PAMPERED DEPARTURES AND ARRIVALS FOR VIP FLYERS

JUDITH SUTTON GLOBAL LUXURY PROPERTY SPECIALIST

FIRST-CLASS EXPERIENCE ON THE GROUND

                                      FLYING FIRST CLASS

Luxury travelers today demand first-class experiences in the air as well as pampered departures and arrivals on the ground for VIP flyers.

Travel first-class on any airline can try a passenger’s patience.  Long lines at TSA, customs checkpoints, being served packaged foods, and enduring over-crowded lounges before boarding can be trying. Even with a first-class ticket.

Now, a company called PS ensures pampered treatment for commercial airline customers before and after flights. It is now servicing LAX but has plans to offer the same services at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International- the world’s busiest airport. 

PS, or Private Suite is essentially an exclusive luxury terminal offering a stylish lounge called The Salon; private VIP suites in a private terminal as well as a no-hassle TSA checkpoint and a chauffeured luxury sedan to transport you directly to the aircraft. This service does exist internationally, but not in the US. But that is changing.

Imagine never standing in long lines again!  With an increased focus on security, PS offers luxury and privacy without compromising security.

The company used downtime during the pandemic to improve and expand its physical environment eliminating traffic, lines, shared surfaces crowded concourses, and gate areas.

Think high-quality products, a well-stocked bar, daybeds, and marble baths complete with Japanese smart toilets.

Other amenities offered by the staff include in-suite massages, manicures, hair styling, and physician visits.  A BMW 7-series sedan picks you up and delivers you to your awaiting plane. The return leg of your trip offers the same amenities and passengers can be whisked directly from their arrival aircraft to their final destination:  home, office, or hotel.

 Air travel, in a new luxurious way.  No hassle. 

The ART of Giving

Judith Sutton Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Specialist

WHEN IT JUST SEEMS INTERESTING TO GIVE ART AS A GIFT ON A SPECIAL OCCASION

Unlike most consumer items, a gift of original art will be treasured for years to come and passed down through generations.  I am choosing to support the work of talented individuals as opposed to large corporations. The only downside is that giving art can be a daunting task, but with gift certificates and a small photo accompanied in a notecard with your intent- the gift can be very special, indeed.

 

For the minimalist, consider an abstract collage. The juxtaposition of muted and vivid colors can give the piece visual interest. The raw-edged pieces layered over precisely trimmed edges lend texture and depth to the collage. The beauty of abstract art, especially when gifting, is that everyone sees something different according to their own sensibilities. And the colors are sensational!

For the avid gardener, I might suggest a vibrant floral mixed media painting. The piece above brings to mind a field of wildflowers and is so rich and lush that one can almost hear the bees buzzing around the flowers. The artist's use of layered paint gives her art a 3-D effect and draws the viewer into the painting.

An abstract landscape is just the thing for your favorite romantic! The fresh colors are realistic enough to tell us we are in the woods but abstract enough to let us dream of the destination! Choose something with hazy yellows and greens that are warm and inviting - perfect for hanging next to her or his favorite reading chair. Devine!  

 

For the Hostess

How about fresh flowers or greenery in a hand-thrown vase? Choices are abundant!  We love the simplicity of this stoneware that can be purchased at art or craft shows, or commissioned for that special table in a room. The raw clay exterior gives it an organic, earthy feel while the glossy white interior adds a touch of elegance. Never to be forgotten!

 

For the Outdoorsman

I prefer more realistic landscapes for the men in our lives. It can transport us back to lazy summer weekends spent boating, fishing, and relaxing on the waterfront. A rich, yet muted palette of greens, blues, and blush are suitable enough for his or her office, but versatile enough to hang anywhere in the house.

 

Take gift-giving for the home to a new level.  Your gift will be appreciated and talked about forever.  Judy

 

 

 

 

INSURANCE:  THE ART OF PROTECTION

JUDITH SUTTON COLDWELL BANKER GLOBAL LUXURY SPECIALIST
908 803 0473

How to Insure your collectibles and collections

Your art collection is probably one of your most prized possessions, but it can also be one of the most difficult to insure. That’s because art insurance often comes with high premiums and plenty of exclusions, and you’ll need to take the proper steps to protect it from damage or theft.
The good news? If you have enough appraised value in your collection, you may qualify for extra protection from your home insurance provider—or even full coverage under certain circumstances. So whether you’re looking to start or expand your collection, here are some of the basics you should know about insuring art collections and collectibles.

