This 2.91-acre estate on the coast of Connecticut traces its legacy to the days of America’s industrial boom, and the 13,163-square-foot Mediterranean-style villa at its heart continues the esteemed pedigree thanks to meticulous maintenance and expansion by Frank and Kathie Lee Gifford. The coast of Connecticut and New York’s Long Island are a storied stretch of land whose early-20th-century Golden Age has long been the nexus of a unique glamour—the sort captured in lore and literature, including F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Great Gatsby and similar tales. This estate in Riverside, Connecticut, traces its legacy to the days of America’s industrial boom, when businessman and financier Henry Francis Shoemaker established a grand getaway here, on an enviable waterfront peninsula. The name Shoemaker gave his villa, Cedar Cliff, became so locally revered and renowned that the road on which it was located was named for it. And so pedigreed was the property that in the 1920s it became the home of the exclusive Cedar Cliff Beach Club. Decades later, in the 1990s, the link with legend continued, as sports and media luminaries Frank and Kathie Lee Gifford purchased the 2.91-acre property to create a new retreat both refined and relaxed, elegant and inviting. Riverside, Connecticut| Leslie McElwreath, Sotheby’s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage Today the majestic 13,163-square-foot Mediterranean-style villa that anchors the gated peninsula has a footprint somewhat larger than its original—the Giffords added a wing during their years of ownership—but the singular ambience persists. Classical elements—a quintessential terra-cotta-tile roof, intricate interior millwork, richly hued antique hardwood floors, and ceiling tracery—exist alongside a wide variety of contemporary comforts and conveniences, among them an elevator, an estate-wide generator, new custom windows, an office, a recording studio, a wine cellar, and a 20-seat theater. Spaces for day-to-day living and festive entertaining are plentiful and include a billiards room and a serene sunroom. The eight restful bedrooms all enjoy water vistas, and in the primary suite—located in the new wing—an abundance of windows blur the boundary between indoors and out, making scenes of blue sky and placid sea practically everpresent. Daniel Milstein Photography " src="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/9-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="sunroom with seating looking over the Cedar Cliff estate from floor-to-ceiling windows" class="wp-image-346960" srcset="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/9-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/9-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/9-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/9-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/9-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/9-1.jpg 1800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" While the prestigious Indian Head Association affords the luxury of a nearby private beach, Cedar Cliff’s impressive manicured grounds are, in effect, a personal private resort. Inimitable in both scale and amenities, they encourage all manner of alfresco activities: open-air dining beneath an enchanting pergola; cocktailing at a bluestone bar; lounging on any of the numerous sun-washed and shady terraces; relaxing in the refreshing swimming pool and spa; benefiting from the cabana’s fitness center, kitchenette, full bath, and changing rooms; frolicking on an emerald expanse of impossibly lush lawn; engaging in a rousting match of tennis; basking in the warmth of an outdoor fireplace; or boating on the brisk waters of Greenwich Cove thanks to some 1,250 feet of direct water frontage, a stone pier, and a deepwater dock. The view from nearly every vantage point on the estate is, naturally, priceless, stretching across the water to the sparkling, inspiring skyline of Manhattan. Discover luxury homes for sale and rent around the world on sothebysrealty.com
From a US$55M sale in Coral Gables, Florida, to a US$15.6M sale in Sisters, Oregon, here are five sales represented by the Sotheby’s International Realty global network in April. Coral Gables, Florida Dennis Carvajal, Banna Fakhoury | ONE Sotheby’s International Realty, US$55M View properties in Coral Gables, Florida Naples, Florida James Bates, Maggie Ives| Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, US$17.6M View properties in Naples, Florida Shelter Island, New York Nick Brown, Lidia Murphy| Sotheby’s International Realty – East Hampton Brokerage, US$15.995M View properties in Shelter Island, New York Sisters, Oregon The Ladd Group: Erin Martin, Steve LaCrosse| Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty, US$15.6M View properties in Sisters, Oregon Newport Beach, California Kim Bibb, Lauren Bibb| Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty, US$14.9M View properties in Newport Beach, California Discover previous editions of Significant Sales on the blog
