Suite Sweets

TNT Partners -- ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ . . . wake up, luxe property lovers! Our gathering of dedicated realtors has put together some updates on all the best toys in the new luxe master suite. Relax and enjoy. . .

Head for the Hills! The master suite is Adult Disneyland at home. It's THE place where grownups can relax and enjoy themselves while the rest of the house hums with teenagers, smaller children, houseguests. Sometimes it's good to get away from it all, yet still be at home.

The luxe master suite . . . escape from your hectic life! Relaxation is the key here. Realtors and clients love to walk into these wonderful spaces and look at all the goodies. They're no longer just for sleeping, are they?

Fire It Up . . . Luxe, large main rooms in many master suites boast a fireplace. Marble or stone surround. Gas is best . . . turn on, turn off easily.

Look Up! We swoon over tray ceilings, poking up beyond normal ceiling height and adding height, drama to the suite. Great way of using up unwanted attic space. Ceilings with recessed lights or ceilings with architectural details with modern, state-of-the-art lighting. Realtors love to demonstrate to clients dimmers, timers, Smart House details.

Lighting, Lighting, Lighting!!! Can you tell that we think lighting is very important? Add hallogen spots to ceiling and avoid old "can" lighting. Dates interiors so badly. Use diffuser lenses over spots to get great wash of light, avoid harsh shadows. Continue lighting scheme down to great wall sconces, side table reading lamps, and good reading floor lamp for comfy reading chair, sofa, or lounger. Desk area in your suite? Add good task lighting, like a great banker's brass goose-necked lamp.

No Longer the Boob Tube! Most luxe bedrooms have flat-screen televisions. Many great TV choices for the savvy luxe consumer. Go flat and high definition. Larger the screen, the better. 

Hang the set on a wall opposite the bed for easy viewing. Many hang over the master suite fireplace. Conceal the screens? Sometimes . . . we see them behind art or in specially-designed pieces of furniture at the end of the bed. The TV pops out and raises by remote control (see picture). How luxe!

Vegas, Baby. One great design we saw in a very posh neighborhood in Las Vegas . . . large seating and television area right before you enter the master suite. That way you can watch what you want and not bother anyone that may be sleeping in the master bed! This "anti-master room" has gorgeous floor-to-ceiling oversized built-ins with stately moldings. Watch what you want, then tumble into bed. Great master suites take into consideration a couple's comfort. Someone may be restless and need to watch a movie or late-night program.

Seating Comfort! Warm and inviting seating areas for reading or hanging out . . . a must in today's master BR suite. Sometimes a small area for a writing desk. Catch up on all those fab invitations and notes. But nothing heavy office-wise . . . you don't want to break the magic relaxation spell of the master suite!

Hungry or Thirsty? We need those refreshments at our fingertips. No trips outside your master suite retreat to invade the kitchen. Too many steps! Most luxe masters have a kitchenette . . . small alcove or bar with refrigerator along with a cappuccino and coffee maker, of course. Movie buffs love popcorn, so mini microwave is a good addition.

Closets! One of our favorite things to show clients in a high-end property. You betcha! Some luxe closets are way beyond walk-in variety. They are live-in, relax-in, get-dressed-and-made-up-in centers. No skimping here, luxe lovers! There are at least two large walk ins . . . each designed with built-ins that range from mahogany to burl wood. And we love those high-lacquer cabinets in new contemporary residences!

S0-Sweet Closet Extras: These are a few of our favorite things . . . Goodies and collections stored behind decorative glass doors or cabinets. Large walls of mirrors! A central table or island for extra storage and putting down outfit possibilities, jewelry, accessories. Abundant walls of shoe racks are a must in the best closet retreats . . . you lovers of  Manolo know what we mean! Great lighting is important. Sconces, chandeliers, spots, lots of light . . . you need to see well in order to coordinate that wonderful luxe look!

Check out Design2Share's podcast episode on Master Bedroom Design, and you will find great design ideas!

Next Week: Too much to share here . . . so much to rave about with master suites! Next week . . . Luxe Master Ensuite Baths! Escape from the ordinary . . . hmmmmmm . . . let's meditate on that until we connect again.

All our best till then,

TNT Partners: Julia, Wendy, and Steven

Photo credit: The Guardian, Cool Business Ideas, Schulte

We Are Family

TNT Partners -- It's a great day to pick up the phone and call your experienced, talented, results-oriented high-end realtor! A realtor is trained to help you in every phase of finding a home in the best neighborhoods, scouting fantastic school districts, and keeping an eye out for all the features you want in your Dream Home.

