in 5 shades.

HBF Textiles delves into the mystery of the ocean and the deep with the new collection of six, high-performance patterns. “Curious Crowd is widely applicable and unequivocally fun,” explains HBF Textiles VP of Design + Creative Direction, Mary Jo Miller. “With Ghislaine’s bold perspective and our focus on unique and textural constructions, Curious Crowd stands on its own with an eclectic inspirational story and vibrant color palette. We’re so proud that Ghislaine has created something fresh and different for the contract industry and are excited to see how designers interact with the Curious Crowd.”

Photos courtesy of HBF Textiles

The 7,500-square-foot designer space features more than 135 premium Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove products and illustrates product innovation with unique culinary experiences

Now on display in the heart of the Miami Design District, Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove open their newest showroom, which showcases premium refrigeration, wine preservation, cooking equipment, and luxury dishwashing.

At the center of the showroom is a 780-square-foot demonstration kitchen with 20 active appliances, allowing guests to test out the products’ features and functionalities. The showroom will host an ongoing calendar of programming spearheaded by showroom manager Barbara Barnes and culinary experiences led by executive chef Alex Diaz.

“We are so pleased to open our newest showroom in Miami, and to bring such a broad range of products to this important market. We chose the Miami Design District as the location because of the neighborhood’s commitment to supporting great design, architecture and culinary experiences,” said president and CEO of Sub-Zero Group, Inc. Jim Bakke. “We were able to imagine and build a space that allows us to welcome, educate and host groups and individuals who want to experience the quality and innovation of our products.”

A third-generation, family-owned company, Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove appliances have been continuously designed, tested and manufactured using premium grade materials in Madison, Wisconsin for more than 70 years. Developed with and for the design community, the products offer limitless design possibilities and are engineered to last more than 20 years. As a result, Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove products are widely known for superior craftsmanship, reliability and longevity. With the opening of the Miami showroom, the company now has 35 dedicated showrooms in the U.S. and 60 worldwide.

Photos courtesy of Sub-Zero Group, Inc.

Merging classic and modern stylings, the collection displays timeless design suffused with French elegance.

THG Paris, the leading French atelier in faucets and bath accessories whose collaborations with prestigious brands include Lalique, Baccarat and Christofle, announced its latest collection — Les Ondes, which is French for “waves” — at the 2018 Architectural Digest Design Show.
Les Ondes is the first product collaboration between THG Paris and the internationally recognized interior design duo of Patrick Gilles and Dorothée Boissier, but not the first partnership. Gilles & Boissier has designed and outfitted several projects with THG Paris products, including the Baccarat Hotel property.
Gilles & Boissier revisited the styling of a Baccarat crystal lamp they designed for the Baccarat Hotel in New York for the new THG Paris bath collection, with the fixture’s faceted crystal sides recalling the transparency of water.
“We are privileged to have Patrick and Dorothée translate their signature stylings into an exclusive bath collection for our brand,” says Pedro Uranga, the North American director of THG Paris.

 
Merging classic and modern stylings, the Gilles & Boissier collection displays timeless design suffused with French elegance. The collection draws inspiration from the transparency of water, and on top of the faucet’s 10-sided faceted base sits a trident-shaped brace reminiscent of Neptune, a Roman sea deity.
The collection is available with cross or lever handles, and like all THG Paris products, is offered in various configurations for basins, matching bathtub and shower systems and a range of matching accessories. THG Paris offers a variety of finishes to complement each design, including but not limited to chrome, nickel and soft gold.
In addition to the collection’s debut at the AD Design Show, the new collection will display in THG Paris’ design center in the Decoration & Design Building in New York.  

Photos courtesy of THG Paris

Pernod Ricard will offer an elite experience as the official spirits provider for JetSmarter.

Pernod Ricard, the leading luxury global wine and spirits company, and JetSmarter, the world’s largest private aviation community, have announced that Pernod Ricard will become JetSmarter’s official spirits partner. The partnership will provide JetSmarter members with unique experiences in collaboration with Pernod Ricard, elevating each moment of their luxury travel itinerary.
“Cultivating unique consumer experiences has always been a top priority for Pernod Ricard,” said Jonas Tåhlin, the chief marketing officer of Pernod Ricard.  “We know that travel is more than just about getting passengers from point A to point B — every touchpoint can be elevated and we’re excited for this synergistic opportunity to do just that for the JetSmarter audience.”

Pernod Ricard’s Prestige spirits, wines and champagne brands will be featured on JetSmarter in-flight menus, in member lounges at its private jet airports and throughout various custom experiences. The JetSmarter member journey will begin with a champagne greeting in their lounges and continue with fully curated, in-flight educational tastings that will take place in-flight.

As a Pernod Ricard partner, JetSmarter members will have direct access to custom gifting capabilities of Pernod Ricard brands through ReserveBar.com/JetSmarter. Pernod Ricard will design private tours that won’t be available to the public at their renowned wineries and distilleries. These exclusive experiences will be tailored specifically for JetSmarter members to gain a deep knowledge of the brand’s library of high-end wine and spirits by exploring the origin and unique distillation process, firsthand.

JetSmarter’s mobile app, which is integral to the member experience, will provide notifications alerting clients of convivial Pernod Ricard activation moments, prestige product offerings and more.

Top and middle photos courtesy of JetSmarter. Bottom photo courtesy of Robert Carlo New York for Pernod Ricard.

Rappaport beat his own sales record with the $120 million off-market deal to Canadian billionaire developer Daryl Katz.

Westside Estate Agency co-founder and CEO Kurt Rappaport has sold his 7-bedroom Malibu mansion to Canadian billionaire Daryl Katz for $120 million. The home was designed by architectural designer Scott Mitchell, whose clients include Larry Ellison and Jeffrey Katzenberg.

The off-the-market deal, which closed on Friday, Feb. 9 according to the New York Post, had been rumored to be on the rocks in December, though neither Rappaport nor Katz would comment at the time on the nature of the alleged snafu, as The Real Deal reported.

Rappaport has broken his own record for selling the priciest home in Los Angeles — the previous record-holder was his $85 million sale of David Geffen’s Malibu estate, which he brokered last May.

The sale of his 15,000-square-foot home included everything inside the home, which is reported to include artwork by Damien Hirst, Ed Ruscha and Sterling Ruby. The house was rented out for $750,000 per month, and contains a private screening room, home gym and the longest pool in the state at 168 feet.

Katz is estimated to be worth just over $3 billion and owns the NHL franchise, the Edmonton Oilers. His wealth comes from managing pharmacy chains, including Rexall. However, now his company, Katz Group, has turned to real estate. The Katz Group is leading a more than $2 billion redevelopment project in Edmonton known as the ICE District and built a new arena for the Oilers in the city, according to Forbes.

Photo courtesy of Westside Estate Agency