Luxury Lens: Does the Era of a Residence Shape Its Price?

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Luxury is in the eye—and tastes—of the beholder. But when a high-end home was built can offer hints about its characteristics.

The “January 2026 Luxury Housing Report: Old Versus New,” published by Realtor.comⓇ on February 11, 2026, compares luxury U.S. homes that have a median year of construction before 2002 with those built after 2002.

The newer luxury homes are notably bigger: the properties built most recently average 3,187 square feet in the US$1-2M bracket, compared to 1,430 square feet (Urban Honolulu) and 1,929 square feet (New York Metro Area) in those older luxury markets.

However, the older luxury homes are generally more expensive. In January 2026, luxury homes in the five most expensive older markets commanded higher prices than those in newer markets, with one eye-catching exception: Heber, Utah.

Despite a median construction date of 2024, luxury properties in Heber, Utah were priced at an entry point of US$7.6M in January 2026—higher than anywhere else in the U.S.

Yet, according to the same report, when it comes to selling, the age of a high-end home does not significantly correlate with time spent on the market, making the insight of a well-informed real estate agent all the more valuable.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Three Parisian Interior Designers To Know if You Love French Style

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

A new wave of inspiring French interiors offers everything from hushed elegance to whimsical theatricality, writes Caitlin Gunther

For design inspiration, the world has long looked to France, where visual languages become enduring styles, from the gilded opulence of the Napoleonic era to the stately lines of Haussmann’s Paris, and the cool, functional minimalism of Le Corbusier.

“Arbiters of Style: The New Wave of French Interior Design” by Eugenia Santiesteban Soto, in collaboration with Paris-based writers Alice Cavanagh and Lindsey Tramuta, seeks to capture French design in its most contemporary manifestation, via some of its key tastemakers. Soto, style director at Frederic magazine, highlights a range of aesthetics and approaches here, from “poetic restraint to theatrical spaces teeming with fantasy.” One common thread, according to the author, is a spirit of innovation. 

“I think the French truly celebrate and respect creativity, and that mindset has deeply permeated the culture,” Soto tells Sotheby’s International Realty. “Designers—not only in interiors and furniture design, but also in fashion—aren’t content to sit on their laurels. They keep moving, reinventing.” That same cultural fabric explains why personal style and individuality are so genuinely celebrated in France.

Another recurring theme, Soto notes, is the sculptural quality of many French interiors. “I get the sense designers are thinking about interiors as a three-dimensional canvas. They pay close attention to blank space and the flow of objects in a room,” she says. Many schemes are co-created with clients as creative as the designers themselves.

Craftsmanship is also a throughline, with a focus on local artisans. “I think it’s natural that [French] designers are looking in their backyards—there is such a rich history of craft in their native country,” Soto says. At the same time, they don’t limit themselves to L’Hexagone; the respect for craft transcends national borders. Among the designers featured in the book, a few standouts illustrate this “new wave.”

Claves

A sculptural mantelpiece by Claves, co-created with Hugo Marchand, artistic director of Christian Louboutin, for the main salon of his whimsical Paris apartment. Photograph: Alice Mesguich

Anyone who follows the contemporary Paris hospitality scene knows the name Claves. The interior architecture studio, founded by Laure Gravier and Soizic Fougeront in 2022, has made a name for itself with bold, imaginative spaces—from uber-cool restaurants like Le Cornichon in the 11th arrondissement to Villa Junot, a painstakingly restored and reimagined hôtel particulier in the hills of Montmartre. 

The book details how the team looks to French decorative arts for inspiration, especially movements that defined the early 20th century, such as art deco. Think: a serpentine mosaic fireplace or a ribbon-like wooden spiral staircase bathed in natural light. “The aim is to create spaces where you feel like an actor in a film set,” Gravier tells the authors.

The result is design-forward—without ever taking itself too seriously. The spaces feel at once stylish and playful. “We like to inject an element of surprise,” Gravier adds.

Dorothée Delaye

Bold sculptural combinations by Dorothée Delaye for the poolhouse at Les Bords du Lac. Photograph: Mr Tripper

Stepping inside Mimosa, the Paris restaurant led by celebrated chef Jean-François Piège, feels like entering a hidden world tucked into the 8th arrondissement. Its curved, rich-hued wood surfaces, a soaring ceiling inspired by a ship’s hull, and tufted banquettes the color of salicorn, give you a taste of Dorothée Delaye’s sensibility. This project, in particular, channels the French Riviera of the 1950s.

As the book’s authors explain, the Paris- and Marseille-based designer credits her distinctive aesthetic to childhood trips with her parents to antique fairs, as well as to her own adventures to far-flung, sun-soaked destinations like California, Brazil and Beirut.

“Those early trips meant that, unconsciously, I developed an eye for the eclectic, foreign and culturally unique,” says Delaye in the book. Her signature lies in transporting color palettes, always punctuated with eclectic, one-of-a-kind touches. “I always need to add some slightly wild or crazy detail to make it me,” she adds.

Festen

Festen’s cross-braced wardrobes are a call back to the 17th-century provenance of fashion designer Theirry Gillier’s home, while a Tracey Emin painting hangs over the bed. Photograph: Matthieu Salvaing

The Marais-based studio Festen is another “It” design duo in Paris. Founded by Charlotte de Tonnac and Hugo Sauzay, recent notable projects include Paris Fashion Week favorite Chateau Voltaire and the elegant 8th arrondissement boutique haven Hotel Balzac. 

