Europe Report II of IV: Florence, Italy

More about Florence accommodations: How about having your own condo in the city center?

Prior to leaving for Italy, my friend Jenifer Smith, who owns Santa Barbara Magazine (sbmagazine.com) told me about another mutual friend who had recently purchased a condo in Florence. She described an incredible palazzo that had been converted into condos. Sounded right up my alley, so we made an appointment to see it, and it was worth every second of the tour. Turns out that our hotel (also a former palazzo) faced the project, the Palazzo Tornabuoni.

Palazzo Tornabuoni is an exclusive Private Residence Club, managed by the new also new and spectacularly reviewed Four Seasons, Firenze. Located in the heart of Florence, this 15th century Palazzo, which was once the home to Pope Leo XI and the powerful Medici family, is being meticulously restored to its original Renaissance-period splendor while incorporating modern comforts and conveniences. Upon completion, Palazzo Tornabuoni residence club members will enjoy the ultimate Florentine lifestyle, calling this historic palazzo home. Planned for up to 36 elegant studio, one, two and three-bedroom residences, depending of course whether or not Buyers snap up more than one unit to combine them. The more expensive the unit, the larger the square footage, the better the floor plan, and of course the better views. This place is so incredible and rare that I'd consider the maids quarters.

Renaissance Beauty

Palazzo Tornabuoni dates prior to the 15th century. Between 1466 and 1469 Giovanni Battista di Francesco Tornabuoni commissioned Renaissance architects to design and enlarge his family ancestral home to create Palazzo Tornabuoni. For centuries the Palazzo has been renowned for its grandeur, architecture, fresco's, statuary and its illustrious residents.

The renaissance painting above, is in the two story high Library of the Palazzo, which is a splendid common area for fellow owners to gather with a full bar and an upstairs Smoking Room.

The influential Tornabuoni and Corsi families, Pope Leo XI and the Medici, one of the most powerful families in the history of Europe, called Palazzo Tornabuoni home.

At left: The ceiling of Pope Leo XI's apartment, his personal residence prior to his election as Pope. Carved into the wood ceiling is his crest. He was a member of the powerful Medici family.

At right: The crest carved in stone above an exterior arch.

The Interior floor plans were overall somewhat odd. Of course the palazzo had been remodeled and expanded numerous times, having started as a typical tower house in the 1400's. Remnants of the original tower are viewed from several of the apartments. The palazzo now takes up an entire city block making the original foot print seem rather tiny.

The apartments are laden with incredible mouldings and architectural details from several different periods. Good floor plan or not, the apartments are completely luxurious, and are furnished in a refreshing eclectic style. Fortunately the developers didn't feel the need to create a theme park atmosphere of historic incontinence.

The collage of photos below were taken surreptitiously by me in between conversations with the projects Realtor. She didn't say that I couldn't take photos, and naturally I didn't ask if I could.

So how much? What does it take to buy into the palazzo life? Probably as much as you would think!

A one bedroom efficiency unit with no view, sold for $285,ooo US, which gives you four weeks use per year. Monthly dues are $1,100 per month . From there the sky's the limit. You can spend $3 mil plus, for the rights to four glorious weeks per year at the palazzo, with dues of up to $2,700 per month.

Though the developer didn't ask for it, should you find yourself in the marketplace for a palazzo in Florence, here is the contact info:

Tornabuoni S.R.L.

By Phone: 1 (866) 753 6667 Toll-free in USA and Canada
44 (08) 70 6098 555 in UK
39 (055) 268 966 in Italy

By Mail: Palazzo Tornabuoni

Via Tornabuoni 16

50123 Firenze

Ahhh...the good life! I loved every second of my palazzo experience. I was a potential addition to the long history of the Palazzo Tornabuoni, that is if I decided to afford it, and that in itself was fun to consider!

Good night moon

Europe Report I of IV: Florence, Italy

Ah...Firenza. I love Firenza!

And apparently many of my friends do as well. Whenever plans for the Christmas holidays were discussed, to which I would share that we were going to Italy for Christmas, and often the first question out of any ones mouth was, "Where are you going in Italy?"

