November 2018 - Beacon Sotheby's International Realty

6 Homes Near the World’s Top Design Events

Good design is a gateway to the world, a universal language understood around the globe. Effective design showcases the brilliance of individual creators along with the cultures and contexts in which they work. And it’s certainly worth traveling for—hence the emergence of international design weeks. Every year, amazing exhibitions of high style and exceptional craftsmanship take place in cities globally.

Here are six you won’t want to miss, along with some of the most stunning homes nearby. For true patrons, establishing a home base near these flagship events can make a one-off experience an annual pilgrimage. After all: a design enthusiast visits; an aficionado moves in.

Dubai: INDEX Dubai and Dubai Design Week

Dubai Design District, United Arab Emirates, photo courtesy of Solkafa/ Shutterstock Inc

Dubai has become synonymous with design; over the last decade, it has witnessed the rise of an avant-garde skyline whose buildings have shattered world records and won accolades. Within this architectural wonderland, the innovative Dubai Design District (d3) hosts Dubai Design Week every November. And in September, thousands of interior designers, decorators, artisans, and architects, converge on the city for INDEX Dubai.

Lewis Knollman, G ulf Sotheby’s International Realty

This spectacular penthouse, situated in the heart of downtown just across the water from d3, puts visitors at the heart of Dubai. It’s a rare unit in Burj Khalifa, the tallest freestanding structure in the world. This luxury home has a front-row seat to some of the most interesting and iconic architecture in the world.

But why fixate on the landmarks around this residence when you could be enjoying the landmark features within? Leading Dubai firm Bishop Design is responsible for the contemporary interiors, set among curving open-concept spaces and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Stockholm: Stockholm Design Week and Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair

Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair, photo courtesy of Gustav Kaiser / Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair

Nordic design is well-known around the world for its elegance and functionality, and every February, Sweden’s enchanting capital lights up the long Scandinavian winter with Stockholm Design Week and the Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair. Hundreds of events, exhibitions, and installations are on display, featuring work by household names as well as exciting newcomers.

Anders Elbe, Sweden Sotheby’s International Realty

A spacious loft in Östermalm is a great way to get cozy in this chilly city and take in the sights during the short days and long nights. With its edgy, sloped ceilings and exposed beams, this beautiful apartment on historic Sibyllegatan is a blank canvas—and therefore, a design buff’s dream.

Singapore: Singapore Design Week

Marina Bay Sands, photo courtesy of Ake Wa/ Shutterstock Inc

A futuristic metropolis set in the tropics, Singapore is home to some of the most striking architecture and design in the world; look no further than the famous Marina Bay Sands and the public Gardens by the Bay nearby. It’s only natural that it would be the focal point for one of the premier creative gatherings in Asia Pacific: Singapore Design Week, which typically goes for two weeks, and in its latest edition hosted over 100 events and 200,000 visitors.

Karen KOH, List Sotheby’s International Realty

Of course, many of the city’s most eye-catching design landmarks are mainstays—like this luxury condominium in District 9. The building is by the acclaimed firm Arquitectonica, and the innovative Y-shaped layout maximizes both the floorspace and windows, which overlook Singapore’s major shopping and entertainment strip on Orchard Road.

Milan: Milan Design Week and Salone del Mobile; Fiera Milano

Salone del Mobile, photo courtesy of Salone del Mobile.Milano by Alessandro Russotti

The mere mention of Milan makes most people think of fashion, with brands like Prada, Armani, Gucci and Versace headquartered in the city. But every March, it’s the interior and industrial designers who truly put on a show.

Milan Design Week is arguably the most iconic event of its kind, and its crown jewel is the Salone del Mobile furniture fair. What was once a trade show is now a confluence of epic conversations and larger-than-life ideas, with installations and demos from over 2,500 companies. In the off-season, patrons can still enjoy the largest permanent trade fair in Europe, hosted by Fiera Milano.

Ivan Imbriani, I taly Sotheby’s International Realty

To really embrace the spirit of industrial design, escape to t his turn-of-the-century loft. Originally a distillery for Compari, the building has undergone recent renovations; the eclectic mix of materials—checkered tile, wooden paneling, exposed brick—makes this home a feast for the eyes and a rare collector’s item. Not to mention, 10 Corso Como, a hub of Milan culture and style, is just down the street.

New York: NYCxDesign and the International Contemporary Furniture Fair

NYCxDesign, photo courtesy of NYCxDesign

Each May, New York City becomes the center of the design world with NYCxDesign, a series of fairs, events, and celebrations that span all five of its boroughs. Of course, Manhattan is at the heart of the festivities, and the ICFF at the Javits Center has been an institution of luxury style for over three decades.

