7/29/2019 Pages (4)

1/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

2/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

3/52

If these three recent Coldwell Banker sales

are any indication, luxury real estate is

certainly beginning to rebound.

ACCOUNTS OF PROPERTIES SELLING within

days for more than the asking price were legion

during the boom. Once again, a growing number

of Coldwell Banker Previews International agents

are telling similar success stories. continued

By Camilla McLaughlin

Success Stories

MASSACHUSETTS HAWAII WASHINGTON D.C.

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

4/52

Priced to Sell

Haven Hills quick sale can be attributed to the

attractive asking price, the private location, and,

perhaps most of all, the 11.9-acre site, which

is almost unheard of in the area.

MassachusettsConsider Haven Hill, an early 20th century, neo-Georgian home in Prides Crossing, Mass., that sold in June

for $200,000 more than the asking price, just days after

coming on the market. Panoramic ocean views extending

as far as Cape Cod from 11.9 hilltop acres accessed by a

private road made Haven Hill a standout among the 13

nearby properties offered for $2 million or more.

Even though Haven Hills owners desired a rapid

sale, they spent four weeks analyzing pricing with listing

agent Kristin Bouchard from Coldwell Bankers Beverlyoffice, who recalls, We knew we had to under-price to sell

quickly. The resulting $2.3 million list price stirred inter-

est. Bouchard says she could feel the electricity when Cold-

well Bankers internal voicemail announced: An

unprecedented property with a seller who really wants to

sell at an unprecedented price.

Interested parties had to complete extensive pre-

qualification documentation before they could view the

home. Rather than limiting interest, as Bouchard feared,

this requirement added to the buzz. Within days Bouchard

had five contracts, including two cash offers.

Success Storiescontinued from previous page

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

5/52

HawaiiA great price, prime location and excellent condition

are all prerequisites of success,but in the instance of a couple

on Oahu it took a little synchronicity or prompting from a

higher power as well as a hardworking agent to realize their

dream of a home on the water.

We had settled on staying in our current home andrenovating but driving home from church oneSundaywe saw

a sign advertising a waterfront home, explains Stephanie

Anderson. To her husbands chagrin, Anderson knocked on

the door and listing agent Erin Cooper from Coldwell Banker

Pacific Propertiesin Kailua, Hawaii, who happened to be onsite

working with her stager, showed the couple the home. Four

days later, after the open house, the home had three offers,

including one from the Andersons. Even when a property is

definitely priced to sell, you dont expect a sale in the first

week, observes Cooper.

The Andersons offer wasnt highest, but a handwrit-

ten letter mailed to the sellers expressing their love of the land

and commitment to be good stewards won over the sellers,

whose family had developed the area.

Committing to buy while still having a home to sellfelt a little scary we almost started to freak out at one point,

confides Stephanie Anderson but Coopers assurance

instilled confidence.I cant sayenough about how crucial she

was, shares Anderson.

Within days Cooper and her team had theAndersons

current home ready to market.We took the houseto a whole

new level,rescreening,scrubbinginside andout, changing the

light bulbs and adjusting window treatments to let the light

in, recalls Cooper. The home sold in three weeks.

Even though the new home, which fronts

on Kaneohe Bay, is a funky old beach house that

needs work, Anderson says the awesome view,wonderful outdoor livingandspecial feeling of the

homemake it all worthwhile.Oahu means gath-

ering place and we really feel this houseis the gath-

ering place. Everyone wants to come here, she says.

Washington, D.C.With an ample supply of homes on the market, most

first-time buyers dont envision a full price, or possibly high-

er, offer, but thats exactly what oneWashington, D.C.,couple

was prepared todo as soonas they laid eyes ona Tudor in the

Woodley Park neighborhood. Their decision, which seemed

to happen in minutes,was actually a year in the making.

