Archive for May, 2009

Congratulations to Los Angeles architect Michael Maltzman, who was recently named a finalist for the Smithsonian/Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum’s 10th annual National Design Awards. Maltzman, whose projects have ranged from MoMA QNS to affordable housing in downtown L.A., is currently working on the new flagship building at Pasadena’s JPL.

After three years in the making, Heart & Sold:  How to Survive and Build a Recession Proof Business, is released today.

Your support and kindness is greatly appreciated.

We are thrilled to be representing The Carlyle in the Wilshire Corridor.

The 23 floor, 78 luxury-unit building is being developed by the Elad Group.  Having recently finished renovation of their property The Plaza Hotel in New York City, Elad is looking forward to opening it’s doors to The Carlyle here on the west coast.

Each week we will post a new video as we follow along as The Carlyle is being built.

What’s really gotten the market moving? This RIS Media article looks at how much of our recent sales activity has involved first-time buyers, distressed properties…or both. The National Association of Realtors reports that “half of the sales made in the year’s first quarter were to first-time buyers and almost half of all these sales were distressed properties.” And that’s good news for the market as a whole — the sooner the existing inventory (including distressed properties) is absorbed, the sooner we’re back on our way to a stable marketplace.

The L.A. Times is featuring an engaging slide show of the biggest flops at the 2009 Milan Furniture Fair. From fur-upholsterd footstools complete with leather dog collars to chipboard tables (really?) decorated with pressed flowers, the collection ranges from “odd” to “revolting.” Personally, I’m rather fond of Bok’s sette made from garden hoses and salvaged lumber, but of course avant garde isn’t for everyone. And this shouldn’t be for anyone. Ever.