Louis C.K. Grabs Babe Ruth's East End Getaway for $2.44M | Bedford Real Estate

Emmy-decorated funnyman and virtuoso of the beleaguered frown Louis C.K. just dropped $2.44M on the 1901 Shelter Island Tudor where Babe Ruth used to summer. Keen viewers of Louie, the Beckett-like single-camera comedy series he writes, directs, edits, and stars in, will remember that the second half of the season four premiere was set in the Hamptons, where C.K.'s fictionalized counterpart bombed opening for Seinfield at a fancy dinner and went back to a Myron Goldfinger-designed home with an astronaut's daughter. Well now the real-life Louie is setting down nearby, in a six-bedroom abode full of fine period details (the New York Post reports that he's "excited to renovate") on two waterfront acres.



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http://curbed.com/archives/2014/05/29/louis-ck-grabs-babe-ruths-hamptons-getaway-for-244m.php

Searching For A Home? This Might Help | Pound Ridge NY Homes

For our first visit to Curbed University, we're getting straight down to business: Buying. We'll be covering other topics throughout the week?renting, mortgages, selling, neighborhoods, et al?but this should hopefully provide you with some insight to help you start navigating the sales market in the Hamptons. Of course, there are primarily two type of homebuyers out here (year round residents and summer visitors), so we'll be doing our best to tailor this info to both.

Where should you buy?
Summer home buyers: The best bit of advice we've come across with respect to beginning your search is that it might be in your best interest to rent for a few seasons before making the plunge. Each town has a different vibe and potential homebuyers will benefit from discovering just what that is on their own. You may enjoy a day trip to Montauk, but owning a summer home out there is a completely different beast. Same goes for the rest of the towns, villages and hamlets on the South Fork. Get to know what makes each town disctinct. If you have the luxury of waiting (and aren't worried that market is going to rebound dramatically), figuring out just where you can see yourself in two, five or even ten years is a safe bet.

Year round residents: Since you already have an idea of what its like to live out here full time, factors like school district (if you have kids), property taxes and price point are all going to play a part in your decision. You probably already have an idea of where you'd want to buy if the stars align, so no need to go to in depth here.

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http://hamptons.curbed.com/archives/2012/03/26/searching_for_a_home_this_might_help.php

Going Moody in the Master Bedroom | Bedford Corners Real Estate

When interior designer Lindsay Pennington moved into husband Tim Mosher’s cottage bachelor pad, in the Laurel Canyon area of Los Angeles, “the whole house was a man cave,” she says. Together the couple renovated all of the public spaces, the kitchens, the bathrooms and the kids’ rooms, combining their belongings, buying new things and compromising.

By the time they were done with all of that, Mosher was suffering from renovation fatigue. So Pennington waited until the professional musician and composer left for a Super Bowl gig in New Orleans to redecorate their bedroom with pieces they already had. She changed up the layout, had the walls and ceilings painted and repurposed their furniture before Mosher came home, completing the makeover in just four days.

Lindsay Pennington Inc.

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The bureau on the left was passed down to Mosher through his family; the one on the right was passed down through Pennington’s. Serendipitously, they both have marble tops and are approximately the same height. Though she likes symmetry, Pennington likes to throw it off a bit to keep it from feeling too formulaic.

To change the layout, she placed the bed in front of a fireplace they never used. This is the view from the bedroom door; previously, the bed was across the room and the unused fireplace just kind of served as a hole. “Don’t be afraid to cover up a fireplace you’re not using,” the designer says.

 

 

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http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/27326409?utm_source=Houzz&utm_campaign=u518&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery2

Is the Housing Recovery Showing Signs of Life? | Chappaqua Real Estate

After falling to their worst level in nearly two years, existing-home sales managed to post their first gain of the year last month as inventory levels increased and home pricesonline.wsj.comhome prices slowed. However, the results still missed expectations, and doubts remain about the strength of the independent housing analyst in Deerfield Beachonline.wsj.comhousing recovery.

The National Association of Realtorsonline.wsj.comNational Association of Realtors announced Wednesday that total existing-home sales — completed transactions of single-family homes, suburb or townonline.wsj.comtown homes, condos, and co-ops — gained 1.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.65 million units in April, compared to 4.59 million units in March. Sales have only increased in two of the past nine months.

