Sweet Dreams: Styling A Statement Bedroom

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

The audacious use of paint, textiles and eye-catching furniture can create a sense of sanctuary that is as personal as it is impactful, writes Francesca Perry

Of all the rooms in a house, the bedroom is arguably where design choices can be most personal—and, perhaps, boldest. Some homeowners opt for serene, pared-back decor to set a calm mood, but for others, the bedroom’s role as sanctuary comes to life with more expressive choices. 

Since the pandemic, there has been an increased focus on the role of design in supporting wellness—and for those working from home, the need for distinct spaces of relaxation and work, each with their own character. A statement bedroom, sometimes counterintuitively, can give that sense of escape from the rest of the house. From bold color choices to impactful furniture and textiles, there are plenty of options for creating the ideal space.

“Deep tones lend themselves to bedrooms,” says Georgina Wood, founder and creative director of London-based interiors firm Studio Clementine. “Used correctly, they can be much more restful than stark whites or lighter tones. If you’re looking to use bolder colors, opt for naturally restful shades such as blue and green. This creates a cocooning effect.” 

Wood took this approach when working on the bedroom in a London apartment for the British-American fashion designer Harris Reed and his husband. Here, the walls, ceiling and bedspread are all in a deep kingfisher blue, with decorative red detailing matching a luxurious crimson carpet. The wallpaper, designed by Wood in collaboration with Reed and wallcovering specialist Fromental, depicts a “botanical paradise” on moiré silk. “The lagoon background creates a mystical backdrop to the vivid embroidered design,” says Wood. “The goal was to create an all-encompassing room fit for a fabulously fashionable couple.”

The immersive hue of Reed’s London bedroom displays an approach known as “color drenching”—a key interiors trend of 2025, according to Vogue—where a dominant shade is chosen for the decor, extending across walls, ceilings, fixtures and furnishings. The effect can be striking, enveloping the inhabitant in a visually cohesive experience. 

New York-based interiors studio and design gallery Somerset House used the technique for a master bedroom of a townhouse in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Again, a deep blue was chosen, used across the walls, ceiling and millwork for a strong yet soothing aesthetic. The effect is complemented by a bespoke velvet bed in dark green, with a rippling headboard extending the width of an entire wall. 

Wow-factor headboards or entire beds are a key way that designers can create statements in bedroom interiors. British appliqué artist Natasha Hulse recently collaborated with furniture brand Lorfords Contemporary on a collection of headboards, including “Rose,” a tall, decorative piece with a curling silhouette, covered in red roses. It immediately draws the eye, turning any bed into an artistic flourish in the center of a room. 

For the guest bedroom of a house in Montecito, California, Henriette von Stockhausen of VSP Interiors chose a decorative antique bed from British designer and antiques dealer Robert Kime. The elaborately embroidered canopy, in yellow, turquoise and red, evokes a palatial bedroom, fit for royalty. “Kime’s beds are beautiful, timeless and have presence and history. They immediately make you feel part of a story when you climb into them,” says von Stockhausen. “Beds should never be an afterthought: they are, after all, the most important pieces of furniture in the house.”

In the master bedroom, meanwhile, von Stockhausen collaborated with her client to design a wooden four-poster bed, crafted by fine furniture maker Nicholas Walton. “I get a lot of requests for special beds these days,” says von Stockhausen, whose passion for four-posters has seeded her own collection, inspired by antique examples, and set to launch with Oficina Inglesa in 2026.

“People are craving comfort and sanctuary more than ever, and a four-poster or canopy bed immediately offers that, giving a sense of enclosure and intimacy that feels incredibly nurturing,” she says. “Clients are also becoming more confident in wanting something with presence—a bed that isn’t just functional but also makes a statement and sets the tone for the entire room.”

The four-poster in the Montecito project is set against an intricately painted golden antique screen, reflective of von Stockhausen’s design approach. “I want bedrooms to feel layered, inviting and deeply connected to history,” she says. “Antiques are essential: they bring warmth, depth and that sense of permanence which immediately makes a room feel as though it has evolved over time.”

The architecture of a bedroom can also be used to create an impact. For a project in West Orange, New Jersey, interior designer Beth Diana Smith looked to “embrace the beauty” of the master bedroom’s vaulted ceiling, highlighting it with a patterned wallpaper. 

“This creates a striking focal point that the client can enjoy both when entering the room and while lying in bed,” says Smith. To balance the drama overhead, she color-drenched the walls in an immersive purple-brown, which provides both contrast and warmth. According to Smith, this brings “a sense of luxury and intimacy”, a combination that perfectly encapsulates the ideal for anyone seeking to create their own private oasis.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Rococo Revival: From Marie Antoinette To Today

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Luxury homes are taking a gilded leaf out of the historic French style book as they look to 18th-century grandeur for inspiration and escape, writes Aimee Dawson

Maximalism is making a comeback. While many early-2000s interiors were marked by simple lines, sleek materials and minimal details, recent years have seen a revival of romantic and extravagant—even ostentatious—schemes. And no design era did ostentatious better than Rococo. 

Described as the final expression of the elaborate Baroque movement in Europe in the 17th and first half of the 18th century, Rococo was “perhaps the most rebellious of design styles,” according to the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in London. “It was exceptionally ornamental and theatrical—a style without rules,” its website explains. 

One person in particular embodied the rebellious Rococo style: Marie Antoinette. The 18th-century French queen was known for her frivolity and excess, from her fashion sense to the interior design of her home in the Palace of Versailles, as can be seen in a newly opened V&A exhibition, “Marie Antoinette Style,” running until March 2026. This follows the “Rococo and Co” show at Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris earlier in 2025.

When you think of Versailles, you think of gold leaf and mirrored surfaces in abundance. But interiors in the Rococo (from the French word “rocaille,” which means rock or broken shell) style also include “asymmetry, natural motifs such as shells and leaves, curved lines and soft colors,” says Danielle Thom, a senior curator at London’s Design Museum who specializes in 18th-century sculpture and decorative arts. 

So why is Rococo having a revival? “In a basic sense, I think it is a reaction against the dominance of muted good taste, whether you call it quiet luxury, minimalism or whatever,” Thom says. “No more beige cashmere wraps and grey sofas, no more algorithm-fueled design decisions. Rococo permits individuality within its parameters.”

As Thom adds: “It also represents a form of emotional and aesthetic escape from the mundane and often brutal realities of life.” In our current uncertain times, one can certainly see the appeal of a Rococo-themed retreat.

While Rococo began as a French fancy, its popularity spread internationally and the design style can now be found in homes across the world. Some examples are authentic to the time period—Palazzo Rococo in Venice, Italy, features original Rococo interiors created (with added Venetian flair) in the mid- to late-18th century. 

Painstakingly restored to its former glory, the eight-bedroom palace with canal views includes museum-quality paintings and has historical connections to the Russian Imperial Court, as well as the literary and cultural elite of Europe (it once hosted the acclaimed French writer Stendhal, best known for his 1830 novel “Le Rouge et le Noir”). 

Other more recently built homes have used Rococo design as inspiration for their elegant interiors. 

This Californian house, named Versailles Topanga, has been created using techniques and materials true to the Rococo era, with new artworks—including a ceiling mural in the double-height living room—commissioned in keeping with the period, as well as plenty of hand-gilded details. “The wrought iron balusters, designed and gilded onsite, are modeled after those in the French Embassy, adding a touch of regal elegance,” explains Sotheby’s International Realty – Malibu Brokerage. 

Meanwhile, an eight bedroom Toronto home—described as a “gilded French Revival palatial legend”—was built in 2007, but its design is straight out of 18th-century France. From an impressive facade of arched windows to the canopied beds of the boudoirs, this house echoes many details from Versailles. Sotheby’s International Realty Canada describes the building as “a collaborative effort involving numerous European artists, artisans, designers, collectors, and gold leaf gilders,” and the home—like Marie Antoinette’s before it—is a trove of antiques sourced from around the world.

The 18th-century Rococo opulence of Versailles can even be found in a luxury villa on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. The interior was designed by Francesco Molon, an Italian atelier of luxury home furnishings, in the classical European style.

As well as its palatial aesthetic, the Dubai home comes with royal-style amenities since it is part of the five-star Raffles hotel resort. These include a luxury spa, cigar lounge, fine dining restaurants and 24-hour concierge services. Escapism, indeed.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Luxury Lens: Are Overseas Buyers In The Market For Luxury U.S. Homes?

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Are overseas buyers in the market for luxury U.S. homes? In short: yes. Overseas buyers bought homes priced at least US$1M at more than twice the rate of U.S. buyers in the year to March 2025, according to analysis by the National Association of REALTORS(NAR).

NAR’s 2025 International Transactions in U.S. Residential Real Estate report plus data supplied directly to Sotheby’s International Realty by NAR found that almost one in five (18%) international purchases fell into this luxury bracket compared with just 8% of overall existing-home sales.

