St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands is called the “Big Island” as it is the largest of the US Virgin Islands and surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. It’s the least developed, adding to its natural beauty, which is a draw for all visitors and buyers looking to invest in the Caribbean. The terrain varies between flat and hilly, with the highest peak, Mt. Eagle, at 1,088 feet above sea level.

St. Croix has become the hottest, new destination in the Caribbean and continues to attract people from all over the world. The unspoiled land of St. Croix includes rainforests, world-class dive spots, untouched and unmarked beach coves, and historical artifacts and architecture dating back to the 1700s. St. Croix has truly a vibe like no other, with a vibrant and rich culture, two historic towns oozing with charm, an incredible art and epicurean scene, and boutique hotels. Known as the countryside of the Caribbean due to its open pastures and farmland, most of St. Croix has stayed true to its roots giving visitors and Crucians an authentic Caribbean experience.

Photo Credit: Blake Floyd Gardner Photography https://www.blakefloydgardner.com/

Our luxury real estate market includes everything from impeccably maintained historic estates, modern seaside villas, elegant condos in a gated seaside complex to knoll top estates with a backdrop of the Caribbean sea in every direction. Compared to our sister islands, St. Thomas and St. John, there is more value on St. Croix in the luxury real estate market. A comparable home of quality and size on the other islands is much higher priced than a similar property here on St. Croix— we are the largest of the Virgin Islands so that makes it easier for us to live here and get around well since we are less congested.

When considering a permanent move or a vacation home to escape the cold northern winters, St. Croix is the ideal Caribbean island to call home!

Amy Land-de Wilde is the exclusive agent representing the St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of her listings here. For more information, please contact Amy Land-de Wilde at (340)-690-1213 or amydewilde@coldwellbankervi.com

The post Island Expert Amy Land-de Wilde Gives All Of The Reasons YOU Should Buy Real Estate In St. Croix appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo Credit: Mayra Roubach

There’s no denying that city life is incredible. But with so much going on, it’s essential to take a step back now and then and give those tired batteries a bit of a recharge. Sometimes you just want to get away from it all: not in a camping, backwoods sort of way, but in a more cocktail-sipping, sun-seeking kind of fashion. It was precisely this type of escape a Brazilian family sought when they purchased a vacation retreat on Fisher Island as a respite from their hectic city life in São Paulo. Home to free-roaming peacocks, it captures the allure of a secluded island, but it also has all the luxury amenities of an exclusive resort. “It never feels crowded, and people really appreciate the privacy and security,” the wife says. Set on the farthest point of the island, their condominium overlooks miles and miles of ocean. “It’s our happy place,” the wife says. “It’s where we go to decompress.”

Originally weighed down by heavy traditional details—dated wallpaper, mirrored walls, and a cumbersome enclosed kitchen that interrupted the great room—the condo underwent a lofty transformation from dated Mediterranean to beachy chic thanks to Miami-based designer Luciana Fragali, who has designed multiple Fisher Island homes for her clients. “Luciana is so flexible and willing to listen to our ideas,” the wife says. “She created family-friendly rooms, so we never have to worry about sand from the beach.”

Photo Credit: Mayra Roubach

Although working on an island would seem like a dream, in this case, it posed some unique challenges. On Fisher Island, you can build only six months out of the year and subcontractors must arrive via barge, making preparation and timing paramount. Luckily, Fragali was able to work around these obstacles and transform the space entirely to feature new floors, walls, plumbing and electrical, appliances, materials, and finishes – this was a gut remodel of the entire apartment that took a great deal of effort and teamwork.

From the beginning, Fragali had one goal in mind: to open up the views. The owners asked for an expansive entertainment area, as well as comfortable guest rooms that offered privacy, making the vacation retreat as inviting as possible for their family and friends. To accomplish this, Fragali began by demolishing the enclosed kitchen wall to open up the space and transform the room into a spacious open concept living room and dining room featuring an exceptional dropped wood ceiling design.

Photo Credit: Mayra Roubach

“We opened the kitchen up to integrate the living room and to make it one large space,” explains Fragali, who removed a dividing wall to make that happen. The resulting open area is more spacious and takes advantage of the beautiful sunset views. Next, she replaced the mirrored covered walls with custom built-in shelves that become one with the living area. Using this accent wall, she placed unique accessories that reflect the natural light and turquoise waters below. “As soon as you open the door, you feel like you are literally on the ocean,” the wife says.

