The author’s 250th anniversary is the perfect time to celebrate the Regency era’s elegant design cues, writes Florence Hallett Worcestershire, England | United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty “To sit in idleness over a good fire in a well-proportioned room is a luxurious sensation,” Jane Austen once wrote to her sister, perfectly encapsulating the combination of refinement, comfort and simplicity that gives Georgian architecture and interiors their timeless appeal. As fans of the novelist mark the 250th anniversary of her birth this December, enthusiasm for everything Austen shows no sign of slowing. Another much-anticipated adaptation of “Pride & Prejudice” comes to Netflix in the new year. Starring Jack Lowden as Mr Darcy and Emma Corrin as Elizabeth Bennet, it’s bound to set a new generation of bonnet ribbons fluttering.Pemberley, Mansfield Park, Donwell Abbey—cradled in the English countryside, the fictional backdrops to Austen’s masterful social satires are sparingly described, but as alluring as her heroines. “Stepping into a Jane Austen-style home is to enter a world of understated elegance and refined social theatre,” says Amy Boyington, architectural historian and author of “Hidden Patrons: Women and Architectural Patronage in Georgian Britain.” Worcestershire, England | United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty Ombersley Court, Worcestershire, built for the first Lord Sandys in around 1730, has a storied Regency history to match the magnificent architecture of its galleried grand hall, oak paneling and library. The Duke of Wellington was a notable visitor, invited to recuperate here following the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, explains Andrew Barnes of United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty. “To mark this important moment in European history, the Duke’s bedroom on the first floor of the property has been left unchanged ever since,” Barnes adds. “It still has the same silk wall coverings and curtains that were installed for his stay.” Leinster, Ireland | Lisney Sotheby’s International Realty It’s a style that has consistently inspired contemporary architects and designers. Ashleigh House, built deep in the glorious countryside of County Kildare, Ireland, in 2002, combines the clean lines and perfect proportions of Georgian living with modern standards of comfort and convenience, including a home cinema, fitness centre and courtyard guest house.The neo-Georgian architecture of 550 Round Hill Road in Greenwich, Connecticut, similarly offers exactly the sort of “large, well-proportioned room, handsomely fitted up” that Elizabeth Bennet famously admires at Mr Darcy’s Pemberley. Combining cozy family spaces and more formal rooms, it brings the spirit of Regency England to a contemporary American home. In homes he has designed for collectors, Yantrasast carefully balances the needs of art with the owner’s lifestyle. “You don’t want to expose a priceless art collection to the salt air, but you also don’t want to live in a house where you cannot open a window,” he says. The art, he adds, shouldn’t “overwhelm the living.” Greenwich, Connecticut | Sotheby’s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage The expectation of regular hosting is key to all these design schemes, as it was in Austen’s time. “The interiors are sumptuous in their lightness and attention to detail, designed specifically for elegant entertaining,” says Boyington of a typical Georgian home. “Looking up, one will find soaring high ceilings often finished with delicate plasterwork and ornate cornices,” she adds. “The walls themselves are transformed into elegant backdrops, typically clothed in pale pastel colours, whether through carefully chosen, subtle wallpapers or rich, delicate silken fabrics. And the beautiful fireplaces, which act as a focal point for each room, are exquisitely decorated with classical motifs.” New York, New York | Sotheby’s International Realty – East Side Manhattan Brokerage Meanwhile, a true flight of fancy in the heart of Manhattan, 525 Park Avenue is a jewel of pre-war elegance with a dash of “Regencycore,” as it’s more recently become known. With 10-foot-high ceilings, crown moldings and raised doorways, the palatial interior of this 12-room condominium is opulent yet intimate, as suited to formal entertaining as to family life. What’s more, the aptly named Regency Hotel is to be found just across the street. “Neither gaudy nor uselessly fine”—to borrow Elizabeth’s words—it strikes just the right balance between splendor and elegance. Might even Lady Catherine de Bourgh approve? From Austen to Shakespeare: live out your bardian fantasy in these picturesque homes
Find an expertly curated edit of one-off collectables with Sotheby’s Buy Now option, from watches and jewels to rare children’s books, writes Katie Armstrong A holiday bauble celebrating Sotheby’s new headquarters at the Breuer Building, New York. Photograph: Sotheby’s The holiday season is here, and with it, the joys and challenges of gift-buying. Choosing a thoughtful gift can come with a good deal of pressure, and finding a high-quality, considered option for the lover of finer things can feel overwhelming. Buy Now—Sotheby’s online curated collection—is the antidote to these holiday stresses. From handbags and jewelry to contemporary art and rare books, the platform has plenty to browse and, like any other sale, each selection is handpicked by Sotheby’s specialists. The difference: all items are offered at a fixed price, available immediately, taking away