bLavish

Graeme Alford Buys Former Jail Cell

November 5, 2007 | Posted by Allison as Dream Homes at 12:00 pm | Comments »

It takes a very special person to not only buy a jail cell, but buy a jail cell where they spent time, but Australian Graeme Alford is an extraordinary man.

Alford spent several years in Pentridge Prison for embezzlement & bank robbery.  When the prison closed in 1997 & became a wine cellar of sorts, the former prisoner bought up the property for somewhere around $46 million.

I guess you can take the man away from the jail, but you can’t take the jail away from the man?

Rent the Most Expensive Property In London

October 30, 2007 | Posted by Allison as Dream Homes at 12:00 pm | (2) Comments »

At £40,000 a week, this stunning house just a few feet from Hyde Park is the most expensive property to rent in London.

Located in the infamously luxurious Mayfair part of London, this estate features the highest level of security for its tenants.  With staff quarters at the back of the property and many modern accents, you can’t wonder why this London house is the most expensive rent in the city.

Most Expensive Green House Being Built In Palm Beach, Florida

October 29, 2007 | Posted by Allison as Dream Homes at 12:00 pm | (7) Comments »

The world’s most expensive, so far anyway, “green” property is currently under construction in Palm Beach, Florida.

Who’s the owner, you ask?  While he looks more like a Poison extra, real estate tycoon Frank McKinney is commissioning the environmentally friendly home. 

McKinney is apparently building the estate without a clear customer in mind, but I’ll bet Madonna wouldn’t say no.

Call Marco Island Home with this Luxury Dream House

December 15, 2006 | Posted by Allison as Dream Homes at 7:32 am | (2) Comments »

Prop up your feet & call Marco Island home.  This beautiful & spacious luxury home on Marco Island, Florida is the perfect place to ring in the holidays.

With six Sand Dollar awards & three Grand Aurora awards, this look & feel of this residence speaks for itself.  The home features eight bedrooms, along with eight full baths.  You won’t feel cramped with 23,000 square feet to call home.  Sitting on 1.03 acres with a handy boat dock, you can cruise along the Gulf of Mexico in no time!  Cost, $12,900,000.  Make sure to take the virtual tour here!

Free Spirit Sphere Tree Houses

December 5, 2006 | Posted by Allison as Dream Homes at 12:00 pm | (1) Comment »

Love climbing trees & the feeling of weightlessness?  Me too!  We should totally get together, we have so much in common!  Ha!  These Free Spirit Sphere Tree Houses are just for us, mate.  

These wooden spheres are made-to-order tree homes that allow you to dangle down from any tree you choose, just make sure it’s a pretty strong one, eh? 

According to Free Spirit’s Tom Chedleigh, the company can’t keep up with the demand of these little wooden homes.

“We’re currently making a shell a week, and we intend to increase that to six shells a month,” Chedleigh stated.

Wow!  Well you better get your hands on one of these spheres before there aren’t any more to grab!

Via:  Gizmag

Northern Lights Moving Color Tile

October 13, 2006 | Posted by Allison as Dream Homes at 12:30 pm | (8) Comments »

 

Inspired by the Northern Lights, Moving Color Tiles has come up with  4 x 4 glass tiles that appear black at room temperature, but move through the color spectrum when the temperature changes.

The Northern Lights Tile line relies on temperature to create the sensation that the colors are moving.  When warm water or radiant heat is applied to the neat-o tiles, you see quite a range of color.  It’s actually quite fascinating, although it reminds me of those iiridescent cars that were popular for a while.  I like it, Moving Color tiles gets our stamp of approval.

An Architect’s Dream Home on Belvedere Island, California

April 26, 2006 | Posted by Allison as Dream Homes at 12:47 pm | (2) Comments »

Called ‘At the Waters Edge’ for a reason & beautiully situated on the highly sought-after western slope of Belvedere Island, this world-class, architect’s dream home offers spectacular views of the Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco and Sausalito from every room in the main residence.

This is a superb example of modern architecture, a dramatic art structure that graces the slopes of Belvedere island.  And no wonder it is a true treasure,it was designed by the illustrious New York-based architect Charles Gwathmey.

Floor-to-ceiling windows & sliding doors dramatically connect the interior with the exterior.  With a 4-level floor plan that is accentuated with teak, rock maple and flames limestone this is a beauty of a luxury home and sure to please the eye.  Cost, $20,000,000.

A New York Oyster Bay Cove Country Dream Home

April 10, 2006 | Posted by Allison as Dream Homes at 1:00 pm | Comments »

The perfect house, accommodating everyone is available at Oyster Bay Cove, New York.  With a bowling alley, wine cellar, indoor and outdoor Har-Tru tennis courts, twelve-stall stable, in-ground swimming pool and riding trails, this house is a fit for everyone in your family or for every piece of your personality.  This is a Royal Tenenbaums meets true royalty home, I find it absolutely perfect.

A historic French Normandy style manor, the property rests on sixty plus acres and is surrounded by eighty acres of preserved woodlands, a desirable situation for privacy and room to breathe.  The main house is 18,000 square feet which includes eleven bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, a master suite with his/hers sitting areas, staff quarters and fifteen fireplaces.

Have enough room for the whole family and come home to Oyster Bay Cove.  Cost, a mere $43,000,000.

Come Home To French Luxury in Beverly Hills

April 7, 2006 | Posted by Allison as Dream Homes at 1:13 pm | (4) Comments »

Luxist’s Estate of the Day is a wonderful way to see luxury realty.  Today’s listing was an impressive, beautiful estate in Beverly Hills.

“Today’s estate has one of those lovely Flash websites that lets you sit back and check out nearly every room of the house. This Beverly Hills beauty is Chateau de Bonheur, a French-styled estate that sits on approximately 2.5 acres of land with trees, landscaped grounds, a secret garden with fountain, a pool area designed for entertaining and a championship tennis court. The home has seven bedrooms, a wine room, gourmet kitchen with a center island, butler’s pantry, formal dining room,  library, and a living room with large retractable screen for movie viewing. It is listed at $12.5 million. There are pictures after the jump, but if you’ve got the time definitely take the slide show tour to check out all the amazing interior design.”

A secret garden?  Are you kidding me?  That’s perfect.  Just add a trampoline room and you have an exceptional home.

Are You A True Elvis Presley Fan? The King’s Home to be Auctioned

April 7, 2006 | Posted by Allison as Dream Homes at 1:07 pm | (21) Comments »

Are you a true blue Elvis fan?  Then look out for the eBay auction to begin later this month.  Elvis Presley’s first home in Memphis, Tennessee is to be sold to the highest bidder.

The ranch style home in Memphis is the very first home that Elvis purchased and can now be yours.  Skip buying the posters and commemorative plates, this is the ultimate Elvis Presley memorabilia.  Live where the King lived, bathe where the King bathed, sleep where the King slept, breathe where the King breathed.  Auction coming soon.

Via:  The Sun