Explore 5 Stunning Latin American Homes in Celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, explore five stunning homes for sale across Latin America, each reflecting their region’s rich culture, beauty, and history.

Mexico – Casa Nido

Located within the exclusive Gated Community of Casa Nido, this stunning residence is one of just nine luxurious homes in the area. Upon entering the residence, visitors are greeted by a welcoming hall that leads to a spectacular library with hardwood floors and a sculptural black marble fireplace, setting the tone for the rest of the house. The main floor features a multifunctional area for an office or guest room, while the kitchen, equipped with top-of-the-line Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, is designed for culinary mastery. The dining room, complete with a wine and cigar refrigerator, opens to the central garden and terrace, which feature a fire pit and grill.. Upstairs, the master suite offers views of a mature tree canopy, a luxurious dressing room, a bathroom with marble finishes, and a jacuzzi. Two secondary bedrooms can be joined or separated by a retractable wall, each with its own bathroom, dressing room, and private terrace.

Dominican Republic – Four Seasons Tropicalia

The Four Seasons Private Residences Tropicalia in the Dominican Republic is home to a luxurious three-bedroom flat designed by Isay Weinfeld, one of Brazil’s most renowned architects. Blending tropical modern design with materials inspired by the island’s native and colonial history, this residence offers flow-through interiors, stunning ocean views, and a private plunge pool. Residents enjoy full access to the amenities of Four Seasons Resort Dominican Republic, including concierge services, world-class dining, a spa, fitness facilities, racquet courts, and a yoga pavilion.

Chile – Vitacura Residence

In the exclusive Vitacura neighborhood of Santiago de Chile, renowned architect Jorge Figueroa has designed a luxurious home that offers panoramic views of the city and an adjacent golf course. Spread across three levels, it includes a living area, office, wine cellar, cinema room, and sauna. Outside, the beautifully illuminated garden surrounds a pool with views over the golf course, complemented by a barbecue area and pool house—ideal for outdoor gatherings with family and friends.

Costa Rica – Ocean View Residence

This newly constructed luxury home takes full advantage of breathtaking ocean views from its top two levels. On the second floor, an open-air pool patio that perfectly blurs the line between indoor and outdoor living. This level includes the main suite, complete with an ocean view, and two additional bedrooms offering comfort and tranquility. On the top floor, a spacious kitchen and living area are designed to maximize sweeping ocean vistas. The expansive outdoor patio is ideal for entertaining guests, with the oversized kitchen island serving as the centerpiece for gatherings. Another bedroom on this floor offers ample room for relaxation. The bottom level of the home presents a blank slate, ready for customization.

Brazil – Casa da Luz

Located on a cliff at Praia do Espelho, Bahia, Casa da Luz, “the house of light,” is a stunning blend of nature and modern design. The home preserves the local environment with its separate blocks connected by a central atrium. Featuring a sand garden and royal poinciana tree, the atrium serves as the heart of the home, which boasts glass walls, a veranda, pool, and jacuzzi. The bedrooms overlook native trees and face the sunrise, offering a peaceful retreat.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Gardens Worthy of the Impressionists

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

150 years after impressionism changed the art world, the painterly gardens that inspired its famous artists continue to influence architects and designers, writes Mandi Keighran

Claude Monet’s waterlily paintings are among some of the world’s most celebrated impressionist works. To the artist himself, however, they weren’t his greatest achievement. Rather, it was the garden in Giverny, France, where he lived and painted for 43 years. “My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece,” he once said. It has been 150 years since the radical exhibition in Paris that launched impressionism on the world—celebrated by the National Gallery of Art’s new show, “Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment”—but impressionistic gardens remain as appealing as ever.

The gardens the impressionist artists painted were considered just as radical as their works on canvas. In contrast to the formal geometries of the classical gardens that dominated Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries, the impressionists celebrated a less structured approach. Luxurious homes, contemporary and historic alike, continue to embrace this style today—think ponds and pools nestled within gardens dominated by vibrant splashes of seasonal color and texture. 

Take, for example, a home currently on the market in Santa Rosa, California. Situated on 13 acres in the rolling hills of Sonoma Wine Country, the lush gardens feature winding paths and cascading beds planted with native grasses and wildflowers that frame a swimming pool—showcasing how an impressionistic garden can complement the clean, architectural lines of a contemporary home.

Caragh House in Kildare, Ireland, meanwhile, has a similarly impressive garden, set around a charming historic country abode that was built in 1880. Here, rose bushes wrap around patio supports and adorn the picturesque white walls of the home, offering splashes of brilliant color within the landscape. The interior borrows this view, with enormous windows that frame the garden and large doors that open out to dissolve the line between inside and out.

Award-winning British garden designer Jo Thompson is renowned for her impressionistic approach, which embraces romance and imaginative color combinations. “Planting is soft, relaxed in manner and painterly in style,” she says of her gardens. “Houses are allowed to settle into their space, while nature settles in all around.”

To create a garden worthy of the impressionists, Thompson advocates retaining a “touch of mystery” to offer moments of surprise and delight as the garden reveals itself. “You can do this even in a tiny courtyard by abandoning the standard rule that high planting goes at the back and low at the front,” she explains. “Bringing a flower bed closer to the window and filling it with tall plants that have ‘naked’ stems—such as the spindly, purple-flowered Verbena bonariensis—will create a gorgeous haze that forms a veil over the rest of the space beyond, softening the immediate impact.”

In long, narrow gardens, she often staggers hedges and flower beds along the space, meaning the garden must be explored to be fully appreciated. “The concept is always the same: Keep in mind the sense of enigma and surprise,” she says.

Lands End Manor in Locust Valley, New York, creates this sense of joyful wonder by layering wildflower gardens against swathes of lawn and sweeping ocean views. The gardens, designed by famed American landscape architect and journalist Frederick Law Olmsted in 1920, also incorporate a walled rose garden, vegetable gardens and grapevines trained up arbors, all woven together in harmony.

As Thompson says, “The key is a gentle approach. In any garden—whether a city courtyard or a countryside landscape—I use local materials that sit in harmony with the vernacular. It is more natural and creates a garden that feels as if it should be there.”

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

How Well-Chosen Art Can Enhance a Home

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

With high art maximizing the value of high-end residences, it might be time to become a collector

The relationship between high art and noteworthy buildings is as old as civilization itself: think of the celebrated sculptures that once adorned the exterior of the Parthenon in Athens, or Michelangelo’s magnificent ceiling frescoes for the Sistine Chapel in Rome. And when it comes to residential properties, nothing enhances an extraordinary home like a carefully crafted art collection. Virtually every cover story in Architectural Digest illustrates this point: important paintings hanging on the walls of a Park Avenue apartment or a French Riviera mansion signify beauty, taste, and style, elevating the perceived value of a home. 

Art’s power to enhance an extraordinary residence has been proven again and again over decades of high-profile sales, in which Sotheby’s International Realty offered the homes of collectors whose art was also brought to auction through Sotheby’s. 

A few cases in point: in 2013, the Modern art collection of Alex and Elisabeth Lewyt, headlined by a rare Paul Cézanne still-life, sold for a total of US$99 million across 23 auctions in New York and Paris, far above the presale estimate. Likewise, their New York townhouse, sold by Meredyth Hull Smith, senior global real estate advisor and associate broker, Sotheby’s International Realty—East Side Manhattan Brokerage, achieved US$8 million, while their Sands Point Long Island estate, represented by Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty went for US$17 million. 