“Foreign buyers generally purchase at higher price points compared to the typical domestic buyer,” says Matt Christopherson, NAR’s director of business and consumer research.

As shown below, Chinese buyers spent an average US$1,168,800 per home, with 35% of their purchases topping US$1M. British buyers were the next most frequent seven-figure spenders: 23% of their purchases cost US$1M or more.

And for many overseas buyers, cash is king. Almost half (47%) of foreign buyers transacted in cash over the same period, compared to 28% of all buyers—with the proportion rising to 71% of Chinese buyers, 61% of U.K. buyers and 57% of Canadian buyers.

Overall, international buyers spent US$56B on American homes, up almost a third from the previous 12 months. Almost half (47%) bought homes for use as vacation homes, rental properties or both.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Life as Art: When Luxury Homes Are Living Sculptures

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Extraordinary residences blur the line between art and architecture when daring design meets everyday life, writes Riya Patel

While there are many extraordinary private homes worldwide, only a distinct few can be described as “living sculptures.” Closer to art than architecture, these residences have a purity of form, material, or visual language. Like the greatest sculptures or experimental pavilions, they play spatial tricks to elicit emotion when moving through them. Yet unlike abstract artworks, sculptural homes are made not just to be admired, but to be lived in. The best examples strike the right balance of function and form. 

Dominic Bradbury, author of the ”Iconic House” book series for Thames & Hudson, has come across many architects who have, in his words, “purposefully pioneered a new approach to residential design that is dynamic, expressive and sculptural.” Two examples from the “Iconic American House” are Charles Deaton’s Sculptured House in Colorado (1965) and Simon Ungers’ T-House in New York State (1992). Both took decades to complete “given the complexity of the form and structure,” says Bradbury. 

Then there are houses by artists that are consciously conceived as works of art, such as British and Turner prize-winning artist Grayson Perry’s A House for Essex (2014), designed with FAT Architecture. As a rental home, Bradbury says, it offers “a wonderful opportunity to experience the idea of living in an artwork, surrounded by Perry’s paintings and tapestries.”

Many of these unique homes from the past exist only as museums, but for those interested in owning one themselves, several properties currently on the market lay claim to the “living sculpture” tag. 

In Wyoming, The River House by architect Wallace Cunningham is nestled low among a landscape of river and creeks. From the outside, the building—completed in 2023— appears like a public art gallery, with a shallow arched roof and floor-to-ceiling glazed walls. Inside, stone fireplaces and timber joinery add comfort amid abundant natural light and views into the surrounding nature. 

In stark contrast, the 2016 Rhode Island residence, Brutaliste Sur Mer, is designed to be seen from afar. Like a Rubik’s cube of interlocking concrete planes, this outwardly striking home— a committed example of coastal brutalism—is warmed up internally with teak wall cladding and bespoke features such as a timber-lined dressing room and six-seater home theater. It also has unparalleled vistas of the Sakonnet Passage thanks to its high elevation.

Bradbury believes it takes a certain type of an architect to achieve homes that are so daring. “Through the books, we’ve explored many innovative and experimental architects who like to explore new ways of thinking as well as fresh structural forms,” he says of the “Iconic House” series. Perhaps every generation has them.

One 1970s visionary is French architect Savin Couëlle, whose Corsican home is remarkable for its raw and rustic use of local materials. Spread across several split levels, it is anchored by a central staircase carved directly from the waterside granite. A more futuristic take on the idea of life inside a sculpture can be found in the jungles of Tulum, Mexico, where four luxury condos shaped organically and designed to be in tune with nature are on the drawing board.

Living in a sculptural home requires commitment to the vision. The more extreme examples, like Deaton’s elliptical mountaintop home in Colorado, are built to be lived in by their architects, who use them as prototypes to test out new ideas. Success can also arise where an architect works in close collaboration with a client of an artistic persuasion.

Among the stunning homes in Bradbury’s next book, focused on the Nordics, is Studio Bua’s Artist’s House in Iceland (2021), which transformed an abandoned farm outhouse. The home combines old and new: an existing rough concrete base with a gabled timber volume above. Those looking to buy an art-led home at the more liveable end, might also look to warmer materials, touches of nature or places accepting of a personal touch to feel more familiar.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Seventies Style Is Back in Luxury Interiors

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

From a sunken lounge in Byron Bay to a bold London pied-à-terre, designers are embracing the laid-back glamour, tactile textures and warm tones of a defining decade, writes Kate Youde

Even if you didn’t live through the 1970s, you won’t have escaped the decade’s aesthetic. In recent years, the period’s influence has been seen from the catwalk to the big screen, not to mention our homes where warm, earthy tones, rattan furniture and rich velvets are enjoying renewed popularity. But why does this era recur as a reference in luxury design? 

Interior designer Yasmine Saleh Ghoniem, director of YSG Studio in Sydney, Australia, believes the decade has “an everlasting relaxing mood that’s really grounding.” And she means it—literally.

“Furniture was low: coffee tables, sofas and soft, textural carpets that invite you to kick your shoes off and relax,” says Ghoniem. “Soft furnishings were voluptuous and fabrics were super tactile, from velvet to chenille. The ’70s is also defined by lots of solid timber pieces. Color confidence was much freer then, with patterned wallpapers and printed fabrics used for window treatments, too. All these stimulating elements indulgently feed the soul.” 

Ghoniem drew from this pre-digital age when she was creating “a laid-back family utopia” in the Australian wellness and surf hub of Byron Bay, New South Wales. Comfort was key to the scheme. The centerpiece of the open-plan living area is a 1970s-inspired sunken lounge. This space was original to the 1990s property but she enhanced it with a custom “plump and cushioned” oversized L-shaped sofa.

The home’s palette of browns include warm caramel and toffee hues, as seen in the terracotta tile flooring in the living area. The choice reflects the owners’ desire for a ’70s feel, while pieces from the period are “sprinkled about”. 

Chrome, another recognisably retro feature, is incorporated in various ways, from vintage dining chairs reupholstered with a “shimmery” citron fabric to a new kitchen balustrade that frames the sunken lounge. “There’s a coolness to chrome that works beautifully against warmer materials,” says Ghoniem. “The trick is finding the balance. It’s all about accents as too much silver can make a room feel industrial. Used sparingly—a chair leg here, a light fixture there—it adds moments of reflection that bounce light around the room.”

A chrome tubular frame also connects individual seats together in the Victoria modular system that David Raffoul and Nicolas Moussallem imagined for the Italian designer furniture brand Tacchini. “It looks like it could have been made in the ’70s but it’s also very contemporary,” says Moussallem. “That idea of traveling within these lines of time is something that our studio has been working with since our start in 2011.”

The duo, furniture, product and interiors designers and co-founders of the international studio David/Nicolas, are from Beirut. The Lebanese city’s architecture has “a lot of disproportionate proportions,” says Moussallem. “The ’70s had this subtlety as well. So we connect with that kind of aesthetic—but we do not actively search for it.”

The pair are now working on the interiors for a new-build villa in Athens, Greece. Their client has requested “a 1970s-inspired house” so they are targeting a feel of the decade in specific areas including its own private nightclub. Raffoul says he and Moussallem are against direct references. “You’re not doing movie sets,” he says. “You’re doing a real place to live.”

Clearly, 1970s-inspired design doesn’t have to be confined to a home from that era. Rebecca Hughes, creative director of her eponymous London-based interior design studio, says the choice is more about the character and function of a space, and how someone wants people to feel in it.

 “The thing you have to be careful of with ’70s style is that you don’t want it to look too kitsch,” Hughes says. “It’s drawing from the period but also mixing it with maybe some modern pieces, even some antiques, and having a mid-century feel as well.”

She is currently working with a client who wants to take inspiration from the ’70s for a pool house in Buckinghamshire in southeast England. Hughes sourced period pieces including a rattan lampshade and a curved ’70s sofa, which she has reupholstered in a contemporary outdoor fabric, but is mixing these with finishes such as modern art. There is, she says, a need to be selective. 

As the 1970s was “about lounging and relaxing and entertaining at the same time,” says Hughes, the aesthetic lends itself to open-plan living spaces. She has designed a mustard yellow kitchen with olive green tiles and chequered vinyl flooring for a couple’s pied-à-terre in London’s Chelsea. 

While these colors are “quite iconic” for the decade, she says this yellow is slightly more vibrant than original hues to compensate for the room’s lack of natural light. A fruit-pattern wallpaper carries through to the dining and living areas. Interior designer Peter Mikic also chose yellow to drench his Benjamin Moore dining room at the summer 2025 WOW!house interior design showcase in London. Inspired by 1970s glamour, it is a bold space for entertaining. 

For both her projects, Hughes’ brief centered on hosting guests “and doing something a little different.” She hopes you “would have fun” at a home with these welcoming 1970s-inspired interiors. “And you might even hope that someone would make you a cocktail in the corner as well,” she adds. Cheers to that. 

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Luxury Lens: Who Are the Most Motivated Homebuyers Right Now?

