Robert Sonneman, a pioneer of modern lighting, was the host of Lighting by Gregory’s first Designer Night on Thursday, June 4.

Influenced by modernist movements of the 20th Century, Sonneman began designing lighting in the 1960s that combined form and function. Orbiter, which happens to be one of Sonneman’s first designs, is a solid example of how form and function come together to create a functional art form.

The collection is also formed around the idea that lighting is "a marriage of art and commerce," explains Sonneman. As a designer, Sonneman understands the importance of offering an enduring product, a sentiment he described to the media, photographers and guests who were among the first to view his display yesterday evening at Lighting by Gregory. Sonneman presents only the highest quality products to his customers. 

Evolving from the modernist platform, Sonneman recognized the need for ornamental elements, especially in the American industry. While maintaining the notion that there is an elegance in simplicity and that quality prevails, Sonneman began incorporating a decorative angle in his lighting.

"I try to use ornamental detail in a very subtle and sparing way," says Sonneman. "I use shape, articulation, scale and geometric details to gratify the emotional need to attach beauty to decoration. I always try to simplify and to touch the object with a light hand."

Taking a cue from the 1930s Shanghai Deco period, Sonneman’s Shanghai light fixture is considered to be the most decorative of his designs.

Sonneman is continually challenging the design spectrum and exploring architectural influences and concludes that his best design "is the next one."

Lighting by Gregory—For 25 years Lighting by Gregory has been dedicated to providing the public and contractors the highest quality lighting. One of the largest lighting and ceiling fan retailers in New York, Lighting by Gregory offers hundreds of thousands of modern and contemporary lighting and products throughout its 7,500-square-foot showroom.

—Lauren Varga & Sarah Binder

Photos courtesy of Sonneman.

Unique Homes is visiting Barbados to tour new luxury real estate opportunities. This is the final blog from our press trip:

Throughout the week, Unique Homes has taken its readers down the west coast of Barbados to fine restaurants, across inland parishes to gullies, and to the east coast where the rough Atlantic waters make for perfect surfing conditions. Readers may have wondered how these excursions related to real estate. It’s simple. When buyers purchase real estate in Barbados—on the west or east coasts—they’re getting more than just square footage. Owners are purchasing culture, recreation, tradition and pride. All of the places Unique Homes traveled represent the pieces that make Barbados a Caribbean hotspot.

In Paynes Bay, St. James, there are two exceptional real estate options that afford charm, luxury and Caribbean flair. Beach View and Sandy Cove are both distinctive developments with their own character.

Beach View Condo Hotel—Guests and residents of Beach View Condo Hotel are welcomed into a three-acre paradise that blends into the island atmosphere. The property offers four 3-story structures with 36 two- and three-bedroom units that range from $600,000 to $925,000 (fully furnished). Only nine units remain on the market.

Step into any unit and immediately capture views of the calm Caribbean Sea, which is located just beyond the property. An open floor plan allows sunlight to rush in and sounds of the ocean to form the musical accompaniment to a picture-perfect lifestyle.

Balconies and patios of each unit look out onto two pools—one for kids and one for adults. Because Beach View is a family oriented environment, a kids’ pool was a must. And beyond the enchanting floor plans, great location and pristine property is an even more enticing feature. Beach View Condo Hotel offers its buyers the opportunity to take part in a rental pool. The idea behind the pool is that a purchased unit can be used while it is unoccupied by its owner. This setup could potentially help offset the overall price of the condo unit and turn an even bigger investment.

Sandy Cove—Located directly on the beach, Sandy Cove’s property is comprised of 15 units in total, eight of which are currently on the market. Prices range from a $3 million resale to an $8.5 million penthouse.

Unique Homes was welcomed into unit 202, listed for $3.75 million. The 2,895-square-foot abode offered the finest finishes, a grand kitchen with high-end appliances, an abundance of storage space, three bedrooms and three and one-half baths. A large balcony off of the main living area beckoned us to take a glimpse. On the balcony, we found a plunge pool, room to host guests and private access to the property’s lovely pool and spa. Indoors and out, Sandy Cove raises the bar for island living.

Whether it be a fully furnished unit overlooking the Caribbean, or a residence on the sand with private access to the pool and beach, there is always a common denominator: great weather, friendly people, and a rich culture in Barbados.

