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November 9, 2020

NOTABLE WILDLIFE-VIEWING DESTINATIONS AROUND THE WORLD

Rare is the global traveler’s bucket list that doesn’t include a safari. And while many nature lovers associate world-class wildlife viewing with Africa, a growing number of international operators and destination resorts offer compelling alternatives. Here’s a look at notable options around the globe.

Australia

A walaroo in Northern Territory, Australia

Australia’s Northern Territory lures adventurous types with untouched nature and close, respectful access to aboriginal culture. A pair of environmentally friendly safari operators provide a range of wildlife-viewing experiences in the northern, tropical Top End region.

Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris focuses on Mount Borradaile, an aboriginal sacred site owned and managed by its custodians, the Amurdak people. Options include bird-watching expeditions and a wetlands cruise with crocodile spotting. Guests can also spend the night in an eco-lodge or cabin located in a natural bush setting.

Bamurru Plains is an eco-friendly, luxury safari lodge with exclusive access to 74,000 acres of floodplains and savanna woodland around the Mary River, on the edge of Kakadu National Park.Ten bungalows overlook the floodplains and feature mesh walls, providing close access to ever-present wildlife.

A safari in India’s Baghvan

India

Taj Hotels—India’s most iconic luxury hotel brand—maintains four safari lodges, each offering twice-daily safaris and unique, culturally minded guest experiences. Each is dedicated to conservation and eco-friendly behavior.

Mahua Kothi offers a variety of nature-spotting experiences. Animal lovers hop into open 4×4 vehicles to cruise around looking for Bandhavgarh National Park’s famous Royal Bengal tigers, white tigers, and leopards.

Baghvan attracts travelers drawn to Pench National Park, which inspired Rudyard Kipling’s iconic The Jungle Book. Guests explore Pench’s teak-filled jungles in search of tigers and other elusive creatures.

Tucked into a rocky outcrop near Panna National Park, Pashan Garh offers views of the Vindhya Hills and 200 acres of private jungle. When not relaxing in the dozen well-appointed cottages, safari-goers enjoy sightings of tigers, crocodiles, and wildly colorful birds. Cultural-minded travelers take a break from nature to visit the Khajuraho group of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain temples, one of India’s most fascinating Unesco World Heritage sites.

Banjaar Tola overlooks Kanha National Park and offers an opulent glamping experience in one of 18 tented suites. Kanha is one of the largest and best-maintained of India’s national parks, as well as one of the first Indian tiger reserves aimed at protecting the fierce felines and their ecosystems.

A view of Intrepid Travel’s Borneo safari

Borneo

Intrepid Travel, the world’s largest adventure-travel company, offers a 12-day Sabah Adventure, which packs in the many natural wonders found in Sabah, a Malaysian state located on the northern portion of Borneo. Besides visiting some of the region’s hot springs and tribal villages, participants catch glimpses of rainforest wildlife, such as tigers, elephants, and orangutans. Also included is a visit to Turtle Island Marine Park, where sea turtles come ashore to lay eggs every night.

Norway

Intrepid’s Spitsbergen Explorer thrills adventurers who jump at the chance to visit arctic Spitsbergen, the largest and only permanently populated island of the Svalbard archipelago in northern Norway. Beyond exploring windswept polar deserts, cliff-lined shores, and imposing fjords via hiking, snowshoeing, or kayaking, participants keep an eye out for polar bears hunting along the ice sheets, plus walruses, reindeer, Arctic foxes, and vast colonies of rare seabirds.

Angama Mara in Africa

Kenya

Towering above the Maasai Mara—arguably the most famous safari destination in Africa—Angama Mara contains two separate camps, each with 15 tented suites, on the edge of a scenic escarpment, where some of the most famous scenes from the 1985 film Out of Africa were shot. Suites feature 30-foot-wide, floor-to-ceiling windows, and guests can use binoculars to view elephants and water buffalo. And guests rest easy knowing that part of their payment goes toward conservation.

November 9, 2020

THE ‘BRILLIANCE’ OF RANCH HOMES

THE SINGLE-FLOOR HOUSES HAVE A CASUAL AIR, AND MELD THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE SEAMLESSLY

Appears on sothebysrealty.com

Ranch living keeps it on the level. Spread out over one floor, these homes are more casual than other styles, often lacking the symmetry of more classic designs. Buyers are attracted to that casual air, and the style maximizes indoor-outdoor living that adds to the feeling of ease. The homes can also allow for privacy, with clever layouts and landscaping.

Modern examples incorporate features like open-floor plans, floor-to-ceiling windows, and the latest technology into the build, but they are still centered on indoor-outdoor living.

The style flourished in places like California, where the weather allows for the outdoors to be an extension of the home most of the year. Many of these were built as suburban developments in the years immediately following World War II.

$4,995,000

Property ID: 0593275 | sothebysrealty.com

Sotheby’s International Realty | Santa Barbara Brokerage

Go to property

“In the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s, most of the very good residential architects here in California were designing ranch houses; it was just part of their portfolio,” explains Irvine, Calif.-based architect Alan Hess, author of The Ranch House. “They are just excellently designed.” Architect Cliff May popularized the style, inspired by the adobe ranch houses owned by his family near San Diego, according to a 1986 New York Times article.