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Reports that the U.S. property market has half a million more sellers than buyers grabbed recent headlines but did not tell the full story. Research¹ published by Realtor.com at the end of May found at least one key demographic is actually more motivated to buy in 2025.

And that’s millennials. A quarter (23%) of millennials surveyed for Realtor.com® said they were planning to buy a home in the next six months—up from 15% in September 2024—despite the ongoing “lock in effect” of current mortgage rates.

Millennials were also more motivated to buy than the average homebuyer (at 14%) and ”planning to forge ahead amid market headwinds,” according to the Realtor.com report.

One in four millennials looking to buy this year? That’s welcome news for sellers. If you are looking to sell your home in 2025, rest assured that my targeted outreach will always focus on the buyers who are motivated to move.

And if you’re a millennial dreaming of home ownership or upsizing this year, you are not alone. Nor do you need to navigate the process on your own.

As Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of REALTORS® has noted: “With housing inventory levels reaching five-year highs, home buyers in nearly every region of the country are in a better position to negotiate more favorable terms.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Here’s Why You Need a Biodiverse Home

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Biodiversity is more than a buzzword. It’s an opportunity to nurture the planet—and your own place in it, writes Riya Patel

Owning a home with large acreage has long been associated with prestige and privilege. Now, as the global climate crisis intensifies, any sizable estate comes with an increasing responsibility to foster biodiversity on its land. Between 1970 and 2020, the average decline in monitored wildlife populations was 73%, according to The Living Planet Index. Those who take on the job of nurturing land have the reward of supporting local flora and fauna, protecting the environment for future generations, and all the knock-on benefits to their own health and satisfaction, too.

“A biodiverse setting is one where the land surrounding the home is teeming with life—a kind of ‘pluriverse’ where many species, systems and cycles coexist and are interdependent,” says UK-based landscape architect Johanna Gibbons. “For me, it’s less about a fixed formula and more about a mindset: embracing nature’s complexities and giving space for a dynamic pattern of growth and change.”

Having run her ecologically minded design practice, J&L Gibbons, for almost four decades, Gibbons has noticed the psychological impact on those who live among biodiversity. “These settings create a sense of calm, richness and connection,” she says. “They remind us that we’re part of something larger—that our home is not a sealed-off object, but part of a shared, living system.”

In Guanaja, Honduras, a three-bedroom house and conservation research base sits within a stunning 482 acres of tropical landscape, which includes a waterfall and beach facing the Caribbean sea. This living paradise is testament to the dedication of a single owner over 27 years, whose stewardship has seen the surrounding ecosystem flourish. From above, its outline is barely visible for all the lush tree canopy and natural vegetation that encircle it.

Meanwhile, in Byron Bay on Australia’s east coast, sits a sensitively designed 1970s home that has also benefited from long-term conservation efforts. The peaceful and private five-bedroom property is immersed in sub-tropical rainforest over 34 acres and located opposite a protected nature reserve.

“We watch the cycles of wallabies bringing their young, echidna season and fireflies in September,” says Brad Rogan, global real estate advisor with Byron Bay Sotheby’s International Realty. “Whales can be heard singing at Brays Beach and as their song amplifies at night, it echoes up like a concert hall.”  

The land is subject to a biodiversity covenant—an agreement between landowner and government to ensure parts of a property are not developed so biodiversity can thrive. 

“With this agreement, you are effectively giving scope for nature to exist as it would without us,” says Rogan. “Only parts of the land are safeguarded, so the property still has the potential for multiple occupancy, or for the house to be modernized. But what will stay loved here is the ‘feeling.’ The home is not only a financial investment, but also a contribution to what will inevitably become more valuable as climate impacts more areas.”

Connection to nature can be amplified through a home’s architectural features. At the Gunaja property, generous timber decks along the wide frontage provide scenic views and interactions with birdlife. In Byron Bay, even the bathrooms have large areas of glazing, making views of greenery a constant backdrop to daily life. 

Natural building materials can also strengthen the relationship between home and land, such as the traditional thatched structures on this 12-acre vineyard estate in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Or the charred wood and natural stone finishes planned for this serene, nature-focused development in Valle de Bravo, Mexico.

Wherever humans build or intervene, biodiversity needs to be part of the conversation from the start. When assessing a plot or property, Gibbons suggests consulting an ecologist for a baseline assessment and guide on how to improve land health. Avoiding pesticides and fertilizers, and planting species that support local wildlife are basic ways those with smaller or urban footprints can contribute. 

“When you have access to land, you have the opportunity—and arguably the responsibility—to maximize its potential for life,” says Gibbons. “Even depleted landscapes can be transformed into thriving ecosystems with the right combination of science, patience and belief.”

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

The Ultimate Wellness Features To Have In Your Home

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

From designer saunas in Finland to private yoga studios in Hawaii, wellness at home is a luxury must-have, writes Mandi Keighran

The pursuit of wellness is a key element of modern luxury living and the most sought-after homes now incorporate a range of features designed to bring it closer—from private saunas and plunge pools to dedicated yoga studios and even beauty salons. 

Sauna culture, in particular, is undergoing a dramatic surge in interest around the world, with a boom in community saunas on both sides of the Atlantic and a rise in commissions from private clients, too. “Previously seen as an occasional indulgence, as part of a luxury hotel spa break, homeowners have recently started to embrace the sauna experience that in Nordic countries is seen as an essential part of everyday life,” says Rupert McKelvie, founder of the luxury sauna company Out of the Valley. 

The company’s current bespoke commissions range in location from an urban garden in Notting Hill to the shores of a remote Scottish loch. This trend is mirrored in the U.S., where North Americans are embracing natural wellness rituals such as contrast therapy, the recovery practice, long favored by athletes, of alternate immersion in hot and cold water.

“Wellness spaces are no longer a luxury or a nice-to-have—they’re expected,” says Becky Fatemi, executive partner at United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty. “At the top end of the market, we’ve seen a significant rise in demand for in-house spa features, hot and cold therapy zones, yoga studios and even fully equipped gyms. High-net-worth buyers want homes that actively support their physical and mental well-being on a day-to-day basis.” 

Meanwhile, in California’s Lake Tahoe, an expansive timber home makes the most of its mountainous surroundings. The contemporary six-bedroom property features panoramic views of the water and peaks from nearly every room, expansive decks designed for gathering, and an outdoor spa perched next to the lake itself. Two private buoys and access to a community pier make it ideal for boating, swimming or simply soaking in the scenery.

Whether nestled beside a frozen lake, on a tropical hillside, or taking over an entire subterranean floor, these dedicated spaces are redefining what it means to live well at home. In a world that rarely slows down, investing in our well-being—and making space for it in our own homes—feels like the ultimate luxury.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Does Your Home Need A Sculpture Garden?

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Art can transform an outdoor space, providing stability through the seasons and a focus for quiet contemplation, writes Elfreda Pownall

Traditionally, the job of sculpture in a garden or landscape has been as an eyecatcher: picture an imposing classical statue at the end of an allée of trees in an ancestral estate, or a simpler piece, offering a solid conclusion to a path between two flower beds or hedges. 

Sculpture brings a sense of permanence and timelessness to a garden. It looks on, unchanging, at its surroundings, from the first snowdrops in January, through the burst of spring and summer color, to the frosted rime on the withered stems of December. But it does more: it is looked on, too. A sculpture that seems to float on a stretch of tranquil, dark water, enclosed by greenery, can lower the blood pressure as you gaze, while a bright bed of tulips reflected in a highly polished piece can lift the spirits.

Storm King Art Center, the outdoor museum in New York’s Hudson Valley that reopened in May 2025, showcases the work of some of the world’s finest sculptors across its 500 acres. Visitors can experience large-scale work by artists including Carl Andre, Louise Bourgeois and Alexander Calder, and appreciate, from the location of sculptures among these hills, fields and woods, how important pieces of art can be seen to their best advantage. 

Here, Andy Goldsworthy’s “Storm King Wall” (1997–98), a 2,278-foot dry-stone wall made the traditional way without mortar, takes a winding path through woodland, descending into a pond and emerging the other side to continue its snaking course; a work of great beauty. 

On a more domestic scale, The Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden sits in the grounds of a 15th-century cottage just an hour outside London. Established in the 1980s, the garden’s mature trees and ponds, fringed with bold architectural plants, form the backdrop for an annual exhibition of works by more than 50 sculptors. Each piece is carefully sited to take advantage of the sun or dappled shade, and visitors are given a photographic guide and suggested route, though the directions (and opening times) are idiosyncratically British. 

Curator Vikki Leedham oversees hundreds of sculptures here every year and aims for a synergy between the art and its surroundings. She has practical suggestions for introducing sculpture to your own garden—but only one rule: “Don’t place your piece in the middle of the lawn. It’s impractical (you have to mow around it) and aesthetically unsatisfactory.”

Building a sculpture garden, even from a single work, begins with observation. “Look for good backgrounds in the garden that will enhance the piece you are thinking of buying,” says Leedham. “To choose a site, look at how the light changes through the day in different parts of the space. It is good to discover sculpture as you walk through a garden.”

