Whether they’re artfully sculptural, modernly minimal, or dazzlingly crystalline, distinctive light fixtures make each of these homes shine.

Tribeca Treasure

Kristen Wu, Allen Wu | Sotheby’s International Realty – Downtown Manhattan Brokerage

High above the Four Seasons Hotel in Tribeca, this 2,265-square-foot residence combines a landmark location with modern aesthetics. Of the three bedrooms, the primary suite boasts full-height windows, a wet bar, and a bath with a soaking tub, a marble shower, and heated floors. In a prime corner position, the eat-in kitchen features rift-cut Bilotta cabinetry and Gaggenau and Miele appliances. The living room enjoys dramatic southerly views through double-height windows and adjoins a dining room with an artful chandelier that mimics flowering branches.

Modern Hollywood Haven

Richard Yohon | Sotheby’s International Realty – Los Feliz Brokerage

This sleek, streamlined 2,943-square-foot Hollywood home is a paradigm of modern design. Its fluid open-plan spaces include living and dining areas, a kitchen with Miele and Thermador appliances, and a relaxed family room—all opening to a terrace with views across the treetops and canyon toward hills in the distance. A unique fixture composed of dangling glass globe pendants illuminates the stairway that leads to the three bedroom suites and a private deck with a pool, a spa, and lounging areas.

Chic Century City Condominium

Within Century City’s coveted Le Parc community, this single-level two-bedroom residence exemplifies modern elegance. The open, light-filled floor plan features a spacious living room, a formal dining room, a kitchen with Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, and a breakfast room with a built-in banquette, doors to a terrace with treetop views, and eye-catching contemporary lighting. Le Parc provides 24-hour guard-gated security; 10 acres of manicured grounds, lush gardens, ponds, and waterfalls; swimming pools and a spa; tennis courts; a gym; and a clubhouse.

Prospect Park Perfection

West Palm Beach’s Prospect Park neighborhood is the setting for this impeccably renovated four-bedroom villa. Natural light and a pleasantly minimalist aesthetic fills nearly every room, including an owner’s suite with a breakfast bar, a balcony, a luxurious bath, and generous closet space. The main-level great room opens to a loggia and a pool with waterfalls and is adjoined by a kitchen with a dazzling mirrored tile backsplash and an island crowned by contemporary lighting composed of linear rod pendants.

Elegant Enclave in Houston

This elegant three-bedroom manor enjoys an enviable location in a guard-gated community of only 15 homes near some of Houston’s finest shops and restaurants. Its recently renovated 5,637-square-foot interiors include a handsome kitchen with an oversized island and a breakfast area, a family room overlooking the walled backyard garden, a stylish living room, and a formal dining room with a radiant Sputnik-style chandelier. An elevator links the three levels, all of which feature hardwood floors, high ceilings, and classical moldings.

This article originally appeared at https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/let-there-be-light-five-homes-with-striking-light-fixtures

Cindy Shea – Sotheby’s International Realty – Bridgehampton Brokerage

Art can be complex or purposely inscrutable, making the complete “understanding” of a piece an impossibility. But that doesn’t mean you can’t notice and interact with the work—and there are three fundamental qualities any art scholar or historian will immediately identify.

First, the physical form; what medium or media is the work made with? Second, the content; what does it depict or communicate through image, color, shape, or symbol? And finally, the context; what factors have informed or influenced its creation?

Context has another facet—where is the artwork situated, and why? What does it accomplish in this space, and how does it dialogue with its surroundings? This is the context that knowledgeable collectors consider as they display statement art pieces in their homes, and here are six techniques they employ when deciding on the most impactful placements.

The Totality of Tonality

Kristen Wu and Allen Wu – Sotheby’s International Realty – Downtown Manhattan Brokerage

In painting, a hue refers to the color created by pure pigment. When mixed with white, it becomes tinted; when mixed with black, it becomes shaded. But tones—which come from the mixture of grays, composed of both black and white—bring great nuance to a work. Pay attention to these nuances, as seen in this Baumeister abstraction, and how they interact with neutral spaces such as this Tribeca apartment in the Four Seasons Hotel, where a gray-infused accent wall and furnishings provide intriguing convergences and contrasts with the colors in the work.