When Bo Billups from Coldwell Bankers Dupont office

first received the couples inquiry via Coldwell Bankers lead

router, he anticipated a long process, but not one that last 12

months.Coldwell Banker prides itself on having someoneget back to inquiries on LeadRouter within 15 minutes, but

the natureof LeadRouter means the eventual sale often takes

some time because not everyone is ready to buy immediate-

ly. In this case my clients had to sort out their priorities and

their careers. Their search morphed several times from hous-

es to condos and back to houses spanning 10 different neigh-

borhoods until they knew what they wanted and what they

would pay for, he says.

Our job is to ask the right questions and help clients

get clear about what they want. You can find a great house in

a lot of places but will that house work for your lifestyle? I ask

buyers a lot of questions about what is important and what

they are willing to sacrifice, he explains.

When his buyers were on the vergeof makingan offer

on another property, Billups sensed some hesitation. Rather

than pushing them to buy, he asked even more questions and

did yet another search, which yielded the property that was

love at first sight.

A Royal Panorama

Behold the view across Kaneohe Bay from Aina Moi Pl (thePlace of Kings).This waterfront paradise sold for $1.65 mil-lion, just short of the $1.699 million asking price.

Upping the Ante

This renovatedTudor listed for $1.025 million but garnered $1.031 mil-lion. It has original features such as the trim and plaster crown molding.

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

6/52

SHADES GRADUALLY OPEN AND LIGHTS EASE ON,bright-

ening the room. The temperature adjusts to a daytime setting,

morning music gently plays. This is how a day begins in a smart

home, where leaving for work is as simple as pressing an icon on

a touch screen or remote to activate a preset sequence of events

that idles thermostats,turns off lighting and televisions,and arms

the security system. For an extended absence, the entire house can

just as easily be placed into an energy-saving mode or readied for

an owners return. Today, home automation systems can do almost

anything an owner wants except perhaps walk the dog.

Smart home technology is advancing rapidly.

Here, we look at the latest developments and

take a peek at where the industry is heading.

By Camilla McLaughlin

How Smart Is Your Home?

PHOTOCOURTESYDSIENTERTAINMENTSYSTEMS

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

7/52

This wasnt always the case.When smart home tech-

nology debuted almost 20 years ago, it was quirky and diffi-cult to use; few consumers warmed up to the idea of powering

up their PC to turn on the lights or adjust theheat. Today, the

term smart homehas become a catch-all phrase for almost

anything relating to technology and home,but in the strictest

sense it refers to a central system, often but not always hard-

wired, in which heating and air conditioning, lights, enter-

tainment, shades, music and video can be adjusted

individually or programmed to work in concert using a cen-

tral processor, accessed from almost anywhere via wall-mount-

ed or tabletop touch screens, wireless remotes, computers or

mobile devices. Actually, says Josh Christian, vice president

for marketing for DSI Entertainment Systems in California,anything that plugs into a power source can be controlled,

which means that home management often includes pool

and spa pumps, hot water recirculating pumps, garage doors,

driveway and patio deicers, automatic sprinkler systems, exte-

rior lighting, sophisticated security monitoring,and even the

humidity in a wine cellar. The industry is replete with exam-

ples of sometimes zany but often wonderfullypractical appli-

cations, such as a mailbox that transmits a message whenev-

er the door opens developed for a homeowner with a long,winding driveway who wanted to be notified the minute his

mail was delivered. Another involves a motion sensor con-

nected to a camera and DVR installed on the perimeter of a

fence to capture the movement of wildlife. For someone who

on occasion forgot to close the garage door, DSI installed

some logic directinghis system to close thedoor if it remained

open for longer than 10 minutes.

Not theBridgeonStar Trek

Still, the old persona of being complicated and expen-

sive hovers over the industry.Automation puts some peo-

ple off because it seems like they are losing control whenactually they are gaining control, explains Chip Johnson,

former owner of Vision Integrated Systems in Raleigh, N.C.

Home management systems are not just for the Bill

Gateses of the world and not just for the computer nerds.

Systems today make everything one-touch simple, he adds.

