Home Sales Up In July

According to data released this morning by the National Association of Realtors, home sales were up in July of this year. Hitting a 5-month high, existing home sales, which include houses, condos, and townhouses, climbed 3.1%.

However, the median home price for all existing home types was down 7.1% from a year ago. Housing inventory remained high, with available housing growing 3.9%, to an inventory of 4.6 million homes, translating to an 11.2 month’s supply of houses, condominiums, town houses, and co-ops.

Villa Ferrari On Palm Island - Soon In Foreclosure?

Villa Ferrari on Palm Island Miami Beach

The Scott Storch home on Palm Island, otherwise known as Villa Ferrari, is a gorgeous 18,000 square feet home sitting on a 30,000 square feet lot, facing downtown Miami, and is located on one of the best Islands on Miami Beach. Mr. Storch, one of the music business top producers, apparently hasn’t had a top 10 hit in nearly 3 years, and finds himself in a very similar predicament as many american home owners, albeit his house costs a little more than the average american can afford. Just over 2 years ago, he paid $10,500,000 for the property, which, at the time was listed for $13,900,000.

Today, according to Forbes, the producer is in financial straits with regards to the property. There is presently a mortgage lien on the property in the amount of $10,500,000, as well as liens for unpaid electric and security bills. Furthermore, according to Forbes, there are 2 years worth of unpaid taxes on the property to the tune of approximately $500,000. It seems like the famous music producer may have to pull a rabbit out of the hat to save his home from foreclosure. Best wishes, and good luck to Scott Storch.

On Demand! India Inspired Bedrooms

Another mega post, On Demand!

Call them

Indian style bedrooms, or

Bedrooms inspired by India, or

Indian bedrooms

Here they are:

A collection of inspiration for turning your sleep abode into a piece of India!

But wait, this is just Part I of inspiration!

In Part Deux (aka' next post), I will share ideas on how readers outside India can re-create a mini India in their homes. From resources and stores available to you in your continent!

A touch of contemporary, a hint of tradition, loads of creativity and you have the recipe for today's bedroom design

Simple furnishing, modern chandelier. A traditional pichwai painting as the focal point in the room. A day bed of sorts in the niche of one wall, with cushions and bolsters

Gorgeous metal relief panel behind the bed. And matching cushions

Bed platform made from brick and mortar. Jaali (lattice work) design in the background

Wall mural above the bed with wooden puppets

Fabric/old paintings in gilt edged frames make a dramatic statement. Jasmine flowers in bowls as natural room freshener

Understated elegance. Rugs add a touch of color to this room

Straight line furniture. Dark wood goes well with an Indian setting

Another view of the bedroom with painting

Hint of Morocco?

Platform beds are quite popular in contemporary homes

Four Poster beds and drapes...

Umm...indulge in yards and yards of fabric! Sarees put to good use here

Silk bed cover, and fine muslin drape

Dreamy mosquito nets can be drapes too

Canopied bed

Gorgeous headboards

Kitschy bed! Old ceramic tiles and prints of Indian Gods and Goddesses adorn the headboard

Beautiful carved headboard

Old carved panel used as headboard here. Ikat fabric pieces on the ladder..

Sumptuous enough for a king..or a queen!

India. Means colors and vibrancy.

India. Also means simplicity and restrain

Charpai type bed

Simple adornment with a flower motif on the wall

And finally a look at traditional rooms. Bedrooms from the opulence of palaces...

Recreate a royal tent by covering the walls with India inspired fabric!

...to the grace of village homes

A bedroom from kutch

End of On Demand! post "India Inspired Bedrooms": Part I

Keep watching for Part II next week!

Happy Weekend!

[Image Sources: A lot of the images are from my personal archive of inspiration files, so unfortunately, I don't have the links. Thanks to all the sources from where I have collected the images over the years. Rest: slh.com, pro.corbis.com, allposters.com)

Miami Shores House Reduced To $799,000

9650 N.E. 5th Avenue Road, Miami Shores $799,000

A charming 3,740 square feet home, situated on a 13,000 square feet lot, with a pool, has just been drastically reduced in price. Just this week, the seller reduced the price from $926,000 to $799,000 to more closely reflect present market conditions.

The house, located at 9650 NE 5th Avenue Rd., in Miami Shores, has 5 bedrooms, and plenty of room for family living. Here is the listing report description of the property:

Unique design and flair exudes in this fabulous Florida contemporary home. A beautiful formal entry introduces a warm and inviting ambiance with lovely natural light and windows that capture the beauty of the Florida tropics. Open kitchen with a center island where large sliding windows overlook the Zen pool and covered deck area. Enjoy the huge family room with mammoth closets. Additional office area, with french doors to the pool and private patio offers the ultimate in privacy for those who work at home. Upstairs you'll find a wonderful master bedroom with a private deck.

Going on a Chai Pilgrimage!

Husband and Wife

2 creative peeps

World travelers

One, a therapeutic ayurvedic teacher

Other, an illustrator

and together they are

Chai Pilgrims!

I came across Jenny and Patrick's flickr set and totally adored the quirky illustrations sketched during their travels in India and Nepal. Their love for chai (tea), and India is clearly seen in Jenny's many sketches

More of Jenny's art work can be found on her site. The couple's travel and chai experiences will be out in a book in fall next year...