Design Trends: Animal Prints

Whether you love animal print a lot or a little, read on for inspiration on how to incorporate it in your home design! If you want to spice things up a little, but aren’t sold on animals prints or like the look of a simple room, use prints on small pieces, in subtle colors. Try a throw pillow, blanket, or small table lamp in a quiet black and white zebra or subdued brown giraffe print. For those of you who are all about the animal prints, you can use them everywhere from bedroom sets to curtains to floor runners (we recommend not replacing your carpet with cheetah print if you’re even thinking about selling it down the road) to wallpaper. Animal prints come in a variety of textures and colors, perfect for letting you inner interior designer go wild!

(All images via Pinterest)

Pinteresting Five: Creative Headboard Design

Whether you’re into a traditional or more eclectic look, these unusual headboards are sure to inspire you.

Via our Pinterest boards.

 

Restaurant of the Moment: DZ Akin’s

DZ Akin’s

6930 Alvarado Road, San Diego CA 92120

619-265-0218

www.dzakins.com

DZ Akin’s is family-owned and managed and it shows. The quality of their food products is superior in taste and texture.

The fresh baked breads make the sandwiches a standout, particularly where the challah is involved. The meats taste fresh, without the tang of artificial preservatives that tends to mar other lunch meats. And the meats aren’t salted to within an inch of their life, either. It’s just food the way that food is supposed to taste.

They’re known for their Reuben in particular, as well as the corned beef sandwich and their ethnic foods like knishes, latkes, matzo ball soup, and more.

No trip to DZ Akin’s is complete without a sampling of their pastries and cookies. They’re all delicious, especially the cookies, which are downright addicting. You can’t just eat one. Or three.

The deli menu and bakery options are extensive– you can come back over and over and still not scratch the surface of all they offer.

The portions are also huge, giving you a lot of food for the price. Most dishes here can be easily shared by two adults and no one will walk away hungry.

If you’re looking for something family-owned, authentically San Diego, and downright good, make a stop at DZ Akin’s.

Design Trends: Jewel Tones

In the fashion world, jewel tones are almost always on-point for fall. But this year we’re seeing a cross-over into the home. With emerald green selected as 2013’s Pantone Color of the Year, rich blues, purples, greens, browns, and rust oranges have infiltrated the home. Whether it’s a small pop in the form of a pillow, blanket, rug, or small decor like vases, or a large piece of furniture or paint on the walls, it’s easy to blend this trend into your existing home decor. Jewel tones provide a level of rich sophistication to any home.

All images provided via our Pinterest.

 

Recently Sold: July 2013

This is a selection of some of the fabulous properties we’ve sold and/or helped our clients buy in July!!

Juan Street

From the MLS

“Located in the Private Drive at the top of Juan Street, this mid century Spanish is an absolute beauty with spectacular panoramic bay & ocean views spanning from La Jolla to Point Loma. Upon entering the home you are welcomed by a lovely formal entry framed by an elegant half spiral staircase. The dining room featured a wood beam ceiling and an eye-catching fireplace. The family room leads out to a private courtyard with an outdoor fireplace, absolutely perfect for entertaining. Pending for $1,649,000.”

Canyon View Drive

From the MLS:

“Beautiful spacious family home w/welcoming curb appeal! 4 bedrooms w/one bedroom & full bath down for guests, in-laws, or nanny & an optional bedroom currently used as office/den. Large spacious master upstairs, 2 additional bedrooms and a loft. Designer paint throughout adds charm and warmth. Vaulted ceilings & loads of windows to welcome in the sunshine. Fabulous kitchen for entertaining, with abundant cherrywood cabinets, granite counters, recessed lighting and breakfast bar. Lush landscaped yard w firepit. Pending for $524,900.”

Gaylemont Lane

From the MLS:

“Lovely Belmont located in highly sought-after community of Carmel Country Highlands of Carmel Valley. Features include 4 bedrooms (one of main level) plus loft, 3 full baths, beautiful wood floors in most living areas, lots of natural light, spacious kitchen w/center island and pantry open to family room, extra insulation package and 3 car tandem garage. Wonderful outdoor entertainment area w/pool/spa, built-in BBQ area & lots of privacy with no neighbors behind. Pending for $949,000-1,049,000.”