Steve Sallion, Warren Lewis Sotheby’s International Realty

Manhattan may be in the thick of the action—but after several consecutive days of events, Midtown can be exhausting.This converted Brooklyn condominium is a perfect oasis for design aficionados looking to take a breather: originally constructed in 1927, it once served as the printing facility for theNew York Daily News, but now offers 4,000 square feet of outdoor living space, a two-tiered private garden, and an open-concept interior that gives the owner complete creative license.

São Paulo: DW! São Paulo Design Weekend

DW! São Paulo Design Weekend Installation, photo courtesy of DW! São Paulo Design Weekend

São Paulo has always known how to put on a show, and DW! São Paulo Design Weekend is no exception. Though it’s younger and less established than its counterparts in Milan and New York, DW! is known for its wide selection of featured events, and is the largest design festival in Latin America.

Bossa Nova Sotheby’s International Realty

For a home away from home in South America’s design capital, it’s difficult to do better than this apartment. Not only does the building bear the signature of modern design legend Daniel Libeskind, but the interiors have been meticulously appointed by noted Brazilian decorator Dado Castello Branco. To top it off, this retreat among the treetops comes with furniture from Minotti, along with the latest home automation systems.

Design weeks invite you to enjoy an ephemeral experience—a fleeting snapshot of world-class style that lasts for just a few days. But you can turn a weekend into a lasting work of art: whether you’re looking for a blank canvas to style, or a turnkey showroom featuring the work of today’s top artisans, there are apartments waiting for you the world over. And if you’re lucky, you’ll find one just around the corner from your favorite festival of contemporary design.

Take inspiration from the world’s top design destinations, and source your own home with remarkable details.

Mood Board | Cottage Charm, Cabin Chic

When it comes to rural escapes, it can be easy to be pulled in several directions at once. A cabin in the woods, or an escape by the sea? The timelessness of a log cabin or the bright refinement of an English country cottage? Whatever your aesthetic, you’re sure to find a detail to suit your taste from these two approaches to the weekend retreat—whether you’re leaving home on an adventure or bringing fresh design to your existing space and staying put.

Cottage Charm

Farmhouse kitchens, whimsical gardens, and crisp whites are the hallmarks of the country cottage. A bright, light-filled sitting room, a stone-and-shingle home in Connecticut—these are the fertile grounds where cottage living is perfected. Bring this style into your every day with plush reading chairs, recreation fixtures and appliances, and oceanic blues as an accent. No matter how far you reside from the countryside, these touches create comfort to unwind in—wherever you may be.

Cabin Chic

If the decorous calm of cottage life is not quite for you, look to the rugged coziness of cabins instead. Here, think Muskoka and Colorado, ski chalets and pioneer homes. While exposed beams and ample paneling is conventional cabin décor, elevate this style with contrasting stonework and rich textures. The traditional cabin is small, but today’s iterations are bespoke and polished. Outfit even your weekday residence with the trappings of forest expedition—live edge woods, antlers, warm layers—and you’ll be able to feel remote wherever you are.

It’s possible to capture the romance of mountains, the mystery of the sea, and the allure of the rolling hills through a handful of purposeful design decisions. Collect your books and blankets, paint a room a pristine white, bring in some warm wood paneling, and see where your cabin and cottage remodel takes you.

Discover a cozy cottage or cabin – give us a call to begin your home buying experience today.

Holiday Events in Downtown Holland

If the first snowfall didn’t tip you off, the holiday season is upon us! We are looking forward to another exciting season, especially here in Downtown Holland. The decorations are up, lights are lining 8th Street, and we’re ready for all the festive fun in store.

This November and December, the Downtown Holland Principal Shopping District will be hosting special holiday events, available for anyone to attend! Mark your calendars and make sure you share with your friends!

Holland Shop ’Til You Drop

Get your holiday shopping off to an early start with the Shop ’Til You Drop late night shopping event on November 10. Participating merchants will be offering discounts of:
20% off from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
25% off from 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
30% off from 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Stay up late, shop the night away and save big on all of your holiday gifts this year! (Discounted merchandise will vary by store, but will include a discount off at least one item.)

Holiday Open House

On Saturday, November 17, Downtown Holland hosts the annual Holiday Open House from 5 pm – 8 pm! Attendees are invited to stroll the decorated sidewalks and enjoy complimentary refreshments and free gift wrapping in stores while shopping for holiday gifts. The event also features singing carolers, chestnut roasting, a strolling Santa Claus and a reindeer petting corral. The Holiday Open House concludes at 8:00 pm with a tree lighting ceremony in GDK Park.

