The Summit Club is undoubtedly the epicenter of luxury living in Las Vegas.
Located just 15 minutes from the Strip, this exclusive neighborhood and golf community is spread across more than 600 acres of stunning desert landscape and features a Tom Fazio-designed golf course, unique wellness and recreation programs, and 260 luxurious residences.
Celine Dion just sold a house here for $30 million, setting a new local real estate record and making a killer profit in the process. The singer reportedly paid $9.2 million for her then-freshly-built Las Vegas manse back in 2017, heavily renovated the place in the years since, then tripled her initial investment by selling it in an off-market transaction for $30 million.
Actor Mark Wahlberg recently bought a $14.5 million bungalow in The Summit Club, while waiting for his mansion to be built on a separate 2.5-acre lot in the same community, which he purchased last year for $15.6 million.
Now, a new $23.5 million property recently hit the market at The Summit Club — and it’s as impressive as you’d expect.
The modern, minimalist abode at 11051 Witchcraft Court was designed and built by renowned luxury homebuilder, Blue Heron, and is nestled on a premium corner homesite with unparalleled views of the golf course, mountains, and the world-famous Las Vegas Strip.
“This architectural gem spans an impressive 9,827 square feet which includes the attached five-bedroom casita with private entrance,” said Lillie Shines of Coldwell Banker Premier Realty Global Luxury with whom the property is exclusively listed.
Completed in 2022, the luxury residence offers 9 bedrooms and 9 baths, and is lined with expansive pocket sliders to create an indoor-outdoor living experience.
“The sophisticated, single-story design of the main house features retractable glass walls which open to create a seamless indoor/outdoor living experience that beautifully incorporates the home’s captivating exteriors and natural surroundings,” Shines added.
The gourmet chef’s kitchen, equipped with top-of-line appliances, an oversized quartz island with waterfall edges, and custom white cabinetry, is the hub of the home and makes it easy to access all the other areas, including the flex room, secondary bedrooms, pool area, elevator to the deck, gym, or even the attached casita.
“The temperature-controlled wine wall is a centerpiece of the designer kitchen promising to elevate every celebration to new heights,” said Shines. “There’s also an elevator to easily serve your guests on the rooftop deck.”
The primary bedroom features a private sitting area with direct access to its own spa. The primary bathroom too comes with a luxury spa vibe, boasting an “outdoor oasis with dual showers”, per the listing.
Not to be outdone, the casita on the property stands as a private two-story retreat, complete with 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, and a separate 2-car garage. The first floor of the casita features a gathering room with a kitchen and a primary suite, while the second floor offers 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
Originally intended to be a multi-generational space, there are endless possibilities on how to maximize this unique area.
Heading outside, we find a resort-style backyard with not one, but TWO zero-edge pools, and plenty of outdoor amenities that add to its appeal. This includes a spa, an outdoor kitchen equipped with a pizza oven, and a bar.
And just in case the future owners need even more space for entertaining, they can take the party to the roof, where a stylish rooftop deck with a bar offers jaw-dropping views of the Las Vegas strip and city lights.
Listing agent Lillie Shines has witnessed the complete transformation of this property as she has been working with the home sellers since 2019 when they first selected this parcel of land at The Summit Club.
From its inception, Shines was integral in both the transaction and coordinating the design of the custom build as her sellers had to communicate with her from overseas while international travel was halted during the pandemic.
“Exceptional properties deserve representation of an equally exceptional caliber and that is what the Global Luxury program and sales professionals like Lillie bring to the table,” said Bob Hamrick, chairman and CEO of Coldwell Banker Premier Realty. “This extraordinary property will charm even the most discerning buyers.”
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In honor of the company’s 150th anniversary, Kohler has officially launched the Heritage Colors Collection featuring vintage Spring Green and Peachblow colors on select kitchen and bath products now available for purchase. The Heritage Colors Collection showcases Kohler’s design leadership and celebrates the dynamic use of color as an innovative movement within the global company’s iconic legacy.
Kohler first introduced vibrant, colorful products in 1927 to great acclaim and inspired turn-of-the-century America to look beyond the utilitarian white fixtures of the day. The bold, colorful products created a cataclysmic shift within residential design space, bringing warmth and personality into the home – and gracious living into everyday life. In celebration of the anniversary, more than 100,000 votes were cast to bring vintage colors Spring Green and Peachblow back to the modern day. Two long-time Kohler partners known for colorful designs have taken these historic shades into modern-day bathrooms to inspire you to live a brighter life.
To help celebrate the launch, color authorities and renowned designers Justina Blakeney and Jonathan Adler each showcase their unique style and creativity by designing inspirational bathroom spaces with Heritage Colors Collection products. Known for creating vibrant rooms full of life, Blakeney demonstrates how the iconic Peachblow color can be incorporated into the home to help accentuate personal style when designing kitchen and bath spaces.
Blakeney is a designer, artist, entrepreneur, speaker, and New York Times bestselling author. She is the founder and creative director of the home decor brand, Jungalow and the author of several design books, including Jungalow: Decorate Wild and The New Bohemians book series. Her wildly popular collections feature her hand-painted artwork and span across home decor, furniture, stationery, textiles, travel, kids, and accessories. Blakeney’s newest collection, Opalhouse Designed with Jungalow, is available at Target stores and Target.com. She recently launched the Jungalow Pop-Up shop: a creative and retail space full of color, patterns, plants, and community events on Melrose Ave in West Hollywood. Blakeney lives in Los Angeles with her husband Jason, child Ida, and 52 house plants.
We spoke with Blakeney about being tapped as the color ambassador for Kohler and design choices for this collection.
ESSENCE: How do you feel about being selected as an ambassador for the Heritage Colors Collection?
Justina Blakeney: When I first heard Kohler was relaunching heritage colors, I got very excited. I’ve been a fan of colorful fixtures my whole life and have worked with Kohler quite a bit over the years, and as a huge fan of color and Kohler, I am the perfect fit for this project.
What did your role entail?
My role has entailed working alongside the Kohler team to get the word out about the heritage colors and to help inspire people to see how the colors can work in a modern setting. First, we had a fun campaign where our communities voted on colors to bring back. Then, I got to design a bathroom using the “Peachblow” fixtures and share my take on incorporating colorful fixtures.
