Greenwich, Connecticut | Sotheby’s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage From a landmark Bel Air residence overlooking one of Los Angeles’ most prestigious golf courses to a historic London address reimagined for contemporary living, this collection of exceptional homes highlights the breadth and diversity of luxury real estate around the world. Spanning iconic urban centers, private island retreats, heritage estates, and architectural masterpieces, each property offers a distinctive expression of place, design, and lifestyle. Bel Air, California Bel Air, California | Sotheby’s International Realty – Beverly Hills Brokerage Situated above the fourth green of Bel-Air Country Club, 638 Siena Way is a striking contemporary residence designed by acclaimed architect Zoltan Pali. Completed in 2022, the home spans nearly 17,000 square feet and pairs refined materials such as Indiana limestone, travertine, bronze, and French walnut with dramatic walls of glass that frame sweeping city and golf course views. Resort-caliber amenities, including an infinity-edge pool, wellness center, theater, wine room, and multiple entertaining spaces, make this an extraordinary offering in one of Los Angeles’ most coveted neighborhoods. London, England London, England | United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty Located within The OWO Residences by Raffles, this remarkable duplex residence blends historic significance with exceptional contemporary design. Created by acclaimed London design studio Banda, the home draws inspiration from the building’s storied past, incorporating vintage furnishings, bespoke details, and richly layered interiors. Expansive entertaining spaces, private terraces overlooking the city, and thoughtfully designed living areas create a sophisticated residence in one of London’s most prestigious addresses. Barcelona, Spain Barcelona, Spain | Spain Sotheby’s International Realty Steeped in history and reimagined for modern living, this extraordinary castle near Barcelona offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of Catalonia’s architectural heritage. Set amid expansive grounds, the historic estate blends centuries-old character with contemporary comforts, showcasing grand stone facades, elegant interiors, and sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. Combining the romance of a European castle with the convenience of proximity to Barcelona, the property represents a truly exceptional offering in one of Spain’s most desirable regions. Greenwich, Connecticut Greenwich, Connecticut | Sotheby’s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage Set across more than 14 private acres just minutes from Greenwich Avenue, this spectacular Georgian Colonial estate offers the scale and amenities of a world-class country compound. Designed by Paul Stephan Marchese & Associates and built by Hobbs, Inc., the property includes a grand main residence, guest cottages, historic stables, a pool house, and tennis court. Elegant interiors, expansive grounds, and exceptional privacy combine to create one of the region’s most distinguished residential offerings. St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands | U.S. Virgin Islands Sotheby’s International Realty Surrounded by the natural beauty of St. John, this exceptional Caribbean retreat captures the essence of island living. Panoramic views, abundant outdoor entertaining spaces, and a seamless connection to the surrounding landscape create an atmosphere of tranquility and escape. Offering both privacy and convenient access to the island’s renowned beaches and natural attractions, the property represents a rare opportunity in one of the Caribbean’s most desirable destinations. Auckland, New Zealand Auckland, New Zealand | New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty A romantic landmark estate in the heart of Remuera, this extraordinary residence combines old-world European elegance with the grandeur of one of Auckland’s most celebrated heritage homes. Originally designed by renowned architect Roy Binney in 1914, the property is surrounded by manicured gardens, mature trees, a swimming pool, and a full-size tennis court. Inside, a grand ballroom, billiards room, wellness facilities, and a collection of refined entertaining spaces create a lifestyle that feels both timeless and resort-like. Discover luxury homes for sale and rent around the world on sothebysrealty.com