"Florence", I'd answer.

To which they would respond, "Ah...I love Florence!"

And I do.

The purpose of the trip was to retrieve our daughter who had been attending a semester abroad program through the University of Arizona. I say 'attending' because I don't know if saying the word 'studying' would be the quite right word to describe her four months in Italy.

Oh sure she was bound to learn more about life, the world, culture, and more here than had she been sitting in her classes at the U of A, but school work isn't really the focus of these programs anyway, is it

No matter, my intent for her and her 'studies' abroad, the main point was giving her the opportunity to broaden herself, to experience life in another country, see the culture first hand, from her own home environment there, and not from the window of a first class hotel. I wanted her to be a participant in life there, and I think she got my money's worth.

I've got to recommend this to all students and to those of you who are parent's, that if you can by hook or crook: Go, or send your children, just do it! Mortgage the car, the house, the yacht...just do it, send them.

I was amazed at the change in the demeanor of my daughter, now a Junior in college. She seemed more informed, well spoken, and focused on current affairs rather than on fashion, though Fashion Design was the purpose and the focus of her studies there.

I liked her. I liked her a lot, and of course I love her to death!

I liked her new European inspired "eye". The difference in the things she pointed out, the news that she wanted to discuss, or watching her point out a display in a store window that was remarkable. We first saw it in her commentary, that which she attached to the pictures that she regularly uploaded to Snapfish (http://www.snapfish.com/). Sure there were photos of she and her new girl and guy friends on Pub crawls, over imbibing at a pizzeria or gelateria, but the photos and comments that struck me the most were the ones that featured history, architecture and art.

Our daughter toured us by some her favorite stores, both home furnishings and clothing stores (and a few other types!).

Above, Left: A favorite neighborhood Gelato store.
Above, Right: A major nuisance--the Italian motorino's: Loud and reckless.

Especially noteworthy was that of the famed Ferragamo clan, famous for their upscale footwear, and now making quite a name for themselves in the luxury hotel business, with their new hotel brand Lungarno Hotels (http://www.lungarnohotels.com/).

INTERIOR OF THE HOTEL LUNGARNO IN FLORENCE, ITALY.

Left: Living Room /Tea Room where you can also order from the hotel restaurants reduced Bar Menu.

Right: A guest Suite

These Ferragamo hotels launched the luxury boutique hotel craze in Florence and throughout Europe. The Hotel Lungarno is located on the Arno, not across the street from the Arno, but on the Arno, where it's terrace overhangs the water and is immediately adjacent to the Ponte Vecchio, there is no other location so magical in all of Florence.

This view of the Ponte Vecchio is from the terrace of the Hotel Lungarno.

Dark, waxed centuries old wood flooring was covered with deep burgundy carpets, multiple sofas and overstuffed chairs were upholstered in white linen with flat-flange trim instead of welting. The art was a series of carefully placed graphite and conte-pencil drawings trimmed in simple gold leaf frames. The other color comes from a beautiful collection of Blue & White Chinese porcelain from various dynastic rules, filled with simple flower arrangements overflowing with white flowers. I did not tour the hotel rooms, but I found the picture above on the Internet, which shows an overall traditional look, but notice how the furniture is carefully placed , with each item treated like a special object, as in the main floor Living room.

The original woodwork of this former "tower" home was whited out, as was the elaborate circular staircase that ran from the basement to the top floor of the tower, now the hotels 'panoramic suite'.

History tells us that at one time in Florence, there was a society that was more akin to 'keeping up with the Joneses', where upon each family would build their tower house taller than the last. Gee, just to think that one-ups-man-ship originated in Florence not in LA!

Not knowing just how fabulous these Ferragamo hotels really were until she took us to lunch there, our family has habitually stayed at the historic Helvetia-Bristol Hotel (www.LHW.com/Helvetia-Bristol-Hotel). Located across the street from the Palazzo Strozzi. It is a beautiful old world hotel, once a sumptuous pallazzo, that is never too crowded, and has a quiet and demure staff.