Photo Credit: Mayra Roubach

Keeping the emphasis on the panorama, expansive sliding doors open completely onto a balcony, essentially disappearing and expanding the living area into an enormous entertaining venue. “This indoor-outdoor effect alludes to the home’s refined yet casual vibe,” Fragali says. For the furnishings, she selected low-profile pieces that speak to the owners’ low-key personalities. “The wife likes clean lines and is very pared-down,” she says. “So I wanted a warm, sophisticated apartment with pops of color.” The designer captured this casual elegance through a careful juxtaposition of pieces that blur the line between modern and earthy, such as the pairing of custom-made floating console matching the natural birch dining room pendants and textured wallpapered wall niches with LED strip for radiance accented with black and white art frames.

While the water views clearly inspired Fragali’s approach, they also influenced the palette, with touches of warm creams, natural wood tones, upholstery, artwork, and accessories throughout. Even the master bedroom is awash in the soothing, ethereal hue. The master bathroom was another obstacle of its own – it had to be completely gutted down to the studs. Only then could Fragali begin to design a new luxurious master bath unlike any other featuring a large shower and a curved freestanding bathtub backed by wood mosaic wall panels.

Photo Credit: Mayra Roubach

But nowhere does the color scheme come more to life than on the balcony, where shades of sea and sky continue as far as the eye can see. From here, the family waves to cruise ships passing by. With umbrella-accented drinks in hand, they kick back and relax just the way they imagined, in true vacation style.

Photo Credit: Mayra Roubach

The post Coastal Living In Fisher Island With Luciana Fragali Of Design Solutions appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Hedy Joyce, Haute Residence partner, broker and Global Luxury Specialist with Coldwell Banker Bain, takes us on a tour of Mercer Island’s most opulent homes.

Any Entertainer’s Dream House

This modern 2017 built is a true knockout. Its sumptuous exterior rises amid a picturesque setting, and harbors over 5,000 square feet of luxurious living space. The $3,188,000 home has 4 bedrooms and as many bathrooms that are designed with serenity and sophistication in mind. But what infuses  8235 SE 31^st Street with a sense of timeless appeal are its common areas that exceed the expectations of any entertainment-prone host. The dining room is big enough to comfortably sit up to 16 people, while the two-story great room, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, invites an after-dinner rewind. The impressive wine cellar and wet bar are not only solid conversation anchors, they easily are the lifeblood of any soiree. And if anyone needs to stay the night, the lower level has an elegant guest suite.

Courtesy: Schuler/Rosenwald, CBB

When Nature Beckons

The big city wears with its constant bustle, yet its amenities are hard to part with. 7220 N Mercer Way, however, offers the best of both worlds – the convenience of city life and the peace of nature. Located on the shores of Lake Washington, on the northern tip of Mercer Island, this $6.5-million home rises among majestic sequoias to offer incredible vistas. More than a breath-taking retreat, it is an opulent residence with recently upgraded interior and sizable water frontage to immerse in the flora and fauna of the area.

Courtesy: Truex, WRE

A Sanctuary of Modern Splendor

Just down the road, 7450 N Mercer Way is on the market for the first time. Custom-built on a ¾-acre lot, the home flaunts unrivaled luxury, grounded in thoughtful amenities and exquisite finishes. Equipped with the latest appliances, the kitchen boasts Calacatta marble and a chic butler’s pantry. The covered deck, merging into a manicured lawn and a private dock, invites festivities. The 4-car garage features a Tesla plug-in to accommodate the needs of discerning drivers. Listed for $8,650,000, this 2-story home is a sanctuary of modern splendor.

Courtesy: DeBray, Sotheby’s

An Art Connoisseur’s Perfect Abode

5330 Butterworth Rd is remarkable on many levels. Its elaborate gardens race toward the cerulean waters of the lake. Its architectural fountains rise toward the clear skies. Its seven-room master suite pivots nearly 15,000 square feet of sheer lavishness. Then, there is the 80-foot gallery, the state-of-the-art movie theatre, the inventive billiard parlor, the private tennis court, the indoor spa. To put it succinctly,  the $19,888,000 home has no rival.

Courtesy: Lister, CBB

All-around Opulence

6211 77^th Ave SE has for long captured locals’ admiration. Rising over a low-bank waterfront, the home’s architecture is at once timeless and artistic. While every room has its own appeal, the dreamy main-floor master suite and the cutting-edge kitchen are the unequivocal gems of this $6.5-million home. And yet, the outdoors offers a world of its own. The spa and the yachtman’s dock and the party platform and the intimate cabana – the outside structures allow for endless entertainment.