What’s a collectible insurance policy?
A collectible insurance policy is a premium policy that covers art and collectibles. This type of policy is designed to protect your investment—whether that be antique art, legacy jewelry, or a priceless vase—in case of damage or theft. However, while collectible insurance policies are usually more expensive than standard homeowners or renters insurance policies, they also offer more comprehensive coverage specific to the needs of the owner, as well.

Considerations for Policies
If you’re considering getting an insurance policy to cover your collectibles, it’s important to know that it’s not as simple as a one-size-fits-all policy. In fact, there are a lot of coverage areas you should consider, so if you’re in the consideration phase, make sure you sit down with a trusted agent to go over your options. Here are a few things you should review when shopping for a collectibles policy:

• Coverage Settlements
  When you itemize your pieces of artwork, many insurance companies will cover them for the agreed value. That way, in the event of a total covered damage or loss, you receive the full amount of the agreed value, with no depreciation. However, other policies allow for market appreciation and may pay over the agreed value if the value has increased considerably. Another option is to receive a cash payout in the event of damage or loss if an item is irreplaceably damaged.
• Newly Acquired Items
  Still building your collection? You’ll want to ensure you have immediate coverage for new acquisitions. Then, within 90 days, you’ll be covered for at least some of the total itemized coverage.
• Pairs, Sets, and Parts Coverage
  When dealing with sets (like antique chess or even jewelry) you always have to consider the value of the item alongside its other pieces. With Pairs, Sets, and Parts coverage, you can hand over the remaining pieces, and coverage will be paid out for the entire set.
• Loss of Market Value
  Sometimes, if a work of art is damaged, it can lose a lot of market value—quickly. With Loss of Market Value coverage, your insurer may not only pay to repair the item but also compensate for any loss to value.

How much does collectible insurance cost?
On average, collectible insurance policies cost between 1% and 3% of the total value of the collection. That means, if your art collection is valued at $100,000, you can expect to pay between $1,000 and $3,000 per year in premiums. However, it’s important to note that these are just averages, so it’s worth getting a quote from your trusted insurance broker, first, before committing to a particular policy.

While there are many things to consider when insuring your art collection, one thing that shouldn’t deter you from doing so is cost. When deciding how much collectible insurance costs, it helps to remember that owning valuable artwork provides financial security as well as emotional benefits. After all, we all want our collections to grow in value over time!

Hiring a professional appraiser
One of the first steps in insuring your collection is knowing its market value, and the best way to do that is through a professional appraisal. Hiring a professional appraiser is the best way to do this, as they will have the expertise and experience needed to accurately assess your collection. Fortunately, the cost of having an appraisal done is small (especially when compared to the value of your collection) and ranges from $200 to $500, depending on the size and type of items in your collection.

"...Your proactive, trusted real estate advisor..."

SINCE 1983

FOOD STAGING: DESIGNING A BUTLER'S PANTRY

An elegant and functional butler’s pantry by Tim Barber Architects is featured below:

 

The butler’s pantry has been elevated to an elegant entertaining essential in luxury residences. It acts as a buffer between the dining room and kitchen. It can be dressy or utilitarian but always should reinforce the style of the house and keep to its architectural integrity.

It is becoming indispensable for large-scale luxury living.  It can be used as a bar, a dessert staging area, for espresso and tea prep, and can even serve as a flower-arranging zone.

Pantries have been designed and equipped with such specialties as a German-silver sink, traditional cabinetry, storage space, and even featuring a direct entry to an elevator. There is a custom service trolley, complete with its own compartment that serves as a docking station, and facilitates serving.  All of these custom ideas have been designed for luxury living.

For a new Southern Colonial Revival house the architect designed and wrapped the butler’s pantry in lacquered cabinetry that has old-glass doors, a mahogany countertop, and lacquered brass hardware. It featured a second dishwasher, an ice maker, beverage fridge drawers, a warming drawer, a liquor lockup, storage for serving pieces and table linens, and displays for stemware.