Shapes and Shadows

Cindy Shea – Sotheby’s International Realty – Bridgehampton Brokerage

Not all artworks lie flush against a wall. When a work plays with light, depth, and dimension in novel ways, juxtapose it with a space that likewise combines different lines, curves, and contours in different ways. That’s why a piece like this evocative Lerner would be well-situated in the open-concept family room of this stunning East Hampton estate.

Embrace the Elements

Kumara Wilcoxon – Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty

Nature is inherently calming, and artworks can help to embellish and emphasize natural elements in the living space—whether wood or stone, flowers or water. Here, it’s easy to picture how this color field by Erben complements this unique, ultramodern country home in Austin, which abounds with plant life, organic wooden paneling and accents, and earth tones.

Making Material Magic

Kay Smith – United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty

Sculptures have an indelible presence in space, foregrounding their texture and tactility as the defining features of their aesthetic composition. So when organizing decor around a piece like this captivating Choucair figure, pay close attention to the haptic qualities of the room’s varied surfaces to create an ambiance that’s as tangibly satisfying as it is visually appealing—as is the case with this gorgeously contemporary retreat in London.

Attention to the Details

Nicholas Pirzada – Sotheby’s International Realty – Brentwood Brokerage

An artwork, first and foremost, needs to suit the space where it’s situated—and then furnishings can be selected that correspond with the piece. When done correctly, the most subtle intricacies can become bold declarations; notice how the repeating images in this photographic work by Gilbert and George cultivate an illusion of reflectiveness that’s heightened by the furniture in this West Hollywood mansion, while stark geometry intensifies the black window frames.

Let the Outside Inside

Karen Heyman and Alan Heyman – Sotheby’s International Realty – Downtown Manhattan Brokerage

Sometimes, the best counterpoints to a work of art exist beyond the home itself. It’s not just the warm wooden interiors of this chic Brooklyn condo that enliven this jubilant Albers canvas, but the abundant sunlight and the historic brick and brownstone buildings across the bay.

Statement pieces are important focal points for a room, but they have to take priority. Fortunately, art is inherently lucid. If you’re willing to consciously look and listen, it will tell you what it needs in order to achieve its full potential.

This article originally appeared at https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/how-to-anchor-rooms-around-statement-art-pieces

Hardly a week goes by that a luxurious property somewhere in the world is marketed for its acclaimed architect, commendable construction firm, or esteemed design team, the quality of whose work is often not readily apparent in photographs. The reason for the honors showered on this striking Chelsea townhouse, however, are immediately apparent: its breathtaking contemporary façade singles it out as groundbreaking, innovative, and well worthy of the Award of Excellence from the Society of American Registered Architects, which it garnered in 2021.

New York, New York | Mae H. Bagai, Jonathan Hettinger, Sotheby’s International Realty – Downtown Manhattan Brokerage

The self-proclaimed goal of Manhattan-based architect Andrea Steele, who spearheaded the building’s creation—is to produce “innovative, socially conscious design that acts as a catalyst for the surrounding community.” This six-level residence, tucked amid more-traditional buildings, is just that—visually exciting and effortlessly inspiring, with a “screen” of aluminum louvers covering the façade and creating a tableau unlike any other in the vicinity.

The sophisticated interiors are a haven for aficionados of cutting-edge contemporary design and lovers of light and volume. While a convenient, highly practical elevator links all six levels, the dramatic staircase is as much about form as function, catching the eye as it ascends through the central atrium, opening the living spaces vertically, creating a pervasive sense of interconnectedness, and filling the house with a cascade of sunlight from above.

The ground level begins with a slate-paved hallway and a sizable glass-walled garage with remote-controlled folding steel doors. Beyond is an open pavilion-like space that can serve as a guest apartment, an office, or a studio and includes storage, laundry facilities, and a full bath. The building’s clever configuration positions this floor beneath the serene backyard, where a discreet skylight admits light from above. On the lowest level, the casual entertaining area features 20-foot ceilings, a gas fireplace, a 25-foot skylight, a wet bar, both a powder room and a full bath, a sauna with a steamshower, and a gym.

A full floor of formal living space on the second level opens through a wall of double-height glass to the peaceful walled backyard terrace, where the louvers of the streetside façade are echoed on the building’s southern side, gently filtering the direct sunlight that floods into the interiors. A generous dining room accommodating at least a dozen adjoins a sleek, streamlined Poliform kitchen with stainless-steel Gaggenau appliances and a built-in sitting area.