Freedom Way

From the MLS:

“Located in the quiet gated community of Heritage with coveted Shadowridge, this beautiful home is move in ready! Enjoy the perfect coastal San Diego weather w/the largest back yard in the development. The spacious interior features soaring vaulted ceilings and an open floor plan. The cooks kitchen boasts granite counters and a designer glass tile backsplash. The family friendly community offers a pet friendly dog park, duck pond, walking trails nearby and & top-rated elementary school to boot! Pending for $429,900-459,900.”

Steeple Chase Row

From the MLS:

“For those looking for the hard to find single story w/spacious room look no further. Features include 2brms plus den/office, turn-key condition, stunning designer finishes inside & out with almost everything redone. Interior includes neutral tones w/beautiful light fixtures, built-ins, crown moldings, wood beamed ceilings, custom window coverings & more. Outside enjoy lush garden setting & plenty of room to entertain. All this situated in the gated community of Stratford. Pending for $998,000.”

Moreton Glen

From the MLS:

“Fabulous Santa Barbara Plan 2 Priced for Quick Sale! Wonderful upgrades to include travertine, granite, custom lighting, new paint, 5 bedrooms with bedroom/bath downstairs, bonus room, combined kitchen/family room, formal living and dining rooms, french doors, ceiling fans and 3 car garage. All this and the best schools too! Pending for $1,100,000-1,195,000.”

Landfair Court

From the MLS:

“Rare offering! Gorgeous single story home situated on a huge 10,267 sq ft cul-de-sac lot with panoramic southerly views and complete privacy! Beautiful hardwood flooring, plantation shutters, granite counter tops, newer vinyl windows and roof. Incredible garden w/specimen palms, mature fruit trees and lush tropical plantings. Beautifully maintained! Walking distance to Solana Highlands Elem. and DM Highlands Shopping. Highly sought after neighborhood. No Mello Roos! Third BR expanded and used as den. Pending for $949,000.”

Additionally, Coastal Premier Properties represented the buyer on these other great properties

Corte Cisco

From the MLS:

“This is the very best that Meadowridge has to offer. You have to see it to believe how beautiful it looks and nothing was left to the imagination. Large bedrooms lend itself to family living along with the beautiful pools and tennis courts…no maintenance here. Just bring your things and you are ready to enjoy the ocean breezes. Sold for $475,000.”

Cobb Place

From the MLS:

“Single story North Clairemont Home on Large Canyon Lot. Situated at the head of a Cul-de-sac. Ready to sell. Enjoy the Canyon View. Great location! Notice the Inviting Court Yard with Double Doors that gives this Home Much Appeal. No Garage BUT Has a Huge Bonus Room and Plenty of On-Site Parking. New Wood Floors in Living Room and Bedrooms. Wood Laminate in Bonus Rooms. All Freshly Painted. Clean and Ready for New Owners. Sold for $575,000”.

Windswept Terrace

From the MLS:

“One level view sites retreat!! 10,000 square foot lot!! Private cul-de-sac location!! No neighbors behind or in front!! No mello roos!! Freshly painted!! Unique sun room patio!! Sold for $930,000. ”

Village Ridge

From the MLS:

“4 BR+ Master Retreat! Wonderful location with no one directly behind. Desirable downstairs bed/bath. Private backyard features sparking pool w/waterfall. Laminated wood floor throughout including stairs (except 2 bedrooms upstairs carpet). Recently painted exterior. Clean and ready! Sold for $710,000.”

Restaurant of the Moment: Prep Kitchen

Prep Kitchen La Jolla

(Sister Restaurants: Prep Kitchen Del Mar, Prep Kitchen Little Italy, and Whiskenladle La Jolla)
7556 Fay Ave
La Jolla, CA 92037
(858) 875-7737

www.prepkitchen.com

 

The La Jolla Prep Kitchen location is one a family of restaurants that includes the other two Prep Kitchen locations across San Diego, as well as Whiskenladle. With dinner every day, weekday lunches, weekend brunches, and daily happy hours, it’s east to find time to head to Prep Kitchen in La Jolla.

Like so many “foodie” restaurants, Prep Kitchen boasts a menu that’s rather on the sparse size, though the flavor and portion size is decidedly not. Rather than spreading the resources on a novel-length menu, Prep Kitchen has focused its efforts on creating a small set of dishes well.

