Can You Handle Bethenny Frankel's New Listing?

Real Housewife of NYC Bethenny Frankel has listed her show-stopping loft in Tribeca for $6.95 million.

The 3,600-square-foot corner unit comes with indoor parking and features all the high-end touches you’d expect from Skinnygirl Frankel: solar shades, soaring ceilings, Poggenpohl kitchen cabinets, a Wolf oven, and a Sub-Zero refrigerator.

There’s also a 180-bottle wine fridge - perfect for gathering with all your Manhattan friends at once.

The 4-bedroom, 3-bath home is listed by Fredrik Eklund of Douglas Elliman, who’s also a reality star, on “Million Dollar Listing New York.”

The home makes a great first impression, with a polished nickel entryway opening onto large living and dining rooms that flow into a sleek, eat-in kitchen with giant windows.

The master suite boasts a spa bathroom with a Toto toilet and bidet, a soaking tub, and a large steam shower. It also features a room-sized closet with windows, built-ins and a center island.

All this in a boutique 1920 condo building with a 24-hour doorman and a roof deck offering top-notch views. Hat tip to Variety’s Real Estalker for being first with the news.

Photos courtesy of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Related:

• Kendall Jenner Buys Emily Blunt and John Krasinski’s Home
• Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent List Remodeled Vintage LA Home
• Seth Meyers Buys Home Near Washington Square Park

from Zillow Porchlight http://www.zillow.com/blog/bethenny-frankel-new-listing-206163/
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Everything You Need to Know About Portable Moving Containers

Every journey begins with a single step - even a long-distance move.

If you are on the threshold of a big relocation adventure, you need to make an important decision that will define your entire moving experience: Do you hire professional movers or move by yourself?

Both moving options have considerable advantages and disadvantages, but neither of them may be appropriate for your particular moving needs.

You need a solution that combines the most advantageous aspects of the self-moving process with the greatest benefits of using professional moving services. In this situation, moving with portable storage containers may be the right choice for you.

What are portable moving containers?

You’ve probably seen them parked in driveways or curbside. A portable moving container is basically a large box (usually 7-by-7-by-8 feet) you can rent and use to store your belongings and have them shipped to another location.

How do portable containers work?

The moving containers are dropped off in front of your home and left at your disposal for a prearranged period of time (a couple of days to a couple of weeks).

You pack and arrange your items inside the containers within that time frame. On moving day, the containers are picked up and transported to your final destination. You can unpack at your leisure and have the containers taken away when you’re ready.

What are the perks of portable containers?

Using portable moving containers offers a convenient, safe, and cost-effective solution for your relocation needs.

• You can rest assured that your belongings are safe. The moving containers are handled by professionals who use specialized moving equipment and proven moving techniques to ensure the safety of your belongings. The delivery trucks are equipped with a special hydraulic lift system designed to reduce shifting inside the containers and keep them level during transportation. The container itself is very strong and completely insulated, so it provides the best possible protection against moisture, dust, dirt, and physical impact. What's more, the containers can be locked to reduce the risk of theft.
• You can pack and unpack your items at your own pace, and you can keep the moving container for as long as you need it. Scheduling is very flexible, so you can take your time to organize and pack your belongings with utmost care, arrange them inside the container in a tidy and systematic manner, and then unpack your items without pressure (some companies allow you to keep the container for up to a month without incurring any extra fees).
• You can use the portable moving containers for storing your items. If you need a temporary storage option for your belongings, the containers can be taken to a secure facility or left in front of your home for as long as necessary.
• You will experience fewer difficulties loading and unloading your household items. The containers sit on the ground, so there will be no need for a loading ramp or other specialized equipment for loading or unloading your belongings.
• Moving with portable moving containers will be easier on your budget than using full-service movers.

How much does it cost to use containers?

You can rent a portable moving container for about $200 per month (plus a pick-up/delivery fee of $100). When moving with a container, however, the final cost is typically determined by the distance the moving container has to be transported.

Any extra services (such as storage in transit) or difficulties with container access (for example, a container drop-off or pick-up location that’s hard to access) will likely result in additional fees.

How to pack a portable moving container

The same basic rules apply to packing moving containers as to boxes: Make sure you pack your belongings in a safe and efficient manner. Seal the boxes tightly and label them properly so you know where to find each and every item.