The book describes their style as “hushed restraint and classic rigor”—tonal palettes, natural materials and meticulous attention to craftsmanship. Examples include an antechamber sheathed in brushed silk, accented by a Picasso hanging from a bronze picture rail, and an oatmilk-hued bedroom with clean, simple moldings livened up by two floral-upholstered Louis XIII armchairs. “We try not to be ostentatious,” says Sauzay. “We want to be fairly understated but not minimalist.”

It’s easy to linger over Soto’s carefully curated photographs and daydream how to incorporate these perspectives into one’s own home. At the very least, the reader comes away with a few bright-line rules of thumb: balance, restraint, craftsmanship and the occasional wink of fun and whimsy. “This book is really for anyone who loves design,” Soto says. “You don’t have to be a Francophile to appreciate it.”

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Making an Entrance: Hallways Fit for an Oscar Winner

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Architectural flourishes and statement design ensure a sense of occasion every time you arrive home, writes Nancy Groves

As the glitter settles for another year on the 98th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, it seems fitting to take a tour of some truly Oscar-worthy hallways around the world. Most actors will have dreamed of one day sweeping through a grand doorway or down a spiral staircase, clutching that golden statuette in a longed-for moment of adulation and celebration. 

But making an entrance isn’t reserved for the good folk of Hollywood. Every homeowner wants a hallway fit for their identity and lifestyle, one that impresses visitors, welcomes in guests, and is both impactful and a suitable introduction to the rest of the residence. And when it comes to high-end luxury homes, this becomes all the more important. 

“A luxury property’s entrance sets the tone for the entire home,” says Shauna Walters, global real estate advisor with Sotheby’s International Realty – Beverly Hills Brokerage. “It’s the first moment of arrival and the first impression for guests, so it needs to immediately convey scale, design intention and atmosphere.”

Nowhere is that intent more evident than in the opening vestibule of this midcentury-inspired contemporary build in the Hollywood Hills, where dimensions, decor and custom fittings by the Italian lighting brand Vesta combine in an aesthetic that should appeal to those behind or in front of a camera. 

“The entrance hallway was designed as a true architectural moment.” says Walters of this dynamic design scheme. “The bespoke lighting and dramatic chandelier draw the eye upward and highlight the volume of the space, while the fountains introduce movement and a calming sound that adds a resort-like sense of luxury.”

These sensory and sculptural elements are echoed throughout the entire nine-bedroom, 14-bathroom home, offering continuity. “What makes the experience even more powerful is that the hallway naturally leads your eye toward the expansive views beyond,” Walters says. “As you walk through the entry, the home slowly reveals itself, creating a sense of drama and progression that sets the stage for the rest of the property.”

There is a similarly pleasing progression to the entrance of this coastal Florida estate, part of the gated community of Cocoanut Bayou in Sarasota. A twin Italianate exterior staircase leads the visitor up from the grounds to heavy-duty wooden double doors, which open into a 12-foot-high foyer, framed by a curved ironwork banister: perfect for an award-winning descent. 

Step from this hallway through to the huge central living room, meanwhile, and the ceiling height doubles to 24 feet, while hardwood flooring and a decorative balcony on the terrace beyond create a continuous sightline from the front doors right through to the waterfront.

In a secluded stretch of Greece, the statement made by another twin staircase and gallery landing is deployed in a hallway that ties these elements together playfully. For those inspired by storytelling—and what else is the movie business?—the entrance to The Grand Estate in Kassiopi, Corfu, engages your curiosity and imagination immediately.

The simple trinity of flagstone, woodwork and white walls becomes a canvas for decorative rugs, painted panels, books, pots, clocks and other treasured items. And through a trio of windows and door: green foliage and the beautiful blue waters of the Ionian sea. 

As Shauna Walters says of good hallway design: “Done well, an entry creates a transition from the outside world into a private sanctuary while building anticipation for what’s beyond.”

Finally, in London, famously home to its fair share of Oscar winners, staircases don’t get much more sweeping than the central flight of this Belgravia duplex, proving that grand entrances aren’t reserved for standalone homes, but also serve stylish apartment living. 

Combining architectural detail with contemporary flair, this hallway’s monochrome scheme exudes drama, with dark banisters echoing the marble and decorative grate at floor level. What’s more, while the entrance to the apartment is private and discreet, via a landscaped garden, the building is portered, offering the best of both worlds. Everyone’s a winner.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Luxury Lens: Where Does Investable Wealth Meet Luxury Real Estate?

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

There’s wealth, and then there’s investable wealth. Liquid and transferable, investable wealth is easily deployed into new assets—like luxury real estate.

There are 16 million people worldwide who hold at least US$1M each in investable wealth, according to “Investable Assets of the Global Wealthy,” a report published on December 9, 2025 by research firm Altrata. Collectively these assets total US$67.3TN.

The global footprint of the Sotheby’s International Realty® brand closely mirrors this wealth distribution, with a strong presence of affiliated offices and agents in markets where investable wealth is most concentrated.

Take North America, where 7.4 million people have at least US$1M ready to invest, totalling US$29.3TN, according to Altrata. Most of this—US$26.2TN—is held in the U.S. by 6.8 million individuals. North America is also home to 745 Sotheby’s International Realty affiliated offices and 22,508 affiliated sales associates.