That same year, Jack Cotton Jr, real estate advisor, Sotheby’s International Realty—Osterville Brokerage, sold Rachel Lambert “Bunny” Mellon’s Cape Cod estate for a record US$19.5 million. Mellon was one of the greatest art collectors and philanthropists in the U.S., and a sale of “masterworks” from her collection at Sotheby’s created a sensation in November 2014, when the single-owner auction flew past its estimate to bring in a total of US$159 million, while her jewelry achieved US$45 million, more than doubling expectations.

We continue to see the marriage of art and real estate in today’s homes. Michael Carucci, executive vice president, Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty in Boston, Massachusetts, credits “the fusion of fine art and luxury real estate” as central to his success in selling some of the most valuable properties in New England. “It is very typical for owners of homes worth US$10 million and higher to be collectors,” Carucci says. 

He often invites artists to show their work in properties he is representing, transforming residences into galleries. In 2020, he commissioned celebrated Boston artist Giovanni Decunto to create a suite of paintings for One Dalton Four Seasons Private Residences; the eventual purchaser of the US$7.2 million apartment fell in love with the paintings and bought them as well. Carucci is currently offering a US$10.9 million Boston penthouse at 1 Franklin Street; its owner is a well-known mega-collector, which has already sparked high buyer interest.

Like Carucci, Tania Toubba, real estate advisor, Sotheby’s International Realty—San Francisco Brokerage, recognizes the uncanny power of art to sell a home. “There is no better way to create environments that resonate with discerning buyers than to showcase a carefully curated art collection,” says Toubba. She recently sold a sensational 8,000 square foot oceanfront residence in the Sea Cliff neighborhood of San Francisco, California, for its full asking price of US$26 million. 

To show the house to its best advantage, she brought in artist Paul Rusconi to curate a collection of paintings, sculptures, and works on paper by blue chip masters including Robert Rauschenberg, Elaine de Kooning, John Chamberlain, and Damien Hirst. The launch event was treated like a gallery opening, attracting top-tier brokers, architects, designers, and builders. “It was a bold move that paid off,” says Toubba. “Our guests were blown away. The profound reaction to the installation affirmed that individuals develop a deeper emotional connection to a property when showcased with art.”

As with real estate, the fine art market experiences ups and downs. Education is key to understanding the market, and there are now more resources than ever before to judge its value. But regardless of its investment potential, great art has an uncanny ability to elevate a home—and add immeasurable pleasure to the lives of its occupants.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

The Art of Blending Historic and Contemporary Design

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Crafting the perfect interior often means mixing the old with the new, writes Mandi Keighran

When it comes to interiors, considered contrast between dramatically different styles and eras can work like magic. The period charm of an ornate historic property, for example, is artfully emphasized when juxtaposed with bold, minimalist furniture; the nostalgic appeal of a vintage find becomes all the more apparent when paired with cutting-edge technology; and contemporary artworks set amidst antique furnishings throws the unique beauty of each period into stark relief. In short, it’s all about creating moments that surprise and delight. 

Just ask London-based designer Sarah Peake, founder of Studio Peake, who is known for crafting richly layered interiors with unexpected details, and combining modern and traditional style with joyful abandon. “It’s objects that contrast or jar slightly which bring a room to life,” Peake explains. “It might be a lovely tonal scheme but it’s not finished until you throw in that final oversized lamp or big piece of contemporary art.”

Stratford Place, a handsome, heritage-listed townhouse in London’s prestigious Marylebone —which is currently being offered by United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty—is a remarkable case in point. The original home dates back to the 1770s, and the current owners undertook a full refurbishment when they moved in. The awe-inspiring spaces and exquisite period details—including intricate cornicing and ceiling molding, a grand stair and floor-to-ceiling windows—have been restored, and are complemented with bold contemporary finishes, sculptural lighting and plenty of modern amenities. As prominent collectors, the owners also set striking contemporary art against the period backdrop. 

“Stratford Place has a real ‘wow’ factor and is a great example of a home that retains its historic integrity and period charm, while being up to date with modern standards of living,” says the agent, Zach Madison. “When people buy a heritage home like this, they are effectively buying a piece of history. Adding contemporary design features while preserving the period character celebrates that history in a modern way.”

The Solarium Penthouse at 555 West End Avenue, New York, meanwhile, is another impressive showcase of how a historic building can be transformed through a contemporary reimagining. The property is a former private school, completed in 1908, and has been meticulously restored and updated by local architecture firm Tamarkin Co. to accommodate 13 luxury residences. The penthouse is a study in how the architecture of historic buildings can be elevated to breathtaking effect, most notably in the original school gymnasium, which has been reimagined as a dramatic living space with soaring 20 ft-high ceilings punctuated by a new steel-framed skylight and floor-to-ceiling windows.

While Stratford Place celebrates bold color and unexpected texture, The Solarium takes a different approach with an elegant palette of neutral tones and natural materials that evokes the popular minimalist design trend “Japandi”—a portmanteau of Japanese and Scandinavian.

It’s a subtle yet dramatic approach, similar to that taken by British architecture practice Bindloss Dawes, which is also known for its sensitive modernization of period buildings. “When transforming heritage properties, we should be mindful of a building’s past, protecting them for future generations, but also making them vibrant and freshly relevant for our time,” says director George Dawes. “This requires a thoughtful balance, at once preserving the essence of the historic fabric while infusing it with innovative design that resonates with modern life.” 

Properties such as these show how combining historic and contemporary styles can be a catalyst for dramatically different results—but always with the element of surprise that the balance between old and new creates.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

The Evolution of Luxury Home Staging

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

A high-end property is almost ready to be put on the market. But before buyers ever set their eyes on it, sellers and their real estate representatives consult with luxury interior designers and decor rental companies to re-envision the home, and set the scene in a way that will capture the interests and imaginations of those who may want to live in it.

This is the aptly named process of home staging; and though it seems second nature to many agents and sellers now, there was a time when it was a novel concept — albeit one that would revolutionize the world of real estate.

A Paradigm Shift in Marketing Properties

Why is the term “staging” so fitting? It’s because Barb Schwarz, a relatively new real estate agent in Bellevue, Washington, previously had a career staging musicals for off-broadway productions. She realized the skills she had cultivated in that industry could be translated to real estate to make her marketing initiatives more effective and in 1972, she coined the concept of home staging.

Before that, agents would simply advise their clients to present their properties as attractively as possible in accordance with current styles. Aesthetics such as minimalism, mid-century modern, and Scandinavian design were popular back then, and would become mainstays in showcasing tidy, trendy homes into the present day.

When Schwarz invented staging, more eclectic and bohemian styles were in vogue. But the essential philosophy of staging — to show an idealized version of the home that clients could still project their own visions onto — remained true.

The Professionalization of Home Staging

The 1980s saw new styles dominate the luxury interior design magazines and influence the still-nascent real estate staging industry, with bolder prints and patterns and a “country chic” finish. At this time, the idea of staging was growing in popularity and gaining momentum, but it wasn’t until the 1990s — a period that saw a resurgence of the functional, minimalist aesthetics that are hallmarks of modern home staging — that it would truly go global.

