Filed under: Estates

Today’s home in Remsenburg, New York is eagerly seeking a buyer and is being sold at a deep discount. As Newsday’s Real LI blog reports the estate first went on the market in 2007 for almost $8 million and is now being offered for $4.25 million as long as the buyer can come up with the financing within 30 days, puts down 10 percent and the sale closes within 60 days. The English Tudor style mansion was built in 1934 and belonged to Frank Smith, who was chief designer for Evan Picone. Smith died in 2007. His partner, Norman Leavitt, the trustee of the estate, has created the bottom line offer to raise money for estate taxes owed on the property. For your money you get a 6,400-square-foot, three-story house on 14-plus acres that includes a pond and formal gardens.The seven-bedroom home has seven fireplaces,two wood-paneled libraries, chandeliers, beveled lead glass windows and has interesting details like a fur vault, a telephone room under a staircase and a pipe organ that is still behind a wall Leavitt and Smith built to cover it. The listing for the home is here and an interactive tour is here.

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Continue reading Remsenburg, Estate of the Day

Remsenburg, Estate of the Day originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 28 Feb 2009 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Art

There’s been a lot of sad tales of budget woes from museums lately (in fact another, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, just announced a 10 percent staff cut) so it’s nice to read some good news. The Portland Art Museumt in Portland, Oregon will be open for free on four Sundays thanks to the generosity of one family. The family of Robert Miller, Fred Meyer’s former chief executive officer and professional investor, and his wife Sharon have made a $1 million gift in Sharon’s name which will fund four free Sundays a year. The donations will give families a chance to see the museum for free (admission for regular exhibits is $10 for adults and $9 for seniors and students).

The first free Sunday is on March 22. This latest gift is part of a series of donations that, as Oregon Live reports, have allowed the museum to keep a free admission policy, keeping it aligned with other major American museums. Other gifts have allowed free admission for anyone under 17 and for free museum tours for school groups. The museum is, like others, keeping an eye on the bottom line and plans cost-saving measures such as creating projects based on work from the museum’s collection and having exhibitions run for longer periods.

Big Donation Means Free Museum Sundays originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 28 Feb 2009 20:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Apparel

Former Baywatch bombshell Pamela Anderson will star in famed fashion designer Vivienne Westwood’s runway show in Paris on Friday, Vogue UK reports.

Anderson, who was photographed for the British designer’s sexy new Spring / Summer 2009 ad campaign (right) by Juergen Teller in Miami, has become Westwood’s new muse.

At the recent New York Fashion Week, Anderson appeared on the runway in a gold swimsuit for avant-garde label Richie Rich.

Westwood, who’s credited with bringing punk and New Wave fashions into the mainstream, formed an early alliance with Malcolm McLaren and the Sex Pistols. She often incorporates the Union Jack into her designs.

Pamela Anderson to Star in Westwood Fashion Show originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 28 Feb 2009 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Timepieces

Last year the Richemont Group added Roger Dubuis to its luxury watch collection of brands. Richemont owns such prestigious brands as A. Lange & Sohne, Jaeger LeCoultre, and Panerai. The acquisition of the Roger Dubuis occurred in the midst of wild growth in key markets such as Asia and the Middle East. With surges expected, Roger Dubuis promoted a liberal hiring policy adding new staff quickly.

Recent revenue disappointments have resulted in a decision to lay off as much as one sixth of the Roger Dubuis work force, or about 70 people. The move will emphasize a marketing refocus for the brand that hopes to increase its presence in retail stores as well as complete production on highly sought after high-end models.

Roger Dubuis seems eager to express that this move does not signify an end to the esteemed watch maker, nor does it indicate a slew of bad management decisions. No one is immune from the current economic market, and Roger Dubuis was perhaps a bit too optimistic with its growth and watch production capacity. Unlike “Tier One” luxury watch brands with the most valuable brand names, Roger Dubuis is less known (making them “Tier Two’), even though they still offer a very high quality and complex watch product line. This can negatively affect the value proposition of buying their watches in hard times for some consumers.

Despite this news, Roger Dubuis customers are still eagerly awaiting the release of its most expensive watch date, a $500,000 complex multi-timezone perpetual calendar timepiece. Pictured, is a Roger Dubuis Excalibur with a 45mm white gold case, minute repeater, perpetual calendar, tourbillion, and double rotors.

Via Bloomberg News.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Richemont Owned Roger Dubuis Watch Brand To Cut Jobs originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 28 Feb 2009 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Handbags, Shoes

Aching to go shopping but dreading the guilt you’ll surely feel after spending the money? Here’s your big chance to see if destiny wants you to have that awesome handbag or new pair of Louboutin shoes you’ve been eyeing for weeks. Just sign up with your email address at NeimanMarcus.com and you’ll be entered to win a $3000 Christian Louboutin shopping spree. Shoes and handbags in the latest spring styles complete with a designer label that will make you the envy of everyone.