Materials matter when it comes to placing sculpture, says Leedham. “Think of the texture of a piece and the background you will see it against,” she advises. “The rough bark of a tree can look wonderful beside a roughly glazed ceramic. You will see a highly polished marble piece better in dappled shade to appreciate its contours. Glass pieces work well near water.” Similarly, Leedham suggests considering the juxtaposition of shapes: a tall, slim sculpture near a hanging branch will draw your eye up to the canopy, while the larger leaves of architectural plants “make a splendid background for a tender female figure,” she says.

On a clifftop overlooking the beautiful Alabaster Coast in Normandy, Alexandre Grivko, chief landscape architect of the garden design company Il Nature, has created Les Jardins d’Etretat. Where Manet and Monet once painted, evergreens trimmed with laser-like precision now frame the work of contemporary artists. In Samuel Salcedo’s “Gouttes de Pluie” (Drops of Rain), sculpted heads with expressions of extreme emotion—anguish, fear, joy—sit amid the precise green topiary, a masterful contrast of control and passion. 

It is hard to imagine them in a bed of wallflowers. But there are many things sculpture can do outdoors, and no formula, only what the late Hannah Peschar said of the garden she founded four decades ago: “[Art] rubs off on you, and then you find you can’t live without it.” 

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Art Deco at 100: What It Teaches Us About Luxury Living Today

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

The progressive design movement of the 1920s and 1930s continues to influence architecture and interiors a century on

In 2025, Art Deco is set to celebrate its official centenary in signature style. The influential decorative movement that flourished throughout Europe and the United States in the 1920s and early 1930s took its name from the “Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriel,” an exhibition held in Paris in 1925, which showcased the latest innovations in architecture, fashion and industrial design. 

Recognized for its refined aesthetic and use of luxury materials and bold geometry, Art Deco embraced technology and progress from the start, revolutionizing all areas of design with an optimism that was welcomed wholeheartedly after World War I. 

As a design movement that continues to endure—and indeed inspire—many decades after its inception, what can Art Deco teach us about luxury living today?

“The language of Art Deco is both disciplined and expressive,” says Lucy Derbyshire, co-founder of the London-based design practice, Studio QD, and co-author of “Interior Style: Art Deco.” Key principles include the use of symmetrical and geometric forms, meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to opulent materials, she says. “There is also an emphasis on fine craftsmanship, which of course is something that we, as designers, are keen to emulate in our own interiors.” 

As Derbyshire highlights: “The incredible thing about Art Deco is how it manages to encompass modernity and futuristic design so skillfully, while at the same time maintaining a sense of glamor. This is what makes it so consistently appealing and why these are ideas that we, and many others, draw inspiration from decades later.”

These principles can be seen in some of the spectacular lots on offer at Sotheby’s 2025 Important Design auction, where there is an impressive selection of Art Deco furniture and objets d’art. “Here, the style was characterized by geometric shapes, stylized floral motifs and materials such as exotic woods and lacquer, as well as shagreen and parchment, which up until that point had not been used in the field before,” explains Cécile Tajan, deputy director and head of sale, 20th century design at Sotheby’s Paris. 

The sale includes several exceptional pieces by French furniture makers, designers and sculptors that illustrate the refinement of the period, Tajan notes—gilded wood armchairs by Armand-Albert Rateau, for example, and lacquer and eggshell nesting tables by Jean Dunand. “There is a pedestal table produced in 1913 by Paul Iribe, whose creations are particularly rare, which is a fantastic illustration of the beginnings of the Art Deco movement,” says Tajan.

The craftsmanship of Art Deco is also encapsulated in a set of silver, glass, lacquer and aventurine quartz bottles by French silversmith Jean Puiforcat. “Clients appreciate the discreet luxury of Art Deco,” Tajan says. “The elegance of the lines and the materials sit well with other furniture and art, be it classic or contemporary. It’s so easy to live with, which is why it remains popular today.” 

That same combination of elegance and materiality translates into the world of luxury real estate, where the spirit of Art Deco—from its timeless aesthetic to its forward-thinking ethos—is evident in the most desirable properties on the market. Sotheby’s International Realty is currently listing homes with Art Deco heritage in New York, Paris, London, Madrid, Rome, Montreux and even the Greek island of Syros in the southern Aegean. 

For Bradley Nelson, chief marketing officer of Sotheby’s International Realty, Art Deco’s legacy goes beyond style. “A century later, the essence of Art Deco—its bold embrace of beauty, innovation and craftsmanship—still resonates deeply in luxury real estate,” he says. “Today’s discerning buyers aren’t just purchasing square footage; they’re seeking homes that are expressive, imaginative and rooted in design excellence. Art Deco reminds us that true luxury lies in details. These qualities remain at the heart of what makes a home exceptional today.”

Design is not an afterthought for Sotheby’s International Realty, Nelson says—it’s foundational. And it’s this fluency in design that enables its global network of agents to position properties in a way that truly resonates with high-end buyers. 

“Our agents are deeply attuned to the nuances of architecture, interiors and storytelling,” he says. “They understand that exceptional design doesn’t just elevate aesthetics—it enhances lifestyle and long-term value. Our heritage, informed by a global perspective and a close alignment with the art world, means we recognize beauty not just as an ornament, but as a defining element of luxury living.” 

The shared DNA with Sotheby’s auction house also gives Sotheby’s International Realty a unique vantage point at the intersection of fine art, collectible design and real estate, as embodied by the partnership on the 2025 Important Design sale. “Whether it’s an iconic piece of 20th-century furniture or a landmark home inspired by Art Deco geometry, we recognize that great design shapes how we live, feel and connect with space,” says Nelson. 

Art Deco, above all, reminds us of the connection between design and desirability, that a home is more than the sum of its walls. Decor matters, from the pleasing yet practical geometry of the perfect set of lacquered nesting tables to the mirrored doors of an apartment-block elevator shooting for the stars. When it comes to building, buying or selling a home, design is important. In fact, it’s indispensable.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Spotlight on Cannes: The French Riviera’s Revitalized Gem

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Best known for its star-studded film festival, Cannes is also a year-round spot for sunshine seekers and lovers of luxury living, writes Caitlin Gunther

Cannes has long been a place to hit reset. In the 1920s, it became a sun-soaked playground for the cultural elite—F. Scott Fitzgerald, Pablo Picasso and other Riviera regulars sought inspiration and escape along its palm-lined boulevards. Today, the city is most famously tied to its star-studded film festival in May, when yachts crowd the harbor and red-carpet glamor spills into the streets. But beyond the flash of cameras, Cannes shines in what it does best: offering a slower, more languid luxury. 

Thanks to its proximity to Monaco and Saint-Tropez, as well as two airports (Nice Côte d’Azur and Cannes-Mandelieu), the city is uniquely positioned to welcome the style set. The recently renovated Palm Beach, once a jazz-era haunt patronized by the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Winston Churchill, JFK and Grace Kelly, now hosts trendsetting restaurants like Zuma and Nammos. Grand dames such as the Carlton Cannes have been refreshed, revealing updated interiors that nod to art deco roots while embracing a more contemporary chic. 

“There is a certain poetry to the Riviera—a rhythm of life that is both refined and free,” says the interior architect and designer Rémi Tessier. “Cannes has always exuded elegance, but with the rebirth of landmarks like Palm Beach, we are witnessing a renaissance. The city is evolving—no longer only a summer retreat, but a destination with a soul that resonates year-round.”

Over the past decade, Cannes’ real estate market has also been heating up, driven by its growing appeal as a year-round destination. “Cannes is no longer just seasonal,” says Frédéric Barth, managing director of Côte d’Azur Sotheby’s International Realty. “We benefit from 300 days of sunshine a year—you can enjoy lunch on the beach even in January.” 

While it’s a small city—around 70,000 inhabitants—each neighborhood offers a unique vibe while being part of the whole. As Barth adds: “You can walk to the sea, dine at Michelin-starred or charming family-run restaurants, or take a boat ride to the Lérins Islands—all year.”

Responding to an increasing number of requests for projects across the region, Tessier—who is known for his interior work on superyachts and private jets—has recently relocated from Paris to the South of France and opened a second atelier in Monaco. “The demand here is not simply for beautiful spaces—it is for meaning, for craftsmanship, for timelessness,” he reflects. “Clients are seeking environments that speak to the Riviera’s unique blend of heritage and modernity.”

When it comes to Cannes real estate, sea views are understandably in high demand and this renovated six-bedroom villa in the hills offers panoramas of both the Cap d’Antibes and the Estérel mountain range. The master suite has a private terrace and the main dining area opens out to an infinity pool within a beautifully landscaped garden. Further selling points include a fitness room, massage room and every film-lover’s must: a home cinema. 

