These days, everyone is cutting back on wants & focusing mainly on needs. For this reason, the secondary home market has been hit reasonably hard during this economic recession. I believe it will make a come back as confidence in the real estate industry grows & more buyers take a leap of faith to invest once again in real estate. While the financial implications of a second home carry considerable weight, the hope is that your second home is first a place for fun, relaxation, enjoyment and quality family time. And in a world where time comes at a premium, family time is never overrated. So is the owning of a second home truly just a luxury? Let’s look at a few reasons why purchasing a second home is a wise investment & not necessarily only a luxury.
Welcome to our Leaders in Luxury blog – a showcase of the top experts in luxury real estate and home design in some of the most exclusive luxury markets around the world. The contributors are an elite group of the best of the best and are members of Luxury Portfolio Fine Property Collection® - a collection of the top independent luxury real estate brokerages worldwide, including North and South America, Europe, Australia and islands of the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Pacific. Read on to hear what the experts are saying about the latest happenings in their respective markets and areas of expertise.
Casual Luxury the enchanting style of luxury homes of today is deep-rooted in the desert foothills and is truly a style that is rising at sea level.
The creation of a comfortable natural environment with a dignified aura of modishness that is not strict and noticeably casual, however maintains the specifications of luxury products, is an art form.
Natures’ backdrops such as mountain views sites are optimal for desert residences. Mountains are indicative of the landscape of the valleys of the West and since streams and lakes are usually not on property, man-made natural water features are complementary and key in offering a relaxing approach and feeling of well-being throughout the property.
The application of identical specification for interior and exterior stone facades presents a link to nature, nurturing indoor-outdoor experiences and leading to the embraced (now massive) great rooms in the style of Casual Luxury. The same application can also be seen in the private residence areas with their ever so popular “Spa Features” together with all amenities. Spa ensembles are increasingly chic, enjoyable, and convenient to have at home for health and beauty. Pure luxury in a natural setting is the description of a beautiful spa.
Home Chef? Or just prefer a substantial welcoming kitchen? A plan that tends to this craving has divided great rooms which now include the serving and dining kitchen suited with dramatic ceiling treatments.
Hosting a concert of art takes us to completion. This is the answer to all other calls of the habitat; strong architecture, stone and natural backdrops. Collections by several individual artists. Powerful either in subject, size or color, each relative to the site and their group. Artifacts are welcome in moderation. Viewing spaces are generous and open to observers of the collections, as are the distinguished natural views.
Miller Young Design’s Bill Miller has recently completed the firm’s latest “Casual Luxury Residence” revealed in Contemporary.
Within our portfolio of style we at Miller Young are inspired to create Casual Luxury for our clients offering them the Beautiful Natural Environments they call home.
Posted by:
Linda Young
Bellevue, Washington - the new epicenter of luxury shopping? Recent data seems to say yes! An article in the Puget Sound Business Journal this week highlighted why Neiman Marcus chose to open a new flagship store at the Bravern in the heart of downtown Bellevue. According to the article, there are more affluent consumers in the 10-mile radius around where the new Neiman Marcus store will be than there are in Beverly Hills. Here is a link to view the entire article.
Even though affluent consumers in the Northwest seem to prefer more a more understated luxury lifestyle, they still respect the quality that comes from top luxury brands.
We are so excited to see how many luxury retailers have chosen Bellevue (and the Bravern
) as their newest area to open - including Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Jimmy Choo, Salvatore Ferragamo and Tory Burch. So now, in addition to being the luxury real estate destination of the Northwest, now Bellevue is fast becoming the luxury shopping destination as well.
Posted by:
Tere Foster
The Preston Center office of Dave Perry-Miller & Associates welcomed a special visitor this past week when former President George W. Bush, the ultimate luxury real estate client, dropped in to attend our Monday morning office meeting. Mr. Bush talked with our agents and staff members about plans for his presidential library to be built on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Mr. Bush also spoke candidly about the book he is currently writing, which will discuss the reasoning behind some of the toughest choices that he had to make while serving as president. But most of all, the former president expressed how happy he is to be back in Texas and getting re-acquainted with longtime friends and the state he loves. Recently he and Laura purchased a beautiful luxury home right in Preston Hollow.
Posted by:
Dave Perry-Miller