—Lauren Varga

Unique Homes is visiting Barbados to tour new luxury real estate opportunities. This is the first blog from our press trip:

We touched down on Barbados‘ west coast—known as the Platinum Coast for its powder-soft beaches, crystal clear waters and manicured properties—in the parish of Christ Church at 1:10 p.m. (EST). The Barbadians wasted no time getting us settled in to Barbados, the most-eastern island in the Caribbean. By 3 p.m., we were checked into a room at the Beach View Hotel in St. James and was sitting poolside, overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

Mirroring Barbadian style, we arrived at The Tides in an elegant, conservative fashion. The evening began with the serving of a traditional rum punch cocktail. A fresh Caesar salad and grilled jumbo shrimp appetizer, followed by sorbet to cleanse the pallet lead into the evening’s main dish. Pan-seared mahi-mahi over a creamy dish of risotto was presented as the main entree. No knife was necessary; the flaky, soft fish gently glided onto the fork with ease. And for dessert, a sweet Mars Bar and Oreo cheesecake, topped with a sliced strawberry; delicious!

Follow Unique Homes’ travels throughout the remainder of this week. Tomorrow, we journey to the eastern border of Barbados for zip-lining and a tour of St. Nicholas Abbey.

—Lauren Varga

Unique Homes magazine’s evening at Twenty9th Park Madison’s art gallery opening, featuring works by Miguel Trelles, began at the main lobby entrance where we were greeted by inviting hosts decked out in sophisticated attire.

Developer Espais Promocions Immobiliaries teamed with the Gabarron Foundation—a non-profit organization that helps support and expose emerging Spanish-speaking artists and is a center for Spanish and South American art and culture in New York—to provide Twenty9th Park Madison’s residents with an enriching cultural opportunity.

“Twenty9th Park Madison has residents from all over the world, and we wanted to provide them with a unique cultural experience as well as the opportunity to support a neighborhood non-profit organization that encourages cultural diversity and cooperation,” says Andres Hogg, U.S. General Manager of Espais.

Our night continued on as we caught a ride on an elevator to the 22nd floor where 17 artworks by Trelles adorned the walls of three separate apartments. Studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments within the condo building span from 536 square feet to 1,309 square feet and are highlighted by the finest finishes. Prices on these units range from $635,000 to $2 million.

Another elevator ride to a two-bedroom, two-bath model penthouse revealed awe-inspiring views from floor-to-ceiling windows. Twenty9th Park Madison offers 10 penthouse units on the top four floors. Penthouses range from 1,255 square feet to 2,070 square feet in space and start at $2.3 million.

Interior spaces are designed with exceptional taste. Teak hardwoods map out the floor plans; Bosch stacked in-unit washers/dryers are situated for convenience; limestone tiling, soaking tubs and separate showers with rain shower heads are positioned for relaxing in the bath retreats; and top-of-the-line kitchen appliances are in place for the food connoisseur.

But, perhaps the most splendid piece of artwork and the highpoint of Unique Homes’ evening was our arrival at Twenty9th Park Madison’s rooftop. Here, views of the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings immediately caught our eyes. Quaint sitting areas and barbecue stations are set up for small gatherings or larger events.

A silent auction of Trelles’ pieces rounded out our evening. Proceeds from the auction went to support the work of the Gabarron Foundation.

Coldwell Banker Hunt Kennedy’s new development division is the exclusive marketing and sales agent for Twenty9th Park Madison.

—Sarah Binder & Lauren Varga
 

Since I frequently write about green homes, anything related to energy efficient real estate grabs my attention, as did the recent release by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and its Committee on the Environment’s (COTE) top 10 examples of sustainable architecture for 2009. These projects will be honored at the annual AIA convention in San Francisco from April 30 to May 2. While this annual list typically includes commercial and government buildings, schools and churches, this year’s honorees include two residential projects: Synergy at Dockside Green and Gish Apartments.

Synergy at Dockside Green is a mixed-use development on a former brownfield site in Victoria, British Columbia. The first community in the world to receive a LEED Platinum certification, according to designer Perkins+Will, Synergy includes a nine-story residential tower with commercial units on the ground floor; a two-story townhouse building; a six-story building with commercial units on the ground floor; and a four-story residential building. Sustainable elements include an integrated energy system that ensures the development will be greenhouse gas neutral, on-site wastewater treatment estimated to save more than 70,000 gallons of water annually, rooftop gardens, a car co-op with a Smart Car, Energy Star appliances, heat recovery ventilation units and Low-E double-glazed windows.