A contemporary villa in La Californie is also designed to maximize its ocean outlook with elegant windows on every floor, affording views of the pool, garden and sea beyond. Best of all, the calm of this popular but quiet residential neighborhood is only minutes from La Croisette, the city’s seafront promenade, where to see and be seen remains a Cannes divertissement.

Tessier’s connection to the region runs deeper: he is currently in the midst of building his own private residence on the coast, a highly anticipated project five years in the making. “I’ve worked all over the world, but there is something here—the light, the landscape, the spirit—that continually draws me in,” he says. “It felt only natural to create something of my own here.”

Cannes remains an enduring escape, where the design aesthetic mirrors the mood: airy, sun-drenched and relaxed. “The spirit of pioneers like [Modernist designer] Eileen Gray still lingers in the light, the lines, the landscape,” Tessier says. “What we are creating now is a new chapter—deeply rooted, quietly bold and unmistakably Riviera.”

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Inside The Homes Of Artists Today

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Creatives can’t help but inhabit eclectic art-filled homes that reflect their life, work and travels around the globe, writes Laura May Todd

Artists’ homes are often an extension of, and an insight into, their creative practice. What do they keep on their mantelpiece? What does their kitchen look like? Are they the type to cook lavish dinners for friends and acquaintances? Or are they the sort who only use the oven to store books? A peek inside someone’s home can tell you so much about a person and the way they work.

Curator Hans Ulrich Obrist agrees. In the introduction to the book, “Inside the Homes of Artists: For Art’s Sake,” he writes of visiting 19th-century painter Gustave Moreau’s former home in Paris. It was, he says, “a ‘Gesamtkunstwerk’ [total work of art], full of Moreau’s drawings and collections. It was like looking into the mind of the artist, enabling me to start to understand his way of thinking.” 

The book—published by Rizzoli and written by collector Tiqui Atencio Demirdjian—invites readers into the private domains and studios of 24 of the most prolific artists working today. For all of them, the home plays a pivotal role in their practice: as a staging ground for in-process works; a compendium of inspirations and objects to be referenced; and often as an archive of rough drafts or discarded ideas.

Some have filled their home with their own art, such as the Los Angeles-based French artist Claire Tabouret, known for her evocative, figurative paintings. Between the antique wooden ceiling beams of her 1920s cottage in the neighborhood of Los Feliz, she has painted vibrantly colored, fresco-like portraits inspired by Tarot cards—yet based on real figures from her family.

Others have banished their work almost entirely, preferring to keep a strict separation between studio and sanctum. This is the case with Indian artists Subodh Gupta and Bharti Kher, acclaimed for their sculptures and installations—Gupta’s often incorporating everyday objects and Kher’s exploring themes of identity and mythology. The couple say that while they sometimes bring art home from the studio, they choose not to fill their house completely with it. According to the couple, they see the primary purpose of their private domain as a place to welcome friends and family, especially in the form of intimate dinner parties.

The home of prolific South African artist William Kentridge—known for his evocative charcoal drawings, stop-motion animations, and multimedia installations—also centers family. Kentridge’s Arts & Crafts-style Johannesburg house comes steeped in history. The artist’s parents bought it in 1964 when he was just nine years old. After moving away and starting his own family, he returned to the house in the late 1990s with his wife and children, where they have been living ever since.

Of all the homes in the book, Kentridge’s feels the most inextricable from his practice—likely because of this history. He talks of his teenage years when he attempted—and failed—to build a makeshift studio in the garden. Later on, he turned the living room into his personal workspace, becoming the fulcrum around which his family revolved. Today, the living room is an inviting retreat, with several shelves of small bronze sculptures from his 2017 “Lexicon” series presiding over heaving bookcases, a handsome hearth and several comfortable sofas.

Then there is the Rio de Janeiro home of Brazilian artist Ernesto Neto, known for his large-scale experimental installations, which, as the author writes, “make or remake connections between the body and the mind, between ourselves and our surroundings, between different individuals, between humankind and nature, between the past, present, and future.” Neto tells her he chose the apartment, sandwiched between the city’s vibrant Copacabana beach and the soaring Sugarloaf mountain, for its proximity to nature.

Throughout Neto’s home one can sense a yearning for a closer relationship with the natural world. In addition to art, plants and a few pieces of mid-century Brazilian furniture is Neto’s vast collection of objects made by the Indigenous communities of Brazil, which includes hanging textiles by the Shipibo and Huni Kuin tribes, who he praises for the sophisticated knowledge they have developed for working in sync with the earth. 

It would be convenient to declare a thread that winds its way through these homes, but inevitably every one is deeply personal. Yes, they are filled with art, and are largely eccentric and luxurious, teeming with beautiful souvenirs from extensive travels and covetable antique furniture. But once you get into the minute details of why these artists have chosen to furnish their lives just so, it’s clear that each of their spaces is as unique to them as their practice.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

What is a Perfect Home for a Taurus?

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Our monthly series asks: What decor best suits each zodiac sign? Homebody Taurus craves comfort and ease—and a sizable closet, writes Jill Krasny

Ever wonder why some homes seem to captivate you, while others leave you feeling ho-hum? Your star sign may have something to do with it. Whereas Aries are known for their bold design choices, artsy Pisces are drawn to homes by the water and visionary Aquarians prize light-filled spaces that maximize indoor/outdoor living. Taureans are perhaps the biggest homebodies of all, so as their zodiac season (April 20 to May 20) gets underway, it’s time to ask: How do you design the perfect home for a Taurus? 

“They need a space that radiates comfort and ease,” says Anthony Perrotta, an astrologer and interior designer based in Rhode Island in the U.S. “Taureans love a space that feels like an escape from the world: cozy, but closed off.” 

A 1930 townhouse in a landmarked section of Greenwich Village, New York, fits the profile. The property is situated behind a wrought-iron gate, and architect Adam Kushner’s sensitive design nods to the site’s location above Manhattan’s previously tree-lined, vanished Minetta Brook—note the wood pile. It offers several hideaways that will please a Taurus, from a tidy front courtyard (with room for a Vespa) to an enclosed, foliage-covered balcony, and a meditation room. Of course, the rooftop steals the show with its spectacular views, mini kitchen and light-filled glass gym. 

Taureans are drawn to homes that bring the outdoors in, be it through floor-to-ceiling windows, houseplants or fresh flowers, Perrotta says. So it’s best to avoid dark confining spaces, like subterranean basement apartments and wide-open floor plans that don’t maintain privacy. “A home with a good-size closet and separation from the primary bedroom is ideal,” he says, as is plenty of storage.

A contemporary Wellington home in New Zealand has privacy and views in equal measure. Expansive windows afford natural panoramas from every room, while a walk-in pantry, which cleverly conceals a laundry room and tub, keeps personal mess at bay, which this materialistic yet tidy sign will appreciate: “They may like things, but they don’t enjoy clutter,” Perrotta says. The master bedroom, with its walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom, feels like a private retreat.  

As the sign of abundance and wealth, Taurus loves the good life. But they also understand good value, Perrotta says, and once they find what they like, they tend to stick with it. “They’re an earth sign,” says Perotta, “so anything that feels earthy or grounded is a go for them.” 

Casa Rosabaya, a sprawling villa on Playa Cosón, in Las Terrenas, a resort town on the Samaná Peninsula in the north of the Dominican Republic, epitomizes livable luxury. A tropical garden dotted with palms and sea grapes lines the swimming pool, while local design firm Arkina’s glass, stucco and wooden palette warms up the modern cement structure.

When it comes to color palettes, as might be expected, Taurus loves earthy tones and hues, especially brown and tan, but is similarly drawn to green, pink, white and cream. “They may have a desire to bring in a pop of color,” Perrotta says. But above all, he adds, they like anything that feels like it came from the earth, such as linen, hemp, cotton and stone. 

Ultimately, Taurus wants a home that feels like a sanctuary, where they can unwind in private. “They want it to smell good, feel good, look good,” Perrotta says. “For Taurus, their home is an investment, and one that they will never regret because it will always give them the grounding and joy that they seek. Very few signs love their home more, except perhaps Cancer.” 

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

How Architect Suchi Reddy Creates Happy Homes

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Her designs are based on feelings and science, with a mission to foster well-being, says Elizabeth Fazzare

Suchi Reddy is a multi-hyphenate in every sense. In the past year, the architect, designer, artist and founder of New York-based studio Reddymade launched her first furniture collection, in collaboration with luxury Indian textile atelier Ekaya Banaras; curated an exhibition celebrating Indian craft at New York gallery Salon Design; created an installation for the world’s largest color library; taught architecture students at Columbia University and still found time to design a variety of residences, boutiques and public projects. Constant experimentation drives Reddy’s prolific practice, but she often describes it with a softer term: feelings.

“Conceptually, that’s the through line,” says Reddy, who established her studio two decades ago. “What are the feelings that I want to be able to explore? What are the feelings that my clients want to feel? And how can we use the environment to amplify that?” Though this approach may seem hard to apply to furnishings or finishes, scientific thought has long provided Reddy with a helpful framework. Using the principles of neuroaesthetics, a field of study that explores how art and beauty can positively affect people’s well-being, Reddy designs projects that not only look good, but make their inhabitants feel good, too. She calls this “form follows feeling.”

