Feel Real Estates

A luxury villa close to a reserve Californian

Sunday, November 16th, 2008 | California | No Comments

The colony of homes on the sandy beach of Point Road fills the splendid stretch of coastline between the Pacific Ocean and the reserves of Carpintería Salt Marsh. Among the gems building site there is also this villa designed by Andy Neumann, whose completion dates back to 2003.

The Guest House is detached from the main block, whose interior is defined by the refined elegance, from large volumes, the optimum allocation of spaces and big windows. These elements combine to create an ideal playground for light and perspective of observation.The price is equivalent to 27.5 million dollars.

Terra Bella

Monday, November 3rd, 2008 | California, Expensive zip codes, United States | No Comments

Rising from a sun-drenched promontory overlooking the blue Pacific, Terra Bella is a celebration of classical Italian architecture and the beautiful earth that is its namesake. From the instant the gates open, it becomes one of those “pinch yourself” moments when reality blurs and the dream begins to unfold. Slowly and seductively, Terra Bella is revealed through rich layers of architecture, gardens and vistas that capture both the imagination and the heart.

A world apart, Terra Bella plays out on just under three dramatic oceanfront acres in the exclusive Santa Barbara enclave of Hope Ranch. This fine home embraces 13,800 square feet of impeccably designed living space. Inspired by exquisite, centuries old villas that grace the shores of Lake Como, Terra Bella is a window to a world of elegance, romance and opulence. Its public rooms speak with a grand formality that welcomes lavish entertaining. Santa Barbara’s mild Mediterranean climate encourages grand scale events to easily spill onto the verandas and patios of the villa. Sparkling fountains, bubbling pools and fragrant canopies of blossoms provide irresistible invitations for guests to turn their affections to the magnificent grounds and gardens.

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Architecture As Art

Thursday, October 2nd, 2008 | California, United States | No Comments

Experience the beachfront in a way few others ever will. This extraordinary contemporary estate offers expansive walls of glass which showcase breathtaking views of the gently curving sandy beach at Padaro Lane along with lushly landscaped gardens shaded by huge eucalyptus, oak and cypress trees which surround the homes on this special beach enclave along Southern California’s “Gold Coast.”

Entry to this sophisticated awe inspiring home is from a long gated driveway lined with mature coral and eucalyptus trees alongside a new clay tennis court with lights. An element of surprise is provided by the brilliant red of the front door, in itself, the first piece of art in this gallery of architectural fantasy. Upon entry, you are drawn into widening views of sand and surf as rooms unfold to stunning views. Elegant white oak floors and windows framing ocean views provide an elegant palette for exquisite art and fine furnishings.

Comfort, privacy, and a serene sense of luxury surround you in this “open” floor plan. The entry level offers a private bedroom opening to an interior courtyard, a great room that encompasses a step up living room with windows above the sand, a comfortable dining area next to the outside entertainment deck along the beach, and a chef’s kitchen with every amenity, as well as a two bedroom wing with access to the outside for walks on the beach. The upper level is reminiscent of a New York style loft with huge gallery like space and rooms with no beginning and no end. You move from a light filled office with large picture windows framing the coral trees at the entrance and an intimate second level private sun deck with fireplace to the closet area (without enclosures) to the bathroom with its fireplace and large glass shower overlooking the beach and finally to the spacious master bedroom itself. All rooms are one. This incredible space is to be lived in and enjoyed without the normal boundaries of walls and doors. › Continue reading

Denny Hamlin In North Carolina

Sunday, September 14th, 2008 | California, United States | No Comments

Lets take a look at this home owned by Nascar driver Denny Hamlin. Hamin, a young driver on the circuit, has a rather large bachelor pad on Lake Norman in Cornelius, North Carolina. Hamlin bought the five-bedroom mansion in 2006 for $3.4 million and is said to have spent another $1 million decorating it to its current gaudy standard. The home includes lots of single guy-friendly features like a large home gym , bar area, and a dramatic red and black billiards room as well as huge plasma televisions mounted improbably high above fireplaces. It is clear that a lot of money was spent here on touches like the shiny golden home theater room, gourmet kitchen with adjoining domed breakfast room and the master bed and bath which looks a bit like a suite at the Bellagio. The property includes a pool/spa area, outdoor fireplace, basketball court, boat house and a long dock with a boat lift. This home is listed at $4.9 million.

