We’ve all been there, waking up in the middle of the night with a burdensome parched throat in search of a tall glass of water. Now imagine waking up to absolutely nothing beyond your bed and miniature drawer set. It’s hard to imagine that within a few steps, you’ve ventured from the safety of your room into the pitch black darkness of a cold night, but that is exactly the experience at European hotel, Zero Real Estate.

Zero Real Estate May Be The Most Profitable Non-Luxury ‘Luxury’ Experience

Comprising of seven hotel suites without walls or roofs, this post-pandemic-perfect hotel located amidst the Swiss hills, was founded by hospitality professional Daniel Charbonnier alongside conceptual artists, Frank and Patrik Riklin. Mixing art and high-end tourism, Zero Real Estate has successfully pushed the boundaries of what conventional and ideal accommodation should entail.

Available at each guest’s beck-and-call is a 24/7 butler clad in a classic bow tie and white shirt whilst carrying trays of good wine up steep hills and making beds in the winds and rain, the hotel unsurprisingly boasts phenomenal panoramic views of the surrounding Eastern Switzerland landscape which includes lush green fields, clear lakes, towering mountains and lively villages worth visiting.

“This year more than ever, we have seen that guests are looking for tucked away locations… in an undisturbed environment with meticulous attention to hygiene. Additionally, the need for fresh air, nature and space is particularly great following the confinement period. You can expect the seven new hotel suites to be among the best ventilated hotel rooms in the world.” – Daniel Charbonnier, Co-founder of Zero Real Estate.

Worth an estimated USD$311 per night, the rooms are available for booking all-year-round, with alternative lodging in local farmhouses, alpine huts or other hotels during inconducive weather forecast.

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With a long and grand tradition of building what can justifiably be referred to as supercoupes, in a style that is virtually unique to the famed Maranello automaker, the 1965 Ferrari 500 superfast was the brand’s crowning jewel, attracting a clientele of celebrities, royalty, and wealthy tycoons.

The 11th 1965 Ferrari 500 Superfast Production Model Goes Up For Bid

Harnessing 395 bhp, 4,962 cc in a five-liter Colombo V12 engine with three Weber twin-choke carburetors, four-speed manual transmission, independent front suspension with A-arms and coil springs, solid rear axle with parallel trailing arms and semi-elliptical leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes, the Ferrari 500 represents the last generation of supercoupes produced between 1964 and 1966.

Featuring updated Pininfarina coachwork with a dart-like tapered nose, gracefully rounded tail, and glassy European greenhouse, the 1965 Ferrari 500 superfast readily achieves a top speed of 175mph with no particular special treatment on the part of the driver.

With only 36 examples built over a two-year period, the 1965 Ferrari 500 superfast is not only a revolutionary classic till this day, but also one of the manufacturer’s rarest production models. Purchased new as the 11^th superfast build, by British businessman and noble Lord James E. Hanson, the car showcases a host of customizations, including a redesigned passenger seat, a repositioned ashtray and window switches in accordance to Lord Hanson’s height, a Superfast script delete, and Blaupunkt stereo with electric antennae.

Available for bid through the esteemed RM Sotheby’s Auction house from 13^th to 15^th August 2020, the 1965 Ferrari 500 superfast is worth an estimated $2.5M.

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Quick survey to get $500 off your next engagement ring purchase

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Custom Line Launches 11 Superyachts in First Half of 2020

Despite the challenges presented by Covid-19, Custom Line has launched a remarkable 11 yachts with a combined length of 1,266ft (386m) in the first six months of this year.

Custom Line models at the Ferretti Group Superyacht Yard in Ancona

The launches included four units of the new Custom Line 106’ (hulls three to six) and two of the 120’ (hulls four and five), both from the brand’s planing line.

Five semi-displacement Navettas were also launched, comprise three units of the Navetta 33 (hulls 11, 12 and 14), one 37 (hull nine) and a 42 (hull four), the current 137ft flagship.