In Asia, US$8.1TN is held by 4.2 million people, and in Europe, 3.1 million people hold US$13.8TN. Japan—which ranks third for total investable wealth after the U.S. and China–is home to 10 Sotheby’s International Realty affiliated offices and 160 affiliated sales associates, while there are 182 affiliated offices and 1,237 affiliated associates in Europe.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Color Chart: The Joys of a Pink Home

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Our monthly series asks: How do you bring color into luxury design? Pink can be both grounding and joyful, writes Jill Krasny 

Ever notice how some homes captivate you while others don’t turn your head? The colors in the design scheme may be at play. Whereas white encourages feelings of calm and red gets people talking, pink, which our series on color in luxury design turns to next, can be quietly powerful. 

“It’s warm and soothing, but can also be joyful and energizing,” says Dane Austin, an interior designer based in Boston. “It softens architecture, and it warms cool light and creates a sense of welcome.” The color can easily be misunderstood, viewed as too “girly” or meant only for babies. But it’s surprisingly versatile, he stresses.

Villa Belvedere, a clifftop Italian villa with breathtaking views of the port of Capri, looks like something out of a postcard, says Austin. “There’s something so charming about the way that it’s set in the landscape,” he says, and the pink exterior helps it stand out against the greenery and clear blue sky. 

For Austin, who painted his own New England guest room Farrow & Ball’s Setting Plaster (a dusty pink) with lavender trim, pink is a crowd pleaser. “There are just so many shades,” he says, “I feel like there’s something for everyone.”

In Newport, Rhode Island, where pink conjures images of faded hydrangeas in late summer, the walls of a bedroom in Stone House read more salmon in shade, while a deckside reception room features two coral pink sofas.

“I love the touches of red,” says Austin, who finds the pink of the bedroom well balanced with the “warm wood furnishings and brass accents.” With these walls, he adds, “there can only be one real star of the show. Everything else takes a back seat.”

A beachfront mansion in Old Fort Bay—a gated community in the Bahamas—uses pink more sparingly, particularly in the bedroom, says Austin, where the richer, earthier tone is sophisticated. A paler shade is also used to great effect in a light-filled home office.

“The ombrè effect behind the bedroom wall feels earthy and grounded,” notes Austin, and the draperies pull from that color to stunning effect. “The pink enhances that beautiful Caribbean blue, which almost looks like a gemstone.”

By contrast, a laundry room of a contemporary colonial in Brookville, on Long Island’s North Shore, uses a saturated pink to give an otherwise boring space rock‘n’roll edge. It’s in keeping with its owners’ playful approach to color throughout the property.

“I appreciate the thought put into making a utility space somewhere that makes you smile,” Austin says. The laundry room is not a space for entertaining, after all.

Seafair, another oceanfront Bahamas estate—located, appropriately enough, on Harbour Island’s Pink Sands Beach—deploys pink in a more subdued way. The living room features a subtle pink stripe on the swivel chairs and a supersized pastel-pink sofa, while the rest of the space is kept tonal and neutral.

That’s a good thing, says Austin, because “when you use a hue like pink, it’s often best served with a healthy dose of neutrals, which keeps it from feeling too saccharine.”

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Why the Multigenerational Home Is Luxury Living Defined

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

High-end buyers are increasingly seeking space for everyone under one roof, bringing family together—at home or on holiday

“It’s where the family heartbeat is,” says Rodd Macklin, co-founder and managing director of Pennington Partners & Co, of the rise in multigenerational living, where grandparents, children and grandchildren share a home. 

The setup is emerging as a significant trend in luxury real estate, strengthening emotional connections, spreading caregiving duties and forging family legacies. “A home is often the anchor where families come together, making it a natural place for conversations about prosperity,” continues Macklin. “At the same time, it’s a major asset that must be structured thoughtfully if it’s going to last across generations.” 

And generational considerations matter. According to Macklin, Baby Boomers (born 1946-64) often downsize their daily living arrangements but keep a home for family gatherings, while Generation X (1965-80) increasingly house elderly parents and adult children. For Millennials (1981-96) and Gen Z (1997-2012), flexible living spaces beat large houses. “What’s the same across all generations is that their homes give a sense of belonging. It’s not just real estate,” Macklin says.

Indeed, the pull of multigenerational living is being felt globally, especially in countries with a culture of honoring and valuing older family members. “In Japan, the idea of a family living together has profound roots,” says Kantaro Aoki of List Sotheby’s International Realty, Japan. “Historically, it was common for the grandparents, parents and children to live together in the same household, especially in rural areas. Although the nuclear family became more common in the postwar years, the trend toward multigenerational homes is re-emerging.”

Suitable properties are shaped by location, purpose, architecture, land availability and cultural norms. “Thoughtful planning by an architect of how people want to live is the difference between successful intergenerational living and a big house,” says Bob Zuber, a partner at Morgante Wilson Architects in Chicago, Illinois. “Think rec rooms, sitting rooms, separate entry points if necessary, reading nooks and playrooms. Not everyone wants or needs to be surrounded by family members at all times.”

For Sandra Wendland of Legacy Sotheby’s International Realty in Portland, Maine, multigenerational housing comes in many forms. “Sometimes it’s a lakefront property, sometimes oceanfront or even island compounds, because it goes back to the family seeking meaningful time together.”

One of Wendland’s recent transactions—a lakefront property near the base of a ski resort—included the buyer’s mother, who had grown up skiing there. “She was elated to be able to enjoy the mountain and lake with her grandchildren,” says Wendland.

Just as space to come together is important, often so is real estate with space to be apart. “From the cultural aspect, I think the luxury end is really about unplugging,” says Margaret “Meg” Smith of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty in Bay Shore, New York.