Here are more specifics for packing containers:

1. Read the moving company’s list of prohibited items that you shouldn’t pack in the moving container (such as flammable or hazardous materials).
2. Line the bottom of the container with moving blankets for added protection against vibrations and shocks during transportation.
3. Arrange your items inside the container in a logical manner. Put all the larger and heavier items at the bottom and near the walls, and make sure the items you are going to need first when you arrive at your new home are packed last. Optimize the available space, and secure your items well to prevent accidental shifting or toppling over during transit.
4. Use old blankets, large pieces of corrugated cardboard, and other adequate materials to provide sufficient cushioning between items in the container.
5. Avoid transporting items of great monetary or sentimental value (such as sensitive electronics, delicate artwork, and family heirlooms) in a moving container.
6. Get adequate moving insurance for your cherished possessions. Better safe than sorry.

Related: 

• Picking a Moving Company: How Do Your Choices Stack Up?
• How to Label Boxes for Your Move
• Checklist: Everybody You Need to Notify When You’re Moving

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Zillow.

from Zillow Porchlight http://www.zillow.com/blog/portable-moving-containers-205092/
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'This Is Us' Star Mandy Moore Sells Her LA Home

With her new NBC series “This Is Us” a surprise hit, singer-songwriter Mandy Moore is ready to let go of her 1920s Mediterranean-style home.

Moore recently sold the home in Los Angeles’ hip Los Feliz neighborhood for $2.95 million.

With graciously sized rooms and exposed-beam ceilings, the 4,700-square-foot home offers 5 bedrooms and 5 baths. Designer touches include wrought-iron railings and regal chandeliers.

French doors open from living areas and the master suite onto a terraced backyard and patios surrounded by lush landscaping, including citrus trees, rose bushes and big, shady oaks.

The formal dining room boasts a wall of windows that showcases a verdant view. It adjoins an eat-in chef’s kitchen with high-end appliances, a large expanse of cabinetry and a center island. The main floor also features a reading room with “wedding cake” beading on the ceiling.

The listing and buyer’s agent was Ryan Judd of Compass, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Photos by Val Riolo.

Related:

• Reba McEntire Selling Lakeside Equestrian Estate Near Nashville
• Goldie Hawn & Kurt Russell List Their Longtime LA Mansion
• 7 Secrets of Celebrity Real Estate

from Zillow Porchlight http://www.zillow.com/blog/us-star-mandy-moore-sells-la-home-206012/
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House of the Week: A Brooklyn Brownstone With 'Girls' History

For many actors, landing a role on television programs like “Girls” or “Saturday Night Live” would be a dream come true. This Fort Greene brownstone has lived the dream, appearing on those shows and in commercials and print magazines.

The home "became my little child actor," jokes owner Billy Morrissette, who is himself in the biz. The 5,600-square-foot, seven-bedroom house is listed at $5.6 million by Amy Wendling of Douglas Elliman.

Morrissette bought the house, which was originally built in 1860, in 2009 and recalls that "it was a crazy wreck, but it had so much original detail." He began the meticulous renovations in 2010 and put on the finishing touches - restoring the façade that was destroyed in the 1960s - just last year. Morrissette worked with steel artist Jay McDonald to design the main chandelier to be evocative of the Industrial Revolution, when the house was originally constructed.

The spacious home features an open chef's kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances, a lush garden patio and 10 bathrooms. The basement is designed as a separate apartment with its own entrance, while the rest of the house is an open, single-family plan.

Although the house is full of incredible historic and contemporary details, Morrissette's favorite feature is the stand-alone bathtub in the bedroom.

"People are always so shocked," he says, "but it's there because I didn't want to cram it into a bathroom … and it's the greatest thing. It's not a daily bathtub, but when it's a freezing day and you come in and you're taking a bath in this massive room, it's really cool. That is my favorite."

The house is in the desirable Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn, just half a block from Fort Greene Park and within short walking distance to the Brooklyn Academy of Music, great restaurants and numerous subway lines.

Between the location and size of the house, Morrissette says he can easily picture a big family calling it home.

"My thought always was that it's a larger family who wants a brownstone and are maybe priced out of Manhattan," says Morrisette. "Because it's just so much space."

