Celebrity Pads ~ Gianni Versace's former Miami mansion

 
The new owners of the South Beach mansion where Gianni Versace lived and died said Tuesday that they hope to use the Italian fashion designer's name and legacy in rebranding the property as a hotel.
VM South Beach LLC bid $41.5 million for the oceanfront property on Miami Beach's touristy Ocean Drive. The company's principals include the Nakash family of New York, which controls Jordache Enterprises.

Joe Nakash, chairman of Jordache Enterprises, said he expects to retain all the vestiges of Versace's time in South Beach in the 1990s - the snake-haired Medusa heads, a swimming pool inlaid with 24-karat gold tiles, gold-plated bathroom fixtures, custom-made mosaic floorings and frescos and the throngs of tourists who still routinely stop to have their picture taken on the front steps where the designer was slain.

Though the Versace family hasn't owned the oceanfront mansion since 2000, auctioneers hoped the designer's legacy would attract potential buyers.




The mansion has been officially named Casa Casuarina for more than a decade, operating first as a private club and then as a boutique hotel until earlier this year. But locals still refer to it as 'the Versace mansion.'

It was initially listed for sale at $125 million last year. The asking price dropped to $75 million by June, and Nakash said he had been prepared to offer that much for the property.
'Have you ever been inside? You will understand how beautiful it is. The art, the pool, everything,' Nakash said.


Versace and an entourage of celebrity friends that included Madonna, Cher and Elton John helped change South Beach from a retirement community known as 'God's waiting room' to the party-centric, international tourist destination it is today.
The designer bought a neglected three-story, Mediterranean-style home, originally built in 1930 by Standard Oil heir Alden Freeman, and a dilapidated hotel next door in 1992 and spent $33 million on renovations. The 23,000-square-foot mansion has 10 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms and an open-air courtyard.

 

Versace was fatally shot in 1997 by serial killer Andrew Cunanan, who later shot himself as a police search closed in on him.

10 Things You Should Be Doing To Your Home In SPRING!

We're all aware of the idea of Spring cleaning (whether or not we do it - we mean REALLY do it - is another story). If you're ready to delve in, we've got some tips for Spring cleaning, plus a few other Spring things you should be doing to your home. Ready to Spring forward?

1. Sell something
When the weather gets warmer, it's time for a garage sale. Gather up all your unwanted stuff and put it out on the lawn. Might as well make some money for that old, ugly chair you're embarrassed to put in your living room.

2. Donate something
Take everything that doesn't sell over to a local charity. Not only will you be doing a good deed for people in need, but your donation is also tax deductible.

3. Trash something
If you have large items that cannot be sold or donated, you don't have to live with them taking up all the space in your garage. Haul ‘em out. Many cities will schedule a large trash pickup one time a year, while others have sites where you can drop off for free. Check with your local city for options.

4. Clean something
The concept of spring cleaning isn't about your normal program of vacuuming and dusting. It's time to go deep. Move furniture and clean underneath and behind. Those are some world-class dust bunnies. Pull back the blinds and clean the windows. And while you're at it, clean the blinds. They're gross.

5. Scrub something
It's a good time to get to those things that need a little extra effort. That weird spot in the shower you've been watching grow? Zap it for good. Clean out your washing machine. Yes, they actually make washing machine cleaner. Irony is good, and so is a sparkling clean washing machine.

6. Organize something
The closets you've been ignoring? It's time. Really. Plan your attack and go for it. You never know what you'll find in there that you've been missing (or forgot about). And cleaning out your closets are also a great way to find items to sell and donate (see #1 and #2).
7. Renew something
That ugly chair that didn't sell at your garage sale? Maybe you could pretty it up with some paint or fabric? With a little time and effort, you might actually create a new favorite piece.
8. Plant something
Spring is the time to get your garden in gear. Flowers, bulbs, and certain veggies thrive in Spring. Urban Farmer has a great seed calendar, and see Huffington Post for vegetable planting ideas.

9. Update something
Paint colors stuck in a decade-old funk? It's time for a fresh coat. Check out Benjamin Moore for the latest trends in paint colors.

10. Upgrade something
Maybe it's just time to chuck it all and move. The Spring buying season is upon us, after all. If you are thinking of moving, remember that all the same rules apply for getting your home sale-ready as they do for getting Spring ready. So, basically, you're not going to be able to get around that whole shower scrubbing thing!

10 Ways To Spruce Up Your Home for UNDER $100

1. Update your bathroom. You can change your faucets and fixtures out. Local building stores have many styles for under $100. Most are designed for easy DIY installation, using only basic tools. It's a great way to add to your minor bathroom renovations.  Buy new hand towels in a bright colour. Nothing cheers up a bathroom faster and more easily. If you still have some cash left, throw in some matching facecloths and bath towels too, perhaps in a contrasting shade. Finish with a matching bathmat and it will look like you had a major bathroom renovation.  Most shower curtains tend to get tattered after a while. Treat yourself to a new one and buy some pretty shower curtain rings - either plastic ones in a cheery colour or sleek chrome ones. Finish off with a tieback made with an oversized tassel.

2. Get your carpets cleaned. Yeah, it seems like a no-brainer, but it's an easy fix that can make a big difference in how you feel about your home. Stains just not coming out? A throw rug can help ground the room or create a focal point. Check your favorite home décor store, or try Costco, which sometimes has 8x10 rugs for $99.

3. Paint something. Paint everything! I talk about the power of paint all the time, and how a simple can of color can help transform a space. For $30, you can turn a drab room into a dramatic room, take a too-bold space down a notch or turn a boring bedroom into as romantic lair. All it takes is a trip to the local paint or big box store, a steady hand, and a few rolls of tape.

4. Buy some new drapes. Think it's too expensive? These drapes from Target start under $20.
And they come in two other colors and a couple of different sizes.


5. Paint your front door. Don't underestimate the impact it can have on your curb appeal. Not sure of what color to go? Either freshen up the existing color, or chose something that coordinates well with the trimmings of your home.

6. Plant some flowers. Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can pretty up your yard without too much effort or money. Check out this easy spring planting guide from P. Allen Smith.

7. Inject some color. Hate your couch or need to freshen it up? I've been there. But when $2,000 isn't in the budget, a throw and a few pillows can make a world of difference. HomeGoods and TJ Maxx are great options for affordable décor. Or hit up online marketplace Overstock, where these statement zebra print pillows start at $20.

8. Get new furniture for the backyard. You don't have to buy a full-blown set. Look at these colorful chairs from Lowes. They're plastic, which makes them easy to care for, and they're $18, which makes them easy on the budget.

9. Jazz up your table. If your dining room table has seen better days, refinish it. Stain or paint can give it a whole new look, as long as you're willing to put in a little elbow grease. A sander can make the job easier, and you can get an entry-level version for about $50.

10. Celebrate the season. Any season. In Spring, give your home an instant lift with a centerpiece of tulips. Or paint a piece of furniture bright yellow. You can't be unhappy when you're walking past a yellow table.
With a little effort and a little money, you can make updates to your home that will make it feel fresh again.  Also, if you are looking to SELL your home this spring these updates will make a world of a differnce for the staging. When homes are presented beautifully, they SELL!

Best,
Kandiss