These new pantries are a salute to the legacy of fictional butlers' past.

 

Estee Lauder's Summer Villa in Cannes

A sunny six-bedroom villa in the tony La Californie section of Cannes, France, has come on the market following a “tasteful renovation.” 

The one-time summer home of cosmetics entrepreneur Estee Lauder, the home sits on 0.3 acres with views overlooking the Mediterranean Sea from every level. The property features multiple outdoor entertaining areas including a landscaped backyard terrace with a heated swimming pool, a balcony on the upper level, and a covered patio with an outdoor grill, accessible from the open kitchen and indoor dining area.  In the category of "villa", this one has it all!  Style, grace, and a nod to the "good life".

The main house is spread over four floors to enjoy panoramic sea views. The villa also features a fully equipped independent studio. It has ten rooms, six bedrooms, and six bathrooms. The garden and terrace feature a heated swimming pool, a summer kitchen and an open fireplace. The summer lounge is covered with a pergola on which grows white roses and white jasmine in memory of Estée Lauder and her favorite flowers. The property has the latest technology, a video surveillance system, and secure windows. The whole villa is equipped with underfloor heating and has been decorated with high-quality materials like marble and oak. The renovation has been carefully thought out to maintain some original elements. For example, the staircase to the first floor is still in its original state. Height of refinement, the villa has bed linen and towels decorated with the letters "RC", the initials of the house. Just lovely!

TIMELESS FLORAL STYLING

SETTING A TONE FOR INTERIORS

From its discrete packaging, sophisticated floral selections, sleek web design, and unique product collaborations, FLOWERBX embodies more than just luxury flower delivery and convenience. It is a brand that has been purpose-built to service the needs of discerning clients with the same finesse and client-centric values of a chic fashion house. And while the world of luxury paints in a palette of cashmere and silk, FLOWERBX enchants its faithful clientele through the medium of fresh, single varietal bouquets of some of the world’s most lush and inspiring flowers. FLOWERBX is about personal indulgence and generosity, but with a contemporary elegance that is in harmony with both nature and personal values. The gift of giving flowers is timeless.

Here are some of the social values that are now fuelling the evolution of bespoke flowers from a niche European delivery service to an international purveyor of flowers and accessories. This is great advice for anyone wishing to make a First Impression with flowers last:

Customers across the world are primarily interested in high-quality, single variety bunches of seasonal flowers, with sustainable practices and infinite beauty at their core. Much like luxury fashion, shoppers are excited by what is in store with each new season, waiting in anticipation for frilled tulips in spring, or peonies in high summer. Seasonality and sustainability are paramount to customers, wherever they are.

"I was constantly asking the florists to send single stem bunches and would incessantly repeat – no filler, no mixed bunches, no baby’s breath, just SINGLE STEM BUNCHES".

In the fashion world, flowers are currency, and sending the “right” flowers is seen as an extension of the brand’s image. Especially with the emergence of Instagram and social media, the bunch of flowers that you send WILL get seen by potentially thousands and WILL be a reflection of you and your brand. Representing your clientele in the best way possible is my goal.

Single-stem bunches are the most beautiful way to consume flowers, and, when offering only the freshest flowers makes it impossible to go wrong when buying for yourself or for someone else. It always has been – and always will be – central to the aesthetic of flowers.

 Fashion and florals are very similar due to their seasonal nature, while the world waits for new collections each year. What are some of the floral trends that we can look forward to for interiors?

 Seasonality is imperative to both fashion and flowers; the sense of anticipation for what is just around the corner and awaiting the beauty, excitement, and new discoveries that come with every change. Much like fashion, the best thing about flowers is that there is no leading season, as every month of the year has so much to offer. FLOWERBX is about timeless floral styling rather than trends; selecting a new variety, shade, or style is exciting to see how it becomes part of an overall collection.

Throughout the year, flowers play such an important role in setting a tone for interiors; and this could be anything from a showstopper arrangement in your hallway, to a couple of bunches dotted in bud vases at your next dinner party. Flowers are for an environment like accessories are for an outfit. The same way shoes and sunglasses can transform a little black dress from vixen to prim to retro to classic, flowers can completely transform a room. They are such a powerful tool to convey romanticism, modernity, abundance, or minimalism. The flowers and vases that one chooses can send a very powerful message.