In 1998, House Doctor premiered on Channel 5 in the UK with the iconic Ann Maurice, launching a new era of television programs that would introduce home staging to a worldwide audience. And in 1999, the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP) was established.

Luxury Realty Makes Amazing Reality TV

House Doctor was just the beginning. In the 2000s, reality television truly took over the world, and series that focused on designing, renovating, marketing, and acquiring beautiful homes proved to be some of the most popular features for networks like HGTV and TLC.

With home staging trends and luxury real estate entering the mainstream through the media and entertainment industry, aesthetics at this time tended to feature internationally influenced styles, frequently with industrial accents such as mixed metals and exposed brick. Another milestone for home staging was reached in 2007, with the creation of the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA).

Through the 2010s, home stagers stayed true to the design principles set during the 1990s and 2000s — sleek, chic, and simple, though with the addition of rustic or organic finishes. By now, the benefits of home staging were well-known. Not only was it a thriving and diversifying industry, but the prevalence of increasingly sophisticated digital technology introduced the value of virtual staging software.

Top Home Staging Tips and Trends Today

Now, in the 2020s, home staging has become a real estate best practice. According to a recent report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 81% of buyers’ agents agree that staging enables clients to more easily envision a property as their future home, and 58% report that staging meaningfully affected clients’ perception of potential homes.

Moreover, 48% — almost half — of sellers’ agents have noted that home staging reduced properties’ time on the market. And 23% — nearly a quarter — always stage their clients’ homes before listing them.

New innovations and integration with technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) continue to expand the horizons of how immersive staging experiences can be created for buyers. And in terms of aesthetics, sustainability holds immense appeal — such as energy-efficient appliances, recycled and repurposed materials, and smart home devices to automate lighting and heating controls. So too does a maximalist approach to personalization that brings excitement and expression, interest and inspiration, into the interior environment.

While consumer preferences will continue to shift and evolve, it’s quite certain that the demand for luxury home staging will not.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

At Home Outside

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

A variety of new furniture designs brings the comfort of indoor living outdoors

Patios and porches have become second living and dining rooms, while gardens are being converted into open-air kitchens and even home cinemas—particularly in summer. And as these outdoor areas are increasingly used as extensions of indoor spaces, luxury manufacturers are responding with fresh furnishings and fixtures that can accommodate this newfound flexibility.

“During the pandemic, people started to focus more on their gardens and transforming these spaces into personal sanctuaries and places to entertain responsibly,” says Los Angeles-based landscape architect John Sharp, who is best known for his work on iconic mid-century Modern homes like the John Lautner-designed Garcia House. As with most innovations born out of necessity, this trend is here to stay.

When designing sofas, chairs, tables, and lamps that are as suited for intimate outfits inside as they are alfresco settings, it all comes down to implementing durable materials and accounting for adaptability—but also introducing bold aesthetics, to enhance exterior environments with statement pieces. Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos’ Bombom collection for Roche Bobois, for instance, is colorful, modular, playful, and amorphous in shape while incorporating sturdy, cutting-edge fabrics. The candy-like sofas are joined by equally maximalist carpets that can be used both indoors and outdoors.

“We’re seeing the boundary between interior and exterior become more fluid,” says Chicago native Stephen Burks. Developed out of Burks’ decades-long collaboration with German outdoor furniture brand Dedon, the Kida lounge chair is as much a testament to carefully considered ergonomics as it is to craftsmanship. The cradle-shaped settee’s organic form is defined by an open metal frame wrapped in a thickly-textured and multi-colored fiber cord by dedicated artisans in Cebu Island, Philippines. A soft cushion insert adds an additional layer of comfort. The new design joins the much-celebrated Kida hanging chaise.

“Outdoor spaces invite us to connect with the natural world and our exteriors, which can also mean our communities,” says Burks. “Consider the porch for example. It’s where you might spend an evening in a swing soaking in the last rays of sun and listening to the breeze in the trees. A porch is also the place you might share an intimate conversation with neighbors accompanied by a cool beverage. Designing for the outdoors requires a heightened sense of generosity.”

Heritage Danish design brand Fritz Hansen has joined the outdoor game with the release of the versatile Povl B Eskildsen-designed Tradition sofa system, produced using FSC-certified core teak and championing graphic simplicity. “As much as form and materials are paramount to good design, so are the ways in which we live—how we use furniture in our everyday lives,” Eskildsen says. “I have created a lot of outdoor furniture and can see how the way we use it differs across countries and cultures, as well as over time.” The seating system can be added to or reduced easily to accommodate gatherings, small or large.

Long gone are the days of cheap plastic or brittle wicker pool chairs. Developed by South African talent Haldane Martin for his namesake label, the Contour outdoor daybed comprises a particularly plush, circular bed with a layered rim backrest and a canopy with fabric crafted in a basket-weaving technique. The indoor-outdoor Fiji upholstery used, from Spanish brand Crevin, is UV-resistant and easy to clean.

Translating an existing design for outdoor use is more and more common. Boutique Los Angeles furniture brand Kalon Studios recently launched its first outdoor Material Studies-Rugosa collection. Building on its pared-back Rugosa series—geometric armchairs and side tables—practice co-founders Michaele Simmering and Johannes Pauwen switched out sustainably harvested western sugar pine for powder-coated aluminum, bronzed glass, and GreenGuard-certified, outdoor-rated textiles. Utilizing long-lasting and durable components is as important as responsibly sourcing regenerative and low-carbon-footprint materials. Holding on to furniture for as long as possible is essential. 

Sustainability is a key factor, but one that doesn’t have to come at the expense of luxury or creative expression. Celebrated Spanish-Italian designer Patricia Urquiola recently launched the biodegradable yet water-resistant Alder collection with Danish brand Mater. “It features simple, three-dimensional objects that can also be used as stools and tables,” she describes. “We wanted to give the blend of Matek—a mixture of upcycled sawdust, coffee bean shells, and binding bioplastic—a certain texture, which makes the material more agile, clay-like, and natural. Alder is a family of trees that feature simple conical lines, so we’re referencing nature and geometry in equal measure.” The durable outdoor/indoor products come in beige, brown, light green, and terracotta hues.

Meanwhile, Belgian producer Ethnicraft recently introduced 100% solid, black-tainted, and brushed teak to its gamut of outdoor tables, including the Quatro series. This finish is a sophisticated alternative to other natural materials, maintaining sustainability while offering sleek elegance. 

What would an outdoor dining room be without light? Up-and-coming New York studio In Common With recently released the Dune Table Lamp, which works as well outdoors as it does indoors. Available in five weather-resistant finishes, the dim-to-warm LED fixture has a whimsical yet sophisticated quality. 

As summer invites us outdoors into luscious gardens or sleek terraces, innovative and elegant furniture designs like these enable us to blend the boundaries between inside and out—with flair. 

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

4 Homes Perfect For Wine Tastings

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Those who presume that wine is just another beverage are missing the point, and missing the potential—for as any connoisseur knows, it’s so much more. Wine can be a collector’s item and an investment; it can be an invitation to a celebration, or the centerpiece at a chic soirée. Of course, it can also be an individual indulgence—a treat, and a retreat—to be savored in sophisticated solitude.