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The results were slightly worse than expected, which has been a common theme in the housing market this year. Economists expected sales of a 4.68-million unit pace in April. Earlier this year, sales missed estimates for seven consecutive months. Making matters worse, existing-home sales are 6.8 percent below the 4.99 million-unit level seen in April 2013. This is the sixth consecutive month that sales were below year-ago levels.


Read more: http://wallstcheatsheet.com/business/is-the-housing-recovery-showing-signs-of-life.html/?a=viewall#ixzz32T1qveUp

Housing Trends You Can Expect to See in 2014 | Armonk Real Estate

The lackluster housing marketonline.wsj.comhousing market has plagued successful homeownerswww.bankrate.comhomeowners over the past few years. In 2013, it started to head down the road to recovery, finally showing signs of life. That same trendwww.bankrate.comtrend will continue in 2014, proving that the once-struggling independent housing analyst in Deerfield Beachonline.wsj.comhousing market is determined to bounce back. So what can you expect to see this year? More homes should be available, mortgage rates will increase, and housing prices should rise. Here’s a look at five trends that are anticipated to occur this year.

1. Inventory will rise

In 2013, a small supply of homes on the market drove up home prices quite a bit. In fact, the National Association of Realtors, a Washington trade group, called 2013 the “year of low inventory,” CBS News reports. However, that is not what we’ll be seeing in 2014. “New construction and rising prices should bring more homes, both new and old, on to the market in 2014, helping inventory return to traditional levels,” per Forbes. In addition, CBS News attributes the stabilizing inventory in part to cash-carrying investors, who are now exiting the housing market.

 

 

Read more: http://wallstcheatsheet.com/politics/5-housing-trends-you-can-expect-to-see-in-2014.html/?a=viewall#ixzz32Mtf8aAA

Brick Townhouse in Crown Heights Asks $1.695 Million | Mt Kisco Real Estate

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↑ First up on this weekend's roundup is a huge, brick townhouse in Crown Heights. The three-story, 1920s Renaissance revival home has been recently upgraded with original details maintained. There are some nice bay windows, ornate original mirrors, crown molding, and wood paneling. There's also parking and outdoor space on three sides and—with the exception of tonight's episode of Mad Men—it's probably the whitest thing you'll see all day. It's asking a respectable $1.695 million.


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http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2014/05/18/brick_townhouse_in_crown_heights_asks_1695_million.php

Dolly Parton Lists Western-Themed L.A. Pad For $1.395M | South Salem Real Estate

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In what is truly a sad bit of news for the great state of California, reigning country queen Dolly Parton has just listed her whimsical Los Angeles home for $1.395M. Considering that the beloved star has a theme park named after her, the two-bedroom Spanish-style compound is surprisingly modest, but extensively, lovingly appointed in what the diplomatic folks at Curbed LA call "shabby chic crossed with country princess decor." Every single inch of the 1,091-square-foot pad is covered in flowering cacti, floral upholstery, decorative guitars, and other Western-inspired decor choices befitting the woman who famously coined the expression "It costs a lot of money to look this cheap." Just off the petite, skylight-equipped living room, there's a private garden patio and a garage that's been converted into a sweet little guest house. Take a look at the Dolly-centric oasis, below.



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http://curbed.com/archives/2014/05/19/dolly-parton-lists-western-themed-la-pad-for-1395m.php

6 Housing Trends That May Surprise You | Cross River Homes

The Federal Housing Finance Agency, the new regulator for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as well as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, announced Tuesday that they would loosen lending rules to make credit more available to Americans.

Whether this will take the sting out of rising interest rates and help the housing market for the remainder of the year is anyone’s guess. In the meantime, here are six trends you need to know if you stumble into a real estate conversation at your next neighborhood party:

Home prices are through the roof. Prices continue to rise this year, albeit at a slower pace than last year. The median existing single-family home price was $191,600 in the first quarter, up 8.6 percent from $176,400 in the first quarter of 2013. The median existing single-family home price increased in 74 percent of markets, as measured by the National Association of Realtors, with 125 out of 170 metro areas showing gains based on closings in the first quarter 2014, compared with the first quarter of 2013. The housing price bubble is especially pronounced in California and at the higher end of the market.