As diverse as Reddy’s work is, half is rooted in luxury residential projects: designs for ground-up construction, renovations and interior transformations that help homeowners capture desired moods in their most personal spaces. Often, this process involves parsing the references they “love and respond to” in order to create what they are really looking for: comfort.

“The opportunity to design something really tailored that conjures this beautiful sense of being enveloped is a joy to me,” explains Reddy. “I always say we work together [with clients] on our residential projects because we always end up with something that neither one of us had any preconceived notion of.” Balancing her self-confessed “modernist sensibility” with a client’s taste, contextual considerations and lifestyle leads to bespoke solutions. Aesthetically, Reddymade’s portfolio of homes is just as varied as their owners.

For contemporary artist Ai Weiwei, Reddy created a 2,000-square-foot linear extension for his upstate New York weekend house. Hexagonal in section and minimalist in material palette, it provides a new two-bedroom guest wing, each end capped by glazed porches. Strategically placed picture windows along one side offer views over the farm property, while protecting artworks in the central living area where they are displayed among his well-curated selection of antique and vintage furnishings.

In Beverly Hills, California, Reddy transformed the interior of an angular house into a soft, serene family abode, focusing on the opportunities provided by its natural lighting to illuminate different rooms and design objects throughout the course of the day. Integrating plush yet modern furniture with carpeting and rugs crafted an environment that feels cozy and intimate, even when surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glazing.

A pair of actor clients in New York listed their most important requests as “a giant table to read scripts, a projection screen and a big sculpture of a paper horse,” Reddy recalls. She gave them a custom space that incorporated all these elements, functionally and aesthetically, while also providing ample light and air in a setting that could help to inspire their work.

Similarly for Reddy, separation between work and life doesn’t exist—nor would she want it to. She spent this past winter in India where she is currently working on a house for her sister, who requested a covered courtyard and an image of a mandala—a geometric design with spiritual symbolism. Reddy commissioned a wrought-iron version as a shade structure for the courtyard: its intricate shadow reflects perfectly onto the home’s entry once a day.

“It’s that kind of magic that happens when one has a conversation with somebody about something you’re equally passionate about,” she explains. “A lot of architects will say they don’t like the hand-holding it takes to do residential work, but I find there is something in the personal connection that is so appealing. A lot of times in our world we’re left with this kind of generic experience. Your home is the only place you get to really tailor to your expression.”

Like any piece of her creative practice, Reddy sees this area as ripe for experimentation. “Our bodies are always the centerpiece of our homes, so when I’m doing residential work, I’m constantly thinking about neuroaesthetics,” she explains. “I’m thinking about the quality of light in a space; I’m thinking about the color of light; I’m thinking about transition in and out. Even if you create very different looks in different rooms, I’m making sure the transition between is seamless and that it offers wonder and discovery.” From architecture to art and even small details like glassware, these home projects are “incredible opportunities to develop a holistic environment,” Reddy says. “It’s like creating a cocoon for someone; a really beautiful one.”

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Brutalism Is Back: Designing Homes With Drama

Source: Sotheby’s

The powerful architecture style is inspiring a new generation of luxury buyers and contemporary builds, writes Riya Patel

Architecture is enjoying another big-screen moment, thanks to “The Brutalist.” Brady Corbet’s epic movie has collected prestigious wins this awards season, not least for its lead actor, Adrien Brody, as the fictional Bauhaus-trained architect László Tóth. For filmmakers, the appeal of Brutalism—the bold architecture style characterized by monumental concrete forms—is clear to see. These head-turning hulks, which first emerged in the early 1950s, were made for drama.

“The reason Brutalist buildings have such a following, and are seen in so many coffee table books, posters and so on, is because they’re kind of photogenic,” says Owen Hopkins, historian and author of “The Brutalists: Brutalism’s Best Architects” (Phaidon, 2023). As Hopkins explains, there are three key elements to the style: “It’s about an extreme truth to materials, which manifested itself as raw, unfinished concrete; an understanding of context, which in Europe after World War II was destruction, rubble and the exposed insides of buildings; and its memorability as an image.”

From civic architecture and cultural centres to huge housing developments around the globe, Brutalism has proved controversial for its attention-grabbing scale and stark detail. But while it divides tastes, the style is undeniably powerful—with a legion of loyal fans. In campaigns of postwar rebuilding, it was intended to symbolize hope and renewal. In parts of the world forging a new post-colonial path or economic agenda, it was a marker of independence and modernity. And in the private home, massive concrete volumes became a way to outwardly express the progressive values of the owner. 

A celebrated example is the Harry and Penelope Seidler House (1967), designed by the Austrian-Australian architect couple as their own family home in the Sydney suburb of Killara. “It’s incredibly boldly sculptural and multi-layered,” says Hopkins of the residence. “Built on a hilltop, it has quite a complicated plan and section, with lots of half levels and views through it that allowed the parents to keep an eye on their children.” 

Because Brutalism was never a dominant style of domestic architecture, exclusive gems from the era are much sought-after by the luxury buyer. Homes of this type often serve as a manifesto, both to more open ways of living and to a robustness that endures. Penelope Seidler still lives in the Seidler House today, with interiors, furniture and art that remain largely unchanged. These residences may be architectural history, but they were built on principles of spaciousness, light and expansive views that remain timelessly desirable. 

Canadian architect John C. Parkin’s 30 High Point Road, currently listed for sale in Toronto’s Bridle Path neighborhood, is an extraordinary example of how the style was used to exude wealth and status. Completed in 1976, the eight-bedroom mansion has a long flight of steps leading to its entrance, emphasizing a grandiose concrete structure that slopes dramatically to the ground. Inside, a four-story atrium floods the house with natural light, giving this home the quality of a museum or gallery more than a domestic space. Curtain walls of glazing—another Brutalist hallmark—make the property’s views of mature trees and landscaping a backdrop for living and entertaining.

In Belgium, a humbler home by architect Marc Corbiau—also currently for sale—can be found in the countryside of Walloon Brabant. Designed in 1972, the house is enveloped by greenery that has been allowed to creep up and over its raw concrete forms. With the appearance of a romantic ruin, it is set low in the landscape, with the house and gardens seemingly merging into one. This softer approach to the architectural style, with details updated by interior designer Catleen le Hardy in 2018, shows a more livable version of Brutalism for today’s buyer, with low ceilings and intimately scaled living spaces. 

Such is the influence of Brutalism, it is now emerging in new expressions. Contemporary homes that build on Brutalism’s legacy are moving away from a dominant use of concrete towards more sustainable materials. However, they still show the same interest in raw surfaces and geometric volumes. Casa La Colina, a luxury family home currently listed in Guanajuato, Mexico, is an example of the style’s lasting power.

The home is organized as an assembly of large boxy forms around an exposed concrete core. Entering the property over a footbridge heightens anticipation of the generous, light-filled living spaces. “It is unique among the Spanish Colonial-style homes of the area,” says selling agent Sheryl Clark. “It’s easy to see how this home can be easily used to entertain, with a large chef’s kitchen, open floor plan, and views out to the yard and pool.” Another dramatic feature is the “long aesthetic hallway of towering slit windows,” she says.

While many original examples of the style are celebrated, others are regarded as eyesores. By the late 1970s, especially in the UK, Brutalist buildings had come to be seen as cold and harsh rather than positive and uplifting.“But with the wheel of taste turning and a generation with no memory of the backlash, maybe we’re now able to look at it differently,” says Hopkins. Brutalism’s energetic spirit awaits its next interpretation. That makes it much more than a style choice for buyers—it’s a chance to be part of its dramatic history. 

Source: Sotheby’s

How To Design the Perfect Home Cinema

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Oscars season is the cue to upgrade your viewing experience with a bespoke movie theater, writes Claudia Baillie 

With the 97th Academy Awards just days away, it’s an exciting time for movie lovers around the globe. Celebrating cinematic excellence and honoring the best of the best in the film industry, the Oscars are a must-watch spectacle, full of glamor, suspense and iconic moments. They also bring the magic of a home cinema into a focus as sharp as that of any Hollywood blockbuster. Who wouldn’t like to enjoy an award-winning drama or box-office smash from the comfort of their own custom-designed theater? 

“These days, a home cinema is something clients want, and indeed expSOURCE: Sotheby’sect, in any luxury property,” says Aaron Reid, a real-estate agent at New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty. “Perfect for date nights or family movies, a big screen is also ideal for hosting social occasions that revolve around big sporting events.” 

What’s non-negotiable, according to Reid, is a dedicated room rather than a multi-purpose space. He cites the state-of-the-art set-up in a luxury warehouse conversion in Grey Lynn, Auckland, as an example. Designed by a movie director, the 12-seater cinema with art deco detailing looks every bit the part. “Buyers have been unanimous in saying it is the best home theater they’ve ever seen,” says Reid.