Wine is versatile, with countless vintages and varieties. Beyond the classic reds and whites, there are oranges and organics, sparkles and rosés; appreciating their nuances is a skill that requires cultivation, as much a science as an art.

Naturally, there are certain homes for wine lovers that cater to the pastime in different ways. Here are four glamorous wine tasting properties with features and amenities that raise the standards, and raise a glass, in demonstrating what a luxury wine home can include.

A Home With a Wine Cellar on a Whole New Level

Some tasting rooms are on an entirely other level—and that’s literally the case at this mountainside masterpiece, where the subterranean cellar and sampling area are on full display through the transparent glass floor. It’s not just a visionary architectural flourish, either; temperature is everything when storing wines of varied vintages, and the controls in this space are state-of-the-art.

This isn’t the only area to make a vibrant statement with glass. Floor-to-ceiling windows grace the front of the home with views of a fresh mountain tarn, and open onto an garden and outdoor living area where homeowners can bring a favorite bottle and luxuriate in the beauty of the alpine foothills.

Host Happy Hour in a Five-Star Wine Bar

What could possibly be more pleasurable than enjoying a gorgeous glass of wine in an elegant, high-end cocktail bar? How about if the cocktail bar is in the comfort of your own home? That’s one of the many benefits of this majestic country wine estate home. Owning your own private establishment is as exclusive as it gets; you decide the wine list and the guest list.

Of course, the wine bar is located in just one of several dwellings on the expansive acreage. Besides the historic architectural marvel that is the main house, there also happens to be a parcel of land dedicated to a thriving winery—with production and bottling facilities accompanied by a two-bedroom apartment and a private tasting room.

Creating Unique Wines Through Vineyard Real Estate

Indeed, luxury homes with vineyards hold special appeal for wine lovers, and true aficionados pay special attention—and often pay premium prices—for properties with intriguing and inimitable varieties. Such is the case in this astonishing villa, where the terraced hillside vantage, plentiful sunlight, and abundance of fresh water grant the grapes a sumptuousness that’s difficult to duplicate.

The onsite winery is designed to produce and age wines of unparalleled uniqueness and quality. But just as impressive is the property’s immersive wellness spa, where wine is the ideal complement to a lavish day of self-care.

A Showcase in Every Sense of the Word

Another reason to appreciate wine: a spectacular selection is the ultimate understated status symbol. In a residence like this contemporary seaside getaway, the wine storage is as functional as it is fashionable, wowing guests with its avant-garde geometries of glass and light without you having to say a word.

With pools, a hammam, and a sauna all surrounded by lush greenery, there’s a plethora of places to sip a glass of wine and bask in the afternoon warmth. And as this wine country home has space for up to 10 bedrooms, it’s superb for accommodating friends and family.

There’s a thriving real estate market for wine enthusiasts, but there are rare paragons that redefine what a wine tasting home can be. These four—with their tasting rooms, custom cellars, and winemaking facilities—are the types of properties that will dazzle even those with the most discerning tastes.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Wellness At Home: Self-Care Amenities To Incorporate Into Luxury Properties

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

A home is meant to be where you feel the most comfortable and comforted, the most cared for and carefree. Put simply, your home is where you should feel the most at home—so there’s something inherently paradoxical if you have to leave it in order to access the wellness amenities that enable you to feel your best.

For luxury buyers, it’s imperative that wellness features be found on the property, whether through the world-class facilities offered in an upmarket condo development or the top-of-the-line amenities provided in stand-alone homes.

From classic spa bathrooms with clawfoot tubs and rain head showers, to futuristic health- and mood-boosting installations such as infrared saunas, luxury home amenities span a wide range and are suited to different purposes. But these four categories are increasingly in-demand by the most discerning wellness real estate clientele.

Fitness Centers Equipped for Elite Athletes

Self-care home ideas often begin with the perfect gym experience. State-of-the-art technology, no queues or crowds competing with you for weights and machines, and floor-to-ceiling windows so you can admire a swath of sunny, stunning scenery while you exercise. It sounds like you would need an exclusive and expensive membership for such a place, but some properties come with them built in.

In many cases, these are luxury condos with shared amenities for residents. However, on rare occasions—such as Dubai’s famous Palm Jumeirah—facilities of the highest caliber are fashioned for singular homes or apartments.

Spa Spaces for Restoration and Relaxation

If you were to imagine the ideal spa getaway, the location would be just as important as the features and services. Breathtaking beach panoramas that inspire a sense of serenity and calm, triple-glazed west-facing windows to guarantee flawless climate control and fabulous sunsets, and perhaps a prized location perched atop a seaside bluff, with terraces carved into the natural stone.

This could easily describe a dream boutique hotel. But for a lucky few, such tranquility can be found in their residence—with home spa features that include hydrotherapy baths, cold plunges, and saunas, outfitted with thoughtful touches such as underfloor heating and cooling systems beneath fine finishes of organic wood and stone.

Areas Made for Mindfulness and Meditation

While high-end wellness trends may change over time, what remains consistent is that they’re both a state of being and a state of mind—and more than ever, the need for mental health is even more prominent than physical health. Having luxury wellness spaces in the home to rejuvenate the spirit is as essential as having places to heal the body.

Tranquil gardens and ample green spaces filled with a variety of vegetation are highly valued. So too are natural light, fresh and fragrant air, open skies, and gorgeous views. Tasteful décor of materials such as teak and rattan, along with neutral and natural fabrics, create seamless continuity with the outdoors.

But more than anything, peace and privacy are paramount for meditation, and properties optimized for such practices should have spacious grounds, multiple patios, and secluded pavilions where homeowners and guests can find solace when needed.

Kitchens Catering to Healthy, Holistic Living

Healthy eating is foundational to healthy living, and one of the most sought-after home wellness features in luxury real estate is the type of kitchen gourmet chefs fantasize about.

That means the types of appliances showcased in only the most illustrious architecture and design catalogs, along with refined, streamlined storage that can be both ubiquitous and unobtrusive. But it also means spacious surfaces for food preparation, and capacious pantries and refrigerators to house all the greatest ingredients.

It also means clement weather and easy internal-external connectivity, so that organic herbs and spices can be grown at home. And of course, it demands diverse serving and dining areas, to ensure meals aren’t just made to the highest standard, but enjoyed to the highest standard as well.

You shouldn’t have to leave your home to seek a self-care sanctuary. At the high end of the real estate market, wellness features and self-care amenities are increasingly indistinguishable from what you would find at a sophisticated five-star retreat—except now your refuge can be your rooftop, your ensuite, your basement, or your balcony. Homes such as these are redefining what wellness at home entails.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

The Bold And The Beautiful: 4 Homes With Vibrant Interiors

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Choosing a bold, eye-catching shade for any surface is an easy way to transform a room from mundane to mesmerizing. Whether in the heart of the city or steps from the coast, these homes use vivid hues to add vitality and verve.

