Set up comfortable seating for socializing, is a great way to make your outdoor space feel more like a part of your home is with large, soft outdoor sofas. Your backyard can truly be a second living room when you add some comfortable outdoor accent chairs and sofas.

Opt for a large sectional around a cozy fire pit, or even install a built-in bench for extra seating. You’ll have more space for conversation, and your guests will greatly appreciate the lounge-like feel.

Photo courtesy of Vanessa Nunez

Adding visual interest with landscaping, it may seem obvious that a backyard would need some plants, but how you landscape your outdoor space can help to define space. Rather than just mulching one corner of your yard and adding a few small plants, or planter also consider adding multiple landscaped areas.

Add plants around your seating area to separate it from the rest of the yard. You can also go vertical by adding climbing plants or multiple levels of plantings to add interest to space. Landscaping is also a great way to bring color into your space.

Include protection for when the weather is not what you were hoping it would be, having a covered area in your outdoor space is a real lifesaver. A pergola or a covered patio will allow you to continue enjoying the outdoors even when Mother Nature may not. Also, free-standing structures like these are another helpful way to define separate spaces in your yard and make them feel more intimate.

Photo courtesy of Vanessa Nunez

If you have the space for it, a small kitchen in your outdoor space can take entertaining to the next level. Many homeowners nowadays want to have the ultimate backyard party space, and a fancy grill and a few small appliances are a great way to achieve that dream. Keep it simple and opt for a small counter with all of your needed appliances, or add an island and ample seating for the perfect outdoor dining setting.

To really make your outdoor space feel like an extension of your living room, bring in some accessories that you would find indoors. There are great selections of outdoor furnishings from most home goods stores, from lamps to blankets to pillows. Add an outdoor rug to your seating area to ground the space and soften it up. You can even hang artwork.

Lighting is one of the finishing touches to space, and your backyard shouldn’t be any different. You can keep it casual by hanging string lights throughout the space for a simple feel, which will also connect the whole yard. Or hang an outdoor chandelier for a fancier feel. You can also add a mix of lighting for a different layered feel. Whichever way you decide to go, having lighting in your outdoor space will really bring that homey feel outdoors.

The post Design an Outdoor Living Space to Be an Extension of Your Indoor Living Space appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Stately columns and a glass front door adorned by an intricate wrought-iron grill introduce a warm welcome to the great hall where natural light freely cascades from a dramatic two-storey atrium window.

The elegant living room and dining rooms enhanced by oak herringbone hardwood floors, custom framed walls, bow windows and open log gas fireplace accented by antique Italian marble set the stage for sophisticated entertaining complemented by the well-appointed epicurean kitchen, while the family room offers an exceptionally comfortable venue for more casual gatherings Adjoining the living room is the library embellished an open log gas fireplace, two sets of beveled pane glass French doors opening to the terrace and custom ceiling details.

Enjoy the pleasurable ambience of the four seasons in the stunning sunroom showcasing wall-to-wall windows on three sides and expansive skylights.

A dramatic staircase graced by a custom designed decorative wrought-iron railing with bronze hand rail leads to a sumptuous master suite boasting an adjoining sitting room crowned with a fanciful cupola, his and hers dressing rooms and ensuites.

Four additional bedrooms each with ensuites complete the private accommodations on the second level. Friends and family will appreciate the third level home theatre complete with stadium seating and wet bar.

Additional highlights include a lower level office, gym, billiard room, change room and walk-out. Meticulously manicured lawns, exquisite gardens, flowering trees and shrubs and a delightful sparkling pool create a magical paradise in the heart of the city. Truly a spectacular property.

Address: 61 Old Forest Hill Rd, Toronto, ON M5P 2R1, Canada

Price: $17,688,000

Bedrooms: 6

Bathrooms: 10

View the listing here.

For more information, contact Elise Kalles at 416-441-2888 x 292 or ekalles@trebnet.com.

Elise Kalles is the exclusive agent representing the Toronto, Ontario real estate markets as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of her listings here.

