CELEBRITY HOMES

World's Most Insanely Luxurious Houses

People with a serious amount of money don’t want old and dull houses, they want modern,
luxurious and spacious homes with elegant interior design, beautiful garden arrangements
 and sumptuous architecture.
Another interesting feature that I’ve seen in houses created by architects in the last decade is
 that they insist on adding large windows to make the surrounding landscapes easier to be
seen, most of these luxurious houses being in a green and jaw-dropping environment.

1) Antilla , Mumbai - The first Billion dollar home



Mukesh Ambani, the fifth richest man in the world and head of the Mumbai based petro
chemical giant Reliance Industries is estimated to be worth somewhere in the region of $43
billion. He is also the owner to-be of a 27-story skyscraper in downtown Mumbai that is to
cost him colossal $2 billion! His wife Nita Ambani was staying in the Mandarin Oriental in
New York and was so impressed with the interior Asian style decor that she wanted
something similar for her to live in. What resulted from that is the world's largest and most
expensive home ever. Every story in the Antilla's skyscraper home will be built to a different
 specification. The vast variation of materials to be used in its build has tremendously added
 to its overall cost. The meticulous planning that has gone into this architectural design is
astounding and once the 27-story tower is built it will certainly become a spectacular site for
 all eyes.

2) Updown Court, England -

The most important private residence to be built in England since the 19th century
 ($150 million)



Updown Court is situated only 25 miles from London, and through a pair of large
sophisticated iron gates, one can see a palatial construction of immense scale and beauty.
The property, however, is best known for its price tag: more than 85 million British pounds
 (+$150 million U$, with 103 rooms, five swimming pools and 24-carat-gold leafing on the
 study's mosaic floor. There's a squash court, bowling alley, tennis court, 50-seat screening
 room, heated marble driveway and helipad. Eight limousines will fit in the underground
 garage. Then there are the neighbors, who include the queen (at Windsor Castle) and Elton
 John. It is listed with Savills and Hamptons International. So, even if your blood doesn't run
 blue, with enough green you can still live near—and like—royalty!

3) Versailles, Florida - The largest family home ever built in the US



This 30 bedroom mansion boasts its own bowling alley, roller skating rink and Olympic
 sized swimming pool to make it the largest family home ever built in the US. Time share
mogul David Siegel and his former beauty queen wife Jacqueline began building the huge
estate three years ago. But with almost 18 months of work still to be carried out on the
property they have put it on the market at $75m. Experts believe a further $25m needs to be
 spent before anyone can move in.

4) Fleur De Lys, Beverly Hills – Mariah Carey's palace



For the woman with the most expensive pair of legs, it was only fair she also had one of the
most expensive houses in the world. Mariah Carey apparently had no problem scraping
together a nice down payment on this palace in Beverly Hills. The Fleur De Lys is among
the world's most expensive estates with an asking price of $125 million. Maria Carey's new
digs were built by a Texan billionaire on 5 acres; it is 41,000 square feet of pure diva luxury
and will also be modeled after the most extravagant home of its time: the Palace of Versaille,
 the former home of Marie Antoinette. Surrounding the mansion are rolling lawns,
ornamental gardens and mature trees, a 3,000-square-foot manager's house, staff quarters
 for 10 people, a spa and pool with a pavilion, a championship tennis court, and a lavish
 garden folly.

5) Hearst Mansion, Beverly Hill –The Godfather Mansion



This Beverly Hills mansion has been advertised for sale at $165m (£81.4m), making it one
of the most expensive residential property listed in the US. The former home of US
newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst has 29 bedrooms, three swimming pools, tennis
 courts, its own cinema and a nightclub. He has decorated the property with statues brought
north from his famous Hearst Castle in San Simeon and with life-size paintings of Davies.
 Mr. Hearst bought the H-shaped mansion in 1947 for about $120,000. In 2007, the estate's
 current owner, who bought it in 1976, put the home on the market for US$165 million. The
 home's buyer will have some notable neighbors, including Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes
 and David and Victoria Beckham.

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How to install crown modelling

Highlights:

• Step 1: Determine Which Type of Crown Molding to Use
• Step 2: Cut the Corners of the Molding
• Step 3: Measure and Mark the Wall
• Step 4: Cut the First Measured Piece
• Step 5: Cut the Next Piece to Fit an Inside Corner
• Step 6: Understand How the Pieces Fit Together
• Step 7: Cut the Molding at a 45-Degree Angle
• Step 8: Cope the Joint
• Step 9: Check the Fit
• Step 10: Attach the Molding to the Wall
• Step 11: Make Miter Cuts for the Outside Corners
• Step 12: Use Optional Corner Blocks

Step 1: Determine Which Type of Crown Molding to Use

Wood molding can be expensive. You may want to use molding made of MDF, which is a combination of wood and resins and comes pre-primed and ready to paint. If you decide on MDF, though, don't use it in a kitchen or bathroom as the humidity can cause it to warp.

