Why You Need a Personal Chef and How to Hire One
There was a time when a personal chef was a luxury afforded only to presidents and royalty. These days many high-worth individuals have discovered the multitude of benefits that come along with employing a private chef including creating memorable feasts for you, your family, and guests.Personal chefs serve many purposes and answer a variety of questions. They fill in the gaps when we’re trying to delight guests with decadent dishes on a regular basis. Personal chefs solve the problem of providing healthy meals for a family while on an extended vacation in areas that might lack these restaurant options.Whether you entertain often or want to enjoy long trips without having to go to the grocery store every day, a personal chef could be your meal-prepping and planning solution. Reasons You Should Hire a Personal Chef There are many reasons to hire a personal chef, from time-saving to life-changing. No matter your reason for considering one, your chef should be an intimate companion in your kitchen. The best personal chefs lighten your load and help prepare for important gatherings, festive celebrations, and prolonged dietary needs, among other food-focused tasks. Save Time Time is a precious currency. We often spend it worrying about ingredients, menus, and how a meal will come together. Or fumbling through all of that. When you hire a personal chef, you can save your time for connecting with guests and family, choosing conversation and laughter instead of stress and fatigue.Why labor over a cookbook or stove when you can delegate those responsibilities to your chef? Why take hours searching for restaurants online when a personal chef can whip up a gourmet meal in 30 minutes? Create Memories Personal chefs help you turn a dinner party, anniversary, birthday, or other occasion into a memorable experience. They produce fare meant to impress, with unforgettable details stimulating all the senses. You get to sit back and mingle and make merry, taking in the entirety of the deliciousness with your guests. When was the last time you did that?Have you ever tried to put together an Instagram-worthy spread? Instead of scouring post after post for inspiration, leave it to a personal chef. Are you hosting a crowd for a fundraiser or holiday? Those events are what the experts throw their skills and passions into. Customize Menus Do you have a family member who needs vegan, vegetarian, or other specialized meals? Assign the customization to a personal chef. Want to add more protein or reduce the carbs in your daily dishes? Task that to your chef as well.The ability to customize menus on a whim or for the long term, and the flexibility afforded when feeding large groups with diverse dietary needs, make having a personal chef a game changer. How to Hire a Personal Chef Personal chefs are ideal for families with busy schedules, high social demands, and strict food requirements, but finding a great one that checks all your must-have boxes can be difficult. However, you can take steps to make the process easier.Determine your needs – Decide whether you desire a one-time hire or a longer commitment. Write down your dietary concerns and consider whether professional certification is important to you. Determine your budget.Search for candidates – Look through online culinary and personal chef directories. Browse individual chef and chef association websites. Ask family and friends for recommendations. Post a job opening at local culinary schools.Interview chefs – Meet with at least three strong candidates. Discuss their backgrounds and ask for at least two references from each. Inquire about a trial run or meal sample before signing a contract. What is the Difference Between a Private and Personal Chef? While researching experts, you may find many who call themselves private instead of personal chefs. Is there a difference? Yes. Ensure you know exactly what you want from a chef and what service each professional provides. Private Chef A private chef typically works with one client at a time on a full-time basis. He or she might do all the meal prep and planning for a single family every day of the week for months and years on end. Private chefs traditionally source and provide breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner, and even meals for entertaining, devoting all of their professional time to a specific household. Personal Chef Personal chefs have strong food backgrounds and are often graduates of prestigious culinary schools and programs. They usually work with several clients at once, becoming familiar with each one’s dietary needs and preferences as well as family and social requirements. Cons of Hiring a Personal Chef There are many benefits to hiring a personal chef, such as a lower risk of something going wrong at a social gathering and the increased well-being of a family who relies on an expert to provide healthy meals.Are there any cons to hiring a personal chef? Some might consider the amount of research involved in finding the perfect fit a negative part of the process. But, after the initial time spent, a personal chef could be one of the most beneficial additions to your home.Visit Distinctive Collection by Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate when you begin decide to buy or sell your luxury home.The post Why You Need a Personal Chef and How to Hire One appeared first on BHGRE Distinctive Collection.
