Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Newsletter

---

• Friendly & Fresh 4 Room Apartment WIth a Lovely Feel
• Two Hundred Tons Of Paint Bring New Look To Soviet Pipe Plant [Time Lapse Video]
• Mesmerizing Private House by Oded & Elizabeth Tal Architects
• Charming Malibu Residence Capturing Views of the Ocean
• How to Become a Luxury Real Estate Specialist with Jack Cotton
• Cute Footed Dishware, Soap Dishes and Tooth Brush Cups: Efeet Collection
• Exceptional Folding Chair Transforms Into a Side Table: Cóm-oda

Friendly & Fresh 4 Room Apartment WIth a Lovely Feel Posted: 06 Oct 2011 05:44 AM PDT Welcome to a beautiful Scandinavian apartment displaying color and style. With a total living area of 98 square meters and four rooms, this home we found on Skeppsholmen inspires a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. A large open plan living room bathed in natural light and filled with color sets the tone for the entire apartment. It is here where friends and family gather, as this interior emanates good vibes and an intense socializing spirit. The room is opened towards the dining area and features a beautiful modern white sofa set, a contemporary fireplace and a large coffee table with an original shape. Various art pieces (paintings and sculptures), colorful pillows and flower arrangements create an overall vivid and joyful feel. Aside from three lovely bedrooms and a modern kitchen, the crib also has access to beautiful terraces, with peaceful urban views.

Two Hundred Tons Of Paint Bring New Look To Soviet Pipe Plant [Time Lapse Video] Posted: 06 Oct 2011 01:16 AM PDT These days, artists all over the world are taking over abandoned industrial neighborhoods and turning them into open culture scenes. This may not be the case with this Soviet pipe manufacturing plant, as it is still functional, producing over 25 000 standard sizes of pipe in 34 Russian and 25 foreign standards. However, the inspiration for completely turning its exterior appearance around must have come from various global projects of urban regeneration. No less than two hundred tons of paint were used to bring this building complex to life. The transformation is absolutely spectacular and the professional photos taken in winter do a great job emphasizing the new vivid colors. Have a look at this great time lapse video below (put together by Sasha Aleksandrov) to see how this Soviet pipe manufacturing plant was turned into a real art setting. [ Photography by Ilya Ivanov] Pipe Plant from Sasha Aleksandrov on Vimeo.

Mesmerizing Private House by Oded & Elizabeth Tal Architects Posted: 05 Oct 2011 11:08 PM PDT We just received a delightful home design completed by Oded & Elizabeth Tal Architects. According to the project developers, the residence was built on a long, narrow sight of 800 sqm in the city of Herzelia near the Mediterranean Sea. There are four levels to the house: a full basement with cinema room and three bedrooms, ground floor with swimming pool in rear garden, first floor with four ensuite bedrooms, and in the attic within the vaulted roof-a master bedroom suite with sun balcony. The volume of the house is split into front and rear blocks with a connecting element of curved glass walls enclosing a round staircase and a three-story void above the dining area. Through the void pass two bridges connecting the two blocks on the upper floors. The exterior is finished in white stucco with accents of dark gray volcanic stone strips. All the openings are double glazed in green anti-sun glass and framed with black aluminum. The interior flooring is white stone 1.0 x 1.0 m and the bathrooms use various textured stones in gray tones. The interior doors, AC grills and recessed lights are in black to contrast with white walls. All the furniture is very colorful against the neutral surfaces.[ Photos and description courtesy of Oded & Elizabeth Tal Architects]

Charming Malibu Residence Capturing Views of the Ocean Posted: 05 Oct 2011 10:07 PM PDT An impressive example of modern architecture can be admired in Manhattan Beach, in southwestern Los Angeles County, California. Named the 33rd Street Residence, this contemporary house presents a solution to the challenging site conditions: a small 420 square meter lot had to be transformed into an amazing contemporary residence. The architects working on this project made the most of the lot, stretching the width, depth and height of the construction to the limits only to realize that a garden would not fit the site. The solution was to design a small Zen garden in the middle of the floor plan, flanked by the children’s room on one side and the master bedroom on the other. Designed by Californian studio Rockefeller Partners Architects, the house displaying a combination of white walls and wood insertions differentiates itself from the neighboring houses. The three-level residence captures views of the Ocean, enhancing its modern charm.