It’s free to enter, what are you waiting for?

Win a $3000 Christian Louboutin Shopping Spree originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 28 Feb 2009 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Timepieces

The last few years have seen watch maker Maurice Lacroix experiment with creating that perfect design which lies smack in the middle between classic watches (looks from makes such as Breguet) and refined futurism. It is up for debate whether they have achieved this effort, but the Masterpiece Lune Retrograde is certainly a step in the right direction. Alas, you’ll see classic elements made modern. Liberal use of sharp angles and skeletonization replace traditional decorations such as dial engraving gently sweeping edges.

I can’t wait to see this 46 mm monster in action. Very few “classy” watch are born in this diameter. The new in-house made ML 152 movement, offers some useful complications. Included are a calendar with the date and day, moon phase under a textured semi-transparent material, power reserve indicator, and time (of course). The little touches on the watch are what make it standout. For example, the applied Arabic numerals are finely done, the gear-like crown has a great industrial quality to it, and the hands are just right to be both classic and modern. The refined skeletonized utilitarian facade never gets in the way of a classy demeanor as well. Notice the adjustment pushers integrated together in a cluster beneath the crown on the side of the case. Overall, the Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Lune Retrograde is is a fine example of modern innovation and traditional sentiment all rolled together in one watch. Look for the official release at Baselword soon.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Lune Retrograde Watch originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 28 Feb 2009 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Handbags

The Kooba Talia Shoulder Bag has an unusual shape and the perfect bright marigold color for this season!

The bag has double shoulder straps and magnetic closure pieces. We love the unique rounded triangle hardware and saddle-style front pockets.

This Italian leather bag is lined completely in black cotton, and if you don’t like the yellow, it also comes in a brilliant, beet-soaked magenta you haven’t seen since Barbie’s Corvette.

This is a perfect bag for dinner out, and it’s also roomy enough for your regular daytime activities. Its sturdy shape and durable build make it practical, while the color keeps it fun and fashionable.

Saks Fifth Avenue sells the Kooba Talia Shoulder Bag for $625.

Kooba Talia Shoulder Bag, Handbag of the Day originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 28 Feb 2009 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Finkeldei’s crystal furniture belongs to affluent households. We have earlier also reported on their Crystal Edition collection. And continuing with the tradition of luxury, the German luxury manufacturer now offers more than 50 models with sparkling.

Exquisite craftsmanship with aesthetic and elegant design style is what LUXA2 commits to deliver, and their M1-Pro laptop cooler looks to be no exception. Crafted from a block of aluminum, the M1-Pro has been designed with ergonomics in mind, thereby.

This is one of the most luxurious and good looking foosball tables I have ever seen. The Lux Minimalist foosball table is done in stainless steel, aluminum and ESG unbreakable glass. You can customize almost everything on it, including colors of the..

Filed under: Apparel

There was a lot of drama going on this week in Milan and the clothes were just part of it. First there was the Roberto Cavalli’s announcement that the Just Cavalli show was canceled. Then rumors swirled that luxury brand Gianfranco Ferré, which is owned by the same company Itierre, which has filed for bankruptcy, might also not show. But show they did and Roberto Rimondi and Tommaso Aquilano, the creative directors of the line, put on a hard-edged show of serious fashion. The models strode the runway with high poufs of hair, thickly drawn black brows and not a smile in the line up as they showcased velvet and satin at their least frivolous. Sculpted suits nipped in tightly at the waist with gleaming metal belts and the shoulders were pulled out into hard points. Even the ruffles looked dangerous. If the Marc Jacobs show at New York Fashion Week brought back the colorful fun side of the 1980s, this show showcased another side, a new version of Dynasty chic.
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Amid Financial Turmoil, Ferre Showcases Fierce Fashion originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 28 Feb 2009 01:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Journeys, Sports, Real Estate Developments

Tiger Woods, just back from knee surgery, and Rory McIlroy, a teenage phenom from Northern Ireland, weren’t the only ones making a high-profile return or debut on the PGA Tour this week at the Accenture Match Play Championship. The cactus-studded course on which the tournament is being played, Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain, is brand new. It’s the centerpiece of a Ritz-Carlton resort and residential community in the Tucson suburb of Marana, Ariz., that’s scheduled to open in the fall. The desert setting — a saguaro forest shadowed by the Tortolita Mountains — is picturesque. The pros may be grumbling about the slow putting surfaces on the Jack Nicklaus-designed layout (above) but certainly not the scenery.

The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain is to include a 250-room resort and 450 home sites spread across 850 acres (roughly the size of New York’s Central Park). It will be the largest Ritz-Carlton project in the country. Guests will have access to 20 miles of hiking trails plus routes for mountain biking and Jeep tours. A limited number of golf vacation packages can be reserved now at www.ritzcarlton.com/dovemountain.