You’ve been “team Peachblow” since Heritage Color voting began. Share how you took the 1934 Peachblow into modern glory with a space full of current Kohler products.
Yes! I’m a big fan of the Peachblow colorway! I love how it has vintage charm but also feels modern. I used the color as a jumping-off place for my design and added emerald, black, white, and gold accents. All too often, white becomes a default color in bathrooms, and I love how the colored fixtures allow for more freedom and fun to be creative and intentional around color palettes in the bathroom.
Justina Blakeney
As an ambassador, how did you add your unique design touch of boho vibes when designing aspirational bathroom spaces?
I wanted the design to be inspired by art-deco bathrooms as a nod to Kohler’s heritage colors from that time, but I also wanted to put my spin on it. We mixed several tile types and colors and laid them out in a ‘pyramid’ motif, making the design stand out. The “Tone” faucets that feature Matte Black and Vibrant Brushed Moderne Brass add to the eclectic feel of the space. We also included decorative accents in natural materials and lots of plants, making the whole area come alive. I love how it feels slightly nostalgic — kind of “Old Hollywood” but also completely new and fresh.
What’s so unique about the Peachblow color? How does it fit into your design aesthetic?
The Peachblow color is so great because of how it can easily go with any color palette. The color can work as a neutral, but a neutral that adds a soothing vibe to a space and that’s not boring! The color fits into my design aesthetic because of its warmth and its ability to be easily layered into colorful spaces.
Share how you would style the selected Kohler products.
When styling bathrooms, I like to create a space that feels like a blissful retreat — a respite from the outside. This Peachblow bathroom can feel vibrant, colorful, and energizing in the morning but more neutral, calm, and relaxing at night. I love how the claw-foot tub in the window allows for an indoor/outdoor feel (and a view!) for maximal relation, and plants and natural materials work so well with the Peachblow color to create a truly relaxing experience.
How might one design the Peachblow products in their home?
Peachblow products can elevate a space and add personality and charm to any bathroom. Why should white always be the default color when colors can lift mood and make a person feel great? I’m excited to see people embracing design to increase the quality of life. Color is such an easy, accessible way to bring joy into our lives, even in the most quiet and private of spaces.
You can now shop Kohler’s Heritage Colors Collection, here.
Welcome to Virgo season, a time synonymous with practicality, organization, and meticulous attention to detail. For people born under this Earth sign — or anyone who appreciates the Virgo way of life — this time of year resonates deeply with their core values. Virgos are renowned for their analytical approach to life, focus on improvement, and knack for bringing order to chaos. As they strive for efficiency and practicality in every aspect, they also have an inherent desire to create harmonious environments.
These diligent individuals believe that everything has its place and purpose, whether in their personal life, professional goals, or home décor. In essence, Virgo season is a celebration of the functional, the orderly, and the beautiful. It’s about creating spaces that are not just clean and organized but also meaningful and serene.
As we journey through this special season, let’s take a leaf out of the Virgo book and strive to create a home environment that reflects these traits. We’re bringing home decoration tips embodying the Virgo spirit’s practicality and harmony with a dash of elegance.
1. Kiss Dirt Goodbye: Tumble’s Washable Rugs
As we bask in the energy of Virgo season, it’s time to bid farewell to stubborn dirt and grime — especially the kind that clings to your beloved rugs. While charming, traditional rugs can be a nightmare to keep clean. The solution? Tumble’s washable rugs! They shout practicality and whisper elegance in every thread.
Imagine sipping your morning coffee, curled up on your sofa, your feet luxuriating on a soft, clean rug. A clumsy spill? No problem. You have a washable rug, which means all you need to do is toss it into your washing machine, and it’ll emerge as spotless as the day you bought it.
These rugs don’t just offer easy cleaning, they also add to the harmony of your home. They’re available in a plethora of designs and sizes, meaning you can find the perfect match for your hallway, living room, or even your bathroom. Choose a calming pastel hue to bring serenity to your study or a vibrant pattern to add a touch of joy to your kitchen. Either way, it’s the perfect stylish yet practical touch for any Virgo or Virgo-lover.
2. Shield Against Mayhem With Steadily
In our quest for a harmonious living space, we shouldn’t forget the importance of a strong, reliable shield against unforeseen mayhem. Yes, we’re talking about home insurance. A well-organized home is about more than neat shelves and pretty décor. It needs to ensure the safety and security of your space.
If you’re renting your space, it can be challenging to figure out where your coverage begins and where your landlord’s ends. That’s why it’s important to have Steadily on your side, to help clarify everything you need to know about coverage, from the landlord insurance cost to whatever you need to know to protect your space.
No more fretting over potential water damage or fire incidents. Instead, you can enjoy your neatly arranged bookshelf or beautifully coordinated living room without worry. As we embrace the practicality of Virgo season, let’s not forget to protect our homes. After all, a secure home is a serene home.
3. Elevate Your Throne With Squatty Potty
It’s time to talk about a throne that isn’t adorned with jewels or velvet cushions … it’s your bathroom’s porcelain throne! Embracing the practicality of Virgo season means taking a hard look at every aspect of our daily routine, including our bathroom habits. That’s where Squatty Potty comes into play.
This quirky but practical tool might just revolutionize your bathroom experience. Offering a new level of comfort and efficiency, squatty potty can improve your bathroom game.
The design of this tool helps you assume a more natural posture, aligning your body in a way that eases the process. Trust us, once you start using the Squatty Potty, you’ll wonder how you managed without it!
This little gem can also contribute to your bathroom’s harmony. Available in various styles, squatty potty can blend seamlessly into your bathroom decor, adding a touch of elegance to the most private room of your home. So, why not take your bathroom experience up a notch this Virgo season? After all, harmony starts from the most basic routines.
4. Harmonize With Good Essential’s Essential Oil Sets
When we talk about creating a harmonious environment at home, it’s about what you can see and what you can smell. The power of scent to influence mood and create a sense of peace and calm is undeniable. That’s why Good Essential’s essential oil sets should be at the top of your Virgo season shopping list.