Sophisticated Modern Beach House

Enveloped by some 40 acres of peaceful preserve land, this 2,850-square-foot haven combines the rustic charm of a well-loved beach house with the sophisticated aesthetics of an Easthampton getaway. Wide-plank hardwood flooring, ceiling beams, wood-paneled walls, and multiple fireplaces contribute to a calming classic ambience, while the den’s captivating mineral-blue tone recalls the sky above and the sea not far away. Other highlights include a well-equipped cook’s kitchen, a three-season sunroom, a deck, an indoor-outdoor shower, a firepit, and a pool and spa.

Colorful Creativity on Fifth Avenue

Color is used to stylish effect in this chic condominium home in a Emery Roth–designed prewar building on Fifth Avenue. Cool living room walls bring to mind blue summer skies with wispy clouds, a boldly bright red floor enlivens a handsome kitchen with rich wood accents and a built-in dining area, and a vibrant yellow ceiling in one of the five bedrooms creates a cheerful way to start any day. Plentiful windows allow for enjoyment of lovely natural light and enviable Central Park views.

Charming Coastal Colonial

Highlights of this 1920s Colonial include five restful bedrooms, a sunroom, a screened porch, and a two-car garage with an electric-vehicle charger. The formal dining room trades subdued shades for a jewel-like teal that contrasts intriguingly with the home’s warm woods and serene white and cream tones. A kitchen that feels both charming and purposeful gives way through double glass doors to a sunny patio enveloped by hedgerows. Beyond is a refreshing saltwater pool ringed by picturesque fencing, flowers, and greenery—with an outdoor shower nearby.

Lively Living Lenox Hill

In this meticulously renovated sunlight-flooded prewar condominium home, rich, spirited colors appear in places beyond the oak flooring, carefully curated art, and well-chosen furnishings found in the corner living room, the chef’s kitchen, and the four bedrooms. Capable of accommodating a dozen hungry guests, the formal dining room has stylish walls that echo the wine that may find itself generously poured there, while the library’s walls and custom bookshelves are awash in a soothing blue-gray hue sure to encourage quiet contemplation.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Timeless Design Trends To Elevate Your Home

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

How many times have you perused high-end design tips in a glossy lifestyle magazine or an esteemed architecture editorial, only to notice that those trends are passé in a matter of months?

Some styles have mere moments to shine before fading to obscurity; while other trends demonstrate a recursive pattern, returning cyclically across the years or decades. But there are also certain aesthetic sensibilities that, viewed holistically over time, have not only held their value but augmented it. And homeowners ought to take note, whether they plan to sell their property one day or hand it down to posterity.

So as designers identify top trends—as they did in Sotheby’s International Realty’s annual Luxury Outlook Report, where five professionals at their top of their field singled out visual styles they’re currently paying attention to—it’s prudent to remember not all of them are “trends” in the typical sense of the word. Yes, they might be in vogue, but chances are that they will remain so in the foreseeable future. 

Classic Furniture Trends for Inspired Interiors

Designers and their clients have turned towards more maximalism in their luxury interior ideas recently, but not because of a “more is better” mindset. It’s because the true trend is a growing desire among homeowners to imbue their spaces with art, furnishings, and finishes that incite invigoration, imagination, and sensory interest and stimulation.

And while the distinct personality infusing these spaces risks making their appeal subjective, it can also have universal charm when the right approach is employed. For instance, hardwoods are some of the most durable home materials, and furniture made from varieties such as mahogany, walnut, and oak can last for generations while also showcasing the unique, authentic craftsmanship that modern luxury properties have come to prize.

Marble and stone also keep well, and make gorgeous surfaces—in luxury flooring trends, timeless kitchen designs, and high-end bathroom ideas—that give texture, tone, color, and character to a space.

Along with this growing desire for distinctiveness is a demand for comfort. Interiors should invite calm even as they spark joy, and this extends from elegant lighting solutions to luxury home textiles and seating. Having plush and illuminated spaces to gather, talk, read, and relax have gained popularity among owners and creators of luxury properties.

Decor and Design That Endure for Decades

Paradoxically, sometimes the most timeless design trends are those that embody time itself; even when properties are brand new, many luxury architects and designers are embracing the old. Because by imbuing a sense of memory and antiquity into a space through reclaimed wood, stone, and textiles, there’s also a sense of longevity. Historic structures that are still standing were obviously built to aspirational standards.

We’ve seen how there are many ways to incorporate modern classic design through surfaces and materials—but is there such a thing as a timeless color scheme? While contemporary layouts may be tapping into maximalist trends, the neutral wall colors of classic minimalist design luxury—from creamy tints to sandy shades—remain as fashionable today as they were yesterday.

But more than just being neutral colors, these are natural colors. Soft greens, blues, and other organic hues make for mood-boosting palettes that align with luxury homeowner’s growing need for greater integration between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Features to Help Increase Your Home’s Value

The enthusiasm for indoor-outdoor living has given glass a special prominence in modern luxury properties. Clear views of grounds and gardens, along with strategic placement of windows and skylights for passive heating and cooling, are investment decor ideas that add value to any home. Top designers also note that as windows and skylights get more innovative in their placement, they’re also becoming more innovative in their manufacturing, with modern glass being optimized for greater durability, versatility, and sustainability.

Indeed, sustainable luxury design is sure to be top-of-mind for generations to come, with architects and decorators embedding it into homes as seamlessly as possible. Technologies such as rainwater and wastewater purification systems, photovoltaic and geothermal energy generation, and internal climate control solutions—including motorized blinds and shades—have come to define smart home luxury.

These elegant home decor features are thoughtful ways to increase value, while also improving both beauty and functionality. And the same can be said for timeless design trends in general; they differentiate properties with distinctive flourishes that enhance their originality, while being simultaneously simple and subtle enough to remain desirable in any era.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Eco Chic For Earth Day: 3 Ecologically Friendly Homes

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Uniting thoughtful sustainability with stylish modern design, these homes prove that actually, it is easy being green.

Elegant Alexander Valley Estate

Enveloped by the rolling hills of the Alexander Valley, this recently constructed three-bedroom residence and two-bedroom guest barn are thoughtfully sited on 77 pastoral acres. The outdoor living spaces include an open-air kitchen, a built-in grill, a pizza oven, a heated loggia, a built-in fire feature, a pool and spa, garden beds, and a bocce court. Further afield are hiking trails and an olive orchard. The property is supported by a well, a water-filtration system, grid-tied solar panels, and an electric-vehicle charger.

Light-Filled Luxury in the Hollywood Hills

This lofty light-filled contemporary residence in the Hollywood Hills enjoys views of dazzling city lights, the iconic Hollywood sign, the Griffith Observatory, the ocean, and enchanting mountains from numerous vantage points inside and out. The motor court can accommodate up to 10 cars, and the grounds encourage outdoor relaxation and festivities with its grassy lawn, pool and spa, fire pit, and HD movie projector for alfresco screenings. The 4,492-square-foot home is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and is solar powered and ecologically friendly.

Sophisticated Santa Fe Style

Just minutes from the historic Santa Fe Plaza, this sophisticated four-bedroom contemporary home enjoys easy access to the golf courses, fitness center, tennis courts, and other amenities of Las Campanas. It is surrounded by a 1,200-square-foot covered and heated patio with a gas fire pit, a custom outdoor kitchen, and awe-inspiring Sangre de Cristo Mountain views. The property is impressively ecologically friendly, boasting a rooftop solar array, Tesla Powerwalls, and an electric car charger, all ensuring an uninterrupted power supply.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Guiding Light: 4 Homes Filled With Natural Light

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Plentiful windows, striking skylights, and walls of glass maximize natural light in these bright, beautiful homes, making the most of their singular settings.