Mention automation and most think of the bridge on Star

Treks Enterprise, according to Christian. Once most con-

Shading Control

Shades in one or multiple rooms can be programmed

to automatically adjust for shade or privacy.The option

of syncing with the astronomical clocks keeps

settings current with the season.

PHOTOS

COURTE

SY

LUTRON

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

8/52

sumers experience automation and discover how it enhances

their lives they find they cant live without it, he says.Many

electronic systems contractors such as DSI have showrooms

that give potential customers the opportunity to see what

technology can do and to use interfaces such as touch screens

in settings similar to a media room or kitchen.

Increasingly, technology is integral to the way upscale

homes function and has become a must-havefeature rather

than a nice-to-haveamenity. Ive actually had more inter-

est in automation than a year ago. Higher-end buyers are

still looking for smart-home technology but they are more

value conscious, says Dan Merrill, president of Suretechs

Inc. in San Diego.

Until about five years ago, consumers had few choic-

es other than a hard-wired system, so most candidates for

smart-house technology were new homes or those under-

going an extensive renovation. Utah-based Control 4, which

was founded in 2003, is one of a handful of companies driv-

ing innovation in the industry.When Control 4 was start-

ed, we saw that home automation was not an option for

many homeowners simply because it was just too expen-

sive, says Eric Smith, chief technology officer and one of

the founders of Control 4. The companys focus was on

developing wireless technology, which would be more afford-

able and also allow owners to add new devices and prod-

ucts over time. Now, a number of manufacturers, including

Crestron Electronics, offer wireless products.

With the advent of wireless, were seeing price points

come down, says Dave Pedigo, senior director of technol-

ogy for CEDIA, a trade association for companies that spe-

cialize in installed electronic systems for the home. In the

past, the home had to be completely wired; now we have

wireless devices communicating back and forth, he explains.

Even the most expensive hard-wired systems today will

include some wireless devices.

Costs for a home automation can range from sever-

al thousand dollars or less to retrofit an existing house with

the basics, including a controller, several thermostats, light-

Take Command Anywhere

Technology today is intuitive and easy

to use. Icons on touch screens, wire-

less remotes or even mobile devices

allow owners to access climate, lights,

security and entertainment from

virtually anywhere.

PHOTOCOURTESYDSIENTERTAINMENTSYSTEMS

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

9/52

ing controls, perhaps even a remote camera for security

monitoring, to $50,000 or more, depending on the size of

the home for a high-end system. In addition to being hard-

wired, high-end solutions from companies such as Crestron

and AMX are programmed to exactly match an owners

preferences while less costly setups typically offer a set menu

of predetermined options.

NoOneWay toAutomate

Today, home technology is no longer an all or noth-

ing proposition. Consumers can opt to have a fully inte-

grated system covering the entire home; they can choose to

incorporate security, climate control, lighting and enter-

tainment in selected spaces or simply to have one or two

functions automated in a single room.

On the higher end there is no question that a larg-

er percentage of homes are getting a lighting control system

and window shading is also becoming part of those luxury

homes, says Phil Scheetz, home systems marketing manag-

er for Lutron Electronics.The introduction of easy-to-install

wireless devices is making lighting controls less costly, giv-

ing owners in the middle market, according to Scheetz,new

benefits they didnt know were accessible to them. Builders

in this $500,000-plus range also are discovering that light-

ing controls are a way to differentiate their product. Scheetz

discovered this first-hand when he sold his own home and

the two potential buyers who eventually bid on the proper-

ty came to see it simply because of the lighting.

Recently Lutron launched AuroRa, a basic lighting

system that works right out of the box and includes five

dimmers, a tabletop master control that s witches all five

individually or simultaneously, a wireless controller and

small central antenna which can be located in a closet or

tucked behind furniture. The wireless remote even can be

used from a car to turn on lights in the house.