In terms of real estate, charter memberships bestowing special discounts on property and services are being offered to the first 25 buyers. The benefits include, among other things, up to $175,000 off the price of a pre-designed custom home; 20 percent off the cost of a custom estate home site; free membership at the golf club ($125,000 value); and tens of thousands of dollars in credits that can be applied to costs such as home upgrades, hotel and spa charges and the purchase of a “neighborhood electric vehicle.” For full details, see www.theresidencesdovemountain.com.
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The New Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain in Arizona originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 28 Feb 2009 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Auctions

Once again in the lawsuit follies, eBay is the victor. Bloomberg reports that the world’s largest online auctioneer won a German court ruling in a case brought by Rolex over sales of counterfeit watches on eBay. The decision showed that Rolex could not find any similar counterfeit goods were offered on eBay after the company after the company was alerted to the possibility of counterfeits. Ulrich Egger, the spokesman for the court said that eBay’s filter program detects sales that wold violate trademark rights.

Next up for eBay, a suit in London against L’Oreal. So far, eBay’s lawsuit results have been mixed. It won against Tiffany & Co. last year in New York but lost to LVMH and Hermes in France. Rolex first sued eBay in 2001 over counterfeits but the original ruling in Dusseldorf for eBay was overturned in part in 2007 by the Federal Court of Justice which said eBay couldn’t be held liable for damages and had to monitor its site to prevent fakes from being sold. Judges determined eBay is doing enough to police its site.

UPDATE: Blogging Stocks reports that eBay shares are at a seven-year low, partially due to concerns over the sales of counterfeit items on the site. Although eBay is spending millions to monitor its sellers, the problem of fakes continues to be one that plagues the site and damages its reputation.

Rolex Loses eBay Lawsuit originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For the audiophiles who are not content with their speaker unit’s output, and are planning to get an acoustic make-over for their audio room, RAAL Requisite might have a solution with their omni-directional loudspeaker called “Eternity.” The…

Filed under: Dining, Journeys

In April One&Only Resorts will open their latest luxury property, One&Only Cape Town in South Africa, defying the downturn with aplomb. The lavish 131 room retreat features two marquee celebrity chef restaurants, Gordon Ramsay’s maze and the first African outpost of Nobu, in addition to a 6,000 bottle tri-level wine loft boasting the largest collection of South African vintages in the world. Situated on the stunning Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the resort’s rooms have views of Table Mountain, a 13,000-square-foot exclusive spa island. To celebrate the opening, the hotel has partnered with South Africa’s premier luxury safari lodge, Singita Game Reserves in the Sabi Sand and Kruger National Park, to offer an exclusive travel package including luxe upgrades through the end of September.

One&Only Cape Town Opening With First African Nobu originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Jewelry

Big jewelry chains are struggling. We’ve seen Fortunoff head for liquidation and now Zale Corp. has announced that it will close 115 under-performing stores after posting a net loss for its fiscal second quarter. It had a loss of $23.5 million down from a profit of $60.8 million for the same time period last year. Sales were down 17.9 percent from a year ago. Zales plans to cut $175 million from its budget through cost and inventory reductions and is eliminating 245 jobs. Zales has been suffering in an economy that is being particularly unkind to jewelry sales. Also in order to attract buyers, Zales cut prices and the discounts led to a drop in gross margin.

Zales To Close 115 Stores originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Wine

This year’s annual Open That Bottle Night seems particularly welcome in a time when we could use a little fun. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the event designed to encourage people to open up that bottle they’ve been saving for a special occasion that, so far, has never quite happened. Open That Bottle Night encourages you to uncork that cherished, or at least handy, bottle and enjoy the contents. This year Open That Bottle Night comes to Twitter with its first-ever online tasting party with Twitter Taste Live. The event begins at 5pm PST on Saturday, February 28th. There are also two official parties one in Napa Valley at Back Room Wines in Napa hosted by Wilson Daniels and one in New York City at the North Square Restaurant hosted by Snooth.com.

Open That Bottle Night originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s kinda hard to think of old movies without women smoking long cigarettes. Fashion and smoking have been linked for decades, and it’s interesting to see that someone has come up with a brand new smoking concept for women. Called Fipa, this…

BMW has hinted at the future of navigation units with their upcoming Intelligent Learning Navigation System dubbed “ILENA,” that learns owners’ driving habits and analyzes a car’s current location to predict where the driver may want to go next….

Here is a great multimedia chair for couch potatoes. The emotion seat by Cinovent aims to bring you out of the audience and make you a part of the movie. Equipped with multimedia effects, the “emotion seat” lets you enjoy a real movie experience…