High above the sparkling city skyline, this new 6,000-square-foot residence honors architectural paradigms while forging new pathways of refinement and convenience. Of the numerous sought-after neighborhoods in and around Los Angeles, the Hollywood Hills is among the most fabled and fascinating. Once devoted to farmland, the area began its residential history in the 1920s, with the establishment of the Hollywoodland community—for which the iconic namesake sign was erected. In its early heyday, homes vaunted Mediterranean- and Spanish-inspired styles; ensuing decades brought an interest in the Arts and Crafts aesthetic; and the latter half of the 20th century marked a shift toward Modernist and contemporary architecture, with homes following the contours of the steep mountain terrain and oversized windows designed to make the most of the sweeping rarefied view. Los Angeles, California | Marc Noah | Sotheby’s International Realty – Beverly Hills Brokerage This new residence—conceived of and constructed in 2025 by one of Southern California’s renowned design-driven teams—honors architectural paradigms, combining minimalist modernism with the occasional eye-catching nod to midcentury design, all the while forging new pathways of quality and convenience. Spanning some 6,000 square feet, it faces the Pacific, its western façade almost entirely composed of glass—an impressive collection of “disappearing” Fleetwood windows and doors that virtually erase the boundaries between indoor spaces, outdoor diversions, and the cinematic vistas that encompass the sparkling city skyline, the majestic ocean, and dramatic sunsets. Interior highlights include four serene bedrooms, a dedicated office, and a kitchen with a marble-wrapped island and a full complement of streamlined Miele appliances. Bridging the gap between the family room and a more formal living area is a wet bar with creative wine storage and refrigeration. Beyond, the living room exemplifies an uncommon level of thoughtfulness, with a floor-to-ceiling glass wall opening to the swimming pool and accompanying spa, a mere step from the threshold, raising the notion of “seamless living” to new heights. Baths are striking in style and spa-like in luxuries. Carefully chosen materials—such as warmly hued wide-plank walnut floors, surfaces of regal travertine, and chic fixtures and fittings—exemplify a superior level of refinement. Walls and thoughtfully positioned lighting seem destined to showcase an art collection. The outdoors play an essential part in the Southern California lifestyle, and this home ensures effortless alfresco activity. Just outside the kitchen and family room is a dining terrace with an enviable outdoor kitchen and a fire pit. High above it all is a private rooftop pickleball court. Completing the comforts and conveniences of this virtually turnkey experience are an elevator, a fully integrated smart home system, generous storage, a three-car garage, and a driveway that affords auxiliary parking. With its thoughtful design, commitment to refinement, coveted privacy, and postcard-worthy views, this residence is poised to carry on the tradition of stylish serenity in the Hollywood Hills. Discover luxury homes for sale and rent around the world on sothebysrealty.com
Our monthly series asks: How do you bring color into luxury design? Pink can be both grounding and joyful, writes Jill Krasny Old Fort Bay, Bahamas | Bahamas Sotheby’s International Realty 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. Capri, Italy | Italy Sotheby’s International Realty 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.” Newport, Rhode Island | Gustave White Sotheby’s International Realty 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.” Old Fort Bay, Bahamas | Bahamas Sotheby’s International Realty 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.” Old Brookville, New York | Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty 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. Harbour Island, Bahamas | Bahamas Sotheby’s International Realty 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.” Explore our Color Chart series, from crowd-pleasing blue to zingy orange, bold red and calming white
As Art Basel comes to town, the Qatari capital is maturing as both a cultural and luxury destination, writes Georgia Lewis The Pearl, Doha | Qatar Sotheby’s International Realty Doha, capital of Qatar, has been quietly and elegantly evolving. Its art scene is a case in point: previously driven by stalwarts such as the National Museum of Qatar, the Museum of Islamic Art and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, from February 5-7 the debut Art Basel Qatar will bring international artists and galleries to town. The event aims to be “globally resonant and locally rooted,” says Vincenzo de Bellis, chief artistic officer and global director of Art Basel fairs. “The combination of world-class cultural institutions in development, expanding creative areas, such as the Doha Design District, and a growing emphasis on regional voices and experimentation all signal the city’s evolution as a major arts destination,” de Bellis says. Forthcoming cultural attractions include the Herzog & de Meuron-designed Lusail Museum, due to