Lilian J. Rice

Great to hear that Lilian Rice is getting a statue – and a remodel! Meet the participants at bottom:

This month, a life-size statue of the late Lilian J. Rice will arrive at the Rancho Santa Fe Historical Society in preparation for its ultimate destination at the town’s civic center envisioned by the architect back in the 1920s. It will officially be unveiled in May with much-deserved fanfare.

Meanwhile, down the street, an altogether different tribute is underway at a single-level Spanish Revival 3,900-square-foot residence built by Rice for a California-dreaming New Jersey family in 1926.

Come spring, it will get its own place in the sun thanks to a duo of San Diego design powerhouses. Del Mar interior designer Michelle Salz-Smith and Lisa Kriedeman, principal of Island Architects, are seizing a rare opportunity to expand and modernize the organic style pioneered by Rice nearly a century ago.

Read Full Article Here

Michelle Salz-Smith creates her own form of minimal eclecticism, where raw materials, hand-forged objects, and distinctive shapes create one-of-a-kind homes in which people commune, contemplate, and connect: https://www.studio-surface.com/home

Tony Crisafi and Lisa Kriedeman are the highly accomplished principal architects creating residences of quiet luxury throughout Southern California, nationally and internationally for more than two decades. https://www.islandarch.com/

John Kingsmill Fine Plaster: kingsmillfineplasters.com

Pat’s 1502 Glassworks: 1502glassworks.com

Plain English: plainenglishdesign.co.uk

Tiles: tabarkastudio.com

Blackman Cruz: blackmancruz.com

Roman and Williams Guild: rwguild.com

Rose Uniacke: roseuniacke.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Home Trends for 2021

From Zillow:

We’ve all been there this year — toddlers interrupting Zoom meetings, daydreaming for more space, and shamelessly feeding sourdough starter kits. 2020 has changed the way we live in and outside our homes.

As people rethink their homes’ functionality after spending more time in them, features we never knew we needed — such as a home gym or no-touch appliances — are more important than ever. While public health precautions continue to keep us at home, these features will only become more popular to create spaces that keep our families safe, all while providing an oasis of comfort.

Driven by this new COVID era, Zillow shares top 10 home trends for 2021 that will not only add comfort, but might even add extra value to your home.

‘Zoom Rooms’

Zillow survey found a desire for a home with a dedicated office tops the list of reasons why Americans working from home say they would consider a move, if they were to continue working remotely at least occasionally. In 2021, people will receive more clarity from their employers about the ability to telecommute moving forward, which could trigger a move to a home with more space.  And, as people tire of working from a kitchen table, they will be wanting a more permanent — and quiet — solution for their at-home desk.

As of November, the number of listings mentioned “home office” or “Zoom room” increased by 48.5% compared to the same time last year. Pennsylvania home builder Berks Homes also says requests for an at-home study in lieu of existing living space more than doubled this year.

‘Homecation’ Amenities

With lots of time and nowhere to go, homeowners are coming up with creative solutions to create vacation-vibes right at home. “Pool” was the top Zillow keyword search term in 2020. “Waterfront” and “dock” also landed in the top ten. Additionally, homeowners may be looking for big and small ways to create a luxury experience at home, from upgrading to a spa-like bathtub or relaxing rain shower. Zillow research shows home buyers paid more for amenities that make their home feel like a retreat. Listings that mentioned a free-standing tub typically sold for 5.5% more than expected, while the listing keyword “spa-inspired” contributed to a 1.8% price premium.

The rise of remote work will allow more homeowners to turn their favorite vacation destination into their hometown. Page views of for-sale listings in areas typically considered vacation destinations – such as Key West, the Jersey Shore and Cape Cod — are up nearly 50% compared to last year.

Intergenerational Living

Intergenerational living will rise in popularity as young adults and grandparents alike find themselves moving in with family for financial and health reasons. According to Generations United, about one in six Americans currently live in multigenerational households, and this year, the share of young people moving back home reached all-time highs as more Millennials and Gen Z’ers than ever – particularly renters – found themselves packing their bags and moving back in with their parents.