They focus on creating seasonal dishes with the freshest ingredients, to provide a unique culinary experience. Though the menu changes regularly, there’s sure to be something delicious that catches your eye.

When we gave Prep Kitchen La Jolla a try, we selected the Whiskenladle burger and the Bolognese, which turned out to be both filling and tasty.

This particular location boasts more patio than indoor seating. Great for the summer and milder months, though in winter it will most likely prove to be more of a problem to get a table. Quiet location, great for casual, but romantic dinners or a relaxed evening among friends.

Community Focal Point: Home Energy Clearing

Services performed by Eileen Kurlander

858.945.7532

www.HomeEnergyClearing.com

What do you do when the house is beautiful and priced right, but no one is making an offer? What do you do when your home just can’t seem to close?
Don’t lower the price just yet–order a Home Energy Clearing.

A what?

Buyers may not always know why or what about the house makes them scurry out saying, “It just doesn’t feel right”. What they are feeling is just the presence of the prior homeowners, preventing them from “making it their own”.

Sometimes, it’s more than just the prior owners. It could be ghosts or some other entity. Either way, a good Home Energy Clearing is in order.

Views of the home holding energy information have even been cited as far back as the biblical writings. From Habakkuk 2:11: “For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it”.

Today, a Home Energy Clearing has started to be used more regularly and talked about more openly. It is commonly used to clear a death in the property, pot farm or meth lab energy, release depressing feelings, divorce energy, dark feeling or cold areas, possible or likely ghosts, and most often, to help make a house sell.

Sellers are hoping to clear out all that heavy energy and “raise the vibration” of the house so it feels great to buyers, even checking the Mezzuzot hanging in Jewish homes to make sure the energy is good.  The goal is to avoid having the property sitting on the market so long that it faces multiple price adjustments. One Rancho Santa Fe homeowner said that, after a clearing, “There is a significant difference. It feels lighter and more peaceful, almost a different house”.  She called days later with news of “going into escrow”.

In Hong Kong and other Asian Cultures, a “Hongza House” (house with ghosts) has to be disclosed and the price could be knocked off by up to 33%. In the US, there is no such disclosure and these houses naturally don’t get bites. Even though all else looks good, the prices have to drop dramatically to entice buyers.

If you’re having trouble selling your home or just a bought new home and want a true fresh start, try a Home Energy Clearing.

Want us to feature your local business here? Contact us!

Pinteresting Five: Unconventional Bedrooms

About the only thing these bedrooms have in common is that they all have beds in them! Enjoy our five favorite pins celebrating the most private of home spaces, the bedroom!

(Images via Pinterest)

Restaurant of the Moment: Bite of Boston

Bite of Boston

www.biteofboston.net

3 locations across San Diego

Lobster Roll

Bite of Boston is a San Diego chain sandwich restaurant with three locations across the county: La Jolla/UTC,  Rancho Bernardo, and Pacific Beach. All three locations specialize in serving delicious sandwiches and soups, along with fish and chips, fried clams, and more.

One of their signature sandwiches is the Lobster Roll, full of big chunks of real lobster. Other notable standouts include the Philly Cheesesteak, Prime Rib Sandwich, and the Rueben, made with corned beef. Hot and cold standard sandwiches feature such favorites as the Meatball sub, Hot Pastrami, Chicken Parmesan and more. You can even pick up a Fenway Frank.

Their Clam Chowder and Lobster Bisque are also outstanding, along with their selection of traditional fried fish dishes. Choose from classic-style Fish and Chips, Fried Shrimp, Fried Clams, Fried Scallops, or snag a combo plate of all the fried fishes.

Lobster Mac and Cheese

Side dishes include such comfort food classics as mac and cheese (with lobster!), cole slaw, potato salad, boston baked beans, and pepperoni and provolone bites.

Wraps and salads round out the menu offerings, with special sandwiches transitioning in from time to time.

If you’ve never been to Bite of Boston, make this your next casual lunch stop. You won’t be disappointed.

CPP Tip of the Month

Whether you’re a renter or a homeowner, it’s inevitable that your walls will become dotted with small holes and marks. Use a butter knife to smooth non-gel toothpaste into the holes. To smooth the surface, sand it. Non-gel toothpaste even works on crayon marks. Simply scrub it onto the offending marks and wipe until it’s gone.