Seamless design and lush landscaping create spaces that feel inviting long before the full heat sets in, writes Elizabeth Fazzare Pacific Palisades, California | Sotheby’s International Realty – Brentwood Brokerage Though summer is typically considered the time for peak outdoor living, a well-designed home can not only extend the season of alfresco dinner parties and starlit nightcaps, but exude a sense of calm and harmony with nature. Even in the crisper spring months, strategically planned indoor-outdoor spaces create a comfortable environment outside while also drawing sunlight into a home’s interior and establishing a biophilic visual relationship with the surrounding landscape. In luxury homes, such courtyards, terraces, decking and balconies have moved beyond “nice to have” to become a must, with careful planning, planting and decorating going into making these transitional zones transformative. Pacific Palisades, California | Sotheby’s International Realty – Brentwood Brokerage “At the high end, it’s not just about having a patio; it’s about creating a seamless extension of the home and promoting an environment of wellness,” explains Shamon Shamonki, global real estate advisor at Sotheby’s International Realty – Brentwood Brokerage in Los Angeles. “Buyers aren’t looking to step outside; they want the [indoor] living experience to continue, whether that opens to ocean views, a landscaped yard or a fully built-out entertaining environment.” Madrid, Spain | Spain Sotheby’s International Realty A 1972-built hillside home, renovated and expanded by Claudia Janet on a lush site in California’s Pacific Palisades captures the concept beautifully, with expansive folding glass walls on every floor providing light and an indoor-outdoor connection. while canopy-immersed balconies offer privacy or space for entertaining, depending on mood. In Madrid, meanwhile, a four-story abode opens out to a leafy courtyard, surrounded by mature trees and potted planting, while a large upper-level terrace is shaded by a vine-covered pergola and conjures a secret-garden atmosphere. “Post-pandemic, outdoor space isn’t secondary anymore, it’s part of the core living experience,” says Shamonki. When done right, it “can elevate a home to something that feels experiential and memorable,” and therefore more desirable. Budva, Montenegro | Montenegro Sotheby’s International Realty To create spaces that achieve this across the seasons, it is crucial to select the right site and integrate the architecture and landscape teams right from the start. “For spring and early summer, orientation and how the site handles light and wind are crucial. We want to pull in morning sun and the softer afternoon angles, and screen out the harsh western exposure,” explains Michael McGowan, associate principal and project landscape architect at multidisciplinary Los Angeles firm KAA Design Group. “Layering shade is part of that, relying upon trellises, deciduous planting or light overhead structures that let the space breathe without baking.” For design longevity, indoor-outdoor palettes should be natural, with “materials that age well, like wood, linen, leather and patinated metals,” adds Grant Kirkpatrick, architect and KAA Design founder. London, England | United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty Floorplan location is also important. Indoor spaces that open directly to their outdoor counterparts are most effective, says McGowan—so pair kitchens with dining terraces, indoor with outdoor living rooms. Courtyards between public and private spaces encourage mingling. When architects Caireen O’Hagan and Base Associates converted a former London aircraft factory into a luxurious seven-bedroom home, they centered the design around an outdoor dining terrace accessible from the kitchen and main living areas through step-free sliding glass doors. Bay Area, California | Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty Physical and visual barriers impede indoor-outdoor living. As such, Kirkpatrick suggests “aligning floor elevations, minimizing thresholds and extending material palettes”. In a 19th-century home in Sausalito, California, a large covered porch off the open-plan kitchen and dining room offers an intimate, weather-resistant space to view San Francisco Bay. The bedrooms also enjoy waterside decking. “The house does not open to the outdoors; it instead feels as though it was always part of it,” concludes Kirkpatrick. These epic rural homes offer outdoor living with ‘Wuthering Heights’ style and drama