The private quarters—two bedroom suites with their own laundry closet and a 1,500-square-foot primary suite that includes a spa-like travertine bath with a soaking tub and rain shower, a walk-in closet, a dressing room, a sitting room, and a laundry area—occupy the quiet, secluded fourth and fifth levels. The uppermost floor is a versatile space that can benefit the busy professional as a large office, offer a den for relaxation beside a gas fireplace, or be converted into additional bedrooms that share a full and a powder bath. High above it all, a rooftop terrace—one of the most coveted amenities in bustling Manhattan—is ideal for dining, entertaining, or private reflection surrounded by the city’s dazzling skyline, as exciting and inspiring as the home itself.

This article originally appeared at https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/inside-an-architectural-landmark-in-chelsea

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

An exceptional art collection may be eclectic, but it’s never disorderly; every piece is chosen because it holds personal significance, or dialogues compellingly with a certain space or place. That’s why if you have a private art collection—or aspire to amass one—knowing how to curate it in your home is so essential.

When done properly, your exhibition serves as elevated decor that enhances your property, while also showcasing your one-of-a-kind style and personality.

1. You Can Start with the Art

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

ovide instant inspiration for the color, layout, and ambiance in the rest of the room.

In this hilltop villa in Napa—itself a masterpiece, with modernist, Art Deco, and deconstructivist influences—singular, iconic Warhols serve as visual touchstones for the spaces they inhabit.

2. Get Inspired by Galleries

Becky Fathemi – United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty

If your artwork doesn’t resonate with you, it’s time to start browsing. Though museums and galleries have immersive online catalogs, nothing compares to going in-person. This way, you can genuinely experience the presence and physicality of artworks, and see how they can be displayed and arranged.

Located in London’s affluent Mayfair district, this magnificent apartment boasts effortless access to some of the greatest art institutions and commercial galleries in the world, as attested by its vibrant collection. The Royal Academy of Arts and the Fine Art Society are nearby, and there are a variety of places where you can purchase—or even commission—a work that fits your vision and vibe.

3. Hang Like an Art Handler

Despina Laou – Greece Sotheby’s International Realty

When you’re ready to mount your artwork, there are some established guidelines that are helpful to follow. Typically, professional art preparators will hang works so that the center of the image is around five feet from the floor, which puts the piece approximately at eye level.

This holds true even for enormous works—like the statement pieces found in this stunning stone sanctuary perched on the Ionian coast—though if they cover most of the wall, ensure the lower edge of the frame is about a foot and a half from the ground.

4. Color Coordination is Key

Ann Brizolis – Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty

Whether a painting, sculpture, or photograph, it’s often assumed that a work of art should coordinate with the colors in its immediate surroundings. That’s not necessarily incorrect, but if the colors are a perfect match, that art will lose its majesty.

Instead, the shades, tones, and hues of the piece could tastefully contrast with the walls and furnishings. Or you can follow the example of this radiant estate in Rancho Santa Fe and pair a work with a setting that augments the complementary colors, without blending in.

5. Mapping the Dimensions

Jason Friedman and Sandy Binder – Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty

While you may be able to swap out old furniture or paint your walls when curating your art collection, the architectural details and features of your home are important and unique, and deserve to be celebrated.

So when shopping for art, it helps to know the sizes of your home’s potential display surfaces, the heights of your ceilings, and the quality of light and shadow in different areas. That way, you can stage a show comparable to this Brookville mansion, which makes exceptional use of its available spaces to exhibit an unforgettable collection.

6. Protect Your Investments

Jane Zhang – Sotheby’s International Realty Canada

If you acquire high-quality art from a reputable artist and gallerist, and do your due diligence on its authenticity and paperwork, it’s bound to be a sound investment—though bear in mind that its value may grow over decades or generations. That’s why you should buy pieces because you adore them, and feel a powerful personal pull from them, and not because you’re hoping to sell them off later at an increased price.

It’s also why it’s important to safeguard these precious assets. As seen in this spectacular Toronto residence, it’s often prudent to shield paintings and photographs from direct natural light. They can also be framed with UV-proof and anti-reflective acrylic glass.

Curating art in the home is a labor of love—one that empowers you to explore and embrace the aesthetics that bring you joy and enliven your every day.

This article originally appeared at https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/the-art-of-curation-how-to-choose-and-display-fine-art