“I rebelled against the boxy houses being built then,” May, who died in 1989, told the Times. “The ranch house was everything a California house should be—it had cross-ventilation, the floor was level with the ground, and with its courtyard and the exterior corridor. It was about sunshine and informal outdoor living.”

$5,800,000

Property ID: Y7M5JS | sothebysrealty.com

Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty

Go to property

May built the first home in this style in 1931, and, over his career, designed more than 1,000 custom houses. The bulk of them were in California, but he also had projects as far away as Ireland, Australia, and Switzerland.

Modern architects are also melding cutting-edge design with one-level living. In Santa Barbara, Calif., local architect Ken Radtkey and his team at Blackbird Architects created a ranch-style home there in 2016. It incorporates a modern kitchen, dining, and living area as the center of the home, with the master suite and office separate from the additional bedrooms. Guests and residents can access the outdoors from almost anywhere in the home.

The home has modern sliding doors and floor-to-ceiling windows, and its curved roof creates a shaded outdoor living space. And the outdoor areas are just as well planned, with native and drought-resistant plantings, grass terraces, an orchard, a pool, gardens, and a koi pond with a stone waterfall.

The owner’s imported Moroccan doors have been incorporated throughout the house, creating a unique contrast to the home’s clean lines, according to the architect. There’s also a separate garage with an artist’s studio. Recently listed for just under $5 million, Montecito-based Sotheby’s International Realty agent Joe McCorkell is representing the property.

The Rancho Santa Fe home, has an open-foor plan

The Rancho Santa Fe home, has an open-floor plan.

Homes by May are still in demand, as well, according to Clara Yang, an agent with the Beverly Hills Brokerage of Sotheby’s International Realty. Yang is currently marketing a three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom home designed by May in 1948. Located in the lower Mandeville Canyon area in Los Angeles’ Brentwood neighborhood, the home is listed for $3.6 million.

The kitchen and bathrooms of the 2,322-square-foot home have been updated, but much of the design remains the same, Yang says. “Wherever you are, there’s a door to walk outside,” she notes. “And there are windows throughout to let the light in.”

The home, built in a U shape, surrounds a courtyard with a firepit and mature landscaping. There are also two patios with fountains, a pool surrounded by a glass fence, and a pocket garden.

“It’s not like a modern house with an open-floor plan. It’s like a treasure hunt; there’s something different around every corner, ” Yang says. “It’s perfect for staying home, because each person can have their own space and everyone can meet up in the middle.”

Other May-designed properties do offer that open plan, however. A four-bedroom, five-and-a-half bathroom home in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., boasts a flowing layout, as well as abundant natural light and a central courtyard that connects seamlessly to the indoor living areas.

Landscaping is key to ranch homes, and May is known for having brought in mature trees to plant on the grounds of his projects. This property is no different, note agents Eric Iantorno and Beth Van Boxtel of Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty. The home, built in 1973, sits on almost three acres and is currently on the market for $5.8 million.

“Cliff May used adult trees and plants at the time, and these days they are giant,” Van Boxtel explains. They include olive and pepper trees, plus a small fruit tree orchard, a vegetable garden, several kinds of berries, and a variety of tropical plants.

“The olive trees make it feel so romantic,” Iantorno notes. “And the details of the space—things are small and then expand, and that play on proportions makes it feel very special.” Single-level houses have gained in popularity as the baby boomer generation looks to retire and relocate to places without stairs. But Yang says she’s seen more interest in ranch-style homes from buyers of all ages.

People are attracted by the informal ease of living there, as well as the integrated indoor-outdoor experience. Others are drawn to the deceptively simple architecture. “They’re just brilliant little designs, and people are appreciating them,” Hess says.

October 15, 2020

WHAT’S NEW IN ART, ARCHITECTURE, AND DESIGN

Published in RESIDE Magazine.

Floral paintings are making a contemporary comeback, farmhouses are getting modern face-lifts, and rooms are offering design “experiences.” Here are the latest trends in art, architecture, and design.

ART

A new generation of artists is breathing life into a centuries-old subject: florals. The works, which range from traditional botanicals to avant-garde abstractions and edgy photographic images, are intimate portraits of nature in all its glorious phases. Stockholm-based photographer Carl Kleiner often employs flowers in his works, creating undulating images with stems and petals in impossibly whimsical positions. Belfast painter Ted Pim has been creating oil-on-canvas rose bouquets for the past 15 years. The works, which sell for US$3,000 to US$22,000, are brutally brooding and literally dripping with subtle significance.

“Roses are a symbol of love but also can be incredibly dark,” he says. “I grew up listening to Tarot readings my friend’s grandmother did, and I learned that the rose is a symbol of balance. It expresses promise, new beginnings and hope. Its thorns represent defense, physicality, loss, and thoughtlessness. I use these themes in my work to create beautiful pieces of art.”