A stylish souvenir of Hollywood’s golden-age glamour and a predecessor of today’s quiet luxury, this elegant, highly liveable home epitomizes the enduring nature of the Southern California lifestyle. On a desirable thoroughfare in the fashionable Bird Streets of Los Angeles—revered for dramatic vistas and proximity to the Sunset Strip—this meticulously maintained and renovated 1939 residence epitomizes the timeless nature of the Southern California lifestyle. Both a stylish souvenir of Hollywood’s golden-age glamour and a predecessor of today’s quiet luxury, it was designed by pioneering American architect Paul R. Williams—who was widely esteemed and sought-after by business magnates and Hollywood celebrities alike—and rejuvenated by adventurous Parisian designer Jean-Louis Deniot, known for his use of arresting materials and textures, subtle tones, and impeccable lighting. The result is a rare estate that effortlessly blends the classic with the contemporary. West Hollywood, California| Andrew Clark, Sotheby’s International Realty – Beverly Hills Brokerage At the end of a gated drive, a stately motor court and colorful gardens direct the eye toward a crisp white façade with contrasting wrought-iron elements and French-inspired accents. A cinematic foyer with whimsical black and white tiles and a gracefully spiraling staircase introduces the home’s singular style. The formal living room boasts classically inspired millwork and an ornate stone fireplace, while the regal dining room features deeply hued herringbone-patterned parquetry and a crystal chandelier. The more relaxed family room has an alpine ambience conjured by a trussed pitched ceiling and a rugged river-rock fireplace. The eye-catching black-and-white tiling continues in the kitchen, where the striking coffered ceiling echoes the geometry of the floor and highlights include a wood-topped island with counter seating, superior-caliber appliances—among them a wine chiller and a La Cornue range—and a walk-in pantry. Throughout, oversized windows and French doors admit floods of glorious natural light and open to the outdoors. The private quarters include a serene primary suite with its own fireplace, a covered terrace with skyline and greenbelt vistas, and a lavish bath with a glass-enclosed shower, a soaking tub, and double glass doors admitting soothing breezes. The residence also offers four stylish guest suites with distinctive palettes and decorative motifs; a quiet, contemplative office; and a well-equipped gym. The backyard is a vibrant hidden gem where a sun-washed patio, a refreshing swimming pool, and a relaxing spa are enveloped by mature hedges and flowering plants that provide welcome privacy. A second “secret” terrace allows for lounging amid soothing the greenery of native flora and ivy-clad walls. Southern California in general is known for an aesthetic that champions organic tones, up-to-the-minute conveniences, curated architectural details that feel both impressive and inviting, and seamless indoor-outdoor living. Striking a refined balance between elegance and livability, this enduring home exemplifies all those qualities while, with its impressive architectural pedigree, serving as a longstanding reminder of the romance and allure of life in Hollywood. Discover luxury homes for sale and rent around the world on sothebysrealty.com
As the Austrian capital pulls out the stops for Eurovision 2026, it waltzes between imperial grandeur and cultural cool, writes Kerry Walker Vienna, Austria | Austria Sotheby’s International Realty For centuries the nerve centre of the Habsburg Empire, Vienna has never shied away from global attention. The Austrian capital instantly impresses: a whirl of royal palaces and parks, gilded concert halls, galleries crammed with Klimt and Schiele originals, and coffeehouses haunted by the ghosts of Beethoven, Mozart and Freud. But the city doesn’t rest on past glory: fast-growing, sustainably minded, brilliantly connected by rail and bristling with new skyscrapers, Vienna consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities in Mercer and EIU Global Liveability indexes. Tuning into this unique spirit is resident urbanist Eugene Quinn at Whoosh, who weaves together community and storytelling in his guided walks and events, from “coffeehouse conversations” pondering life’s big questions to model-led “style walks”. Foregrounding the city’s hosting of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in May, these experiences provide a backstage pass to little-explored corners of the city. Vienna, Austria | Austria Sotheby’s International Realty “There’s a whole Vienna beyond the Sisi and schnitzel cliches,” says Quinn, in reference to the 19th century Empress Elisabeth of Austria and the country’s favourite dish. “One that is open-minded, progressive and LGBTQ+ friendly. More than 10% of the population are students, fueling fresh creative expression, and the Europe-wide song contest brings joy, positivity and parties.” Beauty, history and culture have always mattered deeply to the Viennese, he adds, nodding to groundbreaking ventures such as the city’s MuseumsQuartier, which remodeled the city’s baroque imperial stables into one of the world’s largest cultural districts. The project celebrates its quarter century in 2026. Barbara Beltram, journalist and advisor at Austria Sotheby’s International Realty points to the same successful blend of old and new in the city’s real estate, such as the high-end residential development at Börseplatz. Here, in the neoclassical former Imperial and Royal Telegraph Headquarters dating back to 1870, airy lofts and light-filled penthouses enjoy a full concierge service and wine cellar. “You really sense you are stepping into a palace the moment you enter,” says Beltram. “The Telegram Loft has six-meter-high ceilings and fabulous views of Börseplatz itself.” Vienna, Austria | Austria Sotheby’s International Realty On its doorstep, Vienna’s 1st district unfurls, with baroque, Biedermeier and art nouveau buildings forcing you to look up in wonder, as trams rattle along the monumental Ringstrasse. For a deep dive into Viennese art and opulence, Beltram recommends MAK (the city’s Museum of Applied Arts) and its new “Vienna 1900” exhibitions, while for coffee, she likes Café Gerstner. “You cannot get a more golden ceiling and its magnificence is reflected in mirrored coffee tables,” she enthuses. While the atmosphere is younger and hipper on bar-lined Gumpendorferstrasse in the 6th district, Mariahilf, history is brilliantly preserved in properties such as Bel Étage. This elegant family home blends period flair and luxury apartment living, with stucco ceilings, herringbone parquet and a secluded inner courtyard. Vienna’s foodie Naschmarkt and Otto Wagner’s majolica-tiled art nouveau buildings are a whisper away. Vienna, Austria | Austria Sotheby’s International Realty Meanwhile, revealing a greener and more serene side to the city is a 14-bedroom parkside villa in the 17th district, Hernals, modelled in the style of a three-wing farmhouse but full of contemporary comfort. “With a huge private park filled with ancient trees, it’s a country escape in the city, close to Vienna’s vineyards and traditional Heurigen (wine taverns),” says Beltram. Winging Vienna into the 21st century is the United Nations HQ, UNO City, on the banks of the River Danube, which also sparkles with new developments such as the Donaumarina Tower, the world’s tallest timber-hybrid skyscraper, and the 574.147 feet-tall DC Tower 2, both bearing the hallmark of French architect Dominique Perrault. Vienna, Austria | Austria Sotheby’s International Realty Here too are the Danubeflats, slick penthouses with far-reaching views, a spa area, heated pool, cocktail bar and sky gardens in Austria’s tallest residential tower. Steps from the lidos, trails, street art and beach bars of the 13-mile human-made Danube Island, they offer a glimpse of the future in a city that is far more than a one-hit wonder, moving from past to present without missing a beat. From Viennese waltzes to Italian feasts, Tuscany is also moving with the times
On four verdant acres near the villages of East Hampton and Sag Harbor, this Shingle-style residence is filled with timeless character and impeccable craftsmanship that harmonize effortlessly with contemporary comforts and conveniences. Although Long Island is largely known today as the epitome of halcyon coastal getaways, its globally renowned villages trace their history to the 17th and 18th centuries, when they were small charming towns surrounded by pastureland. An ambience of that period suffuses this peaceful property—four verdant acres near the villages of East Hampton and Sag Harbor that have at their heart a quintessential Shingle-style residence with 5,300 square feet above ground and a 2,200-square-foot lower level. Its classic character and craftsmanship—readily apparent in wide-plank hardwood floors, handsome stone tile, graceful arches, beamed ceilings, vintage-inspired fixtures and finishes, and hand-painted tiles—harmonize with consummate contemporary comforts and conveniences, while the acreage includes a heated pool and spa, a secluded sauna, and mature flora. The result is an undeniably idyllic retreat. East Hampton, New York | Jenny Landey , Anthony Rosina| Sotheby’s International Realty – East Hampton Brokerage The foyer introduces the timeless style that pervades the home and leads to the formal living and entertaining spaces. A wood-burning fireplace with a striking marble mantel anchors the living room, an elegant space where inviting natural light floods in through