Each drop of essential oil holds the power to transform a room. Whether you’re looking to bring a sense of calm to your home office, energize your living room, or create a spa-like atmosphere in your bathroom, these oils have you covered.
With essential oil sets, you’re not limited to just one scent. You can mix and match, creating your own personalized home fragrance that perfectly captures the essence of your space. It’s like having a secret weapon to combat stress, lift your mood, and promote a sense of harmony within your home.
As we navigate through Virgo season, let’s not forget to pay attention to scent’s invisible yet powerful element. With essential oils, you can fill your home with the fragrances that resonate with you the most, creating a space that’s not just organized but also emotionally balanced and inviting.
Ever wish you could simply wave a wand and make clutter disappear? Unfortunately, we don’t live in a magical world. That said, an ottoman with storage from One Kings Lane gets you pretty close. It’s a simple, effective solution for the common and often frustrating problem of clutter in our living spaces. Plus, it looks stylish and at-one with your living space, so you don’t have to worry about solving one clutter problem with another type of clutter.
On the outside, it’s an elegant piece of furniture, perfect for resting tired feet or offering an extra seat when guests arrive. Inside, it’s a spacious storage unit ready to hold your knick-knacks, magazines, or those throw blankets you always need on chilly nights.
Isn’t it refreshing to have a clean, clutter-free living room to relax in after a long day? Or a neat bedroom where you can retreat and recharge? If you want to embody the Virgo spirit fully this season, it’s all about creating a harmonious space where everything has its place.
Who would’ve thought curtains could play a vital role in harmonizing our living spaces? But the truth is, they do. They add warmth, create privacy, and contribute significantly to the aesthetic appeal of a room. When they’re custom curtains from Pepper Home, they become even more magical.
Pepper Home’s custom curtains are an opportunity to express your style while adding a touch of elegance to your rooms. Whether you prefer dark, heavy drapes for a dramatic effect or light, airy curtains for a minimalist vibe, Pepper Home has fully covered you (and your windows).
While curtains can be a hugely grounding element in any room, which leads into this earthy sign, they’re also incredibly practical, making them a doubly perfect addition to your decor this season. Curtains also help control the light and temperature in your rooms, contributing to a more comfortable and eco-friendly home environment.
7. Sip Some Goodness With Olipop’s Healthy Soda
Let’s take a quick departure from home decor to talk about something equally important if you’re looking to ground your life: what you eat and drink. If you love soda, you probably know that all that sugar and questionable additives aren’t good for you.
Not to mention, the caffeine can get in the way of your internal harmony, too — and when your body isn’t at its best, it doesn’t matter how sleek your living space is … you’ll feel out of balance. That’s why Olipop’s healthy soda is the perfect addition to your harmonious Virgo home. It has all the flavor you crave and satisfying fizz without the negatives.
Working healthy soda into your lifestyle doesn’t just make your taste buds happy, but it also contributes to a well-organized and harmonious kitchen. With no sticky spills or sugar-laden residues to worry about, you can maintain a clean and tidy kitchen effortlessly.
8. Claim Your Space: Ewart Woods’ Cute Desk Organizer
Piles of paper, scattered pens, and misplaced Post-it notes are a recipe for chaos. Just in time, Virgo season brings the promise of order. We have what you need to tidy up your trust desk: Ewart Woods’ cute and customizable desk organizer.
Imagine having a spot for everything on your desk. Pens? Check. Sticky notes? Check. Phone? Check. Not only does this streamline your workflow, but it also reduces the time you spend hunting for that one elusive pen that always seems to disappear.
This desk organizer isn’t just about functionality, though. It also makes your workspace a lot more pleasing to the eye. You can choose the shape and combination of the pieces to this desk organizer, ensuring that you have the perfect accent to suit your space and hold everything you need. When everything has the perfect place to go, your office space will feel more harmonious instantly.
9. Shelf the Chaos: Songmics’ Shelves for Kitchen Cabinets
While your kitchen cabinets may hide clutter, that doesn’t mean they aren’t cluttered. These areas often become a wild jungle of pots, pans, food containers, and more. The best way to keep your cabinets clean and make sure that all of your kitchen supplies stay clean, safe, and visible so you don’t forget what you have and end up with forty of the same cups is by getting some cabinet organizer shelves.
They’re your secret weapon in taming this wilderness. These shelves help maximize the space in your cabinets, allowing you to neatly stack dishes, organize pots and pans, and arrange your food containers in a way that makes everything easy to find.
Just picture opening a cabinet and seeing all your baking supplies neatly arranged on a shelf or your collection of spices lined up in alphabetical order. It’s enough to make any Virgo swoon with joy!
These organizer shelves also contribute to the overall harmony of your kitchen. With everything in its right place, your kitchen becomes a more enjoyable space where you can unleash your culinary creativity without worrying about the chaos that usually follows.
Make Every Season Virgo Season
Embracing the practicality of Virgo season isn’t about transforming your home overnight — it’s about making mindful choices that contribute to a more organized and harmonious space. It’s about incorporating products that simplify your life and add a touch of joy to your everyday routines.
Whether it’s a washable rug that makes cleaning a breeze or a cute desk organizer that personalizes your workspace, these tips are all about celebrating Virgo’s love for order, efficiency, and beauty.
As the last days of summer give way to the freshness of Fall, let’s take a moment to appreciate the practicality of Virgo season by creating spaces that are not only well-organized but also warm, welcoming, and uniquely ours. Here’s to a harmonious home and a harmonious life!
Star Wars boss Kathleen Kennedy and her equally successful film producer husband, Frank Marshall, are making moves on the real estate front.
Having just released their much-anticipated fifth installment in the Indiana Jones franchise, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (now playing in theaters around the world) the two are now switching their focus to more personal projects: offloading their stunning Malibu estate, which just hit the market for $18,500,000.
Now, if Kathleen and Frank’s names sound awfully familiar but you’re having trouble placing them, let us refresh your memory.
Best known for high-profile projects like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jurrasic Park, Schindler’s List, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, and several Star Wars installments, Kathleen Kennedy earned great success working alongside Steven Spielberg, producing some of his biggest films — which have earned over $11 billion worldwide, including five of the fifty highest-grossing movies in film history.