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http://finance.yahoo.com/news/6-housing-trends-may-surprise-213200468.html

Simple Pleasures: The Art of Being Neighborly | Waccabuc Real Estate

Being part of a welcoming community makes daily life so much more pleasant. Whether you are already friends with your neighbors or want to get to know them better, these ideas for simple parties and heartfelt gestures will help strengthen those bonds. Please add your own stories of neighborliness in the Comments.

Beth Dana Design

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Welcome a neighbor with a thoughtful gift. Make the new arrivals feel at home with a small but thoughtful gift, hand delivered to their door. It doesn’t need to be store bought — bring cut flowers from your yard, homemade cookies or a jar of pickles or jam. The old-fashioned feel will be sure to charm them.
Help a neighbor in need. Whether you help an elderly neighbor carry in heavy groceries or bring a home-cooked meal to a family with a newborn, gestures of support mean a lot.

Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC.

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Host an open house or a potluck. If you’d like to throw a party and invite the neighbors, consider doing an open house or a potluck. Having several hours with people drifting in and out puts less pressure on you, and asking folks to bring a dish to share is a great way to get to know people (and avoid lots of cooking).

 

 

 

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http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/26897168?utm_source=Houzz&utm_campaign=u506&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery5

Brooklyn Warehouse Brims With Light | Katonah Real Estate

In evolving, postindustrial cities, artists often occupy old industrial buildings to take advantage of the large spaces, natural light, and relatively cheap rents. As New York City neighborhoods like SoHo and Chelsea became popular, they also become expensive, so now parts of Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx are home to even very successful artists who can’t afford Manhattan prices or who want larger spaces in which to live and work.

Brazilian artist Vik Muniz owns an old light-manufacturing warehouse in Brooklyn’s Clinton Hill neighborhood, and with architect Brenda Bello of BWArchitects he transformed it into a light-filled live-work space. Bello, who used to work for Dutch architecture firm Mecanoo, designed spaces she describes as “simple, clean and warm” — exactly what Muniz wanted. Also important was a connection to a garden, which they created at the rear of the building by cutting the building’s garage open.

BWArchitects (formerly Basil Walter Architects)

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Photography by Christopher Payne

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives and works here: Artist Vik Muniz
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Size: 5,600 square feet (520 square meters) total for the home (2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 half bathrooms) and studio

The floor plan of the home and studio is basically a square, with the tall studio occupying a smaller square in one corner and the home wrapping in an L shape around it on two floors. The garden sits on the north side of the building. From here we are looking through the large living space toward the studio beyond the stair.

At the rear of the warehouse was a one-story garage that was partially demolished in the renovation. One of Bello’s tricks that helps to maintain privacy was keeping the exterior walls of the one-story garage when opening it up for the garden. Keeping those walls means this outdoor space is primarily solid on three sides, and therefore the house can be as glassy as desired.

 

 

 

 

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http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/26552156?utm_source=Houzz&utm_campaign=u502&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery4

 

Land a UFO-Shaped Prefab That's Seen Better Days for $30K | South Salem Real Estate

Photo via Ebay
The Futuro wasn't the first flying saucer-like prefab around, but it might be the most flying saucer-like, which saying a lot, considering how often the shoe fits with lightweight, mobile, mass-produced holiday homes. Designed by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen in 1968 and discontinued in the mid-'70s, when an oil crisis made plastic prohibitively pricey, they've become something of a collectors item, with only an estimated 50 or 60 left standing. One of these rare birds recently popped up on eBay looking a little worse for wear, with a "Buy It Now" price of $29.9K. Might it be time to invest a good chunk of change into a one-room polyurethane orb?

And might this one have a kooky sideshow history?

Currently parked at a marina in the New Jersey town of Berlin, this Futuro served as a kind of tabula rasa UFO for various sci-fi-themed carny funhouses at Morey's Piers in Wildwood, N.J. (Its Star Trek, Planet of the Apes, and Star Wars makeovers are all pictured below.) According to the seller, it was last owned by a "furniture creator" who remade the window openings and added two coats of Interlux paint, and though it's pictured without the hatches or landing gear, those will come out of storage once the deal is made. To be sure, what's on offer is little more than a shell, but it could look quite fetching if restored to its former glory. Any takers?