Inspired by 18th-century works of Dutch painter Rachel Ruysch, Pim deliberately flaws “perfect floral scenes, with every inch analyzed and overanalyzed for imperfections” by dripping a mixture of etching ink and white spirits over the work at the end to emphasize the unpredictability and fragility of life. “It’s a thrill to pour the mixture over the oils, trying to balance the elements of destruction and creation,” he says. “A lot of people would ask if the flowers I paint are dying or coming to life. I like that they have to make up their own minds.”

Belfast-based artist Ted Pim paints striking oil-on-canvas rose bouquets.

ARCHITECTURE

The so-called modern farmhouse is one of the latest manifestations of the quest to create a classical, comfortable residence that is suitable for casual, contemporary life

The hybrid houses, which are, on the outside, spare and Shaker simple, feature opulent, open-plan interiors and are sited to exploit the sun and the natural breezes.

“Modern farmhouses combine traditional forms with the clarity, simplicity, and openness of Mid-Century Modern architecture,” says architect Matthew Griffith, a principal of in situ studio in Raleigh, N.C. “Farmhouses were not meant to be decorative—they were practical, and they were beautiful, quiet places.”

The wood-sided structures, which typically have durable metal roofs, take design cues from vernacular farmhouses, yet look more austerely elegant than agrarian.

A modern farmhouse from North Carolina-based in situ

“The interior spaces are not always one room,” Griffith says, noting that in one in situ studio project, a stairway serves as an architectural connector.

He says that the form, which blends indoor and outdoor spaces, has become so popular that “it’s a movement—developers of spec properties are using the term ‘modern farmhouse’ to describe them. Five years ago, when we designed our first one at a client’s behest, it was a novelty.”

DESIGN

The rooms we live in should not simply be seen but also appeal to the emotions. That’s the credo of experiential design, whose spaces stimulate the five senses.

Becky Shea, whose eponymous design firm is based in New York City and Los Angeles, sees such design as “holistic therapy” that creates “a subconscious calm.”

In her interiors, she evokes memories with, among other cues, materials, meditative ambient sound, living walls, and a signature scent diffused through the HVAC system.

Becky Shea used old flooring that meant something to her clients to create built-ins in a breakfast room.

In one project where her clients were renovating the family home, she used its old flooring to create built-in cabinetry for the breakfast room. “Now, every day, they are reminded of the memories that were created on the floors,” she says.

For another home, she designed an oversize custom rug that matched the material of the client’s favorite sweater. “She told us how much she loves the experience of waking up and wiggling her toes in the plush alpaca boucle before starting her day,” Shea says.

Digging deeply into the client’s psyche is key to the process. “If conventional design is like dating, experiential design is more like being married with two kids and a pet,” she says. “We get to know every detail about our clients from what kind of deodorant they use to where they vacationed as children.” Shea says she knows the design is successful “when clients tell us they’ve never felt more ‘at home.’”

October 15, 2020

U.S. Homes From Coast to Coast Boasting of Greenhouses

Originally published on October 4th, 2020 in Mansion Global.

By Michelle Lerner

Daniel Dahler for Sotheby’s International Realty

A French Normandy chateau in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, listed at $29 million, includes multiple gardens and a greenhouse.

The benefits of living in tune with nature have become more apparent than ever in 2020, when even diehard urbanites have been seeking out gardens, forests, lakes, mountains and beaches to soothe their souls. Estates with outdoor space and gardens may attract many buyers, but those with a greenhouse have the added cachet of providing greenery in every season. Sometimes, a greenhouse can be a light-filled living space.

Adding a greenhouse to your property can cost an average of $7,000 to $29,000, according to HomeAdvisor, an online home improvement services marketplace. Adding a one-acre greenhouse can cost $40,000 to more than $100,000, but if you want to add a greenhouse to an urban rooftop, that could run $1 million or more.

The typical greenhouse needs some type of heating and air conditioning system, lighting and water.

Here are some greenhouses around the U.S. that range from expansive spaces for growing orchids or tropical plants to ones that function as living space for entertaining or simply communing with the plants.

Serious Gardening in California’s Sonoma County

A $3.15 million estate listed in Santa Rosa in Sonoma County, California, includes a two-acre garden with a wide variety of plants and gardens.

“Flowers are the passion here, with color and exuberance,” said Sara Harrison Woodfield, a 66-year-old architect who designed the home on Shiloh Terrace that she owns with her husband Peter Woodfield, an 87-year-old retired mining geologist. “To support all this garden, we built a 10’ x 12’ greenhouse, with one side full of plants and one side full of fertilizer, tools and garden gadgets. There’s a potting bench and area outside, which has turned into a secret getaway place to enjoy the plants.”

While the greenhouse is used to start plants, protect sensitive plants during winter and to grow some exotic plants that don’t flourish in the California climate, Ms. Woodfield also enjoys spending time there.

“The front and sides of the greenhouse have wall-to-wall windows with shelves for growing plants and a small place to put a chair and table to just enjoy the space and look down and out over the nearby garden,” she said.

