interior design Archives - Beacon Sotheby's International Realty

The Collector’s Edition | Caring for Your Private Art Collection

Filling your home with art is both a way of expressing yourself and curating the mood and atmosphere of your space. Think of your home as your own gallery, a blank slate with endless possibilities to surround yourself with artwork that inspires. Perhaps you consider your art collection in a methodical way, procuring only a few pieces to fill white walls in need of a focal point; or maybe you’re an art lover, eager to diversify your collection with oil paintings and sculptures alike. No matter your goals or methods, collecting and displaying art in your home is a personal endeavor, but there are a few things to keep in mind once you have an established collection.

Hire an Art Consultant

Sonia Gherardi, ONE Sotheby’s International Realty

Part of the challenge of sourcing art is determining which pieces will work in your home, and how to obtain them. Hiring an art advisor or consultant—like Sotheby’s firm Art Agency, Partners—is an important step in ensuring that your collection is a thoughtful representation of your tastes. Curators that are linked to art institutions are not ethically permitted to be paid to advise private collectors on specific purchases, though they will sometimes be willing to direct you to catalogs, exhibitions, or galleries to help you make an informed decision; art advisors or consultants, on the other hand, are able to give you advice about which specific pieces to buy—and they have access to more off-market opportunities.

In addition to helping you determine and develop your taste, an art advisor generally has a strong network of galleries and collectors, which means they’ll be able to give you better access to opportunities ahead of the general public. Avoid overpaying for a work with an advisor’s guidance, who will be willing to bid for you at auctions and to arrange the logistics of transportation and installation. With their insider information and expertise, an adviser will be able to help you build a collection through both gallery purchases and public auctions.

Netherlands Sotheby’s International Realty

With a large art collection, it’s likely that not every piece will be displayed in your home at all times. Whether you choose to store additional pieces in your own home, in a specialized art storage facility, or in a private museum will depend on how vast and prestigious your collection is. Creating your own art storage will require determining where in your home is a suitable environment—avoid spaces with air vents or windows, which can damage art by exposing it to sunlight or air, causing fading or mold. Insurance is essential for any collector.

If you choose instead to store your collection with a specialized fine art storage facility, you will have the option of having a private space or a shared one. These facilities are outfitted with archival-quality conditions, like climate control, to ensure your artwork’s preservation. Sotheb y’s Greenford Park, for example, is the fine art storage facility for Sotheby’s London, and features a viewing gallery and photographic studios. Some collectors are compelled to establish private foundations or museums to house their overflow of artwork, choosing to share their collection with the public. Aiming for the best of both worlds, the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen of Rotterdam has plans to open a public art depot as a special extension of the gallery, which will house collectors’ work that can be viewed by the public on an appointment-only basis.

Maintain Your Collection’s Integrity with a Conservator

Midge Carolan Berkery & David Coleman, M ott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty

The moment you make an art purchase, whether you’re a first-time buyer or a veteran collector, you need to consider how you’re going to care for and preserve it. If a piece has been poorly stored in the past, leading to damage, or if you’ve acquired a piece through auction that has been unearthed from a forgotten basement, chances are the artwork is going to need some TLC. A conservator is trained to record the damage that has occurred and to reverse the damage, a valuable resource for any art collector. Often, the fees for a conservator’s work will be covered by your insurance policy, and the fee is dependent on the type of work that needs to be performed, not on the value of the artwork itself.

Experienced collectors know that hiring a conservator prior to a major purchase is a wise move, both to protect their investment and to ensure that the installation of the piece goes smoothly. Artwork can be extraordinarily fragile and easily damaged in transport.

Make Use of Freeports for Collection Rotation

Steve Sallion, Warren Lewis Sotheby’s International Realty

Whether you’re planning to rotate out the pieces currently on display in your home, or if your private museum or foundation is under construction and you need a temporary home for the pieces being displaced, utilizing a freeport is a smart option. Freeports—warehouses located near seaports and airports that facilitate international trade—allow the import and storage of valuable goods, providing secure long- or short-term housing for artwork. Pricing of freeport storage depends on geographic location as well as size—a freeport in Manhattan will cost more than one in Portland. With extremely secure storage options and a temporary exemption from tax payments, the freeport is useful to the collector looking for a reliable way to discreetly rotate valuable fine art.