Smith recently sold a multigenerational property on Fire Island, New York. It comprised three separate houses: one on the bay, one ocean-facing, and the third centered between them as an entertainment space. Two brothers thought it was perfect because each one could have their own home and they could bring their families together in the middle, Smith says.

For affluent families, these purchases represent more than a lifestyle choice—they are strategic investments that address multiple financial objectives while creating space for the family to thrive across generations. Whether used for vacations with extended family or year-round living, multigenerational homes offer the chance to deepen family connections and create a lasting real estate legacy. As Macklin concludes, it’s about having “somewhere that ties everyone together.”

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

5 Stylish Home Resolutions for 2026

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

A new year invites a more meaningful approach to interior design, with personalized spaces that support your well-being and values, writes Emma Reynolds

Each new year invites reflection and renewal and much of that begins at home. Where we live is an extension of who we are and what we value. In 2026, luxury design is moving beyond fleeting trends and strict design rules, embracing more individualized interiors, richer color and texture, a lived-in ease and spaces that foster connection.

New York-based interior designer Andrew Suvalsky says his clients are pivoting from minimalism to embrace a more personalized aesthetic. “People want homes that are layered, expressive and distinguished, rather than neutral or generic,” he says.

The most compelling interiors aren’t static; they evolve with their owners over time. Consider these ideas a thoughtful roadmap for elevating your home and lifestyle.

Think big with wallpaper

Blank white walls can be a creative canvas: an invitation to go bold with statement coverings. Wallpaper, once tied to dated living rooms and grand old hotels, has reemerged as a powerful design tool that can double up as artwork. It appears in non-traditional ways—on wrapped ceilings and in lined cabinetry—while transforming smaller spaces such as closets, powder rooms and offices into moments of surprise. 

Skilled artisans and heritage design houses such as de Gournay—as featured in this contemporary home in Ontario, Canada—create bespoke works from intricate hand-painted murals to luxurious tactile materials (silk, pearl appliqué, linen, grasscloth) that add beauty and depth to walls that could otherwise fall flat.

Go wild with an orangery

An orangery is a purpose-built garden room originally designed to shelter citrus trees through harsh European winters. Popularized in 17th-century England, it soon became a symbol of refinement, evolving into a sophisticated setting for entertaining guests. 

Today, the orangery feels newly relevant as homeowners embrace biophilic design, the philosophy of connecting people to nature through natural light, views and proximity to the outdoors to enhance well-being. 

Essentially, a more elevated take on the conservatory, orangeries are conceived as a true architectural extension of the home, with insulated masonry walls, oversized windows, and, ideally, a glazed lantern roof that lets the sun shine through all year.

Have fun with color contrasts

Homeowners are growing ever more confident when it comes to experimenting with color as they realize that low-risk, low-maintenance, non-permanent tweaks using paint, textiles and accessories can easily transform a room without a full redesign. Whether bright and vibrant, or dark, earthy and moody, color is the most satisfying of upgrades.

Methods like color drenching (painting walls, ceilings, trims and doors the same hue) or contrasting unexpected shades, through furniture, art and decor, can both work. This Mediterranean-style property in Austin, Texas is a lesson in tasteful yet daring color contrasting, featuring saturated red hues alongside shades of saffron and green. 

“There’s a desire to bring the richness of high fashion, as we see on runways and magazine editorial imagery, into the home through color, texture and materiality,” says Suvalsky.

Create a sanctuary—inside or outside

New year’s resolutions often revolve around our health. Wellness-focused amenities in the comfort of your own home can help support these goals long-term. Saunas, gyms, cold plunges, spas and mediation rooms are among the most in-demand luxury residential features as a new wave of buyers prioritize longevity of lifestyle. 

A mountain home in Jackson Hole, Wyoming approaches the booming sauna culture in particular through a design-forward lens; its outdoor sauna is a sleek and contemporary structure tucked into the wild landscape. Some high-end homeowners and property developers are even installing hyperbaric oxygen chambers and IV drip stations. 

Though wellness means something different for everyone, the benefits of creating a calm, relaxing space for restorative rituals, whatever its size or scale, go a long way.

Source locally whenever possible

Sustainability is not a trend but a guiding principle for today’s homeowners and designers. Locally sourced materials ground a home in its surroundings and create a true sense of place, while reducing environmental impact and fostering community. It’s just as important to work with local artisans and craftspeople, who bring knowledge, tradition and nuance that can’t be imported or replicated. 

“With the flood of mass-produced furniture from global retailers, clients want something more customized and turn to finely crafted special-order furnishings built by hand,” says Suvalsky, who has curated a strong network of artisans and fabricators in his work. There’s no better display of how contemporary design can sit cohesively with expert craftsmanship and local materials than this hilltop manse in Queenstown, New Zealand. An architectural marvel overlooking Lake Wakatipu, it features locally sourced schist stone, slate flooring and reclaimed Kauri timber details that incorporate an organic feel. Artful touches, like a sculptural spiral staircase, make the home feel one-of-a-kind.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Where You’ll Really Want to Be in 2026

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

From Milan to Mexico City, these are the luxury locations to head to this year, writes Francesca Perry

Looking ahead, a number of exciting, high-profile events and openings will animate cultural hotspots around the globe in 2026—but where are the biggest draws? Whether you’re a fan of sports, contemporary art or collectible design, here are our picks of the places to set your sights on this year, each with its own real estate landscape, full of opportunities.