How to Become a Luxury Real Estate Specialist with Jack Cotton Posted: 05 Oct 2011 10:56 AM PDT Jack Cotton One of the reasons Freshome reader’s enjoy visiting us daily is a glimpse into luxury living. From posh interiors and designer furnishings to gorgeous architecture. Luxury real estate is one of those subjects that we often wonder about, but don’t know the right person to ask. Fortunately, I was able to find an expert, Jack Cotton from Sotheby’s International Realty. I interviewed Jack and asked the questions that are on everyone’s minds, especially – how to become a luxury real estate specialist! ‘Jack Cotton has worked continually in the real estate company he started in his college dormitory room 37 years ago… Over the years, Jack has been involved nearly every record breaking luxury residential sale on Cape Cod, either directly as the agent or as coach to the agent involved.’ Within the last week Jack has had huge success with his recent publications, in which Jack said, "There is a saying by Zig Ziglar stating that 'you can get anything you want if you just help enough people get what they want.' As I close in on four decades in the real estate business, it is a special treat to reach the top of the Amazon.com best seller list in the real estate category by helping real estate agents across North America and around the world attain their dream of becoming Luxury Real Estate Specialists". Congratulations Jack for your accomplishment, and we thank you for sitting down with Freshome to give us advice on luxury real estate. FRESHOME:  Many Freshome readers may not realize you founded Cotton Real Estate which is now the renown Sotheby's International Realty that specializes in luxury real estate worldwide. Please share with us how your company blossomed into this luxury icon. JACK COTTON: I began my company, Cotton Real Estate, in my college dormitory room in 1974.  Because of my young age and the resulting difficulty in competing with older, more established practitioners in my marketplace, I decided that it was necessary to enhance and expand my expertise.  Understanding that high net worth individuals are keenly interested in property values, I undertook a multi-year program of educating myself in the appraisal and valuation process.  My expertise in valuation was helpful to those who serve high net worth individuals: bank trust officers, attorneys, accountants, and financial advisers.  As a result of my valuation training, I began preparing 20-30 page written price opinions rather than the ”off the cuff” price opinions that were the norm in my market. As my expertise became more known, my business grew until in 2005, it was purchased by Sotheby’s International Realty. FRESHOME: Buying and selling homes can be intimidating for many people, even seasoned homeowners can have challenges. What suggestions do you have for helping homeowners educate themselves about luxury real estate? JACK COTTON: In the nearly four decades helping luxury home buyers and sellers with their real estate decisions, I have had the opportunity to observe first-hand the techniques they used.  Remarkably, these techniques work in any price range. First of all, luxury real estate buyers and sellers treat the buying and selling process as a business.  Indeed, it is remarkable to me that while looking for a luxurious second home in my market, luxury home buyers operate as if they are ”on the job.” While luxury practitioners like me might like to sell on emotion, the experienced luxury buyer and seller keeps emotion out of the process.  They want the facts. Buyers and sellers of luxury real estate always keep their ear to the ground.  They ask questions of everyone they meet and decide on the validity and usefulness of that information.  They never discriminate on the source of the information.  They’ll talk with everyone from the server at the local restaurant to a technician at the marina; tennis pro or highly trained real estate or legal professional.  They crave information. FRESHOME:  With the downed home market, is there still an advantage to buying luxury real estate today? Could you explain the advantages as an investment or inhabiting purposes? JACK COTTON: In most luxury markets, prices are down from their peaks of 2005 to 2006.  I recently worked with a retired executive from a large investment management ​​​​company.  His comments to me were that in the current market with real estate prices at an all-time low, stock prices high and volatile, and zero returns available in money and cash markets that luxury real estate, i.e. real estate in rare and beautiful places, is in his opinion, the best place for his money at this time. While typical luxury home buyers are not worried about mortgage rates, the fact that there is virtually zero return on cash makes the decision to put money into real estate that much more attractive.  I like to refer to real estate in rare and beautiful places such as my market as ”the other gold.” FRESHOME: You have several resources & fine-tuning techniques you have created about the buying and home selling process. Can you explain these training resources and how they can help Freshome readers? JACK COTTON: In my journey to be a luxury real estate expert and trusted advisor to those in the high end, I continue to work on and refine my processes for exceeding expectations in the service area.  In 2010, I had three books that were published that all deal with high-end real estate.  One was for agents who want to become luxury real estate specialists.  The other two are for consumers, one geared toward buyers and the other towards sellers of real estate. With nearly four decades experience in luxury real estate, I feel that I have a lot to share with both buyers and sellers. I have had the opportunity to consult with and coach agents across the United States and the world and to also provide consult to luxury home buyers and sellers. FRESHOME: Is it true that you have to be wealthy in order to attain luxury real estate? If homeowners are interested in learning about luxury real estate, what facts and myths should they know before beginning? JACK COTTON: The biggest myth about being a successful luxury real estate agent is that you have to be born rich and well-connected to succeed in this arena.  In fact, many agents sit on the sidelines of the luxury real estate market thinking that it is an impossible dream. I can assure you from my own experience that this not the case.  While being born rich and well-connected can certainly be a “fast track,” it is certainly not the only track. My track was to provide exemplary service, be perceived as an expert in my marketplace, operate at the highest level of integrity, and conduct my business where several times throughout the day; I am asking the question, ”What is in the best interest of my client?” FRESHOME: Your luxury real estate blog on your website – Jack Cotton  is full of helpful information and videos. How does it help homeowners, Realtors, etc…? JACK COTTON: People respond to videos today, especially three to five-minute instructional videos.  Each week I try to think of a situation or problem, oftentimes one that I encountered the previous week, and create a video around a solution that could help home buyers and real estate agents.  By searching my blog, you can find answers to questions on almost any topic and, of course, people can email me directly for answers or for a telephone consultation. FRESHOME: You have written several books about luxury real estate. Can you elaborate on them, and explain about the free downloads that are available with them? JACK COTTON: As mentioned earlier, I have written several books about luxury real estate.  I understand that writers are perceived as experts and I also felt it was important to organize and record my 37 years of experience in the business. Selling Luxury Homes This is a book written for real estate agents who want to succeed in the area of luxury real estate.  For those who weren’t born rich and well-connected, this book lays out a concrete step-by-step plan to be perceived as an expert and to make the progression from agent to luxury expert to trusted adviser to luxury home buyers and sellers in a given marketplace. 12 Secrets Luxury Home Buyers Know That You Can Use This book is based upon my experience dealing with luxury home sellers over the past 37 years.  I’ve boiled down the 12 most important things I’ve learned from luxury home sellers that can benefit any seller in any price range. 12 Secrets Luxury Home Buyers Know That Anyone Can Use Like the previous book, I took the principles that I’ve learned from wealthy home sellers and boiled it out into 12 principles that any buyer can use in any price range. FRESHOME: On your Jack Cotton Realtor website, you showcase many of the Cape Cod residences that are for sale. Since you are a Realtor and a Speaker/Author, how do you juggle the two? JACK COTTON: Even though I do writing, speaking, and consulting, I still work as a real estate agent in my market.  I limit the amount of listings I can take so that I can provide the highest level of personal service to my sellers.  In some respects, my real estate practice is like a ”test kitchen.”  In other words, I create, test, and fine tune new techniques for listing, marketing, and servicing high-end properties that can then be disseminated to other real estate agents across the ​​​​country and around the world after they are fine-tuned and tested. It does not make for a lot of free time but then real estate is my passion and has been since an early age. FRESHOME: For those who want to become a luxury property Realtor, or they want to invest in luxury real estate for profit, what steps should they take in order to be successful in their endeavors? JACK COTTON: The most important thing I can share with you about investing in real estate is that over the past several years many people have forgotten the rules of real estate. Real estate is absolutely not a short-term investment.  You must have a long-term, horizon, 5-8 years at minimum, to be a successful real estate investor. There’s so much negative media and talk about the real estate market now with all the erosion of value that has recently taken place.  This erosion is a correction in the marketplace where prices got ahead of actual value. Nevertheless, based on my experience in the business, there is no better investment on the face of the earth than real estate.  That is, of course, as long as the rules set up by our parents and grandparents are followed: Think long-term Don’t overextend or over leverage Pay your real estate off as quickly as possible Maintain your property Understand that you don’t make money in real estate when you sell; you make money when you purchase. FRESHOME: On Freshome we are always trying to showcase luxury living here too! What do you think of the Freshome website? JACK COTTON: I’m very impressed with the Freshome.com website.  What a great resource for staying abreast of the latest, most cutting edge information on design, both interior, exterior, and architecture.  This is a fun site to visit to become inspired with the possibilities of beautiful real estate in great locations with great well, thought out design.

