From The Estate Manager's Desk //
The Constant Gardener // DAT PHAM
As the proprietor of Dalat Gardens, Dat designs some of the most gorgeous and prominent gardens in the Bay Area. Aside from his understanding of form, space, and design, he has a love affair with exotic palms and delicate succulents that hold up to the finicky San Francisco micro climates.
Historic Duck’s Nest is Handed Down to the Next Generation
Descendants of one of Palm Beach’s oldest families completed a real estate hand-off this week that included a $7 million deed transfer from one
A PA’s Big Night
February 2015. A Monday. I started my new job as a celebrity personal assistant. I had landed my dream job. I was in the
On the Move // Luxury Auto Transport
Especially for expensive, rare, or collector’s cars, finding a trustworthy and responsible shipper can provide security to owners, and peace of mind to Estate Managers every mile of the way.
Cold in July: On Location in The Hudson River Valley
Don Johnson is back; in a good way… In recent years he’s cultivated a new identity as a respected character actor, with roles for Robert
Update Your Employee Handbook
Your employee handbook should be reviewed annually to reflect the changing professional environment as well as the evolving preferences of your principal.
Monaco Took My Breath Away
On the first day of Monaco Yacht Show, I have to admit, it was quite overwhelming. This wasn’t Southampton Boat Show. This was altogether a different scale. There were hundreds of brokers, suppliers, designers and builders showcasing their wares. The marina was full of Super Yachts from 40m to 300m. Seeing them in the magazines you forget how large these are. Some were three stories high. The word yacht seems like the wrong word to describe these ships.
Finding a Private Service Position
Excerpt from the book, Insider’s Guide to Household Staffing, 2nd ed. Private Staffing Secrets They DO Want You to Know. When considering a career
Organizing a Wine Cellar
There is no such thing as the “right” way to organize a wine cellar, the possibilities are endless. The only “wrong way” is to not organize it at all.
Basel is an Action Sport
Miami has its own set of seasons, and the social season kicks off with Art Basel. It was a crazy week, for sure. By
Stocking America’s Kitchen // Williams – Sonoma
There are few people who have touched so many lives as my former employer W. Howard Lester. 20 years before I met Mr. Lester, I was enamored by his brand. When the Williams-Sonoma catalog came each month, I oogled the products, fantasized over the perfectly styled kitchens, and dreamed that one day I would make perfect spritzer cookies with my very own amazing Danish cookie press.
The New Global Assistant
What is a Virtual Assistant (VA)? In short(ish), a Virtual Assistantis generally an experienced self-employed administrative professional. A VA is a replacement for an
Dan Barber’s Blue Hill Yogurt
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from a ‘savory’ vegetable yogurt. Upon discovering Blue Hill Yogurt’s flavors include Beet, Parsnip, and Butternut squash, I was
Secure Storage // Museo Vault
Museo Vault is a state-of-the-art sleek storage facility that includes a viewing room that can be used for showing works, appraisals, restoration or photography and a gallery space.
Wynn Win // Loaning Fine Art
Whatever the reason your Principal may choose to loan a priceless work to a museum, as part of your due diligence as the Estate Manager, you should research and collect information on the transaction and create a detailed records file of the transaction.
The Weight of the Estate
Estate Managers, also called Majordomos or Director of Properties, manage the estates of wealthy families or individuals. Estate Management positions are some of the most highly sought after positions for Household Managers in the industry.
The Boys Are Back in Town
Vince, E, Turtle, and Johnny Drama partied for the cameras in Miami earlier this year during an Entourage shoot aboard the megayacht Usher in Miami.
Working the Red Carpet
Working a red carpet is really chaotic. People are screaming at your boss, flashbulbs are blinding and usually, there are special garment considerations for