Offering variety, convenience and a sense of community, these food courts for grown-ups are being embraced across the country.

By Roger Grody

Teenagers hanging out at the local shopping mall may consume greasy pizza and hot dogs on sticks, but reimagining the food court with high epicurean standards is a hot development trend. Across the country, sophisticated food halls are filling historic buildings in reenergized downtowns.

At the new venues, food is not an afterthought, but the main event in a concept borrowed from diverse cultures. Department stores like Harrods in London or Le Bon Marché in Paris dedicate entire floors to culinary discovery, while street food vendors in Singapore rent stalls in hawker centers.

Some food halls in the States originated as places where farmers, fish mongers and bakers sold their goods, with a few food stands or cafés sharing a common seating area. Examples include Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal Market, Seattle’s Pike Place Market and Grand Central Market in Los Angeles, all historic venues now filled with restaurants.

Photo by Lana Neiman Chicago French Market (Chicago), www.frenchmarketchicago.com

Photos courtesy of ADYA Latinicity (Chicago), www.latinicity.com Anaheim Packing House (Orange County,CA), www.anaheimpackingdistrict.com

Grand Central Market was a remnant from a bygone era until the gentrification of downtown L.A. attracted more sophisticated dining tenants. Old school butchers and taquerías remain, but now share space with chef-driven Prawn, Wexler’s Deli and Eggslut, a trendy food truck spinoff.

In suburban Orange County, California, the century-old Anaheim Packing House has been transformed into a food hall housing two dozen eclectic eateries beneath a galleria-style glass roof. At Adya, chef/partner Shachi Mehra tweaks authentic street foods from her native
India with fresh California accents. “There’s an energy that’s infectious and uplifting throughout the space, and I wanted to be located in a place that celebrates diversity,” she reports. “What makes the Packing House so special is its sense of community, which for many first-time owners like myself, is important,” adds Mehra.

Photos ©Kassie Borreson Ferry Building (San Francisco), www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com

Eataly venues are so large (50,000-plus square feet) that virtually any Italian product — prosciutto to Pecorino, pappardelle to Pinot Grigio — that one desires to grab-and-go or consume onsite is found in unprecedented abundance. “When our customers visit Eataly, they realize that we’re not only a store, or only a restaurant, or only a cooking school. We’re all three under one roof, inviting everyone to experience high-quality food in 360 degrees as they eat, shop and learn,” says Eataly USA CEO Nicola Farinetti.

Photo by Lana Neiman

At Chicago’s Latinicity, the diverse flavors of Latin America (whether it be Lima, Buenos Aires or Mexico City) are offered at eight food stations and a sit-down restaurant. Founded by renowned Mexican-born chef/restaurateur Richard Sandoval, the concept was inspired by a market he visited in Colombia, reinforced by the success of Eataly. “I wanted the market to showcase approachable food,” says the owner of 50 restaurants around the globe. “I didn’t want to go high-end but back-to-basics with good home-cooked market foods,” explains Sandoval.

The Chicago French Market was the Windy City’s first food hall when it opened in 2009, and while it offers Camembert and pâté to-go or beef bourguignon to enjoy at a table, it is not exclusively French. It was designed in the spirit of Parisian markets, but its 30-plus vendors feature a global representation, ranging from Italy to Argentina, Japan to the American South.

“There are so many different ethnic groups in Chicago, and this market brings them, even young people, back to their roots,” says owner/manager Sebastien Bensidoun, whose family is the largest operator of markets in Paris. Insisting the venue has equal appeal among billionaires and starving students, Bensidoun explains, “My philosophy is never to open a market only for affluent people. Everybody should be able to find something they can afford and enjoy.”

The Ferry Building, a distinctive Beaux-Arts landmark on San Francisco’s waterfront, has been converted into a long, linear food hall. Where commuters used to board ferries, foodies now browse organic produce or nosh at trendy eateries like Mijita, where acclaimed fine dining chef Traci Des Jardins nostalgically recreates Mexican street foods.