Cute Footed Dishware, Soap Dishes and Tooth Brush Cups: Efeet Collection Posted: 05 Oct 2011 09:26 AM PDT How many times did you look at your old kitchenware and wondered what would best suit your playful yet elegant style? In today’s post, we show you an alternative to formal dining bowls that can be considered “uplifting”. There are also some cute and fun soap dishes and tooth brush cups that display the same interesting approach to design and all of them are found on Design Milk. The Efeet Collection is “the first line for the kitchen and bathroom of footed dishware, claw-foot soap dishes and toothy tooth brush cups” that California-based Dylan Kendall Home Accessories manufacturer presented as a one of a kind collection. Dylan is – as she describes herself – “a studio artist turned social entrepreneur turned designer” and the fantastic collection of cute-meets-elegant footed dishware describes her views on useful product design. How many of you would like to offer your guests the chance to use this collection?

Exceptional Folding Chair Transforms Into a Side Table: Cóm-oda Posted: 05 Oct 2011 08:24 AM PDT Sometimes luck has little to do with creating a fabulous piece of furniture. This is the case of the versatile piece you are about to admire. We recently received these photos of the Cóm-oda from Spanish design studio Mr. Simon. These words from the designer could not express the complexity of this piece, but will give you the basic idea about its functions: “Cóm-oda is a set of folding chairs that, when they are not in use, they form a new element of furniture. In this way we try to give them another function and take advantage of those chairs that spend most of the time folded and hidden in any corner of the house.” Launched during the Valencia Disseny Week 2011 last week, the Cóm-oda will attract admiration for both the concept and the result. Here are a few words about the design studio: “Mr. Simon is a character made ​​up of all the ideas and efforts of the members of the team. He is the one in charge; he makes all the decisions and determines what's on. Mr. Simon focuses his efforts exclusively on developing graphic and product design projects, working with professionals from other disciplines if the project requires it. Its aim is to carry out projects based on a solid concept, considering that aesthetics are also important. Giving a simple and synthetic approach, continuous research is crucial to produce a good design. Mr. Simon uses experimentation as a tool to explore new forms of communication.”

You are subscribed to email updates from Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Newsletter To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610