Art can transform a home, turning it into a sanctuary of creative energy. However you choose to curate your collection, be sure to protect your investment with smart storage and considered professional care.

Find the perfect blank slate for your burgeoning collection with these works of architectural art.

Mood Board | Cottage Charm, Cabin Chic

When it comes to rural escapes, it can be easy to be pulled in several directions at once. A cabin in the woods, or an escape by the sea? The timelessness of a log cabin or the bright refinement of an English country cottage? Whatever your aesthetic, you’re sure to find a detail to suit your taste from these two approaches to the weekend retreat—whether you’re leaving home on an adventure or bringing fresh design to your existing space and staying put.

Cottage Charm

Farmhouse kitchens, whimsical gardens, and crisp whites are the hallmarks of the country cottage. A bright, light-filled sitting room, a stone-and-shingle home in Connecticut—these are the fertile grounds where cottage living is perfected. Bring this style into your every day with plush reading chairs, recreation fixtures and appliances, and oceanic blues as an accent. No matter how far you reside from the countryside, these touches create comfort to unwind in—wherever you may be.

Cabin Chic

If the decorous calm of cottage life is not quite for you, look to the rugged coziness of cabins instead. Here, think Muskoka and Colorado, ski chalets and pioneer homes. While exposed beams and ample paneling is conventional cabin décor, elevate this style with contrasting stonework and rich textures. The traditional cabin is small, but today’s iterations are bespoke and polished. Outfit even your weekday residence with the trappings of forest expedition—live edge woods, antlers, warm layers—and you’ll be able to feel remote wherever you are.

It’s possible to capture the romance of mountains, the mystery of the sea, and the allure of the rolling hills through a handful of purposeful design decisions. Collect your books and blankets, paint a room a pristine white, bring in some warm wood paneling, and see where your cabin and cottage remodel takes you.

Discover a cozy cottage or cabin – give us a call to begin your home buying experience today.

Design Trends | How Texture Transforms Home Décor

Can’t decide what’s missing from your latest design project? Chances are, it’s texture. The texture is an all-important—and sometimes overlooked—element in transforming a space from flat to multidimensional, adding layers of depth and richness. Be it via countertops or flooring, creating the right atmosphere is all about choosing the right surfaces. Below, we feature nine trending surface textures and where to use them.

Concrete

Yolanda Tejeda, Chile Sotheby’s International Realty

Industrial charm doesn’t have to be reserved for the factory-turned-loft space. Concrete is a low-maintenance (and economical) way to pour on some industrial chic when it comes to your space. Flooring is a particularly savvy use of the material, as concrete tends to require minimal upkeep, and any dings, dents, and chips will only add character.

Quartz

Monty Roberts, Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty

Quartz is quickly gaining popularity as a low-maintenance alternative to sought-after surfaces like marble or soapstone. As a non-porous and stain-resistant material, quartz is ideal for kitchen countertops that see lots of entertaining. Comprised of parts of natural minerals bonded together with resin, it’s also one of the more environmentally sound options on the market, taking a greater-than-the-sum-of-its-parts approach to delivering a beautiful end product.

Marble

Peter Illovsky, Côte d’Azur Sotheby’s International Realty

With extraordinary, one-of-a-kind natural veining, marble in any space creates a striking, elegant effect. While the exterior of this surface is undoubtedly strong and beautiful, it’s important to keep in mind that marble has a soft side. A porous material, it’s possible for marble surfaces to be stained from acidic liquids (white wine, lemon), meaning a degree of maintenance is required. For those who love the look without the worry, consider using the material for bathroom countertops and flooring where acidic liquids are less likely to be used.

Parquet

Dali Shoval, Austria Sotheby’s International Realty

The 1950s and 60s were a heyday for parquet flooring, but the origins of this mosaic method of arranging wooden planks in a geometric pattern dates back to the 16th century. Nowadays, parquet flooring is synonymous with elegant European interiors and Haussmann-era Parisian buildings. The more traditional parquet floors are usually arranged in chevron and herringbone patterns, cut in a range of different types of wood from oak to walnut. Despite its luxe look, parquet often surprises with its manageable options for installation and moderate price point.