She’s also been serving as the president of Lucasfilm (George Lucas’ former production company, acquired by Disney in 2012 for $4.2 billion) for over a decade, and is the first and only female award winner of the prestigious Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award.
Related: George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch is a fanboy paradise with Victorian roots
Her husband, Frank Marshall, famously worked on box-office hits like Gremlins, the Back to the Future trilogy, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Hook, and Empire of the Sun, before co-founding The Kennedy/Marshall Company with his wife in 1991.
Together, the two filmmakers produced The Sixth Sense, Signs, Seabiscuit, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, War Horse, and all four films in the Bourne series. In 2012, Marshall took over as sole principal of the company when Kathleen became Chairman of Lucasfilm, Ltd.
In addition to earning well over a dozen Oscar nominations between them, the couple is also a force in California real estate, having bought and sold multimillion-dollar properties from and to celebrities like Bea Arthur, Tom Hanks, Reese Witherspoon, Tom Selleck, and Steven Seagal.
And now, they’re looking to cash in big by selling their Malibu estate, a contemporary marvel set atop a lush promontory with commanding views of the Malibu coastline.
Inside Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall’s $18.5M Malibu estate
The Indiana Jones producers’ house just hit the market for $18,500,000 — with Stan Richman of Compass in charge of the listing.
Set in a private, gated compound, the home is completely shielded from prying eyes and even from neighboring properties.
“This one-story home sits on a rare 2.2-wide-acre private knoll in Carbon Mesa, with views of Malibu from one end to the other that’s incomparable to any other lot in the city. It’s perfect for easy living and ideal for someone who appreciates land and views,” listing agent Stan Richman told us via email.
Beyond its perfect location in one of the world’s most coveted and serene settings (which also places the couple’s home in close proximity to Nobu, Little Beach House Malibu, The Country Mart, and the brand-new Cross Creek Development), the $18.5 million house could serve as a poster house for the ‘quiet luxury’ trend.
Epitomizing quintessential indoor-outdoor living with nearly every room inside the home having direct access to the outdoors, the four-bedroom, three-bathroom residence is anchored by a stunning great room with exposed vaulted ceilings and walls of glass that open to unobstructed ocean views.
The chef’s kitchen features a center island, full bar, mini bar, and fireplace that opens to the outdoor spaces with an outdoor barbecue, custom fire pit, outdoor shower, and multiple lounging areas.
The expansive primary suite boasts a fireplace and spa-style bathroom with custom built-ins and a walk-in closet, and the other three bedrooms are equally inviting.
Heading outside, the infinity-edge pool (with top-of-the-line PebbleTec technology), outdoor BBQ, custom fire pit, and outdoor shower round up the long list of amenities. Though it’s worth noting that the house also comes with membership rights to the coveted La Costa Beach and Tennis Club.
The celebrated filmmakers listed quite a few other multimillion-dollar properties over the years, including a scenic $16.9 million ranch in Telluride, Colo., a $3.6 million New York City apartment, and a gated compound in Brentwood, Los Angeles that sold for $8.6 million in 2015.
And while we don’t know what it’s like to work with them in real estate transactions, all of their past movie collaborators speak very highly of the Indiana Jones producers — including Indy himself.
Harrison Ford once told Variety that “There’s a lot in this business that doesn’t make sense. Kathy and Frank are one of the things that do,” adding that “They work hard, they’re good people with good ideas, they have a real understanding of how the movie business works and they know how to get sh*t done.”
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This (tiny) piece of Boston history is up for sale.
It was built shortly after the Civil War, but no one knows for sure why.
According to Boston legend, a pair of brothers inherited the land from their father. When one left to serve in the military, the other built a large home that took up the majority of the property, leaving just a scrap left over. In retaliation, the returning brother built a tall, narrow home on the property anyway, blocking the light and view to his brothers house.
Whether that’s the true story or not, the house is certainly special. It’s 4 stories tall, but just over 10 feet at it’s widest point. That adds up to about 1,166 square feet, including in 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. It also comes with some great views of Boston Harbor and downtown. All that will cost you $895,000.
Step into a world where sleek lines, open spaces, and a harmonious marriage of form and function reign supreme.
Mid-century may be a classic style from the mid-1900s, but homes built in this style have a timeless appeal. With their distinct architectural features — which often include flat roofs, horizontal planes, and geometric shapes — they embrace simplicity, functionality, and a seamless integration with the surrounding environment.
Nature and lifestyle were key when designing mid-century houses, so many of them were built with floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the yard, sliding glass doors, and many access points to the outdoors.
Incorporating clean lines and basic shapes, simple furnishings, a practical Scandinavian approach with muted color palette, and warm inviting earth tones, simplicity is a notable characteristic of mid-century design. Mid-century modern homes also used spaces efficiently with their split-level design, which makes it easy to see why the this architectural style continues to fascinate with both its practicality and its aesthetic appeal.
Our favorite midcentury modern houses
For those who want to immerse themselves in the world of midcentury beauties, we’ve rounded up our favorites. Carefully restored by their owners while preserving their original character and incorporating modern amenities and technologies, we believe the examples below have done a great job at striking a balance between maintaining the historical integrity of the house and making it functional for contemporary living.
Without further ado, here are 13 stylishly refreshed-yet-classic mid-century modern houses that we’ve covered in the past, many of which had some quite famous owners (or architects).
#1 A secluded mid-century modern home with unique features and views of lush surroundings
There is so much to love about this Santa Clarita property — which was home to ‘Dallas’ Star Linda Gray for almost FIVE decades. Named Oak Tree Ranch after the stunning oak trees that grow on the property, the private California compound has many unique features.
Designed by acclaimed architect A. Quincy Jones, the mid-century house is unquestionably elegant and captivating. True to the principle of bringing the outside in, the floor is made of heart pine, (meaning the heart of the pine tree), sourced from a New Orleans schoolhouse.
The freestanding fireplace is another unique feature of this property. The kitchen was designed by renowned architect Josh Schweitzer who added beautiful racks to hang pots and pans out in the open, pro-style appliances, and a pizza oven.
Sitting on 2.7 acres of lush land, the property has stables for four horses, a tack room/barn, a north-south tennis court, a large swimmer’s pool with spa, organic gardens, koi pond, chicken coop, and an endless lawn to enjoy the outdoors.