Looking ahead, experts expect energy efficiencies

and potential savings will lead to a more widespread incor-

poration of technology into homes. New wireless occupancy

sensors can simply be screwed into a ceiling fixture and pro-

Now You See It, Now You Don't

The best technology is virtually unseen

until you need it. In the Esquire

House, the television is concealed at

the foot of the bed and the touch

screen next to it can change lights,

music and security all over the house.

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

10/52

Layered Lighting

From entertaining to reading, all of the

lights in a space can be programmed

for specific tasks and to shut down.

Setting The Scene

Wireless shade and lighting controls

for a single room can be adjusted

using a universal remote or wall-

mounted keypad,making this family

room media-ready in seconds.

PHOTOS

COURTESY

LUTRON

grammed to turn lights off or turn them on to a preset lev-

el using a compatible wireless dimmer.

Controls for lighting,shades anddrapes can be keyed

to the astronomical timeclock so they automaticallyadjust as

the positionof the sun changes.Lutron recently introduced a

wireless window shading system that manages shades in one

room, multiple rooms or an entire home. Also new, and a final-

ist in CEDIAs best newproduct competition,is Lutronswire-

less lightand shadecontrol for a single room. Users can adjust

lights, including lamps, shades and drapes, using a universal

remote,home automation systems or wall-mountedkeypad.

Green Light for the Industry

On the horizon are a host of products designed to

help consumers keep tabs of energy usage in their homes at

any given moment and also to reduce consumption even

when away from the home in times of high demand.

Expect more electronic systems contractors to include

energy and water management tools. Solar technology will

be another added boost for technology. Also fueling future

growth, according to CEDIA, will be the development of

more reliable and less costly media hubs, allowing for whole

house distribution of audio and video.

Although there will be more out of the box solu-

tions, Pedigo cautions:While many new products are mar-

keted as do-it-yourself projects, the integration of these

products really requires a professional to ensure that the

system works to its maximum performance and reliability.Although products that address individual function

will continue to be desirable, the most benefits of smart

home technology will still come from the synergy of all the

components working together.

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

11/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

12/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

13/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

14/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

15/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

16/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

17/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

18/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

19/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

20/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

21/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

22/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

23/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

24/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

25/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

26/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

27/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

28/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

29/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

30/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

31/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

32/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

33/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

34/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

35/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

36/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

37/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

38/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

39/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

40/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

41/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

42/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

43/52

Italy: Fashionably Exclusive

Its not always easy to buy choice real estate in Italy. But

thats part of the appeal.

ITALY EVOKES A PALETTE OF SENSUAL IMAGES

and emotions in every realm of life: food and wine,

architecture, painting and sculpture, opera and

cinema. Its culture is widely exported but is fully

appreciated only in its native environment. The

countrys luxury real estate market attracts an

exclusive clientele. continued

By Roger Grody

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

44/52

Three Charming Italian Homes

Lake Como: Listed at approximately$996,300, this recently renovated apartmentin a historic building in Tremezzo enjoys stun-ning views of Lake Como.

Rome: Located in a century-old building inthe historic center of Rome,this luxurious2,800-square-foot apartment is offered forapproximately $2.85 million.

Palazzo Bardi, Florence: This enchantingpied-a-terre in Florence boasts more than1,900 square feet in a restored 15th-centurypalazzo with 17th-century frescoes.

RomeIn Rome, the historical city center is most desirable, but livable space commands

a premium. Modest one-bedroom lofts often less than 500 square feet are priced

at 500,000 euros, the equivalent of more than $700,000. Further evidence of the dollars

weakness but a better value overall is a 2,800-square-foot luxury apartment with sweep-

ing city views, listed for approximately $2.8 million. Coldwell Banker Italys Silvia Sbar-ra reports that while Roman real estate prices have held, it now takes six months to sell

a beautiful, appropriately priced property that would have been snatched up in a single

month back in 2006. She indicates sellers are often convinced their homes are unique

and are therefore stubborn about pricing. Most properties ultimately sell at an 8- to 10-

percent discount from the asking price.Its not easy to advise sellers to be realistic, but

if you provide them with reliable information,they eventually trust you and start behav-

ing differently, she says.