Bright, Inviting Wine Country Getaway

On 5.5 acres adjoining the land surrounding picturesque Haraszthy Falls, this 2,596-square-foot wine country getaway is suffused with lovely light and sophisticated farmhouse-inspired style. Highlights include three serene bedrooms; a great room with soaring 24-foot ceilings; a well-equipped gourmet kitchen; and wide-plank white oak flooring, disappearing glass walls, and smart home technology throughout. The generous grounds offer a refreshing swimming pool along with space for horses or expansion. The location is minutes from the Sonoma Plaza and as well as vineyards and wineries.

Light-Filled Santa Fe Contemporary

This contemporary gem on an elevated 1.27-acre perch in the Sangre de Cristo foothills enjoys some of the most breathtaking views in the Santa Fe area. Both stylish and comfortable, the home’s effortless 3,070-square-foot floor plan includes three restful bedrooms, three baths and luxurious open living and entertaining spaces with abundant windows and glass walls admitting floods of glorious light. Motorized blinds and shades are among the numerous modern amenities.

Contemporary Coastal Chic

On the verge of a private sandy beach on Nantucket Sound, this delightful 4,254 coastal oasis is awash in the seaside’s rarefied glow and basks in sweeping water views thanks to plentiful windows and a wall of glass spanning its entire length. Adding to the appreciation of the outdoors are a spacious deck, a balcony, and an alluring gunite pool. The 1.56-acre property also features a freestanding garage and a charming two-bedroom guest cottage.

Lofty Tribeca Penthouse

This rare penthouse loft in atop a late-19th-century Tribeca condominium building features open living and entertaining areas with original prewar details—including exposed brick and wood beams—three bedrooms and baths, and an enviable 1,100-square-foot terrace with views of the neighborhood skyline and the Hudson River. Southern and western exposures, dramatic skylights, and more than 20 wood-framed windows help create a chic collection of light-filled spaces. Among the many modern luxuries are central air conditioning, a Sonos sound system, radiant-heated floors, and Nest thermostats.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Workin’ It: 4 Polished And Practical Home Offices

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Simultaneously fabulous and functional, these quiet, contemplative home offices are private retreats designed to increase productivity and inspire new ideas.

Victorian Inspiration in Sonoma

In the prestigious Armstrong Estates neighborhood of Sonoma, just blocks from the vibrant town Plaza, this renovated 2000 Victorian-style home pays homage to architectural history with its abundant period-inspired details. In addition to four bedrooms and baths, it features multiple patios and balconies, a cook’s kitchen, formal and casual living and dining spaces, a wine cellar, a refreshing pool, a three-car garage with a charming one-bedroom apartment on the upper level, and office with an array of warm wood built-ins and eye-catching accents.

Glass House in the Sky

On the 70th floor of the Deutsche Bank Center’s South Tower, this chic 3,920-square-foot home was designed for sophisticated living and entertaining with sweeping vistas of Central Park, the Hudson River, and the city skyline. Highlights include an expansive corner living room with a cocktail bar, a sunset-view dining room, and a chef’s kitchen with a breakfast area. The six-room primary suite features nearly 100 feet of windows, two spa-like baths, two custom-outfitted dressing rooms, and an office with walls of bookshelves and windows.

Wine Country Idyll

On the outskirts of the charming town of Yountville, this consummate 6,027-square-foot wine country retreat includes a home, a guesthouse, a swimming pool and spa, a loggia with an outdoor kitchen, gardens, a three-car garage, and an acre of vineyards. The main residence features a magnificent great room with a wet bar and wine room, a relaxed media room, and a secluded, stylish office with a serene view of shady trees and verdant hillsides.

Light-Filled Riverfront Oasis

Designed by celebrated architect Peter Marino, this distinguished riverfront condominium enjoys exceptional vistas of the East River, Carl Schurz Park, and a dazzling expanse of the city skyline. The living, dining, and family rooms benefit from dramatic views; the chef’s kitchen is outfitted with appliances from Sub-Zero, Miele, and Wolf; and each of the three bedroom suites is a restful retreat. One of the bedrooms easily serves as a light-filled office that gazes at the river through a wall of windows.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

4 Homes That Use Green To Delightful Effect

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Introduced to St. Patrick’s Day festivities in the 18th century, when the shamrock became a national symbol of Ireland, green is a soothing, refreshing hue that brings to mind rolling meadows, leafy groves, and idyllic forests. A welcome reminder of the long, warmer days ahead, it provides any home with a sense of cheer and optimism.

Handsome Houston Heights Home

Custom-designed and constructed with the finest materials and finishes, this four-bedroom, 4,484-square-foot residence in historic Houston Heights exudes warmth and charm at every turn, beginning with a covered front porch and a wood-paneled façade in a natural evergreen hue. The heart of the home is a great room that includes a dining area, a kitchen with handsome green cabinetry and an island, and a family room opening to a covered patio with an outdoor kitchen, verdant walls, and a view of the lush backyard.

Noe Valley Charmer

This colorful Noe Valley duplex has been cherished, maintained, and updated by the same family for nearly four decades. The lower level is dedicated to a full-floor pied-à-terre with living and dining rooms, an eat-in kitchen, and a bright bedroom overlooking the south-facing garden. The two upper levels feature living and dining rooms whose walls echo the greenery of the surrounding magnolias and other thriving trees, an updated eat-in kitchen, three bright bedrooms, and a sunny private patio affording picturesque views.

Modern Comfort and Style

The classically charming streetside presence of this single-level three-bedroom residence belies its open, airy, light-filled modern interiors. A dining area and multiple living spaces accompany the recently remodeled chef’s kitchen, which boasts custom cabinets, quartz countertops, a farm sink, wine storage, and a large island finished in an invigorating green hue fitting for this leafy, tree-strewn setting. The backyard is a peaceful retreat for outdoor relaxation and entertaining or gathering harvests from fruit trees.

Santa Fe Gem

Painstakingly remodeled, this bright, elegant 2,552-square-foot condominium residence is a delightful getaway just steps from Santa Fe’s historic downtown Plaza. Cooks of all skill levels will appreciate the kitchen’s top-caliber appliances, and the primary bedroom, the two guest bedrooms, and a bunk room with an adjoining recreation room can accommodate 10 or more residents and guests. Exterior accents and details in the open-plan living and dining area recalls the leaves of the trees that envelope the home and its private patio.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Morning Glory: 4 Inviting Breakfast Areas

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Designed for daily dining and lounging, these delightful breakfast areas accompany well-outfitted kitchens and feature bright windows with enviable views and distinctive styles that make them appealing morning, noon, and night.

Equestrian Oasis in Florida

In desirable Wellington, this 2.11-acre equestrian estate includes a new 11-stall barn, a riding arena, one-bedroom staff quarters, and a thoroughly renovated 3,208-square-foot residence suffused with serene tones. In addition to four peaceful bedrooms, a chic living area, a formal dining room, and an inviting family room, the home offers a cook’s kitchen with white-oak cabinetry, GE Monogram appliances, quartz countertops, and a breakfast area with built-ins and sliding glass doors opening to a breezy covered patio and outdoor kitchen.