As design season gets underway, showing off prized possessions demands thought and skill—and good lighting, writes Kate Youde An Adrian Sassoon display at PAD 2025, London. Photograph: Yosuke Kojima. Part of the joy of collecting is the thrill of the chase. With the annual PAD London design fair underway and the Parisian edition of Design Miami returning soon, visitors will be on the hunt for collectibles in a range of categories from silverware to ceramics to display in their own home. A compelling collection can “bring an interior to life,” according to interior designer Phillip Thomas, telling “the story of the person that lives in the home,” he adds. “It almost gives the home a heartbeat, which would be lacking if it was just things that were procured by the designer without understanding the client themselves,” he explains. But what is the best way to display your pieces in a luxury interior? Thomas, whose eponymous US interior design firm is often asked to incorporate collections into high-end residential projects, says the right solution depends on both the proportions of the items collected and how they fit with the architecture of the space. Phillip Thomas devised a bespoke textured leather and zebrawood frame for a client’s guitar collection in New York City. Photograph: Brian Park Thomas seeks out “pockets within a home,” where he can elevate a client’s treasured objects, giving them the same respect the person has shown by collecting them. In a Long Island farmhouse, for example, he arranged beautiful old glass bottles on custom-built shelving not only to show off the collection but to help bring natural light from the living room into an interior stairwell through transom windows. Discovering another client’s passion for music, he used textured leather and zebrawood, stained grey and given a cerused finish using silver powder, to frame three electric guitars on a wall in the home office of their Upper West Side condominium in New York City. “They really stand out as works of art, not just utilitarian pieces,” says Thomas. Ceramics add depth and texture in this Phillip Thomas-designed garden room in Connecticut, U.S. Photograph: Genevieve Garruppo “It’s about creating brief stories within the interior about that collection, rather than the collection being the entire story of the interior,” says Thomas, who displayed pieces of 20th and 21st-century ceramics in multiple ways in a coastal Connecticut home. A large blue vase sits atop a pedestal in the garden room so its depth and texture can be admired from all directions, including from outside the expanded late-19th century house. The same room also includes groupings of ceramics, as do the living room and bedrooms. Thomas suggests pieces that have “a little bit of tension between each other” will capture more attention and make people pause to appreciate individual objects within a cluster. An antique plate arrangement by Rebecca Hughes in Hampshire, U.K. Photograph: ⓒ Astrid Templier Similarly, interior designer Rebecca Hughes displayed a collection of blue-and-white antique china plates, including pieces by Royal Delft and Spode, on a wall in the orangery of a Victorian country house in Hampshire, England. Adrian Sassoon’s namesake London gallery is showing collectibles including ceramics, glassware and silverware at PAD London. He advises displaying pieces in odd numbers, though adds that pairs can offer “a rhythm of different heights.” He also recommends breaking up the work of different artists. Sassoon asks his customers to think about how an object will appear as they walk into a room, when they will see more of its profile, at standing height and when they are seated. “If I’m actually in a room helping a collector place something, I would try that out,” he says. Collectibles on display at Adrian Sassoon’s stand at PAD 2025, London. Photograph: Yosuke Kojima Scale is a key consideration when selecting pieces for a home. Sassoon sells items that fit in the palm right up to monumental objects, including large-scale ceramics by British ceramicist and potter Felicity Aylieff, which stand on the floor. He says such pieces “look sad in a corner” and shouldn’t be placed against a wall. “These are so large, it’s quite like a person standing in the room,” he advises. Lighting is also crucial. Thomas might create a well-lit architectural niche for collectibles, for example, helping frame pieces “and give them more importance.” Conversely, poor lighting can fail to do a collection justice. TM Lighting, a specialist company working with private collectors globally, lights everything from jewelry to chinaware, coins to model cars. The choice of illumination, whether accent lights, downlights, freestanding lighting or linear LEDs integrated into shelves, depends on the objects on display, but cofounder Andrew Molyneux says the aim is to “minimise the distractions” to hold focus on the pieces themselves. Ceramic pieces are regularly rotated in this Phillip Thomas-designed interior, to keep collections looking fresh. Photograph: Genevieve Garruppo Color temperature, meaning the warmth of the light, plays a big part in ensuring lighting for a collection integrates with other design choices in the home, according to Molyneux. Whereas pieces in a gallery exhibition