the uncertainty of the auction process. Perfect for those last-minute purchases. The 2004 F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance, available to purchase through Sotheby’s Buy Now. Photograph: Sotheby’s Watches can be a classic choice of gift for all ages and demographics. “There are great pieces that appeal to a variety of collectors,” says Maximilian Traber, assistant vice president, associate specialist and head of fine watches auctions at Sotheby’s New York. “Some people collect only Rolex or Patek Philippe and some only buy high-quality, complicated movements from independent brands. That’s what’s so fun about the size of the sales and our Buy Now offerings. We sell all sorts of watches to all sorts of collectors.” The 2025 festive facade of Sotheby’s London on New Bond Street, Mayfair. Photograph: Sotheby’s The prices of these timepieces range widely, from an elegant Cartier available at US$5,500 to an F. P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance at just over half a million dollars. Despite the wealth of options and price points, choosing can still be a tricky decision. “People wear a watch every day so it’s inextricably linked to them, and there’s something quite sentimental about that,” says Traber. “They are often gifts for momentous occasions. Watches really travel with you in that sense and become an important part of your life.” A rare early edition of “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” by Beatrix Potter. Photograph: Sotheby’s Watches are drawing an increasingly younger buyer base, he adds. “I think around a third of our collectors are millennials,” Traber says. “Watches run the age range, and over the past several years women have really come into the market as collectors too.” But if timepieces aren’t your gift of choice, Buy Now has no shortage of other options. A 1905 edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter could be the perfect addition to a young relative’s bookshelf, especially coming in at under US$1,000. Or for the music lover in your life, a rare set of The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover photograph negatives is also available for immediate purchase. Buy Now also hosts a range of stunning high jewelry, perfect for the sparkly season. This platinum, gold, Burmese ruby and diamond necklace is sure to turn heads at a holiday party. A stunning platinum and gold necklace, with oval shaped Burmese rubies and accented by round brilliant cut diamonds. Photograph: Sotheby’s When all is said and done, the care and thought behind a gift is what ultimately matters this season, regardless of budget. Watches are the perfect case in point. “I know people who wear a Casio every day and people who wear perpetual calendars,” says Traber, “and both make them happy. That’s what’s special.” Our Collecting Focus series features expert advice on jewelry, watches, wine, rare whisky, historic books, music memorabilia, fashion history, natural history and modern prints
Simultaneously relaxed and elegant, this 7,500-square-foot modern home—along with a 40-foot heated swimming pool, a spa, and a pool house—is one of a very few residences that today occupy the prestigious Fordune Estate, founded by a scion of American icon Henry Ford. For more than a century, Southampton has drawn prominent members of society as well as distinguished dynasties—one of the most notable being the family of Henry Ford II, grandson to the magnate and pioneer of the American automotive industry. Known familiarly as Hank the Deuce, Ford II established his family’s 250-acre oceanfront compound—today widely known as the Fordune Estate—in 1960, encompassing Channel Pond and other smaller inlets near Mecox Bay and the dunes and sandy shoreline of Flying Point Beach. Southampton, New York| Harald Grant, Sotheby’s International Realty – Southampton Brokerage Simultaneously relaxed and elegant, this distinctive 7,500-square-foot modern home—joined by a 40-foot heated gunite pool, a spa, and a pool house—is one of a very few residences that today occupy the prestigious compound, ideally sited on 3.9 acres of the original 250. Characterized by generous scale, minimalist modern hues, an airy openness, and water views in nearly every direction, it is a serene, sophisticated oasis in a setting that is both powerful and peaceful, inextricably linked with its coveted surroundings. A double-height foyer with a gracefully curving staircase introduces the stylish, light-flooded interiors, flowing to a great room with a marble-wrapped fireplace and three sets of French doors giving way to a full-length covered terrace. The adjoining family room is warmed by its own fireplace and also enjoys direct access to the outdoors. A formal dining room is steps from a generous, welcoming chef’s kitchen and breakfast area featuring stainless-steel appliances and deep blue-gray hues and hardwood floors that create an air of coziness and comfort. A guest suite on the main level opens through French doors to the pool terrace. The remaining private quarters are secluded on the upper level—among them a primary suite that offers a sitting area with a fireplace, dual walk-in closets, and two bright baths, one boasting a soaking tub, a spacious marble-and-glass shower, and French doors to a deck with a water vista. In addition to the three additional guest suites, a highly versatile loft above the three-car garage includes a central fireplace, a living area, and space for at least two beds—all facing the water and reveling in the picturesque view. As is perennially true in the Hamptons, the