Privacy and Luxury in Pacific Heights

Designed by Frederick Herman Meyer, built in 1902, and recently remodeled, this classic San Francisco manor offers four levels of comfortable, luxurious living and entertaining spaces. Crowning it all is a roof deck with a fireplace and a panoramic vista. The thoughtful floor plan features a formal dining room, a theater, five bedrooms, a media room, an office, and a chef’s kitchen that opens to a casual living area and a cozy corner breakfast room giving way to a deck with stunning bay views.

Brentwood Beauty

This serene two-acre sanctuary in the heart of Brentwood boasts a pool and spa, a pool house with a bar and sauna, a sports court, a gazebo, green lawn, gardens, a pergola with a fire pit, winding paths, and a yoga and meditation platform. The centerpiece of the estate, a stylish modern residence, offers inviting living and entertaining spaces, including a window-wrapped solarium-inspired breakfast room that gazes out over the terrace toward the waterfall that cascades from the relaxing spa into the swimming pool.

Southwestern Sophistication

This incomparable single-level 4,069-square-foot three-bedroom residence impresses with its magnificent vistas, sophisticated modern Southwestern style, lovely light-filled spaces, and consummate privacy. Thanks to a prime perch on one acre in the exclusive Las Campanas community, nearly every room benefits from an expansive view of fairways, greens, a lake, and the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez Mountains—most notably the family room and the cook’s kitchen, which includes a spacious breakfast area set just beside a wide window and steps from the enviable portal.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Home Is Where The Heart Is: 3 Romantic Residences

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

With their firelit spaces, secluded bedroom suites, soaking tubs, relaxing alfresco spas, and private balconies with picture-perfect views, these estates create an ambience just right for spending Valentine’s Day at home.

Southwestern Warmth and Elegance

Filled with the warmth of richly hued woods, an earthy palette, and Santa Fe’s glorious light, this captivating 9,164-square-foot adobe home and casita in the exclusive community of Las Campanas exemplify luxurious Southwestern living. The main residence offers three bedrooms—including a primary suite with a sitting area for cozy fireside moments—formal living and dining rooms; a kitchen with professional-grade appliances; and numerous outdoor areas, among them a dining courtyard with a romantic ambience created by a fireplace, colorful plantings, and a tranquil water feature.

Old World Grandeur in Houston

In Houston’s prestigious gated Stablewood area, this 9,661-square-foot residence exemplifies Old World elegance. Its heart is a majestic living room with an ornate fireplace and a well-outfitted wet bar. The home also offers a grand owner’s suite, four guest bedrooms, a formal dining room with a butler’s pantry, a wine cellar, a chef’s kitchen with superior appliances, a den, a leather- and wood-clad study, a game room, a theater, an outdoor kitchen, a rose garden, a koi pond, and a swimming pool and spa.

Magnificent Texas Manor

On a lush, wooded lot in the leafy environs of Houston, this Lucian Hood–designed European-inspired brick villa impresses with its generous scale and refined styling. Highlights include six bedrooms, a dining room or salon, an elegant great room with a vaulted tray ceiling and a reclaimed French stone fireplace mantel, a kitchen with a room-sized pantry, a gym, a library, a media room, a game room, and a loggia with Palladian doors to the rear terrace, emerald backyard, and sparkling pool and spa.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

4 Home Theaters That Steal The Show

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Boasting carefully chosen lighting, top-tier sound systems, and comfortable seating, these home theaters allow for the celebration of cinema in cozy seclusion.

Brook Hollow Farm

This stately 1920s manor, a pool, a tennis court, delightful gardens, and various outbuildings occupy 47.85 verdant acres in a prestigious area of New York’s Westchester County, some 50 miles outside Manhattan. In addition to seven bedrooms and 12 baths, the residence offers a great room with a floor-to-ceiling stacked-stone fireplace, a formal living room, a dining room with an adjoining butler’s pantry, a welcoming family room, a dazzling solarium, a bespoke Smallbone kitchen, and a well-outfitted theater with built-in seating and speakers.

Park Avenue Elegance

Overlooking Park Avenue from its perch in a desirable full-service condominium building, this refined seven-bedroom duplex is distinguished by its grand living room, which opens through French doors to some 2,000 square feet of enviable terrace space. Other highlights include a formal dining room, a billiards room and library, a chef’s kitchen with an adjoining breakfast room, wine storage, a separate office or apartment for guests or staff, and a regally appointed and ornately detailed theater.

Grand Beverly Hills Villa

Exemplifying Golden Age glamour, this 11,369–square-foot, seven-bedroom villa on verdant gated acreage in Beverly Hills is replete with exquisite design elements. Festive living and entertaining are effortless thanks to a chef’s kitchen with an island, Viking appliances, and a breakfast area; a family room opening to a resort-like backyard with a pool, spa, and manicured lawn; a bar; a 3,000-bottle wine cellar with a tasting room; and a chic, spacious 10-seat theater.

Texas Treasure

Contemporary flair and traditional style unite in this Neoclassical home in Houston’s renowned Tanglewood neighborhood. Soaring ceilings, handsome millwork, architrave moldings, marble and oak floors, and stone fireplaces contribute to the august ambience. While the backyard boasts a loggia with a summer kitchen, sunny patios, and a refreshing pool, the 7,896-square-foot multilevel interior floor plan features six bedrooms, an expertly outfitted kitchen with marble countertops, a bar, a gym, and a media and game room with upholstered walls and blackout drapery.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

7 Wellness Homes For The New Year

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

For many people, the start of a new year marks a renewed commitment to health and fitness. Keeping up with a regular wellness routine is a breeze when you have top-notch spa amenities, private pools, saunas, and sports courts right at home, just a few steps away.

Telluride, Colorado

Nestled on a hillside with photo-worthy views of Telluride’s iconic Bridal Veil Falls, this contemporary home offers a yoga room with floor-to-ceiling box canyon views. On the expansive terrace, the Maine Cedar hot tub is an ideal place to rest and recharge after a day on the ski slopes or the surrounding hiking trails.

Katonah, New York

Brook Hollow Farm is a captivating retreat nestled in one of the premier estate sections in the Town of Bedford, New York. The gym, a former barn transformed with elegant millwork, a ballet bar, an aroma therapy room and a full bath, is a sybarite’s delight. The home also offers a new tennis court and a luxurious pool.

Vail, Colorado

This stunning home with a coveted Forest Road address in Vail boasts luxurious wellness features including a 75-foot suspended glass bottom pool with exquisite views of the Gore Range and over 6,500 square feet of heated outdoor decks to enjoy the crisp mountain air. Relax in the indoor spa with a hot tub, cold plunge, steam room, sauna, and massage space. Achieve your fitness goals with a cutting-edge gym and yoga area.

Skane, Sweden

This circa 1903 property was updated to allow for the ultimate healthy lifestyle, with a private tennis court, a pool house with a gym and sauna, a swimming pool, and a Japanese-inspired garden. The property has been featured in numerous TV programs and was nominated for the “Great Wood Prize.”