Courtesy: Bayley, WRE

Downright Splendor

Located in the desirable First Hill neighborhood, 2460 73^rd Ave SE is a luxurious new construction that combines the comforts of modern design with the appeal of old-day simplicity. Its open-floor not only cues to the sophistication of new builds, it brings easiness to every-day life. The magnificent great room, anchored by two fireplaces, flows to the formal dining area that opens to an expansive covered deck. To the side is the chef’s kitchen, and opposite it a flight of stairs leads to the plush recreation room. The one-of-a-kind finishes complete the downright splendor of this $3,800,000 residence.

Courtesy: Whittaker, CBB

Where the Past and Present Are One

History resides at 4609 Forest Ave SE, a 1931 Tudor residence that has maintained its Shakespearean allure throughout the decades. Its original stained glass and hardware features, alongside the high ceilings, underwent a splendid renovation in 2016. The $4-millon home comes with a little over 40 feet of waterfront and a 90-foot dock, which comprise the perfect setting to marvel at the Seattle skyline. The residence might have witnessed times now bygone, but its smart upgrades bring it into the lavishness of present day.

Courtesy: Weidner, Avenue

Exhilarating Home For Lavish Lifestyle

4731 Forest Ave SE was constructed for those who take life in exhilarating strides. The $7,890,000 residence flaunts some 100 feet of prime western waterfrontage that rim its half-acre lot, which runs from the street to the lake. The main home charms with its rich details and thoughtful amenities, while the oversized deck reveals picture-perfect vistas of the lake, the Olympic mountains and the Seattle skyline. The estate, complete with a 3-car garage, a wine room and guest quarters, becomes even more alluring under the amber veil of the sunset.

Courtesy: Trull/Boyd, CBB

Hedy Joyce is the exclusive agent representing the Mercer Island, Washington real estate market as a member of Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of her listings here.

Images courtesy MLS Listings

The post Around Mercer Island’s Most Lavish Residences with Hedy Joyce appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

“I’m bored” isn’t a phrase you will hear around this island!  If you do hear that dreaded phrase, a quick trip to our favorite spots below will provide the necessary reset you or your kids might need to shake up your island vacation! A lot has been written about kids and activities to do (check out some of our Fisher Real Estate blogs) but when a client asked, “Are you sure there is enough for us to do past the pool,”  I decided to write this list with a bit of a twist providing an Islander’s point of view so no one can say “I am bored!”

The Juice Bar is a great spot to start

What doesn’t wash away the tears or the boredom (at any age!) like a magical scoop of ice cream, lore and legends? There is no way to do this than have the full Juice Bar Experience!  Now there are other great ice-cream making establishments and you should visit them all while here.

Image courtesy of Brent Tartamella

Once you get the comfort food going, lets rattle off the list of activities that you or the kids can choose from.  Here we answer what is there to do for the kids – “We don’t just want to lie around the beach or pool all day?”  There are so many activities to do on this faraway island that it really is unbelievable. Once you get past the pool days and beach waves, here are a few of my favorites.

Rent bikes and explore

Rent bikes, grab a picnic lunch at Something Natural, the Culinary Center, the Green, or 45 Surfside and ride to somewhere that has a dirt road.  Ride to the bottom, jump in the ocean, have lunch and go explore some more!  On that bike ride, pick some berries, visit the moors, watch the kite boarders, get lost, go check out a pond or even the forest. Yes, did you know we have a forest here on ACK?

Image credit: Shutterstock

Insider Track

Rent a fat-tire bike and see how many days it takes you to ride around the island. Did you know there is a running race that does this called The Rock Run?  Sounds fun but too many blisters and for a non-runner like me, bike riding definitely seems the way to go!

Get me some Lobstah

Head to any of our great fish mongers and pick your lobsters right from the tank.  Bring home cooked or ready to be cooked and use that outdoor space for an awesome messy dinner that requires minimal cleanup and will be the summer dinner the kids remember most – what’s better than lobster and s’mores!

Image credit: Shutterstock

Insider Track

A family that cooks together…..usually ends up with a big messy kitchen so why not go to the Nantucket Culinary Center and have Chef Greg keep the peace with a family cooking class. Each person can pick a dish or make teams for a culinary showdown.  When the body and mind have had too much sun, this might be a fun morning, afternoon or evening activity!

Oh wait…another way to do it!