French doors. Through archways is the dining room, whose walls are handpainted in a lively pastoral pattern that echoes the greenery surrounding the residence. Windows and French doors overlook and open to the verdant backyard. An ambience of the Old World countryside animates the chef’s kitchen, custom-designed by deVOL and boasting appliances from Sub-Zero and Wolf, an oversized island with counter seating, a butler’s pantry—finished in a captivating red—with two wine chillers, and eye-catching tiles painted in a bucolic theme by Pennsylvania-based artisan Tyler Hays. Other highlights include a library with walls of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, a stone-tiled mudroom, a custom-outfitted laundry room, a full bath with terra-cotta Tabarka Studio tiles and a heritage-inspired marble sink from Drummonds, and the two-car garage. Chief among the private spaces is a main-level owner’s suite with French doors giving way to a patio, ample closet space, an adjoining office ringed with windows, and an elegant bath with a claw-foot tub and a marble shower. An auxiliary owner’s suite enjoys the seclusion of the upper level. It features a tray ceiling, a bank of bright windows, and a delightful bath with a soaking tub tucked into a whimsically tiled alcove. Sharing this floor are three guest suites and a landing with built-in seating. Modern relaxation is the order of the day on the lowest level, which features a spacious media and game room accompanied by a casual dining area with built-in shelves and wine storage, a kitchenette, and a well-equipped cocktail bar. A sixth bedroom and bath and a roomy gym are hidden here as well. The enchanting grounds were designed by beloved local horticulturalist and “tree whisperer” Charlie Marder. Mature cedars, pines, gingkos, crepe myrtles, boxwoods, wisteria, and stone fruit trees create a colorful natural curtain of privacy for a generous patio and a heated gunite swimming pool and spa. Paths meander through the acreage, leading to an enviable outdoor shower and, further afield, a secret serene sauna. A separate adjoining lot with a letter of buildability furthers the options for expansion, the addition of another residence or tennis court, and the creation of a truly impressive compound. The conveniences of East Hampton and Sag Harbor villages are easily accessible, and when the siren song of sunny ocean beaches beckons, they are only moments away. Discover luxury homes for sale and rent around the world on sothebysrealty.com
Great Falls, Virginia | TTR Sotheby’s International Realty This month’s properties share a strong connection to their surroundings, from city skylines and coastlines to vineyards and private acreage. Thoughtful architecture, craftsmanship, and a sense of privacy define each home, with interiors and outdoor spaces designed to work seamlessly together. Despite their varied settings and styles, these residences offer a consistent focus on livability, character, and lasting appeal. A Cotswold’s Inspired Estate in Great Falls, VA Great Falls, Virginia | TTR Sotheby’s International Realty Tucked away on five private acres in Great Falls, this Cotswold-inspired estate feels like a secluded countryside retreat just outside Washington, D.C. Inside, warm European character meets grand-scale living, with inviting spaces designed for both quiet family life and memorable gatherings. Rich materials and thoughtful craftsmanship shape the interiors, while gardens, a pool, and outdoor living areas extend the home. Hollywood Heritage in the Hills of Los Feliz Los Angeles, California | Sotheby’s International Realty – Beverly Hills Brokerage Once part of Hollywood’s golden age, this Los Feliz estate was long associated with filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille, who shaped its early legacy. The property unfolds across expansive grounds, where mature landscaping and multiple structures form a private compound. Its classic Hollywood architecture is softened by time and layered privacy. From its elevated position, the estate captures sweeping views and a quiet separation from the city below. Vineyard Living in St. Helena St. Helena, California| Sotheby’s International Realty – St. Helena Brokerage In the heart of St. Helena, this Napa Valley estate feels shaped by its surroundings, where vineyard rows and open countryside set a steady, unhurried rhythm. Spanning nearly 20 acres, the property moves between cultivated gardens, open land, and a residence that sits lightly within the landscape. The result is a setting that feels grounded yet open, where indoor and outdoor living blend naturally into one continuous experience. A Premier Equestrian Estate in Wellington, FL Wellington, Florida | Equestrian Sotheby’s International Realty Within Wellington’s coveted equestrian