open on Al Maha Island in 2029, and the Art Mill Museum, which will show international modern and contemporary art in a former flour mill on Doha’s waterfront Corniche from 2030. Giardino Villas, The Pearl, Doha | Qatar Sotheby’s International Realty Meanwhile, smaller galleries and entrepreneurial local artists are bringing new ideas to life with exciting and challenging works. Abdulaziz Yousef is an artist who embodies this new spirit and whose nostalgia-themed street art can be seen across Doha, such as the emotive “Family Reunion” displayed at the Msheireb Metro Station. Yousef says his street art conveys his ideas on culture, family and community. “That’s very important, especially when only a few graffiti artists in Doha represent the visual identity of the country,” he says. As well as his street art, he has exhibited at independent galleries, such as Al Markhiya and Anima, which is located on The Pearl. This exclusive residential island is emblematic of Doha’s premium property market. Qatar’s permanent residency visa scheme, for those spending more than US$1M on real estate, is helping to fuel demand in prestigious neighborhoods. The Pearl, Doha | Qatar Sotheby’s International Realty An Arabesque-style nine-bedroom home overlooking the Arabian Gulf, known as a “Royal Palace,” epitomises Qatari opulence. Meanwhile, a six-bedroom villa with private gym, pool and in-house elevator offers more contemporary luxury. The city’s culinary landscape has developed alongside the cultural scene and residential offering. “I moved to Qatar in 2007, and it’s no exaggeration to say the dining scene has transformed in that period,” says Doha-based Australian food writer Rachel Morris. “Back then, there were a handful of high-end but nondescript hotel restaurants, some Arabic and Indian eateries and a few Italian places. Today, you can dine around the world in one day, reflecting the diversity of Qatar’s population and the visitors it now draws.” The Pearl, Doha | Qatar Sotheby’s International Realty Morris says Doha’s culinary turning point came in the mid-2000s, with the opening of Alain Ducasse’s IDAM, at the Museum of Islamic Art on the Corniche, and Nobu. “Both demonstrated you can sustain high-end cuisine in Qatar. I love IDAM for its creativity and Nobu for its location and consistency.” Rated newcomers include Koo Madame, which opened last year at the Rosewood Doha. “You will find impeccable interpretations of Cantonese classics and well-honed service,” says Morris. La Méditerranée, a signature Joël Robuchon restaurant, is among the premium amenities available at Four Seasons Private Residences located in The Pearl, where a three-bedroom apartment comes with staff accommodation and spacious ocean-front terraces. Meanwhile, a four-bedroom penthouse in the nearby St Regis Marsa Arabia development with expansive marina views offers minimalist elegance and resident access to 12 restaurants, as well as fitness and wellness facilities. The Pearl, Doha | Qatar Sotheby’s International Realty Back on the art scene, Yousef is optimistic. “The new generation has a different perspective of what art is, so maybe we’ll see some movement that is as big as postmodernism changing things—not removing or overwriting, but bringing new things to the art world, breaking the norms. I can’t wait to see how other artists surprise us.” Read more about Qatar and other global lifestyle destinations in our 2026 guide
High above the historic San Francisco neighborhood of Russian Hill, this chic contemporary residence is a nexus for sophisticated living and entertaining with nearly panoramic views of virtually every area landmark. At the crest of Russian Hill’s namesake peak—and the highest elevation in northeastern San Francisco—is a small park named for the city’s first poet laureate, Ina Coolbrith, where virtually every known landmark is within view. On the verge of the park’s refreshing greenery is a midcentury building known as the Royal Towers, which soars above its prestigious neighborhood like a sophisticated sentry, maximizing the stunning vistas. San Francisco, California | Gregg Lynn | Sotheby’s International Realty – San Francisco Brokerage More than a dozen floors up in the Royal Towers is a chic 3,285-square-foot residence formerly owned by esteemed economist, educator, author, and Nobel laureate Milton Friedman, who championed free markets, limited government, and individual liberty. Here, walls of glass afford some 270 degrees of postcard-worthy views, from the Bay Bridge to the Golden Gate, with the dazzling city skyline and seemingly countless celebrated sights in between. Designed and built using the finest materials and applying impeccable attention to detail, the home is suffused with the rich warmth of deeply hued woods that clad floors, walls, and ceilings. Carefully positioned alcoves and lighting encourage the display of an inimitable art collection. Fixtures and finishes are artfully eye-catching. The nexus of cosmopolitan living and entertaining is a great room encompassing a living area wrapped in glass, a study or office with bookshelf-lined walls and a dynamic view, a dedicated dining area, and a remarkably streamlined kitchen with an island and counter seating. Glass panels give way to