Embrace Indoor-Outdoor Living
Now is the perfect time to embrace indoor-outdoor living. With some investment and planning, you can modify your property to take advantage of fantastic views, connect with nature, or create your dream entertaining and lounging space. From a screened porch to a poolside pavilion, the options are seemingly endless. Below, we review some of our favorite ways to make the most of your home’s indoor-outdoor living potential. Remodel a Terrace or PatioIf you already have an open-air patio or terrace, there are numerous ways to upgrade the space so that you can fully embrace indoor-outdoor living. Start by adding more lighting. From romantic vintage-inspired string lights to festive lanterns, lighting can significantly alter the mood of your space. Next, consider putting up a shade sail to protect your sitting or dining area if your terrace or patio is without cover. Leafy pergolas or open arbors are also terrific ways to add shade and beauty to existing terraces or patios.Building a fireplace or installing a sleek gas fire pit will make your outdoor living room inviting throughout the year. Just be sure to pick a design that references your home’s existing style so your remodeled patio feels like part of a cohesive plan. If a fire pit or fireplace is not possible, invest in some quality heaters to make your space more comfortable as temperatures cool. Adding a permanent outdoor kitchen and grilling station will also increase your ability to enjoy indoor-outdoor living. One of Southern Living’s favorite designs sees a “fully functional outdoor kitchen … discreetly tucked into its own area for ease in entertaining and dining outdoors.” The kitchen even features a “dishwasher so that [hosts] needn’t leave the party to begin clean-up.” And while reviewing plans, don’t forget to find a secure and stable location for a wood-fired or gas-powered pizza oven – one of the year’s most popular outdoor kitchen appliances. Finally, durable yet upscale furnishings are critical when creating an indoor-outdoor living space that will be an extension of your home. Designers suggest to Martha Stewart Living that homeowners should “look for fully upholstered outdoor sofas made in sturdy fabrics that can hold up to extra moisture, heat, or humidity.” Interior designer Alicia Murphy also recommends that homeowners incorporate “‘outdoor rugs and pillows that are textural and feel elevated enough that they could be in your living room, and really add a level of finish that makes the space feel complete.’” Design a Screened PorchOne of Martha Stewart Living’s favorite ways to enhance a home’s indoor-outdoor living potential is to design a screened porch. Jeff Rossen of Rossen Landscape suggests to the Magazine: “If you have a second-story deck, enclosing the area underneath can turn a dreary spot into a cozy outdoor living room; if you are adding an entirely new porch, Rossen recommends placing it behind your home and to the side for optimized flow.” The flooring and finishing materials will also have a significant impact on the ambiance of the new screened porch. For example, pavers will make the porch feel more like an outdoor patio, while wood flooring or tile covered by an indoor-outdoor area rug is more likely to feel like a continuation of your home. Your plans for the room will guide how you decorate the space and what fixtures are installed. Ceiling fans and inset ceiling heaters are clever additions that make your screened porch usable even when the temperature changes. If it is meant to be an entertaining space, consider what appliances need to be supported to make the area an ideal place for hosting celebrations or cozy get-togethers. Rossen confides to Martha Stewart Living that he “often installs masonry fireplaces, bar-ready plumbing, outdoor kitchens, recessed lighting, and televisions … for his residential clients” to make the new porches even more appealing. Create the Ultimate SunroomAre your rear windows providing enough natural light? Do you have the views of your gardens or pool that you want? Replacing your current windows to create the ultimate sunroom could be a terrific solution. My Domaine applauds: “A sunroom that opens into a covered outdoor living room beside a pool gives you the best of everything, and you’ll never have to call it an early night because of the rain.” Southern Living remarks that by adding “large sheets of glass [to] wrap the corners on upper floors” upstairs rooms will have access to enviable amounts streaming sunlight and sky views. Install Folding Glass WallsConsider linking your bedroom or living areas to surrounding landscape or water views by installing folding glass walls or moving wall systems. More comprehensive than sliding glass doors, these folding glass systems effectively remove the barrier between indoor and outdoor spaces. Picture creating a more dynamic relationship between your home and nature. Custom folding glass configurations, including curved or corner designs, allow your walls to effectively disappear whenever you want to relax in the open air or open your space up for entertaining. Modern systems offer nearly