It's located just two blocks from the Arno, and one block from the Ferragamo Flagship store and company museum, D & G, Gucci, Pucci, Prada, Zegna, Missoni, and everything else Italian, and even Dior (a little French thrown in for good measure). Obviously fashion is the focus of most of the easily accessible shopping, with antiquing and home furnishings a bit more off the beaten path.

Now that we have the Hotel thing covered, we'll focus on the incredible shopping in our next report, Europe Report II of IV.

Good night moon.

TO DO…OR NOT TO DO? THAT IS THE QUESTION!

REMODELING...

Do I go for the hand chased, sand cast Pewter Door Hardware? What about Hand Planed Wood Floors?

Should I spring for a Stainless Steel Sub Zero refrigerator or the look-a-like from Frigidaire?

Kitchen Cabinets with solid wood fronts and boxes, or MDF fronts and boxes ?

What’s MDF you ask?

Too many questions?

It’s only the beginning. Each of the questions above can be expanded into several additional ones depending on the way you answer them.

Having been a Real Estate licensee, Owner of a Residential Real Estate Brokerage Company, and a residential real estate Developer for the past twenty-three years, my wife and I have personally remodeled, restyled and/or built twenty-eight homes in a period of twenty years.
I‘m continually astounded at the myriad choices that are available with which to appoint a home. The choices are multi-dimensional, i.e., my budget vs. return on investment.

Sounds more like a business deal, not a home.

Right?

Well, Kind of!

Consider this: Americans, on average, count the equity in their home as 60% of their net worth.

Hmmm.

As a REALTOR, I watched client after client overbuild their neighborhood, the land or the market, with them saying all along the way, “We’re not building this to re-sell, we’re building this to live in forever“.

Between one to three years later, I’d get a call saying, “you know Steve, we need to sell our house“, or “we want to sell our house so we can _____ “.
You may fill in the blank above with any of the following statements:
-Move into something smaller; the kids have left home; or something larger, we’re having another child; something closer to work; or closer to school.

Starting to make sense? Okay, then, let’s get to the point of this article. When working with a budget, and yes, everybody has a budget (some are just larger than others), looking at all of your options is a must.

Kitchens and Bath's are considered some of the most important factors in the decision making process for purchasing a home by today’s consumer. Making the right choice for your kitchen and bath could be the difference in selling or not selling your home.
For instance, consider the question regarding the Kitchen cabinets, above.
At first pass, there’s no question it, I would rather have solid wood cabinets. After all, its solid wood, what could be better than that?

Answer: MDF (Modified Density Fiberboard). How about the same look, the same or better durability, and about 1/3 less cost. Other facts about MDF:
-Some varieties are less expensive than many natural wood
-Some varieties are considered green*
-Isotropic (no grain), so no tendency to split, hence more efficient to prep and paint.
-Consistent in strength and size Flexible. Shapes well; can be used for a curved surface
-*Moisture-resistant variety is typically green (LEEDS citation needed).

I say this: If you’re going to have painted Kitchen cabinets, then you will likely never see another dollar for the value of your home if you choose MDF over wood cabinetry. The difference in cost between the two is about $15,000 for the average, to above average Kitchen. Still not convinced? Try solid wood.

Now, to paint or stain the cabinets? This one isn’t about cost, but about what people want. Plain stain is, well, plain stain. Today’s customer wants more. A custom multi-step finish, similar to that found on fine furniture is what is on their mind. Another is painting, but again, a multi-step painted finish is a must.

Recently we did a kitchen and decided to use flat, black lacquer to update the original cabinets. Quite frankly, it turned out so well that everyone assumed that we had replaced them. That made a lot of sense. (The photo at left is not from our Kitchen, it is used as an example of a flat-lacquered cabinet finish).

A Note on Lacquer: When I hear the word lacquer, I think of shiny Japanese dinnerware or decorative objects that is thickly painted with a shiny, high gloss finish. In fact, lacquer is available in many sheen's, including flat (no shine), mat, semi-gloss, and glossy.