Milan, Italy

Forever a center of fashion and design, Milan will also co-host the Winter Olympics this February along with the Alpine ski resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo. Music icon Mariah Carey will reportedly perform at the opening ceremony in Milan on February 6, and the city is set to host the ice sport events. Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, an arena designed by David Chipperfield Architects for the event, will become a large-scale sports and entertainment venue after the Games conclude.In spring, the agenda-setting Salone del Mobile furniture fair returns (April 21‑26) with a new section dedicated to the very best of collectible design. Named Salone Raritas, the presentation reflects the growing culture of curated, crafted and unique design objects and furniture. Beyond the fair, the entire citycomes to life for the week, dotted with exhibitions and installations showcasing the pinnacle of luxury and emerging design.

Doha, Qatar

Qatar’s capital, Doha, will welcome the inaugural edition of the Art Basel fair in the region on February 5, reflecting the city’s growing cultural prowess. Curated by artistic director Wael Shawky, Art Basel Qatar will present 87 world-leading galleries alongside a special projects program of large-scale, site-specific sculptures, installations and performances unfolding across the Msheireb Downtown Doha district. 

Shawky hopes that, under the curatorial banner of Becoming, the fair will be “a meditation on change.” In the Gulf region, he says, “oral traditions flow into digital networks and ancient trade routes return as new pathways of culture and exchange. Here, art is not only a witness to history but a force that shapes how we imagine and reimagine identity.”Two months later, the city will host the second edition of the Design Doha Biennale(April 12‑June 30), exploring the creativity of designers in the Middle East and beyond. American curator and writer Glenn Adamson, curatorial director of December’s Design Miami, is artistic director here, and aims to connect the Gulf’s design scene to a global audience.

Mexico City, Mexico

The 2026 Men’s Fifa World Cup has not one host nation but three—Mexico, Canada and the U.S.—with 104 games being held in 16 cities across the North American continent this summer. But when the action kicks off on June 11, the tournament’s opening ceremony and first game of the group stages will be held at the iconic Mexico City Stadium.

Designed in 1966 by Mexican modernist architect Pedro Ramírez Vázquez for the then upcoming 1968 Olympics, the 83,000 capacity, earthquake-resistant venue is said to have been inspired by London’s original Wembley Stadium and Milan’s San Siro, and has already hosted two World Cup finals—in 1970 and 1986 respectively.Several months before the soccer fans descend, CDMX will be welcoming gallerists, artists and collectors for the always buzzy Zona Maco (February 4-8). Latin America’s leading international art fair is actually four fairs in one, platforming contemporary art, design, photography and antiques from galleries across the region to the world.

London, U.K.

Two major museums will arrive in London in 2026: V&A East and the London Museum. The former sees the expansion of the design and decorative arts-focused Victoria & Albert Museum, which already has three destinations in the U.K. capital, as well as one in the city of Stoke-on-Trent and one in Dundee, Scotland. Located in east London’s evolving Olympic Park, V&A East is designed by Dublin firm O’Donnell + Tuomey. After opening on April 18, it will host major exhibitions, as well as festivals, installations and live performances.

The London Museum opens later in the year, in central London’s historic Smithfield Market, to a design by architects Asif Khan and Stanton Williams. A rebrand and relocation of the former Museum of London, this new destination will host exhibitions and events about the city, its culture and history. As ever, London is also home to some of the global cultural calendar’s key moments, from fashion weeks in February and September to the London Design Festival (September 12-20) and Frieze art fair (October 14-18).

Seoul, South Korea

Paris’ iconic modern art museum, Centre Pompidou, may be closed for renovations, but in May 2026, an outpost will open in the South Korean capital of Seoul. Named Centre Pompidou x Hanwha-Seoul, the gallery is located in Tower 63, a skyscraper in the financial district of Yeouido that is being transformed by leading French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Exhibitions of the Pompidou’s modern and contemporary collections will be accompanied by an educational area for young visitors. 

Seoul, already a thriving capital city and hub of K-pop music, has been expanding its cultural offering over the past five years, becoming a leading Asian destination. The Photography Seoul Museum of Art opened its doors in May 2025. Frieze art fair, which made its Seoul debut in 2022, returns in 2026 for its fifth edition (September 2‑5) having recently opened its new permanent exhibition space in the city, Frieze House Seoul. Not far from that cultural hub, apartments at “La Terrasse” offer verdant terraces with panoramic views of the Han River—and plenty of wall space for an avid art collector.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Luxury Lens: Where in the World Does $1M Buy the Most Space?

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

“Where $1 Million Buys the Most Space,” published by Realtor.com® on October 27, 2025, reveals that existing high-end U.S. homes priced at US$1-2M range significantly in size nationwide.

At one end of the scale is Urban Honolulu, where US$1-2M typically buys 1,651 square feet of prime property. Occupying the other end is the metro area of Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell in Georgia, where the same budget secures a median 4,530 square feet—more than twice as much living space.

As Anthony Smith, senior economist for Realtor.com, highlights, both options offer value; the choice depends on an individual buyer’s priorities and preferences.

“Luxury buyers are increasingly seeking value—and that doesn’t always mean a lower price tag, but rather more home for the money,” says Smith of areas with bigger homes in this range. “In markets like Honolulu or the Bay Area, buyers are paying for proximity, views and prestige—not square footage,” he adds.

So how do existing homes in key international locations measure up? With luxury real estate offices in more than 80 countries and territories worldwide, the Sotheby’s International Realty brand can expand the picture.