The most popular neighborhoods are close to familiar landmarks such as the Col-

iseum and Fontana di Trevi. The Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps) is a coveted location,

where prices can reach the equivalent of more than $2,600 per square foot (more than

$3.5 million for a 1,350-square-foot apartment). Popular with filmmakers, politicians

and families attracted by detached villas with gardens is the Parioli area, less than a kilo-meter from the center of town. Another elegant lower-density district is Camilluccia

(northwest of central Rome), where a 2,000-square-foot villa costs approximately $2.6

million.

Foreigners represent only 5 percent of all buyers, and very few Americans are cur-

rently among them, according to Sbarra. Patrizia Comello, president of Coldwell Banker

Italy, explains the current dearth of American buyers. Why should they go abroad when

our prices are holding and when American real estate is lessand when the dollar is

weak against the euro?

The Coliseum

The Piazza di SpagnaLake Como

Lake Como

Rome

Lake Como

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

45/52

Florence

Tuscany

FlorencePalazzo Bardi, Florence

TuscanyIrving Stone,whose book,TheAgony and the Ecstasy, was inspiredby Michelan-gelo, wrote: Tuscany is a state of grace. The countryside is so lovingly designed that the

eye sweeps the mountains and valleys without stumbling over a single stone. The

very term,Tuscan villa, has become synonymous with luxury living, whether amidst

rollingvineyards or on a sun-kissed coast.Florence, the romantic capital of Tuscany, has

a relatively tight real estate market, reports Comello, a Tuscan native.The local people

love their town and tend to stay there, resulting in a lack of inventory. Greater activity

is found in the countryside and on the Versilia Coast, where second-home buyers aredrawn by the charming seaside villages of Forte dei Marmi and Pietrasanta.

Beginning in the 1980s,Brits andAmericans began buying neglected farmhous-

es and refurbishing them into luxury properties (so many British expats arrived that the

Tuscan region of Chianti was nicknamedChiantishire). Now,almost everything avail-

able already has been restored,eliminating the joys of transforming a diamond-in-the-

roughinto a glitzyestate. Prices for small farmhouses begin at about $1.4 million,elaborate

homes can command more than $8 million, andprices have been known to exceed $28

million when productive vineyards adjoin large estates.

Sellers in Tuscany, like much of Italy, are reluctant to compromise on pricing,

which may account for prices holding steady despite a global economic downturn. But

Comello insists that sellers have to face reality, even declining to represent clients who

ignore her counsel to price their properties realistically. Shequips,La festa finita (thefeast is over), in reference to the boom years being a thing of the past.

MilanMilan is a business city, but its cosmopolitan sense of style feeds off the pres-

ence of the legendary Italian fashion industry. Luxury prices generally have been com-

parable to Romes, peaking in 2007 at the equivalent of about $2,250 per square foot.

Today they are closer to $1,700 per square foot in desirable neighborhoods in the his-

toric city center, near landmarks such as Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral) and La

Scala, the famous opera house. A 450-square-foot studio apartment which mostAmericans would consider charming but not luxurious is likely to cost more than

$700,000 and require some work. The most exclusive real estate is not in Milan but in

the nearby lake district, where palatial estates on the shores of idyllic Lakes Como and

Maggiore command stratospheric prices. TheVilla Versace sold for more than $50 mil-

lion last year to a Russian buyer.

According to Comello, it is a good time to buyin Milan and throughout Italy, as

inventory is abundant andsellers arebeginning to negotiate. However, Italian banks have

been relatively conservative, and foreclosures have not yet emerged as a major problem.

There are no major restrictions for foreigners wishing to own property in Italy, but the

market dynamics are sometimes difficult forAmericans to appreciate. Comelloreminds

us that Italians continue to viewreal estateas an investment forlife.In contrast to Amer-

icans,whomove every five years, Italiansstay in thesame home for 40 years, sheexplains.