Now you can go to the fish market, you can call Nantucket Clambake Company and both will be awesome, but none will be as simple, easy and memorable as the following. Head out to Bartletts Farm and order up your lobster dinner – they come complete with lobster, corn, red bliss potatoes and steamers! Add a baguette, bottle of wine and any of their luscious desserts and you won’t have a reason to leave the beach! Head off the beaten path of Ladies Beach and drive as close to the beach as allowed. Once the goods are on the beach engage in a game of pass, corn hole, spikeball, or just let the kids frolic in the white water and surf.  After a hearty dose of activity, dive in to lobster, butter, wine, baguette and slow down the pace of life while you enjoy some of mother ocean’s bounty and watch as the sun slowly travels to the horizon changing into magical hues eventually fading into the ocean.  As the sun fades away, drink in the moment of happiness and appreciate the minute because after everything else, this memory will never fade!

Water sports for the apt

Take the kids down to Jetties Beach and the Nantucket Community Sailing outpost and go kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding, windsurfing (lessons available) or jump over to the Sandbar retail store and grab some skimboards.  Watch as the kids do this activity with ease and sometimes grace……but don’t try it unless you are skillfully adept adult. Doing otherwise could treat you to a nice trip to our hospital facilities, of course after stopping back at the sandbar for an adult beverage!

Image courtesy of Brent Tartamella

Insider Track 

Head out to Pocomo and have the bravest family member try kite boarding. It’s awesome for everyone, the rider and the team. Kitetucket does an awesome job with kids and who wouldn’t want to fly through the air? Try You’re Up water sports for the more traditionalist tubing and waterskiing and I think even parasailing!

Oh wait…another way to do it!

This one is a little more involved but you will never forget the experience. Rent a Paddle board from the beach at Washington St Extension and go SUP in the Creeks.  Remember to ziplock your phone. The little ones can sit on the front of the board as you make your way through this calm SUP’ing experience.

Go fishing

Oh, the books that have been written about the life lessons learned from fishing, too many to name! Grab a rod, get some bait and cast a line. Go see the guys at Bill Fisher Outfitters and they’ll get you all set – you’ll only have to cast the line and reel in the fish.

Image courtesy of Brent Tartamella

Insider Track

Pond fish, charter fish, or go big and go the Canyons….go down to the docks and strike up a conversation to learn all about your options and hear the legendary fish tails of Nantucket waters. As you hear the excitement of reeling in the big catch and the battles had, plan your adventure out to sea!  

Oh wait…another way to do it!

Don’t want to charter a boat? Want the freedom of your own boat? Go right down to Straight Wharf and see the guys with Island Boat Rentals, this makes for another incredible adventure where you can storm the shores of Coatue. They will set you up with a boat, some directions and then shove you off to go forth and conquer!

Hike the island

Say land-based and go for hike! Explore Altar Rock, the Cliff Walk in ‘Sconset (be sure to look for the topiary whale made famous in Ahab’s Wife), or any of the Nantucket Conservation Foundations amazing properties. Pick berries, see deer, bunnies, snakes (if your looking otherwise you won’t really see any slithery creatures) and some of the incredible birds that make a stop in the 02554! Sanford Farms is one of my favorites. With a three different-sized trail walks, there is something for everyone.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Insider Track

Be the guide and explore the Linda Loring Foundation Self Guided Nature Trail or attend one of their many summer events!  Learn about Nantucket's biologically diverse ecosystems and how LLF is a leading research institution!

Oh wait…another way to do it! 

A fun land-based activity that you might not have participated in before, or at least not on an island, is Disc Golf. Yup, another 18 hole course was added to the island. The Sunken Ship has what you need to get started.  Check out an area of the island you might not have been to, but before you go visit their website for all the 411!

Work out the island way

As we get to the end of this list that is meant to paint a small picture of the many incredible family activities, we are reminded that for the most part people come to Nantucket because they love nature, the outdoors and being active. What better way to celebrate the best of Nantucket and the health and wellness of your family by working out together. There are plenty of 5k’s, Swim Events, golf and tennis spots for you to hold a great family challenge. I have been fortunate to play several of the top courses in the US and one of my favorite rounds was on Skinner’s pasture-type golf course with a group of 3 special young boys. It is the perfect spot to teach kids about golf, all while taking a beautiful walk!

Image courtesy of Brent Tartamella

Insider Track

Ok, so you know you can go for a walk, take a run or swim together but mix it up and make it just for your group. Have a yoga teacher meet you on a beach for family yoga session. Or hold your own cardio boot camp with one of the many terrific instructors! Or, meet others and head to the Rotary early Saturday mornings and start out with the dedicated spandex crew that launches from this point every Saturday. Sometimes, they do two loops, the first one will blow the average recreational rider off their seat but usually the second loop has a “no rider left behind” policy.

