Magazine Living: Flights of Fancy...

× Like us and you'll find top breaking news in your Facebook newsfeed. Sign up for our daily email newsletter and get top stories and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Monday, June 25, 2012, by Sarah Firshein The all-American characters of Gary and Elaine have wormed their way into households aplenty thanks to the ingenuity of Molly Erdman, whose Catalog Living blog points to styling curiosities within catalogs. Here now, Erdman does the same for shelter magazine photos. "It's stunning, Martin, and I'm particularly amazed how the matted feathers of the dying bird brings out the gold tones in the sofa."Photo by Eric Piasecki/Arch Digest

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On the Market: Two Big and Fancy Abodes Battle It Out For Your Love

× Like us and you'll find top breaking news in your Facebook newsfeed. Sign up for our daily email newsletter and get top stories and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Monday, March 5, 2012, by Sally Kuchar

Two very fancy but very different abodes. One's a single-family home in NoPa, the other's a condo in a swanky FiDi tower. But which is the better deal? They're almost the same price. Basic stats: Unit #2402 in the Montgomery Washington Tower is a 2-bed, 2.5-bath, 2,624 square foot condo on the 24th floor. It's asking $3,895,000. 1045 Divisadero is a 5-bed, 3.5-bath, 4,800 square foot single-family home North of Panhandle. It's asking $3,800,000.

611 Washington, #2402

Pros: This condo's got views galore, including Coit Tower and the Bay Bridge. It's got a very fancy media room, atrium and two private terraces. Building amenities include concierge services, 24-hour security, outdoor lap pool for residents and a private health club. Conveniently located close to all the hustle and bustle of FiDi and the Downtown area.

Cons: It reminds us of those high glitz pageants that are on that show Toddlers and Tiaras. It's more expensive but has less bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage. Monthly HOA dues are $2,058 and 2-car parking will cost you $648 per month. It's been on the market for a really long time, and was once asking as much as $4,595,000.

1045 Divisadero

Pros: Frankly, it's a perfect example of respecting the original Victorian architecture while still bringing up the interiors to today's standards. AKA there's an Arclinea kitchen and modern backyard (complete with hot tub and outdoor kitchen). The most obvious pro is the price and size, because it's less expensive than 611 Washington but has more bang for its buck with five bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. The listing states that you can "park up to 10 cars!"

Cons: While it is true that the property is set back from the street, there's no denying that Divisadero is a very busy street. We hate to find fault with this, but we think your cleaning bill is going to be extra high with all the architectural detailing going on in the interior. The views aren't that great.

What'll it be, readers? Cast your vote below!

· 611 Washington, #2402 [Redfin]
· 1045 Divisadero [Redfin]

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CurbedWire: Fancy Fish Tanks; Eisenhower Memorial Debate Rages On

× Like us and you'll find top breaking news in your Facebook newsfeed. Sign up for our daily email newsletter and get top stories and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Wednesday, February 29, 2012, by Sarah Firshein

The impressive paint-chip wall in Curbed SF editor Sally Kuchar's San Fran apartment.

NYC—This week New York design editor Wendy Goodman profiles Richard Christiansen, an ad exec. Christiansen's party pad of a rental is filled with "a once-­lima-bean-green banana-leaf bed from the eighties" that's been lacquered in a dark color and a 1,000-pound fish tank. [New York]

BRIDGEHAMPTON, N.Y.—People are none too pleased that mega-builder Joe Farrell hopes to add yet more ridiculous amenities to his already-ridiculous "Sandcastle," as the estate is called. Calling Farrell the "neighborhood bully," a letter of protest argues that "it is not even clear why he thinks he is within his rights to apply for the horse barn and riding facility since 10 acres is the minimum requirement and he only has 8.6." [Curbed Hamptons]

WASHINGTON D.C.—The National Civic Art Society, one of the most vocal opponents to Frank Gehry's planned Eisenhower Memorial, has released never-before-seen photos of the very steel "tapestry" design element that has everyone in up in arms. Some arguments: it's a "rat’s nest of tangled steel, a true maintenance nightmare," it will be impossible to clean, and, far from the "permanent" memorial that Congress calls for, it will decay from acid rain. [National Civic Art Society previously]

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Real Estate Sold: Fancy Presidio Heights Condo Gets Asking

× Like us and you'll find top breaking news in your Facebook newsfeed. Sign up for our daily email newsletter and get top stories and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Thursday, February 9, 2012, by Sally Kuchar

Earlier this month we pitted two fancypants condos against each other. The first was 325 Locust, a 3-bed, 2-bath, 1,950 square foot condo in Presidio Heights that was asking $1,595,000. It went up against a slightly more expensive Lower Pacific Heights condo on Pine. 325 Locust won with more than half the vote: 53.3%. It should come as no surprise then that 325 Locust sold yesterday for asking, without hanging out on the market for even a month. Congrats to the lucky seller and buyer and please invite us to the housewarming party!
· 325 Locust [Redfin]
· Which Fancypants Condo is the Better Deal? [Curbed SF]

325 Locust Street, San Francisco, CA

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That's Rather Hideous: Toile-decked Condo Seeks Your Fancy Attention