Data from Sotheby’s International Realty affiliates in five prime property hotspots across five different continents shows that Cape Town, South Africa, offers the most spacious living, with US$1-2M typically buying 4,844 square feet, exceeding Atlanta’s median footprint. This is followed by São Paulo, Brazil (3,850 square feet), Auckland, New Zealand (1,732 square feet), Madrid, Spain (1,346 square feet), and Singapore (a diminutive but valuable 977 square feet).

With its unrivalled global network, Sotheby’s International Realty understands that what defines a luxury home is unique to each buyer, and its affiliated agents are ready to help identify opportunity, wherever in the world their clients want to live.

As Anthony Smith, senior economist for Realtor.com, highlights, both options offer value; the choice depends on an individual buyer’s priorities and preferences.

“Luxury buyers are increasingly seeking value—and that doesn’t always mean a lower price tag, but rather more home for the money,” says Smith of areas with bigger homes in this range. “In markets like Honolulu or the Bay Area, buyers are paying for proximity, views and prestige—not square footage,” he adds.

So how do existing homes in key international locations measure up? With luxury real estate offices in more than 80 countries and territories worldwide, Sotheby’s International Realty can expand the picture.

Data from Sotheby’s International Realty affiliates in five prime property hotspots across five different continents shows that Cape Town, South Africa, offers the most spacious living, with US$1-2M typically buying 4,844 square feet, exceeding Atlanta’s median footprint. This is followed by São Paulo, Brazil (3,850 square feet), Auckland, New Zealand (1,732 square feet), Madrid, Spain (1,346 square feet), and Singapore (a diminutive but valuable 977 square feet).

With its unrivalled global network, Sotheby’s International Realty understands that what defines a luxury home is unique to each buyer, and its affiliated agents are ready to help identify opportunity, wherever in the world their clients want to live.

So how do existing homes in key international locations measure up? With luxury real estate offices in more than 80 countries and territories worldwide, Sotheby’s International Realty can expand the picture.

Data from Sotheby’s International Realty affiliates in five prime property hotspots across five different continents shows that Cape Town, South Africa, offers the most spacious living, with US$1-2M typically buying 4,844 square feet, exceeding Atlanta’s median footprint. This is followed by São Paulo, Brazil (3,850 square feet), Auckland, New Zealand (1,732 square feet), Madrid, Spain (1,346 square feet), and Singapore (a diminutive but valuable 977 square feet).

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

How to Design a Party-Perfect Interior

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Whether you enjoy hosting cozy soirées or grand events, create a welcome haven for guests with luxurious materials, subtle lighting and clever, streamlined design, writes Claudia Baillie

Entertaining at home has become a defining part of contemporary luxury living, with high-end interiors often shaped around moments of celebration and connection. Today’s homes offer a considered blend of style and function that ensures both glamorous parties and more informal gatherings unfold with ease. From spaces that work equally for grand soirées and intimate get-togethers to cozy corners that encourage effortless conversation, the goal is to create environments that are characterful yet primed for hosting at a moment’s notice. In these scenarios, entertaining is not an afterthought, it’s at the very heart of the design.

One of the most visible expressions of this trend is the rise of the home bar, with discerning clients requesting dedicated areas—sometimes entire rooms—that become stylish focal points. “These spaces are where friends and family can gather and enjoy elegant, decadent evenings,” says Felix Milns, founder of bespoke kitchen and joinery specialists Hux London. “Some people opt for a separate bar area complete with stools, but the majority choose a beautifully crafted cabinet that sits flush to a wall or a cupboard integrated into a longer run of joinery. When closed, it blends seamlessly into the room, but when open, it adds an instant sense of theatre.”

Materials and finishes elevate these designs beyond mere utility. Luxurious timber, marble, reeded glass, and foxed or smoked mirrors, combined with adjustable LED lighting, create a subtle ambience or a more dramatic effect as desired. “Together, these elements elevate the simple act of serving a drink into an immersive experience,” says Milns. 

Functionality is equally important: shelves for glittering glassware, decanters and bottles are complemented by closed storage for items that are best hidden, while extra features might include ice makers, coffee machines, temperature-controlled refrigeration or even sinks for stress-free preparation and cleanup.

Alongside bars, wine rooms are an increasingly sought-after luxury feature. “Unlike traditional cellars hidden away in basements, these spaces are meant to be showcased, sometimes with seating and a table for experiential tasting,” Milns reports. An automated, climate-controlled environment is essential, while glass frontage, ambient lighting and bespoke joinery show off the wine, and integrated smart apps help collectors manage inventories and access tasting notes.

Open-plan living and dining areas, too, are being reimagined for the way we live and entertain, and experts like Sophie Chapman, associate and interior designer at multi-award-winning design studio The Vawdrey House, emphasize adaptability. 

“A room that feels intimate for supper for two needs to expand gracefully to seat 10,” Chapman explains. “Designing for entertaining means designing for real life. We consider how the cook moves, how sociable the host wants to be during prep and whether guests should perch at the island or settle in the living area while the finishing touches happen.” Pantries and sculleries are invaluable for hiding the inevitable mess, she adds, so the kitchen remains calm as guests arrive, while strong extraction is essential for cooks who entertain often. 

Zoning is fundamental. Subtle changes in level, shifts in floor finishes and partial screening help create defined areas without interrupting the openness. Furniture should be positioned with plenty of breathing room, while lightweight freestanding pieces can be moved around as gatherings evolve.

