Honey Deylami – Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty

The start of a new year is usually associated with the beginning of new adventures. But in the media and entertainment business, a new year marks an opportunity to reflect on recent triumphs. The entertainment of the past 12 months has been parsed and praised, and the only thing left to do is definitively decide which are worthy of the industry’s biggest awards.

The awards season is a milestone on many social calendars, where friends and family come together in living rooms to root for their favorite contenders—and the quality of the event has everything to do with the spaces in which they take place.

So what constitutes an award-winning living room in which to host an award-winning viewing party? These four properties know how to roll out a red carpet.

A Marina-Side Matinee in California

Sean Stanfield and Ryan Tarr – Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty

With a unique parcel size spanning 3.5 lots in the otherwise compact community of Lido Isle, an award-season party in this impressive property is unforgettable. With west-facing floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the yachts of Newport Harbor, its living room makes the most of the afternoon sunlight and the remarkable sunsets. Immediate access to the covered terrace allows guests to gaze at the stars, whether they’re in front of the television or out by the water.

In fact, the entire residence has been fashioned to unify a series of visually compelling yet individual spaces. This includes a dedicated media viewing space on the second floor, complete with a cozy fireplace for more intimate ambiance.

An Outdoor VIP Screening in Dubai

Honey Deylami – Dubai Sotheby’s International Realty

There’s no better place to watch the Golden Globes than in one of the world’s ritziest, glitziest destinations—Dubai’s iconic Palm Jumeirah. A viewing party at this panoramic glass villa spans the interior and exterior of the home, where the double-height living and dining room extend effortlessly to a fully furnished patio with a retractable poolside screen.

Of course, for those who prefer to do a deep dive on the nominees rather than mix and mingle, the private cinema room down on the basement level is state of the art.

A Chic Soirée in the Center of Paris

Guillaume Lepine – Paris Ouest Sotheby’s International Realty

The proverbial red carpet takes on a tangible form in this colorful apartment. With its lavish architectural flourishes and fixtures—accentuated by an eclectic combination of both antique and contemporary furniture—an awards party in its deluxe living room delivers the right combination of high culture and high drama.

Every room here has themed palettes that create a distinct environment; from the glamorous gold-toned foyer where guests would enter, to the opulent onyx kitchen where they can sip cocktails and debate which actor should have gotten which Oscar. And being located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, this all happens against a postcard-perfect backdrop of the Eiffel Tower.

A Night at the Cinema in Barcelona

Barcelona & Costa Brava Sotheby’s International Realty

Bringing friends and family to a viewing party at this majestic mansion in Barcelona feels like welcoming them to an invite-only screening at the world’s most luxurious movie theater. They would walk into the home to find an open concept living and dining room with coffered ceilings towering nearly 23 feet overhead, and a sprawling garden and pool just beyond the doors.

But the real showstopper is the plushly-appointed home cinema with soundproof walls and its very own movie projector. The nearby bar and billiards table only add to the convivial atmosphere of the viewing party.

Living rooms have always served as a focal point for people to gather together, and awards season is the prime time to throw a viewing party that’s as dazzling and festive as the galas on the screen.

 
This article originally appeared at https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/4-living-rooms-perfect-for-hosting-an-award-winning-viewing-party

Whether in the heart of Manhattan or in the historic district of Santa Fe, these impeccable kitchens offer an impressive blend of functionality, comfort, and style.

A River Oaks Classic

Walter Bering | Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty

On one of the most sought-after streets in Houston, this stately 1939 residence has been painstakingly, stylishly renovated to serve as a chic setting for sophisticated living and entertaining. Each of the five bedrooms is accompanied by an en suite bath, and a versatile game room provides space for relaxation on the uppermost level. The open floor plan unites the living room, the family room, a wet bar with a wine closet, and a handsome kitchen with custom cabinetry, a sizeable island, and superior appliances.

Contemporary Elegance in Century City

Allen Roth, Lori Berris | Sotheby’s International Realty – Beverly Hills Brokerage

This chic two-bedroom residence enjoys all the amenities of Century City’s coveted Le Parc community, among them 24-hour security, manicured grounds, lush gardens, waterfalls, swimming pools, a spa, tennis courts, a gym, and a clubhouse. The home’s easy,light-filled floor plan features a spacious living room, a formal dining room, and a kitchen with Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, streamlined cabinetry, a built-in breakfast banquette, and access to a terrace with treetop views.

Modern Refinement in Santa Fe

The Hultberg and Burgess Team | Sotheby’s International Realty – Santa Fe Brokerage

Just steps from storied Canyon Road, this refined home has been meticulously re-imagined and reconstructed with natural elements—including white oak floors—throughout. Beyond the inviting covered front terrace are a beautiful living and dining room with vaulted beamed ceilings and a fireplace, three restful bedrooms, and a kitchen featuring a marble-topped island, solid-surface countertops, high-caliber stainless-steel appliances, windows with floating shelves, and a nearby butler’s pantry. Two off-street parking spaces are a welcome amenity in this historic location.

Light-Filled NoHo Loft

Serena Boardman | Sotheby’s International Realty – East Side Manhattan Brokerage

This impressive 3,700-square-foot residence shares its luxurious building in the heart of NoHo with only eight other homes. Its centerpiece is a light-flooded great room with soaring ceilings and floor-to-ceiling cast-bronze windows. It flows directly to a chef’s kitchen with custom teak Bulthaup cabinetry, polished slate countertops, two Sub-Zero refrigerators, a Sub-Zero wine chiller, and wall ovens, an espresso machine, and a six-burner range from Miele. One of three south-facing bedrooms, the primary suite enjoys a private balcony.