Carpet

Poland Sotheby’s International Realty

Carpets are an easy way to add a layer of warmth to your home, particularly in the bedroom where it can be comforting to wake up to something soft underfoot. Unlike their predecessors, the best modern carpets are stain, dirt, and water-resistant, thanks to new advancements in manufacturing. When selecting the right carpet for your space, be sure to take traffic into account: plush, high-pile textures tend to work better in lower-traffic areas, while close-cut piles are hardier and easier to keep clean.

Wood Paneling

Nina Siegenthaler & Joe Zahm, Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty

When it comes to textures in the home, why should walls be neglected? Wood paneling may have gotten a poor reputation during the mid-century era, when it covered everything from basements to bathroom walls; today, it’s the purposeful approach that makes a statement. Go all out with floor-to-ceiling paneling and tons of natural light to create a warm, modern effect, or play with thinner wooden planks in smaller proportions for geometric visual interest.

Slate

Faisal Halum, Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

It’s important to consider strength, crack-resistance, and temperature-retaining properties when selecting natural stone as flooring. One of the strongest natural stone options available, slate is an ideal choice underfoot as it is durable enough to go decades without needing to be replaced, providing proper maintenance is given. While this natural beauty is great at transmitting heat and cold, it is not so good at retaining it, making it ideal for homes in warmer climates or with radiant floor heating.

Moroccan Tile

Joan Eleazer, Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

Whether for backsplash or flooring, tiles are a fashionable way to elevate and add luxury to a space. Some of the most well-crafted options emanate from Morocco, where the art of zellige—a process of fabrication using individual geometric pieces—is still employed today. These pops of pattern are surfacing in homes as a vibrant alternative to neutral tiles and floors.

Ledgestone

Bea Jarzynska, Sotheby’s International Realty Canada

For a rustic environment full of cozy charm, consider using ledgestone. This technique of stacking stone to showcase its edge as opposed to its face creates loads of rough texture, establishing a gritty focal point that works particularly well for a statement wall, backsplash, or fireplace treatment. The variating tones and raw edging of ledgestone adds stacks of visual interest to even the most minimalist modern of spaces.

When it comes to great design, it’s all about what’s on the surface. From glossy countertops to cozy fireplaces, inspired surroundings start with the right textures.

Modern Color That Never Goes Out of Style

Color is powerful. It can be commanding, soothing, or energizing; therapeutic and mood-altering; and perhaps beyond all else, it can make (and leave) a solid impression. With such influence at your fingertips, deciding on a color palette for your home can feel daunting—deciphering the nuances, knowing when to go bold—but these tried-and-true shades never go out of style.

Black and White

Nantucket, Massachusetts | Craig Hawkins & Bernadette Meyer, Maury People Sotheby’s International Realty

Has there ever been a more classic color combination? Checkered floors will always be a kitchen favorite, but the fresh way to use this combo is to lean further into white and employ black in the elegant contrasting details, as seen at this beautifully designed Nantucket home. The pairing offsets the more casual aspects of the home, including an outdoor pool and family game room.

Taupe and Coffee

Montecito, California | Suzanne Perkins, Sotheby’s International Realty – Montecito – Coast Village Road Brokerage

Typically, Balinese-style beach houses in tropical destinations are outfitted with bright accents to offset the wealth of wood running throughout, but this Montecito stunner breaks the mold with shades of taupe and coffee. The mostly monochrome walls and furniture take a refined and relaxed backseat so the setting—particularly the sunset views from the infinity pool—can really shine.

Gray Escape

Southampton, New York | Harald Grant & Bruce Grant, Sotheby’s International Realty – Southampton Brokerage

From a cloud-like softness to steely strength, gray has substantial versatility, especially when it comes to modernizing traditional estate designs. Upstate at a Southampton summer-house, an airy main living space is accented in slate and smoky metals, adding depth to an otherwise creamy palette. Punch up neutral rooms with this moody hue and bask in the calming power of a good gray.