Katie Detwiler, Chief Experience Officer at Berks Homes says this trend is manifesting in how people are designing new construction homes, with more requests than ever before for a finished basement with a full bathroom, and bedroom additions.

Gourmet Kitchens

This year inspired people to break out of their old baking habits and start new hobbies in the kitchen, and in 2021 homeowners will want to level-up from their sourdough obsession to create other culinary masterpieces. A previous Zillow survey finds 41% of people value a well-equipped kitchen more than before as a result of social distancing recommendations — and more people will want the space to show off their new culinary skills in the next year.

“We’ve seen an increase in requests for gourmet kitchens,” says Katie Detwiler, Berks Homes’ Chief Experience Officer. “This includes bigger cabinets and island additions so homeowners have the space they need to cook their gourmet meals.” Berks Homes has seen more than 100 more requests for alternate kitchens and island additions this year compared to last.

Backyard Oasis

A yard that is safe and functional has taken on renewed importance — a Zillow survey from the Harris Poll found that 41% of people say they value a large outdoor space more as a result of social distancing recommendations.

There are many easy upgrades to make a backyard a relaxing oasis the whole family can enjoy, and in tandem, increase the resale value of your home. Zillow research finds homes mentioning “firepit” in the listing sold for 2.8% more than similar homes, and “outdoor kitchen” sold for 4.5% more. Smart sprinkler systems and outdoor lighting are other features that add a contemporary flare to a backyard that also help your home sell up to 15 days faster than expected.

Full article here:

http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2020-12-10-From-Zoom-Rooms-to-Chef-Kitchens-Zillows-Top-10-Home-Trends-for-2021

Stonecrest Village Perfection!

Our new listing of a phenomenal remodel in Serra Mesa!

9717 W. Canyon Terrace #3, San Diego, CA 92123

3 br/2.5 ba, 1,402sf and 2-car garage

LP = $649,000

Absolutely stunning remodel of the entire home – new modern kitchen, new bathrooms, new flooring, new paint – new everything! No extra premium added to the price either. The last sale of this floor plan was $649,000 last month – and it was the before version! Centrally-located in hip and happening Serra Mesa with an upscale condo vibe like UTC. The city committed to making nearby Kearny Mesa the next hub of SD with mixed-use villages, new trolley, and 25,000 jobs!


Carlsbad View Fixer

Are you looking for a smaller one-story view home to re-finish?

Do you like being at the top of the hill on a quiet single-loaded culdesac?

The insurance company did the remediation of a water leak, but expect these seniors to manage their own reconstruction project. We’d rather you do it your way! The house has a roof, newer sliders and windows, and shutters  – do you mind doing the rest?

Here is the last sale of this floor plan – it closed at $842,500:

https://www.zillow.com/homes/4615-BUCKINGHAM-LANE,Carlsbad,-CA_rb/16650813_zpid/

We’re asking $750,000!



https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4559-Picadilly-Ct-Carlsbad-CA-92010/16650835_zpid/

Home Improvements During Covid

Did sheltering in place have any effect on home improvement rates? Our data says yes.

Over half of American homeowners (55%) said the pandemic and associated disruptions gave them time to improve their homes, while 59% admitted that spending more time inside due to lockdown inspired them to renovate their place of residence.

What’s the stated reason? “Finally having the time” was the top motivator, with 25% of homeowners saying that’s what drove them to go ahead with their improvement and remodeling projects.

Impressively enough, it ranked above the more typical drivers of home improvement, such as adding value to a home (21%) or making a home feel more comfortable and cozy. (21%).

Link to Full Article

Building A Loft/Bedroom

Adding a loft/bedroom over a tall ceiling isn’t a big deal – it’s nothing money won’t fix!

This was the day I got into Bloomberg Businessweek:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-04-04/the-hunter-s-dot-thompson-of-real-estate-chronicles-the-bust-and-boom

Here’s the photo shoot:

https://www.damoncasarez.com/jim-the-realtor

A summary of my life in the 2008-2013 bust-boom:

Pin It on Pinterest