Luxury Homes in The Hamptons Remain Unsold

Luxury Homes in The Haptons have stopped selling
The amount of luxury homes for sale in the Hamptons jumped to a record of 1,673 in the first quarter of 2009. (…)

Luxury Property Prices on the Cote D’Azur Crash

Villa La Leopolda - From E450 million to E30 million. (…)

Auctions are the new black in luxury real estate

38 luxury condominiums sold at auction last week
With massive inventory in most markets, many luxury condo developers are turning to auctions to dispose of excess stock. (…)

London Luxury Property Market Sees Biggest Price Reduction in History

London Townhouse Sold for Huge Discount
A townhouse in Knightsbridge has been sold at the biggest price reduction ever seen on a piece of luxury real estate in the city of London. (…)

An Influence on Architecture-The California Mission Bell

The “El Camino Real Bells” along with their destination have long influenced today’s architecture.

My design career has been influenced by the history of the California missions, specifically when designing California classic homes and commercial buildings from this era.

The “El Camino Real Bells” were in place from the early part of the last century to designate the route of “El Camino Real” from San Diego to Sonoma, California. They were built by the Spanish during the early mission days.

370 original bells graced The El Camino Real, (Royal Highway or King’s Highway), which is guided by Highway 101 in California. The El Camino Real is the first recorded road in the state, and was built by the Spanish when the missions were operational.

Most bells were produced in the 1920’s and over the years have been displayed on commercial and residential properties of historical importance. They have a dignity denoting mission and convey the Spanish Colonial or Spanish Revival periods.

When I was commissioned to design homes and commercial buildings from this era, some of my travel and research took me through the El Camino Real, reviewing the homes and buildings of the 1920’s. This allowed me to journey back into time and find sources sensitive to the era and lifestyle. This would assist me in the design which would soon be dictated by the historic influence of these periods. I found skilled artisans who hand painted tile from this era and were baking them on site all while I watched. There were shops with one-of-a-kind 1920’s lanterns, hardware, vintage iron and vintage wood carvings and of course, old mission bells.

When we look at a beautifully well constructed home or building with a unique design that stands out, is rich in history, is a meticulous reproduction of an era, however new in amenities, it more than likely is the result of a dedicated designer’s travels and research which has been interpreted into an owner’s dream.

While Spanish Colonial is a classic period it is only part of the Miller Young Design portfolio of style and eras that we embrace. We at Miller Young Design have created “Classic Origins” for connoisseurs of traditional homes. This is a signature design for those who desire a home designed with authentic influences enhanced by a library of fine pieces crafted in Old World techniques, celebrated in spaces of serene contentment.

Posted by:Linda Young

Mid-Century Modern Treasure

Representing truly unique and special properties is one of the highlights of my residential real estate career. And, frankly, it’s not every day that I have the opportunity to represent a modern masterpiece!

Designed by Glen Allen Galaway, who trained with Philip Johnson in New York, as his Dallas home, the mid-Century Modern residence at 7010 Airline in University Park is a shining star in the Park Cities.

The Park Cities includes the small, affluent towns of Highland Park and University Park, which are actually island cities surrounded by the much larger city of Dallas. Both towns are well known for significant architecture, but not typically of the modern variety!

The property offers an ideal setting in which to display a significant modern art collection. Natural lighting plays a prominent role in its design – and skylights add to the drama.

The current owners made a commitment to preserve the integrity of this significant Dallas residence and I am proud to have been chosen to represent their home. This magnificent residence truly offers buyers who appreciate mid-Century Modern architecture an unmatched opportunity in this part of the world.

Posted by:Dave Perry-Miller

Greenway Parks: Serenity in the City

Greenway Parks is a 150-acre neighborhood three miles north of downtown Dallas known for its abundant parks and homes of architectural significance.

Designed in 1927 by David R. WIlliams, the neighborhood was an innovative concept intended to be like no other American suburb. Homes in Greenway Parks are clustered around a series of open private parkways in the English Commons tradition, offering residents ample green space in the center of a major metropolitan area.

Noted architects who have designed homes in the neighborhood include Charles Dilbeck, O’Neil Ford, Howard Meyer, Ralph Bryan and John Aston Perkins. A strong homeowners association, as well as deed restrictions, have helped to preserve the integrity of Greenway Parks.