Soothing Blues

New York, New York | Randall Gianopulos & Christian Emanuel, Sotheby’s International Realty – East Side Manhattan Brokerage

Dusty blue curtains, porcelain objets d’art, and a beautiful coat of blue paint all pair perfectly with antique, historical furniture, crafts-style woodworking, and a heavy dose of patterned fabrics. Blue’s tranquil feel has the ability to anchor beloved treasures, as seen at this Upper East Side mansion in New York.

Yellow and Gold

San Francisco, California | Bernadette Lamothe, Sotheby’s International Realty – San Francisco Brokerage

There is a particular richness to yellow tones, be they featured on textured mustard walls, sunshine-bright seating, or rippled gold frames. Not only does this sunny shade complement almost any kind of lighting design masterfully, but it instantly illuminates vintage chandeliers and antiques. Pass it from chair to patterned wall to French door to feel as though you’ve stepped into Versailles, as executed at this palatial Pacific Heights apartment in San Francisco.

While there is much to be said for passing trends, as long as you stick to a classic color palette, your home will always stay in fashion.

Find palettes that spark your imagination in these designer listings, and bring timeless color into your life.

Open House | A Bay Island Masterpiece

An aerial view of Sarasota’s 3799 Flamingo Avenue may have some mistaking the private property for a luxe boutique hotel. Pristine pathways, a long, looping driveway, and a private pier wrap the perimeter. Lush greenery lends a particular amount of privacy without obstructing the saltwater vistas of Roberts Bay. A generous stretch of infinity pool mirrors the teal-blue of the Gulf of Mexico – 700 waterfront feet of which are part of the property. Pyramid-style ridgelines protect the home’s treasured contents; fitting, considering its coveted location on the north end of Florida’s beloved Siesta Key.

An Immaculate Entry

A covered entrance with modern-tavern lighting and ambient outdoor spotlights provide quite the welcome. Near the front entryway, outdoor fire features are set in fountains—just two of many nods to the elements seen across the property. Through the double front doors, calming neutrals come alive in an array of texture, including raw-edged wood furniture, exposed beams, and floor-to-ceiling curtains in a subtle leaf pattern.

Rooms with a View

Washes of air white walls and ceilings are grounded by exotic stone tables and floors. Textured wall coverings add depth to what may otherwise seem a breezy beach house, and intricate moldings ensure refinement is this Bay Island home’s defining characteristic. Every design detail and furnishing has been meticulously chosen by Miami interior design firm Moniomi and is included in the home’s sale.

Capitalize on the Indoor-Outdoor

Outdoor access is seamless, with high glass walls sliding aside to expand living spaces and let owners capitalize on indoor-outdoor entertaining. Inside, a floor-to-ceiling glass wine cellar will surely impress every guest. Elsewhere, a wet bar lures in a crowd to watch the game under polished Beat Lights by renowned British designer Tom Dixon.

A Kitchen Made for Culinary Masterpieces

Larger gatherings are easily serviced by a chef’s kitchen with more than enough prep space. Its striped stone counters and marble backsplash give a definitive clean look. Stainless steel appliances add a tone of professionalism.

A Sunset Backdrop

Outside, resort-style living comes to life. The expansive decks are dotted with outdoor seating. The beautiful infinity pool includes a swim-up bar and recessed seating area with fire pit. An outdoor dining pavilion completes, with a living wall and stone sculpture.

And for the waterfront lifestyle enthusiast, the property is equipped with a boat dock, lift, and paddleboard launch. A tackle room for fishing fanatics and a sports storage room, not to mention a garage space for over 10 cars, are great for weekend gatherings and tournaments hosted at home.

Relaxation’s Finest

The open master bedroom will do nicely when it’s time to retire. A seating area for late-night movie watching and boutique-style walk-in closet underscore the feeling that this is home. Similarly restful guest bedrooms, soaker tubs, lush greenery, and salt-water sea visible are from upstairs windows. Everything included, you may have a hard time convincing visitors that this isn’t, in fact, a vacation spot – despite all appearances to the contrary.

Ready to find your extraordinary property? Let’s begin your home-buying journey.

Luxury Real Estate Headlines: Second Week in February 2018

Highlights from this week’s top news stories on luxury and global real estate, art, collectibles and home.