Images courtesy of Elise Kalles

The post Toronto Residence With Incomparable Splendor And Bygone Grace appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

637 S. Lucerne Boulevard is rare architectural wonder located in historic Hancock Park, Los Angeles. Originally conceived in 1902 by famed architect John C Austin, known for his work on the Griffith Observatory and the Shrine Auditorium, it has been extensively reimagined by celebrity designer Xorin Balbes, combining authentic turn-of-the-century Victorian architecture with contemporary design and modern convenience. With 7 fireplaces, 8 beds, 10 baths, and over 12,147 square feet of space there is endless room to entertain. In vogue with the turn-of-the-century style are the massive vaulted ceilings, grand entry hall, beautifully intricate woodworking, graceful formal dining room and breakfast nook. John Austin was a prolific architect, and the house’s gothic Victorian exterior offers an elegant contrast to the modernist, art-deco designs Los Angeles is known for.

Entertaining guests should be no problem at all, between the 10 car motor court, fully furnished guest house, gourmet kitchen and butler’s pantry, billiards room/TV lounge, games room and full bar. If that wasn’t enough, the lower level includes a screening room and a wine cellar that leads directly to the landscaped garden, pool, and spa. For the quieter, introspective, days, the home also boasts a full library, yoga and meditation room, home office and den, a laundry room with extensive built-ins, and additional storage rooms.

Walk up the grand staircase and discover the extraordinary master suite, complete with a sunlit master bath and a voluminous walk-in closet. Enjoy any day by yourself or with your guests, and appreciate the open entry hall and rich, natural lighting. This space offers something rare in a city as modern and busy as Los Angeles – History. Built at a time when Hancock Park was nothing but farm land and tar pits, it is a rare precursor to the industrial future Los Angeles was destined to follow. The listing comes in at just under 9 Million and is even qualified for the Mills Act, a tax incentive for the restoration and preservation of qualified historic buildings. In addition, the property qualifies for a charitable conservation easement for additional federal tax benefits.

The post Architectural Wonder 637 S. Lucerne Boulevard Is A Must-See appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Offering 180-degree views of the water, half a mile of private coastline, eight bedrooms, a gourmet chef’s kitchen, pool, and spa, the jaw-dropping $150,000 rental price is perhaps the only thing not to love about this property.

The Architectural Digest-featured estate runs at $75,000 a week, but an owner’s policy of two-week minimum stays means renters must spend at least $150,000 to summer in the luxurious abode. Despite not a single week in June, July, August, or September being booked, the price tag has only increased from summer 2013, when the property owners were asking $60,000 per week. It's a shame such a breathtaking home remains vacant during the peak summer months.

For more information, view the haute residence's full property listing

The post This $300,000/Month Martha’s Vineyard Rental Remains Sorely Unoccupied appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

The residential crowd is made up of...

A mix of families, active adults, the city’s leading executive officers, and international business leaders or jet setters, who enjoy having a residence in Las Vegas.

The community vibe is...

Progressive, new, and exciting. There is a renewed energy with the revitalization throughout the Las Vegas Valley, both in master planned communities as well as urban projects, including Downtown Las Vegas.

The lifestyle offered is... 

Vegas offers incredible accessibility. There is always something going on and something for everyone. You can dine at a world-renowned restaurant headed by a famous chef or see a show on any given night. If you're into the outdoors, you can go boating at Lake Mead in the morning and skiing at Mount Charleston in the afternoon.

The most popular building type you’ll find is...

The most popular luxury homes range from exclusive high rises, to Mediterranean-style estates and desert contemporary-modern marvels. The charm of Las Vegas is that it offers something for everyone.

The average home price is...

It depends on the community. At One Queensridge Place, the average listing price for a condo is $1.2 million.

The best spots to…Find entertainment:

We have an entertainment capital! Dine, drink, and "viva Las Vegas" on the Strip. See a Cirque du Soleil show or Britney Spears concert. Walk down Las Vegas Boulevard to watch the Bellagio Fountains. Dine at Hakkasan. Listen to some of the world’s best DJs on a night out. Enjoy all this within just a few miles.

The best spot to…Take the kids:

Calico Tanks at Red Rock Canyon–it’s their favorite playground!

The best spots to…Spend a weekend afternoon:

On the golf course or speeding around the track in a Ferrari or Lamborghini at Exotics Racing.

