Wine All You Want

TNT Partners -- It's only a few more shopping days until Christmas . . . and if you don't already have your luxe presents picked out . . . you may be in big trouble with your loved ones!

Everyone at our house is hinting for something expensive this year . . . and we know there might be something luxe under the tree for those who have been extra nice this year!

Ho-Ho-Ho! Looking for last-minute goodies? We recommend Wine Enthusiast . . . so many luxe ideas in their gift center . . . and great last-minute shipping . . . and you can get those wine lovers on your list something special!

And Speaking of Wine . . . This week we are urging you to think about the addition of one more luxe room to your manse. No matter what the size of your luxe digs . . . please consider a wine cellar! This room is sure to add value to your already wonderful surroundings.

So Luxe! Wine connoisseurs are springing up in every household . . . everyone is learning more about wines from all over the world.

Investments in wines and wineries have been increasing in size over the last few years . . . and savvy luxe homeowners have been asking for custom wine cellars in their residences.

Tailor Made: These custom wine cellars have a flavor all their own . . . whether you desire a grotto-like accommodation with intricate arched, carved wood doorways . . . leading to a room fit with elaborate storage units for the wine . . . and showcases for your finest bottles . . . or a smaller intimate storage area for sharing a bottle with family and friends.

Love Those Details: Flooring is stone or brick to accommodate that clubby, luxe, cellar feeling. Sometimes we see wonderful tile inlays . . . some with a wine theme.

Wonderful antiques are often refitted and worked into the wall units for extra storage . . . and charm!

Also a special ventilation system is sometimes  installed in a cellar's ceiling for occasional cigar and cigarette smoking.

Field Trip! One fabulous wine cellar we encountered in a luxe manse . . . took our breath away!

This home had a suite of rooms for their extensive wine collection! We entered the cellar through massive handcrafted iron gates . . . incorporating the family’s crest! How wonderfully luxe!!!

We walked into a large room with a barrel ceiling . . . and centered in the room was a stately oversized round wood table with enormous claw feet . . . high-backed antique chairs complimented the table . . . and an antique sideboard for storage flanked one wall.

Better & Better! Faux painting adorned the walls, depicting a serene vineyard in Italy. The look of this cellar definitely complimented and enhanced the wine-tasting experience!

The main room overlooked the next chamber . . . huge glass walls and door . . . like a major restaurant . . . with security of course . . . showcasing the homeowners' extensive collection of prized wines and cognac.

The artistic interpretation of wine shelving . . . those who can help you design a custom wine cellar . . . they plan a feast for the eyes in their design . . . and it's so important for the correct storage of your bottled investments!

Such Jewels! A great wine cellar is just like a special safe for your precious bottles of wine . . . in fact, one new wine cellar just finished incorporating an old safe from the homeowners' 1920s-style residence into a focal point for their new wine cellar. So luxe and lovely, dear reader!

The Royal Treatment! Why not a wine cellar fit for a king or a queen??? A Tudor-style luxe residence we saw has a turret with a tiny winding stone staircase leading down to the wine area.

You reach the lower level with a cozy “living room” with sofas and large upholstered chairs to lounge and enjoy your after-dinner drinks. The actual wine storage is in a dark closet area that has been there for years . . . with natural cooling for the wine because you are below ground.

Wow! This leads to a wine-tasting room with stone walls . . . and a long wooden table that seats approximately 26! Sometimes there are special diners and celebrations here. Luxe Lover, word has it that many heads of state have come here to discuss important matters!!!

Now that’s another use for a wine cellar we don't usually see . . . .

Give Us a Call at 1-800-828-2177! Ask us for more information about amazing luxe properties . . . advice on how to help you list and sell your beautiful home . . . or help finding a new home for the new year. Till next week . . . we hope you are enjoying this magical holiday season. And no whining . . . just wining!!!

All our best,

TNT Partners: Julia, Wendy and Steven 

                      

Photo Credits: Wine Cellar Innovations, Wine Enthusiast

Update on November 10, 2009 by Design2Share

Visit Design2Share's Holiday Decorating Special throughout the months of November and December to keep picking up helping tips for home gifts, holiday decorating ideas, and groovy yuletide decor tips.

And check out our New Design2Share Shop for unique home decor and gifts. We're adding new products all the time, each a hand-picked favorite from the D2S team. Keep coming back!

Gym Dandies

TNT Partners -- You might wonder where the inspiration came from for this week's article, luxe property lovers . . . and a quick look down at your waistline will tell all!

We're all making the rounds of holiday parties . . . festive times . . . houses ablaze with lights and decorations . . . and tables groaning with delicious feasts! We've been INDULGING . . . and the average person gains 7 pounds between Thanksgiving and Christmas!!!