community, this estate balances refined residential living with world-class horse facilities. The main residence is generously scaled, with elegant interiors that flow into resort-style outdoor spaces designed for both relaxation and entertaining. Beyond the home, professional barns, arenas, and extensive equine infrastructure support serious training and competition. A Tribeca Penthouse Commands the Skyline New York, New York | Sotheby’s International Realty – Downtown Manhattan Brokerage Rising above the streets of Tribeca, this penthouse occupies the top of a converted warehouse, reflecting its industrial character. Interiors extend upward and outward to expansive terraces, with long views across the Hudson River and downtown skyline. Light moves through the space throughout the day, softening the contrast between historic structure and contemporary design, while maintaining a close connection to the energy of Lower Manhattan. Coastal Living at Cape Elizabeth’s Staples Point Cape Elizabeth, Maine | Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty As you arrive at Staples Point, the drive narrows and the landscape opens to a rare stretch of Maine coastline. The home is carefully positioned to capture the movement of the Atlantic from nearly every room, with expansive glass and natural materials that echo the rugged shoreline. Interiors strike a balance between warmth and refinement, designed for both quiet coastal living and effortless entertaining. A Modernist Landmark Residence Fort Worth, Texas | Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty Designed by I. M. Pei, this Fort Worth residence brings a rare architectural pedigree to a private setting in Westover Hills. Defined by bold geometry, expansive glass, and precise spatial composition, the home emphasizes light, proportion, and flow. Interiors unfold on a gallery-like scale, with expansive rooms balanced by more intimate, enclosed spaces. 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? The purple-lilac spectrum is having a moment, writes Jill Krasny Charlottesville, Virginia | Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty Some homes make a lasting impression while others quickly fade from the mind. Almost always, the design and color scheme has something to do with it. Green enhances old-world interiors, while yellow, used in the right way, is joyfully uplifting. Shades of purple and lilac—which our series on color in luxury design turns to next—have a tricky reputation, but are very much back in vogue, working best in homes with a period feel. That’s partly because of the color’s “almost noble past,” says Stephanie Schabot, the design director of Pembrooke & Ives, a New York-based interior design firm. “Purple in any form was once so rare and costly to produce that it was reserved for royalty and the church.” Years later, in the Victorian era, it became a mainstay of wallpapers, upholstery and ceramics, which also picked up on purple’s floral reference points. Rancho Santa Fe, California | Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty Interestingly, Victorian widows were encouraged to move on to wearing lilac after an initial mourning period of dressing in black, a detail that points to the shade’s more uplifting qualities. These were also drawn on a century later. The Hyatt House Hotel, a midcentury-modern building in Lincolnwood, Illinois, designed by Hungarian architect John Macsai, featured a purple glazed-brick exterior, earning it the nickname of the “Purple Hotel.” Nowadays, Schabot sees clients favoring the not-quite-purple shade of lilac for their hallways, bedrooms and occasionally bathrooms—“places where light moves slowly and people want to feel something,” she says. “There’s a real appetite right now for color that carries emotion,” she continues, and lilac, with its echoes of wisteria and jacaranda blooms in late spring, evokes feelings of calm, innocence and nostalgia. Charlottesville, Virginia | Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty The aptly named Sunday Lilac, a French provincial-style estate in Charlottesville, Virginia, features a stately dining-room suite drenched in a muted lilac with adjacent moody-blue cabinetry and a bold chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The bright turquoise light fixture exudes energy, says Schabot, while brass sconces and a sunburst mirror draw out the warmth of the wall color. A thoughtfully restored mansion in Ermoupolis, the capital of Syros island in the Greek Cyclades, has a lilac-accented bedroom that evokes the sorbet colors of sunset. “The Aegean sky in late afternoon is lilac,” says Schabot, “and this bedroom seems to draw direct inspiration from the light and landscape, which is a beautiful reference point.” Syros, Greece | Greece Sotheby’s International Realty