Gaston Galella, Norma Galella, Chloe Swain

Photo Credit: Jeanne Canto

With Springtime well underway and most of the country looking forward to the sunny summer months, Duoma Atelier spoke to Haute Design about the principles to good outdoor design.

Haute Design: How important is outdoor residential design for your clients?

Norma Galella: Because South Florida's weather is great all year long, a thoughtfully designed outdoor living area is just as important as the interior design of a home. Our clients are always asking us to come up with innovative solutions that provide the best use of their backyards, and in this market, every square foot is prime real estate.

Photo Credit: Jeanne Canto

HD: What are some of the most important aspects of outdoor design?

Gaston Galella: The most important is designing beautiful and functional spaces based on the client's needs. We start by asking some important questions: 'Is there a need for a separate multipurpose house for guests or other uses? What is your entertaining style? Do you want a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen or just a small kitchenette? What kind of landscaping do you prefer? How many shaded areas will you need for outdoor dining and lounging?' And the list goes on.Photo Credit: Jeanne Canto

HD: Does the exterior of a home need to match the interior? If so, how is this done?

NG: We approach the outdoor design in the same way we approach interior design - by getting to know the client and letting their style and experience guide us. The interior of a home needs to express a cohesive story, but each space can have its own personality. This same concept applies for outdoor areas. Nature plays a big role, but you should still bring some of your interior style, colors and textures for a seamless transition.

Photo Credit: Jeanne Canto

HD: What is your favorite aspect of outdoor design?

NG: We love to provide a comprehensive design package. To have the opportunity to marry our interiors with exteriors is exciting. Our clients benefit tremendously, not only by hiring our full concierge turnkey services, but also by allowing us to design their entire home. This way, all they have to do is relax and enjoy their beautiful spaces.

Photo Credit: Jeanne Canto

HD: What are some tips to have in mind when designing outdoor spaces?

GG: The type of materials for outdoor spaces are very different from indoor spaces. That's the first thing to keep in mind while selecting furniture and finishes. Always ask if the material you are considering is suitable for outdoor use. This will depend whether pieces or materials are under shade or completely exposed to the elements.

The post Duoma Atelier is Ready for South Florida Outdoor Living and Entertaining appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Food and fine cooking are at the heart of Italian culture. So, when architect Tomassini Francesco, Chef Lucio Pompili, and Pedini were given the opportunity to design an Italian kitchen, they all agreed that it should represent these values.

Pedini's Cookeat kitchen is the perfect fit for families who like cooking and eating together indoors or outdoors. It's a contemporary take on the traditional family-style kitchen, with ample space for everyone to gather around. This makes it an excellent choice for parties and celebrations, especially for families that enjoy spending time with friends and neighbors and sharing meals by the pool in the summer or as they sit by the fire pit in the colder months.

Photo Credit: David Rousso

The Cookeat kitchen design includes a generous central island that is perfect for, well, cooking and eating. The central island has seating options on either side, cooking and prep stations on both sides of the island, and plenty of space to keep everything organized. This is more than just an ideal layout for families who like to cook. It's practical, inviting, and made to complement both modern and traditional home designs.

In a Cookeat kitchen, every time you get together and spend time cooking and hanging around the table becomes a memorable event. It is an invitation to a unique culinary experience inspired by Italian culture. It was created with the idea that the kitchen table is a central meeting place for conversation, sharing, laughing, and learning.

Photo Credit: David Rousso

The Cookeat kitchen was showcased at the original Eataly, the Italian food market and mecca for culinary excellence, where it was praised for its fundamental appreciation for culinary art and intelligent design.

The Cookeat collection was designed to help you feel comfortable and happy in your kitchen, which is why it can be shortened or extended as needed. You can customize the worktop, white goods, bases, and finishes so you can create the kitchen you need for your everyday use and special occasions.

Photo Credit: David Rousso

To learn more about Pedini's Cookeat kitchen, contact your nearest Pedini showroom, or visit the Pedini Miami website, and discover how you can transform your home with a multi-functional kitchen your family and guests are guaranteed to love.

The post Pedini Cookeat Kitchen Design Is Ideal For Families Who Cook And Eat Together appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Now that the summer season is fully upon us and it appears we are collectively turning the page, slowly but surely, to what is seemingly closer to "normal life," the thought of summer getaways came to mind. Haute Design decided to ask what some of our design experts consider to be the ideal summer getaway in terms of design inspiration.

Haute Design:Which summer getaway destination provides you with inspiration the most around this time of year? Why?