#2 This mid-century modern home built by Steele & Van Dyk resembles a semi-secluded paradise
The 8.86-acre property located in the Sonoma County town of Sebastopol is one of the most spectacular (and most lovingly preserved) mid-century homes you’ll find.
It was once owned by Charles M. Schulz, the creator of the beloved comic strip Peanuts and his children have fond memories of the property, which was used by their father as a creative studio.
There were several lots on the original 27-acre property such as Schulz’ main house, his grandmother’s house, a large pond, a baseball field, a miniature golf course, a large swimming pool, an enclosed entertainment pavilion, and his studio, all surrounded by vineyards and apple orchards.
The family who bought the property after Charles Schulz’ ownership made a few changes to the studio but made sure not to alter the nature of the design.
They renovated the studio and turned it into an inviting one-bedroom home which operated as a licensed vacation rental for a few years.
True to the architecture of mid-century modern houses, the former art studio has clean lines, minimal decoration, and large, flat panes of glass windows and doors which allow a connection with nature.
With the home surrounded by natural beauty, you’ll find a four-hole golf course, Redwoods groves, and walking trails lined with numerous rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, dogwoods, several varieties of ferns, fruit trees, and plenty of flowers.
#3 One of legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s last projects, a mid-century masterpiece
Sitting on 14 acres of protected land in New Canaan, Conn., we find one of legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s final projects, built in 1955, just a few years before his death in 1959.
Known as Tirranna — a moniker inspired by an Australian Aboriginal word meaning “running waters”, as the home is cantilevered over a pond and overlooks a waterfall on the Noroton River — the property is one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s largest residential properties.
The architect also lived here while building the Guggenheim Museum and even used some of the scalloped glass windows from the Guggenheim Museum project to complete the home’s south-facing greenhouse.
Clocking in at a generous 7,000 square feet, the 7-bedroom, 8.5-bath home blends geometric complexity with nature’s flowing curves, in typical Frank Lloyd Wright style.
Throughout the home, the architect combined and contrasted soaring ceilings and open living spaces with cozy and cocoon-like mahogany-paneled bedrooms.
The home’s functional wood-paneled and stainless-steel kitchen epitomizes the mid-century modern aesthetic, while each of the bathrooms are spa-like and adorned with spectacular wood panels and unique features.
#4 A Mid-century home in Palo Alto that has maintained the integrity of its original design
This mid-century modern home is so simple that it reads as sophisticated.
It bears the signature of internationally recognized architect and Frank Lloyd Wright protégé Aaron Green. The 3-bed, 2-bath home features extensive use of mahogany, slab floors with radiant heat, built-in beds, desks and dressers, and Formica counters.
With flat roofs, both the exterior and interior have a clean and functional design. Inside the home, there is minimal decoration and the various cabinetry adds depth and variation in elevation.
The large windows give magnetic views of the yard. All in all, a gorgeous home updated for modern living while still retaining its mid-century authenticity.
#5 One of the most spectacular mid-century modern houses with a Moroccan theme and great views of the Coachella Valley
This stylish home is located in a compound in Rancho Mirage’s Thunderbird Heights — a prestigious gated hillside community adjacent to Thunderbird Country Club.
The mid-century home was custom-built for famous entertainer Bing Crosby and his second wife, Kathryn Grant, and was an absolutely perfect fit for its celebrity owner who loved to live large.
Among its most striking features, Bing Crosby’s former home lists a large living room with a stone fireplace and bar, a chef’s kitchen, a movie theater, and a beautiful and spacious 1,400-sq. foot master suite with a stunner of a walk-in closet and a fireplace, as well as four additional en-suite bedrooms.
Spread over 1.36 acres of land, the phenomenal home has approximately 6,700 square feet of living space that extend into the outdoor areas.
The home’s most famous guests, though, were definitely Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy. In honor of their stay there, the two-bedroom attached casita has been named the JFK Wing.
#6 An architectural gem with mesmerizing views of its lush surroundings and direct entrance to Rustic Canyon Park
Set in Los Angeles, this mid-century home designed by notable architect David Hyun has formerly been the residence of prominent entertainment lawyer Gary Concoff and his wife Jean.
The house dubbed ‘the Modern Tree House’ has large floor-to-ceiling windows which provide scenic views of the century-old trees that surround it and encourage a sense of harmony with the outdoor spaces it’s built around. The combination of the large windows and open floor plans let in a lot of beautiful natural light into the two-story home.
Notable features on the lower level of the house include an eat-in Eggersman kitchen, a full-service bar, a formal powder room, and three bedrooms. The distinctive spiral staircase leads to the primary suite upstairs fitted with generously sized closets as well as two separate offices and a large den/media room.
The massive backyard of the nearly quarter-acre property features a large swimming pool, a unique area for dining set amongst the trees, and a gate directly into Rustic Canyon Park, said to be one of the best parks in Los Angeles.
#7 The lovely mid-century modern house Richard Neutra designed for his secretary
One of the most impressive celebrity homes on our list, Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea’s house is made out of two architecturally significant structures: The first is a modern heptagon-shaped house designed by AD100 architect Michael Maltzan and the other is a lovely midcentury-style house built by famed architect Richard Neutra in the early 1950s.
Clocking in at 1,350 sq ft, the midcentury-style home has 2 bedrooms, and one bath, and is surrounded by walls of glass.
The home was built by Richard Neutra for his secretary, Dorothy Serulnic and her husband, George, back in 1953. Neutra, one of the most influential architects of the twentieth century, made sure that his secretary’s home is as livable and comfortable as it is visually appealing.
He designed several built-ins including a sofa system with a record player and concealed speakers, multiple desks, shelving systems, a dining room table, and a sliding breakfast nook, which are still present in the house today (or, rather, were still there when Flea tried offloading his La Crescenda compound a while back).
Architect Michael Maltzan then built a dramatic, seven-sided house on the property half a century later. The spaceship-like house is surrounded by seven exterior walls (some made out of glass) and is anchored by an open-air courtyard that sits right at the center.
A small cabin built by artist and craftsman Peter Staley provides a little extra space for guests and an eye-grabbing feature.
