CasaSugar

Guess Who Wants to Live in Central Park?

CasaSugar — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:00:00 -0700

When asked of his dream NY address, a celebrated interior designer recently told Page Six Magazine, "If I could, I would create a house in Central Park. It would look like a tree and be invisible to passersby. And, yes, I recognize what a selfish gesture it would be." Can you guess who it was?

This Just In: Sting Settles on Central Park West

CasaSugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:15:17 -0700

According to Big Time, Sting has purchased a 5,500-square-foot condo unit on the 16^th floor of a Central Park West building for $26.5 million. Apparently, according to records, Sting actually signed a contract to purchase the unit on May 26, 2006, but the deal didn't formally close until March 11, 2008. So, this purchase has been almost two years in the making! The CPW building is truly magnificent, boasting an elegant motor courtyard, a 35-x-45-foot limestone and marble lobby with two fireplaces and custom English oak paneling, an unprecedented view of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline, a 75-foot sky-lit lap pool, a private theater screening room, a private library, and 30 climate-controlled wine rooms. Sting also owns an 18-room duplex co-op elsewhere on Central Park West, which was at one point on the market for $24 million, meaning he and his wife now own more than $50 million worth of real estate on Central Park West! Ohhh, to be a pop rocker . . . Check out images of Sting's new building below.

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Home Away From Home: A Wigwam Holiday

CasaSugar — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:00:38 -0700

Want a cheap vacation? Well, if you're a Brit, you can take your family on a wigwam holiday. Apparently, in-country vacations are increasingly popular on that side of the pond, due to the economic recession. Wigwam vacations, such as the Strathfillan Wigwams in Tyndrum, Scotland, shown here, are a great low-key, low-expense destination for frugal vacationers.

On this side of the Atlantic I know that many of my friends and family are economizing their holidays by vacationing in-state or staying with family or friends. And yes, many of them are camping, though I can't say that any of the campsite photos I've perused from their vacations are anywhere as adorable as the Strathfillian Wigwams.

To find out more about this holiday destination, and to tell me about your low-cost vacation plans, read more.

The wigwams are constructed from Sitka spruce or Norway spruce logs, which are homegrown in Scottish forests. Small logs or poles are bent into a curved shape to form its unique (and may I add adorable) whalebone" frame.

You can choose a wigwam holiday from one of 30 seaside, farmland, and woodland sites in beautiful settings across Scotland, northern England, and the Welsh Border Counties. All of the 30 wigwam holiday sites are rural, with many based at farms or camping parks. You won't be roughing it too much, since most sites include a central shower and bathroom facility as well as a cookhouse. The wigwams are fully insulated, and available for use year-round, and feature wooden floors and painted walls.

Are you tempted to embark on a wigwam holiday? Or have you been on one (or something similar) in the past? Tell me all about your experience!

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Home Away From Home: The Maidstone in East Hampton

CasaSugar — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:00:33 -0700

If you live in the New York metro area, you know very well of the Hamptons' reputation as THE place to be in the summertime. If not, you've probably caught a glimpse of the glory of the Long Island townships in movies like Something's Gotta Give and Grey Gardens. Unless you're a lucky dog who owns a home in the popular seaside locale, most visitors rent a Summer share or score a bed with a friend, as hotels in the area tend to be overpriced and lacking in looks (and personal BBQ grills). But room and maid service does have its perks, so if you are looking to stay in a Hamptons hotel, might I offer one that gets my seal of approval? The iconic Maidstone hotel was reinvented by Swedish hotelier Jenny Ljungberg who has mixed the free-spirited design of her native Scandinavia with the timeless sophistication of the Hamptons, and thrown in some arresting artwork and photography - all with a bit of a bohemian twist. One of the guest rooms is furnished with pieces designed or inspired by seminal designer Josef Frank (a favorite of mine), and features white oak flooring typical of midcentury Scandinavia, as well as modern wallpaper by up-and-coming Swedish designer Hanna Werning. Another, the Kurbits Cottage, takes a note from traditional Sweden with a wooden Jantze Brogård Asshoff table, hand-painted wall motifs, a wood-burning fireplace, and water-lily light fixtures, as well wooden clogs as décor. Hear about the hotel's eco-friendly features and see plenty of photos when you read more.

Beyond its refreshing design philosophy, the hotel has also taken every conceivable step to be the Hamptons' most eco-friendly hotel, with a goal of becoming carbon neutral. Some of its eco-friendly features include an on-site Natura water filtration system in place of bottled water; high-efficiency furnaces; state-of-the-art central a/c units; Low-E double-paned windows with insulating argon gas; organic cotton linens; water-based paints; and low-flush toilets. They also use refillable toileterie containers, recyclable carry-out containers, organic produce, organic cleaning products, and compost all of their restaurant's organic waste and donate it to local farmers. And, guests are encouraged to use their collection of Kronan bicycles as green transport free of charge.

