Guimar Urbina and Cheryl Kaufman

Cheryl Kaufman commissioned her home to be redesigned by esteemed luxury interior designer Guimar Urbina. Haute Design recently asked about the experience after Cheryl so kindly accepted to take the time and share her thoughts.

Additional images of the residence seen throughout this article can be seen here.

Haute Design: You have such a lovely home. What were some of the main things you wanted Guimar to do with this space?

Cheryl Kaufman: I wanted Guimar to transform our home from a Mediterranean style to a more contemporary style and to execute a complete renovation with which we would be proud to use for entertaining. I could not visualize what I wanted but Guimar was brilliant with reading between the lines when we went through some images of rooms I liked. When Guimar made her presentation of her proposal for our home, my husband Dana and I were completely by the beauty and creativity with which she captured our vision for living in our renovated home.

HD: How did you discover Guimar? What was your favorite part about working with her?

CK: I actually. discovered Guimar on Houzz, believe it or not. I met with a few designers that were recommended to me but they didn't wow me enough to want to begin renovating our home. I then discovered Houzz and poured through each and every designer South Florida. I came across of project photo from Guimar Urbina Interiors and it seemed to be exactly what I wanted. I love how she did a lot of the leg work before we met, which saved a lot of time. If there was something I did not like, she helped find an alternative. If she thought I was making a mistake, she gently made me aware of it and told me why it might not be the right choice. Guimar met with me often and always kept us informed about our budget and what to expect next. When we would visit stores to choose furniture, it was clear Guimar has strong relationships with so many of the vendors. I felt I was in excellent hands.

Photo Credit: Oscar Huespe

HD: There are plenty of accents of wood throughout the home, yet it is not overbearing - quite the opposite. Was that a feature you already had in mind or did Guimar make the suggestion? 

CK: The wood was completely Guimar's idea. The built-ins, the placement of the dining room, the blending into structural columns which needed to remain for foundational purposes, as well as the fabulous wooden custom doors to our bedroom suite - it was all Guimar's idea.

HD: The artwork and decorations add subtle yet impactful nots of color throughout the mostly neutral-shaded home. Are these art pieces and decorations yours or did Guimar help pick these out? 

CK: Guimar chose the pop of color on the oversized chair in the family room as well as in the throw pillows and other accessories. She even drew colors out from some of our artwork when she chose our accessories. While many of the accessories were chosen by Guimar, some we already had but just didn’t know how to properly place them and group them. Guimar helped us find the correct use for them. With respect to the artwork, we had most of it but Guimar recommended that we reframe them. She me with me at the framing store to help us to choose new frames for each of our hanging art pieces. After reframing our hanging art, she came to the house and assisted us with choosing the perfect spot for each piece. After everything was placed, we engaged Guimar to assist us with filling a few empty walls. Guimar helped me choose the size of the custom artwork piece above our bed, painted by the very talented artist, J. Steven Manolis.

Photo Credit: Oscar Huespe

HD: What would you say to anyone who might be reading this and is currently looking for a luxury interior designer in South Florida?

CK: As I have said to many of my friends, I had a wonderful experience with Guimar and her team. They were extremely creative, professional, talented and everything I could have asked for in a design team. Not only did Guimar's team have incredible vision, they stuck to time schedules and budget!  I highly recommend Guimar to my friends, family and clients. I was so lucky to have come across Guimar.

Photo Credit: Oscar Huespe

Photo Credit: Oscar Huespe

Photo Credit: Oscar Huespe

Photo Credit: Oscar Huespe

The post Guimar Urbina Interiors Comes Highly Recommended appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Michelle Pfeiffer and David E. Kelley

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

In January of 2020, Michelle Pfeiffer and David E. Kelley acquired the Mediterranean style villa called The Napoli House in an off-market deal for $22.5 million. The residence was reportedly purchased through a limited liability company linked to Mr. Kelley’s production company. The longtime celebrity couple have been married since 1993 and own several properties together. They have recently listed another Pacific Palisades property on the market for $7.3 million as well as a compound in British Columbia for $22.98 million. They are now also bidding farewell to the Napoli House a mere 18 months after purchase. The current asking price for the grand estate is presented with a more than a 12% increase at $25 million. The reason as to why they are selling the lavish residence is unknown.