may be under “very neutral white light,” a much warmer, “cosy” light is preferable at home, he says. His company also ensures an object is lit as authentically as possible in comparison to natural light, and that there is consistency in the hue of the illumination used across a collection. Ultimately any display is shaped by an individual collector’s taste. However Thomas cautions that less is often more. No more than 60 of his client’s 100-plus ceramic pieces are displayed in their Connecticut home at any one time. These are swapped out often “to keep the space feeling fresh and different,” he says. “It’s like revisiting a friend that you haven’t seen in a while,” he adds. Our Collecting Focus series features expert advice on contemporary art, high jewelry, watches, wine, rare whisky, historic books, fashion history, natural history, Chinese art and antiques and Americana
On some 1.5 acres north of Beverly Hills, this enchanting estate lush with oak trees and colorful gardens has, since the early decades of the 20th century, enjoyed a notable ownership history, passing from one luminary to another. While the origins of the Pillsbury company—for more than a century a symbol of comfort and convenience—are firmly rooted in the American midwest, in the early 20th century, the dynasty did expand westward, with scions settling in the Los Angeles area in the early decades. One branch of the family tree purchased some 1.5 acres north of Beverly Hills and constructed a residence there—a fittingly charming place for a family whose name is nearly synonymous with nostalgia and welcoming home life—enveloped by live oak trees and flourishing gardens. The estate’s notable ownership history has continued over the decades since, passing from one Hollywood personage to another. Beverly Hills, California| Drew Mandile, Dean Mandile, Sotheby’s International Realty – Beverly Hills Brokerage The current owners are Nicolas and Roxy Bijan, local luminaries in their own right. Nicolas is an entrepreneur, founder of the exclusive quiet-luxury menswear brand NB44, and co-owner of the legendary House of Bijan. Roxy—a Beverly Hills native and former television star—has established herself as an astute businessperson and highly regarded interior designer. The two brought their singular tastes and points of view to bear, which they began renovating during the pandemic, and Roxy conjured interiors that are uniquely warm, whimsical, and elegant. French doors throughout admit floods of natural light and connect the interiors with the colorful surroundings. Highlights include a living room with a fireplace and a wet bar, a glamorous formal dining room with Gracie chinoiserie wallpaper, a relaxed family room, an enchanting cook’s kitchen with top-tier appliances and Waterstone fixtures, a sunroom-like breakfast area, and an office with a striking deep green wall and a view of vibrant roses. The chic primary suite includes dual baths and closets—one a meticulously designed space with boutique-caliber lighted shoe shelving. Two additional bedrooms and a shared full bath are tucked upstairs. Contemporary comforts and conveniences abound, among them state-of-the-art security and audiovisual systems. The setting is a picturesque pastoral paradise, where—despite a location just minutes from Rodeo Drive and the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel—quietude prevails and deer meander peacefully by. The gated drive leads to a motor court that accommodates up to eight cars—a nod to the home’s prestigious provenance and history of entertaining. Idyllic spaces for outdoor living, dining, and gathering—including a grilling area—are enveloped by lush lawn and other flourishing flora. A freestanding one-bedroom guesthouse with its own well-outfitted kitchen affords thoughtful privacy for short- and long-term visitors. Further afield is a sports court, an enviable amenity for the pickleball enthusiast, one of many modern elements that, in union with the estate’s classic character and charm, represent this home’s undeniably enduring appeal. Discover luxury homes for sale and rent around the world on sothebysrealty.com