a balcony, where heights and views are breathtaking in the truest sense of the word. Hidden discreetly around a corner from the kitchen is an expertly outfitted scullery with two full-sized Sub-Zero wine chillers, two wall ovens, custom Wenge cabinetry, shelving for cookbooks, a sink, a dishwasher, an ice maker, and abundant counter and cabinet space. Perched on one high corner, the walnut-paneled owner’s suite is wrapped in windows on two sides and seems to float above the city and the water. Adjoining the bedroom are a private balcony; a lofty, luxurious Calacatta marble bath offering a soaking tub and a shower with a west-facing window; and a remarkable closet and dressing room with an impressive collection of built-ins. The spacious, secluded guest bedroom is also walled in nearly floor-to-ceiling glass and enjoys the privacy of an en suite bath and its own balcony. Fittingly, the discreet laundry room is also impressively equipped, with appliances from Miele. Residents of the Royal Towers enjoy a wide array of conveniences and amenities, including a 24-hour attended lobby, attentive staff, on-site management, a light-flooded fitness center with an inspiring view and a wind-swept terrace, an owners club with a bar whose mirrored backboard reflects the dramatic vista, a generous conference room, a library, and heated indoor swimming pool with a retractable roof. All of these luxuries seem apropos for a building that, as its name implies, crowns one of the city’s highest peaks, gazing regally over tourist destinations, the famously winding Lombard Street, charming cottages, vibrant gardens, and the iconic sights of San Francisco. Discover luxury homes for sale and rent around the world on sothebysrealty.com
Luxury designers and homeowners are placing playful, bold and colorful seating at the heart of the home, writes Francesca Perry A luxurious purple sofa in the Zappa Nest guest house in the Hollywood Hills. Photograph: © Clemens Kois Of all the spaces in a home, the living room is a place for balancing practical needs with a carefully curated style: comfort and prestige in one. As interior designers and homeowners embrace more maximalist-infused visions—rich in color, craft and detail—so the humble couch is moving into the spotlight. Informed by design heritage, yet firmly rooted in the present, statement sofas are the perfect accent for luxury living, capturing attention while still accommodating the whole family. Traditionally, many homes have included both a formal salon for welcoming guests and a private lounge for the family. Today, reception rooms tend to bring both functions together, meaning the space has to work harder. A plain sectional that blends into the background might deliver on functionality, but can’t always provide the inspiration that many people seek from their home environment. The question is: can comfortable things be stylish? Contemporary furniture design certainly suggests it can. Showcased recently at the collectible design fair PAD in London, French studio Pradier-Jeauneau’s Waves sofa resembles an ancient monument, emerging elegantly yet powerfully from the ground. Jérémy Pradier-Jeauneau’s Waves sofa, which debuted at PAD, London. Photograph: Arthur Minot “Why settle for a boring sofa when you can have a jewel?” says studio founder Jérémy Pradier-Jeauneau. For him, it’s about “expressing personality”—as one might through a fashion accessory like a Chanel bag or a Cartier bracelet. “You don’t compose an interior without boldness any more than you build a look without a statement piece,” he continues. “The sculptural sofa is that chic manifesto: an artwork to live with, where comfort becomes an idea. It’s the piece that makes all the difference.” Rather than a furnishing afterthought, the right sofa can become a core part of the interior vision—with some designers creating bespoke pieces for clients’ homes. LA-based Another Human designs furniture and spaces that are colorful, creative and full of personality. For a bright and airy home in Los Feliz, California, the studio made a large curved blue sofa the focus for the double-height living room. Reflecting a serpentine fireplace of a similar hue, the sofa snakes across the room, enabling guests to face in different directions within the open-plan entertaining space. Another Human’s bespoke sofa design reflects the color and curves of the fireplace opposite in this Los Feliz home. Photograph: Lance Gerber “The sofa becomes a conversation starter,” says Leah Ring, Another Human’s designer and founder, “and the scale and bold style set the aesthetic tone for the room.” Every living space is different and every homeowner has their own needs, so modular seating—with its potential for different sizes and layouts—offers attractive flexibility. Modularity need not simply be a case of fitting furniture to the dimensions of space, however. Designers are finding exciting and playful solutions for a format more often associated with practicality. In Paris, an exuberant apartment by French architecture and interior design studio Uchronia features a wiggling pink modular sofa in the library—a 1969 design by Verner Panton. Offsetting the traditional wooden paneling and decorative fireplace, the sofa becomes an artistic gesture that makes the room sing. A 1969 Verner Panton sofa in a Paris apartment designed by Uchronia. Photograph: Félix Dol Maillot “A bold sofa immediately sets the emotional tone of a living space,” says Uchronia founder Julien Sebban. “It transforms the room from something purely functional into a place of expression and energy.” In turn, an exciting living space “doesn’t just look good,” he says. “It influences how you feel, how you interact and how you experience home as a vibrant, living environment, rather than a neutral backdrop.” Indeed, the embrace of statement sofas today—as a territory of creative possibility and expressive potential—has precedent in the time of designers like Panton. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, amid the rise of leisure time, the polite sofas of midcentury modernism became softer, more curvaceous and sculptural, often harnessing modularity in large pieces that dominated rooms. At times, the sofa became a landscape to climb on or sink into. It was this period of experimentation that gave us the sunken conversation pit of wraparound soft seating, as well as classics such as the ultra-relaxed, bed-like Ligne Roset Togo sofa (designed by Michel Ducaroy in 1973) and the expansive Dune ensemble (1969-1972) by Pierre Paulin. The latter’s four geometrically designed modules combine to create a topography of soft, dune-like seating. It looks as futuristic as it did when it debuted more than 50 years ago. A green Togo sofa in an Upper West Side apartment designed by Space Exploration and styled by Katja Greeff. Photograph: Nicole Franzen Kevin Greenberg, founder of Brooklyn-based interior design studio Space Exploration, gravitates to 1970s designs when he wants a sofa to steal the spotlight in a living space. “Maestros like Mario Bellini, Tobia and Afra Scarpa, Michel Ducaroy, Mario Marenco and Arne Norell helped pioneer a golden age of low-slung, formally daring (and often modular) seating collections that are sure to enliven any room,” he says. Greenberg recommends choosing sumptuous upholstery—particularly rich tones of velvet and suede—to “ensure your couch is as comfortable as it is commanding.” A statement sofa can achieve what its name indicates: communicating the power of design. But it also enriches the everyday. As Uchronia’s Julien Sebban sees it: “Living with expressive shapes, strong colors or unexpected materials stimulates creativity and joy on a daily basis.” Now you have your statement seating, here’s how to go bold with bedroom decor
This grand Spanish Colonial Revival estate in L.A.’s Eagle Rock neighborhood is an enduring—and meticulously updated—tribute to its pioneering architect, Paul Revere Williams, and to the unique glamour of early-20th-century Southern California. During his celebrated career, pioneering American architect Paul Revere Williams designed more than 2,000 residences, developing a mastery of numerous architectural styles, a skill for which he became widely esteemed. This high regard attracted business magnates and Hollywood celebrities, who rushed to commission homes from him across Southern California. Beverly Hills, California| Nicole Plaxen | Sotheby’s International Realty – Beverly Hills Brokerage Enjoying a prominent perch on a prestigious corner in the welcoming neighborhood of Eagle Rock, this grand 6,766-square-foot Spanish Colonial Revival estate stands as a fitting tribute to Williams and to the unique Southern California glamour of his age. Built in the 1930s, lovingly maintained, and painstakingly rejuvenated by Gary Mkrtichyan of Opus Builders, it showcases an iconic terra-cotta-tile roofline, graceful archways, elaborate ironwork, hand-carved woodwork, colorful tiles, vaulted ceilings with exposed beams, and hand-stenciled decorative panels. It is a rare, enduring landmark where Old World craftsmanship, scrupulous artistry, and contemporary comforts and conveniences unite. Suitable for both small, quiet gatherings and festive fêtes for a crowd, the heart of the home is a forward-thinking great room that encompasses a generous living area, an inviting kitchen, and a dedicated dining area. Folding French doors in the living area give way to a picturesque rose garden. Cooks of all skill levels will appreciate the kitchen’s spacious island, 12-burner La Cornue range, custom cabinetry, wood-paneled refrigerator, wine chiller, and discreet walk-in pantry. Nearby are a sophisticated study and a handsome wood-paneled office with a coffered ceiling. Hidden on the home’s lowest level, an enchanting space known familiarly as the Velvet Room is a Prohibition-era-style speakeasy offering spirited secret rooms—one of which easily serves as a generous wine cellar—a cocktail bar, a fireplace, and access to the idyllic backyard. Throughout the home, plentiful windows admit painterly natural light, while elegant chandeliers cast a golden glow, and warm wood and organic hues link the home with its natural surroundings. A cinematic staircase with vibrant tile accents and wrought-iron detailing leads to the uppermost level and the serene, soigné primary suite, which boasts its own fireplace, French doors opening to a wraparound balcony overlooking the grounds, and a lavish bath with dual showers and a