Located in the posh neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, Michelle Pfeiffer and David E. Kelley’s formerly owned Napoli House spans more than 10,000 square feet and includes seven bedrooms and 10.5 bathrooms. The Mediterranean style home was newly designed and built by architect Steve Giannetti in 2019. The European countryside aesthetic highlights decorative elements of beamed ceilings, hardwood floors, and retractable walls for seamless indoor-outdoor living. The residence opens to a spacious great room with a wall of windows. Further into the home, the spacious eat-in kitchen is equipped with a Lacanche range imported from France and built-in Wolf ovens. The lounge and dining space sits adjacent to the kitchen and leads to the vibrant backyard. Stepping outside, the exterior space features an infinity edge swimming pool, beautiful gardens, and several patios perfect for entertaining. Upstairs, the primary suite offers a fireplace, two bathrooms, and private patio overlooking the exclusive Riviera Country Club. Additional perks of the Pacific Palisades residence include a library, office, wine cellar, state-of-the-art screening room, and additional guestrooms.

The listing for this property is held by Cindy Ambuehl of Compass.

For more on the latest in luxury real estate, visit dev.hauteresidence.com.

The post Parting Ways With Pacific Palisades: Michelle Pfeiffer and David E. Kelley List $25 Million Mansion appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Marc Anthony

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

The three-time Grammy-winning artist purchased his Coral Gables mansion in 2018 for $19 million. Anthony bought the home from Hilda Maria Bacardi, great-great granddaughter to the founder of the titular liquor company, who spent eight years overseeing its construction. In 2016, the finished home was listed on the market for $27.26 million. A year later, the price was reduced to $25 million before Anthony purchased the property at an even lower price of $19 million.

Anthony’s real estate journey has come full circle as he bids farewell to his former home. In September of 2020, the Coral Gables property was listed at $27 million. When the steep asking price failed to attract potential buyers, the cost was lowered to $22.4 million and the deal was closed.

Designed by Rafael Portuondo, the 20,546 square foot mansion spans 1.3 acres and features 12 bedrooms, 13 full bathrooms, and two powder rooms. The Mediterranean style interior highlights a lavish living space, formal dining room, family room, eat-in kitchen with dual islands, and butler’s pantry. The master suite presents a seating area and two bathrooms. Decorative elements of the home include coffered ceilings, arched doorways, and windows with natural lighting pouring into every room. Other perks include an elevator, wine cellar, gym, and staff quarters. The property set on the exclusive Islands of Cocoplum offers scenic views of the Coral Gables Waterway and gardens. Outdoor entertainment options include a summer kitchen, covered terraces, a heated pool, and a spa.

Chad Carroll with Compass represented the buyer while Anamaria Velasquez with Nexxos Realty represented the seller.

For more on the latest in luxury real estate, visit dev.hauteresidence.com.

The post Marc Anthony Sells Coral Gables Estate for $22.4 Million appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Anthony Davis

Photo Credit: ShutterShock

In 2018, Anthony Davis purchased his Westlake Village home at just under $7.5 million, which he recently sold at loss. While Davis splurged $8 million on renovations to the Mediterranean style residence, the home ultimately sold for $6.6 million in January. However, with his most recent real estate purchase of a Bel Air estate appears to be a score. According to a trust associated with Davis, the off-market deal of his new property closed last month at a price of $32 million. Although a quiet transaction for a superstar player, the lavish state of his newfound home speaks for itself.