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http://curbed.com/archives/2014/05/07/land-a-ufoshaped-prefab-thats-seen-better-days-for-30k.php

How To: Clean Granite Countertops | Waccabuc Real Estate

In many people's minds, granite means strength and resilience. But to clean granite countertops successfully, a homeowner must act with caution. The stone can actually be damaged by many of the products and techniques that are perfectly safe to use on other kitchen surfaces. You don't have to be a genius to clean granite countertops; the job just requires a bit of extra care and attention. Follow the steps outlined here, and you're bound to be satisfied with the result of your efforts.

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REGULAR CLEANING
Your best bet is nothing more sophisticated than mild dish soap that's been diluted with water. Bear in mind, however, that because granite scratches easily, the solution ought to be applied with a cotton cloth or soft sponge—that is, not with an abrasive scrubber. Before gently wiping down the counter, wring out the cloth or sponge so as not to compromise the highly absorbent stone (it can become discolored under standing water). Dry off the countertop as a final stage in this routine, not only to protect the granite from water damage but also to eliminate streaks and leave the surface with an eye-catching, irresistible shine.

STAIN REMOVAL
Don't panic! Most of the time, stained granite countertops can be cleaned with household items so common that you probably already have them in your pantry. No matter the source of the stain, start with baking soda. If you wish to clean a water stain, mix the baking soda with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide. For an oil-based stain, mix the baking soda with water. In either case, the mixture should generate a thick paste. Generously spread that over the stain, then cover the area with plastic wrap, taping down its edges. Leave the stain remover overnight (or even for a couple of days), before rinsing and wiping down the granite.

ADDING PROTECTION
Most installations of granite are protected by a layer of sealant. If you've repeatedly tried and failed to remove stains from your counters, chances are that the sealant has ceased to function as it should. In situations where the sealant is to blame, stained granite becomes difficult or impossible to clean, at least for the average do-it-yourselfer. Your best bet is to hire a professional to completely clean and then properly reseal the stone, thereby preventing future problems.



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https://homes.yahoo.com/news/clean-granite-countertops-232934104.html

Palm Beacher That Checkers Built On The Market For $14.8M | Cross River Real Estate

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This is Villa Isola, built by Jim Mattei, one of the founders of greasy burger chain Checkers, on Palm Beach's Everglades Island. It's on the market for $14.8 million, oozing with Venetian details, dripping with loggias, absolutely arabesque with archways and stonework, drowning in views of Lake Worth. Where's the drive-through.


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http://miami.curbed.com/archives/2014/05/06/palm-beach-villa-that-checkers-built-on-the-market-for-148m.php

5 Genius Ways to Maximize Bedroom Space | Katonah NY Real Estate

Counting inches Most people begin a renovation with a stack of inspiration photos. When photographer Aya Brackett and her husband added a second bedroom to their home, they started with just a bed. "We bought it for the style, but also for its storage capacity," she says of the piece with built-in drawers. "We designed everything else around it." The result--a 330-square-foot master suite--makes up the third floor of their 1895 Oakland home. Because of city setback rules, "everything was negotiated on inches," Brackett says. Custom furniture makes the most of the space; the cherrywood and white palette keeps it serene. "We like the minimal."
Design Architect: Jennifer Cooper, Oakland; pumpkinhousestudio.com.
Furniture: Kelly Roth Best, Oakland.
DIY headboard ideas

Streamline as much as possible
Built in for perfect fit
"It didn't feel like we had a lot of space for furniture," Brackett says, "so we wanted to streamline as much as possible." Brackett worked with a friend to design the built-ins, custom-fitting them to the available space--and adding features like drawers in the window seat for storage.
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https://shine.yahoo.com/at-home/5-genius-ways-maximize-bedroom-space-003000131.html

It’s Star Wars Day. May the Fourth Be With You | Beford Hills Homes

Queue the John Williams music in your head.