A blush-colored bathroom in a luxury coastal home in Lielupe, Latvia, similarly echoes the silvery light of the Baltic Sea. The simple metallic fixtures pair well with lilac, says Schabot, creating a “quiet magic,” enhanced by the monochrome pattern on the floor. Meanwhile, the grayish-lilac exterior of a mansion in Scarsdale, the affluent commuter neighborhood about a half-hour from New York City, also makes a bold statement in a subtle way. “An exterior must hold through every season,” says Schabot, “and the fact it breathes rather than shouts says everything about the power of a well-chosen tone.” Scarsdale, New York | Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty Lilac, in particular, pairs well with warm colors, especially when they have a blush or honey base, says Schabot, who frequently finds herself turning to Farrow & Ball’s Elephant’s Breath, a paint color that reads gray, but carries a subtle hint of magenta. “Those shared warm undertones mean the two pair well with each other,” she says, not unlike the blooms on the jacaranda trees lining the road to a home in Rancho Santa Fe. Explore our Color Chart design series, from zingy orange, bold red and joyful pink to classic green, calming white, crowd-pleasing blue and uplifting yellow
In the enviable enclave of Studio City’s Silver Triangle, this six-bedroom farmhouse-inspired home and guesthouse are dedicated to a life of self-assured style and quiet, natural ease. Homes in a wide variety of architectural styles line the quiet, tree-lined lanes of Studio City’s Silver Triangle—an enclave of convenience, charm, and subtle sophistication with a strong sense of community and proximity to an array of amenities and the trappings of the entertainment industry. This new modern residence—distinguished by its rustic-refined farmhouse inspiration—blends timeless natural materials, designer finishes, and welcome luxuries to create a sanctuary of impeccable panache and chic comfort in a sought-after location. Studio City, California | Bryan Abrams, Phoebe Abrams| Sotheby’s International Realty – Sherman Oaks Brokerage The thoughtfully minimalist interiors, painterly natural light, effortless openness, and organic hues create an immediate impression in the foyer, which is anchored by a gracefully curving staircase and introduces the high ceilings, white oak beams, art walls, and wide-plank hardwood floors found throughout the home. Living and dining rooms were designed for formal gatherings, while the family room is a warm, welcoming space with a fireplace flanked by sturdy built-in bookshelves. Easily accessible from the living and entertaining spaces is a chef’s kitchen with a dual-oven Wolf induction range, a Sub-Zero refrigerator-freezer, an oversized island with counter seating, abundant white oak Shaker cabinets, and Taj Mahal quartzite counters. Window walls in the breakfast area turn the enveloping scenery—namely, a solitary mature olive tree—into interactive art that can be enjoyed at any hour of the day. In nearly every space, oversized windows afford a glorious glow, and glass doors blur the lines between indoors and out. The owner’s suite is tucked away on the upper level; it includes a boutique-worthy walk-in closet and a bright spa-inspired bath with a spacious glass-walled shower and a relaxing soaking tub. Three additional bedrooms, each soothing and serene in its own way, share this peaceful floor; two have glass doors opening to idyllic balconies. In the six and one-half baths, natural hues—seen in handsome wood, rugged stone, and mineral-toned tiles—harmonize with modern lines and contemporary fixtures and finishes. Short- and long-term visitors will appreciate the seclusion and style of the freestanding guesthouse, which offers one bedroom and bath accompanied by a chic living room and a thoughtfully equipped kitchen. Consummately versatile, the space could also serve as a studio for the artistically inclined. The dedication to minimalism and the congenial farmhouse aesthetic notwithstanding, the estate is replete with contemporary comforts and conveniences, including solar panels, security cameras, integrated speakers, top-tier internet connectivity, and smart home control systems. Ringed with a virtual wall of greenery, the perfectly private landscaped courtyard is a refreshing escape. Steps outside the family room is an alluring pool and spa along with a sun-washed terrace composed of eye-catching flagstone and a dining pergola. At the other end of the property, off the living room and office, is an enviable natural indulgence: a wide swath of impossibly lush green lawn that solidifies this home’s dedication to a life of pure, quiet ease. Discover luxury homes for sale and rent around the world on sothebysrealty.com
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