The neighborhood is increasingly popular with upscale Dallas homebuyers — so popular that one of my recent listings (pictured) drew as many as four prospective buyers a day and went under contract in only six days!

By: Dave Perry-Miller, a luxury real estate expert serving Dallas, TX

Luxury Homes for all Reasons

Any style home can be prepared to its highest potential and become your sanctuary. I
always thought of home as a sanctuary, a legendary showcase of beauty, luxury and comfort.

People visualize the homes they want in different ways - some as a vacation once taken and they dreamed would never end. Others in a sculptural fantasy or maybe a glass box trimmed in steel supported by concrete with abundant gardens.

The most popular dream home, luxuriating in amenities, is found in the request of the “California Casual.” It is forever loved for outdoor decks and patios that are incorporated as integral parts of day-to-day living spaces.

Interiors are simple in taste, complex in their composition and high quality. We plan with sensational large scaled furnishings, treat oversized window walls with lined automated draperies and select organic wood tables and new unbound accessory pieces. You’ll see commissioned wall art by a known artist expressing personal style and accent colors. Special effects lighting is planned by lighting designers for maximum mood enhancement.

The color schemes are that of the sea and we use multiple textures to make things unique. When selecting navy we stay with it, then accent in any color, layering in shades of cream and taupe as background colors. When selecting sage or green we stay with it, accenting in crisp white and tangerine. We start with a simple base and add a powerful punch of color.

The pristine beauty of the California coast and the value of its property have made homeowners, buyers, and designers, profoundly sensitive about keeping luxury properties in top resale condition at all times.

Exteriors are somewhat more composed. We design outdoor dining spaces to capture the ultimate views, convenience and comfort. The banks of chaise lounge flanking the pool are a prelude to the pool’s tanning divisions… accompanied by chaises and umbrellas. The cutting edge is in the barbeques - with outdoor grills and refrigeration. A “must” is built-in storage located in unsuspecting places to house pool toys, furniture covers and beach items.
We at Miller Young Design have created the layered concept of “California Casual” for you to further see the landscape, experience the sun of the west, the serene nature of waters in the ocean of the pacific and make dream homes for your reasons.

By: Linda Young, a nationally known high-end interior designer

Jackie O Style

The talk is all about the style of Jackie Onassis Kennedy this season. There is an updated Version dressed in The Modern Parisian Hues of Ethereal Simplicity that we are currently seeing entering the global interior design market in Greige Tones introduced by Calvin Klein and offered by Kravet Fabrics.

This harmonious blend of mild patterned soft color blends is sure to be a staple in the library of Miller Young Design and other high end interior design firms. Subtle colors are very popular in France and across the European continent today and they rein queen of this collection. The high luxury, glowing threads and silken hand of these fabrics are waiting to take the shape of their designers new creations. Materials take form and form must be advanced to application. Any of the high quality materials designed for this exceptional collection could have been seen as a garment fabric for our former First Lady or selected by her for design use. The effects of fashion have always prejudiced interior design for decades after their inauguration and who better to trend set than Calvin Klein. We at Miller Young Design echo the past through design and so will our ateliers and clients.

By: Linda Young, a nationally known high-end interior designer

Demand for high-end homes remains strong in Dallas

How many times have you heard the phrase, “All real estate is local”? When it comes to luxury real estate in Dallas this couldn’t be more true. The high-end market in Dallas is not only local it’s actually a micro-niche of the larger area housing market. While the upper-end home market is somewhat “slower” than it has been, sales of very expensive properties are still quite strong.

In the first three months of 2009, eleven Dallas luxury homes priced at more than $2 million have sold. The most expensive home sold to date this year is an $11.5 million mansion in the new Creeks of Preston Hollow neighborhood.

Trends are showing that real estate – particularly in Dallas’ close-in neighborhoods – is still a very good investment. While many Americans have lost a great deal of their accumulated wealth in the stock market, Dallasites can rest assured that, according to the signs we see, that won’t be the fate of their local real estate holdings.

By: Dave Perry-Miller, a luxury real estate expert serving Dallas, TX

« Previous Page — Next Page »