A long time ago in a galaxy far far … well, actually in California in 1977, George Lucas made the first of three amazing movies without CGI or a fraction of the other special effects available today. Most important, none of the movies in the first Star Wars trilogy had JarJar Binx in them. Star Wars changed the landscape of science fiction movies and has continued to rake in billions of dollars with the second trilogy (a prequel to the original trilogy), cartoons, merchandise and more.

May 4 is Star Wars Day because “May the fourth” sounds kinda like “May the force” which is ridiculous, so I approve. It’s timely this year, as the cast of episode 7 was just announced (Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver — I am so excited!) and fans have the next installment to look forward to. Happy Star Wars Day, everyone!

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These are the droids I’m looking for (no Jedi mind tricks work on me) — and boy, are they big on this home theater screen. Yes, the rest of this ideabook is going to be this silly, so quit now if it’s getting on your nerves. Here are 10 ways people are celebrating Star Wars around the house.

Orren Pickell Building Group

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1. In the all-out home theater. Some of the most fervent fans have designed their home theaters to make them feel like they are aboard a spaceship.

 

 

 

 

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http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/25633459?utm_source=Houzz&utm_campaign=u496&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery5

 

Don’t Be a Stickybeak — and Other Home-Related Lingo From Abroad | Bedford Corner Real Estate

My profession requires having a solid command of the English language. At least that’s something I like to tell people (or put at the beginning of an article about language, because it sounds interesting). But the truth is, it’s darn near impossible to keep up with the way people use any particular language.

The way we speak and the words we use are constantly changing and evolving. Humans have a tendency to make their own rules anyway, then create new rules that reverse the old rules. Like, did you know the original meaning of “awful” was “to inspire wonder”? Somewhere along the way, we decided to make it mean the opposite.

Home and design terms are no exception to the language madness. And in light of recently announcing Houzz sites in the U.K. and Australia, we thought it would be fitting to take a look at how everyday terms differ across oceans.

Scott Neste | Minor Details Interior Design

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For example, when Americans travel to the U.K. or Australia, they might be confused about what floor they’re on. There the first floor is located on what Americans would call the second. And what we call the first floor, they call the ground floor.

So, if you’re ever in, say, London or Sydney, you actually have to ascend a flight of stairs to reach the first floor.

Colin Cadle Photography

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Author Jonathan Bernstein, who was born in Scotland and now lives in Los Angeles, wrote Knickers in a Twist: A Dictionary of British Slang about his experience trying to figure out why some U.K. words and phrases percolated across the Atlantic and some didn’t.

Few in America use “loo” when referring to the bathroom, for example. “When I came to America, I’d be talking to someone, and there’d be nothing but a blank look,” Bernstein says. “They didn’t understand, or I didn’t understand. ‘Restroom’ was one of those words that gave me years of trouble. A restroom to me was just a room upstairs for relaxing or something.”

Through Bernstein’s research, he found that a lot of U.K. lingo traveled with immigrants during the 1800s, who created a melting pot of cultures. “A lot of people just misheard stuff,” he says. “There was a lot of Jamaican patois, Yiddish — it was just an amalgamation of so many languages.”

Word origins aren’t always clear even in the original countries. In Bernstein’s native Glasgow, the word everyone used for bathroom when he was growing up was “cludgie”; he has no clue of its origins. “It’s just that Scottish thing of trying to make things as disgusting as possible,” he says.

 

 

 

 

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http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/25977315?utm_source=Houzz&utm_campaign=u496&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery3

Exploring Museum Park's Verdant Fields Of Green | Bedford NY Homes

[Photos by Sean McCaughan]

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The metamorphosis of Museum Park from the notorious Bicentennial Park to an expanse of ashy dirt, and finally, a verdant green waterfront pasture with glades of palm and sea grape trees finally seems to be showing some major results. Fields of green sod were spotted in the park two weeks ago, with more sod one week ago, and then pow! Green everywhere, in these photos we took on Friday. Of course, there's still more sodding to be done, more pavers to lay down, and an access road (with—shudder—l;parking?) to be stuck in the corner, but the results still look pretty incredible. Maybe that original elaborate design wasn't so necessary after all? (although eventually getting it or something similar would be nice)



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http://miami.curbed.com/archives/2014/04/28/museum-park-update.php