Luxury Portfolio
Lab-grown diamonds’ sustainability shines bright
By LISA KLEIN Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but mining for them is no friend to the environment or the communities that are affected by them. Ethical issues with mined diamonds have led to an increasing interest in versions of the timeless gemstones that come from another source – the lab. “The lab-grown diamond industry is rapidly growing,” said Mona Akhavi, CEO of VRAI, one such producer based in Los Angeles.
Designer Andrea Monath Schumacher celebrates living vibrantly in her first book of interiors
By LISA KLEIN Andrea Monath Schumacher has been creating personality-filled spaces for over two decades. Last week she released her first book, Vibrant Interiors: Living Large at Home, detailing six playful projects that embody the layered and bold yet balanced style of her design firm, Andrea Schumacher Interiors, based in Denver, Colorado, with a new outpost in Santa Barbara, California. Below, she discusses her design philosophy and new adventure as a book author with Luxury Portfolio.
Soak cares away with a step into Finnish sauna culture
By LISA KLEIN Saunas are enjoyed by people all over the world who want to work up a relaxing sweat, but nowhere is the practice as important and ingrained in daily life than where it originated: Finland. Travelers to the Nordic nation in northern Europe have a unique chance to experience sauna culture, and its health benefits, for themselves. “The word sauna comes from Finland,” said Carita Harju, executive director of Sauna From Finland, an organization that promotes the practice globally.
Harnessing the charm of the orchid at home
By LISA KLEIN The orchid is one of the most highly prized blooms, grown and revered for its good looks and sometimes elusive nature. Although they have a reputation for being fickle, there are so many varieties of orchids that they can be grown in nearly any greenhouse and even in outdoor gardens outside of tropical climes. “Orchidaceae are the largest and most diverse family of flowering plants on Earth with over 28,000 species,” said Bruce Rogers, author of The Orchid Whisperer: Expert Secrets for Growing Beautiful Orchids, the title of which includes his nickname in the industry.
LuxeSelect June 2022: Curated homes starting at $3 million
LuxeSelect is a monthly feature showcasing homes from Luxury Portfolio International® members around the world starting at $3 million USD. One Of The Finest Properties In The Northern Palm BeachesUSD $55,000,000Jupiter, Florida, USAIllustrated Properties Real Estate, Inc. WEB ID: MHJA Waterfront Estate on Saint ThomasUSD $24,000,000St.
50K
Properties marketed annually
550
Brokerages in the network
$55.8B
Current website inventory
$2.5M
Average property value