The 106′ premiered at Cannes last September and already six have been built

Custom Line is scheduled to launch another eight hulls by the end of 2020 at the Ferretti Group Superyacht Yard shipyard in Ancona, a world-class naval hub spanning over 80,000sqm with a private marina covering more than 23,000sqm of water.

Along with eight hulls at the completion and dock-testing stage prior to delivery, Custom Line has a further 13 yachts under construction in its five dedicated work sheds at the Ancona site. The yachts undergo their final fitting-out and completion work at the docks, followed by testing and sea trials.

The fourth hull of the Navetta 42, Custom Line’s flagship

Each customer and their team receive personal attention throughout all phases of the project, from production and launch to delivery and beyond, with ongoing after-sales support. The yard also provides dedicated offices and facilities at the disposal of captains and crew.

As well as all Custom Line models, the Ferretti Group Superyacht Yard also builds all of the CRN megayachts, and the largest Riva and Pershing yachts made of steel and aluminium.

www.customline-yacht.com

www.ferrettigroup.com

Custom Line 106’ Shows Emphasis on Customisation

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Spanning across a 39 acre site in Montecito, California, architect Barton Myers finally places the house he thought he’d live in forever, on sale. Offering breathtaking views of the ocean, Channel Islands, and northern mountains, Barton designed the house to withstand as many natural elements as possible, including fire – which was a big concern for his family.

Barton Myers Sells His Most Prized and Sentimental California Residency

Comprising of a main house, guesthouse, garage, and studio which has since served as the headquarters of Barton Myers Associates Inc., the residence nestles seamlessly into the surrounding landscape with three terraces constructed from glass and steel.

Featuring massive industrial, roll-up, steel garage doors, Barton has successfully blurred the lines between the perceived indoor and outdoor space, whilst sealing the home off from potential fire hazards. Having survived the massive Thomas Wildfire which conquered most of Ventura and Santa Barbara in December 2017, Barton’s home served as Toro Canyon’s fire stop, as it’s well-designed landscape and non-combustible structures remained unscathed.

Housing backup water sources on the roof of the main house, guesthouse, and studio, if ever there were a home prepared for disaster, it would be his. Caged by walls of cactus and an abundance of man-made watering holes, the Barton home is prided for its safety and was published in American Masterworks: Houses of the 20th and 21st Centuries, which proclaimed the residence “one of the 40 most important works of residential architecture in the last 120 years.”

Now available for sale through Sotheby’s International Realty for an estimated $8.2M, the home remains one of Barton Myer’s most prized and sentimental projects.

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‘Exclusive’ does not even begin to describe this car. Scheduled to hit auction blocks in July, the only Ford GT Roadster to ever race at the Le Mans, is expected to fetch up to $10M. Going up for bid at the Mecum Auction’s upcoming Indy 2020 sale, this competition prototype roadster, is just one of five open-top examples every built and one of two still in existence today.

The Prestigious Ford GT/109 Competition Prototype Roadster is Worth At Least $10M

Constructed by Ford Advanced Vehicles, England, in March 1965, the Ford GT/109 Roadster entered the 24 Hour Le Mans race under the automaker’s French division, making it the sole open-cockpit GT to ever compete in the legendary competition. Completing 11 laps before facing technical difficulty and a failed gearbox, the model was swiftly shipped to Shelby America where it was fully rebuilt and refurbished, before being transferred to Kar-Kraft where it became known as a developmental vehicle for transmissions, motors, and other parts and applications.

Gifted in 1968 to Dean Jeffries, it remained in immaculate condition under a single ownership up till 2013, where it was acquired by Dana Mecum. Now, the curvaceous speedster returns to the public eye, in its original Le Mans livery, with a white base bisected by a thick blue racing stripe, bordered by two thin red pinstripes and a matching blue interior, this car is fueled by a Cobra-spec 289 cubic-inch engine, mated with a ZF 5-speed gearbox.