effortless operation. As an additional benefit, these high-performance systems when closed also provide better protection against escaping heat or air conditioning and are available with storm protection for coastal properties. Construct a Shaded PergolaIf you already have an outdoor dining area that you enjoy, upgrade it for improved indoor-outdoor living by framing it with a shaded pergola. The experts at Better Homes & Gardens reason: “Not only will it make your dining area cozier for your guests, but the overhead covering will provide welcome shade on hot, sunny days.” If the flooring is already concrete, tile, pavers, or crushed gravel, lay down an area rug under the dining furniture to visually enhance your outdoor dining room.Next, consider lighting. Better Homes & Gardens recommends “[hanging] a few lights from the pergola for a finished look that will allow you to continue using the space after the sun sets.” Vintage-inspired Edison string lights are a dreamy (and popular) option. However, if your goal is to create a more glamorous environment, hang a chandelier from one of the pergola’s sturdy overhead beams to illuminate your summer evening dinner parties. Build a Poolside PavilionDoes your property feature nautical themes and a coastal vibe? Recreating that atmosphere in a poolside cabana will perfectly tie your indoor and outdoor spaces together. To do that, Southern Living recommends renovating a cabana or building an “open-air pavilion” decorated in a “blue-and-white color scheme, canvas curtains, a porthole-style window, and lots of chairs for lounging [to] reflect [your] coastal style.” And if hosting is on your mind, consider installing a full outdoor kitchen inside the pavilion to maximize its potential. When it is finished, it will undoubtedly be your favorite place for pool parties, barbecues, and entertaining on warm spring and summer nights. Visit Distinctive Collection by Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate when you begin your journey to buy or sell your unique home.The post Embrace Indoor-Outdoor Living appeared first on BHGRE Distinctive Collection.
Stylish Contemporary Island Houses
When you think of coastal style, you rarely picture contemporary island houses. More often, what comes to mind are charming beach cottages or small, white-washed homes with tiled roofs. However, modern island abodes are starting to capture the imagination, in no small part because they effortlessly exemplify the best of sophisticated indoor-outdoor living. Read on as we explore the latest approach to marrying form and function in contemporary island houses. Light-Filled Communal SpacesOne of the first things you’ll notice about the interiors of contemporary island houses is that they are blessed with light-filled communal rooms. Upscale kitchens, opulent living rooms, and expansive music salons dazzle as sunlight bounces off exquisite finishings. At the recent Hambani Estates development in Jamaica (currently being sold through Better Homes & Gardens Jamaica), the developers took great care to create luxury villas with “a contemporary interpretation of classic design with expansive glass windows creating a solarium of living spaces inviting an abundance of natural lighting.” The result of these design goals is a wonderfully inviting villa that is infused with peaceful beauty.Even contemporary homes not blessed with island breezes are designed to bring in abundant natural light – and sometimes, starlight. In fact, one of My Domaine‘s favorite upscale modern homes is known as the “House Under the Sky.” A delightfully wide modern home, “Maydan Architects designed the home (a 5,000 square foot, six-bedroom, six-bathroom beauty) with the objective to be able to see the sky from anywhere in the house, so skylights were incorporated into the main living space, as well as the kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms.” Stunning! Indoor/Outdoor LivingWhen Sir Richard Branson bought Moskito Island in the British Virgin Islands, it was with an eye to building vacation villas and grand estates that could be rented for luxury getaways. Among these new properties is a contemporary island house known as Point Estate. Travel+ Leisure raves about this lavish retreat. It’s set beachside and makes the most of its locale with expansive folding glass walls that erase the divide between the interior’s oversized communal living hubs and the eye-catching natural wonders beyond the deck. The Magazine applauds the contemporary kitchen and spectacular bar, as well as the swoon-worthy infinity pool and ultra-comfortable accommodations (the estate can sleep 22 guests). But it’s “the home’s open-air seaside dining pavilion built over the cliff’s edge” that truly impresses. Floor-to-Ceiling Bedroom WindowsWhile moving glass systems may replace the walls of lower social spaces, many contemporary island houses also favor floor-to-ceiling windows for upper-level bedrooms. Naturally, for homes built near water, this grants upper floors access to cooling breezes and stunning views, such as the ones of Biscayne Bay that are enjoyed by what My Domaine calls a “San Marco Island