CasaSugar

In the News: Celebrating the Outdoors in a Manhattan Penthouse

CasaSugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:00:49 -0700

What's the first thing you do when you buy a $4 million penthouse in lower Manhattan? If you're Matthew Blesso, you don't move in; instead, you allow two Yale professors to use the space as a giant experimental classroom.
Fred A. Bernstein's recent New York Times article In the Penthouse, a True Garden Apartment, celebrates this collaboration between architect Joel Sanders, landscape architect Diana Balmori, and real estate developer Matthew Blesso. The professors teach a course called Interface that integrates architecture and landscape architecture, the latter of which is often overlooked in projects. And so, with Mr. Blesso’s blessing, the two professors turned his $4 million apartment into an extended classroom. Luckily for all parties involved, the results were more than satisfactory for everyone, with Sanders and Balmori getting their living lab, and Blesso a truly unique living space.

To find out more about this penthouse, read more.

After renovating the penthouse for around $1 million, Blesso moved back in. Now, he performs his morning ablutions at a sink that's overshadowed by a large vertical garden on one wall. Striped dracaena add life to the staircase; outside, an outdoor shower and lush vegetation mingle, and mint plants climb up the bulkhead. The effect is soothing, design-forward, and wild at the same time.

Of course, I can't forget about this home's other design elements. The interior design is also a mix of chic and wilder elements, with products such as Tom Dixon lamps framing a graffiti mural, Livingstones scattered on the sofa and floor, Hans Wegner shell chairs lending a mid-century vibe, and other lovely pieces, which are wonderfully integrated in the home. Blesso, who's currently working on affordable housing developments in Central America, among other projects, definitely has a coveted crib. If you know what's good for you (and your need for real estate eye candy), head over to The New York Times to check out the full slideshow of his home.

Laurie Lambrecht for The New York Times

This Just In: Heidi Klum Loses Benjamins on Bank Street

CasaSugar — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:00:23 -0700

Heidi Klum, the host of my all-time favorite reality show, just sold her West Village penthouse, which she's owned since 2002. The lucky new owners are photographer, gallery owner, and collage artist Steve Joester and his wife, Debra.

The Joesters spent $5.35 million for Klum's penthouse - a quarter million dollars under the the asking price. The three-bedroom apartment includes a library, open kitchen, two-and-a-half baths, a hot tub, rooftop deck, and exceptional views of Manhattan and the Hudson River.

To find out if Heidi and her family have plans of leaving Manhattan altogether, read more.

Lest any New Yorkers out there are concerned about fewer Heidi sightings due to this sale, fear not: According to the New York Post:

[F]riends of the Teutonic temptress say that she's looking to buy a substantial pad in downtown Manhattan.

She's outgrown the apartment," says a source. "She's very family-oriented and needs a lot more space for nannies and visiting relatives. Plus, she didn't like the kids climbing the small spiral staircase between floors.

Photo courtesy of Rankin and Source

Get the Look: Gavin Newsom's San Francisco Penthouse

CasaSugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:00:35 -0700

On Tuesday, I gave you all a sneak peek at San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's Russian Hill penthouse, which is on the market for $2.9 million. Several of you seemed to love it, so I thought I'd help you re-create the look of his living room in your home. The space was designed by Agins & Associates, based out of San Francisco. It's a blend of contemporary, traditional, and Moroccan furnishings with a primarily brown color palette. If you really want the look, you could also buy the real thing, but obviously it's not in the cards for everyone. If it's Newsom's slicked back hair that you love, maybe BellaSugar can help you. To re-create this look in your own home, read more.

Source

On the Market: SF Mayor Gavin Newsom's Prime Penthouse

CasaSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Mayor of San Francisco Gavin Newsom, who recently announced his candidacy for governor of California in the 2010 election, is on the move. Newsom has listed his 1-bedroom, 1.5-bath Russian Hill penthouse for $2.9 million, which he purchased from family friend Peter Getty for $2.35 million in February 2006. The spread sits in the Bellaire Tower, a 20-story, art-deco 1930 highrise, but it's undergone a complete interior Hollywood regency overhaul by Michael Agins Interior Design. While the views of three bridges and water would be enough for me to sign the dotted online instantly, the interior structure is stunning as well, with arched windows and beautiful moldings throughout. The interior design looks flawless, but I think it could use a little more personality and color. Take a look at photos and let me know what you think when you read more.

View 18 Photos ›

Source

This Just In: Mariska Hargitay to Sell Chelsea Penthouse

CasaSugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:45:35 -0700

According to Real Estalker, actress Mariska Hargitay, also known as Olivia Benson on the hit series Law & Order: SVU (an obsession of mine) and her husband Peter Herman have put their 4,819-square-foot, 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath Chelsea penthouse on the market for $8.25 million. The penthouse sits in the O'Neill Building, "a full-service doorman condominium built in 1887 as the first full blockfront department store by Hugh O'Neill on what is called 'Ladies' Mile' and now a historic district," recognized by its two gold beehive-shaped domes, according to the listing. The property itself, which was featured in the New York Times, is built around one of these 16 ½-foot gold domes, which houses its media room. In addition to this unique feature, the spectacular duplex boasts a whopping 2,549 square feet of private outdoor terraces, a top-of-the-line eat-in kitchen, a walk-in laundry room, and large private storage, among other things. The couple paid $7 million for the property not long ago, in October 2007, and have decided to sell because their 2-year-old son, August, was recently admitted to an Upper East Side preschool. The family of three plans to move Uptown, closer to August's friends.