Drive on the beach

Of course, then there is Great Point and general island exploration!  Rent a jeep and wander or, if you have brought your own sand-loving 4x4 vehicle, go get a beach sticker and a map and explore the areas are permissible for beach driving. Yes, they do mean deflate your tires down to 15psi – this is no joke and most of us have 1 story about getting stuck, no need for you to become another statistic!

Insider Track

Thanks to the Trustees of the Reservation, you can have an island adventure that your kids will dream about, forever. The Great Point Lighthouse sticker is one worth getting. Pack a cooler, snacks, beverages, lunch, dinner, fishing poles, beach towels, blankets, a small shovel, whiffle ball stuff, snorkels and go explore the terrain – the inside route, the outside route, the far reaching corners to the towering lighthouse and enjoy it all. Be wowed and ask somebody where the real haulover is (not the shop) and why it was important to the history of Nantucket sea captains!

Now, after reading this list, once on island and presented with the words “I’m bored,” come see me at Fisher Real Estate on Main Street and I promise to find some activity that your children will find at least mildly entertaining. I still have 3d printing, the aquarium touch tank, arrowhead exploration, incredible art and pottery making, group surf lessons and wild food foraging up my sleeve! Plus, the extra special nighttime activity where kids can go in their pj’s and though a magical lens stargaze at Maria Mitchel’s observatory.

For more insider information, contact Brent Tartamella at  508-901-0191 or brent@fishernantucket.com.

Brent Tartamella is the exclusive agent representing the Nantucket, Massachusetts real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of his listing here.

The post Brent Tartamella: Boredom Does Not Live In Nantucket appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

It includes the latest appliances and stylish features. Smart phone and tablet controls, LED ambient lighting with dimmers throughout as well as electrical switches and outlets that are flush with the walls and pop-up at the touch, 4K flat screens and wireless sound system, camera security, and high-speed internet.

Huge indoor and outdoor showers with multiple shower heads from rain showers to wall mounts and hand-held, all usable simultaneously or independently. No expense has been spared.

Feel a true sense of seamless integration between luxury and utility. Every inch of this dream home exhibits fine attention to detail and composition.

Quartz, Carrara white marble, limestone, anthracite and Sukabumi stones are used throughout. Rich walnut woods provide a warm complement to the sea of stone. Stainless steel is also used throughout.

High-end Miele appliances liven the kitchen. Fleetwood windows frame the views. Cutting-edge Le Grand lights shine throughout. Simply put, this flawless home may well have set a new standard for luxury homes in Eleuthera, and maybe even in the Bahamas.

Ananda features four master bedrooms and five baths divided into a main house and two pavilions in front of a 50-foot pool. The latter is framed by a 400 square foot elevated daybed on one side and a sunken Sala featuring BBQ, bar, and dining lounge on the other.

The main house has a central area with an open floor plan featuring a kitchen, family area, along with a sunken dining area to maximize ocean views from all locations. A separate pantry and washroom complete the central layout.

On each side of the central area, a spacious master bedroom with its own sunken sofa area comes equipped with an en-suite bathroom and its complement of amenities. Of note are the oversized shower rooms, dual sinks and high-end oversized marble bathtubs.

Walls of glass frame the seaside and a 10-foot fully furnished, wrap around patio provides seamless indoor-outdoor living.

The two mirror image cottages also provide spacious master bedrooms with walls of glass that open electronically to a large surrounding patio with access to the pool and its amenities, moments from a private beach. The cottage baths feature huge 10-foot walk-in showers, outdoor showers, dual sinks and the huge marble tubs right in front of the view.

The Ananda property covers 1.3 acres (option for additional acreage) with 145 linear feet of beachfront. It provides some 15,000 square feet of indoor-outdoor living, around 7,500 square feet of which is under-roof and approximately 4,000 square feet is pure indoor space. The house comes with an SUV, ATV, two jet-skis and trailers (option for a power boat available). Chef and other staff available.

Address: Ananda Estate Eleuthera, Eleuthera 00001

Price: $12,000,000

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 5

View the listing here. 

For more information, contact Ian Hurdle at 649-332-2618 or Ian.hurdle@theagencyre.com.

Ian Hurdle is the exclusive agent representing the Turks and Caicos real estate market as a member of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of his listings here.

Video courtesy of Berlyn Media

Images courtesy of Ian Hurdle

The post The Ananda Estate: A True Marvel of Island Living appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.