Photos courtesy of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Related:

• Lena Dunham Puts Down LA Roots
• ‘Girls’ Star Zosia Mamet Is Flipping Her Brooklyn Brownstone
• Lena Dunham Settles Into Her New Brooklyn Condo

from Zillow Porchlight http://www.zillow.com/blog/brooklyn-brownstone-girls-snl-205768/
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12 Tips for a Safer, More Organized Home

Ergonomics is a major trend in the working world. Small changes in the ergonomics of the workplace decrease the risk of serious falls, back pain, and joint injuries.

The same is true at home, especially in three common home ergonomic warning zones: the kitchen, bathroom, and garage or attic.

Here are some organization tips to extend the same level of health safety into your home life, whether you're a senior citizen or a senior in college.

Kitchen

Your kitchen is filled with shelves and cabinets that are just waiting to be organized. Your cooking prep will be easier and safer without having to dig through drawers or take heavy items off of shelves.

• Use a Lazy Susan. Placed in corner cabinets, Lazy Susans can make use of those hard-to-reach areas. Put one in your fridge and you can spin what you need to the front where you can easily grab it.
• Use a step stool and grab claw. When living alone, don't take the risk of climbing on your counters. With a step stool and a grab claw, everything will be within reach.
• Organize your cabinets. Only use your gravy boat once a year? There's no need to have it front and center. Store it off to the side or in a cabinet with other less-frequently used items. Place the things you use daily right up front instead.
• Use floating storage. Attach magnets to small jars and attach them to your fridge. Fill with spices and snacks for beautiful and convenient storage.

Bathroom

It's tempting to stuff your toiletries and extra bathroom supplies into hard-to-reach cabinets. But add a wet, slippery floor to the mix, and reaching for more toilet paper becomes a dangerous activity.

With a little creativity, you can create more easily accessible storage space.

• Hang tension rods in cabinets. For extra storage space, hang your spray bottles on tension rods set up inside cabinets. This will reduce the need to stuff your cabinets or shelves full of supplies.
• Place a shower caddy in the bathroom. A shower caddy hanging from your showerhead will keep all your toiletries in one place and leave the floor clear.
• Use back-of-door space. A hanging shoe organizer can be used for more than just shoes. They are perfect to store toiletries and cleaning supplies.
• Rearrange often-used items. Do you use it regularly? Place it front and center on your countertop. You should be able to reach the items you use all the time with ease. Items used less often should go in your medicine cabinet.

Garage or attic

Garages and attics are notorious for being the most disorganized rooms of the home. Getting supplies from the attic usually requires lifting and digging through heavy boxes.

Reduce your risk of back strain with these reorganization tips.

• Use clear bins with descriptive labels. With once glance you will be able to see what you need and where it is. No more digging through each and every box.
• Organize by season. You want to be able to access your winter decorations, but you only need to use them once a year. After the holidays are over, group everything together and place them behind other seasonal items that you will use first.
• Use toilet paper rolls. Need to store wrapping paper or unused power cords? Slide them in a toilet paper roll to keep them from tangling.
• File important documents. Rather than stacking documents in boxes, use a filing cabinet or folder to store your important documents. Be sure to neatly order and label each folder.

Organized and safe

An organized, ergonomic home reduces your risk of back strain, falls, and joint pain.

Your home should be your sanctuary, not a danger to your health. You deserve to have everything you need within safe and convenient reach.

Related:

• 5 Steps to Better Basement, Attic and Garage Storage
• Buying a Home That Will Age With You
• A 3-Step Downsizing Plan for Seniors

from Zillow Porchlight http://www.zillow.com/blog/home-organization-tips-seniors-204672/
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Home Design Quiz: Would You Rather ... ?

When you picture your dream home, you may envision a walk-in pantry, cozy library, and outdoor fire pit. Others would opt for a luxurious soaking tub, dedicated shoe closet, and formal dining room.

Pick your preference from each of the pairings below. When it comes to the perfect home features, would you rather have …

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll. Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll. Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll. Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll. Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll. Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll. Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll. Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll. Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll. Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

See more great design ideas on Zillow Digs.

Related:

• Quiz: What’s Your Home Design Style?
• 9 Signs It’s Time to Update Your Bathroom
• Which Celeb Is Your Staycation Soulmate?

from Zillow Porchlight http://www.zillow.com/blog/home-design-quiz-rather-205309/
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