Sunlit Winter Retreat

With a 4.6-acre estate and a 4,400-square-foot residence, you might think the homeowners of this Massachusetts coastal property would have more than enough space to relax in their main house. But for Barry Goldman, a retiree who is selling his riverfront estate in Newmarch Street in Ipswich, the greenhouse offers a special spot amid the gardens and terraces.

“It was worth every penny spent over the course of the year it took to meticulously restore the greenhouse,” Mr. Goldman said. “We especially love luxuriating in the sunny warmth on chilly winter days with a cup of tea and a good book.”

The estate is listed at $2.695 million with Christie’s International Realty.

A City Greenhouse for Entertaining

An unexpected spot for a greenhouse is a Manhattan rooftop, but one rests on the roof terrace at 10 East 14 St.’s penthouse No. 1 in Greenwich Village. The greenhouse, which features plants and trees fed with a year-round irrigation system, can be reached by a private elevator from the condo, which is listed for $4,999,500.

“The greenhouse is used as a living space for the owners and has central heating and air,” said Cherie Hinson, the listing agent with Sotheby’s International Realty. “This conservatory doubles as an additional living room, lounge, entertainment pit or office space.”

A Cape Cod Orchid House

The 10-acre property on Beach Road in Orleans, Massachusetts, listed at $25 million and located one-half mile from Nauset Beach, probably doesn’t need a greenhouse as a selling point. But Ricardo Rodriguez, the listing agent with Coldwell Banker Realty, points out that new owners can grow vegetable, exotic plants and flowers year-round to keep their home in bloom in every season.

“The greenhouse was primarily used for orchids,” said homeowner Raina Ring. “We had virtually every variety, and it was kept by a specialist. They grew like they did in nature, not in ceramic or clay pots; we kept them in cork containers that the orchids grew in and onto the cork itself. The goal was to have every variety of orchid. The greenhouse was a visual and aromatic splendor.”

Long Island Oasis

Rise Media for Sotheby’s International Realty

The 2.7-acre estate, located on Long Island’s South Fork on Sayres Path in Wainscott, is listed for sale at $10.95 million with Sotheby’s International Realty. It features multiple gardens, terraces, ponds, a swimming pool with a waterfall and outdoor sculptures.

Homeowner Marie Eve Berty, a 63-year-old retired public relations and marketing executive, says that the greenhouse is used for a variety of purposes.

“It’s perfect for preparing seedlings for my organic vegetable garden, cutting flowers for floral arrangements and, in the winter, it houses all of our outdoor plants that need winterizing,” Ms. Berty said. “It becomes a wonderful space that can be viewed from multiple locations in the house, making the indoor space feel alive year-round.”

Shangri La on Narragansett Bay

Named in honor of the imaginary paradise in James Hilton’s 1933 novel “Lost Horizon,” this 1.8-acre waterfront estate in Bristol Highlands, Rhode Island, includes two greenhouses in addition to the main house, a guest house and a tea house.

The property on Shore Road is priced at $8.5 million and includes multiple gardens along with a private sand beach.

The greenhouses maintain the tropical plants used throughout the estate, said Kristin Parella, the listing agent along with John Hodnett of Lila Delman Real Estate, a Christie’s International Real Estate company.

“Many plants sleep in the greenhouse during the winter months and come to life in the late spring, where they are transferred to pots and garden beds,” Mr. Hodnett said. “The tropical plants thrive on warmth and moisture, and with extraordinary care, bring out the magnificent beauty of the exotic architecture and the coastal environment.”

Indiana estate

The Home Aesthetic for Encore Sotheby’s International Realty

Extensive gardens are an important part of the 15-acre estate in Batesville, Indiana, which is listed for sale at $5.5 million. A greenhouse was designed to complement the architecture of the main house.

“The owners built a greenhouse with matching tables and self-adjusting windows that open depending on the temperature inside the greenhouse, then added a heater and a ceiling fan to further control the climate,” said listing agent Rebecca Glazier of Encore Sotheby’s International Realty. “They grow flowers, indoor plants, ferns and seedlings and use the greenhouse to protect some potted plants during the winter.”

Saddle River Estate with Tropical Sanctuary

The 4.24-acre estate in Saddle River, New Jersey, currently listed for sale at $9.88 million, includes a 20,000-square-foot house, a pond, covered patios, a swimming pool, cabanas and a formal garden.

“The greenhouse is used for year-round vegetation, including flowers, plantings, vegetables and herbs,” said listing agent Josh Baris with Coldwell Banker Realty. “The owner enjoys relaxing within what feels like a private tropical oasis.”

French Normandy Chateau in Holmby Hills

Daniel Dahler for Sotheby’s International Realty

When you own a French-style chateau set amid nearly two acres of gardens in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, a greenhouse is almost a necessity

The 1.77-acre estate on Ladera Drive, listed at $29 million, includes multiple gardens that surround the swimming pool, pool house, two guest cottages and the main house. The working greenhouse grows plants that are continuously used throughout the estate, including specimen ferns, orchids and vegetables, said Sharona Alperin, the listing agent with Sotheby’s International Realty.