home encourages indoor-outdoor living. Facilitating alfresco activities are frontage on Channel Pond, a refreshing pool and spa, and a pool house with a covered porch, a changing room, and a full bath. Water, in fact, is within view in nearly every direction, shimmering in sun and star light, the distant waves of the Atlantic beach creating a soothing soundtrack. Contributing to the sense of peace and quietude is a distinct lack of street traffic, although the estate nonetheless benefits from effortless proximity to premier golf courses as well as the shops, restaurants, and cultural destinations of Southampton Village. The prospect of owning a historic property has an undying appeal, particularly for those who cherish unique architectural elements, a bond with a particular place, and a sense of provenance. The Fordune Estate represents just such a rare opportunity: this home and two neighboring residences may be acquired together, creating a compound of nearly nine acres, continuing on a more modest scale the Ford family’s tradition of a life lived in consummate privacy and convenience in one of the world’s most desirable locations. Discover luxury homes for sale and rent around the world on sothebysrealty.com
Ahead of the opening of Dib Bangkok, its Thai-born architect talks connection, comfort and concrete with Francesca Perry Dib Bangkok, Thailand’s first contemporary art museum, features a sawtooth roof and a cone-shaped gallery named “The Chapel.” Photograph: W Workspace. Courtesy of WHY Architecture In the world of top-tier art museums, Kulapat Yantrasast is a name on everyone’s lips. With his architecture firm, WHY, he designed the renovation of the Rockefeller Wing at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, which opened in May; and was selected by the Louvre in Paris to design the new Department of Byzantine and Eastern Christian Art, set to open in 2027. He is also lead architect for Thailand’s first contemporary art museum, Dib Bangkok, opening in December 2025. Such accolades build on a decades-long career. Thai-born Yantrasast learned his craft with Pritzker prize-winning Japanese architect Tadao Ando in Tokyo before moving to the U.S. and establishing WHY in 2004. The firm—now based between Los Angeles and New York—designs cultural and residential buildings, as well as landscape projects, but has earned a reputation for its museum work. “I always say that I’m the matchmaker between art and people,” explains Yantrasast. He loves museums as places of “empathy and understanding,” where people can learn about global culture. Whether for The Met or the Louvre, he designs spaces appropriate for the art and artifacts within, but instilled with a sense of place and comfort. “Most people feel intimidated by museums,” he says, “but I want people to feel confident to explore.” The first question Yantrasast asks potential clients is, “What makes you happy?” Photograph: Manfredi Gioacchini. Courtesy of WHY Architecture While working with storied New York and Paris institutions means innovating within set parameters, Yantrasast has enjoyed more free rein with Dib Bangkok. An initiative of the late Thai businessman Petch Osathanugrah, and featuring his vast collection, the museum aims to put contemporary art from Thailand and Southeast Asia “on the same level” as international art, says Yantrasast. The site is a 1980s warehouse in downtown Bangkok, reimagined by WHY as a space for art. Minimal, open and flexible, the cavernous structure balances precision and passion. “With new museums, I think it’s so important to have a sense of soul,” says Yantrasast. Nevertheless, he didn’t want the building to overpower its contents. “Artists don’t want to display their art within architecture that pretends to be sculpture,” he says. Yantrasast sees architecture’s greatest power in its ability to “host.” Flexibility and flow were priorities. “I love the feeling of togetherness and openness,” says Yantrasast. “I want people to be able to see each other.” This is an idea he returns to frequently: the architect—and architecture—as connector. Having lived and worked in Thailand and Japan, as well as the U.S., Yantrasast sees himself as a mixture between Japanese and Thai culture. “On one side, it’s extremely minimal, and on the Thai side, it’s very eclectic. I love both.” This Phuket home in Thailand, built in 2021, combines concrete and glass in harmonized contradictions. Photograph: SPACESHIFT STUDIO. Courtesy of WHY Architecture This blended approach comes alive most powerfully in his residential projects. “The first question I ask my potential clients is: ‘What makes you happy?’” Yantrasast says. “Designing someone’s house is, for me, like designing someone’s gown. It needs to reflect who they are. It has to be something they feel comfortable in.” Getting to know his clients is a vital part of crafting their ideal home. “When you design a house, you become a psychologist, because you have to,” he says. The kitchen, says Yantrasast, can often be the biggest challenge. Though some people want a showroom-style space, he gently pushes back. “I always ask: ‘Do you really want to live in a kitchen showroom?’ It looks nice but it doesn’t have life. Your kitchen has to reflect how you and your family relate to each other.” This personal focus is different to the way Yantrasast’s firm designs gallery spaces, despite the fact that many of WHY’s residential clients are collectors. “No one wants to live in a museum,” he says. “Everyone wants to live in a place that belongs to them.” In homes he has designed for collectors, Yantrasast carefully balances the needs of art with the owner’s lifestyle. “You don’t want to expose a priceless art collection to the salt air, but you also don’t want to live in a house where you cannot open a window,” he says. The art, he adds, shouldn’t “overwhelm the living.” Yantrasast is a great collector himself, and learned how to navigate display and livability when designing his own home in Venice Beach, California. Having undertaken a long search for the perfect house, he realized he needed to build it himself. “I developed a lot more empathy for my clients, because I know how difficult it is,” he says. “If you want to design your own house, there’s at least 1,000 decisions you have to make.” Yantrasast’s Venice Beach house, built in 2021, is inspired by the work of Japanese modernists, with elements of Thai playfulness. Photograph: Richard Powers. Courtesy of WHY Architecture The resulting home is a modernist-inspired concrete structure: clean lines and open-plan living, with a flow of space between inside and out, and plenty of nooks for displaying objects. “I started to think about what makes me happy,” he says, “and that’s flexible space—a place for me to host and socialize. I wanted a pool, a garden, a dog; the whole American dream in my own little version.” The house is concrete because Yantrasast “loves” the material—perhaps an inevitable preference, having worked with the master of concrete, Ando, for so long. “I like the raw honesty of it. Concrete tells you how it’s made. It’s like a pound cake: there’s no decoration, no whipped cream.” Nevertheless, he doesn’t “worship at the church of concrete” either, noting that for the material to work in a home, the presence of light and nature is crucial. “Without that, it’s a bunker,” he says. He turned to the material for a house in Phuket, as well as a Malibu residence, in collaboration with Ando. Looking at these structures, it is easy to conclude that Yantrasast is a minimalist. Does he identify as one? “I definitely understand and appreciate minimalism, but I see limitations in it,” he says. Instead, he would like to be known as “the soulful minimalist.” He returns to the Japanese and Thai styles that influence him—a mix of “sushi and Pad Thai,” he says, smiling—and reflects on how he moved from Japan to the U.S. to enjoy more “variety and diversity.” Embracing his heritage, Yantrasast imagined this Chiang Mai residence as a leaf sheltering its inhabitant. Photograph: SPACESHIFT STUDIO. Courtesy of Why Architecture. Certainly, this variety plays out in a house he designed in Chiang Mai, Thailand. While some exposed concrete structure is present, the house is characterized by a large sweeping roof, covered in clay tiles and referencing traditional Thai architecture. It is filled with teak floors and surfaces. “Growing up in Bangkok, wood is such a big part of what I like to do—there’s a sense of warmth to it,” he says. Much like the curators of the great art institutions he designs for, Yantrasast carefully considers context, setting and experience. For him, life—not just priceless works—is the art that architecture serves to host. Read our spotlight on Bangkok, as the Thai capital undergoes a cultural and luxury renaissance
Home in Mauritius " data-medium-file="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Mauritius-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Mauritius-1024x683.jpg" /> Size matters. Sometimes. At least when it comes to luxury real estate. “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). Cover Property: Riviere Du Rempart, Mauritius
Thailand’s capital is riding a creative and cultural wave, with the world-class real estate and lifestyle to match, writes Lisa Gries Khlong Tan, Bangkok | List Sotheby’s International Realty In the 2025 World’s 50 Best Hotels ranking, two of the top three—the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok and Capella Bangkok—are in Thailand’s capital. Set along the Chao Phraya river, known as the “River of Kings,” these establishments reflect the city’s evolving identity. The waterway that once nurtured Thailand’s earliest civilizations and ancient kingdoms has always been a place of reinvention. Today, luxury developments rise along its curves as Bangkok awakens to a cultural renaissance. Kit Bencharongkul, photographer and managing director of MOCA Bangkok (Museum of Contemporary Art) has observed this movement. “Bangkok feels like a living, breathing canvas that is shifting in a warm and human way,” he says. “A new wave of creators—designers, artists, musicians and chefs—is rising. They are blending heritage with modern storytelling, and that authenticity is rapidly becoming our identity.”This creative wave has inspired an exciting roster of openings. Among the most anticipated is Dib Bangkok, the city’s first dedicated international contemporary art museum, designed by Thai-American architect Kulapat Yantrasast of WHY Architecture. It follows a series of art-focused ventures reenergizing the city: the Bangkok Art Biennale, the Jim Thompson Art Centre, the BACC (Bangkok Art and Culture Center) and, further afield, the Khao Yai Art Forest by Kunsthalle Bangkok. Thonglor, Bangkok | List Sotheby’s International Realty Cultural momentum fuels real estate confidence, as Kenichi Tamamura from Sotheby’s International Realty, Thailand explains. “Bangkok’s appeal to international buyers boils down to a powerful mix of world-class lifestyle and compelling financial value,” he says. “The city offers a sophisticated, world-class lifestyle but at a fraction of the cost