Hafsa Burt of hb+a Architects, San Francisco, CA: I am always looking for places to travel and discover. I love to interact with locals and delve into a different culture. I have had two recent trips that were phenomenal. One was an escape to Spain which began in the Basque Country and stretched all the way to Granada and Cordoba.

Soon after, I read Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises and felt like he was on the trip with me in Pamplona.

That journey continued into a very thrilling road trip in Morocco, from Marrakesh to Casablanca. The food, colors, culture and history all lend themselves to a perfect cerebral escape.

Another trip that comes to mind happened a year later. I traveled to Jordan where some of the highlights were camping in the desert with Bedouins and hiking in Petra and Wadi Mujib. Jordan is an adventure-filled country and should be on everyone's bucket list.

We also managed to spend a couple of days in and around Jerusalem, absorbing the sights and sounds. I love walking through historically and culturally different places and intellectually indulge so I leave with a billion sensory images in my memory. If it inadvertently shows up in my work, all the better.

Laila Colvin of 2id Interiors, Miami, FL: I actually have my tickets purchased and will be leaving soon! I am going to Portugal for a family reunion.

I think I have two travel obsessions: Europe and Japan.

However, if it's related to design, I believe Europe is the place to go. There is just so much to see and so much art all around, it doesn't matter what country you visit, you will leave with design inspirations.

The last trip which truly inspired me was a family trip to England and Ireland. It was amazing. The year before that was Japan. But I feel like I will always go back to Europe at least once a year because it's just never enough.

However, Rafaela and I are from Brazil and we always talk about how design in Brazil is so rich and yet, it is not well-known. Because Brazilians are so quick to turn to Italian furniture and Italian design, but in our opinion, Brazilian designers, Brazilan architects, and Brazilian furniture are way beyond anything else we know. So every time we go back home to Brazil, it is unbelievable. We are always sending videos and photos to the team, and to each other. We’ll go to a restaurant, we’ll go to the mall, anywhere we go, it is out of this world.

Chasity Centeno of Riese Design, Long Island ,NY: Riese Design is inspired by the summer tropical feel with different prints, colors and textures. We love the mixture of soft textures with organic wood elements for summer when conceptualizing a design for our clients!

Who doesn't love a fun, colorful wallpaper, beautiful outdoor sets and textured walls for either interiors or exteriors?

We especially like to take inspiration from Cabo when doing design concepts for bathrooms. It's the best room to implement bold colors and accents. Cabo's inspiration comes from the beautiful beaches, history and foliage, along with an array of plants, which brings such an elegant blend of traditional and modern design.

To learn more about our adventurous design experts, visit their websites below.

CLICK HERE to visit the hb+a Architects website.

CLICK HERE to visit 2id Interiors' website.

CLICK HERE to visit Riese Design's website.

The post Haute Design Experts Weigh In On The Best Summer Getaways For Design Inspiration appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo Credit: Blue Zone Realty International

How do new and older constructions compare price-wise in Costa Rica?

The median price for newer luxury construction is approximately $350sqft. There are some extraordinary older luxury estates available for as little as $280 per sq ft.

How is the Spring real estate season in Costa Rica like?

Typically the spring season is one of our strongest markets. "Summer" in Costa Rica is from December - April. Midseason is from May-August, and the rainy season is from September-November.

What questions do you get about life in Costa Rica around this time of the year?

The most common questions relate to property taxes, which are very low (1/4 of 1% of the property value), and the buying process for foreigners. Foreigners enjoy all of the rights of ownership as citizens do in Costa Rica.

Photo Credit: Blue Zone Realty International

How did the first quarter of 2020 real estate perform in Costa Rica?

 January and February were very strong. Because of the COCID-19 virus, global markets have slowed in March and April. Some savvy investors, however, have taken advantage of this slow down to secure some amazing deals in the luxury market.

How do you overcome objections that can come at the end of a sale?

Objections in Costa Rica are fairly easy to overcome. The more informed and educated the client becomes about the benefits of ownership in Costa Rica, the easier it is to close a sale. We make an effort to provide our clients with as much information as possible

The post Blue Zone Realty International Talks Costa Rica Real Estate So Far In 2020 appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Aro

Rendering credit Binyan for IF Studio

Rising over 60 stories above Midtown, Aro is a stunning new residential development from the award-winning architects at CetraRuddy. Apart from the floor-to-ceiling windows and striking white metal grid facade, Aro is home to two pools, one indoor and one outdoors, on the roof. The rooftop pool is perfect for taking in the views and sunbathing. The indoor pool has a custom vitreous glass tile wall mosaic from Artaic-Innovative Mosaic and Quartzite velvet stone as the pool deck floor.