#8 Master architect Richard Dorman’s award-winning home, the Seidenbaum Residence
Tucked away down a long private driveway into a quiet, secluded compound we find architect Richard Dorman’s Seidenbaum Residence.
With its timeless appeal and unique design, the home is nestled in the Hollywood Hills on Mulholland Drive, overlooking outstanding views of the San Fernando Valley and the Hollywood sign.
Spanning 3,198 square feet, the five-bedroom, three-bathroom home has two peaked roofs and clerestory windows that capture the California sunshine inside the main living area.
Boasting an open-concept layout, the home blends mid-century and modern designs. From the dining and main living areas to the kitchen, the fluid design captures a sense of tranquility amid the walls of glass that draw in the natural light.
Providing warmth and intimacy, the see-through, double-sided fireplace is a show-stopper in the great room.
#9 This elegant home with a zen factor beautifully remodeled for modern-day living
Originally built in 1955, this home offers a fresh, contemporary take on the timeless midcentury style. Esteemed architectural firm OWIU (which stands for the only way is up) updated the property, building on its mid-century modern legacy.
The 1,516-square-foot home is in Mount Washington, a historic neighborhood in the San Rafael Hills of Northeast Los Angeles. It has bright, warm interiors, and is filled with the natural finish of attractive light oak wood.
The house — which has retained its original charm —is all about comfort, timeless design, and an approachable elegance.Kane Lim from the popular reality show Bling Empire was once the owner of this beautiful property.
It has all the standard features of a mid-century home and then some,with floor-to-ceiling windows, clean lines, breathtaking views, and a deck in the primary suite that leads to a Japanese-style garden with bonsai and maple trees.
The house’s exterior has fresh pathways and gardening beds, a gate that leads to the lower portion of the property, and a large open space that has a sculptural staircase and custom wood bench surrounding a fire pit.
#10 A charming, thoughtfully updated former celebrity home on a quiet hilltop
On a quiet hilltop right above the famed Mulholland Drive sits a 4-bedroom hilltop hideaway once owned by power couple Emily Blunt and John Krasinski.
The secluded, single-level mid-century home has a large open plan design and walls of glass that allow light to enter rooms from multiple angles.
With soaring, beamed ceilings, wide plank hardwoods, and original stonework, the living room is as eye-catching as it is inviting and features a gas fireplace.
The primary bedroom suite is one of the main highlights of this home and it looks and feels like a retreat in itself. With its vaulted, beamed ceilings, and massive windows inviting the outdoors in, a sitting area, custom built-ins, a walk-in closet, and a marble-clad ensuite bath with a soaking tub and steam shower, it truly is a stylish and elegant space.
The flagstone patio is surrounded by mature oak and olive trees and features a bubbling fountain, making it a great place to relax and soak in the picturesque views of mountains, the canyon, and the slivers of the city skyline.
#11 A spectacular stilt house with jaw-dropping views and a unique taste of Los Angeles history
Nestled in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, this is one of 17 unique homes propped up over the side of the Beverly Glen Canyon. The mid-century house was tastefully modernized by its previous owner, acclaimed architect Donald M. Goldstein. It’s undoubtedly a part of architecture history in Los Angeles.
Known as Neutra’s Platform Houses because they were originally designed by legendary architect Richard Neutra, these gravity-defying homes are incredible. Also known as the Stone-Fisher Speculative Houses (as they were built for the Stone-Fisher development company), the unique abodes were later completed by architect William S. Beckett.
The one-story home creates the illusion of a floating vessel in the sky. The unique structure has a rectangular form, horizontal emphasis, long balconies stretching the full width of the house, and large windows to display magnificent views of the San Fernando Valley.
Some of the notable features of the 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom home include pyramid skylights, raised ceiling and roof lines, a 300+ bottle wine cellar, a Roman soaking tub, and its black metal exterior is coated with a 24-gauge Kynar finish.
#12 A classic mid-century house in a prime location with a long list of past celebrity owners
The star-studded Los Angeles Tree House — carefully tucked away from prying eyes in the famous Mulholland Drive — has attracted names like Ellen DeGeneres, Heath Ledger, and Hunger Games star Josh Hutcherson as its owners.
The charming home with its lush surroundings is as serene as it is private. Inside, the clean mid-century modern style is warmed by a blend of natural textures, with walls of glass opening the home to the beautifully landscaped outdoors.
The home’s most extraordinary feature is its expansive 2,500-square-foot outdoor deck which is pretty phenomenal.
It overlooks the leafy treetops illuminated with ethereal lights at night and is furnished with an outdoor grill, lots of seating areas, and an open-air screening room with a retractable projection screen.
#13 A two-story mid-century gem in Bel Air with artsy appeal
Set in a quiet cul-de-sac, the 5,134-square-foot mid-century modern home features 5 bedrooms and 4 baths and has been fitted with everything from stone counters to auto window shades, radiant limestone floors, and high-end SS Thermador appliances.
The two-story Bel-Air home features dramatic vaulted ceilings that soar over the living, dining, and family rooms.
With its seamless indoor/outdoor living, scenic surroundings and the floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that are popular in mid-century modern houses, the house is flooded with natural light.
The home’s interior is stylishly refreshed with inviting warm-toned furnishings providing a relaxing and enriching experience, with art and pops of color accenting its midcentury aesthetic.
Midcentury modern houses continue to captivate and inspire with their timeless charm and architectural elegance. From their clean lines and expansive windows to their innovative use of materials, these houses represent a design movement that has left an indelible mark on the world of architecture, one that will continue to attract homeowners and renovators for years to come.
Especially since, as we’ve seen with the examples listed above, updating these midcentury gems creates true masterpieces.
While some may argue about what season is the best for real estate transactions, there’s no debating that some serious home buying buzz gets created every spring.
So if you’re a potential home buyer looking to get in on the action, read on and find out how to maximize your chances of moving into your dream home by summer.
Spring 2017: A Seller’s Market
One of the trends this spring is a lack of inventory. There’s almost always a flood of buyers in spring, which creates competition, but with a relative scarcity of new homes for sale the competition is compounded.