gold-plated soaking tub. Visitors are accommodated in languid style thanks to three stylish guest bedrooms, two baths, and a private sundeck on the upper level as well as an auxiliary suite on the main level. A virtual private resort that recalls a lush destination of a bygone era, the home’s roughly three-quarter-acre grounds include a refreshing herringbone-tiled swimming pool and spa, flagstone terraces, impeccably manicured gardens threaded with winding paths, multiple sitting areas—one with a fire pit—expanses of emerald lawn, flourishing roses, a classical tiered fountain, a pavilion greenhouse, mature trees, and a playful sports court. While comprehensively updated for a sophisticated modern lifestyle, this residence is proud of its architectural legacy, maintaining an air of timelessness and whispering reminders of its early-20th-century beginnings. It is a place of priceless pedigree and an opportunity not to be missed. Discover luxury homes for sale and rent around the world on sothebysrealty.com
High-end buyers are increasingly seeking space for everyone under one roof, bringing family together—at home or on holiday Pescadaro, California | Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty “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. Tokyo, Japan | List Sotheby’s International Realty 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.” São Paulo, Brasil | Bossa Nova Sotheby’s International Realty 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. Southampton, New York | Sotheby’s International Realty – Southampton Brokerage 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.” This is an edited extract from Sotheby’s International Realty 2026 Luxury Outlook report. Read and download the full report at luxuryoutlook.com
From a €164M sale in Sardinia, Italy, to US$56M sale in Portola Valley, here are ten top sales represented by the Sotheby’s International Realty global network in 2025. Sardinia, Italy Lodovico Pignatti Morano | Italy Sotheby’s International Realty, €164M View properties in Sardinia, Italy Dubai, United Arab Emirates Regan Faulkner, Ioana Armeanu | Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty, AED 330M View properties in Dubai, United Arab Emirates Portola Valley, California Chris Iverson | Golden Gate International Realty, US$56M View properties in Portola Valley, California Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi Sotheby’s International Realty, AED$200M Del Mar, California 2920 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA " src="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/3-1-1-1024x686.jpg" alt="Home in Del Mar, California" class="wp-image-345952" srcset="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/3-1-1-1024x686.jpg 1024w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/3-1-1-300x201.jpg 300w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/3-1-1-768x514.jpg 768w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/3-1-1-1536x1029.jpg 1536w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/3-1-1-2048x1372.jpg 2048w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/3-1-1-1200x804.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" Rande Turner | Pacific International Realty, US$50M View properties in Del Mar, California Aspen, Colorado Mandy Welgos| Aspen Snowmass Sotheby’s International Realty, US$45.55M View properties in Aspen, Colorado Palm Beach, Florida Architectural Photography/Renderings " src="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/REAR-1024x683.jpg" alt="Back yard and Pool in Palm Beach, Florida" class="wp-image-345955" srcset="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/REAR-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/REAR-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/REAR-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/REAR-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/REAR-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/REAR-1200x800.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" Tom Shaw | Sotheby’s International Realty – Palm Beach Brokerage, US$48.5M View properties in Palm Beach, Florida Point Piper, Australia Michael Pallier | Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty, AUD$55M View properties in Point Piper, Australia Zermatt, Switzerland Oliver Herweg| Stieger & Cie Sotheby’s International Realty, CHF 22M View properties in Zermatt, Switzerland Greenwich, Connecticut Joseph Barbieri, Helene Barre, Fran Ehrlich| Sotheby’s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage, US$23M View properties in Greenwich, Connecticut Discover previous editions of Significant Sales on the blog