Photo by Francesco Saoienza Eataly (New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles), www.eataly.com

The following article originally appeared in the Spring 2018 issue of ERA Real Estate Distinctive Properties Magazine.

The Internet may have killed the travel agent, but increasing demand for customized and curated experiences has created a new niche.

To some, “travel agent” may be a term of the past. Replaced in part by technological strides and the rise of the internet, travel agents have been in decline in recent years and that trend is set to continue over the next decade. Yet, a new class of travel experts altogether are gaining traction — travel designers, who offer high-end curated trips based on their own personal travel expertise.

“People spending a great deal of money on their vacations don’t just want a cookie-cutter experience. They want something really tailored to them, planned specifically for their likes and interests,” says Lia Batkin, co-founder of In The Know Experiences, a luxury travel and lifestyle agency in New York City.

Batkin and her husband and partner Seth Kaplan were inspired to enter the travel industry in 2007 after a disastrous trip to Argentina. “We enlisted someone to help plan a trip for us and that did not go so well. I realized it’s hard to rely on various recommendations and things you come across while planning on the web when you were truly looking for an elevated experience,” says Batkin.

“For higher-end clientele, it’s not about the money — it’s about the time. This led us to believe that there was a gap in the market at the time,” says Batkin.

“Travel agents primarily sell based on either client instruction or on pricing. And often, they are booking things they haven’t seen,” says Doug Easton of Clelestielle, a Traveller Made-certified agency. “Travel designers, by contrast, are most assuredly getting the same benefits as agents, combined with an advanced degree of personal experience.

Principals of experiential travel company, Celestielle — Doug Easton and John Ziegler — personally visit each destination and stay at each hotel or property before they recommend it to their clients. Pictured here at Sala’s Camp in Kenya.

When it comes to experience, Easton and his partner John Ziegler are at the forefront, with visits to hundreds of countries and counting. “We started our company 13 years ago. Because we don’t have things that anchor us at home, we can be mobile for the whole year. It’s a crazy, nomadic life, but it pays off for our clients,” says Easton. “Our model is that we will sell anything that is luxury-based on client instruction. Yet, we would never propose to the client something that we’ve never seen. Anything we propose to the client is something we’ve visited or are in love with.”

Easton and Ziegler go on what they call “scouting trips” where they visit locations and hotels to inform their expertise. “We can see about 100 to 120 hotels in a year around the world. We keep something called the ‘to-visit list’ that has about 3,600 hotels on it,” he says. “You don’t want to buy anything from someone who doesn’t know what they’re selling. How can I plan a trip for you to a country without ever going there?”

A combination of personal experience and decision-making is what urges clients to seek out luxury travel designers to send them on a wonderful journey. Yet, it’s not always about the nicest hotel or the most luxurious place to stay, but rather the off-beaten path.

“It’s about traveling with intention, not just to share on social media,” says Michael Bennett, executive vice president of Nomad Hill, a Houston-based travel design company. “It’s about acquiring a perspective shift. The only reliable source of action is how to see the world, and travel can shift the way you see it.”

Michael Bennett, Executive Vice President of Houston-based travel design company Nomad Hill exploring in Alaska.

Bennett, who completed his doctorate concerning travel studies, helped establish the term “transformational travel” and utilizes his knowledge while crafting trips for his clients. “I explored people who had self-changing travel experiences and analyzed them and stories to see if there were things in common, and there were.”

Beyond location, travel designers also understand the mechanics of what makes trips memorable. Bennett seeks to bring variation to his custom itineraries, seeing the importance of fantastic on-the-ground guides, food and opportunities to meet people.

