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September 18th, 2014 at 2:00 pm

Urban

In decades past, suburbs were the place to be. Affluent residents moved out of the cities to settle down and start families. Today, we’re seeing the reverse. As poverty levels rise in the suburbs, more well-educated and affluent residents are choosing to stay in cities across America in favor of shorter commutes, walkable communities and urban amenities.

According to a recent report by the Brookings Institution, in a survey of the 100 largest metro areas all but three saw the number of poor living in high-poverty or distressed neighborhoods in suburban areas grow during the 2000s. While poverty has worsened in neighborhoods throughout the Unites States, it’s growing in the nation’s suburbs. “Suburbs now have nearly as many poor residents in high-poverty neighborhoods as cities,” the study says.

Read the full study and see how it’s affected your city at www.brookings.edu/research/interactives/2014/concentrated-poverty#/M10420.

 

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September 17th, 2014 at 11:30 am

When it comes to interior design, a staircase can present both a challenge and an opportunity. Below we’ve compiled some of our favorite interior design trends to help you lighten, brighten and freshen up your stairway. For more design inspiration, check out our staircase board on Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/bhhscalifornia/the-staircase.

  1. Create a wall gallery along the wall of your staircase. For best viewing from the first floor, hang the frames low on the wall and follow the angle of the stairs.
  2. Use a vinyl wall decal. These can be found on a number of websites and in stores. Some places allow you to create your own text. For a bolder statement use, vinyl decals along the base of your stairs to create a message as you walk up.

    decal

    From Etsy.com

  3. Go contemporary by using a stencil or wallpaper only on the adjacent staircase wall.

    stencil

    From Royaldesignstudio.com

  4. (more…)

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September 16th, 2014 at 11:30 am

About eight miles east of the Puerto Rico mainland, in the northeast portion of the Caribbean, is the picturesque island Vieques. The 55-square-mile island is home to about 14,000 people and the brand-new El Blok hotel.

Music executive Simon Baeyertz formed a partnership with architects Fuster + Partners to create El Blok. Twenty-two rooms come in five varieties: Estandar, Esquina, Terraza, Doble and Silencio. Rooms are simplistic with a touch of luxury and designed with relaxation in mind. Most of the furnishings were crafted locally from native materials.

El Blok’s restaurant and bar, Placita, is run by chef Jose Enrique and plays on the traditional Spanish and Creole influences of the island. “I like to say we’re a restaurant with rooms above,” Baeyertz says.

Read what The New York Times had to say or book your reservation by visiting http://elblok.com/.

 

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September 15th, 2014 at 11:00 am

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As part of our goal to enhance the quality of the neighborhoods we live in and serve, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties created The Charitable Foundation as an outlet to give back. Through the Foundation, our agents and employees can make a difference in their communities. Since inception, The Charitable Foundation has provided hundreds of grants totaling more than $4 million to local organizations in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties. The Foundation focuses on communities with an emphasis on education and environment.

How do we do it?

At Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, employees and agents are encouraged and actively participate by volunteering their time and talents. One of the things that makes The Charitable Foundation so successful is that it supports a wide variety of organizations. Instead of focusing solely on one initiative, our company provides assistance to those bettering their communities. For instance, the foundation may assist in the coordination of a beach day cleanup, holiday toy drive or even volunteer their time in local public schools.

The Charitable Foundation currently has five chapters: Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange counties. As Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties continues to expand, so does the reach of The Charitable Foundation. To learn more, visit https://foundation.bhhscalifornia.com.

 

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September 11th, 2014 at 1:51 pm

Conveniently located in the heart of Israel’s capital, the Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem blends Greco-Roman, Gothic and Ottoman architecture. Within the hotel’s 80-year-old façade, guests can stay in one of 226 rooms spanning 10 floors. Opened last April, the hotel features the luxury accommodations travelers desire and expect from the Waldorf Astoria. Inside and out, the Waldorf blends contemporary styles while preserving its predecessor’s stonework. Some of the architecture dates back to the late 1920s.

For a world-class dining experience, guests can visit the Palace Restaurant and King’s Court. The Balcony Bar offers several dishes created from local ingredients. The highly rated concierge desk provides insider tips on best city views, shopping recommendations and sightseeing.

In 2015, the Waldorf is set to unveil the city’s premier spa and health center. For more information or to book a reservation, visit Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem.

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