The wealthy are increasingly seeking homes in multiple jurisdictions. Choosing the right location means understanding the cost of luxury living across leading global destinations. Two new datasets can help with that. First up, the Julius Baer Lifestyle Index, featured in the Global Wealth and Lifestyle Report 2026 published by Julius Baer in July 2026, measures the cost of a luxury lifestyle across the world’s major cities by tracking the prices of a basket of luxury goods and services. According to the index, Singapore remains the world’s most expensive city for luxury living in 2026, followed by Zurich (up from fifth place in 2025) and Monaco, which replaces Hong Kong as the third most expensive global city this year. Sydney, Milan and Bangkok are good picks for lower-cost luxury living, according to the index. The second dataset is a September 2026 Sotheby’s International Realty® brand analysis of US$5M+ property prices in these prime locations. This reveals that Monaco, at US$6,581 per square foot, is the most expensive global city for luxury real estate, followed by Hong Kong (US$6,500 per square foot) and Zurich (US$4,330 per square foot). Of course, absolute cost is just one element in determining luxury value. “Increasingly, we see active adaptation: choosing where to live, where to spend, and even where to purchase luxury goods based on relative value across jurisdictions,” says Christian Gattiker, head of research, Julius Baer. “This mobility—both physical and financial—is becoming a defining feature of wealth in 2026.” Cover Property: Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty
“The Art of Refined Living” celebrates 50 years of Sotheby’s International Realty and the homes and people behind its success, writes Caroline Thorpe The Kaufmann Desert House in Palm Springs, designed by Richard Neutra in 1946. Photograph: © Dan Solomon What is the art of living? Since its inception five decades ago, Sotheby’s International Realty has been defining the concept as a partnership between fine art and property. This essence is now distilled in a new book, “The Art of Refined Living,” published by Assouline to mark the Sotheby’s International Realty brand’s 50th-anniversary year. It elegantly documents the evolution of the brand from its early success, breaking new ground to bring distinctive properties to global attention—no small feat in the pre-internet era. Author Gay Gassmann catalogs some of the world’s finest homes in these pages, each entrusted to Sotheby’s International Realty at one moment or another during the past half-century. Together, her choices seek to illuminate what makes a home distinctive: some alchemy of “architecture, provenance and place”—the textures of lives lived. Chef Julia Child’s French country cottage. Photograph: Beth Kirby Roaming across the U.S., Europe and as far afield as Australia, the architecture is strikingly varied. We encounter the modernist masterstrokes of Marcel Breuer, Frank Lloyd Wright’s only oceanfront property, and the dazzling facades of the late Zaha Hadid. Lush gardens by Beatrix Farrand and Miranda Brooks complement interiors as varied as their owners. And then there’s the sprinkling of stardust: discreet, but discernable. Jackie Kennedy Onassis on horseback at Merrywood; the sumptuous interiors of Tommy Hilfiger’s Connecticut retreat; and a roster of famous houseguests from Mick Jagger to Truman Capote. Each page is a reminder of the multifaceted nature of refined living, an accumulation of details as varied as the individuals who shape them. The rustic charm of chef Julia Child’s French bolthole contrasts with the quiet luxury displayed in the stone floors and timber accents of Stonebrook, a modern farmhouse in Brisbane designed by celebrated New Zealand architects Sumich Chaplin. Throughout the book, the interplay with art is ubiquitous. From the French chateau with walls etched by Picasso’s own hand to simple, considered design moments: a chalet-style box bed, nicknamed “the Heidi Nook,” in a child’s guest room in Napa. Collectively, these spaces have been crafted across centuries and adapted through many cycles of life. “Art is elevated by the quality of the walls that hold it,” writes Charles F. Stewart, CEO of Sotheby’s, in the foreword. What’s more, he adds, “a life well lived is shaped by the spaces that surround it.” Here are three of the exceptional properties—and a taste of the stories behind them—showcased in its pages. Château Lérins, Mougins, France Château Lérins. Photograph: © Courtesy of Côte d’Azur Sotheby’s International Realty Located on the feted French Riviera, Château Lérins epitomizes the historical richness and deep heritage of the Sotheby’s International Realty brand. What began as a dwelling for 17th-century monks was overhauled 300 years later by distinguished British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, with customary flourish. A double-height arched entrance hall, paneled library and terraced gardens were added, along with loggias and balconies. Illustrious owners have included French banking scion Guillaume Mallet, while the chateau, with its views of the Mediterranean Sea and Esterel Mountains, has counted Scottish actor Sean Connery and the Kennedy family among its visitors. Kaufmann Desert House, Palm Springs, California “Poolside Gossip,” 1970, by Slim Aarons, taken at the Kaufmann Desert House in Palm Springs. Photograph: © Slim Aarons/Getty Images Who knew an impromptu party would make a visual icon of Nelda Linsk? The onetime owner of the Kaufmann Desert House was immortalized in 1970 by photographer