Market Trends 2013 -2014

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Chart

Not surprising the housing market in the Bay Area can be overwhelming if you are a buyer.  The chart above reflects the average days on the market for a single family home in the past calendar year. Even though these are averages, with the majority of sales completed short of a month, if you aren’t on top of the market and know what you are competing with you might have to make 3 or 4 offers on homes before you are successful. For instance, are you competing with cash buyers or buyers that have a large down payment. Are your competitors closing quickly or are they offering incentives to the seller? It doesn’t take but a few losses to figure out what it will take to be successful.

Also of note, the Sale Price to List Price ratio reflects that the average home price sold during the last year was at least 6.5% above the listed price. Coincidentally March of 2013 and March 2014 are almost exactly the same at 10.5% and 10% overages respectfully. What I did find encouraging is that the average overages, 10%,  weren’t astronomical. That amount is still within a conservative margin for lenders to value appreciation especially when the media is reporting housing price sales are up  35% from last year.

Just a note of caution. The past correction in the Housing Market started with a drop in the stock market yielding loss of income by market investors. Constricted home budgets then caused mortgage delinquencies which resulted in many foreclosures. In effect glutting the housing market with more supply than demand. When this happens home prices fall. Does history repeat itself?  For now we have low inventory, a bevy of buyers and the result is an increase in home sale prices. Great for Sellers, it’s a Sellers’ Market….but remember in a blink of an eye….the tables can turn and then it’s a Buyers’ Market.

Classic Gardens Reinvented

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In contrast from my previous post where we featured the serenity created by a smaller urban garden, the principals of  Classic gardens have their origin in Ancient history epitomized in French formality.  Originally associated with vast, estate acreage they were defined by clean geometry, symmetry, balanced proportions and crisp lines. Not unlike the principals of the smaller yards. Featured here are selections I thought epitomized the classic designs of the past adapted for our American home sites. Whether you use traditional or sustainable plantings, ornate stone walls or rustic fences the visual success and enjoyment of a yard is all found in the symmetry and fluidity of the design. The Greeks used a measurement called “the Golden Triangle” to create a unique proportion in the designs and architecture of both their gardens and buildings. The Golden Triangle whose numeric value is called “phi”, named for the Greek sculptor Phidias produces a taller triangle and thought to be more elegant and architecturally more appealing to the eye. This method of design is still transforming our landscaping of today.

 

Serene Small Spaces

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Garden terraces in urban areas can be transformed into relaxing and  soothing  sanctuaries for escape and deprogramming in our hectic, internet connected life. Even in a small area two separate seating areas have been created in this invitingly private retreat. A wisteria draped pergola frames a reclaimed wood deck featuring a Jacques Pergay sofa. The river rock pebbles create a cool contrast to the wood and an additional element to the yard providing an idyllic hideaway.

What I enjoyed about this small garden terrace was the contrast of the 18th Century ornate interior juxtaposed with the rustic wood furniture. Although the chairs are not as comfortable looking as a wonderful cushioned chaise, the colors do present a nice visual and a serene area for escape.

 

Pool Facelifts!

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If your pool needs updating, resurfacing or remodeling, here are some great ideas.  A simple plaster replacement should run you between $5000 to $10,000. An upscale remodel is a larger ticketed item with virtually unlimited expense depending on the design and features selected.

 

Kitchen Islands

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This article has some great ideas for interesting kitchen islands.  Featured here is my favorite, I love the contrast between the old wood and the sleek contemporary cabinets, white subway tile and stainless appliances. Reclaimed timber with the quartz counter top mixes a rustic look with the polish finish of the stone. To see other examples click the link below:

A Scented Home

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Alexandra and Michael Misczynski designed.

Photo by : John Coolidge

Having never gave much thought to the correlation between the mind and scent I was intrigued when I read this interview. I definitely know that when something smells wonderful it does click a memory and evoke an emotion. Just as it does when something stinks! Candles or diffusers are always burning in my home with scents that remind me of the memorable times in my life.  So when I read this article in Veranda about Dawn and Samantha Goldworm, custom scentologists, I thought you might like to understand the philosophy and the applicability to your own home and business environs. In the interview they discuss why the olfactory experience in a space is just as important as the aesthetics. So it’s not just style, design and furniture!