Another cabinet idea in the same kitchen was the use of free standing cabinetry, similar to glass-front china cabinets, also lacquered flat black. The overall effect was that of a European kitchen, the kind made up largely of freestanding cabinets, which rarely matched one another. When you purchase an existing home in Europe, typically the kitchen cabinets and appliances are not included, only the proverbial kitchen sink (visualize a dark kitchen in a 17th c. Chateau; a single ray of light peaking through a small window, revealing the kitchen sink, alone, attached to the wall unsupported by cabinets).

Now what about the counter tops? Solid slab Granite or Marble, versus Granite or Marble tile?
Well, to me that’s a Gim’me.
If your budget allows for slab materials, then that’s the only way to go. Nothing says you skimped on a Kitchen project more than using tile-goods over slab-goods. The question is not only one of aesthetics, but of serviceability. No one wants to deal with the grout lines between the granite or marble tiles; they are too hard to keep clean.

Note: Granite slab counter tops are now available pre-cut in a number of sizes, shapes and colors, and are available at local home improvement stores. The cost is dramatically reduced because the tops are produced en mass, and are remarkably comparable in price to tile material.

What about other solid surface materials? You ask.

Well, yes, there are many others that are currently being used today. Lately, I’m seeing a lot of Caesar Stone being used.

Above: A sampling from the 40 color offerings from Caesar Stone include, from left to right: Apple Martini, Tequila Sunrise, and Sandalwood.

Caesar Stone is an engineered stone (the "stone" is composed of 93% quartz particles)
hat is supposed to be more dense than granite, and more stain proof, offers more flexibility in design for using shapes and curvilinear lines, and is offered in a multitude of colors (see above),
Like granite and marble, it can be polished, or honed (a matte or dull) finish. The cost of Caesar Stone is most comparable to that of granite, so I’m not convinced that I would use it or as to why someone would pick it over granite, an authentic natural material, especially in this “green age.”

Other solid surface material are Corian (too 1970’s); Limestone (too porous); Marble--viable but less dense than Granite; Formica (oh, pulleeze!); Soapstone--interesting, and we are definitely seeing more of it; Concrete-- (a real pain in the ba-juby!) is highly porous and easily cracks. Pluses include its flexibility in shape, texture, colors and finish options; Copper, lead over copper, and stainless steel counter tops were first popular in the 1920’s-30’s. We’ve begun seeing these metal materials employed in the Kitchen again, in the last several years, though not in a big way. We’ve mostly seen them used in conjunction with other counter top surface materials. For instance, as stainless steel counters flanking the stove and/or the kitchen sink, with Granite or Marble counters elsewhere; Butcher Block--considered difficult to sanitize, probably not a great choice--think germs.

Kitchen Counter Top Tip of The Day: Try a marble inset in a counter top, or on the kitchen island for rolling pastries.

Now, time for some jewelry. Hardware is the homes jewelry, and it runs the gamut when it comes to finish options. Some people match it to the appliance color, i.e. stainless steel appliances beget stainless steel hardware on the cabinets. A more daring soul might pick Pewter cabinet

hardware to go with stainless steel appliances.

Shown above, Cabinet pulls from Rocky Mountain Hardware, left to right:

Bamboo, Contemporary, Twig.

Hardware is sometimes found in a multi-step finish similar to that found on multi-step finished cabinets. All of the above create a monochromatic look. So, don’t let the tail wag the dog…the hardware should enhance the cabinets, not be the focal point. Other hardware finishes include: Oil Rubbed Bronze (time to move on); Bronze--okay as long as it isn’t done like a theme park (think twig-style handles in an Aspen House); Forged Steel--still good!; Copper-- coming on in a big way, in hardware, appliances, counter tops, you name it--expect to see it.

Now for appliances, the more difficult decisions. Stainless Steel reigns supreme as the “commercial Kitchen” look remains number one. We are starting to see some white kitchens again, as well as some brightly colored appliances (think the French ovens Le Cornue or Aga), and even some metallic numbers such as Vermilion Red and Champagne from G.E., (and I thought buying a car was tough!).