Palazzo Bardi, Florence

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

46/52

A Bath and a Half

Spas and other high-end bath items

have become the norm in

today's luxury home

THIRTY YEARS AGO, IF YOU OWNED a supersized

showerhead with pulse and massage settings, you

possessed some sophisticated bathroom gadgetry.

Today, the luxur y home spa encompasses thousands

of potential products, from towel warmers to home

computer systems that let you draw a bath from the

kitchen. Consumers are looking for bathroom prod-

ucts to rival any fine spa in a resort.

The shower, for example, no longer confines

water to one port. In high-end home spas, the touch

of a button will trigger body jets from multiple loca-

tions, catching the body in a cross-fire of water that

massages tired backs and legs. Award-winning resort

designer Tag Galyean designed perhaps the most expen-

sive shower in the world, the SilverTAG, priced at

$100,000. The exotic contraption comes with 18 show-

erheads located in six zones - overhead, shoulders,

upper torso, lower torso, upper legs and lower legs.

Each zone comes with independent controls

for pressure and temperature. Alternatively, the home-

By Jennifer Martin

PHOTOSCOURTESYTROYADAMSDESIGN

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

47/52

owner can use a touchscreen to choose from several massage sequences

designed by spa specialists. Those sequences can even be customized

for each client, adjusting for chronic problems with muscle tension or

stress. One Internet reviewer said,The process of compiling the per-

sonal profile for a SilverTAG

Shower is not unlike being inter-

viewed by a psychiatrist.

For a more modest

amount, about $1,500 to $5,000,

ThermaSol can convert your

home shower into a steam bath.

The company offers extra options

such as aromatherapy, with sev-

en essential oils, and chro-

matherapy, a series of colorful

lights designed for relaxation.

Also available is a high-perfor-

mance music system capable of

playing FM radio, MP3s, CDs,

DVDs, satellite radio and cable

channels.

Prefer to soak in a hot tub? The Sorgente Bathtub from Teuco

is a sunken tub that blends into a bathroomwith subtle elegance. Resem-

bling an infinity pool, the tub comes with eight whirlpool jets that func-

tion quietly in order to give the user a more soothing experience.

Underwater lighting, a magnetic headrest, remote control and a pull-

out shower add convenience. The tub can be finished in woods and

natural stones to help it blend into its environment.

The Sorgente Bathtub is part of a trend toward bathrooms with

minimalist lines and natural ele-

ments such as wood and stone.

Designer Troy Adams has built

on this aesthetic with FusionDe-

sign, an approach that blends

both Asian and European design

elements into furniture and

appliances throughout the home.

Bathrooms lend them-

selves to FusionDesign because

you can employ a lot of cutting-

edge fixtures and then pair them

with soothing,natural materials,

he says. To cover American

design principals, I promote the

idea of space.

Adams designed one 500-

square-foot bathroom with Asian-inspired furnishings, such as a stain-

less steel soaking tub that sat atop river pebbles. A water sculpture

allows the bather to hear the soothing sound of water at all times,

while teak wood accents and a yellow color palette add to the Zen-like

Bathrooms lend themselves to

FusionDesign because you can employ a lot

of cutting-edge fixtures and then pair them

with soothing, natural materials, he says.

To cover American design principals, I

promote the idea of space.

Troy Adams

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

48/52

atmosphere.Adams often adds an air of cosmopolitan sophistication

with subtle European design accents, such as Hansgrohe faucets, LED

efficient pendant lights and frosted glass windows.

Even when the bathroom offers limited space,a seasoned design-

er can come up with ways to create a spa-like retreat. Designer Barbara

Kohn once planned a new approach for a master bathroom in Con-

necticut that was small by conventional standards. She tiled the entire

room in small,iridescent mosaics, with the fabric of the window drapes

echoing the colors in the tile. A subtle knotted chair became a grace-

ful focal point.

The goal was to create visual interest without overwhelming

the space, Kohn explains.