“We want to make sure that clients are getting to see what they want, but we also want to make sure they get out and explore,” he says. “So we intentionally craft spots that provide a good challenge.” This may include an engaging activity such as shark-cage diving, followed by a relaxing wine dinner. “Another thing I always try to bring in for my clients is to make sure they have ample down time. Time for reflection, journaling or prayer. Making sure that their days are exciting but not overly packed.”

“Everything is seamless down to the car service for you,” says Batkin. “Service also includes a dedicated person while you’re away 24-7. At times we get alerts that connections to flights were cancelled, so we go ahead and handle that mid-flight, change their hotel and give them a full brief when they land.”

“A lot of it is also managing expectations,” adds Easton. “For instance, if you’re visiting Jordan, there may be only okay places to stay, yet the areas are magnificent and completely justify the visit. And we let you know that.”

But in the end, it truly is about curating a life-changing experience for clients. “Research says that there is a peak/end model, in that essentially people will remember trips by one to two things that happened. But also, how it ends is important,” says Bennett. “You can have an amazing trip, but if something goes wrong on the last day, subconsciously it’s going to color your impression when you think about it a week, a month or a decade later. It’s really our job to make sure we don’t leave anything hanging in the end.”

Photos courtesy of Celestielle & Micahel Bennett

The following article originally appeared in the Spring 2018 issue of ERA Real Estate Distinctive Properties Magazine.

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.

Madam Dottie is available in 10 pastel variations and is full of repetitious circular forms.

Sir Stripe-a-Lot was inspired by the tentacles of the Pacific jellyfish with fun stripes and comes in 11 different colors.

Mr. Dimple has a luscious surface and is available in 7 tones.

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

Sister Solid is soft and slightly bumpy and comes in 12 gorgeous shades.

Captain Bubble is available in 8 magnificent hues and made for heavy-duty use. The textured fabric was inspired by the bubbles on the tentacles of the Mediterranean jellyfish, according to HBF

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

Extend the comfort of your home outside with Vondom — an avant-garde inspired furniture brand.

Look no further for the perfect outdoor furniture this summer. Vondom embodies quality, innovation, and drama in its designs, which explains the inspiring success of the company. Prestigious in its designs but also in its experience, this furniture appears at resorts such as the Oliva Nova Beach & Resort in Valencia, the Temptation Hotel in Cancun, and The Beach Club Kallis Visby in Sweden.

Whether at a resort, beach club, or in your backyard, Vondom takes the spotlight. The sleekness of each piece brings a sense of elegance to any commercial or residential space. Minimalists will love Vondom’s collections. The lines, fabrics, and colors all create a sense of peace that ensures total relaxation.

In these hot summer months, pool-goers, entertainers, and afternoon-nappers can now relish in the sun in ultimate comfort, with Vondom daybeds, sun chaises, and canopies. Modern, sleek, and quality-made, these products take lounging to the next level.

Ulm and Vela — designed by Ramon Esteve, Vondom’s artistic director — are just two of the collections offered, but there are over 45 available. Both collections are designed with color-changing light features that make it easy to incorporate them into a variety of spaces. The crisp and neutral shades that Ulm and Vela use are softened by the warmth of light. When the pieces are illuminated from underneath it creates a mesmerizing place to rest, day or night.

Vondom’s outdoor furniture is perfect for stretching out to soak up the sun, taking a nap, or decompressing by the pool. With retractable sunroofs, adjustable positions, swivel mechanisms, and designs that ensure comfort, you won’t have to the flee the sun for the indoors.

Photos courtesy of Xavi Gordo and Vondom

Statement throw blankets are the perfect way to seasonally decorate, soften a space, and bring a personal touch into any room.

Is there anything quite as tempting as curling up on the couch with a soft blanket?

Throws are functional and don’t crowd a space as other bulky blankets might. With the right design, fabric, and color, throws are an easy way to spruce up your decor without committing to major design changes.
Ditch boring blankets for exciting prints and cozy materials. A thoughtfully placed throw can lighten a room for summer or bring a pop of color in the winter.