Shown Right, top: La Cornue Chateau 120

Commercial style appliances, no matter the color remain de rigueur. A recent ad in one of the local shelter magazines for Jenn Air appliances featured their new Oiled Bronze suite . I know seeing the word “Bronze” in the same sentence as the word “appliances” conjures up childhood memories of your parents old Bronze appliances, especially that Bronze refrigerator that just wouldn’t die, though all of the other appliances had been replaced with the then new, Harvest Gold. Thank God that Julia Child was then just an OSS Spy, and Martha Stewart hadn’t yet made her first cup of wassail, much less served a prison term, or to the therapist we might have gone sooner.
Shown Right: Jenn-Air 30" Built-In Microwave Oven

It seems that every appliance manufacturer is making the Commercial look.

Featured Right: Commercial Style refrigerator from True.

Featured Left: Sears Kenmore Elite Stainless Steel "counter depth" refrigerator.

From Sear’s Kenmore line to the real commercial refrigerators by True Mfg., they have all jumped on the commercial style wagon. Who would have thought that Sears would offer it’s Kenmore refrigerator, clad in Stainless Steel and sleekly styled, that would sell for almost $3,000? Sounds high for a Sears brand appliance, but it’s a bargain compared to the $9,000-$12,000 for a refrigerator from TRUE.

Now for the ovens: The trend starting in the late 1990's continues on. A freestanding commercial-type stove is still number one, gas fueled, the choice of the serious chef.

What's that you say?

You still haven't done a stainless steel commercial looking oven?

Tisk, tisk! You better hurry or you'll be looking at the new snazzy Bronze numbers.

Trend: Built-in Coffee Makers.

Built-in Coffee makers are expensive (about $2,200 on average), but we’re seeing these become almost standard features in upper-end homes.

Left and below: Coffee systems by Miele.

One of my favorite cartoons was The Jetsons (in the early 1960's), and I loved it when George Jetson would leave for work and everything was automated, including his cup of coffee just before he was whisked up the space tube to his garage.

No need to add a space tube (not yet any how) to your home remodeling plans, but making room for the built-in coffee maker is a real luxury if your budget allows.

Trend: Appliance Drawers, Dishwashers, Freezers and Refrigerators.

Benefit: It allows you to use the size you need, where need it.

Shown left: Fisher Paykel Dishwasher Drawers

Shown right: Sub Zero Refrigerator and Freezer Drawers.
Dishwasher drawers are sold individually. Some people install one dishwasher on each side of the sink, for instance. Likewise, the refrigerator and freezer drawers are sold separately. If you need only a drawer refrigerator in an area, then so be it. Or perhaps you need one drawer on one side of the room, and another on the other side of the room, knock yourself out!


Un-Trend: Trash Compactors are out as few manufacturers even make them anymore thanks to the popularity of our eco-conscious recycling.

Trend: Washers and Dryers are now being placed on matching risers (platforms), with a drawer. Who said that we need to keep bending over to load and unload the washer and dryer? And, who couldn’t use an extra drawer built into the space created by the riser? Shown at right: Sears Kenmore Steam/Washer/Dryer Combo

Appliance Tip of The Day: Raise the Dishwasher up form the floor on a riser, with drawer. The raised counter top can be used for the microwave, built-in or not, bringing it up to eye level, yet another improvement for appliance placement.

Note: Another trend is the addition of steam as an option on many washers and dryer combinations.

The kitchen sink has gotten a lot of action lately. Porcelain Farm House sinks (a single bowl, non- divided sink) remain popular, though the two-bowl stainless steel sink remains King (or Queen). We are also seeing a lot of the hand-hammered copper farmhouse sinks (see photo, left).

Special note about the picture at left: A "balloon shade" in the kitchen is a no-no, just as any fabric in a kitchen is not reccomended because of the absorption of kithcen smells, grease, water damage, you name it, its just a bad idea.

Now, the main point is about selecting a sink is to make certain that what ever sink you pick is deep, and that each of the bowls or sections are wide enough to hold the new, oversized, designer commercial style cookware that we just had to have.

The faucet "must have" is one that has a flexible arm (think the school cafeteria) where the spray head is suspended at about eye level. The flexibility allows for easy movement between the sink bowls and maneuvering in and around large pots. See photo at left.