To designer Minoo Hersini, creating such welcoming spaces is

a powerful way to help homeowners relax. In one recent assignment,

she renovated a guesthouse into a new home spa by using accents such

as Spanish porcelain tiles and Boffi International towel racks.

I used Rainsky Balance Modules from Dornbracht, she adds,

referring to a stainless-steel shower that creates a curtain of vertical

rain. The system includes mist projectors,coloredlights and a sequence

of fragrances, as well.

Hersini added windows looking into the garden and pool areas.

The client and I turned the guesthouse into a soothing and elegant

spa, she says.It was a beautiful project that by far set this cottage apart

from the rest.

When Your Bathroom Meets

the JetsonsIf your new home spa seems overloaded with

high-tech equipment, you can bring it back to

earth with rustic finishes. Consider a chiseled

marble sink, wrought iron candle holders,

limestone floors, a rattan bench or aged Tuscan

copper planters. A cabinet or armoire made offragrant Mexican pine adds a nice touch.

PHOTOSCOUR

TESYTROYADAMSDESIGN

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

49/52

Closet Couture

THATS THE VIEW OF MATT RILEY and

many others whotransformclosetsfrom sim-

ple storage spaces for clothing andshoes into

luxury living areas. Sure,the wardrobe is the

focal point,butancillary features such as plush

seating, custom cabinetry, coffee bars, refrig-

erators and even televisions and electronicsare turning the closet into a home within the

home. continued

By Ken Weingartner

Space. The final frontier.Closet space, that is.

PHOTOS

COURTESY

LA

CLOSET

DESIGN

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

50/52

We say the closet is the last frontier of the home,says Riley, who is the

director of client relations for Florida-based Thomas Riley ArtisansGuild.Were

definitely seeing clients are willing to be a little more adventurous in the design

of their closets. They might go more modern in their closet space than they

would in the rest of their home.

For people who have a more traditional livingenvironment, the closet is

someplace they can do something different.

Sometimes, it can be different, and creative. Lisa

Adams, the CEO and designer for California-based LA

Closet Design, recalls installing a removable stripper polein a closet.In a very tasteful way, notes Adams.It was

her exercising space, as well.

Luxury closets, some of which are in the vicinity

of 1,000 square feet, can be sectioned into separate areas

for clothing, shoes,accessories, anddressing, as well as for

jewelry or other valuables and collectibles.

Sometimes, whats in the closet are the most

expensive objects in the whole home, says Melanie

Charlton Fascitelli, the founder and president of New

York-based Clos-ette and author of Shop Your Closet.

Depending on the amenities, a closet can provide

someone an area in which torelax while getting ready for his or her day (and his-and-her closets are most common in these settings). But regardless of the extras,

functionality remains the primary goal. Among items growing in popularity are

automated clothing and shoe carousels. Many closets have layouts similar to an

upscale fashion store.

I think storage and organization are at the forefront and then the aes-

thetic or feel for the room comes next, says Fascitelli.Men like a lot of gadgets,

thats the norm,but a lot of my clients who are male also like using their space for

a boutique-like setting as well. Its so customized and so personal.

Adds Riley, If someone is fashion-oriented, they typically will have a

wardrobe that is very valuable andvery diverse. We spend a lot of time with them

on how that person likes to operate. What order they like to dress, how far back

they like to be from their garments to get a view of them. Is it a place where theyhave a cup of coffee and get comfortable and do a little lounging as well? Its def-

initely the most intimate place in your home.

Adams calls an organized luxurious closet the ultimate fashion accessory.

People are starting their day in the space and it feels good while youre in

there, says Adams. I equate it to dressingrooms back in the 1800s,and how that

was commonplace. Its not like youre scrambling and dont know what you have

to wear. It helps make peoplefeel better about what they have, and to appreciate it.

It goes beyond just the clothes and housing the clothes. People care about

the space,so why not make it a happy space? One that youre proud of.

Closet Couturecontinued from previous page

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

51/52

7/29/2019 Pages (4)

52/52