“The dining area typically forms a gentle threshold between kitchen and living space,” says Chapman. “Extendable dining tables allow the room to flex for larger groups, while banquettes offer comfort, maximize seating and add softness through textiles. In living zones adjacent to dining areas, modular sofas provide a spot for guests to gather and lounge without feeling rigid or formal, but we always consider sight lines as no one wants to sit at sofa height staring at a busy worktop.” Layered, adjustable lighting can be used to create a sense of rhythm throughout the evening, as can sensory details such as candlelight, music and scent. 

While flexible, multifunctional spaces often form the core of modern interiors, Milns says there remains a distinct desire for the ceremony and ritual of a dedicated room. “A formal dining room provides a clear separation from the bustle of everyday life. It creates an atmosphere that feels elevated, deliberate and inherently glamorous,” he notes.

Bespoke shelving or a beautifully crafted dresser allows for the display of ceramics, glassware or curated collections, while hidden storage ensures the room remains uncluttered, preserving its sense of occasion. In such spaces, the act of dining itself becomes ceremonial, and every detail contributes to a considered experience.

Ultimately, the best examples of entertaining spaces don’t just accommodate guests; they invite them in while shaping the pace and mood of an event. The payoff of great design is not just in how the spaces look, but the way they make people feel: welcomed, engaged and with a feeling of warmth that lingers long after the evening ends. 

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Color Chart: The Joys Of An Orange Home

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Our monthly series asks: How do you bring color into a luxury home? Zingy orange is a palette cleanser—and works well with a dash of greenery, writes Jill Krasny

Ever notice how some homes put you at ease while others seem to jolt you awake? The colors in a design scheme may have something to do with it. Whereas soft shades of pink tend to lower the heart rate, green clears your mind and citrus shades can make you feel energized. For the first installment of our new series on color in luxury homes, we’re examining orange—that zingy, punchy hue that makes a space feel energising, warm and playful.   

“There’s a time and a place for orange,” says Jasmin Reese, an interior designer based in Chicago. “A lot of people think their skin tone doesn’t look good against orange. But I think it gives you a nice glow and it’s a riveting color.” She suggests plenty of ways to harness it, such as painting the underside of kitchen cabinets an Hermès color reminiscent of its gift box; or enlivening a room with orange-colored artwork or throw pillows.

A 1995 adobe house in Santa Fe, New Mexico, looks truly sunbaked and offers a chance to experiment with complimentary hues to orange, like calming blue and green. The expansive living room, with its raw wood-beamed ceilings and coral hexagon tiles, would look smart with a blue accent chair, window treatment or rug, says Reese. “Greenery is always a nice way to bring the outdoors in,” and plants will complement the light orange of the dining area. 

As a secondary hue, orange feels softer than primary colors such as red and yellow. However, it’s best not overused, warns Reese, as it can feel “repetitive and too muddy overall.” Paired with dark floors, it can all too easily scream Halloween.

A striking villa minutes from downtown Papeete, on Tahiti, stands out with its tangerine exterior. The sculptural staircase also makes a statement, as does the living room painted a cheerful orange red. To help the artwork stand out, Reese suggests contrasting the walls bright white. “You may as well just commit,” she says of the azure-colored bedroom.

Meanwhile, a minimalist home in Akrotiri, on the island of Paros, almost blends into the rustic landscape with its terracotta exterior. “You’re kind of enveloped in it,” Reese says of the arresting color, which extends throughout the outdoor spaces and communal areas. Very little is needed to enhance this luxury space, though Reese suggests introducing sheer window treatments in linen or cotton to the sitting room, imagining soft, layered lighting playing across it at night.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Live Like Downton Abbey: An Ode to English Country House Style

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

The fairytale allure of aristocratic life continues to captivate on screen and in real estate.

It was the American-British novelist Henry James who praised “the well-appointed, well-administered, well-filled country house” as the most perfect invention of the English, revealing both “their social genius and their manners.” 

James would surely have tipped his hat to “Downton Abbey,” which after 15 popular years on our screens has secured its place among fictional estates as venerable as Jane Austen’s Pemberley, Daphne du Maurier’s Manderley and Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Castle. But while “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” marks the end of an era, the show’s influence on real estate continues, with buyers seeking properties that capture the same aristocratic elegance and country house appeal.

Steeped in tradition and landscape, the English country house style endures on both sides of the Atlantic—in bricks and mortar, as well as on screen. Recent Realtor.com research found “the timeless elegance and romantic charm of Tudor and Victorian architecture” infuses the oldest and largest grand houses in America, particularly those in the northeastern U.S.

The country house vernacular is a consistently popular choice for new homes, too: though barely 20 years old, the Georgian proportions of this house in Zionsville, Central Indiana perfectly capture that old-world charm. 

It’s hardly surprising the English country house has endured so well. The mix of old and new—in furniture, textiles and architecture—makes for a reassuring blend of nostalgia and continuity, while comfortable elegance balanced with tasteful formality creates lived-in sophistication.

For John Goodall, architectural editor of “Country Life” magazine, this combination of comfort and formality is key. “It’s a very different vision of elegance and it’s bound up with country living and sports, but also high culture,” he says of the style. “It’s a place where you can see a Titian on the wall, but the dogs are running around.”

Denham Place, a palatial 17th-century manor house in Buckinghamshire, England, is a fine example, complete with its own cinematic history as a location for the 1973 James Bond film, “Live and Let Die.” Amply set up for equestrian pursuits and bordering a championship golf course, the house’s interior balances luxury and relaxation, from its magnificently restored state rooms and private chapel lounge to both a formal and informal dining room and a fully equipped gym.