Features Note: Make certain that the faucet you select has an option for both spray and steady stream of water flow.

Speaking of large pots, Pot Fillers positioned on the wall above the stove, or deck mounted still make a lot of sense. To cook pasta or make a pot of soup takes a large pot. When filled with liquid, you need to call a moving service to move the pot from the sink to the stove.

The Pot Filler will save your back and can be handy should you burn dinner (literally).

Shown left: Blanco 157-064-CR "Deck Mount" Pot Filler.

Note on Mounting: When placing the plumbing for a wall mount pot filler during the construction phase, make sure that you have allowed enough height so a tall stock pot will fit under the faucet.

Next, under-cabinet lighting, one of the greatest trends to hit the kitchen since hiring personal chefs. First we had gosh-awful fluorescent lighting. Then, we had those fabulous halogen, hockey-puck lights. Now, unfortunately, we are forced to consider LED lights (touted as “never change a bulb again”) for the ultimate green experience in under cabinet lighting (just thinking green, though, is still sometimes painful!). But alas, just when all hope for esthetics as we knew it was being thrown to the wind, comes low-voltage Xenon hockey puck lights! Hooray! Not as green as LED but they last twice as long as Halogen and operate at half the temperature. So, if you’re only “pale green“, you can start with Xenon.

Above, Under Counter Lighting Options: Left, Halogen Hockey Puck; Right, Xenon under counter light bar.

Kitchen Cabinet Lighting Tip of The Day: These same bulb and fixture choices are useful on the top of the cabinets as well when trying to remedy the effects of a dark kitchen. Lighting discretely placed above the cabinets reflects light off of the ceiling, thereby creating light on the ceiling, whereas downward aimed ceiling lighting mostly lights the floor and the top of the cabinet counter tops. Remember it is just as important to layer the lighting just as you would in a Library or Study.

Whew! Had enough? Then lets wrap this up.
Let’s have a look at a kitchen that uses some of the elements I’ve discussed in this article.

You want to see the Kitchen of the Year, as crowned by House Beautiful Magazine?
Go to: http://www.caesarstoneus.com/news/kitchen_of_the_year.cfm

Good Night Moon

LAST Of THE "CHICAGO CAUSAL FURNITURE SHOW" MARKET REPORT!

Okay, so we've talked a lot about the outdoor show, but in the final analysis, what's it gonna be? Teak or Synthetic Woven furniture for you? Let's explore this for a moment.



Photo above: The many faces of Teak, in stages from new, to gray, to new again.

Teak can have great style, and it has a real sense of permanence. It's also a pain to keep up.
Do you sand it, oil it, etc...just to keep that "showroom new" look?



I say no. I think it looks best when you allow it to "weather" naturally. Notice I say "weather" not ruin it in the weather.


Photo Left: newly oiled and finished teak.

If teak furniture is left out in full sun and weather, it will deteriorate. The wood will swell and then dry out, which will cause the joints to get loose.



The silvery gray color will come with the drying out process as well as a splinter or two! It doesn't matter what anyone says, if you leave it uncovered and fully exposed, the teak wood itself will last, but the construction of the furniture will suffer.

Teak is generally more expensive than Synthetic woven, but don't' be tempted by the myriad cheap teak dealer-Gypsy's on the side of the road, who put up their portable signs up hoping to snag those Sunday passers- by! Theirs is junk with a capital "J", and it is everywhere. How do you differentiate?


Ask a few questions: "What class of teak is this?"


You will undoubtedly be met with a puzzled look from the roadside Teak Gypsy. He may even try to answer it, but he will never get it right.


The answer? Simple: Class A.


What you might get as an answer: Best, or First Quality. Both wrong.

"How is the joinery done?" You will most certainly get a blank look from the Gypsy.


Answers range from doweled, glued, reinforced (with what? Steel), or a combination.


If the guy is selling it, he should be able to answer these most basic of questions.