× Like us and you'll find top breaking news in your Facebook newsfeed. Sign up for our daily email newsletter and get top stories and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Tuesday, January 3, 2012, by Abby Pontzer Today we bring you a 2-bed, 2-bath condo on the tippy top of Nob Hill across the street from Huntington Park and Grace Cathedral. It's listed for a mere $2,750,000 and boasts a very pinkies-up location and some killer views of the bay. Of course, we're not crazy about the HOA at a thumbs-down amount of $2,220 per month, and less crazy still about some of the decor. There's an awful lot of carpet, though it looks to be in good shape, and some seriously questionable window treatments. We can't even bring ourselves to talk about the matchy-matchy toile explosion bedroom and bath. We hope that someone will make like Maria in The Sound of Music and make dresses for the children out of those curtains. What are your ideas for the rest of the decor left behind for the lucky buyer? Please, dear readers, think of the children.
· 1150 Sacramento St #303 [Price Squares] 1150 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, CA

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On The Market: Sort of Fancy Schmancy in the Excelsior

× Like us and you'll find top breaking news in your Facebook newsfeed. Sign up for our daily email newsletter and get top stories and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Wednesday, October 19, 2011, by Sally Kuchar We think that 435 Paris Street in the Excelsior is special because it's a 4-bed, 3-bath, nearly 2,000-square-foot home for $649,000. It's been on and off the market since July, and hasn't had a single offer. What gives, readers? Nicest House On the Block Syndrome? The average price price for a home in the Excelsior is $499,000 or $384 per square foot. While 435 Paris is $150,000 more than the average house price, it's still a little less per square foot since it's $333 per square. This home is completely move-in ready, and features highlights like a "grand foyer" and "state of the art chef's kitchen." Oh, and all three bathrooms have floor-to-ceiling marble. What say you, dear readers? What'll it take for this home to find a buyer?
· 435 Paris Street [Redfin]

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PM Linkage: The Golden Gate Bridge Tweets; Fancy Weekend Rentals; Big Lebowski in Berkeley; More!

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AM Linkage: Facebook and Ikea, Together at Last; People Actually Take Their Kids to Burning Man; Fancy Butcher Shop in Berkeley; More!

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PriceChopper: Very Fancy Pacific Heights Penthouse Hacks More Than a Quarter Million Off

× Like us and you'll find top breaking news in your Facebook newsfeed. Sign up for our daily email newsletter and get top stories and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Wednesday, August 3, 2011, by Sally Kuchar Was: $5,250,000
Now: $4,900,000
You Save: $350,000

Oh dear. The penthouse atop 1800 Gough has just taken a significant price chop: $350,000. This 4-bed, 4.5-bath, 5,209-square-foot, two-story penthouse is a prime piece of real estate tail. The building was designed by San Francisco favorite Conrad Alfred Meussdorffer and was built in 1923. It's a co-op, so bust out grandma's pearls and put on something nice; the board is not going to approve your application to write them a check for millions of dollars if you don't look the part. The penthouse has everything you could ever ask for, including an au pair room (that's currently being used as a work-out room). Oh, and there's monthly HOA dues of $1,900 but who cares, right? You're about to spend close to five million bucks on an apartment. Dear readers, will this beauty finally sell? Or should we expect another chop?
· 1800 Gough [Redfin]
· Let's Take a Look at Some Swank Penthouses [Curbed SF]
· Prime, Pristine and Pedigree for Pacific Heights Penthouse [Curbed SF]

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Big Bucks For Terminal 3: The very fancy and very expensive...

× Like us and you'll find top breaking news in your Facebook newsfeed. Sign up for our daily email newsletter and get top stories and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Friday, July 22, 2011, by Sally Kuchar

? Back to top

? Previous: No Surface Left Untouched For Pacific Heights Condo

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House of the Day: Colorado Ski Estate Mixes Mountain Rustic with French Fancy

× Like us and you'll find top breaking news in your Facebook newsfeed. Sign up for our daily email newsletter and get top stories and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Thursday, March 10, 2011, by Rob Bear

Have a nomination for a jaw-dropping listing that would make a mighty fine House of the Day? Get thee to the tipline and send us your suggestions. We'd love to see what you've got.

Location: Vail, Colo.
Price: $16,500,000
The Skinny: Nestled against a ski trail in Vail Village is this overgrown chalet. On the outside everything is rustic stone and wood, but on the inside someone broke out the oil and polished that wood up to a luxurious luster. There's also a sky-lit swimming pool with trellis, a chef's kitchen with massive Wolf range, and an elaborately carved stone mantle. Strangely, there's also a separate "dining gazebo" with rough-wood paneling and basic furnishings. Looks like someone couldn't pick one style. But for $16.5M, they really shouldn't have to.
· 424 Forest Road [Slifer Smith & Frampton]

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On the Market: Fancy Schmancy (and Cozy) on Nob Hill

× Like us and you'll find top breaking news in your Facebook newsfeed. Sign up for our daily email newsletter and get top stories and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Friday, April 15, 2011, by Sally Kuchar Unit #401 at 850 Powell has got some serious designer duds. Sold in late 2006 for $850,000, it's now back on the market and asking $899,000. Let's take a look around. It's a 2-bed, 1.5-bath, 1,456-square-foot condo on Nob Hill. However, the listing states that the 2nd bedroom is currently used as a den, but "could easily be converted back to two full bedrooms." The unit's got a designer kitchen and library alcove. Throughout the entire space, no surface has been left untouched. This is not so much a condo as it is a designer showroom that's reminiscent of SF's dreary Design Center. Expensive fabrics, fancy wall coverings, natural fibers for the flooring… this place has it all. Except laundry, that's in the basement. Monthly HOA dues are a unbelievably high $1,065. With that said, The seller will credit for 12 months leased parking, so there's that.
· 850 Powell #401 [Redfin]

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PM Linkage: Really Big and Cool Garage Sale in Berkeley; Bike Party; Fancy Bathrooms; More!

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