Step 2: Cut the Corners of the Molding

The hardest part of installing crown molding is cutting the corners. You can’t do it like any other trim pieces because the molding sits at an angle between the wall and the ceiling (Image 1). Using a coping saw (Image 2) is the easiest way to cut the corners because a coped joint is tighter than a mitered joint. A coping saw is also good for a beginner. Any gap in a coped cut can be easily concealed with a little bit of caulk.
Another tool that will make the job easier is a power miter saw (Image 3). It’s accurate and makes a cleaner cut than a plastic miter box.

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    Image 1
    
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    Image 2
    
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    Image 3
    

1

Step 3: Measure and Mark the Wall

Measure the wall for the length of your first piece of molding. Mark the wall to show the bottom edge of the molding.

Step 4: Cut the First Measured Piece

Once you determine the length, take the molding to the saw and cut in a straight line at a 90-degree angle -- you want both ends of the molding to butt against the side walls.

Step 5: Cut the Next Piece to Fit an Inside Corner

Move the miter saw guide to the 45-degree angle point and set the molding into place. The edges need to be pressed firmly against the saw table and the vertical side fence. This is the first key to a straight cut and a good fit.

Step 6: Understand How the Pieces Fit Together

The second key is not so obvious and can be a bit confusing. The molding is upside down, meaning the edge against the vertical fence is the bottom of the molding and the edge against the table is the top of the molding (think of your table as the ceiling).

Step 7: Cut the Molding at a 45-Degree Angle

With the molding in the proper position, use a 10-inch saw blade to cut a perfect 45-degree angle. It is also important here to make sure you cut the molding angle in the right direction: for an inside corner, the bottom of the molding should be longer than the top part of the molding; for an outside corner, the top of the molding will be longer than the bottom.

Step 8: Cope the Joint

When you cope a joint, you scribe the end of one molding to the face of the other. Darken the front edge with a pencil and then use the coping saw to cut as close to the line as you can. You need to hold your thumb against the side of the blade to guide the start of your cut. Start slowly, so you don’t splinter the delicate edge. Cut at a slight angle. You want to cut off more from the edge of the molding and you don’t need to cut it all at one time. Cut out small pieces to make creating this coped joint easier.

Step 9: Check the Fit

Check the fit against a scrap piece of molding to reveal any gaps that need to be trimmed. Use the coping saw to cut off the high points.

Step 10: Attach the Molding to the Wall

Once the fit is right, take the molding to the wall. For a long piece, you’ll need some help holding it. Push the end into the corner, making the fit as tight as possible; attach it to the wall. Use the caulk gun to cover up any gaps in the joint (make sure you’re using paintable caulk). You may need another small piece of molding to finish out the wall.

Step 11: Make Miter Cuts for the Outside Corners

The outside corners should meet exactly (a caulk gun can’t help you much here). Less experienced DIYers may want to paint the crown molding, since paint and caulking can be used to hide any small mistakes -- with stained molding, it’s much harder to disguise imperfections.

Step 12: Use Optional Corner Blocks

You can skip the miter and coping cuts altogether by using corner blocks, which will prevent having to cut angles into the molding. It looks professional and tends to be a lot easier.

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Furniture Makeover

                           How to paint outdoor furniture

before

…my 15 year old outdoor dining table and chairs. The set is in great shape, but the green color has faded and no longer coordinates with my other outdoor furnishings. It needed a color makeover.

Armed with a few rolls of ScotchBlue Painter’s Tape and spray paint, I set out to make it happen.
after

After some DIY’ing and a few rain delays, I am now the proud owner of what looks like a brand new set of outdoor furniture.

Without the use of  ScotchBlue Painter’s tape, I would have had to remove the seat slings from the frames – way too hard.  I simply protected the slings before I painted with the tape and newspaper.

How to Paint Outdoor Furniture with Sling Seats

Supplies Needed:

ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape  – I needed 2 rolls of the 2-inch wide tape to mask 6 chairs and used half a roll Advanced Multi-Surface tape with Edge Lock for the glass table top.  

Newspaper

Drop cloths

Sanding block with medium grit sandpaper

Spray paint – I used 4 cans of Rustoleum Hammered Brown for 6 chairs and the table. 

