What does luxury mean?

Mar 30, 2012 — Liane ("Li") Read, Sea to Sky Real Estate

It's always fun to leaf through very ultra specialty magazines, and to linger over the real estate section.   Words can sometimes be so overused, though...and I'm wondeirng if the word "luxury" is such an animal. Does it mean an estate property, one with authentic character, or one with extraordinary finishing choices or one with wall to wall marble?   What about rural areas...is there such a thing as rustic luxury?  

The Signs of Spring Have Sprung at Promontory!

Mar 30, 2012 — Promontory Club, Summit Sotheby's International Realty

March 29th, 2012 · No Comments · Dining, Events, Kid's Activities, Living In the next few weeks Promontory’s wide open spaces will transform into a meadow of spring colors and sounds . The chirping of birds coming back to nest,aspen leaves emerge from their winter sleep and wild flowers begin to feel the warmth of the soil as they begin their summer appearance.  You will start seeing glimpses of the animals who will have young in the secluded hills on property and on early mornings can be seen at times. Spring time at Promontory is beautiful. The trail systems expand  the property of 7000 acres making for casual strolls to running or even a great horseback ride. All  the experiences are spectacular! 

Looking for spectacular? It's on Salt Spring Island!

Mar 30, 2012 — Liane ("Li") Read, Sea to Sky Real Estate

Superb new home, on 6+ acres, in an area of fine homes, and with a soaring panoramic vista. Ocean, islands, mountain viewscapes and excellent all day/year round sun exposure (sunrises and sunsets, here!). Close to both Ganges and Fulford Villages, and to lakes, to beach accesses, and to park hiking/walking trails, and to golf, marinas, all services, and yet in its own wonderfully serene and private environment. Custom designed and construction by one of Salt Spring's premier builders, the attention to detail here, and the fineness of the finishes, are superlative. Master bed sitting room, with expansive decking off (hot tub with a view!), a dream ensuite (this shower is exceptional), and large walk in closet, is in its own private "wing". Radiant infloor heating, cherry wood flooring, copper overlay on concrete flooring, custom window treatments, dream kitchen with pantry/storage and mudroom entry off, dramatic dining with window wall that totally opens to the outdoor barbecue/decking, thus expanding summer living pleasures, plus expansive living with stone feature fireplace, handcrafted finishes, plus formal entry and guest powder room. Separate laundry, and exercise room completes main level. Garden level offers gallery/meditation space, guest bed and bath, media room, and a professional office space (could be third bedroom, if desired), plus generous storage. Easy access to patio areas, and that soaring view available to all principal rooms.

New Mediterranean Ocean View Estate!

Mar 29, 2012 — Sally Lyng, David Lyng Real Estate

Commanding views of the Monterey Bay and coastline.  Beautiful architecture. Highest quality materials and craftsmanship. Easy stroll to Sand Dollar Beach.  Open House Sunday April 1st.  Please click below to watch the YouTube video. http://youtu.be/mDQB0Yc6pCM

A poem for Spring....

Mar 29, 2012 — Liane ("Li") Read, Sea to Sky Real Estate

Poem: Wind Licks Metal tongued Sculptures... Grace Point: Rain splintered, Fog shrouded, Whispers of Spring's return... It's in the wind, That smell of renewal. The season rolling Over, Tattered winter knitting Into Spring... We dwellers of the "wet coast" Recognize The shift when It comes... Slowly, A tippy toe Sliding Into sun, Wind sculptures Waving us slowly Into ourselves, Once more.... (LR)

Renowned wildlife painter's waterfront for sale, on Salt Spring Island!