you’d find in regional hubs like Singapore or Hong Kong.” The surge in international interest is mirrored in the design-forward developments reshaping the city’s skyline, including a growing trend for branded residences. Soon to open is Bangkok’s Porsche Design Tower, located in the trendy Thonglor district. With a sleek facade inspired by sports-car engineering, the tower will feature spacious residences with private balconies, pools and sweeping skyline views.Even as it welcomes the future, Bangkok honors its past. “Craftsmanship is highly valued in Thailand, as it reflects dedication and detail,” says Jongsuwat Angsuvarnsiri, managing director and co-founder of SAC Gallery. “Today, you see heritage influencing design through colors, textures and architecture.” Khlong Tan, Bangkok | List Sotheby’s International Realty The Diplomat 39, located near the fashionable Em District, embodies this blend. The upscale condominium redefines modern living with a Palladian-meets-contemporary architectural style. Conceived as a “timeless treasure,” its meticulous workmanship is evident from the building’s elegant exterior to its marble-floored interiors. But this harmony of old and new is perhaps best expressed at the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok. Awarded three Michelin Keys earlier this year and celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2026, the hotel has hosted royalty, world leaders, Hollywood icons and celebrated authors in its elegant, colonial-style rooms. Most recently, its 376-square-meter Oriental Suite appeared in HBO’s “The White Lotus.” Khlong Ton Sai, Bangkok | List Sotheby’s International Realty Nearby, The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok extend this heritage into contemporary luxury living. Operated by the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and completed in 2023, these luxury homes have already become a prized investment tied to one of Asia’s most respected hospitality names. Through floor-to-ceiling windows framing panoramic views, the River of Kings glistens just beyond. There is a sense that the creatives who once lingered in the Mandarin Oriental’s storied lounge would admire the city of today, a place where tradition thrives alongside modernity. Its most opulent buildings are crafted with world-class amenities and design detail, but also with story and soul, positioning Thailand as a destination not only for exotic escapes but for meaningful, luxurious living. As Kit Bencharongkul notes: “Bangkok is transitioning from being ‘up-and-coming’ to becoming a true cultural reference point for the region.” Read our spotlight on Seoul, South Korea: cosmopolitan capital of calm luxury
Daniel Milstein Photography " data-medium-file="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/6-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/6-1024x683.jpg" /> Near the water in a prestigious area of Greenwich, this 1890 estate—a picturesque main residence, a charming carriage house, a refreshing pool, and impossibly green gardens—is a paradigm of the fairytale Queen Anne aesthetic that incorporates contemporary comforts and conveniences. With their pitched rooflines, towers and turrets, breezy wraparound porches, stately columns, monumental chimneys, handsome wainscotting, intricate trim and spindlework, and timeless shingles, the Queen Anne homes of the United States are charmingly picturesque and enchanting to the point of feeling pulled from the pages of a storybook. This remarkable 1890 estate near the water in the prestigious Belle Haven Association of Greenwich—near the Belle Haven Club—is a paradigm of that fairytale aesthetic, yet it merges this enviable classicism with contemporary comforts and conveniences. Daniel Milstein Photography " data-medium-file="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/4-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/4-1024x683.jpg" src="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/4.jpg" alt="white living room with fireplace and bay window" class="wp-image-345523" srcset="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/4.jpg 1800w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/4-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/4-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/4-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/4-1200x800.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px" /> Greenwich, Connecticut| Joseph Barbieri, Sotheby’s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage Boasting an impressive 11,536 square feet, the main residence conjures the glamour of a bygone era with its French doors, refined decorative millwork, bay windows, four fireplaces, herringbone-patterned hardwood and black-and-white tile floors, striking chandeliers, and designer wall coverings. Markham Roberts, widely considered one of the most important interior designers of the last century, deftly applied his imaginative approach during the home’s painstaking renovation, breathing spirited modern life into a stalwart of vintage American tradition. Spaces throughout are bright and light-filled, many enjoying a view across the private, level yard and glimpses of the Long Island Sound. Daniel Milstein Photography " data-medium-file="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/9-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/9-1024x683.jpg" src="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/9-1024x683.jpg" alt="white kitchen with herringbone wood