If you arrive in a car, you'll be happy to note that each room comes with a much-coveted beach parking permit. Pets are also welcome, and WiFi throughout the hotel is free. And after a tiring afternoon at the beach, you can cozy up with a book from the library stocked with volumes about art, design, photography and the Hamptons' history, or watch a DVD from their large collection, also free. Summer rates range from $450-$995.
To see interior photos, read more.

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This Just In: Nicolas Cage Lists Two New Orleans Properties

CasaSugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:30:36 -0800

Prolific real estate investor Nicolas Cage is on the loose on a wild selling spree. Cage has already put his Las Vegas, Bel-Air, and Rhode Island properties on the market, and today we have news that he's listed his two properties in New Orleans. According to WDSU and Real Estalker, Cage has listed his historical property (shown right) in New Orleans's French Quarter, the most haunted home in the neighborhood, in addition to a Garden District mansion. The haunted home, known as the LaLaurie House (which I wrote about here), is listed for $3.9 million, $400,000 more than he paid for it in April 2007. To hear about the other property and see photos, read more.

The listing for Cage's 13,176-square-foot, six-bedroom, five-full-and-two-half-bath Garden District mansion, which was once an active Catholic chapel, reads:

The most superlative of Garden District mansions with the best of every amenity. Ample room for a large family and big-time entertainment venue with formal gardens, parking, and everything anyone could possibly want in a most grand of grand, star-quality home.

It also features a pool and central air, which are ideal for the broiling NOLA heat. If the house looks familiar, it's probably because I quizzed you on the owner of it once, as it was once owned by gothic novelist Anne Rice. I've passed by the property hundreds of times myself and I can tell you it's an idyllic example of New Orleans architecture; I'd love to see interior photos.

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This Just In: Jennifer Connelly & Paul Bettany Put Dream House on Market

CasaSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 08:30:21 -0700

According to Brownstoner, Jennifer Connolly and Paul Bettany have put their historic, prewar 9-bedroom, 3.5-bath Prospect Park (Brooklyn) Victorian townhouse on the market for $8.5 million. The handsome couple is ditching their park-front manse in favor of a TriBeCa loft, just as Scarlett Johansson and Kevin Spacey are leaving the neighborhood. To hear about the stunning property and see drool-worthy interior photos, read more.
The listing for the property, which is said to be "one of the all time great houses of New York built at the turn of the century," reads:

All of the original wood carving surrounding the windows and mantels as well as the elaborate plaster work on the ceilings remains in tact and in perfect condition. There are fireplaces in all of the public rooms (living, dining, and kitchen) as well as in 3 of the 4 master bedrooms. There is a full servant's quarters on the top floor consisting of 4 small bedrooms, a full bath, and a large storage room. The original stained and leaded windows exist in the baths and in the large skylight at the top of the grand staircase. Central air-conditioning has been added and there is a large, fully landscaped garden at the rear of the house which is gated and private.

If the original architectural elements (including parquet flooring throughout) weren't enough to make you swoon, the décor of the townhouse is stunning and simply tasteful, as to be expected from the classy couple. I'm particularly drooling over how they've subtly integrated modern furnishings with a soft color palette into the Victorian; it reminds me a bit of Mark Homewood's Mod Victorian, albeit much more understated. Check out the gallery and let me know what you think. Bonus points if you can spot the pink-neon lamp in the living room!

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This Just In: Conan Moves to Brentwood

CasaSugar — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 09:00:02 -0800

It seems that getting back to hosting Late Night hasn't kept Conan O'Brien quite busy enough. The red-haired funny man has also been real estate shopping, and recently purchased a 6 bedroom, 8.5 bath New England Traditional-style gated home on Tigertail Road in Brentwood, California. This will be quite the geographic move for Mr. O'Brien and his family, who currently live in New York City at The Majestic on Central Park West, which he purchased in late 2006 for a reported $9,950,000.

To hear more about the Brentwood home and to see some pictures, read more.

The Brentwood house is a massive and well-appointed beauty, featuring six fireplaces, six en suite bedrooms, a 1500 bottle wine room, a paneled library with bar, and a 60 feet-long veranda. The master bedroom suite comes replete with balcony, sitting room, dual baths, and giant fitted closet. Other awesome amenities include a screening room, a spa, an outdoor kitchen, and a heated pool.

What do you think of the new house? Is it too East Coast trad for the West Coast, or do you think it's big and beautiful enough for any entertainment mogul, regardless of locale?

Photos courtesy of NBC and Source