Stretching a few plush throws across any bed or couch can add layers and a decorative touch. Layering is a great way to mix and match designs and add complexity to your room. The additional warmth is an easy way to spruce up your everyday furniture. Pairing throw blankets with metal furniture or placing them against other sharp surfaces can create a contrast that will entice visitors to stay awhile.

Choosing different fabrics are another way to make a statement when selecting a new throw. Ultra soft or simple comfort can help set the atmosphere of a room.

Massimo Alba’s ‘Yes Yes Yes’ blanket and Coralie Miessen’s ‘Home’ blanket are fun ways to personalize your home.

And Oyuna offers a cashmere option known as the ‘Uno Throw’ that will encourage a lazy afternoon full of lounging. After relaxing, the ‘Uno Throw’ can be casually folded across bench seating to invite guests.

Photos courtesy of WallpaperSTORE* store.wallpaper.com

Photo by Bert Vanderveen, Verellen Furniture

Revamping past trends is hardly a new concept, but modernizing farmhouse decor can still be a challenge. Avoid cliches and break away from traditional choices that can make a space feel themed and overdone.
Focused designs call for a certain amount of balance, which is a great place to start when shopping for a specific space.

Weathered Works

Rustic and weathered pieces will be rightfully tempting. Not only do these looks add a cozy and comfortable feel to most rooms, but they’re inherently a large part of Farmhouse decor. The best way to avoid overdoing it with rustic and weathered styles is to pair them with their opposites.
Wood and stone look great with clean lines and smooth finishes. Soft fabrics and plush rugs can also be combined with natural components that will stand out among diverse materials.

Photo courtesy of Woodland Creek Furniture

Photo courtesy of Woodland Creek Furniture

Accents Not Props

Accents are the perfect opportunity to bring your room to life. A carefully chosen accent can be playful while unifying. A thoughtfully selected plant, antique sign, or a modern piece of art is an opportunity to personalize a space.
Overly obvious props will make a room feel staged. Repurposed mason jars are a thing of the past, but unique pictures of nature or wildlife are a smart way to tie in classic aspects without over-decorating.

A Touch of Nature

One or two natural elements can go a long way in Modern Farmhouse Decor. Choose a focal point to find inspiration and then build around it. Materials such as stone can be paired with modern touches to create a balanced look.
It’s easy for a modern look to take over, but polished surfaces and vibrant colors still have a place in Modern Farmhouse decor when they work together with other influences.

Stone Forrest Natural Bathtub

Photo by Bert Vanderveen, Verellen Furniture

Neutral Not Boring

Neutral colors such as tan and gray urge accents to really pop. A textured, gray fabric will highlight greenery or the subtle reds in a brick wall. Neutral flooring and walls are another way to keep Farmhouse decor modern.
Painted wood floors or a rustic paint job over brick is key to sprucing up traditional farmhouse elements.

Eco-friendly furniture and sustainable decor are more than a cute trend — they are a priority for STEM.

With the increasing amount of plastic in our oceans, shrinking forests, and our overall impact on Mother Earth, sustainable designs are becoming more and more popular. Companies like STEM are realizing the importance of sourcing materials responsibly and spreading the message.
Going beyond the typical one or two eco-friendly pieces that most companies offer, STEM’s collection takes sustainability carefully into consideration. Founded by two brothers, Ryan and Travis, STEM is inspiring buyers and designers alike with its entirely eco-friendly collection. The company prides itself on creating a “Healthy Planet, Healthy Home.”

STEM ensures satisfaction by building each piece one at a time in L.A. from eco-materials like natural latex and wool, bamboo, organic cotton, and more. Cutting out harsh chemicals like fire retardants and certain glues are also a part of the process. Sofas and sectionals — being the biggest portion of STEM’s business — are made with FSC certified wood frames, natural jute, and organic cotton. Pieces like the Rio Sofa and Blumen Sectional can be made to the inch to get it just right for each customer and space.