Spring 2017 is definitely a sellers market, so buyers need to act accordingly in order to optimize their chances of getting the home they want at a satisfactory price. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Be decisive
Just because it’s a sellers market doesn’t mean that they want to wait all day until they get the offer of their lives. Few homeowners like cleaning for showings and holding open houses for strangers to come and inspect every corner of their home.
That means if you show up to view homes right as they hit the market and proceed to swiftly make offers, you will probably be better off than buyers who are going to showings late in the weekend and hesitating to make offers.
As the saying goes: fortune favors the bold.
2. Prepare yourself for disappointment
Not to be a downer, but a competitive market means it’s likely that there will be several offers on the home.
A bidding war is riddled with uncertainty, as you never know who you’re going up against. Unless you’re planning on putting in an offer that’s well-above asking price, you face the very real possibility of losing the house to another buyer. It’s a fact of the home buying process, and it can be extremely frustrating.
One way to lessen the blow is to accept beforehand that it might happen.
It can be tough when you’re falling in love with a newly renovated bathroom or kitchen, but trying to stay emotionally unattached during the process can help mitigate stress, and will ultimately make for a more enjoyable home buying experience.
3. Make a strong offer
To build off of the previous tip, you’re definitely not doing yourself any benefit by tossing out low-ball offers in a seller’s market. With multiple offers on the table, sellers are less inclined to play games with buyers.
Everyone always wants to get the best deal on anything they’re buying, so it’s natural to want to see if you can haggle your way into a sale below asking price. And that might even work during other times of the year when there are less buyers, but it’s not a smart strategy in a seller’s market.
So take your time, think about things, and come in with a strong opening offer.
4. Give yourself some room to bid
It’s been established that there’s a very real possibility of getting into a bidding war. And while making a firm first offer is a step in the right direction, chances are you will have to go higher.
That’s why you should search for homes that are below the top-end of your budget. This way you can make a strong initial bid and still have room left to run, if need be. Looking at homes that are all at the limit of your budget can leave you feeling frustrated and dejected when you can’t compete with other bidders.
5. Get Pre-Approved
Sellers want to know that the buyers they are dealing with are for real. They are living in a world of unknowns, and have no idea about your income, credit score, or debt to income ratio.
That’s why you need to get pre-approved: so they know for sure that you are a qualified and capable buyer.
With so many buyers on the market it’s virtually guaranteed that you will be competing with borrowers who are pre-approved. And when it comes down to filtering out prospective buyers, anyone with a pre-approval has a much higher chance of making the cut.
Not only will it show that you are pre-approved at a certain loan amount, but it tells sellers that you are a serious house-hunter who isn’t going to delay the transaction.
Bottom Line
Spring is kicking into gear and that means many buyers and sellers are getting ready to make a deal. Buying a home this spring might be a challenge for some house-hunters, but if you follow the tips outlined above, the only thing you’ll have to worry about when summer comes are your tan lines.
Carter Wessman
Carter Wessman is originally from the charming town of Norfolk, Massachusetts. When he isn’t busy writing about mortgage related topics, you can find him playing table tennis, or jamming on his bass guitar.
a new study on the phenomenon, in an interview with the Washington Post.
But prioritizing the perceived preferences of the general public over personal décor desires, it turns out, is a formula for anxiety, detachment and feeling out of place in a place meant to be yours.
“It really makes people feel quite uneasy about the decisions that they make in their home, and so they’re always kind of fearful about getting it wrong,” Grant added.
Yet, the takeaway message from hit renovation shows seems clear: Unique, cluttered and unconventional spaces have less mass appeal and a lower resale value, so consider the next homeowner first when making renovations.
(HGTV did not return The Post’s request for comment.)
Of the 17 individuals who were involved in the study’s research, the majority said they wanted to be seen as a “smart homeowner who has invested in my home” and avoid distinct, potentially polarizing design choices, Grant said.
One individual told the study authors she believed the reason she’d gotten so much positive feedback on her renovated bathroom was because it looked “like a hotel.”
In another era, or to a less-conformist homeowner, this would certainly have been taken as something of a diss, a comment on the bathroom’s generic sameness.
In a world that apparently believes standardization is superior, though, it’s now a compliment.
Elizabeth has a lifehack that allows her to manage both money and space. She writes: “This helped me curb my lifestyle choices when I was in high school and first on my own.” Here is her guest entry.
Possessions scare me. My parents are pack-rats, and their house is full of things that have no right to be there. Desk space is taken up by dirty coffee cups, stacks of notebooks, and priceless, irreplaceable piles of loose paper. My Mom’s office, the biggest room in the house, has three narrow pathways: one to her computer, one to her bathroom, and one to her closet (which will not open because there is too much stuff inside and outside of it). Scary!
When I became a college student with a (very small) room of my own, I learned how rewarding it is to be in control of your living space, and how important thriftiness is on a student-sized budget. This is how I came up with the following method of worth assessment: the cost-per-day expense chart. How much does something you own cost per day you use it? And how long until your assets break even?
I use this technique to get rid of excess stuff, and to figure out how to be economical in possession and in purchase. This is also a good way to figure out what you’re spending money on, and to find alternatives — say, if you buy a lot of books, getting a library card, or if you buy a lot of music, start working at a radio station.
Preparation
You will need:
a few pieces of paper
a pencil
a calculator
two highlighters
You may also want:
a pen — I like to use two colored pens, red and black: black for numbers, red for comments or uncertain variables
a ruler to mark off columns
a computer with a spreadsheet program
I should preface this by saying that I am not a math genius. The purpose of this is to look at how much your lifestyle costs, not to make you feel insecure about forgetting sixth-grade algebra. All of the math herein is multiplication and division; you don’t have to solve for x, and you can use a calculator.
List Everything You Own and How Much it Cost
List everything. Don’t worry about order for now. You might want to look up every receipt, but that’s not necessary — I’d only recommend doing that for large purchases, such as a big-screen TV, a computer, or a boat. Exclude gifts you’ve received, since they cost nothing. If this seems daunting, start by writing the cost for each category of possession: clothes, books, furniture, etc. For example, if you have three pairs of shoes you wear in rotation that cost $45, $60 and $50, then group them, writing $150 under shoes.
List Everything You Pay for Monthly
List your mortgage, rent, student loans, insurance, cable, phone, internet, repairs, everything you pay that has an intangible attached to it.