floors" class="wp-image-345529" srcset="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/9-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/9-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/9-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/9-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/9-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/9.jpg 1800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Among the highlights are an elegant formal living room with a fireplace and Ionic columns, a dining room with a marble-wrapped fireplace and an adjoining butler’s pantry, a colorful library, and eight tranquil bedrooms. The streamlined kitchen and breakfast room opens to a family room and a porch for outdoor dining. The kitchen features a waterfall island and superior appliances, including a La Cornue range. The lower level offers a family room and game room with a central fireplace, a wine cellar, and a windowed gym. Daniel Milstein Photography " data-medium-file="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/8-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/8-1024x683.jpg" src="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/8-1024x683.jpg" alt="white living room with water views" class="wp-image-345526" srcset="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/8-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/8-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/8-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/8-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/8-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/8.jpg 1800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Beyond the patios and porches that encourage an indoor-outdoor life of leisure, the exceedingly private 1.67-acre estate also includes a swimming pool surrounded by a terrace, flourishing flora, and a carriage house offering a covered patio with a kitchenette. Above is a three-bedroom apartment featuring a living room with a water vista and a kitchen equipped with stainless-steel appliances. The property also includes a three-car garage. The remainder of the grounds are dedicated to swathes of impossibly vibrant and lush lawn, copses of mature trees, and manicured hedges—the work of renowned U.K.-based landscape architect Paul Gazerwitz. All in all, the idyllic scene emphasizes—fittingly—the “green” in the name of the home’s coveted Connecticut community. Discover luxury homes for sale and rent around the world on sothebysrealty.com
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 Bel Air, California | Sotheby’s International Realty – Beverly Hills Brokerage 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.” A bespoke drinks cabinet by Hux London, with interior design by Owl Design. Photograph: Hux London 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. A walk-in wine room with bespoke lighting by Hux London. Photograph: Hux London 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. Residential / house photography " data-medium-file="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Party-Interiors_Vawdrey-House-Living-Area-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Party-Interiors_Vawdrey-House-Living-Area-1024x683.jpg" src="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Party-Interiors_Vawdrey-House-Living-Area-1024x683.jpg" alt="Zoning in an east London home by The Vawdrey House. Photograph: Siobhan Doran Photography" class="wp-image-345508" srcset="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Party-Interiors_Vawdrey-House-Living-Area-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Party-Interiors_Vawdrey-House-Living-Area-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Party-Interiors_Vawdrey-House-Living-Area-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Party-Interiors_Vawdrey-House-Living-Area-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Party-Interiors_Vawdrey-House-Living-Area-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Party-Interiors_Vawdrey-House-Living-Area-1200x800.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Zoning in an east London home by The Vawdrey House. Photograph: Siobhan Doran Photography “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. Residential / house photography " data-medium-file="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Party-Interiors_Vawdrey-House-Bespoke-Bar-300x200.jpg" data-large-file="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Party-Interiors_Vawdrey-House-Bespoke-Bar-1024x683.jpg" src="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Party-Interiors_Vawdrey-House-Bespoke-Bar-1024x683.jpg" alt="A bespoke bar in The Vawdrey House’s east London project. " class="wp-image-345501" srcset="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Party-Interiors_Vawdrey-House-Bespoke-Bar-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Party-Interiors_Vawdrey-House-Bespoke-Bar-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Party-Interiors_Vawdrey-House-Bespoke-Bar-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Party-Interiors_Vawdrey-House-Bespoke-Bar-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Party-Interiors_Vawdrey-House-Bespoke-Bar-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Party-Interiors_Vawdrey-House-Bespoke-Bar-1200x800.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> A bespoke bar in The Vawdrey House’s east London project. Photograph: Siobhan Doran Photography 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. On the scent: read more about the rise of fragrance in contemporary luxury interiors
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