My advice, if you do teak, keep it covered when not in use. It will still weather to a beautiful silvery-gray. You can lightly sand it at the beginning of each season, and the wood will maintain a necessary level of moisture to keep it from becoming dry and craggy.

Care of Teak: Google "teak care" or "teak oil" and be prepare your fingers to hunt and peck through a sea of alternatives and products. I cannot recommend one over the other (at least not until I sign an endorsement for a particular teak cleaning product!), but like most things, the older more recognizable names are usually the place to start.

Now for Synthetic Woven outdoor furniture: This is easy street, just wipe it down and go! Provided of course that the synthetic material is of the quality of Dedon's Hularo (see my last column). Remember, Hularo has the color all the way through it, nick-it, and the mark will be the same color as the outside. But, even Hularo will fade slightly, but for ease of living, there is no better way to go. Styling and pricing varies widely, so there's something for everyone.

A few things to note: The frame underneath the woven material is usually aluminum, and it should be powder-coated (painted with a rust repelling coating) to protect it from rusting and deteriorating.

Care of synthetic woven materials: Soap and water and a soft brush or a light power wash will take care more of most clean up. These synthetics are easy to live with and offer a great number of style and type of furnishing alternatives, and is light weight and easy to move about.

Remember, if the outdoor furniture dealer cannot answer the questions posed above, fully and without hesitation, move on!

Lastly, I want to elaborate on the city of Chicago. In an earlier article, I mentioned the weather, and we did have absolutely fabulous weather while there. Now remember, I live in Santa Barbara, CA., and I know what fab weather is, and this was FAB!

I also mentioned that I enjoyed this weather the most on the Architectural Preservation Society's river boat tour. What I didn't mention was that this was my third time to have taken the tour over the last four or five years, so the tour is that good.

Scores of high rise buildings by the worlds most famous architects line the banks of the emerald green waters of the Chicago River. Emerald green water you ask? You too thought that the river was highly polluted, and that it flows upstream instead of downstream?

All of the above is correct, except its just that this portion of the river is close enough to the great Lake Michigan that its waters are green from the rich iron ore deposits that lie at the bottom of the lake.

The rivers green color is a site to behold!

Photo Left: Natural green water from iron ore.

Photo Right: Un-natural green water from dyeing the river for the 2005 St. Patty's day celebration

But there is blight on the river bank. It's a new building that was just coming out of the ground...

Now, it was a sign on a new high-rise condo building, with a huge over sized banner strung across its hollow elevator shafts that reached for the sky. The pre-sale banner proclaimed in garish red letters: Trump Tower.

I was just sick about it myself. An image I'd seen before of Mr. Trump quickly came to mind, an image of him dressed in a white tennis sweater, trimmed in navy and red, smiling broadly, from the confines of an over-framed portrait of himself.

The portrait hangs in the bar (the former Library) of the venerable Mar A Lago, once home to the late Marjorie Meriweather Post, now owned by Trump.

Oh, poor Marjorie! She must be twisting (her sapphire necklace) in her grave!

He's turned the whole dang place into a "private" club (meaning no matter how nouveau your money, if you've got it, you can belong).

The Master Suite that Post once shared with her then new husband, E.F. Hutton, is now the private quarters of Trump and his wife d'jour.



So what's he got in store for the lucky citizens of Chicago? Well, first of all the building is planned to be the second tallest building in Chicago upon its completion! Oh yeah, it'll be nice and tall and flashy for all to see! And, there's more!

Could there be more? How could there?

Yep, there's more! Our tour Docent said that it was rumored that Oprah has bought the top floor Penthouse (the entire floor) of the building for her new Chicago digs! Selling price: A cool $38 mil.

A lot of dough, but not the first time the native Mississippian has spent a giant sum for a home. Her Montecito home cost a whopping $46 mil, and she immediately gutted the homes newly completed interiors and re-landscape it to the standards of the Queen's Sandringham estate outside of London. Queen Elizabeth silly, not Queen Oprah!

Now, Oprah girl, you've come a long way baby, so keep it that way, and prove that the old Docent woman was wrong. Say that this is just yet another malicious rumor about someone who is rich and famous!

