Life in a Venti Cup:

November 29, 2012

Can I Get An Amen?

I was feeling pretty good about my closet until I spied Yolanda Foster's massive spread. First, her house is jawdropping. This is precisely the kind of home my husband knows I fully expect to call home in the note too distant future. Sweeping views of the Pacific and airy, breezy styling throughout the house. Yolanda designed the floorplan with views in mind, knowing that the "wow" moments are important.It delivers on so many levels.

My dream house of course could only come with a killer closet. Yolanda's does not disappont. In fact, hers is worthy of worship and praise. Inside this white walled private sanctuary exists her own personal Rodeo Drive. Row upon row of pretty heels. Shelves of carefully collected handbags.

It's no surprise that I spy my favorite YSL tributes and limited edition Chanel bags. Floor to ceiling mirrors and incredible lighting give this space (and likely its owner) a heavenly glow. The bolstered, tufted seating may be there for practical purposes like putting on boots. However, in a place this holy it is more likely there to support those who have fainted, feeling overcome by the experience. Lord, have mercy. This dressing room is nirvana.

Did I mention she has a lemon grove and an infinity pool as well? Feel free to torture yourself here.

Posted at 06:31 PM in celebrities, closet envy, real estate, shoes, things to do before I die | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBack (0)

September 15, 2012

Quite the Impression(ist)

Château des Brouillards, Pierre-Auguste Renoir's longtime Parisian home is finally for sale. The 3,000-square-foot, 18th-century stone house is in a northern neighborhood of Paris known as Montmartre. Local historians have said Renoir probably lived there in the late 1880s.

As one might expect, the garden is magnificent. Grab your stippling brushes, book a one way flight and brace yourself for inspiration.Note that your new digs will set you back round €7.8 million (roughly $9.9 million). But you'll be in France and you'll have a garden view of Sacré Coeur.

In addition to its pedigreed past, it boasts four bedrooms and 20-foot ceilings. Even those of you without an art history degree can appreciate that, no?

{source WSJ}

Posted at 07:19 AM in architecture, art, beauty, globetrotting, real estate | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

February 08, 2012

Closet Stalking

Because I (and I'm guessing you as well) can't resist an opportunity to peer into a fabulous closet, may I offer you a glimpse into the master closet of this $6.5MM University Park listing. The home itself is just under 9,000 square feet and is in one of my favorite parts of Dallas.

Yahoo describes the home (and mostly the closet) this way:

This house, built in 2007, almost looks like a converted warehouse from outside. Highlights include an underground garage, marble floors and fireplaces, and a geothermal HVAC system. The master bedroom has his and hers baths, along with this enormous closet with high ceilings. The closet has shelving for shoes and cowboy boots, as well as overhead storage for hats and out-of-season clothing.

I will say, Dallas homes have some of the best closets I've ever seen. We are willing to have smallish yards in order to accommodate our need for generous square footage inside the home and maximum storage space. For more fabulous real estate drool sessions, be sure to peruse one of my favorite sites, Mathews Nichols for some of the city's finer examples of luxury homes. This listing ought to get you started. Note the insanely pretty kitchen and dreamy back patio. This is what living in the South is all about.

Posted at 07:34 AM in celebrities, closet envy, fashion, luxury, photography, real estate | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

June 01, 2011

Sweet Life, Indeed!

Thank you so much, Paloma, for featuring my future home on your blog. This is a composite of the elements I must have in house when I "grow up" (that's entrepreneur-speak for striking billionaire status). Yes, it's in Southern Cali... and you can bet she's one fabulous manse. Take a looksie! For more details, see the posts filed under "things to do before I die" - it spills all the juicy details!

This is an incredible series that Paloma has been running (P, exactly how do you juggle so much at once?) allowing us to peer into the hopes, dreams, plans and aspirations of fellow bloggers. I think it's a wonderful idea and it was a bit more challenging to find photos than I'd imagined. Once you begin plotting your course, however, it's all quite easy.

First rule of success: know what you want. So simple, right? Without a SPECIFIC goal in mind (like this house) you'll never hit your mark. My suggestion? Dream it, find pix of it, write out those goals and purchase the biggest inspiration board you can possibly find - then fill it with images (detailed images) of your "wants" and your "gotta have it or I might just die" elements. Place it over your desk, on your wall or wherever you'll see it every single day. It's not going to do you any favors living behind your closet door. This must invade your space and be in your face daily.

Then look at your to-do list each day... is there anything on there getting you closer to this? Are you aligned with your goals? Check yourself... no point cheating here as you'll only be failing yourself.

For more inspiration, try browsing hooked on houses, Luxist or the Robb Report. Happy plotting!

