The Solstice Collection
This is a continuation of Susan Kime's article 'Vacation Visions: Exceptional Exterior and Interior Designs of Residence and Destination Clubs'. The first part is available here or you can skip directly to a specific company by clicking on their name below:
Quintess
Ultimate Resort
Calistoga Ranch
The Weybridge Collection
The Villas at The Grand del Mar
The Solstice Collection
One of the most substantially architecturally significant destination clubs to date is The Solstice collection, as its founder, Graham Kos, has collected some of the most architecturally significant homes in the Destination Club industry. Contemporary architects, like Scott Lindenau, designed one of their Aspen properties, and Al Beadle, a great architect of the 50-s and 60’s, built their new Arizona residence, and Michaelanagelo himself built the façade of their Florence residence, on the Piazza Signoria, near the Uffizi gallery. Shay Kos, was assigned to create interiors at that would rival the grand exteriors, a daunting task.
“Because I was fortunate enough to help sculpt the Solstice vision: one that encapsulates discovering the most significant homes in the best locations, the interiors had to be done with the same exacting standards from which the vision was created.” Shay comments, “ These interiors were not designed in a day! It has taken a LONG time, because we do not settle. Although granted, it would be easier!!”
“ For example, our Paris residence has some of my favorite objects, many of which were purchased in the Paris Flea Market. I love the iron piece that hangs above the La Cornu Stove ( we have an image of this). I believe it was the decorative part of a gate at a French country home. There are three other architectural pieces that work so well within this eclectic context: dormer windows that I had made into mirrors for the dining room that work so well; the pair of 18th century Chinese cabinets flanking the fireplace., and the antique mannequin arms and hands that I have wrapped around some old books and a candle stick! The large wall clock in Paris office had to be bolted and hung from a ceiling beam as it was too heavy to hang directly on the wall! They are all so different, yet all work well together – creating a diverse, comfortable environment for our members.”
Carolynn Rockafellow, a Solstice member, agrees with Shay, especially about the Paris residence. “ Because of its location – on the Isle St. Louis, right across the street from a large church, in such an exclusive area, along with understated, neutral yet elegant furnishings, along with the best cooking utensils available --- because of all these things, the Paris residence, for me, exudes a certain magic. Whenever I go there, it feels as if I am coming home, and I always feel, when I leave, that I can’t wait to come back. And really, in the Paris residence and in all other Solstice locations my family and I have visited, there is not a chair or sofa that is not comfortable”.
Shay understands the meaning of comfort, and how necessary it is for the members to feel at home. “The design of the Napa property was inspired largely by some very comfortable furnishings I found in the Paris Flea Market. It was funny because I bought the furniture, then Graham designed a house around it! What he started with was an idea for a typical Tuscan wine country home. What we are finalizing is more of an industrial contemporary, yet very clean and comfortable home. The materials for the residence are from a historic Texas stone fort, reclaimed wood floors, metal window & doors, and concrete floors.”
“The more I travel, the more I see, the more sources I come across and the more inspiration I have. Everywhere I go I find inspiration. Design is everywhere. It never stops and never gets old. There are always new and exciting things if you pay attention. With every home comes a lesson of what worked and what could have been better.”
Continue to
Quintess
Ultimate Resort
Calistoga Ranch
The Weybridge Collection
The Villas at The Grand del Mar
The Solstice Collection
Articles
Art:
Fractional art donations prove charity starts at home
Boats & Yachts:
Fractionalize This
Classic Cars:
Classic Car Club Feature
Getting the most out of your fractional ownership experience
Why Not Rent?
You've Always Loved Cars?
Fractional Life hits Le Mans
Destination Clubs:
Savings through Foreign Exchange
Fractional Finance Solutions
Destination Clubs- an alternative?
Fractional Ownership Heads to Europe
Private Residence Club Perspective Part 1
Quintess
Ultimate Resort
Calistoga Ranch
The Weybridge Collection
The Villas at The Grand del Mar
The Solstice Collection
Vacation Visions: Exceptional Exterior and Interior Designs of Residence and Destination Clubs
Why the Boomers will change second home ownership in the US
Middle East Leisure Real Estate Market Booming
Bear Mountain Resort - A View from Paradise
New Association For Fractional Ownership
The New Vacation: A Time to Retune, Re-Connect
Helicopters:
Flying without Wings
Racehorses:
A Horse by The Name of Fractional Life
Running Down a Dream
Corporate Hospitality:
So Long to the Suite Life
Hotels:
Savings through Foreign Exchange
Aircraft & Jets:
Can't afford that jet? Rent it
How Private Aviation Works
Private Clubs:
What are the ingredients for the ideal Private Residence Club?
Savings through Foreign Exchange
Fractional Finance Solutions
Property:
Savings through Foreign Exchange
Fractional Finance Solutions
Fractional Property- the legal issues
Fractional Property Regulation
Fractional Ownership? We'll have a piece
Keep The Door Open
Why Fractional Property?
The Benefits of Fractional Ownership in Private Residence Clubs
Middle East Leisure Real Estate Market Booming
New Association For Fractional Ownership
Saving Homes, Homeowners and Banks Through Fractional Ownership?
Lifestyle:
Savings through Foreign Exchange
Convergence in the Fractional marketplace
The stock market for songwriters
Supercars:
Eco-road-warriors- How will the supercar club line-up of the future change?
Fresh metal- What's new on the supercar front?
So Why Not Buy?
You've Always Loved Cars?
Supercars- The cars of 2006/7
Let's Take The Lamborghini
Fractional Life hits Le Mans
Ascari Racing Festival Weekend
Fractional Supercars at the MPH Show
GROUP20 The SuperCar Club announce their 2007 Road Show in aid of Children In Need
New supercar club with green credentials
Luxury Motorhomes:
Denver RV show ready to roll
Vinevards & Wine:
Wine