Gish Apartments in San Jose, Calif., is a transit-oriented apartment complex that breaks new ground for both design and green building. Also located on a brownfield site, Gish was built using locally produced materials and it offers a 25.7 percent improved efficiency over the state’s standards and a 36 percent reduction in indoor water usage compared to a conventional home. Gish is the only affordable housing development in the U.S. to receive both LEED for Homes and LEED NC Gold certification.

According to AIA, projects honored by the Top Ten Green program have an integrated approach to architecture, natural systems and technology. Typically, the projects use strategies such as the re-use of existing structures, a connection to transit systems, low-impact and regenerative site development, energy and water conservation, the use of sustainable or renewable construction materials and implementing designs that improve indoor air quality.

Unlike other awards, the Top Ten Green program pays as much attention to design as it does to performance. “In architecture, performance and aesthetics are inextricably linked. The COTE Top Ten is one of the very few awards that evaluates performance and design,” said the jury.  “Other awards and organizations look strictly at performance without care for how a building looks.” Look for more green stories in the next issue of Unique Homes magazine. Photo courtesy Synergy Dockside Green. —Camilla McLaughlin

Luxuryrealestate.com will award Shari Chase, CEO and president of Chase International, with its Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual spring retreat, which will be held from Sunday, April 26 to Wednesday, April 29. Being held in Las Vegas, Nev., the retreat will host Olympic gold medalist Mary Whipple as its keynote speaker.

Winning an Olympic gold medal and being awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award are not simple tasks; they take perseverance, teamwork and energy. Both Chase and Whipple have exemplified these traits throughout their careers and continue to do so.

According to luxuryrealestate.com, the Lifetime Achievement Award is given twice a year to the Luxury Real Estate member who has set an example for the real estate industry, displayed excellence throughout their career and is truly a legend. For the past 23 year, Chase, president and CEO of Chase International, has been fitting the bill.

An award-winner herself, Whipple will discuss turning weaknesses into strengths, recognizing your place in a team environment as well as acknowledging the importance of one’s teammates. 

—Lauren Varga
 

The Fawcett Ranch House, near Los Banos, Calif., is the state’s only Frank Lloyd Wright residence in the context of a working farm. Listed for $2,700,000, the house is sited on approximately 80 acres of fertile farmland, which support produce and a walnut orchard, in San Joaquin Valley and would make an excellent executive retreat, gentlemen’s farm or single-family home.

A long private drive leads to a flowering parking court in front of the five-bedroom, four-full- and one-half-bath home. The complementary pool, Koi pond and palms create an oasis amongst the valley’s many farms. A separate studio with bath, wine cellar, tractor bay, Japanese garden, aviary, workshop and three-car carport complete the luxurious grounds.

For more information about the event, or to become only the second owner of this sprawling property, contact listing agent Crosby Doe at 310.428.6755 (cell) or 310.275.2222 (office).

– Sarah Binder

MIAMI – The World is the first and only private residential community at sea.  This extraordinary 12-deck, 644-foot vessel first set sail in 2002, and officially sold out four years later.  As is the case with any private community, select apartments become available for resale from time to time.  One such apartment that is now available is Apartment 1110 & 1108, whose more than 4,000 square feet make this the largest apartment onboard, with five double en suite bedrooms, one double en suite study bedroom, two living areas, two dining areas, two kitchens, both with laundry facilities, and 150 square feet of verandah space.  The apartment is priced at $17.5 million, and can comfortably fit up to 12 people.  More information on the apartment can be found at www.theworldsuite.com

Apartment 1110 and 1108 is custom-designed, ideal for large families or groups of friends visiting the ship together, as its connected living spaces have internal dividing doors and private entrances for assured space, privacy and flexibility.  The apartment is one of only a few to offer both bow and port views with two heated whirlpool spas on the 150-foot verandah.  The en suite study bedroom offers a quiet place to use the internet or a convenient extra sixth bedroom for children or an Au Pair. 