Small Business Saturday

Join us in supporting our local Downtown Holland businesses on Small Business Saturday on November 24! Participating business will be offering fun giveaways, special promotions and more all day long. And be sure to enter the Small Business Saturday Selfie Contest. Just post a selfie of yourself shopping in Downtown Holland on Small Business Saturday for a chance to win a $100 gift card to the Downtown Holland business of your choice. The winner will be selected at random and announced on Monday, November 27.

Parade of Lights

The annual Downtown Holland Pa rade of Lights will roll down 8th Street on Tuesday, November 27 at 6:30pm. During the parade, Santa arrives in Downtown Holland escorted by bands, floats, trucks and more…all decked out in thousands of sparkling holiday lights! The parade begins at the corner of 8th Street and Columbia Avenue and travels west down 8th Street until it reaches the Holland Civic Center Place, home of the Holiday Kersmarkt. At the conclusion of the parade, Santa and his reindeer will take time to greet their fans…young and old alike!

Up on the Rooftops

During Up On The Rooftops, you’re invited to experience an exclusive tour of Downtown Holland’s rarely seen second story…and a few secret gems! Enjoy an elegant dessert reception at the beautiful Fifth Third Bank building on 8th Street either before or after this self-guided tour of homes and offices in the historic buildings of Downtown Holland, all decorated for the holidays by a Downtown business. Tickets are $25 each and are available online at www.upontherooftops.com and can be reserved in the Downtown Holland office at 150 West 8th Street the following Monday.

Shopping Jam

Shop early, come as you are, and save big at Downtown Holland’s annual Shopping Jam! Participating businesses will open early for this special event. From 8:00 am to 9:00 am save 30% off at least one item and from 9:00 am to 10:00 am save 25% off at least one item. For more details on the Shopping Jam, click here!

A Sunday in Toronto

Sundays are sacred. Whether you spend the day exploring local art and architecture, browsing market stops, or indulging in culinary delights, there’s no denying the seventh and final day of the week is reserved for discovery as a ritual. This Sunday, we explore the best of Toronto.

Elegant brick homes, lush gardens, and old-world charm can all be found in the center of Toronto. Known for its distinctive tower and the critically acclaimed, star-studded Toronto International Film Festival, the city holds the top spot as Canada’s most populated metropolitan hub. The Annex and Yorkville neighborhoods, home to families and students alike, are bursting with some of the best international cuisine, cultural institutions, and boutique shopping the city has to offer. Take your cues from the locals and spend a perfect Sunday wandering Toronto’s streets.

Sotheby’s International Realty Canada

For an iconic Toronto experience, wake up in one of the spacious brick homes that make the area so idyllic. This restored “Annex Style” home on Madison Avenue features a large covered entry and a formal living room, complete with gas fireplace, antique wood mantle, and marble surround. Start off by preparing a coffee in the state-of-the-art kitchen and step out into the private courtyard for a moment of tranquility before heading out into the bustling city streets.

Morning

Café Boulud, photo courtesy of Café Boulud

When it’s time to sally forth, you’ll be right in the thick of things. Venture to the Four Seasons for breakfast at Café Boulud, where chef Daniel Boulud serves up seasonal dishes in the French tradition. Drift down to Bloor, where Hermès, Gucci, and Burberry await and pop into altheisure label Kit and Ace for a flat white from Sorry Coffee Co. For boutique shopping, there’s Corbò Studio with its edited collection including J Brand and Diane von Furstenberg, and Montréal family business ça va de soi for reinvented knitwear.

Sorry Coffee Co, photo courtesy of Kit and Ace

When you’ve wrapped up your browsing, take the half-hour walk to Casa Loma, a castle in the heart of the city. Built in 1911 by businessman Sir Henry Mill Pellatt, the castle was dreamt up as a private home before financial difficulties plagued Sir Pellatt and the city took ownership in 1933. Now open to the public, Casa Loma offers visitors the chance to wander the grand 98-room castle and its surrounding gardens.

Casa Loma, photo courtesy of Ken Felepchuk / Shutterstock Inc

Having had your morning fill of history, turn your thoughts to food. For lunch, there’s Kasa Moto, with its notable sashimi and nigiri, or well-crafted bites at Chabrol for those in search of pork liver mousse and apple tarts.

Chabrol Restaurant, photo courtesy of Chabrol

Midday constitutionals can be had in nearby Queen’s Park, where Ontario’s government buildings take pride of place alongside the stately architecture of the University of Toronto’s downtown campus.