Galerie

Rendering Credit Binyan Studios galerie

Galerie is a new luxury condominium building in Long Island City and it's inspired by what you would see in a gallery—art. With its own permanent art collection, sculpture garden and gallery space with curated exhibitions, Galerie infuses art into the everyday life of its residents. The indoor pool, dubbed the GALERIE pool, opens onto a landscaped central courtyard designed by Steven Yavanian and features a curvilinear sculpture by Allen Glatter.

The Brooklyn Grove

Rendering Credit Binyan Studios

At The Brooklyn Grove, a new condo development in Downtown Brooklyn, a dual-level amenity area will include a 40-foot indoor swimming pool illuminated by a large skylight. A 3D-tiled wall will feature a triangulated sawtooth pattern while ceilings and columns will add lush texture. Adjacent changing rooms will also provide privacy and convenience.

Vandewater

Photo Credit: Binyan Studios

Morningside Heights has a new luxury condominium and it's a modern homage to old-world elegance. Vandewater features private gardens, conversational spaces, and an impressive wellness center that delivers the elements needed to help its residents nurture mind and body.  In this heatwave, there is also an aquatic center with a 70-foot, two-lane indoor pool. The pool sits adjacent to a quiet energy room, treatment room, and a private sauna.

The post Beat The Heat With These Amazing Pools In New York’s New Developments appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

1000M

Courtesy 1000M

You wouldn't think a soaring 74-story condominium skyscraper would have room for an outdoor living room, but at 1000M, residents enjoy outdoor living all year round. Designed by interior designer star Kara Mann, the outdoor living room on the 11th floor offers a rich sense community tucked into a verdant corner of the gardens. The hammocks are great for hanging around with a book in the afternoon or under the stars at night. The Chicago building also has a sky terrace and sun deck, fitted with a pool and yoga space for ultimate serenity.

Residence 2646

Courtesy Residence 2646

In the heart of San Francisco, the Troon Pacific-designed Residence 2646 features a lush private garden with a sunken outdoor living room. This true extension of the home via floor-to-ceiling glass pocket doors seamlessly connects the indoor and outdoor areas. The living room includes radiant-heated cement couches surrounding a firepit, a wooden seating and dining deck, a built-in grill and outdoor kitchen.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Miami Beach

Courtesy Ritz Carlton Residences, Miami Beach

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Miami Beach is an exquisite collection of 111 Miami luxury condos and 15-stand-alone villas designed by Italian architect Piero Lissoni. In addition to spectacular panoramas, grand kitchens, and marble bathrooms, many of the condos feature expansive terraces, which are perfect for summer entertaining. Every space has been thought through to perfection, opening up a traditional den to a garden sanctuary.

Summit

Courtesy Summit New York

Summit, Manhattan’s newest luxury rental in Midtown provides residents with an outdoor living room and green space in the heart of the concrete jungle with a backyard terrace and sundeck on the 6^th floor Club Level. The Club Level features outdoor seating, TV/screening, children’s playground, BBQ and a fireplace ideal for entertaining this summer.

Residence 950

Courtesy Residence 950

This hilltop sanctuary takes advantage of its natural surroundings by creating a luxurious urban estate on San Francisco's Russian Hill. Residence 950 comes complete with an outdoor living room located in the property's .36-acre park-like garden. Designed by Troon Pacific, the area features stunning city and bay views, an outdoor kitchen with a wood-burning pizza oven and built-in concrete couches perfect for entertaining guests under the California sun.

91 Leonard

Courtesy 91 Leonard

Tribeca luxury condo, 91 Leonard, a collaboration by Hill West Architects, SOM, and Whitehall Interiors, boasts a shared outdoor living room on its roof, outfitted with lounge seating, grills, an outdoor fireplace, and television. These amenities, combined with sweeping city views are a recipe for perfect summer nights surrounded by friends and family and most importantly, good champagne.

The Bathhaus Penthouse

Courtesy Meshberg Group

This architectural jewel in Greenpoint has great views of Manhattan and an even better setting. Designed by award-winning Meshberg Group, the Bathhaus Penthouse adopts a spacious minimalist style outdoor living room. It acts as an extension of the residence, with lounges and a fire pit to make for a cozy entertaining space separate from the inside, allowing guests to take in the summer breeze.

Nine On The Hudson

Courtesy Nine on the Hudson

Nine on the Hudson, a luxury resort-style condominium along New Jersey’s Gold Coast offers its residents a communal outdoor living room overlooking the Manhattan skyline. This area is complete with fire pits, barbecue grills, a wet-bar, billiard table, and large screen televisions.