The ship’s overwhelming success and the increased demand for bigger, more luxurious apartments led to 1110 and 1108 as a multi-suite living option for the well-traveled, discerning guest.  These combined apartments have been cleverly configured with internal doors (some disguised as book cases) allowing for a variety of rental options with either two, three or five en suite bedrooms. 

The World’s continuous worldwide itinerary allows for the only home ownership with views of more than 470 of the world’s finest cities, beaches and ports including Hong Kong, New York, Sydney, London, Antarctica, Venice, St. Petersburg and the Seychelles.  In addition, The World is offering three unique Expeditions in 2009 – a voyage through the Sea of Cortez in May, a journey along the Bering Sea in August, and a trek through Papua New Guinea in late-November.  The World will also make a maiden call in Seoul, South Korea in October 2009.  

Each suite within the apartment is outfitted with a range of amenities including sophisticated home entertainment centers in the living rooms with a comprehensive supply of the latest movies and music; space for private, catered meals; dining areas with wet bar facilities; fully equipped kitchen and laundry areas; stunning views from floor to ceiling windows; Internet, fax and phone services; cable television, and more.  Other onboard offerings such as daily housekeeping, private chef services, dry cleaning, concierge and 24-hour room service allow those onboard to be free to explore and enjoy the ship.  The World offers four high-quality restaurants, an expansive fitness center and The World Spa by Banyan Tree, a golf simulator, onboard theatre and art gallery, marina for water sports, and much more.

The unique ship offers 165 homes aboard, and pricing for residences starts at approximately $1.4 million.  Additionally, many private residences are available for rent, with a minimum six-night stay required.  For further information on Apartment 1110 and 1108 pricing, and for a full listing of the 2009 itinerary, please visit www.aboardtheworld.com

About The World:
The World® is the only residential community at sea, allowing its Residents and Guests to travel the world without leaving the comforts of a private home.  There is an average of 150 adventurous and like-minded explorers onboard at once, traveling to intriguing destinations all over the globe.  The ship offers an elegant and intimate travel lifestyle with impeccable service and amenities that deliver a personalized and bespoke experience.  Discerning travelers can travel in one of the 165 private residences aboard The World or elect to own one of the select homes available for resale. For more information about residential purchase options or vacation experiences, please call ResidenSea Management, Ltd. at 1-800-970-6601 in the U.S. or Canada or + 1-954-538-8400 outside the U.S.; or visit www.aboardtheworld.com

The devastation is incomprehensible. An unbelievable 750-plus homes destroyed, 350,000 hectares of land consumed, with more than 150 lives lost—a number that is sadly expected to rise. Our thoughts extend to all those who have been affected by hell’s fury.

Donations and pledges have reached $70 million AUD, but much more is needed. There are ways to help those involved. For more information on how to assist, please check out the links below.

 Important Contacts & Advice:

Victorian Bushfires — support website

Victorian Bushfire Information Line: 1800 240 667

Victorian Bushfire Accommodation Donation Hotline: 1800 006 468

How you can help people affected by the bushfires

Country Fire Authority Victoria

State Emergency Services

Victorian Government

Victorian Council of Social Services

Bushfire Appeal

Bushfire Information Line

Free Legal Advice

Australian Red Cross (the Red Cross have advised that their donation line and website are struggling under the weight of demand, but ask that you keep trying! Additionally, please give blood - the Victorian blood-bank is struggling.)

Salvation Army

Commbank - Emergency claims and assistance, donations, including clothes, household goods

Commonwealth Bank Bushfire Appeal

Wildlife Victoria - donate to help save the animals caught in the fires (special request: please leave water outside for injured animals, and keep household pets - cats and dogs - contained to protect weaker wildlife)

 —Robert Burke

Attention football fans—It’s first and goal for a chance to place a bid on the suburban Atlanta home of Atlanta Falcons quarterback, Michael Vick. The home is expected to hit the auction block on March 10th. Previously listed at $4.5 million, the residence will now start with opening bid of $3.2 million. The auction will be held in either Atlanta or Gwinnett County.

What can one expect to find with the purchase of the Duluth mansion? A two story foyer with double curved staircase, a home theater, a workout room with sauna, an elevator and a full bar for starters. For more on Vick’s home, check out the story by AP writer Larry O’Dell: Auction of Vick’s Georgia Home.

—Robert Burke