Small-tip paint brush for touch-ups

Bucket of soapy water and scrub brush to clean all surfaces before painting

 

Before bringing the chairs to my garage to paint, I ran a sanding block on all the metal surfaces to rough them up a bit. This will help with paint adhesion.  I then scrubbed them down with mold and mildew cleaner. I rinsed well and let them dry.
I lined my garage with drop cloths and started the job of masking the slings on each chair and the glass on the table so that no overspray paint would get on them.

I placed the ScotchBlue Painter’s tape right up to the edge of the metal frame of the chairs.  To make sure the tape is sealed and locked into place – run your fingertip over the edge of the tape.   Repeat taping on both sides of the top and underside of the chair.

I then covered the sling with newspaper and taped it on. I ran my fingertip over the edge on all the tape to make sure it was sealed.

This was the most time consuming part of the project.  Each chair took about 20 minutes to cover.   I set a table up in my garage to set the chairs on, making them easier to cover – no bending down required.

After a few hours – I had them all covered and ready for paint.

I always spray paint in my garage – plenty of ventilation and light.  Even with that, it is important to make sure you wear a mask so you don’t breathe in the fumes and overspray.

I sprayed 2 light coats on each chair, letting the first coat dry overnight before applying the second.  I let them dry in the garage for 24 hours and then brought them back outside.

I kept the tape and newspaper on in case I would see that I missed a section.  I did – of course, so I just sprayed the small areas that I missed.

After I made sure there was no green showing, I removed the tape and the newspaper.

There were a few small spots where the sling met the top of the chair frame that  were still green. I used  a small piece of  ScotchBlue Painter’s tape to mask the sling. I then sprayed the paint into the lid of the spray paint can and dabbed a small tipped paint brush into the lid to pick up some paint. I carefully brushed the paint on.

The hammered brown finish updates the set – much better than the green. I also like it since it is a neutral color – it will go with any table setting color scheme I use.

It was worth the time and effort to give this classic outdoor dining table and chairs a brand new look.

The Rustoleum Hammered Spray Paint truly provides a factory-like finish on metal.

This weekend – the first of the summer, we have a family party planned for Saturday.  Usually they comment on my projects and I think they will notice something is different right away.

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DECORATING WITH FLOWERS

10 Pretty, Easy-to-Do Flower Arrangements

1.Tulips and Pear Blossom Branches

An asymmetrical arrangement of tulips and pear blossoms appoint the mantle in the living room of a Park Avenue apartment. Designer Royce Pinkwater painted the wallsFarrow & Ball's Cornforth White, a soft gray with a blue undertone. The 1970s mirror is by Neal Small.

2.Roses

Roses placed in bud vases adorn an antique English mahogany table in this Newport Beach, California, house. Designers Katie and Jason Maine covered the walls in Iksel decorative wall panels. Reproduction chinoiserie chairs are from Brenda Antin. The Georgian-style chandelier is by Wilkinson.

3.Orchids

Orchids are displayed in a blue vase in the dressing room of this Beverly Hills house by designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard. The chandelier is a 19th-century French antique.

4.Peonies and Cockscomb

In the library of this Miles Redd-designed New York apartment, peonies and cockscomb sit on a coffee table inlaid with ebony, ivory, and tortoiseshell. A carved-bone lobster adds a touch of whimsy.

5.Hydrangeas

In bright pink, hydrangeas add a burst of colour to a shades-of-white dining room in an Alabama home by Tracery Interiors. The beaded-crystal chandelier is antique. The walls are painted China White by Benjamin Moore.

6.Ranunculus

A blue-and-white vase overflowing with ranunculus sits on the desk in the master dressing room ofdesigner Meg Braff's Newport summer house. Vase from Franklin & Company.

7.Roses

A bouquet of bright roses adds a pop of color to this all-white bedroom in designer Chris Barrett's California bungalow. A vintage Lane nightstand on a Moroccan rug from Anthropologie flanks a Barrett-designed headboard in white denim.

8.Alliums

Placed in a clear glass vase, alliums accentuate the blue in this Robert Couturier-designed living room in a vacation house in Florida. Pillows byJ.F. Lesage.

9.Tree Peonies

In the living room of a New York apartment, an arrangement of tree peonies and the smallest of accessories add to home's fuchsia-and-turquoise color scheme. Designer Fawn Galli says her client "wanted something fairy-tale dreamy to the point of other-worldly." River Stone cocktail table from Phillips Collection.

10.Lilies

Propped on a pile of books, a lily bouquet sits on the side table in the dressing room of a California home by designer Myra Hoefer. The Syrie Maugham-style lamp is from Drum & Company.

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