View 7 Photos ›

Source

This Just In: O Sells Home

CasaSugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 05:15:28 -0800

According to Big Time, power woman Oprah Winfrey has discreetly sold her 4,806-square-foot, 39th-floor penthouse in Atlanta’s Buckhead area for $1.8 million. The sale of the five-bedroom penthouse actually took place on June 4. Oprah paid $1.52 million for the property in mid 2003, but Big Time says, "it’s unclear what Oprah’s use was for the unit during the years she owned it." Among her vast real estate empire, she also owns another property in Douglasville, Ga., so it's unlikely she'll be disturbed much by the headaches of relocating.

Source

Casa Quiz: O Sells Home

CasaSugar — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 09:45:21 -0800

A few days ago, I told you that power woman Oprah Winfrey has discreetly sold her 4,806-square-foot, 39th-floor penthouse in Atlanta’s Buckhead area for $1.8 million. Take this quiz to find out more details about the sale.
Source

Take the quiz

This Just In: Olsen Twins to Sell Their NYC Penthouse

CasaSugar — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 05:45:07 -0800

According to the New York Observer, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen have put their 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath home in the West Village, NYC, on the market for $11,995,000. The twins have apparently been renting it out for $35,000 a month for a few years, but did help create it. They "bought four properties from the developer preconstruction and designed their own floor plan in collaboration with the developer."

The Corcoran Group calls the listing "one of the largest penthouses in the West Village to ever become available," and a "12 room trophy, commanding some of the most spectacular water and city views in all of Manhattan through 53 large picture windows."

Some of the notable amenities include a private elevator, a glass-enclosed wood-burning fireplace, and a 22' x 18' eat-in kitchen with an oversized granite island and Viking Professional 6 burner stove. Oh, and naturally, an oversized walk-in closet with Southern views of The Statue of Liberty. Corcoran's broker, Jared Seligman, also said, “You have a separate staff exit; you can have the most fabulous parties." I'd hope that with a preteen entertainment firm (Dualstar) raking in $1 billion a year, the Olsens could, at the very least, throw a good party...

To see a tour of their fantasy digs, read more

View 5 Photos ›

Soure and Source

Betsey Johnson to Design an Eloise-Inspired Suite at the Plaza

CasaSugar — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:27:56 -0700

Betsey Johnson is diving headfirst into her first hotel collaboration with a suite inspired by Kay Thompson's Eloise for New York's most prestigious address, The Plaza Hotel. Once the dust of New York Fashion Week settles, she is due to begin designing a two-bedroom suite in the character's signature pink-and-black palette. This shouldn't be much of a stretch for the designer, who dressed her own Manhattan penthouse in head-to-toe pink (shown left). The suite, as you might expect, will balance Johnson's notoriously wild style with the Plaza's brand of luxury, and should be a treat for adults and young guests alike. Of the collaboration, Johnson has said:

I'm tickled pink to be designing the Eloise Suite at the Plaza. When I recently moved uptown and my first granddaughter was born, I rediscovered Eloise and hoped that something magical would happen between me and my favorite hotel. This is the perfect pink combo!

Can't wait to see it! Would you like to stay in Johnson's Eloise-inspired suite?

Getty, Source and Source

Cool Idea: Metropolitan Home’s Showtime House

CasaSugar — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:00:36 -0700

With six Showtime original series as their inspiration, 14 renowned designers have transformed two New York penthouses into the ultimate multimedia showhouse. Tour photos from the Dexter- and Weeds-inspired homes now, and then head over to Metropolitan Home for the full tour!
Photos by Antoine Bootz, courtesy of Metropolitan Home’s Showtime House 2009

View Slideshow ›

Safavieh "Dhurries" DHU545A Area Rug - $219.00	Lattice Stool - $275.00
Easton Upholstered Sofa - $3,635.00	Faux Crocodile Bench - $889.00
Empire Parsons Upholstered Armchair - Chenille Faille - Limited Quantities - $1,920.00	Vintage Armchair - $2,495.00
Chelsea Coffee Table - $995.00	Bronze Tapered Planters - $49.95
Horizon Throw in Coffee - $129.00	Vintage Scandinavian Books - $40.00
"San Francisco architecture & design" - $16.95	American Cities - $69.95
Golden Gate at Sunset - $995.00	Roost Bark Hearth Andirons - $275.00
Liege Armchair - $895.00	Luxe Velvet Pillows - $135.00
Hayward Toffee Pillow - $29.95	Suede Trim Cashmere Pillow - $595.00
Framed Textured Pillow Cover - $29.00