Designers are creating a warm, intimate home atmosphere with candlelight and elevated accessories, writes Francesca Perry Ramona Albert’s Ramus candleholder subtly lights a bedroom. Photograph: Olivia Steuer In an electrified world, we may not need candles, but we certainly long for them, and in the dark days of winter, candlelight is almost impossible to resist. While elegant candleholders are a decor staple, the prominence of candles at home is only growing. More designers are creating artful holders, scented candle sales are booming, and the soft glow and traditional atmosphere that candles create are the perfect fit for today’s interiors. Candlelight creates a calming, intimate atmosphere—something that modern, stress-filled lifestyles often call for. The ritual of lighting candles at home can bring a sense of occasion or mark a moment of transition, such as from work to relaxation. Unlike electric lamps, candles feel connected to nature, making the art of lighting a more sensory one, and with their ancient origins, they bring a sense of timelessness to the home. It’s even been shown that the low light of candles can help improve mood and sleep. “I often start the day with a candle at breakfast, letting its glow set a quiet, mindful tone,” says designer Lola Lely, co-founder of London candlemakers Wax Atelier, which uses traditional methods and sustainable waxes in its products. “Candlelight softens a room, highlighting the warmth in colors, textures and objects, while the gentle play of shadows creates a beautiful atmosphere.” Start your day with a candle, says Lola Lely of Wax Atelier candlemakers. Photograph: Wax Atelier In the home, Lely recommends a candle on a dining table to bring warmth and enhance conversation; on a mantelpiece or coffee table to make the room feel inviting: and in the bathroom to create a “spa-like moment.” Interior stylist Colin King lights taper candles when he needs quiet or wants to make dinner feel “more cinematic.” “They are my shortcut to warmth, my go-to design therapy,” he writes in his popular newsletter, “The Last Layer.” Candles can be used in myriad ways, he explains—sconces, standalone tapers, chandeliers, candelabras—and the fact they are old-fashioned adds to their “magic.” Jamb, a brand specializing in antique furniture and fireplaces, launched its new Scipio candleholder in January. Inspired by the aesthetic of English country houses and ancient Roman artefacts, the candleholder is carved from precious marble fragments and is designed to become a conscious part of a curated home collection of art and antiques. Candles certainly lend themselves to this moment of peak collectible design. Inventive or sculptural holders created by contemporary designers are becoming covetable objects for the home: a focus for a dining table, a crafted accent in a living room or an eye-catching feature in a hallway. Jamb’s new Scipio candleholder mixes English and classical influences. Photograph: Christopher Horwood Mariah Nielson, director of the Blunk Space gallery in Northern California and daughter of American sculptor JB Blunk (1926-2002) has brought together contemporary designers from all over the world for the exhibition “100 Candleholders” (running until March 28). From small ceramic pieces to a chandelier decorated with shells, the 100 pieces on show demonstrate the creative potential of candle decor and its current design prominence. Big-name brands are also getting in on the action. Italian designer Osanna Visconti recently collaborated with Dior Maison to create a range of delicate bronze candleholders with floral motifs. Centering craftsmanship and elegance, the tall pieces are made using the lost wax technique, an ancient method of metal-casting used for jewelry and sculpture, befitting of the storied French fashion house. Sarah Sherman Samuel’s “bow” sconces flank a mirror. Photograph: Courtesy of Lulu and Georgia LA- and Michigan-based designer Sarah Sherman Samuel, celebrated for her luxuriously crafted interiors and furniture, has created a range of decorative sconces and candlesticks for interiors brand Lulu and Georgia. Characterized by ribbon-like bows, the metal pieces bring elegant charm to a room. “In a world saturated with digital glow and artificial light, candlelight restores something human,” she says. Flanking a mirror or piece of art with candles in sconces, she says, feels “considered, architectural, and timeless.” In 2025, New York-based architect and designer Ramona Albert designed a range of polished brass candleholders inspired by tree roots, presenting them in a spellbinding candlelit installation for the NYCxDesign festival. The Ramus collection, she explains, was crafted for “poetic” interiors. “They bring a quiet drama to the room—anchoring space with texture and shadow… The collective flicker of flames interacts with the diverg Ramona Albert’s Ramus candleholder range is modelled on tree roots. Photograph: Olivia Steuer At home, Albert recommends grouping candleholders into clusters to create “a visually dynamic arrangement” and varying the height of the pieces to build depth. “This deliberate layering of form and materiality transforms a space into a ritualized sanctuary,” she says Living with candles is special because it introduces a “rhythm of light” that grounds a space in a sense of peace, says Albert. Unlike electric lighting, candlelight creates a layering of lighting that “drapes a room like silk on skin.” What’s more, as candles can be moved and rearranged depending on mood, they become the ultimate flexible vehicle of elevated decor, creating the exact atmosphere and aesthetic in each room that is desired, whenever the flame of inspiration is ignited. On the scent: read more about the rise of fragrance in luxury interior design
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