Boasting a multitude of rare modifications, the Ford GT/109 Roadster which will go for bid from 10^th to 20^th July 2020, features side-mounted engine oil radiators, rear-body exit vents, and a dramatic rear spoiler.

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Situated on Half Moon Street close to Green Park Underground Station in London, the six storey Mayfair Townhouse, designed by Katharine Pooley, combines cutting edge lighting with ornate classical architecture.

Katharine Pooley Transforms The Decades-Old Mayfair Townhouse in London

Featuring private dining rooms, intimate fireplaces, expansive basements and cushy bedrooms, the building represents the epitome of luxury and symmetry with three rock crystal and brass lighting installations suspended below the ceiling’s intricate scrolling plaster moulding, every detail is mirrored to amplify the pulchritudinous architecture.

Boasting clean lines and immaculate finishes, the building is littered with eye-catching lapis coffee tables and bleached birds eye maple joinery, backed by the highest grade of white onyx.

In the dining room, hand painted cherry blossom chinoiserie adorns each walls, whilst ripple effect Murano glass chandelier and wall lights brighten the space, create the perfect balance of opulence. With one-of-a-kind detailing scattered throughout, from the inset agate and bronze starbust dining table top, to the agate and brass threat stitch work on the cushions, each miniscule detail works seamlessly together to create a cohesive theme within the space.

Showcasing vast ceilings and listed panelling, the main entrance is enhanced by sweeping installations of twisted glass, alongside a meticulously handcrafted chandelier from Europe, which work to reflect a precise shapely and ombre effect. In this case, pairing high gloss, black chevron parquet floors, a bespoke glass lift shaft and a sculpture from Irish artist, Niamh Barry, has proven to be undeniable awe-inspiring.

 

In the space combining the original arts and crafts mouldings with the stark linear utilitarianism of New York lighting designer, Bec Brittain, lies a dark panelled reception room, lined with selenite side tables and cashmere curtains for a touch of organic warmth, whilst specified black wood marble flooring and a vanity top with rebated Murano glass wall lights, emphasise the client’s desired dark and ‘moody’ feel.

Featuring a large mirror to reflect the elegant simplicity of the vast nickel and crystal orb chandeliers, the ground floor living room consists of intricately carved detailing of the statuary marble fireplace with contemporary burnt orange accessories and bespoke lamps made from large nuggets of citrine crystal.

 

A deep cobalt blue adds depth to an ivory scheme, as the bedroom’s gypsum panelling sits on either side of the headboard and is softly lit by the crystal and nickel table lamps below. Showcasing a multitude of the highest-grade marble, selected by the designer over the course of her many travels to the quarries of Northern Italy, the room features highly polished Zabrina marble positioned horizontally around the room, alongside incredible Selenite slab wall lights, held in a polished and glowing stainless steel knuckle.

Reworking the layouts on the top floor to create three children’s bedrooms, nickle table lamps works to add a playful touch to the oldest boy’s room, as emerald green silk and burnished bronze cushions add a richness to the tonal master bedroom.

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Such a pretty leading edge detail to the curtains in this guest suite in Mayfair and such a simple way to add interest. As the bespoke carpet in this suite has a strong graphic pattern and, because the headboard is also very impactful, I wanted to keep the window treatments understated with just a touch of added elegance #luxurybedroom #guestbedroom #luxuryinteriors #windowtreatments #interiordesign #mayfair #london #elegance #bespoke #luxuryinteriordesigner #katharinepooleyltd

A post shared by Katharine Pooley (@katharinepooleyltd) on Jun 23, 2020 at 11:36am PDT

Echoing the leather and nickel finish of the table lamps with the surrounding joinery to create a cohesive theme, the master ensuite is clad in tempered cream travertine stone and ivory polished plaster.

Finally, topping the building off with a basement, ground floor, and a limestone clad roof terrace, the property features a light filled spa, sauna, steam room, and gym, plus multiple contemporary sculptural furniture.

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