Slim Aarons in “Poolside Gossip,” his famous shot capturing a glamorous Linsk and friends socializing beside the pool of the Palm Springs residence. Built in 1946 of stone, steel and glass, this midcentury modernist classic by Richard Neutra aims to clash with its arid surroundings. Inside, a “pinwheel” layout revolves around a central living and dining room. Later owners included Barry Manilow, while the most recent completed a five-year renovation of the property. The pool’s swagger remains undimmed. Andy Warhol’s home, Montauk, New York Guesthouse interior at Andy Warhol’s former Long Island getaway. Photograph: © Evan Joseph A huddle of colonial revival cottages and a former fishing village occupying the furthest reaches of Long Island are an unlikely setting for the glittering cast who would descend there each summer. John Lennon, Elizabeth Taylor and Liza Minnelli were among the stars invited to stay in this modest oceanside enclave by artist Andy Warhol, who bought the then 30-acre property in 1971 as a summer escape. Today, the uniquely creative interiors still bear the mark of their famous former owner, with bold use of color and pattern accenting the whitewashed walls—and a framed print of Warhol, face hidden behind his beloved Polaroid camera, hanging on a kitchen wall. “The Art of Refined Living” is published by Assouline Why salons are making a comeback as a cornerstone of cultured living
Rather than the English countryside—where similar inspiring Tudor-style manors abound—this 17,121-square-foot residence enjoys a lush stateside setting on a prestigious thoroughfare in the coveted community of Greenwich. With its pitched gabled rooflines, enduring wood shingles, decorative half timbering, rugged stonework, boxwood-bordered gardens, and handsome masonry fireplaces, this majestic manor could easily be mistaken for a quintessential Tudor-style estate in the English countryside. Rather, the 17,121-square-foot residence enjoys a stateside setting on a prestigious thoroughfare in the coveted community of Greenwich, where it is enveloped by expanses of lawn, vibrant flowering plants, and groves of stalwart trees. Greenwich, Connecticut| Cate Keeney, Sotheby’s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage The home’s Old World façade also belies the aesthetics of the interiors, which maintain hints of classical styling—such as paneling, coffered ceilings, ornate vaulting, French doors, and surfaces of regal marble—but are otherwise uniquely chic and current. The skillful guidance of acclaimed designer Mar Silver imbued every room with an understated elegance, a modern minimalism, and a soothing subdued palette. The residence offers ample space for all ages and all manner of activities—from quiet contemplation to festive fêtes for a crowd—and no detail has been overlooked. Along with formal living and dining spaces, the floor plan features a sunroom, a den, multiple family rooms, a garden room, and two offices. The cook and entertainer will appreciate the bright atrium-like kitchen, which is accompanied by a dedicated breakfast room and walk-in and butler’s pantries. The vast level above is a virtual oasis in its own right with four bedroom suites, a playroom, an additional family room, and an impressive collection of walk-in closets. An entire wing is dedicated to the owner’s suite, which boasts sitting and dressing rooms, walk-in closets, and a generous, luxurious bath. In addition to multiple versatile storage spaces, the home’s lowest level includes a recreation room with an adjoining wine cellar, a media room, a massage room, and a gym. A stately white pebble drive lined with manicured boxwoods and shady magnolias leads to the vast motor court, which affords parking space for numerous vehicles. Linked with the main residence by a breezeway and the property’s three-car garage—with auxiliary storage above—the guesthouse provides welcome comfort and privacy for visitors with its sunny kitchen, living and dining rooms, three bedrooms—one of which currently serves as a recording studio—and a family room of its own. Award-winning landscape architect James Doyle lent his signature European inspiration to the lush emerald grounds, which brim with thriving flora and offer a dazzling oversized swimming pool and sun-swept terrace. In its original creation, the estate was reportedly inspired by the vast Gilded Age mansions of Newport, a quintessential vacation destination for America’s elite for more than a century. While similarly spacious and substantial, this retreat enjoys a more convenient location, 10 minutes from the town center of Greenwich—superlative and sought after in its own right—and less than an hour from the metropolitan epicenter of Manhattan. Discover luxury homes for sale and rent around the world on sothebysrealty.com
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