With temperatures cooling in the northern hemisphere, these incredible leisure spaces will inspire fun well into the winter months. It’s all fun and games when it comes to indoor entertainment—if there’s an incredible recreation space, that is. As we look to spend more time relaxing indoors with family and friends, having an inviting place to play is a worthy asset for endless leisure. Explore the five exceptional recreation spaces these luxury homes have to offer that set the bar for high-end game rooms.

From a US$39M sale in Florida to a SGD$19M sale in Singapore, discover five sales represented by Sotheby’s International Realty in September of 2021.

Few residential aesthetics are as widely esteemed and emulated as those of Northern California’s wine country, with their rustic materials, serene organic palettes, relaxed but chic furnishings, plentiful light, and emphasis on indoor-outdoor living. This impressive 9,620-square-foot home—which boasts nine bedrooms and interior design by the acclaimed Paul Wiseman of the Wiseman Group.

Home sales in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) reached the second-highest level on record for the month of October. However, the inventory of homes for sale did not keep up with demand. The number of new listings was down by approximately one-third compared to October 2020. Market conditions tightened across all major home types compared to last year, and the annual rate of average price growth remained in the double digits, including for the resurgent condominium apartment segment.

Whether they’re sculptural and contemporary or forged from Baccarat crystal, distinctive light fixtures make each of these homes shine.

Can’t decide what’s missing from your latest design project? Chances are, it’s texture. Texture is an all-important—and sometimes overlooked—element in transforming a space from flat to multidimensional, adding layers of depth and richness. Be it via countertops or flooring, creating the right atmosphere is all about the choosing the right surfaces. Below, we feature nine trending surface textures and where to use them.

From a modern residence in San Francisco to a getaway on the banks of the Rio Grande, these homes feature stained-glass elements that transform light into vivid, glowing color, creating accents that are both visually striking and vibrant.

The beauty of Japanese and Scandinavian interior design styles are blending together this year. The result? Japandi design, which can be used to transform a house into a welcoming, comforting, and calm sanctuary. While both styles are grounded in minimalism, Japanese design operates on the Zen Buddhist ethos of wabi-sabi, where relaxation and a connection to nature are imperative, while rustic Scandinavian design emphasizes the cozy contentment inspired by hygge. For a foray into Japandi style, experience the benefits of its characteristic soft, nature-inspired hues that encourage simplicity and peace at home.

How can a luxury home enter a new strata? With the integration of the latest smart technology. When working in unison, the best home automation systems are woven into the house’s design and framework to make life more effortless, more secure, and even more eco-friendly. These seven characteristics of a truly smart home provide security, efficiency, and a seamless experience.

Significant design from two centuries—the 19th and 21st—combine in this bright, sophisticated home in a historic building on an iconic cobblestone street in the dynamic neighborhood of TriBeCa.

The surrounding city lights, fine dining on your doorstep, and a short commute to the financial district—condominium living is chock-full of conveniences. But when it comes time to refresh your space or put it on the market, it can be a challenge to know where to focus your efforts. For those looking for a return on investment, these condo upgrades are worth the effort.

In peaceful locations from the verdant reaches outside Greenwich to New Mexico’s “O’Keeffe Country,” these rural retreats enjoy plentiful privacy, inspiring views, fresh air, and interiors that are as enchanting as their surroundings.

These wine rooms go beyond mere function, storing bottles properly while incorporating eye-catching materials—such as richly hued wood and ornate ironwork—to create spaces that are both practical and attractive.

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.

From an equestrian compound in Ridgefield, Connecticut to timeless Georgian estate in England, these are this month’s four featured notable properties for sale over $16 million.

September marked the transition from the slower summer market to the busier fall market in the in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Every year, we generally see an uptick in sales, average selling price and listings after Labour Day, and September 2021 was no different. Sales increased relative to August and were also at the third-highest mark on record for the month of September. The average selling price was up both month-over-month and year-over-year.

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.