The post 8 Stunning Outdoor Living Rooms For Summer Entertaining appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

 

 

The post Los Cabos Gets A New Residential Community appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

1. This ultra-modern maven, bound to be the next Frank Gehry.

2. The classic renaissance model, complete with towers.

3. This castle, with watchtowers to see people leaving via slide.

4. We don't know who dribbled this, but they have a great eye for Gothic Revival architecture.

5. This mega-castle, which just nabbed the Guinness World Record for World's Tallest Sandcastle, built in the land-locked city of Duisberg, Germany.

6. Maybe not the fanciest, but having a great facade can make all the difference.

The post Summer’s Best Sandcastles We Want To Live In appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

With Labor Day about to close out the summer season, people are leaving the vacation homes behind and flocking back to New York in droves. For Hamptonites, this means performing the ancient ritual of Tumbleweed Tuesday, in which you sit in your car in traffic so long, by the time you get home it’s almost Memorial Day again.

Before the Hamptons became the go-to destination though for New York’s high society, Newport, Rhode Island was the place to be. In gilded-age New York, New York’s biggest bold faced names summered further north, in the seaside town, constructed their own mansions that today remain historically preserved on the waterfront, and offer museum-styled tours of several properties.

The Breakers

This mansion, originally constructed for Cornelius Vanderbilt II, was built in an Italian Renaissance design, and covers nearly 125,000 square feet. The 70-room house is five stories tall and covers one acre roughly with the building. The yard also runs down toward the cliff walk, with views over the Atlantic Ocean.

Beechwood

First owned by Daniel Parrish, a wealthy businessman in New York, the Parrish mansion was sold in 1881 to William Backhouse Astor, Jr. The Astor Family name is also the reference behind Astor Place, the Waldorf Astoria, and the Queens neighborhood of Astoria. Beechwood was remodeled by architect Richard Morris Hunt, and outfitted for the Astors’ love of entertaining. The building has a ballroom, library, and wallpaper imported from Paris. The mansion is rumored to be haunted by the spirits of those who loved attending parties and social gatherings at the mansion.

Chateau-sur-Mer

This palatial estate was the original grandest home in the area until the Vanderbilt family constructed The Breakers mansion. It was build for William Shepard Wetmore, a wealthy businessman from the China Trade. At his death, Wetmore bestowed much of his fortunate, including the estate, to his son Geroge Peabody Wetmore, who would go on to become the governor of Rhode Island. He remodeled the building, using now-reknowned architect Richard Morris Hunt, who had gone on to create the New York Tribune Building, and the pedestal for the Statue of Liberty.

Miramar

This 30,000 swuare foot, French neoclassical mansion was built in 1915 for George Widener. Widener was a business man in Philadelphia who would later go on to pass away in the sinking of the RMS Titanic. When Widener had passed, the building was still in the early design stages. His widow, Eleanor Elkins Widener, was rescued from the shipwreck in a lifeboat, and took on the project to its completion in 1915.

The post The Most Beautiful Mansion Tours In Newport, RI appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

With the summer season ending and temperatures starting to drop, having to go back to work on Monday and leave the beach behind can hurt more and more each week. What if I told you though that the summer needn’t end just because your friends are dusting off their fall sweater collections? Every year, geese take this time to start flying south—and so should you! Two luxury destinations south of the US have become the go-to destinations for living the high while everyone else is dressing in layers.

Los Cabos, built on Baja’s southern coast, has become a magnet for those in the know seeking a luxury lifestyle south of the border. With the Four Seasons, Ritz Reserve, and more making their debut in the area, Montage Hotel and Resorts is making a splash in the area with a unique setup. Built on one of the only swimmable beaches in the region and some of the best diving in Mexico, the resort boasts 124 guest rooms, but with 52 residential properties in the area too, that include the same amenities as the resort, too. Built across the 39 acres of white sandy beaches overlooking Santa Maria Bay, the resort is set to open in April of 2018, meaning now’s the time to get in quick!

Across the Caribbean, Jamaica is buzzing about The Tryall Club. Built on a former sugar plantation just outside Montego Bay, the 75 private villas in the neighborhood. Built atop roving hills, each villa has been expertly designed to feel like a tropical getaway while still matching the most distinct of tastes. A staff of butlers, chefs, housekeepers, laundress, and gardeners also cares for each estate. The property is also home to one of the best golf courses in Jamaica, with full 18 holes, nine on the waterfront and nine in the lush Jamaican countryside. The Mahogany Hill and Sugar Hill estates, each coming in at just over $5 Million, offer a tranquil getaway from even the rest of the plantation, with the homes sitting on over 3 acres of land each.

The post Extend Your Summer In These Luxe Home Destinations appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.