On the top floor of this striking modern four-bedroom home in San Francisco’s Cow Hollow neighborhood, walls, doors, and a ceiling of glass blur the lines between its stylish interiors and the iconic views of the city and the bay, which sweep past the Marin Headlands and the Palace of Fine Arts to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Equipped with lighting, entertainment, and climate control systems manageable from anywhere in the world, these compelling homes set high—and high-tech—standards for luxurious 21st-century living.

There is a perception paradox that sometimes exists within real estate: the idea that an empty minimalist home offers a blank slate for potential buyers to imagine their perfect home. While a small slice of the general population may have the unique vision to picture a space with cascading light features, warm and inviting furniture arrangements, or eye-catching objets d’art, the majority of buyers look to experts in interior design for help. The truth is, the benefits of staging your home are extensive. Properly staged homes spend substantially less time on the market, routinely sell for more money, and frequently end up on must-see lists.

Nothing compares to the experience of relaxing with a good book. From light-filled and contemporary to formal and wood-clad, these five libraries are ideal for displaying and enjoying a collection of favored volumes.

Minimalism has its appeal, but it’s hard to argue that maximalism doesn’t deserve its share of the design spotlight. In contrast to the pared-down aesthetics of minimalism and its Scandinavian neutrals, maximalism makes the claim that more is better. Instead of white walls and sparse decorative elements, think saturated colors, layered textures, and eclectic pieces that contribute to a bold and undeniably unique space.

If you feel ready to embrace maximalist design in your home, a good place to start is by introducing some color. Whether through a new coat of paint, punchy fabrics, or vivid greenery, a splash of color can be a great way to turn a space into a modern and carefully considered maximalist haven.

There’s a keen satisfaction that comes from tending to one’s own garden or orchard, and with an increased interest in self-sustainability as of late, it’s no wonder homeowners are turning to their own garden plots for dining inspiration. From vegetable gardens to orchards and olive groves, there’s little else quite like harvesting a bounty from your own property.

The right space and conditions are needed to achieve farm to table dining at home, and these five luxury properties are all set with spectacular garden plots to make it possible.

The home is at the heart of this concept. We are a product not only of the people we surround ourselves with, but of the spaces that surround us too. Regardless of where you spend your days, your home is the one place that can reflect your best intentions back at you. In the same way minimalist design principles champion pause, design can change the way you live. These five ideas will help you find and reaffirm your plans and purpose each time you walk through the door.

Good design is no longer just about aesthetics—it’s also about considering the context in which a product is made. Ethical design embraces sustainability while going beyond it to consider a product’s social impact, which includes the diversity of representation and even the treatment of employees within design firms and manufacturing companies. As designers and homeowners alike become more concerned about ethical design, the industry is responding by establishing clear standards for planning and production.

It is possible to celebrate the best parts of luxury without sacrificing the planet or benefitting from unfair design practices. Here are a few starting points to guide you towards more ethical design for your home.

Few things are more enticing than a refreshing swim or float during the long, hot days of summer. These dazzling pools—in locations from Connecticut to California—encourage outdoor enjoyment and relaxation in sophisticated settings.

In idyllic locations from Carmel to Connecticut, these modern farmhouses begin with one of architecture’s most classic motifs and give charming rusticity a stylish modern spin.

When it comes to luxury homes and their amenities, it’s no surprise that prospective buyers are looking for top-shelf. But unlike a decade ago, when a triple-car garage and swimming pool were deal breakers, now Canadians are making happiness and wellness their first priority when looking for their next home.

What makes a house truly feel like a home? Aside from the events that take place between its walls, much of a home’s personality is found in the materials, textures, and accents that bring it together. While it can be time-consuming to keep up with the latest design trends—especially the perennials that come in and out with the seasons—incorporating the latest high-end materials into your home is an easy way to give a space an instant, luxurious update. From cozy fabrics to rich metals, here are seven futuristic materials to freshen any room.

When it comes to your walls, a simple paint job or swath of wallpaper can completely transform a space. If you’re looking for something a bit more unexpected, though, there are a few less common options for the ambitious designer looking to really make an impact.

From an architectural masterpiece in Singapore to an idyllic retreat on the Gulf of Mexico, these are this month’s four featured notable properties for sale over $20 million.

Few spaces in the modern home take higher design priority than a lavish bath. With tile work featuring striking details and vibrant hues, these five baths are sure to make a splash.

One luxury that has skyrocketed in popularity over the last year and a half is pet ownership. Many people have expanded their families with four-legged companions during the pandemic. And while a gourmet kitchen, landscaped grounds, or a swimming pool may top the list of personal must-haves when considering the purchase of a new home, it’s important to accommodate dogs and cats as well. Here are seven features to look for in your next home that pets are sure to appreciate.

Each of these stylish compounds—from Connecticut to California wine country—would make an ideal private retreat to enjoy swimming, stargazing, sports, or simply relaxing indoors and out.

The past year has called for adaptation, and we’ve seen the ripple effects in how and where we do our fitness routines. The home gym or workout area is now just as ubiquitous as the home office, and for good reason.

The ability to cater your workout space to your own fitness needs—whether your practice includes yoga, online bootcamps, or elliptical training—allows for a better work-life balance, leading to more flexibility in your day. These five properties offer an inspiring glimpse into how different fitness activities can take place right at home.

No matter how familiar and comfortable a home may be, there will always be opportunities to make the space even more unique. Spending additional time at home has inspired innovative solutions for working, entertaining, and relaxing—and these four luxury homes do an exceptional job of transforming common areas into creative spaces that make everyday living even more enjoyable.

Canada’s metropolitan luxury real estate markets are undergoing an unprecedented phase of evolution and expansion, according to Sotheby’s International Realty Canada. One year following the inception of the COVID-19 pandemic, the compounding effects of dramatic changes in the housing preferences of affluent Canadians, new demands across multiple generations of homeowners and buyers, significant cash accumulation, easy access to borrowing, and pent-up local and international demand, are rippling across the market. With sales activity and price gains accelerating across major cities across the country as a result, strong performance is projected this spring.