And as New Year's approaches, we're making resolutions . . . and oh, dear reader, something's got to give about the shape we're in . . . and the extra shape above our beltline . . . for we only want our wallets to bulge in 2008 . . . and nothing else!

TNT Partners, along with other Coldwell Banker Previews agents, loves bringing you highlights from luxury properties, and this time of year has driven us into the home gym. Time to get fit . . . stay in shape . . . work off the excess poundage . . . and do it on our own luxe turf.

Ka-Ching! As Realtors in the know, we love to see those at-home luxe gyms! They are in great demand as one of the top amenities for all new luxe properties . . . also a recommended amenity for resale . . . a Must Have feature for all ages now!

And business in home fitness is booming! It's a $3.4 billion industry now. Demand for home exercise solutions is on the rise.

Smart Thinking. TNT Partners were involved with one of the first smart homes in the Westport, Connecticut area years ago. We loved all the techno bells and whistles!

It was then that we started to see the home gym, the wine cellar, and the media room all on the same lower level.

When the smart homes first came into the luxe property scene, they made these amenities standard and the norm for exciting, new construction. Now a great home gym or yoga room can add $70,000 or more to the value of a beautiful luxe property.

This Old House Workout: So a few years later since we saw the first smart homes . . . the standards have risen . . . and luxe buyers must have these home gym amenities . . . even in the resale of an older, elegant property!

This week we previewed a gorgeous Coldwell Banker Previews Property!!!! It was a fantastic multi-million dollar estate here in CT . . . near the water . . . with guest house. The owners had redone the whole lower level, including a fantastic new gym. In fact, luxe property lovers . . . the ceilings were lower because of the age of the home. Problemo? No siree! They designed the placement of the elliptical training equipment with the ceiling raised . . . taking into consideration any taller people using the equipment. Very cool and fun!

Name-Brand Luxury! We're raving, raving, raving about the Ferrari Unica home gym.

At a little over $20,000, you have a sensual car-inspired athletic experience in your home. Vrooom-vrooom!

Beautiful extras in this workout station simulate your favorite Ferrari . . . beige leather padding like in classic car interiors . . . even a Maranello RACING RED frame color. We love it!!!

And we're also in lust with the TechnoGym, that wall-mounted workout unit in the first photo. So how can you get more luxe than that? Easy! You can splurge on their limited edition Kinesis Gold Edition, designed in Milan (where else, luxe lovers?) by Antonio Cittero . . . and it's hemmed in gold foil . . . and only about $13,000. Yummy!!! Work up a sweat with your gold-plated luxury gym equipment. Mmmmmmmmmmmm!

Pump It Up! Many home gyms have sleek rooms to pump up your bod . . . buff your booty and every single body part . . . incorporating programs that are normally associated with all the top gyms!

This all comes from creating in your home a lifestyle for the baby boomers and other luxe lovers that compliments the spas . . . and meditation rooms . . . aimed at helping us all live longer.

How Fabulous! Big screen televisions with all your favorite exercise tapes . . . superior sound systems to carry you through your workout. Amazing special flooring to protect your knees and to keep the sound down . . . mirrored walls with ballet bars!

Equipment? Wow! Fantastic elliptical machines . . . weight lifting areas with stands . . . Pilates equipment to stretch and tone . . . multi-faceted workout station equipment for smaller home gym areas is smart and practical. We love all the state-of-the-art bikes. An area for those who are into the great pole exercises is so much fun. And . . . Ommmmmmmmmmmmm . . . we love yoga rooms with great workout mats and zen styling for mediation and unwinding!

The Extras!!! Thick luscious exercise mats . . . refrigerators for your special bottled water . . . gym equipment located right next door to your spa bath to unwind from your workout . . . steam baths . . . multi-shower heads . . . marble sinks and tubs . . . heated floors.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh . . . it's all saving you luxe lovers from traveling away from your wonderful home and facing the health club crowds! Now it's easy to keep in shape and keep on top of your luxe game.

Family Affair: Also having an at-home gym is wonderful for older children to help keep them in shape for their sports at school. How fabulous is it for parents to encourage a healthier lifestyle for their families!

So think about the home gym for your next great home renovation or improvement. Make it your resolution to have a healthier and happier new year . . . and stay luxe!

Give Us a Call at 1-800-828-2177! Ask us for more information about amazing luxe properties . . . advice on how to help you list and sell your beautiful home . . . or help finding a new home for the new year. Till next week . . . have a fit, happy, and safe holiday season!!!

All our best,

TNT Partners: Julia, Wendy and Steven

                      

Photo Credits: TechnoGym, Ferrari, Businessweek