Organize this Data
Make a table, either on the computer or on paper. You need four columns. The first three are the name of the item(s), cost and number of days used since it was bought. The fourth is “cost per day,” which we’ll get to in a second.
Part of J.D.’s cost-per-day table
After you’ve put in both the name and how much everything costs, estimate how many days out of the year you use it. If it’s something like clothes or shoes, chances are you use both every day of the year. If it’s a television sitting in your basement, chances are you use it zero days out of the year. If you’re really not sure, think of how many days you use the object per month and then multiply that by twelve.
Here’s a quick reference:
73 days = 5 days/month
84 days = 7 days/month
170 days = 2 weeks/month
252 days = 3 weeks/month
Calculate How Much Each Possession Costs Per Day of Use
This means you divide the cost by the number of days it’s been used in the last year. For example, I paid $150 for three pairs of shoes which I bought a year ago today. I wear one pair every day, so I punch in the following on my calculator:
$150 / 365 = $0.41095, or $0.41 for every day I wear shoes.
You can also calculate how much it’ll cost if you own or have owned something for over a year. For an $150 purchase which I use every day, the cost after a year and a half is $0.27; after 730 days of usage (two years) the cost is $0.21. If I own these very industrious shoes (or something of equal value) for a grandfantacular ten years and use them every day, then it only costs me $0.04 per day used. Do this first for all the straightforward purchases, such as shoes, clothes, furniture, dish sets, etc. Then proceed to the next step, which is to calculate harder sets.
Calculate Monthly Expenses
Tabulate regular expenses, such as rent, mortgage, utilities, DSL. This is the simplest part, because you multiply the monthly amount by 12 and divide it by 365. My utilities are $35/month for DSL, heating and electricity. $35 x 12 = $420. Since I use DSL, heating and electricity 365 days per year, I’m paying $1.15 per day for all three.
Group Open-Ended Items
Some possessions, such as media, are trickier to calculate. A book you buy might sit on your shelf for two years, only to be devoured in a week and cast aside for another two. The simplest way to calculate media expenses is to collate everything you’ve spent for that year, and how much time you spend on the activity. If you buy $200 worth of books/records/DVDs but spend 200 days out of the year (about two weeks out of every month) using that media, then you’re only spending $1 a day. This gives you a general idea of how cost-effective your consumption is, and gives you an idea if you can save money.
Take a Break
Seriously. Take an hour to do something that doesn’t involve math or thinking about finances. Go hiking, running, etc. But come back. If you’re like me and tend to take more breaks than needed, set a timer for yourself and stick to it.
Decide What to Get Rid of
This is the hard part. First, print a few copies of your chart. Now you’re ready to use your highlighters. One color indicates things that you need or must pay: insurance, rent, shoes, etc. The other color indicates things that have sentimental value: a first-edition book signed by the author, a stuffed animal, a wedding dress, et cetera. There’s always some grey area, and it raises some interesting questions. Do you really need cable? What about a television in the first place? The wedding dress is nice, but is it just taking up closet space? Are you really going to watch all those movies again and again?
This is why you have multiple copies of your chart. After you highlight everything you need/want, do it again and check the differences. You’ll have a better idea of what you can get rid of, and also how much less you can spend.
Conclusion
If you like this method, or if have math errors to point out, let me know. Feel free to ask me any questions (or to vituperate about how starting this was the worst experience of your life).
Elizabeth is a student and freelancer in Berkeley, California. She edits a zine, Zotapine, and does programming for KALX radio, including news features and anchoring.
Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.
“They feel great and absorb [water] like a bounty towel”
After a long day, there’s nothing better than getting out of a hot shower or relaxing bath with a plush towel to wrap yourself in. Towels, like bedsheets, are essential to everyday life, so investing in a set of quality bath towels that can live up to the task is worth it.
If you’re looking for a new set to add to your towel collection check out the Belizzi Home 8-Piece Bath Towel Set, which is on sale at Amazon for $30 — that’s just $4 apiece. The set will instantly add a new feel to your bathroom, as it includes two oversized bath towels measuring 27 by 54 inches, two hand towels, and four wash clothes. Each piece is made from ring-spun cotton that is absorbent and soft to the touch, according to shoppers. Also worth noting, the towels have a double-stitched hem, which gives them a nice appearance, strengthens the fabric, and prevents fraying over time.
The quick-drying linens are available in 20 colors, including neutrals, pastels, and bright hues such as white, turquoise, and coral orange, and every color is discounted right now, so at least one option is sure to match your bathroom’s decor.
Belizzi Home 8-Piece Bath Towel Set in White, $30 (Save $20)
$50
$30
Related: The 7 Best Turkish Towels of 2023, According to Textile Experts and Our Tests
To take care of the towels properly, wash them separately in cold water and tumble dry them on a low heat setting. The brand also recommends washing the towels before first use. Over 5,000 Amazon shoppers have given these bath towels a five-star rating, with some leaving reviews that highlight how “fluffy and durable” the towels that “are great after a shower” really are.
“The quality and fabric are great, and I have had zero issues. I washed them as soon as I received them, and they have been washed several dozen times since and hold up well,” shared one reviewer. They added that the color of the towels “is still rich and vibrant” and there was no shrinkage.
Another reviewer stated the towels are “super soft and they dry so quickly”, while a final five-star reviewer wrote, “These remind me of nice hotel towels. They feel great and absorb [water] like a bounty towel!”
The brand’s 6-Piece Bath Towel Set is also on sale. The popular set comes with two oversized bath towels measuring 28 by 55 inches, two hand towels, and two washcloths. Prices vary by color, but you can snap up a set for as little as $18.
Related: The 8 Best Shower Heads of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Ready to refresh your bathroom? There’s no end date listed for this sale, so head to Amazon to shop the Belizzi Home 8-Piece Bath Towel Set now.
Belizzi Home 8-Piece Bath Towel Set in Sea Green, $30 (Save $20)
$50
$30
Belizzi Home 8-Piece Bath Towel Set in Tan, $30 (Save $20)
$50
$30
Belizzi Home 8-Piece Bath Towel Set in Mineral Blue, $30 (Save $20)
$50
$32
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