October 15, 2020

Prime Panoramas | 5 Videos of Inspiring Landscapes

Originally posted October 12, 2020 on sothebysrealty.com

A spectacular view is one of the best accessories a luxury property can have. Whether positioned on rolling tundra or balmy coastal flatlands, the right home begins with the right location. Boasting stunning scenery, these five land listings offer buyers the exciting opportunity to build a custom home that is just as perfect as its surroundings. Press play to discover the beautiful landscapes and backdrops that could inspire your next picturesque home.

Golden Hour on the Tiburon Peninsula, California

Tiburon, California | Lydia Sarkissian & William Bullock, Golden Gate Sotheby’s Ne Realty

This iconic property is California Bay Area living at its peak. Surround yourself with panoramic views of the Golden State on the 100-plus acres of Easton Point, located on the southern tip of the Tiburon Peninsula. For sale for the first time in a century, this parcel offers a not-to-be-missed opportunity—the spacious hillside property features trees, meadows, views of the Golden Gate Bridge, and ridgelines 590 feet above sea level, making it an ideal spot for an estate amongst the clouds.

Dramatic Canyon Views in Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada | Kristen Routh Silberman, Synergy Sotheby’s International Realty

One glance at the natural wonders of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and it’s abundantly clear why it’s so special—and why it should be treated with care. The Ranch at Red Rock in Las Vegas, Nevada is an eco-resort community committed to habitat protection and land preservation. In addition to an elevated communal ranch village, an outdoor amphitheater will encourage all to appreciate the fantastic natural landscape. Customizing a home here ensures that future generations can enjoy the sights of Red Rock Canyon for years to come.

Tropical Island Privacy at Water Cay, Turks & Caicos

Turks & Caicos Islands | Joe Zahm, Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty

If you close your eyes and picture paradise, do white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, fluttering palm trees, and endless blue skies come to mind? If so, you may be dreaming of escaping to the 432 acres at Water Cay in Turks & Caicos. Whether this property is purchased for private or commercial use, it’s a picture-perfect tropical destination—thanks to 7,000 feet of beachfront, you can listen to the soothing sounds of the ocean any time the mood strikes you.

Red Rock Vistas Outside of Sedona, Arizona

Sedona, Arizona | Ed Pennington, Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty

For many, the desert is a calling. The vibrant sunrises and sunsets, varied and storied terrain, and the expansive blanket of starry night skies have a special way of making visitors feel in tune with nature. Backing onto national forest, El Rojo Grande Ranch offers all of the desert’s best vistas, and with Sedona only 1.5 miles away, city conveniences remain within reach. The available 91-acre lot has endless potential for building your own home, or the entire 173-acre property can be purchased with residences and amenities, including excellent equestrian facilities.

National Park Landscapes in Awaroa Bay, New Zealand

Tasman, New Zealand | Kylie Jones, New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty

For seclusion and complete immersion in a landscape, it doesn’t get much better than Awaroa Bay in New Zealand’s Abel Tasman National Park. With golden beaches, lush forested hillsides, and long stretches of mild weather, this property is an untouched oasis ideal for creating your own vacation property. With its nearby marine reserve, surrounding lagoons for exploring, and abundant birdwatching, Awaroa Bay is a peaceful haven away from the rest of the world.

A view of one’s own is the ultimate in luxury, and these five properties yield spectacular rewards. Wake up each morning to green hills, captivating desert vistas, or glittering ocean as far as the eye can see—whatever the panorama that speaks to you, the land awaits. All that’s left to do is design and build a complementary home amidst the views.

October 2, 2020

Fresh Air | 5 Ways to Enjoy the Outdoors Safely

Posted on May 12, 2020 by sothebysrealty.com.

Spring is in full effect in the northern hemisphere and as restrictions on some outdoor spaces begin to lift, here are five ways you can enjoy some much-needed sunshine and fresh air while practicing safe social distancing guidelines.

Practice Cleanliness

First and foremost, take care of yourself and the members of your household. While some of the heavier restrictions are being lifted, it’s still important to make sure that you stay up to date with CDC guidelines and ensure that you’re washing your hands frequently and wearing a face covering when in public spaces – even while outside.

Just Get Outside

It’s no secret that sunshine offers many health benefits – the good news is that you don’t have to go far to get it. Carve out a part of each day to get outside, even if it’s an hour on your patio, yard or doorstep to get that all-important boost of vitamin D. Enjoying the sunshine doesn’t have to be complicated; if social distancing guidelines in your area permit, take a walk by yourself or with members of your household.

Camping in Your Backyard

You can take your family on a camping adventure in your own backyard. Set up a tent, have a bonfire, roast some marshmallows and tell campfire stories. Try leaving cellphones and other electronics in the house for a truly authentic camping experience.

Go for a Hike

Some trails and parks are beginning to reopen their gates, which means you can lace up your hiking boots and get back into nature. The National Recreation and Park Association offers some guidance like warning other trail users of your presence, allowing proper space or stepping off trails as you pass others, and keeping the recommended distance at all times.

