Luxe Living

Reformed bad boy Christian Slater has just spent $2.2 million on a Italian-style villa in Coconut Grove, Florida. The property is a meticulously renovated 1926 estate on a lush, gated and secure street in the warm-weather, vacation home mecca of Coconut Grove, FL. The home, named ”Villa Dolce Far Niente” truly lives up to its name: an estate of blissful idleness. Perfect for lounging and enjoying the beautiful Florida weather.

The 3,440 square-foot property welcomes you with a long brick driveway and through a grand foyer entry. Dark hardwood floors lead you through arched doorways and french doors. An all-white eat-in kitchen includes statuary marble floors and stainless steel appliances. The formal living room features a fireplace and a dramatic dining room framed by arched mahogany french doors leading out to a very green and private outdoor area with patio and large heated pool.

Beyond the pool, a private, self-contained guesthouse has a full bedroom setup with a luxurious steam-shower in the bathroom.

Not too shabby, Mr. Slater.

First comes love, then come marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage…and “for sale” signs in the front yard. After a year that included a wedding and welcoming a new baby girl, Drew Barrymore has just listed her stunning yet understated Monetecito, CA estate for $7.5 million. Just last summer, Barrymore hosted a modest 190-person backyard wedding here to her art consultant husband Will Kopelman. In early June 2010, before she met Kopelman, and likely before she was marriage-minded, Barrymore purchased the home for $5,705,000.

The estate is a gorgeous 1937 traditional home on approximately two acres of secluded, lush grounds. The classic two-story estate features 6 bedrooms, 7.5 bathrooms, a separate guest apartment and ample parking. A walking path winds through the abundant gardens, citrus and avocado trees and expansive lawn to create a one-of-a-kind setting.

She may be “Maid in Manhattan,” but Jennifer Lopez loves the Hamptons enough to spend $10 million on a chic 3-acre spread in Water Mill, NY.

First reported by the New York Post, Lopez, along with her young boyfriend Caspar Smart and her twins Max and Emme, were seen multiple times touring the property before Lopez officially dropped $10 million for the 8-bedroom, 7.5 bathroom, 8,500 square foot custom home.

Lopez’s new purchase is the perfect summer retreat with every amenity she and her family need including a sparkling pool, pool house, theater, sauna, steam room and covered porches. The light, bright Hamptons beach house is perfectly private and situated on a secluded cul-de-sac. The property features the gorgeous main home, as well as room for J-Lo to build a guest house and tennis court, if she’s so inclined.

This news comes on the heels of yesterday’s scoop that ex-husband Marc Anthony just spent $2.5 million on a new home in Encino, CA. Coast-to-coast, the former duo is buying up some high-priced real estate!

Got $5 Million? If so, you could be singing ‘It’s 5 o’clock somewhere” from the deck of Alan Jackson‘s stunning Smithville, Tennessee lake house. According to the Wall Street Journal, Alan Jackson and his wife are selling their longtime lakefront spread because “their three daughters have grown older and they don’t use the house as often as a family.” Additionally, Jackson and his wife Denise are re-evaluating their plans for the future after she beat cancer last year.

If the Jackson family is aiming for a simpler life, than it’s a no-brainer that they are selling this tricked-out waterfront home that features a 5-bedroom Hamptons-style main residence, a 4-bedroom guesthouse, a 1 bedroom cabin, a 2-story houseboat, private boat dock and a helipad atop a 3-car garage!

If that’s not enough, the for-sale Jackson family spread also includes a 1-acre building site. The magnificent, gated property clocks in at 3.5 acres and features breathtaking views and would be prime real estate for a well-heeled family who may want to create their very own vacation compound.

Rick French of French Christianson Patterson and Associates and Rick Moeser of Christie’s International Real Estate have the listing.

Sylvester Stallone and third wife/former model Jennifer Flavin are selling their vacation home in the resort town of La Quinta, CA for $4,500,000, according to The Real Estalker. The duo paid the exact same sum for the Addison Mizner-inspired Mediterranean-style villa in January 2010. In November 2011, the home was listed at $4,300,000, but within 10 days, the price tag jumped $200,000 to its current figure.

Offered fully-furnished in the exclusive Madison Club, this home embodies Mizner’s approach to blending the simple elegance of Spanish architecture with the fanciful Mediterranean style. The home features 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms and is a sprawling 5,173 square feet. A private and gated courtyard leads to the front door that then opens to a living room and dining room and entertaining space with wood floors, stone fireplace, sitting areas and windows that slide open to reveal the swimming pool and outdoor kitchette.

The Madison Club, according to its own website, was designed “in the tradition of California’s classic old-line country clubs.” Luxury amenities include 24-7 private security, concierge services, a 56,000 square foot clubhouse with several dining options, movie theater, billiard room, fitness center with men’s and women’s locker room, full-service spa facility and outdoor swimming pool complex. A croquet lawn and numerous terraces with fire pits and quiet seating areas surround the sprawling clubhouse that overlooks a meandering pond and immaculate Tom Fazio-deisgned course.

Homeowner’s association dues for this home are $1,600 per month.

So who’s looking to vacation like the president of the US of A? Better yet, who wants to call that place home?

Presidents tend to select the most exclusive and relaxing locations for a much needed R & R. Just earlier this year, the Clintons chose a private beach estate in the East Hamptons for their week-long getaway.

For the past three years, our now-president Barack Obama has chosen a more laid-back, country ambiance for his family vacations and has headed to Massachusetts to unwind at Blue Heron Farm, a 13,327 sqft, 13 bedroom, 12.5 bath Martha’s Vinyard estate.

Lucky for us, recent reports revealed this compound, owned by Republican businessman William Van Devender, has now officially hit the market for $23.7 million.

The 28.5-acre, incredibly exclusive waterfront compound sits in Chilmark on Tisbury Great Pond and is made up of five main building structures including not one, but two full-size homes – 5,118 sq ft and 3,718 sq ft.  This estate is truly a horse lover’s dream come true! Its beautifully renovated facilities include an eight-stall horse barn that was physically relocated from Pennsylvania and completely rebuilt on the property, an Olympic dressage arena, and six grass paddocks.

Relax poolside in the property’s water view pool with hot tub or enjoy various recreational activities such a par 3 golf course, tennis court, half basketball court, horseshoes, lawn bowling or water sports on Tisbury Great Pond which opens to the great Atlantic. This home appeals to both the active and more relaxed resident, offering the best of both worlds for whatever your mood may be!

So, these are some pretty big vacay shoes to fill, wouldn’t you say? Now that the Obama’s fave spot will no longer be available, where do you think they should vacation next?