And now for some tips and opinions from the world of high-end real estate. Take it from us, the family room is what most homeowners love about a great house! It's where everyone will hang out . . . .  But why is that? Let's look at the majority of new family room contruction for luxe properties today.

We Are Family! Remember how we raved last week about notable gourmet kitchen features? One of the best . . . one feature realtors love to show their clients . . . is when the kitchen flows beautifully into the family room (or great room). The family room is where everyone congregates after they've visited the kitchen . . . so go with the flow. Maximize passage from one room to another. Family, food, fun . . . keep it all moving between these two vibrant home centers.

Repeating Our Message: We can't say it enough times. . . all our clients want a great family room just off of their kitchen.

Flow, Baby! The best family rooms are open from the kitchen. Some we love have the two rooms separated by massive columns. Stand in the kitchen, look through the columns, and see the focal point of the family room. POW -- there's a spectacular fireplace! WOW -- There's a cozy entertainment or home theater seating area. Remember . . . great flow!

But don't forget to continue the flow outside, too. One exit from the family room should be large French doors leading to a stone entertainment patio . . . or a great deck . . . that also flanks the kitchen. The outdoor footprint should reflect the great flow of your indoor rooms, and both kitchen and family room should access the outdoor entertainment area.

Bye-Bye Living Room? Many times the family room is substituted for a living room in a luxe home. We're told by realtors around the country that most of our clients rarely use living rooms these days.  And buyers are willing to pay a premium for distinctive, well-thought-out family room details. Rooms with distinctive purposes are winning out over traditional rooms that were seldom used. And thank goodness we're maximizing use of the whole house again!

Let There Be Light (and Dark). Important . . . family rooms in luxe homes need windows . . . lots of light! The greatest family rooms have oversized windows. But here's a handy trick we've started to see a lot of lately. Some luxe houses have installed electronic curtains for a more dramatic movie-viewing experience. Lights dim, curtains soundlessly slide shut, bowls of popcorn and trays of piping-hot hors d'oeuvres pour out of the kitchen, ice clinks on cut crystal glasses and wine pours into elegant stems at the wet bar, movie images start to roll. Pure magic!

That's the Way We Like It! Luxe properties have family rooms with soaring stone fireplaces. We like the ones that include decorative brick hearths and oversized antique wood mantels. We love to see warm construction materials abound.

High-end homeowners often crave coffered ceilings with recessed pin lighting . . . the effect creates a more formal feeling. A great alternative is a dramatic two-story ceiling with a large rustic chandelier and lots of windows. Now your family room broadcasts a fresh, casual living experience.

Speaking of Broadcasting . . . The family room  is where you will find elaborate flat-panel televisions and new state-of-the-art sound systems. Home theater systems . . . yum-yum! (TNT's mailing this month focused on new technology for the home sound system . . . get on our list today!)

Floored! Wood flooring in the family room? Yes, please! We love those wonderful old wood-plank floors . . . some come from Europe . . . pricey, but cannot be beat for the patina and texture. Some family rooms boast new wide-plank wood floors that look as if they have some age. Whatever you put underfoot, let it exude that rich Old World feeling. How luxe!

Now Serving . . . Wet bars in your family room. Insist on only the very hip ones with great wine closets, distinctive decorative sinks, and rich wood cabinets. Realtors love to show off wet bars with great artistic hardware . . . stone counters . . . some with metallic backsplashes . . . and great lighting.

Built-Ins! In today's luxe home, don't expect the same old cabinets of the past. Built-ins  have to be oversized, custom, architecturally-detailed cabinetry. You want great display room for any collection, all those beautiful books, family photos, and treasures from your travels.

Clean and Sleek. Super-luxe contemporary homes sport superb clean lines in the family room . . . with the latest electronic toys, computerized lighting systems, sleek flooring. Fireplaces of stone or marble are the rage again for high-end homes in many parts of the country. Big $$$$$.

All this is the greatest backdrop for your oversized furniture . . . or your sleek modern Italian leather sofas and conversation groupings. Adapt the family room to your personal style . . . all put together from the ground up with the help of your favorite interior designer, of course. Design2Share . . . great family room ideas for you on this site!

Next Week: Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh! We get so excited when we see something new, fresh, and  fabulous for our clients. We can't wait to share what realtors are finding in the Best-Loved Master Bedroom Suites! Details to follow. Till next week . . . luxe houses are selling . . . there are more to choose from . . . all parts of the country are seeing better luxe properties available on the market than ever before . . . lots of value and beautiful bling! Clear your schedule, call us, and let's go New Home Shopping!

All our best till then,

TNT Partners: Julia, Wendy, and Steven

Photo credit: Muffy Kibbey from Sunset