Afternoon

Royal Ontario Museum, photo courtesy of Javen / Shutterstock Inc

Start your afternoon with a visit to the Royal Ontario Museum. The country’s most-visited museum, the ROM has an extensive collection of natural historical artifacts from Canada and around the world. Or dash across the street to the smaller Gardiner Museum, where a focus on clay works is punctuated by special exhibitions, lectures, classes, and an in-house artisanal gift shop.

Bay Reyna, photo courtesy of Bar Reyna, photo by Ryan Emberley

Needless to say, it’s easy to spend hours with art, but be sure to give yourself a much-needed pause for a late-afternoon cocktail at nearby Bar Reyn a, where classics like the Negroni share the menu with inventive updates like the Basil Cognac-O-Lada.

Evening

Blu Ristorante, photo courtesy of Blu

No evening in Toronto is complete without a visit to the Royal Conservatory of Music. An acclaimed educational institute, the Conservatory also offers a full calendar of concerts and performances in the contemporary Koerner Hall. After you’ve been inspired by the musical stylings of some of the world’s best performers, satiate your appetite at Blu, named one of Canada’s 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in 2018. The intimate atmosphere, live piano music, and extensive wine lists are matched only by the delicious, award-winning food—a perfect way to cap off a day of purposeful wandering.

No matter where your Sunday takes you, Toronto is sure to offer up cultural and culinary delights, leaving you looking forward to your next weekend in Canada’s star central city.

If your Toronto visit turns into a lifelong love, find your permanent residence from among these elegant homes, and ensure that the best of the city is always at your doorstep.

Distinctive Destinations: Welcome to the Greater Boston Area

It’s no secret that Greater Boston is home to one of the densest and most diverse real estate markets in New England and beyond, with varying market trends and distinct differences between surrounding towns and neighborhoods. Although the real estate market is certainly competitive, there continues to be a significant amount of activity in the Greater Boston area and there are plenty of opportunities for buyers and sellers.

Residents flock to the Greater Boston area for several reasons, but a few key traits stand out. Boston is home to some of the most prestigious and advanced medical facilities in the world, as well as being home to exceptional universities and other educational institutions. The Boston area is also known for housing some of the highest ranked towns in which to live, including Newton and Brookline. Boston’s small-town, historical feel and thriving sports culture are also attractive features.

The Sotheby’s International Realty affiliate in Greater Boston, Unlimited Sotheby’s International Realty, has three offices as a central hub for their surrounding communities, offering premier, highly-visible locations. Take a look at some of their listings below!

NEWTON, MA – 24 Botsford Road
$2,199,000 | 4 Beds, 5.5 Baths
Listing Agent: Aurel Garban, 617.875.1914, aurel.garban@unlimitedsir.com

Beautiful new construction in Newton’s Chestnut Hill! Features include a finished lower level with a full bathroom, storage room, and a two car garage. Easy access to the Chestnut Hill Mall, The Street and Chestnut Hill Square, Wegmans and Route 9 for commuting.

BROOKLINE, MA – 20 Chapel Street, Unit C611
$1,100,000 | 2 Beds, 2 Baths
Listing Agent: Thomas O’Connor, 617.251.6393, thomas.oconnor@unlimitedsir.com

Located in the heart of the Longwood Medical Area, and near Coolidge Corner, this rarely available two bedroom is just a quick jaunt to Trader Joe’s, a few steps to Hospitals (Brigham/Beth Israel/Children’s) and Green Line T. Emerald Necklace is right outside.

JAMAICA PLAIN, MA – 51 Iffley Road, Unit 2
$689,000 | 2 Beds, 2 Baths
Listing Agent: Sean Preston, 617.855.8502, sean.preston@unlimitedsir.com

High-efficiency new construction with private outdoor space, parking, and city views. This home is perfect for entertaining or as a soothing retreat. Close to the Orange Line and buses, many parks and recreation areas, and growing restaurant scene.

About the Affiliate

Unlimited Sotheby’s International Realty is an independently owned and operated franchisee of Sotheby’s International Realty® Affiliates LLC, specializing in full-service real estate in Boston, Brookline, Jamaica Plain, Newton, and surrounding Greater Boston communities. The company’s unique approach to marketing, innovation, and reputation for servicing extraordinary homes, combined with my knowledge of the local market and high-quality customer service, allows us to offer clients an unmatched level of service.

For more information, we can work with our affiliate, Unlimited Sotheby’s International Realty, to help find you a home in Greater Boston.