Santa Fe, New Mexico

This magnificent compound is a private retreat on a hilltop north of downtown Santa Fe with views of surrounding mountains. Spread amongst four residences on the property are 10-person spa facilities, a salon, a two-person massage room, an impressively outfitted gym, a sauna, and vegetable and herb gardens.

Dorado, Puerto Rico

Wellness amenities at this beachfront villa include a covered patio that connects to the beachfront infinity pool and spa, serving as the perfect space for a morning swim after practicing yoga, and outdoor showers to further a connection with nature. The home is located within the Ritz-Carlton Reserve Residences, where residents enjoy direct access to the wellness and entertainment beachfront Pavilion offering saunas, steam baths, a cold plunge, and an infinity pool.

Crested Butte, Colorado

On a 35-acre Trappers Crossing ranch tract overlooking the Town of Crested Butte, this expansive residence provides panoramic views of Mt. Emmons, the Paradise Divide, Gothic, and Mt. Crested Butte. A groomed Nordic ski track traverses through the lower portion of the property for winter adventures. Enjoy the fitness room, play pickleball, and soak in the hot tub with endless mountain views under the Colorado skies.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Let There Be Light: Five Homes With Striking Light Fixtures

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Whether they’re artfully sculptural, modernly minimal, or dazzlingly crystalline, distinctive light fixtures make each of these homes shine.

Tribeca Treasure

High above the Four Seasons Hotel in Tribeca, this 2,265-square-foot residence combines a landmark location with modern aesthetics. Of the three bedrooms, the primary suite boasts full-height windows, a wet bar, and a bath with a soaking tub, a marble shower, and heated floors. In a prime corner position, the eat-in kitchen features rift-cut Bilotta cabinetry and Gaggenau and Miele appliances. The living room enjoys dramatic southerly views through double-height windows and adjoins a dining room with an artful chandelier that mimics flowering branches.

Modern Hollywood Haven

This sleek, streamlined 2,943-square-foot Hollywood home is a paradigm of modern design. Its fluid open-plan spaces include living and dining areas, a kitchen with Miele and Thermador appliances, and a relaxed family room—all opening to a terrace with views across the treetops and canyon toward hills in the distance. A unique fixture composed of dangling glass globe pendants illuminates the stairway that leads to the three bedroom suites and a private deck with a pool, a spa, and lounging areas.

Chic Century City Condominium

Within Century City’s coveted Le Parc community, this single-level two-bedroom residence exemplifies modern elegance. The open, light-filled floor plan features a spacious living room, a formal dining room, a kitchen with Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, and a breakfast room with a built-in banquette, doors to a terrace with treetop views, and eye-catching contemporary lighting. Le Parc provides 24-hour guard-gated security; 10 acres of manicured grounds, lush gardens, ponds, and waterfalls; swimming pools and a spa; tennis courts; a gym; and a clubhouse.

Prospect Park Perfection

West Palm Beach’s Prospect Park neighborhood is the setting for this impeccably renovated four-bedroom villa. Natural light and a pleasantly minimalist aesthetic fills nearly every room, including an owner’s suite with a breakfast bar, a balcony, a luxurious bath, and generous closet space. The main-level great room opens to a loggia and a pool with waterfalls and is adjoined by a kitchen with a dazzling mirrored tile backsplash and an island crowned by contemporary lighting composed of linear rod pendants.

Elegant Enclave in Houston

This elegant three-bedroom manor enjoys an enviable location in a guard-gated community of only 15 homes near some of Houston’s finest shops and restaurants. Its recently renovated 5,637-square-foot interiors include a handsome kitchen with an oversized island and a breakfast area, a family room overlooking the walled backyard garden, a stylish living room, and a formal dining room with a radiant Sputnik-style chandelier. An elevator links the three levels, all of which feature hardwood floors, high ceilings, and classical moldings.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

The Art Of Curation: How To Choose And Display Fine Art

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

An exceptional art collection may be eclectic, but it’s never disorderly; every piece is chosen because it holds personal significance, or dialogues compellingly with a certain space or place. That’s why if you have a private art collection—or aspire to amass one—knowing how to curate it in your home is so essential.

When done properly, your exhibition serves as elevated decor that enhances your property, while also showcasing your one-of-a-kind style and personality.

1. You Can Start with the Art

Rather than arranging your living space with fixtures and furniture, then introducing artworks as decor, consider making the artwork the first and primary focus. Your chairs, tables, shelves, and lamps are mutable. But if you have a signature work that speaks to you, it can provide instant inspiration for the color, layout, and ambiance in the rest of the room.

In this hilltop villa in Napa—itself a masterpiece, with modernist, Art Deco, and deconstructivist influences—singular, iconic Warhols serve as visual touchstones for the spaces they inhabit.

2. Get Inspired by Galleries

If your artwork doesn’t resonate with you, it’s time to start browsing. Though museums and galleries have immersive online catalogs, nothing compares to going in-person. This way, you can genuinely experience the presence and physicality of artworks, and see how they can be displayed and arranged.

Located in London’s affluent Mayfair district, this magnificent apartment boasts effortless access to some of the greatest art institutions and commercial galleries in the world, as attested by its vibrant collection. The Royal Academy of Arts and the Fine Art Society are nearby, and there are a variety of places where you can purchase—or even commission—a work that fits your vision and vibe.

3. Hang Like an Art Handler

When you’re ready to mount your artwork, there are some established guidelines that are helpful to follow. Typically, professional art preparators will hang works so that the center of the image is around five feet from the floor, which puts the piece approximately at eye level.

This holds true even for enormous works—like the statement pieces found in this stunning stone sanctuary perched on the Ionian coast—though if they cover most of the wall, ensure the lower edge of the frame is about a foot and a half from the ground.

4. Color Coordination is Key

Whether a painting, sculpture, or photograph, it’s often assumed that a work of art should coordinate with the colors in its immediate surroundings. That’s not necessarily incorrect, but if the colors are a perfect match, that art will lose its majesty.

Instead, the shades, tones, and hues of the piece could tastefully contrast with the walls and furnishings. Or you can follow the example of this radiant estate in Rancho Santa Fe and pair a work with a setting that augments the complementary colors, without blending in.

5. Mapping the Dimensions

While you may be able to swap out old furniture or paint your walls when curating your art collection, the architectural details and features of your home are important and unique, and deserve to be celebrated.

So when shopping for art, it helps to know the sizes of your home’s potential display surfaces, the heights of your ceilings, and the quality of light and shadow in different areas. That way, you can stage a show comparable to this Brookville mansion, which makes exceptional use of its available spaces to exhibit an unforgettable collection.

6. Protect Your Investments

If you acquire high-quality art from a reputable artist and gallerist, and do your due diligence on its authenticity and paperwork, it’s bound to be a sound investment—though bear in mind that its value may grow over decades or generations. That’s why you should buy pieces because you adore them, and feel a powerful personal pull from them, and not because you’re hoping to sell them off later at an increased price.

It’s also why it’s important to safeguard these precious assets. As seen in this spectacular Toronto residence, it’s often prudent to shield paintings and photographs from direct natural light. They can also be framed with UV-proof and anti-reflective acrylic glass.

Curating art in the home is a labor of love—one that empowers you to explore and embrace the aesthetics that bring you joy and enliven your every day.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s