"Quintessential Palm Beach” describes this family compound on Australian Avenue. The Main House has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths and a guest cottage made up of two apartments which can be rented out. One apartment has a bedroom, living room, bathroom and kitchen. The other has a bedroom and bath. Each of the 3 units has a separate tumbled-travertine patio (2 under arbors) and over look a back courtyard, tropically landscaped and designed by Mario Nievera. The name of the house is Sand Bar, and the back cottage is Sand Flea. The Lake Trail is a block away. Brick stepping-stones are in different parts of the backyard. The original Chicago brick driveway has been replaced with a checkerboard walkway and the Chicago brick also paves a pathway leading to the front porch of the main house. The living room is furnished with antiques and a wicker sofa and club chairs upholstered in white pique. Walls are pink with white millwork, cove and chair-rail moldings. There is a bay window, framed pass thru to kitchen, stained hardwood floors and an old-fashioned fireplace with painted wood mantel, flower patterned tile surround and blue tile hearth. French Doors in the living room lead to the dining room. The larger guest unit has hardwood floors and a white paneled living room with pitched tongue and groove ceiling and French Door. The property is priced at $2,495,000.
Within 10 acres on the north side of Southern Boulevard, west of the Florida Turnpike Exit in West Palm Beach, you will find buildings and artifacts from the 1850’s to the 1950’s including an old school, farm, blacksmith ship, general store and houses. Visit a replica of the 1858 Haile Plantation House, a Classic Cracker House which houses many artifacts. Many belong to Bink Glisson, a pioneer, historian, benefactor, artist, educator, humanitarian and environmentalist who was instrumental in the development of Wellington, Florida. Also featured is the only big band museum in the United States. The museum commemorates the famous Big Bands, Vocalists, Composers and their All-American Popular Music starting in 1912. Collections include period furnishings. Volunteers are dressed in period costumes, perform re-enactments, provide historical information, organize artifacts and assist in preservation of the buildings. Reserve at 561-790-5232 for a tour, which takes 2-2 ½ hours and begin around 10 am. Bring a picnic lunch and purchase candy, gift and drinks at The General Store. Adults, $5, children $3, seniors. Enjoy your day amidst historic items!
The acclaimed Star Wars filmmaker, George Lucas, lives and works on his famous 1860’s Victorian-designed Skywalker Ranch in Marin County, CA. Lucas has said, “I’m basically a Victorian person… I love Victorian artifacts… I love all kinds of old things. The 5,156-acre spread, which boasts its own fire brigade, houses Skywalker Sound, Lucas' post-production company (Cast Away, Million Dollar Baby), as well as five acres of olive trees, a herd of longhorn cattle and even bee colonies. It is located in a secluded, but open area, and not open to the public. Lucas displays his Hollywood memorabilia--the Holy Grail from the Indiana Jones series, Charlie Chaplin's cane--inside the 50,000-square-foot main house. No photographs are allowed. The entrance hall features a grand curving staircase – the story goes that it took three times to put together the hand assembled redwood staircase before Lucas was satisfied. The sizable and rare redwood was salvaged from trestles and bridges that were being modernized in the western US. Lucas set up a wood shop and a glass shop on site during construction and they produced the beautiful redwood lumber and etched glass used throughout the main house. The breakfast room, left of the entrance hall is decorated in Colonial Williamsburg style, furnished with antiques with a very large center table. As we toured the house we found many different themes. Off the entrance hall is a large 30’x60’ reception room with a large fireplace. There were many windows letting in light and the room was paneled in rich redwood. A hallway spans much of the center length of the ranch house. The breathtaking Skywalker Ranch library has isles of bookcases, thousands of books, and tables and chairs for research sessions. The light in the library has a different quality, and looking up we see a 40’ stained glass dome in gold, red and orange. The library has a 2nd level, reached by a spiral staircase. In the back of the house is a Victorian-style solarium with beautiful views. There is a large building on the acreage, housing the Lucasflim archives for his three blockbuster Star Wars films. There is also an observatory on the Ranch with a large telescope. In the basement level is a theatre-style private theater, 25’x50’ with 15 recliners. Each has a marble end table and touch-sensitive bankers lamp. Fans: rest easy. There will be more Star Wars films in the future.