A Former Coal Baron’s Mansion is Up for Sale – Bloomberg Pursuits

Can this Billionaire’s Row Apartment Beat the Odds, Resell for $70 Million? – Forbes

Dream Homes: Five Tempting Properties for Sale in Tuscany – USA Today

Mel Gibson’s Onetime Connecticut Mansion Lists for $22.5 Million – Wall Street Journal

Home on Lake Tahoe Compound Featured in ‘Godfather II’ Asks $3.7 Million – Curbed

A Warm and Sophisticated Ski Home on the Slopes of Aspen Highlands – Mansion Global

This Bermuda-Inspired Beauty on 30A is an Entertainer’s Dream (and it’s for sale!) – Coastal Living

A Condé Nast ‘Cottage’ Asks $12.5 Million – Wall Street Journal

Home Where Jackie and John Kennedy First Met to Hit Market – Mansion Global

House Hunting in… Hong Kong – The New York Times

Former Baseball Star Jimmy Rollins Hits a Record Price with Mansion Purchase – Los Angeles Times

High Tech Boom Leads Bay Area Prices to Soar – Mansion Global

Alpine Ski Chalet with the Stamp of European Royalty Beckons Hong Kong Investors – South China Morning Post

The Power of Home: New Story Builds Shelter and Second Chances – RISMedia

10 Ultimate Waterfront Homes We’re Coveting Now – Elle Decor

Sotheby’s Set to Auction Rare, Flawless 102-Carat White Diamond in London – The Japan Times

5 Homes Ready for Super Bowl LII

One of the world’s most anticipated sporting events is once again upon us; Super Bowl LII will see the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles faceoff for the coveted Vince Lombardi trophy on Sunday in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

While U.S. Bank Stadium can seat 65,000 die-hard gridiron fans, its estimated that more than 150 million viewers around the world will be in front of their TVs with friends and families to enjoy the game, the cinematic commercials and film trailer debuts, and show-stopping half time performance by Justin Timberlake.

From a modern home bar in the host city of Minneapolis to an outdoor piece of paradise in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, these five homes are ready for the big game.

Lakes Sotheby’s International Realty | Contact Julie Regan & Jeff Hornig for more information

Don’t miss a second of the action in this home in Minneapolis. It features a vibrant bar with multiple viewing options and seating for many guests, all while providing a thoroughly modern take on the sports bar experience.

Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty | Contact Bill Churchill for more information

This Tudor Revival-style home in Dallas’ esteemed University Park will make you feel like you have sideline seats; nestle into comfy leather recliners and bask in the glow of the 12’ by 7’ projection screen as this THX sound equipped home theater brings every moment to you.

Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty | Contact Frank Aazami & David Mayo for more information

Continue traveling west and you’ll reach this more than eight-acre estate in Scottsdale, Arizona. An athlete’s paradise with sport court, putting green and weight room among its amenities, enjoy the Super Bowl outdoors from a fully-equipped wet bar and kitchen.

Queretaro Sotheby’s International Realty | Contact Sara Salazar for more information

Hacienda Las Fincas in San Miguel de Allende is a modern-style ranch on nearly three hectares inside an exclusive gated community. While the spacious home does offer an equipped home theater inside, you can also take in every exciting moment while enjoying year-round favorable weather from the terrace – complete with bar, pizza oven, grill, and high-definition television.

Beacon Sotheby’s International Realty | Contact Josi Van Horn for more information

Touchdown! You won’t miss a second of the big game from the comfort of this 12,500 square foot home’s theater. Keep game day snacks in the conveniently located butler’s pantry just off of the theater, then enter into your private viewing room with sound-declining material lining the walls and ceiling, keeping the cheering inside the theater and no where else.

Watch Super Bowl LII Sunday at 6:30pm ET on NBC

Transform Your Space: Curating Art for Your Home

Your home serves as the outward expression of your inner-self, something of a vessel for your spirit. To capture that essence, clear structure, a thoughtful palette, and ambient lighting hold key roles; but it’s what you display in this space that makes it unique. Curating art for this blank slate is what makes a home uniquely yours.

Perhaps you’re a strategist, focusing on pieces with a kind of visual mathematical precision; maybe you’re a minimalist, preferring one or two bespoke pieces where the light hits them just so; or it could be that you’re a bona fide enthusiast, peppering your dwelling with an eclectic mix of oils and photography, not to mention a strategically placed sculpture or two.

