De'Longhi, whose Italian luxury designs are helping to make it the fastest growing espresso brand in America, recently introduced the innovative Artista Series. Showcasing the art of Nicole Miller, Damien Correll and eight other designers, the Artista Series is a limited edition of Perfecta espresso machines with the designers' work laser etched on the front panels.

In addition to providing a unique look and a perfect espresso, the machines are also providing for charity. This summer, the rare appliances are being auctioned off with proceeds going to Oxfam America, a relief organization committed to battling poverty worldwide. Read more on the machines and the auction.

Family owned and operated since 1959, Rimontgo has always provided their clients with loyal service and unparalleled customer satisfaction. Through their website, visitors can view luxury listings on the Spanish Costa Blanca (White Coast), along with luxury properties throughout Europe and the United States.

A new and exciting addition to their website is Reality Sense, a blog forum where visitors and potential clients can discuss and debate subjects related to luxury homes. Reality Sense subjects include: art and architecture, international design and fashion, restaurants and hotels, luxury cars and motorsports, and sailing and powerboat racing. Rimontgo invites visitors to make suggestions to the website and debate the issues raised by the Reality Sense blog, opening another medium of communication with an increasing number of elite clientèle.

After 50 years of service Rimontgo is still family owned and operated making their experience in the industry unrivaled. Still, they continue to develop through agent training and creative innovation so that no matter what, they can provide the most thorough services to even the most demanding clients.

Visit the Reality Sense blog.

NBC's Today Show profiled a Santa Fe Realty Partner listing on June 12, 2009.  During Barbara Corcoran's real estate segment covering "What Your Money Will Buy" in real estate around the country.

Santa Fe Realty Partners sales associates Vee and Lisa Bybee's listing in Santa Fe was one among five homes chosen to be presented in the five minute profile.

Follow this link to view the video.

Cora Bett Realty recently announced that they have expanded services into the Beaufort market by adding offices in Savannah, Bluffton and Hilton Head. This addition of full-service offices in these regions now connects Cora Bett Realty to the entire coastal region.

In a recent merger, Cora Bett has taken talented sales associates and office managers onto their team. The dynamic new team members possess a high level of service and have been exceeding client expectations for more than 40 years. They will now be able to offer the same exceptional service under Cora Bett Realty.

Cora Bett Realty continues to market luxury homes throughout the South Carolina region to both domestic and international clients.

Read more about Cora Bett.

A recent closing in the Old Preston Hollow area of Dallas is rumored to be the most expensive sale in the city’s history.

Set on over 8 acres in the prestigious neighborhood, the estate was completed in 1993 after two and a half years of construction by skillful designers and craftsmen. Some of the many amenities are a bowling alley, tennis court and adjacent gazebo, racquetball court, exercise room and locker rooms, baseball diamond, a conservatory overlooking four interlocking Koi ponds, and a private lake.

The unmatched luxury estate was listed and sold by Associate Ralph Randall of Luxury Portfolio member Dave Perry-Miller & Associates. See more details here.

One of the most affluent areas in the Midwest, the North Shore area of Illinois is comprised of several prosperous communities situated north of Chicago, on and just inland from Lake Michigan's western shore.  The area began to flourish decades ago as affluent citizens escaped the trappings of city life.

Several remarkable mansions were built in the area; including this architecturally significant estate in Lake Forest recently listed on LuxuryPortfolio.com.  The English Country estate was built in 1929 by architect Edwin Hill Clark.  Warm and inviting, the estate retains its classic design and feel, but has also been updated with modern features including professional appliances.  I really like the handmade plaster ceiling in the living room.  See more photos and details here.

Flower Peddler initially started out as a floral design business, but over the years has evolved and is know recognized as a unique and high-quality creator of bath and body products. The company found the perfect way to combine their love of nature and passion for creating experiential products in such aesthetically pleasing items as the Blue Ridge Berry all-vegetable handmade soap and Mocha Java Mint Scrub.

Luxury Portfolio is pleased to announce that Flower Peddler is sponsoring the first round of the Luxury Portfolio Blog Contest, which started last week!  

For more details about the contest, please contact Communications@LuxuryPortfolio.com

Visit the Flower Peddler website.

Kangen Water is not your typical glass of tap water or even comparable to a bottle of Evian. The unique water provides rich hydrating benefits to skin, increases absorption of vitamins and minerals, works to boost the body's immune system and slows the aging process of the skin!

Kangen is produced by a revolutionary Japanese water technology that turns everyday tap water into a healthier and more beneficial alkaline water that guarantees to do wonders for the mind and body. Luxury Portfolio Design Collection designer Linda Young of Miller Young Design has also incorporated the system into many of her projects and attests to its benefits and appeal.

Even if you don't see Kangen Water in your near future, their website offers interesting articles and videos.

This past Monday Dave Perry-Miller & Associates, an Ebby Halliday Company and one of the fine affiliates of Luxury Portfolio Fine Property Collection® in Dallas, Texas, enjoyed a visit from former President George W. Bush. Mr. Bush honored the office with a discussion about Dallas, as well as indulged his audience by generously taking pictures with many of the agents and staff – including Ebby herself!

The former president is a new Dallas resident, having purchased a home recently in the Preston Hollow area (see Dave Perry Miller's recent blog post about Preston Hollow) and coincidentally offices in Preston Center - the very same building as Dave Perry-Miller & Associates. Ebby Halliday also recently had the honor of awarding Laura Bush with the International Maura award for her contributions for Dallas area women and children.

A private beach with white sand imported from Egypt.  A five-acre pool with gondola rides.  Gold-plated mirrors on the bathroom floors.  These are just a few of the things that earn the new Mardan Palace in Antalya, Turkey the billing of grandest and most expensive hotel in Europe.

Russian billionaire Telman Ismailov spent over $1 billion to create the luxury hotel, which recently opened with a celebrity-studded event to showcase the opulence.  10 restaurants, 14 bars and cafes, and spa with offerings such as a 24-karat gold-leaf body wrap display the pinnacle of extravagance.  Luxurious accommodations feature multi-media systems and 24-hour butler service, while two "Royal Suites" boast private pools and more. 

See more of the amazing details on the hotel's official site.