Successfully blending period details with the changes demanded of modern luxury living is key to the country house aesthetic, as reflected in the evolution of Downton’s own style.

The Crespi Estate exemplifies the art deco style featured in the latest movie. Built in 1938, this stunning Texas property showcases the same period aesthetic and “is a rare expression of old-world opulence brought to life on Dallas soil,” according to Pogir Pogir, global real estate advisor with Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty, who emphasizes the timelessness, romance and exceptional craftsmanship that make it chime with its English cousins. 

And for potential homeowners keen to embrace the country house lifestyle, but on French soil, a classic 17th-century château at Pézenas in the Languedoc-Roussillon offers an irresistible combination of opulence and tranquility. 

Airy interiors, with generously proportioned windows, frame a backdrop of century-old trees, ornamental fountains and elegant parkland, a setting as suited to events as it is to relaxation and retreat. In our restless age, the country house lifestyle feels more precious than ever.

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

What Is The Perfect Cozy Interior For Fall?

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

Layering textiles and lighting, plus the rich use of color and pattern, can enhance a sense of autumnal comfort, writes Francesca Perry

It’s not just the natural landscape that transforms in fall. The changing of the seasons outside our windows is often the prompt homeowners need to switch up their interiors, too. Attention moves indoors, where hearty meals are consumed, movies watched, books read and social gatherings ignited. It’s no surprise that U.S. adults repeatedly name fall as their favorite season.

Wherever the autumnal period finds you, there are ways to style a home that maximize coziness, from textile layering to richer colors and warmer lighting. As San Francisco-based interior designer Michael Hilal says, a cozy interior is “a space that invites you to stay—to slow down, stretch out, lose track of time.”

Reflecting the hibernating tendencies of the season, soft furnishings are paramount. Curved sofas and chairs can make an ideal option, even in the sunny fall of southern California. Throughout the five-bedroom Rutherford House in Beverly Hills, for example, lounge furniture is elegantly rounded, inviting residents to sink in for the entire afternoon. 

Cooler temperatures encourage many people to layer their clothing. The same approach can be adopted for fall-friendly interiors: drape throws and blankets over sofas, chairs and beds; add tablecloths or runners to bare tables; and opt for rugs underfoot. Heavier, craft-forward fabrics are ideal to convey both luxury and comfort—think textured wool and cashmere, rather than light cottons and linens. 

“As fall arrives, we bring out our wool and mohair blankets,” say Cy and Genevieve Carter, co-founders of bicoastal interiors firm Carter Design. “We replace our summer throw rugs with sheepskins, layering them on chairs or next to beds for extra coziness.”

Traditional rugs can be seen throughout the Peary Homestead in Germantown, New York, even in the kitchen and bathroom, suiting the natural charm of this 19th-century country manor. And in an impressive mountaintop retreat in Stratton, Vermont—arguably the perfect spot to watch the fall colors unfold—large rugs offset the wooden floors, adding warmth and texture to the interior. 

Rugs are an easy way to introduce patterns, which many designers recommend for a cozy home. New York-based interior stylist Mieke ten Have advises embracing multiple busy prints, while Salt Lake City designer Shea McGee opts particularly for plaids and stripes. 

Patterned wallpaper can also bring this approach to life, with the revival of wallpaper highlighted in Houzz’s 2025 U.S. Fall Design Trends Report. In a historic canal residence in Amsterdam, colorfully patterned wallpaper, upholstery and a large rug come together in the sitting room to create an effective sense of coziness beneath the tall, beamed ceiling. 

The colors of an interior can have a big impact—and are an effective way to make a seasonal change. Rich hues such as russet, forest green, ochre, burgundy, mustard yellow and earthy browns can bring warmth in fall, while creating subliminal connections to the outdoors. This needn’t necessarily involve a repaint: seasonal hues can also be introduced through simple styling. 

“We place large bowls filled with seasonal fruit, such as pomegranates, with their beautiful blush pinks and deep burgundies, on our kitchen counter, while saffron-colored candlesticks find their way to our dining table,” say Cy and Genevieve Carter. Darker colors, too, bring drama, with deep jewel tones trending in the latest Houzz report. 

And in the same way that textiles and patterns can be layered, so can lighting. “Coziness is about building a mood—and light does most of the heavy lifting,” says Hilal. Lamps are key but you can incorporate a range of warm lighting sources: at the Peary Homestead, candles and sconces are complemented by lanterns and fireplaces, while in Vermont, a statement lighting feature above the dining table brings together dozens of tall candles.

With decorating, a more maximalist approach tends to suit the season. Consider putting collections of antiques, homeware and books on prominent display. Cabinetry and furniture can enable this— as seen in the sweeping in-built bookshelves of the Vermont property—hosting artful arrangements of belongings to perfect a comfortable, lived-in aesthetic.

This is a time to celebrate natural materials: think carved hardwood furniture, handwoven baskets, clay homeware, rough-hewn stone tabletops and wooden paneling. This brings a textured, earthy atmosphere to the interior, keeping cozy while maintaining the connection to nature outdoors. 

Finally, with fall comes an increase in indoor gatherings and festive celebrations, so think about schemes that facilitate convivial get-togethers through the grouping of furniture or features such as conversation pits—a space that invites conversation and connection is the coziest space of all. 

SOURCE: Sotheby’s

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

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