Veranda.com: What does a scent say about your space?

12.29:  Scent for a space is a very personal, curated decision.  Just as important as your choice of furniture, art work and lighting, the scent creates a certain mood and ambience to further accentuate the feeling of your home.

Veranda.com: What kind of effect can a scented space have on people?12.29:

Your brain processes smell in the same way that it processes emotion in your olfactive or smell memory.  Therefore, every smell you can recall, is directly associated with a feeling or emotional memory.  Walking into a scented space, can have two effects: if the space smells familiar, it can conjure up old memories and bring nostalgia from a past experience or if the space smells entirely new, it can create intrigue into a new adventure.

What’s your advice for people in search of a scent for their home? How can you find a balanced scent that’s not overwhelming and headache-inducing?

12.29: Your scent should work with and compliment all of the existing smells in your space.  You would not choose one piece of furniture without considering the other furniture in the space.  Your scent is the same.  Your cleaning products should be taken into consideration as should your cat or dog, if you have one, as well as children smells and other perfumed products.  If you are an avid cook, this should also be considered.  To find the scent for your home, I would first consider how you want your home to feel—relaxing, stimulating, sexy, energizing.  If your aim is relaxation, look for scents that are warm and inviting, like vanilla and woods.  If you prefer a stimulating environment, try green notes like grass, fig or black currant.  If sexy is more your vibe, try amber, leather or musk.  Or if your prefer to be energized, go for citrus notes and bright fruit tones.

Fireclay Tile

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Caribbean Cool San Francisco Kitchen

 

Paul Burns founded Fireclay Tile in 1986, his goal was to make beautiful tile for his clients exactly how they would like it made. Every tile is handmade to order using recycled materials and sustainable manufacturing practices. Their focus is on working directly with their clients to create the home and commercial projects of their dreams. In a timely manner and with the greatest customer service in the world!

Their philosophy, “That handmade things have soul, and good design will prevail as one of our most sustainable assets. We believe in the power of team work and that work should be fun. We believe that life should be lived boldly and with purpose. We believe in the beauty of imperfection and the gift of learning from our mistakes. We believe it is our responsibility to make products for people, products that last for generations, and products that have a story to tell.”

Constantly striving to find new ways to reuse cast off materials, 16 years ago Fireclay Tile discovered a way to use a disposed of fine dust particulate into their recycled clay. Their glass line consists of 100% recycled materials. The vertical integration of their production allows them to incorporate an exceptional amount of their own production waste.   Recycling onsite includes water reclamation at cutting and mixing stations, along with rainwater capture.   All scrap and defective materials are crushed into aggregate which is used in their recycled clay as well as any glaze over-spray.

And have you seen their tiles? This Caribbean blue tile, used in the kitchen design by Joshua Mogal, contrasts nicely with the white cabinetry and slate grey counter-tops. To visit their site and see a collection of their tiles I’ve included the link below:

http://www.fireclaytile.com/gallery

Kudos to a company trying to do it all and beautifully at the same time!

 

 

Flowers for a grey Sunday morning.

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Tête-à-Tête daffodils, Ranunculus, Ivy and Mimosa

FLORAL DESIGN BY LAURA DOWLING

Thank you Veranda magazine for the flowers this morning. I just discovered your entre to Spring and on a gloomy grey Sunday morning they were perfect! Now that we’ve been blessed with some rain, the daffodils are popping up all over the hills.  For me spring begins with the magnolia trees vibrant fuchsia and orchid blossoms contrasted by the taupe color of their branches.  I particularly love it when the trees catch my eye in a pasture full of wild yellow mustard and brilliant green wild grass.  Reminiscent of warmer and longer days these botantical and flora expressions of Spring mark the beginning of the energy that propels us into March!