 
This article originally appeared at https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/a-recipe-for-style-4-homes-with-fabulous-kitchens

As any traveling businessperson or seasoned globetrotter knows, Manhattan is strewn with hotels, many of them glamorous and highly esteemed. None, however, can hold a proverbial candle to the Plaza, whose silhouette alone is recognizable to esteemed executives, royalty—both heads of state and the Hollywood variety—and Eloise fans young and old. This historic landmark was designed in the early 20th century by architect Henry Janeway Hardenbergh and, following a three-year renovation begun in 2005, it remains as opulent, elegant, and illustrious as the day it welcomed its first guests. On the building’s “the tippy-top floors,” as Eloise certainly would have dubbed them, are the prized private penthouse residences, among them this veritable manor in the sky that comprises two neighboring homes—one a triplex, the other a duplex—in one awe-inspiring aerie of more than 10,000 square feet.

New York, New York | Nikki Field, Mara Flash Blum, Sara Marrache, Sotheby’s International Realty – Downtown Manhattan Brokerage

The three floors of the triplex are linked by an eye-catching central staircase along with a convenient elevator. Its generous floor plan spans some 6,316 square feet and encompasses a glamorous living room with light-flooding windows and a sophisticated marble-backed cocktail bar; a regal dining room with a wine-display and -storage wall and a striking ceiling treatment and light fixture; a streamlined and skylit chef’s kitchen; a sizeable pantry and wine cellar; a family or media room warmed by a gas fireplace; a quiet, contemplative study; and four bedrooms, including a cinematic owner’s suite with two dressing rooms and two spa-inspired baths.

At roughly 3,974 square feet, the Gatsbyesque duplex serves as an impressively spacious and luxurious guesthouse with its own elevator, dazzling mirrored walls, distinctive flooring, handsome moldings, and other Golden Age design elements. Beyond the grand foyer are the atrium-like great room and a light-filled butler’s kitchen. At the top of a bold sweeping staircase with artful wood inlays and an elaborate railing are three bedrooms and three full baths—one of which is a paragon of luxury featuring an ornate wood-burning fireplace and a majestic marble-clad bath.

The pièce de résistance, however, is the 82-foot-long terrace, which the two residences share. Framed by the oxidized copper of the Plaza’s unmistakeable mansard roof, this is the consummate perch for gazing across the emerald sweep of Central Park and the icon-studded skyline of Manhattan as they unfold northward. This is merely one of the rewards reaped by choosing a life lived at the pinnacle of one of the most preeminent and prestigious buildings in the world.

This article originally appeared at https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/inside-two-penthouses-at-the-plaza

Joseph Barbieri – Sotheby’s International Realty Greenwich Brokerage

What constitutes a luxury home? There was no singular answer to that question in 2023, as every month produced a pageant of some of the most exemplary and visionary properties on earth.

Some are chic and innovative, featuring the latest technology and forward-thinking approaches to indoor-outdoor living. Others celebrate classical prestige, paying homage to stately nobility and long-standing traditions. There are those that are perfect for entertaining, blending elegance with extravagance, and those that are better suited to enlightening, with architecture and design that belong in a catalog of high art.

And certain luxury homes create universes entirely unto themselves—personal paradises that serve as ideal refuges and idyllic retreats, uniting the natural and cultural worlds in unique and inspired ways.

In celebration of a new year—and commemoration of another year gone by—here are five glamorous homes that epitomize each of these styles and were featured in 2023.

The Contemporary Villa

Mirce Curkoski and Albert Justo – ONE Sotheby’s International Realty

Picture the pinnacle of ultramodern living; it’s probably a home paneled with panoramic expanses of glass, surrounded by intriguing water features and vibrant living walls, with top-of-the-line amenities, accessories, and appliances effortlessly automating everyday functions.

Situated in the private community of La Gorce Island, this glittering villa meets all those criteria and more, adding a dedicated dock for a large yacht to its long list of cutting-edge conveniences.

The Historic Townhouse

James Gubbins – United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty

Major urban metropolises hold deep histories, long memories, and epic stories, many of which are preserved in their most esteemed residences.

Nowhere is this more readily apparent than in this fabulous townhome, which has hosted famous figures past and present—including serving as a film set for luminaries such as Kate Moss, Amy Winehouse, and Tom Hooper. With its opulent moldings, ornate wainscotting, and hand-painted wallpapers, it’s a paragon of old-world wonder, yet updated with a range of thoughtful new renovations.

The Maximalist Mansion

Joseph Barbieri – Sotheby’s International Realty Greenwich Brokerage – 2

There are properties that have it all—pools and pavilions, gardens and gazebos, fitness facilities and games rooms and guesthouses; spaces for recreation and relaxation that can enchant or enthrall almost anyone.

Envisioned in the style of a hôtel particulier, this waterfront resort is one of those residences that makes the most of having the most, with its six bedrooms, seven full baths, and two acres of land. From a wine vault fit for a master vintner to its scenic light-filled solarium, every area is bursting with exuberant character.

The Minimalist Hideaway

Arthur Goodrich and Federico Parlagreco – Sotheby’s International Realty St. Helena Brokerage

When does a work of architecture become a work of art? Perhaps when it’s a museum-quality melange of different iconic styles, all coming together to craft a stunning, habitable masterpiece that complements and contrasts its location in a compelling way.

This sculptural abode atop Mount Veeder could easily be viewed as equal parts art installation and property. Though its flawless white façades may seem simple at first glance, they combine influences from modernist and Art Deco architecture, as well as deconstructivist aesthetics. This grandeur is intensified by the local vistas of Napa Valley and terraces of Cabernet vineyards.

The Timeless Sanctuary

Peter Illovsky – Cote D’Azur Sotheby’s International Realty

This article originally appeared at https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/year-in-review-luxury-home-highlights-from-2023?mp_agent=786-a-811-4014639