Bamboo Float is a unique style that STEM incorporates into sofas, tables, and more. Bamboo is an ideal material because it grows as quickly as a weed. STEM uses sheets of bamboo for the base and then attaches an upholstered piece for the seating component.

For the Voya Side Table, the piece is handcrafted with FSC certified walnut or hard maple and is covered in zero VOC matte finish. The design can also be made into a coffee table as well.

Also using FSC certified walnut or hard maple for the base is the Sino Coffee Table. The top is white carrera marble and has the option for a draw for storage. STEM makes each piece as it’s needed, therefore cutting out the mass production of generic goods.

Kathie Robidou

Coldwell Banker Advantage One Properties

1500 Valley River Drive, Suite 370, Eugene, OR 97401
541.484.2625 | kathie@kathiesells.com | www.advantageoneproperties.com | www.kathiesells.com

Kathie’s high energy level and her enthusiasm for helping people have propelled her to the top of her field in the real estate industry! A Coldwell Banker franchise owner and a top agent specializing in upper end and luxury homes, her expert marketing and promotional techniques are second to none and her knowledge in all aspects of real estate sales have made her one of the most successful and respected agents in Eugene-Springfield. Kathie has consistently been the #1 Listing Agent and Production Agent on a Team and is in the top 4% of agents globally. Kathie is affectionately known throughout Lane County as “KathieSells” and her team sales have well exceeded $200 million in just the past decade!

Featured Listing by Kathie Robidou

FLORENCE, OREGON

Enjoy spectacular 180-degree ocean views from this furnished, custom-built home with an expansive cedar deck, patio area and an abundance of windows to enjoy the unobstructed ocean and terrain views! The kitchen offers an island, eating bar, double ovens, corian counters and nook. The spacious master suite boasts 2 walk-in closets, a jetted tub, shower and door to the deck! Other features include a great room, formal dining, bonus room with surround sound and exercise area. The private, gated 1.61-acre lot offers area for RV! MLS#17334500

Price upon request.

Kathie Robidou originally appeared as an Elite agent in the Unique Homes Spring ’18: Elite edition. See her page here.

Julie Barnett & Leigh Barnett

Harry Norman, REALTORS®

141 S. Main Street, Clayton, GA 30525
O. 706.212.0228 | J. 404.697.3860 | L. 404.931.3636 | julie.barnett@harrynorman.com
leigh.barnett@harrynorman.com | www.lakeburtonhome.com

Featured Listing by Julie Barnett & Leigh Barnett

TIGER, GEORGIA

57 Cody Lane

This 7-bedroom, 7.5-bath stately Lake Burton retreat is gracefully positioned on manicured grounds enjoying long range lake & mountain views. The 2-story great room features a vaulted ceiling, reclaimed beams, oak flooring, stone fireplace & floor-to-ceiling windows framing lake views. A lakeside porch acts as an outdoor living room with fireplace, built-in pizza oven and dining area. The chef’s kitchen is equipped with professional appliances, a large island & cozy breakfast nook with fireplace. The terrace level features a family room with fireplace, full kitchen, wine cellar, game room with wet bar & lakeside covered porch. Amenities include: master on main, 3-car garage, detached workshop, 7 masonry stone fireplaces, fenced garden, dog run, 2-stall boathouse.
$5,900,000.

Julie Barnett & Leigh Barnett originally appeared as Elite agents in the Unique Homes Spring ’18: Elite edition. See their page here.

Mariann Cordova

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

California Properties

333 Village Main Street, Suite 670, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
949.307.4040 | MC@SouthOrangeCountyLiving.com | www.SouthOrangeCountyLiving.com
When you work with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, you can expect dedicated real estate experts and a brokerage that is with you every step of the way. We’re here to help you find your perfect, no matter what it may be.

Featured Listing by Mariann Cordova

Coto De Caza, California

Gourmet Food Halls