Until recently, Hong Kong equated formality with status and sophistication. In recent years, however, the city’s drinking and dining scene has flourished, led by innovative establishments that have regional authenticity and a sense of cultural identity at their core.

The bathroom may be one of the most overlooked rooms in the house, yet it is one of the most important. It’s where the day starts and ends. It’s where we go to relax, whether through soaking in a deep tub or indulging in a steam shower. It’s where we get ready to face the world, seated at a vanity or standing at the counter. Dial up the comfort and utility in your day with any of these bathroom renovations that best suit your style:

Opting for vertical living has long involved tradeoffs: services versus square footage, turnkey versus autonomy, convenience versus community. But with highly equipped, low-density condominium towers, buyers no longer have to compromise: Distinctive architecture, oversize residences and ultra-luxe services are turning high-rise structures into high-networth communities, with amenities fostering social interaction and a sense of place among affluent neighbours.

Toronto has garnered quite the reputation among residents and visitors alike—and for good reason. Its landscape is comprised of a vibrant art sphere, burgeoning craft brewery scene, international film stage, and sought-after historical neighbourhoods. The most revered of these carry with them a few marked characteristics: innovative architecture, abundant amenities, and exceptional overall livability.

When Klaus Wowereit, a former mayor of Berlin, described his city as “poor, but sexy” in 2003, he was commenting on its growing appeal in the years following the fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification.

Modern art can be many things: Towering sculptures, floor to-ceiling paintings, object installations—all of these types of works have their rightful places when they live in a museum. But displaying them in the confines of your living room, kitchen or dining room can be an art in itself.

In the design world, wallpaper is the great change artist. It has the power to transform the look and feel of a room in a blink—adding glamour, creating whimsy, lending refinement. Few decor modifications are as instantaneous or as drastic.

Minimalism is design through simplicity—of form, colour, volume and detail—yet this aesthetic isn't simple to achieve. Go too far in one direction, and the result is cold, even sterile; cross the line the other way, and messiness begins. Hitting the sweet spot involves an architectural and decorative language of unity and repetition and the clever manipulation of space—not as an element to be filled, but as one to be celebrated—as well as light.

Swaddled in a black fur coat against the chilly night air, an opera singer is standing on the sidewalk, belting out the Etta James classic “At Last.” Spotlights behind her illuminate the sky, while a crowd of expensively dressed people gathers around the velvet ropes, vying to get into one of the biggest parties of the season. This isn’t a gala or a movie premiere, however; it is the opening of Bisha, the newest addition to the growing roster of luxury hotels in downtown Toronto.

Over the years, Canadian architects and designers have crafted a wide range of attractive and architecturally significant residences across the country. Now, they are finally beginning to get the recognition they deserve. From Moshe Safdie’s treasured Habitat 67 to Morton Katz’s Le Corbusier–inspired designs, here are six homes by Canada’s top architects and designers.

Some design aficionados may claim that nothing beats the Art Deco buildings on Miami Beach, but push farther afield and you’re guaranteed to find architectural gems in new builds and traditional high rises alike. The Sunshine State is making waves with a crop of waterview condos featuring stunning penthouse suites. Dig into gleaming, streamlined kitchens, refreshing bathrooms with an oceanic feel, classic American comfort in plush living rooms, and long-table dining. Add in endless views of beach and ocean and bright splashes of color, and you may find that the state’s endless summer suits you just fine.

The best escapes aren’t always at a five-star hotel. A well-appointed home can be the place you let go, relax, and indulge in the good life in a style perfectly suited to your tastes. With these relaxing design concepts to spark your imagination, it’ll be easy to cultivate vacation tranquility, whether or not you ever leave the house.

When you graduate from a doored closet to a walk-in and yet again to a dressing room, your sartorial options jump from cramped collection to full-blown style gallery. Take the fashion site The Coveteuras an indicator of the popularity surrounding closets—since the site debuted, the founders have showcased over 800 closets (and counting). From floor-to-ceiling shelving to endless mirrors to boutique-influenced displays, the potential for showing off your watch collection or love of footwear is endless. And let’s not forget: if the closets are spectacular, the homes are too. Here are a selection of homes whose cladding suits the contents.

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

With fresh rains heralding the arrival of spring, renewed greenery and blooming trees remind us that our planet is filled with things worth protecting. 

Eco-conscious trends in home design and construction highlight how we can tread lightly on the planet and blend in seamlessly with elegant, low impact homes. From rainwater recovery to green roofs, here are some of this spring's top eco solutions. 

Clutter is far from conducive to calm, luxurious living. Instead, strike harmony with the proverbial “place for everything and everything in its place.” Storage has suffered a bad reputation in the past—plastic bins, haphazard shelves, and crowded wardrobes do little to inspire the sophisticated homeowner. Fortunately, modern design lends itself well to thinking outside the box. These six homes offer well-curated and practical solutions to any storage woe.

On the eve of the Monaco Grand Prix… We bring you “Life in the Fast Lane” | Motorsport fans often watch the laps of their favourite race play out over a big screen. But why watch from home when you can pull up at your own team headquarters right next to famous racecourses? Here are 10 homes to make your next pit stop a winner.

Until now, luxury real estate buyers have found inspiration in properties with a sense of grandeur. Whether via a stately brownstone in a major city, a quiet retreat in cottage country, or a tropical paradise somewhere abroad, they’ve opted for spaciousness, for homes that mirror their success.

While equally invested in purchasing an uplifting pied-a-terre, the next generation of luxury real estate buyers are redefining the priorities of home ownership. 

Where you open your eyes in the morning can set the mood for your whole day. Do you wake refreshed in a bedroom oasis, or stressed and harried in the middle of a half-finished project? By selecting a master bedroom design with the perfect blend of light, textures, and tones, you can set yourself up for a fruitful day ahead. If you’re considering a renovation, take inspiration from these five trending master bedroom design ideas.

A well-designed living room is a social hub. It invites guests and family members to pause and come together, to enjoy a glass of wine by the fire, to curl up side-by-side with the latest best-sellers. A living room is also a reflection of your personality and tastes: do you prefer a cozy, rustic design, or a subtle palette of trendy neutrals? A minimalist, mid-century modern vibe or a dramatic, Victorian-inspired look? Whether you’re redecorating or starting fresh in a new home, take inspiration from these five gorgeous living room design ideas.