The Quarterback in Laguna

Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 | California, United States | No Comments

The LA Times Hot Property column reports that today’s estate belongs to Cincinnati Bengals quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer. Palmer’s home is a four-bedroom Mediterranean perched on a hilltop with beautiful views out over the ocean, the town and an open canyon. Like many hillside homes, this one has a bunch of levels. The top level has an entry deck, oceanview front office and a two-car garage. The home also includes a gourmet kitchen, formal dining room, living room, a full-floor master bedroom suite which has a cedar-lined walk-in closet, an office, sitting area and master bath. The lowest level has two two bedrooms with a large balcony. Big Time Listings reports that Palmer also owns a home in Del Mar, California and a five-bedroom home in Cincinnati. This home is listed at $2.949 million.

Tags: The Quarterback in Laguna

Casa Blanca at $12.9 million

Tuesday, June 10th, 2008 | California, United States | No Comments

Welcome to Casa Blanca, a dramatic home located on the Carpinteria coast next to Montecito, California. This estate which was finished in 1996 has a history that reaches back to the 1920s. Upon entering the iron gates of the home, you are welcomed into a courtyard with a water fountain. Once inside, there is a a lighted dome with skylight above the entry The six-bedroom home has some dramatic features including a living room with 19-foot ceilings and sliding glass doors that disappear into the sides of the walls. The dining room has hidden built-in cabinets and a Murano glass chandelier. The master bedroom suite has coffered ceilings, fireplaces and a terrace. The master bath opens to a secluded patio with a tiled spa. Every bedroom has a deck or a terrace. The back of the house has 180 degree views of the ocean, islands and coast line with direct beach access. The exterior of the house is very beautiful and evocative but the home’s rather bland interior doesn’t deliver on the exotic promise of the exterior facade, at least in the pictures I’ve seen.

The home is one of eight in a gated enclave. The property shares a tennis court and pool pavilion with kitchen. The best shared amenities is the Natatorium which was designed by famed local George Washington Smith and has historical significance. This pool house has a pool room, game room and men’s and women’s separate showers done in a Moorish style with painted arches, marble fireplace, tiled walls and floors. The most interesting feature is a sumptuous indoor pool area with elaborate mosaic tile work that is capped by a large retractable skylight. This home is listed at $12.9 million.

Harris in the Palisades

Monday, May 5th, 2008 | California, United States | No Comments

Mel Harris, most famous for her role as the winsome and whiny Hope on the show “thirtysomething.” The LA Times Hot Property column reports that Harris has listed her Pacific Palisades property, a charming four-bedroom Country English-style home. She has owned the home for five years and it has been remodeled with a new marble-countered kitchen and bathrooms. There are older details to love such as the Batchelder tile fireplace in the living room and the beautiful beams and archways. The new master bathroom is a bit too over the top for a house of this scale and graciousness and the travertine tile in the kitchen seems like it would be a better fit for a Florida flip than for this older Californian. The home was originally listed at $4.347 million but is already down to $4.197 million which still seems like a lot of cash for 4,5000 square feet even in the pricey Palisades. More pictures  here

Tags: california real estate, CaliforniaRealEstate, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, luxury real estate, LuxuryRealEstate, mel harris, MelHarris, pacific palisades, PacificPalisades, thirtysomething

Ocean Bluff Italian Villa

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008 | California, United States | No Comments

Rising from a sun-drenched promontory overlooking the blue Pacific, Terra Bella is a celebration of classical Italian architecture and the beautiful earth that is its namesake. From the instant the gates open, it becomes one of those “pinch yourself” moments when reality blurs and the dream begins to unfold. Slowly and seductively, Terra Bella is revealed through rich layers of architecture, gardens and vistas that capture both the imagination and the heart.