Marie Cloud, founder of Charlotte-based interior design studio Indigo Pruitt, wholeheartedly agrees with this sentiment on going bespoke. “A home cinema is all about immersion. It should feel transportive and pull you into the experience,” she says. “Comfort is of course paramount: motorized recliners allow users to find their ideal viewing position. In terms of upholstery, velvet is luxurious and sound-absorbing, while leather is durable and low maintenance.” Built-in features such as cup holders, USB ports and heated seats will enhance the viewing experience, Cloud adds, and combining recliners with deep, sectional daybed-style seating or beanbags creates a more loungey, laid-back vibe.

While full soundproofing isn’t always necessary, sound control is essential. Acoustic or fabric-wrapped panels, upholstered walls or even velvet or suede wallpaper help contain sound while at the same time preventing harsh reflections. Similarly, wood paneling—as used in the luxe but understated media room of this contemporary estate in Ross, California—can add visual interest and improve sound absorption, while dark-colored or matte walls reduce glare and help keep focus on the screen. “When it comes to the ceiling, starry sky fiber optics create a dreamy effect,” suggests Cloud. “Another option is acoustic ceiling tiles, which improve sound quality and can become an interesting architectural detail.” 

Crucially, lighting should be layered and adjustable—think dimmable sconces, wall washers that provide soft light, recessed spots on dimmers and cove or perimeter lighting for depth and ambiance. LED step lights guide movement without disruption and lighting that syncs with the beginning and end of the movie will give an authentic theater feel—that goes for outdoor cinemas such as this scene-stealing screen setup in McLean, Virginia, too. 

“Now smart voice or app-controlled systems allow effortless adjustments to lighting as well as temperature and sound,” says Cloud. “And don’t forget fun additions such as built-in bars, mini fridges and even display storage for cinema themed collectibles. These are the finishing touches that make a space feel truly special.”

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

The Rise of Home Libraries in a Screen-Saturated Era

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Having a space for books is the ultimate stamp of personality that enriches your living environment, writes Riya Patel

No matter how many bookshelves a home may have, there’s something special about a dedicated library. Who hasn’t dreamt of curating their own shelves, dusting off old favorites and getting lost for countless hours between the pages? The popularity of the personal library as a luxury home feature seems to have increased over the past few years, perhaps as a reaction to the pervasive presence of digital consumption. In the online era, a room of books is a regular reminder to reconnect with the pleasure of reading, to surround yourself in words with personal meaning, and to define a space that’s screen-free.

While studies and home offices imply the drudgery of work, a library can be something much more whimsical—and this is reflected in design approaches. “They provide endless opportunities to add a personal touch,” say designers Clémence Pirajean and James Lees of London-based firm Pirajean Lees. Indeed the recent “bookshelf wealth” trend points to the power of expressing oneself through the books and items on home shelving. For a 2023 townhouse project in London’s Marylebone neighborhood, Pirajean Lees included a library as an “inviting, quiet retreat—a relaxing space perfect for a morning coffee or a Sunday read.” Layered with the owner’s collected novels and titles on art, fashion and design are pieces of framed art, sculptural vases, and decorative objects that reflect his life story. 

Compared to the neutral color scheme for the rest of the townhouse, the library sets a different tone with bookcases painted in the rich and nostalgic “Hague Blue” by British paint and wallpaper company Farrow & Ball. The compact space has several touches that work together successfully: a deep-seated armchair, a variety of lamps, a handcrafted rug and a wood-paneled ceiling that adds warmth, while absorbing sound. 

A glamorous Toronto home designed in 2023 by leading American interior designer Kelly Wearstler also offers a small library as a place of escape. Like a castle turret, this dramatic wood-paneled room has a circular plan where shallow bookshelves sit between slot windows. The family’s large-format books are the crowning glory here; the front covers face outward, displayed as they might be on the shelves of a shop, allowing their designs to be fully admired. Instead of a chair, a glass table in the center of the room is the place to leaf through anything that takes the reader’s fancy. 

Families are particularly keen on imaginative library spaces as they draw members together, away from the allure of personal devices. In a 2022 remodel of a California residence for actor Samira Wiley, writer Lauren Morelli and their growing family, a generous three-seater sofa is the central feature of the classically styled library. LA-based designer Stefani Stein set the statement furniture piece in a nook surrounded by bespoke joinery, painted in a deep green with a gloss finish, and filled with books and decorative objects. A large artwork behind and wall-mounted lamps with pleated fabric lampshades make a clear invitation to linger and enjoy the space. A low coffee table set up for playing chess or board games also marks this room out as a place for the family to entertain guests or enjoy time together. 

New York-based architect Frederick Tang has another theory about why we love to make books a feature of our homes: to impress. “Whenever I go to someone’s home, whether for the first time or the twentieth, I always spy on their shelves,” he says. “Book collections are the clearest window into someone’s preoccupations and always an opportunity to establish the point of view of a space.” 

Quarry Loft, a New York apartment designed by Frederick Tang Architecture in 2022, features an adaptable library that can also function as a sitting room, guest room, office or entrance hall, thanks to a timber and fluted glass sliding partition. It’s a light and contemporary rendition of a classic library that makes the most of the small footprint. The white oak shelves are minimally arranged rather than stacked full, and the room’s barrel-vault ceiling does the job of lending the space its distinct character.

In French designer Pierre Yovanovitch’s 2024 conversion of a quintessentially Parisian apartment, the main hallway also functions as a library. It’s a nod both to the book collector who formerly owned the home and the aspirations of the couple who live there now, who wanted to combine period charm with a modern expression. Curved walls are fitted with slim bookshelves that surround doorways, maximizing the capacity of the small space to store and display books. Much more than just a room to pass through, the library features a playful ceiling fresco by artist Matthieu Cossé, a table by collectible mid-century designer Jean Royère, and thick textured wood surfaces that give it the feel of solidity.

In homes both contemporary and classical, the library is showing serious staying power, helping us feel both grounded and connected to bigger ideas. “Books always elevate a room,” says Tang. “On a purely visual level, a surface of perfectly aligned spines becomes a living wallpaper. On an intellectual level, a giant coffee table with big art catalogues and monographs projects one’s curiosities and inspirations.”

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

What Is a Perfect Home for an Aquarius?

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Our monthly series asks: What decor best suits each zodiac sign? Visionary Aquarians need a room with a view—and a dose of eclecticism, writes Jill Krasny

Every sign of the zodiac is said to have its own character. So what kind of homes match up with people based on astrology? Wise Capricorn’s eye for detail serves them well when house hunting, and Sagittarians prize spaces that feel expansive and unique. Aquarians are known for their independent streak, so as their new zodiac season gets underway (January 21-February 18), it’s time to ask: How do you design the perfect home for an Aquarian? 

As an air sign, Aquarians naturally gravitate to light-filled rooms where their minds can wander, says Anthony Perrotta, an astrologer and interior designer based in Providence, Rhode Island. Retractable doors that maximize indoor/outdoor living have great appeal, and Aquarians may happily spring for a bright and airy five-bedroom house in the tony Bosques de Santa Fe neighborhood in Mexico City. Here, every room seems to flow elegantly into another—and the home brings nature inside with a tree rising through the stairwell. Large windows let in natural light and offer sumptuous views outside. The sunny terrace, which overlooks the clipped yard, leads to a private park. 

Homes that feel stuffy in every sense of the word turn off Aquarians. They’re a cutting-edge sign, says Perrotta, so somewhere traditional with time-capsule features like galley kitchens, window muntins, and dark corridors will make them feel cloistered. Designs that feel more of-the-moment, with open floor plans, rich materials, smart home technology, and ample gathering space, are more their speed. The picture-perfect Hesperus estate, on the northern coast of the island of Crete, sets the stage for get-togethers for this sociable sign. A wraparound terrace leads to a private beach, while a former artist’s workshop in the garden is now a magical sanctuary for overnight guests. 

Aquarians have a knack for blending old and new designs in inventive ways. As visionaries, eclecticism is often their thing, says Perrotta, and they’re not shy about breaking the rules. A sprawling adobe compound in Scottsdale, Arizona, melds southwestern style—dark wood beams, terracotta tiles, and a kiva fireplace—with contemporary gestures like pendant lighting, minimalist ivory walls and sleek material finishes. “You can’t expect [Aquarians’] design tastes to stay in a box,” says Perrotta, and this home defies conventional style silos. The glass on the wood-framed front door riffs on Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin, a home-studio in Wisconsin that exemplifies the Prairie School style of architecture. Meanwhile, the kitchen’s colorful LED lighting shifts playfully according to the owner’s mood. 

Aquarians want a home that stands out, so they’re drawn to offbeat jewel tones or “deep space colors” like indigos, violets and emeralds, says Perrotta. Lighter shades may also attract them, as would cool metals, given their penchant for cutting-edge tech. “They aren’t afraid of color or going out on a limb either,” he says. In terms of furniture, anything oversized, traditional or clunky won’t be for them, so “leave the La-Z-Boy at home,” says Perrotta. Low-slung sofas and loungers are worthwhile investments, as they help them stay literally grounded. 