 Flowers, much like perfume, can often evoke powerful emotions either through their color, scent, or how they anchor particular memories.

Make your next goal in interior decorating needs- flowers! and treat all of your senses while adding timeless floral styling.  Flowers melding with Fashion...

JUDITH SUTTON     COLDWELL BANKER LUXURY PROPERTIES    908 803 0472

JUDITH SUTTON   COLDWELL BANKER LUXURY   908 803 0472

Questioning the Conventional Wisdom of making money in 2022

Thoughts of:  Barry Ritholtz, Investment Officer

Myth: Because the U.S. stock market has produced double-digit percentage returns in five of the past six years, stocks are due for tough times ahead. 

Stocks hit a few speed bumps in early 2022, following exceptional gains the prior decade. Although it’s tempting to declare the end of the run for stocks, this may just be a more normal year than we’ve recently experienced. Historically, stocks see about an 8% per year return on average over long periods of time, and we’ve been way above average the past decade, up about 13% per year. Last year was almost 28%. When you’re up that much, it would not be surprising to see a mean reversion back towards more average returns in the following years. To use a football analogy, I’d say it’s early in the third quarter of this bull market.

Myth: The stock market is important because of the wealth effect it has on people. When stocks go up, they feel good and go out and spend money, which stimulates the economy. 

People, including the Federal Reserve, get this exactly backward. When you have a robust economy, with rising wages and plentiful jobs, consumers will spend their disposable income, buying new houses; they’ll upgrade out of one house into a more desirable home. They’ll renovate, and buy furniture, appliances, and durable goods. This is the positive cycle we should continue to see. As businesses do well, it benefits the middle-class, entrepreneurs, and the very wealthy. The rising economic tide lifts everything – including the stock market – but it’s the economy lifting sentiment and markets, not vice-versa. The vast majority of Americans own little or no stocks. The top 10% of American households own 89% of U.S. stocks – a record high. They’re much more concerned about wage growth and job availability, which are both on the rise.

Myth: The Federal Reserve raising interest rates to fight inflation in 2022 is bad news for the economy, and higher mortgage rates will hurt housing.

It will take more than a few rate hikes to knock an economy this strong off its course. Historically when the Fed raises rates slowly from a very low basis as they are discussing doing now, the economy has held firm and the stock market has done well, too. Housing is in a historically unique period. We overbuilt single-family homes going into the great financial crisis in the 2000s, and then we wildly under-built them for the next decade until the pandemic. Last year saw the most single-family homes built since 2006, but the home sales to supply ratio is the lowest it’s ever been. It will take at least two or three years before there’s sufficient supply to meet demand.

Myth: Once the pandemic passes and interest rates return to more normal levels, the residential real estate market will suffer. 

Property values have gone up because of shifts in demand. The thought of being in a tiny apartment with one or two spouses working remotely, with a child or two doing remote schooling education was no fun. People, who could do so purchased and relocated properties in the suburbs or the country. That increase in demand combined with very low-interest rates, plus ongoing limited supply is a recipe for increased prices.

All the various supplies that go into building a home have risen in prices too, and it is likely to take quarters or years to work out those supply chain issues.  The entry-level homes and mid-price homes have reset higher permanently, higher-priced homes too, but at the very high-end, perhaps some of the wild aspirational asking prices may start to go away as things normalize. The crazy bidding wars will eventually peter out, but the housing market is very far from crashing and burning. The year 2022 is nothing like 2005 or 2006 when that cycle was at its peak.

Myth: Cryptocurrencies are just curious obsessions for a limited number of people with little impact on markets for other assets. 

Crypto has created vast new wealth, and many recently rich crypto investors are diversifying at least a portion of their gains into hard assets, especially Real Estate. Consider this: 11.6% of first-time homebuyers are selling crypto to use for their down payments. People taking money out of hot investments to buy real estate is nothing new.  Contemplating selling internet stocks to buy a bigger house or purchase a vacation property is not necessarily a bad idea! What better way to spend your money than enjoying family and friends in beautiful surroundings?  After all...life is about living it....!  This is what ENJOYING YOUR MONEY is all about!