Posted at 07:21 AM in architecture, destinations, fabulousness, interior design, luxury, note to self, real estate, success, things to do before I die, venti favorites | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

May 12, 2011

Dream House: Let's Go Outside

Still compiling my notes on the Venti Dream Home I find myself so caught up in the outside of the home that I'm reluctant to veer indoors. That's because I really need a strong relationship between indoors and outdoors in this home. An ebb and flow between the two. Sweeping views from the house, reflections of water sparkling on the ceiling. Multiple sets of arched French doors beckoning you in from the patio. If I sound like a broken record it's because this vision never changes. These images have been sourced from around the web, mainly on swanky SoCal properties.

What about you? Are you fine as long as your house is a sweet pad once you get indoors? Does location matter to you as much as the finished product? Do you crave that connection to the outdoor world, or are you perfectly content indoors? Spill it. I can't possibly be alone in my cravings.

Posted at 07:21 AM in architecture, celebrities, interior design, leisure, life, luxury, real estate, things to do before I die, venti favorites | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

May 11, 2011

My Happy Place

Mariah who? Witness the glory that is the private closet of 'Housewife' Lisa Vanderpump. Her ~~home~~ estate at 50 Beverly Park is beyond words. Her closet? Beyond amazing. She's stashing more Chanel into that space than my nearest boutique. Not that she's lacking square footage or assets. Lisa, your dressing space is currently my happy place. As I sit staring at my to-do list and tight schedule i'm dreaming of your baby pink lambskin 2.55, your lime green Birkin (bold choice) and the promise that lies within that shoe department, er... section. Kudos to you, sister. Kudos.

Posted at 07:17 PM in celebrities, closet envy, life, luxury, note to self, real estate, shoes, things to do before I die | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)

May 03, 2011

Classic Workmanship

Sometimes people are surprised to learn that my decorating style is very classic. I don't tend to be trendy or "poppy" in terms of how I live. I prefer things that will look good for many years to come. Much like my choices in handbags I like to "buy for life" not for a season. That doesn't mean a room shouldn't evolve, but it shouldn't have a stamp across it's proverbial forehead telling the world it was styled in a certain year.

For these reasons I think Michelle Workman's recent spread in Veranda for Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony is breathtaking. She takes classic to an entirely new level. Even the way she arranges the room is very harmonious. I do think this skews a bit feminine for most, but I just love it. It's pretty but not precious. I do think I'd mix it up a bit more wiht more bare floors or a rug like this one... but really, it's an impeccable place.

The limited color scheme takes me back to Monique Lhullier's pad. This subdued palette is a common thread with many creatives. I think it's because we have so much "noise" in our head that we can't contemplate soming home to a lot of visual chatter. Clean & serene is the name of the game, and this gorgeous Southern California home offers generous amounts of both. More importantly, they wont' feel the need to redesign it come next year. It looks timeless. It looks like a delicious retreat for two high-powered stars. And that's what coming home is all about, isn't it?

See more on Michelle's site.

Posted at 10:31 AM in architecture, celebrities, designers, interior design, kitchens, real estate | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

May 02, 2011

Venti Dream Home

Been working on a post for ages... someone requested I compile photos of my dream home. Well... this is no easy feat. Partly because my dream home is likely in Capri. Partly because it requires visualizing the home with ideal architecture with my own spin on the decor. But... to tease you (and to get some of it out of my head) I'm showing you a taste of what's to come. Starting with the outside and the location.

The inside of my future home will matter as much as the interior. The old saying is "location, location, location" and for me that spot is Southern California. I need a view of the Pacific. I don't want to live on the beach, but over it. Pacific Palisades comes to mind.

A fabulous pool with an even sweeter terrace that overlooks the sunset just seems dreamy and necessary. Entertaining should flow easily from indoors to out. The mix of nature and man-made excellence is obvious. Ballustrades, columns and an abundance of white surfaces bathed in the golden glow of that west coast sunshine. My sparking blue pool will be visible from most rooms of the house, as will the bougainvillea blossoms.

I've seen this home and it's view in my mind since I was very young. I'll know it when I walk inside. Arched doorwarys, gleaming floors and gloriously high ceilings.

And yes.. that's Nick & Jessica's old house up top. While the architecture is off for me I love the grandness of the back of the structure. It says "Look at me!, I'm fabulous!" and I sort of dig that. ;)

Although... Lisa Vanderpump's outdoor retreat would be ridiculously perfect. I'd just have to arch those doorwars and windows in my mind. (See more pix of it here.) Thank you, hooked on houses for feeding my addiction. You are the ideal enabler to my real estate stalking tendencies! I am now most certainly in trouble.