If you’re unsure of where to start when it comes to art, you’re in luck—the home itself is one the best starting points when looking for curation clues. After all, everything from the white quartz of kitchen counters to industrial-chic finishing touches can inform your art collection. Consider your abode a look book for inspiration, and transform it from blank slate to bespoke gallery. No gallery-white walls necessary.

Identify Your Taste

ONE Sotheby’s International Realty – Contact Alexa Iacovelli for more information

Some things in life speak to you, and you alone, and that can lead to feeling torn between aesthetic aspirations and authentic representation when decorating your home. In theory, you may love the idea of sharp, mod looks and lines, but in practice, find yourself choosing bold colors and organic shapes.

The same can be true of art curation. You may admire the broken grid gallery walls in a recent issue of Wallpaper*, yet in a gallery, you’re drawn to a single, enveloping piece commanding the space. Instead of trying to conform to an idea of what should be into your home, consider what instinctually draws you in.

Focus on Mood

Gulf Sotheby’s International Realty – Contact Leigh Williamson for more information

How do you want to feel when you walk into a room? Elated? Relaxed? Inspired? Just as you took great care in finding a home with an infinity pool to end your days on a mellow note, equal attention should be given when seeking poolside art to complement it. Perhaps the wave-like quality of a smooth marble sculpture reminds you of peaceful shores, or maybe the mirrored shards of a mixed-media piece in the library help shift your focus to self-reflection.

You can embrace, amplify, or transform moods with the right curated collection. Art can shape not only how a room looks, but also how it makes you feel.

Play Matchmaker

Sotheby’s International Realty – Montecito Brokerage – Contact Suzanne Perkins for more information

You have this room in your house that’s truly magnetic. When friends and family are introduced, they immediately get it. There’s something about the way the furniture frames the window, or textures you’ve added throughout—it simply works. Now you just need to add some final polish by finding that perfect finishing touch.

When you’re searching for new pieces to fit the bill, bring mementos of your favorite rooms with you—think photos, fabrics, swatches, or even small hardware. Trained in the art of curation, gallery directors can help create an encompassing artistic voice for your space from similar textures, colors, or cues. Sometimes the smallest slice of similarity is a match worth marrying.

Frame it Right

Sotheby’s International Realty – Wine Country – East Napa Street Brokerage – Contact Ginger Martin and Gregg Lynn for more information

Framing your new favorite piece isn’t simply about the physical frame. In fact, your burgeoning collection may not require wall mounting at all—it’s about how it works withinthe space. Great arrangements draw in the eye and invite it to explore nearby, but they continually loop you back to a focal point.

Decide what you want the focal point in your room to be. It doesn’t have to be the art, but it could be a breathtaking view, elegant handcrafted side table, or even a prominent lighting fixture. Wherever you want your eye to start and finish, frame it with complementary—but not overpowering—furnishings and works, so you keep coming back to your favorite spot.

However you decide to curate for your inner-sanctum, let it reflect your personality and show yet another side to how you love to live.

Play with Light

Beacon Sotheby’s International Realty – Contact Josi Van Horn for more information

Lighting is more than just a regal lamp or sconce placed near a remarkable work of art. It brings the work to life, highlighting its most beautiful details. It can be a challenge to match the proper lighting element to the piece, but when done correctly, the lighting elevates the portrait into that of a masterpiece.

Play with the physical bulbs first – what color light shines the best light; white, yellow, or a soft blue perhaps? Then, discover the outer hold. A lamp, a tasteful sconce, or installed lighting from the ceiling can provide the perfect ambiance for your artwork. Be careful not too overdo the lighting, as it may take away from your luxurious pieces.

Discover homes awaiting your masterpieces

5 Ways to Transform Your Winter Space

If you reside in a warmer-weather climate, we here in Michigan might be a tad jealous. While we are experiencing a bit of a “heat wave” (with temperatures peaking just over 40 degrees this week!), winter is still full steam ahead. With precipitation in the coming forecast, we’re predicting more time that might be best spent indoors.

With that in mind, grab your comfiest clothes and put your dreams of summer on pause as you use these quick tips to transform your home into a delightfully warm interior for even the chilliest winter days.