The best spots to…Get some exercise:

For a daily exercise routine, Life Time Fitness is a state of the art facility, offering indoor outdoor swimming pools, personal training, racquetball courts, and brand new indoor tennis courts. There are two locations in Las Vegas: one in Henderson and one in Summerlin–both just miles from our most exclusive communities. If you prefer the outdoors, hiking in Red Rock Canyon is spectacular.

The best spots to…Meet new people:

Everywhere! With over 40 million visitors a year, Las Vegas is definitely the place to meet new people from across the globe. Specifically, events–whether on or off the strip–are a great way to meet new people. Chief Executive Officers and international business leaders are routinely here to attend some of the most notable conferences and charity galas in the country.

The post Explore Las Vegas with Randy Char appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

What is important with holiday decor is to keep it classic and simple, and to use similar color for your ornament; pick a color, then stick to it and do not go crazy, (okay, you can pick a maximum of two or three colors). I love the idea of metalic color decor—it makes everything look so rich, so chic. No need to clutter your house with excess decor to make your home feel festive; a few candles and a simple tree will do it.

I also love using wallpaper to wrap my presents instead of the classic wrapping: there are amazing pattern options. You could even match it to your wall! And it has the advantage of being more resistant; no more tearing on sharp corners when wrapping all those presents. Here again I tend to use only one pattern for all the presents—just add some luxury color ribbon: one color for each person, et voila!

The post Sarah Maarek Shares Decorating Tips for the Holiday Season appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Name a few tips for those looking to decorate their homes for the holiday season in a non-traditional way.

Think about decorating for the winter season, and not so much just the holiday. Bring in metallic for a glamorous look, or do all white.  Have a lot of candles in crystal candleholders.  Go natural with burlap, brown craft paper, bare branch trees, birch logs, pinecones, and etc.

What do you feel is the most difficult part of your job (e.g. having to marry your personal style with that of your clients, locating the perfect furniture pieces to suit a space, drafting layouts, having to work long hours, etc.)? What’s the easiest?

The most difficult part is the business part. The easiest part is the creative part, the actual designing of the project. Finding the right pieces, doing the furniture layouts, "losing track of time" when you are in the groove is all part of that.

 

The post Andrew Flesher Reveals Decorating Tips for the Holiday Season and the Difficulties of a Design Project appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

It’s that time of the year again, planning and decorating for the holiday season is upon us. While many unpack their boxes of tried and true beloved decorations, others may want to try non-traditional ways of decorating this time around. For those who want to take the less conventional route this season but still enjoy the rich, fantasy set-like drama of holiday decor, I would suggest taking a little inspiration from storefront display windows. You will find Christmas trees and wreaths, for example, are no longer explicitly trees or wreaths, they maintain their iconic shape but are composed of different objects limited only by your imagination. For those looking for a warm, simple and casual aesthetic, lit gathered branches creatively arranged are a fresh take on traditional heavy greens in garlands and trees. To go even more minimal, consider skipping the ornaments and incorporating accent colors instead. Perhaps doing placemats, dish towels, rugs in vibrant jewel tones in metallic or pearlized fabrics.

What do you feel is the most difficult part of your job (e.g. having to marry your personal style with that of your clients, locating the perfect furniture pieces to suit a space, drafting layouts, having to work long hours, etc.)? What’s the easiest?

The most difficult part of my job is probably the long hours. Juggling several jobs simultaneously requires putting in long hours of work in order to give each job full attention. When I meet with a client, their expectation is that my service to them has been undivided. They don’t want to hear about how another job might have caused me to overlook something in theirs. They want to feel confident that my proposed design is the absolute best solution I arrived at after being fully involved in the design process and considering alternatives. I am aware of this and compensate by working longer hours to make sure that I am equally and fully invested in each project. On days when others expect to be typically off with their families, my job requires me to accommodate the needs and requests of my clients who do not want to hear excuses. On the flip-side, there is no greater reward than having a client who is ecstatic with not only the design but the end result.

The post Susan Rocco Reveals Decorating your Home for the Holidays and the Difficulties of a Design Project appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.