A Bicycle Built for You

Similar to hiking or going for a walk, you can get on your bike and go for a ride alone or with members of your household. It’s important to avoid congested routes so consider riding at off-peak hours, try new paths, and don’t be discouraged if you have to alter your route to find a less crowded path.

By Erik Weinbrecht

October 2, 2020

Three Artists and the Places that Made Them

Reposted from Sotheby’s International Realty’s RESIDE Magazine at sothebysrealty.com .

Art lovers around the world have long been entranced by the icons Paul Cézanne, Salvadore Dalí, and Jackson Pollock. To fully understand and appreciate these masters, it helps to visit the places that nurtured and continue to display their talents. Each locale is a thrill to visit in its own right; add in these stops and you’ll come away with a newfound artistic education covering some of the art world’s biggest names.

Salvador Dalí’s Madrid
While Salvador Dalí was born in 1904 near the French border in Catalonia and spent his formative years there, the titan of Spanish surrealism casts an imposing shadow over Madrid.

In 1922, Dalí moved into the city’s Residencia de Estudiantes (Students’ Residence) and studied at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando. Today, both facilities are open to visitors looking to delve deeper into the artist’s background; the Residencia de Estudiantes, one of the oldest cultural centers in Madrid, hosts myriad conferences, panel discussions, concerts, poetry readings, and exhibitions.

The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía allows Dalí fans to mix with Picasso lovers; the museum holds world-class collections from Spain’s two greatest 20th-century masters.

In 1985, the Madrid City Council decided to dedicate a public space to Dalí and commissioned the artist to create a work for the space. The Plaza de Salvador Dalí is dominated by the only urban monument in the world designed by the artist, a hulking granite dolmen (a single-chamber megalithic tomb). Within the 43-foot structure, in which an oval-shaped natural rock was placed on three carved granite pillars, resides a bronze sculpture of an abstract, masculine figure standing on a pedestal of polished black granite.

Visitors looking to tap into Dalí’s mind can stop by the Westin Palace Madrid, a historic property that was commissioned by King Alfonso XIII in 1912. Back when it was known as the Hotel Palace, Dalí enjoyed jazz nights with friends and preferred to stay in the suites overlooking the iconic Fuente de Neptuno (Neptune Fountain); the artist was notorious for making elaborate demands of the staff. Today, visitors to the hotel, which sits in the shadow of one of the world’s most famous art museums, the Museo del Prado, can enjoy a cocktail in the 1912 Museo Bar. (A case next to the bar holds a piece of hotel stationery bearing a note and poem penned by Federico García Lorca, and embellished with doodles by Dalí.)

Salvador DalÍ, reportedly enjoyed jazz nights while staying at what is now the Westin Palace Madrid.

Paul Cézanne’s Southern France

Perhaps no artist is more associated with the South of France than Paul Cézanne. The postimpressionist master, who spent much of his life in his native Aix-en-Provence, was one of the most influential 19th-century painters. (Both Matisse and Picasso reputedly said he was “the father of us all.”)

Cézanne was passionate about Aix-en-Provence—he was famously quoted as saying: “When you’re born there, it’s hopeless, nothing else is good enough”—and present-day visitors can walk in Cézanne’s footsteps. A well-marked pedestrian route allows visitors to discover the landmarks of Cézanne’s early years, including his childhood homes and schools, the addresses of his family and acquaintances, and other notable spots that shaped him.

To see one of the key places in Cézanne’s life, take a guided tour of his family’s manor house, the Bastide du Jas de Bouffan, where the artist established an atelier in the attic and often painted in the garden, looking out to the Montagne Sainte-Victoire mountain ridge from different vantage points. For the last few years of his life, Cézanne painted in his studio in Les Lauves, around an hour from Aix, and after his death it became memorialized as Atelier Paul Cézanne. Visitors can peruse models, furniture, and equipment as the artist left them in his studio.

Cézanne devotees head to the east of Aix to explore the labyrinthian Bibémus quarries. In 1897, the artist rented a cabin there and produced works based on the deserted landscapes; paintings like “The Red Rock” went on to inspire the cubist style.

Active types can take a hike up Montagne Sainte-Victoire, known by some as “Cézanne’s mountain,” which was the subject of more than 60 works by the artist. After a two-hour jaunt up the mountain, which is recognizable for its white limestone cliffs, visitors enjoy gorgeous panoramic views of the region and out to the Mediterranean Sea.

Paul Cézanne, painted the Sainte-Victoire mountain ridge in southern France.

Jackson Pollock’s Hamptons
Some 60-plus years after his death, Jackson Pollock, the pre-eminent figure of abstract expressionism, continues to captivate. His wall-size drip-and-pour painting One: Number 31 has been bringing crowds to the $450 million expansion of New York’s Museum of Modern Art, and his large-format works entrance audiences around the world.

Pollock acolytes commonly make pilgrimages to the Hamptons on Long Island, home to the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center, a National Historic Landmark open from May through October (guided tours by reservation only). The house, built in 1879, is typical of the area’s 19th-century farmers’ and fishermen’s homes.