Illuminate your space – Shine a light on winter! Make your space brighter by keeping holiday lights up a little longer and opening blinds and curtains, even with gray skies. The added light will boost your mood and maybe even help you forget it gets dark by 6pm.

2. Cozying up – Whether you have a love or a hate relationship with the chillier winter temps, the season only comes around once a year. Take full advantage by adding your best throws, blankets, and flannel sheets to your living and bedrooms. The added comfort is the perfect design element for your space.

3. Give your two scents – Allow a wintry aroma to filter throughout your home, creating a pleasant environment. Diffuse your favorite scent or add seasonal candles, greeting you as you step inside from the cold.

4. Burn, baby, burn – Light the fireplace for added warmth, as the flickers and embers create a cozy ambiance for your retreat.

5. Take a sip – Still battling the winter blues? Mix a festive drink! Whether it’s cocoa or a cocktail, there is nothing quite like a warm drink, a soft blanket, and falling snow to help you appreciate winter. That is, until it’s warm again. Then we’ll see you at the lake.

Classic Kitchens

Fresh ingredients, artfully crafted recipes, and memorable moments with family and friends come together inside of culinary experiences – all of which find their start in the kitchen. From New York to New Zealand, create an unforgettable meal in these classic kitchens.

$9,850,000 USD | Millbrook, New York | Heather Croner Real Estate Sotheby’s International Realty

Meticulous planning by noted architect Paul Gleicher has repurposed these beautiful early agricultural barns as the centerpiece of this 40-acre gentlemen’s farm, formerly owned by the late music composer Marvin Hamlisch. Arranged around a large courtyard together with the newly renovated farmhouse of the same period, this beautiful property is privately situated and surrounded by meadows and woods in the midst of Millbrook’s glorious countryside. The compilation of restored buildings, circa 1839, offers an opportunity to enjoy 12,000 square-feet of luxurious modern living against a backdrop of history. Each barn, with exposed beams, wide board floors, and oak paneling, is uniquely appointed for separate use and includes beautifully laid out executive office space, billiard lounge, artist’s studio, gourmet kitchen, and media room.

$40,000,000 USD | Montecito, California | Sotheby’s International Realty – Montecito – Coast Village Road Brokerage

Nestled in the hills of Montecito, this more than eight-acre property features quintessential Californian indoor/outdoor comfort along with luxurious Balinese and Asian-influenced design. Torii gates invite you across an expansive koi pond to the front entry where, through a glass wall the heart of this remarkable residence, the Great Room is seen. The interior wall finish, replicated from the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, was achieved through a meticulous, hand-crafted process involving six layers of sand and plaster.

$5,750,000 USD | Bethesda, Maryland | TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

This sensational home was built in 1913 and renovated by Gibson Builders in 2013 with interior design by award winning Mary Drysdale. The residence, unparalleled in design, features an incredible grand salon, gorgeous master bedroom suite with his and her baths, and gourmet kitchen.

$7,388,000 CAD | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Sotheby’s International Realty Canada

Combining clean contemporary lines with timeless traditional details, this home’s interior design by Brian Gluckstein is remarkably elegant yet casual and inviting. Blending both worlds seamlessly, the formal living and dining rooms are finished with wallpaper and wainscoting. The coffered ceiling with crown molding has recess pot lighting; 10-foot ceilings and eight-foot solid core doors add grandeur.

Price Upon Request | Wanaka, New Zealand | New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty

Constructed from hand placed hardwood pillars and featuring schist detailing throughout, this spacious lakefront mansion is timeless in both design and function. A stunning entrance draws you in, where you are welcomed by the tranquil sound of water. High ceilings and a grand staircase lead you to the upper level, where the master bedroom and en-suite, a two-bedroom apartment, library, bar and entertainment wing await.

$3,495,000 | Holland, Michigan | Beacon Sotheby’s International Realty

One of the many inspired details in this distinctive Lake Macatawa residence includes the incomparable kitchen. Boasting Wolf and Sub Zero appliances, there is ample storage space as well as generously sized island with barstool seating. A butler pantry compliments nearby, ideal for mixing an evening cocktail while taking in your private lakeshore views and the rest of the captivating home.