“If I were to take Aquarius away from the ultra-modern or futuristic elements, I would put them in a home that feels quirky and vintage,” says Perrotta. “Almost like a movie set from the 1970s with ‘modern for the times’ accents.” A London home on a quiet, tree-lined street in St. John’s Wood is defined by a retro-meets-contemporary vibe. Standout features include distinctive wood paneling and palm-tree-shaped lights in gathering spaces such as the bar, a pool lounge, and carpeted sunroom. As Perrotta puts it, “there is a kitschy, playful vibe that [Aquarians] can’t deny.” 

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

The Trends That Will Define 2025

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

From sustainable architecture to community connections, home trends for 2025 are all about spaces that nurture well-being, writes Mandi Keighran

With the new year arriving, interior design and architecture trends look set to emphasize intentional living, driven by an ongoing cultural shift towards wellness, sustainability and meaningful connection with both community and nature. Beyond simply surface-level aesthetics, these trends embrace a more holistic approach. Homes are increasingly designed as sanctuaries that integrate nature, mindfulness and technology in innovative ways, enhancing everyday life. From calming retreats that offer an alternative to open-plan living to walkable neighborhoods that foster active communities, these five home trends for 2025 center on restorative and meaningful environments.

Spaces for retreat

The concept of wellness in the home may not be new, but 2025 will see this evolve from resort-style amenities to embrace holistic wellbeing. A desire for dedicated retreat spaces—such as meditation rooms and reading nooks—is set to increase, offering sanctuary from our digital distractions and fast-paced world. Wynddon Estate in Phoenix, Maryland, features a beautifully crafted reading alcove, framed by wood paneling and large windows overlooking the lush grounds. Such an example showcases how even the most luxurious of homes are thoughtfully integrating spaces for quiet contemplation. 

Hybrid inside-outside properties

In climates that allow it, people are finding more ways to blend indoor comfort with the beauty of nature, creating spaces that open up into the outdoors. These designs feature seamless transitions that allow abundant light, fresh air and greenery—all proven to support wellbeing—to flow into living spaces. “Architecture that dissolves boundaries between inside and outside is all about adding value—both to property and everyday life,” says Emil Neumann, director at London-based Paul Archer Design. “It’s luxurious to be connected to nature. Nothing is more thrilling than being exposed to the elements in an unusual way—from a retractable roof above the shower to an outdoor kitchen or a spa zone that flows from inside to out.”

Casa Lomas Country Club, on the outskirts of Mexico City, is a stunning showcase of this approach. Designed by architects Manolo Mestre and Lorena Vieyra, the home integrates feng shui principles with expansive spaces that open to verdant forests. With an interior characterized by enormous sliding glass doors that lead to spacious terraces, the home blurs boundaries to create a tranquil, immersive retreat.

Dark opulence

The new year sees a growing desire for interiors featuring deep, dramatic colors and sumptuous textures—a boldly sophisticated palette that defies minimalism’s stark neutrality. This trend signals a shift towards moody environments that exude elegance. At a historic home in Weston, Massachusetts, a wood-paneled lounge envelops the occupant in a kind of glamorous, dark opulence. The space is anchored by a striking black marble fireplace that is complemented by jewel-toned textiles—including emerald-green drapes and ruby-red cushions—while art deco lighting adds timeless flair.

Smart yet passive homes

Sustainability will continue to dominate design in 2025—and as eco-consciousness rises, homes that utilize passive cooling and heating strategies will set the standard for future living. These residences emphasize low energy consumption through shading, natural ventilation and materials with high thermal mass (the ability to absorb, store and release heat)—all of which reduce the need for carbon-emitting mechanical systems. Both traditional craftsmanship, drawing on elemental design strategies, and advanced technologies—such as sensors that can automatically shade windows in direct sunlight—play pivotal roles.

A striking example of this is Nest House in Berkeley, California, designed by Artifact Collaborative. Bridgett Shank, the firm’s co-founder, notes that as the need for climate resilience grows, employing passive design strategies “should be the first priority. These strategies can also inform the design and be expressed in ways that enhance our connection to the environment.” At Nest House, a concrete wall anchors the east side of the home and acts as a thermal mass. Throughout the day, light interacts with its textured surface—imprinted with the grain of wooden planks used to mold it—creating a “dynamic visual display that marks the passage of time,” says Shank.

Walkable neighborhoods

As people increasingly value proximity to local amenities and social connections—particularly in the wake of the pandemic—so walkable, community-driven neighborhoods are more sought-after. With everything on your doorstep, such mixed-use developments, blending residential, commercial and recreational areas, help foster a sense of belonging, while reducing residents’ reliance on cars, in turn promoting a more active lifestyle and protecting the environment.

Sixth & Blanco Homes in Austin’s historic Clarksville neighborhood embodies this vision. Co-developed by MML Hospitality and Riverside Resources, this five-story project by renowned architecture practice Herzog & de Meuron features 10 luxury residences, alongside curated retail, restaurants, a bespoke hotel and spa. Built using a sustainable timber structure, the design prioritizes pedestrian connectivity—with courtyards, terraces and greenery—creating a vibrant, walkable urban hub.

“We’re witnessing a profound urban transformation where location is no longer just about geography, it’s about connection,” says global real estate advisor Kumara Wilcoxon, who is offering a four-bedroom property at Sixth & Blanco. “Post-pandemic, buyers are seeking neighborhoods that are ecosystems of experience. Walkable communities have become the new luxury, offering convenience, interaction and a sense of belonging.”

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

How to Design the Perfect Kitchen

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

At-home entertaining hits its peak with the holiday season. For a space that rises to the challenge, it pays to get personal, writes Elizabeth Fazzare

With the holiday season upon us, kitchens have to perform at their best. Recent research has shown that personalization is key. According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s 2024 Kitchen Trends Report, “innovative personalized designs”—supported by customizable appliances, bespoke cabinetry and integrated storage—are among homeowners’ top requests for the room. Certainly, in our post-pandemic lives, the kitchen has become much more than just a place where we cook and eat; it is a key gathering space within the house, where everything from entertaining to remote work now happens. To accommodate the room’s new roles, its design must follow suit.

“We like to think about the kitchen as a hub or epicenter,” says architectural designer Abigail Turin, the California-based co-founder of design firm Kallos Turin, which has offices in San Francisco and London. “No matter how much you cook, the kitchen tends to be where family members interact the most, where guests gravitate, and where the to-do lists that keep a household running are kept.” Designing the perfect kitchen, therefore, requires strategic thinking about daily routines.

For many contemporary homeowners, an open-plan kitchen is a safe bet. Keeping sightlines clear to the adjacent living and dining rooms allows the chef, professional or otherwise, to observe and engage directly with surrounding activity, whether that’s young children playing in the common area or guests sitting at the formal dining table. In a sprawling Healdsburg, California home by Swatt Miers Architects currently on the market, the open-plan kitchen also makes a playful design statement. This double-height space uses primary colors, including bright yellow paneling on the pair of kitchen islands, and a swath of irregularly hung light pendants to create visual contrast with the rest of the wine country wood-and-concrete architecture.

Because the kitchen is ultimately a workspace, materiality is an important consideration. Turin usually recommends natural materials for countertops, noting that harder stones, such as basalt, granite and quartzite, prevent visible etching and staining. But for those not bothered by “the marks of time and use,” Turin suggests limestone and marble. “We have done a few kitchens entirely in stainless steel and love that as well,” she adds. “The first scratches always look like outliers until it becomes a beautiful patina of use over time.”

Whatever the chosen material, for serious home cooks, ample counter space is a necessity—and dedicated square footage for specialty appliances might be, too. “We always love a U- or L-shaped counter around a large island,” says Turin, adding that the space between the counters should be wide “so people can easily work back-to-back.” Built in 1940, this historic Hudson Valley farmhouse in upstate New York has maintained its separate kitchen layout, with plenty of space for home cooks to maneuver. However, its renovated interior now offers new cabinetry with stone countertops, integrated appliances and storage that wrap around a central island.

For hands-on hosts who prefer more casual daytime or evening gatherings, a dedicated coffee station or wet bar might be the kitchen’s focus, while a breakfast nook or seating at the island allow intimate interactions. But for those who don’t do the cooking themselves, having a prep kitchen behind the main space helps mealtime run more smoothly, such as in this Dubai villa, where German company Bulthaup designed the open-plan show kitchen (with an incredible glass floor) to flow into the dining room and take advantage of island vistas. High-tech appliances for all cookery needs are tucked out of sight, in the spacious prep kitchen.

No matter the homeowner’s envisioned lifestyle, some things are universally desirable. “It is not the size of the kitchen that matters nearly as much as the light and the layout,” says Turin. “There’s nothing quite like making your morning coffee with sunlight streaming in.”

SOURCE: Sotheby’s