Pollock—who lived there with his wife, artist Lee Krasner—converted a barn into a studio. There, without heat or artificial light, he perfected his distinctive “drip” technique of using paint, in which he laid the canvas on the floor and walked around it, applying paint from all sides. The energy in the studio is palpable, especially whenever visitors spot the floorboards, which still bear original drips from Pollock’s very own brushes, sticks, and basting syringes.

A visit to Pollock’s Hamptons comes full circle at Green River Cemetery. After Pollock was buried there in 1956 (Krasner was laid to rest by his side in 1984), the cemetery became famous as a final resting place for notable artists and writers, with numerous headstones that resemble works of art.

Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner, bought their home, now a National Historic Landmark, with help from art patron

May 18, 2020October 2, 2020

Inside Meg Ryan’s Former Pacific Heights Victorian

Posted on May 17, 2020 by sothebysrealty

In a city known worldwide for its storybook Victorians, this 1889 Queen Anne home, located on a lovely block in Pacific Heights, fits right in. Its eye-catching façade features decorative millwork, stately columns and marble steps, elegant sashed and bay windows, and whimsical trim, all telltale elements of the period style.

San Francisco, California | Neill Bassi, Sotheby’s International Realty – San Francisco Brokerage

The home stands out, however, for a provenance that is uniquely Californian and for recent owners themselves known and beloved worldwide. A forebear of current governor, esteemed architect Samuel Newsom is best known for his designs of landmarks such as the Napa Valley Opera House, Oakland City Hall, and the Carson Mansion in Eureka, but his keen eye and steady hand were also behind the design of this home. The San Francisco residence of Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid during the 1990s, it was thoughtfully rejuvenated in 2018 by the current owner, with the help of notableBay Area designer Nicole Hollis.

Today, the home’s iconic façade belies 7,050-square-foot interiors that are wholly contemporary, with chic shades of light and dark gray, sleek surfaces, eye-catching accents and finishes, handsome angle-planked walnut flooring, and an array of modern amenities. Public spaces were designed with entertaining in mind. The foyer flows effortlessly to a living room with striking lighting and a fireplace and a formal dining room. The open-plan kitchen and family room will appeal to entertainers and chefs of all skill levels; it boasts a wall of built-ins, superior professional-caliber appliances—including a rare Lacanche range—a Calacatta-marble-wrapped island, an adjoining patio, and a butler’s pantry or caterer’s area with two ovens, generous storage, and refrigerator and freezer drawers. But everything—most notably a disappearing wall of glass—seems to direct the eye to one key, enviable feature, a breathtaking view that sweeps across the bay to Marin County in the distance, with the unmistakable silhouettes of Alcatraz and Angel Island in between.

A skylit stairway and an elevator link each of the home’s four levels. Tucked behind one gracefully curving bay window on the second floor, the serene master suite is a peaceful oasis that includes a tony dressing room, a bath with a soaking tub that overlooks the bay, a spacious shower, and discreet water closet. Completing this level are two light-filled guest bedrooms, each with an en suite bath and a fireplace.

Two additional quiet bedrooms with a shared bath are secluded on the uppermost level. But the pièce de résistance is the pentroom, tucked beneath the angles of the timeless pitched roofline. Stylish relaxation and entertaining are easy here, thanks to a well-outfitted media area and an extensive bar. A wall of glass offers an inspiring vista and opens to a breathtaking open-air patio, where a fire pit offers cozy warmth and a frameless glass balustrade keeps the outlook purely uninterrupted.

A coveted three-car garage is located on the ground level along with a thoughtfully appointed mudroom, a laundry room with abundant counter and cabinet space, and a three-quarter bath. Practicalities aside, this floor features versatile space—ideal for an office—with a glimpse of the bay, a temperature-controlled wine room, and a cheerful family room. Yet another a wall of glass gives way to a heated covered patio enveloped by greenery for the utmost in sophisticated privacy—a welcome bonus here, at one of the city’s most sought-after addresses.

March 2, 2020

Sotheby’s International Realty Opens First Office in Montenegro

March 2, 2020

MADISON, N.J., March 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC today announced that Luxury Properties LLC is the newest member of its global network and will now operate as Montenegro Sotheby’s International Realty – the brand’s first affiliated office in Montenegro

.Montenegro Sotheby’s International Realty will be owned and operated by Hunter Milborne and will serve the luxury residential real estate market in the region. The company will have a special focus on the coast of Montenegro, including Porto Montenegro, Boka Bay, and the Budva region. Milborne brings more than 40 years of real estate experience to the company.

“Montenegro is experiencing considerable growth, thanks in part to its prioritization in investment, tourism and foreign interest,” said Philip White, president and chief executive officer of Sotheby’s International Realty. “The region’s wide variety of luxury properties and high-class accommodations continues to develop. Hunter and his team have experience representing the country’s finest properties and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome Montenegro Sotheby’s International Realty to the network.”

“The mission of our company stems from our desire to provide clients with professional and ethical service from start to finish,” said Milborne. “Montenegro is an excellent choice for buying a property and is a perfect second home destination. Sotheby’s International Realty is synonymous with world-class marketing for a true global reach, and our affiliation will enable us to showcase our listings on an international scale.”

