One of the things I appreciate most about luxury homes in Palos Verdes is the use of timeless materials during the construction. Marble, limestone, granite, quartz, and hardwood floors will last for generations to come. The initial choices (and expense) are more than justified by the longevity of the materials.

I had the pleasure of living in a 1929 home in St. Petersburg, Florida. The wood floors were original and beautifully restored by the previous owner. The bathroom tiles were original as were the pedestal sinks. I upgraded the kitchen with a professional Wolf six-burner stove, a commercial Traulsen refrigerator/freezer, and a stainless steel dishwasher. The enormous walk-in pantry was my favorite part of the kitchen and required no updates. The original cabinets in the kitchen and breakfast room stayed. Had I lived in the home a few years longer, I would have replaced the tile countertops with quartz, but other than that the kitchen was perfect for years to come.

1929 Florida house

The home was nearly sixty years old when I became its owner/caretaker. Other than converting the third-floor ballroom to a master bedroom suite, I made very few changes to the property. No landfill dumpsters were required except for the well-worn appliances. Thanks to the timeless design, the red tile roof (original) the ensuite bedrooms, and other architectural elements, the structure’s design and function were based on solid and sustainable principles.

On the other hand, I lived in a new spec home in Naperville, a suburb of Chicago, when the area was experiencing explosive suburban growth. The floors were covered with wall to wall carpeting–long gone I’m confident, the kitchen cabinets were attractive enough but soon began to show wear and tear–I’m reasonably certain they are long gone as well. The kitchen and bathroom tiles were trendy rather than classic–long gone would be my bet. I’m sure the roof has been replaced a time or two. One thing I’m sure of is the home was built for a quick sale, rather than sustainability.

A Palos Verdes remodel underway

I love it when I see a luxury home designed to last a lifetime or two.

Sold by Charlemagne International Properties

Contact Norma Toering 310.493.8333 or No***@*******************es.com for more information about buying or selling a Palos Verdes luxury home.