Mar 29, 2012 — Liane ("Li") Read, Sea to Sky Real Estate

Spectacular oceanfront property in two titles! Totally irreplaceable, and located at Salt Spring Island's special "south end". Beautiful West Coast Contemporary jewel, lovingly created by the artist owner (Canada's renowned wildlife painter and environmentalis, Robert Bateman). The home (designed by H. Schubart, who studied with Frank Lloyd Wright) offers dramatic oceanside living & dining, a country kitchen with breakfast area, guest wing (3 bed/bath, library), an invitingly separate master-sitting/ensuite with superb views, and an incredibly appealing studio/office "wing". Storage areas, den alcoves (read or ponder life from these "withdrawing spaces"), windows on "coastal forest" scenes or on ocean vistas, plus a separate studio/suite (guest? nanny?), with its own entrance...it allows one to actively pursue both a family life, an entertaining focus, and an artistic enterprise. Wood floors, expansive windows, skylights...easy access to the crushed shell cove and to the kayak/canoe "boathouse" (a driftwood gem) -- many unique aspects, here, that you will enjoy. The many areas do not conflict, and it is possible to move through the spaces, from one use to another...it is how we would all like to live, if we could arrange our spaces to allow same. Here it is, awaiting your pleasure.... There is a separate double garage, with extra storage, too (a space for those collector cars??). Meander down a pathway that is nestled into a re-creation of a coastal rainforest & enter this dramatic & eclectic world. The second title is a beautiful undeveloped oceanfront property. There is a Schubart designed artist studio on the site, which could be easily upgraded to "cottage status", or create a second home. These two adjacent oceanfront titles offer so many treasured spaces, that they must be seen to be truly appreciated. Call, to arrange your personal tour (24 hr notice required).

Live morning radio show continues...lots of fun. Pacific Time, of course!

Mar 29, 2012 — Liane ("Li") Read, Sea to Sky Real Estate

Am still enjoying presenting my live radio show on Salt Spring's community radio station. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 7 to 9 a.m., Pacific Time, (at 107.9 fm locally and via streaming audio at: cfsi-fm.com) you can catch the show. It's a mix of music, musings, & interviews with Islanders. Missed it for three weeks...when it gets busy in real estate, my days often begin early and so can't do the radio show. Future episodes, then, may be a bit more hit and miss for me, as my job takes precedence! The real estate market is picking up, and so it's first things first, during our very seasonal rhythm. All the shows on the radio station are volunteer. The station pays its way by the advertising it attracts. I wanted my show to be about the Island & the Islanders, so don't showcase real estate there. I do advertise my real estate business, though, as one of the sponsors of the station, through "commercials" & I hope that you will call me for all your real estate needs. Input on my show is always welcome, too! Have something to share, would welcome being interviewed? Call me! Hope you are listening....

Spring Gruv in Park City

Mar 27, 2012 — Dennis Hanlon, Summit Sotheby's International Realty

This past weekend started a two-week celebration of spring, spring skiing and music, at Canyons Resort called Spring Gruv. It started Saturday with the traditional pond-skimming contest, where a pond is built at mid-mountain and skiers dress up in costumes with the purpose of skiing down and skiing across the pond with enough speed and balance to make it across the water without falling in.

Spring LRE Magazine Now Available!

Mar 27, 2012

Spring has sprung and so has the Spring issue of the LuxuryRealEstate.com Magazine. To view the digital version, click here. Bonus: click here to see our pristine 2 page spread in the Unique Homes Magazine.

First day of spring

Mar 23, 2012 — Dennis Hanlon, Summit Sotheby's International Realty

Gotta love springtime in the Rockies! One day short-sleeve shirts are the appropriate attire and the next day you bring out your powder skis. This is certainly the roller coaster we were on last week. Lat week through Friday we saw temperatures in the 50's approaching 60 degrees. Saturday it started snowing, and by Monday we had over 2 feet of new snow. Which, as you can imagine, made for an incredible ski day. And yes, I called my boss yesterday morning (me) and told him I wasn’t coming into work. Fortunately he understood and I went skiing. This was quite possibly the best day of the year. We had about 2 feet of new snow and the best part is that it was a right-side up snowstorm. What I mean by this is that the snow started heavy and wet and then the storm got progressively colder, which meant the final foot was the perfect fluffy light dry Utah powder that we’ve become famous for. The early storm's wet snow bonded very well with the subsurface creating a very soft bottom which also filled in with wind and then the late storm snow was just perfect. All over the mountain yesterday people had big smiles and all throughout the trees you heard lots of whooping and hollering with delight.
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