ML - Vegas Magazine

2013 - Issue 3 - May/June

Vegas Magazine - Niche Media - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.

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HAUTE PROPERTY "It's now about cleaner and simpler shapes and European style."—LESLIE PARRAGUIRRE kidney shapes that were once commonplace. "It's now about cleaner and simpler shapes and European style, and no more mini-Miragetype backyards," she says. "Families are building play pools that are only three or five feet deep, where they can play volleyball or basketball." Many are following the trend of hotels such as Red Rock by installing furniture and umbrella sleeves in their pools or decks. Backyard barbecues are being turned into outdoor kitchens, with a roof, fireplaces, furniture, heaters, and fans. Homeowners are also focusing on spas. The current vogue is to install a spa on the balcony or rooftop of a luxury home, where there's more privacy, says Renée Gibbs, owner of Spas by Renee (spasbyreneelv.com). Spas with marble and stone can cost more than $25,000; others This great room, designed by Blue may include a television, a wireHeron, appears to be less sound system that syncs with suspended in water. a home stereo, and Bluetooth to allow it to be operated via a smartphone app. Even in existing homes, buyers are choosing to incorporate the latest water features by enlisting high-end renovators such as Christopher Homes Renovations (christopherhomes.com), says Erika Geiser, the company's vice president of marketing and business development. One of the most popular additions is an infinity edge pool, especially if the home is situated on a hillside. Poolside kitchens and entertainment areas are also trendy. "Buyers are not just viewing the backyard as a place to swim in the pool, but as a place to entertain," she says. "They're taking advantage of the weather and using [the backyard] as a retreat." Luxury-home buyers might also tear out and replace a pool that's not to their liking. Broker Jerry Masini, owner of Award Realty (award realty.tumblr.com), recently sold a $7 million home in Queensridge that featured a pool with a waterfall and a meandering river. Amenities such as waterfalls with light fixtures and firebowls—gorgeous glass bowls with flames inside—are important to luxury buyers. "If they're paying more than $3 million for a house, having a pool that's less than $35,000 turns them off," Masini says. "They want a lot of wild features." V PRECEDING PAGE: PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES SCOLARI; THIS PAGE: PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES SCOLARI (BLUE HERON); RAEF GROHNE (INFINITY EDGE POOL) continued from page 153 big financial commitment, but we did it intentionally." For homes valued at more than $500,000, ensuring that water is a key part of the design is critical to the success of high-end builders, says Steve Bottfeld, principal of Marketing Solutions, a Las Vegas–based firm specializing in real estate economics. "You're seeing hot and cold pools, and indoor pools," he says. "Or a bar in the pool, like at a luxury resort." In fact, mimicking luxury resorts has been a growing trend, says Leslie Parraguirre, founder of the Vegas design firm Colours (lvcolours.com), which has designed homes in The Ridges, Red Rock Country Club, and Queensridge South. Her favorite trend is the deck-level pool, whose water is at the same level as the surrounding deck. But one of the most popular new features, she says, is an expensive saltwater pool, which eliminates the need to deal with chlorine in the hair and on the skin. People are also forgoing diving boards and opting for plain rectangular designs, which Parraguirre calls "simple European elegance," rather than the lagoon and ABOVE: 154 VEGASMAGAZINE.COM 153-154_V_BOB_HP_Opener_MAY/JUNE_13.indd 154 Bellacere Courtyard, designed by Christopher Homes Renovations, includes water features around a cabana. RIGHT: The same company created this infinity edge pool with a breathtaking view of the city lights. 4/19/13 11:48 AM

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