Previous owner, Ted Foxman purchased the Bel Air property in 2016 at a price of $16 million. Throughout his stay, he spent two years renovating it. Several significant transformations were made to the home as showcased in Elle Decor. The 16,700 square foot villa style estate spans 3.5 acres with eight bedrooms and eight full bathrooms. Beyond the gates of the Bel Air Crest community, the home opens to a great hall with an extravagant 35-foot glass dome ceiling. Further inside the property presents an entertainment style living room, formal dining room equipped for 20, and ultramodern eat-in kitchen with a butler’s pantry. The eight bedrooms, eight full bathrooms, and three powder rooms highlight picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island. The estate is equipped with a plethora of entertainment options such as a home theater, game room, wet bar, Olympic sized pool, full sized basketball court, tennis court, and nearby golf course and canyons. Decorative highlights of the home include custom stone, marble, and walnut wood floors.

The post LA Lakers Star Anthony Davis Purchases $32 Million Bel Air Estate appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Joanna Garcia Swisher, Nick Swisher

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In 2010, the same year this celebrity couple got married, they purchased their Tampa residence for a price of $2.96 million. While the property has not appreciated drastically in the past decade, their asking price of $3 million seemed to appeal to many prospective buyers. Less than two weeks on the market, they have secured a buyer and their former home is currently pending sale. Further than simply selling their homes, the couple also appear to have an appreciation for real estate. They have previously flipped two homes in Los Angeles. This includes the revamped villa in Beverly Hills they sold for $10.3 million last month after purchasing it less than two years prior at under $6 million.

Built in 2009, their Tampa residence is a Mediterranean style mansion spanning 7,495 square feet. The home includes five bedrooms, five full bathrooms, and four half bathrooms across the nearly one acre property. Beyond the guarded gates of the country club community in Avila, the home is accessed by a circular paved driveway. Through a set of arched double doors, the three story mansion opens to a dramatic staircase of ornate iron and marble. The rooms on the main level all overlook the lush landscaped outdoor grounds. The home's open style interior highlights a living area, dining area, wet bar, and chef’s kitchen with an island and breakfast counter. The mahogany elevator leads to the lower level master suite and also to the three upper level bedrooms with accompanying balconies. The home also includes a formal office, guest suite, cinema room, entertainment bar, freeform pool, lanai, and four car garage.

The listing for this property is held by Dianne Martin with Century 21 Affiliated.

The post Nick Swisher And JoAnna Garcia Swisher Sell Tampa Mansion For $3 Million appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo Credit: www.shutterstock.com

How has the luxury real estate market in your market been performing so far in 2020?

Residential sales Jan 2020 vs. Jan 2019:

• 22 sales vs. 21
• +$96M sales volume vs. +$53.5M: 79% increase
• average sale price +$4.37M vs. +$2.5M: 71% increase.

Condo sales Jan 2020 vs. Jan 2019:

• 29 sales vs. 18: 61% increase
• +$47.4M sales volume vs. +$15.5M: 204% increase
• average sale price +$1.6M vs. +$865,000: 88% increase

What are buyers looking for in their homes in your market in 2020?

New construction and renovated homes

Which has been a highlight sale for you so far in 2020?

The highlight of our 2020 has been the closing of 113 Atlantic Avenue, Palm Beach – representing the Buyer of this new Mediterranean construction on the ocean block, in-town home. Convenient location on large lot. 

301 Indian Road: represented the Seller of this land sale on the northernmost edge of Palm Beach Island, the perfect opportunity to build a dream home!

Are there any new restaurants or other spots in your market you’ve been loving lately?

Yes, Palm Beach has more restaurants opening this year than any year in the past. LoLa 41 from Nantucket, Almond from Bridgehampton, Shifty’s from NYC, and a new location for Italian dining, Trevini.

It’s time for spring break. What is a fun activity in your market?

One of Palm Beach’s best activities is going to the beach. Lucky for us, we can go to the beach at any time of the year! We find that spring breakers love the beach too! With our influx in population from 10,000 to +30,000 in season, the beach is a hot spot, along with delicious al fresco dining and the beautiful Vias of Worth Avenue. 

Photo Credit: www.shutterstock.com

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