Saturday, November 23, 2024
HomeOPULENCE & SPLENDOUR

OPULENCE & SPLENDOUR

Oiling up brings the Karma a Destino

Could a V8 engine save the Fisker brand?   Yesterday, FoxNews.com asked: “Can the internal combustion engine save the electric car?” and answered: “In the case of the Fisker Karma, it just might be”.   We last wrote...

Lord of the Bond

The sale of a £400,000 castle owned by a man who was an inspiration for the creation of James Bond’s nom de plume Sir Hilary Bray, Bt and for many elements of 007's character...

Five of the best: Homes suitable for the Beckhams

As David and Victoria Beckham continue their search for a new home in London, The Steeple Times suggests five of the best options   This morning, yet more “sources close to David and Victoria Beckham” were...

New York’s priciest pad

The sale of a $125 million penthouse on the top three floors of The Pierre In London this week, the Evening Standard announced that a 50,000 square foot Grade I listed Regency house, 18 Carlton...

Mccreedy's quintessence

Thomas James chats with artist Conor Mccreedy   The quintessence of any artist is what distinguishes them from others. So, when I met with Conor Mccreedy to ask him about his, he begins by reading me...

It's a matter of being first

The world’s most expensive registration plate comes to London   The world’s most expensive registration plate is currently gracing the streets of London on a dark red Rolls-Royce Phantom.     The owner of the plate, which features no...

Living like Lennon

The former home of John Lennon and his first car come to the market   After passing their driving test, most young people start with a clapped out Mini or a bashed up Beetle. John Lennon,...

Proof that “The Best 4x4xFar” just keeps on going

The sale of a 40-year old Range Rover Classic   Just as Land Rover Jaguar have launched their fourth generation Range Rover L405, South Kensington garage Hexagon Classics are selling a much earlier example, a Range...

Collecting a view

The sale of a 15,000 square foot Hamptons home complete with a private island and a room with a truly spectacular view   Andrew Zaro is a collector with a difference. This philanthropist and Democratic donor...

For the love of Alfa

£1.8 million Alfa Romeo to be auctioned at the Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed sale   The Bonhams auction that coincides with the Goodwood Festival of Speed always features rare and impressive vehicles, but a 1934...

Saab: It’s what a car should be

An auction of 78 of the last Saabs to be made   Jeremy Clarkson once commented: “Buying a Saab is like turning down Cindy Crawford for a Labrador” and in turn as consumers followed his lead,...

Taking a view

The sale of a historic £22 million residence on London’s Cheyne Walk   Cheyne Walk in Chelsea is amongst the addresses that an estate agent would describe as “the most sought after in London”. Up there...

Video of the week: Bond’s Range

The launch of the 2014 Range Rover Sport   Tomorrow, 26th March 2013 at 7.30pm EDT, the 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport will be unveiled at the 113th New York Motor Show. In a departure...

Spying bees

A review of the St. Ermin’s Hotel   I first visited the St. Ermin’s Hotel close to Scotland Yard in St James’s in June 2012 for the first Intelligence Book of the Year Awards. Today, I...

We're still at The Sherry

The $95 million apartment of the world’s richest travel agent remains for sale after six months of marketing   The Sherry-Netherland is one of New York’s finest skyscraper apartment-hotels and one of the city’s best known...

Over Pegged

A 1954 Pegaso Z-102 fails to sell at Amelia Island   Earlier this week we reported that a one-off Spanish supercar, a Pegaso Z-102 Series II cabriolet by Saoutchik, was to go to auction at the...

Five of the best: Treehouses

Five of the best palaces in the trees   When one thinks of treehouses, one generally imagines pretty rudimentary creations built out of old boards and bits of rope. Now, though, treehouses are becoming more and...

Incurring no wrath

Images of Rolls-Royce’s latest model, the Wraith, are leaked ahead of its Geneva debut   When someone “incurs your wrath”, they make you angry but with the addition of an ‘I’ the word comes to be...

Pining for a Pegaso

A rare Spanish made supercar heads to auction at Amelia Island   Spain is not a country that one naturally associates with supercars but between 1951 and 1958, Pegaso, a company known for producing buses, trucks...

Till death do us part

The sale of a $100 million Californian estate with a catch   If you were to spend $100,000,000 on a house, you’d expect something impressive. I imagine you’d want acreage, vast amounts of space and something...

Rapid brakes

The revival of the shooting brake   The 2012/2013 shooting season may well be over, but one of Italy’s finest automotive design houses, Bertone, are about to showcase a shooting brake they have created to coincide...

Reduced times

The tale of a pioneer landowner reduced to bankruptcy and a Baywatch babe fighting off her debtors   Former Baywatch babe turned animal rights campaigner Pamela Anderson purchased 23445 Malibu Colony Drive in Malibu, California in...

A Smart move

The sale of the home of a circus heir and the revival of Billy Smart's Circus   Billy Smart, Sr. (1894 – 1966), a travelling showman and father of 10 children (he was himself one of...

Bang, Bang, Snap, Snap

The sale of The Duchess of Cambridge’s uncle’s holiday villa, La Maison de Bang Bang   Just as it is reported that the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge is said to be furious about photographers having managed...

Five of the best: Ideas for Valentine’s Day

Five ways to please someone special on Valentine’s Day   With Valentine’s Day nearly upon us, we offer five suggestions for gifts for ladies, gents and to enjoy together. Naturally, there’s something for all budgets.   For her:   Bougie...

Video of the Week: Roughing up a Rolls

A video clip of a Rolls-Royce Phantom in a far from typical setting   This week’s video of the week was sent to us by Anthony Brown and features a most unusual use of a Rolls-Royce...

Whisky, drama and power

Eilean Aigas: a Scottish island that has been the retreat of aristocrats, authors and international business moguls   Scots-Canadian tycoon Brendan Clouston supposedly invested some £20 million in creating a spectacular mansion on a 67-acre island...

Five of the best: Holiday rentals

Five of the best places to escape to with family and friends in 2013   Farmhouse, Blackberry Farm, Walland, Tennessee, USA Crafted of materials from an 1800s Pennsylvania bank barn, this classic American farmhouse forms part of...

Legged off

Fashion writer Jacinta de Vere looks into the perils of wearing leggings, jeggings and meggings   What is up with women who assume leggings paired with a short top or crop jacket is a good idea...

Wintering with the elite

Thomas James explores the winter holiday destinations of the jetset   The season is upon us and I like to think the thing that is most cherished of all this time of year is creating memories...

Hallowed Be Thy Name

Andreas Kirchberger captures guests and performers at a private view of Zoobs: Hallowed Be Thy Name   On 31st October, Mews42 gallery and Northacre Plc hosted a private view titled Zoobs: Hallowed Be Thy Name in...

An evening of champions

Andreas Kirchberger captures guests and performers at the Champions in the Community fundraising dinner   On Thursday 10th November 2012, Gina and Alan Miller and The Rt. Hon. Iain Duncan Smith MP hosted a dinner...