I don't know! Trump's name first came across my radar when he purchased Mar A Lago in Palm Beach. I remember then, thinking as I envisioned the swells from Worth Avenue drowning their sorrows in Palm Beach Punch at the Everglades Club, on hearing the news of Trumps trophy purchase.

Now, where were we? Ah, yes, the final report from the Chicago Casual Furniture Show in Chicago.

All in all it was a great show. In summary, outdoor fabrics continued to improve in both the quality of the textures offered and the pliability and softness factor which is light years ahead of the humble beginnings of Sunbrella fabrics when it was hot, hard, and non breathable, and could cause the skin to peel off of your legs if you sat on it for more than five minutes.

The variety of finishes available on both outdoor wood and natural and synthetic woven furnishings has increased dramatically, including a new outdoor paint that would in fact allow you to paint Grandma's prized wicker furniture and leave out in the elements 24/7.

Now family squabbles that used to ensue at the settlement of Grandma's estate over who gets her old porch furniture, have given way to who gets the porch!

Next, join me for highlights of this years Americas Mart/Atlanta 2008 Winter Gift and Home Furnishings Show.

Good Night Moon.

More notes on the Casual Furniture Show--Better Late than Never!

Wow! I just found another of my notebooks from the recent (September!) Casual Furniture Show in Chicago. The notes remain timely as the show has to do with what's hot for Spring/Summer 2008.

Photo Left:

Yeah, yeah, yeah, that is the Design Guy's actual desk top!

Do you see how I could have misplaced my notebook?

WHAT TANGLED WEBS WE WEAVE!

And weave they did, in weather proof outdoor materials! Woven synthetic wicker, rattan, bamboo, even woven leather was everywhere and was available in every price point. Sectionals, sofas, love seats, lounge chairs, bar stools, tables, swings, bars, consoles, floor screens, stools, ottomans, you name it, somebody wove it! Is wove a word? Is now!

There were many Cheap versions (yes, with a capitol "C"), that were poorly scaled and lacked any sense of quality.

Retail for the above type of merchandise , the less desirable, but necessary price points, for example: A dining chair that was priced to sell from $85-$100, was in fact similarly styled to a more upscale models that priced at $500-$750 each depending on the manufacture, but that was where the similarity ended.

After a few more days of wading through a sea of woven look-a-likes and wannabe's, it became clear to us that it would be worth it, and ultimately to you the consumer to step up to the plate and not sacrifice quality for price.

We did find well designed, and nicely made chairs and furniture, woven in Hularo. Hularo is a synthetic material, developed by the "Denmarkians". Yeah, it was developed in Denmark by the Dedon Group (handled in the USA by Janus et Cie--and conveniently available at the Cabana Home Santa Barbara and Mill Valley stores). What an unlikely place to develop a material for outdoor furniture! Isn't it cold as heck...I mean hell, there most of the time?

The material was patented for a period of time, but the technology is now widely used throughout the outdoor furniture industry. The color in the hularo material is solid. Meaning if you nick it, or cut it, the color is all the way through, therefore making any damage less noticeable.

This is the Bonneville Dining Chair from Dedon, list price is $895. each.

Other pieces in the collection include Dining tables, Love seat, Lounge Chair, Reclining Lounge Chair, and Ottoman.

The less expensive chair models appear to have been copied from a Dedon Design (see Janus et Cie, above), and retail from $995 each. We found other knock-offs (brands that aren't household name brands), that would retail from $395-$495. Though slightly less stylish as those made by Dedon, but hey, you can't have everything at that price! We couldn't bring our selves to go for the cheapest version, but we did select a model in order to accommodate both price ranges for our customers, Cabana Home has both the Dedon chair, and this similarly styled private label chair, pictured below, in stock.

This is the private label Dining Chair, similarly styled to the Dedon model, above. The retail price for this chair is $696.

Janus et Cie outdoor furniture is available in stock in the Cabana Home-Santa Barbara store, and is available by special order in the Cabana Home-Mill Valley store.

Tune in tomorrow for the last report on the Casual Furniture Show in Chicago.

Good Night Moon.