Montenegro Sotheby’s International Realty has an office in the town of Tivat. The company and its agents actively support the community and deliver food and clothes to those in need.

The Sotheby’s International Realty^® network currently has more than 23,000 affiliated independent sales associates located in 1,000 offices in 70 countries and territories worldwide. Montenegro Sotheby’s International Realty listings are marketed on the sothebysrealty.com global website. In addition to the referral opportunities and widened exposure generated from this source, the firm’s brokers and clients will benefit from an association with the Sotheby’s auction house and worldwide Sotheby’s International Realty marketing programs. Each office is independently owned and operated.

About Sotheby’s International Realty
Sotheby’s International Realty was founded in 1976 as a real estate service for discerning clients of Sotheby’s auction house. Today, the company’s global footprint spans 1,000 offices located in 70 countries and territories worldwide, including 45 company-owned brokerage offices in key metropolitan and resort markets. In February 2004, Realogy entered into a long-term strategic alliance with Sotheby’s, the operator of the auction house. The agreement provided for the licensing of the Sotheby’s International Realty name and the development of a franchise system. The franchise system is comprised of an affiliate network, where each office is independently owned and operated. Sotheby’s International Realty supports its affiliates and agents with a host of operational, marketing, recruiting, educational and business development resources. Affiliates and agents also benefit from an association with the venerable Sotheby’s auction house, established in 1744. For more information, visit www.sothebysrealty.com.

The affiliate network is operated by Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC, and the company owned brokerages are operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Both entities are subsidiaries of Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY) a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation and settlement services. Both Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC and Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

CONTACT

Melissa Couch
PR Manager
Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC
973-407-6142
melissa.couch@sothebysrealty.com

SOURCE Sotheby’s International Realty

February 25, 2020

Sotheby’s International Realty Expands Maryland Presence

MADISON, N.J., Feb. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC today announced that Atlantic Shores Realty is the newest member of its global network and will now operate as Atlantic Shores Sotheby’s International Realty. The addition marks the Sotheby’s International Realty^® brand’s continued growth in the state of Maryland.

Owned and operated by Ryan Haley and Kristy Haley, the firm is located in Ocean City, Maryland with 12 sales associates and will serve the surrounding region.

“Ocean City, Maryland continues to be a popular destination for those looking to match a home with their lifestyle,” said Philip White, president and chief executive officer of Sotheby’s International Realty. “Ryan and Kristy have led a successful company for 10 years and are true experts in their community. They strive to help their clients achieve a luxury beach lifestyle and we look forward to welcoming them to the network.”

“We work daily to provide our clients with the greatest real estate experience possible,” said Ryan Haley. “Our company and agents are deeply embedded in the community. We have raised our kids here, retired here and vacationed here – we know the beach! Our affiliation with Sotheby’s International Realty permits us to combine our hyper-local knowledge and expertise with the Sotheby’s International Realty brand’s best-in-class marketing, innovative technology and global reach.”

The company and its agents actively support the Ocean City Surf Club’s Adopt Your Beach program, which works with residents to create permanent solutions to shoreline and marine debris. Atlantic Shores Sotheby’s International Realty supports a variety of local groups through the initiative including Worcester County GOLD, Worcester Youth & Family Counseling Services, Kenille’s Kupboard Pet Pantry & Rescue, Inc. and Casey Cares Foundation.

The Sotheby’s International Realty network currently has more than 23,000 affiliated independent sales associates located in 1,000 offices in 71 countries and territories worldwide. In 2018, the brand achieved a record global sales volume of $112 billion USD. Atlantic Shores Sotheby’s International Realty listings are marketed on the sothebysrealty.com global website. In addition to the referral opportunities and widened exposure generated from this source, the firm’s brokers and clients will benefit from an association with the Sotheby’s auction house and worldwide Sotheby’s International Realty marketing programs. Each office is independently owned and operated.

About Sotheby’s International Realty
Sotheby’s International Realty was founded in 1976 as a real estate service for discerning clients of Sotheby’s auction house. Today, the company’s global footprint spans 1,000 offices located in 71 countries and territories worldwide, including 44 company-owned brokerage offices in key metropolitan and resort markets. In February 2004, Realogy entered into a long-term strategic alliance with Sotheby’s, the operator of the auction house. The agreement provided for the licensing of the Sotheby’s International Realty name and the development of a franchise system. The franchise system is comprised of an affiliate network, where each office is independently owned and operated. Sotheby’s International Realty supports its affiliates and agents with a host of operational, marketing, recruiting, educational and business development resources. Affiliates and agents also benefit from an association with the venerable Sotheby’s auction house, established in 1744. For more information, visit www.sothebysrealty.com.

The affiliate network is operated by Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC, and the company-owned brokerages are operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Both entities are subsidiaries of Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY) a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation and settlement services. Both Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC and Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

CONTACT

Melissa Couch
PR Manager
Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC
973-407-6142
melissa.couch@sothebysrealty.com