Stunner.” The home is a “7,100+ square foot contemporary beauty with a heated infinity-edge pool and a rooftop deck equipped with a Jacuzzi” that overlooks the pristine waters of the Bay, the lush lawns, and, of course, the striking pool. Of course, you don’t need to live near the water to enjoy the connection with nature that oversized windows bring. Su Casa Design has created an extraordinary interior design with entertaining spaces and bedrooms that are every bit as impressive as the exterior. Luckily, as My Domaine reports, you don’t have to choose between the two experiences; “Thanks to … massive walls of windows … whether you’re inside or out, you’ll always get an eyeful of stellar, sweeping mountainous views.” Sleek-Yet-Natural KitchensWhile kitchens in beachside cottages typically have been small and more rustic, the kitchens in upscale contemporary island houses tend to feel bright, open, and refined. As The Spruce reveals, “with their sleek cabinetry and sophisticated color schemes, contemporary kitchens blend modern design with a minimalistic aesthetic to create a distinctive look that transcends trends.” Like the kitchens in the Hambani Estates villas, contemporary spaces are likely to feature “flat-front cabinetry, sleek fixtures, stone features, wood accents, and stylish tile.” One of The Spruce‘s favorite kitchen designs includes two-toned slab cabinet doors done in gray and white. “A hallmark of the contemporary style,” the cabinets are set against a “marble-patterned quartz countertop and matching backsplash [that] add both timeless beauty and practical function.” Walnut shelves and richly stained wood flooring help warm the space. All-white kitchens have long been a favorite for coastal and island houses, but they can feel a little cold visually, even on the balmiest of nights. Synergistic Development tells The Spruce that it solves that problem by “[using] natural stone features, such as the soapstone counters and slate backsplash, to warm up the entire space.” The steady stream of natural light during the day and the illumination from pendants at night will keep the space feeling airy and approachable. Warm and Cool Elements Contemporary island houses are being designed to expertly mix textures inside and out. My Domaine explains: “The trick to creating an inviting modern architecture home is to juxtapose warm and cool, which is what MV Group did to … Casa Costanera, by combining elements such as exposed concrete and EPAY woods.” As you move inside this gorgeous estate, you’ll see this mixture of elements everywhere. The cool feel of a marble waterfall kitchen island, dazzling backsplash, and steel-framed windows play against the warmth of the floor-to-ceiling wood cabinetry. Together these elements create visual interest and make the space feel even more inviting than the sensational Coco Plum views already would. Impressive ConnectionsStaircases can be extraordinary works of art, although they pose a conundrum for contemporary island houses. While the connection is necessary, should a staircase blend with the surroundings so that the views beyond aren’t interrupted, or should they make a statement? On occasion, the answer is both. Referred to as a “contemporary masterpiece,” a stunning Ocean Club Estates property on Paradise Island, Nassau (repped by Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate MCR Bahamas) answered the question of how to create a spectacular staircase without obstructing the ocean views. The developer built a “glass stairway leading to the second and third floors, backed by an amazing wall of glass.” In fact, the individual steps, panels, railing, and mid-way landing are all made from glass. This decision allows for continuous views from the living room, bar, and upper bedrooms – and at every point in-between.Expansive pools often sit between homes and the rest of the yard for easy access and privacy. While pathways may be built for lower-level access to the gardens, the upper floors are left to internal staircases. A homeowner in Italy puzzled over how to make an elegant (yet practical) connection to the upper floors from outside. And while the home is not on an island, the solution devised by Milad Eshtiyaghi Studio is acting as inspiration to many owners of contemporary island houses who long to create artful connections across their properties.In this case, the studio built what is known as “the Stairway House.” According to My Domaine, the designers crafted an awe-inspiring “stairway [that] crosses over the pool like a bridge, bringing access closer to the main entrance of the yard, while also creating a cool reflection in the pool.” The staggered stairway itself makes a statement in white as it gently climbs to the upper floor. But what is possibly more impressive is that it appears to float, as there are no heavy supports blocking the views. Visit Distinctive Collection by Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate when you begin your journey to buy or sell your unique home.The post Stylish Contemporary Island Houses appeared first on BHGRE Distinctive Collection.
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