LOOKING FOR A CLASSY, 

REGAL RENTAL?

 Head over to Port of Leith, Edinburgh and climb aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, launched in 1953.  Walk the red carpet and be greeted by a Pipe Major. 

 This grand ship has played home to The Queen and Royal Family for a half century and entertained kings, queens, presidents and prime ministers worldwide.  It is decked out with comfortable casual furniture and the walls hold aged family portraits.  The Yacht is said to be Scotland’s most popular attraction.

The State Dining room holds gifts to Her Majesty from 968 official worldwide state visits.  Four honeymoons took place on the yacht including Princess Diana and Prince Charles honeymoon, but if your heart is set on having your wedding there: sorry, no weddings allowed.  Suitable for a corporate event, the casual setting is regal and can include a harpist or pianist, fireworks, dancing to jazz or a traditional celtic band.  Up to 176 guests can be feted for dinner or up to 380 for champagne receptions. 

 Staff is white-gloved and served in fine china with silver engraved with Britannia’s crest.  Public tours are available during the day and imagine yourself sipping afternoon tea, sitting on a Britannia deck chair, overlooking the Firth of Forth.  Cover the Royal Deck with an awning, plan an awesome dinner and invite the 80 people you want to impress the most.   

Cheerio!

WELL WORTH MENTIONING AS THIS MAY BECOME A HISTORIC PRODUCT OF THE FUTURE...

IN YOUR WILDEST DREAMS….

While Only “a dream” at the moment, just like the Flash Gordon comics of years ago that put a man on the moon… which happened during our lifetime… the design has been made for a yacht that can fly.  It has been exhibited at the Paris’ Air & Space Museum.

Just click the button and your “superyacht with wings” takes you where ever you want to go.

The masts can be operated independently and sails are stored within them.  The masts become wings when flying is preferred.  46 meters, with 4 mobile masts reaching 40’, the designer said he did not mean to make it feasible, but rather an innovative concept. 

Any bets on how soon this will become reality?

UK BECKHAM MANSION FOR SALE

Known as “Beckingham Palace,” the 7-bedroom Georgian estate was built in the 1930’s and is on 24 landscaped acres.  It has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a petting  zoo with miniature animals, recording studio, billiards room, snooker room, gym and state-of-the-art flood lit tennis courts.   In 1999 they paid about 2.5MM £ and spent another £18MM  on renovations over the years. It is now on the market for £18MM or about $28MM.  The estate is located in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire.

The garden has three £10,000 gazebos with different themes (lakeside, romantic and ornamental).  There is a 52 ft garden pavilion with marble floor and a 4 foot £79,000 barbecue.  They plan to reside permanently now in their opulent £11MM Beverly Hills mansion.  They also own a £2MM chateau in the south of France and luxury apartment in Dubai... and might buy a London townhouse.  The Beckhams net worth is reported to be £125MM.

Currency Converter shows US$1 =  £.6514.

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WHAT TO THINK ABOUT WHEN PLANNING TO RESTORE OR RENOVATE A HISTORIC HOME

EXTERIOR:  It can be challenging to see that the outside appearance conforms to historical standards while accommodating the house to new modern changes.  You may want to put in impact or energy efficient windows and doors.  Find a contractor who can install new triple-paned glass and keep the original frames.

RESOURCES: Check out your state office of historic preservation, local preservation associations and historic groups, and renovation networks.

MAJOR CHANGES: Find a contractor and architect who have experience with preserving older homes while replacing elements within and without.  Look at their examples of historic renovations.  They should consider the floor plan, size and shape of the rooms, lighting, hardware and architectural elements to preserve, e.g pecky cypress ceiling, arched doorways and windows, fireplaces, flooring.  Be sure they are familiar with the construction techniques and unique features of your home’s time period.

SUPPLIES: Find companies that make new materials with an “old look”, showing the patina of age.  They can sometimes be found at demolition sales, flea markets, salvage years and retail stores featuring restoration items.

  

COST: Start with a focus on one or two projects such as replacing the molding and/or windows (as described above), and repairs to needy items.

It is indeed a challenge to see that your house retains its true historic character, and to stay within budget.  You can make the changes in steps, focusing each year on a different project, if the budget does not fit the plans.  Enjoy the restorations and renovations and rest easy knowing you are maintaining history by implementing these plans.

ILHM PRESIDENT WACO MOORE SHOWS THAT 

“LESS IS MORE”

The September 2010 issue of Better Homes and Gardens features the home of Institute for Luxury Home Marketing President, Waco Moore, built in 1957 and then named as Better Homes and Gardens “Idea House of the Year.”  Waco and his wife Mila Goldman-Moore, who is an architect and served as general contractor after they purchased the house, have kept true to the modern aesthetic, but have incorporated “green features” such as shredded denim insulation and tank-less hot water heaters.  Mila says her favorite element in their bedroom is the easy access to the outdoors and future plans may include a porch with a sleeping alcove in that area.

Before moving in, they stripped the interior down to the studs, maintained the basic floor plan, and removed crown moldings to keep a simplified look.  They also replaced Victorian-style decorative doorknobs. Planning ahead, the inexpensive kitchen cabinets are freestanding, and if they redo the kitchen, they will merely be moved into the garage.  Open storage shelves help to declutter.

Still “The Idea House of the Year,” the Moore’s are in trend with today’s modern times with a non-wasted space floor plan, connections between living areas that are “family-friendly,” natural light streaming in, and a nice indoor-outdoor flow making the house seem larger than its 2100 sq ft.  Towering canopy oaks shade the house and offer breezes and sunlight where it is needed.